by Mara Amberly
Cerus stood as the boat came in to dock and the helmsman tied up the vessel at the wharf. The Haledoran climbed out without help, though it was offered.
“Thank you for the journey,” he said, pleased with Graham’s straightforward manner.
He noticed the helmsman observed the coast in the way a man does familiar ground. He’d probably spent his life in and around these islands.
“If you’ll be needing transport back,” Graham said, “you might find boats here between sunrise and sunset. Outside of that, I’d recommend trying the boat house.”
Cerus noted that currently his was the only one, though there were several empty boats tied up to the dock.
“I shouldn’t be leaving until at least tomorrow, but I will bear that in mind. Thank you. Please bring my bag up to the palace when you’re ready.”
He’d already paid the helmsman. Still, he offered him another silver coin by way of a tip.
“Thank you kindly!” Graham said, and Cerus walked on up the smoothly-cobbled path toward the palace courtyard.
He knew the way, and the stairs felt familiar beneath his booted feet. He’d brought his sword and knives with him, because he would’ve considered it a sign of weakness to come here unarmed. He also knew that the people here could be sensitive about weapons, especially around their King. Cerus would submit to having his sword peace-tied when the time came, or at worst, handing it over, but he would not travel to the island without weapons at his disposal. It wasn’t that he couldn’t use one of any number of items as a weapon if he needed to. He was quite a proficient fighter and prided himself on the fact. It was more the principle of the thing. The stairs soon gave way to a paved path that circled around green lawns to reach doors that were located at intervals along the massive palace building and its four towers. At a distance the towers appeared large, but up close they were massive, seemingly towering up into the sky.
He looked along the building until he found a large arched doorway with a trellis around it, ivory in colour. Rare silver ivy with red blossoms grew over it, no doubt casting their alluring floral fragrance. He didn’t have many recollections of the palace itself, but he remembered this door and the open area inside. Cerus ventured in, curious to see if it matched up with his vague memories. Surprisingly, it did. The room was a large, overly luxurious waiting area. The floors were stone with beautiful mats embroidered in bright colours, while tapestries depicting scenes of heroics and romance adorned its walls. There were fountains in alcoves on the west wall, with brightly-coloured tiled sections around them that spurted water into the air and neatly caught it again, while palm trees and other plants he didn’t recognise grew in pots in the corners of the room.
Many people lounged on chairs and talked; others ate, smoke and drank at tables. A minstrel played a tune on his flute, while a young woman in a corset and skirt twirled about and sang to the minstrel’s tune. She was rather lovely with her braids flying, and a figure that drew the eye as surely as her singing voice did, but it was not why he was here. Cerus walked on, passing whispers of conversation, laughter, and the sounds of eating. It reminded him of home in a way, except these people were courtiers or dressed to meet a King, and they were putting on airs much more than his people ever did. Haledorans were known for their directness and this place was probably the least direct one in the kingdom. In a way, that was off-putting.
Looking around, his gaze was drawn to a man with a tight-fitting grey suit that seemed completely free of rumples, marks, or any of the signs of usual wear. How he managed this was a mystery. His hair was neatly trimmed and he was completely beardless. Was this what civilisation was? A complete lack of what made a person who they would normally be? The man was friendly though – Cerus could tell from his smile and the respectfulness of his greeting. Someone important but not important enough that he didn’t have to deal with new visitors.
“Welcome Sir to the Palace of King Merrion of Kalle, first of his name. I am Gerard Blackthorn, Palace Clerk. What, may I ask, is the reason for your visit?”
Cerus grimaced, “I want to see the King.”
The grey suited man responded, “I understand.”
Nearby, a portly woman in a blue gown laughed. “You and everyone else here.”
The suited man glanced at her with a slight frown of annoyance, then he smiled again – it was almost eerie, how feigned it seemed, but apparently this was what Kalleans took for politeness.
“If you’ll follow me, we can speak of this matter privately.”
Cerus wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be for his benefit or the King’s, but he responded. “We may do so, though there are some details I’m only willing to share with King Merrion himself.”
The grey-suited man took note of his weapons, as Cerus knew he would.
“I didn’t catch your name, sir.”
Cerus’s lips quirked up into an amused smile. “Cerus Arani, Governor of Haledor.”
Several heads turned his way, people obviously listening in and others now paying him greater attention.
“I – I understand, sir.”
Cerus smirked, “good. Now if you would please lead the way, we might speak of this matter of great import to the King.”
The suited man, Gerard, hesitated for a moment more. “I must first ask you to leave your weapons with the desk at the end of the room, as they are not permitted further within the palace.”
The Governor looked vaguely frustrated by this and the clerk looked nervous. Cerus wondered if many people gave him trouble here when he asked them, politely, to hand over their arms.
“The last time I visited King Merrion, my sword was peace-tied. I would request my weapon is tied instead, in a similar manner this time. Is that possible?”
He nodded, “yes, but any knives or er, maces or weapons of other kinds must be left at the desk.”
Cerus gave him a coolly arrogant smile, “of course,” then he walked on, leaving Gerard to follow behind him in the manner of a servant. Cerus made the necessary introductions at the desk, catching an attractive lady’s eye as he unbelted his sword, then he set it flat on the counter and unstrapped sheath daggers from his arms and legs. The man across the counter was staring by the time Cerus dropped the last of them on the counter top.
“That makes five. Good enough?” Apparently it wasn’t, as two burly guards insisted on frisking him for further weapons. They found none, which proved the value of his tailor-made boots.
“Are you quite done?” he eventually asked, frustrated and more compelled to use the weapons they’d taken from him than he would’ve been if they’d left him unfrisked.
“Almost,” the desk attendant answered, as he tied the red string through and around the hilt of Cerus’s curved blade so it could not be drawn, at least at any speed. “You may not draw this sword at any time while you are in the palace, and most certainly not in the presence of the King. If you do, your life is forfeit and you may be killed on sight by the guards. Do you understand?”
Cerus took his sword back and belted it on around his waist. “Yes, I understand, now show me the way to this chamber so we can speak!”
Cerus’s patience was growing thin and it likely showed, as Gerard led him through a tiled corridor with tapestries hanging on the walls. They were the work of masters but the subject matter was dull to his senses. Sometimes you wanted to see something different and interesting. The room was close by, likely so it wouldn’t be necessary to lead visitors further into the palace until their purpose for being there was known. Double doors of heavy oak were opened into a white-walled room with several soft chairs, a canister of wine, and platter of fruit. All of this he ignored for now, and instead pulled out a seat and sat down. His self-important behaviour was in part an act, but one he’d found very useful in dealing with these people. Apparently Kallean nobles did it all the time. It was expected if you wanted to be taken seriously.
Gerard closed the door and sat down opposite Cerus at the table. “Governor,
what can you tell me of this matter that’s brought you to see His Majesty?”
Cerus looked Gerard over as he considered how to best phrase his answer. “I believe I know who was behind the recent atrocities against the Sisters of Destiny, and it is a logical possibility that King Merrion may be targeted in the near future. The men in question have killed the largest force of mages in the city, and unless they have been arrested then they’re still at large – directly across the bay from your palace, as chance would have it.”
Cerus expected some cowardly response from Gerard but he didn’t receive one this time. If anything, his demeanour turned more serious, stronger than it had been outside the room. Could it be that his appearance of weakness was simply a mask?
“So your aim in talking to King Merrion would be to inform him of this matter and the individuals responsible?”
Cerus nodded, “yes. His Majesty needs to know the dangers he’s facing, and I can explain how I know the details that I do. I became aware of the attack on the temple before it happened and sent a messenger to inform the priestesses as soon as my ship docked. That messenger was killed in the attack.”
He didn’t like giving this information to – for lack of a better word, a lackey. However, he had to get through to talk with the King. Governor Arani continued, “This has nothing to do with a grudge between orders. This group of men have been abducting sorcerers – I don’t know for what purpose, but if they do not take them, they kill them. This is what happened to the women at the temple, and I believe the reason for their deaths was so they could not protect the King and the city of Kalle.”
Gerard gave the Haledoran Governor’s words serious thought, but the King would find it necessary to speak with him anyway. A potential threat against the King made it all the more urgent.
“I will see to it that word reaches King Merrion of this issue and that it’s handled in a discreet manner. You may return to the prior room if it’s suitable, and if you require food or drink, it will be brought to you. If the wait is long enough that you require lodgings, a room will be arranged for you until such time as word is received from His Majesty.”
It sounded to Cerus like a speech they gave to every visitor, phrased in such a way that if the King threw out their request to speak, no promises had been made that he’d talk with them. It didn’t feel ‘good enough’ to Cerus, but he could tell this man didn’t have authority enough to say the King would speak with him.
Of course he will, Cerus thought. How could he not after what’s happened, and it’s not as if he doesn’t already know me.
A long wait followed, where Cerus Arani lounged in the waiting room, offered drinks by ladies in plain dresses, while minstrels performed the same old, tired Kallean ballads he’d heard a thousand times.
“Play something different or kill me now!” he demanded, inspiring a laugh from a younger man nearby. Cerus had no idea who he was, but he was drunk.
“Yesh, play something differ’nt! Something with spirit, like to dance or to drink to!”
The minstrels exchanged glances and knowing looks, and launched into a ballad that had more of a beat to it, its music more wildly irregular than the tunes they had played moments before. It still wasn’t to Cerus’s tastes, but it was an improvement. A young lady in a blue dress, with a belt of golden coins about her waist began to dance and turn, spinning to the music, her arms held high above her head. Her hips swayed to the song’s heady beat, and Cerus found it livelier and more enjoyable to watch. It was closer to the music of his people, which was made for dancing and not just entertainment as a backdrop to conversation.
He spent what seemed like hours waiting until frustration won out. Despite the luxuriance of the room, food, drink and smoke on offer, the music and the ladies who mingled and talked with the guests, he wanted to see the King. While he knew King Merrion was undoubtedly busy running his kingdom, he must surely realise how important this matter was and that his life may have depended on it! Cerus knew his temper was getting the better of him, but it frustrated him that this matter wasn’t being treated with all seriousness. Then again, perhaps it was and they were delaying him on purpose? Maybe they were watching him to see who he spoke to or the King wanted to keep him waiting so as to give the impression His Majesty’s time mattered more than his own.
That’s what it will be, he decided. Stupid political games. He shouldn’t have expected anything better from these people! It was really to their detriment, not his, if they didn’t listen to his information and act on it immediately. Governor Arani waited, and he waited some more, but it was almost another hour before a man returned to seek him out. It wasn’t Gerard, but a taller man with blonde hair and a short-cropped beard. Cerus thought he remembered him as one of the stewards, a man named Loreth?
“Governor Arani, you have our apologies for keeping you waiting so long. I am Lorest Kilbourne. Would you please come with me? You have been granted an audience with His Majesty, King Merrion, first of his name.”
Oh, good. Loreth – Lorest. So close!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The trade road wound through the valley in the shadow of the Kelbani mountains and up toward the city. Kelbani was situated on a flat plane between the two nearest mountains – known colloquially as ‘Victory’ and ‘Treachery’. The first of the mountains took its name from the Temple of Victory in Kelbani. The second was named for its paths, which were known to be treacherous for travellers and locals alike.
The details of their morning meeting were still fresh in Alexa’s mind. Knave stayed long enough at the inn to collect his breakfast, but he ate as he walked. Cassia had called him a pain, but Alexa thought he’d been perfectly friendly and courteous.
It had seemed fairly clear to Alexa that Knave liked her sister, but he kept to himself more that morning than he had the night before. It might’ve been the absence of liquor, but she thought he wanted to push on with the journey. There was a chance trouble was headed their way from Kalle, but they were as likely to find it in the mountains. Alexa, Cassia, Brigita and Knave didn’t stay on the road for long before they cut over land, this time to the western side of the trade road, rather than the eastern side they’d followed from Kalle.
“Is there a long way before we need to join the trade road again? We should stay off it for as long as we can,” Alexa asked, energised now after a proper night’s sleep.
“How do you define long? We can stay off the road for a while. There are guides who live in the foothills,” Knave explained, “and they could guide us over land. As you might imagine, they don’t get very much business, but traders still come their way from time to time. If you’ve got enough money to tempt them, you could probably hire one. Kelbani isn’t a great distance from here, but they might know some of the safer paths to take.”
Alexa knew that wouldn’t work. “We don’t have that much money left. Probably not enough to pay a guide.”
Knave frowned, “they might still help us because you belong to a religious order, but if you want to keep your identities a secret, it isn’t going to work.”
Alexa stopped for a moment and gazed up at the mountains. If circumstances had been different, she would’ve enjoyed the view, but they had a long trek ahead of them. “It’s not as if we’d get lost. The mountains are right there in front of us.”
“That is true, but there are also tracks and paths that only a local would know. A climb is possible but riskier and would take longer than using the road. Whether we travel over land or use the trade road, it will bring us to the same place, and that is where we must enter the city of Kelbani.
She sighed, “oh great.”
Knave didn’t look impressed either, but he was amused by her reaction. “The city is strongly fortified. You’d make your way up until you reach the pass – several paths and the trade road intersect there – and then you go through to reach the city gate. The impression it gives is that it’s within the mountain, but in actuality it’s between the two. You can se
e where the mountains meet in the distance from here. The exact place where they do is where you’ll find the city of Kelbani.”
Alexa squinted, but she couldn’t see any sign of the city in the distance, high above. She could see where the two mountains met, but she couldn’t pick out any details at all. If she hadn’t already known it was there, or the trade road hadn’t existed, she wouldn’t have guessed there was a city there at all.
“The city is walled high by the mountains on each side,” he explained, “and the pass has been carved out of the rock. There probably is another way in – the criminal element in the city would know –but if you don’t know them, how would they know to help you? Besides, I wouldn’t trust them because if there’s money to be made off you, what’s to stop them capitalising on that?
Alexa knew he was right – even if there was another way into the city, there was no guarantee the option would be safe.
As they walked on and the grassland gave way to hills, they could see farms, close and distant. There were stone walls separating some properties and others had fenced-off pastures. It became harder to follow a direct path without crossing on to farmers’ land or taking a long way around. A decision was made to follow the main road past a half dozen farms, before the travellers sought cover in the next wooded area.
They found signs in the woods that other travellers had passed this way before. Cassia found ashes on the ground and Alexa noticed circles of rocks from old fire pits. There was even some scattered firewood and old, torn pieces of cloth, which had been left behind.
