by Jordan Baker
“And you have come now from Calexis and the Xallans, have you not?” Cerric asked. Shadar nodded.
“Yes. As that is my home, I thought it best to secure the support of my own queen before venturing forth to ask the same of others.” he told the regent.
“And, what arrangement have you reached with the Xallan Queen?” Shadar smiled at Cerric’s question.
“She has, in wisdom beyond her youthful years, agreed to sanction the Holy Priesthood of Mages as the spiritual leaders of the realm. We hope to bring peace and order to all the realms and teach of the One and Calexis has embraced our plan. We hope you will both permit and help us in this as well,” said Shadar as Cerric sipped his wine.
“Peace and order,” said Cerric. “Calexis has been conducting troop movements along my eastern border for several months. Will my official sanction of your religion convince her to stop making aggressive movements towards my territory?”
Cerric knew full well that the Priesthood had, to date, made no direct moves to alter or influence the outcomes of politics or war. From what he had gleaned from Dakar, and from his own sources of information that confirmed the mage priests had become more aggressive in their ministrations, he suspected that their policy of neutrality might be changing.
“A most incisive question, good king. My queen expected that you might ask me of such things and has given me several proposals contained in these documents.” Shadar pulled a slender message tube made of black, jewel-encrusted, leather. “She has several concerns about the territories on your north-eastern border near the eastern mountains of Kandara where her own lands meet yours to the east. There have been reported raids from these mountains into the lands administered by Xalla and she had hope that you would be of some assistance in this. Perhaps when we are finished detailing the goals of our spiritual mission, we can discuss these more political matters.”
Cerric nodded and clasped his hands together. The request was surprising, given that Calexis had more than enough soldiers to defend her territory. There was some other plan at work here and he suspected it was not the Xallan Queen's as much as it somehow figured into the designs of the Priesthood. There would be some advantage for him in all of this and Cerric decided that he would play this game.
“Very well. We shall first discuss this holy mission of yours today. And perhaps this evening, after we have dined, we can discuss Calexis and my borders. But first, I would like to know what you are willing to offer me, in exchange for my support.” Cerric smiled.
Upon further reflection, he decided that as long as he kept his throne, he did not really care what the priesthood wanted. He knew that there was little he could do to stop them spreading their religion throughout the lands of Maramyr, which irritated him to some degree, but what good would it do to pit himself against a veritable army of mages. Better to make them allies and keep them close where he could keep an eye on them. If the mages were indeed focused more on their new religion and agreed to maintain their outward neutrality, perhaps Calexis and the Xallan hordes might prove the resource he needed to take control of the endless riches of the mountain kingdom of Kandara to the north.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Early the next morning, a messenger arrived from the Academy where he was to be enrolled as a noble. Aaron was a little uncomfortable with playing at being something he was not, but Carlis had insisted the previous evening that it would be for the best since only the nobles received education in matters of state and strategy. Carlis had told him he did not believe that permission to study should be determined by birth and he wanted to ensure that Aaron received a proper education.
When Aaron emerged from the guest room wearing the new clothes that had been placed in his room while he had still slept, Lady Valamyr was ready to greet him. Ehlena had already gone, she explained, then she proceeded to dote on his new apparel. The noblewoman especially liked the new black boots he wore and commented on their craftsmanship. They had, of course, been made at one of her workshops. They made their way to the main entrance and Aaron found that Lady Valamyr's servants had also re-saddled Mathias’ dark chestnut mare for him and in the saddlebags he found a second pair of boots and more clothes. Aaron mounted his horse and Lady Valmyr bid him an enthusiastically farewell. As he rode out into the city streets, Aaron could not help but wonder how glad the woman was to see him go.
It was not long until Aaron arrived at the Academy only having had to ask directions once on his way there. The round, pointed tower that topped the Academy building was visible from almost every point in the city walls, its height only surpassed by the royal palace itself, and it took him a very short time to get there. The porters and stable hands had already been informed of his arrival and, after a few brief introductions, Aaron followed one of the porters along a series of hallways and up several flights of stairs to a small room that was to be where he would live for the next year. He had expected to be lodged in some kind of rough barracks, like those described by Tarnath when he would tell stories of his days as a young soldier, but when he asked about it, the porter seemed surprised that he did not know that all the young nobles were given their own private rooms. The reasoning, although catering to their status to a degree, was also practical. Most of the nobles attended a number of additional classes that the other commoner students did not and they needed a place to study. He got the impression that he would be spending a lot of time in his room and the adventuring from tavern to tavern that Tarnath had talked about might not be in his future.
In his room, Aaron found a small bed, a smaller desk, an empty bookshelf, and a quill for writing. There was a small window and it offered a view that looked out over of what appeared to be a practice yard, below. Once he had finished unpacking his belongings and organizing the room to suit his liking, it was only a short time before an older man wearing a simple uniform in the blue and green of Maramyr entered after barely giving a knock at the door. The man introduced himself as Senior Captain Nathas and, already knowing who he was, Aaron suspected that the man did not wait to be admitted into any room at the Academy.
“Good day to you son,” he said. “You'll be Aaron.”
“Yes, sir,” Aaron said and saluted him as he had seen some of the soldiers do outside. Nathas laughed and something about him reminded Aaron a little of Tarnath.
“Well, you’re not gonna win any awards with that salute but it’ll do for now. Remember, thumb down.” Aaron nodded. Nathas took a good look at him. “So, you’re Tarnath’s boy huh?”
“Well, he was my uncle, sir.”
“No need for ‘sir’ here. There’s plenty of my students here that outrank me, anyway. Just call me Captain, it’s easier. Tarnath was your uncle. The old buzzard never talked about having any family.”
“A sister,” Aaron explained. “She died just after I was born so Tarnath took me in.
“Well that explains a few things," Nathas said. “I knew there had to be some reason he left Maramyr. Any other family? What about your father?”
“I never knew my father,” Aaron told him. Tarnath had never told him much about his father. He said that when he was older he could find out for himself if he wanted, but that it was not his story to tell. Aaron had wondered if anyone at Maramyr might know about him but considering Nathas did not even know that Tarnath had a sister, he wondered if such a search might prove unfruitful.
“I never thought of the old dog as doing the fatherhood thing,” he chuckled. “But Tarnath was always one for doing his duty. Good man.”
“He was not so much of a father as he was my uncle and Tarnath always made a point of it,” Aaron told him. “He raised me and I’m grateful for that.” Nathas nodded.
“Ok, let me see your sword.” Nathas said and Aaron handed it to him. “Nicely wrapped.”
Aaron had found some dark blue leather at the Valamyr stables, one of the stable hands had told him it was a sample from a tannery Lady Valamyr had just purchased. When he inquired about it, she had welcomed Aaron t
o it and the fine leather wound tightly into a grip almost as hard as the hilt itself. The old soldier hefted the piece of steel and looked closer at the bulge on the pommel from the big ruby. He lifted an eybrow and tapped the leather covering. “I remember when the old fool got this sword. It was a gift from the King you know. You’ll do well to keep it wrapped. It’s a nice piece of steel and if I remember correctly it was the cause of a great number of challenges in the old days.”
“Challenges?” Aaron asked him.
“Yes. The young nobles used to do it, some still do. If a man had a nicer sword than you, you could try and win it from him in a friendly duel. You win, you can trade your sword with his. You lose, vice versa.”
Aaron nodded, understanding that there was a lot of things he would have to learn.
Nathas continued. “Also, wrapping the hilt has also become something of a political statement. Most nobles now have their family crest on their hilt somewhere. It used to be a requirement that while at the Academy, all family emblems had to be discarded except for rings or swords, both of which could be hidden with a bit of cloth or some other such thing. We don’t enforce that rule any more by decree of King Cerric, but the students still do to some degree. Now, when you wrap your hilt, it is like saying ‘I’m not going to pull rank. I’ll go on my own merit, thank you.’ In a way it might even be a bit more pretentious that way but it sure makes life simpler at the Academy. With a wrapped sword, you don’t discuss your rank though. Point of honour. I’m sure you’ll figure it all out in time but it works for you. Speaking of rank, Lord Carlis explained that he wanted you enrolled in the High Academy but that you had no title. You don’t own any land do you?”
Aaron shrugged and shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter.” Nathas told him. “Just keep your head down and learn. Serve the kingdom well, maybe you can earn a rank someday. It happens from time to time.”
“I’m just happy to have somewhere to go,” Aaron admitted. Nathas nodded.
“I heard from Lord Carlis that Tarnath met his end. I am sorry to hear that. I have a lot of respect for the service your uncle gave the kingdom. He was an exemplary soldier and an inspiration to many. If you're anything like him, all you have to do is apply yourself and work hard and you should do well here.”
“Thank you very much, Captain. I’ll do my best and try not to make any mistakes.” Nathas laughed.
“Well, you’ve already made one.”
“What’s that Captain?” Aaron was confused already. The old soldier leveled Aaron’s sword at his throat then chuckled deeply.
“Never give away your sword, even for inspection. You should have asked for my blade when I asked for yours. It’s another point of honour and a very strict rule here. Keeps trickery to a minimum, especially among those bickering young nobles, the ones who don’t hide their identities. Some of their families have been bitter rivals for generation. Anyhow, if you’ll accompany me, I’ll give you a tour of the Academy then we’ll get you assigned to a training division.”
He handed Aaron back his sword and led him out of the room.
*****
In another part of the Academy, Mage Dakar, newly appointed Royal Emissary of the Priesthood, which the Regent-king, Cerric had officially decreed to be the new state religion of Maramyr, led a group of his followers along the stone walkway that looked down at the Academy grounds. Today, they would search the Great Library for unauthorized books of magic. King Cerric had given the Priesthood permission to remove any texts on magic from the Academy and take them to Blue Island where the mages were setting up their own school. Dakar saw the young men practising in the courtyard below, swinging heavy steel at each other. He stopped and the group of mages halted as well.
“Today, we seek magic, anything magical in the Great Library is ours for the taking.” He told them. “Use your mage sight to find what you seek. It will make your task an easy one.” Dakar lifted his arms and the practice field took on a different look. Colors shifted and the courtyard below radiated with energy.
Auras of different colour and shape surrounded each of the students below, as they continued their war games, unaware of the mages on the walkway above. Dakar pointed to a few of the students noting the shimmer in their auras that told of some small innate magical ability.
“There, you can see some who might be recruited for Blue Island. We will see some of them soon.” He made a note of which students showed potential. He would have to talk to one of the Academy’s administrators and find out from which families they had come. The mages around him glowed strongly under the spell, their own powers pulsing around them like so many coloured flames. Footsteps sounded on the walkway. Cerric turned to see Captain Nathas and a young student walking towards them. Nathas’s aura had always interested Dakar, not because of any traditional magic for there was none. Dakar sensed a different power, something akin to magic, but difficult to read. The Captain had never shown any talent or power in his doings so Dakar had never pursued it. But this time, Dakar was more interested in the student walking beside the Captain.
Dakar found that he had to concentrate just to look at him, which was odd because this young man had no aura to speak of. It was this absence that so surprised and intrigued the Mage Priest. He reached out with his powers a little only to find what he could only describe as emptiness, not even the basic aura that even the average person had. He shook his head, trying to imagine how empty he himself would feel without magic. Nathas’s salute snapped him from his musings and he acknowledged the Captain with a nod as they passed. Chalking the young man up to being some kind of oddity that might warrant further investigation when he had more time, Dakar gestured for the group of mages to follow him to the Great Library.
Captain Nathas showed Aaron around the various stone buildings. The library was very large and Aaron saw hundreds, perhaps thousands of books lined on the many shelves. Nathas told him that many of them came from the Crystal Palace on Blue Island, a place where sorcerers and scientists alike studied constantly. He assured him that in his leisure time, he could read books on just about anything though a fair number of them were histories and largely pertained to war. As they exited that building, Aaron noticed a strange itching at the back of his neck. It grew stronger as they rounded a large tower adjacent to the library.
He asked about the large tower and Nathas explained that it was a small school at the academy for those ‘gifted’ students who showed some promise at spell weaving. He also told Aaron that he did not have much use for spell casters and that any who showed real promise at magic were whisked away to the magic school at Blue Island.
“Give me an enemy with a sword any day,” Nathas told him.
The Captain told him he thought the mages were a quiet and sneaky bunch. Aaron nodded. He had never had much use for mages either and he had not liked the look of Dakar either. As he followed Nathas away from the tower and the group of mages, the strange twinge in his head receded. He had noticed the same kind of feeling when a band of minor spell casters had come to Ashford for the midsummer festival a few years back. When one of them had cast a more powerful spell, Aaron remembered having been stricken with a powerful headache for several days. He had not had good experiences when he was around magic so he decided to steer clear of that tower.
Outside in the yard, a hundred duels were being fought as students sparred with instructors and each other in circles scratched out in the sand. They were constantly competing and it was according to their levels of skill that they were assigned to each division. Nathas explained that as a trainee progressed, he was promoted to a different division. Since the normal stay at the Academy was a year, it usually took that long to rise through the ranks though most never reached the First before their year was up. Nathas led Aaron through the yard until they had passed by most of the sparring teams. They found a stocky gruff looking man whom Nathas introduced as Aldos.
“Aldos, this is our newest arrival, Aaron. I want you to assess his a
bilities and assign him to a division.” Aldos nodded as his superior turned to Aaron. “I’ll check up on you again at dinner. Oh, and Aldos. Watch out, I think he’s had a few lessons from a friend of mine.” Nathas clapped Aaron on the shoulder and turned to leave. Aaron saluted his retreating back then saluted Aldos.
“That’s a pretty good salute there Aaron. Just use it on the Captains though.” He extended his hand and Aaron shook it. “All right, then lets get started. I see you’ve brought a blade. It’s good and sharp I suppose?” Aaron drew his sword and replied that it was. “And I suppose you’ve used it before?” he smirked, then winked. Aaron sighed.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Aaron said. Aldos stopped for a moment and looked at him thoughtfully. He looked at Aaron’s eyes and recognized the sign of a man who had seen some battle. A lad, but already a man, Aldos decided was his impression.
“Good, you ready?” Aldos asked, leading him toward a nearby circle. Aaron hefted his sword and swung it a few times to get used to it. He had never used Tarnath’s sword before but he could feel the balance in it.
“I’m ready,” Aaron told him as they each took up positions at opposite sides of the circle.
“Be ready to defend yourself,” Aldos called out and drew his blade.
Warily, they circled closer to one another. Aldos shifted from foot to foot, staring intently at Aaron. He moved a little closer. Aaron remembered Tarnath’s first rule in training. Just stay calm and keep your eyes open. He carefully advanced a bit. They met in the centre, blades ringing tentatively with the first blow. They circled and Aldos launched a few gentle swipes at Aaron, testing his defences. They were easily deflected and Aaron casually sidestepped out of reach again.
