by Jordan Baker
“You know the Academy?” Aaron asked. The thief smiled.
“I might have spent some time there,” he replied then redoubled his attack. Aaron wondered why a former member of the Academy would be out stealing from the city’s guests. “I’ll bet you’re even in the first division,” the thief guessed.
“That’s right,” Aaron confirmed, stepping up his attack even more yet, finding that the thief matched him block for blow.
“You’d have to be. You’d probably kill someone from the lesser divisions just by accident. Most of them are useless with a blade and you're not half bad,” the thief commented. Aaron cocked his head.
“I haven’t killed you yet,” he said to the man and the thief smiled.
“I like your sense of humor,” he responded and then, for some reason, he ceased his attack, stepped back against the wall and let his sword hang loosely in his hand, allowing it to fall to the ground with a clatter. Aaron noticed that the hilt of the man's sword was wrapped in the same fashion as his own. The man smiled as Aaron picked up the sword.
Aaron could feel the Xallan soldiers standing their guard but he had also not noticed that a unit of the city guard had taken positions in a semi-circle around him while a small crowd had gathered nearby, watching. Aaron also noticed Lord Carlis standing off to one side, looking concerned.
The Guard Captain arrived and called for everyone to disperse. The Xallans sheathed their swords and the Maramyrian guards moved in to take hold of the thief. Aaron turned and watched as they removed a pouch from beneath the thief’s cloak and patted him down for any weapons he might have hidden on him. The found only a dagger in his boot and, satisfied that he was no longer a danger, led him from the inn. As the thief passed by he looked directly at Aaron, as if attempting to burn his picture into his memory.
“What is your name, friend, that I might know who bested me this day,” asked the thief.
“Aaron,” he told him. “And yours?” The thief smiled at him and Aaron could not figure out why. He also wondered why the man claimed Aaron had won the fight.
“They call me Jax. For how much longer, I don’t know. They might hang me for this," said the thief, then he shrugged. “That’s life. Easy come, easy go.” He smiled at Aaron as he was hauled away by several of the guards. The guard captain approached Aaron with the bag the thief had carried.
“You said your name was Aaron,” said the captain of the guard. Aaron nodded. “Then, Aaron, you may return these belongings to the Xallan ambassador. As a commoner, I am not permitted to address visiting dignitaries nor am I permitted to know what items or papers he carries and cannot open this to determine what is his and what belonged to the thief. As you are clearly of rank, I submit to you this task. You have done a great service today. Thank you," said the guard captain in a voice that was audible to both the Xallan ambassador and the remaining members of the crowd who had begun to disperse.
Aaron was impressed at the guard captain’s grasp of diplomacy and protocol. He himself had been unaware that the common guards were prohibited from direct interaction with the Xallan nobles. Despite being garbed as a member of the High Academy, he was not much more than a commoner himself, but he supposed it was simply a matter of protocal and he qualified for the task. He had also been the one to catch the thief, so it was also fitting.
“I am glad to be of service,” Aaron told him. He held up the sword he had taken from Jax the theif. “What am I to do with this?” he asked.
The guard captain looked at the leather-wrapped blade and shrugged.
“It is yours by right of match,” he suggested, giving his interpretation of the long-standing Maramyrian custom. “The thief has forfeited his right to property, either way.”
The guard captain proffered the pouch containing the Xallan’s jewels. Aaron carefully slid the second sword into his belt and took the pouch, turning to the Xallan ambassador and speaking in Xallan.
“Ambassador, I believe these belong to you.”
The ambassador nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when Aaron handed him the pouch.
“Yes, that thief would have gotten away if you had not happened along,” he said excitedly in Xallan then switched to Maramyrian when he saw that nothing was missing. “You are a brave young man and should be commended by your city for such a concientious deed. Could I invite you to share a drink with me at this inn where I am staying. Perhaps you might explain to me some things about your city. I have only just arrived here and will likely be staying a long time.”
Aaron looked over at Lord Carlis who nodded, indicating that he would meet him inside the inn.
“I would be happy to share a drink with you, Ambassador…”
“Xis. Ambassador Rees is my name,” he told him. Satisfied that everything was under control, the guard captain saluted Aaron and led his men away to continue their patrol and write their reports. Aaron returned a quick salute and focused back on the Xallan.
“Ambassador Rees, I was on my way here to this inn to try a fine liqueur this inn is reputed to make and also to meet a good friend, Lord Carlis, a royal magistrate of Maramyr. Would you be offended if I requested that he join us? He knows much more about the city than I do, and might be a good person to know hereabout.” Aaron asked. Though his guards shifted suspiciously in their boots, Rees nodded his head, pleased at the suggestion.
“I have heard of Lord Carlis. I would be very pleased to meet him,” said the man and, on cue, Carlis walked forward and bowed to the Xallan ambassador, introducing himself.
Though the ambassador’s bodyguard stared suspiciously at both Aaron and Lord Carlis throughout, it was an excellent introduction for Aaron to meet his first Xallan, a people he had only read about. They were a typically pale-skinned people with dark hair and Aaron thought the Ambassador might have been representative of his people were it not for the redness in his face that was a sign of having enjoyed far too much drink for far too many years. As it turned out, Rees was part of a delegation that Calexis had decided should remain in Maramyr to handle any negotiations for security and trade between the two lands and Carlis was exactly the kind of person with whom Rees was supposed to get better aquainted. Carlis, who was never one to pass up a good opportunity to learn of more opportunities, was pleased to meet the man and further pleased that the Ambassador felt indebted to Aaron and, by extension, himself for having rescued his valuables.
They talked and drank for some time until Rees had to excuse himself to ready himself for yet another banquet at the palace, As much as they talked about all manner of things and covered various subjects, Aaron did notice, that Rees tended to keep to matters of a more cultural or economic nature, rather than political or military. Carlis explained that it was common for diplomats to engage in such talk in order to avoid making political commitments or accidentally divulging military information. As the key representative of Queen Calexis, if Rees were to say the wrong thing, it could easily result in a war. Aaron had fond the conversation interesting, but was surprised when Carlis commented on how fruitful he thought the conversation had been. As they made their way from the inn toward the district where Ehlena's aunt lived, Aaron marvelled at how Carlis saw possibilities in just about everything.
It was late in the afternoon when Aaron and Carlis arrived at the Valamyr household and Lady Elaine had left word with her personal guards that Carlis be conducted to her immediately upon his arrival. She had also instructed that Aaron could wait in the garden. Aaron followed a servant through several inner passages and was led through a door that led out into an elaborate garden, beautifully planted with a variety of flowers, plants and even some small trees. The servant conducted Aaron to a finely lacquered wooden bench beneath the one large tree in the garden and told him that he would return with some refreshment. Aaron sat on the bench and closed his eyes, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
It had been an exciting afternoon and though Carlis had assured him that he had handled everything with the ambassador beauti
fully, Aaron felt the tension lodging itself in his neck. He worried that perhaps it might be the onset of one of his strange headaches, but the pain began to recede again as he relaxed. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he did not notice when the scent of flowers filled his nostrils and a pair of nearly silent footsteps approached him. He felt something warm on the side of his face and opened his eyes to find Ehlena planting a kiss on his cheek. Surprised, Aaron nearly tumbled off the bench. Ehlena jumped back, worried he would make her drop the two crystal glasses of wine she carried.
“I though you might be thirsty after all that fighting,” she said and offered him one. Aaron smiled back at her, at once remembering Ehlena’s mischevious charm. And here he was, hoping to relax. "I heard you had an eventful day.”
“It wasn’t anything, really,” Aaron told her. “I caught a thief.”
“I heard you were quite the dashing hero!” she said and took a sip from her glass.
“I suspect Carlis might have exaggerated. It isn't like I rescued anyone, just a bag of jewels for the Xallan ambassador,” Aaron said modestly. Ehlena smiled at him then gave him a narrow look.
“I have been wondering when you would come and visit me, Aaron," she chided. "I should consider it to be almost rude that you took as long as you did." Aaron choked on the light wine.
“This is the first time I have been free. They keep us very busy at the Academy,” Aaron told her.
“Not busy enough that you couldn’t find time to visit the temples,” Ehlena said, accusingly. Aaron sat up a little straighter.
“How do you know I went there?” he asked, a little nervous.
She smiled again and pushed him gently.
“I saw you there, silly,” she said. “You had a very serious look about you too.”
Ehlena pursed her lips and wrinkled her brow in mock seriousness. Aaron wondered what she was doing at the temple square. Ehlena laughed and pointed at his face. “That look! That’s exactly the way you looked, stalking around the black robes acting very important like a serious soldier.”
Aaron sighed. The girl could never be serious, even for a moment.
"So, what were you doing there?" she asked.
“I was looking for something."
“And, did you find whatever it was you were looking for?”
“No. Not really. Just empty buildings.” Aaron had hoped his visit to the temples would have revealed something to him about the Priesthood and their book and, for some reason he felt that he had learned something, but he could not figure out what it was exactly.
Ehlena sighed then she stood and began to pace, frustrated for similar reasons.
“Ever since Cerric made the Priesthood and their stupid book the religion of Maramyr, it’s pretty hard to worship the old gods without attracting unwanted attention. All you have to do is swear something on one of them, even if it's just an expression, and black robes will be all over you asking if you’d like to learn about their special book,” Ehlena said.
“That was part of what I was trying to figure out,” Aaron told her. “The importance of this book." Ehlena stopped and looked at him curiously.
“You were at the temple of the Lady. You won't find much about the Priesthood there."
"I visited all five of the major temples," Aaron said. "They were all the same. All of them were empty and the whole area was crawling with mage-priests. What were you doing there, anyway?"
Ehlena sighed and sat back down. Aaron wondered what had the girl so worked up. “I visit the Lady sometimes. Something about her temple reminds me of my mother.”
Ehlena fidgeted impatiently, frustrated with her thoughts. Part of her wanted to tell Aaron about the Lady and another part of her was worried at how he might react, whether he might think she was crazy for thinking the Lady had actually talked with her, that she had even become a priestess.
“Did your mother follow the Lady?” Aaron asked. Ehlena cast him a suspicious look then she relaxed again, remembering that Aaron was her friend and she supposed it was okay to trust him.
“Yes,” she said, then looked around to be sure that there was no one near. “She was a priestess of the lady. Not many people knew it, save those who follow the Lady.” Ehlena dug a finger under the collar of her dress and pulled out a chain with a simple pendant on it. It was of a leaf and flower, the same kind Aaron had seen in the fountain in the temple and looked to be made of the same silvery gold metal as the ring he had found. Aaron was surprised that he did not notice the pendant when they had travelled to Maramyr. “This was hers. I keep it hidden because of the Priesthood.” Aaron nodded and his thumb touched the ring on his smallest finger. He held it up to show Ehlena the simple band.
“I found this,” he told her. Ehlena looked at it and smiled.
“Where? In the temple?” she asked. Aaron nodded as she looked closer. “It’s a gift from the Lady, it must be. Where did you find it?” Aaron decided to tell her about having seen the woman at the fountain and how he tripped over the small ring. Excited, Ehlena bounded to her feet. “It’s definitely a gift. You should count yourself blessed Aaron. A lot of men may pray to the Lady, but she rarely reveals herself to them. She is a goddess, after all.”
“I don’t know what she would want with me, but if the Lady wants to give me a ring, then I suppose I’d better keep it. I hope that doesn't mean she wants to marry me, though." he joked. Ehlena rolled her eyes.
“And that’s why she doesn’t reveal herself to men. You can't take anything seriously. Of course you must keep it! You wouldn’t want to offend a goddess, now would you? Do you think it is wise to wear it so openly though?” she asked.
“Why not? It’s just a ring,” he said. Ehlena gave him an exasperated look.
“Sure, it’s a ring, simple to look at, but not many rings are made of silvergold,” she told him. Aaron had heard of silvergold but he had never seen it, or knew what it was until now. “It’s extremely rare and said to have magical qualities. Only holy things are ever made of it and some say that no living hand can work the metal, that the few pieces that do exist, like my pendant and your ring, were made by the gods themselves.” Ehlena did not mention the knife that rested against her thigh, strapped to her garter.
Of the few times Aaron had read about silvergold, it had always been in reference to some object that was said to have been crafted by divine powers. And from the things Anonymous had told him, it was entirely possible that the ring on his finger could have been made by a god. Perhaps Ehlena was right and it might be better that he didn't wear it on his hand. He tugged at it with his fingers and found that it was fastened tight. It would not come off.
“I can’t get it off,” he told her. Ehlena tried pulling at it and found that it would not even rotate around his finger.
“Was it hard to put on?” she asked. Aaron shook his head.
“It went on easily,” he told her.
“Wait here a moment,” she said then dashed into the house. Aaron wet the ring with some of the wine from his glass and tried to work it off his finger again but to no avail. Within a few moments, Ehlena returned with a cup and what looked like a small cake. Aaron smelled it right away and recognized it as soap. She dipped it in the water and held it up to Aaron’s hand. “I know how you hate soap, but this might help.” she offered.
"I don't hate soap, Ehlena," Aaron told her. At the Academy, he had become much more accustomed to regular bathing, especially after the grueling training workouts he and the other students were put through on a regular basis. "In fact, I washed up this morning, before I came to see you."
"You make me feel just like a princess, Aaron," Ehlena said, her voice honeyed sweetly, with dripping sarcasm. "Give me your hand."
Aaron let her take his hand and within a few moments, she had his little finger lathered with the fragrant soap. Again, despite all her efforts, the ring would not budge. After trying to move it and letting Aaron try it again, Ehlena shrugged and gave up, letting him rinse the soap off
his hand with the cup of water.
“Does it hurt?” she asked.
“No. Even when I try to pull it off, it doesn’t hurt. It just won’t move,” he told her.
“Well, that settles it then. You are meant to wear it. That’s what the Lady wants, that’s what she gets,” she pronounced as though she were an authority on the matter. Aaron laughed.
“Like most ladies, I suppose,” he joked. Ehlena hit him on the arm.
“Yes. And that’s as it should be. And don’t you forget it!” She laughed and so did Aaron. A voice from across the garden called to them.
“I see you two are having a good visit,” Carlis said as he and Lady Valamyr appeared through a nearby archway. They walked over to Aaron and Ehlena, who stood up from the bench where they had been sitting and Ehlena quickly tucked her pendant back into her dress.
“Lord Carlis has been telling me some very pleasing things about you Aaron. I am happy to see that you are turning out to be the honorable young man that I though you were when we first met,” said Lady Elaine. Aaron caught the hint about being honorable and despite her tone, Aaron could tell the noblewoman clearly continued to disapprove of his frienship with her niece.
“Thank you," Aaron said. "I have been doing my best at the Academy, Lady Valamyr.”
She smiled at him, with just a hint of warmth.
“Please, when we are in the privacy of my own garden, you may call me Lady Elaine.”
“I appreciate your hospitality, Lady Elaine.” Aaron responded more formally, a little irritated by the woman's incessant condescension but figuring it would be easiest just to play along. "And thank you for your assistance upon my arrival at Maramyr. I am forever in your debt."
Lady Valamyr gave Carlis a pleased look.
“And now they’ve got him talking like a noble courtier too! A fine young man,” she said to Carlis. “You are welcome to visit us Aaron, provided we are not otherwise engaged, which we unfortunately are this evening. Ehlena is to accompany me to a ball at the palace this night. Perhaps you could visit again in a day or two?”
