Consequences (Majaos Book 2)

by Gary Stringer

  The Catalyst folded his arms and fixed Rochelle with a look that could have cut steel. “Y'know, there was a girl studying at the Church of Life in my year. Stuck up bitch, she was - thought she was too good to go out and socialise with the rest of us - not that we'd have wanted to be seen with `her sort`.”

  Rochelle spotted the inherent contradiction in that attitude, but kept the observation to herself, “She used to spend all her time shut in the vaults, reading the gods know what. Noth ing of any use to anybody, that's for sure. Nothing normal. She was really annoying and came out with the same sort of centaur dung that you're saying.”

  Rochelle had to bite her tongue to keep from saying that she knew the person he was describing, and that his description and reality could scarcely be more different. She wanted to say that she had calmly thought her way through more than one `impossible` situation and faced down `forbidden` dangers that would no doubt leave the young man before her faint with terror. Sure, Eilidh and Rochelle had not seen eye to eye on some things. Indeed, if it had been up to Eilidh, her party would have left Rochelle to her fate back in Avidon and in all likelyhood, Rochelle would not now be alive. The gnome was philosophical about that, now that she understood what was at stake. In the end, willing or not, Eilidh had saved Rochelle's life and Rochelle was determined to prove her worth. Eilidh herself could not return to Merlyon to conduct research. Too many people would recognise her

  - this difficult librarian was proof of that. Therefore, Rochelle was the sensible second choice. She didn't expect it to be easy, but neither did she expect to have to stand there and listen to her friend being slated by this...this nobody.

  “It's impossible,” the librarian continued. “Everyone who knows anything about magic which is everyone who matters knows it's impossible. Impossible and forbidden.” “I realise it's unheard of,” Rochelle allowed, patiently, “but-”

  “--Oh in the name of the Father, you're worse that stuck up bitch I used to know. At least she learned not to bother others with her stupid, nonsensical ideas!”

  She wanted to point out that the `stuck up bitch` he was referring to had been specifically chosen by the Prime Magus himself, to save them all from Niltsiar, but she daren't. “CAN'T. BE. DONE. Not now, not ever. Simple, black and white, no grey areas. IMPOSSIBLE AND FORBIDDEN! GOT IT?” By now, the pair were attracting a great deal of attention and Rochelle began to think that maybe Eilidh just knew when to let things drop and perhaps she ought to take that advice herself now.

  At that moment, a rather dour human woman walked over. She was wearing robes of imperial purple, with white hood, cuffs and trim. She was not old - perhaps approaching middle age, but her tied back, shoulder-length hair was pure white. Her pale blue eyes looking down her nose at Rochelle, she demanded to know what was going on. Rochelle opened her mouth, but the Catalyst got in first.

  “This gnome was asking for forbidden knowledge, Mistress Merlana.” Rochelle gasped in fear, dropping to one knee, as was proper for one so lowly to address the Guardienne of White Magic. “Mistress, forgive me!” Rochelle begged, deciding that standing her ground and fighting her cause was likely to do more harm than good.

  This was a very dangerous situation. Merlana was a powerful force for the Light and a fanatic to boot, by all accounts. Officially, she was part of the Council of Magic, and sat in session with mages of dark and balance alignment. Unofficially, she was said to have no tolerance for anything she viewed as evil or unwholesome...and there was much in the world she adjudged evil and unwholesome. People whispered that she would banish night if she could...and winter, too. Rochelle was from Avidon and trained by the Hand of Darkness. Could Merlana detect some stench of Darkness around her? What would she do if she did?

  The white wizardess gestured to someone behind Rochelle, and the gnome felt all her magic leave her in an instant. Rochelle was too terrified to dare turn around, but she didn't need to, to know what had happened. There could be no doubt: she had just experienced a Nullmagic spell. The mage to whom Merlana had gestured, was obviously an Enforcer, with the power and authority to disable and capture any possible magical threat. Now with war declared, that authority was even more wide-ranging. Merlana would need little excuse to have Rochelle arrested and locked up, or worse, without charge or trial. The only thing that could save Rochelle then would be a direct appeal to the Prime Magus, Gamaliel, as leader of her own red division and indeed the full Council of Magic. But that would require her to tell the truth, the whole truth about what she was doing causing a scene in Merlyon's Library of Magic. She trusted Gamaliel, of course, but there was no telling what other ears might be listening. That could jeopardise Eilidh's quest. No, she dared not involve Gamaliel.

  Then, as if her thoughts had summoned him, a tall male Enforcer strode over to them. He wore red on the hood, cuffs and trim, as well as the symbol of the highest order of magic and that of the Balanced One around his neck.

  Rochelle prayed fervently for the ground to swallow her up but sadly EgaliTe didn’t feel like changing the laws of nature just at the moment. Risking a glance, she was surprised to notice something in Merlana's respectful lowered gaze: worry. Why would the head of white magic be worried by the presence of her counterpart of balance?

  “Is there a problem here, Merlana?” Gamaliel asked, pleasantly. “Why not at all, Gamaliel,” she replied, self -consciously smoothing down her robes. “Just a minor disturbance...I simply happened to be here and decided to give this young druid a lesson.” Turning to Rochelle, “Go,” she commanded, imperiously. “And next time please conduct yourself with a somewhat greater decorum.”

  It took every ounce of self-control for Rochelle to stand, bow and walk calmly out of the library. As soon as she was outside, the great doors shutting behind her, she bolted and didn't intend to stop running until she reached the barracks of the Knights of Paladinia.

  Eilidh had stressed the need for a low profile, the gnome reflected, and here was Rochelle attracting the attention of both Mistress Merlana and Prime Magus Gamaliel! All she needed now was to run headlong into Master Drizdar and she’d complete the set!

  * * * * * Rochelle suppressed a shiver. It wasn't particularly cold in Merlyon, but ever since the Nullmagic spell, she had keenly felt the absence of the sweet caress of Life. Her senses were ill equipped to interpret the sensation; the closest she could tell was that she felt cold and so Rochelle shivered.

  The druidess didn't see how she was going to get her magic back anytime soon. Merlana had ordered the spell as punishment and that news might have been passed on to the Church there in Merlyon. Nor would it regenerate on its own in sunlight, Nullmagic prevented that.

  Rochelle could not accept that her self-appointed trip to Merlyon would turn out to be fruitless. Something was bothering Rochelle about what she had just been through, perhaps more than one something. Right now, though, Rochelle was still scared witless. It was fortunate, she reflected, that she had a place to retreat to. A place of safety and security. A place where magic held no jurisdiction even in the magical capital of Mythallen.

  Chapter 5

  Hannah’s fitted golden plate armour possessed a fresh, dazzling brilliance t hat threatened to outshine the sun. She had spent most of the past week tending to her full ceremonial uniform, even to the extent of embroidering her house crest onto her new red cloak in the finest golden thread available in Merlyon. Her red cloak replaced her old blue one, marking the distinction between a Knight Initiate and a Knight Warrior. Her blue cloak would have to serve her but one last time.

  Hannah could have sent her embroidery to one of the tailors that were renowned for their fine service to the Knighthood and she had no doubt that the work would have been exemplary, but she preferred to do the work herself. It was a chance to put some of her girlhood skills to use, as her mother had taught her, long before she had demonstrated aspirations for Knighthood and felt the call of Patreleux to enter into the defence of His world and His children. She was a warrior, but
she was also a woman. Sometimes, then, she liked to give her feminine side a chance to surface and express itself.

  Actually, she reflected, that was not a good way to think of it, because it implied two separate halves where a single whole existed. Knights most commonly favoured the sword, but they were trained to handle other weapons with no less skill and effectiveness. Blades and spikes came in all shapes and sizes - to Hannah, the needle pulling thread was just one more. Her embroidery was not a separate skill to her combat effectiveness - it was the same thing. Like combat, it required a steady hand and a cool head. Anyone could strike someone with a sword, it was a question of how, when and where to strike. That was a lesson often lost on male warriors, who believed strength alone was the key. Hannah’s swordplay was a matter of skill, accuracy and precision - just like her embroidery. The difference, of course, was that this way she was able to use her skills to create rather than destroy. That brought her a deep sense of satisfaction and she whispered a prayer of thanks and praise to the Father of Light whom she was sure guided her hand.

  It was a paradox of war that those called upon to do it were among those who hated it the most. Those like Hannah who were required to put their lives on the line understood the true cost of conflict, but she also understood that it was importantto draw that line and say, “This far. No further.” Some of the older Knights continued to hold to the notion that female warriors were a mistake and female Knights a disaster. They dared not voice such thoughts aloud, however, for Hannah and those of her contemporaries had been accepted and trained as Knights and that was that.

  The Sacred Code of Paladinius stated: A Knight shalt conduct themselves with honour at all times, nary stinting in their lauding of another's skill. A Knight shalt not demean another - neither friend nor foe - with unfounded insults or disparaging remarks. A Knight shalt not bear false witness, nor question the honour, veracity, skill or courage of another without clear evidence of lacking in the other’s own conduct. Where evidence exists of such lacking in a fellow Knight, the grievance shalt be presented first to the ranking Knight Officer. In extreme cases, or where the accused are themselves of Officer rank, the Knight Commander must be informed, that the matter may be brought before the High Council for due consideration ere a trial is convened. Where the accused is acquitted, it shall be determined whether the accuser acted in all honour, but in error, or whether they didst violate the aforementioned rule prohibiting false witness. Matters of personal honour, among those of equal rank, may be settled through personal combat. (See section pertaining to Duels and Contests.) Such duelling shalt be adjudicated and every effort shall be made to ensure that they are non-lethal in nature, ending when the accuser or accused do yield. (Rules pertaining to the subject of challenges where adjudication is not possible shall be discussed in Appendix 3.) In wartime or declared state of emergency, challenges shalt be conducted only with the direct permission of the highest ranking Knight there present.

  In short, Hannah was a Knight and no other Knight could ever question her right to be one without clear evidence...evidence they could never find. After spending one whole day in fasting and prayer, and all night prostrate on the stone floor before the symbol of her god, Hannah was properly prepared. So it was that she was standing there, armour shining in the sun, blue cloak flapping in the breeze as if to make a flag of her house crest, mithril sword sheathed at her hip. Her name was called and she strode forward majestically, accompanied by a fanfare of trumpets and flanked on each side by a squire. Hannah climbed the circular stone steps to the dais upon which the Lord High Chancellor, Sir Charles Barrack, waited. The squires stopped five steps below the dais, while Hannah continued alone. Once at the top, she dropped to one knee before Lord Barrack and handed him the hilt of her sword.

  The Lord High Chancellor was a tall man with white hair touching his shoulders. He was an old veteran, but he wore his years with vigour. His grip on Hannah's sword was firm and sure, his eyes were fierce with determination and with the Divine Father's love. He did not shout, but his commanding voice easily carried over the assembled throng.

  “Who among our ranks doth sponsor this woman to be accepted fully into the Knighthood of Paladinius?”

  “I do, my Lord!” A voice from the crowd declared. Again the trumpets sounded as Knight Officer Sir Warren Mitchell approached the dais, flanked by two Knight Warriors. His escort stopped three steps below the dais, while Warren continued alone. He bowed once and thumped his fist to his chest, over his heart, in salute. He himself was to be promoted later, to the rank of Knight Commander. He was glad this was to be his final act as Knight Officer.

  “Dost thou attest to the skill, honour and courage of this woman?” asked the Lord High Chancellor. “Indeed I do so attest, my Lord. Whilst under authorised detached duty to her d ivision, Lady Hannah Collins didst undertake a quest in the noble tradition of our Order. While the details of said quest must needs remain, for the time being at least, secret, in accordance with the Questing Rules of the Sacred Code of Paladinius, I do swear upon my Oath and upon my honour that her deeds are worthy of such recognition as offered by this ceremony.”

  “Indeed,” Sir Barrack acknowledged. “For the record, I do have in my possession, a letter from an undisclosed person or persons of sufficient rank and station, verifying the aforementioned quest and the role of this Knight Initiate in that noble undertaking. I do therefore declare myself satisfied that by all military standards, this woman doth qualify most admirably. However, battle skill, courage and even honour are not sufficient for a Knight of Paladinia. Faith is a vital ingredient and must be demonstrated through fasting, prayer and ritual cleansing in the sight of Divine Patrelaux. Who, therefore, will attest to this woman's religious commitment?”

  “I will so testify!” The voice belonged to a woman, distinctive among the sea of Knights by her white robes, every square inch of which was embroidered in silver and light metallic blue with the symbols of the Father of Light. Another fanfare announced the cleric's approach to the dais, flanked on either side by a Knight Commander, indicating the deep respect accorded by the Knights to a Revered Daughter of Patrelaux. The Knights stopped just one step short of the dais, while the unnamed cleric took the final step alone to stand before the Lord High Chancellor. The name of the cleric was not spoken because it was unimportant - in this she was a representative of the Father of Light. Indeed, many Knights believed that the god himself spoke through his priest and the cleric was but an instrument of His Divine Will. It was for this reason that the Chancellor bowed to the cleric, not vice versa.

  “I can verify with all certainty, veracity and truth that this woman did fulfil the requisite sacred rituals to prepare her soul as well as her body for this ceremony. Upon inquisition, this woman did prove herself to be a scholar and believer of the Word of the God of Light and Goodness.”

  “By thy testimony, therefore,” Lord Barrack concluded, “I do declare this woman's spiritual requirements fulfilled.”

  A fanfare of trumpets filled the pause before the next part of the ceremony. “The induction of a True Knight is a solemn and sacred matter, not to be undertaken lightly, or selfishly, but with reverence and proper forethought. It must needs be entereth into with all honour. Therefore I must needs ask all Knights here present, that if thou knowest of any just reason why this woman shouldst not be accepted as a Knight Warrior within our ranks, thou art honour-bound to declare it now.”

  All was silence. “Lady Hannah Collins, dost thou swear an Oath by the Code, upon thine honour and before thy god, that thou knowest not of any impediment or failing that doth prohibit thine promotion under the laws laid down byLord Paladinius?”

  “With all my heart, my Lord, I do swear it.” “Then, Knight Initiate Lady Hannah Collins, for services to this kingdom and others, in keeping with the honour and tradition of Paladinius, by the power and authority vested in me by said tradition and great Patrelaux, our Father of Light, I do hereby promote thee to the rank of Knight Warr
ior, with all the privileges and responsibilities of that rank.” As he spoke, he touched the flat of Hannah's blade to her left shoulder, then over her head to touch her right.

  “Arise, Lady Hannah Collins: Knight Warrior of Paladinia; Fourth Merlyon Infantry Division. Congratulations!”

  She got to her feet. “Thank you, my Lord Barrack.”

  Hannah accepted her sword back, sheathed it and saluted with her fist over her heart. All the other Knights present, including Lord Barrack, returned the salute. As her sponsor, it fell to Warren Mitchell, to unpin Hannah's blue cloak and unbuckle her plain gold breastplate, revealing the layer of mail beneath. The Knight Commander at Lord Barrack's left side held Hannah's new breastplate, displaying the mailed fist that indicated a Knight Warrior. He handed it to Warren, who buckled it in place on Hannah's body.

  Next, the Knight Commander on Lord Barrack's right, passed over the red cloak, emblazoned with Hannah's house crest. Warren fastened it in place with the Infantry Division brooch. She saluted once more and the trumpets blared anew. Knight Warrior Lady Hannah Collins turned on her heels and marched quickly back down the steps, the entire escort of Knights at her back. Her pace did not abate until she had left the ceremonial arena and disappeared inside.

  Chapter 6

  “Merlyn's daughter? Here? Now? In our time?” Eilidh exclaimed. The others were speechless. “That's impossible!

  “Just because you do not know how to do something,” the Wise One scolded, “that does not mean it cannot be done.”

  Eilidh flushed deeply, hearing one of her own favourite expressions repeated back to her. “Forgive me, Wise One,” she said, suitably admonished. “I spoke before I thought.”

  “A bad habit,” the old man warned. “Always think, young Eilidh. Use your head. There is nothing more important.”