The Secret of Azuron (The Sword Empire Book 1)

by J. R. Kearney

  Samson dismounted his horse before helping Landau off Jema's saddle.

  "I never thought it would be so big," his eyes couldn't settle on one thing.

  "This is where it all started, over two centuries ago no less. A small town that flourished into something else entirely, a haven for people no matter where they hail from."

  Amidst the courtyard, pillars of pearl bore towering arches, with stone figures of robed warriors peering upon a great pond that stretched the length of the plaza, and several fountains were spread to sprinkle the children that splashed beneath. In its center a colossal statue of marble depicted four people, and among them was a beautiful woman with long hair, holding a sceptre pointing toward the eastern country.

  Landau surmised her to be the Queen, back in her youth, the first glimpse of her that he received, and her chiselled representation was impressive to examine.

  "This monument commemorates those that fought hard to make Arwendel what it is today, simple folk determined to inspire a difference in this world."

  In spite of his weariness Jema exuded pride in his city, poised in appreciation before the monument. "Come, we must reach the Queen and explain these perils that have appeared of late."

  "Do you really think Elman will have you deliver bad news on the eve of the centenary?" said Samson.

  "Elman is not my concern. The steward's concern is with the success of the centenary, rather than the safety of it," the tone in his voice exhibited how tired Jema had become.

  "At least everything looks in order, thieves and Green-hoods would be daft to come wandering out with so many guards about," said Sam.

  "Maybe. Though I noticed few guards patrolling the southern wall on our approach. I fear with everything that’s happened of late too much concern will rest within the city, rather than outside it. Arriving here safely will do no good if these dangers continue to follow us."

  "Do you really think they will?" asked Samson.

  "I’m not without doubt. I will leave it to the Queen to decide our next move." Landau stood silent, for Jema’s worry had him question his own.

  On approach to the palace the buildings became more prominent, with shapely gardens, and servants to trim them; yards of smooth hedges held back blooming snowball bushes, entangled among blue roses with white clovers beneath their feet. It was a district of many stairs and enormous buildings that flourished with many windows, here no tile was broken or uneven, and most glistened like a rainstorm had just washed over them. To the north a great hall of stone stood encompassed by pillars that were roundly shaped, fashioned with engravings from a precise chisel, with towering red curtains that hung from high balconies, the district exuded wealth. The road they followed gradually inclined and led to another stretch of fortified walls, not as foreboding as the entrance, yet still heavily guarded.

  Inside the ward was a magnificent garden comprised of ponds with lupines, cardinals, and the occasional iris. A corridor of fig trees lined the pathway and arched like a ceiling over high, while polished tiles embraced the aisle beneath them, and reached all the way to the palace stairs. Already Landau noticed nobleman adorned with prestigious garments, his muddy jacket and breeches he feared were well out of place. At the stairs a stable boy acknowledged the knight, securing the reins of their horses before escorting them to the stable. Sam wiped his tired eyes and Jema could not restrain his yawn, yet Landau's gaze only widened upon entering the White Palace.

  Daunting was the space present in the lobby, brimming with glossy furniture and decorative paintings, there was hardly an item that wasn't expensive to behold. High above a skyward ceiling of glass allowed the sun to soak the palace walls, and the ground Landau tread was covered in white and black marble, draped with exotic rugs of natural colors. He was guided toward a grand split staircase with a silver balustrade that weaved upwards to the higher levels, where an older, heavyset man wearing exquisite robes and noticeable jewelry descended to greet them. Landau had never witnessed someone so exaggerated in their costume, with shoes of white leather, and a beard trimmed and tamed with the utmost precision, yet his smile didn't resonate with Jema, regardless they shook hands.

  "Welcome back Sir Jema, and young Samson of Arc, hope all goes well in the war efforts down south."

  "There is much I need to discuss with her majesty, urgently," Jema cut to the point. "Her opinion on these matters are of the utmost importance."

  "Is everything alright? Has war reached our borders?"

  "No, but there may be danger none the less. We've had little sleep to return here so frantically. Where can we find her?"

  "I will lead you to her," the man offered, only now he noticed Landau in the pair's presence. Jema moved him to the forefront.

  "Landau this is Elman, steward to the Queen of Arwendel. This is Landau, a southlander from Porthos, a small fishing village in the south."

  Landau stepped forward and bowed before Elman, his head faced toward his toes before standing up proper once more. Jema glanced at Sam who smirked at the fact Landau remembered his teachings.

  "Pleased to meet you," Landau said politely, though Elman appeared confused to his presence. Jema abruptly answered for him.

  "He's delighted to meet you too Landau. Can you give us a moment?" he requested of Elman, turning to his squire. "Tell the stable boy to see our horses to the Farrier, then have Landau's things taken to an available room in the visitor's quarters, there should still be some left. Afterwards get some sleep, and rest for the remainder of the day. If I need you I'll find you," he said.

  Sam nodded with a forceful yawn and withdrew down one of the many corridors, whilst Elman guided them upstairs, on route to tryst with the Queen.

  Elman not so much escorted the knight, rather attempted to keep up.

  "So what is this news that has you so earnest?" Elman panted, though only a glower did Jema's strength allow him.

  "It is not for everyone to overhear steward. I will wait for the Queen's counsel."

  "Well what purpose does this boy have in consulting with the Queen?"

  "He is a friend of mine," he said in frustration of his questions, though Elman was none amused.

  "You know the Queen cannot just willingly meet with anyone Jema, especially now in preparation for…" Jema waved his finger before him.

  "Look you may be the voice of the Queen steward, but you do not think for her. I will discuss my account shortly, in her presence."

  Behind him Landau gawked in the ambience of the palace, Jema gestured for him to keep up.

  The corridor was draped with banners bearing the Queen’s emblem, tapestries and statues stood before them, and lined the white walls that glared in the sunlight cascading through the glass ceiling. Rooms with portraits small and large passed them by, until the hallway soon ended, and a large reinforced door of red stood before them, only now Landau sweated at the idea of conversing with the Queen. The steward entered confidently before Jema turned towards him.

  "Wait outside here for now son, I'll come for you in a moment's time."

  With that, Jema followed Elman into the room and Landau was left to sit on a cushioned bench, anxious at what to expect. The rules Samson proposed to him near Merchant's Wall muddled in his mind, he never believed he would be speaking directly with the Queen, what would he say to the ruler of the kingdom? He twitched at the idea of looking upon a three-hundred-year old woman, thinking of mother Maybird back in Porthos who was never much to look at, hopeful she was as bad as that. The moment augmented and his nerves inflated, dusting his clothes and hair with frantic hands to look proper. Soon the door startled him as it opened, and he assumed a casual stance before Jema gestured him to enter the Queen's audience chamber.

  Landau proceeded along a soft red carpet that led to a lounge area situated before a prodigious balcony that bathed in the sunshine. Like a golden fire the sunlight soaked the furniture, and above it a second level gallery encompassed the chamber, lined with bookshelves among images of valorous battles il
lustrated on the walls and ceiling. An ornate chandelier suspended from the plafond, and boasted many candles, underneath Elman stood with a hand guiding him to a couch.

  From the balcony a silhouette appeared from the sunlight, and Landau's stare blurred before the Queen came into view, gazing deep into his eyes with a warming smile.

  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  Her hair was a chocolate brown that dangled like silk below her revealed shoulders. She wore a stunning silver and blue corset, and her dress draped long to the floor, while a silver diadem rested above her fringe. Everything about her exuded beauty. Her hand bore a ring with the insignia of her kingdom, and in it she carried a golden sceptre with a sapphire upon its crest that glistened in the daylight. Despite her beautiful blue eyes, a subtle scar ran parallel through her left eye from brow to cheek. He couldn't fathom how this woman was over three hundred years old.

  Jema intervened aware of Landau's dismay, standing behind him with hands on his shoulders.

  "Landau this is Queen Anduniel, sovereign of Ruun."

  He saluted the Queen before he realized that was a soldier's greeting, frantically he stopped to correct himself, though his balance was disturbed in his hurriedness. The Queen chuckled and came closer, even her scent was intoxicating.

  "Welcome Landau. Jema claims you have left much behind to be here, we thank you for your bravery," her voice was heart-warming.

  "Thank you your majesty," he mumbled slightly.

  The Queen gestured him to sit, though everyone else chose to stand.

  "Jema just told me about the loss in your village. For that I am truly sorry. I do not take this news lightly, for no danger is beyond my worry. These creatures he speaks of are unknown to me, he tells me you witnessed them first hand, describe them if you can." Landau nervously cleared his throat.

  "They were like men, we thought, me and my friend," he started. "Then they just became fire, from their hands, and their face. Then their hounds came, they also turned into fire. I saw very little of them."

  His explanation started to unnerve him, Jema moved in to explain more.

  "They came from Corcadia my Queen, Ash-spawn from the depths of Red Mountain no less, we believe their intention was to acquire that stone, one of a pair."

  Jema had turned the gemstone over to Anduniel, though no resolve did her examination award.

  "I have a man due to arrive here in the coming days with another, a friend of Landau's here, an old treasure hunter by chance who can hopefully learn more. Why these creatures travelled so far to acquire them we are without answer."

  Landau was merely a witness to the scene before him.

  "That's not all I'm afraid. Whilst traveling through the Yalthume we were attacked once more."

  "What attacked you? The guardians remain vigilant of any such threat, and the wolves of the Yalthume are not dangerous to us," the Queen asserted.

  "They weren't wolves your highness, the creature was a Barghest. I once encountered them in Skellian, in the south-fold, east of the river where the mountains are lofty and bitter cold. No other place can harbor such devilry, for they are beasts of the mountains, if you can call them a beast at all. The name Barghest itself translates to…"

  "Mountain spirit," a deep voice interrupted from above.

  Landau peered upward to notice an old man, a plume of smoke dispersed from his lips to conceal his appearance. Down a spiral staircase the warmly dressed figure emerged, clad from shoulder to toe in a simple blue cloak, with a strange pointed hat that limped to one side atop his head. His hair was brushed back from his temple, and his lip adorned a moustache curled curiously upward, with a grey tamed beard that scraped the ground before him as he walked.

  He joined their council without introduction, and weighed in on Jema's tale.

  "A creature of the undead you suggest? How can you be certain?"

  "Their fiery eyes for one, redder than the embers in a blacksmith's smelter. Barghest's bring the chill of winter with them also, which was very present, enough to extinguish our fire and make our skin frigid."

  "Interesting indeed," uttered the old man.

  "Vhalen you would have to look far into the horizon to find any hint of a mountain from the Yalthume. Some hills maybe but not the peaks from which they are known. Why Barghests would be haunting these woods makes little sense."

  "As does Ash-spawn wandering so far as Red Mountain I imagine. You believe these stones are to blame then?"

  "Three of them beasts advanced towards me before I threw the stone behind them, to divert their attention, yet not one of them withdrew to retrieve it. Perhaps it is all coincidental, though it provides me with much less comfort."

  In the midst of his conversation Jema noticed Landau bewildered at the old man.

  "I'm sorry Landau, this is Vhalen, much loved wizard of our city, and a good friend. Landau was the boy who discovered these stones."

  "Ah I see. A pleasure to meet you," Vhalen greeted.

  "The pleasure is mine," he replied.

  "Landau has been brave to accompany us here. His friends were killed in the attack on his village, he was the only boy to survive the ordeal."

  "I am so sorry."

  "I thought by bringing him here you could find some conclusion as to why these demons chose to prey upon the children, the boys specifically."

  "I will do everything I can," Vhalen looked upon Landau with regret. "You will find much safety here within our walls."

  For a conversation that revolved around Landau he offered little to say, in the presence of royalty and wizardry he felt minuscule indeed.

  "Until our ally returns with news on these stones I won't know what to make of this situation," Jema continued, turning to the Queen. "Your highness, there is every chance a threat exists to our city if nothing is resolved soon, the centenary itself is tomorrow and as the Queen's Guard I must express concern. There is danger in having our celebrations while this problem eludes us."

  Jema was none too impressed when Elman interrupted to offer his counter argument to the Queen.

  "Anduniel, weeks of preparation cannot be undone for the sake of caution. I sympathize with the boy and all he has…"

  "Save it steward, I know where your concern lies," Jema interrupted, not deterring Elman in the least.

  "Your highness visitors and guests will be arriving here shortly if they have not already, regardless of whether we put on our celebrations or not."

  "Be that as it may your majesty we cannot turn a blind eye for the sake of inconvenience. Whatever purpose drives these demons is done relentlessly and we cannot ignore it. Whilst all this remains a mystery there is much I fear."

  Anduniel stood by the warmth of the window to reflect on her decision.

  "We will use caution. The celebrations will proceed, however my desire to celebrate them personally is overshadowed. To halt them because of such dangers will only ignite a similar fear among our people."

  Jema appeared flustered, but resigned in the Queen's ruling.

  "I can organize the guards to better accompany this danger, send an extra garrison to the Grey Gate and increase their presence on the battlements, perhaps close the south gate after dark. I must admit there is some safety to be found with the amount of warriors residing in our city for this centenary. Whatever these demons’ intentions are, even they would be unwise to attack our city."

  The Queen peered blankly over her kingdom from her balcony.

  "If what you say is true, that these beasts have travelled from great distances to accomplish their task then I would consider them desperate, and those that are desperate are dangerous to disparage."

  "Wise words your majesty," Jema nodded in agreement.

  "Landau," he jumped at the Queen's address, "let these events not play on your mind. It will take more than some irregular creatures to pose a threat to you here. But this is indeed a serious matter. In the meantime, I will leave you in the hands of Vhalen, in the hope of unravell
ing this problem."

  "Is this all my fault?" he asked honestly.

  "You seem far too polite to garner such blame," she smiled. "Vhalen is very wise, he knows much of the world and may know of a solution. He can lead you back to your quarters, you will find he is not as foreboding as he appears," she jested.

  Landau arose and bowed before the Queen, once more igniting her reassuring smile. She turned to Jema.

  "I thank you for your courage, please get some rest and then do what you must," she stated.

  "Thank you your highness," he replied, in a sincere manner that friends would speak. Both Jema and Vhalen led him out the door, leaving the Queen to her steward. Landau caught one more glimpse of her ageless beauty before the red doors closed, and divided them once more.

  Jema escorted Landau down the corridor with Vhalen, and atop the staircase the knight paused to address the wizard.

  "I know there is much to do Vhalen but as soon as you are able, try to see to this matter. I need check on my men and make sure our security is in order, for this is no time for complacency. I have organized a room for Landau to stay in should you need his counsel, Lesnie should know which one," referring to the guest attendant.

  "If it is fine by you Jema, Landau is welcome to accompany me in my tower. There I can better understand the reasons behind these events more closely. I have a room in which he can stay."

  "There's no finer security than the wizard's tower I suppose. As you wish, I will have my squire bring his things to the tower when he is available." Jema smiled at him before he retired down the stairs and left him in the wizard’s company.

  With a gentle hand Vhalen guided him along the hallway that stretched far across the palace.

  "Your friend Jema is a great hero Landau. Under the circumstances you should find yourself most fortunate to have him as your ally."

  The wizard's voice was like a melodic chant, reassuring in its tone, as though nothing concerned him, and Landau spoke freely.

  "Everyone seems to think there is something wrong with me. Since I met him Jema has forever shown worry. Do you know what it is?"