The Secret of Azuron (The Sword Empire Book 1)

by J. R. Kearney

Landau's face blushed at the knight's request, through his tough exterior Jema managed a wink to offer his reassurance.

  In the background Samson and his knights stood perplexed that their leader offered himself to this task. Enamored as he felt toward Landau, Samson was wise to the frivolous nature of the quest at hand, confused to why his mentor hadn't realized this. In haste Samson stepped forward to Jema's side.

  "I offer my services also," though Jema was noticeably opposed in the stare he leered toward his squire, yet Sam did not waver. Beside him Clancey groaned as he struggled to his feet, despite his arm heavily bandaged the aging adventurer smiled at his young companion.

  "I may not be as young as I used to, but I'll be damned if you're going to do this alone. I've got your back lad."

  "How do you plan to go with him?" Pollus laughed at his frail state. "You're a tough old man friend but arrogance has the better of you here."

  "It is not arrogance friend, but I will not stand idle whilst my companion here finds courage."

  Though Clancey tried to encourage his friend to unite with him in this journey like yonder days, Pollus returned no such gesture.

  "Your faith is misplaced my friend. It is not courage that prevents me…it is common sense. You have always surrounded yourself with risk, but this is beyond dangerous, this is death Clancey, in its simplest form. You have never led me astray, but I cannot follow you this time…I’m sorry old friend."

  He refrained from saying more, and after a long glance of sadness toward each other he unfurled his robe before he too removed himself from the table with his son. After all they endured Clancey felt sombre to witness his silhouette slowly disappear down the sunlit corridor.

  Many retired without a second glance, the room was quick to discard his plight, resigned in entertaining any hope. Even now Garthal stood, head of the Warrior's Guild no less without any belief in their endeavor, and Theolis joined him in departing the hall, though his companion Halwende remained seated, and silently he gestured a nod, though with no real confidence.

  "This task is an impossible one I will admit," Vhalen explained. "I think the more knowledge within your party, the better equipped to handle these dangers we will have. I will see this task to its end."

  The Queen nodded towards him before she turned to Landau for some reassurance.

  "Some of the finest warriors across our lands just declined a task that you had the courage to agree to. Do not be disheartened by the size of your company Landau, it will work to your advantage. We will plan our next move shortly."

  Chapter 15

  DESPERATE CHOICES

  Jema stormed through the doors as Samson attempted to keep up with his master who marched with furious pace.

  "Why did you agree to accompany Landau? You heard of the peril surrounding this quest yes?"

  "Why did you?" Jema sharply responded, his brow thick with fury and he paused to scorn Samson, his displeasure in joining them was evident.

  "You're my master, what was I supposed to do? If this affects our survival, then I have every reason to fight for it."

  "You are a reckless kid Sam, I cannot describe the dangers we will face, other than they will be evil, the very meaning of the word, and I fear this journey as much as the next man. You cannot comprehend the threat we now face." Before Samson could respond, Jema halted him with a firm hand on Sam's chest. "As a friend, I demand you remain in Arwendel. You are not obliged to go, your training with me is done. At my request I will organize with Fayadrin to continue your squire training if you so please, for I cannot guarantee my return."

  "Look I have the ability to hold my own, I’m not useless."

  "I don't doubt that. But this is no field excursion Sam, what we endured in the Yalthume is trivial to what lie ahead. This city will need to be defended if all goes astray, and your skills are of better use here."

  It was empty encouragement. Samson ran ahead of Jema to have him hear reason.

  "Listen, think about Landau, he’s a boy among a fellowship of men, of strangers no less. He isn’t battle strong and can’t withstand the harsh environments. I don't doubt his intelligence, but his mental toughness is another thing. Not to mention he’s put in a situation that keeps him astray from everything he holds dear." Sam pleaded with Jema's conscious. "Jema sir, with all the obstacles and perils this party faces it’ll only be twice as tough for you to play carer to Landau, he needs someone to keep him in good spirits, your concerns are of better use elsewhere."

  Jema stood idle to deliberate, his fortitude in guiding this fellowship would wane if his attention constantly redirected to Landau.

  "He won’t know the full extent of this," Sam continued. "Only what his mind makes it to be. He’ll need settling and humor to distract him from this task. I can handle this responsibility."

  "As you did in the harbor?" Jema reminded him, the incident gave no weight to his proposal.

  "No, it won’t happen again," he promised. "I swear to this as my duty." Jema sighed in frustration of his argument, yet nodded his head with reluctance.

  "You may be noble Sam, and you may be right, but you have been given fair warning of the danger ahead, and your arrogance will not save you. Do not pretend you share no similarity to young Landau. There are others besides me to convince in finding comfort in your leave," he spoke bitterly before retiring toward the barracks.

  Landau returned to his chamber and struggled to refrain from crying, but the emotion overwhelmed him. Clancey followed behind and observed his inconsolable companion silent upon his bed, his head heavy with the burden of his task. Clancey beheld him, but had no comprehension on how to console a child who had the weight of the world thrust upon his shoulders.

  "I'm sorry lad," he apologized. "This is all my fault. My carelessness in leaving that book buried and asking you to sort through my things has led to these events."

  "No," said Landau. "I shouldn't have read it. It was my mischief. I was only trying to help my dad," the very thought broke his resolve, and tears consumed his sheltering palms. "There's no way I can return home to tell him what's happened. I fear I’ll never see him again."

  Clancey comforted him with his one good arm.

  "I miss him Clancey. He’s too sick for me to be gone for so long. I worry I won’t get to hold him again. Why did this have to happen? I only wanted my dad back? I just wanna go home," he said, and his sadness could not be withheld, his cries cramped his stomach, and he ached to breathe.

  "I assure you lad, I will give him a gentle word. I will only speak of your courage, for that is what he needs to know, and though your father will burden me responsible for your departure, I will sustain to handle it."

  Landau hardly felt comforted, though he realized in Clancey's promise that he would not be present with him on his journey.

  "Wait, you're not coming with us?" Clancey laughed at the confidence Landau afforded him.

  "Pollus is right I'm afraid. My age and injury will only burden your progress Landau. There was a time when no challenge was beyond me, but endeavors such as this are far too great. I can offer nothing of physical value lad, and though your quest is vague and broken, I have great faith in your companions to assure your safety."

  "I don't know what to do," he confessed. "I’m not a fighter…It's hopeless," he receded.

  "It is hopeless only if you see it that way Landau. Whether you believe it or not, only someone like you can achieve victory, someone who is the opposite of the enemy in both spirit and mind, someone who knows nothing but goodness and humanity. It is not these that will win the battle," he lifted his scrawny arms, "it is with your heart Landau. Your courage is the one thing the enemy cannot replicate. A handful of heroes may travel with you, but all the men and women of our world will be behind you, for like you, they long for the same desire, to live through this evil."

  Landau was dismayed that Clancey wouldn't be accompanying him.

  "I’m afraid of dying Clancey," he revealed with honesty.

&nbs
p; "All of us fear death lad, yet it is inevitable. The greatest warriors never fear what is certain. Men can do astonishing things once they find comfort in this trait. You only need to recall the tale of Azuron to accommodate my meaning."

  Landau buried his head under Clancey's arm, and in the wake of noon they shared each other's company. Clancey was the last reminder of home he had with him, and he was adamant on savoring every final moment of it.

  Clouds covered the afternoon sky, bruised with heavy rain, and thunder clamored in the closing distance, not enough to drown the array of questions Anduniel pondered while she gazed upon her city from her audience chamber balcony. In the background Jema lingered, and paced to drive some conclusion to his thoughts whilst Vhalen expressed concern for his royal companion, her heart burdened with events out of their control.

  "All the power I have been given to protect these lands for all my years is instantly corrupted by a young boy and his innocent mischief," she surmised. "In these dark times I am uncertain what role I should play. I would accompany you on this task, as the weight of it dictates, but before long word of these events will come to pass, and panic will escalate. I fear the city will be in need of guidance when such peril erupts."

  What cheer usually emanated from Anduniel was removed to exhibit grief. She turned to Vhalen for some resolve.

  "Landau accepting this task is one thing, but do you really believe there is hope?"

  "I admit I expressed composure in council," said Vhalen. "In the severity of our explanation our allies still fail to grasp what we face if we fail. None in Heldorn, save a few elves, are alive to remember the power of the Archaians. Morakii's reign will spread from the Blue Mountains to the Shores of Guar, down to the White seas and lands of Heimmarch, and everything in-between. Our magic is a whistle to the hurricane our enemy will unleash, yet the free folk of our land would prefer to endure it than see to its end. It is hard to be without doubt my lady, when doubt plagues so many."

  "Are we vain to assume we can claim victory?" said Jema. "The Alduainian is right I fear, necessary as our quest may be there is folly in claiming success. We cannot rely on Landau to defeat this evil your majesty, even if we manage him safely to Astiroth, the road to Black Mountain is more treacherous than any. The terrain is unsettling; acidic smoke wafts through the cracks of its scarred landscape like a tainted breeze, and the heat of the Kenkearian desert that engulfs the region is exhausting, and will drain us of all motivation. By the time we arrive the enemy will have armies primed to invade our lands. We can only protect Landau your majesty, we cannot fight a war for him. What luck we wish for that he will chance his arm and destroy this evil."

  The Queen frowned, and the scar of doubt was evident, she listened in silence as though she knew already of their peril.

  "Are you certain of venturing out in aid of this fellowship? It has been years since you have travelled the roads far to the north," she asked of Vhalen.

  "It is unclear what lies ahead my lady, these events are puzzling and fraught with danger. Alas this evil has taken my allies from me, and my tower is now a tomb from which I find no comfort. I do not doubt my necessity, only the journey."

  "The nerve of Thormond, Eadwald and Grennan," said Jema, "they refuse to announce themselves, to proclaim they are needed to defend the city, one that has not known conflict in decades. They showed their true form today. If only Rowan were present, or Gareth and Coulter, they would have stood as early as you allowed them, but find themselves among the conflict east, where our quest cannot detour, especially in their war torn lands."

  Jema continued to pace as though each step would vent his anger further.

  "It was always much to ask of people on sudden notice," the Queen admitted. "Especially those with family and loved ones. Such peril will only provoke them to stay rather than go."

  "So who will be accompanying us then?" asked Jema.

  "Wendella has offered her lieutenant Lyeanna to join you on your quest," whom Vhalen knew since maiden. "She is an excellent scout and the finest with a bow, though among a company of men she will feel isolated, you must do well to comfort her, and allay her animosity. Halwende from the Warrior's guild has rendered his services also. He was once a gladiator who won his freedom in Astiroth before settling in Arwendel. He appears an adequate warrior, but he joins against the behest of Garthal. We will need to provide compensation for his absence in the guild."

  "That man be daft to enquire of gold after hearing the troubles we face," spat Jema, he had a mind to shake the cowardice from his body for public display.

  "Lastly is a Barbarian who resides in the city, he works in the shipyards for a living but assures us his strength in battle can be counted on. He was present in the meeting with the squires, which brings me to Samson, he elected to join also," she reminded him, though Jema was quite aware of his inclusion.

  "Hardly appropriate for your squire to come along," Vhalen contested.

  "I thought so too. But he raises a valid point that Landau will need someone to give him comfort. He proved capable of that in the Yalthume, not limited to defending him, but settling him back to normality, and I wager the future will be rife with such moments."

  "It is very wise," Vhalen agreed, comfortable in his inclusion.

  "It was only a week ago that a wealth of heroes were present on our doorstep. What misfortune to discover this evil after such aid was welcome to us," Jema stated, when the rain began to patter upon the balcony.

  "Perhaps the size is suitable," said Vhalen. "A greater number would aid us in battle yet make it harder to conceal ourselves when the need calls for it."

  "I suppose," though Jema was hardly comforted.

  Elman fronted the Queen, for the El'saar monarchs wished for her audience to bid farewell. Anduniel removed herself while her wizard and knight dwelled on the balcony where the rain caressed the city landscape. In the Queen's absence the men removed their hash-pipes to relieve some frustration, even the deterrence of rain would not halt their need for respite.

  "So I imagine the next thing to consider is what road we should take," said Jema, for it would be important to consider.

  "It depends largely on whether our priority is speed or safety. The quicker we reach the Imperial City, the less time our enemy has to organize his troops, though safety I would prefer, alas it gives the enemy more time."

  "We are without the luxury of options, there are few roads that lead to Astiroth. We can take either the Gray road through the Hunterlands of Corcadia, then north via Dagorlith to arrive from the east. Or we head west through Alduain, take the road north through Heimmarch and arrive from the south. That is the quickest way, but through the lands of Heimmarch there is much exposure."

  "Both roads are free of peril, however the enemy will surely take ease with the roads as much as we. I suggest we avoid such roads altogether, only when necessary," suggested Vhalen. "Much time can be saved through the woodlands of Dagorlith if we travel through there."

  "Perhaps via way of Haldenshore, along the Royal Expanse to Corcadia. It will take longer, but will distance us from the Hunterlands, for you know I find no favor away from the open terrain."

  "Be that as it may, we have no knowledge on the war that continues in Corcadia. If it has headed north, then we may find ourselves embroiled in it unwillingly," said Vhalen.

  Jema sighed and consumed his darkleaf quicker than usual.

  "Well my knowledge of the land is exhausted, danger it seems surrounds every option. Unless you wish to venture there via boat I am out of suggestions."

  "The seas hold more uncertainty than the land I fear, not to mention the pirates that plague the southern waters."

  Jema inhaled heavily on his pipe, collapsed in his helplessness.

  "There is a pass under the mountain I am aware of, through the Rift of Kazu'mar to Blackrule, known as the Undercity, do you know it?"

  "That place is a lost world," warned Vhalen. "A den for thieves and murderers, a sanctuary for those
who abandoned a good life for a treacherous one. It is perilous if the way is unknown, and we have no time to dally when the enemy is hunting us."

  "But the road is possible," said Jema, "and thieves and murderers will not be hunting us. It’s large enough for our horses to travel, and the road leads out to the south of Gharland on the borders of Astiroth."

  "Our horses will grow restless in the dark of the mountain Jema, along with our company. I can only agree to this if the way is certain, regardless of what danger we may avoid."

  "The Rift is the quickest way, and already I’m decided. The sooner we can find ourselves across the borders of Astiroth, the more relief it will bring me."

  Jema's statement raised an evident eyebrow from Vhalen.

  "You told me once of your reasons for residing in Ruun and I have not forgotten them. You will need to manage your frustrations once we're in the Pale City, for the Emperor's favor will be of important value to us."

  "I cannot dwell on my feelings for the Empire until the moment is necessary. My responsibility is simply to arrive us there safely, that is the Queen's wish. Any ill tidings of mine towards the city will remain unknown, for I do not need the queries," he demanded.

  "I understand. The question still remains, do you know your way through the Undercity?"

  "No," he surrendered. "But I know someone who does."

  It was evident to Vhalen his suggestion disturbed him.

  "Would he be willing to accompany us?"

  "It's not that simple I'm afraid. He's a prisoner. We arrested him in Merchant's Wall only a few weeks before all this erupted."

  "And his crime?"

  "He's an assassin," he cringed, "that's reason enough. Though their threat to the Empire seems trivial now in comparison to this new enemy. Alas Landau will find no comfort in his presence, not after he held a knife to his throat."

  "Hardly suitable in the company of Landau, his mind will already be paranoid to the dangers ahead without an assassin to deepen his dread. However, the enemy's strategy in acquiring the sword will be far less complex than ours to defend it, and they will not fight fairly in their campaign to dominate these lands. Perhaps desperate times mean such choices need to be examined."