"Eight strikes," Millan repeated before parting ways with the excluded priest.
"Hey, Millan," Eriph called after him. "When you spoke to Feranis, did you get the answers you were looking for?"
"I suppose."
"Disappointed?"
The Nesinu priest reflected on his conversation with the archdon. "A bit."
"Just remember whose perspective you heard. Others saw Archdon Skully as a strong soul, standing up for his beliefs. He was a good man and a powerful priest, no matter what his rank was in the end or what grudges some may still hold against him."
"Well, he was the reason I became a priest." Millan was starting to feel better.
"Then remember how he inspired you. Good night."
"Good night, and see you in the morning." Millan's mind drifted as he headed toward the stables. He recalled that night of his youth, peering out the window into the main thoroughfare of Nesinu. He was only nine at the time. Don Skully had arrived in town the year before. The bald old man had always frightened Millan; however, his opinion of the priest had changed drastically on that one fateful night.
At the stables, Millan made his way to the small house next door. He stood before the plain door and wondered if anyone would help him at this hour. His father had worked in the Nesinu stables, a small building that housed about a half-dozen horses. Owners were free to take their animals in and out as they pleased, but the workers were usually gone before dinnertime and didn't return until dawn. The young priest struck the door three times. The lock slid out of place, and a large muscular woman filled the space between the door and its frame.
"Can I 'elp you?"
"Hi, my name is Don Millan. I'm from Nesinu. I'm looking for Kona Magara."
"Eyo, that's me," she answered with little emotion.
"Well, then I'm supposed to give this to you." The priest handed her the letter.
Kona Magara barely moved her lips as she perused the letter. "This 'ere then appears to be an edict from Prima Mashira. 'In acc'rdance with the Candelux guild charter,' blah blah blah."
The young priest gripped his wrist behind his back while she finished the note. He listened carefully as her accent was difficult to follow at times.
Kona grunted. "So, I'm to 'and over the 'orse of Don Skully to Don Millan, which is apparently you, right?"
"That's correct."
"And y're going to ride 'im to Light's 'aven and turn over the reins to that there stable master at the Sanctuary?"
The priest hesitated as he considered his detour to Royal Oak. "Uh, yes, exactly."
"Looks real enough to me. Even that fangling geezer, Feranis, signed it. When do you plan on leaving this 'ere city then?"
"Tomorrow morning at eight strikes."
"Oof, very well. Let me grab my shoes. Y're lucky, you know. We lost our night-shifter about a week ago, but one of them there townspeople from Nesinu came by yesterday looking f'r work. You probably know 'im. What the depths was 'is name? Dilly? Danny?"
Millan wasn't familiar with the name. Kona Magara slipped into her shoes and escorted him toward the stables. The building was broken into multiple sections and was clearly larger than what Millan was accustomed to. The Nolka stable master pointed at one end. "Y'r people added there a small group of 'orses to our count when you came in two nights ago. We put them all in that c'rner over there. You 'ead on over, and I'll track down my worker."
Millan treaded lightly down the aisles. The barnlike structure was mostly quiet as the horses slept. The young priest had learned how to ride and care for the beasts when he was younger, but his family was never wealthy enough to purchase their own. And ever since he could remember, Don Skully had always ridden the same animal with a dark-and-tan brindle pattern covering most of the body and white hair around the hooves. As he reached the area, Millan spotted the animal he had been sent to retrieve. The horse moved to the gate to greet him.
"Hey there, Orfius." Millan patted the beast on the head. The horse moved forward, giving the priest access to its neck. He lovingly stroked the animal as it nudged its head into his chest. Millan looked up as Kona rounded the corner.
"Eyo. Found 'im," she said. "It wasn't Danny. It was Damion."
As the stable hand stepped into the light of the lantern, the young priest locked his eyes on the horse.
"Sorry about that there, Damion," Kona said.
"Think nothing of it."
"Anyway, I assume we can skip the introductions 'ere seeing as 'ow you two must know each other already. I spent most of my life in Kotsky out there to the west. I know what it's like to be from a small town. There wasn't a soul that lived there that you didn't know. That there the 'orse? Don Skully's?"
"Orfius. Yes, this horse belonged to Don Skully." Millan slowly made eye contact with Damion. The stable hand was pushing fifty years old, and the lantern showed off the shiny silvers that dominated the black hairs.
The stable master handed the letter to her employee. "This then is f'r you. The 'orse is the property of Candelux now. Prima's 'rdered that Don Millan take this 'ere 'orse to Light's 'aven. The young man aims to leave at eight strikes, so you make sure 'rfius 'ere is ready to go bef're then."
"Understood," Damion said.
"Excellent. Is there anything else then that you require, Don Millan?"
"No, thank you for your help."
Kona extended her hand to the priest. "Then, allow me to show you the way out of these 'ere stables."
Millan was about to step away from the beast but froze when Damion spoke. "Please, let him stay for a moment. I need to speak with him."
The stable master glanced sideways, first at Damion, then at Millan. "That there then is y'r business. Don Millan, our business is concluded. If you wish to stay with Damion, then that there is y'r choice, but I'm 'eading back to the 'ouse."
The young priest didn't budge, and soon Kona Magara departed. The two men stood in silence as Orfius nuzzled up to Millan's hand.
"You're leaving then?" Damion finally asked.
The priest indicated the letter in the man's hand. "Orders from the Prima. You can see for yourself."
"Were you going to say anything to us at all?"
Millan felt guilty because he knew deep down what the truth was. But rather than admit it, he asked his own question. "Since when do you care?"
Damion closed the distance between them. "Since when do I care? Millan, I am your father. No matter what disagreements we've had, I will always care."
"You have a funny way of showing it then."
The words slipped out. Anxiety seized him as he prepared for the scolding, but it never came.
Damion sadly shook his head. "What has that guild done to you?"
"Done to me?" Millan knew the path this conversation was taking, but he couldn't stop himself. "I've been given the opportunity to help people. To really help people."
"I've tried to warn you. Candelux doesn't help anyone. It puts their lives in danger."
"How can you say that?" the priest asked timidly. "What about the evacuation of the town? If it wasn't for Don Skully—" Millan cut himself off. Damion had never concealed the fact that he despised his son's mentor.
"What? If it wasn't for Don Skully, then what? Our home wouldn't have been completely wiped off the map? Or do you think he actually saved us? Let me tell you something about Don Skully."
"Please, Dad, not this again."
"Nesinu stood for fifteen years without incident before that man arrived. And then within the year, we get attacked by demons."
Millan rolled his eyes. "There's no conspiracy. Why can't you just accept that it was a coincidence? Why can't you just be thankful like the other villagers?"
"Oh! Thankful? Is that what you want? My gratitude? And where's your gratitude? Your mother and I gave up everything for you to give you a life away from all this nonsense. And now, because of that man, we have to start all over again. Why is it so hard for you to see? All we've ever wanted was for you to be happy,
maybe find a nice girl, settle down, and have children of your own. It pains me knowing that my only son is in that fangling guild run by that Dardan fool of a Prima."
"She's not a fool." Millan lashed out. "Besides, I'm happy here. What would you have me do? Work in the stables my whole life?"
Damion scowled. "Don't you take that tone with me, son. I shovel horseshit for a living. I hear condescension every day. I don't have to hear it from you too. I've worked in the stables since before you were born. Your mother has been scrubbing the floors of other people's homes since before she can even remember. Everything we've done was to give you a better life. And then, you go and join Candelux. It's like a slap in the face. That guild represents everything that's wrong with this kingdom. There's been nothing but suffering since the moment it was formed. They've been whispering into the ear of every king and queen for the last four hundred years, and yet the demon threat is worse than ever. You see how they live. You've seen the Sanctuary in all its glory. They expect us all to bend over backward for them. They're paid by the king using the taxes we give to the crown. Why? Because they're the self-proclaimed saviors of humanity. You can't put a price on that, can you? They're as bad as the nobility, looking down on us common folk. And look at you. You're just like the rest of them now. What gives you the right?"
Millan sank back into his passive demeanor. "That's not true."
"Oh? Don't you think it's the slightest bit odd? You always have years of minor demon activity, and then, just when folks start to think things are safe and Candelux isn't needed anymore, BAM! A horde of demons attack, and the priests ride in to save the day. I think the Prima and Verago are working together."
"That's ridiculous." Millan fought back halfheartedly, not because he doubted the Prima, but because he was never able to truly stand up to his father.
"Is it? Tell me, Millan. What happens to Candelux when Verago's defeated?" The priest had no response, and so Damion answered himself. "I'll tell you what happens. It becomes useless and falls apart. The Prima, whose power in the kingdom is said to rival or even exceed that of the king, would be completely powerless. You think if there was real opportunity to kill Verago, she would really take it and give up all that power? No way. I've told you countless times before, and I'll tell you again. Candelux is corrupt, and I'm ashamed that my son is now involved with them."
Deep down, Millan knew he'd made the right choice by joining the guild of priests, but he'd never found the right words to convince his father. Their relationship had gotten progressively worse during his tenure as a squire, but after his Acceptance, Millan was kicked out of the house by his father.
The priest cast his eyes to the ground. "I don't want to fight about this anymore."
"Fine. But make sure you tell your mother you're leaving. I'll make sure the horse is ready by morning."
"Thank you." Millan hesitated before walking past Damion and quickly saying good-bye. "May the angels watch over you."
Chapter 17
Crossroads
The next morning, Don Millan prepared his things. As the tower bells began their count to eight, he rushed toward the stables to fetch Orfius. He was feeling apprehensive due to the encounter with his father, but when an unknown stable hand brought out Don Skully's horse, the young priest breathed a sigh of relief. As Millan attached his small sack of belongings to the saddle, he heard hoofbeats behind him.
"Good morning, Don Millan."
"Oh, good morning, Eriph. Please, no title is necessary."
"If you insist. Are you still sure about going to Royal Oak? We can ride together for a couple of hours before the road splits toward Light's Haven."
"I'm sure."
"Well then, hop on up and let's get going." Eriph pulled the reins, directing his horse away from the priest. Millan grabbed the saddle and hoisted himself into the seat. Orfius leapt into action and trotted to catch up to Eriph's steed. As they passed through the city's southern gate, the two riders nodded to the watchers on duty and left Nolka behind. The city shrank in the distance, and before long, it was out of sight.
Eriph cleared his throat. "So, Millan, I have to ask. Why did you wish to come along with me? I know you haven't seen much of the kingdom, but coming to Royal Oak doubles your travel time."
"Well, I did it for the company. I feel like I can learn a lot from you, even if it's just a day."
"What exactly are you expecting to learn?"
"I, uh, I'm not sure," Millan said with some hesitation. "It's just, well, if I may speak candidly?"
"By all means. There's no need for formality with me."
"Your decision to train in Alovajj. You were specifically told not to go, and yet you went anyway. Why?"
Eriph chuckled. "Doesn't seem to make sense, does it?"
"Not really, no."
"Have you ever had the feeling that something just didn't seem right? That you weren't privy to the whole truth?"
"What truth?"
Eriph made a sweeping motion with his arm. "About the world. The way it all works. Humans, demons. Haven't you ever felt that dizziness when you first realized something wasn't necessarily the way you've been taught?"
"Actually, yes. I felt it when you said Don Skully was an advisor, and again last night when Archdon Feranis spoke on the subject. It's like the world I knew was a lie."
"That's what I felt about the Death Gods. There's no one left to defend them here, and so what you hear about them is what the Council wants you to hear. They want you to believe these people are sinister and dangerous."
"So they lie?" Millan asked.
"Not exactly. Everything they say has truth to it, but it's distorted. There are other facts that get omitted to avoid dissension."
"Like what?"
Eriph pushed his mouth to one side. "Well, take the Wall of Light, for example. You've heard of it?"
"No, Don Skully never really talked about the Death Gods or their ideas."
"Well, I won't get into the details, but it's basically a way to keep a city's walls enchanted with holy light all the time. The Council didn't think it would work. They thought it was too dangerous, that people would die. Well, the Death Gods created it in Alovajj, and guess what. It works. And, no one's been hurt by it. In fact, it keeps the city safe. Much safer than even Light's Haven."
Millan was taken aback. "Really?"
"Absolutely. It's been working for a few years now. You see? The Council would never tell people that. It would look like they'd made a mistake by exiling the group. You know, I personally believe if Candelux had supported Sect Eighty-Eight and worked together with them, we wouldn't be facing a demon lord intent on killing the king. In fact, I think this war would be over."
Eriph had barely revealed anything, but already the young priest was having doubts about the Prima's decision to exile the Death Gods. He was starting to question what he'd been taught.
"I think I'd like to visit Alovajj one day," Millan said. "With permission, of course."
"Of course."
"Heh, listen to me. I'm off on a trip to see one new city, and I already want to see another. And a forbidden one at that."
Eriph smiled. "Well, I think you're going to enjoy Royal Oak. It's ripe with history, not about Candelux, but the kingdom in general."
"Really? I didn't learn much about kingdom history when I was younger.
"Why not? Doesn't Nesinu have a school for the children?"
Millan looked away sheepishly. "Yes, it does, but my father insisted on teaching me himself. I'm not sure why."
"So you don't even know about Thoris?"
"Pfft. Come on. Everyone knows about Thoris."
Eriph held up his hand. "Fair enough. Well, how about you tell me what you learned about him, and I'll try to fill in the gaps."
"Uh, not much. He controlled the territory around Light's Haven about seven hundred years ago. And he was the one who united the four clans."
"Then you know the leaders of those clans?"
&nbs
p; "Thoris, Shabinne, Kasaverr, and Deimor. They're the ancestors of all royalty and nobility."
Eriph motioned for him to continue. "What else do you know?"
"Hmm, I know about Verago and Prevarra, and how they're descendants of Thoris."
"Now you're jumping ahead a few centuries. What about how Thoris united the clans? The legend of the royal oak?"
"I didn't realize that there was one. I thought it was just a big tree."
Eriph snickered. "Just a big tree, huh?"
"Mm-hmm. So, what's this legend?"
"Well, the story goes that when Thoris met with the other three clan leaders about uniting under a single banner, he gave them one month to consider his proposal. Deimor and Kasaverr returned to their respective capitals to confer with their clans. Shabinne, however, stayed behind. The next day, having recognized how great and just Thoris was, Shabinne entered the house of Thoris and bent his knee. Then and there, he agreed to join the kingdom and became the first to serve under the new king. In recognition of his allegiance, Thoris traveled with him back to his capital, which was well known for the spring that feeds Lake Ivorus. The water from the spring comes from deep below the Surface and is still believed to have magical properties. During his visit, Thoris likened their new relationship to that of a tree, constantly growing and expanding. And then, he tossed a single acorn into the spring. The tree that grew from that acorn became known as the royal oak, for which the city was renamed. It still stands today, massive as ever."
Millan was intrigued by the story and wondered what other segments of history were left out of his lessons as a kid. "And what about the other clans? They obviously joined too."
"True, eventually. At first, they didn't like the idea of being under someone else's control, but with Shabinne's support and a promise of equality, they finally relented and joined the new kingdom."
"Wait. Promise of equality with a king? My father always said as long as the monarchy and nobility existed, equality would never be possible."
Eriph rocked his head from side to side. "I suppose that's true to some degree, but Thoris was talking about equality between him and the other three clan leaders and their families, who all became high nobility. Their power was almost unchanged as they were allowed to preside over their respective cities and territories. Shabinne, Kasaverr, and Deimor became the first members of The Royal Throne."
The Twisted Gate Page 15
