by Aaron Thomas
“A strange visitor for this place. Welcome to my home,” Paul said, approaching Kilen with an open hand.
Kilen took his hand in a firm grasp, “Thank you for allowing me to stop in.”
The man mumbled to himself about it not being his choice to accept visitors then began looking around the room as if trying to find something on the tables.
“Did you bring my dinner?” Paul asked.
“No, I was supposed to meet you,” Kilen replied.
“Ah, so it’s another social visit. Are you a doctor for the mind?” Paul asked, taking a seat in a large cushioned chair.
Paul suddenly burst out as if talking to someone else,“Of course I know he is another doctor. Who else would they send in to talk to me?”
Kilen took a step forward, “What are their names?”
Paul stopped and was silent a moment before asking, “What are whose names?”
Kilen pulled up a chair to face Paul and pointed at his own head, “The voices, what are their names.”
Paul was silent a moment as multiple emotions crossed his face. Finally, he proceeded slowly but with a look of confusion, “You were sent here to examine me? Mrs. Augustine has in the past thought to bring men in here that may be able to cure me. They think they can rid me of these voices. Are you one of these men, because if you are, you are wasting your time. I know that only the Brights can help me.”
“I am not here to rid you of the voices, but I am here to help. Can I trust you with a secret? A secret that you can never tell another living soul?” Kilen asked.
Paul leaned forward in his chair and whispered, “Trusting a crazy man with a secret is an easy way to clear your conscience. No one would believe me if I did spill your secret.”
Kilen smiled and looked into the man’s eyes, “My secret is the same as yours; I hear voices. Now, what are their names?”
The man sat back and raised an eyebrow while tapping the cushioned arm of his chair.
“I am sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Paul said as if asking a question.
Kilen smiled, “I am Kilen Everheart, King of the Water Realm.”
Paul burst out in laughter. He laughed so hard he started to tear at the eyes. Eventually, his laughter turned to anger as he jumped out of his chair and pounded on the door, “You sent me a roommate after all this time, and one more mad than I?”
His laughing and anger stopped as he put his back to the door and stared at Kilen.
Kilen stood and pulled the sword from his sheath holding it up before him.
“The marks on my blade will show you that I do have the authority to claim the throne. If you look twice, you will see that I wear a crown on my head. Paul, I am the king. Mad or not.”
Paul looked a bit stressed as he started to pace in the room. He stopped a couple of times as if he was having an internal argument. Kilen could only wonder at what the voices in his head were saying.
“Paul,” Kilen pleaded. “Come and have a seat. I want to ask you a few questions, and perhaps you can ask a few of me?”
Paul nodded his head and reluctantly retook his seat.
“What are their names?” Kilen asked again.
“There are too many to name. I have collected many voices over the years. They belong to my memory of the dead,” Paul said.
“They are not just a memory,” Kilen said. “I believe they are the spirits of the dead living inside of you.”
The supposed madman looked up at Kilen, “The spirits of the dead?”
Kilen nodded his head, “I started hearing voices after I fought a battle with a wizard and a wielder. They both died in the struggle, and I was left with their voices, memories, and emotions.”
Paul spoke in a whisper, “They want me to ask. How many voices do you hear?”
Kilen spoke flatly, “Five. Five sets of memories. Five sets of emotions. Five dead men, because of me.”
It was a long while before either man spoke again. Kilen wandered amongst the art and books. He tried to look out the thick window but found it did not open. The room was a prison cell, one much nicer that the one he had stayed in, but still a cell. Paul had been locked away with the whole world thinking him mad. Even Paul had thought himself mad, but Kilen knew the truth.
“Paul, I want to you to leave with me. I want you to come with me, and maybe we can learn a bit more about this problem we have,” Kilen said trying to make out the features on the other side of the window.
“After years of suffering these voices, you come in here proclaiming yourself a king and say I am not mad. Then you say you can help me and want me to leave with you without knowing who you truly are?” Paul accused.
“I want you to free yourself from the misery of this cell because you are not mad,” Kilen contradicted. “What do you have to lose?”
The man looked to be turning the idea over in his mind. He was sure that the spirits within him were arguing, laughing, or screaming, depending on their understanding. He had said all he could think of and the choice was now up to Paul.
“I will give you a moment to decide,” Kilen said knocking on the door. “Mrs. Augustine I am ready to come out.”
Before the door could be opened Kilen heard Paul’s voice in a whisper, “I want to go.”
Kilen nodded to the man just before he stepped out into the hallway. Jennifer locked the door and slipped the key into her pocket.
“I want him to come with me,” He said. “Paul wants to come, and I think I can help him.”
Jennifer looked to be in shock, “You cannot heal the mad. We have some of the best healers here, we would know if it was possible.”
Kilen looked at her, “I was told it was impossible to hold more than one elemental. How many do you count?”
Kilen watched as Jennifer looked at the three elementals staring back at her from the staircase. He could have chosen more things to argue with her, but it wasn’t needed. He thought it impossible only a month ago that he could be a king.
“Once he leaves this place he will be your responsibility. You must protect the people from him, there is no telling what the mad will do. I will warn you that I have the power to exact justice on you for what he does,” Jennifer warned in a dark tone.
“It is good for us all to have someone to keep us from abusing our power,” Kilen said smiling. “I will help him prepare to leave.”
Kilen stepped in and watched as Paul moved about his room collecting items then arguing with his spirits as he put them back down. Finally, he decided that he would only need clothes and perhaps something to eat. He was surprised to hear that Mrs. Augustine had not put up much of a fight to keep him in the room.
When leaving he argued with Jennifer about the price of his artwork and how much she would owe him for the items in his room. She reluctantly gave in to a negotiated ten gold pieces and a horse with saddle. He didn’t seem happy but said he could always make later.
Kilen and Paul approached the black gate and watched as the woven plants retracted, letting Brent and the others see Kilen. The supposed madman didn’t look back as he approached Brent to shake his hand. Each person he came across he greeted with an extra excitement.
“I will be checking up on you, Kilen,” Jennifer said. “Remember, I am a wind wizard and could show up anywhere at any time.”
Kilen smiled, taking her warning as more of a joke, “You will always be welcome to my company, Mrs. Augustine. I cannot thank you enough for a tour of your fine estate. I am sure my wife would love to meet you in Leviathan.”
“You are saying I am welcome in Leviathan?” Jennifer asked as if she expected a different answer.
“Of course. Please bring all of the ladies, a matter of fact, the boys that are too old to stay, should come to our city and find their new lives there. After all, I hope we can continue to build a relationship between your estate and the Water Realm.”
Jennifer curtsied and turned to see Kara, Erica, and Charity approach. Erica was pulling a wagon filled with suppl
ies and Charity, and Kara was pulling extra horses.
“I was hoping we could continue to get along. I have arranged for a small gift for our new king. I would be honored if you would accept these horses and supplies,” Jennifer said holding out her hand.
“I will only accept if you promise to visit Leviathan as soon as we clear Atmos from our borders,” Kilen said.
“Atmos’ men are in your borders?” Jennifer asked.
“I told you that we are recruiting an army, that is its purpose. I am doing my best to protect this realm from his tyranny.”
“I am starting to like you more and more, King Kilen Everheart. I agree to these terms, I will visit you personally in Leviathan.”
Kilen bowed and walked towards Leroy and his awaiting armor. Kilen was happy to slide the necklace with the imbued rings over his head. He felt the strength return to his body and breathed a bit easier.
“Leroy, I would like you to meet Paul,” Kilen said pointing to the man smiling from ear to ear.
It was as if Paul finally remembered what manners were; he held out his hand to Leroy, “Paul Thron, it is a pleasure to meet you. Tell me, do you know the secret?”
“Secret?” Leroy asked.
“The secret is between you and me, Paul. No one must know,” Kilen said sternly.
“Very well, your highness,” Paul said as he found his promised horse being brought out.
Brent approached pulling his horse behind him, “Who is Paul?”
Kilen spoke very bluntly, “They say he is a madman. I say he is something more and he will be joining us.”
Brent tried to argue, but Kilen was already throwing his leg into the saddle and kicking his horse forward.
Chapter 10 - Stable Master
The wagon wheel creaked as if it was going to break. The two horses were pulling to the right to avoid a group of men on horseback. Daniel turned around to make sure the sheep were still securely in the back of the wagon. He had been warned by Mayor Bingham that the sheep had a reputation for jumping fences.
Besides thinking about the near escaping livestock, his mind was on his friends. Since Springfest, they had been busy traveling the world and making legends of themselves. While they were doing that he was still in Humbridge with his only boast now is that he was a good friend of the new King.
“I still don’t understand what everyone is fussing about. Kilen grew up with all of us, why do we need to give him gifts for becoming a king?” Jessica asked.
It didn’t matter how many times Daniel argued about it, he simply couldn’t give a decent enough answer to quell her. Instead of speaking he pulled the cork on a water skin and took a slow drink to wet his dry, dusty mouth. He had been traveling all day behind what seemed to be the entire town of Basham.
As soon as word spread that the gates of Leviathan were clear everyone began rushing to the capital. Humbridge, however, was as it usually was. Everyone was too busy tilling fields or shoeing horses to travel. The mayor and Daniel’s father had thought it a good idea for Daniel to present gifts on behalf of Humbridge.
Daniel noticed that Jessica was staring at him, he knew she wanted to talk more than just argue. He still didn’t quite know how to talk to her, even though she was his wife.
“What do you care if people in Humbridge give Kilen a gift?” Daniel asked.
Every other time she started this conversation, he would argue that Kilen was a king and it was appropriate. He hoped by changing the way he approached it she would give him a better answer.
“People in Humbridge work hard for the things they have. A king collects taxes and is showered with gifts from nobles. They are given everything without lifting a finger, and now we are giving away pieces of our hard work just because Kilen has a crown on his head. The crown is probably made of gold taken from our taxes anyways,” she said, fanning herself.
“Still, he didn’t ask for them to give him things. Refusing them would be an insult to their hard work,” Daniel countered.
Jessica mumbled to herself for a moment about the heat and dust.
Daniel smiled, he apparently had made a good argument. He knew that even a good argument wouldn’t change her mood about being on the trip.
“Listen, it shouldn’t take long to drop off the gifts and let them know we were here. We will leave it at the front gate and then we can have a look around town. I saw a dressmaker leave before us, maybe we could find you a new dress,” Daniel added.
“Oh no, we are going to demand to see him. He should at least know how much Humbridge has sacrificed for his gifts,” Jessica said as if the word “gifts” was an insult.
“Very well, I am sure he would love to see us,” Daniel said, smiling.
Leviathan had come into view sometime close to midday. The city’s walls and spires reflected and split the light, cascading rainbows across the sky. Every once and awhile he caught Jessica looking, and a sigh slip out. Even she couldn’t deny the beauty of Leviathan.
“It would be an experience to live in that city, but I think I would miss the smell of wood,” Daniel said.
“Yes, well some of us aren’t as lucky as Kilen to be given a city made of magic and water,” Jessica said.
Daniel laughed which drew a raised eyebrow from his wife. He laughed even harder when she gave him a look.
“What is so funny?” Jessica asked.
“You, you are funny. Every time I try and mention the good things you turn them around to make Kilen look like the bad guy. You know Kilen and the things he has done for the people of Humbridge. You know the kind of person he is. Most of all, you were there when I told him he should be the king,” Daniel said.
It took a moment, but Jessica finally spoke, “Yeah, you are right. I shouldn’t be mad at Kilen. I should be mad at you for suggesting it,” Jessica said looking away from Daniel.
“Yep, it’s all my fault,” Daniel said as he continued to laugh. Eventually, Jessica looked over her shoulder with a smile on her face. She was laughing a little as well.
Secretly, behind the laugh, he hoped that she truly had given up on the argument. Daniel pointed at the city’s open gates.
“Are you sure you don’t want to just explore the city?” Daniel asked.
She put a hand on his arm, “No, you put on a respectable shirt with sleeves, and we should at least go and say hello to your friend. Perhaps we will get to meet his wife.”
Even though the gates were open, a group of soldiers wearing blue was preventing anyone from entering the city. One of the men with a pen and parchment stood off to one side and was writing feverishly. Small parties were being admitted once their names were jotted down. Daniel assumed that all the bridges and gates were the same, so he stayed in the first one waiting for their turn.
It took more than an hour for him to cross the bridge of less than a hundred paces. The man with the pen called out, “State your names and what space you will need for your business.”
“My name is Daniel Peter, and this is my wife, Jessica. We have a present from the township of Humbridge,” Daniel said.
The man’s pen stopped, “A gift?”
“Yes, from Humbridge,” Jessica said.
The man looked around and finally left his station to speak to one of the guards.
“Is there a problem?” Daniel asked.
The man shook his head, “No, sir. We haven’t had any gifts brought since his Majesty left Basham to recruit an army. Most of these people are here to take up one of the vacant spaces in the city. The Queen is allowing one of each business type to claim a building until we have every type we need.”
Jessica cleared her throat, “If each of three bridges is taking in business’, how are you keeping there from being more than one?”
“Ma'am, this one is for supplies and business being transferred in. The middle bridge is for noblemen, and the farthest is for everyone else. There were supposed to be signs posted in Basham. Seeing how you did not go to Basham I can see why you didn’t know that,”
the man said. “If you will wait here I’ll have the captain of the guard be brought down.”
Daniel pulled the wagon off to the side and watched as every manner of merchant pulled up to the bridge. Some were rejected, and some were admitted to selling their stock of goods. He overheard the man on a couple occasions saying that if the goods were sold to the queen, they would be given payment later.
Jessica leaned into Daniel giving him a kiss on the cheek and then whispered, “I don’t think Kilen is here.”
“What?” Daniel asked.
“The man said the queen is issuing orders, and the captain will take us to see the queen. Kilen was in Basham recently, and I don't think he is here,” She said sitting back in her seat.
“Well, I guess we will get to meet his wife,” Daniel said.
A large man covered in armor from head to toe walked up to Daniel and looked over the contents of the wagon. He looked to be a regular soldier by his lack of size, but his cloak and golden tassels on the shoulder said differently. “We will take the livestock to the inner wall and leave them there. Do you want to speak to the queen directly?”
The captain seemed to be all about business as he quickly rounded the wagon.
“We would like that very much,” Daniel said.
Jessica added a nod of her head as well.
The large guardsmen nodded his head and jumped in the back of the wagon, “I am Captain Wells. Pull your wagon forward, and I will tell you where to go.”
Daniel followed the captain's instructions as they were given, winding the wagon through the city. The captain kept to the wall rounding the outside of the city as much as possible. The streets were busy with wagons and horses. Several small groups of people were being escorted around the city and being told which buildings they would occupy. They were also being told how much they would owe the queen for living in the space. The prices were higher than what someone would pay for a home in a small town like Humbridge. He supposed that being here you would to be able to conduct more business and charge higher prices for your goods.
