by Aaron Thomas
“I got a lot of sleep in that cell, besides there’s no use wasting time. I have sword lessons to get to.”
Ted looked up and down the hallways and opened his hand in front of Kilen. There lay a gold crown on his palm, “They told me to make sure no one disturbed you. I am very glad you are awake at this hour.”
“Why did they tell you that, and who?”
“Sir, I cannot tell you who, only that they did not know how well you paid me. Here is your gold crown back, sir. I cannot rightly take it knowing I didn’t warn you that no one would be here to wake you. I only ask that you not be mad that I let you sleep. I couldn’t deny this command.”
By the way Ted spoke Kilen knew that he orders had come straight from the king. He was confused as to why he wasn’t woken. “Ted, do you have any idea why they didn’t want me up and about this early?”
“Sir, the whole castle grounds is in chaos. They are leaving to meet the Fire Realm in battle. Perhaps the king didn’t want you coming along. Everyone is preparing to march out and meet them in battle. If I were you I’d find that manservant of yours that took off the day you were thrown in the cell. He took all your things and your horses.”
“Yes, I think I will go and find him. Perhaps I’ll find some of my other friends on the way.” Kilen flipped the gold crown back to Ted. “Keep it. Your information is quite useful, and perhaps I’ll need a room in this barracks again.”
He turned sharply and made for the door . The training grounds were lit bright as day, but no sun was on the horizon or in the sky. Recruits with black hats were running all over the grounds packing carts, horses, and packs. Torches and lanterns bounced about the grounds leaving trails of smoke as they went. Ted was right, it was chaos and yet there was a silhouette of a man kneeling in the sword rings. Just like every other day, recruits avoided the area by making wide arcs around it.
Kilen ran straight for it even though he didn’t have a sword to practice or even intended to practice with Gortus today. He wondered what was keeping Leroy from coming with his things. He hoped that Leroy was ok.
When he got to the ring Gortus was kneeling and already praying with his sword laid out on the ground in front of him. Kilen was unsure what to do without his blade, so he waited for Gortus to finish. It happened in a flash. Gortus ended his prayer and snatched up his sword, laying it against Kilen’s throat. He put his hand behind Kilen’s neck, leaving Kilen with no place to retreat. “Your training is finished with me. You missed two full weeks, and that cannot be undone.”
“I was being held captive!!”
Gortus snarled and pressed the blade a bit into Kilen’s flesh, causing it to bleed a small amount. “Do you really think that I cannot see you using magic every moment? Even when I am near you have the ability to use magic. If you can do that, then you can escape from that cell.”
“I can’t use magic when I’m near you. I haven’t used magic since the day Jace died. Even if I could I was a captive. I couldn’t just come out and learn the sword with you!” Kilen was pleading for his life. He wondered if the king ordered Gortus to kill him.
“You use magic as we speak, your eyes are gold. Every time I am near you when you are unconscious your eyes are brown. Now they are golden, my father warned me about men who could wield magic near Kapal.”
“I swear Gortus. I’m not using any magic.”
“You are wielding magic. I can see it in your eyes. Besides, you have had an elemental with you the entire time that you were in your cell. With an elemental you could have come and gone as you pleased. I don’t know how you do it, but things of magic matter little to me. What mattered to me was you completing your training. It is the custom of my people to train their children, and when they are trained they send them into the wild. If a student fails to be present for a day of training then their training is complete. Your training is complete, Kilen Everheart. There is no going back. The next time we face each other in the blade it will be the death of one of us.” Slowly he removed the blade from Kilen’s neck, sheathed it, and walked away. “I thought you could be great, Kilen melding Kapal swordsmanship and magic. Using your magic while being near the Kapal where others could not. I chose you so that I could teach you enough to be able to meld our races together. I chose wrong,” he said speaking over his shoulder.
Kilen thought it was wrong to keep him from his training just because he had missed one day. He had missed two weeks, but it wasn’t his fault. Alexander dropped out of the sky, landing in front of him and watched as Gortus disappeared into the crowd. “Strange, friend that one. My voices hiss at him when he comes too close. He pretends not to hear them, but I know he does. Twilix and Brent requested I find you.”
“Thanks, Alexander. Where can I find them?” The wind wizard scratched his head in confusion.
“Well…they didn’t tell me that. Perhaps you should look where I last saw them?”
Kilen laughed a bit and Alexander’s face turned ugly, “I’m sorry, Councilman. Where should I start looking then?”
“When I last saw them they were standing outside the food tents waiting for a boy named Leroy. Perhaps we should both go that way. I can eat something. Or did I already eat? Well you wouldn’t know would you? I just found you.” He laughed and Kilen wasn’t sure whether to laugh or not, “Yes I am hungry. I think I will eat.”
The wind gusted and Alexander took flight in the air with flaps of clothing blowing in the wind. Kilen ran towards the kitchen, trying to follow the wizard. He managed to run into several men with black hats, each of which apologized as if they had run into him.
Keep your head boy, or we will lose both of ours, Jace warned him. Remember the king wants you dead. One way or another he will try again. Keep your wits about you and listen to my advice.
He wanted to let Jace know that he understood and tried to convey it through his internal emotions. Max voiced it for him, being more acquainted with his thoughts, He understands.
Kilen weaved in and out of the recruits with the black hats, all of which either carried something or were going to retrieve something to carry. Eventually Kilen found his way to the tent and saw Alexander eating with the rest of the council and Twilix. Twilix was in her usual color of blue and stood as soon as she saw Kilen. “About time you got around to seeing us. Ted told us you had already gone out this morning.”
Kilen trusted Twilix over all others at the castle, so he thought to reveal the truth of Ted’s orders to her. “He was paid by someone to make sure I wasn’t disturbed. He told me when I woke up, and I think we both know who’s behind it.”
She nodded, “The question is, why?” She paused for a moment as the others gathered around. “First thing’s first, we must retrieve your weapons. Let us go to the king.” Kilen made a half bow and then faltered and made a full bow trying to show his respect for her. “Follow me,” she said. All the council man led Kilen and he knew exactly where they were headed. He wished he had something else to wear in the great hall.
Do not relax, a new killer could be anywhere in this castle. You must think one step ahead, Kilen. He could have paid someone to pretend to be my long lost love and kill you for revenge. Watch every corner, every person’s eyes, and do not let your guard down. Jace’s instructions put Kilen on edge, he felt the sudden urge to look behind him every few steps. He really wished he had his sword to use the water vision. Better, but not good enough. You are in the king’s house, the enemies nest. You should be very vigilant.
More guards on doors were posted throughout the castle than Kilen had ever seen. Two now guarded the door to the great hall like they did at the trial. Brent’s commanding voice surprised the dozing guards. “The Wizard’s Council requests admittance accompanied by Weapon Bearer Everheart.
One of the guards nodded his head and ducked inside. A few moments later he returned and opened the doors, letting them go inside. Brent led the way followed by Mary, Twilix, Alexander and finally Kilen. The hall had been put back in its original décor, an
d a small ring of tables and chairs set around the King on the dais. Nobles filled the chairs. Kilen counted ten in number. They had no attendants, wives, or servants with them today. The castle’s servants came and went, giving food and wine wherever a noble snapped their fingers. The King saw Kilen’s approach, “Ah, he’s back, yet he still looks like a vagrant.” He laughed and the nobles gave an awkward laugh as well. Mary started to spark a small amount and the king cleared his throat. “To what do I owe the pleasure, council?”
“We request the return of Weapon Bearer Everheart’s weapons and armor. They were stripped of him and now that he is found not guilty he needs them returned for the march.”
The king sat a little straighter in his dais, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I made a deal at the end of spring fest with the council that he would receive training, and if he passed that training he would graduate a weapon bearer and keep his weapons. Unfortunately, a war is upon us and the recruits must take up the arms that they are qualified for. He has not passed my tests. I will be keeping the weapons for someone else in the army, as the deal we made.” Some of the nobles started to sit up in their chairs.
Calvin stood from his chair beside the king’s and walked towards Kilen. He leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Are you ready to be a weapon bearer boy?” Kilen thought about the questions but didn’t have time to think on it as Jace was screaming in his head.
YES!! SAY YES!!, he screamed.
“Yes, I am ready,” he whispered back.
Calvin turned to the king, “He says that he is ready to be tested. Perhaps your champion could use a little challenge before he marches to war. You have been training him from the same day that Kilen started. Why, it should be a pretty interesting match, the champion has received almost two full weeks of extra training.”
“It matters not,” the King waved away a tray of food after taking a grape and throwing it in his mouth. “He doesn’t have a wizard to claim him, so how can he be a weapon bearer?”
Alexander spoke up in the back, “I will claim him, my lord. I have seen his skills. He needs much improvement in magic training, but he is a quick learner. Yes, the voices say that I should claim him. That is, if he will take me as his wizard?” They all looked at Kilen while waiting for a response. He shook his head. “Speak up, boy, I cannot hear you.”
“I accept Wizard Alexander,” things were happening too fast, and Kilen didn’t understand what was happening.
Twilix took a step forward, “I will take him as my wizard, Alexander. You cannot have him.”
“I am sorry Wizard Twilix, but you have not served as long as the law requires for you to employ a weapon bearer. It will have to be this way until the day that you can claim him.” Calvin spoke up again, “If wizard Alexander takes him as his personal weapon bearer than you have no choice but to acknowledge his position, my lord. He has proven himself worthy by a wizard of appropriate age.”
“I know the wizard law, Advisor. Now advise me of my decision about this challenge. What say do I have if Alexander claims him as a weapon bearer?”
Calvin bowed deeply, “My lord, if you feel he is not worthy of the title then put him to the test. If he fails then you shall have his imbuements. If he passes, he will be instated as a full weapon bearer with no contention. Perhaps you should have someone face him that is worthy of the sword and magic.”
The king scratched his chin, “Seems if I am gambling instead of ruling. If I have no choice, then I name my challenge and final test. Today, within the hour he will face my champion and the earth wizard councilman on the wizard fields.” They started to argue but the king held up a single hand and they fell silent, “I will see him worthy of the blade and the magic or I will not consider him worthy at all.” They all nodded their heads.
Noblemen Fulstom stood up, “I will take that bet. If your champion and wizard lose I will provide ten thousand of my best men for your aid in the battle against the Fire Realm. You might need the help, if the champion falls to a weapon bearer with such little training.”
“You should be giving me those men whether or not my men win or lose this contest,” Atmos snapped.
“My lord, I will give men if I am inspired by what the king has given. I do not wish to send men to their death just because a man’s son was crowned king. You have not inspired me by falsely imprisoning a weapon bearer that received his title second generation like yourself. Perhaps you should show me something that says you have what it takes to follow in your father’s footsteps before I follow you.” Other nobles began tapping their mugs on the arms of their chairs in agreement with Noblemen Fulstom. The king’s face had turned red in anger, but he held his silence in thought. “My bet stands. If your champion and wizard lose I give ten thousand men to aid you. If you relent and give this boy the title he deserves, without the fight, I give ten thousand men for your good judgment.”
“You think that the boy has what it takes to be a weapon bearer. You haven’t even been present to see his skills to make such judgment.”
“My lord, one doesn’t have to be present to hear about a weapon bearer that can walk with his own elemental. Yet this one is still in training and can fight beside his. If the rumors are true, no weapon bearer will be able to prove themselves to you. Not even my own son.” The king turned a tiny bit, but was still red in the face.
“I will not admit that he is ready when I know he is not, and I won’t be bullied by some pompous noble who thinks he controls the realm. The contest stands, one hour from now just before the army departs. Lorusk will meet him there with his weapon and rings.” The wizards all bowed and Kilen did also. They turned and departed the great hall. When they passed the doors Alexander put his hand on the back of Kilen’s neck.
“Boy, do not disappoint me like you did when I faced you on the training fields. I need to ask in private, are you sure that you are willing to be my weapon bearer?” Kilen nodded, “To protect me with your life? To follow every order I give no matter the consequences?” Kilen nodded again. “Then kneel and say it boy!”
Kilen knelt on the ground and bowed his head, “I vow to always protect you.”
“Wind Wizard Alexander Barthalamule, the Second,” he interrupted.
Kilen started again, “I vow to always protect Wind Wizard Alexander Barthalamule, the Second. I vow to follow orders to my dying breath, no matter the consequences.”
“Good boy. Follow me and call me Alex. Your first order is to defeat two unworthy title holders under the king’s eye.” He laughed a little, “The voices in my head said that they put twenty gold on the king’s pair.” He kept laughing as he went down the hallway. The rest of the wizards didn’t laugh at the thought. What use is it being a weapon bearer if your wizard doesn’t have confidence in you. Kilen saw a small white elemental bird flutter past him in the hallway. Kilen thought, at least it’s two against two.
They reached the doors leading out into the training grounds and Kilen felt a hand on his arm. Twilix looked into his eyes as if to say wait a moment. The rest of the wizards continued on as he and Twilix remained just outside the door. “I am sorry that I was unable to keep you as my weapon bearer. I am also sorry that I didn’t get the training done I wanted to. There is so much that I could have taught you and things that you need to know now.”
“It’s alright, you have taught me enough. Just in case I don’t get the chance to talk to you again, I wanted thank you for all the sacrifices you made to be able to train me. I am also sorry for the way I treated you.” Her eyes started to water slightly before she threw her arms around Kilen’s neck. It had been awhile since he had enjoyed a hug that much. He closed his eyes and returned her squeeze. Captain Lorusk, cleared his throat alerted them to his presence.
Kilen let go of Twilix and accepted the sword back from Lorsuk, who didn’t say a word. Instead he grunted as he handed over each item. Kilen returned the chainger to its place in his waistline and the chain necklace around his neck. He felt better having the
magic return to his body. He closed his eyes and pushed the water vision to his ability’s limit. He felt whole again. Even Jace, and Max felt a little more at ease. When he was done re-familiarizing himself with the feeling of magic, Twilix led him away holding his arm in hers.
Near the kitchen tents he saw Izabel atop a cart being pulled by his horse. She smiled and waved at him. “Izabel, what is my horse doing pulling this cart?”
“I see. No thank you at all for taking the rope from your neck,” she snapped back.
“I’m sorry, thank you.”
“You should be, I have lost a fair amount of business calling in favors for you. They will most likely return, but for now I have lost revenue.” She was all puffed up in her usual way, but dressed more decently, showing a lot less of herself. Her fingers were once again caked with dirt, and she displayed them proudly.
“I am very thankful. If there is any way I can repay you I will do my best.”
She smiled at him, “Very well, your thanks are accepted. It is all that I require. I came here with Leroy. He said he had some things to make for you for before you both left for war. He does owe me, however, so you better keep him in one piece.”
“I won’t bring him along. His mission was completed as soon as I became a weapon bearer. He is his own man now.”
She smiled, “Very well. You had better get some clothes on in the back here before someone sees you like that. You look as though you have been working a garden for weeks,” she said while examining her own dirty fingers. Kilen moved to the back of the cart and found a pair of his clothing that would be decent to fight in. He found a pair of recently fixed boots and all of his armor. Twilix and Izabel started talking about how Kilen had to face Chit on the training field within the hour. He felt uncomfortable changing at the back of the cart with Twilix and Izabel chatting at the front. He took his clothes off and exchanged them for the new. After he was partially naked he remembered to form a wall of fog around himself so that no one could see. The he heard Twilix whisper and both the girls giggled, he was sure at his expense.
