Nester grinned. “I’ll just be taggin’ along for a little while longer—at least long enough to find out what in th’ soddin’ ’ells that shiny is.”
Kaijin sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
* * *
The front doors of the Celestran aurorium slowly creaked open, allowing the outside light to pour into the stone-covered interior of the main atrium.
Kaijin breathed in the cool, crisp air, lightly scented with honeysuckle. He welcomed the pleasant aroma, after the stench of the fetid marsh.
Nester sniffed the air. “You smell that?”
Zarya inhaled deeply and smiled. “It is honeysuckle. It represents the goddess’s sweet fragrance.”
“Aye, but ...” Nester’s gaze shifted sidelong to Aidan, who appeared lost in thought.
“Come.” Zarya beckoned as she made her way down the red-and-gold carpet of the center aisle.
Gold shimmered on the high ceilings from the midday light that poured in from the stained glass windows. Two winding staircases on opposite ends of the room led up to two higher stories, where bookshelves in open lofts could be seen from the ground floor. Several robed clergymen and women walked about, toting books and stacks of parchment. Two rows of five pews stretched down the middle of the atrium, leading to an exquisite grand altar trimmed in gold and silver. Statues of dragons and beautiful, nude women posed with swords were placed throughout the hall, adding to the regal atmosphere.
At the base of the altar knelt an elderly, white-robed priest. His head was lowered in prayer as he tended to a middle-aged man who also knelt, holding his left arm as if in pain. Standing next to them was a young, robed boy, who held a small golden dish.
Kaijin, Nester, and Aidan quietly shuffled down the aisle, following Zarya. When they were midway, Zarya held her arm out in front of them, barring them from continuing.
“Wait,” she whispered. “We mustn’t disturb him whilst he is convening with the goddess.”
Kaijin watched the two men a moment. “It’s fascinating that he is able to heal that man by praying to the goddess.”
Zarya nodded. “The goddess is the source of our powers, Kaijin. If we are not faithful to Her, then we are powerless.”
“Oh, so if I stub my toe or somethin’, all I gotta do is say a few nice things about th’ goddess, and it’ll be all better?” Nester asked in a whisper. “’Ow convenient!”
Kaijin groaned. “I don’t think it works like that, Nester.”
Zarya shot them both a glare. “Enough, you two. Be quiet, and watch.”
The priest placed his hands on the man’s injured arm. A faint blue glow emanated, trailing up the man’s arm to encompass his entire body. The man winced before relaxing. The priest looked at him and smiled. “The goddess has answered this day, Ulric.”
Ulric opened his eyes and lightly touched his arm where the injury was. He smiled. “The pain is gone! Thank you, Honored Father. I can finally go back to work.”
The priest shook his head. “Don’t thank me. It is She who has brought you healing. Go now. Walk in Her steps.”
Ulric lowered his head reverently. He placed a small donation of coins in the dish, then backed away from the altar.
“Oy! Watch it!” Nester exclaimed as the man nearly backed into him.
Ulric jumped in surprise and looked over his shoulder. “Oh! Excuse me, sir!”
Nester crossed his arms, frowning. “Right, just be careful next time, aye?”
Ulric did a double take and quickly left without another word. Kaijin and the others advanced to the altar.
The priest smiled in greeting, assessing each of them. His gaze rested on Zarya the longest. “Yes? May I help you?”
Zarya stepped forward and lowered her head. “Greetings, Honored Father. My name is Zarya, an aspiring priestess of our beloved goddess, Celestra. This is Kaijin, Aidan, and Nester.” She gestured to each.
“’Ello, Your Majesty!” Nester said with a broad smile and a wave.
Kaijin nudged the brownie and muttered, “He’s not a king, you fool!”
Nester frowned. “Well ’ow in th’ soddin’ ’ells do you properly address a ’igh-rankin’ warder, then?”
“I think ‘sir’ would suffice.”
Nester scoffed. “That’s too bland, y’know? I would think someone who talks to gods an’ things would want somethin’ a little fancier than that, aye?”
Kaijin rolled his eyes.
“Nester, you’re not being facetious, are you?” Zarya put her hands on her hips.
Nester made an exaggerated gasp. “What? Me? Of course not! Why would I do such a thing, beautiful? I meant every word, I did! I really am impressed by all the wardin’.”
“Nester ...” Zarya began.
Grinning, the brownie pulled the bandages off his fingers and showed off his unscathed fingertips to everyone. “Look! I’m all better, see? I should be bowin’ down to your amazin’ skills, too, beautiful!”
Zarya frowned. “Don’t mock—”
“It is all right.” The priest smiled at the two.
Zarya and Nester looked at him.
“I appreciate your willingness to humble yourself within these walls, Nester,” the priest continued, “but such fancy titles are not necessary toward the clergymen. We are simply mediators.”
“Indeed,” Zarya said. She cast a hard stare at Nester before acknowledging the priest again. “If we may have a moment of your time ... ?”
The priest nodded once. “Of course, my dear.”
Zarya gestured to Kaijin while she continued. “During our trip in Houndstooth Marsh, we discovered a very mysterious and intriguing artifact hidden in the ruins there.”
Kaijin pulled the warm, shining orb out from his haversack and presented it to the priest.
“You bet, it was mysterious!” Nester exclaimed, his eyes widening in excitement. “As an explorer, I think that’s th’ most amazin’ thing I’ve ever seen! It’s so amazin’ that I don’t even know what in th’ soddin’ ’ells it is, but it’s amazin’, I tell you!”
While Nester continued rambling, Aidan went up behind him and put his hand over his face, leaving just enough space for Nester to breathe.
Nester’s muffled voice became agitated. He attempted—futilely—to pry Aidan’s massive leathery hand away.
Aidan nodded for Zarya to continue.
The priest briefly scrutinized the orb and then turned to the boy beside him. “Get Geoffrey and Rose, quickly,” he ordered.
The young acolyte nodded, rushed toward the east transept, and bounded up the stairs to the library. Moments later, the boy returned with two more robed clergy—a middle-aged man and woman.
“Is everything all right, Elder?” Geoffrey called as he approached, looking concerned.
The elder nodded and beckoned them over. “Please, come see this.”
Geoffrey and Rose acknowledged Kaijin and his group. The orb, with its swirling fire inside, drew their attention.
“They say they found it in Houndstooth Marsh,” the elder said.
Rose blinked and then looked at Kaijin. “Truly?”
“Houndstooth Marsh?” Geoffrey repeated. “That’s the druids’ ruins, is it not, Elder?”
The elder priest nodded. “Indeed, it has been abandoned for hundreds of years.”
Zarya nodded. “Do either of you know what it might be?”
Geoffrey rubbed his chin. “It’s certainly druidic in nature, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge of it. However ...” He stepped forward and reached out for the orb. The heat emanating from it increased. He winced and yanked his hands back.
Everyone gasped.
Rose asked, “Are you all right?”
Geoffrey shook off his startlement. “Y–yes. I am fine.”
The elder looked at Kaijin, who still held the orb. “I am rather curious that this orb has not harmed you while you hold it, young man.”
Kaijin swallowed. I can’t tell him anything. He won’t understand. “Ah
... I ... I don’t know, either, sir.”
“While I do not sense the presence of the goddess within this artifact,” the elder continued, “I do sense something ... something beyond the simple element of fire inside. This is something powerful, young man.”
Kaijin quirked his brow and then looked at the rest of his comrades.
Aidan finally released Nester and gestured for him to shush.
Nester regarded the giant sourly and crossed his arms.
“Is the orb cursed, elder?” Zarya asked.
“No,” the elder replied. “That, I am certain.”
“Could the power inside it be divine flames?”
“Yes, perhaps. But such a phenomenon eludes me.”
“It’s as if the essences of the world are infused in this one artifact,” Rose mused aloud.
Essences of the world? Magical essences, I wonder?
“There’s probably magic inside, too,” Geoffrey said, nodding. “Not that any of us would know that for certain.”
Kaijin chewed his bottom lip, watching Geoffrey. Gods, don’t let him suspect me of anything!
“It would be worth the effort in finding out,” the elder said. “Kaijin, I think you should try consulting the mages in Ghaeldorund. They may be able to provide further clues.”
Kaijin blinked. “But with all due respect, sir, Ghaeldorund is a magocratic city. Does that not trouble you?” Is he unaware that mages are despised around here?
The elder’s white eyebrow rose. “Trouble me? Of course not. Though we are well aware of the fear of mages and the city’s problems, the aurorium does not take sides in these affairs.”
Kaijin nodded slowly. “So, you’re saying the aurorium would provide a safe haven for mages?”
“The aurorium is a safe haven to all—so long as peace is maintained within.”
“Soddin’ ’ells! So, we gotta travel all th’ way north to that city? It’s a three-day journey, y’know!”
A journey I’m willing to travel in order to learn the truth, Nester. “If I want to find out what it is, then I must.”
Nester crossed his arms and huffed. “Well, you’re a fiddler—why can’t you just figure it out, aye?”
Kaijin paled. That damned idiot! “Nester! I told you not to—”
Rose and Geoffrey raised their eyebrows in surprise. They looked to the elder, who held up his hand dismissively.
“Do not be troubled, young man,” the elder said to Kaijin. “You have come to us peacefully. The aurorium does not judge an individual based on others’ actions.”
Kaijin exhaled in relief. “Thank you. I’ve not come to cause trouble, and I hope my presence here does not do so.”
“It is not wise to stay in Faywald longer than needed,” Geoffrey said. “But of course, the aurorium is open to all, so you are free to stay here for as long as you wish.”
“Thank you, but I will have to politely decline.” Kaijin tucked the orb back into his haversack. “I will take your advice and head to Ghaeldorund. I want to know more about this artifact.”
“As do I,” Zarya said, nodding.
“And to think, she wanted us to leave it behind,” Nester muttered to Kaijin.
Zarya whipped her head around, her long white hair swishing across her face. She scowled at Nester. “Yes, well, I realized I might have misjudged you all. For that, I apologize. From what the priests have said, this artifact sounds like a gift left by the gods. It may very well be the key to unlocking the many questions I have about the nature of the gods and perhaps bring me one step closer to completing another tier of my clerical studies.”
Nester then turned to Aidan, who was eying the interior decorations. “You’ve been awfully quiet there, mate.”
When Aidan didn’t respond, Nester nudged him in the thigh. “You’re gonna come with us too, aye? It’s a long trip—we’re bound to run into trouble along th’ way.”
Aidan’s gaze shifted to the brownie.
Nester looked at him expectantly. “Well? Is that an ‘aye’ or ‘nay’?”
“Leave him alone, Nester.” You’ve caused enough trouble as it is. Kaijin turned back to the elder, Rose, and Geoffrey. “Thank you for your time and information.”
The elder nodded and smiled. “May Celestra’s protection be bestowed upon you and your companions.”
Zarya, Kaijin, and Aidan reverently bowed their heads. The sounds of the festivities beginning outside could be heard, and Kaijin glanced toward Nester, who grinned and bolted for the door, not looking back.
VII
Faywald became a lively, colorful city of celebration as soon as night fell. Streamers, flowers, and pennants streamed from the rooftops and entwined on corners throughout the city, bringing a warm and inviting atmosphere to even the gloomiest of places.
The main part of the festival took place in the central plaza. Tents and vendors’ booths overflowing with food, handmade trinkets, exotic silks and linens, books, and other various items lined the plaza’s perimeter, while throngs of people converged in the center.
Kaijin, Zarya, and Aidan walked briskly through the colorful streets. Nester, who had sprinted ahead of them, stopped short in front of the plaza. He spun around; his mouth hung open, and his eyes grew wide at the melting pot of people partaking in a seemingly endless variety of activities. Children bobbed for apples, played ball, wrestled, and raced through the crowds in a dizzying swirl of color and motion. The adults that weren’t perusing the merchants’ wares played games of chance, visited the nearby taverns, or wandered the area, observing the festivities. Local street entertainers displayed their array of talents and their performances drew clusters of enthusiastic gawkers.
“Amazing, is it not, Nester?”
Nester jumped as Zarya spoke from behind him. He quickly slurped up the tiny stream of drool escaping from his mouth.
“What is city celebrating, anyway?” Aidan asked.
“The summer festival is a long-standing tradition, started by the barony several generations ago. It is a time of peace and unity—at least, that is what I have been told. It does seem rather exciting, though. We might as well have a little fun before the long trip tomorrow, yes?”
Nester beamed. “I like th’ way you think, beautiful. That’s probably th’ best idea I’ve ’eard all day!”
Ignoring the others, Kaijin stared off into the crowd and toward the vendors’ booths. Amongst the bustle, he spied a book vendor like the ones he had frequented back in Easthaven. He swallowed a small lump in his throat. I wonder if I’ll run into Master Jarial out here. He doubted it, but his stomach tied in knots.
“Kaijin?” Zarya called, her voice filled with concern.
Kaijin snapped out of his trance and shot her a nervous smile. “Uh, yes, it’s nice,” he said distractedly, turning to leave. “Say, I think I’m going to have a look at that book vendor over there.”
After a few moments’ silence, Zarya asked shyly, “Do ... do you mind if I join you?”
Kaijin stopped and glanced over his shoulder, not expecting the question. He looked to Nester, who smirked at Aidan, nudging him in the thigh.
Zarya clasped her hands behind her back and dropped her gaze to the ground, a blush coloring her cheeks. “To ... to look at books, I mean.”
Kaijin ignored Nester’s snicker. “Well, sure, if you wish. Though I don’t know how entertaining you will find it.”
Zarya lifted her head, her expression brightening. “Well, I do like to read, too, you know.” She walked past the group and toward the bookstall.
Kaijin gaped after her, admiring her graceful movements. Beautiful and likes books?
“Well I’ll be an orc’s mum.” Nester came up beside Kaijin, wearing a wide, gap-toothed grin. “So you’re not so clueless, after all.”
Kaijin blinked. “What?”
“I saw th’ way you looked at ’er—gettin’ all tongue-foddled an’ all.”
Kaijin bristled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
&n
bsp; “She’s pretty, she is—maybe a little too pretty, though. I’d be careful, mate. You know th’ saying, ‘Things aren’t always what they seem’?”
“It’s not like that, Nester. She’s an acquaintance—like you and Aidan.”
Nester rolled his eyes. “Oy! Are you really so daft, Kaijin? She likes you, she does. Even I can see that. An’ I’m no expert on ’uman love!” He turned to Aidan. “You can talk some sense into ’im, can’t you, Aidan? Or at least beat it into ’im, aye?”
Aidan looked from Kaijin to Nester and then shook his head. “Aidan knows when to mind his own business.” He pushed past them and walked toward a large crowd standing away from the plaza’s main bustle. The people were gathered in a large circle, watching something in the center. Screams and cheers erupted sporadically.
Nester crossed his arms and frowned. “Aidan’s no ’elp, Kaijin. Why in th’ soddin’ ’ells did we decide to let ’im join us again?”
“It was your idea,” Kaijin said simply. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He followed Zarya before Nester had a chance to retort.
* * *
Aidan stood behind the edge of the large gathering, his arms crossed as he peered over many heads, toward the center of the ring. A portly man, sporting a wide, excited grin and a flamboyant merchant outfit, spoke loudly enough to be even more obvious than Aidan. “Who’s going to be next to challenge Hugo the Mauler? Try your luck! Test your strength! Do you have what it takes?”
The crowd responded with yells, claps, and cheers.
Adjacent to the crowd was a small booth, where a line of people formed. One by one, each person slid money pouches to the attendant, who took it and then scribbled something in his book. Aidan saw several smaller groups of people escorting battered, broken men away from the festival.
“I can’t feel my leg!” one of the leaving men cried.
“Hold on,” one of the escorts said. “We’re getting you to a healer.”
“That Hugo’s a maniac!” another injured man complained.
Aidan felt something tap him on the side of his thigh. Glancing down, he saw Nester standing beside him.
Enflamed (Book 2) Page 7
