Ruin Mist Chronicles Bundle

by Robert Stanek

  The sheets were soft and silky smooth. Servants would draw him a bath each evening and he used scented soaps to wash with. He had been given fine clothes, a jeweled dagger to put in the scabbard at his belt, and handsomely crafted leather boots. No more ill-fitting boots.

  Oddly, it was the absence of his old and worn boots that made him yearn for home. He wondered how Lillath and Vil fared, and hoped that no harm had come to them. He had told Xith of his vow that one day he would return home, and Xith had said that perhaps one day he could go home, but that day would be a long way off.

  Vilmos looked at himself in the mirror again, made a face, and started to undress. Xith came into the room.

  The shaman smiled, then said, “You look like a fine young man, come quickly. We cannot keep His Highness waiting.”

  Vilmos frowned, looked back into the mirror, then wordlessly followed Xith. He knew something special was planned for this evening, but what Xith hadn’t told him.

  They were descending the central stairs to the keep’s great hall, when Vilmos asked, “Why all the secrecy? What is afoot?”

  Xith stopped and faced Vilmos. “Enjoy yourself this evening. We will be leaving Quashan’ in the morning. It is time to begin your education.”

  “Education?” Vilmos asked.

  Xith didn’t answer, instead he continued down the stairs. Vilmos heard playful laughter in his mind and before he followed Xith, he glanced to the top of the stairs. Galan and Seth stood at the top of the landing. Galan wore a deep blue dress befitting a princess and Seth wore princely clothes matched to Galan’s dress.

  We will leave in the morning also, Galan said. Galan took Seth’s hand as he offered it to her, and he led her down the stairs toward Vilmos. Perhaps you will come with us to Imtal to speak to King Andrew.

  “I would like that,” Vilmos said, “but I think Master Xith has other plans.”

  “Perhaps, perhaps not,” Seth said. He spoke aloud. “But I fear we are nearly late and should hurry.”

  Vilmos smiled at Seth’s spoken speech. Seth was working hard on his Kingdom accent.

  Galan laughed again, and Vilmos heard its echo in his mind as she prodded him to chase after Xith.

  Vilmos raced off to the keep’s great hall. Seth and Galan followed.

  Inside the hall, hundreds of guests were seated at the many tables encircling the main table. At the head of the main table sat Prince Valam. Seated to his left were Chancellor Van’te, Keeper Martin, Father Jacob, Sergeant Danyel’, Captain Adylton of Imtal and Captain Berre of Quashan’. Princess Adrina, the soon-to-be captain Emel, Vilmos, Xith, Seth and Galan were seated to his right. Vilmos was glad to be surrounded by a few friendly faces, for most of the others in the enormous hall were strangers to him.

  Wonderful aromas rose from the kitchen at the northern end of the hall and, nearly out of sight, attendants waited to bring food to the tables. Vilmos glanced to the four empty seats around the table and wondered who they were reserved for, then bowed his head as Father Jacob began the before meal prayer.

  Father Jacob concluded the prayer as he had the past seven evenings, by giving thanks to Great-Father for divine providence. Afterward, for a brief time, a discord of voices returned.

  Vilmos looked about the hall.

  Emel, to his left, said, “Still not used to it, are you?”

  “To tell the truth, I would much rather eat somewhere more private.”

  “And miss all this?” asked Adrina. “Just wait till you see Imtal’s hall.”

  Vilmos shrugged.

  Emel whispered, “Me too.”

  Adrina asked Vilmos, “You will be coming with us to Imtal, won’t you?” When Vilmos didn’t answer immediately, Adrina glared, then added, “You must.”

  Vilmos turned expectant eyes to Xith. “Alas,” Xith said, “it is time we were on our way. Vilmos and I have much to do. He has an education to begin.”

  Adrina made a face. Xith said, “Do not fret, Princess. Seth and Galan will accompany you to Imtal, yet, I suspect that you have not seen Vilmos and I for the last time.”

  Vilmos was about to say something when Lord Valam cleared his throat, then stood. A sudden hush spread throughout as Valam’s gaze swept around the hall.

  “On the eve of the seventh day of the cleansing of our home, we celebrate.” Valam raised a golden goblet. “We commemorate those who have fallen in the defense of their kingdom and honor those who helped achieve victory.

  “It is unfortunate that this hall cannot hold each and every soldier presently residing in Quashan’, for, down to the last man—” Adrina cleared her throat. “—and woman, they contributed to victory, and none more so than those of you seated here today. I, the citizens of Great Kingdom, and your king, thank you.”

  Valam raised the goblet above his head in salute, then drank from it until it was empty. A cheer went up, then everyone likewise honored the toast, Vilmos included, though he did not drink wine. Xith had warned him that he shouldn’t and for good reason, because it was customary for each of the honored guests to likewise make a toast. Cheers followed every toast, empty wine bottles were hurled against the walls and attendants hurried about the room with new bottles.

  When it came time for Vilmos to make a toast, he was so nervous that all he could manage to say was, “To Great Kingdom,” and still the crowd cheered.

  The last toast made, the cheers faded. Prince Valam stood. He raised his hand, commanding silence. “Several matters have come to my attention that demand addressing,” he began. “First of all, the heroic deeds of those seated here—” Valam swept his hand around the central table. “—are largely unknown to all save a few. I wish to make public the knowledge of these deeds so that all may know and none will forget.”

  Keeper Q’yer was admitted to the hall. He carried a large tome and placed it before his prince.

  “Inscribed on these pages are the deeds of the twelve seated here before you as best as can be ascribed,” read Valam aloud.

  Valam looked to those around the table. “Please stand and be recognized as I read your name. Chancellor Van’te, once King Andrew’s advisor who now serves Lord Valam. Keeper Martin, Head of Lore Keepers. Father Jacob, First Priest of Great-Father. Sergeant Danyel’, Quashan’ garrison. Captain Adylton, First Captain of Imtal garrison. Captain Berre, First Captain of Quashan’ garrison. Princess Adrina, daughter of King Andrew. Sergeant Emel Brodstson, son of King’s Captain Brodst. Brother Seth of the Red Order who are the Queen’s Protectors. Brother Galan of the Red Order who are the Queen’s Protectors. Master Xith, of Oread and wise shaman. And lastly, Vilmos, son of Vil, Counselor of Tabborrath Village.”

  Briefly Keeper Q’yer began recounting the deeds inscribed in the tome. Lastly, he spoke of Princess Adrina, Galan and Vilmos’ venture into Sever’s camp and an audible murmur passed through the crowd. It was clear few knew of this event.

  Valam said, “From this day hence, this tome shall be put in a glass case which will stand at the entrance of this keep so that all may look upon it and read the inscribed names, and those who stand before you shall be known as Quashan’s protectors, heroes of the realm. Let the word go forth from this hall so that all may know.”

  Unrestrained cheers followed and it took Valam a few minutes to calm the enthusiasm.

  “The next matter concerns my sister, Princess Adrina, who has decided to return to Imtal instead of staying the winter in our fair south.” Keeper Q’yer handed Valam a scroll. “This scroll contains a message to my father, King Andrew, that Adrina will conduct to Imtal. With my regrets that I must stay in the south, I send a request that the King grant Brother Seth and Brother Galan an audience that they are surely due.”

  Valam put his seal upon the scroll. Keeper Q’yer raised it for all to see. Then Valam said, “Now, I think it is about time we eat!”

  A cheer went up and attendants hurried heavily laden plates to the tables. Keeper Q’yer sat at an empty place, and they were about to start eating when a page entered
the hall. Valam took the roll of parchment the boy held. After reading the message, Valam whispered something to the page then the boy hurried off.

  With his eyes, Vilmos followed the departing page until the boy disappeared into an adjacent corridor. A few seconds later, the page returned. Behind him were three men. One was a burly man dressed in a captain’s uniform. The other two by their attire and poise seemed to be nobility, but their hair was fair and not dark as Adrina’s or Valam’s.

  Vilmos turned back to regard Valam. Valam was grinning.

  “One last thing,” Valam said. “Please welcome, King’s Captain Brodst and the guests he brings from Klaive. The Baron of Klaive, and his son, Rudden, conveyed a supply caravan of lumber from their hardwood forests and metal for nails from their mines to Quashan’.”

  Adrina, who was apparently shocked, seemed about to try to slip under the table.

  “Greetings, My Lord Valam,” said the Baron of Klaive and his son.

  “Please join us,” Valam said. He clapped his hands and attendants rushed forward to seat the newcomers.

  Rudden was seated directly across from Adrina, and Vilmos was now positive that she would at any moment slip under the table. Then she seemed to notice Emel, as Vilmos did just then. Emel was clearly jealous of the tall, good-looking southerner. Emel also seemed about ready to pull the arms off the high-backed chair he sat in.

  Adrina’s pout relaxed, faded, then she burst into laughter. Valam was quick to join in, as did most everyone else around the table, even Rudden who seemed a good sport.

  “Let us eat!” Valam said.

  And the meal began.

  Vilmos ate and joined in the laughter filling the hall. In the years afterward, he wouldn’t remember much of what was said or done that eve, but he would remember the laughter and the joy forever.

  After Vilmos left the hall, he returned to his room. He stood in front of the chamber mirror and regarded his stomach. He smiled a boyish smile and whispered to himself, “Imagine me, a hero of the realm.”

  His mind still spun with the wonder of the hall. So much had happened. He had never seen so much splendor, never eaten so much food and never drank so much. His belly felt as if it were about to burst. This evening’s events had certainly lived up to his expectations.

  Still, he felt uncomfortable in the finery he wore. In the reflection of the mirror, Vilmos saw Xith changing into his customary robe. His eyes darted to a neatly folded pile of clothes. He picked them up and laid them out on the bed. He found that the chambermaid had darned his socks, patched the knees on his pants, and mended his shirt just as she had promised.

  Without a second thought, Vilmos changed into his old clothes, and, while they weren’t silk, they felt just as good. He turned back to face the mirror and found Xith standing in front of it. Xith was grinning.

  “You look a fine young man,” Xith said. “Those are clothes befitting one who is about to begin an education.”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready,” Vilmos said.

  Xith looked Vilmos up and down. “You are right, you aren’t ready.”

  Vilmos frowned and a flood of disappointment swept over him.

  Xith maintained his grin. “First I must—” Someone knocked on the door. Xith went over and opened it. Vilmos heard him say, “Your Highness, please come in.”

  Prince Valam stepped into the room. “I trust I am not disturbing you?”

  Xith glanced to Vilmos then said, “Certainly not. Please come in.”

  “Adrina told me you planned to leave early tomorrow, so I slipped out of the hall for a moment to give you this.” Valam handed Xith a rolled parchment. “It is something Father Jacob, Keeper Martin and I discussed at length—a writ, signed and closed with my seal. It is not as good as changing the King’s law regarding magic, but I think it a close substitute. It guarantees safe passage for you and Vilmos through Great Kingdom and proclaims you lawful magicians.”

  The prince looked directly at Vilmos for a moment, then back to Xith. “I truly wish you would reconsider undertaking the journey to Imtal. I would rest easier knowing you were with Princess Adrina and the others as they return north. You would then be able to talk to my father, for only the King can change a law. But you would have my backing and that of Father Jacob and Keeper Martin.”

  Xith took the writ. “You are most gracious. This is much more than I had expected, and it is a first step. Yet centuries of superstition and fear cannot be erased with the wave of a hand. Let us not forget the reason magic is forbidden in the first place. Perhaps the day will come when the Magus may again walk free and without fear. That day is not today nor tomorrow, but tomorrow’s tomorrow.”

  Prince Valam’s face lit up with mirth. “Father Jacob said you would say something like that, but I had to try… I will let you two get back to whatever it was you were doing before I arrived.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Xith said and he closed the door behind the prince.

  When Xith turned back to Vilmos, some of the concern that had been in his eyes earlier had lifted. Vilmos started to say something, Xith hushed him and just then Xith revealed what he had been hiding behind the mirror. It was the staff Xith had been whittling, what seemed to Vilmos forever ago.

  Xith asked, “Do you remember when I first showed you this?”

  Vilmos knew all right, it had been the night before he and Xith entered Vangar Forest for the first time.

  “Well, I have finally finished it and you have proven yourself worthy. What I was going to say earlier was that, first I must give you this before you are ready to begin. The staff is an extension of you.”

  Vilmos reached out for the staff, Xith pulled it back.

  “Take it,” Xith said, “and you will set your feet irreversibly upon the path to becoming the first Human Magus in five hundred years. What you have learned so far are simple cantrips to a true Mage. But be warned, you, Vilmos, are different. Just as I did not know if your dreams were truly gone, I do not know where the end of this path will take us.”

  Vilmos’ heart was racing. His eyes were wide. He reached out and took the staff from Xith. Never had he been so sure of anything as he was right then when he touched the strange soft wood. His place was with Xith and wherever the path took him, he would follow.

  Xith crossed to his bed and laid down on it. “Tomorrow will be a long day, there is so much we have to do.”

  Vilmos faced the mirror, grinned, then turned back to Xith. He asked, “Is Imtal truly as grand as Princess Adrina claims?”

  Xith smiled, but didn’t reply.

  KINGDOM ALLIANCE

  RUIN MIST CHRONICLES BOOK TWO

  PART ONE

  Chapter One:

  Unto the Winds

  Adrina shivered uncontrollably, and the more she shivered, the more she cried. She cried because she felt so desperately alone and because she felt utterly responsible for all that had happened. She, after all, had been the one who longed for change, and change had come in the form of a dark storm that threatened to sweep away everything she cared for and everything her family had worked so hard to maintain over these many past years.

  As she looked on, the carriage master turned onto the main thoroughfare of the East–West Road and for a fleeting moment as the carriage mounted a small hill, she caught a last glimpse of the West Deep off in the distance. The waters, deep blue and ever tranquil, seemed to be calling out to her, “Don’t leave. Stay.”

  She did long to stay but she couldn’t have made and kept her promise to Rudden Klaiveson even if she had wanted. Her heart and thoughts were miles away, lost in secret thoughts of the elves Seth and Galan. And though Rudden and his family had opened their hearts to her, she could not open her heart to them. Klaive was not Imtal, and it was not, nor would it ever be, her home. She was confident of this as she was of no other thing.

  Still, the past two weeks in Klaive hadn’t been all bad, and she had Valam to thank for urging her to change her mind and temporarily postpone he
r return to Imtal. Just as the baron, baroness and their son had been, the people of Klaive had been kind to her. They came to the streets to greet her and Rudden whenever they left Klaive Keep. Gentlemen would remove their hats and bow. Ladies in the flowing dress of the day would offer flowers and children would chase after them laughing through the streets.

  Adrina smiled, and wiped tears from her eyes. She leaned her head out the window, turning to look back at Klaive, half expecting to see Rudden chasing the carriage and her entourage. But Rudden was nowhere to be seen along the long dusty road, and it was just as well for Adrina had broken his heart, though it had not been her intent.

  She switched to the carriage seat opposite her and removed the cover from the painting the Baron had commissioned of her and Rudden. In the picture, Rudden had a broad smile and he held her hand. She remembered the warmth of his hands in hers and smiled. It had taken several days for the painter to complete his work and many long, quiet hours of standing and holding hands.

  Her leaving Klaive without allowing the Baron to publicly announce the betrothal had been a betrayal of the unspoken promise her presence spoke of. She disgraced Rudden’s family to be sure, but the thing she couldn’t forget or forgive herself for was the hurt she caused Rudden. She could see the anguish and pain in his eyes clearly, even now, and unexpectedly, her heart and eyes mirrored that anguish and that pain, and it was the source of the emptiness she felt.

  In her mind’s eye, she saw her mother, Queen Alexandria, nodding, giving silent approval to the idea that swept in from the corners of her mind. She laughed, and the laughter was almost healing. She moved the curtains aside from the coachman’s window, speaking quietly to the waiting attendant.