Rise of the Citadel (The Search for the Brights Book 2)

by Aaron Thomas

  Seven days of travel had given him a lot of practice renewing the energy of his men. He felt like he could do it in his sleep. He was almost sure he had a couple of times. Auburn lent her energy out sparingly because of Bowie’s warning; “Don’t make yourself too tired or you will not be able to protect me.” She had taken the words to heart; only renewing someone when they said they were there to take watch so she could eat.

  Bowie slept whenever he had the chance, so he could keep as many troops renewed as possible. With the help of the imbuement, Auburn didn’t sleep for four days. He had finally convinced her to nap on the third day, convincing her by saying she wouldn’t get a chance as the danger increased. She made sure there were four of his archers in the cart while she drowsed beside him. She even insisted that she had to have a rope tied to him just in case he tried to sneak away.

  Bowie didn’t need to rest at the time, but laid with her so she would. He watched her in the starlight as the cart rocked her to back and forth. He wondered how he could get Auburn to keep her distance. He knew he couldn’t have her following him into battle, but what kind of leader would order his men to their deaths without joining them? He had to find a way to rid himself of her constant companionship or take her magic.

  In the three days he still hadn’t thought of a solution for either. The issues kept recurring in his mind as they neared the battlefront. Surely if Kilen was here he would be able to find an answer. Bowie only had a limited amount of time with Atmos trying to catch up to him. He did not have a lot of time left to separate himself from her.

  Bowie watched as men started to jump from carts and run ahead to help unload. Their final stop and last camp was just ahead. Bowie watched as the line of carts slowed so John could organize them to help build the camp more efficiently. He knew this was all for not because the rest of the army would soon swallow this small campsite his men started. He let John go about his business anyway.

  John shouted orders, getting men to surround the camp for security. For the first time John ordered the carts be unloaded of all the arrows. He made a large stack in the center of camp and covered it with canvas. Tents were being set up in a pattern allowing maximum visibility. Bowie did his best to stay out of the way. He knew that if he tried to help a soldier, someone else would only run up to take his place. Bowie watched as his things were unloaded from a wagon. He saw them take the stool out and he snatched it up for himself. He moved to the only fire that was in the camp and sat on his reclaimed seat. A soldier stopped to look at him.

  “Be a good man and fetch me some of the fletching supplies. Now that we are near, I’d like to make some arrows for myself.” He was sitting while others worked and he felt like he needed to explain himself. He knew that the soldier would have done what he had asked either way, but he felt better having an excuse.

  The soldier tipped his black hat pinned up on one side. The feather in his hat was green with no stripes. Bowie’s feather contained three stripes. The stripes were part of a system Bowie employed to help him ascertain rank. Corporal Curtain had two stripes, and Tyler and Andrew each had one. Each man had their place and job and he watched silently doing his, as they did theirs.

  Soldiers and fletchers arrived carrying supplies made for arrows and he soon found himself surrounded by craftsmen. Each one made sure to hand him supplies as Bowie needed them and some took a moment to watch Bowie’s nimble fingers put the pieces in place. As more and more of the tents began to take form, more and more men sat down to work around the fire. Fresh meat was placed over the flame and the men began to talk amongst themselves. Bowie said nothing, he only listened as his fingers worked and his quiver filled with Crescent Arrows.

  There was something that calmed Bowie when working with the arrows. He focused on gathering the parts and working each piece for its purpose. He knew that if one part was not prepared properly, the arrow would not hit its mark. A small file worked the rough edges of the arrow's tip into an angled point. This particular part meant easy entry into its victim and gave a smoother flight to its target. He tried to think of his troops as parts as well. Wizards, fletchers, archers, and scouts each had their own part and purpose. They did not need to know how to do each other part as long as they could perform their own.

  He held the arrow he just completed in front of his face, spinning it in his fingers. He wondered if it would be good for all the parts to know the purpose of the others. His archers knew how to fletch, so why shouldn’t his fletchers now how to shoot.

  When he looked up he saw Auburn sitting near the back of a group of fletchers, making her own arrows. Her eyes continued to flicker between him and her work. Her bow was passed around as the men pulled back the string, trying to use her bow. Bowie laughed a bit at their attempts to wield the girl’s weapon. John was working on organizing the second shift of guards to watch over the camp and ignored the playful banter.

  Tyler sat two men down from Bowie and was in a quiet chat with one of the fletchers that had joined on the way. They chatted about how much the entire group had bonded and become like family. He learned the fletchers name was Paul, and he spoke of John and Auburn as if they were cousins.

  Paul said, “Still wish we could join you on the field.”

  Bowie heard the statement and it drew so much interest he spoke without thinking. “Why couldn’t you join us on the battlefield?” Bowie put a bite of bread into his mouth and looked up at Paul and Tyler who were looking at him in confusion.

  “Sargeant, they are supposed to make the arrows, not fight with them,” Tyler replied.

  “I don’t see why these men shouldn’t be allowed to defend themselves. They of course will have to be tested to wear the black hat in order to fight alongside us.”

  Tyler stood, “I will teach them.”

  Bowie shook his head, “No. I do not think that would be wise. I’ll need someone that has a bit more drive to train them. Auburn, she should train them.”

  By the time the conversation had reached this point, only the sound of the crackling fire and occasional bird disturbed Bowie’s eating. Auburn was not moving, probably trying to decide what she should do.

  “What do you say, Auburn? Will you teach the men to fight beside us?” Bowie asked.

  Auburn looked to be at a crossroads. Her jaw tightened and she slowly shook her head.

  The men at the fire let out a sigh of disappointment, one even threw the arrow he was working on into the fire.

  “How dare you ask me that? You know what I must do.” She stood with her face as red as her hair.

  Bowie calmly put another piece of bread in his mouth. “When we first started the journey, I gave you your orders. I believe I told you that you were to lead these fletchers. Leading them into battle or leading them to make arrows makes no difference to me. You, on the other hand, have taken it upon yourself to make it your duty to protect me. I neither asked, nor wanted this from you.”

  Another piece of bread left his plate and into his mouth. He wiped the crumbs from his lap as he stood. He handed his metal plate to the man next to him. “Besides, can you name a better way to protect me than to arm another hundred men who are passionate to go to battle with me? Auburn, you are surprisingly good with a bow. You however, can’t fire one hundred arrows at once. You can’t be in one hundred different places, no matter how powerful your magic makes you. One hundred men is better than one.” He turned his back to the furious redhead, “Think about it, Auburn.”

  Bowie started to walk away towards Ria’s wagon. The men around the fire and surrounding tents began to beg Auburn to take up the mantel that Bowie had thrown down. They begged to earn the right to join his men. Bowie smiled at the thought. He knew she had the almost uncontrollable urge to follow him. He also knew she was furious and wanted to storm away. While she stood and decided which action to take he made every effort to get a few moments of peace without her. He knocked at Ria’s door and took a moment to look back at Auburn. He could just make out her face still starin
g at him through the crowd of men trying to convince her to train them.

  Ria opened the door and looked around, finally finding Auburn and waved Bowie inside. “What do I owe the pleasure, Sergeant Crescent?”

  “I found a moment of peace and I thought I would share it with you.”

  She smiled a moment and motioned for him to have a seat. A steaming pot of tea already on the counter was poured into her usual tea cups and set down for him to partake.

  “How did you manage to separate her from yourself?”

  “I told the fletchers that they could join in battle if she would train them. I was hoping that while she trains them, her earth magic might take the place of the importance to protect me. Perhaps then she will leave me alone.”

  “If it does not?” She said coolly as she blew on her tea.

  “If not… If not, I will have a set of men trained to protect me by a woman will not accept anything less than the best.” He tasted the tea and it was bitter. He choked and almost spit it on the table. “What is this?”

  “Just a bit of tangleroot. It’ll replenish your bodies vitamins.”

  Bowie was afraid to take another sip, “I am sorry, but it tastes horrid.”

  “You need to drink it.” She refilled what little he had drank. “Do you think training the fletchers would be wise?”

  Bowie took another swallow, disregarding all manners and gagged at the flavor. “I don’t think it’s wise to leave a bunch of men without the ability to defend themselves. The campfire talk is that they want to join in the fight with my men. I just have to find a way to make some more bows for them.”

  “You leave the bows to me. I’ll make them the tools they need to keep themselves alive. You make sure you give them the knowledge they need use it.”

  Bowie nodded his head. He knew Ria would make the bows.

  “Now, what do we do about Auburn? Do you really think that training the men will keep her from battle?”Ria asked.

  “I’m hoping it will at least distract her for now. I’ll need to think of more to keep her busy later on. Anything you can think of to help keep her from following me into battle would help.”

  “She has her mind set. I think she would have done her best to protect you whether or not she had the earth magic pushing her to this extreme. The day you took her on the hunt with you, you sealed your fate. In her mind she saved your life. If she did it once, she may be needed again.” Ria refilled his teacup as he stared at the inside of his hat laying on his lap.

  He took another sip before remembering the taste. His face contorted at the realization that he drank it again. “You are saying that she is going to be like this with or without her magic?”

  Ria smiled, “I am afraid that magic only helps solidify our emotions. It makes our innermost emotions more prevalent. Once we accept that, we are able to control it. She wants to protect you from harm. She will be able to see dangers that you won’t because of her heightened sense of caution.”

  “So I am supposed to just let a woman protect me?”

  “What is wrong with a woman protecting a man? When we started you came to me, begging to let Auburn be in charge of the fletchers. Is this any different to you than to your men that you put her in charge of?”

  Bowie took a deep breath and pinched his nose before swallowing the rest of his tea. He took a few smacks of his mouth and spoke, “Thank you for your council, Ria.”

  She nodded her head and followed him out of the wagon, closing the door behind him. “I didn’t beg you to let her lead the fletchers.” She smiled as he walked away.

  Wizard Mica was walking towards him, still wrapping his robe around himself. “Sergeant Crescent, Wizard Ria, how is everything?”

  Before Bowie knew it, Auburn was at his side. He took a small look around and noticed the camp was already in a flurry of activity. She smiled up at him and then gave a glare at Mica. Auburn apprently wasn’t about to let the wizard forget how they felt about him.

  “We’re preparing to welcome the king. The arrows are completed and we’re making an archery range for practice until the troops can arrive. We’re also organizing hunting parties for fresh supplies. When should we be expecting his arrival?”

  “He will arrive here in less than a day’s time. He’s traveling with one hundred of his most powerful weapon bearers and the Wizards Council. I’ll go give him an update after a bite to eat. I’ll return here before nightfall. Could you have a tent made up for me?”

  Bowie nodded his head. “Thank you for the news. Is there anything else? Perhaps some orders from the king?”

  “He said that he would speak to you when he arrived. He also wanted me to make it clear that you are, in no way, supposed to make contact with the Fire Realm unless it is to eliminate their soldiers.”

  “We’ll avoid confrontation at all costs,” Bowie said as John approached, out of breath.

  “Sorry, Master Crescent. I just learned that he arrived.” John quickly regained control of himself and Auburn went to touch his shoulder. John stood straighter and flexed his muscles. Bowie had been so concerned about Auburn he had forgot to make sure John rested.

  “John, will you see to it that one of the men makes a place for the Councilmen to rest tonight? Also, they need to make preparations for the king's arrival tomorrow.”

  John clasped his hand on his chest and jogged off to see to the tasks.

  “Master Crescent, you have pushed your men hard. I’ll report your efforts to King Atmos. I’m sure he will be pleased.”

  Bowie straightened his hat a little.

  “I think we have some hot food right over here. I’m sure you can find the way. I have some other matters that need tending to.”

  Mica inclined his head and started towards the fire that was abandoned at Auburn’s command.

  “You took my request to train the men, Auburn?”

  She smiled, “I did. It took me a moment to see reason. They’re gathering targets and setting aside some of the less appealing arrows for practice. We’ll begin training within the hour.”

  “Good. If you have any trouble in the training, talk to John.”

  She nodded her head and John came running towards them with an urgent look on his face.

  “Speaking of John.” Bowie passed Auburn and met John halfway.

  “Sergeant, there’s a knight coming this way from the Fire Realm’s camp.”

  Bowie was flabbergasted for a moment, “Which direction?”

  “The direction of the Fire Realm army,” John said to Bowie, still showing signs of confusion on his face. “That way.” John pointed the way he had been running from.

  Bowie finally took control of himself and nodded his head. He started walking the way John had pointed, “Ria, Auburn, will you come with me? John, I need you to get Mica and let’s say...fifty archers.”

  John clasped his fist to his chest and immediately started barking out orders.

  Ria followed and spoke in a calm voice, “Sergeant Crescent, it’s only one man. Are you sure that you need such a welcoming party?”

  Bowie slowed his pace and thought about her statement, “Perhaps not, but I do want to make a statement that says we are ready at a moment’s notice to defend ourselves. I also want Mica there to be a witness that I did not seek out the Fire Realm.”

  “Both are wise decisions. I don’t want you to scare the soldier away if he’s here to present terms of a peaceful negotiation.” Ria did her best to slow Bowie by placing a hand on his arm.

  He slowed, but only because he could finally see the man approaching. The horse looked strange and the rider was not what he would have expected for a knight. He was tall and rather slender on the horse and looked too young to be a representative. His armor shined in the sunlight, as did his shield bearing a large oak tree. The same oak tree that identified him to be a knight of the Earth Realm. As the night galloped closer he saw the strange horse slow to a walk. The rider reached up to take off his helmet. He finally recognized Kilen r
iding a stone horse.

  Bowie turned to watch archers coming from every direction to stand in a formation behind Bowie. John was organizing them into ranks and telling them to knock arrows.

  “Stop! John, the knight is Kilen Everheart, the Weapon Bearer.” Bowie shouted.

  Mica walked up still licking his fingers from whatever he had eaten,

  “The traitor weapon bearer is here?”

  “What makes him a traitor?” Bowie snapped.

  Ria walked between the two, “Oh, this is your friend, the weapon bearer. I’d be glad to meet such a person that can walk beside his elemental, or even ride one.”

  “Ride one?” Mica asked as he followed her.

  “Yes, I believe he is riding an elemental shaped to be a horse and it’s quite impressive. Oh the possibilities.” She said smiling.

  Bowie was as confused as Auburn and Mica, but he followed and listened, “Possibilities?”

  “Yes, Master Crescent. Think. Your horse has no need for food, sleep, or water. The elemental can’t succumb to injury or sickness. An elemental is an almost perfect transport. If, of course, the wizard has the skill to use it and maintain it. The possibilities are nearly endless,” Ria’s emotions had taken to that of a schoolgirl that just learn her crush knew her name.

  Kilen was standing his ground atop his elemental horse. The small party got closer and Bowie could tell it was made from stone. The eyes moved along with its grass-like tail that swooshed back and forth as if it were a real horse. Kilen dismounted as they neared him. The horse shifted its rocks, crumbling to the ground into a gravel pile.

  The small pile of rocks began to rearrange and take new form. A figure of a man rose out rubble to stand before them.

  Ria curtsied, “Master Everheart, I presume. I am Ria, an earth wizard. Your skills at handling elementals are quite impressive.”

  Kilen went to one knee, set his helmet down beside him, and clasped his fist to his chest.

  “Please, no need to be formal, Weapon Bearer,” Ria said motioning Kilen to stand.