Arcanius

by Toby Neighbors

  Chapter 10

  Rafe

  It was almost midday when Rafe’s father returned. Earl Aegus had eaten and was now sleeping again. His healers were encouraged by the earl’s newfound strength and will to live. Rafe said nothing about Tiberius’ ministrations in the night. His friend was resting, and Rafe was taken for just another of the earl’s soldiers. There had been a time not very long ago when Rafe was known by sight, but a month in the blighted lands had changed him. His normally clean-shaven face was concealed behind a scruffy growth of beard, and his hair was grown out as well. But most of all, people didn’t believe he could be the sword master’s son. Rafe had been banished, and it was believed that banishment was as good as a death sentence. The entire city had seen Rafe, Olyva, and Tiberius banished, and no one believed they still lived, no matter what Rafe’s reputation as a fighter had been.

  “Have you eaten?” Grentz asked.

  “No, sir,” Rafe replied.

  “Anyone recognize you?”

  “No, sir, I don’t believe so.”

  “Good.”

  He led the way down to the small apartment that Rafe had shared with his father over the years. When Rafe was old enough, he moved out and lived in the barracks with the other soldiers in the earl’s war band, but his father’s quarters had always felt like home. They went in, and Grentz found bread, cheese, fruit, and a canister of nuts. It was the kind of simple meal that Grentz preferred. Since Rafe had moved out, he rarely cooked, taking food from the earl’s kitchens occasionally but mostly just relying on simple foods that didn’t need much preparation.

  As they ate, Grentz outlined his rudimentary plan.

  “I think it would be a good idea to capture one of the war ships,” he said with no warning.

  Rafe almost choked on is food. Once he was able to swallow, he asked a question.

  “Why?”

  “You’re going to need to get out of the city, probably quickly,” Grentz explained. “At some point the king’s soldiers will come en masse. You can’t hide here. And if you try to leave on foot, they can follow you. If we take one of the war ships, you could go anywhere. It wouldn’t be perfect, but the four of you could handle the ship, and they’re faster than the larger vessels. They even have weapons.”

  “Okay,” Rafe said, still not quite sure what to think. “I’m not sure how we could do that, though.”

  “You and I can do it,” Grentz said. “I’ll call to them, say I’ve got news from Sparlan Citadel. We get on board, kill all the soldiers.”

  “Just like that,” Rafe said with a grin.

  “Simple,” Grentz said. “The best plans are the simplest.”

  “You do that and you’ll be a wanted man,” Rafe said.

  “Not necessarily,” Grentz said. “You’re here, Tiberius is here. We make it known that you were here and you stole the ship. There’s no reason for anyone to think that I helped. I can just say I didn’t know anything about it.”

  Rafe felt scared and honored. His father was the most feared swordsman in the nine cities, yet he had never acted as if Rafe were his equal. Now, he was plotting to help Rafe steal one of the king’s war ships and trusting that Rafe could hold his own, back to back with his father.

  “What about the other ship?” Rafe asked.

  “They don’t have to know anything about it,” Grentz said. “We wait until nightfall then dump the bodies into the mist. They’ll think that it’s still being crewed by their guys.”

  “Won’t we need some help?”

  “Not taking the ship. There isn’t a lot of room on those ships. Don’t get me wrong, they’re big enough, but with the catapults and rigging, involving more people will only make it harder. We’d end up getting in each other’s way. And you can’t use your rapier. It’s too long for close work. You need two short swords.”

  “All right,” Rafe said. “When do you want to do it?”

  “As soon as you’re finished eating,” Grentz said. “The sooner you have a solid way to escape if trouble starts brewing, the better I’ll feel.”

  “Dad, you don’t have to put your neck on the line for me,” Rafe said. “I made my choice and I don’t regret it. But I don’t want to drag you down with me.”

  “You think I wouldn’t die for you right now?” Grentz said. His jaw was set, and he glared at his son. “You think I didn’t go to the earl and beg for a pardon when Leonosis banished you? You think I wouldn’t have left with you that day if Aegus hadn’t assigned two experienced men to keep me in sight at all times until the three of you entered the mists?”

  “No, I just…” Rafe wasn’t sure what to say. “I thought you were angry.”

  “I was angry. I was furious over what happened, and with Leonosis, and with the earl. I was even mad at Tiberius, and all he did was stand up for you. But most of all I was furious with myself. I spent my whole life trying to make sure you could have a better life. Making sure that no matter who challenged you, you were prepared to meet them on equal terms. Protecting the earl and raising you were the only things I cared about once your mother died. And then you were suddenly thrust into a situation I had no idea how to fix. I tried every way I could to help you, but I couldn’t. I failed because I let my position and my stupid reputation hold me back. I’ve regretted that decision every day since. Now I’ve got a second chance and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let it slip past me. I was angry because your choices took you away from me, but I was never angry with you. I admire what you did and how you did it. No, things didn’t work out the way any of us hoped, but you followed your heart and held your head high even when the earl’s family turned against you.”

  “I didn’t want to leave,” Rafe said.

  “Of course you didn’t. I know that. But now it seems like maybe your leaving was a good thing. Your mother always said things happen for a reason. I lost faith in that when she died. I just couldn’t imagine what reason there could possibly be for a little boy to lose his mother. And yet, with things happening in the capital the way they are, I think maybe you were meant to get out of Avondale. The kingdom needs you.”

  “The kingdom needs Tiberius,” Rafe said. “I wouldn’t be here without him.”

  “You two boys have needed each other since you were little. I’ve said that all your life and I was proved right when Tiberius stood with you when Leonosis made a spectacle of your banishment in front of the king. I was destined to be Earl Aegus’ man, and you’re destined to be Tiberius’.”

  They went to the armory, retrieved swords, then donned cloaks so the weapons didn’t stand out. As they climbed up onto the walls, Rafe couldn’t help but feel as if he were moving backwards. His whole life, the walls of Avondale had seemed like such huge, impenetrable barriers, not just around the city, but around his life. Only now he had moved on and seen things that made the walls of Avondale seem small. The walls were familiar, but they no longer felt like home. And despite the sense of safety they should have provided, Rafe suddenly longed to be out on the open plains of the blighted lands once more. Just a good horse and his friends by his side—that was the future that Rafe wanted.

  They didn’t go to the city gates, which were manned with twice as many soldiers as normal. Rafe noticed that the guard had been doubled all around the city. Instead they entered the massive watchtower and climbed the stone steps. Rafe was winded when the reached the top, but Grentz seemed fine. Rafe didn’t know why the air seemed so thin to him. It had never bothered him before, but he had trouble catching his breath.

  “You men are relieved,” Grentz said to the four soldiers on the top of the tower.

  Some of them chortled at Rafe’s misery, but none of them paid him much attention. It was a boon, really, and one that Rafe was grateful for. He had been forgotten, and even now that he was back, the soldiers he met didn’t recognize him.

  “I can’t believe I haven’t been recognized,” he said to his father, who was waving a flag at the nearest war ship.

  “You
’re different,” Grentz said. “Not just your looks, but your bearing. You were always eager before—so eager. But it’s apparent now that you’ve tasted battle and you’re quieter, more steady. That kind of thing makes most men nervous. Even if they can’t quiet put their finger on why, they realize that you are not to be trifled with and so they give you some space.”

  “But you recognized me,” Rafe argued.

  “Recognized the look first, then saw that it was you. Still could hardly believe it. I felt like I was seeing a ghost.”

  The war ship hovered over the tower. It was close but still far enough over head that Rafe wondered how they could ever get aboard. Then a rope ladder was dropped over the side of the ship, and Rafe’s question was answered.

  “I’ll go first,” Grentz whispered. “When you get on board, make sure to leave a little space between us.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rafe said.

  “And remember, speed trumps power. Especially in close quarters. Be prepared for the ship to sway and keep your balance.”

  Rafe nodded, then watched as his father climbed the ladder. Then Rafe started up, and as he looked out over the city of Avondale, he wondered if he would live long enough to climb back down. He had a sudden urge to see Olyva one last time. Then he pushed every thought out of his mind and focused on only one thing—killing.

  Chapter 11

  Tiberius

  He had only slept a few hours, but his stomach was rumbling so loud it woke him up. His room was just the way he’d left it, and although it had only been a little over a month since he had been banished from Avondale, it felt like an entire lifetime ago. Still, no one bothered him, and he had gotten a little rest. Unfortunately, he had no idea how he was going to get something to eat without being recognized.

  He got up and straightened his hair, which had decided to stick straight up on one side. There was no water in the room and no way to clean himself up. Instead he rubbed his face vigorously with his hands, pulled as many wrinkles from his clothes as possible, and then went to the door.

  “Abdidi Incantatio,” he said quietly.

  He felt the magic of the cloaking spell settle over him and he cracked open the door. The hallway beyond was empty, and he quickly slipped out the door. He could have made his way down to the kitchens, but he feared he might bump into one of the many servants hurrying to meet some urgent need. It would be better to slip out of the palace, where he could blend in with the crowds. There would be plenty of food in one of the markets, and all he needed was coin. A cloak wouldn’t hurt, either, and he knew just where to find both.

  Leonosis’ rooms were normally guarded, but since guards watched over the entrances to the earl’s private quarters and Leonosis wasn’t in residence, his suite of rooms were left unwatched. Tiberius waited as a servant hurried down the hall, then he quietly opened the door and went into his brother’s rooms. He’d only been inside the lavish suite a few times, and then only in the outer room, which was richly decorated. Tiberius found it a little pretentious. The suite had two sleeping chambers, a long balcony, and a dressing room. Tiberius went quickly through the wardrobe, finally selecting a cloak with a hood. It was finely woven, with a silky edging that made the garment stand out.

  Tiberius took his dagger and cut away a section of the edging. After that, all it took was pulling on the silk and the edging ripped away from the garment, leaving a ragged edge. Tiberius wadded the cloak up and then dropped it on the floor. Next he jumped up and down on the fine garment, and after a few moments, he decided it was disheveled enough not to stand out in a crowd. He wrapped the cloak around his shoulders and raised the hood.

  “Abdidi Incantatio,” he whispered again. He still needed to get out of the castle before he tried his disguise. He might have been the least known member of his family, but he didn’t want to take the chance that he might be seen and recognized. There were, after all, two war ships circling the city on his brother’s orders. Anyone who recognized him would surely report him to the earl’s soldiers, who would try to detain him. The last thing Tiberius wanted was to hurt the men sworn to protect Avondale.

  Tiberius didn’t feel at home in the city anymore, but he had a fondness for it in his heart. And it was familiar, like an old quilt, comforting and soft. He made his way quickly down to the kitchen where he and Rafe had entered the night before. This time the kitchens were bustling, and Tiberius had to dance around several servants who were rushing around to complete their tasks.

  He quickly passed through the butcher’s room, where several chickens hung waiting to be plucked. Tiberius guessed that the cooks would soon be making chicken soup for his father. It was his favorite, and Tiberius knew that Earl Aegus would soon be regaining his strength. Tiberius went outside and back out into the street. He wasn’t sure what they would do now that they were in Avondale. Tiberius had successfully healed his father, but the venerable earl hadn’t even spoken a word to his son. If Aegus wouldn’t help them, Tiberius didn’t know what they would do for Olyva’s family. On the other hand, even if his father decided to help, Tiberius wasn’t sure how they would drive away the war ships. Perhaps his father could convince them that no one of import was on the huge ship from Hamill Keep.

  Tiberius only had to follow his stomach to the market. He could smell roasting meat and the aroma of breads and cakes baking. He had found a small stash of coins, mostly coppers, but there were a few small silver coins, too. It was more than enough to buy his lunch. He could have food and ale, too. His mouth began to water as he thought about it.

  The marketplace was crowded with people, and he joined the throng, moving through stalls selling all kinds of goods, from jewelry to cutlery. He passed a booth full of herbs and medicinal brews. There was also a stall where leather goods were sold. He saw boots, hats, gloves, dresses, books, toys, and even weapons. All for sale by merchants who seemed overly happy as they hawked their wares.

  Finally he came to the section of stalls that sold food. There were benches and tables set up on the edges of the street and people lingering together in small groups. Most were eating, and all were drinking. On the lower levels there were taverns and brothels, but on the upper levels people usually gathered on the wide, stone-paved avenues.

  Tiberius’ favorite booth sold roasted lamb, but he was well known to that vendor, so he went to another booth and bought several sausages, a loaf of soft bread, and a bowl of cooked onions and peppers. Then he stopped at another booth and purchased a large flagon of ale. He ate heartily, enjoying the rich, spicy food and frothy ale. He ate everything, even the crust of the bread, then moved back toward the palace. He was planning on looking for Rafe, who had probably gone back to his father’s small apartment in the palace to rest and wait for Tiberius to wake up and reveal the next step in their plan. Only Ti didn’t have a next step. They had two goals: to get Olyva’s family to safety and to find out all they could about the Balestone. It was imperative that they find out why Leonosis wanted the magical stone, but Tiberius didn’t think they could find out much in Avondale. The most obvious choice would be to leave Avondale and seek out the answers they needed in one of the abandoned, ancient cities. The old wizard in Devonyr had an entire collection of books, and Tiberius guessed that if they searched hard enough they could find more. Eventually he would discover the purpose of the Balestone.

  He was almost back to the palace when he heard a familiar whistle. He turned and saw Lexi hurrying toward him. She looked excited, and he felt his heart skip a beat as she rushed to his side.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I think I may have found someone who can help us,” Lexi said.

  “Who?”

  “Remember the man who sold you the book? The one we found down in the hidden market?”

  “Yes, of course I remember him.”

  “His name is Ennis. I knew him from before we met. He’s been around forever and knows Avondale better than just about anyone, at least when it comes to useful information of a nefari
ous nature. Anyway, I went to see him. I thought if there was anyone who might know about that magic rock you found, it’d be him—or at least he’d know who to ask.”

  “And he did?” Tiberius asked, feeling a sudden tremor of fear sneaking into his gut.

  “I think so, but he won’t talk about it. Not to me anyway. He wants us to meet him this evening.”

  “Why not now?”

  “I can’t say for certain, but he went to see several people after I met with him. I think he’s planning something.”

  “An ambush?” Tiberius asked.

  “No,” Lexi said. “It was strange, Ti. It was almost as if he was excited when I mentioned the stone. He asked me a lot of questions about your powers.”

  “You told him about me?”

  “I had to. Do you think that was bad?”

  “Magic is outlawed, Lexi. He’s probably planning to turn me over to the city paladins the first chance he gets.”

  “I don’t think so,” Lexi said. “He was always reliable in the past. Very few people on the lower levels have any love for the paladins.”

  “There could be a reward for us and we just haven’t heard about it,” Tiberius argued.

  “Look, I followed him after we met. He didn’t go to the paladins and he didn’t go to any of the bosses that run things on the lower levels. I can’t promise it won’t be a trap, but don’t we at least have to try and find out?”

  Tiberius thought about what she was saying. He knew she was right, but he was afraid just the same. Rafe’s father knew that Ti was a wizard, but Tiberius didn’t think Grentz would betray him—not when his son’s life was at stake, too. But the old man who had sold him the book on magic was a different matter altogether. Tiberius knew that if his brother had put out word that he would pay a reward for Tiberius’ capture, most people on the lower levels of the city would give their right arm for the chance to turn him in and get the reward.