The Coming Of Shadows (The Shadow Tide Book 1)

by Steven Moorer

  Jayden had been different. He was the King Regent now. His mourning was evident in his face and actions. Idris knew that he was being strong for those around him, but his guise was wearing thin. Instead of shunning Idris, Jayden had allowed him to brief him throughout the morning.

  With the hour of the coronation coming fast, Idris had worked with artisans and seamstresses to both fit the crown and the cloth Jayden would don. Time was his enemy now as he prepared the documents that had to be signed by the high curate.

  They worked diligently and fast preparing every detail, every seam of the clothes, even polishing the King Regent's rapier. He won't be Regent much longer, he thought looking at the finely polished rapier that used to hang from Liam's side.

  He knew Jayden would become wise in time. His young age now was the hindering force that kept him from being the ruler his father was, but in time he would be. He watched as the seamstresses fixed the final touches on Jayden's new tabard and cloak.

  The cloak hung to his waist and was bright red and adorned with silver trim. His matching tabard covered lightweight armor and his white cavalier shirt. Embroidered on his chest was the Silver Crown signal of House Tiernan.

  He had new black pants and highly polished leather boots. It was the look of a king; a look Idris had never seen in Jayden before this day. His attire was finished off with a bright red hat and feather which would be removed before the Curate placed the crown on his head.

  Idris still had to go downstairs and into the Temple District. The ceremony would take place on the steps of the Temple of the Gods. The servants were there now preparing the grounds, adorning the walkways and the great doors leading into the sanctuary.

  He also had to make his way and find Earl Candrin, the senior of the Crimson Guard and the Earl of the Military Ward. With all of the city descending on the Temple in an hour, all of the seven hundred members of the Crimson Guard and the thousands of the Crimson Army had been called to duty.

  Not only were the old city walls being patrolled by more men than usual, but the inner walls surrounding the King's and Temple Districts had more sharpshooters and even artillery on them than any other day. The rest of the soldiers had been dispersed through the city to help with crowds and traffic.

  The Earls of the five city districts, Northern Gates, the New City, the Military Ward, the Port District, and the Old City had each commanded their house soldiers to aid in the security and transition of the new King. By his count with each of the houses, the entire city was covered with ten thousand soldiers.

  Jayden didn't say much as the servants prepared him and dressed him. He had an empty look on his face as he stood on the stool looking out of the window of his tower. Below, hundreds of people started gathering in the temple courtyard awaiting the coronation. The guards had taken their places on the inner walls, watching the people moving below.

  “Will I make a good King?” he asked Idris as the servants pulled his hair back into a pony tail.

  “Your father was a wise King, and you have learned from him. Take that knowledge and you will surpass your father in greatness,” Idris replied to him.

  He knew that one day Jayden would become a great King, but it would take time. He had no doubt of the boy's ability. The key would be learning to use his power wisely.

  “When I was Duke of this City I would do things, things a Prince does, and I had my father to guide me from right and wrong, but now I don't have him. Will I do the right thing?” He asked.

  “You will do what you know is best, for this city and your kingdom.” Idris replied. “In less than an hour, you will no longer be the Prince; you will be the King. If you will have me I will serve you as I served your father. I may not be able to give you much but I will give what I can.”

  Jayden's face was still blank. No emotion. “I know in the past I have shunned you, treated you horribly. I have not trusted you. I have doubted you. But you served my father for many years faithfully and now I ask…” He paused “Please, accept my apology and accept a position as my Steward.”

  He was honored. He knew that his trials with Jayden would be tough ones but it was for the best of the kingdom. “The time is now; we must be heading to the Temple.” Idris said as he helped Jayden from the stool.

  “And so we must.” Jayden said.

  They made their way from his chambers and down to the closed castle courtyard. There was a small contingent of guards waiting with a carriage. They would travel through the Castle Districts East Gate and into the back of the Temple District. Within an hour the High Curate would crown Jayden, and the country of Agantia would have its new King.

  XIII

  “Walyn sat behind a small table in the corner of his study waiting for his students to come to class. For the last thirty years, he had taught ancient history at one of Darencross’ most notable schools.

  Most of the students that attended were the sons and daughters of the Earls and rich people who lived in the grand estates and home from all over the city.

  He could hear the sounds of the students coming closer, but their sounds were interrupted by a stern voice speaking over them.

  “Not until I have a word,” the voice commanded the students as the door to his study opened.

  He was slightly familiar with the man who walked in, but had never spoke to him in person.

  “Lord Walters, welcome.” He said standing and giving a slight bow. The man was young, not quite fifty but he could tell that Lord Walters was not there on pleasure. “May I offer some assistance?”

  “Yes. Yes, you can.” Lord Walters said as he paced the room. “Stop teaching what you are teaching these young ones now.” He said calmly.

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” He said to Lord Walters as the man came to a stop.

  “These stories and fables of the Shadows!” He exclaimed, the tone of his voice changing. “Ancient history, or should I say myths have no place in the education of the children.” He added.

  Lord Walters was known for speaking his mind and being both respectful and stern at the same time. Walyn pondered his request and knew that his answer would not be in favor of the lord’s request.

  “I’m sorry my Lord I cannot…”

  “Excuse me?”

  “My Lord. You see the myths as you call them hold a sacred place within our history. We have text that outline the Shadow War and why it was fought. We have books in the library that tell us that the beings of the Shadows fought for this land and in the end…”

  “Enough!” Lord Walters loudly exclaimed cutting him off. “End it now or I will show the power I have.” He said holding a finger toward Walyn.

  He Looked at Lord Walters, they will never understand, he thought as Lord Walters relaxed and lowered his hand. “You have been placed on notice Master Walyn. Please abide.” Lord Walters said and with that he was gone.

  What felt like several minuets was only a few moments as the children filed into the room. They were all in their mid-years, fourteen to sixteen.

  One boy stayed at the door as the others took their seats. “Is he gone?” Another boy asked.

  “Yes.” The boy at the door said, he was Lord Walters eldest son, Peter.

  “Please come sit.” He told Peter gesturing toward and empty chair.

  Peter obeyed and made his way to the chair and took his seat. He looked much like his father, brown hair, brown eyes, chiseled jaw line almost square. “Can we hear the rest? You know the story of the Guiden?” He asked Walyn.

  “I believe your father has made his feeling on this matter clear. Today we are going to talk about the line of Kings back to early days of this great nation.” He said reaching for a book on the kings.

  “No,” several of the children said as he opened the book.

  “My father doesn’t have to know; he’s just being a little odd with coronation later today.” Peter said looking at him with sad eyes, just wanting more information.

  He knew that he was disobeying the wished of an
Earl, but what did it matter they needed to know these things.

  “Very well. As we have already stated the Guiden were a powerful race. They had uncanny ability to use their magic to strengthen almost anything. Legend tells us that they could strengthen the broadswords of old and make them so strong that chain mail would slice like warm cheese from the blade.

  “The last time we spoke we talked about their role in the Shadow War but in truth they were so much more. Wise beyond any man’s wildest dreams, strong in strength and mind. Before the end of the war many of them had perfected their craft, so when they needed their last ditch of power, they would be ready.

  “A marvelous people they were, but not without fault. For all the good they gave us that prevent the Shadows from ruling our land, they still had a dark side. History doesn’t account for this, but not all the Guiden fought on the land that became the Ghost Swamp.” He said reaching for a small wine skin and taking a small sip.

  “What happened to them, the ones that didn’t fight and why didn’t they fight?” Peter asked.

  Walyn though, maybe we should leave the story here?

  “Well.” He said placing the cork back into the skin, ignoring his own inner voice. “Those who didn’t fight were said to have been expelled from the order by performing and experimenting with magic outside of their scope. Dark magic, magic that could poison the mind of man, magic that had unnatural healing properties and even magic that could raise the dead.

  “As you can see things like this could possibly lead the Guiden down the path of the Shadows and therefor they were banished.” He finished, it was enough for the day, there wasn’t enough proof to prove his theory.

  There was silence in the room. He could tell the children were soaking in the information and he could imagine the images these children had in their head.

  “That’s all, maybe again tomorrow.” He said clapping his hands together, “Off to your next lesson.” He said waving his hands outward toward the door.

  The children quietly exited, still thinking of what I said he though as the last student left and closed the door behind him.

  He sat in the quiet for a moment before reaching for the book of kings and turning to a page he had marked earlier. The heading was;

  THE STEWARDS OF THE KINGS

  XIV

  “You intrigue me, Mr. Allistair,” Jaeger said as they rode through the streets of Caramon.

  I wish this man would shut up, Ash thought as rode silently beside him. They had been riding for some time, making their way deeper into the city.

  He had listened to Jaeger's tales and stories of places he had been, women he had loved, things he had found and more. He hoped that this man wasn't leading him into a day of stories and wasted time. By noon tomorrow he wanted to be on a ship heading back to Agantia.

  “How much longer? I usually don't ride; I prefer to walk,” Ash lied.

  “Oh not far now. I'm sure that you will appreciate the small amount of discomfort.” Jaeger said.

  “I'm sure I won't,” Ash said. If you have wasted my time, I will make sure that you have forever to think.

  The city was crowded. Being a port city, it had people from all walks of life making their way through the streets. Several streets from the port, they entered one of the city's market streets.

  They stopped. They were in front of a small shop. The outside of the building was made from local stones with a heavy oak and iron door. “Are you protective of your possessions?” Ash asked him.

  Jaeger smiled, the door unlocked with a huge thud of the lock tumblers. The shop was small and crammed with treasures from all corners of the earth. This man is diverse, Ash thought as he looked at the many items laid for display throughout the shop.

  “Now, Mr. Allistar, may your eyes feast upon this,” Jaeger said as he pulled a small sheet from an old artifact. Under the sheet was a small statue carved from limestone in the shape of a knight. The knight was kneeling with his head bowed as a knight would bow to his lord or King.

  “Interesting. From the age it appears to early Agantia, maybe even Cerabethia or Elm' Ladin,” Ash said as he glanced over the statue. He wasn't interested in it; he was more interested in the pendant he needed to find.

  “Good eye, Elm' Ladin, very old,” Jaeger said.

  “How about the item I seek?” Ash asked.

  “Patience, it's not something I keep in front inventory.” He reached his hand into a box sitting on the counter. “Ah, here,” He said, pulling a small round gold pendant from the box. “I think this is what you seek.” He handed the pendant to Ash.

  He looked over it. It fit the shape, the size. The eye in the center was there and the glyphs around the edge but... This is not it,” Ash said, handing the pendant back to him.

  Jaeger was stunned. “My friend, this is what you asked for,” Jaeger said as he voice became monotone.

  “Actually, this is a fake,” Ash said handing him the pendant back.

  “The real ones are gone, and those who have them can't make them work.” Jaeger said taking the pendant and putting it back in the box.

  “I'm searching for a real one. I don't care if it works or not.” Ash said.

  “Then your search will be in vain. They were destroyed during the last wars,” Jaeger said. “You won't find a real one anymore.”

  Yes, I will. He thought. He was ready to leave; he knew that this would end in vain, but he had to try. He saw something that caught his eye lying on the counter beside the door. “How about this?” he asked, taking the book from under the stack of parchment which lay upon it.

  “Some bastard born brought that in, wanted some coin for passage to Erros. Sunbright I think was his name.” Jaeger said.

  “Fullbright,” Ash corrected. They are from Agantia.” The book was black and bound in thick leather. It was locked by a clasp which had shrunk, it has been wet, he thought as he examined the book. He pulled on the clasp and it freed itself easily. “I opened it, written in some gibberish, probably the language of those Fullbrights.” Jaeger said.

  He looked at the text. It was hand written and strange. “What did he say when he came?” Ash asked as he thumbed through the pages.

  “Nothing. He seemed scared, like he was running. Kept speaking of glowing eyes and black metal,” Jaeger said. “Why? You interested? Cost you thirty gold.”

  “Twenty-five,” Ash said laying the gold on the counter. “I'll have my leave now.” And he left the shop.

  Jaeger didn't pursue him.

  A man of knowledge should know, this book is worth more than thirty gold, Ash thought as he tucked the book away inside his pack. He knew that he must catch a ship and soon; he had to make it to his safe house in Anoch. He knew he was carrying something that, if discovered, would make him a target for several people. They would send worthless assassins after me, he thought as he made his way toward the port.

  The text of the book ran through his head as he walked. That fool thinks he saw gibberish. He knew that Jaeger was wrong, it wasn't gibberish; it was language of the Guiden, not seen since the Shadow War.

  XV

  Dominic walked through the still crowded hall of Denoi Palace. His heart was full and heavy with emotion. He had not felt such burden since he left this place years ago when he joined the Crimson Guard.

  “Keep your head up, my friend; your brother will come around,” he heard Allan Southerlin say over his left shoulder.

  “You don't know, Allan,” he stated, looking at his childhood friend.

  He saw Allan frown and then look at him with sympathetic eyes. He knows, Dominic thought. “What do you know?”

  “I know that Aiden is looking at things through a broad scope. But I also know that he is leading my father down that same path. Aiden is war mongering and nothing that we can say or do now will change his mind,” Allan said.

  Whose side is he on?” Dominic pondered. “Why, why is he like this?” Dominic asked him, hoping the answer Allan gave would bring him some peace
.

  “Because your father saw things changing, things I cannot deny, but he is going down a path that I cannot follow,” Allan told him. “I will not let Mariella live with this. Please, Dominic, she will marry you, she may tell herself that she hates you but she will; please take her away from this mess,” Allan begged.

  Just then Dominic saw her standing there looking at both of them. She was so beautiful, so innocent, and so perfect. He knew that she would be with him until the end of time and he wanted to make right on the promise he made himself to marry her. “My Lady,” Dominic said pushing Allan aside.

  He took two steps toward her and knelt, he had things he needed to say and he didn't care who heard. “I know I can't give you the life that you would find here, but my brother is losing his mind for reasons I don’t know, and I feel that his influence over you will turn you against me in the future. Please, if you will, come with me to Derancross, away from those who are believed to be my family and yours. If you knew what I knew you would leave…”

  “I will go, Dominic,” she interrupted, pulling him to his feet. “But not for marriage. I just learned what Aiden is saying and I won’t let myself be ruled that way.” He stood and saw that his words had drawn the attention of the people around. “The blood traitor is speaking ill words about his Duke,” one overweight man in front said.

  “And he speaks of being true and taking away one of our own,” another said.

  “Seize him and let him face His Grace's judgment.”

  “Hold where you are.” Allan yelled loudly, his left arm bent in front of him and his pistol resting upon his forearm. “I can make one shot, and it’s for you,” he told the fat man who had yelled first, “and before any of you lay a hand on either of them you will face the fury of my rapier. Stand down,” he ordered the crowd.

  Dominic's heart started to pound, and sweat formed on his forehead. Instinctively, he slowly pulled his rapier with his left hand and readied to draw his firearm with his right. He heard more commotion coming from the entrance of the hall.