Aldrick dismissed several ideas immediately as being too obvious or impractical, such as greased armor, heavily strengthened breastplates made from the metal of a rock fallen from the sky, or double width armor filled with cotton or linens to absorb the blow. Nothing he read explained what he had seen. Armor enhancements might lessen the damage of an impact, but they did not explain repelling the tip of a lance completely.
That final option Aldrick found was magic, but that was the one answer to the mystery he simply could not accept as a solution. He had to admit that after exhaustive research it seemed the only viable option remaining, but he felt it was too easy to blame what you did not understand on magic.
While it was historically documented that magic did once exist, certainly as recently as Sargon the Destroyer five hundred Summers earlier, since that time it had simply disappeared from the land. Other than the ritual destruction by Sargon of any magic he did not command, speculation in intellectual circles was that the source of magic had simply died out, and people had simply forgotten about it. No, the answer of magic was not one that he wished to contemplate.
Unfortunately, that left Aldrick with no reasonable explanation, and so he returned to his room, frustrated. He did not like loose ends or unsolved mysteries. Since Brodan was not talking, his last option seemed to be asking the other person who had witnessed it firsthand. If anyone had been close enough, and possibly clever enough to determine what sort of trick Brodan had used, it would have to be Gilmoure. Unfortunately, it was now too late, and since the Crown Run began the following day, it would be difficult to take the man up on his invitation to ‘bump into each other again’, as he had humorously put it.
That night Aldrick spent a great deal of time tossing and turning, and the next morning he awoke later than usual. With no clear solution, the mystery of the unbroken lance had kept him awake, and now he was tired and groggy. Not a promising beginning on the day of the Crown Run. To make matters worse, he had little time to prepare for the opening ceremonies, and it seemed he would more than likely be late.
In response to incessant questions by his son, Aldrick quickly explained the final event of the Tournament while he dressed.
“The top five point contenders thus far will compete in the Crown Run, which is literally a race for the crown of Asturia. It will have been hidden somewhere within the country, prior to the competition. A riddle will be given to the five finalists and their Seconds, which must be deciphered in order to discover where the crown has been hidden. They are paraded out of the city in the order they finished in points, and the man who finds and returns with the crown will be our next king.”
“That will be Brodan right?” Adrias asked.
“He thinks so,” Aldrick chuckled. “Of course finding the crown is not the only challenging part of the contest, simply getting to it will test the abilities of the teams. It is not designed to be overly dangerous, but in the last Tournament, Hermanus, before he won the crown, had to enter the Great Fens in south Asturia and was almost eaten by a ferocious crocodile.”
“I heard that story, father. It was just a baby crocodile,” Adrias stated astutely.
“Even so,” Aldrick winked. ”The trip is not without its dangers.”
“Mother said you’re on Brodan’s team?”
“Yes, I’m his Second.”
“Why don’t you just find out where the crown is hidden from Grandpa?”
“Even if that were possible, that would be wrong, Adrias! To prevent cheating, those that prepare the Crown Run are chosen in absolute secrecy, and then sequestered until after the ceremony begins. I couldn’t cheat, even if I wanted to.”
“Brodan will still win with your help!”
Aldrick paused in opening the door to their rooms, and smiled at his son. “We shall see.”
When Aldrick finally arrived at the ceremony, he found Brodan in a near panic. “Aldrick, where have you been? The ceremony is about to begin!”
Aldrick apologized and scanned the enormous crowd assembled for the opening ceremonies. He handed his travel bag to Jarvus, who bowed low and said in his typical sarcastic voice, “How nice of you to join us.”
Before Aldrick could think of a response, Brodan slapped him on the back, and snickered. “I imagine you were up all night making love to that beautiful wife of yours. I was considering sending someone to physically drag you here. I need you to solve the damn riddle.”
Aldrick tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn, and waved off the concern. “I’m here now. Nice to finally get a conversation with you.”
Brodan reddened, but had an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry Aldrick, but certainly you can understand I was upset. I’m still furious about the judge’s decision, but now I have to focus on today. Since I will be returning with the crown, the rest won’t matter.”
“You certainly seem confident.”
Brodan replied with a wink, “With you on my team Aldrick, how could I lose?”
The five teams lined up for the introduction ceremony. The general populace would not be able to view the Crown Run itself, since it took the contestants out of the city, so there was a certain pomp surrounding their departure. When the victor returned to the city with the crown, the crowd would be even larger. Everyone would want a glimpse of the man who would be crowned the next king.
Sir Raleigh, son of Brenton was first to be introduced, followed by his son and Second, Silas. Aldrick had been impressed by his performance at the Melee Tourney, and applauded with the crowd for him and his team. The second finalist announced was a noble Aldrick had seen little of during the Tournament, a Sir Celynn, son of Torben along with his Second Ahoth, son of Mogann. Their introductions were also accompanied by polite applause.
He had not met the Second of the third finalist, Elrick, son of Alphonse, but Aldrick did not need an introduction for the popular Sir Marinus, son of Cefin, whose applause was louder and more animated than the previous two. He returned a wave from Sir Marinus, and continued clapping for the pair.
As proof of his rise from a sponsored and unknown contender to a true candidate for the crown and kingship, the introduction of Gilmoure, son of Zakhar was met with thunderous applause. In the short time since the Tournament began, anyone who had experienced his positive energy and friendly, carefree manner had become a fan, and word was spreading. While the nobles were less than thrilled by his commoner status, the general populace loved him for it.
Gilmoure waved at the crowd along with his Second and ever-present confidante Warren, son of Bryce. No one knew that much about the unassuming son of the noble Bryce, but then the Kannes region where he was from was situated along the extreme northern border of Asturia, near Illyria. Because of its remote location, trade was limited, and most Akkadians did not have extensive contact with people from that area. The only thing anyone knew was that he was with Gilmoure, and that was good enough for them.
Regent Brodan, son of the late Hermanus, was the last to be introduced, even though he was not the point leader in the Tournament. His applause did not garner the wild excitement that Gilmoure’s had, but it was bolstered a little by the introduction of his Second Aldrick, son of Tiberius. Aldrick was not widely known in Akkadia, but he was the son of Tiberius, who was both a distinguished advisor, and well liked.
With the introduction of the five finalists complete, the official presentation of the riddle had arrived. In order to keep its contents a secret, the general public was permitted to witness the ceremonial presentation, but not the actual deciphering of the riddle.
After the ceremony was complete, the crowd began to move towards the parade area. Only then were the five teams allowed to unseal their copy of the riddle and begin the process of deciphering. Brodan tore open the envelope and read aloud their copy of the riddle, with Aldrick beside him. Thus the real Crown Run began.
The Crown will fall not to the timid or meek,
Both Intellect and strength are required.
In order to secure t
he prize that you seek,
Its hidden location must be acquired.
Seek first a marker, which points to the prize,
It Shields the Crown from those who lack worth.
The place where the ancients looked to the skies,
Their Temple made from the bones of the Earth.
When the future King’s at journey’s end,
This man chosen by Fate will see.
At Magician’s Fall you must attend,
To the leaf which grows within the Tree.
Brodan snorted, and handed the riddle to Aldrick. “I detest riddles! This is complete nonsense to me. Can you make anything of it?”
Aldrick ignored the outburst and reread the riddle, scratching his chin in thought. “Yes, there is a marker we must discover which points to where the crown has been hidden. Unless I’m greatly mistaken, we should find the marker at the Oracle Stones.”
“The Oracle Stones?” Brodan said in amazement. “How did you manage to decipher that?”
“The Oracle Stones on Mount Zagrias are an ancient ruin of megalithic pieces of cut stone arranged in a circular pattern. We aren’t certain of their original purpose, other than a temple of some kind, but it is speculated that the ancients may have used it to map the constellations.”
“How did you get that from the riddle?”
Aldrick pointed to the second stanza of the riddle with a sigh. “This section where it speaks of the ancients looking to the skies, and their temple made from the bones of the earth. That has to be a reference to stone.”
“This is why you are my Second, Aldrick. What about the final location of the crown?”
“I’m not certain,” Aldrick replied. “Magician’s Fall sounds familiar, but I don’t understand this part about a leaf growing inside a tree yet. I’m certain it will become clear once we find the marker.”
Brodan nodded. “Perhaps it references Magic Falls in southern Illyria. That isn’t too far from Mount Zagrias.”
Aldrick frowned. “I don’t believe they would have taken the crown outside the borders of Asturia.”
“True, I didn’t think of that.”
“We should find the marker first, and then worry about the rest.”
Brodan turned to one of his ever-present guards and began to speak, but paused and addressed his Second. “Aldrick, will you go and wish the other finalists good luck from me? I have a few matters to attend to before we leave.”
Aldrick could not help but wonder what Brodan needed to do that was more important than winning the crown, but rather than pry into matters not his concern, he decided to give his regards to the others.
He approached each finalist with a few well wishes, ostensibly from Brodan, but in reality completely his own. He came to Gilmoure and Warren last, who were still deciphering the clues hidden in the riddle.
Aldrick shook his hand. “Brodan wanted me to congratulate you on your amazing win yesterday in the Joust, and although he sincerely doubts you need it, wish you luck in the Crown Run today.”
Gilmoure seemed recovered from his injury at the Joust, but he still had a nasty bruise on the left side of his head. “I appreciate the thought Aldrick, but I do not believe our illustrious regent actually said any of those things, did he?”
Aldrick’s smile had a hint of embarrassment. “He may have mumbled something.”
“I thought so,” Gilmoure laughed. “You have my thanks, in any case. When this is over I hope you will join me.”
“Join you?”
“I’ve done some research in preparation for when I return with the crown. I will need good men to help me manage the country. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you and your father, Tiberius.”
Warren raised a hand in protest. “I hate to interrupt, but who has been doing most of the research?”
Gilmoure waved Warren away and continued. “Fine, my team and I have done some research. More important than any research Aldrick is that I feel you and I are destined for great things together.”
Aldrick was not certain how serious Gilmoure was, but he replied tenuously, “I don’t know what to say Gilmoure. I am Brodan’s Second, and unfortunately I don’t live in Akkadia, although my father does. If you are looking for a great advisor, he is your man, not me. No one knows the law better than he does.”
Gilmoure nodded. “We shall see.” After a moment, he grinned. “I don’t imagine you’d be willing to give me any hints on the riddle?”
Aldrick smiled. “Good luck Gilmoure.”
A procession arrived to escort Gilmoure to the main avenue, where he would be the first to be paraded out of the city. Having finished first in points in the Tournament, he had the honor, and advantage in the Crown Run, to leave the city first. The others would follow behind in short intervals, in the order they finished in points.
Brodan should have been second to leave, but as he was still busy making preparations, he ordered the other finalists be paraded out ahead of him. By the time Brodan was prepared to leave the city for the Oracle Stones, it was late morning and the other teams had long since departed. The other groups traveled light, leaving with only small retinues, yet Brodan had a dozen servants accompany him, in addition to the guards that had already been prepared.
Aldrick sighed in frustration. He was not certain if Brodan had delayed on purpose merely to be the final contestant paraded out of the city, but he knew a group this large would slow their progress considerably. While not every contender was likely to decipher all the clues in the riddle, it seemed clear that Brodan, with his enormous retinue and taste for extravagance, would be dead last in the race to the crown.
Aldrick was losing his patience. “Brodan, the other finalists have left long ago. We will never catch them dragging this many people along.”
“Quit worrying. Most likely none of them will decipher the riddle, much less find the crown. I have everything under control.”
Something about his overconfidence and smug smile bothered Aldrick, but with the servants now ready to leave, he chose to let the matter drop.
Heavily laden carts crammed with supplies and camping gear began to roll out, followed by a large contingent of mounted guards and squires on foot. It was so late that much of the gathered crowd had long since departed, and those that remained showed limited enthusiasm at their departure. The eclectic group passed through the city gates, and began their excruciatingly slow journey towards the Oracle Stones.
They crossed the Tianna River and rode through long stretches of fields being plowed by farmers and their laboring oxen in preparation for spring planting. The day was clear with a gentle breeze, and the convoy traveled without incident until later reaching the stretch of wilderness that lay between civilization and Mount Zagrias.
Sargon the Destroyer had destroyed the cities in this area during the Great War, and only scattered ruins remained. The ancient roads that had serviced this once populated area, had now mostly been reclaimed by nature. In the wilderness without defined roads, the entourage followed animal trails and rushing streams; their current heavy from the recent rains. At times they were forced to cut through virgin forest and large areas of low bramble, which made for extremely slow going for the creaking supply wagons.
Often they were able to follow the trail left by the groups ahead. Even when forced to cut their own path in rougher areas, things still went smoothly until late that afternoon. They discovered a large area of ancient sinkholes along their path, which had been converted to defensive pits during the Great War. For the Crown Run, several had been covered and disguised to look natural, as an obstacle to the teams. These were shallow and posed no serious threat to the finalists and their teams, but would suffice to trap them until after the Crown Run, when they could be rescued.
With the hidden sinkholes only intended as a delay tactic, it was quite a shock when they discovered one that had been disturbed. At the bottom of the gaping hole they found two men who had fallen in, but rather than waiting for rescue as
had been the intent, they were dead.
The bodies were covered in blood and leaves, and it appeared they had accidentally fallen on a pile of broken branches and been impaled. Aldrick thought several branches appeared to have been sharpened into spears, although it was possible they had broken that way naturally. Either way, he could not help but think the gruesome scene before him looked suspicious.
“What’s the hold up?” Brodan demanded.
Aldrick swallowed bile rising in his throat. “It looks like Sir Celynn and his Second have fallen to their deaths.”
The Key of Creation: Book 01 - Rise of the Destroyer Page 16
