《Essence of the Empire》


 Prologue - Viktor II

    Prologue


    Viktor II


    He ate the crystallized blood of forgotten gods. Swallowing hard, Viktor smacked his parched and salty lips. He shifted in his chair and pulled against manacles binding him to the floor. The rattle echoed in the cell. Throughout his captivity, time had become a foreign concept. His world shrunk to the confines of a dark, dry dungeon. His captors always kept him hot and uncomfortable. He wallowed in discomfort for so long that it became comfortable¡ªdesired even.


    The interrogator retrieved a waterskin and pressed it to Viktor¡¯s lips. Viktor voraciously drank warm water, spilling more than he swallowed. His captor denied him his fill and tossed it on a rough wooden table. They always gave them just enough water to keep them alive.


    Sweat dripped from his unkempt dark hair. His companion sat across from him in glimmering torchlight. Karolin was bound to a chair, seemingly oblivious to her rugged condition. Her head hung back in a familiar, drugged stupor. Drool dripped down. She moaned blissfully and smiled at him with dirty teeth.


    The lanky interrogator¡¯s tattooed and scarred torso glistened with sweat. He wore a simple black mask. Thin fingers pressed against Karolin¡¯s temple. Viktor knew firsthand of the torturer¡¯s telepathic intrusions. His captors often weakened the mind first with alchemical substances and other hallucinogens. His turn would soon come.


    The interrogator removed his fingers from Karolin¡¯s head, picked up a pale green, round-shaped pod, and cut it with a small knife. Poppy milk oozed out, dripping into a crude metal bowl. He dropped the knife with a clunk on the table. Setting the bowl atop a brazier to heat the milk released a strong stench. He grasped Karolin¡¯s short black hair, jerked her head back, and stared into her eyes. Like always, he recited the same nine words. ¡°Avictean. Empire. Tellius. Essemancy. Loyalty. Compliance. Dissent. Chaos. Destruction.¡±


    A shadow emerged from the dungeon¡¯s dark corner¡ªthe shaman. He had dark greasy hair and even darker exaggerated sacks beneath his eyes. Gaunt-faced, with leathery flesh brown as sand. His skin was a conglomerate of tattoos and ritualistic scars covering his body. Half-naked, the shaman wore loose breeches and soft boots. His simple belt held keys and four different coin purses. His sole weapon was a lone ritualistic dagger.


    The shaman pressed a smooth stone rock carved with a runic symbol against his skin. ¡°How does she feel?¡± The shaman directed the question toward Viktor, testing his magical abilities.


    ¡°Uncomfortable,¡± Viktor answered. He didn¡¯t need the telepathic ability of Essemancy to know the answer. The shaman nodded and removed the stone from his touch. Viktor had habitually reserved the salt¡¯s power whenever he could.


    ¡°Bring in the infidel,¡± the shaman ordered. The black-masked man exited the cell through the open door. ¡°Only through pain can you honor the gods. What sacrifice do you offer?¡±


    ¡°I offer my body,¡± Viktor said.


    The shaman dropped a knife by his feet. ¡°Make your offering.¡±


    Viktor grabbed the knife, flexing his grip around its handle. He held onto hope, but killing the shaman and stealing keys wouldn¡¯t ensure his escape. Whenever the fearless shaman handed him the knife, he observed Viktor¡¯s actions. Viktor¡¯s hope had diminished incrementally until none remained. Viktor cut the top of his forearm with the knife, leaving a trail of blood behind.


    ¡°Have you fully embraced pain?¡± The shaman asked.


    ¡°I have,¡± Viktor said.


    ¡°Do you champion the Path of Paragons?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    The black-masked interrogator dragged Sir Evert into the cell. The Julk treatment left him a husk of a man¡ªbeaten, disheveled, and starving¡ªa walking skeleton of skin and bone.


    ¡°Through me, the gods command you to prove your devotion. Kill this infidel.¡±


    They pushed Sir Evert to his knees. A Knight of Tellius, sworn to protect those of his faith. Evert looked up. A grizzled face ready to die. His hand trembled. It took every bit of his strength to trace Tellius¡¯ Diamond on his chest¡ªfrom top, then left, bottom, right, and top again. Evert¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he scratched at his beard; flashing a glimpse of blue crystal¡ªsalt. Consuming salt would empower his Essence with telekinetic powers. Evert folded his hands and mumbled an incoherent prayer.


    Viktor wanted to spare Evert, but couldn¡¯t. They had shared meals and labored together, collecting salt from the mines and lake. First, they bonded as brothers, but that blossomed beyond into something more. He wanted to embrace him but resisted. They had already exchanged farewells. Suspecting their captors would desire one last test, they had conspired to do whatever was necessary to ensure one of them would survive. Each had embraced the possibility of their inevitable death, for the Julk always demanded a final sacrifice. Viktor had seen it dozens of times before.


    Viktor didn¡¯t hesitate. He leaned forward and slit Evert¡¯s throat. Evert fell forward onto him, using his body to shield his hands from the Julk guards. With his free hand, Viktor¡¯s fingers squeezed into Evert¡¯s closed hands and retrieved the salt crystal. Possessing salt restored his hope now that he had a vital component needed to weave the magic power of Essemancy.


    Blood covered the stone floor. Sorrow shredded his recent hope, numbness pervaded his body. His stomach roiled. Not from the sight of blood, but from losing Evert¡¯s Essence. Viktor stifled tears¡ªhe must or the Julk would question his devotion.


    The interrogator poured milk into the poppy pipe. The shaman shook his head, and the interrogator dropped the pipe.


    Squatting down, the shaman stared into Viktor¡¯s eyes. ¡°Avictean.¡±


    ¡°Enemy,¡± Viktor said, preparing himself for what would soon follow. The shaman began the familiar word association like hundreds of times before. Over time, Viktor refined his responses. Each word now triggered an instinctive answer.


    ¡°Empire.¡±


    ¡°Emirates.¡±


    ¡°Tellius.¡±


    ¡°Infidel.¡±


    ¡°Essemancy,¡± the shaman said with an awed tone.


    Viktor stared at the shaman¡¯s runic tattoos. ¡°Power,¡± Viktor answered.


    The shaman hesitated with contemplation. Viktor had always replied this way before. Why does he hesitate now? Viktor¡¯s heartbeat quickened.


    With a curt nod, the shaman continued. ¡°Loyalty.¡±


    ¡°Blind.¡±


    ¡°Compliance.¡±


    ¡°Willing.¡±


    ¡°Dissent.¡±


    ¡°Necessary.¡± Viktor swallowed dryly. His throat scratched, and he clicked his tongue against his mouth¡¯s roof to conjure moisture.


    ¡°Chaos.¡±


    ¡°Comfort.¡±


    ¡°Destruction.¡±


    ¡°Inevitable.¡±


    The shaman pried the knife from Viktor¡¯s hand and wiped the blood clean on Evert¡¯s hair. He pushed Evert over with a hard thud. Manacles rattled as he unlocked them. With a click of freedom, they clanged upon the stone floor. Then the shaman unlocked Karolin.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°The gods tell me they accept your offering. However, they require one ultimate act of devotion.¡± The shaman gestured with his dagger to Karolin. ¡°Ensure this one follows the True Path of Paragons.¡±


    The interrogator rolled up his torture tools in a cloth bag and tucked it under his arm. The two overseers closed the cell behind them, leaving Evert¡¯s body lying on the floor.


    Once they were gone, Viktor crunched blue salt crystal hard in his teeth. He smacked his tongue to create saliva to swallow easier. Then he rushed over to Karolin and gently slapped her cheek a few times. ¡°Karolin. Karolin. How do you feel?¡±


    ¡°Amaaaaziiiing,¡± she said with a slurred smile.


    Even though they were alone, Viktor spoke just above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m so close to convincing them. Once we do, we can finally escape.¡±


    She rolled her head around. Drool fell from her mouth.


    Viktor straightened her head with his hands and looked into glazed eyes. ¡°Listen to me. Listen. I have convinced them, but now you need to convince them. Show the Julk you have accepted their Path. That you have embraced pain, embraced their gods. Show them you have rejected Tellius.¡±


    ¡°Infidel,¡± she slurred. Her pleasurable grin soured into a scowl.


    Viktor nodded. ¡°Yes, infidel. Tell them that. We¡¯re so close. When they come again, you must convince them. Otherwise, I fear we may have found their patience limits.¡±


    She nodded, her head hung low, chin against her chest. Viktor checked her pulse and listened to ensure she was still breathing. Content her condition was stable, he examined Everts¡¯ lying body and knelt beside him. Viktor formed the Sign of the Diamond by pressing his index fingers and thumbs together in front of his chest. He extended his arms toward Evert and said a prayer. ¡°I offer my Essence for your exodus. May Tellius embrace you and forgive me.¡±


    After he concluded the proper rituals to honor the dead, Viktor intended to make Evert¡¯s sacrifice serve the one True Faith. He dipped his finger in the pool of blood, lifted his shirt, and drew a rune on his chest. He took his time, ensuring the symbol was precise and clean. Once finished, the blood had cracked dry. He reapplied blood again, ensuring the rune was intact. Now completely satisfied, he drifted to sleep.


    Something shook him awake. He opened his eyes, and Karolin squatted beside him. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± she asked.


    He straightened upright. ¡°Uncomfortable as always.¡±


    ¡°What happened here?¡± Karolin flicked her head toward Evert.


    ¡°A sacrifice. Listen, we¡¯re close. Next time they come, prove you¡¯ve embraced their Path as I have.¡± She startled and stared behind her into the empty corner. Viktor touched her arm with gentle comfort. Her head swung around, fear and anger filled her eyes. ¡°There¡¯s nothing there.¡±


    Her posture relaxed. ¡°Do you ever feel you¡¯re going mad?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Karvyean after all.¡±


    Karolin smirked at the insinuation.


    Viktor craned his neck. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt a stronger bond with anyone else in my life. You¡¯re my family. We may not share blood, but we¡¯re bound by it. Nothing will ever change that. I would have given up long ago if it hadn¡¯t been for you. What we¡¯ve survived together... suffered together... all that matters is living past this moment. We¡¯ve suffered so long that I dare hope for the future. Yet I will.¡±


    ¡°I feel the same way. I love you, Viktor.¡±


    Viktor smiled and put his arm around her shoulder to pull her into his embrace. ¡°I love you too.¡± He loved her as a sister, but something about Karolin¡¯s tone implied a more romantic love he couldn¡¯t reciprocate. ¡°Once we escape and sail across the Enthos Sea, we will gorge ourselves sick with meat, fruit, and wine. The Avictean Empire will celebrate our return. Tellius protected the imperial prince and was a faithful inquisitor. Two Telliusians were pure of heart, their loyalty unwavering. We will survive. I promise.¡±


    ¡°I have to, otherwise it¡¯s all been for nothing.¡±


    The dungeon door squeaked open, causing them to break their embrace. They hunched down in the fetal position against the wall. Their two overseers had returned. Despite the black mask, he recognized the same ritual scars and tattoos as those belonging to the interrogator. Only now he wore a dagger at his waist.


    The shaman opened the cell door and motioned for Karolin to stand. ¡°Come.¡±


    Karolin stood and shuffled toward him. Her feet scratched across the stone.


    ¡°You too.¡±


    Viktor rose, fighting weakened muscles. Every movement was slow and purposeful to conserve energy.


    Both men escorted them from the dungeon. The door squeaked opened and Viktor squinted at the bright sunlight. Raising his hand to shield his eyes, he stepped outside and stared downward until they adjusted. The sun burned hot on his skin. Viktor surveyed his surroundings. Desert stretched outward in every direction. A towering monolith rose several hundred feet into a clear sky. Its position atop a gentle hill contributed to its imposing dominance against the horizon. White stone, eroded from centuries of harsh winds, comprised it. A ramp spiraled around the outside. An earthy aroma mixed with stale salt permeated the air.


    A dried lake sat beneath the monolith¡¯s shadow. Slaves labored under the watchful eyes of their masters. They gathered salt. Hundreds shoveled salt into wicker baskets while others hauled them to nearby tables and emptied them. Others sorted salt crystals, seeking specks of color among the white.


    Viktor stopped, slipped on a pair of sandals, and stepped onto loose sand. Each step shifted beneath him¡ªhe struggled to secure his balance. Scalding hot grains flicked into the sandal soles, burning his feet. He lifted his foot and shook them free. Then he shuffled toward the dry lake like always. Ready to join his family of fellow slaves.


    ¡°No.¡± The interrogator swatted his arm and gestured to the monolith. This was new. He observed the structure every time he labored, welcoming its shadow shade. The Julk slave masters never allowed any slave to approach the structure. They slowly followed the shaman up a dune. Halfway there, they paused a moment to drink water, which restored his stamina.


    Carved runes inscribed the monolith¡¯s base, their meanings unknown to him.


    ¡°Up.¡± The shaman pointed toward the stairs. Viktor had never seen anyone ascend atop the structure before. The monolith stood as tall as Tarona¡¯s towers¡ªhe estimated over four hundred feet high. His legs already ached, anticipating the ascent. The hair on his neck stood¡ªsomething was amiss.


    Viktor took a deep breath and calmed himself as they lumbered upward. He focused his will on his Essence. Exhausting the last violet salts they had given him earlier, he sent a telepathic message to Karolin. They are going to kill us, be ready to fight when I attack.


    Disguised by her steps, Karolin¡¯s head subtly bobbed twice, acknowledging his message. They reached the monolith¡¯s summit, which was narrow and flat. To his surprise, no blood-soaked stones perched atop the structure. A breeze cooled his skin. Peering north toward home, along the horizon, he saw hope. A coastline with a town and docked ships. Now the ramp reversed, spiraling back down inside the structure. Viktor wondered what was inside.


    To his knowledge, no one knew of the monolith¡¯s true purpose. Rumors spread among the slaves that the monoliths were ancient sacrificial sites used to appease Julk gods. However, none of them admitted to ever seeing such a sacrifice. Such thoughts seemed foolish. Viktor shook the doubt free. The Julk were sadistic people who worshiped their gods through pain, sacrifice, and self-mutilation. He reasoned the sacrifices occurred inside. Worry wormed its way back into his thoughts as he dared not think of what awaited within. If he intended to escape, he had to act now.


    He stepped forward and purposefully stumbled, falling to his knees. The shaman looked over his shoulder and scowled. Viktor raised his hand to his mouth and gasped a single word. ¡°Water.¡±


    The shaman passed him a waterskin. Viktor took a deep drink, needing the water to ensure his success. But before he quenched his thirst, the shaman tore it from his hands after a few moments. Viktor struggled back to his feet and looked over his shoulder, assessing the other guard¡¯s position. He stood near Karolin, intent on protecting her first, since she had no weapons or salt. Her condition was far too weak to put up any significant resistance.


    Viktor found his confidence. This would work. It had to work. Channeling his will, the salt¡¯s power flowed within him, binding to his Essence. He siphoned the blue salt¡¯s power, twirled, hand extended, and cracked the neck of his long-time abuser. The Julk interrogator collapsed on the stone with a thud.


    Viktor whirled, hand outstretched, ready to unleash telekinetic power against the shaman. But the shaman¡¯s arm had already extended outward, paralyzing Viktor in place. The two men fought for control of an unseen godly force.


    From the corner of his eye, he saw a smile tugged at Karolin¡¯s lips. She scampered towards his corpse, her weakened fingers struggling to retrieve his dagger.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± The shaman asked through clenched teeth.


    Viktor resisted the instinct to recite the conditioned answers. Stubborn courage gave him strength. The Julk glided backward toward the edge of the platform. ¡°A man who answered the Grand Vicar¡¯s call to embark on a Great Expedition. One among thousands who sailed across the sea in search of something. God? Gold? Glory? Nothing remains. The Imperial flag lies buried in the sand among thousands of men. I suffered for years at your barbaric hands. My greed and misguided ideology led to¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªDestruction,¡± the shaman snarled as his heels hung over the edge.


    Viktor shook his head. He harnessed the last salt within him, unleashing a burst of power. ¡°No! I found something I never thought I needed. I found a family. Who I am you ask? I am¡ª¡±


    Viktor winced as a hot stab of pain throbbed in his back. Unable to focus his will, his arm dropped, and he collapsed. Karolin stood over him, holding a cruel dagger dripping with his blood. ¡°I¡¯m no one, from nowhere, belonging to naught, with nothing to lose.¡±


    A single tear fell from his eye, but not from the physical pain. With his tear, he honored the emblem of the Knights of Tellius that he embraced long ago. Just as Tellius wept for his followers, now he too wept for Karolin. His exodus would join with the heavens above. He couldn¡¯t form the word, but Karolin¡¯s head tilted, seeming to know his unspoken question.


    ¡°They would never allow more than one,¡± Karolin said.


    The shaman stepped over him, blocking out the sun, offering Karolin a ceremonial dagger. ¡°Prove your devotion.¡± Karolin grabbed it. For an instant, Viktor hoped this had all been an elaborate ruse. A trick to cause the shaman to lower his guard before she could strike.


    Karolin stooped and held the knife to his throat. She hesitated, then gave an erratic shake of her head. Her eyes locked with his. Emotionless and empty. The cold bite of steel cut his throat. Blood sprayed Karolin in the face. He choked up blood and gaped like a fish.


    Viktor prayed to the All-Father. He had lived a devoted life, but doubt crept in, sending a sudden shiver through his body. He thought he heard barking sounds. Are the Voidhounds coming to take my Essence? Viktor hoped he would soon see his mother once again.

 Appendix, Dramatis Personae, MAP!

    APPENDIX


    House Medistein


    The Medistein is a young rising house of the burgher class. They are descendants of Markus the Magnificent, a former pirate who made his fortune during the First Great Expedition. Despite having no noble blood, their wealth, and monopoly of Essemancy give them a great deal of influence within the empire. They hold a seat on the Oligarchic Council within the Imperial Free City of Tarona. They hold estate lands within the Tarona canton. The sigil is a red lozenge on a black field. Their motto is For Fate and Fortune.


    Markus ¡®the Magnificent¡¯ Medistein - deceased, pirate, founder of his house


    Reinhard - magus, widower, younger brother of Markus, adviser to his nephew Otto, the godfather of Nicco and Alessandra Bizzi


    Elana Vardi - deceased, wife of Markus, daughter of a prominent banking family


    Issue of Markus and Elana:


    Otto - Lord Mayor of Tarona, Grand Burgher of the Banking Guild, Essemancer, Head of House Medistein


    Sophia - wife of Otto, lady of House Medistein, burgess, Enthos League Representative, adviser to her husband


    Issue of Otto and Sophia:


    Leo - eldest son, banker, architect, engineer


    Karl - second son, captain of the Tarona¡¯s Skywatch


    Those in service to House Medistein:


    Mia - a young girl in service to House Medistein


    Diego- a guard in service to House Medistein


    Tomas- a young boy in service to House Medistein, Leo¡¯s servant


    House Bizzi


    The Bizzi is a minor noble house that rules the County of Vacca within the Glade. They are vassals of house Klor. The founder Lorenzo was a swordsmith who used Traesayean fire to forge Skysteel swords. Lorenzo saved his lord¡¯s life and was granted the Vacca as a reward. The Bizzi sigil is a sword over a black diamond on a red field. Their motto is Swift Skill and Serenity.


    Lorenzo Bizzi - deceased, founder of his house, count, master swordsmen


    Isabella Bizzi - deceased, wife of Lorenzo


    Issue of Lorenzo and Isabella:


    Niccolo (Nicco) - count, knight, head of house Bizzi


    Alessandra (Allie) - Essemancer, in employ to house Medistein


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    House von Aldberg


    They rule the Duchy of Aldberg and are Electors of the Meadowlands Bench. Heritage is a mix of Traesayean and Vanavian. Their motto is Divinity and Devotion.


    Frederick von Aldberg - in exile, rumored to have been murdered


    Matilda (Aldric) von Aldberg - Elector of the Meadowlands, Duchess of Aldberg, mother to Bianca, formerly of house Aldric, sister of the late Emperor Richard Aldric


    Issue of Frederick and Matilda:


    Manfred - deceased, died on the Great Expedition


    Bianca von Aldberg - lady and heiress to house Aldberg


    Emma- youngest daughter, married


    House Karvyean


    The Karvyeans are descendants of the ancient Traesayean Empire. The founder was Karvis the Dragonslayer. He slew the golden dragon terrorizing the surrounding lands. Being the sole survivor of the party, he took the seat of his dead lord and renamed the castle Karvalon. He married the Duchess of Caelstyn, who ruled over the Scarlet Plains and became a duke. They have been lords of the Expanse for five hundred years. Many descendants have been Emperors. Their sigil is a golden dragon on a blue field. Their motto is Duty to Destiny.


    Viktor I - Emperor of the Avictean Empire, widower


    Helen - deceased, the late wife of Viktor, a Lyrean, a former Duchess of Lasuna.


    Kyra - duchess, eldest sister of Viktor, wife of Gotfried Stauler


    Jarek - deceased, younger brother


    Mirek - deceased, youngest brother of Viktor


    Issue of Viktor and Helen:


    Ivan - deceased at the age of one, brother


    Varus ¡®the Undaunted¡¯ - Arch Marshal of the Avictean Empire, Duke, heir to house Karvyean


    Alvar - deceased; brother


    Sibylle - sister of Varus


    Lucia - deceased, youngest child


    Heidi Redlich - deceased, first wife of Varus, mother of Danika and Viktor II


    Maria Markawart - deceased, second wife Varus, mother of Alek


    Issue of Varus and his wives:


    Danika - oldest child, countess, only daughter, illegitimate, then formally adopted


    Viktor II - eldest son and heir, baron, and knight, embarked on the Great Expedition


    Alek - second son, baron, knight


    Those in service to House Karyvean:


    Gaunter Marruk - count, a vassal of Lord Varus


    Svetlana (Svet) - Essemancer, scribe


    Other Characters of Various Houses


    Richard Aldric - deceased, predecessor Emperor of Viktor I, older brother to Matilda (Aldric) von Aldberg


    Ramund Redlich - Duke of Stirberg, grandfather of Danika Karvyean, his daughter is Heidi Redlich ¡®Karvyean¡¯ (dead).


    Sabine - Arch Magus, Essemancer, a teacher at the Arites Academy, adviser on the Imperial Council


    Kirsa Klor - Duchess of Micona, and Elector of the Glades Bench


    Contessa Calo - Countess of Tussen, vassal of Duchess of Micona


    Davan - a captain of the Crimson Cloaks, Avictfell¡¯s City Watch


    Cevric - a sergeant of the Avictfell City Watch


    Thomund - Guild Master of the Scribes Guild in Avictfell


    Wilhelm von Heckt- Enthos League Representative at the Imperial Assembly; brother of Arch Chancellor Heinz von Heckt


    Anton Dykstra, Arch Admiral; Duke of Middenlaken, member of the Lowlands Bench


    Brennick - a ship captain in service to Anton, first adviser to Anton


    Kaith- captain of the Morning Star, an Imperial carrack


    Josef - an alchemist in service to the Imperial Army


    Bogdan - Chief Engineer of the Imperial Army


    Sir Francis - a knight


    Liam - a sailor


    Lucrezia - a whore


    Gretta- a whore


    Vencentius Vardi - a banker, head of his house, named after Traessyean lineage


    Bastian ¡®the Black¡¯ Bach - captain of the Black Blades Mercenary Company


    Jurgen - innkeep, Black Blade Mercenary


    Tellisium Church Clergy


    Rodrigo Malgais - Grand Vicar, head of the Tellisium Church


    Fabrizio Fosini - Arch Lector, member Middle Marches Bench


    Karolin - an inquisitor in service to the Tellisium Church


    Salvatore - scribe and Essemancer in service to the Grand Vicar of the Tellisium Church


    Lector Leon Ricci - Lector of Avictfell


    Lector Klaus Kimmich - Lector, in service of the Imperial Army


    Lector Enzo Eroli - Lector of Tarona


    Evert - a member of the Order of Tellius Knights


    Theogonists Clergy


    Lucius Savon- Arch Acolyte, adviser of Theogony on the Imperial Council


    Acolyte Rafael Ruconi- Acolyte of Tarona


    Enthos League Tarona Council


    Jovi Valleau - Admiral of Enthos League Fleet


    Beren Karch - burgher of salt


    Soranda Rendt- a burgess of the prostitutes within Tarona


    Tarona City Council


    Otto Medistein - Grand Burgher of the Banking Guild, Lord Mayor of Tarona an Imperial Free City


    Wilhelm Schmidt - Grand Burgher of the Iron Guild, Council member of Tarona


    Sedric Caprio- Grand Burgher of Leather Guild, Council member of Tarona


    Marco Izzo - Grand Burgher of Wool Guild, Council member of Tarona


    Olaf Holzhaus - Grand Burgher of Fabricator Guild, Council member of Tarona


    Tess Valrelli - Grand Burgess of Scribes Guild, Council member of Taron


    Ginevra Gallo - Grand Burgess of the Textile Guild, specifically silk, Council member of Tarona


    THE END

 Chapter 1 - Varus

    Chapter 1


    Varus


    The sun broke the horizon, its warmth cooled by the wind, and with it, flowers bloomed and drank its essence. Varus walked within the manicured path of the Hanging Gardens like he had a thousand times before. He relished the springtime beauty of the month of Highblossom.


    Outside the tranquil order of the gardens, the streets of Avictfell turned to chaos once again. Varus anticipated the regularity of the commonfolk riots as they had done every season of Varus¡¯s fifty-two years. Only the reason for the riot kept such actions from becoming a true tradition. He trusted the Crimson Cloaks to enforce Imperial law within the capital.


    Varus suspected his increased salt tax had invoked the mob this time. The salt merchants were collateral damage, traders of the commodity used for food preservation. The salt tax¡¯s true intent was to seize the colored magical salts required for Essemancy. Hopefully, the effects would reach House Medistein and shatter their salt monopoly.


    Another Avict Bay breeze cooled the sweat on Varus¡¯s brow. The faint smell of the sea mixed blooming honey suckle. Lush vines with splatters of yellow-white flowers clung to the garden¡¯s stone walls. Varus walked along a stoned path beneath the soothing shade and stopped at a round window in the stone wall. A different type of vine had grown over it, obscuring the view. The turquoise flowers were native to the luminescent Nightwood, a forest in his homelands known as the Expanse. He reluctantly cut away the vines withe pruning shears. Varus relished gardening not only for the hobby but for the exercise. Gardening helped him maintain a build of a man twenty years younger with broad shoulders, a flat stomach, and corded muscles.


    Varus hated killing such beauty, but sacrifices were necessary to maintain order.


    Tradition transformed into pride. Every day he would stroll through the Hanging Gardens, tending to them. The actual gardeners allowed it, likely because he was a lord. Over time, they had grown to accept and trust his abilities. Varus had practiced gardening for decades and had developed a knack for the hobby. He finished trimming the vines in an orderly fashion and admired the robust city beyond.


    ¡°Lord Varus,¡± his scribe Svetlana said. He recognized her soft, courteous tone. ¡°An inquisitor is here to see you.¡±


    Varus turned. Svetlana had a fair complexion with long, dark hair styled in intricate braids that hung to her waist. Every braid was immaculately ordered--as things should be.


    ¡°Send him in,¡± Varus said, his tone polite. He wiped sweat beneath his square, clean-shaven jaw with the back of his glove.


    ¡°No, her, my lord.¡±


    His eyebrows furrowed, female inquisitors were rare.


    Svetlana took care in the garden, staying on the stepping stones, and crossed the covered porch beneath the archway to enter his adjacent office. Easy access to the gardens allowed Varus to meditate on matters of governance. A moment later, Varus heard the chamber door open and close. Svetlana ushered the inquisitor woman to the porch, bowed to Varus, and took her leave.


    ¡°Inquisitor Karolin,¡± she introduced herself with a bow.


    Being the Arch Marshal of the empire, Varus did not return the bow. He only bowed to the Emperor, a senile fat man who happened to be his father.


    The inquisitor wore black clothes as expected. Instead of a dress, she wore the usual attire of an inquisitor--breeches and a tunic. She was tall for a woman, nearly as tall as himself, who stood over six feet. That was where the similarities ended. She was narrow, with a slouched posture and a skeleton-like appearance. Her short, thick hair matched her midnight black clothes. Standing beneath the shaded porch added to its darkness, which contrasted with his closed crop hair that had grayed long ago. Varus stared with hard, expressionless eyes, studying the woman. She held the parchment in her hands.


    ¡°Lord Varus,¡± Karolin said. ¡°Grand Vicar Rodrigo wishes to appeal to His Majesty Emperor Viktor I for military aid. The Vanavians continue to raid from the northern Hinterlands.¡±


    ¡°Did the empire not recently render aid against the Julk. Does the Grand Vicar assume he now commands the empire¡¯s armies?¡±


    Karolin looked down with an odd embarrassment. Her response felt contrived, as though she anticipated his expectations.


    ¡°I also bring word that the last Great Expedition has failed. The Julk annihilated the combined Imperial and holy Tellisium army.¡±


    ¡°How would you know this?¡±


    Karolin shifted. ¡°Because I alone returned from Sojun. I fear they may seek to retaliate. They build a massive invasion fleet as we speak.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since the Julk dared cross Sandbottom Strait, let alone sail across the Enthos Sea and invade.¡±


    ¡°I merely bring the news, whether you believe it is your choice.¡±


    I believe it, but the Assembly won¡¯t. ¡°If the Julk invades, I will crush them just as I have before. As for Grand Vicar Rodrigo, he assumes the Imperial Army would fight this battle for him again?¡±


    ¡°He would have you defend the empire, to uphold your duty--¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not in a position to lecture me on matters of duty.¡±


    ¡°Of course, my lord,¡± Karolin said. She shrunk down and stared at her feet.


    Another conditioned response. What game does she play? A rogue weed had sprouted in the flowerbed. Varus plucked it free.


    Karolin rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°I¡¯ll tell him you have heeded his words and are considering how best to respond.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, why is it an inquisitor brings me such news? Why would he not message Svetlana with his Essemancer?¡±


    Karolin shifted, averting her eyes. ¡°Because I have news concerning your son, my lord.¡± Karolin hesitated. ¡°Regrettably, I fear he perished at the hands of the Julk during the Great Expedition. I feel you must know, he gave his life to save my own.¡±


    A numbness tore at his chest. Communication with the Fourth Expedition ended long ago. It took a year, but eventually, he accepted his son had died. This news confirming his death stoked dormant coals, rekindling his grief. He suppressed his grief, refusing to let it take root. No point in grieving for the dead when there was nothing he could do. Grief is for the weak, ¡°Did he suffer?¡±


    ¡°Suffering comes in many forms.¡±


    Varus considered her answer. ¡°Yes. I suppose it does. Why would my son sacrifice himself for you?¡± Varus asked, even-toned.


    Karolin hesitated. She looked down in shame. Varus studied her body language, analyzing her. She stepped forward onto the first stepping stone. The sunlight glimmered off the tear running down her cheek. ¡°He was my lover.¡±


    Varus closed his eyes, contemplating that word and everything it entailed. Family was an extension of legacy, and legacy mattered most. ¡°So you are with his child? You come seeking aid?¡±


    Karolin frowned. ¡°No, on both accounts. I only come to bring you his last words.¡± She held out the letter.


    Varus approached, took the letter, opened it, and began reading. ¡°This script is not his writing. It¡¯s too chaotic.¡±


    ¡°I had to rewrite it; his blood covered the original.¡±


    Varus glanced at the letter, then back to Karolin. ¡°You may as well tell me what¡¯s on it.¡±


    ¡°I fear I wouldn¡¯t do it justice.¡± Varus stared at her in silence. Karolin straightened upright. ¡°I see him in you. Tall and broad-shouldered, with the same strong jawline. But mainly the eyes--hard eyes that have experienced much sorrow.¡± Varus rubbed his jaw, studying her. Something about her mysteriousness was difficult to discern, and it irritated him. He prided himself on his ability to read people, but he couldn¡¯t discern the facade of this inquisitor, which irritated him. He was unsure of her ulterior motive.


    ¡°Did he die with honor?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Did you love him?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    You¡¯re a sly one, he thought. ¡°How did my son come to love an inquisitor?¡±


    Karolin paused. She wiped the tear from her face. Is that genuine? Varus waited. His ploy of asking affirmative questions had loosened her tongue.


    ¡°Over time, through battles and mutual admiration.¡± Karolin took a deep breath and exhaled. ¡°And because of our shared torment from the Julk.¡±


    The Julk were cruel, fierce fighters, yet not barbaric despite what the Grand Vicar preached to the people. Though they took slaves and concubines, the Julkan Emirates conquered Sojun and restored order. He had grown to respect that about the longtime Imperial enemy. ¡°I know of the Julk ferocity from personal experience. They are a culture that can inflict great pain, but they can also impart much wisdom. It is from a freed Julk slave I learned to appreciate horticulture by sculpting nature into order. Vegetation is scarce in their lands, and they consider gardens a luxury. I found gardening brought a certain relaxed healing. A sense of calm tranquility that let me cope with the suffering and horrors of war. You should consider--¡±


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°They tortured us,¡± she spat in disgust. ¡°Nothing about the Julk culture is wise or relaxing. You learn your son has died and all you talk about are plants!¡± Both her hands gestured to a bunch of forgot-me-nots flowers nearby.


    You will not stir my emotions to turmoil. Varus said nothing. Instead, he channeled his emotions by squeezing the shears in his hand.


    She bit her lip, holding back a sob. ¡°We waited for a chance to escape. We almost made it together, but the Julk caught us,¡± another tear ran down her cheek. ¡°He distracted them and told me to run.¡± Karolin interlaced her fingers, palms facing her belt buckle--hiding the truth.


    There it is. Varus suspected more of the story. Unbeknownst to some, his son Viktor preferred men, making it improbable they were lovers. Named in honor of his grandfather Emperor Viktor I, perhaps his son Viktor II finally intended to do his duty and father an heir. The question is, why was she lying? Was her distress hindering her ability to think clearly? Did this woman win his son¡¯s heart or was the affection misinterpreted? Karolin¡¯s demeanor incited doubt. Something about her seemed disordered. He reputed inquisitors for their crafty deceit and ability to manipulate. She hid the usual tells well. No fidgeting, no rolled back lips, no avoiding eye contact, specifically at crucial moments. Yet, subtle expressions revealed the chaos that lurked beneath her facade. The way her expressions seemed almost intentionally controlled. Her eyes and mouth contorted in mismatched manners. Karolin acted as any expected mourning lover would. Varus admired her skill, but years of service in the Imperial Assembly had honed his lie detection. He read past her intentions, nonetheless. The question was why.


    ¡°Something else not mentioned in the letter. The Julk fleet. They are building a fleet. I can¡¯t be certain, but--¡±


    ¡°Lord Varus,¡± a guard interrupted frantically. ¡°The commonfolk riot.¡±


    Two men came into view; a captain and a sergeant. Svetlana chased behind them. ¡°I am sorry, my lord. I tried to tell them you had a visitor--¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Varus said to Svetlana, holding his hand out. She sighed with relief. ¡°Svetlana, please escort Inquisitor Karolin out and ensure her our hospitality before she continues her travels.¡± With a bow, Svetlana held her hand out to escort Karolin away.


    ¡°My lady,¡± the captain said, ¡°err, my inquisitor.¡± He bowed.


    Svetlana escorted Karolin from the garden. Karolin scowled at Svetlana, glanced back to Varus, and left on her own accord.


    The sergeant proceeded onto the stone path. The captain breathed heavily with panic in his eyes. He hurried forward, pushing past the sergeant, stepping on some flowers beside the path to get around him. Varus lowered his eyebrows and glanced down at the crushed flowers.


    ¡°Take a deep breath, Captain Davan,¡± Varus said. He knew the man as commander of the Crimson Cloak¡¯s--Avictfell¡¯s City Watch. ¡°Compose yourself, calmly tell me the situation, and please stand on the stones.¡±


    Captain Davan took a deep breath, exhaled deeply, rolled his shoulders back, and began to deliver his report. ¡°The merchants in the square, they are protesting the salt tax.¡±


    As intended. ¡°What merchants?¡±


    ¡°The Enthos League burghers, the salt miners, and some merchants. But there are heralds and acolytes among them. I even saw a Lector as well.¡±


    Bold for a Tellisium high priest to support commonfolk. ¡°Lector Ricci aids the protest?¡±


    Davan shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know the Lector¡¯s name, but he appeared to be observing.¡±


    I need to attempt to disperse the mob. ¡°What do you know about gardening, Captain Davan?¡±


    Davan¡¯s face scrunched into confusion. ¡°Nothing Arch Marshal.¡±


    ¡°You should consider gardening. It¡¯s a great way to meditate on life. Bringing order to nature¡¯s chaos is satisfying. But we must take care to minimize unnecessary damage.¡± Varus indicated the smashed flowers.


    The guard followed his gaze, looking down at his foot and the crushed flowers beneath it. He swallowed hard and finally stepped onto the rock path. ¡°Yes, Arch Marshal.¡±


    ¡°I can forgive a mistake once, but never twice. Take this lesson to heart and seize the opportunity. Let me show you something,¡± Varus gestured Davan to the circled window view he had cleared. The sergeant followed behind. The terraced gardens and town square were visible through the window. ¡°What happens when you throw a rock at a school of fish?¡±


    ¡°The fish scatter,¡± Davan said with confidence.


    ¡°What do you see?¡± Varus gestured through the window.


    ¡°A mob of angry merchants.¡±


    ¡°Look harder,¡± Davan said nothing, and after a long moment of uncomfortable silence, Varus answered the question. ¡°I see the leader.¡± Varus pointed. ¡°The tall man with the dark blue coat. See how he shouts and encourages his men? Notice his stout nature and confident stance. How the others support him. There is nothing quite like the chaos of fire to disrupt order. Take a lantern and throw it into the middle of the crowd. After it shatters, the fire will scatter the mob. Allowing your men to apprehend the leader. When he inevitably resists, do not hesitate to kill him. Be ruthless and efficient, and the rest will scatter.¡±


    ¡°Fire, my lord?¡± Davan asked in an uneasy tone.


    Varus nodded.


    ¡°So the stories of the Undaunted are true.¡±


    ¡°Be sure to remind them of me,¡± Varus commanded.


    ¡°Yes, Arch Marshal.¡± Davan bowed, turned, and left. The sergeant did the same.


    * * *


    Varus watched through the freshly cleared garden window as they carried out his orders. It took several minutes, but Captain Davan and the sergeant arrived back at the square with the assembled protesters.


    Davan hurled an oil lantern into the crowd. Screams of panic rose. People scattered away from the flames, some getting pushed over, others trampled. The fire further enraged the mob. Davan grabbed the mob leader¡¯s arm, intending to arrest him, but he jerked free. Davan drew his sword, prompting the other Crimson Cloak guards to do likewise.


    The anarchist retreated and Davan lunged forward, intending to skewer him. The leader pulled a nearby fat man between them to shield the thrust. Devan¡¯s sword sunk into flesh. Varus recognized the rotund man as Lector Ricci of the Tellisium Church. Davan and the leader both froze in horror. The pause was a mistake.


    Dagger in hand, the sergeant approached the rebel leader from behind and slit his throat. Blood spurted onto Lector Ricci¡¯s white tunic, soaking it scarlet. The sergeant grabbed the bleeding man by the hair, pivoting him toward the crowd. Blood sprayed from his slashed neck with rhythmic pulses. Scared shrieks spread the hysteria. Panic protesters dispersed into the side streets, pushing past each other in fear for their lives.


    * * *


    A while later, Captain Davan returned to the garden, and the sergeant followed close behind. Both men carefully stepped onto the stone path.


    ¡°Arch Marshal,¡± Captain Davan said. ¡°The leader has been--¡±


    ¡°Captain, was my advice unclear?¡±


    Davan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°No, my lord. The leader lies dead, and the mob dispersed as you expected.¡±


    ¡°I see. You execute my orders well. But you seem to have forgotten my lesson. The Crimson Cloaks¡¯ purpose is to restore order and minimize collateral damage. What of the dead Lector?¡±


    Davan said nothing. He shifted and looked down.


    ¡°Captain, you were careless when you first informed me of the riot. A soldier of the empire must protect its citizens from both external and internal threats. The surest way to succeed is to use your authority as captain to ensure that order. The man you killed was no mere bystander. He was a Lector. My relationship with Lector Ricci goes back decades. We fought on the Second Great Expedition together. I even supported his nomination to become the Grand Vicar.¡±


    ¡°The Lector was a friend of my lord?¡± Davan swallowed.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Varus stated without remorse. ¡°I hope his Essence lingers in the Void for all eternity. In a way, you did me a favor. I suppose I owe you my thanks.¡±


    Captain Davan sighed in relief. Varus approached Davan, placed his left hand on his shoulder, and locked eyes. With haste, Varus grabbed Davan¡¯s sword, drew it from its scabbard, and stabbed him in the stomach. Davan¡¯s eyes bulged wide with shock and he coughed blood.


    ¡°Twice,¡± Varus said. Varus ripped the rank cord from the Davan¡¯s shoulder as he dropped to the ground, pulling the sword free from his stomach. Varus turned. ¡°What is your name, sergeant?¡±


    ¡°Sergeant Sevric, my lord Arch Marshal,¡± he said.


    Varus handed the rank cord to Sergeant Sevric. ¡°You are in command now, Captain Sevric. Please remove this man from my presence.¡±


    Newly promoted, Captain Sevric rendered a sharp salute right fist to his heart. ¡°My lord.¡± Sevric grabbed Davan by the ankles and dragged him away, leaving a smearing trail of blood in its wake.


    Varus left the garden, walked back to his adjoining office, and sat down.


    Svetlana lingered nearby. ¡°Svetlana, transcribe this letter, please.¡±


    ¡°Shall I send it with Essemancy?¡± Svetlana asked. Svetlana usually sent her messages telepathically to other Essemancers in service to high lords and people of importance.


    ¡°No, this is a legal matter. A formal written request shall be required.¡± Varus dictated a letter of claim on the late Lector Ricci¡¯s estate.


    To Otto Medistein,


    Lector Ricci has made his final sojourn to reside with the All-Father Tellius. By right of law, Lector Ricci¡¯s outstanding debt owed to house Karvyean shall be collected in full from the Ricci estate. The estate was posted as collateral for supporting him as a candidate for Grand Vicar in the year of Dual Elections in 1482. Therefore, please arrange for a notary and transfer of all lands, possessions, and gold savings to house Karvyean¡¯s demesne and that of the Imperial Crown.


    Imperial Arch Marshal Varus Karvyean, co-regent to Emperor Viktor I, of house Karvyean


    Varus had Svetlana draft another copy to send to the Grand Vicar. ¡°Add this at the end,¡± Varus said. ¡°Who do you intend to appoint as the next Lector for Avictfell?¡±


    Varus folded each letter to conceal its contents, then poured blue wax from his desk candle. He pressed his signet ring into the wax leaving behind his seal--the household dragon symbol. Beneath the seal, he addressed the letters to Otto Medistein and Grand Vicar Rodrigo Malgais.


    ¡°Instruct a rider to travel to Medistein Tower in Tarona and deliver this directly into the hands of Otto Medistein. Arrange for another rider to travel to Ryvium and deliver this letter to the Grand Vicar.¡±


    ¡°At once, my lord,¡± Svetlana said, bowed, and bustled from the room.


    With the help of the greedy Medistein bankers, the Grand Vicar proclaimed another futile expedition, costing him his eldest son, Viktor. Varus intended to recover from his loss. He refused to allow House Medistein or Rodrigo Malgais¡¯ incompetence to hamper his legacy. Varus would let the Grand Vicar deal with the Vanavians in the north. Let him use the holy Knights of Tellius. If Karolin spoke true and the Julk did intend to cross the Enthos Sea in the south, he would meet them on the field and slaughter them as he had in the past. For now, more important matters required his immediate attention. The death of Lector Ricci provided an opportunity he could not waste.


    Viktor hadn¡¯t yet sired an heir, and now he never would. His sole living son and heir, Alek, would need to fulfill his duty where Viktor had failed. Despite his nighttime peculiarities, Viktor had been the preferred son of two poor choices because his mother was Heidi. Alek was from tainted blood and would tarnish the Karvyean legacy. Alek got his bad blood from his mother Maria, her lineage derived from Duke ¡°Mad Max¡± Markawart. Varus had followed the orders of his father, done his duty, divorced Heidi, and married the mad duke¡¯s daughter Maria. A decision he regretted every day--a rare mistake in his life.


    If he suffered from bad blood, then perhaps his daughter Danika--the eldest child of his true love, Heidi--might continue the Karvyean dynasty. He¡¯d have to adjust some inheritance laws and upset some lords, but such steps were necessary to ensure his legacy lived on. No one, not his capricious father--Emperor Viktor--or the corrupt and nepotist Grand Vicar, and especially not the selfish Medistein bankers, would stop him.

 Chapter 2 - Leo

    Chapter 2


    Leo


    Leo and Bianca moaned in unison, her legs wrapped around his hips. Their breath came in heavy, shallow gasps. Leo hugged her tight. Bianca¡¯s skin was as smooth as the silk sheets entwined around them.


    ¡°Done already?¡± Bianca teased. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.


    ¡°I like to defy expectations,¡± Leo said with a smirk.


    ¡°You certainly did. Though, perhaps I chose the wrong brother.¡±


    He rolled off her onto his back. ¡°Karl or Nicco?¡±


    ¡°Either.¡± Grinning, Bianca turned to her side. ¡°Both are strong and broad-shouldered, whereas you are...¡±


    ¡°A charming, generous lover,¡± Leo quipped with a raised brow.


    ¡°Conceited apparently.¡±


    ¡°You would grow bored with their conversations. They both talk of nothing but swords and tournaments.¡±


    ¡°As opposed to your crass personality,¡± Bianca tickled his ear with her strawberry blond hair.


    Leo shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to think you may not love me.¡±


    Bianca pouted.


    ¡°Bards claim the mind is key to a woman¡¯s--¡±


    ¡°Heart,¡± Bianca finished with a roll of her eyes.


    ¡°--loins,¡± Leo corrected with a smirk. Bianca smacked him on the head with a pillow. ¡°You¡¯re flaring your nostrils.¡±


    Bianca¡¯s hand covered her nose and mouth, muffling her voice. ¡°Must you always be this intolerable?¡±


    ¡°Only when you¡¯re this beautiful.¡± Leo brushed back a lock of her hair.


    ¡°Many men have told me so. What do you find so beautiful about me?¡± she held her finger up. ¡°And don¡¯t you dare say my eyes; men always say the eyes.¡±


    Damnit. But they were beautiful. ¡°Your freckles are like constellations of stars.¡±


    ¡°My mother insists I hide them with extra powder. She says they tarnish my beauty.¡±


    ¡°She is wrong. They accentuate your beauty.¡± Leo sat up, stepped out of bed, and walked over to his underclothes and breeches. ¡°Time to get dressed. We¡¯re already late.¡± He pulled on his clothes.


    ¡°A lady requires a great deal of time to make herself beautiful,¡± Bianca said.


    Leo leaned over and kissed her. ¡°You¡¯re already beautiful.¡± Leo turned, grabbed his shirt from the floor, slid it over his head, and fastened the buttons of his silk blue and black tunic. As he pulled on his soft black boots, his Medistein family signet ring scratched the leather.


    Gild framed paintings of grand battles, mighty deities, and pompous lords hung on the walls. Marble heads and busts stood on plinths. Heavy red curtains had been drawn aside, allowing the light to illuminate the glitzy chamber.


    Leo opened the window, letting in the cool dusk breeze and the smell of the sea. Tarona, a cosmopolitan city of towers, sprawled before him. He had seen the view hundreds of times. Tarona was his city. A city of squalor and splendor. Yet it still enthralled him. No other building in the empire was as high as the one he stood in, which stood over seven hundred feet tall.


    An accomplishment that had taken seven years to complete. At twenty-five years old, one might feel proud of such an accomplishment--yet he wanted more. The structure represented the culmination of expertise in his mastery of engineering and architecture. An icon that would withstand time long after his Essence exodus. A symbol of status and wealth for his family, the Medistein Tower.


    ¡°Admiring the view?¡± Bianca asked.


    Leo turned toward her and smiled. ¡°I prefer this one.¡±


    ¡°Any other woman would blush at such a compliment.¡±


    ¡°But you are not any other woman.¡±


    Bianca blushed, accepting that compliment. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest. I thought this tower was overly ambitious, even for you. What¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°For now, I want to enjoy myself. Maybe I¡¯ll sail the seas like my grandfather.¡±


    ¡°I can understand that,¡± she wrapped herself in the sheet and walked over to him.


    Towers along the skyline depicted various architectural styles that jutted upward like grasping fingers reaching for the heavens. Atop the highest towers, the banner of the Free City of Tarona flew. Seven vertical stripes, three red and four white, one for each of the seven major guilds that ruled the city. A black silhouette of the Tarona tower skyline overlain the seven stripes.


    Leo wondered if they would change their banner given his tower had changed the wondrous city skyline. He intended to raise the issue with his father, who could address it with the city council. Tarona had a dozen main towers, and thrice as many smaller ones. Towers built over centuries, squared, round, with conical roofs. He could date many of the buildings based on their architectural designs. Buttresses, alcoves, arched bridges, drawbridges, and aqueducts connected the towers in the skies like the streets below. Some bridges suspended cargo nets on the sides for increased safety from falling accidents. Aqueducts wrapped around towers crossed atop bridges and fed into the sides of many buildings. Closing his eyes, he leaned out the window and imagined flying on a gryphon.


    ¡°Which are you prouder of, the Medistein Tower or the Tellisium Cathedral in Ryvium?¡±


    ¡°Each had its complications; each a unique accomplishment.¡±


    ¡°But if you had to choose.¡±


    ¡°I would choose this tower.¡±


    ¡°So you choose yourself over god?¡±


    Leo considered the words. Down below, his guests had gathered in Tarona Plaza. People of various cultures walked among one another. Avicteans dominated the population, but copper-skinned Lyreans, Kaljer sailors, Vanavians clad in furs and leather, and even the occasional narrow-eyed Senkouese all celebrated together.


    Tarona¡¯s twin harbors bordered the plaza to the east and west. Every available dock had a ship moored to it. Leo had spared no extravagance.


    Acrobats, jugglers, and dancers entertained the masses on the plaza. Vendors sold beer and sweet treats. Leo wanted the citizens of the city to share in the festivities. The upper classes--wealthy burghers, nobles, priests and acolytes--were admitted to Medistein Tower to enjoy a tour and the exotic extravagances celebrating his accomplishment.


    Why must she always bring up our differences? ¡°The Primordials bequeathed, I live my life my way like the All-Father does yours. Are we not all selfish in that regard?¡±


    ¡°Your father converted, so he must have seen things differently.¡±


    ¡°My father converted out of greed. He simply wanted the Grand Vicar¡¯s accounts.¡±


    ¡°And yet you built a Tellisium cathedral.¡±


    Leo shrugged. ¡°Someone in the family had to be Telliusian.¡±


    ¡°Is that how you see it? Merely as a business venture?¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your opinion of thee Grand Vicar?¡±


    ¡°Rodrigo is an interesting man.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re deflecting,¡± Bianca said.


    Leo thought for a moment while returning to her. ¡°He is a profitable friendship. I have you to thank for that.¡± He kissed her on the cheek.


    ¡°I merely introduced you. Your charms did the rest. Honestly, I¡¯m surprised he didn¡¯t convert you after spending so much time with him.¡± Bianca¡¯s fingers combed her hair. ¡°Is Tellisium all that bad?¡±


    ¡°Not bad, different. If I converted, it would break my mother¡¯s heart.¡±


    ¡°What about my heart?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my intention.¡±


    Her smile weakened his knees. ¡°You can make it up to me by convincing your father to allow me to study Essemancy under the Arch Magus.¡±


    Leo nodded. She kissed him gently on the lips. The breeze caught her scent, the sweet fruity floral of spring--cherry and peach blossoms with a hint of vanilla. ¡°I promise, Peaches.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Leo dampened his hands within the wash basin and attempted to comb his unkempt, dark, curly hair--it often found it had a will of its own. He looked at his reflection in the mirror one last time. Satisfied his hair couldn¡¯t improve, he left his room and went to the lifts.


    Four water-powered lifts could be engaged with different levers which manipulated a gear assembly. Tower elevators often used mules like in a mill grinder. Unlike others who used windmills, he harnessed Avict Bay¡¯s waters for power. Towers with lifts usually only had one. Functional, yet dazzling, one other detail that distinguished Medistein Towers¡¯ greatness. The plumbing wound through the Under Quarter beneath the tower. It mimicked the construction beneath the Tellius Cathedral. All Tellisium churches had knee-deep water filling the nave. The unique aspect Leo had designed for the Ryvium Cathedral allowed the water to flow constantly and fed fountains from the Avic River.


    The lift shook and descended to the ground floor. He stepped out as soon as the lift doors opened. A bard with flaming red hair sang a song about dragon fire and an ice storm. People widely acclaimed the bard''s songs across the empire. His talent was in high demand, but was notoriously slow at writing new songs. Leo recalled the bard had a difficult name to pronounce--something starting with a ¡®Q¡¯ or one of those silent letter fuckers, a ¡®K¡¯ of all things.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    How and why silent letters came into existence Leo never understood. His grammar teacher at Arites Academy had lectured on the origin and history of language and Leo spent the lecture catching up on his sleep. He understood numbers more than letters: geometry, engineering, and banking, the useful languages of the world.


    Gathered aristocrats and nobles gossiped and gambled. Leo had arranged for numerous gaming tables for entertainment with his own house bankrolling the ad hoc casino setup within his home. Medistein Tower displayed its owners¡¯ ostentatious wealth. Lavishly furnished with crystal stemware, foreign furniture, and perfect portraits painted across ceilings. Crown molding ringed every room.


    Leo hadn¡¯t even gotten a drink before Grand Burgher Olaf Holzhaus, Guild Master of the Fabricators Guild, approached him. ¡°Master Medistein,¡± Olaf said, stepping before him. Leo avoided his gaze, peering over each shoulder, desperate for aid. ¡°What do you expect me to do with all the excess lumber and stone floating in the harbor?¡±


    ¡°Sell it, build with it, burn it, preferably in that order.¡± Leo stepped to the side, but Olaf blocked his path.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. These shipments were to supply materials for constructing this tower. A tower no longer requiring those materials.¡±


    ¡°Very observant of you,¡± Leo said, dismissing his concerns. He peered over Olaf¡¯s shoulder at Duchess Kirsa. ¡°Your Grace,¡± Leo called out, stepping past Olaf. ¡°It appears you need rescue.¡±


    ¡°Rescue?¡± Kirsa said, confused. Kirsa Klor, dark-haired and freckled, was the Duchess of Micona. The Glade Bench capital seat of Micona.


    ¡°Did I say you, Your Grace,¡± Leo tilted his head, ¡°I meant me,¡± he pointed at himself. ¡°Apologies. Allow me to make it up to you.¡± He grabbed the last wine glass from a nearby servant and gave it to her. ¡°Aged twenty years, or so the merchant told me. Please enjoy yourself.¡±


    ¡°Master Medistein,¡± Kirsa said, ¡°can you inform your father I would like to speak with him?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, he¡¯s at the villa tonight, Your Grace.¡± He bowed slightly and turned his attention to a group of patrons staring upward, admiring the romanticized art of nude Primordial gods painted on the ceilings. The Medistein family had sponsored many artists and sculptures since his grandfather had begun the Essemancy Enlightenment. Nearby, a group of young maidens giggled at a nude sculpture of Avictus the Great.


    Leo turned over his shoulder. ¡°What is so great about that?¡± The maidens blushed and giggled again.


    ¡°Leo!¡± a voice called. He recognized the voice of his brother, Karl. Square jawed and broad shoulders. His younger, larger brother was captain of the Skywatch--Tarona¡¯s City Watch. ¡°This is more extravagant than the Imperial Day¡¯s Octennial.¡± The recent event had been a dozenday of festivities, triumphs, and parades, celebrating eight centuries of Avictean Empire¡¯s rule and the fifteen centuries since the prophet Tellius¡¯s death.


    ¡°Is it?¡± Leo asked. His hand stroked his chin, pretending to recall the event. ¡°Who has time to remember yesterday, much less two months ago? Live in the moment, brother.¡± He clapped Karl on the shoulder.


    ¡°You¡¯ve mustered quite the selection of eligible ladies,¡± Karl prompted.


    ¡°I was thinking of you. Surely even you can find yourself a mistress.¡±


    ¡°Tarona is my mistress.¡±


    Leo laughed. ¡°Twice the hassle and half the fun.¡± Karl pressed his lips together. ¡°Is that for me?¡± Leo asked, pointing towards a glass of wine in Karl¡¯s hand and stealing it. ¡°Are you helping the servants now?¡±


    Karl frowned. ¡°No. Must you always be a jackass?¡±


    ¡°Understood. Not a servant.¡± Leo pointed his hand to emphasize his point. ¡°Still just captain of the watch.¡± Leo tilted his head. ¡°But is it wise for you to be drinking when duty lurks?¡± Leo turned and left him before Karl could answer.


    Risqu¨¦ dancers with painted bodies stood on side stages. An aerial acrobat from the land of Senkou hung from the high vaulted ceiling, winding and spinning her way around a rope. Onlookers watched in wonder from the side balconies three floors up.


    A squeal of excitement followed by cheers stole his attention, and he turned toward the commotion. Contessa Calo--Countess of Tussen--applauded with giddy delight. A woman in her late teens surrounded by ladies-in-waiting. She had a striking appearance, young and beautiful, with long sandy brown hair that fell to the small of her back, her brown eyes with flecks of gold. Contessa had recently inherited her late father¡¯s lands. She had also just won big at a gaming table of dice. Her ladies-in-waiting lingered behind. Leo¡¯s father Otto insisted on inviting Countess Calo to the event. Otto was hoping for Leo to marry her, to bring a noble title to the Medistein name.  Infatuated suitors lingered around Contessa bestowing compliments. Among them, Count Nicco Bizzi, lord of nearby Vacca, stood at Lady Contessa¡¯s side. Leo had gold, but Nicco looked gold. Tanned bronze, lean and muscled, with golden hair and light blue eyes. One could have painted Nicco¡¯s image alongside the Primordials on Leo¡¯s ceiling, and he wouldn¡¯t have looked out of place. Leo approached the table and tossed his coin purse down.


    ¡°Lady Contessa,¡± Leo said. ¡°I¡¯ll wager this purse for a single night with you.¡±


    ¡°You take me for some common whore to be bought?¡± Contessa asked with a raised brow.


    ¡°Not at all, hence the wager.¡± He smiled. ¡°A single roll of the dice. The highest number wins.¡±


    Contessa stared at the spilled gold tarins on the table. The head side of the tarin showed Tarona¡¯s heraldry--a silhouette of Tarona¡¯s skyline against seven vertical stripes and the motto ringed around the top edge--Progress through Merit. The tale¡¯s side showed the Enthos League cog with the motto Perseverance Prospers ringing beneath it.


    Contessa¡¯s eyes sparkled like gems. ¡°You cannot expect me--¡±


    ¡°A kiss then,¡± Leo interrupted.


    Her eyes flicked back to the spilled tarins, considering his offer. ¡°A kiss,¡± she agreed.


    ¡°Such conduct is unbecoming of a gentleman,¡± Nicco said.


    Leo shrugged at Nicco¡¯s overly protective and rigid personality. Despite the invite, Nicco¡¯s attendance honestly surprised him.


    ¡°Ladies first,¡± Leo said. The stickman slid the two dice over to Contessa. She picked them up, shook and threw them. Everyone cheered. Leo glanced down at the table. The dice showed twelve; two and three-quarters a percent chance of occurring. Unbelievable. His smile turned to a frown.


    ¡°It seems Fate and Fortune favor me,¡± Contessa said.


    Leo held up a finger. ¡°I can still tie.¡± Contessa gestured with open hands for him to try. Leo gave a come here gesture, and the stickman slid him the dice. Tossing them, he rolled a two.


    ¡°Voidhounds take me,¡± Leo cursed. Same odds, but a lower number. Gathered guests erupted in laughter and cheers as the stickman slid the purse of tarins toward Contessa.


    ¡°Master Medistein,¡± Contessa said. She held out her hand, ¡°a consolation prize.¡±


    Leo swaggered over, took her hand, and kissed it, staring upward into her eyes. ¡°The consolation is losing to one as beautiful as you.¡± Contessa blushed.


    ¡°Such a noble demeanor for a burgher,¡± one of her ladies in waiting said.


    Leo straightened up, feigning offense. ¡°Noble. I hope not. Perhaps I am losing my touch.¡± Guest engulfed with laughter; he released Contessa¡¯s hand. Leo was rich, but far from noble, and he preferred it that way.


    ¡°A gentleman at best,¡± Nicco said.


    Leo glared at the noble. ¡°Even that is generous of you, my lord. My grandfather Markus the Magnificent --¡±


    ¡°Was a pirate,¡± Nicco finished. ¡°Not a shred of honor, hardly a gentleman, much less a noble.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t all be like you, golden boy. Besides, the pirate life is much livelier,¡± Leo held his finger up. ¡°And the Emperor sanctioned his piracy against the Julkan Emirates for the glory of the Empire.¡±


    ¡°Such a noble endeavor, for one to face a foe so dangerous,¡± Contessa said.


    Nicco regarded her and frowned. ¡°A pirate is a pirate, no matter how you cut it. They live by a creed bound to greed. A nobleman lives by the Five Sacred Virtues and Seven Tenants of the Chivalric Code.¡±


    ¡°So many rules,¡± Leo said. ¡°Tell me Nicco, do you abide by them all at once, or merely one per day a week?¡± The crowd roared with laughter.


    ¡°What would Master Medistein, a virgin on the battlefield, know of virtue and chivalry?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t taken notes since I left the Academy.¡± A few patrons chuckled.


    ¡°There will come a day when jokes won¡¯t aid your avoidance of danger.¡±


    ¡°I embrace danger, Nicco. I¡¯ve climbed this great tower, with fierce winds threatening to topple me to my death.¡± A crowd gathered around. ¡°I¡¯ve jumped from the bridge in Ryvium, I¡¯ve been at the mercy of the Grand Vicar, I¡¯ve sailed the Avict Bay with Kaljer pirates in pursuit, I¡¯ve negotiated my release with brigands, and fled through the windows of many maids at the sound of approaching lovers.¡±


    Some of the gathered men laughed, and others scowled, Nicco included. Maidens blushed and giggled.


    ¡°There is no limit to your accomplishments, Master Medistein,¡± Contessa said.


    ¡°Indeed, there isn¡¯t,¡± he stepped over toward a marble pillar. From it hung the Medistein banner, red lozenges on a field of black. Styled after his grandfather¡¯s Black Fleet, ship hulls were painted black with red sails. A pirate¡¯s flag, Leo thought. He tore the banner down, snapping the fine string that held it. ¡°For wherever you see the Medistein flag, you see perfection.¡± He draped the flag over the shoulders of Contessa. She blushed bright as a plum.


    ¡°At it again, I see.¡± Leo recognized the voice of Bianca. From the corner of his eye, she approached and held out her hand. He kissed it, pulled her close, and whispered in her ear. ¡°Dressed already, I must be losing my touch.¡±


    ¡°I believe you said I required little cosmetics,¡± she whispered back.


    ¡°And how right I was.¡±


    Bianca stepped away. ¡°Nicco, what did I miss?¡±


    Nicco shrugged, ¡°the usual narcissistic behavior, my lady.¡±


    Leo feigned offense as a young maid might. He dropped his jaw and bent his hand inward, gesturing to himself. Chuckles from nearby guests.


    ¡°Mocking me is one thing, burgher, but I will not stand for you to dishonor Lady Bianca!¡± Nicco¡¯s voice boomed off the domed ceiling, it¡¯s acoustics aided his volume. Leo peered up and nodded with pride. The bard¡¯s lute playing a singing abruptly ended. A hush fell over the room.


    A vein in Nicco¡¯s neck bulged, and his tanned skin darkened scarlet. Nicco pulled the fingers from his glove and threw it down. The crowd gasped and spread outward. Nicco was a far superior swordsman. He had won many tournaments and was the reigning champion at the Centennial Celebration in Tarona. A tournament he had won in Bianca¡¯s honor. Leo suspected Nicco intended to court her and Bianca had accepted Nicco¡¯s compliments in the past.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± Uncle Reinhard demanded, pushing through the crowd. Technically Reinhard was his great uncle--younger brother to Markus, but Leo always called him uncle.


    ¡°Your nephew¡¯s vile acts dishonor the virtuous Lady Bianca. I won¡¯t tolerate it, especially from a woman whose favor I¡¯ve recently gained.¡±


    ¡°Two months ago is not recent.¡± Leo japed. The crowd laughed.


    Reinhard glared at him and looked at Bianca. She turned away, avoiding the confrontation.


    ¡°Leo apologize--¡±


    ¡°The chivalrous Lord Bizzi has issued a challenge,¡± Leo said. ¡°His honor is at stake--¡±


    ¡°Lady Bianca¡¯s honor,¡± Nicco corrected through clenched teeth. ¡°Do you accept?¡±


    Leo stooped and picked up the glove. ¡°I accept.¡±


    The gathered guests gasped.


    ¡°Tomorrow, at dawn.¡±


    Leo wasn¡¯t a knight, but having practiced for over a decade with the sword instilled confidence in his abilities. ¡°Tomorrow is so far off. Why must we wait? For what is a duel, if not entertainment?¡± Leo peddled. The crowd enthusiastically applauded. The cheers grew louder and the circle around the two men spread outward. Onlookers crowded the overlooking balconies and the grand spiral staircase.


    ¡°I dare not spill the blood of my host,¡± Nicco said. ¡°The All-Father disapproves of such things. However, if Master Medistein is so eager to fight, I will pray for forgiveness if we duel to first blood.¡±


    ¡°How can I be sure you won¡¯t break your sacred vow and kill me, anyway?¡± Leo raised a finger. ¡°Perhaps we do the honorable thing and wait until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Because I never lie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve known many men to make such a claim, few to keep it.¡±


    ¡°A man without a creed is no man at all.¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°I find creeds as valuable as sand in a desert.¡±


    Nicco¡¯s eyes pierced through him. ¡°I swear on the Essence of Lorenzo and Isabella Bizzi should we cross swords today; I will honor the sacred laws of the All-Father and not kill you, merely bleed you.¡±


    Leo regarded his words. Nicco had a devout adherence to his faith. To swear on behalf of his dead parents ensured he spoke the truth, reaffirming Nicco¡¯s reputation. The crowd waited in silence. Leo felt their eyes on him, the tense anticipation of his answer. Perhaps he had finally bitten off more than he could chew. It didn¡¯t matter. Leo trusted in the gods. Refusing to allow anyone to upstage him at his own celebration. ¡°Draw your sword,¡± Leo prompted.


    ¡°Are you capable of spewing something other than liquor and lies?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°Oh I don¡¯t lie, but on occasion I have elaborated or omitted.¡± Laughter spread through the crowd. ¡°Does that worry you count?¡±


    ¡°Not the slightest. Draw your sword.¡±


    ¡°Lord Nicco,¡± Reinhard said with sorrow and embarrassment, ¡°I beg you, of all the times you two decide to settle this petty rivalry you choose now?¡± Hope filled Leo¡¯s heart at the prospect Reinhard might temper such passions. If nothing else, at least mediate an honorable withdraw.


    ¡°I do,¡± Nicco said and drew his sword. It hissed from its scabbard.


    Leo sighed. So much for Uncle¡¯s persuasion. ¡°I require a--¡± The ringing of another sword resounded within the chamber. His brother Karl stepped forward and handed Leo his sword.


    ¡°Once again, your mouth gets you into trouble,¡± Karl whispered. ¡°Fortunate for you I am still captain of the watch.¡±


    Leo leaned in and whispered as he took the sword. ¡°What¡¯s he doing? This was supposed to be a ruse for entertainment, nothing more.¡±


    Karl shrugged. ¡°You remember how to use this? It¡¯s like a pen--¡±


    ¡°Funny,¡± Leo interrupted, not amused. ¡°You sparred with Nicco dozens of times, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Karl stated.


    ¡°Any weaknesses, tips, or tricks to be aware of?¡±


    Karl took the glove from Leo¡¯s hand, pondered a moment. ¡°Yes.¡± Karl slapped him on the shoulders and stepped back.


    ¡°Most bewildering,¡± Leo said to himself.

 Chapter 3 - Leo

    Chapter 3


    Leo


    Leo¡¯s heart quickened. Bianca winked at Leo and instilled him with courage.


    Nicco knelt, his forehead resting on the hilt of his sword. He whispered a prayer and pulled a gold chain necklace from beneath his tunic. He kissed the diamond-shaped idol of the prophet Tellius and shoved it back beneath his shirt. Nicco stood and warmed up. He brandished his weapon and swiped the air before twirling his wrist.


    Leo also swiped the air a few times. The move did little to bolster his confidence, but he had to have faith in his past training. Nicco was a knight and superb swordsman; an aficionado of swords, like his famed father before him. Whereas Leo¡¯s strengths revolved around numbers. Specifically, how to use and manipulate them. Skilled in geometry, engineering, and architecture for more practical applications. Otto had ensured his education focused on matters of trade and banking. So he studied accounting and arbitrage, money exchange, and finance, and trade and economics. What use were such skills in a duel?


    ¡°Leo, Nicco,¡± Reinhard urged, ¡°stop this nonsense at once.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Nicco said, ¡°I cannot.¡± Nicco raised his sword to guard. ¡°Begin.¡±


    This has gone to far. Confusion seized him. Leo had intended to play a joke on his guests to give them something to gossip about until morning. After the party ended, Nicco and Leo arranged to make amends and the duel would be canceled--neither having lost any honor. But Nicco had changed that. His offense appeared to be genuine. The plan had changed and now he had to fight.


    They touched swords, once, then another quick two parries. Nicco opened with the Tarona Gambit attacking high. Leo felt a sting slap his neck. The duel ended in an instant. The crowd gasped. Nicco stepped away.


    Leo wiped his neck and looked at his hand. ¡°No blood.¡± He hit me with the flat of the blade.


    ¡°As intended. Again,¡± Nicco said.


    Shit, that was fast. Leo smirked and raised his sword to a high guard. Nicco attacked again with the Tarona Gambit. This time, Leo parried and stepped away. Nicco was playing with him like a cat might a wounded mouse. Leo attacked now with a series of jabs a Kaljer pirate had taught him, followed by a lunge which Nicco met with a riposte. Nicco counter-attacked with ease, his sword surrounded him like a cage, impenetrable. Leo flustered and delivered a feint that nearly caught Nicco, but he blocked it. Nicco spun and slashed. Leo jerked his offhand wrist away. The crowd gasped. The painful sting swelled. Leo looked down at his wrist. No blood, but a long welt in the shape of a blade tip swelled. Nicco had struck him with the flat of his blade.


    He intends to embarrass me, well that will be his mistake. Leo forced a smile. Took a deep breath and swung the sword in his hand again. Nicco had beaten him again. The two men resumed the duel. The singing of steel against steel rang out. Nicco pressed with voracious aggression. Leo retreated from the onslaught, no longer trying to parry every blow, but flee. He ran and jumped atop a gaming table, knocking chips and cards to the floor. People screamed and scurried aside.


    ¡°It is clear you are no match for me,¡± Nicco said. ¡°Do the honorable thing, uphold Lady Bianca¡¯s honor, and apologize.¡±


    Silence fell over the gathered crowd as Leo considered the offer. Hundreds of guests awaited his response. Leo answer and raised his sword. He held the high ground, and with it, the advantage. Leo had studied Nicco¡¯s moves and his patterns, and he had seen an opening. He would repeat the same attack and draw Nicco into his trap and win.


    Bianca stepped forward. ¡°Boys, if you both insist on spilling blood over my affections, please make it quick. The rest of us have a party to enjoy.¡±


    Suddenly, Nicco burst out in laughter. Reinhard keeled over, holding his belly. They pointed at each other. Karl and Bianca laughed as well. Bianca held her hands out. ¡°Medistein entertainment at its best,¡± she proclaimed. The gathered guest applauded and laughed, realizing--alongside Leo--the entire thing had been a charade for their entertainment.


    Leo¡¯s family planned a ruse against his guests, but it ended up being a ruse against himself. He smiled and nodded, accepting his embarrassment with all the grace he could muster. Bianca came to him and kissed him on the cheek. ¡°That wasn¡¯t what we had planned.¡± He whispered through gritted teeth and a forced smile.


    ¡°I know,¡± Bianca whispered back, ¡°but the boys had the idea. Besides, who am I to stop them?¡±


    ¡°You could have warned me.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s exuberant applause still filled the hall.


    Bianca chuckled in his ear. ¡°I had to top the spectacle of the Centennial Celebration.¡±


    The bard plucked away at a new song of quick tempo.


    Behind her, Nicco sheathed his sword while coming over and hugged Leo. ¡°I trust I didn¡¯t hurt you too badly?¡± Nicco asked with a smile.


    Just my pride. Leo considered his hand, then shook his head. ¡°Not at all,¡± Leo lied. Karl and Reinhard now approached as well, still laughing.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Leo said. ¡°My entire family plotted against me.¡±


    ¡°Oh come now, nephew,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°A little humility will do you some good.¡±


    Leo rolled his eyes and turned to Karl to return his sword. ¡°I believe this belongs to you.¡± Karl took the sword from him and sheathed it.


    ¡°Did he hit you?¡± Bianca asked with concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± boasted Leo. ¡°But dying in a duel at one¡¯s own party would certainly be remembered in history.¡±


    Reinhard came over carrying a tray of mugs. Leo took one and drank from it deeply. Nicco and Karl did likewise. ¡°I prefer wine,¡± Bianca said. Reinhard shrugged, set the tray on the table, and took the final two mugs for himself. Nicco¡¯s late father, Lorenzo, appointed Uncle Reinhard as the godfather of the Bizzi siblings. Leo had known Nicco since the age of six. Leo considered Nicco and his sister Alessandra family in all but name, even though they were not related by blood. The four had grown up together. ¡°Did Alessandra make the journey from Avictfell?¡± Bianca asked Nicco.


    Nicco swallowed a mouthful of beer. ¡°No, she mentioned something about her studies and that this party would be like the recent Centennial celebration.¡± closing out the fifteenth century.


    Bianca sipped her wine. ¡°Pity, I hope she supports my application with Arch Magus Sabine to train as an Essemancer.¡± She shot Leo an implying glance.


    That decision is beyond my control. Leo deflected. ¡°What was wrong with the Centennial?¡±


    Nicco shrugged. ¡°Her loss.¡±


    Karl had summoned another servant who brought over another round of beer. Leo grabbed another mug. ¡°Before you get too drunk, perhaps you should thank your guests,¡± Bianca said.


    Leo took a fresh mug and walked up the grand staircase. He paused where the staircase split in each direction and turned. He held up his mug. ¡°My lords and ladies,¡± he yelled over the clamor. The gathered crowd grew silent, all turned and regarded him. ¡°No ruses this time, I assure you.¡± The chamber filled with laughter. ¡°Medistein Tower is not only for my family but a symbol for all Tarona. The pinnacle of our greatness guides people to our city. A bastion to oversee is people and instilling a sense of security. Golden Gryphon gargoyles point in each cardinal direction of our great empire. Two more sit atop the observation deck overlooking each of Tarona¡¯s magnificent harbors. And of course, a seventh sits atop the golden pyramid roof, its gaze upward to the heavens and void above, to the Primordials. I want to ensure the citizens of this great city know they are protected. This tower is the greatest architectural achievement since the monoliths of the fallen Traessyean Empire. We will not be outdone by relics of the past as long as a Medistein resides in Tarona. And I assure you we have no intention of ever leaving. To Tarona!¡± Leo toasted and held up his mug. ¡°To Tarona!¡± The crowd echoed and drank.


    Leo descended the stairs back to the party. Karl and Bianca greeted him at the bottom. She gave him the look as she took his arm. ¡°You forgot to thank everyone,¡± she said with stressed emphasis.


    ¡°Did I?¡± He smirked.


    ¡°You did.¡± Bianca¡¯s brow arched.


    ¡°Well, thank you.¡±


    An adopted servant Tomas appeared emerging from the crowd like a specter. Tomas claimed to be twelve, but Leo would bet a platinum tarin Tomas was no more than ten. Short, skinny, and small, with a head to big for his body. ¡°Master Leo,¡± Tomas said, holding out a letter. ¡°A messenger just delivered this from your Father.¡± Leo gave him a copper tarin commonly known as ¡®crowns.¡¯ The crown depicted the Primordial deity Pylorys on one side and a crown on the other. The nobles claimed it reminded the commonfolk who they served every time they spent it.


    ¡°Put it on my desk.¡±


    ¡°The messenger insisted it was to be opened immediately.¡±


    Bianca unhooked her arm from his. ¡°I will leave you to your business,¡± she said. ¡°Lord Nicco, would you care to escort me?¡± Nicco smiled, bowed, and extended his arm. Bianca hooked her right arm through his and the couple walked into the crowd. Leo squinted as he watched them drift away like a ship at sea.


    Leo took the letter from Tomas. He had an overly large head with brown hair and a crooked nose. ¡°Thanks coffee bean.¡± Leo turned toward his brother. ¡°Karl, I don¡¯t want business matters to spoil the celebration.¡±


    ¡°Must you always be so--¡±


    ¡°Fun?¡±


    ¡°Defiant,¡± Karl corrected. ¡°Well, if you don¡¯t open it, I will,¡±


    ¡°Open it,¡± Leo said waving one hand and pressing the letter against Karl¡¯s chest with the other. ¡°Father is probably just sending his congratulations.¡± Would it kill him to set aside business for one night and acknowledge any of my accomplishments.


    Karl sighed and ripped the letter open, reading over it. Leo stepped away, intending to socialize with other guests. A hand grabbed his arm, spinning Leo, and Karl shoved the letter back against his chest with a grimace. ¡°Lector Ricci has died. The Emperor is demanding full payment of his estate.¡±


    ¡°Specters steal me.¡± Luck didn¡¯t favor him this day. Why couldn¡¯t the old bastard have lived a little longer? Leo considered the letter¡¯s ramifications. Lector Ricci held the third largest account with the Medistein Bank. With the recent expenses for his tower, Leo knew they didn¡¯t hold enough gold in reserve to pay in full. Any other claimant besides the Karvyean¡¯s--the imperial family--could be easily dealt with.


    The Karvyeans had backed Lector Ricci two decades ago during the last election of the Grand Vicar by the Tellisium Church¡¯s College of Lectors. Lector Ricci had lost because the Medistein backed the current Grand Vicar Rodrigo Malgais.


    ¡°This is a problem,¡± Karl said.


    Only for Father--only for a Telliusian. Otto Medistein converted to Tellisium as a caveat for Rodrigo to accept the bank¡¯s financing. This was in the famed year of Dual Elections after both the prior emperor and Grand Vicar had died on the Third Expedition. In order to balance the power of the church and crown, the Medistein Bank split it¡¯s support. ¡°I don¡¯t think Lector Ricci¡¯s corpse will mind.¡±


    ¡°Father minds, as do the Karvyeans.¡±


    The Karvyeans were furious once they discovered House Medistein¡¯s opposition. To lessen the sting, Otto financed the Karvyean dynasty¡¯s imperial bid for the Golden Throne. Afterward, Otto mended both relationships, financing Lector Ricci¡¯s lifestyle as well the Karvyeans by pointing out the mutual benefit their houses had to gain.


    ¡°Business can wait until morning. For now, let¡¯s enjoy ourselves.¡± Leo stepped away intending to bask in the recognizing of the gather nobility and burghers. Karl grabbed his arm pulling him back.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Karl scowled.


    ¡°There.¡± Leo pointed toward Contessa. ¡°If Father wants me to attend to matters of business, I shall.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that is what he intended.¡±


    Leo smirked. ¡°One of us has to solicit new business.¡± Emperor Viktor Karvyean agreed to make the Medistein Bank the crown¡¯s primary lender. A decade later, House Medistein financed a Fourth Expedition to discover more Essemancy secrets. Being the primary lender to both the crown and Tellisium church had made House Medistein quite rich. Even still, House Karyvean and Medistein had ambiguous relations at best.


    ¡°Your responsibilities come first.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s more responsible than a banker and money?¡± Leo slapped him on the shoulders. ¡°Enjoy yourself, brother. I can¡¯t always do it for us both.¡±


    Karl frowned.


    Leo strode straight to Contessa. Joy and business were two sides of the same coin.

 Chapter 4 - Leo

    Chapter 4


    Leo


    ¡°Wake up,¡± Karl commanded.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± Leo grumbled, pulling the sheet over his eyes. Leo knew his head would split in two at any moment now.


    ¡°Past breakfast. Our parents just arrived.¡±


    Leo groaned. A splash of liquid hit his head, seeping through the sheets. Leo roared, and another more feminine scream joined him. Contessa poked her head out from beneath the sheet. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, eyes wide with fright.


    ¡°Noooothing,¡± Leo slurred said. He winced, his head pounding with pain. ¡°My broooother has forgooootten his mannerssss.¡±


    Contessa blushed and sunk back beneath the silk sheets.


    ¡°Apologies, my lady,¡± Karl said, casting a disapproving look at Leo. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize my brother had company.¡±


    Some of the liquid dripped from his curly hair, now half-matted and wet. A drop touched his lip. ¡°Wasthatmybeer?¡±


    Karl shrugged and placed the empty mug on the nightstand. ¡°Unless you pissed in the mug.¡±


    ¡°Hope it waaaas beeer.¡±


    ¡°How is it you are the older one, but somehow always less mature?¡±


    ¡°Shhhh!¡± Leo combed the wet lock of hair back. ¡°Because--¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it, I¡¯m not in the mood, and Father won¡¯t be either.¡± Karl pulled open the bedroom curtain.


    Leo squinted at the morning light beaming into his bedroom. ¡°Father¡¯s here?¡±


    ¡°Better sober up quick.¡± Karl answered. ¡°Get dressed, and meet us in that new luxurious office of yours.¡± Karl left, and the door slammed behind him.


    Leo looked for his clothes. ¡°Sorry you had to witness that.¡± His forced smile turned to a wince as his head felt like a lumberjack splitting wood between his ears.


    ¡°Will he tell?¡± Contessa asked.


    ¡°He never does...¡± Leo said, only realizing his error a moment too late. Contessa frowned. Being hungover made him brutally honest at times. ¡°That came out wrong.¡±


    Contessa slapped him. ¡°I¡¯m a lady. I will not be gossiped about by men in their cups.¡±


    The sting sobered him a bit. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it--I¡¯m much too busy with such insignificant things.¡±


    Contessa screamed in frustration and yanked the covers. A pulsing pain tore through his temples. Leo released the sheets, and pressed his hand to his head, causing Contessa¡¯s momentum to send her rolling off the plush bed and thudding against the floor. Contessa moaned as she wrapped the surrounding sheet around herself. Leo got up, ass naked, found his pants, and put them on. All the while Contessa released a string of swears a sailor would envy.


    Not very ladylike. ¡°So now you want to talk dirty?¡±


    Contessa shrieked, grabbed his own boot, and hurled it at him--missing. Fortunately for him, her aim was poor because, in his current state, his reflexes were sluggish at best.


    ¡°A pleasure, my lady. If you require anything, just ask for my servant Tomas.¡± Leo left the room and closed the door. He found Karl waiting outside.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Karl said, turning his head away in disgust, ¡°you stink of beer and sex.¡±


    ¡°The smell of any grand celebration.¡± Leo staggered onward as they walked down the hall. A pounding hammer hit his skull with each step.


    ¡°What happened with Contessa?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°A gentleman never kisses and tells.¡±


    ¡°You are many things, brother,¡± Karl said dryly, ¡°but a gentleman is not among them.¡±


    Leo shrugged. ¡°I find it far too boring.¡±


    ¡°And what of Bianca?¡±


    ¡°During the night, words were exchanged...and um... I saw Nicco accompany her throughout the rest of the evening. Nicco¡¯s affections were quite honorable.¡±


    Karl raised a brow. ¡°And um? You¡¯re not one to be at a loss for words. Are you smitten with this one?¡±


    Leo cocked his head and massaged his temple.


    ¡°No, likely you were clever one too many times.¡±


    Leo tried to shrug, but the motion tilted him off balance, and his shoulder smashed into the wall. ¡°Is there such a thing?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And what of Contessa? I heard her scream--twice, not to mention the colorful language.¡±


    ¡°I think I was too clever with her as well.¡± Leo half frowned, half smirked.


    Karl chuckled. ¡°For Fate and Fortune.¡±


    Leo staggered onward, using the wall to aid his balance. ¡°The fairer sex is a mystery to most men, but if you spent more time with them, perhaps you would uncover their secrets.¡±


    ¡°At this pace, we¡¯ll arrive by sunset.¡± Karl looped Leo¡¯s arm around his shoulder--stabilizing his stumble. Such a good brother. ¡°Must you always be such as asshole?¡±


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Leo feigned.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did the truth hurt?¡± Karl mimicked Leo¡¯s demeanor.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right.¡± Leo pressed his forehead. ¡°I was referring to this headache.¡±


    They arrived in front of the office door. ¡°Where is your shirt?¡±


    Leo paused, turned, and pointed back down the hall. ¡°Likely wherever Contessa threw it. She was quite eager to see me rid of my clothes.¡± His head rolled, his vision spun, and the hallway blurred, struggling to catch up. Leo¡¯s hands squeezed his head in a vain attempt to press away the pain.


    ¡°Too late for it now. Specters steal you,¡± Karl said, teeth clenched. ¡°Are you still drunk?¡±


    ¡°Hung over,¡± Leo corrected. The world came back to focus.


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re sober enough to be an ass, you¡¯re sober enough to talk business.¡±


    ¡°Sobriety is just the boring state between--¡±


    Karl slapped him. Not as hard as some of the women in his past had, but enough to jolt his eyes wide with a fresh sting of adrenaline. ¡°Focus brother, Father said this business with the Ricci estate is serious.¡±


    Leo rubbed the sting from his jaw. ¡°Twice in one morning. I must be losing my touch.¡±


    Karl rolled his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t even ask.¡± Karl opened the door to the office.


    On the far wall, a bookshelf surrounded a sumptuous marble fireplace. A painting of his grandfather Markus ¡®The Magnificent¡¯ Medistein hung above the mantle. Leo shared his grandfather¡¯s dark curls. A few of Uncle Reinhard¡¯s paintings also hung along the walls. A tray-tiered ceiling with crown molding at each level gave the illusion of a larger room. Someone had drawn back the red curtains to illuminate the room. The sea breeze wafted an aroma of shit and salt. Leo swallowed his stomach and held down a sudden urge to vomit.


    Leo followed behind Karl and found his parents sitting at a polished oak table on cushioned chairs. They drank from fine crystal glasses. To Leo¡¯s surprise, his adopted brother, Nicco, was also present. Nicco was the lone blond in a room of raven-haired Medistein. Leo pulled out a chair and settled in at the table. Karl sat next to him. When Leo went to pour himself some wine, Karl snatched the jug out of his reach, grabbed a glass pitcher of water, and thunked it down before him. Water splashed on the table.


    His father Otto scowled, his menacing expression enhanced by his dark hair and goatee. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even make yourself presentable? You¡¯re my heir, a Medistein. If we¡¯re to rise into nobility, you must first act like it.¡±


    Contessa¡¯s nobility and she acts far more sinful than me. Leo opened his mouth.


    Otto raised a finger. ¡°Don¡¯t! Why do you insist on acting like your grandfather? I¡¯ll never understand. If you want to embarrass yourself or me, fine, but how dare you present yourself to your mother in such a manner?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing she hasn¡¯t seen before,¡± Leo quipped.


    ¡°Ah yes, sarcasm, the more questionable of your talents.¡±


    ¡°So you do think I¡¯m talented?¡±


    Otto expressed his displeasure. ¡°Talent is free, ideas are cheap, hard work is an investment in yourself. If you¡¯re not willing to invest in yourself, why would anyone else?¡±


    Leo rubbed his temples. ¡°I had a long evening, a restless night, and a painful morning. My head is pounding, and I haven¡¯t eaten breakfast yet. Can we make this quick?¡±


    ¡°Nicco only has a fractional share in the holding company, yet shows more urgency and concern than you.¡±


    ¡°If only we could all hope to live up to such idealistic virtues.¡± Leo leered at Nicco.


    Nicco smiled with tight lips, having grown accustomed to Leo¡¯s sarcasm long ago.


    Otto tapped a book ledger resting before him. ¡°I was reviewing our books, particularly your frivolous spending habits. Extravagant parties, musicians, dancing troupes, gambling, and this is only what I can account for. Not to mention this over-budgeted Medistein Tower. You have severely over-leveraged the Medistein bank.¡±


    ¡°Are we not sitting in this fabulous, albeit expensive tower as we speak?¡±


    Otto slammed his fist against the table. ¡°This is serious!¡±


    His mother Sophia jumped, jostling her ink black hair. With kind eyes she said, ¡°Otto, yelling will do no one any good.¡±


    Otto took a deep breath to compose himself. ¡°We only hold a fraction of deposits on reserve. The banking system only works if people trust in our ability to provide their money when they want it. Our bank¡¯s liquidity is as thin as paper. Your selfish extravagances and endeavors to complete this tower now threaten to bring about the ruin of our house.¡±


    Gods forbid you might show any recognition of my accomplishments. ¡°Somehow, our entire bank¡¯s problems are all my fault,¡± Leo mumbled. Otto¡¯s brow scrunched tight, and he crossed his arms.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we sell assets to raise the funds?¡± Karl suggested. ¡°Or shares in the company or mines?¡±


    ¡°Suppose we do,¡± Otto said. ¡°That merchant spreads the word about his deal. Boast even. So we sell to another merchant or lord, and he boasts of his stake in the Medistein mines. Word spreads that the Medistein Bank is looking to raise funds. Other merchants take notice and drive harder bargains, forcing us to sell at lower and lower prices. Why does the Medistein raise so much coin, they wonder? Soon enough, other bankers would wonder if the solvency of our bank is at risk.¡±


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°By then it¡¯s too late,¡± Sophia said.


    Otto nodded and continued. ¡°The blood is in the water. Rival bankers would sow further panic. Merchants would demand withdraws in full, fearing we do not hold their gold. Soon enough, everyone wants their money. Until it all comes toppling down.¡± He uncrossed his arms and pressed his finger into the table, emphasizing his next point. ¡°This tower included. Forced to liquidate all our holdings until the destitute Medistein house wanders the very streets we help pave.¡± Otto rubbed his chin. ¡°Assuming we raise enough in time to cover the enormous Ricci account, I might add.¡±


    Karl gulped. ¡°That can happen?¡±


    ¡°Leave the thinking to the bankers,¡± Leo said. Karl punched him in the arm. Leo kneaded his bicep, trying to massage the pain away. ¡°Don¡¯t be so tense, little brother.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m bigger than you, little brother,¡± Karl said with clenched teeth. The day Karl grew taller than him, he took every opportunity to remind Leo of his shorter stature, despite being the younger brother.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Sophia said. ¡°You¡¯ll always be my children, but that doesn¡¯t give either of you an excuse to act like one.¡±


    Leo opened his mouth. His mother gave him the look only a mother can give. A look that dared her child to defy her. Leo thought for a moment and remained silent.


    ¡°Otto, what are we going to do?¡± Sophia asked, with eyebrows wrinkled together. ¡°The crown is demanding payout in full. Payment of gold we don¡¯t have.¡±


    Otto twisted his signet ring in deep thought. ¡°If we started selling assets in the amount needed for the payout, we¡¯d create a bank run. With House Medistein bankrupt, the effects would spread, crushing Tarona¡¯s economy. With lost livelihoods, businesses will fail, and children will starve. After Tarona collapsed, Enthos League trade would suffer. Then the effects would roll across the Avictean Empire like a tsunami crashing against the shore.¡±


    Leo pressed his temples, contemplating everything Otto had told him. His mind struggled, still at battle with the incessant pounding headache.


    ¡°Taking care of the people of Tarona is our responsibility.¡± Sophia¡¯s concern was understandable since she oversaw the Medistein public housing, health and charities.


    ¡°I agree,¡± Nicco added.


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m just trying to look after my family!¡± Otto stressed. Sophia rested her hand on Otto¡¯s, softening his expression. ¡°Tell me now Leo,¡± Otto spoke softly, ¡°are there any other expenses I should know about?¡±


    Leo groaned a painful ¡°No.¡±


    A knock sounded on the door, Otto turned. ¡°Come in.¡±


    Uncle Reinhard entered, carrying another letter. ¡°A letter from the Grand Vicar.¡±


    Otto took the letter with a swear. ¡°Tellius, take me.¡±


    He won¡¯t be the one to take you, my gods will. Tellius was the All-Father¡¯s prophet, worshiped by Otto after he forsook the Primordials of Theogony--gods of House Medistein.


    Otto broke the letter¡¯s seal and began reading. As he did, his expression turned to grief. ¡°And now the Grand Vicar lays claim to the Ricci estate on behalf of the Tellisium Church.¡±


    Sophia¡¯s crumpled her mouth. ¡°We can¡¯t very well pay the both of them.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, but who has the rightful claim?¡±


    ¡°The church does,¡± Leo said. ¡°If a priest dies, their possessions revert to the church by secular law.¡±


    ¡°The Karvyeans claim the estate by right of imperial law since the lands, possessions, and gold were posted as collateral.¡±


    ¡°Collateral for what?¡± Sophia asked.


    ¡°Support in the Year of Dual Election for Grand Vicar,¡± Otto answered. The election Otto had backed the victorious Grand Vicar Rodrigo Malgais against Lector Ricci in. Then Lector Rodrigo had insisted he would only bank with Telliusians, and so Otto converted to secure Medistein financing. With Medistein gold, Rodrigo Malgais was elected by the College of Lectors in the year fourteen eighty-two--the same year of Emperor Viktor Karvyean election.


    ¡°Is there a precedent for such a situation?¡± Reinhard asked.


    ¡°Not that I am aware of,¡± Otto answered. ¡°I have a few lawyers looking into the matter.¡±


    Sophia shifted in her chair. ¡°Can he do that?¡±


    ¡°He did.¡± Otto shrugged. ¡°Whether it¡¯s legal is another matter.¡±


    ¡°What are we to do?¡±


    ¡°We can sell salts,¡± Otto answered, ¡°but with the recent salt tax, we would flood the market and drive down the price.¡±


    House Medistein made their fortune off the salt mines beneath Tarona after Markus the Magnificent purchased them years ago. The mines contained both magical and common salt. Trade in the latter commodity prospered for seasoning and food preservation. Ancient Traessyeans believed the rarer colored salts were the crystallized blood of the Primordials. Those salts were a necessary commodity to manipulate the Essence with Essemancy. Without House Medistein¡¯s salt monopoly--and by extension the control of Essemancy magic--they were just another ordinary bank.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s for the best,¡± Nicco said. ¡°Does Tellius not preach of the virtues of sharing?¡±


    Leo failed to hold back a laugh. The All-Father had reincarnated his Essence in Tellius long ago. Tellius preached virtues and vices, teaching his Thesis throughout the Traessyean Empire during the Reclamation. One such virtue and vice pairing were sharing and hoarding.


    Nicco folded his arms across his chest. ¡°There are those who speak of Medistein greed.¡±


    Leo scoffed in disbelief at Nicco¡¯s stupidity. ¡°How is it greedy to want to keep the wealth my family has earned, but not greed for the empire to take it as taxes?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve sold salts to Theogonist acolytes for years,¡± Otto said.


    ¡°And ever since Grand Vicar Malgais¡¯ election, he has sought salts,¡± Leo pointed out.


    ¡°His predecessor Grand Vicar Arturo wanted them. Why do you think he supported additional Expeditions?¡±


    Reinhard motioned his hands down. ¡°Calm yourselves.¡±


    ¡°We must also consider trade relations with Lyrea,¡± Sophia added, intending to move on before further confrontation escalated. The Lyrean Kingdom traded salt with the empire as well. Otto had arranged with King Kaius of Lyrea to maintain a fixed price range. The last thing they needed was to upset a king and start a trade war.


    ¡°Among others,¡± Otto agreed. ¡°Not to mention the possibility we would lose our monopoly over such a vital resource.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t trust the Avictean Empire with such power,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Nor the Tellisium Church,¡± Karl added.


    ¡°It¡¯s a fine line we walk,¡± Otto said in defense of his religion.


    Only Otto and Nicco worshiped Tellisium¡¯s All-Father. When Otto married Sophia, they were both Theogonists. After Otto¡¯s conversion, Sophia insisted that their children be raised as Theogonists, ensuring Leo and Karl practiced Theogony. Leo still doubted his father¡¯s sincerity in converting, believing the conversion was nothing more than an elaborate ruse to allow the Medistein Bank to gain the churches accounts.


    ¡°Honestly,¡± Otto continued, ¡°I¡¯m surprised we¡¯ve maintained control of salt for as long as we have.¡±


    Despite being a Theogonist, Leo believed the church¡¯s desire to acquire Essemancy salts opened many doors. Leo had wanted a worthy endeavor to showcase his abilities. Securing the contract from Grand Vicar Rodrigo to construct the Tellisium Cathedral in Ryvium proved simple enough. Bianca had introduced them and Leo had quoted the Tellius Thesis--which exact passage he couldn¡¯t recall. With a bit of charm and demonstration of his engineering talent, Leo had convinced Rodrigo.


    His mother had used their printing presses to proclaim the gesture as a sign of appeasement among the two once bitter rival religions. She had believed condoning a Theogonist to build an elegant Cathedral for the All-Father would promote unity between the two religions.


    ¡°Likely due to the impenetrable position of Tarona,¡± Karl said. ¡°There is a reason the ancient Traessyean Empire expanded so quickly.¡±


    ¡°And fell as quick,¡± Reinhard added, lowering his head with a tug of his beard. ¡°We have to find another way. We cannot allow the Avictean Empire or Tellisium Church to secure dominance in the salt trade.¡± Reinhard stroked his long beard. ¡°What about the salt and spice trade from Lyrea or Sojun?¡±


    Tarona¡¯s wealth flourished as the major port of trade between the Avictean Empire and lands across the Enthos Sea. Tarona traded textiles and salt for coffee, citrus fruits, sugarcane, silk, gemstones, and glass.


    ¡°An option to consider,¡± Otto agreed, ¡°but the Kaljer Corsairs plunder the Enthos Sea heaviest in the spring.¡±


    ¡°Spring is almost over. Can we wait for monsoon season?¡±


    ¡°We could, but fewer captains dare to make such a voyage.¡±


    ¡°Between pirates and hurricanes, the former is the safer option.¡±


    ¡°Ugh,¡± Leo groaned. ¡°Everyone is overthinking this. Just bribe the Grand Vicar and get him to drop the church¡¯s claim. Afterward, we wait for the tribunal to find a favorable ruling that denies the Karvyean¡¯s claim.¡±


    ¡°Why would the church take a bribe for something they already have a legal claim to?¡± Otto asked.


    ¡°Not the church,¡± Leo answered. ¡°The Grand Vicar.¡±


    Nicco shifted in his chair. ¡°Don¡¯t speak ill of the Grand Vicar.¡±


    ¡°I speak the truth. I cannot help that your idealism refuses to accept it.¡± Nicco¡¯s hands balled into fists. ¡°We have an opportunity here. While building the cathedral, I got to know Rodrigo quite well.¡±


    ¡°How well?¡± Otto asked.


    ¡°Enough to know his hedonism has no limits.¡±


    ¡°Something you two have in common,¡± Karl quipped. Reinhard snickered.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Otto said. ¡°His...activities are well known. Can you be sure--¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll take it,¡± Leo insisted. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± Otto frowned. ¡°Father, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re unsure or unwilling to trust me, but I promise you I know him. I know things about him no one else does.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    Leo shrugged. All this arguing only made his headache worse. ¡°That Rodrigo takes a spoonful of poison with his breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Sophia asked in astonishment.


    ¡°To increase his immunity. The precaution was necessary, as I witnessed him survive two such attempts.¡±


    ¡°Who would dare poison the Grand Vicar?¡± Otto asked.


    ¡°He has many enemies among the College of Lectors.¡±


    ¡°Is nothing sacred in this world anymore?¡±


    Leo shrugged. ¡°Some things may be, but not Rodrigo. He is a greedy hedonist. Trust me, he will take the bribe.¡±


    ¡°Assuming that works,¡± Sophia said, ¡°what¡¯s assuring the tribunal will rule in our favor?¡±


    ¡°Bribe them as well,¡± Leo said with a wave of his hand. He massaged his temples, failing to suppress the throbbing pain within his skull. Will this headache ever end?


    Nicco crossed his arms. ¡°There is no honor in such action.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just business,¡± Otto said. ¡°Besides, do you think the Grand Vicar is honorable, or the emperor?¡±


    Leo snorted, then winced. He folded his arms on the table and sat his head down, using them as a pillow.


    ¡°Varus is an honorable man,¡± Nicco said. ¡°He has served as co-regent faithfully for a decade or more. A man like that could have seized power from his father long ago.¡±


    ¡°In a way, he already has,¡± Reinhard answered.


    ¡°The Traessyeans would kill their kin to secure power--¡±


    ¡°If Lord Varus committed regicide, there would be a new election, and the Assembly would choose a new emperor. He might lose whatever little power he has.¡±


    ¡°Unlikely, the Karvyean dynasty has a long history of emperors.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t the emperor¡¯s predecessor of house Aldric?¡± Reinhard asked, proving his point. Emperor Richard Aldric was Bianca¡¯s deceased uncle on her mother¡¯s side.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nicco said, ceding to Reinhard¡¯s wisdom.


    ¡°Spend enough time in Avictfell and you will realize the electors want weak emperors to maintain their power.¡±


    Leo raised his head. ¡°If you two are going to discuss the exciting history of family lineages, may I leave?¡±


    Reinhard and Nicco scowled at him, but at least they were quiet.


    ¡°Leo is right--¡± Otto said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Can you say that again?¡± Otto ignored his quip, rubbing his temples. Leo continued. ¡°We¡¯ll bribe Grand Vicar Rodrigo. Once he drops his claims, we present the evidence to the crown rebuking the Karvyean claims. If necessary, we take the matter before the Imperial Assembly. That should at least buy us time to increase our liquidity.¡±


    Otto sighed. ¡°And how do you propose we do that? The crown and church are our largest accounts. Even if we incentivized the nobility to deposit funds, I doubt we¡¯d raise enough to cover the payout.¡±


    If only he would listen to me. This time Leo sighed. ¡°Which is why we have to get the church to drop the claim.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to be in Avictfell to ensure such a plan,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°I¡¯m going with you,¡± Sophia said. ¡°Someone must make the arrangements at the Avictfell branch while you deal with the Karvyeans and the Assembly.¡± Otto nodded and placed his hand on hers.


    ¡°That means Leo must oversee any matters here,¡± Otto said. ¡°I¡¯m relying on your influence with the Grand Vicar, son. Be ready to message him at any moment. I want to conclude the deal as quickly as possible.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°I trust you will have no problem in maintaining appearances of Medistein wealth.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what I¡¯m best at.¡± Leo smirked, gesturing to the lavishness surrounding them.


    Otto frowned. ¡°Try to be more responsible, Leo. How do you expect to lead this house one day with such rash behavior?¡±


    Leo considered his father¡¯s question but said nothing. The meeting concluded, and with the wall aiding his balance, Leo shuffled through the tower passageways toward his room.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Sophia called from behind. Leo stopped and leaned against the wall. His mother approached. She sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t be such a narcissist.¡±


    ¡°Mother, you wound me,¡± Leo said, holding his hand to his heart.


    ¡°We are counting on you. I trust you and your brother will get along while your father and I are away.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it if Karl lacks--¡±


    ¡°People don¡¯t have a problem with your intelligence Leo, it¡¯s your attitude.¡± Leo considered her words. ¡°A day will come when you will lead this house. When Otto and I have made the final sojourn to the heavens above, you¡¯ll need your brother.¡±


    Leo chuckled. ¡°His sword arm, perhaps.¡±


    ¡°Look at me.¡± She commanded in a motherly tone.


    ¡°Not only Karl, but your adopted siblings as well.¡± Her tone was soft once again. ¡°Allie and Nicco may as well be family. Your relationships with them will endure longer than any others in your life. No one else will know you better. As for your father, try to be less...defiant.¡±


    Maybe acting a bit more responsible couldn¡¯t hurt. Leo knew she was right--as always. And he did love his brothers, despite the pain in the ass they were--Nicco especially. Somehow, his mother had a knack for seeing past his persona. He imagined all mothers had such a gift. Leo nodded.


    ¡°Mother,¡± Karl said, approaching from behind her. ¡°Father wants to speak with you.¡±


    Sophia turned and nodded. ¡°Come here,¡± she said and pulled Karl close. ¡°I would have expected you two to grow out of such spats by now.¡± His brother looked at him with a scowl. A particular scowl that expressed concern and anger. The expression he made whenever he feared the coming punishment from his mother after they had fought.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Sophia said, placing a hand on each of their cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m not upset.¡±


    ¡°What about Father?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°You know your father.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s always upset.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s always stressed.¡±


    ¡°True, but not like this. The Ricci estate has him twisted in a knot.¡±


    Sophia sighed and gave a knowing, tight-lipped smile. ¡°I need you both to do me a favor. I need you to be united while we are gone. To rely on each other, like your father and I rely on the both of you.¡±


    Karl nodded. Leo thought he nodded, but wasn¡¯t sure. Maybe it was his headache rocking back and forth with his skull.


    ¡°Promise me,¡± she said, tenderness in her voice.


    ¡°I promise,¡± Karl said.


    Sophia''s hand released Karl¡¯s cheek. Then she gently rested her forehead against Leo¡¯s forehead. ¡°I promise,¡± Leo mumbled. Sophia smiled and embraced them both in a hug.


    ¡°I¡¯m a grown man,¡± Leo said. ¡°Must you still do that?¡±


    ¡°You will always be my little boy,¡± she said.


    ¡°What about Karl?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll always be my big boy,¡± Sophia smirked. Karl elbowed him in the ribs, prompting a grunt from Leo. ¡°Take me to Otto,¡± Sophia said. Karl spun on his heel, escorting his mother away.


    Leo made his way back to his room, leaning against the wall to steady himself. He really wanted this headache to end. As he opened the door, a strong, putrid odor made him feel sick. His hand rose to his mouth, but in a moment of weakness, he vomited in the doorway. Leo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and closed entered his room. Contessa was gone, and Leo collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep once again.

 Chapter 5 - Varus

    Chapter 5


    Varus


    Varus stood in the Hanging Gardens, looking out over the bloodstained Avictfell city square below. Dozens had died in the riot that had taken Lector Ricci¡¯s life. Avictfell felt different since that day--more subdued. Lector Ricci¡¯s death quashed any further chance of rebellion. His death served as a reminder to the people how the Crimson Cloaks earned their name and reputation. The commonfolk placed too much faith in the Telliusian priests. Varus had learned long ago on the Second Expedition how much divine power the Grand Vicar and the Tellisium Church held.


    Varus brushed the petals of a pink Stargazer lily. They had been Heidi¡¯s favorite. He snipped away an encroaching fern with the sheers.


    ¡°My lord,¡± Svetlana said from behind him.


    Svetlana had trained at the Arites Academy and learned Essemancy alongside Arch Magus Sabine. Unlike other Essemancers who took up temporary contracts for service to lords and burghers, Svetlana signed an exclusivity contract for service to House Karyvean. He needed someone he could trust. Someone whose allegiance was not bound by the highest bidder. Svetlana had agreed. Varus found her telepathic abilities quite useful.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Varus asked.


    ¡°Otto Medistein has arrived. He waits in your office.¡±


    ¡°Show him to the gardens.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    Varus liked to hold important meetings in the gardens where he could keep a clear mind. Fortunately, his office stood nearby. Nowadays, Varus gardened because he relished molding the chaos and complexity of nature into order.


    ¡°My lord, I present to you, Otto Medistein,¡± Svetlana said.


    Varus turned. In his experience, men of the station were materialist, gluttonous, or promiscuous. Given Otto was a banker, the vice seemed clear. Otto stood on the path, ornately dressed as expected, with well-kept dark hair and a fine-trimmed goatee. The man looked exhausted. Deep, dark circles rested beneath his eyes. Otto swallowed hard. ¡°Otto, you didn¡¯t need to travel all this way. A message would have sufficed.¡±


    ¡°Lord Varus,¡± Otto said, ¡°I come to discuss the matter of Lector Ricci¡¯s accounts. In the past, it was customary for me to deal with the emperor himself regarding matters of the Imperial accounts.¡±


    ¡°I recall I was the one who wrote you the letter.¡±


    ¡°Yes m¡¯lord, but--¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, the emperor is in disposed at the moment, Master Medistein. Having acted as co-regent for over a decade, I assure you I am more than capable of handling such matters.¡±


    Otto forced a smile. ¡°Of course, m¡¯lord. Should we sit in your office where--¡±


    ¡°I prefer the garden,¡± Varus interrupted. ¡°I find its atmosphere more...relaxing.¡± They walked along a path past a flowering hibiscus. Svetlana followed a dozen paces behind, outside of hearing range, but close enough should he need her.


    ¡°Very well, m¡¯lord. Shall I begin?¡± Otto asked. Varus gave a slight nod.


    ¡°With Lector Ricci¡¯s death, let his Essence be eternal,¡± Otto traced the diamond over his chest. Varus shared the religion but provided no blessing. ¡°His estate had several outstanding loans and a substantial saving account with the Medistein Bank. Settling the debt of an estate is a legal requirement once claimed. If the debt cannot be settled, the Medistein Bank is entitled to property from the estate that is equal to the debt owed.¡±


    ¡°I am well aware of the laws, Otto. Let us move on to more material matters, like when house Karvyean can expect its payout.¡±


    ¡°M¡¯lord, it¡¯s no secret House Karvyean and House Malgais have no fondness for one another. The Medistein Bank sees itself as more of a mediator in this situation. You must understand we cannot pay the same claim to two parties. The Medistein Bank has no records of any Karvyean claims on the Ricci estate.¡±


    ¡°Otto, I don¡¯t see the issue,¡± Varus said. ¡°Is it so hard to imagine Lector Ricci held a large outstanding loan with the crown? That debt has now come due and I mean to collect. Given Lector Ricci held his accounts with the Medistein Bank, it falls on the bank to settle any debts.¡±


    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lord,¡± Otto agreed, ¡°but legally, we require proof of that debt.¡±


    They ascended cobble stairs to the next tier of the garden and continued along the path under hanging willows, branches shading the path.


    ¡°You of all people should know house Karvyean supported Lector Ricci as a candidate years ago, Otto. I believe it was the Medistein Bank backing of Grand Vicar Rodrigo that ensured his selection.¡± Varus pointed the sheers in his hand at Otto to emphasize his point.


    Otto swallowed. ¡°That was nearly two decades ago.¡±


    ¡°A dragon never forgets.¡± He let Otto stew over the words. ¡°But if the Medistein Bank requires proof, the Medistein Bank shall have it.¡± Varus turned. ¡°Svetlana, bring me the records of the outstanding accounts for Lector Ricci. They are in my desk, top drawer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡± Svetlana rushed off.


    Otto plastered on a smile like a merchant hawking poor wares. ¡°If m¡¯lord can provide proof, certainly that would change things.¡±


    ¡°Certainly.¡± Varus agreed coldly.


    Otto looked away. ¡°The estate assets must first pay the debt Lector Ricci had with House Karvyean and the Medistein Bank. Afterward, the estate beneficiary may receive the remaining value. However, there is an issue. The Grand Vicar has also claimed the estate on behalf of the Tellisium Church.¡±


    ¡°An issue for the Medistein Bank, not the crown.¡±


    Upward they went to the third terrace. A waterfall gently trickled from above into a large pond with benches surrounding it. Lily pads floated on the surface of the water.


    ¡°M¡¯lord, unfortunately, the law is clear. Any lands, accounts, and estates held by members of the Tellisium Church revert to the church upon that member¡¯s death.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but withstanding any outstanding loans, the lands Lector Ricci had received were gifted directly from the Imperial demesne. By law, any Imperial lands return to the crown upon the death of the owner if no legitimate heir can claim those lands. Given Ricci was without an heir, naturally, those lands would return to the crown.¡±


    Otto sighed, his frustration beginning to show. ¡°M¡¯lord, the Medistein Bank has done a great deal of business with the Imperial Crown. Lector Ricci¡¯s estate is minuscule in comparison. Can you not simply drop this matter and let everyone move on with their lives? The Medistein Bank will remember such a favor in the future.¡±


    Varus glared at Otto. ¡°And I assure you, the Imperial Crown would remember as much, should the Medistein Bank support the crown¡¯s claim. Is house Karvyeans favor of any less value than house Medistein¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Of course not, m¡¯lord,¡± Otto said and shuffled in place. He looked away, feigning interest in a nearby fountain. ¡°Perhaps we should wait for Svetlana to return to evaluate the validity of the claim.¡±


    ¡°Are you questioning my house¡¯s honor?¡± Varus scowled.


    ¡°No, m¡¯lord,¡± Otto said with smooth confidence. ¡°One should ensure such things when competing parties make claims.


    They waited a moment until Svetlana appeared and handed the documents to Otto. ¡°Here you are sir,¡± Svetlana said and retreated to her usual following distance. Otto read over them. Varus kept quiet, studying Otto while he waited. His brow changed shape several times. Finally, after a minute, Otto looked up and cleared his throat. ¡°It appears lands were gifted in good faith between Lector Ricci and House Karvyean. The outstanding debt lent to Lector Ricci listed his estate accounts as collateral, not the land itself. Thus, the estate¡¯s gold would pay the debt.¡±


    Varus nodded.


    ¡°Perhaps we could come to some arrangement, m¡¯lord,¡± Otto offered in an almost pleading tone. ¡°I propose the empire¡¯s lands revert per Imperial law and the Ricci savings accounts regress to the Tellisium Church. The church would appreciate such generosity. Sharing is one of the five virtues, after all.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for reminding me. I¡¯d almost forgotten.¡± Otto smiled a full-teethed smile. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid that is impossible. The crown cannot forgive that debt. A banker should understand that more than anyone.¡± Otto¡¯s smile vanished like gryphon flying against the sun.


    ¡°Indeed.¡± Otto paused, thinking to himself. ¡°M¡¯lord, this has become a far more complicated matter than simple inheritance law dictates.¡±


    ¡°Not as I see it,¡± Varus retorted. ¡°Tarona is an Imperial Free City. As such, it holds Imperial immediacy and is only subordinate to the Avictean Emperor.¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°But there is no Imperial seal to press this claim. Should one present a seal, I would obey the emperor¡¯s command; however, until such time, I insist we follow the inheritance laws.¡±


    Curse you and your laws. You dare send me to the emperor to grovel. ¡°I¡¯ve presented a valid claim, and the law is clear. The Avictean Empire is the law. The crown is the law, and house Karvyean sits upon the throne that makes that law.¡±


    ¡°My understanding is the throne enforces the law as an ultimate arbitrator, but what of the Imperial Assembly? Do they not also govern and dictate the law?¡±


    ¡°They do.¡± Otto was trying his patience.


    No thanks to his weak father¡¯s policies. His father was a mere puppet. The Lectors held as much power as the emperor, perhaps more. He held his hand out, motioning for him to sit on the bench overlooking the pond. Otto sat. Varus remained standing, towering over Otto. ¡°But I am afraid they have no rights of jurisdiction in this matter.¡±


    ¡°And you understand that the Tellisium Church also has laws concerning such matters, m¡¯lord. I will ask you one last time, my lord, then I shall take my leave. What would it take for you to drop your claim on the Ricci estate?¡±


    ¡°Otto, house Karvyean does not wish to harm the relationship with the Medistein Bank. I understand how you feel, and how difficult a position it must be for you. But, unfortunately, I cannot drop the claim. This would set a significant precedent for the realm. The crown cannot afford to look weak, especially to the church. The realm sees them as two equal powers. Should one ever gain prominence over the other, it would upset the delicate balance of power within the empire. I hope our decades of banking and the relationship house Karvyean has built with the Medistein Bank over the years continue to endure.¡±


    ¡°M¡¯lord, who am I to determine whether secular or ecclesiastical law has precedence?¡±


    Varus waited in silence, letting the question linger in the air. Finally, he spoke. ¡°It appears you are indeed the man to make that very decision, Master Medistein. Will you support the crown or the church?¡±


    After Otto left the gardens in an uncomfortable and agitated state, Varus went to his office and drafted another letter. The letter was to the Grand Vicar reiterating his intent to press the claim. He handed it to Svetlana. ¡°Send this letter to the Grand Vicar,¡± Varus ordered.


    She took the letter in hand. ¡°At once, my lord.¡± Bowed and turned.


    ¡°Svetlana,¡± Varus called out. Svetlana spun back around. ¡°Use Essemancy first. But have a rider deliver the formal letter. I want to ensure Rodrigo Malgais Essemancer receives the telepathic message before Otto speaks with him.¡±


    ¡°Understood, my lord. I¡¯ll arrange for a rider to deliver a formal request as well.¡± Svetlana repeated. Varus had trained Svetlana well. It was a habit for her to repeat certain orders to ensure she understood them. One of the many reasons Svetlana was a great scribe.


    Varus took a swig of wine and departed his chambers to visit the Imperial throne room. He hated visiting his father, but he still had a single use--the imperial seal. He needed that to press the claim.


    The palace stood atop the hill. Tall spires stabbed the sky above. Flying buttresses supported the massive structure. Long stained glass windows beneath pointed arches ran almost the entire height of the wall. The guards opened a pair of sturdy iron doors adorned with a golden gryphon sigil. The gryphons always guarded each other¡¯s backs, looking in opposite directions. Forward facing the right gryphon held a sword meant for future conquest. And the backward-facing held a scepter, signifying the justice and prosperity of Imperial rule. As soon as the doors opened, the smell of incense from the golden burners filled his nostrils.


    Varus strode down the long room between gigantic, intricate carved stone pillars as tall as the city walls. Painted on the ceiling were images of Tellius and Avictus among the heavens. Polished black marble lined the floor. A gold carpet silenced his footfalls running from the door to the throne.


    The elongated hall had huge stained glass windows depicting the twelve triumphs of Avictus the Great. Each one cascaded rainbows of light along the floor. The locations of Avictus¡¯s victories still held their original names from centuries ago. The legacy I aspire to.


    Varus knew the triumphs by heart having read Avictus¡¯s writings on war. Every time he walked by, he hoped to achieve a fraction of the greatness he had stood before. Avictus conquered Lyrea first, winning a glorious victory at Pylopolis. The window had a bright orange sun. He rode westward into the Expanse and defeated the horse tribes along the Scarlet Plains--the frame dominated by shades of red. The next Battles of Black Harbor and Night Rock--near Rhavlon--contrasted the prior window, consisting mainly of violets and deep blues. Avictus continued his conquest and swept across the Nightwood. The next pair of windows differed harshly. A kaleidoscopic window of R¨ºveville contrasted with the dullest drear gray of Hailstorm Ruin--reminiscent depictions of the Void. The succeeding two showed great fortress victories. Avictus took Sytosium with simultaneous attacks from the north and south and with the help of gryphon riders. Afterward, they quickly captured the coastal castle of Avictea--the same castle he now stood in--later renamed by his wife Hiomi to Avictfell after his death. Over time, it had transformed into a magnificent city. The next two windows were lush green and fertile turquoise waters of Tivoli and Tarona. Tarona¡¯s skyline had changed a lot. The final window pair portrayed Avictus as godlike. Pushing the Vanavians all the way north and slaughtering them at Hvithul in a cool tone of icy pale blue and white. Finally, he returned to the besieged city of Ryvium and secured his last splendid victory. The last ornamentation depicted the Great Titan of Avictus.


    A giant baroque-styled throne sat atop a raised dais. The ascending staircase matched the floor¡¯s polished black marble. The Avictean Empire sigil depicted on the doors also guarded the throne--twin gryphon statues stood back to back, their wings rising high into the air. Their tails circled the dais. The golden throne itself also resembled a gryphon. Emperor Viktor gripped the eagle-headed armrest. He lay against the wing-styled throne backing. The black Imperial Banner emblazoned with the two gryphons hung from the ceiling behind the throne. A round window centered high above the throne depicted the diamond of Tellius. Varus admired the magnificence of the Golden Gryphon Throne in all its glory, tainted by his deranged, rotund father.


    The Imperial Guards stood at the base of the dais in their ornate black and gold plate mail. Atop the throne sat his senile father--the Avictean Emperor--hunched over, asleep. His hair thinned and turned gray and his skin became mottled and scabbed, as expected of a seventy-eight-year-old man. Varus knelt before him. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Varus bellowed. His voice echoed throughout the throne room. Still groggy, Viktor sat up and blinked his eyes open.


    ¡°Developments have occurred I must make you aware of.¡± Varus had no genuine respect for his capricious father. Nor did he care to keep him informed. Varus had been co-regent for a dozen years, acting as emperor in all but name. Anything Varus shared with his father was to keep up appearances of his rule or drive him to a stressful heart attack. If only he would die.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Viktor mumbled.


    ¡°A survivor of the Fourth Great Expedition has returned, the only known survivor. An inquisitor who brought word concerning your namesake grandson¡¯s death.¡±


    ¡°My grandson is here? How I would love to see him. Approach.¡± Viktor struggled to move his arm.


    Varus scowled. ¡°No, Father, Viktor is not here. He is dead.¡±


    ¡°Dead?¡± the emperor asked, confused.


    ¡°Yes. He died on the Expedition to Sojun.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, the Expedition. You bring word of our victory?¡±


    Varus heard an Imperial Knight shift uncomfortably. The scrapping of steel echoed across the hall.


    ¡°No,¡± Varus said again, suppressing his frustration at his tone.


    ¡°I am not dead yet!¡± Viktor spat. Spittle flew from his mouth. He struggled to stand. Hands pressed against the armrest, and he rose to his feet. ¡°You embarrass me every chance you get. You fathered that illegitimate granddaughter by that whore of yours.¡± Viktor, speaking of Heidi in such a manner, enraged him. Viktor¡¯s words mumbled incoherently in rage. Varus only made out parts of his ramblings. Something about ¡°dishonor¡± and ¡°marriage.¡± Viktor became easily agitated more and more often. Varus learned it was best to let him ramble. Varus would have strangled him if not for the Imperial Guard¡¯s presence.


    ¡°I formally legitimized her in the eyes of the All-Father and the law. She even married a cousin. Danika is more Karvyean than you.¡±


    Viktor sat back down, wheezing. An uncomfortable silence lingered in the throne room. ¡°After your disgrace,¡± Viktor continued, ignoring Varus¡¯ defense of Danika, ¡°I had to arrange your marriage. You were lucky I could find you a wife to give you two sons. I should make my grandson Viktor my heir. There is a boy who respects his elders. The shame you brought to the family. I should--¡±


    ¡°You should what?¡± Varus interrupted coldly. His tone was a sharp annunciation of command. The tone he used to instill discipline into his men in times of war. He refused to give in to his father¡¯s antics. ¡°Your grandson Viktor is dead. The Expedition a failure, and you, Father, are the disgrace. You allowed a non-Karvyean to be elected emperor before you. You¡¯re a stain on the legacy of our family name. The only reason they chose you after Emperor Richard died was because they saw you as weak. The dukes wanted a figurehead as emperor, someone they could retain their powers from without fear of retaliation.¡±


    Emperor Viktor wheezed. His hands gripped the arms of the throne, his vein in his neck bulging. Will his heart finally give out? ¡°The nobles laugh at you in the halls, the church steals your knights, and the burghers skim your profits. If only you would die, I could forge the empire into greatness. Instead, I¡¯m thwarted by the Imperial Assembly and the Grand Vicar, but mostly I¡¯m thwarted by you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the Arch Marshal. Yet I hear riots in the streets.¡±


    ¡°The commonfolk riot every year, only the reason changes.¡±


    ¡°Your job is to maintain order.¡±


    ¡°Allowing the riots does that. It lets the commonfolk believe they can inspire change. Makes them feel heard. The balance is in maintaining limits of rebellion. So let them grow angry over taxes. Or last year¡¯s debt crisis, or lords clipping coins, guild monopolies, or sharecropping disputes--¡±


    ¡°The reasons matter not--¡±


    ¡°Or barons instituting prima nocta,¡± Varus continued, ignoring his father. ¡°Land boundary disputes, trade disputes, disputes of hereditary titles and honor, petitions from Imperial Free Cities, interpretations of Imperial law under the Golden Gryphon constitution, which church has tithe rights to which lands, and the quarrels between Theogonist and Telliusians. Because it¡¯s I, Father, not you, who truly governs the empire. So play your role as a puppet while--?¡±


    ¡°I am your emperor!¡±


    ¡°Tell me, when was the last time you attended the Imperial Assembly?¡±


    Silence. Viktor said nothing.


    ¡°So sit there on your golden throne believing you¡¯re the all-powerful emperor, but your reach stops at those doors.¡± Varus pointed. ¡°It is I who have ruled this past decade. I have managed the high nobles. I have kept them satisfied. I make them feel involved in government while striving to limit their power. I hear their concerns and complaints. I mediate their disputes among one another, and when necessary, decide their outcome. In short, I instill fear and ensure their loyalty. The Imperial Crown is the symbol that can unify the nobles for a common goal. It¡¯s just resting on the wrong head.¡±


    Viktor scowled. ¡°I will not accept this insolence. Guards!¡±


    The ringing of steel being drawn filled the hall as the Imperial Knights drew swords. Varus glared at the guard to his left; his gaze pierced the helm¡¯s eye slit sharper than an arrow could. The knight stepped backward. Varus had his sword but wore no armor. He did not doubt his skill, but there were a dozen or more fully armored knights. He could kill a few, but not all. Part of being a superb commander was knowing when you couldn¡¯t win.


    Instead of fighting, Varus spun and walked down the black and gold carpet. The setting sun cast prisms of light through the stained glass windows.


    Varus only required the emperor¡¯s seal to ensure the Medistein¡¯s compliance. Given Viktor¡¯s failing mental capacity, he hadn¡¯t even mentioned the complexities of the Ricci estate. Doubtful Viktor would understand, more likely he would complicate the matter. Even if asked, Varus doubted Viktor would even grant such a favor. And Varus refused to grovel. He had other ways to achieve his goals, they just required more effort. Besides, nothing worth doing was ever easy. The emperor¡¯s seal was the only remaining way his father served the Avictean Empire. No, the best way he could serve the empire is to die. Then justice would be served for the death of his late wives Heidi and Maria. All-Father willing it would be painful and slow.

 Chapter 6 - Leo

    Chapter 6


    Leo


    The Theogonist Temple stood in the Lower Quarter of Tarona, which allowed easy entry for citizens of all social classes. Looking from any of Tarona¡¯s towers high above, the Temple resembled three intersecting diamonds of white marble, signifying mind, body, and Essence. Pyramid glass ceilings crowned each diamond, with the middle being the largest.


    Leo¡¯s footsteps echoed in the vast temple. Reinhard followed behind him. Massive braziers burned insight illuminating the statues of the Primordials, seven in all. Before the statues, incense and candles burned. Small strips of paper and inkwells sat on nearby tables before each statue for the devoted to write their offerings on.


    Reinhard shuffled toward the nearest golden statue--Maetos, god of metal and smiths. His domains were greed and generosity. His sacred site used to be at Hailstorm Castle within the Floating Mountains, but now it lay in ruin. Rumor was a dragon had destroyed the castle and turned it into his lair. Leo never intended to find out. The statue depicted a broad-chested man holding an anvil and a handful of gold coins. Reinhard took up a quill, staring blankly ahead--focused. This was the familiar expression of an Essemancer receiving a telepathic message from another. Leo tapped his foot restlessly until Reinhard finished writing. ¡°Allie sends a message from your father,¡± Reinhard said. Leo made to snatch the offering paper, but Reinhard¡¯s reflexes were too quick. Leo loved his great uncle but found Reinhard lacked any sense of urgency. No wonder he didn¡¯t go into banking.


    ¡°Uncle,¡± Leo said, ¡°I could have ridden to Avictfell by now.¡± ¡°Patience.¡± ¡°Just tell me what it says.¡±


    Reinhard chuckled. ¡°Your father wants you to send a message to the Grand Vicar.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t he do it?¡± Leo whispered frustratingly. His voice carried within the temple, echoing his frustration. Somewhere within the temple, someone shushed him. Reinhard lowered his voice. ¡°He also says that should you protest, to remind you he is placing his trust in you. House Medistein needs to take advantage of your relationship with Grand Vicar Rodrigo to ensure the best chance of success. Besides, if Otto had Allie send the telepathic message to Grand Vicar Rodrigo from Avictfell, then Rodrigo¡¯s Essemancer would learn of Allie¡¯s location, inferring Otto¡¯s presence as well. This would draw suspicion why Otto is in Avictfell rather than Tarona.¡±


    Leo narrowed his eyes. Throughout his past, Leo had developed a formal relationship with Rodrigo¡¯s Essemancer, a man named Salvatore. Whenever Rodrigo needed to be consulted, Leo found it easiest to reach out to Salvatore first. ¡°It says all that?¡±


    Reinhard chuckled. ¡°No, but the logic still stands.¡±


    ¡°Father also said he wanted this done as quickly as possible, so please message Salvatore.¡± Reinhard took a new piece of paper, picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink well, and wrote.


    ¡°Addressed to his Holiness the Grand Vicar, all the usual courtesies,¡± Leo said with a wave of his hand. He held up a finger to emphasize his next statement, waiting for Reinhard¡¯s writing to catch up. ¡°Offer Rodrigo payment in gold of ten percent of Lector Ricci¡¯s account. We will deposit gold directly into his personal account with the Medistein bank, with the utmost discretion, of course. In exchange, the Tellisium Church will forgo its claim on Lector Ricci¡¯s estate. Signed Leo Medistein with all the usual titles and courtesies.¡±


    ¡°So, only your name,¡± Reinhard failed to hide the faintest of grins. Leo pressed his lips together. ¡°If you desire a title, consider marriage to one of the eligible noble ladies within the Glade.¡±


    ¡°Not you too.¡±


    ¡°Theogony preaches--¡±¡°--I¡¯m in no mood for a lecture--¡± ¡°--families¡¯ importance,¡± Reinhard finished.


    ¡°Family. Theogony. Funny how they often leave out the part about how brother and sister fucked, giving birth to Maetos and Wylow.¡± Another loud shush echoed within the temple. This one was followed by some mumbling. Reinhard grumbled. ¡°Don¡¯t speak ill of the gods, much less in a temple. Make an offering to cleanse your Essence.¡±


    Leo rolled his eyes and head with them before walking toward the center of the temple. Twenty-foot-tall marble statues of the four first gods Aryss, Messeas, Systos, and Pylorys stood around an oblong weeping stone matching the statue¡¯s height. Billows blew beneath the Aryss statue--god of wind and heavens--creating a draft from vents beneath the temple. Before building Medistein Tower, Leo had examined the intricate system of gears and counterweights to replicate the engineering. Messeas--goddess of the sea and void--stood within a fountain of water. Systos--god of earth and agriculture--stood atop a mound of rich black dirt, and Pylorys--god of fire and war--held a flaming torch that burned forever.


    Blue luminescent water seeped out of the sacred weeping stone. A waist-high wall surrounded the stone that held the gleaming water in place. All throughout the empire, weeping stones leaked their glowing Essence into the material world. The sacred stones were revered holy sites, the next closest one stood on Mount Aryss. A small one rested on the Medistein villa grounds too.


    Leo took a ladle resting atop the wall, scooped a small bit of the radiant water, and drank it. ¡°Forgive me, gods, I shall not speak ill of your family, for whom am I to judge one by their parents?¡±


    ¡°You see nephew, you can be noble when you want.¡±


    ¡°Do me a favor and don¡¯t tell anyone. Speaking of parents, I never quite understood why Aryss alone forged Psyrus from the Essence. Where is the fun in that?¡± Leo winked and set the ladle down.


    Reinhard¡¯s brow narrowed. ¡°Pray to Aryss and perhaps he will gift you with such an ability.¡±


    ¡°It defies logic.¡±


    ¡°The gods do not require your logic, merely your faith. Praise Messeas with an offering as well.¡± Leo tried to ignore him. Whether Reinhard noticed seemed irrelevant because he continued to press the matter. ¡°Bianca, being heir to a Duchy of Aldberg would bring the greatest prestige.¡± Reinhard smiled. ¡°But your affections for Countess Contessa at the party didn¡¯t escape my notice.¡±


    ¡°I want to earn my accomplishments, not marry them, uncle.¡±


    ¡°Marriage is an accomplishment, Leo.¡± Fondness filled Reinhard¡¯s face. ¡°I hope one day you are lucky enough to realize it.¡±


    I¡¯m not letting you turn this into another lecture about me getting married. ¡°Do you miss her?¡±


    ¡°Every second of every day,¡± Reinhard said, combing his beard with his fingers. ¡°Suna bettered me in every way. We have her to thank for House Medistein¡¯s rise. Without her, no one in the empire would practice Essemancy.¡±


    ¡°I always thought your brother introduced Essemancy to the empire.¡± Leo suppressed satisfaction at his successful deflection of the topic of marriage.


    ¡°After returning from the First Great Expedition, Markus bought the Tarona salt mines and sold the salt to Acolytes, but without Suna and her knowledge of the runes, the salt would have been useless. She taught me, several Acolytes, and a few Magi as well. House Medistein owes its fortune to her knowledge. The knowledge that was believed lost with the fall of the Traessyean Empire.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why Suna would give away such knowledge, especially after how violently we treated the Julk.¡±


    The prevalent belief was Markus the Magnificent had created the Essemancy Enlightenment with his salt mines and stolen scrolls. Reinhard had partnered with Markus, teaching the skills at the Arites Academy, earning him the title of Magus. Suna¡¯s integral involvement was a surprising secret development. Leo contemplated for a moment. Logically, they must have kept such a secret because of Suna¡¯s Julk heritage. How receptive would citizens and lords of the empire be, knowing a Julk had imparted that knowledge? The Julk were sadistic barbarian heathens after all.


    ¡°Factions alone shouldn¡¯t define people,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Everyone at their core is an individual, even a Julk. I saw that in her, and she in me. Suna taught me more than Essemancy. She taught me intangible things. Kindness. Patience. Acceptance. Despite what the empire would have you believe, the Julk are not barbarians, simply different. Wisdom often comes from those we least expect. You just have to open your heart and mind to listen.¡± Leo raised his brows in astonishment. ¡°Unlike Markus, I was able and willing to look past her heritage. By doing so, I gained power exceeding Essemancy.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t save love.¡±


    Reinhard smirked. ¡°Very well, I won¡¯t say it.¡±


    ¡°A good woman, love, and marriage. I¡¯ve heard the lesson. Can we focus on the task at hand?¡±


    ¡°Heard and listening are quite different.¡±


    ¡°Enough talk of marriage. Please send the message so we can be on our way.¡±


    Reinhard frowned. ¡°You know my reluctance, Leo. Don¡¯t tempt me. Instead, you try.¡± Reinhard placed a small leather pouch on the offering table. Leo sighed. ¡°Practice and diligence are key to success after all.¡± Reinhard held a finger up emphasizing the point.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Leo took a clean piece of parchment and drew a rune on it. The only rune he knew from memory. An ancient runic symbol used for telepathic communication across vast distances--its true meaning was lost long ago. Some people believed the runes were the language of the All-Father. Older legends gave credence to the Primordial gods. But Leo doubted that as well. Logic reasoned the runes were some ancient, forgotten language of the Traessyean Empire.


    Leo took a pinch of the violet salt and swallowed it. He placed his hands on the rune-inscribed parchment. Closing his eyes, he focused on the potential flowing through his body. The Essence swam through his blood like a fish upriver. It made him uncomfortable. Telepathic communication required both sender and recipient to be connected to a rune. Most Essemancers kept a slip of parchment or embroidered clothes with the rune on their persons. Leo found it jarring to have messages come to him at random times of the day. Whenever he didn¡¯t wish to be bothered, he detached himself from the rune. He imagined others did the same. Leo gathered his thoughts and searched for other Essemancers¡¯ runic presence. Reinhard¡¯s runic proximity overwhelmed him. The Essence¡¯s warmth faded and he exhausted the salts imbued power. Leo shivered in failure.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Leo said. ¡°The only presence I feel is yours.¡±


    ¡°You must learn to focus,¡±


    ¡°Uncle, just send the--¡±


    ¡°And you never will if you refuse to practice.¡±


    ¡°When less important matters are at hand, I will devote more time to practice.¡±


    ¡°You should take failure as an opportunity to learn and grow wiser.¡±


    ¡°Uncle please.¡± Leo insisted.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Reinhard licked the tip of his index finger and dipped it into the pouch. A minuscule amount of violet crystals stuck upon his fingertip. He licked his finger and closed his eyes for only a second, evidently having located the Grand Vicar¡¯s Essemancer, Salvatore. Once he reopened them, he transfixed his gaze on the letter before him. Reinhard¡¯s lips muttered softly as he read the message. Leo assumed Reinhard relayed what he¡¯d written down earlier. With such magic, they condensed communication delays. A normal rider might take days or even weeks to make the journey, whereas Essemancy messages took minutes. Of course, it had its limits. Range, availability of salts and runes, and the Essemancer¡¯s own ability. A wide communication network spread across Avict Bay. Medistein heralds who worked the printing press, Theogonist acolytes, and trained Essemancers all carried runes for quick communication. Leo estimated the network comprised perhaps a hundred people. Lords and institutions still sent official contracts, invitations, and declarations with formal documents by rider or messenger pigeon, however.


    ¡°Salvatore has been informed,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°I also messaged Allie and your parents. Now we wait.¡± This was the worst part. Waiting--wasting time--Leo hated. Time was the most precious commodity anyone had. Finite, unalterable, and unforgiving.


    ¡°Have the lawyers discovered anything?¡± Leo asked, growing tired of waiting in silence. ¡°Not yet,¡± Reinhard said, ¡°but I trust they will make a favorable decision.¡± ¡°If there is any profession in existence, the gods should smite its fucking lawyers,¡± Leo said. He sighed and ran his hand through his curly hair, ¡°No answer isn¡¯t a refusal per se, perhaps they cannot find any legalities to grant a favorable ruling. They have to decipher the complexities of secular and ecclesiastical law. Patience Leo, these things take time.¡± Leo shook his head trusting his gut feeling. ¡°Concerning deals, I know when I am being fucked.¡± The last word resounded within the temple louder than intended. Someone shushed again. Reinhard scowled. ¡°Have you already forgotten your prayer for forgiveness?¡± Leo crossed his arms across his chest. ¡°Nevermind that. And to the void with the lawyers.¡± Despite being separate religions, both Telliusians and Theogonists believed in the same afterlife--the Heavens and the Void. His grandfather had brilliantly taken advantage of that. Given Markus practiced Theogony, he first favored his own religion. Markus demonstrated Essemancy¡¯s abilities to the acolytes. Seeing its potential, the Theogonist¡¯s acolytes communicated among the temples. Through selective training and a monopoly on salt, Markus maintained controlled the power of Essemancy, sparking an Enlightenment. Markus created and controlled the market for magical salt. Essemancers wielded such power at will, but without the salt, their power ceased.


    Leo read his grandfather¡¯s journals and studied his rise. Markus trained more Essemancers thereby expanding the salt market and increasing House Medistein¡¯s prosperity. A trusted few learned selected secrets and abilities and then trained new Essemancers at the Arites Academy in Avictfell. There Markus next demonstrated Essemancys power to the lords, guilds, and institutions within the empire. The late Grand Vicar Arturo had initially outlawed salt as heretical, but eventually, realized its uses and reversed the ecclesiastical law. Even giving support for an Expedition hoping to acquire salts or runes for the church. Grand Vicar Arturo had died on that Expedition. Otto backed Rodrigo Malgais, who supported the church¡¯s use of Essemancy. His successful election brought further prosperity to House Medistein as demand for salts increased. Emperor Viktor and Grand Vicar Rodrigo were among the first to hire Essemancers. Their business brought with it unfortunate ramifications including entanglements with despicable lawyers.


    ¡°They served your father for years.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. They serve Otto and all his past dealings. They hardly know me.¡±


    ¡°Understandable. They hesitate to trust a stranger.¡± Leo folded his arms across his chest. ¡°Hesitancy is one thing, but they have no relationship with me. Business is all about relationships. They¡¯re going to rule in favor of the Karvyeans, I know it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unlike you to back away from a deal,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Meet with them, build that relationship.¡±


    Leo burned another paper offering to Aryss, unsure if he sought a blessing of wealth or forgiveness for his swears--both--he decided. ¡°I¡¯m not backing away. I just think it would be easier to settle with the Grand Vicar.¡±


    ¡°For you, yes, but trust your father to settle things with the Karvyeans. Let¡¯s wait and see.¡± Reinhard¡¯s blank stare indicated he was relaying another message. Leo waited a while until his uncle spoke again. ¡°The Grand Vicar agrees to the terms. He will arrange for the withdrawal from the branch in Ryvium.¡± Each Essemancer held the right to use their services however they best saw fit. Most Essemancers took annual contracts in service to a lord or guild. Some had taken it further. Aside from his family, and Magus Sabine, Leo knew two Essemancers by reputation--Salvator and Svetlana. Svetlana had sworn allegiance to the Imperial House Karvyean, faithfully serving them like a vassal might a lord. Leo was unaware of the specifics of the arrangement, other than it was highly unorthodox. Likewise, Salvatore served the Tellisium Church, and by extension Grand Vicar Rodrigo exclusively. Leo¡¯s stomach knotted. ¡°Damnit,¡± Leo cursed. He rushed to his desk, retrieved an accounting notebook, and opened it. He thumbed past a few pages and found the figure he was looking for, confirming his suspicions. ¡°Ryvium branch doesn¡¯t have enough coin on deposit. Message Salvatore back and tell him of our quandary. Ensure him we will arrange for the gold to be shipped from Avictfell¡¯s branch promptly.¡±


    Reinhard repeated his ritual as before, and they waited. A minute later, Reinhard spoke. ¡°Salvatore says the Grand Vicar accepts. However, given the sum¡¯s value and distance of transportation, he insists that an Inquisitor and Knights of the Order of Tellius supervise the payment and transfer. The agent will deliver notarized documents forsaking any claim to the Ricci estate upon pickup at the Avictfell branch.¡±


    Leo clapped once, congratulating himself. ¡°Inform father.¡±


    ¡°Since the urgency is no longer necessary,¡± Reinhard said, standing from the desk, ¡°I want you to message Alessdandra.¡±


    His own abilities hadn¡¯t progressed as quickly as he hoped. During his time at the Arites Academy, his studies focused on other areas rather than Essemancy. His sister Alessandra became the dominant Essemancer of House Medistein. His house had sponsored training for more Essemancers. This resulted in more lords hiring their services, driving up the demand and percentage of revenue from Essemancer contracts. Seeking representation, the Essemancers joined the Scribes Guild. Thereby, the Enthos League became tied to ancient magic. Similar to how Markus had developed a network for the Theogonist religions. Markus had Essemancers stationed under house Medistein services at various printing presses. This kept the empire informed of events across the land. With the stolen Expedition gold, secret Essemancy scrolls, acquiring the Taronan salt mine, and expanding the printing presses, Markus amassed more wealth than a pirate could ever bury. Naturally, he did what any rich burgher would do. He formed the Medistein Bank and thrust the obscure Medistein house into greatness. ¡°I already tried. Perhaps there is a more powerful rune I can use.¡± Leo suggested.


    Reinhard shook his head. ¡°The telepathic rune is sufficient. You saw so yourself.¡±


    ¡°More salts?¡± Using more salts would expand his power, allowing for easier use of the ability at greater distances.


    ¡°Did you not see I used less salt than you did? The rune and salts are sufficient. It¡¯s the mind you need to enhance.¡± Had his uncle just insulted his intelligence?


    Leo took a larger pinch of violet salts and ate them. The warm power spread through his body. He felt Reinhard¡¯s proximity flare as he searched for Alessandra¡¯s Essence. Leo forced himself to ignore Reinhard¡¯s presence. Navigating through the darkness, Leo¡¯s mind encountered plumes and dots of light that symbolized other Essemancers¡¯ runic presence. The Essence of each individual possessed a distinctness in its structure that differed from others. The trick was finding the correct one.


    He focused hard. His mind navigated across the Avict Bay, searching for Allie. Experiencing the Essence drastically differed from any explanation he had heard. Reinhard had described it best--as a sensation of flight. Leo imagined he became a bird and soared at impossible speeds across a blurred world while sensing an invisible presence of thousands of peoples Essence surrounding him--thousands of runeless people. Traces of white shifted like mist within an intimate world of blackness. Because of the rune, Reinhard¡¯s Essence emitted a cyan mist, mixing with the white, and swirling around him. The experienced reminded him of a description he had read about the void in some ancient tome. He felt as though he traveled the black vastness of the void while specters hunted him. Leo¡¯s head ached, but he fought to push onward. The competing Essence sources swirled around, dizzying him. As Leo searched the occasional colored mist--an Essemancer--radiated a mirage of glittered dust traced behind them like the blur of shooting stars against the colored nebulas of the night sky. Finding Alessandra was like trying to pick out a single star among the millions of a clear night sky. Only every star moved. It was impossible. Leo squeezed his head, failing to press the pain away. He opened his eyes and gasped, not realizing he had been holding his breath. Leo pounded the table with his fist letting out a frustrating grunt. His mouth parched, he took the ladle and drank the holy water again.


    Reinhard rolled his shoulder back. ¡°When men who accomplish greatness with ease struggle on the task before them, they must accept the humility and endeavor once more.¡±


    ¡°Which great man said that? Tellius or Avictus?¡± Leo asked.


    Reinhard smiled with smug satisfaction.


    ¡°I take it back,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Words whispered without willingness, welcome wrath, and woe.¡±


    ¡°You again?¡±


    ¡°No, that one is Tellius.¡± A sparkle danced in his eyes like a squirrel in spring.


    ¡°Why not quote your own gods?¡±


    ¡°One can find wisdom in many places if you¡¯re willing to look. Did you learn nothing from your time with the Grand Vicar?¡±


    The question prompted pleasant memories of women and wine. Leo opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Reinhard answered his own question. ¡°Nevermind.¡± Their chuckles echoed among the gods. ¡°Would you two shut up!¡± someone yelled. Reinhard¡¯s head shrunk down into his shoulders, eyes bulging bright. Leo¡¯s hand covered his mouth failing to suppress his laughter. Reinhard leaned in and whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll send one last message to Allie.¡± His eyes closed in concentration for a moment. ¡°Done. Now we should go.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave these secrets lying about.¡± Leo retrieved the paper slips they had written on and burned them all as offerings to the gods.

 Chapter 7 - Varus

    Chapter 7


    Varus


    The courtyard ringed with the pleasant ringing hum of steel. Varus slashed his sword high two times and his son Alek parried each attack while pressing forward, teeth bared. He surmised the news of Viktor¡¯s death spurred Alek onward. His new heir seemed more eager to prove himself today. Likley, the responsibility as heir weighed on Alek now.


    Varus spoke as he attacked. ¡°Your grandfather foolishly informed the Avictfell Post heralds of the failed Great Expedition, soon all the empire will know.¡±


    ¡°It merely confirmed what most already suspected,¡± Alek answered with a counterthrust.


    ¡°Yes, but now that it¡¯s official, another call to arms will probably come.¡± Varus gave ground-blocking each strike. Varus earned his knighthood ages ago and rarely used his sword these days except to maintain his fitness. He relished the soreness of unused muscles the following morning. It was always good to practice his forms. He refused to let his body or mind fall into the senile, decrepit state of his father. ¡°We must discuss your future.¡±


    ¡°Regarding what?¡± Alek pressed his attack, grunting with each strike.


    ¡°Good,¡± Varus said. ¡°On matters of marriage. If we are to ensure our dynasty, you must marry.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Which lady shall receive the honor?¡± Alek grinned. Varus countered, pivoted, and kicked his son in the ass. Alek stumbled forward.


    ¡°In battle, you would find a sword instead of my boot.¡± Varus wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his glove. ¡°Before your brother died, I had considered matching him with Lady Bianca von Aldberg.¡±


    ¡°Many consider her the most beautiful woman in court.¡±


    ¡°Fortunate for you. It¡¯s not her looks I value, but her bloodline. Marrying her can unite our house with the Meadowlands.¡± Varus relied on politics and strategies as rather than battles whenever possible. His glory days as a front-line commander were well past him. Varus had studied battle tactics and campaign strategy. He mastered maneuver, formations, siege warfare, and logistics. He knew how to study the ground and evaluate the enemy. Much of that knowledge could be applied at court as much as on the battlefield.


    ¡°What must I do?¡±


    ¡°For now? Nothing. I will make the arrangements.¡±


    ¡°My lords,¡± Svetlana called out over singing steel despite her typical soft-spoken demeanor. Alek grunted, his sword point stopped inches from Varus¡¯s throat. ¡°Lord Varus, there are two guests here to speak with you, Otto Medistein and Inquisitor Karolin.¡±


    ¡°I will meet them in the garden.¡± Varus sheathed his sword and took a cup of water from his squire. ¡°Alek, accompany me. As my heir, you must learn to rule both on and off the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father,¡± Alek said, gulping down his water. They walked from the courtyard through the halls of the keep. ¡°I want you to observe, say nothing, and watch the body language of Otto and Karolin. See if it tells a different story than their words.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Alek said.


    Varus stopped before they entered the garden. He grasped his son¡¯s shoulder, looking him in the eyes. ¡°A son exists to glorify his family legacy--however meaningless it might be. But if a son is to lead his house, they must glorify themselves, and make a name even greater than their parents before them. I¡¯m greater than your grandfather, and you must achieve the greatness that surpasses me.¡±


    Alek nodded. The two men entered Hiomi¡¯s Hanging Gardens, and there stood Svetlana with Karolin and Otto. Svetlana bowed and left without saying a word.


    ¡°What business brings you here today?¡± Varus asked.


    ¡°I come to conclude negotiations regarding Lector Ricci¡¯s estate,¡± Otto said. ¡°Grand Vicar Rodrigo has given Inquisitor Karolin full authority to negotiate and act on his behalf. I thought it best if all of us meet and arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement.¡±


    Varus thought it quite odd to give an inquisitor the power to negotiate an estate on behalf of the church. ¡°Inquisitor Karolin. Care for a drink? You looked quite parched.¡±


    ¡°No thank you,¡± Karolin said.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Varus said. ¡°Let us conclude this matter.¡± Did Grand Vicar Rodrigo expect she could hold her ground against Varus? She was an inquisitor, after all. Or did she have an ulterior motive?


    ¡°Before we begin, my lords,¡± Karolin said, ¡°I might save us all a lot of time. I¡¯m not here to negotiate. I¡¯m here to oversee and collect the Grand Vicar¡¯s payment.¡±


    They concluded the deal. What am I missing? Varus squinted.


    ¡°Inquisitor Karolin,¡± Otto suggested, ¡°perhaps you would care to meet at the Medistein Bank branch here in Avictfell.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know they way,¡± she replied, ¡°but I would care to accompany you to the bank.¡±


    Otto smiled. ¡°But of course. Please give me and the Lord Karvyean a moment of privacy.¡±


    ¡°I will...¡± Karolin paused and glanced around. ¡°I will look at the flowers.¡±


    Otto glanced at Alek with the obvious intent for Varus to dismiss him. ¡°I could accompany my lady--Inquisitor Karolin.¡± Alek offered.


    ¡°I would appreciate the company. We can exchange stories about your brother. He was a great man. I imagine it will be difficult to step from beneath his shadow.¡±


    Karolin spoke of his son differently than he had known him. Had Viktor proved himself during the Expedition or was it mere flattery? ¡°No,¡± Varus answered. ¡°Today Alek is learning the art of negotiating. He will observe, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Otto said.


    Karolin bowed and walked along the path before stopping to admire some orchids. Varus kept a close watch on her. Once Karolin seemed far enough away to overhear any conversation, Otto spoke again. ¡°My condolences for your loss. I cannot possibly understand how you feel, to lose one¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°He died to me long ago,¡± Varus said. ¡°The recent events are merely confirmation of what had already happened in my heart. Besides, I have another son and heir now.¡± Varus clapped Alek on his shoulder. Alek smiled.


    Otto¡¯s eyes widened a bit. ¡°I see.¡±


    In his peripheral vision, Karolin gave a dismissive shrug and glanced about. ¡°Pardon my lord,¡± Karolin interrupted. ¡°The garden bores me. I¡¯ll see myself out.¡± Karolin trod upon the path and departed the garden.


    Once she had left, Otto continued. ¡°The Grand Vicar and I have come to an arrangement which is more than adequate. I have convinced the Grand Vicar to drop his claim to the estate for a partial payout.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    ¡°Half,¡± Otto said too quickly.


    ¡°How reasonable of his holiness. I assume I¡¯m expected to agree to the other half.¡±


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Otto said as he retrieved some papers. ¡°It would be easier to sit at a table and discuss this.¡± Otto handed Varus the documents, some fell to the ground. He bent over to pick them up. Yes, it would be easier, but I want you uncomfortable when you are negotiating with me.


    Otto pointed to the number on the sheet. ¡°Here you will find the appraised value of the Ricci lands the Imperial Crown graciously gifted Lector Ricci. The Grand Vicar has already agreed to the appraisal. You see his seal here.¡±


    ¡°Apologies Otto,¡± Varus said, ¡°I¡¯ve always been more of a commander than a banker. Help me understand what I¡¯m looking at.¡±


    Otto spoke slow and even toned. ¡°That figure is the agreed-upon value of the land. The Grand Vicar will relinquish all land back to the Crown and drop the claim for a fifty percent payout.¡±


    ¡°The land¡¯s value will cut into my gold payout?¡± Varus feigned confusion.


    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lord,¡± Otto said, ¡°which would leave you with thirty percent of the remaining gold.¡±


    ¡°Otto, when you last left, I stated the Crown gifted the land. By law, it returns to the Imperial demesne. Have you forgotten my demands for the entire estate?¡±


    ¡°You did, m¡¯lord, as did the Grand Vicar. Both were quite persistent in your intention toward the estate. But I persuaded the Grand Vicar to reason.¡±


    ¡°Surely you can¡¯t expect the Crown to take such losses on a loan. You¡¯re a bank, after all. You must have the gold to pay for the entire estate.¡± Otto¡¯s eye twitched. Varus found his tell. The reason for all this trouble. Was the Medistein Bank must be short of liquidity? Did they lack enough gold to cover the Ricci estate accounts?


    ¡°The Medistein Bank has had a rapport with the Houses of Karvyean and Malgais. I see no reason that relationship cannot continue.¡±


    An indirect answer. ¡°I do,¡± Varus stated flatly.


    ¡°Begging your pardon m¡¯lord,¡± Otto stammered. ¡°If I have offended you, m¡¯lord, I apol--¡±


    ¡°I think the Medistein Bank has run out of gold. Your bank is over-leverage and cannot afford to pay the estate even partially. What ramifications would a bank run have I wonder? Have you--¡±


    ¡°M¡¯lord, you misunderstand--¡±


    ¡°Do not interrupt me. You know my reputation, Otto. What does the empire call me?¡±


    ¡°Undaunted, m¡¯lord.¡±


    ¡°I imagine you¡¯ve heard the stories?¡± Otto paled. ¡°Of course you have. Everyone from here to Lyrea has recounted some rendition. Since you know the story, I¡¯ll spare you the details, but I assure you that the name is fitting and does not merely refer to my courage.¡±


    ¡°M¡¯lord is valiant.¡±


    Varus ignored the supplicant compliment. ¡°You mustn¡¯t believe all the court gossip. But some are true. Stories concerning what I did to my brother and uncle for betraying me. Don¡¯t mistake mercy and forgiveness.¡± Otto swallowed hard. Varus paused with a cold stare, letting Otto¡¯s imagination contemplate his words.


    Otto spoke. ¡°M¡¯lord, you¡¯re indeed correct. However, respectfully, I don¡¯t think you have considered all the consequences of what it is you¡¯re suggesting. Should a bank run happen, you would recover a portion of the estate, valued at seventy-three percent to be exact. You would retain a value greater than half, but in terms of opportunity cost, the Crown would also lose its primary source of lending. Yes, the Medistein Bank would fall to ruin, but ask yourself, what other bank would dare loan gold to the Imperial Crown after seeing they caused a bank run on its prior lender? Consider the contagion. What ramifications and destruction would spread throughout the empire?¡±


    Varus admired a red rose as he considered Otto¡¯s words of wisdom. If the Crown no longer had a source of lending, the effects would ripple like down causing House Karvyean¡¯s downfall, his legacy¡¯s destruction, and everything he had worked to achieve, and that could not happen.


    ¡°It seems to avoid mutual destruction we must agree with mutual benefit,¡± Varus said. ¡°Very well, Otto, here¡¯s my proposal. The Crown will accept your valuations of the Imperial lands. However, we can add that to the total value of the Ricci savings accounts. The Grand Vicar can have the land. If you cannot pay in gold, then you can pay in salts and Essemancy scrolls. This should keep your bank solvent, allow you to uphold your agreement with the church, and most importantly, satisfy me.¡± Varus needed salts, not gold. Otto had fallen into his trap. How would he respond?


    ¡°M¡¯lord, I¡¯m open to covering the debt with salts, but I will deduct the Crown¡¯s lands from the estate. After speaking with you, I¡¯ve made a decision. That land, by Imperial law, as you stated, supersedes the church law and legally should revert to the Imperial demesne. We can settle the Ricci savings accounts with salts.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± Varus agreed. ¡°The Crown gets the land returned and you will pay the remaining Ricci account out in salt.¡±


    Otto smiled and held out his hands. ¡°We both know we value salts well more than gold. Did a riot regarding the salt tax not place us in this predicament, to begin with?¡±


    Damn. When had Otto learned of the reason for Lector Ricci¡¯s death? ¡°Very well, I will accept a payout valued at twenty-five percent of the account and copies of all known Essemancy scrolls that Markus recovered from his Expedition.¡±


    ¡°M¡¯lord, you cannot expect me to part with the Cipher Scroll. I¡¯ll agree to a thirty percent payout in Essemancy salts, but no runes or scrolls. This should cover your salt tax shortage three times over.¡±


    Cipher Scroll. What was that? Otto seemed unaware of the mistake. Varus needed whatever this Cipher Scroll was. He knew of other Essemancy abilities beyond telepathic clairvoyance and empathy. With that piece of knowledge, House Medistein would no longer have a monopoly over the Essemancy powers. As it stands now, they controlled the salt trade and the market price. Fortune smiled on Markus the Magnificent during the First Great Expedition and turned a man from a pirate into the largest banking family in the empire. Varus wanted more, but he knew Otto would die before divulging any runic scrolls. He had negotiated all it¡¯s land back after his father¡¯s disastrous backing of Lector Ricci decades ago.


    ¡°I accept your offer,¡± Varus said. ¡°Let¡¯s put seals on it.¡±


    Otto frowned but extended his hand. Varus shook it. Otto¡¯s grip was firmer than expected.


    ¡°M¡¯lord this is how you know we¡¯ve reached a fair deal. Neither party is happy.¡±


    He found truth in Otto¡¯s words, not feeling satisfied at all. He settled for possession of salt now. Future opportunities to get the runes would arise. ¡°If the Grand Vicar Rodrigo¡¯s agent is overseeing his interests, then I insist my son Alek oversee mine.¡±


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Otto agreed with a smile.


    ¡°Alek, go acquaint yourself further with Inquisitor Karolin.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father.¡± Alek exited the garden the same way Karolin had.


    Varus and Otto strolled back to his chambers. Now that business had concluded, Varus turned to a more pleasant conversation. He intended to continue to do business with the Medistein Bank, and it would be best if Otto left without a bad taste in his mouth. The walk took longer than necessary. Varus recited various facts about the flora that inhabited the gardens. Once they arrived at the office, Otto wrote up the contract, poured the wax, and both men pressed their signet rings into the wax.


    Otto picked up the paper and blew on the wax to hasten its cooling. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange delivery of the salts from my print shop here in the city.¡±


    A knock sounded at the door. ¡°Come in,¡± Varus said.


    The door opened, and Alek appeared. ¡°Master Medistein,¡± Alek said, ¡°Inquisitor Karolin informed me to tell you that she grew tired of waiting and will meet you at the bank branch.¡±


    Otto nodded. ¡°Thank you, your Highness.¡± He turned back to Varus. ¡°I must make my leave and make the necessary arrangements. It shouldn¡¯t take more than a few hours. Lord Varus, would you like to arrange for your son to meet at the bank and oversee the transfer?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the bank is located by your printing shop, correct?¡± Varus asked.


    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lord.¡±


    ¡°Any chance you could get the heralds to stop spreading the news my father gives them?¡±


    Otto¡¯s feet shuffled between him, and he twisted the rings on his fingers. ¡°He is the emperor, m¡¯lord...¡±


    ¡°Yes, he is. It would make maintaining order easier, is all. News Expedition¡¯s failure had disturbed the commonfolk. Some even fear the Julk might retaliate. People panic, they turn to robbery and riots. Which might turn into a revolt. We wouldn¡¯t want that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak with heralds, m¡¯lord.¡±


    ¡°That would be acceptable. Svetlana will escort you to your coach.¡± He stepped aside and gestured for Otto to follow her.


    Otto rolled up the contract, placed it in a scroll case, and with an elaborate flourish, left the room.


    Varus turned to his son, Alek. ¡°You did well to stay quiet. I hope you¡¯ve learned a valuable lesson here today. Otto played right into my hands. House Karvyean doesn¡¯t need gold--we need salt--to extend our reach and govern the empire. More importantly, we need this Cipher Scroll. The world is changing, son. This Essemancy Enlightenment has only shown us a morsel of its power. These salts will secure the Karvyean dynasty for another century. That dynasty fell on my shoulders long ago. As my heir, one day it will fall on yours.¡± He grabbed Alek by both shoulders and stared into his eyes. ¡°I always preferred you over Viktor. His death has helped us, helped you. Alek, you need to become an heir worthy of this house, and I need you now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father.¡±


    ¡°Go monitor the transfer of salt. This salt will allow us to maintain order. It is the first step. One day soon, we will get this Cipher Scroll as well. Son, do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father.¡±


    ¡°Essemancy is the way of the future. The commonfolk do not understand it, nor do half the nobles among them. They lack vision, they cling to the lies of the church. They put their hope in a single book and empty words spoken from men in white garbs.¡±


    Alek looked uncomfortable. ¡°Are you telling me to doubt the word of Tellius?¡±


    ¡°No son. I am teaching you the ways of power. Power is not the sword, castle walls, or gold. It¡¯s in one¡¯s will, and words are your tools to achieve it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying the Grand Vicar, Tellius, it¡¯s all lies?¡± Alek asked, confused.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying there are ways of maintaining order beyond what most people perceive. It¡¯s one thing to refuse to believe a lie, but you are a fool if you refuse the truth.¡±

 Chapter 8 - Alessandra

    Chapter 8


    Alessandra


    Alessandra pressed her tongue against her lower lip and traced the rune stitching on her left fingerless glove, An undeciphered rune was written on a small parchment resting on the table. A rune Arch Magus Sabine had given her months ago believed to hold a secret to Essemancy. Allie spun her tungsten Essemancer ring about her right ring finger.


    Dozens of scrolls and books on the Traessyean Empire lay scattered around the table. Alessandra cross-referenced the scroll to a recently printed book. Parchments lay stacked on the corner of the table. A pile of printed tomes stood on the floor several feet high. Printing technology was several decades old, but much of the library still needed translating. Her research often encompassed a variety of forms of information: scrolls, parchment, and printed paper books.


    She turned a page, and the paper cut her finger. Wincing, she jerked her away and sucked the blood from the cut, the faint taste of iron on her tongue.


    ¡°Why are you so hard to decipher?¡± Allie asked herself. Turning the page again, anxiousness stirred within. She scratched her head, causing a strand of long blond hair to fall onto the table. She blew a raspberry and abandoned any further attempt to decipher the rune. Another day¡¯s diligent deciphering was done.


    Allie loved wearing dresses but wished someone would include pockets on them. Instead, she folded the paper enigma into fourths and slid it into the underside of her Essemancer glove.


    Despite her voracious appetite, she never seemed to build any muscle. Alessandra had skinny arms that had wielded a quill more frequently than a knight would a sword. She marked her place in the last book, closed it, and carried it with her.


    Allie left the Arites Academy library, leaving behind the books. Outside the library, a Theogonist acolyte, Tellisium priest, and academy magus argued over the purpose and relation of the All-Father, Primordials, and the Essence. Regarding them, a moment reminded her of the start of a bad joke a jester might say. She eavesdropped.


    ¡°The Primordials came first,¡± the acolyte reasoned. A streak of silver shot through  chestnut hair complimenting her wardrobe--a simple white chiton, thin brown leather belt, and boots.


    ¡°No written record of Primordials exists,¡± the priest said. ¡°No evidence of manifestation.¡±


    That isn¡¯t entirely true.


    The priest wore sandals and a white robe with a large black diamond on his chest. Upon his sleeve, someone had sewn rows of teardrops, designating each year of service to the Tellisium church. Allie estimated the priest had devoted around thirty years to the church. His youthful appearance suggested he had become an oblate early in his life with the church.


    The acolyte protested with a raised finger. ¡°A lack of manifestation does not make--¡±


    ¡°The All-Father manifested Tellius as a prophet empowered to teach his people the one true way.¡±


    ¡°Read a book,¡± the magus said with a wave of his hand.


    ¡°I have read a book,¡± the priest said, ¡°Tellius Thesis--¡±


    ¡°Read another one,¡± the magus interrupted. Unlike the two religious figures, he dressed far more elaborately. Magus had no official garb and wore whatever they preferred. This magus seemed to prefer the style of a wealthy merchant. He wore a blue and black tunic over a white puffed shirt and slim-fitting black breeches. Such displays of wealth were not uncommon among Avictfell¡¯s citizens, but her gaze lingered on his academy rings. He wore one silver denoting his rank of apprentice and a copper one indicating the rank of an initiate. His hands gestured, concealing the stones and their associated areas of expertise from her view.


    Why couldn¡¯t it be both? Duality lurked within Alessandra. Her mind followed the words and wisdom of the magus. However, her heart taught the teachings of her prophet Tellius and the All-Father. Everyone¡¯s constant need to be correct baffled her. Without fear of failure, one could never learn--never improve. Things were never absolute.


    Unification, not division, inspired change. She couldn¡¯t let her colleague fight this argument alone. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear. Why does it bother you so much about what the magus believes?¡± A baited question she already knew the answer to.


    ¡°Because he is wrong,¡± the priest said.


    ¡°How so? Is Tellius¡¯ truth the only truth?¡± Alessandra asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± the priest said. ¡°The All-Father empowered him with the Essence.¡±


    ¡°What of the Theogony creation mythos that predates Tellius?¡±


    ¡°There is none. Tellius was the first Essemancer,¡± the priest said matter of fact.


    Alessandra chuckled. ¡°Before Tellius¡¯ time, the Traessyean Empire ruled the world, worshiping only the Primordials--¡±


    ¡°--False gods,¡± the priest interrupted.


    ¡°Putting matters of divinity aside, there were Essemancers before Tellius.¡±


    The magus nodded. ¡°Yes, the lady speaks true.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± said the acolyte. ¡°There are no heretics here. They fought a century of war over this very topic. Let¡¯s agree to disagree.¡±


    ¡°How can you accept such lies?¡± the priest asked. ¡°The Primordials never walked among men. They never wielded the Essence. The All-Father gave Tellius his divine power.¡±


    ¡°Have you studied them?¡± Allie asked.


    ¡°Theogony has no holy text.¡±


    ¡°True, but I must confess.¡± Alessandra gestured toward the priest. ¡°Despite my Tellisium practices, my studies found Theogony does reference divine power. The four Primordials comprising the Traessyean Empire¡¯s pantheon were all siblings--each a master of many domains. The initial state of the universe was a chaotic, dark, indefinite Void. Together they created the sun, heavens, sea and earth. Using their own Essence, they created and populated the world. Aryss, the eldest, master of heavens and sky, created men in his image. Sytos master of earth forged mountains and grew plants. Messeas goddess of the sea populated the land and oceans with animals. Pylorus gifted man with the runic words of power.¡±


    ¡°Words such as Tellius¡¯ Thesis?¡± the priest asked.


    ¡°Not exactly. These runes allowed them to draw upon the deities¡¯ Essence and wield a fraction of their power. According to the myth, the youngest Pylorys grew jealous of his siblings and betrayed them. The united familial pantheon split fractured the denizens of the world. The god of war--Pylorys--fierce fighting wreaked great destruction and chaos throughout the heavens and earth. Men took sides. He brought upon a long, hot summer filled with fire and flames. Tens of thousands died, and vegetation burned, scarring the world and leaving behind the Great Desert. The siblings fought in the heavens above. Pylorys divided the three. He defeated Messeas first. She fled to the depths of the sea, where no light could harm her. Next, he distracted Sytos by unleashing a horde of specters on the world for him to fight. This allowed Pylorys to face his elder brother, Aryss, alone. Aryss, god of life, chief protector, oldest and wisest, fought Pylorys in a climactic battle. Both gods wounded each other. Their Essence-infused blood fell to the earth and crystallized as salts. In the end, Pylorys emerged victorious over Aryss, but Messeas healed herself and returned to help. Sytos extinguished the specters and aided his sister and brother. The three united siblings defeated Pylorys. They stripped his power from him and divided it among themselves.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve studied Theogony for decades and have never encountered such a tale,¡± the acolyte said. ¡°You¡¯re saying they killed their brother?¡±


    The priest snickered. ¡°Consult your weeping stone.¡±


    Alessandra glared at him. ¡°Because even the Traessyean language predates the Theogonist creation mythos.¡±


    The magus pressed the fingers of his hands together. ¡°The Traessyean Empire¡¯s pantheon remains unchanged, but the story may have evolved. People often ignore the faults of those they follow.¡±


    ¡°Depends on the interpretation,¡± Allie said. ¡°It¡¯s a little unclear. The language is thousands of years old. Some scrolls imply killing, others defeat, and others speak more of exile or banishment. Afterward, the three siblings took new domains. Aryss ruled the heavens and the benevolent Essence of stars above. Sytos, god of travel, agriculture, and craftsmen ruled the earth and guided specters on redemption. Messeas, goddess of peace and love; darkness, shadow, and night ruled the blackness of void between the stars. Tasked with converting the vile Essence of fallen, for of all her brothers she was the most compassionate.¡±


    ¡°Some of that sounds like it¡¯s stolen from Tellius¡¯ Thesis,¡± the acolyte said.


    ¡°If they wrote it first, how can it be stolen?¡± Alessandra asked.


    ¡°Heresy!¡± cried the priest.


    Alessandra traced the diamond on her chest. ¡°Praise be the All-Father. I can be faithful and receptive to new ideas. Life isn¡¯t an absolute.¡±


    ¡°Well said, young miss,¡± the acolyte said.


    ¡°How better to reaffirm my faith than by listening to those who challenge it? Tellius virtues are a way of life that we practice daily. Devotion, respect, sharing, diligence, and caring these acts can apply to all facets of life. What does it matter their origin?¡±


    ¡°How do you know such things?¡± the priest asked.


    Alessandra licked the tip of her finger, opened a pouch about her waist, and dipped her finger in. She pulled it out. Blue crystallized salt grains clung to her moist finger. She sucked the salt from her finger. ¡°The salt¡¯s color corresponds to the deity¡¯s blood. This is the blood of Sytos, master of alteration.¡± She held her book out with one hand and released her grip on it. It floated in the air. An invisible force pushed the book away from her, floating in the air. She stopped the book¡¯s telekinetic push and pulled it back toward her hand.


    The priest and acolyte were wide-eyed.


    Alessandra spun and left them to continue their discussion.


    ¡°She¡¯s an Essemancer, you fool,¡± the magus said. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the tungsten ring?¡± The rest of the conversation passed out of earshot.


    The road sloped down from Arites Hill through the city of Avictfell. She passed by a pair of arguing merchants. Centered within the city, the capitol building in Gryphon Hall stood surrounded by People¡¯s Plaza. Commonfolk gathered around Avictus the Great¡¯s statue in the front building.


    Crimson Cloaks patrolled among thousands of commonfolk who crowded around the constructed gallows. The crowd¡¯s roar drowned out the executioner¡¯s speech. Something about rioters, murder, and a lector. Allie heard the dreaded drop of death, followed by a collective gasp. Silence snapped into a cacophony of bloodthirsty eagerness--the crowd cheered for more. Alessandra hated the violent streets of the capital. She advocated against the use of violence. Only in self-defense, when no alternative presented itself, should one use violence. Allie turned away from the horrendous death devices.


    Directly south, the Hanging Gardens and Imperial Palace sloped upward, protected by a curtain wall and moat fed by the canal with a sluice gate. To the north, across the canal that split Avictfell diagonally, the Cathedral of Tellius stood.


    Allie accepted her jaded perspective of having lived within the safety of the academy grounds. The Crimson Cloaks maintained security around the Arites Academy and isolated her from such things. But once she left the perimeter, violence lurked everywhere. Corruption, class division, greed, religion, and hunger spurred violence. Usually, the watchman patrolled the city center and south of the canal. She only went beyond the canal to pray in the cathedral. North of the canal and along the docks, beggars, thieves, and murderers patrolled the streets with a viciousness that the Crimson Cloaks might envy. Over three hundred years ago, they wore white cloaks. During the Great Interregnum in a bloody battle, they defended the city with such tenacity that every member¡¯s cloak had stained crimson with the blood. Since that day, they took pride in their crimson mantles.


    She walked south toward the Medistein Bank¡¯s Avictfell branch. A pair of Crimson Cloaks seized a dagger from a man, claiming he couldn¡¯t have weapons inside the city. When he protested, they suggested he take it up with the Assembly and laughed. Alessandra hurried by, not wanting to get drawn into the conflict. She sang ¡®Cross the Canal¡¯ to herself. A melancholic song that is often sung by the poor inhabitants of Rat¡¯s Roost.


    If you cross the canal


    Your purse, I will cut loose


    If you cross the canal


    You will lie in Rats Roost


    When I cross the canal


    For food and golden coin


    When I cross the canal


    Your fate, I hope to join


    Greeted by monuments


    I pay my compliments


    Where I find Heaven¡¯s love


    You¡¯ll find the Void above


    The canal ran parallel to her. She crossed south over Emperor¡¯s Bridge. The sluice gate controlling the water flow to the moat around the Imperial Palace was open. She reached the top of the bridge.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    A Crimson Cloak held a poor-looking kid by her tattered shirt and tugged her arm. ¡°Why are you out of Rat¡¯s Roost? Don¡¯t you vermin know not to cross the canal?¡±


    The orphan girl nodded meekly.


    ¡°Since I¡¯m feeling lenient today, I¡¯ll let you pick. A beating now, or a few nights in the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± the girl said, ¡°I wanna see the killings.¡±


    A sinister smile spread across the guards face. ¡°Fond for violence, eh? A beating then.¡± He raised his hand to strike.


    Before he did, Alessandra called out. ¡°Help! Help!¡±


    The guard held his blow and regarded her.


    Allie¡¯s heart hurried with concern for the poor girl. ¡°Another rat just stole my purse and ran into the crowd.¡± Alessandra pointed back the way she came toward the main square. ¡°He had bright red hair and a dirty white shirt.¡±


    The guard shrugged. ¡°Bird in the hand.¡± He jerked the girl, trying to squirm free. ¡°We¡¯ll have to punish this one twice.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Allie put on her best trouper bit and pleaded. ¡°Rather, I need that purse. If you recover it, I¡¯ll give you a twelfth of its contents.¡±


    The guard grinned greedily. ¡°Which way?¡±


    Allie pointed. ¡°Back toward the statue of Avictus. Please hurry.¡±


    The guard shoved the poor girl to the ground. ¡°Stay on your side of the canal street urchin.¡± He ran off.


    Allie¡¯s heartbeat slowed now that the orphan no longer faced any immediate harm.


    ¡°Neat trick,¡± the girl said, dusting her knees off. ¡°Why¡¯d you help me?¡±


    ¡°Because you needed it,¡± Alessandra reasoned.


    ¡°I ¡®spose so. Got any tarins?¡±


    Alessandra chuckled. She reached inside her pouch and pulled out a silver tarin. ¡°Here. Be more careful. The watch patrols are in full force whenever there¡¯s an execution.¡± The girl gave a smiling nod and ran back across the canal, turning around a corner.


    Alessandra strode onward through the streets, arriving at her destination. Next to the bank stood a printing press owned by House Medistein. Weekly prints of the Avictfell Post kept the citizens informed. Employed heralds shouted headlines while dozens of children heckled citizens to buy copies. After the academy, these two buildings were her second home. The Medistein family banner hung above the door to both buildings--red and black slanted checkered lozenges. Outside the bank, Medistein guards strained to load the wagon with a heavy chest.


    Her father Otto stood tall, with dark hair and darker half-moons beneath his eyes. When he saw her, his smile spread to his eyes, shrinking half-moons. ¡°Allie. How is my favorite daughter?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your only daughter.¡± Alessandra rewarded him with a warm smile and hug. ¡°What¡¯s in the wagon?¡±


    ¡°Payment to the Grand Vicar for the Ricci estate.¡±


    Alessandra¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°That much?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only ten percent,¡± Otto said nonchalantly. ¡°Svetlana told me Inquisitor Karolin intended to meet me here to oversee the transfer. Have you seen her?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Otto spun around, looking about. ¡°She grew tired of waiting, as do I. The sooner I complete this deal, the better.¡± Otto handed some documents to the household sergeant leading the caravan and addressed him. ¡°I messaged Salvatore to inform the Grand Vicar that the shipment was on its way under the escort of my household guard. Take this to Ryvium and deliver it personally to Grand Vicar Rodrigo. No one else. Not a lector, inquisitor, or any knight. Only the Grand Vicar may receive delivery. Understood?¡±


    The sergeant said. ¡°Yes Master Medistein. Only the Grand Vicar.¡±


    Alessandra didn¡¯t recognize the sergeant, but she spent much of her time at Arites Academy. If Otto trusted him to manage such significant wealth, then he must be a reliable person. Allie and Otto stepped underneath a covered porch with stone arches. ¡°You trust him to deliver so much gold?¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± Otto said. ¡°Besides, my true wealth lies not in these strongboxes, but here.¡± He tapped his head. ¡°What matters to me is that I pass my wealth on. I sleep at night knowing you¡¯re already far more wealthy than I¡¯ll ever be.¡±


    Allie retrieved the folded paper from her glove and offered it to Otto. ¡°Speaking of intellect, here is the rune Arch Magus Sabine gave me. I cannot decipher it. You should try it.¡±


    Otto nudged her hand away. ¡°And who do you think gave this rune to the Arch Magus?¡± Otto grinned crookedly.


    ¡°You failed as well?¡±


    ¡°A smart man will admit when he doesn¡¯t know the answer. The wise one will find the answer.¡±


    ¡°Which are you, smart or wise?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you ponder that,¡± Otto answered. ¡°Come inside for a moment. I want to give you something.¡±


    ¡°A gift?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want it, I don¡¯t have to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°Father, we both know you¡¯d never do that.¡±


    Technically, Otto wasn¡¯t her true father--Lorenzo Bizzi was, and had died long ago. Otto had adopted her. He had became one of two dominant male fatherly figures in her life along with her Uncle Reinhard. She was the only girl of four children, and Otto took every opportunity to spoil her.


    Inside the bank, they passed counting counters. Each had an abacus, scales, ink, and quill, and ledger books. They turned down a short hallway. Otto took a key from his belt and opened a locked door to enter his office. Simple furniture adorned the room; a lantern sat on a large, sturdy desk. Bookshelves covered an entire wall filled with ledgers from floor to ceiling and a strongbox. Otto unlocked the strongbox, retrieved a leather pouch, and held it out to her.


    She suspected what it contained. ¡°I can¡¯t take this, Father.¡± She pushed the pouch back.


    ¡°Nonsense, I insist.¡± He forced it into her hand. ¡°Look inside.¡±


    Alessandra opened it, and as expected, salt salts inside. Unexpected, however, were their color--black salts. A rush of excitement fluttered through her heart.


    ¡°We recently discovered these in the Tarona mines. I¡¯ve seen them once before, and Markus¡¯s journal references black salts from his expedition. But those are the first I¡¯ve ever actually mined.¡±


    Unable to contain her wonder, Allie asked. ¡°Do we know what they do?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Otto frowned. ¡°This is why we¡¯ve failed to decipher the rune. You will need to try again.¡±


    ¡°This much salt is a small fortune. Give it to Arch Magus Sabine and see if she can try.¡±


    ¡°She already has.¡±


    ¡°If she can¡¯t, surely I--¡±


    ¡°You must have more confidence in your abilities my dear. Once you decipher the rune we¡¯ll inscribe the Cipher Scroll.¡± Otto pulled out a scroll that had a myriad of runic symbols scribbled upon it. Each one has a different rune of power needed to use Essemancy spells. Some of those same runes she had sewn onto her glove.


    Someone knocked on the door. Otto replaced the scroll and closed the strongbox with a click. At the door, he slid the chain latch and open it. Allie¡¯s adopted mother, Sophia, stood in the doorway.


    Sophia had dark wavy hair, which contrasted with her curious blue eyes. Her figure was much more shapely than her own. Sophia juxtaposed Alessandra¡¯s in every way except the eyes. Or rather, in all the ways that mattered to men. ¡°The Crimson Cloaks informed me if we wish an escort from Avictfell, we must leave at once before shift change.¡±


    ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll be right out, dear,¡± Otto said. ¡°If they try to leave, offer them a few tarins.¡±


    Sophia pushed past Otto.


    ¡°Sophia,¡± Otto said, ¡°did you hear me?¡±


    ¡°I did. But first I need a hug from my daughter.¡± Sophia embraced her. ¡°New dress? I like the turquoise color. It brings out your eyes.¡±


    ¡°It needs pockets.¡±


    Sophia mischievous eyes flicked toward her husband.¡°Nonsense. If dresses had pockets, what use would men be?¡± She winked.


    Alessandra failed to suppress her amusement. She tapped her satchel purse hanging at her side. ¡°This will do, but sometimes I dread carrying it.¡±


    ¡°How were the studies today?¡±


    ¡°Laborious and unfruitful.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be Arch Magus soon enough.¡±


    Allie blushed. ¡°One day perhaps.¡±


    ¡°I wish I understood even a fraction of what you know.¡±


    ¡°What if I teach you?¡± Alessandra offered.


    ¡°A mother shouldn¡¯t feel shame admitting her daughter is more intelligent.¡± Sophia placed her hand on her cheek. ¡°And more beautiful.¡± Alessandra felt the heat rush to her cheeks. ¡°Come to the villa with us.¡±


    Alessandra glanced past Sophia to Otto, frantically waving his hands behind her. Otto shook his head and gave an elaborate swooning gesture touching his forehead with the back of his wrist. She had discerned long ago this was the gesture he made whenever he had some romantic surprise planned.


    ¡°Tellius knows I want to,¡± she lied, ¡°but I have to meet with the Magi Council tomorrow about Essemancy. I¡¯m afraid I only came here to get more salts.¡±


    Sophia¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t they have salts at the academy?¡± She turned around.


    Otto ceased swooning and stood still, trying to look innocent. His efforts seemed successful because Sophia didn¡¯t comment.


    ¡°Uh,¡± Allie hesitated, ¡°yes, but I needed the Cipher Scroll to review with them as well.¡±


    Sophia shrugged. ¡°Otto, give her the strongbox key, and let¡¯s depart before nightfall. The executions will have people stirring about. Let¡¯s be well outside the city walls before dark.¡±


    ¡°Of course, my love. We¡¯ll leave at once.¡± Otto handed Allie the key. ¡°Lock it up after you¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy your time at the villa,¡± Allie called out as they left. She sat in the plush cushioned chair behind a sturdy polished desk. Otto''s plain decor didn¡¯t extend to his chair. He had insisted on comfort since he had spent half his days seated. Bookshelves lined and jutted outward from the walls. A portrait of Markus the Magnificent, founder of House Medistein, hung opposite the desk. She leaned back to rest her eyes. After an agonizing analysis of archaic runes, Alessandra achieved clarity.


    A gentle knock sounded at the door, stealing her serenity. She had dozed off asleep, uncertain of how long.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Allie answered.


    The door cracked open. Mia¡¯s head poked through. ¡°Allie, I¡¯m scared.¡± Mia was a young girl, just turned eight, with blond hair and ink smudged on her face.


    About my age when I lost my parents. Seeing a lot of herself in Mia, Allie had taken a liking to Mia and developed a sort of maternal role for the orphan girl. She was one of the many orphans Otto had employed, fed, and housed in a sort of unofficial adoption. Like me.


    The Medistein had taken her and her brother Nicco in as part of their family after her blood parents died nearly two decades ago. They were two young minor nobles in desperate need of support and security. Otto¡¯s uncle Reinhard had honored his godfather¡¯s oath and adopted them as his own. Fearing they might abandon her, every day Allie struggled to prove her value to them by serving as an Essemancer. Despite not being of their blood, she considered the Medistein her family. Bizzi and Medistein were of one house. With their adoption, she gained three parents and two brothers. Her adopted great-uncle turned godfather Reinhard¡¯s willingness to look past people¡¯s differences had instilled a strong desire to maintain that unity within their houses. Her adopted mother Sophia had taught her compassion, and Otto taught her when to trust--and suspect--others, especially in matters of business.


    ¡°Mia, what time is it?¡±


    ¡°A few hours after dark.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you in bed?¡±


    Mia stared at the floor. ¡°I was, but I¡¯m scared.¡±


    Alessandra tilted her head and motioned Mia to come. Mia pushed through the door and ran toward her.


    ¡°Eh, eh, eh, hands?¡±


    Mia froze and held up her hands, showing her fingernails.


    ¡°Other side.¡±


    Mia turned her hands, revealing ink-stained fingers.


    Allie clicked her tongue. ¡°As I suspected.¡± She glanced around and grabbed a handkerchief from the desk, holding it before Mia. ¡°Spit.¡± Mia spat. Allie cleaned Mia¡¯s fingers one at a time, staring at the little finger. ¡°What¡¯s got you so scared?¡±


    ¡°I heard a noise outside.¡±


    Probably a mob of drunks prowling the streets after the execution. ¡°Oh, what kind of noise?¡±


    ¡°A scary one.¡±


    ¡°Specters in the night?¡± she teased. Mia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll protect you.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to use your magic on them?¡±


    Alessandra chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll do you one better. I¡¯ll teach you to use magic. What do you think?¡±


    Mia smiled and gave an eager nod.


    ¡°Alright. Listen, to wield magic, you must first understand it. Magic comes from the Essence. The Essence is everywhere, a divine presence within all living things. We can manipulate it, giving Essemancers power from the Heavens.¡±


    ¡°The Essence is in me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Are you ready to try?¡± Mia nodded again. ¡°Do exactly as I say. Turn around, take a deep breath, and hold your hand out.¡± Mia turned. Once she did, Allie opened her salt pouch, licked her finger, dipped it into the salt, and sucked the blue crystals from her fingertip. ¡°Focus on the door. Picture yourself closing it. Want it more than anything you¡¯ve ever wanted. Do you want it?¡±


    Mia¡¯s arm strained. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°More than anything?¡± Alessandra asked as she adjusted her runic-inscribed glove. Essemancy required physical contact of the user with specific runes to draw upon their power. A lesson Reinhard had taught her courtesy of his late wife Suna. Suna was Julk and shared Essemancy¡¯s secrets with Reinhard.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mia answered.


    Allie flourished her free hand behind Mia and the door closed. Mia gasped. She swirled about, sending her hair spinning. Eyes wide with the wonder only a child knows. ¡°I did magic!¡±


    Allie laughed. ¡°Yes, you did.¡±


    A loud bang boomed from beyond the door. Mia startled. Alessandra squinted.


    ¡°I told you,¡± Mia whispered. ¡°Did you hear it?¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± Allie said, doing her best to hide her fearful concern. She pressed her ear to the door and listened, but heard nothing.


    ¡°Allie wait! What if it¡¯s a specter?¡±


    ¡°Good thing we have your magic.¡± She winked at Mia. Mia nodded and held her hand out in concentration.


    Alessandra cracked open the door and peeked through. Seeing nothing she opened it further and crept into the hallway. Her eyes still adjusted to the darkness, unable to see anything. A chill ran up her spine. From around the corner, a dim light flickered. Several hooded men held torches as they tossed tools and rummaged through piles of parchment. They wore swords and one had a crossbow.


    A hand wrapped about her wrist. Allie¡¯s heart leaped from her chest and she let out a startled scream. Allie whirled to see who had grabbed her.


    ¡°Told you,¡± Mia said.


    ¡°Halt!¡± a deep voice commanded.


    ¡°Stay behind me,¡± Allie whispered and turned around placing herself in front of Mia. ¡°You¡¯ll find no wealth here. Only parchment and inks.¡±


    The hooded man raised a crossbow and yelled. ¡°Where are they?¡±


    Alessandra jumped. ¡°Take whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°I found something worth taking boss.¡±


    Another hooded man turned, presumably the leader. Alessandra pictured sinister grins of stained teeth beneath those hoods.


    ¡°Go away specters!¡± Mia yelled from behind.


    The hooded men released a mocking laugh. ¡°Specters. Do you hear that boss? That¡¯s right we¡¯re specters!¡±


    The blur of a child ran past--Mia. ¡°I have magic!¡± Mia¡¯s arm shot outward.


    Allie¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°No!¡±


    A crossbow twanged and an instant later Mia collapsed.


    ¡°Fool!¡± a bandit spat. They turned toward each other appearing hesitant.


    Acting upon their uncertainty Allie scooped up Mia and retreated down the hallway. Her heart raced. Each pump pushed primal fear throughout her body.


    ¡°Stop her!¡±


    Back inside the office Allie closed the door with her shoulder, set Mia down, and barred it. A second later the door shook with a loud bang that rattled the door startling her. They battered the door with repeated bangs and swears.


    ¡°Mia,¡± Allie said. Blood soaked her dress around the shaft of the bolt. Allie turned Mia¡¯s head. Mia stared ahead frozen in fear. Life had already left them.


    Allie sobbed and shook Mia back and forth desperate to awaken her.


    ¡°Get something heavy,¡± a bandit ordered.


    Another bash against the door. The hinges creaked but held firm. Another heavy thud and the hinges loosened. She was running out of time.


    Allie rested Mia down on the floor and blessed her Essence with the Sign of the Diamond--thumbs and index fingers pressed together in a diamond shape and extended outward from her chest toward Mia.


    ¡°Where is the scroll?¡± a bandit roared.


    ¡°Shut up you idiot!¡± another yelled. The boss perhaps.


    Allie sprung to action and opened the strongbox with Otto¡¯s key. Her fingers raced to roll up the Cipher Scroll. Desperate and alone, with nowhere to flee, she did the only thing she could--hide. She sought refuge beneath the desk with the scroll resting in her lap. She ate purple salts, sucked down air, and closed her eyes. Her focus found Otto¡¯s Essence. She telepathically sent him a message. Bandits are robbing the printing house. They killed Mia.


    The door burst open with a loud crack. Allie jolted beneath the desk. She hugged herself into the fetal position and squeezed her eyes shut hoping it was all a dream. Her breath came deep, and she felt it would betray her presence. Boots scratched against the floor with a slow steady pace. A message from Otto occupied her mind. Run! Rendezvous at the villa.


    ¡°I found something,¡± a gruff voice declared.


    Another set of footsteps shuffled closer. ¡°Why is the strongbox open?¡±


    A sudden crash of metal against wood spooked her. With a jolt, she banged her head on the desk above. She winced, swallowed her scream, and bit her lip to fight the pain.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± the gruff voice asked.


    Adrenaline assaulted her. Heavy footfalls grew louder with each step. They were going to find her. She had to do something. She gathered her will, focused, and flipped her palms outward. The desk flew and smashed into the bookshelf. The lantern shattered. Flames feasted in fury on the books. Soon the fire would spread to the print shop. If she didn¡¯t escape soon, she would burn to death. The two masked bandits shielded their faces from the fire.


    Allie judged the distance between her, the bandits, and the door. The closer one held a sword, and the other one stood among the scattered contents of the emptied strongbox. She dashed out the door. More footsteps came from down the hall so she ran up the stairs toward the living chambers. She had the advantage of knowing the layout. Upstairs the bank and print shop shared an adjoining hallway she could escape to.


    ¡°Get her!¡± Someone shouted.


    Dreaded boots stomped after her but she dared not look back. Allie turned down the hallway toward the print shop door, unlatched it, went through, and closed it behind her. It was impossible to lock the door from the print shop side. The bank¡¯s security took precedence.


    Two large machine presses rested in the center of the room. Sheets of paper hung over many suspended strings. The musk smell of paper and acidic soaks of gall nuts overpowered her. The bandit opened the door and chased her around the balcony. Allie slid down the stair rail and burst through the back door into the alley. Determined to survive, she ran toward the southern city stables.


    Behind her, a brigand appeared. ¡°She is getting away!¡±


    Allie¡¯s gumption had reached its limits. She hoped he was right.

 Chapter 9 - Leo

    Chapter 9


    Leo


    Most bewildering, Leo thought. He hated waiting. Reinhard preached patience, but to Leo, waiting encompassed combinations of boredom, inefficiency, and a waste of life¡¯s most precious resource: time. He liked to think he inherited his grandfather¡¯s decisive nature.


    ¡°You have Markus¡¯ sense of adventure.¡± Reinhard had told him on more than one occasion.


    Part of him wanted to commandeer a ship and sail out to sea. His parents and uncle quashed such fantasies, reminding him of his duty to his house. At twenty-five, the time had come. He must marry, and soon. His parents had married far younger, and his father began to lead his house at the same age. Leo enjoyed the freedom. He had seen too many couples in unhappy marriages. Life was too short, and he refused to allow someone to thrust such misery upon him. He relished fond memories of his years at Ryvium and Avictfell¡¯s Arites Academy during his youthful recklessness. He had duties, sure, but at least he could ignore the incessant insistence of his parents. Leo knew now was as good an opportunity as ever. The time had come.


    Leo stood on the observation deck of Medistein Tower. Sweat ran down his back despite the cool spring breeze. Why am I so nervous? Man up, this is not like you.


    ¡°You requested to speak with me,¡± Bianca''s voice came from behind.


    Leo turned, smiled, and bowed.


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re not one for such formalities in private.¡±


    ¡°I want to show you something,¡± Leo said, gesturing toward the railing.


    Bianca stepped forward. Her form-fitting dress accentuated her hip movements. A deep red lace cut so low Leo¡¯s imagination ran wild.


    Leo held his hand out to offer support. Her hand lingered and took it. ¡°Still angry with me?¡±


    Bianca scoffed. ¡°This is how you apologize?¡± She shook her head, dropped his hand, and turned away.


    ¡°What do you want me to say?¡± Leo asked. ¡°That your love pulls my Essence between agony and ecstasy.¡±


    Bianca stopped and turned back. Her face flushed as the redness of her dress and hair contrasted with her lively green eyes. ¡°For someone with a quick wit and even quicker tongue, I would have thought you had ample time to think of something.¡± She turned and strode toward the door.


    She was right, as usual, though he would never admit it aloud. Of all the times for his wit to fail him.


    ¡°Marry me,¡± he blurted out.


    Specters steal me. Leo squeezed his moist hands into fists with anxiousness. He felt as though he wore a bear-skinned coat in the Great Desert. The moment was not as he had imagined.


    Bianca stopped and slowly turned. Relief filled him, seeing that the anger had fallen from her face. The wind blew her wavy hair, which shimmered of rose gold.


    ¡°I love you. Marry me, Peaches,¡± he said again more calmly. His words harmonized with the wind¡¯s sweet song. Bianca met his eyes. ¡°Is that quick enough?¡±


    Her face hid the hint of a smirk. She stepped forward.


    They stood silent for what seemed like an eternity. His heartbeat thudded in his ears. For once in his life, Leo let the silence speak his serenade.


    Bianca reached out and took his hands. ¡°Interesting choice of words for an apology.¡±


    ¡°I was up all night thinking about it,¡± Leo said, just above a whisper. He stepped closer, their faces inches apart.


    Bianca¡¯s brow arched. ¡°A proposal any woman would envy.¡±


    ¡°How you always imagined, I¡¯m sure,¡± Leo said with a crooked grin.


    ¡°There you are,¡± she whispered and touched his heart, which raced faster than a stallion in full gallop.


    He kissed her soft lips. They became one as she merged into him and he welcomed the slow passage of time until finally, they parted.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Bianca asked. Her eyes gleamed with radiant joy.


    ¡°First, I had to dislodge my head from my ass. That took quite a while.¡±              Bianca smacked his ass with both hands. ¡°No head there.¡±


    ¡°After that, I had to remove foot from mouth. Only to discover I was tongue-tied.¡±


    Bianca caressed his jaw. ¡°Never stop being you.¡±


    ¡°Most bewildering. So, I take it that¡¯s a yes?¡±


    Bianca nodded with a giggling smile. ¡°Yes.¡±


    She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She kissed him again, full on the mouth. Her scent of blossoms and vanilla stirred romantic memories in his mind. Moments of passionate pleasure--intent to make this another such moment. Their lips parted, but their bodies still pressed close. Her breasts pressed against him. ¡°Have you asked my mother yet?¡±


    Nothing like the mention of a mother to dampen the romance. Fear burst into his mind as he imagined requesting Bianca¡¯s hand from the shrewd Duchess Matilda von Aldberg, ruler of all the Meadowlands.


    ¡°Still trying to muster the courage to face her?¡±


    Leo looked to the side. ¡°Something like that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re more than welcome to tame that lion.¡±


    ¡°Any suggestions on how to go about it?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Just ensure head, foot, and tongue are all in proper order and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Leo laughed. ¡°You know me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, which is why...just tell her you love me, and I love you. The rest will follow.¡±


    ¡°You make it sound so simple.¡±


    ¡°Trust me,¡± Bianca said, eyes still sparkling. ¡°It will work.¡±


    Leo clicked his teeth. ¡°Easy for you to say.¡±


    Bianca paused, her face turned serious. ¡°There is one thing: she will question your religion. So polish your sales pitch like the banker you are, but be warned, even you would envy my mother''s negotiation skills.¡±


    Leo narrowed his eyes. ¡°Do you question my faith?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, but my mother will. You must help her see past you being a Theogonist.¡±


    ¡°Tellisium, Theogonist, we all end up in Heaven at the end. Why would it matter?¡±


    ¡°It matters to her.¡± Leo looked upward in deep thought. A challenge for sure. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Bianca added. ¡°You¡¯re great with words. Imagine if she was my father.¡±


    Leo¡¯s mind raced with horror. I¡¯d be strung up, or worse.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Bianca soothed, ¡°you¡¯ll do fine. I only ask that you wait to share the news until after you¡¯ve obtained her blessing.¡± Leo scrunched his face. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that.¡±


    If that kept Bianca happy, he would wait. Relationships were about sacrifice, after all. He had hoped to share the news with his parents. Perhaps now his father would quit pestering him about legacy and responsibility. ¡°If only there were a way to keep my lips sealed.¡± Leo puckered his lips.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Bianca laughed and kissed him again.


    A loud bang interrupted their kiss. Leo looked at the door. Nicco stood with parchment in hand, worry mixed with jealousy. ¡°Reinhard just received a message from Allie. Someone attacked her in Avictfell. Both the printing house and bank burned to the ground.¡±


    ¡°Is she alright?¡± Bianca asked, with worry in her voice.


    ¡°What?¡± Leo said simultaneously.


    ¡°I believe so,¡± Nicco answered. ¡°She took the Cipher Scroll from the strongbox and fled.¡±


    The Cipher Scroll, named long ago by his grandfather Markus, compiled all the known runes of Essemancy. Another valued treasure his grandfather had plundered from the Julk on the First Expedition. A few privileged Magi and Essemancers aided in deciphering and copying the runes to create the Cipher Scroll. To ensure its secrecy, no one had ever seen a Cipher Scroll in its entirety without the name Medistein.


    And Bizzi now as well, it seemed. Leo wondered if Alessandra had always known of its existence. His father or Reinhard must have told her during her training. To Leo¡¯s knowledge, every Medistein branch held a copy within its strongbox. Only Otto knew the original scroll¡¯s location that Markus had stolen. Scrolls that contained far more knowledge and power of the Traessyean Empire¡¯s mastery of Essemancy.


    ¡°I need to speak with Reinhard and Karl,¡± Leo said. Bianca held his hand and followed behind.


    ¡°They¡¯re in the office,¡± Nicco said as they entered the lift.


    Nicco lowered the restraining rail. Leo pulled a lever, gears clicked, and the lift descended, scarping along metal tracks. The lift reached the designated floor and stopped. Nicco lifted the rail. ¡°My lady.¡± Bianca stepped off the lift first. Leo followed them down the hall and into the office. He arrived amidst heated words.


    ¡°--not stand for this!¡± Karl yelled.


    ¡°Calm down, nephew,¡± Reinhard said, motioning his hand downward.


    ¡°When did this happen?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Only minutes ago. Allie escaped Avictfell and fled south to the villa.¡±


    ¡°Are our parents with her?¡±


    Reinhard smoothed his bearded chin. ¡°The message implied she intends to rendezvous with your parents at the Medistein Villa.¡±


    ¡°Do we know who¡¯s behind the attack?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t say,¡± Reinhard answered.


    ¡°Whoever did,¡± Leo said, ¡°they must not fear reprisal. Who could be so bold?¡±


    ¡°It could be bandits or rioters,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°First Lector Ricci and now this. Chaos in the capital grows more rampant.¡±


    ¡°It feels too coincidental.¡± Leo paced around the room, heels clapping against the wood floors.


    ¡°Leo, you¡¯re being paranoid,¡± Nicco said.


    ¡°House Medistein has many rivals,¡± Bianca said, ¡°whom have you slighted recently?¡±


    Countess Contessa and Olaf Holzhaus to name a few. He doubted Contessa was capable of such a crime. But specter has no fury like a woman scorned and best not to mention Contessa. Leo rubbed his temples, contemplating a course of action.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Karl said, brow furrowed. ¡°Who might have done this?¡±


    ¡°I might have upset Grand Burgher Olaf.¡±


    Karl and Bianca asked simultaneously. ¡°Might have?¡±


    ¡°Specters steal me, does everyone think I¡¯m--¡± Everyone finished his sentence.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Bianca said.


    ¡°A jackass,¡± Karl quipped.


    ¡°Arrogant,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Dishonorable,¡± Nicco grumbled.


    finished his sentence.


    Leo pressed his hand to his heart. ¡°It¡¯s good to feel so loved.¡±


    Nicco¡¯s brow narrowed. Leo anticipated an eventful day. But he had a more pleasant event in mind when he awoke. All he wanted to do was enjoy his time with Bianca. He already planned to announce their engagement during a masquerade ball.


    Does he suspect we are engaged? Doubtful. It seemed the gods had other plans.


    ¡°We can worry about discovering who is behind the attack later,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°What did you do this time?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°I may have promised to buy timber and stone to finish constructing Medistein Tower.¡±


    ¡°But the tower is done.¡±


    ¡°Very observant of you.¡± With a point, he turned toward Reinhard, denying Karl any retort. ¡°Likely they meant to rob the bank. They may not want witnesses, and if they saw Allie or our parents flee--¡±


    ¡°We need to get to the villa!¡± Nicco finished.


    ¡°I was getting to that,¡± Leo said. If anyone heard him, they paid him no attention.


    Karl moved to exit with haste. ¡°A few guards reside at the villa.¡±


    ¡°Is it enough?¡± Bianca asked after him.


    Karl shrugged. ¡°Depends on how many men attacked. Either way, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Reinhard commanded in a tone his uncle rarely used. ¡°You can¡¯t both abandon your duty.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Karl said.


    Reinhard blocked the door. ¡°You¡¯re the captain of the Skywatch, not a common guard.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s our parents!¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Reinhard rested his hands on Karl¡¯s shoulders. ¡°And before your mother left, she tasked me to counsel you should the need arise.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need counseling.¡± Karl squeezed the hilt of his sword.


    ¡°Actions taken in haste, without proper consideration, often complicate matters.¡±


    Karl shrugged, free of Reinhard¡¯s grasp. ¡°Uncle, now is not the time for one of your lines of wisdom.¡±


    Reinhard stepped in front of Karl. ¡°Now is precisely the time,¡± Reinhard said sternly, but not angrily.


    Karl took a deep breath.


    ¡°Reinhard is right,¡± Leo agreed. ¡°One of us needs to stay here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you agree.¡± Karl stepped past Reinhard, making for the door.


    Leo grabbed Karl¡¯s arm. ¡°I meant you, brother.¡±


    Karl pulled free of his grip. ¡°To the Void with that. I¡¯m the better swordsman, archer, and rider.¡±


    ¡°As the Skywatch¡¯s captain, your duty is to Tarona.¡±


    ¡°My duty is also to my family,¡± Karl stressed.


    Leo was getting nowhere. He had to put this in more practical terms--more hierarchical. ¡°I¡¯m older. I could order it.¡±


    Karl scoffed. ¡°Try to stop me.¡± Karl stepped toward Leo and he stood a full head taller.


    How did I get cursed with such a short stature? Leo held his ground and looked up. ¡°Stature doesn¡¯t infer power.¡±


    ¡°Nor does age.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Otto and I didn¡¯t argue half as much as you two.¡± Reinhard pointed to Leo, stopping him before he could speak. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Reinhard¡¯s stare pierced him stronger than any spear. ¡°It¡¯s clear you two only understand childish tendencies. So hear me now. I¡¯m older and bigger.¡±


    Throughout his upbringing, Leo had learned the different expressions of his family. When he had finally crossed the line with his jokes. Reinhard had reached that point.


    He is worried. Beneath that stern visage, a hint of concern betrayed his true feelings. ¡°How many household guards are currently present here?¡±


    ¡°Twenty,¡± Karl answered.


    ¡°Karl,¡± Reinhard began. His tone returned to his usual soft-spoken voice. ¡°We should double the guards on the Medistein Tower. Increase the Skywatch¡¯s presence along the harbors and be ready should any threat strike us at home. I¡¯ll remain here and assist you.¡±


    Karl nodded, accepting his uncle¡¯s wisdom.


    Reinhard continued. ¡°Leo will take members of the Skywatch to the villa.¡±


    ¡°They serve Tarona, not this house,¡± Karl said.


    ¡°Their captain could command them,¡± Reinhard suggested.


    Karl frowned. ¡°I took an oath just like they did, but unlike them, I¡¯m also a member of this house. I cannot command them to fight for House Medistein.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll pay them for their services,¡± Leo said. ¡°Surely some of them could use a few extra tarins.¡±


    ¡°The Skywatch isn¡¯t a band of mercenaries,¡± Karl spat.


    ¡°Damnit Karl, our family¡¯s life is at stake. Someone burned down our bank. Our parents and sister have fled Avictfell. We¡¯re under attack!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t condone your bribery, nor will I command them to fight for our house.¡±


    ¡°Then what good are you as their captain?¡± Leo roared.


    ¡°They swore their lives to protect Tarona, not House Medistein.¡±


    ¡°Father pays them.¡±


    ¡°No, Tarona¡¯s Lord Mayor employs them to keep the peace.¡±


    Leo threw his hands up. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    ¡°We have household guards at the villa,¡± Karl reasoned.


    Leo crossed his arms. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. Are you always a slave to your honor?¡±


    ¡°At least I have honor,¡± Karl quipped.


    Leo groaned. Nicco¡¯s sense of honor had rubbed off on Karl. Leo preferred it when Karl acted more like him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Nicco interrupted.


    Leo glanced at a portrait of Sophia and Otto that Reinhard had painted. ¡°This isn¡¯t your fight.¡±


    Nicco set his jaw. ¡°Any fight of yours is my fight, brothers.¡±


    Bianca took Leo¡¯s hand. ¡°I would feel better knowing a skilled swordsman rode with you.¡±


    ¡°Nicco¡¯s sword is worth any three men,¡± Reinhard said, turning to Karl. ¡°They can take a few household guards to accompany them.¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°No. I want our guards around our property. Send a few to the mines and printing shop. The others can remain here within the tower.¡±


    ¡°We can hire a few off-duty Skywatch members to replace them for the time being,¡± Reinhard suggested.


    ¡°I agree with Reinhard,¡± Bianca said. ¡°You¡¯re not about to travel without some escort outside the city walls.¡± She gave him a stern glare and rested a hand on her hip.


    Eager to embark, Leo recognized the futility of further discussion. ¡°Three household guards,¡± Leo relented. ¡°Have the Skywatch increase its patrols around the mines and Medistein Tower. Or is that out of their purview?¡±


    Karl glared. ¡°I can have them do that.¡±


    Bianca nodded, satisfied. ¡°You should warn the branch in Aldberg as well.¡±


    Leo agreed with the suggestion. ¡°Reinhard message the branch and have them increase security.¡±


    ¡°I could sail home and convince my mother to send aid.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s wise,¡± Nicco said.


    ¡°Nicco is right,¡± Leo agreed. ¡°It¡¯s safer here, especially once we increase the guards.¡±


    ¡°You forget yourself,¡± Bianca said. ¡°I¡¯m not a Medistein. I¡¯m the niece of the late Emperor Richard. My mother still has many lords loyal to her. No one would dare harm me.¡±


    Perhaps she wishes to tell her mother of their engagement after all.


    ¡°That may all be true,¡± Leo agreed, ¡°but if it is Grand Burgher Olaf, he might have seen you with me at the celebration. He may seek to harm those close to me.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Karl said. ¡°Anyone close to house Medistein might be in danger. It¡¯s safer to remain with the guards in Tarona until we better understand the attack¡¯s full extent.¡±


    Bianca nodded. ¡°A message then.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll inform the Aldberg branch,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Leo, I¡¯ll need salts.¡±


    ¡°I keep a small pouch in my office, bottom desk drawer. We¡¯ll sail to Sicinia and ride the rest of the way. ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ready the horses,¡± Nicco said, and left. Reinhard followed behind.


    Leo raised Bianca¡¯s hand and kissed it. She squeezed his hand, pulling him closer. ¡°Do you think that was satisfactory?¡± Her hand ran through his hair and pulled his lips to hers.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you two a moment,¡± Karl stammered.


    They parted. Before Karl escaped, Leo called after him. ¡°Karl, I¡¯m relying on you to protect our assets.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Karl said. He stepped through the doorway and called for the guards.


    ¡°Done already?¡± Bianca teased. Leo spun toward Bianca, her eyes sparkled with mischief. He kissed her again. Longer this time. Soon they would be married and Leo hoped he would be a better man for it.

 Chapter 10 - Alessandra

    Chapter 10


    Alessandra


    A night sky glowed smoky orange from the print shop fire, burning both it and the bank to the ground. Allie hurried through the twisted streets of Avictfell. The direct absence of the bandits didn¡¯t ease her sense of urgency. Allie clung against a building¡¯s wall, squatting down, and peered around the corner.


    Alone and threatened, her heart raced. Every person she saw on the street drew her anxious glare. She studied them with meticulous analysis, looking for any hint of foul play. Wary of odd shapes concealed beneath cloaks. Apprehension squeezed her chest as suspicious strangers sauntered past. Her unexpected salvation came from the night¡¯s darkness.


    She reached the southern stables and found them closed. So much for a horse.


    Both the intense physical exertion and Essemancy had made her thirsty. Cupping her hands, she scooped water from a trough and slurped it down. Traces of power from the salts still flowed within her. With her thirst quenched, she ate more salt and sent another message to Otto: I escaped with the Cipher Scroll. The bank has burned to the ground. I will meet you at the villa. Afterward, she sent a second message to Reinhard to notify her brothers back in Tarona.


    I need a knight. If only Nicco were here. Her thoughts swirled with indecision. She wanted to escape Avictfell at once but feared traveling alone in the dark, so she decided against it. How many more bandits lurked nearby? It could be none, but more than likely they had not acted alone. Criminals will be out in droves tonight because of the riots. She didn¡¯t need a random thug mugging her on the streets.


    Her next thought was to seek refuge with the Crimson Cloaks, but if she did that, she would have to explain what happened. Can I trust them? Only hours ago, one of the Crimson Cloaks had tried to harm the poor, innocent girl. Otto had cautioned her in trusting them. They served their interest more often than those of the people. They would find the Cipher Scroll if they searched her. That could not happen.


    She spun the ring around her finger. Next, she considered hiding the Cipher Scroll somewhere in the city first and then going to the Crimson Cloaks. That might work, but what if someone stumbled upon it? What if someone watched her right now? She peered up at the rooftops and around her, determining it was too dangerous. Her knowledge of the city dwindled with distance from Arites Academy. She settled on keeping the Cipher Scroll in her possession and finding somewhere secure to hide.


    She didn¡¯t dare return to her apartment near the academy. If she were being followed, they would know where to find her. Instead, she found an inn near the South Gate guarded by Crimson Cloaks. It was easier to leave a city than enter, but she needed her horse and the stables were closed. Besides, leaving at night would likely result in her being questioned by the Crimson Cloaks, whereas during the day she might slip out among the many people passing through unaccounted. She huddled against a stack of hay bails behind the stables and waited out the night. Her heart had slowed some, but worry lingered. She peeked over the hay bail, searching for any sign of trouble. She found none.


    A sudden sorrow stole her heart. She sank down, hugged her knees, and sobbed. Snot ran from her nose and mouth, hanging like a spiderweb between her lips. Mia¡¯s face was frozen in her mind as Allie cried herself to sleep.


    The morning light awoke her. She bolted up, still unsettled. The night had been uneventful. She examined her surroundings and noticed nothing of interest. An unbearable urge to urinate pained her bladder and she relieved herself behind the stable. A street cart vendor sold her a sausage link skewer for breakfast. Allie refilled her water skin from the horse trough.


    A thin plume of acrid smoke wafted in the air. Judging by the size, the fire had likely burned out. She crossed the street and went to the now open stables. Inside the stable, a boy slept in a pile of hay. A kick to his boot woke him. Instinctively, she could feel his emotions flare disgruntlement but relaxed once he saw her. Last night¡¯s residual salt power dissipated. Using Essemancy¡¯s empathy had been accidental and undisciplined. She cursed herself.


    ¡°Tack up my horse,¡± she said. The boy nodded and obeyed. The stable boy led a reddish brown palfrey with a white striped nose by the reins. She placed the Cipher Scroll inside the saddlebag. Allie swung onto her and took the reins. A click of her teeth and a gentle kick set her mount Ruby in motion.


    The South Gate portcullis had been raised. Ruby trotted past the safety of the Avictfell walls. Her parent¡¯s concern occupied her mind. She ate a pinch of violet salts and sent another telepathic message to Otto. She informed Reinhard as well. I have escaped Avictfell and now travel south along the Avictus Road.


    Ruby¡¯s shoes clopped on the paved Imperial Road, which ran due south to the castle of Stirberg. Red-bricked and round, Stirberg castle sat upon the foothills of the Skywoods Mountains. After she passed Stirberg, she rode eastward, now through the deciduous Skywoods. The trees shaded the road.


    A cool spring breeze almost relaxed her. The rhythmic bounce in the saddle continued as hours of travel gave her sore thighs. She considered the past night¡¯s events. Who would have robbed the bank? Why didn¡¯t they rob the bank before Otto left if they wanted gold? Whoever robbed the bank was after the scrolls, but how had they known of the Cipher Scroll? One bandit had mentioned the scrolls. Had someone followed her from the academy?


    Mia¡¯s scared face, frozen in death, overtook her thoughts. Mia reminded her of herself when she was young--eager to learn. But much braver than me. Mia was a young girl taken from this world far too early. She had only intended to calm Mia from shadows in the night. How many children awoke in the middle of the night afraid of specters and monsters lurking outside their window or beneath their bed? Allie had lied to Mia and made her believe she could do magic. Because of that, she died. Mia would be riding with her right now if Allie hadn¡¯t instilled a false belief in her ability to use Essemancy. Allie wiped the tears from her eyes.


    Ruby¡¯s canter ceased. Ruby neighed and spun about in a sudden fright. Allie squeezed her thighs and struggled to control her mount. Instead, Allie opted for a different tactic and pressed her gloved wrist against Ruby¡¯s neck. With both of them now touching the rune, Allie connected to their Essences. Ruby¡¯s Essence and will were no match for her own. She soothed the horse¡¯s emotions with a discharge of Essemancy power. Such power was useful on animals, but in her research, she found it had little effect on humans.


    Two bandits emerged from up ahead. Behind her, another four men appeared. Allie kicked Ruby and steered her into the woods. Off-road travel was her best chance of escape. Thick grass muffled Ruby¡¯s hooves. Allie hoped it would aid in her escape. She ducked low in the saddle; Ruby¡¯s mane blew in her face. Peeking over a shoulder, the bandits gave chase. Her heart beat as fast as Ruby¡¯s gallop. The bandits yelled and swore as they struggled through the forest. A chestnut tree brushed against her arm. Allie pulled the reins to the left and veered Ruby back toward the original direction she had traveled. Towards the villa. Faint rays of falling sunlight pierced through gaps in the trees. Once the sun set, she stood a better chance of escape.


    From her peripheral vision, a rock the size of a keg flew toward her. She ducked and turned Ruby away as a sudden sharp pain smashed against her right thigh. Ruby toppled over, spilling Allie from the saddle. Her head smashed into something hard, blurring her narrowed vision.


    A heavy man straddled her sitting atop her thighs. Instinctively, she tried to wrap him into a guard position with her legs, but couldn¡¯t. He smelled of horse and foul sweat.


    ¡°Where is it?¡± His hands assaulted her. Groping and frisking eagerly, searching for something. The bandit wore a mask that covered his nose up, but his eyes twitched with sinister intent. ¡°I bet I know where you hid it.¡± His sick grin revealed crooked yellow teeth. Fabric ripped down the front of her dress, revealing a breast. The man ruffled her skirts up, searching her legs. She mustered all her strength and tried to push him off her, but it failed. Where physical strength failed, divine strength would prevail. She flicked her palm upward to telekinetic shove him off her with Essemancy. Nothing happened.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Panic consumed her.


    She had only ingested the violet salts which accessed the divination abilities. Alteration required blue salts. Allie reached down toward her belt pouch.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± He grabbed her hand and patted her around her waist. ¡°Hide it in your belt, did you?¡± He overpowered her and yanked the leather belt taut. The leather bit into her waist, pinching her skin. The bandit drew a steel dagger and cut through the belt.


    ¡°Did you find it?¡± Another man asked from behind.


    ¡°No.¡± He threw the belt aside. The blue salts spilled open. ¡°Check the saddlebag. I¡¯m going to enjoy myself before this job is over.¡±


    The second bandit approached Ruby while chuckling. ¡°I want a turn after.¡±


    ¡°Ruby!¡± Allie clicked her teeth.


    Ruby lay on her side, kicked the air, and found her footing. The contents of the saddlebag rested where she had once lain--the Cipher Scroll. But the bandits did not indicate that they recognized the scroll. Ruby spun and kicked, keeping her opponent at bay. Inspiration and hope permeated within Allie.


    Allie had frozen before and it cost Mia her life. Fleeing had failed. Without her Essemancy, she chose the only remaining option--fight. Her frail skinny arms clawed at the bandit¡¯s face with every ounce of strength she could muster. A finger found an eye. The man screamed in pain and shifted his weight. She pivoted on her shoulder and shrimped out to the side like Nicco had taught her. Now free from his weight, she crawled on hands and knees, desperate to reach the scroll and salts.


    One benefit of having grown up with three bigger brothers was learning self defense skills. Nicco had taught her the most basic self-defense and more practical moves. Drills focused on disarming a knife, ground combat, and body control of herself and an opponent. She found herself suddenly very grateful for all the bruises she had earned in the past.


    The bandit yelled. ¡°Bitch, you scratched my eye!¡±


    A hand clutched her ankle. She grasped the scattered saddlebag contents with both hands. Her right hand clasped the Cipher Scroll, her left gloved hand slapped against the black salts. She squeezed a clump of dirt and salt into her fist. The bandit jerked her leg, causing her to fall on her stomach and face. Her jaw clacked together, and she bit her tongue. The warm taste of iron filled her mouth, and she spat blood.


    Allie rolled back over so he couldn¡¯t mount her back. She tried to eat both black salt and dirt, but the man grabbed her wrist and twisted it. The pain made her scream. Attack the vulnerable parts. Nicco¡¯s past instruction commanded. She flicked her wrist toward the man and released the salt and dirt into the man¡¯s eyes.


    He turned away, shaking his head. ¡°The cunt did it again.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a fighter, eh?¡± the other man chuckled.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know this was your first time.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± the blinded bandit spat, ¡°and fuck this whore.¡± Eyes squinting, he sliced at the air with his dagger. Allie tried to use the wooden bars of the scroll to block the attack but failed. The blade cut under her forearm. She cried out in pain at the sudden sting. Blood ran fast, dripping onto the ground. Panic pulled her. She grasped the cut with her left hand. Another sting, but this one was a warm welcome. The familiarity of salt-infused Essence seeped into her body. Each pump of her heart pushed the power coursing through her. She released the wound and looked at her left hand, where black salt stuck to parts of her fingers. Blood rushed from her arm again.


    I¡¯m going to bleed out.


    The bandit snarled, revealing stained crooked teeth. His grip was firm on the dagger, ready to send her Essence to Tellius. Now panic powered her. Nature¡¯s instinct for survival--fight or flight. Fear. Chaos in the purest form. She held the scroll in her right hand. She flicked her hand to telekinetically push him away. Only nothing happened. No invisible divine force pushed the assailant away. Instead, the pain won.


    Perhaps it took longer to empower through the blood than by eating? She dismissed the thought now, feeling the warm power of Essence flowing within her.


    Confused, she tried once again. The result was a crude gesture of fingers and a thumb pointing toward the assailant. She overdrew her salts, pulling upon every trace of the Essence.


    A sudden deafening crack of blue lightning shot from her fingers and knocked the bandit back. A high-pitched ring shrilled in her ears. Ruby bolted upright and kicked with silent fright, then darted through the trees. The other bandit stumbled and fell. Scampering, he crawled to his feet, chasing after her horse into the woods.


    Her mouth tasted of dry, crisp ash. She had never experienced such an exhilarating release of power--she feared it. In the distance, another bandit sat upon a horse. Allie pointed her hand at the bandit to scare him away. He held his ground, extended a hand toward his side, and swiped it toward Allie. A log flew forward, smashing into her arm. An Essemancer!


    Allie crawled over to the salt pouch and ate more black salts. She turned, ready to defend herself, holding her hand out before her as Nicco would his sword. The mounted bandit regarded her for a moment, turned their horse, and spurred it away.


    Her hands quivered. The ringing in her ears faded, but her cut wrist still stung, throbbing in pain. Shaking hands tore the hem of her dress and wrapped it around her wrist to stop the bleeding. Next, she covered her exposed breasts as best she could. The dress strap had torn, making it impossible to fix without needle and thread. Instead, she folded the fabric up and over and tucked the strap between her breasts as she would a towel. For some absurd reason, she sighed in frustration at her ruined dress despite having nearly been murdered.


    She glanced around, looking for Ruby, who was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness until she barely saw in front of her. She clicked her tongue several times, but Ruby did not come.


    ¡°Ruby, come.¡±


    Her foot kicked something big. The stink of singed skin stung her nostrils. The dead brigand rested at her feet. No blood was visible, but jagged red lines snaked up his neck and face. A sudden fear seized her as she hyperventilated. She had killed a man. His violent death at her hand disturbed her the most. Her heart filled with intense guilt. Allie bent over and vomited up the horror and shame from within.


    Her feet shuffled away. She kicked something else. Her eyes still unaccustomed to the dark. Looking down, she saw her belt. She tied the drawstring on the salts and slung the cut belt over the back of her neck, wearing it like a scarf. Then she retrieved the Cipher Scroll, hugging it like a mother protecting her child.


    Dizziness and muscle weakness now festered. Her tongue ran over cracked lips. Her throat and mouth tasted like dry wool. The Essemancy had taken its toll on her. Overdrawing the salts had dehydrated her. She uncorked her waterskin and drank.


    She trudged through the woods toward the direction Ruby had darted, clicking her tongue every so often. After several minutes, she heard Ruby neigh, and the heavy rustling of the leaves grew louder. Finally, Ruby emerged from the darkness beyond. Ruby hopped and pranced with nerves. Allie intended to soothe her emotions with the Essence but didn¡¯t because of how dangerously close she had overdrawn the salts already. She couldn¡¯t risk blacking out with bandits still lurking around at night. The fight was over. Better to ensure her stamina in case of another attack. Instead, she tried to calm Ruby the traditional way.


    ¡°Praise Tellius. Good girl. Good girl.¡± She whispered, relieved. Allie ran her hand along the horse¡¯s striped nose. ¡°I gave you a fright, didn¡¯t I?¡± Ruby snorted. ¡°I know. I know. I frightened myself as well. Thanks for keeping one of them busy for me. I promise extra apples when we get to the villa.¡±


    Ruby snorted.


    ¡°Good Ruby.¡± Allie gently took hold of the reins and pet Ruby¡¯s neck. Once it appeared Ruby had calmed down, she placed the Cipher Scroll back in the saddlebag, grabbed the saddle horn, and mounted up. She admired the plum night sky of sparkling sprinkled stars. Unfortunately, summer fast approached and the thick foliage of Highblossom blocked out much of the sky.


    Allie considered waiting where she was until morning. But she didn¡¯t dare remain still near the attack location. Daylight would enable her to find the east and return to the road. Wandering at night increased the risk of getting even more lost. Fortunately, she had traveled this road many times in her life and knew it ran almost directly east of Stirberg. Her memory focused for a moment, remembering she had fled south off the road. She knew the road lay north of this place. Once she found the road, she would follow it to Medistein Villa. She steered Ruby back north at a slow trot.


    Allie¡¯s adrenaline waned. Pain, exhaustion, thirst, and fear took their place. Suppose she stumbled upon the bandits? Such thoughts were unnecessary. They fled for their lives after seeing the lightning. She would have done the same.


    Specters steal me. What manner of Essemancy had she discovered? How had she even cast it? Questions she could address once she reached the refuge of the villa. She let Ruby meander through the woods, taking her time and finding her footing. She couldn¡¯t afford for Ruby to stumble and break an ankle. Horses had excellent memories and she would place her trust in Ruby¡¯s ability to guide her back to the road again.


    She prayed to Tellius. No shame in asking for a little divine intervention.

 Chapter 11 - Leo

    Chapter 11


    Leo


    The dromon Messeas Merriment sailed from Tarona after Leo¡¯s tarins motivated the captain to urgency. Leo and Nicco left with three household guards as escorts. They made the twenty-five leagues to the nearby fishing town of Sicinia in record time. Sicinia was part of the canton, led by Tarona. Once docked, Leo and Nicco led their mounts off the ship once the sailors finished mooring her. They rode their mounts hard and fast along the Coastal Road westward. Horseshoes sparked against the cobblestones as Leo crouched in the saddle. His horse continued to race onward toward Medistein Villa beneath arched tree branches shading the road. The Medistein Villa was located south of Avictfell, near Stirberg Castle. Nestled against the mountains and surrounded by the Skywoods, the villa served as a refuge from the chaotic city life of Tarona.


    The road from Sicinia to the villa was twenty-four miles away. With every minute that passed, more worry filled Leo¡¯s heart. Dusk approached, and they rode onward.


    ¡°Do not fear,¡± Nicco said against the rushing wind. ¡°Their journey is much shorter than ours.¡±


    ¡°Assuming they made it out of the city.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste time on such thoughts. Have faith in Tellius.¡±


    Nicco was right. Leo placed his trust in Nicco¡¯s idealism. His parents¡¯ entire journey from Avictfell to the villa was by land. But if they were being pursued, they could seek refuge with Lord Ramund Redlich at Stirberg. The Duke of Stirberg lands included the surrounding countryside south of Avictfell. The Medistein negotiated tolls and tariff arrangements every season with Lord Ramund. A sense of ease filled him at the thought his parents had a haven if needed.


    Leo led his palfrey south at the fork in the road--towards the villa. The northern branch continued onward to Avictfell. A dozen minutes had passed when Leo saw the glow of four lanterns and coach up ahead. He recognized it as his father¡¯s. Warmth filled his heart. His parents had escaped Avictfell.


    ¡°Father!¡± Leo yelled, but the coach rode on. The distance was evidently too far for them to hear. Leo kicked the flanks of his horse for a final sprint.


    As he closed the gap, the coach horses suddenly stumbled, jackknifed, and the coach flew upright high into the air until landing upside down. A loud clamor crunched the carriage. The lanterns shattered and flames licked the sky. The coach burned. Leo¡¯s heart skittered. Horses shrieked in pain. He was within a hundred yards when he heard shouts of men mixed with the sudden screech of an injured horse abruptly ended. A masked man had plunged his sword into the horse¡¯s neck.


    Other masked bandits charged from the woods flanking the road. The injured coachmen crawled along the road, dragging his mangled legs behind him like a foal learning to take its first steps. A bandit trampled his horse over the coachmen and a hoof kicked in his head, spilling blood and brains.


    Nicco commanded his horse faster with a kick to its flanks. ¡°Tellius, give me the courage to face my enemy and the skill to defeat them. May your divine power protect my Essence.¡± Nicco retrieved his necklace from beneath his tunic and kissed it. He drew his skysteel sword Vindicator, its sweet song cut through the air. The three Medistein guards drew swords and followed behind him. Leo froze, but fortunately, his horse galloped onward. Nicco pulled ahead at a full gallop. Leo shook his head, coming to his senses, and drawing his own sword. He was no knight, but he could duel decent enough. Every blade mattered.


    Ahead, Nicco hacked one bandit from horseback in a single slash. His momentum carried him forward to cut down the brigand who had just killed the horse. Crossbow bolts whistled from the flanks and sent two of the Medistein guards tumbling to the ground.


    The third remaining guard swore. ¡°Fucking crossbowmen,¡± turned his mount, and spurred it toward the roadside trees. The bandit struggled to reload the crossbow and instead raised his crossbow to block the guard¡¯s overhead attack. A bolt pierced the guard in the ribs, causing him to lower his sword arm. With his free hand, he grabbed at the shaft, wincing in pain, but still sat astride his horse. Another brigand emerged from the trees, threw down his crossbow, and drew his sword. The brigand hacked at the guard, who met the attack with his own steel. The first bandit swung his crossbow like a club striking the guard in the thigh. The guard pommeled the bandit¡¯s nose, sending blood pouring down his face. He vanquished one foe, but the sword-wielding brigand took advantage of the distraction, stabbed upward into the mounted guard stomach, and he slipped from his saddle.


    Another brigand from behind the coach picked up an intact lantern lying on the ground and threw it. The lantern glass smashed into the road before Nicco¡¯s horse. Flames erupted outward like a rock disturbing a still pond. Nicco¡¯s horse reared back in fear, throwing him onto the cobblestone road. The bandit who had slain the horse rushed forward toward Nicco with a raised blood-stained sword, ready to hasten Niccos¡¯ exodus.


    Intent to aid his prone brother, Leo urged his mount forward, quickly closing the distance. Leo hacked downward with all his strength. The bandit parried, sending sparks streaking through the darkening sky.


    A heartbeat later, Nicco drove his sword upward through the bandit¡¯s chin, and the blade pierced through the top of his skull. ¡°Behind you!¡± Nicco yelled and yanked his sword free.


    Leo turned. With gritted teeth, the mounted brigand swung his sword sideways. Reflexively, Leo put his sword in front of him, blocking the blow. A hand grabbed his tunic from behind, pulling him to the ground. Leo¡¯s back slammed into the ground, knocking the wind from his lungs. His sword fell free from his grip. Leo reached for it, but a boot kicked it away, sending it sliding into the burning coach. Panic pierced him as another blade poised above him, ready to stab downward. This is how I die.


    An instant later, Nicco sliced off the assailant¡¯s hand. Warm blood sprayed Leo¡¯s face. Leo blinked the blood from his eyes. Nicco¡¯s quick slash across the throat splattered blood, silencing a shrill scream. The bandit¡¯s head tilted back, dangling from the spine like a puppet, gazing at the Void above.


    ¡°Tend to your parents!¡± Nicco commanded. Nicco stepped toward the darkness, positioning himself to defend Leo¡¯s back. Three blades glinted from the burning coach. The bandits converged on Nicco. Steel clashed between swears and grunts.


    With a head shake, Leo gathered himself and crawled to the coach¡¯s door. Flames swelled, and the heat stung his eyes. He held up his hand up shielding his eyes. Inside, Otto lay in a very inhuman-like contorted pose. His arm bent backward at the elbow and he was twisted beyond any normal range of motion. Blood saturated his scalp.


    Sophia was unconscious as well. There was blood on her too, but her body seemed to hold a more natural pose than his father¡¯s. A chest had spilled its contents onto the roof of the carriage--which currently positioned upside down was the floor. Blue and violet salts sprinkled among silver and gold tarins. Leo reached inside the window past salts, scrolls, papers, and treasure. He grabbed Sophia¡¯s arm and shook her. ¡°Mother, wake up! Mother.¡± Heat surged inside the coach. The smoke billowed out the windows.


    His mother¡¯s eyes blinked open, dazed. ¡°Mother! Give me your hand.¡± Leo doubted she heard him. Her expression was still one of stunned confusion. Leo grabbed her hand and pulled. That got her attention. She was halfway out the window when she said, ¡°Leo?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± he said, sounding both anxious and relieved simultaneously. ¡°It¡¯s me. Hurry, the coach is on fire!¡± He strained again and pulled her free. She sat on the road and looked over at the partially decapitated man Nicco had slain. Sophia¡¯s back arched, and she vomited. Leo glanced back toward Nicco. His movements were a fluid dance, like a Senkouan acrobat. He parried and attacked and had already killed one of the three bandits. His skills extending beyond the tourney field. Seeing him fight outnumbered, Leo realized why many regarded him as one of the best swordsmen in the realm. Satisfied Nicco had his situation in hand, Leo turned back toward the coach--back toward his father. He fought past the pain as his skin sweltered from the heat.


    ¡°Father. Father! FATHER!¡± Leo yelled. Otto didn¡¯t respond. He seized his father¡¯s leg and pulled. He struggled against his father¡¯s weight. Sophia¡¯s lighter frame had been easier to retrieve, and she had been half awake. Otto lay like dead weight. My father is dead. Leo fought against fire but failed; the flames forced him to flee. The shirt on his left forearm caught fire, and he dashed away. Frantically, he swatted the flames with his right hand.


    ¡°Leo!¡± Nicco called. Leo turned his head. One of Nicco¡¯s foes had turned his efforts toward Leo. A masked brigand snarled and thrust his sword.


    ¡°Noooo!¡± Sophia wailed. An instant later, her body sprung between Leo and the snarling brigand. Sophia¡¯s eyes bulged wide. Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. Leo looked down at the sword protruding from her stomach. Tears of pain fell from the corners of her mouth. She tried to speak, but only coughed blood.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Leo thrust his still-burning forearm into the face of the brigand, who yelled in pain and turned away. ¡°You bastard!¡± Leo yelled and drew the dagger from his belt with his blister-burned palm. Leo reached around his mother, driving the dagger down, striking where the neck meets the shoulder. The brigand fell to his knees and flopped forward onto his face.


    Sophia collapsed into his arms. Leo caught her and knelt down. He took the hem of her dress and smothered the flames on his forearm. Burning blisters still beat with each pump of his heart--yet his mother¡¯s expression pained him more.


    A horse neighed. The sole remaining bandit limped towards the horse with his right leg dragging behind. Leo met Nicco with desperate eyes. Nicco yelled in frustration, eyes flicking between the bandit and Leo--hesitating. The bandit pulled himself into the saddle. With a stern kick, the horse galloped north along the road. Nicco ran toward his horse and grabbed its reins, intending to mount it and give chase.


    ¡°Help me!¡± Leo pleaded.


    Nicco looked at Sophia, bleeding in Leo¡¯s arms. Instead, Nicco released the saddle horn, sheath his sword, and ran towards Leo. ¡°Put pressure on it,¡± Nicco said. He grabbed the sword still stuck in his mother and yanked it free. Sophia¡¯s body convulsed. Nicco threw the blade aside and it clanged against the road. He grabbed a handful of the hem of Sophia¡¯s dress and pressed it to her back.


    More blood gushed from her stomach. Leo pressed his hand to cover the wound. It didn¡¯t help. The blood seeped out between his fingers. He looked into his mother¡¯s eyes. Her mouth opened, ¡°cold,¡± Sophia said as she wince in pain.


    Sweat ran down his back. Flames roared, consuming the entire coach. A foul smell of burnt flesh wafted the air.


    Leo looked at Nicco, desperate for an answer. Nicco¡¯s face was hard yet sad, a mix of anger and disbelief. Two men in their prime, best friends, brothers in all but name. Helpless, Leo watched as the light left his mother¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I love you...¡± Sophia coughed blood, ¡°...both.¡± Sophia eyes stared into the Void as her last breath left her.


    Leo bit back tears. Nicco screamed in rage. Forged in fire, bound in blood, sharing the pain of their parents¡¯ death united them. Leo held his mother tight to his chest as Sophia¡¯s Essence made its exodus to the heavens above.


    * * *


    The tree¡¯s shadows stretched like grasping claws as dusk came. Leo and Nicco sat upon the cobblestone road in the smokey, darkening sky. Small flames still smoldered, parts of the coach casting an eerie glow around them. Only embers, charred wood, and ash remained. The fire had consumed all. Only Otto¡¯s charred bones remained.


    ¡°We should go,¡± Nicco said. ¡°The escaped bandit may return.¡± Leo sat frozen with fear and grief. Nicco touched his shoulder. ¡°Leo, we should go.¡±


    Leo wiped his eyes. He gently sat his mother¡¯s head down and stood. ¡°I¡¯ll get our horses.¡±


    Leo shook his burned hand as though it might rid himself of the pain--it didn¡¯t. Peeled flesh of red and black hung free from his blistered hand. It took all his courage simply to touch his hand with a finger. Pain pierced the spot he touched like a crow pecking a carcass. He cradled his hand close to his body, wincing as he flexed it to ensure he could still use it. With his good hand, he retrieved a burning wheel to use as a makeshift torch. He walked down the road, searching for the mounts.


    Leo found his mount first. The mare munched on the leaves of a tree several dozen yards away. The horse stirred as he approached. Fear of the fire still glistened in its eyes. Frightened by the flames, the mare snorted and trotted away. Leo dropped the torch and calmly approach once again. This time he managed to mount the saddle before riding further down the road, where he found Nicco¡¯s horse. He reached out to grab the reins, startling the beast, which jolted and ran a dozen yards away. Leo wished he had some way to control the emotions of the animal. He approached again, this time slower, talking with a calm, comforting tone. Leo wondered if the words weren¡¯t somehow meant for himself as well. He clutched the reins and wrapped them around his saddle horn. He petted the horse''s neck and returned to Nicco near the smoldering carriage with both their mounts.


    Sophia¡¯s body had been slung over the saddle of a third horse that belonged to one of the dead brigands. ¡°We can bury her at the villa,¡± Nicco said. ¡°I think she would like that.¡±


    Leo nodded. ¡°The place she cherished most.¡± Leo looked over toward the charred ruins of his father and the coach. ¡°There isn¡¯t much to bury of our father.¡±


    ¡°His Essence is with Tellius now. That¡¯s what matters. They both watch over us from the heavens above.¡±


    Leo dismounted and walked over to the coach. No tears came. He didn¡¯t know why. Perhaps he had none left, or perhaps his father¡¯s death still hadn¡¯t sunk in. He stood hypnotized by the burnt bones. Not a trace of paper or parchment remained. The scrolls and salts had all burned.


    Misshapen coins from cultures surrounding the Enthos Sea rested on the charred cobblestone. Tarins, Kaljer kukats, and Lyrean lyra had all partially melted. Warped into odd ovals and irregular shapes. The coins covered the charred cobblestone. Pools of silver had melted, only to cool into splattered puddles. Leo ignored them. Otto¡¯s platinum chain hung around the charred spine. Diamond jewels encrusted the diamond-shaped holy symbol of the Tellisium. Rings still rested on charred fingers that looked like twigs. His left hand had a golden wedding ring around it. On the right, his father¡¯s platinum signet ring encrusted with the Medistein seal.


    Both pieces of platinum jewelry were undamaged. Leo knew little about smithing, except that platinum had a high melting point. So high, in fact, that it required smiths to work the metal over a forge of Traessyean fire. Few dared such a thing, given how dangerously hot and sticky the substance was. This rarity of Traessyean fire inflated platinums value.


    Leo carefully took the rings off each finger and put them in his pocket. They were warm to the touch. His golden wedding ring had warped into an oval shape. He lifted the necklace over his father¡¯s blackened skull. ¡°May your Essence grace Tellius,¡± Leo whispered. It felt odd giving a prayer to his father¡¯s god instead of his own, but it was the least he could do to honor his memory. Leo wanted to stay and wait for the fire to die out so he could recover his father¡¯s bones, but they had to get to the villa.


    ¡°Leo, come look at this,¡± Nicco called out, snapping him free from his transfixed gaze on his father¡¯s burned bones. He moved to Nicco. Nicco kicked a sword, which clattered as it slide across the road. The brigand¡¯s hand still gripped the hilt.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the hand of an asshole who murdered my parents.¡± Leo nudged the hand with his boot.


    ¡°Our parents,¡± Nicco corrected. ¡°Otto and Sophia were as much my parents as yours.¡±


    Leo¡¯s throat clenched. How selfish of me. His heart aches as much as mine. ¡°Our parents,¡± Leo agreed. Leo held out Otto¡¯s holy Tellisium necklace. ¡°Take it.¡±


    Nicco shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    Leo pressed it against Nicco¡¯s chest. ¡°As you said, our father.¡±


    ¡°In Essence, yes, but by blood--¡±


    ¡°You are Telliusian, I¡¯m not,¡± Leo reasoned. ¡°I¡¯m sure Father would have wanted you to have it.¡±


    Nicco hesitantly took the warm necklace from Leo¡¯s grasp, then draped the necklace around his neck.


    Leo reached back into his pocket and retrieved the two rings. Gold and platinum rested in his blistered palm. He fingered the signet ring and slid it onto his left ring finger. He placed Otto¡¯s wedding ring back in his pocket. ¡°This one belongs to Mother.¡±


    ¡°Yes, now look,¡± Nicco said and grabbed Leo¡¯s forearm. Pain flared in his arm and Leo jerked his arm away. It hurt more now that adrenaline and emotions had subsided. ¡°Sorry,¡± Nicco said. ¡°Look at the tattoo on his hand.¡± Nicco picked up the sword by its cross guard, the hand still clutching it. ¡°Do you recognize this emblem?¡± Nicco asked. Atop the hand rested a black tattoo of three crossed swords the size of a gold tarin. Leo shrugged. Nicco gave a lopsided frown. ¡°And people say you¡¯re the smart one.¡± Leo gave a feint half grin at the joke. ¡°This is a mercenary company, sigil of the Black Blades.¡±


    ¡°Mercenaries sell their sword to any who will pay.¡±


    ¡°True, but look at the other bodies.¡± Nicco gestured toward the other dead brigands. ¡°They are all wearing black. Black armor, black tunics, black boots.¡±


    ¡°Brigands like black.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but not all black--only black. Usually, they wear variations of earthy-toned colors and normal steel armor. These men even have black armor. Thats done by burning oil into the surface. My point is the black is intentional. Your common brigand rarely cares how he looks. He spends his money on beer and whores, not armor.¡±


    Nicco was right. They all wore black. Every single piece of clothing and armor was black.


    ¡°These men are members of the Black Blades,¡± Nicco reiterated.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Leo said. ¡°We know who killed our parents.¡±


    ¡°We can go to the Black Blades captain and ask him who paid the contract.¡±


    ¡°In my limited experience, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s customary for mercenary companies to reveal such things.¡±


    ¡°True, but we can persuade him to tell us.¡± Nicco had a fair point.


    ¡°Is such a thing likely?¡±


    ¡°The Black Blade¡¯s captain is a man by the name of Bastian Bach.¡±


    ¡°You know of him?¡±


    ¡°Better. I know him. I have trained with him on many occasions.¡±


    ¡°Can he be bought?¡±


    ¡°Most likely,¡± Nicco said. ¡°And should he suddenly find himself renewed with honor? I can make him?¡± Nicco tapped the blade of the sword. Leo didn¡¯t doubt that. If Nicco exhibited confidence in his abilities to defeat a man he had trained with, that was all the persuasion Leo required. What made Nicco stand out as a superb swordsman was not only his mastery of various forms and styles, but his ability to remember men¡¯s fighting styles. If someone fought Nicco at a tournament in the past, Nicco claimed to remember his style and form. A sort of sixth sense. Nicco knew swords and armor, like Leo knew architecture and banking.


    ¡°If we kill him, would that not upset the company?¡±


    ¡°It might,¡± Nicco shrugged. ¡°But every man has a price. Just be sure to bring enough gold.¡±


    ¡°Where do they reside?¡±


    ¡°Usually in Avictfell, but I have known them to travel around a bit.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Any city that can accommodate ten thousand men,¡± Nicco said.


    ¡°That narrows the list.¡±


    ¡°It does, but that¡¯s not the standing size of the company. Most members journey home and work more peaceful jobs. Except during a war or a fight.¡±


    ¡°Fortunate for us. I prefer not to pay for ten thousand mercenaries. What¡¯s the size of the company during peacetime?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps several hundred, a thousand at most.¡±


    ¡°That lengthens the list,¡± Leo said. ¡°That means we may have a hard time finding this Captain Bastian.¡±


    ¡°True, but given our location, it¡¯s likely they came from Avictfell, Tussen, Sicinia, or maybe even Lenoa.¡±


    ¡°I say we start with Avictfell.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but first let¡¯s get to the villa.¡± Nicco pried the fingers from the blade. The severed tattoo hand fell to the ground. ¡°Here, take this.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡±


    ¡°And where is your sword?¡± Leo glanced back behind toward the burnt rubble. He doubted the fire had destroyed it. The blade must have cooled by now.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t,¡± Nicco said. ¡°The flames likely weakened the steal. Breaking a blade during a fight is the last thing you want.¡± Leo had to agree with Nicco¡¯s logic. ¡°If we encounter those brigands again, you might want it.¡±


    He required no more convincing, having no desire to sift through ash and debris to find a sword of no particular significance. Leo took it by the hilt and sheathed the sword. He managed to mount his horse using only one hand. Nicco handed him the reins of the horse, carrying his mother¡¯s body.


    Nicco then picked up the severed hand and put it in his saddle bag. ¡°Evidence,¡± Nicco said as he climbed into the saddle. They trotted southward toward the villa.


    They rode in the darkness for another hour, refraining from going too fast. Nicco had tied Sophia down, but Leo didn¡¯t want his mother¡¯s body to fall off. When they rounded the last corner of the road, horror befell him.


    The Medistein Villa burned.

 Chapter 12 - Nicco

    Chapter 12


    Nicco


    Nicco and Leo exchanged looks of concern. Spurring his palfrey, Nicco rode toward the burning villa. Lanterns hung from lampposts around the plaza before Medistein villa. Servants fought the flames with quilts and water buckets. The servants had formed a human chain that stretched from the fountain to the villa. They passed water buckets between them. The last servant threw water onto the fire.


    ¡°Halt!¡± a man demanded. He held a crossbow at the ready. Both Leo and Nicco obliged. ¡°Name yourselves!¡±


    ¡°Leo Medistein and Count Nicco Bizzi,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Apologies, young master. I didn¡¯t recognize you in the dark,¡± the guard said. He stepped forward from the shadows behind a tree and lowered his crossbow.


    ¡°Diego, what happened?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Bandits attacked the villa,¡± Diego answered. ¡°About a half dozen.¡±


    ¡°We killed them all, but not before they set fire to the villa.¡±


    ¡°We can talk later,¡± Nicco said. ¡°Let¡¯s help extinguish the fire.¡± He dismounted his horse and ran past a large fountain on the plaza. A statue depicted a dashing Markus Medistein--the founder of the Medistein House--standing on a column at its center.


    ¡°Is everyone out?¡± he asked the assembled servants. No one answered him. The roaring flames overtook his voice. Smoke billowed out from windows and an open door. Nicco ran inside the villa¡¯s front door.


    ¡°Anyone there?¡± He called out, hurrying down the hall. It was hot but bearable. Smoke clung to the roof, but he saw no flames. ¡°Hello, is anyone here?¡±


    ¡°Hello!¡± A young, high-pitched voice yelled.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°In here!¡± A child¡¯s voice said behind the door.


    Nicco touched the wooden door with the back of his hand. The wood was warm. He took off his shirt and wrapped it around his hand. He grabbed the doorknob and pushed open the door. Heat blasted him and he shielded his face with a raised arm, coughing as he entered. Inside, he saw a little girl no older than ten. Thick smoke packed the room. Flames burned the ceiling.


    ¡°We have to get out.¡±


    ¡°Get Wiggles,¡± she pleaded between coughs. Soot covered her face. A bead of sweat ran down her forehead, leaving a streak of clean skin in its wake.


    ¡°Wiggles?¡±


    ¡°My dog. He¡¯s under the bed. I can¡¯t reach him.¡± She pointed to the bed.


    Nicco lay down on the stomach. The air was immediately easier to breathe. ¡°Get down and crawl,¡± Nicco said. In the back corner under the bed, Nicco found a brown terrier hunched. Nicco reached forward and grabbed Wiggle¡¯s paw. Wiggles yelped as Nicco dragged him closer. Once clear of the bed, Nicco cradled a trembling Wiggles against his body. ¡°Keep going.¡± Nicco crawled toward the door, following the little girl. They reached the hall. ¡°Go left.¡± They crawled faster. Sweat dripped from his face onto the warm slate tile floor.


    They turned a corner and almost collided with a sweaty, middle-aged man. ¡°Are you alone?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The man answered with a cough. ¡°I checked this wing. Everyone is out.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do likewise,¡± Nicco said. ¡°Stand up and run. We¡¯re almost there.¡± They all stood and hurried along the hallway. Nicco followed behind, still carrying Wiggles. They exited the burning villa emerging back on the plaza. He took a deep breath of fresh air. The night sky glowed orange.


    ¡°Wait over there.¡± Nicco pointed toward a tree.


    Leo had dismounted and tied the reins of his horse around a branch. Leo had added himself to the human chain, scooping water from the fountain.


    Three old woman servants swatted flames from drifting sparks with damp blankets to prevent the fire from jumping elsewhere. Everyone contributed.


    Nicco took a position at the front of the line. A man handed him a water-filled bucket. He took it, threw the water on the fire, and handed it off to a servant girl. She passed the empty bucket back toward the fountain. Nicco continued to toss water into the flames. Sweat drenched him. Only part of the villa had caught fire. Nicco and the servants labored for over an hour. Fortunately, the servants had acted quickly enough to contain the damage. They finally extinguished the flames.


    ¡°Praise the All-Father,¡± Nicco said.


    Nicco knelt by the fountain and cupped his hands in the shallow water, desperate for a drink. They had nearly emptied the fountain. If we had drained the fountain and the fire still burned, what would we have done? Nicco dismissed the thought. Others drank from the fountain as he did. ¡°Let¡¯s get a proper drink from the kitchens,¡± a manservant said. A few others joined him and entered through an undamaged side door.


    Nicco¡¯s eyes had grown accustomed to the fading firelight. Catching his breath, only now did he notice the dead bodies. Three men in Medistein checkered tunics lay among six Black Blades. ¡°What happened?¡± Nicco asked no one in particular.


    Diego spoke. ¡°These men approached the villa and demanded to speak with Master Medistein.¡± Leo listened intently. ¡°I informed them he wasn¡¯t here, but they persisted in their demand to search the premises. They replied by drawing steel. Naturally, that turned into a fight. During the fighting, one of them set the villa ablaze. After the fighting ended, I alone stood.¡± He frowned. ¡°Pietro and the brothers Mario and Marco lay slain. They died defending the servants and the villa. Any man of honor is worth two who would sell his sword, I say.¡± Diego pointed toward the sprawl bodies before him. ¡°There is your proof.¡±


    A paltry consolation prize. Had they allowed them to search, they would have found nothing and left peacefully. But then they might have joined the ambushers along the road--then he would have faced a dozen men. Nicco had held his own against six, but eventually, numbers always overcame skill. He wasn¡¯t sure what his number was, but he doubted he could fight a dozen.


    Nicco traced a diamond on his chest to honor the fallen warriors. ¡°Tellius accepts their Essence to the stars.¡± He looked up at the star-filled sky. Telliusians believed every time someone died, their Essence would drift up to the heavens above and make another star. Assuming, of course, they lived an honorable life.


    ¡°And six more for the Void,¡± Diego spat. Above, the night sky grew darker, like the Void was ever-expanding.


    ¡°May the Voidhounds corral them in the darkness forever.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the five you sent,¡± Leo added.


    A sudden sadness overcame him as he comprehended everything that had occurred these past few hours. The rapid journey, the fight, the brutal death of his parentDefenestrationDefenestrations, the burning villa.


    ¡°Water or wine, my lord?¡± A young girl¡¯s voice asked from behind. He craned his head over his shoulder. She was not yet a teenager. She stood, balancing a tray on each hand. Specks of ash clung to her face.


    ¡°Water please,¡± Nicco answered. She offered the tray atop her right hand. Nicco took a mug. Diego did as well.


    ¡°Wine,¡± Leo said. She offered the other tray, and Leo took a cup. The young girl moved on, offering a drink of choice to the others. Leo chugged down the wine. He placed the empty mug on the rim of the fountain. ¡°I¡¯ll get Mother, then I¡¯m going to bed.¡±


    The mention of sleep made Nicco aware of how exhausted he felt. Nicco helped Leo attend to Sophia¡¯s body. As they transported her to the villa¡¯s temple, they surveyed the damage to the villa. Three rooms of the eastern wing required repairs, but at least such wounds could be healed. With Sophia stored, Nicco walked to his bedchamber. Inside, he removed his boots, sword belt, and soiled clothes. He needed a bath, but it could wait. He fell into the bed and slept naked.


    Nightmares came to him. The burning coach, the fight, Sophia¡¯s death. His mistake was in allowing the bandit to break off his attack and kill her. He blamed himself and tried to force his mind to change the outcome. The moment of Sophia¡¯s death hauntingly lingered. Desperate to force the nightmare away. He commanded his dreams to turn into more pleasant memories. He thought of Bianca. Her face hazy face came to focus. Her carefree laugh and long legs, her smile and smell. During the Medistein Tower celebration, they had drank and gambled away much of the night together. He mustered the courage to ask her to dance. When they did, their bodies close together--she radiated warmth. Her bosom pressed against him. He thought of the time--


    A loud knock started him awake. ¡°My lord, your sister has arrived.¡±


    He grimaced at the disturbed. Suddenly aware of the soreness of his over-exerted muscles. Nicco groaned in frustration.


    ¡°My lord, are you awake?¡± A young boy asked. The door creaked open.


    Nicco pulled the sheet over his morning stiffness. ¡°Don¡¯t come in. I¡¯ll be out in a moment.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, my lord.¡± The door shut.


    Nicco sighed, stretched, and sat up. He opened the wardrobe and put on fresh clothes and boots. A welcome comfort. Nicco regarded the dirty blooded, sweat-soaked clothes on the floor. They were beyond salvaging. He picked up his sword Vindicator, said a quick prayer, and kissed the diamond cross guard before buckling it around his waist.


    Nicco sauntered into the dining room. ¡°Beer, bacon, and porridge.¡±


    ¡°Would you care for any fruit, my lord?¡± the servant asked.


    ¡°Something with citrus,¡± Nicco answered. The servant bowed and left the dining hall.


    He was the first one awake, as usual.


    ¡°Brother!¡± He recognized the voice as Alessandra¡¯s.


    No sooner had he turned than she wrapped her arms around him. Nicco hugged her back. Sometimes Nicco wondered if they were related. Alessandra was the opposite in appearance to Nicco in every way imaginable. She reminded him of the sea. Skinny, with skin pale as sea foam, and warm sea-green eyes above a constellation of light freckles that tickled her high cheeks. Whereas Nicco was golden-skinned, muscled, with cold blue eyes. The only common feature was the golden blond hair. She released the hug. Alessandra¡¯s appearance was awful. Her hair was unkempt, eyes red-rimmed. Dirt smudges smeared across her skin.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°I must speak with everyone at once. Have mother and father awoken yet?¡±


    Nicco frowned. She doesn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Allie,¡± Leo called out as he entered the dining room. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you.¡±


    Leo hadn¡¯t changed his clothes, and he stood as a canvas of filth, blood, and sorrow. His red-rimmed eyes matched Allie¡¯s and looked sleepless from grief. Leo had at least wrapped a bandage on his burned forearm.


    She turned, and her smile faded. ¡°What happened to your arm?¡± She grabbed his hand to examine his wound. Leo pulled his arm away.


    Nicco noticed she had wrapped a makeshift bandage from her skirts around her own arm. ¡°What happened to yours?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she said. ¡°I should tend to Leo¡¯s wound.¡± She gestured to Leo¡¯s clothes. ¡°Is all that blood from this? And how did the villa catch fire?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Leo said. ¡°We should eat first. Then we can talk.¡± No one argued.


    They congregated on the edge of the dining table. Nicco sat at its head, flanked by Allie and Leo. Nicco hoped focusing on the meal would distract him from the prior night¡¯s trauma. Servants brought out breakfast which they all ate with ravenous appetite. Nicco had a bowl of sweetened porridge with cinnamon. He preferred meat, especially bacon, which was his favorite. He placed six thick crispy slices on his plate. The salted crunch of each bite complemented the sweet porridge. Strawberries and slices of pineapple completed the meal.


    ¡°Should we wait for Mother and Father?¡± Alessandra asked between spoonfuls of porridge.


    Nicco flicked a glance toward Leo, hoping he would answer. Leo stared into his bowl and ate rhythmically. His spoon shoveled porridge into his mouth as soon as the prior bite had been swallowed. Nicco delayed by folding a piece of bacon in half twice. He shoved the entire slice into his mouth. Someone has to tell her. ¡°I¡¯ll start,¡± Nicco mumbled with a mouthful of bacon. ¡°Reinhard received your message, and we rode at once.¡± He swallowed the bacon and washed it down with a swig of a clear golden beer. The cool liquid tasted slightly bitter, almost earthy. The servants had made an excellent choice. Nicco preferred the pale lagers in the morning over the darker stouts. He paused. How do I tell her?


    Nicco absent-mindedly spooned the porridge, dumping it again and again into the bowl. Clumps of porridge plunked into the bowl like sticky mud. He spoke to his bowl, afraid to meet her eyes. ¡°Eventually, we caught up with their carriage on Avictus Way.¡± With a blank stare, he shoveled a heaping spoon of porridge and smacked it back into the bowl. ¡°Brigands ambushed us. Leo and I tried to...I tried to...¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re gone,¡± Leo whispered, still staring into his bowl.


    ¡°Gone?¡± Allie asked, confused.


    Nicco slammed his spoon into the glass bowl, shattering it with a clinking tinkle. Broken shards and porridge rested on the table. Leo startled.


    Allie¡¯s eyes widened with realization, and she shook her head in denial. ¡°What are you saying?¡± Tears fell from her eyes. Nicco gave a subtle nod. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it,¡± she said, sniffling. ¡°I won¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°Their Essence has made its exodus,¡± Nicco whispered. He placed his hand on hers. She leaned over and cried into his shoulder. Nicco hugged her and her grief became infectious. Nicco fought back tears of his own. He hated crying not only because it made him feel weak, but because of his haemolacria condition. Crying was one thing, but whenever someone saw him weeping blood, it drew reactions of pity or disgust. Neither of which he needed. Instead, he had to be strong for Allie and his family. He had sworn a vow to protect his family with his life and had failed to uphold that vow. Because of that, his parents died. He gave another silent vow to the All-Father that no harm would come to his family while he lived.


    Alessandra cried for a while. Hearing her story could wait. He let her cry in his embrace. Her sorrow stole his appetite. After breakfast, Alessandra treated her and Leo¡¯s wounds. She had studied some of the healing arts at the Arites Academy. Afterward, she sent a telepathic message to Reinhard informing him of their parent¡¯s death and that they intended to hold a funeral at the villa.


    ¡°Reinhard and Karl will depart Tarona at once,¡± Allie said.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Afterward, all three strolled to the bathhouse. They all needed to cleanse the stench of death from them. Large stone columns and arches stood inside the bathhouse. A single pool with heated water took up half the space. The other space held four individual bathtubs. A privacy screen had separated Allie¡¯s bathtub. Glass lanterns sat on protruding stone shelves. Leo stepped into the larger single pool. Nicco joined him, sinking into the warm water, and sighed with relief. He let his head fall back and closed his eyes as the water cleansed tension and stress from his body. They all bathed in silence.


    The afternoon passed in a haze.


    Later that evening, Reinhard and Karl arrived under the escort of a dozen Skywatch guards. No sooner than Karl and Reinhard had dismounted his horse than Leo extended his welcome.


    ¡°I see you found plenty of volunteers to protect you on your dangerous journey!¡± Leo said.


    Karl frowned. ¡°I ordered them to come.¡±


    Leo¡¯s face flashed with fury. ¡°They might have been helpful had you found your courage yesterday. Father and mother might still be alive.¡± Leo punched Karl in the jaw. Karl spat blood and punched Leo back, knocking him to the ground.


    Leo scrambled to his feet and charged forward. Nicco reached forward and wrapped his arms around Leo¡¯s waist, restraining him. Reinhard tried to position himself between the two embattled brothers. Allies¡¯ pleas to stop fell on deaf ears.


    Pandemonium ensued during which finger-pointing, obscene gestures, slaps, and curses about everyone¡¯s intelligence, abilities, ancestry, habits, sense of fashion, morals, and personal honor were insulted. The kind of fight that dredges up grudges from decades past that only family knows about.


    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± Reinhard roared so loud Nicco would have sworn he felt the ground quake. Silence followed for a long, uncomfortable moment.


    Everyone parted, adjusted their clothes, and gathered their breath.


    ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know I fucked up?¡± Karl said. His wet eyes mixed with fury and sorrow. His lip quivered, and he struggled to hold back tears. ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep last night. That decision will haunt me for the rest of my life.¡± Karl sobbed. Alessandra hugged Karl. ¡°I¡¯ll never forgive myself.¡± Mucus ran from his nose.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself,¡± Alessandra said soothingly.


    ¡°No, he¡¯s just the one to blame!¡± Leo spat.


    Karl looked up from Alessandra¡¯s hug and stepped forward. Reinhard stood firm between the two brothers.


    ¡°I wanted to go, remember!¡± Karl raged. ¡°You were the one who insisted it be you instead.¡± Leo appeared to have forgotten that. Because he stood paralyzed with a sudden realization that his brother spoke the truth.


    ¡°Karl, don¡¯t blame Leo,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°I agreed with him. My counsel shares the blame here, if not more.¡±


    ¡°No one standing here now is at fault,¡± Alessandra reasoned. ¡°The murders are the ones to blame. We cannot place that blame on others. It will do no one any good.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Reinhard agreed. ¡°Listen to Allie. Let¡¯s support each other in these tough times.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s seek such comfort inside,¡± Alessandra suggested.


    Leo and Karl nodded, but avoided each other¡¯s gaze. Shameful expressions hung on both their faces. Nicco felt the way they looked. His own actions conflicted with guilt and fear. Why did the All-Father give guilt more than joy?


    Nicco relaxed his restraint on Leo, who turned and went inside the villa. Nicco and the others followed into the great room, greeted by a roaring hearth. They sat on padded couches to discuss the painful events that had transpired.


    ¡°I know this is hard for us all,¡± Reinhard said assuringly. ¡°Feelings of sorrow and anger tear at your heart. We¡¯ll have time to mourn. For now, we must share our stories while events are fresh in our minds. Perhaps some clue will help us uncover the truth and administer justice.¡± Somehow, through all the turmoil, Reinhard had temped emotions of the heart. Instead, he appealed to the logic, hoping to solve the mystery. ¡°Allie, you first alerted me to the attack in Avictfell. You may hold some knowledge that would aid in uncovering the truth.¡±


    Alessandra recounted her tale from the beginning. Her arrival at the Medistein Bank and how, before leaving for the villa, Otto loaded a wagon to pay the Grand Vicar. The attack at Avictfell that resulted in Mia¡¯s death and the branch burning down. Her escape through the city where she hid out in an inn and her message to Reinhard to rendezvous at the villa. Allie hesitated. ¡°I¡¯d hoped I¡¯d escaped the worst of it. As I traveled along the road, a rock knocked me off my horse. I was unconscious briefly. When I came to, a bandit was on me...¡± Her lip quivered. ¡°He had ripped my dress...¡± she stammered, tears flowing now. ¡°He pushed my skirts up.¡± She sobbed.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s best if we wait,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°No,¡± Leo insisted. ¡°We need to know now, while the events are still fresh in her mind.¡±


    Allie nodded. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She took a deep breath to gather herself. ¡°Somehow I managed to--¡±


    ¡°Somehow?¡± Leo interrupted. ¡°We need specifics. Every detail could matter.¡±


    ¡°Do you have no sympathy?¡± Nicco snapped.


    ¡°Enough fighting!¡± Reinhard bellowed with a commanding tone a general would use. Everyone sat in silence. Reinhard turned back to Alessandra and spoke with gentleness in their voice. ¡°I know it¡¯s painful. Try to remember anything you can.¡±


    ¡°I tried to ingest some salts, but he took my arm and cut it. I threw the salt in his eyes and scampered free. He had his sword ready to kill me, and I threw my hand up to shield myself. Then lightning shot from my hand and I...I killed him.¡± Reinhard¡¯s eyes grew wide, surprised at what she had described. His mouth hung open to ask her a question, but he never did. Alessandra cried. ¡°I killed him. I took a life, sent his Essence to the void.¡±


    ¡°He tried to kill you,¡± Nicco said. ¡°You were only defending yourself.¡±


    ¡°It still hurts knowing I killed a man. I never want to feel that again. I¡¯ll never kill another person as long as I live.¡±


    Nicco held her hand. ¡°Such pain is common, it¡¯s what makes us human. I felt that way at first, but you¡¯ll find that Tellius forgives. You¡¯ll move on. I promise.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken your vows to honor Tellius, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°Then I shall too. I swear to never again take a life.¡±


    They sat in silence for a moment. Nicco considered her story, thinking back to his own and how any of it might relate. He found no connections.


    ¡°It¡¯s only normal to be stressed after such an incident,¡± Reinhard said, breaking the silence. ¡°Allie, I must ask, this Essemancy you wielded, you summoned lightning?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Have you done so before?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know how it happened.¡± She scratched her head, peering upward. ¡°After he cut my arm, I grabbed the wound with my hand. Salt stuck to my hand and infused my blood because I felt a sudden connection to the Essence. As for the lightning itself, I¡¯m unsure.¡±


    ¡°You would need a rune as well.¡±


    Her eyes went wide white with sudden realization. ¡°The Cipher Scroll! I remember frantically reaching for anything to use as a weapon. I grabbed the scroll. With the salts coursing through my blood, a fearful will to survive. The chaotic panic overtook me and lightning burst from my fingers. I can¡¯t explain it. Afterward, I remember feeling exhausted, overdrawn, and thirsty.¡± She took a sip of wine and continued. ¡°It frightened the brigands. After they saw that, they ran like coward dogs.¡±


    Leo looked up. ¡°Did you kill--¡±


    Nicco shot him a look and shook his head.


    ¡°No, wait,¡± Alessandra said. She closed her eyes, trying to remember the events. ¡°I lost control. The lightning continued and I couldn¡¯t stop it. From the corner of my eyes, a log flew toward me and it knocked my arm down, stopping the lightning.¡± She shook her head, eyes still closed. ¡°Only it wasn¡¯t thrown, not in the traditional sense, like one might throw a rock. This bandit--an Essemancer--telekinetically hurled this log at me. Afterward, the bandit fled.¡±


    ¡°It has to be the Cipher Scroll,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Essemancers know telekinesis,¡± Alessandra said, ¡°but not lightning. At least not to my knowledge.¡±


    This was all too much for Nicco. Bandits and swords he could understand, but what Allie spoke of was strange to him. He understood simple facts. ¡°So we knew these bandits were Black Blades. They had two groups and the group that attacked Allie had an Essemancer.¡±


    ¡°Allie, are you certain?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°I am sure,¡± Alessandra nodded. ¡°One of them was an Essemancer.¡±


    ¡°Did you see any of their faces?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Alessandra frowned.


    Silence lingered like an empty church. Nicco thought through the events once again. The Black Blades coordinated an attack on Avictfell, his parents, and Allie. They sought the scroll and had an Essemancer with them. He took a drink and shifted in his chair. ¡°We must learn who hired the Black Blades. To do that, we need to speak with the company¡¯s leader, Captain Bastian Bach. Too bad we can¡¯t just message him and save us the trouble of travel.¡±


    ¡°And ask him what?¡± Leo retorted. ¡°Have you taken any contracts to murder any prominent bankers lately?¡±


    Nicco scowled.


    Leo continued. ¡°Even if he answered, I¡¯m not sure the Black Blades have an Essemancer in their service. Those with permanent employment arrange contracts with nobles, lectors, acolytes, and Grand Burghers. An Essemancers consistent service would be very expensive. Our father...¡± Leo paused, as though mentioning their father hurt his heart. Nicco shared that sorrow. ¡°Otto maintained a ledger of all the trained Essemancers and under whose employ they served. A special arrangement as a condition of selling them salts.¡±


    ¡°Without salts, they may as well be a beggar on the street,¡± Allie said.


    Leo¡¯s head rocked back and forth. ¡°A literate beggar, but essentially, yes.¡±


    ¡°So this ledger might list the Essemancer working with the Black Blades?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°It could, but even if such a person exists, I would prefer to question the captain in person. Who knows where that Essemancer¡¯s loyalty might lie?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d hope with House Medistein. Their livelihood is tied to your house. Why would they attack that?¡± He suspected some ulterior motive. Alessandra¡¯s story about the robbery in Avictfell. Two separate attacks on the highway, one of which led to murder. ¡°Why now?¡±


    ¡°Most bewildering,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°The Imperial salt tax,¡± Allie answered.


    Leo twirled a lock of hair--thinking. ¡°Unless they have found an alternative source of salts on the black market.¡±


    Allie¡¯s brow scrunched together. ¡°Have any Essemancers gone rogue before?¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°None I¡¯m aware of. The Scribes Guild maintains strict rules, a blacklist of sorts. I can ask the Guild Master for an updated census when we get back to Tarona.¡±


    ¡°It would stand to reason,¡± Allie said, pacing before the fire, ¡°since Essemancers require salt, maybe one grew disgruntled at the Medistein monopoly and hired the Black Blades to exact revenge. We have a clear motive, but who could¡¯ve done it? If one can afford an Essemancer, surely they could afford to hire a mercenary captain.¡±


    Leo paced, rambling his stream of consciousness like he often did. ¡°I¡¯d agree with you in times of war. But in peace, it¡¯s an unnecessary expense. Essemancers know their worth. They¡¯re not cheap.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t Allie message or mind read them or something?¡± Nicco asked.


    Leo snickered. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that. Besides.... nevermind,¡± Leo exhaled a long breath. ¡°Allie, have you never explained Essemancy to your brother?¡±


    ¡°She may have tried once or twice,¡± Nicco yawned. ¡°Best sleep I ever had.¡± He hoped the joke might help soothe their sorrow. Leo, Reinhard, and Karl all grinned.


    Allie glared at him with hands on her hips. ¡°It¡¯s no more boring than your mindless sword hacking at a defenseless wooden man.¡±


    Everyone laughed. Even he failed to suppress his amusement. Their banter relieved a bit of tension. Now Nicco turned back toward more serious matters. ¡°We should consult Otto¡¯s ledger. It may help narrow the list.¡±


    ¡°Only the rich can afford such services,¡± Leo said. ¡°Whoever planned the attack must have considerable influence and wealth to persuade an Essemancer to join their plan. We¡¯re looking for a lord, gran burgher, or priest perhaps.¡±


    Reinhard stroked his beard. ¡°Only a fraction of the Scribes Guild members know Essemancy.¡±


    ¡°We can consult with the Scribes Guild Master Thomund,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°An Essemancer leaving the guild wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed.¡±


    Reinhard swallowed a gulp of beer, its froth clung to his beard. The mug clunked against the table. ¡°We should also speak with Arch Magus Sabine as well. She has overseen some portion of training for every Essemancer in the empire. I¡¯ve known her a long time and trust her unequivocally.¡±


    ¡°Is it possible for someone to learn such skills outside the academy?¡± Nicco asked.


    Leo crossed his arms. ¡°No, we maintain strict control of salt trade.¡±


    ¡°But salts are only half the equation,¡± Allie added. ¡°And possible and probable are two very different things. Otto only allows a few Essemancy runes to be taught at the academy.¡±


    ¡°So how many Essemancers have been trained?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°About two dozen,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°It¡¯s likely closer to two hundred,¡± Alessandra corrected. Reinhard flushed. ¡°Things change, Uncle. Knowledge grows. You taught me that.¡±


    Reinhard tugged his beard. ¡°That means it¡¯s plausible an Essemancer might have left the guild.¡±


    ¡°Or became a rogue,¡± Leo agreed. ¡°Gold¡¯s temptation could warrant such a risk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s essential we speak with Captain Bastian, Grand Master Thomund, and Arch Magus Sabine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re forgetting the Tellisium church,¡± Leo added. Nicco furrowed his brow. Leo must have seen his expression. ¡°I¡¯ve known the church to hire Essemancers.¡±


    ¡°I doubt men of faith would condone such actions,¡± Nicco said.


    Leo scoffed. ¡°How many Expeditions did they lead against the Julk?¡±


    Nicco crossed his arms. ¡°Against barbarians to reclaim what once belonged the Traessyean Empire, and by extension the Avictean Empire. What of the Theogonist acolytes? They have used Essemancy far longer. Shouldn¡¯t we add them to the growing list of suspects as well?¡±


    ¡°Theogonists didn¡¯t start wars to find salts.¡±


    ¡°But they prospered from them. What is that expression you¡¯re always saying? Prosperity prevails. Your grandfather prospered from such a war.¡±


    ¡°What did you expect? He was a pirate!¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Nicco said, pointing his finger at Leo proving his point. ¡°The church defends the people, it doesn¡¯t rape and murder them along highways. Mercenaries or brigands did this, I¡¯m sure of it.¡±


    ¡°Nephews!¡± Reinhard interrupted. Nicco gave him his attention. Reinhard¡¯s voice turned calm. ¡°There are many black days in our history. Despite the prevalent use of Essemancers by both religions, we have no reason to believe either was involved. Let¡¯s focus on facts and not let past transgressions divide us.¡±


    What do we know? A sudden realization took root in his mind and smacked his forehead to knock some sense into himself. Nicco had assumed Allies attackers were Black Blades mercenaries, but he had never explicitly asked. He assumed by mere coincidence, but what if wasn¡¯t?   ¡°Did they wear all black? Your attackers, I mean.¡±


    Alessandra¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°It was dark. It was hard to tell.¡±


    ¡°Try to remember,¡± Nicco insisted. ¡°It would have been all black. Boots, cloak, and armor. Black as a starless night.¡± Allie shook her head. ¡°Are you sure? Did you check the dead man?¡±


    ¡°No Nicco, I didn¡¯t take the time to examine their fucking wardrobe.¡±


    Nicco leaned back. His sister didn¡¯t swear often. Commenting long ago that it made one appear uncivil.


    ¡°What are you getting at, Nicco?¡± Karl asked. After being silent during most of the questioning, he finally spoke. They should have included him more. Being captain of the Skywatch meant he often had to solve crimes. His detective skills could be quite valuable. Karl often listened without opinion, gathering facts in order to discover the bigger picture.


    ¡°The men who attacked us wore all black. They were members of the Black Blades. Did you notice any tattoos or black clothing?¡±


    Alessandra closed her eyes in deep thought like she was picturing the event in her mind. ¡°No, he had brown boots and a dark blue tunic. It was burnt after I...but I am sure it was navy blue, not black.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± Leo said.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°It means that whoever murdered our parents hired multiple mercenary groups. And not all were Black Blades. There¡¯s another mystery to solve.¡±


    ¡°It may be difficult to find the truth now,¡± Nicco agreed.


    ¡°I still intend to ask this Captain Bastian if he knows anything.¡±


    ¡°As do I,¡± Nicco said, ¡°but it¡¯s likely the Black Blades we encountered were a rogue group, perhaps no longer even employed with the company. He may not be as helpful as we once hoped.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unusual,¡± Karl added, ¡°but not unheard of for mercenaries of different companies to work alongside one another.¡±


    Despite training daily, nothing fatigued muscles more than actual combat. Nicco shifted, working an ache out of his right shoulder. ¡°How do you know this?¡±


    ¡°You may consort with noble knights of honor, Nicco, but not all men have such virtuous ideals. You hear things as watch captain. Some men served in mercenary companies. The smart ones retire and seek less dangerous employment where their blade still has worth. Men often boast to one another of past deeds, especially over a pint of ale. Hearing about their experiences can be surprisingly enlightening.¡±


    ¡°Bottom line,¡± Leo said, ¡°they all want the same thing.¡±


    ¡°Gold,¡± Karl said.


    Nicco found himself in agreement.


    ¡°There is another possibility we haven¡¯t considered,¡± Reinhard said. Everyone looked at their uncle. ¡°The attacks happened on the same evening, but for different reasons. We may be searching for a nonexistent connection. Perhaps we seek two unaffiliated groups of brigands.¡±


    Leo scoffed. ¡°Uncle, if it looks like shit and smells like shit, it¡¯s probably shit,¡±


    Reinhard frowned. ¡°Probability isn¡¯t a certainty. And is such an analogy necessary?¡±


    ¡°Uncle¡¯s right,¡± Nicco said. ¡°We should be open to all possibilities.¡±


    Leo rubbed his temples. Everyone waited until he looked up, seeing everyone staring at him. ¡°What?¡±


    Nicco spoke what they all probably thought. ¡°This is usually where you make some joke proving you¡¯re smarter than the rest of us.¡±


    Leo shrugged.


    Karl grimaced.


    Allie tapped her foot. ¡°Really? Nothing?¡±


    ¡°Other concerns weigh on me, so forgive me if I¡¯m not my usual self.¡±


    ¡°I apologize,¡± Alessandra said. Karl and Nicco said nothing. Nicco found Alessandra¡¯s elbow in his ribs.


    Nicco gasped. ¡°Sorry. Truly Leo.¡± Alessandra glared at Karl.


    ¡°Sorry, little brother.¡± Karl smirked.


    Leo smirked back. A bit of humor to lighten the mood.


    Alessandra swigged her wine. ¡°We should take some solace that your faithful servants could save our home.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d sooner trade a home for our parents,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°As would anyone,¡± Nicco agreed, ¡°but now we must place our faith in each other.¡±


    Leo examined Otto¡¯s signet ring. ¡°Faith eludes me.¡±


    Nicco couldn¡¯t agree with that, but unlike Leo, he knew when to remain silent. My faith never eludes me.


    ¡°As it does us all,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Leo, do you seek solace with the Primordials?¡± Reinhard asked with the sort of peculiar caring wisdom that only he could convey.


    Nicco realized the burden Reinhard now faced alone. For the last twenty-five years, Reinhard, Otto, and Sophia had raised the four children together. Now he was all alone. Otto was the mind, Sophia the heart, and Reinhard the Essence. One family, two houses, three parents, and four children.


    Leo kissed the signet ring. ¡°No.¡±


    Nicco¡¯s hand rested on the hilt of his sword Vindicator. ¡°So you seek vindication?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Leo said. ¡°I seek vengeance.¡±

 Chapter 13 - Leo

    Chapter 13


    Leo


    Inside Otto¡¯s extravagant villa office, Leo examined the contents of his father¡¯s strongbox. Leo found a letter addressed to Grand Vicar Rodrigo Malgais. He opened the letter and read it. As he read, his heart sank into his stomach. The letter had to be over a decade old, but written after Otto¡¯s conversion. Leo finished, then reread it in disbelief. Otto had granted Salvatore¡¯s exclusivity contract to serve as Rodrigo¡¯s Essemancer, and in exchange, Rodrigo selected Leo¡¯s design for the Tellisium Cathedral in Ryvium.


    No wonder Father was never proud of my accomplishments. He bought it for me. Leo scrunched the letter into a ball, yelled, and threw it at the portrait of Otto hanging on the wall. It bounced off harmlessly. Leo screamed again and kicked the balled paper across the office. Leo realized that lies and secrets were best kept buried.


    After that, Leo begrudgingly read over Otto¡¯s ledgers until his eyes glazed over and numbers blurred together. It did little to dull the pain of his father¡¯s betrayal.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Karl asked.


    Leo was startled at the break in silence and looked at Karl standing in the doorway. ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°We need to dig the graves.¡±


    Leo closed the ledger and stood from the desk to help his brothers.


    Karl pointed toward the wall. ¡°You may want that,¡± he said.


    Leo turned seeing the sword and scabbard lying against the wall. ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not as accustomed as I to always carrying a blade, but it¡¯s time to reconsider.¡±


    Leo retrieved the sword and buckled the belt around his waist. A few servants offered to dig the graves, but Leo insisted he would do it himself. The servants nodded in understanding and then extended the same courtesy to Diego, who accepted. ¡°There¡¯s a grove east of here,¡± Leo said. ¡°Bury them there.¡±


    ¡°I know the place, Master Medistein,¡± Diego said with a bow. He spun and departed with the servants to dig graves for Pietro, Marco, and Mario. Men who had died in service to house Medistein. I should help him dig those as well.


    ¡°Reinhard and Nicco are waiting,¡± Karl said. They left the villa and walked up the hill toward the gravesite. Soft, thick grass cushioned his steps. Leo¡¯s thighs ached as they ascended to the top of the hill. A massive oak tree crowned the hill--too big for five men to wrap around its trunk hand-to-hand. It was Sophia¡¯s favorite spot on the estate. The heavy branches drooped down and rested against the grass. Fresh spring leaves shaded a nearby weeping stone. This was the reason his mother favored the spot. The perfect spot to bury her.


    Nicco sat against the tree with his heirloom bastard sword Vindicator resting across his lap. According to the story Lorenzo found a bastard sword fitting since he rose from a commonfolk to nobility. Lorenzo was a master swordsman and swordsmith. Whenever he wasn¡¯t crafting swords, he practiced with them. Traessyean fire was required to heat the skysteel and forge Vindicator. Sharpened metal folded over fifty times. A Tellisium diamond centered the crossguard. Leo admired the rippled waves as Nicco polished them with a rag of oiled leather. At the base of the blade was Lorenzo¡¯s mark, a ¡®B¡¯ cradled up to a larger ¡®L¡¯ sharing its vertical stem. Nicco looked up with a sorrowful expression and slid Vindicator back into his sheath before resting it against the tree. He packed up the whetstone and oil jar inside a satchel. Nicco mumbled an incoherent prayer, drew a diamond on his chest, and stood.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Reinhard said, ¡°perhaps we should bury your parents in Tarona, where the city can honor them.¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°Mother preferred the countryside.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but all Tarona¡¯s citizens should be able to mourn their loss.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about what they want,¡± Leo said. ¡°They¡¯re not family. This is about what I want...¡± He sighed, hearing himself speak. ¡°Besides,¡± he said with more composure. ¡°Most citizens only knew Father, and we only have his charred corpse.¡±


    ¡°About your father,¡± Reinhard said gently. ¡°Yesterday, I sent some watchmen to retrieve his bones from the carriage. It¡¯s not the most ideal--¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle,¡± Karl said.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°In the temple with your mother for now.¡±


    ¡°But he wasn¡¯t Theogonist--¡±


    Nicco stepped forward. ¡°I can honor him with the proper Tellisium rituals. That way, we can bury each per their respective faith.¡±


    Leo sighed. For whatever reason, Leo couldn¡¯t accept his father¡¯s conversion. Even in death, it still bothered him. Leo felt guilty thinking so ill of the dead, especially his father.It didn¡¯t matter now. Leo picked up a nearby shovel and stabbed the ground. He pushed down and heaved a clump of dirt.


    ¡°We should bless the ground before we begin,¡± Nicco said. Leo noticed Nicco held a copy of Tellius Thesis in his hand. Reinhard must have already informed Nicco for him to come prepared to bury Otto under such a consecration. Leo decided to leave it be. Nicco sketched a diamond on his chest and bowed his head. Reinhard and Karl did the same. Despite his aversion, Leo relented and traced the sacred symbol on his chest--starting at the top, left, bottom, right, and completing at the top again. He bowed his head, gripping the shovel tight.


    ¡°All-Father, we bless this hallowed grave so that you may see their virtues from the heavens and stars above. May Tellius guide their Essence to join with you--¡±


    Leo roared and threw down the shovel. ¡°Now is not the time to appeal to god!¡±


    Nicco leaned back. ¡°We can bless the ground for your mother as well.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the All-Father¡¯s blessing, nor the damn Primordials. They¡¯re all worthless!¡±


    ¡°Would you abandon them in your time of need?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°As they abandoned me?¡± Leo snatched the holy book from Nicco¡¯s hand and tore the pages from it in fury. Everyone froze in horror. Leo struggled to tear an inch of pages from the book and threw it on the ground in frustration. He drew his sword and hacked the book. Tears swelled in his eyes. The steel bit into the leather-bound cover. Leo grunted with each chop as the book danced and flipped on the ground. Overcome with anger, grief, and sorrow. Snot ran and still he continued to hack the holy book. Each strike gashed the book and tore pages free. The wind blew, catching a few pages and sending them floating with the wind. The pages drifted, dipped, and rose. One stuck to the wet weeping stone.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Reinhard called calmly.


    Leo ignored him and turned his wrath on the nearby weeping stone. The blade sparked against the stone.


    ¡°Leo! We¡¯re all angry.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t there!¡± Leo yelled. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to watch the light leave her eyes.¡±


    Leo turned the blade on Nicco. ¡°I blame you for Mother¡¯s death.¡± Nicco held up his hands and stepped back. ¡°You call yourself a champion? You said you had them and sent me to get Mother. If you¡¯re such an excellent swordsman, how did you let one escape your blade? You let that brigand bastard kill Mother!¡±


    ¡°Leo!¡± Alessandra yelled in a motherly tone. He stopped and turned to her as she ran up the hill. ¡°That won¡¯t solve anything,¡± she said more calmly. She struggled to fight back tears of her own.


    Leo heaved with rage. He hated everyone. Alessandra¡¯s attempt at filling the motherly role in Sophia¡¯s absence. He hated his uncle¡¯s calm demeanor. Did he even care they died? He hated the brigands for killing his parents. Karl¡¯s resistance to allowing him to take more guards. Nicco for failing to protect her. He hated Tellius and his All-Father and the fucking Primordials. But mostly, he hated himself.


    ¡°Leo,¡± Reinhard said from behind him. He felt a hand on his shoulder. ¡°I too have held one I love in my arms as she died.¡± He turned Leo around. ¡°I know what it feels like to see the light fade from their eyes. I¡¯m here for you.¡±


    Leo dropped the sword, and it stuck into the soggy ground around the weeping stone. Reinhard hugged him. Allie and Karl joined. Burdened with guilt, Leo sniffled snot and looked at his adopted brother. ¡°Nicco--¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Nicco said, looking down in shame.


    Leo pushed free of this kin and stepped toward Nicco, then hugged him as a brother. ¡°We will find those responsible--¡±


    ¡°--And we¡¯ll kill them all.¡± Nicco finished.


    * * *


    Fresh rain cleaned his nose, and the sky had turned gray. They dug two graves side by side. Leo nailed a temporary wooden headstone to the tree. Leo had carved his parents¡¯ names and dates of birth and death upon it. He would need to have proper headstones made once he returned to Tarona. He considered even commissioning a diamond-shaped one for his father. They had died on the twenty-fifth day of Highblossom in the year fifteen hundred. Notated beneath each of their names was their religious affiliation. Divided in practice, but not in faith.


    All the servants had gathered to attend the funeral. Leo noted even the twelve members of the Skywatch huddled in a group in the back to pay their respects.


    Due to the condition of Otto¡¯s bones, they put them in a large flour sack. Allie knotted the sack and tied a narrow rope around it. Leo handed her Otto¡¯s misshapen wedding ring, and she threaded the rope through it. She lowered Otto¡¯s bones down into the grave and tossed the rope in afterward. Allie made the Sign of the Diamond--index fingers and thumbs pressed together in front of her chest--and extended them outward to impart the Tellisium blessing. Nicco did the same. ¡°Let your Essence be eternal,¡± she prayed. Reinhard repeated the phrase. Leo heard it from time to time, mostly as a blessing or farewell exchanged among Essemancers. Leo had never considered the words¡¯ religious connotation until now.


    They had wrapped Sophia in white cloth and laid her across two parallel ropes. Reinhard, Karl, Nicco, and Leo each took hold of an end of a rope. They shuffled their feet over the grave and lowered her gently down. Once she rested at the bottom, they tossed the ropes in. ¡°Let your Essence be eternal,¡± Reinhard said once again. This time, everyone echoed the prayer. If Reinhard had taken it from the Teachings of Tellius, Leo didn¡¯t know from what passage.


    ¡°You¡¯ve said that before. Is that from Tellius Teachings?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°My wife used to tell me it.¡± Reinhard looked at the graves. ¡°Goodbye Otto. Tell Markus I will join you both one day and we can finally sail westward across the Great Sea. Sophia, you pulled me from the darkest recesses of the Void after Suna died. Without you, I would have...¡± Reinhard wiped his eyes. ¡°Well, you and I know. Thank you for your love. Tell Suna to wait for me. I know she can grow impatient.¡± Reinhard chuckled and wiped his eyes.


    I wish Bianca were here. ¡°I hoped to tell you--¡± He paused realizing he almost let slip their engagement. The grief clouded his mind. He decided to keep the secret to honor Bianca¡¯s wishes. ¡°Mother,¡± Leo began again, still unsure of what to say. ¡°I¡¯ll remember what you told me about family, and I¡¯ll try to be less defiant. And Father, you were tough on me, and I didn¡¯t make it easy, but you made me the man I am today. The house and family are secure.¡±


    Alessandra twisted her magus ring about her finger. ¡°Father, you always treated me as your princess. You inspired a wealth of knowledge in me. And don¡¯t worry, I changed my mind about our secret.¡± Allie smiled. ¡°Sophia, I promise to look after the boys. Tellius knows someone has to keep them in line.¡± They all laughed.


    ¡°Goodbye, Mother. You always knew the right thing to say. Goodbye, Father, I¡¯ll miss our games of chess.¡± Karl said.


    Thunder rolled overhead. Rain fell. Leo didn¡¯t care. They stood in the rain and waited. Nicco combed back his blond hair with his fingers.


    ¡°Do you remember the time we all played peek-and-seek?¡± Nicco asked. They had played peek-and-seek a lot while at the villa, especially in the summers.


    ¡°Which time?¡± Alessandra asked.


    ¡°Karl and I were no older than ten, so you two would have been around twelve,¡± Nicco said. Leo couldn¡¯t recall the exact time Nicco referred to, but a rush of fond memories came to him all at once. That brought a much-needed smile.


    ¡°This time it wasn¡¯t just us kids playing like usual. It rained that day and we were bored. Mother got the idea to play peek-and-seek, only outside in the rain. Father was reluctant at first, but somehow she had convinced him to leave the books for an afternoon. Uncle even joined in.¡± Reinhard smiled.


    Nicco continued. ¡°Mother had a talent for convincing others to push the boundaries of comfort. So we all ran outside, laughing in the rain. Splashing in puddles with not a care in the world. I don¡¯t know why, but I remember hiding in this tree.¡± He reached out and placed his hand on the bark.


    ¡°Only you would seek to climb a tree when a storm is about,¡± Alessandra said.


    Nicco shrugged, and the others chortled. Nicco gazed up as though he envisioned himself still in the tree. ¡°So I climbed this tree as high as I could. So high that the branches bent under my weight. From the top, I spotted Mother concealed below. Only she squatted behind the trunk. Reinhard was the seeker, and he found the rest of you quickly enough. All except Leo, Mother, and I. Uncle saw her hiding here, but he didn¡¯t want to go up the hill to get her. So he shouted his sage wisdom. ¡®Sophia, the wise rabbit does not return home while the fox is on the prowl.¡¯¡± Nicco said, mimicking his uncle¡¯s deep voice and wise demeanor. Everyone chuckled.


    ¡°Sophia revealed herself, but I stayed hidden in the tree. A few moments later, lightning struck nearby. Deafening loud, so close, the hair on my arms stood upright. It startled me to fright, and I slipped on the wet branch and fell. I remember grasping for branches, to no avail. I must have screamed or something, because somehow Mother caught me. She saw my fear, and in hindsight, I imagine she was too, but all I remember is her comforting me. Squeezing all my limbs and checking me for scrapes and bruises. If she hadn¡¯t caught me, I would for sure have broken a limb, or worse.¡± Nicco smiled, ¡°and I remember what she said to me, clear as though it were yesterday. ¡®I will always be there to protect my children.¡¯ It was at that moment that I really knew she loved me as one of her own. She taught me family was more than blood. And at that moment, I vowed to Tellius to act like her. I would protect my family, no matter what.¡±


    Alessandra wiped tears from her reddened eyes.


    ¡°I remember that day,¡± Leo said with a sniffle. ¡°Well, I remember it differently than you. Actually, I really only remember winning the game.¡± Leo smirked, fighting back his own tears. Nicco¡¯s story brought with it an epiphany. ¡°That¡¯s how they knew. The attack in Avictfell intended to flush them out. They wouldn¡¯t dare kill them in the city. The Crimson Cloaks would have to investigate the murder. But highway robberies happen all the time and are rarely solved. The bandits waited, knowing they would flee home for safety.¡±


    ¡°Who knows of the villa¡¯s location?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°Plenty of people,¡± Leo said. ¡°But that is not the right question. Do you know how I always won at peek-and-seek?¡± Leo paused. ¡°The trick is that when hiding, act as though you¡¯re the seeker. Position yourself in an advantageous spot and wait until you see the seeker searching for you. Once they turn their back, you stalk the seeker from a distance, always outside their vision, lurking in the shadows, hiding in the spot where they last looked.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how you won so much?¡± Nicco asked.


    Alessandra tilted her head in astonishment. ¡°Because who would look where they just searched if they found nothing?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Leo nodded. ¡°And now it¡¯s time we seek the seeker.¡±


    Worry filled Alessandra¡¯s eyes. ¡°We gather information seeking justice, not revenge.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Leo said. ¡°This time one is required to achieve the other.¡±

 Chapter 14 - Leo

    Chapter 14


    Leo


    The rain had cleansed the air after the funeral ended. A cool breeze blew away the clouds, leaving behind clear skies and the lingering smell of rain. Leo, Karl, and Nicco filled the graves with dirt and exchanged stories of their parents. Diego brought them a pair of lanterns as night came.


    ¡°Allie,¡± Reinhard said, ¡°it¡¯s getting late and we need to discuss the Cipher Scroll.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go inside,¡± Allie said.


    Reinhard hesitated. ¡°Go on Uncle,¡± Leo said. ¡°We can finish burying them.¡±


    Diego took a lantern and escorted Reinhard and Alessandra back to the villa.


    Once they finished filling in the graves, Leo hoisted a shovel over each shoulder. Karl did the same.


    Nicco walked over and picked up the holy book--Tellius Thesis. Then he picked up the sword Leo had discarded. Nicco¡¯s forehead wrinkled. ¡°Come look at this sword.¡±


    Karl approached. Curiosity commanded Leo as well.


    Karl shook his head. ¡°Needs sharpening.¡±


    ¡°It does,¡± Nicco said, ¡°but look at the smith¡¯s marking.¡±


    The steel glinted off the lantern light. Near the base of the blade, a marking resembled a kite shield halved down the middle. The letters K.T. straddle each side of the line. Leo scratched his head. ¡°What am I looking at here?¡±


    ¡°I know this mark,¡± Nicco said. ¡°It belongs to a smith in service to the Order of Tellius, or Knights Tellius, as indicated here.¡± Nicco pointed toward each letter in turn. ¡°Priest, bless their weapons.¡±


    So despite their earlier argument, perhaps the Tellisium Church was involved. The web continued to grow. ¡°I thought you said the church was honorable, that they--¡±


    ¡°You were right,¡± Nicco acknowledged.


    ¡°You¡¯re actually agreeing with me?¡±


    Nicco flipped the hilt of the sword, examining it further. ¡°To an extent.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡± Karl asked. Leo shared Karl¡¯s sentiment.


    ¡°The Black Blades have a unique founding history. The company leader, Captain Bastian Bach, and most of the company lieutenants, are disgraced men who left the Order of Tellius. That, or the church banished them, depends on who you ask.¡± Nicco gestured with his hand. ¡°Regardless of their departure, some of them used to be knights.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention this before?¡± Karl asked.


    Nicco shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was relevant.¡±


    ¡°Well, it seems fucking relevant now.¡±


    Leo¡¯s eyes narrowed. With a mixture of courteous perplexity, Leo asked, ¡°So whoever we killed along the highway used to be a knight in the Order of Tellius?¡±


    ¡°Men with no honor don¡¯t belong in such an esteemed institution,¡± Nicco answered. ¡°Bastian and those men started the company and took the motto: Enemy of Religion, Enemy of Revenge, Enemy of Remorse.¡±


    ¡°How fitting.¡± Leo scowled.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Nicco said. ¡°We take the sword and tattooed hand to Bastian and demand--¡±


    ¡°Persuade,¡± Leo corrected.


    ¡°Persuade,¡± Nicco agreed. ¡°We tell him we know his company was contracted and one of his lieutenants led the brigands.¡±


    ¡°The list grows shorter. We only need to find him.¡± Leo looked to the horizon and watched the last glow of red radiance fade.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just hope Bastian is in Avictfell,¡± Nicco said with a clenched jaw. ¡°My thirst for revenge is eager to be quenched.¡± Nicco¡¯s response seemed genuine. Leo he couldn¡¯t recall a single instance where he had lied. The opposite was true. He was often brutally honest to a fault.


    ¡°Have you dealt with the Order of Tellius before?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°No, but as a young boy, I was fond of them. I remember my blood father telling me stories of brave and honorable knights. He taught me of the Order of Tellius, among others.¡±


    ¡°Others?¡± Karl asked.


    ¡°The Primordial Knights, the Gryphon Knights,--¡±


    ¡°You had to be no more than five,¡± Leo said. Nicco never spoke of his blood parents. They had died so long ago.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nicco said. ¡°After they died, I read all I could about the various orders and wanted to join an Order even more. I turned to stories of mercenaries, brigands, and corsairs. As Lorenzo said, from the stories, the Order of Tellius was the most honorable.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ever join?¡±


    Nicco thought for a moment. ¡°The opportunity never really presented itself. With Reinhard as my godfather, and Otto and Sophia as adopted parents, I didn¡¯t really have any Tellisium parents. I suppose Theogonists wouldn¡¯t push their adopted son to follow a different faith.¡±


    Leo ignored the fact that his father had converted. ¡°You never consider the Primordial Knights?¡±


    ¡°They aren¡¯t a holy order of Tellisium. Who would join an order of a different faith?¡±


    ¡°Otto converted shortly after their death. Why not join then?¡± Karl pointed out. Leo¡¯s grip tightened around the shovel handle. Leo wished Karl would let the matter die along with his father.


    ¡°I was too young, heir to my house, and a proper noble with a landed title. Few landed knights or lords join holy orders.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not unheard of, and with parents of both faiths, you could choose either order.¡±


    ¡°True, but you forget the Inquisition. They would hunt down heretics.¡±


    Leo laughed in disbelief. ¡°The Inquisition isn¡¯t a holy order.¡±


    ¡°Not true,¡± Nicco said. ¡°The Inquisition is a holy order of Tellisium, only not the honorable kind other orders are usually associated with.¡±


    ¡°A fair assumption,¡± Karl said. ¡°I doubt we could find another person who believes such.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s church politics,¡± Nicco dismissed with a wave. ¡°The Inquisition Conclave, the knight¡¯s orders, and the College of Lectors all have their internal hierarchy to care about.¡±


    Leo had a sudden thought. ¡°If the Inquisition is a holy order, as you say, and this smith supplies the Knights Tellius, could that also include the Inquisition?¡±


    Nicco rubbed his chin. ¡°It¡¯s possible, I suppose. I don¡¯t know the intricacies of armament procedures within the church.¡±


    ¡°If the church is going to contract a smith to forge the Knights Tellius¡¯ swords, I don¡¯t see why they would exclude the Inquisition.¡±


    ¡°Do you think the Inquisition murdered our parents?¡± Nicco asked.


    Leo took the sword in hand. ¡°Their reputation makes it more likely than a knight.¡±


    ¡°Former knight,¡± Nicco corrected. ¡°Remember, they were cast out of the order.¡±


    ¡°Or left,¡± Karl added. ¡°As you said, depends on who you ask.¡±


    Nicco picked up a few damp pages and laid them on the disfigured book. ¡°Assuming this is true, why would the Inquisition want to kill our parents?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Leo said, searching the blade for any further clues. ¡°I¡¯m merely considering the evidence.¡±


    ¡°Circumstantial at best,¡± Karl said. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Most crimes are not some elaborate scheme or conspiracy. More likely, some highway bandits chanced upon a coach in the night and attacked. That, or some scoundrel, simply bought this sword at a market.¡±


    ¡°Possibly,¡± Nicco agreed. ¡°But what about Alessandra? They attacked her the same night.¡±


    ¡°A young lady on the road alone at night.¡± Karl shook his head. ¡°Easy prey, except she wasn¡¯t. Besides, she said they didn¡¯t wear all black like the mercenaries you two encountered.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Leo agreed. ¡°But agents of the Inquisition like to wear normal clothes. They want to be inconspicuous and observe.¡±


    Karl shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It all seems too grand. Far more likely, two easy targets presented themselves and bandits took the opportunity that fell in their lap.¡±


    ¡°Unless,¡± Leo said, holding up a finger, ¡°as Uncle said, they were two unaffiliated groups.¡±


    Karl scoffed. ¡°So now we have two conspiracies with two separate factions, both of whom attacked simultaneously along the same road.¡±


    Leo¡¯s stomach growled. ¡°Unless both were hired by a single conspirator. But we won¡¯t know anything until we interrogate our suspects. Let¡¯s go inside. It¡¯s well past dark and I¡¯m hungry.¡± Leo looked upward at the heavens above. Thousands upon thousands of stars painted the violet night sky. With his parent¡¯s death, two more stars had been added. Solace warmed him as he thought of his parents, their Essence twinkling together. ¡°Beautiful night.¡± His brothers looked up. A shooting star raced across the night sky. ¡°Did you see that?¡±


    ¡°Fallen star,¡± Nicco said. ¡°The All-Father banishes another corrupted Essence from the heavens. Forsaken as a specter to wander the earth, in search of redemption to return to heaven.¡± He made the Sign of the Diamond in front of his chest and pressed outward toward the night sky. Nicco had offered a piece of his Essence as a blessing to aid the specter. Leo and Karl made no such offering.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Leo had witnessed Nicco perform the blessing many times before, but never towards a forsaken specter. ¡°Why do you bless a specter?¡±


    ¡°With every fallen star, the Void¡¯s darkness expands. I¡¯d prefer the heavens expand, so I bless the specter, hoping it will find redemption.¡±


    ¡°Seems idealistic,¡± Leo said. Nicco said nothing, and the brothers returned to the villa.


    Inside the foyer, a split staircase curved upward. An exquisite chandelier hung overhead. A scale model ship of the Twilights Shadow sat on a table encased in glass. The Twilights Shadow had been Markus¡¯ brigantine he had plundered the Enthos Sea with. A black hull with red sails that favor attacking at dawn or dusk with the sun at its back.


    ¡°Master Medistein,¡± Diego said as Leo ascended the stairs. ¡°Master Reinhard and Lady Alessandra asked to speak to you in your father¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Diego.¡± Leo went into Otto¡¯s office. Reinhard had painted and gifted the canvas of Otto that hung behind the desk. Reinhard and Alessandra sat across from the desk. He walked past them and peered out the window at twinkling stars, hoping to clear his mind. ¡°Diego said you wanted to speak with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°You are master of this house now. There are certain affairs for you to review.¡±


    I¡¯m the master of my house. The responsibility hadn¡¯t quite hit him until now. ¡°The only affair I care about is finding out who murdered my parents.¡±


    ¡°There will be time to investigate the murder of your parents. You must temper these extravagances and your relentless pursuit of the fairer sex. As the master of the house, it¡¯s expected you to marry.¡± Bianca. He pictured her beauty and longed for her gentle touch and banter. ¡°...And there is still the matter of the Ricci estate to address with the Karvyeans,¡± Reinhard finished. Leo had dazed off for a moment.


    ¡°Enough about the Ricci estate,¡± Leo spat. ¡°The Grand Vicar agreed, and we made payment.¡±


    ¡°You must appease the imperial family as well, or we will have far greater problems.¡±


    ¡°The Karyveans can wait--¡±


    ¡°--If you do that, you will let house Medistein fall to ruin,¡± Reinhard finished.


    Otto kept meticulous records. Branch-designated ledgers for the Medistein Bank and others by region. Each of those had the lords and burghers who owed him money. Leo found and opened the master ledger and skimmed the pages. The levels of debt were astounding. If he called all the debts of the lords except the imperial families, it would still only equal half of the Ricci estate, even if they all promptly paid.


    Further examination of the books led to the discovery of the cause. Excessive lending to the crown--the Karvyeans. Emperor Viktor had incurred staggering amounts of debt. Leo wondered how the crown hadn¡¯t gone bankrupt. Perhaps they would, hence the need for the Ricci estate. The Medistein Bank extended vast sums of credit to the Tellisium Church as well. Financing the Great Expeditions had pushed House Medistein close to bankruptcy. The cost of war. Otto had mentioned Leo needing to temper his extravagant spending, but Leo concluded it would have made little difference. No wonder Otto had been so stressed. If either the crown or church defaulted on their debt, House Medistein would fall into ruin. Next Leo found the sums totaling the cost of the Medistein Tower. An entire page of expenses with an asterisk and a note on the bottom. The note read see Appendix: Medistein Tower of Tarona.


    Leo thumbed through the back to the Appendix. Over a dozen pages of detailed expenses. The materials alone were excessive. Lumber, stone, and marble. Other more exorbitant items of gold, silver, glass, and iron. The labor cost for the projects: stonemasons, carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, plumbers, engineers, glaziers, painters, and sculptors. He stopped when he read the cost of the furnishings and luxuries. Lines and lines continued. Over three hundred thousand tarins in total.


    He flipped to the last entry. The total summed just under a million tarins, including the outstanding debt to the crown and church. His father had financed the ambitions of others. The military might of the crown. The faith of the church, and his own ambitious construction project.


    Further analysis would need to be done, but Leo couldn¡¯t imagine how his father had balanced such vast accounts. Or rather, let them become so heavily leveraged. They were wealthy, yet their wealth proved fictitious, written only in ledgers.


    ¡°Our house¡¯s wealth is a lie,¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°My pride and ambition over-leveraged our books. I forced my father to deal with the church and crown. They were the only clients large enough to support my goal.¡±


    ¡°Otto¡¯s goal as well,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Becoming the dominant financier of the crown and church gave him significant influence; influence he hoped to use and rise into the nobility.¡±


    ¡°The old nobility would never accept him,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°I told him as much.¡±


    ¡°This problem cannot be solved,¡± Leo said. ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡±


    ¡°Find a way,¡± Alessandra said.


    Leo shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t even know where to start.¡±


    ¡°At the beginning,¡± Reinhard said, amused.


    For once, Leo didn¡¯t see the humor. ¡°Uncle, this is too much. It¡¯s far too big. We are a house of cards. A little wind and it¡¯ll crumble. Now I understand Father¡¯s urgency. I mistook him as being his usual stressed self, but had I known, had we known--¡±


    ¡°I knew,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Your father insisted he could handle it. He was a proud man.¡±


    ¡°Why? I don¡¯t understand. Why do it all?¡±


    Reinhard ran his finger along the desk. ¡°Why do men ever strive for greatness?¡±


    ¡°To be remembered,¡± Leo answered.


    Reinhard shook his head. ¡°Power. Gold is power, commerce is power. Ideologies, knowledge, and religion are all power. Military might is power. Symbols are power. Politics and war are often used to achieve that power. But why labor so hard for something? In pursuit of that power, do we not exhaust our wealth, question our faith, and lose loved ones in wars? What price is too much?¡±


    ¡°I knew Father wanted to become a noble, but this is too high a price. This will ruin us. This will ruin Tarona. We¡¯ll be banished at best, likely hung. Then the debt crisis will fall on the church and crown. It will force them to raise taxes, the people will riot in the streets. Lords will have to choose between killing their people or joining the rebellion. It will be civil war.¡± Leo rubbed his temples. ¡°Why is every ruler in our history always ambitious, or mad, or tyrannical, or an idiot?¡±


    ¡°Power corrupts,¡± Reinhard reasoned.


    ¡°Why do content men never become rulers?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Your question answers itself,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Did it corrupt Otto?¡±


    Reinhard¡¯s lips opened. He hesitated, apparently gathering his thoughts, before carefully speaking. ¡°Otto was ambitious,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°He was a skilled negotiator and a master of Essemancy. He made many friends and twice as many enemies. As men in his position often do. Something I fear you will soon discover.¡±


    ¡°Do you ever stop with the sage wisdom?¡±


    ¡°My wisdom is your sarcasm.¡± Mischief sparkled in Reinhard¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Gods help me.¡± Leo¡¯s expression turned serious.


    ¡°May I offer a suggestion?¡± Reinhard asked. Leo¡¯s brow rose in anticipation. ¡°Have Alessandra message the Karvyeans, explaining the recent events. And as for my sage wisdom--¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Very well, something simple. Don¡¯t reveal what hasn¡¯t been asked.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your wisdom?¡± Leo asked in amazement. ¡°Sixty-five years and that¡¯s the best you have. To lie.¡±


    Reinhard shrugged. ¡°Use your strengths. Besides, your grandfather wasn¡¯t the only rogue in the family.¡± Leo couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. He laughed because there was no other appropriate response. ¡°Speaking of Markus, there is something you need to know concerning the runes he stole from the Julk.¡± Reinhard looked to Alessandra with an arched bushy gray brow. ¡°Forgive me, dear, but some matters only the master of the house should know.¡±


    ¡°Then how is it, you know?¡±


    ¡°Because Markus and Otto both told me,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°Perhaps a bit of the old pirate luck smiles on us after all. This secret could have died with Otto.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Reinhard agreed. ¡°And it¡¯s the key to our house¡¯s rapid ascension in fame and wealth.¡±


    ¡°Essemancy?¡± Leo asked. Reinhard nodded. ¡°If it concerns Essemancy, I want Alessandra to hear it as well.¡±


    ¡°You may want to hear it first before making such a decision.¡±


    Leo looked at Alessandra. She had always been loyal, stubbornly so at times. He had to trust her. ¡°Alessandra is family. I trust her. Since you and Father knew the secret, it¡¯s best we both know it, too. In case...¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a man of great wisdom,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°If I¡¯m to untangle this mess, I¡¯ll need all the help I can get. Besides,¡± Leo smirked, ¡°she is the second smartest of the four of us.¡±


    ¡°Smartest,¡± Alessandra corrected with a raised brow.


    ¡°If you say so,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°I know so. As does Uncle.¡±


    Reinhard held his hands up with a wry grin. They all laughed and Leo felt some of the sorrow leave him. It felt good for a change.


    Reinhard stood, peered down the hall, and closed the door. He faced them and stroked his beard. ¡°Where to begin?¡±


    ¡°At the beginning,¡± Leo said, amused.


    Grinning, Reinhard shook his finger. ¡°When Markus returned from Sojun, he had maps with salt mine locations, a few scrolls, gold aplenty, and even some captives. Ample wealth for a luxurious life. He recognized an opportunity and possessed the precious Traessyean Codex stolen from a monolith. This Codex is unique. Its knowledge not even found within the Arites Academy library. The Codex has hundreds of runes upon it, many of which we cannot translate. I¡¯m the only person who lives that has seen it in its entirety.¡±


    ¡°Where is this Codex?¡± Leo asked.


    Reinhard hesitated. ¡°With this knowledge, you each will carry a great responsibility.¡± Leo nodded.


    ¡°I understand, uncle,¡± Alessandra said.


    ¡°It was here,¡± Reinhard said, tapping the desk, ¡°but after Medistein Towers¡¯ completion, Otto had the Codex transported to Tarona, where it lies within his office strongbox.¡±


    ¡°We should review it at once,¡± Leo said. ¡°Hopefully, we can uncover new runes of power.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you two can decipher what Otto and I could not. I¡¯ve read over it a hundred times and deciphered all I can. Otto and I have transcribed segregated portions of it to other trusted Essemancers, Arch Magus Sabine, Allie, Salvatore, Svetlana, my late wife Suna, and a handful more perhaps.


    ¡°So that¡¯s why at the academy we were always getting pieces of paper with strange new runes,¡± Alessandra concluded with a sparkle in her eyes. Reinhard nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± She darted from the room and slammed the door.


    Leo looked to Reinhard, who just shrugged.


    ¡°Should we wait for her or...¡±


    ¡°This is a good time to practice your patience,¡± Reinhard said. They sat and waited for a minute.


    ¡°Whose got time for that?¡±


    Reinhard chortled.


    The door burst open and Alessandra held a piece of dirty paper aloft. ¡°This is how I did it!¡±


    ¡°Did what?¡± Leo asked, shaking his hands in the air exaggeration, matching her enthusiasm.


    Allie either didn¡¯t care or didn¡¯t pick up on the joke--likely the former. ¡°The lightning! It wasn¡¯t the Cipher Scroll. As Reinhard said, only known runes are contained on the Cipher Scroll. This lightning power was unknown. After I left the academy, I folded the paper up and slipped it inside my glove. I had tried for months to decipher it. Only after father...¡± she paused, grief stole a bit of her excitement. ¡°Father gave me a bag of black salts in Avictfell before he departed.¡±


    ¡°So that is how you cast it,¡± Reinhard said.


    ¡°I deciphered a rune,¡± Alessandra said with melancholy.


    ¡°After all this time, I thought you would be more excited,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°I am. But this was Father¡¯s last gift to me. And I killed--¡±


    ¡°He saved your life,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°Otto and I were always vigilant in protecting this secret. We never revealed more than a couple of runes at a time, and only to the most brilliant minds. Over time, as we deciphered runes, we transcribed them to the Cipher Scroll. A list of all the known Traessyean runes. We wanted to bring about Enlightenment. And we did, for a time at least. But when my wife Suna died, our progress slowed considerably.¡±


    ¡°She deciphered most of them?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Reinhard said with a nod.


    ¡°Given Markus stole the Codex from her lands, it is fair to assume she may have had more familiarity with the ancient Traessyean runes,¡± Alessandra said.


    ¡°We can add it to the Cipher Scroll,¡± Leo said. Alessandra frowned at the suggestion. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I killed a man,¡± she said somberly. ¡°This power doesn¡¯t Enlighten anyone--¡±


    ¡°On the contrary, it seems to have done just that,¡± Leo smirked.


    Alessandra frowned and crossed her arms. ¡°This rune,¡± Alessandra stammered, ¡°this power, there is no peaceful application, it will only bring death. That is something I cannot support.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± Leo said. ¡°This rune will catapult our house to the pinnacle of power.¡±


    ¡°And when others learn of its existence?¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t tell them,¡± Leo reasoned. ¡°Besides,¡± he held a finger up, ¡°you don¡¯t even know exactly how you cast it. You said so yourself.¡±


    Alessandra shook her head. ¡°The truth always finds a way of getting out.¡±


    ¡°Give it here,¡± Leo said and stood. Alessandra pulled the paper away from his reach.


    Leo flustered and snatched at the paper, but he was too slow. Alessandra dashed away. Leo pursued. Allie ran toward the fireplace and held the paper above the flames. Leo froze. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he said, shaking his head.


    ¡°Your reaction is the exact reason this should remain secret,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°Men only crave power.¡±


    ¡°Our house is at stake! Our parents were murdered! You nearly as well! Or have you forgotten?¡±


    ¡°Leo,¡± Reinhard said. He didn¡¯t look. His eyes focused on the paper above the flames. ¡°Not minutes ago, you said you trusted her. You wanted her to hear the truth. This decision you both should agree on.¡±


    ¡°When Markus died, you willingly shared this power with Otto?¡± Leo asked, turning to his uncle. Leo searched his eyes, looking for wisdom.


    Reinhard nodded. ¡°With great--¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking say it,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Reinhard said. ¡°How about this? At a certain point in life, only happiness and contentment matter.¡±


    Leo considered the words. Looked back to the paper, the fire, and met Alessandra¡¯s green eyes. The fire¡¯s light reflected in them.


    ¡°Not for me,¡± Leo said and darted forward.


    Alessandra threw the paper into the fire.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± Leo cried. He reached forward, desperate to retrieve the burning paper. The edges blacked and curled. Alessandra tackled him. ¡°Get off!¡±


    She did, but it was too late. The paper had burned to ashes.


    ¡°What have you done?¡±


    Alessandra showed no remorse or regret. ¡°What you must do if you intend to lead this house.¡± Alessandra said, and she left the room.

 Chapter 15 - Alessandra

    Chapter 15


    Alessandra


    Alessandra tied a waxed parchment around Ruby¡¯s foot. The rune of soothing upon it. When they returned to Avictfell or Tarona, she would have to commission a runic brand to sear onto Ruby but dreaded hurting her. She could sew the rune into the bottom of the saddle but lacked the time or skill. Allie could not risk lacking the runic link necessary to calm her if needed--especially given what happened in the woods. For now, she had to trust that tying the rune parchment to Ruby¡¯s leg would provide sufficient contact without the pain. Eventually, the jolts and constant movement would jostle it loose and she made a mental note to get her saddle inscribed.


    They rode past the charred remains of the carriage. The crows had already feasted on the brigand corpses. The stench soured the air. Alessandra urged her horse onward, desperate to breathe fresh rain-cleansed air once again. Mount Aryss, named after the Primordial god of sky, wind, and heavens, dominated the eastern horizon. A stout peak pierced high above the Skywoods and surrounding mountains.


    Nicco had formally allied himself with the Tarona canton long ago. ¡°When you reach Tarona, please send word for my men to prepare the defenses of the Vacca castle,¡± Nicco said. ¡°And send Diego more men.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Reinhard said. Nicco held a small force of around one hundred men-at-arms, but he had several vassals and numerous knights under his tutelage. She had provided services for her brother whenever she visited the castle, but without her, no Essemancer lived at Vacca. With his lordship came the vassals of Vacca County. For Reinhard, sending the message would require traditional means, like a courier pigeon, or rider. Alessandra doubted such precautions were necessary, but there was no harm in being prepared. Reinhard and Karl turned eastward onto Narrow Road, back to Tarona. The Skywatchmen accompanied them.


    Alessandra, Nicco, and Leo continued north along the Imperial Road toward Avictfell to find answers. She felt comfort in knowing her brothers accompanied her, despite Leo having not spoken a word to her all morning. She didn¡¯t blame him, but she fundamentally believed Essemancy should be used to better the world, not destroy it. In a moment of weakness, Leo desired power for revenge. Eventually, Leo would find his compassion and turn away from his selfish tendencies. She trusted her brother, despite his faults. Once knowledge of the lightning spell spread, every tyrannical lord in the empire would want it. Some things were better left forgotten. A lesson the Traessyean Empire learned the hard way millenniums ago.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you two?¡± Nicco asked. Leo answered by spurring his horse ahead. Nicco turned to her. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°A disagreement is all.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m going to be traveling with you two for the next several days, I don¡¯t want my company to be too brooding, siblings. What happened?¡±


    Damn, she thought. She had hoped the answer would satisfy Nicco. ¡°Reinhard told us some things concerning his father. We each had different ideas on how to resolve the issue.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you. Ask Leo if he wants to tell you, so be it.¡± Nicco frowned, wanting to know more, but settled for the answer she had given. They rode onward for hours until, finally, the towering city walls of Avictfell welcomed her home. She spent more time in Avictfell than in any other city, mainly on the academy grounds. Alessandra knew Avictfell, as well as Leo, knew Tarona.


    ¡°Should we be worried about the Crimson Cloaks?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°Be cautious. We should find an inn near the academy.¡±


    Leo nodded. He hadn¡¯t said a single word to her the entire journey. The humidity matted his curly hair against his forehead, partially hiding his eyes, and enhancing his brooding. Alessandra tensed. The Crimson Cloaks stood guard at the city gate. A pair of them questioned a merchant escorting a covered cart. They wanted to inspect his cargo. Alessandra tensed. She gripped the reins tightly and avoided eye contact. They passed under the portcullis. After the horse had trotted past the gate, she exhaled with relief.


    ¡°Good to know we have sanctuary in Avictfell,¡± Alessandra said, leading them through the streets.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see the bank,¡± Leo said. His suggestion surprised her. Her stomach knotted, a mix of sorrow and danger.


    ¡°Is that wise?¡±


    ¡°I want to see.¡±


    Alessandra pressed her tongue against her lip. They passed by the Theogonist temple. Acolytes welcomed worshipers inside. They turned down a street that led toward the Medistein Bank. Leo slowed his horse as they neared the burnt ruins. Only charred boards and piles of black soot remained. The stone foundation had burned black as well. A few skeletal boards stood upright, but nothing remained. Crimson Cloaks had set up a perimeter around the burned buildings. A middle-aged man examined the debris. Somewhere among the rubble, Mia¡¯s ashes rested.


    Alessandra¡¯s stomach knotted. Her eyes flicked about to see if anyone regarded them suspiciously. Ruby did a little canter, and she calmed her down. Once they rode past, the knot in her stomach turned to a hungry growl. She found an inn for them to stay at near the academy grounds, where she felt more comfortable. They paid for one room, which had two beds. She devoured dinner. Her first decent meal in half a dozenday. She gorged on beef stew with potatoes, onions, and carrots. She sopped up the thick spiced gravy with warm butted rolls. A dry, dark red wine imported from the Meadowlands complimented the stew perfectly. No one spoke. Alessandra attributed it to their appetite, but part of her knew Leo hated her.


    Inside the plain room were two beds. In past such situations, Nicco slept solo since he was the biggest. Nicco locked the door and dragged his bed in front of it for good measure. He rested his sword against the bed, removed his boots and tunic, and fell fast asleep. He had acted with haste. Neither she nor Leo could object.


    Alessandra turned to Leo, who leered out the window. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Leo¡¯s mouth parted. He stopped himself, closed his eyes, and exhaled. ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep.¡± Alessandra accepted that. Does he forgive me? What else could she hope for? She empathized with Leo¡¯s emotions and even felt the same way. She desired to find the killers of her parents and attacker and deliver justice. But there was a fine line between justice and vengeance, and Leo had crossed it.


    She took off her boots and dress and lay in bed. Leo lay beside her, right on the edge of the bed. The gap between them could have fit Nicco. She drifted asleep. In the morning, Alessandra washed her bandage in the wash basin. She would need to get a fresh one once they reached the academy.


    ¡°Let me yours,¡± Alessandra told Leo. He obliged and held his arm out for her. Leo winced as she slowly peeled the bandage back. ¡°They have yet to fester, but we must get fresh bandages and aloe at the academy.¡± Leo placed his arm in the cool water and sighed in relief. She rinsed his bandage in the water as best she could before wrapping it back around his forearm. ¡°We match,¡± she joked, holding up her arm.


    Leo forced a partial smirk but his eyes burned hot as embers. They ate a hardy breakfast. Diced cinnamon-spiced apples, sweetened pastries, hard-boiled eggs, and thick bacon, which Nicco took triple portions of. She washed it down with coffee sweetened with milk and honey. The diverse food options in the capital became her favorite thing about the city.


    ¡°Even though we all know her, I think I should speak with Arch Magus Sabine. I have studied under her for years.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll get no argument from me,¡± Nicco mumbled, mouth munching on bacon. Leo crossed his arms but nodded.


    Nicco gulped his coffee and let out a satisfying sigh. ¡°Have you two made up yet? I can¡¯t stand another day of this brooding.¡± Alessandra held her breath. Leo¡¯s piercing blue eyes had lost the redness of rage.


    ¡°My temper has waned,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Good,¡± Nicco said as he stood. ¡°After we speak with Sabine, we can go see about finding Bastian and Thomund.¡± Leo left a few tarins on the table and downed the rest of his coffee. Alessandra took one last bite of bacon and followed them out the door.


    The stable boy brought their horses around. They mounted them and rode to the academy atop Arites Hill. Apartments and houses surrounded the academy. The primary structure was the library, which stood centered upon the hill. Four stories high with a centered glass dome to allow plenty of light for reading. Two wings held the rows upon rows of books. Over the main entrance carved in stone read the Arites Academy motto: Achieve, Accelerate, Accolades.


    The smaller buildings around the library comprised magi offices, lecture halls, and administrative nonsense. One such building house is the Magus Council. It appeared as any other surrounding building. They dismounted and tied their horse to a hitching post. Allie wound her way through narrow halls, stopped, and listened at a door briefly, but heard nothing. She peeled it back slowly and peered inside. The nine chairs of the Arch Magi Council were empty.


    ¡°Let¡¯s check her office next. This way.¡± Alessandra double-backed and came to another familiar, yet ordinary door. She addressed her brothers. ¡°Please don¡¯t embarrass me, I hope to one day hold the office of Arch Magus.¡± Alessandra knocked.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sabine said from inside. They entered. ¡°Magus Alessandra, Lord Nicco, Master Medistein.¡± Sabine bowed. Her brothers remembered their courtesies and bowed in turn.


    ¡°Leo, will you ever turn that gold ring into platinum?¡± Sabine asked.


    ¡°Perhaps now that I have finished Medistein Tower I shall find the time,¡± Leo said politely. Alessandra knew Leo had no such intentions. Leo had attended the academy for about two years while Alessandra attended. His focus around matters of mathematics, geometry, engineering, and accounting. He left to build the cathedral in Ryvium.


    ¡°What matter warrants such personal attention?¡± Sabine squinted, pronouncing the crow¡¯s feet beneath her eyes. She wore a simple green high-collared dress with white lacework which complimented her white hair. Salt pouches hung from her waist sash. She wore a single fingerless white glove with various Essemancy runes stitched upon them. Sabine tucked a stray strand of gray hair behind her ear.


    ¡°Matters of Essemancy,¡± Alessandra said.


    Sabine wore the same ring as Alessandra; tungsten denoting her as an Essemancer. In addition, a platinum ring denoting her rank as an Arch Magus. The trained eye could look at any student of the academy¡¯s hand and know their ranks in the various colleges. Sabine had a lime green peridot stone, noting her mastery in the Alchemical College. Her gold ring denoted the rank of Magus--set with a pearl indicating the College of History. Her silver ring had gems of jade, amethyst, and selenite. The three core disciplines learned by all initiates; are grammar, logic, and rhetoric, respectively. The gems are typically adorned with simple copper rings. Once they fulfilled the requirements, most initiates studied areas of their interest. Alessandra was such a student. Others might continue their studies and obtain greater rings of achievement than Sabine had. Sabine¡¯s final copper ring had a ruby, citrine, and sapphire for the Colleges of Geometry, Arithmetic, and Astronomy, respectively. Sabine was an intelligent, accomplished Arch Magus.


    ¡°Reinhard could have written,¡± Sabine said.


    ¡°These matters require more personal care,¡± Leo said. Alessandra elbowed him and he let out a grunt. ¡°It¡¯s best if I let a practiced Essemancer explain.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, brother.¡± Alessandra smiled triumphantly. ¡°Are you aware of any Essemancers who may have left the guild?¡± Alessandra asked Sabine, not as coyly as intended.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± Sabine said.


    ¡°I know. Might someone have trained in secret, or taken on a side contract?¡±


    ¡°We maintain strict oversight on salts and runes. You know that. Alessandra, why all the mysterious questions? Out with it. If you don¡¯t tell me now, I¡¯ll ask your father.¡±


    Alessandra looked at the floor. Silence settled in the study. ¡°Someone murdered our parents, and I barely escaped an attempt on my life as well.¡± She raised her head. ¡°This is why I ask. One assassin used Essemancy.¡±


    The water swelled within Sabine¡¯s eyes. She wiped them with the back of her glove, the white fabric darkened wet. ¡°I¡¯m so very sorry. Otto was a dear friend and Sophia and I shared gossip over wine on numerous occasions.¡±


    ¡°Their Essence has made its exodus,¡± Nicco said.


    ¡°Let their Essence be eternal.¡± Sabine gave the Sign of the Diamond. Sniffled, and wiped her eyes again. She exhaled to compose herself. ¡°You¡¯re attempting to locate this Essemancer assassin?¡± Sabine choked on the sad question.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Are you sure it was an Essemancer?¡± Sabine asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Alessandra confirmed. ¡°I saw one of them use telekinesis.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll examine the records,¡± Sabine promised, ¡°but it will take time. Though I wouldn¡¯t place much faith in them. We diligently document all Essemancer contracts and meticulously account for any salt shipments. Check with Grand Burgher Thomund of the Scribes guild.¡±


    ¡°We intend to. If you discover anything, please message me at once.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Arch Magus.¡± Alessandra bowed. ¡°Before we go, one other thing. Do you have any clever mushrooms?


    Sabine squinted. ¡°I¡¯ve found many students rummaging for my stash. You know my rule--¡±


    ¡°--There to help teach Leo.¡± Alessandra elbowed him again.


    Leo stumbled over his words. ¡°Yes, yes, I need a great deal of learning.¡±


    Sabine held up a finger. ¡°One dose--¡±


    ¡°Each,¡± Alessandra finished. ¡°He will need a guide on his journey.¡±


    Sabine smacked her lips together, considering the words like one tasting a new wine. ¡°Each,¡± Sabine agreed.


    ¡°Oh! And would you mind tending to our wounds?¡± Alessandra held up her arm. ¡°There¡¯s no one better to render aid than one who has mastered medicine?¡±


    Sabine frowned but gestured for them to follow. They obeyed. Sabine led them into a small office and gathered various herbal remedies, vials, and bandages. Medicine was one area Alessandra had hoped Essemancy would provide enlightenment but had failed thus far. Sabine resorted to the traditional treatment.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°How did you get this cut?¡± Sabine asked.


    ¡°During the attack, I used my arm as a shield,¡± Alessandra said.


    Sabine snorted and set to work. ¡°Leo, while you¡¯re waiting, unbind your bandage. Nicco, look in that top drawer on that storage shelf.¡± Sabine pointed with her hand. The two men obeyed.


    ¡°What am I looking for?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°Dried mushrooms,¡± Sabine answered. ¡°Take the pouch and set them on the scale. Measure out two sets of four grams each.¡± Sabine applied some sort of cooling herbal paste and wrapped the arm with a fresh bandage. ¡°Let that sit for a day before cleaning it. How is the pain?¡±


    ¡°Tolerable now,¡± Alessandra said.


    ¡°No laudanum then.¡± Sabine stepped toward Leo and winced. ¡°This is going to scar badly.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Leo said. ¡°Do what you can.¡±


    ¡°When did this happen?¡± Sabine asked, examining the wound studiously.


    ¡°Half a dozenday ago.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Looks like we will have to amputate.¡± Leo¡¯s eyes widened white with worry. He pulled his arm free. Sabine continued. ¡°The other option is we wait. You can pray for it to heal, but eventually, it will fall off.¡±


    Leo turned toward Allie, pleading like a scared puppy.


    Alessandra shrugged. ¡°You heard her. Better to take it now. It will be far less painful in the long run.¡±


    Alessandra¡¯s eyes flicked to Sabine. Sabine¡¯s serious demeanor warmed with a smile, and she chuckled. ¡°Relax. You can keep your arm. The days of archaic medicine and the Void Plague are gone. No longer do babies drink from wet nurse plague survivors in hopes of getting a shield against the disease. I¡¯ve even read corpse cart pullers sold people their blood to drink.¡±


    Leo¡¯s posture relaxed. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°As a form of cannibalistic inoculation.¡± She spread an ointment on his burn. ¡°You have to keep this clean. Dead skin is a fertile breeding ground for infection. Most burn victims don¡¯t die from the fire themselves. It¡¯s the infection that kills them.¡±


    Nicco balanced the scale with lead weights. ¡°Done.¡±


    Sabine finished wrapping Leo¡¯s arm and went over to examine the scales. ¡°Very good.¡± She retrieved a piece of parchment, folded it with a lip on the bottom and sides, and placed one pile of mushrooms inside it. She repeated the process, dripped wax on it, and let it harden to seal the contents inside. Sabine handed the two makeshift envelopes to Alessandra, who put them inside her satchel. ¡°Let me know if you learn anything new.¡±


    Alessandra¡¯s thoughts betrayed her. The scene of her casting lightning flashed in her mind. Did Sabine know? She couldn¡¯t. The image of the lightning rune burning in the fire, but Leo¡¯s angry expression seared her memory most. ¡°Of course,¡± Alessandra lied. Leo turned away, feigning interest in the scale. At least he kept quiet. If Sabine suspected anything, she did not voice it.


    ¡°Thank you for your consul,¡± Alessandra said, intending to be on their way. ¡°I know you must have a great many duties to attend, and we won¡¯t keep you from them any longer than necessary.¡±


    Sabine smiled. ¡°Of course. I will review the records at once. Anything I can do to help uncover the truth is my foremost duty now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Alessandra said. They bid their goodbyes and left the academy grounds to go to her nearby apartment. In her experience, three goodbyes were three too few for Sabine. Sometimes it took ages for her to dismiss herself. Along the way to her apartment, she bought some oranges and a pony keg of beer that Nicco carried. A hot loaf of bread and three bratwurst skewers completed their intended supper. Once they reached her apartment, she took a key from her belt purse, unlocked the door, and entered. Leo and Nicco followed inside and shut the door.


    The apartment had a simple decor. A couch sat across from a fireplace, a short table between them. A rough old desk sat crammed into the corner with scattered books all about. The bookshelf and floor were cluttered with piles of books and scrolls. I need more space. Above two wardrobes, her bed sat in a loft. A small pine table with two chairs sat beneath and window. She opened her window to let in fresh air and light. ¡°Put some wood in the fireplace,¡± she said to Leo. After he stacked the wood, he took the tinderbox to spark the fire. Alessandra took a spick from the jar on the mantle and lit it. She ate as she walked about her room, lighting candles. The light from the room was sufficient, but once night came, they would need light.


    ¡°Should we go about seeing Thomund now?¡± Nicco asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait to see if Sabine discovers anything first,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°Perhaps it will aid us when we go to speak with him. For now, let¡¯s eat.¡± She bit into the warm sausage. Grease squirted into her mouth.


    Nicco tapped the keg with a wood spigot and began filling mugs. ¡°Let¡¯s find Bastian the Black. A fitting name for dishonorable sellsword, if you ask me.¡±


    ¡°Do you know where to find him?¡± Leo asked.


    Nicco shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll need to ask around.¡±


    ¡°Try some of the taverns on the east side of the city,¡± Alessandra suggested. ¡°But be careful crossing over the canal. The north side is full of thugs and thieves.¡± She took another bite of the brat, tore a chunk of bread from the loaf, and passed it to Leo.


    ¡°Sounds like the sort of place a sellsword would be,¡± Leo chimed. He tore a piece of bread and traded the rest to Nicco for a mug of beer.


    ¡°Do you mean for me to go alone?¡± Nicco mumbled with a full mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯m not about to stomp all around this city looking in vain,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°Especially where the Crimson Cloaks dare not go.¡±


    ¡°Leo, are you coming?¡±


    ¡°Someone needs to stay here with me,¡± Alessandra said, playing to Nicco¡¯s overly protective nature.


    ¡°Good point,¡± Nicco agreed, and let out a belch. ¡°I¡¯ll ask around and return if I discover where he is to be found. What are you two going to do?¡± He drank deeply from his mug.


    Alessandra smirked and pulled the two envelopes of mushrooms from her satchel. ¡°I¡¯m going to teach Leo to open his mind to better his Essemancy. To help him see connections between unrelated things. Visualize the impossible as possible.¡±


    ¡°I trust you know what you¡¯re doing,¡± Nicco said.


    ¡°Of course, and if Sabine discovers anything, we will be nearby as well.¡±


    Nicco gave a stiff nod. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± He upended his mug and set it on the table with a hollow thunk sound. With another bite of bread, he left the apartment with his brat skewer held like a sword. Alessandra chuckled to herself. He holds everything like a sword.


    Alessandra placed the envelopes on her desk and locked the door behind him. ¡°May as well get comfortable.¡± She sat on the sofa and tugged her boots off. Leo unbuckled his sword belt and leaned it against the wall, followed by his boots.


    Alessandra sat her two pouches of salts on the desk. Taking quill in hand, she dipped it in the ink and wrote a rune from memory on a piece of paper. She sat it aside and drew a second rune. Lastly, she refilled her beer.


    ¡°This should help you focus your mind.¡±


    ¡°Why are you smiling like that?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re in for a most bewildering experience,¡± Alessandra said with a broad smile from ear to ear. She handed him an envelope. ¡°Eat these.¡± She opened her own and ate the mushrooms. They tasted of stale earth. Despite being chewy, they stuck to her teeth. She used her tongue to pick them free. A bite of her brat helped to disguise the odd taste.


    Music began to play outside her window. Looking outside, three troupers strummed away. A lyre, a lute, and a tambourine. ¡°Give me some money,¡± Alessandra demanded from Leo.


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°For the troupers.¡± Leo frowned. ¡°You can afford it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡±


    Alessandra motioned her hand. ¡°Trust me, you will thank me later.¡± Leo gave her a tarin. Alessandra frowned, took his coin purse, and retrieved a small handful of coins.


    ¡°Why so much?¡±


    Alessandra disregarded him with a wave. ¡°Eat your mushrooms. I¡¯ll be back.¡± Alessandra unlocked the door and went outside. She gave the band the handful of tarins and asked them to play for the next six hours outside her window. A request they were more than willing to comply with, given they had just earned two nights¡¯ worth of wages. She returned to Leo and locked the door.


    ¡°Those tasted awful,¡± Leo said as soon as she entered.


    ¡°That¡¯s what the brat and beer are for.¡±


    ¡°Nothing like cooked mushrooms. Is all this necessary?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Reinhard told me you still struggle with even the most rudimentary Essemancy abilities. This will help you understand yourself and the Essence that binds the world together.¡±


    ¡°I thought salts did that?¡±


    ¡°No. Salts, let you draw on the Essence. Mushrooms cleanse the mind. It will help you release your inhibitions and gain clarity.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel any different.¡±


    ¡°Give it time. Sit back and enjoy the journey.¡± Leo leaned back on the couch. Alessandra sat next to him. The slow strum of strings sung outside. After a while, her limbs began to feel soft and wiggly. The wood-grained wall breathed.


    ¡°I feel weird and tingly,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Alessandra said with a chuckle. ¡°Close your eyes.¡± When she did, bright geometric patterns morphed and burst in brilliant kaleidoscopic collisions. The patterns shifted with the music outside dancing and dashing. She opened her eyes and looked at Leo. ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. Is this the Essence I¡¯m seeing?¡±


    Alessandra threw back her head in laughter. ¡°I¡¯ve never considered that.¡± Her laughing contagion spread to Leo.


    Leo¡¯s laugh subsided, and he stared ahead as if in deep thought. ¡°About before, at the villa mean,¡± he hesitated. ¡°I finally know what I must do. I feel it in my heart. I was too selfish to realize it before.¡±


    ¡°You bear a great responsibility now. You don¡¯t have to do it alone. Be willing to let others help you.¡±


    Leo pulled at his curly hair and a grin spread from ear to ear. ¡°Your eyes are very bright!¡±


    ¡°So are yours. Your pupils are dilated. Look at the fire.¡± She watched the fire dance, somehow warmer, brighter, and more alive than any fire she had ever seen before. The woodgrain walls warped and pulsed as well. Every inanimate object in her apartment had come alive. She brushed the wall and felt the grains of wood. Every single one has its unique part of a greater whole. She clapped her hands. ¡°Time for the salts.¡±


    Leo stood up, wobbled, and fell back onto the sofa. He laughed far too long at the insignificant stumble. She shared his laugh. ¡°Careful,¡± she said. They stood and retrieved the salts. ¡°Time for Essemancy,¡± she said and opened each pouch. She licked two fingers, dipped one in the violet and another in the blue, and sucked the salt from her fingers. The flavor overpowered her. Leo did likewise, scrunching his face. ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s salty.¡±


    ¡°This might help,¡± she refilled both mugs with beer. She took a sip. The beer tasted unusually bitter. That didn¡¯t help.


    The mushrooms heightened all her senses. The salts tasted saltier, the music sounded more magical, and her vision transformed colors with vivid vibrancy. Feelings of textures were more pronounced. She picked up an orange. The peel was slicked with divots. Each divot has its unique crater. Her thumb stabbed inward, and she peeled it. Citrus fragrance swarmed her smell. She held the orange to her nose and inhaled the deeply. Zesty sweetness uplifted her mood. ¡°Try an orange,¡± she said.


    Leo obeyed. He peeled his own and took a bite. ¡°Wow! That¡¯s much better.¡± She gorged on the sweet citrus meat. Each bite a rush of citrus euphoria.


    Allie had her glove but wanted to demonstrate with the runes drawn on the paper. She prepared to cast the first spell. The symbol danced and swayed with the smooth waves of music. The strings twinned mixing with the perfect harmony. Happiness spread everywhere. These objects, the runes, mugs, everything seemed happy. She took a step, stumbled, and stabilized herself by grabbing the desk. She picked up the paper and sat back on the sofa. Leo followed and sat beside her.


    ¡°The key to understanding Essemancy is to understand your mind and its limitations. Most people cannot fathom Essemancy. People believe what they see and touch, in the physics of the universe--though many don¡¯t understand that either. You must believe the laws of nature are meant to be broken. You understand numbers, facts, and proofs. This is your issue. Look at this rune, what do you see?¡±


    ¡°A symbol,¡± Leo said. ¡°A wiggling symbol,¡± he corrected with a chuckle.


    Alessandra chuckled too. ¡°Think of it this way. How you see it now is how you should picture the Essence. Not in any true physical manifestation of ink and lines, but in what desires to be. This rune is a geometric pattern in every proper sense. It has symmetry and looks sort of like an eye. Now with the help of our clever mushroom friends, we can see it at its true core. Look now, stretching and morphing, pushing the boundaries of its lines, imposing its Essence on the world around it. Look beyond its present form and envision its possibilities.¡±


    She heard the lute player¡¯s fingers race down a progression of notes increasing in the octave. Each note spoke a word in a story composing a grand tale. The notes flowed freely and naturally. Her ears anticipated each note. The beauty reversed and ran down the soundboard in sliding rhythmic succession.


    ¡°How do I perceive something as its potential instead of its current state?¡± Leo asked.


    She thought for a moment, considering his words. Her mind raced with thoughts. Senses connecting that should. She could hear touch. She could feel the sight. How to put this so he might understand?


    ¡°Imagine the All-Father or the Primordials. They are only in our minds. A god doesn¡¯t walk around imposing his grace on us, yet everyone believes in his power. People believe in his benevolence and his guidance. Praying to him for protection, or a strong crop, or to bless them with a child. They need to believe in that faith. People mold God to fit their wishes. By extension, god¡¯s Essence is what you want it to be. You are imposing your will on the divine power of abstract yet intrinsic nature. The runes enable our concrete understanding of the world to draw upon that power with salt.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Leo said. ¡°The rune is my physical way of connecting the salts with the Essence and what I want.¡±


    ¡°Kind of,¡± she answered. ¡°Salts are not Essence. They¡¯re a way to connect the tangible with the abstract. Once it¡¯s connected, your willpower simply commands it. How to put this in a way you would understand? When you built your tower, you had massive stones no man could lift. So you used tools, you used a crane. Think of the rune as that crane, concrete; the salts are the rope, and the essence is the impossible-to-move stone. You are using the crane to guide the rope to move the stone.¡±


    Leo¡¯s eyes widen with an epiphany. ¡°Ah--¡±


    ¡°Only the stone is the power of Essence.¡±


    ¡°And the more salt the larger the rope.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you must be careful. You can overindulge in salt like you would in wine. Dehydration, feinting, and even death. Our bodies are only capable of controlling a morsel of divine power.¡±


    ¡°And what if the Primordial have abandoned me, or I have abandoned them?¡±


    Alessandra had not considered the question. She had not considered that. How connected were the two different gods? She worshiped the All-Father, but her studies linked Essemancy to the time of Primordials before Tellius¡¯ birth. Why would he forsake those who abandon him? Was that why Leo had such difficulty? ¡°You may abandon them, but I doubt they will ever abandon you. Might that be where your difficulty in manipulating the Essence lies?¡±


    ¡°But I think I have a better understanding now. Give me the rune I want to try telepathy.¡± She handed him the paper and closed her eyes only to see visuals of bursting colors morph, form, and change upon each other.


    ¡°Remember to focus. Calm yourself, relax feel the Essence.¡±


    A message came into her mind. Can you hear me? Leo asked.


    Alessandra sent her message back. Yes. If you can hear, say the word tree aloud.


    ¡°Tree!¡± Leo exclaimed aloud with much enthusiasm. She bellowed with amusement. ¡°I feel...clever.¡± Alessandra smiled understanding.


    ¡°Try telekinesis. Retrieve that mug. Be confident. Objects are stubbornly resilient, we must command them to move. Command it into your hand.¡± Alessandra held her hand out and pulled her mug from the desk into her hand. Leo held his hand out and focused. The mug slid a bit.


    Leo closed his eyes, exhaled, and opened them. The mug flew across the room into his hand splashing beer on him. He laughed with glee. ¡°That¡¯s neat, but the telepathy is far more useful. My issue in the past has been longer ranges. It¡¯s easy when you¡¯re close because I sense you, but across the city, or even across hundreds of miles, that is where I fail. I need to try a longer-range message.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± Alessandra stood. ¡°I¡¯ll walk across the courtyard and you can send me a message. Try focusing your will on finding the rune of the person you are trying to communicate with. Imagine two ship anchors underwater connected with a chain. The runes are like ship anchors. Beneath the water, your vision is obscured to a few feet. Ignore the fish--the people and distractions--and follow the fading chain into the murky distance. Don¡¯t try to find an anchor hundreds of feet away. Instead, see five feet ahead, then another five, and another, and so on. Take your time. The salts are the anchor chain. Slowly swim along the chain following what you can see and eventually, you will arrive at the other anchor. With practice you will soon learn to focus only on the anchors and the murkiness will become clear. Remember, don¡¯t focus on what it is, will it be what you want.¡±


    Alessandra left. Dusk had arrived. Bright rays of sunlight spread like fingers across the light. Marigold-colored clouds pulsed and shifted. Each note of music inspires a change. The amethyst sky faded to a deep plum. The brighter stars already twinkled high above. Lanterns hung from posts surrounding the courtyard swaying like torches in the night.


    Crossing the courtyard the massive Century Tree beckoned her. The city¡¯s oldest tree¡¯s exact age was unknown, only that the magi had named it. Impressive for a city, but smaller than Sophia¡¯s tree at the Medistein villa. Leaves wiggled with glee but as she approached the tree of life grew darker. The branches stretched out, transforming into claws threatening to grasp her and pull her into the void of darkness at its center. Her breath quickened. She gasped. Forcing herself to breathe consumed all her focus, making it difficult for her. Her focus tunneled on this specter tree. She knew it as a tree, yet still feared it would hurt her. Allie mustered every fiber of her courage and tore her gaze free from the tree. She strode across the courtyard and lay down on the soft grass. Plush like a pillow, she sunk into it.


    Allie focused her will, extracted power from the salts and sent Leo a message. The code word for the reply was orange. Her thoughts raced off the orange citrus and now the tangerine color clouds pulsed into little orbs. The wind blew rustling the leaves of the nearby trees along the perimeter of the courtyard.


    Orange. Leo¡¯s message intruded on her thoughts. Very good. Now try to send a simple message to Reinhard in Tarona. She stood up from the cushioned grass and meandered back to the apartment. No more of the sun¡¯s light painted the sky. Instead, stars twinkled and danced. The Avictus constellation swayed his sword high overhead.


    ¡°Alessandra?¡± Nicco¡¯s voice called from behind her. ¡°Why are you staring at the stars?¡±


    Alessandra regarded her brother for a moment. ¡°Because they are so gentle. I wonder what stories Sophia and Otto are sharing with our blood parents?¡±


    ¡°Why do you sound so...odd?¡±


    ¡°Do I,¡± her voice cracked with a giggle.


    ¡°Yes, where¡¯s Leo? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to look after you?¡±


    She dismissed him with a wave. ¡°I¡¯m fine here at the academy. Besides, I insisted on coming out here. I won¡¯t have you spoil our mellow.¡±


    ¡°Our mellow? What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I told you. We are practicing Essemancy. Leo is getting much better, especially with his telepathy.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Nicco said suspect. ¡°Have you ever considered the ethics of reading someone¡¯s thoughts?


    ¡°I can¡¯t read thoughts,¡± Allie answered. ¡°We simply speak to each other without speaking. Though Sabine has told me of Julk Essemancers who can extract thoughts by touching one¡¯s head.¡±


    ¡°How would she know?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°From Reinhard most likely.¡±


    ¡°Did Sabine ever send word?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Allie answered. ¡°We¡¯ll have a busy day tomorrow. Let¡¯s get to bed.¡±


    She hooked her arm through Nicco¡¯s and she walked with wiggled legs back to her apartment. Nicco opened the door for her. Inside Leo lay unconscious on the floor.


    ¡°Leo!¡± Nicco yelled and hurried to his side.

 Chapter 16 - Nicco

    Chapter 16


    Nicco


    Nicco awoke from pleasant dreams of Bianca the next morning with a back as stiff as the floor he slept on. Leo lay on the couch, still unconscious. Allie slumped awkwardly in a chair near Leo. Nicco prayed to the All-Father. All-Father grace Leo¡¯s Essence and body with your protection. Nicco rose to his feet and stretched, noticing the unoccupied bed. ¡°Allie, wake up.¡± He kicked her foot, and she stirred, eyes peeked open. ¡°I wish you would¡¯ve told me you weren¡¯t planning to sleep in the bed.¡± Allie wiped the crust from her eyes.


    Leo stirred awake. ¡°Most bewildering.¡±


    Alessandra¡¯s eyes widened, and she smacked Leo¡¯s arm. ¡°That was stupid and irresponsible.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be the last time I hear those words,¡± Leo said. Alessandra slapped him again. ¡°Ow!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still training, and yet you take--¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Leo said, uncharacteristically remorseful.


    The tone stopped Alessandra¡¯s next strike, leaving her hand hanging in the air. She lowered her arm. ¡°Don¡¯t do it again.¡±


    Whatever had happened, Leo appeared to be fine. Nicco picked up an empty mug and refilled it from the pony keg. ¡°After last night¡¯s adventure, I should be the one to speak with Bastian.¡± Nicco swallowed the warm beer.


    ¡°Have the effects worn off?¡± Alessandra asked Leo, oblivious to Nicco¡¯s statement.


    ¡°Which effects?¡± Leo sat up and stretched his neck. ¡°The mushrooms, or the salts?¡±


    ¡°How could you be so stupid?¡± Alessandra asked rhetorically. ¡°I told you the dangers of ingesting too much salt, yet you did it anyway.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to succeed,¡± Leo said.


    ¡°Irresponsible and--¡±


    ¡°How much of that experience was Essemancy and how much were the mushrooms?¡± Leo cut in with an eager tone, intended to end her berating.


    ¡°Fainting,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°Attribute that to the salts. Until then, everything else was the mushrooms.¡±


    ¡°The introspection was very therapeutic. It helped me to realize some of my own faults.¡±


    Nicco snickered, grateful he had already swallowed his beer, otherwise, he surely would have to spit it up. ¡°Faults? You? Has a specter stolen your Essence?¡± He placed his mug on the table.


    ¡°Very funny,¡± Leo said dryly.


    Nicco leaned to the left and massaged the stiffness in his back. ¡°I prefer swinging a sword for my therapy. Nothing clears the mind like physical exertion.¡± He released a stretch and let out a satisfying sigh. ¡°Safer too apparently.¡±


    Leo chortled.


    ¡°This is no time for jokes,¡± Allie said. ¡°Leo nearly died.¡±


    ¡°But he didn¡¯t.¡± Nicco stretched to his right. ¡°And now Leo has a deeper understanding of the ideals of Essemancy. Should we go a few bouts?¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°Regarding first experiences, that one sits near the top.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Nicco asked. ¡°Above getting drunk for the first time? Or your first kiss? Sex?¡±


    ¡°Definitely the first two. The latter is hard to say. It¡¯s too different. Hard to compare the two.¡±


    Having finally captured their attention, he reiterated his prior statement. ¡°Well, while you two flirted with a journey to death, I managed to locate Captain Bastian. He stays at an inn called the Black Buck.¡±


    Alessandra closed her eyes for a moment and frowned. Whenever Allie randomly closed her eyes, it usually meant someone was communicating with her. After all these years, Nicco still found her random ¡®catnaps¡¯ a bit jarring. ¡°Sabine finished reviewing the records and found nothing.¡± Allie opened her eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s hope today proves more fruitful.¡±


    Nicco still didn¡¯t understand telepathy¡¯s appeal. ¡°That must get annoying. Having someone else¡¯s thoughts intrude into your mind.¡± He bent over and touched his toes trying to stretch the soreness from his back.


    Alessandra shrugged. ¡°You get used to it.¡±


    ¡°Call me old fashion, but nothing like conversing face to face.¡± He released his stretch. ¡°Let¡¯s get breakfast, I¡¯m starving.¡±


    They ate at a nearby inn. To his disappointment, Nicco had porridge again. But the worst part was, there was no bacon, so he had to settle for sausage. A lump of inferior breakfast meat that lacked the satisfying crunch of bacon. Like a mother hen, Alessandra pestered Leo to drink plenty of water after his ¡®incident.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking,¡± Leo said. He spooned some sweetened oats. ¡°Theogony has a triple diamond, and there are three salts, three branches of Essemancy.¡± Nicco flicked his eyes toward Allie, who leaned in with curiosity. ¡°The salts grant divine power. Think about it, telepathy are gods hearing your prayers. Telekinesis is god¡¯s divine intervention.¡± Leo picked up his fork. ¡°And this lightning, well, that¡¯s god¡¯s wrath.¡± Leo stabbed his sausage link to emphasize his point. ¡°I suspect the Acolytes know more than they let on.¡±


    Nicco took a bite of sausage. ¡°You¡¯re saying Essemancy is a gift from the divine?¡±                      ¡°It¡¯s an interesting theory,¡± Allie agreed.


    ¡°Maybe.¡± Leo shrugged. ¡°We should speak with the acolytes.¡±


    ¡°We must speak with the Black Blades first,¡± Nicco intruded. ¡°There will be plenty of time to investigate your mythical theory later.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Leo took a bite of sausage and mumbled. ¡°Priorities.¡± They scarfed down the remainder of breakfast, Leo dropped some tarins on the table and they left.


    Nicco led them to the Black Buck Inn near the Theogonist temple on the southern side of Avictfell. A shadow cast over the temple by the Imperial Palace, which rested atop Avictfell¡¯s highest hill, dominating the sky that overlooked People¡¯s Plaza. A wide moat and high a crenelated curtain wall with tall square towers spaced at intervals along the wall surrounded the palace. Encased within the walls stood a northern and southern keep, the Imperial Palace, a castle, and the Hanging Gardens of Hiomi. All the structures blended together in a monstrosity of stone. The castle itself lay at the center with increasingly taller towers capped with pointed black shingled roofs that pierced the sky like lances. Lush foliage, fountains, and colonnades of the Hanging Gardens spruced up the appearance. Rows of stained-glass windows depicting Avictus¡¯ twelve triumphs lined the Imperial Palace, which comprised the throne room.


    ¡°Quite a sight,¡± Leo said. He gestured to the inn before them.


    Black Buck Inn resembled any other building in the city. Timber-framed beams, bars, and braces with limestone and brick walls, capped with a steep sloped shingled roof. Most buildings were various shades of white or tan, but someone had painted the Black Buck Inn entirely black.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Alessandra said. She adjusted her gloved hand and ate a pinch of violet salts. ¡°Just in case.¡±


    Nicco fingered the hilt of Vindicator as they entered the inn. Aside from the outside paint, the reason for the name became apparent. Mounted above the mantle was the largest stag he had ever seen. An impressive set of antlers with a vast spread and at least twenty points. Everyone faced them as they walked inside. The more concerning observation was that every patron wore all black and was openly armed with steel. All the presumed mercenaries--grizzled men, scowled and scarred. Not a bit of merriment among the lot.


    ¡°We should be careful,¡± Leo whispered. ¡°Which one do you think is Bastian?¡±


    ¡°I need to speak with Captain Bastian ¡®the Black¡¯ Bach,¡± Nicco bellowed to the gathered patrons. ¡°Where might I find him?¡±


    Leo sucked air through his teeth. ¡°Or we can try your approach.¡±


    Most of the men returned to their breakfast. Despite recently eating breakfast, Nicco¡¯s mouth watered at the smell of bacon. Nicco stalked past a table of seated men. The table was as scarred and disfigured as its occupants. The innkeeper stood behind the bar, setting plates from the kitchen window onto a large serving tray. ¡°Where might I find Captain Bastian?¡± The innkeeper looked like he had seen a few battles himself. He pointed past Nicco toward a table in the corner facing the door.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Nicco walked to the table the innkeeper had gestured to and addressed the man seated there. ¡°Captain Bastian Bach.¡±


    The man¡¯s tankard clunked on the table. The painful hollow sound of an empty mug. ¡°Aye,¡± Bastian burped. ¡°Pardon, my lady.¡± He wiped the froth from his thick mustache and bushy black beard with a napkin and tossed it on the table. ¡°We rarely get many of your kind in here.¡± He wore a shagreen-styled hilt accented with gold. Everything about the man was dark, especially his eyes. Dark with death, this man had killed--a lot. He wore a black puff and slashed shirt and breeches with a black hat feathered hat.


    ¡°May I sit?¡± Nicco pulled out the chair, not waiting for an answer.


    Bastian stomped his heel into the seat. ¡°She may.¡± Bastian pointed to Alessandra. Allie regarded them both, made a curt bow, and grabbed the chair back. Bastian took his boot free of it. Alessandra sat. ¡°Have you forgotten your manners, sir knight?¡±


    Nicco squinted. ¡°Like you, my reputation precedes me.¡±


    ¡°Does it?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve met before, fought before,¡± Nicco corrected.


    ¡°What battle?¡± Bastian asked. He worked his jaw back and forth.


    ¡°At last year¡¯s tournament.¡±


    Bastian tilted his head. ¡°Ah yes. Count Nicco Bizzi! I remember now. Forgive me. All you lords carry yourself the same way. Who won?¡±


    ¡°I did.¡± Nicco stood a bit taller.


    Bastian brushed his mustache. ¡°You use a Senkou-ryu Form to disarm me if I recall correctly.¡±


    Impressive memory. It seems we both remember our opponents forms. Nicco confirmed his guess with a slight nod.


    ¡°Well won I¡¯m sure.¡± Bastian held up his hand and snapped toward the innkeeper. ¡°Wine for the lady, and not the cheap stuff.¡± He smiled, his white teeth contrasting with his black garb. ¡°Let it not be said that I have forgotten my manners.¡±


    ¡°Indeed you haven¡¯t, sir,¡± Alessandra said.


    Bastian chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been called that.¡± He shrugged, ¡°But I¡¯ve been called worse. Tell me, my lady, what brings you to our fine establishment?¡± Bastian adjusted his silverware knife unnecessarily.


    Nicco spoke up. ¡°We would like to ask you--¡±


    ¡°I asked the lady, sir.¡±


    ¡°Does my presence grieve you?¡± Nicco asked, louder than intended. He heard chairs scrape against the floor. He glanced over his shoulder. Several men had stood with hands on the hilt of their swords.


    ¡°Apologies for my brother,¡± Alessandra touched Bastian¡¯s arm resting on the table. ¡°He slept poorly and ate an even poorer breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Hunger makes a man angry,¡± Bastian said. The innkeeper approached and placed wine before Alessandra. ¡°If your breakfast was so poor, allow me to offer a remedy.¡±


    ¡°That would be most kind,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°I¡¯ll have whatever you had.¡±


    ¡°And for lord Bizzi?¡±


    ¡°He will have bacon, a double order.¡± Nicco salivated in anticipation.


    ¡°And the smaller one?¡± Bastian asked, gesturing to Leo.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Alessandra grinned. ¡°We¡¯ll all have what you had, but please include the bacon.¡± She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned in. ¡°It¡¯s his favorite.¡± Allie¡¯s smile grew wider.


    ¡°Ha!¡± Bastian bellowed and smacked the table. ¡°Finally, I find myself agreeing with a knight. Who would¡¯ve thought it would be about bacon?¡± He laughed. A few other patrons did as well. Bastian yelled to the innkeeper. ¡°Jurgen, see to the lady¡¯s order at once. On the house.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Captain. Your demeanor surprises me.¡±


    ¡°Old habits I suppose. You¡¯re aware I was a knight in my former life. But tell me, what rumors are spoken of me these days?¡± Bastian leaned back, placing his arms behind his head like a pillow.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± Alessandra said.


    ¡°You¡¯re either too cunning or too na?ve, and I doubt it¡¯s the latter.¡± A hint of life glinted in his deathly dark eyes.


    Alessandra blushed.


    What is this? This sellsword seducing my sister in front of me.


    ¡°Perhaps your brother and his escort would care to sit--at the adjacent table.¡± Bastian¡¯s emphasis and implication were evident.


    ¡°Brothers,¡± Alessandra corrected. ¡°And yes, they are most obliged to dine with us. I¡¯m sure they could listen and provide any input concerning matters of business should I require their assistance.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Bastian grinned. ¡°Though I doubt you would ever need their assistance.¡± Alessandra eyed Nicco, giving him the look only a woman can muster to command obedience. Nicco sat down. He positioned himself against the wall to see the entire room. Once Leo sat opposite him, the sellswords sat back down.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s my breakfast,¡± a mercenary protested.


    ¡°And now it¡¯s theirs,¡± Jurgen said. He carried a tray past a table of disgruntled sellswords and placed two plates before Leo and Nicco. ¡°Courtesy of the Captain.¡±


    The starving sellsword snarled a swear, sitting down. ¡°Apologies, brother,¡± Bastian said, ¡°but I¡¯m afraid our guest takes precedence. Jurgen will make your breakfast soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Brother?¡± Allie prompted.


    ¡°No relation. We¡¯re all brothers here.¡±


    Jurgen approached, placing a plate before Alessandra and a fresh stein of beer for Bastian. ¡°Freshly laid eggs. Got them this morning.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Jurgen,¡± Bastian said. ¡°Oh! Forgive me. Where are my manners? Will you grace my ears with your name?¡±


    ¡°Lady Alessandra Bizzi.¡±


    ¡°Lady Alessandra, a beautiful name for an even more beautiful woman.¡±


    Nicco rolled his eyes and let out a stifled snicker.


    Leo kicked him under the table. ¡°You should take notes. He¡¯s quite charming.¡± Leo hid his amused smirk with a hand over his mouth.


    ¡°He can use his charms on anyone but my sister,¡± Nicco retorted. Still, Leo had a point. Such charms might woo Bianca. Nicco took a piece of bacon from his plate, folded it in half twice, and ate the entire piece in a single bite. The bacon¡¯s salty splendor soothed his pride. There was a buttered roll, hot to the touch, a cut of steak, and fried eggs.


    ¡°You know what he¡¯s doing?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°What?¡± Nicco mumbled through a chew.


    ¡°Seducing us. Her with words, you with food.¡± Nicco stopped chewing. Leo picked up his fork and knife and cut into his steak. ¡°Don¡¯t be mad. At least we have a good meal.¡±


    Nicco forced a hard swallow. He leaned in and whispered. ¡°Do you forget he might have murdered our parents?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± Leo took a bite of bloodied steak. ¡°There is no reason we can¡¯t accept his hospitality and pretend to play his game.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not ideal,¡± Nicco whispered. ¡°And I thought we agreed I was the best one to talk to Bastian concerning such matters.¡±


    ¡°We did, but obviously Bastian thinks otherwise.¡± Leo was right, admitting as much as pained him. Nicco trusted in his own knowledge of the mercenaries and knightly orders. But the more he thought on it, the quicker he accepted Allie¡¯s charms might best loosen Bastian¡¯s lips and find the truth. He carved into his steak with a fork and knife.


    ¡°We told Alessandra all we know. She¡¯s smarter than you. She¡¯ll find the answers.¡±


    Nicco ignored the insult and pointed his knife at Leo. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°No one is smarter than me,¡± Leo quipped. Nicco let him win this one. He ate and listened to the conversation.


    ¡°Captain Bach,¡± Alessandra said.


    ¡°Bastian please,¡± he corrected.


    Allie arched a brow. ¡°Bastian, nothing would please me more than to listen to your charms all day--¡±


    ¡°Why stop there?¡± Bastian''s mustache rose in a lopsided grin.


    ¡°This will never work,¡± Nicco said. Leo grabbed his arm to restrain him.


    ¡°Trust her,¡± Leo said. ¡°She knows what she is doing.¡±


    Alessandra sipped the wine to regather her composure. ¡°If you insist. But let us speak of business matters quickly so we can resume a more pleasurable conversation.¡±


    Bastian sighed. ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s address this matter so that I might ensure your continued company.¡±


    ¡°I was hoping I might review your books.¡±


    So blunt, usually she talked to herself in circles.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I cannot allow that--as much as it pains me--surely you understand.¡±


    ¡°I do, and expected as much.¡± Alessandra touched his hand with hers, ¡°Then could you tell me of any contracts which have occurred in the last dozenday or so?¡±


    ¡°I can,¡± Bastian said. Alessandra smiled. ¡°None.¡± Her smile turned upside down.


    ¡°Forgive me, my lady, but I had hoped to speak of future contracts, not past ones.¡±


    ¡°I can imagine that in times of peace, it becomes quite difficult for one to earn a living.¡±


    Bastian leaned back. ¡°Many men take on other jobs. Jurgen there, for instance. While he is away, his wife runs the inn, but otherwise, you will find him here.¡±


    ¡°What sorts of other jobs?¡±


    Bastian shrugged. ¡°Depends on the man, I suppose. Some learn trades; the smiths can always find work. But many are not so fortunate. Mostly day labor or guard duty.¡±


    Allie¡¯s voice was just above a whisper. ¡°And what if I needed something more...nefarious?¡±


    Bastian¡¯s brow scrunch, his eyebrows nearly touching his mustache. They sat in silence for a moment. Bastian pressed his finger and thumb to his philtrum and stroked his mustache outward.


    ¡°Not na?ve at all,¡± Bastian observed. ¡°Such arrangements could be made.¡±


    ¡°What assurances of secrecy do I have?¡±


    ¡°All assurances.¡±


    ¡°At any price?¡±


    ¡°I cannot be bought.¡± Bastian bit into a roll, as though that concluded the matter.


    Allie¡¯s fingers rubbed the stem of her wineglass. ¡°But you¡¯re a sellsword. The very profession implies you can be.¡±


    ¡°Concerning such matters, those contracts are kept secret, otherwise I might soon find myself listed on one.¡± Bastian washed down the roll with a swig of beer.


    ¡°Bastian,¡± Alessandra said and twisted the ring on her finger. ¡°You¡¯re aware whores might charge more to a particularly ugly or fat man?¡± Bastian coughed into his mug. Beer splashed out. Foam clung to his mustache.


    He cleared his throat. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think a lady would speak of such things.¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve already established I¡¯m not like other ladies.¡±


    ¡°Indeed you¡¯re not.¡± Bastian stroked his bushy beard to wipe the fluid from it. ¡°Concerning the whores, I wouldn¡¯t know, er, personally, that is.¡±


    ¡°Of course you wouldn¡¯t. A charming, handsome, well-muscled man like yourself.¡± Alessandra scooted her chair closer. So close her leg touched his.


    Nicco leaned in to hear. Who is this woman and what has become of my sister?


    ¡°But like whores who swear they won¡¯t lie with a particularly vile man, eventually they reach a price at which they inevitably change their mind.¡±


    ¡°If such a price existed, I suppose it would depend on how vile the man was.¡±


    ¡°Very,¡± she whispered. ¡°The kind who would forsake a holy order, like the Tellius Knights, perhaps. An esteemed man, one highly regarded, like a lieutenant.¡± She took his hand, turned it over, and set her coin purse in it. ¡°All the gold in this purse is yours--for a name.¡±


    Bastian frowned at the purse. ¡°I¡¯m afraid this price is inadequate.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Do you see the smaller brother over there?¡± Bastian looked over toward Leo, who was busy chewing his breakfast. ¡°That man is Leo Medistein, master of his house and head of the Medistein Bank. He¡¯s the richest man in the Glade, and probably all the empire.¡±


    Bastian set back abruptly. ¡°What game do you play? You said he was your brother. Yet you named yourself a Bizzi and him a Medistein. So which is it?¡±


    ¡°We may not share a name, but we consider each other family. Otto and Sophia raised us both.¡±


    ¡°Every sellsword in the city knows Otto Medistein is the richest man in the empire.¡±


    That caught Nicco off guard. Either the Bastian ¡®the Black¡¯ was a fantastic liar or truly was unaware. Alessandra had maneuvered him right into a literal corner. Yet Nicco found himself believing Bastian''s words. ¡°What do you think Leo?¡± Nicco asked and finished his bacon.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he knows,¡± Leo whispered, hiding his mouth with his hand. ¡°But it¡¯s not like he would confess to murder.¡±


    ¡°One of his lieutenants, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Possibly,¡± Leo agreed.


    Alessandra continued her conversation with the Captain. ¡°Leo is his eldest son.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve enough lord¡¯s names to remember,¡± Bastian said. ¡°I cannot remember all their sons and whoresons as well. Unless you¡¯re the Imperial family, I¡¯ve no need to discuss matters with sons and heirs.¡±


    ¡°Unless that son were to succeed his father and become the empire¡¯s newest rich man.¡±


    Bastian¡¯s eyes flicked over toward Leo. ¡°Otto Medistein has died?¡±


    ¡°Murdered is more accurate. And we believe a member of your company committed the crime.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Bastian exclaimed.


    ¡°What do you know of this murder?¡± Allie¡¯s question stabbed sharper than any knife.


    Bastian sat back. ¡°None. This is the first I¡¯m hearing of this, I assure you.¡±


    Alessandra sighed, looked at Nicco, and shrugged. Nicco gestured with his hand for her to continue. Alessandra turned. ¡°Now you understand the seriousness of my visit. If every sellsword revered Otto because of his wealth, why would a mercenary kill him? Who might have taken such a contract?¡±


    ¡°Such contracts are done verbally and in secret. There is no way of knowing. Only a fool would keep records of such things.¡±


    ¡°True, but this fool had a distinctive tattoo. Three crossed swords of black.¡±


    Bastian shook his head. ¡°Nearly every man in the company has one.¡±


    ¡°This man had it on the top of his sword hand,¡± Alessandra added. ¡°And Lord Nicco says the man wielded a sword known to be forged and supplied to members of the Order of Tellius. You and your lieutenants hail from the order, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Aye, but my tattoo is on my left forearm.¡± Bastian pulled his sleeve back and turned his wrist, revealing the familiar triple-crossed sword emblem.


    ¡°I¡¯m not accusing you of such a crime. I¡¯m merely asking if you might know who did.¡±


    ¡°Which hand was his sword hand?¡± Bastian asked.


    Alessandra looked at Nicco. Nicco closed his eyes and pictured the dead man on the road. Picking up the amputated hand. ¡°Left!¡± Nicco said.


    Bastian tilted his head. ¡°That only leaves one man. Davor Dalik.¡±


    Nicco squeezed his fork. ¡°Sounds like a Westerner¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°He grew up in the Expanse. Joined the Order of Tellius, young like me. Left with me, along with thirteen others. If Davor took such a contract, I assure you I had nothing to do with it. Though it¡¯s not in his character to murder.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re mercenaries,¡± Nicco spat. ¡°It¡¯s all you know. Cast out from an honorable order of faith to pursue one of the very vices Tellius preaches against--greed.¡±


    ¡°Left, not banished.¡± Bastian corrected and squeezed his hand into a fist. ¡°And I assure you, I know more of honor than any holy knight.¡±


    Nicco abruptly stood from the table.


    ¡°Nicco enough!¡± Alessandra yelled. Every mercenary turned toward them. Some stood once again, ready to draw steel. ¡°I¡¯ll not have violence in my presence.¡± Her tone softened, and she turned to Bastian. ¡°I empathize with you, Bastian, truly. I understand your confusion, your appellation, your feel--¡± She cut herself off. ¡°I believe you.¡±


    ¡°Men, stand down.¡± Bastian gestured downward with his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s not frighten off the only lady to grace our presence without being paid to do so.¡± A cacophony of laughter erupted.


    Allie blushed red as an apple.


    Leo leaned over toward Bastian and Allies¡¯ table. ¡°Apologies for my brother.¡± Leo turned his head over his shoulder and loudly said, ¡°I know it¡¯s early, but allow me to buy your men a round.¡± The sellswords cheered.


    ¡°It¡¯s never too early for a free round,¡± Bastian said.


    Leo stood up, went to the bar, and paid.


    ¡°Do you know who might have hired Davor?¡± Alessandra asked.


    ¡°We¡¯d ask him, but he¡¯s dead,¡± Nicco added.


    Bastian smacked his lips. ¡°Justice served by your sword, no doubt.¡±


    Nicco nodded. ¡°My justice doesn¡¯t stop with the coward who committed the murder. It stops with the person who conceived it.¡±


    ¡°Aye. I suppose it does. But I don¡¯t recall seeing anyone speak with Davor recently. Likely they likely met someplace else.¡±


    ¡°What of your men?¡± Alessandra asked.


    Bastian chuckled. ¡°My men.¡± He held his arms out wide. ¡°Every man here is his own man, free to negotiate his own contract. I merely started the company.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nicco said, ¡°but you also act as its leader and negotiator for the larger contracts.¡±


    Bastian met his eyes. ¡°Men listen up!¡± The glee-filled conversation, fueled by free beer, died down. ¡°The lady asks if anyone saw Davor speak with anyone.¡± Bastian maintained eye contact with him. He¡¯s hard to read. Is he hiding something?


    The only sound was the scrape of mugs against wood tables.


    ¡°A half dozen gold tarins for any man who can give me a name,¡± Leo said. ¡°Triple that if the name given turns out to be the man we seek.¡±


    ¡°Careful now, Master Medistein,¡± Bastian said. ¡°Such proclamations are likely to reveal the names of a hundred men, and none the one you desire.¡± A few sellswords chuckled. ¡°Come now. Does no one know? Only speak true. Let¡¯s not send Master Medistein hunting specters.¡± No one spoke. Nicco examined the faces. For what, he wasn¡¯t sure, but he looked nonetheless. No one stood out. A sea of grizzled men all wearing black crowded around tables, cradling beer mugs.


    Leo stepped up on a chair. ¡°I know you don¡¯t wish to turn against your own. I don¡¯t blame you. Is my price not high enough? A dozen tarins now, and quadruple after.¡± Absolute silence. Leo looked to Nicco, and he pointed his finger up. There had to be a price. Leo simply hadn¡¯t found it yet. ¡°Allow me to reintroduce myself. I¡¯m Leo Medistein, son of Otto Medistein, and now head of House Medistein and its bank. I¡¯m incredibly wealthy. A favor today will earn you more than just gold, it¡¯s an investment of gratitude lasting my lifetime. I¡¯ll pay you a lifetime of service in perpetuity.¡±


    Silence lingered.


    ¡°That means forever, you idiots,¡± Bastian clarified. A chorus of laughter broke the silence. ¡°There you have it, men. What better offer could you ask for? Your own personal lifetime benefactor, one of great wealth. You could live a hundred lives and never come across such an offer.¡±


    Even so, no one spoke. Did these sellswords have that much honor? Could their bond of fellowship be that strong? Men who bled together consider each other brothers, to betray one whom you would trust with your life would be the ultimate sin. I¡¯ve misjudged them.


    ¡°I for one wish I knew,¡± one man said.


    ¡°Aye,¡± others echoed the sentiment.


    ¡°Anything at all?¡± Alessandra pleaded. ¡°These brigands killed our mother too.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t give you a name,¡± Bastian said, ¡°but you may want to turn your investigation toward the Inquisition. Davor had some contracts with them in the past.¡±


    The Inquisition? That would imply the High Inquisitor or a Lector had arranged the murder. Leo walked over and placed twelve gold tarins on the table in front of Bastian. ¡°It¡¯s a start. If it proves fruitful, your company will always find employment to house Medistein. Thank you, Captain.¡±


    ¡°Bastian,¡± Alessandra said. ¡°You can have my gold, but I want the rest of my purse back.¡± Bastian smiled, unlaced the purse, and spilled the contents on the table. Every coin was a silver or copper tarin.


    He looked up and smiled pointing a finger at her. ¡°Clever.¡± He slid the coins back into her pouch, pulled the drawstring, and handed it back to her. ¡°It has truly been a pleasure lady Alessandra. I do hope you¡¯ll speak of my manners here today. Hopefully, such gossip brings us more company such as yourself in the future.¡± He took her hand and kissed it, lust sparkled in his dark eyes.


    Alessandra rose. ¡°Bastian, for one so mannerly I would have expected you to remember to remove your hat in a lady¡¯s presence.¡± She winked. The mercenaries roared with amusement. Jurgen folded over holding his stomach. Bastian blushed brighter than a tomato and smirked.


    He stood up, took off his feathered hat, and flourished it with a graceful bow. Alessandra blushed and bowed back. They left the Black Buck Inn with a few answers and another lead.