A Soldier's Life - 465 -

Chapter 465:

The queen asked probing questions as I detailed what had happened at Sanctuary. Evie was eager to fill in what she knew to be part of the conversation, and I allowed it. I could see Adelin taking an interest in Evie. I wondered how much Kyrenic had told his mother about Evie.

Queen Adelin’s questions were focused on the potential dangers of the demon horde and she appeared to know significantly more than the average scholar of this world. She was aware that the Titans had opened the first World Gate to the demon realm, and that the Telhians had done so again.

“You are well educated in ancient histories,” I complimented the queen after she detailed the uprising of the lesser races against the Titans’ depleted ranks after dealing with the demon incursion for her daughter.

Adelin smiled pleasurably at the praise. “Still, your knowledge of the dungeons puts mine to shame, Seeker. I have never met a warrior so young, and so well-read.” The queen rested her hand on Elenara’s shoulder. “My daughter is brilliant as well. It just takes time to read the histories. Perhaps Elenora would like to show you our library? It is not as extensive as our family’s library in Skyliton, but I am sure you will find something of interest if you are not too tired.” She squeezed her daughter’s shoulder and gave us both a bright smile. It was clear the queen was not interested in me, but in matching me with her daughter.

I coughed a little to buy time because more books for the dreamscape were always welcome, but I didn’t want to give the wrong impression. “Yes, well, I don’t need much sleep and would love to see your library. The mother of my son has an interest in griffins. Do you have any books regarding them?” There was a brief frown on Elenora’s face, but the Queen was quick to smile.

“That is wonderful! You have a son as well as a daughter! So virile! I believe there is a collection from Lochmere Holmes. He had studied both the sandwing griffins and the obsidian griffins, the only two species found within the Heptarchy,” the queen said pleasantly. “Lord Protector Maveith, would you care to walk me in my garden tonight. The nightglass orchids reflect the moon in such a marvelous way.”

Baelira stood stoically and placed her hand on Evie’s shoulder. “Evie, we are both tired and should take advantage of the magnificent beds.” Evie couldn’t help but yawn and agree, and the two retreated to their rooms.

I was aware I was being corralled into spending some time with the princess, but I could deflect with the best of them. I paused before following Elenora. “What are the chances the Heptarchy will send an army to Nausis?”

The queen sighed with the weight of leadership. Sending her people meant some would die. “We will send soldiers, but how many will depend on the Caliphate and the Telhian Empire,” Queen Adelin answered introspectively. “We cannot send so many soldiers that those borders are left undefended unless there is a guaranteed peace. Then there are the creatures coming from the Endless Dark. The Adventurers Guild has been woefully overtaxed in dealing with them. The Heptarchy has formed mage companies, like the Telhians, to respond to serious threats and protect the citizens, but even experienced mages are having trouble with some of the creatures surfacing.”

Princess Elenora added, “The burden will be split evenly among the seven kingdoms, so the deciding factor will be which of the Heptarchy kingdoms decides to send the least.”

“Not this time, daughter,” the queen said, disappointed in her daughter’s assessment. “I believe the threat is serious enough to send everything Aurelith can spare, and I think the other sovereigns will agree with me once the Seeker speaks to them.”

“I was hoping to continue onto the Telhian Empire to raise support there,” I said, surprised and a little annoyed at having to play politics when my son was waiting for me.

“The Telhian Empire? The new Empress is unpredictable, and their lands are unsafe. Orc skirmishers in the west and goblinoids in the south,” the queen supplied.

“We are planning to sail from Petos to Telha, and I know the new empress. I believe she will meet with me, and she is a reasonable person,” I said, thinking of Renna fondly.

Maybe it was the look on my face that made Queen Adelin frown. Like a mother educating her child not to touch a hot stove, she said: “Telhians can never be trusted. They are as untrustworthy as the Nashasari. Both are a pit of vipers.”

I was a little perturbed at being talked down to, I replied. “Kyrenic didn’t tell you? I used to be a legionnaire.” I enjoyed their shock. “I have to move quickly to make sure everyone can get their soldier to Nausis to sail.” That and I wanted to get to Raelia.

The Queen quickly regained herself from my revelation. “Patience Seeker. It will take four days for the kings and the prince to arrive for the War Council,” Adelin said with a thoughtful smile. “Once assembled, you should be able to present your case and evidence. I suspect King Roderin will call for a truth seer to confirm your words, but once confirmed, he will be your greatest voice. The most difficult will be Prince Auremir. With his father ill, he is fearful of taking actions that weaken his kingdom.”

“And the others?” I asked.

Queen Adelin smiled slyly. “I have enough favors and leverage to force them to send soldiers if they resist, but I do not think they will. If I had to guess, the Heptarchy will muster over fifty thousand men and five dozen war and healing mages. We lack the ships to transport such a large force, but we will conscript merchants and should be able to build a few dozen more before the fleet sails. There are other logistical challenges in supplying such a large force for an extended campaign, but King Theron will probably enjoy the challenge.”

“Show the Seeker to the library, daughter,” the queen ordered. “I need to write letters to deliver to the other estates in the city. It is late, but events must be set in motion.” I followed Elenora away from the dining room as attendants rushed in to clear away the mostly full platters.

The library wasn't impressive in its book collection, but it was decorated with glossy wood carvings of fantastical beasts. The far wall featured a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden. The ceiling was as high as three men, and a wheeled ladder allowed access to the top shelves on either side. Two large plush reading chairs with an ornate table between them dominated the center of the room. 

Elenora gave me a brief overview of the organization. With exaggerated displeasure, she paced around the room. “This library is only a quarter the size of our family library in Skyliton. All of these books have been copied from that library.” She was trying futilely to impress me. I had seen a dozen more impressive libraries on Desia, with the Repository on Sanctuary being the most remarkable, but I let her talk.

“This wall has histories, maps, and information for every nation on both continents. The other wall has a variety of information… but these are the bestiaries,” she said, walking to the far left. She scanned the shelves, found two tomes, and pulled them out with a smile. “The two griffon bestiaries that mother mentioned,” she said triumphantly.

I nodded, taking them to one of the seats. Instead of leaving me to read in peace, the princess retrieved a book for herself and settled into the other seat. I paged through both books quickly and moved to put them back. “Done already?” Elenora asked.

“I wanted to see what other subjects the library held,” I replied, not caring to reveal the dreamscape amulet.

She closed her book, which I doubted she had been reading. “My brother indicated you were an exceptional swordsman. I would be honored if you practiced with me while we wait for the War Council,” she asked earnestly.

“As long as you are not using your dark mithril blade, that would be acceptable. Maveith, Baelira, and I practice frequently to keep sharp,” I said in agreement.

She stood, and the blade appeared in her hand, and I was impressed. “You have a dimensional space?”

She smirked, noticing my fascination. “I do, a storage ring for a single item. Voidpiercer is always available with a thought,” she said proudly. I could have upstaged her and shown Heartseeker, but I was not here to impress the princess.

“I look forward to practicing tomorrow, then.” I pulled three tomes on dungeon ecology from the shelf. They were in Elvish, and I was just going to page through them before escaping to my room. If I had a few days, I could come back to this library alone. As I paged through the first, I commented, “Maybe Kyrenic will make it back before I am to depart.”

Elenora arched her brow. “Was my mother that obvious?”

“She was,” I said, not sure what she was obvious about.

“You don’t mind traveling with Kyrenic? I always found it so tedious how everyone tried to please him,” the princess said.

“It is an impressive aura spell form,” I said as I figured out Queen Adelin hoped to insert her son in my group. I had nothing against Kyrenic, but I wouldn’t wait for him.

“He told you?” she said in disbelief.

“I figured it out. Good night, princess,” I said, leaving her.

I spent a few hours in the dreamscape, reviewing the sword forms I had seen the princess practicing. Although they were complex, they had roots in other styles with which I was familiar. I didn’t want to get caught off guard and embarrassed when we practiced.

Maveith was excited the next morning at breakfast, but we were eating alone since the princess and queen were out mustering support. “I think the Aurelith kingdom will be interested in trading with my people.”

“That is quite the distance to sail. Why not trade in Godok?” I asked while passing on breakfast.

“Actually, Queen Adelin agreed to send the trade ships to Eternis; we wouldn’t have to do anything,” Maveith grumbled out happily. “We have several goods she thinks will sell well in the Heptarchy.”

I toasted his fortunes and watched the others eat. I made sure Evie didn’t just eat the sugary foods and included some protein and vegetables as well. Tracking what she ate was my only entertainment at breakfast. Baelira was barely touching her food, mainly focused on her glass of green liquid.

“What are we doing today? Can I ride Ginger?” Evie asked when finished.

“No. There is no need for Ginger. We will practice this morning and maybe do some shopping in the city this afternoon,” I revealed. I really didn’t have a plan and needed something to do to avoid going crazy.

Maveith and I faced off in the courtyard, and Baelira guided Evie through a choreographed sword dance that was more about artistry and exercise than practical combat. Well, it would be useful in combat as long as you only faced one opponent who was a woman and of similar stature.

Queen Adelin returned first, and she didn’t look happy. I wiped the sweat off my face as she approached. “What happened?” I asked.

She replied somewhat angrily, “You didn’t tell me you arrived with others? I was quite embarrassed in King Belanor’s court this morning. An ambassador from Bartiradia had already informed him,” she said accusingly.

“Alhur is actually doing something? That is actually not terrible news,” I said in realization.

The queen’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know Alhur Larethian?”

“He arrived with us, but has not been cooperative,” I said.

“Alhur Larethian is a blood descendant of the Caelorian line,” the queen announced, as if that should make sense. None of us understood the implications she was hinting at.

The queen, noticing our confusion, explained, “The original pact with the dungeons was made by three elves and one human. Their descendants, with their blood, can supposedly talk to dungeons. The human line has gone extinct, as has the elven line of Mirael. Very few of the Caelorian line remain after the Telhians destroyed Caelora. The third elf line, Shaelira, resides in Esenhem.”

Maveith questioned, “And Alhur is of the Caelorian line. What significance does this have in our quest?”

The queen sighed. “Perhaps you would not be aware. Most nobles across Desia are aware of the four houses responsible for the pact. They have tokens identifying their blood. Their efforts five thousand years ago are the only reason we are free and able to delve into dungeons by a set of rules. Descendants of those lines are given great respect by those who understand the histories.”

“Good thing I didn’t kill him then,” I said halfheartedly. Queen Adelin looked shocked and I guessed I would need to explain…

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