Heritage: Book One of the Gairden Chronicles (42 page)

“What is it?” Aidan asked as he joined them.

Edmund carefully appraised his son. “Vagrants.”

Aidan tensed. “Where?”

“Stragglers have been caught and killed over the last few days,” Daniel said. “Two nights ago, one was spotted near Calewind’s southern gate. They’re out in the open, Aidan—no disguises. Their faces...” He fell silent.

Aidan nodded. Tyrnen must feel the need for stealth and disguises had passed. “What happened when you spotted the vagrant?”

“I killed it,” Edmund said. “But the next day, two more came. The position was fortified, of course, but... Aidan, they came during the night and caught one of the Wardsmen unaware. The man must have fallen asleep, or was lured away from the others. We’re not sure. The body was dragged away and the next day, two more vagrants came back. The Wardsman was with them. Was
one
of them.”

“We destroyed them, then ordered the bodies to be burned,” Daniel picked up. “I followed it south for about four leagues. Aidan, it joined a massing of thousands. They were forging weapons and they faced Calewind.”

“So you believe they’re readying an attack?”

Daniel nodded. “Your father and I expect them within a fortnight.” He hesitated, glancing at Edmund. “We’ve quarantined the city. No one comes or goes without your father’s permission. And yours, of course.”

Aidan took a deep breath. “A good move. We can’t have vagrants walking the streets. Even so, with thousands of them outside... How many Wardsmen stayed behind from the march to Darinia?”

“Approximately fifteen hundred,” Daniel replied.

Aidan’s eyes went hard. “I need to see Nichel. She must hear about what’s happened from me. Stay behind and help fortify Calewind. Organize evacuations of all neighboring villages and cities and bring their people here. Anyone who is able will need to be ready to fight.”

“I will stay behind to fortify the city,” Edmund said, already glancing around as if making mental sketches of where and how Sunfall could be reinforced.

“Actually, I need you elsewhere,” Aidan said. “We do not know where Leaston stands in all this, or if they even know about Tyrnen’s threat. They will need to hear from one of us, and I need to get to Darinia.”

“I’ll go, son,” Edmund said. He hesitated. “But Brendon marched with Torel’s Ward. With the Crown of the North, the general, and the colonel absent from Sunfall...”

“I will speak to the lieutenants,” Aidan said. “The chain of command will take over. Just get to Ironsail as quickly as you can. The merchants’ guild must stand with Torel and Darinia.” He turned to Daniel. “Can you get me a key into Darinia?”

His friend nodded slowly, his tongue darting over his lips. “I know a place.”

“Good. I’ll be in Tyrnen’s tower. There are some things I need to gather, there. Please bring me the key as soon as you retrieve it. I will return home as quickly as I can after I speak with Nichel. After I leave, relay my orders to the lieutenants.” He held his friend’s gaze. “You understand the horror we face. You’ve seen it. Please help here where you can.”

Daniel straightened. “Calewind will be ready.” After saluting to Edmund and bowing to Aidan, he dashed off toward the southern courtyard.

Aidan turned back to his father. Edmund was watching him with an odd smile. Suddenly, Aidan felt his cheeks warm. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I didn’t mean to order you around.”

Edmund laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Don’t apologize. You took charge, and made decisions that I would have made.”

Aidan’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

“Truly.” Edmund’s grip tightened. “I’m proud of you, son. You will make a fine king.”

Aidan nodded. “I’ll see you soon, Father.”

Edmund smiled and began to walk away.

“Father?”

Edmund turned back.

“You will see Mother again. I promise.”

Edmund stiffened. His eyes grew moist. After a few moments, he turned and walked away.

Footsteps from behind took Aidan’s attention from his father’s retreating form. The men and women of Torel’s Dawn seemed to glide down the hallway, their emerald-colored robes covering their boots. Christine stepped out from behind them and came beside Aidan.

“I’ve made some new friends,” she said.

A chiseled man with a dark goatee inclined his head. “Your Majesty,” he said.

Aidan returned the gesture. “Well met, Cinder Coren Landswill.”

Coren straightened. “You are aware that it is not the custom of the Touched to swear fealty to any crown.” He paused. “Yet in this matter, the Dawn feels there is no alternative. We have come to pledge our allegiance to you, Crown of the North. We did not know of the Eternal Flame’s... We are yours, Your Majesty. We will help you in the coming struggle.”

“I welcome your allegiance. Thank you.”

A tall woman with curly red hair stepped forward. “We will journey with Christine Lorden to the Lion’s Den guildhall,” she stated.

Aidan looked at Christine inquisitively.

“We go to convince the First that the Touched must align with you,” she explained. She gestured to the other woman. “Cinder Keelian Faltan feels that Torel’s Dawn alone will not be enough, so—”

“Ernest Lorden must know of what the Eternal has done,” Keelian interrupted. “Once he hears of Tyrnen’s crimes, he will most assuredly grant you the use of Crotaria’s Touched in the coming struggle.”

Aidan’s mouth fell open. “Of course,” he said, turning to Christine. “Your father is the First.”

“Yes,” she said.

“But that means that, now that Tyrnen has been stripped of his title...” He turned to Torel’s Dawn. “He has been stripped of the title of Eternal Flame, I presume?”

Keelian nodded. “He has, whether he knows it or not.”

“Will Ernest Lorden ascend to Eternal Flame, then?”

Christine’s eyebrows rose. She looked questioningly at Keelian.

“It’s likely,” Keelian said.

Aidan turned back to Christine. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize this until just now.”

“As I recall, you were busy sitting alone in a tavern talking to your sword when we first met.”

Aidan ignored that. “The plan is a good one,” he said to the waiting Cinders, “and will benefit Crotaria greatly. Will you leave now?”

“Yes,” Keelian answered. “We must make haste. It is doubtful that word of all that has happened has reached the First’s ears. He must be informed.”

“We will return here with the Cinders once the First has granted permission for the Mages to aid Torel and Darinia,” Coren said. “If that is your wish, Crown of the North.”

Aidan nodded. “Thank you, all.” He turned to Christine after the Dawn had shuffled off to the side. They leaned forward, whispering among themselves, but he paid them no heed.

“Thank you for doing this,” he said. “I never would have even thought of it.”

She laughed softly. “You’ve got a lot on your mind, Aidan Gairden.” She cocked her head. “I wonder if there is anything I can do for His Majesty to take His Majesty’s mind away from all these serious matters.”

He grinned. “There certainly is. But unfortunately, that will have to wait.”

Christine gave a mock pout. “Very well.” Then her tone grew sober. “You’ll be careful?”

“I promise. Tell your father I said hello.”

She rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how delighted he’ll be. You wouldn’t believe the expectations I had to live up to because of the ‘phenomenal abilities’ of Torel’s crown prince.”

They laughed softly and fell silent. Aidan tried to look away but found he couldn’t. Her eyes were so bright. He hesitated a moment longer before drawing her into his arms. Christine was ready for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stepped into his kiss. Vaguely, Aidan was aware of a servant rounding the corner, squeaking in surprise and embarrassment, and scuttling back the way he had come.

Slowly, lingeringly, Aidan pulled his lips from hers. She rested her head on his chest.

“When this is over,” he began.

“The sooner, the better,” she said. She straightened and cupped his hands in hers. “Come back to me, Aidan.”

He bent down to kiss her hair and broke away, turning and moving quickly down a far corridor, his eyes locked ahead so he could not look back.

Continued in

Point of Fate
: Book Two of the Gairden Chronicles

Coming in 2016

Glossary

A

Alston, Cynthia:
Wife of Romen of the Wolf and mother to Nichel of the Wolf.

Alston, Nichel:
Daughter of Romen of the Wolf and Cynthia Alston. Before birth, she was promised to Aidan Gairden, next in line to become Crown of the North.
Apprentice:
Third rank of a trained and educated Touched. Apprentices wear an orange band.

Architect:
A Touched who applies his or her magical abilities to architecture.

Avivian River:
River that runs north to east through Crotaria.

B

Band:
See “Cinder band.”

C

Calderon, Edmund:
General of Torel. Father of Aidan Gairden and wife of Annalyn Gairden.

Calewind:
Capital city of Torel and the site of Sunfall, home to the Gairden family.

‘cin:
See “
Ordine’cin
”.

Clan Chief:
The leader of a Darinian clan.

Cinder:
Fifth and final rank attained by a Touched over the course of their formal education.

Cinder Band:
Golden band with an embedded amethyst signifying the rank of Cinder. Worn on right forefinger.

Clan:
A tribe of Darinians united under the leadership of a clan chief.

Creed:
A professional pursuit or occupation selected by a Touched following his or her graduation.

Crotaria:
Main continent divided into four realms: Torel in the north, Darinia in the west, Sallner in the south, and Leaston in the east.

D

Darinia:
Western realm of Crotaria made up of hot, dusty deserts. Home to the clans of Darinia.

Darinia’s Fist:
The combined warriors of all Darinian clans, united under the leadership of the war chief.

Dark Magic:
Rooted in death and practiced by those who worship Kahltan, the Lord of Midnight. Dark magic is forbidden and punishable by death.

Disciple (of Dawn):
A Touched devoted to serving the Lady and spreading her word.

E

East Road:
The main road between Ironsail, Leaston’s capital city, and Sharem.

Eternal Flame:
Leader of all Touched on Crotaria. The Eternal Flame swears no fealty to any ruler or realm, but is expected to act according to the laws of the realms.

Eye (of Heritage):
A magical ruby embedded within the hilt of Heritage. Through the Eye, Gairden ancestors can guide their descendants and pass along knowledge.

F

Fever, the:
Kindling saps the strength of the Touched as they cast spells. As they grow weaker, tiredness sets in, recognizable by the onset of a fever that worsens until they rest.

First, the:
Second in command of the Touched after the Eternal Flame of Crotaria.

G

Gairden, Aidan:
Son of Annalyn Gairden and Edmund Calderon. Prince of Torel and next in line to become Crown of the North.

Gairden, Ambrose:

Patriarch of the Gairden line. Husband of Anastasia Thalamahn Gairden.
Ordine’kel
comes from Ambrose’s exemplary skill in combat.

Gairden, Anastasia

Thalamahn:
Matriarch of the Gairden family and daughter of Dimitri Thalamahn and Luria Thalamahn.
Ordine’cin
comes from Anastasia’s potent magical abilities.

Gairden, Charles:
Father of Annalyn Gairden and grandfather of Aidan Gairden.

Gairden, Annalyn:
Crown of the North, wife to Edmund Calderon, and mother to Aidan Gairden.

Goddess of Light:
See “Lady of Dawn”.

Gotik:
A small village in Torel, a few miles south of Calewind.

Greagor, Brendon:
Colonel of Torel’s Ward.

H

Hands of Torel:
Nobles hand-picked by the Gairdens to govern cities, towns, and villages in the name of the Crown of the North.

Healer:
A Touched specializing in the art of healing.

Heritage:
Magical sword passed down from generation to generation in the Gairden family.

Hillstreem, Jonathan:

Advisor to Romen of the Wolf and a Touched.

I

Ihlkin Mountains:
Mountain range that borders Crotaria.

Inventor:
A Touched who specializes in researching and executing breakthroughs in magic.

Ironsail:
The capital of Leaston and the largest port city in all of Crotaria.

J

Janleah:
Janleah of the Eagle, clan chief of the Eagle clan and the first war chief of Darinia.

Janleah Keep:
The largest city in the west named in honor of Janleah of the Eagle, the first war chief of Darinia.

K

Kahltan:
Known as the Lord of Midnight by Torelians and Leastonians.

’kel:
See “
Ordine’kel
”.

Kietel, Lotren
: General of Torel’s Ward killed by invading barbarians.

Kindle/Kindling:
The process by which a Touched casts magical spells granted to them by the will of the Lady of Light.

L

Lady of Dawn:
Goddess of Light. Also referred to as the Lady. Individuals “Touched” by the Lady can wield magic by praying to her.

Lamp:
An object capable of storing light that a Touched can use to kindle at any time, much like a water skin from which one can drink when one needs water.

Language (of Light), The:
An ancient, universal language used in spell casting. The Touched draw in light and release it as a spell by praying in the Language of Light.

Learner:
First rank of a trained and educated Touched. All learners wear a dark blue band.