Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4) (13 page)

“That man back at our camp—he’s not the leader.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re stronger. A lot stronger. That makes you the leader, not him. Did you intentionally keep silent?”

“No, I didn’t. Believe it or not, there is more to leadership than raw strength.”

“So you are not the leader?”

“I am. It’s just that I still look up to the man you have as a hostage. And I wouldn’t underestimate him.”

“It doesn’t matter. If those Sages earlier were not from your camp, and you are not lying about the story you gave us, then we will be allies soon enough.”

“Why is that?”

“Because those Sages…they were a lot stronger than you are.”

“Are you sure?” James asked through squinting eyes. “I think I would have felt someone more powerful than I.” Oltain merely smiled.

*              *              *

“Where are we going?” Bastion asked flatly. He was past the point of whining. He was just ready to get their venture over with. Daisy continued to pull him along, and he let her.
Why did he let her?
He could have easily ripped his wrist from her grip and ran off. She wouldn’t be able to catch him, and he could go off and read one of his books. He knew that he didn’t care for anything she had planned.

The problem was…he
did care
for what she thought of him. Being the type of person who kept to himself and his books, he was more observant than the average villager. His books taught him character and case studies, and life confirmed them. He was still young, and he certainly hadn’t seen much battle, but generally, he was able to read people well. When they were in the dining hall, he could see the interest in Daisy’s eyes. Sure, she had admitted to the selfish side of their mutual relationship, but he could tell that she had a curiosity about him that even went beyond that. Kent, from what he could tell, was all about business. That was fine. But Daisy…it was nice to see that she admired in some way. What was it about him that drew her closer?

After his time in Quietus, and his foster parents, he believed that no one could ever like him. Forget love. That was a notion he had long dismissed. But like? That was still in the realm of possibility. Catherine had shown it, and now Daisy had. What was it about him? He wanted to know so badly. Maybe then he could replicate the act or whatever he had said, and then other people would start liking him too.

“Okay, here,” Daisy said, letting go of his hand. Bastion looked around them. They were still in the meadow, but they were as far southwest from the castle and the village as possible. It was obvious that Daisy aimed for privacy.

“You’re not going to kiss me, are you?” Bastion found himself blurting out. He slapped his mouth with both hands and kept them there as Daisy laughed heartily.

“Is that what you want?” she howled.

“No,” he said, his face red and hot. She took one look at him and shook her head. “Sorry, love. These lips are sealed for now. You gotta earn that.”

“I’m not—whatever, let’s just move on. Why are we
really
here?”

“Besides the make out session?” she winked at him. Bastion folded his arms. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop. In all seriousness, we’re here to…solidify our union.”

“Oh my goodness, that doesn’t sound sensual to you?” Bastion scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. “You’re serious right now?”

“Yes!” she declared, her face straight. “What? What’d I say? Solidify our union! No one says that? Hey, it’s not my fault you thought we were out here to lock lips, or whatever your boys call it nowadays. I’m all business right now, tomato face.”

“Okay, explain away,” he sighed.

“Alright, Bastion, now don’t get mad, but listen close. We’re not going to be able to form an alliance at the Sage Academy if we can’t trust one another. In order for there to be some trust, you gotta let me in a bit. I want to spar with you.”

“That’s not going to happen,” he said adamantly.

“We have to, otherwise it’s no deal. I would still want to hang out with you because I think you’re an interesting guy, but I wouldn’t be able to. Not without trust.”

“I don’t see how this brings forth trust.”

“Those with Mason are going to push you. Hard. And I need to know what makes you tick so I can jump in and cool down the situation if I have to. I have to see your limit.”

“I’m not going to do that,” he said again. “I refuse. Daisy, I don’t think you understand…I could kill you. I’m not talking about intentionally either. Sometimes…sometimes I can’t control it.”

“Then why are you going to the Academy?” Bastion’s eyes met hers, and he could read her expression plainly. It was a serious question, so serious that it almost made her angry. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

“Because I want to be a Sage. And not just a villager that learned how to unleash his eidolon. I want to know what my purpose is. What I’m…supposed to do with what I have.” He looked down at the palms of his hands. “Am I supposed to lead people into a new era? Save them? Tear it all down? I don’t know. All I know is that I can do all of those things. I just need someone to point me in the right direction.”

“Then let me help you find it,” she said, taking a step toward him.

“But why? What if I choose wrong?”

“You won’t know until it’s already too late, but that’s how choices work. All I know, is that I’ve been waiting for the same thing…in a way. I train hard. I do my chores and concentrate on my studies. I hang out with my friends. I eat. I sleep. I breathe. But everyone does that. What makes me so special? What am I supposed to do that makes a difference? Especially in a time of peace?”

“I don’t know,” Bastion admitted. “I really have no clue.”

“Well, we’re going to find out together,” she said with a wide grin. “I think today was my sign. I could have died today. But you just happened to be there, for whatever reason. And you were the only one that saw and felt what Mason was about to do.
And
you had the strength and speed to stop it. I don’t know what it means, but I figure that I might as well find out. So why don’t we take this journey together? We both want the same thing anyways.”

Bastion couldn’t help but smile. Maybe this was exactly what he needed. A change of scenery from his foster parents. New mentors through Queen Catherine and the Master Sages. A couple friends to share in the weight of the path before them. Perhaps he could grow after all.

“Okay,” he said, letting go of the fear. “I’m ready to try this.”

“Thank you,” she said, extending her hands toward him, as if beckoning for him to place his into hers. But he knew better. He stood vigilant, and in the next second, the red hook swords appeared, just as he knew they would. Bastion placed a hand over his heart, but it wasn’t over awe at what he just witnessed.

Chapter 10 - Push

James took the Quietus through the secret back entrance by the northern wall. He didn’t care about the Quietus knowing. If anything went awry, their guest wouldn’t have the knowledge for much longer.

They snuck in quietly, crouching into the low tunnel and through the vines and dripping water that fell from the cobblestone cracks. James didn’t mind taking point. He knew how to release his eidolon from behind him. Oltain wouldn’t even see it coming.

“We’re in the castle of Allay now,” James whispered, as they both entered a room that looked like a dungeon. This affect was not lost on the Quietus, as the liquid skin on his back began trembling. James held up a hand to console him, but the quivering continued. James knocked on the wall at the far end of the room, and a sole brick was removed. Light streamed in and pierced his eyes, but he knew not to flinch away. Only an intruder would hide.

“Zhou,” James called out, his eyes adjusting quickly. He tried to ignore the loud music and celebrating going on in the dining hall. His stomach rumbled.

“Yes, James,” he said. His voice was gruff and thick.

“I need you to get Catherine and have her meet me in the private deliberation chamber. I have someone with me that she’ll want to meet.”

“Yep,” he said, trying to peer in behind James. “Do you want me to examine the prisoner? I can’t see him, but I sense something strange.”

“He’s fine. Just get Catherine, and make sure to open up the wall before you leave.”

“Okay,” he said, leaving to get the Queen. James sighed in relief. Zhou wouldn’t understand. At least not right away. It would take too much time to explain to him the situation, and they were already short on time. James turned back to Oltain and nodded to him, ensuring that all was well. The wall in front of them opened up and parted a few seconds later. The brick that had been removed earlier was the only individual piece. Oltain’s eyes widened in surprise as the light flooded in, revealing a pristine marble floor and smooth stone walls, covered in luxurious, dark purple banners. What Oltain didn’t know was that behind the luxurious walls were more dungeons and cells.

Oltain maintained his Quietus form, but it didn’t matter. No one would come strolling down that particular hallway, not without going through a series of private halls and chambers, which was strictly forbidden, and heavily guarded.

James and Oltain took a right, walked down the long hallway, and then entered the oak doors lying in wait. Inside, the room was small, but it had great significance. Much like Arimus’ old room at the Sage Academy, this particular room was the place where all of the Master Sages met. There weren’t many of them. Only himself, Catherine, Zhou, Arimus and Talia. But they got the job done.

“Take a seat. It’s okay,” James said, as he plopped down into his assigned chair at the head of the long oval table. Oltain studied the polished wooden surfaces, the immaculate craftsmanship on the chairs themselves and nearly lost his composure. His knees became weak as he realized just how long it had been since they had seen anything remotely civilized. They had spent too much time in the ruins of their enemy’s city.

Oltain took a seat, removing his Quietus skin so that he could feel the polish with his own fingers. He didn’t want to damage the wood. James smiled, but he made no sound. He didn’t want to scare Oltain back into his Quietus state, where he was more on edge and more prone to violence. Seeing him outside of his transformation, he appeared so harmless.

He was a red headed, freckled teenager, with a gaunt frame, and hair that had been cut in random places. His once fine hair was now damaged and coarse. His eyes though—green and hungry, were still filled with wonder and awe. He couldn’t stop himself from running his fingers along the chair’s armrests, even when Catherine quietly entered the room.

She closed the door behind her, and folded her hands, waiting for Oltain to notice her arrival. In the meantime, she stole time away to glance over at James, who gave her a smile that melted her from head to foot. It was still amazing how a mere gaze, especially when he had been gone for a while, just paralyzed her. She wished that feeling would never change.

James chuckled to himself and pointed at her. She looked down and stifled a laugh. Her royal dress, once a silk robe of white and gold, was now covered in juice and grease stains. Catherine shrugged her shoulders and a giggle escaped from her lips. Oltain’s head snapped up, and suddenly, his hands gripped the armrests.

“I’m sorry to startle you,” Catherine said, brushing her hands across her dress. “I’m also sorry for my attire. I was told to come meet you here immediately. I didn’t have time to change.”

“Who are you?” Oltain asked, his grip on the armrests loosening. James tried to keep his smile from getting too wide. Catherine’s unintentional magic was already flooding the room. Her ability to gain the love and trust of all those that met her. Even her enemies, at the very least, respected her.

“I’m Queen Catherine, the current ruler of Allay. Welcome to our Kingdom,” she said, extending a hand out toward him. Oltain looked at it like it was about to bite him.

“Why would you shake my hand? I’m a Quietus.”

“Oh,” Catherine paused, and then extended the hand out even closer. “Well then, Mr. Quietus, welcome to our Kingdom.”

“My name is Oltain,” he said, eyeing her hand warily. With hesitation, he took her hand and shook it quickly. He leaned back in his chair once the deed was done, unsure what to make of the Queen before him.

“So you found a Quietus?” Catherine said to James.

“There’s a whole group of them,” he replied. “They’ve been living in the ruins of Prattle. They didn’t know what happened to Thorn, or how we’ve formed peace treaties. We told him that they were the only Quietus we’ve found in the last five years.”

“So all of this is true?” Oltain asked, his eyes widening. “Thorn is dead?”

“Yes,” Catherine said, folding her hands again. “And we can show you around our Kingdom to prove it, as long as you maintain that form. Unfortunately, there is still some prejudice against the Quietus people, but we will deal with that in the future. I think that for now, you would want to stay hidden regardless, in order to properly assess the situation.”

“I’ll also be defenseless,” he said, to which Catherine smiled.

“I’m sure you have some kind of contingency in place, in case that happened.”

“Arimus would be killed,” James said, catching Catherine’s attention. “He’s still in Prattle as their hostage. Oltain is here to confirm our story and report back. I’ll show him around myself, and then I have to head back out as soon as possible.”

“I hope you’ve entered sleep into that equation.”

“I’ll manage,” he gave her a smile. “But before we do a tour of the Kingdom, I do need your help with something. The Quietus told us that we weren’t the only Sages to contact them, and I’m not talking about the youth who came to the throne room. A couple adult Sages went to the Quietus and threatened them, saying that they were going to take back what was theirs, and they needed the Quietus to join them.”

“Sages? From here? What could that mean?”

“I don’t know, but it’s unsettling. While I’m taking care of this with Arimus, you should have Talia look into it.”