The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles (20 page)

After a rather awkward introduction, it was soon apparent that although Jak, who Maxim had deduced was his uncle, seemed to be polite towards him, Lucy, his aunt was far from it. The woman merely grumbled a greeting, and forced a smile, but Maxim could tell from experience that the woman had taken an instant dislike of him. Even this far away from home, it was apparent people did not always get along. Quite what Maxim had ever done to the woman to make her not like him, he was not sure, and decided he would ask his father when they were next alone.

After having to endure a light meal with his new uncle and aunt sat at the same table, Maxim was glad that the pair finally made excuses to leave. No sooner had they gone, than he thought it best to settle a few nagging problems he was having. "She does not like me," he said looking his father straight in the eye. His father surprisingly agreed, "It is probably because her husband and son will no-longer be inheriting my title and lands." Maxim had never even thought about anything like that. Did his father just presume he would take them and live here in Icenia? Not wanting to cause the man any upset later on, he thought it best to clear the air now. "Father...I am not sure I would want them...You know the High Lord thing and the palace...I am quite happy where I am," he said trying his best not to sound too ungrateful. He could tell the moment the words left his mouth that his father did not like what he had said.

An awkward silence fell as the two looked at each other, "Sorry," Maxim added hoping it made things better. "I understand Max...Perhaps give it a little thought...and a little time, and if you still feel the same...well then that is your choice," his father finally replied. Maxim could sense he had hurt his father's feelings, and as all this was new to him, he was unsure of what to say or do to make things better. He thought the best thing would be change subject, "Perhaps you could show me the baths and introduce me to the other High Lords?" he asked.

Joren nodded, "The baths are not a problem. As for the other High Lords, that will have to wait until tomorrow I'm afraid. Protocol means I have to arrange a meeting and not just go turning up unannounced." The ways of the Icenians were certainly perplexing he thought, and not at all like the picture of utopian society that he had envisaged to be. Yes the place was nice and clean, and the buildings quite something else, but it was already clear the people were just the same. Maxim was unsure as to whether it was just his naivety or lack of sense as to why people could not just get along. One of the things he had hoped for in Icenia, was to see everybody getting on with everybody else, but it was already apparent that was not going to be the case. This thought drew another question from him, "Father...Do you have poor people...perhaps an orphanage or kitchen for the homeless?"

There was another silence before any reply came. Icenia did have varying levels of wealth, just as any nation in the world did. The poorer in society though did not dwell in the cities, but in the smaller towns and villages. Maxim was shocked to hear that anyone found homeless in the capital was removed whether they wanted to or not. As for any orphans, they too were not permitted in the cities but placed in what his father called refuge centres. Here they were apparently fed and clothed, and if they showed any magical ability, they were taught to read and write, to enable them to progress in society when they were older. "What about those who do not show any magical skill father? Are they merely tossed aside?" Maxim asked realising this place was actual no different in the way it treated people.

After a full tour of the palace, and another awkward evening meal with his father, uncle, aunt and cousins present, he was glad when it was time for bed. Although his uncle was clearly trying to at least be civil to him, it was quite clear that neither his aunt nor his cousins felt the need to do likewise. Not wanting to upset his father though, Maxim persevered through the evening, ignoring any snidely comments or dirty looks cast his way.

His bedroom was just like every other room in the palace, in being spotless and very opulent in every detail. The sheets were silken, and like none Maxim had ever seen before; so smooth to the touch, he spent several minutes just rubbing his hand over them. The headboard of the bed was carved wood, with such fine elaborate scrollwork, Maxim was unsure as to how anyone could have done it.

After undressing and slipping into the fine cotton nightclothes that lay neatly folded on the end of his bed, he slipped between the sheets and rested his head onto the softest pillow he had ever felt. Maxim was so comfortable, that the worries of the day merely drifted away as he fell into a calm deep sleep.

Chapter 25.

Danton rode into the town of Eldin, situated nearly a day's ride directly west of Pitford. With it being positioned so far south, it had been fortunate enough to have avoided all the troubles that were currently affecting Kothia. Built with a short wall surrounding its perimeter, it acted as a local hub for the surrounding farming community. The buildings were mainly stone, some of which were still standing since the town put down roots a century or so ago.

Danton had a pre-arranged meeting with the town mayor that evening, with a view to hopefully convincing the man to throw the support of his local community behind the new king. However, Danton had two other more important duties to undertake whilst he was there. Firstly, he was to recruit for the king's new army; any male aged between fourteen and forty years of age could apply to join the ranks. The other task, the one Danton thought most suited his particular skill set, was to discover any potential magicians.

Anden had decreed magic once more legal, providing it was done so under the supervision of the Masters at Pitford. Ramon and the new king had, they hoped, devised a way that made magic legal, but in a way that they were still able to monitor those who wielded it. Each Magician was to report to Pitford and given a licence to practice their skills, providing they renewed the document every three years. This way they hoped to draw those that felt they had magical ability to help them in their hour of need. To those who felt they did not need to report their particular gift to the offices at Pitford, the possibility of the death penalty was still in effect; although rather than being overseen by the local mayor or landowner in charge, would be done more fairly by a panel of magicians. Such a panel would consist of three senior members from Pitford, who would travel to the town holding any potential wrong doer, to give trial.

However, despite the new laws, one form of magic was still banned, with the death penalty given to anyone found using it. Any person found using the ability to control the will or mind of another by use of magic, would still be put to death. This was a decision agreed upon by all of the new council members present in the meeting; a kind of magic they did not want to see.

The sun was low in the sky, as Danton finally passed his horse over to the stable boy at the inn he was using as his base. Despite wanting to go straight in and have a meal and rest, he knew he needed to seek out the mayor. With tired and weary legs, he walked his way to the man's home, and introduced himself to the house staff working there. He was asked inside, and to wait in the hallway, although he had hoped to be given some kind of light refreshment, he was in fact given nothing.

After being made to wait at least half an hour before being asked into another room, Danton was in no mood for niceties. The man he sought was slouched in an armchair, sat beside a roaring fire with his feet up and a glass of brandy in hand. "I suppose I had best hear what you have to say," the man told him, still not so much as offering any sign of hospitality. "Well go on then...I do not have all night," the man snapped, clearly showing what he thought of Danton's presence.

Danton firstly explained whom he was, before telling the man what had recently taken place at Denley and Pitford. "Good!" the man started laughing, "Never liked the royals...Good job the government overthrew them...So we have them in charge now?" the mayor asked, shuffling his fat frame before taking a sip from his glass. Danton bit his lip, trying his utmost not to lose his temper with the man, "No...," he finally snapped back. "The government forces have been defeated by the Bosarians, who have now taken our capital city. The young prince has now taken the throne in a bid at retaking and rebuilding our broken nation," he added in a tone that showed his annoyance.

The mayor was clearly taken aback by the words, and probably more so by the manner in which they were delivered; Danton though was not going to let up, "Now I am here for a purpose. If you wish to stay as Mayor, I need you to voice your support for the new monarch, else I will need to return to King Anden and tell him those in charge at Eldin need replacing with a new regime. The man was clearly shaken at the threat, shuffling uncomfortably in his chair, "Well...Yes...quite right," he stuttered, lost for words. "I must admit I never really had much support for them government lot anyway...I'm a King's man through and through," he added quickly changing his tune.

Surprisingly Danton was suddenly treated with a little more respect, and even offered a seat and a drink, although he had already gotten the measure of the man he was dealing with. "The king has abolished all government offices, and is now placing only loyal men in positions of power," Danton said more casually, just to make sure the overweight, sweating oaf in front of him, fully understood. "Oh yes...I am your man...trust me the king can," he reiterated.

Now Danton was the one in control, he laid down his requests. The mayor would have notices placed around the town supporting the new king, as well as have the town crier call a meeting in the market square at noon tomorrow. Following on from that, Danton also requested the sole use of the town hall for any further meeting and recruitment of either soldiers or magicians. The mayor was also to make public knowledge, the new amendments to the current laws, allowing the use of magic under licence.

On leaving, Danton thought he would keep the mayor sweating just a little longer, "I shall mention to the king what has been said here this evening, and I am sure he will take it all in to account when allotting worthy officials to run his towns." The man squirmed, "Aye...don't forget to tell him what a huge supporter of the crown I am..." he blabbered as Danton headed for the exit smirking quietly to himself.

After a meal at the inn, and a good night's sleep, Danton felt refreshed and ready for what would surely be another day of dealing with difficult characters. After eating a breakfast of porridge oats with a little honey, he ventured out into the fresh cool morning air to see the mayor had been good to his word. Already he spotted two new signs put up regarding the news of the king and the law change. A couple of people were gathered around it, as one of them read aloud the message upon it.

He heard the bell of the town's crier before he heard the words, as the man hollered his way around the streets. "Hear ye!" he shouted, before telling the people that a meeting would take place in the square at noon. Whilst word was being spread, Danton ran through his mind of exactly what he would say when the time came. Public speaking was not one of his stronger points, but this was the task he had been given, and he was determined to do it well. Ramon had explained to him that they all had a part to play in creating a better future for Kothia, and this apparently was his.

After popping back to the inn where he had stayed the night, to have a stiff drink to help calm the nerves, Danton waited in the market square, watching on just from the side as a much larger crowd than he had thought were gathering. Deciding he dare not leave his audience waiting any longer, he stepped forth, and made his way to the front of the crowd. Using an upturned wooden crate, normally used by one of the traders on market day, he stood upon it to give himself an elevated position. As the crowd noticed him, they fell silent and stared up at him and waited for him to start speaking.

After taking a deep breath, he started with the news that a great battle had taken place at Pitford. "That place has been derelict for years!" somebody shouted off to his left. Danton sighed, realising he needed to explain what had been going on there, before the battle. News that a group of magicians had been rebuilding the old town for the past few years, right under their noses came as a shock, although not quite as much as the news that the king had more recently been living there as well.

Once the crowd had been updated as to recent events, Danton now needed to plead for their loyalty to Anden. "We are seeking any able bodied man wishing to join the kings army," he told them. A few of the crowd had already turned and started walking away, when one man shouted, "Bloody king expects us to leave our lands undefended, why should we fight for a boy who is barely out of short trousers?" Danton ignored the remark, although it did wind him up, and would have liked nothing more than to make the perpetrator regret saying them.

Danton remained calm and moved on to the part that he knew would only apply to one or two of the crowd, maybe a handful if he was really lucky. "We are also seeking any young person who thinks they have magical abilities," he added, telling them that they were welcome to return with him to Pitford, and given rooms, board and tutoring. "Any who wish to enrol for either the army are asked to report to the Mayor's office, who will instruct you on your application and the benefits you will receive. Any who wish to return to Pitford with me for training in magic, should meet in the town hall this evening after sunset."

By the time he had finished, he noticed most had either stopped listening or started making their way back to wherever it was they had come from. Danton stood upon the small crate for a few moments longer looking out over the dispersing crowd, before using his own magic and vanishing from sight. A few that witnessed his disappearance gasped, and quickly told those that had not. However, Danton had not gone invisible to show off in front of those watching him, but to use another of his abilities.

Before the crowd completely moved away, he needed to check just how successful the evening might be. Whilst he was invisible to the eye, he could sometimes detect an aura being emitted from people with magical abilities. With him only being interested in magic being present in the younger members of society, he was disappointed that so few had actually showed up, and those that had appeared bereft of any sign of magic.

Danton stayed out of sight while he made his way back to the inn he was utilising as his temporary home whilst in Eldin. Despite moving around whilst invisible used up much more energy, it at least enabled to move unhindered, and gave the opportunity to check out those in the streets that might show off any magical aura. Despite it being only early afternoon he did not spot many youngsters, and those he did, showed him no sign they might be what he was looking for.

Whilst back in the inn, he made sure his time there was put to good use. After having some lunch, he moved from table to table, buying drinks when he felt the need, spreading the word. Taverns, such as this, were one of the best places to have gossip spread; although he was also aware by the time it had spread, there was usually as much fabrication as truth in it. Nevertheless, it would serve his purpose, at least making the people aware of what was really going on outside their own little world.

Having tried not to have too much to drink before his visit to the town hall, he freshened up in his room for an hour or so before heading out. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows from the buildings as he passed them by. Despite his public appearance, and disappearance earlier, those few people walking the street at that time seemed not to take any notice of him.

Once in the town hall he again vanished from sight, although a little more discreetly this time. Not sure that he was actually going to see anybody in the main hall, he was surprised to see several possible candidates, most of whom appeared to be showing him the magical aura he needed to see. Out of sight he moved to the front of the hall, and made a magical appearance to his small audience. Once in view he looked out into the room. The mayor had had several rows of benches placed for people to sit on, although most of them remained vacant.

He sat down at the table and chair placed for his use, and after getting himself comfortable, he looked to the first person in the queue, and signalled them to his position. A woman, probably in her thirties stepped forth, and Danton knew straight away that this was not going to go well. "You want magic folk," the woman said, "It is why I am here," Danton told her trying to remain optimistic. "Well I think I used to be magic," she said lowering her voice and sitting down despite not being asked to do so. "Can you do some magic for me know?" Danton asked her.

The woman stared at him as if he were stupid. Her scraggly dark hair, clearly not having seen soap and water for some time, and her teeth all but rotted in her gums. Danton cringed as she leaned right forward, "I made my husband disappear," she whispered, as Danton got the full force of the stale alcohol from her breath. "Right," he said trying to remain polite, "I'll take your details and let you know, he said quickly dipping the pen in the ink pot. Fortunately, the woman did not hang around long, although she did manage to stumble into the benches on her way out, releasing several expletives as she did.

Before asking the person forward, Danton thought it needed to be a little lighter in the hall. With a wave of his hand, a small globe of light appeared in his palm, before he sent it up to hover near the ceiling, casting a bright bluish glow around the room. Clearly, one or two of those waiting were impressed, as the chatter suddenly got much louder.