The Exodus Sagas: Book II - Of Dragons And Crowns (8 page)

“I told the priests your wife was a
witch
, a devil worshipping
witch
.” h
er head
lowered, eyes
stared at the black table made of glass, her tears falling onto the shiny surface.

Middir sighed, his breathing was difficult with his extra weight and old age. “You were very young, you were drunk and barely seventeen seasons old Angeline. That little inquisition of the church was meant to drive the wizards from the city, so that the church o
f Alden was not threatened
. It was not of your making.”

“They killed her, and your son, and it was my fault because-“

“No! They killed and burned hundreds of wizards and arcane dabblers and even priests of other religions in less than a month! The priests of Kivanis were scared of the Altestani emissaries, and were intimidated into doing something atrocious. Your words merely spoke what they intended to do anyway, and t
hey nearly caught me as well.” t
he plump
old wizard raised his voice, not agreeing with the guilt she still forced upon herself.

“I p
ointed them out, and others.” h
er sobbing slowed, her breathing deep as she controlled her emotions.

“You did as you were asked, and manipulated into doing. If it had not been you at swordpoint, they would have found another youth at the taverns to do the same.” Middir countered, not allowing her to place herself down any further.

“I saw them burn, I thought I was ridding the city of evil and…” she stopped, realizing that the accounts he had not seen would probably hurt him more than doing any real good. “
…a
nd I did nothing, I believed what was happening was right and just.”

“Yes, the whole of the city did, guided by men of the cloth that did not know what they were doing, just the fear they had. You came to me seven years ago, in silence, to make amends.
You have done that.” h
e faked a smile as best he could.
Nothing could replace his family, nothing he thought of would take that horror away. Yet years had taught him much, and this woman had changed from what she was then for certain. How, he did not know.

“I swore seven years of service, I vowed silence for my words had caused harm. But, I do not want to leave.” Angeline whispered now, her mind and body cool and collected.

“Seven years was over half a year ago, Angeline. I do not want you to leave either, you are like a daughter to me now, but you must. Your religion or whatever it is, has taught you much. I do not know what they would have you do now, but finding Gwenneth Lazlette will be the last thing I ask of you.” Middir stood.

“It is not a religion or an order. You know I cannot share anything with you about those things, Middir. I do have to meet with my elders once this task is done, and I am forgiven.” Angeline stood, then kneeled before her friend that she had caused so much harm to, so many years ago
when he was but a stranger
. That pain she had kept inside, once she realized what she had done, ate at her to the point of suicide. Many amends she had made, many years of service to others. Middir was the last one, and now Angeline felt lost without another redemption on her list of shames.

Middir placed his hand
on her hair, admiring the blonde
and red
tinged
waves and braids. He looked down at her triangle wreath of vines that held a leaf
in the center
, they
decorated her tabard, green robes, and armor. He had secretly researched that symbol in several libraries and
temples over the last seven years, finding nothing. “You are forgiven, Angeline Berren. I relieve you of your service and your vows to me, and find them complete.
Whomever, or whatever you belong to that guides you into the woman you have become, has my gratitude.
”

She stood, holding back the tears that welled in her throat. Bowing once again and touching her hand to her heart, the secretive guardian turned and walked out the doors.

“You will return? I will see you again, won’t I, Angeline?” Middir was now feeling the sorrow of farewell, holding it back as best he could.

I hope we meet again soon, my friend. May the earth guide your steps, the winds bring you good fortune, and the sun and moons shine joy into your life. If you should need me, send word to the mountains northeast of Harlaheim. Farewell.
Her words sent on the wind were soft and full of love
, even moreso unspoken
. The
doors closed behind her
and she walked out into the world, free of her guilt and past.

Angeline walked and walked, the cold of Vallakazz seemed lessened, the view of the arcane city was more beautiful, and the people more alive than ever she recalled. The city guard nodded to her as she passed through the eastern gate, the captain was on the catwalk, star
ing at her as she passed
. She thought of what a fine man he had been, so few were willing to defend their ci
ty or country against any enemy
and not be bought. His honor and loyalty were genuine, as were his feelings for her. She knew that he would make a fine husband for someone, but it could not be her, not now, not for many years. She smiled, marching into the cold toward Valhirst, knowing that she had much to do, and for once
,
she had friends
and respect
.
Soujan Mountain would be expecting her to inform them that her vow had been fulfilled, and that her walk of shame had come to an end. They would want to hear of her forgiveness, and there would be a ceremony. It was the same for them all. Her mind tried to focus on the travel ahead, but not too far ahead.

“There goes your silen
t lady with a sword, captain.” o
ne of the archers remarked, drawing Kendrynn Shilde’s attention to the green robed woman heading east out of the city gates.

“I should think you’re right corporal, but she’s
not
my lady.” r
eserved and stern in his duties, he pretended not to care.

“Doubt that’s any of
your
decision now, is it?” the corporal and a few other men laughed and patted their leader on the shoulder plate, returning to their posts. “Think she’ll be back, captain?”

“I hope so corporal, I certainly hope so. Her blade was most helpful to the city of Vallakazz.” Kendrynn kept his remarks to the city and his responsibilities in front of the men.
He tried not to think of the times he had wished to hear her voice, share anything, something with this woman from the north.

“
Right
, captain, certainly.” t
he guards let out more laughter, knowing that their captain had trouble taking his eyes off of Angeline most of the time. “We know it’s not her blade that intrigues you sir.”

The captain smiled, blushing, his men laughing more. He joined them, and watched the
silent
lady march out of his city and into the east, alone.

E
xodus II:II

Castle L’Herrim , City of Harlaheim

Savanno marched into the heart of the city,
Sir
James on his left and the famous Kalzarius on his right. The K
night of Chazzrynn kept in step
while the old bearded man floated alongside them. He could see the Bishop many city blocks ahead, nearly at Castle L’Herrim already. The Lord knew that the Bishop would have the ear of the king first, and in matters religious, he would also have a stronger word. Sir Savanno Lisario needed help, and his first thought was his cousin, the Lord of Saint Erinsburg to the north.

“Sir James, I need you
to deliver a message for me.” h
e stayed focused and calm, knowing full well the possible implications of what Javiel would say to the court. He turned toward the castle stables, unfortunately giving the bishop more of a lead.

“But Lord Savanno, you need me in court to explain the-“

“No. A foreign knight might make things worse, despite your testimony. I believe you, but your word over the Bishop’s in this country will never happen. I need you to take my ste
ed and ride half a day north.” t
he Lord Knight Errant removed his golden necklace with a large feathered cross of Alden, also of solid gold. He handed it to James Andellis. “Give this to my cousin, Cristoff Bradswellen the Third, Lord of Saint Erinsburg. Tell him we require hi
s assistance here
, and to meet us on the road to
the
Saint Tarumin Mission, at the first foothills of the Zuran Mountains.”

“And what are we to do in the king’s court then, Lord Savanno, if you plan already to help them escape?” Kalzarius trusted the Lord, but wanted to know what he was thinking.

“Delay them. As long as possible, for I know Richmond the Second, he is not his father. He is young, greedy, and will want to see the scroll and take glory any way he can since his rule is unpopular. He will see this as an opportunity to get the church behind him, you and I disc
redited, and the people rallying
toward his crown
. Javiel sees this only as a religious matter,
yet
it is about to become very political.” Savanno was stone faced and serious, and pointed his w
hite stallion out to the southern
knight. He handed him the reins that were wrapped around a post outside the castle gates. “Ride hard, and tell him to bring supplies
and men if possible
. Go, Sir James of Chazzrynn.”

James mounted the lord’s horse, looked to the north, and gave a bow to the wizard and Savanno as he kicked the mount into a gallop. He had never been to Harlaheim, let alone rode through her streets and out to another city. He thought of the others, hoping they would make it safely to the meeting place without him. Desperately wanting to be in the court of the king to speak the truth of the matter, James felt his duty to his friends and their journey rise above his ambitions. That duty swelled in his chest, realizing now that he was on a mission from a high lord of a foreign kingdom. James Andellis felt useful and needed for once, and rode even harder to Saint Erinsburg.

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Dark brown rough stone surrounded them in the grand hall of L’Herrim. The pillars and
decorated ceiling of old Altheac
design made every soul that entered feel much smaller
and watched
. Harlaheim was one of the oldest settlements on Agara, and the castle felt like the ages old stones it was made of. Even the circular mahogany table holding thirty chairs was dwarfed in comparison to the grand chamber and its epic and ancient dimensions. They sat at the two polished thrones that were laid with blue velvet and trimmed with golden crown inlays. Tapestries of twenty or more feet in length lined the walls, walls long enough to house a small army. The King and Queen of Harlaheim listened, not entirely, to the tax collectors findings, the morning sermons from the church, and the reports from the knights and lords of the realm. Most of these men were here on behalf of the true officers or nobles, which bored the youn
g royalty even more. Rosana, a
former princess of Caberra, waved her hand giving her royal approval as queen
, after
she saw her arranged husband do the same. Order after order, report after dull report, it was the same every morning.

Richmond looked at Rosana, his queen, and admired her tan skin and dark eyes. He looked to her dark braids, perfect and exquisite beauty
,
and
probed her
delicate features for some emotion, a caring glance, anything. For six years now, there was none. His father had arranged the marriage, and it had fared both Caberra and Harlaheim well, but she was older and wiser than he. Her long gowns of blue and white, her innocence, her soft word
s from a kind and educated mind;
he hated her and all that she pretended to be. In court she would tease with words, smile through men that would die for her, and speak so eloquently that the king looked much less noble and royal than she. Had he not needed an heir, he would have sent her back to her family in Caberra years ago. Not that an heir was in the immediate future, Rosana would have to visit her kings bed for that to occur. He wanted her just for that reason,
desired her, and she was well aware of it. Besides his feelings of lust that he played out on chamber maids
instead
, Richmond had no desire
to be near his two-faced queen
and thought of arranging her untimely and accidental death many times.

Queen Rosana did cast a look to her husband, and met his brown eyes staring back at hers. His long nose, his youth, curls of brown hair around his round uncaring face stood out to her. He was born and bred nobility, but not brave or just like h
is knights and lords of Harlaheim
. When she looked upon Richmond, she saw a cowardly boy, flimsy and weak, dressed in the regal robes and adorned with a crown that he did not deserve. She felt herself a powerful ruler, fair and willful, yet wore the crown of a kingdom that had a child of a man as their king.
Unless to murder his family off for more power, h
is
sword would never see a scratch. H
is eyes
never would gaze upon a battle
and he would never lead
,
only command others to lead for him. Rosana despised Richmond, for all that he was and was not. Should it not benefit the people of two kingdoms, she would have left for Caberra years ago. The pressure for her to bear a child was diverted many times, as she could not bear herself to be closer to him than she was at this moment. Rosana wondered if her pompous husband had ever thought of killing her, like she did so often of him.