The Path of Decisions (25 page)

“As his Ambassador I accept his pledge of peace,” he proclaimed to
the crowd with a smile to Darius, “and will publish that peace in all reaches
of our Realm.”

Mezar came forward next. “I, Mezar Alrishitar, named second heir
by my grandfather the Emperor of Gildan, hail your King and support him until
the end of my days.”

The people realized this was not an oath to be taken lightly by
their southern neighbor. The Gildanian Empire had always been a powerful
neighboring kingdom.

Mezar pushed his hands up into the air. The sleeves from his
golden cloak fell down his brown arms. His eyes turned a lighter color of
brown, and golden fire erupted from his fingertips to join with the lightning
from Darius’s sword. The entire Coliseum was bathed in a brilliant mixture of
yellow, gold, and white. The crowd stayed transfixed.

Out of the corner of his eye, Darius saw someone else stand up and
walk toward him. He walked deliberately, but proud. A look of respect and awe
covered his face.

“My son is your king, so named by King Edward. His word is law,
and his law is just and righteous. I, Richard DarSan Williams, accept his
proposal of peace, bow to him, and pledge my sole support.” He smiled over at
Darius.

Cray walked forward, holding his fist in the air. “As the general
commander of his armies, I, Cray Dreydon, pledge the support of the entire army
of this great Realm in defense of Darius DarSan Williams and his laws of
peace.”

The other two Senior Councilors also joined Darius on the stand.

As if on cue, a single clap echoed through the crowd. Then
another. The applause continued until the entire coliseum rocked with support
and acceptance of their new king. The sound was deafening, but sweet to
Darius’s ears. He knew he had caused quite a spectacle, but that is what the
people needed. They needed to be shocked from their complacent ways and join
him in finding peace. In quick bursts he had thoughts about the last year of
his life. There were many paths filled with decisions. He was glad he had
chosen the way he did. He felt right about where he stood.

Darius lowered his sword, and the normal color returned. Mezar
turned his arms in a circle, and the golden light rapidly expanded with
swirling circles around the tops of the walls of the coliseum and then
extinguished with a loud thunder clap of color. The dome disappeared, but by
now the rain had stopped falling.

Richard turned to Darius and whispered, “It worked this time, but
don't think there won't be any more troubles.” He smiled.

“I will take it one day at a time. Today I have acceptance.”
Darius shrugged his shoulders.

Darius dismissed the crowd with a wave of his hand and declared
the next day a holiday full of festivities.

Christine clung to his arm and kissed his cheek. “I am so proud of
you, my future husband.”

Darius laughed and held her tightly. “You are worth more than the
kingdom to me, dear Christine,” he whispered into her ear. “I would defy them
all for you!”

Mezar walked up to him and pulled him aside. After making sure no
one else was around, he
clasped his arm in a handshake.
“Welcome to the ranks of wizards. It’s been a long time since we have seen one
declared openly in the leadership of the Realm.”

Darius laughed. “And to think I thought you were my prisoner. With
that show you just put on, Mezar, you could have destroyed me at any time,
right?”

Mezar’s smile was even bigger than Darius’s was. “Yes. Yes, I could
have.”

The two of them laughed while the rain came down once again. Kelln
motioned Darius over to the carriage.

“I have a lot of questions,” Darius said to Mezar as they walked
toward the carriage. “I hope you’re not leaving too soon.”

Mezar looked at Leandra, who just approached, and then back at
Darius. “Even if I do, I will not be gone for long.”

The rest of the day was filled with greetings and festivities. The
people seemed to enjoy a new spirit of cooperation and hatreds between groups
were starting to recede.

The next day Mezar stood with Darius outside of the castle doors.
Darius was readying an honor guard to accompany the man south to his homeland.

“Do you think I need protection on the way through your Realm?”
Mezar gave him a questioning look.

“No, my friend. I’ve only seen a small amount of what I am sure
you could do with your power. It is my way of showing you my thanks and
respect. I hope the Emperor will see the Realm as an ally and pull his troops
back.”

“You have my assurance there will be no attack. I am sure my
grandfather is only anxious to see me again.”

Darius looked down at the ground. “Mezar, what do I do about my
power? I’m not really sure what the people think about it. Rumors are flying.”

“Darius, you are a wizard. Never be ashamed of that fact. Even in
Gildan, where the power is more accepted, it is still a rare and precious
thing. The royal family seems to have more of its share of those who are strong
in this power, and it has helped us many times.”

“Maybe that is why I have it… as part of the royal family. Cray
told me yesterday that my grandfather, Alric, had it.”

Mezar lifted his eyebrows. “That is quite interesting. I wonder if
all of the ruling families have been blessed with this power. I will do some
research in the wizard’s library.”

“You have a wizard library?” Darius grew excited. “Did you have a
teacher? How did you learn about it?” 

“Yes, there is an academy where they teach about it. You should
come. It would do you well to learn from the masters.”

“Would they let me?”

“I’ll ask and let you know. “ Mezar looked behind him as he heard
a boy bring up his horse. The honor guard was ready.

“Is there anything you can tell me now that would help me to
understand my powers?” Darius asked.

Mezar looked thoughtful. “You have heard that there are different
types of wizards?”

“I have heard. But it is not talked about much. The teachers gloss
over it. All we mostly learn about is the wizard rebellion and how the powers
of a wizard are evil and lead to destruction.”

“Yes, that was unfortunate for us wizards,” Mezar nodded his head
in understanding. “Just like all men, there are good and bad ones, and those
who misuse power, whether a wizard or not.”

Darius agreed.

Mezar continued. “I think you are a wizard of the heart. One who
gets his power from his feelings. You have noticed increased power through
anger or love, I presume?”

 “Much stronger through love than anger.” Darius nodded. “A lesson
I had to learn.”

Mezar smiled. “The most powerful kind of wizard, but the most
volatile one also.”

“And what are you, Mezar?”

“I am a wizard of the mind. My power comes from what I learn and
from my mind. It is usually more focused than an earth wizard and not as
powerful as a wizard of the heart.”

“I obviously have much to learn.”

“You will do well.”

“Take care, Mezar.”

Mezar bowed low. “And you, my King.”

They shook hands. Mezar turned toward his horse when Leandra came
out from one of the structures of the castle compound. Darius watched them from
a distance. He smiled as Mezar held her hand for a moment and kissed her cheek.
Mezar proceeded to pull something out of his pocket and rubbed his hands over
it. A golden light engulfed the trinket and then died down, leaving only a soft
yellow gold. He slipped the gift over Leandra’s neck. Darius could see a slight
shade of blush on her face. She fingered the gift as Mezar mounted and rode off
with his honor guard.

Mezar gave one last wave to all those who were gathered. Darius
waved back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Later that morning, Darius attended the funeral of Kelln’s father.
Even though the man had defected the previous year to fight with the Preacher,
he had returned and saved Kelln’s life in the end. Darius felt that he should
show respect for that final act of bravery. He had brought an honor guard and
organized a burial of the state.

The two friends now stood alone outside of the city cemetery after
the funeral had ended. Pain filled in Kelln’s eyes as they walked away. 

“Is your family all right?” asked Darius.

“My mother is strong. She will be fine. But my sisters are having
a hard time. They, too, had been brought into the Preacher’s dream of
independence through fighting. Everything they have known for the last year has
collapsed.”

“A lot of people were hurt by the Preacher’s need for power,”
Darius said. “And I have to tell you something important about him, Kelln.”

Kelln looked confused.

He didn’t want to tell Kelln earlier and spoil the funeral, but
his friend deserved to know. “The Preacher and Sean escaped yesterday.”

“What? How?” Kelln threw his hands in the air. “Have you found him
yet?”

“No, we haven’t.” Darius paused. He hated to hurt his friend so
close after the funeral, but he had to tell Kelln everything. “Kel, the guards
say a young woman dressed in black tied them up and took their keys. She gave
the Preacher a map to help him escape.”

Kelln fell down onto a nearby bench. “Maybe it wasn’t her,” he
whispered.

“They reported that the Preacher called her Alessandra.”

“Why would she do this? Why?” Kelln put his face into his hands.
“Why does she hate me so much?”

“I’m doing all I can. Cray has sent his men to scour the city and
beyond. We are focusing our search on the roads leading to Mar. Stay here for a
while with your family until they are doing better. You will be more protected
here. There is no rush for you to leave Anikari immediately. And, if you need
any help, let me know. There is nothing I will deny you, Kelln.”

Darius sat down next to his friend and became more serious. “I
want you to know that I was unfair to you, and I can never repay that, but—”

“But nothing.” Kelln slapped his friend on the back, almost
knocking Darius over. Some nearby guards took a step forward. “Is it against
the rules to slap the King on the back?”

They both laughed in embarrassment, a welcome release to the day’s
events. Darius was amazed at how resilient his friend was. He knew he was
worried about the Preacher and his daughter.

“I will take a few days to get my family settled— I owe them that—
then I am going after them.” Kelln’s face grew stern. “I can’t let him run free
after all he has done. And I need to find Alessandra.”

“I won’t hold you back, if that is what you need to do. I gave you
the position of ambassador for a reason, Kel. The councilors here have ignored
what is going on around the Realm for too long. I will tour the land when I
can, but in the meantime you will be part of my eyes and ears. The Preacher has
caused enough trouble in Belor and for each of us personally. You will have
permission and funds to go anywhere you need to in helping me maintain the
peace of the Realm.”

Not one to stay down for long, Kelln stood up and smiled weakly.
“I can’t believe you are the King, Darius.”

“Our lives have sure changed haven’t they?” Darius stood up next
to his friend. “We still have a lot to do in catching the Preacher and
restoring order to our borders, but I know we can do it.”

“Personally, I think you will do a great job. I mean, it can’t be
any worse than what all those old cronies have done for years, right?”

“Kel! You can’t say that.” Darius looked around. “Someone might
hear you.”

“And do what? You
are
the King.”

Darius smiled at the joke. “It really is nice to have you around
again. I look forward to you being my ambassador. Maybe a councilor role later,
but for now I want you to have the ability to do things a councilor might not
be able to do.”

“Like sneaking around?”

“Yes, like sneaking around. You up for it?” Darius whispered.

Kelln smiled big. Then the smile faded and grew stern once again.
“That maniac still wants to kill me, I am sure. I will feel much better when he
is behind bars again or dead.” 

“So would I. As far as I can tell, he has not returned to Anikari
or Belor.”

“From Alessandra’s reactions, I will be traveling to Mar. That’s
where they will be.”

A few moments later Kelln left to go back to his family, and
Darius mounted his horse and joined his guard. He was needed back at the castle
again for another meeting. Everyone wanted to speak to the King, and since he
was new and young, they expected him to be everywhere. He hoped he would be
able to meet Christine later. He smiled inside at the surprise he had waiting
for her. It had taken a lot of late night planning.

As he walked through the courtyard on the way into the castle he
heard his named being called.

“Darius... I mean King Darius.”

Darius turned around. Coming from the direction of the stables,
Jain sat on a new horse that Darius had given him. His sister Emily sat behind
him. She waved shyly, and Darius waved and smiled back.