In Pursuit Of Wisdom (Book 1) (48 page)

When they weren’t checking with Jonathon on their place among petitioners in the common room, they spent a fair
amount of time looking at the elaborate tapestries throughout the castle.  It told the story of Rookwood, of the Kings and Warlords who ruled Elvidor.  In the library, Phillip pointed to a book written in the common tongue lying on a table that was titled
Elvidor, the Heart of Tenebrae:  A History
.   It was next to another book, much older, that was falling apart.  The title of that book was
Of Ancient Myths
.

There were wings for various Guilds to gather within the castle.  Rangers, Mages, Warriors, and even Thieves and Assassins were all employed by the Queen, apparently.  Kari looked and asked around to see if there was a Clerical Guild, but there was none.  One of the cooks that she met laughed lightly at her question.  “Cleric Guild?  Miss you should go see the nobles in Paragatha…they got Clerics a-plenty!”

“Paragatha?  There are Clerics there?”  Kari asked, somewhat excited.

“Oh yes.  They worship everything there.”  She cackled a bit and went back to the kitchen. 
Somehow, I don’t think that’s the type of cleric I’m looking for
, Kari thought
.

Though the food was fabulous and the castle beyond fascinating, by the fourth day Kari was restless to see the Queen, and she knew Rebecca was as well.  Only Phillip seemed content to wander the halls, eat, drink, and chat incessantly with the people inside Rookwood.

Finally, nearly a week after they had arrived, Jonathon summoned them to their meeting. After another brief wait—although long enough for Phillip to graze his way through the tray of food that had been brought to them—Jonathon returned. “The Queen will see you now in her audience room.”

This was the first Kari had seen of the Queen’s audience room, but it was the
smell
of the room that she noticed first. 
Roses, vanilla, and other spices. 
As someone who manipulated the senses herself, Kari knew immediately that there was illusion in the air. 
Nobody can create that strong of a smell merely by washing…I don’t care if you are rich enough to bathe in a tub of rose water.

The room itself was small, with a
fire pit near the center ablaze with a magical blue flame that Kari also recognized. 
Everflame. 
There were a half-dozen knights around the room, with two standing on either side of a couple of large, comfortable-looking chairs situated on a slightly raised platform.  One chair was empty, but standing in front of it was a True Mage.  She was a beautiful, exotic-looking woman with white eyes and olive-colored skin.  A bright red cowl, covered her head like a close-fitting cap, forming a triangular peak at her forehead.

Oddly, it was only then that Kari noticed the other woman seated in the second chair, presumably the Queen herself.  The afternoon was getting late
, but the Queen did not look tired.

“Welcome.  I understand you have travelled by sea all the way from the Three Fingers to visit us at Rookwood.  What is it that you seek?”  Queen Najalas said with a directness that caught them all a bit off guard.

Before Phillip could speak first, Rebecca was ready.  “My Queen, my name is Rebecca.  Some call me the Lady Ranger.  This is Phillip, our Elder from Brigg.  He was kind enough to help finance our journey here, and helped, er, protect us along the way.”  She nodded curtly at him, but kept talking before Phillip could open his mouth.  “And this is Kari Quinlan, a young illusionist in training.  She is the one who has sought you out, my Queen.”  Rebecca bowed low, not being the type nor possessing the wardrobe to curtsy.  She stepped aside and pushed Kari, a little roughly, to stand between her and Phillip.

“Welcome to you all.  Kari, what can I help you with?” 
Again, dispensing with the pleasantries.

Kari stared at the Queen.  She looked so regal, so commanding.  Not beautiful, but
in control.
  Not even Phillip moved to chime in when the Queen asked Kari a direct question.  “My Queen, I have received council recently to seek you out.”  She paused, but the Queen did not interrupt.  “My prophecy gave me some insights on many, many things—most of which I cannot speak out loud about.  Begging your pardon, but are you familiar with a Mage’s Prophecy?” she asked.

“Yes.  I would consider Pilanthas
—one of the highest in his order of prophetic mages—a personal councilor of mine.  I know your traditions.”  The Queen stared patiently at the young woman.

Kari continued.  “Then you know that I cannot share everything that I
have seen, some of which will undoubtedly come to pass.  But one thing I
can
share with you, because I may need help.  I am considering that my destiny may not best be realized through magic.  Instead of pursuing the ritual climb on our Staircase, I seek to learn more about an ancient God—some say she is the One True God.  Perhaps you have heard of her as a child in stories…her name is Dymetra.”

The Queen blinked, leaned forward in her chair, putting her hand over her mouth, but said nothing.

Kari continued.  “I am considering a life of Faith as a True Cleric, but I don’t know how, and have no one to teach me.  I was told that you may be able to provide guidance.”

Phillip turned to Kari
, trying to look noble or proud.  Like most of his expressions, however, he simply looked pompous. Rebecca put her arm around her in a big-sister type of way.

Curiously, the eyebrows on the True Mage standing next to the Queen rose slightly after Kari spoke, but she said nothing.

The Queen slowly turned her head to stare at Jonathon.  “So, she’s the One.”

Kari kept her bright green eyes fixated on the Queen.  “Your Majesty?”

Queen Najalas stood up and slowly walked toward Kari, stepping down from her dais, waving the knights off as they moved to position themselves between the Queen and the petitioners.  “I was told, by Pilanthas in fact, that it would be fruitless to try and find a True Cleric, but that one would find me.  I can only assume that you are the one he foretold.”  She sighed.  “Young lady, I do not know how much help I can provide—I am searching for the same thing you are.  But I do have resources.  In two weeks, no more than three, my Head of Magic, Niku, will be travelling to Urthrax to find the same answers that you are seeking—how do we recover the ancient Clerical Arts, for I know that we will need them.”  She recalled the image of Malenec wordlessly teleporting away on the strength of his faith across the sea to rejoin the thousands of undead zombies he had animated from the port city of Ilbindale.  The thought chilled her.

The Queen continued.  “Since you have volunteered, I would have you join Niku and his men.  I have no idea what they will find, but be forewarned
—Urthrax is a dangerous place, and it is already inhabited by a Dark Cleric who has clearly mastered communication with an ancient evil, Kuth-Cergor.  I fear that by the time Dymetra honors your prayers, our situation will be dire indeed.”

Am I ready?  Who will keep me safe? 
“My Queen—if I may?  Would it be possible for Rebecca to accompany me?  I would feel more comfortable having a friend, especially a Ranger, close by as I undertake this challenge.”  She turned to the Lady Ranger and whispered, “You’ll come, won’t you?”

The Queen smiled, but only in brief.  “Yes, take both your companions.  But I would say that for a lady seeking to put her faith in a long-quiet God, it would seem an odd way to start your journey by putting more stock in your friend’s bow.”

Kari hadn’t even considered that.  “You’re right, my Queen.  My faith will need much room to grow on this journey.”

Finally, Phillip spoke up.  “My Queen,” he started.  “Perhaps I could offer an alternative suggestion?”  He smiled his greasiest smile and tried to look casual as he walked nearer to the Queen.  He saw one of the knights stir
again and stopped, clearing his throat.  “Yes.  Well.  So—about this trip.  I completely agree that it makes sense for Rebecca to accompany our dear, sweet Kari into that mysterious land across the sea.  But my talents are, shall we say, a little more
strategic. 
Would it not make more sense for you and I to work together on planning how to more tightly unite East and West on Elvidor?  With the advent of this Dark Cleric you spoke of, you say your need will soon be dire.  Would not a more closely allied Elvidor be of help to you, whatever the future may bring?  But in addition to that, there is something else you should know.  One of the greatest mages to come along in generations has taken a fancy to Kari, as they both grew up in our village.  Perhaps you have heard of him?  His name is Magi Blacksmooth.  If you would extend your resources toward finding him, I believe we would be able to repel any attack, survive any famine, or deal with most any other common challenge thrown our way.  Of course, he trusts me like a Father, but if he were to marry Kari by Royal decree….you can imagine the loyalty that would instill toward our cause.  Just imagine—the greatest mage, the rebirth of the True Clerics, the union of West with East—why, we could expand your rule beyond just Elvidor.  We would be unbeatable!”  His rising voice echoed slightly in the Queen’s audience chamber.

After the reverb died down, he added, “You
need
me here, working with you.  Near your side,” he hinted.

The Queen considered Phillip’s words for no more than two seconds.  “No, I will not be issuing any Royal marriage decrees, for Kari or anyone else.  I have, however, heard of this gifted mage of whom you speak.  But we will not be waiting around to see if he stops by any
time soon, looking for love.  And while I agree that we need more coordination between Rookwood and our Western border, I will work with ports and village Elders—including you—as necessary, should our defenses need to be strengthened or swords raised.”  The Queen allowed herself a sly little smile.  “No, Phillip—I do believe that your highest value to your Queen and the realm is to serve Niku and our brave acolyte here on their quest to find God.  Surely there is no work more important than that?”

She
turned to Kari and Rebecca.  “Unless, of course, you would prefer him not join you?  I would find that tantamount to an accusation of ineptitude at best, and cowardice at worst. However, if that be the case, I’m sure Simon, my Captain of the Guard, will be able to bring out the most exceptional qualities in our dear Elder from Brigg.”

At that point, snow would have been two shades darker than Phillip’s face as he blanched at the idea.  Lower lip trembling slightly, he turned to the two ladies, eyes begging for a kind word.

Rebecca smiled and nodded to The Queen.  “I am sure your Captain can get along without Phillip.  He may accompany us—I’m sure your Chief Mage Niku will find use for his
strategic
council on our quest.”

Incredulous, Kari looked at Rebecca and whispered under her breath, “Why?”

“Because now
he
owes
us
.  Leverage, my dear,” Rebecca whispered back.  “You may place your faith in this long-forgotten God.  I’ll put mine in leverage, thank you very much.”

~Magi~

A cold wind sliced through the hovel that
was Tomas’s home near the outskirts of the city.  Most nights he slept in the alley behind
The Royal Steed.
  Neither place was warm, but every so often he made his way back toward his makeshift home, near the woods.  It wasn’t much, and the walk was tedious without his eyes, but he had done it so many times that he knew the way.  A stream nearby was suitable for the occasional bath, though he looked as if he never used it.  Certainly not in winter.

Magi said a word and felt the familiar tingle as he called forth his beautiful magic.  The smell of his father was unsettling, and
far away, he heard scavenger birds feasting on a kill near the sea.  Though the snow had begun to subside, he sensed another storm brewing in the west, from the mountains, heading toward Paragatha.  Soon the sensation passed—an instant later, as the outside world measures time—and his spell was cast.  Warm fire lit a small hearth that hadn’t seen a flame in quite some time.

Tomas had insisted that they come back to his home
, such as it was.  Magi offered to buy him a room for a night while they discussed things, but Tomas would not hear of it.  “How can you afford a room if you feel the need to steal from the likes of me?  No, no—I’m not looking for an argument,” he said, waving his hands.  “But come to my home, such as it is.”

“Very well, old man
,” Magi had finally said, and followed his father to his hovel.

“So, you are also a Mage?”  Tomas sat down
and drank some murky wine that Magi refused when offered.

“I am.  You were one at one time as well?”  Magi
wrapped his cloak more tightly around himself as the night air howled through flaps that served as a poor excuse for walls.

“At one point, I was indeed.  A fair one, I might add.  Before my prophe
cy.”  He was sitting so close to the flames that it looked as if his rags might catch fire if he shifted his weight.  “Then everything changed for me.”

Magi leaned forward.  “Can you tell me what happened?  I’d like to know your story, to compare with the tale I’ve been told my whole life.”