Rise and Fall (38 page)

Kaz nodded.

“Good. Let’s head to the docks and see if we can find the rest of the crew. They should be back by now and I’m curious to see how they fared.”

* * *

“Man, you guys look rough,” said Jonrell, walking up to Kroke. Their group had made it in from the north side of the island some time ago.

“Yeah Boss, it was an interesting trip,” said Kroke, unloading his horse.

“Trouble?”

Kroke nodded. “Just about every day we got in some sort of fight. You’d think with thirty-five soldiers in our group, we would’ve been left alone. Most weren’t much to worry about, but it got old fast.”

“Did we lose anyone?”

“Nah, nothing that bad. Besides, we found ourselves a guy early on who knew some basic healing spells. He fixed the worst of us up when we needed it. We’re mostly just dead on our feet. I’ve been pushing them hard the past two days to make it here in time.”

“After the ship is loaded up, I want your crew to take tomorrow morning off.”

“No arguments from me there. I’ll grab any rest I can. This trip ain’t going to be pretty.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“You know the seas are always rough here during this time of year. Most people are smart enough to wait.”

Jonrell nodded. “Aye, but I don’t have time to be smart.” He inclined his head to Sylik who barked orders to those coming on ship. “Besides, after the mess he got us through on our way here, I’m really not that worried.”

“Yeah, I believe he’s too stubborn to die at sea,” said Kroke, flipping out a knife.

Jonrell chuckled. “And that’s exactly the kind of captain I want.” He paused and changed subjects. “So, how many recruits?”

“Considering the trouble we had, we still managed to bring in fourteen men.” Kroke sighed. “I was hoping for more but at least they’ve all seen a battle or two.”

Jonrell grunted. “Not much different than us. But, the ones we picked up are mostly green and will need a lot of work in the coming weeks. I’ll probably put you in charge of that.”

Kroke nodded then gave Jonrell a suspicious look. “I hear there’s one who doesn’t really need any work?”

Jonrell noticed the mercenary’s eyes looking off to the left. Turning he saw Kaz being tended to by Wiqua. The old man wrapped Kaz’s hand in bandages, packing some sort of herbs between the layers. “Yeah, not everyone is as raw as the recruits we picked up at the Hideaway.”

“I hear he knocked out a Ghal.” said Kroke. “That sounds like anything but raw.”

“One Above, news travels fast. But yeah, we left Krytien back at the Orchid with the Ghal and his crew to get them ready to travel. They’ll be a huge help, definitely the kind of men we need more of. I hear Raker lucked out and convinced a couple of masons to join up too.”

Kroke ignored the last part, his eyes still hadn’t left Kaz as he picked at his finger nails with a blade. “I don’t like him.”

“Not you, too. Look, I don’t care what color his skin is…”

“It ain’t that, Boss. It wouldn’t bother me if he was blue, I still don’t like him.”

Jonrell was puzzled. “Why is that?”

“Just watch the way he moves.” He paused. “That’s the way a killer moves. He’s a dangerous man.”

The commander laughed. “Look who’s talking.”

Kroke cocked his head at Jonrell and smiled. “Thank you.” His grin faded though as he turned his eyes back in Kaz’s direction. “But it’s different than that. I may be a killer but I’m predictably dangerous. I don’t try to be anything that I’m not.”

“And you’re saying that he is?”

“Raker filled me in on how you found him. He seems to think that he’s only pretending he don’t remember who he is so he can do us in later when he’s grown bored.”

“And you actually believe Raker? That’s a first.”

“Not entirely. I bet there’s more to it than that. Maybe subconsciously he does remember what he was and doesn’t like it. Maybe one part of his brain is telling the other part to forget that old life and start off with something different. If that’s true, then both of those voices are going to be battling it out.”

“And?”

“And the killer will always win out. It’s just the way things are,” said Kroke sheathing the dagger.

“You haven’t even met the guy.”

Kroke shrugged.

“Unbelievable. Well, he’s staying so get over it.”

“You’re the boss.”

Jonrell left the mercenary without adding anything else to the conversation. He was too frustrated by everyone’s treatment of Kaz and he knew he’d say something he would regret.
What is everyone seeing that I’m missing?
He shook his head to clear his thoughts and made his way up the end of the dock. Looking out across the muddy waters of the bay and into the starry night, he tried to relax and enjoy the breeze, but it was no use. The sound of activity behind him still echoed in his ears as preparations continued. They would set sail with the rising sun.

Plenty of time to rest once we’re out to sea, though I doubt I’ll be able to relax any.

Chapter 16

“When will you be back?” asked Elyse, tears streaming down her face.

“When Father isn’t around anymore,” said Jonrell in a voice cold and hard.

“You mean when he’s dead?”

“Yes.”

“How can you say that? How can you be so cruel?”

Her brother threw up his hands. “Cruel? It’s the truth. I’ve been away studying with Amcaro for over a month and what does Father do when I return? Does he welcome me with open arms? Does he ask what I’ve learned? Does he tell me that he misses me? No, of course not,” said Jonrell his arms shaking. “He takes the first opportunity he can to belittle me, to embarrass me…”

“Maybe he was having a bad day,” said Elyse, trying to find some excuse for the king’s behavior.

“Having a bad day? He struck me! For nothing!” He threw up his hands. “Every day has been a bad day for him since Aurnon died. It eats him up inside knowing that I’m in line to take the throne and not his first born. I know he blames me for Aurnon’s death.” Jonrell’s voice trailed off. “And maybe he’s right.”

“Don’t say that. You were only five.”

Jonrell shook his head. “Don’t try. You weren’t even born yet. And you’re only nine now.”

“So. I know the story just the same.”

“Then why are you defending Father?”

“I’m not. I promise I’m not,” sobbed Elyse. “I just don’t want you to leave me.”

Her brother went down to one knee and hugged Elyse. “I don’t want to leave either, but it’s for the best. I know you don’t understand now but one day you will.”

“But what happens if Father gets mad at me too?” asked Elyse, pulling away to look Jonrell in the face.

Her brother smiled. “He won’t.”

Elyse hung her head and sniffled. She felt a hand under her chin pushing her head up. Jonrell reached back and pulled a necklace from his neck and put it around hers. She looked down and admired the jewel. “You’re giving this to me? But you love this necklace.”

Jonrell smiled again and Elyse saw a tear fall from his eye. “It does mean a lot to me, but not as much as you do, little sister. I want you to promise me you’ll never take this off.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. As long as you have this on, you’ll always know that no matter where I am, I’ll be with you and I’ll come back home.” Jonrell turned his head to the side, wiping his cheek.

Elyse reached up and wrapped her arms around Jonrell’s neck and squeezed as tight as she could, hoping that if she squeezed hard enough he wouldn’t leave. “Please,” she whispered.

Jonrell slowly undid her arms and pulled away. “This is something I have to do.” He kissed her on the forehead and turned away. He left her room without sparing a glance back.

The little girl stood there alone, grasping the necklace around her neck, trembling in sorrow.

* * *

Elyse was on her knees, sobbing just as she did as a girl of nine. As the years rolled by, she hadn’t realized how hard she had worked to put the pain and hurt of those memories away. But with the reports that came in this morning, all those feelings of abandonment flooded back from the far reaches of her mind.

It took everything she had to keep her emotions under control during the council after hearing the news. Within moments of the meeting coming to a close, Willum and Hadan whisked her away, where she retreated to the only place she felt true solace could be achieved. Yet, even in the great cathedral, in the presence of the One Above, she felt little relief.

I’ve been away too long. Since becoming queen, I’ve spent my time in meetings or in books. I’ve rarely prayed with the fervor I once did. Is it any wonder that being here fails to bring me the peace I desire? He has forgotten me just as I have forgotten him.
She put her hands over her face as her tears came on again.
Maybe if I pray hard enough, he’ll forgive me.

A slight touch on Elyse’s shoulder and a soft voice made her jump. “Child, what troubles you?”

She looked up and saw High Priest Burgeone looking down at her. His face was full of concern and Elyse wiped away the tears, sniffing as she composed herself. “I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I had thought I was alone.”

The High Priest smiled and inclined his head to the statue above the altar. The One Above was depicted there, embracing children who swarmed in from all sides, each vying for his attention. A smile was carved into his face and warmth resonated from his marble eyes as he looked upon the boys and girls. That image had always given Elyse comfort when she was a child, though now the effect was lost.

“You can never be alone here, child. Not so long as our creator is watching over us.”

Elyse smiled back but otherwise stayed quiet. She was unsure what to say with her faith so shaken.

The High Priest gestured toward the pew and Elyse made room for him to join her on the kneeler, honored by the gesture. His bones creaked as he took up position next to her. He let out a small sigh once settled. “Each day, it gets harder to do that,” he said with a grin to cover his grimace.

“If it’s more comfortable for you, we can sit.” said Elyse, making a move to do so.

Burgeone touched her arm. “No child, this is fine. Suffering for a few minutes each day is nothing when one thinks of all the One Above has done for us.”

Elyse nodded.

After a moment the High Priest cleared his throat. “I haven’t seen you here since your father’s funeral.”

The queen bowed her head in guilt. “I had just reached the same realization, Your Grace.”

“And is that why you were crying?”

“Yes. Well, no. I mean, not exactly. Other circumstances brought me here, I’m ashamed to say.”

“The burden of ruling a kingdom.”

“Is it that obvious?” asked Elyse in a tired voice.

“If you know what to look for, it is. I’ve felt the pressure that comes with a position of power. Having so many rely on your decisions can seem quite daunting at times.”

Elyse bowed her head again. “I was so caught up in my own worries that I didn’t notice my own lapse in faith.”

“I see.”

“You must be disappointed in me.” She let out a slow breath. “I know the One Above is.”

The High Priest looked startled. “What would make you say such a thing?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t feel as close to him as I once did.”

“Then you must mend your relationship with him.” The High Priest gestured to the statue again. “He embraces anyone who does his will just as he embraces those children. But we must choose for ourselves to allow him to love us.” He paused and his voice softened. “Child, I have been in your situation before.”

Elyse looked up, surprised. “You have?”

“I am human, after all,” Burgeone said with a small chuckle. “The weight of my office can grow heavy. Overseeing all the churches in Cadonia is not an easy task and sometimes the administrative duties have a tendency to get in the way of spreading the truth, even if they are a necessary part of the job.”

The queen had never thought someone as pious as the High Priest could struggle through the same problems as her. “How do you set yourself back on the right track then?”

“It’s amazing,” he said, a sense of wonder in his voice, “but oftentimes I think that the One Above does it for me,” added the High Priest, a far off look in his eyes as if in deep thought.

“What do you mean? You just said that we must choose to follow him ourselves.”

Burgeone blinked. “Yes, we do. However, he is the one who provides us with the opportunities to make those decisions. A sunny day, a hearty meal, why even a chance meeting with an old friend can all be a reminder to us on what is important in our lives. For the One Above provides all.” He smiled, tapping her hand.

Elyse looked down at his hand, confused.
A chance meeting?
“Are you talking about now?”

Burgeone smiled again, his nose crinkling in turn. “Yes. I hadn’t even realized it until just now when I thought about my own relationship with our creator and how I too have slipped in my faith. Though to be honest, it isn’t the first time that you’ve inspired me.”

Elyse couldn’t believe her ears.
How could I inspire anyone when it seems all I do is cause trouble?
“Really?”

“I seem to remember a time some years ago when I found a little girl crying behind the altar, hiding from the rest of the world and feeling abandoned after an older brother had run away. I never told anyone this but I considered leaving the faith altogether that day.”

I was just thinking of that same day.
Elyse looked up to the statue of the One Above. “I remember that day, too. You spent hours talking to me about the One Above and his fight against the One Below. That was the moment I dedicated myself to the faith.” She paused, realizing the implication to Burgeone’s words, she added. “Were you lying to me that day?”

“Not lying. You see, as I spoke the same speech I had told hundreds of times, something happened. The look in your eyes renewed my own passion and I realized that you were sent to me not only so I could help you, but so you could in turn help me. Again, the One Above provides us with the opportunities, but it is our job to take notice.”