The Exodus Sagas: Book II - Of Dragons And Crowns (12 page)

“You sir, you pray in silence to God at great length. May I ask why?” Lord Bradswellen
felt this man at peace, and that his
piety was in line with his own and also that he was hiding something.

“I merely wait for you to finish my Lord. I have to speak with you on a matter, yet to interrupt you would be an insult to both you and Alden.” James raised his head and looked to the man he was told would be here in prayer this afternoon.
Sir Andellis looked to the cousin of Lord Savanno and smiled.

Cristoff stood and faced the foreign man, not sure whether he was mocking him or serious. “And what matter would you need to speak with me about inside the church?
Tell me your name foreigner.” h
e was
c
urious, on guard, and demanding,
havin
g had his fill of problems this day
.

James stood and bowed to Cristoff. “I am Sir James Andellis, Knight of Chazzrynn. I come to you here for it is safe and sacred ground. I was sent by Lord Knight Errant Savanno Lisario and Kalzarius to beg your assistance.”

“My assistance? What could they possibly need me for?” Lord Bradswellen was turning his head, noting that this man was serious, and wat
ched for anyone listening in. T
here was no one, so he continued. “
This had better be on the level, Sir James, for I am not in the mood for games today, even from my cousin at court. Speak.”

“There is much to say, perhaps as we prepare your men and supplies to head south to meet him?” James realized the time, and that if they did not leave soon the ride would take them long into the night.

“South to where? My men and supplies? What is this you speak of?” Cristoff was as curious and wanting to hear it all as he was disbelieving in any true validity of the man before him.

James reached in his beltpouch and produced the solid gold feathered cross and chain he had been given, handing it to Cristoff. “Lord Savanno told me to tell you that it was of the utmost importance, and not to leave here without you my lord. My friends and I carry a holy relic that we have been hunted for, and Savanno is certain that the church-“

Cristoff began walking, knowing that this cross meant something more serious and dangerous than any messenger could explain. He thought back to when he had given this to Rosana, the young Caberran princess he had been fond of many years ago. His mind raced to a time when the wars were raging and Rosana had eyes only for Savanno and she had given him the cross of his to wear after their secret wedding.
It was a secret that despite her arranged marriage to the young King of Harlaheim, the three of them had kept quiet for nearly two decades. Both men had loved the young woman, but she only had heart for his cousin. It was long ago, yet Cristoff knew that this cross was a symbol of the secrecy beyond any kingdom or duty, and one that he had to answer
,
for his cousin and friend who had married the woman he also loved all those years ago.
As his heart yearned for years before he had met his wife Isabella, Cristoff knew that the arranged marriage of Rosana to Richmond the Second had deeply
hurt his cousin. For Savanno
to call on Cristoff in such fashion and bring to bear their old feud must mean dire circumstances indeed.

“Come with me James Andellis, to Bradswellen
Keep, and tell me everything.” h
e tucked the feathered cross in his beltpurse, and marched out of L’Avia Sangrit Cathedral.

James kept in step to the lord’s side, knowing that whatever the token from Savanno meant, it had worked. The Knight of Chazzrynn told Cristoff everything he knew, trusting the fellow man of God.

Exodus II:III

Tower of Kalzarius, Harlaheim

“Mysterious says the man with knowledge, strange says the nonbeliev
er, heresy speaketh the old, yet
truth be told from
the lips of
those who have seen the light of God.”
–Tarumin, Saint of Aroul
and, spoken to the standing armies
as the great flood
western
waters rose to drown the inquisition legions of Altestan
that had surrounded him at the hour of his ascension
. Circa 64 B.C.

Cilano led the troupe far below the ground floor of the tower, opening secret passages with arcane words and verse. Hidden stairwells, illusory walls, and doors in the solid stone opened at his whim as he was well trained in the mysterious machinations of his home. The tall blonde wizard of many years
waited for the others, hoping Kalzarius would be here soon. Many protective spells and magicks had to be in place inside and outside the tower grounds to ward against the siege; the siege that would inevitably come as the old master had sent the silent alarms throughout the entire structure. Pulsing orange light flickered from every torch sconce, every candle, and a faint hum could be felt to anyone inside.
The tower of Kalzarius was preparing.

“How much farther wizard?” Saberrak the gray huffed, having trouble fitting in some of the smaller passages and stairwells. He rationed that they were not thinking of escaping minotaurs when this route was built.

“Fear not, Saberrak, we are almost there
. Soon, you will be on the outside once more.” Cilano waited for the massive horned warrior to pass him into the long forgotten tomb of Harlaheim.

The open chambers were grand and full of statues and crypts to the nobility of a past millennia. Since the
Ante Delunum
, when the flood receded and the Agarian calendar was changed and Tarumin was canonized a saint; this ancient mausoleum had been all but lost and abandoned. There were few in the new age that held on to the teachings and histories of kings from
Batras Catasylum;
the age before the great deluge that altered the known world and set Altestan and Agara even further apart. Cilano and Kalzarius had spent many an hour down here
in
study and memory of the p
ast with but the ancient
dead in their tombs to keep them
company.

Shinayne kept to the shadows on the right of the chamber, admiring the gli
stening stones and gold inlays in
the burial homes of ancient nobility. Azenairk followed her, softly whispering prayers to Vundren for safe passage through a realm of the dead underground. Saberrak and Savanno walked up the middle of the chamber, slowing their pace in hopes that Kalzarius would catch up quickly from his preparations for the siege.
Gwenneth held her dark oak staff high, concentrating for the blink of an eye as soft yellow light poured from the wooden focus in her hand and illuminated th
e dark caverns under the city for all to see.

“Wait there, wait there.” Kalzarius whispered loudly as he floated down the curving stairs into the ages old tomb. “Gwenneth Lazlett
e
, dim your light some my child.”

Gwenne did as she was asked, still quiet and angry on the inside for not being able to stay longer with her old master. The others gathered clos
e to the white robed wizard,
black arcane designs
of his robes
shimmering in the low light of the underground cemetery. “Why must we leave now if your tower is so well guarded
, Kalzarius?”

“It is Gwenne
, it is
, but this time, these years, things are different. The king has darker allies than his forefathers, the Cardinal is away leaving the Bishop to his dealings which you have seen are not in our favor. I fear this siege, should it occur, will be beyond what I have ever seen. I do not wish taking the chance of losing the scroll or any of you to petty politics of an unpopular king seeking to glorify his name
by killing myself or Savanno.” h
e knew they could not understand, would not, but he had not the time to explain.

“Savanno? What does this have to do with him?” Lady T’Sarrin spoke up, not sure what, if any, tie there was to one that led the knights of the kingdom for the king.
“Should the king not have your ear, my lord?”

“Not now
, my lady, it is complicated.” t
he Lord Knight Errant bowed to the elf.

“Savanno, you will take them to the road, through the foothills of the Zuran Mountains. Follow it north, but before reaching Saint Tarumin, turn east toward Soujan Mountain. You know which peak I speak of, and there is no road to take you there.
Send Cristoff to see me after you are safe, I will need his assistance and eyes at the king’s court if they indeed do lay siege to the tower.” Kalzarius handed Gwenneth a platinum ring with several inscriptions and small garnets upon it.

“What is this?” she held it to the light, feeling its
arcane
power and perfection.

“Something I crafted long ago, a ring that can absorb dark energies and transmit them into harmless arcane if held up and the proper words are spoken.”

“And the words are those written on the band?” Gwenneth put it on, its shape slimming to her finger with a red glow and resting
to a
perfect
fit
.

“Of course Gwenne, now
take care. Remember, do not let anything happen to that scroll, any of you. I leave you in the safe keeping of the Lord Knight Errant.
Seek Ansharr on the ancient peak as I have instructed. Tell her everything, she will understand.
Farewell.” t
he old wizard handed Savanno an old steel key and bowed. He walked back through the undercity with Cilano, fearing what onslaught may already be occurring above ground.

“What is the key for, Lord Savanno?” Zen asked, interested in keys for some time now.

“The entrance to the tomb we are in, good priest. Once we are out of here, we head to the foothills and follow the-“
h
e noticed the minotaur, the dwarf, the elf, and e
ven Gwenne had slowly surrounding
him. Not threateningly, but as if they intended to get answers out of him.
They had waited till Kalzarius and Cilano had gone.

“I apologize for any disrespect to your title, my lord. However, you sent our friend James to fetch
your cousin in Saint Erinsburg
and now you are leading us somewhere without Kalzarius or his men. You can see, perhaps, our suspicion. Whatever secrecy you are withholding from us has run its course, so out with it.” Lady T’Sarrin made no apologies beyond that, and motioned for Saberrak, Zen, and Gwenne to be ready. Her hands on her blade hilts, her aquamarine eyes stared into the deep brown eyes of the
Lord Knight Errant of Harlaheim, a serious stare that would demand answers.

Savanno wanted to lie, felt it for the first time since his youth. He could talk his way out or lean on h
is title, yet he stopped himself,
feeling his conscience at odds with all that was going on. “There is no time Shinayne, we can talk later about such-“

Her blades out in a flash, the curved elven shortblade at his throat as his hand went for his rapier. Her longblade was on his wrist, and should he move for his weapon, the elven swordswoman had no remorse in cutting him. “I do not want to hurt you, just see that my friends and I are safe
. I need, we need to trust you. So again, Lord Savanno, out with it.”

“Very well.” he lowered his arm
and backed up a step from the elf’s weapons, backing into the chest of the gray gladiator. “King Richmond not only wants your scroll, he desires power over myself and Kalzarius. His rule is weak, and he seeks to discredit or be rid of us one way or another. He knows the old wizard and I are friends and are against the bishop. He sided with the church for political reasons that, unfortunately, you are now caught in. And he is suspicious of the queen and I. He will stop at nothing now, and I feel we need-“

“Wait just wait. W
ait a moment my lord. Does he have reason to be suspicious?” Shinayne stared at him, to test the man’s honesty.

Savanno stared back at her. “Yes. And now he thinks he has proof. I am sorry you are all in this, but now, we have no choice but to leave and let the dust settle a bit.”

“So you are sleeping with the queen? Wonderful! I have to leave the tower because our ally in this is committing-“ Gwenne was interrupted with a raised voice.

“I am not committing adultery! Rosana is my wife from long before she came to this kingdom. Her father, the King of Caberra, would not ever let her marry anyone less than a one-day king, so we married in secret.”
Savanno’s face was red, staring at Gwenneth, then the others. “If I could get her out of Castle L’Herrim, I would. If they see me, I am a dead man. By the time I reach Saint Erinsburg, someone else will have my title, my keep, my men, and all I hope is that Kalzarius can get her out safely and meet me. So I go with you because I swore to, for I believe in you and I know what I saw and felt
in that tower with the scroll of Annar
. For right now, I would much rather rescue my wife from that bastard child on the throne.”

Silence in the gloom of the ancient mausoleum of royalty far un
derground, there was not a sound
. Each of them looked to one another, and at the lord in front of them. They rested their arms from their weapons, and let him walk toward the entrance to the outside.