Aegis of The Gods: Book 00 - The Shadowbearer (9 page)

“He said that is but one path. He believes he can prevent whatever is coming. At that point, I knew he had to be stopped. Which brings me to the second part of what you can do.” Galiana strode over to the table with the wrapped bundle.

Frowning, Stefan watched as she picked up the cloth and gingerly unwrapped it. When the material fell away, it revealed a plain leather scabbard and a simple hilt. Stefan’s brows drew together tighter.
A sword?

“This,” Galiana said, reverently, “is the key, not only for your children but the Setian as a people.”

Eyes full of hope she unsheathed a sword, its metal carrying the high silver shine of imbuement. A
divya
. But the way she held it out like some offering before the altar of a god spoke of something special.

C
HAPTER 9

U
nimpressed, Stefan shrugged. “It’s a
divya
. The King’s armies carry thousands of them much like the one on my hip.” He indicated his sword. “What’s so different about this one?”

“According to the Chronicles this is an Access Key to another, greater
divya,
” Galiana said. “One able to unleash a power to rival the gods themselves. The tomes also state this is the way to ensure a remnant of the Setian will survive the coming times.”

“Can it be used to defeat Nerian?”

Galiana shrugged. “No one knows how powerful he is, not even me, and I trained against him on several occasions. I lost every session.”

Stefan shook his head in resignation. “If a High Shin like yourself cannot defeat him, how do you expect me, a simple Dagodin, to succeed? The
divya
is useless to me. Nerian would kill me the moment he senses I’m a threat.”

Galiana snorted. “I never understood why you Dagodin underestimate yourselves. You can do what we Ashishin or any other Forger cannot, yet, you complain.”

“I think you overestimate us. Honestly, do you think wielding some weapon imbued with Mater is better than being able to Forge?”

“Pwah.” Galiana’s eyes glittered angrily. “Has a Dagodin gone mad or died from the influence of the essences? For too long now you have allowed your fear of being a Matii and of Matii in general cloud your judgment. On some days, Stefan, we would trade our places with yours for some semblance of a normal life. The knowledge that our deaths will inevitably come because of our gift is a thing we struggle with every day. Imagine doing so while living to my age.”

“Sometimes I wish I could live to your age,” Stefan retorted. “Many would give themselves for such a chance.”

“Honey.” Thania’s supple fingers touched his shoulder. “She’s right. I dread the day when I won’t recognize any of the people I love. One moment I’ll be well … the next … I’ll be gone.”

His wife’s pain resonated in her eyes. Truth be told, he wouldn’t trade his ability or his shorter life span for the longevity of any Shin. He couldn’t imagine not recognizing Thania’s beautiful face or her sweet voice. He was almost overwhelmed as he studied his children and thought of losing what he’d gained. “So how does the sword work?”

“I’m not certain. The Chronicles were not specific about its use. There was a picture of a Dagodin wielding the weapon and the three elements of Mater flying off into a spire. I …” Galiana shook her head, “I think he was using the sword to Forge.”

“Impossible,” Stefan whispered. The possibility of a Dagodin using a
divya
to Forge Mater in this fashion would change the scope of every war.

“Normally, I would agree,” Galiana said with a slight nod, “but I’m inclined to believe the Chronicles.” She held out the sword to him.

Gingerly, he took the weapon, turning the scabbard in his hands. The leather was of simple yet intricate craftsmanship. Nothing stood out at first, but upon closer inspection, he could not discern where one part of the material joined with the other. The pieces appeared seamless. He unsheathed the sword. Lamplight glittered off the blade’s edge. He was willing to bet the sword would cut metal if he tried. Runes and glyphs ran up and down the flat of the blade. A tingling sensation crept up his arm and through the rest of his body. He held the weapon out before him and frowned. The sword felt as if he’d wielded the thing for years, one with his arm, like an old lover’s tender caress.

“One other thing about this,” Galiana said.

“Hmm?”

“It is said to be able to warn you if a shadeling is close.”

Mouth dropping open, Stefan was at a loss for words.
A weapon able to identify shadelings?
A hand stroking his chin, he shook his head as he considered the sword. No wonder the Tribunal had kept such a thing hidden deep within the Iluminus.
How many of these did they possess?

“I can see your mind work, Stefan,” Galiana said. “I checked myself. The Tribunal’s Imbuers attempted to duplicate this for nearly two hundred years. Every one of them failed. This is the only
divya
of its kind.”

“Makes sense then. They would have conquered the rest of the world long ago if they had more.” He sheathed the sword, unclipped his own weapon from his sword belt, and attached the new one. The scabbard felt as if it belonged. “How did you manage to escape with this anyway?”

Galiana smiled mischievously. “I Forged a construct that was an exact duplicate. By the time they realized, I was long gone.”

A sudden thought struck Stefan. “Why do you think this was meant for me?”

“Part of the passage concerning the weapon … it said:

‘When the Setian once again become an empire,

A King shall be blinded by memory lost and desire

To wield the power the gods wrought

He shall sow chaos as his lot

Under the influence and with armies of shade,

Man and child sacrificed for the way laid

Mater feeds life, Darkness descends,

Ever encroaching until the light transcends,

Wielded by a warrior from the line of thorns

The first part of the Aegis will see their ancient line reborn.’

One eyebrow arched, Stefan asked, “That refers to me how?”

“One from the line of thorns,” Galiana explained. “In ancient Seti, your name Dorn means thorn. Your lineage is what the passage speaks of. This sword belongs to the Dorns. Supposedly, only one of you can harness the power residing within it. Coupled with your triumph over the Astocans when the King officially declared Seti to now be an empire, and considering his plans, the conclusion seemed obvious.”

“But you also suggested he will turn to the shade,” Stefan said. “That, I cannot believe.”

Shin Galiana shrugged. “I would not believe he would try to tap into the Forging used to create The Great Divide either, but that is his intention. No one can tell what will happen then. The power in the Divide is as unfathomable and unstable as anything I have ever witnessed.”

“Maybe he knows something you don’t? That none of us do?” Thania said, lips pursed.

“Possible,” Galiana said, “which is why I wonder about the mention of the sword being the first part of the Aegis. If he found out what the Aegis is, that would explain some of his interest in The Chronicles.”

“What is this Aegis?” Stefan asked.

“The Chronicles refer to it very vaguely. It is some type of weapon or power strong enough to defend against or to protect the gods.”

“You seem to suggest they’ll escape the Nether somehow or if they did, would need protection.” Stefan smirked as he touched the sword. “They’re gods. This is simple silversteel.”

“Why the gods would need protection is beyond any of us, my dear,” Thania said.

“Are you certain he isn’t aware of this?” Stefan touched the new weapon’s hilt.

“Unless he can get someone into the heart and soul of the Iluminus past several dozen High Ashishin, Raijin and worse, then, no.”

Stefan whistled. “They moved the Chronicles into the Halls of the Exalted?”

“Indeed,” Galiana replied.

“So, until we find out how to use the sword, what do I do?” Stefan regarded Anton and Celina even now doubting the decision he was being led to make.

“Nerian is willing to give you a year to spend with your family before he begins his campaign,” Galiana said. “He will use the time to recruit. I will translate the other parts of the Chronicles I have copied by then.”

Stefan paced across the room. “I don’t know. If all this is true, if Nerian is threatening my family, if he is now a lunatic like you say ….” He shook his head. “Pretending to side with him, hiding my feelings might be beyond me.” Every fiber of his being told him to take his family and flee, but he also knew he could no such thing without guaranteed safety. Not to mention his men to whom he’d promised peace and a prosperous future. If this was all true, the lives of many rested on his shoulders. He stopped.
What if Galiana is lying and this is some Tribunal plot? What if it isn’t?
Stefan squeezed his eyes shut.

“My dear heart, I don’t think you will need to hide how you feel,” Thania said. “For this to work, for you to keep us safe, you must let Nerian see your anger. Let him be aware of how this situation fuels you. Only then will he believe you’re sincere in aiding him in this endeavor. Anything less and he will be suspicious. Not only will he not let you close to him then, but he may take us anyway.”

Stefan stared tenderly at his children, gritting his teeth against hopelessness. “What if he decides to take you all regardless of what I do?”

“Until now Nerian has followed the teachings of
the Disciplines
more closely than anyone,” Galiana said, “including you.”

“‘Demand honor but first show righteousness,’” Stefan quoted, temper flaring. “His recent actions violate the third Discipline.”

“Unless he thinks what he’s doing is righteous,” Thania countered.

Stefan bristled at his wife’s words.

She shrugged. “There’s no distinction to determine exactly what’s righteous.”

He looked to Galiana for support but the wry smile on her face told whose side she supported. “Fine,” he said grudgingly. They were correct. Some of
the Disciplines
were left open to their moral interpretation. This allowed some freedom in the decision–making process for any leader who followed them. One thing became evident over the passage of years. A leader who followed them developed a strong belief from his men that led to victories skill alone could not achieve His own Unvanquished were living proof. Following this line of thought, Nerian would allow him to lead because the men fought with a fervor for Stefan they might not have for their King.

“One year.” Stefan sighed, and then peered longingly toward Anton and Celina.

Self–sacrifice is often the greatest motivator for man and nation.
Another of
the Disciplines
. He would treasure the time he had left with his children; it could be his last. When Perta entered moments later with a flagon of his wife’s kinai wine, Stefan barely noticed the taste.

After Galiana left, and Perta reported she’d been escorted from the premises, Stefan turned to Thania in the privacy of their room. Both Anton and Celina were asleep on their own bed. “Do you believe her?”

The lamplight shone more golden in his wife’s eyes. “As far as?”

“About all of it. Nerian’s intentions, her translations of the Chronicles … this sword. This is so convenient it must be a trap. Better yet, one of the Tribunal’s intricate conspiracies.”

“Galiana and I have been friends for over a century. In that time, I have yet to see her so adamant about anything except when she led the Tribunal’s Matii against the shade.” Thania kept her gaze locked on his. “But I also know better than to completely trust anyone but you, my love. Whatever you decide, I’ll be here to back you. At least consider what she asked of you.” She glanced away from him toward the children’s bed. “We have more than us to think about now. If you must, give Nerian the benefit of the doubt. I realize what he means to you. Maybe there is more to the Tribunal than Galiana is letting on. Even when I was among them, they kept many secrets. Whatever it is, for our children’s sake, we must support the correct side. And we must be careful in doing so.”

“What if this
is
some prophecy come true?”

Thania looked at him askance. “You? Believing in gods shaping fate?”

“Not necessarily, but …” Stefan told her about his encounter with the Svenzar.

When he finished, Thania seemed lost in thought.

“Well?” he asked.

“I have seen enough in my life to believe in the gods and their touch on the world, both good and bad. A balance exists in all things, but as far as prophecies go, I’m uncertain.” Thania focused on him. “If we follow the teachings of our philosophers, fate and prophecy are nothing more than the paths a man may weave for himself. It is similar to math: adding or taking away from something produces a certain result. Are the paths limited?” She shrugged. “Who knows? However, I do believe, even more so now since being with you, that whatever it is, a man shapes his own fortune. You made the decision you thought was best. Whatever comes of it we will face that storm together for the sake of our children’s future. Nothing and no one can stand in the way. Not Galiana, not Nerian, not the Svenzar … no one.”

Stefan nodded. For the first time in a while, tightness eased from his shoulders. With Thania’s support, difficulty became a trifle. Patience was his strong point. He strode over to her and took her hand. When he bent to kiss her, all thoughts of his troubles left him for a moment. All that existed was her smell, her silky hair, her body pressing against his as he pushed her down onto the bed.

But as they made love, the meeting with the Svenzar wormed its way into his head. He hoped for the sake of his people he’d made the correct choice.