The Weapon Bearer (Book 1) (24 page)

H
e had already said his goodbye to his wife and received his final instructions from her. She now was watching from the balcony far above. King Rekkan was following his wife’s orders to seek out King Atmos of the Earth Realm to return with wizards to complete the water canal the Queen’s mother had started. The Fire Realm’s king was more of a weapon than a ruler. His wife would rule the land and was often chosen for their ruling abilities. He was the third husband to this aged queen and he was far from her own age. Only men were allowed to posses imbued materials, keeping the anger of the fire magic contained to one sex. If a wizard was born a woman, her husband to be would submit himself to his mother in-law’s command, so that no man was in charge of running a house. Men were submissive to women in all areas except for battle. King Rekkan was the best warrior in the land and had caught the respect of the queen. The queen used her husbands like tools and when they were aged or battle worn she discarded them for a new tool to be used up. King Elick Rekkan was a mild tempered man that had learned to use the sword at an early age. His temper made him able to handle more fire magic than most of his peers, earning him the right to be the queens third, but probably not last husband.

T
he next few weeks would not only be dangerous due to traveling the waste lands, but could be dangerous just traveling with other fire wielders. The king did not believe he would return from his mission. He could only trust a handful to obey his commands at all times, and all were veterans reaching their grizzled old age. Most of the men should have been retired long ago, but these were the best at their craft. They were slowly forming ranks in front of him, some on camels and some hitching wagons to horses. He knew not to provoke men who possessed fire imbued armor or weapons. These men before him had more than just fire, some had trinkets of every element. He had selected the group because of their ability to handle multiple types of magic. He had twenty men before him, ten armor bearers in two groups being led by three weapon bearers. His personal adviser was a fire wizard, and had two other wizards for controlling the weapon bearers. Some of the men had practiced day and night under the close discretion of the fire wizards, and they could control their anger better than normal men. Others were provided the last of the Fire Realm’s water imbued items so that they suffered no detrimental effects from the wielding fire magic. Still some fingers sparked and some caught fire on random parts of the bodies. Others looked at those men apprehensively.

T
he king’s task was simple in design. He was to travel across the desert to the Earth Realm and seek out King Atmos. He was to request the construction of the water canal from Lake Leviathan be resumed. He was to give no apologies for the death of King Atmos’ father’s wizards of past whom had started the construction. He was told not to give any gifts or payment for the project. The queen knew that payment had already been made.

T
he journey would be long and arduous, traveling over multiple dunes of sand that gives way with every step. Temperatures would soar during the day and plunge to icy cold during the dead of night. The beasts along the way would be relentless. Most would be poisonous with the slightest touch. Elick had planned for this, they would not need to bring large amounts of water because the water bearers could pull it from the ground along the way. He would travel at night to keep the cold from seeping into their bodies and to keep from traveling in the sunlight. It would all be worth it when he finds his best man, Max waiting for him at the border to the Earth Realm with a report.

T
he sun started to set on the horizon. Wives said goodbye to their husbands, giving them the order to return safely. Elick gave a series of short whistles signaling the start of the journey. He led his camel from the palace steps and slowly rode out of the gated pavilion. He didn’t look back for a final wave to the queen. It was a marriage of duty and not of love.

*
**

K
ilen’s new hard-soled leather boots echoed in unison down the marble hallways with the marching guards carrying Kara on a litter behind him. His left hand rested on his sword and his helm was tucked under his right arm, his hand cramped because he gripped it so hard in nervousness. He flexed his fingers as the company rounded every corner approaching the throne room. Tapestries lined the halls, depicting battles and heroes from the past. Guards stood at each doorway in polished armor. None moved to block the way with Brent leading the procession.

F
inally as they approached two large oak doors a guard stopped Brent, “May I announce you, councilmen?” Brent nodded and he glanced at the others. “How shall I announce your companions?”

“
You shall announce only me the others are not of importance,” Brent was tired of the formalities and spoke harshly to the guard. The guard bowed his head and backed into the throne room where his voice could be heard loudly announcing Brent from the other side. Brent flowed into the throne room not waiting for the guard to return back outside. When Kilen entered he was struck with awe at the open space inside a building. He thought that the whole city of Humbridge could be fit inside this one room. The hall was lined with massive metal pieces meant to fit grotesque animals.

K
ilen looked on three sets of armor sitting on top of stuffed house cats that were positioned in poses with claws splayed. Joahna spoke inside his head before he could catch himself,
I helped make that one.
Kilen smiled on the inside feeling Joahna chastise himself for violating his own rules about not speaking.

K
ilen focused his attention back to the front as he was getting close to making out the features of King Atmos. The King stood behind a large oak table covered in maps, reports, and scrolls. On another table a map of the entire Earth Realm and Water Realm was laid out and small wooden flames and stones were placed on top of it. A man with quills and charcoal markers moved about the maps and made markings upon both tables until the King dismissed him. An elderly man in a long green robe stood next to the King, reading a scroll over and handed it to the king. He wore a gold tassel draped over his shoulders and smiled at Brent as he approached. Kilen realized that this was First Wizard Calvin, and Brent’s father.

B
esides dismissing the man making markings on the map, the King made no indications that he saw them approaching. King Atmos was a large man with red hair and a full matching beard. His armor was polished to a perfect shine and looked as if it had never been in a battle before. When he looked up, his piercing green eyes made Kilen misstep and almost fall down. At the same time, Brent went to one knee and Kilen’s natural path from tripping took him to one knee as if it might have been on purpose. “Councilman Brent reporting as ordered, milord,” Brent said as reverently as Kilen had ever heard him speak. The room was silent as Atmos moved to his chair behind the table and read from the scroll he had been given. He read the scroll entirely, making everyone’s heart beat a little faster at the anticipation.

“Tell me who this
arrow maker from the moon is. I have been puzzled by it for days,” Atmos smiled as he finished the sentence.

“My king may, I pr
esent Master Crescent from Humbridge Township. He makes the finest arrows in the Water Realm. I am told that he marks his arrows with a crescent moon shape, giving the arrows the name Crescent Arrows.” Bowie raised from a kneeled position and moved to stand beside Brent. The king stood up from his chair which was made large enough to fit him and his armor comfortably. The King stood before Bowie and looked him up and down.

“This youngster ca
n’t be Master Crescent. He hasn’t had enough time to master any craft such as making arrows.”

Bowie spoke before
anyone else had time to make a rebuttal, “Many peddlers have said much the same. They missed out when the next peddler sold my arrows at a price well above any he could get a hold of. I am Bowie Crescent and I have a knack for making arrows. If you do not believe I’ll ask you to try one for yourself.” The king took a moment to appraise the boy in fancy clothes before holding out his hand.

“Well let’s see on
e of these so called crescent arrows that you so masterfully make, and let me see that bow also.” Bowie handed him the first arrow his hand landed on being confident in all his arrows. He pulled the bow from around his body and checked the string before handing it to the king. “I would have thought that a master arrow maker would have a better bow than this. Most of the arrow makers I know use only Keltan made bows.”

“That bow is Kelta
n, milord,” Bowie corrected and then immediately lowered his eyes. Kilen thought wryly,
So he can be out lorded and it only took a king to do it.

“Boy this bow is f
ine work but it is not Keltan made. Their bows are grown by Earth wizards that have become master fletchers. They grow their arrows and their bows. This was not made in Keltan. It wouldn’t have these age lines here. If I happen to remember right, there was a peddler caught for passing off goods of high quality and trading them for cheap prices. Nonetheless, a master fletcher should have been able to tell me what type of bow this is. I believe this was made in north Melcran, where they have lots of yew, but no wizards preside there to make Keltan quality bows.” Atmos knocked the arrow and pulled the string tight to his cheek and let the arrow fly hitting a wood stand for paintings some seventy five feet away. The arrow stuck into the center of the wood and landed with a solid thunk. “Well that is a fine arrow. OIt flew straight and didn’t wobble in the air. I think I could use more craftsmen of your quality whether or not you are Master Crescent. I offer you a position making arrows for my army.”

Bowie breathed dee
ply before taking his bow back, “I will have to decline then sire. I was hoping for a chance to become an archer in your army instead. I have some skill in archery, if you would like to see.”

“There is no need
boy. Captain Lorusk, when we are finished here you will take this boy into your company to be tested and trained as an archer. Boy, if you wish to survive in my army you had best teach others to make that quality of arrow to help better protect yourself.”

“I will do my best
to prove myself worthy, sire,” Bowie bowed deeply and moved over to stand behind the Captain near the room’s wall.

“Now that my curio
sity is satisfied, let us hear your report on the Fire Realm Wizard Parker,” Atmos retook his seat.

Brent cleared his
throat, “I have found very little of any evidence of travel by the Fire Realm, other than the movements in Gulrich. I found a trail burnt into the land leading out to the south towards the Fire Realm. The path stayed just outside of visibility of the populace, as we expected. No lords or mayors reported any activity concerning the Fire Realm. The encounter at Gulrich was dealt with. There was one wizard and one armor bearer. Kilen, the weapon bearer before you, and Master Crescent were able to eliminate them and bring back this bracer.” Kilen didn’t lift his head from his still kneeling position and cringed at the attention being placed upon him. Brent held out the fire bracer before him and the Captain moved to hand it to the King, who rolled it over in his hands before questioning Brent.

“I was written to
by the Mayor of Basham that you subdued a fire wizard there after they almost burnt a tavern to the ground.”

“That fire wizard
is the one in the litter. Her name is Kara. I happen to come upon her awakening and put out the fire to subdue her. The event took most of the rest of my energy to accomplish.”

“So it was one of
the Water Realm’s own and not the Fire Realm that damaged Basham.” Atmos turned to Calvin, “We can remove that pin from our map of attacks.” Turning back to Brent, “Fine tell me of this girl.”

“The wizards name
is Kara, she is from Humbridge and was being accompanied by Master Crescent and Kilen during her awakening. I had not enough energy to maintain her under newly awakened conditions, so I imbued Kilen’s blade so that he would help me bring her here. They have graciously agree to join your army in order to pay for her training in the fire house.” Brent awaited the King’s next set of questions. Kilen held his breath and waited for the King to speak. Everything was going as planned, and better than expected.

“I will accept the
m both into the army in one fashion or another but a weapon of that stature does not need to be handled by an untrained child. Captain Lorusk you will be the blade’s new owner. Please come and take the weapon.” Lorusk quickly stepped up to Kilen as he rose from his kneeling position. Kilen reeled at the thought that his father’s blade would be taken from him. The determination of the earth magic to keep his father’s blade leapt to the fore front of his mind. The fog started to reduce the room’s visibility. The ground shook ever so slightly before being stopped by a wall of earth magic. Kilen’s blue and gold swirling eyes looked from king to Wizard Calvin whose eyes were a dark green and watching Kilen fiercely. The Wizard Advisor was the magic wall that kept the room from shaking down on top of them.

Brent stepped in f
ront of Kilen, “No one is taking your blade from you. Remember to control the magic Kilen. Do not let it control you. I told you we would have to talk about the blade and your father. Please let me do that.” Feeling a small relief of stress leaving after Brent’s words, Kilen let the fog go and stopped pushing against the wall of Calvin’s magic. His eyes still swirled green, blue, and gold. The King’s face had turned red in anger and he placed the bracer he still held down on the table next to him. Atmos unclenched his jaw at Kilen’s obvious display of defiance.

“If you imbued the
blade under my direct orders not to then the blade is mine, Wizard,” Atmos shouted at Brent!