The Trials of Lance Eliot (33 page)

“It would have been under other circumstances, but in our case it was an unexpected blessing.”

“I think I understand,” interrupted Kana. “Lance Eliot, how do you destroy an enemy completely?”

“Cut off his head and put a stake through his heart?”

“If you would destroy an enemy completely, make him an ally.”

“Exactly!” cried Regis, thumping a fist on the table in an un-regent-like display of feeling. “If we had faced the Nomen or
the Tyrians, one or the other, we would have been destroyed. But we faced both enemies at once, and that was our deliverance. We hardly had to fight. We simply watched as they collided with each other.

“You see, the Tyrian army arrived one night during a battle. Assuming the Tyrians were our allies, the Nomen surrounded them and attacked. The Tyrian soldiers fought back, and by morning both armies had been devastated. At last an envoy came running to our gate and pleaded with us to allow the surviving Tyrians into the city. The Assembly debated whether we could trust them, but I insisted we take the risk. It was a bit of a gamble, I admit, but it worked.

“The Tyrians entered the city. We fed them and sheltered them and healed their injured. General Fox had a long discussion with their commander, and they reached a compromise. The Tyrian soldiers would fight alongside the Rovenian Legion until the Nomen were defeated, and then return in peace to Tyria. We would shield them from the Nomen, and then allow them to go back safely to their own kingdom.

“The Tyrians became our allies, yet the Nomen pressed against us night after night. We began to lose hope. Then something happened. You'll never guess what.”

“Tell us,” I said.

“One night we fought an especially terrible battle. Our soldiers were tired. Our medics had almost completely exhausted their magic. The sun rose and the Nomen retreated, but we didn't think we could survive another fight. Then the sound of marching came from the south. As we watched in amazement, another army came riding up the Broad Road and smashed into the Nomen from the rear.

“It was an army of carpenters, stonecutters, miners, tanners, shepherds, smiths, fishermen, farmers—men and women from all the towns and villages of the south. Guess who was in the front line.”

“I haven't any idea.”

“Miles.”

“You're joking!”

“I was stunned. He had always seemed gentler than a lamb, but he rushed into the battle with a hatchet in either hand and let the Nomen have it. They were tired from fighting all night and didn't expect an attack from the rear. They panicked. We opened the city gate and sent out our surviving soldiers.

“The Nomen fled. We pursued them, killed many and captured the rest. The survivors were loaded into wagons and taken to the southern border. We made sure they understood they'll receive no mercy if they ever
invade Rovenia again.

“The Tyrians left a few days ago. Our citizens showed them great kindness. I wish some sort of truce could be made between Rovenia and Tyria, but I'm not hopeful. Senshu was a pious priest compared to the king of Tyria. I'm sure we'll have more trouble from the north before long.

“In the meantime, we've devoted our efforts to cleaning up the city. General Fox took most of the remaining soldiers to the coast to deal with the pirates, and here we are.”

“Where is Miles?” I asked. “Is he all right?”

“He had a nasty gash in one leg. We were worried for a while—the Nomen's weapons are sometimes poisoned—but he's recovered. He seems a little more cheerful. I think his time in Ventus did him good.”

“When can I see him?”

“Tonight,” said Regis. He took a bell from the table and rang it. An attendant appeared at his elbow within seconds.

“I would like to host a banquet tonight,” said Regis importantly. “To be held in the private dining room. Invite Miles, Atticus, the children from the orphanage, Petra, Galahad, Abigail, Eben, Tirzah, Cog, Maia, her parents, Jian and everybody I've forgotten.”

“Very good, Your Excellency,” said the attendant, and scuttled away before Regis could sentence him to a week of bread and water.

Every time I try to recall exactly what happened that night, a jumble of memories comes to my mind: Maia dashing across the room and nearly choking me with her exuberant embrace, Cog showing me designs in his journal for steam-powered trains, Eben shuffling to the table with a cane in either hand and two new prosthetic legs, Jian grinning as Regis tripped over a stool.

I was especially glad to talk with Miles. “It's good to see you,” he said as I took a seat beside him. He spoke as though it had been days, not months, since I had last seen him. He looked just the same: strong arms, straw-colored hair, honest face. Only his eyes had changed. Though sadness lingered there, the pain was gone.

“How are you?” I asked.

“Very well,” he said in his slow way. “I can't complain, don't you know.”

“I hear you're quite a hero.”

He blushed. “I'm no hero. I got my leg cut.”

“I think you're a hero. How are your sister and brother-in-law?”

“Fine, fine. I'm sorry about Tsurugi.”

“I miss him. Dash it all, how I miss him. You know, Miles, I understand what you meant when you told me words aren't always necessary. Tsurugi didn't talk much, but he was there when I needed him, and it was enough.”

We conversed for a little while. Miles told me how he opened a shop near his sister's house after we left Ventus. Though he was too grieved to return to his old trade of carpentry, he found solace in carving toys and figurines. Before long he acquired a reputation as a gifted toymaker and was making a comfortable living.

At last I couldn't restrain my curiosity any longer and said, “Miles, I have a question for you. You don't have to answer if you would rather not. It's about Tsurugi. You went off with him one day—it was the day we reached the Arteria River and you went looking for food—and came back looking peaceful. What happened?”

“Tsurugi told me about his loss.”

“What loss?”

“That's not my story to tell,” said Miles with a shake of his head. “He went through a lot of pain, Tsurugi did. He helped me through mine.”

“He helped me too,” I said. “Hang it, I miss him.”

As the banquet ended, Regis stood and made an announcement. “There will be an assembly in the courtyard of the Temple the day after tomorrow. Before I step down as regent, I'd like to pass out awards to a few deserving individuals.”

“Step down?” said Eben. “But there is no king to take the throne.”

Regis shook his head. “A king has been found. My time as regent is almost over.”

“I'm sorry,” said Maia. “It must be hard to step down so soon after stepping up.”

“To be honest, I don't think I'll miss it. These clothes are horribly uncomfortable, and I'm afraid I'll lose my sanity if I ever hear the words
Your Excellency
again.”

On the day of the assembly, Regis and I walked to the Temple together.

“It's not regent-like to go about on foot,” I told him. “A respectable regent should travel in a chariot.”

“I don't care how a respectable regent should travel. I feel like walking, and I officially forbid you from telling me how un-regent-like I am.”

A platform had been erected in the courtyard of the Temple. Hundreds of chairs had been set up for the invited guests, and a considerable amount of standing room was left for the uninvited guests. I suggested we sit down.

“I'll tell you what,” said Regis. He wore a pained expression. “I really need a loo. If you'll save me a seat, I'll join you as soon as I can.”

I found two seats in the front row and waited, gazing up at the Temple. I've always loved architecture (one reason I chose to live in Oxford) and the Temple was beautiful. It was built of white stone and quartz, with silver inlaid in the sides and gold leaf on the doors. Even the stones underfoot were white.

The courtyard began to fill with people. Maia took a seat beside me and Atticus sat next to the space reserved for Regis. The time for the start of the assembly arrived, and Regis was nowhere to be seen.

“Drat him,” I muttered, looking round. “Where is he?”

A hush descended over the crowd. Kana had climbed onto the platform.

“People of Valdelaus,” he said. “I thank you for coming. We have gathered to honor the memory of those who fell defending our kingdom, and to celebrate the bravery of those who survived. Not least of all, we have gathered to thank El Enthroned, the World-maker, and his servant Pelea, Guardian of men, for our deliverance. But first, I wish to announce that Regis has been asked to resign as regent of Rovenia.”

There was a murmur among the crowd.

“His services have been greatly appreciated,” continued Kana. “However, regency must give way to royalty. A king, the only living child of Victor Bonroi, has been found. Today is the day of his coronation. I bid him come forward.”

Every head turned. Someone was walking up the aisle between the seats. He wore a purple tunic, a golden chain and a cloak woven with silver. It took me a moment to realize who he was, and another moment to convince myself that I wasn't dreaming.

It was Regis.

He ascended the platform, and I watched in bewilderment as the archpriest of El put a crown on his head and said a prayer. A roar of applause echoed and re-echoed in the courtyard.

As the noise died away, Regis put his hands in his pockets and began to speak.

“Thank you all very much. I'm the sort of fellow who dislikes weddings and coronations and ceremonies in general, so I won't keep you for long. There are people here who are worth honoring. We've gathered today to honor them.”

He began to call names. Valiant soldiers, officers and civilians came onto the platform to receive silver stars and blue ribbons in recognition of their services to the kingdom.

As the last of these brave people returned to their seats, Regis said, “There is a group of men and women, a noble Resistance, which saved Rovenia. These heroes were the spark that set the fire burning. If they hadn't made a stand, risking their reputations and their lives, none of us would be alive on this beautiful morning.”

One by one, the members of the Resistance received gold stars and red ribbons. Atticus, Eben, Tirzah, Abigail, Cog, Petra, Galahad, Jian, General Fox's nephew (representing his uncle) and my five legionary companions were each honored in turn. A moment was taken to remember the selflessness of Tamu Baba and other late members of the Resistance.

“There are four people whom I especially want to honor,” said Regis. “Then you may all go home and have lunch, I promise. The first of these is Miles Siligo.”

Miles turned red and joined Regis on the platform.

“I won't take the time to tell the whole story of our acquaintance,” said Regis. “I'll just say there's a great difference between bravery and courage. Bravery is the quality with which a fellow faces a horrible experience that's quickly over with. Courage is the quality with which a fellow endures a horrible experience that goes on for a long time. Miles is the most courageous man I know, and he's got a lot of bravery on top of it. He led the army that came to our rescue. We owe him and his companions many lives. I honor him.”

Miles returned to his seat with a dazed look, clutching the crystal star and purple ribbon Regis had given him.

“I also want to honor Kana Shoukan. After humbly and obediently doing his duty for twenty years, not receiving a word of thanks, he was wronged by Senshu. Kana chose not to betray Rovenia, though Rovenia had betrayed him. He fled to Faurum and founded the Resistance, saving more lives than we can count. Kana also adopted me and raised me to be a decent chap. Saving Rovenia sounds impressive, but raising me was probably more difficult. He is my father and friend, and I honor him.”

As Kana returned to his seat, Regis cleared his throat and continued.

“I mean to be an honest king. There have been enough lies. The full story of the past few months has already been made known to you. Most of you know about Maldos and the Darkness, and most of you know about the man who destroyed them both. Lance Eliot, please come forward.”

Resigning myself to public embarrassment, I mounted the platform and scowled at Regis.

“Sorry about this, old boy,” he muttered. “You should have thought twice before being heroic.”

“Drat you,” I mumbled.

“This is the man from Terra,” said Regis to the crowd. “Lance Eliot was snatched from his own world and thrust into a kingdom at war. His only link to his own world was broken. He suffered months of sorrow and pain, yet when he had the opportunity to return to Terra, he chose to remain in Gea. He chose to take the fate of Rovenia upon himself. He sacrificed his safety for people he had never met. He sacrificed his safety for you who are gathered here today. I honor him.”