Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4) (11 page)

Arimus caught it with a gust of wind and then sent it crashing into one of the already ruined wooden houses. It shrieked on impact, and the other Quietus emerged, surrounding the Sages in a semi-circle. The only escape was back out the entrance from where they came from.

“Still got time for that leap over the mountain,” Arimus said. James shook his head.

“At least one of us can joke in a time like this.”

“Are you actually scared?”

“That Quietus almost got me back there,” James huffed. “I barely sensed it.”

“Maybe these are more advanced. Either way, I’m not worried.”

“No, me neither. Want to show them what they’re up against?”

“After you.”

James flashed his mentor a grin as a pillar of light shot down from the skies, engulfing him in its brilliance. A chorus of hisses pierced the air as he transformed his body. Within seconds, he once again donned his white hot Sage robe, its fabric glowing, and giving off light like a beacon, asking for all those nearby to witness his glory. It dared them to come closer, to draw nearer, and then to fall. Arimus followed suit. His pillar of light wasn’t as bright or as wide, but it did the job. A long, dark blue robe hung over him where hi cloak had once been, and his beard had suddenly gotten trimmed and cleaned. Standing back to back, the two Sages prepared for the battle, their victory all but certain.

But the Quietus weren’t so drawn to the light. They hissed and bared their teeth, but they did little movement other than fidgeting.

“We will not attack first,” Arimus said, gripping his eidolon tight. “For all we know, this could be the last group of Quietus in existence. If at all possible, we shouldn’t even harm one too severely.”

“Right,” James said, still waiting for the assault. “COME ON!”

“Is that what you truly want, Sage?” a voice cut through the air. The owner of the voice had not moved, so the Sages hadn’t detected anyone coming closer, but their senses were easily able to track the source. He stood from the bottom of the stairs that led to the castle.

The mysterious Quietus shuddered as it was still on all fours, and then its tar skin began to recede, flowing upwards from his legs, up his back and then disappearing into the crown of his head, revealing the person underneath. The Quietus stood on its hind quarters until the reverse transformation was complete, losing its scythes, its long neck, and formidable, organic armor. Unintimidating and blinking rapidly through grey, listless eyes, the man sighed and took a weary step forward. His clothes were shredded and caked in mud. His pants had become shorts, and his feet were bare in the cold snow. Seeing him like that, James realized that it was probably more comfortable for him and the others to stay in full Quietus form. It was sure a lot warmer.

“Why are you here?” the man asked in frustration. “We already told you that we wanted nothing to do with you. We told you what would happen if you returned.”

Arimus and James gave each other puzzled looks.
Returned?

“I’m sorry,” Arimus said, stepping forward and sheathing his eidolon with a thought. It shimmered out of sight and back into his body. James did the same, but neither of them removed their Sage garbs. “It’s just that we really want to talk.”

James glanced at Arimus for a second, but then he quickly turned his attention back to the Quietus around them. So…his mentor decided to play along in order to gather information. How was he able to do that so quickly? Did he even think about it, or it all just came naturally?

“So what happened? They left to get someone else to speak in their stead?”

“What do you mean?” Arimus asked. “Who? Prattlians?”

“No. Of course not,” the Quietus said, closing his eyes in exhaustion. “We haven’t seen a Prattlian in years. They were killed too, weren’t they?”

“Then those who contacted you…they were Allayans?” Arimus asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Sages, like you,” he said with disgust. “Your kind.”

“How is—“ Arimus began, but he stopped himself. James folded his arms as he waited for more. Sages? Sages that knew about the Quietus living here? Maybe…

“Were these Sages young?” James asked. “We received a report of some of our youth encountering a Quietus in this general area.”

“They weren’t young at all. They were probably as old as him,” he said, pointing to Arimus.

“If they did anything to offend you,” Arimus said with palms raised. “I apologize. That was not our intention.”

“So you’re their leader?”

“Yes I am.”

“Then tell us what is happening!” he shouted, causing a stir from the Quietus on the rooftops. “Our home was destroyed! The Prattlians…they didn’t survive either, did they? We’re still trying to find a way in Languor with the few we have, and Allay…we dare not go near that place. We will stick to our word of leaving the Kingdom alone. But I will retaliate if provoked. That’s why I had to ward off your men. They had a lust for blood all over them.”

“What is your name?” Arimus asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Hakin.”

“Hakin…you have survived and lived here alone, all this time?”

“We barely have any food…we only have each other. But I am willing to negotiate. You seem kinder than they.” His words were coated in self-loathing. For all he knew, the Allayans were still their enemy, but they had been cut off from the world for so long…they were willing to sacrifice old feuds and pride for a bit of sustenance.

“We can give you food,” Arimus replied, to which the Quietus’ eyes lit up. “But we don’t have any here. We would have to go back to Allay.”

“No. We’re not going to join you. That’s what the other Sages wanted.”

“Join us? No. We just want to help.”

“That’s not what they said.”

“Tell me, what did they talk about? What did they look like? Perhaps they misconstrued my message.”

“There were two. A man and a woman. The man was tall and thin, but not lanky, nor weak. I could smell his strength from a mile away. He was dangerous. He would have killed us all if he wasn’t trying to persuade us to their side. He did all the talking while the woman just stood there. She was shorter than him, but definitely thicker. She looked as solid as a rock. I couldn’t even sense anything coming from her. They both wore robes of black. I think they had armor, but it was well hidden underneath.”

“And this man. What did he say exactly?”

“He said that the end was near and that they would soon take back what is theirs. If we were smart, we would join them. Otherwise, we would be slaughtered later on.”

“That doesn’t sound like
my
men,” Arimus replied, putting a hand to his chin.
Take back what was theirs? Was it possible that there were other Sages who weren’t privy to current events? Others hidden the shadows?

“We declined,” he said through clenched teeth. “We’re hungry, but we’re not desperate enough to pledge our allegiance yet. I don’t care if you Sages are looking to rebuild the old world, I’m not going to join hands with my enemy until I know what is going on. Speaking of…what happened to Thorn? Is he still alive?”

“No,” James said, uncrossing his arms.

“James is the one that killed him,” Arimus replied. “And the situation is not what it appears. Prattle and Quietus were destroyed, but Languor and Allay are standing strong. The Kingdoms came together before it was too late, and we all united against Thorn. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to save your people, but know that the time of war between us all is over. We know that the Siege of 88 was not your fault.”

“Thorn is dead?” Hakin said with uncertainty. “How long?”

“Nearly five years,” he replied solemnly. Hakin cast his eyes to the rooftops, exchanging silent messages with his people. James could only imagine what was being said.

“Are there remnants of each Kingdom?” he said, his voice shaking.

“Allay is strong, as well as Languor. Prattle’s population is only about a third of what it was, and as far as the Quietus…you’re the first group we’ve encountered. I’m sorry.”

“We’re the last?”

“I’m sorry, Hakin. I am,” Arimus sighed. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can grant you asylum in our Kingdom. There is no animosity toward each other anymore. Come to Allay, and we can have you and your people fed.”

“If we are the last, do you think I would just believe the word of a Sage? This could be a trick.”

“That’s true, but I’m being genuine. Allow us to assist in any way possible. If you like, you can send someone to accompany us back to Allay. They can examine our living situation and then report back to you. We can send him or her back with food and supplies as well. There is no need to make such a huge transition all at once.”

“Not good enough. I want one of you to stay here as a hostage. Since you’re the leader, you will do. The boy over there can run back to Allay with my courier. If they both aren’t back in two days, we take your head.”

“Agreed.”

“Another problem has arisen as well. If those Sages were not your men, then who were they? That would mean that someone is going against the peace you spoke of. Unless, all of what you said are lies.”

“I’m speaking the truth,” Arimus said, folding his arms. “I don’t know who those Allayans were, but I promise you, we will find out.”

Indeed,
James thought to himself. If the Sages were not the youth, then who were they? Someone from the Order of the Allayans? Rogue agents? Sages that had been away since the Siege of 88? New enemies? Either way, it was an unsettling situation. These Sages sounded aggressive, and if they were from the new Allay, then there was a lot more going on behind the scenes than they knew.

“If these Sages return, you can help my people fight them,” Hakin replied. Arimus nodded.

“Of course,” he said. “But I would also like to acquire a little more information, if you don’t mind. How did you scare them off? It sounded like they would have just killed you as soon as you refused their offer.”

“If you’re lying, you’ll find out soon enough,” he replied. “But first, food and supplies for my people.”

*              *              *

Since he was now staying at the castle, attending the dinner Catherine had every night became a necessity. No more subpar meals prepared by his mother, or bartering for pieces of fruit from the merchants.

The dining hall, and therefore the dinner, was open to all each and every night, but he had stayed away in the past. He wasn’t too fond of large groups. Once again, that was something he would have to get over. He figured he could. Especially if Catherine was there to help him. She was a true Queen. Even after he had revealed his dark thoughts and questionable past, she had accepted him. She had even given him a hug, knowing full well that he could have struck her down in that moment. He was in awe. How could she trust him like that? How could she put her life in danger so casually? She didn’t even know him. And yet, she treated him like she had all his life. For that, he was more than willing to try to be there for her.

The dining hall, a new addition to the castle, was as large as the throne room, but all of the fountains and gardens had been replaced with tables and benches. Candles were strewn around the walls like blades of grass, and chandeliers hung from above. Music was played by village instrumentalists—whomever desired to join in the festivities that night, and the food was prepared both by merchants that wished to advertise their skill, and the castle kitchen staff. The most impressive element, however, was the fact that there were no special podiums or platforms for the Queen and her guests.

She sat with the people.

Perhaps it was dangerous, a little unconventional, and very unbecoming of royalty, but as soon as he walked into the hall, he realized why nearly half the village came each night, squeezing into the tight spaces and sitting in each other’s laps, just to dine with those of the castle.

Zhou was at the middle table, telling a story of past exploits. Talia was two tables to the right, laughing with the villagers over an inside joke, and Catherine was in the far back, sitting at the kids table. There wasn’t a child over six there, and they were in the middle of a controlled food fight. Catherine used her Sage abilities to form a protective sphere around their general area as they flung juice, berries, vegetables and meat all over each other. Catherine was cackling and practically screaming with delight as the juice streamed through her face and the food got strewn about in her hair and onto her clothes. The kids were merciless, but from the shine in their eyes, he could tell that they were having the time of their lives.

Bastion smiled and took the first seat he could find, located in the front right hand corner. The table was nearly empty as there was only an elderly couple there, quietly enjoying their meal. The food was basically untouched and he could see that there was some questionable Terr meat lying in the center of the table on a silver platter, surrounded by a variety of fruit. He poked the cooked Terr meat cautiously when he the table shook. He felt two people sit down in front of him. He looked up beyond the Terr meat and saw the faces of Daisy and Kent.

“Hiya,” Daisy said though a wide grin. Kent chuckled and began ripping off chunks of Terr meat and throwing it onto his plate. Daisy gave him a disgusted glance and threw an apple onto his plate.

“You’re not getting all of your nutrients.”

“The meat has nutrients,” Kent replied, beginning to rip the flesh apart with his teeth.

“So does a tree. That doesn’t mean we just eat that.”

“See? You’ve made my point.”

“You’re making no sense again, love. Why don’t you—ah! You did it again, didn’t you?”

Kent chuckled and continued eating as Bastion’s eyes darted back and forth between them. Daisy smiled sweetly toward him and shoved the Terr to the side so that they could see each other better.

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Why are you here?” Bastion asked in return. She feigned offense, placing a hand to her chest as her jaw dropped.

“This dinner is open to the public. How dare you?”