The Awakened Book Two (27 page)

“What happened to it?” he asked.

“Well,” Kael explained. “It’s really only a ceremonial sword, but I found myself in a tight spot and needed to defend myself.”

The man looked up from the sword in his careful hands. “This is it, isn’t it? This is the sword that killed the barbarian.”

“Not exactly,” Kael corrected.

The man looked back to the object in his hands, inspecting it. He cocked his head when he inspected the blade, fingering the curled flakes of metal, peeling back from the edge of the blade. “What’s this?”

Kael leaned closer. “I think it’s glass, covered with metal. It’s not a real blade, which is why it shouldn’t have left its case.”

“That’s unusual,” the man stated. “It would have been easier to just make the center out of a cheap metal than to use glass. The man that crafted this was a master bladesmith, even if it’s useless as a weapon.”

“The man that gave it to me was indeed a master bladesmith, but this sword was crafted even before his time. I know it’s strange, but I would appreciate it if you could just repair it as best you can. Cover up the glass and make it look as though it wasn’t used to chop down a tree.”

“I’ll do the best I can, but metal doesn’t stick to glass. This is going to be difficult.”

“That’s why I came to you; Dacien said you’re the best in the Empire.”

“Did he now?” he asked skeptically. “Well you sure know how to get a man to do something,” he said with a smile. “I’ll do the best I can, but I’m kind of busy and I’m not sure when I will be able to get to it.”

“That’s no problem,” Kael replied. “What do I owe you?”

The man waived his hand. “…depends on how much time it takes. I’ll let you know when I’m finished.”

“…fair enough.”

“Where do I find you when I’m done?”

Kael thumbed toward the north. “I’m staying at the Imperial Palace with Dacien. Just send a message to the guards and they’ll find me.”

The man turned back toward the door to the shop. “Say hello for me, and tell him to bring his lazy self down here when he gets a chance.”

Kael smiled and waved as he left the building.

* * * *

Dacien fidgeted as he waited to be announced at his entrance to the Court of the High Council. His stomach was tied in knots and he couldn’t believe how quickly this had all happened. One day, he was leading troops through exercises in
Bastul
; the next, he was waiting to go before the most powerful men in the Empire.

“Your majesty,” his escort announced. “…Generals…members of the Imperial Council, I present to you Dacien Gallus, General of the Southern Territory of the Orudan Empire.” The man followed his loud proclamation with confident strides down the center aisle of nearly empty seats.

Dacien followed, observing that this meeting was not open to other citizens, which would explain the empty seating and eerily silent, echoing feeling of the large stone room. As with most places in this city, pillars and statues adorned the walls, while painted ceilings told the ancient stories that all citizens learned at an early age.

Dacien walked between the semi-circle of council members and turned left, ascending a few stairs to take his seat beside the Commander of the Northern Naval Fleet. Once seated, he took note of his surroundings and the important group that he was now part of. There were six non-military members of the High Council sitting opposite from him, each representing a major industry within the Empire. On his side of the room were the two naval Commanders making up the flanks of the opposite side of the semi-circle. He and the General of the Eastern Territory were positioned just inside of that, followed by the Northern General completing the circle. The Emperor sat behind the Northern General, but his throne was seated higher than the rest, such that he could see all in attendance. Dacien’s escort bowed low and left the council, shutting the massive double doors behind him. The booming sound made Dacien swallow the lump of apprehension that had lodged itself in his throat.

“My esteemed guests,” the Emperor began. “Thank you all for joining me at this most troubled hour. I have asked you to come so that we may discuss the state of the Empire. I am troubled by the reports that I am receiving from all the territories. It seems that some ancient enemies have renewed strength as of late, and are doubling their efforts against our beloved home. I would now like to open this discussion to hear your thoughts.”

“Emperor, council members, and Generals,” came the strong voice from the Northern General to Dacien’s left. “Thank you for your hospitality in welcoming us here today. I must say, however, that this is a dangerous time to call together the people in this room. Indeed, as the Emperor has stated, our enemies have doubled their efforts. And you have long been familiar with our struggles in the North and East,” he stated, inclining his head to the young General from the East.

It was common knowledge that the Northern and Eastern territories shared a common threat in the Korgs, another barbarian people who had recently sacked a city within Empire boundaries.

“The Korgs have breached the border and taken the city of
Orlek
. And while I’m honored to be here, our soldiers are without their Generals.”

Several murmured their agreement. Dacien heartily agreed with him, but decided to hold his tongue until he got better acquainted with his new responsibilities.

“General,” the Emperor replied. “I understand your concern, but a unified Empire is the best defense against our enemies. You all know the process. We will be here for the better part of a week, and if the council decides that it is appropriate, you will return to your homes. But you will not leave without hearing the concerns of those in other regions. I’ll not have each territory working to its own ends; we must determine a unified solution.”

The “process” to which the Emperor referred was his way of leading without making any decisions. Dacien had heard many rumors from his superiors through the years that the Emperor was always greatly concerned with pleasing the council, and didn’t seem to have an original idea in his entire being. But his pleasing of the council is what got him to the position he now held. This meeting was to last four days, the first of which was to decide on a clear statement of the problem, the second to discuss possible solutions, and the last two days to turn the solution into a well-conceived plan. Dacien had to admit that it was a good process, but the implementation had rarely been wise. Sighing at the thought of being in this room for days, Dacien tried to clear his head and make the best of it.

If they think that the taking of one northern city is cause for concern, they need to hear what I’ve experienced!

* * * *

Kael quickly ate his roast lamb, thoroughly enjoying his stay in
Orud
. The food was extravagant, and the wine was superior to anything he’d ever tasted. He had already cleared his plate before the others were half-through, sitting back in his chair and enjoying the warm feeling that was settling over him.

“It was difficult to say the least,” Dacien explained. “The Emperor seemed to be opposed to everything the Northern General had to say. Of course, he disagreed in the most polite way possible.”

It was the evening of their third day in
Orud
, and Dacien, Kael, and the others from
Leoran
were seated at their evening meal. Dacien was recounting the day’s events in detail. And though he probably wasn’t supposed to talk with such ease, Kael and the others were having fun.

“And most of the other council members were useless. There is one young man, influential despite his age. I don’t know what industry he supports, but he is in alignment with the Northern General. One can observe the lines of separation as if they were drawn on the floor; in one group, the Emperor and the two naval Commanders, along with a handful of the council members; in the other, the Generals from the North and East, along with a majority of the council led by the young man.”

“And what side are you on?” Kael asked.

Dacien grinned. “I suppose I agree with the General from the North. His answers make sense, whereas the Emperor…” Dacien trailed off, not wanting to speak poorly of his superior. But he was too honest a man to stifle his intuition.

“I’ve heard it said that the Empire has grown fat and lazy, that we no longer have the resolution of past generations. That’s how I feel when I listen to the Emperor.” After a long pause, Dacien spoke again. “Please excuse me; I have a long day tomorrow and I must turn in early.”

“These meetings will be the death of you,” commented one soldier.

“I believe you are correct,” Dacien replied. “Good evening.”

In the cool of the evening, Kael walked across the courtyard of the Imperial Palace, heading for his room. Walking at a leisurely pace, he took in his surroundings. The massive trees and fountains of water brought Dacien’s words to his mind.

…
the Empire has grown fat and lazy…

“Good evening, gentlemen,” Kael greeted the guards as he approached the guest quarters.

“My lord, you have a message.”

“Is it urgent?”

“No, my lord. It was the blacksmith; he wanted to see you. He was excited, but it wasn’t an emergency.”

“How long ago?”

Perhaps an hour,” the guard replied.

Kael looked up at the dark sky, dotted with stars. The wine had made him sleepy and he considered waiting until morning.

“…excited?” he asked.

“Yes, my lord,” the man confirmed.

“Very well,” Kael mumbled to himself. “Now I’m curious.”

“Do you require an escort, my lord?”

“No thank you,” Kael protested, uncomfortable with being called a lord. He really wasn’t a landowner, though the guard’s assumption wasn’t misplaced. Typically, one didn’t travel with a general without being a man of considerable status himself. The thought brought a smile to Kael’s face.

So you’re a man of status now? Very impressive!

It took much longer to reach the blacksmith’s shop at night. Most of the shops were locked up, and the alleyway was completely dark, except for a faint orange light coming from a crack in the door.

Kael knocked.

A small window—only big enough for a pair of eyes—opened at the center of the door.

“…you left me a message?” Kael asked quietly.

The door quickly opened and the blacksmith ushered him inside. The man’s eyes were red and he looked as if he hadn’t slept in a while.

“I suppose it’s going to be expensive?” Kael asked.

“No, no,” the man protested. “There’s no charge.”

Kael was surprised, and about to ask for clarification, when the man turned and walked through the door into the shop. Kael followed, feeling the sense of excitement that the guard described.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

The man shook his hand dismissively. “You have to see it.”

Kael walked quickly after the man, taking note of the furnaces and waist-high anvils placed around the perimeter of the room. Each furnace had a rack of hanging instruments beside it, hammers and other tools for shaping red-hot metal. The room, which was large enough to be a barn, had the smell of coal and sweat.

“...over here,” the man mumbled.

He stopped at one of the work stations, where an object lay on the anvil wrapped in cloth. Kael walked up behind the man and stepped to the side to get a better view. The door to the furnace was open and a white light spilled outward, bringing with it an intense heat.

The blacksmith turned to Kael and lowered his voice. “It looks much different than you remember, but I think…”

Kael, worried about the condition of his ancient gift, ignored the man and leaned forward, pulling the cloth from the anvil.

“…you’ll understand when you see it,” finished the man, his voice trailing off.

At first, Kael didn’t understand. What lay before him was unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was a sword, to be sure. Like a dark prism, it split the light and cast rainbows in all directions. Its sparkle was like that of a diamond. The thin blade, curved elegantly to the handle, with just a slight arc. And ‘handle’ wasn’t the right word, for the blade and handle were one and the same material, separated only by the shape that was appropriate for their purposes. The handle was cylindrical, decorated will all manner of intricate designs, perfectly sized for the grip of a man. From this, the sword narrowed into a smooth blade with a mirrored surface that reflected the images of things around it. It was the most beautiful thing Kael had ever seen.

“I’ve never seen its equal,” he stated with confidence.

“Indeed,” the blacksmith agreed. “…for its equal has never existed, and never will.”

For a few moments, the two stood admiring the sword. Then Kael turned to ask the man a question.

The blacksmith held up his hand. “This is not my doing. I am not capable of creating such artistry, neither is any mortal man. I simply removed what was hiding it.”

“Hiding it?” Kael questioned. “What do you mean?”