They would occasionally travel to a clearing outside of town, sometimes accompanied by Ardharwin and other witches from High Peaks. Of course, the ‘witches’ had no real powers, and Remus still felt strange using that word to describe them. Elaina would try and channel her powers in new ways during these sessions, and expand upon the spell the elf had taught her. As she gestured and chanted her spells, Remus would sit on a rock and observe, giving advice and occasionally laughing as Elaina stumbled.
Elaina did not discover any new uses of her powers over water and wind, although her command over the elements certainly increased. Using her powers was not so much about learning spells, as about harnessing her inborn ability to manipulate the elements. Her expertise over the confusion spell increased however, the translucent purple bubble expanding and lasting for a decent duration. It was almost impossible for others to see the bubble, which was an almost invisible aura, unless it caught one’s eye or if they really were looking intently. She was, however, not willing to use it on her friends for practice. Manipulating emotions and instincts magickally was something she would save for enemies.
Elaina, who never spoke much about her life-long feelings of isolation very often, began to forget that she was a Touched or an outcast, and truly felt like she had a home. Remus, and her friends in the coven, would be there for her.
Remus continued his woodcutting, and Elaina her herbology; though they had saved their reward from Quintus, they were hardly rich. They also needed an occupation to busy their mind, as they found their thoughts buzzing, and a feeling of restlessness plaguing them. They had experienced a taste of the outside world, and in comparison, life in High Peaks seemed so static. The local townspeople’s attitude towards them had hardly changed, for their work in killing the murderous dwarf had been neutered by their apparent ability to communicate with some of the dwarves. Rumour spread surprisingly fast in a small town.
Remus and Elaina did not want to venture too far in the forest near High Peaks, for fear of sparking another conflict. The forest edge near town was heavily patrolled, and there was an air of overt suspicion in the air, more toxic than before. The town was stable and safe as it was before the war, but they had lost their freedom to explore. Previously, although they were disliked, Remus and Elaina could go about their business, venturing into the forest whenever they liked. Now, it was difficult for Elaina to even gather her herbs without being challenged. Life went on outside High Peaks, as did opportunities for learning and growth.
One afternoon Remus was sitting by the fireplace in his small cabin, staring at the arquebus that was mounted against his wall. The beautiful instrument had been given to him by Albertus, the Steelwielder missionary. Where was he now, Remus wondered? He had asked around, and was informed the Missionaries had left soon after the conflict started, helping in the fighting for a few days and then announcing that they must return to their home city of Telruth to rejoin their Steelwielder comrades. They may be there, or may be on another journey for their faction.
Remus had no desire to join any faction, but they were part of the goings on in Glenryth, and he may be able to learn something from them. A knock on his door, which was left unlocked, alerted him. He absent-mindedly said ‘Come in’. It was Elaina. The curious look in her eyes told him that she had something to talk about. She pulled a chair near the fireplace, sitting down.
‘Hello Elaina. It feels different being in town now, doesn’t it?’
‘It does. I’m not sure whether High Peaks has changed, or whether we have. Probably both’.
Remus couldn’t argue. ‘Tell me more about the Steelwielders, and the offers they, and Quintus, made to you in Yondern’, he requested.
She repeated the story to him, and Remus asked elaborating questions about the individuals that they met.
‘This town feels just as oppressive as it did before, but we have lost some measure of privacy and freedom’ Remus said. Elaina nodded, she too had been having the same thoughts.
They both felt the thrill of adventure, but did not want to be the one to broach the idea… their recent journey had been the only time they had left the town, besides minor excursions. They were silent for a moment, and there was a tinge of excitement in the air.
‘Well, are you suggesting that we go to Yondern?’ Elaina asked brashly.
Remus nodded slowly, ‘I believe I am’.
So it was decided. They paid a visit to the Sheriff and Mayor and informed them that they were leaving for a long period of time. The officials had the same attitude as usual, but agreed to protect their property while they were gone. Remus and Elaina would leave the next morning.
As Remus packed his travelling supplies, he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins in anticipation. He would be leaving the town and its limitations, and would have an opportunity to explore the world in its vastness. After a night of troubled sleep, the excitement was even more heightened, now that the morning of departure had come. It almost felt that if he did not pack his supplies and leave as soon as he could, that someone or something would arrive and snatch away the nascent adventure.
He finished packing, and waited for Elaina outside his cabin. She arrived a few minutes later, her flaxen-blue waves of hair dancing in the wind. There wasn’t much to say, and they simply started walking towards the main road, taking the first steps of their journey.
EPILOGUE
King Dorbuuk sat on his stone bed in his private chambers in the cave, rubbing his forehead with his hand. The massive stone door seemed to loom over the old dwarf, separating himself from his kin. He was supposed to be in one of the long sleeps that dwarven Kings spent most of their lives in. Dorbuuk had been Awake for longer than usual, and needed his long sleep to recover his energy. Boruggh had been slain, and the weeks-long war had ended. This had occurred a month ago.
The Clanhome had returned to normal, the dwarven army receding as they noticed the human’s own retreat. The dwarves would continue to fight the strange invaders with their usual tactics. Total war was always tiresome, the humans, though primitive, had tools and were incredibly stubborn. When would these hairless creatures stop their expansion, their violation of the balance and of Eldemon’s edicts? The dwarf could not feel sympathy for the loss of the child, it was a simple mistake caused by the escape of Boruggh.
He had ordered some of his trustworthy kin to investigate how the massive shackles and chains had been broken, but there had been no conclusive explanation. The shackles were thick, but the lock was simple and easy to pick. Why wouldn’t it be? Boruggh could hardly pick the lock with his hands shackled, and without access to tools. Any dwarf could easily craft a lockpick to defeat the lock, but why would any dwarf desire to? Dorbuuk would have to keep his eyes open, upon his next Awakening.
Jabghar had also delivered the book of lore to the strange human man, who was travelling with the human woman he was usually with, and another man. Dorbuuk did not know what would come of it, but humans could be tempted easily, and it was a situation he must remain informed about. But that would have to wait for a later time. Dorbuuk felt a wave of exhaustion, and lay on the slab of stone that served as his bed, eyes closing and waiting for sleep.
AN EXCERPT OF THE SHARD OF PALRINAH, THE UPCOMING 2nd BOOK IN THE REMUS ROTHWYN CHRONICLES
Weylin strode across the marble-lined bridge in the Monastery of St. Palrinah. The monastery was perched on a seaside cliff face, and the complex
expanded onto small islands near the cliff-side. The two small islands were as tall as the mainland cliff-side, small areas of land elevated atop of protruding towers of rock. The monastery towered over the roaring surf below, and wide bridges connected the main building with the islands. Sounds of gulls, bright sunlight, and fresh salt air greeted Weylin as he made his way to the main monastery proper, but he was not the kind of man who could readily appreciate these things. His mind was focused on some very interesting and confidential information that had been divulged to him by his superiors, and his steps were quick and guided.
The recent months had been turbulent, but ultimately were a blessing for the dark-haired, boyish-faced man. He had risen through the ranks of the Paragonites fairly quickly; he was still low-ranking, but reaching the position of Disciple of the First Order this quickly was rare. He wore the robes of the order, which were burnt-orange and brown coloured and inscribed with the tenets of the order. His well-made leather sandals clipped on the stone bridge. He certainly looked the part of a Paragonite monk, and had done a good job of conveying his zealotry for the order. However, if one looked carefully at his hazel eyes, you would see not faith or religious zeal, but ambition.
Weylin reached the entrance to the monastery, and began ascending the stairs. The interior was dim and cool, intense sunlight being channeled through windows, throwing splotches on the ground. Groups of robed monks stood quietly conversing in corners, or sat on the floor praying. As Weylin walked towards Brother Renaldin’s private chambers, he reflected on the time that had passed since he left his home town of High Peaks. At first, it was an initial rush through the forest, surviving as well as he could. Approaching Yondern, he cleaned himself up as much as he could in a forest pond, so he could be presentable upon entering the city, a place he had been to before to practice law.
He talked to some old clients, and there was one who was having legal problems related to land issues. He already had a lawyer, but saw the need for an assistant for his lawyer, to assist in the drudgery of paperwork and clerical matters. Weylin moved to the client’s estate outside the city to complete the task, and remained there for the duration of the job, glad to be out of sight from the authorities. Weylin hardly remembered anything about the case, he had been merely interested in earning enough money to travel further. In the few days he spent in Yondern, he did research about any potential job offers he could find, that would take him out of the city.
The Steelwielders and St. Lusites were strong in the city, but Weylin thought it would be unwise for a Touched to be part of organizations that eschewed his kind, or any connection to magic. He heard of a conflict between the Steelwielders and the Paragonites from Eruthia, and performed more research on the group, discovering that they had a more tolerant attitude towards magick and the Touched. There were a few Paragonites in Yondern, as open war had not been declared yet, and he got to talking with them, persuading them he was a rogue needing salvation, and that he very much admired their tenets. He was advised to go a city in Eruthia named Rhineholm, and ask for admission at the Paragonite compound there.
Crossing the border into Eruthia, he had arrived at Rhineholm. The resourceful man had managed to persuade the priests of St. Palrinah to give him a chance. The work started off as assisting them in diplomatic issues, using his clerical and legal skills, but then soon he became involved in fighting their enemies and defending their interests. He had confided in his superiors about his Touched skills, hoping it would give him an advantage that countered his lack of physical or martial prowess.
They had been welcoming regarding his powers, and Weylin completed more and more tasks successfully, learning about the faith and projecting a dedication to it. He had eventually been shipped to a Monastery dedicated to St. Palrinah, located in a remote area outside the gates of any city, to train and help the cause in a greater capacity.
Weylin’s training and routine assignments had been interrupted this day by his master, who bequeathed upon him some private information that was most intriguing. He would learn more when he arrived at Brother Renaldin’s chambers. Weylin snapped out of his reminiscing as he entered the corridor that contained his master’s quarters. Knocking on the door, he was told to step in.
Inside the room sat Renaldin, two senior Disciples, and a man that Weylin had not seen before. ‘Sit, Brother’, Renaldin bade him in his dulcet tones. The two senior priests gave Weylin a curt nod, while the unidentified man simply stared ahead. ‘As I told you this morning, Weylin, one of our fold found a very unique Touched, one such as yourself… but quite different. He sits right over there’. Renaldin gestured towards the unidentified man.
Weylin observed the man, taking in every detail. He was powerfully built, and was a normal looking man, although he seemed to permanently have a dour expression on his face. His brown-hair was close-shaven. Weylin noticed that he wore robes of pure grey, unlike the robes of the Order. Why would they make him wear grey, unless it was to somehow distinguish or separate him from the rest of the Brothers and Sisters of the order?
‘What is his name?’ Weylin asked.
‘His previous name and identity no longer matter. I… have decided to name him ‘the Prodigy’, for his exceptional abilities in the use of magick’.
‘Oh. And where was he found, and by whom?’ Weylin inquired.
‘He was found wandering in Eruthia, spurned by all, needing a home and purpose. Who found him is none of your concern, but he or she has been well rewarded. The Prodigy has been with us for months now, and Brother Gaius has been handling his training himself’.
Weylin knew of brother Gaius, he had a reputation for being the harshest and most abusive of instructors at the monastery. The reputation was well-earned, as Weylin had discovered during his brief attendance in one of the brother’s classes. As the Prodigy stared forward blankly, a shred of sympathy sparked in Weylin’s mind at the removal of identity and value the monks had subjected him to. Weylin’s own journey had been inspired by the desire to retain his individuality, identity and value- rather than rotting away in prison or hanging from the executioner’s noose.
‘Let us get to the main revelation, the very aspect that made us so interested in the Prodigy. He, you see, has access to all four elements’.
Weylin was taken aback mentally, carefully considering the words.
Renaldin smiled knowingly, not surprised at the reaction. He had received the exact same reaction when he informed the other select high-ranking members, of the situation. ‘That is right, Brother Weylin. Our friend here is the only human in known history to have control over the power of flame, wind, water and earth. And his raw power with each of these sources is quite impressive. He is a most unique Touched’. Renaldin sat back on his wooden chair and clasped his hands on his chest.
‘If this is true, then he will be a great asset indeed’. Weylin immediately regretted the words, he was not sure if he had stepped over the line into subordination by implying he did not believe Renaldin’s statement.
Renaldin simply smiled and suggested a demonstration.
* * *
BIBLIOGRAPHY
If you enjoyed Steel, Magick and Faith, you may want to look for the next in The Remus Rothwyn Chronicles series, The Shard of Palrinah, out now. It would really help if you were kind enough to leave a review as well.
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T.P. Grish devoured fantasy books since he was a kid, particularly liking character-based fantasy novels with exciting sequences, complex stories and a lode of deeper meaning. Although he also loved fantasy movies and hobby gaming, his dream to write his own fantasy novels was always at the forefront. Today, he is a PhD doctoral student and part-time business writer who can't help but daydream about writing novels for you to read.
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