Chapter 24: The City that Tempted Fate Part 12: Setting Things Right
"Oh no!" Evan and Tani gasped as Batu uttered, "Blessed be!"
"It looks like they've been overwhelmed," said Roland. "Let's get back and see what we can do… If it's not too late that is…"
"If Master Pugnacious…" Ya Pi hesitated before continuing. "If he still lives. He will be able to douse the fire with a spell."
"All of it?" Aranella asked.
"Yes. If he has the strength to cast the spell that is. It will call forth a storm to drench the entire city in torrential rain."
"All right," said Roland. "Let's go find him then."
"Wait!" Evan cut in. "What about your wounded?"
"Men! See the wounded to the healers! The rest of you are to join the efforts to battle the fire!"
"Yes, Captain," they chorused. While some of the soldiers saw to their wounded friends and colleagues, the rest streamed through the gates to face the fires, and the party followed. Stepping through the entrance to the city was like stepping into an oven. The heat from the flames was stifling and a heavy veil of smoke choked the air. Panicked citizens were running to and fro, some trying desperately to save their homes; Whatever organisation they'd had had long crumbled as the flames grip on the city had strengthened. Roland raised a sleeve to his mouth, as the others did the same.
"This be a fearsome fire indeed, Roland," said Batu. "It'll be takin' a deluge te put it out fer sure."
"Yeah, you're not kidding," he muttered in agreement.
"Then it seems the fate of Goldpaw now rests in Master Pugnacious' hands," Aranella commented.
"Where was he taken?"
"He was taken to the Dreaming Camomile Inn to recuperate," Ya Pi replied. "It was safe from the flames at the time, but… no longer I fear."
"Then we'd better move fast," said Roland. The party hurried up the slope, dodging citizens and soldiers bringing water, or burning debris falling from above. They arrived at the Inn to discover Ya Ya and Bradley had organised a group of citizens into combatting the flames attempting to devour the Inn, while Lady Pekingese looked on, wringing her hands in trepidation. The higgledies were there too, in the company of a third; A fiery red higgledy with a tiny pair of horns jutting from his forehead as his distinguishing feature. "Evan, give them a hand."
"Right!" Evan cast the water ball spell and flung it at the fire. The ball exploded on impact, dousing some of the flames. The little red higgledy squealed and hid behind Runcible and Wiff-waff. He cowered as another followed, and then another.
Ya Ya and Bradley turned at the first spell and their expression became one of relief and delight. "Hey! You made it!" He exclaimed as Ya Ya said. "Captain! King Evan! You're back! Does this mean…?"
"Longfang has been successfully repelled," Ya Pi confirmed. "He is a threat to the city no more."
Her shoulders sagged in relief. "Mistress of Fortune be praised, but… if only I could say the same for the fire. When Miss Aranella lead him through the city, he set fire to many of the buildings along the way. We lost control after that…"
"It couldn't be helped. And I'm certain you did your best. But now it falls to Master Pugnacious to set things right. He is the only one of us with the power to summon a storm to extinguish the fires."
"Where is Master Pugnacious now?" Roland asked.
"Arf, arf! The Grand High Roller is recuperating in one of the guest rooms," Lady Pekingese replied. "But last I checked he was still unconscious."
"Then we'd better go wake him up. He's got a city to save."
"Higgledy pig! Higgledy pig!" The higgledies jumped up and down, happy to be reunited and excited to introduce their new friend.
"Runcible! Wiff-waff!" Tani and Evan exclaimed.
"It's good to see you safe and sound," said Aranella.
"This is Frumious the Flammable," Lofty translated. "Apparently he was drawn here by the fire."
"Nice to meet you, Frumious," said Roland. "But we'll have to save the introductions for later. We're kind of in a hurry at the moment."
Frumious nodded in understanding, and with the flames now doused, Lady Pekingese lead them inside and through to the back area where the guest rooms were. "He's in here-oh!" She exclaimed.
Somewhere between when she'd last checked on him and now, Pugnacious had regained consciousness. The guest room he'd been placed in faced outwards from the Inn, affording a view overlooking the city, down to the entrance gates and the land beyond. But all it beheld now was Goldpaw in flames. Pugnacious turned away from the window. "What… what happened?" He asked in a bemused tone, as if he simply could not process the scene unfolding outside.
"Longfang happened," Ya Pi replied. "After your kingsbond was severed, he went berserk and lashed out. The fate of our city is a result of that attack as you can see. So now it falls to you to set this right."
"He's still broken hearted though, isn't he?" Tani spoke up.
"Broken hearted?" Lady Pekingese repeated.
"That's right, mun," Lofty confirmed. "But the darkness is all gone now, like. So we'll be able to fix him up good as new."
"But I thought broken heartedness was just a myth," said Lady Pekingese.
"Well it isn't," Lofty replied. "And you saw that for youerself at the trial. Now youe'll get to see how to mend one. Go on, Evan. Show us how it's done."
Evan stepped forward. "Master Pugnacious. This is a gift from Niall." He drew the rune for Give Heart with his wand and an orb of light shot out of the locket and into Pugnacious' chest.
Pugnacious involuntarily sucked in a breath and exhaled, schooling his expression into one of focused intent. "Ya Ya," he said simply. "My staff."
"What?" She replied. "Oh. Yes. Of course." She still clutched the staff in one hand, so all she had to do was surrender it back to its original owner. They followed him back to the reception room of the Inn and crowded in the doorway to watch, as Pugnacious stepped outside, gripped the staff in both hands and with the end, drew the rune for a spell. It pulsed and black rain clouds rolled in over head, casting the nation in a sudden gloom and the first patters of falling rain drops heralded the start of a downpour. Then the heavens opened. All over the nation, the fires began sputtering out one by one. The citizens ran for cover, ducking under anything that could provide them adequate shelter from the deluge. Soon, all that could be heard was the sound of the rain pounding the rooftops and the streets. But Pugnacious made no attempt to escape the downpour; He simply stood and let the rain fall. They exchanged looks. Ya Ya bravely stepped out into the pouring rain and stood beside him. "Master Pugnacious?" She asked.
He wiped his face with a sleeve before glancing at her briefly. "… Ya Ya… I can… I can scarcely believe what I have done… What I tried to do… It is like waking from a particularly vivid nightmare… And yet… it is no dream… It all really happened."
"That man – whoever he was – he broke your heart, with the purpose of weakening your kingsbond so that it could be stolen. He is the one to blame for all of this, Master Pugnacious. Not… not you."
"But my actions, Ya Ya. They were not his. They were mine. There were no whisperings in my ear. No will was guiding my thoughts but my own. I truly believed that whatever I did, whatever it cost, it was ultimately for the greater good."
"You had… good intentions."
"That may be so. Yet my intentions, as good as they were, have caused much pain and suffering. Not least of all to you. There are no words to express my contrition for what I tried to do, Ya Ya. And for what I said. But you… without a word of apology, it would seem that you have already forgiven me? How… how can this be?"
"Fifteen years ago, my grandmother died leaving me all alone. After a year on the streets, I had the great fortune of meeting a very kind man who took me in. Ever since then he has raised me as if I were his own daughter, and taught me everything I know. I had wondered where that kind man went, what had happened to him. But now I understand. You never truly meant to do any of those things. And you are a victim in all this as much as anyone else, Master Pugnacious."
"A victim?" He repeated weakly.
"Yes, that's right. In order for your kingsbond to be weakened, you had to act in such a way that the people would come to despise you. But since that's not the type of person you are, he had to force you to be by breaking your heart. He used you in other words, and you have the right to be upset about that." He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stem the tears suddenly threatening to spill from his eyes.
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please, Master Pugnacious. You don't have to put on a brave face for me." His composure completely dissolved at that, and he sobbed into her shoulder as she held him tight. Tani and Evan exchanged looks before squeezing each other's hand.
"When she puts it like that, she has a point," said Aranella.
"Yeah," Roland agreed. "Though I'm not sure everyone will see it that way."
"Do you think there was anything we could've done for Warlord Waryks?" Evan asked. "If we'd tried harder to help him…?"
"I doubt it. But I guess that would depend if Waryks was tainted or corrupted. Though since he didn't have a kingsbond I would doubt Ali Bi would've had any interest in corrupting him."
"So e'were more likely to be tainted then?" Batu asked.
"I think that's what we should assume. Lofty said the taint and the darkness weren't the same and we couldn't even get the darkness out of Pugnacious' heart ourselves; It seems likely that Ali Bi removed it when he took the kingsbond. So when it comes to curing the taint, we have even less of an idea of how to do that."
"Aye…"
At length, Pugnacious pulled away from Ya Ya and wiped his face with a sleeve with a sniffle. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder again and said, "Come inside, Master Pugnacious." The others moved back into the reception area as she and Pugnacious stepped in out of the still pouring rain. They were both now utterly drenched, with droplets of water dripping from the hems of their clothing and rivers of water running through their fur.
"I believe I owe you all an apology as well," he said, before anyone else could speak. "My actions and behaviour were nothing short of… unforgivable. And I can only hope that I have not fostered hostility between our two nations, King Evan."
"Your apology is accepted, Master Pugnacious," Evan replied easily. "And you needn't worry about hostility developing between your kingdom and mine. I founded my kingdom with the intention of making a place where there is no fighting, and where everyone can be happy."
"That is a very admirable goal, King Evan."
"Yeah, and as we're discovering," Roland added. "You weren't really acting in your right mind either."
"I suppose… there is truth in your words. But still, I must make amends for my actions, and I fully intend to."
"Glad to hear it," said Aranella.
"And you, Mr Summers. You have my assurances that you remain a valued citizen of Goldpaw… should you still desire to stay."
"Well thanks. I didn't want to have to leave Goldpaw, and… I'm glad you're back to normal now."
"Indeed. And should I have need of your services in the future, Mr Summers, I promise to refrain from blackmailing you into accepting."
"That's all I want."
"Arf, arf! I too am glad you're back to normal," said Lady Pekingese. "I couldn't believe what happened in the trial, you weren't acting like yourself at all. But now I understand, because you weren't. You've kept your promises before, so I believe you'll do so again. You have my support, Master Pugnacious."
"And you have my gratitude, Lady Pekingese."
"If I had not witnessed with my own eyes everything that had transpired, I believe I would have been most unwilling to give you a second chance," said Ya Pi. "But since I have… You have my sword as always, Master Pugnacious."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Though… I would not assume the people will be so understanding."
"No," he sighed. "Nor would I."
"Well we managed to fight off your Kingmaker," said Tani. "But Lofty says he'll be back."
Pugnacious looked dismayed at that, as did Ya Ya, while Bradley looked alarmed. "Wait he's not done?"
"He also said that Longfang's power will be waning with each subsequent attack," Ya Pi added. "So with each attack, he will become easier to repel." He frowned. "Though I will not lie. This battle was a most arduous ordeal – even with Lofty's power – and there were many casualties."
Pugnacious hung his head and clutched his heart. "All this… for my kingsbond…"
The party exchanged looks. "Who was that man by the way?" Evan asked.
"Yeah," Bradley added. "You guys seemed to recognise him, but I sure didn't."
"As I explained to King Evan and his entourage, he was the man who visited us some months ago," Ya Ya explained.
"He did not tell us his name, or what nation he hailed from, but he claimed to have knowledge of a way Goldpaw might be made yet greater," Pugnacious added. "On one condition that is; That he would share this information only with myself."
"So when you agreed, that's when he broke your heart?" Bradley asked.
"I must assume that is correct, although… I have no memory of it actually happening. When he and I were alone, he explained that I already had everything I needed. Everything that was, except motivation. After that, he told me to ponder on his words before concluding our meeting and taking his leave. And so I did. As this was after Mr Summers had arrived in Goldpaw, eventually my thoughts turned to you, Mr Summers, and I realised that he was right." Pugnacious looked away. "Reflecting on these memories is so strange. I cannot see precisely when my thoughts turned; The progression was so subtle. But the lengths I eventually went to… that was not."
Bradley folded his arms and frowned at the carpeted floor. "Is this ringing any bells?" Roland asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Did something like this happen with President Vector?"
"I mean… it's possible? But I'm not in Vector's inner circle. You'd have to check in with Trey or Bracken."
"Right…" Whoever they were.
"I fear this man will not be content with just one kingsbond," said Pugnacious.
"Wouldn't that depend on what he wants it for?" Tani asked.
"Indeed," he agreed. "Which is why we cannot assume that just the one is enough."
"He has a point," said Aranella.
"Yeah," Tani conceded. "But what can you even do with a kingsbond? Especially one that's been severed."
"I dread to think," said Ya Ya as the others hummed and assumed thoughtful postures.
"I am afraid I have not the faintest idea," Pugnacious replied.
"Nor do I, mun!" Lofty added.
Ya Pi folded his arms and stared down at him. "But you're a Kingmaker are you not? Who of us here would know more about kingsbonds than you?"
"He's a faery who became a Kingmaker," Aranella explained. "So I'm afraid his knowledge of Kingmakers and kingsbonds seems to be somewhat lacking."
"That's true," Lofty agreed. "But I do know this much. It is possible to break or sever a kingsbond like, but it's not something that just anyone can do. When a ruler or Kingmaker dies, or the ruler abdicates, the kingsbond dissolves. But when it's forcefully broken or severed, it causes a magical backlash that makes the Kingmaker loose control of all the power being channeled through the kingsbond, which then causes them to rampage until all that power is thoroughly exhausted. And that's something that can take many years. But the Kingmaker isn't the only one that gets the backlash, see-"
"Do the people feel it?" Bradley cut in. "Cos I felt something when the kingsbond was severed."
"As did I," said Ya Ya.
"And I," Captain Ya Pi added.
"Yes, and me," said Lady Pekingese.
"The people share a bond with their Kingmaker as well, see, but only to a certain extent. So like, it's not a kingsbond, but you felt it breaking all the same. Just not nearly on the same level as Longfang," Lofty explained.
"Or I?" Pugnacious asked.
"Ah well, there's the thing, see. The ruler receives the backlash as well, it's true. But if it has a Kingmaker running around in a blind rage from the agony, then what do you think it usually does to them?"
They all pondered the question, but Roland was the first to arrive at the answer. "It's fatal, isn't it?" He stated more than asked.
"That's right. The backlash kills them dead." Horror met this statement as he continued. "So as you can imagine, it's a pretty effective way of taking out a king and Kingmaker in one go, isn't it?"
"Goodness," Ya Ya uttered. "Then Master Pugnacious was most fortunate to have avoided such a fate."
But Lofty shook his head. "But I don't think it was fortune, see. Ali Bi pulled the kingsbond from Pugnacious's chest. That means he severed the kingsbond at the root. Pugnacious likely fainted from the trauma of the severing itself, not from any backlash."
"I see," said Pugnacious. "So what does this mean?"
"It seems like he wanted the resulting overflow of magic for himself. But as for what he intends to do with it, I've got no clue!"
"So we're back to square one," Roland concluded.
"Yes, as enlightening as that was, we're no closer to understanding why he did it," Aranella agreed.
"I surmise that the answer to this question may not be one to our liking," Pugnacious commented. "Perhaps I should look into it-?"
"No," Roland cut in. "He already has your kingsbond, so I doubt he'll have any reason to return. You have bigger problems to worry about right now."
Pugnacious hung his head. "Yes… You speak true. My kingdom has yet to recover from the devastation he-or perhaps I caused. That must come first."
"Right. Maybe we can get Niall looking into it? Or he might already have some ideas. We've gotta head back to update him on everything's happened here anyway."
"Indeed." He glanced out through the doorway. The rain was finally beginning to ease off. "Very well, then it would appear that here is where we part ways." He turned to Evan. "King Evan. I cannot thank you enough for all that you, your Kingmaker and your companions have done for myself and my kingdom. For that, you will always be welcome in Goldpaw. And while I am afraid that we are in no position to lend you aid in the immediate future, if there is anything that I can help you with, then you need but ask."
"Thank you, Master Pugnacious."
"May your nation prosper, King Evan, and farewell."
"And you, Master Pugnacious."
They bowed to each other, and then he turned to Ya Ya and Ya Pi. "Ya Ya. Captain. Come. I must make a speech to the nation."
"Yes, Master Pugnacious," they chorused. "May the Mistress of Fortune smile upon you and your companions, King Evan," Ya Ya continued.
"And may we meet again," Ya Pi added. They bowed before following after Pugnacious.
"Guess I'd better go see if my house is still standing," said Bradley. "But if is then, hit me up sometime, yeah?"
Roland smiled. "Sure."
"All right. Later guys." They bid him farewell as he left.
"And you are all welcome to come back anytime," said Lady Pekingese. "That is, once the Inn has been repaired."
"Thank you, Lady Pekingese," Evan replied.
"Guess it's our turn," said Roland.
"Right." Evan pulled out his wand and they gathered around.
"Higgledy pig! Higgledy pig!" The three higgledies jumped up and down in anticipation.
"I not be lookin' forward to this," Batu whined.
"You could always wait with Chingis if you don't feel well enough to accompany us," Aranella suggested.
"Aye… I suppose I could…"
"Someone should probably check in with him when we arrive," said Roland. "He'll want to know what's been going on."
"Aye… Then I suppose that'll be me."
"Remember now, everyone. Sight, smell, sound and taste," Lofty coached and Evan closed his eyes in preparation.
"The Forest of Niall is an enormous forest where the trees are as tall as any building," Roland began. "And the canopy is so thick that it looks like the sky at night."
"The air smelt of wood and moss," said Aranella.
"And the ground crunched under our feet as we walked," said Tani.
"And remember the mushrooms we ate for stew?" Lofty asked. "They were proper tasty they were."
"You would remember that," she snarked.
The tip of Evan's wand began to glow. "It's ready," he said simply and they shuffled closer.
He drew the casting rune in the air. Once again, in the space it took to blink, there was a gathering of energy, then came darkness and finally the peculiar sensation of being whisked away on a river of energy. When they opened their eyes again they were all standing before the waystone, just inside the entrance to the Forest of Niall.
"We're here!" Tani exclaimed as Batu clutched his stomach and groaned.
"Is it any better this time?" Evan asked.
"Not even a little," he replied.
"Is it worse?" Aranella asked.
"It might be… But don't ye be worryin' about me… Go on ahead now. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure about that?" Evan asked. "We don't mind waiting for you to get better."
"Aye. I be sure, Yer Majesty… Someone should be bringin' Chingis up te date with what's been happenin', like Roland said… Makes sense fer it te be me."
"Considering the hour, we should also be thinking about setting up camp for the night," said Aranella. "We won't be making it very far on the skimmers in this light."
"Aye… ye'ave the right o'it… If ye be givin' me yer tents, then… Chingis n'I'll be settin' up… or'e will anyway. I'll be'elpin'im when I be feelin' better."
"Actually… considering we're not going anywhere today, there's no real rush to get back to Niall," Roland observed. "We can walk you back to Chingis, Batu. And maybe we can pitch the tents while we're there."
"Higgle?" Frumious asked of the other higgledies. Whatever they said was apparently satisfactory as he nodded and said no more.
"It'll be nice to see Chingis again," Tani added.
"I hope he's all right," said Evan.
"'E's Chingis," Batu replied. "'E'll be fine."
"I wonder if he's making dinner already," Tani wondered aloud.
"If he is, we should hurry back so we don't get left out," Lofty declared and everyone either rolled their eyes or shook their heads.
"Of course you'd say that."
"Well we won't know till we get there," said Roland. "Let's go. You can lean on me if you need to, Batu."
"Thank ye, lad." With Roland supporting him and Aranella hovering by his other side, they walked back slowly, pausing every now and then to let Batu regroup. As they drew closer to the exit, music began drifting through the tunnel. It sounded like someone was playing a wind instrument not far from the tunnel's entrance. When they stepped out, Chingis was sitting before a campfire with his back turned to them. Meat was roasting over the fire on a wooden spit, and he was passing the time waiting for it to cook by playing on a hand carved wooden recorder that looked quite old but was otherwise well cared for.
"Chingis!" Evan and Tani called.
"Higgle!" Frumious also called out and waved, until Runcible and Wiff-waff explained that he couldn't see them.
Chingis stopped playing and turned at the call of his name. "King Evan! Tani!… Chief!" He placed the recorder down and hurried over. "What the devil'appened to ye, Chief?"
"It would seem that Batu's stomach does not agree with the Travel spell," Aranella explained.
"He'll be all right, though," Roland assured him. "He just needs to sit down and rest, and drink some water."
"Oh. Aye." Chingis and Roland helped Batu ease himself down onto the ground. Batu rested his arms on his knees and his forehead on his arms. Chingis straightened up and placed his hands on his hips. "So. What were'appenin' while I were away?"
The party exchanged looks. "A lot, mun," Lofty replied.
"Yeah," Roland agreed. "A whole lot."
"I were figurin' as much. Ye could be seein' the smoke from'ere. But it be soundin' like it would be best te explain it te me o'er dinner."
"Yeah…" Tani agreed. "We haven't reported back to Niall yet, either."
"Oh aye?" He looked away to where the sun was setting. "It be gettin' too late te set out on the skimmers even if ye'ad, so we'll'ave te be makin' camp'ere fer the night. Give me yer tents an'I'll see about settin'em up."
"All by yourself?" Evan asked.
"Well… the Boss can be'elpin' me when'e's got'is feet back. Otherwise it'll be givin' me sumthin' te pass the time with while dinner cooks. An'I reckon on it bein' ready by the time ye've finished up."
"All right," said Roland. "Makes sense." So they handed over all of their camping gear. "We'll be back as soon as we're done."
"Take some torches with ye. Yer not goin' te be navigatin' the forest in the dark."
"Actually the forest comes with its own lighting, so I don't think we'll need them."
"Also we're not sure how Niall will feel about us running through his forest with flaming torches," Tani added.
"Aye… Ye'ave a point," Chingis conceded.
"Do think that's why the forest has all of those glowing mushrooms?" Evan asked. "So nobody has to use a torch?"
"That would be my assumption," said Aranella.
"Let's go," said Roland. "I know I said there's no rush, but we also don't want to get there and find they're all asleep."
"Right," they chorused. So back they went into the forest.
A/N: One of the main reasons for a lot of the characters feeling so flat in canon, is that they aren't allowed to feel, or rather display any kind of emotional fallout from anything that happens to them, or from things they've done, except for only two characters, those characters being Evan and Mausinger.
Granted Pugnacious went a whole lot harder in this incarnation, but you'd still expect him to have more of a reaction upon regaining his senses, to having his agency eroded to the point where he was (on the road to) taxing his people into oblivion given his background, but he barely expresses anything more than mild dismay.
Also trying to make the story into a more cohesive narrative by having the events of Goldpaw have implications for the other kingdoms, and having the characters notice this as well.
Also please picture this. Pugnacious (sitting in a room while it burns down around him): This is fine. :)