Author's Note: Here's the next chapter, sooner rather than later! Please review, please, please, please!
And I own nothing…nada…zip…
Chapter 11: Road to Chyrellos
Sparhawk looked quietly down at the map in front of him. Early morning light strained through the tent flap shading his face in half light and half shadow and giving his austere features an intimidating cast.
Sparhawk felt his age today, not merely because of the physical trials of the battle the day before; but also the strain of worry he felt for Kurik's sons, sons which might as well be his own. Then there was Sparhawk's own family. They were safe at the moment, but there was an army coming.
Sparhawk's Pandions were the only ones standing between it and Chyrellos.
Located on the grass covered plains part-way between Demos and Chyrellos, the Prince Consort studied his men's position on the map. According to Rhamik, Two days after Sparhawk left Demos a large force of freelance mercenaries and Dieran royal soldiers appeared less than a league away from the Chapterhouse.
How the army had arrived at the Chapterhouse doorstep with no warning to posts and sentries worried Sparhawk to no end. He wondered hew Khalad was holding up. Rhamik, along with a messenger to Cimmuria, had been dispatched soon after the army was spotted. There was no telling if the army would be able to materialize directly outside the gates of Chyrellos or if they would need to come through Sparhawk's force.
As Sparhawk continued to study the map a soft step behind him caused him to look up.
"Good morning milord," Dirkeim said politely.
The young man's arm was cast in a sling, but otherwise he was none the worse for wear. A ghost of a smile lighted Sparhawk's face considerably as he turned to greet his squire, clasping his uninjured hand.
"You look a fair deal better than you did yesterday! When did you wake up?" Sparhawk asked.
"Just a few minutes ago, milord. I was having the strangest dream though; I was in a really beautiful place with animals that talked and a sky the color of rainbows. I thought…I thought that I had died." Dirkeim said looking off into the distance.
Sparhawk didn't even bother to raise an eyebrow, but muttered something about conversion and thieves to no one in particular. Dirkeim gave him a slightly baffled look as he joined him by the map.
"Will we start building fortifications today, milord? Rhamik said that the main body of the army would by coming, depending on how long they attempt to siege the Chapterhouse." Dirkeim said, looking at Sparhawk inquiringly.
Sparhawk shook his head. "No. I don't think we will. Rhamik reported that the army materialized out of nowhere. After what we saw the night before last, I am inclined to believe him and…"
Dirkeim interrupted, "What happened the night before last?"
While Sparhawk filled him in, they were joined by Rhamik and Ulath. The latter immediately took a seat as the tent could barely accommodate the Genidian's large hulking frame. Both men waited patiently until Sparhawk was done recounting the details of the previous battle. Ulath chimed in after Sparhawk's story left Dirkeim in total shock.
"So don't bother looking for my niece, she's keeping Queen Ehlana company in the holy city."
Dirkeim's stunned silence slipped into a scowl of disappointment that he hastily masked. Ulath's jaw tightened as he stared hard at the injured man. Rhamik broke the silence.
"Sir Sparhawk? Are we going to start building fortifications?"
Sparhawk lifted his amused gaze from regarding his squire and the Genidian champion. "No. As I was telling Dirkeim, we are not dealing with any normal army. This is a force that can appear out of nowhere without being detected."
"Chyrellos," said Ulath.
"Beg your pardon, sir?" asked a perplexed Rhamik.
The big Genidian knight turned to Sparhawk. "What your illustrious leader is getting at is that at any instant, this so called army could emerge anywhere. What's stopping them from landing right outside the walls of the holy city?"
"Or inside for that matter," mused Dirkeim.
The faces of the four men darkened at that thought.
"Our enemy must have some limitations," pointed out Rhamik. "They weren't able to materialize in the Chapterhouse, and the army you took out looked like they were scouting ahead. Why would the enemy do that if they could just land inside the city?" he continued.
"The advanced force may have only been a decoy," Sparhawk answered. "I can't take a chance on what the enemy may or may not be able to do, I have to assume the worst, which is that they can get inside Chyrellos at any point,"
"So we are going sir?" asked Dirkeim.
"Yes, and quickly too -- Once we've reached Chyrellos we can set up defenses in the city…it isn't as if we haven't done it before." Sparhawk responded solemnly as he recalled the last time the holy city had been besieged.
Ulath nodded in agreement and rose to leave. "I'll inform Komier about the new plans. Our column will be ready to move by midday."
"Good," Sparhawk said, "Rhamik, you and Dirkeim gather up the captains for debriefing."
As the sun reached its zenith, the remaining contingent of Pandions and the column of Genidians began moving at a swift, ground eating pace, to close the distance on Chyrellos.
Sparhawk hoped they would arrive in time.
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Talen's journey to Chyrellos proved uneventful. As the group traveled northeast the weather grew less mild, though spring was still in full swing. The spicy, sweet scent of the Arcium countryside gradually changed as the party approached the heavily populated juncture of the five nations surrounding the holy city. As they drew closer, all too human smells permeated the air.
According to Talen's tally their party had been traveling for eleven days, meaning they were likely to reach Chyrellos in about three and a half days. When he had tried to ask Flute about the army they need to beat to the Church seat, the child-goddess was oddly reticent. She rode with Olet now, her expression distant.
Gradually Talen was drawn out of his own thoughts as his brother's questioning voice caught his attention.
"So do you know Sephrenia very well?" Kyyis was asking Y'phira.
"Yes, she and sir Vanion took me in after my village was destroyed," the Cyrinic tutor answered.
"What happened to your village?" Olet asked.
"A rouge magician sent it up in flames. No one knew why…about a third of the villagers, including my parents, died," she answered.
"I am very sorry," said Olet as she reached across to squeeze the young woman's hand.
Y'phira smiled. "Thank you. It happened awhile ago, I was only twelve, but I had some aptitude in the Secretes so Sephrenia took me and a few others on as apprentices. I studied with her for the next several years."
"So when did you become the new Cyrinic tutor?" Talen interjected, "Don't they request from Romalic?"
"The Cyrinics do request to Romalic, sir Talen," Y'phira answered. "I of course belong to the same goddess my mentor does," she said, smiling affectionately at Flute. "But the basic incantations are essentially the same, you see."
Talen nodded. "But each younger god has their specialty in the more complex spells, right?"
Y'phira tilted her head slightly. "This is true…there are many, many spells to utilize, and each of the younger gods have the ones they prefer."
Bevier who had been listening quietly spoke up. "Don't worry Talen, lady Y'phira's not going to teach the Cyrinics the Pandion order's Secrets." He said, smiling a bit.
Y'phira turned to Talen and vigorously shook her head. "Oh no sir Talen, I learned the specific set of Cyrinic spells from Sephrenia before I left--She's well conversed in most of the spells of the Younger god's, she even knows some spells Aphrael doesn't."
Talen's eyes widened and he turned to Flute. "Is that true?"
Flute blinked and turned toward the now silent group regarding her. "Of course she knows more spells than I do," The child-goddess said petulantly. "I don't usually need them, she does."
Olet pressed further, her curiosity piqued. "I have yet to meet the high priestess though I have heard much about her. Is she as well versed in the Arcane branch of the Secrets?"
Flute turned and gave Olet a measured look. "Her knowledge isn't as...er...thorough as yours Olet, I seriously doubt anyone's is, but she knows a few old spells you've never even heard of."
Olet turned a dark shade of crimson that almost hid her eager expression.
Berit smiled nervously and laughed. "Don't give her any ideas Flute!" I really don't want to spend the next few years with her newest experiments.
Talen was rather deeply concerned as he had been the recipient of one of Olet's experiments, and he had no desire to spend any more time as a small rodent. Some of Talen's trepidation must have shown in his face because Bevier asked if something was wrong.
Berit started laughing. "Talen's just remembering the last time he drank one of Olet's concoctions."
Olet frowned at Berit "Must you always remind me of that?" she asked, "The label was clearly marked! Besides I apologized to Talen most profusely for it!"
"Apologize to Talen for what?" Kyyis demanded.
"Never mind." Talen said sharply, looking at Berit and a contrite looking Olet.
A piping laugh filled the air. Flute was smiling largely. "How could I ever forget, Talen?" she said. "You were so cute as a chipmunk!" she continued gaily.
"A chipmunk?" said Kyyis in disbelief and then double over in hysterical laughter.
Everything went downhill from there.
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Having made good time, the party arrived in Chyrellos on the evening of the third day. The lower halls of the Basilica were lit and Talen was surprised to see several Pandion knights milling about. He and Kyyis dismounted and crossed the courtyard while Bevier and Berit remained behind to help the ladies unsaddle.
Kyyis greeted the nearest Pandion. "Seten, well met," he said grasping the man's hand.
"Why are so many of us here?" Kyyis asked
Seten filled in the two young men. Disturbed by the news, the brothers left the Pandion knights in order to find the Queen. Genuflecting quickly at the altar they made for the stairs.
"What's going on?" asked Berit, whose long stride had easily caught up with Kurik's sons.
"A skirmish with what looks like an advanced force," Talen informed Berit as the men climbed the broad, red-carpeted stairs. "Sparhawk and Ehlana were on the way here to discuss an upcoming tourney when they were set upon by a force of mercenaries and Dierans."
"Dierans?" Berit asked dumbfounded.
"According to Seten, yes." Kyyis interjected as the men continued to head to the Basilica's formal audience chamber. "He was there during the attack. Sparhawk sent him and the other Pandions here ahead with the Queen. The just arrived this morning..."
The three Pandions arrived at the candle lit chamber and seated themselves on the plush chairs and were soon joined by Bevier.
"I took Olet and Y'phira to the quarters reserved for Preceptors. They should be quite comfortable there," he said sitting down.
Talen frowned. "I think Flute's been tampering with time again." Seten said it has only been four days since we left the Cyrinic Chapterhouse."
Just then the door opened and several familiar people came into the room. Queen Ehlana along with Archprelate Dolmant and the Alcione knight, sir Tynian, entered the room.
"Talen, Kyyis!" Ehlana exclaimed as she walked forward to embrace the tow young men and drew back sharply and wrinkled her nose. "You two need to bathe! You smell like rusty tin cans and horses."
Everyone laughed as greetings were exchanged and news shared. Finally sitting down, Talen addressed himself to Dolmant.
"Sarathi," he asked, using the Archprelates' formal name, "I was hoping I could get some assistance. I need to get a hold of the original annals of Listrange I. Bevier said the originals are here in the Basilica."
Dolmant looked at Talen quizzically. "Yes…the annals of most of the earlier Archprelates are here locked in the archives of course, but sir Talen, what business do you have with those dusty old tomes? Surely you would rather gather some information about this approaching army. I daresay we could use some information right now."
Talen frowned, wondering how much he could share with Dolmant before he got locked away in a monastery for heresy. Talen decided not to chance it. "There may be a connection between this force and what I'm searching for," he replied glibly to a surprised looking Dolmant. "But of course I was going to suggest sir Bevier do the actual research since he is the preeminent scholar among us. If that's alright with Preceptor Bevier, or course," Talen said with an appealing look to the Cyrinic knight.
"I would be an honor to work with the sacred archives." Bevier said.
"I've spent some time in the archives before," sir Tynian offered. "I could take you there and help you find what you're looking for."
"Then it's settled!" said an enterprising Ehlana. "Bevier can find out about the old Archprelate and Talen can go find out about this new force," the Queen suggested, clapping her hands. "Well? What are you waiting for gentleman?"
The knights filed out after Queen Ehlana's dismissal and milled in the hallway outside the audience chamber, talking anxiously.
"Let's go, Kyyis," Talen said, grabbing his brother's arm, "We got our orders."
Following his younger brother, Kyyis grumbled irritated. "From what I heard, you got your orders. I don't know why I have to follow you around..."
Talen ignored him as the two men made their way around the back of the Basilica quietly going out a little know exit.
Despite the late hour, the streets of Chyrellos were far from deserted. Being at the center of several cultures had its effect on the holy city as vendors lined the streets selling good originating from the northern reaches of Thalesia to the tip of Cammoria.
Talen, of course, was very comfortable in crowds as many opportunities for the swift transfer of wealth were made possible by the close proximity of people. Talen couldn't quite suppress an urge to appropriate certain trinkets for himself from an especially pompous idiot.
The two young Pandions made their way to the rundown buildings of Chyrellos' east sector. These were her ghettos, and indeed the underbelly of the holy city was one of the most dangerous places in Elenia.
Talen walked into a storefront which, ostensibly, sold general goods. The inside, of course contained said goods, but most of the items were covered in about three inches of dust.
A large, burly, menacing looking man stood behind the counter cracking his knuckles loudly. Talen walked toward him.
"Can I 'elp you sir?" the large man said darkly.
Talen gave him a half-smile and looked around the store. "Nikelle isn't here is she?" the young Pandion asked in his most charming manner.
"No she's not." The man said, folding his arms across his chest as he attempted to stare Talen down.
Not showing the least bit of concern, Talen leaned against the nearest shelf and returned the shopkeepers glare with a mild gaze. The burly man scowled. "If you've got no business here I suggest you leave."
"And if I do have some business?" Talen countered.
The man continued to scowl as he eyed the two armored knights. It was clearly apparent that he was debating something in his head. Talen had a fair idea what it was and what the logically conclusion would have been. But, then again, cutthroats weren't necessary the most logical people. At last the man shrugged as he stared at Talen suspiciously. "Suit yourself." he mumbled.
"Talen," Kyyis said quietly. "Why are we here, anyway?"
Talen shook his head slightly as he continued to regard the other man. The silence stretched out for several moments before the shop door banged open and tow more burly figures entered the store. Behind the counter the shop keeper began to grin maliciously as the men who had just entered closed the distance to Talen and Kyyis.
"May I suggest again that you leave? This is no place for the likes of you" the shopkeeper snarled.
The next moment the shopkeeper's air passage was cut off as he found himself hoisted bodily off the floor by his collar.
"How about instead of me leaving, you go downstairs and tell Odonor that he has a guest?" Talen suggested mildly as he continued to choke off the man's air supply.
The shocked shopkeeper looked around Talen's head for assistance but his backup lay slumped together on the ground while the dark haired knight dusted his hands off with glee.
"Ready to get moving?" Talen said to the shopkeeper.
The terrified cutthroat nodded vigorously and Talen abruptly dropped him. The burly man sprawled on the floor. Getting hastily to his feet, he withdrew a key from his pocket and opened the door behind him. Talen and Kyyis followed the man down a flight of creaky, dimly lit stairs to a moldy cellar. From the other end of the damp room light peeped out from under a door. Crossing the cellar the shopkeeper opened the door.
Immediately, Talen was assaulted with the smell of alcohol, smoke and the stink of unwashed bodies. Pushing past the shopkeeper, Talen crossed the room to a short, thin weasel faced man who sat in the center by a roaring fire, his feet set above him as a shabbily dressed whore sat massaging his feet. He looked up as Talen entered and grinned broadly.
"Ho boy! Haven't seen you in far too long! Come and pull up a chair wit old Odonor! Whose yer friend?"
Talen went forward and sat down across from Odonor, sweeping his hand around to indicate Kyyis. "This is my brother, Kyyis. Unfortunately he's a bit narrow-minded when it comes to transferring of ownership, but he can keep his mouth shut and is passable in a fight."
The weasel faced man nodded to the Pandion as Kyyis took as seat next to Talen.
"Well, let's get to business my young friend," Odonor said rubbing his hands together, "What can I do for you, and more importantly, what's in it for me?"
Talen negligently tossed Odonor a heavy gold bracelet the Pandion thief had picked up earlier. The thin man caught it expertly with his right hand.
"We just need a change of clothes, "Talen said, "Something a littlie less ...ostentatious."
Odonor nodded absently as he carefully examined the gold bracelet. He waved a hand and a couple of women left the room.
"And Odonor?" Talen added, "Be on the lookout. I heard a rumor that there's an army heading this way"
Odonor looked up suddenly and nodded. "That would explain some things," he said, "I assume you and your friends are going to do something about that?"
"We intend to, though were a little lacking on info." Talen said.
"Did you hear about King Obler yet?"
Talen shook his head.
"Assassinated. Him and the crown prince."
Talen shot a look at Kyyis and motioned for Odonor to continue.
"Looks like an inside job; it may be one of the younger cousins vying for the crown, Lefiet's next in line so the evidence is pointing to him."
"Lefiet?" Talen asked, startled at the familiar name
Odonor nodded. "From what I've heard there's more than one faction strong enough to take the throne, Diera's chaotic at the moment."
Just then two heaps of clothing were dropped in front of Talen and Kyyis. It was a hodge-podge of non-descript clothing and included dark voluminous cloaks.
"Come on Kyyis, time to do some reconnaissance." Talen said excitedly.
Kyyis groaned.