CHAPTER I #4
I smile at the man and promptly receive a grin in return.
That grin lights up his face and gives him a welcoming look, one that invites you to share in a conversation with him or do something simple that’ll leave you enjoying his company.
For as long as I can remember, he’s always been like that, welcoming and a good listener.
He has the air of the ultimate companion about him, someone who genuinely loves listening about the people and the Old World around him and wants to share his time with others.
I’ve always felt completely at ease in Zander’s presence, and over the last two years I’ve even found myself wanting to share in those conversations with him, especially over a glass of whiskey.
“Forgive me, Alex, for delving into your thoughts earlier,” the King’s grin turns into a sigh, “that was intrusive of me.”
He’s referencing his use of summoning. While all Discerni have access to the magic of the Old World and can harness it for simple tasks, only the strongest can actually summon.
The King’s own summoning allows for him to read thoughts so long as his and the other person’s feet are grounded to the earth, and as the greenstone of this castle is made from the mountain at its back, he has complete access to every resident and visitors’ thoughts if he so chooses.
A powerful King indeed.
“You know it’s no problem at all,” I nod.
I’ve never felt any qualm over his use of magic on me. It’s a small price to pay in return for the kindness him and his wife have showed me over the years.
Zander gives a small smile before he folds his hands on the table and leans forward.
“I’m sure you’re both wondering why I’ve called on you so suddenly…”
I’m not, but I’m sure Desmond is.
“I’m sending you both to Pyre.”
The Master Informer straightens in his seat next to me. “Myself and Lady Alexis?”
“Yes, you and Alex.”
“For what reason could she possibly have to travel to foreign lands?”
“The reasons are my own,” Zander replies, gently ending the line of questioning before it can even begin, “I need Alex safely escorted over the Bulwark and into Pyre, and as you and your brother know the road to Red Falls better than most…”
I let the King’s voice fade into the background as I pull up a map of our Kingdom and Pyre in my mind.
Red Falls. Red Falls…
I don’t know much of the city except that it sits on the outskirts of Pyre, not too far into foreign land.
It rests at the bottom of the Charred Mountains, the smallest mountainscape within the Kingdom of Pyre, and has a large waterfall that flows directly into the river Livyatan.
If I am indeed to travel to Red Falls then it will be the farthest I’ve ever traveled on behalf of the King, not to mention my first time ever leaving Disce. ..
“Prince McQuoid is expecting Alexis in a fortnight from tomorrow,” Zander’s voice pulls me back again.
Desmond considers the timing with a nod. “We can make it to Gaumond in four days, three if we ride hard. That will leave us with a few days in the Warrior capitol before we need to cross the border. Shouldn’t take the full fortnight.”
The King smiles in agreement and reaches for his temple in thought. “I believe your brother is currently in Dalloway at the moment, yes?”
“He is.”
“I want you to connect with him on the way to Gaumond. You will both make the travel with Lady Alexis to Pyre and represent Disce on my behalf.”
Desmond openly grins at the addition, the bond between him and Zander’s first-born son known widely throughout the Kingdom.
The two of them are brothers and best friends, just as their fathers were before them.
Men who would die for eachother without any hesitation regardless of their lack of shared blood.
“And her?” Desmond asks as if I’m not sitting right next to him, “just deliver her to McQuoid?”
“Yes,” Zander narrows his eyes on his son, “Lady Alexis will be representing a separate interest of mine that he is aware of.”
The Master Informer nods quietly.
“You’ll need to leave first thing in the morning if you want to want to keep to that schedule…”
“I agree. I’ll make the preparations today and send word to Keane.”
“Thank you,” the King stands from his chair, prompting the two of us to our feet, “I wish you safe travels, son.”
Zander smiles and reaches out his arm, the two men clasping in farewell before Desmond turns in my direction.
“Meet at the stables tomorrow at dawn. Don’t be late.”
I give him my own nod and watch him walk out the door.
“Would you like something to drink, Alex?” Zander asks, heading towards the small fireplace in the room before he reaches for the mantel above it. The wooden shelf is filled with different colored decanters and cups.
“No, thank you.”
The King smiles and pours two whiskeys anyways, making his way back to his desk before he places a glass in front of me.
“Thank you,” I grin.
“You are very welcome,” he chuckles.
With both sit back down and bring our glasses together in small salute, neither of us caring that some would deem this drink too early in the morning to be proper.
“I know you just got home yesterday,” he sighs back into his chair, “but I’ve received word that the library at Red Falls may have what I need. As I told my son, Prince McQuoid and his wife are expecting your arrival in a fortnight, so I need to send you out on limited time.”
“It’s really not a problem,” I reply, “I enjoy the travels, Your Grace.”
And I truly do. While it may be a slight inconvenience to start packing after just unpacking, who am I to tell the King no?
I travel whenever and wherever he needs me, no questions asked.
It’s a job that I take graciously and one that I hope makes up for the generous lifestyle him and his wife have afforded me in Bardot for the last ten years.
“You know the words I need you to search for?” his blue eyes hold mine in question.
I nod easily. They’re the same words that have been engrained in my mind for the past two years now.
Old world, bird of ash, reborn, and Ancients.
“Good,” he smiles.
“And I’ll know when I have the right book?” I ask as I always do at every meeting before he sends me off.
“You’ll know when you have the book,” he affirms. “You’ll also need a new coat, something long and warmer for the mountains of Pyre. And I suspect my eldest son will hold court for the days you are in Gaumond…”
He pauses and looks at me curiously.
“Would you do me a favor Alex? Would you represent us in Court of Knowledge colors if he does?”
I smile heartedly at my King and nod again. “Of course.”
He grins and takes another sip of whiskey. “Thank you. I’m also going to send Golem with you…”
My smile falters for just a moment as the sound of soft, padded footsteps make their way through the room. A robed figure moves smoothly from out of the shadows of the wall to my left, the creature walking quietly before he stops to stand behind the King.
Dear Ancients. Has Golem been in this room the whole time?
Golem’s brown eyes dart to mine as if he heard the question.
Fuck me.
For all intents and purposes, the creature looks like a normal Discerni with his leaf-shaped ears and the angular, sharp plains of his face. He also has that same look of indifference that the Discerni carry.
But his skin…
Ancients, his skin.
It’s slippery looking, as if the mud and clay holding him together could begin oozing away at any moment. Most of that skin is hidden by a robe of luxurious brown that hides his hands, arms and the full of his body, but it still doesn’t hide the sheer unnaturalness that is him.
For the first time in my life, I find myself quelling any desire to know what kind of magic holds this creature together. Powerful magic, without a doubt. But beautiful?
It’s still curious, though, why Zander would send Golem with me now when he’s never offered before. Can the creature help me? Is the King sending him along to speed up my search? Two years is a long time without anything to show for it…
Or perhaps he’s traveling with me because I’m venturing into foreign lands?
Can Golem provide protection? Do I even need protection outside my standard riding group?
If I heard the King correctly, not only would I be traveling alongside the second in command of his armies, Prince Desmond, but we’d later be joined by the first in command, the King’s first-born son and heir to the Kingdom, Prince Keane. What more protection could I need?
“You will be safe with my sons, Alex,” the King stands from his chair and pulls open a drawer, “I offer Golem purely as a companion. A friend if you are in need.”
I frown at the statement and stand as well, watching as Zander pulls out two items from the drawer. The first is a clay jar with a small lid sealed on top, the container in full about the size of a small apple.
“I give to you his home, Lady Alexis…” he offers me the jar, “Golem will travel in this. Keep it in a safe and hidden place at all times. Do not lose it and do not let anyone else handle it. That is important, Alex. No one else should handle his home.”
I nod nervously and take the clay pot from his fingers.
“When you ride, Golem will remain inside his jar. He’s not too fond of horses…”
Zander turns a teasing smile on Golem.
The magical creature’s eyes flick to the King in response, his expression unreadable, though I swear I see the tips of his mouth curve up in an agreeing smile.
“Whenever you camp or stop for a break, anytime you are not on a horse, open the lid and leave it open so that Golem can appear to you. If you move or want to walk away from your current location, the jar can remain open and unattended in a safe and hidden space, but do not tread too far from it. My advice would be to keep his home open and in your bag at most times. Do not be fearful that it will break.”
My mind moves in a thousand different directions trying to remember the details.
“I have use of him for the rest of the day, but tomorrow, when you leave at dawn, Golem will be with you in his jar.”
I carefully tuck his home into my bag.
“Also,” the King adds, “do not, under any circumstances, hand the jar over to anyone else but me.”
I nod diligently.
“Last…” he hands me a brown velvet pouch full of clinking coins, “cinerin. For the warmer wardrobe and your travels.”
My hand trembles as I take the pouch, my head shaking in disbelief at his never-ending kindness.
I don’t deserve this. Don’t deserve him or any of this.
Zander walks around his large desk and gently places his hands on my shoulders, his strong fingers squeezing in reassurance.
“You do deserve this, Alex,” he replies, kind blue eyes holding mine, “don’t ever doubt your worth. Your presence in this Court and Kingdom has been a pleasure to uphold, and watching you grow has been nothing short of enjoyable…”
I stare into his warm gaze, truly not knowing how to respond.
“Now,” he continues with a smile, “I suggest you buy another green agate blade to take with you on your travel as well. And keep up your exercises with Cal. I’ll make sure Desmond adds him to the group along with Holis and Mana.”
I smile at the King and the knowledge that I’ll have my normal traveling crew with me for the journey. He continues to watch me intently, hands lifting from my shoulders before he leans in to kiss the top of my head.
“I know I took your time away from the Palisades this morning. Go. Have fun. For I suspect tomorrow will bring the beginning of a long, hard journey for you.”
Too. Kind.