[A/N: Well, this took too long to get out. Hopefully it won't take me so long next time. Anyways, Questions, Comments, Concerns are always appreciated. Enjoy!]
Chapter 14: A New Aurulian Era
Jed had trouble sleeping well on the nights leading up to her wedding. Her dreams shifted all over the place, and although she couldn’t pick up good or bad omens from them, they always left her drenched in a cold sweat when she awoke the following morning. One dream, however, was always recurring: first she was standing on the Southern Aurulian Battlements, surrounded by soldiers with bows and arrows drawn, the newly constructed cannons and ballistas primed and ready. Below her, dispersed amongst the giant trees of the Mega Taiga, was an army that seemed to be twice the size of Auru itself. Between them, however, was a shadowy figure, adorned with black wings and a blue halo. Once, during this dream, she caught a closer glimpse of the wings and halo, and realized they were made of flames: Tee’s flames.
The Wolf Mother woke up once more, after one of these such dreams, and found Bambi, the former Aurulian Mining Guild Leader, and now her Maid of Honor, standing at the edge of the bed. “Are you ready for the happiest day of your life, Your Majesty,” the girl gleamed.
Auru’s High King sat up, rubbing the bags out of her eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be, Lady Bambi.”
***
Had it been a month since Asymphir’s arrival? Tee had lost track of time after he discharged the Rune Wielder from the Alchemy Guild. Fairly healed, the young wizard sent Asy to DeroTurtle at the War Guild, figuring the Jarl could use all the help he could get. Besides, Asy was still looking for the next Rune Member to train, and who better than Auru’s best warrior? While lost in his thoughts, Tee was aimlessly wandering around Auru; he was vaguely aware that today was his wedding day, yet, instead of excitement and joy like most would feel, he was filled only with anxiety. Now Tee could relate to Bacchus in a sense, but then again, Bacchus didn’t have some kind of Destroyer of Worlds just lounging in his head.
The young wizard wasn’t quite sure where his feet were leading him, but he obediently followed them. He passed the Merchant Row, plucking a fruit off of one of the stalls, tossing a few power shards to the short man behind the counter. A light frost had begun to coat over Auru, so Tee swiftly ducked within The Spire to keep warm. Again, his feet traveled while his mind wandered, and he found himself on the elevator headed down towards the Council Hall, deep beneath the Spire. Tee recounted the few times he had been down here, the seats filled to the brim with Asmundians all shouting something about defeating the Covenant.
He shook his head, feeling the ghostly weight of Jed’s blade on his shoulders, as she had made him a Lord of Auru. To this day, he was concerned she made the wrong choice, that she had put too much trust in him, too quick. Something forced him to keep walking, crossing the floor of the giant hall, and down another flight of steps. Below the Council Hall was a small room with dusty bookshelves in one corner, decrepit crates in another, and a strange, circular structure in the center. Jed had explained to him once that, in a time before Town Generators, towns had more primitive generators that protected them. This was one such Generator. Why they had never removed it, he would never understand, but Tee supposed it was to preserve history.
The room was poorly lit, save for two torches set deep into a side wall, and a bunch of flickering redstone lamps. Tee was about to turn around and head back up the steps, when it dawned on him that the torches were lit. That meant someone had been down here recently enough to light them.
The young wizard strode over to the torches set deep into stone sconces. Examining the wood that was lit, he figured they must’ve been lit within the past hour or so. Even stranger, one of the sconces appeared to have an intricate system of gears and springs set into it. Curious, Tee gripped the torch, and slowly tugged at it, jumping as the sconce swiveled with his pull, and a creaking sound was made from deep within the walls. A large portion of the stone fell away, creating a tight and drafty entry way. Tee grasped at a pocket watch, figuring he had enough time before the wedding, and stepped within the mysterious tunnel.
Inside, there was a small hallway with four sets of double doors, two on either side, and freshly lit torches lining the whole path. As Tee further examined the doors, he realized most of them were locked, save one of them tucked into the end of the hallway. As he scrutinized the door, before entering the room beyond, he caught sight of a golden plaque reading out a name that sent shivers down his spine: Xovious. What was this place? And why did Xov have a room in it?
Entering the room, the young wizard suddenly felt claustrophobic, as it was packed to the short ceiling with dusty old crates precariously stacked on top of each other. Most of them were marked Draekonfell across them, supposedly supplies that had never made it to the town? He was also surprised to find some labeled with the name Feronin, the town that Xovious first came from, or at least, so Jed had told him. And isn’t that where Asy had come from as well? Were these boxes supplies from the old town that Xovious had saved in Auru, or was he intending to send the supplies back?
As much as his curiosity was gnawing at him, he knew better than to riffle through Xov’s stuff. The young wizard, however, couldn’t help but examine the shimmering blade that sat in one corner. He picked up the blade, and stared in awe at the flawless dark steel, and dark leather that bound the hilt. Dark red etching, set just above the cross-guard spelled out the word Deathrune. Deathrune? Wasn’t that supposed to be the blade that Xovious trained Thanatos with? Why did he leave it here in Auru?
Tee heard someone cough behind him, interrupting his thoughts. He spun on his heel, gripping the blade in his hand, and widened his eyes in surprise at the man who stood within the doorway.
“It’s dangerous to play with things that you don’t understand, Alduin,” the intruder stated.
Tee dropped the blade, drinking in the man’s stature, large golden shoulder pads, and the large red blade strapped behind his back. “Xovious?”
***
“Ouch!” Jed yelped, as Bambi pulled the strap to her dress too tight.
“Sorry, your Majesty.”
“Bambi, enough of that. I’ve known you for too long for you to be referring to me by a royal title.”
“Of course, my liege.”
“Bambi, seriously,” Jed said, turning her head to face the woman behind her.
Bambi weakly smiled, “yeah, I get it Jed. Sorry, my mind is elsewhere today.”
Jed turned back to the mirror in front of her. “You and me both; what’s up.”
Jed’s Maid of Honor finished up a final strap on Jed’s dress before taking a step back, examining Auru’s High King from head to toe. “It’s not that important. Come on, we’ve got other preparations to make before the reception.” Bambi turned to find a brush to sort out Jed’s mane of hair, but Jed firmly gripped her wrist.
“It’s not healthy to keep it trapped up inside. Come on, Bambi, what’s wrong?”
The old Miners Guild Leader exhaled deeply, dropping her shoulders. “I’m worried. Since the fall of Draekonfell, we’ve all been rushing back here to Auru, and although I enjoy being home, I can’t help but fear what will happen in the future.” Bambi pushed past Jedoi and stopped at a nearby window, overlooking the docks far below. Again, an exasperated sigh escaped her lips. “Draekonfell is gone, and with the disappearance of Xovious, Nokia, and Stampen, so is the last line of assault against the Covenant. I just hate what that means for Kalros, especially for Auru.”
The Wolf Mother put a reassuring hand on Bambi’s shoulder. “Auru has stood the test of time on several occasions in the past: Ajaxan and Grubul disappeared and Trev took over. Hilo betrayed Vanaheimr, and we still stood strong. Hell, even the Battle of South Gate cost us several lives, and we still came back from it.” She swept her arm across the view, examining the busy lives of her subjects. “My point is, whether Auru can actually unite Kalros, or is bound to only her town territory, she’s not going anywhere. Of all the things to worry about, Bambi, Auru isn’t one of them.”
Bambi smiled, as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank Jed, I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
“Neither did I,” Jed thought. “Now come on,” she continued, out loud. “You hair is just as a mess as mine is.”
***
Blood pumped in Tee’s ears, screaming what he could only assume was, “he’s not real, he’s not real!” His grip on Deathrune got tighter, as he prepared to strike down the figure before him...if it came to that. Xovious took a step forward, but Tee raised Deathrune, making the Draekonfell King step backwards.
“Tee, it’s me, damnit.”
Tee shook his head, “sorry Xov, but I don’t know that anymore.”
Xov closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “You have a scar on your left arm from where my blade sunk into it, while you were protecting Jed as I was moving out of Auru.” Pain seared up and down Tee’s arm as the memory of the attack came back to him. Xov took a step towards the young wizard, who unflinchingly held the blade level with his neck. “Your blade is called Arcanus Oblivio, gifted to you by Cryptite, when Kallious and Bat stormed our ramparts.” Another step forward, and Tee’s heartbeat quickened. “You’re marrying Jed today, and I know you’ll be a great husband.”
Tee blew air out of his nose of a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. He lowered the blade, allowing Xov to take another step towards him. Quickly, Tee side stepped his ex-High King, and kicked behind the knee of his left leg, forcing him to kneel to the ground. He set the blade to base of Xov’s neck, watching for any sudden movements.
“Tee, come on man,” Xov said, keeping his voice steady. “You know it’s me.”
“You’re absolutely right, I trust that it’s you, Xov,” Tee started. “Now, why the hell are you back? Where the hell have you been? There are just too many questions for me to allow you to come back to Auru without some suspicions.”
Xov let his head drop to the floor. “I suppose that’s fair: I never really did give you nor Jed a proper explanation.”
“Neither us nor the people you left behind in Draekonfell. The best thing you left us is some guy named Asymphir.”
Xovious’ eyes lit up. “Asymphir made it here? Perfect!”
“Xov! Don’t change the subject.”
Xovious stood up, placing his hands up in defeat as the blade in Tee’s hands followed him. “I know, I know, I haven’t been fair to either of you.”
“That’s hardly an understatement.”
“What you have to realize, Tee, is that I couldn’t tell you. It’d be easier for me to just slip away unannounced, rather than convince you of what I did.”
“And what exactly would that be? Training more Rune Council members? Bullshit.”
Xovious sighed, “I will never be able to make you understand.”
“No. No you won’t. And now I want you gone.”
Xov looked up at Tee, eyes locking with the young wizard, trying to read his emotions. He found an empty void glaring back at him. “Tee, you don’t truly mean that.”
“Xov, why did you come back here, really? I would bet a million shards that it’s not for my wedding.”
Xov shook his head, and once again looked down to the floor. “I came for Deathrune. One of my disciples needs it.”
“Of course that’s what you came for.” Tee threw the blade, where it stuck into the floor beside Xov’s feet. It wiggled from the force of impact. “You better hope this training method of yours isn’t for naught.” Tee turned on his heel and began to walk out the door.
“Tee!” Xov called after him. The young wizard stopped in the doorway. “Good luck with your wedding. You and Jed will make a great married couple.”
The young wizard turned around and struck Xov hard in the face, hearing a satisfying crunch beneath his fist. Xov staggered back, grasping for his bleeding nose, before crashing into the back wall. “Burn in hell,” were Tee’s last words, before he left Xovious alone in the underground vault.
The warrior slumped to the ground, his head in his hands. Xov opened his eyes, and glared at the blade in the floor before him. A small smile spread across his face.
***
Asymphir woke up, vaguely aware of where he was: after Tee had discharged him from the Alchemy Guild, he had been sent to DeroTurtle, the head of the War Guild. There, Asy had been non-stop sparring with the Jarl, still believing that he might be the one Xov wanted Asy to train.
As he got up, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. Dero had bashed a shield into his left shoulder while they were sparring yesterday, and it had nearly reopened the wound where he was shot with the arrow. It had required a bandage wrap, an ice pack, and a good night sleep...along with a Strong Absinthe.
Asy glanced around his small room. Dero had put him up in one of the War Guild’s Quarters: a place to rest his head, and also store his equipment. He got dressed in a simple white cotton T-Shirt and trousers before remembering that it was the wedding day. He instead dressed up in a long green sleeve shirt, a thin, leather vest, and a plain red tie. He also found a pair of leather leggings, and figured it would have to do. He clipped his scabbard to his belt, and approached the door. When he turned the doorknob, he saw a letter slip beneath his door.
Reaching down to pick up the letter, he heard the quick shuffling of feet outside his door. Asy stepped out into the hallway, trying to find the origin of the noise, but whoever had delivered the paper in his hand had already disappeared. Asy stepped back inside and closed the door once again. Scrutinizing the letter, he saw the royal blue seal of Xovious, sent from Feronin. Excited to hear from his master once again, he tore open the letter, but was disappointed, and confused, to find that it only bore one phrase, in large and fancy script:
“He’s passed his first test.”
***
Tee ascended the Spire elevator, when he was met with an Aurulian Guard. “I’m sorry to bother you, sir, but we have a situation at the North Gate.”
Tee closed his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. He lightly rubbed his fist, aware of the blood that was probably splattered over it and the front of his shirt. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes and smiling. “Lead the way.”
The guard led Tee through the street headed towards the Northern Gate, away from the Spire. Tee observed just how many people lined the streets, adorned with their best clothing, from nobles to peasants, all headed towards the wedding. As they approached the Northern Gate, Tee saw what had garnered the concern of the watchman: just outside the gate were nearly a hundred Hiloans, some bearing the lime green flags of Hilo, heavily adorned in armor, while others, like the two figures in the front of the group, were more prepared for the wedding.
Tee looked up to the gatehouse keepers. “Open up the gate,” he bellowed.
“Your Majesty,” the guard before him said as patiently as possible. “Are you sure about that? Those are Hiloans.”
“I know exactly who they are, but if you looked closer, you’d see they also had wedding invites.” The guard gawked as Tee stepped past him, waiting for the gate to open fully. “Opyc and Lottaine! A pleasant surprise if I must say so myself; Jed wasn’t sure if those invitations were ever going to get to you, or if you guys would even come.”
“Of course! It’s the least we could do for our neighbor across the lake,” Opyc started, with a short bow.
Lottaine punched her brother in the arm. “Any event serving alcohol, he’ll make sure he shows up to.”
Opyc laughed, before confessing that it was only partly true.
Tee hid a giggle behind his hand. “Well, there will be plenty of alcoholic beverages and other refreshments at the top of the Spire after the reception. Please, make your way up there and make yourself comfortable.”
Lottaine curtsied as she passed the Lord of Auru. “Thank you for your hospitality, Tee. I’m sure this will be a good wedding.”
Opyc shook his hand as he followed his sister. “Go get ‘em, tiger! May the slime guide you.”
Tee beckoned the rest of the Hiloan entourage towards the Spire, before being pulled to the side by his Best Man for the wedding, “Ahh, Andy, glad to see you.”
“Yeah, to you too...look, Tee, we have a problem.”
“Another one? God, I’m not going to get a break today, am I?” Tee sighed, rolling his neck, and looking at the Commander. “What’s wrong?”
“You.”
“Me?” Tee queried.
“Yeah,” Andy started. “Have you even seen yourself today? You look awful. Come on, we’ve got to get you dressed.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Tee yelped, as Andy dragged him across the street. “Andy, I’ve already got an outfit for today.”
“You mean the vest you wore to Arvik? Look, I agree it was nice if you’re going to a formal event, but not for your own wedding. You need a tuxedo.”
“A tuxedo? Andy, where are we going to get a tuxedo right about now, with so little time before the wedding?”
“Don’t worry,” he reassured Tee. “I’ve already taken care of it.”
“You....did?”
“What else is a Best Man for?” he smiled, looking at Tee. “Now come on, you said it yourself: we don’t have that much more time to get you looking halfway presentable.”
***
Ben was a light sleeper, nearly keeping one eye and ear open at all times, as was customary amongst the Aurulian Thieves. Despite this, however, he was surprised to find a hand over his mouth when he opened his eyes. Only one man was so quiet that even Ben couldn’t hear him: Iyo.
Startled awake, thinking something was wrong, the master of the skies glanced up at the thieflord, expecting a debriefing of sorts. He didn’t wait long.
“Nothing is wrong just yet, but we should be careful today. I’ve heard that Tee and Jed are letting some Hiloans into the walls, plus, we both know how close we came to disaster with the Arvik wedding.”
Ben nodded his head, as Iyo removed his hand. “What would you ask of me?”
“The same as always, as we do with most of these events: help me gather some of the guild members and place them around the city. The more eyes, the better, but we’ll need to move fast. The ceremony is starting shortly.”
Ben rolled out of bed, grabbing a change of clothes off the bedside table, before turning back to Iyo once more. “Can you teach me how to do that? Creep up on people who are expecting people to creep up on them?”
Iyo gave him a toothy, wicked grin as he stepped out the door. With one hand, he threw the cowl of his cloak up over his head, the shadow of the hood masking his features. “A magician never reveals his trick.”
The door slammed shut, leaving Ben standing in his house confused. “But you’re not magic.”
***