Chapter 54 - Favour from the Countess

Bud knelt on the floor of a private prayer chamber in Kelisia’s temple. He took a moment to calm his mind, feeling the flame at the core of his being flickering with cold blue beauty. He clutched his hand to his chest and reached for that flame with his mind, drawing it out. Blue light burst from him. The air turned cold and misty. Ice crusted his clothes and the floor around him. The world lost its vibrancy, colours changing to grey, murky tones. His strength left him as he opened himself to Kelisia, baring his soul, exposing himself to her domain.

Around him, his first circle formed from the ice, a circlet of God Glyphs that imbued him with the power of Frostfire. The second circle formed a moment later, this one divided into two sides, one containing the glyphs for Heart of Frostfire, the other empty, saved for his third blessing.

Her power flowed through him like a fresh surge of life, reinvigorating him from the weeks of travel, and relighting the cold fire that filled his body with strength.

He stayed like that for a while, basking in Kelisia’s light and thanking her for guiding him to where he now stood. Bledsbury Dungeon had changed him, or rather, it had allowed him to discover his true calling—the path that Kelisia had chosen for him when he had first been selected on his name day seventeen years ago. To help people where others could not. To step into darkness and face the horrors so that others don’t have to.

It was more than a desire; it was a responsibility. A Duty. His father would never understand.

Resolved for his discussion with Countess Daston, Bud drew back his power. Strength returned to him, and the world was full of colour once more. The pale grey carpet was now a rich blue, brought to life by the power Kelisia granted him.

Bud left the temple feeling refreshed. They couldn’t have arrived in the city at a better moment; the excitement of Emirai’s visit had drawn out everyone that could come. Bud had been in the carriageway when the new Chosen had been selected, so he’d missed the spectacle, but the priests of Kelisia’s temple had informed him that it was a baby girl that had received his blessing. He would have gone to see her for himself, but the area was already crowded with worshippers.

Bud said his goodbyes to the priests and made his way back out onto the streets of the temple district. Still more worshippers were arriving from the Pilgrims’ Steps, making the climb rather than taking the carriageway up the cliff like he had. They filled up the paths and gardens that surrounded Emirai’s temple, joined in prayer.

In a city as large as this, the selection of a new Chosen was a weekly event, but a Chosen of Emirai… now that was a particularly special event. Healers were few and far between and always in high demand. For that reason, only Lady Light could match the reverence held for him. The grasses were greener from Emirai’s presence, the flowers now in full bloom despite the waning summer, and Bud felt it in himself too.

His visit to Kelisia’s temple had left him feeling refreshed and combined with the life essence that now filled the area, he felt the weariness of weeks of travel fade away. It was a good day.

Sheercliff’s temple district was famous for its beauty, and Bud fully understood why. Each building was made of crisp white stone, and they were seamless, as if grown out of a single piece of the mountain. Carvings covered their walls in intricate pictures of the gods and their tales, brought to life with vivid paint that gave so much colour to the area.

He strode confidently through the roads of the plateau. Here, he was no longer Bud the Adventurer, but Robert of House Blackthorne, and he had to conduct himself in a manner that reflected that.

He was familiar with the route to Countess Daston’s estate, and even if he wasn’t, there was no getting lost on the plateau. It sloped upward, with the most important of the nobility toward the peak, towering over the rest of the city in their grand manors. And at the highest point was the count’s estate.

Bud took his time as he walked, enjoying the view of Lower city. The people seemed so small from up there, but the world so much larger. The city so full of life and culture that he could hardly take it all in. The great wall shone like a mirror in the afternoon sun, a piece of masterful stonework as seamless as the temples.

There were two guards stationed at the gates of the Daston Estate, and Bud sensed their first circle auras rising from them. Nobody but Lady Daston had the power to keep Chosen as her gate guards in this region of the kingdom., but Sheercliff City was a central hub for adventurers, and a coveted training ground for Chosen looking to gain experience in the real world.

He was ushered to a small seating area in one corner of the garden while a message was sent to Lady Daston requesting an audience. The estate was far from large, even compared to Blackthorne, but it was by far the largest thing on the plateau.

He wasn’t made to wait long before a guard directed him toward the main house. He followed a wide white gravel road that was shaded by trees through the garden. As he neared the main entrance, he saw a beautiful woman waiting for him at the base of the staircase leading into the house. Lady Daston didn’t look a day over thirty, kept young by her fourth circle blessings.

“Lady Daston,” he said, bowing his head. “My apologies for arriving unannounced.”

“It’s a pleasure, Robert,” she smiled kindly. “And please, just call me Justine. There’s no need to stand on ceremony. I must say though, your visit is rather unexpected.”

Bud chuckled. “If you had asked me a month ago, I would never have guessed I would be here either.”

There was a sad look in Justine’s eyes. “Yes. Fate often seems to have her way with us, doesn’t she? I was so sorry to hear about your mother. How have you been?”

“I miss her dearly,” Bud said. “But I’ve been well, thank you. I know I said so when we last met, but you have a beautiful home. I think perhaps nobody in the kingdom can challenge your view.”

“It is our prize,” she said. “And I’m pleased you have a chance to see the gardens in full bloom today. Emirai’s appearance was a stroke of fortune indeed. They were looking a little glum, but it seems we have a final taste of summer. Shall we walk? It is a beautiful day after all, and a fine time to visit the peak. We can discuss the reason you’re here along the way.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Bud said.

Justine led them along a small pathway through the garden, eventually bringing them to the rear of the manor. There was a small hill there, with a tower on its peak.

“The highest point in all of Sheercliff,” Justine said. “I’m told my great, great, great, great grandfather built it when we first came to these lands. It is older even than the walls that surround Lower City.”

“It’s a magnificent heritage,” Bud said.

“It is.” Justine smiled. “I take no credit for it of course. Osidium saw fit to set his roots in these lands, and my family merely followed him. Not for seven generations have any of us ever reached his ninth circle, but we still maintain the land that he gave us.”

“There is no place like it,” Bud said. “My mother spoke often of her time here growing up, and the quality of your family’s training grounds.”

“I am glad of it,” Justine said. “I find myself often thinking back to our time as adventurers since her passing. She was taken far too soon.” She paused, looking over Bud. “I will be blunt. News has reached me of your… less than ideal departure from home. Your father is looking for you.”

Bud frowned. “I imagine he’s quite furious.”

Justine chuckled. “As do I. Though reckless decisions are common in boys at times of tragedy. He will understand.”

“He would have me return,” Bud said. “Which is why I’m here, actually. I had hoped you might deliver a message to him for me.”

“A message?” she asked. “Do you not wish to speak to him yourself?”

“I need time,” Bud said. “As childish as it seems, I feel it is better to avoid the discussion altogether and inform him through writing.”

“I see. And for what reason should I let you leave if Lord Blackthorne would have me keep you? He certainly wouldn’t be happy to hear that I let his son wander off. There are rumours that Prince Kassius did not die quite as heroically as we are being led to believe. I have heard your name mentioned alongside his.”

Bud frowned. “I was indeed there at the dungeon.”

“The rumours are true then?” Justine asked.

“I am not sure I can comment on any rumours,” Bud said. “Prince Kassius died fighting the dragon that plagued Bledsbury.”

She stared at him, and Bud turned away, staring out across the city. “You’re a bad liar, Robert, though that is far from a terrible trait. Already people were questioning the effectiveness of the Adventurers’ Guild, but with the prince’s death, there is a major push for restructuring.”

“It’s absurd,” Bud said dismissively. “They can’t seriously be considering such a thing. It’s only because of the guild that we have held back the Fallen Lands for so long.”

“Some argue the guild has become too strong,” Justine said. “Yet despite that power, monster attacks are on the rise, dungeons are appearing within our lands more frequently, even here we suspect one to be open nearby soon.”

“You’ve been having trouble?” Bud asked.

“Nothing to be too concerned about,” Justine said. “It is all in hand. Though some of the great lords of ladies of Sheercliff seem to think otherwise. It is a dangerous time for young lords to be travelling alone, and House Blackthorne is well known as a supporter of the guild. Some may not take kindly to you being here.”

“I do not plan to stay long,” Bud said. “And I am not alone. I’ve joined a party, and I believe I’m on the path that Kelisia intended for me.”

“Oh?” she said, arching an eyebrow. “A bold claim.”

“I received my second blessing in the dungeon,” Bud said. “When I needed it most, Kelisia came to me and offered me the power to help people. It is clear to me now that this is my path.”

“I often feel as though many of my fellow lords and ladies have somewhat forgotten what it means to be Chosen. To live in a place like this, above the rest of the world… It is not simply a right to rule, but a duty to improve the lives of those beneath us. A responsibility to use our blessings to help others. It pleases me to know you have found the place where yours are best suited.”

Bud opened his mouth to speak, but Justine held up a finger.

“While that may be the case,” she continued. “It does not excuse you from the responsibilities of your family and your king.”

“You’re speaking of my engagement?” Bud said reluctantly.

“Indeed. A young lord going on a dangerous quest at the behest of their god makes for a good tale, but that tale ends with marriage and a happy ever after.”

“I understand.”

Justine inspected him, and Bud shifted uncomfortably. As a sixth circle Chosen, she had the power to see a part of his aura, as if she was peering into his soul. Finally, she nodded. “Good. Write your message and I shall have it delivered to your father, though I will not lie to him.”

“I wouldn’t want you to,” Bud said quickly.

“I’ll also be sending him a message of my own, explaining our discussion today and why it is I decided to let his son leave freely.”

“Why did you decide that?” Bud asked.

“Because you have potential, Robert, and the gods know Alveron needs all the potential it can get right now. What do you plan to do?”

“I will be leaving for Fishers Lake tomorrow.”

“I suggest you deal with whatever business you have there quickly. Avoiding your father is far from a permanent solution, and I will only support you once.”

“It’s already more than enough,” Bud said. “If there’s ever anything I can do in return, please let me know.”

“No need, Robert,” Justine said. “Call it a final favour to Rochelle. Though, if you are keen to help, it would be fantastic if you would stop by our training grounds when you have some time. It’s always good for the children to see a Chosen closer to their own age.”

“I’ll be sure to stop by when I return.”

***

The carriageway rattled as it descended Sheercliff. It was somehow even more disconcerting on going down than it had been coming up. Staring down with his stomach swimming, Bud decided humans were simply not designed to have so much open space beneath them. As beautiful as the view was, Bud decided he would take the stairs on his next visit.

It was getting on for early evening when he arrived back at the Carriageway Inn. He’d had tea with Lady Daston and left her with a letter for his father. With any luck, it would take a few weeks to reach him.

He’d agreed to meet Hump and Celaine for dinner, so Bud headed for his room to have a few moments to himself before heading back out again. It had been a long day—a long few days in fact—and a night of rest in the city, in a real bed, was exactly what he needed.

Upon arriving in the corridor to the room he and Hump shared, he heard a muffled scream. Panicked voices came from within, and then another scream. Celaine’s scream. In a hurry, he burst through he door.

Hump was on the ground, flailing frantically as dark mist swarmed him like liquid smoke. It shrouded his face and hands, blocking them from view. Celaine had him pinned, one knee pressed into his chest while she pulled at his clasped hands with both of hers. Hump screamed, but his voice was quiet, as if he were screaming through water.

“What’s going on?” Bud asked, heart hammering in his chest.

“Help me!” Celaine yelled. “We need to get the dagger off him.”

Somehow Hump managed to roll over, throwing Celaine off of him and trying to rise. Celaine landed on her hands and flipped, then kicked Hump in the chest and slammed him back into the ground. Hump tried to rise, but she pressed him down.

“Bud!” she shouted.

Bud frowned as a bad feeling came over him. He had a feeling he knew exactly what dagger she meant. He drew his sword and rushed over.

“What are you doing?” Celaine shouted, startled.

“Severing it,” Bud said. He took a deep breath and reached for Kelisia’s domain. She answered, her frostfire rushing into his body and down his arm, into his sword. Even as the air turned cold, he felt a warmth within him that filled him with strength. “Get back,” he told Celaine. “I’ve got him.”

As she moved, he pressed his own knee against Hump’s chest, wincing as he heard his friend groan. Sorry about this.

He let the frostfire blaze even brighter, then carefully passed it through the darkness essence, serving the trail from the dagger to Hump’s face. He followed the trail down to his hands, burning apart the darkness to reveal the dagger within.

Hump screamed as the flame licked at his skin, and Celaine rushed in to rip the dagger free of his hand. She fell back against the wall with a crash, while Hump curled up on the ground, clutching his hands to his body. The two of them lay still, gasping for breath.

Bud sheathed his sword and stared between them both, heart still hammering in his chest. He forced himself to calm down. “What on earth happened while I was gone?”