Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4) (22 page)

“Or keeping a close eye on me.”

“That too,” James said with a nod. “I’m sorry. But this is how it must be done. It’s not like this arrangement is permanent. Show me in our sparring sessions that you can control what lies within you, and you’ll be giving more battle heavy missions.”

“Will do,” Bastion replied with no emotion. “Can I go back to the dorm and prepare now?”

“Yes. Meet Arimus in the center of the village when you’re ready. He’ll be waiting for you.”

“Okay,” was all Bastion said. What else was there to say? All he knew was that for once, he wanted to be approached because he was actually needed.

*              *              *

“So you are the infamous Bastion,” Arimus chuckled, as he approached the young Sage. Bastion raised an eyebrow and stood in front of the man, waiting for him to say more. Arimus just crossed his arms over his grey wool cloak and glared at him. After waiting for a few seconds, Bastion just snickered and shook his head.

“Okay, you win,” Bastion laughed.

“Why were you so serious in the first place?” Arimus said, as his eyes smiled.

“I thought this was a serious mission.”

“It is, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun now and then. Don’t be averse to smiling when you can. There is enough in the world that will try to take it away. Besides, we don’t know what we’re up against yet. Did James fill you in on the details?”

“Not really. I only know that Quietus are involved.”

“Long story, short. A group of Quietus were found living in the ruins of Prattle. When we arrived though, we found out that they had already been approached by a pair of Sages, who wanted the Quietus group to join them in ‘taking back what was theirs.’ Very disconcerting.”

“So we’re going to find out who those Sages were?”

“That’s the plan. I don’t know how long they’ve been working in the shadows, or if we could even get some clues, but that’s our job.”

“Who do we look into first?”

“The Order of the Allayans. They have expressed discontent with the Queen before, and they are the obvious suspects in this matter. Even if the Order itself isn’t involved, someone within the organization could be acting on their own.”

“What are the odds that it’s just a couple of villagers?”

“We keep track of every Sage that is born within our walls. Not to the extent that we spy, but we are aware of your existence once you release your eidolon. Talia’s senses are very sharp.”

“But you were only aware of me recently, because I was on the outskirts, and I kept my eidolon release hidden. There was the first time I brought it out, but even then, it was late at night and most people, including Sages, were asleep. After that, I just kept it hidden. Couldn’t this pair being doing the same?”

“You’re right,” Arimus said, rubbing his fingers down his long grey beard. “What worries me most is that the perpetrators won’t reveal themselves until it is far too late.”

“If that happens, what’s the plan? What is their plan anyways? What exactly is taking back what’s theirs?”

“I don’t know. We assume it’s the Kingdom of Allay, but perhaps we’re looking in the wrong direction.”

“Well, we better get to work either way.”

“You’re not cross that James put you on investigative duty?”

“I was at first,” Bastion said. “But if I want to be useful around here, I have to take what I can get. James told me that the fighting comes later, after I’ve proven myself. I assume he meant more than my strength.”

“And how is James? As a teacher and mentor? You can be honest with me. I won’t express the details of our conversation with him. I understand the importance of confidentiality.”

“He’s…okay,” Bastion said, shaking his head and chuckling. “He tries, but I don’t think that kind of thing comes naturally to him. Of course, who am I to say? I’m just a kid.”

“It doesn’t matter. There is this perception that all those who have achieved greatness are better than us, when really we forget that they have simply been on their life’s journey longer than we. We forget that they are just as flawed, if not more, than the rest.”

“True,” Bastion said, contemplating the words. “But he’s still my teacher. If he doesn’t know how to be a Sage, how do I get better?”

“Even with an excellent teacher, you can’t grow without your own permission. You want to get better? You want to have more control? Then teach yourself how. Teachers are but a map. You’re the one that has to navigate it, and along the way…” Arimus winked at him. “You can find out for yourself if the teachers know what they’re talking about.”

“I’ll do that,” Bastion smiled at him.
Why couldn’t Arimus be his mentor?

“Come with me,” Arimus said, lifting his head to scan the area. “We’ll be at the Order in no time.” The village center square was busy and noisy, but there were still eyes on the two Sages, and it was only increasing in number the longer they stood there. There was no way that Arimus couldn’t draw attention to himself, considering his history. “I’m afraid we’ve talked too long. If the Order truly is behind this, they will know we’re nearby. We may have given them time to develop a story.”

“Then let’s hurry,” Bastion said, pumping energy into his legs. Arimus nodded and did the same. Then he took off, so quick that the only thing the villagers felt around them was the wind. Bastion took off right after him, slowing down just enough to dodge the people that stepped in his way. He didn’t want to hit them, especially since they weren’t Sages, and he was eager to hear more of Arimus’ wisdom. He had already intrigued him in such a short amount of time. It was no wonder he was Catherine’s father. The two of them just had this electric appeal about them that drew in everyone around them.

The Order of the Allayans was located in the northeast corner of the village, not quite on the outskirts, but close enough. The Order needed privacy to conduct their business, but not to be so far removed that they couldn’t interact with the villagers—their core support group. The villagers didn’t interact much with the royal court or the Order unless they had a problem, but there was no denying that the Order was gaining more inquires than the court in the last couple of years, especially once it was discovered that the Queen had married a half-Quietus. Hero or not, that deep and bitter distrust prevailed from the Siege of 88, even after it was discovered that the Quietus weren’t at fault.

The Order temple was a humble yet impressive cathedral. With a large, grey painted, triangular roof and wooden panels making up the structure, painted in dark blue, it looked much more approachable than the Queen’s magnificent castle. The house was surrounded by tall trees and finely cut grass. Birds were chirping away in the air, and dandelions were in abundance along the sides, currently being kissed by bees. Nothing was formidable about the building, yet Arimus knew that there was much contention on the inside. To the unsuspecting and pure minded, it was all about the illusion. The Order may have made the structure look like home, but there was nothing but fractured relationships and displeased voices beyond the entrance.

“The Order will not like that you are with me, but I will vouch for you.” Arimus’ walk toward the house was noticeably slower. Bastion matched the Sage’s stride.

“This house isn’t that big. It looks like it could fit two families at most.”

“Most of the rooms are underground. What you see on the surface is just for the villagers.”

“Why the secrecy?”

“Because they are under the impression that the villagers don’t need to know everything.”

“And do you agree with that? Or more of what Catherine believes?”

“A mix of both. I won’t pretend and say that I have never lied or used deception to further my cause. The Maker knows that I’ve placed plenty in danger, and I’ve lost friends that were dear to me. And yet, I would do it all again, given the opportunity. My daughter’s approach is admirable. We all hope it works, but only time will tell if it was a good decision.”

“You could have done the same,” Bastion replied. “In the beginning, you could have told the village about your mission. Maybe more Sages would have been born to assist with your cause.”

“I don’t dwell too much on the past,” he said. “Learn from your mistakes, and nothing more. Spend too much time in the past, and you’ll end up destroying your future.”

“AH!” someone called out to them from the entrance. “Master Arimus! To what do we owe the pleasure?” The man was dressed head to toe in Order robes. His head was bald and his facial features were tight and tucked in toward his skull. His body was pudgy, as his stomach was sticking out, even through the robes, and his bare feet were swollen.

“You can cut the pretense, Val” Arimus muttered, waving a hand toward Bastion. “He is with me. We’re here on business that is of the utmost importance. I need to speak to the Order Master.”

“He’s busy.”

“As we all are. I need to, regardless. You know that I have full access to him whenever I please, and I have not exercised that right since the Order has been created.”

“Then why now? Is something the matter?”

“Val…”

“Sorry. Sorry. Not my place, I know. He’s inside. Just go right in.”

“Is he alone?”

“Of course not, but the rest of the Order is downstairs.”

“What is the Master doing by himself on the top floor? That’s unlike him.”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Val said with a sly smile. Arimus scowled at him and kept his hands close to his side. Bastion took a deep breath and did the same. Eidolons had to be at the ready—just in case.

Val stepped out of their path and held the creaky, wooden door open for them. Shutting it behind them, they could hear Val beginning to talk to someone else outside. Bastion tried to focus on the second voice, but he couldn’t make out the words, and he dared not to release his eidolon, even a tip. Everyone in the village knew that the Order and the court disagreed on many matters. Since Arimus was his escort, he didn’t want to make that situation worse.

Bastion instead turned his attention to the inside of the Order headquarters. The room was small, but cozy. As if they had entered a tiny chapel, the room was full of wooden pews that were nailed to the hardwood floors. Candelabras were lit and sitting on top of tiny tables to the sides. The tables started just by the entrance and then wrapped around the room until they hit the front. The front was bare, except for a tiny desk and chair. A pad of paper was sitting on it, but no writing utensil. Standing right by the desk was who he assumed to be the Master of the Order, father of none other than the boy he had nearly killed. Bastion decided to keep his name a mystery if he could help it.

“Arimus,” the Order Master spoke softly. “Come forward.” The Order Master was thin and frail. His fingers were long and bone thin and his hair was wet and sparse. His eyes were distant and beady. There was nothing physical about the man, but his presence was mysterious and unnerving. No matter what anyone thought of the weak, old man, his words and his voice had great authority. He controlled far more of the Kingdom from his cozy house than the court would like to admit.

Arimus took a step forward slowly, and then another, approaching the man with care. The old man laughed to himself, and then he began coughing. He shook his head and lifted his eyes to give Arimus an amused stare.

“You have nothing to fear, Sage,” he said to Arimus. “There is nothing going on here.”

“Val made it seem otherwise.”

“Val finds pleasure in the little things. He was as the kids say, ‘messing with you.’”

“I certainly hope so,” Arimus said, his face still serious.

“What is it that has gotten you so anxious? You’re usually much more cordial,” the old man glanced over at Bastion. “And who is this young man? A new member of the court? You haven’t had one in quite some time.”

“He is here to observe. Unfortunately, Master, I cannot tell you any more than that about the boy. I’ve come here to discuss another matter. We have received word that a pair of Sages, one male and one female, has been trying to rally troops to their cause. They claim that they are trying to ‘take back what is theirs’ and we believe that they are talking about Allay.”

“Rallying troops? Taking back what is theirs? I’ve not heard of anything on this matter. Is this just speculation, or do you have some evidence that could back up your claim?”

“I could tell your more, but it would have to remain confidential, even to your members of the Order. The Kingdom’s security is at stake.”

“Oh, my. What kind of danger are we in?”

“You have to swear first.”

“If all of our lives are on the line, then yes, I swear. What is the problem?”

Arimus relayed the issue quickly, citing the discovery of the Quietus and their claim about the Sages as quick as possible.

“Hmm,” Master Torill mulled over Arimus’ words. “Have you considered that these Quietus are lying? In order to distract you from some other ploy?”

“I doubt it. There’s evidence to suggest that their story is true. They have been honest about everything else, and I don’t know why they would be deceitful about this. What would they have to gain?”

“Considering that you are here, I would say mistrust among us.” There was a gleam in the old man’s eye.

“That fragile cord has been shaky since the beginning,” Arimus said, “but at least we both understand what this could mean if these two Sages are from neither of our camps. It could be nothing, but it warrants a look. Imagine if they were somehow about to bring the Langorans and Prattlians to war against us.”

“Oh, come now, Arimus,” the old man laughed. “Surely you did not just say that about our esteemed neighbors. You and the Queen have been very vocal about their inclusion within our walls. Don’t turn back on it now.”

“Still, you agree that this is troublesome.”

“That it is. I can say this, and—you may use your Sage abilities to monitor my pulse, in order to confirm that I’m not lying—I can say that no one in this Order has gone off on some secret mission. All of my members are nestled in the walls of Allay. We wouldn’t go to the other Kingdoms because their mixing into our culture will ruin the purity, and we are not soldiers, let alone Sages. If any of my men encountered a Quietus, I can assure you that they would wet themselves post haste.”