Brian Kittrell - The Consuls of the Vicariate

“Get him out!” the same vicar shouted, his face red with anger. “He comes to our chamber to insult us? After what we’ve been through?”

“He comes to our chamber to show us the truth, Vicar Alduin,” Jurgen said, putting his hand on Laedron’s shoulder. “Is it not true that we have been duped into the Zyvdredis’ plans? Used to fight a war that wasn’t ours? The Sorbians have been wronged by Andolis’s actions, and we were victims, too. We can only hope our good deed will be repaid in kind.”

“Why can’t there be a truce? Sorbia returns to their shores, and we sign a treaty of peace?” Alduin asked.

Laedron folded his arms. “It won’t be easy. Since Gustav Drakar orchestrated an attack on the Sorbian capital, this war will not be easily undone. Gustav Drakar, a man elevated to the rank of deacon by your church, murdered the crown prince of Sorbia, Prince Zorin, and the rest of the mages present at the Morcaine academy that day. This war is as much a father’s wrath as anything else, the revenge of King Xavier of Sorbia for your mistakes. ”Laedron pointed at the gallery. “You are responsible for this war. Indirectly, perhaps, but responsible nonetheless.”

“Lies!” Alduin shouted. “How can you prove any of this?”

“I was there, Your Grace,” Laedron replied with a sneer. “Men in the uniform of your militia guards were with Gustav, indiscriminately killing sorcerers. Their blood is on your hands, for you empowered him to do what he has done.”

“Calm yourselves, Consuls.” Jurgen waved his hand. “This forum exists for discussion, not for disorder and chaos. Let us speak calmly.”

“The Sorbians declared war,” Alduin said, clearly not as sure as he had been. “We would never begin a war-”

“That is beside the point. What you would do and what Andolis and Gustav have done are two different things. Forane was also in on their plans to conspire against the peace and commit murder. Justice has been brought to all of them,” Laedron said. “If given the chance to surrender to Duke Fenric, I would suggest that you take the opportunity and all do your best to keep the populace calm when the Sorbian army arrives. If Vicar Jurgen agrees, I will speak with Duke Fenric personally to request an honorable peace, but you should prepare yourself for the possibility that he might not accept that.”

“Then, you must do your best,” Alduin said. “Our Falacoran allies just may have purchased us a fair peace with their lives.”

Alduin returned to his seat. Laedron didn’t get the impression that Alduin’s mind had been changed though, simply that he was biding his time.

After a long pause, Jurgen said, “I think we should allow my friend to speak to Fenric in the coming days. Inform the people of the presence of the soldiers here and tell them that the war is on hold, at least for now. Advise them to remain in their homes or shops and to travel as little as possible on the streets until the armies have gone. We need not have any encounters-accidental or otherwise-with the Sorbian troops while they are here. We stand adjourned until the morrow.”

Jurgen led Laedron and the rest of the group out a smaller back exit. “Though I feel we haven’t heard the last from Vicar Alduin, you said what needed to be said.”

Laedron shrugged. “I merely told the truth.”

“I know, but the rest of the consulship might have a difficult time believing it.”

“Why do they act in such a way? As if the war could have been good for them?”

Jurgen stopped. “When Andolis and Gustav first came to the capital, they pushed everyone to higher aspirations. Long ago, the church occupied a dominant position in the eastern world. It was by the will of the consuls that kings were crowned, that people stood in awe of our sacred cathedrals, and that priests held true respect and authority in society.

“The days of imperialism are long gone, but the taste of that validation beckoned. Being tired of merely tending the flock, the vicars saw in the Drakars a new beginning, a return to the old ways. Even if just for a passing moment, I entertained the thought of going back to the way things used to be so long ago.”

“But tending to the flock, as you put it, is the church’s job,” Valyrie said.

Jurgen nodded and started down the street again. “Yes, of course. This war is a testament to what is possible through avarice, want, and a disregard of one’s true purpose.”

* * *

Turning the corner after Jurgen minutes later, Laedron glanced at the ruined steeple topping the Shimmering Dawn headquarters. Once inside, they gathered around the long table in the common room with Piers, and Jurgen said, “Now that we have a moment, I’d like to hear about Laedron’s fight with Andolis. I’ve heard what Marac and Brice had to say, but I want to hear your side of it.”

“We found him on the rooftop of the highest tower, holding his staff in the air and chanting.”

Marac went into Laedron’s bedroom, and returned to place the staff on the table. “Here it is. Andolis’s staff.”

Jurgen leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “Strange, but magnificent.”

Laedron nodded. “Andolis intended to burn the city and make his escape. He said he would set a fire that would last a hundred years, likely by using the essence of the souls trapped in these stones to fuel his magic.”

“You’ve done us a great service, young sorcerer. A great service indeed.” Jurgen took Laedron’s hand. “I shall personally ensure your order will be reinstated to its former glory, and you will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts here.”

“I thank you for your generosity.” Piers smiled. “We’ll no longer be forced to live in the shadows.”

“No, but keep your skills sharp, and educate those who come after you,” Jurgen said. “Your order may be called upon to save us from ourselves another time, and I can only pray that day will never come.”

“So long as vicars have a taste for those old, imperial ways, I fear you’ll have problems, Jurgen,” Laedron said.

“Perhaps, but why do you say it in such a way?”

“Forane admitted to helping the Drakars and told us they were Zyvdredi agents. She traded her loyalty for soulstones, those onyx gems containing the life energies of their victims. She wanted to be immortal.”

Jurgen frowned. “She was willing to let countless people die so that she could live eternally? It is a shame to see one so devoted give in to the lure of a font of youth.”

“Those stones along either edge of the staff are the same as the ones we found on the mages, the ones who killed militia men.” Laedron took a deep breath. “The same as the one you used to save me.”

Jurgen averted his eyes. “Yes. I did it at the demand of a man to see his friend returned to his side. I hope this doesn’t anger you, Sorcerer.”

“’Tis a strange feeling and a hard argument, and it’s something we all shall have to live with from this day forward.” Laedron stared at the staff. “One of the stones of that staff could house the spirit of the late Daris the Second.”

“It could be this one,” Brice said, presenting the black onyx ring Andolis had worn. “Maybe to keep him separate from the others?”

“Creator…” Jurgen tapped his lip with a finger and eyed the stones. “Perhaps there is a way to free him?”

“Surely there must be, but I don’t know how.” Laedron shrugged. “The Zyvdredi were meticulous in designing spells. They never created a spell without a counterpart that could undo its effects.”

“We can’t approach a Zyvdredi with this information, that’s for certain,” Jurgen said. “There may be another way, though; we could contact the Uxidin.”