The Severaine

Chapter Six The Cursed Metal-1

Chapter Six

The Cursed MetalThe sounds of moving water and the tired groan of turning cogs and shifting metal hailed the dawn as timely as any rooster. The drawbridge's calls rousing those who had camped outside. The small groups hurried to gather their meagre belongings, unaware the lowering of the bridge would take almost thirty minutes.

There were two systems in place for this feat. The first, for the daily operating, a slow timely raising and lowering, the result controlling the position of the portcullis as the bridge made its final movements. The other was one for times of warfare and linked directly to the portcullis itself. There was a safeguard in place which meant any time the portcullis was lowered, the drawbridge would raise at a speed exceeding its dawn and dusk movements.

The ground let out a mighty rumble as the bridge struck the pier. The chains supporting it as wide as any travelling caravan they had seen. Each of the massive links pristine, without visible join or flaw.

Daniel had been the last to take watch, although with great effort he had once more managed to evade sleep. He had remained silent, staring out over the darkness, listening to the calls of animals and praying his dreams would not find him as he awaited his watch. He was in no hurry to spur his friends, who were packing their makeshift camp, into action. He knew that anyone entering the castle would be subjected to a vetting process to determine their intentions. Without ever setting foot inside he was also aware the castle would still somehow segregate them from its inner workings until they knew exactly who they were dealing with.

The child had risen early, whilst the sky still showed the remaining light of fading stars and had sat with him as he looked out over the vast land. She was eager to start their game. The signs of her fever had all but vanished, and the return of her appetite saw her drawing long deep breaths of the cold morning air that carried on it the scent of freshly baked bread.

The refugees already had completed their journey across the enormous moat by the time the small party had been ready. Their delay had made no difference. By the time they reached the portcullis they could see a number of people still waiting to be granted entry.

A man, reminiscent of a vulture in appearance, approached the small group, half-moon spectacles being pushed up his long, crooked nose as he scrutinised them before speaking.

“What is the purpose of your visit?” he questioned, tapping his quill impatiently on his battered clipboard as he waited for Daniel to respond.

“We're looking for the child's family we fou—”

“Right, right, and what are your intentions?”

“To return her, and perhaps visit the temple.”

“And gather supplies,” Acha added, earning her a cold stare. The man scribbled something on his paper.

“Visitors then, very well, proceed to the gate.” The small group walked past the caravans awaiting entry, it seemed there was some form of system in place, and any seeking refuge here had to be supplied with official papers. A small section of the iron gates opened to grant them passage and, like many who had passed through before them, their pace stilled as they beheld the enormity of the castle.

Before them stretched a grand courtyard, the right filled with traders and market stalls, mainly selling trinkets and food. Although there were weapons and armour in abundance, no blacksmiths or tanners could be seen. They each had their own section of this mighty fort where their work was to be undertaken. Towers stretched into the sky, often used as a means to navigate. Each tower was joined to the next by enormous walls with impressive doors marking the entry into them. Not a house lined the open spaces. Everyone who lived within these walls was allocated their own rooms, possessing the comfort of any home, but in the safeguard of the fort. The King's Guards' dormitories were found joined to the enormous spired building in the centre. Whilst other guards, depending on their allotted patrol, took rooms in the appropriate drum towers.

Eiji let out a sigh, wondering how they could possibly hope to find one person amongst such great and seemingly endless fiefdom. When he had last visited here with his master, they had stayed in the paid lodgings found just behind the market, but those seeking refuge here seemed to be allotted rooms close to the bailiff.

“Perhaps the bailiff could help us find them,” Acha questioned almost in tune with Eiji's thoughts. He gave a nod before turning to Daniel.

“I'm going to investigate the temple.” His friends looked at him curiously, awaiting an explanation. “Oureas' Rest has the most complete records of artefacts. If it is the relic I mentioned before and it ended up in the hands of a cleric, it's not too hard to believe the temple will have catalogued, if not stored it themselves,” he explained. He needed some time away from them, and this just served as the appropriate justification. Their talk of taking him to a physician had unnerved him. Word from such people always returned to his mother. Besides, he was fine, he was doing fine.

“Okay, y' do that, and we'll look for the girl's family,” Eiji conceded. It was a good plan. It was the best utilisation of the time they had, but he still felt uneasy.

The child clung tightly onto the bottom of Acha's shirt, pushing her small frame against her as they walked. The area before them was filled with people, all flocking to a central figure who stood raised above them upon a stone pedestal by the fountain. At first Eiji believed him to be a preacher. He had seen many draw such crowds, but it soon became apparent he was in fact the man they sought, the bailiff, or one of them at least.

The castle often attracted those down on their fortune, and in times such as these the request for sanctuary was growing. The castle allowed the refugees a day respite, after which time meals would be exchanged for bailiff tokens, a small piece of imprinted copper that showed they had completed work issued by the castle's bailiff. These jobs could be anything from assisting with the field or livestock, to building or trade jobs. The only exception to this rule were very young children and the sick.

The King and his council had operated in this manner for as long as was remembered. Those arriving were fed and sheltered, and in return earned meals in exchange for their skills and labour. Some would even find themselves recruited as apprentices should they show talent.

It was a large castle, and there was always plenty of work, thus those unable to pay their way never went hungry or cold. Every half year a trade faire would be hosted, and people seeking apprentices or labourers would come to assess those working within the walls and some would be offered employment. Some would leave, relocating to a new town or city to further hone their craft. It was not uncommon for travellers, even adventurers, tired and hungry from the road, to spend a few days working the castle's lands in exchange for food and lodgings.

Eiji took the child's hand in his. He walked steadily, the crowd parting instinctively to grant him passage as he approached the bailiff on the pedestal. Brief words were exchanged between the two, and to everyone's surprise the man stepped down allowing Eiji to take the stand. Once in position he bent, lifting the child to sit on his shoulders. Her face filled with concentration as her vision panned each person in the crowd whilst Eiji addressed them. His cheeks flushed, showing his discomfort with such things.

“We found this child in the remains of Weft,” he announced. “We've brought her here in hope t'find her family. Please, look closely, if y' know her, come forward.” There was no movement within the crowd. He waited for a minute, keeping the child in sight before, thanking the bailiff, he stepped down and work resumed.

The young girl looked to him, her eyes moist with tears.

“Hey.” Acha placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Surely you saw how big this area is. There're still so many places they could be hiding.” Acha cast a concerned glance to Eiji. “You know what?” she questioned, giving her voice an optimistic lift. “I'm hungry. It's breakfast time after all, maybe we'll find them in one of the food halls.” Wiping her eyes, the child gave a nod.

“Great, now we just hafta find one,” Eiji stated.

* * *

Daniel placed the small bag into the satchel quickly. His cold jittery hands accepting the change from the trader. His morning had been an eventful one, and there were still hours until noon. He didn't remember the last time he felt this energised. Well, he did but was loath to admit it. He had investigated the temple, and his assumptions had been correct. Albeth castle had the most complete index of both holy and cursed relics, with the exception of The Acropolis, a holy training grounds where all wishing to serve the Gods must first study. He had spent hours poring over the paperwork, under the supervision of a rather tired-looking man whose vision kept wandering longingly to his rooms above.

In the end, the assistance had come not from the library, but from this droopy eyed man. After an hour, he had thought to ask Daniel what exactly he sought. Without having the small pocketbook Acha had taken from Amelia he was left to draw a rather crude sketch. But the man had recognised it. It was not recorded as an acquisition, which were the records Daniel had just now turned his focus toward. It was actually an heirloom belonging to an esteemed noble family.

Their line had slowly been decreasing, some say due to the relic's curse. The temple held the lineage charts of most noble houses, and the old man had known just where to look. He had given his life to these books and records, which was why, despite re-writing one of the more faded heritages into the early hours of this morning, he watched over this young man. It would not do to have him disorganise what had been a lifetime of labour. Even his own apprentice was not permitted here unaccompanied.

The Keeper of Records was a title appointed by the King himself, and it was his responsibility, when disputes of land or lineage came to light, to settle them. He took pride in his work, and unlike the Keeper of Records in Castlefort, he documented each and every indiscretion. Never would they be unable to name an heir here. It may appear a boring job but, the truth was, to complete his role well he had attained a network of contacts, or more accurately, had recruited a young man whose network was extensive, and his facts unquestionable. Any from nobility could not so much as scratch their chin without him knowing, and of course, having such knowledge of the nobles saw him benefit from a comfortable lifestyle. None dared to cross him in fear of what he knew.

When he returned with the correct ancestral tree, he noticed the young man was also looking rather tired. The dark circles around his eyes giving highlight to his pale drawn features. He sat down beside him, passing him a small paper bag. Daniel looked to him questioningly.

“Chew them. I'm not going to go through this more than once.” Daniel did as instructed. Within moments he could feel his energy returning, his attention becoming focused, and every word spoken was absorbed.

* * *

Marise gave a sigh, adjusting her position in the chair as she leaned back to tease her fingers through her red hair. She was bored. Good things never happened when she was bored. Another sigh left her lips as she turned her focus to Elly.

“Tell me again why we were sent to Blackwood.” She removed her feet from the table, giving Elly her full attention. Elly masked her smile as she had a drink. She knew it wouldn't take long for Marise to become impatient. Even so, she had missed days like these, just the two of them.