Teiumph of the Crown

2. Flight

TWO

Flight

SUMMER 965 MC

Tyrell Caracticus looked out the window of the Grand Edifice of the Arcane Wizards Council, more commonly known as the Dome. Before him, the smoking ruins of the Palace were a reminder of the day's events, although the creature who had caused such devastation had long since fled. In its wake, the dragon left death and destruction on a scale unheard of.

Even afterwards, the people continued to suffer by the hand of Brida, the High Queen of the Twelve Clans. Her father, King Dathen, was being held in the dungeons beneath the Palace when the creature unleashed by the Kurathians destroyed any chance of his survival. In retribution, the new queen ordered her troops into the streets, arresting anyone who resisted and even executing people on the spot.

Tyrell had taken Princess Edwina to the Dome, where they remained safe for the time being, as Brida had seemed reluctant to attack the place. Something had changed, however, for large groups of warriors were now assembling at the front door.

"Aegryth," he called out. "Fetch the princess. We need to get her to safety."

"About time," replied the Earth Mage. "I've been saying that since you brought her here."

Tyrell grimaced, for he knew she was right, but he'd taken an oath to protect the knowledge held within this very building and was loathe to surrender it to the enemy. "Is everything in place?"

"It is, although I don't know if the spell will allow it all to be recalled."

"Still, we must try. There are almost a thousand years of history at stake. Now, hurry. I shall meet you both in the casting circle."

He watched them run from the room, then examined his surroundings. There would be no escape for him, for he knew without a doubt he must give his life to prevent the enemy from learning the secrets held within these walls.

Tyrell stepped out into the hallway, where several students had taken it upon themselves to join him in his grand sacrifice. They stood by with torches ready, waiting only for his command to begin the destruction of the collective learnings of over nine hundred years of scholarly pursuits.

He entered the room to find Aegryth in the centre of the casting circle, Edwina at her side. Around them were stacked all manner of books and parchments—everything they deemed crucial to save. He wished they could bring more but knew it was not to be.

"Cast your recall," said Tyrell, "but do not try to return. The enemy will be upon us soon enough, and I fear one spell is all we have time to complete."

Aegryth stared back at him, shocked by his words. "Aren't you coming too?"

"No, I cannot. Someone must remain behind to deny the enemy that which they covet most. Now, begin your spell and speak no more of this." He noted her look of hesitation. "You are the future of the Dome now, you and Princess Edwina."

The Earth Mage said nothing in reply, merely nodded her head in understanding, and then her arms began moving as she cast recall. The air buzzed with energy, and then Tyrell felt a breeze as dust whirled around them. The runes glowed with magic right before a cylinder of light shot up from the floor, obstructing his view of them. A moment later, the cylinder collapsed, revealing an empty circle. He turned, leaving the place one last time.

Evard Brenton, Royal Guardsman, stood by the door. If truth be told, he was proud of his position. It meant the prestige of working for the queen with the safe job of guarding the Palace. Today, he stood before the room containing the casting circle, on the alert lest anyone unauthorized attempt entry.

He looked across at Donald Harper. The two grew up together, spending most of their later lives serving the queen, first as bodyguards back in Uxley and now here, in the capital. He was about to mention that very fact when he felt the distinctive buzz of magic in the air.

"Someone's using the circle," he said.

"Could be the queen," said Harper.

"No, she came back this morning. Did you not pay attention when the last shift briefed us?"

Harper laughed. "No, I was still half asleep."

"Well, you're awake now. Sound the alarm."

Harper reached out, ringing the bell that would alert the guard. Moments later, soldiers thundered down the hall, weapons drawn. At their head, Sergeant Fairfax looked slightly out of breath. "You raised the alarm?"

"We did," said Evard. "The circle has been activated. Are we expecting someone?"

"Not to my knowledge. Open the doors, and we'll investigate."

Brenton and Harper each grabbed a handle, swinging the double doors outward to reveal the room within. In the centre stood two women, one much younger than the other. The floor was littered with books and papers that looked like they had been flung around as if by a great wind.

"Identify yourself!" demanded the sergeant.

"I am Aegryth Malthunen, Arcanus of Summersgate, and this is Princess Edwina. We must see the queen immediately. Weldwyn has fallen!"

Alric moved closer, holding Anna in a tender embrace. Just as their lips were about to touch, the baby kicked, and both of them laughed out loud.

"That's quite the kick he's got."

"Or she," countered Anna.

"Are you sure there's no way Aubrey can determine the s*x of our child?"

"No, we must wait for the birth."

A soft knock interrupted their conversation.

"Who is it?" called out Anna.

"Dame Beverly," came the response. "It's an emergency."

"Come."

The door opened, revealing the red-haired knight. "It's Princess Edwina, Your Majesty. She's just recalled to Wincaster along with Aegryth Malthunen."

"My sister?" said Alric. "Where are they?"

"Down the hall. We thought it best for Aubrey to look them over, under the circumstances."

"What circumstances? What's happened?"

"I think it best if they tell you themselves."

"Lead on," said Anna, "and let's get to the bottom of this."

As they entered the room, Aubrey was just completing a spell. The mage looked up as she finished. "Only a precaution, Your Majesty. A minor spell of healing to help with the bruising."

Edwina rushed forward, hugging her brother tightly.

"Bruising?" said Alric. "I don't understand?"

Aegryth explained the situation. "It's all my fault, Your Highness. When I cast the spell of recall, I had no idea the wind would cause the books to fly around."

"Books? What books? What in the name of Malin are you talking about?"

"Master Caracticus wanted to save as much of our knowledge as possible. I'm afraid Summersgate has fallen."

"Fallen?" said Alric. "To whom? The Clans?"

"Yes, although it would seem a large army of Kurathians aided them."

"I can't say that surprises me."

"Rumour has it they weren't mercenaries, but the personal army of a Kurathian prince."

"A prince, in Weldwyn? Why would they even consider such a thing?"

"They wouldn't," added Anna. "Not without help. I suspect there's more at play here than simple revenge."

"Are you suggesting Lady Penelope is behind this?"

Anna shrugged. "Penelope, Kythelia—it doesn't matter what you call her. She's always wanted to destroy us."

"Yes, but we defeated her army of spirits."

"And while we were tied up in Norland, she marched through Weldwyn, or so it would seem."

Alric looked down at his sister. "What about Alstan and Mother?"

"I'm afraid they're dead, Your Highness," said Aegryth. "A great dragon descended on the Palace, crushing everyone. Tyrell had the presence of mind to recall to the Dome along with the princess."

"Are you saying the rest of my family perished?"

"Your mother and brother, yes, but we believe Althea was off visiting Mirstone on the queen's behalf. However, we have no confirmation of her fate."

Alric felt the room spinning. He released his hold on his youngest sister and sought out a chair. "This is all just too much to take."

Anna moved to stand beside him, her hands instinctively going to his shoulder. "We shall get through this," she said, her voice straining to hold back tears.

"There's more," said Aegryth. "We discovered your sister Edwina has the capacity to learn magic."

"Nonsense," said Alric. "She's a member of the Royal Family. Mages can never rule Weldwyn; it has been so since our birth as a kingdom."

"Be that as it may, she's shown an aptitude for Air Magic."

"We have no Air Mages."

"Not in recent history, no, yet the fact remains she has it within her."

"What proof have you of that?" demanded Alric.

"There's an easy way to settle this," said Anna. "We shall have Aubrey enter the spirit realm. From there, she'll be able to see Edwina's magical aura."

"You can do that?" said Aegryth.

"I can," replied the Life Mage. "Although it's not something I've done lately. I suppose, now that Kythelia's hold over the spirits is broken, it will be safer."

"I'm not certain I understand."

"The Dark Queen used Blood Magic to bind spirits to her will. The last thing I wanted to do was find my spirit captured by her."

"Could she even do something like that?"

"I'm not sure, but I didn't want to find out the hard way."

Anna shifted her attention to Aegryth. "Tell us everything you know about what happened in Weldwyn."

"Are you aware of King Leofric's death?"

"Yes. Gretchen Harwell found us in the north. Is that what precipitated this invasion?"

"That was Queen Igraine's belief. Alstan was ready to lead the army, but with so many warriors lost along with the king, there was little to work with. That's why Althea went to Mirstone, to get more warriors."

Alric leaned forward. "When did all of this happen?"

"A few hours ago."

"And you didn't see fit to send Edwina here immediately? What were you thinking?"

"It was my idea," said Edwina. "We were safe within the Dome, protected by many magical defences. The priority had to be saving as much knowledge as possible."

"No," said Alric, his voice rising. "The priority was saving a princess of the realm."

"Do not be harsh," said Anna. "They did what they thought best. And in any event, she's safe now."

"My pardon," said Aegryth, "but Master Tyrell used the time wisely, gathering the most important tomes and sending them here for safety."

The door opened, revealing Gerald. "I hear we have company?" His smile soon disappeared as he saw the sombre looks. "What's happened?"

"Weldwyn has fallen," said Anna, "or at least Summersgate has. Brida led the Clans in a full-scale invasion, assisted, it would seem, by a Kurathian prince."

"I suppose we should have expected that after the loss of Leofric's army."

"What do we do now?" asked Aegryth.

"Do?" said Alric. "We reclaim Weldwyn, of course."

"I wouldn't advise that until the spring," said Gerald. "The army is battered and bruised. We'll need to raise more men if we're to be successful."

"Agreed," said Anna. "And I must take this matter to the Nobles Council. We shall need their support if we are to recruit more soldiers."

"What of your allies?" asked Aegryth.

"That's another matter entirely. The Orcs played a critical role in Norland, but they paid a heavy price. I cannot guarantee they'll be willing to risk losing even more in the west."

"The Dwarves will fight," said Gerald. "Herdwin is a big supporter of the Weldwyn Alliance, and King Thalgrun can be counted on to send a company or two."

"And the Saurians?" asked Alric.

"I'm sure they'd help, but they're better suited to scouting and guarding our supply lines."

"They have dragons," warned Aegryth.

"How many?" asked Gerald.

"We don't know for sure, but Tyrell identified at least two. The colossal creature that collapsed the Palace, and a smaller green one."

"Collapsed the Palace? It was that large?"

"Indeed," said Aegryth. "I daresay large enough to eat a horse in a single gulp."

"I know this may sound like a strange question," said Anna, "but was anyone riding these creatures?"

"Not that we could tell," replied the Earth Mage. "Then again, we only saw it from a distance. Tyrell could have told you more, but he stayed behind to destroy what was left of the library and deny it to the enemy."

"A wise choice," said Anna. "I shudder to think what Kythelia could do with such knowledge."

Lady Aubrey moved to the centre of the room. "Shall I enter the spirit realm now, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, by all means. Let us at least put one matter to rest."

The Life Mage lay down on the floor and closed her eyes.

"What is she doing?" asked Edwina.

"When she enters the spirit realm, her body becomes dormant and unable to support itself. The last thing we want is for her to fall and be injured."

Aubrey began the spell, calling on the ancient language of magic to channel the power within her. The air buzzed, and then her body went limp, her head rolling to the side.

Edwina moved closer to get a better view. "She looks like she's asleep, but she's not breathing, at least not as far as I can tell."

"That's because her spirit is now separate from her body," explained Anna.

"But where is she? I don't see her?"

"Nor would you, unless you used a spell to do so."

"So she's invisible?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Although my dog, Tempus, can sometimes detect her presence."

"So he's a ghost detector?"

Anna laughed. "I suppose he is, but Lady Aubrey is no ghost."

"But you said she's a spirit—aren't they the same thing?"

"A ghost no longer has a living body in which to reside. Aubrey is tethered to hers by an invisible thread—at least that's how she explained it to me."

The Life Mage opened her eyes, taking a moment to focus.

"Well?" said Alric. "What's the verdict?"

Anna held out her hand, helping the mage to her feet.

"It's true. I could see her magical aura as clearly as I can see you."

"And she has the power of Air Magic?" said Aegryth.

"As far as I can tell."

"What does that mean?" said Alric. "I thought you said you could detect her aura?"

"Yes, I can, but I've never used this technique on a potential Air Mage before. She has a blue aura, that I can say for certain, but whether that's Air Magic or something else, I don't know."

"And is this aura strong?"

"Strong enough to indicate she has some potential. Only time will tell if she's able to harness that inner power."

"It is as Tyrell suspected," said Aegryth. "He believed that somewhere along the line, the Royal Family married into a family with a hidden potential."

"Are you suggesting my mother could have used magic?" asked Alric.

"Not necessarily. Magic can often lay dormant for generations, and even then, not everyone who has the potential for such things is even aware of it."

"Yes," added Aubrey. "I've read extensively on the theory. Revi's library has several valuable essays on the matter."

"The question is," interrupted Edwina, "what happens to me now?"

"That depends on you," said the queen.

In answer, the young princess looked at her brother.

"Don't look at me," said Alric. "You're fifteen, old enough to make your own decisions."

"I should very much like to learn magic."

"That presents some difficulties," said Aegryth. "We have no Air Mage to tutor you."

"True," said Aubrey, "but you brought a lot of books with you. Surely some of those deal with the subject?"

"Yes, but how would she learn the spells with no one to teach them to her? It's not as if an Earth Mage could teach her how to control… whatever it is that Air Mages control."

"I would like to consult with Albreda."

"She's a wild mage! With all due respect, do you believe that's wise?"

"Her approach to magic has made her the most powerful mage in all the known lands. I'm not suggesting Edwina would be that powerful, but if Albreda could learn without a tutor, why not her?"

"I'm willing to try," said the young princess.

"Unless I miss my guess," said Anna, "that won't be for some time. She has to learn the magical alphabet first, doesn't she?"

"She does," said Aubrey, "but that, at least, is something any of our mages can do."

"She'll need to give up her claim to the throne," warned Alric. "The laws of Weldwyn demand it."

"Fine by me," said Edwina. "It's not as if I wanted to become queen anyway. Now I can spend my days learning magic instead of being married off to some noble."

"Come," said Aubrey. "Let's find you a nice room in the Palace and get you settled in, shall we? This must be so overwhelming."

"Actually, I find it a good distraction from all that has happened. Tell me, Lady Aubrey, how long did it take you to learn to cast spells?"

"Let's see. I was just a little older than you are now. Of course, I already knew about the magical alphabet from reading books."

"I like to read too."

"That's excellent news. It will make the initial phase of your training easier." They wandered out of the room, their voices trailing off.

"I'm glad she'll have something to distract her for a while," said Alric. "She's been through a lot."

"She's grown so much," added Anna. "She's almost a young lady now."

"That's what they do," said Gerald. "They grow up into adults. You're the living example of that."

"Come now. Queen, I may be, but deep down, I'll always be that little girl you found in the hedge maze."