Ser Robert’s Report

Gerwin stands at the door of the King’s Leisure Tower, preparing to knock. These interruptions to the King’s hobbies never sit well with him. Gerwin knows that the King will not be in a good mood, if he even acknowledges the request.

Gerwin has stood at this door many times, sometimes for hours waiting on the King to exit the tower. He has examined every inch of the magnificent tower that once was known as the Queen’s Tower. It was a place for the Queen and her lady’s to have set aside for their leisure. That all changed a few hundred years ago when King Luke the Sixth, known as the Whore King, devalued the Queen’s role in the Royal family. She went from equal ruler to glorified bed maid overnight. Once King Luke took on concubines, he needed a place for them to stay, and the tower was just the place.

Gerwin knocks and waits. It takes about ten minutes for someone to open the door. Gaia answers the door, she was one of the Breaker Island girls that King William took once he selected his bride. She is one of the King’s first concubines. For several years now, she has acted as a den mother for the younger girls.

“The Master says he is busy, go away.” She says as she starts to close the door.

Gerwin places his hand on the door to stop her. “Please forgive me, but Marco just received a letter from Ser Robert regarding the King’s sons. He says it is imperative that he speaks with the King. Will you please pass the message along to the King?”

“He will punish me if I interrupt him.”

“Not this time, this is about his heir who has been missing for months. He will want to get this message.”

Gaia pauses for a moment. She understands what Gerwin is saying. So now she is afraid that the King will punish her for interrupting him or that he will if she doesn’t. She is in another no-win situation.

“Fine, wait here.”

Gaia leaves to relay the message. Gerwin waits another ten minutes before she returns. Gerwin can clearly see the red outline of the King’s handprint across her left cheek.

“The Master says that he will receive Marco in his study in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.” Gerwin says as he turns to walk away. He can’t help himself for sympathizing for the poor Gaia. He had put her in a difficult position and she was punished for it.

Gerwin retrieves Marco and they arrive at the King’s study a few minutes early. As they wait Mary arrives as requested by Marco.

“Mary, thanks for coming. I am sure you will find this meeting very beneficial to your future.” Marco says.

“I hope so, my father said that it was very important that I be here. What do I need to do?”

“Just listen to the conversation we are about to have with the King and make sure to calm him should he begin to get upset.”

Mary agrees, and they wait. Not the few minutes Gaia told Gerwin, but over two hours. The King seems to have no concept of time.

William finally enters his study still sweating from his recent activities, Gaia follows him with towels. The King takes a towel and wipes his face dry, and hands it back to Gaia. She turns to leave but the King grabs her arm and pulls her in for a kiss.

“I love you.” The King tells her.

“I love you too, Master.” She replies.

He nods and she turns to leave, the King slaps her on her butt as she does so. He turns to his visitors.

“Mary! I did not see you there, I wish I knew you were going to be here. How are you dear?”

“I am good my King.”

“Your beauty grows each time I see you.”

“Thank you, Sire.”

“If I were David, I would not rest until I made you my queen.”

“Thank you…”

“King William, we have news.” Marco interjects.

“Yes, Ser Robert sent a report. How did he get it back so fast? It’s been what, barely two months since the Meego Light disappeared.”

“Yes, he had a rider run on Prince Aero’s personal horse, Steele, just to get this message to you. The animal was pushed to its limits because the news is so important.”

“Well, what does it say?”

“It’s bad news my King, please be prepared.”

“Marco, just tell me. I’ve ran this kingdom for thirty years. I doubt you can say anything that shocks me.”

“Ser Robert reports that he arrived at the Old Palace to find Both your sons along with Matthew, and that soldier that you made go with them. A Bellumi woman that he believes to be the Queen, and a Durrie prostitute.”

“Okay, that doesn’t seem bad.”

“Ser Robert reports that when he requested to escort David back to us, Aero and Stephan refused. They even had an assassin ride in on a Halo Bear, wielding a magic axe kill several of the knights we sent to return the prince.”

“Then what happened?”

“While the assassin was fighting the knights, Aero slipped off to Meego with David.”

“What? How could he let that happen? We sent hundreds of knights!”

“Yes, but our people were not prepared to fight a bear and a magic relic. They were momentarily outmatched but when they were gone, the assassin ran off with the bear.”

“And Aero convinced Stephan to help him drag David away… Are you telling me that Aero kidnapped David to save his life in Meego?”

“It’s what it appears to be, Sire.”

“Hmm, well I can assure you it’s not. My boys have a plan. Two Royals have never ventured to Meego, they intend to get the sword together!”

“That doesn’t seem wise, it’s a dangerous place for your family. That’s a very big bet to take.”

“My boys know it will take big bets to restore the kingdom. The biggest thing is we need the family sword. My boys will bring it back.”

“And if Meego kills them, then what?”

“John Henry would have to be named heir; you know that.”

“Yes, my King, but I was thinking about it in greater detail. I fear that David and Aero may be lost to us. So, I want to jumpstart the future reign of John Henry.”

“I’m not ready to give up on David just yet, but what did you have in mind?”

“I was thinking an official engagement of John Henry to Mary.

Mary perks up. This is the news she has waited her entire life to hear, that she will be queen. As a child, she was in love with Aero but he left to be a knight. Then she found out that he would not be King. Since then, she has worked the Court to catch David’s eye. But if it’s John Henry, that’s fine by her as well. The brother makes little difference to her, she just wants the position.

“Mary will make a fine Queen, but as far as John Henry is concerned… I am not ready to give up on David yet. Have Robert remain at the Palace until the Meego Light returns to see if my boys return. Once he finds out, have him send another rider to let me know if my boys returned or not.”

“What of the report of the Queen being with them?”

“I don’t care, that Bellumi woman is insufferable, but I would like to see the Durrie woman. Tell him to bring her if she is alive.”

“Yes, my King.”

“Now, I am returning to my tower, if you interrupt me again tonight… heads will roll.”

“Understood.”

“And Marco, don’t forget the detail about the Durrie woman I’ve always wanted one.”

Marco assures the King he will report it to Robert. The King approaches Mary and speaks with her briefly before leaving together. Mary knows her part is to distract the King from whatever Marco is planning.

“Gerwin, write this down. The Coven has decided that both brothers were killed in Meego along with all their partners except for the Durrie girl should they return from Meego. Remain at the Palace until the Light returns and make sure that this happens. We will send additional knights as reinforcements in case the bear returns. Bring the Durrie girl to the King should you find her.”

Gerwin nods that the letter is written.

“Seal it and send the rider back to Robert this hour. I’m sure Meego will handle the rest. We will need another rider as well. I will write a letter myself to present to the rider within the hour.”

“Where will he be going?”

“To my father, the old owls at the Coven will want to know the newest revelations. They will no doubt send fresh orders, so have the rider prepared to stay until my father sends him away. We are close to getting what we want, and maybe I can finally move up the chain. Gerwin, make sure we can trust these riders.

“Yes Sir.”

Meego #6

Prince Aero has been sitting in his cell for hours since his meeting with Governor Dabir. The guards placed him back in his stocks, chained him and didn’t even bother with removing the bag from his head. His mind has been racing with ideas of what the Governor’s deal is exactly.

Aero replayed the conversation in his head over and over. The young prince is baffled by Dabir’s abrupt end to their meeting.

A rustling of the key in the door means that it is time to find out.

Guards come in, a lot of them. Prince Aero is unhooked from the stocks and rebound with his arms in front of him. A guard holds each of his arms as they lead him out of the cell.

The bag that is still on his head prevents him from seeing anything.

He tries to use his senses to figure out where they are taking him. Once they pass through a doorway, he can smell that they are outdoors. While he hears the rumbling of a huge crowd in the distance.

Does Dabir intend to make his execution public?

As they continue to walk, the noise increases. Each step for Aero is agony. Is this the way he dies? For the amusement of a crowd.

Aero remembers now that Dabir said something about the fighting pits and realizes that is where they are taking him.

The rumbling is muffled now, they must have entered the arena. Even with the muffle of the walls between them, the noise is deafening.

Aero is stopped, then double doors fling open in front of him.

A mixture of booing and cheering fills the air.

Aero’s hands are bound to a ring in front of him. Wherever he is, this is where he will be for the event.

Suddenly, the boos stop, and the place erupts once again into cheers. Then the cheers stop. It’s quiet. The silence is so unsettling to Aero. Knowing that he is surrounded by a lot of people, but they are purposefully remaining silent means that whatever is going to happen is about to start.

“Sons and daughters of Meego, I present to you the accused, Aero, Prince of Avodroc.” Dabir yells as the bag is removed from his head.

Again, a mixture of cheers and boos as Aero takes in the scene.

He is bound on a platform just above the arena floor. They are in the massive ancient coliseum of the old city. Once said to be one of the wonders of the world. Fifty thousand Meegans have piled into the old stone arena.

Aero looks up into the crowd above him across the way. In a luxury suite, stands Dabir waving his hands to his people. Aero also sees Rania sitting to Dabir’s right. Next to her is Roasa. Both are wearing formal Meegan dresses. This event seems to be a gigantic social event. Even Lieutenant Rain is stationed in Dabir’s suite standing with a handful of other Meegan guards.

As Aero looks around the arena, he notices that below him in a box are his people. Some of them anyway. David, Stephan, Matthew and Will are all gathered looking around. They seem to not see Aero above them.

“Prince Aero boasted that any one of his people is worth five Meegan warriors.”

The crowd bursts into rage. Dabir allows them to boo and scream. He milks the crowd for a moment before placing his hand into the air. A hush falls over the arena.

“Tonight, we put him to the test.”

The reaction sounds like an explosion. Thousands of Meegan’s roar in approval. Again, Dabir milks the crowd for maximum reaction.

“Prince Aero! You will choose one of your companions to stand against five of Meego’s finest warriors, right now.” Dabir commands.

“I did not claim that my…”

“Silence! We are not here to debate; we are here to learn the truth. Give me a name now!”

“Then if a name is required, then I choose, Prince Aero!”

“You cannot pick yourself; you said your people. Choose one now.”

“Governor Dabir, I…”

“A name now or I will choose for you!”

Aero looks below him. The men seem afraid and confused by what’s going on. They look up to Aero to see the same look of fear on his face.”

“Prince Aero, all of Meego is waiting…” Dabir shouts “Last chance to pick, if I don’t hear a name then I will pick one for you and you will not like it.”

Aero looks to Matthew with desperation and regret in his eyes. Matthew slightly nods back at him. Ser Matthew knows the stakes, and who stands with him now. Stephan would be the only other choice, but he has his sworn mission to protect David.

“Now Prince Aero!”

“I choose Ser Matthew, hero of the Battle of Inland Docks.”

The crowd cheers that the prince has given a name. Everyone who knows Prince Aero already knew that Matthew was going to be his choice anyway.

Guards allow Matthew out on the arena floor. The set up is basic. No obstacles, traps or structures tonight. Just a large oval sand pit with the fifty thousand people watching it. As Matthew is brought out, a door on the opposite side opens. Out walks Matthew’s opponents, ten men dressed in Meegan soldier uniforms, with their faces covered.

“Prince Aero, I failed to mention that I have ten volunteers… You must pick again!”

Another eruption from the crowd!

Aero looks down at his remaining men.

Will shouts to pick him.

“You’re here to observe and report back to the king. Besides, I expect you to return to your wife and children.” Aero responds.

“I’ll fight for you, Aero.” Stephan shouts.

“But who would protect David?”

“It’s either Will or me, pick one of us, we will do our best.” Stephan replies.

“We are waiting!” Dabir shouts which causes the crowd to burst into laughter.

Aero hangs his head in defeat. The choice is overwhelming. How can he send another man out to fight crushing odds? If he picks Stephan, he is asking him to potentially break his most sacred vow to protect Prince David. Even if he survives, shame could follow him the rest of his life. And then there’s Will. Will has risen to the occasion of every task thrown at him on this journey, but he is completely outmatched now. His bravery is admirable, but his skills are lacking.

“Prince Aero, do you need a coin to flip?”

The laughter grows.

“David, what should I do?” Aero shouts looking for advice.

“I don’t know brother, do whatever your heart tells you.”

Aero’s heart? It’s broken. Neither man seems to be right. He just can’t decide.

“Prince Aero, last chance. Meego wants to see your people’s greatness!”

Aero doesn’t have an answer. He has already asked his best friend to stand against five men, how can he do that again?

“Fine then I will pick.”

“No! He chooses Roasa, the Widow of Jose!” Roasa shouts from Dabir’s side loud enough for the entire arena to hear.

The arena falls silent, all eyes are on Dabir. In Meego, women are honored but they are not warriors. Some join the militia for service to Meego, but they never fight in the pits.

Dabir looks around the arena, then to Roasa who has a very stern expression on her face.

“So, you do love him. Do you think he will let you fight for him?”

“Love him? Yes, but I am not in love with him. He has eyes for only one woman, and I will never take another lover. I chose for him; I don’t care what he thinks.”

Dabir is taken aback by Roasa’s confidence.

He slowly turns his head toward Aero. Aero sees all the heads turn toward him.

He pauses for a moment. The silence is awkward. All of Meego awaits his response.

He nods yes, the entire arena electrifies.

It takes Roasa a few moments to make her way to the arena floor. The sight of this small woman in an expensive dress entering the fighting pit is such a sight to see.

A cart is brought before Roasa and Matthew, they select their weapons. Once they do, they are allowed to approach Prince Aero’s position.

“They only gave me three arrows.” Roasa complains.

“Seven on two then, Matt can you do this?” Aero asks.

“They gave me a damn curved sword, why can’t I have my own?”

“Matt!”

“I will protect her, I promise.”

“Like hell you will, I will protect you!” Roasa snaps back. “Besides, these aren’t soldiers, they are the criminals that volunteer to fight in the pits for their freedom, Rania told me so.”

“Good, then I won’t feel bad for what I am about to do.” Matthew responds.

Aero looks to Roasa “Please be careful.”

“These men are the kind I vowed to destroy; this will be fun!”

Fun? Not to Aero. His heart is racing at the thought of what he is about to have to watch.

“People of Meego! These two volunteers stand against ten of our own to see if Prince Aero’s words are true. It’s a fight to the last man or woman on each side. Are you ready?”

The Meegan contingent holds their swords above their heads. Matthew stands at the ready while Roasa nods yes.

“FIGHT!” Dabir shouts.

Roasa lets loose an arrow, and one is down. Another arrow, and another man falls. She ducks an arrow that sticks in the wall behind her head then kills the man who shot it. She then turns, grabs the arrow out of the wall and kills a fourth running up on her.

As Roasa is slaughtering with her arrows, Matthew waits on the approaching men. A parry, then a thrust, a sidestep and a slash. Just like that, three men are dead. He turns to see a man rushing Roasa, he lunges toward him from far too great a distance for an average man to leap and slashes the man from his navel to his chin.

Roasa throws herself inside the bowstring to allow it to sit on her frame and picks up a sword. Matthew doesn’t see the last two men approaching from behind him. She throws the sword into the first man’s chest. Matthew turns just in time to see the last man swing his sword from over his head. He sidesteps the swing, but in doing so trips over the body of the man he had just killed. The man raises his sword above his head to the roar of the crowd.

Aero turns his head away.

Before he can bring his sword down, Roasa rushes him with a sword she had picked up. Swinging away just as Rain has taught her, she causes the man to lose his own balance and fall. She places the tip of the sword against his throat and slowly impales him.

The crowd is silent in shock.

Dabir stands in a rage “Send in ten more!”

“Father, no!” Rania says as she grabs his arm to calm him.

“Ten more!”

Rania looks away, she knows her father well. She cannot talk him out of this.

“Rain, will you accompany me home? I cannot watch this.”

Rain escorts Rania out of the suite, as ten more soldiers run into the arena.

“Stay close, back to back if we have to, they won’t give us a chance to collect any arrows.” Matthew whispers to Roasa.

“Don’t worry, we will get these too. Besides, I’m up six to four.” Roasa responds confidently.

“Governor Dabir! You cannot do this! Please! End this!” Aero screams.

“Guards, if he talks again gag him, but make sure he watches what happens! Fight!”

This time eight of the ten rush straight on, Matthew steps in front of Roasa to slow them down.

Maybe it’s his sense of chivalry or perhaps his hurt pride, either way he intends on killing them all.

He quickly slashes through four of them like without much movement. In doing so, he opened the door for the four others to rush Roasa.

Aero screams and pulls against his restrains in anxiousness. The binds break his skin, and he bleeds. While pulling on the chain, he accidently caused the ring holding the chain to stretch. He notices but doesn’t make a move.

She falls back with each attack; she uses her movements to make the men stumble into each other preventing them from overrunning her. She is able to move them enough that she finds an opening to stab one of them, which causes two of them to fall over the body. Matthew comes behind and quickly ends them, but in doing so is shot in the back of his shoulder with an arrow from one of the two guys that stayed back. He immediately turns to fight them.

Now one on one, Roasa is more comfortable and loose in her movements. For every step her attacker takes, she takes two. Her training takes over and she quickly maneuvers him into position to be killed without a chance to block. She wastes little time in eliminating him.

Roasa quickly follows Matthew, toward the final men.

They are able to separate them from one another. They corner one, and Matthew kills him.

Roasa pulls the arrow out of Matthew’s back and fires it, killing the last one. Again, the crowd goes silent in shock.

“Send them all in!” Dabir shouts in anger.

The doors to the arena floor flies open as dozens of Meegan soldiers flow into the pit.

Aero takes the opportunity to jump the railing, he grabs a sword and meets Matthew and Roasa in the center of the pit. Will runs out to join them. Stephan and David walk out to them carefully. Stephan picks up a sword as they do so.

In the center, they are surrounded. Aero commands David to stand in the middle of them, they circle him and prepare for a final stand.

Dabir stands and prepares to speak but before he can, a shout from the arena door calls for silence.

It’s Ali, he and Rain are standing shoulder to shoulder. They move out of the way and Rania walks between them. Ali and Rain follow.

She walks straight to the group and addresses them “If you want to survive, drop your weapons.”

Without hesitation, Aero drops his sword but no one else does.

He turns to the group. “Trust her.”

They all drop their weapons.

“Father, this is madness. Meego’s issues with the crown have nothing to do with Matthew and Roasa. End this now!” Rania shouts.

Dabir pauses a moment before waving his hand in the air. The Meegan forces leave the pit.

“Take Prince Aero back to his cell, the others will be escorted back to their quarters.”

The guards grab Aero’s arm.

“Rania, can we speak?”

“Not here.” And she walks out as they place the bag back over his head and lead him out of the arena.

Rain walks over to Matthew “You are a true warrior; I will lay with you tonight.”

“What?” Matthew asks.

“A true man warrior needs a woman after battle, and a woman a man. Tonight, two warriors will lay together. Do not worry, tomorrow we will return to our duties.”

“You’re getting lucky tonight, Bellumi tradition.” Roasa responds

Meego #5

The fortnight has finally passed. For Prince Aero, it has been an agonizing two weeks. Aside from his visitors on the third day, Matthew has been allowed to visit only once. That meeting was to tell the prince that Governor Dabir wouldn’t allow him any more visitors.

So he has sat knelt, down chained in to place inside the heavy stocks almost constantly. Always alone, always in the dark. His only company has been the rats who also live in the cell.

About twenty minutes ago, guards came into his cell and took him out of his binds, then rebound him. He was placed in a hood and carried away. Aero was convinced that this was a death march, but it isn’t. Not yet any way.

He was led to a chair, forced to sit in it then left alone.

For several minutes he has heard nothing but the same deafening silence that he has grown so familiar with over these past days.

The silence is broken by the creeping open of a door, followed by feet only to be followed by the sound of someone sitting in a chair in front of him.

Aero can make out sounds happening before him. Someone drinking and setting a glass on a table, movement of the chair, and the sound of someone eating. Not to mention the aroma of a meal that has quickly filled the room.

“Ser Aero… but, it’s Prince Aero isn’t it?”

It’s Governor Dabir. His voice has become so familiar since arriving in Meego.

“Both are correct.” Aero replies from under the hood.

“Yes, but you did not let us know that when you arrived. You hid that fact from us, why?”

“It was David’s doing, he made that decision last minute, right before your convoy picked us up. I didn’t have time to question it, your men were there, and we had to leave immediately.”

“Really? You expect me to believe that? You’re not as good at lying as you think you are.”

“I’m not lying.”

“And I’m sure you didn’t even come for the sword. If you want to save your life, you must answer these next questions truthfully. If I don’t like the answers, we will have to take drastic actions to get the truth.”

Aero sits in silence with anticipation of the Governor’s questions.

“Who is David?”

“He’s my oldest brother, son of King William and the heir to the throne. He will be king one day.”

“I doubt that, I assure you that boy will never rule.”

Dabir takes a pause to allow Aero to hear his words.

“Aero, you can’t protect him. His fate is in my hands, the same as yours… Who is David?”

“My oldest brother, heir to the throne.”

“WHO IS DAVID!” Dabir screams, as he slams his hand down on the desk.

Startled, Aero doesn’t respond.

“Who is David?”

“The future king! My brother, oldest born son of William the thirty-second. Every bit of that is true.”

“Not all of it, but we will find out together.”

“Am I on trial? Are you going to execute me?”

“I ask the questions around here. Do not ask another question.”

Aero remains silent. He doesn’t have much strength to fight back. In his heart, he is already defeated, the last weeks have destroyed his strength and his will.

“Why did you come to Meego?”

“My father commanded me to come.”

“Why?”

“To do my duty.”

“Which was?”

“To get the sword.” Aero says begrudgingly.

“Finally, you can tell the truth. You came for the sword.”

“No, that’s what my father sa…”

“SHUT UP!” Dabir shouts “Do not try to spin the truth with me, you came for the sword and you got it into your hands! You are guilty!”

Anger fills his tone; Aero can hear the hatred in his voice.

“No, I di…”

The bag is ripped from Aero’s head by Dabir, who is face to face with him.

“I SAID SHUT UP, LIAR!”

Aero does shut his mouth, he is visibly angry yet stone cold quiet.

“Do you admit to taking the sword?”

“Yes.”

“Then you tried to carry out your father’s mission. You are guilty of trying to destroy Meego.”

“Destroy Meego? Hell no I didn…”

“SHUT UP!”

“NO! YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!” Aero screams in frustration. These past two weeks of isolation have finally got the best of him. That and the Governor’s accusations.

“I did pick up the sword, but it was out of desperation. I only did so because there was no other weapon nearby and the guards were being slaughtered before our eyes!”

“But why would you even think to pick that piece of junk up? The form it was in when you first saw it was not the form of a weapon. It couldn’t have hurt anything.”

“It was all that was there.”

“No, there was a shillelagh on the shelf beside you. You went for the sword for a reason.”

“It was closer then.”

“Do not lie to me, why did you pick up the sword?”

Aero hangs his head in fear. While he does, he remembers the words of his friend Crimson. He told Aero before he left the cave to always be truthful in Meego. It’s the difference between life and death.

“The sword called out to me.”

“And you think that makes it yours?”

“No, I picked it up to save our lives. I did that, I saved your life and David’s in that moment.”

“But then you ran away with the sword. You tried to keep it.”

“No, Governor Dabir, you saw the last assassin run away. I chased him, and found Matt and Ali drinking and we killed him. I was about to return the sword when we heard the commotion outside. We ran out and those assassins were everywhere! We fought them and met with your militia and pushed them to the docks where we slaughtered them all. I did that for Meego, not my father.”

“What exactly are Underbridge Assassin’s I;ve never heard of them?”

“They are an old assassin guild that is housed near the riverbed of the Red Snake Canyon, about fifteen hundred feet below Antro’s Bridge. They have an ancient magic that allows them to turn invisible. To set a bounty, you throw the assigned targets name and details off the bridge. They complete the bounty but set the price afterward. If you can’t afford the fee, they kill you. So whoever sent that many of them had to be extremely wealthy.”

“Someone like your father.”

“I don’t deny that.”

“Or perhaps his son.”

“You think I hired them? I killed so many of them. Why would I do that?”

“To make you look like a hero.”

“Governor, I didn’t do that, and I didn’t steal the sword.”

“Why didn’t you return it? I had to send my daughter to get it.”

“Ask Captain Brotou, I coordinated the clean up of the docks and the streets. We searched the assassin’s bodies for clues, and carefully set the Meegan dead to the side. I would have returned the sword; I give you my word.”

“The words of liars don’t impress me! Do you know how many Meegan men in my family have had to hear your family’s lies all these centuries?”

“No, but I am not them. I gave Rania the sword without hesitation.”

“To be honest, I was surprised her dagger didn’t have your blood on it that night.”

Aero looks at the Governor in shock. These two men are enemies due to a thousand-year-old curse, but they love the same woman. Dabir’s love is that of a father, and for Aero to hear that he expected her to kill him frightens Aero to no end. The father of the woman he loves, expected her to kill him. Aero can’t even begin to understand that logic.

“Governor let me say this plainly. I want you to hear my words, you have a hang up about this sword. Yes, it called out to me. Yes, I picked it up and fought on behalf of Meego with it, and yes… I returned it immediately when asked. I DO NOT WANT THAT DAMN SWORD!”

“Even if I believed that, I’m not hung up on just the sword. You brought assassins and spies into my city.”

“I already told you…”

“I’m not talking about the Underbridge Assassin’s; I’m talking about your people. The ones you brought with you.”

“What? Who?”

“All of them. Two of the finest knights in the kingdom. Put a sword in their hand and they kill. Lieutenant Rain, who immediately embedded herself into our militia. She probably knows everything about our defense strategies, and countermeasures to take Meego down from the inside. Roasa, who befriended my daughter almost instantly. No telling what that road witch has got out of her.”

“Stop! You will not accuse my people of being assassin’s or spies or anything. Especially Roasa!”

“Ah, you love her?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then tell me, I would love to hear this.”

Aero wonders why the Governor has taken such an interest in Aero’s relationship with Roasa, but he answers anyway.

“We found her on the road, weeping over the still warm body of her husband Jose, who had just been killed by knights for their food. While Stephan and Matt chased the knights down, I dug a grave and placed Jose in the ground and buried him with my own hands. Stephan and Matt brought back the knight who killed her husband and she killed him. About a week later, she discovered that Ser Stephan’s squire, Rich was working for the knights that killed Jose, by feeding them information about our travel. Roasa killed him. When we arrived at the old palace, the brother of the knight that killed Jose arrived wearing his brother’s armor.  She killed him. My heart aches for her.”

“Do you love her?”

“I have found great joy in seeing her heal here in Meego, not having to look over her shoulder to see if evil knights are hunting her down. I do love her; we are family now after everything we have been through. But I am not in love with her. I’m in love with Rania, and Roasa isn’t her.”

Governor Dabir sits back in his chair to contemplate his response.

“That all sounds so good, but there is a problem. You will lie to get what you want, and your people are assassin’s and spies. They must be dealt with!”

“They are innocent! They are none of those things! They are good people! The best I have known in my entire life, I know if I need them, they will be there! They are the type of people that when push comes to shove, I would take any one of them against any five warriors. We became a family on the road here, you can’t train that.”

“Guards! Take him back to his cell, have him ready for the fighting pits tonight. Prince Aero, you got a deal!”

“Deal? What deal?”

The bag is placed over his head as Dabir leaves the room with a smile on his face. Aero screams for him to answer but he is gone. The soldiers drag him back to his cell as questions fill his mind.

What does the Governor have in store for him now?

Aero and Matt #3- Live from a Meegan Jail

Aero is bound on his knees with his hands and his head in stocks. Huge chains keep them in place, and do not budge an inch to give him any relief.

How long has he been in here? Days, a week maybe… The inner dungeon in Meego has no windows, so the young prince has lost track of time.

In the darkness of his cell, he feels alone. Not the normal outsider of the royal family loneliness that’s always been with him. This is different. This is much deeper than that.

The cell door rattles. A guard coming back in so soon? It’s only been a few hours since his meal and restroom break… This has to be something different. He braces himself for what’s next.

The guard steps in the cell and lights two torches on the wall.

“Prince Aero, you have a visitor.”

“Rania?”

“Ser Matthew, the hero of the Battle of Inland Docks.”

Matthew steps into the cell. Aero notices that he has on expensive Meegan style clothes, and his hair and beard have been trimmed, and he is wearing a turban. He also has a medal on his chest.

As Aero looks over his friend, the guard steps out of the cell and shuts and locks the door.

Matthew looks around the small damp cell that smells of steaming bodily fluids with straw spread around the old rock floor. He then looks to his friend and the stocks around his shoulders.

“Man am I glad that I can knock on the door at any time and they will let me out.” Matthew says.

Aero, even in his depressed state forms a smile on his face and lets out a small chuckle.

“Well hero, when you do, see if they will let me go with you.”

“They would probably arrest me for even asking. The Governor is furious with us, and by us… I mean you.”

“He’s going to kill me, Matt. What’s taking so long?”

“The Meegan people are mourning their losses, there were a lot of them. They say they are observing their traditional mourning period of a fortnight… Whatever that is…”

“Two weeks Matt. How long have I been in here?”

“Today is the third day.”

“I have eleven more days of this before they kill me? Let me tell you, despite how this looks, it’s really not comfortable at all.”

“I know, I’ve been in stocks before. I hope you know what this cell is for… it’s a drunk tank. That’s why it smells so amazing in here. But you should see David’s cell, it’s way better than this. He is under guard at the Governor’s mansion. He’s doing great too, huge comfortable bed, three meals a day… The good stuff too, what the Governor eats. They even allowed Ser Stephan to stay with him as a protector.”

“You want to stay here to protect me?”

“I’ll pass on that one. He’s safe for now. It’s weird, Rain, Ali and I are all awarded medals of valor for fighting to save Meego, but all I was doing was following you.”

“Why are you not in a cell then? I don’t understand the logic.”

“Me neither really. All I know is that I didn’t lie to the Governor about who I was or steal his sword.”

“I didn’t steal the sword, the assassin’s made a move to steal it and something happened. They probably bumped in a guard or something and dropped it. Then they started killing the guards, it was the only thing I could grab to defend myself. Believe me Matt, it didn’t even look like a sword. I didn’t pick it up to steal it, I picked it up to save our lives. I saved Governor Dabir’s life by picking it up. How many more Meegan lives did we save because I picked it up?”

“I know if you hadn’t then we would never have killed a single assassin, and David told me how you got the sword. He even said you refused to pick it up before everything went down.”

“Matt, how did you talk them into letting you in here?”

“I went to the Governor and told him what I wanted, and we haggled a bit. Finally, he got what he wanted, and I got what I wanted but better.”

“Which is?”

“I have arranged for you to have three visitors a day for fifteen minutes a day and the Governors personal ale for the next two weeks. The Governor got three barrels of midnight wine. Meegan’s really do enjoy the art of trading.”

“You gave up your wine?”

“I drank all I could, wine is great, but ale is better. That stuff is better on special occasions. Tonight, Ser Ali Saah, of the Battle of Inland Docks and I are going to drink all the ale we can. Maybe I will end up in here after all.”

“You knighted Ali?”

“I did, and he deserved it. When every other Meegan was standing back, he was in the fight with us. He had your back the entire time.”

“Yes he did, please tell him I said congratulations and it’s very much deserved.”

“I will, he has become a legend around here so fast. He is the first Meegan Knight in many years. My time is almost up, do you want me to see if I can bring you anything tomorrow?”

“A key to these stocks perhaps.”

Matthew laughs as the guard lets him out.

“This man needs a key to unlock the stocks, can you get it for him?”

The guard just looks at Matthew and shakes his head no.

Aero, alone again falls asleep out of exhaustion.

Sometime later he is awoken by the rattling of the cell door. The guard walks in and announces a guest.

“Lady Roasa, A Durrie from nowhere.”

She walks in and the guard shuts them in.

“Prince Aero! What have they done to you?”

“Not enough, they are going to kill me soon.”

“What? No, you are going to trial. You can explain yourself there.”

“It will all be a farse to appease the masses. Another Meegan Governor showing he has power over the royals.”

“Don’t say that. You will be alright.”

Aero knows his time with her is limited so he decides to ask some questions.

“Roasa, you’re friends with Rania. Did you know she is the Governor’s daughter?”

Roasa looks down at her feet. She is clearly shameful about something.

“Yes, she told me the next day after you met me and Matthew in the streets.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“She asked me not to, and you were in love. I can’t come between that.”

“Did you tell her who I was?”

“No. But they already knew. First Rania knew you were a prince when she looked at you and felt the bond of the magic take hold. Before that, Meego always gets kingdom news from the mainland every cycle. They know who the members of the royal family are, what they look like and their deeds. They knew you were a knight, when you were introduced as ‘Ser Aero’ David’s plan was over.”

“I didn’t agree to his plan, he just did it himself. I knew we should have been truthful, but the Governor wasn’t. He had Rania appear as a handmaiden to his daughter, Azka. He was hiding the truth too.”

“Rania said that she dressed as a handmaiden to observe the royal delegation in safety. It was her father’s plan. She wasn’t going to be revealed until he knew for sure that Azka wasn’t the match. It was her decision to speak with you upon arrival, but she would have been revealed as his daughter eventually according to her.”

“I just wished you would have told me. When she came to get the sword and revealed to me that she was a daughter of the Governor, Matt says that she had a dagger in her hand. Had I hesitated to give the sword back she would have killed me per this stupid curse. I would have stayed away, and I wouldn’t have touched the damn sword to begin with…”

“You had to… Prince Aero, you know it. I don’t understand the magic but I do know this… she loves you, if you think that’s a curse then you are a fool.”

Aero hangs his head in shame. Roasa’s words cut deep. He loses himself in thought for the remainder of Roasa’s time with him. While she is there, she does some motherly things for him such as clean his face and force a few bites of food down his mouth. In another time, Roasa could have been his lover. He knows this, and deep down he thinks she feels it too. But even that thought brings Aero shame, it was with his hands that her husband Jose was buried. Given the choice, that’s the life Roasa would choose, her and Jose on the road. Them versus the world, and not with a prince of the kingdom.

Before she leaves, he asks her to return soon. He says he has somethings he wants to tell her but needs time to do it. Roasa agrees before being escorted out by the guard.

Alone again, lost in his thoughts, still exhausted he passes out again. Over and over he wakes just to fall back asleep. A rat runs across the cell floor, a guard coughs in the hallway, his knees need adjusting. He passes out without really sleeping. Coming to Meego was a mistake, had he refused his father’s order he would probably be in a Capital jail now but at least he would still have his mind. Meego, Governor Dabir, David, the assassins, and Rania have all conspired to break him. What’s left is a shell of his former self, that’s what he tells himself in his pity anyway.

There’s another shuffling in the cell, that damn rat again? Aero looks up to see someone standing before him, but he didn’t hear the cell door open.

“Rania! What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you.”

“I… I’m fine…”

“You don’t look fine. You look like shit.”

“Then I look like I feel.”

“You do.”

“Are you here to kill me?”

“Is that really what you think?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore. Matt told me you had a dagger in your hand when you asked for the sword.”

“I did, but I knew you would give it back. My father gave it to me to protect myself. I never…”

“I wonder if that’s what all the other Meegan daughters said before they killed their princes?”

“That’s not fair. I am not them, and neither are you.”

“Roasa said you knew who I was, why didn’t you tell me who you are?”

“I was going to…”

“At our bench that night?”

“No, I was going to ask you some questions. I wasn’t ready to tell you yet. I wasn’t sure if you were ready to hear the truth.”

“You got me here and now, I’m not going anywhere. Ask me what you wanted to know.”

“I was going to ask you about your mother.”

“My mother? Why?”

“I wanted to know about your relationship. Why she chose Aero for an island name for you. Stuff like that.”

“You want to know why I am Aero? He was some great dolphin rider on the island. So when I was a kid playing with my older brothers, David would be King David the fifth, known as the Reformer because he brought the kingdom back from ruin and had his twenty great warriors that followed him anywhere. Or John Henry would be John Henry the second, one of the greatest warrior kings in history. Then I could be Aero, dolphin rider… That may mean something somewhere, but in the Capital it meant humiliation. Is that what you wanted to know?”

“No, I wanted to know about her. How you felt about her, and how she died.”

“She was beautiful. People say when I was a baby, if I was crying all I needed to stop was to see her smile. When I got a little bit older, I would do the same for her. I didn’t get swept up into the political scene like my brothers did. So I was always with my mother. I always thought my father didn’t pull me into his world because of how I looked. I didn’t have the appearance of a royal… so I wasn’t one. She was my world and I was hers… Father hardly looked at her as he went to visit his harem girls more and more…”

“Harem girls? The king has harem girls, and the queen lets him?”

“My mother was queen in name alone. My father saw her as his main whore, the one his heir gets born through and nothing more. My father has over fifty comfort women now. When he married my mother, he took some of her closest friends and relatives to start his collection of women.”

“He’s a pig!”

“I can’t argue that. Looking back, I can see how that whole lifestyle wore on her. Plus as the people say, she was a fish out of water any way. She would never genuinely be happy in the Capital. I was told by one of her handmaidens that I was the only thing that could bring a smile to her face. She died when I was ten years old during childbirth. Neither her nor the baby survived. The day after my mother’s funeral, my father called me to the throne and assigned me to a knight to be a squire. Since then, I’ve been away from home more than I’ve been there. I’ve been to every corner of the kingdom and seen so many atrocities that no one wants to admit to that it makes me sick. And yes, I miss my mother terribly…”

“But you’ve never been to your mother’s home, you should have gone.”

“Doesn’t matter anymore. Your father is going to have me killed in a few days, and everyone in Meego will curse the name Aero for hundreds of years…”

Rania hears the words Aero says but has no words of comfort for him. She feels his burden through the bond they share and is as hurt as he is, but she doesn’t have comforting words for him. Instead, she quietly sings an old Meegan song to sooth him. She sings until he is asleep.

He sleeps until a sound in the cell startles him back awake.

“Rania!”

No one is there. Was there ever? Aero really doesn’t know.

Kobi #4

Kobi is sitting at the table near the fruit trees when the Skymen fly in, three of them. He wasn’t prepared for this. Being in the presence of one of them is intimidating enough, but three brings his anxiety about this meeting to an entirely new level.

The men land near the edge of the cliff where Kobi first seen one of them.

He can’t help but stare, the word majestic really is the best word to describe them. Tall and sleek, they look like they were created for speed in the air.

“Greetings, I am Ayepex. We briefly met the other day. I brought my compatriots, Betta and Zyno.”

“Welcome to the Great Forge. I am Kobi. I would have brought my own compatriots, but I am the only person here.”

“I know, I have been watching you since the day I first saw you.” Ayepex responds.

“How? I have looked for you ever since that day.”

Ayepex looks over the cliff toward the ocean.

“There, see those two sea dragons sparing on the horizon?” Ayepex asks.

“No.”

“They are fighting for mating supremacy.  The one with the red scales appears to have the upper hand. Do you not see them?”

“No.”

“I can watch you from miles away and you would never know it.”

“Fair enough.” Kobi responds. “Would you like to sit down?”

The Skymen agree and seat themselves across from where Kobi is sitting.

“How did you come to the forge? The mountain top has been cut off from the world for a long time.” Ayepex asks.

“I climbed the mountain by cutting into it as I climbed. Took a long time. When I finally got to the mountain top, it was frozen and barren. Until I started the forge anyway.”

“Yes, you’ve activated the ancient magic. All my life, when I looked back east, all that I ever saw was the haze and snow from the mountain. Until you started the forge; then I could see the entire northern coast.”

“I didn’t realize that the forge changed the coastline so much.”

“Not just the coast, but I am sure the entire region has changed. Surely the people down the mountain have taken notice by now.”

“I hope not, I came up here to get away from that world below.”

“I will check that out for you. We will see if they notice anything and report back.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you aware that our old home is on the cliffs overlooking the ocean?”

“I am. My father, who is a blacksmith, told me all the stories when I was a child. I’ve read so much about the place from the libraries in the forge as well.”

“What are your intentions with the forge? Do you see us possibly being a part of it?” Ayepex asks.

“I really didn’t have a plan when I came up here. I was forced to be a squire for a murderous knight, I fled to save my life. I knew I couldn’t return to my father, so I fled here. I don’t know why, the place just seemed to pull me…” Kobi responds. “If you want to return to your home, you are welcome here.”

“We will see what our elders say. We need more information before we make that decision.”

“I will tell you anything you want to know.”

“How did you restore the magic in our armor if there are no magi here?”

“I read a few books from the magic library.”

“That’s it?”

“It is.”

“Do you think you can create new magic if you read enough of these books?”

“Perhaps, but I’ve been very careful after I made a huge mistake when I first arrived.”

“Which was?”

“This sword here.” Kobi says pointing to the green sword setting at the end of the table. “I made it with the material that was on the forge when I arrived. I later found out through the library that the green iron was dedicated to be for farming and harvesting. It is forbidden to be made into a weapon according to the old ways.”

“I see, we may have someone who may have a solution to that issue. We will also check on that.”

“Thank you.”

“Since I have first came here, our elders have been eager to learn more about the mainland as it stands today. Is magic still forbidden?”

“Yes.”

“Does the old magic still remain in the land?”

“Yes.”

“How so?”

“The old weapons of legend remain, well some of them. Most of the crop magic remains, blood magic blessings and curses remain within regions and families. Things like that.”

“Does the Hanging Gardens of the Pensa Ridge remain?”

“Yes, so I’ve heard. I’ve never been there.”

“What about the Tree City above the Shadow Meadow?”

“Yes. The wine from the meadow is legendary among the ruling class.”

The Skymen step away and begin discussing things quietly amongst themselves. They do so while Kobi waits patiently. After several minutes, they return to him.

“We would like to attempt to see these places. Our elders want to know the condition they are in and if they would be open for us to begin trading with them again. Should we decide to return to the cliffs.”

“How will you do that without being seen?”

Ayepex smiles.

“We have our ways. It’s amazing how most people never look up. But on clear days, we will shelter out of sight. On cloudy days, we can travel in the clouds. I assure you, we can hide in plain sight.”

“What would trading with these places include? How would the forge fit into your plan?”

“Right now, we do not know. My great-grandfather was the last generation to work the mountain. He died trying to save the forge workers during the purge. We will see discreetly what this new world needs.”

“Understood. How long will it take to know? Both places are a long way from here.”

“It will take a couple months. But it will be worth it if we can begin a new life here on the mainland, instead of being exiled on the island.”

“I welcome the good news.”

“Is there anything we need to know about the Pensa region before we go that is important?”

“Not that I know of, It’s a fairly remote part of the country from all the ruling class drama.”

“And Tree City?”

“The Meego Light will be disappearing soon. There may be extra people there. Just be careful.”

“Then Zyno will travel to Pensa, and Betta will go to the Trees. While they are away, I will watch over the forge and the region below. I will check in with you ever few days and bring more of our old armor for you to freshen. We will provide meat and rations in return.”

“That sounds good. I look forward hearing good news.” Kobi says. “How will you find these places? Do I need to see if there is a map in the forge?”

“No, we have old maps scrolls. Each of them will be fine out there in the skys.”

“It seems that you have put more thought into the forge then I have.”

“It’s our home, our elders have been talking about this for a thousand years.”

Kobi accepts the answer and without hesitation the Skymen depart.

The meeting happened so fast, all business. Kobi gets the idea that they may just be a seriousness to them. But living in exile has probably done it to them. They clearly want to return to the cliffs. They want to thrive where they have just survived all these years.

Now is the first time that he has considered how monumental restarting the forge could be to not only him and the Skymen, but to the region and beyond. Now he is glad Ayepex is looking out, scouting the area. Someone out there will not be happy the forge has been restarted.

Meego #4

Out of desperation, Aero reaches for the old rusted steel blade at his feet. There is nothing within his grasp that even resembles a weapon besides it. Not to mention, Aero has a feeling that the sword is calling out to him. The ancient magic that is said to be within the blade is a mystery to him; but he doesn’t have time to question it right now.

As he wraps his hands around the hilt, the room fills with thickness. The very air is electric!

Aero screams in shock as the old blade begins glowing bright yellow, brighter than any sunlight he’s ever seen. Lightning bolts fly from the blade across the room. Time seems to stop as the blade transforms in his hands.

Aero looks down at the blade and he cannot believe the sight. The old blade has returned to its former glory by his touch. The sword is an ancient style short sword. Writing in an ancient magic tongue glows in the center of the blade. The hilt is accented in gold inlays, and the pommel is a large oval shape housing a red gemstone inside.

The sword is still glowing yellow and pulses out beams of yellow light. As the pulses travel through the vault, they cast shadows on the hidden figures. There are two of them in the vault.

Aero doesn’t hesitate; he lunges toward the closest figure and buries the glowing blade into the chest of the shadow.

“I can see you.” Aero says as he pulls the blade out of the invisible man.

By the time the dead assassin’s body hits the ground of the vault, it has turned visible. The grey scaly skin is a dead giveaway. David was right, these are Underbridge Assassins.

Aero looks up directly at the other shadow in the room. The shadow runs out of the room, quickly stabbing the last guard.

“Go get him!” David screams.

Aero runs out of the room looking for the shadow.

The yellow pulses fill the large room, and Aero searches every corner for the shadow.

Then out of his peripheral vision, he sees shadow running down the stairs toward the grand dining room.

Just below the stairs at the dinning table, sits Matthew and a Meegan soldier enjoying the remaining ale.

“Matt! Look out!”

Matt turns around just in time to see the shadow step off the stairs, only three strides from him.

The shadow makes a lunge at Matthew.

At the last moment, Matthew side steps the shadow and swings his ale glass into its head.

The shadow falls to the floor with a loud thud.

Matthew quickly refills his glass as the Meegan soldier draws his curved bladed sword on the shadow.

The shadow tries to knock the blade out of his way, but the soldier was ready for him. The soldier immediately stabs the shadow, who then turns visible.

“Underbridge? Here? How?” Matthew asks.

“I don’t know, I’m sure they were hired by someone in the capital because they were trying to steal the Royal Blade.” Aero replies.

“You have the blade? But I thought you were…”

Matthew catches himself, he knows that he has to be very careful with his words now. He stops talking and takes a moment to admire the relic; but screams can be heard from the streets. They know the attack is not over.

“I need a sword.” Matthew says to the Meegan soldier. The soldier looks around the room before finding the only weapon in sight.

“Grab his blade.” The soldier says pointing at the dead assassin. Matthew does so.

The three men burst out of the old mansion to find chaos in the streets. Meegan citizens are dead all over, with the living running away in mass panic.

The Royal Blade still glowing and pulsating, shines shadows on about twenty hidden assassins.

“They are clearing the streets for an escape!” Matthew says

“They all die here and now!” Aero responds.

Aero points his sword at the closest one as if he is calling dibs on him, and the blade sends out a sharp blade of light that stabs the shadow killing him instantly.

With the streets clear, Aero continues point at various shadows with the sword. Killing each with a beam of light.

As Aero downs several in the street, he wonders how this is happening. The blade seems to be doing this on it’s on.

Matthew and the soldier were able to kill a couple more themselves as the shadows retreat towards the docks.

As the men give chase, Captain Brotou leads a garrison of militia in from a side street.

“They are falling back to the docks; we can’t let them escape.” Aero shouts.

“Understood.” Brotou replies.

When the men reach the docks, the gates are still closed but dock workers bodies are laying all over, only a few remain alive.

“Where are they?” Brotou shouts.

“It’s Underbridge Assassins from the mainland, they can turn invisible.” Aero responds.

“How can we fight something we can’t see?”

“Like this.”

Aero holds up the still glowing and pulsating Royal Blade. The pulses cast shadows on about fifty invisible assassins.

“Not a single one can escape!” Aero screams.

“You heard the man!” Brotou shouts to his soldiers.

The epic fight ensues with the fifty assassins making a final stand, cornered in the dock.

The fighting is fierce, with blades clashing in each corner of the docks.

Aero swinging away with his glowing sword, with Matthew at his side.

Eventually he notices Lieutenant Rain to his other side. She returned to the militia after the dinner.

The soldier that Matthew was drinking with stays close as well. The four of them lead the charge in taking out the remaining assassins.

Aero finally notices that the majority of the Meegan garrison is simply functioning as a wall to prevent escape while Aero’s four do most of the fighting.

Finally, backed into a corner seven assassin’s turn visible and throw down their weapons.

As they were doing the act, Aero swung his sword from about ten feet away in a horizontal slashing motion. A yellow slash wave travels across the emptiness between them and beheads all seven of the surrendering assassins.

Aero looks at the sword in his hand. It has stopped glowing and pulsating.

“I think it’s over.” Aero says, still looking at the sword.

“Sir, it was an honor to fight at your side, I am Ali.” The soldier says.

“He’s been my new drinking buddy since you have been distracted by, well you know.” Matthew says.

“The honor is mine, Ali. I am Aero. We need to clean up the streets.”

“Agreed.” Brotou says as he walks up.

“Captain, I will coordinate the docks. We will pile the assassin bodies in a pile so we can search them for any clues why they came here, and I assume burn them?”

“Yes, we will burn them.”

“The Meegan dock workers, we will carefully move toward the entrance to the docks. Will you lead the cleanup of the streets?”

“Yes Sir.” Brotou says as he leads the garrison out to the streets.

Aero carefully places the sword in his belt so he can work on clean up.

He begins work with Matthew, Rain, and Ali.

It takes about an hour for them to place all the bodies where they needed to be.

About the time they finished Brotou returns with just a handful of men.

“We were coming to assist, but you finished already.”

“Captain, how bad are the Meegan loses?” Aero asks.

“They are bad, but it could have been a lot worse. We lost one hundred twenty-seven Meegan’s tonight tonight. Nearly half were women and children.”

“My goodness. This is so senseless.” Aero sits and places his head in his hands. He begins to weep. Matthew places his arm over his friend and weeps as well.

“Prince Aero!” a shout rings out through the docks.

Aero looks to the entrance of the dock, and he sees Rania standing before them.

He rushes over to her. “Are you alright, what about Azka?”

“My father demands the return of the sword.”

“Your father?”

“Governor Dabir.”

“Your father?”

“Now!” She demands.

Aero is astounded by her words, but wants to disarm the situation.

“Of course, I will accompany you right now.”

“No! You will hand it to me.”

Aero’s eyes are locked on hers; he responds without hesitation as he hands her the sword.

“It’s his sword, I had no intention of keeping it…Are you still going to be at the bench tonight?” he asks.

“We will see.” She says as she accepts the blade and turns and walks away.

Aero stares at her until she is out of sight.

“Aero, she had a dagger in her hand.” Matthew whispers to him.

“What?”

“Your eyes were locked on hers, the curse… it almost happened just now.”

“No way, Matt.” Aero says as he tries to process the events of the night.

As they speak, a group of twenty soldiers enter the docks. They draw their swords.

“Prince Aero! You are under arrest!” one of them yells.

“On who’s authority? This man just saved thousands of Meegan lives!” Brotou responds.

The man hands the captain a sealed note.

“Prince Aero. I apologize, but I am honor bound to serve Governor Dabir.” Brotou explains.

“Do your duty Captain.” Aero responds.

They place Aero in chains, Aero has to calm Matthew down while they do so.

“Go find David and the others, make sure they are safe.”

As the guards lead Aero away, Matthew, Rain and Ali depart to find David and the others. With Aero in chains, David is in danger as well.

Meego #3

The group has settled into the new daily life in Meego. A week and a half has passed since they arrived in the old port.

David along with Aero have made daily visits with the Governor’s daughter, Azka. These visits have been organized to by Dabir. Even though David has not met with Dabir since the arrival, he knows the Governor is testing him. It’s right out of the Meegan playbook, force the prince and his daughter together enough and eventually the magic will take effect. Dabir’s problem is that it hasn’t, neither party seem to be romantically interested in the other.

However, Aero is extremely interested in Rania. His problem with her is that she uses Meegan traditions to control their meetings. While Aero would spend every second of everyday with her, she only allows a visit every few days. He is so frustrated by her rules. When they are together, she is obviously interested in him; but when they part, she will not see him again for a few days.

Matthew takes time to tease Aero on the days Rania is not around. Matthew is happy for his friend, finding love instead of death in Meego. As long as he has his barrels, Matthew is happy as well.

The rest of the group is also in good spirits.

Will has taken to the night culture of Meego and stays out as late as he can wondering the streets. Roasa seems to be healing after the horrors on the road. With that life an entire dried up sea between them, she appears to have lifted some of her heaviness. She has secretly been meeting with Rania in the streets on the days she doesn’t see Aero. Roasa tells her how he mopes around and complains about not seeing her. She enjoys those talks with her new friend.

Lieutenant Rain has taken to the militia of Meego. She spends most of her days training with and serving the Meegan people. The military side of Meego is pleasing to Rain.

David and Stephan sometimes join in the nightly party on the Meegan streets; but most evenings when David returns, Stephan demands a full review of the day. He is a little bitter that Aero accompanies David to all the Meegan functions.

David did not meet with Azka today because she is busy preparing a family dinner for David and his staff. This will be the first real meeting with Governor Dabir, and it will take place in the old Governor’s Mansion in the old city.

Aero has been on edge all day, he wants to see Rania but doesn’t know if she will be there. Roasa knows she will be to attend to Azka, but she will not give him the satisfaction of knowing. A request Rania made to her.

As the evening arrives, the group are greeted in the old mansion by the Governor, his wife, daughter and young son, Isa.

As they are set at the large dinning table, Aero sees Rania.

Just the sight of her settles his heart. Slyly she gives Aero a quick smile and looks away. She didn’t want to cause a scene while serving at an official state dinner. Only her, Aero and Roasa saw it. Moments later as Aero is distracted by Isa, Rania shares a similar look with Roasa, this look is pure amusement.

The dinner is uneventful with mainly Dabir and David sharing political commentaries under the guise of diplomacy. Will finds it hard to stay awake during these long monologs from each man.

Matthew is impressed with the Meegan ale in his glass. It’s not the stuff the locals have in their shops.

When the dinner mercifully wraps up, Dabir asks for David and Aero to remain with him. He thanks the other members of David’s group for being such good dinner guest and shows them how to reach the balcony of the old mansion to view the nightlife.

Azka also walks up to each member and thanks them. When she stands before Aero, she slips a small piece of paper into his hands. She then excuses herself, and her handmaidens follow.

With the commotion of everyone leaving, Aero takes time to glance at the paper. It says- our bench tonight.

Aero is ecstatic! She will see him tonight! He wants to shout but doesn’t… This is not the place.

“David, thanks for staying after dinner, and you as well Ser Aero. I’ve been told you have been accompanying the Prince on all his meetings with my Azka. I took the liberty of keeping you here for David’s comfort.” Dabir says.

“Not a problem, Aero is one of the most loyal knights in all the land, he is here to serve.” David replies.

“Of course, he is. I hope you don’t mind… Since I am taking you to a secured location, I have brought along four guards for everyone’s protection.”

“Not at all, we have placed our safety in your hands since the moment we arrived, and we have not been disappointed. What do you want to show us?”

“It’s up the stairs.”

Dabir leads David and Aero up the staircase to a room just off the main dinning room. He pulls out a set of keys and unlocks five locks that were bolting the steel door.

David is invited to go into the room first, Aero follows. Then Dabir, his guards stand at the entrance.

They walk into a large vault filled with many treasures.

“This is the great vault of Meego. Or it used to be when the old city was thriving. What you see before you are some of the greatest pieces of Meegan history. All the items here on this shelf are items found after the war. These are relics of magic that we believe were used to conjure the Meego Light into place. Some of our early scholars studied them and told us that with even a novice magician, the Light could be removed with these relics.”

“That’s amazing! If only we could find one! Meego could return to glory.” David replies.

“Careful, that’s treasonous talk.” Dabir responds.

“I simply meant that it would be amazing to restore Meego and the region. I know magic talk is illegal, but there are no magicians left.”

“I know David, I just wanted you to see the dilemma that we have been in for centuries. Even if it is treasonous, every Meegan would still allow a magician to lift the spell. You see us in the streets, in just over four months it will be gone for another nine and a half years…”

“I’m so sorry for this, Governor Dabir. Meego deserves better.” Aero interjects.

“Agreed.” David adds.

Dabir smiles at the young men. It’s as if he wants them to understand Meego’s side of this tragedy.

“And the shelf next to it, are magic items used by the apprentice, Isa to combat the curse of Meego. Without his quick thinking, Meego would be just a sandpit today.”

“What did he do? I’ve never heard of him.” David responds.

“Meego was home to all kinds of magic. The old city flowed with water, plants and wildlife before the war broke out. My ancestor decided that we would try to remain loyal to both the crown and magic.  This outraged one of the strongest magicians stationed in Meego. He cursed the ground, sea, and sky before abandoning Meego. Isa, even though he was young in magic, he was also strong. He filled up the reservoir underground, created the gold caves, and caused the Light to disappear for a time. These are his items.” Dabir says. “He used his own blood to bind the spell. He sacrificed his life to save every one of ours.”

“Wow, I didn’t know. So, your son is named after him?” David asks

“Isa is one of the most common names in all of Meego. In fact, in the park in the new city, there is a rather large gold statue of him. You should take time to see it tomorrow.”

“We will. If we see Azka, we will ask us to take us.”

“That would be wonderful.” Dabir says before taking a short pause. “And on this shelf is the Royal Sword that you came all this way to see.”

Both David and Aero tense up upon hearing the words. They both turn to look at it wide eyed.

They see an old sword blade that has rusted beyond repair from nearly a thousand years of neglect.

“That’s it? That’s really all it is?” Aero says to himself out loud.

“This is what Father sent us for?” David says in shock.

“I’m afraid, it’s just a piece of scrap now.” Dabir responds.

The look on Dabir’s face seems to tell a story of him relishing in this moment. He must be, they endured that perilous journey for a piece of rusted steel.

“Please David, pick it up. Look it over really well.”

David hesitantly does so mainly to appease Dabir. It is just a rusty old bar. It’s nothing like he thought he would see. He thought that it would be a majestic weapon fit for a king, but it’s just junk.  Aero can’t even stand the sight of it. After all the bedtime stories of the great sword’s victories, to see it like this is too depressing.

David carefully sets the sword back on the shelf. “This relic belongs in Meego. I vow, that I will not tell a soul in the Capital of the shape the sword is in. Hopefully, that will continue to allow Meego to thrive in trading with the mainland.”

Dabir seems relieved at David’s statement, and accepts his vow. “Ser Aero, would you like to take a closer look at the blade?”

Aero glances at it for a fleeting moment, then turns away.

“I respectfully decline, I grew up on stories of this sword’s greatness and to hold it in that condition would ruin those stories for me in some perverse way.”

“I understand, then let’s continue the tour.”

Dabir leads them to the next shelf and begins explaining the significance of the items.

As he does so, there is a crashing sound directly behind them. As they turn around, the Royal blade is on the floor across the room from where they left it. Much too far for it to have fallen.

Two of the guard’s step inside and draw their swords. They look at David and Aero as if they made a move for it; but they didn’t.

Suddenly the sword begins to float. A guard cautiously approaches. About five feet from it, he is stabbed by an unseen object. He falls into the sword and it slides across the floor to the feet of David and Aero.

Another guard goes down by an invisible attack.

“Underbridge Assassins!” David screams.

In a panic, Aero searches the room for a weapon, the closest ones are on the dead men.

Another guard is killed.

Suddenly, Aero hears a slight singing in his ear. He quickly looks for the sound… It’s coming from the ground.

Is it the old sword?

Meego #2

The morning after the group’s arrival in Meego, they are in good spirits. The royal brothers are surprised to be alive and look forward to the day. Will, who finally feels like a valuable member of the group after receiving Aero’s praise on the road, teases Stephan about sleeping in David’s room despite plenty of accommodations. Rain comes to his defense, praising his commitment to his duty. Roasa prepares breakfast with a smile on her face, the pampering of the bathhouse is evident.

“Maybe Matthew will join us soon.”  Roasa says.

“Doubtful, we didn’t finish moving his barrels in until late.” Will responds.

“Then why are you up so early.”

“When we got them all in, he opened one. I went to bed.”

Everyone shares a small laugh together.

“What’s everyone laughing about?” says Matthew

Everyone turns to see him enter the room. He is wearing traditional Meegan desert dress.

The room erupts in laughter.

“They sent it over after I moved my last barrel. We should all dress like this, it’s a sign of good will.”

“Look at Matt being a diplomat.” Aero says in laughter.

A short time later, the entire group is wearing teal.

“Teal is a nice color, it looks good on us Rain, but did you see Aero? Damn!” Roasa says.

“I thought you said you would not have another man.” Rain responds.

“I will not, but you have to admit he’s a pretty man. That’s all I’m saying.”

“All the capital men look the same.”

“Rain, really?”

“The women are talking about us again.” Matthew says as he takes a sip of wine.

Embarrassed, they laugh.

A knock at the door, brings the group back to reality.

A group of officials have come for Prince David. He and Aero join the officials to be taken to their meeting with Azka. As they step out into the corridor, Aero notices sunlight peaking through the roof above them.

“Excuse me, I thought that while the Meego Light is gone, that Meego had six months of darkness. Is that sunlight?”

One of the officials looks at Aero “Yes, we just have normal days and nights for this time.”

With that comment, the officials bring them into tunnels beneath the old city. The brothers step out of a stairwell and are introduced to the modern city. It’s a subterranean metropolis. The city under the city is in a massive cave system that has been carved by craftsmen over the centuries. Every inch of the main cave has been carved into ornate Meegan design. Stores line the cave walls, official city buildings stand in the center around a square for meetings.

David and Aero are led to one of the official buildings in the center. Inside they are taken to Dabir, who is waiting on them.

“Welcome to the real Meego. Our city beneath our past. We have dwelled in this cave for generations. I will have my daughter give you a tour in the coming days. I have a full day of duties that I can’t put off. That’s why I have assigned Azka to meet with you today.”

“I understand Dabir, and we look forward to meeting with Azka. What ever you need, we are at your service.” David responds.

“And Meego is at yours.” Azka says as she enters the room. “Thank you father, we will leave you to your duties.”

Azka along with her handmaiden, Rania take the guys out into the city. Aero is surprised that they do not have any guards with them.

Azka takes them to a restaurant for lunch. As they eat, her and David make small talk. Aero and Rania listen in quiet. Once they finish eating she leads them to the city square. They sit at one of the park benches and talk some more.

After an hour or so, Aero looks over to Rania who nods at him to suggest they leave. As Azka and David continue to talk, Aero and Rania excuse themselves quietly. The others do not notice.

“I’ve been waiting on you to look at me so I could give you the signal for a while.” Rania says.

“I’m sorry my lady, I was trying to do my duty and attend to the Prince.”

“My lady? What kind of talk is this?”

“It’s something people in the Capital say to women as a sign of respect.”

“Really?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. It was a slip of the tongue because I didn’t know what to say.”

“That I believe. You should know that in Meego, you cannot claim ownership of a woman in any way. No Meego woman, will ever be another man’s lady. But, here we could turn that statement around and I could call you my gentleman.”

“I meant no offense; it just came out. I will not say it again.”

“I know… my gentleman.” Rania says with a mischievous smile on her face. “So, what would you like to do without those two?”

“I am open for anything. Why don’t you decide?”

“How about I show you the true Meego. It’s wonders, and it’s sadness. I want you to see the real life our people experience daily.”

“Lead the way.”

Rania takes Aero on a tour of the city that a visitor wouldn’t normally see.

The underground lake that provides the drinking water and fish to eat. It’s the main reason life is sustainable in such harsh conditions. No non-Meegan has ever visited it.

She takes Aero to the gold caves below the city. Caves for miles filled solid with gold, the place where Meego gets its wealth for trading. So much gold that they could buy the entire kingdom and have gold left over.

She leads Aero through the caves where the poor and orphans are housed. Meegan society is based on the principle that everyone contributes to the greater good of the community. Without this principle, the city would have died centuries ago.

When someone is disabled or becomes too old to work, they are moved to this cave system where their rations are based upon donations from others rations. For these people to survive, the working class must sacrifice their hard-earned rations to ensure their survival.

Aero is impressed with the Meegan sense of community. It’s a value forgotten in his home.

Finally, Rania takes him to the old city. In the streets they stand, the desert heat grips them. The suns beam down on them, but it is tolerable. The old city still stands as a monument to it’s former glory.

“This is where we belong. Every heart in Meego cries out to live on these streets. Because of a thousand-year-old curse, we never will.”

Aero hears the sadness in her voice, and his heart breaks. Meego is nothing like he thought it would be.

“I’m so sorry Rania, I didn’t know.” Aero stumbles through his words, not knowing what to say again.

“This is the second spring I can remember; I just want to make sure to make this one special.”

“I hope that I can help in some way.”

“Maybe you can, we will see.”

They sit on an old bench on a nameless street for some time. Aero doesn’t speak so that Rania can take in her lost city for one of the few times in her life. He is thankful she shares this moment with him.

“It is beautiful… isn’t it?” Rania asks.

“It is, but not just the old city… the new… and the people…”

“We have everything we need. More gold than we could ever use, but we still can’t have the one thing we want.”

“Since you’ve showed me the gold caves, I’ve been wondering. If you have so much gold that it no longer has value, what does Meego consider to be valuable?”

“We use gold to get items from the rest of the kingdom that we can’t make here. But over the centuries Meego has found something far more valuable than gold.”

“Which is?” Aero asks

Rania looks Aero in his honey gold eyes and grins. “Women.”

Aero is astonished by her statement, but it makes sense to him. Maybe it’s his time with Roasa and Rain, who have been extremely valuable to him on his journey, or even his newfound friend in Rania but Aero is seeing more and more value in women. Something that his life in the capital had suppressed. The very role of the Queen has been reduced from an equal ruler to someone who keeps the King’s bed warm.

“And women use that as an advantage I’m sure.”

“You wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t.”

Aero is again caught off guard by her words. Her confidence is intoxicating. Aero is lost in this moment. He just smiles and takes it in. They sit on the bench in quiet for a few more minutes before Rania again breaks the silence.

“Tell me about your life, Aero. What’s it like to be a knight?”

Aero cautiously tells his story. Though he wants to tell her everything, he knows he can’t. Not yet anyway. He tells his adventures of being a squire and being knighted. He tells her his favorite story of killing the Halo bear, and his journey on the road. Everything up until arriving in her city. He had to catch himself several times, it would be so easy to tell her he is a prince, or of his friendship with Crimson. Her deep brown eyes with hints of emerald draw him in so much that it scares him a little.

When he is finished, he realizes that he may have said too much. He isn’t sure if David has let them know about the knights trying to assassinate them.

“So Meego has offered you sanctuary from these knights? What are you going to do when it’s time to return?”

“I don’t know. Hopefully, David will figure that out while we are here.”

“Perhaps, but you can worry about that another day. Sit with me and let’s watch the sunset’s, I’ve never seen them before.”

Aero and Rania sit on the ancient stone bench in the old city of Meego for a couple more hours. In that time, they grow more comfortable with each other. They open up and laugh together, and as the second sun sets to give way to the darkness of night, Rania cries.

“I’ve waited all my life to see that.” She says. “Thank you for being here with me.”

“There’s nowhere else in the world that I would rather be…” He cuts himself short, he nearly called her his lady again.

After night has fully come, the old city comes alive. Everyone pours into the streets to celebrate the night. Something the Meegan’s will do every night they can.

Aero and Rania walk the streets for hours taking in the party.

Eventually, they run into Matthew and Roasa, who decided to join in the party.

The four of them party into the night together until Rania decides she has to go home.

She walks them to their quarters. Aero tried to walk her to hers, but she refused. Matthew and Roasa enter immediately to give Aero and Rania a moment of privacy.

“I suppose this is where you would kiss the girl…” Rania says “But, in Meego, it’s up to the woman, and a woman’s first kiss is her bond to marry. So, you… Ser handsome knight are out of luck tonight.”

“Can I at least see you tomorrow?”

“It’s a little forward for a man to ask a Meegan woman for a date, but I will call on you when I have time to see you again. Goodnight.”

Rania simply turns and walks away. Aero watches until she is out of sight.

He enters the quarters to find David and Stephan already in bed, Matthew dipping into his wine, and Roasa telling Rain all about Rania and Aero. Will is not around.

Matthew looks to the women. “Like I said yesterday, Aero’s in love!”

Meego #1

The journey through the dried-up sea was a dangerous one. The riders outside the carriage had to contend with the rough terrain and the crablike mutants who dwell in the depths. Several times, the caravan stopped to fend off the crab horde with Prince Aero and crew assisting.

Finally, after months of preparation and travel, the crew has arrived in Meego.

The Meegan riders enter the city through a fortified cage-gate at what appears to be an old dock. They ride straightway into the private port of the Governor.

They wheel the cart around for the Prince to exit before the governor and his dignitaries.

Brotou dismounts and opens the door for Prince David.

“Governor Dabir, I present Prince David, heir to the throne of Avodroc.”

David steps out and the governor gives a small nod. The governor is a decked out in traditional desert attire including a fine silk turban, all Meegan teal. He is a middle age stocky framed man, who carries himself like a royal. Here in the isolated end of the kingdom, he is the de facto ruler.

“Welcome Prince David, it brings us great joy that you made this pilgrimage. Meego is at your service.”

“Thank you, Governor Dabir…”

“Please, call me just Dabir, no need for the title.”

“Agreed, Dabir as long as you call me just David. Titles do seem like a waste of time these days.”

“Of course, David, as you wish.”

“Dabir, may I present my staff, my knights- Ser’s Stephan, Aero, and Matthew with the squire Will. I present the current Queen, Rain…”

“I am sorry, David, but Meego refuses to recognize a queen who isn’t a daughter of Meego.”

David is startled by Dabir’s comment. He had hoped to start a relationship with him on good terms, but he made a misstep almost immediately.

“Please forgive me, I misspoke. Rain, is my father’s current wife. She is a Bellumi officer and she doesn’t even recognize herself as queen.”

“This is true.” Rain adds.

“Ah then who is your mother? Because the beautiful Rain has to be around your age.”

“My father’s first wife came from the Breaker Islands. She passed away several years ago.”

“A Meegan pledged city had a woman become queen before our daughter’s?”

“Forgive me, Dabir. I am only relaying the information. It was my father’s decision.”

Dabir shrewdly looks over the prince as if he is looking to catch the prince in his words.

“Of course, David. Perhaps we should speak alone in private. Maybe a more relaxed atmosphere could ease any tensions before they spring up once we get our introductions out of the way.”

“I would like that very much. As for me, my final companion is a Durrie woman we found in distress on the road, Roasa.”

“Good, I had mistaken her for a prostitute when I first laid eyes on her.”

Roasa tenses up but doesn’t speak. For once she holds her temper in check.

“Roasa is a good woman, she is mourning the loss of her husband to some evil bandits on the road. She is no prostitute, I assure you.”

“Father do not judge this woman so harshly. She clearly has been through so much. She needs to find comfort here in Meego. I will see to it that she finds peace here.”

“Ah, may I present my daughter, Azka.”

The Meegan beauty… the threat. Finally, for Aero a face to the unseen person haunting his dreams all these months. Yet Prince David steps up, reaches out his hand and greets her by looking into her beautiful brown eyes. Aero on the other hand can’t bring himself to do it. He looks at his feet.

Had Aero looked above his feet he would have seen a beautiful dark-haired young woman of slender yet tall frame. Her deep brown skin pops against the Meegan teal, and her hair causes her large brown eyes to shine in an almost hypnotic way.

“Azka, it is a pleasure to meet you. Meegan beauty is spoken throughout the land but I am pleased to say that not even the words do you justice.” Says David.

“Thank you, Prince David.”

“Perhaps, Azka could show your companions to their quarters, while we speak in my private study.”

“Agreed, but first I want to make a gesture of good will to begin our time together. My knights will now hand over their swords. We put our safety in the capable hands of the sons of Meego.”

The knights look to one another but know any hesitation would undermine David to the governor. They each take off their sword belts and place them in Brotou’s hands.

“Thank you, David, that is a great gesture and Meego praises you for it. Now if you follow me, we can walk to my study from here.”

David agrees and walks away from the group with Dabir. Azka with a couple of her handmaidens, each dressed in black desert dresses with a teal lining and modesty veils, asks the group to follow them.

As Azka leads them, one of the handmaiden’s steps over to Aero.

“So, are you a dolphin rider? You are from the Breaker Islands correct?”

“My mother was from the Islands, but I was born in the capital. I’ve never been to the Islands.” Aero responds

“That’s sad. Your people belong in the ocean. You should take time to go there one day.”

Aero hears the compassion in her voice and cannot help but to look her eyes. Even with the veil over her head and face, he cannot help but notice the open loveliness of her large brown eyes. He begins to studder trying to hide his nervousness.

“Maybe I should, but since my mom died… well, I’ve been avoiding it.”

“You should, it would make you feel closer to her.”

“You’re probably right, Miss…”

“My name is Rania, Azka’s handmaiden.” She removes her veil as she says her name. Despite her beauty, Aero is transfixed on her eyes still.

“It’s a beautiful name.”

“So is yours, Aero.” She says with a smile.

She has a perfect smile, and Aero cannot help but take in her beauty for a moment, then he looks over to Matthew who has a knowing smile on his face.

“This is your quarters. This is the old dignitary suites. There are fourteen sleep quarters for the staff with the main chamber for the Prince. The cabinets are stocked with food, and the private bath house is already heated. Please unwind until Prince David returns. We will give you leave.” Azka says.

Aero takes his eyes off Rania for a moment, and accidently catches Azka’s eyes. He doesn’t flinch, and neither does she. The Meegan women leave and the group is finally alone.

The guest quarters are fit for the King. Comfortable seats and beds all over, all decked out in Meegan teal. A full kitchen area that appears to be stocked with food and drink. Matthew quickly looks over the drink selection only to be disappointed.

“What the Hell is going on? What was David thinking?” Says Ser Stephan.

“I don’t know, but Aero is in love!” Ser Matthew responds.

“Did you fall for that Azka? This curse is real!” Roasa says.

“No, not the governor’s daughter, the other one.” Matthew says to Roasa.

Aero remains quiet. Love? No, he tells himself… But he would not mind seeing Rania again. Maybe he can talk Stephan into letting him accompany David on his official duties.

“Let’s focus, David changed the plan without us, then he forced us to give our weapons away. I don’t know what’s going on with him.” Stephan says.

Aero snaps out of his daydream. Ser Stephan has been losing hope for days. He has seen it but hasn’t had a chance to say anything to him.

“Stephan let’s step into the Prince’s chamber and speak. Everyone else, relax for a while. Roasa, help yourself to that bath you’ve been wanting.”

“I’m going back to the dock to get my wine barrels!” Matthew shouts as he exits the room.

Stephan and Aero step into the main bedroom and shut the door.

“Stephan, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been on edge since we arrived at the old palace. I know we had planned to talk after the Red Horn incident but didn’t. I regret that. Talk to me.”

“Oh that, I just wanted you to know that Matthew has to have magic in his blood. His fighting skills are too great. I fought the Red Horn to a near draw, but then Matthew takes him out in two moves… That don’t make any sense. Who’s his father?”

“He doesn’t know his real father; you’ve heard him talk about his adoptive father. But we can talk about that later, why are you so on edge lately?”

“I have sworn to protect David, and since we arrived at the old palace I have failed. Now he is off doing his own thing with no one to protect him. What if he fell in love with that Azka? She could be killing him right now! We don’t know…” Stephan says as he bursts into tears.

“Calm down, brother. It’s okay. David isn’t dead. If he was, then we would be too. We aren’t.”

“You’re right, it’s just a heavy yoke to bear trying to protect someone you can’t.”

Aero hears the words from his mentor and realizes that he wasn’t the only one burdened by this long journey. Aero hugs Stephan.

“What’s going on in here?” David says opening the door.

“David! What have you been doing? What did the governor say?” Stephan asks

“Nothing really just the boring introductions, he invited me to meet with his daughter tomorrow. He said Azka requested Aero come along to keep her handmaiden company.”

Aero’s heart skipped a beat, as he smiles David takes note.

“You fell for a Meegan woman?”

“No, but she would be great company to keep while we are here. Besides, when I looked into Azka’s eyes I didn’t fall for her.”

“Me neither.”

“Neither of you did?” Stephan asks.

“Nope.” David responds. “Curses tend to be exaggerated any way. As far as I can tell, as long as we don’t go for the sword, we will be fine.”

“I agree, but if I don’t get my sword back, you’re climbing the Iron Mountain to get me more material for a new one.” Aero says.

“Let’s worry about that later, tonight let’s rest.”

“I agree, I’m starving. I’m going to see what’s in the cabinets. Hopefully Will has started cooking.”

Aero leaves the room. He is clearly relieved to have met the Meegan beauty and not been charmed by her. Now that he is safe from the evil knights at the old palace, and free from an ancient magic spell he can relax. He knows that he owes this peace to his brother, who has also avoided the family curse.

Now David and Stephan are alone.

“Why did you take his place?” Stephan asks. “It’s so much harder to protect you when everyone knows you’re Prince David.”

“If they had rode up and Aero claimed to be the heir with a couple lighter skin men there, they would have turned us away.”

“Fine, and the weapons?”

“Are the three of you going to protect me with three swords against the entire Meegan army? No, you’re not. I gave them our perception of safety.”

“And what about this Azka?”

“Aero may not know how to deal with her, but I’ve been handling women who want to be my queen since I was a boy. There’s nothing that she can offer me that I haven’t been offered a dozen times over.”

“So the magic… You’re really not in love with her?”

David looks the broken sword knight in the eyes and smiles.

“You’re jealous… I love that.”

Then David leans into Stephan and they kiss, Stephan wraps his arms around David. Usually moments like these bring David comfort, but tonight the embrace calms Stephan’s heart.

Kobi #3

It’s been a couple of weeks since Kobi’s encounter with the Skyman. In that time, he has searched the forge library for information on them. He has been searching for anything that could help him gain the Skyman’s trust.

No small feat. No one has had contact with a single Skyman on the mainland since the Great War.

Finding the weapon molds was easy. The Skymen weapons are of a lightweight iron that will not be too heavy while flying through the sky. Throwing blades, light short-swords, single handed maces are all forged from a special iron found in one of the deeper mines of the mountain top.

No matter to Kobi, he had already been mapping the mines, and already found the cave with the type of iron that he needed, the special iron is purple in tint. It didn’t take long for him to mine enough material for the weapons he wishes to make. Then he spent days forging these weapons.

Every time he forged one, he would leave it out by the tree where the Skyman was seen. Kobi would return the next morning to find the weapon gone.

After the third time he left a weapon, he returned to find a bushel of corbaberries left for him.

This cycle repeated for a few more days with weapons and fruit being exchanged until one day, there was a piece of Skyman armor left behind.

It is clearly an old relic, but still pristine in condition. As Kobi picks up the armor, he realizes that this is different from everything he has ever forged. This armor was from the same material cave as the weapons he was forging but this one has a light purple tint that almost glows to it. For the first time in his life, he is holding an actual magical item.

Depending on the material that makes the magical item allows the item to last much longer than normal but would need cleansed about every century or so to re-strengthen the magic. The Great Forge has a large pool for this purpose in the magi wing. This practice depends on the material and spell for each item. The Gilbert Knight’s war hammers do not need to be cleansed as they were enchanted for the purpose of serving the King forever.

The magi wing of the Great Forge is something that Kobi has been avoiding. Even in solitude, he knows magic is dangerous. If anyone found out that he researched magic at all, his life would be in danger. But deep down, he knows just by being on the top of the mountain is a death sentence in the Capital.

So, the Skyman is testing him. He will try to rise to the occasion.

Kobi takes the chest plate into the forge.

He boldly walks down the main corridor then turns down the magi hall. Doors line both sides of the hall, all domiciles for magicians of old. A few turns until he enters the magi’s old workspace. A couple steps in, and Kobi is deeper into this room than he ever had been.

The main hall looks much like the forge hall with workstations lined throughout the room. Kobi notes that it kind of looks like a magic classroom. The main room has five rooms off it. From his left seems to be the main office for the leaders, then a supply room stacked with all kinds of mysterious items, a library, a room with several water pools, and a locked room that Kobi cannot open.

Kobi sets the armor on a workstation then heads straight to the library.

The room is massive. Hundreds of bookshelves filled with ancient magic books and scrolls fill the room. There must be more than a hundred thousand books! How will he ever find where to start?

Just as he has that thought run through his mind, a book flies off a shelf and lands on the table to Kobi’s left. The five-hundred-page book opens to a particular page. Shocked Kobi sits down and begins reading. As he reads, the pages turn for him. Once he has read about twelve pages, the book flies away on its own. Immediately, a new book replaces the last. This process repeats itself several times.

Kobi waits after the last book flew away. Magic certainly scares him now.

Quickly, he steps out of the library and enters the pool room.

On the wall of the room is a large staff, Kobi pulls it off the wall and sticks it into the stagnant water. He begins to stir it. Centuries old spells awaken in the water. It begins glowing as he stirs. Blue, green, red, orange, yellow, black and white lights highlight the water. Smoke begins to fill the top of the pool. Kobi continues to stir. This is a process that will take hours, the water sat unmoved for a thousand years.

Kobi knows exactly what to do, he just doesn’t know why.

After several hours of stirring the water mixes gold; it’s ready.

Kobi retrieves the chest plate from the main hall and sets it in a steel container then lowers it into the gold water. He leaves it to return to the library. The cleansing process will take all night.

As the plate sits in the magical water, it is being purified and strengthened. The magic has faded from centuries of nonuse. This process will return it to its former glory.

Kobi is too excited to sleep so he decides to pass the time by reading. He returns to his reading spot and thinks about the origin of magical weapons. A book comes to him.  All night, books fly across the library for Kobi. His thirst for knowledge is never quenched. As he learns things that no man in the kingdom knows, he craves to see the forge return to its original greatness. This forge has a place in the modern world.

Finally, the armor has been purified. Kobi leaves his books and retrieves the plate. He takes it to the main hall and gathers cleaning supplies from the storeroom. He wipes the plate down, and buffs it to a shine. It is now glowing bright purple. The magic has been renewed.

Eagerly, Kobi takes it outside to where it was left for him. He drops it off, then goes to the room he claimed as his own. With nothing to do but wait, he crashes. He sleeps the entire day and night.

When he wakes the next morning, he enthusiastically rushes to where he left the armor outside.

As he approaches, he sees that the armor is gone, and a basket is in its place.

He opens the basket to find wrapped cuts of meat ready to be cooked. Meat is one of the main things he has missed from the world below. Beside the basket is a piece of paper. Kobi picks it up to read it. It simply says- tomorrow, midday…