Road To Shandara (Book One of The Safanarion Order) (18 page)

“Yes he’s right. We must make haste.” Verona agreed. They gathered their horses and the town’s folk promised that they would hide the dead soldiers. That it would be their honor to aid the heir of Shandara. Aaron couldn’t understand this behavior, but he was grateful nonetheless.

As they came out of the town Aaron noticed a cloaked figure standing by the edge of the road. The cloak mostly hid the face but Aaron caught a glimpse of the unmistakably beautiful feminine eyes and slender neckline of a woman. Their eyes locked for a moment and neither could look away. Aaron’s heart thundered in his chest and he didn’t understand why the others rode passed her without seeming to notice at all. Her eyes searched his and he felt as if his soul was laid bare before her. Aaron began to speak but couldn’t and part of him was grateful that he couldn’t break the spell over both of them. She took a step towards him and exhaled a breath, her eyes looking regretfully at him, then there was a brief flash of light and she was gone.

Aaron exhaled the breath he had been holding searching all around him. “Did you see that,” Aaron asked quickly.

“See what,” Verona said puzzled looking back at him. Eric and Braden drew their swords and immediately started scanning everywhere at once.

“That cloaked woman over there.” Aaron answered gesturing toward the far side of road.

The men exchanged glances, “There was no one. The road is empty as it was moments before.”

Aaron was about to protest, but it seemed pointless. Clearly they hadn’t seen her. He could still see her eyes in his mind and his heart began to race. “Do you know how the Elitesman disappeared with a flash of light?” Aaron asked instead.

“He had a travel crystal. Pieces from a whole allow the traveler to always return to the source or any place that they know the pattern to. They are not that common.” Verona answered.

“That would be useful to have.” Aaron mused. “Is there any way we can get to Rexel faster than horseback?” asked Aaron.

“Use of an airship would allow us to reach our destination much quicker, but all the Ryakuls in the area make for dangerous skies. Not for pirates mind you.” Verona answered with a twinkle in his eye. “Fear not my friend we will make it to Rexel soon enough.”

“I just wonder how the Elitesman are able to track us so easily. There was that group behind us at one point, but now they appear to be coming at us from every direction. Do they all have this crystal that allows them to transport at will?” Aaron asked.

“They are a group shrouded in mystery,” said Vaughn. “That is one of their strengths, but it could also mask weakness as well. I’m sorry my friend but I simply don’t know.”

They rode on in silence after that, chewing up the road quickly as they made their way ever closer to Rexel, where he hoped to find some aid. When he wasn't thinking about the mysterious woman he observed the silence of his companions and knew the questions must be mounting up, the first of which came to him from Sarik as they were making camp.

“How did you do it?” Sarik asked. “How did you best that Elitesman?” The other men including Verona stopped what they were doing to hear Aaron’s answer.

“Are they not ‘just’ men,” said Aaron.

“Yeah but...” Sarik began. “Men I can face, but an Elitesman knows things, just like
you
know things. How else would you be able stand your ground against them.”

Aaron had given these Elitesman a great deal of thought since his first encounter where he met Verona. They had an arrogance to them that he equated to being slapped in the face. Just the thought of them made him tuck in his chin stubbornly.

“My grandfather Reymius trained me for as long as I could remember. He, with my father’s help, built a school and taught many people, but he never mentioned anyone called an Elitesman. He would drill into me the importance of quieting the mind and moving without thought.” Aaron said smiling a little in remembrance of better days. “He said that sometimes our brain slows us down and that in order to tap into the greatest strength within, you must let go of all thought. There is knowledge and power to be gained from the spirit which is far older than the vessels that houses it for time.”

Sarik said nothing for a few moments and then got down on one knee and asked, “Will you train me?” Sarik’s question brought the attention of the others who had not voiced the same question, but the question was self evident in each of their eyes. A sense of hope to stand against a monster that haunted their footsteps for longer than Aaron could imagine.

“I’ve never taught anyone, I’m no teacher.” Aaron said quickly.

 
“You carry the lost art of the Shandarian masters within you. We would honor anything you would teach us,” said Braden also going to one knee followed by Eric.

“Please get up you are men for God’s sake,” Aaron said gently. After a few moments they did. “It’s not right for men to kneel before other men.”

“Perhaps it will allow us to stand with you against the next Elitesman, for sure as the sun will rise in the morning there will be more of them coming after us.” Said Verona.

Us?
Aaron thought to himself. He searched the eyes of all his companions and within them all was something unique and unyielding. Aaron could see the pattern lay before him and he shuddered at the thought. These men would be the first of what many may come in search of, Reymius’s teachings. Was this the reason why his grandfather was forced to flee his home? Was it this knowledge that he had passed to him the reason why war was brought from Shandara to his home?
Keepers of the sacred trust, that’s how the townsfolk referred to him.
What sacred trust? He needed to know why his grandfather, along with his mother, had to flee this world in the first place. Aaron looked back at Sarik and the others and nodded, he would teach them.

C
HAPTER
18

FEAST OF SHANSHERU

THE CITY OF Rexel stretched extensively upon either side of a river for which Aaron did not know the name. Even from a distance he could tell that the city was well thought out in its layout of roads allowing for efficient commuting from different parts, but nothing could prepare Aaron for the sheer size of the place. On the western side was a palace whose pale spires reached longingly towards the heavens in this place of elegance and power. There were no walls that surrounded the outer city and the roads led to a main thoroughfare that went straight to the river. He was to seek out Prince Cyrus who according to Colind would be able to help him, but Colind never had a chance to tell him how.
Where was Colind?
Aaron thought letting out a frustrated breath and wondered whether he was on a fool’s errand.

“Verona.” Aaron called. “I presume that the Prince resides in the palace.”

“Your presumption is correct my friend, but I bet you’re wondering whether the guards will grant us an audience with the Prince.” Verona said.

“Something we are all wondering,” Vaughn said dryly, “Considering how we left the last time.”

“Indeed,” replied Verona with half a smile. “Aaron how would you proceed knowing that our, no that’s not right, my reception may not be the warmest?”

“I think I’d take my chances knocking on the front door.” Aaron replied.

“Ah the direct approach. Excellent.” Verona grinned. “Perhaps you should go first when we arrive.” Verona paused for a moment, “Not to worry, my Uncle has been kicking me out of the city since I was sixteen years old and never once has he actually had me thrown into the dungeon upon my return.”

“He also never had the guards chase us from the city like the last time.” Said Braden nodding to his brother Eric.

“What happened the last time you were here?” Aaron asked.

“A simple misunderstanding concerning a very attractive young lady. Unfortunately she was betrothed to a pompous peacock of a princeling from the neighboring kingdom of Selapan,” Verona replied and Vaughn grunted something inaudible under his breath.

“It was just a dance,” Verona continued ignoring Vaughn.

“You made the princeling look so much the fool that he challenged you to a duel,” Vaughn finished impatiently.

“And taught the peacock a well deserved lesson,” Verona answered. “He won’t be bragging about his mastery of the bow anytime soon or the sword for that matter.”

“You also strained the already fragile relations with Selapan,” Vaughn responded. “There are consequences for such actions Verona.”

“I’m sure its all blown over by now,” Verona said, “And besides I’m sure there are other things that hold my uncle’s attention at this very moment given the time of year.” He finished with a raised brow.

The dawn of recognition took hold of Vaughn who quickly looked at Aaron and then back at Verona. He pursed his lips considering but said nothing, waiting Verona out. Aaron wondered what Verona had up his sleeve as he observed the proverbial chess match between the two companions.

“Coincidence or fate my old friend,” Verona asked in a flat tone and Vaughn nodded in understanding that was clearly beyond Aaron at the moment.

“The Feast of Shansheru, which is an ancient celebration to honor the guardians of the ivory tree.” Verona said clearly enjoying himself as understanding registered itself with each of the men whom all looked at Aaron as if seeing him in new light.

“And who would like to inform our newest friend
who
were the guardians of the ivory tree,” said Verona glancing around at the rest of them grinning. “For seventy years the ivory tree was safe guarded in Shandara by the noble ruling house of Alenzar’seth. The ivory tree is a symbol of balance given as a seedling by the Hythariam people to Shandara who repelled the first Ryakul incursion.” Verona stopped, smiling at his friend. “So you see as you are the only living heir of the house of Alenzar’seth it would be poor manners indeed should my uncle the prince deny an audience with
you
Aaron.”

Vaughn shook his head deciding whether or not he was going to say anything. “All those years of tutoring and that’s all you can remember of the Ryakul incursion and symbolism of the ivory tree? You would think that the incursion was just a few flying beasts and not hordes of monsters and not to mention when the Hythariam first came to Safanar," Vaughn said clearly disappointed.

“Isn’t that the gist of what happened?” Verona countered. “I’m sure you and my uncle can speak to this subject for days on end, but we don’t have that kind of time do we.”

Aaron was keenly interested in what they were saying, but became distracted by the flags lining the main thoroughfare into the city. They were of a dragon with his outstretched wings, cradling a rose in its hands. The center was white pearl shaped with the etching of a tree. They matched both the medallion and the tattoo on his chest, which he rubbed absently. Shouts of greetings could be heard as they made their way down the street while a few soldiers cast a wary glance in their direction but waved them on. Aaron noticed a soldier was sent on ahead no doubt to inform the Prince that Verona had indeed returned.

“I don’t see any of the Airships you mentioned earlier," said Aaron.

“Look over towards the far side of the palace and on the outskirts of the warehouses along the river," Sarik said urging his horse next to Aaron’s. “That’s where you will see them take off and land.”

Aaron kept a wary eye where Sarik pointed and he saw something cylindrical rise into the air gracefully, with lines attached to a ship. Aaron could see wings extend from the main body and small propellers drop down from the under wing. The balloon and ship were of equal size, which left Aaron wondering what was being used to fill the balloon because hot air and helium wasn’t enough to raise a ship that size.

“Do you know how they work? How they can rise straight up into the air? How they are powered?” Aaron asked eagerly.

“The crystals are powered through magnified sun beams which are stored in the crystals. They are rotated as they reach capacity and energy is drawn from them as needed. As long as sunlight is available then there is plenty of power.” Sarik answered just as eagerly. “Garret can you tell Aaron how the engines work?”

“The energy stored in the crystals can be used for more than just lighting the way," Garret began, “Some can be used to ignite a propellant for short periods of time, which can push the vessel in any direction. There are limitations mostly with storing and tapping the energy as it is not entirely without risk. There have been fires and explosions known to happen when certain precautions are not met. Airships are relatively new to the world and come with their own share of problems.”

“Perhaps we can persuade the Prince for a closer look at one should you desire it.” Verona added.

“I would like that. Traveling by airship would be much faster than by horse.” Aaron replied.

“Indeed in that you are correct and much more comfortable," said Verona. “I’m not sure if my uncle will be amiable to parting with one of his precious ships though.”

Aaron noted the slightly bitter tone from Verona, which begged the question of how many times Verona had tried to make use of the Prince’s Airships. They both noticed that Vaughn kept looking down the street and behind them.

“Stop fretting Vaughn. If my uncle intended to have us arrested, the guards would have been upon us already.” Verona said confidently.

“Then you don’t need to worry about the squad of the city guard making a beeline right toward us then,” said Vaughn.

Verona turned and saw the approaching guard and let out a broad grin and waved to them as they approached. “Well no use running. We want to get to the palace now don’t we.”

“That is indeed our goal,” said Aaron with half a smile.

Verona grinned back at him, “Well met my friend.”

Twenty weathered guards approached calmly and the leader waved back to Verona, “The Prince would like to see you my Lord.” His tone was half casual and half stern, but Aaron thought he noticed a slight smirk as if he had to collect Verona several times in the past.

“I am of course at the Prince’s service, but I must insist that my companions accompany us immediately for I have urgent news for his grace.” Verona answered.