The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles (24 page)

As for his own casualties, it was clear that the enemy had little that could cause his own people any real harm. His only concern had been the Bosarians having a few powerful magicians capable of countering his own, but that fear had soon evaporated on his arrival at Berxsley. Providing his people held their concentration in the presence of the enemy, then there should be no reason why he should not remain without casualties.

Despite the enemy being removed from Berxsley, it was quickly clear the people living there remained uncertain as to who these mysterious robed figures were. As a result, Joren had decided to make an announcement to the people. Firstly, he needed as many citizens as possible to make their way towards the royal palace; hence, he had duly sent his own men and women to spread the word. At the ringing of the city's bells, they should start congregating, and although he knew not everybody would attend, he hoped there would be enough to start spreading the message.

As the sound of the bells rang out across the city, Joren watched on from the palace balcony, the position he had decided to use to give his speech.  He actually felt slightly nervous at the thought of speaking to what was quickly going to be, far more people than he had anticipated. He looked down to see the people of Berxsley cram in to the palace grounds and beyond. Young and old, rich and poor, all stood side-by-side looking up towards him, waiting for him to start.

Maxim stood a few yards further behind on the balcony, and was beginning to doubt how his father was going to be heard more than a few rows back. Naturally, he had not counted on him using magic to make himself heard, and could not help but be impressed as he listened to the man's words reverberate loudly around the city. Using his magical abilities to have the air carry his words, Joren made sure that even those gathered far to the back of the crowd would surely hear what he had to say.

After introducing himself, he explained to those gathered where they had come from. He then moved onto tell them how their great king had fallen in battling the invaders, and paused just a little to here the gasps amongst the crowd before him. He continued with the news that the young Prince Anden had taken the throne, and made out it was thanks to the young monarch that the Icenians were now there to aid them in their plight. What started as a rather timid applause soon erupted in to something far louder, with the people cheering and chanting the young king's name.

As his father turned from the crowd and made his way back into the room adjoining it, Maxim smiled, "That was a nice thing you did Father, giving Anden the credit for bringing you here to help." Joren smiled back and shrugged, "The poor lad will have trouble enough rebuilding his country, the very least I can do is let the people think he was the one responsible for saving them."

The palace seemed a very large, cold, empty place to be. The rooms, although still furnished, and many left as they were the day Oran had fled the city, felt a little damp as Maxim wandered through them. His father had taken to using one of the small offices on the ground floor for his own use, marking off lists as each report from his people or crate delivered came into the palace.

Chapter 30.

Anden sat in his study, the members of his council beside him as he listened to the news they had prayed to hear. At first light, an Icenian force of magicians numbering over five hundred in number had landed on his northern coast. From there, they had divided up, and were, as they spoke, in the process of removing every Bosarian soldier or magician from his lands.

Darion took a sharp intake of breath, impressed at the sheer size of force their new allies had sent. "Got to admit that the ginger lad came up trumps, I always said that boy would go far and do great things," he added. The others in the room all turned to look at him, "What?" he asked innocently. Ramon grinned and shook his head in disbelief, "Of course Darion you are well known for lavishing such praise on our younger members of society," he replied with a chuckle.

Anden thanked the two Icenians who had travelled so far to give him the news, and asked his house staff to offer them warmth and refreshments. The young king then stared down at the three sealed letters upon the table before him, before picking one up, "Let us see what our new friends have to say," he uttered breaking the wax seal with his finger. After quickly reading it quietly to himself, he passed the missive onto Ramon to view, as he himself picked up the second and repeating the process.

The third letter appeared different to the others, and Anden noted it was also written on different paper, that appeared much less formal and official than the other two had. This one he read with great interest, and was clearly surprised at the content within, so much so the others in the room could tell by the mere expression on his face. "Is it bad news? Is it about Maxim?" Zack asked worried his cousin had read something about his friend. Anden smiled at his cousin, "I would say anything but bad news Zack, but Lord Joren requests we keep things to ourselves for now."

Zack had to wait his turn to read the notes, and although he was passed the others first, it was the last one he really wanted to see. The first note was just confirmation of what the two Icenians had just told them, that being the case of them landing a large force on the northern coastline. The second was more a list than an actual letter, as it gave the names of all the towns and villages the Icenians were going to liberate, and although Zack thought it quite impressive, his impatience was clear to see as he went to grab the third note. "Sorry Zack, this is not one you can read," Anden told him keeping the missive to himself. To say the young man was disappointed to be left in the dark was an understatement, and although he nodded his acceptance, he was clearly unhappy about it. Zack ran several reasons through his mind as to why he was not allowed to read the note when the others were, and the only reason he could come up with was that it was to do with Maxim. He started to worry something bad might have happened to his friend, and although he could already feel the anxiety building inside, he managed to keep his feelings calm.

Although Connor, the young Bosarian boy who had aided Maxim's escape, and hence decided that Maxim was his master, was getting along fine, he missed the young man he had sworn to serve. His friends Tia and Samuel were fun to be around, as was having Shadow to play with, but the young lad thought something missing in his life. As Samuel had magical ability, his future already lay at Pitford, where he would be tutored further in using his skills. Tia being his sister, even if she showed no magical abilities, would stay with her brother either way.  The young girl was already being given lessons in reading and writing, and doing well in both, Connor on the other hand, although offered the same was not so interested. He wanted to travel beside his new master, and not just be another scruffy kid with no future but shovelling dung from a stable.

Both Mikel and Melia had resumed their lessons, and found that the time they spent apart, made the time they were together all the more satisfying. Mikel, under Katria's tuition had managed to make another link, this time with a small bird. Although she explained the link between Shadow and him was unbreakable and strong, this did not mean he could not have more than one animal. Naturally, Mikel had wanted to make his first link with a bird, with something impressive like an eagle or falcon. Katria however, had told him to start small, and hence the bird with which he shared his mind, was a tiny little robin.

Mikel had never really paid much attention to birds, and although he knew what a robin looked like, he was surprised by just how tough and hardy the little creatures were. The bird he had linked with also gave him a new perspective on the world around him, seeing the images from up high rather than on the ground, certainly was a revelation. He never actually realised just how territorial the little birds were, or the lengths they would go to, to keep other birds away from its space.

Mikel had worried that making a second link would detract from the one he held with Shadow, but Katria had explained, that if anything it made them stronger. "Think of the three of you like a team..." She had told him, "All sharing qualities none of the others has," she added. Mikel was actually surprised that he had understood what his teacher had meant, and for one of the few times in his life actually felt quite clever.

Despite it being highly secret, the arrival of two more Icenians had gotten both the people and magicians of Pitford gossiping. As Zack actually knew the truth of it all, well most of it, he felt a little awkward as he sat for his evening meal with Mikel, Melia and the young Bosarians. "I heard the Kothians are not going to help us," Melia whispered across the table airing her opinions. Zack grimaced, and although he would have loved to tell his friends the truth, he had sworn an oath to Anden, and promised to keep the news quiet for now. As a result, he kept quiet and tried to keep his head low whilst he ate his stew. Of all people, it was actually Connor who noticed him acting a little more oddly than usual, "Do you know any news of my Master Sir?" the youngster asked with a look of hope in his big brown eyes. Zack did not like being untruthful, but for now at least he had no option, "I am sorry Connor," He replied, "I do not."

Mikel broke a piece of bread and dipped it into his bowl, before popping it in to his mouth, "You must know something Zack," he added, only half covering his mouth as he chewed. "I mean, why else would two more Icenians come to visit today, if not to give news." Zack felt the pressure getting to him, as he realised the others at the table were all looking to him to reply. He had not thought keeping secrets from his friends was part of his job description, yet here he was doing just that. "I am sorry...All I know is they carried a personal letter to the king...As I am not the king...," he gestured with his hands open, and left it at that. The others looked at him, seemingly trying to judge if he were holding something back or telling the whole truth, but one by one, they seemed to be happy with his reply.

Shadow was sat happily on the dining hall floor, ripping apart a large piece of meat with his powerful jaws. The huge dire wolf was now such a common sight around the keep at least, that many barely gave it a second glance as it wandered the corridors. Of course, nobody actually dare go too close, just in case the creature was not as tame as it appeared, but at least they did not turn and hide in their rooms anymore, as some had done at the start.

Danton was sat in one of the boys rooms, with one of his latest recruits. The boy Kellan, whom he had discovered on his trip to Eldin had settled in quite well, although as yet had not made any new friends. Danton always liked to pay little visits to the newer members he bought to Pitford, just to make sure everything was going okay. Kellan had been given several sets of new clothes, and now the youngster had bathed and had his hair trimmed, Danton could hardly recognise the same young man he had enrolled.

Kellan told him, that due to his inability to read and write, he was struggling with some of the tasks being set to him. Danton smiled, remembering that Maxim had been exactly the same when he had discovered him. He thought for a moment, and deciding this would be a good opportunity for Kellan to mix with a few of the others, he suggested the pair of them go visit one of the other rooms. "Come with me Kellan," he asked, "I think a little extra private tuition, to help your reading and writing would do you the world of good," he said heading for the door. Kellan did not argue and dutifully followed him out into the corridor.

As they walked, it was very soon apparent to Danton, just how shy Kellan was. He noticed the youngster could not hold eye contact with anybody they encountered walking the other way. As soon as someone looked at him, his gaze went immediately to the floor, only looking up again when the person had passed by. Danton knew he needed to find somebody like Zack, who had taken an instant liking to Maxim, and although this was a different person, he thought how similar the two were. Knowing not every student he bought to Pitford was as kind and understanding as Zack, he needed to think carefully on whom to select to help Kellan. He needed someone caring and who could show patience, as well as not be condescending, just because Kellan could not manage anything more than the basics of reading and writing.

He stopped outside one of the other doors and knocked before waiting for a reply. The door opened and a short boy with short jet-black hair stood there with a smile, "Hello Sir," he said politely to Danton. "Hello Karl," he replied, "I wonder might we come in?" he asked. Karl nodded and held the door open for them to both enter before closing it behind them. Danton noticed how Kellan kept his gaze firmly down at the ground as Karl looked towards him.

Danton introduced the two boys, before explaining Kellan's situation. He knew Karl was a clever lad, and one who appeared to always be happy and chatty, although preferred to have a room to himself. On the table beside the fireplace, Danton noticed the youngster had been reading quietly before his intrusion, seeing a book opened but turned over to keep the page. Knowing Karl wanted to be a teacher when he was a little older, Danton hoped to utilise this into persuading him to help. "I wonder if you might be able to spare a little time in the evenings to help Kellan with his reading and writing," he suggested.

Karl grinned, and Danton knew the answer would be a positive one, "Of course ...I would be delighted to help," came the over-excited reply. Danton clapped his hands together, "Wonderful...right I will leave you to boys to get to know each other, and sort out the finer details," he added before leaning forward and whispering into Karl's ear. "Thanks. Kellan is very shy, so you will have your work cut out," he added before checking on Kellan, to see if he was all right with the arrangement. The youngster nodded, although kept his gaze lowered, as Danton placed a hand on his shoulder, "Any problems Kellan, please feel free to come and see me any time," he said hoping to alleviate any doubts the boy might have been having.