CHAPTER 4 - GLADIATORS - Part 2

Cullen sat in the sand and grass out side the city of Aluhet just before dawn. Abd and the other were all with him and they had a plan. They had sent in some Xho already and none were stopped at the gate. Next they would send Feather and Crow in to see if armed men would be spotted and stopped.
If they made it in, then everyone else would try. They hoped that the arrogance of the Host would be so that they could attack this city the same way they had taken Alumet back.
Word had surely come before them, but none that spoke could actually say how the Xho overran the city. One minute all was normal and the next there were Xho warriors everywhere killing Hive soldiers. No one say how they got in or where they hid until the time to strike.
But Cullen was distracted.
First there were the dreams. He had been dreaming, as a wolf always, but another wolf had been in his dreams as well. This wolf was all white with a silver star on his forehead, and he was bigger than Cullen. This wolf was huge, as big as a house.
The wolf kept warning Cullen that Tik was in danger from another of his kind. It confused Cullen. Another wolf was dangerous to Tik? How so? Where was this other wolf? Was it an Asrai that Cullen didn’t know? None of it was clear and so Cullen kept the warning to himself.
The second distraction was Sonia. Cullen could, with his heightened senses literally smell the distance between them. She had become cold towards him and finally he had taken her for a walk within the city gardens.
He had brought a basket of her favorite foods and a blanket for them to sit on. He led her to the back gardens where orchids grew and reminded him of the forests back home. There was a small fountain that splashed merrily nearby and I the noise sounded like playing and laughter.
But Sonia seemed excluded and distant. So he had brought her there to talk. He watched her face as she looked around at the garden and she was wistful and sad. He saw her as beautiful and lovely and he could watch her for hours but he needed to find out what was bothering her.
“Something is wrong love,” he said gently. “Please share it with me.”
“It’s nothing really,” she lied, giving a half smile to cover it.
“You know I can smell a lie. Please Sonia, share the burden with me. I’d like to know what wrong so I can fix it.”
She bowed her head and took some food and gave herself a taste. “You can’t fix it Cullen, that’s the problem.”
He poured them each a drink in a pair of metal cups and he handed her one, brushing her fingers as he passed it. “Anything can be fixed. Juts tell me what’s wrong.”
“I want to go home,” she finally said. “We’ve been here for over half a year. Many of my kids will have graduated and I have missed it all.”
Cullen watched her for a moment waiting to see if more would come. Her gray eyes, flecked with gold, seemed to tear up a little.
“I know what we’re doing here is good, and I want to help, but I also want to have peace in my life, more than I want to help, I want peace. I feel like I’ve lost you to war again.”
“You haven’t lost me love,” Cullen placated, “I know I become distracted and I’m busy with planning and then fighting, but these people need us.”
“I need you too!” she cried, tears finally coming. “But this is who you are! You help people and you fight for good things, and that’s who you are,” she said again.
Puzzled, he waited for her to finish the thoughts.
“You are a fighter, a warrior and you help people. I know this. And you will always find some battle to be in, peace doesn’t last forever. But that means we’ll never have peace for us, just us two! I feel like I’m losing you to fighting.”
“I have to help these people Sonia,” Cullen said in a calm quiet voice. “But I can send you home so you can have the peace you want. And when I return, after we finish this, then we’ll talk again and see how we can have peace but still help people. There has to be a way.”
Sonia didn’t really cry, she didn’t sob, but tears ran down her face and she would say no more. Cullen moved beside her and held her tight, trying to wish the troubles away.
“I’ll stay until the next city is won, then I must go home Cullen,” she whispered, heartbroken that she needed to leave him, but she knew she had to. She couldn’t fight like he could.
That was the last conversation they had. And now, true to her word, she sat with him in the sand and waited for the sun to rise, making the Hive soldiers weary and less likely to stop them coming into the city.
They had another Xho tavern they could hid in, with a separate place for the Faeries to stay hidden. Anton was going to the mosque in this new city to discuss religion further with the next Curate, and to give the people of the city hope.
Feather and Crow rose slowly and adjusted their hoods, and turned once to look at Abd. “You look like Xho,” he said, assuring them their disguises were complete. They shuffled off, looking like dejected tribesmen who would look for work in the city.
They walked to the gate, presented themselves to the Hive soldiers there and were quickly passed inside. Cullen looked at the others and grinned.
“I think they believe we’ll attack them openly and all at once. They don’t seem to be watching for anything special or strange. Let’s go.”
All of them stood up as a group, and with another group of real Xho people, they all wandered towards the gate and passed in safely. They spilt up into different groups once they were inside the gates and Abd led them towards the tavern, while others went to find work and place explosives around the city.
The city was almost exactly the same as its sister city, the one Cullen had already freed. In fact the man who ran the tavern they were headed for was the brother of Baqi, a man named Fayiz. Abd said he was another man that had supported rebellion for all these years.
Again they headed into the poor quarter of the city, walking down streets of broken cobbles where the buildings needed replaced tiles and boards, new paint, and fixed signs. Poor mothers and children were in doorways, watching this group come down the street.
The people looked sad and weary and it mad Cullen just as mad every time to see it. The anger built up in him and he could feel the magic of change come over him. He could transform in seconds when he felt like that. He had kept that secret from Abd, as did the Asrai so far. There was no need to add magic to what they were already dealing with here.
The tavern was two stories high, made of sand bricks and a tile roof. The outside was decorated in tiny ceramic tiles that depicted a picture of a happier time, with healthy looking people enjoying a spring day. Cullen ran his fingers across the tile while he tried to calm himself.
The Faeries had followed Cullen in while the Kingsmen had gone straight to work, learning the city and choosing places for explosives. They wouldn’t wait as long this time. Better to attack quickly before they realized anyone was in the city.
“Tris’tan,” Cullen called as they entered. “Go with Fakhri and find out where you’ll be sleeping. Introduce yourself to the family that’s taking all of you in and find ways to defend it if necessary.”
Tris’tan nodded and motioned for his brothers and the other to follow him. Abd had Cullen, Tik and Sonia seated a moment later, with only Anton missing since he went to the mosque.
Abd led the tavern owner over to them to be introduced. “This is Fayiz, a friend of my fathers for many years, a merchant once, but now our tavern owner.” The man was stout, with a round belly and a red face and balding. Never a warrior this one, but probably good at sneaking information in and out of the city.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance my friends,” he said in a halting accent. “We are pleased to have you here.”
“Thank you for hosting us Fayiz. We hope to bring no trouble onto you and we appreciate your giving us a place to rest.”
“It is my pleasure,” the man said, and then he turned on his heel to walk back to his kitchen.
“I have heard nothing from the Host about our attack. They seem to be ignoring the event, or at least not talking about it publicly. The merchants are discussing it, but none of them know much,” Abd informed them after speaking to two different men that found him there.
“Then the attack goes as planned. We’ll spend a few days planning and placing explosives and then we’ll take the gates and bring in your men from the desert again. We’ll take this city as we took the first.”
“I believe that this is so,” Abd said and smiled with his very white teeth showing.
“It’s the third city I’m most worried about. Tell me more about it,” Cullen asked.
“The third city of the Xho is Alu-chet, which means City of the Mountain. It was carved out of the side of a mountain and the river runs through it, across the rooftops of the city. Half the city is inside the mountain while the other half is outside the mountain. Sunlight comes through the glass ceiling that was built under the waterfall.”
“It sounds like a magical place,” Sonia said. Cullen glanced at herm knowing she was leaving after this city was taken. She would miss seeing the sights of the next. It made him sad.
“It is a masterpiece of carving and architecture my Lady, it truly is beautiful. But a dark cloud hangs over the mountain just like this city and we must cleanse it clean!” Abd voice took on the passion he felt about freeing his people, and Sonia seemed to flinch a little. Cullen knew she felt bad about leaving before the task was done, but he understood why she had to go. He wouldn’t find fault with it.
“Can we sneak into that city too do you think?” Tik asked both Abd and Cullen. The shading in his eyes was less visible in the shadowed city, but Cullen had noticed it when Sonia brought it to his attention. And his palms looked dirty, but that could be from handling the strange cursed sword.
“I doubt it,” Abd answered. “They will have learned about both attacks by then and they will be ready for us, but I think there’s a way to get in without going through the front gate.”
“How,” Cullen and Tik both asked.
“Originally, before the city was built, men had dug into the mountain for mining purposes. For some reason there are gems to be found inside and under the mountain. It could be because it is an ancient volcano, we don’t really know.”
“But there are tunnels,” he continued, “That go from one side of the mountain into the center and I think if we found them, we could find a way into the city.”
“We should still have a distraction, like a frontal attack on the city’s main gate. That would keep them from looking behind them,” Cullen suggested.
“Yes!” Abd agreed. “We could send men now to start searching.”
“Do it,” Cullen commanded. “And let’s get to work on this city as well. We’ll meet back here for a dinner meal and see what’s happened so far. Stay sharp, all of you. I want this city taken at no expense to us.”
The three heroes stood and went to their rooms, hiding their magical Weapons for the remainder of the day. Then they walked outside and went looking for the food lines and the work lines to work the rest of the day in the city, among the people.
The plan moved ahead at a good pace. They were in the city and it seemed the Host was none the wiser.

***

Grimm sat astride his war horse with his hand up to his head shading himself from the bright sun overhead as he watched the royal passage come closer. King Adrian and his family had arrived in Holdfast and soon they would enter the city.
Grimm waited patiently for the King to ride to him on his beautiful horse. As the King rode closer he waved cheerfully to the dour warrior that waited for him. Grimm did not wave back, but in truth, he always liked King Adrian and his family.
Grimm thought they were a simple people, rulers of a simple land where people wanted peace and prosperity most. The land of Dustan never caused problems; there were never revolts or bands of thieves riding the roads, or religious fervor. Things were simple in the marshland and Grimm appreciated the way they lived there.
“Grimm!” the King called. “It’s good to see you! The trip seems longer every time we make it!”
“Does it your Majesty? It’s the closest Kingdom to Holdfast. Be glad you don’t ride from Rath!” Grimm said without humor.
“I’m more grateful that we don’t border Rath!” the King protested. “We hear nothing but bad news from King Simon about their border! I worry for my friend living there.”
“Well soon the Horse Lord King will be here and we can all make it clear that his people must obey the High Kingdom laws, just like everyone else.”
“Indeed,” Adrian answered, his smile still clear. “Well, I’m sure my ladies want to get out of the carriage and I know I want off this horse. Lead us in my friend!”
Grimm turned his horse and nodded to the men at the gate, which was opened wide for the day’s business. The King and his few followers rode behind him into the city.
King Adrian moved his horse up beside Grimm’s and they rode together along the King’s Road. Adrian took in the sights and sounds of a working city, somewhat different from his own home, where everything was on stilts over the water. Adrian’s son watched everything as well, looking at all the people along the road conducting the city business.
Grimm led them along the road, up the earthen ramp and through the murder hole gates where Grimm’s soldier could bottle neck an attacking enemy and defend the castle. Adrian’s son and carriage came through followed by a few nobles and all of their combined servants.
The High King’s castle had enough rooms to guest all of the visiting Kings and their servants, but the noble would have to guest in the city inns and taverns. Having seen the King to the castle, these men and women turned around and went back with a member of the Kingsguard to guide them to the best establishments.
Grimm brought Adrian and his family to the stables and young boys ran out to accept the horse and the carriage. Adrian gratefully got off his horse and stretched.
“Gods, it’s good to be off that horse! I look forward to sleeping on a bed tonight as well!” Adrian exclaimed. His son laughed at his father and Adrian ruffled his hair. “I’m not as young as you little soldier!”
“Let me show you to your rooms and then you can freshen up. The High King waits for you in his solar,” Grimm announced as he gestured towards the doorway to the castle.
Grimm led them into the guest quarters of the castle where four bedrooms and connecting living rooms had been set aside and freshened for the royal family. Grimm waited while they washed off the dust of travel and changed into more suitable visiting clothing.
King Adrian came out in his best linen and leather, his wife in a silk, and his children looking like miniature versions f their parents. Grimm directed the children to go see the servants for some sweet and to keep them away from the adults while they visited, and then he brought the King and Queen to see his master.
High King Remus was waiting in his solar, the large room with many windows over looking the city. He sat behind his desk, and as his station permitted, he did not rise when the King and Queen entered. Both of them bowed to the High King and he gestured for them to take their seats.
“I am very happy to see you King Adrian!” Remus said cheerfully, “And of course you as well, Queen Laura. How was your journey?”
“It seemed as long as ever!” Adrian laughed. “We are happy to be here and off those horses, I can tell you that!”
“I can imagine. It’s been a long time since I had to ride for anything but pleasure. I haven’t even been hunting recently since all this trouble with Rath.”
Adrian fidgeted on his seat. “About that Highness, is it wise to have Rathian’s invited to the tourney?”
“The Kingsmen will be watchful and we have the Godsmen as well, since Church and Kingdom have always worked well together. Between the two forces, I think we can handle the Horse Lords.” The High King was confident and smiled.
“Well, my nobles are quite nervous after the attack. I expect some kind of apology from this King Nicu character!” Adrian said with some pride.
“And I’m sure once the man sees the Kingdom as a whole, with all of us working together to have peace across the Realm, he will apologize and be at one with our sensibilities.” The High King was reassuring.
“Good,” Adrian said, glancing at his wife. “Because we hoped to discuss marriage with you while we are here.”
“Oh ho!” the King exclaimed. “Getting right to it are you old friend? Let’s hear it, what your plan?”
Adrian smiled and breathed a sigh of relief that the King was open to such discussion. He hadn’t been sure he would want to talk about weddings.
“I think its time to marry my son to one of Simon’s daughters,” Adrian announced.
“And does Simon agree?” the High King asked cautiously.
“We believe he will once he arrives. We would love to set the marriage date while we’re here, and invite everyone to the ceremony when its time.” Laura was smiling hopefully and the High King nodded to her.
“Then I don’t see why not!” he confirmed. “If the children are of age and the parents are consenting, then we shouldn’t hold off any longer. The ties between your two Kingdoms will only grow and make the High Kingdom ever stronger.”
“Our thoughts exactly,” Adrian agreed. “And it doesn’t hurt that Simon’s richer than I am!”
Remus laughed at that. “No, I guess it doesn’t! I’m sure Simon has all this in mind too, and I’ll speak with him when he arrives.”
“I should warn you though my King,” Adrian started.
“Warn me?” Remus asked. “Of what?”
“Simon wants a husband for his second daughter as well, and he has his eye set on your son, the warrior.”
Remus stopped laughing but continued smiling. He had been sure this would come up eventually. “Unfortunately, Cullen has chosen a mate already, a wonderful young woman named Sonia. She runs my Orphanage now.”
“Ah yes, but Sire, isn’t she an orphan herself?” Adrian questioned. “Shouldn’t he eventually put down that first love and marry for the Kingdom?”
“I understand your feelings about that Adrian, I do,” the High King answered. “But Cullen is – headstrong, maybe to a fault, wouldn’t you say Grimm?”
Grimm nodded his head and scowled. “He won’t marry anybody except her right now. And I don’t see them not together.”
“Right. I can understand your feelings, but Cullen has already chosen for love and I don’t think I can break him away from that. Anyway, he’s not here and probably won’t be.”
“We heard he was away,” Adrian said, sharing another look with his wife. “Where has the boy gone?”
“The boy, is rightly a man now, and he crossed the Everwinter Mountains to see what’s on the other side.”
“My God, and you let him?” Adrian exclaimed.
“Again, there’s no letting Cullen do things. He set it in his head that he would go and away he went. Last word from the Dwarven King, he was fine, but we have no way of knowing really.”
Adrian was silent for a moment. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the idea that Faeries are real, and what’s more, you’ve actually included them in the Kingdom!”
“They have small cultures of their own and I thought, since they helped us with the threat of the Host, it wouldn’t be right to then fight them over land they have lived on for thousands of years. We are young to them. They were here first it seems,” the High King reminded them.
“Will they come to the tourney?” Laura asked, somewhat frightened.
“I doubt it dear lady,” Remus answered. “They came when we were at war, but to watch humans play at fighting I think would be strange to them. And the Kingdom will be crowded with many humans. It might be a bit much. They were invited of course, but I doubt they will come.”
“Well then I guess we won’t see them,” Adrian said, patting his wife’s hand gently.
“It’s about time for dinner,” the King announced. “Shall we find the children and eat? I haven’t seen them since they were very little; I’d like to see how the soon to be married Prince is looking these days!”
Everyone stood and Grimm led them out into the hallway and towards the Dining Hall. High King Remus was glad to have his old friends here again. He was not looking forward to his first meeting with King Nicu, but having Adrian and Simon around, and even dour old Cosmin would be good.
The Kingdom as a whole was a powerful thing. Nicu would be small in the face of that, he thought.

***

“Now do you see why I was threatened by him?” Sister Shiv shouted at the Queens. Jorinde and Hrim were silent. Idylls had given them a full report of what she had seen. Cullen had managed to take back the city of Alumet and kill a Queen of the Host, despite her magic.
“If you had gotten there in time with the Champions,” Hrim started to say.
“He would have butchered them too!” Shiv yelled again. “He’s too strong to fight head on! You have to catch him without the Weapons. Then he’s yours.”
Mabon stood from his chair with a surprised look on his face. “He’s just entered this city!” he said to the group.
“What? He’s here now?” Jorinde exclaimed.
“Yes, he’s here, and I would assume all of them are here. We still don’t even know who’s with him beside the entire Xho population it seems!” Mabon said quickly, clearly upset.
“We need to tell the Master!” Hrim practically cried, leaping up from her own chair.
“Will you fools listen to me?” Shiv shouted above all of them. “He thinks we don’t know anything, when in fact we know he comes and goes without his Weapons all day long! If we catch him without his Weapons and burn down the building he’s in, he’ll be ours to do with what we want!”
“Would it work?” Jorinde asked Mabon, as though Shiv’s suggestion was somehow beyond her.
“It could. I mean if we waited until nighttime, when he would be turning in and captured him where he sleeps, I think we’d get him and whoever he’s with. It could work.”
Idylls watched them think and plan and she wondered at her own feelings in this. She should be outraged that someone had killed a Queen of the Host and disrupted an entire Hive. She should be contributing ways to kill this man and his friends.
But that wasn’t how she felt at all.
Idylls wanted to meet him now that she had seen him. She found him attractive in a way she knew she should reserve for warriors of her own cast, but he was passionate and fierce in a way that the Hive soldiers were not. They were often cruel and frightening in their malice.
This man was different. And he clearly inspired others to do his bidding, so he was a powerful man, a powerful force that created loyalty and more strength. She wanted to talk with him, learn about him and come to understand him.
But the Queens had decided. They would go to the tavern and capture Cullen and then kill him after, once the Dark Master had a chance to toy with him. Even Mabon was going to come and the two Queens as well. There was no way Cullen would escape this.
“And you will come as well Idylls,” her mother said to her and it came as though out of a fog of her own thinking.
“Yes mother,” she said, hoping she had hidden her reaction. Her breath had caught just thinking about him. He was different than the Xho slaves she saw everyday. There was something special about him. Something she wanted to know more about.
She would go with her mother and hope to capture him. Then maybe she would find some time to talk to him. Surely her mother would allow that, if she gloated over the success of it?

***

Bishop Constantinus looked up to see the man who stepped into his office. The Bishop was a large man, overweight and ‘filled with God’s Love’ as he liked to say. He was bald and usually jolly, but hesitant to smile at this apparition in his doorway.
The man standing there wore a hooded cape and threadbare leathers that made him look like a cross between a fighter and a thug. He wore leather with fur trimmings and a necklace of teeth and he had extreme piercings in his ears and his nose. He had a mad look in his eye that was a little alarming.
“Yes?” the Bishop said haltingly. “What can I do for you?”
“My name,” the man said is a growling rough voice that sounded a bit weary, “Is Hafr and I am King Nicu’s Head Shaman.”
The Bishop swallowed. A Shaman? Here in the church? What was this about? He had heard from the High King himself about this new King, a Rathian named Nicu that would be coming soon for the tourney. The High King expressed a wish that the Church’s force of fighters, the Godsmen be out in force when he arrived.
“I’m sorry; did you mean to see the King? I’m not sure what I can do for you.” The Bishop spoke politely but surely the man meant to see someone else.
“I meant to see you. It’s my understanding that you are the leader of your Church, that you make the decisions for the Godsmen and your many followers,” Hafr said, still seeming aggressive without visible threat.
“Yes, I am the head of the Church as a whole, it is my duty to direct the following,” the Bishop confirmed without understanding where this was leading.
“And for all your believers, you have never had a chance to build in Rath,” Hafr said, a weighty statement indeed.
The Bishop coughed into his hand nervously and a little embarrassed to talk about the subject so openly. “Ahem, yes that’s true. The Rathian people had been very clear that they do not want a church of God in their land among their tribes. In fact they have often killed Priests who try to teach them of our religion!”
“How would you like to change all that?” Hafr asked suggestively.
“Change?” the Bishop asked, his eyes narrowing suddenly. “Are you saying the Rathian people want change?”
“I’m saying that King Nicu is offering you the opportunity to build a church in the center of Rath. A church that would be supported by the King of Rath.” Hafr steepled his hands in front of his long vulpine face. His bald head shone in the fire light and strange marking showed beneath the cloak’s hood.
“Such a thing could be done?” the Bishop asked, surprised and a little intrigued. “Without my people being killed when they stepped into the grasslands?”
“They would be guarded by the King’s own men,” Hafr promised with a smile that bordered on a sneer. “This is a promise that can come true anytime you wish.”
The Bishop sat back in his chair to think. Hafr seemed comfortable enough to let him. A church in Rath, where the know world’s population was heaviest. With the tithes they could take in with God’s religion being practiced in Rath, the Church would become wealthier than the High King himself!
They would have enough worship to challenge any King or noble! They could lead discussion of policy with that kind of following. The worship of God had wiped out the worship of the Old Gods, but some people wanted to go back to the old ways since that boy Cullen had brought being that said they were the Old Gods themselves! People saw their power and started to believe in what they could see instead of having faith in God’s Heaven and more importantly, in God’s Hell!
The Rathians were a fierce people, but if they could be tempered with the teaching of God, if they could be directed to greater things, they would be a force like no other! The Bishop’s face showed his thinking and a greedy smile spread across his mouth.
“What do you think good Bishop?” Hafr asked with an oily smile. “Is this something you want?”
The Bishop almost nodded and then it hit him. Nothing in this world was free. This new expansion would cost him something. But what was it?
“You must want something in return Shaman, so what might that be?” the Bishop asked, now a little guarded. He was nobody’s fool.
“It’s simple. My master, King Nicu is coming to the High King’s tournament. He wishes to have a discussion with the High King. He wants to extricate Rath from the High Kingdom and become a free Kingdom in its own right.”
“I see,” the Bishop said, following the Shaman’s words.
“We just want the Godsmen to stay out of the equation. Let the two men discuss it with the weight of armed Godsmen hanging over them. Show your King that you have concerns that would welcome a new government, and new Kingdom to the East.”
“You want me to support your King’s venture,” the Bishop stated.
“As my King would support yours in turn, yes,” Hafr confirmed.
“I feel a little disloyal to my King when I think about it,” the Bishop said with hesitation.
“Think of it this way then Bishop,” Hafr suggested. “Are you more concerned with what your King wants for his Kingdom, or for what your followers want for their religion? Which is your concern? Another man’s power, or your own influence?”
The Bishop thought silently.
“You will have the opportunity to become your own power Bishop,” Hafr continued. “You will be an advisor to the Kings of the known world because they will have to listen to a man who commands half the population of the world! With our help, the Rathians will embrace your religion and your God!”
“And you mean no harm to the High King? You just want to talk to him, convince him of this new Kingdom?” the Bishop asked, already caught up in the idea.
“That’s right; we just want to talk without the influence of the military might that he only commands because you offer it to him. Make him stand on his own for once, let him see things differently. It will be a step towards your new confidence as well, to show him you should be an equal, not a servant to his will.”
“Yes, it has always seemed like that to us, as though the King commands the Church as well as the Kingdom. I think you’re right Hafr, its time for a change. You have my word. The Godsmen will stay out of the relations between Kings.”
“Excellent,” Hafr slurred with a wicked grin. “Then we have an accord. Your destiny just changed Bishop. You just became a new man.”
With those words, the Shaman let himself out and was quickly back on his horse and leaving the city to meet his King before he arrived in Holdfast. If the Rathian Horse Lords had done their work, most of the Kingdom was in Rathian hands already. Now Holdfast was the last to fall, and fall it would, if Nicu had his way.
Hafr chuckled to himself as he rode. Nothing better than a plan that comes together.

***

Grimm was waiting at the gates as King Simon arrived, just has he had for Adrian. Simon wore silks and linen even when he rode, with a bright white cloak and cape down his back. Grimm looked in wonder at the carriage that carried his daughters. Gold and slick wood that had been polished to a shine. Ridiculous Grimm thought, to travel like that.
“Well met King Simon,” he said instead, giving a small wave to the King as he rode up.
“Greetings Grimm, you dour man! We are glad to see you since it means we have arrived! As much as I like to ride – “
“King Adrian said much the same thing when he arrived, not long before we received word that you would be here. The High King is expecting you.” Grimm gestured towards the city and the castle on the hill in the distance.
Grimm rode beside the King and Queen, keeping them occupied with small talk about the city and local businesses that they passed. King Simon remarked on how rural the city of Holdfast felt compared to his richer city. Grimm rolled his eyes and let the King talk.
They rode up the ramp and into the castle grounds, letting off their horse at the stables where the young boys who would be squires and pages took the animals and the carriage, gaping at the beautiful young girls that came out of the carriage.
The Nobles of Vess were also directed into the city by a Captain of the Kingsguard, while King Simon and his family were brought inside to see their apartments. They were given the nicest set of rooms, as was to be expected for the richest King in the Realm. They had views of the Sea behind the castle where they could watch fishing vessels out among the waves.
King and Queen changed into more relaxed clothing, which still outshined anything even the High King would presume to wear, and met Grimm outside their apartments to be brought to the High King. The girls stayed behind to rest from their long journey.
King Simon clearly wanted to see the High King right away; he was practically leading Grimm to the solar by the time they got halfway down the hall. Grimm had a pretty good idea of why the King was so eager, since he had heard King Adrian discussing marriage of the children already.
Soon enough, the royal couple was brought through the thick oak door into the semi circular room of the High King’s solar, where he was waiting near his desk. Remus met King Simon standing, as was expected, but the royal couple bowed to him and he simply nodded.
“Please, take seats; you must be exhausted from your ride. It’s practically the other side of the Realm!” the High King joked.
“It was just as far this time as it was the last time, although the last time we felt quite differently of course,” Simon said, reminding everyone of when they had come to swear fealty to the High King, not so many years ago.
“I am glad we have become friends in that time Simon,” Remus said gently. “War doesn’t always have that result, but with you and Adrian, I’ve been very lucky, and I know it. I’m glad to have you here.”
“Where is Adrian?” Simon asked. “I look forward to seeing him as well.”
“And I to see his wife,” Queen Horia said in her own sweet voice. “We have much planning to do I think.”
“Oh ho!” the High King laughed. “You’re going to get right to it then, aren’t you? Good thing Adrian already warned me you’ve been talking.”
“Good,” Simon said, lounging on his wide chair, fluffing a pillow behind him. “Do you have any wine? I’m parched and this kind of talk makes a man thirsty.”
The High King moved to a small bar on the other side of the room and poured cups of wine for his guests and Grimm as well. He poured a brandy for himself and returned to his desk to seat himself behind it.
“Ah, this is good wine!” King Simon complimented. “Excellent vintage! So Adrian has told you we mean to marry his son to one of my daughters?”
“Yes, we discussed it two days ago. I am fully for it; I think it will be a good match from what I know of your families. I have since met Alin and he’s a good Prince, a fine young man.” The High King smiled at the memory of the boy.
“That’s good to hear from someone other than the father!” Simon laughed. “But we know what kind of people Adrian and his wife are, and we are pleased to offer a high dowry with our daughter.”
“Which girl have you decided on?” the High King asked.
“Nelu is the eldest at thirteen, but we were hoping to choose Ioan, who is eleven. We would like you to introduce Nelu to Price Cullen, if it pleases you Sire.”
“Adrian warned me about this as well Simon,” the High King said soberly. “First, my son Cullen is not here. He’s off on another adventure and I don’t know when he’ll return. Second, he has a mate and will not be budged from that choice, even for thoughts of inheritance.”
“We foresaw that possible reaction your Majesty, and to that we say, then what about yourself? You haven’t married yet, and Nelu is wealthy, educated and beautiful.” Simon sat forward in his chair and fixed his gaze on the High King.
“Simon,” Remus began, “She’s also a child yet. It’s one thing to marry her to another her age, Like Alin, but to marry me, when I’m in my later forties is entirely another thing.” Remus looked a little alarmed at the idea.
“We know what we’re asking,” Simon went on, “But to tie both your house, to ours and again to Adrian’s through the second marriage would strengthen the Realm all the more! And with this new King, Nicu, when we don’t know anything about him or his motives, we need all the strength we can get!”
King Remus sat back in his chair and sighed. “I appreciate your concern for the Realm and for your fellow Kings. And you’re right, we don’t know much about King Nicu, what kind of man he is or where he wants Rath to go, yet. But the tourney will offer us all some insight into the man and we’ll know more. And the Kingdom is strong enough, with Kingsmen stationed everywhere, we hold the Realm in a tight grip.”
“Of course, but Sire, if you would just –“
“I will only say this once Simon,” the King said in a very firm voice. “I will not wed your daughter. Make a good match between Adrian house and your own and you have my good will and my blessing. I will even pay for the wedding. But I will not wed a child, even for the good of the Realm. Am I clear?”
Grimm thought, and that is the difference between a wealthy but young minor King and the High King himself. He sure means it when he puts his foot down.
“I understand my King, and I’m sorry if we troubled you. It was just a thought,” Simon said wit perfect apologetic tones.
“Good. Now, if you’re going to change which daughter is to wed Alin, figure it out now and lets start discussing where and when and how much this will cost me,” the High King said with a new smile.
Simon smiled back and glanced at his wife who gave him a quick nod. Then the two of them settled into the discussion of marriage of their children. Grimm turned to fetch King Adrian and his wife to bring them along into the discussion.

***

Cullen walked down the dusty cobbled street towards the poor quarter as the sun settled down to the horizon at the end of the day. He looked at his hands, dark from the application of paste that dried like a thin veil over his skin, making him dark like his new brethren, the lost Xho
He had worked all day with the sanitation workers, shuffling down every street, picking up the trash that the wealthier citizens dropped or dumped everywhere. It was a dirty job, under the shadowed yet hot sun and Cullen was tired and sore.
He saw Tik waiting for him at the corner and he gave a short wave to let him know he saw him. Tik bounced off the wall and stepped into line next to his lifelong friend. Cullen noticed the shadowed look to his face, even more in the dark it looked like a mask of the smoke overhead had floated right before his face. Something was wrong there, but Cullen couldn’t place it.
“How was your day old friend?” Cullen asked as they walked together.
“Good, we planted the rest of the explosives, and we just need to organize the attack and we’re ready. Tonight we should discuss it and pick the teams again.”
Cullen sighed. It was time to fight again. He understood Sonia’s feelings better than she knew. If he could do one thing to create peace, he would do it. If there was some other action to take that would create bonds between races, he would do that thing, but this was all there was between the Host and the rest of the world. War. That’s all they understood.
“Then we’ll discuss it tonight, as you say,” Cullen confirmed wearily.
The two young men walked into the tavern where they were expected. Aki, Roarr and the twins were already seated in the back, eating, and Sonia met them at the top of the stairs.
“You look tired Cullen. I ordered a bath for you both. It’s ready in the back room. Go relax a bit,” Sonia said with a light kiss for both of them on the cheek.
“Thank you love,” Cullen said and headed towards the back room. It was fully tiled with a pair of copper tubs that could have hot water piped in from another room. These Xho were amazing. They had gas lights in the street for nighttime and running water in every home. Cullen hoped to bring someone back to his own home to introduce some of these wonders to Holdfast.
Cullen and Tik both stripped down and stepped into the hot water to soak. They each gave a sigh of relief as they slipped into the warm water and lay back against the copper rim. Sounds from the tavern’s common room made a welcome buzzing that put both men at ease as they let the water relieve them of their aches.
It was almost a full hour before Cullen felt the water cool enough that he wanted to get out. And something bothered him suddenly but he couldn’t guess what. He felt like that a lot lately, like things he needed to know where just out of reach. Things with Tik, with his new dreams and with the tavern right now. Something was off.
The two men exchanged a glance and Cullen could tell Tik felt it too, but he didn’t say anything so he must not know either. They dressed in the clothes that Sonia had left out for both of them, wide bottomed pants and shirts with flowing sleeves, just as the Xho wore in their desert communities.
I occurred to Cullen as he walked down the stairs that what was bothering him was the normal buzz of people talking had stopped, as though the tavern we empty. He stepped off the bottom step and turned the corner and saw Fayiz looking terrifies at him.
He tensed up and turned to look at the room and the shadows grabbed him. Hard muscles pulled at his arms and legs but all he saw were black shadows flickering in the gaslight. He saw that Aki, Roarr, the twin and Sonia had all been captured.
He saw Tik struggle behind him, trying to get back up the stairs to their weapons but they were caught. Then he saw the door open and Deep was dragged in and he knew without the look Deep threw at him, that the entire team had been caught.
Coming through the door was a Dark Fae woman, wearing a deep green dress and heavy jewelry. Cullen didn’t even look at her. Instead he looked at Sonia, whose head was down and Cullen could sense the tears without seeing them. She smelled like defeat and he suddenly felt a hollow pit in his chest of failure.
Cullen rarely questioned his own movements and efforts, but he wishes then that he had sent Sonia home before they entered this city. It had been too easy, but Cullen had c gotten complacent and didn’t look hard enough.
He looked back at the doorway, past the gloating woman as the next figure stepped through the door. It was the tall Daoine Sidhe, golden skinned Mabon himself. Cullen realized he must have sensed the Weapons and knew when they could be caught.
He glanced back at Sonia before the Queen got close enough to him to grab his chin and force him to look at her.
“The Chosen One,” she said in a husky voice, full of malice and evil intent. “And now you’re mine to do with what I will. You will make a wonderful new edition to the Pit!”
Cullen tired to move his head and he couldn’t. But he could move his eyes and he looked deliberately past the Queen, looking at anything but her face.
That’s when he saw her.
The ash colored girl with shock white hair and lavender eyes. The young girl that he had seen in the last castle as he killed the Host Queen. His eyes locked on hers and he saw – something there – something other than hate or evil. Was it compassion? Was it empathy? Could these creatures feel empathy?
The Queen didn’t pay any attention to Cullen after she gloated the first time. She commanded the Hive soldiers that had stormed in with her to bring the prisoners, kill the owner of the tavern and any Xho inside and burn the building down as a lesson to the people of Aluhet.
As they were dragged out of the building, Cullen stopped looking after the girl and tried to make eye contact with Sonia, but she just looked at the ground, with her hair in front of her face, and Cullen ached with sorrow.