Paragons: Age of Illumination

By J. M. Macchiavelli

Forces are gathering, an evil has awakened...can Gaia’s heroes unite and subvert this threat, or is it too late?Braxx, fully entrenched into his role, receives an unexpected mission sending him face to face with danger. Testing the bounds of his honor with the demands his position in Highland and Gaia place upon him, he develops a deeper appreciation for his good friend for having balanced it all somehow himself.Jaden Silvermayne the 2nd is on the run, evading his pursuers and mustering all of his courage and skill to remain hidden. Upon his travels, he tests the bounds of his abilities and courage, realizing the role he must play supersedes comfort and safety, testing his mettle in a whole new way.Sarin, determined to aid the girl he loves, the one destined to shoulder an immense weight for the greater good of Gaia, is intent on following her trail, encountering unexpected allies and enemies, all the while.Jax, having attained greater knowledge of the events on this continent, must now find a way to report back to Sosha and avoid recapture, before it’s too late. Can he brave the foreign lands he finds himself within, wrought with dangers untold and unexpected and alert his Emperor in time?Ace, possessed by this vision he’s seeing of this great tree, is driven to its source without relent, Tempest not far behind, whether he welcomes their presence or not. Will he discover the answers he seeks, or worse, will he decide he illuminated something that should have remained buried in darkness?Liana McCabe, cadet at Highland Academy, trains with renewed emphasis on honing her skills and knowledge in light of recent tragedies she’s experienced. She, as well as her peers, will soon find out their place among this coming age.Declan McKye, Plenipotentiary leader of Highland, must navigate the demands of leadership and politics with skill and success, lest he lose not only the nation and people charged under him, but pay a price perhaps far greater with his inaction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. M. Macchiavelli
• Release date: Dec 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463609859

J. M. Macchiavelli

Well-traveled author J.M. Macchiavelli finds comfort within the cultural melting pot of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he resides. Drawn towards artistic endeavors and deep conversations, his passion for understanding what drives us as individuals and as societies around many parts of the world can be seen evidenced in his works. Possessing a keen intellect, a kind heart, and an appreciation for grit, J.M. Macchiavelli works tirelessly to make his characters as real as possible, having drawn experience from interacting with many people from all walks of life, the world over.

Book preview

Paragons

Age of Illumination

J.M. Macchiavelli

Copyright © 2018 J.M. Macchiavelli

All rights reserved.

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1: Swell

Chapter 2: One’s Worth

Chapter 3: Ice and Fire

Chapter 4: Seraphic Struggle

Chapter 5: Shaped Memories

Chapter 6: Rescuer

Chapter 7: Pledge to Highland

Chapter 8: Identities

Chapter 9: Avoidance

Chapter 10: Snakes

Chapter 11: Banners

Chapter 12: Noble Strife

Chapter 13: Shaken

Chapter 14: Interloper

Chapter 15: Infiltrator

Chapter 16: Blood-Red Masquerade

Chapter 17: Noble Hearts

Chapter 18: Commitment

Chapter 19: Advancement

Chapter 20: Friendships

Chapter 21: Root of Understanding

Chapter 22: Severance

Chapter 23: Upon High

Chapter 24: Flames Extinguished

Prologue

Alone I trek, through shadowed fields of hauntings past, with hand to blade resting a quick grip away at my side. Desolation reins, blanketing this field in the noose-grip of calamity. Wake of death in the hundreds of thousands surrounding me, I’m left bereft of option but to forge onward into the swell.

The smell of decay reeking strongly enough to make me retch, my only escape is to brave this field, the aftermath of this epic battle, and seek my companions; whoever remained.

Uncertain how I got here, the image quickly changed…

I was amidst a canvas filled with people. Spanning as far as my eyes could take in, belonging to banners of many places, some appeared familiar to me while others remained a mystery. Galvanized together with arms at the ready, we took to deliberate steps forward, marching onward to where a darkening appeared in the sky ahead, pierced by a halo of light, combating this dark aura.

Not understanding this or its significance, I couldn’t help but feel awash with dread, determination, and a strange mixture of resolve.

A forest of towering trees stood in circumference to what I understood to be an enclave at it’s center housing the source of this growing fear I felt; right below where this halo of light emanated from.

A loud yell of courageous showing sounded ahead of us as arms raised and confident cheers erupted around me, deafening to the ears and causing a surge of energy to well within me, the sight of another group of gathered warriors appeared on the horizon. Their banner unknown to me, they could be friend or foe and I’d have no idea.

The image changed once again. The sky was dark as I peered out of a window. A curious sound was heard, like thunder tearing the sky apart but in a deliberate, controlled manner: a bolt of energy shooting up from below into the sky itself, lighting up a portion of the sky, the aura lasting maybe a few seconds before surrendering back to the darkness surrounding. After a bit, the same occurrence took place, another flash of energy lighting up the sky, the only sound being heard, the only image being formed. Drawing my attention to it fully, entrancing me with its pattern and mysterious deeper meaning, I sought the answer to this.

I closed my eyes and heard the familiar pulse go off once more.

Chapter 1

SWELL

Marlowe Skarsis, soldier of Highland, traitor to your nation, you are hereby sentenced to death for the crimes of desertion, and for the murder of his noble lord, Clint Ashcroft.

The words were expected, and I had no words to reply with. They apparently didn’t know the true extent of my crimes, but it didn’t matter anyway. Weakened, I was physically restrained with my arms pulled backwards, roped together behind this post I was tied to, stuck into the sandy beach along the lifeless shore of the Deadwater.

Left evident was the remaining posts from past criminals condemned to the same fate as I, withered bodies ravaged by the slow creep of decay over the span of indiscernible time. Days perhaps, maybe months, years or decades, I had no way to know…and it didn’t matter anyway.

I was bloodied upon capture. I didn’t resist, but the flared tempers of the stirred Norse Highlanders recently angered and amped from the course of events that happened so recently, I endured their wrath. Somehow my spectacles remained intact, slightly bent, but still serviceable to my needs; one of my eyes had swelled from the gauntleted fist of one of my captors. Broken ribs and dislocated shoulders, my weak body was tortured under the aggressors to fulfill their desires of inflicting suffering on me for all of the anger they felt.

I felt nothing. As if my body was simply a vessel housing my conscious thought during this, I was detached, away from the pain and torment I was to experience. Where I found myself was somewhere else.

The water remained still before me, no creature foraged its shore for stranded fish, nor death birds to feast on the remains of the criminals. Unless deliberate notion to render me dead or dying was made by my Highland captors, I was condemned to live out my time upon this post until dehydration claimed me. The sky was clouded over, always, near Deadwater Strand. Words truly fall short of describing the macabre and depressing energy of this place, like the spirits here suffered unimaginable torment until their last breaths and continue to relive those moments until eternity’s end. I was meant to join them.

The voice of this officer in charge of the troupe capturing me sounded out once more. Do you have any last words, traitor?

The faces looked upon me with complete disdain, the sight of me repulsed them to the very marrow of their bones; the notion of one who could betray the banner to which they belonged was beyond unacceptable. I embodied the ultimate sin in their eyes…and if they knew the full extent of my atrocities, they’d discover an entirely new depth of hatred to feel towards me.

I spit a reply back, but words didn’t form from my breathless lungs. I couldn’t reply, and honestly, it wouldn’t matter.

A snigger emerged from this officer, brandishing a whip in hand alongside another apparent chosen soldier to further torture me until they felt satisfied, the lashing commenced as the searing pain I was meant to feel was absent. I still felt nothing.

In disbelief that this was possible, I let out a laugh, audible sound emerged from my beaten body for the first time since I was captured. I couldn’t stop, as the irony of my situation finally felt as if it had broken me under the immense weight of it all. Here I was, ready to feel all that I deserved in this moment, only to finally feel the numbness to the pain I’d endured my entire life after having committed the one sin that finally made me at peace with my inherent wickedness within me. I was evil, I’d no longer fight it.

The whips grew in force as the anger in them swelled at my response appearing as mockery to their efforts, my laughter continued, as I finally found out where I was, detached from my physical form. As I merged with my body just momentarily, to command this energy I had discovered and managed to harness better, the attention of this troupe of soldiers shifted from tormenting me to turn outward towards the water behind them, the waves beginning to stir.

A soldier shifted his gaze back at me for a moment, his expression I took in showed all of the dread his soul could muster in this sustained stare at me, fear commanding the quiver of his voice.

His eyes! What’s he doing?!

As others began to turn back around to take in the sight of me, some sustained a stare in the manner of this soldier while others took note of the energy surrounding them. Gales picked up from their backs as the waves began forming from the strand-water. Corpses soon emerged from the roiling waves, jellyfish of black and red coloration emerged with them as the shoals soon found itself a resting place for the remnants of the dead it had claimed. Horror now commanded these onlooker’s demeanors and actions, as the water level grew now, swelling with the anger of the dead over centuries, claiming more lives to add to its ranks with the Norse Highlanders before me.

The gales continued with the gurgling sounds of these drowning Highlanders desperately trying to claw and swim their way through the corpse-littered waters, these jellyfish snagging them, paralyzing them, intent on condemning them to the waters reaching above their heads, as I remained perched above everything. Blowing as the water itself remained in height, consuming them all, filling their paralyzed lungs with the sea of the dead; its thirst for the living sated slightly more with the lives of my captors and tormentors.

In the past, I’d have been astonished by this event, even frightened by it. Now, however, I recognized it. I’d had this energy all along, this mana, and it would service me how I desired once I knew just how to command it. My fear was what made me unable to harness it, the source of my nightmares, me trying to escape and deny myself of this gift. Had I confronted and tamed this monster long ago, perhaps those dear to me would not have perished, and my life would have been far different.

However…this was what I was left with, now. Bereft of everyone, drifter to all nation and criminal of Highland, a mage with unbridled potential is who I am. Neither good deed nor bad defines me, simply wielder of immense power. Absolution would never wash me clean of this; I had a responsibility to wield this power with complete conviction to its aims and shape it towards that destiny. I would study it.

Forget Liana. Forget Alexandria. Forget Patrick, Leah and Liza. Forget Jaden Jr., forget Kieran and forget Sarin. Forget everyone. I can’t help the way I was born, I am not meant to suppress the power within me, I am meant to wield it towards the higher purpose calling out to me.

Whoever stands in the way of that shall know the full extent of being my enemy, and the rage within me will be the monster they face.

The giddiness still saturating me in this moment of understanding, the post snapped, sending me within midair of the gale’s course, sweeping eastward. As my hands broke free of the bindings containing me, I landed on my feet, the winds subsiding to my back, the Deadwater calming, leaving the remnants of some of these freshly claimed lives to litter the once again inanimate shore, some of these jellyfish remained as well.

I was again, the only sign of life, and I’d continue walking, heading east into whatever came before me.

Chapter 2

ONE’S WORTH

Gathering my gear, I took a moment to capture the calm scenery of this city, this fortification at the heart of the nation that adopted me into its ranks, Pentdrake. The citizens had resumed their daily activities, shops were busy selling their goods to off-duty soldiers and civilians alike. Children were out playing, and life in the capital was back to normal, I’d been told.

The military, however, was anything but, currently. We were down to four Governors; Norse was still without official leadership. The votes were in place to promote that tough-looking general I met briefly, Owain Dunbar, but the rest of the leadership beneath him was lacking. In light of this, there was a meeting that took place regarding how to address this critical predicament Highland found itself in now.

Vanguarde had attacked Highland, an act of war. It required a firm and deliberate response from Highland for this betrayal, and McKye was uncertain how best to respond. The three of us available Governors met at a conference here a week ago, some of our generals present as well…Maximillian was still absent. Sitting at this table, Wyatt McKye to my left, the only general I had under me now after losing Duncan McClanagh, there was a noticeable and uncomfortable void of those three chairs on the Norse side of the table. Dunbar’s presence was needed at all times in Norse now, busy bolstering the defenses and readying for a reprisal of sorts against Vanguarde. How, I had no idea. Honestly, I didn’t think a victory against them was realistic in any way. Their powers easily surpassed what we were capable of mounting against them.

Ideas were tossed around, like hiring mercenaries from the neighboring Free Cities of Camaris, an idea very unsettling to some, especially Wyatt. Why, I wasn’t certain, but I trusted his reservations regarding the notion. Anyone who saves my life has earned that, I felt. Breck informed us that some mercenaries were already contracted by him to take arms against Regalia, raiding outposts and villages to their north, keeping Regalia off-balance near the slight border of open plains shared between Highland and Regalia to our east.

I pitched the idea of promoting some of the lower ranks up a bit while filling out some of those vacated ranks with the brave enlisted men and women, battle-hardened and had earned their place to lead by their peers who trusted them in combat situations. The idea was met with fierce opposition, namely Faulkner, Crowley, and McKye; my supposed peer but in actuality, the only one who could tell me what to do, spoke on the subject.

Major Valente is one notable exception to the rules that we have in place to preserve the natural order of our people. He has earned his place among us, and given time, hesitantly at first, I’ll admit, I’ve accepted his place among the nobility of our nation, a decision made by previous governors Ashcroft and Silvermayne. Are there any more notable exceptions among the common swords any of you command?

His prejudice sickened me. He seemed somewhat open-minded, but I knew how much effort it took to get him to alter his opinion on something. The McKye’s were passionate, firm believers in the history and traditions of Highland, dutiful to a fault, and fanatics of their lineage and proud family history. To have that equalized by other names, to dampen their noted accomplishments throughout the ages by adding more names, was cheating them of their future achievements of perseverance onwards. To them, family names died out, it was an accepted fact. To carry that onward was precious, and a luxury often not allowed. Wyatt told me this himself, that the McKye name endured, and they’d often have many sons to ensure that. With the way the McKye’s fought, evidenced by Wyatt, I knew how passionate he was, and imagined many Highlanders named McKye that had fallen in battle, sacrificing themselves for the one thing that mattered more to them than honor to their namesake: Highland’s greater good. Declan was the exception; he had no children, he wasn’t even married. He was married to Highland, his children were the citizens and soldiers throughout…but it appeared even he wouldn’t tolerate his children perhaps claiming status equal to his own someday.

An idea was then proposed by this pale, frail-bodied but powerful mage, General Crowley.

What if, for the time being, we were to shorten the tenure of the cadets at Highland Academy, expediting their graduations and bolstering the lower ranks with them? Surely the gifted minds of our progeny would prove eager to rise to the challenge presented to them. Given the circumstance, I fail to see a more favorable and logical scenario before us. They would be Highland to their cores, unlike mercenaries, and proven names throughout the history of Highland, commanding the respect of the ranks below them by default, and deserving of their opportunities.

Silence was the response as pensive looks filled our faces. Crowley had a good point, but I still was a bit upset at the lack of respect the commoners were receiving. I didn’t feel they were any different than the names amongst this room, except for different opportunities presented to them simply because of random circumstances surrounding their births. Lucky people that were born into privilege and it was their right to maintain and withhold that good luck among their family name until the name’s end. Ridiculous.

It nearly made me want to take a sip from my flask, recently filled up with some weak Highland ale…I wanted something more potent, but ale was about all I could come by here in Pentdrake. They sure loved their pales and their hops. Liquor was only available through imports, and Highland was seriously lacking in the friendly relations department right now…so ale was what I was left with. If only I had the time to nose around the cellar of Castle Falconess for Silvermayne’s aged, imported stock of spirits…but I still haven’t been back there since.

Breck spoke up. I can see that working…

Both these Knights of Electrum generals gathered nodded their heads in agreement. Wyatt didn’t respond, simply sitting tall in his seat, always ready, it appeared. I never saw him with his guard down. The only one who perhaps had reservations, was Declan McKye.

And where would these young Highland officers be sent? Will they all be fully trained? Will they even pass their tests to become officers if they aren’t prepared properly?

Crowley responded back. Likely, Norse will be receiving several of them. After the complete loss of Elimsbaard and the weakened ranks belonging to the armies gathered near Fenrir, and from the previous losses in the wake of the Soshan invasion, there’s a pressing need in Norse, currently. Also, in preparation for attack against Vanguarde, there will be a stronger need for our collective attention further to our north.

Declan McKye, noticeably still sore at Crowley over the campaigning steps taken to place blame on him and tarnish his namesake rather recently, took a look of hesitant acceptance of the general’s wisdom.

Honestly, you speak the truth. But it is paramount that these young minds of Highland are trained and ready for this. We’ll be sending them to a tense region, and many lives are at stake under their charges. If we lose both Norse and Bandore, it would require pulling all of our lines back to Skyplain to form a defense perimeter, and sacrificing all of our territories with which we’ve held for generations. This nation belongs to us all.

The mood turned tense, everyone sensing the urgency and conviction in this patriotic leader of this nation. Breck then jumped in.

I will head back to Bandore, General Crowley and I will bolster the north. We will set up near the edge of Norse, near a small village on the border of the two territories, and across from the lands Vanguarde claims.

He meant Haarkenigh. Imagining that small town on the border of Highland and Vanguarde turning into a military outpost troubled me. I remembered the healer girl that Sarin was fond of, Karissa, the one who peered into me and was noticeably startled with whatever it is she saw when her mana energy merged with me. Would she be safe? Where was Sarin? I hoped he didn’t travel there…he’d end up caught up in this.

As that meeting had come to its resolution, the Electrum Knights headed back to Southfall, each of them greeting me specifically. It seeming strange to me, Normand paying particularly close attention to me, as if I was some highly regarded comrade in arms with him now, Wallin doing nearly the same. Wyatt fought alongside us all, too, as did Breck. Why me?

Nearly a week has gone by since then. Breck and Crowley are back in Bandore, galvanizing soldiers and forming battlements, readying for war. Timber had been claimed from Bandore and Highreach, I was informed, for catapults and makeshift garrison walls to be erected as they formed into military camps along the perimeter of our border, alongside Bandore, anyway. All was seemingly settling back into place, when I received a message, McKye apparently as well. Meeting with him, we discussed the contents, just the both of us, at the Governor’s table.

It was an invitation…to El Gubal, Imperial Capital of the Morabian Empire. A declaration of peace was to be signed in accordance with the gift having been favorably received by his Imperial Majesty, Viprus Adelphi. A feast was being prepared for us honored representatives of Highland, and we would be traveling under the protection of one of his trusted Generals through Morabia. Despite my reservations, McKye told me it was paramount to accept. He’d send not only me…but get word to Maximillian to meet me there. McKye, however, could not go. I was to go as a leader of Highland on a diplomatic mission.

What a load of crap. Here I am, some new face to Highland, supposed to be the harbinger of peace between Highland and Morabia, and I don’t even know who these people are. My manners are crude, and even though I don’t know who I really am, I can tell I wasn’t born with a silver spoon like what it seemed like this kind of mission would require. I’ve heard this Adelphi is short-tempered and easy to offend. In other words, this was a disastrous decision. I only hoped Maximillian would take the mantle from me and spare me some very awkward moments.

I was to gather my belongings and head out through Highreach, Wyatt would accompany me with a small number as our envoy, and instead of heading through Thornburrow, it was mentioned that a Morabian ship would be at harbor in the Free Cities of Camaris, and a Morabian General would meet with us there, whoever it was. I didn’t like the sounds of this at all. If it was that Draconus guy, I could pretty much assume he would attempt to take our lives.

I didn’t even know Morabia had ships. I knew about certain places I’d overheard before, like Silvermayne mentioned the port city Jihara which was somewhere, but there was much about Morabia I didn’t know. There was much about the Free Cities I didn’t know also, I’d be relying on Wyatt to give me input on the matters concerning there. The way he bristled at the mention of us going there, scoffing and seeming irritated, made my concern level grow.

I grabbed Bolwrath, fastened it to my back, gathered my gear about me, and set out of my room in the Master’s Keep. Descending my way, I met with Wyatt near the entrance, on that royal blue carpeted path. Noting a look in his face of one showing resolve, I knew underneath that he was troubled by the task ordered of us. Getting to our horses, he let none of that show in the face of the Highland citizenry. To them all, he was their protector, a name and a face as canvas to project courage to them all, to quell their unease and believe in a peaceful future within their borders. It was in that moment I saw so much of his brother, Declan, in him. Despite the two of them having some stark differences to one another, it was one thing they both kept to heart, and did extremely well: inspire.

I felt more at peace when I saw this resolve in him. It was then, I questioned myself, and how I outwardly appeared to these people looking up to me. Others, strangers, really, to me, would look at me for some glimmer of hope, like I was to lift them up, carry them in some fashion when the burden of troubled times weighed down on them, to crush them. I still had no idea why. Those looks, the glances from so many, now. McKye, when he told me he was promoting me to this position for the first time, when it was a temporary assignment. Normand, multiple times, as if probing me for a readiness to accept this notion of being able to inspire confidence in him to some end. Maximillian did so, when I freed him from that strange, decrepit temple in Southfall. The Morabian General, Navander, gave me that prolonged stare, just as Maximillian had done when we first met. Carmine stared too, after we had talked, he saw my pendant, and the next day, that same look as all of these others, insisting on me taking Bolwrath, this supposedly cursed spear, Bane of Evil and all of that, with me. Karissa stared at me after she pulled away from healing me. That Elven Queen had the look in her eyes of understanding who I was, calling me Lost One or something. She had the same demeanor to her as Normand and Maximillian, Carmine, and even McKye. The citizens of Regalia stared at me. In fact, it may have even been some of these same reactions, but at the time, I was so guarded, I misread them all.

And I’ll never forget…as bad as my memory is…I received that exact same look from Jaden Silvermayne as life left his body. When our eyes met, he had that same look of understanding all of these others had, and in that moment, conveyed an expression of lasting peace.

For so many other’s sakes, I needed to know more, what specifically they were all seeing in me.

Chapter 3

ICE AND FIRE

My eyes opened to a room barely familiar to me. Normalcy was transforming for me by the moment, processing it all proved practically impossible. Rather, it was necessary to simply just go with the tide of events and sort it all out later. Everything was so tumultuous…I aimed to simply hide somewhere and let everything blow over.

That’s actually what I was trying to do.

Gathering my gear, my dark clothing, my sword and my black buckler, I was ready to beat a hasty retreat when necessary, here. I had no idea where a safe haven was for me now. I opened the heavy, light brown colored wooden door, and stepped out into a grand hallway, stone for its walls that matched the color of the room I just left. Candles were alight, even though it was during the day, and light was pouring in from the oriel windows, high enough for only an adult to peer out from at their height. Cautiously walking passed them, I kept my head down, even though at this height, it’d be unlikely that I would be seen. Also, who dared to look inside?

Taking care not to cause a commotion, I didn’t want to cause problems for my gracious hosts. They risked their very lives to house me, even if only for the night. I headed down the stairs, ready to greet my host once more, and to slink away as quickly as I could…assuming the patrols were gone, now. A deliberate placement of a Highland shield, polished to a mirror finish of silver hung along this interior wall. It’s reflection angled to reflect the view inward from outside; a tactic of Highland nobility, allowed me a daring glance outside through one of the loopholes on this main floor. I was protected further by the angular nature of this wall jutting out in such a way to render it tactically ready for soldiers within to loose arrows from if the need arose. My mind on heightened alert for ways I not only could be killed, but of ways I could get the jump on those aiming to end me.

Highland soldiers still combed the town. Alerted to my presence, my safe passage from Vrendel and the Norselands was short-lived. Word of my ill-deeds was spread far and wide, and not only did Vanguarde hunt me as a fugitive for supposedly kidnapping their scion, the progeny of their vaunted supreme commander, but somehow I was the scapegoat for kidnapping the other son as well…someone I’ve never even met before.

Highland blamed me for the aggressive actions of Vanguarde, I was the object of pure hatred to them. Not only was my father a traitor, my transgressions supposedly surpassed his crimes in their eyes. I was the most hunted criminal in the land. Perhaps my only saving grace to my dilemma was the notion of the terms upon my capture. I was to be delivered reasonably alive to claim the bounty of 12000 gold pieces for my capture, to either a Highland Governor, or to Chancellor Mallegant of Vanguarde. Ironic that I found protection in the heart of danger.

A knock sounded at the large, double doorway from the iron knocker. It didn’t take long for the servant to answer, and an angered sounding Highland officer sounded out.

We have orders to search the premises, stand aside!

This is the home of a Highland Governor! You can’t just-

Fool!

A sound of steel backhanding off of the flesh and bone of this servant’s face resonated with a yelp, dropping him, and inside poured a mob of angry Highland soldiers.

Scurrying for cover, I made the only logical move I could in this instance, scampering back upstairs and intruding into the confines of someone else’s room.

Footsteps sounded to the angered efforts of tossing this proud castle to find me, the heinous villain, further perverting Highland by burrowing within the heart of their nobility for safety. As I carefully closed the door to his room, I made silent steps over towards the bed, as the occupant stared at me, somewhat slumping over in a chair nearby, formerly gazing at the wall of his room, the sunlight coming in behind him through another of these oriels. Placing a finger to my mouth to indicate silently a plea for his cooperation, I received no confirmation or denial on his part. Without choice in the matter, I tucked away underneath his bed, hoping the obvious spot to hide would miraculously somehow offer safety. As the sounds increased outside and approached closer to where this room resided, the door flung open, and a woman’s protest sounded out.

Please, this is my son’s room! He’s not built for disorder, his room must not be disturbed!

Silence! Does the house of Faulkner dare harbor a criminal?

My husband already will have you disciplined for disrupting our home, but for disturbing his last son and heir’s room, where he’s confined, he will have you executed, Captain!

I peered out from the darkness surrounding me underneath this bed, seeing the sight of a Highland captain I didn’t recognize. His eyes were the color of ice, his angular jaw clenched, as a grimace turned into a subtle smile, hinting at malice.

Very well, madam Faulkner. We wouldn’t want to upset the retard, now would we?

A shameful chorus of mocking laughs erupted from these Highland soldiers, madam Faulkner’s face showed stewing rage now, turning red. I had no doubt in her mind, if she had the means, she’d have killed them all. I wanted to, also. But that would make me an actual traitor and criminal…and I wasn’t. I hid below, still.

As this captain took cautious steps towards this young man who was my age sitting in this chair, the captain’s face took a look of mockery, placing his hands on his knees and deliberately stooping into view of direct eye contact where he sat.

It’s okay, young master Faulkner, you can trust me!

The chorus of mocking laughter sounded from these Highland swords behind him once more, scouring the room in the meantime. One of them was pacing towards the bed…

Does he speak?

A sound of him attempting to reply something, slowly and broken, with difficult effort on his part came next.

You can…you can…go…now.

Mocking laughter sounded next again, halting the inspection in its tracks. My safety remained intact. The Captain mocked his slow response, repeating what he just stated and turned to his command, garnering a laugh of approval by them all.

What was that? I couldn’t quite understand you. Can’t you speak more clearly? Everything is running together. Try saying my name, show some respect, since you’re being discourteous and not abiding by noble code and greeting me on your feet! Say, ‘Hello, Captain McEochain! Say it loudly and proudly, now.

The room was roaring now with laughter at the thought of this innocent, troubled and handicapped young man attempting to say clearly this name that I honestly probably would botch repeating. As the laughter subsided, silence resumed while listening for his reply now.

You can…you can…go…eat shit…captain…

As he said shit, he accidentally spit when he spoke, and I could see the brow of this captain’s twitch at not only the act of him spitting before him in disrespect, but showing disrespect for not abiding by the noble code, and for insulting him personally, AND for disrespecting the command of someone who has earned the royal blue.

Backhanding him hard, he wailed and collapsed to the floor as madam Faulkner now angrily stepped in between them all. This captain now screamed, his face as beat red as the matriarch of this household’s.

I want Jaden Silvermayne the second! You have one chance, or I’ll arrest you all for conspiring with a criminal! We SAW him enter Castle Embrick! Bring him to me, NOW!

I was furious. I’d seen enough, and anger was ready to explode all over these disgusting soldiers. The pompousness of this noble, all I saw in this instance was Jaddick, or Syreno, bullying someone defenseless, and acting with complete impunity. This had to stop. I knew I’d be in tremendous danger, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let this continue. Sliding out from under this bed in one movement on this hardwood floor, I got to my feet fluidly, sword out, and I clashed blades.

Swinging violently with well-timed effort, I lopped off the limbs of two enclosing soldiers, a look of shock stunned them all momentarily at my sudden appearance and immediate violence towards them. I used this to my advantage. Carving my way through the ranks of these deplorable human beings, my proximity to this noble-purebred bastard increased, and by the look on his face, he knew my capabilities surpassed his own with a blade. His widened eyes were affixed to me, his sword hand trembled as he raised it, an effort to assail me with momentarily. As the movement had slowed down, my right hand flashed like a bolt forward, knocking down his effort to retaliate for the sake of his slain command, and after knocking his sword away, his grip became impossible as my blade slashed through his gauntlet, splaying his arm in half from elbow to end of his palm. Howling in pain, I glared at him now, hunched over, sobbing. I took a deliberate step closer to him as he slumped downward now.

Any last words, Captain McEochain?

Madam Faulkner interjected. Jaden, don’t! You’re no criminal, don’t do it!

The Captain gave a laugh at the comment. It did nothing to calm the surge of flames within my boiling bloodline.

Is that how you greet a fellow noble? On your feet!

I wound up and kicked him in between his legs as hard as I could, caring not for the armor protecting him, and trusting the black leather of my legging to protect my bones from my effort. Hearing a whimper to the blow, I could see tears forming as he gasped about. I next lifted him up to his feet, up against the wall below where the sunlight poured in from.

Breathing heavily, I could tell a fit of breathlessness would soon claim me…these damned spells that would render me helpless at times. I needed to act immediately, or we were all in danger. I could only protect them as long as I had stamina. As soon as this captain regained himself and could alert his command, this castle would be flooded with Highlanders bent on claiming me, and I’d be unconscious. Thinking about it needed to end. Deliberate action was the solution. Grabbing his lower legs, I lifted him off the ground, giving a parting mark.

Farewell, Captain McEochain.

Flipping him out of the window, a sound was heard a few seconds following of him landing to his evident death. Losing my ground beneath me, I landed next to young master Faulkner, as madam Faulkner rushed over to us both.

Jaden, you must hurry! We can figure a way out of this, but you’re in danger. You must leave Highland!

Taking a moment to recover my faculties, I was able to get to my feet. I noticed I had a slight limp to my step now, my ankle swelling a bit from the brute force of my kick to this Captain’s most noble parts. How these two would remain safe, I had no idea. I was concerned for the both of them, I had to trust that my father’s old friend would somehow deflect the actions away from his family who took me in, the servant finding me hiding amongst the town, and offering me refuge by order of the Faulkner matriarch before the search party got hold of me.

Taking care to descend the steps, I saw the same servant who was backhanded, the one who retrieved me, back to his feet, his eyes wide at my appearance and visibly distressed, leading me out towards