Darius II — dirt and steel

"Half the town at heel and you can't even find me a nice wine—the audacity of it," complained Garnet Hoshien.

"The wineries are held by the upper village, Master Hoshien," Ranger Liliana Oakleigh said. "And I think you'll find the matter of today's agenda much easier to stomach without."

"Indeed," said Master Elathan Daine. "Too much like blood, or those red potatoes you love so much."

Garnet was furious. "The Council used to stand for something woman, and now what are we? A band of pissants, begging over wines and potato yields. It's about time someone died, I swore to me wife that if I had to count another damned pig that I weren't roasting for supper it'd be the end of me. I'd do it too, no hesitation, I can promise you that much."

"Perhaps we'd be better off for it," said Mastraes Emmet Weber. He was the most well-dressed of the Council in his silk gown, the browns and greens of the mire, lined with white velvet, the colour of the Mabbastree. Such fineries were rare in Seton, for trade was almost impossible over the Evangelium. He certainly knew about being better off.

"Allow me, Master Hoshien," Darius said. He gestured for one of the serving boys and ordered him to bring a case of curwin they held in the cellar.

Garnet Hoshien was Seton's foremost smith, and their master at arms, though there was little need for weapons outside of those used by the Carmine estate. He forged the farm's horseshoes, and Darius did not want his next batch to arrive scuppered with kinks and dents. He was reasonable enough with his drink, and that was worth the expense.

They were seven and they filled seven chairs around the theatre; Darius sat at its head in the smallest seat which overlooked the well, which was more like a pit than a stage. It was midday, and the light from the Watch's Eye above Darius was waning. The Council flanked his seat in chairs of greater sizes such that those who sat farthest from the Watch, Master Hoshien and Master Nelson, were dwarfed by thrones twice their height and instead were cast in shadow. Next to them was second ranger Master Oakleigh, and Master Elathan Daine. Master Daine was the youngest member of the Council, and in Darius' opinion, by far its worst. Certainly, the college apprentice did not take his position seriously, and Darius did not believe any measure of competence could make up for a lack of seriousness. Next to Darius was Lord Henry Carmine, dressed mutedly in mourning black, and High Mastraes Emmet Weber of the College. Lord Henry stood and bowed in apology.

"If I may... " he started, striding into the centre of the room where Sakurai Shun stood, silently and patiently, though not unmoving. His eyes were like a cat's; they were busy and fast and tore across the room as if searching for mice. Henry shared words with the stranger before turning to the Council, his figure masked in the shadows and candlelight. He had the voice of a Lord. "Let it be known that prior to the deliberation of the Council of Seven, the outsider, Sakurai Shun of—" he paused, "the realm of Kasumi, and I, Henry of House Carmine, Lord of Selannon and the Boundless Mire, Protector of the Tree of Mabb and Speaker of the Word, have duly met and entered oath together by the law of the old traditions. To protect the interests of our agreement I will be providing counsel for Master Shun. As you well know Lord Watch, this means I am not eligible for a hand."

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded Master Oakleigh. "What oath?"

"This is the second item on the agenda for today," replied Lord Carmine. "Let us not dispense of formality simply because it is unusual."

Darius' face set into a bitter grimace. "As Protector of the Tree, Lord Henry is entitled to his defence. As is he the Rite of First Contact... You understand though, My Lord, that Sakurai Shun stands for no crime, yet you seem so sure that we would decide against him. I can't help but wonder why that might be."

He shrugged. "A mere precaution. I'm afraid his work is too important to be hindered by doubt."

"Yet you will not say what it is," Liliana echoed.

"Perhaps, Master Oakleigh, I am not entirely forthcoming because Master Shun has not been approached with that same honesty during his time here in Seton." Lord Henry levelled his gaze at Castor Nelson, who had been otherwise quiet, and now sighed as if forced out of his silence.

"Oh to hells with it," he muttered. "Let the Council know that my son, Christos Nelson, has allowed Sakurai Shun to reside in my home without my knowledge."

"Painfully inclined to excitement that boy," Elathan remarked.

"You're hardly a year older," chided Mastraes Weber. "But true enough. I've no qualms, Lord Watch. The boy is not nearly clever enough to conspire so audaciously, and with his father no less."

"Very well. All those in favour of removing Master Nelson's hand from today's agenda," Darius offered. He counted two hands, those of Garnet Hoshien and Liliana Oakleigh. "Three against two. Master Nelson's hand will remain. If and when Master Nelson can be accused of undue bias, we may vote again."

The chamber was filled with mutters of recognition and then grew quiet. The serving boy returned with a flagon of cramwin, a rich wine pressed from the juices of the cranberries found in the mire.

"Ahh good man Lord Watch," exclaimed Garnet Hoshien, his mood immediately improved. "Is there any greater comfort than a belly of wine eh? Onto business then, if we must."

Darius addressed the well. "I trust, Lord Henry, that you will explain this decision to represent our guest in course. We are friends, are we not?"

Lord Henry bowed. "That we are, Lord Watch. I mean no disrespect."

"Very well. Before we begin, are there any final objections from the Council?"

There were none, and so Darius began.

"Sakurai Shun, I will recount your actions having arrived in Seton as the Council understands them. You are free to object if there are any inaccuracies in the account. Then the Council will ask you questions, and then we will determine whether you will remain in Seton, or be banished into the mire. Do you understand?"

Sakurai smiled. "I do."

"On this day thrice removed, Sakurai Shun, in the company of Christos Nelson, son of Master Castor Nelson of the Council, arrived in Seton by The Road. Before entering the lower village you and Christos encountered Thomas Allwright, dead on the banks of the River Calabrese. Is this correct?"

"It is, though it was not until later I knew of the man's identity."

"Having confirmed that the figure later identified as Thomas Allwright was deceased, Christos suggested you first address myself, the Seton Watch. Under what circumstances did you meet with our Master of Crows, Gwent Masler?"

"By the gate," Sakurai explained calmly. "Mr Nelson believed that Mr Masler could identify the body. As you saw, he was correct."

"Is Friga here then?" asked Garnet.

"No need," said Darius. "Gwent told me this himself. His business with me was unrelated."

"Old fool."

"Perhaps." Darius returned the attention to the stranger. "After this, Master Shun, you took up lodgings in the Wig & Pen, correct?"

"I did. Until Mr Nelson kindly offered me a place in his home."

"My son," Castor corrected, firmly.

Sakurai bowed in apology.

"I am told that with you were several large items. I did not see these when we first met."

"I brought with me my arms," said Sakurai. "Two swords, which are more important to me than my breath. A longsword, a halberd, and my bow, carved in the mystic woods far North of the Evangelium. And two further weapons from my homeland, which I do not believe you would be familiar with."

"You arrived on foot," Oakliegh pointed out.

"That I did."

"Master Shun is a man of incredible strength," said Lord Henry. "He tells me he is a knight in his land, similar to our gefreit."

Castor Nelson leant forward in his seat and into the dim light. "You've enough soldiers. What makes this one so important?"

Elathan Daine laughed loudly and obnoxiously. "I doubt he's here to fight. I wouldn't be so simple-minded if I were you, Nelson."

Mastraes Emmet Weber erected himself and in five fine steps stood before Master Daine's chair. The High Mastraes of the college was old—not quite as old as Gwent, but certainly older than Darius. It was obvious that he had once been strong, for his shoulders were still broad, and he moved with startling agility for someone of his age.

His hand swept forward so hard against the boy's cheek that his head whipped to the side, and there was no echo. Emmet's glare was full of cold mirth. "I care not for your quips boy, but you will address the members of the Council appropriately when and if you decide to unleash that foul mouth of yours."

"It's quite alright," Castor Nelson said quietly. "Master Daine is right. Perhaps he'd like to offer his own thoughts."

Tears welled up in Elathan's eyes but his voice did not waver. "I only meant to say he must have travelled here with an ulterior motive."

Sakurai stepped forward and raised his hands passively toward the Council. "I understand your suspicions, good people. I assure you they are unnecessary. I have come here to your humble town for no reason other than that it is where I am supposed to be. I do not know why, nor do I have any grand purpose, or great design to answer to. If you wish, you may think of me as nothing but a traveller, who may well be gone and on his way within the week."

Lord Henry put a hand on the man's shoulder. "He means that figuratively, Master Shun will be here for several months at least."

Mastraes Weber scoffed. "You expect us to believe you traversed the Evangelium for no reason at all? Carrying with you no less than seven weapons—quite an absurd claim, I should add—for nothing?"

"Do you serve a god?" Darius asked.

"I have no god," said Sakurai.

Garnet's coal-stained hands fidgeted restlessly. "You're a knight, you serve a king or some lord. Who says you're not here to invade?"

Sakurai's face fell there. He seemed to be struggling with something "Ah... how to explain? How much does the Council know of the world beyond the Evangelium."

"We have quite the extensive collection of documents and encyclopaedia at the college," Mastraes Weber said proudly. "Collected from various travellers in Seton's long history."

"What of books on trees?" asked Sakurai cooly. That gave the Mastraes pause.

Elathan interjected, a stark change from his earlier frivolity. "I would presume you do not mean any ordinary trees."

"I do not. A knight is one chosen by a tree, similar to that of your Mabbastree. They serve their own purpose, not that of a king or emperor."

"There are no things similar to the Mabbastree," said Liliana Oakleigh. "In all of the world."

A faint smile danced across Sakurai's lips before vanishing. "Perhaps you're right. In any case, I serve myself, Lord Watch, which returns me to my first request. I wish to join your investigation into the murder of Thomas Allwright. I have a... sense, that it is important."

"Important," Master Hoshien bellowed. "Important, you say? You were there, at the funeral. You saw how many mourned for the sorry bastard. He was loved, man, and what he got was his bowels out-turned, and not a single one of us has a damned clue who might have done it."

"Master Hoshien, calm yourself," said Darius. "Deily Aul will arrive after today's session, we will have answers. I promise that to you. Before then, I wonder—Sakurai, did you travel alone?"

"I did not," he replied.

The Council descended into noise, with even Lord Henry staring at the stranger in disbelief. Darius ground his teeth.

"QUIET!" he yelled. When there was silence. "Why is it that you did not think to mention this?" he asked.

"My two companions were not destined for this town. One travelled East, to the Evangelium, the other West. I believe you would say Daegmael and Hamcyme, though I must admit I am not entirely familiar with this custom."

"Lord Watch, fellow Council, I believe there have been enough questions," said Lord Henry, having composed himself. "The truth of the matter, and the only truth which should find itself relevant, is that Master Shun was not even present in Seton at the time of Thomas' tragic death. I understand that you are wary and that this is a time of great dismay. I too grieve."

"You grieve? Don't make me laugh My Lord, I recall you declined to attend the funeral," said Castor Nelson, icily.

"As did our Lord Watch," he replied.

"I do not speak the Word," bit Darius.

"He was your friend."

"It was my fault," said Sakurai Shun, without warning, and Darius was glad for it, for the Lord Henry's accusation had pierced his chest like a great arrow. He was afeared of what he might have done had he not intervened.

"You don't have to explain," said Henry Carmine, looking all of a sudden weary and small despite his frame.

"But I will," replied Sakurai. "As per your laws, I made a request of Lord Henry, one that I am afraid could not have waited. I have already apologised to the Lady Helen Carmine, who was made to speak your words in his stead, but I owe it to all you good people too. I know little of your town; I was only told of its existence by a student of the Great Library, North of the Evangelium. It is true that I am not here for any purpose, but I am not entirely aimless. I was told to come here by a wise man, whose powers are unfathomable to even me."

"By whom," asked Liliana Oakleigh, a hint of intrigue in her voice. Darius knew well what she wished. Taeran Bann, first ranger before Deily Aul, had departed for the Evangelium several years before. Nobody had heard of him since. But he was no wise man, even if he was wise, and the only power he wielded was that of his spirit.

"I do not know his name. He told me two things. First, that I would happen across a peoples, and that they would need my help. And that among these people I would find those whom I should guide."

Mastraes Weber's eyes narrowed. "You would think it were important that such grand statements were precise."

"My Lord, power is not so easily held," said Sakurai. "It is like a cloud caught between the fingers. It is only mist, and when it rains it is all around and nowhere at the same time."

Darius could not tell if the man were painfully sincere or a dangerously skilled liar. He spoke with both cadences and yet said so little. Aul believed that only the insincere hid behind words, and it was half of the reason why Darius had never enrolled. He did not trust how easily they were bent to one's will. His time with the rangers had taught him much, however, and there was little in the man's actions that suggested he was guilty.

"I'd not pretend to understand your riddles," Darius said. "But you claim you are here to help. I can respect that much. Perhaps we were too hasty in our judgement."

"Lord Watch," Master Hoshien objected. "You can't be serious, look at him—I've worked the forge for thirty years, 'ave seen a many face pass by my hammer. I know what people are, and how they think. This man is a killer, mark my words."

"And are we not looking for a killer?" asked Castor Nelson. "Who here can rightly say they have killed a man, can claim to know how one thinks? What use are lambs in search of a lion?"

Elathan nodded, casting a wary glance at his master before speaking. "I agree, the experience may prove invaluable. Though I am certainly no lamb. A cow, perhaps. Or a Roc."

"A weed," High Mastraes Weber growled. "But aye, forgive me Master Hoshien if I do not take your judgement of character as law."

"Because your books and scrolls know better is it?" Garnet mocked. "And you, Master Oakleigh. You would listen to a man who has replaced a world of dirt and steel, with ink and leather?"

"No, I would not. I have made my own judgements. As we are all free to do."

Darius buried his head in his hands. He had since developed a split in his head which throbbed with each word that echoed through the chambers noisily. At the head of the Council all sounds were loudest. He thought he may well be called the Hear.

"I have heard enough," he said, slamming his fist against the stone arms of his chair for silence. "All those in favour of granting permanent entry to Seton, to the stranger, Sakurai Shun?"

All but one extended their hands into the centre. Henry Carmine's shoulders sunk with relief.

"Thank you, my friends," he said, smiling widely. "I am sorry Master Hoshien that your will has not been heard, but I will see to it that you do not come to regret the decision made here today."

Garnet left his seat and took with him the flagon of curwin, which had gone otherwise untouched. The serving boy who had delivered it, who had after waited in the shadows at the edge of the room, moved to protest, but Darius waved him back. Garnet stopped in front of his chair.

"Thank you well for the wine, Lord Watch."

"Of course."

The smith strode from the room without once looking back. Darius looked up and saw that the light pouring through the eye was now a deep orange. Where the sunset hit the clouds were streaks of pink and yellow, like scars in the sky.

"There is one more thing," declared Lord Henry gingerly. "Though I require only the presence of Master Nelson."

"Then perhaps we should break council for the day," said Darius. "If you wouldn't mind waiting for a moment." He turned to the second ranger. "Retrieve first ranger Aul from the foyer would you?"

But for a brief pause Oakleigh nodded and departed. Emmet Weber stood too, and gave Darius a courteous bow. "I do not envy you," he said simply. He shuffled from the chambers slowly, bringing with him, despite the boy's protests, Elathan Daine. Oakleigh returned shortly after with the first ranger, whom Darius greeted enthusiastically with a firm handshake.

"I hope the mire was not so challenging," said Lord Henry.

"No more than usual," Aul replied. "But thank you for your concern."

With her was a young woman who held in her arms Sunrise, the greatsword Aul's father had gifted her when she was once a child. She was taller than it now, but Darius remembered when it yet towered over her, and she would struggle to hold it straight in front. Now, he almost believed that she could wield it.

After they had greeted one another she approached Sakurai Shun, her eyes raking the stranger up and down.

"You granted him stay," she noted.

"We did," said Darius. "He wishes to help in your investigation. The Council believes that he would prove useful, but the decision is yours."

"Very well," said Deily Aul almost immediately. "I accept. I'll await you outside, stranger. We begin immediately."

Sakurai Shun bowed and thanked her. "Your promptness is much appreciated."

"Walk Mercia back to Copernicus," Aul said to Liliana Oakleigh. She took Sunrise from the girl's hands and carried it against her shoulder.

Oakleigh tilted her head in confusion. "Why'd you bring it, anyway, Lord First."

Aul shrugged and beckoned for them to leave.

Then they were four. Castor Nelson remained in his seat. He was not a small man, but he looked almost like a child against the size of his throne. They had never known each other well, but there was a weariness to him that Darius understood. Like him, Castor's wife had died long ago. Pox, which had torn through the lower village and taken one in every twenty. Thomas had said it was only luck that saved them, but Darius had never felt like a lucky man. Punishment perhaps.

"What then?" Castor asked.

Sakurai replied. "I would ask for leave to train your son, Christos Nelson, and take him as my squire for the duration of my stay in Seton."

"Are you mad?" Castor cried. "Just because I did not plead for your banishment does not mean we are friends, nor that I would hand of my son to the likes of you."

"He would be with good company," said Henry Carmine.

"And what company is that?"

"My daughter," Henry answered.

Master Nelson's retort died in his throat. Even Darius could scarcely believe it. For a Lord to give up his daughter, to a man he had known for two days?

"Are you sure about this my Lord?" asked Darius quietly.

"I am sure there are dangers on the mire, Lord Watch. What kind of father would I be if I did not prepare my children the most for it?"

"She's just a girl," said Castor Nelson.

"With the Word, such a thing does not exist," Sakurai replied calmly. "Your Mabbastree has spoken to the girl. Did speak, before her birth. At the very moment of her life."

Castor's eyes widened. "You mean—? Damn it. Damn you all." He stormed from the benches and clung a hand to Sakurai's sleeve. "If any harm comes to my son..."

"It will not," Sakurai interrupted. "I swear to it. Thank you."

Darius was last to leave the chambers. When he stepped out into the evening air he was alone, but it was not cold. An unnatural warmth hung above the town, the work of cells of heat according to the college, that wandered the mire and settled on a whim. Not five minutes into his walk his pits were moist, and sweat coated his forehead.

Lucy awaited him at the crest of Fiornhill, a damp towel in hand and a smile on her face. "Master Kenelm, another long day?" she asked.

Darius looked between her and the house, which stood some thirty yards behind her. "Indeed. Why are you waiting here?"

She blushed. "Sorry sir, I had a feeling."

Darius wiped his face with the towel, then raised it towards her as though he were toasting a drink. "Thank you."

They walked to the house together, the glare of the setting sun familiar against his eyes. The farm was little but black shapes and burning lines. It calmed him and soothed the burning in his thighs.

"What do they say about the Word of the Tree in the village?" Darius asked Lucy when they were inside.

"I didn't think you were interested in stuff like that sir," Lucy giggled. "They says it whispers to the noble flowers of House Carmine once a thousand years and grants them the powers of the pale kings."

"And do you believe these stories?"

The girl thought for a time, straining her mind. "Mostly," she said. "But a thousand years? It's a bit long, don't you think? And—oh, if you're interested, I've a book at my ma's house. Though I suppose you could just ask the college..."

"I'm afraid the Mastraes is not so happy with me now," Darius laughed. All at once the tension of the day escaped him, and though the day was old he did not feel as much himself. He examined the girl, her corn-hue hair, wide and staring eyes, that green brown of the mire, and felt for a moment the strangest sense of peace.

"You can read," he remarked, for no particular reason.

"Of course I can read," Lucy said. "Me ma' taught me. Or at least I think she did."

"You don't remember?"

"Not really no." She paused. "But I suppose as long as I can, it doesn't much matter, does it sir? Shall I bring you a drink?"

"Yes please, Lucy. An ale, if you would. And tell Loren to bring the foals inside. There'll be a storm tonight."