Chapter 21:

The Audience

Vestige of the Flame


 The capital city Caerfon was constructed around a small hill upon which a castle was built. It was more along the lines of what a city would be expected to be given the level of technology in the world. There was no colossal tower and the size of the city was not too great.

There was also a large difference in the mood within the city. Everything was mundane and laid back. No books and shelves were flying around and there was no colourful displays of magic. At a glance there was nothing wrong and people eyed them and then forgot about them the next moment. Still, every so often there were some people that looked downtrodden. Not in the sense of being dirty or underfed, yet visibly poorer. Madoc was looking around with agitation written over his face.

“Demonic freaks!” The shout cake from the top of a building. Samuel and Madoc jumped at that and began looking around. Neither Carys nor their guards reacted to the incident. Even most of the people in the streets simply went on as is nothing had happened. They were subjected to a couple more jeers though they never came face to face with any of them.

They were escorted all the way to the palace within the castle walls, where a more elite guard took them onward to the audience chamber, where their entrance was announced. Their host was waiting on a throne at the end of the long room.

“Your Royal Highness Archduchess Rhianon of Gwairtir, on behalf of the kingdom of Bryntir and the Academy I would like to thank you for this audience,” Carys said and got to her knee in front of the sovereign. Samuel and Madoc followed her lead. She had several servants and guards standing around her. One advisor was within earshot of her.

It took a while to get all the formalities out of the way.

“What is it that you would like to discuss with me?” the Archduchess asked.

It was hard to say how much of it was performance, as Samuel guessed things had been discussed via letters beforehand.

“As a show of good faith and in order to improve both the alliance between our two kingdoms and the wizards, we wish to offer you an opportunity for one of your subjects to join our Academy and study our craft,” Carys said.

“And why would I want to do that?” The advisor was whispering in her ear even as she spoke.

“The Cyrhil are becoming more of a threat,” Carys began before being interrupted.

“The Broken have no power here wizard.” This time it was the advisor, who spoke up before shrinking back under his ruler’s scowl. The Archduchess didn’t speak up and let the question hang in the air.

“Despite the successful raids of the Alliance, their numbers keep increasing. In fact there have been reports of them having assaulted settlements near to the border of the wasteland. Fighting their warlocks effectively requires the use of magic,” Carys explained.

“So you say,” the Archduchess said with a strangely smug expression but didn’t elaborate on the matter. That also seemed to shake up Carys’ focus.

“There are of course other good reasons. I’m sure you’d want your guard to be capable of defending you from magical attack. Also, the use of magic will drastically improve your economy, perhaps to the point where you will not need to rely so much on, let’s say, imposing methods for labour,” Carys said and eyed the servants in the room.

Only then it clicked in Samuel’s mind. While there were no visible chains and the conditions were infinitely better, the arrangement was in fact what he had experienced upon his arrival and capture in this world. Spurning the overt use of magic, the Kingdom of Gwairtir had resorted to slave labour. He eyed Madoc and figured that was what had disturbed him since their arrival in the city. He lived in captivity for a longer time than me. I can imagine his hatred for this practice is even greater than mine.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden laughter. Rhianon herself was laughing at Carys’ words and the action sent chills down Samuel’s spine.

“Very well then,” the Archduchess said. “We will arrange for one of our people to leave for the Academy. But who can we send? Surely not everyone is capable of learning the art.”

“We will test whoever you wish to send, so that this person will not travel in vain. In principle, you can choose any person,” Carys said.

“Oh I don’t think just any will do,” she responded. “I wouldn’t want some common servant gaining that power. No, that won’t do.”

Samuel looked at Madoc and saw him clutching his fists.

“I will have one of my distant cousins take the test. His failure won’t affect me too much but still try to be discrete about it.”

After some more details, the audience was concluded and the trio were shown to the guest suite.

“We shouldn’t have come here,” Madoc grumbled.

“I understand your frustrations over this kingdom,” Carys said. “You need to keep your temper under control. Even a diplomat can meet an unexpected and completely accidental end.” She tapped him on the shoulder. “Besides, if this works, the culture here will gradually change. They will embrace magic and suddenly they will find themselves creating wonders they had only dreamed of before. Now go get some rest. We will have to demonstrate our abilities tomorrow before we test our newest student at the Academy.”

Hordes of Cyrhil were descending upon Samuel, brandishing their weapons that were as misshapen as their own bodies. He tried running away but only fell to the ground. He felt the strong pulsing. At first he thought it was his own heart but realised it was coming from the outside.

“Take the power!” The voice echoed in his mind.

He put his hand in his pocket and revealed the shining amulet. A burst of energy and light exploded from him and set his foes ablaze and hurtling away from him.

The dreams just wouldn’t stop. They began occurring almost daily by that point and were taking their toll upon his mind and body. I can’t imagine how it must be for Carys. How many years has it been since the nightmares started for her. What if I also can’t reconcile myself to them?

Remi Hart
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Remi Hart
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