Fan Fiction ❯ Gelden ❯ Out of Cerik ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: Out of Cerik

"Total count of missing and presumed dead… 25 people. 19 counted dead, 14 Knights, 3 watchman and 2 civilian. Two Knights missing and two civilians… Rioting and fights have been breaking out all over the city with injuries and more deaths resulting." The profiler read over a short report and looked up at the others in the room. "Among the missing are Tal'Karenk, a pub owner from the Harbor area, and Lodon Camlin, a Highly respected Ziech Knight. It's been five days since that disaster at the Prison, six since the Guild Fire…"

"Never in the nine-hundred years of Cerik's noble history has it ever faced such chaos in times of peace." The Governor said.

A murmur ran through the various city officials. The Governor looked around his Council. A violet robed Magus representative stood up.

"Has the Council decided whether to fund another Guild?" He asked. A knight nearby made a noise.

"The Council has decided to give funds, yes." The city's treasurer said, checking his list of expenses. "There was also a request for more Knights which was also approved. In fact, Hardis has even offered to send officers after they found out about their loose cannon that caused this whole mess."

"But Governor sir! Is the Hardis trustable? Rumors"-

"Rumors are mostly false. Of course we can trust Hardis. Cerik has been cooperating with Hardis for sometime now…" The Governor said irritably. "The officer Traque Dytan was acting solely and has been proven to be mentally disturbed by our Medics. He was using several hired thieves to steal powerful magic items from the guild to use for terrorism. He has been arrested and is now being sent back to Y'xar as we speak. We are currently searching for the thieves that helped him."

Another murmur in the crowd. The door leading into the House of Council opened and Aurora Targa strode in. The Governor stood up.

"Lady Targa! What a surprise. I thought you'd still be resting from your wounds." He exclaimed. Aurora came to a halt in front of the governor. She saluted him.

"Sir! If you may… I have a proposal to make…" She said. The Knight Captain stood up.

"Lady Targa, this isn't the time."

"Really? I thought it would be the perfect time. After all you were just talking about those thieves. I indeed know what and who they are. In fact, I had one under arrest until that Hardis officer engaged me in a battle that allowed her and another prisoner to escape." Aurora said. "So, I am requesting permission to go after them. I'm not held to this city as the other knights are, being here as a Guard for the Guild which no longer stands."

"But you're in no condition to travel, let alone search for criminals." The Knight Captain replied.

"I'm in perfect condition to travel… Besides I have reason to believe that Lodon Camlin may have also gone searching for the thieves, without permission. A Knight abandoning his duty must be brought to justice…" Aurora said, though with great reluctance. Lodon was her friend, almost like a fatherly figure to her. The Governor held up his hand and to her surprise stated what she had been thinking.

"Lady Targa… You would put your friend under law only because he no longer had a duty to abandon." The governor sighed. The Knight Captain shook his head.

"He should have at least reported in before leaving…" Aurora remained constant. "It was dishonorable…"

"Fine… You may leave. But only to search for the thieves. If you do happen to come across your partner while searching for the thieves, do not arrest him unless he is doing something unlawful. It is not a matter for you, but for the Ziech. The Ziech Knights can deal with him when they find him. I'll arrange for your leaving after this meeting…" The Knight Captain said. Aurora smiled.

"Thank you, good sir. I await your order of leave." And with that Aurora strode out as swiftly as she had in. After she was gone the Governor stood up again.

"I would like to adjourn this meeting. There isn't much we can do now, except rebuild and restore order… Farewell…" He put his hand to his head as the Council emptied. The Knight Captain turned to the Governor.

"I can't say I like her going off on her own…" The Knight Captain muttered. "She can be a bit ruthless…"

The governor shook his head. "I don't like it…"

The last people left the room. The Governor held out a hand to the Knight Captain.

"Celiak, my friend… Let us go now…" He began leading Knight Cap. Celiak towards the back.

"Are you sure this alliance is what the city needs?" Celiak asked. "It certainly isn't an honorable way to gain power, Sard…"

Governor Sard coughed and opened a door behind the council seats. There were stairs there and the two men began down them. "Nothing is honorable these days… Honor has been overlooked for years… That is why the Knights are losing their power."

Celiak was silent.

"By all means, the Magus are only gaining more power because magic is so much more… ah, creative than the blade. That is why I chose to study magic…even if I'm not that powerful in it." Sard laughed. "I hope I don't offend you, when I say that Knights are truly a thing of the past."

"You don't offend me…" Celiak said offhandedly and stopped. They had reached the bottom of the stairs and had entered a large open study. The governor walked over to a large wooden desk and sat down. He put on a pair of spectacles and began reviewing some papers on his desk. Celiak looked around the room and cleared his throat.

"You can come out now…" Celiak said. Sard smiled and looked up as Traque Dytan walked out from a far corner of the room.

"Is everything cleared?" Traque asked immediately. Sard nodded.

"The city officials believe you to have been sent back to Y'Xar for execution and Cerik is now allied to Hardis…" Sard said. Traque smiled slightly.

"Excellent… What of those thieves?"

"We're looking for them. In fact Lady Targa, with whom you fought, went off on her own to search for them. We're assuming the Fusion Beast has rejoined them since no one has been able to find their location yet." Celiak replied. Traque looked interested.

"I noticed that also… I have been tracking the girl for awhile but she has disappeared… again. " Traque growled. "Did you say that Targa woman is searching for them?"

"Yes… is that a problem?" Celiak looked surprised by Traque's interest.

"Not particularly… I'm just wary of her… She's too strong for my liking." Traque turned back to Sard. "Now, as for you…"

Sard blinked. "Is the deal done? Do I get my reward now?"

Traque's small grin widened. "Not quite."

"I got you access into the Guild to take the Obsidian Mage and start the fire! You've framed `yourself' to get Hardis allied to Cerik! I have no idea why you attacked the bloody prison but I let you have a free reign!" Sard raged. He stood up and slammed his fist on the hard wood of the desk. "I think I can collect my pay now!"

"I believe you're forgetting something, Sard…" Celiak said softly. Sard blinked Traque stepped up and grabbed Sard's arm. He stroked it a little.

"Do you know why magic was so unpopular in ancient times and why Knights had all the power until recent years?" Traque said. Sard pulled his arm back.

"I do beg your pardon! Wha… What is the meaning of this?!" Sard cried. He looked back and forth between the two serene faces of Traque and Celiak.

"Because Magus were always considered `evil'. People believed magic corrupted the soul. Knights used to fight against the `evil wizards' and use of magic in the common people was banned." Traque continued. "Only gypsies and various respected religious groups could use magic and then only for purifying. It wasn't until a huge war a thousand years ago did people realize the gods were all equal and good and that magic could be used either way… But I'm sure you knew that right Governor?" Traque cocked his head slightly and smiled childishly. His earring glinted as he shook his head in a laugh.

"This is foolishness…" Sard stepped up to Traque. "Perhaps you truly are mentally disturbed…"

Traque suddenly grabbed Sard and held him close. "You don't seem to see the point, old man…"

"When the Magus first appeared, they helped the brave Fire King destroy the Wizard of Shayne, but after that they were shunned. For a hundred years they wandered, until they founded Cerik… When the city prospered and grew, teachings of magic prospered and grew also… And they finally got their respect…" Celiak said from behind. Sard struggled in Traque's hold. "If it wasn't for Cerik… The Magus would have been wiped out as soon as they had been created. Oh that reminds me, have I ever told you about how creative a sword can be? I can show you if you would really like."

Sard paled slightly and continued struggling against Traque's iron grip. "My… reward… you won't kill me… You promised…"

"Well, the plan was for you to fake your death…" Traque said offhandedly. "The Hardis was going to take over Cerik completely after your `death'. I told you that Cerik being as influential as it is, is needed by Hardis, and simple-minded fools, easily swayed by `rewards' should not be in control here… But you don't remember that, do you? So `faking' your death is going to be a lot more fun since you've forgotten that… Oh and don't worry too much. I'm a man of my word. You'll still get your reward." Traque bared his teeth in a frightening smile and threw the Governor down in disgust. Celiak unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the fallen governor.

"I hope this doesn't offend you too much, my friend…"

"Governors do make a mess of things…" Traque said later, looking around the bloodstained room.

"This one in particular…" Celiak wiped his sword clean. Traque tugged on his earring.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't make any more messes. He'll get his reward soon as will you." Traque gave a laugh. "But luckily for you, you'll get to keep your body…"

"So what happens?" Celiak said. Traque looked around at Sard's body.

"I suggest you leave this place. I'll make sure you aren't found guilty for his `murder'. As for the city, I want you to make sure everything remains the way it is. The Council will want to elect a new Governor but keep them from it until the Hardis gets here. If I am correct, they will be here fairly soon, so you won't have to wait for long. The only other thing I ask you is to find me two good bounty hunters. I want those thieves found soon.

"The orders you will give to the bounty hunters is to find the thieves, but do not harm the fusion beast or the girl. I don't care what they do to the boy but I want the girl and the beast unharmed and brought to Y'Xar. I will arrange the pay when they get there." Traque said. Celiak nodded. "If you need to contact me, send word with one of the officers."

Celiak nodded and saluted Traque. "I accept these duties, sir. On my status as a Knight and to the glory of Hardis…"

"Good… and I pray your memory is better than his…" Traque said jerking his head at Sard. They both laughed.

Bumping and jostling down the road, Ademsen Nor felt sick. He had never enjoyed riding in anything pulled by an animal. There was too much movement to keep his stomach settled. He gave a low moan and Falon wrapped her arms around him and rubbed his back. The large man named Lodon Camlin was sitting across from them, leaning on a bale of hay.

"Easy fellow…" he muttered. Adem wasn't sure if he liked the man. He always had a gruff tone when he spoke to Adem and then it was usually some kind of insult. Also, he was constantly watching Falon like a hawk. Adem didn't know where the man had come to and Falon hadn't said anything, although she seemed to have known the man. All Adem knew was that after he woke up (Falon said that he had taken ill and fainted as they escaped from Cerik), the man was carrying him through the foothills south of Cerik with Falon trailing behind. He had been wearing Knight's armor in the beginning but had long since changed into something suited for traveling.

At first Adem had been wary of the man's Knight armor, but he had shown no sign of wanting to arrest them for thieving and terrorism, but on the contrary had been helping them escape. Now the three of them were riding through a pass in the mountains, heading for Palador, the largest kingdom left in the known world. Being the greatest city in the world, Lodon had convinced a farmer, on the way to trade his goods there, to give them a ride. The farmer reluctantly allowed them to ride in the cart for 15 gold coins as long as they didn't damage his vegetables.

The cart gave another bump and Adem leaned over the side. Lodon snorted.

"Delicate fellow, isn't he?" He laughed. Falon gave him a look and rubbed Adem's back a little more. Lodon shrugged and closed his eyes. Within a few moments he was snoring. Adem put his head down.

"Where did this guy come from?" He said softly and looked up at her. Falon smiled.

"He's an old friend…" she said and smiled sadly. "He used to work at… the castle. He would play with me and tell me stories."

Adem nodded and went back to his crouch. He wouldn't continue the subject if it were painful for her. But he had to admit, she had been livelier and more cheerful since Lodon showed up. Adem could only figure it was similar to having a family member back. He sighed and leaned back. Lodon's snores got slightly louder. Maybe sleeping would help him feel better. He looked over to check on Falon, but she was looking up at the sky at some bird flying overhead. The cart gave another shake and he groaned and closed his eye. Slowly he began to sleep.

Aurora sat rigidly on the edge of her bed, hugging a small pack that contained her few valuables and clothes. She ignored the pain that was pulsing in her left arm and thigh. Even though the medics had healed it, there was still pain and a chance the wounds would rip open. She could deal with the pain though, she had grown used to it. She was ready to leave and was merely waiting for her order to leave. She nearly leapt of the bed when the messenger had arrived. She opened the messenger, took her leave and paid the boy before he left. Then she left herself. She headed for the stable first, figuring she would need her horse if there were to be traveling. Then she would check pubs for rumors. She truly had no idea where to start her search but thieve always left clues somewhere.

"Easy, Flare…" she cooed to the horse as she saddled her. The Knight Captain had obviously told someone to ready her horse because she was already in riding condition. She rubbed the mare's neck and began leading her from the stable. As she reached the door, a sword flashed in front of her.

"You must pay the toll to pass…" Said a sly voice and Lyle walked in front of her, putting his sword back. Aurora rolled her eyes and punched him in the gut. Lyle wheezed and grabbed the doorframe for support.

"I don't have time for you, bloody fool…" Aurora muttered and walked past. Lyle quickly regained himself and scrambled after her.

"Wait, I was going to…" Lyle gasped and Aurora stopped.

"What do you want, monkeyscum?" Aurora said. "Don't you bother me enough while you're drunk?"

Lyle smiled slightly. "I don't seem to recall bothering you while I was drunk… but that's not the point! I heard you were going after those thieves…"

"Maybe I am…?" Aurora sighed. She hated putting up with Lyle.

"Well, a little birdie told me they were headed down south in the foothills…" Lyle said, his grin getting wider. Aurora frowned.

"And why should I listen to anything you say?"

"Two reasons… One, I have the sources and two… I know you can't resist my charm…"

With a cry, Aurora released the bridle of the horse and grabbed Lyle in a chokehold.

"Resist this, toadsucker!"

Lyle gave a yell and found himself sitting on the ground. Aurora put her foot in the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle and began once again down the street.. Lyle sighed.

"Love hurts…" He muttered and then got up and walked into the stable to retrieve his own horse. A few minutes later he was racing after Aurora. As he trotted up next to her, she gave him a loathing look.

"You really don't give up…" She growled.

"I always get what I want…" He replied mockingly. "Besides, I'm going after the thieves myself…"

"What?!" Aurora nearly fell out of her saddle. Lyle shrugged.

"I have reason to believe they have my friend Tal with them… so either way, I'm going with you."

Aurora nearly screamed.