Iain knelt, his arms held by his sides by two strong guards before the King. The axe began its descent.
Iain refused to close his eyes. If his king meant to kill him, he’d see Clan Campbell's courage, even at the last.
The axe hit his shoulder hard enough to bruise, and as it did so, he saw the king frown, then smirk, his expression becoming friendly as the pretence of anger faded.
Iain, shocked by King Roberts' sudden transformation from Dread King to smiling Liège, froze as the king spoke.
“Swear to uphold God's Law. Spurn traitors and their ilk. Always speak truth to a lady and harbour no ill intent to any save the enemies of God and your Lord. Swear to obey your King, and God.”
Iain, shocked by the moment, paused before he felt one guard give his shoulder a squeeze. Startled out of his shock, he answered. “This I so swear.”
The King grinned down at him, the heavy axe haft still resting on Iain’s shoulder. Iain, glancing at the axe, could see that King Robert had twisted the blade at the last moment, so the spike on the back of the axe lay behind Iain’s neck.
“Then Rise a Knight, Sir Iain. I grant you the lands around Shield Hill in Falkirk. They are close to your father’s lands there, and will allow you an income of seventy pounds a year.”
Turning, the king called out. “Squire!”
Squire Glengarry appeared, carrying a suit of chainmail, some plate greaves and vambraces and a helmet, as well as a sword and shield. Iain noticed the shield carried his family crest.
As the squire shuffled into the room, Iain looked around. His Lord, James Douglas, had been halfway to him, attempting to stop what even he’d thought was about to be Iain’s execution. He now looked relieved and smiled proudly at Scotland’s newest Knight.
Princess Margaret looked like she could hardly contain her joy and wiped at her eyes. Though he also noticed she seemed to laugh as she did. Had she known? Who cares! She’s so pretty when she smiles like that.
The thought came unbidden, and he knew he was dangerously in love. If he kept this up, he’d do something foolish, which they’d both regret. All he could do was work to ensure the King knew his worth and would one day give his assent to marry.
The King was speaking again, placing the axe upon the cluttered dining table. “Glengarry, you will escort this knight and his Father to the chapel, where he will be secluded for the night in vigil. From there he will join the garrison at Berwick under Sir Archibald Douglas.”
Iain’s heart dropped at the news. He chanced a glance at Princess Margaret and saw her face had gone sheet white.
He gave her a brave smile as they escorted him from the room to a cheer from the other nobles. Lord James slapped him on the back, giving him a relieved grin.
“I was worried he’d gone mad. Though it seems he concocted the whole affair with Moray and your father. I’ll be sending one of the pages with you to squire, though, who that will be I leave to your choice.”
Iain nodded, grinning. “I’ll take Llywelyn if I may, Lord. He’s the most level headed of the bunch, and garrison duties will give him some of the experience he lacks in fighting, especially now that Balliol is back." He paused, turning to face James. "I’d also like to thank you for everything.”
James had expected the request, and stepped forward to embrace his ex-ward. “Do your duty and keep your shield up. And if you can, protect Archibald.”
Stepping back, Iain saw Tatania had entered the hall, followed by several others, including the page boys.
Amongst their number were two giants, one of which seemed to grin in relief and joy at seeing him with Lord Douglas, though Iain couldn’t place having seen the man before.
Tatania approached Lord Douglas, whispering into his ear.
Iain watched him spin on his heel. “Liam?”
****************
Liam's group had left Pat and Fergus with the Lord of Cadzow and the other Soul-Damaged man after the pages had led their group to Renton. There Lady FitzGerald and Sir Peter each had booked a room in the tavern for the Ladies and Mistress McDonnell, while Liam and the pages moved the wagon into a small barn. They hadn't been comfortable leaving the injured in the tavern where they could be ogled by any passer by. Instead, they'd secured the barn and kept them safe within the wagon.
Fergus had needed some convincing to stay and stand guard, but Pat finally glared him down. His mother–he explained - was an invalid, and were it not for his sister staying home to care for her, she would have died long ago.
“I figure, if I can be of help for even a little while, perhaps God will forgive me leaving my Sis and Ma.” He said, hopefully.
Sir Peter had patted him on the back and handed him a single silver. “Get yourselves a hot meal, but make sure you guard the Lord until we return.”
“Aye, Sir.” Came the reply, from both men.
Leaving the men to guard the soul-damaged men, Liam and the others followed the Pages towards a small hill about a mile to the south, where they entered a small fort through a wooden swing-gate.
The scent of freshly cut wood pervaded the bailey, letting Liam know the structure was recently built. Above, on the small hill, sat a long house. It looked much like some houses he’d seen in Douglas, built to house the wealthier merchants near the keep.
The men standing guard outside the structure warned that this was no tavern. The party walked up the gentle slope as Aidan whispered to his fellows in a low tone.
As their conversation continued, forming a moving huddle, Liam’s enhanced perceptions allowed him to overhear every word.
“Are you sure it’s him?” Aidan's voice said.
Andrew nodded. “How else did he know all those things?”
“I don’t know. They could have questioned him?" Llywelyn pondered that for a moment. "Or some magic could do it. He even used some at the bridge! We all saw the Orc doing magic, and Princess Margaret said that King Arthur and Merlin could do magic too!”
Liam couldn’t help but smile at that memory. She’d got the story all wrong, but it was a good story.
“Well, we have magic too!” Andrew said. “I’m pretty sure it’s Liam, but don’t we have a duty to make sure?”
Llywelyn nodded. “We should be careful, though. If it isn’t, it might be an elf...” The younger teen’s eyes widened as realization struck. “… or something worse. I mean, he looks so different, and far stronger than anyone here.”
“And the armour! You saw the chain. It glows, a sure sign of magic!” Aidan hissed. “Either he knows even more magic, or his armour IS magic and is hiding a monster. He might even be invincible while wearing it or have abilities like the Orc!”
Liam's friends looked towards him, and he’d done his best to pretend not to notice. Satisfied that he suspected nothing, the pages continued their congress.
“Well, how can we be sure?” Aidan asked. “If he is powerful enough that he can change the system, he’d know a lot more about this kind of thing than we do. And if we raise the alarm, what happens if it really IS Liam?”
Llywelyn nodded. “We should go tell the Lady first. Perhaps she can discover something. But we all agree, there’s something fishy here?”
The other boys nodded, and a brief silence ensued, only to be broken by Aidan.
“I’ll go!” Aidan whispered, stepping away from the group.
“I’m going to fetch Lady Tatania. If we are to enter the hall, it would be best for the Lord and King to be informed. She’ll also want to see Liam.” He set off before anyone could comment.
His friend’s doubts stung, though he knew they did not intend their words to hurt him. All they sought was reassurance that they hadn’t failed in their judgement. Something many young men, Liam included, needed often. It made Liam wonder briefly if he hadn’t had his spirit guide, would he have managed the dungeon so well?
He thought about his feelings, realizing that it was not the words that stung, but rather that he finally realized that the friendships and trust he'd built before he left had been torn away. If he wished his friends to accept him for who he was now, it would mean regrowing their trust.
Lady Fitzgerald, unaware of the ulterior motive of the pages, frowned. “Sir Peter can introduce us to the King, he’s known in the court.”
The larger man took a step forward, but Liam reached out a hand to halt him. “It would likely be best to do as the Pages say. It would be prudent for the King to be forewarned, and I would like to see Lady Tatania again.” He explained. He was sure the Lady would accept him, if not recognize him. It was not her nature to judge others, but to verify the truth of their words. Judging not by appearance or word, but by action alone.
The Lord was much the same, and Liam knew that having the Lady vouchsafe him to the other pages would go a long way to easing any remaining tension they felt at his claim on their friendship.
Sir Peter nodded, glancing at Lady FitzGerald, who shrugged. Liam nodded gratefully, and the party waited in the moonlight for Aidan to return.
A short time later, Lady Tatania appeared, her face haggard, but dressed for court. Aidan striding behind her and to one side. Liam heard her before he saw her, humming a tune he was not familiar with.
His Magic sense detected something happening, but Liam couldn’t quite be sure what it was. He activated his Magic sight and was shocked to see the Lady glowing a brilliant silver. Thousands of motes of silver light poured from her as she hummed the tune, and each vibrated in time to the beat of the music.
Liam, astonished by the sight, pulled his harp from his belt and played an accompaniment, awed to see the lights disappearing through his skin and into his soul. A cluster focused on the wound on his chest, while still more flew towards Lady FitzGerald and her daughter, Claire.
Liam played on as well, weaving the tune from healing song into the magic, astonishing himself that the magics seemed to heal the knot of scar tissue upon his chest. Looking over, he could see that Lady FitzGerald's scars were also healing, and soon faded from sight. That the Lady could heal soul wounds was clear, and it gave Liam hope that perhaps something could be done for the Lord of Cadzow too.
She raised a hand to her face in amazement, tears coming to her eyes, and spun to inspect her daughter. Liam watched in joy as the two victims of the Vampyre’s tortures wept openly, their hopes for their husband and father restored, just as they were healed.
The Lady reached them and halted, her humming slowly fading as she looked over the party. “Liam?” She asked tentatively, identifying him as the only logical candidate amongst his fellows.
Liam smiled at his Lord's wife. “Milady.” He said, replacing the Harp of Bragi on his belt. She watched his movements closely, seeing the practiced ease with which he replaced the harp. “He looks so different.” She said, stepping closer. Aidan and the other pages looked uneasy as their lady stepped forward.
“I know, milady. While for you only a few days have passed, for me, it has been nearly four years.”
“What?” she asked, shocked. “How in the… How?”
“It’s a long story, Milady, but I must see the Lord. I have a great deal of news from the other realm, and of many events from distant lands of our world. I also have a Monster Core for the King!” He said.
Tatania smiled. “The King is doing much better, Liam. I discovered an ability to heal, as I see you have, too. Mine tells me who you are. You may not have been the Liam who left, but you are our Liam, that I know beyond any doubt.”
He let out a relieved sigh and was pleased to hear similar sounds from his friends. “What was that spell?” He asked, curiously, as the party turned and proceeded towards the doors of the hall.
“Soul Song,” she replied. “It heals the soul of anyone in the area slowly. I’ve never seen it respond so well before. What was it you did?” She asked.
“Something that I learned from Bragi, although I have never seen it do what it did then. It seemed to twine itself between the magic of your song. I’ve never healed scars before. When I tried to heal the scars of the victims of Ferniegair, I couldn’t. The soul was too badly damaged.”
Tatania smiled. “I found the king’s soul was also damaged, far worse than anything I’ve seen before.”
Liam was about to ask her another question when Aidan approached, having come from another meeting of minds amongst the pages. “Milady, how can you be so sure this is Liam?”
She smiled. “I didn’t recognize him, if that’s what you’re asking. I knew he was who he claims because his soul harbours no deceit. He’s spoken honestly and knows it.” She turned to look into Liams face, seeming to see past his eyes and into his soul.
“As for who he is and what his return heralds, we shall have to discover that ourselves. For now, it’s time for us to see the King.”
Tatania strode on ahead, the rest of the party following. Aidan and Llywelyn looked far more relaxed now that Liam met with the Lady’s approval, but Andrew still threw him an occasional sidelong look. It wasn’t mean, but hinted at a suspicion that something about Liam was off to him.
As they entered the hall, Lady Tatania left their small group and approached Lord Douglas, whispering quietly in his ear. Liam was glad to see Iain there too, although now he stood bedecked in a rich cloak and seemed to be leaving the hall in company of Squire Glengarry.
He smiled at them but felt something was wrong. While Iain looked at him curiously, Glengarry quickly turned away as soon as he saw Lady Fitzgerald. Curious, Liam reached out with his Magic sense, and felt a dissonance coming from the squire. One that he’d felt before.
It felt like the Vampyre’s Claw he’d torn from his chest and the wounds of the Lord of Cadzow and his family.
Frowning after them, Liam activated his magical sight. As the King beckoned them forward, Liam ripped his sword free and cast a flame towards Glengarry’s retreating back.
***********
James had turned to inspect the man Tatania identified as Liam as he entered the room, only to see him smile at seeing Iain and Glengarry. It was a smile of recognition that turned quickly to a frown. Suddenly the Giant his wife identified as Liam drew his sword and summoned a flame with a quick strum upon his harp.
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The deep relief which James felt upon hearing his page had returned disappeared in confusion as he instinctively stepped in front of the king, fearing an attack on his friend was imminent.
Confusingly, It was Liam who cried the first warning.
“Beware!” The hue and cry went up around the hall and James, stunned by how fast the Page moved, barely pushed the king to the floor as Liam sprinted past, the ball of conjured flame tearing forward to impact Glengarry’s back. He shrieked unnaturally as his clothing caught fire, and spun, trying to put the flame out. Iain, shocked by the sound stepped away from the Squire in horror.
Doubt wracked James, as hope that his missing page had returned conflicted with horror at the scene before him. What in God's name was that? He thought. That's Liam?
James stared in confusion at the giant who his wife had pointed out was Liam. It was plain to see that he differed significantly from the boy who’d disappeared upon a quest in Ferniegair. This man was massive, both broad of shoulder and taller even than James. His armour was fine, and seemed decorated with rings that glowed with faint light.
Even so, much about the Giant reminded James of his Page. His hair was longer, but the same colour as Liam's had been, and his face looked much like that of Bishop Lamberton, though bearded. He even moved like Liam did.
James had spent long hours overseeing the boys' training with the sword, and Liam’s distinctive rolling gait hadn’t disappeared. The boy always seemed to be on the balls of his feet.
All these thoughts passed in a moment, in which James collected his thoughts. Whatever is happening here, I must protect the King. He stood, pulling Robert to his feet and pulled him towards a knot of nobles who'd had the presence of mind to draw their knives. It wouldn't be much, but perhaps they could aid the King's escape.
But the Giant had no intention of approaching the king. Instead, James was shocked to see the the man Tatania had just called Liam had reached Glengarry in but a few quick steps.
Liam barely paused as he delivered a kick into the chest of the burning form of Glengarry. The impact knocking the Squire through a wall while Liam pulled Iain behind him protectively. James saw him move his hand to his belt, conjuring another flame spell with ease. The returned page casting the spell through the ruined wall where the screaming form of Squire Glengarry had disappeared.
What is happening here? James thought furiously, trying to understand the reasons for the combat playing out before him. From what he could see, Liam's actions had been certain, and were taken with the intent of protecting Iain. But why attack Glengarry. Liam hadn't even known the man until our journey to the Cardross.
Glengarry's screams suddenly ceased, and James could see men rushing into the room, all staring at Liam, who seemed to be waiting for Glengarry to recover.
Silence descended on the hall, as Scotlands Royals, Nobles and Prelates stared at Liam in a mix of fear and confusion.
Their stares changed focus as something emerged from the hole in the wall of the Kings house. It was no man. Rather, a tall and thin figure, cloaked in shimmering black fabric covering its entire body, stepped through the gap. It flexed its arms and gave a hissing roar.
You have heard the cry of a creature from hell of a higher level.
You are stunned for 2 seconds.
James struggled against his own stunned form as he saw Iain and Liam freeze. The monster, seeing easy prey, leapt forward. Its claws extended to rip out the throats of James’ wards.
But Liam suddenly moved. He had not been frozen by the piercing cry, but had simply pretended, waiting for the monster to act.
James watched in awe, barely noticing when the stun effect wore off. Liam lifted a chunk of rubble from the wall so that it floated in the air, his hand controlling its motion by some strange magical means.
Liam thrust his hand forward, sending the floating debris crashing into the monster's head. At the same moment, Liam’s glowing blade darted forward, only to be blocked by the stunned creature's claws. Parrying a blow with his dagger, Liam ducked aside, and James admired the smooth way he seemed to detect the blow and avoid it, the parry deflecting the monster’s arm aside with ease.
Iain had now regained his senses, and charged forward, only to be knocked bodily into a wall, collapsing bonelessly at its base. James let loose a scream of rage, and sprinted forward, closing the distance himself.
Liam continued to fight. He raised his dirk, blocking the claws of one hand, as he chopped down with his sword, slicing through the monster's arm, which it had used to block the strike. The blade cleft through the arm, and it dropped to the floor, lifeless as Liam’s blade continued on, slicing a deep gouge in its leg, but the monster simply stepped back, picking up its dismembered limb and re-attaching it grotesquely.
Those in the hall gasped as it seemed to heal itself.
James' eyes darted as he tried to keep up with the combat. The creature seemed to pick up speed instead of slowing. He wished he could help, but his sword and great axe were back in his rooms. He might not need them though, as Liam was a dervish of whirling metal. Sparks flew from his armour as glancing blows struck him, and it was clear he was not fast enough for the monster.
Another flame sprang to life and burned through the cloth covering the monsters face. As it disintegrated, all in the hall could see the visage of horror beneath. A pale, sallow face glared at Liam with hate-filled eyes. The black of the pupils extended through the sclera, but that was not the most horrific part. A maw filled with fangs dripped strings of saliva to the floor. Each tooth must have been as long as James’ index finger and looked razor sharp.
Lady FitzGerald, still gasping for breath at the sight of the monster, finally let out a scream of terror. Liam looked over at the woman, his face a mask of concern. He nearly died as a clawed hand flew forward, but fortunately, he must have seen it. At the last moment, Liam spun, ducking the blow. He took a raking slash across his cheek instead of his throat.
Thin strips of his flesh hung from his face, and James could see that his teeth were visible through the hole. Rather than screaming or backing away though, Liam thrust his blade forward and deep into the creature's chest, opening a wide hole through the monster.
As he withdrew the blade, James could see the wound knitting itself back together.
James collected his thoughts and snatched up the King's axe from the high table. Seeing the Earl of Moray step to the kings side, his face furious as he glared at the monster, James charged forward to engage the creature. He did not know how Liam had detected the beast within their presence, only knowing that he must act to protect his wards. He stepped forward cautiously, looking for an opening that would allow him to strike at the monster without hampering Liam.
In the time it took him to reach the duel, Liam had launched a series of strikes that confounded the monster, cutting deeply into its side. The monster caught the blade and trapped it within its flesh, and James watched Liam’s shock as he strained to free it. Chuckling, the monster was about to thrust its claws forward into Liam’s head when James reached them.
With a two handed grip on the axe, he slashed horizontally into its neck, only for a clawed hand to grab the haft of the axe. Liam’s blood dripping onto the shaft made James’ grip uneasy, but now the creature had a problem.
Although it had bound both weapons, its opponent’s free hands became a problem. Releasing James’ axe, the monster rammed its hand forward once more at Liam, and its claws disappeared into his amour, just as he tried to activate some ability. The Claws thrust through his chain and into his arm, causing Liam to cry out in pain.
James, now free to swing, did so, cleaving the monster’s head from its body in one sure swing, just as Liam pulled a hammer from his storage ring and slammed it down hard onto the monster’s head. The two blows caused the monster’s body to tremble as its head blew apart. The body, now headless, took a moment to drop, as if unsure it was dead. A further blow from Liam, followed by a thrust through the heart, ceased its twitching forever.
As it finally stopped moving, James felt the glow of levels overwhelm him. He turned to see that no such glow surrounded Liam.
Confused, and suddenly breathless from the rush of combat, James stared at Liam for a long moment. The only sounds were the wet patter of blood from the monster’s head and the crackle of the fire-place as silence descended on the rest of the hall.
The first to move was Liam, who lifted his harp and played a strange song in soft tones. A thin cut on his cheek knit together almost immediately as he knelt to inspect the creatures claws.
James stared at the creature in curiosity. While the Orcs had been clearly alive, the creature before him looked as though it had died months before. It was monstrous, but wasn’t as terrifying as it had appeared moments before.
Liam, kneeling in the ichor of the freshly killed Vampyre, looked up at his lord and saw him inspecting it curiously. His voice, the only sound in the chamber, carried to all. “It’s a Vampyre, Lord. I encountered another of its kind at Cadzow. As to Glengarry, I don’t know, although I suspect he may already be dead. I discovered a corpse wrapped in his cloak hanging from the walls of the castle, but it was a woman, not him.”
James looked astonished. “Cadzow was overrun?”
James watched as one large and well crafted gauntlet rose to massage his pages bearded chin. “It was, Lord. I rescued the FitzGilbert’s from where they were held captive in the dungeon.” He gestured to the Lady FitzGilbert who stood, clutching her daughter in shock. “I’m not sure how this thing took the Squire’s form, but I suspect it was at Ferniegair. I also suspect I know who the other soul-damaged man is, though whether we can heal him…” His voice trailed off as he looked at Lady Tatania, clearly speculating that perhaps her ability might provide a solution. James gave a small cough, and Liam, snapping out of his thoughts, turned back to his Lord.
“Apologies, Lord. We have more news still. Douglas has been besieged. We came here with Father Doreen, who escaped the attack. While I don’t trust him, he swears to the system he escaped and did not see who they were.”
James nodded, having heard the same news from Iain earlier that day. He glanced around the room. The King was glaring at the corpse, and a flood of armed knights had entered the hall, rushing to protect him from any threat. They all faced Liam, faces grim and set, determined to protect their king from this unknown Giant who moved almost as fast as the eye could see.
James looked back to his newly returned page, gesturing that the knights lower their weapons.
Liam was stripping his gauntlets and vambraces, rolling up his sleeve and inspecting the long claws that seemed to grow into his flesh. Sighing, Liam pulled his dirk and started cutting the barbed claws from his flesh.
Lady Tatania approached them, nervously looking at the dead monster. Liam was busy tending his wounds. He’d scabbarded his sword, and now strummed the harp, murmuring a song that regrew the large holes in his arm. Tatania, seeing the scarring, also sang. She glanced over at Iain, who was now awakening.
“Liam?” she asked. “Is there, anyway for you…” She gestured towards Iain’s arm, hoping that by some miracle the page might know a way.
To her surprise, smiled, and as the flesh of his arm knit together, he knelt and his hammer shimmered as it disappeared once more from view. James made a note to ask about that skill later.
Iain, still dazed, was lifted by his friends, and carried gently to the table. Courtiers made way for him, but almost fled when Liam approached. The combination of blood, Vampyre Ichor and his sheer size and obvious ability served to scatter the courtiers like chaff.
James also noticed the King was watching closely as Liam laid his friend on the table. The armoured page withdrawing his dirk once more from its sheath. Aidan approached him, frowning. “What are you going to do with that?” He asked.
“Cutting away the cloth wrapping the limb.” Liam said calmly.
Aidan nodded and helped Liam remove the binding. Once clear, Liam looked the wound over. It had already healed, likely because of Lady Tatania’s ministrations.
James, watching his pages, was surprised to see the Earl of Moray excuse himself, offering to ensure the guard knew the King remained safe. Robert nodded and smiled at his friend, who strode from the hall, casting a glare of disgust at the mangled corpse of the Vampyre.
Liam didn’t see the Earl leave, but shook out his arm, the scars knotting his newly healed flesh, clearly bothering him. He turned to James’ wife. “Milady, might you be so kind as to heal my wounds? The song may also calm Iain’s soul and make the regrowth faster.”
She nodded, her face serious, and began to sing. Liam hadn’t heard the song before but knew it anyway. It was the Te Deum, though he’d never heard it sung in English.
Bishop Bane was looking like he’d just chewed on rotten meat as the dulcet tones of Lady Tatania’s voice echoed through the chamber.
Liam let out a sigh of relief as the scars on his arm disappeared, as the song and his magic healed them. Restored, he then focussed his attention on Iain. James and the court watched, beginning silent conversations about the amazing abilities on display as Liam worked.
James smiled. It’s time to regrow the kingdom, and it starts here, and now.