Artifacts are the source of power for every person or family. Nobody knows whether runes or the weapon or item came first, yet the two have become mutually exclusive to the point where an artifact is both the rune and the item or weapon.

When one connects to an artifact it is like a chill ran through their spine, and a connection is made like your chosen artifact is now an appendage on your body. When an artifact is chosen nobody else except the chosen weirder can use it, even after death.

Most of the artifacts Alexander was looking at behind the cardinal were said artifacts, artifacts with a deceased wielder. Nobody knows why but only certain artifacts stay behind, while others break and shatter when their wielder is no more.

As Alexander scanned the artifact he noticed the wooden ones first.

Those were here since the beginning, the first weapons ever enhanced. The gods themselves etched onto them.

Odd, I never cared about the gods before.

The wooden spears, swords, and even bows all had different runes carved into them, some near the hilt, while others near the end.

He noticed each detail of them as he searched up the pile of treasures where silver began to gleam.

As he searched the silver he saw an auburn-covered book, atop the book sat a pair of gold and silver glasses. The frame of the glasses was circular, with golden rims while the arms of the glasses were silver.

They are brighter than I remembered, I wonder if it is because I am different this time.

Alexander slowly stepped on some necklaces and chain mail as he reached atop the book. As he was about to grab the glasses, he felt the palm that the cardinal touched earlier begin to feel cool. As he felt this a smile tugged at his lips.

I wonder what I will see this time

As the thought passed through his mind he was hit backwards by the cold chill as he felt something burning and traveling up his arm.

The cardinal watched this with a maniacal grin only barely hiding it as he heard the rumbles from the family head.

“Impossible, I could never give birth to someone tainted”

The cardinal eyes the family head who looked like he was hit repeatedly in the stomach.

“You knew this could happen, Ezekiel”

The family head whipped his head to the left staring daggers into the cardinal, “Don’t use that name cardinal, I’m not a boy anymore” he gnashed at the cardinal.

The cardinal chuckled, “You say that yet you acting like you did when I forbade you to use that sword” said the cardinal as he pointed towards the family head's left hip.

The family head seeming to finally calm down took a deep breath as he flattened the top of his robe.

“I will have to say something to my people,” the family head said beginning to head towards the door.

“You will not say goodbye to your son,” the cardinal asked raising an eyebrow.

The family head shook his head.

Smiling the cardinal spoke again, “Can I have him then”

The family had stopped in his tracks, “You want him to become one of your knights”

The cardinal nodded, “You know he will have trouble not being able to return home, they all do”

“I know he will, the people love him and so does he, but he also knows they cannot know the royal blood is not pure” The family head shook his head “You can make him one of your knight's cardinals but only if he allows it”

The family had walked out of the room, missing the crazy grin on the cardinal's face as he watched who he already viewed as his new knight in a dream.

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The commotion outside grew loud as the family head walked out of the monument, his people waited on him anxiously.

“My son has bonded with his artifact,” said the family head, with just one simple statement his voice commanded the attention of all present.

The people stood still waiting expectantly to see their prince with command of his artifact. However, the feeling in the air quickly dissipated after what came next.

“The cardinal has taken great interest in my son and his bonding with his artifact”

The people thousands deep roared with laughter and cheers, seeing this as an honor to themselves and their faith.

“My people, you have done right by my ancient bloodline, your worship has helped our nation grow and prosper and now thanks to you my son has become the second of my direct line to be a rune-master!”

The crowd went silent feeling only pride and obedience, and every person present bowed down. The family head smiled down at his prostrating people as he walked down the steps past his bowing people.

Cyrus stood watching the family head speech with a thousand thoughts racing in his head. He looked over at both knights knowing he would not get an answer.

Quickly, he tried to go into the monument but before he could even blink the two knight's weapons were blocking his path.

“Halt” yelled a deep voice from behind all three.

Cyrus turned towards the voice with a hopeful look on his face.

“Father,” he said slightly lowering his head.

“Cyrus, it’s good to see you would even fight the foundation for your liege,” his father said with a smile.

“You know our creed, Father”

The father and son both greeted each other with the customary, yet affectionate grab of each other's forearms.

“Father, what did the lord mean by the cardinal finding interest in Alexander? Has this ever happened before?” He asked.

His father raised an eyebrow, “Alexander” he asked

“Sorry Father, the young lord told me to call him by his name”

Cyrus' father Emrys gave a hearty laugh, “It seems that boy is nothing like his father”

“I guess you would know that better than most fathers after all you are our lord's guard”

His father smiled while pushing him to the side away from the two knights.

“Listen to me Cyrus, I know you have many questions about what is going on with the young lord, hell even I have questions”

Cyrus was about to ask what he meant, reading his son's expression he nodded in understanding.

“I do not know either Cyrus, all I know is the lord told me that you will be leaving with the young lord.” Emrys smiled down at his son “Do not look so worried my boy you will finally get your wish since you were given your rune you will be accompanying him to the Templar school”

Cyrus was stunned, yet his face was also composed of fear.

“Listen to me boy, the dealing of the families will always be more than we will ever know, and you will have to accept that. The cardinal works for the foundation, and we work for the families. Always remember where everyone’s loyalties lie.”

Emery hugged his son, when he was finished, he looked past Cyrus towards the two knights “You know who I am”

Both knights nodded at the same time robotically.

“Good, this is my son he is the lord Alexander’s guard allow him entrance”

“Father they won’t listen; I’ve already tried the cardinal gave them- “

Emrys quickly cut off his son, pointing to the two guards who unblocked the entrance of the monument.

Before Cyrus walked in, he looked at his father who smiled, “You will find that the foundation is much more complicated than Alverna”

Cyrus looked perplexed as his father disappeared down the steps.

Taking a deep breath Cyrus opened, the monument door finding the emptiness jarring. Normally people only go into the monument once in their life and it is when you choose your artifact.

When normal citizens like Cyrus are choosing it is on their 16th year, which means every year everyone turns 16 that year is given their artifact.

Cyrus was rushed with those memories that felt much longer than two years as he saw the monument empty. He found that the room was much larger and intimidating without others here.

The silver made the room almost look and feel cold. As Cyrus walked past blacked glass windows, he felt that the shadows were creeping behind him.

Finally, he found a source of light, as he walked closer, he realized the illumination was coming from the artifacts. His sight was taken aback by the treasure trove of artifacts he noticed everything from a clock to pieces of parchment.

As he brought his sight down the pile his breath was caught by the sight at the bottom.

His young lord was unconscious at the bottom with the cardinal staring down at his head.

“You must be Emry's son, you have his auburn hair” came the sky voice of the cardinal.

Cyrus for some unknown reason felt threatened, almost reaching for his rune’s source.

“Relax child, he is getting accustomed to his new source”

Cyrus searched his liege for any sign of an artifact but found know item or weapons. As he was about to ask the cardinal quickly to cut him off.

“You will have a lot to talk about with your lord on your way to school,” said that cardinal finally taking his eyes from downcast at Alexander.

The cardinal locked eyes with Cyrus who was still on edge, “You better go to the family manor and get your lord what he will need.”

Cyrus did not move, still searching around his liege, “You will not find his artifact, Cyrus, you should know what that means”

Cyrus did not move as he still searched not wanting to believe the cardinal, how could this be he wanted to ask but found he could not.

Cyrus was cast out of his shock by the feeling of a staff connected to his sternum. As he fell, he swore he saw the Cardinal's wooden staff extend over twenty feet.

“Go and do not keep me waiting”

Somehow Cyrus found a way to his feet, it was like the command of the cardinal made him move without knowing.

The cardinal watched as Cyrus left the monument, for the first time in a while he found he was excited.

“You have brought much change,” he said aloud looking down at the sleeping Alexander.