The steward handed Sabina documents indicating the tax revenue and debts of each region of the province. “It would appear House Durus is accruing debt at an alarming rate. The north sea’s fish must be evading the nets.”
She smirked with a sinister grin as she looked over the documents. “Perfect. Looks like the duchess will be more open to reason, now that her coffers are dry. I’m sure I can help her with that. I’ll write her another letter before dusk.” She handed him the documents. “Now, was there anything el—”
The doors swung open as a frantic guard came barreling through the court. He huffed and puffed as he knelt before Sabina, barely able to catch a breath.
She stood up from her throne in disgust. “Why do you act like a thrashing hog in the midst of this dignified court?”
The guard bowed as deep as he could go. “Forgive me, Mistress Sabina. But I have brought urgent news from the Avarus Wall.”
She raised a brow. “Oh? And what sort of news has brought you here in such a frantic state?”
“The Wall has fallen! The Avarus wall has fallen!”
Her eye twitched. “What? What do you mean it’s fallen? How could such a thing happen? There’s no war here!”
“Great tremors struck as my caravan approached the front gate of the Wall.” He took another hurried breath as he gradually regained some of his composure. “The blizzard that settled in some minutes before had only served to make things worse for us. We could barely see, and we didn’t know if the ground in front of us, the parts we could see, were going to give way.”
“So these tremors had something to do with it?”
“Yes, Archduchess Sabina. One of my men reported seeing the bridge at the front entrance collapse. They were overwhelmed, at least for those that stayed by the caravan, by all the escaped prisoners trying to steal supplies. I thought I’d stay and fight, but I decided against it when I saw the front of that mighty fortress crumble before me.”
She stepped down from the foot of her throne, and walked up to the guard. “Why did a crumbling wall make you flee?”
He stuttered, and struggled to find the words as she stood next to him. He felt the pressure of her cold stare, even though he was trying to avoid eye contact. “It seemed as if the gods were sealing everyone in. I saw a blinding light coming from the direction of the Wall, and I dared not look at it because the other guards who looked at it went blind.”
“And what of the warden? Did you ever see him? Know if he lives?”
“No. I didn’t see him. In fact, I only ever saw two prisoners run out before the front wall crumbled. But more probably got out, either over the rubble, or through some other way.”
“What a shame. Though I believe the warden is quite resourceful. I suspect I’ll hear from him very soon.” She raised her hand. “Rise.”
He reluctantly stood up.
“You have been wise to not interfere in divine actions. Though I suspect deception is at play, a man who is ignorant of theology may not know the difference. Either way, your desire to serve me so eagerly is worthy of much praise.” An arrogant smile crept up her face. “Many of my servants could learn from you.” She grabbed his chin. Though he resisted looking at her, she eventually got him to look into her eyes.
He felt his legs go weak. Time seemed to slow down; so much so that he could feel each rapid beat of his heart. He wondered with a deep confusion at this feeling. What sort of spell have I fallen under?
“We will watch your career with great interest. I suspect you shall accomplish incredible things for me, and your name shall have great fame in my court.” She released his chin.
When his chin was freed, he dropped back into a kneeling position. His legs could barely even hold that position without his hands supporting it. “That was all I had to report.”
She returned to her throne. “You are dismissed, soldier. I hope that you’ll be eager to serve me in the future, just as you have this day.”
He stood up, bowed, and exited the court, still shook up.
Sabina motioned for the steward.
He leaned in. “What is it, mistress?”
“Have bounties put out for each of these prisoners. Find their portraits and names from the records, and have their posters put up in every city, town, village, and stray inn along the roadside through the whole northern province. Also, send word to the other provinces of this.”
One of her advisors leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Another thing, steward.”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Tell the marshal all of these things; and inform him to send his legions after a man named Lucullus, imprisoned for sedition, murder, and resisting lawful arrest. He is more important than all the others.”
“It shall be done, mistress.” He bowed, and went away to his chamber to draft the documents.
Sabina’s daughter, who observed all of these things, also went away to her chamber. She began to draft a letter:
You are my only recourse in this time of tribulation for Lucium. She has become possessed by a lust for power. Dark spirits are upon her, and I fear it is only a matter of time before she is consumed by it. Don’t send for the Magisters or an Archiereus, for they hold no power over these spirits. Call upon your father to act before it is too late. The she-wolf is on the hunt once more for her enemy. I dare not to mention him by name, but know that he has broken free from a mighty fortress, and wanders about in Lucium, but he shall be exiled, and return. He seeks the one who gives life to the desert, and has the power to cast out the darkest of powers; to make obscure things known, and the darkness into light. Seek him if you can, for he was revealed to me in a dream. O Olive Tree, extend your branch to Lucium, and free her from her bonds.
Do not seek for me, all who do put themselves in danger, and shall surely die. For they seek knowledge which is forbidden by the lioness.
She sealed the letter with the Avarus seal, and rushed to put it in the hands of her most trusted courier. “Deliver it to House Audens, at once!”
“It shall be done, my lady.”
Tullius returned to his post after a prayer break in the temple. Such times were often his favorite part of the day. No one was there to pester him, he didn’t have to watch for any bandits, nor did he have to worry about breaking up fights in the village. But there were some days where he could almost feel that same bliss when at his post. Despite being captain of the guards, he still took a very active role patrolling the village outskirts. part of that being a habit from his days as a regular guard, and another being an excuse to sometimes go chat by the fence with Lucullus when he was resting from his farm work.
He clenched his fists, and buried his face for a minute in his arms as he rested against a merlon on the watchtower. Again with him. Why can’t my mind be done with him? He punched the stone merlon in frustration as he forced the thoughts of Lucullus out of his head. Such outbursts and distracting thoughts were a burden for his duties as captain of the village guard, and he couldn’t let anything hinder him from keeping his people safe.
He decided to leave the tower, and do another loop around the village outskirts. As he came around to the entrance of the village, he was stopped by a man dashing through on horseback.
The man halted his horse as he approached Tullius. “Hail, captain.”
“Who are you?” He kept his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword.
“A messenger.”
“Who sent you?”
“House Avarus. The Archduchess has put out bounties on these men.” He handed Tullius a stack of wanted posters.
“Is this some new band of brigands?”
“Not quite. The Avarus Wall has fallen. Many prisoners have escaped; others likely died in the collapse.”
His eyes went wide. “Collapse? What happened to the Avarus Wall?”
“A blizzard and many great tremors brought the old fortress down. If you see Lucullus, guilty of murder, sedition, and resisting lawful arrest, make it your priority to bring him to justice. He’s wanted dead or alive; double the bounty if he is brought before the Archduchess alive.”
“When did all this happen?”
“It’s been at least a fortnight, sir. News of the incident was first reported a week after it happened; or so says the man who reported it.” He tipped his hat. “That’s all I have for here. Be sure to post those all across your village, and spread the news. Everyone must be on high alert for these dangerous men. May Sophia guide your every action, sir.” With a final wave, he jerked on the reins, and dashed away.
Tullius stood in confusion for a moment. Then, the realization of what the man said hit him. Lucullus is out… And he must be brought before the Archduchess. He rubbed sweat from his forehead, and made his way back into the village. How did Lucullus escape? Did he even survive when he got out? Winter was here, and the north was covered in deep snow. He went into the barracks, and instructed his men to put the posters up on every corner.
After some time spent putting up posters with his men, he journeyed to see Claudia, Lucullus’s mother.
She opened the door, and greeted him. “Did you need something, Tullius?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Her face was struck with worry. “I don’t like the sound of that.” She backed away from the door. “Come in, and sit. I’ll get you some mead.”
He accepted her offer, and sat by the fire.
She handed him a glass of mead, and sat with him. “So what is it that you need?”
“I need to tell you of troubling news.” He could tell that she knew who he was about to mention. “The Avarus Wall has somehow been brought down, and he’s escaped.”
Tears formed in her eyes.
“I’m not sure how he escaped. No one knows if he survived out there or not.” He sipped his mead.
“I will pray for his return.”
He nearly choked as he forced himself to reveal the other news. “There’s been a bounty put on him; dead or alive, he is now a wanted man.”
She broke down into uncontrolled sobs. “O Lucullus, my only son! The only child I have left!”
Tullius tried to comfort her with a hug. “If I’m the one who finds him, I’ll do everything in my power for him.”
“Please help him. All I want is for my son to return home. I would give up everything to have my son back.”
“I’ll try.”
Olivia pondered over the things she was told by the Conjector about her dreams: The appearance of a man from the desert was some Dayiran from Mahjur, highly revered by his people for his miraculous deeds. The man who shall usher in the new era is the least among his people in Lucium, yet stands above all of them. And a great dragon shall persecute him, and battle him over the fate of his people, and of the world.
That was all the Conjector could interpret. It was a start, but there were so many other things in her dreams; things which she put great thought into, yet the Conjector had nothing for them. Perhaps I am meant to discern these signs myself. Or perhaps Cicero could help.