Rueln Layheart

The bishop stank. The smell of all the rich perfumes turned my stomach. I was glad the guard had suggested leaving the window open despite the chill. If they had shut it, then I was sure I would have puked all over the priest’s fancy shoes.

Never have I seen a man who was so full of himself. There wasn’t a thing about him that impressed me or made me think I would enjoy a moment in his company. I was still mad at him for completely ignoring what I had said before. Why did he insist on taking this to Master Esra? I hope she kicked them all out. She didn’t need to deal with nobles.

What bothered me, was I wasn’t entirely sure what they wanted. Yeah, sure, I could see them wanting to see the comb, but why now? The director could just ask me to bring it to school tomorrow. Whatever the reason, they would not take it away from me. It was the only thing I had of moth-Vhal’s mother, I corrected. I wouldn’t hand it over to anyone. They could drag me in front of the emperor and I still wouldn’t give it to them.

I turned my head from the window to look up at the bishop, to find he was still talking. What had he been blabbering about this entire time? I hadn’t paid a lick of attention. Too bad the director hadn’t come. Then he would at least have someone listen to him talk to himself.

“Capital is rather nice this time of year, you see. I think the southern climate of the empire is far superior to-” What is he talking about? I wondered and would have said as much, but before I could, something banged on the side of the carriage, cutting him off.

“We have arrived, Bishop,” the quiet guard said, his face still shadowed underneath his hood. I had a moment to wonder if he was some secretive assassin when I felt the carriage pull to a stop, just as he had said it would. The door opened a second later, held by the one of the other guards, allowing first the bishop to exit, then me.

He didn’t even wait until I was out the door before the man’s hand was on my shoulder again, making sure I couldn’t run off. This time, however, I had enough and shrugged it off, taking deliberate steps away from him. “Stop touching me,” I muttered, my attempt to put space between us only making me run into the hooded guard. He only caught me enough to keep me on my feet, then let me go. At least he wasn’t handsy.

I looked up to find us standing in front of Master Esra’s estate. The bishop, as well as the two guards that waited with the carriage, were already starting up the path to the front door. I darted in front of them, trying to beat them to the door, why I wasn’t sure. I just had an ominous feeling about this entire thing.

“Now he’s an eager one,” the bishop chuckled, only for one of his guards to catch me at his order and prevent me from getting to the door. “There now. Settle yourself. You are to present yourself with dignity. It is an honor for me to visit your guardian’s home.”

I wanted to spit on him, trying to pull myself free with no luck. The guard’s grip was bruising my arm. The next thing I knew, the door opened and Master Esra stood before us, her eyes widening in shock when she saw me. “Rueln?”

“I would like to speak to the master of the house,” the bishop said, dismissing her and stepping inside as if he had received an invitation to do so. The arrogance of it clearly infuriated Master Esra, but unlike me, she held her temper in check.

“My apologies lord bishop, but-”

“If he isn’t home,” the bishop interrupted, waving his hand dismissively at her. “Then I shall wait. My need to speak with him is great, and it involves his ward.”

“Excuse me,” Master Esra said more firmly. “I am the mistress of this house and the boy is my apprentice. Your guards will unhand him this moment.”

“Your apprentice?” the man exclaimed, as if it were unheard of. He scoffed. “My dear woman, you waste the boy’s talents. Boys are not meant for women’s work, a capable man of the house should train him.”

I swear I didn’t think Master Esra’s face could get any reder and if it wasn’t some temple nut job who had barged into her home, then she would have already pierced him through for that insult. The guard’s hand at least loosened and I took my chance and bolted to her, where she immediately put her arm around me protectively.

“You insult me, sir,” Master Esra said coldly. “I am a woman of trade and a member of the mercenary guild. I will bring this to the magistrate if you say one more word about what trade a woman belongs in. Now speak, why have you intruded upon my home?”

I heard the click of the door shutting and glanced over to see the hooded guard’s hand still resting on the wood. He noticed my gaze and nodded to me, then positioned himself at rest there. I wasn’t sure why, but it didn’t feel threatening to me like the other three. Turning, I saw Finnley poking his head between the bars of the staircase, nosing in on what was going on. He saw me looking, giving me a questioning look that I had no answer to.

Jaques finally seemed to get the hint that there wasn’t a man leading the house and looked down his nose at Master Esra, which was impressive considering she was a tall woman. “I am here as a member of the Third Temple. It has come to our attention, you haven’t listed him as a reincarnation under the grace of the Temple registry. Upon questioning the boy, we have concluded that it is of dire importance to do so. To fail to register him sooner is neigh neglect on your part as his guardian. A crime far more worthy of the magistrate’s time.”

“My apologies,” Master Esra said through clenched teeth. “It is only a neglect from my ignorance. Had I known it would be so offensive to the temple, I would have brought him before you upon our arrival in Threa.”

“Traveling were you?” The bishop asked, setting himself onto a seat like it was his home and not hers. I wanted to kick his backside right out the door, but as if sensing my thoughts, Master Esra’s arm tightened around me.

“Rueln has only been my apprentice for a little over a month, lord bishop,” she explained.

His expression soured, “It is High Bishop, and you should know what an honor it is to have me take an interest in a child of such poor background as the boy.” Now that was a jab at me, you lumpy couch cushion. I glared at him, but no one seemed to notice. “My only interest is who he is the reincarnation of. Have you even bothered to find out that much about his recall, woman?”

Master Esra looked down at me, confirming the bishop right, however upon seeing my face she set her jaw and rose to meet him yet again. “I don’t see why his past life matters more than the life he is living now. Rueln is cared for, fed, and cherished while he is learning my trade. Who he was in another life does not diminish this one’s importance.”

Jaques shook his head disdainfully, “Of course you would think that, you ignorant foder. You have no idea how important reincarnation is to this empire and our future.”

“Don’t call her that!” I said, before Master Esra could comment. My face burned red with anger at the man who would throw that insult at her. I hated that word. I hated the people who used it. I’ve had enough of this pompous priest and his insults, acting like we’re the ones who are nothing more than dung on the bottom of his shoe. “Master Esra is worth a hundred of you!” I snarled as I came out from behind Master Esra like I was going to do something about it. She caught me by my collar and dragged me back to her before I could so much as kick him.

When the bishop looked down at me, I felt a chill crawl up my spine. There was something in that look that told me I had crossed a delicate line and that he could tear my life apart with a word. “This is why there are laws, mistress mercenary,” he said, his voice low. “Laws set into place by our country’s leaders for centuries in order to safeguard and protect those who have returned to us. The disrespect you and the boy have shown me and the temple I represent makes it obvious to me you do not value the law of order passed down to us to maintain the integrity of our empire.”

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“He is a child and does not know any better,” Master Esra said, pushing me further behind her as she spoke. My heart beat an unsteady rhythm inside my chest, waiting for the hammer to fall. “Please, register him as you have surely come to do and let us be.”

I thought Jaques was going to bark out another threat to us. His cold eyes staring down Master Esra, then shifted his attention to me. “Boy, retrieve the item we discussed so we can examine it as proof of your claim. Once that is done, then we will register you as Lanarie Aairith as the law dictates.”

Master Esra stiffened, then looked down at me, a mixture of surprise and confusion at the name. I wanted to tell her I had lied but couldn’t think of what to say. Instead, I swallowed and left, running to the bedroom I shared with Finnley for the comb.

I was digging around my things when I heard the door open and Finnley dart in. “What did ya do, Rue?” He demanded, keeping his voice down as if it would carry to the adults halfway across the house. “What’s this about Lan somethin?”

“Lanarie Aairith,” I said, pulling clothes out of the drawer under my bed. “She’s Vhal’s mother.”

“But ya are-How? What?”

“Yeah, I know!” I hissed at him. “I lied at school when they asked me who I was in my past life. It just kind of popped out. I didn’t mean to get this much attention for it.”

“Oh, ya’re doomed,” Finnley groaned, dragging a hand down across his face. “How are ya goin to get out of this one?”

“Well, for one, I can’t take it back,” I sighed, finally finding the comb wrapped in the piece of cloth where I had left it. As soon as my fingers touched it, I felt better, that reassurance I always got from it calming me. I was still relieved that I had kept it in Master Esra’s saddlebags rather than with my things while we traveled, otherwise I would have lost it in the bandit attack. I gently unwrapped it until I could see the barest glint of silver and blue. My fingers curled over it, eager to hide it away again. I still didn’t want to show the bishop. I just knew he would try to take it.

“Ya better,” Finnley said. “Don’t ya know what they do ta reincarnations that important?”

I turned, confusion flickering over my eyes. “What do you mean?”

Finnley seemed to fight with himself for a moment and then ended up shaking his head. “Look, just tell em the truth. Ya aren’ who ya said ya were. Lie again. Come up with a different name.”

“They won’t believe me,” I said, that ominous feeling returning in force. “I already tried to convince them well enough they want to see this.” I held the wrapped comb up to him. “It belonged to her before Vhal.”

“Maybe we can dirty it up?” Finnley suggested, his eyes tightening with worry. “Stain it, so it looks different. No one will know. Lie, Rue. Ya have to.”

“Boy, hurry up!” A voice said as a fist hammered on the other side of my door. It was one of the bishop’s guards.

Finn and I both flinched at the sudden noise and glared at the door together. “Who gave those religious white hats the idea they coul boss us aroun?” Finn demanded.

“Shh,” I said, though I was in full agreement. “He can probably hear you.”

“I don’ care if the lout can hea-,” Finnley said, raising his voice even louder, but I clamped my hand over his mouth.

“Let’s just get through this and then they will leave,” I told him before I lowered my hand and went for the door just as the guard banged on it again. He was going to tear it off its hinges at this rate. What was the hurry? “I had to find it,” I told him as I opened the door.

He escorted me all the way back to the receiving room with Master Esra and the bishop. It surprised me to find Master Esra seated across from Jaques, the second guard, standing behind her with one hand on his weapon. She was unarmed, having been teaching Finnley letters most of the morning. If something happened, there was little she could do to defend herself.

I quickly noted everyone in the room, where they were, not surprised to find the hooded guard still standing by the door. Now, I was regretting not grabbing a knife or even my practice sword while I was in the bedroom. Little good it would do. I didn’t like this.

“There you are, Rueln,” the bishop said, waving a hand at me to come to him. He even scooted to the side a little, as if to offer me a seat beside him. I gave the idea the look it deserved. No thanks. I would rather stand outside in the rain and snow than sit anywhere near you again.

“Come on now, my child, show us the item. What is it?” He said, his interest in what I was holding showing through the disdain he had displayed toward Master Esra and me just minutes before. He all but leaned forward and stared at my hands as I fought with myself to unbind the comb and held it out on my palm. The silver and sapphire sparkled together in the light beading in through the window. There was no denying the riches of what I held in my hand. “Praise be,” he whispered and reached for it, only for me to snatch it away.

“Don’t touch it,” I snapped, hiding it away again. Greed had been in the man’s eyes.

“I must look closer at it,” the bishop told me, feinting patience. “I must determine the authenticity of your claim for the registry.”

“Show it to him again, Rueln,” Master Esra said. She was the only reason I opened my hands and let the man take a second look. They forced me to watch him pluck it from my hand and examine it from every angle, delighting in how it shined.

“This could very well be it,” he said, licking his lips, greed glittering behind the expression. I stared at him, tormented by someone else, even holding it until I couldn’t stand it any longer and snatched it back. The bishop’s eyes narrowed, and I was sure he was going to reprimand me for a breach of etiquette, but he smiled instead. “I believe this boy was telling the truth, but historians will have to confirm the comb’s origin. It certainly looks to be made of the correct era, but I would much prefer to be sure.”

I took a step back, knowing he was about to order his guards to steal it from me.

“Then you may return with a historian to verify his claim,” Master Esra said coldly. “If you will not register him today, then please, I ask you to take your leave.”

“How dare you speak that way to the High Bishop,” the guard that had followed me from my room said.

“No. No,” Jaques said, holding up a hand. “I shall show mercy today in the face of finding such a treasure as Lanarie Aairith. If the boy’s claims were to be held true, then the emperor would be most pleased at young Rueln’s addition to our empire’s strength and future.”

What like some kind of collectable?!

I just relaxed a little when the bishop added, “Come, Rueln. There will be no need for you to pack anything. You will not be sullying yourself any further among such common company.”

“What? No...” I said, my stomach dropping to my toes. I was catching on to what Finnley had tried to tell me.

Master Esra stood, ignoring the guard at her back. “You will not be taking Rueln anywhere,” she said, an icy rage filling her voice.

“It is the law,” Jaques said, the edge of his lips curving up into a smirk. “The boy must have a sponsor of noble blood and introduced to high society with all haste. He is a national treasure reborn. Of course, he will return to the capital with us and I will find him a home to return him to the aristocracy in which he belongs.” He snapped his fingers and the guard closest to me grabbed me while the second pulled his weapon on Master Esra when she protested.

“Let me go!” I yelled, fighting to get away. When that didn’t work, I contorted myself so I could sink my teeth into the meat of the man’s arm. He cursed, and I was flung aside, landing beside Jacques, then falling to the floor, where the guard grabbed me again. His hold was much firmer the second time, and I couldn’t twist as well.

“Rueln!” Master Esra exclaimed, then glared at the guard at her back when he pressed a weapon to the curve of her throat.

“Honestly, you are making a fool of yourself, woman,” the bishop said, rising to his feet and straightening his robes as if something had mussed them. “Pick the child up and let’s be on our way. The sooner we correct the damage done to him being raised among the savagery, the better for us all. He’s still quite young, so it isn’t too late. To the carriage, all of you.”

The guard holding me pulled me to my feet and started dragging me with him to the carriage, my arms held behind my back. “Master Esra!” I cried, trying to break free and get to her, but the second guard still had his weapon drawn on her. Without her sword and at the risk of going against the law of the empire, she couldn’t fight back. “I don’t want to go! Let me go!”

“AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!” Finnley came running from the depths of the house brandishing his practice sword. He went to the guard dragging me away and rammed the wood into the man’s leg with enough strength that the wood cracked. For just a moment, the guard’s arm loosened on me and I thought I could free myself and tried when I saw his elbow come down. He struck Finnley from behind along his spine and my friend fell to the ground in a limp heap.

“Finn!” I yelled as they pulled me through the door and toward the carriage. “Master Esra!”

Within the chaos, the bishop yelled orders at his men and insults at Master Esra and Finnley. The guards cursed, and Master Esra spat venom at their backs. The only person who had remained silent was the hooded guard, but when he followed us outside, there was something about him that drew my attention. When he spoke, everything went still.

“I shall sponsor the boy.”