Chapter VII

Convergence

Edwin II

It was as if the verdant hills to the east moved by themselves. Across the river and some time off, they followed each other like a row of ants. Orderly, perfectly, without missing a beat. And if the grass was the hair, then it blew in the wind, flowing with it.

Edwin watched from within the luxurious carriage, leaning against his fist. It was a bit too warm here for his coat, but he would manage, he thought. At least he felt this natural warmth for once.

His thoughts wandered off to those hills. The sight tickled a distant memory within him. A memory that, by all accounts, should not be there. A memory that was not wholly there. No, a mere blur. An image of green hills and warm days, the scent of fruits and cries of birds. Starlit silver, shades away from white, standing.

“…Mmh…” a yawn came opposite the carriage. “You’ve woken up already?” Rheinald asked, sitting upright and against the carriage wall.

“Few hours ago,” Edwin did not look at his travelling companion. His gaze never left the distant hills.

Rheinald, too, looked out the window. “Seen any ships pass by?”

“Blue ones, green ones, red ones.”

“Dammrian, Roddani and… Valouryan? Did the ship have two swords or a rooster?”

“Didn’t see.”

“Right. Doesn’t matter, just checking my memory,” he cracked his knuckles. “I think we’ll reach the city soon. Hope so, at least. I’m starving, didn’t have a proper meal since we left the ship. Guessing you’re hungry as well, hm?”

“No.”

“Oh? Well, you are a bit smaller so-“

“What?” Edwin shifted his attention towards Rheinald.

“A bit… ah, I see! You’re shy about your height, aren’t you?”

Edwin narrowed his eyes. He returned to gazing at the outside. “I’ll grow taller.”

“Will you? How old are you, anyways?”

“Sixteen since last month,” he moved his gaze back on Rheinald. “You?”

“Oh, ah, twenty-one. I honestly thought you were older.”

“I didn’t. Knew I was sixteen.”

He chuckled. “Didn’t expect a joke coming from you.”

“Wasn’t joking.”

“Oh.”

For a single moment, he grinned. A short heh came from his mouth and his eyes brightened. In the very next moment, he returned to his old, still-faced self. “Another blue ship passing by.”

“Is there?” Rheinald leant forward. “Oh, those are teal sails. From Kyrione,” he looked at Edwin whose face had an inquisitive air about it. “The Empire of Kyrione to the south. Controls nearly the entirety of the southern Saarast except Tyren to its east. Teal is their colour.”

Edwin nodded. He looked through the window towards what was in front of the carriage. He could see that tall walls flying deep blue flags were mere minutes away. “We’ll stop soon.”

“Guess we-“ the carriage came to a violent halt, startling Rheinald. “That soon, huh.”

Rheinald opened the carriage door and stepped out. Edwin watched as he checked his surroundings and moved forward, only to step back and urge Edwin to come out. And Edwin shuffled on his seat towards the exit. He moved his leg and finally stepped onto the dirt road.

Check.

“Everything alright?” Rheinald asked.

“I… yes,” Edwin responded. He did not realize he was standing still and with a worried face. Sweat dripped down his brow. His black sword shook once. Something was set in motion. No, something had already been in motion.

“Are you sure?” Rheinald asked again.

“I’m sure,” Edwin brushed it all off and walked forward. The prince, as well as his knight and the Gala, were waiting by other carriages just in front of them.

“Ah, here comes the other young lord! I trust you have slept well, Edwin?” Kyran immediately and heartily exclaimed as soon as they were approached.

“Slept fine.”

“You know, those are some very large walls,” the ginger gestured towards the walls of Dammrias.

“And yet incomparable with the great walls of Galewood! Eight times higher and a hundred times more…”

“We ought to hurry. Breakfast will be starting anytime now,” Julius interrupted Kyran. “And I believe every single person here wants to eat something warm and filling. After all, days of crackers are disappointing, no? Who would ever think that someone from Galewood with money to spare would offer only crackers while in such nice carriages?”

“Ah, you hurt me, my dear prince,” Kyran made an exaggerated motion of deep sadness.

“Shut up. Let us proceed to Terwall,” Julius spun on his heel and led the helm of the group alongside Annea through the first gate.

They walked first through a district where the smell of fish was abundant. The docks were here, surrounded by four walls, and with the great river passing through. More storage houses were here than any other building. Large and small, filled with crates and barrels and whatnot. Stores, butcheries and workshops were lined up towards the west alongside some housing. Lots of people were here, too. Crowds and crowds of them.

There was a large gate far to the west. A closer one to the south, though. They were going towards that one. It was wide open and showed a very white vista. Clean stone unlike the rough paving and dirt here.

Took them a short while, but they passed the docks. Now they walked between structures that could be consider more… noble. Large houses and mansions with gardens and colourful roofs. Household guards and servants walked about and along pale folk in overly decorated clothing.

This district was divided by the river from before. Two bridges connected the west and east parts, though the other side was just more of the same. There were not as many people here. Those that were outside walked in pairs and smaller groups. Not a single person walked alone. And most carried an umbrella to shelter themselves against the Sun.

Through that district they passed as well. Not before they were stopped multiple times as the nobles walked towards Julius and gave their respects. He had commented on it. Harshly, it should be said. These encounters did add some twenty minutes to their trek through the district. But they were out of it now. And they now stood before, or rather on top of, the city’s dam. The great Lion Dam, which was how the city had received its name. It was very tall and with a lion’s head spewing water into the river below. The dam had probably replaced a waterfall that had once been here. The entire city was, after all, divided into the lower and upper part by a cliff.

And to the west, a short walk between some trees and fine grass, was the castle of Terwall. It stood there with its many floors and glorious terrace, overlooking the city. It had many windows scattered about and a tower near the centre. And it was where they were headed.

“Alas, my lords, this is where we will be separating for a while,” Kyran said suddenly. “My companions and I are headed to the local tavern where we shall meet up with some kind folk and discuss our further plans. When we are finished, we shall come and see you. Or you shall come and see us. Whatever happens earliest.”

“Will you not be joining us for breakfast, then?” Julius asked.

“I am afraid not. Farewell,” he bowed and walked down the stairs into the lower city.

“Thank the Sun. If I hear him go on a tirade one more time I swear I will…” Julius cleared his throat. “In any case, let us enter the castle.”

“My lord,” Annea walked up towards Julius and whispered something into his ear. His face bore a serious tone, but he quickly threw on a smile and told Edwin and Rheinald to follow him. And they did just so.

They walked through the entrance and through the twin hallways that led them forward. Forward to a great and wide room where a seat of blue stone imposed itself. With great tendrils that crawled up and down on stone, the throne of azure stood empty. A single gem of such perfect deep green was embedded in the seat. It eyed Edwin as if it had a mind of its own. Perhaps it did. Or perhaps Edwin only felt as if it stared at him.

“The dining room is on our right,” said Julius. He looked around, most likely trying to spot someone. Besides the four of them, the throne room was mostly empty. Were guards not supposed to be inside castles? Were there any even outside the castle? Edwin could not remember if there were.

They went into the dining room. There was a long table inside. It was an empty room, though. Food was laid out on the table, but it appeared to be rather simple and hastily made. Nothing was cooked. Dry meat and bread that was not cut.

“I… apologize for…” Julius started speaking but interrupted himself with an ire-ridden sigh. “What the hell is all this!?” he yelled out. “Chef! Chef!?” he went towards a door at the far end of the room. He opened it, looked around very quickly and closed it. He sighed again, this time it was more disappointed than angry. “I suppose we will have to make do with pantry food.” He scratched the back of his head and sat down.

The others, excluding Annea, sat down as well. “Did something happen to the cook?” Rheinald asked.

“…I don’t know,” Julius said, placing a piece of dry pork on his plate. “Are you not hungry, Annea?”

“I’d like to be excused for a moment, my lord,” she said. “Something is… amiss. I’ll go upstairs and-“

The knight quickly stopped talking and turned around the moment she heard the sound of steps. A tall man with tidy brown hair and a regal black coat walked in. “Forgive me for not being here sooner, my prince,” he said.

Julius stood up and walked up towards the man. Edwin thought the prince would hit the man by the way he was walking, which was why he had a modicum of surprise when Julius hugged the man instead.

“I am glad you are not mad, my prince,” he smiled and hugged back as a father would hug his son.

Julius backed off. “Forgive me, it has been a while since I last saw you. When did you come back to Terwall?”

“Two days ago. It would seem as if Aelman ran off somewhere with the rest of the cooks. And as I am not a proper chef, I merely laid out what was available. I hope it is not too unappealing.”

“It is edible at the very least. Would be more edible if I was not angry at the fact that all our cooks are gone. The regent nobles aren’t doing their job right. But no point in punishing them now, I am convinced the king will deal out better justice than I can,” Julius sighed.

“I am sure he will,” the man cleared his throat and stood straight. “Now, as everything seems to be in order, I will return to the study. Plenty of papers left to go over,” he said, bowed his head, and left.

“As I said earlier, I am going upstairs, my lord,” Annea started to speak. “There is something concerning I must check.”

“Concerning? I hope you’re not worried that one of your swords got stolen.”

“I’m not.” She bowed. “It might take a while, my lord. Please do not get killed in the meanwhile,” she said with a faint smile and walked off.

Julius sat back down and started to eat. Rheinald and Edwin were mostly finished by now so all they did was wait for the prince himself to finish.

Moments later, in front of the castle, the three men stood. Edwin wished to see the city, as did Rheinald. Julius had nothing better to do which was why he had told them he would show them around. At least Edwin thought he had nothing to do. He was a prince, after all. What do they do besides ride horses and look pretty?

They made their way down the stairs into the lower city. The streets were, unlike the castle, crowded and separated by a river. There was a large fortress to their right next to a dirt field made for battle practice and the like. Strange that the city had two castles not too far from each other. This one was smaller, though.

To their left, between two buildings, was a path that led to the city park. Lots of trees and other greenery. The path led up a singular hill upon which a long and tall structure stood. A place of worship, as Julius had said. The Dammrian cathedral.

As for the buildings on the streets themselves… colourful, simply put. Two to three stories tall on average and placed halfway orderly and halfway unorderly in front of stone-paved roads. Some had balconies, too. Narrow alleyways were between the buildings and the buildings themselves were rather narrow.

Julius suddenly stopped and cleared his throat. “Well, in order to make up for the rather bland breakfast and as a small gesture of my appreciation, I will buy the two of you chocolate.”

“Buy what?” Edwin asked.

“Buy, uh…” Julius sighed and scratched the back of his hair. He pointed at the sign hanging on a building behind him. Earleal’s Chocolaterie. “It is a specialty from across the sea. I am certain the two of you might like it.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Rheinald. Edwin nodded in agreement.

“Good. Wait right here, I will be back in just a moment.” He turned around and went into the store. Julius came back some minutes later carrying two metal cups. They contained brown liquid that bore a strong and strange smell. “I have two chocolates here. I got just the chocolates as I do not think either of you like sweetness in their drinks.” He passed the two warm cups to Edwin and Rheinald.

“Well, I don’t mind a bitter drink,” Rheinald said and sipped his drink. “Oh, I quite like it.”

Edwin stared into his cup. Julius eyed him expectantly. He let out a small sigh and took a swig. He tightened his lips as he swallowed the chocolate down. The bitterness did not rest well with him.

“Are you alright?” Julius asked.

“I might die,” Edwin said with utter seriousness.

“…Too bitter, then? I will go and get you a sweeter one.” Julius turned around once more and went into the store. He returned with a new cup and handed it to Edwin who handed the old cup back to him. “This one is with honey,” he added.

Edwin began to drink once more. The bitter taste was still there but it was obscured by the sweet hints of honey. A pleasant, creamy taste. He gulped the mixture down.

“I, uh… I see you like this one. Might not want to drink it that fast, tends to hit the stomach quite hard,” Julius warned.

“It’s good,” Edwin said, wiping the remains from his lips.

“For the amount they cost, they better be good.”

“Is it expensive?” Rheinald asked.

“Two gold marks per cup. I do have money to spare but it is silly regardless.” Julius crossed his arms. Rheinald and Edwin gave their empty cups to him and he brought them back inside the store.

Just as Julius had entered, Edwin felt some strange rumble from below. It was not a quake. More like some strange discharge of volatile energy. It was a short rumbling pulse. It faded away and then came back again. Every… five or so seconds.

“I did warn you that it was bad for the stomach, did I not?” Julius said with a chuckle as he came out.

“What’s underneath the city?” Edwin immediately asked.

“Huh? Underneath?” Julius was startled for a moment. “Sewers. Some canals even further below, as old as the city. Not sure there is anything else. What made you ask that?”

“Something’s wrong…”

“Are you sure it is not just your stomach? I doubt that there is anything down there besides the usual.”

“How do I get down there?”

“Assuming you want to get to the canals and not the sewers…” Julius thought for a moment. “I believe there is a passageway in the cathedral… What did you say was wrong with them, again?”

“Not sure. Some sort of pulse. It makes me sick, definitely isn’t good.”

“Oh, didn’t expect we’d be exploring the underground anytime soon,” Rheinald said.

Julius gave a sigh. “I hope this will be quick.”

The three of them walked off towards the park. As they passed into the park through an alleyway, he felt as if someone had walked past them. Some familiar stranger. He could not tell who that was nor did he catch a glimpse, but the feeling lingered.

The path towards the cathedral was a walk through the park. In both senses. And it was a pretty walk, surrounded by large firs and elms, colourful flowers and people, and a somewhat steep set of stairs that led up to the very building. Two sets of stairs in total. This was definitely not healthy for older folk.

Massive doors stood closed afore the cathedral. Three spires towered over them just above those doors. There were windows of painted glass stretched along the building walls and flowerbeds just next to those very walls.

Edwin stepped in front and extended his arms in order to push the door open. Julius, however, stopped him. “The cathedral is only open on Sundays. On other days, you have to knock to be let in. Like this,” Julius said and walked forward. He knocked three times on what seemed to be a smaller door in the gate.

A few moments after came the sound of a lock being unlocked. The smaller door was opened the next second and out came a man in a dark blue coat. His hair was long and brown and his eyes seemed awfully… empty? Edwin was unsure. But something was wrong with the man’s eyes.

“Sun’s…” the man began to speak but suddenly stopped once he observed who had come. He grew a slight smirk and stood upright. “Ah, dearest prince. I rarely see you come into the house of the Sun.”

“I am showing some companions of mine around, Abeal. Mind if we come in?”

“I mind not,” he said and moved aside, allowing the three to enter.

He closed the door behind them. A carpet of red and gold stretched in front of them towards the altar that stood at the very end between two white pillars. Golden braziers were lit along the carpet and they glowed far brighter than a fire should. A golden sword and apple were laid upon the altar. And behind the altar, on the wall, was a mural depicting a near-naked man with flowing gold hair. He held an apple in one hand, half eaten. His other hand was open and reached out as if he were offering something. His eyes were closed and he was smiling as he sat on what seemed to be a rock. Next to the rock were two swords, unsheathed and crossed. One white and one black.

“Has the tapestry caught your eye?” asked Abeal. “It is old, as old as the cathedral. The Sun before ascending to the skies so it may keep us warm, or so the story goes.”

“We should hurry before he starts one of his fables again.” Julius yanked Edwin’s arm.

“You will be giving the tour of the cathedral yourself, then? Very well.” The man smiled at Edwin. Abeal’s hand brushed against Ed’s coat as the three of them left towards the right side of the cathedral.

“Alright,” Julius spoke, “there is a set of stairs leading to the basement here. If my assumption is correct, that means there is a ladder or the like in the basement.”

Down the stairs was a cellar. A storage room, more likely. Barrels and crates were placed about, old cloths and figurines were laid against those objects. It had a slight stench of mould and was all around musty. There was a door opposite the staircase. They opened it and found another set of stairs, though this one was spiral and seemed to lead deep underground.

With a torch they took from the cellar, they walked downwards for some few minutes. They reached the bottom and found that there was yet another door. This one, however, was made out of stone and would not open until they pulled a lever next to it.

“What is this place…?” Julius said once they went through the open passage.

The place before them was like a maze. Corridors and long hallways were what made these canals. White and clean walls lit up by some strange stone embedded within, stretching alongside, surrounded them. There was writing below the light, strange runes no one had knowledge of. And there was water slowly spilling through the middle of the canals, travelling to every direction. It was pure and clean water. Where was it coming from, though?

“There.” Edwin pointed towards the west. A strange feeling guided him towards an even stranger power. He touched the wall they walked next to. The feeling was familiar. A strange warmth came to his fingertips and ran through his body like a current.

“How strange,” Julius spoke as he touched the wall. “I had no clue that the canals were like this. Who built them, I wonder?”

“The gods? An ancient people, perhaps?” Rheinald answered. “Weren’t there ruins like these in Alattras? To the far west and east, too. At least I heard there were.”

“Atop the High Alattras, yes. Some sort of temple and a gate that cannot be opened. I think there is some place like this beneath Reyisaan to the east. And in the western deserts, too. But there are, no doubt, many places hidden beneath the sand.”

“I found my sword in a similar place,” Edwin said. “Behind a door. Walls were whiter. Found it shortly before coming to Anfrel.”

“Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” Rheinald asked. “What’s the purpose of these places? Especially this one. Seems to go on forever.”

The three of them suddenly stopped as they walked around a corner. The gate was there. The same starlit gate from before. It was at the end of the tunnel, towering a man who knelt in front of it. A familiar man with amber hair.

Edwin walked up first. He felt he knew this man. How could he not know him? This was the man who raised him for sixteen years. He could not mistake him.

The man rose up once Edwin was within arm’s length. He drew some sort of red circle on the floor. A five-pointed star was crossed with a vertical line inside. The man turned around and wiped his bloodied hand on a rug. He smiled, faintly.

“Aerin, why are you-“

“You’ve arrived at last,” Aerin interrupted him. “Maybe even sooner than expected. Far sooner.” He looked at Julius and Rheinald. “Hope you’re treating the boy well. Doesn’t have a lot of friends, but he’s a good kid,” he told them.

Edwin shook his head. “Why are you here?”

“Eh, slight change of plans.” He scratched his chin.

“What happened to our home?”

Aerin was silent, but he kept smiling. “You’ll find out soon enough. Maybe you won’t understand, but you’ll know what happened.” His face became slightly strained and sweat started to drip down his forehead.

“Are you alright?” asked Julius who just walked forward.

“I’m just fine…” He covered one of his eyes with his hand. The other eye peered right at Julius. “You’re the king’s son, aren’t you? You have that smell. How fortunate.” Aerin’s shadow seemed to grow over them.

“Fortunate…?” Julius backed off slightly. Edwin followed suit. Something was wrong. “What are you implying?”

“Implying? Why would I imply anything? I’m stating facts. You’re the king’s son and you have his smell. It’s stronger than his, and you haven’t even become a king yet.” Aerin clenched his free fist. Edwin felt something terribly wrong in his gut.

And he pushed Julius aside once Aerin swung at the prince with a silver blade that was not there before. The blade shattered on contact with Edwin’s black sword. “What are you doing, Aerin!?” he shouted out.

The man backed away towards the gate. Julius and Rheinald stood behind Edwin without weapons. “I must… preserve the dream. You wouldn’t understand.” Another sword manifested in his free hand.

“He’s creating… weapons out of thin air?” Rheinald spoke with surprise. “Why is he able to?”

“Stand back,” Edwin told them. “You’re unarmed.” He resolved himself to fight his father. It did not matter who the man was to him. He could not excuse murder.

Aerin charged at them. Edwin stood in front with his weapon, preventing him from reaching them. He swung at him, but Aerin dodged backwards. They did this five more times. Aerin kept backing off. Edwin kept advancing. They clashed blades a few times, and Aerin’s blade shattered each time. Edwin noticed a ring on his finger glowing each time a new sword formed. “Don’t make me hurt you, boy,” he said.

Edwin tightly grasped his sword. “I’ll hurt you, then.”

Aerin chuckled. His chuckle became a cackle. “Fine.” He moved his hand from his eye. The eye that was reveal was a bright burning orange. And now, in both his hands, was a sword.

He rushed at Edwin. Ed could parry one sword, but not the other. He threw himself to the ground in the last second, dodging the attack. He rolled around and was faced by twin blades once more. They repeated this process a number of times, dodging differently each time. Edwin could no longer attack and would lose at this rate.

Overpower him. Break through his attack. That was the only way to win. Let the wound heal later.

He stepped forward and raised his sword high. Aerin lunged in. The black blade thundered downwards. It smashed the ground. Aerin was no longer in front.

Edwin found himself struggling for breath. “Good thing I never taught you how to fight,” Aerin said through a chuckle, choking Edwin from behind.

Edwin tried bashing him with his elbow. He found himself slowly blacking out. But he tumbled down, released from the chokehold, and quickly regained his composure. He jumped to his feet and faced Aerin with a sword once more.

Aerin was in shock. An axe pierced the wall next to him. The axe came from Rheinald. Another one followed. And another. And another. Aerin jumped away from every single one. The axes Rheinald threw came from thin air, just like Aerin’s swords.

Edwin, seeing Aerin distracted by the axes, charged forward. A swing from the side and it would all be over.

The tip of the blade bit into Aerin’s thigh. Perhaps as a last resort, Aerin slammed the ground hard enough to shake the canals, forcing them all out of balance. “Shouldn’t’ve pushed my luck, ahah!” he shouted and retreated into the distance. The lights from the walls began to quickly fade in order to cover his retreat. “The Garden, Edwin. Unseal the gate. Step closer towards the truth.” His voice echoed in the distance, fading away.

Edwin walked towards Julius and Rheinald. “You alright?” he asked Julius.

“You bruised me a bit, since you threw me into the wall. But I am alright. Thank you, it seems I have added more to my debt.”

“Saved twice in a week. Comes with the royal life, hm?” Rheinald said.

“I have never had an attempt on my life before. Odd that there were two attempts in a row, even though the first one was a mistake,” Julius gave out a big sigh. “Now, do you mind explaining where you got those axes from?”

“Well, uh, I create axes and throw them. That’s about it,” Rheinald lightly chuckled.

“Thanks. You saved me,” Edwin told him.

“Ahah, well, hopefully I won’t have to do it again.”

Julius stared at the large black gate. “I assume that this is the place you felt and that we cannot open it.” He looked at Edwin who did not respond after a while. “Is something the matter?”

Edwin was breathing heavily. His sword arm was shaking. A bloodthirsty will was forcing itself upon him. But he endured and sheathed his sword. “That’s the place,” he answered through ragged breaths. “Sorry, I…” His eyes flickered. His legs felt unsteady and he felt himself falling.

“Easy now.” Rheinald caught him and supported him up. “We should get back to the castle, I think.”

Julius nodded in agreement. “Hopefully, he is just lightheaded. I will make sure to call the physician, just in case. Unless he left, as well,” Julius sighed. “Let us proceed.”

The three of them walked off. Rheinald supported Edwin along the way.

Edwin had recovered by the time they reached the castle. He spent their walk thinking about what had just transpired and why. There were no answers for now, only questions. He would mull over it before sleep, he supposed. He thought best before dreaming, after all.

“Before we enter,” Julius said at the castle entrance, “do not mention this attack to Annea. I would not want to worry her.”

“Well, you were separated for just an hour and you got attacked. Talk about bad luck,” Rheinald said. “You sure she shouldn’t know?”

“I trust it will not happen again. And if it does, I am sure she will be with me.”

“What if she isn’t?”

“I will do my best not to die.” They proceeded into the castle. “Now, I did promise you a feast tomorrow, but in our current cookless situation that will be rather hard. Therefore, I propose that we go to my pub and share a few festive drinks.”

“You have a pub?”

“In the castle, yes. Inherited it from my uncle when he left the family,” Julius sighed. “It is upstairs, next to the bedrooms. Quite convenient in case someone drinks too much.”

“Will you be drinking again, my lord?” Annea approached them from the other side of the throne room.

“Well, I, erm… I promise not to drink too much,” Julius chuckled.

“I’ll make sure to keep count, my lord,” Annea said. “Also, I couldn’t find Faltieal anywhere. It seems he disappeared again.”

“Great. I doubt he will be back soon, probably hid somewhere to escape father’s wrath. He should be back sometime this week.” Julius turned around towards Edwin and Rheinald. “Let us proceed up the stairs. I will delegate some free rooms to you and then we can go ahead with the festivities.”

And they did just as Julius said. They went to the middlemost floor where Edwin and Rheinald were given rooms. They were left alone for a while and told to come to the pub which was on this floor as well.

Edwin took off his swords, placing them again the bed. He untied his sash, as well, and took off his coat. As he hung his coat on a rod in the closet, he noticed a card sticking out of a pocket. Edwin took the card out. It had the image of a golden trumpeter playing the trumpet from the heavens. A single white figure stood below with arms reaching out as if accepting the trumpeter. There was a half-circle at the very top. XX was written in it. The backside was black with a white outline of the Sun. Edwin believed the man from the cathedral placed it inside. He would visit the man tonight.

“What will you drink?” asked Julius who stood behind the counter. Edwin had just come and sat down on one of the stools.

Edwin gave it some thought. What did people drink when they celebrated? Simple water seemed inappropriate. “…Mead?” he asked.

Julius chuckled. “You do not sound too sure.” He knelt down with a tankard and started pouring mead from a keg into it. “There you go.” He placed it before Edwin.

“What exactly are we celebrating?” Rheinald asked.

“Well, besides you helping us, we are also celebrating my birthday, although it is tomorrow. I wish we could have organized a proper feast, but it seems that will have to wait.”

“May I have some wine, my lord?” asked Annea.

“I thought you were counting how much I drank. Alcohol might hinder that.”

“I can hold myself just fine after a few drinks. Unlike some.” She sat down on a stool, unarmoured.

“Right, right.” Julius placed a cup of wine in front of Annea.

“Do princes usually act as barkeeps?” Edwin asked.

“I would assume most princes have their own barkeeps. But I do not mind. The least I can do is pour you a drink, and then you can say you were served by the prince of Dammrias!” Julius sat down on his own stool behind the counter. “Besides, it breaks the monotony of life. Studying and practicing daily tends to hurt you.”

“Daily, my lord? Isn’t it weekly for you?” Annea sipped on her wine.

“Weeks have days. The two are interchangeable.” Julius drank some beer.

Rheinald quietly drank his drink. He pondered something, it seemed.

“I guess we are going to High Alattras soon,” Julius said. “I wonder what Kyran meant by keys.”

“Keys like mine,” Edwin said. “The black sword.”

“Oh, like that? It sure is a nice sword. I sure would like one myself.”

“I as well,” Annea said. “Might be that we keep the swords. They just need it to unlock something, right?”

“Might be. Where did you find your sword, Ed?” Julius asked Edwin who raised a brow. No one called him Ed before. “Uh, you do not mind if I call you Ed, right?”

“I don’t,” he said. “My sword was… in a stone,” he recalled the place he got it. “In a white room. Behind a gate, like the one below the city.”

“There’s some gate below the city?” Annea asked.

“There are, no doubt, a lot of gates below the city, ahah,” Julius chuckled. “A sword in a stone, you say. Like an old legend, then. I suppose it makes sense.”

“Wonder where we’ll find swords like that,” Annea said. “Gates, too. Pour me some more wine, my lord.”

“…You could ask nicely first. I am still your prince, after all,” he said as he poured the wine.

“I did add my lord at the end, my lord.”

“I suppose you did…” he looked at Rheinald. “You are awfully quiet. Something on your mind?”

Rheinald flinched. “Hm, ah, sorry, yes. Lost in thought. Can I have some more ale?”

“Of course,” he said and poured. “See, Annea? You should ask like that.”

“Can you please pour me more wine and shut up about it?” she said rather harshly.

“You are, uh, drinking quite fast. Are you sure you-”

“I could stab you in your sleep and no one would be the wiser. Please pour,” she interrupted him.

“Alright, alright!” He poured wine from a bottle. “Do you want more mead, Ed?”

Edwin looked at his half-full tankard. “I still have some.”

“What do you think about swords, Edwin?” Annea suddenly asked.

He gave her a surprised look. “I… like them?”

“How many do you have?”

“Two.”

“I have thirteen. Want to see my collection?”

“Er… sure?”

“Oh no,” Julius suddenly exclaimed.

“Great! Come with me.” She stood up and grabbed Edwin’s arm, leading him out of the pub.

They spent a few hours in her room where she showed off her swords and the contents of numerous books pertaining to swords and swordsmanship. Edwin intently listened to her. She left the room at one point and came back with a bottle of wine which she drank herself. It was an interesting experience, all in all. She eventually collapsed and fell asleep in her bed due to a mixture of both alcohol and exhaustion. An interesting lady, Edwin thought. He snuck out of her room after placing a number of scattered books back into their places.

He went back to the pub. Rheinald had already gone to sleep and Julius was cleaning the bar. He was, apparently, the least intoxicated. This proved correct once he approached the bar. Julius spoke of a few things concerning the city and the world surrounding it, as well as his princely status and the royal family. They shared one last drink before leaving for their respective rooms. Edwin, however, put on his coat and grabbed his swords before leaving the castle.

No one noticed him leave as there was no one that could notice. No guards were positioned outside and inside the castle even now. There were a few that roamed the streets, though. They carried lanterns with them due to the darkness descending with the late hours of the day. But it was still bright enough to wander around without any light, which was why Edwin had no issue entering the park.

A single guard patrolled the road here. It was empty otherwise. No, there was another person here, sitting on a bench. Her hair and eyes glowed bright. Copper both. And she had a face full of worry, too. They looked at each other when he passed by. He chose to leave her be and went on his way.

He knocked on the cathedral door twice. The door slowly opened. No one went outside to greet him, but he was invited nonetheless. His hand gripped his sword sheath, just in case.

“Over here,” the priest hollered from a lit room. The door there was wide open.

Edwin entered. The priest urged him to close the door behind himself, and so he did. “What do you want?” he asked. The man was sitting by a wide table. He gestured at a chair opposite himself.

“You’ve noticed my invitation. That is good.” He took out a deck of cards and placed them on top of the table. “I know not which card you received, but it came from here. Do you believe in fortune telling?”

“…Doesn’t sound very priestly,” Edwin said.

“It is frowned upon by the Church. But many things are. Many things I deal with. Now, place the card I gave you on the table if you would.”

Edwin took out the card from his pocket and placed it on the table. The man slid the card closer to himself and next to the deck. A faint smile formed on his face.

“Judgement. I do wonder who it is that you miss. What you seek to understand. Don’t you, as well?” He slid the card back to Edwin. “One card is all I need to understand your fate. Humorous, isn’t it? A simple card can tell me what will happen to you. Then again, fate is a fickle thing. One might misunderstand it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The heart of man is symbolised within these cards. Each person corresponds to an Arcana. Each person also corresponds to one of the fourteen wills of humanity. They all follow the road of their life under these two dictations, but you…” He swiped all of the cards faceup onto the table around the Judgement card. “You are alike a Pillar. You hold up others and they, in turn, shelter you. The fate of others and yourself is something you can impact. You are able to harbour True Magic in your heart.” The man stood up. “Stand,” he told him.

Edwin stood up, as well. The priest walked up to him. “What are you…”

“I bestow upon you a fragment of the truth. Take out the Key,” he said.

“But it will…” Edwin clicked with his teeth. If the blade forced him to kill the priest, it would be fine. The man knew what he was getting into. Right…?

He took out the blade, and the man neared the Judgement Arcana towards Edwin’s chest. He placed it atop his heart. A bright light came from both the blade and card, and the sword was gone. In its stead was the card.

“I have eased your burden and made you one step closer to understanding this world. Should you need your weapon, simply take out the card I have given you. You cannot lose it, for it will always find its way back to you.”

Edwin clutched at his chest. A sharp pain went through. But he was now closer to understanding. He realized that. He understood that the power of magic came from understanding. Not from knowing how things worked or why something was, but from understanding people.

“Should a Pillar collapse, so will everything above it. Your fate is the fate of all humanity, but you are not the only one. Many have existed, exist and are yet to exist. The world relies on them.” The priest gave out a deep breath. “I believe I have given you enough to think about. We might meet again, sometime in the future, but for now that is unnecessary. However, before you leave, let me impart this advice to you – do not drink the waters in the Garden.” The priest sat down.

Edwin recovered from the previous pain. He put Judgement in a pocket. “You won’t tell me why?”

“I will not. I have awakened your potential and am merely here to give advice, vague though it may be. If you cannot walk on your own two feet and decide with your own head, then we are all doomed. Now go out into the world. Tomorrow is a turning point for us all.”

Edwin closely listened and then left. What was that about tomorrow? He would see. But for now, he was satisfied. The Key was now part of him and no longer hungered for other souls. What he wanted was what the blade wanted. The blade Judgement, as it had been dubbed.

He also felt a surge of power within him. Could he use magic now? Possibly. Perhaps he could have used it all along. But it was best not to try and use it now. Who knew what could happen.

Edwin left the cathedral and walked through the park. The girl from before no longer sat there and there was no guard patrolling the path. There was, though, a presence watching him. A presence that was leaning against a building wall just before the central street.

“A pretty town, isn’t it? Isn’t it?” Talye asked.

“I guess. Did you follow me all the way here?”

“I told you I would. And I never break my word.” She smiled. “Closer to the truth now, hm? Will you reach it, I wonder? Hope it’ll be fun since I’ll tag along. Even if you don’t reach it, I’ll be with you as I always have.”

“…Always? Were you following me before we even met?”

“Always means always. Figure it out.” She leaned off the wall and swung her arms. “I’ll be going now. Call for me when you want to use magic. I’ll do it for you, alright? Alright?”

Edwin nodded. “Alright.”

She chuckled. “I’m glad. Means we’ll get to see each other more often.” She walked past Edwin and into the darkened park. “Bye now.” And she was gone.

Edwin gave a light sigh and left the park. A set of eyes watched him go up the dam stairs. He felt them watch and turned around towards a streetlight. A silver blur was there. A familiar sight, a familiar feeling. The girl from before was still a mystery to him. But now there was this priest, as well. And another, a third person. A person that had just disappeared from atop that streetlight. He shrugged it off and walked towards the castle, wondering why he had not been raised peacefully by a baker or something similar.