Chapter 37: The Kingdom’s Pillar of Hahl

“But why,” Nero moaned, dancing on his feet and shaking a finger at Shina. “Sehn, I wanna fly on the bird, and she said I could too.”

Sehn crossed his arms and elevated his chin. He was not in the mood to argue. “I don’t care what Shina said, because I’m saying you can’t. You are not permitted to take to the skies before I do.”

“And it’s not a bird,” Shina added in. “It’s a gryphon, and his name is Pancake.”

Nero stopped walking and sat on the grass, kicking out his legs in front of him. “I’m not going anywhere until I get to play with Pancake.”

Sehn held a hand to his eyes and filtered out the sun. He looked into the distance, off of the elevated hill and through the last stretch of the Valley. They were now close enough to the city to see its walls, dark slabs of granite stretching far higher than those of Koringrath. The walls formed a giant rectangle, stretching for miles around the Kingdom city.

Hahl was built to withstand any foreseeable attack. Archer towers poked up from every corner of the surrounding walls, with spiked gates tactically positioned around each of them. Sehn didn’t know much about warfare, but the purpose seemed obvious. The spiked gates would provide friendly soldiers easy access out, while at the same time causing death to any enemy foolish enough to try and gain entry.

Sehn focused his eyes, and was able to make out the center of the city. It was large, larger than Elvar, or even Koringrath. There were rows upon rows of homes, each with unique colors and style. Unlike Koringrath’s brighter palette, the citizens of Hahl used whatever colors they wanted. There were as many brightly colored homes as dark. Some were mansions, with gardens as big as the homes themselves, and constructed of the finest brick and cobblestone. Others were mere cottages, shabbily constructed out of cheap wood.

“We really have to do something about that gryphon,” Cah’lia said. “We can’t just have it follow us like a horse, it’s sure to draw notice, and flying it will only alarm people.”

Since literally swooping in on them, Shina had yet to return to the skies, settling instead for riding her gryphon much like a horse, the only difference being she treated her animal more like a friend than a servant. Every time Sehn looked over his shoulder he’d see Shina leaning forward in the saddle and scratching its ears, or kissing its neck.

Stupid bird-thing, Sehn thought. How come Shina gets to have a majestic flying creature and the Great Sehn does not? In what way is this fair?

It also bothered Sehn that while he walked like a peasant, his foolish sister had the privilege of riding on her gryphon, relaxed and at ease.

“Cah’lia, Sehn, please,” Nero begged. “I wanna fly on the bird.”

Shina growled, and jumped from the saddle, landing with grace on her feet. She marched over to Nero, and gave him an earful. “Nero! It’s a gryphon. Not a bird.”

Nero didn’t appear to be paying attention. He kept his pleading eyes focused on Sehn. “I always wanted to fly on a bird, and I know it only has a tiny bird brain, but that doesn’t mean it’ll drop me or anything.”

“I don’t believe this,” Shina hissed. She extended her hand, and snapped her fingers. A small blue spark flicked across Nero’s neck, making the boy jump to his feet.

“Ouch, what was that for?”

“For calling Pancake a bird.”

Sehn wondered if he should intervene. It was a playful little zap, but still, his disciple had been attacked, and thus by extension so had he. In the end he decided not to create trouble. Sehn gave Nero his most apologetic look—meaning his lips curled upwards and he snarled at the boy—and hoped that would be the end of it.

“Quit your crying, Nero. We’re moving out. Let's go.”

The pace increased as they neared the city, each of them eager to finally arrive. Cah’lia was rambling on and on about how she wanted new clothing, towels, and a fresh shower. Wolly was just grateful to be guided to the city, and Rina, well—she was being her usual self, walking alongside Cah’lia and agreeing with everything the foolish woman said.

It grated Sehn how much the little Human had betrayed him. For the first few days after Sehn had—accidentally—rescued her, she’d been his devoted little follower, refusing to leave his side. Now, she was sworn to Cah’lia. This needed to change.

“Rina!” Sehn called.

“Hmm? Did Sehn just call for Rina?” she asked.

She used to call me ‘Master Sehn,’ he remembered. Now she just calls me Sehn.

“Why do you spend all of your time with Cah’lia? Have you not forgotten what you said to me back in Koringrath? ‘Rina is master’s favorite.’ So why have you betrayed me, then?”

Rina came to a halt, and stared at Sehn with her thumb against her chin, humming in what Sehn assumed was deep thought. After a moment her eyes lit up, and her face flushed with color. “Oh!” she exclaimed. She ran over and grabbed Sehn by the waist, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a hug. “Rina knows what’s happening. Sehn is jealous, isn’t he? It’s okay. Rina still loves Sehn.”

“W-what!” Sehn flared. “I-I am not jealous! I just wish to know why my second disciple has—hey, s-stop hugging me! It burns!”

Rina looked up at him, and Sehn was forced to tilt his head down to meet her eyes. “See? Rina still loves her Sehn.”

“Whatever,” Sehn growled. “Does this mean you’ll stop obeying Cah’lia and rejoin your God-King Sehn?”

“Nope,” she giggled. Before Sehn could react she spun around and ran back over to Cah’lia.

Sehn turned to face Nero, and the two nodded. They didn’t need to speak to one another—they both understood the wordless message. Rina has declared war on us!

The road slanted downward, leaving the hill and leveling out on flatter land. Exotic plants lined both sides of the road, serving as signs of an active gardener tending the road immediately outside of Hahl.

As they neared the city, Sehn could make out a large number of people in the distance. At first it seemed like a few dozen, formed neatly in a straight line, but as they closed in on the city the numbers grew. It was closer to a few hundred. Most were either horseback, or sitting in large wagons or caravans.

“Why are all these people lined up?” Sehn asked.

Wolly, sweating and wobbling from the long walk, answered Sehn between deep, panting breaths. “They be wait’in to get into the city, they do. Have ye not been to Hahl before, Elf?”

“This is our first time,” Cah’lia said. “We have to wait to get in?”

Wolly nodded, and took a seat on the ground behind the nearest carriage awaiting entry. Cah’lia, Rina, and Nero, followed in suit, dropping their bags to the ground and sitting on them. “The city guard be checkin ye for illegal contraband, and to be mak’in sure ye be paying taxes on all yer goods.”

Anger hit Sehn at once. He stomped his foot to the ground, and grit his teeth. “Are you saying they not only dare to make the Great Sehn wait, but he must pay taxes as well!”

“We all do,” Wolly said. “You, Miss Cah’lia, even Old Wolly here. It be the law.”

“We’ll see about that,” Sehn grumbled. He grabbed his bag off the floor and marched to the front of the line.

There were angry shouts and protests as he cut in front of the citizens awaiting their turns to enter Hahl. Sehn pushed and prodded his way through all of it, receiving threats and warnings from many of the men and women he passed. One man even had the audacity to jump off of his wagon and block Sehn’s path.

“Hey! Get in the back of the line,” he shouted. “Or you’ll be tasting me fist.”

Others shouted approval at the man’s threat, and a dozen or so people from both in front and behind twisted in their saddles to watch. Sehn boiled with anger.

“How dare you threaten the Great Sehn!” he shouted. “Out of my way now, peasant, or I shall rip out your lungs and replace it with your anus, so that you fart breath and you breathe farts!”

The man’s jaw fell, and his mouth twisted to form words, but none were spoken. Sehn didn’t give him the opportunity to, either. Sehn pulled back his fist and slammed it into the man’s face, sending him sprawling backward and tripping over the wheel of his own wagon. The entrance to the city was directly in front of Sehn, and the man was knocked to the floor off to his left. Sehn went out of his way to ensure he walked over the man as he continued his brisk stroll to the city’s entrance.

He only made it a few steps—another four men leapt from horses to block his passage. “Now was that really necessary, my good Elf?” one of them said. “The man was only trying to stop you from cutting the line, and you went and laid him out. Now you’ll have to get through us.”

The man on the left—the one speaking—wasn’t Human. It was hard to tell, due to his woolen cap hanging just short of his eyes, but without a doubt he was an Elf.

Sehn spat on the ground, and kicked dirt at the four of them. “So, more of you wish to go against your God, do you?”

“You’re not going anywhere,” The Elf said.

Sehn knew he could easily take on the four of them, but that wouldn’t do. Now that everyone was watching he needed to do something awesome. He grinned at the four men, and with an exaggerated grace he swung his tunic to the side, revealing the shimmering Elven blade hanging from his hip. With a slow and drawn-out motion he slid the steel from the sheath, sliding in such a way that the grinding of metal was audible to all.

The four men inhaled. “H-he’s taking this too far,” one of them said.

At once the four men drew their own weapons, ready to defend their lives. Sehn confused them further by raising his hand into the air, and pointing his Elven blade towards the sky. “Remmos Salas!”

Most of the people awaiting entry were now watching. There were murmurs and gasps from all around as the fire overtook the blade, turning the pristine weapon into a sword of fire and light.

“W-W-W-What is, wh-what, what, what is that!” one of them cried.

The Elf and three Humans ran their eyes along the length of the burning blade, and then twisted their heads to look at each other. There were nods from each, and then in one swift motion they dived to the ground, throwing out their arms and pleading for surrender.

It took Sehn almost twenty minutes to give each one of them poetry assignments, and by the time he’d collected their life-sparing tax, the sun was already in its afternoon position. This time, when he marched to the gates, no one complained about him cutting the line.

“Halt!” said the voice of a guard.

The gates to Hahl were impressive. They were wide enough to admit a hundred men, yet the guards only allowed in one at a time. Above the opening there were windows and slits, where archers and crossbowmen could deal out death to any that wished to trouble the city.

“Who halts me?” Sehn asked. There were ten heavily armored men, each with their faces completely covered by thick metallic armor. Unlike the Koringrathian guard, these men knew what they were doing. It wasn’t just the way they carried their swords, either. Sehn could tell by their posture they meant business. Good, so did he.

“Did you cut the line, good Elf?” one of them asked. “There’s been some commotion and some off-putting bright lights, and we’re not sure who’s done it. Was it you?”

Sehn laughed at the question. “Of course it was, you fool. I not only cut the line, but I beat up several innocent men and took their money. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ll—”

Weapons were drawn and leveled at Sehn—archers poked their heads from the windows and aimed bows at him. The guards fanned out around him, the clinking of their armor resounding as they marched. Sehn didn’t understand what they were doing.

“Ah, is this, umm, is this part of the welcoming ceremony?”

The guards extended their blades and pointed them at Sehn’s throat. “You are under arrest, citizen,” one said. “Make no attempt to resist.”

Sehn tried to make sense of what was happening. Was it possible these men weren’t circling around him to shower him with praise? “Time out,” he said. “How am I supposed to get into the city if you block my path?”

“You’re not!” the guard that Sehn assumed was the leader snapped. “You’re under arrest for robbery, obstructing the peace, and disorderly conduct.”

They’re trying to…get me in trouble?

Sehn curled his lips, and twitched with fury. A dark and venomous rage coursed through his veins, gushing out of him. “What!” he roared. “You dare attempt to punish the Great Sehn! I have magic and shit!”

Sehn heard shouting from behind him. Cah’lia came running, followed closely by Shina, Rina, and Nero. Wolly trailed a bit behind them, with one hand wiping sweat from his face, while the other held up the pants sliding off his rump.

“Wait! We are here on direct order from Prince Patrick.”

The guards reacted immediately to the name, lowering their weapons and turning to face Cah’lia. Sehn grew bitter—how dare Cah’lia intervene?

The leader stepped forward. “That is a treasonous claim to make, young Elven woman. I offer you a chance to deny it, and I'll pretend I simply misheard.”

Cah’lia shook her head. “You heard me properly. What I have here,” she said removing a white envelope, “is an official document signed by Prince Patrick Vasilis, guaranteeing our aid and your cooperation. It is valid in any Kingdom city.”

The guard tilted his chin, and narrowed his eyes in dubious mistrust. He lowered one eye slowly, keeping the other on Sehn. A few seconds passed, and the guard’s expression became animated. He lowered his other eye, and gripped the paper with both hands. “It’s…it’s real!”

The other guards displayed similar reactions, lowering their weapons and huddling around the lead guard. “This is definitely legitimate.”

The situation was being diffused, and Sehn’s anger tripled. It was humiliating. Not only were the guards no longer trying to kill Sehn, but they were even showing him respect. It grated him—it was unacceptable. The only reason any being should show respect to the Great Sehn is because they fear him, not because of some stupid paper.

“Sorry about that, my good Elf,” the leader said. “May you find peace in our city.”

No! I can’t let this happen. Cah’lia shall pay dearly for this.

Sehn forced mirth into his voice, and laughed at the leader. “That’s a forgery, and you are a fool for believing it to be genuine. In fact, I forged it myself. I am actually a hardened criminal, wanted for over four thousand murders.”

Cah’lia dove at him, and tried to silence him with the palm of her hand. Sehn ducked and spun around—only to land face first into Shina’s hand. He pried her off while the guards looked on in confusion.

“Are you nuts?” Cah’lia hissed, once again trying to forcefully close Sehn’s mouth. “Are you actually looking for trouble?”

“Of course I am! I love trouble. Nothing warms my heart more than causing chaos and starting problems where none existed. Unnecessary conflict is my favorite thing. You!” Sehn shouted, pointing at the lead guard. “I intend to murder each one of your citizens, and cause as much trouble as I can.”

The guard twitched, unsure of how to act. His companions showed no clearer understanding than he did. “Is this some kind of joke, my good Elf?”

“Ah, yes,” Cah’lia answered. “Sorry about that. It’s a, umm, Elven…custom-thing we do.”

Sehn watched the situation continue to diffuse, and panic crept into his spine. If he didn’t act soon, he’d be allowed to peacefully pass. Peacefully! It was unacceptable. Since departing Elvar, Sehn hadn’t been provided with many opportunities to create trouble. Now he had one, and Cah’lia was ruining it for him. She was going to pay for this later.

“May I have your names?” the leader asked.

Sehn’s ears twitched at the question. Finally, he thought. A chance to show my greatness.

Sehn inhaled, filling his mighty lungs with breath. He would roar his name and delight in the fascinated awe from the guards. “My name,” he began. “Is—”

Cah’lia elbowed him in the stomach, knocking the air out of Sehn’s belly. Instead of bellowing ‘SEHN, SON OF SUHN!’ all that came out was “Seeeeeee.”

“His name is Saerith, the Prince to the Elven people, and voice for the grace of the light.”

Sehn was as shocked at Cah’lia’s announcement as the guards. What was the foolish woman up to? Sweat trickled down many faces, and the leader dropped into a steep bow. “For carrying a document signed by our prince, I do not doubt the words. Please, I am in your service, your highness. It has been many years since Hahl was blessed by such an esteemed visitor. Please, you must come with me. The mayor will insist on meeting with you. You will be pampered, and privy to our finest foods and wines. Ah, pardon my rudeness my good Elven woman, but would you perhaps be…you know, since you’re traveling with the good prince?”

“Yes, I am Princess Saerina.”

There were more mumbles and gasps from around them. Cah’lia was given an even deeper bow than Sehn received, and Sehn became enraged. It surprised him that steam wasn’t trickling off his face like a brewing pot of tea.

It was bad enough he was receiving respect for something other than his Godly might. He didn’t want or require their pitiful bows. But! If he was going to receive a bow, then how dare it be anything less than the deepest and most formal bow ever offered in the history of living beings? The guard-leader should have bowed so low that his head hit the paved floor. He should have bowed so low that his spine affixed permanently to the position, and he’d be forced to spend the rest of his life slumped over, with his head dragging across the floor whenever he walked.

“Please, follow me, and I’ll take you someplace more deserving.”

“Just a moment, please,” Cah’lia said. “I’d like to have a word with my brother.”

Cah’lia grabbed Sehn by the arm, and pulled him in for a whisper. “We tried things Patrick’s way,” she said. “We’ve kept our heads low, avoided notice, and look at where it got us.”

Sehn grabbed her arm as well, and whispered back. “Why are we lying to these men? Not that I think lying is wrong, or anything, but…I don’t like using Saerith’s name.”

“Think about it for a second. We’re broke, dirty, and we’ve got no supplies or horses to even carry them. Tell me, do you feel like walking the rest of the way? What happens when we get to Shinsar? If we butter up the mayor, he’ll give us whatever we need. Also,” she continued, and now her voice took on a sly, seductive tone. “Perhaps he might even shower us with gifts, and coin.”

Sehn’s ears twitched—for once Cah’lia was speaking rationally. As disgusting as acting like a prince would be, the reward might be worth it. Images ran through Sehn’s mind, and he pictured what he was going to do with the mayor’s gifts. His mood brightened at the thought...

“All right,” he whispered back. “I’ll go ahead and meet with this fool, and demand that he—”

“No!” Cah’lia said in a whispered screech. “You listen to me, Sehn, and you listen to me well. You’re going to be on your best behavior, and you’re going to act like a prince. That means no swearing, no speaking informally, no anything!”

“I don’t know how to do those things, Fool’lia!”

“Don’t bother denying it, Sehn. Your father is the chief of Elvar—you’ve been taught everything necessary to attend formal gatherings. I’m not messing around here. Not one vulgar word or slip of the tongue, or else I’ll beat you senseless—Got it?”

Who did she think she was, making threats? Still, Sehn was kind of broke, and if all he had to do was act like a rich spoiled prince then he’d oblige. Sehn wasn’t just a master of combat, no, he was so much more. He was also a master of self-control, and a master at maintaining his composure. Acting like a royal prince would be a cinch.

Sehn stiffened, and straightened into his mightiest posture. “I apologize for my behavior earlier,” he told the lead guard. “I was merely interested in seeing the resolve of Human guards. I must say, you’ve impressed me with your stoicism. Thou hath set an example most great, for pride in your prince thee shine with.”

The guards applauded, and beamed at the compliment. Sehn looked over to Cah’lia, and she too looked proud. Even Rina and Nero stood open-mouthed at Sehn’s display.

“Way to go,” Shina whispered in Sehn’s ear. “I never knew you had it in you.”

What were they expecting? Sehn wondered. Of course I’m going to put on a good show. I’m Sehn!

“Please follow us, your highnesses. I see your clothing has become worn with travel. Allow us to provide you something more…stately.”

Sehn nodded and followed the man, the rest of the group trailing behind. For a brief moment he wondered why Wolly was still with them—the little Dwarf remained silent. He probably had his heart set on a free meal.

“Very well then, my good Human, I shall follow. Lead me to your mayor’s home, that I may be able to appreciate your generous comforts and allow my gratitude to be known. For whilst I bathe in the”—Sehn stubbed his toe on a rock—“FUCK!” he yelled. “FUCKING FUCK-FUCK PISS BALLS! MY FUCKING GODAMMED SHITTY FUCKING TOE! OUCHY-FUCKING-ROO!”

The guards stopped short. Sehn flushed and tried to avoid Cah’lia’s outraged gaze. Several townspeople stopped to look as well, wondering what all the commotion was about.

“I, umm,” Sehn began. “You have all just passed another test! You maintained your composure amidst an unusual circumstance. Be proud, Humans, for very few could have done what you just did!”

There was another round of applause, and the guards laughed. Sehn knew, he knew beyond any doubt, that this was going to be hell for him.