Excalion

Excalion
Chapter Four: Lightning Flash and Thunderclap

=[ Part Four ]=


Erikul Barawani, Patron and Master of Ceremonies of the Barawani Traveling Fair, sighed as his horse-drawn carriage crested a hill, the reddening sun setting behind the spires of Castle Overon.

“What’s the matter, Grandpa?”

He looked down at Kuron, who held the reins tightly underneath his own weathered hands.

“Nothing, Kuron,” he replied. “I’m just tired and impatient. I can’t wait to get to Overon.”

“We’ll be there soon, Grandpa,” Kuron said. “I wish I got to go with Uncle Jaden and Aunt Galia. Uncle Jaden always gets to do fun stuff.”

Erikul chuckled. “More like gets into trouble. It always seems to follow that uncle of yours.”

Kuron slid from his grandfather’s lap. “I’m tired, Grandpa. I’m gonna go to sleep.”

“Go ahead, you rascal. Four hours at the horses with me is long enough. You earned it.”

As Kuron disappeared into the carriage, Erikul’s thoughts drifted to the messages he received requesting escape from the city. My brother will be furious that we’re involved in Overon’s civil war, he thought, but I can’t let innocents be slaughtered mercilessly.


* * * * *


Noirus Omicronus looked down at the courtyard of Omicronus Keep, soldiers at attention and looking up at him.

“Citizens and loyal peers of House Omicronus,” he announced in a booming voice, “the time for change is upon us. The day draws near that we set right the course of power within our beloved Kingdom.” He swept his gaze across the courtyard. “We have lived under Overon rule for two generations too many! The golden flags of Overon hang where the black banners of House Omicronus rightfully belong! You will be the soldiers of righteousness that will wipe the Overon blight from this nation.

“When we are successful and the castle once more seats an Omicronus on the throne, you, sons, daughters and peers of this most powerful House, will secure yourselves a place in history as victors over a devious and ambitious people, a rival House that, through their actions, have fallen from the watchful gaze of the Goddesses. Theirs is a House that has done nothing, a disease that makes a Kingdom lazy, that could infect our entire world of Mira, and we, House Omicronus, are the cure.

“I know that there are those of you that question my intentions, my motives behind this crusade. In return I ask you why you question me. House Overon took leadership from us and has done little, if anything at all, to better our homes and our people. Had power not shifted from House Omicronus, had we remained leaders of this nation, Lord Gelkan and his people of Kelvanis would be suffering significantly less than they are now.”

He paused briefly to catch his breath and let his words sink in. “Our nation, your nation, requires a proper ruler, a person dedicated to the well-being of his people and those that support them. It requires someone who is not afraid to get their hands dirty in order to get the job done, someone who is aware of the risks but accepts them for the sake of his people. Duty to my House dictates that I am that person.” He narrowed his eyes. “If leading a coup to overthrow House Overon is what I have to do to prove myself worthy of that honor, to be considered that dedicated to my people then so be it. If shedding blood, even my own, is what’s necessary to prove myself then so be it.” He raised his voice louder so that all could not mistake his last words. “If I have to sacrifice my firstborn son for the sake of my people, and the people of this nation, if that is what is asked of me…” He paused with a defeated sigh. “…Then may the Goddesses take him.”


* * * * *


“Come in,” Eron called out as he heard a knock at his door. He heard it open and close promptly and looked up from his book to greet his visitor. “Oh, hello, Wynn. What brings you at this hour?”

Wynn smiled through his tired face. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Eron calmly waved his son over to the fireplace. “Come, have a seat. I was just about to have some tea before I retired for the night.” He pointed at the teapot at the little table by his chair. Instantly, a small wisp of steam began to snake slowly from the spout.

“It’s all right, Father,” Wynn said quickly, taking to the high-backed cushioned chair across from his father. “I just wanted to talk.”

Eron balked then nodded, glancing at the teapot. It floated into the air and tipped slightly, pouring tea into the small china cup as he closed the book at his lap. Once it finished pouring, it settled back gently on the table. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Have you heard from Mother recently?”

Eron nodded, unfazed by Wynn’s frank question. “She’s doing quite well, actually. The Goddesses beckoned her back to the Silver Pillar.” He smiled. “She became Archmage a little over two months ago.”

“That’s good to hear,” Wynn said, his voice a little unsure.

“She didn’t want me to tell you, but she Joined again.”

Wynn perked up. “What?”

“She Joined again,” Eron repeated matter-of-factly.

“You don’t seem too disappointed about that,” Wynn said, sounding hurt.

“Of course not, and you shouldn’t be, either,” Eron said firmly. “Just because she’s found someone else doesn’t mean she’ll care for you and me any less.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Wynn muttered.

“Wynn, don’t take that tone with me. I told you because I felt you should know. Your mother didn’t want you knowing because she knew you’d have trouble taking it in.”

“And what if she gets hurt again?”

Eron shook his head. “She won’t. She and her husband share Ameena’s Gift.”

Wynn pressed his lips into a thin line.

Eron rested back in his chair. “Wynn, did you know that your mother was jealous of Maali and me?”

“You make Mother sound like the temptress, the one intruding on your relationship with Maali,” Wynn retorted.

Eron gave his son a hard look as he took a sip of his tea. “I can understand how you can read my words, so I can forgive you that.” He set his cup on the table. “You can ask her yourself. I offered her to stay with us.” He raised a hand. “Before you say anything, there are many reports throughout the country, the world even, where a husband has two wives, or a wife having two husbands, and two of those individuals share Ameena’s Gift. Your mother couldn’t live like that.”

“Why not?”

“She’d feel like a third wheel. She knew herself well enough that there would be resentment between her and me, as well as her and Maali, further down the road. I didn’t want that, and neither did she, so we agreed to separate on good terms.” He picked up his teacup again and took a longer sip. “When she told me that she Joined again and that she shares Her Gift with someone, she no longer feels jealous of the link between Maali and me. She understands it and accepts it.”

Wynn felt uneasy. His talk with his father went where it needed to go, though the steps to it were unexpected and left him a little sick to his stomach.

“Father…” A lump caught in his throat and he forced it down. “Father, I’ve been granted Ameena’s Gift as well.”

Eron stared at him evenly. “Oh?”

“I wanted to talk to you about that.” Wynn hesitated. “I’m sure you know that Shanavale and I are, well, you know…” He looked at his father, who responded with a nod. “Anyway, I wanted to know how you find out who you share Her Gift with.”

“You’re worried about Shanavale?”

Wynn nodded. “I’ve always been honest with her. She needs to know, and I don’t want to give her false hope.”

“Has she confided whether or not Ameena has offered her the Gift?”

Wynn shook his head. “I don’t think She has. I’d probably be one of the first to know.”

The Sorcerer Superior hummed his agreement. “You should talk to a Temple Elder. That’s who I first talked to.” He huffed once in a quick laugh. “Of course, that was after I found out who I shared Ameena’s Gift with.”

“What do you mean?”

Eron grinned. “I found out whom I shared the Gift with through one aspect of the Gift: a telepathic link.” He closed his eyes. “Maali was starting an examination that I happened to be overseeing, and she was second-guessing herself about taking the course because she had only been faring satisfactorily throughout the semester.” His grin grew to a smile. “Her thoughts were moving so swiftly that I actually had to have another Magus Superior oversee the examination while I mentally regained my composure. After the examination I had a Temple Elder confirm that we indeed shared Ameena’s Gift.”

“You told Mother after that?”

“With the Temple Elder as my witness,” Eron replied. “Believe me, it wasn’t easy to tell your mother that I share Ameena’s Gift with someone else, let alone a student, and one nearly a decade younger than me.” He regarded his son a moment before getting up and putting a hand on Wynn’s shoulder. “Wynn, it’s called Ameena’s Gift for a reason. Yes, your mother and I couldn’t work things out, but we’re still friends, good friends even. If you share the Goddess’ Gift with someone other than Shanavale, don’t worry. I’m sure the Goddesses have someone else in mind for her.”


=[ End of Chapter Four: Lightning Flash and Thunderclap ]=


A/N: I know this section of the chapter is short, but as I said in my last update, it didn't feel right ending the chapter at the end of Part Three. Also, forgive me, for I never was one to write or give very inspiring speeches, and I feel that Noirus' speech was crap. If anyone could give me pointers on that or point me in the direction of some writing supplement web page or something, that would be awesome.

On a different note, don't worry, frequent readers, for WoW has actually granted me a bit of leeway: Tuesdays are Server Maintenance days, and most, if not all of the WoW servers are down for a good 6-8 hours, which in turn gives me time to type. I'm actually quite a ways through Chapter Five, and I'm going to start typing it up and getting it ready for upload. Anyway, that's all for now. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story, and reviews and/or concrit are always appreciated. See you again soon!