Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia (Acts of the Sojourner Book 1) Page 4

  “I will finish you off next time,” he threatened, with a mischievous smile.

  Sincerus let out a laugh. “You have been spending too much time with Quistin!”

  Pious laughed, after overhearing Jacq’s threatening statement. “He’s weak! Finish him off, Jacq!”

  “Will you people shut up? I’m trying to focus,” shouted a bearded man kneeling on a mat. His name was Tyr Parabellum, and he was kneeling in front of a ceramic pot with an agitated Rattlecon inside it, just beyond its striking distance. Tyr slapped the mat in front of the pot. The Rattlecon slowly reared its scaled head and groaned as it started to shake, the sound of its bones rattling within its body.

  “Give it up, Tyr. The only person, who is going to Surge around here, is me – from boredom,” shouted Sincerus from across the room, as he donned the last of his armour.

  Tyr continued slapping the floor in front of the angered Rattlecon, trying to incite the creature to strike at him. The Rattlecon’s eye brimmed with reptilian rage – it was ready to strike, and Tyr knew this.

  Sincerus shouted back at Tyr. “To fear that freakish fiend, you’ve got to be smart enough to fear it first, moron – Let’s go!”

  Unlike the rest of Sanctuary, Pious and his companions had recovered from the Serican incident with a unique and peculiar attribute – the Surge. The Surge was the title given to the powerful adrenal response the companions experienced when exposed to imminent and real danger, suppressing their somatic response to fear. Instead, it intensified their senses, slowed their heart rate and increased their reflexes to retaliate against any threat. Many had tried to replicate or induce this attribute in others, but with minimal success. Provoking a Rattlecon to strike was one of those attempts, which usually ended with a visit to a healer.

  “Damn it!” shouted Tyr, as he slapped the mat with his hand.

  Tyr Parabellum was Sincerus’s older cousin, sired by Felixius’s brother Pantera, on Serica. After the premature death of his first wife, Pantera had wed a Serican woman, Fu Han’Xian. Fu Han was a deeply respected courtesan in the entourage of the Red Empress, who bestowed the right to wed upon Pantera after his first skirmish against the Gunnish outposts.

  Tyr’s skin was slightly darker than that of most of his comrades since he was half–Serican, half–Elysian. He and Sincerus had some similarities, such as dark hair and green eyes. Tyr, compared to those around him was a little rough around the edges. Tyr mainly knew war, and not the glory of unit–to–unit combat or ceremonial engagement. He knew guerrilla war – hard and fast combat, knife fights in the mud, death by fist. Tyr was born and bred into the Serican Maebog, a highly respected and feared unit, known for their close–quarters combat and ambush tactics.

  Tyr picked up the lid of the Rattlecon pot and crouched. The Rattlecon saw the lid and started to shake and groan more threateningly, as the bristle-like feathers started to rise on its back. With speed, Tyr hit the Rattlecon on the head with the lid and sealed the container, locking the lid shut with the metal clips that hung by its side. Tyr stood up and stared at the pot as he listened to the Rattlecon violently thrashing about inside. Then he laughed and ran to Sincerus, who was impatiently waiting and holding Tyr’s armour.

  Jacq placed his dagger into the back of his pants and ran towards Pious, who was still talking with Lothar.

  “Oh, and Pious,” Lothar said. “Alchemical Master Zosim has asked me to request your assistance. Would you mind passing by his laboratory to inquire as to his request?”

  Pious replaced his crimson mantle and clasped it in place on his teal breastplate, which was adorned with golden embellishments of flying and intertwined Ustrina birds aflame and snaking Nagas.

  “That is not a problem, Lothar. Do you know what the nature of his request is?”

  “I believe it has something to do with a stowaway they found on board the recent barge from Serica. He said that the stowaway has grievous wounds that need attending to – and is in urgent need of an Excelator. That is as much as I know.”

  “I will head there now, Lothar,” said Pious. He placed his hand on the shoulder of Jacq, who was standing at his side, recovering his breath. To the boy, he said, “It’s time to get you back to Matron Layla, young man. I hope you have thanked Master Lothar for taking you on his journey.”

  “Thank you, Master Lothar. This was the best Pass ever. I cannot wait to go again,” said Jacq, with a contented smile on his face He took another big breath of air.

  “Not a problem. Jacq, you keep this old man on his toes!” said Lothar.

  Pious turned and began to guide them both out of the training hall.

  “Oh, and Jacq…” shouted Lothar.

  “Yes, Master Lothar?”

  “Don’t run inside,” said Lothar, with a cheeky smile. Jacq shook his head and looked at Pious as they both continued their way out of the Disciplinarium and into the Forefront, with Lothar chuckling to himself quietly in the background.

  The Forefront

  “That, young Page, is the powerful tool–weapon of a Frystian Riverbreaker. They use the mighty spiked hammer to smash the frozen streams of the Gelus River, deep in the frosty wastes of Shayde, so that their trade–vessels can crack through the waters,”

  Response to a nosy Page-Ward,

  Vance Killian, Vigilant Centurion of the 2nd Cohort and Forefront Steward.

  161st Cycle of Purity.

  The main hall of the Praetorium, the Forefront; was very grand, though it was grand by its extreme austerity, not of its pageantry. Unlike the main halls of the other Focal Powers, it had no rugs, tapestries or any other niceties. There was nothing pompous or self-serving anywhere in the halls of the Praetorium. Weapons and armour owned by Sanctuary’s heroes of old, as well as those wielded by their fallen foes, adorned its walls and display cases. Books and scrolls recounting valiant battles and encounters were likewise scattered throughout the Forefront.

  Nestled between the two flights of stairs that ascended to the levels above, was the unattended counter of the Forefront Steward.

  As Pious and Jacq made their way towards the exit, Pious looked towards the counter. “It had better be here,” Pious said out aloud as he changed his bearing and walked towards the stone console.

  “What are you looking for?” asked Jacq as he followed along behind the hastily paced Pious.

  Pious stopped at the counter and let out an ‘Ah’ of surprise. “Finally, it is here,” he said, with a voice of unexpected relief.

  Pious leaned over the top of the console slightly and grabbed a crimson-dyed fabric covered binder from the surface of the counter. He pulled it over the top of the counter and opened the binder, inspecting the piece of parchment fixed on top of the felt lined interior.

  REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE CONCORDAT AND SURROUNDING LANDS

  For the Step: Last Light of Illumin, 165th Cycle of Purity

  CONCORDAT AND ALLIED LANDS REPORT

  The Union of Merchants

  Sea-Farers Guild increasing tariff on timber trade.

  Aspiration threatening boycott of land transport if Sanctuary does not intervene in the Free Army Blockade crisis.

  Hopeton reporting increases in Blackrot of staple crops. Prevention and cures for the disease are proving useless. Requesting further assistance and resources from Sanctuary.

  The March Confederacy

  No report from 9 states. 3 states with reports of note:

  Fordsmark:

  Fordsmouth attempting a blockade of the Lakefields. Attributed to an attempt to excerpt political pressure upon Karajan to join the Confederacy.

  Short-Spear Mark:

  Conflict ongoing with the Concordat aligned Savarians with the Boodakin of the Stone Circles. The unaligned Savarians are undertaking raids and sabotage to the UOEAS mining operations in the region.

  West Tharl Mark:

  Increasing hostilities towards Tharlugia from the Earlgrave. Relates to territorial claims of the Aecorian Coast.

  The Northern B
rokerage

  Pinespeak:

  Increased hostility and aggression towards outsiders approaching Pinespeak.

  The southern Timber trade route will soon breach the edge of the Great Forest. Completion will see greater quantity of timber reaching Sanctuary more frequently.

  Timberslane:

  Many inhabitants are leaving Timberslane and moving to Aspiration. Attributed to the increase in the trade rate of Labour Certificates for Wood-Dressers and Timber-Workers.

  HARSHLANDS REPORT

  Karajan:

  Karajan’s Free Army of the Plains maintain blockade on the South-Way. No foreseeable conclusion in the absence of direct of conflict.

  Magupat:

  Increased sighting of Seagles scouring the Hydraen Coastlines.

  GENERAL REPORT

  Toll Spire has ceased functioning. Toll-bells have ceased chiming. A Footfall march around the Sanctum was started to somewhat measure the tolls and is proving effective.

  Increased rumours of the Hexen within the realms of the Concordat.

  Forward Watch at Bonewallis have detained a ragged vagabond with a copy of the Codex Tyranicus. Vagabond is being treated with the utmost caution. Interrogation will proceed. Further rumors of the Cabal of Corruption within the Harshlands are valid.

  Reports from the Elysian Tower of Eternal Suspicion state increased activity from the Shaydean Tower. We will request privateers from the Sea-Farers Guild to verify and ascertain cause.

  “What does it say?” asked Jacq, standing on the tips of his toes, trying to read the document.

  “That you are too short,” said a cheekily smirking Pious, as he closed the binder shut with a snap.

  Jacq dropped from his toes to the flat of his feet and sneered at Pious. “That’s not fair.”

  Pious laughed as he returned the folder to the counter. He turned, and playfully pushed Jacq towards the exit and followed not far behind him, trying to playfully kick in the backside – which Jacq easily dodged.

  “How was your adventure with Master Lothar, Jacq? I hope you didn’t annoy him too much,” Pious said, looking down at the young lad and grabbing him by the shoulder.

  Pious and Jacq approached the two parallel lines of Praetorian Centurions called the ‘Pillars of Steel’, who ceremoniously guarded the inside of the Praetorium. The first two Centurions awaited the approach of Pious with their swords raised in the ‘Arch of Steel’ formation: swords angled overhead, with the swords meeting at the tips. As Jacq and Pious passed the first pair of Centurions, the second pair began to raise their swords. Once they passed into the next pair, the previous pair dropped their swords, creating a wave of blades until Jacq and Pious had left the Praetorium.

  “Annoy him? Why must you always tease me?” said Jacq, frustrated by Pious’s comment.

  “We will keep teasing you until you do not react like that,” replied Pious, pushing the lad on the shoulder.

  Jacq stared at the floor momentarily, while they were walking, then rapidly raised his head and looked at Pious.

  “I saw Valerus on the way here. Why does he always change shift on time when the rest of you can't? Even with the Tollspire not working, he is still the first!” said Jacq.

  “Because not only is Valerus extremely reliable, he is also extremely early!” laughed Pious. “And besides, Tana isn’t here,” Pious added, giving a cheeky wink to Jacq, who laughed bashfully in response.

  “Valerus only hangs around because she is very pretty?” asked Jacq.

  “No – because she is the only woman in Sanctuary who won’t fall for his chivalrous charms. Or so he says,” said Pious, as he chuckled to himself. “All right,” he continued. “Homework test. Think quickly! The Wise and Noble Lumerus once said that an individual’s actions and reactions are the results of the interactions between people's wants and desires. What is it that Lumerus said about destiny?”

  “That destiny is the realisation of one's instincts,” replied Jacq.

  “Very impressive, Jacq. It is obvious you have been studying hard.”

  “Lecture Master Kaidarft is a good teacher,” replied Jacq, before his eyes lit up in excitement. “Oh yeah! When we were sailing from Port Aspiration to Sanctuary Dock, we got attacked by Rakers!” he shouted, hitting Pious on the arm.

  Pious stared back at the boy with surprise and concern, somewhat masked by a pondering expression of whether the boy’s imagination was running wild. “Rakers? That's not possible – it’s not dark enough for Shadefiends to attack,” he said, guiding the distracted boy along the corridor.

  “We did! A whole thrash of Rakers! They are so ugly. I saved Gunwales by punching one in the eye!”

  “You did what? Who or what in the Nine is a Gunwales?” replied Pious, with confusion.

  “Gunwales! He is one of the Liberty crew, he would have been gobbled up if it wasn't for me!” said Jacq as he put his hand to his chest and took hold of a pin attached to his jacket. He raised the pin slightly, showing it to Pious. “See – Look. Captain Thusgard gave this to me, for my bravery” said Jacq, with a real sense of pride in his little trinket.

  “Captain Thusgard! Wow! Captain Thusgard is a hero of mine!” cried Pious in encouragement, inspecting the young lad’s medal. “Do you know how Captain Thusgard got his hat?” he asked.

  “No,” replied Jacq.

  “During a sea battle with some Shaydean raiders, he boarded a Shaydean warship by himself, started a fire in the cannon shot compartment and attempted to escape. When he was about to jump overboard, he was spotted by the Captain of the ship. Thusgard laughed, lay hold of one of the guy ropes and cut it with his cutlass. As he cut the rope, he swung on it towards the Captain and stabbed the Captain’s hat off his head, before swinging out to sea and jumping into the water just as the ship started to explode.”

  Jacq laughed and kept looking at the little memento of his first sea voyage.

  “He is really nice, and the Liberty crew are too,” he said, as he let go of the medal.

  “You should read the ‘Exploits of the Aquaticus Legion’,” said Pious. “There is a whole section in there on him.”

  There was a moment of silence, while the two-kept walking toward their destination.

  “The people outside of Sanctuary are very different,” said Jacq, looking up at Pious.

  Pious nodded in agreement. “That they are, Jacq, which is why we live in – and protect– this Sanctuary.”

  Then he said carefully, trying not to spook the boy, “Jacq, Lothar told me you asked him about something called a Blood Snake.”

  “Why are you and Lothar so interested in Blood Snakes?” replied Jacq, looking at Pious with curiosity and equal amounts of suspicion.

  “Well, they are very, very rare, and people would want you to tell them more about Blood Snakes, and some of those people might not be very friendly. I will find one for you if you promise me one thing.”

  “Okay! What’s the promise?”

  “You are not allowed to talk about or to ask anyone else about Blood Snakes. Agree?”

  “That’s too easy! You had better show me one,” said Jacq, looking at Pious, distrustful at the ease of the bargain.

  “I promise – Praetorian’s shake on it?” said Pious, as he offered his hand and wrist to Jacq.

  “Okay!” replied Jacq, as he struggled to place his hand around the wrist of Pious and shake.

  “Oh wait – that reminds me,” said Pious. He opened a pouch attached to his belt and withdrew an object.

  “Here, this is for you,” he said, offering it to Jacq.

  Jacq picked up the almost cylindrical object, which Jacq could barely hold in his fist. “What is it?” he said, inspecting it with inquisitive curiosity.

  “It’s an old relic, from the days of the Khyramic Order – it’s called an Implementer. We know how much you like tools and gadgets of mischief,” said Pious, as he indicated to Jacq how to reveal the various screwdrivers, tap and die heads, blades and other speciality tools from
the tool’s main body.

  “Lapidary Master Gothfried wrote our names into the handle. See here….” said Pious, pointing to some small text on the metal handle.

  “10 times around – Love from Pious and Serana,” said Jacq, as he read the words out quietly.

  “You didn’t expect us to forget your Step of Origin, Jacq? Almost 10 Cycles! Being born during Umbra Orbis is a little hard to forget, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Jacq smiled. “Thank you, Pious. This is great, the greatest thing ever! I’ll have to find Serana to thank her.”

  “I’ll thank her for you. You’ll probably be in enough trouble as it is,” said Pious.

  “I know – the Matrons will be furious,” laughed Jacq.

  “Serana and I may be busy during the Tenebraen Festivities, so we wanted to give it you a little early, just in case we don’t get to see you. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost another Cycle.”

  “I know. I’ll be as old as Lothar soon!” said Jacq. A moment later, the hair on the necks of Pious and Jacq stood on end.

  “Jacq!” cried a loud, shrill voice from down the corridor. Both Jacq and Pious quickly looked in the direction of the voice.

  “Oh no – it’s Barkface,” said Jacq quietly, as he rapidly placed the Implementer into his belt pouch.

  “Oh no, indeed,” confirmed Pious, laughing at the Page’s accurately descriptive nickname for the Head Matron.

  An older woman was walking rapidly towards them. The sound of her wooden clogs angrily striking the floor echoed through the corridor

  “Do you know how long we have been looking for you!” she yelled at the top of her voice, pointing at Jacq. “I was just informed that you were seen entering the Praetorium with Magister Lothar.” She shook her pointed finger at him in disappointment.

  “Prefect Argentum, do you have an explanation as to why this young Page–Ward has been missing?” asked the matron as she stopped in front of the two, an expression of stern frustration on her heavily wrinkled face.