The Ninth Prophecy

In a small village outside Baan Senicore, a young fair-bearded man named Faris works in the field. A young boy comes running to him. As Faris wipes away the sweat, the boy shyly approaches:

- “My lord...”

- “Yes, speak your words boy,” Faris said calmly.

- “My lord, you are hereby summoned to your brother’s house.”

- “What for?”

- “It is not my knowledge.”

- “All right, tell him I will come tomorrow.”

- “No, my lord,” the boy raised his voice as Faris struck him with a glance from which the young lad drew his eyes down to earth. - “My lord, your brother wants to see you now, he told me to tell you so,” the boy persevered.

- “I am no lord, stop calling me that! Does he know that I do some real work here with the Fraternity? I don’t have time for his frivolous games. He should have learned how to run his own house by now.” Then, he paused, picking up a shovel from the ground. - “Hmmm, all right. Let me wash up.”

As the young man approached on horseback, coming through the valley which leads to the entrance gates of the city, he shook his head watching the dirty, narrow dark-red flags of the kingdom lean on the wind off the fortress walls and lookout towers. He slowly dismounted and left his horse at the entrance of an inn, continuing on foot to a high ground above. Passing through the central plateau he saw something that disturbed him: two men of the southland’s watch, the Sciprians, were kicking around a local and scorning him in the public. He wanted to pass by, until he heard one of the watchmen smack the peasant while commenting “Ye’ filthy, corrupt, fatherless son of a bitch!”

Faris paused and turned towards the guards:

- “If he is fatherless does that make him corrupt or is it the other way around?”

The two Sciprians looked at each other, confused, until one of them said:

-“You have no business in this matter. Leave!”

- “Oh, but I do,” Faris replied. “I was offended by your behavior and you are the guards of this city, my city, who get their wages from the tax collected from my field. So, it does concern me.”

The two, even more confused by the man’s audacious comments, stared at each other and at the peasant until one of them decided to conclude the matter by drawing his sword. At the very moment two hooded spectators threw their cloaks on the ground and drew their swords also, pointing them towards the two soldiers. As the attention of other guards on the citadel walls and the lookout towers was already drawn to the incident, the taller of the two Sciprians said:

- “Oh, I see,” while raising his eyebrow, “The Fraternity - pity that self-righteousness is out of fashion.” Faris remained calm and undisturbed. The Sciprian went on:

- “Proving you wrong, as a just, humble servant of the realm, I will spare your lives and let you pass.” Before Faris got a chance to reply, the Sciprian added:

- “However, being a servant of the realm, I must place justice above my personal kindness and my generous soul. As a two-arrow-ranked high guard I delegate the matter as lord’s appeal which is to be settled now.”

The other Sciprian pulled his superior’s sleeve suspiciously while keeping an eye on Faris:

- “Renekhardt, he is...”

- “I don’t care Gillion,” the officer interrupted, “Fraternity or not, they have to answer. They can feed the lazy and cure the filthy as much as they want, but the law is the same for all and an insult of a high guard is an insult of the lord himself.”

The very young of the two Fraternity boys who were accompanying Faris, standing right behind him with his sword, asked:

- “What does this mean, master?”

- “It means that we are to be taken before the lord himself who is to decide on the matter.”

As the company approached the lord’s tower, the guards at the entrance bowed their heads. “That’s nice. We, officers of the guard are quite respected nowadays,” the obviously proud Renekhardt said to the other Sciprian, as they went inside. Walking through two chambers decorated with banners and metals of the defeated fractions, they approached the main hall. Slowly entering a room with two guards at the front door, as he glanced at the displayed trophies on the walls, honoring them with a scorning grimace, Faris commented:

- “So much blood spilled to create this dramatic, theatrical display.”

- “This makes it your second offence against the realm. You are doomed,” Renekhardt concluded.

- “It is good luck that you are my blood. Otherwise, those are the words of a disrespector,” a voice filled with laughter came answering from the other end.

- “Respect is to be earned; it’s not a matter of decree,” Faris replied.

- “Oh, you always knew the way with words as I did with swords,” lord Yon said, getting up from the chair and coming out of the shadow.

Now seriously upset and frightened Renekhardt attempted to state his case, but all that came out of his mouth was “My lord, your blood, I...”

- “Speak up Renekhardt,” Yon replied without taking his eyes off Faris.

- “I…It is...This commoner, I mean your blood, cousin, your cousin,” Renekhardt persevered in making no sense of the words of the language.

- “The fact is that this high officer with two arrows up his ass, I am sorry, up on his brass…his brass shoulder pads, wanted to raise a lord’s appeal at my expense before you, brother,” Faris took the initiative, standing firm, but yet relaxed.

- “Brother, shit, fuck, I knew it,” the bewildered Gillion kept murmuring to his beard, standing behind in a corner.

Renekhardt picked himself up in an effort to explain:

- “My lord, as we were conducting a raid at the market, your brother – as it now sadly appears – interrupted us by taking the side of a felon and insulting us on the way, making a mockery of your guard by these actions...”

- “It is not my but your actions that mock the symbol on your robe,” Faris replied instantly and continued: “These two fine soldiers were molesting a petty peasant, calling him the ugliest of names, kicking him around. Is that how you try to earn respect?”

- “My lord,” Renekhardt competed for words by raising his voice, “the peasant had violated your regulations!”

- “What regulations,” Yon intervened.

- “He brought some hens to be sold at the market, and he didn’t pay the tribute: one hen for the realm for every two he sells!”

Farris interrupted with a tone of surprise and shock, “Is this what has become of the Sciprians? Counting chicken has become a knightly duty?! I know that peasant; he’s an honest man who has a family to feed…”

- “And I have a piece of realm to sustain,” Yon joined the argument.

“Are you actually going to take this arrogant bully’s side,” Faris asked with a pinched voice.

Renekhardt, encouraged by lord’s words, stepped in: “My lord, it is not the matter of the hens; it is the drawing of swords…”

“Enough, I have heard enough, this is no matter for a lord’s appeal! Officer, leave with your companion at once and leave the commoner at peace! Faris, you and I have far more important issues to discuss,” Yon broke the deadlock.

As the two Sciprians were leaving the chamber, Faris, obviously disappointed by the outcome, just whispered “You’re just gonna let him…”

Yon, waving with his hand casually, put an end to it: “That concludes it, this is my lordly verdict!”

* * *

The dinner at lord Yon’s tower was attended by his brother Faris, Faris’s assistant Maedur and Yon’s general Eldon.

“So, my brother, what did my officer say to provoke you,” Yon casually reopened the discussion from earlier on.

“He called the peasant names…He said that the Fraternity ‘feeds the lazy and cures the filthy’…”

Before he could finish the sentence, Faris was interrupted by his brother’s laughter.

-” Well, he wasn’t wrong there, was he?” Yon said, red in face from laughter.

“Yes, he was! The Fraternity doesn’t do that, not any more. We only feed and cure those who join us and pledge their devotion to the cause. Such are provided with food, shelter, skill enhancement training…”

- “So, in a way, you are making your own force, an army of your own?”

- “Oh, cut the crap! You know that’s not the case!”

- “So, what is the case?”

- “We feed those who can’t be provided for by the hierarchy when they approach us. We take those who receive no help in other places, who are forgotten, not taken care of by anyone else.”

- “Are you implying that you do my job? You take care of my subjects because I can’t, because I fail as a lord?”

- “No, that’s what you implied. I think you do a good job, better than I expected actually. Am I being trialed for treason here? Is that why you invited me?”

Yon raised his eyebrows and laughed. - “No, my brother. Your service to the realm is good. That is what you do when you take care of the needy, you serve the realm…”

- “Well…”

- “Anyway, I don’t approve of all the actions of the soldiers, but what could I do? Punish one of the influential officers in a situation when we have Koprites knocking at our front door? They now come further to the south than they ever did before. Lord Spero of Nox locks his city gates on foggy nights, for God’s sake, and their city is twice the size of ours! Our villagers don’t sow and harvest in fear of the Koprites. We have never had less wheat and meat in our storehouses than this year! That is why I introduced the market tribute. I need to fill the realm’s storehouses in case of an attack or a siege of the darkers, may it be forbidden!”

- “So, this is what you summoned me for after two summers. You need my help? What? I don’t see the things you describe happening in that way and even if they were to happen, you know all too well that I am not a fan of the idea of supporting the king and the hierarchy…”

- “Before you go any further into blaspheming, allow me to calm your spirits. That is not it. Eldon, explain the current state of affairs to my brother,” Yon said extending his arm and giving the word to general Eldon.

- “My lords. Two mornings ago, a king’s messenger had arrived to the city. He had previously been to Nox. As you know, it takes seven nights of fast riding to reach Nox and nine more to get here. Anyway, he brought an unexpected message.”

- “I enjoy your deep, melodic voice but could you get to the point?” Faris spoke, mildly annoyed.

- “Yes. Well, the message is that the prophecizers have experienced, written and proclaimed a new prophecy from the Tower of Five Fires.”

Faris and Maedur looked at each other astounded by what they were hearing.

“The prophecy, what does it say,” Faris urged the man to speak on.

Eldon, at first reluctant to answer, continued only after Yon nodded his head approvingly: “First of all, it is not a prophecy, it is prophecies and we don’t exactly know what they say…”

- “What do you mean prophecies?! How many? How can you not know?”

- “The information is scarce. As far as we know, there are said to be nine prophecies made and written down and we hear that some of them are ambiguous…”

- “What do you mean; didn’t the messenger deliver the prophecies?” Faris spoke on, commenting excitedly on Eldon’s report.

- “Well, actually, he did not. He only brought the king’s invitation to attend a summit on this matter which is to be organized in twenty nights from now. So, we would have to leave right away, pretty much. Oh yes, most of the prophecies are said to have something to do with the hierarchy…”

Faris then turned to Yon. - “Please tell me that you are not seriously considering the option of attending this summit. If the prophecies have anything to do with the hierarchy and with our family name, it may well be your funeral you are being invited to, Yon!”

- “Calm down brother. That is not likely to be the case. The entire city of Karos is probably aware of the prophecies and, in this kingdom, people abide by the prophecies. The king cannot risk an uprising now, not while the Koprites are roaming all through the kingdom.”

- “I am not all too convinced. And, if something happens to you, what is going to become of Baan Senicore?”

- “Well, that’s where you step in. I am going to appoint you the governor of the city while I am away.”

- “No. I don’t want that. Appoint one of your generals. Appoint someone from the council…”

- “Enough, Faris! You know I can’t do that. I am not going on some two-day hunting expedition. You yourself mentioned the possible dangers on the way. If something is to happen to me, a Kulin must preside over the city. We can’t afford to have a possible usurper in the seat and, frankly, when it comes to asserting power of ruling over this city, when faced with such a temptation, I can’t trust anyone. You on the other hand have been persistent in rejecting the hierarchy which makes you the perfect candidate.”

“The lord is right,” Eldon supported Yon’s argument

- “All right, Eldon, I don’t need to hear you repeat my brother’s words.” After pausing for a couple of seconds and looking at Maedur, as if silently consulting him, Faris continued to speak. “Fine, it makes sense. And it’s not too many nights anyway. But you must take all necessary precautionary measures. How many soldiers are you taking along?”

- “None. I am not going to conquer Karos, but just attend a summit there, in The One’s name! I will be accompanied by Eldon and my personal guard of six.”

“That is not enough. Take Aegor with you. He is our blood, son of our father’s brother and commander of the Sciprians. He is an experienced warrior, the kind you need on such a trip and his armor and weapon is made of Galian metal.”

“I don’t think that’s needed. You two never got along well, you would always end up stealing each other’s girls. You just want Aegor out of your way…”

Before Yon could finish, another speaker stepped in. It was Aegor himself who was entering the dining chamber: “My lord, I think your brother is right. It would be much safer if I came along. Sciprians are a loyal order. They will be loyal to Faris as they are to me. Besides, second general Darion is also here. And, I have no quarrel with Faris, except that I am frustrated by the fact that despite his nasty temper, the ladies still see him to be more appealing.”

They all laughed as Faris and Aegor hugged each other.

- “Well, I guess I have to agree,” Yon gave in.

- “When do you leave brother? I’ve been here only for one day and I already can’t wait to see the better side of you at the gate.”

- “After two nights pass. Tomorrow I will show you what you need to know about ruling the city.”

- “I always knew it was a fool’s job. It takes only a day to learn!”

At the end of the dinner, saying farewells and leaving for their rooms, Faris called Yon to the corner and discusses something with him. All that others heard were Yon’s two comments “I don’t know” and “Maybe I will do that.”

Retreating to their rooms, Maedur and Faris started a conversation.

- “Master, may I ask what you said to your brother at the end of the dinner?”

- “No, you may not. It’s not that I don’t trust you Maedur. I just don’t trust the walls around us.”

- “Fine then. Let me try with another question: What does the story of prophecies mean?”

Faris sighed and, opening the door of his room, said, “Come in, we’ll talk over a couple of glasses of nectar.”

As Maedur sat down, Faris filled a glass and, passing a drink, started talking: “As you know Maedur, there are three prophecizers and they are as old as the new sun. They are the keepers of a dozen of sacred books of the knowers. Only they have access to them. These three occasionally… not too often… they receive these pictures, images of what is to be, what should be. The catch is that they don’t generally see things in the same way. If they can’t agree on a matter, it means that the prophecy is not to be confirmed. However, every once in a while, they do agree. Once that happens, the prophecy is written down in the Judgment Book and proclaimed to the people. This means that the prophecy is to be seen as a sealed truth and that all are to abide by it. Of course, sometimes the prophecies are not all too clear or they point to more than one possible outcome. I think that is what Eldon wanted to say when he called some of them ambiguous. The last time they delivered prophecies was seventeen summers ago. You were just a baby then…I was just a child then, just a few years older than you. Old enough to remember…”

Faris stopped talking here, staring at one point in the floor, as if reminiscing. Averting him from fully drifting away into his memories, Maedur asked again: “And Galian metal? You said something about your cousin wearing armor and carrying weapons made of Galian metal…”

- “Ah yes. Well, you see, a long time ago there was a mine, a Galian mine named after some local village near it. The locals worked in it and they were great blacksmiths, all of them. The mine was not made famous by the quantity of metal taken from its belly, on the contrary. The metal supplies gathered were scarce, but the material had some amazing features.”

- “What features?”

- “Well, for example, if you were to bring two pieces of the metal together, they would bounce away from each other. But, if you were to bring it near any other metal, it would be attracted by the piece of Galian as flies are attracted to a piece of shit. When the Galians forged a couple of swords they showed same qualities. When brought near each other, two Galian swords would fall back as if pulled away by an invisible arm. But, when you would bring close to it a piece of any other metal, the Galian sword would be attracted to it by such force that it would slice the piece of ordinary metal in half. As not much of the metal was extracted, the blacksmiths of the village could make only enough weapons for one troop. The king of two hundred summers ago selected the Sciprians, since the Septors - the king’s army of Karos - already had weaponry and armor made of the metal of the highest quality in the kingdom made from an alloy forged by the Illuminators. And, they were too big of an army. As the mine was in the south and as it was a Sciprian who found out about the whole thing while scouting the area, it made the decision that much easier.”

- Well, but that can be a disadvantage. For example, such armor would attract swords of ordinary metal which is not good news for the barer of the metal vest.”

- “Yes, that can be true. That is why Sciprians are so skilled with their shields. You see, a Sciprian uses the shield to pin the weapon of the adversary to it, which leaves the opponent wide open and vulnerable, and then they strike the helpless prey with their swords. Also, the heads of arrows for their bows are made of this metal. They are quite tiny. But imagine the force of an arrow shot a hundred lengths into the air soaring down attracted by the armor of the enemy. It pierces right through flesh with half of the arrow’s length at least. Up to this day it is the only known metal to pierce through a Septor’s vest. Of course, that’s why the Sciprians have the sheaths for their weapons made of special, thick Daborian fabric. They have special triple weaving in order to fade the effect of the metal when it is to rest. That is also why their formation is so wide, they can’t come near each other when wearing full armor, literally.”

- “I understand. That is a lot of power in a man’s hand. And the Demulinators, who are they?”

Faris then asked with a sneer, “The who?”

- “The Demulinators, you mentioned them earlier as the ones who made the metal of the Septors.”

- “Oh, you mean the Illuminators. Only now is it clear to me that you have been only a short while with the Fraternity. Well, the Illuminators are an ancient order and they…Well it is a bit late for that story. Let’s get some sleep first and I’ll tell you about the Illuminators tomorrow, how about that?”

- “Oh, all right. I am sorry master; I forgot how late it is. Goodbye!”

- “Sleep tight Maedur!”

Two nights later, at the gates of Baan Senicore the lord’s delegation gives its farewells to the gathered soldiers as they leave for Karos. Up on the city walls Faris watches the bunch fade away into the morning mist. “Maedur, send Gornax back to the Fraternity. He is to tell the brothers what is happening.”

-“I am right on it, master.”

As the party moved farther away from Baan Senicore, Yon broke the eerie silence, “Hey Aegor, make sure to keep your sword away from my ass. It just so happens that I have an arrowhead in my ass from a hunting accident. It went to deep to be pulled out. I don’t want it making friends with your sword.”

The party laughed and continued in good spirit.