The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Galen walked over to the Royal Academy and up the steep stairs to the tower where the healer Sarin usually spent his days. The Academy had not been open since the attack on Winsdell, but Galen hoped the healer and instructor was still in his large office and classroom.

Galen hesitated before knocking on the door. He wasn’t sure how to go about what he was going to ask. It could be awkward as Galen didn’t know how much information he should share with Sarin. He knew the king had trusted Sarin in the past, and Galen trusted the man as well, but this information should not get out until it was sure. It should also be told by the king and queen themselves. Galen decided he would do what he needed to get this information, giving Sarin only information that was absolutely necessary.

Galen knocked on the door and waited. After a few moments, the door opened a crack, and Galen could see Sarin’s eyes look down at him. The door opened wider, and Sarin smiled.

“Galen, it is very good to see you. I had heard reports of what happened in Navalia and then Siccaria, and of course in the current battle. I am glad to see you are well,” said Sarin as he moved out of the way so Galen could enter.

“I am glad to see you as well, sir. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to escape Navalia,” said Galen as he looked around the room to find it much the same.

“I was able to travel with a few lords and ladies back to Winsdell. It was not easy or comfortable, but we made it. The Academy was thankfully spared from damage and loss during the raid on the village,” said Sarin.

“I am glad to hear it, but our village did suffer great losses,” said Galen as he bowed his head.

“I do know it, Galen. I was very sorry to hear of your older brother. Your poor mother must be devastated,” said Sarin.

“It was very hard for her to lose her oldest son, especially since she was forced to witness his murder,” said Galen. “I think she takes some solace in knowing my brother, Roderick, is more than worthy and able to preside over Low Hill as lord.”

“You brother is a good and capable man,” said Sarin. “I am sure he will do very well.”

Galen nodded.

“How is the king?” asked Sarin. “I heard he was injured, and I offered to go to him, but I heard he was already in good hands. I believe they were yours?”

“He is recovering slowly. I am sure he would appreciate you going by to check on him, but I do not think he requires further care. It will just take time. If we are succesful and bringing back his queen to him, I believe that will do much to aid in his recovery.”

“Yes, I am sure it will. I take it your brother will lead a rescue attempt soon?” asked Sarin.

“We will leave tomorrow for Navalia,” said Galen.

“I will be ready to see to the queen if need be when you return,” said Sarin. “I can even be at the palace waiting if it is wished.”

“That might be a good idea, sir,” said Galen. “I will ask the king his thoughts on the matter.”

“What brings you here today, Galen?” asked Sarin.

“I am looking for information, preferably a book or two on a certain subject,” said Galen as he fidgeted a bit.

“What subject?” asked Sarin.

“The care of a woman who is with child,” said Galen. “How to know if a woman is carrying for sure, and how to care for her particularly after trauma.”

Sarin’s eyebrows raised. “Is there a particular reason you are interested in this subject?”

“There is,” said Galen as he kept his eyes on Sarin. “It is a very important reason.”

“Are you going to tell me why?” asked Sarin as he crossed his arms and shifted his legs. “Galen, if you need help with something or have certain questions about any delicate subject, you should know you can trust me. There are ways to assure you do not have to worry about this, things you could take, or the woman could take.”

“No, I don’t need anything like that,” said Galen quickly. “I am well aware of all aspects of avoiding certain situations. This has nothing to do with that.”

Sarin gave him a dubious look but nodded. “Then will you tell me why you need this information?”

“I am not sure I am at liberty to say, but I can assure you it is of upmost importance,” said Galen.

Sarin stared at him for a moment, and then walked to a bookshelf on the other side of the room. He searched the shelves as Galen watched, eventually pulling out a large book. He brought it over and handed it to Galen.

“I believe you will find all you need to know in this book. If you require further information you can come see me. If there is someone who is in great need, you can come get me, or even ask me to travel somewhere with you,” said Sarin with emphasis.

“I will look over this and let you know,” said Galen as he looked down at the book, opening it and reading over a few pages. “I believe this will be very helpful. Traveling in the kingdom is not safe at the moment, sir. Travel to certain other kingdoms, is definitely not advisable.”

“Be that as it may, I will go anywhere my king may need me,” said Sarin. “I wish you would let him know.”

“I will,” said Galen. “I am sure it will not be necessary. I do need to get back to the palace to prepare for our journey tomorrow.”

“Please remember I am willing to do whatever is necessary for his majesty, Galen. All he needs to do is ask,” said Sarin as they walked to the door.

“I believe he knows it, sir,” said Galen as he opened the door. “I know I do not need to say this, but please remember any information you think you may know needs to go no further.”

“You do not need to tell me not to talk of the king’s business, Galen. I value his loyalty and favor. I wouldn’t do anything to lose either.”

Galen spent the rest of the morning in the large east parlor in the palace, reading the book Sarin had given him. He just wanted to be as prepared as he could to help the High Captain after they rescued her, including taking care of her child if she was indeed carrying one. It didn’t seem to hard to recognize if a child was within her. He read over the instructions on what to do and felt it would not be difficult for him. He could also check if the child was in peril due to trauma. Anything beyond that would be too advanced for him to try to do on his own. He hoped if the High Captain was with child that her child was well and safe.

He was in the middle of rereading a chapter of his book when the door opened and Lexine, carrying some books in her arms, walked in with an attendant who had a tray of food. She smiled at Galen as the attendant put the tray down on a table in front of Galen and then bowed before leaving. Lexine gave Galen a kiss on his cheek before sitting down next to him and taking some food off of the tray.

“I thought you might want some lunch brought to you since you seem to be hard at work. I peeked in here a bit earlier, but I don’t think you noticed,” said Lexine as she poured some wine for both of them.

“I have been rather engrossed in this book,” said Galen as he stretched before picking up some food from the tray. “Thank you for seeing to this.”

“It was no trouble,” said Lexine. “I managed to get Leal to eat and rest before his meeting with your brother and Lord Ethen.”

“How is the king today?” asked Galen.

“He seems a little stronger though he is still sore and tired,” said Lexine with a shrug. “He would do better if he would rest more, but he is understandably agitated. He will not settle until you are back with Dracia. I doubt he or I will be very good company while you are gone.”

“You will have each other,” said Galen as he took a drink of wine and then sat up straight, looking at Lexine. “We will not fail, Lexine. We will bring her back to him and you.”

“I know you will do all you can, Galen. I only hope you plan to come back safe to me as well,” said Lexine as she leaned towards him.

“I have every intention of coming back to you as quickly as I can, Lexine. You must know when I ride out into battle, you are the main reason I wish to come back,” said Galen.

“I do wish I could go with you,” said Lexine softly. “Not just to watch over you, but to be there for Dracia as well. I can’t imagine what she is going through.”

“Belleth seems to think she needs the High Captain. I am sure she is keeping her alive, and the High Captain is strong. She will be well, Lexine,” said Galen.

“What were you reading?” asked Lexine as she wiped her hands.

Galen picked up the book he was reading and handed it to her. She looked over it and opened it, turning the pages.

“I just want to be prepared to help the High Captain,” said Galen as he watched Lexine. “I know I won’t be able to do much, but the more I know, the better.”

She nodded as her eyes scanned down a page while she took a drink. “Do you think you will be able to recognize if she is with child?”

“I believe so, it doesn’t seem too hard or invasive. I should be able to do it,” said Galen. “What books did you bring in?”

“I thought perhaps you might want to look over some of the books on kingdom history or ancient magic before you go. I don’t know if it will help, but I want you to be prepared as you can,” said Lexine.

“Then will you let me see that book on the gods?” asked Galen hoping she would relent after keeping the book from him for so long.

“Do you really think it could help you?” asked Lexine.

“There was one more page I was not able to get to that seemed to be about the picture. It could have something to do with the followers of Alvina and Ricardia who founded Navalia. It could contain something useful,” said Galen.

“I suppose last time wasn’t too bad,” said Lexine as she pulled out the book. “I just don’t want you harmed or weakened before you leave tomorrow.”

“I will be fine,” said Galen. “If anything feels wrong, I will immediately stop.”

Lexine slowly handed Galen the book, and he took it, laying it on the table in front of him. He opened the cover and flipped to the page of the picture of the three women. He placed two of his fingers over the picture of the dark haired woman in the middle, feeling the need to ask for her guidance and protection. A warm feeling shot up his arm, making him feel curious and excited. Looking at the woman for a long moment, he took his hands off of the page and turned to a page that was almost full of writing he had not yet tried to discover.

He glanced at Lexine, trying to give her a reassuring grin before he placed his fingers over the words sensing the old ink on the page. He closed his eyes and let himself get loss in the echoes of the words telling of a time long past. He found himself this time in a snowy field. He looked around to see ruins of what look like small stone homes. He could even make out a chimney of one that still stood, dead ivy growing upon its white stone.

“Who do you believed lived here?” asked a woman dressed in what look liked heavy furs, a brown hat up on her head.

“I am sure I don’t know. Some people who were used to this harsh weather I suppose. The sea is very close by as you can see. It could be an ideal place for trade,” said the man looking around.

“You want to settle here?” asked the woman as she looked at the man before turning and looking at the other members of her group.

Galen could see a young man with a small young woman by his side. There were several young children gathered around them. Apart from the rest was another woman looking miserable and annoyed at being found in such a desolate place.

“We must settle somewhere,” said the man.

“I wish to go home,” said the woman who stood by herself.

“We have no home,” said the man harshly. “At least not at the moment, but we could make a new one. This could work very well for us. There is even some stone to help us start to build some homes. We could find the others and bring them here.”

“There is a well here as well,” said the young man as he looked around. “I wonder if it is still usable.”

“You will want to be very careful with that well,” said a woman who seem to appear from nothing. “You will not find ordinary water in it.”

“My sister and I have been using it to practice,” said another woman who appeared. “I believe we have finally succeeded in what we were trying to do.”

The oldest man walked up to the woman. “I am sorry. We seem to have trespassed on your land perhaps? Do you live around here?”

“We live where we want at all times,” said the second woman. She had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

“You are not unwanted here, dear one,” said the first one with kind green eyes. She smiled at the man and walked forward. “In fact, you are very welcomed. We have been looking for you since you were expelled from Lanoxan.”

The man took a step back. “How do you know who we are?”

“We are very familiar with you, and you know us very well. You know us well enough to worship us and fight your proclaimed king for us,” said the woman with her blue eyes flashing.

“Ricardia,” whispered the man with wide eyes and he stepped towards her. He looked at the other woman. “Alvina?”

“Yes, good sir, it is us,” said Alvina. “We have come to find you and help you.”

“We are the gods of life that you seek and worship. If you settle in this place, we will see you prosper,” said Ricardia with a smile that looked almost sinister.

“You will have to take responsibility for your people and this land. You will have to work to gain the knowledge of what it takes to be a good leader,” said Alvina.

“You will need to take the power we are offering you, and lead your people with purpose,” said Ricardia. “If you are willing to do these things, we will give you a way to settle this place. We will see you a king.”

The man looked at the woman close to him before he looked at Alvina and Ricardia. “If I am willing, what will have to do to gain the way to settle this land and rule?”

“You will drink from this well,” said Alvina. “My sister and I have spent years and years, more than you can imagine gaining the knowledge and power needed to create a magic we can give you.”

“A magic that will give you the gift of life and death,” said Ricardia. “You will have the ability to make new, and the ability to make things wilt away. It will be a magic, a power like any other. The Cassendars may be able to show strength and defend, but you will have life and death in your fingertips.”

“You are sure of the water from this well?” asked the man as he walked to look at the small stone structure.

“You doubt us?” asked Ricardia with anger.

“He is only making sure, sister,” said Alvina. “It did take us several years to do this. There were others this did not work with, others who did not fare well after taking a drink from this well.”

“But we have it right now. I am sure,” said Ricardia. “I can feel the power coming from it, and I trust in the knowledge you have gained.”

“You will make me a king?” asked the man.

“Yes, We will call the rest of our followers here to be your people, and we will help you build a great city. From that city you shall make a kingdom, a kingdom worthy of us,” said Ricardia. “You shall always worship us, the gods of life. You shall have no others.”

Alvina drew a bucket from the well. She waved her hands and a simple wooden cup appeared in her hands. She took some water from the bucket and put it into the cup, holding it out to the man.

“Will you drink, dear sir?” asked Alvina.

The man looked at the people around him, and then back to Alvina. He walked to her and took the cup from her hand. “I will drink. I will drink for you, for my family, and for my future people.”

The man put the cup to his lips when Galen felt a hand on his arm. He looked over to see Lexine looking at him, and he realized he was sitting in a parlor of the High Palace.

“Galen, are you well? You have been quiet for almost half a bell,” said Lexine worriedly.

Galen nodded his head, and thought over what he had just seen. Ricardia and Alvina did not look exactly as they did in the picture from the book. They were still blonde with the same eyes, but something was very different. They were different in a way that looked familiar to Galen. Ricardia’s voice was something he had heard before.

“Galen what is it?” asked Lexine.

“It cannot be possible,” said Galen. “There is no way it can be possible.”

“What cannot be possible, Galen? Please tell me what you saw.”

Galen swallowed and looked at Lexine. “I think I know who Belleth truly is. I think I know who Belleth and that woman that she calls her sister are, and it shouldn’t be possible, but it is.”

“Will you tell me?” asked Lexine.

“I will,” said Galen. “Though I can scarce believe it, and I doubt you will at all.”