Mark of the Fool

Chapter 688: The Fool and the King

The Heroes are with the king.

Prince Khaliks words stunned the group waiting at Rockmoot, stopping all conversation for a time.

What? Alex wondered. No one said theyd be here. They werent even mentioned.

Are you sure its them? Theresa looked at Khalik sharply before turning back to their surroundings. I dont see anything.

Najyah is sure, Khalik said grimly. Drestra, Cedric, Hart and Merzhin all ride at the kings side.

Alex and Professor Jules looked at each other. Did you hear anything about them being here? he asked her.

Not a word. Did you? she asked.

No. And Im not sure I like it. Maybe itll be finebut, I dont know about this.

Since Careys funeral, Alex had neither seen nor heard from his fellow Heroes. Much of their time would have been taken up fighting the increasing number of Ravener-spawn threats throughout Thameland as well as trying to root out the Ravener.

With new dungeons springing up like mushrooms in a forest, the Sage, Saint, Champion and Chosen were barely able to keep up with them lately.

Alex was surprised that theyd even have time to be at this meeting.

Yet, not only were they here, but they were beside the man who wanted him in chains.

His thoughts ran wild.

They might have been compelled by the king and the High Priest, Alex thought. Maybe they were busy fighting dungeons and hunting the Ravener, then he ordered them to accompany him. Or maybe Merzhin turned on us, or the hidden church got to them. Maybe the secret church has miracles that can control a persons mind.

That possibility made the hairs on the back of Alexs neck stand up.

Maybe the First Apostle can control them through one of his interdictions, he thought. Or maybemaybe it has nothing to do with the hidden church. Maybe theyre here to help me, but then why come with the king? Not to mention that being at this meeting puts them in a bad position.

What happens if it comes out that the Heroes knew I was the Fool for months? Would they be threatened with chains too? Will I have to try to help them?

Alex shook his head.

Too many possibilities and too little information; he couldnt work any of it out.

He shared some of what hed been considering with his companions, keeping anything about the hidden church to himself.

We have no idea why the Heroes are here, Alex said to the others. But theyre our friends, theyve shown us that, so lets just assume that theyre on our side.

The paranoidand cautiouspart of him wondered if something had changed their positions.

Maybe he didnt know them as well as he thought he did.

He pushed the thought aside.

Trust them, he thought. Theyre your friendswell, except for

I suggest that we watch Merzhin closely, Prince Khalik suggested. As far as he said, he is on our side, but we do not know how true that is. This will be his test. The others, I have trusted with my life; I know they would not betray us.

The confidence and conviction in Khaliks voice sent a spike of shame through Alex; he couldnt believe hed had doubts about Cedric, Hart and Drestra.

Fear, desperation and paranoia could do strange things to ones mind.

Theresa had learned that the hard way.

They exchanged a look and a nod, likely thinking the same thing.

Itwill be okayfather Claygon spoke in his mind.

Yeah, it will be, Alex said.

The group fell into an uneasy silence as the kings party came closer.

Okay, I see them now, Theresa said.

Me too, Grimloch announced moments later.

Alex squinted in the direction they were facing, only seeing a vague mass in the distance. It gradually changed to a flash of steel in the sunlight, and finally, the army began materialising.

Khalik wasnt exaggerating.

King Athelstan had brought an army.

There must be half a thousand of them, Theresa said quietly, standing on a megalithic stone. She began stringing her bow.

Well, we came ready for war, Councillor Kartika said lightly. And it appears so did they.

Theyre serious about this, Professor Jules said.

And, so am I, Alex added.

The Generasians fell into a resolved silence as the kings army made their way to Rockmoot. The closer they came, the more knights, soldiers and war priests Alex saw, all riding in tight formation. Ahead and behind them, alert rangers scouted the grass, eyeing the Generasi sentries with distrust.

In the centre of the formation rode the Heroes.

A single glance at their body language calmed many of Alexs earlier fears; he saw no signs of betrayal when theylooked up at the hilltop. Their body language showed nervousness, some confusion, but openness. When theyd spotted Theresa on the stone, theyd waved to her unguardedly.

There was no closing up of demeanour, no tension, no anger.

It seemed that most of the Heroes hadnt come to Rockmoot with any intention to betray.

But Merzhin?

His body language screamed tension.

The slight Saint of Uldar eyes darted around like he was expecting Uldars corpse to spring from the tall grass. He was constantly throwing anxious glances at the king and the High Priest of Uldar while gripping his horses reins hard enough to make his hands tremble.

Maybe hes having second thoughts about who he should be supporting, Alex thought. I hope not, though. I hope hes still with us.

The kings army fanned out around the Generasians, encircling themand the hill in a deep ring of steel. It was a largely useless display; the wizards could easily fly out of the encirclement, but their options would be reduced.

And judging by the number of priests holding crossbows, they were ready for battle against even opponents with flight magic.

Alex looked at the priests and soldiers with suspicion.

Itd be hard for them to ambush us since theres so much open space around the hill, he thought. But it wouldn't be hard for secret church members to embed themselves in such a massive force of bodies.

No sooner had that thought crossed his mind, than the song began.

Cries of surprise swept through the priests of Uldar as their holy symbols began to sing. Surprise quickly turned to alertness, and then

There! a priest pointed in Alexs direction.

The Fool! another shouted.

At last! cried another.

Murmurs, shouts and prayers of thanks to Uldar ran through the army andfor a momentit looked like they would rush up the hill to try and capture Alex. Emphasis on try.

King Athelstan raised his hand, eyes fixed on the Fool. Order, he commanded.

And immediately, there was order.

With a single word, he quieted the zeal of his entire army.

Alexs eyebrows rose. Thats a form of power I havent seen before.

As he was considering the kings power, a man rode to the front of the army and approached the hill.

Announcing King Athelstan Merciex! The ruling monarch of Thameland, possessing the divine right of rulership as so granted by Holy Uldar himself! the herald cried.

Alex swallowed.

The king of Thameland was younger than hed imagined, but his eyes were old and his expression.

He was flanked by a cluster of knights, priests, and two old men in fine robes, as his horse cantered up the hill to Rockmoot. The Heroes followed close behind.

When Athelstan reached the hilltop, his herald dismounted, quickly taking the kings reins before the monarch dropped from the saddle, his armour lightly clinking when his boots touched the ground. Everyone in his party followed his lead as the monarch led the way into Rockmoot.

Councillor Kartika rose from her chair. We meet again, King Athelstan.

Greetings, Councillor Kartika, the king said, his voice low. He looked over the gathered Generasians. I see you have come in force.

She looked at his army. So have you.

Mm, but this is my realm, the king said.

And our delegation is in a dangerous, monster-infested wilderness, Councillor Kartika said. We felt the need to protect ourselves.

Of course, said Athelstan.

For a time, the king and councillor exchanged greetings and pleasantries, giving Alex time to examine his body language and that of his two companions. He recognised the pair from Kartikas description of them, since shed met them before.

The older oneHigh Priest Tobias Jayhad quieted his holy symbol, but was watching Alex closely...looking somewhat surprised. The other manCourt Wizard Errolseemed unsurprised, though his eyes barely strayed from Alexs staff.

Cedric was looking at Alex with an apologetic expression on his face.

The Fool of Thameland nodded to the Chosen, but said nothing.

So, you are the Fool of Uldar, the king suddenly said.

Alex pulled himself from his thoughts and looked directly at the king. The older mans eyes were searching; probing to discover what kind of man this fifth Hero was.

The young wizard bowed his head, searching the kings body language. He seemed confident, authoritative anddesperate?

I am the Alex Roth of Alric, your majesty, he said, his tone respectful and gracious. Some call me the Fool of Thameland, though others see me otherwise.

Excellent, the king said, nodding to Tobias Jay. Youve given us the runaround for quite some time.

I was

No, I do not think you need to speak. The king held up his hand. You deserted your people in their time of need, but no more. From today, you will do your duty. Understand, you will be punished for your desertion but that can wait until the war is over. Depending on how you support the other Heroes, you may be granted leniency. Now come, it is time to submit yourself to our custody.

Cedric opened his mouth to speak, but Alex spoke first.

With the greatest respect and honour, your majesty, the Fool of Thameland bowed once more. Im afraid I cant do that.

Murmuring, which quickly swelled to jeers and insults, ran through the Thameish contingent.

Coward! someone called.

Deserter! shouted another.

Treasonous cur! cried a knight standing behind the king. You may be a Hero, but you are the least of them! The woman spat. You are also a commoner and a subject of both the throne and your divine liege. Fall to your knees now and beg for forgiveness!

No, my lord, Alexs tone was forthright. I cannot do that.

The king looked the Fool up and down, his lip twitching. You might be frightened, boy, but master your fear and retain your dignity. You cannot defy your duty.

Who says that? Alex asked.

Pardon?

Who says that I cannot defy that duty, or that I have not been doing it? He pointed to his chest. Your majesty, I have been doing everything in my power to end this war. Ive been fighting dungeons, battling Ravener-spawn and researching ways to end the Raveners reign of terror. The duty you speak of would have me dead, your majesty. But by following it my way, I can be of far more use to our people.

That is not for you to decide, the king said simply. And I am sorry it has come to this.

The king looked at Councillor Kartika. Councillor, I am afraid I will have to use force to obtain my subject.

And Im afraid that we will need to use force if a foreign power attempts to capture one of our citizens, she said evenly.

The king paused. What?

Mr. Roth has a copy of a document in his possession which he and his family have received from us, she said. It states that by authority of the ruling council of Generasi, they are now citizens of our realm due to their valuable contributions to our city, which also takes into consideration their future contributions to Generasi. At present, they enjoy all rights, responsibilities and protections citizenship provides them.

You had no right to do that, High Priest Tobias said.

We did, actually, Councillor Kartika replied. We have offered citizenship to those who have migrated to our wonderful city on many occasions. They are not the first, nor will they be the last.

But he is a subject of my realm, the king said.

And he is also a subject of Generasi, Councillor Kartika insisted. He is both your subject and our citizenunless of course you wish to let him go. Well gladly accept him.

Behind the king, Drestra pressed a hand to her veil, stifling what might have been laughter.

I have no intention of letting go the Fool of Thameland, the king sounded offended. I do not know what is happening here, but while this does not violate our agreement, it does sour relations between us.

And I am sure we can work that out, Councillor Kartika said smoothly. After all, my understanding is that the Fool is the least valued of your Heroes. Surely, with the proper incentive, you could be persuaded to let him go.

If I may, my king? the High Priest spoke up.

You may, King Athelstan said.

This goes beyond the laws and citizenship requirements of both realms. This is a divine decree that we must fulfil. That is above the laws of mortals, Tobias Jay took a step toward Alex. Even if we must capture a citizen of Generasi, Uldars will must be fulfilled andWait, who are you?

Hobb had stepped between the High Priest and the Fool.

I am afraid I cannot let you do such a thing, the devil said, looking into the eyes of the holy man. Not under the pacts by which I am bound. Your divine law means nothing to me. After all, devils have little use for the so-called divine.