Mark of the Fool

Chapter 690: Harmony

Father, what does harmony mean? Prince Athelstan asked.

Harmony is the music of civilization, his father said. It is the melody that binds mortals together under divine law and social contract.

It had been a cold winter night some decades ago.

Athelstan had been in his bedroom.

He remembered the fire crackling in his hearth.

Its flickering light. The crack of burning wood. Its smell.

Even after all these years, that memory was as clear as the sun.

Andwhile the fire burnedhis father had spoken of harmony.

Where did you hear that word? the king had asked his son. Strangely, his image wasvague in Athelstans mind. Like an impression of his father, seen through a murky piece of glass.

In Father Tobias sermon this morning, Prince Athelstan said. He talked about harmony between Uldars people, and bringing folk like the clans and the witches in harmony with everyone else. Whats that mean?

Hmm, let me see now, the king had frowned.

Athelstan remembered his fathers expression.

That look of confusion in his eyes. Like he was lost for a moment.

Ah yes, I remember. The kings eyes had then lit up. I suppose my earlier explanation was poetic, but a little useless. Harmony is when folk get along, working toward the same purposeor similar purposesin peace with one another. When your mother and I make the same ruling on something, then we are in harmony. When the lords are happy and listen to each other, they are in harmony.

When my friends and I fight were not in harmony, and when we play together, were in harmony? Athelstan asked.

His father smiled, ruffling his sons hair. Of course, you are. Of course you are. Then that smile had faded. When you are grown up and married, it will likely be the time that the Ravener returns. By then, I will be old but will still be king. You and I will have to work with the Heroes of Uldar to ensure that Thamelands safe for all people in our land. Together, we must work in harmony.

Of course, his father had only been half right.

Decades later, the Ravener did return, but Athelstans father was long dead, taken by a disease of the brain that had begun even when Athelstan was a boy. And now, he was king.

And the king pondered the word harmony once again.

I had heard that the Heroes were in disharmony, he thought, looking at the Sage, the Saint, the Champion, the Chosenand the Fool. But are they truly in disharmony? I would have to say not. They are in harmony with each other, but not with me.

He looked to the sky. Does that mean I am picking the wrong side? Am I going against Uldars will by sewing disharmony among his Heroes? Am I here to confirm that the Heroes are on the right path? Or is it the oppositehave they all strayed? Has the Fool been misguided, along with the others?

His hand rose to the holy symbol of UIdar around his neck. What are they to do? What am I to do? They wish to end this war forever, and I only wish for the same thing: an end to this cycle of ever-returning devastation. But is this righteous? Is their way right? Or are they going against Uldars plan? What is the correct choice? What will bring harmony?

Suddenly, there was a cry from behind him.

Treachery! a man shouted. The Fool means to kill the king! Strike him down!

Bows twanged.

War cries filled the air.

And King Athelstans heart plummeted.

###

It happened so fast.

One moment, the king was silently considering the situation.

The next, a flurry of activity came from his army. A group of soldiers and priests had unslung bows and crossbows, aiming them directly at Alex. They were fast. Trained. Ready.

And it was clear that someone had signalled them.

Priests cried prayers to Uldar as they and the soldiers loosed a volley of bolts and arrows. The missiles burned with white lightdivine energy pouring into themswerving toward Alex like hungry snakes.

He teleported out of the circle, away from his companions.

But the volley continued sweeping toward him.

Fine, lets see you catch me when Im fifty miles away, he thought.

He was ready to teleport again...

When a devils word struck the air.

Halt, Hobb said, his hands still clasped behind his back.

An immense power smote the volley, freezing the arrows and bolts mid-flight. The missiles shuddered in the grip of Hobbs devilish powerand Uldars blessing bled away.

Alex tensed, expecting a second volley.

But it never came.

He stopped where he was, looking over the Thameish army. By the Traveller! he said.

Every member of the army whod struck out at him was frozen, as still as statues. Their faces contorted, they fought to move, but could not even make a single finger twitch. Nearly a hundred attackers were neutralised by a single word.

Hobb spoke again.

Fall, he commanded.

There was an impact with no sound.

The missiles shining light faded, and the volley dropped to the ground like rain drops. Steel points and wooden shafts soundlessly struck the standing stones, quietly rolling into the grass.

Soldiers fell; each attacker buckled, tumbling from their saddles and hitting the earth as silently as snowflakes. None cried out. None groaned.

They simply could not rise, nor move, as though a great weight pressed down on them.

I will waste no time on grandiose speeches, said Hobb. But know this: you cannot win.

I think they can see that, Alex muttered.

Let our people go, devil! Tobias barked.

I have not hurt them, which is a mercy, Hobb looked back at him evenly. I would suggest you keep better control of your subordinates.

You dare

Tobias! Errol warned. Be careful! What would you have us do, your majesty?

Hold! Hold! the king ordered, glaring at his army. I swear I will have the next one of you who draws a weapon drawn and quartered! He looked at Hobb. Release them.

Your majesty, one of his knights spoke up. Someone said that they saw him with a weapon.

Then they need their eyes checked, I saw no such thing! the king snapped back. Devil, release them.

Hobb smiled sweetly. Very well, as long as they respect your authority this time. But I warn you, the next time they make me do my duty, I will be less gentle. He looked at those hed paralysed. You may move.

And they did.

The immobilised Thameish attackers suddenly relaxed, flopping on the grass like dying fish. Exhaustion was clear in their body language.

This is an affront. Councillor Kartika glared at the soldiers. I understand that your soldiers would be dedicated to your safety, but shooting at shadows endangered us. They also attacked a citizen of Generasi and threatened the life of a councillor. This is duplicitous and wars have been started over less!

King Athelstan glared at her, his face shining with sweat. You knew that Alex Roth was the Fool and you chose not only to show a lack of cooperation with my kingdom, but you actively protected him by granting him citizenship. You are protecting a deserter of Thameland. A Hero of Thameland who fled his realm. These actions could mean war.

With respect, your majesty, I didnt know or care what a Fool of Thameland was until recently. And I didnt know this Fool was Alex Roth until even more recently, she said, crossing her uppermost pair of arms. And even then, he is a citizen of Generasi. He has committed no crime under Generasian law and thatas far as I am concernedthis is a private matter between you and him. I will not extradite him, and will protect him as a Generasian citizen.

He is also my subject and a subject of Uldar, the king pointed out.

And since he is both of our subjects, until we can resolve this by way of diplomacy, then any act against him is an act of aggression against a proud citizen of our city. And just to warn youwhile you may decide to pursue this and him within your bordersany attempt to send a military force or espionage unit into our city will be viewed as a direct act of aggression.

King Athelstans face turned red and his eyes hardened.

We have been nothing but cooperative with you in our joint endeavour, your majesty, Professor Jules said. We have been helpful and our coffers have kept your treasury full and your people fed. Our research has helped you in your battle against the Ravener. Will you turn this relationship sour over one man, King Athelstan?

I am willing to overlook the attack on our delegation if you cause no further harm to our people, the councillor added.

Please, your majesty, Alex said, teleporting beside the Heroes. I am on your side. Please dont do this. I am trying my best for us all.

The king frowned.

###

The kings soldiers had only acted with his best interest in mind.

But this was still a terrible embarrassment.

Some jumpy scout must have thought the Fool had a weapon in hand, even when it was obvious he did not. Perhaps his staff might have proven dangerousbut Alex Roth had not shown a single action of aggression.

He had shown harmony.

But what of King Athelstan; his warriors and priests had acted without his word, making them seem churlish and undisciplined. To Councillor Kartika, it would have seemed like he hardly had control over his own subjects.

The Heroes had chosen the Fool.

His troops had acted without his orders, jumping at shadows.

he was not in an enviable position.

But could he step away? Could he let the Fool act as he wished? What message would that send?

Your majesty, if I may, High Priest Tobias said. Perhapsthis is part of Uldars plan.

What do you mean, Tobias? the king asked.

The Fool and the Heroes seemed to be alignedperhaps it is we who were wrong, he said quietly. Uldar works in mysterious ways, and the troubles we have seen in Thameland, perhaps they are not because we did not have the Fool at our side, but because we failed to recognise that he was already by our side. If even the Holy Saint speaks of the Fool supporting the other Heroes, then I cannot think that Uldar is against him. Perhaps, this is the way it was meant to be.

I see King Athelstan said. And you, Errol?

The court wizard frowned, then looked at Councillor Kartika. Youin some waystook a subject from our king. Would compensation be on the table?

Kartika smiled. I thought youd never ask. We could see that King Athelstan is fairly compensated for the fact that we granted citizenship to one of his subjects.

The court wizard looked at the king. I think this is the path of least resistance, your majesty.

Now King Athelstan looked at Alex Roth.

He truly looked at him.

And he saw not a Foolbut a Hero.

Swear that you will continue to find a solution to the Ravener, the king said. Swear that you will apply your skills and knowledge against our great enemy to see it destroyed.

I swear it, Alex said. Ive wanted to do that since the day I was branded with the Mark.

And do you accept this? He looked at the other Heroes.

Aye, we do, Cedric said.

The others echoed his words.

The king sighed.

Harmony.

Who was he to destroy it?

Very well! King Athelstans voice carried over Rockmoot. Then let it be known. On this day, I declare that the Fool of Uldar, Alex Roth, is hereby pardoned for the crime of desertion and flight from his dutyfor it seems that he never left his duty. As the Heroes are in harmony with each other, I will not see their union shattered. Alex Roth will have the freedom to research and battle as he and the other Heroes see fit. We are done here.

###

Alexs heart leapt.

A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders.

His spirit soared.

At last, after two years of hiding, he no longer had the threat of becoming a prisoner in his own realm to fear.

The hidden church would still want him dead.

The Ravener would still want him destroyed.

But right now?

He couldnt care less.

Right now, in many important ways, he was finally free.

And that opened the door to new possibilities.

He would celebrate this day.

He would return home.

Then he could finish his training in teleportation.

And finally get to unlock the secrets of the Mark of the General.

###

Odd, Hobb whispered to himself, watching relief spread through the Generasi delegation. He looked up at the sky, tasting the Raveners poisonous mana.

It was familiar to him.

He felt no need to share that.

After all, whispering such knowledge did not fall into his pact or his duties.

And it would be more amusing to watch these mortals discover it themselves.

Come, lets go home now, said Professor Jules.