045 Those Who Watch the Sky - 45
45 – Children thrust Into the Sky 3
The cathedral in Foothold had
exploded with activity as the Eyes of Icarus neared full shut. From all over the
influence sphere of Foothold the church militia was recalled to the city and
the Dolmens were prepared for deployment. Elliot was overwhelmed by it all and
could barely keep up finding himself grateful for the moment of peace he was
afforded as he joined countless church militiamen in the inner courtyards of the
grounds of the cathedral complex.
It was not a pleasant day as the
sky was gray with thick lazy clouds whose contents drizzled down upon Elliot
and the militiamen he shared the courtyard with. Even despite the weather
Elliot was still able to relax as he awaited the arrival of the bishop. Stepping
up beside him and offering him a friendly for him smile was Feast.
“So, looks like you’re going to
finally be seeing some action. Are you excited yet?”
“I’m nervous more than anything.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Eh…”
Elliot could do nothing to stop the
soldier who responded to his comment on his nervousness and soon everyone was
engaged in hush conversations. Feast seemed terribly amused by the whole
situation and was struggling not to laugh. Elliot sighed and put on a very
strained smile. Speaking as hushed as he could Elliot questioned Feast.
“Having fun Feast?”
“At your expense of course. But
you don’t want anyone finding out about me so maybe you shouldn’t entertain me
so much.”
Elliot sighed again but gladly
took Feast’s advice. There were more important matters to attend than dealing
with Feast.
Elliot was not the only one who
was distracted from the assembly though as Lute and Pan Mouser patrolled the cathedral
parapets. They were obviously keeping an eye out for Melody who no one had seen
since the night she was recruited into Choir. The Mouser brothers and bishop were
certain though that she would show up should a major military gathering be held
outdoors and Lute and Pan eagerly awaited the harpy’s arrival. Unfortunately
for them however she was not coming.
Well over a mile away Melody clung
to the spire of one of the few buildings in Foothold that actually offered her
a view into the cathedral grounds. So far away no icaran or other human race
could possibly see her from the cathedral without a spyglass, and even then she
obscured herself as much as she could behind the spire. Watching the gathering of
soldiers Melody let a wordless song fall from her lips and the voices from the courtyard
were carried to her ears on the wind. It was her first time hearing Elliot’s
voice in some time and it brought her a sense of comfort as well as worry.
“I don’t get it Elliot ~♪ Who are you talking to? None of the other conversations I’m
hearing sound like they would be talking to you ~♪”
With Elliot incapable of
answering her question from so far away Melody did not bother awaiting a
response from him. Instead, like him she focused on the bishop’s coming
appearance.
The Bishop did not leave anyone waiting
for his arrival in suspense for much longer as he at last emerged from a double
door at the top of an impressive staircase. He was flanked by his personal
guard as though he was expecting to be attacked at any moment. Despite these precautions
he seemed fully focused on the crowd before him. Patting the air with his hands
he encouraged the crowds to grow quiet, and when that was not enough he nodded
to the various unit captains to bark the order for silence. In response to
their captains’ voices the militiamen fell silent and snapped to attention.
Elliot was not to be left out and also snapped to attention as the bishop
finally addressed the crowd.
“My good soldiers. You have the
look of lost sheep about you as you undoubtedly seek answers to why I would
recall all of you at once. You surely fear for the well beings of the farmsteads
and roadways under your care, but I assure you no threat that would approach them
in your absence is as grave as the one you have been called here for today. You
see my good soldiers, to the south in Ibrand a devil has appeared that threatens
our very way of life. That devil is why I have called you all here today for it
will take all of our combined strength to defeat it for that devil is one of the
Sowers of Chaos whose actions in the ill advised land of Lucir off in distant
Athecia is even known of even here in Mergaol. The devil that has appeared is
none other than Hazel Sycamore himself, the devil accused of stealing Her Eminence’s
Light of Hope that stays back the dark god of the Foreigners.”
[Link’s father⁈]
The thought was shared by Link
and Elliot and the accusations cast against Link’s father were of little
concern to them. Balgun however harrumphed loudly from his vantage point
watching the ceremony from inside the cathedral.
“The way you paint that man a
villain and treat Mote as though she never existed. The depths of your willing
embrace of ignorance astounds me.”
Balgun’s rant would never have
interrupted the address but he unironically hoped that someone asides himself
had a spec of intellect. That the bishop continued uninterrupted did little
more than hurt his faith in humanity.
“The evils of that devil know no
bounds as he has brought a Foreigner city down from the clouds and laid waste
to Ibrand. The city of our good neighbors is no more as that devil seeks to
steal the technologies of the Foreigners and bring their wrath upon all mankind.
He must be stopped at all costs!”
The words of the bishop drove the
gathered soldiers through horror to rage and they cheered at the opportunity to
end the life of Hazel Sycamore. Elliot was the only one in the courtyard who
remained quiet. Instead a grave weight descended upon him as he knew unquestioningly
that he would be part of the unit that would be sent out after Link’s father.
[What can I possibly do? This is
madness. I can’t even begin to believe what he’s saying about Link’s father.
Even after Link was positive that her father purposely set the machine sentries
to slaughter the citizens of Cross I couldn’t believe it. He was so kind and
her mother the same. How could he have possibly gathered such a reputation?]
The questions plaguing Elliot’s
thoughts would receive no answers as the bishop instead continued to vilify Link’s
father.
“Do not be so assured of your
victory, however. Even with the Sister Goddesses, Father Icarus, and hHr
Eminence herself behind our cause it is likely that the devil Hazel Sycamore is
accompanied by a Sa·B·er of tremendous ability and power who alone could level
our forces. But fear not my good soldiers, for amongst our number is one who
has been visited by Her Eminence and tasked with restoring the good name of the
Cardinal Church and Her Eminence. That man is none other than Knight Prince Elliot
Silverlance!”
“EH–⁈”
Elliot had no way to respond
beyond confusion as the bishop lowered his right hand and the militiamen parted
and all looked at him. Suddenly the center of attention Elliot felt himself
feeling queasy. In an instant the weight of the world was dropped upon his
shoulders and he had no way of handling the situation. The bishop was not
making things better as he smiled broadly and made his next proclamation.
“In a three-day Knight Prince Silverlance
will join all of you in your venture to vanquish the devil. Let the first thing
that Father Icarus sees when next he opens his eyes is our victory!”
A thunderous applause erupted
and roared around Elliot as the bishop ended his address. Naturally there would
be a whirlwind of mission briefings to come over the next few days and Elliot
would not know peace again for some time. Even the moment he thought he had
after he escaped from the roaring crowds was interrupted by Feast being totally
amused.
“You’ve really found yourself in
a fun spot now Elliot. What a show this will be.”
“Not now Feast. I don’t even
know how I ended up in this situation. This isn’t what Her Eminence, Lady
Cardinal’s light should be used for.”
“No, it isn’t my boy. But
perhaps your tendency for keeping secrets is the cause of this dilemma you find
yourself in.”
“Master Balgun⁈”
Looking up from where he had
leaned against a wall to catch his breath in what he thought was a barely used
corridor Elliot was greeted by the sight of Balgun crossing his arms and
frowning disapprovingly. He seemed disappointed enough to ignore Elliot’s
surprise at his appearance and continued his accusations.
“For example Elliot, who is this
Feast that you are speaking with.”
“Ah–!”
“Don’t bother trying it deny it
Elliot. I heard you speaking with them as I followed you down here. You can’t
keep that secret from me nor should you if you desire my help in dealing with this
situation you find yourself in.”
“How can you possibly help me
Master Balgun? My situation–”
“Is complicated my boy? Nonsense.
You’re simply trying to protect Link as you understand her relationship with
Hazel quite well do you not.”
“You–”
“Know? Why yes my boy, I do. She
hasn’t spoken of it to me directly, but it took little effort with her as she
is to figure it out. Why I doubt you would recognize he when you see her again
with how she is.”
“If I see her again Master
Balgun. But it’s a relief that you know.”
Throwing his back against the wall
Elliot slumped to the ground relieved by balgun’s insight even as word of Link’s
condition worried him. Looking up at Balgun he managed a weak smile.
“I really am at a complete loss and
have no way to do what’s right.”
“You could start by telling me
about this Feast fellow.”
“There really isn’t anything to
talk about. He’s like my shadow you could say. It isn’t that simple either
though. But he isn’t someone you need to worry about. Not too often anyway. He’s
maybe like the Foreigner blood in me that has simply taken on my form and worse
tendencies. He’s typically harmless though unless I were to let him loose. But
his powers are terrifying and I have no desire to. He is awfully persistent
though, but also sometimes the only company I have. Asking him to help me deal
with this mess though would be akin to just asking for how many different ways
I could kill everyone in Foothold.”
“And you thought it wise not to
speak of this with anyone? Even me, an expert on Foreigners and I thought, your
friend.”
“I’m sorry Master Balgun. It’s
just facing and conquering myself is something I feel like I have to do on my
own, and Feast is every bit me even for as much of his own person as he can
seem.”
“Fear not boy, I can understand
where you are coming from now. I simply ask that you do not keep further secrets
from me if you desire me to continuing helping you. It is why I must ask if you
currently desire my aid.”
“What can I tell you to convince
you.”
“Just your thoughts on your
assigned mission.”
“I…”
Elliot trailed off as he looked
at Balgun for a moment and then lowered his head and sighed. It took him a
moment of wrestling with himself but eventually he looked again at Balgun with
a determined look in his eyes and sad smile on his face.
“Would you be willing to leave
ahead of us? I hate to ask you to leave Link when she hasn’t finished
recovering but…”
“Elliot my boy, I would be happy
to.”
Elliot’s eyes lit up and he
could barely contain his joy at Balgun’s aid. The sorcerer’s willingness to
suddenly depart however perplexed the bishop when he received Balgun in his
office later that day.
“You’re leaving now? A three-day
before you said you would be finished?”
“It is a shame, but I have other
appointments to keep. Besides, with this major military operation of yours
about to start I’d just be underfoot. Link should be well enough off on her own
if you just leave her alone and allow her to finish recovering. Just wait three
more days before meeting with her again and she should be relatively stable. If
you don’t mind though, before I leave I would like to speak with her one last
time so that way she is aware of my departure and does not regress to a point
where you will not be able to speak with her.”
“Of course Master Sorcerer. Though
you can let her rest easy in knowing that we have found Hazel Sycamore and as
long as he surrenders she will have her chance to speak with him.”
“I’m sure she will be delighted
to hear it. In that case then I must be off, though please keep your watchdogs
away from the dear girl as well until it is time lest she have a most
unfavorable reaction. Her skin itself is Nectar and destabilizing her could be
beyond disastrous as it is aspected purely to her. I wouldn’t want those feral
dogs you keep thinking they could kill her only to wipe out all of Foothold as
a result.”
“I will keep that in mind Master
Sorcerer. She shall have her solitude only as far out as the beginning of the operation
to seek out Sycamore.”
“That’s all I ask. Now, if you’ll
excuse me.”
Spinning about Balgun departed the
bishop’s office. The bishop naturally did not trust Balgun and had him watched
as he left Foothold and eventually disappeared over the horizon. Knowing that
Balgun was gone all that remained was to secure Link’s location so none could
interfere with his plans before he could safely move on to the next phase of
his plans.
Copyright © 2019 Joshua D Tarwater
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