A Warden's Purpose (Wardens of Issalia Book 1) Read online

  The stable was large, containing enough individual pens to house forty horses. Not every pen was full, but it was full enough.

  Thurmond – the stable hand who cared for the horses – was squatting beside a carriage, inspecting the underside. When he noticed them enter, he stood and wiped his hands on his grey cloak as he approached the couple.

  The man flashed a toothy grin. “Good evening, Jacquinn.” He bowed and turned to Iko. “Are you two ready?”

  Quinn frowned. “Ready for what?”

  “I’ve arranged for a carriage ride.” Iko turned toward the stable hand. “Thurmond has agreed to take us for an evening tour of the valley while we eat.”

  Thurmond strolled toward the carriage and opened the door, holding it as he waited for the couple to climb inside. Iko slid the basket of food in and held his hand out to help Quinn. She hesitated for a moment, reluctant to accept assistance until she realized that his intent was not to slight her.

  Thick blankets waited for them on the bench inside. Quinn sat on a blanket and Iko sat beside her before pulling another blanket over their laps. She heard the stable door slide open and the carriage lurched into motion as Thurmond led the horses outside. Once the stable door was closed, Thurmond climbed upon the carriage – rocking it slightly as he did so – and snapped the reins. The carriage began its trek down the starlit road.

  Iko pulled the blanket back from the basket and handed Quinn a glass. She was surprised when he removed a cork from a bottle and poured wine into her cup.

  “Wine?” she asked. “I don’t drink wine…at least, I never have before.”

  He smiled, his white teeth noticeable in the dimly lit cabin. “Well, now is the time. I made sure to get a fine wine, so I doubt you’ll be disappointed.” He poured himself a glass and held it toward her. “To us, may we live well and prosper.”

  Quinn tapped her cup against his with a nod and then took a sip. The wine was cool, yet it warmed her throat when she swallowed. The flavor was strong, a hint of sweet followed by a dash of bitterness. She took another sip and gave him a smile. The smile on his face stretched into a grin of delight.

  “I knew you would like it.”

  The carriage bounced as it went over a bump in the road, and Quinn almost spilled on herself. As a result, she held her glass level for future occurrences.

  Iko dug into the basket and handed her a plate filled with slices of dried sausage and cuts of cheese. He then drew out of loaf of bread and tore off a piece before handing it to her. The bread was still warm, and it smelled wonderful.

  They ate in silence for a bit, enjoying the meal and the passing scenery through the open curtains. Dark trees – both pine and bare leaf trees – lined the road. Countless stars above shined down, lighting the fields of snow beyond the tree line. Quinn gasped when a star shot across the sky with a trailing streak of light. The moment felt perfect.

  Iko cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Tell me something of yourself, perhaps of your life growing up in Cinti Mor.”

  Quinn turned toward him and considered where to begin. “My father was a blacksmith, my mother a cook. With both of them away, my brother and I were left to our own devices much of the time. His legs…never functioned properly, so he spent his early years indoors, and I often stayed with him. Once he got his braces and canes, he was able to join me and the other children, although there were few of them since the city had not fully repopulated. Cinti Mor was destroyed during the war, and construction was a never-ending presence – whether it was a building, a city wall, the streets, or the docks.

  “Everson and I would often visit my father’s smithy, where we learned the basics of shaping metal. I showed some skill, but he displayed ingenuity, the kind that was rare – the kind that awed adults even when he was too young to go to school. When we came of age, we began our training at the local temple. I got an education and eventually found my way here, to train as a soldier. My brother, on the other hand, was forever smarter than any of my schoolmates – smarter than anyone I have ever met. He was obviously bound for Fallbrandt to become an engineer. My path was one that required extra effort.

  “Regardless of the hardships, it was a good place to live. My home was always filled with love. I had friends, a family, and found ways to create enough mischief to make memories to smile upon.”

  Iko took her hand in his and gave it a small squeeze. His palm warmed her fingers, which had grown cold.

  ‘Your childhood sounds wonderful. It seems like you love your family, too.”

  Quinn gave a sad smile. “Yes. I miss them. They are close, yet I see them rarely.”

  Iko sighed. “My family is not so close.”

  “I’m sorry. I should not only be thinking of myself.” She squeezed his hand, tugging it slightly. “It’s your turn. Tell me of your life before you came here.”

  The look in his eyes grew distant he turned to stare out the window. After a minute of silence, he turned toward her.

  “I grew up not far from Hipoint. My childhood…was particularly difficult. My mother raised me alone after my father died during my fourth summer.”

  “I’m sorry. That must have been horrible.”

  “The years have clouded my memory of him. I now barely remember his face.”

  Quinn leaned close and kissed his cheek. He gave her a sad smile.

  “I was forced to work, even at a young age. While most kids spent their time playing games, I would labor each day until I dropped from exhaustion. This went on until my thirteenth summer when we…moved. My mother and I wound up in Yarth, where she sent me to train at the local temple. Like you, I found that an education and the toughness I had built up as a means to a better life.”

  “Does your rune count as nothing?”

  He shook his head. “No. Not any longer. There was a time - when the Ministry ruled – when I would have been revered. My life would have been easy, my path clear. However, such is not the case today. Perhaps things will change, and it will become so in the future.”

  Quinn shook her head. “I don’t know. Under the old way, people had no choice as to what they might do with their lives. Rather than following their passion, they were assigned a role – one they might despise. It may be wonderful for people like you, but it would be horrible for others.”

  He glared at her with his lips pressed together. After a moment, he nodded. “You are probably right.” His eyes softened as he stared at her. “I find you very insightful, Quinn. You’re smart, brave, kind, and loyal. To find a strong woman who retains such beauty is a remarkable thing. If I could dictate my future, you would surely be in it.”

  Quinn found herself at a loss as she considered how to respond. When he leaned close, the urging of her body made her decision for her. His lips met hers, warming them as her eyes drifted closed. Her pulse thumped and her head swam in the rush of the kiss. When their lips parted, she opened her eyes and stared into his. She found herself wishing for their carriage ride to never end…and then the horses slowed to a stop. When Quinn looked outside, she realized they were back in the stable yard, with Thurmond sliding the stable door open. Disappointment sank in as he walked the horses inside.

  When Thurmond opened the door, Quinn and Iko exited, thanking the man for his kindness. Iko then took her hand, led her inside, and walked her through the corridors that led to the barracks.

  Later that night, Quinn lay in bed, the room dark as she relived the evening in her head. Being with Iko made her feel special – made her feel happy to be herself and nothing more. She longed to see him again.

  29

  Wick and Flame

  With breakfast finished, Quinn and the other girls headed toward the indoor training rooms. Chuli walked beside her, quiet and focused. Quinn remained quiet as well, but nowhere near focused.

  As it had numerous times during breakfast, the previous evening with Iko ran through her mind. She held it fast to her heart, longing to relive the evening again and again. Lost in her re
verie, she almost didn’t hear the hushed whisper.

  “Quinn.”

  She turned toward the doorway she had just passed and noticed it open a crack.

  “Iko?”

  The door opened a bit wider to reveal his face. “Yes. It’s me. I need to speak with you.”

  Quinn turned toward Chuli. “Go on without me. If Jasmine asks, tell her that I forgot something and had to run back to the barracks.”

  The excuse would buy some time, but Quinn knew she would pay for being late. Jasmine wouldn’t allow it to go unpunished.

  She stepped into the room and realized that it was an office, empty but for Iko and herself.

  “I’m glad I caught you.”

  Quinn frowned. “Why?”

  He edged closer and grabbed her hand, holding it to his muscular chest. “I wanted to see you before I leave.”

  She stared into his eyes. “Leave?”

  “Yes…it’s my mother. I received word that she is ill.” Pain reflected in his eyes. “I must go see her. They say she may die. I would never forgive myself if she…passed while I made no attempt to see her first.”

  Quinn glanced toward the window to gather herself. White frost on the limbs of the oak tree outside glistened in the morning sunlight. The tree’s grey bark stood out against the white snow surrounding it.

  She looked at him and thought of their evening carriage ride. “Traveling back to Yarth will be difficult with winter upon us.”

  He replied, “I know. I have enough coin to purchase a ride to Wayport. There, I will find passage on a ship heading for Yarth.”

  Quinn swallowed her own concerns and thought of Iko. “I pray that Issal will give your mother the strength to recover.”

  A sad smile spread across his face. “It is kind of you to say so. I pray it happens as well, and soon.” Stepping closer, he stood just a breath away, holding her captive with his amber eyes. “I will miss you dearly while I’m away.”

  He leaned close, him a flame, her a wick, unable to resist. Quinn’s eyes drifted shut as their lips met. The room faded in the distance as she gave herself to the moment, to the racing of her heart. When he drew back, she wrapped her arms about him and gave him a fierce hug, which he returned. She closed her eyes and willed them to remain dry. Opening them, she released her arms, him doing likewise.

  “Be well, Iko.” Turning about, she moved to the door, staring at it as she spoke. She did not trust her reaction should she look at him again. “I hope all is well and that you will return soon.”

  When the door closed, Quinn paused with her back to it. A deep breath followed, one she almost choked on as she exhaled. Remembering that she was late to calisthenics, she ran down the corridor.

  Quinn slowed as she neared the door, her breath coming in puffs of steam in the cold air. When she reached for the doorknob, her hands resisted her will. Unprotected in the frigid weather, her fingers had grown numb. After some fumbling, she was able to grip the knob with the heels of her palms, turn it, and step inside.

  She stamped her feet on the thick rug. Clumps of snow fell from her boots while a shower of smaller flakes rained from the legs of her breeches. With her hands held to her mouth, she blew warm air to thaw them. As they warmed, they began to sting as if she were holding them in water that was a bit too hot.

  A rumble in her stomach reminded her that she needed food. After wiping her boots on the rug, she headed down the corridor.

  When she arrived at the mess hall, she found her fellow cadets eating, some already finished. A trip to the kitchen yielded her a plate of steamed vegetables and pasta covered in melted cheese. As she passed occupied tables, she caught a sense of anxiety in the conversation, the way they leaned toward one another, the look in their eyes.

  Chuli smiled as Quinn neared the otherwise empty table. “You did not freeze to death, I see.”

  Quinn snorted. “Not quite, but it was cold enough. I’m glad it was only one lap.”

  “Running in snow is not so easy.”

  A chuckle escaped as Quinn sat. “So, I noticed.”

  Chuli took a bite of her food. Quinn glanced toward the other tables and noticed something odd as she watched the other girls.

  “What’s going on? Everyone seems…like they’ve caught wind of some great rumor.”

  Swallowing, Chuli nodded. “Yes. We heard that the search for the murderer resumed today.”

  Quinn frowned. “But they already interviewed all of the girls. We passed the test.”

  “They are apparently now interrogating the boys.”

  “Interesting.” Quinn stirred her food, the steam from it teasing her tongue into watering.

  Chuli leaned closer. “The boys were here that day. The murder happened fifteen miles from here, and on the other side of a mountain saddle.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how they think anyone could have snuck away long enough to run that distance, kill Darnya and Simone, and return here without notice.”

  Quinn took a bite of food, chewing as she considered Chuli’s words.

  Chuli’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are we to train tonight?”

  Blinking, Quinn drew herself back to the conversation. “No. Trijia agreed to another game of Ratio Bellicus. I am to go there directly after dinner.”

  “Have you won a match against her, yet?” Chuli scooped the last of the food from her plate.

  Quinn grimaced as she thought about Trijia. “That woman is relentless.”

  A grin appeared on Chuli’s face. “Sounds like someone I know.”

  “Fair enough,” Quinn sighed. “Every time I believe I have a winning strategy, she counters it with tactics I have never seen before.”

  “I know you. Defeat is not something you willingly accept. The frustration must be gnawing at you.” The look in Chuli’s eyes was one of knowing.

  Quinn stared back for a moment before responding with a chuckle. “You know me too well.” She shook her head. “The woman is good, but tough. When I told her I wished to become an expert, she took it to heart and continually tells me that an opponent on the battlefield will display little mercy. She shows that same mindset on the Bellicus board.”

  Finished with her meal, Chuli stood. “Well, I wish you luck.”

  As Chuli walked away, Quinn stirred her food as thoughts tumbled in her head. Life at the school would be different without Iko. With him away, I will focus on my training. I will get better faster. And when I’m the best, I will train even harder.

  30

  Augmentation

  Everson blinked at the light in his face. “With Winter’s grasp firmly taken hold of the valley, I remained indoors for the next ten weeks. My…disability makes walking through snow overly difficult – sometimes impossible.”

  Licking his lips to wet them, he found his tongue dry. “May I have a drink of water? I’m quite thirsty.”

  He heard shuffling behind him. A moment later, a hand appeared before his face, holding a cup of water. When they pressed it against his mouth and tipped it up, he drank eagerly while water dripped from his chin, onto his bare thighs. With the cup empty, the hand withdrew. Everson tried to wipe his mouth on his shoulder, but found it ineffective.

  Feeling a bit refreshed, he continued his tale.

  “I had a theory about the power contained within the blackened rock, a theory that I needed time to prove. Accordingly, I spent weeks working alone, crafting a new mechanism for the clock, one that would replace the coil. Inside that mechanism, I placed the chunk of Chaos-charged stone.”

  He found himself smiling at the memory, a moment he would remember forever.

  “Not only did it work, it was more effective than I had anticipated. The clock now ran on its own, with no need to wind it. For days, I tracked the clock’s accuracy, making timing adjustments until I had it just right. A week later, the time remained exact.

  “However, I remained reluctant to reveal my discovery of this new power source.” Everson sighed and stared at the floor in s
hame. “You see, it presented me with a new opportunity – an opportunity to change my life. While I knew my idea might help others, my true intent was to help myself.”

  “…know the basics of fluid dynamics. With it, we have been able to create wonderful inventions ranging from simple pumps that move water to complex pistons that multiply the force input of a press.”

  Master Nindlerod placed the hydraulic piston on his desk and turned toward the class.

  “Tomorrow, we will meet in The Foundry to dissect a number of real-world applications in fluid dynamics. I expect it to be another thrilling day that spurs new ideas.” He grinned. “These ideas could become the fuel for another great invention – one that might gain you recognition and a bit of gold.” He cackled in laughter. “You see, we have our second Inventor’s Challenge coming in ten weeks, just prior to the end of winter session. For this challenge, you are allowed to include a single magical augmentation.”

  Everson’s brows raised at the statement. The students surrounding him chatted with each other as they discussed possibilities. Leveraging what they had learned in Chaos Theory offered new possibilities to what they might create.

  Nindlerod’s grin remained. “I knew you would be excited about this one.” He rubbed his gnarled hands together. “I cannot wait to see your ideas come to fruition.”

  The bell rang and students began heading for the door. As Everson stood, Donnell tapped his shoulder.

  “Can we work together again? We made a good team, right?”

  Everson glanced toward Ivy, whose face reflected hope.

  “Me too?” she asked.

  Recalling their previous creation darkened Everson’s thoughts. “You two realize that the last invention didn’t go so well, right?”

  Donnell shrugged. “It was a great idea. The judges even said so. If we had a bit more time to perfect it, we would have won.”