“Correct,” Rene smiled and put his monocle back on. “But who deals out that fear among those who carry Emoris’s and Lathil’s blessings?”
“Lathil’s Blessed, Relan Shaw, who bears blessed markings on his shoulders. His power exceeds the few Servants of Power, who bear the blessed markings on their hands. Relan protects Emoris and Lathil and the castle but can be tasked with suppressing the people.” Faust fiddled with his stones in thought. “But he is rarely ordered from the castle nowadays.”
“Lathil keeps him there for a reason,” Rene mused. “Emoris and Lathil control the upper rankings, and the kingdoms must fall in line while King Konrad still gets to look over any grievances and laws. He has the difficult task of deciding how it’s reported, but Lathil ultimately decides if Emoris sees it or not.”
“They do not get that far, do they?” Faust sighed. “We haven’t had many new laws in years. But the knights seem to be growing in number. I saw way too many back in the market.”
“There is an extensive record of stone users now.” Rene let his stones float. “All three-stone users are quickly gathered and placed in Limorous for some reason the king won’t share with me. The lords of the cities and towns have been required to report everything in the last few months, especially when Lathil is out on expeditions.”
Faust pushed his magic into Rene’s stones and let them fall silent in the historian’s hand. “So, we need to avoid the lower lords. The Volant are a given.” Faust counted on his hand. “Kingsley Knights, Servants of Power, the Blessed, Windilum . . .” Faust trailed off. He also needed to avoid anyone with a green aura. It was a sign they were in the palm of either Emoris’s or Lathil’s hands. “Konrad has made a lot of enemies.”
Rene chuckled. “That happens when you are king.”
The Volliare jerked.
Faust gripped at the bedding as the airship tilted down and his interest perked, the lesson forgotten. He bounced over to the small window and pressed his face against the glass.
“My lord, your glasses.”
Faust reached back with his palm open for them.
Rene placed the silver glasses in Faust’s waiting hand.
Faust flipped the glasses open, admiring the design. The guild made certain his eyes were obscured by the side of the frame with sparkling blue stones. He slipped them on. “These do not allow me to get close enough to the glass.”
“Get used to it, my lord.”
Faust huffed. The town was so small, and it grew bigger as they grew closer. He tilted his head at the sound of footsteps in the hall and heavy boots running to the deck. He looked at Rene, excited.
Rene adjusted his monocle. “You may go to the deck, my lord. We’re disembarking anyway.”
Faust dashed to the door and threw it open. He zigzagged through the crowd with an abundance of energy. The deck was more expansive up close, and he grabbed the bar on the side as the wind blew his bangs back. He could see as far as the horizon!
“Don’t get too excited and fall over the edge,” Rene said and stood at Faust’s side.
Faust waved the historian off and continued to watch the town come closer and closer, the sails billowing. The landing was as graceful as he’d seen from a distance but felt far more turbulent while on board.
Rene steadied Faust and pointed to the ramp.
Faust skipped down the wooden ramp to the cobblestone pathway, his short cape billowing with each step. The snow crunched under his leather riding boots, and he shivered. Limorous hadn’t been this cold.
“It appears the stories about the strange winter are true.” Rene walked off toward the market. “We need to get warmer clothes and secure horses with the guild.”
“Strange winter?” Faust asked.
Rene motioned to the light snowpack. “There has been snow outside the winter months in the last couple of years. The king has been looking into to it after reports arrived from Windilum and Roltan. There has to be a reason for it,” Rene said. “Let’s hurry along. I don’t wish to be here long.”
Faust glanced at the buildings. He hadn’t been to this town in years. There were far more tall wooden buildings and stables. The inn he frequented was larger than he remembered, but he was much shorter back then. A brand-new shop stopped him in his tracks.
The shop’s windows were filled with maps, books, and old furniture. The sign was worn with age, the letters faded, but it didn’t detract from the wonders inside.
A grin lit up Faust’s face, and he scurried off to the quaint antique shop. He pulled the heavy door open and stepped inside with a ring of the small bell above him. The shop was bursting with knick-knacks, but there was a specific wall for books. He walked over and browsed the titles. Some spines were embossed, others bound in leather, and a few were encased in hardcovers with faded cloths. They definitely smelled old.
The bell rang again, and Rene stepped into the small shop.
“Good day, sir,” the owner called from the back. “What can I do for—Sir Rene!”
Rene tipped his head. “It is good to see you again.”
“Are you here for more books for His Highness?”
“Not today,” Rene said, gesturing with his hand. “I am escorting the new court merchant, Lord Arcus, around Alios.”
“Lord Arcus?” the owner asked.
Faust whipped his attention to the shop owner with a smile. “I would like to buy a few of these.”
Rene’s eyebrow twitched, but he kept a pleasant smile on his face.
“But, of course, my lord. Anything for the court. Which books would you like?”
Faust opened the rickety inn door. The room had two beds and tables. The sitting area was small, but it was adequate for a night’s stay. The lack of a bath was a bit concerning. He’d have to figure that out later.
Rene carried a sizable shoulder bag full of books into the room. “Did you have to buy a whole shelf?” He dropped the heavy bag on one of the small beds.
“I must have something to do while we travel, and besides, these contain information Emoris and Lathil forbid. It could help us figure out this strange winter.” Faust rummaged through the bag for a book. “My brother would be happy to have an answer for it.”
Rene sighed. “We do have to store these.”
“They can go in the saddlebags.”
“We have other important items to carry, my lord. We won’t have a caravan.”
“We will figure it out,” Faust said and flopped on the bed. He opened his book and flipped a few pages until he found something on the weather of each kingdom. “So, I am to stay inside and do nothing?”
“At least for the first leg of this trip.”
“What about coin?” Faust asked and sat up on the fluffy bed. No place would be free, and he couldn’t flaunt his royal status.
“As long as it’s run by the Guild of Artisans, the bill will be sent to His Majesty,” Rene said. “This journey has more than one objective. Thus, within reason, coin will not be a problem.”
Faust rested his hand on the top of his book. “So, I get to spend my brother’s gold?”
“Within reason.”
Konrad had planned it so he would not be out in the wilderness every night. “Can I access my gold?” Faust asked.