“What are their names?”
Rene shook his head. “Their direct names weren’t logged, but they bore titles. There is a Deity of Azure, Deity of Carnage, and a Deity of Verity that are unaccounted for. There were no records of alternate names for Emoris or Lathil.”
“Do you know who belonged where?”
“The Deity of Verity is from Avolon, a fourth kingdom. We learned his name recently. He is referred to as Sortiris and the Clairvoyant. The Deity of Carnage seemed to have been purged alongside the Deity of Azure. Emoris and Lathil don’t want us to know who they are, but we believe the Deity of Carnage was also called the Commandant. Information on him is quickly squashed by the Kingsley Knights, too.”
Faust had to wonder if Emoris and Lathil feared the other deities.
“That is all I can tell you,” Rene said. “There are things the king does not wish you to know yet.”
Faust pouted, squeezing his pillow in disdain.
“As you overheard, he is having a hard time. You need to behave and not take up everything you see. Answers will come in time. We must make it to the Kingdom of Roltan for his meeting.”
“Yes, sir,” Faust mumbled.
“Now, go to sleep. We will start the morning with more concentration drills.”
Faust huffed and flopped on the bed, facing the wall. This would be so much easier if they didn’t keep secrets.
Chapter Fifteen
Faust stretched as he strode down the long ramp from the Volliare, breathing the fresh air, his eyes to the sky. He wished he could stay in the sky longer.
Ignas rushed past Faust and exhaled once his feet met the ground.
Zara giggled and shared a look with Faust. “I think he’s happy to be on land.”
“It appears so,” Faust agreed. He adjusted the bag with the journals he needed to read on his shoulder. He glanced around once he was at the bottom of the ramp and tilted his head. The air felt heavy here.
The town was larger than he remembered, just like Hol. It was practically a small city except for the wooden walls surrounding it. All cities had stone walls. The buildings on the outskirts appeared crudely built and did not go past two stories. The structures closest to the Volliare docks were still being built.
“This is the last town before Akarvine,” Zara said. “We’ve come pretty far south now. Supplies get scarce beyond this point.”
Faust didn’t like the sound of that. Akarvine was at least two weeks from this town. That meant the other towns had been abandoned. It kept his people from being able to communicate for help and isolated them. Isolation brought out the worst in many.
A cart stopped by a few knights and they pulled off a few crates and a strange chest, one that reeked of magic like the one Faust’d found near Hol. Faust tugged on Rene’s tunic, not looking away as the knights hauled the chest into a fancy carriage along with other riches. “I think that is another chest, Rene.”
“I believe you are right. It bears similarities,” Rene said, touching Faust’s shoulder. “This town may need help, judging by the amount of riches they are moving, but try not to overdo it.” He adjusted his own bag of journals. “We must finish reading through these. Jumping into things will leave us at a disadvantage.”
“We should meet with the caravan first and gather more supplies,” Ignas said, eyeing the knights. Several huddled near a carriage parked in front of the town brothel.
Faust frowned. How uncivilized of Lord Bente, it was broad daylight. He had more important things to do, like inspecting and overseeing repairs of the town wall. The riches he’d just seen should’ve been more than enough payment for just about anything. “Let us get to an inn first,” he whispered. “Unless you have a tavern here too, Ignas.”
“You know me so well.”
Rene pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. “We must check in with the guild while we are here. We missed out on picking up our funding.”
Ignas shook his head. “As long as you stay with me, Lord Arcus will be fine.”
“As my mercenary?” Faust skipped beside Ignas.
Ignas’s eyes flared with lustful intent. “If that is what you wish.”
“It is.” Faust smiled wide, entirely too pleased by Ignas’s obvious want.
Rene scoffed.
“Just give up. You can trust us to keep you both safe. Now follow us.” Zara wandered farther into the town.
Faust stayed at Ignas’s side, basking in his warmth as he looked around at the shops. There were only a few guild members among the stores. He looked into the alleyways and stumbled, but Ignas caught his arm. People huddled together and ate from one loaf of bread while another set dug through trash.
“Many are starving the farther we move from Limorous,” Ignas briefed. “Keeping warm is difficult as well.”
Faust nodded and pulled his scarf closer to his face. It was much colder here than Hol, too. He glanced at every alley they passed, and each bore the same scene. Lord Bente wasn’t doing his duty.
The closer they walked to the brothel, the louder the voices of the knights echoed. A pair caught Faust’s gaze.
“Oh look,” one knight said, “newcomers!”
All the knights turned.
Ignas crowded Faust back, his expression cold. “And for what do owe such attention?”
“Yes, do explain.” Rene stepped beside Ignas, his glare stern. He set his bag at his feet.
Faust sighed. So much for laying low like Konrad wanted. He frowned at Ignas’s back. He wasn’t helpless, and Lord Bente wouldn’t know who he was, nor would these knights. They hadn’t met face-to-face. Faust glanced to Zara and blinked. She was gone.
Heels thudded against the wooden porch of the brothel behind the group of knights. “What is all the noise out here?” a voice asked.
“We have newcomers, my lord,” a knight said.
Faust’s gaze narrowed. The lord dressed as if he was royalty. He shouldn’t have been able to afford such luxuries.
“Well, well,” the lord said, “if it isn’t Sir Rene, the court historian and trusted three-stone user to the king himself. To what do I owe this sudden visit?”
“Lord Anson Bente,” Rene said. “We are simply passing through.”
“Just passing through,” Anson repeated. “But you are staying the night? Perhaps a few more?”
“If we must,” Rene said.
Anson’s smile grew. “Then you must pay. Let’s see, there are three of you in my sight, so three hundred gold coins will be a good start.”
“And if we do not pay?” Rene eyed Ignas.
Faust could already guess based on the malice Ignas radiated.
Anson tipped his head toward the brothel. “Why, you work it off, of course.”
“You may not apply any taxes to travelers, Lord Bente.” Faust stood between Ignas and Rene, tall and proud. “Nor are you permitted to force people to work in a brothel.” It sickened him to think of how many innocent lives had been forced behind those walls.
“This is my town,” Anson said. “A page boy does not have the authority to order me around, only those with the crown may intervene.”
“A page boy?” Faust laughed and put a hand to his hip. “I suggest you watch your tongue, for you may lose it. I am the appointed court merchant working under the orders of His Royal Highness Prince Faust Kingsley. You are to respect my orders as if they are being spoken by the prince himself.”