Mark of the Fool

Chapter 666: A Devilish Deserter and Coward

So that is what I saw! Mother Charity suddenly cried, half-rising from her seat. Surprising strength seemed to lay in her aged body, as her eyes shone with a sudden revelation. Holy one She turned to High Priest Tobias. I was attending to my duties in my study earlier when my attention was called to the window. Outside, among the trees, a great fog bank that had covered the forest all evening suddenly began moving aside like it was being parted by some unseen hand. At the time, it seemed an act of divine will, but now, Im quite convinced that it truly was. Our dutiful messenger is right, this is likely a divine sign from Uldar himself.

I am not so sure that this is a sign. Or, at least, I am not certain, Father Lee cut in, his expression sceptical. Fog banks can shift

Were you not the one pointing to signs earlier? Ralphonze raised an eyebrow at him.

Well, yesI suppose, he said. But while the discovery of the Fool at this time seems to be providence, I am not sure if a weather event holds the same gravity.

Uldar has sent many signs through the weather, Ralphonze argued.

You agree with me, then? The messenger looked from Mother Charity to Ralphonze.

Ralphonze paused, falling into deep thought. His brow furrowed as he tapped one of the arms of his chair with a plump finger. Its true, I was the one arguing against it, but if the weather did clear, allowing you to deliver this messagemaybe it is providence. Perhaps I might be wise to change my mind, Holy One. We should investigate.

Father Lee you cant acceptone sign but ignore the other, Mother Charity chided the young priest.

Well, I wouldnt say I dismissed it outright, he said slowly. I suppose it does add credence to the accusations and simply reinforces my earlier point, that this is worth investigating.

Hmmm, High Priest Tobias mused. I cannot deny that this does all seem auspiciously timed: both the odd behaviour of the fog, and the timing of these Fool sightings. Fine, I will inform the king in the morning.

Not now, Holy One? Mother Charity asked.

No, His and Her majesties have been working themselves to the bone, he said. Let them rest; if this accusation proves false, then they would be awakened for nothing. And Uldar knows, they need as much sleep as they can get. Especially the queen, considering

He let the words hang, and his advisors remained quiet, knowing full well their meaning.

The messenger kept her eyes down, knowing better than to pry.

Then it is settled. I will inform the king in the morning and advise him that an investigation should be taken, Tobias said. In the end, the decision will be his and mine to make. Perhaps Court-Wizard Errol can shed some light on whether or not the Fool could find a way to cast spells.

Wisely spoken, Ralphonze said.

Only because of the wisdom of Uldar and my advisors. The high priest rose from his seat. Thank you for your time tonight and may Uldar bless you all. He kissed his holy symbol and made the sign of Uldar.

Now, go, have your rest, Tobias said. Depending on the kings decision, we might have much work ahead of us. He looked at the messenger. Stay until the morning, you have served our kingdom well. You and your escort must take some refreshments after your long ride.

Thank you, Holy one, the messenger bowed.

Once again, no one caught the subtle look that passed between Mother Charity and Father Lee, nor had anyone noticed just how masterfully the two members of the hidden church had manipulated the situation.

Mother Charitys stance had been one of great enthusiasm, while Father Lee had changed his position to one more suited to a naive novice; everyone in that room knew well that Uldars signs included changes in the weather.

Ralphonze, of course, had corrected the younger priest, taking a position aligned with Mother Charitys. After that, it only took the messengers enthusiasm to help the old priest shift his position enough to no longer resist an investigation, then it was just a matter of time before High Priest Tobias reached the decision they had wanted him to.

And just like that, the goal of the two hidden priestsembedded in the cathedral of Ussex many years agohad succeeded. Now, Tobias would handle the rest.

Unwittingly, as always.

Your majesty, High Priest Tobias and Court-Wizard Errol rose from their seats in the meeting room, bowing as the king emerged from the royal apartment.

Good morning, gentlemen. King Athelstan Merciex moved from the chamber with royal grace. May Uldar smile on us all.

On us all, the two older men echoed.

How is the queens health? the court-wizard asked.

Well enough. You must forgive her for not attending this meeting, the king sat in one of many armchairs surrounding a low table in the meeting room. His slippered feet pressed into a thick bearskin rug sitting beneath the table legs. She is feeling a little under the weather this morning so her handmaidens are caring for her.

I seeand the royal heir? High Priest Tobias asked carefully.

Athelstan gave a grim smile. The little one grows well. Im told that they will likely come before winter does.

This is glorious news, my king, Errol said, bowing his head. Have the midwives determined what the childs sex is?

They have not, the king replied. Likely, we will not know until he or she is born.

He looked out the window, taking in the grey skies above his kingdom. Melancholy surfaced in his heart; below those grey skies, the city of Ussex bore the wounds of Ravener-spawn attacks that only seemed to worsen over time.

How long until I look out this window to see this entire city aflame? he wondered.

I had thought this war would be over by the time our child was born, the king said quietly. Instead, it shows no sign of ending.

Have you discussed what your plan will be? Court-Mage Errol asked. If the realm is still at war when the child comes?

Most likely, my queen and child will travel to the Rhinean Empire by way of the Cave of the Traveller, King Athelstan said. They will have to wait out the war there in unwelcome exile until these lands are safe enough for a child to grow up here in health and happiness.

He looked at High Priest Tobias. That is why I pray that you bring good tidings this morning, Holy One. We are in dire need of good news these days. Has the Ravener been found?

No, sadly, the High Priest said. It has not. We have teams of delvers exploring the caves beneath the Pinepeak Mountains; our soldiers reported strong Ravener-spawn activity there, and with any hope, that will lead to us finding the enemy.

Another thin hope, the king said bitterly. At least the Generasians aid us in the hunt for dungeons, were it not for them, this realm would likely be overrun by now.

Your vassals gather dungeon cores for their own purposes as well, your majesty, Errol said. As does the royal house; we will need to offer the deepest thanks to the Generasians for their discovery. After the war is at an end, the sale or development of the remains will refill the royal treasury quite quickly.

May it be so, the king said gravely. The wars cost in lives and coin reaches troubling heights each passing day. I would truly like to have a few of those chaos bombs in our armoury, though. Such powerful weaponshurled by trebuchetwould surely devastate any Ravener-spawn horde that attacks the city. They would ensure that my child has a city to grow up in.

He looked at the High Priest. Is there something troubling you, Holy One. You asked for this meeting but yet you do not speak, and look as grim as a gravedigger.

High Priest Tobias leaned forward. I might have information that could help us, but your mention of the Generasians has reminded me that the situation could becomplex.

King Athelstan raised an eyebrow. As I said, I had hoped for good tidings.

They well might be, your majesty. They well might be.

And High Priest Tobias relayed everything he had learned from the messenger the night before, as well his own theories, and those of his advisors. He explained his thoughts on how finding the Fool might be Uldars will, while he also counselled caution.

There seem to be signs that this is in Uldars plan, but we do not know for certain, your majesty, the old priest suggested. Therefore, the decision is in your hands.

The Fool of Thamelandin Generasi the king considered those words. Could it be He recalled his meeting with the terrifying wizard, Chancellor Baelin. Something about the goatman had sent a chill down every inch of his spine. ...that the Generasians forbid priests from approaching Greymoor to shield the Fool from us?

Such a thought had occurred to me, the High priest said. I did wonder how it was that such a far off realm had obtained dungeon core remains and information about their properties. This Alexander Roth being the Fool could answer certain questions, while raising more.

Which questions are answered and which are raised? the king asked.

A certain timeline is suggested. The Fool is from Alric, so what if he used the portals in the Cave of the Traveller to escape Thameland? That would answer the question as to how the Fool avoided the barrier around the realm. That cave was a dungeon, as well; perhaps some happenstance caused its core to be destroyed. It would not be the first time that a dungeon core was destroyed by a beast or natural phenomenon.

And if the Fool obtained the dungeon core remains and sold them to the Generasians Court-Wizard Errol added. That would explain why they came to Thameland. Still, I have heard that the chancellor of their university is ungodly, and despises all things divine. Perhaps the barring of priests from Greymoor was simply an unhappy coincidenceorthey were protecting the Fool.

Indeed, the High Priest said. Either is possible. In either case, there is something that still bothers me, Errol. How is it that a Fool can cast spells?

Hmmmm, Errol mused. I received a report about the Generasians combat wizards some time back. I was assessing their level of threat should they turn on our realm; if I recall, the wizard Alex Roth uses a staff. The Mark of the Fool prevents spellcraft, but not the use of magic items.

Hmmmm, I see the High Priest nodded. I suppose a Fool could use magical items and simply pretend to be a wizard. It is unheard of and deviousbut deviousness is a common trait among those who bear that Mark.

Indeed. The wizard Errol clasped his hands before his body. A rather clever serpent; such a disguise would have allowed him to more easily hide his Mark. After all, who would expect a wizard to be bearing the Fools Mark?

Indeed. I thank you for that information, the High Priest said, turning to the king. Your majesty, what is your command?

The king sighed. As ever, we must all do our duties, just as Uldar decrees. That includes one as unnecessary for the war as the Fool; though I am quite surprised that the Mark would pick someone of competence. Usually, those bearing the jesters face arefools.

Your majesty, not to contradict, but there have been past Fools who have exhibited a great deal of low cunning, and even cleverness, High Priest Tobias said. Perhaps this time, it picked an exceedingly devious, but quick witted individual.

A sound theory, the king said. But a theory nonetheless. In any case, here is what we shall do. A rider will be dispatched to Alric to confirm this young mans birthday; if he shares the date with the other Heroes, I will take that as strong evidence. From there, a decree will be made that Alexander Roth must return to Thameland, beyond the bounds of Greymoor and submit himself to the scrutiny of our priests.

He drew up his chin. If their holy symbols sing, then we will have him brought before us, either willingly or in chains. Whether he agrees or not, he will serve beside the other Heroes as Uldar decreed.

His eyes went to the window. With any hope, that will bring an end to the warand my child will notbe born into a land of fire and blood.

What if the Generasians resist? Court-wizard Errol asked. They provide quite the benefit to the realm.

I doubt they will, King Athelstan said. After all, it is only the Fool; a Hero in name, but a coward and buffoon in practise. What use would he be to them? And what foreign stranger would sympathise with a devilish deserter and coward?

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