Victory and Defeat: Book Five of the Restoration Series

Victory and Defeat: Book Five of the Restoration Series

By Christopher Williams

Published By Christopher Williams

Copyright 2013 Christopher Williams

http://BooksbyChristopherWilliams.com

Other books by Christopher Williams

The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series

Ossendar: Book Two of the Restoration Series

Valley of the Ancients: Book Three of the Restoration Series

Into the Wastelands: Book Four of the Restoration Series

Red Lightning

Nephilim

Long Shot: A Remnant of the Commonwealth, Book One

For a map of Telur and the surrounding kingdoms, please visit:

http://booksbychristopherwilliams.com/Restoration-map.jpg

The Three Forms of the Mystical Arts

Magic

Magic is a learned art. All that is required to learn magic is a good mind. The magic user focuses on their need, then casts the appropriate spell. Spells can be as simple as single words or chants, or as complex as multi-person rites and rituals. Magic is by far the most common of the three forms of the Mystical Arts.

Sorcery

Sorcery, unlike Magic, is something a person is born with. It cannot be learned. Sorcerers are born with the unique ability to control their spirit and use it to manipulate things in the world around them. Touching other people's minds and moving objects with just a thought are some of the more common uses of Sorcery.

Wizardry

Wizardry is the art of summoning through the five elements. Demons are summoned through fire. Spirits are summoned through water. Visions of the past, present, and future are summoned through spirit. Summoning through air allows a wizard to travel great distances, but only to locations that they have previously visited. Summoning through earth allows a person’s life essence to be transferred to another.

Wizardry has been forbidden for two thousand years ever since the destruction of the Demon Lord War.

Chapter 1

Derek stopped beside a table that bowed under the weight of a farmer’s produce. He glanced around, not at the table’s contents but at the surrounding crowds. He was looking for anyone who was paying them too much attention. The people were packed into the market of Elem and none of them appeared to be giving him a second look.

He turned back to the table. Leela had already picked out ten or so pieces of the best fruit, and she was now looking over the various vegetables for sale. Judging by the look on her face, she wasn’t too pleased with them. He turned back to scanning the crowds, letting Leela do the shopping.

He had traveled with the Wildling woman from the Forests of Dalar and he liked her well enough. She was quiet for the most part, but he didn’t think she would betray any of them, and for good reason - she had her own secrets. The woman had a strange gift. Perhaps it was more correct to call it a curse. She could kill with a single touch. Derek had never heard of anything like it, but he had seen her use this power; she had even used it to save his life.

They had traveled from the forests with his fellow Guardians, Trestus, Kara, and Enstorion, along with Keenan. Keenan was prince of the ruined kingdom of Tizen, and he had saved their lives in the hope of one day getting the curse removed from his people.

They had reached Elem nearly a week ago and it was truly a miserably hot place. Occasionally a breeze would blow off the water and cool things down, but the rest of the time it was just brutally hot. There wasn’t any breeze now and sweat ran down Derek’s back and the sides of his face.

He was dressed in the fashion of the sailors: loose-fitting pants and an open shirt. He also wore a brightly colored handkerchief tied on the top of his head; it was the fashion of Elem and it did help keep the hair out of his eyes.

In the week since they had arrived in Elem, they hadn’t learned much. Keenan had suggested, and Derek had agreed, that they needed to learn more about the city and the Abbey of Enlightenment before they even tried to approach the monastery that stood on top of a hill to the north. To that end, they had been making excursions to different parts of the city.

They had gone to great lengths to avoid traveling in groups that might draw attention. None of the Guardians went out together, and since Derek didn’t want anyone to go out alone, their pairings were limited. Derek or Trestus always went out with Leela, and that left Kara teamed up with Keenan. Enstorion was the only one who stayed at the small inn, as he seemed content not to leave. They had three rooms at the inn and the elf seemed pleased to have a bed again. His joy would probably wear off after a while, but he also had his magic books to keep him occupied.

Derek hated sitting around the inn and was pleased that it was Trestus’s turn today - not that he enjoyed shopping with Leela, but at least he wasn’t cooped up in their small, little bedroom.

They had tried visiting the bars and shops that lined the harbor edge, but most of the customers were sailors, and some of them didn’t even know they were in Elem, much less anything about the city. The locals who worked the shops were busy and didn’t have time to talk. Pestering the locals would have drawn attention to themselves, and that was the last thing they wanted.

Elem’s market area was an open-air bazaar, with long rows of stalls that were manned by local farmers looking to sell their produce to merchants fresh off the ships. Many traders walked from stall to stall looking for a deal, or perhaps they just had open space on their wagon caravan that they needed to fill before heading out of the city. Regardless of the buyer’s reason, a tremendous amount of goods were bought and sold here.

Dear, Leela called out, and Derek barely managed not to groan. Dear, can you come pay the man?

Derek sighed and turned back to the farmer. He and Leela were playing the part of a married couple, although it seemed that she took a much greater delight in the role than he did.

Derek smiled at the farmer, handed over the coins, and retrieved the small pile of fruit that Leela had bought. That brought up another worry; their coin was getting low. They had left Telur with a decent amount, but that had been confiscated when they had been captured. Keenan had freed them from their confinement and, to his credit, he had fled with quite a bit of gold, but they were going through it at a fantastic rate.

They began walking eastward. The aisles were crowded and it made walking difficult, but they managed. After a while, the aisles began to thin out a bit. It was starting to get late in the afternoon, and this bazaar wouldn’t be open much longer. Derek groaned inwardly at the thought of having to spend tomorrow alone in the room at the inn.

Leela waited until they were several booths away from the farmer before she spoke. Quit glowering at everyone! They are much more likely to remember us with you staring at them.

Derek took a deep breath but didn’t reply. First of all, this wasn’t the proper place for an argument, and secondly, as much as he hated to admit it, she was probably right. He knew what was really bothering him; they were here to steal an ancient dwarven shield called Ocklamoor. The Kelcer prophecy detailed the man who would restore the Dragon Order, and possessing Ocklamoor was one of the signs. His whole life he had been told that the person who restored the Order would be a monster, a destroyer, but now he had been asked to believe something different and it bothered him. He truly liked his fellow Guardian, Flare, and it bothered him that Flare might be the next member of the Order. He simply couldn’t believe that his friend was a monster, he just couldn’t.

Something else was bothering him, too. This abbey was supposed to have an extremely high number of guards, and many of the priests were former guards. He didn’t like their chances of breaking in to the abbey and getting back out again.

Did you hear what I said? Leela asked.

Derek looked up and saw that she was watching him intently. What? Oh yes, I heard … don’t stare at the crowds.

Not that, Leela said, and pulled him over to the side of the aisle, near an empty stall. Did you hear what the farmer told me? She was still watching him closely, in a manner that suggested she was getting worried.

He smiled, hoping to put her at ease. I’m sorry, but I missed what the farmer said.

He said that the summer festival starts in little more than a week.

So?

So, the abbey will throw its doors open for any and all pilgrims. He said there will be a huge number of travelers here for the festival.

Derek stared at her dumbly for a moment. He finally managed, Pilgrims? He hadn’t heard of any such festival or a flood of pilgrims, but he so clearly saw where she was going with this.

Yes, pilgrims. Leela regarded him for a moment in silence. Perhaps you shouldn’t spend so much time in the sun. I think it’s addling your brains.

Derek ignored the insult and genuinely smiled for what felt like the first time in days.

Come on, he said, let’s find the others.

Kara and Keenan entered a small inn and took a table in the common room. The inn wasn’t ostentatious, but it was one of the nicer ones they had seen so far. The inns near the harbor were cheap and flea-infested, intended mainly for drunken sailors and their whores. The inns on the eastern part of Elem were nicer and catered to a more affluent clientele, mainly merchants and traders.

This section of town was nestled between the houses of the wealthy, which sat on the eastern cliffs overlooking the bay, and the homes of the more common citizens of Elem. The king’s highway was nearby, and most of the inn’s customers were associated with the numerous wagon trains that seemed to arrive and depart daily.

Kara was quiet, but that wasn’t uncommon. Since they had begun splitting up into small groups, she had always been with Keenan. It wasn’t an arrangement that either of them liked. Keenan was decent enough, but she wasn’t sure she completely trusted the man, regardless of the fact that he had saved her life.

They had been teamed up because he was the only one in their group who was male and not a Guardian. Likewise, she was the only female Guardian. They were trying not to pair two Guardians together, as the chances of them being recognized would increase.

She wasn’t just quiet because she was spending all of her time with Keenan; she was also terrified that Flare, a person whom she trusted, might be the one to restore the Dragon Order. The former Archbishop Nathan Tanner had said that Kelcer was misunderstood, but she didn’t trust him either. The church had ex-communicated the man years before, and she tended to trust the church more. Or did she? There wasn’t any easy way around it; she was suffering a crisis of faith.

She knew Flare was a good person, not a monster. But the church had said that if he succeeded in restoring the Order, the world would be plunged into darkness. She was wrestling with issues that didn’t seem to have an easy resolution. She tried to stop dwelling on these gloomy thoughts and looked around. The common room was nearly deserted, but that wouldn’t last long. These inns did quite a thriving business and should be filling up shortly.

A fat innkeeper with thin, gray hair walked over to greet them. He was fair, almost pasty, and had a thick mustache. The ends of his mustache drooped down below his chin. He had a friendly look about him though, and he smiled as he approached their table.

Hello, my name’s Paul, and I’m the proprietor of this establishment. Are you looking for a room?

Keenan shook his head. No, just some dinner.

Paul nodded, not looking upset in the least. Most certainly, but if you’re planning on staying through the festival, then I suggest you get a room now. Many innkeepers will turn you out if you don’t reserve the room for the whole festival.

Festival? Keenan said, looking confused. What festival?

Why, the summer festival, of course. Paul’s eyes widened a bit. Forgive me, but I thought you were here for the festival.

No, Kara said and smiled graciously at the fat, old man. I’m from Telur, but I live with my husband in Dalar. Deciding that she should do the thing right, Kara reached out and took Keenan’s hand. I’ve always wanted to see the abbey and he was nice enough to bring me, but we didn’t know anything about a festival.

Oh, I see, Paul said. The festival starts in just over a week, and there will be banquets, parties, and the abbey will be open for a whole week for any and all.

Really? Keenan said, and his interest was genuine. A whole week, you say?

Yes, Paul replied. In fact, some pilgrims have already started to arrive. Elem is about to get very crowded over the next week or so.

Kara thanked the man and sent him away to bring them some food. She waited until the innkeeper had disappeared into the kitchens before she turned and grinned at Keenan. I’d forgotten about the festival.

You knew about it?

I’ve heard about it, she replied, but the summer festival at the Abbey of Enlightenment is one of the smaller festivals. It doesn’t compare to the spring or harvest celebrations in Telur, or even to the winter feast. The monasteries in the east are more known for their galas than Elem. She didn’t mention it, but there was another reason she hadn’t thought about the summer festival; she had been traveling for so long that the days just seemed to flow together. She knew it was summer, of course, but she hadn’t thought about what that meant in terms of the abbey at Elem.

This could be the first bit of good news we’ve had since arriving, Keenan said. If there truly will be that many pilgrims entering the abbey, then we should be able to slip in unnoticed. He smiled, pleased with himself.

Maybe, Kara answered, but I don’t think any number of pilgrims would be a big enough distraction when we carry the shield out of the abbey, and that’s assuming we can find it and get it away from its guards.

Keenan scowled and opened his mouth to reply, but stopped at the sudden reappearance of the innkeeper. Paul carried several platters with the well-practiced grace of a man who’d been doing it for years. He placed a plate in front of them, loaded down with a roast and several pieces of hot bread, and bowls of vegetable stew.

Even after Paul had disappeared into the kitchens, Keenan had no interest in arguing with Kara. The food simply smelled too good. As he took the first bite of the roast pork, Keenan realized they had made a mistake by focusing on the poorer sections of town. In hindsight, it was obvious. They had visited areas that were more tuned toward the transient sailors and wagon drivers, while the nicer inns would, of course, be more for the gentry. It made sense that these inns would be able, and willing, to discuss the abbey. Some of the innkeepers near the harbor probably didn’t even know they lived near an abbey.

Keenan and Kara arrived back at their inn, The Pirate’s Folly, shortly after the sun went down. A small sign hung next to the door and showed a comical pirate tied up in chains and hanging by his feet. Their inn was not as nice as the one they had visited earlier in the day, but it wasn’t flea-infested either. They were close enough to the harbor proper that they could already hear an increase in noise. That was one of the drawbacks of being this close to the waterfront - there was a party every night that lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Berra and her husband owned The Pirate’s Folly, but Berra usually worked the front desk. Kara rather liked Berra; she had to be fifty or so and hardworking. She couldn’t say the same for Berra’s husband. The man was rarely around, and there was a rumor that he spent his free time with one of the maids. She found the whole thing a bit disgusting.

Keenan and Kara climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked down the hall to the room where Trestus and Derek were staying. They had considered renting rooms in small groups so that no one would know they were all together, but that seemed foolish. It was nearly impossible to keep such secrets from the maids, and besides, it would have made getting together more difficult.

There was a chance that someone at the inn would know their descriptions and recognize them, but they thought this unlikely for several reasons. First, their appearance had changed drastically since they’d left Telur all those months ago, and their own families might not even recognize them. Their hair was long and a bit wild and the men had short rough beards. Trestus had planned to cut his hair short and get a shave upon entering Elem, but Derek had forbidden it. The beards were invaluable in helping to disguise them.

The second reason they weren’t too afraid of being recognized was because of their two new members: Leela and Keenan. No one knew they were traveling together and there wasn’t any reason to link this group of six travelers with the outlaw Guardians.

Knocking softly, Keenan leaned closer to the door and listened. Derek had insisted that they return by sundown or shortly thereafter. At first, Keenan had thought it a foolish idea, but he soon realized his mistake. This was a seaport, and ships were constantly coming and going. But the ships were in constant need of sailors, and sometimes it was easiest just to round up all those who had drunk a bit too much and sail away. When the men sobered up, they would be too far out to sea to do anything but finish the voyage. It was a concept that flabbergasted him. No one should have to worry about being kidnapped and forced to work on a ship. There was a reason the locals did not frequent the bars near the waterfront.

There was a shuffling from within Derek’s room and the door opened. Trestus peered out the gap at them. He grinned and stepped back to let them pass.

In addition to Trestus, Enstorion, Derek, and Leela already waited for them in the small room. The room was maybe ten feet square with two narrow beds on either side along the wall. A single wooden cabinet stood between the beds, and upon it sat a large porcelain bowl filled with water. The innkeeper had allowed them to move two of the chairs from the common room up here, and Enstorion sat in one while Derek had the other.

We got good news, Kara said with a smile.

Oh, do you now? Derek replied. It doesn’t have anything to do with the upcoming festival, does it?

Kara smile quickly turned into a frown. How did you hear about it?

Derek motioned toward Leela. A farmer told her at the market.

So will this get us into the abbey? Trestus asked Kara.

It wasn’t just Trestus, they were all watching her. Of course they’re looking to me, she thought. I used to be a member of the church. That last thought hurt a bit. The archbishop had once told her never to confuse the Church of Adel with Adel himself. So, while she couldn’t say that she was still a member of the church, she was still a follower of Adel, or at least she hoped she still was.

Kara shook her head and refocused her thoughts on the matter at hand. Well, I think it’ll let us get inside the abbey’s grounds, but I’m not sure how we plan to find the shield and remove it without getting caught.

Do you know how long the festival will last? Leela asked.

Nodding, Kara moved over and sat down on the bed next to Trestus. Yes, it should last seven days. She smiled and added, It’s ironic, but while the abbey is celebrating the festival, there will be wild, drunken parties all throughout the town.

Do you think any of the guards will go to those parties? Derek asked.

No, Kara said firmly, surprising the others, absolutely not.

Why not? Keenan asked. Even church guards have been known to indulge a bit.

Kara held up her hand and began counting the reasons on her fingers. Flare has claimed and stolen Ossendar, and then he fled Telur. Heather’s group was accused of stealing the helmet of Ashteroth. Ocklamoor is one of the two remaining signs. She turned to the others. No guards will be drunk during the festival. In fact, they’ll probably be more of them, and they will be more alert.

Chapter 2

Hannah pushed the covers back and quietly climbed from the bed. She paused briefly just to make sure her passing went unnoticed, then she quickly left the opulent bedroom. The floor of the bedroom, and the hallway beyond, was covered in a thick, luxurious carpet that effectively muffled her footfalls.

Most likely she was being overly careful, but she was playing a dangerous game. If she were caught drugging and spying on Prince Aldon, she would probably be lucky just to lose her title and lands rather than her life.

She walked to the far end of the hallway and began descending the curved staircase toward the first floor. It was cold and she shivered. She wore only a flimsy see-through nightgown, and the old stone manor always seemed chilly. It was late, or perhaps more accurately it was early, and the sun would be up in several hours.

She didn’t worry about servants or guards seeing her in her near-naked state. First, there weren’t any servants up and about, and as to the guards, well, she rather enjoyed their admiring looks. It was true that there might come a time in her life where she felt the need to cover her body, but that day was not today. Oh, she wouldn’t want to walk down the street dressed in her current attire, but she didn’t mind flaunting herself in front of her young guards.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the countess crossed the wide sitting room to a door in the far wall. The floor was covered in white and black tiles and her bare feet made a slapping sound as she walked.

She paused just outside the door and took a deep breath. She wasn’t overly fond of the man who was waiting for her in the small library, but she had been ordered to follow this man’s orders by the high priest himself. Her dedication to the church was unquestioned.

Opening the door, Hannah stepped inside. The room was dark; the only source of light was a small, nearly extinguished candle that sat on the desk. The flickering candlelight caused the various shadows of the room to jump and move, almost as if they were alive.

Thick curtains covered the two windows, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases lined the walls. There was a small gap in the shelves where an unlit fireplace resided. A large wooden desk was centered between the two windows, and a couch and single chair sat facing the desk.

A man sat reclining on the couch. He was tall and thin, his silky clothes hanging loosely off his frame. He had the appearance of a man who had recently lost a great deal of weight. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his skin looked a bit waxen. He turned as she entered the room. It took you long enough, he said, and the anger in his tone was unmistakable.

Hannah took several steps into the room and paused, studying the man on the couch. She had known Duke Angaria Wellis for a long time, but the events of the past couple of years were taking their toll on him. She noted the weight loss and the newly graying hair. It was obvious Angaria was under a lot of stress and his body was not responding well.

Saying nothing, Hannah walked over and sat down in the lone chair. Angaria’s eyes flicked downwards over her body, and Hannah resisted the urge to smile. She knew the duke found her proclivities distasteful, but even he wasn’t immune to the curves of her body. She found it all the more thrilling, because she knew the duke would be angry at his own weakness.

Well? Angaria snapped, his sharp tone betraying his embarrassment at his own lusts.

Things have not changed. Prince Aldon has not heard anything new about the whereabouts of Flare or the other outlaw Guardians. He firmly believes that King Darion has not heard anything new either. She paused, noting the duke’s deepening frown. However, he has begun to suspect that some of the noble houses may be plotting against the king.

Angaria blinked in surprise. What? Why does he think that?

House Efflen and House Steel have both resisted the king’s call for soldiers and sent only token forces.

Angaria snorted. They do that every time Darion calls for troops. Why would that make him think they’re plotting insurrection?

It’s actually more than that, Hannah said slowly. The representatives of both houses are acting strangely, and there are reports that the manors and castles in both territories are being heavily fortified.

Interesting, Angaria said after a moment. And Aldon thinks this means rebellion?

He only suspects, but he also suspects that Barrett will be a disaster, perhaps the end of Telur.

Angaria nodded. He might be right.

Hannah looked shocked. The end of Telur? Surely that’s not what the high priest wants.

Angaria smiled in a placating manner, like one would do to a child. Even if the kingdom of Telur is dissolved, the city will still remain, as will the church. Do not worry; you will retain your lands in whatever kingdoms come out of Telur’s fall. He paused, weighing his words. Perhaps you will even have a place of royalty in one of the new kingdoms.

Hannah was still startled and perhaps a bit fearful. Telur had existed for millennia, and she couldn’t imagine a world in which her homeland was gone. The kingdom, corrupt as it may be, was her home, and it was part of the foundation of her world. She couldn’t imagine any future where the kingdom of Telur no longer existed.

Does Prince Aldon suspect you of anything? Angaria asked.

Hannah’s eyes flicked from the far wall to come to rest on Angaria’s face; he was studying her intently. She didn’t much like the man’s expression. Fear and worry had shot through her at the thought of Telur falling, and she didn’t like that Duke Angaria had been able to read so much of her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and said, No, he still believes that he is enjoying the best sex of his life. He does not know or suspect that he has been drugged. She paused, thinking how best to say her