The Hero’s Right Hand

The tension in the Dicoris Castle was palpable. Prince Makani and Victor led us to a meeting room normally used by foreign delegates. I couldn’t help but remember Balur and the exquisite meal we had. But there was no food set on the table, only the notes we’d gathered from the underground hideout. Victor read each one as thoroughly as possible. Meanwhile, my party relayed what we’d learned to the prince. Finally, Rusty explained what he’d discovered after I told him about my meeting.

“What do you mean they are one of your subordinates?” Prince Makani yelled. A powerful gust of wind blew through the room. “Call them here!”

“They took some time off,” Rusty said meekly. “A few months back Elmud voluntarily offered to work in the Dicoris dungeon. It rarely sees prisoners so we rotate the guards. That way no one… gets bored.” The captain awkwardly looked at the prince who maintained his composure. “I thought they were turning over a new leaf since they used to complain about the royal family and other pillars of the city. Even the mention of an aristocrat would send Elmud on a tirade. According to old friends they were similarly displeased with the chosen one.”

“You allowed someone like this close to the Dicoris family?” Victor asked. Mechanical bits shifted in his face and turned it furious.

Rusty shook his head. “No! Victor, you know I’d never do that. Elmud’s behavior and demeanor improved over the last two years. They were a model guard when requesting to work the dungeon. There was no acceptable reason to decline.” The captain hung his head in shame. “I’m very sorry and understand if you want me to step down.”

“No,” Prince Makani replied immediately. “To take responsibility you must continue to work in your position. I do not know how Victor or myself would have acted in a similar situation.”

Victor looked away to calm down. Rusty took deep breaths and tried to relax. The prince looked towards our party.

“What do you make of this?” he asked.

Aisha readily answered. “We know the motive behind why your family was in danger as well as the identity of the culprit.”

She looked at each of us while debating what to say next. The hesitation came from our quest being complete. Our party needed information about Kharim and the prophecy. There was nothing stopping us from demanding it. Wherever this mystery led didn’t involve us. Yet, we all knew that it couldn’t be left alone. Albert lived in Dawncaster and any harm Elmud committed would affect him directly. Sariel was unwilling to let a criminal get away. Vofric demanded justice and knew he could deliver it. Avant was growing impatient waiting for the next battle. It was obvious Aisha would continue forward as any hero was bound to. But she didn’t say anything and stared at me.

There was inherent danger no matter what we did. Continuing our journey brought us closer to the end but that was still in the distance. The Greycastles would get pulled into whatever came next and that didn’t sit well with me. But more than anything, I wanted to punch Elmud. Our original plan was complete so I could deal with them how I normally would. Not to mention, I’d promised to follow Aisha’s lead no matter what. A simple nod got that message across.

“We want to help stop Elmud,” Aisha stated.

“Of course, you do. You’re heroes after all,” Prince Makani said with a smile. “Victor, is there anything recognizable in the notes?”

Victor passed the pile of notes Vofric and I found to the prince. Then he held up Aisha’s findings from the books.

“Aisha, you did well in connecting the dots regarding light in the books. Master Makani, you will recognize the centerpiece in each of the drawings,” Victor said. “I cannot speak further without your permission.”

The prince looked quizzically at the warforged then the notes. A sharp inhale cooled the air. His eyes grew wide as he wildly flipped through the pages. The scepter was not only important but directly related to the Dicoris’s. The prince placed the sheets down and put his head in his hands. They slowly shifted upwards and back through his hair. With a blank stare he repeated the motion over and over.

His tone was dry as he said, “Rusty, tell the guards to look for Elmud. Be on high alert and contact me if you learn anything.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Rusty saluted before departing.

The prince said nothing else and returned to wringing his hair. Soft murmurs passed through his lips but nothing was audible. It seemed the warforged was accustomed to his majesty’s habit. Our party didn’t dare move or speak while the prince deliberated with himself. He was still just a boy. Familial secrets were created by elders and shared only at their discretion. All my secrets were Aisha’s and we both knew to only divulge them in dire straits. I’m sure similar thoughts passed everyone’s mind. Some people kept secrets so securely they changed themselves. Others had no choice but to forget everything told to them. Even Albert clearly had some that he only shared when absolutely necessary.

With each stressed breath from Prince Makani, the room grew colder. A pattern imprinted in his hair from his fingers parting it. The silence in the room didn’t allow for any planning. Finally, someone broke the silence.

“Hey, um, are you okay?” Albert asked.

The prince slowly looked up and stared at his peer. No one had ever spoken to him so casually.

“I must make a decision that could affect Dawncaster forever. There is no way for me to know if it will be for better or worse,” he said. “I find it difficult to be ‘okay’ at this time.”

“The decision itself doesn’t matter to the outcome. It’s how you and the people around you deal with the decision,” Albert replied.

Prince Makani looked quizzical and asked, “How do you mean?”

“Like.” Albert hummed. “I have an affliction that could ruin my life. But instead of letting it go out of control, I studied it. I found people with a better understanding of it and asked them to teach me. Now it’s something I can use to help people.”

“It’s rather odd for an affliction to be seen as useful. What is it?”

“I don’t mind telling you if you’ll share what’s on your mind,” Albert said with a grin.

For the first time since we met the prince cracked a smile. Behind the royal demeanor was a teenager who knew he was in over his head. The look in Aisha’s eyes made it clear she understood his woes. Similarly, I felt a kinship with Albert. Vofric seemed concerned about Albert’s nonchalance about his secret but kept quiet. It was the boy’s choice who to tell and the prince seemed trustworthy.

Prince Makani nodded.

“I have lycanthropy. Please don’t be scared, I have learned to control it,” Albert said hurriedly.

“Is that true?” Victor asked while looking at us.

Aisha answered, “He led us to the underground lab by scent alone. I doubt any citizens even saw him.”

“It’s rare for someone so young to be disciplined enough to control a bestial form. I’m impressed.” Victor said. He tilted his head toward the prince. “Well, young master?”

The prince hummed and rose from his seat. Notes in hand, he said, “Follow me.”

As he passed everyone, he patted Albert’s shoulder. The boy took it as a sign to stay close. Victor stood slightly behind them and our party followed. From the meeting room we traveled further into Dicoris Castle. It felt humble compared to the buildings in Balur. Stone walls were meticulously carved. The lack of embellishment made them look plain. Family portraits of past generations lined the walls. Where many royal portraits were serious these seemed warm. Each generation smiled and laughed as though playing while an artist drew their essence.

We arrived at a thick steel door with two guards on standby. They saluted Makani as he approached. A sphere was carved out of the center of the door. Makani used both hands to cover it. Faint light emanated from his whole body as he levitated. My studies had mentioned that genasi could use magic without a conduit but I’d never seen it up close. Elves could do the same but they didn’t glow like this. Sariel’s draconic parts did but that was likely related to her mutation.

A heavy gust of wind passed through the halls. Swirling around Makani, it was redirected into the indent of the door. The hum of a magic circle rang out. Mechanical gears loudly clicked as accompaniment to the spell. Steel slabs shifted inward and allowed the door to open. Stairs went down at a sharp angle surrounded by darkness. All that illuminated it was a platform at the bottom.

As our group stepped inside, the door clamped shut behind us. Floating orbs of light appeared all around us as we descended. Each step echoed through the room. I quickly grabbed Avant when I noticed him having trouble with the steep decline.

“Centuries ago the Dicoris bloodline was tasked with protecting an Artifact of Arcana,” Prince Makani said. The room amplified his voice to grandeur. “Though most were destroyed or lost to time, we never failed in our duty. The Lightbringer is a staff meant to fight back against darkness.”

“The sketches you found suggest it would be used as a conduit,” Victor explained. “For what purpose, we do not know.”

Sariel’s ears perked up and she grunted. “There are sounds of struggle below. We must hurry.”

Makani didn’t hesitate and flew down. The rest of us did our best to keep up at the awkward angle. Fortunately, the struggles were not from an enemy. King Nasim and Queen Lyra stood on the platform. A scepter installed into the center was in the king’s grasp. He grunted while trying to move it but failed.

“Makani,” he said calmly, then saw our group approach. His demeanor quickly changed as he released the staff. His voice boomed when he yelled, “You dare bring outsiders here?!”

The prince shuddered. Albert lightly bumped a fist against the prince’s back.

“You’ve got this,” Albert whispered.

Prince Makani nodded. “The chosen — Aisha and her party found the culprit behind the assassination attempt. Rusty and the guards know their identity and are currently searching for them.”

“You have yet to explain the connection to the Artifact.” Queen Lyra said calmly.

“Apologies. Aisha’s party found notes hidden in a cave that was connected to our castle,” the prince explained and handed the notes to his parents. “Victor immediately recognized the centerpiece of the magic circles. There were also many books with stories regarding light.”

The king and queen studied the notes. Their eyes fluttered quickly as they scanned through our findings. Anger was obvious on the king’s face but no longer turned towards his son. He placed a hand softly on Makani’s head.

“I apologize. You did well to bring them here,” he said.

“Well done, Makani.” Queen Lyra added then turned to us. “I believe you are willing to help us if you are here.”

Aisha bowed and said, “If you permit, your majesty.”

King Nasim approved. “I must admit, we expected something to threaten the safety of Dawncaster when you, the chosen one, arrived. Through no fault of your own. It is simply a curse that comes with your role. Kharim dealt with similar hardships. His assistance allowed us to turn Lightbringer into a perpetual source of protection for the city.”

“If it’s passively protecting the city, why are you trying to move it?” I asked.

“No one willing to openly attack the royal family is the kind to be stopped by a passive defense. If stealing the artifact was their next step, it is likely they had a way past its defenses. We must be ready to use it when the time comes.”

Queen Lyra hummed. “Unfortunately, we are unable to move it from its post.”

“Is there possibly a mechanism holding it in place?” Victor asked and crouched near the base of the staff. He examined it closely and waved Aisha over. “Do you see anything that would hinder the king?”

Aisha’s eye glowed as she circled the Lightbringer. It looked as normal as any legendary weapon could. Unconsciously, Aisha hovered her hand over Valefor’s hilt. She gasped and shut her eyes tightly before turning away.

“Bright,” she muttered. “There’s no mechanical parts.”

“But I must be able to move it. Dicoris blood is needed to do so,” the king demanded.

“You’re not the only ones here, though.” Albert said obviously. He pushed the prince forward and gestured for him to grab it.

Queen Lyra stepped between the staff and her son. “Wait! We considered it may be Makani but you must understand, wielding this staff is an unenviable responsibility. You will not only be a ruler of Dawncaster but must learn the arts bound to Lightbringer.”

“I can already cast spells, Mother,” Prince Makani replied.

“That’s not what she means, my boy.” King Nasim explained, “Your natural connection to magic is of little help when wielding the staff. It controls the element of light and like any conduit, you must channel mana through it. You have never done so.”

Prince Makani hesitated and looked at the staff. He looked to Victor and Aisha, warriors whose experience with magic eclipsed his lifetime. Even I had more practice with my conduit than the boy. Vofric looked on with pity. When the prince’s eyes met Sariel’s they shared a moment. Both knew nothing of conduits. Finally, his eyes crossed Albert who looked at the staff.

“The outcome is decided by your decision,” he said without looking away.

“Were you scared the first time you purposely transformed?” Prince Makani asked.

Albert nodded as their eyes met. “And every time since. Mom says fear is a driving force. But only if you push past it. Ask the chosen one or anyone else. They probably deal with it, too.”

The boy was mature for his age. It was a given with the fact he’d chosen to take responsibility for his family. Even going so far as to control lycanthropy and protect his city. It reminded me of the days I pushed myself to meet Aisha even when I shamefully failed guard training. Nights I spent meditating and destroying my knuckles for the day I might be needed.

“No one can stop you if you choose this for yourself,” Aisha said, resting her hand on her sword.

The prince took a deep breath and  nodded. Straightening his back, Prince Makani stepped forward. The king and queen stepped aside and each placed a hand on their son’s shoulders. There was no resistance, no challenge, as he pulled the Lightbringer from the platform. The metal orb sitting at the top of the rod lifted up and rotated as rings spun around it. It was like a planet in the grip of the future king. His eyes glowed silver simultaneously with the orb. Though the winds shifted around us, no spell activated.

“I have much training ahead of me,” Prince Makani scoffed.

However, the joy was short-lived. A deep tone from a bell echoed through the chamber. Victor was the first to react. His cane lit up before he teleported out of the room. Vofric and Albert began running up the stairs. Aisha, Sariel, and I didn’t know what was happening but followed. Within seconds my feet slipped from under me. I gripped Avant tightly in fear of dropping him. But no one fell. We all hovered in the air as the King’s body glowed like a sapphire. Our entire party flew upwards like a rocket and past the steel door. As we flew, Queen Lyra muttered and began to glow. Our bodies became ephemeral seconds before we collided with the ceiling. I couldn’t process what I was seeing as we passed through the walls. A moment later our group stood in the observation room of Dicoris Castle.

A small room surrounded by glass walls allowed us to easily view the entire city. Nothing stood higher in all of Dawncaster. I could see Zeffari’s busy streets. Ramshorn's entirety could be examined from on high. Library Raebkayd’s rooftop gardens came into view for the first time. Bamborough’s shops seemed much more manageable. Every district I’d never visited seemed closer than ever. 

But it felt congested with how many citizens ran through the streets. The bells rang continually, originating from large structures on the city walls. Gates shook under the weight of attacks from outside. Panicked masses fled from an unknown threat. Guards moved to defensive positions and prepared to retaliate. They couldn’t move fast enough. The main gate shattered as a horde of undead stampeded in. Crimson wings flapped over them, stemming from Elmud as they barked orders to their underlings. They looked towards the castle and roared.