Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (32 page)

Seth

Trumpets blared across the open expanse of the immense courtyard, reverberating off the stone walls and paved road around and under all who now stood within the castle’s shadow. As the trumpets announced the beginning of the ceremony, a deafening roar exploded over the castle from outside its walls. Thousands upon thousands of voices cheered in unison as their many small voices joined and twisted together through the air to become one great blast of sound. The four companions remained standing apart from the many others who had gathered here this day, and watched as dozens more quickly poured onto this tier of the castle’s courtyards.

As the crowd gathered outside the castle began to fall silent, a thunderous drumming could be heard coming from somewhere within the walls. The sound beat like a giant heart and shook the stone beneath the companion’s feet. They looked around as far as the eye could see to locate its source. The rhythm continued growing ever louder as time progressed, and all of those gathered for the ceremony looked around in anticipation.

It was not long before the source of the pulsing drum beat was revealed. It was not what anyone had expected, and many exhaled loudly at the sight that they saw. From beyond the castle proper a line of heavily armored soldiers appeared. At first all that could be seen was their helms, polished to a mirror surface, gleaming in the sun. As they approached they climbed the steps of each tier revealing more and more of themselves to those who were gathered to see them. A solid line of soldiers marched in step, their swords drawn, spanning the entire expanse of the castle’s courtyard. Their feet pounded the stone-paved road as they came, creating the drum-like rhythm that sounded so much like the heart of some giant beast. As they neared, the soldiers looked more and more menacing. A giant wall of polished armor, thundering ever nearer with weapons bared, marched across the open expanse, driving before them those who had gathered for the ceremony.

As the wall of shining steel approached the canopied tent, those soldiers that stood behind the tent stopped immediately, creating an impassible wall. From the ends of this wall that was created by a dozen soldiers, another wall began to form from each side. As the remaining line of soldiers continued to move, with each step two more soldiers would stop, one from each side where they had been split at the tent. This created a diagonal line of sword and steel fanning out from the back corners of the tent. These two lines of soldiers continued to form across the entire stone tier that the companions stood upon. When the line of soldiers had finally reached the end of this particular tier, they marched straight down the three steps without hesitation, never missing a beat. As their feet reverberated off the bottom step, all the soldiers turned on some silent command and marched inward upon themselves in two lines, slowly closing the gap that had been created by those who had stopped to form lines across the courtyard. As the two lines came together, the soldiers halted in perfect time. Driving their heels together, both lines turned to face toward the courtyard they had just surrounded. Raising their swords above their heads as if to attack, the immense line of soldiers that stood at the bottom of the steps to the courtyard crouched, as if all controlled by one mind. Then as before, as if at some unspoken command they lunged. A hundred soldiers moving as one body gained the four steps in a single bound, bringing them like a wave from an ocean made of steel onto the tier where their brethren held those attending the ceremony captive.

As the soldiers landed, swords drawn as if for battle, a sound arose that landed on hundreds of unfamiliar ears. It was the first time anyone attending the ceremony had heard the sound, at least anyone but Garret. He had heard these words many times before. It was the same words, the same sound, as he had heard in his dreams.

“For Valdadore!” every soldier roared valiantly as their precision display came to an end.

All those who had come to The Choosing had been penned in by the soldiers’ procession and now stood in one giant mass of bodies between the walls of gleaming armor like herded sheep. There were more than five hundred of them, yet no one spoke as they all stood together unsure of what would happen next. It was an awkward silence that seemed to last an eternity as the many faces looked around for any sign of instruction. After many long moments, movement finally stirred from within the canopied tent as the people there parted to allow a solitary figure to emerge into the open. As the man stepped into the sun, light gleamed and glinted off his gem-encrusted and gold-inlaid armor. Upon his head a myriad of colors gleamed from the many gems set into the crown of gold that rested there. With this man’s approach, all the soldiers creating the wall around them sank to one knee and bowed their heads to the ground in reverence. Following the soldiers’ lead, the mass of young men and women too dropped to their knees at the sight of their king, though none took their eyes off him.

The king strode forward only a few paces from beneath the tent before he stopped. Beckoning for everyone to again rise, he watched as they got to their feet to again regard him on an even level. The king waited a moment longer before he spoke. When he did speak, it came as a surprise that a single man could speak so loudly without shouting that his voice carried clearly through the air to each and every set of ears that had come to listen.

“First I should like to thank you all for heeding the call of your kingdom,” the king boomed across the stone courtyard, giving his words a moment to settle upon the ears of those who listened before continuing. “Today you shall each start a new Chapter in your lives, a Chapter that too will be written in the history of our kingdom. Think not lightly of the triumphs or failures you may experience from this day forward, for what you are and what you may become, and what deeds you may or may not accomplish will all be combined in the histories of our homeland. We live in perilous times. Armies gather at our borders and seek an entry into our kingdom. Each and every one of you has the chance to help keep our kingdom alive and safe. No matter if you are chosen as a cook for the soldiers, or if you are chosen to join the ranks of my personal guard, the fierce Knights of Valdadore, every one of you will play an important role in the survival of our people. If you have a particular skill you think useful, be not afraid to tell my advisors and generals what that skill is. We can help you to perfect it, to master it, to use it to the kingdom’s advantage. I am afraid that this Choosing ceremony will be much different than those in the past. We face many enemies, and many challenges, the worst of which is time. Normally you would spend no less than half a year here within the castle to train and master your skills before venturing out to perform the kingdom’s duties. However, at present time is not a luxury we have in ample supply. Many of you will only have weeks to train. Some of you may have a few months. Learn well, young men and women, for your lives and the lives of those you love depend upon it. Now as I have said, we are short on time, so in order to get The Choosing process started may you spread out to form a single line starting here at the tent and following the soldiers’ line around to end back here at the tent.” The king did not wait for his command to be followed before he turned and strode back to his peers who stood within the shadow of the canopy.

The mass of young bodies exploded into chaotic action. People moved in every direction, squirming through the crowd headed towards the gleaming steel perimeter. Seth held tightly to Sara’s hand so as to not lose her in the confusion and did his best to follow his brother. Ashton too followed Garret and the four of them broke free of the crowd and made their way to what would presumably be the middle of the line. Turning their backs to the wall of soldiers, the four stood directly across from the tent. They watched and waited patiently as the remaining stragglers found themselves places in the large line, and as it finally settled, a small procession consisting of around a dozen soldiers emerged from behind the tent with several large carts trailing on their heels.

The unarmed soldiers moved at a slow, steady pace, following along the line of those who had reached adulthood and had come to heed the call of the kingdom. As they proceeded down the line they were in constant movement, handing out items from the carts, speaking briefly, then continuing on to the next in line. It was several minutes before Seth or any of his companions realized what was going on. The Choosing ceremonies of the past had been just that, ceremonies where young adults were chosen into professions to serve the kingdom for a term of no less than five years. However, now the kingdom faced war and without the luxury of time to pick and choose persons to fill key positions and train them, it appeared to Seth that, against his hopes, all were being outfitted for the army.

Seth watched as the small procession proceeded, growing steadily nearer, and he saw as the items that were handed out were donned by their new owners. Each of the young adults attending The Choosing was being outfitted in leather padded armor, ring mail and various weapons. Seth realized that his worst fears had just become a reality. He stood dazed until the very moment the procession of soldiers reached him and his companions, reluctant and unwilling to accept this fate.

Before Seth could even acknowledge the soldiers before him, one of them was dropping a bundle of leather armor at his feet, and another dropped a ring mail tunic. A third approached with a sword, but seeing him already armed, simply moved on down the line. Sara and Ashton were both given swords, along with the meager armor, and before the soldiers departed, they gave instructions to begin dressing in their gear.

Then it dawned on Seth. Even if they had all just been conscripted into the military, it was not as if they would be marching to war immediately. The king himself had said they would have a few weeks to train. Also, as far as he was aware, Seth had never heard of females being conscripted into the armies of Valdadore, though this may have changed due to necessity. In any case, at least for now, Seth knew two things to be true. First he was still with his brother and Sara, and secondly, if they would be remaining in the city for at least a few weeks, then he and Sara would have ample opportunity to flee, neither of them wanting to be soldiers. He hoped he could talk Garret into fleeing the city as well, but knew it doubtful as apparently all of Garret’s wishes had just come true.

Seth began to dress in the armor sparing only a slight smile to Sara, who herself was lost in thought with a deep look of concern on her face. Garret, though, was already dressed, a grin splitting his face in two, and he was currently helping Ashton strap on his sword. When they had all finally completed the task, they stood silently, watching the procession continue down the line for over an hour, until the last man was armored and armed. Only once during the procession did someone, overcome with fear, try to make a run for it. The poor soul crashed bodily into the line of soldiers surrounding the courtyard and, summarily apprehended, was dragged off beyond sight of all those remaining.

The padded leather tunic and breeches were stifling, even in the early morning, and by the time everyone had been armed, they were all moving and twitching anxiously, trying in vain to find a comfortable position. Though none of the young adults who had gathered for the ceremony knew what to expect next, none dared talk. If anyone else had been overcome with fear, they had, at least for the time being, mastered it lest they end up like the man who had tried to escape earlier. Many long moments passed as those in the tent looked out upon the courtyard, waiting for something, as those in the courtyard stared at those in the tent in return. Seth stood as still as he was able, as he again felt the sweat drip down his back, and reaching up, he swiped the sweat from his brow. He was beginning to feel he could not take standing there any longer when the king once again exited the tent to address all those gathered.

"Forgive me this day," the King began. "It is out of necessity that we make you endure such a harsh welcome into service to the kingdom. I can see the concern and fear upon many of your faces, but know that you have not yet been consigned to join our armies." He paused to gauge the crowd's reaction, and was met by sighs of relief from all sides. "As you realize now, our kingdom is a nation at war, and being such, many of you will indeed be joining the army in one fashion or another. Some of you will fight, while others may simply drive supply wagons. Others might cook for the troops, and yet others may tend to the injured or even the dead. With so little time to place you each into stations worthy of your skills, we shall first have a test to see how many of you are befitting a place with the common troops of my armies, and as such should be able to appraise many of your abilities. The rules of your test are simple. You have been armed and now I command you to fight. Fight until you cannot raise your arms any longer, fight until you are the last standing, fight to show those around you that there are mighty, valiant, courageous warriors among you," the king shouted.

With the king’s final order, white-robed healers stepped into the armored wall of troops surrounding the mass of young men and women who had come to The Choosing. Those soldiers making up the wall took a defensive stance, holding their swords high and their shields at the ready. At first, for just an instant, no one moved as the courtyard took on an eerie silence. All were in shock, just as Seth was, but the silence was soon disrupted as the masses of newly armored, would-be soldiers broke into pandemonium.

Within seconds, most of those with no desire to bear arms shed their weapons, hoping to flee the dire situation they had found themselves in. Many women or weak-of-heart men lay down their arms and rushed to the wall of soldiers seeking an exit. Much to their surprise, they were indeed allowed to pass through, only to be gathered up by more soldiers who patrolled outside the melee. Before Seth or any of his companions had even begun to react, cries of pain mingled with the sounds of clashing steel and curses sprang from all directions.