Chapter 6: Into the Mountains (2)

Chapter 6: Into the Mountains (2)

Ohhh, right, she said. I forgot. Youre Monadites.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gandash looking extremely awkward, and suddenly, he remembered how embarrassed his friend was of the religion they had both been raised in. Gandashs mouth hung open like an idiot, having clearly been caught off guard by the turn of conversation.

Clearing his throat, Xerxes said, Members of the One Faith. We dont call ourselves Monadites.

Oh, sorry, Bel said.

Its fine. Anyway, you know the basics right?

Lowering her voice, she said, You dont believe in the Pontifarch, right? But who do you pray to in the morning? And how come the Nergal doesnt come to punish you?

We pray to the Monad, Gandash said. Simple as that. And the fact that the Nergal doesnt come to punish us shows that the One Faith is true. Think about, if the Benediction of

Xerxes held up his hand. Gandy. Lets not get into boring stuff.

Gandash gulped. Right.

You think girls want to hear you jabber about hokey religious stuff like the so-called Monad? Xerxes thought. He resolved to have some strong words with Gandash later about this subject.New novel chapters are published on

Hoping to steer the conversation back into a more normal direction, he said, Bel, what do you think about this Ligish fellow? You really think he might be working on illegal technology?

Finishing her last piece of cheese, Bel said, Youre probably right that the accusations are fake. But imagine if they turn out to be real! And were the mages who arrest him. Our names will go down in history for sure!

Thats true, Gandash said excitedly. Who knows, it could be our ticket out of this starisle.

Guys, Xerxes said, lowering his voice.

The two other young mages looked at him expectantly.

Is it bad that I hope this asshole really is a criminal?

Bel and Gandash laughed.

Hey, Bel said, if it gets us into a college on Sin-Amuhhu or Ku-Aya, then Id be fine with it.

Hell, Gandash said, Id settle for a college on Ira or Humusi.

The arrow pointing to the left was accompanied by the text: This way to Ligish Castle. One league.

The arrow pointing up had text that read: Laughing Gorge, three leagues.

They headed left, and almost immediately, the path started to grow steeper. They were into mountain foothills now, though the surrounding foliage showed no sign of growing thinner or shorter. If anything, it grew thicker for a time.

Up they climbed, men and horses alike laboring at the steepness.

There were no forks in the road, so there was no question of which way to travel. Two hours after the lunch hour, they reached a bridge of black wood that crossed a steep gorge, at the bottom of which was a small river.

On the other side, it was a short hike up a winding trail before they reached a ridge that overlooked a valley of sorts. Across from the ridge was the castle.

Xerxes, having grown up in the capital, was accustomed to large buildings, churches, temples, and the like. After all, the main keep that towered over the city center was massive to say the least. But this castle was unlike anything he had seen before.

For one thing, it rose up from the surrounding forest as if it had grown that way. It was imposing, and at the same time, ancient, its architectural style unlike the buildings usually seen in Isin. There were many pointed arches, complex stone facades, and narrow windows.

It made him think of stories hed been told growing up, about daring rescues carried out by brave mages, and dramatic sword battles of antiquity.

I bet Gem would have liked to see this, he thought. A pang of sadness rose in his heart at the thought of his old friend.

As the convoy made their way down onto the final stretch of road that led to the castle, and as they neared the immense structure, there was something about the place that struck him as odd.

He couldnt quite put his finger on it at first. But as they got even closer, he realized what it was: the castle was rotting. Black algae crept up its sides, and some sections had crumbled into almost complete ruin.

The battlements on the east side must have been damaged in some ancient war, and had never been repaired. In some sections, the windows were intact, but in others, there were only gaping holes where glass had surely staved off wind and rain in the past.

There had once been a moat protecting the castle, but it was now nothing more than a bramble-filled ditch. And while the entrance to the castle had once sported a portcullis and a heavy door, nothing remained of them but crumbling wood piled haphazardly to the side.There were some signs of life and maintenance, for instance, the fact that the path was mostly clear of leaves. But whoever was trying to keep the castle up, it seemed that they were fighting a losing battle.

Captain Ishki had them stop just before a rickety bridge that was the final portion of the path leading inside.

Sergeant Tamharu? she said.

Yes, Captain, the sergeant replied. Sending his horse out in front of the line, he cupped his hand by his mouth and yelled, Delegates from the Mage Parliament, here to visit Master Ligish son of Ahazu, the Machinist of the North.

The response came rather quickly. A stooped old man appeared, clad in livery that was halfway from being well worn to threadbare.

Ey, welcome to Master Ligishs castle! Es expecting you!