Chapter 690: Harmony

Chapter 690: Harmony

Father, what does harmony mean? Prince Athelstan asked.

Harmony is the music of civilization, his father said. It is the melody that binds mortals together under divine law and social contract.

It had been a cold winter night some decades ago.

Athelstan had been in his bedroom.

He remembered the fire crackling in his hearth.

Its flickering light. The crack of burning wood. Its smell.

Even after all these years, that memory was as clear as the sun.

Andwhile the fire burnedhis father had spoken of harmony.

Where did you hear that word? the king had asked his son. Strangely, his image wasvague in Athelstans mind. Like an impression of his father, seen through a murky piece of glass.

In Father Tobias sermon this morning, Prince Athelstan said. He talked about harmony between Uldars people, and bringing folk like the clans and the witches in harmony with everyone else. Whats that mean?

Hmm, let me see now, the king had frowned.

Athelstan remembered his fathers expression.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

That look of confusion in his eyes. Like he was lost for a moment.

Ah yes, I remember. The kings eyes had then lit up. I suppose my earlier explanation was poetic, but a little useless. Harmony is when folk get along, working toward the same purposeor similar purposesin peace with one another. When your mother and I make the same ruling on something, then we are in harmony. When the lords are happy and listen to each other, they are in harmony.

When my friends and I fight were not in harmony, and when we play together, were in harmony? Athelstan asked.

His father smiled, ruffling his sons hair. Of course, you are. Of course you are. Then that smile had faded. When you are grown up and married, it will likely be the time that the Ravener returns. By then, I will be old but will still be king. You and I will have to work with the Heroes of Uldar to ensure that Thamelands safe for all people in our land. Together, we must work in harmony.

Of course, his father had only been half right.

Decades later, the Ravener did return, but Athelstans father was long dead, taken by a disease of the brain that had begun even when Athelstan was a boy. And now, he was king.

And the king pondered the word harmony once again.

I had heard that the Heroes were in disharmony, he thought, looking at the Sage, the Saint, the Champion, the Chosenand the Fool. But are they truly in disharmony? I would have to say not. They are in harmony with each other, but not with me.

He looked to the sky. Does that mean I am picking the wrong side? Am I going against Uldars will by sewing disharmony among his Heroes? Am I here to confirm that the Heroes are on the right path? Or is it the oppositehave they all strayed? Has the Fool been misguided, along with the others?

His hand rose to the holy symbol of UIdar around his neck. What are they to do? What am I to do? They wish to end this war forever, and I only wish for the same thing: an end to this cycle of ever-returning devastation. But is this righteous? Is their way right? Or are they going against Uldars plan? What is the correct choice? What will bring harmony?

Suddenly, there was a cry from behind him.

Treachery! a man shouted. The Fool means to kill the king! Strike him down!

Bows twanged.

War cries filled the air.

And King Athelstans heart plummeted.

###

It happened so fast.

One moment, the king was silently considering the situation.

The next, a flurry of activity came from his army. A group of soldiers and priests had unslung bows and crossbows, aiming them directly at Alex. They were fast. Trained. Ready.

And it was clear that someone had signalled them.

Priests cried prayers to Uldar as they and the soldiers loosed a volley of bolts and arrows. The missiles burned with white lightdivine energy pouring into themswerving toward Alex like hungry snakes.

He teleported out of the circle, away from his companions.

But the volley continued sweeping toward him.

Fine, lets see you catch me when Im fifty miles away, he thought.

He was ready to teleport again...

When a devils word struck the air.

Halt, Hobb said, his hands still clasped behind his back.

An immense power smote the volley, freezing the arrows and bolts mid-flight. The missiles shuddered in the grip of Hobbs devilish powerand Uldars blessing bled away.

Alex tensed, expecting a second volley.

Your majesty, if I may, High Priest Tobias said. Perhapsthis is part of Uldars plan.

What do you mean, Tobias? the king asked.

The Fool and the Heroes seemed to be alignedperhaps it is we who were wrong, he said quietly. Uldar works in mysterious ways, and the troubles we have seen in Thameland, perhaps they are not because we did not have the Fool at our side, but because we failed to recognise that he was already by our side. If even the Holy Saint speaks of the Fool supporting the other Heroes, then I cannot think that Uldar is against him. Perhaps, this is the way it was meant to be.

I see King Athelstan said. And you, Errol?

The court wizard frowned, then looked at Councillor Kartika. Youin some waystook a subject from our king. Would compensation be on the table?

Kartika smiled. I thought youd never ask. We could see that King Athelstan is fairly compensated for the fact that we granted citizenship to one of his subjects.

The court wizard looked at the king. I think this is the path of least resistance, your majesty.

Now King Athelstan looked at Alex Roth.

He truly looked at him.

And he saw not a Foolbut a Hero.

Swear that you will continue to find a solution to the Ravener, the king said. Swear that you will apply your skills and knowledge against our great enemy to see it destroyed.

I swear it, Alex said. Ive wanted to do that since the day I was branded with the Mark.

And do you accept this? He looked at the other Heroes.

Aye, we do, Cedric said.

The others echoed his words.

The king sighed.

Harmony.

Who was he to destroy it?

Very well! King Athelstans voice carried over Rockmoot. Then let it be known. On this day, I declare that the Fool of Uldar, Alex Roth, is hereby pardoned for the crime of desertion and flight from his dutyfor it seems that he never left his duty. As the Heroes are in harmony with each other, I will not see their union shattered. Alex Roth will have the freedom to research and battle as he and the other Heroes see fit. We are done here.

###

Alexs heart leapt.

A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders.

His spirit soared.

At last, after two years of hiding, he no longer had the threat of becoming a prisoner in his own realm to fear.

The hidden church would still want him dead.

The Ravener would still want him destroyed.

But right now?

He couldnt care less.

Right now, in many important ways, he was finally free.

And that opened the door to new possibilities.

He would celebrate this day.

He would return home.

Then he could finish his training in teleportation.

And finally get to unlock the secrets of the Mark of the General.

###

Odd, Hobb whispered to himself, watching relief spread through the Generasi delegation. He looked up at the sky, tasting the Raveners poisonous mana.

It was familiar to him.

He felt no need to share that.

After all, whispering such knowledge did not fall into his pact or his duties.

And it would be more amusing to watch these mortals discover it themselves.

Come, lets go home now, said Professor Jules.