Chapter 14

I froze at Terrance’s exclamation. My magic training had paid dividends allowing me to access my core in a heartbeat. I briefly touched the red cord to check on Shalyndria, and all I felt was fear and worry for her friends. I then pushed fully into Petra’s blue thread. I was almost crushed by the amount of anxiety I felt from my mate. I shoved it aside and focused on what she could see. I shuddered in disgust at what was revealed. The dirt floor was covered in old blood and other bodily fluids. Several other women, including Milla, were chained around a windowless room naked. After confirming they still lived, I pulled back and ran over to my furious friend.

Terrance saw me running over and opened his mouth to speak. I interrupted him, “They are alive, and I think unharmed. I’m going to my room and gearing for war. I’ll need to know where to start looking when I’m done.”

He looked relieved when he responded, “I hoped you would say that. I’ll have the other guards start searching around the market. That was where they went this morning to do some shopping. You and I both know the Church is likely behind this. Start there and bring her back to me safely.” Tears started to fall from his eyes as he pleaded for me to save his future wife. I just nodded and ran inside and to our room.

I was surprised to find Shalyndria waiting for me when I entered the room. I started to speak as I rushed to change clothes, “What can I do for you, Princess? I’m in a bit of a hurry.” I started to pull on my original clothes when she spoke.

“I know you’re assaulting the church, and I can’t go with you. I wish I could help more, but this is all I can do,” she stepped in front of me as I pulled me down and grabbed the sides of my head. Once she finished kissing me, Shalyndria stepped back and pulled something from her dress. She held a badge out to me and spoke in a formal voice, “Royal Guardsman Shaun Kaughman, Please kneel and hand me your blade.”

I turned, grabbing one of my kukris off the bed, and knelt with it held over my head. The Princess took it and touched each shoulder with the blade, “You are now my Royal Knight. Please stand, Sir Kaughman.” I stood and looked into her eyes. The fear I found there was unsettling. I just smiled and nodded for her to continue, but Terrance entered the room.

“I sent the men out, Princess,” he informed her. He then handed her something before turning to me, “Knight Kaughman, do you swear on your life and power to serve the Islenase Empire with everything you are? Do you swear to uphold the rule of law? Finally, do you swear only to tell the truth and present any and all evidence and findings during an inquiry,” Terrance asked with an air of formality I had never felt before.

I then felt a magical charge start to fill the room. The eyes of the others opened in surprise as they sensed it as well. I knew the oath I was about to take would change everything. I didn’t hesitate. Words were whispered into my mind. I knew instinctively they were right and said to the officials standing before me, “I, Shaun Kaughman, accept this burden. I swear to uphold the goddess’s law. Only the truth will ever come from my hand or lips. The good and just have nothing to fear from me, while those steeped in evil will be purged by my hand. I so swear on my very soul.” The magic in the room then rushed into my heart. I fell to my knees, crying out in pain as I felt burning across my back and hands. When I opened my eyes and looked down, a new mark was tattooed on the back of my left hand. It was calligraphy styled A circling itself.

I stood and walked over to the mirror Petra used to check her appearance and removed my shirt. Tattooed across my back was a pair of angel wings. I heard a thud from behind me. When I turned, I was shocked to see both Shalyndria and Terrance on their knees with tears in their eyes. Shalyndria spoke first with hope in her voice, “The goddess Cicerene hasn’t forsaken us. She sent you the first Arbiter in hundreds of years.” Not knowing what to say to that, I put my shirt back on and resumed getting ready.

Terrance spoke up behind me, “Shaun, do me one favor. Kill them all!” then he broke down crying. I turned to find Shalyndria already trying to comfort the distraught knight. I left the room once I was fully geared with my M4 and a few grenades. I had also loaded a breaching charge and a few extra mags for both weapons in a pack I pulled from Petra’s wardrobe.

As I started to walk down the hall, Shalyndria asked me to stop. I turned as she ran up to me. She whispered in my ear, “When you bring our friends home, we have much to talk about now.” I was soundly kissed before she pushed me back down the hall. I brushed my mind over her cord and felt nothing but hope and love. The fear, anxiety, and sadness that had dominated her emotions were gone. I turned and walked away.

I went to the stables and helped the keeper saddle my mare. I touched Petra’s cord while we worked. I was shocked at the change in her emotions. The fear was gone. All I sensed now was love, hope, and happiness. I pulled back after confirming nothing else had changed. Once ready, I hopped on the mare and galloped out of the garden and toward the city’s cathedral.

I found a hitching post and water trough for horses outside the gates to the cathedral grounds. I walked up to the large, highly decorated doors after taking care of my horse. Deciding to test my new magic, I used a gust of hurricane-force winds to blow the doors wide open. The sound of them bashing the walls on either side alerted the men standing around the altar.

Sixteen men in familiar black armor and an older gentleman in priest’s robes stared at me as I walked in. “What do you need, my son,” questioned the priest as the others whispered amongst themselves.

“Where are the slaves you have taken off the streets of this city?” I shouted heatedly. I continued walking forward during our exchange. The slavers started to spread out behind the priest at the same time.

“This is the church of our goddess Cicerene. We have nothing to do with the slaves of this city,” was his response. I noticed his eyes narrow once I got to the end of the pews. I laughed when his eyes shone in recognition. “You are the heretical True Mage. Kill him.”