Talarius continued, unaware of Rupert’s internal recriminations, “It was dark and my view wasn’t that good. I certainly could have missed seeing you. After the demon moved out of the moonlight, all I could see was a dark spot in the sky. Certainly, I wouldn’t have done any pronouncement that would have injured you if I’d realized you were there with the demon. I’m sorry for that lad. Truly, but the important thing is,” Talarius strengthened his grip on Rupert’s shoulder, “that we got it to release you, albeit unknowingly.
“You are safe with us. In due time, we will return you to your family. However, for tonight, I think you need rest. In the morning, I’d appreciate it if you could repeat your story for the Arch-Vicar General and a few other good men. We will need all the help we can get in ferreting out the vile minions of deceit. Fear not though, I Talarius will personally see to it that the demons are all slain and routed. They will not have their wicked way with good people like yourself anymore. This is my word.” With the last words, he lifted Rupert’s chin again and smiled kindly. Rupert would have been relieved, felt protected, if only the man wasn’t talking about slaying him.
As Ethen led the boy off to a tent for a good night’s rest, Talarius turned his eyes back to the construction of the Runic Gateway. He cursed himself for unknowingly endangering the child. He shouldn’t have aimed at a target that wasn’t fully resolved. While the Light of Heaven wouldn’t hurt anything but creatures of evil, if he had killed the demon, the fall could certainly have killed the child. Of course, this presumed the child was telling the truth. The only doubts he had were from not having seen the child being carried, and the curious behavior of such a demon. Why it would be kidnapping the child. Human sacrifice perhaps? Talarius wouldn’t put it past a demon. Further, why would it fly directly over the Rod’s campsite?
The boy had seemed sincere. Actually, rather coherent for a child in that state, admirable. Talarius had known many an older man to be completely insane with fear from lesser experiences with demons. Unfortunately, he’d had no way to determine if the child was telling the truth short of his own instincts and experience. Barabus or Verigas could easily have done so; however, they were busy. Both priests were busy constructing the gateway. That had paramount importance.
This incident tonight only further served to increase Talarius’ determination to get reinforcements. They were certainly going to need them. Talarius rubbed his chin. He’d have Barabus or one of the other priests listen to the boy’s story tomorrow. All the priests would be tired after the night’s work, but they needed to know all they could learn. The priests could verify the boy’s story, and perhaps Talarius could probe for more information when the child had had time to rest. Perhaps Verigas could help him with it.
Chapter 71
Lord Protectator Wing Arms Master Heron of Treage surveyed his Command from the command deck of his flagship, the OSS Keeper of Law. He used the telescoping glass to survey the progress upon the decks of the other ships as the preparations for getting underway were being made on each and every vessel in his command. Twenty-one of Oorstemoth’s finest resting now in their berths outside of Keeper’s City, he was proud of each one. He only wished he’d had more to spare. Unfortunately, these craft were in extremely high demand, and short of abandoning other critical interests of Oorstemoth, he could spare no more.
His command was just now finishing the loading of men and supplies as the sun finally peeked above the horizon. Just in time for the dawn launch. Protocol dictated that the Leave Taking occur with the sun’s first full light. It had been a tight call, getting fully mobilized on such short notice. Wylan’s messages had reached Keeper’s City in good time and made their way up the bureaucratic layers until the Council of Justice saw them, and called on Heron to interpret and respond. It had actually taken Heron more than a few passes over Wylan’s missive to fully understand all the ramifications and legal import of the message. Unfortunately, in Heron’s opinion, both Wylan and his assistant Fiernon seemed caught up in the recent court trend of hyper-verbalization. Heron just shook his head, the younger generation, he sometimes feared that their dedication to legalistic flowery language might sometime override or cloud their vision of the Justice. Heron preferred the short and direct. Lately, however, his style seemed to be falling out of fashion. As it was it had taken him a couple of hours to come up with a legally binding set of charges from Wylan’s report. Perhaps if he’d been there first hand it would have been easier.
Seeing that the ready flags were now raised on all vessels, Heron adjusted the Amulet of Amplification upon his breast and raised his Warrant of Commission and Letter of Command. Formally, he held it before him with both hands, the right above, the left below to hold the scroll in the prescribed manner of execution. He received the nod of readiness from his second.
“Hear all, here-to-fore present and accounted for! For the High Crimes of Piracy, Destruction of Governmental Property, Murder of Constabulary Officers, Flight of the Due Process of Law into Extraterritorial Lands; for the Cardinal Crimes of Illicit Demonic Association, Alliance with Enemy Powers and Conspiracy to Escape Justice by Demonic Methods; for the Treasonous Crimes of Conspiracy with Foreign Powers to Threaten Oorstemothian Sovereignty, for Subversion of Foreign Nations in Manners Inconsistent with Oorstemothian Sovereignty, for Conspiracy for World Domination by Powers Not Oorstemothian and for Crimes of High Import Yet To Be Determined and Specified, is this Warrant of Forcible Extradition and Necessary Eradication issued upon one Edwyrd the Animage, lately of Gizzor Del, Maelen the Seer, known to be of the Free City of Seren, the Wizard Gastropé late of the Command of the Mage Exador, Jenn Rean, Journeyman of the Lenamare’s Academy of Wizardry, Rupert, Novitiate, also of the Lenamare’s Academy of Wizardry; and upon all personages seeking to aid or abet these individuals in criminalistic actions counterproductive to the cause of Justice. This Warrant is further comprehensive over previously issued, longstanding Warrant 31234556 regarding the Judicial Prosecution of one Asmeth the Pirate and the villainous crew of Asmeth’s vessel, as well as Inquisitorial Warrant I1432179 regarding the theft of Oorstemothian Artifacts by Individuals Suspected of Collusion with the Wizard Lenamare.
“In pursuit of this Warrant and observant of the Due Process of Law, do I Heron of Treage, Wing Arms Master of the Oorstemothian Fleet, Lord Protectator of Oorstemoth and the Council of Justice, Duly Recognized Agent of High Justice, hereby assume from this date forth, the High and Sole Command of the One-Thousand Four-Hundred and Thirteenth Sky Fleet of Oorstemoth. Said Command and Commission is to last until such time as the Warrant of Forcible Extradition and Necessary Eradication is considered fulfilled and duly executed by the Council of Justice. This do I swear and affirm on this the 25th day of Asim, in the One Thousand-Six Hundred and Thirty-First year of Oorstemothian Sovereignty, before the duly recognized witnesses of said Command, the One Thousand-Four Hundred and Thirteenth Sky Fleet. So let the Law be Enacted, so let Justice be Done before the Honorable High Lord of Oorstemoth and Justice.” Heron bowed his head for a moment of respect and observation of import, as did the members of his Command. He drew his sword, raising it above his head, staring into the newly risen sun.