34 Imprisoned

There was someone leaking information to criminals, either in Steelshade or Kingsrest. Jacob hoped for Will's sake that the mole had been found already, but he doubted it. He'd suggest the idea of a mole to the kingsman, but Will wasn't all that receptive to Jacob's words, as of late. The man harbored a bias against mages. Against his better judgement, Jacob decided to ask.

"What's your problem with mages, Will?" Jacob asked, sprinting to the head of the column. The soldiers he passed glared at him, but he was beyond the point of caring. His leg had healed up nicely in the past few weeks, thanks to the care of a medic who really didn't want to be there, but it still hurt to bound up to Will like that.

"You've probably never met one apart from the mage recruiter, but they're stand-offish jerks. They think they're better than the rest of us poor regular folk," Will replied without a hint of anger, much to Jacob's surprise. "It's part of the reason why I prize Delreya so much. Our king is regular, just like most of us common folk."

"They seemed nice enough at the Academy. They let regular people visit, and Angelica seemed alright to me," Jacob responded, grateful that the warrior was talking to him again.

"That's because they haven't had enough time to change her worldview. Trust me, if you ever see her again, she'll have changed for the worse. In that sense, you're probably better off being a rogue mage. Maybe you won't become as arrogant as those pompous Academic Order mages," Will grumbled, not looking at Jacob. It was far from a friendly conversation, but it was better than no improvement at all.

By the time they reached the end of the forest, Will still barely looked at Jacob. It was primarily the medic, a kindred spirit to Jacob, who made sure he had enough rations. "I don't want to be here either, man, but they picked me up from my village because of my medical know-how," he had whispered to Jacob one day. "My name's Terrence, but don't tell them what I told you. I don't want to get punished or anything."

Jacob had hoped that Kingsrest would be a moment away after they left the forest, but it was not to be so. They traveled deep into the plains, crossing paths with many ferocious beasts including another wyrm – Will elected not to kill and harvest it, citing deadlines – and a pride of lions. It was when their rations had all but disappeared when Kingsrest loomed over the horizon.

Steelshade had tall walls. Kingsrest's were even taller. Some fifteen stories tall, the walls were an imposing feature on the horizon, driving home the magnificence and power of the king's seat. Travelers were flocking into the city from all directions, the many roads zigzagging through the plains intersecting at this focal point. Far beyond the city, glimmering blue waters stretched into infinity, merchant ships with snow-white sails lumbering closer.

Knights in plate armor, unlike the chain the Tenth Vanguard wore, guarded the city's East Gate. The human mountains stood like statues, watching out over the traffic that poured into the city. Unlike Steelshade, they did not stop anybody, but they did make sure to watch for any public disturbance. It was like they were some sort of medieval riot police, or maybe club bouncers? What really brought Jacob pause was when the knights, clearly honored soldiers, saluted to Will and his troops as they passed through the gates as a private might salute a captain. Were the Vanguard that distinguished?

The ride – and Jacob's march - past the shops and vendors and baffled civilians was more than astounding. Whatever magnificence Steelshade had, this city took that concept and multiplied it many times over. Without a doubt, it was more beautiful a sight than Jacob had ever seen.

Glass storefronts in almost every store, medieval architecture all around him, and joyous people singing in the streets. Jacob, quite frankly, couldn't believe a place such as this existed. Then the smiles turned to hard expressions as they moved on from the lower-class district of the city, entering the military's sector. Having jumped directly past the noble district, Jacob regretted not being able to see the mansions that surely populated the area.

Instead, he found himself in some narrow alley, walking between dark and drab stone buildings. Occasionally, he'd catch a glimpse of a castle reaching towards the sky, but each of these moments felt like visions in the veritable maze he was guided through. Every soldier they passed, whether knight in plate armor or guardsman in leather, saluted to Will.

When his leg burned from the wound, their journey came to an end. The Tenth Vanguard dismounted from their horses, leading their mounts to a stable. Will came towards the end of the procession to collect Jacob and pull-drag him away into some building farther away from the main military campus.

They went underground into a small building, passing by dozens of empty and occupied jail cells. A jailor waited for them at the end of the hallway, indicating Jacob to enter one of the decrepit cells. Fury blazed in his eyes. Could he take the jailor and Will down with his magic? He wasn't sure he could manage two spikes without endangering his life, but he didn't want to die to an execution.

"I thought you'd talk to the king, Will. What the hell is this?" Jacob seethed, glaring at the stoic older man.

"I will, but this is where you must stay. For a capital criminal such as you, I wouldn't be able to obtain permission to keep you in the city as a free man. It's this or death, Jacob," he warned, his voice devoid of emotion. It was almost as if he wanted to distance himself from his once-pupil. To be honest, he probably did. "It'll take a few days before I get an audience. Wait until then."

More waiting. Jacob could do that, but he would remember this slight.