Chapter 16 – The Rain Falls

There was at least one more enemy. They couldn't lower their guard just yet. Riou gently let the king hold the fainting queen while whispered to Bhalrom

- "We have at least one more enemy around… Protect the King and the Queen" He paused for a moment before continuing - "Call the guards once I leave, I will get back to the princess and wait for reinforcements…"

Said the boy, turning around and leaving the room before anyone there could oppose. As he left, Bhalrom couldn't hear his steps on the corridor, "Did he find the enemy already?" concluded the knight as he thought Riou was still outside, he quickly went to look by door, but for his surprise, there was nothing there, no sign of the boy or enemy. "Fast…" were his only thoughts, and without losing any more time, he gathered all the air he could in his lungs and shouted.

- "Guards! We have an intruder! Come to the Royal Wing at once!" – A powerful resounding voice echoed through the castle, such was the strength of his lungs.

Riou was once a gain a shadow, swiftly through the corridors and down the stairway, he quickly reached once again the kitchen. He saw Eileen taking care of the still unconscious Lilly. The princess was clearly glad to see him back.

- "There is still one more mage to be worried with." He said approaching her.

The princess nodded in agreement, Riou took position once again by the door to scout whoever could come by.

It didn't take long for the guards to arrive at the Royal wing, Bhalrom told them to quickly go to the kitchen and secure the princess.

Riou knew the guards would come, and while he was waiting for them, he put his mind to work.

"They knew too much" – Thought him remembering the coarse voice in his head, mentioning the castle defenses to the detail.

"They were so certain of their success that they sent 1 high tiered mage towards the princess as they knew she would be outside the castle walls… that means the queen would be the most guarded one… that's why 2 mages went for her… and since I could find only one inside that means the third mage was just a support…"

Riou spotted the guards approaching, he called them in with a hand gesture continuing his line of thought.

"The support mage might have not entered the castle, he was waiting for his partner to show up while guarding the escape route from the castle… that means he probably fled when he heard the Knights shout…" Realizing that possibility Riou looked to the approaching guards, he quickly pointed to the princess as giving them silent command to guard her, they quickly entered and assuming position beside the princess.

Riou once again left the kitchen in a hurry. He ran towards the garden entrance, and quickly advanced by the center stone road. His objective was towards the third step, where the training hall was localized.

As he turned the corner wall of the training hall looking for his prisoner, he showed disappointment in his face, taking a deep breath and looking around. There was no one there anymore.

He could not see any movement, so he started to run once again towards the nearest stairway his aim was the upper walls. He continue running on top of them to the very back of the castle wall, probably where the invaders came from.

He realized that the third invader while fleeing, probably localized the bound dark mage and rescued him. Carrying him to the back walls where they came from. There could be a fourth invader waiting there with the means to escape to the ground level.

The back wall was another garrison structure, a walled room made of stone, doors and windows. The door was open and he could see a couple of dead guards on the floor, there was no blood, but their limbs and necks were twisted, lying down in an unnatural position.

Riou couldn't see any movement inside the garrison, aside from the dead, it was empty. So he quickly went for the open window.

Down, far at the ground level he could see 2 dark figures moving, carrying what seemed to be a third one with a dim blue light around, seemed like the bound spell was still effective.

They were moving towards the mountains to the north.

Riou thought in an impulse "Should I try?" as he looked down the long fall ahead of him, he intended to follow them "They somehow were able to… but how?" he was inclined to try… but it was a massive fall and he was not sure which method to use. But before he could reach a conclusion or try anything, Bhalrom stormed the garrison with a few guards. As he saw Riou looking by the window, he quickly went to the nearest one to look as well.

-"Cursed Fiends!" - He shouted turning back to the guards – "Assemble a search party, the invaders are escaping to the north towards the mountains, go!" said the angry knight. The guards quickly acknowledged the order, and left at once.

Bhalrom leaned toward the window supporting his arms on it. He sighed and in a calmer tone he said looking to Riou – "I don't know what could have happened if you were not here…" he paused for a moment – "Thank you" he said in an almost solemn voice.

- "Don't worry about it, I got lucky, he was distracted and overconfident. I just seized the opportunity" Said Riou also looking down the window as the dark figures were disappearing at the terrain below.

- "Tell me Riou, where did you learn to kill and move that way" Asked the knight in the same solemn voice…

- "With the First Army of course, or you are not aware of the many talents you have in your ranks knight captain?"

Said a smiling boy, trying to misdirect his abilities by inflating the knight's ego, mentioning the beloved army the knight was so proud about, and at the same time concealing to the best of his ability the fact he was not being entirely sincere.

The knight smiled and a better mood could be seen in his face – "The boys indeed said you were a talent and a fast learner…" he said pondering for a moment, before continuing - "let's get back to the castle for now"

They got back to the King studies room, there were guards all over the Royal wing now, and inside the room was the king looking by the window near his desk, the queen was sat down in a chair clearly still recovering. The princess was at her side tending to her mother. Lilly seemed to be well, considered the concussion she suffered moments ago, nonetheless she seemed well, standing near the princess and the queen. While the body of the mage was already removed, just a small amount of blood still stained the carpet.

As Bhalrom and Riou entered the room, the knight promptly and respectfully addressed the king

- "Unfortunately the rest of the invaders fled to the mountains at the north my king, I've already dispatched a search party"

The king barely moved his head, and looking to the knight direction and nodded once in agreement.

Riou worried with Max asked, before they started any conversation – "Do you have news about Max's location?"

The king turned to the boy and shook his head – "No, not yet, no one has seem him" said the king in a grave tone, - "But don't worry, he is known to do such things, he can be a ghost, if so he wishes" Continued the king, commenting on the Magus abilities.

Riou clearly didn't intend to wait for him to eventually show up, he intended to take matters into his own hands… so he promptly questioned the king, as the king seemed to knew more about Max than him.

- "Who Maximilian knows in the city?"

The king sighed understanding what the boy would do next… but still, he answered in the same way, perhaps because the boy just saved him.

- "He is not very known in the city, but he has a few friends, the tavern owner of the Drinking Bear" Said the king pausing and thinking who else he knew.

- "There also the Landgraves to the east of the city, and far in the outskirts of the city, near the source of the river Dracar, the house of Lady Eleanor" said the king.

- "I will see what I can find out" Said the boy rushing out once again without waiting for any reply.

The princess seemed to move a little in the direction the boy went, she probably wanted to accompany him, but before she could make a step the king noticed her intention and said.

- "Eileen, please tell me what happened outside" Said the king to his daughter.

Elegantly as always the princess stopped and turned to her father to explain what happened. She began on the part they heard the thunder while inside the training hall, and how Lilly was caught off guard… The next part was a bit tricky for her to explain, she had to gather her thoughts and put them together before saying anything.

The king was expectant to what she would say next.

She began after a moment of recollection, in her usual calm demeanor

- "We ran outside, Riou was holding a sword… When he saw the mage preparing the next magic he planted the sword in the ground and ran towards me… the sword was somehow hit by the lightning and we both were fine… he told me to go help Lilly while he would take care of the mage, so I ran towards her. A few moments after, as I was approaching her I saw another flash, and heard another thunder." He paused remembering the scene

- "I looked back to see what happened and all I saw was Riou punching the Mage's stomach… he fell instantly… I tended to Lilly wounds and Riou arrived moments after." She said eloquently putting her memory together.

- "He punched?!" Said Lilly in disbelief. – "a high tier mage capable of lightning magic was beaten by a boy's punch?" She said as she couldn't believe it.

- "I can only state what I saw, and that was what happened." Said the calm, almost cold princess looking at her friend.

The king pondered for a moment, before looking at the knight asking – "Bhalrom, what do you think? Is that even possible?"

- "The boy is sure full of tricks my lord, I don't know why the lightning hit the sword, but mages are not known for their high fortitude and endurance… And you also saw how the boy handled the other mage…" Said the proud knight captain.

Hearing that, the two girls' ears raised up, Lilly was the first to speak with uncertainty in her tone

- "What do you mean by 'how the boy handled the other mage'… you can't possibly be saying he took care of the second mage as well…" Said Lilly with piercing eyes at Bhalrom, again in complete disbelief, the princess was clearly expecting the knight's answer.

- "You may not believe, but we were cornered and the queen was in danger… the mage was about to flee when the lucky trickster killed him with small kitchen knife" He said smiling bringing his hand together showing them the size of the knife, it was about half of his big palm

- "He was so fast, that even the dark mage realized he died." Said once again the proud Bhalrom to the little mage.

Lilly couldn't put together her thoughts about that the knight words.

The red haired mage was angry, mostly at herself because she was easily beaten, and almost killed. She was a prideful woman, and the fact that a boy younger than her, without magical knowledge was able to win against her attacker, and not only that, he was also able to take care of another mage. It was driving her madly furious. She couldn't help but to think that the boy was not able to do so.

While the princess, she thought she could at least grasp the boy's capabilities. She knew he was good, but now, after calmly analyzing this day events, she couldn't help but wonder, how powerful he really was.

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A heavy summer rain began to pour in the city as Riou got out of the castle carriage, he just arrived at the city entrance, and quickly searched for a dry spot below the short roofs of the houses nearby, at a frail attempt to protect himself against the heavy weather.

The streets were empty, the light of the day was getting low as a sign that the afternoon would end soon. On the gray empty streets, he could only hear the sound of the rain drops, hitting restlessly the stone roads and the house roofs.

He needed to get some clues about Max whereabouts, and soon as it would get hard to move at night during this rain.

And despite what the dark mage said, Riou didn't think Max could be killed. "A mage battle in the city would bring lots of attention… no… if the title of Magus means anything, he was not killed" thought Riou thinking about what the dark mage said "Their objective was to take him away from the castle… they needed him out of so their plan could work with less people involved… for that, they needed to lure him out without a confrontation… but how… and why would he leave in such a hurry…" thought the boy to himself trying to put the puzzle together

Riou began to move on a steady pace, under the roofs, avoiding the rain as much as possible, his fist destiny was the closest one, the Drinking Bear tavern.

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Arriving at the tavern, it was lively as the other day, the two floor building had 4 big windows on both floors well displaced 2 at each side of the door on the ground floor right in the center, it was a wide door that fit at least 2 big persons walking by it. The tavern front was about 14 steps wide.

As he entered, he observed the majority of the tables, full of drinks and food, occupied by a rather similar group of people, mostly men, wearing commoner cloths, in shades that varied, from dark green to some lighter brown and even white shirts, the pants were similar to the one he had drying in the castle, that heavy and durable mesh of cloth, designed for durability that still allowed a good flexibility of the lower body. Most of them had straight long swords on a leather sheath strapped to the left side with some leather belts, others had two short swords in a similar manner, one at each side of the body, the minority of them were wearing 1 dagger in the same manner as the others, but also had a bow and a quiver full of arrows leaned toward the wall or the table, in an easy to access position..

As Riou entered he noticed he was the center of attention, despite everyone seemed to continue with their business as nothing happened, he could see the unsuspecting gazes they threw on him.

At a corner table, he noticed a different figure, a big man dressed in yellow shirt with a small leather vest on top about 30 years old he estimated. Dark brown pants and big boots in the same color. He had a messy but voluminous long black hair, piercing emerald eyes. He was holding a slight smirk only in his left side of the mouth while listened to the one of the men that were with him.

His sword was a little bigger than the others, and was inside its sheath leaning against the table he was sat on. There were other 3 with him in the same table, 2 men that seemed to be brothers, younger than him, both wearing medium length red hair tied in a ponytail. With light toned skin. Riou could noticed only 1 of the man weaponry, the other one was sat behind and the front man was covering most of his body. The front man had small axes, similar to hatchets lying in front of him in the table. From where he was sat, he could see the entire tavern, he was laid back in the table's chair.

The third was a pretty woman, about her 25 years with a tanned skin and short black hair. She had a sword similar to the majority of the men there.

It was a strange group of people, they were too similar in their mannerism and clothing, Riou got the impression they were all in the same group and the yellow guy was probably the boss. "Mercenaries" he thought.

Riou was not able to locate Syldis, the tavern owner, she was not in the front of the tavern. So he went in the direction of the counter near the kitchen, she probably was back there cooking something, he could not see anyone helping to serve the tavern.

But before he could reach it, one man of the group had stood up and blocked his way, he was standing up in front of Riou, he had Black hair cut in a bowl cut style, he had a slim figure and an elongated face that resembled a rat.

- "What a young man like yourself doing, alone and all wet, at this late hour… don't you know the city is dangerous at night?" – Said the man in a slow and clearly intimidating tone…

Riou was confused to why he was targeted, but then he looked down and remembered he was using the nobleman clothing he was given at the castle…

- "I'm here just to talk to the tavern owner, it will be just a moment and then I will be gone… so if you excuse me I'm in a hurry" Said Riou in a polite manner trying to walk forward and get past the man to reach the kitchen.

- "Not so fast my lord…" Said the man blocking the way once again – "You see, this tavern here is already full" Said the man rising his arms and moving them around… Everyone else in the tavern were silent, all paying attention to their interaction at this point – "I think you should look for another one" Said him again in a cynical manner.

Riou looked the man in the eye and in a very serious tone

- "That will not be possible… also, I'm not a lord so don't call me that… I'm wearing this clothes by chance… so why don't you give me passage and we can both go about our business?" Said the boy clearly fed up by the man attitude.

The man laughed at the boy before responding.

- "We have a brave one boys! Shall we teach him a lesson?!" – Shouted the man so everyone around him could listen.

Riou noticed a big figure leaving the kitchen door and approaching the man from behind.

The man grabbed Riou by the collar with both hands, but to his confusion, instead of fear, Riou was just smiling there. He couldn't understand what was so funny and thought that perhaps the boy had something wrong within his head.

But before anything else a big hand dropped heavily on the man shoulder, looking behind he saw a very big and strong woman, with golden hair and clearly furious golden eyes, it was Syldis…

Without taking his eyes of the big woman, he quickly released Riou and got back to his seat, very slowly and quietly. As soon as he sat down the whole tavern erupted in laughter. Shouts could be heard

- "Hahahaha what you going to do now Hugh?"

- "Backing down already? C'mon Hugh!? Hahahaha"

Could be heard amongst the general laughter.

Syldis was clearly not amused, and turning back to the man in yellow. As she shouted, everyone else silenced in the same instant.

- "Viktor! You should know better than to let your men act as they want..." said the large woman very loudly.

The man in yellow just shrugged, he still had the same smirk in place

- "The boy is unharmed isn't he?" Answered him in a calm tone.

The woman gesticulated to Riou to approach the counter and to take a stool while she kept glancing at Viktor with disapproving eyes.

She moved behind the counter as Riou sat down, there were nowhere near them, they could talk privately.

- "Sorry my dear, you know how mercenaries can be…" She said in an apologetic tone.

Riou just waved his hand, demonstrating that it was fine, but in a serious tone he asked

- "Don't worry about it, what I really need to know is if you saw Max today?"

Syldis clearly grasped by the tone Riou was saying it, that something happened to the Mage

- "No, not today, what happened?" Questioned her preoccupied

- "A mage in black robes and strange markings in his face attacked the castle earlier today, he said they have lured Max and had taken care of him…" Said the boy convening the information he gathered

- "The Twilight Council…" Said Syldis in a low tone, clearly preoccupied.

Riou had heard that name before somewhere but didn't know the specifics.

- "Who are they?" He asked.

Syldis looked around for a moment, as if deciding what she could say to him.

- "They are bad news my boy… they are a very old and secretive group that operates in the shadows, few know of their existence…" Said a very preoccupied and serious Syldis

- "What makes you think they are involved?" Riou asked.

- "They and Maximilian have a long history… Max is a sworn enemy you see…" –said in apprehensive tone. – "I myself, when I was younger, helped Max a few times against them… Their mages always wear black Robes, and all members had at least some kind of magical runes engraved in their bodies." She explained, Riou was able to understand the connection now.

- "What is their goal?" Asked Riou intrigued by the information.

- "I don't know my dear, they are involved with a lot of things… assassinations, slavery and magic stealing…" She explained pausing for a moment before continuing, clearly getting angrier as if mentioning the council brought back bad memories.

- – "If there is something bad happening, I'm certain they have a hand in it somewhere… but unfortunately their objective is never clear… to me they are just a bunch of sadistic freaks"

Riou nodded understanding her words… now he was even more concerned about his friend…

- "I need to know where Max could have gone… I need to find him" Said the boy asserting his focus to her.

She leaned back thinking what could have dragged the Magus outside in such a hurry.

- "His last disciple lives in the city, he should be an old man now, as Max taught him about 50 years ago, what was his name…" She paused trying to remember… Riou Interjected to help her

- "Landgrave?" he said

- "Yes! That is it, Landgrave" Said confirming, continuing quickly after

- "But knowing Max, there is only one thing that could make him rush into danger… without even thinking for a moment…" her serious tone suddenly became a sad one as she finished her sentence "Eleanor…"

Riou understood by the way she spoke, that Max probably went to Eleanor place… But he had to decide, should he investigate the closer location first or go straight to Eleanor's place?

- "How do I get to Eleanor's house?" Asked the boy

- "Just follow the river to the East, before you reach its source you will be in Lady Eleanor's lands." Explained Syldis.

Riou nodded as he looked back at the door, the rain was still strong and the night was already here, he'd have difficulty to find the state if he went now.

Grasping what the boy was thinking Syldis leaned in towards the counter and in a calming voice spoke with the boy

- "You are young my dear, if the council is involved you don't stand a chance by yourself" said her in a condescending tone.

- "You don't need to worry so much my boy, I know the situation seems dire, but we cannot be certain, this could be just a bluff… and even if it isn't, trust me, he survived far worse situations than this... He can take care of himself" She said looking into the boys eyes confidently – "Go upstairs, take the last room to the right, I will bring you some food and dry clothes… rest for today, tomorrow morning come talk to me, I'll have thought of something by then."

Riou nodded, it was dark already, the rain kept strong, it would be indeed difficult to find his way on an unknown land. He stood up and thanked Syldis for her help. He knew she was good friends with Max and felt he could rely on her help.

As he went upstairs, Syldis gazed upon Viktor once more, she was clearly devising a plan of some sort. Viktor feeling her intentions, just laid back and smiled to himself. Feeling he soon would gain the favor of the famous owner of the Drinking Bear Tavern.

Riou reached the room, it was small, just a single bed, a window and a small stool by a table. The light was provided by a candle on top of the table inside a bronze cup. The window was open and the rain was still going strong, making loud sounds as it hit the roof, the stones in the road and sidewalk. He approached the window to take a better look, but the darkness of that night was frightening, without the bright moon, the black veil covered everything and he barely could see anything, he could see as far as the other side of the street, anything further was pitch dark.

- "Why, why you didn't tell me what was going on…" He asked the winds, talking to himself, trying to understand his friend actions as he kept looking into the dark night, listening to the rain thinking what could possible have happened to his friend.