Tipping the Scales

26

Lukas stared out over the rooftops of Ferlandia. The sun was low in the sky to the West, setting behind the towering reach of the Carnelian Palace, whose shadow had slowly encroached across the haphazard landscape of jumbled buildings and occasional high-rising towers and market squares. The land beyond the shadow, over the walls of the city, was still cast in a beautiful orange glow. The sail ships leaving the port appeared to float on a sea of auburn water as they embarked on their journey away from the shadowed city. Lukas descended into the darkness.

He found himself in yet another Winthrope carriage, hopefully for the last time. Leo sat in silence across from him, with Henri alongside.

"It's incredibly defensible," the instructor leaned out the window, explaining the layout of the city. "There's only two bridges that enter the city from either side of the mouth of the river." He pointed as he explained. "And the Palace itself is set upon a tall hill with a single, narrow pathway to it. You'd need wings to launch any sort of offence on it. Then you'd have all the might of the Ember family and nobles from the Ardour District to deal with."

Lukas was only half listening, he found himself lost in his own thought. He was finally on his way to the front lines, where he had aimed to go since he was old enough to swing a sword. He couldn't help but feel like fate was drawing him there, as he had by no means achieved it of his own ability. And if fate was guiding him, perhaps it would help to answer his questions too. He was confident he would soon come across the non-humans responsible for the death of his parents. But he didn't let the prospect of revenge cloud his mind – Tobias had instilled in him that revenge consumed good people. Instead, he just wanted answers. He yearned to understand why his parents had to die, for he could not quite grasp the evil nature of the non-humans. How could something be so inherently wicked as to want to murder innocent people. He wasn't ready to believe what he was told - the only account he could trust was his own, with his own eyes.

"I'll always miss that view once it's gone," Henri sighed as the carriage descended past rooftop level. "Now then, it's only around ten minutes to the North Gate so I will start saying my farewells." Henri looked between the two of them wistfully. "Beyond this point, you will be in the hands of the military. I know things have been tough, but please look out for each other." His gaze lingered on Leo – the boy he had raised and trained all his life. "You will need to respect your brother and his command. We both know what he is like – he will treat you like a subordinate and you have to act like one." Leo looked down at his lap and gritted his teeth. "Just trust in your fire, and I'm sure you will progress." He clasped Leo on the shoulder, who looked as if he were putting up a confident façade. "I've trained several generations of Winthrope's, and I mean it when I say, you were always my favourite. You're destined for greatness, young master." He pulled a reluctant Leo into a tight embrace, though the young Winthrope grasped him back firmly.

Lukas couldn't help but think of Tobias in that moment. He wondered if his old mentor ever thought about him. One thing was for sure, he never would have expected Lukas to join the Solar Dawn.

Henri turned his attention to Lukas. "And you, young lad, I don't know what to say about you. But I wouldn't be able to face Tobias again unless I sent you on your way with some helpful Henri advice." He smiled comfortingly. "In the short amount of time I've known you, you seem genuine and kind. I don't know how you've ended up with this strange magic within you, but please be cautious. There will be those looking to take advantage of this power, and those who would prefer a world without that power in it." Lukas nodded in understanding – he was well aware of the ramifications of having magic from a non-fire origin, particularly one that absorbed other magic. "I don't think any of us can predict what role you will play in all this, not even yourself. You need to choose your own path going forward, Lukas Musgrave."