Kingdoms of Caelum; Autumn of the War Queen

Chapter 39

The night spent outside the coliseum was in wild disorder as Kingdoms and races clashed. Small contests and organised duels broke out all around as men puffed out their chests like fighting cocks, ready to show off various abilities in combat. Clan and Kingdom pride was at stake as people bated their heroes on. Katla watched with mild interest as a large man in similar dress to Bane fought a broadsword against a Thurlstone Knight. Metal hit metal in thundering rings as the crowd gasped and cheered. The knight took a hit that pierced his armour, but he continued. The Blue of the crown and shield of Thurlstone, danced around the warrior. He weaved another blow and in a swift movement, got the upper hand, bringing his sword to a stop a horse's hair from his throat. The crowd fell into tense silence as the knight contemplated his next move, then he lowered the sword and the crowd let out an almighty cheer. Katla shrugged, Bane was better. She crawled into the canvas tent, shut her eyes and fell into an exhausted sleep.

When morning came it was a relief. Bane had insisted she sleep inside his tent, and when she awoke it was to subdued chatter and the smell of cooking meats. She lay staring up at the canvas for a moment. The air had a crisp chill to it, an autumn chill and she smiled; thinking back to a childhood of golden leaves and roasted stews. Even in a strange country like Baradonia, autumn still felt the same. She roused herself enough to peer out of the loosely tied flap and saw Bane, crouched over a small fire, with a tin pot that held an assortment of breakfast.

"Did you sleep well little wolf?" he asked.

Katla shook her head, "How can anyone sleep with that noise in the night?"

He grinned poking the smoking pot with a stick.

"The Lunar Agora is not known for its tenderness. Anyway, eat and prepare. The trading will begin soon as the mass swarm inside the coliseum, and then the real fun begins."

True to Bane's word the surrounding crowd began to thin and crawl inside the stone walls of the vast crumbling building. Katla caught the flags of Roskilde once again; she glanced more than once in their direction. It probably would be foolish to show her face here like this to her kin folk, like Bane had said; she didn't know the web of deceit that was woven, and who was loyal to Ragan. She pulled over the hood from her red cloak and tucked in her midnight hair, hiding both it and the ribbon. Bane saw her action and followed suit, pulling over the cat pelt hood as he stood to leave. They left the horses tied together and followed the trail inside. The gigantic round belly of the coliseum was just as impressive as the exterior; Katla took in the vision with wide eyes and an open mouth. It had once been host to many different events, from the SixKingdom games, to hard justice. It was said that, once, the great Red Dragons were held here for a time too, and that Kings had been killed amongst the sandy floor. Wars had been won and celebrated here, and people, Elves, Mages and Demons alike had been executed. But now only rotten benches surrounded them. The coliseum held an air of beauty, horror and some sadness of what was lost, but also a little hope. Hope that the frail peace would prevail now. The Lunar Agora held its tensions, but it was nothing more than an annual gathering to swap goods, food and medicines, and for Kingdoms to bare their still proud colours, retaining some of the pride and heritage of yesteryear. But it was generally peaceful; Elves mixing with humans, Kingdom dwellers mixing with those who lived on the Realms: it was a place of hope.

As they looked around, they noticed the coliseum was fast becoming a collection of bodies and noise, as traders began selling and swapping.

"Come, let us find the Incants," Bane said, pushing through the throng, "For Lofaid's ointment" he added in response to Katla's shocked face.

They pushed their way past many stalls covered under canvas. The smell of leather, spices and oils hung in the air, blending with sweat and dirt. They passed linen and pelts, furs and bags, many types of cloth, metals, armour, and foods for trade in abundance, from all parts of the many Kingdoms and lands; many Katla had never seen before. After searching the floor twice, Bane eventually came across the small Incant cart he sought. An old and toothless Incant woman with dark skin and long white hair sat amongst many glass jars, filled with multi-coloured liquids and oils.

"Sambadwya!" Bane said nodding in a friendly, respectful manner as they approached. As her eyes caught his, she smiled and practically beamed from the inside. She gripped his arms and began to speak in the Incant tongue, fast and excited. To Katla's admiration he understood perfectly, and they chattered like two old friends. After a while she reached through her jars for a small circular one that contained a blue, oozing ointment. Bane nodded and gave her the coin required as they continued in the foreign conversation. With curiosity, Katla began looking more closely at the jars. She picked up a honey coloured one and unscrewed the lid to smell. It was sour and putrid.

"Stomach lining of a pheasant!" Bane smiled looking over.

"What on Caelum is that for?"

"You rub it on troublesome toenails I believe!"

Katla screwed up her nose as Bane laughed heartily, she replaced the jar, but as she did, she caught another by accident causing it to crash to the floor. It seemed to be blood, dark thick blood, and it spread out around her feet.

"I'm so sorry!" Katla gasped, "I will pay, I will find a way, tell her Bane!"

But the old woman was not listening. She had bent over the broken glass and blood, and was staring it at it intently.

"What's she doing Bane?"

Bane shook his head, "I'm not sure?"

He began to ask her in Incant tongue but she cut him off, spoke briefly and then began to chant while rocking back and forth. Katla took several steps backwards. It was all a bit unnerving.

"She says you have broken the White Lion's Blood," Bane quipped.

"White Lion?" Katla asked, "There's no such thing."

A few people had stopped to watch the strange actions of the Incant woman as she began to chant louder and louder, then she stood and reached for a wicker stick from the cart and began to shake it over the blood. Bane was not phased. He had seen Incant rituals like this many times.

"White Lions did exist before the Rakshashas killed them all," he answered Katla.

"A White Lion was the symbol of the Lightning Children, powerful Volvian spirits."

Katla was not impressed.

"So how did she get its blood?"

Bane laughed, making the old woman pause and frown at him.

"It is probably the blood of a bull. Come little wolf, let us go."

They turned to leave, but as they did, the old woman let out a shrill cry so loud it sent a chilling shiver down Katla's spine. Katla turned to look, and the woman was pointing directly at her, repeating the words again and again.

"What is she saying?" Katla asked Bane, but he didn't stop. Instead he marched past the crowd and back into the stream of traders and buyers.

"Bane, slow down, what did she say?" Katla panted, struggling to keep up.

"It was nothing!" he barked.

"It was obviously something!"

"The ranting of an old Incant healer, nothing more."

He carried on marching until they reached the walls of the coliseum where the crowd was thinner.

"I want to know Bane."

He sighed trying to look amused but failing.

"She said, that when the first shoots of spring arrive, the Kingdoms will burn."

There was a confused silence for a moment as Katla glanced back towards the hustle of stalls and people.

"How does she possibly know that?"

A troubled look crossed his brow, and a shadow of fear washed over his face making her heart drum.

"She said your Blood Stone showed her the vision."

Katla reacted by reaching up towards her hair, but it was tucked well into her hood, both the ribbon and the Stone hidden away.