Mark of the Fool

Chapter 645: The Grieving Guardian

Alexander Roth had lived a good part of his young life with swords hanging over his head.

After his parents died, he worked hard in McHarris bakery, saving every coin to help the Lu Family afford his and his sisters keep. Everyday, the man would abuse him, and everyday the spectre of being fired loomed above him like a deadly sword, ready to fall and split his head in two.

After hed been Marked, a sword still swung above his head, waiting to strike if his secrets came out: if the church or the Thameish authorities learned that he was one of Uldars Heroes, and what hed done with an orb in the Cave of the Traveller. Now, several swords were closer to striking him than ever before.

And all he could do was try to find ways to get out from underneath them before they started dropping.

Alex walked along the road in the fae wilds, thinking about everything that had happened and leading the strikeforce away from Uldars Rise. Theyd left a number of Watchers behind whod been charged with keeping the curious andmore importantlyany surviving members of Uldars secret church away from the portal.

The weary group would be back at the Research Castle soon, then Professor Jules could assign a larger contingent to guard Uldars Rise.

She had a lot to do with some of the swords currently hanging over the Fool of Thamelands head. Soon, shed know everything that had happened since shed last seen them: the battle at UIdars Rise, Careys death, the hidden church, the First Apostle, Merzhins apparent defection from Uldars forces, that Thamelands god was dead and mightve betrayed the realm.

It was a lot to put on anyone, and for more than one reason, he was worried about her reaction.

there was also something personal he had to tell her.

He glanced over his shoulder at the mercenaries and Watchers talking to each other as they moved along the fae road.

His jaw clenched and released.

Everyone had heard the priests declarations, and the song of their holy symbols during the battle: there was no hiding the truth, no hiding the fact that he was the missing Fool of Thameland. No one had said anything so far; they were all tired and preoccupied, other revelations from last night were so stunning, that his Mark wasnt really a big priority. Understandably, finding a god lying dead on his throne, after all, was enough to drive all thoughts from most minds.

But, Alex knew that at some point, at least some of themwould begin to talk. Then, it was just a matter of time before his secret started spreadingand stopped being a secret. And from there, someone in Thameland would eventually find out.

But, even ifsomehownone of the Generasians talked about it with anyone else, he was willing to put a lot of coin on the First Apostle making sure the crown and priesthood knew. Thats definitely what hed do.

Like it or not, it was only a matter of time before the priests and Thameland knew who he was. What he was.

One of the worst parts of this is that I have no idea how much time I have, Alex thought. Information takes time to travelI might have monthsor maybe weeks. Hells, it could even be days. Either way, the grains of sand are running through the hourglass. I have to be ready when the last grain falls.

But, the first thing he had to do before that happened?

Was tell Professor Jules who he was.

Things would look a lot worse if she found out from someone else, and guaranteed, she was going to find out. She might be angry, or she might take the news well; either way, she had to hear it from him.

After that, hed have to take care of his business plans.

Shale would need more golems, and hed promised Lucia some constructs. He was planning on buying another property and opening another branch of the Roth Family Bakery; business kept growing and Troy was telling him that people who didnt live or work nearby were asking about plans for other locations around the city.

My names been spreading, but I have to keep it growing before that last sword falls on me, he thought. I cant rely on Baelin being around to keep the wolves away, so, the best chance I have of keeping myself from being shipped back to Thameland, is if enough people in the city, government, and school dont want me shipped off. So far, Ive done a pretty good job making sure Im valuable to Generasi, but I need my position to be rock solid. He sighed. But, first things first.

Alex reached into a pocket of his satchel, taking the far-speaker out. He looked down at the device as his sense of dread grew; once he hit that rune, thered be no going back.

Are we in range to contact Professor Jules? Watcher Hill asked, noticing him holding the device.

Alex nodded. I guess wed better let her know were on our way and getcertain permissions.

He glanced at Merzhin, who was walking between Hart and Cedric. The Saint of Uldar looked dejected. Conflicted. Sick. He looked lost, completely oblivious to the fact that hed soon be in Greymoor, a place no priest had ever been before. That was, if Professor Jules went against Baelins orders and allowed him to set foot on university property.

Taking a deep breath, Alex pressed the rune.

The communicator buzzed.

Professor Jules voice crackled from it. Hello? Hello? Mr. Roth, is that you? Are you there? Ive been awake all night! How did the operation go? Is Carey there? Let me speak to her!

Dead silence.

Alex swallowed. Uhmprofessor, Im calling to ask you for permission to bring Saint Merzhin to the Research Castle for the debrief.

Now it was the far-speaker that went silent.

What? Professor Jules sounded confused. Baelin expressly forbade priests from coming here. He wouldnt like it at all. Why would you want to bring a priest here?

Let me. Watcher Hill reached for the far-speaker, which Alex gladly handed to her. Professor Jules, can you hear me?

Yes, I can, Watcher Hill, the professors voice came across clearly. Whats this about bringing the Saint to the Research Castle? Baelin would never agree to this.

I understand, but by way of the emergency authority invested in me during this rescue operation, I hereby give special dispensation for the Saint to be allowed into the Research Castle. As the second most senior member of the expedition, you have the authority to co-authorise it. Will you?

Im not sure Professor Jules said, her voice unsteady.

Its critical, professor, Watcher Hill said. I wouldnt ask otherwise.

For a time, silence was the only answer from the far-speaker. And then

I willallow it, but whats happened? Jules voice held a note of foreboding. How did the rescue operation go?

A lot has happened, professor. A lot, Watcher Hill said. It would be better if we tell you everything in person.

Alex heard something through the far-speaker.

A broken intake of breath.

I understand, Professor Jules voice wavered. In her tone, Alex knew there was a question she was too afraid to ask. I will see you all soon. Come straight to the map room. Ill be waiting

The far-speaker went dead.

Watcher Hill and Alex looked at each other.

They knew that the hard part was just beginning

###

Professor Jules looked like the world had just opened beneath her feet to swallow her whole.

Her face was pale.

Dark circles sat beneath eyelids that were puffy and ringed in red, her white hair seemed whiter. The aged alchemist seemed worn out, like shed been carrying the weight of the world on her narrow shoulders.

She was slumped in a chair, staring at her feet, her shoulders drooped. Her fingers gripped the sides of her head as her slight frame shook.

Miss London is dead? She whispered again, more a statement than a question, as if acknowledging the news to herself. Watcher Hill, please confirm this.

The map rooms occupantsClaygon, Theresa, Brutus, Alexs cabal, the Heroes, Grimloch, Tyris and Watcher Hillwere silent.

Alex spoke first. Carey died protecting us and Thameland; she His voice broke. ...wanted me to tell you not to be too harsh with yourself and Baelin. She said she came to Generasi to learn to be a wizard so she could free Thameland from the Ravener. She knew wizardry was dangerous, and she was willing to give everything to achieve that goal. It was her choice, professor, and she didnt want you to despair or for us to fight among ourselves, blaming each other. Theres too much to do for that.

Professor Jules was silent for a long time. This is my fault.

Professor Alex started.

No, dont, Mr. Roth. She slowly sat up, tears staining her face. It was my responsibility to keep Miss London safe, as it was Baelins. I told him this could happen. When we discovered what we did about dungeon cores, I warned him this could end badly. I warned him that this could put you and Miss London in danger, not to mention Drestra. And what did I do?

Her hands gripped the arms of her chair tighter. I let that crazed old monster have his way. I let a man who came from a time of spears and mammothsa time where folk needed to hunt wild beasts to eatdictate what the boundaries of safety should be for all of you. I should have insisted that you were returned to safety, back in Generasi. If I had, thenin all likelihoodCarey would still be alive.

Professor, if I may Watcher Hill started.

Jules cut her off.

Miss Londons family will arrive sometime this week. Ive already had to tell so many families that their loved ones died after the attack on the Research Castle, but this? I knew better. I knew Carey was being targeted and yet I let her walk into the jaws of death. I let the old goat convince me. How do I look into her parents eyes and say that I am sorry their daughter died? How do I tell them we did what we could when I knew there were specific dangers targeting her, and that I let her be exposed to them?

Erm, Professor Jules, is it? a small voice spoke up.

The professor looked to where Merzhin was standing. Hed never looked so small as his eyes drifted down to her feet, not meeting her gaze. Most of the fault lies with me. I am the one who could have stopped her from being taken. I am the one who could have saved her. I

No, Tyris interrupted him, her voice like flint. You dont get to do that. You know whose fault this is? The damn monsters who kidnapped her. And theyre still out there, needing vengeance and justice rained down on their heads. Listen to Careys last words: we can blame ourselves later. I know I will. Right now, we have to focus on what comes next.

What do you mean? Professor Jules asked, her voice weak. What else has happene She paused. Hold on now, how did you all know her last words? You said she died before you could reach her.

Its a long story, Professor, Alex said. Juststrap yourself in. Its going to be a lot.

And so they told her everything.

They recounted the battle, and detailed who theyd faced. They told her of Careys sacrifice, as well as her resurrection. They told her of the Travellers increasing divinity. They told her of the First Apostle and how he and the other faithful had escaped. They told her of Uldar, his sanctum, his death and that hed made the Ravener.

Alex showed her the book the god had recorded his processes in. Were going to need your help figuring this stuff out, as well as Baelins, but we dont know when hes coming back.

Professor Jules stared at Uldars notebook. You mean to tell me you found the god of Thamelands cadaver? Andoh my goodnessI was not prepared for this. You left his sanctum under guard?

Yes, we did. Watcher Hill said.

Then, Ill have to send more Watchers to reinforce your guards. And well have to think about how to handle this? Do we tell the king? This could be an international incidentyou know what? Well need time to sleep on this and process all of it. All of you, go get yourselves some rest. I need to think, Professor Jules said.

Um, before I go, Alex said. I need to talk to you, professor. Alone.

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