Mark of the Fool

What would you say to—in a thousand years or so—joining my cabal?

Baelin’s words echoed through Alex’s mind.

It took him a long moment to remember to breathe.

“Are you serious?” Alex asked, taking a deep breath.

“I would not joke about something so important.” The ancient archwizard looked at Alex closely. “In my cabal, each of us is allowed to extend offers to potential new members, and—if the candidate is interested—then the cabal will convene, discuss the candidate’s history and deeds, then enter a period of time where we watch what they do for a span of five hundred years or more. If we are all satisfied with the candidate’s performance, competence, power, ethics and their ability to be social, then we meet with them. If the meeting goes well, we might welcome them into our ranks. It’s simple, really.”

“Five…five hundred years?” Alex gasped.

“Or more. Five hundred is the minimum. I do not mean to boast, but we are a very exclusive club and do not take the entry of new members into it lightly. We have been together for a very, very long time and have maintained our cohesion despite having our own schemes, egos and agendas to manage, as well as by being incredibly choosy about who we give invitations to.”

Baelin looked at Alex closely. “I do believe that—within you—lies the seed of one who would suit our ranks. At the very least, even if you are not interested in joining, then at least an association of sorts should be arranged. Our cabal is small, but we have a great many contacts throughout the universe. I think we could help each other.”

Alex’s jaw had dropped. “But…why me?”

“Aside from the fact that you achieved the rank of archwizard well before you even turned twenty-five? Let me count the ways: you exemplify an incredible level of ingenuity, willpower and drive. Yet, you can be trusted; you do not blabber secrets mindlessly but yet you understand when to share them when necessary. You put great effort into ensuring positive outcomes in any situation for yourself, your kin and those who call you ‘ally’. You are very powerful, yet you are not some single-minded bore. You actually have a bloody personality!”

“That’s important?” Alex said.

“As important as having great power.” Baelin’s voice was heavy. “A cabal is a group of companions you expect to walk beside for your entire lifetime, which has obvious implications for one who need not worry about the ravages of ageing. You must choose your company carefully, especially if they are gifted with long lives; that company will be with you throughout time. You would not want to establish a long term association with someone terribly boring or with the personality of the most caustic of materials. Trust me, you do not want to experience that.”

“I see,” Alex said, imagining having to spend eternity being around someone from the hidden church. He shuddered. “But, this offer…I’m flattered, and it’s a big deal. Are you sure?”

“Very sure. I do not make such offers lightly, Alex, but I feel quite sure that you would be an excellent member once you gain a great deal more experience. I also have an eye on your fellow cabal members,” he continued. “I am nor quite as sure about them. They are, like you, Proper Wizards. However, I do not know them quite as well as I do you. Thus, I will need to observe them for a longer period of time.”

“The whole cabal?’ Alex sputtered. “Holy shit.”

“Indeed?” Baelin’s goat-like eyes narrowed. “What do you say?”

“Honestly?” Alex shrugged. “I can’t answer right now. I won’t be able to answer for a long time, and I also have to talk with my cabal members. Honestly, I might have to think about it over the next century.”

The young archwizard had only caught glimpses of the chancellor’s cabal as they devastated Cretalikon. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to be among their number; so just as they would have to assess him, he would also have to assess them.

“To be honest, Baelin, I’d need to know more about your cabal-mates to even begin to think about this properly,” Alex said.

“Hah! Some of them are maniacs, like me. Especially Anaxadar. Or perhaps Cra. Sanii and Magun-Obu are far more reasonable. In any case, you answer like a Proper Wizard. It makes sense for you to learn more about us as we learn more about you.” Baelin smiled.

“Yeah, it’s a big commitment. And I’m really happy with my own cabal,” Alex said. “They’re who I imagine being in the company of over the next thousand years. But, I’ll definitely think about your offer.”

“Of course,” Baelin said. “And even if you decide not to join us, an association between our cabals would be most useful. Soon, I will help you with a potion of immortality. What will we accomplish later when we both have another thousand years of experience?”

“Hah, you mean when I have another thousand years of experience?” Alex asked. “You’re already at a pinnacle.

Baelin snorted. “Nonsense. There is no pinnacle, Alex. Do you think you are the only one focused on growing your power? Ah, the young always seem to think that their elders rest on their laurels. I have been growing in knowledge and power this entire time, my friend. I am more powerful now than I was when I first met you. I will be even more powerful next year, and the following year, and the one after that.”

“Heh,” Alex said. “I’ll catch up to you one day.”

Baelin chuckled. “This old goat knows a few tricks you don’t know yet. Although, you have inspired me. What you did…being in multiple places at once. Even I cannot accomplish such a feat.”

“See? I’ll catch up to you in no time!”

“Hah, I am not Uldar, simply waiting for you to catch me in stagnation. You can try to catch me, Alex. You can try…” Baelin’s eyes twinkled.

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“…and I must say, an eternal race with you sounds delightful. En garde, my young friend.”

“En garde.” Alex smiled back.

The young archwizard had parted ways with Baelin, and the chancellor had gone off to celebrate, and see to his many duties.

Meanwhile, Alex had his own tasks waiting.

He would have to get Uldar’s body, take Toraka’s golems back to her—and show off Claygon at the same time—then return the queen of Thameland to the capitol. After that, there would be a difficult conversation to be had between himself, the other Heroes, the high priest, and the king.

A discussion that would decide certain aspects of the kingdom’s fate going forward.

He was thinking about that future conversation—using one of his streams of thought to plan what he would say—as he greeted some of the revellers in the courtyard and searched for Claygon, Theresa and Brutus.

But before he could find them, someone else found him first.

“General! General!” a voice called out.

He turned and found someone he’d last seen under some very puzzling circumstances a while back: Sir Sean Swift of Luthering, approached, wrapped in bandages, looking pale, but otherwise whole. The man pushed through the crowd, his attention fixed on the General of Thameland with an air of desperation bleeding off him.

“Sir Sean?” Alex said, recognising the knight. “Are you alright?” He looked at the bandages. “Were you badly injured?”

“I was but, I’m not hurting much anymore.” The knight shook his head, stopping in front of Alex, and looking the General up and down. “St. Merzhin healed me…” His eyes suddenly filled with wonder. “I was cut up like a butchered fish, but he put me back together as good as new…there was a spirit with him...a young one…her face looked familiar, like I’d seen her before. But, she vanished after saying something about stopping in on her parents? It was all a bit too much for me.”

He shook his head. The man looked tired and more than a little overwhelmed. “Anyway, enough of all that. I didn’t come over here to talk about that. I came here to…”

The knight bowed.

“…apologise. I’d written you off at one time: I saw you as a Fool and a deserter. But, I was wrong. Fewer men have ever drawn breath that have been more wrong about someone than me. The Saint told me of what happened and, if it weren’t for you, General, I would be long dead and Thameland would be doomed. Again, I apologise…and thank you. Thank you for freeing us. I’ll make sure that—for as long as I am in command in Luthering—you’ll be honoured. I’m not one for gushing, so…I’ll leave it at that. You’re a good man, and again, my apologies for writing you off the way I did.”

The knight’s bow dipped even lower, then he turned on his heel and walked away.

Alex didn’t even get a chance to reply before he was gone, leaving him to watch his back as it disappeared among the crowd.

‘Would be nice if more people could be like that,’ Alex thought. ‘Swallow their pride and admit fault. Imagine if the hidden church had people in it like that? We probably would have avoided a lot of violence.’

The General of Thameland looked up, studying the clear sky.

“Well, we don’t have to worry about them anymore,” he whispered. “It’s a new day. A brand new day.”

“Toraka, I just want to thank you for your gole—Oof!” Alex grunted as therabid crafter pushed past him, nearly sending him crashing into one of her golems. The towering constructs stood silently in her courtyard under the morning sun.

None had even the slightest scratch on their surfaces, despite doing their duty and saving many lives.

Alex had teleported with them and Claygon, and was about to talk to Shale to thank her for her contribution to the battle, when she’d bolted by, nearly foaming at the mouth, and shoved him aside to spring at Claygon.

“Another evolution?” her voice cracked. “You went beyond iron?”

“Yes…” Claygon said. “Yes…I did…”

“Wha…” she stammered, gesticulating wildly. “This is…how can this be? I’ve never heard of such an evolution? This is steel…and what is this?...dungeon core substance? Are you basically a living golem core now? What new powers did you get? How do you feel?”

Alex marvelled as his business partner peppered Claygon with questions.

“I…evolved into…this unique form…because…I was capable of it…” Claygon leaned forward. “Golems…might…surprise you…so maybe do not write them off…so easily…as…simple…mindless things…in the future.”

Shale froze, then let out a nervous, high-pitched laugh.

“I s-suppose golems are full of surprises…but enough of that!” she cried, leaning forward. “I have so many questions for you, first of all, your mana output—”

‘Father…get me out of here…’ Claygon spoke in his mind.

Alex laughed through their link. ‘What’s wrong, you just beat the hells out of the Ravener, you can’t save yourself here?’

‘Father!’

‘Okay, fine!’

Alex cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Toraka, I’m afraid we’re going to have to get going.”

“Really?” her eyes filled with crushing disappointment. “Just a few more questions! No wait, just let me get one of my measuring instruments-”

“Maybe later,” Alex said. “We have to go get the queen of Thameland and take her back home, then there’s a lot more stuff we have to do. You and I can chat about what happened later.”

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“We’d better!” Toraka said, her eyes bloodshot. “This is an incredible discovery. Claygon, I can’t wait to get a better look at you! It’ll make our future designs…ah... Alex, there’s going to be a limited supply of dungeon core essence going forward, so we should hurry and claim as much as we can.”

Alex looked at Claygon, who was giving off waves of amusement through their link.

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Alex winked at Shale.

“...why not?”

“Like I said, don’t worry about it.” he winked again.

“Would you…care to be more specific, partner?”

“Don’t worry about specifics for now.” Alex winked a third time.

“...gods, you can be weird.”

“Huh…you sound like Selina.”

The doors burst open to the villa before they could even knock.

Standing in the courtyard were Alex, Claygon, Theresa and Brutus, there to fetch the queen and prince and take them back home…but not only that.

There were reunions to be had.

“Aleeex! Theresa! Claygon! Brutus!” Joy and tears filled Selina’s eyes. The young girl shook with excitement; she was not one to cry often anymore, but tears of happiness were now running freely down her face.

“You’re all alive!” She rushed to Alex, wrapping him in a tight hug. “You’re all alive! You’re all alive!” She repeated the phrase like a chant.

Alex laughed, hugging his little sister as Theresa and Claygon moved in to hug her too.

Brutus nuzzled her side.

“We’re more than alive,” Theresa said happily. “We won. Forever. The Ravener will never hurt our kingdom again!”

“Thank the Traveller!” Selina cried. “It’s done, it’s finally done!”

“It sure is,” Alex said.

“I can’t believe it…it feels like such a long time ago that we were leaving Alric together, just the four of us. You weren’t even born yet, Claygon. We got through the Cave of the Traveller and made it to the Rhinean Empire…then we found our home here. Now, the reason we left Thameland is over. No more running. No more fighting the Ravener. No more of our friends getting hurt or dying. You finally did it! You stopped all of it!”

She hugged him even tighter, and just sobbed.

Alex found tears welling up in his eyes.

She was right. They really had done it.

After all this time, it was all finished.

It was the end to the darkest chapters in Thameland’s history…but it was also a new beginning. Not only for Thameland, but for him as well, and for the first time since he had gotten the Mark, he was well and truly free.

No more responsibility to any wars. No more Ravener-spawn hunting him and his family. He listened to the sounds of the Lus and the queen of Thameland rushing to the villa door.

There would be more reunions.

More tears.

The discussion with the king.

After that?

Well, he was looking forward to what was to come.

The potion of immortality. Living their lives in Generasi. Rebuilding the kingdom.

His and Theresa’s wedding.

Good times were coming.

And he was going to enjoy the hells out of them.