14. The false Jester

PROLOGUE | STOLEN MOON | WANING CRESCENT | SACRED SANDS | FALLEN SELENE | EPILOGUE

The False Jester

The King and the others gather at the walls to the city where the Jester is standing on the bridge in front of the gates. A horse is near him but he is otherwise alone. The soldiers were still bringing everyone into the city and the gates had not been raised. The Jester greets the King.

Donofrey starts by stating that the countryside of Selene is beautiful as he had not been able to admire it the last time he was there. The King asks what he wants. Donofrey states that he has come to negotiate. He wants Aletheia and nothing else. He had thought about taking the city but asks why. There is only one thing in Selene worth such an endeavor and Aletheia alone is worth one hundred cities. He will not move on Selene and the people will be safe.

The King responds that the Princess is not collateral to be bartered with. The Jester agrees and states that he has learned more about himself since he met Aletheia than all the years he has been alive. He states that he wishes to court the Princess. The King then tells him that even if he could be trusted, he would never give up his own daughter. The Jester responds that he had requested an audience with the King who did not even speak to him face to face. He warns the King that he could always take her by force right now and none could stop him. However, he states that he will show both the King and Aletheia that he is worthy of being her suitor. He will take the Kingdom of Selene as his own. He then mounts his horse and rides off.

Aletheia tells the King that his forces must not engage the Trionfi in the field. The Trionfi forces have advanced weaponry that she has seen first hand. John then suggests that they must retreat inside of the city until Sam returns. The Marshal asks his councilors the amount of provisions and foodstuffs they have in the city. The Constable protests that they have yet to fully harvest their crops and believes they would not last a siege. They need to strike immediately before the Trionfi are ready.

John tells them that the Black Jester is an invincible Champion and cannot be harmed. Both he and Aletheia have seen what he is capable of. Aletheia states that they may outlast the attack but they cannot defeat the Jester. John states that only Sam or Aletheia can defeat the Jester as they are the only true Champions. The King says that he will not allow Aletheia to fight but she objects to this saying that she has faced him before. John continues saying that he would never think to put Aletheia in harms way. Sam knows of a way to defeat him with his Alchemy. He can create a device called an Artifact that can defeat him.

The Marshal responds by asking John how far away Sam and the others are. John admits that they have been informed of the situation and could make it back in a few weeks.

The Constable addresses the King that there is no time to prepare for a siege. The Constable requests that the King let him organize a preemptive strike on the Trionfi while they are not prepared for it. John and Aletheia protest but the Constable tells him to remember his place. He tells him that they do not need a High Champion with powers to fight their battles. True strength comes from brave men. The Marshal and Chancellor agree with the Constable. The King is silent but then gives the Constable the order for a preemptive attack on the Trionfi.

The Hawk Above

John rides through Skyvale looking for any other people to relocate them inside the walls of Selene. It had been two days since the Constable left with soldiers to ambush the Trionfi. John and several soldiers have checked the last houses and decide to return to the city. As they begin to depart, they hear a horse behind them running at full speed. John stops it but sees that it is dragging the lifeless body of the Constable. John yells that they need to return to the city now as two soldiers are hit with arrows in the chest.

John sees that the arrows are being shot from the trees across the field. John dives through the window of a shop to escape the hail of arrows. He finds a shield hanging on the wall and grabs it. He then runs out of the shop and jumps on his horse, shielding his head as he goes. He rides back to the gates of Selene as the soldiers on horseback begin to pour out of the forest heading toward Skyvale. John makes it to the gates and the drawbridge is raised behind him.

Aletheia is helping the people of Selene settle into their homes as John rides past. The king is preparing soldiers in the square as horns bellow indicating the arrival of the Trionfi. John rides up stating that the attack failed and the Constable didn't make it. The King curses them and orders the soldiers to their posts. Aletheia approaches and tells them that it is possible that their full force had not arrived yet as there were few Trionfi at Silvayne Manor.

The King scolds her why she is not at the Crescent Keep but she ignores this. John asks her what she means and Aletheia says that the full force of the Trionfi had been summoned but had not yet arrived when she was at the Manor. John speculates that their full force could not be there and they may have a chance. The King tells Aletheia to go back to the Keep as he heads toward the battlements. John thanks her for her kind words earlier. He asks if she truly believes them. She states that she believes in him. There is a small moment between them. John begins to leave when Aletheia sees a hawk in the distance. It is coming from the South and is approaching the city. Aletheia whistles and the hawk lands on a perch with a message. Aletheia takes it and summarizes to John. It is from Sam stating that he has three Artifacts imbued with his own power of Alchemy that they can use. He had made notes with a list of chemical ingredients for creating an explosive solid naptha called Dark Powder.

John recalls that Sam had shown him the process earlier that year. Aletheia posits that it is something they could use. John tells her that with the Artifacts and notes they can create a flame large enough to take out the Trionfi's weaponry leaving the attackers without their biggest advantage. Aletheia says that she will get the items and she makes for the Crescent Keep. John reaches the outer wall and looks out into the field where a large Trebuchet is being assembled.