Bloodflowers Bloom (The Astral Wanderer Book 2), D'Artagnan Rey [essential reading .txt] 📗

“Not quite,” Wulfsun interjected. “They are run by a separate council now, which is made up of members from all kingdoms and even several realms.”

“Have you ever made the attempt, Wulfsun?” Devol asked.

The Templar captain nodded, slid his hand into his jacket, and produced a badge that he held out for the trio to see. “A handful of us here in the order have. In fact, a few of that number are in this room.”

Freki retrieved his marker from the front pocket of his jacket. Vaust whipped his cloak over his shoulder and pointed to his marker that was attached to his tunic and almost blended into the dark fabric. The three young magi looked at Zier, who simply shrugged. “I had no use for one.”

Jazai rolled his eyes. “Well, it makes you stand out at this moment.”

The dryad nodded. “Perhaps, but it is something to consider as Madame Nauru continues her explanation. You may know the trials by reputation—one that is rather grim. Do consider the possibilities she is about to tell you about but also consider if they are worth it to you.”

Devol looked at the grand mistress. “What does one of these markers do?”

“They allow a freedom most cannot find in not only the kingdoms but several of the realms,” she stated. “The reputation from the trials is well earned and as such, great weight is carried by those markers. If you have one, I am sure any guild in the kingdom would be willing for you to join them at your request. They act as passports for travel to any kingdom and several of the realms. You will be given access to numerous special storehouses and inns for supplies and shelter and have the opportunity to take on secret missions—ones that bring rewards of great riches that can only be taken by those with oblivion markers.”

“You could also simply sell them,” Wulfsun admitted, flipped his in the air, and caught it. “Many collectors would pay more than their weight in cobalt to have one of these. I’m not sure why but the jewel in the middle of the marker is diament. It is another one of the few materials that can harness mana.” He held the badge again out and let a trickle of his mana flow into it. The jewel created silver lines around the darkness of the black material and formed into a rose-shaped pattern. “It only reacts to the owner’s mana, even if it is stolen or traded, so it’s not like they can get any use out of them. But some people simply like having rare things, I suppose.”

“And on top of that, they give you a fair amount of leeway with the law,” Vaust continued as he tucked his cloak into its usual folds. “Those secret missions can also include political ones or even sanctioned killing. As such, there are certain things those who have a marker can get away with without recourse, thanks to special sanctions given to those who succeed in the trials.”

“Which is part of the danger,” Nauru admitted. “The trials today include more than only adventurers and soldiers. Thieves, assassins, dark magi, and many more often enter, looking to gain a badge for sinister reasons. You will compete against them for one of the markers should you choose to pursue this course.”

Devol nodded and considered everything he’d heard before he asked, “What would we have to do? You said we were only nearly there, right?” Asla and Jazai seemed similarly interested if more uneasy about the prospect.

Nauru looked at Wulfsun, who nodded as he put his marker away. “That is correct. Although it was not intended, your first mission together became what is known as a red-marked mission due to the circumstances. This was also true for the one you completed now.”

“I see,” Asla said. She glanced at Freki, then Vaust. “Is that why you sent observers?”

“Indeed, although in the case of the mission in Rouxwoods, that was simply because of the contents of the package. We did not know about the thieves who wanted to acquire it.” The grand mistress spoke with a hint of sorrow in her tone. “But we want one more test to confirm your preparation and…well, for assistance.” She turned to them and rested a hand on Wulfsun’s shoulder. “And this time, you will not be shadowed. Instead, you will be under the command of the good captain.”

Wulfsun looked at the three friends with a massive grin.

Jazai ran a hand through his hair and sighed in frustration. “Well, I suppose that is one way to make me prefer being watched. Being babysat.”

Chapter Nine

“So Wulfsun will be leading us?” Asla asked and looked at her mentor, whose eyes narrowed at the Templar captain. “Are we his soldiers then?”

“You are my comrades, as always!” Wulfsun declared. When they regarded him dubiously, he shrugged and opened his hands expansively and somewhat apologetically. “It is only that…well, the current circumstances are peculiar and I have the most experience in our little troop.”

Devol folded his arms and fixed the man with a look that bordered on contempt. “When I asked to be your apprentice, you gave me the run around when I thought you would be on board. What changed now?”

The older Templar grumbled and shook his head. “This isn’t about that, lad! This is about the mission and assessing your skills in the field.” He smiled encouragingly and nudged Nauru. “And remember what one of my conditions was?”

“You gave me several,” Devol recalled.

Wulfsun rolled an eye, “The big one, lad. The one I said I couldn’t overlook.”

“Oh, right. Permission from my parents.” The boy sighed and recalled the rather in-depth conversation the two had on the topic when he brought it up. He thought that since they had sent him to the Templars in the first place and he was only a year away from being able to enlist in the guard without permission, he should have the