Loopbreaker

[ Status ]

Francis Lancaster

Age 17

Strength: 29

Endurance: 31

Agility: 29

Wisdom: 15

Perception: 21

Magic: 10

Skills

Swordsmanship (Common) - 53 Advanced

Shield Use (Common) - 39 Proficient

Tracking (Uncommon) - 11 Novice

Stealth (Uncommon) - 11 Novice

Traps (Uncommon) - 3 Basic

Rock Throwing (Common) - 7 Basic

Mental Resist (Uncommon) - 25 Novice

Blood of the Undying (Unknown)- 100+ Sage

Fast Learner (Epic) - 1 Basic (Locked)

Mace (Common) - 6 Basic

Horseback Riding (Common)- 8 Basic

Horseback Handling (Uncommon) - 6 Basic

Pain Resistance (Uncommon) - 33 Proficient

Poison Resistance (Rare) - 13 Basic

Power Strike (Rare) - 9 Basic

Brawling (Uncommon) - 25 Proficient

Strong Bones (Rare) - 19 Novice

Death’s Dance (Epic) - 3 Basic

Francis smiled as Stenson sat there, listening to him tell the story again.

“So, it appears you learned what I’m assuming I attempted to do in your previous attempt.”

“That you’re all alone and fighting not just the beasts across the battlefield but also against the advisors in the tent?” Francis replied.

Stenson nodded and sighed for a moment. “And many more enemies,” the general replied. He started to chuckle and then shook his head. He closed his eyes and tapped his chin.

“Should I ask what is funny?” Francis asked, a little confused.

“You can, and I’ll tell you but the truth is it’s only funny to me most likely.” Opening his eyes, the older man studied him. “I’m trying to think about what I must have thought when we had this conversation. After everyone you mentioned and the names you gave, I know what you say is true far more than I could have imagined last time. Which means I did send you there to get a crash course on our kingdom and the problem we face.

“That Concord of Staves no one talks about… I was there. I was young. Over three hundred years ago, I watched the destruction that took place when the battlemages who went rogue wiped out two bloodlines. We were on the verge of civil war, mages against mages, warriors against warriors when an agreement was finally made.”

Stenson shifted and frowned. “As strong as I am, from a distance a mage can kill me. They know this. I know this. Even the weakest one we have can cast spells that could end my life if I wasn’t careful. The flip side is that they know that without warriors, they are weak when they sleep or aren’t aware of someone with a bow or able to sneak up on them.

“Sure some can summon shields and maintain them for long periods, but trust me, most of them have to sleep at some point. Yet none of them wanted to be at the beck and call of a King, ordered to kill a fellow mage because they did what they felt was deserved.”

“Was it deserved?” Francis asked. He was excited to hear something concrete about the Concord. His books mainly discussed its meaning, not why it had been made.

“Yes and no… but none of that matters,” Stenson replied. “King Baxter’s father, King William, saw the danger of the situation and made a choice. He offered the mages a deal. Help put down the rogue ones, and in return, they could refuse a call to arms unless two-thirds of the Council of Nine Staves approve.

“He offered them freedom in exchange for saving the lives of countless others. They still pay taxes and have other obligations to the kingdom, but it allowed them to resist the summons no one else can.”

“I don’t understand why he didn’t just make them help?” Francis replied. “I mean, surely he was strong enough if he’s the king.”

Stenson snorted, shaking his head. “Being King doesn’t mean you go around killing everyone without impunity. Do that too often and everyone will rise against you. At that point, you would have to be the strongest in the kingdom to hold back those who would come at you. No… that was about the last time most grandmasters got involved in politics and outright war. They agreed that the decision not to interfere was the best place for the kingdom. Had they become involved and found themselves on opposite sides of each other… the damage they would have done is… hard to describe.”

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Stenson paused, picked up a cup, and flicked the water around the room. “Like my drink, towns would be wiped out with a single spell. Armies would be cut down by a single blade. As skilled as I am, my master would dance around me like your father danced around you.”

Both of them sat there momentarily in silence, and Francis tried to consider the true power of a grand master. All the stories he had heard seemed impossible, yet now, hearing what Stenson had just said, it seemed there was truth to those tales.

“That tiger-kin that kills you… Would it be grandmaster?” Francis asked.

The general frowned and took a moment, eyes twitching as his head moved slightly.

“I would say probably not, because you said I injured it. It would most likely be close to a grandmaster rank in power, but it's not quite there yet. If I had to guess, there is probably another creature or beast that is stronger than it. Even though you believe I’m the strongest here, I’m not. Strength isn’t measured just by their stats or skills. Destruction-wise, Priscilla is a bigger threat than I am.”

“And yet she does nothing,” Francis stated.

“No. She waits. She’s the trump card that is held back. If things come to a point and she has to get involved, she will, but remember she is here when other mages aren’t. Why do you think that is the case?”

“You mentioned she was bound to the king,” Francis replied. “What does that mean?”

A smile grew as the general reached for his cup.

“King William made one clause in the Concord for himself. He was wise and shrewd. The Council had always to give one Master Mage to accompany the king and any future one. Bound by an oath to assist when asked but still able to choose not to cast unless the king's life was in danger.”

“And it isn’t?” Francis asked, his mind trying to understand how such logic worked. “I mean, there is a war and if the kingdom loses, then Baxter’s life is in danger.”

“I do hate when you so casually use his name like that,” Stenson replied. “Still, his life isn’t in danger from her point of view. There is a powerful spell on her and she must help when the time comes, but tell me, if the battle is lost, the army is destroyed, and the king is forced to return to Caereenal, then what? What happens to a king when the kingdom is lost?”

Lines began to connect, and Francis understood what was happening. “There would be a new king and those nobles and families whose children were trained by the spire would follow that path.”

Stenson nodded only once. “To speak of that out loud is to ask to be silenced. That is why the instructors at the Spire silenced you. It is also why they did not like that you had my blessing or the king's. Only a few are still loyal to me, willing to dance between the fires that rage around them, doing what they can to ensure the growth of any who come, so that a piece of the Kingdom of Reevotort remains.”

Groaning, Francis rubbed his face a few times. “This… all got way worse. It’s not just keeping Michael alive or a single battle. Now I have to stop my father, and a whole kingdom?”

“No. The kingdom side isn’t what you need to worry about right now. If you get strong enough to do the first three, you can choose a side then. Until then, just learn and become stronger. Find who you can trust and who you can’t. You, Francis, can learn more about those you meet than anyone else. For instance, you’ve spoken with me three times now about this matter and multiple other times before. Has my personality changed at all? Do I do things any different?”

“No.”

A smile and a nod came at Francis’ reply.

“Thank you. That means more to me than you might realize,” Stenson said. “I try to ensure I am who I am at all times. Now you must find out who is the same way. When your power grows and you become a different threat or a new potential ally, see who changes.”

“And you don’t think you ever will?”

Laughing, Stenson shrugged. “I pray I do not. All I care about is this kingdom winning this war. You have shown yourself attempting to accomplish the same thing for your own reasons. As such, I have always acted one way. Now, if you came and threatened the kingdom, me or a few others, you would find I would act differently, yet not change who I am.”

Francis rose and held out his hand. “Thank you for being who you are every time.”

As the general shook it, the older man cocked his head to one side. “You’ve got something on your mind. A plan?”

“I do. Send just me this time to the Caereenal. Keep Michael here. While I understand you can’t guarantee his safety in the middle of a battlefield, I believe you will be far more likely to do so than at the Spire.”

“So, you do listen and learn. I already told you this, didn’t I?”

“Yes,” Francis replied, sighing. “Still, I’m a bit stubborn, hard-headed and temperamental according to my father.”

Stenson put his hand on Francis’s shoulder and squeezed. “Listen to me, Son,” the older man said, emphasizing the last word. “That noble doesn’t realize the man standing before me. I would take a dozen of you and charge into any battle because I know the mettle of your soul. You, Francis Lancaster, are a warrior, a friend and a brother. Any man with half a brain would be proud to call you his son.”

Francis blinked, trying to stop the tears that started to appear and Stenson smiled, shaking his head.

“It’s okay to cry. Trust me, I’ve done it hundreds of times. There is nothing wrong with tears. They are only wrong when one cries and doesn’t change. As my father used to say, if you’re tired of smelling like crap, stop living in it.”

Francis wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand and nodded. “I guess it’s time to go clean out the Spires.”

“Go, clean them out and have fun. Just remember, each time you die, I’m here.”

***

[ Mental Resist Successful ]

Francis smiled as Avelis Crestfall looked at him, her head cocked sideways, and her blue eyes lost the glow they had just had.

“Do you always start every conversation with mental manipulation?” Francis asked. “If you ask me, that’s quite rude.”

Her lip twitched, and she shook her head.

“Impressive. Surely this must be one of the reasons the General has put his seal on this letter. Tell me. Is the hair natural or colored?”

“I’m a Lancaster in name only. Open the letter, you’ll find what it says to be… inspiring.”

She snorted, and yet Francis could see her eyes narrow as she did as he had told her to. Crow's feet appeared at the corners of her eyes as she took in the last few lines that Stenson had shown him.

*****

… Know that Francis is gifted and I would call him my son. To any who might think of hurting him, make sure they understand that such an action would be as if they attacked me or my family. You know my place is here on the battlefield, but I would leave it for him.

*****

“Well… I guess we should get you settled in,” Avelis said. “Tell me, is there anything I can help you with?”

“I’d rather keep the drama between my brothers and me as quiet as possible. Perhaps if you spoke to them individually or together and explained the potential ramifications of such acts, they might find a way to leave me alone so that I do not have to cause problems that will most definitely summon Lord Lancaster.”

“A wise request,” Avelis replied. “I will ensure that happens. Now then, if you would, Kaelith can assist you in finding a place to stay.”

He gave a slight bow and smiled. “Thank you for your help. I’ll make sure to mention this to General Stenson the next time I speak with him.”

The slightly glimmer in her eyes returned and she gave a slight nod of her head. “Thank you, Mr. Lancaster. Be safe and welcome to the Spires.”

He spun on his heel and moved through the rows of bookshelves, smiling as the door opened and knew Stenson was right.

Everyone here has multiple faces… all I have to do now is find out which ones are worth trusting.