The Painting of Destiny

"Are you sure of this, Navan?"
The old pirate stared at King Mannas' chief merchant. However, his bright emerald green eyes sparkled with laughter.
"The information came from Daoud, one of my former crew members, when I was ravaging the coastal villages of Vyrone."
Navan smiled at the expression crossing Gerrod's face, whose family had fled from one of these villages. The Iron Falcon was a legend and parents had always used the threat of its crew and its flaming-haired captain to scare naughty children into sleeping and behaving differently.
Gerrod quickly recovered and smiled. "Then he must be a man to be trusted, indeed."
"Ah!" cried Navan. "Daoud will take the coin from the mouth of a dead man while it is still warm. I trust him only because he knows the fate of him who lies to me."
I may have made him captain when I decided to infiltrate King Mannas' court, but he still knows who is in charge.
"We must tell the king at once. I do not know if he believes that a brush can end the reign of Althar.
"Don't worry, Gerrod. I tell him. Courtiers are as easy to find as breathing. The king knows I always tell him the truth out of loyalty, concern, or curiosity to see what happens next. »
-----
Gerrod stopped his horse beside Navan.
"It is not our business. King Mannas has given us only three days to reach Silek and three more to get his help."
A quarter of a mile away, a platoon of cavalry in Duke Nahem's colors attempted to surround and harass a group of nomads. "Tomorrow we will be in Silek, whether we stop or not. Besides, aren't their subjects members of this wandering tribe?"
"Hardly. The vagabonds avoid most contact with the kingdom's officials, especially the game wardens. We don't even know how many there are in the kingdom."
"This band displays the red and gold flag of our king; that means they show loyalty to him, pay him their tribute, and can expect protection and justice. Just like us."
Gerrod stared at Navan for a moment, then began to shake his head. "I always forget that, for a pirate, he understands the law better than many people in court."
"Years of breaking the law make me better at enforcing it, especially when it allows me to destroy Duke Nahem's men."
Nahem, the son of the late King Loren, had come to power in the Kingdom of Nytek several months ago after the disappearance of his half-sister, Princess Lilah. He could not declare himself king because he was born to a servant and not to Lilah's mother, Queen Myrlee, through whom he passed the line of descent.
This did not prevent the queen from being placed in solitary confinement until she agreed to change the law. Even Nahem took advantage of the situation to cross Nytek's borders.
“I cannot find an argument against your reasoning, Navan. Although, to be honest, I didn't make much of an effort. »
"Don't try and do the king's law!" »
Navani motioned for the company to advance and then ordered the horse to gallop towards Nahem's men.
In any case, the fighting stopped abruptly when Manna's forces arrived. Navan began to think they were expected. Three men from the cavalry platoon came as they approached. One of them got close enough to knock Navan's horse over. "These are the Duke's lands," said a man, pointing to a nearby ditch. "His sign is clear."
"The border has always been the river a day's journey from here, just before it enters the Green Plain," said Gerrod in his most fervent voice.
"Changes are coming. Go back to Mannas and tell him."
"Watch our tone, boy. Your little duke is no match for the king," Navan warned. "It won't be long before he comes."
"Not today." As Navan spoke, he raised his sword from his left hip to quickly leave a deep gash in the throat of the Duke's soldier. Before the other two could respond, arrows knocked them from their saddles and they landed dead on the ground. The rest of the platoon, already few in number, remained where they were.
"Please inform Duke Nahem that we understand that the cabin has been misplaced." Gerrod continued to speak in the same voice as before. "Assure him that he will not need to send anyone to retrieve it. We will gladly take care of it for you. »
To his credit, the Nahem soldier didn't flinch as he grabbed the reins and turned to walk at a pace barely faster than a normal trot. In any case, as soon as they arrived in their platoon, they set off as fast as their horses could carry them.
The tribal leader of the Wanderers' group waved his hand in thanks as his men left the company.
"Nasty boy," said Gerrod.
“He probably thinks we're going to ask for some kind of tribute. I would have asked him when I was captain of the Iron Hawk. »
-----
"A search of your quarters turned up this." Silek, the wizard of the green fields, held a sheaf of letters, correspondence between his chief of staff, Kayn, and the spy of the kingdom of Althar.
"You were my most loyal servant, Kayn. I gave you years beyond a normal life and a wealth second only to royalty. You should have had more faith in me."
- Please, master! Please don't..." Qayn's last words disappeared, along with the top of his head, in a mist of blood.
Silek spoke to his servant, who looked quite ill, but still on his feet.
"You are now my chief of staff, Talnos. Let your predecessor clean the floor and tell the kitchen staff to start preparing for a large number of guests. They will arrive in time for dinner tomorrow. »
-----
Their scout was waiting for them as the Althar company approached Silek's house.
"Is Silek ready for a siege?" asked Navan.
"No. The gates are open. The servants are waiting in the walls with food and water for us and the horses."
"What do you think, Navan?" Gerrod asked. "I think the king's agent in Silek's house is dead or a traitor, and now we must go and put our heads in the lion's mouth."
"That doesn't surprise me, but a wizard's door opens like a tavern door? That makes me nervous."
"I knew a man in a traveling show who put his head in the lion's mouth as part of his act," Navan recalls.
"How did he stop the lion from biting his head off?"
"He wore an iron collar with a pointed end."
"Maybe we should ask him for help."
"It won't do you any good; he died two years ago."
"Old age?"
"No, the lion finally realized that all he had to do was back up a few inches and bite his head off in the upper jaw. »
"What's this story got to do with us?!" »
"It reminds us that a lion is still a lion, even if you call it a house cat and make it wear a funny hat."
"So?" You're trying to accompany Silek while you stab him in the back at the first opportunity?"
Navan looked at Gerrod in mock surprise.
"I think you're starting to think like a pirate, Gerrod."
-----
"I've been following these stories for a hundred and fifty years. Somehow Nahem learned what I learned. I suspect Qayn was in his service as well as yours, Gerrod.”
Navan rolled his eyes at this, but Gerrod nodded. He had grown up with stories of how wizards could extend their lives through magic.
“Why have these stories never been heard outside the Green Plains until now?” the spy asked.
“My theory is that the brushes need time to regain their strength after each use. Otherwise, there would be a constant stream of crazy adventurers trying to prove that they had a kingdom, an army, and a funny bread woman to go with them. »
Navan crossed his arms and laughed.
"It seems to be somewhat true. However, to think that the almighty wizard Silek..."
"I'm a wizard, not a magician!" »
"Why do you need us?" Gerrod interrupted.
"I cannot enter the temple where he is hidden."
"Then you need a complete man at your service."
Silek jumps, but remains calm. Only wizards could manipulate magic without totems or other tools. Stories were common that anyone who could do so had a non-human ancestor somewhere in their lineage. No one knew for sure, but most wizards were still offended.
"Speak carefully, pirate. You mustn't be so eager to die."
"I am already destined to die at seventy. Your words mean nothing."
Silek looked at Navan, muttered a few words and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Seventy years exactly. How do you know? »
"My mother foretold it when she gave birth to me. This is a common occurrence among my people."
"Event. Now, do you want to turn the bush around so you can destroy it before Nahem uses it to destroy us all?"
"Of course," replied Navan. “Before that, you must pass a restriction spell. More specifically, they agreed not to attack anyone in our company or take the brush after I removed them from the temple. »
“How do you know what spell I’m going to cast?” »
“I’ll write it for you,” Gerrod replied before Navan could speak.
“Of course,” Silek said. “No doubt your spy learned this in his secret messages before he executed it.”
The wizard rose carefully to leave.
“Watch your food. We’ll talk tomorrow morning.”
After they left, Navan stared at the setting sun, but he spoke to Gerrod. - So you're the king's spy. »
"Yes."
"That makes sense. A few years ago, the Iron Hawk found this little soldier with the true title lost on the coast. He's leaving the city."
Gerrod shook his head.
"I knew he was lying about that. He couldn't prove it without torture, and the king refused to allow it."
"I think you've already written the spell."
"Yes, Navan. Silek can't move against us even after removing it. »
"Look carefully, though. If anyone knows more about deception than a master spy, it's a magician."
"If you pause a little too much between words, I have three archers ready to stick the arrows blessed by the High Priest. Eye, throat and heart at the same time."
"That will do." Navan nodded.
-----
The company left the next morning. Two days later, they arrived at the temple. Silek carefully examined the protection spells and removed them. Finally, he read the spell created by Gerrod.
"Happy now?"
"Not until I pick up that brush and watch him destroy it."
Navan entered the temple with a dozen men. Around them, the traps were already lit and the bodies of the inhuman creatures filled the path to the altar. As Silek had told him, the brush was in a pot with others that looked like him. The only difference was an old stain of what looked like blue paint on the neck where the hair had been attached. He quickly pulled it out and waved at them all.
"Hurry up everyone. This is too easy for my liking."
They came out to find everyone frozen in place. Navan had time to remove his sword before Silek paralyzed him and his men. The wizard approached Navan and whispered a few words.
"Now you can talk."
"How did he break your spell?" »
"I didn't. I said I wouldn't take you to paint a new destiny." Silek smiled and waited for Navan to join him.
"The brush does not paint the destiny of man; it makes another."
"Great Navan!" I will remove the magic so you can watch me demonstrate. No, I feel generous. I will release all but Gerrod's archers."
Silek cast his spell, then caught the bristles of the brush that fell from his hand. Then he began to walk, dropping a hair every seven feet. Five rows of ten hairs fell out and he turned to stand beside Navan. Gerrod and everyone else retreated.
"I think you'll like this."
Silek raised his arms and began to speak in a whisper that eventually turned into a roar. As he finally lowered his arms, the ground bubbled up where a silk had sunk deep into the ground. The biggest horses Navan had ever seen came out of every hole. Everyone stood ready, nostrils flared and eyes flashed an intense blue.
"Infernal Rising!" said the companions almost in unison. The legendary beasts were not seen for over a century, but their legend was known throughout the Southern Kingdoms. Each of them could run twice as fast as an ordinary horse from sunrise to sunset. Some said they weren't kidding about the arrows.
"Why aren't they running like crazy?" asked Navan.
"They were created on the Green Plains, not the Hell Pits as the legend has it. They are controllable, but only that."
When Silek holds the handle of the brush, it stretches and changes color. When he was done, Silek handed Navan a crust covered in inscribed symbols that glowed the same strange blue as the Hellsteeds' eyes.
"Why are you doing this?"
"This is my revenge on Duke Nahem."
"So he already killed Lilah."
"No, she's Myrlee's daughter. Which means she's my niece."
Gerrod nodded in understanding.
"You helped him disappear."
“Yes, Nahemi is a danger to everyone. I told the whole truth when I said he had learned the secret of the brush. »
Navan laughed at the revelation.
“You know what that means, don’t you?” »
“I will be seen as a defender of the royal line and die a hero?” »
“What does dying mean?” Gerrod asked.
“Magic is connected to the life of one who raises the horses of hell. I think that will be the end of me once I find them on earth.” »
“I made sure everyone knew of your bravery and your bravery,” Navan replied.
“Mother always said you would have a bad end. I see now that she was right. »
Navan shook his head.
"Most men would give anything to be remembered as a hero, but not you."
"Enjoy the last laugh, pirate; just do me a favor. »
"What is this?"
"After I die, burn my body to ashes and then burn another day."
"To avoid a living death. Gerrod thought.
"Yeah, I have plenty of enemies that turn me into a vampire just for a laugh." The destruction also prevents a wizard or sorcerer from using my corpse in their spells and talismans. »
"Don't worry, Silek. I will do this task myself." Navan promised. "END. Now let's save my daughter's kingdom."
Many years later
- Tell us again, father! Tell us about the Celestial Herd!"
"My friend and hero of the Green Plains, the brave Silek, discovered that a brush that was supposed to paint the future was actually the tool to bring the horses of the Celestial Herd of Titus to our world, where they helped me, God. the High. Gerrod and other heroes of King Mannas to defeat the usurper Duke Nahem and bring peace to the Kingdom of Nytek."
Daoud watched and listened as King Navan finished the story. After the children left, he spoke.
"Celestial balls, my king?"
"I began to change history with this new generation. Silek deserved better and my changes also hide his connection to Queen Lilah." Navan replied. "You know if he had been near the throne more often, Daoud."
"True, but my role as the king's trade minister keeps me busy traveling to interesting places around the kingdom."
"Ten seasons as a member of the royal court and you can't stop complaining."
"If I stop complaining, you'll know I've joined a younger, prettier pirate."
"Younger, yes. It is not possible to be more beautiful."
Daoud shook his head and got up to go.
"I have to get to the docks before my men start fleeing the ship and I have to get them out of the taverns. Tell Queen Lilah and King Gerrod good luck when you see them next."
"Hidden messages for your old mentor?"
"No one this time." With a gleam in his eyes, Daoud greeted with the wrong hand.
"Farewell, my king."
"You say that without the usual sarcasm, Daoud."
"That's because he looks like a king now, not a pirate who fell on another man's throne." What we were in our youth, this is what an intelligent person can see as your future. »
"Flatter, Daoud? Since when do you deal with such practices?"
"Ten years at the Royal Court taught me enough bad habits to replace the old ones."
"Okay! Now go make us both richer than you ever imagined Iron Hawk."
"I thought he was protecting the kingdom."
"You can do both."
-----
In the evening, Navan went to his private meeting room after everyone had fallen asleep. After closing the door, he gestured with his left hand to his right and said two words in a language he could not read until a few days ago. Bright yellow flames burned coldly on both hands as he walked towards a piled but extinguished fire. »
"When I die now at the age of seventy, I wonder what will happen to this body."
With a quick wave of his hands, Navan ignited the wood, reducing it to almost complete ash in an instant. He looked in the mirror hanging on the wall opposite his chair, noting again that his hairline had changed to include a widow's peak and his eyes had darkened from emerald green to black.
"If you'll listen to me, Silek, this is a good joke to play on your enemies, assuming I don't kill them all."

By Omnipotent