Chapter 1

Murder Most Foul

Lady Seneca moved to her window in the upper balcony. In the dark, she couldn’t see what had made the sound. The breeze fluttered her nightgown partly open. She thought she saw movement but wasn’t sure.

Again, something scraped briefly along the outer wall of the villa estate where she lived. Moments later, several small thuds sounded, like an objects being dropped.

She opened the hardwood chamber doors leading to her suite’s entry chamber. Her serving girl stood, listening. She had recently brought Lady Seneca her night clothes after Seneca had left her bathing chamber minutes ago. Seneca motioned her over and whispered, “Go ask the guards to investigate what is making those scraping sounds.”

A short time ago, she had been preparing to go to sleep when she had become uneasy. She had inherited an ability a danger sense of sorts from her father. The uneasy feeling started first, followed by pressure on her head toward the direction the danger was strongest. To control the anxiety that usually occurred, she took deep breaths. The danger might be directed not at her, but at someone nearby. Her father, an alchemist who worked for the First Legion of the Praetor, had taught her how to be receptive to her senses. He said he learned it from one of the mystic knights.

Seneca sat on the bed briefly and recalled a short meditation her father taught her that helped her focus. Afterward she felt calmer, but the danger still seemed to be all around her and growing stronger.

Her family’s centurion, a capable old legionnaire named Nartis, knocked and then entered the waiting room area. As Lady Seneca went forward to greet him, a shadowy form on the other end of the waiting room moved behind him. Her danger sensation pulsed sharply, stronger than before.

Her husband had been the victim of an attack two years ago, and she was still sad about his loss. Sometimes she worried, as the circumstances of his death were unclear. He did not officially die in service to the legion, yet he was provided a proper military ceremony for a high-ranking officer. Those who investigated the prefect’s death said it was likely a military enemy.

As she looked at her centurion walk toward her, she saw a dark shadow and a pale hand grab Nartis’s shoulder from behind. She heard the sound of metal pushing through leather and a gasp escape her centurion’s mouth. Pain seared across his features and his greeting smile transformed into a grimace of pain as a dagger tip pushed through his shirt, welling blood. As he fell forward, eyes glowed in the hooded cowl of the attacker. She had a feminine face and visibly long incisor teeth. She swept across the intervening distance in a blur of speed, and Lady Seneca screamed.

Chapter 2

Senator’s Quandary

A relaxing, cool breeze blew as a house servant led Master Leozanthicus into the large, light-gray stone villa of Senator Barricus of Tosca. It was part of a compound of several villas and other buildings on the outskirts of the capital city of Megalos. Leo looked around the room with his piercing blue-gray eyes, noticing his surroundings while he waited for one of the senator’s aides. He wore the formal robes and tunic of a master guildsman that showed the symbols of his rank. His dark hair was combed back and set in a Roman style. Earlier a personal messenger had brought him a letter from Senator Barricus, asking for his help in a family matter.

Barricus’s villa in the capital had several large rooms, some partly open to the sky, as this region had warmer and calm weather for a good portion of the year. The cooling breeze was reduced as Barricus’s security chief centurion, Tabula, met Master Leozanthicus at the first room. Tabula was the chief captain for Barricus personal guards in Megalos. He was dressed for the most part as a centurion would in a garrison. As he was now inside the villa he carried the transverse horse-hair crested helmet in his right hand his metal greaves had been buffed and were shining and his scabbarded sword worn on the left, like the Roman officers. Although he wore sandals instead of armored boots in the villa. He had curly silver hair, and his brown eyes always seemed to be looking for potential enemies. He led Leo further into the great villa. A young man and woman in bereavement robes were down the hallway. Leo noticed the woman had reddened eyes and tears lingered on her cheeks.

Tabula lead Leo down a different hall and into a private office to wait. Leo glanced around the room as he waited. Several minor Rumallian relics of varying value from the previous culture Megalos had once been a part of were on display. Barricus was somewhat of a historian. He collected objects to display in his halls. Tosca was a northwestern province that represented an old Rumallian house that was allied to the house of Megalos during the formation of the republic. Barricus’s estate in Tosca was full of such odd items and historical relics.

Leo became restless and sat in one of the chairs. He looked at the relic trophies that included a barbarian animal-totem headdress and waited for Senator Barricus to finish with an earlier meeting. It had been many years since his last visit to Tosca. Leo originally hailed from lands near the border of the country of Adjios in the southeast. Barricus and Leo’s father often talked about the history of the region. Leo was somewhat interested in history, but it was not his strength.

Leo smiled as he looked at the marble replica of the head of Hotan in the corner and of recalled one of his and Barricus’s favorite quotes of the famous consul and historian Hotan:

To write the history of the world is a task of infinite proportions. Each day a new chapter must be recorded.

It would be good to see his friend after the passage of so many years.

Leo traveled at times for learning, although he sometimes needed additional gold and silver to fund his travels or experiments. More recently, he had become known for his ability to locate thieves through a combination of intuitive detection and arcane methods. He developed a working relationship with a friend who was a Keldon mystic knight, and they collaborated on occasion to locate the thieves and deal with their threat.

Mostly because of his wealthy family ties, Leo slightly altered his name at times so that he would not be recognized as a frequent traveler at inns. Sometimes thieves targeted regular travelers or merchants after learning their predictable travel routes.

The messenger who originally contacted Leo indicated that Barricus wanted some discreet help with discovering some thieves. Leo realized there must be some political issue involved, as specially trained members of the local legion or constabulary would normally handle the problem. He heard some movement in the hallway and turned toward the entrance.

Barricus walked into the large study. He hugged Leo and grasped both his forearms in greeting. He had put on some weight but was still robust. He was dressed in a Roman-style toga with a black cloak draped over both his shoulders. He had dark curly hair with a touch of gray mixed in, and his brown eyes were clear, although some redness and moisture indicated he had controlled his emotions. “This is a sad time for me, friend. My older sister is dead.”

“I had not heard. My condolences, Barricus,” Leo replied as he touched his friend’s shoulder. He recalled Lady Seneca. She was a fairly pretty woman and, more importantly, was an influential person capable of leading and running her estate in Tosca.

Barricus, his brown eyes still heavy with his sister’s loss, said, “Her death is part of the reason I wanted your help. Let us leave the villa and walk toward the senate and forum. I don’t want all of my family hearing this conversation.”

Leo knew the senate buildings were only a league away, and the walk would be good. Barricus led him out of the villa. Walking around the house, Leo noticed the tall, thin Lombardy poplars scattered around the area. This section of the city was a partly manicured forest preserve with a mix of mature and old trees. Wealthy people lived in the large villas, like Barricus’s, that backed up to it.

Others walked along the stone paths that led to a well-kept road. Leo noted that the language in the main cites, where those with a Roman descent lived, was closer to the original Latin than that of the outlying areas or smaller cities and towns.

They moved away from the villa and continued along the garden route to the central city area. Leo said, “You seem more composed than usual, my friend. Worried, perhaps.”

“Yes, I am worried. My sister was murdered. It was not a natural death. There is evidence of creatures and evil forces.”

“Murder? What level of investigation was done initially?” Leo asked. “What manner of creatures?”

“The legion’s investigators found signs of the spore of several animals, including some type of night crawlers. There were also some non-household dead left behind of what appeared to be northern barbarians and goblin mercenaries. As you may not be completely aware, Lady Seneca had a large household guard—over one hundred men and women led by an experienced centurion.”

“Do you know what happened? How many died defending?” Leo asked. “Night crawlers” usually refer to creatures of the undead type, he thought.

Barricus continued. “Andrius found all the guards dead. He is a priest of Diana’s temple, near the great lake in Tosca. He was a family friend and was going to visit Lady Seneca. He was supposed to meet with her, according to her planning ledger, around late morning the following day. He notified the legion and a local inquisitor of the calamity, and, being a responsible friend of hers, he kept the initial incident of her death from the public. The quaestionarius from the legion found evidence of murder and notified Lady Seneca’s son, who was with some cousins, and a courier notified me, as I was in the capital.”

“A terrible thing, my friend. So you want me to find out what happened.”

“Yes. I hope you can be discreet for as long as possible. The events will likely require me to return to the Tosca province. I still have to deal with a few citizens vying for contracts or position, and I find myself affected by her loss even now.”

Leo nodded. “I understand, Senator. There will be others with issues and agendas.” He had heard of political scheming in the capital for which of the senators would be selected as the consul to replace old Zeraphus. The old consul was finally retiring to his villa in his home province, and Barricus was one of several senators up for consideration.

Barricus replied, “Excellent. Then, if needed, I will help arrange your travel to Tosca.”

“That would be fine, and I will probably require some help. I have worked in the past with a colleague named Erios; he is a Keldon mystic knight.”

“I have already acquired some aid for you. One of the dawn knights was recommended to me. She seems to have a good reputation and will keep the family’s interests secure.”

“I see…Thank you.” Leo thought, He really does want to control issues, and I still need some additional funds for my further studies and experiments.

Barricus continued, “I think of the dawn knights as an order or division of the mystic knights, and, like the other special ancient orders, they have the authority of low justice as granted to them originally by the old Celinadion government and later by our republic. That authority may become useful during your search.”

They walked closer to the buildings of the forum, not far from the senate halls of Megalos. People approached Barricus along the way, and he pointed them in the direction of his secretary. A few guards, who had been following discreetly at a distance to give Barricus privacy, closed the distance as they approached the senate halls. They intercepted a few people who were only able to say a brief greeting.

Leo squinted. “There must be something else you have not told me yet.”

“Yes. Two issues, actually—one to be aware of and the other…the dawn knight can help you look into.”

Leo said, “Hm…two other issues.”

“First is that a son of one of our relatives, Tribune Orem, was also visiting the estate. I heard he may have been killed as well, although a body was not found—only blood in his bed. As the missing boy’s father is a tribune, he may also arrange to conduct his own investigation.”

“I see. And the other issue?”

Barricus looked around. “A large shipment of weapons, including spears, swords, and shields, was taken. It was held on my sister’s estate and was meant for part of the northern legion that defends the territories to the north and northwest of Tosca. Additionally, the company of Megalosian guards that helped transport the shipment was killed.”

Leo’s family was friends with Barricus’s. When Leo was younger and still worked with his father and uncle in the family business, he and other family members visited with Barricus’s family. Leo’s family owned several foundries and made weapons, such as swords, for the legions.

Leo said, “It seems that I may need some of my colleague’s help after all.” As a senator for Tosca, Barricus commanded a military defense and likely replaced some of the weapon losses already out of his own provincial stores.

“I recall your family’s ties to the weapon-making business,” Barricus said.

“Personally, I have not done much with the weapons business for years, and my uncle runs that family enterprise now; however, my friend Erios Keldarion is actively involved with many mercantile endeavors, including weapons. If he and his small organization were not the calm and somber type of merchants and instead were aggressive, my family would have less business in the weapons trade.”

“If you believe he will be discreet and of help, then he can help as well,” Barricus said. “Is he a thought reader, as I have heard about the Keldon people?”

Leo said, “Yes. He uses his various abilities discreetly. If, as you say, Chaos forces are involved, then I know he will be of great help.”

“Very well. You may arrange to have his help as well.”

They walked near the imposing senate buildings. Great one-hundred-foot-tall columns supported the huge front entrance of the multistory marble building. Silvery lines were scattered through the marble.

Barricus briefly greeted one of his assistants, who intercepted him near the entrance to one of the government buildings he carried an important document that required the seal of Barricus’s senatorial ring.

While waiting for Senator Barricus to finish his conversation with his assistant, Leo thought about what preliminary methods he would use to deal with the situation. He would work in an investigative mode to determine what happened at Lady Seneca’s estate, and he would rely on some of his arcane skills.

Using thaumaturgy and other arcane skills took talent and discipline. In the past, the Eldren—one of the first people to settle in the independent provinces of Adjios and Illuin—termed the process or discipline essence weaving. More recent arrivals brought to Archaeus from Earth called those users of the arcane, such as Leozanthicus, wizards or sorcerers. Others called the processes magic, and some of those in Illuin called it spell weaving.

Many practitioners of the arcane arts believed that this magic was a gift to be used wisely and responsibly. Its wards, lore, spells, and arcane weaves were often used to defend against the creatures of the Chaos realms. The study of the arcane was divided into categories. Those who mastered at least four categories and had knowledge and skills at an adept level in the rest were called archmasters or archmages. Leo had recently started working toward becoming an archmage, although his extended family’s activities and his own projects sometimes delayed his progress.

Barricus finished with his assistant and moved toward Leo, who was looking at the building and admiring a protective ward in the stone. The senator said, “Now I will take you to meet with Darshalla the dawn knight. She indicated that she would meet us at Tolen’s Bath.” They walked away from the Great Halls, and Barricus added, “I do not want to be overheard by other senators or any tribunes in the proximity of the halls, where echoes of people talking can sometimes be heard. The running and churning water of the baths will drown out our conversation and prevent it from being overheard.”

As a senator, Barricus was one of the regional governors for one of the roughly forty provinces that comprised Megalos. Most provinces had two senators. There were three consuls who were the elected central leaders of the Republic of Megalos. The consuls were usually the most senior senators and gave orders to the praetor of Megalos, who was the military leader of the army and in charge of all the legions. Each legion was commanded by a legatus and was supported by officers called tribunes and prefects, who were usually sons of a senator or legatus or from an influential family in military service. Of course, to have any notable rank, they had to be citizens of Megalos.

They walked along, looking at the sky as they exited the Great Halls where the senators debated and made new laws. Probably not wanting to be overheard about personal matters, Barricus began some general conversation. “The nova in the sky seems to have grown over the year and is likely an omen of battles of the gods or probably the starlords.”

The road they walked along was paved with thousands of square-cut stones. As they talked, Leo wondered about what might have happened in Tosca. It had been some time since they had such interesting conversations.

Leo replied, “The scholars at the astronomical and astrological center here in the capital say that the nova is the result of a great explosion of a star in a different solar system and perhaps just the last radiance of an aging star. They have also speculated about the cause. Some, like you, think it might be from a battle of the starlords. By historical accounts, none of the starlords have not personally visited Archaeus for centuries, but some of their agents and servants have been seen.”

Barricus nodded. “Did you know that more men, another town of people, have appeared on the northern border? It’s been decades since men arrived from my ancestors’ home. They say they come from a town in the mountain region of Italy where the melting of early spring glacial waters caused a mudslide that would have destroyed the town.”

“This might start some anxious ideas,” Leo said. “It seems the Thurians, our enigmatic benefactors and hidden manipulators, are selecting more people and towns to bring here again, probably to add more potential soldiers to defend against the Chaos warriors.”

Barricus sighed overtly. “Ah, not more of them. The last time those warrior things came in any numbers, they destroyed many cities and towns of Megalos and across the neighboring city states.”

“It could mean the Thurians are aware of things we are not, such as that a new incursion of the Chaos warriors might be likely.”

Barricus said, “The common citizens know little about the Thurians and their plans. If some Thurians had not appeared and spoken with the leaders of the republic who had been assembled for the senior consul’s birthday celebration years ago, I would not have believed they were the ones responsible for bringing us here during my great-great-grandfather’s time.”

Leo nodded in agreement. “I know what you mean. I was fifty before I knew any real details about them.”

“You were fifty? I thought you might be, at most, in your fourth decade.”

“Thank you,” Leo said. “I had a long childhood. I am one of the ‘High men,’ and I have their longevity. I’m told my people’s bloodlines were altered by the Thurians. I am actually in my late nineties.” There were other peoples brought to Archaeus with some type of longevity. The Thurians brought only three other groups to Archaeus with life spans notably greater than the High men: the Elven races, the Keldon, and the Eldren. Of course, there was also the Thurians themselves.

“You look quite healthy. I have some High man ancestry on my mother’s bloodline. I thought I was older than you.” Barricus gave a short laugh. “Continue, please.”

Leo said, “Well, when I was fifty, the Thurians who spoke with my father and several prominent leaders of our city mentioned that translocation was sometimes used to move towns or cites that were in the path of great danger. The people who would have been destroyed by natural phenomena on their originating worlds were relocated, usually to Archaeus. Unfortunately the translocation was also for the benefit of the Thurians, and, as we know, they tended to put those who were translocated in the way of the Chaos warriors.”

“Yes, I know what you mean,” Barricus said. “The southern provinces are still plagued by the giant lizard beasts that appeared there one day. The Thurians probably got those creatures from somewhere to thwart a minor incursion of Chaos warriors that happened about a hundred years ago.”

They approached one of the several Roman-style bath centers in the capital city. Tolen’s Bath, named after a famous consul, was mostly frequented by senators, statesmen, tribunes, and those who could afford the membership fee. Evening was approaching, and it was time to wash off the day’s dust. Barricus continued to cautiously make short comments about the situation he wanted Leo to try to solve. He mentioned, again, that the dawn knight Darshalla would meet them at the baths.

The sky above had changed for the Greeks and Romans who originally settled Megalos. After being brought long ago by the Thurians to the continent of Eidelon, few had seen the Thurians again. The names of the planets, at least among the Romans living in Megalos, evoked new names for their Eidelon gods. Yet some of the old ones, like Zeus or Jupiter, Poseidon or Neptune, Hades or Pluto, and many of the others, including several Titan names, were still used and were in the oral histories or had oracles named for them. Archaeus and its large, Eurasian-sized continent of Eidelon had many different peoples scattered over its surface, and most had some religious beliefs from their home worlds. There were polytheists, monotheists, agnostics, and atheists.

The general rule with these Romans was that they could practice their own beliefs if they obeyed the laws. The conquering nature of the Romans drove them to battles with some of their neighbors. Some were strong and formed nonaggression treaties, eventually improving relations through trade agreements with other countries such as Adjios, also called Ægeos by some dialect regions. Other relatively nearby neutral countries included Illuin and the Highlands Citadel, where some dwarves of the World’s Edge Mountain range had migrated. They were all presently allies of Megalos.

As Leo and Barricus arrived at the gray-white marble steps that led up to the large colonnaded bath facility, Autolocus, one of the city’s senior tribunes, briefly spoke to Barricus as he passed. He was different. The Thurians brought many peoples and species to Eidelon. Rather than having multiple, prolonged battles with his people and their cities over a century ago, they worked out an arrangement, and their region became part of the Republic. Even though culturally Autolocus’s family had adopted many Megalosian ways, he was not human. He was more of a reptile than a man. He and his people were from a place called Sald, and his people once called themselves Saldron. Megalos eventually adopted some of his people’s ways after they joined the Republic. Through the meddling of the Thurians, his people arrived several decades before Leo was born.

Inside the baths, several musicians locally called conicen played their musical instruments, including various string instruments and horns and an occasional mild drum. A harpist seemed to have the prominent part for the music playing at the moment. The harp’s melody traveled along the halls.

This particular bath house had a female section for those who wanted more privacy, but the sections were not strictly enforced, and robes could be worn. Bothersome people and voyeurs were prohibited, and anyone who broke the general rules was thrown out.

Leo had not been to this bath before. The various translocated peoples came to adapt to the Roman ways of Megalos and even influenced them. Many had rules of cleanliness and thought that washing was good for one’s health, especially the washing of the hands. Barricus and Leo washed their hands and faces with soap at a water basin and then prepared to change into bathing robes they could wear to the baths. Barricus wanted to go to the tepidarium that held the warm water, as he did not like the hotter water. Leo preferred the caldarium, where the water was heated in the adjacent chamber.   

Tolans’s was an old establishment and there were many fresco’s at intervals on the walls. On the way from the changing room to the main baths Leo noticed a fresco of an old map of the Celinadion Hegemony. Looking at the map caused him to recall some history as he passed by the fresco displayed on one of the chambers walls, containing names and borders of the previous notable civilization. With the fall of the Celinadion Hegemony from a major incursion of Chaos Warriors, and the resulting loss of a strong military presence in the northern regions, barbarian hordes from Norsica and the Northern Reaches struck at the weakened lands. One of the remaining strongest Rumallian houses was the house of Megalos. Megalos was once part of the old Celinadion Hegemony; Megalos was a part of the more central lands. The leaders of Megalos, who became the first consuls, organized and gathered allies to repel the northern barbarians. As there was a power vacuum, several allies came together. To maintain a defense from the barbarians, further Chaos warriors, and another enemy from the Far East, the allies formed an allied government in the form of a republic named Megalos.

They entered the huge, rectangular bathing chamber, which was not too crowded at this time of day. The two-hundred-foot wide basin of stone and marble formed the tepidarium’s bathing pool. Although several other patrons were soaking or in the process of getting out, the area seemed soothing. Barricus entered the tepidarium, and Leo dipped his foot in and shrugged. It was warm, but on the cooler side. He frowned slightly and moved into the water that was soon up to his chest and then swam toward a sitting shelf not far from Barricus.

Barricus visibly relaxed as he the water soothed him. Moments later, he looked behind at an approaching woman. Leo glanced at her and then looked again; the woman was beautiful. She was platinum blonde with blue eyes and carried an air of power. She was dressed in a bathing robe.

As she approached, she said, “Senator, how good to see you. I was just finishing soaking and enjoying the steam of the caldarium and thought to cool down.”

Barricus said, “Lady Darshalla, join us. This is Master Wizard Leozanthicus. He will be leading the investigation. I hope you will be able to work together.”

Before entering the water, she showed perhaps a little more leg—and other parts of her physique—than necessary. Leo thought, This one likes to flaunt her looks somewhat, or perhaps she is proud of her physique, more akin to a goddess such as Venus, or perhaps Diana. Of course I can still enjoy her company without becoming unfocused.

Darshalla said, “I don’t see any problems with us working together.” She moved like a tiger in the water. She was of roughly equal height to Leo and her piercing blue eyes searched his as she glided closer, for a moment she looked as though she were ready to pounce but she relaxed quickly.

Leo clasped her forearm in the traditional mystic knight greeting that his friend Erios had taught him. He knew the ancient greeting was still used, even among the dawn knights.

Darshalla smiled slightly and then gave him a more fully expressive smile as she returned his greeting. She glided to the bath pool’s wall toward the other side of Barricus, sat on the marble shelf, and said, “I have heard of you, Leozanthicus. You have a good reputation.”

“Thank you, Lady Darshalla,” Leo replied.

Quietly, Barricus said, “I want things related to this investigation to remain discreet for as long as possible. There are political intrigues that will start once the deaths that occurred in Tosca are more widely known.”

Darshalla said, “I understand, Senator; however, the responsible parties will need to be brought to trial. Also, the involvement of some northern barbarian clans raiding in part of Tosca province will not stop Megalos Central Command. I expect at least a portion of one legion will be sent to Tosca as reinforcements.”

Barricus spoke softly so that only she and Leo could hear. “Yes, eventually reinforcements will be needed; however, any investigation will reflect on me. Without information that I can present, I can personally look to be at fault, and the consuls will likely fine my family at the very least.”

Leo frowned. Now I understand more clearly why he wants to keep things quiet for a while. Out loud, he said quietly, “Barricus, you need not worry. I’m sure I can find some information to put you in a better position to defend your family’s honor over the loss of Megalosian forces and equipment to barbarians and bring some light to the recent personal family loss as well.”

“An appropriate time to determine the causes and plan a just response is acceptable to me,” Darshalla added.

Barricus nodded as a few more bathers moved past them. The three soaked for a few minutes in silence and relaxed.

Leo said, “I’m staying at the Terra Inn on the central plaza. I need to go soon, so I will leave now and meet with you tomorrow, Lady Darshalla. Don’t worry, Barricus. This problem will eventually be resolved.” He patted Barricus on the shoulder and then exited the tepidarium. He enjoyed the music of the dozen or so conicen as he moved toward the changing room. He decided to enjoy the moment and soaked for a few minutes in the hotter spring water before he left Tolen’s Baths.