The Archon's Apprentice by Neil Breault Page A

great war?”
    “It was fought by two brothers thousands of years ago. It devastated the realm and brought all of Anglantaea into the battle.”
    “Did you know there were more than just the two brothers? The eldest brothers were twins and had both laid claim to the throne, but there were more siblings. How do you think they felt during this war?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “The battle lines were drawn and they had to pick sides. What side would you have chosen?”
    “I’m not sure. That was brother fighting against brother. I couldn’t pick who to fight for if Arceri and Perim fought. But besides, that was a different time.”
    “Not so different. You still have to decide whom to help, because you can’t help all three. The biggest difference is that our enemy is not your own family. But that is a good thing too. The weapons used in that war were devastating. I can’t imagine using those weapons on each other.”
    “What weapons?” asked Mikol.
    “You really need to study more.” Omoni shook his head slowly. “Before the Sundering, more people could control rune magic. The brothers waged war for the throne, but it turned into an arms race. Both brothers were very powerful and during the war created many extraordinary runic weapons.”
    “Like this?” Mikol drew Raythrael partway out of its scabbard. Mikol caught a fleeting expression that skewed Omoni’s face, but it vanished before he could guess its meaning.  
    “Uh, something like that. Where did you get that?”
    “Voletain gave it to me.”
    “Well, that would have been an insignificant weapon used by infantry during the war. Powerful no less, but nothing compared to what devastated the lands.”
    “Why have I never heard about these weapons before? I am supposed to be Archon, and Voletain has never mentioned any runic weapons like that before.”
    “I assume he would eventually tell you, or you would read about it yourself. There are many books dedicated to the Sundering, though most were written hundreds of years later. But truthfully, these weapons are not important in the grand scheme of being Archon. Besides, King Ioyan destroyed most of them after the war.”
    “Most?”
    “Yes. He saw how deadly they were and knew power like that could not sit idle and not be used. He destroyed the majority of the weapons but could not destroy them all for fear he would be defenseless if someone were to create more. So he hid those he did not destroy. Any of those weapons could turn the tide of a war. They are probably even powerful enough to rule the world.”
    “How do you know about these weapons if no one else does?”
    “Mikol, don’t forget I am the Preceptor of the Wardens. There is much information that has been gathered by the Wardens over the years, and all of it has been cataloged. Only recently have I been able to piece together enough to understand what we found.”
    Their aimless walk led them near the armory and garrison. Two soldiers stood guard and saluted them as they walked past. Mikol took new interest in the weapons at their sides. A standard-issue sword hung from each of their belts. Mikol had once been in awe of how strong Ternian steel was. He knew Raythrael would be able to cleave through it with ease.
    “Why have we not gone after this ... lost cache of weapons?” said Mikol.
    “I do not know why previous Archons have not searched for them. Perhaps there was no need to find them. Perhaps the location has been lost to time. I have been searching for them ever since I had a hint they existed.”
    “Thank you, Omoni. You’ve helped me think of something I can do. I will be back.”
    Mikol took off at a run and left Omoni standing in the hall. The guards saluted Mikol as he rushed in to the throne room. His father sat in his usual place on the throne. The last of the petitioners was leaving for the day. This would be a good time to talk with him, as he had not begun to drink heavily just yet. Mikol quickly walked over to his