“This is Q’Herindam magic. It’s dark and feels slimy. I don’t like the texture of it. It has nothing I can recognise as good in it.”
Arwhon moved forward, he had not sheathed his dagger and now touched the needle point to the man’s bare throat. A tiny drop of blood welled from the wound and the design on the blade was a silhouette against the faint red glow of its metal as Arwhon closed his eyes and spoke as if in a trance.
“The one who has spelled them is strong in magic and a long way from here. Evil, as Shiri said. Same greasy feel as in Forbidden.”
Raleen shuddered at the reminder of that terrible village as Arwhon added.
“They are under control. I can almost reach back through them.”
Arwhon’s eyes opened.
“All leave the room apart from Shiri please, I wish to try something.”
Everyone filed out, concern and unasked questions on their faces until only Arwhon and Shiri remained with the two immobile prisoners.
“I should have told you earlier Shiri, Ch’ron was instrumental in giving me the ability to draw Power anywhere. You can top your Earthmagic up with Power drawn from me whenever you like. It works better than before I went into the Tree. At the moment I can feel a link to whoever is controlling these men. The dagger shows the way, another form of Truth but I need to draw Power to trace it back to its source. I have no idea what will happen when I do. Be ready.”
Arwhon made the internal change, closing his eyes as he did, and his Ring’s gift of Firemagic started to suck up Power. The link through the dagger grew stronger and he felt an old body, ancient and full of twisted hate at the other end of the spell. Suddenly the being became aware of him and a blast of powerful Earthmagic flew back across the link.
Unfortunately the two powers cancelled out with a flash of light and a small explosion as they collided at the tip of the dagger held in Arwhon’s hand. The prisoner’s head exploded, splattering blood and brains and skull fragments about the room. Arwhon was staggered but unhurt and the light was extinguished but Shiri quickly conjured a soft light, revealing the other prisoner trying to cower away from them.
“The Mage who made you invisible is evil. It was his doing, not mine, which did this.”
Arwhon pointed at the headless body.
“If you talk to us we may be able to free you from his thrall.”
The prisoner paled, considering his options before speaking.
“Don’t hurt me. I’m from Graswyn, they offered me a job. Said it would be an easy lark. Good pay for a few weeks work. We was to spy on you all and report back next week.”
“How many of you are there?” Arwhon prompted him.
“Not many, about a dozen or so I think.”
Suddenly his head shot back and his mouth opened wide. Booming laughter emanated from it and a grating voice with a heavy accent spoke through the prisoner.
“You will have to do better than that little man. Goodbye.”
The prisoner’s head slumped forward, lifeless. Arwhon looked at Sihron’del in despair. They had learned so little.
Leaving the mess behind them, they joined the others outside, who goggled at the gore speckling Arwhon and Shiri. Cristal led them to an area at the back of the cellar which was used to wash out empty wine barrels. It did not take long for Shiri to clean herself, she had been partly shielded by Arwhon and her armour wiped clean easily. As Arwhon started to remove his mail she put her hand on his arm.
“If you were serious about renewing my energy, there is an easier way.”
“I was serious, it’s there any time you need it.”
“Excellent, this spell takes a bit of Power. Hold still for a minute. Everyone, cover your eyes.”
There was a brilliant flash of greenish light and a fine dust floated off Arwhon. Every piece of foreign matter had been atomised. Shiri grinned.
“That’s going to cost you,” she said cheekily.
On the way back upstairs Cristal leaned into the storeroom which had held the prisoners and turned to Shiri with a grimace.
“Could you do that ‘flash’ thing to this storeroom please? I can get rid of the bodies but I don’t want the servants gossiping and the mess will be difficult to explain. I’ve never seen the result of a head exploding before.”
Arwhon moved the bodies out of the room and placed them under the trapdoor to the rear yard while Shiri obliged with the cleanup but staggered out of the room wearily after the bright flash of light. Arwhon went into the other storeroom and took the single body from there to place with the other two. Cristal reminded herself to have a quiet word with Redbeard, he would know how best to get rid of bodies, headless or otherwise. He would also be discreet.
They all returned upstairs to discuss developments while waiting for Chalc and Kuiran’s imminent return. Here, Arwhon accessed Power again and acted as a conduit for Shiri to recharge. As she did, her eyes widened in wonder.
“It is like drawing from Ch’ron himself, limitless.”
Arwhon smiled sardonically.
“Yes but I don’t know how to use it.”
Later, the sound of footsteps and voices in the corridor outside the study presaged the rapid knock on the door before it was flung open and Kuiran ducked to enter, staff in hand.
“I heard at the gate that you were back...”
His voice trailed off as his eyes took in Sihron’del wearing her green armour, no longer glamoured, then they shifted to the tall M’Herindar at her side.
“Arwhon?”
Arwhon nodded, unable to keep the joy from his face as Kuiran crossed quickly to his sister and smothered her in a huge bear hug, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around. As he put her down she sighed.
“I’m truly glad to be wearing this armour otherwise I would have been crushed.”
Shiri did not miss the look Raleen gave her and as Kuiran went to grip Arwhon’s hand and gaze at his face in wonderment, Shiri slipped over to Raleen and whispered in her ear.
“He’s my brother Raleen. Your face isn’t difficult to read.”
Raleen blushed to her hair roots, was she that obvious?
Shortly thereafter Chalc returned, covered in grime and soot from his day at the forge. He too was amazed at the changes in his Master and Shield and extremely relieved Arwhon’s memory was back.
Cristal took control of the group.
“I suggest we all wash and eat before lengthy explanations and the telling of our tales. Arwhon has been privileged by the M’Herindar Wise Ones and shown some visions of possible futures. Once we’ve heard them there will be a lot of planning and exchanges of information to get through. It’ll be a long night, so we’ll use the library rather than the study after the meal, there’s more room there and I’ll fetch maps to aid us. Hopefully we can formulate some plans.”
All nodded in agreement and Shiri raised the glamour over herself and Arwhon before leaving the room, it wouldn’t do to have the servants gossiping.
They went to their shared room to wash before the meal and while Shiri removed her comfortable armour, Arwhon unbuckled his weapons and took off his mail, including the padded undercoat, followed by Ch’ron’s tunic which he still wore. He drew on a soft robe.
“Bathe with me?” Shiri asked in a small voice.
Arwhon looked into her eyes, so like his own now.
“I would love to but no teasing. It’s not easy being male near you.”
They went to one of the main bathrooms and hot water was brought to fill the large bath. It was pleasant to wash each other’s backs although Arwhon sometimes found it difficult to breathe properly when he felt Sihron’del’s naked body beneath his hands as he washed her.
Dinner was wonderful, sharing food and wine, all back together at last. Arwhon leaned over close to Raleen and caught up on news from Trugor while Shiri brought Kuiran up to date on the Darkwood and explained where her armour came from. Kuiran was of the opinion that it was probably the same material as his staff. Ch’ron�
�s creations seemed to be produced more rapidly lately. Chalc then related the escape of the Barsoomi heirs and their reunion with the Barsoomi King to Arwhon and Shiri while Kuiran added other parts to the tale. Cristal watched and listened, proud to be associated with such fine young folk. She would love to visit the Darkwood but it was banned to Man. Only Arwhon had been admitted among the M’Herindar and now he looked like one. She quietly observed Kuiran, talking to Raleen, wondering where he came from and how he was related to Shiri, his sister.
After the meal, they retired to the library where they seated themselves comfortably. Even Kuiran, who had found a well padded cushion for his bench, most ordinary chairs being unable to take his weight. Arwhon began with an explanation of his time inside Ch’ron; the tale of how he regained his memory and ended up looking as he did. Then he dealt with the visions given to him.
“There will be war. I have seen visions of Kuiran fighting on the walls of Belvedere, Cristal too but I’m not here with you, nor is Shiri or Chalc. My Arm, I’ll have to leave you to care for those I love. I’ve more strength now and abilities I don’t even know of yet. I can give Shiri strength from the rock deep beneath, whenever she needs it, so her magic will always be strong. I’ll return to you all after it ends, if not before. My first duty is to lead the Barsoomi to the Broken Lands. Whether they will follow there is another matter. The futures the Wise Ones see are not always the futures which occur but Jahron’dal, Shiri and Kuiran’s father, talked strategy with me and made a few suggestions. The visions of the Wise Ones also showed me in Goristoum, strangely deserted, with dead bodies tied to stakes all along a great avenue. Why or how, I have no idea.”
Chalc broke into the speech.
“It’s a common form of punishment in Debrishar. It’s torture to hang for a long time. Death eventuates from an inability to breathe. One of Martine’s brutal innovations I believe. Sorry to interrupt.”
Arwhon smiled at his Servant.
“Chalc, we’re all friends here and any new information is a great help. The other vision I saw was of Tarkent. I saw a young woman who looked remarkably like you Chalc. Are you sure all your children were killed?”
Chalc seemed puzzled.
“The Dominion soldiers burned the house after slaughtering my family. At least that’s what one of my neighbours told me. I saw the remains of the house. It was all just ash. I believed I’d lost them all and was returning to the Resistance to continue the fight when I was captured by Dominion soldiers. There was just too many of them for me to fight my way clear.”
“Well, I don’t want to get your hopes up. It was only a vision but she looked so much like you I thought she might be related. Therefore, you will be accompanying Shiri and me when we leave. We’re going to travel to Tarkent after King Daveed of Barsoom reaches The Broken Lands.”
Arwhon looked at the faces around the table.
“I’m not running away. Martine will be committing a lot of her forces to the attack on Belvedere, drawing them from all over to make up the numbers. If we can take the Broken Lands, it will remove some of her food sources and supply of horses. Further, if we can then mobilise Tarkent and get the people there to fight back, Martine’s control will be broken and she will either have to split her forces or abandon Tarkent. If the Southland cavalry is left outside Belvedere’s walls, they can break into smaller units and camp on the mountain slopes to the west, riding down to harass Martine’s army with guerrilla tactics until the time comes to attack en mass. Some of the mercenaries may be good for that. They’ve had practice no doubt. The general idea is that we crush Martine and her army against the walls of Belvedere but it’s not going to be easy. If she takes the City, she’ll then have two capitals to work from and she’ll be able to create strong links between them. Therefore it’s a gamble.
However, there’s also one more problem, one I’ve been unable to solve and it will mean the difference between victory and defeat. It could be our undoing. The second vision showed something chilling.”
The room fell silent as they all waited for Arwhon to relate the last vision he had seen rising from the dark pool.
“I saw a hundred Draakon Reaver ships sailing for Belvedere’s defenceless harbour. Reavers lined the decks, armed to the teeth and ready to take the City from the sea, while all the defenders were on the walls repulsing Martine’s assault.”
There was a collective gasp from those in the room.
Cristal appeared concerned as she spoke.
“Something Belvedere has never prepared for, an assault from the sea. Reavers don’t normally attack en masse and there’s no Navy at this port. You have to talk to the Council of Ten, Arwhon, and make them believe the possibility of this vision. Martine must somehow have aligned with Draakonia. This is not good news.”
“I cannot talk to the Council of what has passed in the Darkwood. There’s a fragile balance between Q’Herindam and M’Herindar and an agreement between them that the M’Herindar will not aid Man. If word gets back to the Q’Herindam that aid is being given, it could mean the end of everything we know. All I can do is try appearing with Shiri, under glamour and endeavour to convince them all of my belief.”
“That will have to do then. Tomorrow I will call the Council to an emergency meeting. As the man who rescued the Barsoomi heirs, you should be able to convince them. Well, I hope so.”
“There’s something else which I discovered when we were talking to the prisoners. I didn’t kill them I hope you realise but I did hold my Truth dagger to one of their throats and discovered a powerful, evil magic on the other end of the link. It felt greasy and strange. Q’Herindam I believe. I cannot leave Belvedere knowing it is vulnerable to this Mage or others like him. Chalc, do you know when the moons will be gone from the sky?”
It was Lareeta who answered.
“In four night’s time, then they will return.”
Chalc looked puzzled at this seemingly unrelated question and Arwhon stood waiting, observing the curious looks on the faces around him. Suddenly, Chalc’s own face lit with a smile.
“Of course. Gildon’s Keep. The Mage Escarion, who I returned the emerald to.”
“Exactly Chalc, we have to find somewhere high so you can say his name and pray he will respond.”
Raleen giggled.
“Apt choice of words brother. The highest building I’ve seen in Belvedere is the tower of the old church. I gather we should ask the priest for permission to use it.”
“All you need to do is pay him.” Cristal said. “I know him well, the old fraud. Money is more his religion now. I’ll take care of it.”
Cristal whispered something to Lareeta who nodded in agreement.
“Who is this Escarion anyway Arwhon?” Cristal asked.
Arwhon deferred to Chalc, who related the tale of the meeting in the caverns below Gildon’s Keep when he returned the jewel he had taken from Martine’s neck to the Mage, its rightful owner. The more Raleen heard, the more she came to realise the boy who had left home less than six months ago was not the same man who now sat before her.
Finally the tale was told and Arwhon cleared his throat.
“On the subject of prisoners. I learned from the third one in the cellar, before he was killed from afar, that there were about a dozen invisibles deployed in Belvedere. Now the game is up, they may have left. However, in case they haven’t, we should work out a plan to find them. Only Shiri and Raleen can see through the glamour cloaking them and only Shiri can detect the spell itself. We’ll wander around tomorrow and see what we can come up with. As the spy’s who were following Chalc have been dealt with, I suggest Kuiran take Raleen with him tomorrow when he goes to train the City Guard, just in case there are any spies present.”
Raleen smiled at this, a trip out with Kuiran would suit her fine.
“Now, does anyone have any questions or ideas or something they would like to add?”
They all looked at one another until Lareeta sighed, looking downcast.
&n
bsp; “The King of the Barsoomi does not like war and some of the Tribes do not totally accept his rule. You may be disappointed in the results you achieve trying to mobilise the Barsoom Nation. It grieves me to say a lot of them do not realise what real war is and the fighting training nowadays is less rigorous than it used to be. I wish you luck however and the fact you have a bonded and rescued Barsoomi horse, plus saved the Barsoomi heirs should help but don’t bank on it.”
Arwhon nodded his thanks and sat down to take some wine. They conversed among themselves while Cristal searched until she found a few maps which covered most of the northern land mass. She showed them to Shiri and Arwhon while Chalc looked on. Everywhere seemed so very far from everywhere else. It was going to take quite a while to undertake a recruiting drive through Barsoom and get to Tarkent via the Broken Lands. Tarkent just happened to be where Chalc most wanted to go and Arwhon had agreed to take him there.
Before much longer there were wide yawns appearing here and there around the table. The meeting eventually broke up so everyone could retire. Later, Shiri snuggled into bed with Arwhon but had to settle for cuddling his back.
She understood, it was far more comfortable for him.
2. Escarion
By the time everyone had finally arisen the following morning, Cristal had already sent a messenger to alert all the members of the Council of Ten that it was her wish to hold an emergency meeting that very evening. She told the messenger to stress the importance of the meeting and the necessity for every Council Member to attend.
Raleen was looking forward to spending the day with Kuiran and hastily crammed down her breakfast. She’d dressed in the same clothes she’d worn to go out with Chalk on her previous excursion and, due to her height, could easily be mistaken for a man. After they left the mansion, Raleen had to trot at times to keep up with Kuiran as they walked over to the garrison which housed the City Guard. She felt guilty about not exercising her horse, Trollop, but Billit had taken her to one side and in his stumbling manner of speech told her the grooms enjoyed the chance to take a horse out and he would see to Trollop’s exercise for her. For all of her life, up until the ride over here with Redbeard’s Band, Raleen had gone everywhere on foot, so walking was no difficulty for her, even if she did have to move quickly to keep up with the young giant. Kuiran glanced across at her and apologised, slowing his pace down a little so she was now just walking briskly.
The Fall of Belvedere Page 3
