by Dan Zangari
All three warriors remained silent, but they knew that Iltar wasn’t one to exaggerate. And he was excited. Riding all night? Yeah, this was important.
“And what is he looking for?” Cornar asked.
“Krindal has been sailing the entire world, chasing after the remnants of an ancient Order called the Keepers of Truth and Might. He’s found temples of theirs all across Kalda, twenty to be exact.”
“Has he found any relics or artifacts?” Kalder asked with interest. He obviously was interested in where this could lead. If this was all true, working with Krindal would prove profitable. Very profitable.
“Or things we could make appear as relics and artifacts,” Gregan said with a smirk, glancing at Kalder.
“Something even better.” Iltar paused, grinning widely. “Tevisrals. Ancient tevisrals.”
“What?!” Gregan blurted, dropping his fanisar. He threw off his helmet, eyes staring widely at Iltar. Gregan probably saw piles of coin.
“You heard me,” Iltar said, chuckling, then focused once again on Cornar. “Krindal came to us last night, asking the Order for aid. He has lost everyone who was assisting him, and he’s spent every coin to his name. Krindal had to sell his home last year. The man’s destitute.”
“So he needs help to do what?” Kalder asked. “Looking for more of these temples?”
“Sort of,” Iltar said, and then paced back and forth. “There’s only one left. At least he’s pretty sure there’s just one. It only appeared on his map a few weeks ago, once he left the one in the Igeacean Sea.”
“The Igeacean Sea?” Gregan asked, looking confused.
“It’s in the Desolate Lands. Northern side,” Cornar replied. “And what do you mean it appeared on his map?”
“One of the tevisrals in his possession maps the world,” Iltar said. “It’s quite impressive. Anyway, another location appeared after he left the last temple. Krindal suspected there was another temple concealed, based on what he learned within the other temples.”
“So, he’s not on some wild gosset chase?” Gregan asked, raising a brow to both Kalder and Cornar.
It was true, Cornar thought. Krindal had a reputation, and not a good one. His insistence on his beliefs was akin to religious fanaticism. What a strange trait for a scholar.
“No, this is real,” Iltar reassured them. “And from what he described about the temples, they’re pre–Karthar Empire. One that he found in the northwest regions of the Black Mountains was even heated somehow. The weather was frigid, but they had to take off their winter gear while inside the temple, because it was so hot in there.” Iltar chuckled. “The first temple he found was the most weathered. The others, however, were constructed of polished stone so refined that it glistened like metal. Doesn’t that sound familiar?” Iltar grinned at Cornar.
Iltar was referring to several ruins both he and Cornar had explored years ago.
“Too bad you won’t get to see it.” Iltar sighed, still looking at Cornar. “I assume you told them, since you let them stay for this conversation?”
Cornar nodded. It would be a pity. Seeing this temple sounded intriguing, but there was Karenna and his promise. He couldn’t break that promise.
“He did,” Gregan said, grunting, “and we’ve been trying to convince him that he’s not too old to keep adventuring.”
“It’s not working,” Kalder said, his voice matter-of-fact.
“Of course it’s not,” Iltar said, laughing and shaking his head. “When does Cornar Dol’shir ever break promises?” The necromancer eyed Cornar, smiling. “You should respect his wishes. Kalder is fully capable.”
“Thank you, Master Iltar.” Kalder bowed. “That means a lot coming from you.”
“Though I will miss him,” Iltar said, his expression turning solemn. Cornar thought he could even see a glint of a tear in the necromancer’s eyes. By Heleron’s Trident! Cornar wasn’t dying! They’re all making a fuss about my retiring. How would the rest of his band react? This adventure would force Cornar to confront them sooner rather than later.
“How long do we have to prepare?” Cornar asked, changing the course of the conversation.
“They cast off in four days,” Iltar replied. “Krindal should be receiving the funds as we speak. Last night when I took him to dinner, we bumped into Captain Salisar of the Promised Maiden. Krindal has sailed with her a few times. That old scholar seized the opportunity and got her to commit to charter him and this expedition. Salisar was eager to comply after she heard his tale.”
“He didn’t have a ship before?” Kalder asked.
“No, Krindal returned to Soroth with some Mindolarnians. A prince had been helping him.”
“Mindolarnians?” Gregan asked with disgust. “I’m glad he found someone else to carry this expedition. I’d hate to be stuck with a bunch of pompous self-righteous bastards on the high seas. Good riddance!”
Kalder cocked his head at Gregan and so did Iltar.
Cornar, however, shared Gregan’s opinion. He didn’t care for them, but that was probably prejudice inherited from his father. Cornar’s father, Melthas, had experienced Mindolarn oppression firsthand during the empire’s occupation of Tor and the Western Sovereignty. Melthas was a member of a resistance that eventually overthrew Mindolarn rule. That was a little over fifty years ago.
“They’re still accompanying him…” the necromancer said, raising his brow. “Both Krindal and the prince are looking for the same thing.”
“Great…” Gregan grumbled, kicking the dirt.
“But Prince Kaescis needs to return to Mindolarn before he can continue with Krindal. They lost some deckhands in a storm, and he wants more scholars to join them. Both Kaescis and Krindal are anticipating a huge find. Krindal intends to travel as a fleet until he reaches the Mainland, then the Promised Maiden will break off and head to Klindala.”
“So I take it you’ll be leading our band, under Krindal?” Cornar asked Iltar.
“Nope,” the necromancer shook his head. “The council put a stipulation on Krindal’s request. He could enlist anyone who didn’t have a current apprentice. We can’t sacrifice our pupils’ progress for the sake of some expedition, no matter how grand or groundbreaking it might be. Besides, I need to be here for my students.”
Iltar paused, looking at Cornar’s country home. “Pagus has been causing problems. Yesterday, I caught him and two other apprentices pilfering spells from the restricted area of the Record Hall. If I leave, he’ll run amok. An unchecked Pagus will most likely end up dead. I promised his family I’d watch over him, and I’ve not been doing a good job of that. Hence the reason I brought him with me.”
“What’s wrong with these Sarn Royals?” Gregan asked. “They think they can do whatever they want. Royals are not above law or order.”
“Pagus is spoiled,” Iltar said flatly. “He thinks he knows what’s best. The boy is just like any other teenage boy his age. The royal blood only compounds his rebellious nature.”
“So, this is going to be a strange adventure without either of you,” Kalder remarked, folding his arms.
“Yeah,” Gregan said. “Not the same. Not at all.”
Iltar sighed and then continued. “Unfortunately, many of our usual mages won’t be joining you either. The council’s stipulation also applies to those teaching outside the Order’s halls.”
“That doesn’t leave many options.” Cornar frowned. Perhaps it was a good thing he wasn’t going on this trip. It would be strange without their entire band. “That leaves only Igan and Vargos.”
“I volunteered Clodin,” Iltar said, “but I haven’t spoken with him yet. I wrote a letter and had one of my acolytes deliver it.”
“What about those two young wizards?” Kalder asked. “The ones Hex and Igan taught? They seemed okay on the last trip.”
“Tinal and Renal?” Iltar asked. “Possibly. Neither has taken on apprentices. Then there’s Hem. Hem has been helping Hagen with his pupils but he hasn’t taken on an a
pprentice yet.”
“So three wizards, an illusionist, a necromancer and a barsionist,” Cornar said. “That’s a little disappointing.” A barsionist would be handy. An expedition the likes of what Krindal was amassing would always need a mage to cast protection spells.
“Yeah,” Gregan said with a sigh.
“Plus any other mages that Krindal enlists,” Iltar continued with a reassuring tone. “You’ll probably encounter little danger. I doubt there will be a need for the wizards or Clodin. But we don’t want to exclude them from any discoveries. This will be a historic venture.”
“What about Amendal?” Cornar asked. “He doesn’t have an apprentice.”
“He’s not around,” Iltar said. “Amendal left with Dith last month, and is waiting for him to complete his trials.” The necromancer shook his head. “Lorith went with them as well.”
“I see,” Cornar said. “Trekking those damned woods?” Iltar simply nodded.
Amendal had some strange ideas for advancing his apprentices. In fact, Dith wasn’t even his apprentice anymore. The young mage was twenty-five and hadn’t been a true apprentice since he was seventeen. Amendal, however, didn’t treat him as a full-fledged conjurer. Dith was required to complete what Amendal called the Aramien Test of Valor. It was foolhardy.
The test, or trial, as Iltar put it, required Dith to travel through a dense forest on the eastern end of the Mainland—the main continent in the western hemisphere of Kalda. This forest, called Melar, was a prohibited land as decreed by the Kingdom of Los. Amendal’s trial was technically illegal by Losian law. But the old conjurer didn’t care. He and his brother had participated in such a trial when they were young, encouraged by their father. The trial was a family tradition of sorts.
Old Amendal decided to keep up the tradition and had Lorith—his first apprentice—undergo the trial. Lorith almost didn’t make it out alive. Now it was Dith’s turn. Poor kid.
“I sent word to Igan and Vargos that we should meet here,” Iltar said. “I hope that’s fine?”
“Of course,” Cornar said. They always planned their adventures here at his country estate. Cornar just had to give his wife warning. Karenna would love the opportunity to play hostess. Besides, if Iltar hadn’t said they’d be gathering here it would arouse suspicion.
“Good, I set for us to meet tomorrow night,” Iltar said. “That should give us enough time to gather everyone.”
Cornar nodded. That still would be pushing it. They’d only have one day to prepare.
“Do we need to contact Tilthan and his troupe?” Kalder asked.
“No. Kaescis has some people skilled in the art of thievery and stealth,” Iltar said. “Is Tilthan even around? I haven’t heard from him in months.”
“I don’t know.” Cornar shrugged. “They can’t be on a job, because Ordreth is proposing to Sharon tonight. I suppose we’ll have to round those two up early in the morning.”
“We can leave them a note,” Gregan said. “I know where he’s taking her.”
“That sounds smart,” Iltar said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“Wait till the morning,” Cornar insisted. He didn’t want to ruin his nephew’s special evening. A couple shouldn’t share the eve of their engagement with a call to adventure, no matter how monumental the trip. But they were adventurers… Who knows, it might make the proposal even more special.
“So no thieves, limited mages,” Gregan reviewed their roster. “And neither of our leaders.” He frowned as he spoke.
“We’ll be fine,” Kalder said, patting Gregan on the shoulder. “Now let’s put our gear away and start contacting everyone.”
“Just have everyone make their way here,” Cornar said. Both warriors nodded and hurried off, leaving Iltar and Cornar alone.
“Do you want to go inside and rest?” Cornar asked as Iltar stepped forward. Iltar looked tired. His excitement was fading. Iltar nodded, but stopped abruptly, frantically glancing over his shoulder.
What was that about?
“Are you okay?” Cornar whispered. He knew the others were still within earshot and didn’t want to reveal anything Iltar might want to keep private.
“I just heard something…” Iltar mumbled, shaking his head.
“One of your fits?” Cornar whispered as Iltar came beside him, and they slowly walked toward Cornar’s home. Iltar shook his head but said nothing. He looked troubled, but his uneasiness didn’t seem to be anxiety or trauma. Cornar could remember a time when Iltar would wake from reliving the nightmare of his parent’s death.
Cornar knew what that was like, to an extent. He hadn’t seen his mother struck down, nor had he heard it. But Cornar could remember his father’s words as if he were speaking at this very moment. A year after his mother’s death, Kandish, the man who raised Cornar’s father, relayed Melthas’s fate. That’s how a child should learn of his parent’s passing. No one should be a firsthand witness.
Those memories brought a tear to Cornar’s eye, and he wrapped his arm around Iltar. The necromancer grunted humorously, but reciprocated the gesture. They were kindred orphans. Brothers bound by shared experiences and similar pasts. Iltar was as much family as Galana and Ordreth.
Arms still wrapped around each other, Cornar and Iltar entered the large home. They moved apart while Cornar removed his armor but kept his weapons belted around his waist.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” Cornar said. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Yes,” Iltar said, and chuckled. “I can feel the creature comforts calling.”
When they reached the kitchen, they found Karenna, wearing a simple green dress and a full length apron, slicing fruit and placing the chopped pieces into a bowl. Karenna turned to look at Cornar. She didn’t seem to notice Iltar.
Oh my, was she breathtaking! Even after years of marriage, he still found her a wonder to behold.
“Aren’t you supposed to be exercising?” Karenna asked, wryly pursing her lips. She returned to her cutting as Cornar approached her.
“We have some guests,” Cornar said.
“We always have guests,” she said playfully. Glancing up from her cutting board, she finally noticed Iltar. “Aren’t you here a tad early?”
“I couldn’t wait till later,” Iltar said. “We have an adventure coming fast upon us.”
“Well not us,” Cornar corrected him. “More like our little band.”
“When should I expect everyone?” she asked without skipping a beat. Karenna was an amazing woman, always putting up with these adventures and the meetings that came before and after such trips.
“I told everyone to arrive tomorrow night,” Iltar said. “I didn’t want to spring it on you today.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Iltar,” Karenna said, glancing over her shoulder to the necromancer. “But still, it’s short notice.”
“The expedition is leaving in a few days,” Cornar said, leaning on the counter. “We’re pressed on time. I told Kalder and Gregan to get everyone here as soon as possible. The weather is nice, so we can put everyone out in the field.”
“Oh, don’t be barbaric, Cornar!” Karenna sighed and playfully slapped her husband. “We’ll have no such thing. We have plenty of beds.” She paused then pointed at Cornar, poking his chest. “But you’ll have to get them ready.”
Iltar laughed, but soon made a whipping sound with his mouth. Cornar raised his brow at his friend. He was not some subservient man strapped down by marriage.
“And you,” Karenna spun, waggling her knife at Iltar, “make sure the house is in order.”
“Me?” Iltar asked coyly. “I don’t even live here…”
“Well, you could have had me fooled… You certainly spend enough time here eating my food,” Karenna retorted. “You’re practically my brother-in-law. And that comes with responsibilities.”
Karenna did run a tight household, especially when surprise guests were sprung upon her at a moment’s notice. She was orderly and neat.
Both traits made her perfect for Cornar.
Karenna returned to her cutting after giving her orders. “So, what’s this adventure about?”
“The revival of ancient civilization,” Iltar said. He always had a flair for the dramatic when being succinct. “Our band will undoubtedly discover ancient tevisrals, things beyond your wildest imaginations. We believe it will be one of the greatest quests to beset the human realm.”
Karenna glanced up to Cornar. Her gaze asked, Is he telling the truth? Cornar simply nodded, getting lost in her eyes. Those eyes were captivating. Beautiful. Sensual.
Coming to himself a bit, Cornar thought he glimpsed Karenna looking at him with disbelief, not at Iltar’s statements, but at his own love-struck demeanor. Was she dumbfounded by him? Her eyes seemed to scream, Have you lost your senses?! This is an adventure of a lifetime!
No, he was not senseless, just a man who intended to keep his promise to his wife. Cornar had accepted that he would never again set foot on unexplored land. Having confronted Gregan and Ordreth only strengthened that reality. He was not an adventurer anymore. Cornar was going to keep his promise to Karenna. They would have their life together, uninterrupted. No more danger. No more battles. It would be just him and Karenna.
It would be a happy life.
“Life was peaceful on this island. The animals were kind. The weather was temperate. I made myself a home beside a river which ran along a plateau. I had everything I needed. I soon realized the Au’misha’k could remain here out of the reach of men or elves, forever forgotten.”
- From Origins and Oaths of the Keepers, preface
Many would consider the air inside Orchin’s Tavern disgusting. The air was musky: a mix of smoked lavin root, alcohol, and body odor. But those smells didn’t bother Nordal, he had smelled much worse. One could expect the vilest of smells while exploring the world.
A puff of smoke with the scent of lavin wisped in front of Nordal, clouding his view of the cards in his hand. The cards were a perfect pair of Drake and Fairy. Nordal would probably win with that hand. There were still several dozen cards stacked on the table.
