Nodding to the guards, Jeffry pulled the door open, took a deep breath, and entered the lion's den. It took a brief moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light inside. He found the old man seated at his desk scribbling marks in a well-worn ledger. Without so much as a glance in Jeffry's direction, the old man stuck a single finger into the air, commanding him to wait.
It was just like the old man. Command his presence at first light and then make him stand there waiting. Jeffry hated the scritch scritch of the quill. Always had. It brought too many reminders of standing by this man's desk growing up, waiting for some hint that the old man even knew his son stood there.
Putting the quill down, Harvian Tedosian pushed back from the desk, turning to his son. He pushed back the single wisp of grey hair hanging down in his eyes, a customary frown on his face. "Geofram," he nodded.
Jeffry inclined his own head, "Father. You asked to see me."
Harvian arched an eyebrow, "Indeed I did. It seems I have allowed you to go your own way for too long. Your actions over these past years have put our good name at risk and it is time for you to put away these childish whims."
Jeffry shrugged, "Why now? You've not cared before."
"Don't be impertinent with me. Your days of smuggling are over.”
Something had clearly changed. Just as clearly, the old man was not going to tell Jeffry what that was. He choose a different track, "What is happening here then?"
The old man laughed, "What makes you think this is about anything but profit?"
"I have eyes, father."
"Indeed you do. Sit." Harvian gestured to the chair beside his desk and began laying out his plan. Once Jeffry got past the initial shock over what his father proposed, he settled in and even managed to give a few suggestions to enhance their odds.
Thirty minutes later, the two men sat back. Jeffry looked at his father, seeing him in an entirely new light. Something still bothered him. "There's still one thing you haven't told me." Harvian arched his brown again, waiting for Jeffry to continue. "Why? Where's the profit in this?"
"Do you think so little of me son? Don't answer that. I've not given you much to say nay. In truth, it surprised me too when Lorcán first came to me on the Queen’s behalf that I would feel such a strong sense of loyalty to the crown. I will NOT see the Krenon in power in Cynneweald and I will NOT allow that Loredanna bitch to steal the throne."
#
Pulling the cart along the narrow streets, Jeffry tried not to look around for the others he knew were making their own infiltration into the Palace. The pattern was well-established. Every month the merchants brought their wares to the kitchens, stables, and other functionaries to supply the palace needs. A system that played right into Harvian’s hands.
His father's plan was simple, but risky. With the majority of the guard force still out searching for Krystelle, they should be able to capture the Krenon leadership, along with Tanjia Lorredonna, and free the Queen in the process. Martino’s arrival the previous daywith reinforcements from Gabirel pushed their father over the edge into decisive action.
Jeffry and the two sword-masters with him arrived at their rally point just as his father's distinctive horn sounded. The noise from that thing always reminded Jeffry of a dying moose. With that signal, Jeffry and his fellows dropped the cart handles and reached inside for their weapons.
The sword-masters made quick work of two guards outside the building and motioned for Jeffry to enter. Quickly passing through the door, they found one of the stewards waiting for them. “Lorcan?” The man nodded and turned up the corridor, motioning them to follow. Trotting behind the man, Jeffry hoped this was not all some kind of ruse.
Reaching the chamber where the Queen was confined, they found two more guards. Without waiting for orders, the sword-masters threw themselves into the attack, killing the guards. Jeffry regretted killing Palace Guards, but they could not risk discovery.
Lorcan drew a key from his robe and handed it to Jeffry. “I must go. There is more for me to do. Get her out of the palace quickly.” Turning, he rushed down the corridor.
Unlocking the door, Jeffry pulled it open and stepped inside. A woman sat on the far side of the room. Closing her book, she looked up at him. He expected the queen to bear a passing resemblance to her daughter, but had not been prepared for the extent of the similarity. It felt as if he were looking into the future, Krystelle as she would be a few decades down the line.
She stood, fire in her eyes. Just like Krystelle. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Jeffry Tedosian. My father sent me to get you out of here."
Casting an appraising eye over him, she arched an eyebrow. "Harvian? Why would he get involved in this?"
Jeffry laughed, "I asked him the very same question. Turns out the old man cares about more than his bottom line after all. Our time is short, I need to get you away from here. Do you have a cloak or something to cover yourself?"
Nodding, she turned to the small wardrobe at the side of the room and pulled out a grey hood. Draping it over her head, she turned back to him. "Lead on Jeffry Tedosian," she commanded.
Emerging back into the corridor, he found the palace in a state of chaos. His sword-masters were fighting against a small contingent of guardsmen, and he heard the sounds of similar battles taking place throughout the palace. Apparently, the Guard had not been as distracted as his father hoped.
Swearing, he grabbed the Queen's hand. "Come on!" Racing down the corridor, Jeffry steered the Queen away from the pockets of fighting. He needed to get her out of the palace and back to the Tedosian merchant house if their plan was to have any hope of succeeding. Coming around a corner, they skidded to a stop at the sight of a knot of guardsmen.
Catching sight of the two, one of the guards shouted for them to stop and Jeffry and the Queen took off down a side-corridor, the sound of heavy boots behind them. Pulling the queen into one of the rooms, he placed a hand over her mouth and held one finger to his own to signal quiet.
Just outside, the pounding boots came to a halt. "They came this way. I'm sure of it," said one of the guardsmen.
"Spread out and find them."
Jeffry felt the queen tense. He knew what she was thinking. It might be too much to hope for that they would bypass this room. A moment later, a trio of guards burst inside, swords at the ready.
Letting the Queen go Jeffry stepped back, looking around for options. With the tip of his sword the lead guardsman flipped the Queen's hood back, exposing her face. His eyes went wide.
Calmly, the Queen put a finger on the sword-point and pushed it aside. "I see that you know who I am. Now, Guardsman, let us pass."
A twitch of the eye was the only indication the man gave that he even considered the Queen’s command. With a shake of his head, he ordered his companions forward, “Take them.”
Jeffry considered his options. Three against one were not good odds, and he was no sword-master. Relinquishing his sword, he resolved to look for another way out.
Minutes later, the guardsmen led them from the room, bound and gaged. Around him, Jeffry could see the battle winding down. His father's gamble had failed and the Krenon were regaining control. A few pockets of sword-masters continued to resist, but the writing was on the wall.
The guards brought them to the throne-room, forcing them to kneel before Loredanna and the Krenon leader. With a smile that never reached his eyes, the Krenon looked over them. "Tsk tsk. That was a noble effort, but as you can see our victory is at hand."
Jeffry had to agree with the man. This is what he got for involving himself in causes. A rule he vowed never to break again if he managed to get himself out of this.
#
Seated with her back the to wall of the dark cell, Daciana continued to tell herself it was all worth it. After her capture outside Hallvard, the Krenon brought her to the capital city and locked her away in the palace. With only guards and her own thoughts to keep her company, she bided her time. She held on to the hope
that she would find a way to escape. “As long as it comes quickly,” she muttered to herself.
The clash of metal on metal caught her attention and she brought her head up, listening intently. It was the unmistakable sound of a battle inside the palace walls. Rushing over to the cell door she peeked through to see the guards still manning their posts, but alert and ready.
Moments later a pair of familiar faces burst into the cell block and made short work of the two guards. Wondering what two sword-masters were doing assaulting the palace guard, she shouted out to them to open her door. “Sword-master Raginald!”
Wrestling the cell open, the seasoned veteran gaped, “Daciana Halle! What are you doing here?”
She shook her head, “No time for that. What is happening?”
Motioning to his companion to search the remaining cells, he brought her up to speed on their partnership with the Tedosians to infiltrate the palace and free the Queen. “The palace guard has rallied hard and we’re being pushed back into the city streets. It’s going to be a hard go of it since we could not risk bringing the full force of Gabirel into the Capital.”
Daciana grimaced at the report. “Is there any word of Jeffry Tedosian? Did he manage to escape with the Queen?”
Shaking his head, Raginald scowled, “No, Tedosian would have sounded his blasted horn again were that the case. I fear they’ve been caught. I was hoping to find both Jeffry and the Queen here in the cells.”
Looking around at the small group freed from the cells and now surrounding them, Daciana smiled. “You may have found the next best thing.” She turned to the men around her, “I take it you are all Guardsmen who refused to swear allegiance to the Usurper and her Krenon allies?” A cacophony of muttering and nods informed her that her suspicion was correct. “Will you help me free the Queen then?”
One man stepped forward, “We will. We are all loyal Queen’s men.”
“What is your name soldier?” asked Daciana.
“Captain Alboin,” he said.
“Well then, Captain. Prepare your men.”
With Alboin guiding them through the halls, Daciana led Raginald and their small army toward the palace throne room, reasoning that would be the best place to start in their search for the Queen. They met little resistance along the way, with most of the fighting having moved outside the palace walls and into the city streets. Theu armed themselves with swords and makeshift weapons discarded during the skirmish as they neared the heart of the palace.
Bursting into the throne room, they found the Queen and Jeffry Tedosian kneeling before the Regent, Tanjia Loredanna and the Krenon Brother, Kai Vasu, with a only small contingent of the new guard present. Joseff Immall, the new Captain of the Guard sprung into action, commanding his men to attack the new arrivals.
Focusing on the Queen, Daciana cut her way through the room. She was determined to get the Queen clear and trusted Raginald to do what was necessary to keep the guardsmen off her back. Poorly armed and armored, her small force was nevertheless more determined and it was not long before the tide of combat turned. Grabbing Kai Vasu and abandoning the Regent, Captain Immall pulled him from the throne room with the remnants of the guard force acting as a rearguard to cover their escape.
Cutting Jeffry’s bindings loose with the tip of her sword, Daciana turned to confront Tanjia Loredanna. She had one arm wrapped around the Queen’s waist,with a dagger in the other hand held to the Queen’s throat. The merest flick of her wrist and the Queen’s lifeblood would spill out.
“Stay where you are or the Queen dies!” she shouted.
Daciana inched forward, “Kill her and your life is forfeit.”
Pulling the Queen along with her, Tanjia backed up along the side of the throne. “Stay back, I said!” she repeated, her arm quivering. A thin line of red appeared on the Queen’s neckline and her eyes widened.
The sight of the blood gave Daciana pause. She could only press so hard with the advantage Tanjia gained for herself. “You are backing yourself into a corner,” she said, taking a step back and away. “There is no escape for you.”
With a sneer, Tanjia elbowed something along the wall that Daciana could not see and a door opened behind her. She ducked through with the Queen in tow as Daciana lunged for the door. It slammed in her face, and Daciana pounded against the portal.
Coming up beside her, Jeffry raised a hand, running it along the wall where Tanjia had pressed. “Right about…here.” With a click, the portal opened once more and Daciana rushed through with Jeffry close behind. Pulling up short, she gasped. Queen Camryn’s body lay on the dark floor, blood pooling beneath her head. Dimly they heard footsteps fading into the distance. Tanjia Loredanna had escaped.
#
Understanding the urgency of their quest, Asegeirr set a hard pace from Hallvard. He agreed to be their guide in the chaos following the Krenon arrival and subsequent ultimatum at their borders. Finding Daguranso without him would have taken time that Krystelle and her companions could not afford to waste.
Arriving at Daguranso well after nightfall on their fifth day out from Hallvard, Krystelle cast an appraising eye over the structure. At first glance it did not seem significant in size nor construction. A hundred yards or so to a side, the fortress was set in the middle of the plain, far from the shelter and protection of the nearby mountains. Tan walls, topped with black tile roofing, rose only about twenty feet into the air.
Truthfully, she did not know much about the monastery. Only that during the Dragon Wars a single attempt had been made to capture the position. An attempt that resulted in the loss of the entire force assigned the task. Drawing closer, something about the way the light reflected off the stucco walls caught her eye. If she did not know better, she would almost say that they had been fired in place like a huge single brick. But that was impossible. No fire would burn that ferociously.
Their approach took them up to the back side of the monastery. Trudging around to the front, Krystelle got a better look at those walls. Slick like glass, the impression up close solidified her feeling that they had been dried in place with a fire hotter than any she had encountered.
Coming around to the arched wooden door, Krystelle marveled that this place survived any assault on it at all, much less an entire invasion force like the one that attacked it during the wars. Cut down one of the nearby trees for a makeshift battering ram and that door would be down in minutes. Or, make it easy and just scale the walls.
"Asegeirr," she said. "What do your people know about these people?"
The dwarf glanced back, one eyebrow cocked, "We know enough to leave them be. They've got secrets and better for you if you mind your manners and make no attempt to ferret them out. Now hush. We're here." Raising a fist, he rapped twice on the oaken door and stepped back.
They did not have to wait long before the scraping sound of a bar lifting from its brackets came from the other side of the door. As the door creaked open, the smell of burning pitch greeted them from within. A hunched figure emerged from the interior. No taller than Asegeirr with a bald head and thick white beard, he leaned heavily on a thin branch that could not have supported even his frail weight.
"Welcome strangers," he said in a soft voice. "Be you welcome to Daguranso. Your friend waits for you inside." Turning, he beckoned for them to follow. As he turned, Krystelle caught a glimpse into his eyes and took a step back in shock.
Shrugging, Asegeirr followed the old man inside and down the corridor, with Witek and Cenric close on his heels. Krystelle hesitated, unsure of what she had seen. In the dim torchlight she might have been mistaken. In that one instant before the stranger turned away, she glimpsed a pair of glowing eyes like those of a reptile rather than man or dwarf.
Steeling her resolve, she forced herself to move forward. She would not solve this new mystery standing on the porch. The stranger led them down a short corridor and into a side-room with a familiar figure seated at a long table running down the center. Rising as they entered, Sebast
ian smiled in greeting. He looked older than Krystelle remembered with a sadness in his eyes that only came from experience. His hair had grown out and so had his beard, and a wrinkle etched his brow.
"Thank you, Caddo, for bringing them in," he said to the one who met them at the door. "I should speak with them alone for a few moments."
"If you think that wise."
Sebastian nodded, "I do." Turning to Krystelle and the others as Caddo left the room, he gestured for them to sit. "I wondered who Valeria would send. I thought it might be one of you, but not both."
"She didn't send us both," said Krystelle. "She sent me. Cenric and I found each other along the way."
"Found each other?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes at Cenric. "You came on your own? Uriasz didn't send you to find me?"
Cenric nodded, "With everything going on and the Ban breaking down I couldn't sit there on that island doing nothing. I just couldn't. I had to come help!"
Sebastian raised a hand, "Easy Cenric. I know you mean well...in your heart." Sebastian caught Krystelle's eye when he paused. He did not trust the boy, she realized. Before she could react, he had turned to the two dwarves, "Asegeirr, it's good to see you again. Although I must say I'm surprised you would leave your duties at Hallvard."
Asegeirr shrugged, "Some duties are more important than others, but you already know that."
Nodding, Sebastian glanced over at Witek, "He doesn't look like one of your door-guards."
Witek interjected, "I am not a door guard, merely a scholar. The matter of the Eligius stones has been of interest to me for years. I offered my service to the Lady Krystelle in her search for a particular item in the dwarven archives and just want to see this through to the end."
"Everyone wants to help me it seems," mused Sebastian aloud. "Let's get down to it. I know why you are all here. You want me to claim the Heartstone. Well, I'm not going to do it so you've wasted your time. I don't know why Valeria would think you could convince me otherwise, Krystelle, because there's nothing you can say that will change my mind."
Eligium- The Complete Series Page 56
