“You’re taking me there now,” Ydari said demandingly. “Is there another way out of this place? I don’t feel like fighting half of Tirgaal City,” the Captain finished as he turned to Kythrol.
“You can go out the same way your friends came in. Through the hidden rear entrance. Preferably, the sooner the better,” Kythrol said chidingly.
“Good. I’ll get everyone assembled and we’ll be on our way.”
“Some of us may be harder to convince than others,” Idrahil chimed in with a gesture towards the Sergeant.
“Perhaps.”
“No, you will settle this now,” the mage blurted out emphatically. “We need to act as a cohesive unit if we are to stand any chance, or you can squabble like children. It’s your choice.”
Raelynne peeked quickly at Lothram before shrugging and turning away. As she disappeared from view Ydari approached Lothram and the two of them conversed in low whispers until at last the enraged Sergeant was finally mollified. A few minutes had passed when the party that had set out from Maleardhus was finally gathered and after a brief exchange, tempers had finally settled, though Lothram shot his commanding officer the occasional sideways glance. Kythrol had stamped moodily away some time before and resumed whatever duties that occupied most of his time. Idrahil took the lead of the group and she set off toward a dank staircase that dropped into a basement.
They descended into darkness, Kael cracking juvenile jokes as they entered a space that was barely illuminated. Thick cobwebs lined the walls and a few crates had been stood on the far side of the room, also covered in thick silk and it seemed, to Ydari, this drab area only just met the minimum specifications to be classed as a basement. Idrahil showed her companions the way through the darkness confidently. They plunged headlong into total blackness, guided only by Idrahil’s voice for what felt like an age. Ydari was certain that they should have reached the far wall long ago but they plodded along until at long last a speck of daylight ahead of them revealed that they were in fact traipsing through a tunnel. A few more steps later, the party found themselves blinking as brilliant rays of light practically blinded them.
The Watch Captain took in his surroundings and quickly came to the realisation that they had now entered a disused warehouse. Idrahil continued to lead the way as she stepped around a large stack of aged boxes that obscured the entrance to the tunnel and before long Raelynne and the Ythelian Watchmen entered the streets of Tirgaal City by means of a narrow alley. By this point Ydari was completely lost. Even Kael, with his intimate knowledge of Tirgaal, seemed unsure of where he was. Fortunately, Idrahil and Lothram had made this trip several times in the last few days and a few short steps later they had joined a winding side street.
In the distance a chorus of shouts could be heard and Idrahil deliberately chose a route that avoided a rabble that was running amok. Ydari and his companions saw no other signs of life, except for the occasional urchin who ran by. Soon Idrahil and the Sergeant had shown the way to a particularly dilapidated structure on the city’s outskirts and this area of Tirgaal’s capital appeared to have been abandoned and left to rot for reasons unknown. Lothram had finally calmed down from his fight with Ydari but his voice was still particularly frosty when he raised an arm and pointed to the building in front of them.
“This is the place,” the Sergeant informed his colleagues in a blank tone.
“Good. Let’s find a way in.”
“Are we really sure we want to enter the lair of a group that practices human sacrifice?” Kael asked.
“Yes. How else are we to discover their plans? Can you think of a reason not to?”
“The smell for one,” Kael answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
Ydari ignored the rest of his brother’s mutterings as he scoped the innocuous-looking structure. The brickwork looked ancient and debris was strewn all about its perimeter, adding to the abandoned look of the place. They wound their way to the front of the building and the door instantly stuck out in Ydari’s mind. He inspected it closely and realised that it was much newer and had been replaced recently; its metal hinges shining brightly in the mid-day sun. An ominous calm had fallen about Ydari and his companions and it was like they had stumbled into a vacuum. No other sounds could be heard and the din of the roving bands of mobs had been lost amongst the network of alleys and streets.
Ydari gave the door an experimental shove with his shoulder. It unexpectedly gave way under his weight and swung inwards. The door silently admitted the Ythelians and the prevailing gloom made the atmosphere inside the crypt-like structure all the more chilling. Signs of habitation littered the interior with piles of ragged clothes, plates and cups strewn about on tables as if the building’s occupants had left in great haste and candles had been placed on almost every available surface. The entryway was barely lit but there was just enough light to see by. Ydari felt a strange tingling sensation tugging at the edge of his consciousness and he followed its faint siren song deeper into the building.
Ydari’s companions followed along slowly, taking great pains to scan every nook and crevice on the off chance that traps had been laid to deter intruders. Ydari however strode through, taking no care to watch his steps as the haunting song beckoned to him, increasing in pitch as he turned a corner and entered a large area with vaulted ceilings. It looked much like a Chapel would, albeit on a smaller scale, and at its centre stood the form of a Dragon statue. The Captain instantly recognised it from the one he had seen at the shrine in the Melethynne Forest and instantly he knew that he was in the right place. The urge to reach out and touch the stone serpent grew with each passing second and a booming voice filled the voids in his mind until it became the only thing that Ydari could focus on.
Ydari was vaguely aware of the voices of Idrahil and Raelynne shouting at him but they were feeble whispers desperately trying to compete with a tremendous unceasing roar. He put his hand on the winged serpent. Abruptly the statue came to life, the entirety of Efealtor opening up like a carpet beneath him until he was gazing upon the Chapel in Mal Ithir’s keep. The spectral shape of Trelech came into view and understanding quickly dawned on both men. The Akanthiri King smiled with a sinister sneer and his eyes burned like hot coals. Ydari’s too shone brilliantly with an icy blue hue and both men knew they were looking upon the face of their ultimate foe.
“You’re the one. The Ythelian who would challenge my power,” Trelech observed menacingly.
“So that’s how Akanthir is involved in this. These cultists are your puppets and are carrying out your whims,” replied Ydari. “It’s nice to finally meet the man who wants to tear everyone I care for apart.”
“That’s not the word I would have used. But I was starting to wonder who had been chosen by destiny to challenge my divinity.”
“Here I am then. I am Ydari, son of Darillios of Ythelia. You must be Trelech.”
“You know me and you dare speak my name?” Trelech spat with incredulity.
“I saw a portrait of King Zoirech and his sons. I recognised your likeness.”
“Well, it matters not if you know of me. You speak to the God-King of Akanthir and soon, the rest of Efealtor.”
“So, you’ve murdered your father,” observed the Captain. “I should have expected nothing less from a worm such as yourself. Tell me, how do you plan on conquering Efealtor from your ivory tower?”
“Plans are already in motion, there is nothing you can do to stop it. First Ythelia will fall and then war will consume the rest of the continent.”
“My, you have lofty ambitions. And just how do you plan on accomplishing that?”
“Have you not heard the rumours or are your wits so dull that you know nothing? I shall educate you. Tirgaal believes Ythelia murdered Aynhar and tried to kill the Prince. But word has already spread that Elhara and her assassins killed Fazhrae of Ljarthaal and tried to do the same to the King of Ciphearyn. Right now, I expect their troops to be bearing down on Ythelia’s borders and they have unknowingly become the hammer
that I shall use to eradicate your pathetic nation. They will be the spark that will spread the flames of chaos and destruction.”
“Why tell me all this? Are you really so arrogant that you think it will all happen as you predict even though you have revealed yourself? Ydari asked with a perplexed expression.
“That is precisely what will happen and there is nothing you can do to stop it. After all, it isn’t what about who you know. It’s about what you can prove and in a few days every nation will cry out in horror at the foul plot to kill the crowned heads of the Efealtor.”
“There’s more to this than you’re telling me. I’m in the temple of your lackeys. I’m sure you know this and yet there is no sign of them. There’s something else afoot.”
“Of course, there is. But why should I tell you more than I already have? I have given you enough to make this game sporting but I am playing to win. Can you say the same?”
Before Ydari could form an answer, Trelech arrogantly laughed in his rival’s face and turned from the Dragon altar. The image of the Akanthiri King faded from view and Ydari was left alone, half a continent away and silently clenching and unclenching his fists. He was so caught up in his own psyche that he almost recoiled when Idrahil’s concerned features came into view as she waved a hand in front of his face to get his attention. Ydari took a step back and saw that his companions had formed a ring around him, except for Lothram who was busy picking up errant bits of furniture and throwing them haphazardly around the room. The voice from the Dragon sculpture fell away and left a high-pitched whine lingering in the Captain’s ears in its wake. Idrahil mouthed something to him but it took a few moments before her words finally became audible.
“Can you hear me?” asked Idrahil. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” answered Ydari gruffly.
“What on Efealtor happened?” Raelynne enquired as she came into view.
“That altar is how the Draconis Legium members communicate,” Ydari began, indicating the Dragon sculpture. “I saw him.”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
“The other champion,” Ydari replied vaguely.
“Is he speaking in tongues?” quipped Kael at Ydari’s flank.
“I saw the other champion with the shard of the Heartstone, just like I have. It's Trelech, the new King of Akanthir.”
“It’s beginning to make sense,” Raelynne thought to herself.
“What is?” Ydari coughed.
“All of the connections we’ve been seeing. The Draconis Legium, Akanthir and these strange altars, I know how they’re linked.”
“Would you mind telling us? I’m dying to know,” Kael drawled sarcastically.
“Witty,” Raelynne observed sardonically with a roll of her eyes. “These statues have gems embedded in the eye sockets and were all mined from a single source. They were then imbued with magic, conferring on them the ability to open telepathic communication between the individuals who stood before them. That’s why my medallion reacted to it, not that you’d have been aware of that. And if I remember correctly, there is a Chapel dedicated to the Dragon God in the keep at Mal Ithir before it became heresy. I never imagined that our enemy would be the King of Akanthir or that he was in league with the Dragon cult but it all fits,” explained the mage.
“Well then, we have to act quickly,” Ydari started. “There have been two more attacks made against the Kings of Ciphearyn and Ljarthaal and the cultists have made it appear to be a plot of Ythelian origin.”
“That cur!” Lothram spat. “I’ll rip him limb from limb.”
“What do we do?” Idrahil asked, interrupting the Sergeant’s stream of colourful insults and imaginative threats. “I have a hard time believing that there isn’t any more to this. But why tell you at all?”
“You’re right, it’s not. He also said that troops were marching towards Ythelia’s borders and that they meant to invade. He’s so arrogant that he believes that he will win even if he warns me of the danger. It’s Trelech’s way of gloating. As such, we’re heading back to the embassy and we shall use the Fenilax to warn Queen Elhara to the danger and make our way back there as quickly as humanly possible. There’s just one thing I want to do before we go.”
Ydari nodded to his cohorts who returned the gesture. The Watch Captain’s lined features took on a grim cast as he clenched his jaw tightly and turned to face the sculpture of the winged serpent. He concentrated for a moment and the blue gem shard suddenly shone so brightly that Ydari’s companions had to use their hands to shield their eyes from the tremendous luminescence that filled the room. Ydari raised his arms and two geysers of water formed in front of him before absolutely drenching the statue. Water piled up around the base of the flying lizard and froze within seconds and soon the entire figure had been encased in ice.
There was an ominous creaking and grinding of flash-frozen water against stone. Cracks formed in the block and the noise increased in volume and frequency as yet more and more cracks formed in the huge wall of ice. Gradually small pieces of the altar chipped away until there was a sudden deafening boom as the entire statue shattered into countless pieces. Ydari slumped to one side and leant against the wall as chunks of ice and stone slid across the floor and came to rest at the feet of the Watch Captain and his compatriots. The intense light subsided until at last the tattered remains of the Dragon statue could be seen as the pieces littered the now dishevelled Chapel. Huge chunks of stone had dented the walls and gouged large holes in the decaying mortar, giving the impression that there had been a tremendous explosion. Ydari recovered and turned to face his companions, nodding once as he set off for the exit.
“Alright, now we can leave.”
***
The sun rose early over the marble buildings of Maleardhus, the White City and jewel of Ythelia. The White Tower soared high into the sky, far above the trials and tribulations of the common man. Inside its luxurious interior, Queen Elhara slept fitfully. She had woken every two hours and had stared pensively out of the window for some time before repeating the cycle once more; the lingering worry of what events might be transpiring abroad preventing her from sleeping. Elhara hated to be ignorant; always relying on up to date reports and thick tomes to absorb as much information as possible so she could arrive at the best course of action to take. Ydari’s mission to Tirgaal had provided anything but and it had resulted in many sleepless nights.
The morning came all too quickly and it seemed to the Queen that her head had only just hit the pillow when the knock of her Chamberlain was rousing her from her slumber. For a few fleeting moments Elhara considered ignoring Londorff’s wake-up call but his persistent knocking quickly bore their way into her skull until that was the only thing that she could focus on. With a resigned sigh, Elhara sat up and composed herself before calling out for the Chamberlain to enter. Londorff entered and performed his customary display of respect which took far too long in Elhara’s opinion but the Chamberlain was a stickler for protocol. The Queen silently thought to herself that much of the displays of respect and ceremony were tedious. She was also keenly aware that it was traditional and symbolic and that it was a combination of capable rule and the veneer of imperial power that kept her position secure.
Londorff clapped his hands imperiously and his summons was immediately answered by several servants and maids as they busily set up Elhara’s breakfast on the table in the middle of the room and fresh garments were laid out on the bed. It had been customary in the past for a servant to aid in Elhara’s morning ablutions but that was the limit for the Queen and she had vehemently insisted that was a task that could be handled alone. A few minutes passed as the servants buzzed about the Queen’s private chamber, tidying and cleaning things busily. Elhara watched them wordlessly as they worked. With another clap from Londorff, the servants quickly and quietly shuffled from the room. The Chamberlain was the last person to leave and, with another formal bow to his Sovereign, Elhara was finally left alone.
Elhara quickly extricated herself from the bed and finished readying herself for the day ahead. After eating her breakfast, Ythelia’s Queen sat down at her desk and read through the latest reports from various diplomats and spies in her employ. The morning passed by quickly as she worked her way through reports on a myriad of differing subjects. As she worked the Queen was interrupted on several occasions with requests for an audience from a number of courtiers. Each time Elhara dismissed her Chamberlain with a firm wave of her hand until an urgent knocking finally made her relent. She called for Londorff to enter as she set the reports to one side.
The door opened and Londorff stepped into her private chamber once more and squirmed visibly under her gaze. A step behind the Chamberlain, a messenger emerged and he crossed to the Queen’s desk and prostrated himself for a moment before placing a small scroll on the table. He bowed once more before retreating from the room. Londorff lingered for a moment as his Queen picked up the note and broke the seal. She quickly read the message’s contents before her eyes bulged in alarm.
“Send word to General Katharlis. I wish to see him immediately,” ordered the Queen.
“At once,” Londorff said simply.
A few minutes passed when suddenly a large overbearing man marched his way into the room, followed closely behind by a desperate Londorff who spluttered about breaches of royal protocol ineffectually. The large man waved at the Chamberlain dismissively and the Queen watched as the colour drained from Londorff’s immaculately groomed features. She nodded at him and with a defeated shrug of his shoulders he turned and left the room. The larger man had a stocky build on a wide muscular frame. He wore highly polished plate mail and a long billowing cape flowed out from his shoulders and it made the man look more imposing. His eyes resembled those of an eagle and his sharp steely gaze made people . He had thick bushy eyebrows and a large nose. He dropped to a knee and bowed. As he did so Elhara couldn’t help noticing that his black shoulder-length hair was touched at the edges with grey and it added to his mask of stoicism and control.
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