“The cells are full of such beasts,” the first soldier nodded seriously. “Will you carry each of their souls?”
“I will do what I can,” promised Tedi, “but only if it is requested. It is a task that greatly tires me, and I have learned long ago that my skills are met with suspicion. Therefore, I do not try to enter the cells and offer my services any more. If your leader wishes it to be done to glorify the Emperor, have him tell me so before I retire for the night. I will be leaving before first light.”
“Where are you staying?” asked the first soldier as he stepped out of the way.
“I am unfamiliar with Lori,” admitted the priest. “I will stay at the inn closest to the big stone building. Are the accommodations there acceptable for a traveler of sparse coin?”
“A room will be made available for you,” promised the second guard as he leaped onto his horse. “I will carry word of your arrival to the officer in charge.”
Tedi nodded his head at the departing soldier and waved his hand mysteriously in the air as he rode through the gate. He rode slowly towards the big stone building as he felt the nervous sweat beginning to dampen his body under the hooded robe. He hoped the officer in charge had the same enthusiasm for miracles that the soldiers did. By the time he reached the inn across the street from the big stone building, half a dozen soldiers were waiting for him. Tedi felt a tremor of fear race up his spine. He kept his face hidden in the hood of his robe as he dismounted.
“You are the priest of Abuud?” the officer asked sternly.
“I am,” nodded Tedi. “Is this inn acceptable for a traveling priest?”
“You told my man that you are responsible for the clearing of the Darkness,” accused the officer. “It is a serious crime to spread lies in Lanoir. Have you proof of such a bold statement?”
“The clearing of the Darkness is not my doing,” declared Tedi as he gazed up at the brightening stars overhead. “I would never be so bold as to take credit for it.”
“So you deny what you told the men posted at the gate?” scowled the officer.
“I do not deny it,” the priest retorted sternly. “As I said to the soldier, Abuud has created this hole in the Darkness as a tribute to the Emperor. I have been sent to Ongchi to explain the significance of this miracle to Emperor Hanchi.”
“And what is the significance of the clear skies?” questioned the officer.
“I said that I was sent to explain the significance to the Emperor,” scowled Tedi, “not to every soldier who is curious. Is this the way a priest with a message from the god Abuud is treated in Lanoir? Are you daring the god Abuud to retract his blessing from the Emperor? Will you stand up and proclaim your responsibility when that happens?”
The officer was taken aback by the priest’s stern lecture. His fingers began to fiddle with the sheath at his side, and Tedi nervously smiled inwardly.
“I mean no disrespect to Abuud or his messenger,” retreated the officer. “It is my task to maintain the law in this sector. Surely you can understand that my questioning is necessary to stop the spreading of false rumors.”
“As it should be,” Tedi nodded. “But why would a priest of Abuud want to falsely spread rumors of praise for the Emperor? I have been sent to praise Emperor Hanchi, not criticize him.”
“That is true,” agreed the officer. “I was sure that you were telling the truth right away, but it is my habit to explore all statements. I apologize for any misunderstanding.”
“Abuud is a forgiving god,” nodded Tedi. “I am sure that he took no offense from a soldier performing his duty to the great Emperor Hanchi. If you will excuse me, I have had a long journey today and my body pleads for rest. I shall be gone in the morning and will not be cause for any more misunderstandings.”
The officer touched Tedi lightly on the arm. Tedi turned to look at the officer, making sure his young face remained within the folds of the hood.
“My man at the gate also said you had a power within you,” the officer said softly. “He said it was a power that would enrich the Emperor. Is this true?”
“It is,” sighed the priest. “Abuud has granted me the power to carry the energies of dying souls. It is not something that I can use to benefit myself, you understand. I am but a vessel to carry the energies to the one Abuud chooses to receive the gift. It is a demanding task. Already I am burdened with the weight of forty such souls. Perhaps that is why I tire so easily these days.”
“I thought your tiredness was unusual for one so young,” commented the officer. “Now I understand. Still, you are sacrificing for a greater cause. I am sure that your god will bless you for the pain you endure to fulfill his will.”
“Yes he will at that,” agreed the priest. “In fact, he long ago blessed me for my devotion. You mention my youthful looks. My appearance has not changed in many years. It is Abuud’s way of blessing me for my untiring devotion. Now I must truly rest.”
“As long as you are staying the night in Lori,” the officer said quickly before Tedi had a chance to leave, “there is here an opportunity to please your god even more. Our cells are packed with men who will be executed. Surely you will want to carry their energies to our Emperor?”
“That is a request I cannot refuse,” sighed the priest. “Whenever offered, I must accept the souls for Abuud’s chosen one. Where are these unfortunates?”
“The big stone building behind me is where they are kept,” grinned the officer. “I will make sure that the inn provides you with the finest room and a meal that will take your tiredness away. When can you begin?”
“Let me stable my mount and refresh myself,” declared Tedi. “I will eat for strength and then come to your building.”
“Excellent,” nodded the officer. “I shall join you for dinner.”
“I prefer to eat alone,” Tedi quickly replied. “It is not that I shun your company, but rather that I need to pray and meditate while I eat. With as many prisoners as you indicate, it will be a long night for me and I must not waste any time. I will probably eat in my room.”
“I understand completely,” nodded the officer. “I will tell my men to expect you in a few hours.”
Tedi nodded and headed behind the inn to the stables. Natia was standing in the shadows and signaled to Tedi when he arrived.
“That was quite a show,” Natia whispered. “You would make a fine gypsy.”
“So far,” frowned Tedi. “After the meal is delivered, join me in the room. We might as well fill our bellies while we wait.”
“What are we waiting for?” asked Natia.
“For most of the soldiers to go to sleep,” answered Tedi. “They are curious and I do not want them watching me while I perform my miracle. The less people awake when we try to free Adan the better.”
“Do you think that you will be able to come up with some reason to get Adan out of his cell?” asked Natia.
“I do not know,” frowned Tedi. “Getting into a cell is always the easiest part. I have no idea how we are going to get out.”
Chapter 15
Gathering Energies
“I don’t know how you manage to stay so calm,” remarked Natia. “Here we are in the middle of the enemy’s camp, and you sit there eating like you haven’t a care in the world. How do you do it?”
“It is an illusion,” replied Tedi. “I am so nervous that it is difficult to keep my hands from shaking. I find that if I keep my hands doing something that it is harder to detect my nervousness. All the Lanoirians need to arouse their suspicions is to see that I am nervous.”
“Well you hide it well,” complimented Natia. “What is the plan?”
“I am not sure,” Tedi conceded. “They are expecting me across the street soon. I am hoping that I delayed long enough that the officer would have retired for the night. The regular soldiers are less likely to confront me if they think the officer has confidence in me.”
“What do you want me to do while you are inside?” asked Natia.
“I am not sure,” frowned Tedi. “We need to find a way to get Adan out of there. I would like to just walk him out, but I cannot think of any plausible reason for a priest to take a prisoner out of his cell. Every idea that I have come up with fails the test of credibility. We may have to break him out. If that is the case, you need to know as much as you can about the outside of the building. Like we discussed before, find out about patrols and sentries. I have the feeling that once we get Adan out of his cell, we are going to be running for our lives. There will not be time to start guessing about how the Lanoirians will react. We need to know that before we act.”
“I can do that,” Natia replied confidently. “I can also create a small distraction at the appropriate time.”
“A small distraction would help,” nodded Tedi, “but be careful. I do not want to rescue Adan and lose you. Remember to have the horses ready to go and hurry if you hear a commotion.”
“Gypsies are always careful,” grinned Natia. “I have already picked out a fine horse for Adan. He will like it.”
“You truly are confident,” chuckled Tedi. “I just hope we all survive this. I will meet you at the stables if all goes well. Let me check the hallway to see if it clear for you to leave.”
Tedi cracked the door to his room and peered out. The hallway was dimly lit and he did not see anyone lurking about. He signaled Natia to leave the room. Natia squeezed by Tedi and disappeared down the stairs. Tedi waited several minutes before leaving the room and headed across the street to the big stone building.
There were soldiers stationed outside the building. They nodded at the priest as Tedi walked between them and through the door of the building. Inside the front door were twenty soldiers. Tedi frowned as the thought of sneaking Adan out of the building vanished. The officer that Tedi had spoken to earlier was sitting in a chair inside the room beyond the doorway. He rose as Tedi walked in.
“I trust the meal and the room was to your liking?” greeted the officer.
“Very much so,” nodded the priest. “I feel much refreshed after eating. Where are these prisoners that are to serve Emperor Hanchi?”
“We have many,” grinned the officer. “The Emperor will understand that Officer Chyi-sol was instrumental is making them available, yes?”
“Without a doubt, Officer Chyi-sol,” nodded Tedi. “Those who take that extra step for the Emperor deserve to be rewarded. I will be sure to mention your name with a glowing report of your dedication.”
“That pleases me,” grinned the officer. “I am anxious to see how you steal their souls.”
“There is nothing for you to see,” retorted Tedi. “It is not something that the eye can perceive. The prisoners will appear as they did before I entered their cell. My appearance will not alter. Remember, I am merely the vessel for the energies. The energies will do me no good. The food however, did replenish my strength.”
“I did not realize that,” frowned the officer. “I was hoping to witness the miracles.”
“It is the way of Abuud,” the priest shrugged. “He is not a showy god unless he offers up a sign of splendor like the clearing of the skies. Now that is a wonder to behold.”
“Yes,” the officer nodded enthusiastically as he led Tedi towards the rear of the building. “There are many cells for you to visit this night. The prisoners will bring much energy to Emperor Hanchi. Remember that Officer Chyi-sol made them available.”
“I shall not forget the name,” promised Tedi. “Such devotion must be rewarded. I will offer your name in prayers later tonight. Perhaps Abuud will favor you as well as the Emperor.”
They passed scores of rooms loaded with soldiers. The doors to the rooms were left open, and Tedi realized that there would be no casual escape from this prison. They rounded a corner in the corridor, and the officer signaled a soldier who was sitting in a chair several hundred paces away. The soldier immediately leapt to his feet and hurried to the officer. Tedi gazed at the multitude of doors on the left hand side of this new corridor. The doors were spaced very close together, and Tedi realized that the cells must be extremely small.
“Open this door for the priest,” commanded the officer as he pointed towards the first cell door.
The soldier nodded obediently, unlocked the door, and opened it. Tedi peered into the darkness. The only light in the cell was the distant flickering of the torches hanging on the wall of the corridor outside the small room. Tedi stepped into the darkness. Suddenly the room was brilliantly lit as the soldier held a torch and leaned through the doorway. Tedi shielded his eyes from the sudden brilliance, as did the prisoner. As his eyes adjusted, Tedi gazed about the tiny cell. There was a narrow cot and a chamber pot on the floor. The prisoner on the cot propped himself up one elbow and stared at the priest.
“The light is too great,” objected Tedi as he stared at the prisoner’s face. “Remove it.”
There was a short muffled conversation outside the cell and the torch was removed. Tedi approached the prisoner and raised his hands above the man’s head. He mumbled nonsense under his breath just loud enough to be heard, but not understood. The prisoner looked queerly at the priest, but he never said a word. Tedi finally nodded to the man and withdrew from the cell.
“Was he not acceptable?” frowned the officer who had been watching from the doorway.
“He was quite acceptable,” replied Tedi as the soldier closed the door and locked it. “As I stated before, there is nothing for anyone to see. The energies are not visible to the human eye.”
“Ah, I see,” frowned the officer who was obviously disappointed.
Tedi figured that the officer had waited all evening to see the show that the priest would put on, only to find out that it was a wasted wait.
“I wish the miracle was more spectacular,” sighed Tedi, “but I do not question the ways of Abuud.”
“I understand,” frowned Chyi-sol. “Well, I have early duties in the morning. This soldier will assist you in gathering the energies. I trust the Emperor will be pleased with my gift.”
“Emperor Hanchi will indeed be grateful to Chyi-sol,” smiled the priest. “Rest well this night and know that Abuud shall hear your name before I fall asleep myself.”
“That is good,” grinned the officer as he turned and fled down the corridor.
“You need to visit more?” asked the soldier after the officer had left.
“I need to see them all,” nodded Tedi. “We will go right down the corridor to each and every cell.”
“There are many cells,” frowned the soldier who was probably missing his nap in the chair.
“Yes,” agreed Tedi, “and not much time. Please do not hold a torch for me. The light from the corridor is sufficient.”
“It will be hard to see in the cells without light,” objected the soldier.
“What I do does not require light,” explained the priest. “And it is not something that the god Abuud desires to be witnessed. You are to unlock the cells and then lock them when I am done. Nothing more.”
“It is my job to observe the prisoners,” argued the soldier. “They are my responsibility.”
“If any of them attempt to leave the cell,” retorted the priest, “then you will be called upon to do your job. Do not interfere with my task or I shall have to call for Chyi-sol. It is for his benefit and the Emperor’s that I am missing my sleep this night.”
The properly rebuked soldier frowned as he opened the next cell. Tedi entered and waited a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The prisoner remained asleep. The priest raised his arms and mumbled softly as he studied the prisoner’s face. As Tedi left the cell, he squinted his eyes shut so that he could only see through small slits. He avoided looking in the direction of the torches, but rather kept his eyes focused on the floor in front of himself. When he entered the next cell, he was able to see the prisoner more clearly.
Tedi noticed the soldier peering into the cells as he left the first few, but after a while the soldier grew bor
ed and no longer bothered to watch. Seldom did a prisoner speak when the priest entered the cell. A few verbalized surprise. Some were curious and some belligerent about having their sleep interrupted, but not one of them rose off of his cot. After several dozen cells with no sign of Adan, Tedi began to feel concern. He suddenly realized that the only word of Adan being in Lori had come from Caroom. He frowned as he acknowledged that Caroom might have already killed Adan and just fabricated the story about the gypsy leader being in prison. He gazed at the multitude of doors along the long corridor and sighed as the soldier unlocked the next cell. As Tedi approached the prisoner, he heard the man gasp in surprise.
“You?” scowled the prisoner.
It took a moment for the man’s face to register in Tedi’s mind.
“You have cost me my life,” spat the man as he rose menacingly.
Tedi swiftly swung his staff and hit the man’s head. The prisoner’s body tumbled to the floor and sent the chamber pot spinning into the wall. It crashed with a loud sound and the soldier dashed into the cell.
“What happened?” asked the guard as he gazed down at the prisoner’s body.
“This one was weak,” Tedi shook his head as beads of perspiration formed on his brow. “The taking of energies can do that sometime. He will feel some aches when he wakes up, but nothing serious.”
“I doubt aches will bother this one,” snickered the soldier. “He is guilty of failing the Emperor. He allowed prisoners to escape from the Imperial Palace. He managed to flee this far before he was caught, but there is no escape from the Emperor’s justice. His death will be slow and painful as an example of what happens to those who fail Emperor Hanchi.”
The priest nodded as he gazed at the light coming through the small barred window in the cell. He realized that the night was getting old and that the moon was already rising. He had hoped to rescue Adan during the darkest night, but the sky would continue to get lighter as the moon rose higher. With a new sense of urgency, Tedi turned and strode out of the cell. The soldier followed and locked the cell door. The next dozen cells were uneventful, but a feeling of failure began to hang on Tedi’s shoulders. His body felt exhausted, despite his afternoon nap, as the stress of the impersonation bore down upon him. The soldier unlocked the next cell.
Dwarven Ruby Page 19
