The overall impression upon Sarah and Emily, whose total experience until recent times had been limited to life in South Corner and its neighboring farms, was that of utter chaos and clamor. A crowd, in their experience, was twenty to thirty people, and that was limited to market days and feast days. Begging was unknown to them. South Corner had its town drunk, and a few others of a lazy or disreputable sort, but occupation could always be found for them, along with a decent meal and a clean place to sleep. And no mother in the village would even consider allowing their child to be seen as dirty and ill kept as these—the shame and gossip that that would have engendered would have been too humiliating to imagine.
The group kept to side streets where possible, but worked their way steadily toward the uphill northern side of the city. The streets they used were mostly narrow and wound around the contours of the land, allowing very little view except that of the low stone homes and small shops that lined them. Occasionally, however, a twisting avenue would allow a temporary view of the mountain cliff face about which this city seemed to be built. Sarah gave this looming apparition little thought at first, but as they drew closer she could see that what she mistook for the natural rock of a steeply rising cliff was, in part, made of closely fitted stone.
The guards continued to steer Sarah and Emily through the city, heading more and more towards the mountain face. They seemed to be sticking to the poorer sections of the city, but conditions did improve somewhat as they climbed steadily up to higher ground. Ultimately, the women found themselves at the base of a steep stone cliff, where a small opening had been carved and fitted with a heavy wooden door.
The sergeant stepped up to the door and pounded heavily on it with the side of his closed fist. They could hear a heavy beam being lifted, then the door opened outward. Sarah and Emily were pushed quickly into a dark and narrow corridor, and the door was pulled shut behind them, leaving them momentarily blind in the dark until their eyes began to adjust from the bright sunshine outside to the dimly lit stone tunnel.
Sarah, Emily and Stangar were led through a series of tunnels and what appeared to be storage spaces all cut out of the solid rock long ago. Being kept to the servants’ corridors and the dusty, lesser used passages into the mountain, the girls saw none of the true grandeur of the palace until exiting a doorway into the main hall near Kadeen’s rooms.
They were hurried down this hall of highly polished marble and native granite and through a wide doorway into the sorcerer’s reception area. A slim, fit, young woman had opened the varnished oak door as they approached it, closed it quickly behind them once they had all gone through, and took a position against the wall with one hand still resting lightly on the polished wood.
Sarah was momentarily startled at this sudden feminine appearance clothed in loose fitting pants and top, but once in the room, her attention was instantly fixed on the tall robed figure who stood in the middle of the room staring piercingly at her and Emily. His eyes seemed to penetrate more deeply than just to the heavy brown cloak she still wore, and she was immediately conscious of the thin tattered night clothing that she had on underneath.
As if aware of her thoughts, the man motioned with his hand, and the guards pulled the cloaks from the girl’s shoulders. Sarah stood stiffly under the sorcerer’s gaze, while Emily blushed deeply and tried to gather her thin and torn garment more securely around her.
“You have no right to have us brought here like this,” Sarah stated, looking Kadeen boldly in the eye. “Who are you, and what do you intend?” This display of courage was more of an act than she would have liked to admit. In truth, it was all she could do to get those words past the lump in her throat being formed by the fear of the figure standing before her.
“You seem to be under a false impression, my dear,” Kadeen responded with a smirk. “I did not have you brought here. I am the humble sorcerer Kadeen, and you two are apparently a gift from one of my subordinates. Is that true soldier?”
“Yes, Lord,” responded Stangar. “I was told t’ deliver ‘em to yer lordship without delay; which I done.”
“You see, my dear? Now be quiet girl. Since you are a gift, you are now my property to do with as I will, and you’ll learn soon enough that I don’t like to be annoyed by my property.”
Sarah bit down on the rejoinder that sprang to her lips, and decided to watch and learn the rules of the game she was in so that she would not miss a future opportunity to upset the board. But a sorcerer, that was something to ponder. In the stories sorcerers were always powerful makers of great evil. So far, this one seemed to be living up to that reputation.
After a lengthy pause, Kadeen turned back to Stangar and asked, “And what else do you have for me, soldier?” The look on his face was one of distaste, as if he resented both the look and the smell of the man before him; as he certainly did.
“Jist this message, yer lordship,” Stangar said as he started to step forward and hold out the sealed report the Commander had given him to deliver.
He had not completed either his step or his sentence before Yeva had taken three quick steps, seized his wrist in an iron grip and removed the document from his suddenly unfeeling hand. She inspected it and its seal quickly for any sign of needles or other subtle traps, then transferred it to Kadeen who had remained stationary, making no movement to accept the message directly from Stangar’s grubby fingers.
“Ow, yer didn’t havter…” Stangar muttered, but cut off at one look from Yeva who then moved back and resumed her watchful post by the door.
Sarah had not missed this interchange, and the thought: ‘More than just a serving girl, perhaps,’ flashed quickly through her mind.
Kadeen briefly examined the wax seal on the letter, imprinted with the seal of the House of Bardon, then broke it with his thumb. Sarah, Emily, the soldiers and Yeva all stood motionless as he read it.
Finally, Kadeen looked back to Stangar. “It says here that the raid on the village was successful. Were you part of that action?” he asked in a very quiet voice.
“Yes, lord. Me and da boys took ‘em slick as anytin.”
“And the Old Wizard, did he cause any trouble?”
“Naw, he was easy as taking a baby off da teet, beggin yer pardon lord.” In truth, Stangar had not been trusted anywhere near that part of the mission, but there wasn’t any reason for him to tell Kadeen that. “Well, at least Syd and Pastim was killed in da explosion, but da rest o’ us didn’t had no problem,” he said with a swagger, not noticing that the other soldiers had begun to edge slowly away from him.
“And the wizard’s staff,” Kadeen continued in an even quieter tone, “I understand that you failed to recover it. Is that true?”
“Well,” Stangar’s swagger was beginning to falter, “we got all kinds o’ magic books an’ stuff. I seen dat. I never seen no staff.”
“Fool!” Kadeen shouted. “The books are nothing compared to that staff!”
Stangar was indeed a fool, but his wits and his reflexes had gotten him out of more tight spots that he cared to remember. In a fluid motion, he spun toward the door, but in an instant he found himself up against a solid wall that he could not see. He tried to twist back the other way, but realized that he could not. A second invisible wall was pressing against him from the other side.
“No,” he shouted. “It weren’t me. It were Syd and Pashtim.” He had to strain for enough air to get out those last words as the two invisible walls slowly closed against him, crushing his ribcage. A broken rib was forced through his right lung, and bloody foam spat from his mouth.
Sarah and Emily watched in horror as Stangar was squeezed by unseen forces before their eyes. His face was flattened and his skull was squashed spraying its contents out to the sides as the press continued until what had been a man was nothing but pulverized flesh no more than two inches thick. Suddenly, a roaring green flame flared up and enveloped the remains, the heat of which forced everyone further back. In a moment there was nothing left but a scor
ch mark on the marble floor where Stangar had stood.
Sarah stood trembling, her hands covering her mouth and nose. Emily fell to the floor in a faint.
“See to your friend,” Kadeen said to Sarah, indicating Emily. All trace of anger was gone from his voice. If anything, he sounded bored. Sarah knelt and pulled Emily into her arms, soothing her as a mother might console her distraught daughter, never taking her eyes off of the powerful and terrifying sorcerer.
“He’s approaching,” Yeva announced.
“Let him in,” Kadeen responded with a wave of his hand. Yeva had advised him of what was to happen next, and while he did not like it he saw no clear alternative.
Yeva opened the door, and Adham al Dharr swept in. Sarah’s first impression was that the newcomer was a huge man, but she blinked and realized in confusion that he was only a little taller than average, about the same height as Owen McMichaels, and not quite as broad in the shoulders as Owen. His hair was black, tied in the back in an intricate knot; he had a smooth, strong but kindly face, except for his eyes, which were almost as dark as his hair and seemed to take in everything while giving nothing back in return. His black robes flowed over his frame and down to within an inch of the floor, masking his shape, but in his posture and the manner in which he smoothly strode into the room, he seemed to Sarah to be both lean and physically fit. All of these facts were obvious, but there was something about this man that Sarah’s senses could not quite resolve. Perhaps it was the way that he moved, or his confident intensity, but Sarah was reminded a large great-cat that had just completed a successful hunt. He glanced casually about the room, taking in Emily and herself with no sign of surprise and frowning briefly at the spot where Stanger had been destroyed before placing his gaze on the sorcerer before him. He’d yet to speak and had given no outward signs that Sarah could detect, but his presence somehow immediately dominated all in the room as if by right. As usual, the High Lord was accompanied by two members of the Guild who quickly scanned the occupants of the room and took up station to either side and slightly behind the High Lord. Yeva moved to position herself near Kadeen.
“I see you have guests,” the High Lord said.
“Yes, Furstiv sent them from across The Deep.”
“And did he send anything else?”
“Just a routine report. He states that the initial phase of the mission has gone well, but he recommends that phase two be scrubbed. Apparently the bridge is deteriorating more quickly than we anticipated. His force lost nearly half its strength before reaching the other side. Furstiv believes that he can drain The Deep using indigenous labor, and supply his position from the farms in the area. It may take longer than originally planned, but I fear that he is correct in his assessment that we will not be able to adequately support him from here. Of course we’ll still send the slaves and engineers as planned, but based on Furstiv’s report I don’t anticipate that many will actually survive the crossing.”
“Your decision, of course. I rely on your judgment. I don’t need to remind you of the time pressure that we are under.”
Adham al Dharr turned to Sarah and Emily, who were still huddled on the floor. Emily had recovered, but still wept softly in Sarah’s protective embrace.
“Have you learned anything from these two yet?”
“No. I have not yet begun to question them.”
“You won’t mind if I take one of them, I’m sure. The tall girl with the brown hair isn’t really your type, is she? I’ll take her. With both of us working independently we’re likely to learn much more.
“Come with me girl,” the High Lord commanded Sarah.
One of al Dharr’s guards seized Sarah by the arm and pulled her to her feet and away from Emily. The other guard had picked up one of the discarded cloaks and draped it over Sarah’s shoulders, and pulled the hood well forward concealing her face.
“No, don’t leave me,” Emily wailed as the High Lord swept back out the door, his bodyguards and the helpless Sarah close behind.
Chapter 12
The Gift
The High Lord Adham al Dharr led Sarah, still firmly in the grasp of his guard, through the halls deeper into the Grand Palace toward his quarters. Despite the stress of her situation, Sarah was overwhelmed by the pure beauty of her surroundings. The builders had taken maximum advantage of the natural materials available within the mountain. The hallway floors were of dark, polished granite that reflected the walls and ceilings in the distance. The walls were clad in exquisitely cut marble veined with olivine and quartz, and the ceiling was of darkly speckled diorite. Spaced at irregular intervals were small nooks and alcoves containing vases, busts, statues and freeform shapes of bronze and gilt. Sarah involuntarily blushed at some of the actions depicted by the statues. They were artfully done, and she was willing to concede that men and women could possibly do such things, but she could not believe that anyone would—certainly no one that she knew would.
As they had left Kadeen, two additional guards had suddenly appeared in front of them, and were taking turns ranging ahead, checking and securing each alcove and cross corridor as al Dharr approached, and watching for any possible danger until the small party had passed.
“What’s your name, girl?” al Dharr asked as they walked down the hall.
“Sarah Murray. Why did your men attack our village, and why have I been kidnapped and brought here?”
“Your village was attacked? There must be some mistake. We sent a peaceful delegation to your lands to request your assistance in our time of need. Surely you are mistaken; perhaps you just misunderstood what you witnessed.”
“There is no mistake,” Sarah replied in outrage. “Our entire village was dragged from their homes and force marched to the old castle, with no explanation. Several people were killed, because they were too old, too young, or too feeble to keep up. Those were not the actions of a peaceful delegation. If you really needed our help with something, you only had to ask. The people of South Corner are always willing to lend a hand where needed.”
“It is very distressing to hear this report. I will certainly have to look into these matters, and if what you say is true, I will have a very serious conversation with Sorcerer Kadeen.
“Being from South Corner, you must be very familiar with my old friend and associate Gilladhe.”
“There is no one in South Corner by that name.”
“Now I am certain that you are not telling me the truth,” al Daharr said looking at Sarah askance, ”I know for a fact that Wizard Gilladhe has lived there for many years. Why would you try to conceal this from me?”
“You mean the Old Wizard? I’ve known him all my life, but I’ve never heard him called by the name that you used. He’s dead now; your men killed him.”
“This is more terrible news. Wizard Gilladhe was a great man and a good friend. But what of his apprentice; I owe it to my friend’s memory to ensure that his apprentice is well cared for. Can you tell me where he is now?” al Dahrr asked, watching Sarah intently for any sign of equivocation.
“If the Old Wizard is this Wizard Gilladhe that you are asking about, then the answer is easy. The Old Wizard had no apprentice. Aside from occasional trips into the country side to gather plants and mushrooms, he spent all of his time with his books. He would sometimes tell the odd tale to the local boys, but he mostly just kept to himself.”
This answer surprised the sorcerer. The girl appeared to be telling him what she believed to be the truth, but he was certain that an initiate of his former nemesis existed out there somewhere. He could feel it in the Realm, further, he had personally summoned the young man to the veil and spoken to him. Somehow the boy had managed to resist identifying himself at the time, an unusual display of self control, and now he was no doubt safely deposited in the shielded dungeon of Carraghlaoch where he could no longer reach him. How is it that this girl did not know of this young wizard? Is it possible that Gilladhe kept his apprentice a secret even from his close neighbors, and if so,
why had he done so? Unfortunately, continued patience would be required until al Dahrr could take possession of the boy. In the mean time, it was likely that this girl knew much more about him than she realized. Careful questioning over time would no doubt reveal much.
After a walk that seemed like a quarter mile through the beautiful, winding corridors, they finally approached a large set of double doors, carved from what looked like highly polished walnut. There was no way for Sarah to know, but these doors were probably the most precious items that she had seen thus far. They had been uniquely crafted for Adham al Dharr and shipped at great expense from the far reaches of the western edge of the realm, the only region in Baraduhne where really fine hardwoods could be grown to any appreciable dimensions. They bore the deeply carved likeness of a snarling cat of immense proportions. The lead guard opened one of the doors—seemingly with little effort and no noticeable sound although it had to have been extremely heavy—then stood to the side watching back down the hallway while the other guard entered, followed by al Dharr and the trailing guards with Sarah.
Through the doors, Sarah entered a room that literally took her breath away. It was larger than her entire home in South Corner, with lush, thick carpets; gilded walls with magnificent tapestries, and well upholstered, intricately carved furnishings. Mounted on the wall straight ahead was a larger than life portrait of High Lord and Great Sorcerer Adahm al Dahrr. Two doors lead from this room, one to either side.
They were met by four serving women, dressed in flowing, white gowns, and all with downcast eyes. One of the women knelt at al Dahrr’s right side so that he could steady himself with a hand upon her head while a second woman changed his slippers.
“These women will show you to your rooms” al Dahrr said, indicating the two women still standing. “They are located through that door on your right. You will be my guest for a time while I investigate all that you have told me. You are welcome to explore these quarters as you wish, but you may not leave these apartments. You would be in grave danger should you do so. You may also not enter my private quarters to the left without my express invitation. If I have time, I hope to see you at dinner this evening.” With these words, al Dahrr and the two women who had helped him departed through the door to his private quarters. The guard had already taken his position next to the door back to the corridor, resting his left hand lightly upon it, and the two remaining women gestured for Sarah to follow them through the door to the right.
The Staff of the Winds (The Wizard of South Corner Book 1) Page 22
