“Do you think you will drop it or cut yourself, Ashrak?” Rekmar said with disdain. “After I win, I’m going to make you clean up the blood yourself. I doubt you’ve even kept your practice up.”
For his part, Ashrak just grinned hungrily at his brother. When he spoke, his voice only had a slight tremble. “It’s worse than that, beast.” Slapping the blade of his weapon into his hand and gripping it. “My sword isn’t even sharp. Do you really think they would let me have a real weapon? Being a cast off from Brun? Still, it’s better than going back with you filthy animals. I’m fairly sure I can still beat you since you’ve most likely been sleeping in the taverns since I’ve been gone.”
Rekmar laughed, shaking his head. “You idiot. You could have changed weapons with someone before accepting. Are you really that much of an Ash-head? It will be my pleasure to see you brought back to Brun. I have been waiting to plant my final flower in our garden out back. It’s still there, by the way. Father had a hedge planted around it so people would stop falling in but he still enjoys visiting it. I hope you know he’ll probably not even remember your name a week after you are gone.”
“I’d consider that an honor,” Ashrak said before lapsing into silence.
Aiden looked around incredulously. The rest of the nobles and guards had backed off and retreated to their own sections, sitting to bear witness to whatever was going to happen on the central dais. Aiden could also see the people outside of the ceremony room looking in over the railing, some clearly moving through the crowd and making bets.
Moving over to Chari, Gavin, and the others, Aiden joined them as they stood anxiously.
“What is a sword dance?” Aiden asked quietly, looking up at the others.
“It’s an odd thing, really,” Stelios said darkly. “They basically cavort around each other and juggle their swords back and forth.”
Aiden's eye’s widened in horror. “That’s…that’s insane, isn't it? What’s to stop them from just throwing their sword like a spear?”
Stelios shrugged, still watching the two young men stare at each as the musicians quietly shuffled into the room and took up places near the stage. “Well, because they’d lose their honor. They can’t purposefully do that or they risk having their names go down in song or stories as having cheated. I hear Brunish storytellers are quite scathing. It has got to be the other’s mistake that causes the drop or… well, the other possibility.” Stelios paused, then looked at Aiden directly. “Don’t ask me how they can tell. I would think it would be easy to fake something up, but I wasn’t raised there.”
As the music began, it rose in a strangely haunting mix of drumming and squealing pipes. The boys began to move around, each holding their swords in front of them as if they were going to attack, but they didn’t. Just keeping their distance and watching. The beat began in a slow, even beat, mirrored by the dancers. Almost imperceptibly, Aiden began to notice the rhythm starting to increase and forcing the steps of the dancers to match.
About the third turn, Rekmar’s wrist flicked a perfect throw that arched across the intervening space and slapped into Ashrak’s hand which was now vacant of its own weapon. The two blades whipped by each other almost at the same time, crossing paths.
Time passed again, the music building almost painfully slow and the single exchange of the weapons happened twice more. It was almost as if they were tempting each other, and on the third toss, Rekmar spun in place before getting back into position to catch the sword that was flickering back at him.
They were measuring each other, testing each other and as the pace quickened, so did the throws, but in between they also began to dance. Turning once or twice. Taking their eyes off of their opponent but always back in time to catch the sword. Each blade perfectly thrown to test each other’s resolve and coordination. The music was moving faster now, making everything that much harder, but it was also beautiful to watch.
As they all watched, even the murmuring of the far off crowd stilled at the spectacle. Aiden had never seen anything like it as each man turned and flipped and spun with the flashing blades flickering back and forth.
He could see now what skill this had to take and the honor it bestowed. As much as he loathed Ashrak’s brother, he could not help but admire both men at their display of skill.
But in the end, Ashrak’s seed planted itself and grew. The blade his brother thought was harmless, that he thought would give him an edge was nothing of the sort. Rekmar had no clue the blade would never harm its master, but anyone else it would be deadly. When he made a particularly difficult spin and came back around, realizing the blade was there instead of the handle, he was not overly worried.
The look of confusion on his face when he didn’t feel his fingers close over the metal was only there for a moment because the blade didn’t stop when it passed. It spun once more and the handle slapped against his stomach with the blade arching at an angle through his upper torso before dropping to the floor.
Aiden turned away quickly. He’d known what was going to happen but couldn’t take his eyes off of it. The look of surprise on Rekmar’s face would be frozen in his mind for a long time. As he turned, he saw the grim looks on Duke Valeran’s and Captain Stelio’s faces. He had been afraid they would be happy but was thankful they did not take joy in their enemy’s defeat.
The crowd behind them when Aiden turned all wore the same shocked expression. Some started to scream immediately while others turned away, but still others were frozen in shock and disgust. There was only one face that was different. The wrinkled, pocked face of Duke Feldar actually had a look of profound joy. It was disturbing on a level Aiden didn’t know how to identify as he watched the man’s eyes twinkle, his jowls almost shivering in excitement. When he licked his lips almost hungrily, Aiden felt his own curl up in disgust and caught the old Duke’s attention.
Their eyes met for a long moment, neither moving as they studied each other. Aiden had seen the Duke before when they’d first come in, and of course when he and Ashrak had visited the Duke’s study so long ago, but he’d never had the man looking back at him. There was a strange light that flickered in the man's soul, and even as Aiden’s own lips twisted up in even greater disgust, the evil smile broadened into something toadlike and anticipatory.
Two days.
The words echoed in Aiden's mind and the memory of the crystal vial flashed back to his consciousness. He had to tell someone. Even if he did end up using the vial, would the Mourning Lord stop Duke Feldar and whatever they had planned? Why would he? The dark figure was clearly insane, and perhaps it would just sit back and enjoy the show.
He watched as the sick old man laughed silently before standing and making his way out of the large ceremony room, all of his entourage and guards following him as they cleared away from the riot going on behind Aiden. Others were leaving as well, but Aiden didn’t know if any one of them were of the five that Romald had named.
Duke Brun was still behind him, screaming incoherently now. When Aiden turned to watch, carefully avoiding the misshapen lump in the middle of the stage, he saw a number of Riften guards holding down the bellowingDuke while others kept his people at bay. They’d disarmed him but for the most part weren’t doing anything but restraining him. Duchess Emraldi had also left the stage and moved toward Valeran and Romald, clearly making ready to leave as well. Gavin waved to Aiden from beside Markam, gesturing for him to come closer so the Terek and Riften guards could escort them out.
Then they left. Aiden was in a daze. He had understood so little about what had happened but he knew it had far-reaching impact. What disturbed him the most was listening to the winners collect the bets from the losers in the crowds that had surrounded the ceremony.
These people were much like their Duchess, Aiden thought as he glanced over at the graceful woman. Cold and calculating. It was almost painfully clear the Duchess had set up what had just happened. What other tricks did she have in store? Even if she was on their side, could she b
e trusted? Romald called it a game, but Aiden would never call it that. Not when someone could be left bleeding on the floor so casually, discarded like a piece of trash.
Still, did he really have a choice? For better or for worse, they had helped his friend Ashrak. Aiden had to warn his friends something was going to happen in two days. Something that would surely be bad for his friends, unless he drank from the vial and the Mourning Lord stood by his word.
Sighing, he decided he’d talk to Gavin, Chari, and Ashrak first. Maybe they could give him some insight before he went to Duke Valeran. Hopefully, nothing would happen on the way back to the castle. This day had already had enough excitement.
Chapter 24
“Seriously, Aiden,” Ashrak said mournfully after Aiden had described his meeting with the Mourning Lord. “I believe you, but do you have to upstage me all the time?”
Aiden looked at him helplessly, but Chari was more than willing to smack Ashrak on his behalf. “Ashrak, stop being impossible!”
Ashrak rubbed his shoulder but grinned anyway. “That’s what I am good at. That and poking holes in things. I got to poke a big hole in something tonight! I think I can still hear my father screaming, poor deranged idiot.”
“Ashrak, I’ve heard your stories but it's strangely disturbing to see you so happy after killing your brother,” Gavin said softly, looking a little uncomfortable.
Ashrak’s smile dimmed somewhat, but Chari turned to Gavin with an angry look. “Don’t you dare make him feel bad. You know exactly what that monster was going to do if he’d gotten his way.”
Aiden shook his head. “Valeran wasn’t going to let them take Ashrak. I think Duchess Emraldi wouldn’t either, but she scares me. I’m sure she knew about your sword Ashrak. Did you see the way she played your brother?”
Ashrak’s grin sprang fully to life again. “Oh yes, I did! They’re entirely too clever for their own good here, but at least this time, it happened in our favor. Not that my family is generally very hard to trick, but in this case, I could have kissed her!”
Aiden and Gavin both watched Chari glare at Ashrak, grinning as the tall noble realized what he’d said and turned to her, holding up his hands defensively, “figure of speech!”
“I’ll give you a figure of speech!” Chari said, launching herself onto Ashrak and assaulting him with tickles and pinches. The boy helplessly rolled back and forth, trying to fend her off and failed miserably while Aiden and Gavin laughed. Markam didn’t raise his head from where he was sharpening a dagger, but even he chuckled once.
All three boys could tell that Chari and Ashrak were more and more comfortable with each other every day. It was only a matter of time, Aiden thought as he sighed wistfully.
“Well, Aiden,” Gavin said, turning away from the rolling couple. “Personally, I think you should chuck that bottle off the highest roof if I didn’t think it might do something else nasty. Give it to Professor Reivus. He’ll know how to dispose of it.”
“But Gavin,” Aiden said, suddenly sad again, “what if it's for real? What if I kill myself and the Mourning Lord does call off whatever he’s planning?”
“What if he doesn’t? Then you’ll have killed yourself for nothing. No Aiden, you can’t trust beings like that. You remember what Count Viridian and the Professor said, they are insane. He could just as easily try to paint the city pink as stop whatever he’s doing. Besides, don’t throw away the gift my father gave to you.”
“Gift?” Aiden said, blinking his eyes in confusion. “What gift?”
“Your life. And risking the entire Duchy of Terek for you as well.” Gavin said calmly. “What do you think would happen to Terek if the other duchies found out what really happened? They already used your trial to call an early session. Or, to put it another way, what do you think Duchess Emraldi would do in their stead? She is my mother’s sister, but they are very different people.”
Aiden went quiet at that and tried to keep his eyes off of Glowby who was floating serenely over their small group. He wasn’t sure, but remembering the cold look on her face as she left the ceremony room suddenly surfaced in his mind. While it had worked out for his friend Ashrak, she had sacrificed his brother without blinking. Somehow, if she had ruled Terek, Aiden suspected he would never have made it to a trial room and would either be working his life away in a hidden dungeon somewhere or very dead.
“That’s true. I guess.” Aiden said slowly. “But what if I can stop whatever is going on?”
“No,” Gavin said, shaking his head slowly. “Just stop. You are doing exactly what the Mourning Lords did, Aiden. Stop and think about it. They admitted they don’t know what happened. Professor Reivus, Count Viridian, and even the Mourning Lord all admitted they don’t really know why the Cataclysm happened, yet the Mourning Lords are acting like they do and making decisions. Don’t make the same mistake, Aiden. Just don’t.”
“He’s right, Aiden,” Chari said, looking up from where she had been resting her head on Ashrak’s chest. “They’ve done all of this for four thousand years on a guess. What if they are wrong?”
“But what do I do if you all die and he’s able to destroy the city?” Aiden asked sadly.
“Or,“ Ashrak said, grinning. “you pull something out of your butt and we beat the tar out of whatever it is they’re planning. And! Bonus! You get to live. I’ve said it before, Aiden, I’m betting on you. Don’t make me lose my bet.”
Aiden looked at his three friends and then nodded. He was too tired anyway and didn’t want to think about it anymore. “Okay, we’ll talk to the Duke tomorrow morning. I promise I won’t do anything tonight.”
Chari stood, wistfully holding onto Ashrak’s hand for a moment before letting go and turning toward Aiden, “You. Give me that vial before I go to my room. I don’t want you doing anything stupid before the night is done.” She held out her hand authoritatively to Aiden, and he reluctantly nodded before dropping it into her palm. She nodded, then gave Ashrak one last glance before leaving for her own room.
After the boys had settled and Aiden felt himself just about to drift off, Gavin spoke softly into the night air.
“Ashrak. You do realize you’re now the only Heir to the Brun Duchy, right?”
There was a pregnant silence from Ashrak’s bed and for a moment Aiden didn’t think he was going to say anything until finally, he grunted. “Oh...crap.”
They all laughed then. It had been a momentous day, but Aiden was certain it would not be the only one on this trip. Something was going to happen, and he suspected it was going to be big.
***
He felt the transition easily this time. That slide and pop as his body slid into the Anderealm, but the sights around him when he opened his eyes were very foreign.
The room was huge, reminding him somehow of a many-times-too-large warehouse. It was far larger than anything he’d ever seen before and there were strange, huge metal boxes sitting on the floor deep into the room. They were easily many times bigger than a wagon and had windows set high up on one side. As large as they were, they didn’t look like houses to him, but what else could they be?
Scattered around and between the strange buildings and filling much of the remaining floor were wooden crates, barrels, sleeping mats, and pieces of armor either laid carefully or scattered. Whatever this place was, it looked lived in at the moment.
“Okay, Glowby,” Aiden said softly, “you brought me here, now what is it you want me to see?” Glowby floated toward him, glowing a soft bluish purple as if to reassure him before moving over to a large pile of crates and barrels sitting near one of the odd box-like buildings. As Aiden joined him, he looked down and saw swords, bows, daggers and bushels of arrows and bolts. It looked like everything Aiden could think of that an army would need.
But what was this place? He’d never seen a room this big, and though the walls were metal, they didn’t look like the flimsy ones he’d seen on other warehouses. Was this an army getting ready to attack Riften? Was there
even a warehouse this large there? No one could miss thousands of men, and even if someone was paid off, he was certain Romald and his ever-busy spy network would have found out.
Unless he was in on it.
Aiden felt a cold trickle of fear race down his back. What if Romald was involved? Hadn’t he led Aiden to that side room where the Mourning Lord had spoken to him? His family built the Bastion of the Golden Hand. Couldn’t they have built other places underground? Places you could keep an army that would need thick walls?
He shuddered, barely noticing Glowby begin moving again. When he did, Aiden moved to follow, turning the corner of one of the large, square buildings and getting a surprise in turn. This one’s wall was laid down like a ramp up into the building and he could see inside the cavernous expanse.
inside were odd structures holding what looked like chairs, but stacked on top of one another. If they were for people, it would hold much more than could be held on just the floor, but how was anyone supposed to get in the upper seats? There were also metal racks to the side that held pikes. The long, deadly weapons looking somehow off within the confines of what held it. He reached out to touch one of the racks, marveling at its structure and with a shock, realized it wasn’t metal at all. It was glimmer steel. All of it.
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 58
