by Sam Ferguson
“Erik,” Lepkin said softly. “No one can force you to take the test. If you decline to take it then your decision must be respected. Know that neither I nor Al will ever force you into this.”
“I know,” Erik said. “I’m sorry I broke into Al’s study.”
Master Lepkin chuckled softly. “Yes, I thought you had promised not to do that sort of thing anymore after you were caught in Lady Dimwater’s study.” Lepkin lay down on his back and placed a wrist over his eyes. “Are the healers on their way?”
“Yes,” Dimwater said softly. “They are coming.”
“Why can’t you help?” Erik asked innocently.
“I was in a great battle recently. Most of my energy was expended. It will take me several days to recover.”
“So, will either of you be coming with me?” Erik asked.
“I am afraid we will have to wait,” Dimwater replied. “I am too weak, and Lepkin must have time to recover from his wounds.”
“It sounds like the two of you ran into some warlocks,” Al guessed.
“Yes,” Dimwater replied. “They were of the same order as Tukai. The one I met was much more powerful though. I think he had been using a Shadowfiend’s help to supplement his magical abilities.”
“Could it have been the work of Be’alt the Black?” Lepkin asked.
“It’s possible, but it could have been another.” Dimwater sat on the bed next to Lepkin and gently wiped the man’s forehead with her sleeve. “Why didn’t you tell me that you tried to leave the monastery?”
“You knew why I couldn’t come. The horde was there,” Lepkin replied.
“But I never knew that you had tried to come before you saw the horde,” Dimwater said with a tear sliding down her cheek. “That makes a world of difference to me.”
Lepkin peered at her from under his wrist and smiled faintly for her.
The door opened and in walked Marlin, the new prelate, flanked by six other men in white robes. “I have brought the healers.”
“Shouldn’t you be in the council chamber,” Al scolded playfully.
“The new bishop is very quick to take to his position. He is whipping everyone into shape as we speak.”
“Good,” Lepkin said with a chuckle. “I am sure he will do well.”
“I must ask everyone to leave. Lady Dimwater, three of these healers have come for your aid if you would like.”
“Does the new prelate not see me in the same light as the last?” Lady Dimwater asked.
“Even when judging by auras, some are too blinded by the first colors they see to notice the heart within. Forgive the others.”
“It is forgotten,” Dimwater said.
“As for me,” Marlin continued. “I see only an ally to the cause. I am honored to have one who engenders the love of the Keeper in the temple. Perhaps I could be so bold as to ask for the honor of officiating at the wedding, if there is to be one.” Both Lepkin and Dimwater turned red in the face. “Forgive me,” Marlin said. “I see the love each of you carries for the other. I just assumed that it might be a desire for you both.”
“The only way I can earn the right to Dimwater’s hand is if Master Orres draws his sword against me. As I failed to show up for the duel, I have lost the right to initiate any challenge for her hand.”
“And Master Orres did not want your hand after he won it?” Marlin asked puzzled.
“For the same reason your order thinks I defile the temple, Master Orres holds the right to my hand but refuses to either marry me, or let Lepkin marry me,” Dimwater said quietly.
“Ah, forgive me,” Marlin said. “Is there any other way?”
Lepkin sat up and propped his elbow underneath to hold himself up. “Would everyone excuse us?” he asked. Dimwater and Al gave Lepkin questioning looks but they both nodded their heads. The healers all stepped out first, then Lady Dimwater. Al grabbed Erik’s shoulder and started to lead the boy out but Lepkin protested. “Erik can stay.”
Al glanced between the two and then shrugged as he walked out.
“What can I do for you?” Erik asked.
“We shall see,” Lepkin said with a smile. “Forgive me for not telling you about Gelleirt monastery before. I did not want you to find out about it like this.”
“It is alright, Master Lepkin,” Erik said with a smile.
“There is a journal in the saddlebag sitting on the floor by the wall. The pages are blank on the inside. Can you go and get it, Erik?” Erik nodded and rushed to get the journal.
“Is this it?”
“Anecdotes of the Forgotten Traveler,” Marlin said as he caught a glimpse of the title. “Might I ask whose journal it is?
“First I must ask something,” Lepkin said. “How good is Erik? Can he discern between truth and error?”
“Most of the time,” Marlin said.
“Could he tell if you were lying, or trying to hide something?” Lepkin asked. Marlin frowned, but nodded that Erik would know.
“I have been training with Marlin, er I mean the prelate,” Erik said.
“You may call me Marlin,” Marlin said with a smile. “We are first and foremost, friends, never to be separated by titles and offices.” Marlin roughed Erik’s hair and then looked back to Lepkin. “Erik would know if I tried to lie. What is it you ask of me?”
“There is one way that I can win back the right to Lady Dimwater’s hand,” Lepkin said. Hope glinted in his eyes as he held up the book. “If I find proof of misdeeds by Orres, or if I can find anything that disputes his honor, I will have the right to challenge him again.”
“Ah, so this is Orres’ journal then?” Marlin asked.
“It is locked with a spell. The words are invisible. I can not unlock it, but I can’t have someone else unlock it either unless I am certain that the person doesn’t tamper with it.”
“Ah, so you would have me unlock the journal for you, with Erik here to verify that I have not tampered with it. Is that it?” Marlin asked.
“That is what I want. Can it be done?”
Marlin looked back to Erik. “I must explain that if we do this, and Orres proves to be in fault, he and your master will duel to the death. If you help me unlock this journal, you will be partly responsible.”
Erik mulled that over in his head for a moment. “I will do it on one condition,” he said. “After this, I am allowed to return to my house and help my father. I think I know what the prophecy means, and I think I can beat it.”
“Erik, the prophecies of warlocks cannot be beaten, they will always come true. Perhaps not in the way we expect, but they’re always fulfilled,” Master Lepkin replied. His smile was kind and gentle, helping a little to take the edge off of his words. “But, if that is your wish, then I grant it. However, I ask that you allow Al to accompany you. He is a fine warrior, and will put your life above his own if need be.”
“I could send some members of the temple guards as well,” Marlin offered.
“The temple guards are not looked upon well by most citizens of the realm,” Lepkin countered. “Besides, two horses are quieter than six or eight. And, I will need the guard here.”
“I understand,” Marlin said quickly.
“So, I can go right after this journal is unlocked?” Erik asked.
“As long as Al goes with you,” Lepkin said with a nod.
“So, what do we do to unlock the book?” Erik asked.
*****
Janik stretched his left leg and rubbed behind the knee with his right hand. Senator Bracken sat across the table from him, with his attendants sitting well out of earshot at another table in the back of the little inn.
“The pain is still there?” Senator Bracken asked.
“Demons inflict wounds that have ways of sticking with you,” Janik replied with a crooked grin. “But you know all about that, don’t you?” Senator Bracken smiled back and nodded as he sipped some of his ale from the dark ceramic mug before him. “How did your meeting with King Threntonsirai go?”
“He said that?” Janik’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned back in his chair with a pleased smile on his face.
“Well, he said it in so many words,” Senator Bracken replied. “Your friend Lepkin showed up too. He can vouch for my story, if he’s still alive that is.”
“I wouldn’t underestimate him,” Janik said. “He’s harder to kill than a cockroach made of stone.”
“So I have heard. Either way, if he is not dead, he is certainly not in good shape. How are things going on your end?”
“I was able to get the knife from Orres’ safe. He had confiscated it from Eldrik only the week before for wearing it at Kuldiga Academy. I gave it to Sir Duvall, who promptly stuck it in the magistrate’s back.”
“I bet that did not sit well with Mr. Stilwell,” Senator Bracken chuckled.
“No,” Janik replied as a barmaid came over and refilled his mug. “They certainly keep good help around this inn,” Janik said, looking over the woman’s figure.
“Yes, they do,” Senator Bracken agreed. He eyed the short, blonde woman from head to toe with thirsty eyes. “I shall have to make a point of returning here after our business with House Lokton is concluded.” The barmaid blushed shyly and skittered away quickly once she was done filling their mugs. “Back to the topic at hand,” Senator Bracken said after watching the barmaid leave. “What do we do about Erik?”
“Ah, yes the boy still walks among the living,” Janik said. “We can’t have that.”
“No, we can’t,” Senator Bracken replied wickedly.
“Not to worry my friend. I have Sir Duvall bombarding Valtuu Temple with pleas for Erik to return home and defend House Lokton’s honor. The boy did go through the Konn Deta after all, so he is bound by honor to answer the call.”
“You forget,” Senator Bracken interjected, raising a finger in the air. “Lepkin will never let Erik see those messages. He knows the boy would run back. Lepkin is not that foolish.”
“Perhaps not,” Janik replied with a nod. “But I know Erik very well. I have befriended the boy over many months. I know that sooner or later his curiosity will get the better of him. He will get his hands on one of those letters, and then it is game over. Not even Lepkin will be able to talk sense into the boy. Erik will go back in hopes of stopping that prophecy, if nothing else.”
“You would know better than I what will work on the boy,” Senator Bracken said with a shrug.
“Yes, I would,” Janik agreed. “And then, once Erik, and Lepkin if he is alive, walk into our trap I will dispose of them.”
“Erik first of course,” Senator Bracken put in.
“Of course,” Janik said. “And you will be there too, to pick up the pieces of the two houses after they clash. After all, a senator must keep order in the kingdom.”
“Indeed,” Senator Bracken chuckled devilishly. “And all the while, Wizard Erthor will be marching on Valtuu Temple to retrieve Nagar’s Secret. Without Lepkin or Erik there to stop him, it will be like taking candy from a baby.”
“Especially with that overzealous prelate in charge of the place,” Janik put in. “Perhaps if we are lucky, the prelate will already have sent Erik through the Test of Arophim and the boy will be dead. No matter though, for if Erik is alive, the prophecy of Tukai will nag at his core until he finally returns.”
“Mmm, I suppose that might work,” Senator Bracken replied. “Let us drink to the memory of Tukai.” Senator Bracken raised his mug into the air. “His sacrifice will not be in vain.”
“Truly, he will receive his reward when the book is found and opened.” Janik clicked his mug to Senator Bracken’s and then the two drank deeply. The door to the inn opened then. The night air swept in like flooding water. The two looked up and smiled at the sight of Sir Duvall.
“Greetings, gentlemen,” Sir Duvall said quietly as he removed his cloak.
“You are late,” Janik said as Sir Duvall sat in a chair next to him.
“It is harder to get away with all of House Lokton running patrols and drills all day long. You wouldn’t believe what I had to say to get out of drills for this meeting.”
“No matter, we will be finished with House Lokton soon.” Janik motioned with his hand toward Senator Bracken. “Have you been introduced?” Janik asked Sir Duvall.
“I know of Senator Bracken, though I have not had the pleasure of meeting him.” Sir Duvall extended his hand in greeting, but Senator Bracken did not take it.
“The senator has, regretfully, been dead for months now. I only take the form of his body.”
“Then, who are you?” Sir Duvall asked.
“His name is Gondok’hr,” Janik said. “He is a member of the Order of the All Seeing Eye. He was well acquainted with Tukai, who came to Erik’s Konn Deta feast.”
“I did not know we were keeping company with warlocks,” Sir Duvall grumbled.
“It does not matter who we work with,” Janik said. “It matters only that we win, and that our allies have goals that are in line with our own.” Janik finished his ale and smiled as he clapped Sir Duvall on the back. “Gondok’hr has been working the senate over the last few months, and the king of the dwarves as well. We are almost perfectly poised to make our move.”
“Except for House Lokton and House Cedreau, that is,” Gondok’hr added with a wicked grin. “Tell me, Sir Duvall, will the two houses fight each other?”
Sir Duvall looked from Janik to Gondok’hr with a somber expression. He leaned forward on the table, resting on his elbows and looking at the table for a moment before he began speaking. “As I have sworn, I have done all that has been asked of me. I spread the rumor of the prophecy-”
“The prophecy is not a rumor,” Gondok’hr cut in. “You should not insult warlocks so. The prophecy will come to pass.”
“Yes,” Sir Duvall said. “I meant only that I created dissent among House Lokton by spreading it around. It has definitely affected the morale of the men Lord Lokton commands, I can tell you that. It has gone around so much that I didn’t even have to imply that the prophecy was behind the Magistrate’s murder. I killed the magistrate and planted the knife of Cedreau’s eldest boy in the man’s back and when I led Mr. Stilwell to it, Stilwell himself swore that it was the beginning of the prophecy. The night after we spoke with Lord Lokton, I arranged to set Mr. Stilwell free. I led him to House Cedreau and Mr. Stilwell fired an arrow through Eldrik’s bedroom window.” Sir Duvall dug his thumbnail into the wood of the table nervously. “Only, we didn’t kill Eldrik. Mr. Stilwell slew Timon, Lord Cedreau’s youngest son.”
“Mmm, the irony is delicious,” Gondok’hr said with a sneer. “I am sure the death of the youngest son was enough to call up the armies of House Cedreau.”
“And Lord Lokton has called his up in defense. They are to meet on the field tomorrow for a parlay, but I will make sure that the two houses fight.” Sir Duvall stopped digging the wood with his thumbnail and looked up with a grin of his own. “When Lokton and I ride out to parlay with Lord Cedreau and his eldest son, I will have Mr. Stilwell hiding in the trees nearby. He has instructions to fire his arrow and kill Eldrik.” Sir Duvall sat back and folded his arms proudly.
“And what if Eldrik is not involved with the parlay?” Gondok’hr asked.
“No problem,” Sir Duvall said with a wave of his right hand. “Mr. Stilwell will kill Lord Cedreau instead, and if neither of them show up for the parlay, then Mr. Stilwell will slay Lord Lokton with the arrow. Any way it goes down, it will look as though one house has betrayed the other. The knights will not stand for it. There will be blood tomorrow, a lot of it.”
*****
Erik and Al rode hard and fast, skirting the southern border of Lord Cedreau’s land and heading for Lokton Manor as fast as they could. Both of their h
orses were lathered with sweat, but neither steed showed signs of slowing. Goliath led the way, with Erik on his back. Al was two horse lengths behind, but keeping up pretty well. Since leaving the temple they had not stopped, except to sleep for just a couple of hours and rest their horses. They either ate their meals while riding, or skipped the meals altogether.
They arrived at the border between House Lokton’s holdings and House Cedreau’s just before noon. They rode to the top of a fairly large foothill, covered with green and brown grasses, to afford them a look around. Erik stood in his stirrups and looked out beyond the forest on the other side of the hill. His heart almost stopped in his chest when he saw the two armies facing each other. He hoped he wasn’t too late.
The two armies consisted of several hundred men, most carrying spears, led by a score or so men on horseback. Lord Lokton rode in front of House Lokton’s army. Erik could tell because he could see the green cape flowing in the wind behind as Lord Lokton trotted his horse proudly toward the center of the field. Another knight rode with him, though Erik could not tell who it was. None of the knights in Lord Lokton’s service wore distinguished capes or carried flags. Their armor was all made by Demetrius, so there was no telling them apart, except for the family crests they would display on their shields, and Erik was too far away to see the knight’s shield.
Two men rode out in front of House Cedreau’s army. Erik guessed that the one was Lord Cedreau, as he also wore a flowing cape with the colors of his house. The other man next to him looked to be one of the knights in his service, but Erik couldn’t tell for sure.
“They are going to parlay,” Al said.
Erik nodded. “I know.”
“If that prophecy is true, it could be that you get your father killed by riding down there to help. The other army might see it as a sign of aggression,” Al said.
“I should ride at my father’s side,” Erik said. “Perhaps if we come toward the back, from that side of the forest over there we won’t look like a threat.” Erik pointed to a far of section of the forest.
“Perhaps,” Al said noncommittally.
