Chronicles of Den'dra: A Land Torn: Ancient Powers Awaken

by Spencer Johnson

  “Stop it Taric! I could have dealt with him.” Roild admonished a confused Taric.

  “Stop what?”

  “You really don’t know when it happens?” Seeroth paused in mid knot.

  “When what happens?!”

  “When you did all this!” Seeroth finished the knot as Taric glared at the two of them.

  “Your eyes sort of glow and...” Roild tried to explain the effect but Seeroth interrupted him.

  “And you get exceptionally bullheaded and slightly stronger. Finish tying that one up and don’t forget to look under their armor.” Seeroth waved a small dagger that he had unearthed behind an armor plate. Taric glared in response and returned to his task.

  “What now?” Roild inquired of Seeroth as soon as they had finished securing all the rebels.

  "Now we move him to my brig."

  "What? He hasn't done anything!" Taric protested the injustice of the proposition.

  "Just a moment. Forgot the two outside. We have to move him someplace safer. I trust my men at the brig. On top of that we don't know what he will be when he wakes up." Seeroth had an element of logic that neither of them could deny. After securing the two guards that had been stationed outside they wrapped the human in a blanket and carried him between Taric and Seeroth with Roild limping behind. They only had a few people look at them with more than a glance. The ones that looked longer never bothered to ask the contents of the bundle. There was however more than a passing interest when Seeroth marched into a jail cell and deposited the bundle on the cot.

  "What are you gaping at? Get some better blankets and post a guard at the entrance." The men of the guard didn't hesitate for more than a second. There were a few puzzled looks as the human was unwrapped but the men obeyed Seeroth without asking any questions trusting that if they needed to know something that they would be told.

  “Now what?” Roild collapsed on a chair and grimaced as he looked at his feet.

  “We are going to wait and see what happens while you go meet a healer somewhere else. I don’t want anyone but my men and the two of you in here.” Seeroth moved off to check on the guards that he had posted at the entrance to the fortified building carved into the cave wall near the gates. Roild simply slumped in the chair resolving to wait until his feet felt better before making the ordered trip to the healer. Taric stood on the other side of the bars and watched the rhythmic breathing of the human. It was a strange sight considering that he had never breathed deep enough to be noticeable since they had found the mangled body at the bottom of the crack.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Urake slid into the chair opposite the despondent lieutenant who glance up with a baleful look. Fenar had informed him that the man had been losing himself into his wine over the last couple weeks. She had at first recognized Urake as a courier that had passed through her old inn once in a while. When introduced by Brounn she was rather astonished before giving him a tongue lashing on the proper etiquette involving coming back from the dead. Emeck had been dispatched to Tusul’s with Urake’s damaged armor where Turana had taken it upon herself to see that he got a good meal and a new wardrobe. Urake had received a full tour of the new Golden Thistle and found it to be better than he could have expected.

  “I would rather not have the company.” Ildroth watched the red fluid as he swirled it in his glass attempting to ignore his uninvited table guest.

  “Emeck, can he be trusted?” Urake was able to read people fairly well but he couldn’t be too sure. Emeck’s assistance was invaluable. The youth had explained a phenomenon where he was able to use his abilities in Urake’s immediate vicinity even if he was across town. He explained it like the light cast from a lantern only Urake was the lantern.

  “He is depressed and tired of waiting. He would rather go north but he made a promise. I'm pretty sure that he can be trusted but he is going to be difficult to deal with.” Emeck had been practicing his skills on the trip north from the Elder forest. Essdra’s training had been a major boost in his growth. While unable to read specific thoughts or memories in those untrained in conveying them he had uncovered a talent at sensing people’s emotions.

  “My associate tells me that you can be trusted.”

  “Your associate? I'm tired of dealing with you underlings. You can’t help me any more than that cobbler, the masked man or Fenar could so why don’t you just leave me alone.” It was obvious that Ildroth had drank more than the glass he held.

  “I'm sorry that my underlings haven’t made you fully appreciate them. I can vouch for each of the people that you have named so far.” Urake was sure that he could once he uncovered the identity of the masked man.

  “You need to tell your underlings that I need to speak to... wait... Don’t tell me that you are the fabled... person. Asgare that was what I was looking for. Are you the Asgare? No, you wouldn’t risk meeting me. You’re trying to trick me aren’t you.” Ildroth struggled to think through the haze that enveloped his mind.

  “I'm told that you want to hire me for some reason.” Urake slid the wine glass out of the man’s fingers. Ildroth didn’t try resisting as the realization that he sat across the table from the most feared assassin of all time slammed into his befuddled brain.

  “Name your prithe. Price! Whatever you want.”

  “I have two principles that I have found tend to be most advantageous. One is to never agree to a job unless I know what it is first and secondly that I shouldn’t ever allow my hesitations to be overcome with money. You have only said two complete sentences and have already offended both of those principles.” Urake crossed his arms and leaned back.

  “Someone very important needs protected. That’s all I can tell you.” Ildroth retained enough of his senses to hold his tongue. Urake considered returning the glass of wine but figured that it wouldn’t have the desired effect soon enough for his liking.

  “Why do you want to go north? Do you want to meet with Reigns or is it something else?” Urake leaned forward and peered into Ildroth’s startled face.

  “It’s more north east than anything. Not the same direction as Shienhin.” Apparently Emeck was eavesdropping on the conversation and offered a newly unearthed detail.

  “What is east of Shienhin?” Urake pressed as the lieutenant began looking fearful and fidgeted.

  “How... how do you know about the general’s camp?” Ildroth looked like we wanted to sink through his seat as Urake continued eyeing him.

  “That wouldn’t be general Balinor would it?” Ildroth’s feeble reaction was enough of a confirmation to Urake’s query.

  “How could you know that?” It seemed that the effect of Urake’s interrogation was clearing the fog from Ildroth’s head.

  “It was a guess that you confirmed just now. Who is this important person that you want protected?

  “You have to trust me. I can’t tell you until the time is right. Secrecy is imperative for the plan to work. I don’t even know.” Ildroth leaned forward and virtually pleaded.

  “Who is Em’risi? He is afraid for her for some reason.” Urake flinched at Emeck’s question.

  “I don’t have time for games right now. When you know more speak to my underlings. They know how to get me a message.” Urake pushed his chair back and stood up as Ildroth tried to think of something to say. Urake understood that in Ildroth's current state he wouldn't be able to extract much more. The last effects of the wine mercifully left the lieutenant mute as he watched the Asgare leave. He glanced back at the wine before scowling fiercely. There had been too much of that already. He blamed it on his failure in recruiting the Asgare. His head fell to his hands as he tried to think of what to do next. His orders were to stay in the area and if possible recruit the Asgare so even in failing one he still had orders to remain in Warton.

  “How soon can you be ready?” Urake sent the message to Emeck shortly after he had bade Fenar farewell and told her to keep an eye on Ildroth.

  “Turana and Danryn will be upset but I can
be ready in fifteen minutes max.” Emeck had made friends with the lieutenant's page who had been staying at Tusul’s. Turana had tasked Tusul with creating an armor suit like Urake’s that fit the lad. It wouldn’t be finished for a couple weeks at the minimum but Emeck had been measured a thousand different ways over the last day so work could continue without his person present.

  “It will take me at least that long to get there so take your time.” Urake threaded his way through the afternoon foot traffic that besieged the central parts of Warton during this time of the day. When he arrived at the cobbler’s shop he stepped inside but didn’t progress more than a couple feet beyond the door. Brounn had told him the story about Ildroth's unfortunate experiences in the shop.

  “You’ve hardly aged a bit since I last saw you!” Tusul appeared at the door in the back and invited him over laughing at Urake’s hesitation. “Brounn had been telling tall tales again hasn’t he.”

  “I'm not so sure they weren’t that tall to tell the truth” Tusul snorted as if offended. Urake was well aware of Tusul’s skills and believed the whole place to be one giant trap should Tusul feel threatened. Danryn was busy packing a heap of supplies into the packs while Turana finished up a seam on Emeck’s new shirt. Urake couldn’t help but notice that the lad was wearing a set of ordinary looking dark clothes that were of an excellent quality. His new boots were obviously by Tusul’s hand as well as the scabbards for the twin short elven swords that hung upside down on his back beneath the cloak.

  Urake received his repaired armor and stepped into the garderobe to slip it on. When he stepped out he was clad in his old uniform from head to foot. The new dual sided cloak covered his weapons but you could see the well fashioned leathers that he wore. It was clear that he had a mission in mind.

  “Danryn from house Uskyn?” Urake finished securing the last of his weapons in his belt as Danryn nodded speechlessly.

  “Tell Ildroth that I will be heading north east. He will know what I mean. Tusul, send Emeck’s gear as soon as you get it finished. I have a feeling that we will be needing it soon.”

  “Be careful. The repair that I made isn’t as good as the original but it should still do the job. The next one I make will have better reinforcement on the shoulder blades and the sides. I have finished a few signets that you might find useful.” Tusul looked at the armor like he was looking at a beloved child for the last time.

  “I packed provisions for the two of you but kept it light.” Urake had seen the heap that had been fitted into the packs and wondered what she would have packed if it wasn’t supposed to be light. A glance told him that the wash basin was still on the counter so there was that.

  “We will be back eventually. I can’t say when but don’t worry about the two of us.” Urake was not the one for long goodbyes so as soon as he could politely extricate himself he departed with Emeck in tow.

  “Why did you decide to go north?” Emeck couldn’t understand. It wasn’t like Urake to make sudden decision on matters of this import.

  “It was your fault really.”

  “How was it my fault?” Emeck glanced over.

  “Em’risi. That is why. I wouldn’t have done anything for Illiad beyond sparing his life but the princess is another thing altogether.”

  “Princess Em’risi? You know her?” Emeck was surprised that Urake would put his search for Skeln on hold for a princess.

  “I wasn’t always an assassin.” Urake seemed to be lost in thought temporarily.

  “I suppose that I hadn’t considered it.”

  “Ha. I know that it is hard to believe but I was once a young impulsive youth.”

  “I don’t have trouble believing that. I'm just trying to imagine what you were like. Was the young Asgare in fights frequently between his chores?” Emeck was still in awe of the man but he had lost his fear.

  “Believe it or not, I was a noble in line for being the head of my house. I didn’t do chores.” Urake made the shocking statement matter of factly.

  “What happened?” Emeck asked once he had overcome the initial shock of the announcement.

  “Illiad happened. House Safrym was the last independent house to be defeated during the clan wars. My entire family was executed accept for two of us. I because I had run off to join the warriors defending our lands. My friends sacrificed themselves to ensure that I would survive. They threw me down a well when we were attacked by a larger skirmishing force. Half of them were mowed down with arrows before they even had a chance to use their swords. By the time I managed to climb out of the well, my family castle was in flames. My family was dead and I thought myself the sole survivor until some years later.”

  “I was in Shienhin relocating a gifted young woman when I saw the King and his Queen leaving the castle grounds on a hunting trip. She looked happy with him despite what he had done. I followed them and isolated her during the hunt. She told me what had happened that night. Men in black robes had infiltrated the castle and were killing everyone indiscriminately. She had fled the castle and run right into Illiad’s private guard. They had been trying to speak with my father and had been planning to offer us an agreement similar to what the other noble houses enjoyed in exchange for surrendering. To this day I haven’t found out anything about those black robed men. Killed a few but they are exceptionally close lipped.”

  “Who was she?” Emeck reminded Urake that he had not explained a certain aspect very well.

  “She was my younger sister.” Emeck was hardly able to retain his feet the shock was so great.

  “You are King Illiad’s brother in law?” Incredulity was evidenced on the youth’s face.

  “I suppose in a way I am. I always hated him for what he had enabled if not actually done. I held Ice Heart to his throat once. I couldn’t finish the deed though. All I could think about was how he had saved her life from the black robed assassins and how happy she had been on that hunt when I spoke to her.”

  “So that makes the princess your...”

  “It makes her the last blood relative I have.” Emeck sobered at Urake’s words. It explained his sudden decision to a certain extent.

  “Is that elf thing still about?” Urake took advantage of Emeck’s silence to change the topic.

  “Barely. I can only make it out every now and then. Whoever it is hasn’t left the Elder Forest.”

  “That is an incredible range for even an elf to maintain. Whoever it is must be ancient.” Urake was commenting on the consciousness that Emeck had noticed shortly after they had left the Elder Forest. They had hoped to escape it by traveling out of its range but had not met any success in that venture. After a few days they had come to the conclusion that the elf maintaining the projection didn’t bear them any ill will. Emeck believed that it had been with them since their escape but that the elf had been able to obscure himself at the closer range within the Elder Forest.

  *****

  “My lord, you summoned me?” Essdra stepped into the throne chamber and made her bow. The elf King was standing at the window as usual.

  “That human boy is exceedingly perceptive. Emeck was it?”

  “Yes my lord. Have they reached the Draeld yet?”

  “More or less. I summoned you for a reason.” The elf King turned from the window.

  “My lord?”

  “The council has elected to remove me from power a century ahead of schedule. They feel that I was exceedingly foolish in releasing the Asgare. It would not have been as much of a problem if he hadn’t taken Skeln’den’hal but we knew that he needed it if he is to fulfill destiny.”

  “If they suspect you then I am soon to follow. Today a councilmen was asking exactly how it was possible that a mere human was able to disarm the ranger commander. He even suggested that perhaps I should seek retirement and allow a younger elf to take my place.” Essdra spoke the word retirement like it was the most insulting of curses.

  “High councilman Varric. He will try for my place but he doesn’t have the votes. Evens
tar is more likely.”

  “What will you do now?”

  “I believe that I will go north. Perhaps find the Asgare again.”

  “Beyond the forest?” Essdra pondered the idea for a moment.

  “Indeed... You should remain here. You still have a long career. Varric can’t force you to retire. Only the rangers can make that vote.” The elf king turned back to the window again.

  “I have been their commander for the last eight centuries. Perhaps it is time for a change. The problem is that many of them will want to come with me.” Essdra had expected this conversation for some time and had prepared accordingly.

  “Retain their loyalty. I fear a time is coming when the elves must act but that the councils with be hesitant to do what must be done. If they will still listen to you when they are needed it could make a great deal of difference.”

  “Of course my lord. If you don’t mind my asking. How is it that you are still able to track the Asgare? No none of us were able to even sense him once he acquired the sword.”

  “Skeln’den’hal only hides them from the elves. It didn’t attempt to hide from another soul forged weapon.” The elf King left the window and sat down on his throne.

  “You used Forest Wing’s light bow?” Essdra was slightly perplexed.

  “That isn’t the only soul forged weapon the elves possess.” The elf King laughed with a twinkle in his eye.

  “But if the Asgare has one, Reigns has nine and we have the Light Bow then that is all eleven. Wind Claw cast his into the silent sea.” Essdra puzzled over the quandary that the elf King posed.

  “Storm Claw’s staff was left in his tomb not cast into the silent sea. It resides in Reign’s collection as one of his nine. The Ice Queen’s coronet however is a different story. It grants long sight to its wearer.” Essdra caught her breath as she focused on the thin gold crown woven through the elf King’s hair.

  *****

  Between his fits of delirium Illiad would have periods of relative lucidity. Em'risi refused to leave her father’s side and had been present for the last couple days without rest. The days before that had been nearly constant but for periods of rest. The black streaks that she had noticed in Illiad’s colors that spring had grown. It was now wrapping through and strangling all but the brightest of his erstwhile vibrant lights. She knew that his end was approaching and that there was nothing any physician could do to save the King. The illness had manifested itself physically only a couple weeks past but had progressed rapidly slacked by nothing.