by Sam Ferguson
“That’s a lie!” Trenton growled.
“Is it?” The two sentries pulled massive swords free from harnesses on their backs and flanked the senator. “The knife was taken from Eldrik Cedreau by Master Orres at Kuldiga Academy. The boy could not have used it to kill the magistrate. But, because you were quick to judge, you sent your men to slip into Cedreau Manor and kill Timon, Lord Cedreau’s youngest boy.”
“I did no such thing!” Trenton shouted.
“Do you expect me to believe you?” Senator Bracken growled. “You stand before me with an injury obviously received today during your massacre of House Cedreau’s men. Lord Cedreau is dead, and many of his knights lie in the dirt as well. How can you justify this?”
“They attacked me,” Trenton replied through clenched teeth.
“Because you murdered Timon,” Senator Bracken replied. He steeled his gaze. “You slew Lord Cedreau ignobly during parlay. Your depravity knows no bounds.”
“I’ll not hear another word of this,” Braun said as he stepped forward. “Command me, and their heads will roll.”
“Is that the wise thing to do?” Senator Bracken asked. “If you attack a senator, here and now, you will only prove your guilt. I will be forced to seize your manor. Your son and wife will be shunned from society and your house will be razed to the ground.”
“Braun, hold your hand, and your tongue,” Trenton commanded. Then he turned to the other guard. “Put your weapon away boy.” The guard did as he was told. Braun slowly set his axe on the bed next to him, but his eyes threw daggers at the senator. “Senator Bracken,” Trenton began as coolly as possible. “I have not sent anyone to murder any member of House Cedreau. I am afraid that you are mistaken in this.”
“You may tell that to the senate. They will assemble one week after we return to Drakai Glazei.”
“You have no proof of these accusations,” Trenton said. “You cannot arrest me.”
“Proof?” Senator Bracken quipped. “I have a pair of letters from two men in your service, announcing that you have falsely imprisoned one of your own men after the death of the magistrate. I also have the witness of all of today’s survivors that say Lord Cedreau was slain during parlay. I have Lord Cedreau’s own letter claiming that his youngest son was slain by your men. I have an arrow that bears the signature of your fletcher, Master Himmal, and I have a report from Kuldiga Academy that supports Eldrik Cedreau’s claim that his knife had been taken from him. Apparently Master Orres took the knife from the boy only a few weeks ago. So, as you can see, there is more than enough to bring you in before the senate.”
“None of these prove anything,” Trenton said.
“Perhaps not decisively,” Senator Bracken said. “But, they will be of importance to the senate, I assure you. I should also warn you, that if I happen to find Sir Duvall or Mr. Stilwell dead, then your fate will be sealed for certain.”
“How do you know Sir Duvall and Mr. Stilwell?” Braun asked skeptically.
“Be silent,” Bracken hissed. “You have no authority to question me.”
Lord Lokton fumbled for something to say. He thought of explaining Ben’s testimony against Sir Duval and Mr. Stilwell, but he knew that without proof he would not be able to convince Senator Bracken of his own innocence. He had to stall. “Sir Duvall rode with me into battle,” Trenton said. “He is alive as far as I know, though I have not seen him as of yet. But he has not been named among our dead.”
“Interesting,” Senator Bracken said as he stroked his pointy chin. “Then take me to Mr. Stilwell. I know that you have him in your dungeon as we speak. Two of your guards wrote and told me as much. If you are innocent and have no part in this madness, let him tell me.”
Trenton sighed heavily. “I cannot,” he said.
“Why?” Senator Bracken raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Stilwell escaped from his cell shortly before the battle began.”
“Things are not looking very promising for you,” Senator Bracken said. He glanced to the two gigantic men with him and nodded. “Take him, by any means necessary.”
The two men moved forward and Trenton removed his sword belt. “I’ll be fine, Braun,” he said as the guards bound his wrists behind his back.
Senator Bracken smiled wide and then he produced a sealed parchment from the folds of his robes and tossed it on the ground before Braun. “I heard that Master Lepkin was here recently. This is an official summons for him to appear for the tribunal that will determine Lord Lokton’s fate. Can you get the message to Lepkin?”
Braun nodded. “I know where to find him, but it may take some time to reach him.”
“Well don’t delay, I am sure you know what happens if Lepkin fails to answer an official summons from the senate.”
Braun bent down and scooped up the parchment. “By your command, honorable senator” he said.
Bracken sneered at Braun’s remark. “Sarcasm is a weapon of choice among cowards and ankle-biters,” Bracken chided. “The tribunal date has been set, and we will convene with or without the Keeper of Secrets.”
*****
Al groaned and rolled to his side. Again something grabbed his foot and shook it violently. Slowly he opened his eyes. A large man stood over him.
“Wake up, good dwarf, I need your help,” the man said.
Suddenly Al remembered why he had been sleeping. “Where is Erik?” Al asked.
“Erik is back at Valtuu Temple,” the man replied.
“Who are you?” Al asked. The dwarf pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed.
“My name is Braun, I am the sergeant-at-arms for House Lokton. Erik told me that you saved his life and charged me with watching over you while you rested.”
“What of the battle?” Al looked around. “Am I to assume that we won? Where is Lord Lokton?”
“That is why I woke you,” Braun replied. “Lord Lokton has been arrested by Senator Bracken on charges of treason, and murder.”
“We should summon Master Lepkin at once,” Al said, but he stopped short when Braun raised a hand. Al could tell by Braun’s expression that there was more to the story. “Go on,” Al said.
“I have here an official summons from the senate. They are requesting Lepkin’s presence at the Tribunal. So, understanding the consequences should Lepkin fail to answer the summons, we sent messenger birds to Lepkin. We were answered by the Prelate of Valtuu Temple. There was a great battle there as well. A wizard led an army of Blacktongues riding upon a night shade. The Prelate said the attackers were defeated, but both Lepkin and Erik were injured and are currently unconscious.”
“Are the healers with them then?” Al asked.
Braun nodded.
“Well, it seems I picked a very poor time to sleep,” Al groused. “I miss all the action and even Lepkin can’t handle himself well enough without me.” Al chuckled to himself, but noticed Braun’s disapproving gaze. “Just trying to diffuse the tension…” Al straightened his beard and slid down from the bed.
Braun bristled. “My master is on his way to face the senate tribunal in Drakai Glazei, Lady Lokton is in a fretful state of mourning, and I am too far away from Erik to provide any meaningful service. You will forgive me if I fail to laugh at your joke.”
Al nodded. “Of course, Braun, of course.” The dwarf stretched his back. “Then what is the plan?”
“I have left another in charge of protecting House Lokton while I go to free my master from Senator Bracken.”
“You aim to attack a senator on the open road?” Al inquired.
“I see little choice in the matter. Do you have another option?”
Al nodded. “I will go and fetch Lepkin. There is much at stake should he fail to attend.” Al stretched his arms and made fists, bending and extending his sausage like fingers a few times. “Besides, I am well versed in senate protocol. There is a good chance that if I get Lepkin to the tribunal, we can still save Lord Lokton.”
Braun folded his muscled arms and frow
ned. “Then go as quickly as you can. I will follow the caravan, but I will stay my hand. Just know that if Lepkin’s injuries prevent him from attending the tribunal, or if my master is sentenced to death, I will lop off every head in the senate that stands between me and Lord Lokton.”
“Then I must hurry,” Al responded. “Wait as long as you can, Braun. I’ll do my best to get Lepkin to the tribunal.”
Braun nodded and extended a hand. Al offered his in kind and the two shook hands. “Take care, good dwarf. Cedreau’s spies have been spotted on Lokton land. They are not pleased with their master’s death, and they will strike like a pack of jackals at your heels if you let them.”
Al nodded. “I can handle myself,” he said with a wink. “I will prepare immediately and try to set out before the sun begins to set this day.”
“Very well,” Braun replied. “I leave immediately for Drakai Glazei. May the Gods smile upon you.”
*****
“I am sorry, but you cannot go inside with him,” Marlin said as he closed the door to Master Lepkin’s chamber. “It’s nothing personal, but the dark side of your aura could taint the healing process. We mustn’t take any chances.”
“Of course,” Lady Dimwater replied softly. Her sky blue eyes bored through the wooden door barring her from her love.
The longing in Lady Dimwater’s soul was more than obvious. Marlin could tell by the energy swirling through her aura how deeply rooted her feelings were. He patted her shoulder and gently turned her away from the door. “He is making quite a recovery. I don’t think it will take nearly half as long as I originally predicted.”
“How long will it take?” Lady Dimwater asked. She fought the urge to keep looking over her shoulder at the door as the two walked down the long hallway.
“I would wager perhaps six or seven days, no more than that.”
“What of Erik?” She watched as the slight smile on Marlin’s face vanished. “How long will Erik need to recover?” Lady Dimwater pressed.
“I’m not sure,” Marlin said gravely. “His aura is not very strong right now. That makes it more difficult for me to know.”
Lady Dimwater stopped and grabbed Marlin’s shoulders, turning him to face her. She looked into his glazed eyes earnestly, trying to search them as she would a normal person’s, but she couldn’t decipher the cloudy orbs. “Will he live?”
“I am almost certain that he will live.”
“Then tell me, Marlin, what is wrong?”
“It is very difficult to put to words.”
“Try,” she demanded.
“From what I can tell, the boy’s brain is slipping away. It isn’t as active as it used to be. I don’t know what it means, I only know that his brain is, for lack of a better word, asleep.”
“He’s unconscious, of course his brain is asleep,” she said quickly.
“No, you don’t understand. Master Lepkin is unconscious, but his brain is still active. His aura is strong, strengthening all the time, and his brain is very active. The brain does not completely shut down when a person sleeps. Think about it. Surely you’ve seen a person who is sleeping but is having an active dream.”
Lady Dimwater nodded. “So, Erik’s brain is completely dormant?”
“Not completely, but close to it. I don’t know what the effects will be when he wakes up. I have brought in the very best healers the temple has. They are working on him day and night. They come in six shifts, four hours for each shift. There isn’t a single moment when he is unattended to. I, myself, go to his room at least once a day. I can tell you that we are doing everything we can to bring him back as quickly as possible.”
“If he is lost…” Lady Dimwater let her words trail off as her eyelids fell shut. “There is not another who can replace him. As it is we are hard pressed for the time required to train him for his role in the events to come. If you can’t save him, then all of us will suffer the consequences of that failure.”
“I know,” Marlin assured her. “I know.” Marlin again started walking through the hall and Lady Dimwater fell in step with him. The two walked silently along the corridor to a small dining room outside the kitchen. They could smell the stew left over from dinner that had come and gone over an hour ago.
They sat for a few minutes on a bench along the side of the room and Marlin Leaned back against the wall. Lady Dimwater couldn’t see aura’s, that was a type of magic she didn’t have or understand, but the dark purple bags under Marlin’s eyes and his heavy, slow breathing proved how exhausted he truly was. She guessed that Marlin probably had slept fewer hours than she over the last two nights, and she hadn’t slept more than an hour or two since the nightwing had come with the wizard Erthor on its back.
Her only comfort came in watching the priests tirelessly minister to Erik and Lepkin. The sight of them coming and going, aiding them in their time of need, gave her hope. She leaned forward and let her head sink to her waiting, upturned palms. Her hair slipped over, covering her face, and her tears.
Her tired eyes stung from the many tears she had allowed herself to shed over the last few days. Her throat was sore from sobbing and supplicating the gods to wake her Lepkin up. Despite everything else happening around her, her mind replayed Lepkin’s promise to finally find a way for the two of them to wed. Her heart ached now, hoping that she had not been given this promise just to have something else take him away from her.
Her tears stopped falling. Not for lack of sadness, but because her body was unable to create any more. Her eyelids grew heavy as stones and she gave in to her fatigue. She breathed in deeply and began to dream in spite of her uncomfortable position.
Something tapped her shoulder. She shrugged it away with a slight grunt. She didn’t bother to look up. Sleep was not eager to release her from its grasp. The tapping came again. She came up from her hands, ready to slap the beetle or spider that she was certain to find. Instead, she saw a man offering her a bowl of stew. She thought to dismiss him, but her grumbling stomach reminded her that she could use the nourishment.
“Eat child,” Marlin coaxed. Lady Dimwater gave him a sidelong glance and saw that he also had a bowl. She nodded and took the bowl in front of her, whispering her thanks. Given the time since her last meal, the food should have tasted divine, but it was little more than warm sawdust. The chunks of meat and potatoes almost dissolved in her mouth. She didn’t really think about chewing. Bits of carrots and onion had long ago lost their crisp, and flavor. What did it matter? She shrugged. It all ends up in the same place anyway, crisp and tasty or not.
She finished the bowl and set it down beside her. She recalled something that Marlin had said right after the battle with Erthor. “You mentioned that you might know where to look for the Book of Light?”
“I did,” he replied through his last mouthful of stew. He unceremoniously wiped his mouth and then set his bowl down. “We will need it if we are to stand up to what is coming. I too, know a bit of the Wyrms of Khaltoun. They will be back sooner or later for Nagar’s Secret.”
“How do you know of them?” Lady Dimwater asked. “I learned of them when I vanquished a shadowfiend that had been working with them. How is it that a group of priests and monks holed up in a remote, isolated temple would know anything about the necromancers?”
“I read the books of prophecy child, I know many things.” Marlin folded his hands in his lap and smiled slightly. “They are named in a few places.”
“They are named? But, I thought that prophecies just alluded to events and people. I didn’t think they ever named specific people and events.”
“Normally that is the case, but sometimes specific details are given. It is quite rare though.”
“So, where do we look for the book of Allun’rha?” Lady Dimwater asked.
“The Illumination,” Marlin corrected. “I will have to go back and check a few things. The references I have found to it over the years are obscure at best. I want to clarify a couple of passages before I give you the answer
.” Marlin stood up with a groan and put a hand to his forehead. “I hate it when I stand up too fast,” he said with a smile.
Lady Dimwater nodded. “I suppose we could both use the sleep,” she said. “I will see you in the morning?”
“First thing,” Marlin promised.
*****
Al grabbed his pack and plopped it on the bed. He flipped the flap back and spread the opening with his stubby fingers. He set a loaf of bread inside, careful not to squish it under his cooking utensils and hammer.
He heard footsteps approach and turned to see Raisa standing before him in the doorway wearing a green gown.
“Lady Lokton,” he greeted with a bow of his head.
“Why do you travel with a hammer?” she asked.
Al regarded her for a moment, noting her red, watery eyes and her longing gaze. “It’s a part of me, I suppose,” he answered. He pulled the hammer and turned it over in his hand. The finish was worn off the smooth handle from heavy use. The head was engraved with a shamrock design on one side and a shield on the other. “I made this when I finished Hamalsiran.”
Lady Lokton scrunched her brow into a knot above her nose and cocked her head to the side. “What is Hamalsiran?”
Al smiled, “It’s a preparatory university. The curriculum takes thirty years to complete.”
“Thirty years?” she asked incredulously.
Al nodded, laughing a little at the anticipated reaction, “In Hamalsiran, we dwarves study the physical sciences for ten years, then metaphysical sciences for another ten years. Afterward, we study religion, philosophy, history, and language for the last decade.”
Raisa walked into the room and gently reached out for Al’s hammer. “Then, you move into a profession?” she asked.
Al allowed her to take his hammer. Her hands dipped under its weight, but she didn’t drop it. “Actually Hamalsiran only prepares us for one of the Academies.” Al took the hammer back and gripped it as if to strike an imaginary workbench. “I was destined to go into King’s College. That is where nobles are instructed.”
