by Sam Ferguson
Eldrik felt the fire return in his chest. “How do you know this?”
“Come with me, I will show you the truth about the treacherous Loktons. You will be a hero!”
“A hero?” Eldrik asked.
“The senate had sentenced Lord Lokton to death. He escaped and ran down the alley you found him in. So you see, you are a hero for catching a convicted traitor and giving him the justice he so deeply deserved. Now, I can help you regain your family’s true stature and you will be known for generations as the noblest among the Cedreau clan. The king will likely reward you himself.”
Eldrik smiled at the thought. It was tempting, very tempting. “What is in it for you?”
The woman smiled wide. “Oh, well you see I owe your mother a great deal. This will be my way of repaying her the kindnesses she has shown me over the years.”
Eldrik smiled. “Then I accept.” He stepped forward and looked in the woman’s eyes.
The woman smiled wide and said, “Come with me, we have a lot to discuss, and the others are anxious to meet you.”
“The others?” Eldrik asked curiously.
“Yes, there are many who would see House Cedreau return to its former glory.” Eldrik nodded as though he understood. The woman put a hand on his shoulder. “Of course, they will be looking to have their loyalty rewarded, but we can see to that once your family has been restored to its former glory.”
“What shall I call you?” Eldrik asked.
She smiled wider and squeezed his shoulder. “I am Merriam.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Eldrik walked into the chamber wide-eyed and mouth open slightly. His pulse raced within him. His mind soaked in the sights before his eyes and his skin tingled at the cavern’s coolness. It was as if he had finally returned home, only he hadn’t the slightest idea where he was or who this Merriam woman really was. Still, a part of him coveted the power he sensed within her. Instead of being repulsed by the magic mixture that opened the door to the underground cave, he had been elated. He thirsted after the power.
“This is your new home,” Merriam said as she gestured out with a sweep of her arm. “We can train you here, and you can raise your army from here as well.”
“My army,” he repeated. He liked the sound of that. “We have men at Cedreau manor,” he put in quickly.
Merriam nodded. “Yes, but for the task at hand you will need men who are more, shall we say, experienced.
“You said there were others here waiting for me, where are they?” Eldrik asked.
Merriam nodded and motioned for him to follow her. Eldrik did so, following her and gazing into the mysterious pools of glowing water. Occasionally he saw a frog, or a long tailed colorful fish that he didn’t recognize, but otherwise the cavern was empty, save for a large cauldron, a few desks and some bookshelves.
They left the main cavern and walked through a short tunnel to a secondary hall, filled with benches and pews. A dais with four chairs was positioned at the front of the room. Two women were sitting already. An older woman sat at the far left and a younger woman sat at the far right, leaving the two middle chairs open.
“Come, we should be seated,” Merriam instructed.
As Eldrik crossed the brown stone floor a few people started to filter in from side tunnels and sit at the pews. Some of them wore regular clothes, others wore leather armor or long robes. Eldrik didn’t recognize any of them.
“These are friends of my family?” Eldrik asked as they took their seats on the dais.
The old woman leaned over and placed a hand on Merriam’s leg. Eldrik couldn’t make out what she whispered, but he could tell by the look on her face and the way that Merriam averted her eyes that something didn’t sit well with the old woman.
The young woman leaned in and brushed Eldrik’s hair off his brow. “We are happy to have you here,” she said. “I’m Silvi.”
Eldrik turned and found himself falling deep into her blue eyes as though he were diving into two cool pools without a bottom. He wanted to say something to her, but he managed only to offer a goofy smile. Silvi giggled and patted his back before sitting back in her seat.
He soon forgot everything else in the room except for Silvi. He inched to the edge of his seat, trying to be a little closer to her, stealing sidelong glances at her as the chamber continued to fill. He didn’t notice the disapproving frown Merriam shot Silvi, nor did he catch Silvi’s nonchalant shrug.
After a while the old woman stood up and walked to the front of the dais.
“Welcome, brothers,” she said. “May the night grant its blessing to all of you.”
The seated audience responded in unison. “May the shadow encircle us all in its wisdom.”
The old woman turned back and pointed to Eldrik. “This young man is destined for greatness,” she said. “I have seen the signs, and read the portents. House Cedreau shall be great again.”
The audience cheered and clapped, stomping their feet against the stone floor. “The woman produced a knife from the folds of her robes. Eldrik watched with heightened interest as the blood-stained blade was held out in the woman’s left hand. It was the knife he had used to kill Lord Lokton.
“How did she get that?” Eldrik asked.
Merriam leaned in from his right. “You dropped it outside the stable, so I picked it up before coming in to speak with you.” She looked into his eyes, but he did not find comfort there. Silvi put her hand on his leg and he turned back to her. Instantly he felt at peace as he looked into her beautiful eyes.
“It is a necessary step in regaining your power,” she said. “Do not be afraid. No one here means you any harm.”
Eldrik nodded dumbly and went back to watching the old woman. She chanted a phrase that he did not understand, and then the knife began to hover in the air, pointing down at the ground and spinning slowly. The blood began to glow. Eldrik watched the blade intently.
“What is happening?” he asked.
“Come with me,” Silvi coaxed. She slipped her hand around his and gently pulled him up to stand before the knife. Merriam rose and stood opposite him, obscuring the audience from his view. Silvi pushed him closer to the knife and then stood so that the three women formed a triangle around Eldrik and the spinning blade.
Merriam added her voice to the chanting and the blood began to grow brighter. Eldrik found himself mesmerized by the blade. He watched as the blood once again became liquid and started to drip from the blade until the knife was clean and bright. The droplets never touch the ground, though. They hung in the air just below the knife.
He wasn’t sure why, but he reached out with his right hand to touch the blood. As his finger pushed into the red orb it rippled and jiggled. He could feel the heat inside it. What’s more, he felt a strange surge of power as he pushed his finger inside the orb. As he marveled at the spectacle, the blood coursed up his hand, tickling the hairs on his forearm, and disappeared under his shirt as it travelled quick as a snake to rest on his chest.
The three women clasped hands and their chanting grew louder. The men in the audience rose to their feet, adding their low, rumbling voices to the chant. A dark purple light appeared around the dagger, forming a column from the ground to the ceiling. Eldrik felt the blood on his chest start to heat up and bubble on his skin. The heat scorched and stung his skin for only a moment before a tentacle of purple light reached out from the knife and shot through his shirt to the spot on his chest where the blood boiled. Searing pain ripped through his body and the dagger began to spin faster and faster. The chanting grew louder and louder. Some of the men were shouting while others were wailing in an orchestra of shouts and mumbles that assaulted Eldrik’s ears.
The dagger vibrated and hummed as it rotated up so that the point aimed at Eldrik’s chest. His eyes went wide as the knife slowly traveled down the purple arm toward his chest. To his relief the dagger stopped as the tip rested on his skin. It twirled quickly, opening a small hole in his skin and then all of the blood f
rom the knife vanished into his own body and the purple light coursed into him. Instead of pain, he felt only heat and power. His body tingled from his head to his toe as the light continued into his body. The light pulled back then, taking the knife with it until the blade hovered in the exact middle of the triangle.
Merriam and the others had ceased chanting now and only wailed and screamed. Eldrik’s body grew numb and then became very heavy at the same time. His heart rate slowed until he was sure he had no pulse at all. He fell to his knees momentarily and then he felt a rush of strength and power fill him from within. Eldrik rose back to his feet and instinctively took the knife from the air.
The handle was cold as winter’s first snow, but he took it anyway. It vibrated in his hand. He could feel his skin sticking to the handle, forming a bond with the weapon. His hand began to glow and the same purple light that had coursed through him went out from his hand and into the knife. The blade turned dark and then the bond with his hand dissolved and the ritual was complete. The three women let go and broke the triangle. The audience ceased their chanting. It was as if they had all been connected somehow, and knew exactly when the ritual had finished.
Eldrik turned the knife over in his hand. It was still extremely cold, but now there was no humming. No vibration. It was as inanimate as it had been before. “What just happened?” Eldrik asked.
“You have been initiated into the fold,” Merriam said warmly.
“You, are the newest warlock in our coven,” Silvi added.
Eldrik tucked the knife into his belt. “A warlock?” he said.
The old woman turned to him. “To restore House Cedreau, we must return to the old traditions. Your great-great grandfather was once a warlock in our coven. That is why our cavern is located on your lands. However, when your great grandfather lost half of House Cedreau’s lands, your grandfather denounced him and turned his back on us. These men here tonight are here to see the coven restored, and House Cedreau will flourish with their aid.”
Eldrik nodded. He could still feel the new power and strength running through his veins. “I thought warlocks were evil?” he stammered.
Silvi turned him to look into her eyes. “Warlocks are only what they are,” she said. “Are you evil?” she asked.
Eldrik melted into her eyes again and shook his head. “No, I want only justice.”
“Then let us help you find that justice,” Silvi coaxed.
Eldrik nodded. “What must I do?”
“For tonight, you have accomplished enough. Now it is time for you to sleep. In the morning we will continue with your next task.”
Merriam stepped forward and took Eldrik by the elbow. “Come with me, I will show you to your room.” The two of them quickly walked out of the chamber.
The old woman approached Silvi. “You ought not to have hypnotized him, Silvi,” she said.
“We are too close to let him slip through our grasp, Hairen,” Silvi replied.
Hairen chuckled and shook her head. “Perhaps you are right, but I think he would have joined us of his own free will without magical coercion.”
Silvi shrugged. “It matters little now,” she said. “Have you chosen a sacrifice?”
Hairen surveyed the crowd. “I will ask John Popper to stay behind.” She flattened her skirt and looked back to Silvi. “He has reached the pinnacle of his talents, and his power would be better utilized by the boy.”
Silvi nodded. “That is a suitable choice. Shall I bid the others leave?”
Hairen shook her head. “No, give them a proper feast. Some have made an extremely long journey.” She started to walk away and stopped suddenly. “And all of us have waited for this night a very long time.”
Silvi smiled. “Does this mean you are no longer angry with Merriam and me?”
Hairen scowled. “No, I am still unhappy with the way Nora has been treated.”
“But you approve of the results?”
Hairen nodded. “I believe the boy will do splendidly.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Al slowed his horse down to a trot and pulled up on the reins just before exiting the forest. He slid over the side and down off the animal. He crept up to the tree line and looked onward at the giant, rocky mountain. It had been well over a decade since the last time he had laid eyes on his former home, and even then he was only passing by.
He let his right hand fall to brush the top of his hammer. His fingers traced the etching and his thoughts went back to the arguments he had had with his father. Part of him wondered how things might be different had he taken the throne. The resources of Roegudok Hall could be at his fingertips even now, ready to augment the warrior monks at Valtuu Temple. His mind went back to Erik. He clenched his jaw and started walking forward. He saw the pair of dwarves standing guard at the entrance to Roegudok Hall.
Even from a distance, they recognized him. “The king has decreed that you are not welcome here,” one of the dwarves said.
Al peered at the dwarf with a steely, calm gaze. “I am Aldehenkaru’hktanah Sit’marihu. I am the elder brother of Threntonsirai Sit’marihu. I have come to take my rightful place as firstborn heir to the throne.”
The two guards glanced uneasily to each other. Then one of them puffed up his chest and stepped forward. “The king has decreed that you shall not be allowed inside. You have been disowned after you abandoned your people. You are not welcome here.”
“I am the rightful heir to the throne, and I have come for my birthright. To deny me my right is to turn your back upon our people, and our traditions.”
The second guard ran back and disappeared behind the doors to the cavern for a moment. He reemerged with a score of dwarven guards, fully armed and donning battle gear.
“You will not pass,” the first guard said decisively.
“Stand down!” someone shouted from the side.
Al turned to see another dwarf running toward them from the side of the mountain.
“What are you doing here?” the first guard bellowed.
“Easy now, I am not trying to sneak back in. Perhaps I can persuade Master Sit’marihu to come away peacefully with me.”
“Alferug Henezard,” Al said. “It has been a long time. What are you doing away from court?”
“The king no longer requires his services,” the first guard said. “Now move along or we will be forced to apprehend you.”
“Come,” Alferug said. “Let us leave these feeble minded sheep to their duties.”
Al looked to the guards and let his fingers drift back to his hammer.
“Master Sit’marihu, come with me, please,” Alferug pleaded.
“Go with your girlfriend,” the first guard taunted.
“When I am king, you will lick the bottom of my boot,” Al spat. He turned and walked away with Alferug. “I need to get the scale,” Al said as soon as they were far enough away that the guards couldn’t hear.
Alferug nodded. “That is an interesting thing to come back for,” he said. “You do realize that the scale is fastened to the king’s belt. It covers the buckle.”
“I know where the scale is,” Al replied.
“You know there is no way your brother will give it to you.”
“I am aware.”
Alferug waved his hand and continued. “The only way you will get it is if you are king, and the only way that will happen is over Threnton’s dead body.”
“Yes,” Al said. “I know.”
Alferug stopped midsentence and turned to face Al. “As much as I would like to see our people return to their proper traditions, I must advise against this.”
Al nodded and kept walking, putting as much distance between them and the guards as he could until they rounded the side of the mountain. “You know that I am the first to admit I am not the one who should be king. It is not in my blood.”
Alferug raised a finger to point out Al’s error, but thought better of it and kept his mouth closed.
“This is for something much
more important,” Al continued. “It is needed to aid the Keeper of Secrets.”
“Master Lepkin needs the scale?” Alferug inquired as he scratched his wrinkled forehead. “What could he need it for?”
Al smiled politely. “That is not for everyone to know,” he said. “Just trust that it is required in order for him to fulfill his mission.”
“So, he has found the champion then?” Alferug asked.
Al nodded. “I believe he has.”
“Has the champion passed the exalted test of Arophim?”
Al shook his head. “He has not yet taken the test.” Al veered off and cut up the base of the mountain.
“Then how do you know?” Alferug pressed as he scrambled up behind Al.
“He has the gifts, I have seen it,” Al said. “Now come, let’s go. We don’t have much time.”
“Where are we going?”
Al clambered over a boulder and scanned the ground for a moment. Then he smiled and pointed down at the ground. “Here it is.” He marched onward, beckoning for Alferug to follow him. “We are going to the rear door.”
“The rear door?” Alferug asked. “What are you talking about?”
Al laughed aloud. “It is known only to me.” He walked onward, quickening his pace. “My father passed the secret to me, in case I ever wanted to come back and my brother wouldn’t let me in the front door.”
“Does your brother know of this rear door?” Alferug asked.
“No, it was passed only from king to king.”
“But you aren’t king,” Alferug pointed out.
“No, but when my father finally relented to let me walk my own path, he told me of the rear door and begged me to keep watch over Roegudok Hall. He said the time may come when I might have to come back and knock some sense into my brother.”
“It would appear that that time has come,” Alferug said with a smirk.
Al pushed on, ascending the mountain side as the loose dirt gave way to patches of gray shale and round pebbles. His thick fingers easily found the niches in the stone wall as he started up a sheer cliff, scurrying up the face like a squirrel climbs a tree. Alferug was only a few feet behind him until they reached the top and stood on the first shelf.
