“Gryffon, love,” she interrupted his conversation.
He looked to be just as relieved to be torn away from his task as she had from hers and she held up the papers triumphantly. “I may have finally found something useful,” she told him and his eyes looked at the documents greedily.
“Where did you get them?”
“From a secret compartment in Telvani’s desk.”
“You’re kidding me - we searched that thing top to bottom for just that reason!”
“I know, but this one was well-hidden. It was only because the tiny latch caught my finger that I noticed it at all.”
“What was in there?”
Layna held out the papers to him and waited impatiently for him to peruse them. All the while her mind was whirling with the implications. The papers seemed to suggest that there was a Faithful stronghold somewhere nearby where this project was being conducted. Papers pertaining to several prominent members of the Order escaping were also present in the pile and Layna drew the conclusion that perhaps one or more of these people were responsible for the overseeing of the project.
When Gryffon finally looked up, she started right in on her ideas. “I think that these people,” she pointed to the list of escapees, “are possibly involved in it. We should start investigating all of their properties and find out if there are any estates that they still control or that their family doesn’t use regularly that could have been commandeered for Telvani’s project.”
“We should call Natalya too,” Gryffon added and Layna gave him a confused look. He pointed out another section. “It mentions a lot about people being transported to this place that we can probably safely assume are prisoners, but what about these ones?” His fingers outlined several passages for her, “There are no prisons anywhere near these areas, and look at the last one here.”
“Hardonia.” Layna’s lifted spirits dulled slightly. Natalya’s sister was being used in some sort of experiment. Some kind of experiment that had led to Lord Telvani becoming a blood-thirsty creature in their dungeon. She shuddered.
She and Gryffon had returned to the main part of the palace to put their plans into motion when they were interrupted by another servant.
“Beg your pardons, Majesties, but Lady Aria from Treymayne has arrived and requested that she speak with you straightaway.”
Layna and Gryffon exchanged a look. Treymayne was tentatively their ally, but given that the two countries had been isolated from one another for hundreds of years and then when they were suddenly thrown back together King Nathair had almost immediately began a war with them, relations were still tense. With everything that was going on, they didn’t really need more problems from their neighbors.
“Very well,” Layna acknowledged, “bring her to the council room and we’ll be there shortly.” They hurried back to their suite and stowed away the documents in a magical safe, making their way back to the council room. Layna hated to imagine what they would say to the emissary about their missing Council.
The doors were opened at their approach, and Layna stepped alongside Gryffon into the vast room. It looked even bigger when it wasn’t filled to the brim with Council members and members of the public alike. Since Layna had taken over, they had tried to emulate more of the Treymaynian methods of governing by welcoming the public into many of the meetings and encouraging their input. At least they had been. Lately, they hadn’t even been able to hold any open courts for the people to share their grievances. Not since the Council had all simultaneously gone mad.
Lady Aria was seated in the middle of the large table and she stood to greet them. She hugged them both –momentarily forgoing the formalities of both their posts – and though Layna was extremely comfortable with her relationship with Gryffon, given the past that Lady Aria had shared with him it still gave her an uncomfortable twinge.
After Aria’s father, Baron Asheron, had been murdered by the foul play of Lady Jezebel, Lady Aria had decided to become more involved with politics. She found that it agreed with her, and had been elevated to be part of the Triumvirate within the Ieldran, one of three of the most exalted ranks, and one which her father had previously held.
She invited them both to sit informally and they did so, waiting for her to speak.
“The Ieldran has been in talks about proposing a merger between our two countries,” she began and Layna lifted an eyebrow. That had not been what she’d been expecting. The lady continued, “Given that we were one big country previously, with only the barrier that forced us to function as two separate entities, and now that you are adopting an extremely similar government, I have been suggesting that we unite together again as one.”
“I assume you have given some thought as to how we would merge?”
“Indeed. My thought is that the capitol would be Endlyfta as it was in ancient times, but Naoham would continue as a satellite area to house members of the Council from this end of the country. A permanent gate could possibly be constructed between the two for easy communication. Though we haven’t yet succeeded in our trials of such a feat, we believe it to be possible.”
“And what of the current councils?”
“They would be combined, and the two of you and the Triumvirate of the Ieldran would be equals in status.”
“That leaves five people with a final say. What if we can’t agree? Treymayne would have the deciding vote, though representing a much smaller percentage of the population.”
“There will be one vote from Gelendan and one from Treymayne. The vote of the Council will be the deciding factor, and there will be equal representations from every corner of the country.”
“What would the new country be called?”
“We have not yet come to a conclusion on that, but wanted to present you with the idea first. I had been hoping to present it to your Council as well, but I am told they are not currently in session.”
“That is a most interesting proposal, Lady Aria,” Gryffon admitted, avoiding her questioning gaze regarding their Council. “We will have to discuss it privately before sharing any thoughts with you.”
She nodded graciously and stood, bowing to each of them before exiting.
Gryffon turned to Layna, “Well, that was unexpected. What do you think?”
She paused in contemplation before offering an opinion. “I think it could be a very good thing. Other than keeping to themselves behind the barrier, the Treymaynian ideals are in line with Gelendan’s.” She gave him an impish grin, momentarily ignoring the seriousness of the subject. “They did produce the most wonderful man in the world, after all.”
He smiled back at her obligingly.
Her expression turned thoughtful once more. “Added stability to our country would be a very positive thing. Especially in light of this Council business. There is simply too much to do it all ourselves.” Layna bit her lip, a habit Amelia was trying to break. “I do have to wonder at their motives a bit…but I suppose that merging with us would prevent them from being invaded again. And it would allow them to at least partially control our much greater resources and power, which, I’m sure, would give them a greater sense of security. It would be nice to be able to share some of our responsibilities…”
“I agree,” Gryffon nodded, “but we have pressing matters to contend with at the moment before we can give it proper thought. We don’t want to rush into something so drastic just because we are feeling overwhelmed.”
“We need to find where Lord Telvani was conducting his project and contact Natalya and the Knights.”
They stood and left the council chamber, falling silent.
There was much on both their minds…
*
The stone in Natalya’s pocket warmed and she held up a hand to halt the procession. She fished out a mirror from her bags and the surface of it shimmered. Her reflection disappeared and was replaced by the countenance of the Queen.
“Hello, Natalya,” the monarch greeted her. No matter how many times she spoke wit
h her, Natalya still couldn’t get over the fact that she was conversing with Her Royal Highness.
“Your Majesty,” she replied, nodding her head as it was the next best thing to a curtsey while riding a horse. She waited.
“We have come across information about a stronghold of the Faithful we did not previously know about,” the Queen said.
Natalya’s heart skipped a beat, could it be? After searching for so long for her sister, it was easy to start believing she would never find her. “Where?” she asked, trying not to sound too excited, and calming her racing mind.
“New documents were uncovered which spoke of a project on a grand scale being performed somewhere just outside the capitol. By following a lead as to what family may have controlled the manor they were using, we determined that the most likely overseer of this project is one Lord Farthen. He was arrested after the war for use of blood-magic, but escaped during one of Lord Telvani’s ‘accidental’ losses of records.”
“Where is his manor?”
“It is to the northwest, called Castle Storm. Sir Ruawn knows where it is.”
The Queen was also in constant contact with the true head of the Knights, Sir Ruawn, though she had technically put Natalya in charge of this mission. Natalya didn’t mind. She didn’t care who was in charge as long as it meant that Alina would be safe. “Excellent,” she exclaimed, ready to bid farewell, but the Queen had a look of discomfort on her face as though she had more unfortunate news to convey.
“Natalya,” she began slowly, “you should know that there is evidence that whatever project he was working on involved blood-magic which, either on purpose or by accident, transforms people into monsters.” She looked pained. “I thought you should be warned in case of the worst.”
Natalya was silent for a moment. She refused to contemplate that possibility, however. “Thank you, Your Majesty, we will find out soon enough.” She broke the connection sooner than she had meant to, or was actually polite, but she didn’t want the Queen to see her crying. She sniffled and urged her horse forward, out of the throng of men. They had all hung back a bit already in order to provide her privacy for her conversation with the Queen, and they did not make any move to catch up – for which she was grateful.
When she had gotten her tears under control, she reined in her mount to rejoin the group. She sidled up next to Sir Ruawn, and he nodded a greeting to her.
“You’ve already spoken to the Queen, ma’am?”
“I did. She said you know where Castle Storm is?”
“I do,” he turned to face her, “and it is no easy place to search. It will not be like the manors we have searched in the past, and if it is indeed their stronghold, they will not simply allow us entry to search the premises. I have a feeling we could be fighting our way in.”
“You don’t think I’m up for it?” Natalya asked defensively, sticking out her chin defiantly.
“I don’t know that any of us will be,” he corrected. “There are only twenty of us, against an unknown amount of enemy foes who have been using blood-magic, and who could potentially be in control of some sort of new monster.”
The mention of the monster and who they might have previously been made Natalya gulp. “If it’s near the capitol, we should stop for reinforcements.”
Sir Ruawn looked relieved at not having to make this suggestion himself or needing to overrule her. He had the annoying knack of assuming she would always allow her emotions to overcome her better judgment. He also seemed to believe that Natalya really thought she was in control, but she was not so naïve as to think that she could actually command the Knights. She was well aware that her appointment was an honorary position, but still fully planned on using the Queen’s guilt to do everything she could to find her sister.
They arrived at the palace without fanfare, both she and Sir Ruawn preferring to enter through the back to avoid the parade they may otherwise be persuaded to put on. As they dismounted, a young boy came scurrying up to greet them.
“Queen Layna will meet you presently in the conference area when you are ready,” he informed them with a bow.
“Thank you,” Natalya said, her apprehension growing now that they were here. She was afraid of what additional news the Queen might have for them.
They followed the servant to the conference area and were served tea while they waited for the Queen to arrive. She did so shortly, and shook both their hands in greeting in a most informal fashion.
“I’m glad you are here,” she told them both, though focusing more on Natalya, who squirmed uncomfortably under her gaze. “I’ve been discussing it with Gryffon, and we think there is something you should see.” She paused and Sir Ruawn raised an eyebrow.
When she continued, she no longer met Natalya’s gaze. “We think that it is important that you see exactly the type of situation you may be walking into,” she put in hurriedly, “and please know that no one would think less of you for leaving this particular adventure up to the Knights to investigate.” This last bit was obviously directed only towards her.
Natalya bit her lip. “No, I want to go, whatever it is. If Alina is there, I need to find her.”
Queen Layna did not answer her right away. “I think we’d better go have a look. Be prepared; it is not a pretty sight.”
“What exactly are you showing us, Your Majesty?” Sir Ruawn asked warily.
“What we believe is the result of one of Telvani’s experiments,” the Queen answered, looking slightly pale. She led the way to the dungeons, followed by a large group of people encircling their small group, and held a hand up to the guard stationed there, indicating he should let them through.
“I thought this dungeon was unfit for prisoners,” Natalya mumbled to herself, and was surprised when the Queen answered. She had meant the comment to be too low for any to hear.
“Usually it is,” she said pointedly, “but in this case it was deemed necessary. You will see what I mean presently.”
Natalya exchanged a look with Sir Ruawn, who was looking confused. She quickly filled him in on what her question had been and his eyebrows went up another notch.
As they rounded a corner, they were met by snarling and growling. Something shuffled across the floor, making horrible scraping sounds and spraying out hay that had been put in the cell presumably for warmth and comfort.
Natalya was afraid to step farther in to be able to see into the cell, but Sir Ruawn moved forward without pause, and she forced herself to follow suit. Willing her stiffening muscles to relax, she took a halting step forward.
The scene before her was unimaginable. The creature must once have been a man, but aside from the ragged clothes draped over its disfigured body and the general shape, Natalya would never have thought it so. Its face was beyond recognizable, she couldn’t even begin to try and determine what the person had once looked like.
And its eyes. She sucked in her breath at the sight of them, and the blood-red orbs stared back at her with no intelligence behind them. Nor had there been any movement in them since they’d stepped into view, which only added to the eeriness. In fact, she had yet to see any part of it move; it stood there frozen like some sort of grotesque wax statue staring back at her. If she hadn’t just heard the racket it had been making before their arrival herself, she might have thought that was all it was.
Then it blinked. Natalya had a split-second reprieve from the stare, only to have her hearing assaulted instead as the thing opened its bloody mouth. It let forth such a shrill and awful shriek that she clamped her hands over her ears, muffing the sound.
Layna ushered them out of its presence and didn’t stop until they were back up the stairs and out of the reach of the horrible noise.
“You see why I wanted you to be prepared,” she intimated quietly.
“Yes,” Natalya acknowledged, catching her breath from the encounter. To her surprise, Sir Ruawn was looking rather taken-aback as well. She supposed no one could have been prepared for…that.
Sir Ruawn soon excused himself to gather the reinforcements that had been their primary reason for the stop, while Natalya attempted to compose herself. The Queen was called away with other duties, so she was left with nothing but her memory of the beast and her imagination. And her imagination was something that she had no control over.
Swirling images of Alina transforming into such a creature roiled through her thoughts, haunting her. What if she was too late? What if all that time she’d spent searching for a way to get the Queen back to talk to her had taken too long?
After what seemed like an eternity of torturing herself over what-ifs, Natalya resolutely decided that she needed to get a grip on herself. The past was over, and there was no changing it now. If Alina had already been turned into one of those beasts, no amount of wondering what could have been would bring her back. If she hadn’t, and was still alive, her best chance would be for Natalya to concentrate on the future.
By the time Sir Ruawn came looking for her, having rounded up additional men, she was ready. The ride to the castle seemed tortuously long, and all of the Knights were subdued. Though she hadn’t mentioned the encounter with the beast and was sure that Sir Ruawn had not either, there must have been talk of it at the palace. All the Knights seemed to understand what it was they were riding towards.
As their slow procession neared the castle, Natalya got the distinct impression that something nefarious was indeed underway. Their approach was too quiet. No one appeared on the castle walls to look down on them. The iron gates guarding the entrance were lowered. Even the murky water of the moat was eerily calm, the smooth surface reflecting the sky above.
Sir Ruawn held up his hand to halt the troupe, now another thirty men stronger. They paused while he examined the castle. Natalya clicked her tongue and nudged her horse over next to him.
Bricrui (The Forgotten: Book 2) Page 5
