The Guildmaster’s butler, Cam, also rumored to be his bodyguard, met them at the bottom of the staircase. “My Lord Sivan, how are you this evening?”
Sivan looked irritated. “The same as I was yesterday, Cam.” He looked back at Nero in his human form and said, “Nero and I need to speak with the Guildmaster urgently. Is he in his quarters, and can we go in?”
Cam nodded his head and said, “Yes, he is here. I look forward to hearing how you and Nero plan to take back the gem.” Nero was not easily startled, but what Cam said took him aback. How could this butler have possibly known what he and Sivan had just been discussing? Cam continued, “Tell me, Nero, who is it that is trapped in the gem again?”
Nero didn’t understand how Cam could know of their conversation about the gem while at the same time not knowing what the gem contained – until understanding dawned on him. Cam did, of course, know who was in the gem, he was just testing to see if the human standing in front of him was really Nero. Then it was true. Cam really was the Guildmaster’s most trusted bodyguard, and he was not about to let an unknown person into a meeting with his master.
Nero smiled genuinely and said, “The High Wizard of the Sorcerers, Vanderhoff.”
Cam bowed slightly before saying, “The Guildmaster is in his quarters, but he is engaged with a woman at the moment.”
Sivan looked back at Nero to see if he wanted to continue on, and Nero nodded his head. Sivan said, “This is too important to wait. Can you let us in as soon as possible?”
Cam looked annoyed. “Stay here and I will check.”
It seemed to Nero that Sivan urgently spoke with the Guildmaster often, annoying Cam on an almost a daily basis. Cam walked across the lounge and knocked hard on the Guildmaster’s door. It took several moments, but eventually a Yes was heard from the other side. Cam opened the door enough to stick his head in.
“Master, Sivan and Nero are here with an urgent matter that requires your attention.”
There was another moment’s pause. “Let them in.”
Cam turned to them both and nodded. Sivan motioned toward the door, ushering Nero to go first. Nero acknowledged Sivan’s deferral to him in this situation and walked through the door. Nero had never been in the Guildmaster’s private quarters. The house consisted of an open floor plan with a meeting area closest to the door, followed by the kitchen and small dining area, followed finally by an open archway that led to the Guildmaster’s bedroom. Even though they were underground, the apartment was lavishly decorated with the best furniture, stained glass lamps, and tapestries that money could buy. Through the large archway sixty feet away, Nero could see the furnishings of the bedroom were an eclectic mix of sophisticated taste that befit a man of the Guildmaster’s stature. In contrast, the receiving area had a simple table surrounded by six finely made leather chairs.
Nero did not see the Guildmaster at first, but a few moments after he and Sivan closed the door, the Guildmaster’s voice came from the bedroom. “Sivan, Nero, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Have a drink?”
Both of them responded at once, “Thank you, Guildmaster.” They sat down and helped themselves to some brandy.
The Guildmaster came into view from the left and walked through the archway into the kitchen area. “I expect Sivan to have some urgent matter or another on a daily basis, but to see you here, Nero. I have to say I am surprised by your untimely visit.”
Nero was about to respond when a gorgeous woman came walking out of the Guildmaster’s bedroom. Nero completely lost his train of thought as the woman put a shirt on over her naked top. As she moved closer, Nero recognized the female woman as Lidea. Lidea was of the Thirteen, and she had risen through the ranks at an impressive rate because of her ability to get anyone to cooperate and tell her anything she wished during an interrogation. Gods she was beautiful.
Lidea walked out of the bedroom and approached the table. Nero felt Sivan nudging him in the back. Nero snapped back to reality and realized everyone was staring at him, including the Guildmaster.
Nero shook his head and said, “Yes, well, I come with a great opportunity for the Guild, but the timeline for action is very short.”
“Then let’s sit and get down to business. First of all, can you explain why you look like a human?”
“By your orders, and the orders of the Philosophers, I have been traveling with a group of elves. The elves believe I am an elite Agent of the Crown sent to help them retrieve the First Heir. Your orders to me were to steal the gem containing the High Wizard of Kentar back from Xander at the first opportunity, while my Philosopher superiors ordered me to evaluate Xander as a possible recruit into their organization.
“By the time I caught up with the elves they had already been captured by Gram and Gaston at the Old Shetley Fortress. Gram and Gaston were torturing Xander for the location of the gem and decided to keep my involvement hidden unless it became absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the elves escaped, and because of a powerful ring we took off a Krone corpse, the Fortress was destroyed.” Nero stopped and collected his thoughts before continuing. “Guildmaster, I am afraid Gaston is dead and Gram was pulled into the portal that was opened by the ring. I fear he likely perished as well.”
“You are not entirely correct. Gaston is dead, but the Guild rescued Gram from the Plane of Chaos a few days ago. He did, however, neglect to tell me about the powerful ring that can destroy entire fortresses.”
Now that Nero knew Gram was alive, he considered asking the Guildmaster about the spell Gram was supposed to be working on but thought better of it. “My Lord, the ring can do far more than destroy fortresses. The ring opened two gateways to the Plane of Chaos. I am told that as long as the ring is active, Tellus and the Plane of Chaos are moving closer and closer together, allowing monsters that would otherwise not be able to come to our world to make the transition.”
Lidea and Sivan sat dumbfounded by Nero’s story. Only the Guildmaster was unaffected enough to say, “This sounds like a very powerful ring indeed. We must capture it if we can.”
“We may yet have that opportunity. May I continue?”
The Guildmaster smiled thinly and said, “Please.”
“The ring is cursed. The half-elf who put it on can’t take it off. The Wizard of Wessex told us that only the wizard elves of Armena or the Sorcerers of Kentar have the power to remove it from his hand without permanently harming him. The elven brothers can’t return to Armena without being put to death, so they opted to do the honorable thing and take the one who wears the ring to the Sorcerers, located in Jewlian.”
“I’m beginning to understand. Because an elf hasn’t been seen in Kentar for over three hundred years, the wizard turned everyone into a human. Is that correct?”
“Yes, my Lord. We moved overland toward Jewlian, and to make along story a little shorter, we are spending the night at the Basilica of Fortuna.”
The Guildmaster leaned forward with interest. “That is a fascinating story. Are you telling me that the elves searching for the First Heir, the half-elf carrying this ring of power, and the traitor Xander are at the Basilica of Fortuna at this very moment?”
“They are, my Lord, and I have a plan to kill the elves, capture the ring, recapture the gem, and destroy the Philosophers. And it all hinges on what we do this night.”
The Guildmaster’s eyebrows raised in astonishment. He said, “Lidea, would you pour Nero another drink to loosen his tongue?”
Lidea took Nero’s glass from him in a slow, sensual manner. She looked him in the eye as she bent over to take the glass. She touched him suggestively on the shoulder and on the hand. Knowing what the Guildmaster and Lidea had been doing a short time ago, and knowing what Lidea was now suggesting, the only thing Nero could think was that power did indeed have its privileges.
After the reward was displayed for proper motivation, the Guildmaster said, “Don’t keep us in suspense, Nero. Tell us what you have in mind.”
Nero talked quickly b
ut convincingly. Time was still a critical factor.
After he was finished, the Guildmaster turned to Sivan and said, “Would you please send for Daniel?”
“Yes, Guildmaster.”
“And tell him that I want to see him immediately.”
“That may be difficult. The undead have a different sense of time than we do, and vampires don’t like being told what to do.”
“I don’t care what you have to tell him, just get him here. Talk to him about how his timeliness will benefit him. Tell him about the elves. Tell him about the Basilica of Fortuna.”
Sivan nodded his head and left without delay. Nero told Lidea and the Guildmaster the rest of his plan. They asked many clarifying questions and pointed out more than one flaw. Nero was amazed at their abilities. The Guildmaster, no doubt, had dozens of plans in the works, some with immediate payoffs and some that would not pay off for years. Nevertheless, he seemed to understand the nuances of Nero’s plan as well as Nero did. Better in fact. It was easy to understand how Lidea had become one of the Thirteen, and it was even easier to understand how the Guildmaster had become one of the most powerful beings on Tellus.
The three of them were nearly finished with planning preparations when Sivan returned with Daniel following gracefully behind. Daniel wore the garments of a noble gentleman, as he did when Nero met him before.
The Guildmaster said, “Welcome, Daniel. I have an important assignment for you that I think you will take an immediate interest in. Would you care to sit? Can I offer you a drink? Some red wine perhaps?”
Daniel glided into the room with a speed and precision that seemed unnatural. He said, “It is a pleasure to see you again, Guildmaster. I see you are direct as ever. Lidea, you are looking very beautiful. Let me know if you ever wish to join my immortal ranks. Sivan, good to see you as always. It would not be a day in the Guild if you did not bother the Guildmaster with some important matter. Thank you for continuing to keep the Guild’s part of the bargain by providing a safe haven for my family. And that brings me to you, Nero. I never forget a name or a face.”
Nero was confounded. How did Daniel know it was him if he looked human? “How did you know it was me? Did Sivan tell you I was here?”
Daniel smiled broadly. “Not at all.”
“Then how, if I may ask?”
Daniel’s smile continued. “The simple magic that conceals your true identity cannot hide you from a vampire’s sight.”
The Guildmaster said, “One of the many reasons he is of the Thirteen. Daniel, we have a mission that requires your unique talents.”
Daniel bent low at the waist and said, “I am at the Guild’s service, my Lord. Sivan told me enough to whet my appetite, but I would appreciate hearing the details.”
Nero did not need to be told twice; he took his cue from the Guildmaster and launched into the plan. He spoke quickly and covered all of the details in short order. Nero was afraid he was speaking too quickly, but Daniel seemed to take it all in and never interrupted him once.
When Nero was finished, Daniel said, “Do you mean to tell me that I get to kill the High Priest of Fortuna, sire an elf vampire that has been touched by the gods, and help the Talon Guild with a critical mission all at the same time?”
This time it was Nero’s turn to smile broadly. “That is correct.”
“Then I will go and gather the other members of my family and attack without delay.”
Nero said, “I thought vampires, ghosts, and skeletons couldn’t tread on holy ground.”
“That is what I love about living for centuries. The fiction that surrounds my kind is unparalleled and seems to grow with each passing year. We have no trouble traveling across holy ground.”
“What about the legend that says a vampire has to be invited into a home before he can cross the threshold?”
Daniel nodded his head. “Very good. Yes, that much is true. But the Basilica has taken you in for the night and offered you safe haven. By extension, you have become a part of their family. Therefore, if you invite me into the Basilica, then I will have no trouble entering the temple. I assume that by telling me your plan and summoning me here, that you have made such an invitation.”
Nero smiled broadly once again. “Yes, of course.”
“Then let us be on our way. Tonight will be a good night for the Talon Thieves Guild.”
Chapter 94: Fortuna’s Time
Nero, Sivan, Lidea, and Daniel left the Guildmaster in his quarters and climbed the spiral staircase up to the third floor. Lidea went to her quarters on the third floor while Nero, Sivan, and Daniel continued climbing the spiral staircase to the surface. Once they reached the surface, Daniel broke away without saying a word and headed back to his lair. Nero watched Daniel walk quickly down the street until Sivan asked him a question and pulled his attention away. Nero looked back a fraction of a moment later to find that Daniel had vanished. Only the hint of a misty cloud remained where he should have been.
Nero looked back at Sivan with eyebrows raised. Sivan said, “He does that sometimes. He’s a powerful asset. Luckily, he works for us rather than against us. The Guildmaster brilliantly got him to join the Guild by promising that we would keep his true identity a secret from the rest of Kentar. In exchange, we get to yoke the power of the undead from time to time. Plus, I think Daniel was a thief in his former life, so he enjoys working with us.”
“Well, time is short and I must be on my way. It was good to see you again, Sivan. Wish me luck.”
“The Guild doesn’t rely on luck. Two of my guards will escort you back to the Basilica.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Nonsense, you don’t know the city well enough to be on your own. Don’t be too proud to accept help when so much is at stake.”
“Very well. Thanks for the offer.”
“Don’t mention it. And good hunting.” Sivan pointed to two of the guards at the checkpoint and said, “Escort Nero to the Basilica of Fortuna and then return to your posts. Take care he arrives safely at the temple gates, for he is of the Thirteen.”
The guards acknowledged the orders and headed off into the darkness with Nero close behind. It wasn’t long before Nero stood at the iron link fence of the Basilica once again. He silently climbed over the fence and scaled the wall without being spotted. He made it into his room and saw that Xander was still gone. Nero smiled. Things were right on schedule.
_______________________________________
Xander left his room and headed down the spiral staircase that led to the main sanctuary where the service was to take place. As he entered the hall, he could see that he was right on time. The hall was about one third full for the evening service. Half of those in attendance looked like monks from Fortuna’s order while the other half looked like refugees attending the service out of obligation. The monks occupied the first few pews, while the refugees sat together in the middle of the sanctuary. Xander moved to the front of the church and sat in between the two groups.
The service began with the High Priest walking up the center isle of the sanctuary and taking his place up on the dais behind the altar.
The High Priest said, “Losers whine about the odds …”
The entire congregation responded by saying, “… Let Lady Luck control your destiny and good fortune will abound.” The service continued for some time. When it was over, the refugees departed quickly. The monks took longer to leave the sanctuary, but eventually they all left as well. Xander stayed and continued to give thanks to Lady Luck. He got down on his knees and folded his hands reverently in front of him. He lost track of time until eventually his concentration was broken when something metallic hit the marble floor nearby. Startled, Xander turned toward the sound only to find a large coin of Fortuna laying in the middle aisle with the High Priest standing next to it.
“Good evening, my son.”
“Good evening,” Xander responded.
“My name is Fortiac. What is yours?”
&n
bsp; “I am known as Xander.”
The High Priest nodded his head. “I stayed after the service to pray and when I was done I thought I was the only one left in the hall.”
“I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Your dedication to Fortuna is obvious. Based on the coin toss you see on the floor, Fortuna would like me to ask if you would like to come upstairs to my private chambers and pray at my private altar.”
Xander smiled from ear to ear. “I would be honored.”
“Good. Would you mind picking up the Coin of Fortuna and helping me up the stairs?”
“Not at all.”
Xander took Fortiac’s arm and led him out of the sanctuary. Xander took one last look at the altar and felt at peace. He led Fortiac to the spiral staircase and ascended three levels. They walked past several smaller cloisters before they entered Fortiac’s chambers. The room was modestly decorated and dominated by a small altar with an incredible stained glass window of a rainbow directly behind. Off to the left was a door leading to another room and off to the right were two windows that gave an excellent view of the Basilica campus and the forum beyond.
“What do you think of my private altar?”
“It’s magnificent.”
“I thought you would appreciate a more intimate worship experience.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m an old man and I tire easily these days. I will pray with you for a short time before I retire to my bedchamber. You should feel free to stay here as long as you like.”
Xander nodded and followed Fortiac’s lead as he knelt down in front of the altar, folded his hands, and closed his eyes. The two stayed there for some time. Fortiac eventually said good night and went through the door on the left into his bedroom. Xander did not move. He stayed on his knees with his hands folded long into the night.
Do the Gods Give Us Hope? Page 17
