by Kira Morgana
“How dare ye blame the Dwarves? Blame the humans, they’re a contentious lot!” Avinger howled with rage and ploughed into the crowd toward the speaker, an elf wearing a mercenary uniform.
A few people threw tomatoes snatched up from a nearby stall, the fruit splattering on the back plates of the guards holding Ariana.
“Hey.” The mage shrieked as the juice splashed onto her white robes. “Have you any idea how hard it is to get tomato juice out of white wool?”
The two guards dropped her arms and backed away, hands held palm up toward her.
“It wasn’t us, lady…” one of them said.
“Fancy manhandling a gentlewoman like that,” a female voice said from the crowd. “How dare they? Let her go.”
Several other women chimed in and there was a surge toward Ariana as the women endeavoured to free her. Her guards stopped trying to catch hold of her again and concentrated on stopping the crowd from pulling Ariana away from them.
A tall, slim dark skinned elf, her face hidden in the shadow of her cloak’s hood slipped into the edges of the crowd surrounding the kerfuffle. Those two can’t seem to go anywhere without getting into trouble. Maybe I should help them out of this one… She raised one hand.
As the Captain turned to deal with the threatening riot, there was a shout from a fair way behind them. A bright light whooshed overhead to impact against a nearby Fishmongers cart. There was a soft hissing noise and anyone who understood what it was headed for the floor.
Satisfied, Erendell slid away again and sought shelter beside a leatherworker’s stall, crouching down. Everyone else carried on as they were; fighting, yelling and generally causing trouble.
The cart exploded, showering everyone nearby in fish. The guards cursed, but hung onto Aranok. Ariana’s guards frowned, looking at her.
“It wasn’t me,” she told them. “My mana is all out, the trick with my hands is genetic.”
A huge salmon thwacked into Grald’s face, bringing him fully awake.
“What in all the Gods names is goin’ on?” he hollered and with a few well-placed thumps managed to get free.
The crowd surrounding them cheered.
“Freedom for barbarians,” someone yelled. “No more using us as mercenaries!”
The officer swung round, panic covering his face and he completely turned his back on the crowd as he saw Grald knock his guards out. “Grab the Barbarian!”
“Get ready!” a voice called from the back of the crowd.
Ariana frowned. That voice sounds familiar.
Another light ball flew over the top of the throng to hit the pompous officer on the back of the head and splintered into a thousand shimmering sparks. The officer groaned and slumped to the ground.
“Who did that?” the Officer’s second in command yelled.
“I think he went that way,” a woman wearing a seamstress’ wrap said. She pointed down the street toward the main market.
“Thank you, ma’am.” The watchman saluted her and frowned. “We’d better catch whoever it was, lads. Two of you get the Captain and take him back to the watch house.”
“What about these three?” one of the patrol asked.
The Lieutenant sighed and turned to Aranok.
“As I’ve never seen you in the city before and this is likely your first offence in Valdez, I’ll let you go with a caution; you’re not to cause any more trouble in the city or I will personally slam you in the cells.”
Aranok and Ariana nodded their thanks. Dragging Grald away from his tussle with the guards, the three of them took advantage of the confusion to retrieve their belongings from the tavern, before following Grald over to a nearby alley.
Erendell dissolved the illusion of the seamstress she’d wrapped around herself and watched the little group disappear down the alley. This can’t be the cause of this damned itch in my bones. Something a bit bigger than a barroom brawl is afoot here and those two are going to get themselves killed unless I tag along.
“Great. Now we can’t go back there,” Ariana groused, adjusting one of the straps on her satchel.
“We’ll just have to find somewhere else for tonight.” Aranok didn’t seem concerned.
“Look, I’m sorry about all that,” Grald said. “Shilir’s pulled me out of a few scrapes since he turned up on my doorstep in Jinra Village, but I’ve never got anyone else in trouble before.”
“That’s all right,” Ariana smiled at the big barbarian.
“If you come from Jinra Village, what on earth are you doing in Valdez?” Aranok asked, as he attached his quiver to his belt.
“Shilir would be the best one to ask about that.” Grald looked around and spotted the skinny mage across the street. “There he is. Let’s go and talk to him.”
They crossed to another alley where Shilir waited. In the distance, they could hear the shouts and whistles of the Watch.
“What in Lady Hel’s name was that all about?” Aranok fumed at the mage. “Why didn’t you help us? You said this was your home town.”
“I’m sorry. My employer often sorts things like that out for me. That’s why I said for you to hang on.” Shilir apologised as he led them down the alley. “Grald is a peaceable man, but anyone smaller than him seems to get upset with him, especially when he’s drunk. Why he drinks Windang’s is beyond me, especially when he knows the effect it has on him, but...” and he shrugged holding his hands out palm up.
Grald looked embarrassed. “Sorry, Shilir.”
“So what are you two doing in Valdez? I wasn’t aware that the Guild of Mages had any elven representatives.” The mage sat himself on a crate.
“I’m not Elven. I’m human.” Ariana crossed her arms.
“But you are from Alethdariel?” The other mage looked slightly worried. “I’m sure I heard you mention the Heir to the Alethdariel throne earlier.”
“How did you hear that? I didn’t speak that loudly.” Aranok’s brows lowered. Ariana smacked him in the ribs and he rubbed his side. “Ow, what did you do that for?”
She turned back to Shilir. “You were well away from us during that conversation. What gives you the right to listen in on us using a spell?”
“Um…” Shilir looked down at his feet. “I’ve had a tracking and listening spell on Grald ever since we went through Jirit and he managed to get himself abducted by a group of Giranathian slavers. I just happened to overhear your conversation about Princess Liana and growing up together, that’s all, I wasn’t deliberately eavesdropping.”
“Why are you interested in where we are from or what we are doing?” Aranok asked. “We just helped you out in a fight that wasn’t ours.”
“We were waiting for some friends of mine, but none of them have turned up.” Grald looked worried. “They were taking the shortcut through the Heart Mountains from Jirshan.”
“Dangerous route that one, it goes straight past Tower Lake,” Aranok said.
“Well, there were four of them. A mage, a cleric and two warriors, it should have been safe enough.” He sighed. “I said I would meet them here at the Mountain’s Shadow and in theory they should have been here first. Only because Shilir insisted on going the long way round…” Grald looked at the mage who looked up at the sky and shrugged.
“That’s all very well, but you haven’t answered my question, Shilir. Why were you eavesdropping?” Ariana’s hands began glowing again.
“We’ve been waiting for Grald’s friends since early this morning. As they haven’t turned up, I was trying to see if you’d be interested in a proposition.” Shilir scooted backward as Ariana stalked toward him, her glowing hands clenched into fists.
“It’s against Guild rules to use magic to eavesdrop in a public place, Shilir.” She extended one hand, her index finger pointing at Shilir’s long nose. “Why didn’t you just ask?”
“I needed to know if you are trustworthy.” Shilir leaned against the wall, eyes crossing as he kept his gaze on her finger. “Anyone who talks about Princess Li
ana in such familiar terms…” he flinched and fell off his crate as Aranok launched himself at him.
Ariana sighed and grabbed her brother. “Aranok, don’t get carried away again.”
“But…” Aranok let her pull him away from the trembling mage who had scrambled to hide behind Grald.
“I know. It’s your duty. Behave yourself or do you want to end up in a cell?” Ariana swung back to glare at Shilir and Grald. “Now, tell us what in the Healing Lady’s name you are going on about.”
“Look. I’ll be honest with you. Grald won’t go into the Dungeon of Doom my employer found without a full party…”
Aranok blinked and scowled at the mage.
“A Dungeon of Doom?” Ariana looked troubled. “The Guild said something about that. Who is your employer that he can afford the Guild of Mages intervention?”
“Lord Harnez has the king’s backing as well as a lot of money. There is something particular that the Guild wants from the Dungeon though.” Shilir’s eyes looked hunted. “That was how I got involved with the quest.”
“Quest?” Aranok said.
“Shilir, let’s take them to see Lord Harnez,” Grald suggested. “He’s the one who wants me to go into the Dungeon and he’d be the best one to explain exactly what is going on.”
“Wonderful idea, Grald.” Shilir’s voice held a slight sneer. “Didn’t think you had such intelligence in you.”
Grald still recovering from the fight, didn’t catch the second half of Shilir’s comment and frowned. “What? Oh, never mind.” He turned to Ariana. “Will you come to see Lord Harnez at least?”
She bit her bottom lip. We really ought to be restocking and getting back home. Mother will be getting worried. “I don’t know. We’ll have to talk it over.”
“How much information do you need?” Shilir burst out. “You’re adventurers aren’t you? This wouldn’t be any different to what you do normally.”
Aranok’s eyes narrowed. “Actually, I’m Ariana’s Mage Protector. We don’t normally travel far from Alethdariel. If my sister wants to discuss with me whether or not we should even be talking to your employer, then I am not going to gainsay her. Besides, I don’t like your tone.”
Shilir threw up his hands and stalked away muttering.
Grald grinned. “For someone who came close to death on his last trip into a dungeon, he’s not particularly cautious. I understand why you’d hesitate. We’ll be over here when you come to your decision.” He joined Shilir. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t eavesdrop this time.”
Ariana turned her back on the barbarian and mage.
“Aranok, mother will be getting worried. We were only supposed to be bringing Lady Eliethor’s report to the Mage’s Guild, nothing more.”
“The Dungeons of Doom are big trouble and if the Guild is trying to retrieve something from the treasure room of one, then the whole of Quargard could end up in danger.” Aranok pulled himself upright.
“Aranok, those places have been quiet for at least a hundred years. I’m sure the Guild can handle any problems. They don’t need us.” Ariana could see logic wasn’t swaying her brother. “Besides, Liana will be waiting for you. You have to get back to her.”
“Liana would understand. Mother would understand and the Queen would expect us to get involved.” Aranok raised an eyebrow at her. “What’s the real reason you don’t want to go?”
“I don’t trust them. They’ve already brought us a great deal of trouble,” she said, watching Grald and the mage with narrowed eyes.
“That brawl? I’ve been in worse during the Midwinter Festival at home.” Her brother laid a gentle hand on one arm. “Let’s go and hear what this Lord Harnez has to say. It would be better to make a decision based on more information anyway.”
“Ok, fine. But I still don’t trust them,” Ariana muttered, rubbing the back of her arms. What is wrong with me? Normally I’d be as interested as Aranok. There’s something wrong here; I can feel it.
They rejoined Grald and Shilir.
“We’ll at least hear your employer out.” Aranok said.
“Excellent. This way please.” Shilir ushered them through the gate.
Erendell focused her keen hearing on the group. Dungeons of Doom? Now that sounds interesting. She slipped swiftly through the gate after them, staying close enough to hear what was going on. The mention of the involved Lord gave her pause. Maybe not. Aristocracy always means trouble. She leaned against a nearby wall and watched the other four. Dungeons of Doom or find a bar for a drink? Damn, they’re moving again. I’d better catch up. Goddess knows what trouble they’ll find themselves in next.
Shilir began striding off up the street towards the Palace. Grald followed him, Aranok keeping pace with the Jinran. Ariana had to move fast to keep up.
He led them to a fine house, just down the hill from the Palace of King Groilin. The extensive gardens had large shade trees bordering the paved path, providing welcome relief from the midsummer heat.
“Wait here please,” Shilir said before disappearing into the house, leaving them on the front portico.
“Have you noticed that Shilir’s got all business like?” Ariana whispered to Aranok.
The half-elf nodded. “My ear tips are tingling.”
“That’s not a good sign,” Ariana said, poking him. “Let’s go, before we get into something we can’t get out of.”
Aranok glanced at Grald, who was surreptitiously clearing his nose out with the one little finger of one hand and his ear with the index finger of other hand.
“All right, Sis. Don’t poke my ribs like that, I bruise easily.”
She snorted and covered her mouth to stop a giggle from escaping.
Grald rolled his eyes. “You two are like a couple of kids.”
“I’m a half elf, we take a long time to mature and she’s still a babe in arms in comparison.” Aranok moved out of Ariana’s reach as she jabbed one hand toward him again.
“I’m serious, Aranok. I have an increasingly bad feeling about this.” Ariana lowered her voice and moved closer to him. “Let’s get out of here.”
He pulled a face. “Are you sure?”
She nodded.
He shrugged and hefted his bag. “Okay then.”
Grald sighed mournfully. “You’re going then? Just as I was beginning to get used to you, too.”
Ariana looked at him. “I’m sorry, Grald…” she started, but before she could finish apologising and move away and head down the drive, Shilir reappeared.
“Come on through now,” he said.
“Too late.” Aranok smiled at her reassuringly when his sister’s face dropped into annoyance. “It can’t hurt to listen, Ariana.”
With a sour expression on her face, Ariana followed the two men and the mage into the house.
Erendell sprinted up the path, but it was too late. “Damn.” She grimaced and concentrated on getting her breath back. What would you have said if you’d caught up with them anyway? Her conscience berated her. Aranok said he never wanted to see you again after the debacle in Reldheim.
She straightened up and headed back toward the gates. I’ll catch them when they come back out and find out what’s going on then.
* * *
Shilir led them into a large room. Hundreds of books lined the walls and a tall rack of scrolls stood between two stained glass windows depicting Tyr, the God of War, Battles and Honour, and Espilieth, Goddess of Magic and Healing, both deities shown in their human guises.
Despite the season, the room was quite cool. Next to the empty fireplace, a small shrine bore a porcelain statuette of Espilieth in white robes and a tiny brazier in front of the figure sent up a strong floral scent from the smouldering coals.
At least this lord is calling the Lady’s aid down properly; that’s an expensive rose incense from Franier he’s burning. Ariana deeply inhaled the scent of roses in full bloom with approval.
Aranok smiled and shook his head at her dreamy sigh when she exhaled. Bl
ushing at being caught in her appreciation, Ariana looked around.
At the opposite end of the room from the windows, a large dark wood desk squatted, covered with paper, parchments, books and scrolls. Behind the desk sat a tall, heavyset man with thinning brown hair, his eyes moving over an ancient looking scroll.
Shilir bowed. “Lord Harnez, I have brought the Warrior Grald as you requested. He has found two companions to accompany him. They have requested a briefing on the Quest.”
Ariana looked annoyed at Shilir’s assumption. Aranok elbowed her before she could say anything.
Lord Harnez looked up from the papers he was studying.
“Thank you, Shilir, you may go.” Shilir left the room and Harnez stood up and moving to a position beside the solid, carved clay, three-dimensional map that occupied the centre of the room.
“This is Valdier.” Harnez pointed to the map. He looked up when he realised no one had moved. “Come over here, please.”
Grald, Aranok and Ariana moved over to stand around the map.
“Right,” Harnez continued, “just outside of Valdez are the ruins of Castle Grof, once the ancestral home of the powerful Alizarin Family. Located in the centre of the ruins is an entrance to one of the Dungeons of Doom.” “You are familiar with the Legend of The Tower and The Eye, are you not?”
No one said anything and he frowned. “The Tower and The Eye? Never heard of it,” Aranok replied. Ariana blinked and looked at him. He sent her the barest tip of a wink.
What’s he up to? Ariana inclined her head a little in response and remained quiet. I remember being told stories about the heroes of the Black War as a child; he’s older than me, he should know more about it than just stories.
Grald started, “You’ve never heard of the Legend of the Tower and The Eye?” he asked, sounding shocked.
Lord Harnez frowned. “Where on earth do you come from? I thought everyone knew the legend.”
Aranok opened his mouth, but before a word had been spoken, Harnez waved the question away. “No, forget I asked.”
He picked up an outsized tome, flipping through to a double spread of pictures.
