The Secret of Azuron (The Sword Empire Book 1)

by J. R. Kearney

  She guided the stallion back to his stable, Landau followed by her side like he had nowhere else to be.

  "I've seen them together, Sam can be kind of quiet around Jema sometimes, he complains about him when he’s not around. I feel like I'm a bother to him, but I’m sure he has more important things to worry about." Julia looked to give him some truthful comfort.

  "He's an ambitious guy, and I like that I guess. He wants to make a difference, like most squires here. He just needs to get his priorities straight."

  "Are you talking about me or you?" said Landau, the statement made Julia laugh in its surprise.

  "I thought that subtle stab might have gone over your head. You're wiser than you look."

  "I'm sorry," he apologized, wondering what for. "I tend to ask a lot of questions."

  So much joy radiated from her face, Landau couldn't help but be contagious with it also. She opened the stable for the stallion to settle and locked the gate beneath her, and moved to retrieve another horse. He would offer his help when he noticed Clancey's horse Bruiser housed in a nearby stable.

  "When did this horse arrive here?"

  Julia turned to regard the brown mare nudging its unfamiliar head from the gate.

  "I'm not sure, it was here when I arrived this morning."

  With that Landau left shouting "it was nice to meet you" over his shoulder, and he bolted into the palace. He ran at a brisk pace, and poked his head into every room he could manage, no doubt Clancey was reacquainting himself with Jema, but the knight was never one to dawdle in the same place for long. Through the common room back to the lobby he could think of nowhere else to look, eventually he found the steward walking across the hall at a rigid speed.

  "Excuse me sir, I'm looking for my friend Clancey. He arrived this morning, have you seen him?"

  Elman looked at him like he was a rude little boy, but answered his question sure enough.

  "An older fellow arrived this morning, bandages covering his arm, if that is who you mean." Landau's face filled with excitement.

  "Do you know where he is?"

  "He arrived with a couple of elves from memory, frankly they looked like trouble. He was with Jema the last I saw of him. I suggest you allow him to find you."

  The steward's words seemed cold in their helpfulness, yet Landau took his advice and headed to his room. He charged up the staircase and down a corridor of endless doors to arrive there, blasting through with panted breath, alas his room was void of any company. He felt dejected, confused to think where else Clancey would think to wait for him. Frustrated on whether to stay or keep moving he opted to lay on his bed, and wait in hope for his friend to arrive.

  Afternoon settled on Arwendel, and the cheers and screams from the tiltyard withered before the night drew near, his guest room had a slight balcony and though the view was amazing, Landau could see little of the events of the tournament. He paced his room, and waited for Clancey to appear at his door, he assumed Elman would tell him of his whereabouts, though the steward had been disinterested in his presence here since his arrival.

  He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling when a knock on his door sprung him from thought, only to reveal the chambermaid who entered carrying a tray with his supper. Landau was polite, though his demeanor was sour, he moved back to his bed while the chambermaid placed his tray by his bedside and withdrew, in her hustling she neglected to close the door.

  Landau sniffed at his meal, soup with a small saucer of treats, though his stomach hardly felt hungry. Instead he let the steam from the bowl waft to his face to enjoy its warmth, with his eye poised on the door, waiting for the chambermaid to realize her error. Frustrated he hopped up to shut it for her, but before he could lay a hand on its handle...

  "You Porthos boys are always leaving the door open."

  His grieving eyes turned to surprise when Clancey walked in and dropped to one knee to embrace his young friend. Landau didn't hold back his affection, leaping into his arms despite one still heavily bandaged.

  "Wow look at you, new clothes, nice place. You've done very well for yourself," Clancey said in good spirits.

  "Where have you been, I mean when did you get here, what have you been doing?"

  "Too many questions for one sentence lad, Jema asked me if you were always the inquisitive type."

  "Sorry," he said, "It’s just when I saw your horse and the steward told me you were here I looked everywhere for you."

  "Forgive me Landau, ‘tis quite a large place to go looking for one person, and the hallways in this place were not made for the elderly," he smiled.

  "So where were you?"

  "I went to find some answers as you know, to put some sense into what's happened over these last few weeks. I met a man in Merchant's Wall, which is why we stopped at the tavern if you remember," said Clancey. "Jema and I showed him the stones you found, he knew plenty about them, told us they were of elvish make. The fact you found it within a cave made the elven connection all the more interesting - which is why I travelled east to Rulamyn, to the elven city within the Vilimyir Woods."

  "Elves?" Landau couldn't believe Clancey's fortune. "The steward said you arrived with a couple of elves, is that true?"

  "Indeed. Hard to talk with them elves, not like the fisherman down in the south. No sense of humor that's for sure, forgive me if I prattle off more jokes than I should, nice to be ‘round someone who can appreciate them."

  Landau’s anticipation in finally gaining some clarity was evident in his voice.

  "So are them stones dangerous?"

  "I dare say in my youth those stones would have been amongst my finest treasures, though their purpose seems simple really, to shine a light in dark places, as you so evidently did when you held them. The elves tell me they have some spiritual meaning also, however there may be a greater purpose to them that the wizard can reveal, alas he has been gone for over a week I am told."

  Landau was surprised to learn of Vhalen's disappearance, he assumed the wizard had locked himself away within his tower.

  "Why did the elves come back with you to the city?"

  "They are curious creatures I gather, and seemed nay intent on parting with the stone once I presented it to them. When they discovered the Queen was in possession of another they were keen to accompany me here."

  "And what of the cave?" said Landau.

  "For the moment I have been reluctant to mention it, but I dare say they will ask you where you found them, as much as I have tried to prevent it."

  Landau raised an eyebrow, though not in worry. The Queen and the Wizard were extravagant enough to have had in his company, but elves bewildered him more so. He knew the girls back home would never believe his story.

  "I’m just glad you’re back," he smiled. "It’s a shame you missed the festival, there were fireworks and parties, so many parties," his face lit up in explaining it.

  "I would have loved to have seen the celebrations lad, but Bruiser can only handle so much these days. I fear she has aged horribly with me," Clancey sat on the bed and alleviated to do so. "Alas in all my years I had never witnessed the beauty of the elves and their cities, as tranquil and untroubled as the world can be. There is much artistry in the natural world I begin to realize I will never see, despite the reasons that brought me there I will truly appreciate its memory."

  Clancey got lost in thought before he looked upon his friend who smiled in the familiarity of his voice. "And what have you gotten up to may I ask?"

  "I met the wizard here, his name’s Vhalen, he said I might be cursed. I stayed in his tower for a night. You won't believe the kind of creatures he has up there."

  "A curse? You know how many times someone gave me warning of a curse when I was about delving for treasures? Too many," he laughed. "I doubt in such things lad, despite all I’ve seen. And what of the Queen?"

  "She was amazing!" Landau smiled at the thought of her. "She looks very good for her age. I thought I'd be a bother when Jema introduced me, b
ut she was very comforting." Clancey placed his good hand on his back.

  "You do have a way about you lad," leaning over to sample the treats the chambermaid had left him. "I had some words with Jema upon my arrival, most interested into what I had to reveal, as though his mind couldn't stray from anything else. These stones have garnered much interest from friend and foe, removing them from this cave looks to have provoked this unknown danger, for what purpose we are left without answer. Though it seems for now that any threat to you has stopped, and no demon would be daft to try anything within these walls. The elves will convene with the Queen on how to deal with this situation appropriately, soon I suspect. As for your part to play in all this Landau, it appears there is very little reason for you to continue to stay here, other than to enjoy the life of a wealthy noble no less," he grinned, for Landau's face lit up in one clear assumption.

  "Do you mean…I can go home?"

  "I would think it most likely," he said, and Landau welcomed the news with a hug, teary eyed on seeing his friends again, eager to tell them of his adventure.

  "So when can we leave?"

  "In a few days I imagine, though the Queen may consider what the wizard has to say, however long that may be. Though while I am here I will arrange a means for our village to begin repair, so we can finally have a home once more. There will still be much to endure when we return to Tripple."

  "And what of the tavern, the village will never be the same without the 'Floating Barrel'?"

  "In time perhaps," Clancey said without much conviction. "Porthos will never be the same whether the tavern stands or not. It will take a long time for the memory of our friends to be forgotten lad, but our strength is in its people. Serin will do all he can, I have no doubt of that. The village will need strong people like yourself to see its future, an old battler like me won’t be ‘round forever you know. I dare admit the thirst for adventure has left me, Bruiser no doubt will agree. I'm certain you will be a great influence when you are older, your father is much to thank."

  Landau never considered his role in the village beyond a time when Clancey and his father would no longer be with him. His desire for adventure after reading so many books was quenched after experiencing the weeks gone by. That future had lost its appeal, perhaps Clancey was right, he would one day grow to be a prominent figure in Porthos and the thought endeared him. For the first time in as many days he was excited about what lay ahead.

  He was finally going home.

  It was beyond midnight, in the latest part of night and earliest point of morning when a lone horse galloped through the empty ward of the palace. With furious speed the white horse of the wizard arrived at the palace steps, and with haste he marched to his tower. Upstairs he scurried to find tomes, and upon finding them his discovery was absolute. He would dwell on its meaning, but urgent was the outcome that he hurried to the Queen's chamber, and pounded on her door while he bellowed her name.

  From down the hall Elman was alerted to the commotion, candle in hand he frowned at Vhalen's politesse but the wizard paid him no mind, other than to ask for his key. Before Elman could manage it the Queen herself opened the doors after hearing his cry, his cheeks were flustered and his brow damp.

  "My lady, it is urgent I speak with you now."

  "What is the meaning of this Vhalen?" Elman interrupted.

  "This is no time for political etiquette steward," he yelled, Anduniel ushered them inside to avoid prying ears and Elman scurried about to bring some light to the room, Vhalen in exhaustion planted himself on the couch. The Queen gave the wizard her concern, her eyes were wide and vacant of weariness, as though she never slept at all.

  "My lady, we have been naive," he said bluntly. "Now we are in grave danger."

  "Tell me everything you know," she asked of him, and in the early hours of the morning Vhalen explained to her all he had discovered on his short journey. Elman in earshot was horrified at each revelation and when the sun lingered beneath the horizon no-one showed any hint of tiredness, for Vhalen's findings had them all aghast with uncertainty.

  "My Queen, what are we going to do? How can we reveal to Landau such horrible tidings, more importantly how are we meant to protect ourselves? If the people discover this there will be chaos."

  "From the moment that boy walked in here I felt something dreadful surrounding him," she said. "This is beyond my power Vhalen, or ours combined. What fate to bring this after a celebration of peace no less."

  "We may still have time, but what do we chance ourselves to do with this time?" and a deep thought she pondered for careful it need be.

  She turned to her steward who was silent to say anything.

  "Elman, I need you to send word to all capable warriors still residing in Arwendel, to attend a council this afternoon in the White Hall. Tell them nothing of what has been spoken here, only that it is secret and urgent."

  "Where should I look?" Elman asked.

  "Start here in the palace, there are few that have remained from the centenary. Then check the guilds, the tiltyard, shipyards, anywhere you can find them. Especially Jema, he will be most disheartened to learn of this, we will need his knights help."

  "Understood your majesty," Elman said, and exited the room to begin his task.

  "And Elman?" she stopped him. "Landau must also attend."

  The steward nodded before he left the room. The Queen's heart was heavy, and the wizard set aside her prestige and embraced Anduniel as her old friend.

  "The knights are yours to command my lady. Why not send them to diminish this evil?"

  "I would not wish this task upon anyone. Only those who choose to go will I find comfort in, for the size will not matter, only hope and determination can we invest in."

  "And if none elect to chance this fate?" he made her ponder.

  Her reply was as honest and cold as Vhalen could imagine.

  "Then I fear it will make no difference."

  Chapter 14

  THE WHITE HALL COUNCIL

  A nervous Landau was escorted into a grand circular hall, surrounded by many pillars that reached to a ceiling he could barely see. Sunlight showered through the windows and settled upon a large marble table, the biggest he had ever laid eyes upon, perfectly cylindrical and encompassed by thirty chairs, occupied by people who all anxiously awaited the Queen’s arrival. Those who could not find a seat leaned against pillars, or sat on stairs that descended down to the table. A quiet murmur echoed through the White Hall when Landau was offered a seat among an audience of knights and elite leaders. Clancey offered comfort by taking the chair next to his, though Landau was fearful to stare up from the table, for curious eyes looked upon him, he was the only child in attendance.

  Those that gathered were invited secretly, sent by the Queen’s messengers all throughout the morning. None were aware of the purpose, and curiosity drove most to attend. Soon the steward announced the Queen, and apart from her silver diadem she dressed plainly as any peasant, and walked with Vhalen towards the table; if Landau was uncomfortable before it heightened when the Queen took the vacant seat beside him. The wizard continued to stand, and introductions were made to all those in attendance.

  Seated at the table were the two elves that accompanied Clancey, and how strange they appeared to witness them up close. Nerelion was a master of lore, and leader of the realm of Rulamyn, his skin was a pale white, with large sapphire colored eyes that pierced from bony sockets. The other was Llewelyn, an olive skinned elf, more muscular with dark eyes, but similarly dressed to his counterpart, adorning robes of a glistening silver, laced with gold. Both of them had oddly shaped faces, more oval than round, with pointed ears, and skin void of any hair, save from their heads where it sat high on their foreheads and draped far below the table.

  From the jungles of Khar'Jin in the east of Ruun were a pair of el'saar, and in their appearance Landau was more entertained. Ri'hira was the monarch of their people, his fur was a shimmering white, with black stripes across his fac
e in a desultory manner. Ashahra was the consort of Ri'hira with faded orange fur, tidy and not unkempt as the wild mane of her monarch leader, one of few el'saar skilled in healing and medicine.

  Beside them sat three women of the Amazon tribe, large and beautiful women dressed in furs and leather, their skin was pale and void of sunlight, for they resided under the thick cover of Freyhelm forest to the north-east. Their leader Wendella was the tallest of the three, her arms larger than any noble, and her hair was unnaturally black and appeared void of any strands. She sat with her lieutenants Bayanna and Lyeanna, along with Ashahra and the Queen they were the only women present at this meeting.

  Garthal, leader of the Warrior's guild was also present, his arms were tattooed and entrenched with many scars, and his left ear was missing, maimed Landau thought as he tried not to stare. His two finest employees in Theolis and Halwende sat on either side of him, all three trending short black hair and thin moustaches, bearing short sleeved doublets with the colors of their chapter.

  Thukrald, dignitary from Helmbolg in the far east of Heimmarch remained in the city, and was invited along with his associate of whose name Landau never heard. Thukrald was more hair than skin, but permeated wealth with a display of gold necklaces that layered his neck, and rings on each finger, even his hair was entwined with excessive jewels. Only one familiar face did he recognize and that was Pollus, General of the Alduainian army and Clancey's companion who saved them in Porthos, seated with his son Gallus beside him, and the general’s glare continued to make him uneasy.

  Lastly were the knights of Arwendel, headed by Jema, alongside him were Grennan, Thormond and Eadwald, all whom adorned tabards and appeared much younger than their respective leader, yet similarly bearded and accompanied by their squires, who stood in the back with magnates and others that went un-introduced. Samson was among them, and his expression on seeing him now seated beside the Queen was one of confusion. Landau began to feel overwhelmed by the audience of muscle and politics, and his discomfort had not escaped Clancey either who observed him fidgeting and breathing erratically.