“But those men were wrong!” protested Kael. “They were stealing from that old man.”
“Yes they were!” nodded Ader.
“But ..”
“But nothing, Kael!” snapped Ader. “How tragic would it have been to allow such a heinous act? What would the outcome have been?!”
“Well, uh ..”
“Two obnoxious, pompous fools would return to their homes smugly convinced they duped one of the unwitting rabble of the streets. Olpy would harden his heart a little more toward the aristocracy, and life would go on!” exclaimed Ader.
“But it’s wrong!” barked Kael.
“Yes! It is, Kael!” shouted Ader. “But it’s not your job to judge and punish. There’s someone else ready and waiting to perform that duty. If your powers give you the illusion that it is your job, you travel down a dangerous road. One Amird found too interesting to ignore. A road that’s more of a trap than you think.”
“I’m not like Amird!” shouted Kael.
Ader raised an eyebrow.
“What were you preparing to do back there when that noble raised his cane?” asked Ader.
Kael’s expression was puzzled.
“I ... I was going to defend myself.” said Kael weakly.
“Oh? Let me see if I have this straight.” said a frowning Ader. “You listened in on their conversation. You discerned their untoward intent. You confronted them . You goaded them. To what end? You know of your powers now. Do you really think an overstuffed buffoon wielding a walking stick is any match for you?”
“Well, no I guess...”
“It seems to me that you were baiting them.” interrupted Ader.
Kael hung his head.
“The things they said about the Southlands were untrue.” mumbled the boy.
“So!” snapped Ader. “You couldn’t just leave it alone?! You heard those remarks while listening in on them. Hear me loud and clear, Kael Brelgson. You are not a judge for every man that walks this world!”
Kael dropped his head.
“Yes, sir.” stated the boy.
“Besides.” came a voice from behind Kael. “Those two are quite harmless.”
Kael turned to see a bearded Zodrian carrying a large basket of bread. Beneath the floppy hat and the unruly whiskers, Kael found himself staring into the eyes of Teeg.
“Both men own modest properties to the North of the city and are heavily burdened by the war effort.” continued Teeg. “The gentleman sporting the blazing red hat has had a most difficult time. The rumor amongst his staff is that he will dismiss the lot of them shortly. He cannot afford to pay them.”
Kael turned to Ader.
“But he was an arrogant bully!” pleaded Kael.
The Guide frowned.
“Arrogance doesn’t deserve what you were willing to do to him, Kael.”
Kael averted his eyes.
“Come.” said Ader. “That’s enough for today. We must return to the Hold and explain to your father why a load of fish will arrive today.”
The Seraph and boy moved off and Teeg spun back into the crowd calling out.
“Loaves! Loaves of fresh baked bread! Just a few coppers for a fresh loaf!”
CHAPTER 9: WAGON GREASE
Ader continued Kael’s lessons throughout the week. Each day the Guide added a new wrinkle to the equation. Once, Ader asked Kael to monitor two conversations taking place at opposite ends of a tavern. On a separate occasion, Kael ‘listened’ to the events in a room on the second floor of an inn he never stepped inside. After each failure, Ader patiently explained the process and the correct way to attack the problem. Kael slowly improved.
On the fourth day since their run in at the fishmonger’s booth, the pair strolled back toward the Hold after a long day of training. Kael was rather tired and dreamily watched the people and places of Zodra slide by. Ader halted without warning.
“I have some business to take care of.” said Ader. “You‘re nearly to the Hold so I’ll leave you here. We’ll advance your lessons in the morning.”
Kael nodded his assent and continued toward the Hold as the Seraph departed. After a few moments, he felt a strong hand on his arm and turned to look into the sharp gray eyes of the bread salesman.
“Now it’s my turn to be the teacher.” winked Teeg.
The Elf directed the boy into a dark alleyway where he retrieved a medium sized burlap sack. Teeg snatched the cap from Kael’s head and shoved it into the sack. As he drew his hand out, it held a small net with coarse brown hair woven onto it. The Elf talked feverishly as he worked.
“The true test of a spy is if he can fool those closest to him.” smiled Teeg. “Your grandfather is a man of extraordinary talents. He sees things that others do not. He feels things that go unnoticed.”
The Elf lord reached into the sack and ripped a long, stained cloak from it. He quickly draped it around Kael and fastened it at the neck. Kael fumbled with the cloak so it draped properly.
“Quickly boy! Quickly!” snapped Teeg. “We have very little time. The Voice of Avra moves surprisingly fast for his age.”
Teeg’s hands flashed as he opened a jar and dipped out a small amount of its contents.
”What’s that?” asked Kael.
“Wagon grease.” stated Teeg and he smeared some on Kael’s face.
“Hey!” protested Kael attempting to knock the Elf’s hands away.
“We must make do, my boy.” frowned Teeg. “I don’t have time to apply a beard to you.”
The Elf slapped the net atop Kael’s head and brushed the coarse hair down, obscuring the boy’s features. Teeg quickly grabbed a tattered beret from the sack and pulled it down onto the net. The old Elf took one step backward and admired his work.
“Not bad for a limited amount of time.” smiled Teeg.
“What am I?” asked Kael as he grimaced and wiped a dollop of the grease from his chin.
“A cart wright, my boy.” frowned Teeg. “It’s quite obvious. Now hunch over a bit. Make yourself look as if you’ve been hefting heavy wagon wheels and steel rims all day. Cart wrights are often covered in the grease they use to lubricate the axles of their wagons. Now follow me!”
Kael did as he was told, and the pair bounded back into the main thoroughfare. Teeg surveyed the location quickly, then turned left and began navigating through the late day’s crowd.
“When we get close, I’ll leave you.” shouted Teeg over the hustle and bustle. “He knows this disguise and will surely pick me out if I get too close. I will also give you a sign when you are to stop talking. He periodically scans conversations about himself in order to ascertain danger. Lastly, use none of your talents and attempt to keep your mind blank. He feels it when you think about him too much. Any disturbance in the spirit force is like the bell in the training yard. He will most assuredly sense it and determine its origin.”
Kael huffed and puffed as he raced to keep up with the old Elf.
”Why are we doing this?” gasped Kael.
“I’ve told you.” said Teeg. “It’s my turn to be the instructor.”
“This is no class or training session.” said Kael. “This is just a game.”
“Everything is a game, Kael.” answered Teeg. “Some games simply have higher stakes than others. We’re playing this game because it is important to determine just how noticeable you are to ...certain types of beings. Others with similar powers to your own may be able to sense and feel you as you move around this world. Lord Ader can sense you, but Lord Ader always knows where you are.
It has been argued that the closer your proximity to the enemy, the more he may be able to accurately guess where you are. However, if you can effectively mask your thoughts and feelings, and refrain from using your talents, we may be able to move you at will, without the fear of being discovered. So I’ve created this little experiment.”
“You mean Lord Ader knows nothing about this?” asked Kael.
“I mean precisely that.” replied Teeg.
The pair continued to dodge and weave through the throngs of the city. Rapidly retracing Kael’s earlier steps of the day.
“What is it you want me to do?” asked Kael.
“Shadow him.” replied Teeg. “Simply follow him till he returns to the Hold. Do not interact with him. Do not focus your thoughts on him. Do not get too close to him. Let him get far ahead then close the gap. Never keep pace. Keeping pace is suspicious. At times pass him on the street. At others, let him pass you. If he recognizes you, you’ll hear about it. If he doesn’t, then you’ve done the trick.”
“What do I say if he....”
Kael halted. Teeg motioned to the street ahead then turned and disappeared into the crowd. Kael followed the motion of the Elf’s hand and saw Ader standing out slightly over the heads of the throng some fifty yards down the city street.
The boy immediately tried to get an idea of how far the Seraph walked ahead of him, then just as quickly realized his error. If he focused on the Seraph, Ader might sense it. Kael rapidly shifted his thinking. He made notes of the city around him and its people. Occasionally, Kael glanced forward to make sure Ader was still in sight.
They walked nearly half a league through the city when Kael glanced up to see Ader standing near a street side tavern. The boy controlled his surprise as the Seraph scanned the throng of Zodrians sliding past the tavern. Kael hunched a little lower and tried to mimic the shuffle of a man put through a hard day’s labor. The boy stared to the ground and let the dirty brown hair on his head fall in front of his face.
Ader remained by the tavern door without acknowledging Kael’s presence. The boy continued down the street and stopped near a small fruit stand. He positioned himself in order to see the Seraph standing on the tavern steps. After a few moments, Ader stepped down and reentered the street. Kael remembered Teeg’s advice and instead of waiting to follow, he took the initiative and began walking slowly up the street.
The shuffling boy hadn’t gone very far when he felt the Seraph sweep past him and move forward quickly. Kael continued his shadowing of Ader for nearly an hour. Periodically the Seraph moved to a high step or doorway just off the main thoroughfare and search the crowd. During these breaks Kael felt most vulnerable to Ader. The Guide searched for someone. Kael tried to keep his own mind occupied.
Shortly, Ader found what he sought. Kael saw the Seraph move into the doorway of a small silversmith’s shop. Kael stopped near a well opposite the smithy and ladled a drink from a water bucket that stood there. Ader nodded in Kael’s direction. The boy nearly dropped the ladle but remained frozen as a cloaked figure moved past him toward the Seraph.
Lilywynn lightly bowed to the Seraph on the doorstep as she approached. Ader nodded in return and stepped down to take her arm in his own. They exchanged words and strolled through the crowds. Kael hesitated a moment, then dropped the ladle back in the bucket and followed.
The pair moved leisurely through the streets. The Seraph seemed in such a hurry before, but now Kael forced a slower pace or he would be on them. Lilywynn’s head leaned in closely throughout the walk and the pair spoke in whispers. They appeared like a kindly, old grandfather and granddaughter out for an afternoon stroll and a chance to chat about her life.
Kael yearned to discover what was so important to Ader that he tracked the young woman down. Lilywynn usually appeared in the Hold once every three days, but Ader went into the streets to find her.
Kael smiled to himself as he realized what he accomplished. Ader was completely unaware the boy shadowed him for the last hour. On top of that, Lilywynn nearly brushed Kael as she strode past to speak to Ader. The woman who so easily tracked and disarmed Kael in Rindor was now being tracked.
Perhaps Ader wasn’t so aware of his surroundings. Perhaps the Seraph loses his ability to sense when focused on a task. Ader certainly seemed absorbed with Lilywynn’s conversation. Kael bit his lip. He hungered to know what they were speaking about. He let his mind stretch toward them.
“....as the only way to get full support of the Erutre tribes.” whispered Lilywynn.
“It’s not a question of support.” replied Ader. “The Eru will follow Temujen, their chieftain, in whatever he says. We need to know where the Ulrog are heading. Prince Granu’s explanation seems too .... convenient.”
“That’s why I must go.” said Lilywynn. “I tire of spying on dockworkers and nobles. This city is corrupt, that is for certain, but the sins committed here are not connected to Amird. I must be made more useful.”
“You will, my dear.” sighed Ader.
“If I can determine the movements of the Ulrog, we may truly ascertain their plans.” said Lilywynn.
“I must journey to the Eru.” said Ader in a solemn voice. “Chief Temujen must be warned of all that has taken place and the needs of his allies. You will travel North with me and enter the Scythtar Mountains as I turn East.”
The information startled Kael. His mind raced. Lilywynn actually spoke of entering the Northern Wastes, the land of the Ulrogs. Kael knew the young woman was bold, but this smacked of insanity.
“I will spend fourteen days observing the Ulrog, then I’ll cross back over the Scythtar and report to the Zodrian command in the North.” whispered Lilywynn. “By that time, King Macin will have journeyed to the front and set up a command post.”
Surely Ader wasn’t agreeing to this madness, thought Kael.
“You need to.....” began Ader.
The Seraph stopped and drew the young woman even closer to him.
“I hope this wasn’t your idea, Kael Brelgson.” whispered Ader to Lilywynn.
“Pardon?” questioned the confused girl. “What are you ...”
The Seraph raised a finger to his lips demanding silence.
“Where are you?” asked Ader.
Kael glanced ahead over the heads of the crowd as Ader turned and scanned the streets. His wizened, gray eyes fell upon Kael and a long boney finger reached out and beckoned the boy forward.
Kael slowly trudged toward his teacher, head hung low.
“How long were you following me?” growled Ader in a low voice.
“Nearly an hour.” replied Kael.
Lilywynn arched an eyebrow at the comment. She turned and eyed Ader inquisitively. The Seraph reddened.
“Well, I’m sure it wasn’t his idea!” snapped Ader to the girl.
“If it wasn’t his idea....” started Lilywynn.
“Find him.” commanded Ader.
The girl shielded her eyes and peered down the street. First she inspected the direction from which the group had traveled. Next, she turned and inspected far to the front.
“He would want to be within eyesight,” mumbled the girl to herself. “but far enough away so as not to attract attention.”
She paused. After a moment her hand shot out.
”There!” exclaimed Lilywynn.
Kael’s sharp eyes quickly picked out the subject of Lilywynn's search. Nearly a quarter league down the main thoroughfare the road rose. Near its crest stood a small trinket shop. A flamboyantly dressed noble stood inspecting the blown glass displayed on the shop’s outdoor counter. The bearded noble wore a large brimmed hat of blue felt. A green feather stuck from the brim of the hat high into the air. When he saw the trio peering in his direction, the noble quickly put the trinket he held back on the counter and waved off the clerk.
“That noble is not satisfied with the merchant’s blown glass.” said Ader to Lilywynn. “Go tell him I wish to speak to him.”
Lilywynn bowed to Ader and in a flash the young woman disappeared into the crowd. Ader began to move down the street in the direction of the glass wares booth. Kael glanced once around the street then followed.
“What’s wrong?” Kael asked as he caught up.
“We’ll talk about it momentarily.” said Ader icily.
“But Teeg wanted to teach me...”
“I said, we would talk about it momentarily.” growled Ader.
The pair stomped forward for another twenty paces. The crowd parted as they passed and Kael saw Lilywynn animatedly discussing something with the nobleman. He was dressed in the flamboyant style of a court dandy and broke into a broad smile as Ader and Kael approached.
“Well done, my boy!” exclaimed Teeg. “However, I am quite cross with you for the use of your abilities. I distinctly forbade use of your powers.”
”I’m sorry.” said Kael.
“Well, I’m simply ecstatic!” said Ader sarcastically. “You two have ironed out your difficulties. But there is the matter of me!”
“There is no matter.” said Teeg.
“You find the boy disobeying my orders acceptable?” spluttered Ader. “You think your disregard for my opinions on important matters is trivial?”
“Hardly.” said Teeg smugly. “However, the boy did not disobey. You sent him to the Hold and I set him to tracking you. I know your opinions on many matters, my lord, but the boy has half Elven blood flowing through his veins, and I believe the innate abilities that blood instills in him must be nurtured as well.”
“This place is a danger to him!” exclaimed Ader sweeping a hand across the cityscape.
“I’m well aware of that.” replied Teeg. “But he’s not a child and one day he must lead, not be led. If he faces no danger before he’s called upon, how will he react when it is time? How will he feel if it is the first time he stares into the true heart of darkness?”
”There is no need to endanger him now. I find fault with your timing.” said Ader.
Teeg shrugged.
“Perhaps.” said the Elf. “Or perhaps I’ve gleaned a valuable lesson from our task today.”
Ader narrowed his eyes.
“The boy shadowed you for nearly an hour. “ said Teeg. “You neither saw nor felt him?”
“True.” said the Seraph. “Your point?”
“The nervousness you experience concerning his safety is well founded. “ said Teeg. “But I’ve just allowed you a respite from greater fears in the future. When the boy journeys from this place, you can rest assured that those with similar powers to your own will not be able to track him just because of who he is.”
The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) Page 14
