Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron)

by Woods, Timothy

  Maklin and Megan hurriedly mounted up and fell in behind Mortow. Maklin cast a wary eye back at the strange creatures who were now his allies. Maybe Mortow had nothing to fear from them, but any magi not a ninth key would be a fool not to keep an eye on them and give them a very wide berth.

  Megan caught Maklin’s eye and frowned at him in disapproval. She pointedly ignored the Garoliths. There was no reason to fear them as far as she was concerned. Mortow controlled them, and if Mortow wanted her dead, he did not need the Garoliths. He would simply kill her himself. Megan squared her shoulders and winced at the pain still pulsing from the arrow wound in the right one. It was nearly healed, but the bruise to the bone would take a lot longer to heal than the flesh would.

  Megan again glanced over at Maklin. He'd noticed the twinge and was smiling, only turning his eyes her way. He was still gloating over her failure. Megan’s face turned red with rage. She could see Maklin’s shoulders shake as he silently chuckled at her, and she vowed to herself that he would pay for the insult as well as for her injury. She focused her eyes on Mortow’s massive back and erased Maklin from her mind as they passed through the gate. For now, they needed Maklin, but when this was all over, she had a few things planned for him.

  The Weres, ever eager for revenge on their ancient enemies, hit Trelom completely by surprise. The shocked look on Rydon’s aged face had nearly sent Mael into an uncontrollable laughing fit. The arrogant old fool believed he and his people were safe and untouchable; that his deal with Mortow protected them. It would have, had he not declared the exile of his son, Ataum, Captain of the Forest Guard. Rydon should have known the Forest Guard would follow their Captain. But no, he thought the stigma of exile would distance Ataum from them. He was wrong. Now, over five hundred of the finest elven warriors had joined Kantwell and its allies.

  Mael couldn’t possibly care less. It mattered not which side won, though he had a more vested interest in seeing Kantwell victorious. Under Mortow, Mael had to act subservient, a small price to pay for the knowledge and power gained. Once he had learned all he could from Mortow, that bowing and scraping would quickly grow wearisome. Merric, on the other hand, required no such tribute. Of course, he could not supply the wealth of knowledge that Mortow had at his disposal. But, now that Michael had shown himself to be a ninth key, Kantwell had gained what before only Mortow could offer. Mael watched another elf, this one a female, go down under a large black bear, her entire chest ripped open from one powerful swipe of its huge claws. Such acts moved him not at all.

  He gathered the Weres together after the main fight was over; and, had them ferret out and round up the elders. Most had been so appalled by what they witnessed that they moved without resistance. Rydon had collapsed where he stood completely withdrawing into himself. A few elves had escaped through tree portals that their druids conjured up; but, the majority, were lying bloody and dismembered throughout the village.

  "I shall take these wretches to Gratton," Mael told the gathered Weres. "I will come back after giving my report to Mortow. Until then, appease yourselves as you would. When I return, I will begin taking you, a group at a time, to the main force. Be ready when I return." Mael moved in among the elders and spoke the words of transport. He and the seven elders vanished.

  It took Mael the rest of the day to transport the nearly two thousand Weres to the main force now marching across the Steppes of Sorrow. Mortow had been pleased that all had gone according to his plan. The elders, including Rydon, now resided in the room where Mieka had taken Michael. There they would be powerless. After Mael transported the last of the Weres, Mortow ordered him to return to Gratton to keep an eye on Joshua. Mael wearily bowed to Mortow and transported himself.

  Mael returned to a nearly empty Gratton. He appeared in his quarters much fresher than he looked when he left Mortow’s side. He removed his robe and washed to remove the stink of Were. He found it distasteful to be in such close proximity to so many of them.

  "I will never be able to get that stench out." Mael muttered, looking down at the robe. He threw it into the wash basin and held his hand over it. "Fundas Incinerate." He watched as the water boiled away and the robe turned to ash; and then, poured in a bit more water, swirled it around, and dumped it down the garderobe shaft. Mael pulled a fresh robe from his wardrobe and slid it over his head. He tied his sash in place with practiced ease, and combed his shoulder length blonde hair straight back. Looking down at himself, he was satisfied with his appearance. Mael smoothed the front of his robe once more, and again spoke the words of transport.

  Materializing down the hall from the room that now housed Joshua, Mael looked at the four trolls standing guard outside its door. It would have been much easier if he could have teleported into the room, but Mortow had shielded the room to prevent anyone except himself from doing just that. Mael walked up to the guards.

  "Wizard Mael," one of the trolls said, bowing his head slightly.

  "I am here to check on our guest," Mael said without looking at the troll.

  The nine foot tall beast bowed his head again and inserted a key into the lock. There was a soft click as the tumblers fell into place and the troll pushed the door open. Without another word, Mael strode into the room. He stopped just inside the door and turned his head slightly, verifying that the door was closed behind him. He waited until he heard the sound of the lock sliding into place before looking into the room.

  Joshua was seated in one of the overstuffed chairs, leaning back with his feet straight out and crossed at the ankles. He appeared to be lost in thought as he stared at the fire in the great fireplace directly across from him. Mael surveyed the room and caught sight of what he sought.

  Rein stood against the wall near the door leading to Joshua’s bed chamber. He nodded once to Mael and returned his eyes to Joshua.

  Mael walked forward and interposed himself between Joshua and the fire. He said a short phrase under his breath then regarded the man before him. "Now that we are properly shielded, your Uncle sends his regards," Mael intoned with a smirk, as Rein moved forward.

  Joshua heard the man come in and thought they might be bringing him his dinner. He was still depressed with the situation; and, hadn't bothered to look until a black robed figure stepped in front of him. He could tell by the size of the man that it was not Mortow. This man was tiny. In fact, before Joshua raised his eyes to the man’s face, he thought it might be a woman. The man was barely over five feet tall and very thin. His shoulder length blonde hair was so fair it could almost be white. The man’s pale gray eyes were almost as cold as Mortow’s. The smirk on his face cast his features in a sinister light that ran a chill down Joshua’s spine.

  "So, you have come to taunt the prisoner as well. Save your breath, I’m not interested," Joshua said with obvious boredom.

  "Now, is that any way to greet the man who comes to deliver you to your Uncle? I think not," Mael replied, the smirk on his face still in place.

  "So, you have come to taunt me. Be gone and allow me to languish in solitude."

  "It seems we have a skeptic in our midst, eh Rein?"

  Rein moved up beside Mael. "So it would seem. Have you a plan for getting us out? I assume; since, you came through the door, teleporting us is out of the question."

  Joshua’s face seemed to animate instantly. He pulled his legs in and stood up looking from one face to the other. "Are you really here to take me to Uncle Micah? I find it hard to believe that one of Mortow’s wizards would turn against him."

  Mael’s smirk melted away and he took a step toward Joshua.

  Seeing the look on the small man’s face, Joshua involuntarily took a step back and almost fell into the chair.

  "I am no one’s wizard! I am my own man regardless of what others may believe. My name is Mael, and I owe your Uncle a certain debt. Delivering you to him should clear that debt once and for all." Mael turned to Rein. "Yes, I have a plan. I intend to kill the trolls guarding the door; then, once we are out of the room,
I will teleport us close to Kantwell. I suggest that both of you stay out of my way, and remain here until I have finished with the trolls."

  Without giving either man time to respond, Mael walked briskly to the door and knocked twice on it in rapid succession. He heard the click of the lock and the door started to swing open. Mael held both hands out in front of him, fingers slightly splayed, palms facing the door. As the door cleared his field of vision, he chanted softly, "Fundas incinerate," separating his hands in a spreading gesture.

  The trolls barely had time to register surprise on their faces before the heat waves, radiating outward from Mael’s hands, blackened them, turning them to dust that drifted gently to the granite floor.

  Mael turned to the two men waiting inside the room and with a curt gesture, motioned them forward.

  Rein took Joshua’s arm and nearly had to pull him forward to get the man moving. He seemed in shock at what he had just witnessed. Mael glanced in both directions down the hall; and, seeing it clear, stepped out of the room. Rein and Joshua followed immediately on his heels, Rein maintaining his grip on Joshua’s arm. Mael quickly spoke the words of transport; and the three of them were instantly in the same location Mael had teleported to when he delivered Mortow’s message to Kantwell.

  Joshua stumbled and clutched at his stomach with his free arm, but Rein’s firm grip on his other arm kept him on his feet. Rein let go of Joshua’s arm as the man buckled forward and emptied the contents of his stomach on the ground.

  Mael’s smirk returned to his face as he looked into Joshua’s eyes. "You had better get used to it. That is the least of things yet to come." Mael glanced around and called out to the elves he knew would be watching them. "It is Wizard Mael once again. I bring a present for the Avari Lord."

  Several elves emerged from their concealment, bows at the ready.

  Mael recognized a couple of them from before, including Kline.

  "Twice, in as many days, Wizard Mael? One might begin to think you enjoyed our company," Kline said, scowling, but lowering his bow.

  Mael looked at Kline. "I need to speak with Wizard Merric and Lord Micah. I have something they want," Mael said gesturing to the blonde man still on his knees.

  Kline looked at the kneeling man, then at the white haired man standing behind him. Kline’s eyes flashed with anger as he recognized the man as a Were, but he controlled his voice. "Follow us to the camp. I will send a runner to Kantwell."

  Rein saw the look the elf gave him, but remained expressionless. He knew the elves hated his kind. Rein leaned down and helped Joshua to his feet. "The sickness will pass. Try taking deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth," Rein offered.

  Joshua, his head spinning and his stomach churning, mumbled a barely coherent ‘thanks’ and altered his breathing. Joshua hated getting sick at his stomach. He always felt so helpless and alone when it happened. Feeling his stomach start to calm, he was finally able to look up at Rein. "What did he do to me? Joshua asked between breaths.

  "Mael only did what he told us he was going to do. He teleported us to a place near Kantwell. Your sickness is a side effect of that mode of travel," Rein informed him.

  "If it is a side effect, then why am I the only one sick?"

  "Because, it was your first time. Many become sick as you did the first couple of times, but it gets easier each time. Eventually, it will cease to affect you in that way."

  "I don’t ever want to do that again. It felt like someone had a grip on my stomach and was trying to crush it," Joshua replied standing up straighter as the last of the nausea passed.

  "You may not want to, but, it’s the easiest and quickest way to travel. You would be well advised to get accustomed to it. It usually only takes a couple of times before the side effects are no longer discernible. Come now, the elves grow impatient, and I am not very well liked around here. They would love nothing more than to have an excuse to put a few arrows in me; and I would prefer they did not."

  "Yes, of course," Joshua said as he started moving where Rein guided him. It was dark, and he had never been able to see very well in the dark. "I remember Uncle Micah telling me about the race wars, but that was so long ago."

  "To a human, yes; but, to our two races, a mere half century or so is not very long. I’m afraid both of our races have longer memories than is good for us," Rein told him with a slight smile.

  Joshua looked at Rein’s face. In the dark, what he could see of it, did not reflect anger or resentment; but, appeared more contemplative. "You are different from the Weres that came for me. You seem more…human…oh! You’re a high, ouch!"

  Joshua’s revelation was cut off as Rein’s grip on his upper arm tightened suddenly and painfully. Looking to Rein’s face, he saw the man subtly shake his head side to side; the contemplative look now replaced by one of determination.

  When Rein saw that Joshua understood, he loosened his grip on his arm. They continued on to the elven camp in silence.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Michael woke and glanced out the window. What he could see of the sky was gray and pink. He sat up and stretched.

  "Just great! I’m tired as all hell, and I wake up before dawn. That's just my luck." Michael new Branik and Reek would be expecting him in the rock garden for training, so he dragged himself out of bed and into the garderobe. Having finished, he washed up, combed his hair and put on a shirt, a pair of pants and buckled on his sword and dagger.

  Michael looked at the purple robe and golden sash lying folded on the little table in his room. He hated to leave them unguarded. They were his heritage and had been entrusted to him. He reached out to feel the protective field around his room that Micah had put in place. It was weakening, since he had not been back for several days. Michael fed energy into it and altered it to prevent anyone except himself, Branik and Reek from entering. Feeling a little better about the safety of the garments, Michael walked to the door and opened it.

  Branik and Reek were both standing across the hall from his door like silent sentinels.

  "Sorry guys, I'm moving a bit slow this morning. I am ready when you are," Michael informed them.

  Reek smiled. "I think, slow would be a bit of an understatement. It is not morning, Michael. It is evening. You have been asleep all day."

  Michael’s eyes widened in shock and he looked inquiringly to Branik only to receive a confirming nod from the big man.

  "Why did you not wake me?"

  "Sufficient sleep is as important as adequate exercise. If you do not allow your body and mind the rest they require then no amount of meditation and training will aid you. You had been up and going non-stop for over two days. Sleep was more important; but, now that you are up, we can get on with the others. I think for today, we will limit you to stretching and running. That will remove the remnants of sleep from your body. A good meal and a proper night’s sleep should see you back to normal tomorrow," Branik explained gruffly.

  Reek elbowed Branik in the side and took a step toward Michael. "Don’t let him fool you. He is the reason you slept as long as you did. He would not let anyone near your door for fear they would wake you," Reek said smiling.

  "Someone came to see me? Who was it? What did they want? Was it Merric? Did he find out something about Joshua?"

  Reek held his hands up in defense. "Your questions come as quickly as elven arrows. Relax, Michael. If it had been important, we would have awakened you. Martin and little Miles both came to see you. They only wanted to check on you, since you had been gone for a time."

  “So, there has been no word on Joshua? Has Micah returned yet?”

  “No, on both counts. Come, let’s get you something to eat,” Branik grumbled.

  “I am starving. I can’t remember when I ate last,” Michael said as he followed Branik and Reek down the hall toward the steps. “I wish Micah had come back. I really need to talk with him.”

  “I know we are poor substitutes for Lord Micah, but perhaps we can help,” Reek o
ffered, looking over his shoulder at Michael.

  Michael stopped short. Hearing him stop, Branik and Reek both stopped and turned to face him.

  “I did not mean to suggest that, Reek. I know I have been a royal pain in the ass for you two, but I value your friendship as much as Micah’s. It's just that he has been around a long time and knows so much about so many things. Plus, he is familiar with my world. For some reason, I feel more connected to him,” Michael shrugged, trying to explain.

  In a rare display of warmth, Branik stepped up to Michael and laid his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “No need to explain, Michael. We know how you feel about Lord Micah. I think you must share some of the same feelings we Avari have toward him. We are here to help you. Remember, Lord Micah has been our teacher since we were old enough to listen. He does not merely instruct us on how to fight. He has been our advisor and mentor in all matters. If you have questions about anything of which we have knowledge, you need but ask. Lord Micah did not merely ask us to train and protect you. He made it clear you were to be counted among us. By declaring that, he made you Avari.”

  Michael tried to smile, but his eyes watered up and tears started to slide down his cheeks. “I have been nobody of significance all of my life. I have belonged to nothing. I grew up in an orphanage not five miles from where I lived with Karin. Until I met her, I was lost and alone, always dreaming of other places. When she was killed, I felt that isolation once again. You cannot possibly conceive what your words mean to me right now, Branik.

  "I might have some idea," Branik commented flatly.

  "Not likely. Even here in Kantwell, I do not feel like I truly fit in. Certainly, everyone has been nice enough and tried to make me feel at home, but the other apprentices look at me with something akin to awe in their eyes. It sets me apart, even if my age did not already accomplish that. I feel as though Merric does not know whether to embrace me or fear me. My magic is unknown to him, and I think it makes him very nervous to see such power in someone as untrained as I am. Aside from you two, Micah is the only one that fears for me without also being afraid of me.” Michael finally did manage to smile. “Well, aside from little Miles. He is too young to understand that kind of fear.”