The Quest for Nobility

by Debra L Martin

  In a flash, Nils released his power and the portal snapped shut. The Dalcon team had disappeared. The crowd, not sure what had happened, was momentarily stunned. In that silence, Nils moved away from the archway and made his escape. As he moved away he heard a faint, lone scream from somewhere among the crowd.

  ***

  “Damn,” Vogdo sighed, watching events spiral out of control. “Can nothing be easy with these damn Telkurs?”

  Excerpt from The Chronicles of Otharia during the reign of the First Vacancy:

  Division I – The Rule of Otharia

  Subsection III – Duchy Rule

  Duchies established trade and treaties with each other that developed into strong alliances. These alliances held power within the Grand Council because of the number of votes that one could bring to bear on any particular subject. Any alliance was only as strong as its collective members, and it was not uncommon for a Duke to switch sides to his own benefit. Secret agreements and loyalties were cultivated as much in the dark hallways of the Grand Council as they were on the chamber floor. On the surface, the Council ran like a well-oiled machine, but there was lifelong resentments and hatred between many of the houses. Regardless of personal feeling, all the dukes were required to maintain a veneer of civility when gathered in session.

  Chapter 19 - Deception

  Baron Avikar Kantos strode through the east wing of the Telkur Manor toward the Treasury Office, his heels clicking on the gleaming marble floors. Walking through the gallery, he studied the portraits of the past Telkur rulers that hung in splendor along the walls.

  My portrait shall soon be added to this wall.

  He bypassed his small treasury office and went straight to the private office reserved solely for the reigning duke. Standing in front of the solid oak doors, he glanced back briefly at the portrait of Levon. A sly smile crossed his lips. He inhaled deeply, grabbed the large brass handles and pushed open the double doors, revealing the former duke’s inner sanctuary.

  The room was large and airy, with beams of sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. A grand, marble fireplace carved by master stonecutters dominated one end of the room, flanked by a semi-circle of comfortable, upholstered chairs. The room was designed for comfort, while maintaining the level of grandeur the Office of the Duke required. The sight fed Avikar’s greedy heart as he walked in.

  This will all be mine, soon. Mine. I will have it no matter what it takes.

  At the far end of the room stood a magnificent, mahogany desk that reflected the wealth and power of the room. He strode over to it, pulled out the chair and eased himself down. He sat back, closed his eyes and gently caressed each swirl of the intricate carvings along the edge of the desktop like it was a cherished lover.

  Yes, all mine.

  “Avikar, what are you doing in here?”

  Avikar’s eyes flew open and he clumsily stood up to find Darius standing in the doorway glaring at him.

  “Darius,” Avikar stammered disconcertedly. “I thought you would like to meet in the study today.”

  “Are the treasury records kept here?”

  “No, but this is such a pleasant room, I thought you might enjoy ...”

  “Avikar, I don’t need a pleasant room to review the duchy’s financial records. Now, shall we get to it?”

  Avikar skirted around the desk, and hurried past Darius, leading the way to the smaller Treasury office

  Damn kid. Who does he think he is, talking to me like that?

  Darius fell in step with Avikar. He was in no mood for his cousin’s pretentious behavior today. His mind was reeling. His team had won the Grand Competition, but it was not the victory he had dreamed about. There was a pall of despair and suspicion hanging over the competition results, and he felt cheated.

  His team had been sabotaged, and yet they had persevered. He didn’t understand the vision Dyla had at the entrance to the amphitheatre, but it had saved them from certain death. Though they had crossed the finish line first, it was marred by the murder of the Dalcon team. The victory shouts from the crowd rang false in his ears, and his frustration level overflowed from the lack of news about the incident. Everyone was silent, pending the official investigation.

  Today, he was determined to regain some measure of control and get answers about his own duchy’s financial situation. He wanted to understand the full scope of the dire numbers Avikar kept reporting to him.

  Avikar tried hard not to wring his hands or pull on his jacket as they walked down the corridor to the treasury office. He inwardly chastised himself.

  Fool. You mustn’t let that young upstart catch you off-guard again.

  Stopping at the treasury office, Avikar opened the door, waving Darius through the doorway.

  “After you.”

  “Good morning,” Darius said, cordially addressing the men inside.

  Three scribes were seated at a long table, their fingers flying across the electronic tablets in front of them, inputting the duchy’s latest financial data. Each tablet had a large crystal data cube slotted into the top, and the data appeared as a hologram above the tablets. When they realized who had addressed them, they scrambled to their feet and bowed.

  “Good morning, my lord,” they said in unison.

  Avikar rushed forward, stopping in front of his staff. “Lord Darius and I will be reviewing the records today. You’re all dismissed for the time being.”

  The scribes glanced at each other and closed the holograms, bowing to Darius on their way out.

  “Where would you like to begin?” Avikar asked, with a sweep of his arm across the table laden with electronic tablets.

  “Let’s start with the general ledger detailing revenues, taxation records and family expenses for the past years.”

  Avikar blanched, but quickly recovered, and smiled at Darius.

  How did he know to request the one data cube that would garner him the most information in the least amount of time? Avikar thought furiously.

  “Very well, I shall retrieve that tablet immediately.”

  Darius watched Avikar go to the far corner of the room and unlock a cabinet next to the bookcase.

  I have surprised him, but why? I must study these entries carefully.

  Avikar reached into the cabinet, and pulled out the electronic tablet and an extremely large data cube. Confident that only a team of accountants with an affinity for numbers would be able to decipher the double entries, he brought the tablet and cube to the table. He had carefully hidden his embezzlement within the accounts of the duchy’s imports and exports, and was counting on the volume of intricate entries to confuse Darius from learning anything useful.

  If Avikar had paid attention to Darius in his youth, he would have known that the young man had a mind for puzzles. Once Darius latched onto to a puzzle, he didn’t give up until he solved it, no matter how long it took.

  “Perhaps you’ll regret not being outside on this fine day,” Avikar said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

  “You may be right, but then again, you never know what you can learn on any given day.”

  Avikar caught the note of suspicion in Darius’ voice and began to dread the rest of the morning.

  ***

  Dyla rounded the corner and headed for the Treasury Office.

  Darius needs a break. It’s a good time to get up and stretch.

  At the far end of the gallery hall, she saw Avikar exit the treasury office and scurry off in the opposite direction.

  “Baron,” Dyla called after him, “are you finished for the day?”

  Avikar continued on his way without a backward glance.

  Just as well, I really didn’t want to talk to him anyway.

  She continued down the hall, and opened the door to the treasury office. Inside she found her brother staring at a hologram spreadsheet, studiously reading the entries.

  “Darius, are you finished yet? I’m going to see Eclair and thought you might like to tag along.”

>   Darius didn’t look up from the spreadsheet. “Not right now, thanks. I’m not finished.”

  “How long will you be?”

  “Don’t know. I want to review these entries again.”

  “Where did Avikar run off to?”

  “He said something about running an errand. Doesn’t matter, he was just muddling up things here.”

  “OK. I’ll tell Eclair you said ‘hi’.”

  “Yes,” Darius replied distractedly. “Tell him I hope he’s feeling better.”

  Darius didn’t see his sister wave goodbye. He was thoroughly engrossed in a puzzle that was slowly coming into focus.

  ***

  The sun was high overhead by the time Dyla stepped through the portal at the main station in Waterford, the capital city of the Jortac Duchy. She was eager to see how Eclair was recovering from his poisoning.

  She received nods and smiles from the citizenry of Jortac as she hurried through the bustling seaport city. Horses pulling carts carried supplies away from the docks and Dyla dodged around them. There were also more than a few distrustful stares and whispers lodged in her direction.

  It must be the competition results that have the people so divided.

  She quickened her step, anxious to see Eclair.

  Her thoughts wandered back to the competition as she made her way to the Jortac manor house. Nothing about it had turned out as they had planned. Winning should have been their crowning achievement, yet they waited in suspended shame because of unfounded suspicions. Even the heralded fact that they had combined their powers to open a portal, a feat never achieved before, was overshadowed by the Dalcon murders.

  Who would do such a dreadful thing? Thank God I had that vision.

  Dyla didn’t fully understand her vision, but it had saved their lives. It was only her second vision, and it scared her because they now seemed to portend the future. Knowing that the Dalcons were heading for certain death had not been enough to save them. There was no time to warn them, and she would carry that guilt around for the rest of her life.

  At least Eclair is getting better.

  The news had been good on that account. He was expected to fully recover from his feverwort poisoning. Dyla missed his sheepish grin. All she wanted today was reassurance, with her own eyes, that he was recovering from his ordeal.

  ***

  The afternoon sun filtered through his bedroom window while Eclair lay in his sick bed. It was another beautiful day, which only served to remind him of his confinement. During the weeks of the competition, he had felt exhilarated, living off the land and using his skills to help his team. He wasn’t the pastry boy from school; he was a valued team member. The best part of the competition had been sleeping under a sky full of stars knowing that Dyla slept inches away. Her closeness was more exciting than any dream he ever had. He had received word that she would visit today.

  I have to get up. I don’t want Dyla to see me like this.

  His feelings for Dyla had grown during the competition; their constant interaction and banter strengthened the ties between them. The weeks together had all but eliminated the old tension he had when he was around her. He missed seeing her everyday, feeling her calming presence, and knowing the confidence she had in him. Even his relationship with Darius had grown into a friendship, of sorts. The competition had been the best time of his life, though the end was somewhat blurry for him. He barely remembered the sprint to the finish and hadn't seen the Dalcon team plunge through the death portal.

  Clenching his teeth, Eclair pulled himself up to a sitting position. The days of immobility had taken its toll on him. He needed to exercise his body and recover his strength.

  Damn, is there any part of me that doesn’t hurt?

  Eclair forced himself up and out of his bedchamber. He walked down the main staircase and then down the nearest hallway. He was feeling better walking, until a wave of nausea overcame him. He paused and leaned his hand against the wall. Sweat had broken out on his brow. He had to sit down or fall. He grabbed the nearest door handle and slipped inside the room.

  “Just a few minutes to rest,” he mumbled to himself. As he closed the door, he looked around and suddenly realized where he was: his father’s private study.

  “Oh great, why did it have to be this room?” he said with a groan.

  Duke Lucas Jortac conducted all manner of business in this room and allowed no one inside uninvited. Over the years, Eclair had seen numerous Grand Council members meet regularly with his father. Even Grand Duke Vogdo had visited here on occasion.

  Even though the room was off limits to him, Eclair had to sit and rest, or collapse from exhaustion. He shuffled to the back of the room and sat down on a chair in the corner, resting his head in his hands.

  “He’ll never know I was here. I’ll only stay for a moment to catch my breath.”

  Being in his father’s study reminded him of his shattered hopes for a decent father/son relationship. He had foolishly thought that winning the competition would begin to mend the estranged relationship. Instead, how typical, Lucas barely acknowledged his accomplishment. The father/son relationship that Eclair yearned for was never going to happen, no matter what he did; but it was difficult for him to accept that realization. With his last vestiges of hope fading away, Eclair felt his heart harden toward his father.

  “I’ll never be able to please that man,” he muttered.

  With the nausea past, Eclair rose from the chair and started for the door. He froze in place, however, when he heard voices in the hallway.

  “Damn, not now. Can’t anything ever go right?”

  Eclair began to panic as the voices came closer. If his father found him in here, there would be no end to the tirade he would have to bear.

  “What can I do?” They were coming to the study and he had to get out. As the door handle began to turn, Eclair realized he was out of options. In the blink of an eye, he sat back down and bent the light around him, becoming invisible. He had never told anyone other than the twins about his ability to bend light, and he prayed he could hide himself long enough to escape his father’s wrath.

  The door to the study opened, and Eclair saw his father usher Baron Avikar into the room. Lucas shut and locked the door, and both men sat at the table in the middle of the room. With no means of escape, Eclair concentrated on keeping the light bent around him.

  “Avikar, why are you here? I told you to wait for me to contact you. We can’t have anyone making assumptions about our relationship.”

  Avikar wrung his hands.

  “My Lord, I’m worried. I’ve spent the morning confined with Darius in the treasury office while he studied the financial records. I can ill afford for him to find anything askew.”

  “I assume you’ve hidden your entries well.”

  “Yes, of course, but he pours over the same tallies, over and over again.”

  “If you’ve hidden the numbers as well you claim, then you have nothing to worry about. While you’re here, what news do you have about the competition? Does anyone realize that the death portal was not meant for the Dalcon team?”

  Eclair sat mesmerized.

  What are they talking about? Death portal?

  “The only talk I’ve heard is how inconsolable Duke Marek is over the deaths of his brother and sons. When their bodies were found at the bottom of the cliff, it took three men to hold him back. There’s no other talk than that, but I’m worried about the twins.”

  “Nothing about that portal happened the way it was planned, but you needn’t worry Avikar. Everything is well in hand. The Council will agree with us and the twins will be taken care of.”

  Shocked by his father’s statement, Eclair nearly lost his circle of invisibility. He fought hard to keep his concentration, but his strength was waning.

  “But, Lucas, how can you be so sure?” Avikar asked, his voice rising with every word.

  “Avikar, I told you, everything will work itself out. Now, calm yourself.”

/>   Lucas watched Avikar take several deep breaths. He hated when the little man lost control. It showed what a weak-minded individual he really was. Why Avikar was chosen for his role in the Alliance plan was something that he would never understand.

  Avikar persisted in his questions, not realizing how irritated Lucas was becoming.

  “How can we be sure the Council will agree? What proof is there to link them with the death portal?”

  Lucas banged his fist on the table. “Avikar, think. The twins have doomed themselves. Many people heard them tell the official that they had channeled their powers together to open a portal. That has never been done before, and the news spread like wildfire. My son was poisoned and couldn’t open a portal, so that leaves them as the prime suspects.”

  “But still ...”

  “Don’t you see?” Lucas said with irritation clearly evident in his voice. “The Telkur team was at a serious disadvantage when Eclasius was poisoned. Darius had to carry him across the finish line. They were exhausted and were slowed down considerably. The only way to stop the Dalcon team from sprinting to the finish was to open a portal and send them crashing to their deaths. The twins will be easily implicated.”

  “I see. The twins will be convicted of high crimes and eliminated from the line of succession, and Marek Dalcon will be placated at the same time.”

  “Yes; as I said before, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  Avikar nodded his head.

  “Once the Council convenes, the arrest warrants will be issued for the twins,” Lucas said.

  “Delicious,” crooned Avikar.

  “Avikar, one more thing.”

  “Yes, my lord?”

  “Don’t ever come to my home uninvited again. Do we understand each other?”

  “We do.”

  “Good; now get out.”

  Avikar stood up, bowed to the Duke and scurried out of the room as fast as his short legs could carry him.

  Lucas seethed with agitation watching Avikar depart.

  “Imbecile! I must speak with Vogdo about this.”