by Sam Ferguson
“Personal or official?” Farnsworth asked.
“This visit is one we want to keep a bit tighter,” Lady Arkyn replied.
Farnsworth nodded and offered a wink. He turned and handed the book to the other guard. “Tell the others at the gate that we have no visitors. We’ll be omitting this from the logs.”
“As you say, Lieutenant,” the other guard said with a slight bow of his head and shuffled off back toward the gates.
“Who’s this then?” Farnsworth said, indicating Erik.
“Erik Lokton, at your service,” Erik said with a slight bow of his head.
“Lokton eh?” Farnsworth repeated with a nod. “I knew your father, Trenton.”
Erik stiffened and cocked a brow. “You did?”
Farnsworth nodded. “A right fine fellow, your father. I never attended Kuldiga Academy, but your father did a summer of field work out here. He stayed with my neighbor’s family actually. I found him to be honorable, if not a bit mischievous.” Farnsworth gave a smile that indicated to Erik that perhaps the old guard had joined in on Trenton’s mischievous behavior. “I was saddened to learn of his passing, my condolences.” Farnsworth offered his hand. Erik took it and the two shook quickly before Farnsworth escorted them to a small door near where he had been sitting that led into a small office on the outside of the gatehouse. “If you wish to see Captain Deringer, I can summon him here for you,” Farnsworth offered.
“I would appreciate it,” Lady Arkyn said.
Farnsworth nodded and gestured to a kettle on a stove. “There might be some tea left, could probably use a little fire under it to warm it up again, but you’re welcome to what I have.”
“Thank you,” Erik said. He then turned and called out for Farnsworth to wait a moment. “Would you also happen to have the capability to deliver a small package for me?” he asked.
“I can arrange for that, what did you have in mind?”
Erik fished out Lady Dimwater’s book about dragons that he had found in Pracheloor Cave. “I would like you to have this book sent to Lokton Manor, but whoever takes it must be very careful with it. I do not want it damaged in any way, or lost.”
“I shall make the arrangements personally in the morning. Consider it taken care of.” Farnsworth took the book and then turned to leave, closing the door behind himself. From inside the waiting room, they could hear the man door being opened in the larger gate for Farnsworth to pass into Gontin.
“I thought you would read that some more on the next leg of our journey,” Lady Arkyn commented.
Erik shrugged. “After what happened with our first ship, I think it might be better to have it waiting in my library at home. I don’t want to risk it sinking to the bottom of the sea and being lost forever.”
Lady Arkyn nodded. “This used to be a larger fortress,” Lady Arkyn said. “Before the seas were claimed for the Middle Kingdom this was an outpost that was self-governing. It gets its name from the first ruling family. They were formidable seamen, back before they were tamed.”
“Tamed?” Erik asked.
Lady Arkyn grinned. “This was a fortress for pirates and plunderers,” she said. “They launched all sorts of raids up and down the coasts. For years they were untouchable.”
“So how did the Middle Kingdom annex them?” Erik asked.
Lady Arkyn slapped Erik’s shoulder. “A pair of sahale princes convinced them that it was more profitable to join the Middle Kingdom and create an official navy of sorts.”
Erik laughed at that. “I suppose even the best of pirates are no match for dragons,” he said.
“Dragons have shaped much of the Middle Kingdom,” she replied. “From the very beginning, when the Ancients helped form Roegudok Hall and the dwarves that live there, we have ever been under their watchful eyes and powerful wings.”
Erik moved toward the tea and poured himself a bit of the tepid liquid. He took a slow sip to test the flavor. Mint tea, his favorite. He drank the first cup quickly, and then poured a second to savor. He offered some to Lady Arkyn, but she declined. They sat at the table in silence, Arkyn watching the door and Erik sipping his tea.
The last time he had had mint tea this flavorful was back in Lady Dimwater’s tower at Kuldiga Academy. He smiled thinking about it now, but he had become friends with her only after breaking into her study. It seemed such a childish thing to him now, but at the time he was sure he would uncover some great mysteries about the renowned Lady Dimwater. In a way, he guessed he had. That had been his first encounter with Silverfang, and the first time he had experienced the mighty wolf’s paralyzing magic that could not only hold a man motionless, but instill in them a fear that melted their willpower. Except for Erik, that is. Even as a young teenager, Erik had possessed a greater amount of will and fortitude than most. He had been able to break through the spell and take a swing at Silverfang. Of course, had he known then what he knew now about Silverfang’s fighting abilities, he would never have dared to make such a bold move. He smiled wider, thinking about the wolf who was now bequeathed to him by Lady Dimwater and had been a most wonderful companion since. Erik couldn’t help but think that perhaps it was his courage the first time they met that had endeared him to Silverfang so, for the wolf was always eager to answer his calls now.
Of course, there had been more to that night. Lady Dimwater had caught him, and instead of expelling him from the academy, she made him serve with her on assignments. Not long after that night, she had taken him on a mission to Spiekery, and vanquished a shadowfiend there. It was Erik’s first taste of magical battles. It had all seemed so marvelous at the time as he watched Dimwater battle a monster that had preyed upon a village for years. Now, he was just as capable of carrying out such missions himself. Alkantar served as a reminder of that point, showing just how far Erik had come in such a short amount of time.
Erik sighed and shook his head as if to clear his mind of everything.
“Something wrong?” Lady Arkyn asked.
Erik looked at her and offered a half-smile. “Something Alkantar said about the Dark Sahale,” he replied. “Just, it sounded similar to something else I heard recently, that’s all.”
“What?” Lady Arkyn pressed.
“There was a demon in the mountains far to the south. He was plaguing the people in that area, and they had called upon me to help them defeat it.” Erik took in a breath as he recalled the abominable creature that he had summoned forth from its banishment. “The demon said that it too could sense the darkness within me, that I had been destined to be a great master of…” his words trailed off and he shook his head. “Just, Alkantar said he sensed the darkness within me too.”
“Horse-apples,” Lady Arkyn said flatly. “You are going to let a couple of monsters sow seeds of doubt into your mind? You know everything you have accomplished, everything you have fought for. Everyone has a bit of evil inside of them, that’s what makes us mortal. It is the fight to overcome our base desires and gross temptations that make us great.”
Erik shook his head. “No, there is more to it,” he said. “I have had a nagging feeling that agrees with them. Sometimes, when I fight, I enjoy it. I never used to, but now, I sometimes find myself too willing to fight and destroy.”
Lady Arkyn raised her left hand and tugged at the fingertips of her forest green glove. “Erik, I have known since the first time I saw you what kind of man you are, and what you could become. It is what drew me to you. Even while you were trapped in Lepkin’s body, I could see who you really were,” she said.
“Minnie,” Erik whispered. “There are thoughts and feelings flooding my mind and soul that I am afraid I cannot control. What if I am not that same person you met several years ago?”
“There is something I want to show you.” Lady Arkyn pulled the glove off and revealed a simple band of gold around her left ring finger. “Do you remember the night you gave this to me?”
Erik’s frowning face lit up into a bright smile. “You still wear it?” Desp
ite the depressing thoughts that he was concentrating on at the moment, the sight of the ring on her finger lifted his spirits considerably.
“Why shouldn’t I?” Lady Arkyn asked.
“I just thought, after four years…”
Lady Arkyn shook her head. “Four years is nothing to an elf, and less than that to a sahale I should suspect. You asked me to marry you, and do you remember what I said?”
The door opened, abruptly ending the conversation. Erik sighed inaudibly at the interruption. Minrielle smiled at him and put her glove back on.
A tall, well-built man strode into the room quickly and made a straight line for Lady Arkyn. She barely had time to stand before the man pulled her into an embrace. Erik watched silently as Lady Arkyn’s cheeks flushed just a bit.
“It’s good to see you, Minrielle” the man said.
Lady Arkyn pushed back and pointed with her hand to Erik. “Captain Deringer, let me introduce Lord Erik Lokton, the Champion of Truth,” she said formally.
Captain Deringer let his eyes linger on Lady Arkyn for a few moments before turning to bow toward Erik. “Lord Lokton, a pleasure to meet you in person. I was called up to serve in Fort Drake, but the war was over before I arrived.”
Erik set his tea down and rose to shake hands with Captain Deringer. “A pleasure,” he said.
Captain Deringer then turned back to Lady Arkyn. “What has it been, ten years?” he asked.
Lady Arkyn nodded and moved back into her chair.
Captain Deringer grabbed a chair and slid it next to hers. “I know you’re here on official business, but before we get into that, I have to ask you, why didn’t you return, Minrielle?”
Lady Arkyn glanced to Erik with her green eyes and fumbled for words while tapping her left index finger on the table. Finally she reached up and smoothed her hair back and changed the subject. “I hear Farnsworth has a new grandchild,” she said. “Do you have any family news to share?”
Deringer shook his head. “You should know the answer to that, Min-min,” he said.
Erik was not the jealous kind, after all, he had been away from Lady Arkyn for four years himself, but he had never heard about this Captain Deringer, and there was obviously a story here. But, given the conversation that Deringer had walked in on, Erik was more than a little curious about the history between Deringer and Lady Arkyn. Still, he would rather hear it from Lady Arkyn herself, and not learn about it from Deringer, so he cut in before the captain could go any further. “We require a vessel to sail north,” he said.
“Yes, the sooner the better,” Lady Arkyn put in as she turned her body ever so slightly away from Deringer.
Deringer’s smile faded and he looked to Erik. “Ah, I see.” For such an abrupt rebuttal to his advances, he took it well, shifting directly into business mode without so much as a confused expression or a flashing frown. “Am I permitted to know the nature of the mission, or is it best simply to arrange for the best vessel at my disposal?”
“We are keeping things quiet for now,” Erik said. “We need something fast that can get us up into the northern territory.”
Captain Deringer nodded. “Rafe is the best I have,” he said.
“Rafe would do well,” Lady Arkyn replied. “He’s not just a good sailor, he can keep his mouth closed when needed. I have used his services before on official business,” she said.
“When do you need to leave?” Deringer asked.
“We’ll rest for the night, and then be off before first light.”
Deringer leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “The fishing vessels will leave about an hour before dawn. It should be easy enough to slip out ahead of them. One moment, I’ll have Farnsworth go and instruct Rafe.”
Lady Arkyn nodded. Deringer went to the door, leaned out, and spoke softly to Farnsworth. The guard nodded and walked toward the gate. Deringer closed the door once more and came back to the table.
“Is there anything else you require?” Deringer asked.
Lady Arkyn nodded and glanced nervously to Erik. “There is, but it’s a bit complicated.”
Deringer smirked. “It always is, with you,” he said.
“There are rogue dragon-slayers about causing trouble. They have taken over Far Point and instituted their own kind of martial law. Furthermore, they chased down the vessel that brought us to the southern end of this island and attacked it, sinking the vessel and killing a family onboard.”
Deringer’s smile faded and he leaned forward on the table. “If you need protection, the entire city guard is at your disposal.” He then looked to Erik. “I have heard of your reputation, but I have also heard of late that there are wizards who can stop people like you from transforming into your dragon form.”
Erik stiffened at these words. Just how much did this Captain Deringer know?
“No, Erik handled the ship that pursued us,” Lady Arkyn put in quickly.
Deringer’s eyebrows shot up and then he smiled and offered Erik a nod. “Well then, your reputation is obviously well-deserved.”
“How did you know of the wizards?” Erik asked, ignoring the compliment.
Deringer’s smile darkened and he took in a sober breath. He turned to Lady Arkyn and hesitated before he spoke, as if trying to find the right phrase. “I am not so blind to see that you have moved on, while I have not.” His words hung on the air for a moment. Erik watched carefully as Lady Arkyn glanced down to the table, unwilling to meet Deringer’s gaze. “What I need to know now, is whether I am still among friends?”
Lady Arkyn nodded. “Whatever you have to say, it will remain between the three of us,” she assured him.
“Very well,” he said. “Then you should know that about a month ago, a stranger came to Gontin. She had long, black hair, beautiful blue eyes, and was very attractive. She was attended by two servants, something we don’t see much of out here in Gontin. She stayed only for one day, and while she was here, she visited with Lord Oswald, do you know him?”
Lady Arkyn shook her head.
“Lord Oswald is an old resident of Gontin. He mostly kept to himself, but he was a good citizen. He was wealthy, but not miserly, and the town loved him for it. Anyway, it is not unusual for him to receive visitors at times. Businessmen, inventors, and even scholars have all come to him over the years, seeking capitol with which to fuel their dreams and visions, but this woman was different. I don’t know exactly what she wanted from him, for he wouldn’t tell me, but after she left, Lord Oswald packed up and left town.”
“What does this have to do with wizards?” Erik asked.
Deringer held up a finger. “Gontin has a secret,” he said. Deringer glanced to the door and then leaned forward. “Do you know much of our history?” Deringer asked Erik.
“I gave him the overview,” Lady Arkyn replied.
Deringer nodded. “Well then, you know that two sahale came and changed this town from one of pirates and murderers into something respectable, yes?”
Erik nodded.
“Did you know that one of the sahale remained here?”
Erik looked to Lady Arkyn, who had put a hand to her mouth.
“I thought they both left,” Arkyn said.
Deringer shook his head. “One left, after Nagar’s Blight came to the Middle Kingdom, but the other stayed. In his human form, he was unaffected by the curse. He remained as a kind of…agent for lack of a better term. In any case, I tried to send him after the woman to see who she really was. He was careful, but they must have seen him. The two servants turned out to be wizards. They attacked him along the coast when he caught up with them. In order to defend himself, he tried to shift into his dragon form, but somehow their magic stopped him. He suffered great wounds during the ensuing fight. He only barely made it back to Gontin, but by then Lord Oswald had left and the woman was too far for me to chase.”
“Can I talk with him?” Erik asked. “It would be a great help to our current mission.”
Deringer shook his hea
d. “I would that you could, but he died of his wounds not three days afterward. He wasn’t able to discover who the woman was, and her name and mark have disappeared from our logs. The guards that had been on duty the night she arrived all died in their sleep the same night Lord Oswald left. I am sorry, there is nothing more I can tell you.”
“So there are at least two wizards who can perform this magic,” Lady Arkyn said.
“Likely more than that,” Erik posited. “Alkantar could do it. The wizard in Far Point could do it.”
“Yes, but the wizard is dead, and so is Alkantar.”
“So you have run into this problem more than once,” Deringer said.
Erik nodded. “Twice at least, plus the problem in Winter’s Beak.”
“What happened in Winter’s Beak?” Deringer asked.
“I’m sorry, but we shouldn’t talk about that,” Lady Arkyn said.
“No, but the note Lord Oswald left for his steward indicated that he was on his way to Winter’s Beak. Some sort of…gathering, I think it was. No one has heard from him since. Has something happened there?”
Lady Arkyn and Erik looked at each other.
“Was Lord Oswald a sahale?” Lady Arkyn asked.
Captain Deringer shook his head. “No, of that I am certain. My family has known his for generations. They have lived in Gontin since the beginning. They are rich and powerful, but they have no magical ability to speak of.”
“Are you certain?” Erik pressed. “This is important.”
Captain Deringer nodded. “Lord Oswald was born after my father. My grandfather told me stories of some of the family’s eccentricities and behaviors. I am certain they are a family of men, nothing more.”
“Then why would he be summoned to Winter’s Beak?” Lady Arkyn asked Erik.
Erik shook his head and sighed. “Without being able to ask him, I doubt we will ever be able to answer that.”
“Captain Deringer,” Lady Arkyn started as she tapped her fingernail on the table. “Send dispatch to Winter’s Beak. A terrible atrocity has occurred there, and it sounds as though Lord Oswald may be involved somehow. You should inquire of their city guard whether they know of Lord Oswald's whereabouts.”
