Complete Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches

by William Robert Stanek

  “Is this what you saw?” cut in Emel. “Because I think it must be.”

  Adrina took the strange glowing orb in her hand. “It is,” she said. “It is.”

  As the frenzy in his mind passed, Vilmos stood silent and still. He was shocked, simply amazed at what he had wrought for many long minutes. Tears rolled down his face and his words were drowned in sobs.

  He sank to the ground; he was alone. Xith was gone without a trace—and he had become a monster, no better than those he had slain. The force of the raw energy flowing through him seemed a drug in his mind.

  It took quite a while, but finally he rose to his feet and wiped away his tears. The wounds in his side and shoulder ached but luckily were not too deep.

  His thoughts returned to concerns about Xith. He thought perhaps the creatures dragged Xith’s body off to feast on. He began a search that took him well into the evening.

  As night arrived deep and dark in the land, he set up camp in the grove. Although he wasn’t really hungry, he ate all of what little rations he had. He made a bed among the boughs of the great fallen tree.

  He was unaware of the tiny seedling nestled within the tangles of the shattered trunk and once proud roots, nor was he aware that it was the spirit of the great tree itself that told him to start the warding fire. He only knew that the horses were gone, Xith was gone, and he was desperately alone in a place that was completely foreign to him.

  He knew little of Under-Earth, and what little he did know alarmed him. This was the place where the land called Rill Akh Arr existed, and within its shrouded forests lived the shape-changing beasts of the night—the Wolmerrelle. He had faced the Wolmerrelle before in Vangar forest—before he had barely escaped with his life.

  But thoughts of the Wolmerrelle weren’t as frightening as thoughts of Erravane, the leader of the Wolmerrelle. Erravane would want revenge and her revenge may not be that of death. As Xith had told him before, there were worse things than death. He believed this wholly and without question now.

  Troubled sleep found him a short while later. The dreams playing out behind his eyes were of the past—a past that he had hoped was behind him but wasn’t.

  “No word from South Province, sire,” repeated the page, fraught with fear of possible retribution.

  “What do you mean there is no word? Did you not deliver the message to Prince Valam?” returned Andrew, his voice weak and the vigor lost from his tone. It had been a long, trying day and he still had court audiences to look forward to.

  “I delivered the message into the hands of his highness myself, he read it, said nothing, then told me take my leave, sire, nothing else.” The messenger, who had already been visibly nervous, trembled vigorously now.

  “He told you to leave?”

  “Yes, sire, he did, sire,” insisted the page.

  Andrew waved his hand to dismiss the page, but still struck with fear, the youngster didn’t move. “You’re dismissed,” hissed Chancellor Yi, “leave before His Majesty directs his displeasure.”

  Chancellor Volnej gulped for air as King Andrew directed his gaze at him. He attempted to look away, setting his eyes on the retreating form of the frightened page, but this did no good.

  “The report,” stated Yi, putting the king’s apparent will into words.

  “Yes, the report,” responded Chancellor Volnej, settling uneasily into his high-backed chair.

  Just then, Keeper Q’yer was admitted to the council hall, and momentarily Volnej was forgotten. “Keeper Q’yer, what brings you to lower council?” asked Andrew, in his inquisitive tone, a bit of vigor returning to his tone at the expectation of good tidings.

  “It will be ready for tomorrow’s noon council, sire,” said Keeper Q’yer.

  Andrew’s downtrodden eyes lifted slightly. “Good, very good.” The king graciously motioned for the keeper to take a seat at the table—the invitation was more a following of etiquette than anything else; Keeper Q’yer now held a seat on the upper council and whatever was said of import in the lower council was always relayed to the upper. “Will you not stay with us, Lore Keeper?”

  “I am afraid I cannot, Your Majesty, the Council of Keepers await my arrival,” and with that, Keeper Q’yer departed the council chamber.

  Soon afterward, Andrew turned his gaze back to Chancellor Volnej.

  “Sire,” began Volnej, “I am afraid the news is not entirely what we had hoped for. They are savages sire, savages all.” One of the council members cleared her throat. “Sorry, I know of your place of birth, but you know the point I was attempting to make.”

  “I know what you were implying,” she replied.

  “Proceed, chancellor.” The voice was that of Yi. He knew how to keep the council session flowing, one of the reasons he was Andrew’s primary adviser.

  “Grant me two more weeks, sire. I can work miracles in two weeks,” the words said, Chancellor Volnej gulped air again.

  “So be it,” said King Andrew, “Two weeks, no more. We have faith in you, chancellor, do not make us lose it.”

  With those words, a motion was made to dismiss the council and all agreed. As Chancellor Yi watched the council members file out of the chamber, he noticed that King Andrew had not stirred out of his great chair at the far end of the room. The king’s eyes heavy with fatigue and his face pushed into his upturned hand showed he was nearly asleep. “A word with you, sire,” called out the chancellor, “you still haven’t been sleeping have you? What of the tonic Father Jacob worked up, did it not work?”

  Heavily, Andrew wavered his head. “It is on days like this that we need your help, old friend.” Yi’s long face lit up at the compliment. “You provide us with strength we would not otherwise have.”

  “Perhaps it would be best if you returned to your chambers and rested. The audiences can wait.”

  “No, chancellor, they can not,” disputed Andrew. “If we are not in touch with our people, then we do not deserve to be their king. How else would we touch our people and know their cares and worries?”

  “That is what the councils are for,” protested Yi.

  “Councils know nothing of people, chancellor. Never forget that—councils know nothing of people. The people are the land and the land, the people.” The sudden glow in Andrew’s eyes was matched by the deeply respectful look on the chancellor’s face.

  “Perhaps you could only see those of the greatest import—”

  “—and which would those be, chancellor, can you honestly make the distinction?”

  “There is one in particular, sire,” began Yi, “but I believe most of the others could wait.”

  “You lead intentionally, don’t you?” Andrew lifted his chin from his hand as more of the weariness eased away.

  “Well, I had hoped to, sire.” Yi slowly approached the far end of the table where Andrew sat as he spoke. “A huntsman from High Road Garrison rode through the night to get to Imtal to have audience with you. His mount collapsed from exhaustion at the palace gates, and from what I hear he tumbled from the animal and never looked back.”

  “Go on,” urged Andrew.

  “It seems two of his sons were taken prisoner when a group of Border Bandits ambushed a caravan.”

  “Taken prisoner by whom?” cut in Andrew, a note of concern in his voice.

  The chancellor smiled to himself now. He had peaked Andrew’s interest, hopefully he could keep it and direct it away from the audience hall, but he had to proceed carefully. By hook or by crook, he would see that the king got the rest he deserved. “By Solntse Garrison guardsmen, it seems the two sons were part of the raiding party—or so it is said. The case is exceptionally strange. The father claims they were forced into it, and he claims to be an old acquaintance of yours, though I have never before heard the name.”

  “The father’s name?”

  “Ashwar, but—”

  “And the names of the sons?”

  “Let me see, he surely sobbed through them enough…” Yi stopped, reflecting
. “Keille and Danyel’, yes that’s it, Keille and Danyel’. They have already been sentenced by the Free City Council; the punishment will be dealt day after tomorrow and the punishment for thievery in the Free City is—”

  “Death,” spoke Andrew grimly, “Describe this man called Ashwar.”

  “Tall, broad shoulders, high cheek bones, black hair, and he wears a gray—”

  “—Cape.” interrupted Andrew, “Correct?”

  “Yes, you are—did I miss a detail, sire, is there something—”

  “No, chancellor, you were thorough as always.” Andrew shifted in his chair, his eyes becoming unfocused, as if he was far away. “He was once Chief Huntsman at High Road but he is no longer there… Do we have enough time to stay the execution?”

  “It could be managed, if it is your will. Surely, thieves can not be let off easily?” The chancellor sought to keep the king’s attention focused.

  “Tell the Huntsman Ashwar we remember the day many handfuls of summers ago when he gave aid to a foolish boy, and we remember the debt owed.” Chancellor Yi furrowed his brow. He had not expected this. “Scribe a message to Geoffrey of Solntse, the first son is to serve seven years in the royal guard. See that he does not serve near the border areas. Quashan’ perhaps. The second son is to be fully pardoned after sixty days at hard labor, and see to it that no harm comes to the second son during this labor.”

  “Yes sire, I will see to it at once. Will you rest now?”

  “Yes chancellor, rest,” said Andrew, his eyes clearly showing the weight of his office.

  Chancellor Yi hid his elation and departed with clear urgency in his step.

  Chapter Nine:

  Against the Odds

  Brother Seth of the Red, corrected Seth to Adrina.

  “Are you always there in my mind?” whispered Adrina in her thoughts.

  Not always, but I am… I am sorry if it offends you…

  “It does not offend,” whispered Adrina in her thoughts.

  You must take me to Galan!

  The sense of urgency touched Adrina. She sensed the pain and she tried to explain that the council needed him first, but he refused. The vigor with which his emotions and thoughts hit her today surprised her. And upon reflection, she didn’t think just taking him to see his companion could hurt anything. The council could wait a little longer.

  “I know of councils,” said Seth. “You are right, they can wait. I must attend to more urgent matters first, then I will surely sit before your illustrious council.” You could not keep me away…

  Adrina called out to the guards posted outside the door. They came bursting into the chamber, half prepared to do battle with the mysterious stranger and half prepared to vault away if there was indeed trouble.

  You see, whispered Seth to Adrina alone, where I come from all are friends and if someone were indeed your enemy, only then would you need such men… He had searched Adrina’s mind for the correct word for the two guardsmen, but the word guard didn’t really seem fitting.

  “Lower your weapons!” said Adrina. “Brother Seth and his companion are guests. They are not under house arrest.”

  The guards looked first to Adrina, then to the stranger. They would run from the room if she dismissed them. “We are truly sorry, Your Highness. We meant no affront.”

  “Give me assistance. We will take Brother Seth to his companion in the far wing.”

  “But… We are under orders to see that—”

  Adrina cut the guardsman off, “Under whose orders?”

  “Captain Brodst himself,” replied both men at the same time.

  “You heed a captain’s order over mine? You are indeed fools!” shouted Adrina.

  I’m all right, Seth sent to her mind alone, I need no assistance.

  “Quiet!” said Adrina. She directed it to the guards, but it was perfectly timed with Seth’s statement. “Guards,” she said, “To his side! Take his arms and follow…”

  Really… I can walk on my own…

  “Really, indeed.”

  The guards cast her odd glances. They were more concerned for her than for the stranger, but they did as she requested.

  The foursome traversed a long hall, descended a twisted stair, then proceeded along another lengthy hall. They came next to the open courtyard, and here Seth asked to pause, momentarily captured by the beauty of the open air, the sunshine, the brightly colored flowers of the garden. It seemed so long since he was this close to the earth and the forces of the Mother, and the touching hand of the Father flowed more readily to his prescient mind.

  Release me, he thrust into the minds of the guardsmen, strength returning to his limbs.

  The guards backed away warily. Again, they would have run if not for the cross look in Adrina’s eye. They continued on.

  Galan’s bedchamber was filled with a collection of clergy led by Father Jacob. They were whispering an ancient prayer, a healing prayer, one of the most powerful they could tap. The priests were using Jacob as a focus through which their energies flowed.

  So far they had made little progress. Galan’s face was deathly pale and her heartbeat was barely perceptible. As Seth entered the chamber, the focusing stopped, the prayer stopped, and as one the priests looked up—Seth’s powerful will acted like a magnet upon their minds. A voice entered their thoughts, shocking them into bewildered frenzy. I am very grateful for your effort, but I am afraid only I can save her.

  “No,” shouted Adrina in response, “You need to save your strength!”

  The chamber was absent of sound for a time. Father Jacob understood Adrina’s concerns and honored her opinion. He furrowed his brow, cleared his throat several times, then repeated Adrina’s words but more tactfully. “Friend, save your strength. We will save your companion. The poison will work itself out, I promise.”

  Seth studied Jacob for a time before he offered a response. Jacob interested Seth. Jacob had called him “friend.” Seth could feel a sense of power in this one, power of a different sort, not of will per say, more of intellect or wisdom. And Seth smiled in polite form.

  She is beyond your help, said Seth in response to the anxiousness that flowed from the gathered priests. Father Jacob, would you ask your fellows to leave?

  “Perhaps we can do this together,” said Jacob, thinking, but not saying, that since they were all males it would be best to pool their healing powers. Jacob muttered curse under his breath and it brought a smile to Seth’s lips. He wondered if Seth would understand the absence of the priestesses and know they held no malevolence.

  I understand, said Seth into Jacob’s mind, my people too have their holy customs and if you would honor them, I must do this alone…

  Again Jacob’s expression grew wide with amazement, perhaps there was indeed more here than he understood. “Please leave us…” began Father Jacob. “Brother Seth wishes time alone with his companion.” He stood a moment, staring at Seth. He would have to find Keeper Martin immediately; they must find all they could in the histories. The Great Book told little about Seth’s kind, but perhaps if they delved deep enough into the ancient texts they could glean more. He also had to inform the council. They could call a General Assembly soon. “Let’s go now… Father Tenuus, are you coming?”

  Father Tenuus nodded and followed Jacob from the room.

  The room was empty now save for Adrina, Seth and Galan. Adrina stepped quietly away from Seth’s side, glancing at the last moment into his eyes. She stopped, reached out and touched his cheek. She was the only one who saw the tears well up in his eyes and stream down his face, whether they were tears of joy at seeing his companion or tears of sadness she did not know. Sorrow filled her heart and as she departed the room, tears glistened down her cheeks.

  Father Jacob waited for her in the hallway and she saw him hazily through her tears. “Father Jacob?” she sobbed.

  “Yes, princess.”

  “Do you think he can save her?”

  Jacob took her hand and walked with her dow
n the corridor. “If there is one in this world who can, I believe it is him, child. Never have I felt the will of any as strong as the one I felt when he entered the room.”

  The tears dried up and Adrina paused to stare out over the garden as Seth had. Somehow to see bright sunshine and vibrant life made her feel better too. She kissed Jacob’s hand in appreciation of his kindness, and as she did so Jacob blushed faint red. She knew he understood how she felt.

  “He regained his strength quickly.”

  “This morning he awoke and ate well. By afternoon, it seemed most of his strength had returned, and now he seems to have almost fully recovered.”