The Awakening (The Fempiror Chronicles Book 1)

by George Willson

  At the far end of the hall sitting on an enormous rock throne before another magnificent tapestry of a masked warrior leading an army across a darkened field was a large Fempiror, robed in furs with long gray hair groomed behind him and a full beard. Wisdom was set deep into his eyes, and even if he were not sitting in a seat of honor, there would be no doubt as to who was in charge since he commanded an unbeatable presence beyond anyone else in the room as he watched the company of six walk toward him across his chamber.

  Standing to the left of the Deldral was another older Fempiror, though he appeared somewhat younger than Zechariah and Vladimir. His hair was jet black and cut short against his head, which served to compliment his piercing blue eyes, yet he held an air about him that did not seem altogether right. He leaned down and whispered to the Deldral as the company approached, and while his leader seemed to listen, the Deldral seemed disinterested in whatever this other Fempiror had to say.

  Tiberius stopped a short distance from the throne, and he and his five companions bowed to their host. The Deldral stood before them and spoke in the same deep, calm voice that spoke to them outside.

  “Welcome to the home of the Dark West Fempiror under the Urufdiam Plateau. I am Ulrich, Deldral of the Dark West and your host. I know you come with many questions, but it is late. Stay with us the day, and we shall answer all of your questions tonight when we are rested.”

  “You honor us with your hospitality, Ulrich,” Tiberius said, and he introduced himself and his company, each of whom bowed in turn. David followed suit when Tiberius presented him as the youngest of their party.

  Ulrich nodded solemnly. “The Dark West have always treated guests with respect, and it is expected that the same be returned. My servant will show you to your quarters. We shall meet again this evening. Until then, our home is at your disposal. You may feel free to roam at your leisure, but return when I send for you, or our deal is forfeit. That is all.”

  With this final word, Ulrich sat back down and watched them. Tiberius watched him for a moment trying to see behind those eyes that held a secret for another time. He heard Yori move behind him.

  “That is all?” Yori repeated with surprise.

  Tiberius turned to her. “Yori, do not argue,” he said sharply.

  He turned back to Ulrich to bid his leave, but the other Fempiror stepped forward.

  “My lord, forgive me,” the other Fempiror said, “but they have come a long way. Perhaps, there is something you would like to know now.”

  Ulrich did not move. “What I have spoken, I have spoken,” he said without looking at the other Fempiror, or changing his expression. The other Fempiror was clearly not satisfied with his ruler’s determination of the course of action.

  “Surely, now is a far better time,” the other Fempiror began, but this time, Ulrich interrupted him.

  “As you have pointed out, Nikolai,” Ulrich said, still without a change of tone, “they have come a long way. I do not wish to tire them unnecessarily.”

  “But what about the warrior,” Kaltesh began, but Ulrich cut him off as well.

  “All questions will be answered in due time,” Ulrich said simply, but Nikolai’s head snapped to Kaltesh, and his eyes narrowed in curiosity.

  “What warrior?” Nikolai asked, clearly expecting an answer from Kaltesh, but Ulrich was not going to allow it.

  “Return to the hall, and Pedar will take you to your rooms,” Ulrich said before anyone could respond.

  Nikolai was not going to let it go, however. “I want to know who,” he began, but Ulrich put up his hand, effectively silencing Nikolai who was unable to contend with Ulrich’s authority. Tiberius glanced at Zechariah and Vladimir, who both appeared to be as confused and curious as he was.

  Tiberius looked back to Ulrich. “We accept your invitation,” Tiberius said, “and look forward to speaking with you later.” He bowed to Ulrich and the others followed his lead. They turned back to the door, which as before, opened of its own accord.

  Pedar stood right outside the door waiting for them, and without a word, he walked through the maze of halls again. Tiberius led his group behind Pedar as they wound through the labyrinth until they came to a wider passage containing a large number of doors on either side of the hall.

  Pedar stopped and turned to them. “These are your rooms,” he said. “You are welcome to rest or explore. Areas designated as secure will be marked as such. Be careful not to get lost. Good day.” With that, he walked back the way they had come and disappeared into the dark maze.

  They all looked at the passage where Pedar had left them. It was as unmarked as the rest of the caves though each door had its own light along with the illumination along the ceiling. The wall and floor, though, had the same cut and texture as everything else they had seen.

  “This would be a dreary place to live, wouldn’t it?” Kaltesh commented.

  “The Elewo were always about function over lavishness,” Vladimir said, “though they certainly provided some décor in the chamber of the Deldral.”

  “That would be a room where such lavishness is appropriate,” Zechariah said. “How much would you expect in a hallway?”

  “I’m sure this is very interesting to you all, but now what?” Yori asked.

  “Well, all things aside,” Tiberius said, “it certainly is very curious.”

  “The warriors we’ve seen look nothing like the one you described from the Safe House,” Kaltesh said.

  Zechariah nodded. “And the Deldral did not want anything discussed,” he said.

  “What do you all make of the armor?” Tiberius asked, his question clearly directed to Zechariah and Vladimir. There was a good reason for this, of course. None of the younger three would have seen the old Tepish armor, despite the studies they had conducted with both Yori and Kaltesh on their history.

  “It definitely hearkens back to the old Tepish design,” Vladimir said. “Right down to the meticulous bat etching and red and black coloring they always had.”

  “Ostentatious and unnecessary I always thought it was,” Zechariah said with a scoff.

  “So we agree about the armor, then,” Tiberius said.

  Zechariah and Vladimir nodded.

  “Are we going to sleep,” Zechariah asked, “or do you want to look around?”

  “I’m up for walking around,” Vladimir said immediately.

  Kaltesh stepped in as well. “I’m with Vladimir,” he said. “I want to know what the big secret is.”

  Tiberius looked at the group for a long moment. He was with Vladimir in wanting to know what was going on, but he needed to weigh this against the fact that they had been traveling all night, and were likely more tired than they realized. Besides, they did not know what the day or night would hold for them, and they needed their strength. More than ever, he needed to convince them of the need for patience over action. The Deldral had promised to meet with them, and it was likely he would meet with them alone, so he could speak freely of what he knew. Tiberius did not consider himself their commander anymore, but he knew what he should recommend.

  “We know nothing at this time,” Tiberius said finally. “We are free to do as we wish. We should rest, but be alert. I am going to get what sleep I can for the moment, and hope that the mystery will be revealed when the Deldral deems the time is right to speak with us.”

  Zechariah nodded. “I agree,” he said. “I’m as curious as anyone else, but suspicion aside, until reason is given to act, we should see how this plays out.” He looked at David, lost in the mix behind the more experienced Fempiror. “David, will you be all right on your own?”

  David nodded. “I don’t think I can get into much trouble resting in an empty room,” he said with a smile.

  Tiberius smiled as well. David finally seemed to be coming around to whoever he was before the change.

  “We are all in our own rooms, right?” David asked.

  “No reason not to,” Vladimir quickly replied. “Though I think David shoul
d take the center room,” he said pointing to a set of three rooms on one side of the hall, “so he’s flanked by two more experienced Rastem. Just in case.”

  “I would agree with that,” Zechariah said. “I’ll take one of the rooms next to him.”

  “Sounds good,” Tiberius said. “We’ll get together in a few hours if the Deldral doesn’t send for us first.”

  They all agreed, parted company, and entered their rooms.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Secrets of the Dark West

  Zechariah sat on the bare floor of his room with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. The room was minimal in its furnishings – only a bed and nightstand – but of good quality, so one could expect a restful slumber. The walls and floor were the same uncovered stone as the halls – dark and old.

  He was relieved to have a few moments of peace from the chaos that had so recently enveloped his world. He could grant that most of the chaos was of his own creation, but he was also concerned over David’s resistance in accepting the life that had been thrust upon him. He was not so blind as to miss David returning the sword to the Levi-Cart. He understood that David’s background did not involve any kind of fighting, but at some point, the boy would have to make a choice as to which path he would follow.

  However, it had been a very long time since Zechariah was a new Fempiror, and he had volunteered for the fight, so their circumstances were completely different. It could also be said that David’s youth was fueling his difficulty adjusting to his new life. The younger one is, the more they resist change, yet the more easily they ultimately adapt to it.

  He allowed his mind to wander from these frustrations to their present circumstances; circumstances far more complicated than a new Fempiror. The décor of the Deldral’s hall suggested the Elewo, yet the armor of their guide was clearly Tepish. Ulrich wished to speak to them, and yet, he wished to wait to discuss anything, even something as curious as someone who claimed to come from here, at the time they met. The man who was with him, however, was very interested, but Ulrich did not allow them to speak of it.

  He knew the Tepish were here, but he wondered who was really in charge. He allowed these thoughts to pass from his mind so he could feel a mental renewal before he rested his body. He also hoped that by clearing his mind, the answer would come to him, though he felt the information he possessed was insufficient to form a true determination.

  Zechariah opened his mind and listened to the caves. He could hear the others were resting, and he also heard that David had lain down immediately. There had been no sound from his room for quite some time. There was movement somewhere close by. He was sure it was not coming from any of the rooms or from the hallway outside, but it was close. The halls were such a maze. The sound could be coming from a hall or chamber behind these rooms, he supposed, but they also seemed to be coming closer.

  As they drew close, the steps softened. He was unable to make out how many there were, but more than one for sure. Could it be a trap? Whoever it was still had not come to the hall in front of their rooms, so it did not seem as if they were in any danger. Even the softened footfalls were audible in the quiet stillness of the caves.

  Then it occurred to him just how quiet it was. Pedar had implied a large force, though he did not say how large. The room they had seen was big enough to imply that they should be hearing something from the other inhabitants of the Urufdiam Plateau, but in their entire time here, they had seen and heard no one else. He found this revelation more disturbing than any others so far. If there was a force, where was it?

  A soft sliding noise hit Zechariah’s ears. It sounded very close, but like nothing they had come across so far. Something in one of the rooms, perhaps? His eyes snapped open. David had gasped, and now he heard the footfalls next door. How had they gotten into David’s room?

  He sprang up from his meditative position and ran out the door into the hall. It was still empty. Drawing his sword, he burst through the door to David’s room, and it only took a second to see that there was a door built into the rear of David’s room. The outside of it was fashioned to look like the rock wall to conceal its appearance when closed, but at this time, it stood wide open and four of the black armored warriors dressed like Pedar, but this time with the open-faced helmets Fertid had described, stood within the room.

  Two of them had David bound and gagged as they carried him from the room down yet another passageway. The other two turned to face Zechariah and drew the same thin-styled sword that Zechariah carried. He looked into their determined faces and found that they were some of the youngest Fempiror he had seen in years. They had no chance of defeating him, and yet he knew they would fight him to the death.

  Zechariah moved into them, and they raised their swords to greet him. He easily blocked both blows and stabbed his sword between the armor plates of the first one before he could recover. The other tried to bring round a second blow, but Zechariah blocked it with his gauntlet as he ran the second warrior through.

  As the second warrior fell, Tiberius, Yori, and Kaltesh burst through the open door, swords at the ready. Zechariah sheathed his sword and looked down the passage.

  “What’s going on?” Kaltesh asked.

  “We were given a reason to act,” Zechariah replied. “Two of our red and black friends took David through here.” He pointed down the secret hall, yet made no move to follow. The captors would know the tunnels better than he did, and they had a head start. Besides, they did not kill David or attack them, so David would be easy to find when they decided to follow.

  “Where’s Vladimir?” Yori asked suddenly.

  Zechariah looked away from the passage and found they were indeed lacking Vladimir from their company. “He may have still decided to look around,” Zechariah suggested.

  “Such is his choice,” Tiberius said turning to Kaltesh and Yori, “but double-check his room.”

  Kaltesh and Yori nodded in agreement and ran out of the room. Zechariah could hear them opening Vladimir’s door and walking in.

  Tiberius walked to one of the bodies and picked up one of the swords. It still had the bright sheen of a newly crafted weapon. The hilt was wrapped in a criss-cross fashion with a light cloth, and a thin guard divided the hilt from the blade, which was etched with a long trailing picture of a bat.

  “Elewo do not practice swordplay,” Zechariah said. “Their proficiency has always been hand to hand.”

  “It was their covert functions that kept them unarmed,” Tiberius added. “Things change, but the blade’s etching makes no secret of its makers.”

  “Still no sign of anyone who looks like the one who supposedly escaped from here,” said Zechariah. Tiberius nodded and replaced the blade on the floor near the body as Yori and Kaltesh ran back into the room.

  “Vladimir’s not in his room,” Yori announced.

  “No evidence he was even there,” added Kaltesh.

  “Should we wait for him to return?” Zechariah asked Tiberius. He doubted they would, but he had to ask.

  “He can handle himself,” Tiberius replied, which came as no surprise to anyone. “If he doesn’t turn up, we can look for him later. Right now, David is the more vulnerable one.”

  “Then we need to see where this goes,” Zechariah said. “Yori, were you able to determine anything about how to follow these hallways while we were following Pedar?”

  “Yes,” she said. “I noticed that some of the hallways had subtle markings. Single Felletterusk letters on some of the halls that didn’t make sense when I first saw them, but then I noticed that they were the same as we passed from hall to hall. I suspect specific paths are marked while others are only known to those who travel them or need to travel them.”

  “I missed that,” Kaltesh said.

  “I saw the letters, but I didn’t connect them to anything,” Tiberius admitted.

  “That’s why we brought her along, though,” Zechariah pointed out. He had traveled with Yori some fifty years ago when they were se
arching out a Tepish rumor, and even then, she was able to spot little signs and markers that he had missed. He, too, had seen the letters this time, and suspected what she stated, though he hoped she had caught more of them than he had.

  “Of course, it’s not getting to David where her skill will be useful,” Zechariah continued. “It’ll be getting out of there that I’m concerned about.” He led the way into the tunnel. Yori followed right behind him, trailed by Kaltesh and then Tiberius.

  The passage was a single pathway through the dark carved walls, unlike the maze they had traveled before. The walls had no letters or other markings, nor did they find any branches or forks. Since this had been a secret passage, Zechariah became concerned that the exit might also be hidden which was a contingency he had not considered when…

  “This is a trap, isn’t it?” Kaltesh asked as they moved.

  Zechariah smiled. “Of course it is,” he said.

  “They’re using David as a lure to get the rest of us,” Tiberius said. “We must be prepared for anything.”

  Yori rolled her eyes. “Oh sure, excellent observation, Kaltesh,” she said, “Always the teacher’s pet.”

  “Well, you see, Yori,” Kaltesh said with a smug expression, “when you get to be my age, you can just start figuring these things out.”

  “So you only just started to figure these things out then?” she asked with her own smug expression. “It sure took you long enough, didn’t it?”

  “No,” said Kaltesh, realizing what he had said. “That’s not what I meant.”