Chosen (Majaos Book 1)

by Gary Stringer

  Lady Hannah Collins, Knight of Paladinia stood out proudly in her shining golden plate armour, yet she, too, had revealed a different side back at Shakaran Palace. A warm, silky, feminine side. Frankly, Eilidh wished she could be so well balanced. Hannah was a fierce warrior and a powerful woman - strong arm, strong heart. Motives: honour, glory, renown and simply doing the right thing.

  Calandra, Revered Daughter of Patrelaux was deep in theological discourse with the Paladinian Knight. It was natural for those two to pair up as friends. Eilidh had caught the elf maid looking at her strangely when she thought she wasn’t looking. She couldn’t imagine why.

  Meanwhile, Hannah regarded the elven cleric with an almost reverential awe, although she wasn't afraid to question the cleric's opinions and interpretations sometimes. However, they both clearly demonstrated, to Eilidh's mind, the problem with such complete devotion to the Light: sometimes their high noble ideals simply bore little resemblance to reality. When forming judgements, they often failed to include the real world in the equation. As a Catalyst, she had no magical way to gauge a Cleric’s ability, but she was the one they’d found, so that was the reality they had to work with.

  Then there was the half-elf, Phaer. Despite having been so taken with Hannah back at the palace, he now seemed utterly fascinated by Bunny. As a ranger, Eilidh thought Phaer must have snared, cooked and eaten many a rabbit in the wild. Yet here he was, snared by a Bunny who looked ready to eat him alive and raw. Even as the Sumorityl walked and talked with Loric, she looked over at the half-elf and smiled. That was all she had to do, smile, and the ranger suddenly lost touch with his graceful, aloof elven side. Not that she blamed her for what she was doing. Men adored her and she was used to playing up to that. She probably didn't even consciously realise what she was doing.

  As for Phaer himself, Eilidh hoped he would agree to continue to accompany her on her real quest after this. She found him a fine addition to the team, and as for him being Magically Dead, she found she barely even noticed now. But if he were to stick around, it would have to be his own free choice. She would not manipulate him into it the way she had over this rescue. She hoped that this experience would bring them all closer together as a group so Phaer wouldn't want to leave.

  Hope is not a strategy , she reminded herself. If Phaer was going to stay, she would have to find a way to give him a reason to want to stay. Sadly, she had no idea how she might do that, which was a shame, because having him around was kind of…nice.

  Rochelle Ribbons was a very mixedup individual, in the Catalyst’s opinion, who had got herself into serious trouble leading a double life. It seemed churlish for her to criticise anyone for studying too much, but while she respected Rochelle’s academic mind, she felt justified in criticising her failure to think clearlyabout her life. As far as Eilidh could see, Rochelle’s choices had been based on wishing things were different, instead of applying reason to the reality of her situation. Eilidh was inclined to agree with Sir Quentin: Rochelle should have to face the consequences, even if that meant execution. The Catalyst did not believe that this was something they should be getting involved in, but Hannah had committed herself to Rochelle's protection as her personal Knight in Shining Armour, and Eilidh needed Hannah, so this had turned into a double rescue. But if it came down to a choice, once they had the princess with them, she would leave Rochelle behind - Hannah too, if necessary. There were other Knights, after all. Mystaya was her priority, not this gnome. Eilidh didn't think she was being heartless - just practical. The gods knew somebody in this group had to be!

  That left Tolbrietta Hobbnobb. Her dear, sweet, hobbit friend Toli. Her motive was the purest of all: friendship. “I'm with you until the end.” she had said. “If you say we go, then I go.” Even now it threatened to bring a tear to her eye. Nobody in her entire life had expressed such simple, powerful loyalty to her. She had no idea how it had happened, but Toli was the first real friend she had ever had, and consequently the unknowing recipient of many prayers for her safety and welfare.

  In fact, in a strange, irrational way, Eilidh almost wished Toli wasn't with the group so that she wouldn't be in danger. She couldn't tell Toli how she felt, of course. The hobbit couldn't possibly understand the effect her simple friendship was having. The hobbit probably made five new friends every day, while Eilidh grew up with people who barely tolerated the fact of her existence. No, the Catalyst could not explain that to Toli because she would ask too many perfectly natural questions. Personal questions. Madam Donna had been a close call; just when Eilidh thought she had escaped from her past, one wrong turning was all it had taken to find it was lurking in the shadows even this far from home. Now, through her chance encounter with Prince Garald, she was associating with royalty.

  “Eilidh Louise Hagram,” she said to herself, under her breath, “what are you doing?”

  * * * * * They had been walking through the city for the better part of the day, when Loric spoke up, shaking Eilidh out of her deep thoughts. “Why don't you go on up ahead and let me talk to the leaders of the Hand here. Their Headquarters are not far and I have a few questions to ask them about the fire.”

  “What about the fire?” Eilidh asked.

  While I was saving those children I found a dagger with a Hand of Darkness motif.”

  “That proves nothing,” Rochelle insisted. “Hand of Darkness daggers can be found all over the city.”

  “I realise that and I'm not sure if they would do such a stupid thing, knowing that I am around. But fires like that shouldn’t just happen.”

  “Nevertheless they do,” Phaer disagreed. “How do you know it wasn't some kid playing with magic firesticks? Kids do that, you know. In elven families, it's actively encouraged.”

  “That doth not sound wise,” Hannah said.

  “Yes, it's very dangerous, surely.” Toli agreed. “It's done under parental supervision,” Phaer pointed out. “Elven parents simply believe that fire is something children have to learn about the hard way. The kids get a small burn and they are denied magical healing. I still have a small scar from mine ifyou look closely enough.” If you can spot it amongst all the other scars, that is, he added silently. “The thinking behind it is that every child will burn himself once but he won't do it again. There’s no actual harm, but children learn to associate firewith pain and lasting injury, which teaches them the proper respect for it.”

  “Dwarf families do much the same thing,” Granite added. “There are almost no fire -related accidents in dwarf cities. We can’t risk it underground. In human cities, though, they are all too frequent.”

  “Even if the fire was indeed started deliberately,” Sir Quentin put in, “it could merely be the work of a single drunken warrior. 'Tis certainly not evidence of a plot at command level. That is why our vow to lay siege to the city connects only to a proven link with an officer. If the Knights of Zhentilon were to react to every minor scrape with a warrior of the Hand, this city would have been ours long ago. It would be simple enough, should we wish it, of course. This rabble is of no moment to a few trained Knights. My point, Loric, is that whilst I do applaud thy motives, thou canst not react to every perceived threat this way. The plot, if such it was, hath been well foiled and the best way of providing for their future care wouldst surely lay in the acquisition of gold from young Eilidh's quest.”

  “But I must be sure. I must see this through and that means visiting the Hand's lair. Besides,” he added with a laughing smile, “I think our young ranger here would like some of Bunny's time.”

  “Excuse me?” Phaer demanded, bristling at the implication.

  “`Bunny` will spend her time with whomsoever she chooses,” the Sumorityl stated, not pleased by the dragon's presumptuous tone. “Your presence or otherwise makes no difference.” “The answer is no,” Eilidh insisted, deliberately, calmly standing in Loric's path in a way that brooked no argument. “The kids are safe - at least as safe as anyone can be in this place. The danger is past, there is n
o evidence of deliberate Hand of Darkness involvement at any level and I can't have you running off on your own vendettas right now. As I say, those children are safe; Princess Mystaya is not. We have to prioritise, Loric. Right now I have hired you to do a job and so help me you are going to do it. No more side trips and certainly no talking to the Hand. Is that clear?”

  “Mayhap I can be of some assistance?” Sir Quentin offered. “I shall leave behind two of my senior Knight Warriors to complete our escort duty. Meanwhile, the rest of my company and I canst...assist the Hand of Darkness in their fire investigations.”

  “I thought thine order wast prevented from interfering?” Hannah inquired.

  “Assistance is not interference, unless they hath something to hide. Either way, when ye all hath returned unto Shakaran, thou shalt have thine answer.”

  “I'd appreciate that,” Loric said.

  “Now is not the time for heroics,” Eilidh insisted. “Heroics come later. Now is the time for stealth and a low profile. I'm sorry, Loric, but I need you with me.”

  “Alright,” he agreed reluctantly. “We'll do it your way.”

  “Good,” Eilidh said. Subject closed. “Speaking of stealth,” Bunny piped up. “Everyone walk slowly now and stay close to the walls. The gate that guards the forbidden Fountain is around the next corner and then about half a mile straight ahead. It's always guarded so we can't just walk right up. You should all take the side streets that run parallel to get closer and let me get rid of the guards.”

  With a salute to Hannah and Eilidh, Sir Quentin left the most senior Knight Warrior in command and headed for the Hand of Darkness Headquarters. The two remaining Dark Knights set up positions where they could remain out of sight, but still act if it should prove necessary.

  Before the others began their approach of the gates, Bunny asked to `borrow` Phaer and Calandra for a moment. “I need your elfsight,” she explained. “It would be an advantage to know how many guards there are, their races and how vigilant they seem to be.”

  “Very well, child,” the cleric agreed. “Phaer, I suggest that we get close enough for you to see clearly. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, after all.”

  “I bow to your wisdom, Revered Daughter,” he replied. The two accompanied her and followed her along the main street for a short distance. “I can see them clearly enough now,” the half-elf said. “There are just two guards, one’s definitely a human male, white division, the other one, the large one, is red division. He might be a halfogre, but I’m not sure. Let’s stop walking and listen for a minute. If we can catch their conversation, we'll be sure.”

  They listened for a long moment, until Phaer whispered, “Ah, hear that, Revered Daughter? Doesn't that sound ogreish to you?”

  “Yes, child. That harsh, guttural voice is unmistakable. His ogre side is strong in him. It makes him quite distinctive.”

  “But the other man is definitely human?” Bunny asked.

  “Yes, child, he's human alright.”

  “What about that figure beyond the gates?” Phaer wondered.

  “Yes, I was wondering if you'd noticed him,” Calandra said. “What do you make of him?”

  “It's hard to tell from this distance, but I think he may be some kind of mage, with his robes.”

  “Robes could mean a cleric, of course, or just ordinary everyday robes.”

  “What would an ordinary citizen be doing in a forbidden area?” Phaer pointed out.

  “Yes, I see your point, child. It may be as you say.”

  “So long as he doesn't interfere, I don't really care at this stage.” Bunny concluded. “Well thank you both for your help, now leave them to me.”

  The elf and half-elf ducked down a side street and rejoined the others. Calandra did not see the suspicious looks Phaer was giving her behind her back. Eilidh and the others got themselves into hidden positions, which was not difficult in the fading light of dusk. They could just see Bunny as she worked her charm on the two guards. She stepped up to them oozing sex appeal and acting very provocatively. She quickly got down to seducing them. In moments she had them in the palm of her hand, dancing to her tune. The party could not hear what was being said from their position, but they could see Bunny make gestures for the guards to accompany her to a clearly abandoned warehouse off to one side of the gates. They hesitated for a moment, but not for very long. She led them away and they disappeared into the building. The party stayed where they were, not wanting to risk moving too soon and ruining Bunny's plans. They were rewarded for their patience when the sultry young woman left the warehouse alone and wandered casually over to them, smiling like the cat that got the cream. Eilidh reflected that she would not have been at all surprised to hear her purr.

  “We can go now,” Bunny told them. “I still suggest we move quietly, but there should be no problem. The guard isn't due to be changed for hours yet, so noone will even know we're inside.”

  “I suppose you took their money,” Calandra noted with disapproval. “Of course, Rev! I've told you before: it's my fee for letting them live and teaching them to be more vigilant in future. Besides, when they wake up, they'll have no reason to suspect it was anything more than a simple robbery. Perfectly normal in Avidon.”

  “When they wake up?” Lady Hannah wondered.

  “That's right, I persuaded them to sleep for a while.”

  “Persuaded them how?” Granite wanted to know.

  “With this,” she answered, holding up her mace.

  The dwarf chuckled. “I like you, lass. Yer my kinda girl!” She flashed him a dimpled smile. “That's so sweet of you!” Taking Phaer's arm, she whispered, “Don't worry, darl, I only have eyes for you really.” She planted a kiss on the half-elf's cheek and then scampered away.

  Eilidh ignored her games and simply took out the key Prince Garald had given her. She led her party over to the iron gates; she fit the key in the lock and the gates swung open instantly. That startled her - she hadn't expected them to move so suddenly - but fortunately the gates were wellmaintained and made no sound at all.

  Once they were all inside, Eilidh put Loric and Hannah to work closing the gates behind them so she could lock them again, while Phaer scouted ahead silently to check out the mage or whoever the third individual was. When he returned, he was not alone, but was accompanied by a tall man who was dressed in a familiar outfit of clashing colours.

  “Egad!” he exclaimed. “It's about time you lot showed up!”

  Chapter 12

  “I say!” Kismet declared, squinting. “Are my eyes playing up or are there suddenly more of you?” Eilidh sighed, though she had to admit part of her was glad to see the strange man, if `man` was accurate. She made the introductions. Bunny had disappeared for a moment, but soon returned, sporting yet another costume change: a tight brown leather outfit that was almost a feminine version of Phaer’s attire. Where she’d managed to acquire it, Eilidh couldn’t fathom.

  “Kismet, did you see anyone else while you were lurking about around here?” Eilidh asked.

  “Lurking about? Lurking about! My dear girl, I don't believe I've ever lurked anywhere in my life, though I'll admit it does sound like enormous fun.”

  “Don't worry, Eilidh,” Phaer said. “Kismet was the third man I saw.”

  “Him?” Toli asked. “But he's not wearing robes.”

  “I most certainly am not!” Kismet objected, indignantly. “Yes,” Bunny agreed, casually moving seductively over to him. “Of course he's not in robes. Can't you all see that this is a man of exquisite taste and flair, who is keenly aware of the latest fashions at court?”

  “I say, what a wonderfully perceptive young lady you are, my dear.” Kismet said, preening himself. “You're right, of course, these breeches are quite simply the latest word in fashion.” He pulled a face. “They do chafe the legs a bit, though.”

  “Ah the price people like us must pay to look our best!” Bunny remarked.

  “Too true, my dear, too true.” His o
range silk fluttered down into his hand and he held it to his face looking distraught as Bunny made sympathetic noises. Eilidh inwardly applauded. She herself had used her sarcastic streak to good effect against Kismet, but Bunny had just taken irony to a whole new professional level. Another time, another place and the Catalyst would have laughed at the performance. Mind you, she pointed out to herself silently, I'm not at all sure it's such a good idea to keep encouraging him.

  “By the way, Phaer,” Bunny said. “You're wrong about something this isn't the third man.”

  “I assure you he is,” Phaer countered. “No, you don't understand. I'm quite prepared to accept this was the man you saw beyond the gates, but he is not the third man. Only the second. Some help you were with your elven sight, I don't know why I bothered to ask!” she complained.

  “Oh that,” the half-elf said. “Yes, I see what you mean. Sorry, but it was all in a good cause.” “Is this something you'd like to share with the group?” Rochelle wondered. “How two guards plus this Kismet makes only two men? I've often wondered about the philosophical implications of mathematics myself. I mean, why does one and one make two? But try as I might, I have never managed to make one plus two intoanything other than three.”

  “Apples and oranges, Rochelle,” Phaer answered, cryptically. “So why does one and one make two?”

  “I've no idea. I was hoping you might know.”

  “Is it just me, or does nobody else understand a word these people are saying?” Loric demanded. “It's elementary, my dear dragon,” Bunny said. “Two guards plus one Kismet equals only two men because one of the guards was a woman. Cute and sexy, I'll admit, so I'm not complaining too much. Still, I would like to know why Phaer and Calandra specifically told me both guards were male

  - to say nothing of the fact that the male guard, whilst being satisfyingly big, was quite clearly human with no ogreish blood in him at all.”