Uthrik laughed, finding the dwarf amusing. "Beowulken?" The assembled Dunane laughed with their commander. Lorn, mortified, lowered his head. "What business does Beowulken hold in Dunane? We are not in any need of artisanship, Sir Seth. Dunane already possesses the greatest of the world's craftsmen."
"Lorn is my closest friend," Seth defended. "He does not bear crafts meant for you. We rode out of Beowulken together to deliver this letter."
"Very well," Uthrik said, still laughing. "Just keep that dwarf by your side at all times. We don't want any trouble inside the palace tonight."
"The palace?" Seth asked, somewhat shocked.
"Yes, the palace. You are under the Council's good grace. We have rooms held aside for such noble guests." Uthrik looked at Lorn again. "Well, nobles such as you alone, my lord Highbinder."
"A room sounds lovely," Seth whispered.
"That is unless you have taken affection to the stable."
"No," Seth replied. "We'd much rather sleep inside. The wilderness has been most cruel to us these past days."
"Then it is settled," Uthrik said, turning to face his soldiers. The gathering came to attention promptly. "Excellent work, my friends! All is well this night. You have shown that the years of maneuvers have made you fine examples of King Zelok's military. Fall back into the palace, save four of you, who will attend to these horses."
"Yes, sir!" the elves answered heartily. They saluted and filed out of the stable, leaving four to tend the horses. Uthrik approached Seth and looked down.
"I thank you, Sir Uthrik, for attending to our animals--they have been sorely used."
"This requires no thanks, Sir Seth. I pray your letter holds meaning for us all."
"As do I," Seth replied. "The answer will be revealed soon."
"Gather what you need; then follow me." Uthrik strode to the opening of the stable. The rain still beat down onto the street. The elf shook his head at the kingdom's misfortune.
Seth placed his hand on the shaking dwarf's shoulder and smiled. Though Lorn was unnerved, he responded well to Seth's touch. "All ready, Lorn?" he asked, concerned.
"Y-yes, I am."
"Very well." Seth stepped forth and said to Uthrik, "We are ready when you are."
"Let us proceed inside."
Two elves stood just inside the palace entrance, waiting for their officer to pass through. Uthrik strode in first, followed closely by Seth, then Lorn, who shuffled his boots behind Seth's trailing cloak. Not much detail could be seen in the palace's main chamber. The lighting was dim, and the ceiling dark as night. Seth guessed it to be fifty feet or more above his head. Narrow windows were placed twenty feet from the marble floor, and a few torches flickered from sconces along the stone walls.
Nearing one of the great columns that supported the high ceiling, Uthrik left his guests at a considerable distance behind as he marched ahead purposefully. Seth and Lorn both caught glimpses of one of the columns' intricate craftsmanship. Even the dwarf was fascinated by the deep carved lines in the blue marble; though he was not really one for stonework, he appreciated all forms of art. Lorn tilted his head and reached out to feel its beauty, but a voice halted his movement.
"Do not lay one dwarvish finger on that!"
"I only meant to--"
"Pollute His Majesty's most valued works of craft!" Uthrik appeared quickly from the shadows and stood between Lorn and the column. A look of menace from Uthrik bore down on the dwarf.
"I am truly sorry," Lorn said sincerely.
"Sir Seth?" Uthrik uttered.
"Yes?"
"Do you see the set of stairs to your right?"
Seth peered through the dark and saw what Uthrik spoke of. "I see them, yes."
"Could you be as so kind to see yourself and this dwarf up to the fifth floor? Your rooms await you there."
"Thank you," Seth replied with a slight bow.
Uthrik continued to glare at Lorn, making sure without further words that the dwarf knew his place in Dunane. The elf melted again into the shadows with rapid steps. "Good night to both of you." His voice echoed through the chamber. "Do not touch anything of value that isn't yours!"
Seth threw his arm around Lorn's shoulders and led him toward the stairs. "Pay him no attention, my friend. This lingering hatred between elves and dwarves is absurd."
"I agree," Lorn answered. "I simply do not see its purpose." He thought back to his homeland. "Never have I encountered such bitterness from an elf before. All my elven patrons have always shown the greatest respect."
"Yes, it's true; not all elves are prejudiced. There are a few who hold friendships with the dwarvenkind….Then again, there are many elves who would lop off your head for a wrong look in their direction."
"Oh, please don't speak so," Lorn was quick to reply. "My nerves are already on edge from this place. I cannot wait to leave."
"We shall be gone tomorrow afternoon." Seth yawned as he thought back on recent events. "We must also hasten our steeds if we wish to avoid the weather."
"Yes," the dwarf agreed. "Let us try to slip past those storms."
"My plan exactly."
They took the stairs smoothly. Up they went, their eyes shifting from torch to torch on the left-hand side of the wall, until finally they reached the fifth floor. Their feet moved from the stone steps to a carpet of deep red. A long, paneled hallway stretched before them with many doors on both sides. The walls were decorated with murals of elvish feasts, celebrations, and valorous deeds. The hall was lit brightly with many torches. Three waist-high tables stood against the walls, each with a silver vase sitting atop its polished surface. At the end of the hallway, one elf-knight stood rigidly at guard. Seth said to Lorn, "Shall we?"
"By all means. My body desires a bed and sleep."
The elf took notice of his visitors. "So you are the two making such distress."
"You are correct," Seth replied.
"I am relieved you are not a threat."
Seth looked around to see if any doors were marked with a clue that might point him to the right lodgings. Seeing no defining marks, he turned to the elf. "We were sent this way by Sir Uthrik."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I am Council-sent."
"Good news comes with you, I hope."
"Perhaps," Seth answered as he and Lorn continued toward the elf. The elf marveled at Seth's badge; then his face dropped as he took a closer look at Lorn. The elf sneered and opened the door to his right. Seth and Lorn entered and were surprised to be followed by the elf-knight. The room was large, with one bed in the near corner. A fireplace with an inviting flame roared at the back of the room. The white walls were paneled like the hallway, and carved molding crowned their tops. A table with six chairs stood near the fireplace, yet there was no food.
"We hope you find this pleasing," the elf spoke.
"Yes," Seth replied. "It is magnificent. I can see that Dunane possesses great artisans."
"Thank you, sir. I shall inform my superiors of your compliment."
"Please do," said Seth as he sat down on the soft bed. "Good night to you, my good elf."
The elf bowed and smiled. Before he exited, he gave Lorn one last sour look. "The dwarf's room is across the hall." He stepped out of the room and closed the door.
Lorn took advantage of the lack of elvish eyes on his person and moved to the table. He ran his fingers along the finely polished wood and beamed. "Such detail and care went into this piece of work," he murmured. He inspected the high-backed chairs. "I will have to remember these designs for my own work."
"Please be careful over there," Seth warned as he unfastened his shoulder armor, placed it on the bed, then removed his cloak. Rising slightly to remove the cloak from beneath him, he discarded the drenched garment to the foot of the bed. Seth shifted his sheathed sword as he lay down, burying his head in the pillows. His eyes fluttered as sleep took him.
Lorn took off his cloak as well and threw it over the back of the chair nearest the fire. He war
med himself with the flames as he looked the room over again. "I do wish we had some food, though. My stomach hates me at the moment." He approached the bed and saw Seth well on his way to sleep. "If you'll give me your sword, I'll put it in a safe place."
"No," Seth answered softly.
Lorn took Seth's cloak, folded it, and took up his armor. Sitting on the bed, he found immediate comfort, and hoped his lodgings would be just as nice. Perhaps the elves would not deny him a peaceful rest. Lorn rose to his feet and returned to the fireplace, taking Seth's belongings and placing them on the chair next to his cloak. He smiled at the sleeping knight and at last opened the door, entered into the hallway, and closed the door behind him.
Chapter Three: A New Journey
The sun rose swiftly over the world, and all devices of evil fled the Valley of Dunane. The elves broke free of their fears and began to carry out their daily routines. Not one cloud marred the blue sky, and the temperature was pleasant for the new day.
Inside the palace, Seth still slept in his warm bed. His room was filled with soft rays of sunlight, and sounds of chirping birds entered through the window. No more horrid noises of clashing thunder or rain troubled his ears. He finally opened his heavy eyelids and fought the urge to return to slumber. His first thought was of the letter. Seth slipped his feet to the floor. The fire still burned in the fireplace, and he noticed two cloaks on the chairs as he rubbed his eyes.
"I don't even remember taking my cloak off," he chuckled. "Good old Lorn, looking after my things." As he stood up, his muscles felt stiff, and he stretched to shake the pain from his body. Though the rest had been short, he did feel much of his strength returning, but he was famished. He dusted off his three-quarter-length jacket of forest green and the pants of matching color. He walked over to the fireplace and grabbed his shoulder armor from the chair and, without a thought, placed it on his right shoulder, ran the strap across his chest and stomach, brought it behind his back, and fastened it behind him. With cloaks in hand, he started toward the door, thinking, I wonder where Lorn's got to.
He had not to go three steps to find the dwarf. There in the hallway he sat, on a small stool with his back to Seth. Seth crept nearer and saw his friend working feverishly on a drawing. Seth smiled and admired it. Lorn was nearly finished with copying a vase that sat on a table. Short, quick motions of charcoal stroking the brown paper rasped faintly in Seth's ears. He could not see the dwarf's intent expression, but he knew it well from previous encounters.
"How long did that take you?" Seth asked. Lorn jumped a little in his seat and looked over his shoulder with eyebrows lowered. "I pray I did not ruin your work."
"Not too badly, no," Lorn answered. "It is nothing I cannot fix." He returned to his drawing and smiled, keeping Seth wondering whether he had gotten on his friend's bad side.
"I must apologize."
"No worries, my friend." He quickly disguised the stray mark and held up the paper for Highbinder's inspection. "Can you see the error of your ways?"
Seth studied it carefully and answered, "Not at all."
"You see?" Lorn laughed. "I am that good."
Seth laughed with him. "Yes, you are. Why do you think I have so many examples of your work in my home?"
"That is because I tricked you into buying them."
"No," replied Seth. "Your creations are sublime." Changing the topic, he said, "I think we may be behind schedule. It is time to see Dunane's king."
"What is his name?" Lorn asked curiously.
"Zelok," Seth said. "King Zelok."
"An odd name, to be sure," Lorn mused.
"I wouldn't repeat that again within these walls."
"You may rely on that."
"Come," Seth said as he handed Lorn his cloak and started down the hall. Lorn quickly rolled up his drawing and placed it in his waist pouch, then put on his cloak, feeling just a bit peaked from the cold weather. Seth secured his own cloak underneath his armor, threw it around his free shoulder, and hooked it to the silver badge; he definitely wanted to keep the badge of the Great Tree visible at all times.
The journey downstairs seemed shorter than on the night before. They returned to the main chamber of the palace, where the two visitors could see in the light of day the sumptuous details of the elven artisans' craft. Great tapestries hung on every wall, and tall statues of past kings and heroes were erected in each corner. A small group of elves, adorned in cloaks of gold, strolled past, talking softly to one another, their eyes turned to Seth and Lorn. Seth had no clue how to find his contact. Seeing a staircase with a single door at the far end of the chamber, Seth thought that perhaps this could be the throne room. He turned his strides, and Lorn immediately followed suit.
But as they came mere steps away from the stairs, both were stopped by Captain Fenrahn and Sir Uthrik. "Good morning, gentlemen," Fenrahn greeted them.
"Good day to you," Seth replied. "My letter is due for delivery."
Fenrahn nodded. "Uthrik informed me of this not long ago. You must forgive me, for it was I who commanded the sounding of the alarm last night. My name is Fenrahn."
"You gave us quite a scare, Fenrahn," Seth admitted. "I do understand, though, that you were only doing your duty, just as I am."
"Indeed." Fenrahn bowed politely and said, "I am Captain of the Order."
"Then it is an honor to meet you." Seth extended a hand in friendship. Fenrahn returned the gesture, and both shook hands with no animosity. "I am--"
"Sir Seth Highbinder," Fenrahn finished. "I already know. Then there is Lorn, the dwarf, of Beowulken--a surprise to be sure."
"Greetings," Lorn said cordially.
"And to you," Fenrahn added mildly. Turning back to Seth, Fenrahn asked, "Tell me, Sir Knight, why did you two not stop at the southern gate last night?"
"We were not for certain how you would take visitors at night," Seth replied. "This heightened state of emergency has changed much, and I feared we would not be received as allies. I saw no one as we entered the gate and my rattled logic could only think of reaching the palace. I am sorry that I caused such distress for your elves."
"Think nothing more of it," Fenrahn said with slight laughter. "I could not have arranged for a better training exercise for my knights. Besides, no harm came about."
"Very true," Seth said.
Uthrik came to a rigid posture and asked, "Shall I escort them to King Zelok?"
"At once." Fenrahn strode away wearily, heading for his bed, no doubt, after a long night on watch. "Inform me of their business later in the day."
"I shall, Captain."
"I will be in my quarters."
"Let us move on, sirs," Uthrik said as he led them away from the stairs. In the far corner of the chamber was a hallway barely noticeable to the eye. No light graced the area, as if secrecy was the most important consideration here. Uthrik ducked quickly into the corridor and left the two travelers unaccompanied once more. Seth led the dwarf into the darkness. Two torches at the end of the way beckoned them ahead. Between the flames was a simple door of blue wood, where Uthrik stood, impatiently awaiting his guests.
"Does this lead to your king?" Seth asked. Receiving no answer, he said, "I haven't the time to be delayed much more, Sir Uthrik."
"Lower your voice at once," the elf said sharply. Seth and Lorn stood before the door as Uthrik stared ahead into the darkened surroundings. Seth placed a hand on the doorknob and looked at the elf-knight one last time. They exchanged glances, and Seth gently opened the door. "Good luck," Uthrik whispered as he left the hallway.
Seth grew nervous as just enough of the door was opened to allow him passage. His heart pounded in his chest, and his breathing grew more rapid. There were times on this mission when he wondered where he found the strength to carry on. He preferred having everything planned to the last detail and this mission in particular left far too much up to the vagaries of chance and human nature.
He shuffled his boots as he stepped into the well-lit room, but despit
e this, his and Lorn's entrance went unnoticed by the three people sitting at the far end of a banquet table occupying the small chamber. The table was bare save for three silver goblets and a bowl of fruit. Seth gulped as he looked at the two elves and a human locked in deep conversation. As Lorn cleared the threshold, he softly closed the door. "More elves," the dwarf muttered softly.
Seth affected a stern stance and marched ahead, leaving Lorn, who hadn't the courage to approach, at the door. Assessing the elves' status by their clothing, Seth studied the one sitting to the far left, who wore an elaborate robe of pure white. The robed elf's skin was fair, and his hair short and silvery. Though the room was well crafted with cut stone, marble flooring, and red curtains, it was not a throne room but merely one of many meeting chambers. The elf turned his eyes to Seth, who stopped his forward progress.
"Welcome," the elf said smoothly. His voice was at once light and regal. "Please approach, my friend, and sit beside me."
"Are you His Majesty, King Zelok?"
"Indeed I am," he replied. And pushing back his sleeves, Zelok stretched out a hand, gesturing for Seth to sit.
"I shall stand if it serves you well, Your Majesty."
"As you wish, young sir."
"I have come this day bearing a letter from Mudalfaen." Reaching into his pouch, Seth extracted the envelope and handed the letter over. The elf-king inspected the Council's gift, found the seals intact, and ripped it open. He unfolded the paper and glanced carefully over the writing. Seth watched as the elf sitting next to Zelok leaned in and spied the letter not meant for him, though Zelok seemed neither to see nor feel the second set of eyes on the parchment.
"Interesting, indeed," Zelok said as he discarded the letter facedown on the table. None were now able to read it.
"If I may be so bold, can Your Majesty tell me anything of what the letter conveys?" Seth inquired. This was the opportunity to have his questions answered, perhaps ending the mystery of his secret mission.
"Oh, yes," Zelok said as his mind turned in thought. "The Council rarely reveals its gracious will to its messengers."
The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor Page 5
