by Philip Blood
Lor made no comment.
When they reached the old building they looked over the wrapped chain that barred them from opening the door. It was surprisingly new, with two large locks that showed signs of age in their coloring, but were of newer design.
A set of lock picks appeared in Lor's fingers, but she paused when she noted Aerin smiling at the sight of them.
"Not you, too?” she asked.
Aerin put up his hands in surrender.
Lor started to pick the first lock. "All right, you know I've permanently borrowed a thing or two in my past, but just because I've stolen doesn't give our moral 'gladiator' the right to call me a thief!” she argued in a way which Aerin saw as totally illogical.
"I don't believe he actually called you a thief," Aerin noted.
The first lock opened and Lor started in on the second. "No, but he is pretty high and mighty about even consorting with them as if they wouldn't just laugh and slit his throat!"
Aerin didn't want to know who 'they' were, so he let her comment go by.
There was a loud 'click' from the second lock that echoed around the still street. Aerin and Lor looked around but the streets were still empty.
As quietly as possible, Lor unwound the chain and piled it on the step below the door. It made considerable noise, but it couldn't be helped.
"Come on," Lor whispered, opening the old door and stepping into the dark interior, so they could get off the street and out of sight.
Aerin followed his friend into the darkness, and heard her say something that sounded like, "Ooof."
"Where are you, Lor?" Aerin whispered and then something hit him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
Strong hands grabbed him by the arms. He struggled, but the first blow had sapped his strength. His invisible attackers soon had a hood over his head and his hands bound behind his back. They tossed him into a corner, where he landed partially on stone and partially on something softer. He realized it was a skinny body. "Lor?” he whispered through his hood, but there was no answer.
Aerin heard the thick old door close, and then he heard the deep rumble of subdued voices speaking. His blood ran cold when he recognized the Togroth speech he had heard twice before in his life. This time, he could understand parts of what they said. Much to her student’s dismay, Mara had included Tog in their instruction schedule over the past few months.
He caught the words, "Kill and eat them now?"
Blind, bound and having his future discussed as a possible meal started to break down Aerin's control and he shook in fear.
A new voice spoke in Tog, but this one came from a human throat. Aerin couldn't make out the first thing the human said, but then he caught enough to understand the next sentence.
"…might be best. It must be done swiftly. I will bring out the prize soon and I don't want him suspicious. Just to make sure, let me take a look at these children before you start."
Aerin felt the air moving and someone's hand touched him. He scrambled away and found himself against the stone wall.
Their human captor chuckled evilly, "He seems awake, let's have a look at his companion."
Aerin tried to kick in the direction of the voice to keep them from Lor's unprotected body.
Again he heard the chuckle, then the voice spoke in Tog again, "Kill him."
Aerin knew he only had seconds to live. He remembered Mara's teachings and tried to gather in the reins of his fear, but he was terrified. He couldn't think with the fear clouding his mind, and this might be his last chance.
A new voice spoke and Aerin started shaking in abject terror, it was the whispering voice. This was the one that had spoken in the sewers when he had been terrified of the dead Guardsman; the same voice that had spoken to him in the Arena the day that Temmen had died. It was the voice he associated with the Dreadmaster.
"The boy attempts to control his fear, even in your presence, Betrayer. This is a strength I can use."
The human voice spoke again, near Aerin, and there was a note of surprise, “Yes, all the more reason to kill it."
"No, you will bring him to me. Strength like this does not come along often, and I don't trust those prophecies, this boy could be the one."
The voice that had been addressed as 'Betrayer' answered, "I think this is a mistake, one slash of my dagger and this potential problem is dead forev..."
Betrayer was interrupted, not by the voice, but by an enormous weight of fear. It was as if the very air had turned solid and heavy. Aerin felt his heart stop, nothing he had ever been afraid of in his entire life was like this; it nearly killed him.
Even the unconscious Lor moved as if trying to run; though she was on her side on the floor.
Then it stopped, and Aerin's heart beat again.
Betrayer's voice was much subdued; "It will be as you ask."
"Do not question me again! This is causing me much effort to maintain cohesion, I will leave you," the whispered voice said, and then it spoke in English, "Good to see you again, Aerin."
Aerin's heart, though stopped a moment before was now beating as if trying to escape his chest. Once again he sought control and brought it down over his rampant emotions.
"Very impressive," the voice said, then in Tog added, "Bring them both to the Chamber, along with the Trelic heir."
Betrayer answered in a more subservient tone, "Yes, Master."
As if a clamp had been removed from squeezing his heart, Aerin felt the presence leave. Then he heard Betrayer's voice speaking to the Togroth. "You there, pick up both of the prisoners and bring them along; otherwise, the rest of you would probably eat them while I'm gone."
A large hand grabbed the back of Aerin's tunic, and he heard the material rip. Aerin pictured the pointed black talons of the Togroth's claws piercing through. He was lifted, like a piece of luggage. For all his training, Aerin realized he was just that to a Togroth, nothing but a lump of meat. From the sounds of ripping cloth, Aerin figured Lor was suspended from the beast's left hand.
From the jostling, he thought they descended stairs. Lor's voice spoke a moment later, "Kat is going to lose."
"Lor!" Aerin said, having heard the muffled voice of his friend.
"Shut up or I will have the Tog bash you over the head again," Betrayer advised. "Now, who is this Kat?” he asked Lor.
"Go eat crap," Lor answered.
"Punish her," Betrayer said in Tog.
There was a muffled thump and Lor groaned, "Shit eater," she managed.
"Whom were you talking about?" Betrayer asked again.
"My pet, and I won't tell you where I left him. You would probably have these beasts hunt him down."
"An animal, good," Betrayer said.
Aerin scored one for Lor, but it was a small victory.
Betrayer spoke to the Tog, "Place them there, now return to the others and wait for me."
They were set roughly on the damp stone and they heard the echoing footsteps of the Togroth leaving back down the tunnel. Then there was silence.
Aerin scooted around to see if he could get his fingers near Lor's bonds.
He lost a year's growth when Betrayer spoke from inches away, "I'm staying right here, and there is nothing more I'd like to do than to consume you both, so go ahead, try and escape."
Aerin stopped moving and just lay there, sweating in the cold.
"Next time one of you moves I will stick a dagger in the back of your knee and then twist it around to sever the tendons so you’ll never walk again."
Neither Aerin nor Lor attempted to move.
Time passed, and Aerin became aware of the beating of his own heart. It seemed loud in the quiet darkness. Try as he might, he couldn't hear any sounds to let him know if Betrayer was nearby.
But he hadn't heard him leave, and the Togroth's footsteps had echoed loudly.
Once again Aerin went over Mara's teaching and gained control over his emotions. After he was calm he spoke to Lor. "Are you all right?"
After a moment Lor spoke, "I'm just fine and dandy. I like lying on the floor in the cold waiting for some sick shit to cut the tendons in my leg."
"I think he's gone. Get hold of your emotions, we need to think."
There was a pause, and then Lor answered, "I AM in control."
Aerin, however, noted a calmer tone in Lor's voice. "Good, then let's move together and see about getting these ropes off."
Lor called out, "Hey, Betrayer, tell hero here to lay still."
Aerin answered Lor instead, "I'm sure he's gone."
"And how are you sure?" Lor wanted to know.
"I'm not, but I can't stand laying here wondering anymore!"
"All right," Lor decided, "Then hurry up and get over here!"
They both wiggled until they were close enough to touch. Aerin tried to feel for Lor's knots.
"Relax, clumsy," Lor admonished.
Aerin relaxed and soon felt Lor's agile fingers working on the knots of the rope that bound him.
From down the corridor, they heard some sounds, though they were muffled.
"Hurry!" Aerin demanded in a whisper, wishing he'd had the courage to start this sooner.
Lor started grunting with the effort and Aerin suddenly felt the ropes loosen on his wrists. He quickly started struggling with them and managed to drag one hand out of the loops. He pulled the hood off of his head only to find it pitch dark anyway.
"Hurry, untie me!" Lor demanded.
Down the hallway from the way they had originally come they heard a Togroth voice and then a door opening.
"Never mind," Lor said, changing her mind, "just get me to my feet and let's move!"
Aerin dragged the bound Lor up and grabbed her upper arm to guide her, then headed away from the sounds of the Togroths behind them.
They both stumbled to their knees instantly as they ran into a stairway that started up right in front of them.
Aerin cursed and helped Lor up again and then they went up the stairs as if the Dreadmaster was in the tunnel behind them.
There was some sort of panel blocking the way at the top of the stairs, and Lor rebounded off it before Aerin could stop her momentum. He did manage to keep her from pitching back down the stairs. Aerin could just make out a little glow of light around the edges of the panel.
Behind them, Lor heard the sound of footsteps in the dark tunnel.
"Get us out of here!” she hissed.
Aerin didn't have time to find the catch, so he just lifted his right leg and kicked the door where he thought the catch was located.
Wood splintered, but the door held.
The footsteps started into a run behind them.
Aerin kicked again and the door flew open.
Light flooded in, blinding Aerin, but he grabbed Lor and started them running. They were in some type of paneled hall. Aerin thought he recognized it and made a right turn at the next intersection.
"What is happening?” the blind Lor demanded.
"We're running through a hallway," Aerin answered.
Suddenly Aerin recognized something and pulled the hooded and bound Lor to a halt.
"Wait, in here!" Aerin decided and opened a door.
He closed it behind them, and immediately started to work on the ropes at Lor's wrists, but they were knotted solidly and it would take him a few minutes to get her free.
"The hood!" Lor demanded.
Just then Aerin heard a set of running footsteps, and he paused.
Lor froze as well, but when the footsteps went by she reminded Aerin, "Hood?"
He reached for the black cloth sack that was cinched around her throat, but he heard a door open in the room next door.
"Wait," he whispered to Lor and then went to listen at the connecting door between the rooms.
Lor made a sound that pretty much summed up her frustration, but kept it as quiet as she could.
As Aerin headed for the door he heard a voice yell out loudly, "Guards, assassins in the Seat! To Gandarel!"
"Tocor!" Aerin heard a familiar voice call out.
Aerin didn't wait longer; he opened the door and stepped into the room.
Five sets of eyes turned at this latest intrusion, and Aerin found himself the center of attention for an instant. Then the three older men behind Gandarel returned their attention to the bald headed Quarian who stood just inside the room, holding a gray staff that was slick with yellow tog blood at both ends.
"Guards!" Hork, the High Priest of The Hand yelled again.
Six guards finally arrived, and Tocor backed into the room away from their drawn weapons. He held his staff in a defensive posture but made no moves.
"Kill that assassin!" Hork demanded.
"Hold!" Gandarel exclaimed.
"No, he's right, guards, apprehend that man!" Niler Corbin, head of the council, stated to the squad.
Councilman Enolive stepped before Gandarel to protect him.
The guards moved toward Tocor, who backed to the center of the room.
"Tocor," Aerin yelled, "drop your staff!"
Tocor glanced at Aerin and then tossed the staff to the ground. It hit with a very heavy sound and didn't bounce. Tocor straightened and placed his hands at his sides.
"Gandarel, there are Togroths coming through the secret tunnel into the Seat!" Aerin exclaimed.
"What are you talking about," Niler demanded.
Aerin continued, "We were captured at the outer exit of the secret tunnel by Togroths, they are in the old granary!"
Gandarel spoke, "You and Tocor?"
"No, Lor and I," explained Aerin.
"And Tocor?" Gandarel asked.
Tocor answered for himself, "I followed the boys into the granary later on. He speaks the truth, though any Togs in the granary will not be entering the seat." Here he pointed at the yellow blood on the staff at his feet.
"This story sounds false," Hork hissed.
Just then Lor stumbled into the room with her hands bound and the hood still over her head. "I don't care what you think it sounds like! Now, will someone PLEASE take this damn hood off my head?"
At the sight of the bound up Lor, Aerin's story had some credence, and though the guards did not sheath their weapons, they stopped their advance on Tocor.
As things were straightened out over the next hour, Aerin managed to get near Gandarel and speak quietly. "Darel, was anyone trying to get you to leave with them tonight?"
Gandarel thought for a moment. "Niler asked me to come with him just before Hork and Enolive arrived.”
At that moment, Hork yelled, "I want him thrown in the dungeon! He shall be burned in the fires for his sins!"
Enolive entered the debate, "Regardless of his race, he may have saved Gandarel."
"That's irrelevant; do not listen to his forked tongue! He is demon spawn, and nothing he says can be trusted!”
"The guard captain has found eighteen Togroths dead in the granary," Enolive countered.
Hork sneered, "He probably murdered his own companions to get in with Gandarel. He must not be allowed to succeed."
"He may depart," Gandarel stated, frowning at his three advisors.
Hork stood up straighter, "You imperil your soul when you side with the darkness, Gandarel."
"So be it," Gandarel stated, and motioned to his guard captain. "See that the Quarian and my friends are taken outside the seat, unharmed. I am leaving this up to you, Captain."
"Yes, Milord," he answered, and collected his three charges.
A Guardsman tried to pick up Tocor's staff and cursed, it was so heavy that it took two men to lift it and carry the bloody instrument from the room.
Tocor made no comment, but the Guardsmen looked at him fearfully, the quarterstaff was made of solid steel.
When they were outside the gate of the Seat, Aerin looked up to the roof of the building where they had left Kat and waved him down.
A few minutes later Katek joined them.
"How, in Gedin's paradise, did the two of you, plus Tocor
, end up coming out of the Seat?” he asked them.
"I'll expect my water hot and ready at nine tomorrow morning," was all Lor answered.
Aerin looked up at Tocor, "How did you manage to find us?"
"I arrived in time to see you and Lor working the lock on the granary, and when you did not come out, I went in," he explained, as if nothing special had transpired.
"Do we need to watch more tonight?"
Tocor shook his head, "No, I believe the excitement for the evening has concluded."
When they reached Mara she required a separate report from each of them, even Tocor. When Aerin told her his version of the story, Mara stopped him when he got to the whispery voice that had called his captor 'Betrayer'. "And the voice you heard called it by that name?"
"Yes, I'm sure; I'll never forget that terrible voice."
"And it said something about you being useful?" Mara asked.
"Something like that, I can't remember the exact words," Aerin admitted, "I was trying to be brave, but I was terribly scared of that voice."
"It's all right, Aerin, older men than you have done worse."
"Was it really the Dreadmaster?" Aerin finally asked. He'd been afraid to even ask the question lest the answer be what he suspected.
"The Dreadmaster is dead, Aerin, only the echoes of its personality stain the world, though its power is waiting, intact."
"Waiting?"
"That's enough for now, I don't want to fuel your nightmares, I imagine they will be bad enough already. You've had enough for your brain to handle in one day."
"Yes, Mara, but what should I do… I'm afraid."
"I know, and so, tomorrow we must begin the next stage of lessons on fear,” she answered, and then gestured for him to leave her room with a wave of her hand.
But Aerin had one last question: "Was tonight written about in the Dark Prophecies?"
Mara didn't answer instantly, and when she did she didn't answer his question directly. "Once we walked further down the path of light with each day, but now we only dodge the arrows of darkness. Go to sleep, Aerin."
Aerin went to his room and slept, but his dreams were haunted by the voice of the whisperer.
Chapter Eleven
"At the bleakest moment of the siege, an enemy long forgotten came for the heir, and fear fed its power."
