The Key of Creation: Book 01 - Rise of the Destroyer

by M. D. Bushnell

  Even with the line through it, the name was still legible. King Hermanus.

  Aldrick sat with his mouth agape. He could not find the words, but Tiberius was a step ahead. “Do you realize what this means?” When Aldrick said nothing, Tiberius continued. “I’m afraid I can think of only one explanation, my son. This is a list of men—all nobles from the look of it—targeted for assassination.”

  “Assassination?” Aldrick stammered. “Who could be responsible for this? Certainly not a single Triad, if that’s what they were. Since my name was crossed off, I would say they clearly got ahead of themselves.”

  Jelénna closed her eyes and hugged him tighter, a single tear running down her cheek.

  Tiberius frowned. “Perhaps they were so confident of their success, they marked you off the list before the deed was yet done.”

  One flaw in his conclusion occurred to Aldrick. “But King Hermanus died of natural causes.”

  Tiberius forced a smile, but it was without humor. “Did he? Are you so sure?”

  Aldrick raised an eyebrow. “That was the official report.”

  Tiberius nodded. “Yes it was, but the truth was that no one knew for sure. The symptoms of the disease Hermanus contracted had never been seen before, and Doctor Quintus never arrived at a conclusion as to the cause of death. No one else ever showed symptoms, so it was judged not to be communicable. With no evidence to the contrary, he was forced to conclude the king had died of natural causes.”

  Tiberius gestured with his pipe, and continued. “Yet Hermanus had been perfectly healthy until then. The circumstances were so suspicious that doubt has always remained. Research continues, but as far as I know neither Quintus, nor anyone else, is any closer to solving it. ”

  “Why would someone kill the king, father?” Adrias asked unexpectedly.

  “I don’t know Adrias. Why don’t you go look for a book to read?”

  Adrias stuck his bottom lip out, but Jelénna intervened. “That’s a good idea. Come along Adrias.”

  Aldrick had not known of the circumstances surrounding the death of the king, but they did seem to corroborate his father’s conclusion about the list. Yet he was hesitant to decide anything without further evidence.

  “What of the other names crossed off on the list?”

  Tiberius scanned the list again, and shook his head. “I’m not sure. Two of these men have estates in northern Asturia. With the winter season, we may not have received news of their deaths, if they were recent. The rest are lesser-known nobles from the north and outlying areas. I’ll make some inquiries about these others.”

  Aldrick scratched his chin. “This is unsettling, but let’s find definitive proof of the deaths of these men before we decide for sure what this is.”

  “Unsettling? Aldrick, this could be the proof that King Hermanus was murdered! If true, it would also confirm that yesterday was no accident, but attempted murder planned well in advance! Considering my fellow advisors and I are also on the list, we should certainly be taking this seriously.”

  “It’s not proof yet, but I agree, we should take it seriously. I still hope this isn’t what we think it is. Let me know what you find out.”

  Tiberius nodded, taking a draw from his pipe. “Consider it done.”

  Aldrick pointed to the golden, pyramidal shaped artifact on the table. “This is unique. What do you think of it?”

  Tiberius reluctantly put down the list of names. Picking up the artifact, he turned it over in his hand.

  “The pyramid shape is an ancient symbol of power, although this jagged post on the bottom is unusual, almost like it was a handle before it was broken. I can’t recall seeing anything like it before.”

  Jarvus returned with a silver tray laden with sweet honey cakes and a pot of hot tea with four cups. Setting the tray in the center of the table, he began to pour tea for them.

  “What of this?” Aldrick said, handing his father the blank parchment.

  Tiberius unrolled the old piece of parchment, looking at both sides. With a puzzled frown, he shrugged. “It’s a blank piece of parchment.”

  Aldrick leaned back in his chair. “Obviously it’s a blank piece of parchment. What does it mean?”

  “I don’t follow you.”

  Aldrick took the parchment back and pointed at the corners. “Look how old this parchment is, and the staining is indicative of heavy use. Why in the name of the All Father would someone carry around an ancient piece of blank parchment?”

  Tiberius took the parchment back, carefully turning it over. “I have no idea Aldrick. It looks like a simple blank page to me.”

  “It was rolled and stowed in a pocket, and I think it may be important. Can you have someone look at it?”

  Tiberius nodded, but was interrupted by a loud cough from Jarvus that echoed off the cavernous stone walls of the immense library. “I simply despise interrupting your scintillating conversation, but do you require anything further?”

  Aldrick shook his head, once again ignoring the sarcasm.

  Jelénna returned with Adrias, who had several dusty books under one arm. “We are both tired. I think we’ll return to our rooms and get Adrias ready for bed.”

  Aldrick nodded. “That’s a great idea, love. I’ll be there soon.”

  Jelénna looked tired, but she smiled and leaned over to give Aldrick a kiss. Hugging Tiberius, she turned to Jarvus and said, “After you?”

  Jarvus replied with a low bow. “I thought you’d never ask.” He spun and led them out.

  Aldrick turned back to Tiberius. “What’s going on with Brodan? He seems more out of touch than ever. I realize the added responsibilities he inherited after his father’s death are a burden, but he seems more self-absorbed than ever. At dinner, he drank so much he passed out.”

  Tiberius toyed with his pipe. “I can’t say I’ve noticed much of a difference, but then I always thought he was much too arrogant for his own good, and I tend to avoid him when I can. It could be the Tournament; he tries to hide it, but I know he’s under a lot of stress. So much so in fact, he has me researching precedents for an heir ascending to the throne without having to win the Tournament.”

  “He's trying to cheat? I hope you aren’t planning to help him!”

  Tiberius winked and held up the book in front of him so Aldrick could read the title. The book in his hands was ‘The Adventures of Enkidu.’

  Aldrick chuckled. “That was one of my favorite books as a child! I doubt you’ll find many legal precedents there.”

  Tiberius put the book down with a dramatic mock sigh. “Surprisingly, I’ve yet to find much. It’s a real shame of course, but I’m not one to give up easily.”

  Aldrick smiled and retrieved the artifact. “Something about this arouses my curiosity. It appears to be ancient.”

  Tiberius placed his book back on the table. “I’ll make some inquiries. Perhaps one of my fellow advisors will know something.”

  Aldrick yawned. “Very well.”

  Tiberius picked up his pipe. “I'm going to the market to buy some tobacco. Care to join me?”

  Aldrick nodded and collected the items from the table. He was hesitant to be separated from them, but necessity won out and he reluctantly gave them to his father. Tiberius stashed the items into his pack, along with his empty pipe and a large, leather bound book with gilt embossing. Together they left through the heavy wooden doors, which dominated the front of the library.

  The sun was beginning to set, and Aldrick breathed deeply. As much as he loved being there, he found the cool evening air refreshing after the stuffy library.

  They walked down a sloping hill towards the market, unconsciously leaving the serious conversation behind them. They chatted pleasantly about family, life back in the lake town of Ubarra, and the weather.

  Aldrick marveled at the throngs of people in the streets, most of who were only in the city for the upcoming Tournament. Akkadia was no stranger to influxes of visitors, being the capital city of Asturia and a
centrally located trade-hub on the great Tianna River. Still, he was fairly certain the city had not seen this many visitors crowding its streets in at least the twenty Summers since the last Tournament.

  Entering the marketplace, they were inundated with the sights and sounds of merchants clamoring to sell their wares, and prospective buyers haggling over products. Temporary booths had been erected all over, with vendors of every description cooking a wide variety of foods.

  Smoke from cook fires wafted about stinging the eye, even as the delicious aromas tempted the nose. If Aldrick had not been so replete after the extravagant reception dinner, he might have been inclined to sample some of the various delicacies. As it was, the combination of smoke and cloying smells only served to turn his stomach.

  Tiberius stopped at a more permanent-looking establishment. It was marked as a tobacconist by a creaking, faded sign hanging above the door, fashioned in the shape of a cigar. Aldrick decided to wait outside and entertain himself by marveling at the strange ramshackle and eclectic tents and booths, and the even stranger looking people milling about them.

  He watched a jester juggling bright, multicolored balls for a while as the sun sank behind the horizon. In the other direction he spotted a booth across the road with a rack stuffed full of books, lit by an old dusty oil lamp.

  Enticed by the sight, he had started towards the booth when he abruptly collided with a fast moving stranger. The man was tall and muscular, and clad in dark nondescript clothing with a hood that shrouded the better part of his face, with the exception of his striking blue eyes. His size coupled with his momentum took them both to the ground amidst his vociferous cursing.

  Another man—a skinny, gangly fellow—assisted them to their feet. Aldrick was somewhat shaken by the accidental encounter, but to avoid any conflict, quickly took the blame for the incident and apologized while the stranger brushed off the front of his doublet.

  “My apologies, I didn’t see you.”

  A brief glimmer of threat flashed across his intense azure eyes, and then was gone. All he said was, “Fine.”

  “What he meant to say,” the lanky fellow interjected. “Is that he also apologizes for the incident, and that it would not have happened if he hadn’t been in such a hurry in the first place.”

  The hooded stranger glared at his companion. “Is that what I meant to say? How unusual, since I can’t recall anything of the sort!”

  The skinny fellow answered only with a simple shrug and nervous smile. Aldrick perceived he had interrupted an argument, and decided it would be best if he excused himself. “In any case, you have my sincere apology.”

  The cloaked stranger raised a hand as if about to reply, but the skinny one quickly interjected, “No problem, he’s fine. We are both just fine. We must be going anyway. Peace of the All Father to you, sir.”

  With a hand on the arm of the big man, he made a feeble attempt to move the stranger along.

  “Peace of the All Father to you,” Aldrick said in the traditional reply. He could just make out the fading conversation as the two men disappeared into the crowd. “Don’t go telling people what I mean to say! I can speak for myself.”

  “You don’t have to tell me…”

  Brushing himself off, Aldrick considered the unusual encounter. He was regaining his composure when his father returned from the tobacconist.

  Tiberius had a small parcel in one hand, and clapped him on the shoulder with the other. “Ready to go? You seem distracted.”

  Aldrick ran his fingers through his short-cropped hair and nodded. “I’m fine. I just had an unusual run-in.”

  “Who with?”

  Aldrick shook his head. “I have no idea who he was, but something tells me I should.”

  Chapter 7

  A few days later the Tournament of the King officially began. The city of Akkadia was bursting with visitors of every description; most were visiting from throughout Asturia, but it was not uncommon to see foreigners in the crowd. The market was alive with activity, and people of every heritage and economic background mingled together around buildings, and the brightly colored tents and stalls erected exclusively for the Tournament.

  The air was thick with a cacophony of sound and the acrid smoke of dozens of cooking fires. Hawkers shouted bargains exclusive to each passer-by while prospective customers bartered and haggled for lower prices on the wares they desired. Musicians, mimes, jugglers and entertainers of every variety wandered about, seeking to trade their skills for coin. Although less noticeable, thieves and cutpurses did the same.

  The days before the Tournament began, Aldrick spent some precious time with his family recovering from the ordeal they had survived on the road. Jelénna especially had been very emotional during that time and had trouble sleeping, reliving the unfortunate incident with the robed man.

  Fortunately, Adrias was resilient and did not seem particularly troubled by the incident, spending most of his time playing with the other children in the palace.

  When Aldrick was not with his wife and son, he was in the library researching answers to the questions that remained about the mysterious clues he had discovered on the gray robed man.

  His father often joined him in the library, ostensibly working on the research assigned to him by Brodan, but in reality assisting his son. Their search had thus far proved futile, but Aldrick enjoyed the research and knew that something was bound to turn up eventually. He was a firm believer in the old adage, ‘Accomplishment follows focus,’ and so continued his research, awaiting any information from the advisors his father knew concerning the list, parchment and the golden pyramid.

  Aldrick had found a large tome of ancient symbology earlier that day, and was at their usual table in the library when Jarvus appeared, escorting Jelénna. He glanced up at the sound of footsteps echoing on the cold stone floor to see his wife pass through a stray sunbeam, lighting her familiar visage like an angel.

  Jelénna saw him and smiled. “There you are dear. It’s time for the opening ceremonies.”

  Aldrick grimaced and pointed to the book laid out in front of him. “My love, I just started on this new book. I’m certain this one holds a clue to the artifact.”

  Jelénna stood up straight and put her hands on her hips. “Aldrick, it’s the opening ceremonies. That book will still be here when you get back, and I need an escort.” She added with a smile, “Unless you wish me to ask Brodan.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Aldrick pretended to scowl, barely disguising a smile.

  Standing, he closed the book and patted the cover longingly before telling Jarvus, “We can find our own way.”

  Jarvus bowed low. “You have my thanks, Master Aldrick. Your kind beneficence is legendary.” Without expression, he spun and strode away.

  Jelénna grimaced. “I think he’s getting more acerbic every day.”

  Aldrick chuckled and took her hand in his. “I’m not sure that’s even possible, but I think I’m wearing him down.”

  They shared a laugh as they strolled out the large front doors of the library, and out onto the street.

  They strolled pleasantly for a while, enjoying the fresh spring morning. Aldrick came to a stop and peered about. “Where are we?”

  “Follow me,” Jelénna said, leading him down a side street with a knowing smile on her face. “You could get lost in your own house, my dear. You’re always too busy thinking great thoughts.”

  “Are you teasing me?”

  “Would I do that?” Jelénna replied with a smirk.

  Aldrick pushed her in a playful manner, and they shared another laugh. They strolled along for a while longer until he asked, “Where’s Adrias?”

  “He’s playing with his new friends in the palace. The school is on break for the Tournament. He’ll be fine.”

  Aldrick nodded and gave his wife a mischievous look. “It’s just us then? What say we skip the opening ceremonies altogether and spend a little quality time back in our room?”

  Her
face reddened and she slapped his arm in mock surprise. “I think not, you naughty man.”

  Aldrick rubbed his arm dramatically and said with an exaggerated pout, “Ouch that hurt! I wasn’t aware you liked to play rough.”

  Jelénna slapped him again, reddening even more. “One more word and you are going to be in trouble mister!”

  Aldrick winked and took her hand again. “Alright, my love. I will try again later.” They continued down the narrow street towards the market hand in hand.

  When they arrived at the busy market, Aldrick was amazed at how many people were packed into the area. Pushing their way through the eclectic crowds, they searched for a vantage point that would allow them a better view of the parade.