by Sam Ferguson
Seldaric stood still, barely breathing.
“Now, tell me, is someone running around the cities on Selemet Isle looking for the relics?”
“That is a question he is not at liberty to discuss with you,” a familiar voice called from the hall.
Kai turned to see Liloriel walking through the doorway and approaching the councilman with great speed. She still limped a bit from the wound in her leg, but she hid her pain well.
“Ah, the priestess,” the councilman greeted with a smile that did nothing to hide his contempt. “Your fairy tales of controlling the Sierri’Tai army have brought destruction and death to the Elven Isles. I was only trying to understand the events more completely.”
Liloriel pressed a hand to the councilman’s chest and pushed him two steps back from Seldaric. “Councilman, you know full well that you are not privy to information regarding the Netherworld Gate. The Svetli’Tai Kruks answer only to the Triad.”
The councilman flared his arms out to the side and bowed graciously. He backed away another two paces and then stood tall. “Two of the Triad are dead,” the councilman said. “Jahre, the leader of your presumptive organization, is dead. So is Elroa.”
Liloriel nodded. “Yet, the third member is not dead. Unless the Triad authorizes the Kruks to disclose information to the High Councils, we are honor bound to secrecy.”
“A most convenient tenet,” the councilman replied sourly.
Liloriel shook her head. “It is our secrecy that prevents the spread of panic and fear. It also prevents those who would abuse the power beyond the Netherworld Gate from attaining the items needed to open that barrier.”
“Not anymore,” the councilman replied evenly. “From where I stand, whoever this attacker is, he has at least two of the relics by now.”
Liloriel stood silent. She turned and looked to Kai and Seldaric. “You will release my agents. I can confirm that both of them are working under my direct supervision.”
The councilman nodded slowly and pointed to Garfule. “Release the accused.”
Garfule nodded and moved to unlock the shackles that bound Seldaric and Kai.
“Is there anything you can tell the council?” the councilman asked.
Liloriel nodded. “We are working to apprehend the man responsible for these atrocities. The Kruks request your sanction, and your cooperation.”
The councilman nodded and turned to the junior officer. “Let it be written that Liloriel has confirmed the agents’ mission. All charges are dismissed.”
The junior officer nodded and quickly scribbled on his parchment.
The councilman turned back to Liloriel. “As a show of good faith, the council will organize a party to accompany Liloriel, priestess of the Kruks, and her agents. They will assist in apprehending the perpetrator of these horrible crimes.”
“The council cannot assign anyone to Kruk missions,” Liloriel replied evenly.
“No, but then I suspect you have already gone to the old Sierri’Tai castle, am I correct?” The councilman grinned slyly and pointed at her. “Why else would you have forsaken your two agents? You were far behind the murderer. So, you sent these two to protect Elroa, and you went to warn the Kruks at the castle. It is only logical.”
Liloriel would not confirm the councilman’s reasoning.
“Come now, why hide the truth from the council now?”
Kai watched the two stare at each other for a few moments. The tension in the room was thick enough that it nearly sucked the air right out of the chamber.
Finally, Liloriel moved close to the councilman and spoke softly enough that only the councilman, Garfule, Kai, and Seldaric could hear.
“Councilman Fillion, I know of your long standing hatred for the Kruks. I know that you blame us for the death of your daughter.”
The councilman blanched and bristled, clenching his jaws.
“You should honor her death, for she died protecting the Netherworld Gate. This is not the first time someone has tried to gain access to the relics.”
“The Kruks have failed their duties,” Councilman Fillion replied angrily.
“Priestess Harielle would be saddened to know how far her father has fallen.”
The councilman closed his mouth and looked to Liloriel with cold eyes.
Liloriel shook her head.
“You know the Kruks must submit to the will of the councils if the Triad falls,” Fillion said.
Liloriel nodded. “I know you wish to control the Kruks, so you can disband them and bury the memory of your daughter, but that will not help us now. The Triad has not fallen. The third member lives. Until that changes, the Kruks are not under the direction of the councils.”
Liloriel turned to Seldaric and Kai. “Come, we are finished here.”
“Priestess Liloriel,” one of the seated councilmen called out. “Elroa was found tortured in one of the rooms at the Golden Leaf Inn.”
Liloriel nodded her thanks and then directed Kai and Seldaric out of the chamber.
Once they were out of the building, Kai turned to Liloriel and asked, “What was that about?”
Liloriel sighed heavily and shook her head. “Humans are not the only race bogged down with self-aggrandizing politicians.”
Kai shook his head. “There must be more to it than that,” he said. “That seemed highly atypical. I mean, you worked with the authorities in Bluewater and Medlas right? So why not cooperate with this council?”
Liloriel glanced around to ensure no one else was close enough to hear. “The Selemet Council has long sought to subjugate the Kruks under their power. Councilman Fillion is the leader of that movement. He pretends it is to open up our secrets and create more transparency and accountability, but in reality he is motivated by revenge. His only daughter was chosen to be a priestess. He didn’t give her up willingly, but the Triad ordered it. Jahre was one of the Triad members. His visions of the future would help the Triad select priestesses. Since then, Fillion always swore he would tear down the Kruks and get his daughter back. When Fillion’s daughter died in the line of duty, it drove Fillion’s wife mad. She drank poison and threw herself off the cliffs into the ocean. After that, Fillion has done all he can to worm his way into Kruk matters. He is looking for any excuse to usurp power over the Kruks.”
“Doesn’t he understand the danger?” Kai asked.
“He doesn’t believe it,” Seldaric replied quickly. “You heard him yourself. He thinks it a fairy tale. According to him, none of the Sierri’Tai could have survived the banishment.”
Liloriel nodded. “Which means he believes his daughter died for nothing, and that makes the Kruks responsible for her death, as well as his wife’s suicide.” Liloriel shook her head again and took in a breath. “As I said, we have our share of politicians who would abuse their stations for personal gain.”
Kai nodded. Then, he caught a glimpse of Garfule coming out of the council building. “We have company,” Kai warned the others.
Garfule caught up with them and held his hands up in front of him. “I have a request,” he said.
No one answered him.
“Let me come with you. I have good elves under my command. We could be useful.”
“I already have agents,” Liloriel said.
Garfule shook his head. “No, we don’t need to go to the castle, or anywhere else that is Kruk territory. I can take my troops with you as far as Tantine. Then, we can wait there.”
“Why Tantine?” Liloriel pressed.
Garfule allowed the hint of a smile to cross his face. “Because, if the last place for the criminal to go is the castle, then he will have to come back through Tantine. I don’t know the location of the Netherworld Gate, but my brother is a Kruk. He was stationed at the gate when I was young. I know the Netherworld Gate is somewhere in the east, for I followed him.”
“You followed a Kruk?” Liloriel asked. She folded her arms and Seldaric stiffened.
Garfule shook his hands. “No, not like that
,” he said. “I was only twenty years old when my brother was born. After his initial training, he was allowed to come home for the summer festivals. I followed him only out of curiosity. I wanted to know who he was. He was chosen at birth, and I never got the chance to be with him, except for that one summer. So, I followed him. He caught onto me though, and he quickly stopped me. Like I said, I don’t know exactly where it is, but I know it is in the east. The criminal will have to go through Tantine on his way back from the Sierri’Tai castle.”
“He’s right,” Kai said. “We could use the help.”
Liloriel turned on him with a harsh glare.
Kai shrugged. “There is no harm in him setting a trap in Tantine. We can go onward, and they will block the assassin’s escape route.”
“They don’t know what he looks like,” Liloriel pointed out.
Kai nodded. “I can give a description to them.”
“Priestess,” Garfule began, “not all of us disagree with the Kruks. Don’t let the venom of one councilor cloud your judgment.”
“Very well. Will you submit to inspection?” Liloriel asked.
Garfule nodded.
The priestess reached out and put her hand over Garfule’s forehead. Within seconds, Liloriel calmed down and finally nodded her assent as she pulled her hand away. “Very well. Gather only the elves you trust entirely. You will accompany us as far as Tantine. There, we will set up our trap for the assassin. No one will come with me to the castle.”
“What about us?” Kai asked.
Liloriel shook her head. “You and Seldaric have seen the assassin. You would be of more use in Tantine. If I fail, and if the other Kruks fail, then you will need to direct Garfule and his troops.”
CHAPTER 16
“Captain Vald, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Rasselin,” Tehrigg said with a forced smile.
“I trust, then, that you received the falcon bearing news of our arrival,” Vald surmised.
“Some time ago,” Tehrigg confirmed with a nod. “After the bird arrived with the message we made preparations as best as we could. However, I am afraid that your men will be somewhat cramped for space tonight.”
“That is alright, we will not be staying long. We are to march directly on Kobhir.”
“I was under the impression that Simon was going to send me to Kobhir after I received the reinforcements that I asked for.”
“Councilor Tellwelle is not the king. His job is to advise King Sarito, not to deploy armies himself. You would do well to remember that,” Vald said sternly.
“Of course,” Tehrigg said with a slight bow. “I meant no offense. I was merely conveying my surprise at the change of plans, that’s all.”
“The king has asked me to put an end to this war, and if it is at all possible, that is what I mean to do. I will bring Queen Dalynn’s army to ruin, and then we hope to forge a treaty to resume peaceful interactions between our two kingdoms.”
“Surely King Sarito does not mean to allow the queen to go unpunished for her aggressions. We must conquer all of Zinferth and take control of it. Only then can there be peace in the realm.”
“My orders come from the king directly, and are not to be discussed with the likes of a blackheart,” Vald spat.
“Ah, so the truth of it is out.” Tehrigg bristled and spun around on his heels, then walked to a small table and poured a goblet of wine. He then sat in a high-backed arm chair and looked up to the man before him. “I aided your kingdom, Vald. It was I who delivered this city to King Sarito and your armies. I should think that my gallant acts should be rewarded better than this. The contempt in your words offends me. Do you not think that I want peace as much as you?”
“I think little of blackhearts, whatever their reasons for treason,” Vald replied dryly. “I must see to my men, no doubt they are hungry and eager to rest.”
“I am afraid that we have less food than we had hoped to have for you,” Tehrigg said with feigned dismay before taking a deliberately slow drink of wine.
Vald raised an eyebrow, expecting an explanation.
“We sent word for more food to be brought from Krek,” Tehrigg explained. “As you know we cannot grow enough food in the desert to feed such a massive army.”
“We were told that the barges were running behind schedule as we passed over Hart’s Bridge,” Vald replied knowingly. “Be that as it may, I will feed my men first, and then we will be on our way. I trust that you will have no objections as you are soon to be resupplied.”
“As you say,” Tehrigg said dismissively. He took a deep drink of his wine and set the empty goblet down beside him. Vald walked to the door and stopped suddenly. He turned and produced a small, white envelope from his pocket.
“I almost forgot,” he began. “I have orders to take some of your men along with me tomorrow when I leave.”
“How many?” Tehrigg asked.
“Three thousand,” Vald replied. The captain tossed the envelope towards Tehrigg before exiting the library. The look on the blackheart’s face put a big smile on Vald’s.
*****
The night was cool and cloudless. Stars sparkled in the blackness above the desert sands and the half-moon bathed the area in her silvery light. Along the sand, close to the base of a long line of dunes, walked a group of five. Two dwarves shuffled their feet quickly to keep pace with the larger humans. Kelden led the procession, glancing all around to watch for danger.
None of them spoke as they moved quickly across the sands. Each of them had already been using their second shirt made of catalpa leaves, and some of the leaves had needed replacing even after that. Now each of them made a sharp rustling sound as the dried bits of leaf rubbed over their skin and scraped against other leaves. Luckily for Kelden, Pinhead had only complained about the shirt of leaves for the first day. After that, no one complained as it was more than obvious that the woven layer of overlapping leaves was the only thing protecting their skin from the sun.
The shoes held up remarkably well, though they did let in a fair amount of sand. Still, none of the shoes fell apart or needed repair for the duration of the trip. Garret and Sorbiy had even managed to catch snakes and lizards to keep the group from starving along the way.
All things considered, everything was going better than it could have, and Kelden was quite pleased.
His satisfaction was short lived, however. When the group crested over a particularly tall dune, the group spotted hundreds of tents on Rasselin’s southern side. Campfires dotted the sands and shadows moved along the walls.
Kelden and the others dropped to their bellies, maintaining as low a profile as possible while they surveyed the area.
“Well, Captain Ferryl?” Sorbiy asked after a few moments.
Kelden shook his head. “I’m not sure,” he replied honestly. I was not expecting this many. I thought maybe we could scale the walls and get in, but…”
“Not with that many soldiers down there,” Garret said.
Redbeard crawled over to Kelden on his stomach. “You know, I know a way in that can get us through,” he said.
Kelden looked over at him expectantly. “Don’t be bashful about it, let me hear it.”
Redbeard nodded. “Well, you remember how you met that feller Kai in Blundfish, right?”
Kelden nodded. “Yeah, what of him?”
Redbeard pointed to the bottom of the wall. “Well, when he was escaping Rasselin, we went with him through the sewers. There is a tunnel that will lead directly up into the Ranger’s captain’s house.”
“What if it’s sealed off?” Sorbiy asked.
Kelden shook his head and looked out to the tents again. “Sounds like a good idea to me. It’s a better bet than anything else we have at this point.
A horn sounded out amongst the tents. All five of them froze on the dune, flattening themselves as low as possible and remaining very still.
“Did they see us?” Pinhead asked.
Kelden watched the forms in the tents scurry a
bout. Campfires were doused and steam and smoke rose up as the flames died down. A few of the tents began to collapse.
“They’re moving,” Kelden said.
“Now?” Pinhead asked. “It’s got to be close to midnight.”
“Night time is a good time to move a large group through the desert,” Kelden put in. He started to slowly crawl backward down the dune, out of sight. “Come on,” he told the others. “We’ll wait until they have moved out, then we will go for the sewers.”
“A group like that is going to take some time to get moving,” Sorbiy said as he slid down the sandy slope toward Kelden.
Kelden nodded. “There should still be some time left before the dawn.”
“Good, because I don’t think my leaves are going to last another day,” Garret said.
The group waited at the base of the dune for a couple of hours. Periodically they would hear bugle blasts. Sometimes they could hear the shouts of men. For a lot of the time there was only silence and the light of the stars and moon above.
They took turns sleeping in hour long durations while one of them kept watch. Then, after a total of four hours since they had spied the camp, they crawled back up to the top of the dune.
Kelden smiled when he saw that all of the tents and campfires were gone. The army had moved along.
“Let’s go,” he said. “Keep low and follow me.”
The five of them made their way toward the wall. Every few minutes Kelden would flap his arm and drop to his belly on the sand. The others would do likewise until Kelden gave the signal that things were clear. As he led them to Rasselin’s eastern wall, Kelden kept an eye on the figures patrolling the wall.
He had first met Murdok in one of the tall towers that overlooked the desert, and Kelden knew how quickly they could be spotted from Rasselin if they weren’t careful. Still, he was hoping that the guards would be a little more lax in their watch tonight, considering they had only just sent away a large army encampment. If that wasn’t enough, then he was hoping that fatigue was setting in on the guards as the overnight shift was nearly over.
