by Rick Brown
“Thank you, Your Majesty. The honor is ours,” Lodken replied with a bow.
Father Yagen pushed his way to the front. “Father Lodken. I didn’t get the opportunity to discuss religion with you last night. I fear I was too far down the table. I would like very much if I could get some of your time tonight.”
“That would be wonderful!” Lodken said with a smile. It was the first time he had looked genuinely happy since he arrived. “I also wish to learn of Alynon.”
“Oh yes,” Father Yagen said, his smile growing even more. “I would enjoy that.”
“Where is the Priestess?” I asked. “Kayla?”
“Oh,” Lodken said, his smile falling. “She was not feeling well tonight. I fear the journey was hard on the girl. She is resting in our rooms.”
That’s very disappointing, I thought to myself. Also, it makes me nervous knowing a spy even Lenux had trouble tracking was unaccounted for.
“That is a shame,” I said, showing a courteous amount of disappointment. “I hope she starts feeling better.”
“You never know with women,” Father Guin replied.
"No, I guess you don't." I now knew what Lenux was talking about. I took an immediate dislike to the man.
“If you will join me, we will have some wine at the table,” I said as I led the guest to our dining area. I took a central seat, with High Priest Lodken taking the seat across from me. “I’m sorry to hear Priestess Kayla was unable to attend,” I said, hoping to glean more information. “I had hoped to get to know her better.”
“Alas,” Lodken stated as he raised his arms. “Maybe next time.”
“Of course,” I said, raising my wine in a silent toast. Whether tonight or the next, I would find out about this girl.
"Lee," Lenux said as he leaned into my ear. "We have a situation. Someone is sneaking into Barad and Bri's room."
I smiled at the audacity. Breaking into the dinner she was supposed to attend, but why? “How good is she?” I whispered back.
“Without my enhanced hearing? She wouldn’t be detected. What do you want me to do?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Let’s see what happens.” Lenux nodded in understanding and returned to his seat.
“Is there an issue, Your Majesty?” Lodken asked with concern. So, he knows. It’s all a distraction.
“Nothing, Father,” I said with a smile. “A minor pest issue.”
The priest smiled and nodded, turning his attention to Father Yagen. “So, do you have many worshippers for Alynon?”
I tuned out the conversation as I realized now it was just a ruse. The real action was behind me. It took some patience not to chase her down and make her confess, but I trusted the gods. The girl was not working for Dommeran, of that, I could be sure.
The priests were engrossed in their conversation that evening. Only Father Guin seemed disinterested. He appeared to favor Barad's company, as they each sat on the couch with a bottle of wine.
“Can you believe those two?” Brianna asked as she stood next to me. “They could be twins. That’s no priest.”
“Much tonight is not as it seems,” I admitted. “Did you detect anything unusual?”
She shook her head. “If a priest drinking Barad under the table doesn’t count, I don’t know what does.”
“Lenux!” I called. “Can you join us?”
Lenux walked over to Bri and me, well away from our guests. "Any more movement from our guest?"
Lenux shook his head. “I think she left from the priest’s room. I lost track of her there.”
“Her?” Bri asked. Her eyes going wide as she realized what we meant. “She broke in? Tonight?!”
Lenux nodded with a smile. “Right under our noses. Brazen, don’t you think?”
“I think I’ll cut her throat!” Brianna growled. I waved her down before she left to do just that.
“The gods want her on our side. Besides, what harm could she do? We have no valuables here,” I explained.
“So, she was the one you wanted watched?” Brianna asked.
"She was. I have to admit that I was disappointed that she wasn't here tonight. Little did I know," I said with a smile.
“What do we do now?” Brianna asked.
“We wait. Only the priests know this, but I was visited by Mannoth himself. Kayla is his. Apparently, she has talents that the gods think could be useful,” I admitted.
"I believe I am beginning to see those talents. I swear, if not for the gift Alynon's Tear gave me, she would never have been detected," Lenux confessed.
“How did she even get in?” Brianna asked.
“Air vents,” Lenux said.
Bri looked towards the tiny shaft covered with a grate and screwed into the ceiling. “Air vents?” She questioned with a shake of her head. “That’s not possible.”
“Exactly what I would have said, about one hour ago,” Lenux agreed.
"The gods seem to think she's exceptional, as each of you are. Whatever she can do, they believe it will be a plus to our team." I said with a sigh. "Regardless, I think this party has gone on long enough. Let's escort our guests out and find out what our sneak has snooped."
The High Priest tried to delay leaving. Likely, to buy more time in case Priestess Kayla was still here. Guin and Barad also seemed unhappy, but that was more the fact they were now drinking buddies. We almost had to shove the drunken Guin out the door after the High Priest was convinced to leave.
I turned to the group. “Everybody, we were broken into tonight. Search your rooms. I need to know if anything has been disturbed.”
“Broken into?” Yagen asked. “Surely you are not saying the High Priest was in on this?”
"I am, and he was. He was stalling while the perpetrator searched our rooms," I explained. "So, spread out and tell me if anything is out of place."
I watched as everyone started their search. According to Lenux, she never entered my suite. Had she, then I would have had to intervene. My sword and Alynon’s Tear were resting in there.
Brianna was the first one out. “Lenux was right. I can tell our vent was unscrewed. It took some searching, but I found dust from the vent hidden under the bed.”
“Ok, that matches Lenux’s observation. Thanks, Bri,” I said, but Brianna looked less than happy when she went back into her room. A sneak’s pride had been injured tonight. I pitied Kayla if Bri ever got her alone.
“Um, Sire?” Father Yagen said as the priests came from their room. “We may have a problem.”
"Oh, Father?" I asked suspiciously. "What would that be?"
“You know how I said your adventures should be chronicled?” Father Pild explained. “Well, I started writing down everything,” he said, bowing his head in guilt.
“Everything,” I asked nervously. He only nodded in agreement. I sat stunned for a moment. Had I done the right thing, letting this girl go?
“Ah, excuse me, Your Highness,” Arthur intervened. “What does it matter?”
“But she has our entire history!” I said in alarm.
“And?” He asked.
“And? Well, she’ll know everything we’ve done.”
"And?" He asked again. "What of it? You've done nothing to be ashamed of, unless being a hero from legend has fallen from favor. So, what if this girl knows everything?"
I sat stunned for a moment. Is he right? I wondered. It seemed we had lived so long in secret, letting someone know our entire history felt wrong. Still, what of it? We had nothing to hide.
"Arthur is right," I said with a sigh. "So, what? Though, I will ask for the notes back, Father. So, you can complete your tale."
“Thank you, Your Highness,” The Priest said with a bow.
Now, what do we do next, I wondered.
Chapter 42
(Lee)
I was awoken the next morning to good news, King Kendrick of Vaelin had arrived overnight. Already, we had received an invitation to meet for lunch — finally, some good news.
&
nbsp; Brianna had been beside herself all night. She took it very personally that someone had snuck into our embassy through her room. As a sneak, it was a giant bruise to her ego. I found Barad sleeping on the couch. Apparently, Brianna wouldn't stop complaining last night, so he sought out another location to sleep.
After breakfast, I did some drills with Ryan on sword technique. We had not yet asked Orlik about a location we could use for practice, so we just cleared an area in our suite.
I was impressed with Ryan. He had significantly improved over the year we have spent together. As well he should, Barad and I were top of our class. Not to mention the new techniques we had learned.
He had also grown significantly bigger, as well. He was now fit and muscular from the constant exercise, though I doubt he saw himself that way. Inside, he was still the boy obsessed with learning, and that’s the way I liked him.
As we finished our workout, Arthur shooed us into our rooms where baths had already been drawn. After life without the servants, I was grateful they were here now. I relaxed in the hot bath until it was time to meet Kendrick for lunch.
Arthur had my now well-worn uniform laid out and ready to wear. I would have to order another from Crowler when I had the opportunity. I tied off my hair, reminding myself to have one of the servants cut it soon. Lastly, I strapped on the sword. Kendrick would want to see it. As I walked out into the suite, I found Abigail and Brianna talking.
“Abi, why don’t you come to lunch with me,” I invited.
She gave me a dubious look. “With the King?”
“With two kings,” I pointed out. “Don’t worry. I officially declare you a citizen of Alsselya. You have my protection. Not that you’ll need it, Kendrick is not the blood-thirsty type.
Abigail surprised me as she rushed forward and hugged me. “Am I really an Alsselyian now?”
“Of course,” I said in confusion. “Didn’t you know you had a home with us?”
“Well, it was never said, and I feel a lot better now that it has been,” she said with a smile as she kissed my cheek. “Thank you.”
“Well,” I smiled back. “Remind me to make you a citizen more often. Until then, go throw on your dress.”
“Throw on a dress? For lunch with the King? I need time!” She said in a panic.
“It’s lunch with two kings!” I shouted to her as she fled to her room. “You have half an hour!”
Brianna shook her head. “That’s cruel. Offering a girl lunch with the King, and only giving her thirty minutes to get ready. And, did you really just tell her she was an Alsselyian? After all she’s done?”
“I assumed she knew,” I said with a shrug. “Besides, it’s lunch with two kings,” I reminded.
Abigail emerged half an hour later like a butterfly leaving the cocoon. She looked stunning in her Alsselyian blue dress. She had quickly put her hair up and looked as if she were going to a ball.
“Well, now I feel underdressed,” I admitted.
“You are,” Barad agreed. As he finally woke on the couch. “Where are you going?”
"Thanks, friend, you're always so supportive. We are going to lunch with Kendrick," I told him.
“Kendrick’s here?” He asked. “Oh good. We can get this coronation done and get moving.”
I nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping too.”
A few minutes later, one of Kendrick’s servants arrived and escorted us to his suite.
Unlike Alsselya, neither Spellion nor Vaelin had Embassies in Olingard. I hoped that would soon change. After such a long isolation, the dwarves needed the outside world and the trade that it could offer.
Kendrick smiled and jumped up from his seat as we entered the room. “King Eberon! It has been so long since we heard from you. We feared you were dead.” I clasped his hand in mine, genuinely happy to see my friend again.
“King Kendrick! It is good to see you,” I greeted.
"And who is this lovely lady?" Kendrick asked as he took Abigail's hand.
“This, Your Majesty, is Abigail Hannen. She is Lord Hannen’s niece. She is also a dear friend of mine and now a citizen of Alsselya,” I explained. I could see the panic race across Abigail’s face.
Kendrick just smiled. “Any friend of King Eberon’s is a friend of mine,” he said, then bent to kiss her hand.
“Ah, but your uncle. I wish I could have brought him to justice,” Kendrick said as he turned and started walking back to the table.
“Funny you would mention that,” I said as I took Abigail’s hand reassuringly. “Both he and Marcus Hannen are dead.”
“Really?” The King asked as he took his seat. “Are you confident in that?”
"Quite. One of my men killed Marcus, and I killed Lord Hannen myself. The story is much more complicated than that, but that is for another time." A story like that really would involve a long evening and a lot of wine.
"Well, that does sound interesting, I look forward to hearing it. Anyway, I've waited long enough. Show me," the King said excitedly.
With a smile, I pulled out the sword and placed it on the table. As always, I could feel the tug from Alynon's Tear as it absorbed a trickle of my magic. The stone glimmered in the lamplight. "It is amazing," Kendrick said in awe. "And that is the Tear? You had no trouble retrieving it from the elves?"
“Oh, a little trouble,” I said with a smile at Abigail. Actually, I had died retrieving that stone, but I felt much better now. Abigail smiled back to me. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.”
“And the sword came from where?” asked the King.
"Olingard was safeguarding the sword. That is how we ended up here," I explained. "Luckily, we met Prince Orlik in our journeys, and he helped us get here."
“And now he is to become king?” Kendrick asked. “What do you know of him?”
“I know him well,” I answered. “We have traveled together for months. He has been a good companion, if a little rough around the edges. Definitely no friend of Dommeran. In fact, they have a price on his head.”
Kendrick smiled. “I know no better recommendation.”
We were interrupted by a knock on the door. One of the servants approached the King. "Excuse me, Sire. A Priestess Kayla is here to see you and King Eberon."
“Priestess Kayla?” Kendrick asked.
“Ahh. The Spellion spy has come forward,” I said excitedly as I put my sword back into its sheath. “I’ve been wanting to see how this would play out.”
“A spy?” Kendrick asked in return.
“A good one,” I said with a nod. “I’d like to see her, if you don’t mind.”
Kendrick looked dubious but nodded.
The servant opened the door, and Kayla walked in carrying Father Pild's journal.
King Kendrick jumped from his seat. “Kayla! What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Kendrick,” she said with a smile. “I’ve come to return King Eberon’s book.”
I nodded to her as I took it. “Thank you. A good read?” I asked as I flipped through the pages.
“An excellent one,” she said with a serious expression. “So much that I came forward to ask, is it true?”
“Well, to be honest, I haven’t read it, but Father Pild is not one for hyperbole,” I answered.
She turned to the King of Vaelin. “Kendrick, you were there. Did this man save you and your nobles at the ball? Using his magic?”
“Yes Princess, he did. That and much more,” he stated.
“Princess?” I asked. What is going on?
“And you,” she said as she turned to Abigail. “You saved King Eberon’s life in Illiner?”
Abigail raised her chin in pride. “I did.”
“So, it’s real?” Kayla mumbled in shock as she took a seat. “It’s all so amazing.”
“You two seem to know each other well,” I said to Kendrick. “Who is she?”
“She’s Princess Kayla, of Spellion. My fiancée’s little sister,” he said, sounding just as surprised as we were.
Kayla leaned forward to me. “The one with super hearing, Lenux. Was that how you knew I followed you to your suite from our dinner?”
I nodded. What all did Father Pild put in the book. “He did. He also knew you were breaking in last night. I was more curious about why you were doing it then I was concerned that you might find something, so we let you search.”
“So,” Abigail interrupted. “High Priest Lodken seems to be legitimate, but I doubt Priest Guin is of the cloth.”
Kayla smiled. “You would be right, Lady Hannen. He is a guard I hired for protection.”
Abigail frowned. “Please, I do not like that name. Call me Abi.”
The Princess nodded back. “I don’t blame you, but you shouldn’t be ashamed. From what I’ve read, you are quite the heroine.”
“Thank you,” Abi smiled and nodded back. “I understand you are very talented as well.”
Kayla sighed. “I thought I was exceptional. That there was no one like me. Now I hear of a party of fighters that each one could be my equal in talents.”
“They are the best the gods could gather,” I agreed. “but they wanted one more. They told me to send an invite to Spellion, knowing that you would take the challenge.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s why I doubt your story. There are no gods.”
I had to laugh out loud. “Oh, you couldn’t be more wrong. I have met three of them now, Mannoth included. He was not excited by the notion of you joining us. Ordered me to visit Spellion, which I had to do anyway.”
“Oh,” Kendrick asked. “Why Spellion?”
Oh dear, I thought. This could be ugly. "It's your fiancée, Your Highness. I understand that Dommeran is trying to undermine your relationship."
“What?” Kendrick asked in concern.
“How did you know that?” Kayla asked suspiciously.
I just pointed to the sky. "I have well-informed friends."
“Is this true?” Kendrick asked Kayla.
She nodded sadly. “I’ve only found out by snooping, but there are a couple of Dommerian’s trying to sow mistrust in Vaelin.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
“Ambassador Pelen and his henchman, Rave…something,” she answered.
