“Your Emperor?”
“Yes. We need to find out how committed he is to your cause. I know he wants the sentinels to get approved, but is he willing to throw the weight of the dragons behind it? Or are we going to have to work on gathering more allies first?”
“Okay, so if he wants us to gather more allies, how do we do that?”
“Essentially, we’ll need to court them,” Chander explained. “Get them excited about the sentinels. Convince them to donate money and write letters to the Council.”
“Is that an easy process?”
Chander squirmed a bit as he took a healthy drink of his beer. “It depends. Normally, it is straightforward. Put together some events: dinners, parties, etcetera. Talk up the issue you want people signing on for and drum up support.”
“I can see problems with that,” Alaric said as he helped himself to more of his own beverage. “That sounds expensive and the sentinels have no money.”
“Right, and people fear sentinels.”
“That’s the fault of the Order of Necromancia.”
Chander gave him a glare. “I realize that.”
“I want to know if you still believe we can gain our independence and join this Council. Please be honest. This is going to amount to a great deal of my time, and I will give it willingly if it is going to be successful, but I do not want to devote my energy to something impossible.”
“It’s possible but it won’t be easy,” Chander said. “We have some big hurdles in our way, but I think eventually the Council will add you as a separate and independent race. That would force the necromancers to summon their sentinels and bring them here. That’s the ultimate goal, right?”
“If there is money to sustain lives for them here then yes.”
Baxter returned then with bags of delicious smelling food. Alaric gladly accepted a hamburger and fries from the Arch Lich’s sentinel and after sampling both was happy he did.
“Are there recipes for these?” Alaric inquired. “I would like to add them to the sentinels’ diets.”
“Why didn’t I know we could hand you recipes and get shit like this at the compound?” Baxter asked.
Alaric grinned. “Well, I guess because you never asked.”
“Or mentioned it would be good for the sentinels,” Benton joked.
“Seriously though, I want recipes,” Alaric insisted.
Laughing, Baxter pulled a phone out of his pocket. “I’ll print some out.”
“I can call Chrys and make an appointment for us,” Chander told Alaric. “Is there a day or time that is best for you?”
Alaric cocked a brow. “We have no clocks. Whatever time is good for the two of you works for me. I will just need someone to come and get me so I’m not late.”
“Not a problem,” Benton replied. “One of us would be happy to come and get you.”
Alaric looked back at Chander and saw he was on his phone. He heard him ask about the Emperor’s schedule and knew he was arranging their meeting. Returning his attention to his meal, Alaric wolfed down his burger and wanted to lick the salt off his fingers when he finished with the french fries. Baxter took his trash away before he could ask what to do with it, so Alaric worked on draining his beer. Once Chander’s phone call was over, he’d expect Alaric to return to the compound and he didn’t want anyone to think he’d not appreciated the drink or food.
Chander pulled the phone from his ear and said, “Okay, we’ll meet with him in two days. He has yet to see the petition from the Order of Necromancia, and he will need time to review it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’ll try and see what else I can come up with in the meantime.”
“Reverent Knight Conley Gylde-Kempe was the one who originally went to Gavrael and Gedeon with the idea to invite me here,” Alaric said. “Perhaps the Reverent Knights could be helpful to us now?”
Chander blew out a breath and looked pained. He ran his fist over the front of his shirt. “I’m afraid you’ll have to contact them directly.”
“You did create the Order of the Fallen Knights, didn’t you?”
“I’m not on the best of terms with the Reverent Knights these days,” Chander told the coffee table.
“They were at our mating ceremony,” Alaric pointed out.
“Their son lives at D’Vaire, it had nothing to do with me,” Chander explained. “I think if you talked to them, they would help you. You’ll just have to do it without me.”
Alaric wanted to know more, but he sensed any further inquiries wouldn’t be welcome. “I will wait until after our meeting with your Emperor and go from there.”
“I’ll be more than happy to give you the contact information,” Chander replied. He seemed relieved to not be pressed, and Alaric knew he’d made the right decision in not badgering him with questions. “We should probably get you a phone to use when you are here.”
“Yeah, it won’t work at the compound,” Baxter revealed. “I tried.”
“I can do that,’ Benton insisted. “Any preference on make or model?”
Giving Chander an incredulous look, Alaric asked, “He’s kidding, right?”
“I forgot,” Benton mumbled. “I’ll just get the same as I have. Then if you have questions I can help you.”
“I appreciate it,” Alaric responded. “I will give you the funds for it once the sentinels have some to speak of.”
Benton shook his head. “Seriously? I have plenty of money. I’ve got it. I’ll have it shipped overnight.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful for all you have done to help,” Alaric said. He was pleased Chander wanted him to have a phone. Perhaps he would allow Alaric to become a regular visitor. “I fear none of this would be possible without you.”
“That’s not true,” Chander argued. “But I’m going to try my best to make sure this happens. It’s way overdue.”
“Did you suspect your elders would write up such a petition?” Alaric asked. It didn’t really matter—the deed was already done, but he was reluctant to leave Chander’s company. He knew he was being foolish, but it seemed he was unable to help himself.
“I guess I should have.” Chander lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head. He looked exasperated when his fingers snared in a tangle and dropped his hand back to his lap. “But I’ll admit I was surprised. More so that I didn’t get wind of it before it was filed. They must have put it together themselves. If Evergreen had been asked, as he usually is, then he would have told me.”
“Are they in the habit of undermining their leader?”
“When it suits their purpose, absolutely.”
“It seems wrong to go against the man Fate chose to lead them.”
“Yeah, they could give two shits about that,” Chander retorted. “And this is about the sentinels. They hate the sentinels. They’ve done everything in their power to convince anyone who will listen that you’re too dangerous to be anywhere than at the compound.”
“They’re a bunch of assholes,” Baxter threw in.
“Was there something done to them by a sentinel that has caused them to have such strong feelings?” Alaric asked. The sentinels had spent all their existence at the compound, or so he believed. He wasn’t sure how they could have gotten on the wrong side of the people they were sworn to protect.
“I doubt it.” Chander frowned. “They care about power. They like getting to decide you’re all going to stay at the compound. If it’s more than that, I would be shocked.”
“I will have to speak with their sentinels,” Alaric said. “Perhaps they have a few memories left of some incident long past.”
“You think they might?” Benton asked.
“No, not really,” Alaric responded. “Few sentinels are summoned anymore. My own memory isn’t much longer than a century, and I don’t recall them being gone in that time. But it couldn’t hurt to ask.”
“And you’re two thousand years old?” Chander asked.
“The Order of Ne
cromancia has told everyone that’s our age. I don’t know anyone at the compound who can likely corroborate that. The older sentinels don’t even remember the names of their necromancers—only that they are bound to someone.”
Chander shifted on the couch as he sat back. “The Arch Lich used to be elected. There are blank spots in the historical records. There’s over a century of information missing. All around two thousand years ago, but there is an old scroll that lists the former rulers Faustus and Domitia as being the creators of the sentinels. I think that date is likely right, but I don’t have any idea what happened after that or why the compound was made. The elders were alive then but swear it was all done in secrecy, and they weren’t a part of the concealment. But I have to say I have no reason to believe them.”
Alaric nodded before rising to his feet. It was time to head home to his prison and away from the tempting necromancer looking up at him with sad pewter eyes. “Perhaps when we have joined the Council, the sentinels can dedicate time and energy to getting to the bottom of all the mysteries of our race. In the meantime, thank you for your help. I will see all of you soon.”
Chapter 23
Chander walked into the Emperor’s conference room with Alaric at his side. After their mating ceremony, he’d wanted to put as much distance between him and the attractive Lich Sentinel as possible but as usual, his elders put a wrench in his plans. He was still fuming over their decision to try and block the sentinels’ addition to the Council. What he wouldn’t give to find a way to rid himself of those five ancient pains in his ass.
“Lich Sentinel, it’s good to see you again,” Emperor Chrysander said.
“Thank you for your time, Your Majesty,” Alaric responded. “It means a great deal to me and the sentinels.”
“Please call me Chrysander. There’s no need for titles behind closed doors.”
“Of course, then you must call me Alaric.” Chander noticed the Lich Sentinel was smiling again. That expression made his mouth water, which annoyed the hell out of him. He couldn’t be a good mate and he didn’t deserve one. Chander needed to keep reminding himself of that because if he spent too much time around Alaric, he would be enticed to do something incredibly stupid which would spell disaster for them both. And the pain it could cause Alaric was not something he wanted to add to his list of evils. That guilt was liable to rip him apart.
“Chand, the Order of Necromancia has been pretty explicit in their petition,” Chrysander told him. “They view the sentinels as a race who needs their care. Your elders have put the relationship on par with other sorcerers and their familiars. Familiars aren’t separate races and they argue neither are sentinels.”
“That’s absurd,” Chander countered. “Familiars are an extension of the sorcerer. Sentinels are tied to us through a soul-binding spell. If I had a clue how it worked, I believe it’s something that could be broken. You can’t break a familiar from their sorcerer.”
“Is this something you’ve considered?” Chrysander asked. “Breaking the sentinels from the necromancers?”
“Not with any great depth.” Chander grimaced. “I was able to get my hands on a box that belonged to the former Arch Liches Faustus and Domitia. It contains a great deal of information on the spells they created and experimented with. But it’s a damn mess. Little rhyme or reason to the order and it is difficult, for much of it, to discern if it’s a single spell or a bunch meshed together. But I think it must be possible. I have only recently obtained the box—I stumbled upon it by accident when I was at a tiny bookshop on the East Coast. It’s part of my private collection. The spell to create the Order of the Fallen Knights was based on my perception of sentinels since no one alive has apparently ever seen what was used to create them or if they are alive, they won’t admit they know.”
“You have no real idea how long it would take you to sort through it all?” Alaric asked.
“Exactly,” Chander replied. “I’ve been working on another large project, and I can devote more time to it after I’ve completed that but for now, I would call it a theory and not a promise for the future.”
“Fair enough,” Chrysander responded. “But if you could put together an argument explaining the difference between sentinels and familiars I think it would lessen the weight of their claim.”
“I can do that. I’ll get the Prism Wizard to assist. The Spectra Wizardry is respected by everyone when it comes to magical matters.”
“Great idea, I like it,” Chrysander said.
“Is there anything I can do to assist with that?” Alaric asked.
Chander gave a half-hearted smile. “Unless you’ve got some historical documents at that compound of yours which give a broader understanding of your creation and subsequent imprisonment, I don’t see how.”
“I was unable to search for those kinds of things before you removed my spell,” Alaric explained. “But I will search. The compound is vast, and I suspect there are mysteries there to be uncovered.”
“I want the two of you to work together on this,” Chrysander stated. “I think we need to be proactive. The sentinels do not have a good reputation. It’s going to be a difficult road now that we have this petition from the Order of Necromancia, but I don’t think it’s an impossible one. The dragons will stand behind you. Chand, have you spoken with the Reverent Knights? I asked them to keep their distance, but the situation has changed and we need them.”
“I think it would be better if Alaric spoke directly to them.”
Chrysander gave him a long considering look. “You’re closely connected to the Order of the Fallen Knights. If they are reluctant to help the sentinels, I want you to persuade them.”
“I will do that,” Chander promised. “But I don’t think it will be necessary. This was Conley’s idea. I’m sure they will aid Alaric without my interference.”
“Alaric, you’ll speak with them?” Chrysander asked.
“Yes, I was planning on speaking to them after this meeting,” Alaric replied. “Hopefully they can put me on their schedule soon.”
“Good,” Chrysander said. “All right, I want that document from you and Vadimas on my desk yesterday. I will add a letter giving the sentinels the full backing of the dragons. I’ve spoken with Dra’Kaedan, and he’s already written one from the Coven of Warlocks. See if Vadimas will write one from the Spectra Wizardry. And Alaric will get one from the Order of the Fallen Knights. Whomever else you can think of, contact them. I don’t want the petition from the necromancers to get any traction.”
“Thank you, Chrysander. The sentinels are grateful for all you have done.”
“This is long overdue, and I want you in our Council.”
“I appreciate it,” Alaric responded. “I believe the Council has a great deal to offer us.”
Chander was swamped by a feeling of remorse. Alaric was right. The sentinels should have joined the Council centuries ago. As the former leader of the Council and a necromancer, it was Chander who should have seen to it. He’d thought he had done an adequate job as the head of the Council, but what else had he neglected? Were there other large swaths of people who were essentially imprisoned because he’d ignored them?
They said their good-byes to Chrysander, and Chander stood awkwardly with Alaric. His sentinels were standing a few feet away, no doubt giving them a bit of privacy, but Chander had no freaking clue what to say to Alaric.
“Did Ben give you the phone he bought?”
“He did, and it will be helpful,” Alaric said. “Benton says to keep it at your condo as it will become defective at the compound.”
“Yeah, that’s probably best. You’re welcome to come and use it whenever you need to. We’ll keep it in the living room for you.”
“Thank you.” After a minute of staring at each other, Alaric nodded. “I should go to the Order of the Fallen Knights.”
“Yes, let me know how it goes.”
“Of course,” Alaric replied and then with a nod, the Lich Sentinel headed off
to speak to the Reverent Knights. Chander watched him go and wanted to slap himself for it. He didn’t need to be longing after the man like some lovesick teenager. Pulling himself together, he set off to the Spectra Wizardry to get Vadimas’s assistance. It was the least he could do to help the sentinels.
* * *
Alaric opened the door to the Order of the Fallen Knights’ Headquarters and stepped into organized chaos. Men and women in crisp black uniforms hurried from different sets of offices while a dark-haired man sat behind an enormous desk. He noticed he was getting a great deal of stares in his direction so Alaric strode over to the giant counter.
“Can I help you?” the man asked when he got close.
“Yes, I need to speak with the Reverent Knights.”
“I’m going to guess by your glowy eyes that you’re the Lich Sentinel.”
“I am.”
“Cool, I’m Kyle,” he responded. “I’ll call them. Give me a sec.”
“Thank you, Kyle.”
Kyle grabbed the phone on his desk and spoke into it. When he hung up, he said, “Go through the glass doors to your left. That will take you to the office of the Venerable Knights. Behind them is the office of the Reverents. They’re waiting for you.”
Alaric nodded. “Thank you.” He was surprised they were willing to see him right away, but perhaps they took care of their schedule personally and were drawing him back to arrange a better time.
Alaric walked to where he’d been directed and once he opened the glass door, he saw two desks opposite each other. On the left was a blond man wearing a broad smile and to the right was a somber, dark-haired man.
“Lich Sentinel, I’m Venerable Knight Vann Ruarc,” the blond said. “This is Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus. We didn’t really get a chance to meet you at your mating ceremony.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both, and I’m happy you could attend our mating ceremony,” Alaric responded. “I believe your Reverents are awaiting me.”
“They are, come on, we’ll go on back.” Vann stood. Roman rose to his feet as well and the three of them went through a second glass door to see Drystan sitting in a chair with Conley perched on the desk.
Rise of the Lich Sentinel Page 16
