by Randy Nargi
Just then the air crackled around him, there was a nimbus of light, and Hirbo Thrang teleported into the room.
“You’re just arriving back now?” Bryn Eresthar asked.
“I have a lot to tell you.”
“As do I.” He moved to a cabinet and hunted for a bottle of wine. He selected an expensive green Iorlian. Why not? Better to drink all the wine rather than hand it over to Asryn. He poured a glass for each of them and said, “Tell me everything.”
“I met with Keryana at the appointed time. She remembered me, of course, though it has been several years. I presented her with the token you gave me and mentioned that nonsense about the ’little cub.’ But she also recognized my voice.”
“It is distinctive.”
"If you say so. In any case, she suggested that we take a walk. Her handmaiden accompanied us, and I cast a silence spell to make sure we were not overheard.”
Bryn Eresthar nodded but didn't say anything.
“I assured her that you were safe and well.”
“You didn’t mention the doldar, did you?”
“No, but she had heard about the trial and your eventual release.”
“Then why didn’t she return to Laketon?”
“I am getting to that. Be patient.” The mage took a deep drink of wine. “Once she had satisfied herself about your well-being, she recounted what had happened to cause her to leave Waterside.”
“I know why she left. Because I instructed her to,” Bryn Eresthar said.
“That is not true. She understood your wishes, but wasn’t planning to act on them.”
Bryn Eresthar blew out a deep breath in frustration. “Why must she be so headstrong!”
“Do you want to hear this or not?”
“I’m sorry. Proceed.”
“She left because her son told her to.”
“That’s impossible. Giles barely speaks. And when he does, it is the babble of an infant.”
“Not on that day. She said he spoke the words, Mother, we must leave this place. Without delay. Those words exactly.”
“She was imagining things. The lad is incapable of that degree of cogent speech. It is her mind, playing tricks with her memories.”
“Keryana was quite firm in her belief that it was her son who spoke those words. In fact, she said, he repeated them until she minded him. And then she was overcome with what she described as a powerful feeling of dread. She wanted to warn you, but she had no way to contact you.”
Bryn Eresthar sat back in his chair. He didn’t understand any of this, but he was starting to believe it.
“So she took the boy and her handmaiden, and her guard to drive the coach, plus some gold and gems, and she set off for Aberhall.”
“But why Aberhall? Why didn’t they teleport to Laketon?”
“I asked the same question. Your sister said it was just a feeling that the portals would be too public. She wanted to escape unnoticed. Besides, as we know, the boy’s father lives in Aberhall.”
“Did she locate him?”
“Yes. The whole ordeal is quite extraordinary.”
“And why did we not find them when we first came to Aberhall?”
“We did not account for the speed of their coach. Or the lack thereof. You or I riding a reasonably fast horse could make it from Waterside to Aberhall in a long day. It took Keryana and her retinue twice that to reach the village. They arrived eleven hours after we left.”
Bryn Eresthar thought for a moment. That made sense.
“She found her son’s father and stayed with him. Her plan was eventually to make her way back to Laketon, but then she heard that Asryn was planning to set up his temporary government here. And you were right…”
“What?”
“She wanted to spy.”
“You understand how addled that is?” Bryn Eresthar bolted from his chair in a huff and poured himself another glass of wine. “The Nightwing House was well-known in Waterside—especially among government officials. Wouldn’t she think that another blind madame showing up in Aberhall might be too much of a coincidence?”
“Give your sister more credit than that. Of course she knew she would be recognized. That’s why she installed Sabel as the madame. Both women have also drastically changed their appearance.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you would not recognize your own sister. Her hair is now the color of ashes and gone is her finery. She looks older than you. It’s a most effective disguise.”
“It is still too risky. Why start another brothel?”
“We all know that men’s tongues loosen when they are with beautiful women.”
“And when they are intoxicated. She could have started a tavern. I am not confident that she will remain unrecognized,” Bryn Eresthar said.
“She’s taking a lot of precautions. She lives in a cottage outside of town with Giles and her guard.”
“That’s what Sabel told me.”
“And your sister does not work at the Red Tower in any capacity.”
Bryn Eresthar sighed. “Thank Dynark for small miracles. What about Jetherd?”
"That is the remarkable thing. Apparently, the man has discovered a talent for spying."
“I’m not sure that I want to hear this.”
“Keryana convinced him to get hired on as a guardsman. Apparently, this Jetherd has maintained his physique into middle age—unlike you…”
“Thank you, my friend. I appreciate that,” Bryn Eresthar said sarcastically.
Hirbo Thrang grinned. “In any case, Jetherd has been feeding Keryana information about Asryn’s movements. And that’s not all. He has discovered that Asryn has been involved with the doldar.”
“That is no surprise to me. He sent the doldar assassins who almost killed me. And we rescued Bander from doldar in Waterside the day before the city was destroyed.”
“But what we didn’t know is that Asryn himself was in trouble with the doldar.”
“How could that be?”
“He got many of the doldar killed during that sham battle with the fire elemental. He ended up paying an enormous amount in reparations. And then he hired them again to assassinate you in Laketon.”
“This boggles the mind.”
“Indeed. No matter what, Asryn is on shaky ground with the doldar.”
Bryn Eresthar wasn’t sure what that meant, but he filed the insight away. “We will return to Aberhall in the morn. I must speak with Keryana directly.”
“Are you sure that is wise? What if you were recognized?”
“I must take that chance. Especially now.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Hirbo Thrang.
And so Bryn Eresthar told his friend of the meeting of Lord Governors and the private meeting between him and Yrian Gast, and especially of the Viceroy’s decision. “I am sick to my stomach,” Bryn Eresthar said.
“Do not be. This is a gift. Our priority, nay your priority must be defeat Asryn and reveal the truth of these attacks. You cannot do that if you are spending half your time worrying about trade treaties or the plight of the poor buggers in Southward.”
Hirbo Thrang was right, of course. But that didn’t make this any easier. His family had ruled Laketon, on and off, for centuries. By abdicating, he would be walking away from his legacy.
The doubt on his face must have been obvious.
Hirbo Thrang said, “Do not view this as a permanent situation. Once Asryn and his coalition of villains are defeated, you will return to your rightful place. I will make sure of it.”
Bryn Eresthar nodded. “Thank you, my friend.”
Chapter Thirteen
THE COURIER BOWED BEFORE GREDARL KAR AND PRESENTED HIM WITH THE SEALED SCROLL CASE. Behind the man stood Wilmot with a long knife.
“The word?” Gredarl Kar asked.
“Kestral, master. The word is kestral.”
The crime lord looked over at Palan Mor. The chamberlain consulted a code book and then nodded. It
was their established routine to verify communications. Since the fortress was effectively shielded from magic, Gredarl Kar and his staff could not use farspeech or any sort of scrying devices to relay messages. Instead, they relied on couriers and code words. If a messenger failed to respond with the proper code word, he would be executed.
“Are you sure that the word is correct? I don’t like the looks of this one,” Gredarl Kar said.
“Shall I dispatch him anyway?” Wilmot asked.
The courier trembled.
Gredarl Kar grinned. “I supposed not. We do have our rules, don’t we?” He dismissed the courier and then turned his attention to the case. It had been sealed with Daras Mirth’s sigil. Gredarl Kar opened the case, withdrew the scroll, and began to read the dispatch.
It was troubling news.
It seemed that Bander had caught their scent. The man had gone so far as to capture Chiran Hemmig. But in the process, the Imperial Magister of the Shield had been knocked unconscious and imprisoned in an abandoned building. Doubtless, Bander planned on interrogating the Magister. But it seemed that the old soldier managed to escape. Once back at his headquarters, Chiran Hemmig launched a citywide search for Bander. But, as of yet, the villain had not yet been located.
Daras Mirth relayed that the Magister apparently had been badly shaken by this experience. He advised that it would be wise to take the measure of Chiran Hemmig’s resolve.
The reported ended with more auspicious news. The Viceroy had bowed before their threats and agreed to force Bryn Eresthar to step down as Lord Governor of Laketon.
Gredarl Kar wondered if this turn of events might placate the idiot Asryn but soon decided that nothing short of Bryn Eresthar's head on a pike would satisfy the little worm. That reminded him that he needed to check on the preparations for Asryn and his retinue's arrival. He hadn't been pleased when Morin commanded him to shelter the Lord Governor, but he saw the wisdom in it. And, truth be told, there were so many bedrooms in the fortress he could easily accommodate a hundred guests without ever catching sight of them. Of course, if all went well tomorrow, more than just Asryn's group would be lodging here.
Chapter Fourteen
“MISTRESS, I FEAR THAT YOU ARE BECOMING OVERLY ATTACHED TO THAT ARMOR,” BANDER TOLD SILBRA DAL. The sorceress had donned Bryn Eresthar’s crimson plates before they ventured out to set wards around the perimeter of the lodge.
“It suits me,” Silbra Dal said. “And I may just keep it.”
Bander didn't reply. It was better to remain silent as they began their reconnaissance. Without another word, they walked out fifty yards from the lodge's entrance door.
Silbra Dal set her first ward, a glowing globe the size of a man’s skull. It floated up into the trees, settled into position and then winked out. The conjured alarm was still active, of course. You just didn’t want your wards to be visible to intruders.
They paced out another hundred yards to the south and Silbra Dal began to set the next ward. The sun was just starting to set, but there was enough light so that Bander could examine the ground while the mage worked. He was looking for any signs of enemy scouts: broken twigs, matted grass, scraps of fabric, unusual marks in the dirt. His skills at tracking were extremely limited. Jaden would be much better suited to this task, but the man hadn’t yet returned.
Silbra Dal nodded that she was finished here and they moved to the next position. Bander hoped that Jaden had been able to track Chiran Hemmig to either Asryn or Gredarl Kar. That would be the proof they would need to take his suspicions to the Imperial Council.
They continued to work for the next hour, she setting wards and he looking for any sign that they were being watched. But he didn’t find anything, and by the time they were done, it was dark.
Back inside the lodge, everyone else was gathered in the main hall. The smell of food wafted through the lodge and Bander’s stomach growled, but before they ate he wanted to hear what the others had found.
Dusk reported that horses were ready, with packs and saddles nearby.
“There are seven horses, and six of us,” she said.
Caddakin shook his head. “Five horses. Bundles ain’t worth a damn. That old nag wouldn’t last a mile. Fern’s not much better.”
“Those are yours?” Bander asked.
"Aye. Don't even know why we still keep 'em around. Don't matter, though. I'm not going anywhere."
“You might need to if we’re overrun, grandfather,” Faramir Boldfist said.
“Not me. Light into the forest, I would. There’s caves and other places to hide. No one would ever find me.”
“You’ll need to show us in the morning,” Bander said. “What about weapons?”
“Not much here,” Faramir Boldfist said. “A few hunting bows. An old pike. Some long knives.”
“We haven’t had any trouble in Mornwell before,” Caddakin said.
“Yes, but I am worried that the men looking for me might tie me to Etthar Calain. And that would lead them here.”
“But we’d be alerted by the wards, wouldn’t we?” Dusk asked.
“Of course,” Silbra Dal said. “We would have some advance notice. But not much.”
“Enough to teleport us out?” Wegg asked. “Certainly, that would be better than trying to escape by horseback. Especially since there is but one road in and out.”
“That may not be an option for the Captain, as you well know,” Silbra Dal said.
“Not a good option, to be sure. But perhaps a better option than facing a squadron of Shielders.”
“This debate can keep. Stew’s ready,” Caddakin said. “I made it, but I’m sure as hell not going to serve it. You lot can help yourselves.”
So they did. They ate, drank, and tried to talk of other things besides the threat of attack. And then one of the wards went off.
Bander sprang to his feet and raced to the door. Silbra Dal was right behind him. But then she paused as she received an image from the ward. “A carriage with four horses. No other riders.”
“Everyone to the stables,” Bander yelled.
He and Silbra Dal left the lodge and hid in the brush with a view of the entry road. Within a minute and a half, the carriage rolled up. Bander recognized the driver. It was Niam the locestra. The door opened and Jaden emerged. He helped Etthar Calain step out. None of them looked like they were under duress.
Etthar Calain instructed Niam to drive the carriage around back to the stables, while Jaden paused and listened to the night sounds. He turned and looked right at where Bander and Silbra Dal were hiding.
“Hold,” Bander called. He identified himself and stepped out of the thicket.
“What manner of game is this?” Etthar Calain asked.
Jaden grinned. “Were you expecting more company than the master of the house?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” He greeted the men and introduced Silbra Dal. Then they all went into the lodge. Once they all had settled themselves back down in front of the fire, Jaden made his report.
“You were wrong about Chiran Hemmig,” he began. “Once he escaped, he didn’t tuck his tail and run to Gredarl Kar.”
Bander remained silent.
“He went to his Ministry office and four hours later Daras Mirth showed up. The real Daras Mirth.”
“How did you know it was he?”
“After that embarrassment in Vale, I made some inquiries with my sources. I got several accurate descriptions and I commissioned this.” He fished a scrap of paper from his tunic and passed it to Bander. On it was a sketch of a thin-faced man with hooded eyes.
“I know a woman with a particular talent for drawing likenesses,” Jaden said. “This is our man.”
“Good work,” Bander said. He passed the sketch around.
Jaden continued, “The criminal stayed nearly an hour before he left. Niam remained at the Ministry to continue observing Chiran Hemmig, while I followed Daras Mirth to what was presumably his base of operations in Rundlun—a house on Hor
ton Road in Sardelf. He remained in the house for a few hours and during that time several other men came and went. I didn’t recognize any of them. One man exited at the same time as Daras Mirth, but the two went in different directions. I followed Daras Mirth to a pub and then had a thought about the last man. I left Daras Mirth to his meal and raced to the waystation. My hunch was correct. The man was there and I saw him remove a scroll case from his cloak and check it absentmindedly.”
“A courier,” Bander said.
“Yes, that is what I thought as well.”
“Where did he go?”
“The Steading. I watched him enter the portal, but did not follow him because I wanted to get back and relay this information.”
“I know exactly where he was going,” Etthar Calain said. “Gredarl Kar’s fortress. It’s an hour or two’s ride south of the Steading.”
“Did you say fortress?”
“Yes, a rather imposing one at that” Etthar Calain said. “Used to belong to a mage named Ahantophan. Gredarl Kar killed him and took it. Extremely secure. We’ve never been able to get a man in there.”
“Now you are making me regret my decision not to follow the courier,” Jaden said. “I would have liked to infiltrate this fortress.”
“It matters not. Despite your stealth, you would not be able to get in. The fortress sits on a flat field, everything around it has been cut to the ground. There is nothing to hide a man’s approach. And Gredarl Kar has watchers and archers in the towers around the clock.”
“These archers can’t see in the dark,” Jaden said. “I’d wait until nightfall then scale the walls. Gredarl Kar’s throat would be cut and I would be away before even a mouse knew I was there.”
Etthar Calain shook his head. “Have you ever heard of memalin shards, dear boy?”
“I have,” Silbra Dal said. “Though I have never seen any.”