Weaponforger (Guardian's Prophecy Book 3)

by D A Godwin

  “Your assessment is irrelevant. I had hoped from your attire, impoverished though it is, you had given up on worshipping that elvish nonsense.”

  “I have not given up my faith.” Shalindra untucked her symbol of Eluria from her dress. “And I cannot see what profit you hope to gain from another war. There is no resource they possess that we do not already have in abundance.”

  “And they have squandered it! They sit between us and untapped riches.”

  “They are different, and have different ideals, but they do not deserve to be destroyed.”

  “Why should you care what happens to them? Could it be that you have something to gain?”

  Warmth came to Shalindra’s cheeks.

  “Ah, so there is something in this for you after all.”

  “I am here for a purpose,” she replied. “Peace between our two kingdoms is a step towards that purpose.”

  “Your holy destiny again, is it?” he said with a disdainful wave of his hand.

  “It is what I am meant to be.”

  “What you were meant to be was a bond between two houses, and you couldn’t even accomplish that! Your marriage would have solidified my influence and gained allies in the middle of the kingdom, but you tossed that aside. You should have gone to your room that day and waited, as you were told to do. There were reasons. But instead you decided to turn your back on your family in front of half the court. I had few enough choices to save you before your little tirade. You left me with none after it.”

  Shalindra was speechless. More than once she had wondered why she had said the things she did, but she had never considered that there had been broader consequences. But she had been angry. Angry at his capitulation. Angry at being dismissed in such an off-handed manner. She knew the pressures of ruling far better now, and if there was any hope of averting the war, she needed to set things right between them.

  “My outburst was unfortunate, but in the wake of all we had been through, could you blame me? The wizards you allied with tried to kill me, more than once. I watched their demons tear men to pieces, yet when I spoke of the carnage inflicted, you did not believe they were there.”

  “Of course the demons were there. Do you take me for a fool? They were seen by thousands of people. Men whose opinion I valued far more than yours brought word of what we faced. I could have expected you to act like the lady you were supposed to be, not some soldier in the field,” he said, his voice rising. “I wanted you to make my rule easier, not impossibly difficult. I wanted you to not turn the Polonis against me. I wanted many things from you, daughter, and you’ve failed at them all.”

  Had she misread the situation so poorly that day? Kentrick glanced away rather than meet her eyes, but her mother’s look confirmed the accusations.

  “Yes, quite the surprise isn’t it? You are the one most responsible for your own misery. Had you not acted like a spoiled child you would have remained a princess.”

  This was going nowhere. Her father held far too much animosity to consider anything in a rational manner. She needed to shift his attention to some common ground from which to begin regaining his trust.

  “But why agree to our enemy’s demands if you knew the truth? If the wizards—”

  “I was trying to salvage my kingdom!” Fabrian almost screamed. “And protect my family! While you were dancing through the woods singing songs to the moon like an elf, my kingdom was being destroyed piece by piece.”

  The door behind them flew open with a crash.

  Wizard.

  “Ylnvan,” Fabrian said sternly to the robed man who swept into the room, “I have warned you before about entering my chambers unannounced.”

  “Forgive me, my lord,” Ylnvan said smoothly with a bow deep enough to be proper but short enough to be mocking. “I became aware of your distress and…” He stopped abruptly as his eyes fell on Shalindra. In the heartbeat it took for him to ascertain the situation, his hand flicked out and pulsing energies shot towards her.

  Eluria’s symbol was already in her hand, and even so she barely reacted in time. The attack exploded against her shield, sending angry sparks spinning across the room.

  “Stop!” Fabrian commanded. “I will have none of your foul magic in my bedchambers!”

  “Yet foulness stands beside you!” Ylnvan circled warily. “What false platitudes has she whispered in your ear? Do you not remember what she cost you?”

  “I do not need you to remind me of anything,” Fabrian stated, though without conviction.

  “Oh, but you do. Did you enjoy being made a fool of in front of your lords? How many turned against you that very day? Were it not for our gracious intervention, you might not even be here.”

  Fabrian’s face was red, but he did not back down. “I will choose how to deal with her, not you.”

  Kentrick stepped forward, hand on his sword. “Our family’s business is not your concern, wizard. Leave now.”

  “Defending your favorite sibling?” Ylnvan scoffed. “Or do you also seek the opportunity to advance your own station?”

  “Guards!” Fabrian shouted. The men who had been standing outside entered the room. “Remove this man.”

  “There is no one left that will uphold your weakness.” Ylnvan waved his hand and the door slammed itself shut. The guards drew weapons.

  “This is my kingdom!” Fabrian roared, his fear lending energy to the declaration.

  “Was your kingdom. You should be thankful we allowed you to remain here as a figurehead, but as I find you now in congress with the enemy your usefulness has expired.” Magical energy pulsed on his fingertips. “Such a pity that I was unable to reach you before your treasonous daughter took her vengeance upon you, but fear not. Your death will be avenged. Kill them.”

  I need you.

  Her mother screamed and ducked behind a divan as a blast of energy shot towards Fabrian. Shalindra turned it aside with her shield. Kentrick leaped forward, and steel clashed as he met the guard’s attack.

  Shalindra had no time to aid him. Ylnvan sent energy arcing towards her. It crackled impotently against her shield, obscuring her vision. Too late, she saw the wizard’s hand whip out, lifting Kentrick with magic and sending him flying through the air to crash heavily against a wall.

  Shalindra sent her shield surging forward, knocking one of the guards into the wizard. Ylnvan stumbled backwards but regained his feet before she could do anything more.

  She needed to get to Kentrick.

  The wizard sent another bolt of energy towards her as a distraction, and when the sparks cleared, she saw a purple-black mist swirling at his side, a few feet off the floor. She stood her ground, keeping herself between Ylnvan and her parents.

  Tormjere tumbled from the mists, his sword striking the wizard a glancing blow. Ylnvan collapsed with a sharp cry, clutching his arm. Before he could recover, Tormjere scrambled up and slammed his fist into his jaw. The wizard flopped to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

  The guards put their backs to each other and made a push towards the door, but it did little good as one and then the other died before the savagery of Tormjere’s assault.

  “What manner of wizardry is this!” Fabrian demanded, leveling a finger at Tormjere. “You! I recognize you from the last time I saw my daughter.”

  Tormjere ignored him and checked for a demon necklace around Ylnvan’s neck, but came away empty handed. Shalindra recognized the wizard’s condition even before Tormjere said it. “He’s dead.”

  Shalindra raced with her mother to Kentrick, who sat up groggily.

  “I’m fine,” he said, waving off their attention. “Just knocked the wind out of me.” He tried to stand, but gasped and made it no further than his knees.

  Shalindra turned his face towards hers and dove into his eyes, seeking the source of his pain. Eluria’s familiar warmth tingled down her arm at her whispered prayer, healing the damage to his body.

  “Better?” she asked, helping her brother to his f
eet.

  “That was… creepy,” he said, rubbing his side. “But thank you.”

  “You get used to it,” Tormjere said as he handed Shining Moon to Shalindra.

  Shalindra took the weapon eagerly, happy to be reunited with it once more. “Father, mother, this is Tormjere. He is the Ranger who saw to my safety after Erbac’s betrayal.”

  Eleanor was still in shock but recovered some of her poise. “I must thank you for your efforts on my daughter’s behalf.”

  You are supposed to bow.

  Tormjere dipped his head politely. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  “What are we to do with all this?” Kentrick asked, indicating the bodies strewn about.

  “Fabrian?” the queen asked.

  The king looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time, and his shoulders slumped. “I am tired.”

  Shalindra placed a hand on his shoulder. “As are we all, father. We have spent too many years fighting ourselves, and it has gotten us nothing. Will you at least consider what the elves propose?”

  Fabrian shook his head. “You ask me to leap into a pit of vipers after strangling the one at my neck.”

  “What harm in listening? That is all I ask of you.”

  “It’s too late for words. Half the lords in our kingdom ride under Ceringion banners, and many of those are more loyal to the Conclave than Gymerius. Westholm remains in chaos. I think they have three kings now; at one point there were five. We have no allies.”

  “What of the nations to the south?”

  Kentrick answered. “The dwarves guard their mountains and care little for who they trade with. Namarin sits content to watch us kill each other, ready to move on the Gold Road the instant they feel they can take it.”

  “The elves distrust the Conclave as much as you, and they have suffered from the wizards’ predations as well.”

  Her father looked at her as if she had lost her senses. “First you wish me to abort our invasion, and now you would have me ally with those we sought to conquer? That would cost me the support of those few I can still count on, which is not many.”

  “Even when they know of this?” she asked, pointing to Ylnvan’s body. “We came to this city with an elf, one who carries Ildalarial’s offer of peace. She is waiting for word that she will not be harmed, and she would be willing to speak to you, this night if you would allow it. Time is a luxury we do not have.”

  “What we feared has come to pass,” Eleanor implored. “We knew it was only a matter of time before someone attempted to seize what is ours. You must do something drastic or our family will face the gruesome end Ylnvan promised us.”

  “Very well, but I will agree to nothing that advances any cause but our own.”

  “I’ll get her,” Tormjere said. “But I’ll need to get north of the city as quickly as possible.”

  “I can see him to the gates,” Kentrick said. “But what of you three? There are other wizards in the city and perhaps even the castle, and if our household guard cannot be trusted…”

  “They cannot all have turned against us,” Eleanor said, her words more a plea than a statement of fact.

  “We could get to the stables,” Kentrick said, “and take—”

  “I will not flee my own castle,” Fabrian said. “Wake Lords Anton and Redivers. They are loyal, and will know who else is, as well.”

  “And Eugeron,” Eleanor added.

  “Yes,” the king agreed. “Speak to no one else. Escort them here, and instruct Redivers to bring a dozen of his most trusted men.”

  “Yes, father,” Kentrick said. He moved towards the door, but Tormjere reached it first. After checking the corridor outside, he preceded the prince through the doorway.

  Hurry back. I do not trust anyone.

  Neither do I.

  An Offer Presented

  Shalindra set the bar across the door after they had left, trying to imagine how the evening could go any more wrong. She closed and locked the doors onto the balcony as well, wistfully noting the last reds of sunset on the clouds over the ocean.

  Her mother took a seat, still staring at the bodies. The rugs were soaked with blood, and the stench of death began to fill the room. Fabrian, never one to imbibe away from the table, poured himself a drink. When neither of her parents said anything about the dead men, Shalindra rolled the rugs over the bodies so that at least they would not have to look at them.

  “I would have you know that I am sorry for the difficulties I may have caused you both,” Shalindra said. “Though I do not regret my decisions, I do wish the outcome could have been different.”

  “Save your apologies for when the others arrive,” Fabrian said in a weary but still untrusting voice. “I would have them hear it as well, so they may judge without the burden of family entanglements.”

  Her mother’s eyes held more sympathy, but Shalindra sighed and resigned herself to waiting with them in silence. Her father was almost powerless to alter the current situation, and a king who felt powerless was just as likely to lash out as to respond favorably to offered help, no matter the source. There would be time for them all to come to terms with one another, but for now, she had to nurture the sliver of goodwill she had, regardless of how it had been attained. Peace was her purpose here tonight, not happiness.

  They did not have to wait long before a sharp rap sounded at the door. Shalindra was on her feet even before they heard Kentrick’s voice outside. She opened the door cautiously, her hand on Shining Moon.

  “I have everyone,” Kentrick said as he entered.

  Redivers came right behind him, his eyes narrow as they swept back and forth. He had had the good sense to throw a gambeson on over his shirt, and his hand was tight on his sword as he circled the room, inspecting every nook and cranny in which someone could hide.

  Next to enter was a thin, balding man with a grey beard who blinked sleep from his eyes and studied her. “Kataria? My dear, it has been too long. I do not know what foulness has occurred here, but it gives my heart joy to see you and your father together.”

  “I am pleased to see you as well, Master Eugeron,” she replied, “though I am now named Shalindra.”

  She caught her father’s frown out of the corner of her eye. It would have been better to bring that up while they were alone, but it was too late for such pleasantries.

  The last to enter must have been Anton, a portly man with the eyes of a vulture, and whose face took on a calculating look as he spied the bodies on the floor.

  “My lord,” Redivers said to the king, though he kept one eye on Shalindra. “What has happened? We were told only that Master Ylnvan had betrayed you.”

  “Betrayed and then attempted to kill my entire family,” Fabrian said, indicating the rugs.

  Redivers pulled back one and then the other.

  Kentrick pointed to the bodies of the soldiers. “These guards obeyed the wizard’s commands. Kat— Shalindra and I managed to hold them off until her companion dealt with them.”

  “There is another swordsman in the castle?” Redivers asked sharply, covering the bodies once more.

  “He’s the one who left already,” Kentrick said.

  None of the men appeared to understand that explanation fully, though they were all fully awake now.

  “If I may, Your Highness,” Eugeron said. “Could we begin with how this all came to pass?”

  Fabrian motioned at Shalindra. “She can tell you, and perhaps I will understand it better this time, as well.”

  Shalindra recounted her mission to bring Enna and the peace treaty to them, though she skipped any mention of her desire to become guardian or the monks who had helped.

  “And you have brought an emissary from the elves with you?” Eugeron asked when she was finished.

  “Yes. They have twice attempted to parley with you, but neither emissary returned.”

  “No elvish emissary has ever spoken to the king,” Anton said smoothly. “Are you certain of this?”

  �
��So I was told, and I do not believe those statements to be false.”

  Look back towards the couches.

  Shalindra did, though nothing occupied that part of the room. A swirl of purple-black mist manifested next to an elegantly embroidered divan. Redivers drew his sword, and the councilors and king scrambled back in fright as Tormjere dragged Enna from the mists.

  Enna snatched her arm away from his and leveled a finger at him in warning. “Do not ever do that to me again.” She stopped short at the sight of the bodies on the floor, then shot Shalindra a questioning look.

  “My lords, may I present Ennathalerial, Sister of Eluria and envoy from Ildalarial.”

  Enna composed herself quickly as Tormjere drifted back to a wall. Shalindra almost chuckled at his ability to make himself invisible in formal settings.

  Kentrick stepped forward to take Enna’s hand as he bowed. “Kentrick Actondel, at your service.”

  Enna allowed him to kiss her hand, though Shalindra could tell she enjoyed that courtesy only slightly more than the method of her arrival. The other men introduced themselves as well, and Enna bowed politely in turn.

  Fabrian motioned to Anton, who drew himself up and spoke formally. “His Most Royal Majesty King Fabrian the Second, Lord High Commander of the Fleet of Lansdown, Duke of Merallin, and Sovereign Lord and Defender of the Kingdom of Actondel, is pleased to receive the representative from our neighbors in Ildalarial.”

  Enna looked unsure of what to say. She seemed suddenly small, an elf surrounded by much larger men, and Shalindra moved to her side where a page or squire might have stood. “Ennathalerial, Sister of Elurithlia and daughter to Manalathlia Elothlirial, chief councilwoman of Ildalarial, is pleased to return your welcome and presents an offer of treaty with the Kingdom of Actondel.”

  The minimum of formalities satisfied, Fabrian waved to a nearby table. “It is late. Let us sit before I reconsider the merits of this negotiation.”

  Shalindra wished he would have chosen somewhere further from the bodies, covered or not. Anton turned his nose up, but no one disputed his command.

  Enna produced the scroll her mother had penned. “I apologize for the choice of language, but the Calontier felt haste was in order. If I may translate? The Grand Calontier of Ildalarial, being—”