“They will be difficult to find. Since I was cast out, they changed all their old locations.”
“I have my sources.”
“What about the tomewrights?”
“Let us say, they are a minor irritation that we will tend to,” Conner said. “But I do have something I need you to do.”
“Who’s the target?” Ahaziz asked.
“Now that is the problem with Vengers. They always assume they have to kill someone. All I require is your patience. You’ve killed enough people in Bero for the time being. We must wait and let the seeds of chaos grow, so simply do nothing for now,” Conner added.
Ahaziz stared at Conner for a moment and then stood up. “As you say,” he said.
“Excellent. Now if you will give me a moment, I have other business to attend to.” Conner said showing Ahaziz to the secret exit. Almost as soon as the secret door closed, the latch turned on the main entrance to the chamber. In stepped a short, heavy-set woman with long flowing brown hair, regal robes and not unlovely facial features. Her main flaw rested with the perpetual scowl of disgust that rode behind her fake smile. Her voice, while lively and flowing, was as devoid of compassion and aired a hint of arrogance. Her friends, if they could be called that, spoke of her in low tones of apprehension for her vindictive nature did not go unnoticed. Her enemies did not speak of her at all, for most of them disappeared without a trace. Malkandia, consort of Regent Mano the Regent of the East in Akeldemah, held the true power behind the Eastern Regency by her hidden scheming. She knew power, how to use it and when to exploit it to squeeze every last drop of enjoyment out of it.
Conner hated her with every fiber his vicious heart could muster, but he was no fool. She required the careful handling of a snake charmer. He’d served in royal courts long enough to understand the need for tact in all considerations with the powers that be. To pamper her delicate ego, he stood when she entered and waited till she took her seat before he returned to his. This didn’t go unnoticed.
“My dear Malkandia, thank you for coming,” said Conner.
“Are the plans progressing?” asked Malkandia in an annoyed manner.
“Indeed, they are,” he said.
“But very slowly,” she added with a tone of irritation.
“True,” he said with some annoyance of his own. “But I’ve something to show you.”
Conner nodded in the direction of a nearby shadow and abruptly a willowy, blue-skinned man stepped into the light. She never even sensed his presence, which gave her no small surprise when he appeared.
“This is an emissary from the Cerulean Queen and he brings us a gift,” said Conner.
The blue-skinned stranger held a small leaf-covered packet, which he promptly unwrapped, revealing a leather-bound book. All eyes were fixed on the bundle as he held it out for her to examine. She moved her hand over the cover with a slow relishing moment before she took it from him. He drew his hands away from the tome as though glad to be rid of it, displaying a scowl of contempt as he slowly vanished back into the shadows without a word.
“Is this the chronicle of the second seer? I believe you called him Bryden or such,” she asked.
“Yes, but it isn’t what it seems,” said Conner with no small amount of satisfaction. “As you know, I’ve been paying tribute to the Eldritch for some time and they are often able to find things that most people can’t, as in this case. Do you remember the stories of the second seer?”
“Vaguely,” she said with a hint of disinterest.
“Then you know that Seer Brendan gained possession of part of the Dim Skean,” he said.
“Do we have the location of the other book?” Malkandia interjected.
“Yes, right here in front of you,” said Conner in a low tone.
“Enough of you stupid riddles. You said the chronicle would tell us where the other half of the Dim Skean is,” she said.
“Yes, of course. Seer Brendan knew he couldn’t destroy his half of the Dim Skean without loosing the possibility of finding the other half. So he disguised his half in the form of a journal,” Conner replied. “The journal IS the Septenary tome.”
Malkandia’s eyes grew wide with realization and pleased that her plans were finally in full motion. With all the Cities of Refuge destroyed, or under Mano’s control, she would finally be rid of the Tomewright Society and their influence. This would put her in complete control of the Eastern Regency. Then she, through Mano, would have enough power to oppose the Western Regent for control of the whole land.
Abruptly, an urgent knocking came from the secret door to the chamber. Conner opened the door to find a servant twitching on the floor in the throws of death with his head turned over the left shoulder. Behind the body of the servant stood an enormous man who pushed Conner aside as he entered the secret chamber.
“Why are you here?” asked Conner with annoyance.
“So far, I have followed this plan of yours, and lost two valued emissaries too that fanatic, Bena. They were of royal linage and their families are calling for blood,” said a deep male voice from the corner of the room.
Malkandia startled for a moment since she didn’t expect the unannounced visitor. He stood in an alcove out of the reach of the torches, hiding his features but she should tell by his massive outline that he represented a giant kingdom.
“If you’d followed my plan more carefully, my Lord, then there would have been no loss of life on your part,” jeered Conner.
“No loss of life,” the giant guffawed and his tone became more ominous. “And you call possession a life worth having. I’ve given you enough lives for your research. Do you know what they would do to me if they knew I had a hand in binding giants to demons? Now show me results and give me Bena.”
“You are in no position to make demands,” said Conner.
“I should snap your skinny neck,” said the giant in a roaring tone.
“Please forgive Conner for his lack of diplomacy,” Malkandia quipped.
“And who is this?” asked Zan.
“I’m the one with the Regent’s attention. Now tell me, what do you about Bena?”
“He has a daughter,” said the giant.
“Do we know where she is?”
“No.”
“Then leave it to me if you will and I think something can be arranged.” smiled Malkandia.
“Well now, that’s more like it. Someone with the guts for action,” grinned Zan.
There was a sudden rattling of dishes coming from an adjoining room, after which, the door to the secret chamber opened and in walked Ecthra with refreshments.
“My apologies, but a herald from Mano delayed me. He is looking for Lady Malkandia,” she said.
Conner turned to Malkandia, “What’s this?”
“Probably another one of Mano’s ravings,” she answered.
“You said you could control him,” Conner said.
“I can. It’s as you said. Some things can’t be rushed,” she mocked.
Malkandia left quickly to her carriage, sharply barking an order to the driver as they left. She had prepared long to get Mano to this point of anxiety. Now, he could not be without her for more than a few hours and this dependence held to her plan perfectly. Yes, it was her plan. She despised working with Conner and his crude ways. Nevertheless, he proved effective, very effective. But what could he know of true power? She was Consort of Pelan and secretly ruled by Mano’s side. The Regent had lived a long time and even though his body did not show it, his mind had become feeble, so she played on that fact. Oh, how she loved to play on that. She was just a young servant girl when she first met him in the Pelan Citadel. She was never considered the prettiest servant, but she was vicious and shrewd. Malkandia knew where to be, when to be there and if he needed something, anything at all. She fulfilled any request without question. Eventually, he took her into his confidence. The servants feared Mano due to his murderous takeover of the Regency, but not her. She loved the deception and excitement, b
ut most of all – the authority. Eventually, she convinced him to make her Lady Consort of the Regent.
As her carriage rode through the streets toward the Citadel, the sun glowed red in the distant sky as citizens rushed about preparing for the end of the day. There were poor begging on the corners and shopkeepers putting up their wares and by the sneer on her face it showed that she despised them all. The fear and hatred burned in their eyes as they saw her pass, giving her a strange sense of satisfaction. Malkandia always hated being poor, and now that she was wealthy. She knew she was born to it. She loved the pampering and would accept have nothing less now. In the past, she worked hard to educate herself in the ways of the court, but soon bored with that and began seeking out more powerful positions suited to her tastes and ambition. She also loved the city and often considered its early beginnings as she passed the tall spires with stones of gray and ebony that intermingle in a dance of architecture. The ancient builders perched the city over the upper Arnon as it coursed through the city to merge into in the cascades of ‘The Falls of Forever’ that descend in overlapping torrents into the blackness of the oblivion below. The falls span the width of the city with its bellowing mist continually watered the trees, grasses and shrubs. This kept them lush and green for the duration of the year. Above the falls remained a perpetual rainbow that glittered like multicolored diamonds suspended in the sky above the city. In the winter, the crisp frigid winds freeze the mist from the falls in mid-air, sending a pure white snow drifting to the ground to blanket the city in crystalline grandeur.
As they pulled up to the Citadel, she heard Mano’s ranting though the wooden doors of the audience chamber prompting her to charge up the steps and through the open chamber doors. Mano, with an unrolled scroll in each hand, flung them through the air with wild curses, sending the unraveling in all directions with court officials dodging as best they could.
“Am I wrong? Someone, tell me, am I wrong!” Mano bellowed. Around him were his officers in various states of disarray attempting to appease his outburst.
“No sir,” said one, trembling with fear.
“What troubles you my Regent,” Malkandia asked bowing.
“Where have you been? The council is trying to ruin me. It’s a revolt I say, and I want them all in chains,” he demanded as he sailed a scroll across the room, bouncing it off the wall toward an official who dodged it just in time.
Mano wore the purple robe of royalty over his crimson tunic of silver trim. Thick red-gray hair swayed loosely on his head, keeping time with his vain ranting as it climbed his head through a jewel-studded circlet of hand-tooled gold. In spite of his age, he stood tall in his blacken leather boots with a tangled gray-flecked beard stretching to his broad belt. Next to a high-backed throne stood a worn wooden two-handed axe that served as a memento from days of the Waring Guard. In truth, Mano killed its previous owner, not in combat, but by treachery even though he fancied himself a warrior. He rarely touched the axe anymore unless to threaten a court official in an outburst.
“Highness, please allow me to examine the document,” she said. Mano stormed to the throne, plopped down into the throne as an official retrieved the scroll from the floor and carefully handed it to Malkandia. She took the document from his shaking hands and examined it for a moment. “Their concerns are unfounded and witless your eminence. Please don’t allow such idle rambling set you in a mood.”
“Idle rambling? This can overturn peace in the Eastern Kingdom. They are concerned that I have invited emissaries from the giant kingdoms to visit. I served in the Giant Wars for pity sake, yet they question my tactics,” Mano bellowed.
She walked to the throne and began massaging Mano’s neck.
“Take no note of it my Regent, you have done well for the people, yet they don’t appreciate it. Perhaps, they should be shown the strength of your wisdom by raising the tax again,” said Malkandia.
“Perhaps,” he said as he absently stared out the nearest window.
“Now, the people should not see you in such disarray. So, if it would please you, could I select something wonderful for you to wear,” she said.
As they began to exit the chamber, screams of panic and confusion rose from the outer court. Immediately, a young Page entered in panic.
“My Lord, there are giants in the courtyard awaiting an audience,” he said.
“Well, don’t stand there you dolt. Announce them,” Malkandia ordered. “Quickly, fetch the Regents audience attire.”
A servant dashed from the room, quickly returning with fresh clothing as Malkandia commenced dressing Mano where he stood. She finished just before two giants sauntered into the throne-room and bowed with left-hand to forehead in Zumzummin fashion.
“Your Highness, may I present Gol, Emissary of the Zumzummin Kingdom, and his honored escort Zan,” announced the page.
“Your Greatness, may your enemies flee at your sight. We bring greetings to you from our ruling Nizam, Sorek the Third,” Gol said. “He also bid us give you this precious gift. As you can see, our desert yields many treasures.”
Zan reaches into a bag hanging at his belt and produced the largest diamond that Mano had ever seen. It surpassed the size of his fist and was delicately cut to fashion. Malkandia’s eye could not leave the gem for several minutes as she accepted the gift and presented it to Mano with both hands.
“We graciously thank you for your presence and your gift on behalf of Pelan. Please follow my servant to your chambers so you can refresh yourselves, and allow me to offer you the hospitality of my city,” Mano said.
“You are as generous as your reputation. May I also ask for your assistance in another small matter,” Gol requested. “My escort and I were rudely attacked by a man carrying an axe like the one your Highness uses. We would request your assistance in apprehending this pest.”
Mano’s face twitched with surprise for an instant.
“There are not many axes like this one. Are you certain the attacker didn’t have two axes?” Mano said.
“There did appear a District Warden,” Gol said. “But he wasn’t the man who killed my companion. Luckily, I fought the renegade off.”
“Where were you when the attack occurred,” Mano asked. At this, Gol and his escort began speaking with each other in low tones.
“Near the Shechem Refuge on our way here,” Gol lied.
“That’s odd, had you not said so, I would have thought it in the Eastern region. Nevertheless, I will dispatch some soldiers to check that area immediately,” Mano said. “They call themselves wardens, but they’re criminals. They cause problems for weary travelers and I would dearly love to trade axe-strokes with any one of them.”
“Understandable,” Gol said. “We thank you again for your generosity. May you live forever.”
With that Gol and Zan bowed as they exited the room. Mano didn’t see the sly smile that crossed the giants face as he lied to him without flinching, but Malkandia did.
“What do you make of that,” Mano said turning to Malkandia.
“May I speak with you in private,” she asked.
“Everyone out,” he said, waving his hand to dismiss the room which quickly cleared since most of the attendants would have preferred to leave some time ago. As the final person left, Malkandia shut the door behind them, but motioned for the Court Scribe to stay. Then, she ordered the guards to keep prying ears away from the door under pain of death. Once satisfied they were secure, she positioned herself behind Mano and began massaging his neck.
“I believe that one of the old guardsmen are causing you harm. How long are you going to put up with those troublesome remnants of the past,” she asked.
“There was a time I fought beside them,” Mano said.
“Yes, yes, my dearest. But now, you are Regent of Akeldemah. You are the supreme king of the eastern realm,” she said as she rubbed his temples. Mano closed his eyes and leaned his shaggy head back against the dais. “Here, sire, have a drink.”
She han
ded him a flagon and he drank deeply.
“This wine is so good,” he whispered to her.
“Now, dearest, don’t you believe you have let those criminals roam the land long enough,” she said.
“Long enough...,” his voice trailed into whispers as his eyes began to close.
“They’re dangerous and must be dealt,” she whispered in his ear.
“Must be dealt with...,” he whispered.
“By any means necessary,” she said in a low voice.
“Any means...,” he repeated and then drifted off to sleep.
“Did you receive the decree from our Regent,” Malkandia asked as she turned to the Royal Scribe.
“Yes your highness,” he said.
Malkandia then took the royal signet ring from Mano’s finger and sealed the document.
“Very good,” she said, handing him a bag of gold coins. “Now do your duty, and get this decree posted throughout the realm. Now that it is sealed, it cannot be revoked, even by Mano himself. Also, summon a servant. The Regent had a busy morning and needs help getting to bed for his morning nap.”
Seventeen
“Applying The Paste…”
When Isha awoke, she found herself laying face down on the riverbank, bruised and bleeding from multiple cuts, but alive. Pushing herself up, mud dropped from the sides of her face as she checked the area for any other signs of her companions. She was alone, and no way of knowing where the others landed if at all. Getting to her feet, she carefully whiffed the air, trying to pick up any scent of the others but once again disappointment remained.
The spiraling white spires of Pelan pointed the way to her destination in the far horizon, so she traveled downstream toward the city. It didn’t take long before she found where someone else emerged from the river, but signs of a violent struggle lay all around. The outline of an enormous stomach on the ground and the deep-set footprints told her it must be Dodie. And judging by the uprooted turf, he’d given good account of himself before capture. She followed the tracks downriver for some time until she crested a hill and the valley of Pelan opened up before her. There in the west, nested between mazes of tributaries from the Arnon, stood the Dolman Pillars of Jotbatha reaching their vine-covered columns into the azure sky like towering sentinels, stretching upward into the clouds then disappearing into the dizzying heights. She’d always heard about the famed site but never dared travel to its region due to the puzzling stories about the location. History has it that they formed as the many branches of the Arnon carved the earth down around them, leaving the standing stone pillar to extend against the sky. The giants believe the dolmans were ancestors, turned to stone by their god for not dominating the land in ages past, but those who live closest say they were carved by the finger of Elyon himself.
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