Breathing slowly, Jeffrey willed the sentry to turn around. About ten feet from the them, the guardsmen finally stopped. The sentry cast a searching eye across the dark forest. Jeffry tensed and felt Martino do the same. One shout from the sentry would be all it took. The sentry turned and Jeffry held back a gasp as the moon's light illuminated the insignia on the guard's chest.
Satisfied, the sentry turned back to his camp. A few moments later, Jeffrey exhaled sigh of relief and heard Martino do the same. “That was close,” he whispered. “Did you see the sigil?”
"Queen's guard. The color seemed wrong though. Question is, what are they doing all the way out here?"
"I'm going to get a closer look," Jeffrey said. "Wait here, and get ready to run if something goes wrong." Not waiting for a response, Jeffrey stole into the forest, inching his way to the fires. He saw there was more than one now. Queen's guards should not trouble them, in fact they should be allies. Except for everything Krystelle told Jeffry about the events in Naevean and the Krenon coup. He certainly wasn't going to risk exposing them until knowing more. Close enough to see into the encampment, he knelt into the brush.
A dark figure darted into the brush beside him causing his heart to jump before he realized it was his brother. He gave Martino a scathing look, shaking his head. his brother had never been very good at following orders. More the surprise when he chose to join the ranks of Gabirel but there it was.
Shrugging it off, he peered into the camp. A pair of tents in the middle were thrice the size of any of the others. Their leaders would be in those tents. Considering his options, he decided he needed to know exactly who was in in charge of this force.
A moment later he got his wish. A rustle passed down the front of the door to the left and two men emerged. Dark red robes and shaven heads identified them leaders in the Krenon Brotherhood.
Tugging on Martino's sleeve, he pulled his brother back into the forest. Once the two of them cleared the immediate area of the encampment and passed well beyond the guard perimeter, he sat down in the lee of a tall oak.
"Did you see that?" said Martino. "Was that who I thought it was?"
"You mean Krenon under escort from the royal guard? They must be chasing after Krystelle."
"We should go back. Warn them."
Jeffry shook his head, laying a hand on his brother's arm to prevent him rising. "We need to do no such thing. They're not going to let us back into Hallvard. Even if they did let us in, they'd not believe our story. Not without some kind of proof. We need to trust the dwarves and think of another way to help."
"What do you have in mind?"
If they are here, then who is at Naevean guarding the Queen? I tell you what we're going to do." Martino grimaced listening to Jeffry lay out his plan. It would not be pleasant for either of them. Jeffry would go back to Naevean to face their father and convince him somehow to take sides in the conflict while Martino returned to the Dazhberg for the first time since his apparent desertion with Sebastian.
If they could manage to free the queen from her captivity break the Krenon hold on the capital that would be something at least.
Martino pursed his lips when Jeffry finished. "Why are you doing this?" he said.
Jeffrey sat quietly for a moment reflecting. Sorting through his own motivations, the pieces finally fell into place. "For her." He said simply. Martino nodded in understanding, then laughed. "You find that amusing?"
Martino smiled, "No. I just remembered something. Father was trying to arrange a marriage with the Queen between you and the princess, and now you seem to be falling in love with her all on your own. Ironic isn't it?"
Jeffry groaned, shaking his head. Rising, he held out a hand to his brother. The first thing they needed to do was go steal some horses.
#
Daciana took a long swig of her ale and turned to Krystelle, "Now that we have the journal in our hands, perhaps you'll tell us where we're going next?"
Looking over at her friend, Krystelle paused. She still was not sure how much she trusted this dwarf, Witek, and whether they should bring him with them the rest of the way. Jeffry's betrayal weighed heavily on her mind and heart. "You have all done what you said you would do, help find the book. The rest is given to me to do. My charge is to take the book to Sebastian and convince him to claim the Heartstone. You have all come so far, there is no need for you to put yourselves out any further."
Cenric piped up, "Sebastian was my friend too. If he needs that book to get the Heartstone, then I'm going to be sure it gets to him. Besides, you can't just go by yourself. What if the Krenon find you before you get there?"
Leaning back in his chair, Witek simply shrugged as if it did not matter to him one bit. Narrowing her eyes, Krystelle's gut told her something was off with the dwarf. She could not put her finger on exactly what, but there it was niggling at the back of her mind. Perhaps, she reasoned, she was just being overly paranoid. Still, she had one last card to play. "You might reconsider once you hear where we are going."
"Where?" said Cenric, leaning in to listen.
"The Monastery of Daguranso."
"Daguranso," said Daciana. "That's supposed to be deep in Dragon territory, and is said to be abandoned. What makes you think we'll find Sebastian there? Not to mention the Heartstone."
Krystelle took a deep breath, "At the end of the Dragon Wars each of the Eligius were given to one of the major parties to the pact for safekeeping. As you know, the Sunstone stayed in the Aodhan Bret on behalf of the kingdom and Knights of Gabirel, while the Moonstone was entrusted to the elves who hid it in Ha'vehl'on. The Dragonstone, of course, stayed here in Hallvard with the dwarves and the Soulstone went to the Krenon. There was one more party to the Ban, one which has never been much advertised. Only a few knew about the fifth group. I only know because my mother became queen. They took possession of the Heartstone and have kept it in Daguranso ever since."
Now Witek leaned in, "Just who was this fifth group?"
Krystelle took a drink, eyes locked with Witek. "The dragons."
Witek blinked and nodded, "Of course. That would make sense. Dangerous though, going into dragon territory."
"That is why I cannot ask any of you to go with me. I leave at first light."
Daciana chuckled, "And I'll be coming with you. Don't think you're going to leave me out of this one old friend."
"Us too!" piped Cenric.
Shaking her head, Krystelle opened her mouth, preparing another objection. Before she got a word out, Asegeirr burst into the room, bringing all four of them to their feet. "We have a problem, the Krenon have appeared at the gates and are demanding we turn Krystelle over to them immediately!"
"And why would they think you would do such a thing?" demanded Daciana.
"They have a warrant signed by the High Regent in Naevean, calling Krystelle a traitor and ordering her immediate detention and return to the capital."
Krystelle gaped, "High Regent? There is no such person, a warrant like that would have to come from the Queen."
"Nonetheless..." Asegeirr pulled a piece of parchment from his cloak and handed it over to Krystelle.
Scanning it for a moment, Krystelle's hand tightened. "That bitch!"
Plucking the document from Krystelle's hand before she permanently damaged it, Daciana took a quick peek at the signatory. "Who is Tanjia Loredanna?"
"My late uncle's fiance and now, apparently the 'High Regent.' I need to get to Naevean and find out what she's done to my mother."
"No Krystelle," Daciana shook her head. "You need to get that book to Sebastian." She turned to Asegeirr. "What do the dwarves intend to do?"
He chuckled, "That warrant holds no power here. Hallvard does not answer to Naevean nor to the Krenon Brotherhood. We are a free people. The tricky bit is getting you all out of here. We can get you past the Krenon, but we'll need some kind of distraction."
"What kind of distraction?" asked Witek.
Asegeirr turned to the other dw
arf, "We just need somethin' to keep their attention on the front door whilst we sneak you out the back so to speak. Preferably without ending up in a war with the Krenon."
"I think I can handle that."
That brought Krystelle out of her momentary haze, "Daciana, no! I know what you must be thinking and I cannot allow it."
Daciana raised a single eyebrow, "Allow it? I wasn't aware you had become my commanding officer. In fact, I believe you had to resign your position in Gabirel and since this Tanjia person is now the 'High Regent' you really aren't in a position to give any orders at all." She turned back to Asegeirr. "Here's what we're going to do..."
#
Three quarters of an hour later, Krystelle found herself crouched down behind Asegeirr, Cenric and Witek close on her heels. In the rush of preparations all her arguments for why the two should not accompany her fell to the wayside. The important thing now was to get out of Hallvard without falling into Krenon hands.
Looking around, she took a moment to marvel at the dwarven craftsmanship. Set in the side of the cliff-face overlooking the main entrance to Hallvard, this pathway provided the dwarven guards a means to patrol the approach to the holdfast and come down behind any intruders. She knew from her own experiences that from the trail below there would be no sign of the overlook, or its occupants. The only challenge being she had to stay low to keep below walls designed for dwarves.
Breathing deeply, she listened to the rumblings below. A small cadre of Krenon, accompanied by a mere squadron of Palace Guards. That is all they had sent. Clearly, they did not intend to storm Hallvard and take her by force. Perhaps they thought threats and bullying would cause the dwarves to capitulate. More likely, a larger force lay not far away should things go awry.
Abruptly she thought of Jeffry and his brother. They could not have gotten far before this contingent arrived. She hoped that they had not encountered the Krenon on the road during their flight from Hallvard.
Krystelle tensed as the entrance to the door of an enclave opened. Sound of rustling chain mail slapping against leather echoed from the dark cavern. In a few moments she saw the first ranks of the dwarven contingent make their way out of the dark cave with a tall hooded figure in their midst. Daciana.
The Krenon leader stepped forward, challenging the dwarves, "Turn over the woman or face the wrath of the Krenon Brotherhood." The dwarves stood silently, their faces grim beneath steel helmets. The entire squadron took one step forward in lockstep.
"It's time," hissed Asegeirr. "We need to move."
Krystelle forced herself away from the tableau forming beneath their cliff-side retreat. Following Asegeirr down the hidden pathway she refused to look back again. Echoes of the looming battle filled her ears and a twinge of regret formed in her heart at leaving her friend behind. It was the only way. The plan was sound and she knew that they needed to stay the course. She could only hope Daciana managed to escape the Krenon and their mercenaries. Reaching the end of the hidden pathway they emerged onto the canyon floor.
Shaking her head, she focused on the task at hand. This was the most dangerous part. If any one of the Krenon happened to look back, they would see the party escaping their trap. Witek, Cenric, Krystelle, and Asegeirr hurried towards the bend that would take them out of sight.
Almost there. Just a few more feet and they would be out of sight and safely away from the Krenon. That's when it happened. One of the them must have caught a glimpse of movement behind them and turned, seeing the party escaping.
"Behind us!" came the cry.
"Go!" shouted Krystelle, shoving Cenric into motion as the Krenon turned in an attempt to give chase. That would give the dwarves an opportunity to press their advantage. They had to keep moving and stay head of the Krenon. The dwarves would push in behind and harry the Krenon forces.
The tight quarters gave Krystelle and her companions an advantage, balanced by the fact that there was only one way down off the mountain. All the Krenon had to do was keep up and keep them in sight.
The sound of their Krenon pursuers drew closer as Krystelle and her companions rushed down to the main pathway leading away from Hallvard. It seemed that every moment the pounding of Krenon footsteps came closer. It was only a matter of time. They had to get to the next junction before the Krenon caught them. Risking a glance back Krystelle saw that it was going to be close. They were almost right on their heels now. She heard one of the Krenon shout, "It's her!" They had recognized her.
They weren't going to make it. Krystelle knew she would not be able to hold off the entire Krenon contingent on her own. She was good, but not that good. Up ahead a few paces, Cenric looked over at Witek, who nodded to the boy. Strange.
Without warning, Cenric stopped, spinning around to face the Krenon. "Keep moving," Krystelle shouted.
Ignoring her, Cenric closed his eyes briefly. Reopening them, he stared up the pathway at the Krenon. Hands raised with open fists, his knuckles went white. His lips were moving but Krystelle couldn't make out the words.
Almost to him now, she slowed. Determined to make her stand with the boy. She wouldn't leave him to the to face the Krenon on his own. Abruptly she realized what was about to happen. An instant before Cenric released his magical energy she dove to the ground rolling beneath the wave of power that washed out in front of him, missing her by scant inches. She could feel the heat from the wave as it passed over her.
From where she lay prone in the dirt she glanced back as it smashed into the front of the Krenon line. Blowing them backwards into the air, the first rank crashed into those behind. They all went down in a heap of tangled bodies. Blood seeped from their broken bodies.
Scrambling to her feet, Krystelle pulled on Cenric's arm. He took one step forward, death in his eyes, determined to finish the job. "Let's go Cenric." Dragging him along, she rushed to catch up to Witek and Asegeirr at the next junction. Cenric's actions gave them a window of opportunity, but it would not take long for the Krenon to regroup.
Rounding the corner, they passed out of sight. Asegeirr led them along the pathway to an outcropping of rock. Following him behind it, Krystelle found herself in another narrow passageway. She had passed by that outcropping every time she traveled to Hallvard and never noticed it. Once again, she marveled at the dwarven engineering.
Their party made their way along the narrow pathway, listening for any sign of pursuit. When it came, Asegeirr motioned for them to duck down and take shelter behind the cliff edge. It wasn't long until she heard the sound of Krenon pursuers below them in canyon. Krystelle held her breath, praying they would not find their way into the hidden passage.
As the sounds diminished again, it became clear that they had lost their pursuers. The party was in the clear. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turned to Asegeirr, "What now?"
Asegeirr smiled, "Now we get you to Daguranso."
Resuming their journey, Krystelle's thoughts returned to Daciana. Once again, she left someone she cared deeply about behind. All she could do was hope and pray that Daciana evaded the Krenon and escaped back into Hallvard.
Up ahead, Asegeirr raised a hand, bringing the party to a stop. Krystelle opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong when he turned with his finger to his lips, "Listen. Do you hear that?"
Krystelle focused her attention on the sounds around her. She didn't detect anything except maybe a little bit of wind. Mere wind would not have caused Asegeirr to halt their progress. The sound of rushing wind increased with each moment. It would be on them in moments. Cenric turned towards her, eyes wide, "It's the backlash." he said.
"Backlash?" said Krystelle. "What do you mean?"
"From my spell."
"We need to take cover and quickly," said Witek. “Whatever this is will be here soon and we best not be in the open when it does."
Listening to the wind, Asegeirr nodded his head in agreement. "He's right."
Scrambling to take cover under a small cropping of rock along the embankment, they hunched togethe
r, bracing themselves, listening as the howling wind grew in intensity and volume. Before they knew, it a swirl of wind swept through the canyon. It brought with it debris, rocks, and branches. Pulling their cloaks over their faces, they tried to shield themselves from the worst of the chaos.
Thankfully, it did not last long. When it finally passed, the four of them emerged from their hiding place. "The space between the spell and its backlash is getting shorter," said Witek."That's not a good sign." Cenric nodded. Krystelle cocked her head, wondering at the relationship between the two of them. Did they know each other from before meeting at Hallvard? It did not seem likely. Still, there was a familiarity between the two of them that worried her. She hoped it would not take too many more days to reach Daguranso...and Sebastian.
Putting on his favorite green tunic felt a lot like donning a suit of armor. An apt metaphor with more than one battle brewing this morning. The summons to attend the old man came the previous evening, no doubt to give Jeffry plenty of time to stew about it through the night. Stepping out the door of his chambers, he squared his shoulders and moved off through the halls of the Tedosian trading house in Naevean. He made good time on the journey south, only to be left to his own devices for two days after a brief altercation with his father. Then, nothing until this summons.
Passing the kitchens, he caught the aroma of bacon cooking, triggering his mouth to start watering. If nothing else had raised his suspicion that something was awry, the fact of bacon cooking would have done it. The old man was much too parsimonious to spring for food like that. He wondered if his father would mind him making a quick pit stop to try some of that bacon.
The thought passed as the normal smells of a trading house overtook the bacon. A few more twists and turns and he arrived at the old man's office. Not ostentatious, it was only slightly larger than those of the accounting clerks. Two guards stood at attention on either side of the doors. Jeffry wondered at the number of guards around the trading house. He prided himself on his attention to detail, and something felt out of place. The guards here, and elsewhere in the building seemed a little too alter, their armor and equipment oiled too well for merchant hires.
Eligium- The Complete Series Page 55