“This is all madness,” Dorenn mumbled to himself, throwing the window shut. “I may be in the company of wielders, but I will not believe those insane ramblings of Morgoran.” Dorenn found his breeches and tunic and pulled them on. “When I see Vesperin I will end all this right quick. I will drag him back to Brookhaven kicking and screaming if I have to. He never saw Loracia; it was probably just some wielder trick.” As soon as Dorenn was dressed, he walked to the rose and lavender scented washroom, combed his hair, and washed up for breakfast.
Not long after Dorenn had dried himself, Rennon walked into the washroom, his long, unkempt hair tangled and askew from sleep. He smacked his lips and dumped a bowl of water over his head into the wash basin without saying a word to Dorenn.
“Did you see Trendan ride out?” Dorenn asked.
“I just got up out of bed. Did he ride off already?” He asked before he yawned.
Dorenn nodded. “I tried to call to him from my window, but he rode off anyway.” Dorenn shook his head and put his hands flat on the washbasin. “I just don’t believe all this nonsense, Rennon, and I can’t believe Trendan believes it either.” Dorenn shook his hands. “Yet he rode off as if he does.” He paused for a moment and sighed. “They have gotten to him. He knows something I don’t.” Dorenn closed his eyes and breathed in heavily. Then he let it out speaking in an even more agitated tone. “And did you notice how Tatrice was acting last night? She was so…”
“Cheerful!” Rennon said flatly. He continued washing his hands. “You know, last night you seemed a lot more accepting of our situation.”
“Aye, too cheerful if you ask me. I don’t understand what’s gotten into her lately,” Dorenn said disgusted. He gave Rennon a crooked gaze. “I was not accepting of anything.”
Rennon cocked an eyebrow. “Now I think something may be wrong with you. You are acting almost exactly opposite of the way you acted last night. You’re, I don’t know, more melodramatic this morning.”
Dorenn’s face soured. “Sure, whatever, don’t turn this around on me.” His thoughts went back to Tatrice. “I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“I can. She has been talking to Sylvalora.”
“What do you mean?” Dorenn asked, eyes narrowing. “What’s she saying to her?”
Rennon grinned. “Sylvalora has been showing her how to do something with that little statue you gave to Tatrice. You didn’t know that?”
“No, what is she showing her?” Dorenn asked as he handed Rennon a drying cloth.
“How should I know? You gave her the statue.” Rennon took the drying cloth and dabbed it on his face. “Where did it come from anyway?”
Dorenn stammered. “I—I bought it in a shop in Cedar Falls.”
“Well, what’s it for?” Rennon asked.
“I don’t know. I just thought it was something she might like,” Dorenn said. “The old man said it was made by the elves.”
“That’s what he told you?” Rennon asked. “He said the elves made it?”
“Now that you mention it, no, I don’t remember what he told me it was or who exactly made it. What are you getting at?”
“It’s something dangerous.”
“It did feel strange; it made my hand tingle while I held it.”
“And you gave it to Tatrice!”
“Well, she didn’t feel anything strange about it that I recall.”
“Great, you had better get it from her. It’s probably some kind of foul talisman. Sanmir had a stone he brought from Darovan that he used to mix in with potions to increase their potency. He used it many times, but he wouldn’t let me touch it. He said it would only serve one master and was not something to be trifled with.”
Dorenn became worried. “You think the statue may be affecting Tatrice in some way?”
“Could be. I would get it from her as soon as you can.”
Dorenn nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”
Rennon tossed the drying cloth aside. “Let’s go find Vesperin. I think we should talk to him without the wielders nearby and find out what really happened to him.”
“Aye, I was thinking the same thing. Let’s get out of here and get back to Brookhaven, the sooner the better.”
“Now that’s the Dorenn I know,” Rennon said enthusiastically.
Dorenn and Rennon walked briskly through the long corridors of Morgoran’s tower and found Vesperin eating breakfast in the dining hall with Lady Shey, Sylvalora, and Tatrice. Dorenn sat down beside Tatrice, and Rennon sat opposite him. Servants appeared with fruits and bread for the two newcomers.
Dorenn lightly kissed Tatrice on the check as he settled next to her.
“I was wondering when you might be joining us, Dorenn. Did you sleep well?”
“Not particularly,” Dorenn said. “I tossed and turned most of the night.”
“Well, you have a lot on your mind I would imagine,” Tatrice said.
Dorenn leaned in close to Tatrice’s ear. “I need to speak with you alone as soon as possible.” Sylvalora looked up sharply at Dorenn, and he started for a moment. “Are you all right, Sylvalora?” he asked and then immediately scolded himself for being so bold.
“Fine as a spring day, good man Dorenn, why do you ask?”
“You just seemed concerned for a moment.”
“I am concerned you are not sleeping is all, Dorenn.”
“Aye, perhaps I am a bit jumpy. I apologize.”
“No need for apologies. Just try to get some sleep tonight. Perhaps have Rennon prepare you a sleeping powder?”
“Aye, that’s a good idea, Sylvalora, I will.” His words felt stilted.
“Good,” she said.
There was a long, uncomfortable silence while they ate their breakfast.
“Vesperin, don’t you have morning prayers to attend?” Rennon asked.
“I already attended them.”
“Good, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
“With what?” Vesperin asked.
“Something,” Rennon said uncomfortably.
Vesperin stared at him for a moment. “All right. I will help you. When and where do you wish to meet?”
“We can go right now.” Rennon pushed himself away from the table. “Are you finished?”
Vesperin nodded and pushed away from the table. “Aye, let’s go. I’m curious about what you’re up to.”
“Come on, Tat, let’s go with them.”
Tatrice smiled at Dorenn’s invitation, excited to be included. “Aye, let’s go,” she said.
“If you will excuse us, my ladies,” Dorenn said, rising from the table.
“Of course,” Lady Shey said.
Dorenn grabbed Tatrice by the arm and held her hand as they moved hastily behind Rennon and Vesperin out of the dining hall.
“What is all this about?” Vesperin asked suspiciously. “Why are you two acting so strange?”
Dorenn waited until they were well down the hall before speaking. “We are leaving. These wielders have done something to you both.”
Rennon sighed. “Oh, that was subtle, Dorenn.”
“My father put me in charge of this trip, and as far as I’m concerned, I still am in charge, and I say we go back to Brookhaven.”
“Don’t be a fool, Dorenn,” Vesperin said, stopping in the corridor. “I told you, Loracia has given me a vision.”
“What vision, Vesperin, a trick of the wielders?”
Anger flushed over Vesperin’s face. “I would know the difference. I am surprised at you, Dorenn. I will not force you to come along, but I’m staying. You’re paranoid.” Vesperin left in the opposite direction. Tatrice released Dorenn’s hand and followed Vesperin.
“Well, that went well,” Rennon said.
“Come on, let’s find Gondrial. I have a plan,” Dorenn said.
“What kind of plan?”
“You’ll see. Come on,” Dorenn insisted.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Rennon said, following Dor
enn down the corridor.
Rain still fell steadily as Dorenn and Rennon entered the courtyard. Dorenn spotted Gondrial at the gate beneath an outlook platform. He appeared to be looking through a battlement at the muddied road leading deeper into the Vale.
“What are you looking for, Gondrial?” Dorenn asked as they approached.
“Not what, but whom. I believe the Enforcers are near. I have sensed their presence since first light this morning.”
“How?” Rennon asked confused.
“How do you think they track other wielders if they are not wielders themselves?” Gondrial asked. “They are out there somewhere, searching.”
Dorenn shuddered. “That is disturbing news. Why do they hunt their own kind?”
“They may be wielders, but they are not well known as such. They are deceivers to themselves as well as to those they hunt.”
“I don’t understand,” Dorenn said.
“That is precisely the idea, Dorenn. The Enforcers want the average peasant to stay in the dark because it furthers their cause and protects their secret. They have no honor; they are betrayers. They have agreed to serve in order to save their own skins and condemn their brethren.” Gondrial squinted. “There.” He pointed through the battlement. “There are five of them, in full armor, heading this way.”
Dorenn squinted but saw nothing but the falling rain. “You can see that far out?”
Gondrial cut his eyes briefly at Dorenn without changing expression. “Of course,” he said. He pulled up his hood and spun around, swinging the heavy, dark green cloak behind him. “Now we see if Seancey is half as intimidating as he would have us believe.” Dorenn and Rennon shrugged at each other and then quickly followed Gondrial.
Gondrial entered the left-most guard tower, followed closely by Dorenn and Rennon, and shouted out into the darkness, “Seancey, five Enforcers on the horizon,” he paused. “Seancey, are you up here?”
“I hear you, friend Gondrial,” the large man replied. “And I suppose you want me to handle them?”
“Not at all. I thought I might wake Morgoran, unless, of course, you just happen to come down from that tower,” Gondrial said.
“Of course I will take care of them,” Seancey said in his booming voice.
Gondrial turned and almost tripped over the two boys standing directly behind him. “You two had better get out of the way; Seancey is somewhat clumsy in the dark.” Dorenn and Rennon quickly exited the steps. The big man hastily climbed down the stairs to the gate and opened the peep hole. “I don’t see anything,” he said.
“Just wait, they will come,” Gondrial replied.
After a few moments, the hooded riders came into view, riding down the road to the Vale.
Seancey climbed onto the battlement at the side of the wooden gate and waited.
“Hail, keepers of the Vale of Morgoran, the Enforcers require entrance.”
“Who goes there?” Seancey retorted.
“The Enforcers,” the voice barked back. “Open your gates!”
“Hold,” Seancey roared as he opened one side of the gate. “Enter and state your business but do not pass the threshold until your business is approved, understood?”
“Understood, Guardsman,” the voice said.
The first Enforcer came through the gate, his cloak blowing to and fro in the wind and rain. He rode a jet black stallion, and after he entered through the gate, he threw back the hood of his cloak. The Enforcer’s face was gaunt and pale, and his brow was furrowed in a permanent scowl. His eyes were mere slits, and his armor was unkempt and dirty. Dorenn shivered uncontrollably. The man was the most evil appearing person he had ever seen. He cringed as the Enforcer narrowed his eyes at him. He was thankful Seancey was there to deal with him. The Enforcer gave Dorenn another menacing look before turning to Seancey. “I am Captain Row Praf of the Enforcers. I am here on business. There are wielders here, and I mean to find them.”
Seancey laughed. “Aye, there is a wielder here. Congratulations, you have discovered the worst kept secret in Symboria.”
The Enforcer fixed a disapproving stare at Seancey. “Not he who is blind and maimed. I speak of the others I have followed here.” He shifted in his saddle. “I am here to enforce the law. The heretics will be apprehended.”
Dorenn suddenly felt strange as if he could not breathe, and then he noticed Seancey seemed ten feet tall and strangely ominous.
“There are no wielders here but the blind one,” Seancey thundered. The horse shrank back, and Dorenn felt Rennon back away as well. Seancey seemed immovable and imposing. “You will turn away from this peaceful vale and search elsewhere!”
The Enforcer had a surprised look on his wrinkled face. “If you will not admit me, I will come by force.”
“You will do no such thing unless you wish to see the bottom of the Lake of Souls after I have my turn with you.”
Dorenn was amazed as the captain pointed his bony finger at Seancey and turned back through the side gate. Seancey closed the gate behind him and winked at Dorenn as he bolted it.
“It is his special talent,” Gondrial whispered to Dorenn, “to overwhelm any who oppose him. Seancey can be a particularly useful ally.” Gondrial grinned and put his hand on Rennon’s shoulder. “Are you all right, my boy?”
“Huh, um…aye, fine, thank you.”
“Just stay in Seancey’s good graces and you will be fine.” Gondrial said.
“Why did the Enforcer look so pale and strange? He looked like a walking corpse, all gaunt and wrinkled.” Dorenn said.
“Enforcers wield essence in a strange and unnatural way. It takes its toll on them, all that guilt and nervousness from turning on their own. The longer they do it, the more it changes them. They become bitter inside as well as hideous on the outside. It does help us spot them easier.”
“I’m going back to my post. I will keep the Enforcers away from the gates.” Seancey said before he climbed the stairs to the guard tower two at a time.
“The Enforcers will not go far, and as soon as their courage returns, they will attempt to enter the gates again. Seancey will probably not be able to intimidate them a second time.” Gondrial took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We will have to leave now. I think we need to discuss the best route out of this vale with Enowene and Lady Shey and prepare to leave.”
“Is there a back gate?” Rennon asked.
Gondrial nodded. “There is a gate, but the captain will have it guarded before we can saddle our horses. We are trapped, my boy, we will need another means of escape.”
“Escape?” Dorenn asked.
“Aye, Dorenn, our leave from this place has now become a plan of escape. Go and fetch Lady Shey. I will get Enowene and meet you in the meeting hall. We need a new plan.”
Chapter 24: Signal Hill
“We can use the tome again,” Lady Shey suggested.
“Too risky. The Enforcers will detect the magic and trace our path. Since we can only transport two or three at a time for a league or so, the Enforcers will catch up to us by half a league. We can send out horses, but we can only get one, maybe two out at a time,” Enowene said.
“Aye, but what if you three wielders each cast the spell? Would that be faster?” Dorenn asked.
“Recuperation time is lengthy. Even if we sent you three boys and your mounts through, the time it would take to send ourselves would be considerable. Any length of time is more time the Enforcers have to get to you,” Gondrial replied.
“There is another alternative,” Sylvalora began. “Not far from here is the forest of Tolennor and the ruins of Signal Hill. The Enforcers would be fools to follow us there.”
“And we would be fools to go there,” Gondrial countered.
“Another problem with that plan is that no one who has ever entered the cursed ruins has ever returned from them again,” Lady Shey said.
“That doesn’t sound good at all,” Rennon said. “I will take my chances with the Enforcers!”
Sylvalora rubbed her hands together. “We could stay at the edge of the forest. The inhabitants of Signal Hill are particularly nasty folk. Abominations to Loracia.” Sylvalora peered at Vesperin. “Are you familiar with the curses against Loracia? Do you know how to sense such things?”
Vesperin was staring at his wine goblet and suddenly jolted up at the sound of his name. “Aye, it is the first thing taught to new members of the priesthood.”
“Even cursed dead, those brought back by unnatural means, and not those merely deceased?” Gondrial asked.
“Aye, if it is living dead I can sense it as well, no matter how it met its fate.”
“Excellent,” Gondrial said, turning back to Sylvalora. “A bold plan and a foolish one as well. Whomever we send to the doomed village first will have to enter and wait. Any manner of events could occur during that time. In addition, we have to do this at night. The Enforcers may not be dissuaded from traveling into the woods in daylight.” He pondered for a moment. “In fact, I’m fairly certain they wouldn’t attempt it at night.”
Rennon gulped.
“It’ll be all right, my friend, if you keep your wits about you,” Lady Shey said as she patted Rennon on the back.
Gondrial began to pace back and forth. “We will not be able to send the mounts along with us; the spell requirements are too great. We will have to take along plenty of gold to buy horses at Roseshade, a dozen leagues or so to the east of the forest.”
“Agreed,” Lady Shey nodded. “Signal Hill is at the edge of the Sacred Land. All should take caution, wielder or not.”
“Good Advice. Also, we will be traveling light for speed. No unnecessary gear,” Enowene added.
Gondrial stood and clapped his hands together. “All right then, gather your things and we will meet in the courtyard at dusk.” He hesitated. “Unless we get word the Enforcers are coming back to the gates. In that case, gather in the courtyard and we will go as soon as possible.”
Dorenn entered the courtyard on time. The rain had subsided, but the Vale still clung to the chill. A paralyzing fear had replaced his plans to leave the Vale, especially leaving without the elder wielders knowing. He knew the Enforcers would capture him if he did manage to get away, and he had no intention of being captured by Captain Row Praf if he had anything to say about it. Rennon appeared from somewhere behind him. He wore blue, his long hair tied back in a ponytail tucked into his cloak, giving him the appearance of a man with short-cropped hair. He carried a knapsack and his stash of daggers, which lined his breast harness. His new apothecary bag hung at his side. Vesperin was there too. He wore the white and yellow robe of his order. A bit bright for night travel, but he did have a dark cloak to wear if need be, and Dorenn noticed Gondrial had already suggested that he wear it since Vesperin was rummaging through his pack. Lady Shey and Enowene wore dark grey dresses and cloaks wrapped tightly around them. Dorenn noticed that Lady Shey had the tome in her hands opened to the travel spell, and she was nervously going over the incantation, mouthing the words silently. Enowene was peering over Lady Shey’s shoulder at the tome intently. Sylvalora, the last of the companions to enter the courtyard, wore brown. Her cloak seemed to sparkle as if it had flecks of silver and gold in the fabric. She crossed to Rennon and whispered something in his ear. Rennon’s eyes glazed over a moment before he shook his head and walked to where Dorenn stood.
Defenders of the Sacred Land: Expanded and Re-Issued (The Sacred Land Legacy Book 1) Page 20