by Tobias Roote
“Aaron is nowhere near prepared, he would be a target the moment he came within the precincts of the Tower. Even here he is at risk. By now it is almost certain they are hunting for him, and probably us too if I know Krendar. We are the only ones that can rally opposition to him. If he is this close to success, then he must seek to eliminate us in some way,” Gedrack said, his mood black. He could foresee the difficulties they now faced and was unhappy at the prospect of doing battle with the Tower as well as the guards. Krendar was in charge and they would obey him if the other Sentinels failed to curtail his growing ambition.
“We have no choice. If we do not return now the small support we have will be defeated and we will be vulnerable. We must move to counter his proposals even if it just delays things while we gain the strength to defeat him,” Melbray replied.
Junto wasn’t convinced and said so. “I don’t think we should go together, besides you and Gedrack can do more without us. I think Aaron needs the benefit of another week’s training before risking everything on trying to enter the Watchtower. If, as you say, the guards are siding with Krendar, then all of us turning up together will bring them out in force against us - and we’re not ready yet.”
Melbray sighed. “It is, as you say, safer to journey separately. We will go on ahead and Aaron’s training can be finished. We will expect you within ten days, no longer,” he said as he stood to make ready to leave immediately. Gedrack was already making his way to his ferrel to load it with supplies. It was three days ride and they needed to make haste.
Aaron looked over at Junto. He looked worried and concern leaked from his shield. When he looked back to Aaron knowing he was there, he shook his head, the worry deeply etched into his features.
“Let them get started, then we will follow them on foot, your training will proceed as we go. It will save some days.”
Aaron nodded. He had wisely held back his own thoughts and concerns, but he too realised that time was against them.
- 13 -
As Aaron hiked along the worn trail Junto’s ferrel ambled alongside him, their minds linked while Junto described mentally what he wanted Aaron to do. He had planned on teaching Aaron the art of disguising his talents from prying eyes, but instead they spent the first few days practicing his shield techniques and against Junto’s better judgement teaching Aaron how to use his talent to coerce opponents.
“Junto, if I cannot take on Krendar at his own game, the chance of my succeeding will be as a newborn ferrel,” he said in response to Junto digging in his heels at the direction his apprentice was taking.
“Aaron, you will do as you wish, there is nobody that can stop you if that is what you want. However, if you learn to hide your talent from Krendar’s spies, then you might live long enough to use your skills against him directly.”
In the end they compromised and over the following week Aaron became proficient in everything Junto could teach him. Once his stubborness was eradicated, Aaron proved very adept at learning to control his skill to the point that Junto began to believe they had a good chance of taking on Krendar for control of the Tower.
“Your talent is the strongest I have ever seen, Aaron. Should you want a future in the Watchtower, then I believe you could go far. Even to the top of the Tower – someday,” Junto said, appraising his acolyte at the end of a satisfactory session. They had finished eating a Bucco hare that Aaron had killed accidentally while attempting to converse with it on a basic level. The animal had gone immediately crazy and bucked across the plain straight into the side of a protruding rock, killing itself instantly. The broken neck didn’t affect the taste and they ate meat for the first time in many days.
Aaron had been contemplating much the same. He was beginning to realise he had a, so far, unlimited talent that he was fast becoming proficient with. He had been practicing much more than Junto realised. He had also lightly maintained a link with the others since since Melbray and Gedrack had moved ahead to the Tower to prepare for their arrival in a few days. Then overnight, he had lost contact with their mental signatures. He was hesitant to tell Junto because he didn’t want him to know that he was broadcasting his mind afield. They had all expressly forbidden him to do so, as Krendar might discover his whereabouts. Aaron worried that someone might have monitored him and got to them through his link. He doubted it, but was still reluctant to share his misgivings.
***
They surprised him and Gedrack on the last bend in the path before the Tower came into sight. The six men looked strangely aggressive, not a common sight amongst the Sar. Melbray’s sense of forboding warned him to halt his ride before he reached their position. He mentally called out a warning to Gedrack who was several ferrel-lengths behind, but Gedrack was already aware as six other men had stepped out of the undergrowth behind him.
“How was it we missed these minds on our approach?” Melbray called mentally to his friend. There was no answer and as Melbray wondered what was going on, he turned to look at Gedrack. As he did so, he almost missed the thirteenth man set back from the others in the shade of a Pussun tree, its fronds hanging down and breaking up the image of the Sar that stood with his hands on hips smiling malevolently at him. Melbray sent out a call to the Watchers in the Tower, they would pick up his alarm and come to their assistance but there was no response. Nothing at all.
“What is it with you men?” Melbray shouted pulling back on his ferrel as the ones in front closed in on them. He sent a warning thread to the nearest, but was rebuffed by some kind of shield. The attackers continued to advance and Gedrack was crowding him from behind being similarly pressed from the rear.
“Melbray, my talent is being blocked. I cannot reach help, there is something sorely wrong here,” Gedrack called out to him, the concern in his voice only hinting at the worry in his thoughts. Melbray understood then that this was more than just a chance meeting, they were here for them and however it was being managed their mental signals were being blocked.
Melbray looked at the half-hidden guard and went to use his talent to take down what he considered to be their leader. He would render him unconscious as he once did a crazy madman who was killing people in his village. However, when he went to use his mental power, he found that there was nothing for it to focus on, like a fog his mind was instantly enveloped in a cloud of confusion and instability. Instead of attacking the guard, he found himself under attack from the six men at his front. He was pulled roughly off his ferrel and dragged to the ground, his old body no physical match for their aggression. Before he could utter a word, he was hit on the side of the head in a practiced swing of a club and his world went black.
Gedrack tried to avoid the same fate. He hadn’t seen the thirteenth man so when the mental attack pushed down on his mind, he felt himself wallowing in a lack of purpose. He wasn’t clubbed, instead he was held by four of them while a fifth forced a tincture into his mouth. The bitterness warned him and he tried to spit out the foul liquid, but enough had passed his throat and before a few seconds had passed, his strength left him and darkness soon followed.
The attack had taken only a few minutes and the guards who had been out of uniform to ensure any memories of the incidents didn’t incriminate the Watchtower, bundled their captives and returned them to their ferrels hog-tying them to their saddles. The thirteenth man kept vigil and continued to use his talent to blanket everything they did. There would be no Watcher alive that would see what had transpired here tonight. Krendar would be pleased. More importantly the guards own plans were advanced with the capture of one of the biggest impediments to the success of their mission. The Blanker sent out a tendril of thought which was immediately caught by a strong talent and turned into a tightweave communication.
“It is done, we have their leader and his major companion.”
“And they continue to suspect nothing?” came the reply.
“No, they are very trusting, they suspect nothing,” the Blanker responded.
“Make sure it sta
ys that way, our plans are moving swiftly and victory will soon be ours.”
The communication tendril evaporated and the non-uniformed guards started to trek towards the Watchtower while maintaining a strong cloak under which their arrival would remain undetected.
- 14 -
Aaron followed Junto’s ferrel over a stone bridge leading to the main gate which was being strictly controlled by Krendar’s Watchers. They were a mean looking bunch, louts at best, thugs probably. They had spotted Junto from a distance and scrutinised his passage as both he and Aaron shuffled forward among the large throng of people. As Junto got closer, they gestured, indicating for Junto and Aaron to head directly to them.
Stopped at the entrance, Junto was forced to explain why he was bringing a non-approved acolyte into the Tower. They refused entrance on the basis that he had no permission from Krendar. Junto knew, and so did they, that he didn’t need it. However, Krendar ruled with an iron fist, and it was difficult to overcome the bully tactics being used by his henchmen, especially at the gate. Krendar must have gained advance notice of their arrival.
Aaron feigned disinterest in the goings-on, while he cautiously read the mood of the people around him. Their thoughts were anxious, they knew that Junto had as much right to enter with a potential acolyte as any other Sentinel on the Council. They also knew that it was a matter beyond Krendar’s influence, but they would not stand against him, or his men, for fear of being personally targeted.
He was beginning to understand that the driving force behind the ruling of the Tower by Krendar was based on a culture of fear. He could deal with this, even if it meant them finding out about his abilities. However, he could not guarantee the safety of all of these people. He would have to find a better way, so he kept his abilities shielded and looked the part of a new ‘unblooded’ acolyte.
Not for the first time, he began to doubt the wisdom of the older Sentinels, Melbray and Gedrack, in allowing Junto to bring him here for his continued training. It looked fraught with dangers that he was currently ill-equipped to manage. A single mistake could mean their downfall, yet he could not stand by and let Junto risk all for him. To back away now would possibly result in both their untimely deaths from Krendar’s assassins.
Another Sentinel had ridden up behind the queue that was forming. The man’s ferrel broadcast its indignant protestations at having to carry such a heavy passenger and was now also having to deal with a queue that made its legs ache from standing. Aaron glanced at the heavyset man. Not as large as Junto, but enough of a load for the ferrel to justifiably complain.
Aaron took a chance and lightly touched the Sentinel’s mind. His skill was still wild, but he had laid it on many in the past without them sensing anything. As gentle as he was, he proceeded cautiously as this was one trained to register such invasions of the mind and emotions. The large man appeared not to notice the touch as he was busy placating his ferrel that was still emanating distress at the delay.
He laid a fine gossamer web of objectionable anger at the delay over the Sentinel’s mind and was quickly rewarded by him shouting at the guards. Aaron could feel the pressure of the mental accusation pressuring the guards at the gate to ‘get a move on, he hadn’t got all day’, which caused them to waver in their commitment to keeping Aaron out.
Aaron reached out and added an emote of nervousness to the two guards who were barring them from entering the Tower. The combined pressure of the impatient Sentinel behind them, Aaron’s emoting and the impatient mutterings of the others queueing around them soon had the desired effect.
The guards now looked increasingly nervous. Then, without saying another word, they suddenly gave in to the inevitable and parted to allow Junto, now on foot leading his ferrel, and Aaron passage. Everyone behind them suddenly pressed forward, driven, no doubt, by added emote from the impatient Sentinel at their rear. The bustle of people forced Junto and Aaron into the main courtyard where two more guards waited for them. As the crowd surged past either side, the Watchers moved to try and flank them.
“Follow us, Sentinel Junto, bring the brat with you,” the big one ordered, indicating Aaron dismissively with a look of utter contempt.
“I beg your pardon!” Junto turned on him angrily, forcing the man to step back to avoid Junto’s large bulk.
“Do you think you can address me in that manner and order me to comply? Your station here doesn’t permit you to address me with anything other than respect,” Junto bellowed at the two of them while standing his ground. He’d had more than enough of Krendar’s influence already today and was not about to take another second of it.
The Guard turned towards him impatiently “Sentinel, if you please. We have been ordered to bring you before the Council leader as soon as you arrive,” the man explained as if talking to an underling who simply did not understand the way things worked.
Junto had heard enough. “Then you can return to your Master and tell him that I will meet with him in Chambers at the ordained time where he can address his comments to me in front of the whole Council - now get out of my way, I am tired and I WILL pass.” And with that he pushed to pass between the two men who stubbornly attempted to restrict his passage.
Expecting just such a response, Junto used his own prodigious girth to create an unstoppable bow wave that caused them to fly backwards. The biggest landed on his butt. The other went tripping backwards over a ferrel tether, ending up in the courtyard slurry ditch much to local amusement, enraging the two guards.
Junto grabbed hold of Aaron’s arm pulling him close behind as he marched onward, ignoring the fallen guards protestations and vocal shouts for assistance. When other guards began to arrive, they stood indecisively, unprepared to tackle a Sentinel without due reason. Junto gave them none and progressed to the main building, where his quarters were located.
Receiving no further trouble, they proceeded through enormous doors framing the Tower dormitories and headed towards the Sentinel quarters on the third floor. The corridors were so large, Aaron noted, that even Junto looked small, framed up against them.
- 15 -
They continued to march rapidly through the milling crowd of Sentinels, most of whom looked at Junto as if he had been dragged in on the back of a ferrel hoof. Their hostility towards Aaron was such that a look of disdain would have seemed compassionate in contrast.
Aaron felt their animosity, but cloaked his awareness lest they get wind of his talent. He was not strong enough yet to wield his powers on a level with them all and would be vulnerable here until he could.
Several attempts to break through Aaron’s defences would have proved entirely fruitless even if he had not received training by Junto on such things during their journey to the Watchtower. He would have repelled these attempts easily. They were just half-hearted, and Aaron ignored their intent, managing to appear mentally deficient in the process. This brought sniggers from the passing acolytes, giving Aaron an opportunity to fix their mental and physical features in his mind. Knowledge is power, especially in this esoteric world of emoters.
Instead, Aaron concentrated on the overall mood of the hall, sensing considerable animosity aimed at Junto, but not because he had brought Aaron into the Tower. There was something else building here and Junto could not be unaware of it. His skills, in the politics of rule by all accounts from the other two, were legendary.
As they went to mount the first set of flagstone steps to the quarters above the hall, Junto was stopped by a stern voice. “Junto! A moment, if you please.” The formal sounding request carried from across an adjoining corridor, as another Sentinel hurriedly approached their position, his purple cloak, denoting higher authority, billowing behind his fast moving figure.
“I believe you must have missed the guards who were instructed to escort you to Krendar's office.” He swept his hand past him indicating the route to the Head of the Council’s chambers. He had the expectant air of someone used to being obeyed.
Junto laughed good-naturedly
. “No, Kreebo. I met the two scoundrels outside. Suffice to say they are on their backsides, the laughing stock of the quadrangle. Best you advise Krendar, they will be delayed reporting back.”
He turned his back on the First Lord’s secretary, intending to resume his climb upward with Aaron following as a quiet shadow. He got as far as the third step.
“JUNTO!”
The big man turned to see a tall, thin man approaching quickly with considerable tension reflecting in swift movements. He halted once he had Junto’s attention.
“My chambers. Immediately.” He spat out the words angrily. Aaron correctly assumed the individual to be Krendar and remained still, keeping close to Junto, while he inwardly reeled at the uncontrolled anger emanating from the thwarted self-designated leader of the Tower.
Junto turned on Krendar with the added advantage of height and size. With an affected good nature, he wagged his finger at the thin man.
“Krendar, you may rule in Council chambers. Outside of those chambers you are but a Sentinel, as am I. As such you have no authority to order me or any other Sentinel to attend you, anywhere.” He turned back to the stair upon which his foot still rested. “Now, if you don’t mind I have tarried long enough on your whims. I need to attend to my own bodily needs before the next council session. IF, you have anything to say to me, you can do so in the next official session.”
Aaron turned and meant to follow, but hearing the swish of robes, he felt his arm grabbed by Krendar.
“Guards! Remove this vagrant from the Sentinel halls,” Krendar ordered, referring to Aaron. “This hall is for Sentinels and acolytes only.”