Eltor stared at the large selection of white uniforms. He turned and stared at the marshal.
“You intend for us to wear your uniforms?” the elf asked. “We are not joining your army.”
“I only offer clean clothes,” replied the marshal as he walked to a wide closet on the fourth wall. “No one has mentioned anything about accepting you into the armies of Khadora.”
The wide closet had several doors in it. The marshal opened one of the doors to the closet, and Eltor moved up behind him to watch. Several uniforms hung from hooks high in the closet. One of them had broad gold stripes around the edges. The elf stared at the uniform and then looked at the marshal.
“Why do you have gold on your uniform?” Eltor asked. “All of the other soldiers we saw inside the palace do not.”
“I am the Imperial Marshal,” answered Marshal Chack as he knelt and scanned the drawers that filled the lower half of the closet.
Some of the drawers had names written on them, but most did not. The marshal opened several of the drawers without names and tried to gauge the size of the tunics within.
“My gold stripes set me apart from the rest of the Imperial troops,” the marshal continued. “The Emperor is the only other person to wear gold on his uniform, and his gold is much wider than mine. I will find you something in gray so that you are not offended by wearing the Imperial color. Take off your rags and get washed up.”
Eltor turned and saw Caldal standing near the door with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. It was obvious to Eltor that Caldal did not want to be in the palace. He shook his head and walked to his friend.
“Washing will make you feel better,” Eltor said softly. “Besides, anything we get to wear will have to be better than these Motangan uniforms.”
“I want nothing from the humans,” Caldal said stubbornly. “Let us flee while we can.”
“Every door out of the palace is manned,” Eltor shook his head. “We will never make it out of here alive. Wash and change your clothes. I promise that we will flee when the time is right.”
Caldal stood defiantly for several moments before sighing and stripping off his uniform. He threw the clothes on the floor and began washing. Eltor grabbed several clean rags from a shelf and joined him. Moments later, Marshal Berman crossed the room and placed two sets of clothes on a small table near the elves.
“These ought to be a fairly close fit,” declared the marshal. “If you wish, I will have something altered to fit you better, but it will not be complete before you meet the Emperor.”
“Then we are really going to see him?” asked Eltor. “I thought Mistake was merely boasting about it.”
“You will get to see him,” replied the marshal. “He needs to know about the Island of Darkness and the land of the elves.”
Caldal muttered something under his breath, which did not sound friendly. Marshal Berman was about to say something when the door opened and a gray-clad warrior entered. The marshal immediately marched across the room to greet the new arrival.
“You are needed on the training field, Marshall,” declared the newcomer.
“I was just getting the elves ready to join Mistake and MistyTrail in the dining room,” replied the marshal.
“I will take care of the elves,” replied the warrior. “I need to wash up myself.”
The marshal nodded and left the room as the warrior closed the door. The elves stared at the newcomer as he began to remove his weapons and place them on the floor. They whispered to each other as numerous knives and stars were placed next to the large two-handed sword. The warrior stripped off his dirty gray uniform and threw it on the floor. He walked across the room and stepped into a large tub of water and began washing.
“We could take those weapons,” Caldal whispered to Eltor. “Surely we could escape without the humans noticing us? We are elves after all.”
“Only when the time is right,” insisted Eltor, “and the time is not yet right. We will meet this human emperor and then leave. Be patient.”
“I will be patient,” Caldal grudgingly agreed, “but I will not say anything to him about Elvangar. The humans must not know anything about our homeland. That is the law.”
“I know the law,” retorted Eltor as he watched the human bathe. “We will tell him about Motanga and nothing else. As soon as we are out of this palace, we will find our own way home. I am sure that we can lose the humans easily.”
“We can steal a boat and put this human land behind us,” nodded Caldal.
“I am not pleased to be reduced to stealing,” frowned Eltor.
“Why not?” asked Caldal. “These humans are our enemies just as much as the ones on Motanga. We stole their boat.”
“These humans have not threatened our lives yet,” posed Eltor. “I cannot see them in the same light as Vand’s people.”
“I can,” scowled Caldal. “Just because they have not threatened us yet is no reason to believe that they won’t. All humans are alike. They are not to be trusted. They are our enemies. I will slit one of their throats to get a ship. Maybe we should try to take the emperor hostage when we meet him and demand a ship as ransom?”
“He will likely be well guarded,” frowned Eltor. “The humans would never be foolish enough to leave him in the presence of strangers without guards.”
“We shall see,” Caldal said stubbornly.
“We don’t even know how to get back to Elvangar,” Eltor pointed out. “Suppose we do succeed in getting a ship? Then what? We don’t know which direction to sail.”
“We need to find some charts of the human land,” nodded Caldal. “Maybe we can determine something about our location when we see them?”
The human warrior stepped out of the tub and dried himself. He walked to the wide closet and opened the door. The warrior was hidden from the elves by the door to the closet. As the human dressed, Caldal silently dashed across the room and snared two knives from the pile of weapons. He raced back to Eltor and placed the weapons under the gray uniforms that the marshal had laid out for the elves.
“That is enough washing for me,” Caldal said loudly. “I guess we should try to fit into these uniforms now so we look nice when we meet the emperor.”
The warrior smiled inwardly as he slipped on his clean white uniform. Caldal grinned as he pulled on the gray uniform and slid the stolen knife under his tunic. Eltor had just managed to hide his knife when the door to the closet slammed shut. He looked over at the warrior and his eyes grew wide. The once dirty warrior stood in a clean white uniform with broad gold bands running through it. Emperor Marak grinned at the elves as he fastened his cape.
“Not exactly what you expected to see?” asked the Emperor as he walked to his pile of weapons and began picking them up. “You have much to learn about humans. We are not your enemies.”
Caldal fidgeted with his hand beneath his tunic. Emperor Marak stared coldly at him while Eltor gently laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder in a calm warning.
“You do not want to start this relationship by dying,” warned the Emperor as he stuffed his stars into a pouch. “Leave your knife where it is, and no one will get hurt.”
Caldal saw the Emperor standing across the room holding his still-sheathed sword. He knew that the missing knives had been noted, and that they would soon be taken back. He thought this would be his last chance to attack. If he could wound the Emperor now and take him hostage, they would have a free pass out of Khadora. Caldal pulled his knife and threw it at Emperor Marak.
The Emperor’s sword rose swiftly, knocking the flying knife to the floor. He quickly swung the sword to one side, causing the sheath to slide off the sinuous blade. He shook his head sadly as he held the two-handed sword before him.
“I would have credited you with more sense than that,” the Emperor said softly. “I will have the other knife dropped to the floor now.”
Eltor swallowed hard and nodded. He reached under his tunic and dropped the stolen knife to the floor.
He kicked it across the room towards the Emperor.
“We are not your enemy,” Emperor Marak declared as he retrieved his sheath and slid the sword into it. “I had hoped that you would realize that without being told.”
The Emperor retrieved the knives and slid them into sheaths on his belt. He positioned the sheathed sword so it hung down his back and then flipped the cape over it. Neither elf spoke, and when the Emperor had all of his weapons restored, he walked over and stood before them.
“Are not Mistake and MistyTrail elves?” he asked.
“They are,” nodded Eltor.
“Then why do you assume that we would be your enemies?” asked the Emperor. “Mistake and MistyTrail are well accepted and loved in this land. We have no reason to hate you.”
“All humans are our enemies,” declared Caldal. “That is our law.”
“Then your laws need changing,” stated the Emperor. “Are all elves thieves?”
“I did not steal your knife,” shrugged Caldal. “I meant to return it.”
“And return it you did,” retorted the Emperor, “although not in a friendly manner. I was referring to your plan to steal a boat.”
Caldal’s mouth dropped open as he turned and looked across the room to where the warrior had bathed. He looked back at the Emperor and shook his head.
“You heard us talking?” asked Caldal. “How is that possible?”
“I heard everything,” nodded the Emperor. “It was not a conversation that pleased me. I had wanted very much to meet elves in the hopes that a friendship could be developed between our peoples, but I can see now that the elves prefer a world ruled by Vand instead of Kaltara.”
“Never,” spat Eltor. “How can you say such a thing?”
“Just who do you think Vand will attack after he is done destroying us?” asked the Emperor. “Do you think that Elvangar is immune to such attacks? Has not Vand attacked Elvangar before?”
“Humans attacked us many ages ago,” replied Eltor. “That is why you are our enemies. We once trusted humans and traded with them, but they returned our friendship with treachery.”
“It was Vand who attacked you,” declared Emperor Marak. “He will do so again. You have been to the Island of Darkness. Can you doubt that the attack will come?”
“How would you know who attacked us ages ago?” asked Caldal. “You are just making up stories to befriend us. When you know what you need to know, you will discard us and lay plans for attacking Elvangar.”
“What if I could prove to you that Vand attacked the elves to create a division between human and elf?” asked Emperor Marak. “Would you be willing to carry a message from me to your king?”
“The king died years ago,” replied Eltor. “Queen Alycia rules the elves.”
“Are you saying that you will allow us to go home?” Caldal asked skeptically.
“I want you to go home,” assured Emperor Marak. “Even if your queen refuses to establish relations with us, she must be informed of what is happening on the Island of Darkness. Vand will not be satisfied with only our destruction. He will seek to destroy the elves as well.”
“How can you possibly prove what happened ages ago?” asked Eltor.
“I will take you to the lost city of Angragar,” offered Emperor Marak. “There you will be able to read scrolls from thousands of years ago. The history of good relations between your people and mine is well documented. The story of Vand is also documented. Will you accept my offer?”
Eltor and Caldal exchanged skeptical glances. Emperor Marak turned and walked away to let the elves discuss his proposition between themselves. He did not bother to construct an air tunnel to listen in. Instead he waited by the door. Finally the elves crossed the room to the door.
“We will accompany you to Angragar,” stated Eltor. “We will also hold you to your offer to allow us to leave this land, regardless of whether or not we find the proof you say exists. Do you agree?”
“I agree,” nodded the Emperor. “I will even see that you have a ship so you don’t have to steal one,” he added with a smile. “Let us go get Mistake and MistyTrail. I want to hear all about the Island of Darkness before your memories fade.”
“My memories will never fade,” frowned Caldal as he thought back on his time in the Chamber of Horrors.
* * *
Lady Mystic and Aakuta reached the top of the stairs in the great pyramid on the Island of Darkness. The soldiers immediately opened the doors to the throne room and admitted them. Aakuta trailed slightly behind Lady Mystic and followed her without question. She strode off to one side of the room and moved to the front to get a good view.
“What is the significance of today’s meeting?” Aakuta asked softly.
“I am not sure,” Lady Mystic admitted. “I do know that Clarvoy has returned from the mainland. I suspect that he brings great news.”
“Who is this Clarvoy?” asked the dark mage.
“He is the spymaster,” answered Lady Mystic. “He is Vand’s most favored servant. Do not cross him if you wish to live.”
Aakuta’s eyes swept the room, noting the presence and absence of those he had come to know during his time on Motanga. As his eyes swept over the Emperor, he saw that Vand was watching him. Aakuta quickly averted his eyes.
“He has been asking questions about you lately,” Lady Mystic said softly with a cruel smile upon her lips. “Perhaps you are not fully trusted yet.”
“Do not be so smug,” Aakuta retorted. “I do not think Vand trusts anyone. I have been as loyal as any other.”
“Perhaps,” replied Lady Mystic as the doors opened once more.
A man entered the chamber. He was neither tall nor short. Nor could he be described as either wide or thin. He had no facial hair, save thin eyebrows. When he removed his hat, Aakuta saw that the man’s head was clean-shaven. His nose was average, and his ears neither protruded too far from his head nor did they lay flat against his skull. The only things remarkable about the man were his eyes. The eyes were a sparkling black that seemed to penetrate whatever they focused on. And those eyes instantly surveyed the people in the room as he marched down the center carpet and halted several paces from the throne.
“Welcome back, Clarvoy,” the Emperor said dryly. “What news do you bring me?”
“There is much to tell,” Clarvoy reported in a dull monotone voice. “Is it necessary for all to hear?”
“I have chosen the audience for today,” declared the Emperor. “Speak.”
“Omunga has fallen to the Sakovans,” Clarvoy began. “Their crops are being rejuvenated by mages, and the bloodshed during the war was much less than we had hoped for. Karnic obviously failed his assignment. He has already paid for his failure.”
Vand’s eyes darted to gaze upon Aakuta and then returned to the spymaster.
“This does not please me,” frowned the Emperor.
“Many things will not please you this day,” replied Clarvoy, “but you will be wiser for having heard what I must say.”
“Continue,” prodded the Emperor.
“The Khadoran Emperor is training all of the armies of Khadora,” continued the spymaster. “Each clan has been instructed to send troops to Khadoratung to be trained. When they return to their estates, others replace them. This could cause us a great deal of concern.”
“What can be done to disrupt it?” asked Vand.
“Only trouble in the local areas would disrupt it at this stage,” replied Clarvoy. “I have been using some hellsouls to test the reactions of the clans. When there are unexplained murders near the estates, the armies are reluctant to move. If enough of this happens, Emperor Marak will not be able to train the armies. The clans will cite the need to enforce order in their home regions.”
“What else have you found out?” asked Vand.
“Four elves were seen in Khadora,” reported the spymaster. “Two females and two males. The males wore the uniforms of Motanga. It is rumored that the two females rescued the male
s.”
Rage fell over Vand’s face as he pointed to a soldier with gold trim on his uniform.
“There was a watch house abandoned not long ago,” stated the Emperor. “Their boat was also missing. Summon that sector commander to me immediately.”
The officer bowed and swiftly left the room.
“What is that about?” whispered Aakuta.
“The watchers were thought to have deserted their post,” replied Lady Mystic. “It now appears otherwise. The sector commander will be punished for allowing the escape.”
“What will happen to him?” asked Aakuta.
“Whatever happens to him,” smiled Lady Mystic, “he will wish he was already dead.”
“The enemy also has a method of communicating magically,” continued the spymaster. “They call it an air tunnel. It has the capability to send speech over great distances.”
Vand sat staring blankly for several moments before saying, “I want that spell known by my people. Discover how it is done. I also want to know how to disrupt their use of it.”
“I will see to it,” promised the spymaster.
“Is there anything else?” asked Vand.
“I could use more hellsouls,” Clarvoy stated.
“How many do you need?” asked Vand.
“As many as you can spare,” answered the spymaster. “I can make good use of them on the mainland.”
“Then I shall create more for you,” the Emperor smiled wickedly. “You shall have as many as you require.”
“Hellsouls?” asked Aakuta in a soft voice.
“They are revenants,” explained Lady Mystic. “They are very interesting creatures. When they are killed, they rise again to continue serving their master. We should watch as Vand creates new ones. He will probably be doing so this afternoon. Want to go?”
“Very much so,” smiled Aakuta. “I also have an idea regarding the punishment of the sector commander.”
“Oh?” Lady Mystic asked with interest. “What have you thought up?”
“Remember telling me about the special chamber that Vand visits?” questioned the dark mage. “Would not that be a fitting end to a traitor?”
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