Double Life - Book 1 of the Vaiya Series
Page 35
“No,” replied Kethin casually. “I just added an exceptional clause which relates to various temperatures and certain amounts of clothing--with more or less being added due to adverse conditions.”
“Heresy,” roared Melrok, as flames of fire curled around him. “Abide by the rules or die outside them.”
Kethin sighed. “Do you want me to report or not?”
“Go ahead,” replied Melrok, still seething. “But this issue will be brought up in future conferences.”
“Of course--that’s only reasonable.” Kethin paused for a comfortable while and then rang a bell--it resonated with a loud sound, conjuring up images of monasteries, abbeys, deep wells, and cathedrals.
As the sound slowly diminished, Kethin began his report, his tone nonchalant and indifferent, “I have met with the southern Forest Scourge and have sent them on a mission to murder Avarin, the crown prince of Sarith. If all follows through the mist, he will be dead within the span of two days.”
A slight grin on his face, he was just about to add more, when his brother Arvage interjected, glancing at Melrok. “Has Lord Zharmun ordered the crown prince’s death?” he asked, slight emotion in his voice.
“No!” spat out Melrok, his eyes suddenly piercing into Kethin. “As usual, he is disobeying our father by making his own quests, instead of only doing the quests he’s commissioned to us.”
But Kethin just yawned. “I don’t see the problem, brother. The more chaos that erupts in the world, the sooner he will break free. Do you deny this?”
It took the utmost effort for him not to burst out in a rage. “No, but we should accomplish it his way--any other way is pure rebellion.” Pausing enough to regain his angry thoughts, he added spitefully, “So, how have you fared in doing our father’s bidding, Kethin? Is the mermaid captured yet?”
He paused briefly. “She has been captured,” he said truthfully, although deceitfully, as she had soon been freed by a strange young man. But they wouldn’t have to know that. “It is only a matter of time before we get her father to trade us the rare artifacts Zharmun requested in exchange for her life.”
Against all his negative emotions, Melrok actually cracked a smile, albeit, a very short-lived one. “Well, at least you are doing something.”
Kethin smiled, his vivid purple eyes shimmering with pleasure. “Yes, I am, and I take it your missions are going smoothly as well?”
Melrok grunted, looking over at Talivar and Sarvia. “Yes. We only have yet to collect the valha herb, the shunni root, and the ryvin weed.” Here he paused as if to collect his thoughts. “As for our other quest, the trap for Prince Taishan, the crown prince of Amalon, is about to be sprung.”
He smiled. “Very good,” said Kethin sarcastically, amused, as Talivar glared at him with his swirling green eyes and Sarvia angrily sent a strong gust of wind towards him, causing him to wrap his cloak even tighter about him. “And what about you, Cruvia?” he asked, ignoring his sister’s antics.
A twisted smile grew on her face, as she gently tossed a ball made solely out of water back and forth between her hands. “The ambassador ship from Sarith has been sunk by my servants,” she stated proudly, curling her long sea green hair in her slender fingers, as Kethin noted with annoyance that this was at least the third time she’d brought up this accomplishment. “As for the Verandel ambassador I sent, she has established a solid alliance with Amalon. The war with Sarith is on the horizon.” “And you, Veroth?” he continued, visibly impressed, although he refused to acknowledge her feats as it would only increase her conceit.
He hesitated, looking almost guilty, a touch of sympathy in his silvery blue eyes, his snow white hair drooping down onto his shoulders. “The dwarves are quickly becoming convinced to join the human force against the elven kingdom of Amalon. It is only a matter of time now before blood will be shed....” Here he trailed off, his voice weak and shaky, his head downcast and sorrowful.
Not caring about his dilemma, knowing that Veroth, whose magic abilities consisted only of life and healing, had always been softhearted in his dealings with people, Kethin turned around and looked at his older brother. “And you, Arvage? What have you done?”
A shrewd look crossed his face. “I have completely gained King Ralin’s trust, I have convinced the humans to start a war with the elves, and I have gained valuable information about the capital city of Carakoth.”
Kethin blinked, turning his head around slightly, gazing into his brother’s earthy brown eyes. “Is that all? Surely the humans were already strongly set on this war, and gaining the king’s trust and knowing a few things does you absolutely nothing, unless you put them to good use.”
Arvage didn’t even wince. “I have only done what our father has instructed me to do, brother. That is more than you can say.”
He laughed. “I suppose you’re right.” Pausing, and shivering again, as a cold blast of wind drove into him, he added, “Now if there is nothing else to say, I think it is time we leave before this blustery wind bites any deeper into us.”
“Yes, it is time,” agreed Talivar with a scowl at Kethin. “Before I decide to send a swarm of mosquitoes after you.”
“Indeed,” he said, just laughing, as he stepped closer to the portal that would take him to a secret chamber in the palace of Verandur where their mother, Queen Islah, anxiously awaited to hear the details of the meeting.
As he stepped onto the two matching palm tree symbols on the portal, Kethin reflected on the mysterious young man who had not only escaped completely unharmed from his siblings’ attack two days ago, but had also rescued the mermaid princess from the hands of the Forest Scourge.
Something was definitely peculiar about him. Not only did he appear to be a powerful Chardin who was immune to the strongest forms of magic, but he also appeared to have a sharp knowledge of the six Azair Stones. Otherwise, it would make no sense how he could so quickly get from the Woods of Zahla in Amalon to the pier on the extreme southern tip of Sarith. He had to have used the portals to transport himself from place to place.
Shutting his eyes as a bright light flashed about him, Kethin soon found himself in the Verandel palace and half-expected to see the young man there. But he wasn’t anywhere in sight. Not yet, anyway.
A smile on his face, Kethin had a sudden desire to see this young man on their side, fighting to set Zharmun free. There was no doubt that he’d be a powerful asset if they could convince him to join them. But of that, Kethin had little worry. The power of persuasion was only one of his many gifts. It would only take a short while to induce this human to join their cause, and when he did, they would be that much closer to freeing their father from his intangible, invisible state.
Grinning, as he watched his brothers and sisters appearing around him in various corners of the room, Kethin saw Queen Islah enter the room, looking more cheerful than ever, her youthful face still looking the same as it had for hundreds of years. He just laughed. No one could do anything to stop Zharmun’s release--it was only a matter of time before the Elayan revealed themselves to the world as their rightful kings and queens.
###
About the Authors:
Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter are both identical twins who discovered their interest in fantasy books at a young age after reading The Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia. After reading novels for many years, they finally decided to write one of their own. Aside from writing novels, they both love composing music as well and have released a couple of CD’s on iTunes.
Connect with Us Online:
Brandon Fiechter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/branf88
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Bfiechter.5095?ref=ts&fref=ts
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/branf
Derek Fiechter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfiechter2
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/derek.fiechter
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Derek88