Alric thought about the endless cages of Human slaves that he saw in Mudavé when he had been there only a few months before. It looked as though the caravan carried all of them. There were hundreds of barred carriages following each other in line. These were the brainwashed slaves that Maroke had spoken of when they were disguised as Nestorian traders. He wondered how brainwashed they really were, or if they were just so famished and beaten that they would do anything for a meal.
The caravan moved out of sight, the soldiers dispersed, and all the other slaves went back to work. It was near sundown when Anithistor and a small group of soldiers neared the cages.
Alric had been expecting to see an evil-looking, beastly Stühoc like Maroke, but the king was quite different. Anithistor stood tall in black robes. He didn’t look like most of the other Stühocs. His face wasn’t deformed or scarred all over. He almost looked Human, except for his gray skin and unnaturally dark eyes with no white showing. His features were thin and his eyebrows creased downward producing a constant scowl. His hair was cut short and the gray skin on his face reflected the fading sunlight, almost giving him a supernatural aura. Several tattoos ran down his neck, probably continuing into an intricate pattern over his entire body.
Alric and Nalani exchanged glances, both completely surprised by the Stühoc king’s appearance. Throughout most of his reign, almost no one had seen Anithistor. Most people considered him merely a myth up until now, but in the last three months he had begun conducting business in person as many important people in his kingdom had been killed. Alric wondered how much the king hated the Dunarians. They had killed his general and possessed four of the six medallions. Surely he had to be getting nervous. That is unless this weapon that Coffman found proved to be something bigger than any of them could imagine.
Alric watched as the crowd gathered around Anithistor. Next to him were several people who looked important, and then there was General Mintuk. Anithistor looked up at the caged prisoners individually and his gaze finally rested on Daewyn.
“All too humorous to see the son of the Erellen king trapped in a cage,” Anithistor said. His voice was higher than Alric expected, almost shrill, but it lost no power. “I expect you will tell me that I can do anything I want with you, but Jiaros Florelle will never give in to my demands.”
“Yeah, something like that,” Daewyn said.
“I assure you, I have no intention of bargaining with your father. I simply want to make an example of you. I want to make him feel pain and anger. After what we do to you, he will attack us in a rage, and we will crush him easily enough.”
“Do what you want, but my father is not a fool.”
“You are right. But he is a father.” Anithistor turned away from Daewyn and looked at Mintuk. “Who are the other two?”
Mintuk shook his head. “I don’t know who they are, but they were trying to steal the medallion.” He patted his chest as if to say that it was still safe with him.
Anithistor’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you want to steal the medallion?” he called up to them.
Nalani and Alric kept silent.
“No matter,” Anithistor said after moment. “I am told the Pyramid will be completed in two more days. I’m sure the three of you would be honored to be first Soldiers of the Dead for my army.”
They glanced at each other, confused.
“You like the name I’ve given it? Soldiers of the Dead?”
“I will die before I’m part of your army,” Daewyn yelled out.
“Precisely,” Anithistor said, and then turned and left.
Chapter Twenty
Not a word was spoken on their trip to the Erellen city, Jarul. As soon as they had arrived, Lorcan was taken away to the prison cells while Inga, Kaden and Silas were questioned for more than an hour. They had tried to ask what Lorcan had done to deserve such treatment, but there was no getting any information out of the guards. The Erellen who had arrested them, Teymus, had said that Lorcan was wanted for murder. Silas found murder hard to believe. He had asked Inga what she thought, but she didn’t have much to say. She didn’t think Lorcan would be capable of cold-blooded murder, but he had also kept from her the fact that he was a wanted criminal. There was plenty of reason to believe he had been hiding something bigger all along.
Silas had been so exhausted that he had barely been able to take in the beauty of Elysium. It was a territory inhabited only by Erellens and the citizens intended for it to stay that way. It was rumored throughout the land that Erellens wanted Elysium to be its own country, set apart from Marenon. Most considered its lush, green land to simply be a province of Marenon, which in technicality, it was, but the Erellens didn’t see it that way. No person could simply walk into Elysium and not expect to be questioned about his purpose for being there. In the northern part of Elysium was Jarul. It was the largest and most magnificent city in all of Marenon. Most Erellens lived there, though there were other little towns and villages surrounding it. Many referred to it as the Golden City. It was said that at on a clear day at sunset, the sun’s rays made the city look as though it were made of solid gold. Lavish architecture and massive walkways interlaced throughout the city made one feel rich just being there.
It was the perfect balance between a constructed city and a natural wonder. With waterfalls surrounding the city’s western edge, it would seem to a passerby that they had stumbled into some sort of paradise. Silas had only seen some of this, however. When they were arrested, their escort marched them northward until dawn. They rested for a few minutes, but kept walking all day until the afternoon. That was when they came into the city and that’s when they were taken in for questioning.
Silas could tell that most of the guards they encountered were somewhat perplexed to see the Meshulan with such people. Some of them already knew Kaden, but that wasn’t any help to Lorcan. The other three were taken to a large building to keep them secluded from the rest of the Erellen population. It was comfortable and quiet, but they were separated and guards stood outside their room doors, though they were free to move about. Silas knew that resisting the guards would be no help to their mission. They needed the Erellens as allies in the future because the Dunarians could not face their enemies alone.
Each of them had been offered their own private bath, which they accepted gratefully. Silas couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, knowing Lorcan was imprisoned, probably not receiving the same treatment, but he decided to take what he could get. After the bath, he went straight for the bed and collapsed. He didn’t move a muscle until morning.
The light of the morning sun shone through Silas’ bedroom window, waking him slowly. He sat up and stretched his arms and legs as he yawned. He looked to the end of his bed and saw that his cloak had been washed and a new set of clothes sat ready for him to wear. The tunic and pants fit perfectly, as did the socks and boots. He draped the cloak over his shoulders, feeling refreshed and ready for his day. He only wished he knew what was in store for them. Were they prisoners? Surely not. After being questioned they had been treated more like guests in a very nice home.
After a few minutes, he decided to open the door to his room and was met by a guard who bowed low to him.
“Meshulan,” the guard said. “I trust your night was restful?”
“Yes,” Silas said, a little confused. “Am I allowed to go? Anywhere?”
“Actually, the king has requested that you meet with him in the Great Hall,” he answered. “I would be happy to escort you there.”
Silas nodded and followed the guard. He led Silas through large winding hallways and outside over several bridges with bright blue streams running underneath. He received several stares from wandering Erellens who noticed his Human features. Some children stopped what they were doing and tried to follow the two, but the guard shooed them away. They finally made it to the Great Hall. It seemed twice as big as Jekyll Rock’s, and was much more ornate.
The guard took him up a flight of stairs and into a room
where there stood an enormous table filled with all kinds of food to eat. Sitting at the end of the table were Kaden and Inga who were already feasting on the savory meal.
The guard bowed to Silas and told him the king would be meeting them shortly. Silas bowed back and made his way to the table.
“What is this?” he asked.
“It’s food! Eat,” Kaden answered, handing him a basket of fresh, buttered rolls.
Silas sat next to the end to Inga’s right with Kaden across from him. The amount of food seemed endless and Silas didn’t know where to start. He hadn’t realized just how hungry he was. After filling his plate he began shoving food into his mouth. The food was so delicious. He didn’t even know what most of it was, but it didn’t matter. All he cared about was filling his empty stomach.
“I don’t suppose Lorcan will be joining us,” Silas said.
“If he’s wanted for murder, I don’t know if we’ll get to see him again,” Kaden answered.
“We’re not just going to leave him,” Silas said.
“We don’t know the situation. What if he really did kill someone?”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Inga said. “It couldn’t be.”
“We’ll talk to King Jiaros about it,” Kaden said. “He is a reasonable person and I have known him for several years. He will not ignore us.”
After a few moments, they heard a group of people coming toward the Great Hall. They stood as the king entered the room with a few other servants and Teymus at his side. The three guests bowed low, giving their respect for the king. He wasn’t quite as kingly as Silas would have thought. Jiaros wore no crown, no lavish garments, only a white tunic and pants. He looked…normal.
“My friends!” he said as he came near the table. “You have journeyed far to be here. Kaden, it has been a very long time.”
“Indeed, it is good to see you, Your Highness.”
“I don’t think I have met you before,” said the king as he turned to Inga.
“Inga,” she said politely and bowed her head again.
The king then turned to Silas. “And you must be Silas,” he said. “It is very good to finally meet the Meshulan who shares both Erellen and Human blood. I am honored to be in your presence, Silas Ainsley.” He bowed low at the waist, something Silas was sure most kings did not do for others. He felt his cheeks go red, not knowing what to say or do.
“Please! Finish your meal,” Jiaros said to them, gesturing to the table. He sat at the end, filling his own plate with various foods.
“I wish we could have met under different circumstances,” Jiaros said. “I don’t make a habit of detaining my allies.”
“What of Lorcan Zamire?” Silas asked. “What did he do to deserve imprisonment?”
“He is your friend?”
Silas nodded. “He is a friend to all of us.”
“He’s not a friend to me,” the king said, turning to his plate. “He has a brilliant tactical mind. I hired him for that very purpose, several years ago. He killed a man who didn’t deserve to be killed. He’s a murderer. I didn’t imprison any of you because I know he probably didn’t tell you.”
“You didn’t imprison us because I’m the Meshulan,” Silas countered. “That wouldn’t look very good on your part.” He knew he had overstepped his bounds, but the king didn’t show any offense at his statement.
“You will have time to visit your friend today,” Jiaros said. “I’ll let him tell you the story.” He looked up at Silas. “So, I imagine I can guess why you are here.”
Silas glanced at Kaden and Inga, wondering to himself if telling the king their plans was such a good idea. He knew the Gatekeeper’s apparition had told them to seek out the king, but could they trust him? The king had imprisoned their friend, though Jiaros felt it was justified. He took a deep breath, deciding he had no other choice.
“We’re searching for the Gatekeeper,” he said. “We were told that you could help us find him.”
Jiaros said nothing and continued to eat. All of them sat in silence, waiting for the king to acknowledge what Silas had told him.
“I know where you can find him,” Jiaros said. “He’s just west of Jarul, but I can’t let you go to him.”
All of them stopped eating instantly.
“What do you mean?” Silas asked.
“It’s too dangerous,” he answered. “We have it on good authority that someone has been following you.”
“That’s not news to us,” Kaden chimed. “An assassin has been after Silas for several days now. We’ve encountered him, but haven’t seen him since we left the Gatekeeper’s old place.”
Jiaros nodded, adding more food to his plate. “Yes well, my men are investigating some strange sights that they saw recently, about the time you got here. We fear that someone has been trespassing on our borders. Someone dangerous. One of our soldiers even claimed they saw a dragon.”
Silas looked up at the king, stunned. No one rode dragons except the enemy. He hadn’t seen one since his fight with Maroke. Silas thought back to the fight with the assassin when they had searched Blue Gate Mountain for the Gatekeeper. There had been no dragon with the assassin, though there could have been one in hiding for all he knew.
“And don’t worry about your sarians,” Jiaros said, holding up a hand. “We have all of them in our stables. I can’t be sure, but I think your assassin might be hiding on the other side of Jarul.”
“Waiting for a chance to kill me,” Silas said absently.
“Not necessarily,” Jiaros said. “You went to Blue Gate Mountain in search of the Gatekeeper?”
Kaden nodded.
“It could be that he followed you there and realized where you were headed and now he’s after both Silas and the Gatekeeper.”
“The apparition said that others were trying to kill the Gatekeeper,” Silas said. “That’s why it sent us to you; to find the Gatekeeper. He wants us to find him!”
“I know,” Jiaros said. “And when my men return with nothing to report then I will feel more comfortable with letting you leave. You will have a host of guards at your disposal too.”
“But we’re running out of time,” Silas said.
Jiaros held up a hand. “I know, I know. I just don’t want you or the Gatekeeper to be harmed. I’m doing this for your protection.”
“You don’t have a right to keep us here,” Silas said standing. Inga stood next to him in support.
“Actually, he does,” Kaden said. “We’ve trespassed on their lands and he can legally use that to keep us here.”
Jiaros nodded. “Now you can make it easier and stay here willingly, or I can place you in a holding cell. Believe me, I do not wish to do that.”
“You’d put the Meshulan in prison?” Inga said in his defense.
Jiaros thought for a moment then looked back up at her. “I would hate to do it, but for the sake of his life and the future of Marenon, yes, I would put all of you in prison. Give my men time. I’m sure there will be nothing to report, then we will go on our way.”
“You’re coming?” Silas asked.
“I will take you there. I would see this done correctly.”
Part of Silas wanted to storm out, but the other part of him decided that the king knew what he was doing. With a sigh, he nodded his head in agreement.
“I will do as you ask.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “I have already taken the liberty of assigning a personal guard for each of you.”
Teymus, as well as two other guards, a male and a female, stepped forward from the other side of the room. Silas had barely even noticed that they had been standing there.
“We don’t need guards while we are in the city,” Inga said.
“Never underestimate the skills of the unknown assassin,” Jiaros came back. “I am confident that he would not be able to make it within the city without our knowledge, but you can never be too careful.”
Jiaros stood and nodded to each of them before lea
ving the Great Hall.
Silas wondered what would happen next. What was in store for all of them? The Gatekeeper had told them to meet with the king, but the king wouldn’t allow them to leave. Had this been the Gatekeeper’s intention all along? Did he somehow know that Silas’ life was in danger and this was his long and winding way of telling him he needed to stay safe? He couldn’t think of any situation that would make that true. He shook his head at the thought. Jiaros was acting on his own and Silas didn’t like it. They weren’t meant to stay in Jarul, much less take orders from the king. But the king was the only one that knew the Gatekeeper’s location specifically.
Silas stepped away from the table toward the door. Teymus was apparently his assigned guard, because he began to move with him. Silas gave him a warning glare to let him know that he wanted space. He wondered if the guards were assigned for their protection or just an excuse for the king to keep an eye on them. Silas figured it was a little of both.
“Where are you going?” Inga asked.
“The king might not be the only one that knows where the Gatekeeper could be staying,” Silas said.
“Who else?” Kaden asked.
“Lorcan.”
Kaden shook his head. “Wouldn’t Lorcan have told us he knew the way before marching into Jarul?”
“We were captured before Jarul, Kaden. Maybe he knows something, maybe he doesn’t. I don’t know. It’s worth a try.” He waited a moment for some response, but none came. Only blank stares. “You two want to come?”
Inga and Kaden left the table and followed him, while Teymus and the other two guards moved wordlessly behind the three at a considerable distance.
Silas wanted to find out if Lorcan knew something about the Gatekeeper’s location, but most of all he wanted the answer to something else. Who did Lorcan murder?
The Marenon Chronicles Collection Page 48