Krell inclined his head, and the slightest of frowns ruffled his forehead for a moment. ‘Jericho? Not the Jericho who helped to solve the mystery of the spectral lion of Ishcar?’
General Jericho smiled and nodded. ‘The very same.’
‘This tale has always intrigued me. Perhaps you may retell it to me in the City of Elindra?’
‘I’d be delighted to, but why Elindra?’
The elf looked serious for a moment. ‘Ah, yes. That is why I am here. I am both the bringer of good and bad news. We should retire to a more private place to discuss this matter.’
Marrok stepped forward and offered his hand, which was taken. ‘Marrok Wulf, Captain. May I suggest your ship? This one is less equipped to handle such matters.’
Nicely put, Jericho thought. The ship was a wreck and unsuitable to hold talks.
‘I agree, though, to ensure there is trust amongst us, I have a simple message for General Wulf.’
Marrok raised his brow expectantly.
‘Curator, Coinin Wulf has sent a message. “Don’t always believe what you see when following my trail.”’
Marrok looked confused for a moment and then smirked. A memory of his youth was awoken, and he cast back to the day he had used his mind to seek out his sibling, an ability he shared with his brother and a gift of the gods. It started as a game his father encouraged. Each brother would never be truly lost if they each had the ability to seek out the other with just the mind. In a trance-like state, he had followed a shining golden path Coinin had left, and was led on a false trail, in the belief that his brother was drowning. He had learned a lesson that day, not to trust all that you see in the mind’s eye, and Coinin was severely punished for distressing his father. Sadly, the brothers had learned during the course of their recent adventures that powerful magic can mask the path, and this particular gift only works over land.
‘What does that mean?’ Jericho asked.
‘It means we can trust these people. Only Coinin would know of this message.’
‘Jericho nodded, satisfied. ‘Then aboard your ship we shall go, Captain Krell.’
Very well. Please, after you.’ Lokè nodded and swung his arm in the direction of the gangplank.
Once safely aboard the elven ship, Dalia and the generals were escorted to the captain’s cabin, which in elven tradition was housed centrally under the main mast.
The room was spacious and elegant for a warship. Lokè seemed to be a collector of rare and intriguing objects judging by the amount of paraphernalia that adorned the walls and shelving around the room. Much of it hid the details of the chamber, though, in several spots, the visitors could see elven etchings or paintings in frames partly hidden.
A separate door led off to what Dalia assumed were sleeping quarters as no cot was visible in this room. A dresser that held several bottles of differing shades of wine accompanied four delicately crafted glasses trimmed with a golden rim.
A table, with charts of the seas of Er’ath, dominated the room. It was sturdy and appeared to be made from eaglewood. Along its edges and down its legs, decorative ivy had been carved with such precision. There were four chairs to match, and Lokè invited his guests to sit.
The door closed behind them, and his guard stood ready at the doorway.
‘May I say, your quarters are tremendous,’ Marrok said.
‘You are not the first to comment, nor the last. It is decorated to my taste. I find this room unappetising if left bare. Sure, the paintings bring some life, but to me, a room must be vibrant and speak volumes of its owner.’
‘In this instance, you are a collector?’
‘But of course, though, not just objects, but knowledge. So many volumes I have stored detailing the history and life of the peoples of Er’ath.’
‘As much as I admire General Marrok’s enthusiasm, I believe we were here to discuss some bad news,’ Jericho interjected.
‘Ah, of course. But first I must pour you each a glass of wine, I think you will need it,’ Lokè said as he crossed the room and unstoppered a bottle of burgundy coloured wine. He poured an even measure into each receptacle and stoppered the bottle once more. Returning to the table with four full glasses he deposited each on the table and slid one to each of his guests. He raised his. ‘To lasting friendship.’
The three Brotherhood soldiers waited until Lokè had taken a sip and did likewise. The liquid was warming and gentle, like strawberry and cinnamon.
Lokè placed his glass upon the table and looked at each of the three seriously. ‘First, the good, I think,’ he said. ‘General Marrok, your brother, Coinin, is safe and stays even now in the City of Elindra, under an assumed name.
Marrok smiled broadly, not quite sure what to make concerning the news of his brother, and so just replied, ‘Thank you.’
The elf nodded and offered a downturned smile, tainted with sadness in the eyes. ‘It is with the utmost regret that I report the death of Archmage Laliala Menin, and inform you that your sanctuary, The Golden Temple has been sacked by your enemy, Lordich Secracar, who now resides within the walls of the City of Rostha as its conqueror.’
Stunned silence filled the room, and no one moved or said a word for close to one minute. It was Jericho who spoke first.
With a brave face that belied his sudden grief, Jericho took a swig of the wine and finished it in one go. ‘My heart, already broken in two, now sits in pieces. I have lost the three things most important to me in the world, and I am at a loss what to do.’ He stared out of the window not looking at anything in particular, just staring.
Dalia dabbed her eyes and sniffed and remained silent, while Marrok stood and crossed to the picture of an armoured warrior on horseback. His mind turned from grief briefly to that of anger, and he drifted from the room as if in a dream. He was on horseback charging towards Lordich at high speed, a sword raised to strike at the warlock, and as quickly as that thought arrived, it was gone. He was back in the room and found himself to be clutching so hard upon a shelf that his knuckles had turned white. ‘The Brotherhood will not stand for this. Lordich will pay dearly. Captain Krell, take me to my brother.’
Lokè stood and laid a comforting hand upon the young man. ‘General Marrok Wulf. I have further news to that effect. King Haldìr offers you and your crew sanctuary in the City of Elindra and wishes to speak with you and General Jericho upon your arrival at the city. Your brother will also be present, I understand.’
Marrok nodded solemnly. ‘Permission to transfer our crew from that crate lashed to your ship and take the journey to your city? I’m afraid that our ship may fall apart at any moment.’
‘Certainly.’ Lokè waggled a finger at his guard, who nodded and left the room. ‘I must ask, though, that the reason we journey to Elindra remain within these four walls for the time being until you have at least spoken to the king. Lordich does not yet know of your brother’s presence within our city. This, I think, is an advantage.’
Marrok looked the elf deep in his light blue eyes and saw no deception, but a yearning.
‘I too desire justice, and I feel the king does, too,’ Lokè finished.
‘You believe the king wishes to help us in our struggle?’ Marrok asked.
‘If word amongst my peers is correct, then yes, we will go to war against this tyrant Lordich. Though, I would await the king’s decision on this.’
Lokè turned his attention to the others in the room. ‘Please, take as much time as you need. My cabin is yours. I shall see to the preparations to return to Elindra.’ He made to leave, and Dalia gripped his arm.
‘You honour us.’
Lokè nodded and smiled politely before leaving the cabin.
❖
Coinin was in the thickest part of the surrounding forest, attempting to clear a path to a known white truffle horde, a delicacy particularly favoured by the king. The season had arrived, and the crop was ripe for the picking, though, the path had become overgrown, and it had fallen to him and the wood elf to
clear.
Coinin did not know it, but Aniol was frantic. Coinin had left without her, and she was still his personal guard. With him and his employer nowhere to be found, she could do nothing but wait in a constant state of worry.
Aniol, named Adina, sat on the bottom step of those that led up to their tree home contemplating the problem when horse hooves disturbed the silence. She looked up and stood, surprised to see three horses, two of which flanked King Haldìr. She recognised him only because he dropped the hood of his simple cloak. He hopped down from the pure black stallion and handed the reigns to his guard.
‘Adina, forgive this intrusion. I have news, and I needed to tell you and the others.’
‘It’s pleasing, though odd to to see you outside of the city, my Lord.’ Aniol bowed.
‘Sometimes, I like to ride alone, unnoticed. Do you understand?’
Aniol looked at his guards and suppressed a smile. ‘You aren’t the only one who likes to go it alone,’ she said, her tone less than pleasant.
‘Is there a problem, Adina?’
‘Thonrìr has left to work in the forest without my presence.’
‘I see, and you worry for him?’
Aniol shook her head. ‘Not so much worried, I’m his protector, that means everything to me.’
‘Ah, yes. I can understand. Never fear, Adina. He is quite safe here. You don’t think I’d put him in danger, do you?’
‘Well, no, of course not.’
‘Besides, he is with a very experienced wood elf. He would see no harm come to Thonrìr.’ Haldìr offered the best smile an elf could provide, which was nothing more than a barely perceptible lopsided twitch at the corner of the mouth.
Aniol nodded gratefully, though, not convinced.
Haldìr turned his head slightly as if listening. He raised his right arm which was covered up to the elbow by a leather gauntlet. Within seconds, a brown and white falcon burst from the canopy and landed deftly on Haldìr’s open glove. The king checked a small brass capsule tied to the leg of the bird and found it to be empty.
‘It seems Thonrìr has received word to return home.’ A smug look crossed the elf’s face briefly. He saw Aniol’s confusion and explained. ‘I sent him a message via falcon, the fastest way I know how.’
‘I thought elves could commune with the trees, nature itself,’ Aniol replied. ‘Surely you could have asked the trees to find him?’
Haldìr raised a brow. ‘We respect nature, we are one with it. We protect it and nurture its bounty. We have a more enlightened relationship with the world and its flora and fauna. But to say that we talk to trees is simplistic. It is so much more than that, but I fear we have little time to explain. Thonrìr approaches.’
Aniol turned and, sure enough, a dirty-faced Coinin appeared from the underbrush and waved with a smile. He was greeted first with a scowl from Aniol, to which he looked away guiltily, and then a friendly nod from Haldìr. He avoided Aniol and greeted the king.
‘Greetings, Thonrìr. Thank you for coming so promptly. I have news. Where are your uncle and his wife?’
Coinin removed his leather vest and folded it across his arm. He wiped his brow. ‘News of the right kind, I hope? I spoke with them this morning, he and Meone were going to visit the city market to seek provisions.’
Haldìr nodded and released the falcon, and all eyes followed it momentarily. ‘Thonrìr, Adina. We should return to the city. I will send word ahead to your uncle.’ He nodded to the guard to his left.
The guard dug her heels into the sides of the horse and adjusted the reigns. The horse turned, and it and its rider galloped away towards the city, a dark blue cloak flapping in the wake.
Haldìr climbed gracefully onto his horse, removed the gauntlet and stowed it in a small saddle bag. ‘Thonrìr, if you’d like to ride with me, Adina will take the other horse. We ride for the city.’
Coinin and Aniol obeyed, and with the helping hand of the king and guard, they sat comfortably behind each rider. As before, sides were kicked lightly, though the king made a clicking sound with his tongue and guided the reigns. The horses conformed, and before long the four were trotting along at a reasonable pace.
‘So what is so urgent that we need to return to the city?’ Coinin enquired of the king.
‘Even in my city, there may be spies for Lordich. I feel it prudent to discuss this quietly in a safe place. I hope you can understand.’
‘Well, so far we’ve done well to hide from Lordich. Changing our names and using such in company was a wise idea and our stories have never been questioned. I see you trust your guard.’
‘Without question. Please, Thonrìr, trust my judgment,’ Haldìr asked.
‘To the city then.’
After a journey of almost one hour, the king permitted Coinin to alight the horse first, and then the monarch hopped from the steed. He handed the reigns to a stable hand and walked away briskly. ‘With me, please,’ he ordered.
Aniol looked at Coinin, confused, and joined him. They briefly held hands and jogged after the king. They entered the palace, the majesty of it lost to the visitors as they’d seen it so many times now that it had become dull to their eyes.
The king turned a sharp left and stopped suddenly before a large double oak door, plain, simple and yet highly crafted. Outside, two guards watched the door, and stood waiting were Draken and Meone. Coinin and Aniol rushed to them.
‘What’s going on?’ Coinin asked his uncle.
‘I have no idea. We were brought here without reason, just at the order of the king. We, of course, had to obey.’
Draken stepped forward. ‘I say, King Haldìr, for what reason did our escort bring us here?’
Haldìr showed no emotion, nor did his eyes flicker. ‘You will find out soon enough.’ He turned to the guards. ‘Is the room secure?’
‘Yes, my King,’ A helmeted elf replied, and stood to attention, her spear taller than she and held diagonally across the doorway, barring entry.
‘Then permit our guests entry.’
Immediately, the two guards brought their spears horizontal and stood to attention.
‘Please, after you.’ Haldìr directed with an open hand.
Coinin and the others grew suddenly worried. Was this a trap? Had Haldìr double crossed them and they would find Lordich inside waiting to kill them or, worse, parade them as prisoners in the City of Rostha?
Coinin decided he would lead and mentally prepared to use the skills taught to him. Magic he had practised and perfected each day in secret.
His hand closed on the crystal door knob, and he pushed the door in silence to suddenly catch his breath.
Aniol rushed to his side. ‘What is it?’ And then she, too, looked inside the room and also gasped. She and Coinin hurried inside and cried out in joy.
Awaiting them was the crew of the Rodinian ship, Brotherhood soldiers who had learned the hard way on how to cross the seas of Er’ath. They were either warming themselves beside an enormous fireplace or were sat eating at a long table.
Shock and surprise hit the crew, too. Several cheered and clapped happily that their leader was safe and in their presence once more.
For Coinin though, there were only two people he desperately wanted to meet. Marrok and Jericho. His inspiration, his heart and motivation, but most of all his brothers in arms.
He spotted them huddled with Captain Dalia and Quindil. He knew instantly they were assessing escape routes, and a way to fight their way out of the castle in case things turned sour.
They each turned to the cheers and clapping and received shocks also. Immediately, they jogged over to Aniol and Coinin.
Marrok stopped short and shook his head in disbelief. ‘Where’s my little brother? You’ve grown somewhat since last we spoke.’
‘That’s the first thing you have to say to me after more than a year?’ Coinin cried. ‘How about, “I’ve missed you.”?’
Marrok shook his head and walked forward. He gripped his younger sibling
into a bear hug and practically squeezed the very breath from him. ‘Of course I missed you. I’m just not, you know, used to showing my feelings in front of people.’
‘Yes, well, you can stop showing them now,’ Coinin replied breathlessly.
Marrok let go. ‘Oh, sorry. It is good to see you.’
‘Likewise, brother. For a moment, there, I thought this was all an elaborate trap.’
‘Mind if I cut in?’ Jericho interrupted.
Jericho stepped forward and clicked his heels, preparing to salute.
Coinin beat him to it. He lunged forward and hugged the older man, the man who had been like a father to him. ‘Formality be damned. It’s so good to see you.’ Tears had welled up in his eyes, and he sniffed and tried to blink them away.
‘Come now, we’re going to set a bad example to the troops. Plus, I have a niece I need to greet.’ Jericho lowered his voice. ‘I missed you, brother.’
They untangled, and Jericho accepted a hug from Aniol. Coinin, in the meantime, greeted Dalia and Quindil. ‘Well done, both of you, for getting everyone … home … safe.’
‘Thank you, Curator. Though, sadly, we lost three more to Mort,’ Dalia announced.
‘Did they at least receive a decent burial?’
‘A sea burial is all we could give them, but due honour was paid,’ Quindil replied.
‘I see you have a new arm?’ Coinin admired.
‘Works wonders. Curator, if I may have a moment of your time?’ Quindil asked.
‘Of course. Step aside with me.’
Coinin and Quindil walked several feet away and out of earshot.
‘What can I help with?’ Coinin enquired.
‘The men, Sir. They’ve been through hell and back. They have no word of their families after so long. Perhaps you can reassure them that all will be well. A little speech?’
‘Perhaps you are right. Rejoin the others, and I’ll be right there,’ Coinin replied. He briefly watched the others join the ship’s crew, now once again Brotherhood soldiers.
The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection Page 125