Tales From Thac

by F P Spirit et al.

  As the trio sat around the fire, Draigo explained how he ended up in this place. It all began with his search for the king’s assassins. Posing as a pirate, Draigo infiltrated the Dasati. He swiftly rose through the ranks, gaining a reputation as the Emerald Blade.

  Seishin’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard of that pirate. It’s said he never killed anyone, only using a blunt blade to disable his opponents.”

  “None of those battles were a matter of honor,” his uncle stated in a pragmatic tone.

  Draigo continued to play his role, but found no evidence of pirate involvement in the assassination. Yet before leaving the Pirate Coast, he got drawn into the feud between Rikton, Tharne, and Kortiama. Rikton was set on becoming Lord Captain of the Dasati, and Korti stood in his way. To save her from certain death, Draigo took on the mantle of both her mentor and champion.

  After hearing the entire twisted tale, Seishin felt a deep sense of remorse. Like Korti, his uncle had put the needs of others above his own wants and desires. It was an honorable way to live, but it came with a steep price.

  His story finished, Draigo now rose from his seat. “If you two will excuse me, I’ll go check on dinner.”

  Silence fell over the room as the ex-general left them alone. Aldurin had been quietly brooding through Draigo’s entire story. The eccentric elf now sat back in his chair, his eyes closed and his hands steepled together.

  Seishin stared at the fireplace, the dancing shadows cast by its light magnifying his sullen mood. He had been childish and selfish. He silently swore from this day forward to place honor above his own needs and desires. The young man continued to brood until Draigo announced that dinner was served.

  Seishin hadn’t eaten since the previous night and found himself ravenous. His uncle had always been a good cook, but the feast he now laid before them was almost fit for a king. It consisted of a hearty soup, two whole chickens, potatoes, a host of other vegetables, three types of fruit pies, and more hot tea of course.

  Seishin dug into the meal as if he hadn’t eaten for a week. Forty-five minutes later, nearly every plate on the table sat empty. His appetite sated, Seishin sat back, feeling much better about things in general.

  A soft chuckle drew his attention to Uncle Draigo. He watched his nephew with clear amusement. “It appears you still like my cooking.”

  Seishin’s face grew warm with embarrassment. “I have to admit, it’s even better than I remembered.”

  “That’s good to know.” A thin smile crossed Draigo’s lips as he poured them all more tea. Once done, the he took a sip and cleared his throat. “So then, my boy, care to tell us how you ended up in this mess?”

  Seishin sat up in his seat and met Draigo’s gaze evenly. “Actually, Uncle, I came here looking for you.”

  Draigo’s brows knit into a line. “Me? Why? What’s happened?”

  Seishin swiftly relayed his mission. He told them about the assassination in the capital and how his father had been blamed for it. He also detailed the dismissal of the Kazari and their replacement with members of the priesthood.

  Aldurin exchanged a knowing glance with Draigo. “Sounds like a coup.”

  Draigo’s expression remained grim. “Go on.”

  Seishin set his jaw and continued. “Ever since he joined the council, the High Priest has been advocating an alliance with Parthos. They’ve managed to hold him in check ‘til now, but with Father out of the way, the Queen has been overruled.”

  Aldurin cast a glance to one side. “Yes, yes, I’m well aware Parthos is an aggressor nation—ask anyone from Thac or the northern mainland.” He steepled his hands together in front of his chin and mused aloud, “Just what game is this priest playing at?”

  “Hmm,” Draigo mused. “He’s probably selling it as a counter to the pirate raids. The Isandor army is one of the best. Still, they are out of their element against sea-based assaults, and Parthos does have one of the strongest navies in Arinthar.”

  Seishin gave his uncle a curt nod. “It’s got the entire west coast of Isandor scared.”

  Draigo’s eyes narrowing even further. “How is the Queen doing?”

  Seishin shook his head. “Not good. Without the Kazari, things on the coast are getting worse, but she’s more worried about the capital. If Parthos gains a foothold in Isandor, the government as we know it could completely collapse.”

  Seishin sat forward in his seat. “That’s why she sent me to find you. She needs you back there now more than ever.”

  “Hmm. I see,” Draigo rumbled, his expression growing pensive. “Unfortunately, my return might cause even more problems.”

  Seishin’s mouth fell open. He stared at his uncle with disbelief. Those were the last words he expected to hear from Isandor’s most decorated general.

  “How so?” Aldurin asked before Seishin could find his voice.

  Draigo breathed a deep sigh. “It had been my responsibility to protect the king. Ultimately, his death was my fault, a fact the priesthood broadcast all across Isandor.”

  “What was that?” Aldurin cast a glance over his shoulder. “Oh yes, I quite agree.” He turned his gaze back to Draigo. “Dragon dung.”

  A thin smile momentarily crossed the ex-general’s lips. “Perhaps, but the priesthood has many followers, all who solemnly believed that I should step down at the time. It nearly split the country in two.”

  Seishin’s mouth hung open. He had been rather young at the time, and didn’t remember any of that. Yet his uncle appeared quite adamant in his belief that he might make things worse. What could he possibly say to change his mind?

  Thankfully, once again, Aldurin came to the rescue. “Be that as it may, that was nearly a decade ago. As things currently stand, the Queen might lose everything without your support.”

  “Hmm.” Draigo sat back and gingerly stroked his beard.

  The intervening silence kept Seishin on the edge of his seat. He had no idea what would happen to Isandor without his uncle.

  After what seemed like forever, Draigo finally responded. “You are right, as always, my old friend.” He shifted his gaze to Seishin. “Very well, I will return to Isandor with you.”

  Seishin sighed with relief. It felt as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  After dinner, the trio discussed their next steps. Draigo needed a few days to set things in order. The villa had to be closed up, and Tharne should be informed of his departure. Seishin solemnly agreed.

  A short while later, Draigo escorted his nephew to a guest room. The chamber lay atop the northernmost tower of the Villa Dasati. A large four-posted bed with matching dresser and wardrobe furnished the room. Two tall arched windows stood in the wall opposite the entrance.

  Seishin peered out one of the windows at the loch far below. The lights of Renere twinkled brilliantly along the western shore, bathing over the ships that were moored at the docks. Unwittingly, Seishin’s mind wandered to Korti.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Draigo’s soft voice sounded beside him.

  “Yes, she is.” Seishin nodded absently.

  His uncle’s soft chuckle brought him back from his musings. Seishin felt stupid yet again. “Sorry, uncle. I shouldn’t be thinking…”

  “…about Kortiama,” Draigo finished for him.

  A wan smile crossed Seishin’s lips. “Am I that transparent?”

  “Like glass.” His uncle’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

  Seishin sighed. Would he ever get her out of his head? He and Korti were over. Plain and simple.

  A strong hand grasped him by the shoulder. “It’s alright, my boy. Love is like a river—it flows where it will.”

  Seishin nearly jumped out of his skin. “What? Who said anything about love?”

  Draigo fixed him with a knowing stare. Once again Seishin felt bared to his very soul. His eyes fell to the floor. “I am pathetic. I need to learn to control my heart instead of the other way around.”

  His uncle chuckled once more. �
��If you do, my boy, you’d be the first.”

  4

  Dagger in the Night

  Aldurin left early the next day, after a cryptic discussion with his invisible friend. Seishin spent the rest of the day helping Draigo ready the place for his departure. That evening, his uncle headed into town to see Tharne, after telling Seishin not to wait up for him.

  The young man felt uneasy being left alone in what once was Eboneye’s villa. The place was huge, consisting of nearly twenty rooms between the first and second floors alone. That didn’t include the two towers on the north and south sides of the villa. One of the rooms turned out to be a sizable library. Seishin perused it for a good book to read, settling on one entitled A History of the Saricordi.

  According to Draigo, the pirate clans once went by that name. They had been a proud nation of craftsmen and warriors.

  Night had fallen as Seishin curled up in front of the fire with his book and a cup of tea. It began to rain outside; the occasional crash of lightning punctuated the pitter-patter of drops against the house. Seishin became so engrossed in his book that he grew deaf to the repetitive sounds. Thus, he nearly jumped out of his seat when the front door creaked open.

  Years in the army had taught him to keep at least one weapon close at hand. Seishin grabbed it now and carefully pulled the long-curved sword from its sheath. Outside, the rain had turned into a torrential downpour. The roar masked his steps as he silently padded toward the foyer.

  A pair of dim wall sconces barely illuminated the entrance hall. Seishin froze at the sight of a shadow standing in the open doorway. A sudden crash of lightning revealed the shape to be a figure in a dark cloak.

  Seishin almost rushed the dark figure, but something held him back. The aura he sensed seemed somehow familiar. All at once, the figure dropped its hood.

  Seishin’s mouth fell open. “Korti?”

  The young Lord Captain of Pirates stepped into the dim light, but her eyes were not focused on him. “What am I doing here?” she murmured under her breath. Her voice sounded hollow.

  She dropped her cloak and slowly walked past him, her eyes sweeping around the room. “Tharne told me about his plan. He said you were most likely up here at the villa.”

  Korti stopped, her eyes settling on the large portrait hanging on the wall. Seishin sheathed his weapon and walked up to stand beside her.

  She wrapped her arms around her slim frame and shivered ever so slightly. “I’ve tried to live up to his legacy—to make them both proud of me. I was even willing to let you die…”

  She lifted her chin and peered up at him, black circles showing beneath her eyes. It appeared as if she had been crying.

  Seishin felt torn inside. She looked so beautiful and yet so forlorn. She had nearly had him killed. Still, he had brought that on himself. He shook his head and sighed. “Korti, what are you doing here?”

  A shade of a smile crossed her lips. “I’ve been asking myself that same question. I know it’s a bad idea, my coming up here. I probably shouldn’t have”—she paused and placed a hand on his arm—“but for some reason, I couldn’t stop myself.”

  The warmth of her touch sent sparks racing through his body. It became more difficult for him to think. She moved even closer and slid her hands around the back of his neck. As if with a will of their own, his arms wrapped around her waist.

  “This is definitely a terrible idea,” he murmured to her.

  “Completely,” she agreed as she pulled his head down toward hers.

  Their lips met. Soft at first, each subsequent kiss grew more urgent than the last. The two lovers grasped each other with a hunger born of desperation. Their unrestrained passion continued until they were both left breathless.

  Still holding him, Korti gently pulled back. She rested her head on his chin as she struggled to catch her breath. “Such… a terrible… idea…”

  “Really… bad…” Seishin agreed, his body and mind in direct conflict.

  Abruptly she pushed him away. There was a fire in her eyes and the hint of a smile on her lips. “Lucky for you, it is not your brains that attracts me.”

  Before he could retort, she bolted for the stairs.

  “Kortiama!” Seishin took off after her.

  She led him on a wild chase, up the stairs, across the hallway, and up the tower staircase. She did not stop until they entered the guest room at the top of the tower.

  Seishin caught up with her in front of the large four-poster bed. Korti wrapped herself around him and pulled him down onto it, showering him with another round of deep, passionate kisses.

  Seishin lost himself in the moment. His will had all but crumbled, yet one last thing still gnawed at his mind. Nearly breathless, he managed to pull himself upright. “Why did you come all the way up here?”

  Korti arched a single eyebrow at him. “Because this is my room.”

  Seishin let out an ironic laugh. “And it’s the room I’m staying in.”

  Her puzzled expression abruptly faded, replaced with that familiar dazzling smile. “Leave it to your uncle. I swear, that man can read minds.”

  All Seishin’s inhibitions melted away. His voice dropped to nearly a whisper. “I’m just glad he’s not here now to read what’s on mine.”

  Korti fixed him with a smoldering stare. “Oh, really? And just what might that be?”

  Seishin leaned in again and ardently pressed his lips against hers. The two lovers went well into the night reveling in their blissful reunion.

  Seishin shot upright. Near darkness surrounded him, tempered only by silvery moonlight that streamed in through two tall arched windows. He felt around the bed, but Korti no longer laid beside him. Instead, she stood in front of one of the windows.

  “Korti?”

  “Shhh.” She put a finger to her lips.

  Seishin frowned as he slipped out of bed and stole over next to her.

  “It’s about time you woke up,” Korti admonished him in a soft voice. She nodded out the window. “We have company.”

  Seishin followed her gaze. The rain outside had stopped, the moon illuminating the courtyard far below. Seishin watched as a shadow slipped across the grounds. He scanned the rest of the yard, but could detect no further movement.

  “How many are there?” He whispered back.

  She held up three fingers. “That’s all I’ve seen so far, but there may be others.”

  Seishin wondered who could be out there. Rikton’s men?

  “Any chance you were followed?” he whispered.

  Korti shook her head. “I’d know. I use magic to watch my back. They’d have to be ghosts…” She stopped and cursed under her breath. “Dragon dung!”

  “What?” Seishin grasped her by the shoulders. Even in the moonlight, he could see the pained expression on her face.

  “I was so preoccupied earlier that I forgot to re-conjure the spell on the walls.”

  Seishin shrugged. “Too late to worry about that now.” Years of training and experience led him to a quick decision. “Let’s head downstairs. Up here we’d be backed into a corner with not much room to fight.”

  The two of them gathered their weapons and went downstairs to the second floor. Side by side, they checked each door along the way. They found nothing until they reached the open hall above the foyer. Below them, the front door hung wide open.

  Silvery light slipped through the entryway, cutting a swath through the inky blackness. Yet there were still too many dark corners for Seishin’s comfort. He slowed his breath and stilled his mind. There was definitely at least one other presence somewhere nearby.

  Seishin signaled to Korti to watch their backs, then the two of them silently descended the stairs. They only made it about halfway down when a figure leapt at Seishin from out of the shadows.

  A sharp blade went straight for his gut, but Seishin expertly parried the blow. He immediately retaliated with his free arm, slashing his attacker across the torso. The figure fell backwards and tumbled the rest of
the way down the steps. A black-robed form lay at the base of the stairway, unmoving in the pale moonlight.

  Seishin exchanged a brief glance with Korti, then the two of them edged the rest of the way down. When they reached the bottom, Seishin checked their attacker. Whoever it was, they were dead. The duo carefully stepped over the body, then crept out into the foyer back to back. They hadn’t gone more than five steps when they were accosted again.

  This time, the attack came from multiple directions. Seishin fended off two darting blades, while Korti expertly handled a third. The ambush lasted less than a minute. When it was over, three more dark-robed bodies lay at their feet. Still, neither of them had gone unscathed; both had their share of cuts from those razor-sharp swords.

  Seishin silently hoped the blades weren’t poisoned. He kept watch while Korti examined the bodies.

  When she was done, she drew up next to him and whispered, “Well, they aren’t Dasati, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  It had been exactly what Seishin was thinking. Though Tharne orchestrated his escape, Rikton might think Korti was behind it. If so, he might have sent his men after her.

  Korti pointed toward the front door. “The rest of the house, or outside first?”

  Seishin stilled his mind once more, but could feel no other presence nearby. “I’m not sensing anyone else in here.”

  “Outside it is, then.” Korti ushered him toward the doorway.

  The night was still. A full moon illuminated most of the courtyard, with only a few shadows stretched across the grounds.

  Seishin got the vague impression of another presence, but could not tell the direction or how close. He motioned to Korti. The two of them cautiously waded forward, circling each other as they went. They had gone perhaps two dozen steps when more figures separated themselves from the shadows.

  Seishin counted six in all. Garbed in hooded robes like those inside, their features were hidden from the pale moonlight. The silent forms swiftly encircled them, forcing him and Korti to halt. They hovered there without a word, just out of striking distance.