Mindbender

by David A. Wells

  Jataan bowed. “Quite understandable,” he said as Boaberous Grudge entered the tent.

  “Him, too?” Anatoly asked.

  Alexander nodded. “Apparently, the whole Reishi Protectorate will come to serve me once they learn that I’ve bonded with the Sovereign Stone.”

  “That could be useful,” Anatoly said around a mouthful of oatmeal.

  Alexander spent the next half hour recounting what he’d learned through his clairvoyance and by visiting the Reishi Council, except the part about the keep on the southern island of Ithilian. He was concerned that Phane might have some means of listening in and he needed whatever information he might find in the keep too much to risk it.

  Lucky and Anatoly were both happy and relieved to learn that Isabel and Abigail were alive and well. After breakfast they went out to find the Rangers tending a small herd of horses. Conner Ithilian strode up to Alexander.

  “I have an honor guard of a hundred men waiting outside the encampment,” he said. “Your Rangers are preparing the horses my stable master has provided. We should be ready to ride within the hour.” He looked past Alexander to Anatoly. “How are you feeling, Master Grace? I trust my healer took good care of you?”

  Anatoly stepped up and offered his hand. “I’m feeling much better, thank you. Your healer doesn’t require me to swallow noxious liquids,” he said with a grin and a sidelong glance at Lucky, who smiled gently at seeing his friend well enough to needle him about his potions. Anatoly’s injury had been severe. Lucky would never admit it, but he’d been worried that Anatoly might not survive.

  ***

  The three-day ride to the capital city, also named Ithilian, was quick and uneventful. They rode hard each day. Since they were a large party numbering over a hundred riders and flying the banner of the House of Ithilian, no one interfered with them.

  The countryside was rich and lush. Spring came early on Ithilian, so the crops were in full growth. Many of the vegetables were being picked and the orchards were heavy with fruit. The herds were fat and well tended.

  Aside from the warmer climate, the place reminded Alexander very much of home. The people were industrious and behaved with a sense of responsibility for their lands. The soldiers in Conner’s honor guard were respectful toward the people and took care to avoid damaging crops, livestock, or land.

  It was clear that the Old Law was understood and respected here. Alexander began to feel hope for building an alliance. He knew from experience that you could learn a lot about a people’s leaders by the way the people behaved. The citizens of Ithilian worked hard and took care of their own.

  In the middle of the afternoon on the third day of travel, they crested a rise and got their first glimpse of the capital. It was a sprawling city spread out on the plains surrounding a rocky hill that rose a thousand feet high. The central hill overlooked the confluence of two large rivers that joined to continue their journey to the ocean several days’ travel away. Dozens of bridges spanning the rivers joined the three sections of the city together.

  The palace rested on top of the central hill and was surrounded by steep forested slopes on all sides. It was made of white marble that glistened in the sunlight. Streamers fluttered in the breeze off the soaring spires atop the conical tower caps. It was every bit the castle that Alexander had always envisioned when his mother told him stories as a child. Unlike Ruatha, Ithilian had been a seat of power for over four thousand years. New Ruatha was an impressive city with its glittering plateau encrusted with buildings, but Ithilian presented a romanticized view of power that only served to heighten the authority of the king.

  “I’ve always loved this view of the city,” Conner said.

  “It’s beautiful,” Alexander replied quietly.

  They rode on into the city itself. The main roads were well traveled and well maintained. The flagstones were heavy and fit together with exacting precision. Crowds of people parted with a nod of deference for Conner and his retinue. They paid little attention to Alexander and that suited him just fine. He had learned that battle and warfare was as much about information as it was about manpower or magic. The less the enemy knew of his whereabouts, the safer he was.

  They followed the wide street through the center of town past shops and through marketplaces until they arrived at the base of the central hill. A low stone wall surrounded it with a road on the outside and forest on the inside. A break in the wall allowed access to the single road that wound up through the untamed forest to the palace on top.

  It was almost a jarring transition to go from bustling city to the calm and peace of ancient trees and wild underbrush. When they emerged from the woods, they were greeted by a manicured garden that surrounded the sprawling white marble palace. Many of the flowers were in full bloom and displayed an explosion of colors that stood in stark contrast to the bright white of the palace’s outer wall.

  As they rode through the open gatehouse, Alexander noted that the walls were easily forty feet thick. It was a military structure first and foremost despite the light and unthreatening façade it presented. Within was a small city with a smaller keep built on the highest point of the enclosed seat of government. All manner of structures filled the capital fortress and each was made from the same white marble. While they were all well maintained, it was clear that the place was ancient. Many of the structures had probably been constructed during the rule of Balthazar Reishi.

  Conner led the way to a large stable where their horses were turned out into a lush green paddock. After a brief conversation with the stable master, Conner returned to Alexander and his friends.

  “Your packs and gear will be taken to your quarters in the family keep,” Conner said. “I’m told my father is in council. If we hurry, you’ll have the opportunity to address the assembly.”

  Alexander sighed as he thought to himself how useless nobles usually turned out to be, but there was no help for it. They would expect to be a part of the decision-making process if only to assuage their egos, and they were always more cooperative if their importance was acknowledged.

  The honor guard was dismissed and Conner was left with his personal valet. He led Alexander and his friends through the streets until he came to a fork in the road. One branch led to the keep overlooking the entire valley, the other led to an impressive-looking building constructed on the next highest point on the hilltop. It was a round building about two hundred feet across with a domed top supported by a circle of pillars.

  “Lord Reishi, my aid will show your people to your quarters,” Conner said. “We should go to the assembly hall so you can meet my father.”

  “Jack, I’d like you to come with us,” Alexander said.

  Jack nodded.

  “I’d feel better if you had someone to watch your back,” Anatoly said. “No offense, Prince Conner, but we’ve had more than our share of threats and this is unfamiliar territory.”

  “I concur with Master Grace,” Jataan said. “I will accompany you.”

  “That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” Anatoly said.

  Alexander smiled at the big man-at-arms as he put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be all right with Commander P’Tal. Take a look at our quarters and get some rest. You still look a bit worse for wear.”

  Anatoly nodded with a frown. “We’ll be waiting for you.”

  Alexander, Jataan, and Jack went with Conner to the assembly hall. The building became more impressive as they got closer. The pillars were easily seventy feet tall and ten feet in diameter. The entire place was built with polished marble. The outside wall was interspersed with tall windows that let in the light of day. Conner led them up the broad steps to the entrance and into a foyer. He strode across the marble floor to the double doors across from the entrance. On either side of the doors stood a guard in polished battle armor, each with a spear at his side. They opened the doors as Conner approached, but one dropped a spear across Alexander’s path as he attempted to follow Conner through the door.

/>   “Weapons are not allowed in the assembly hall,” the guard said. “You’ll have to surrender your sword until your business is concluded.” His tone was respectful but unwavering.

  Alexander smiled pleasantly at the man and opened his cloak to reveal the hilt of the Thinblade. “Make an exception,” he said.

  The guards stared at the Thinblade but remained silent.

  Conner put his hand on the shoulder of the man barring Alexander’s path. “He may pass with his sword,” Conner said, “by my command.”

  “As you wish, My Prince, by your command,” the guard said as he stepped back and allowed Alexander to pass with a respectful nod.

  The interior of the assembly hall was constructed like a circular amphitheatre with a single podium standing on a raised marble platform in the center. Radiating away from the floor were levels of circular balconies that rose toward the domed ceiling. Light was provided by hundreds of windows cut into the dome and paned with fine, faceted crystal that caught the light and diffused it into the chamber.

  The balconies were filled with men and women of rank. On either side of the room on the lowest balcony was an extended platform that jutted out over the floor below by ten feet or so. Each of these platforms held an oversized chair.

  Conner stopped at the threshold of the floor and waited while the man at the podium spoke about the need to respect the autonomy of each province.

  “The man to the right,” Conner said quietly as he motioned to the man sitting on the platform, “is my father, King Abel Ithilian.”

  King Abel looked distracted as he watched the man at the podium speak.

  “To my left is the Chancellor of the Assembly, my uncle Cassius Ithilian,” Conner said. “He’s the political leader of our nation. He’s responsible for enforcing our laws and guiding the course of the assembly, while my father is responsible for commanding the army and presiding over the courts to ensure that the Old Law remains supreme over all other laws.”

  The man at the podium noticed Conner and Alexander and stopped his speech. “Delegates, Chancellor, Your Majesty, I yield the floor to Prince Conner.” With a bow he withdrew to an alcove near the exit on the other side of the chamber.

  With a look, Alexander commanded Jataan and Jack to remain where they stood while he followed Conner to the podium.

  “Father, Uncle Cassius, Delegates, I come with urgent news of great importance to our people and to the people of the Seven Isles,” Conner said with a kind of practiced ease that only comes from experience in public speaking. “Four days ago the Reishi Gate came to life and a small party came through.”

  There was a murmuring among the delegates as they discussed the unprecedented news. The Chancellor gaveled the chamber back into attentive silence.

  “Please continue, Conner,” he said.

  Conner nodded respectfully to his uncle before continuing. “After speaking with our guest, I determined that we must travel here immediately so that the assembly can hear his message. It is my privilege and honor to present Lord Alexander Reishi, the Seventh Sovereign of the Seven Isles.”

  Conner stepped aside and Alexander stepped up to the podium. The silence within the room was palpable. The shock and disbelief Alexander saw as he evaluated the colors of the delegates was only overshadowed by their fear. He surveyed the room calmly and took note of the muddy and dark colors of Cassius Ithilian, the Chancellor.

  His gaze settled on Abel Ithilian, the King. He was a man of courage and conviction. He watched Alexander with inquisitive eyes that seemed to see right through him. Alexander wondered if he wasn’t the only one in the room with magical sight. He nodded to Abel deferentially and then drew the Sovereign Stone from under his tunic. The softly glowing large red stone came to rest on his chest and the chamber gasped collectively.

  “I am Alexander Reishi and I am at war with Prince Phane,” he said clearly. The chamber carried his words to every corner. “I serve the Old Law. Phane serves only his own ambition. I have come to offer Ithilian an alliance.”

  Alexander stopped and waited. A moment later the chamber erupted into debate. He ignored the delegates and focused on Abel. He was an older man, probably in his midfifties. His short dark hair was greying around the edges. His slate-grey eyes conveyed intelligence and piercing insight. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his Thinblade. He didn’t react to the announcement but seemed to be waiting for others to raise the inevitable questions.

  The Chancellor obliged by gaveling the chamber into silence. “You must understand how fantastic such a claim sounds. Can you offer us any proof of your statements?” He seemed smug. Alexander could see in his colors that he didn’t believe a word Alexander had said.

  “Of course,” Alexander said without any ire. “You are wise to seek the truth before passing judgment. I will need the assistance of King Abel to offer the proof you require.”

  Again the chamber erupted into murmuring.

  The Chancellor gaveled the chamber silent again and spoke before Abel could respond. “I simply cannot permit such a thing. For all we know you are a very creative and well-spoken assassin come to murder our King. With the grave events that have recently come to light, we must err on the side of caution. I move that we take this man and his companions into custody until we can ascertain the truth of his claims. If he speaks the truth, I’m certain he will be gracious enough to forgive us our precautions.”

  The chamber responded with a chorus of “ayes” as the delegates concurred with the Chancellor’s motion. A moment later the far door opened and twenty men wearing plate armor and armed with spears, large round shields and short swords flooded into the room. They fanned out in a semicircle and began to advance toward Alexander. With his all around sight, Alexander saw Jack flicker out of sight. Jataan was suddenly standing at his side with his hands casually clasped behind his back.

  Conner stepped in front of Alexander and faced the advancing soldiers. “Hold!” he commanded. They stopped in place. Conner turned to his father. “I gave him my word as Prince of Ithilian that he would be welcomed as a guest in our home. Will you allow this assembly to dishonor our House?”

  Abel smiled slightly before he stood and made his way down the staircase from his platform to the floor. Alexander surveyed the room with his all around sight and saw that the Chancellor was furious that the King had allowed Conner to countermand his order. He wondered idly at the political dynamic in this place. It was clear that every member of the assembly was ambitious and many were corrupt but no more so than any other collection of nobles he had encountered.

  Abel strode up to Alexander and nodded politely to him. “You’ve made a bold claim. How may I prove your truthfulness?”

  Alexander smiled in return. “Stab me with your Thinblade.”

  The assembly gasped. Jataan took a step forward. All eyes were on Alexander. He placed a hand on Jataan’s shoulder and shook his head slightly to stay the battle mage, then he stepped forward and stood with his hands held open and palms up at his sides.

  “Draw your sword and stab me,” Alexander commanded.

  “You are unarmed and pose no threat to me,” Abel said. “To do such a thing would violate every principle I hold dear.”

  “I know and I’m glad of that,” Alexander said. “I make this demand only because I cannot be harmed by any of the Thinblades and quite honestly, you are the only man here that I need to convince.”

  Abel hesitated and then shook his head. Alexander sighed and tossed his cloak back to reveal the hilt of his Thinblade and then drew. With a fluid movement quicker than anyone could react to, he swept his blade around and sliced a chunk the size of a man’s head off the marble podium. It slipped to the ground and broke into several pieces. The crash reverberated around the sudden silence in the great chamber. Alexander held up his bare arm for all to see and brought the Thinblade down forcefully against his forearm. It bounced away without even touching. The room gasped.

  Abel gave him a strange look. “I b
elieved that all of the Thinblades were lost except mine,” he said.

  “Three remain,” Alexander said as he returned his sword to its scabbard. “A week ago, I was the King of Ruatha. When I recovered the Sovereign Stone, I discovered that the Reishi are descended from the House of Ruatha and so I am heir to both Houses.” He fixed Abel with a firm look. “Draw your sword and push it through my hand,” he commanded as he held up his left hand.

  Abel dismissed the soldiers arrayed around the room with a gesture, then turned to Alexander. He considered for a long moment before he drew his Thinblade. It was identical to Alexander’s in every way save the bond to his bloodline. He gently and carefully raised the point to Alexander’s palm and slowly pushed against it. The blade stopped like a steel blade against stone. Alexander reached out and slapped the edge of the blade, but it didn’t cut him. He held up his hand to the assembly for all to see.

  The room fell dead silent until a delegate stepped forward. “Even if we accept that you are heir to the Reishi line and have found and bonded with the Sovereign Stone, we have no reason to accept your rule.”

  Alexander smiled and stepped up to the now damaged podium. “I have not come to demand your fealty. I have come as a servant of the Old Law in the hopes that the people of Ithilian serve the same master as I.”

  Another delegate stepped forward. “The Reishi were the cause of the war. Your bloodline brought darkness to the world for two hundred years. Why should we trust you to serve the Old Law when the last Reishi Sovereign betrayed it so completely?”

  Alexander turned to the delegate and nodded deferentially. “It is true that Malachi Reishi betrayed the Seven Isles and enlisted the aid of the netherworld through the dark magic of necromancy. It is equally true that his son Phane has followed the same path of personal ambition and power lust as his father. For two hundred years, they waged war on the innocent people of the Seven Isles and they deserve your contempt for that. It is also true that the Reishi presided over eighteen centuries of peace, prosperity, and advancement like nothing ever seen before or since. If you wish to judge the Reishi honestly, then you must take into account both the accomplishments and the crimes of the entire Reishi Empire.”