by Alan Mundle
And there it is, thought Rafarin. Castin had her in a trap, and he knew no matter how she answered next, the battle for his family was more than half won.
'Any actions to keep information from the public by the Empire are taken for the security of our society, both in Mordabinn, this country and the rest of Our great Nations.'
Rafarin couldn't help but feel sorry for the Empress, for it didn't take a Noble to hear the weakness in Her words. She knew it was over and to make matters worse, she was digging a bigger hole for herself.
'Actions?' Castin asked. 'Do you mean to tell the Lords and Ladies here present that the Empire has taken other actions outside of the knowledge of the people?'
The killing blow, thought Rafarin. He thought that if the atmosphere wasn't charged before, it was now. Someone could have dropped a pin in the courtyard, and it would have been heard throughout the whole city. The Empress's next words would either make or break the situation. She looked first at Rafarin, then Castin and slowly all of the people gathered before her. Rafarin could almost hear the storm ensuing in her head, decisions and consequences rocking back and forth behind an image of placidity. Finally, her head and shoulders slumped forward in defeat.
'Guards, you will remove the restraints binding this family. Now.'
There was heavy murmuring among the masses. One of the Empress's Regents approached her in response. 'My Empress, this family has been brought here for acts of high treason. Protocol demands that we-'
'We decide protocol, Regent Jenera.' Darina turned to address both here Regents and the masses before her. 'This family has been brought here to answer for the crimes of one of their sons, as reported by one of our Regents. However, We are not satisfied that their guilt is true. Until We are, We will not anger the Great Rock or the Gods by subjecting this family to humiliation and grief if they are innocent.' She turned back the guards. 'I believe We gave you an order.'
The guards scrambled to obey their command. Rafarin was overcome with emotion and turned to comfort his wives who, despite their sudden turn of fortune, still couldn't bring themselves to reveal their faces from their sodden hands. The guards opened the cells and removed the chains binding the poor family and brought them out of their captivity with dignity. Everyone left the cages without complaint, except Rafarin's firstborn Etarin, as he shook off the hands of the guards that were helping him out. Rafarin knew he’d better do what he could after this act of mercy to ingratiate himself. 'My Empress, we thank you for your words and your kindness, me and my family-'
Rafarin was silenced when the Empress put up a hand. 'Don't thank Us, good Dwarf. When We read the reports coming from Void Prison, We were angry, to say the least. It was Regent Canara who ordered you and your family's capture, all of which We did not sanction.' She stopped and looked down at her feet, allowing herself to look somewhat dejected, another thing Rafarin was not expecting and did not dare take his eyes off her as she continued. 'The sacking and burning of your home and possessions, the stripping of your family's new title… are things We did not agree with. Regent Canara did these things without Our permission, and she will answer for it on her return.'
The crowd was in a rage of collective gasps and whispers. The thought of a Regent acting without the permission of the Empress was unprecedented, unnerving and possibly the greatest scandal that had ever been. Since the beginning of the new religion, the Regents were the right hand of the Empire, their actions a direct reflection of the ruling sovereign, chosen by the Gods and the Great Rock. Rafarin had remembered his First Mother scarring him with stories of Regents being sent to hunt down Dwarflings and throw them to the Void if the Empire thought they deserved it.
'Despite all that has happened at Void Prison,' Darina continued, 'No one can deny the significance of your son Torbin's accomplishments.' Rafarin hung on her every word. Finally, he hoped he would be able to find out what his son was doing and what he had done to bring all this upon them. But Darina, as shrewd as reported, saw the glint in his eyes and realised that she had said too much. 'But we may speak of this later.' She turned to address the rest of her subjects. 'Let it be known that the Empress extends Her full apology not only to this family but to all the Dwarven folk for Our deception and the actions of Regent Canara. Our actions were done for the safety and security of all. The circumstances surrounding the Regent's actions are still unclear to Us. As guilt is not yet proven, the orders from Regent Canara to have Rafarin's family stripped of their Nobility, gold and possessions is revoked. This Empire was built off the backs of good, able Dwarves who achieved success from strife and hardship, just as these people have. Until their son can be brought to Mordabinn to attend a hearing, they will be Our guests in the Imperial palace until justice can be satisfied.’
The Dwarves of Mordabinn gave applause to both the Empress and Rafarin’s family. But Rafarin was no fool. It was clear that the people only applauded for the benefit of their sovereign. The looks on their faces as they regarded his family were by no means ones of regret or contrition but of wondering and mistrust that he knew would damage the Empire. Rafarin didn’t care. The only words he cared about were those of the Empress. He was sure that she was sincere in her desire to show mercy to his family, but he knew they were not free. As well treated as he was sure they would be in the grand palace, he still felt the way he did when he was arrested at sword point back in BlueStone. But not all present were satisfied.
‘My Empress, we give thanks that the Empire has come to this decision to reinstate this poor family of Noble Dwarves.’ Lord Castin said. Rafarin couldn’t help but notice that the Lord was a little in love with the sound of his voice and couldn’t help but have that last word, even at the expense of the Empress. ‘But with respect, you are wrong to keep them in the palace.’ Rafarin was so shocked at what he just heard he nearly fell over. What is the fool doing? he thought. He made to move toward Castin and stop him in his tracks, but the young Lord was determined. ‘If these good Dwarves are to be held while news returns from Void Prison, then they should reside in the secure hospitality of a neutral House. I, therefore, volunteer my own home as their new place of residence for the duration of this sorry affair.’
Rafarin and the rest of the crowd were lost for words. Lord Castin was taking a considerable risk, not only for himself but that of his whole family for his involvement this day. He knew that if Torbin were proved guilty, the Lord’s family would share the same fate as his own.
A fact that the Empress was fully aware of. She called the Regents close to confide her thoughts after this new turn of events, being careful not to let themselves be overheard. Some of the spectators were captivated with the spectacle of seeing their sovereign conduct business in their presence. Some less enthralled Dwarves used the opportunity to have their own private debates, comprised mainly of Lords and Nobles. Rafarin himself knew he had a brief moment to confer with his family and his would-be guardian. He looked to Castin who bid him move back towards his own group. He could see that Dentin, his wives and children were set to bombard him with questions, but he quickly put up his hand to silence them while turning to Castin to ask him the fastest and best question he could think of. ‘Why?’
Castin answered him with a smile. ‘Many reasons, too many to go into now. Sufficed to say that I know what I am doing. You might not know me, good Rafarin, but by the Great Rock, you must trust me.’
But Rafarin knew that he didn’t have a choice. Castin had taken an enormous gamble by merely speaking on their behalf which resulted in the return of everything they had. He was honour-bound to accept the younger male at his word. Before anything else could be said, silence spread through the courtyard again as the Empress was ready to make her decision. She stood and walked towards Rafarin and Castin, her Regents and guards in tow. When she stopped, a mere foot stood between Rafarin and Her Grace. Nothing happened for the longest moment in Rafarin’s long life. She was so close he could hear her breath. Her guards were clearly disturbed that she came so
close, but they did not dare make a move against their Empress. Slowly, she extended out both of her arms to the two males, her gauntlets turned outwards. It was Castin who was the first to take her arm. Rafarin was so captivated by the moment that he barely knew that he had reached out to take her other arm.
‘The agreement is sealed, and the Gods have witnessed,’ she said. ‘The family of Rafarin shall reside within the security and protection of Lord Castin until Commander Torbin arrives in Mordabinn to be heard.’
Cheering and clapping filled the courtyard again, and at that moment, the Empress seized the opportunity to pull the two males closer to her, so much so that only they could hear her speak. ‘You would both do well in your new time together to remember who is Empress and the consequences for you both should the Gods rule against you.’
Her words were delivered through a flawlessly executed smile. Castin’s face was just as composed, but Rafarin knew in that instant that his composure fell to the stone floor and could have easily made a considerable dent. Instead of lifting his head to meet hers, he used the moment to drop to one knee and in an attempt to show loyalty to Her Grace. As long as he lived, however long or short that might be, he would never forget those words.
Darina released her grip and withdrew back toward her procession. As soon as she left, Castin pulled Rafarin up by the shoulders, turned him around on the spot and led his family away from the courtyard towards the outer gates. As they moved away from the event, Rafarin found his life had gone entirely out of his control as he was shepherded through the vast realm of Mordabinn and was now in the hands of the Great Rock, Lord Castin and the actions of his youngest born.
CHAPTER 17
BEHIND HER HELMET
Canara couldn't help but stand and marvel at the creature. She hadn't allowed herself the opportunity when dealing with Torbin on her first time inside the chamber, as she was determined not to validate him in any way. But she had underestimated the young 'Noble' Scholar's cunning. Though she would never admit it, there was a part of her that admired the boldness of the Dwarf who was until recently nothing but a commoner. It was rare that she encountered an intelligence that rivalled her own. But she had come too far to be taken down by trash. She always got her way, and the Empress had put the perfect piece into play.
Dalara stood two meters away from the stone platform that the Griftin rested on. She made entries in her notes, looking over papers on the table beside her. Looking around, she found the area under the security of her First Warriors and Torbin's guards. She had reluctantly agreed to this arrangement, though it ensured an equal amount of access to the Griftin. The Regent's knowledge about such creatures was severely limited, a fact that she was coming to loathe. Lack of expertise meant lack of control, something that Canara depended upon. She looked at it, hiding its head under its enormous wings that were both a mixture of the brightest gold and the darkest grey. She couldn't tell at all if it was asleep or listening, but she knew she had to assume the latter. It certainly didn't feel to her that it was intruding on her thoughts, but then again, she doubted she would even know if it tried. She walked over to Dalara, who was pouring over some text. One thing that Canara always admired about her Second was her focus and determination on things she deemed important. Now, she would put it to the test.
'Progress?' she asked. Dalara made no move to show she even heard the Regent. 'I have come to expect insolence from the Commander and his minions. I have not come to expect it from you. Or has his influence corrupted you too?'
Dalara spun on the spot and looked her leader straight in the eye. 'You killed them! Your own Warriors! Yes, they were in Zentin's service before passing to the Commander, but everyone knows they always start by being yours. They had done nothing but follow what honour demanded, and you butchered them in front of everyone here like they were cattle. I was sent to gain the information we need as well as the trust of everyone that works here. Do you really think me and Torbin will be able to trust each other now when we are both meant to be doing the most important work of our lives together?'
'So sensitive. I thought you'd have grown out of this by now,' said Canara.
Dalara was so angry she could have struck the Regent. And Canara knew it. 'The Empress explained she would send reinforcements, but she didn't tell me she would be sending you. I was smoke. That's all I was ever supposed to be, wasn't it? Send the prison Commander a fellow Scholar and keep him busy while you follow with all the First you could fit into a train.'
Canara smiled inside her helmet, rather enjoying this new rebellious side of her Second, resisting the urge to laugh. 'You were ordered to access the Commander and the creature and report back. If the Empire saw fit to make other plans in your absence, who are you to question us?'
Dalara's shoulders sank as she realised that her leader had once again disarmed her with the truth. It was twisted, but she couldn't contradict her. 'I couldn't fit all my findings on the Griftin in one transmission without being detected.'
'I can only imagine the annoyance you must have felt at only being allowed to send a brief message. Knowing how your mind works, I wasn't sure you were even capable of such a task.' She wasn't wrong. When Dalara had sent her message back to the Empire, she had to continually condense it, when all she desired to do was pour her heart out about the Griftin, Torbin and all she had experienced at the prison. Not to mention her need for thermal armour that would actually fit. 'No matter,' Canara continued. 'This common Scholar, brilliant though he may be, will bow to the will of the Empire.' She stepped forward, regarding the massive creature. 'Has it made any move since its last, dialogue, with the Commander?'
'No. It seems only to move when Torbin is present.'
Canara looked back at Dalara. 'Its Torbin, is it? Do you usually refer to our enemies so personally, Second?'
Dalara marched straight in front of Canara and made her voice as loud as she could make it in her helmet 'He is not our enemy, Regent,' said Dalara. 'He has done his duty and has accomplished great things by the grace of Sapphire.'
Canara rounded on her Second, forcing the Scholar to take a step back. 'Make no mistake, he is our enemy, a bug to be crushed, an obstacle to the protection of all that we hold dear!'
But Dalara was not ready to give in. 'All he is guilty of is making the biggest discovery in Dwarven history since our kind started living on the surface! He does right by the Dwarves he commands and never did a group more faithfully serve their leader, and not because they are paid to. They want to be here with him. Here, of all places!'
Canara drank in her words. 'He does have a… unique ability with words. For a male. He has clearly had an influence on you. '
The Regent could read in her Second's demeanour that both of them knew she was right. She was sure that if Dalara were free of her helmet, the Scholar's checks would be flushed with red. 'I admire him. I will not deny it. A typical male would not have survived all that he has. As Scholars, we are… equal in intellect. No, I'd even admit that he's smarter than I.'
Canara gave a little laugh. 'How quaint. You're in love with him.'
Dalara tried to hide the shock in her voice but failed. 'No, my Regent, I-'
'Do not lie to me, or I'll have your head!'
'My feelings are irrelevant in any case. He has already taken a lover in this place.'
With this, Canara looked back at the creature. 'Yes. Whispers have reached me regarding his little love nest. It is said that he saved the guard in question in the Healing Cabin, exposing themselves in more ways than one.'
'I believe that they care for each other deeply.'
Canara turned back towards the creature. She considered this news and the grip on her sword hilt began to tighten. But she didn't want Dalara to see, and it was past time to discuss more important matters. 'Have you managed to determine by what force the creature used to keep itself here?'
Dalara looked back towards the creature. 'According to Tor… the Commander, it wasn't here by choice-'
> 'I didn't ask what the Commander thinks, nor do I care if it wanted to be here or not. I asked if you have determined the power used to lock it away.'
'Not specifically.' Dalara replied. 'There was nothing in the core housing in the ice that contained it to suggest how it was created. But it's the pictorials that are the most fascinating. The Commander and I tried for a long time to decipher them and nor he or I managed to make sense of them. Until Forin.'
Canara shifted at this. ‘Yes, I learned that the Commander made Lord Zentin’s son his Second. I remember when the boy was presented to the Imperial Court. Physically impressive, yes, but why would the Commander make a half-wit his sworn sword hand?’
When the Regent looked to her Second for the answer, Canara found something she would never have thought to see in the eyes staring back at her through a visor. Malevolence. ‘Actually, my Regent, it was the boy who deciphered what the pictorials mean.’ Dalara explained about Forin’s drawings, his dancing and how the Magic within the markings took possession of him. The Regent stood stone still with every word, being very careful not to betray her thoughts. Thank the Gods we are in a place that requires a helmet all the time, she thought. If she were a lesser female, she would probably be jumping for joy, thinking it was her Name Day. And of course, Dalara, with the right prompting, was more than willing to explain everything she knew. She considered her subordinate. There was a time when she would not cease her prattle about what an honour it was to serve and learn from a Regent as Second. She remembered when she first found her, barely older than a Dwarfling, already devouring tome after tome like her life depended on it. Had the girl not saved her life the very same day, she would have dismissed her presence without a second thought. But she did, in public for all to see and truth be told, she was impressed at the time. When she took her into her service, she would do nothing but hang on her every word as if it came from a god. Though still obedient, the Commander had stolen her mind and heart. Yet another thing she would have to break him for. Usurping her authority was one thing. But it was quite another thing to steal from her. But now she had everything she needed. She would be patient and wait for the right time to make her move.