Sordith blinked at Alador a few times in genuine surprise. “Can we go back to the discussion of pirates and storms, I think that venture has far more chance of success,” he quipped. Sordith frowned as he thought about how much he did not like mages, however, mage priests were a whole breed of their own. They had a nasty sense of god fed morality that seemed to add power to their already seemingly impressive skills.
Alador flopped backwards in frustration to sit fully back in his chair. “I am serious,” Alador said with a scowl.
Sordith did not even pause. “So am I.” Sordith decided that drinking was a prerequisite to meetings with his brother, he grabbed his cup. “You are asking the impossible. Death mages are rare, trusting death mages rarer.” He sat back with his cup in both hands. “Shite man. Why do you need in there?”
“I need to know what she is up to,” he said. Alador took a moment and shared what Henrick had discovered. “I figure if he can find such things out just in tavern gossip then something far more sinister might be afoot.” He tipped his head to survey Sordith. “Am I wrong?”
Sordith shook his head. Alador was learning quickly. Then again, he needed to learn quickly with everything stacked against him or he was a dead man. “Probably not,” he admitted. “I will see what I can do, but seriously, do not hold out much hope of success.”
Both men fell silent. "We need to talk about Luthian," Sordith ventured after a long moment.
Alador tipped his head curiously. "Oh?"
"I was present when Luthian was challenged to a duel." He paused, telling Alador of what he had observed would be making a choice. "He will not be easy to kill, Alador."
Alador smiled. "I assure you that the odds have been evened."
"Yes, I imagine this change to a ‘sort of’ dragon has changed the odds a bit..." He emphasized the words sort of with his hands as he spoke. Sordith had been about to continue when Alador interrupted.
"Pseudo-dragon."
Sordith watched as his brother sat back, seeming much more at ease. He waved away the interruption. "Yes, yes. Whatever. Having knowledge and power does not guarantee a win in a fight if your opponent is crafty and practiced. Luthian is both." Sordith tapped the desk with his free hand. “You forget that he is the one training you to take the test.”
Alador nodded as he looked up at Sordith. “Yes, but by doing so he is also revealing his tactics that he uses in such battles.”
Sordith watched Alador with concern. “That may do you well in a ring for tier placement. When you two finally come to blows, he will also know what to expect of you. He did not get to High Minister by default. He won his position through politics, scheming and challenge,” Sordith firmly reminded him.
Alador leaned forward and set his cup down. “You sound as if you admire our Uncle.” His words were terse.
“I do,” Sordith admitted. “It takes brains, guts and determination to rise up as he has done. Only a fool would discount the traits he must possess to gain what he has. He could have lost that battle the other day. In fact, he nearly did.” Sordith eyed Alador still feeling somewhat divided. “You are asking me to side with you and dragons based solely on the fact that we think we are related. But if we are related, Luthian is my blood too. You had best take a second look at what you are doing because, right now, you are an unwilling pawn of dragons against your own kin. Are you sure this is what you want?” He would prefer a situation where his new found family was not trying to outsmart and kill one another. He shook his head at his own thoughts, what else did he expect in Silverport.
Alador rose to his feet and leaned across the desk. “Don’t tell me that you think he should remain in power?” Alador’s face was tight and his look was piercing.
Sordith did not miss the look of anger, the dangerous edge to his brother’s tone, or that his own hair at the back of his neck had just stood on end. “I do have to wonder if his calm calculations are not safer than your rash temper.” Sordith attempted to use humor to defuse his brother’s sudden angst. Sordith kept his posture relaxed and his hands visible.
Alador stood up from where he leaned and his hands clenched and unclenched. “The man kills dragons like a miner digs for gems. If he is not stopped, there will be no dragons left.” He took a deep breath. “If that happens, magic will fade from our world.”
Sordith shook his head. “Is that my brother speaking or a dragon,” he asked with gentle tones.
“Both!” Alador snapped. He turned and began to pace behind his chair as his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
“Have you ever considered, little brother, that maybe our world would be a better place without magic?” Sordith had to wonder what Lerdenia would be like if mages did not have the power to lord themselves over the commoners.
“No!” Alador stated with alarm. “Magic is a gift of the gods.”
“A gift…” Sordith also stood up. " ... Or a curse?”
Sordith moved around the desk to face his brother. “I know you have no choice as you are cursed by this geas of yours. But if the gods were truly enraged by the actions against the dragons, why have they not struck down the house of Guldalian?” He took a hold of his brother’s shoulders. “Yet one is in power and another is the hand of the dragons’ revenge. Maybe you are both tools for a game neither of you understand?” Sordith scrutinized his brother’s face before reaching out to clasp his him by the arms, stilling his pacing.
He squeezed his brother’s shoulders. “I am not trying to start a fight between us. I want you to consider that for every move you make, a highly intelligent man counters.” Sordith took a deep breath. “And it is possible that Luthian moves to one of the god's bidding and you move to another's.” A heavy silence rose up between them, the air tense as Sordith let go of Alador.
“What else can I do, Sordith?” Alador looked up in exasperation.
“You can learn to fight without magic,” Sordith offered. “You may have to use it in the ring for testing, but you do not have to use it in battle. Also, you listen to what I am trying to share with you. A wise ruler hears all good counsel, and even if he does not choose to act on it, he cannot say he was not well informed.” Sordith did not miss Alador’s wince at the word ‘ruler.’
Sordith cursed inwardly. He had revealed more than he had intended, but at the same time, Alador was racing towards a cliff as if he could not see the danger.
Alador took a deep breath and let it out. “What would you have me know?” he asked as the anger seemed to leech from him as fast as it had spiraled up between them.
Sordith considered what to share that would allow him some culpable deniability. "You need to watch his use of items, specifically a dagger he tosses as it turns into a fire snake. Its poison burned the opponent from the inside out as far as I could tell. The pain of it allowed him to finish the mage.”
"I have never seen him use such a thing, but as I think about it, I have seen a dagger on his belt with a snake head at the end of the handle.” His voice just trailed off. Alador's eyes glazed and his face took on a faraway expression.
"Alador?" Sordith called with concern. When he did not respond, Sordith called a little more harshly. "Alador!" He shook the man with a single hand.
His brother jumped at Sordith’s touch and blinked a few times. "Sorry! Sorting through Renamaum's knowledge can often be distracting," Alador murmured.
Sordith could imagine that having the knowledge and memories of a dragon must be disconcerting at the very least. "You all right?"
"It gives me a bit of a headache, but as time passes it is getting easier." Alador rubbed his temple as he gazed at Sordith. "I do like that as the information becomes my own that I am becoming less anxious and more confident," he admitted.
"It is a good thing you already had a big head," Sordith quipped with a mischievous grin as he tapped Alador alongside his head.
"Gee thanks." The sarcasm was not veiled and he rolled his eyes at his brother’s goading.
"More seriously, will you be able t
o control such knowledge and power?" He was growing concerned that the dragons were creating a bigger threat than Luthian supposedly posed. As he thought about it, Luthian was good for the city of Silverport. He understood the position of the dragons and Daezun, but did he, the Trench Lord, really care about these concerns? He mentally reminded himself that this path would improve the lives of those in the trenches; an issue he did feel strongly about. He decided he was going to stick by Alador based on this largest factor. A greater equality for those without magic was never going to happen under Luthian.
Alador shrugged. "I don't honestly know. Renamaum took a calculated risk when he passed his core into me. To his knowledge, it has never been done before." Alador looked up at Sordith and grinned. "Perhaps you are right about that big head."
He surveyed the mage's posture. "Alador, I need to make one thing clear. If…" Sordith paused as Alador met his gaze. "If I ever believe you are more of a threat than Luthian to the people under my care …” He put a finger to Alador’s heart. “I will kill you."
Sordith held his brother's gaze until Alador finally answered. "Understood."
Sordith sought out Keelee after Alador left. He found her in a warm sitting room with a cheerful fire. She rose, setting aside her embroidery when he entered. He liked seeing these little bits of normalcy as if he ruled a real manor and not a quarter of thieves and vagabonds. He put his arms about her as she reached up to give him a gentle kiss.
“I have missed you today,” she whispered.
“I am sorry, my love.” Sordith squeezed her tightly then kissed her forehead. “There has been much to address today.”
Keelee took his hand and led him to a chair. She pressed him down then slid to the ground at his feet, resting her hands and chin on his knee. “Tell me, you look distressed.”
Sordith looked at her long and hard. If he was to bond with her, he needed to trust her. He had never given any woman other than Auries such trust and even then there were things he would not tell her. Could he trust Keelee with what he had just learned? He needed someone to talk to and yet fear of being betrayed coursed through him.
“Keelee, if I share what is in my head then I must be able to trust you with it.” Sordith looked down at her, stroking her silken hair. “It can never leave this room.”
Keelee met his eyes evenly. “You are my mate. I have given my word to bond with you. There will never be another who could pay for my lips to open.” Her soft words meant so much to him yet he still feared to extend that trust.
He licked his lips. “I am faced with a horrendous choice. One that could effect us both if I choose poorly.”
“Then should you not share this choice with me? We can decide the course together.” She reached up and put her hand over his, taking it from her hair.
She was right. The choice would affect her and as such, she needed to know what he was up against. “You know that a trench lord rules until his death, and that such deaths do not come from old age.”
She nodded. She kissed his knuckles tenderly. “I know I may be widowed without notice.” She looked from his hand to his eyes. “It is a frightening thought but one that I have accepted.”
“I have two paths laid before me.” Sordith began, staring absently above her head. “I can support Luthian as I am supposed to do. It would mean lucrative coin, a long lasting relationship, and would move us in higher circles.” He glanced down at Keelee. “I know you have no love for the man, but he may very well be my uncle.”
Keelee frowned. “I do not. But I also am very aware of the politics of the tiers. You cannot be successful without the council’s approval. The work being done to cover the trenches is a good example of this.”
“Yes, but there is a horrid catch.” Sordith sighed and squeezed her hand. “I would have to betray Alador. He is my half-brother. “
“I don’t understand. Why would you have to betray Alador?” She eyed him with concern. “Though he is angry at me, I had cared for him. I would hate to see him hurt. It is why I am absence when he visits, to ease his pain.”
Sordith looked down at her with concern. “Do you love him?” His eyes narrowed with a feeling of unaccustomed jealously.
She smiled at his words and manner. “No, I cared. I do not love him.” Her expression sobered. “I do not want to see him hurt after what he went through to try to rescue me from your predecessor.”
“Nor I,” admitted Sordith. “To stay the course with Luthian would be to share that Alador moves against him.”
Keelee’s eyes widened. “He still means to remove him?”
“He does.” Sordith pulled her up to sit in his lap. He needed her close at the moment.
“What is your other option?” She whispered as she nestled into his chest.
“I work with Alador to see it done.” Sordith answered kissing the top of her head. “But if we fail, we will both be killed or later executed.” He mused for a moment. “My brother does have an advantage.”
“What advantage?” She asked. He could almost hear her analyzing the choices just as he had been.
“He has aligned with the dragons.” Sordith shared in an awed whisper. “They plot and plan with him.”
“The dragons have not worked with mortals since the great wars.” She glanced up at him with her eyes wide, her amazement and disbelief written on her open face.
“I am aware.” Sordith hugged her tight. “It is a difficult position.”
“Can you play both sides for a time, until a more obvious path is clear?” She touched his cheek tenderly.
“Aye, I can for a time.” He had been already doing this.
“Then as your mate in this course, I would not choose until you have to do so.” She kissed his lips tenderly. “But, keep in mind. To go against Luthian will be a grave matter. But even so, to go against a man aligned with dragons could lead to a fiery end.”
Sordith smiled. “I have chosen my mate well.” He squeezed her against his body, loving the soft feel of her. He swept her up as he rose from the trail. “I will wait until I must choose, keeping my options open. But you are right, I will not act against dragons unless I can see they will clearly lose.”
Keelee smiled. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“To bed. If a man must choose a path in a coming war, he had best enjoy the moments of peace he has right now.” He strode out of the parlor and down the hall towards their room. “And… you my dear, are well worth enjoying.”
Her giggle was cut off as he firmly shut the door behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alador was moving to the next step of his plans. He had to talk to his brother. Having his brother understand the situation and help him to alleviate the damage that the winter would bring was critical. There was no value in sending goods to the port cities if the critical nature behind them was unknown. It was possible that the Daezun would not trade at the start, not realizing the urgency of stocking up.
Alador focused on home and narrowed his memory to the coal room where his chest was secured. If Henrick had spoken to his family, the room should be as he had left it, or at least close enough he could materialize safely. He murmured the words as he clutched the talisman. The room he stood in turned into a whirling blur.
The world snapped back into focus; the coal room of his mother’s home was exactly as he remembered it. He had taken a huge chance that something had been moved and that Henrick had forgotten to tell everyone to leave it as it was. He smiled to see the chest buried behind the pickled stores. He knew his brother would not have accessed more than was absolutely necessary of the remaining slips. Before he left, he would have to gather some more to pay for the supplies he would be sending to coastal cities. He straightened his clothing so that his mother would not scold him. He was dressed in a simple pair of brown breeches and a longer green tunic. He hoped his Daezun clothing would help his family forget what he had become.
His hand went to the door, and he stood holding the handle. His
heart raced in his chest and he could feel the cold sweat between his palm and the metal handle. He was counting on Dorien more than was probably fair. He was also hoping that they would not expose him to the village. By the village law, they should turn him over to the counsel. While he could escape easily enough, he didn’t want to truly lose his family. He took a deep breath to try to settle his nerves and carefully opened the door.
He could hear laughter and the mage’s voice. Henrick had been here a couple of weeks now, so he hoped that the older mage had managed prepare his family. He wasn’t sure how his family would feel about his excelling as a mage. He was not the same middlin that had left them a turn ago.
He stepped out of the hall and made his way to the main room. Everyone was sitting about the table eating dinner. It was a typical fall evening with merry laughs and a crackling fire over in the sitting room. The house had not changed since he left it. It was one long room with only a slight division of beams between the dining table and the sitting room. To his right was the kitchen. It served two purposes, cooking was done in the oven and the clay benches to either side were hollow, allowing heat to radiate across a larger surface.
Dorien saw him first, his laughter abruptly cutting off. His spoon half to his mouth, he paused leaving his mouth hanging open. Either he was not expected, or Alador’s sudden appearance had still been surprising.
Dorien set the spoon down carefully. Henrick followed his gaze and set his mug down. One by one, the room went silent as eyes turned to see him. Sophie was the last to stop her laughter and turn to see what everyone was looking at. Alador stood there uncertain, unsure of what to say. It was his maman who broke the tense silence.
“My boy!” she screamed. The chair tumbled back barely missing Alador as she heaved from the chair. She crossed the short distance to wrap her arms about him as she burst into relieved tears.
Everyone else, but Henrick, followed her and gathered around. His brothers and sister hugged them both one by one as their mother was not letting go for the moment. Tentret and Dorien had large smiles on their faces and Sophie was crying like their mother. The relief Alador felt at this welcome nearly caused him to lose his footing beneath the onslaught. His legs trembled with the flood of emotion. His eyes met Henrick’s and mouthed a silent thank you; the mage merely toasted him in return with his mug.
Pseudo-Dragon (The Blue Dragon's Geas Book 4) Page 21