The Captive

by Paul Lauritsen

  “It doesn’t make sense,” Delan agreed slowly. “But, Relam, why did the Keepers come back? What was the only thing holding them back from building their order?”

  “People,” Relam replied immediately. “They wanted to search the kingdom for candidates. I guess they had the dragons somewhere already, or they wouldn’t have taken recruits.

  “Exactly,” Delan agreed. “We gave them what they needed to build an army of Keepers. You saw what one dragon could do when you fought at Dun Carryl. Now we all know, with the destruction of Ishkabur. What could a dozen of the beasts do?”

  “They don’t have a dozen,” Sebast interrupted. “Five at most, including Khollo. That’s all the Keepers and apprentices who set sail on the Southern Star. None of the crew stayed behind either, so there are five humans on the island.”

  “Any large enough to be this mysterious rider?” Relam asked, holding out this last hope.

  “At least one,” Sebast replied after a moment’s consideration. “A boy from the plains, L’tel. Massive frame, certainly would fit the description the refugees have provided.”

  “If you wrapped him in fancy silver armor,” Delan said, shrugging. “Not sure where they would have found that though.”

  “Armor is easy to get,” Relam replied. “They could have sent a Keeper to Narne or one of the other coastal cities.” He sighed heavily. “Or, they could be framed.”

  “What?” Sebast demanded. “Relam, have you heard what we’ve been discussing? Everything fits!”

  “Let’s review,” Delan suggested, ticking the largest items off on his fingers. “Until today, we knew of only the two Keepers. They have been recruiting in our lands, with the intent of expanding their order. They are the only ones who can control the dragons, and the dragon that . . . that destroyed Ishkabur had a rider on its back. So it was trained, not wild. And it flew in from the approximate direction of the Keeper’s island.” He hesitated, glancing at Relam, then the others. “There’s only one conclusion that can be made,” he finished, shrugging awkwardly. “I know this Khollo was your friend, Relam. But something seems to have gone wrong.”

  “They saved Ishkabur,” Relam repeated, grappling with that fact. “And fought with us.”

  “Maybe they fought with us because we fought against vertaga,” Cevet murmured. “The Keepers have no love for the beasts. Remember what they did to the West Bank? His home?”

  “Clemon was there,” Knet remembered. “He knew Khollo as well, saw him fight. Khollo was injured, right?”

  “He nearly died in the battle,” Relam grunted. “But that was before he found Kanin.”

  “Kanin?”

  “The dragon, Jatt,” Delan explained.

  “The silver one?”

  “The green one,” Relam corrected.

  “They’re not the same?”

  “No,” Relam said, jumping on this fact, “They are not the same dragon. It was not Kanin who attacked Ishkabur. Which means it was either one of their trainees . . . or someone else.”

  “Who else has access to a dragon?” Delan growled. “You cannot let your friendship with the Keepers and their past deeds outweigh the evidence that is before your eyes. The Keepers have betrayed us, razed an entire city, and may have the means and motivation to do much worse. With five dragons, they could rule the world.”

  “There’s another issue I’ve been rolling around,” Cevet offered quietly, leaning forward and folding his hands on the tabletop. “What if the Keepers are working with someone?”

  “Who?” Sebast asked. “Not the vertaga, certainly.”

  “The Masks,” the regent replied quietly.

  The others fell into a stunned silence, digesting Cevet’s suggestion. “We know they have a plan,” the regent said into the silence. “We know it was in motion. We know they were waiting for something. What if this is what they were waiting for?”

  Sebast groaned. “Enough. My head is going to explode. There’s too many conspiracies and betrayals to keep track of.”

  “We don’t know the Keepers have betrayed us,” Knet interrupted. “Why don’t we just ask them what they’ve been up to, see how they respond?”

  “And you expect them to reply truthfully?” Delan demanded, snorting disdainfully. “I don’t know about you, Knet, but if I had just razed a city I probably wouldn’t admit it to the king.”

  “Well, we have to do something!”

  “And we will,” Relam promised quietly. “But we have to do the right thing.” He rubbed his eyes, trying to dispel the frustration, the fear, the uncertainty that were building to a fever pitch within his mind. He was slowly moving past his disbelief. In the light of the evidence, it was all too clear he had been betrayed. But to what extent, and for what purpose? Could the Masks be involved?

  “We have to speak to Khollo,” Relam decided. “Sebast, send word via Narne that he is to join me in Etares for an urgent meeting.”

  “Isn’t that tipping our hand a bit?” Sebast asked, concerned. “Will it give away the fact that we’re summoning him in response to what happened at Ishkabur?”

  “Maybe,” Relam allowed. “But if he was involved, he’ll be expecting that. We summon him here, and prepare every soldier we have to ambush them the moment they land.”

  “That,” Sebast said, eyes widening, “Is a terrible idea.”

  “Relam, think of the people you would be putting at risk!” Knet said, looking around the table. “I mean, dragons in the city? Isn’t that a little too trusting for someone we think has betrayed us?”

  “Just wait a moment,” Cevet urged, “I think I see where this is going.”

  Relam nodded to the Thius heir gratefully. “Thanks, Cevet. You’re right, Knet, if we ambushed them immediately in the city, it would put a lot of people at risk. But I plan to summon them to the palace. When they arrive, the Keepers will have to leave their dragons to enter the audience hall. They’ll probably land in the plaza to minimize the distance they have to walk. We’ll clear the surrounding buildings of civilians, and replace them with soldiers.”

  “Archers,” Delan interrupted. “Lots of archers.”

  “Yes,” Relam agreed, “And oversized shields for the swordsmen, like what the warriors of Gobel-Tek use. It’s still risky, but timed right it could all work out.”

  “Except you’ll be isolated in the palace with five traitors,” Sebast noted.

  “The palace guard, and my personal guards, can handle them,” Relam said confidently. “It won’t be a problem. The key will be to keep our preparations hidden when the Keepers arrive.”

  “We can’t let them know we suspect them,” Cevet agreed.

  “We should still talk to them first,” Knet insisted.

  “I plan to,” Relam replied, “I want to hear from Khollo what’s going on. I won’t mention Ishkabur, not immediately, but I want to give him the opportunity to defend himself. The moment I give the signal though, everyone needs to be ready to spring the trap.”

  “What’ll the signal be?” Jatt asked.

  “We have three weeks to figure that out,” Relam grunted. “Two weeks for the Southern Star to get to their island, plus another few days for the Keepers to fly here.”

  “So, we have a decision,” Sebast observed. “Now we need a message to send.”

  “Before we proceed,” Relam said quickly. “We should vote on it.”

  “Why? You’re king, you say we bring them here we bring them here,” Delan said, shrugging.

  “Because this will be dangerous. For us. For the kingdom.” Relam looked around the table, making eye contact with each of the regents. “If the Keepers are false, we are on the edge of events that will once again change the course of history. And if they have not betrayed us . . . if someone else is involved – ”

  “Doubtful,” Delan muttered.

  “Then we’re still facing events that will change the world,” Cevet finished. “We know, Relam. But we don’t have any other options. Not that I see anyway.”
<
br />   “All in favor of bringing the Keepers here,” Relam said. “And learning the truth, wherever it leads.”

  “I agree,” Cevet said quietly.

  “And I,” Delan added.

  “Aye,” Sebast said.

  Knet hesitated, then shrugged. “I agree. It’s the only good option we have.”

  “Yeah,” Jatt added. “Bring them here, find out what’s going on. Kill them all if they’ve turned. Good simple plan.”

  “Maybe in concept,” Cevet muttered. “In execution, not so much.”

  “That was almost funny,” Delan observed.

  “Be serious, Delan,” Sebast snapped.

  “What? Don’t you see it? He said ‘in execution’ and we’re planning an ambush to kill them!”

  “Enough,” Relam said wearily. “It seems we’re decided. The Keepers will be summoned. Now we just have to compose a message to summon them.”

  “We should pull in the chatelain,” Knet suggested. “He has experience with this sort of thing.”

  “I’ll fetch him,” Cevet offered. “He’ll be in his office, Relam?”

  “Probably.”

  The regent nodded and headed for the double doors. As he pushed on the right hand portal, preparatory to opening it, the left hand panel banged inwards, nearly knocking Cevet flat. Lord Clemon staggered into the room, his robes in disarray, gasping for breath, Relam’s guards crowding through the doors behind him.

  “Your majesty!” he cried. “Terrible news!”

  “We know,” Relam began, but Clemon cut him off.

  “Ishkabur . . . the city is gone! Razed by dragon fire, its people scattered. And, Lord Horam! Such terrible rumors, your majesty, I’m really not sure what we should do!”

  “We know, Marc,” Relam repeated impatiently. “That’s what we’ve been discussing.”

  “If the Keepers have betrayed us,” the chatelain continued, ignoring Relam, “Then we’re all in danger. The whole kingdom could burn! How many recruits did they take with them? Never mind,” he moaned, “They have at least two, and it could well be enough! Why we ever agreed to let them – ”

  “Enough!” Relam roared. “We know, Marc! We’ve heard that Ishkabur fell. Delan reported all the details to us moments ago. We’ve decided on a course of action, and we were just about to send for you to help us.”

  “Me?” the chatelain asked, aghast. “What could you possibly want me for? You’re not . . . ?” He broke off, pointing a shaking finger at Relam. “Your majesty, I beg you. Don’t follow your father’s model here. Do not send me there!”

  “Send you where?” Delan demanded. “What are you blathering about?”

  “To Ishkabur,” Clemon cried. “It would serve no purpose, your majesty, we have all the information we need. This is not the same situation as before, we have numerous witnesses this time, no need to send someone to confirm – ”

  “Marc,” Relam said wearily.

  “And sending me to the Keepers’ island would be even worse, they would probably just use me as a hostage and then where would you be? Besides, it would take too long.”

  “Marc, we’re not sending you anywhere!”

  The chatelain froze, then shut his mouth with an audible clop. “Well,” he said after a moment. “I must say, that is a relief, your majesty. A very wise decision.”

  “Thank you,” Relam grunted.

  “But, if I may, what do you need me for?” Clemon asked, looking around the room. “I’m afraid I won’t be much use against a dragon, or at raising the army. And I wouldn’t recommend negotiating with them if that is what you’re planning.”

  “We’re planning to summon them here,” Delan growled. “And wring the truth from them. If they have betrayed us, we ambush them and destroy them.”

  “That sounds ambitious,” Wil said nervously, stepping up beside Clemon. “Who’ll be involved in said ambush? Not the palace guard I hope?”

  “Ambush who?” Hern demanded, stepping out from among the other guards with Sermas. “You’re not talking about Khollo, are you? He would never betray us!”

  Relam groaned, realizing he would have to explain everything all over again. “Fine. Everyone, take a seat. I’ll start from the beginning so that we’re all on the same page.”

  “Someone should be on guard still,” Galen pointed out.

  “Then you and Johann stand guard,” Relam replied. “Eric and Wil can fill you in later.”

  “That works,” Galen grunted. “Come on, Johann.”

  “How come I have to go?”

  “Because I said so, now get moving,” Galen growled, dragging the other guardsman after him. The others moved to take seats around the table, allowing the doors to swing shut and cut off Johann’s protests at being left out.

  When everyone was seated, Relam presented the facts as far as he knew them, as well as the suspicions he and the other regents had voiced. Clemon fidgeted nervously throughout, while Sermas and Hern sat in stunned disbelief, trying to rationalize this disaster with what they knew of their friend. Eric sat as though made of stone, arms folded across his chest, while Wil frowned thoughtfully, tracing a pattern in the surface of the table with one of his fingers.

  “So,” Relam concluded after summarizing the major points. “We have decided to summon the Keepers here, separate them from their dragons in the palace, and discover the truth. If they were involved with Ishkabur, the ambush is a go. If they were not . . . ”

  “Then we have an unknown player and more problems,” Sebast grunted. “An unknown player with a dragon.”

  “Or the Masks with a dragon,” Cevet added thoughtfully. “Though where they got it I don’t know.”

  “Nobody knows anything for certain yet,” Relam repeated. “We’ll have to see what the Keepers say. Are we agreed? We summon them here and prepare our trap?”

  “That could be awkward,” Hern broke in, scowling. “Since the Keepers can’t be summoned by anyone.”

  Relam thumped the table, berating himself for not remembering that minor detail. “Of course. Thank you, Hern. We will request their presence for a meeting. Is that better?”

  “Still sounds a little odd,” Clemon observed. “How about this?” He produced a sheet of parchment from a pocket, along with a writing stick, and scribbled a few words. “To Khollo, High Keeper, and Kanin, Master of Dragons. His majesty, King Relam of the Sthan, requests your presence in Etares for an urgent meeting regarding . . .” He shrugged uncertainly. “That’s all I’ve got.”

  “An urgent meeting regarding resurgent vertaga sightings in the South?” Cevet suggested.

  “That hasn’t happened though!” Sebast said. “Has it?” he added urgently, glancing at Delan.

  “To my knowledge, no,” Delan replied. “But,” he added, “That is a truly devious way to get them interested in this meeting.”

  “Even though it’s entirely false,” Cevet agreed. “It will keep them from suspecting we know as well, and it’s certainly plausible. What do you think, Relam?”

  “I don’t like the idea of deliberately lying in a message like this,” the young king muttered. “But it would be highly effective here.”

  “It would work,” Clemon mused, “And I think it would be sufficient to bring them to Etares. But it is your decision, your majesty. If it helps, I am for it.”

  “It won’t set a bad precedent?” Relam asked.

  “These are hardly typical circumstances,” Clemon replied. “So no, I don’t think so.”

  “This feels wrong,” Sermas muttered. “Khollo is our friend. I’ve known him for years, so has Hern. He wouldn’t do something like this.”

  “Maybe he lost control of a Keeper,” Hern suggested. “It could all be a misunderstanding.”

  “Which is why we are not killing them the moment they arrive,” Relam explained. “We want to talk first. If there is no need for bloodshed, we will avoid it.”

  “That’s acceptable, I guess,” Sermas said grudgingly. “And being prepared doesn’t
hurt.”

  “Then we proceed with the message,” Relam decided. “Marc, draft something sufficiently formal and hard to read, will you?”

  “Of course your majesty,” Clemon responded automatically.

  “Sebast, send word to Narne immediately. I want the Southern Star ready to sail the moment our message arrives. Once that’s done, we turn to the business of planning an ambush.” Relam stood, pushing his chair back a few inches and leaning forward over the table. “Again, let me stress this point: what we are about to do is highly dangerous. Nothing of what we have discussed leaves this room, and we must be prepared for the worst. Even if we can’t believe it or don’t like it, we have to follow through. We have a great many people depending on us to get this right. If we fail . . . ” He shook his head slowly. “If we fail, a lot of innocents will suddenly be in harm’s way. I can’t let that happen. We have a responsibility, each and every one of us, to every person in the Sthan Kingdom. We have to protect them, if we can.”

  “Even if the ambush succeeds, people will die,” Sebast countered. “Soldiers, maybe some citizens.”

  “I know,” Relam replied. “But it would be nothing compared to what those dragons could do if they were turned loose on this world. We have to protect as many people as possible. That is our priority, above all else.” He looked down at the table, grappling with his mixed feelings. “Over people we thought to be our friends, if it comes to that.” He shook his head mutely, then looked back up at the others. “Get those messages sent, Sebast, Clemon. We’ll reconvene tomorrow to discuss the ambush. Until then, dismissed.”

  Chapter 35:

  The Burning South

  Zanove landed in the wide vale Garnuk had chosen as the mustering point for the army, folding his wings with a rustle of silver-gray membranes. Garnuk dismounted immediately, shedding his helm and surveying the growing camp.

  Tents were sprouting up in perfectly ordered rows, massive banners and standards standing between them to mark the territory of each clan that was represented. With all of the clans gathered, Garnuk had managed to muster thousands of warriors, capable rams who would suit his purpose well. Even with the little training Tarq had been able to give them, they were vastly improved and noticeably more disciplined than before. If and when the Sthan came to fight them, they would be surprised at the formations the vertaga had managed to adopt.