"But where have you been? I thought Mortow had done away with you. You’ve been gone so long."
"Now why would he want to do that? I’m his favorite after all," Megan said swaggering up to him. He could see that half smile even in the dim light.
"I was sent on a mission in preparation for this war. My success has earned me an even greater place at our Master's side. Who else did you think bartered the troll, ogre and Were races to our side, hmm?"
"I thought Mortow did that himself."
"You know, for as smart as you are, Maklin, sometimes you can be so simple." Megan saw his face flush and reached up to run her index finger along his jaw.
"Now don’t get mad. I am merely pointing out a fact. Why would the most powerful wizard alive demean himself with simple negotiations of that nature?"
She had a valid point, and Maklin hated her for it. Then he hated himself for hating her. Megan always had a way of turning his anger back on him. He moved away from her, towards the tree line, so that he could compose himself once more. Her touch distracted him all too easily. His little temptress, but he knew she belonged to Mortow.
"Seeing as how you’re here, then I won’t ask the simple question of whether or not there have been any signs yet."
Megan laughed, a lilting sound, what he imagined an elf maiden might sound like, and Maklin felt his blood surge. He breathed deeply to try to calm himself further.
"You see, I knew you were a smart man. You just need to think before you speak," she said coming up to stand beside him, looking out at the portal. He sighed.
"So, you were successful. We have the entire troll nation, a good portion of the ogre nation, and all the lower cast Weres joined with us. But, surely that didn’t take you all this time?" Maklin posed the question.
"No, of course not. I had other orders as well. Those you mentioned are self-evident, whereas, the others are not. If you don’t know about them already, then it’s not my place to divulge them."
"So Mortow has sent you here to greet Micah and this new magician he is so interested in. How many Weres did you bring?"
"There are a hundred scattered around, more than enough to handle Micah and the boy."
Now it was Maklin’s turn to laugh.
"And you call me simple. Micah is formidable. Do you have any idea what he is capable of?" Maklin saw her frown and was pleased.
"One Avari is hardly a source of worry, even if he is their Lord," Megan replied haughtily.
Maklin bowed to her still smiling.
"Since you seem to have everything well in hand, I have a report to deliver."
"What are you not telling me, Maklin?" Megan demanded heatedly.
"What could a simple man, like myself, know that you have not already deduced?" Maklin replied with an innocent expression. He thought to himself, let her figure it out on her own. He already had to face Mortow once regarding Micah. Maybe her ignorance of Micah's abilities would bring her down a few notches in Mortow’s eyes. If she succeeded, then there was no reason to worry. However, Megan's arrogance, he felt, would serve Micah better than it would her.
"Good luck, Megan. I will see you when you return to Gratton."
"Luck is for amateurs," she snapped.
"As you say." He spoke the words of transport and disappeared.
"Maklin knows something he’s not telling me. He expects me to fail. I could tell by that smug smile on his face. Well, we’ll just see who’s smiling when I get back to Gratton with the boy."
Megan turned toward the portal just as two figures materialized before the altar stone. She smiled to herself and gave the signal to the Weres waiting in the shadows. She saw the twenty hiding behind the surrounding pillars move in first. She looked to the woods, but didn’t see the others rushing in as they should be. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. Megan cursed Maklin and went rushing toward the ring of stones. She heard the ringing of steel and the cries of the dying as she moved. She scanned the edge of the forest as she ran, and still no more Weres were in evidence.
She had to salvage the situation herself. She needed to stop Micah from taking the boy away from the portal. Megan altered her course slightly to the left, towards an opening in the pillars, when something hit her from behind. She was spun around and knocked from her feet. Megan cried out as pain exploded through her right shoulder, and she felt the deep bite of steel hit the bone along her shoulder blade. This was going all wrong.
Maklin appeared outside the door to Mortow’s study. He straightened his robe, adjusted his sash, and was raising his hand to knock on the ornate door when he heard Mortow's voice.
"Enter."
Shaking his head and smiling, Maklin reached for the handle and, as always, the door opened before he could touch it. The man’s timing was impeccable. Maklin schooled his face to passivity and walked inside. He walked up to the desk with his head bowed.
Maklin heard a crunching sound and looked up to see Mortow eating an apple. When he saw Mortow smile, he realized that he was staring gape-jawed. Maklin put the mask of indifference back into place, knowing it was too late, but determined to recover some of his dignity. He wasn’t sure why the sight had surprised him so. The man was human and required food, but he had never seen Mortow eat or drink anything in the ten years he had known him.
"Are you hungry, Maklin? I could have some food brought up for you," Mortow asked with a pleased smile.
Damn the man! He always seemed to know how to keep you off balance.
"No, Master, but thank you for the generous offer."
"The way you are staring at my apple, one might think you hadn’t eaten in a week. I don’t want my prize pupil fainting from lack of sustenance."
"I appreciate your concern, Master, but I assure you I am fine. I came to report on the status of East and West Gates," Maklin replied regaining much of his composure.
"I sense no reticence. Therefore, I deem both battles went as planned?"
"Aye, Master, the ogres did their job well. Both gates fell to your forces quite nicely. After seeing that Gallow and Dannig had everything well in hand, I dispatched the ogre force into Branna as you commanded," Maklin smiled.
"They seemed eager to do your bidding. All three hundred were on their way before I left."
"Good, that should give our good King Brose something to occupy his time," Mortow replied taking another bite of the apple.
"Master, I stopped by the portal before coming back here to give my report," Maklin continued with some hesitation.
"Yes, and…"
"Well, I was just going there to check, in case there was anything new to report, and well, I saw Megan."
Mortow smiled wickedly, half closing his eyes and leaning back in a chair that Maklin suddenly realized was not the same chair he had always seen on previous visits to his Master’s study.
"Yes, she returned a few days ago. I see that she still has some hold over you. I would have thought you beyond all this boyish infatuation by now, apprentice."
"I am, Master," Maklin asserted standing up straighter and refusing to look Mortow in the eye.
"It was just surprising to see her again after all this time."
"Lie to yourself if you wish, but do not presume to lie to me, Maklin. I know of your feelings for her. She told me all about them. They are a weakness; a weakness I am sure she will try to exploit. Megan is an ambitious viper, and you would be best served by putting her completely out of your thoughts. Any control you give her over you, she will use to her benefit," Mortow said irritably.
"You can be assured I am aware of her nature. I will not allow her any such opportunity," Maklin replied scowling.
"That remains to be seen," Mortow shrugged negligibly.
"Did she have anything to report?"
"Only that she had everything well in hand, and that my presence was neither necessary nor wanted."
"Good. Then I have another task for you, apprentice."
"Anything you command, Master," Maklin
replied with a slight bow.
Mortow leaned forward and opened a drawer to his right. He pulled out a rolled up parchment tied with a black ribbon and sealed with his personal crest, the mirrored M, one above the other, signifying that he and the magic were one. He handed the parchment over to Maklin.
"I want you to deliver this to Rydon."
"The elven leader? That Rydon?" Maklin asked shocked.
"The very same. He should be expecting it, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with their border guard. You are to hand it to him personally and to bring back any reply immediately. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Master." Bowing low, he turned to leave.
"And, Maklin…"
"Yes, Master?" Maklin asked, turning back to face his superior.
"Get something to eat before you go," Mortow said with a smirk as he tossed the apple core in the air and watched it vanish.
"As you command, Master." Maklin bowed again and left the room, tucking the message securely into an inner pocket of his robe.
Chapter Sixteen
Ataum stormed from the council chamber, his face so twisted with rage that Alissa couldn’t believe this was the same man she had married. He was muttering vehemently to himself. His eyes locked on to hers as he looked up, and he altered his course towards her. Obviously, the meeting with the elders had not gone well. As Ataum approached her, he did not stop. He took her by the upper arm and turned her around, practically dragging her along with him.
"He is such an arrogant fool that I am ashamed to call him father."
Alissa, observing the firm set in the faint lines of Ataum’s face, could see that the tips of his ears were also red. It looked as if a storm swept across his visage.
"Ataum, slow down. What has happened?"
"The old fool will never learn. He will die as big a fool as he has lived!" Ataum spat venomously. Several nearby elves looked up at his exclamation, and seeing the tumultuous expression ravaging the normally serene face, hurriedly moved away.
"You are not making any sense, Ataum. What has happened?" Alissa repeated planting her feet and jerking her arm from his grasp.
Ataum stopped and spun on her, his inner rage causing his eyes to darken.
"The thrice damned fool has declared the borders tightened and set orders for trespassers to be killed on sight. He didn’t listen to a word Merric said to him. He merely played along so Merric would leave."
"And the Council agreed with him?"
"Aye, they are as big a bunch of fools as he is," Ataum told her, the anger finally leaving his face to be replaced with a sudden weariness.
"Oh Ataum, what are we going to do?"
"We are going to do exactly what I told the Council we would do if they supported his foolish decision. We are leaving Trelom."
"Leaving Trelom? You cannot be serious. This is our home. Where would we go? I don’t think I could live anywhere else, Ataum."
"Not only am I serious, but I want you to gather as many druids as will come with us. My Forest Guard will be coming as well. Well, some of them anyway."
Astonishment registered on Alissa's face.
"The Forest Guard? Ataum, if you take the Forest Guard, then the borders will be unmanned. Trelom will be left vulnerable."
"Alissa, my love, the Trelom we knew and loved is no more. By its decision, the Council has condemned Trelom and all her people to death or slavery. I, for one, will not sit idly by and wait for the headman’s axe."
"By leaving, you remove any remaining hope and condemn Trelom to death as well," Alissa said despondently, the tears in her eyes reflecting tiny sparkles of sunlight as they slid down her thin, pale cheeks.
"Nay, by leaving, I am trying to give Trelom the chance to live that she should have been granted by the Council. By leaving and joining with Merric, we will help him defeat Mortow before his blight can fall on Trelom."
"Do you truly believe we have any chance?" Alissa asked with her eyes downcast.
"If any chance still exists, it lies with Merric, my love. There are no guarantees in this life, but I promise you that I will do everything I can to see that our people remain safe."
"I know your heart, beloved. I know you will do all within your power to protect our people," Alissa reassured him caressing his cheek with her hand.
Ataum covered her small hand with his and looked down into her watery eyes.
"I do not wish to mislead you, so you must know that for my actions and words, the Council, by my father’s decree, has banished me from the realm. If you come with me, you will share that exile. We will never more be welcome in Trelom, if we survive what is to come."
"My place has ever been by your side. If the Council has banished you, then they have banished me as well. Though my heart breaks, I would sooner be with you in exile than in Trelom without you," Alissa replied looking up lovingly into Ataum’s eyes.
For the first time since the Council meeting, Ataum felt his spirit rise and all trace of worry and anger left his face as he smiled down on this lovely woman who had pledged her life to him as he had pledged his to her.
"Whatever the outcome, we face it together then. Hurry and gather those druids who may be willing to join us. I go to gather those of the Forest Guard who will still follow me. I want to be gone from here by nightfall."
"We head for Kantwell?"
"Aye, Merric will know best where we can be of service."
"Be careful, Ataum. You know your father will already have notified the Forest Guard of your banishment. He will seek to stop you from taking any of them with you."
Ataum smiled.
"He can try all he likes, but the Forest Guard has always answered directly to their Captain, and that happens to be me. We have warded the borders out of responsibility to our people, not out of fealty to the Council or my father. Oh, I have no doubt some will stay, feeling bound to continue protecting Trelom, but most will follow me. They feel as I do about what should be done to protect our home and her people. Meet me at the northern border as soon as you can."
"I will gather all the druids who are willing and meet you there," Alissa assured him, with a determined look now on her face.
Ataum bent down and kissed her on the lips.
"Be careful mine light. Though the Forest Guard is not controlled by the Council, the druids are. Approach them carefully. Spend no time in negotiations. Just gather those willing and leave quickly. If none are willing, then so be it. We will make do without them."
"Fear not, there are those among us who do not agree with the Council's views."
Ataum squeezed her hands and headed off toward their home. As he approached the cottage, he took in all of its nuances. It was large by elvish standards, two stories of pale brown marble, nestled within a small grove of aspen trees. The gabled green slate roof softened the harshness of the marble and allowed it to blend somewhat with the natural surroundings. Ataum sighed as he realized it was the last time he would ever see it. Shoving those thoughts aside, Ataum entered and went straight to his library. It was there that his armor and weapons were kept. He took the chainmail suit down off its stand, and slid his arms and head into it. It fell with hardly a sound to mid-thigh. The light elvish mail, crafted for stealth and maneuverability, was intricately forged from an alloy that was strong yet lightweight. He pulled the coif over his head and then drew a long brown surcoat over the mail. The blazon of the Forest Guard was boldly displayed on the front, an aspen tree with a crossed bow and sword before it. Ataum grabbed his weapons' belt and buckled it on, threw a light green cloak over all, and then picked up his bow and quiver. He slung his quiver over his right shoulder and strung his bow. Looking around the room one final time, Ataum picked up a dagger off his desk and slid it into his boot. He strode from the library towards the front door. As he neared the door, Ataum heard an urgent knock. Thinking that Alissa had run into trouble, he ran to the door and opened it. His friend Kline stood facing him, garbed in attire almost identical to his own.
&n
bsp; "I ran into Alissa, and she told me all that has happened with the Council. I figured you could use another able body," Kline said spreading his hands to display his readiness.
"My friend, did she also tell you that I am not coming back?"
"Aye, she did."
"I thought to spare you this. You should stay. Tama and little Herina will need you."
"They are best served by helping you stop this war before it gets here."
"If you follow me, you will not be welcomed if you return. How then will your wife and daughter fair as kin of an outcast?"
"I swore an oath to my Captain, an oath as binding as that which I swore to Tama when we were wed. Here, I can do nothing. With you, I can uphold both oaths, loyalty to my Captain and protection of wife and daughter," Kline said as he put his right hand over his heart and went to one knee before Ataum.
Ataum sighed and smiled.
"Of course, you know I had to try, my friend."
"You had to try, just as I had to come. There was no other choice for either of us."
"Oh do get up! I am not a Council Elder for you to pay homage to," Ataum chided.
"I would never do them this honor, my Captain," Kline said earnestly as he rose to his feet.
"Well, since you are with me, I have a job for you. Find Alissa and see to it that she makes it safely to the Northern border with her druids."
"And if we encounter resistance?"
"Remember, these are our people. With that being a consideration, getting Alissa and the druids to the northern border is your first concern."
"Understood," Kline turned and ran off in search of Alissa.
Ataum watched him for a few seconds before taking off at a run himself. He ran into the forest at the northern end of the city, deftly avoiding trees and bushes. Once safely inside the forest, he let out three sharp, loud whistles. Hearing a reply, he whistled out directions which he knew would be relayed. The Forest Guard knew their job and would meet him at his destination. He ran for the rest of the day and most of the night, occasionally acquiring one of the Forest Guard who fell in step behind him.
The Chronicles of the Myrkron: Book 01 - The Nine Keys of Magic Page 21