Shades of Truth: Path of the Wielders 2

by Cleave Bourbon

  “But I—” Kaxen protested.

  “Quiet, your friends will tend to Asrion,” Gondrial interrupted. “Another underfoot will not help Kerad heal him any faster. ”Kaxen followed Gondrial to the base of the tower. Lady Shey and Sylvalora had already entered the structure. Kaxen looked up the tower directly into the rain. He couldn’t see the top from the rainwater stinging his eyes. Once inside the base of the tower, Kaxen was astonished to see another tall elven woman. She wore a royal blue dress with silver embroidery lining the cuffs, bodice, and hem. Her hair, tied in a long ponytail behind her head, was the color of harvest wheat. Her skin, as fair as Sylvalora’s, contained no signs of wrinkles, blemishes, or indication of age. She was as beautiful a woman as Kaxen had ever seen. Her facial features were sharper than her human counterparts, and her eyes were warm and a magnificent light blue. To her left was a man wearing the same armor style as Rodraq. His hair was jet black, and the brilliant metal of his sword seemed to glow even though its sheath. His dark eyes were fixed on Gondrial until he noticed Lady Shey.

  “Seancey,” Lady Shey exclaimed as she ran to the armored man. The two embraced.

  “Are you well, my sister?” the big man asked in a deep, husky voice.

  “As well as I can be under the circumstances,” she replied.

  “I am pleased to see you. Where is your guard?”

  Lady Shey bowed her head. “Dead, by Dramyds. Have you seen Lurnie? I have to tell her what happened to Rodraq.”

  “She has gone to Symbor. She should return in a few days,” Seancey replied. “Is this the boy?” Seancey said, trying to change the subject and the mood.

  “It is he,” Lady Shey answered.

  The elven woman stepped forward. “Of what manner was the magic you wielded, Shey? I heard it as nothing I have heard before, and Morgoran went into a fit of curses. The scribes recording his words actually ceased writing due to the intensity of his profanity.”

  Lady Shey reached into her pack and pulled out the book.

  “A foolish action, my sister, the Enforcers are near. They chased Seancey and me from Scarovia, and now I fear they will be at our gate by morning.”

  “We had no choice, Enowene, the young cleric lay dying, and I am convinced he would have died had we not cast the spell.”

  “So this is the book Malanor has been searching for,” Seancey said, taking the tome from Lady Shey and examining it carefully. “Asheth’s Grimoire. It doesn’t look all that impressive.”

  “Nevertheless it hastened our trip here,” Gondrial said. “It does indeed work, although I fail to see why Malanor would want it. The spells will not work on parties over six or seven. The sheer amount of essence the spell requires would tear him apart if he tried to send more than seven persons over two or three leagues.” He put his hand to his chin. “And even if he managed that, it would take him a week to recover afterward.”

  “It appears you suffer no ill effects,” Seancey said sarcastically.

  “I am not Malanor, my overgrown friend,” Gondrial answered in the same tone.

  “Let’s move to the main tower room before we discuss this further,” Enowene suggested. “I would feel better discussing the matter with fewer ears present to overhear.”

  “Agreed,” Seancey replied.

  “What of my friend?” Kaxen asked worriedly.

  Seancey looked upon Kaxen with sympathy “Son, he is in the care of our chief cleric. If anyone can help your friend, it would be Kerad.” He paused for a moment and then added, “And Kerad is notorious for his dislike of persons underfoot while he is working.”

  Gondrial smiled at Kaxen. “I told you.”

  The main chamber was a room in the structure built around the base of the tower. The larger structure around the base, designed as a meeting place as well as sleep chambers for a myriad of wielder apprentices, largely remained empty now because of the enforcement of the magic laws. Kaxen sat on a plush red velvet divan opposite Lady Shey and Sylvalora. Gondrial, Enowene, and Seancey sat at a small round table between the divans. Rennon entered the chamber and sat next to Kaxen.

  “What news of Asrion?”

  “It isn’t good news. He is hurt pretty badly. The clerics are working with him. I wanted to stay with him, but a guard said I was to come here,” Rennon answered. “What’s going on here?” Rennon glared at Gondrial.

  “I am not sure yet,” Kaxen said.

  “I think our first task should be to get another wagon of ale and dry goods to Brookhaven,” Lady Shey began. “Brookhaven is being watched. The peddler, Fadral, was killed and replaced with a spy. We need the wagons to return to let whoever may be watching know that Kaxen and his friends are safe.”

  “Malanor has never used spies before,” Enowene said. “What kind of spy?”

  “Fadral was replaced with a Krullen Thul,” Lady Shey answered. “A good one. He not only took on the illusion of Fadral but also his mannerisms, and he did not have the pungent odor of the Krullen Thul of the past. Sylvalora and I were suspicious of him but couldn’t tell what he was until it was too late. I believe the Dramyds that attacked us between Cedar Falls and Soldier’s Bluff were there waiting for their Krullen Thul commander to return, but Sanmir made sure that would never happen.”

  “I agree that the wagons should return, but it is wise to send the boys back as well,” Gondrial began. “If we send the wagons, I am sure Trendan, Aurelie, and a few guards can get them there safely.”

  “Excuse me,” Rennon spoke up. “We will all be going with the wagons.”

  Gondrial looked Rennon in the eye and shook his head. “It is best for you to stay silent.”

  Rennon was inclined to protest but decided it would be better to sit back down on the divan next to Kaxen instead.

  “What news do you have from Scarovia?” Lady Shey asked Seancey.

  “Malanor of Scarovia and Drakkius of Abaddonia have been amassing a huge army near the Snake River just on the other side of the Jagged Mountains,” Seancey began. “My guess is that they plan to come through the Southern Pass to attack Symboria first, and that’s where most of the Western army is currently assembling. The Northern Pass is also being fortified near the village of Arborton. A smaller army is amassing on the Abaddonian side of the Jaggeds near the Great Road, and there is talk of closing off the Northern Pass completely. Most disturbing of all are the laws against wielders.”

  “What about them?”

  “They are to remain in effect. The priests of Scarovia will cast unopposed at the Western armies.”

  “The fools,” Gondrial spat. “Those damn Enforcers have agents in all of the courts from here to the ruined pillars of Lux Amarou. They have the kings and commoners alike convinced their laws are still keeping order.”

  “Now, Gondrial, curtail your tongue. Your passions are well-founded, but they don’t help our situation,” Enowene reminded him.

  “You’re right of course, my lady,” he said. “Forgive my outburst.”

  “We need to take the tome to Morgoran and consult the prophecies. I remember reading something about the Western armies when I was a little girl,” Lady Shey suggested. “Is he currently in one of his coherent phases?”

  “Unfortunately, not at present. He has been spouting off gibberish, ranting and raving about the emperor of Ishrak or some nonsense. Ishrak hasn’t had an emperor since long before the War of the Oracle forged the Sacred Land,” Seancey said. “He will not be of much use to us.”

  “How do you know it is gibberish? Perhaps he sees into the future as the scribes say he does,” Enowene said.

  “Nothing the scribes have written of his ramblings has ever come to pass,” Seancey said skeptically.

  “A few things have,” Lady Shey said blushing.

  Enowene cocked a curious eyebrow. “Oh, and what might that be?”

  Lady Shey stiffened. “Never mind that. It is a personal matter, and I will not discuss it here.”

  “All right, dear,” Enowene said. “Suit yoursel
f. Perhaps you shouldn’t have mentioned it if it was such a private matter.”

  Lady Shey nodded sheepishly.

  Kaxen’s eyelids were heavy. The lack of sleep the night before had begun to catch up with him, but he fought off sleep to listen.

  “This talk is getting us nowhere. I say we take the book to Morgoran. His eyes may be blinded, but he may yet give us insight,” Gondrial said. “Or better yet, we can wait and take it to Asterial.”

  “It’s a good idea to take the tome to Asterial,” Enowene said, “but he’s hundreds of leagues away, and we’re already faced with too many decisions and too little time to decide them. I’m willing to take my chances with Morgoran.”

  “It is agreed then, right Gondrial? We will consult with Morgoran,” Lady Shey said.

  Gondrial shrugged. “All right, Morgoran it is then.”

  Kaxen bobbed his head, almost dozing off. He glanced at Rennon, who had already gone to sleep.

  “Kaxen dear, why don’t you go ahead and get some sleep,” Lady Shey said. “You can barely keep your eyes open. We have finished our talk for now.” She helped him up and pointed to the now unoccupied divan. “Here, why don’t you lie down on this divan until we find suitable quarters.” Kaxen saw Seancey and Gondrial leave the room still talking. Sylvalora and Enowene were waiting at the doorway for Lady Shey. Kaxen decided sleep would be fine.

  “Maybe for a little while,” he said, and then he fell fast asleep.

  Nightmares made Kaxen’s sleep fitful. He kept seeing the flying creatures, Dramyds, attacking him and his friends. Then his dreams went to the elf maiden he had seen so many other times in his dreams. The trees and vines near the wooden platforms where she walked reached out for her, caressing her and protecting her. She wore green leaves in her shimmering dark brown hair and her large welcoming eyes smiled at him. Unlike some of the other dreams he had of her, this one calmed and soothed him into a more restful sleep. He felt connected to her and the connection was comforting.

  Chapter 2

  Kaxen awoke to Rennon’s snoring. The chamber was empty, except for the two of them, and it was darker. Heavy drapes covered the large windows of the tower chamber. After a few moments, Rennon also woke up.

  “What happened?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

  “You fell asleep.”

  Rennon scrutinized Kaxen with a smirk on his face. “I am aware of that. Why did I fall asleep? I was under a spell, wasn’t I?”

  Kaxen stood and clasped his hands behind his back as he walked around the room. “Don’t be ridiculous. We both fell asleep, but then again we both had a rough night, and it’s not unreasonable for us to nod off.” Kaxen looked at his friend who was rubbing his hand over his mouth. “You are fine, Rennon. Even if it was a spell, which it wasn’t, it was harmless.”

  “Harmless? Unnatural, you mean. I didn’t fall asleep on my own.”

  “Oh, come off it, Rennon. I saw you last night. You did some…” Kaxen realized what he was saying and turned toward a draped window and pulled it open, revealing it was still daylight.

  “What? Go ahead and say it, Kaxen. You saw me what?”

  “I don’t think we should talk about it here.”

  Rennon stood up, paced across the room, and peered out of the window Kaxen had opened.

  “How long have you known?” Kaxen asked reluctantly.

  “Since I was apprenticed to Sanmir, he helped me to suppress it with a herb mixture he had imported from Darovan. Sanmir didn’t want the Enforcers to send me away, or worse yet, kill me.”

  “So that was what the bag of bittering tea was that Sanmir gave you before we left Brookhaven. Why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood.”

  “The wild magic breeds insanity, Kaxen. You would have found out soon enough.”

  “I never saw you brew the potion. Are you suppressing it now?”

  Rennon sighed. “Sometimes I mix it in with my food when no one is watching. I don’t always have the time or the privacy to brew it into a potion.”

  “That works? When you eat it in your food, I mean.”

  “It takes longer to work, and it usually adds a bitter flavor that I don’t always savor, but it gets the job done.”

  The door opened, and Asrion walked in with Sylvalora close behind.

  “Asrion!” Kaxen and Rennon said at once, running to him.

  Asrion’s arm was wrapped in bandages, but he did not appear to be in much pain. Kaxen did notice his sandy blond hair had become golden blonde, and his eyes were bluer than he remembered them. He also looked extremely tired.

  “How do you feel?” Rennon asked. “You look terrible. Should you be out of bed?”

  “I have felt better, but I am okay,” Asrion replied.

  “Come and sit down,” Kaxen said, bringing Asrion to the divan. “And tell us what happened.”

  Asrion sat down on the divan. “I can’t say exactly what happened. I can say that Loracia’s spirit was with me. Brother Kerad said it was the spirit of Loracia that saved me. He could do no more for me.”

  “What does that mean?” Rennon asked suspiciously.

  Sylvalora sat down next to Asrion on the divan. “It means Brother Kerad believes he actually saw the spirit of Loracia heal Asrion.”

  “A miracle?” Kaxen asked apprehensively.

  “It has happened before,” Sylvalora began. “Sometimes it is necessary for a god or goddess to directly intervene.”

  “According to the priests of Loracia in Brookhaven, the gods are not allowed to directly intervene. Fawlsbane Vex forbade it.” Kaxen said.

  “Ah, but Loracia is the goddess mother and wife to Fawlsbane. If any god could defy his decree, it would be his wife.”

  “I will not debate you in theology. I am just glad we have Asrion back in one piece.”

  Sylvalora smiled. “Oh, and Aurelie is on her way here as well; I must take my leave of you to speak with Enowene and Lady Shey.” Sylvalora rose from the divan, smiled at Asrion, and walked to the thick wooden door. After she had disappeared from sight, Kaxen sat next to Asrion. “Do you feel different now?”

  “No, I don’t feel different, but I know that I’m different. Loracia has charged me with a task, and I must not fail.”

  “What kind of task?” Rennon asked.

  Asrion looked at Rennon. “Ask me tomorrow. Loracia will come to me tonight in my sleep.”

  Rennon rolled his eyes. “Convenient.”

  Aurelie entered the room. She gave Kaxen a hug and kissed him. Kaxen’s mouth fell open as she pulled her lips from his.

  “Isn’t it wonderful? Asrion is healed, and we are witnesses to a miracle.” Aurelie said.

  Kaxen shook his head. “It is a miracle Asrion is healed, but something doesn’t feel right to me about all of this.”

  “I agree,” Rennon spoke up. “I think we are being tricked or put under spells.”

  “Rennon, will you never change,” Aurelie said. “Just because someone is not from Brookhaven doesn’t mean they are up to something…nefarious.”

  “No,” Rennon said defensively. “I just believe we may be in over our heads this time, and the sooner we get home the better.”

  “I am afraid we are in over our heads,” Asrion said quietly.

  “See, even Asrion thinks so,” Rennon pointed out.

  Asrion shook his head. “Not in the way you think, my friend.”

  Rennon gave Asrion a puzzled stare but said nothing.

  “We are to report to the dining room for a meal,” Aurelie stated. “Lady Enowene showed me to the washrooms, and I am to lead you there. Afterward, we are going to meet Morgoran. Isn’t it exciting? We are going to meet the Morgoran!”

  Rennon frowned at Aurelie dubiously. “I don’t want to meet the Morgoran.”

  Aurelie gave Rennon a hard look as if he had just slapped her in the face.

  Asrion feigned a weak smile. “Rennon, my friend, will you do it for me?”

  Rennon softened a little. “All right, for y
ou, Ves, but let it be known that I didn’t want to meet this Morgoran fellow.”

  “Thank you, Rennon.” Asrion’s weak smile became stronger.

  “Where has Trendan gotten off to, Aurelie?” Kaxen asked.

  “He is with Seancey preparing to leave for Brookhaven. He is carrying a message for our parents to let them know what happened to us. I should think he’d want to speak with you before he leaves in the morning.”

  “Isn’t he coming to the meal?” Rennon asked.

  “No, he had his meal earlier to make time for Seancey and Gondrial to instruct him on the safest route back to Brookhaven.”

  “We had better go and wash up then,” Kaxen stated. “I will need to talk to Trendan as soon as possible. I don’t want to wait until morning.” He did not want to alarm his friends, but Kaxen had the sinking feeling that something was wrong. If they were sending Trendan ahead, they did not plan for the rest of them to return right away after all. What happened to the new ale wagon idea Lady Shey had suggested? Kaxen thought. He also wondered why Rennon hadn’t caught on and questioned the change. Maybe he had caught on and was just waiting for Kaxen to say something.

  The washrooms were located to the left of the dining hall. Huge wash pots and towels lined the room, and each person had to use each pot in turn to clean their hands. The room itself was a barren, mud-walled room with brilliant murals of what Kaxen thought must have been depictions of the War of the Oracle. Robed wielders were casting spells over darker robed ones. The murals made Rennon visibly uncomfortable.

  After washing, they were seated in a specific, carefully chosen place setting. Kaxen’s seat was between Gondrial and Lady Shey. Rennon was seated between Enowene and Seancey. Asrion was seated next to Enowene and Sylvalora. At the head of the table, Kaxen guessed, was the cleric, Kerad, by the look and make of his robes and his manner of dress. At the foot of the table was seated a man also dressed as a cleric, but his manner of dress did not match that of the clerics of Loracia. He wore deep green robes with yellow cuffs and a red sash. Kaxen assumed him a high cleric of one of the two other temples in the Vale. At introduction, the man at the foot of the table was identified as Trebin, Lord Monk of Fawlsbane Vex, the father of the gods.