Both elves grinned broadly. They bowed to Emperor Marak and raced to the far end of the library where Mistake and MistyTrail were searching for the Pit of Death.
“We are leaving this day for Elvangar,” Eltor said excitedly. “Will the two of you come with us?”
Mistake and MistyTrail looked at the elves with disbelief. They knew eventually they would be forced to make this decision, but it still shocked them. Mistake looked across the room and saw Emperor Marak looking her way. He smiled in a fatherly fashion when he saw her looking and then turned to the bookshelf and picked out a tome to read. Mistake looked up at Eltor and nodded slowly.
“I would like that very much,” she said. “I need some time to say goodbye to friends here. Where should I meet you?”
“Remember the small elven scout ship?” asked Eltor. “Emperor Marak has given it to us. We will be getting it ready for the voyage.”
“MistyTrail?” Caldal asked attentively.
“I go where my sister goes,” MistyTrail replied. “We are inseparable. I too must say my goodbyes. We will meet you at the docks.”
Caldal grinned as he and Eltor turned to leave the library. As they walked out the door, Mobi reached out and grabbed Eltor by the shoulder.
“Where are you going?” asked Mobi.
“We are going to the docks to ready a ship to return to Elvangar,” replied Eltor. “We have the Torak’s leave to do so.”
“Yes, but where are you going?” Mobi persisted.
“I do not understand the question,” frowned Eltor.
“Do you know where Elvangar is?” asked Mobi. “Do you know your stars?”
Eltor and Caldal looked at each other with confusion, but it was Eltor that answered.
“We are not sure where it is,” Eltor admitted. “I do know my stars, but a starting direction sure would be helpful. I am sure that we will find it eventually.”
Mobi grinned and handed a piece of paper to Eltor. The elf studied the diagram for several moments before looking at Mobi questioningly.
“We have always been friends of the elves,” shrugged Mobi. “Why would we not know where they lived?”
“If the humans have known all this time,” frowned Caldal, “why haven’t they come to Elvangar?”
“For the same reason that elves have not come to Angragar,” answered Mobi. “There was a break between our worlds. We agreed that we could never coexist until Angragar was awakened. That was the pledge made between the elves and the Qubari. That time has come. Travel safely, elven friends of the Qubari.”
Across the library, Mistake tugged gently on Rejji’s arm. The Astor turned and looked questioningly at Mistake. She took his hand and led him out of the library. Bakhai and MistyTrail followed for a short distance and then disappeared as they entered an empty room in the temple. Mistake and Rejji continued out of the temple and sat on the steps outside the door.
“I am leaving for Elvangar today,” Mistake said to Rejji.
“I suspected as much,” Rejji nodded sadly. “Emperor Marak asked me if it was alright to give the elves a ship to sail home in. Will you ever return?”
“Of course,” Mistake promptly replied.
Rejji looked skeptical, and Mistake sighed.
“I really don’t know,” Mistake finally said. “I have no idea about who I really am, Rejji. I have to go there to learn if I am really an elf. I don’t know if I belong in this world or that one. If I don’t go, I will never know for sure.”
“I understand,” Rejji nodded. “I would probably do the same if I were in your boots. I hope that things work out the best for you, whatever you decide. You are a very special person. I hope you know that.”
“Only to you,” smiled Mistake. “Before I met you, people couldn’t wait to get rid of me. I have never had anyone care for me.”
“You never let anyone get close enough to try,” Rejji smiled thinly. “You messed up with me I guess.”
“You will always be special to me, Rejji,” Mistake said with a tear forming in her eye. “I don’t know what else to say.”
Mistake wrapped her arms around Rejji and hugged him tight. They embraced for a long time saying nothing until Mistake finally withdrew and kissed Rejji. Tears rolled down her face as she turned and ran towards the docks.
When she reached the docks, Eltor, Caldal, and MistyTrail were already there. MistyTrail was loading several packs of rations onto the ship, while Caldal was up the mast checking the lines. Eltor helped Mistake aboard. He saw the tear stains on her cheeks, but he said nothing. Caldal suddenly shouted and pointed. Eltor looked towards the city and saw the crowd marching towards the ship. He watched in amazement as all of the humans lined the dock.
“It wouldn’t be a proper voyage without a proper farewell,” Rejji smiled weakly as he approached the ship.
Rejji thrust his arm towards Eltor. Eltor grasped the hand and Rejji pulled the elf close to him.
“Have a safe voyage, Eltor,” Rejji said softly. “Please take care of Mistake and her sister. Make sure that no harm comes to them.”
“I will make sure that she remains safe,” promised Eltor. “I hope we meet again. Although I have learned much about humans on this trip, I want to learn a great deal more. We have much in common.”
Rejji smiled thinly and released Eltor’s hand. Caldal dropped to the deck and announced loudly that they were ready to cast off the lines. Halman and Gunta moved swiftly and removed the lines from the dock. They tossed them onto the ship as Mobi gave the ship a hard shove. The elven ship drifted away from the dock as Caldal hoisted a sail. The humans waved farewell. The wind filled the sail and Eltor manned the rudder. A few minutes later the elven ship reached the mouth of the harbor.
* * *
“Take him to the Chamber of Horror,” snapped Vand. “I will not stand for such incompetence in my midst.”
The soldiers dragged the man from the throne room. Suddenly, the whole building shook. People in the throne room were thrown to the floor, but Vand remained firmly in his throne. The tremors lasted for a few minutes before they subsided. Aakuta helped Lady Mystic to her feet.
“What was that?” Aakuta asked. “An earthquake?”
“Not an earthquake,” snapped Vand as he rose and began pacing irritably before his throne. “That was not an earthquake. Angragar has awakened. Summon my generals,” he shouted. “Get them here now!”
Lady Mystic coyly reached for Aakuta’s hand. Aakuta turned to look at Lady Mystic. She nodded her head slightly towards the exit. Aakuta subconsciously nodded in return.
“Lady Mystic!” Vand shouted as they started to work their way out of the throne room.
Lady Mystic dropped Aakuta’s hand and turned and bowed to the Emperor.
“I want you to take over the interrogation of the Khadoran mage,” shouted Vand. “I want their communication magics broken.”
“She has not healed yet,” frowned Lady Mystic. “We will get nothing out of her in her current condition. The fools interrogating her damaged her greatly. She almost died. It will take time.”
“We are out of time,” yelled Vand. “Those fools have awakened Angragar. They do not know what they are doing. They must be stopped.”
“I will do what I can with her,” promised Lady Mystic.
“I don’t want promises,” shouted Vand. “I want results. If you cannot heal her enough to interrogate her, find me another Khadoran mage. I will have the knowledge of the air tunnel and a way to disrupt it. Leave me.”
Lady Mystic bowed low and moved swiftly to the exit. Aakuta followed right behind her, but she did not stop until she was downstairs in her room.
“What was all that about?” asked Aakuta. “What is going on?”
Lady Mystic paced for several moments before answering.
“Angragar is an ancient city on the mainland,” explained Lady Mystic. “It is the city where Vand originally got his powers. Since those days, Angragar has been sealed and hidden.”
“S
ealed and hidden?” echoed the dark mage. “I do not understand.”
“Nor should you,” sighed Lady Mystic. “Vand was human at one time,” she explained. “He was a noble priest serving the god Kaltara. He became ill one day and when he recovered, he was never the same. He was thrown out of Angragar. It became an obsession with him ever since to rule the ancient city. He tried everything to conquer it, and failed each time. His last plan was to incite the elves to destroy the city. Somehow the elves and the city’s ruler put things together and realized what was going on. The city was magically sealed and hidden from everyone. Vand sent hundreds, no thousands, of people over the years to find it. None of them were ever heard from again.”
“But what does awakening mean in regards to this city?” asked Aakuta.
“It means that the enemy has found the city and unsealed it,” continued Lady Mystic. “That could only have happened if Kaltara is alive and working to destroy the other gods. The fact that it has awakened before our invasion means that Kaltara is winning. Vand will be in a rage for days. That is why I tried to get you out of his presence.”
“Get me out of his presence?” echoed Aakuta. “Why me in particular?”
“Because he thinks you are the enemy,” sighed Lady Mystic. “I have tried to tell him that you are no such thing, but he does not listen. He is convinced that you are working for Kaltara.”
“Incredible,” Aakuta replied. “Why would I work for some god that I do not even know?”
“Hmm,” mused Lady Mystic. “You sound so sincere, but I have to admit to having my own doubts about your sincerity.”
“Then why have you saved me from his wrath?” scowled Aakuta. “You make no sense. Vand is crazy if he thinks I even know this Kaltara, and you are starting to think just like him.”
“Why shouldn’t I think like him?” Lady Mystic said softly. “I am his daughter.”
“His daughter?” Aakuta said with shock. “You are Vand’s daughter?”
“Do you think that I am a high priestess because of my startling looks?” retorted Lady Mystic. “Only the fact that I am Vand’s daughter has kept you alive so long.”
“Why are you sticking up for me?” Aakuta asked softly.
“For a smart man, you are fairly unobservant,” replied the high priestess. “Why do you think I keep you around?”
Lady Mystic’s recent change in behavior flashed through Aakuta’s mind. He shook his head and sighed as he realized that she was right. He had been rather unobservant. Looking back it was clear that she was developing feelings for him. The quiet walks alone had grown more frequent and longer in duration. Physical contact had increased, even if it was as innocent as leaning on his shoulders or holding his hand. His mind raced as he tried to analyze his situation.
“I hope it is because you feel about me that same way that I feel about you,” Aakuta answered. “You know that I would do anything for you. Is that the reason that you are protecting me? Do you love me, Lady Mystic?”
“Love,” sighed Lady Mystic. “I never thought that I would hear that word in the same sentence as my name. I feel so foolish.”
“There is no need for you to feel foolish,” Aakuta said soothingly as he embraced Lady Mystic. “I was so afraid that any advances towards you would be taken the wrong way. You can’t imagine how thrilled I am to finally be able to say the truth to you.”
Lady Mystic held Aakuta for several moments and then pushed him away. She walked to the table and sat down. Aakuta followed her, his brow puzzling with concern. He sat across the table from her.
“There is still only so much that I can do for you,” warned Lady Mystic. “Vand might well allow a traitor in his midst for years, as long as he feels in control, but the awakening of Angragar may well change that. Vand will feel very out of control now. He will try to hurry the preparations for the invasion. He will become testy and irritable very frequently. You will not want to be around him much.”
“Then I shall stay away,” declared Aakuta. “I have no desire to enrage him.”
“If you stay away,” Lady Mystic shook her head, “he will become even more suspicious.”
The two mages sat in silence for some moments before Lady Mystic rose and started pacing again.
“There is one chance for you to stay out of his sight,” Lady Mystic said, “even if for only a little while.”
“What is it?” asked Aakuta. “I will do anything to avoid his temper right now. Over time I am sure that I can convince him that I am not the enemy he thinks I am.”
“Vand has a burning desire to learn about air tunnels,” declared Lady Mystic. “We sent a ship to the mainland some time ago. We brought back a young specimen, but she refused to share her knowledge. A special interrogator was sent for. I am not sure what happened, but the room was destroyed when we found them. The interrogator was dead. The young girl was almost dead. She has been in a coma for sometime now. Vand wants her healed and interrogated.”
“Bringing someone out of a coma is not easy,” frowned Aakuta, “especially if you want her to divulge specific information. The slightest miscalculation and you will destroy the knowledge that you are seeking.”
“Precisely why I have been advocating taking our time with her,” nodded Lady Mystic. “That is no longer an option. Vand has ordered me to take charge of her from the interrogators.”
“I can understand Vand’s urge to hurry this,” frowned Aakuta, “but that will not insure success. If she dies we will lose the chance to interrogate her.”
“She is expendable,” shrugged Lady Mystic. “If she dies, there is another solution to the problem. We can send another ship and grab another mage.”
Aakuta pondered the problems for a moment. He rose and walked across the room before turning to face Lady Mystic.
“I could go and obtain another mage,” offered Aakuta. “Surely that would show Vand that I am loyal?”
“He would never let you leave this island,” Lady Mystic shook her head. “Your only chance is to get the girl healed and get her to divulge the information needed about the air tunnel.”
“Where is this girl?” asked Aakuta with a sense of resignation. “And what can you tell me about her?”
“Her name is Rhoda,” replied Lady Mystic. “She is originally from the Raven’s Point estate in Khadora. She is as stubborn as a wasooki, and almost dead. She is kept in a storage room in the basement of the temple. I will take you there.”
Lady Mystic led Aakuta down to the basement of the temple. They marched along a long corridor towards the rear of the temple. As soon as they passed the short corridor to the Chamber of Horror, Lady Mystic stopped and produced a key. She unlocked the door and handed the key to Aakuta. The dark mage stuffed the key into a pouch and entered the room. A young woman was spread out on a table. Her arms and legs were strapped to the table.
Aakuta walked to the young woman and stared at her. Welts and bruises covered her entire body. Large red areas were obvious from some recent healing magic.
“We healed her enough to keep her alive,” offered Lady Mystic. “She had several large wounds, and the organs were hanging out. She would have died otherwise.”
“Why did you not heal the rest of her?” asked Aakuta.
“The interrogators did not want to waste the magic,” shrugged Lady Mystic. “She will die as soon as we have the information that we need. Why bother with healing her completely?”
“To give her hope,” frowned Aakuta. “If she knows that she will die, she will tell you nothing. You should fire your interrogators.”
“You can do better?” Lady Mystic asked with raised eyebrows.
“Certainly,” Aakuta said confidently. “The only problem is trying to rush it, but given the time, I will get everything you want to know out of her.”
“You won’t have a great deal of time,” warned Lady Mystic. “Vand’s patience will run out sooner or later. Get her to talk. I don’t want to have to choose between you and my father.”
<
br /> Chapter 15
The Asylum
Lyra woke early, but not as early as some others in the temple of Angragar. She poured herself a cup of coffee and nodded to the Qubari soldier that was on sentry duty. She became curious when she noticed that Emperor Marak was absent from the room, even though Gunta and Halman still slept peacefully. She walked over to the sentry.
“Where has the Torak gone?” she asked softly.
“He went up the stairs some time ago,” shrugged the warrior. “I did not ask where he was going.”
Lyra nodded and turned away. She went casually to the stairs and climbed them quietly. At the top of the stairs she looked around and saw no one. She turned towards the front of the temple and continued to walk quietly. Eventually, she heard Marak’s voice and headed towards it. She found the Torak standing on the balcony overlooking the plaza. He was talking into an air tunnel. She smiled and waited several paces away for him to finish his communications. Although she had no intention of prying, she could not help hearing his side of the conversation.
“Give Captain Mynor my congratulations,” Emperor Marak said. “I want copies made of his chart immediately. I also want him to head up the construction effort on the ships that he has proposed. As for where the ships are best stationed, I will discuss this with the Star and the Astor. I think there are ports in their lands that are best suited for it.”
Lyra wondered what they would need ships for. She hoped that Marak was not planning an invasion of the Island of Darkness. That would surely be suicide.
“On the other issue,” Marak continued, “I want every mage warned, particularly those who live along the coast. Mages in the coastal areas are to have armed escorts wherever they go. They are never to be left alone. If they are threatened in any way, kill the aggressors if you must, but ensure the safety of those mages. I also want scouts along the coast. Devise some type of plan that covers the areas around the estates first. Then try to find a way to expand it to uninhabited areas.”
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