“It appears that we arrived not a moment too soon,” said Weyton. “I apologize for any lack of etiquette on their part.”
“No. It is quite alright,” said Luras.
“We were just being told that you own these woods and that you have a right to inspect and take our belongings,” said Matthias. He looked at Watsy when he spoke.
“Well, I'm sure that was Watsy speaking off again. I will say that we do live in these woods. We have for hundreds of years. Given our … well, for lack of better words, our stature … it is a cautious thing to make sure those that travel here are straight and narrow,” said Weyton.
“We have had bandits and other rogue bunches pass through from time to time,” said Locke.
“My word, I didn't quite believe Hermie but now that I've seen you up close … you are indeed a Bourne,” said Weyton.
“Yes,” said Luras.
“And your eyes … I've seen eyes like those before but only in drawings. You are Acolytes are you not?” asked Weyton.
“We are,” answered Luras.
“Blimey. Real and true Acolytes right here in our woods,” said Locke.
“He is an Acolyte,” said Matthias.
“Your eyes glow as well,” said Weyton.
“My arse could glow too, but it doesn’t mean I accept it,” replied Matthias.
“Well, I would wager that when the great Creator selects you for such a duty … it's hardly within your power to deny it … glowing arse or no,” said Weyton.
“What is an Acolyte? Are they soldiers?” asked Hermie.
“No. Acolytes are selected by the great Creator to keep evil and its dark passions at bay,” said Locke.
“When dark creatures invade, the Acolytes are formed by the Creator. They keep evil from enslaving the world. They give the rest of us time to decide our fate. Will we follow our dark lusts or will we fight against the horde,” said Weyton.
“This is talk suitable for mindless men that babble in the streets,” said Matthias. “A Creator of the world could simply vanquish all evil at any time. There's no need for Acolytes. It is stage play.”
“No, that’s not how it works,” said Weyton. “If we are to stand for good than it is logical that standing for evil is available. You cannot have good without evil or evil without good … otherwise, you would just have what is and what isn't. The Creator has laid an alternative to evil. When men sit upon their laurels, evil gains a foothold. There is a choice. During such dark times, the Acolytes give us time to make it.”
“You’re tellin’ an Acolyte about Acolytes? This whole lot is queer. That Bourne could be an Acolyte,” said Watsy, “but this bugger just seems like a foul-mouthed bully with blue eyes. I wouldn’t …”
“Enough with this,” said Weyton.
“It’s alright,” said Matthias.
“Have you seen anything strange in these woods? South of here two villages were destroyed. Wolves larger than men. They could run on two legs or walk upright. They seemed to come from the ground,” said Luras.
“I have not seen those beasts,” said Weyton.
“Nor have we,” said Locke.
“But, there is a gloom over these woods. I have ordered our scouts to stay together,” said Weyton.
“Tavishar is north of here along the road, so is Reddington. Travelers find food and lodging there. You would learn more news regarding the four realms there,” said Weyton.
“Although, and no offense given sir, they might not take lightly to your being there,” Locke said to Luras.
“Thank you for your caution,” said Luras. “May I ask, are you wisps?”
“Ah, there it is! Wisps!” retorted Watsy.
“We've been called wisps, fairies, or groundlings, but these are mostly the names given to us by his kind,” said Weyton, as he gestured to Matthias.
“We are Woodlanders,” said Hermie.
“The common name is Woodlanders. We were once called the Garriadune,” said Weyton.
“They say that you steal from travelers,” said Luras.
“They do,” said Matthias, pointing to Luras' bag.
“I will not deny this. However, we don’t take it for thrill or overall vice. We are quite defenseless against even the smallest of brigands. We have rumor and fireside tales. People stay away from these woods because of what they hear. Yes, we stoke the fire to keep it warm, but it is in the interest of survival,” said Weyton.
“What do you do with it … the things you take?” asked Matthias.
“Some things we use … food, cloth, and other materials. Larger items we store,” said Locke.
“They are in the Den,” said Hermie.
“Blimey, Hermie. Will you draw them a map next?” said Watsy.
“Are these all the provisions you have?” asked Weyton.
“Yes. I was able to find these in a village I went through.”
“If the great Creator sends his Acolytes through our woods, the least we can do is outfit them as best we can,” Weyton said to Locke.
“It’s not prudent to give our stores to those passing through … whatever their cause,” said Watsy.
“We do not use it,” said Locke.
“Gather your belongings and follow us,” said Weyton.
Chapter 16
A Council of Brothers
The king's chamber was much more lavish than Ellison's living quarters. Ellison had always felt uncomfortable around the grandiose parts of Castle Horos. Even as a child, he had preferred the more moderate accommodations set aside for guests. Easton told him time and again that the king and his kin should always maintain their higher place. He eventually relented, allowing Ellison to live permanently in the castles' living quarters. The king would always summon him to talk of the mundane and, at times, Ellison thought it on purpose, as some sort of retaliation for living below his heritage. Ellison was fine with the walk to the castle, especially since he had requested this meeting days ago.
Easton's chamber had two empty wine bottles on the floor beside the bed. The bed was disheveled, as was Easton himself. The room had a stale odor to it. There was a desk in one corner, an insignia of the castle carved into a wooden shield that hung from one wall. The wooden insignia was painted a deep orange and brown with a helm in the middle. It was to represent the impregnable fortress that was Castle Horos. The door to the balcony was open causing a light wind to swell the maroon curtains. Ellison found it odd that the breeze did not clear the foul air from the room. Easton was wearing a finely woven robe of blue silk. He was tired in the eyes. He rummaged through the room looking for another bottle. His search proved futile.
“Wine!” Easton yelled to the door.
Ellison could hear scrambling in the hallway. He wore a fine leather tunic that had faded. His hood was back showing his pale features. Easton was used to his appearance and had long ago learned to accept it.
“When do they clean your quarters?” asked Ellison.
“Daily but it is still early … so excuse the mess. Here I thought I was the king.”
“You are the king and it is almost midday,” said Ellison
“Will you be feeding me later as well … wiping my arse, perhaps?”
“Ha. No, I will have to leave that to your servants.”
“And they thank you.”
“What of Jon Leland? Any news about his demise?” asked Ellison.
“I have Haurice personally handling this. A member of the king's regent is protected like the king himself.”
“Yet, his throat was slit to the bone. I am only glad the same guards are not watching you.”
“It is tragic and I plan to carry out justice to the perpetrators and those that let him down in their efforts.”
“Do you think the same fate has befallen your Council Elect? What word of them?” asked Ellison.
“They are not mine but that of the people. We are looking for them as well. Since when were you so interested in the workings of the realm? You were always more intere
sted in drink and gambling.”
“I worry for you is all. Your regent grows thin and the village is full of rumors.”
“Is this the cause of the meeting that you have been hounding me about? I'm here. Although, I do know what this is all about.”
“Have you thought more about Malvern?” said Ellison. He spoke in a serious tone.
“I told him that if I ever heard tell of these acts again, I would personally remove his temptation from between his stick legs. Does that work for you?”
“So, he still remains at the castle … in his current work?” asked Ellison.
“Ellison, if I castoff every member of my regent for indiscretions, I would have no regent.”
“Raping a boy is hardly an indiscretion. Also, your regent thins on its own. Why?”
“You think Malvern killed Jon Leland and the Council Elect? Then, he had a congratulatory raping of the stable boy. Is that your assumption, brother?”
“I think he raped a young boy, and that is enough. We were both boys once before. We would not deserve that nor would anyone else.”
“I do feel for the boy, but it is not enough to cast him off. When I replace Jon Leland, I will have the treasurer compensate the boy for his suffering. Does this suffice to your idea of justice and morality?”
“Three members of your regent are gone. One is confirmed dead and the other two are most likely the same. I find this very alarming. I don’t trust Malvern. He should not be part of the council meetings to uncover this plot.”
“Fine. I will keep Malvern, but exile him from those meetings. Will this be to your satisfactory or would you just prefer to wear the crown for a few days?”
“The crown is much too heavy for me, dear brother,” said Ellison.
“It is a great deal easier to make decisions out from under it. Although, I wear it none-the-less. There are times I wish it had gone to you. I envoy your dicing, drinking, and whoring at will,” said Easton.
“Our father thought better than to give the crown to a red-eyed boy. No kingdom would allow a demon to rule,” said Ellison.
“He was correct, Ellison. If anything, it would have united the other realms against us. Kingdoms love a common enemy and a demon would have made them froth at the mouth. You would have made a wonderful tyrant, brother.”
“Well … of course, I am no demon. But, yes I understand.”
There was knock on the door.
“Wine, your majesty,” spoke a nervous voice from the behind the thick wooden door.
“Well then, my breakfast has arrived,” said the king.
“Yes. I will leave you.”
“Come in,” said the king.
A young woman came in with a jug of wine and a basket of bread. She put them on the king's desk. Ellison moved past her. She stared at his eyes and face, as he wore his hood up on most occasions.
“Oh, one last thing,” said Ellison.
“Now what?” asked the king, as he poured wine into a glass.
“The village is growing leery about this wedding. It is in a few days but no one has arrived. They are worried about their harvests and all the preparations they have had to supply.”
“They voice their grievances to you and not the king?”
“No, I hear words in passing.”
“You can tell your passing words that they need not worry. A wedding requires guests does it not?”
“It does,” replied Ellison.
“Then, there will be guests … because there is indeed a wedding.”
“Splendid. Will I get to meet her?”
“My bride … of course.”
“Before the wedding … I would like to meet her and offer my congratulations before the wedding.”
“Right. We will see. It is a busy time. Will that be all?” asked Easton, mockingly.
“Yes, your majesty,” said Ellison.
Ellison bowed and left the room. The king drank his wine. The servant girl bowed to the king, as she walked to the door. She did not look him in the eyes. There was a nervous haste to her walk.
“Wait,” said the king, shutting the large door. It creaked and thudded to a close. Easton looked at her with a great appetite.
“Your majesty, I must attend to the wedding preparations,” she said in a nervous tone.
“Of course, however, I have more pressing concerns for you at the moment.”
___________
Malvern scurried through the courtyard. His talk with the king had wounded his pride. He now knew the king regarded his council of great value. Otherwise, he would have killed him at the request of his demon brother. However, the talk also angered Malvern. He did not like to be spoken to like a child. He was there when Ellison and Easton were born into the world.
Who are they to question me?
King or not, Malvern did not take kindly to being questioned or reproached. He had decided that he would do whatever must be done to see Ellison dead. This would be no hard task with the rumors of the occult marching again. Ellison was a demon in the eyes of the people. There would only need to be a little motivation to ignite the people against him. If the whoring king got in his way, then he would deal with that as well. Malvern was too old and wise to take orders from children. It did not matter whose belly they came out of.
He entered the living quarters. No one was in the main room. Malvern was relieved at not seeing Ellison and his smug face. He poured a glass of water and continued to his room. The door was shut. He opened it with little thought. His room had a dusty odor to it. There were wooden shelves built into the stone walls. They were adorned with books. His desk had a map on top of it with a candle on one corner and a book on the other to keep it straight. Malvern entered the room. The door immediately shut behind him. Malvern turned but Ellison had the upper hand. He hit Malvern's brow with the handle of his dagger. It erupted with blood. Malvern was so caught off guard that he had no idea how to react. Ellison slammed him against the wall causing books to crash down. He held him there with his forearm against Malvern's neck. He placed the tip of his dagger to the man's throat. Malvern came to his senses. His eyes went wild with rage. He tried to grab at the dagger and pull himself away, but Ellison was stronger and wrangled him back.
“I will kill you if you try to move again. Do you understand?”
Malvern just stared at him.
“Tell me you understand,” said Ellison, as he allowed the dagger to draw blood.
“I understand, you bastard!”
“You will tell me what is afoot.”
“I don't know what you are talking about.”
“What is going on in Castle Horos. No wedding is going to happen. Jon Leland is dead. Tell me what you know.”
“Why don't you ask your brother,” Malvern yelled with spit dripping from the corner of his mouth. Blood from his brow began to cover his eyes.
“I am asking you,” said Ellison. He raked the blade of the dagger across Malvern's arm. It went white before the blood welled up.
“Ah! You will pay for this with your life!”
“Tell me or the next cut will ruin your odds with any stable boys.”
“You truly are a demon. A curse upon this castle!” said Malvern. He spoke almost to himself. He was in shock.
“Your raping days are over,” said Ellison. He began to move the blade towards Malvern's manhood.
“Wait! Wait!”
“Why should I?”
“There will be no wedding.”
“Continue.”
“Preparations are underway to stock the castle for a barricade. Gorgons and the occult are moving north. They destroyed Castle Red. We will weather this storm from inside the walls,” said Malvern.
“And the people?”
“They provide the provisions.”
“But stay outside the walls? They will die,” said Ellison.
“People die in such times. You will see this for yourself. Being the brother of a drunken king will not save you forever. A different tim
e is afoot.”
“And Jon Leland?”
“He did not agree.”
“Does my brother know about this?”
Malvern began to laugh. The blood that had dripped into his mouth began to spray out in laughter.
“Does he know? You are truly daft.”
It dawned on Ellison that this was truly a daft question. His brother knew about it. He had probably designed it. It was now Ellison that grew full of rage. He hit Malvern again with the handle of his dagger. This time it was the side of his head. Malvern fell backwards. The wall kept him upright. He let out a groan. Ellison brought his knee up, crashing it into his stomach. Malvern gagged. Ellison followed with his elbow to the man's jaw. Malvern fell to the floor in one motion. His breathing was shallow but steady. Ellison looked at this dagger. He would love nothing more than to kill this man. He sheathed it and left the room.
I need to find Cal Mossy.
Chapter 17
An Ancient Ally
Finn woke with a pounding headache. His mouth was dry and full of dirt. The wound on his shoulder was no longer bleeding. However, there was a throbbing that hummed under his skin. He rolled to one side and slowly stood up. His head spun and it took him a moment to get his bearings. He staggered to one of the wagons and leaned against it. He looked around for any of the slavers. They were gone. How many had actually lived long enough to run?
I hope they died … all of them.
He could tell the night had been full of slaughter. Blood, bones, and bits of flesh were strewn about. Finn could not tell if it was from the slavers, the slaves, or both. The group of slaves was gone. Finn hoped they had escaped during the commotion. He looked around for water but found none. The only thing intact was the kettle that was over the fire the night before. He dared not touch it. However, he did find a set of flint and steel by the fire. He was hungry and thirsty. Finn needed to find a village. He needed clothes, weapons … anything. He had to get to Nylah before the gorgons reached their destination.
I have to save her.
He kept thinking of her walking alone with the other prisoners. Finn scanned the camp to look for weapons. He found a chipped dagger with a bone hilt and a sword. They both had dried blood along the blade and hilts. He would keep them until he found something more suitable. Finn was about to leave the camp when he felt the same gusts of wind from the night before. Feathers ruffled against themselves. He heard what sounded like daggers being driven into stone. Deep breathes were being taken behind him. The sounds of clicks and low guttural whistles rumbled behind him. He slowly turned. He knew it was the falcon.
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