Ruin Mist Chronicles Bundle

by Robert Stanek

  The breakfast finished, Adrina sadly took Isador's hand. Isador had practically been her mother these past several years and it saddened her deeply to think of the nanny's departure, perhaps the reason she had pushed the thoughts from her mind.

  Adrina helped Isador pack the remainder of her belongings and then the two walked quietly to the waiting coach. Dourly she gave the old nanny one last hug, tears in her eyes, as the bags were being loaded. She would miss Isador very much.

  "Good-bye, Izzy," she sadly whispered.

  "Don't worry, princess, I will keep in touch, I promise. You are old enough to take care of yourself now. You don't need me holding you back any longer. I must return to my home and settle a score with the years and you must go on to lead your own life." Adrina promised she would and with that, Isador stepped into the carriage. "I must go, princess," spoke Isador with a heavy heart, "it has been so long since I last visited my home. You are welcome to come and visit any time you like."

  Neither said any more after that; there wasn't much else to say. They regarded each other for a few more moments, and then Isador signaled the driver to proceed. Adrina watched the black back of the coach pull away, carrousel wheels spinning, spinning. She was sad, but also happy. It was time for Isador to return home. Adrina waved her hand until the coach disappeared from the courtyard, still seeing those two high carrousel wheels spinning, spinning.

  As Adrina turned from the courtyard, she found her father standing not far removed from where she had said her good-byes. His shoulders drawn back taut and his eyes wide, the king stood sullenly. Though he knew her work here at the palace was finished and it was time for her to return home, he too would miss Isador. Adrina smiled, embraced her father warmly, then she took his hand and mounted the long alabaster stair that flowed upward to the entrance of the central audience hall.

  Father Tenuus, the palace's only in-residence priest, stood rigid at the top of the stair, his best imitation of the stone warriors that embellished the upper deck of the alabaster stair. His gaze fixed on Adrina as she and her father passed. She had been skipping evening meals and missing his invocatory prayers, and while he wanted to talk to her about this, he remained silent and statue-like. Father and daughter parted in the hall, with Adrina returning quickly to her chambers and Andrew ambling at a sedate pace toward his chambers.

  Adrina pictured her father the way she had seen him once not long ago, in his bed robe and slippers shuffling to his private audience chambers—that had been the night Keeper Martin had arrived unexpectedly, followed by Father Jacob. Her thoughts quickly became lost and tangled again as she reminisced the days that had followed.

  Upon reaching her chambers, she changed from the colorful housedress she had worn into colorless riding clothes. She chased off her attendant's every attempt to assist her and though she never made it to the stables, she wandered the halls, contented. Eventually she found herself standing before a familiar door, which she quietly opened.

  Adrina sat beside him, dabbing a wet cloth to his forehead. She heard his question, but didn't know how to answer him. She didn't know if he could understand her thoughts as she could his. She felt responsible for the attack upon Seth and Galan. She, like the others, had underestimated the fear with which kingdomers and southerners alike regarded the two.

  The company had barely left Quashan' when it happened, the attack coming in the middle of the night as they made their way north. The poison in the darts that hit them was the same poison that took King Charles. That they could fight its deadly affects this long was surprising. That Seth was winning against the poison and gaining strength every day was clear.

  Seth probed Adrina's mind again for the words that eluded his memory. Slowly proceeding until he formulated words using her tongue, the Kingdom tongue, then rephrasing his earlier question, he asked, Do you know where Galan is? Does she yet live? But even as he asked, the answer to his question came to him.

  Adrina answered, "Your companion lives, but we know not for how long. It is a miracle she has lasted this long. She is very weak but she has great will to live. She must be holding onto the last ounce of her life. Father Jacob is doing all he can to save her. I am truly sorry. I pray for her and you each night."

  Seth knew Adrina's words to be true, he would not let go of the last thread of Galan's life. Defying the laws of natural order and the laws of the Brotherhood, he held it firmly in his grip, and he vowed he would never let it go. He reached out with his mind to Adrina now, again in the language of her people, You must take me to her. This time the words came easier and he didn't stumble over each. His memory grew clearer.

  "No," said Adrina rigidly, "you must rest for a while yet, then I will take you to her. You must understand…" Adrina paused and her words turned to sobs of regret, "I am sorry. We have tried everything. We didn't think you'd live. But I hoped and prayed you would, and you have…"

  I have rested too long. You must take me to her! I haven't the time to explain to you why, you just must!

  The words thrust upon her mind like a hammer, Adrina winced from the sudden pain. She closed her eyes for a moment in a failed attempt to fight back the sting. Weariness swam through her body, fatigue sought to carry her into sleep, sleep she wouldn't allow. "Not just yet," Adrina chided to herself. She had heard the urgency of his plea, but held firm to her conviction. "Father Jacob is with her and so are many other priests. You can see her tomorrow."

  Seth's short attempt at resistance ended as he collapsed back into the bed; he had made it to a seated position and no farther. Adrina leveled a spoonful of warm soup upon him, which he promptly refused. The soup didn't look appealing to him and it smelled rather odd.

  Adrina raised a sharpened finger to him and waved it. "If you don't eat you will not regain your strength!" She thought she sounded rather like Isador, and perhaps she did.

  Seth was about to argue that he wasn't hungry, but he decided to the contrary. He would eat first to appease her, and then he would argue his point. The broth did, however, taste good despite its odor, different from what he was used to, yet very good.

  Adrina emptied spoonful after spoonful into his mouth, satisfied to see him eat and happy he appeared to be recovering. Her thoughts wandered after she watched sleep overcome him again. The power of his voice, the voice that could reach inside her mind and touch her, brought to her wonderment.

  The sun shining brightly upon the long, wide window across from her created an orange glow on the glass panes and lit up the room with a spray of golden rays. Adrina drew out a lengthy yawn; the day was growing heavy on her and for a few fleeting moments she thought of Isador, whom she sincerely missed.

  A light rapping came to the door and as it opened a moment later, Adrina recognized the familiar form of Keeper Martin. Her face lit up when she saw the old keeper and the sad thoughts vanished. She recounted for him the brief conversation with Seth and the fact that he was growing stronger.

  This intrigued and puzzled Martin; perhaps Seth could save his companion where they could not. He remembered a lecture in the Book that spoke of the elves and the powers they were supposed to hold. He wondered if the tale could be true; all the research he had done told him yes, but still he had his reservations.

  After they had talked in depth and only after Martin had promised he would remain until she returned, Adrina took a deserved reprieve. She went back to wandering the old section of the palace and the old halls that she revered, especially those that were well removed from normal travel. After a time she found herself in the kitchen, where despite the cooks and the scullions who were in the midst of preparing the evening meal, she made herself a light snack and then ambled out to the far terrace to watch the sunset.

  As she walked, she looked about dourly for Father Tenuus. She whispered to herself, "Yes, Father Tenuus, I am going to miss the evening meal."

  She expected to find the balcony vacant when she reached it and was surprised to find her father there, sitting alone, no aids or page
s, or even Chancellor Yi who was habitually at his side, were present. Adrina knew her father well enough to know that if he was out here, he was remembering her mother and was best left alone. Quietly she turned and walked away, so as not to disturb him. She understood the need for recalling the past from time to time—the dreams, the hopes, and loved ones' faces.

  Shortly after she backtracked across the garden and circled her way up the western tower, Adrina found herself watching the sunset from one of its uppermost stonework windows. From where she was perched, she could turn and look down below to see the gazebo and her father.

  The changing colors of the setting sun sinking below the horizon dazzled her eye and captivated her heart for a time, and it wasn't until the sun had faded completely from sight and darkness enshrouded her perch that she turned to look down at the little white gazebo. It was also then that she felt the presence of someone standing behind her, lurking unseen in the growing shadows.

  Adrina smiled as she turned to see the outline of an armored man standing stout against the stonework of the tower wall, knowing instantly it was Emel. He motioned her to follow as he moved to the door across from her and out onto the upper bulwarks. She heard the clanging of his heavy armor and the banging of his heavy staff as it struck the broad stones of the floor in front of him as he walked. And slowly, she followed.

  The stave, the symbol of the watchman, was a thickly carved piece of hard wood about five feet in length, finely sharpened at one end and blunt on the other. The watchman tapped the stick onto the resonant stone floor as he walked to let those on the opposing walls know he was still there, and when he heard the returning taps, he knew his fellows were also still present. They walked at a stately pace and when in step, built up a rhythm that circled around the four walls, always starting from the East in the morning and during the day where the sun arose, and from the West in the evening and at night where the sun set. The ritual was an old one from times past.

  Adrina grabbed Emel's hand and held it for a moment. "Wait," she cautioned.

  "You know I can't," Emel replied.

  "But you don't have to do this anymore, you are a garrison captain," argued Adrina, not letting go.

  "I can't," Emel said, pulling away. His staff rapped at the ground as he marched, partially drowning out her words. " I must earn my men's respect through diligence and attention to detail. I am not my father."

  "Nor should any expect you to be," said Adrina quickly. She reached out to touch his hand. "Only for a moment," she begged, throwing her words softly to him in an attempt to lull him into listening to her.

  Emel smiled and walked away. He called back to her, "Follow me and we can talk."

  Adrina ran to catch up with him now, his staff pounding the floor annoyed her and caused her sentences to come out broken as she attempted to talk between each tap. "Can you… stop… that infernal… noise… for a second."

  "You know I can't!" shouted Emel.

  Adrina stormed away, running back to the stairs and out of sight, before Emel could respond. He had been avoiding her since the return to Imtal and that cut into her heart more than anything.

  "I know what occurred was unwarranted and not your fault. I was a fool not to take precautions," Seth said, speaking aloud. He smiled then and returned to Adrina feelings of warmth and happiness, adding afterward, "Take me to see Brother Galan, please. She needs me."

  Adrina thought it ironic that Father Jacob had been waiting for the better part of the day at Seth's bedside and Seth awoke now only minutes after Jacob had left. Father Tenuus, Keeper Martin, Chancellor Yi and many others had all been coming in and out of the room all day and it had been all Adrina could do to keep them at bay.

  She thought it also ironic that a girl of her years had to keep men several times her elders away from a sick man, but that is the way it was, and although she understood their impetuousness, she did not condone it. She had chased them each away as quickly as they had returned, with one exception being Father Jacob, without whose advice and wisdom, she wouldn't have had the strength or audacity to push them away. Jacob understood well how to be tactful—and now he had just missed Seth's awakening.

  Brother Seth of the Red, corrected Seth to Adrina.

  "Are you always there in my mind?" whispered Adrina in her thoughts.

  Not always, but I am… I am sorry if it offends you…

  "It does not offend," whispered Adrina in her thoughts.

  You must take me to Galan!

  The sense of urgency touched Adrina. She sensed the pain and she tried to explain to Seth that the council needed to talk with him first, but he refused. The vigor with which his emotions and thoughts hit her today, surprised her. And upon reflection, she didn't think just taking him to see his companion could hurt anything. The council could wait a little longer.

  "I know of councils," called out Seth, "You are right, they can wait. I must attend to more urgent matters first, then I will surely sit before your illustrious council." You could not keep me away…

  Adrina called out to the guards posted outside the door. They came bursting into the chamber, half prepared to do battle with the mysterious stranger and half prepared to vault away if there was indeed trouble.

  You see, whispered Seth to Adrina alone, where I come from all are friends and if someone were indeed your enemy, only then would you need such men… He had searched Adrina's mind for the correct word for the two guardsmen, but the word guard didn't really seem fitting.

  "Lower your weapons!" commanded Adrina, "Brother Seth and his companion are guests. They are not under house arrest."

  The guards looked first to Adrina, then to the stranger. They would have sprung from the room if she had dismissed them. "We are truly sorry, Your Highness. We meant no affront."

  "Give me assistance. We will take Brother Seth to his companion in the far wing," commanded Adrina.

  "But… We are under orders to see that—"

  Adrina cut the guardsman off, "Under whose orders?"

  "Captain Brodst himself," replied both men at the same time.

  "You heed a captain's order over mine? You are indeed fools!" screamed Adrina.

  "I am all right," Seth sent to her mind alone, "I need no assistance."

  "Quiet!" snapped Adrina, she had directed it to the guards, but it had been perfectly timed with Seth's statement. "Guards," she commanded, "to his side! Take his arms and follow…"

  Really… I can walk on my own…

  "Really, indeed," mocked Adrina.

  The guards cast her odd glances. They were more concerned for her than the stranger, but they did as she requested.

  The foursome traversed a long hall, descended a twisted stair, then ambled along another lengthy hall. They came next to the open courtyard, and here Seth asked them to pause. Momentarily captured by the beauty of the open air, the sunshine, the brightly colored flowers of the garden, and seeing the elegance of nature made Seth feel more at ease. It seemed so long since he had been this close to the earth, allowing the forces of the Mother and the touching hand of the Father to flow more readily to prescient mind.

  Release me, he thrust into the minds of the guardsmen, strength returning to his limbs.

  The guards backed away warily. Again, they would have run if not for the cross look in Adrina's eye.

  Galan's bedchamber was filled with a collection of clergy led by Father Jacob. They were whispering an ancient prayer, a healing prayer, one of the most powerful they could tap. The priests had gathered and were using Jacob as a focus through which their energies flowed.

  So far, they had made little progress. Galan's face was still deathly pale and her heartbeat was still barely perceivable. As Seth entered the chamber, the focusing stopped, the prayer stopped, and as one the priests looked up—Seth's powerful will acted like a magnet upon their minds. A voice, captivating and melodic entered their thoughts, shocking them into bewildered frenzy. I am very grateful for your effort, but I am afraid only I can save her.<
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  "No," shouted Adrina in response, "You need to save your strength!"

  The chamber was absent of sound for a time. Father Jacob understood Adrina's concerns and honored her opinion. He furrowed his brow, cleared his throat several times, then repeated Adrina's words, but more tactfully, "Friend, save your strength. We will save your companion. The poison will work itself out, I promise."

  Seth studied Jacob for a time before he offered a response. The man who stood before him, interested him, he had called him friend and Seth paused a moment to regard him. He could feel a sense of power in this one, power of a different sort, not of will per say, more of intellect or wisdom. And he smiled in polite form.

  She is beyond your help, imparted Seth, in response to the anxiousness that flowed to him from the gathered priests. Father Jacob would you ask your fellows to leave, directed Seth.

  "Perhaps we can do this together," responded Jacob, thinking but not saying that since they were all males it would be best to pool their healing powers. A muttered curse that ensued brought a smile to Seth's lips. Jacob had wondered if Seth would understand the absence of the priestesses and know they held no malevolence.

  I understand, directed Seth into Jacob's mind, my people too have their holy customs and, if you would honor them, I must do this alone…

  Again Jacob's expression grew wide with amazement, perhaps there was indeed more here than he understood. "Please leave us…" began Father Jacob. " Brother Seth wishes time alone with his companion." He stood a moment, staring at Seth. He would have to find Keeper Martin immediately; they must find all they could in the histories. The Great Book told little about Seth's kind, but perhaps if they delved deep enough into the ancient texts they could glean more. He also had to inform council they could call a General Assembly soon. "Lets go now… Father Tenuus, you coming?"

  Father Tenuus nodded and followed Jacob from the room.

  The room was empty now, save for Adrina, Seth and Galan. Adrina stepped quietly away from Seth's side, glancing at the last moment into his eyes. She stopped, reached out and touched his cheek. She was the only one who had seen the tears well up in his eyes and stream down his face, whether they were tears of joy at seeing his companion or tears of sadness she did not know. Sorrow filled her heart and, as she departed the room, tears glistened down her cheeks.