by Andrew Wood
Vanessa thought for a while, thinking something of this magnitude did not warrant the amount of worry on her husband's face. "There is something more serious concerning you Caldar, please tell me," she added looking him in the eye. He smiled, "You read me to easily my dear. It is not the fact a Darekian group may or may not be sailing about the Isle's causing trouble. It is the rumours of an Orlac travelling with them that concerns me." Vanessa stood a step back and placed her hand over her gaping mouth in a look of shock.
"All the Orlac's are dead, there hasn't be one seen in over fifteen years," she said regaining her composure. "It is not just the fact there is an Orlac. What troubles me further still, is who controls it? I thought Fenlor was the only person capable of controlling or creating them. We know for sure he is dead...so does this mean another has this terrible power?"
Vanessa's shoulders dropped and looked at her husband. The fear in her eyes clear to see. "Oh Caldar, surely this cannot be happening again. What chance do we have of standing up against such evil?" The two looked up at the young statue of Luken. "We have one, but I cannot burden one so young with such a threat. Besides, I do not think Sarena is going to let Luca be any part of it. She is not even aware I know much about his powers, though I'm sure she suspects as much."
After a little more pondering, the two walked hand in hand out of the memorial garden. As they left the tranquillity, two royal guards escorted them back towards the central keep. The building had been one of a few that still stood when they had moved in, although little more than a shell. Now it was hardly recognisable from those early days. Completely refurbished from top to bottom, it now looked every part a residence fit for a king. As they passed through the gates, the guards on duty stood to attention, as did those on the stone steps leading up to the front doors.
Caldar leaned toward his wife, kissing her tenderly on the lips. "I'll catch up with you later my dear. I will have to talk with my advisors. They are awaiting my response to the latest news." She smiled at him, "Don't be too long, remember you promised the children you would spend time with them later." He nodded, "I have made up my mind on what to do. I will not be long," he said heading toward the huge staircase leading up to his offices of state.
As he walked, he cast his eyes over one of the pictures on the wall. It was titled 'Last Stand', and depicted his younger brother Luken singlehandedly defeating the attacking hordes attacking New Easton. He paused briefly moving his gaze to the face of the young man in the centre. Flames were firing from his hands, something Caldar knew was not actually correct. Shaking his head, he picked up his pace, continuing up to the offices.
As he entered the room, three other men stood and bowed their heads. These were his two Generals and his Royal advisor. Caldar walked to the head of the table and gestured for the others to be seated. He signalled for a maid stood to one side, to bring a tray of drinks over. He sat quietly and patiently for the elderly member of staff to shuffle her way around the table pouring each man a drink. "Could you leave us now please Doria," Caldar asked. She cast him a smile and nodded her head. "I'll shut the door on the way out," she replied knowing the words to be discussed in the room were not for her or anyone else's ears.
Caldar picked up his glass, and stared at the red wine within. He took a sip before gently placing it back down on the table. He looked up to see the three others all looking his direction, waiting for him to start. "Gentlemen," he said bluntly. "What we discuss in this room now, goes no further. I trust each and every one of you explicitly to uphold that."
He looked around the table, looking each in the eye. He knew they would not discuss matters outside of the room, but he felt saying it would add extra importance to what he was about to tell them. He had decided to keep quiet about the fact Luca, his young nephew, was capable of magic. That matter would have to remain secret for as long as possible. If indeed darker forces were at work, the young man's life would be in serious danger. Caldar had considered the fact carefully. Had he been the evil doer, the first thing he would seek was any threat. Luca being magic like his father Luken would certainly fall into that category.
Caldar had decided though to be proactive in his approach to the news he had received. The previous war was still fresh in his mind, and not something, he wanted a repeat of. If he could nip this in the bud now, he hoped to avoid any conflict spreading as before. "General Worley," he said facing the middle-aged man dressed in full military uniform. "I want you to arrange a squad of say fifty men, and have them sail up to Kelan. Call it a reconnaissance mission if you will." The General nodded, not questioning the reason why, but listened further.
Caldar explained to those in the room of the strange reports he had received. The mention of the Orlac certainly had them shocked, and Caldar knew each was fully aware of what that would mean. He stopped to take another sip from his wine, and to let the others digest what he was telling them. His advisor, a man named Murray who had been his personal advisor since his young friend Levin had left to oversee things in Lanber, spoke up first. Although Murray was a stickler for protocol and routine, and at times annoyed Caldar by just being in the same room, he was without doubt superb at his job. Not only did he advise Caldar on matters of state, Murray always appeared to come up with solutions to difficult problems.
"Your Majesty. Do we risk upsetting the peace and calm we have spent so much time building, over mere rumours and hearsay?" It was General Naram, the second of his military men at the meeting who answered. "Can we afford not to? The sighting of an Orlac, especially one not running wild is a grave threat Advisor. I agree with his Majesty, this thing must be dealt with quickly before it escalates further." Murray, as was usual in these meetings did not take kindly to a military man disagreeing with him. The advisor started raising his voice, and Caldar sighed as the man's vocal tones grated on him. A barrage of snide remarks went from one man to the other, before General Worley, noticing his king was clearly not happy, stood up and slammed his fist down on the table. "Gentlemen! We are not here to bicker. The King has asked us for our opinions, not to name call and bicker." Caldar stood, "Thank you General. I have given you my orders; please see they are carried out. Murray you will see me in my office in half an hour," he added before heading for the door.
Not feeling in the mood for squabbling, he left the others and headed for his own private office. A guard stationed outside opened the door for him, and Caldar acknowledged the gesture with a nod of his head. Once inside he headed straight for the dark wooden sideboard, on which sat a silver trimmed crystal decanter. He poured himself a larger than usual brandy and gulped it down, before heading for his desk. Upon the top, lay the letter he had received that morning from Darak. The words upon the paper had not come as a surprise. If anything, they were just further evidence of things being not quite right.
Caldar had reluctantly accepted the likelihood that troubled times were ahead, if not already upon them. At the moment, he needed to keep things low key, using the excuse of military training for the increased activity of his soldiers. He knew his army was as good and well equipped as any other nations. What concerned him was the fact they may be fighting against a power that could not be stopped by mere swords and arrows. He had been witness to the sheer destruction brought about by Luken against their enemies using such powers. If his men were to come across such a force, he realised even the reconnaissance mission to the Isle of Kelan, could mean him having sent at least fifty men to their imminent deaths.
Chapter 4.
Dalia stepped out into bright morning sunshine, from the timbered house she had been calling home for the past few days. Her new pet stepped up beside before crouching down on the ground. The young boy had a collar around his neck connected to a leather leash being held by his mistress. He looked up at her awaiting some form of acknowledgement. Dalia looked down and smiled, "Good boy Dawid, "she said softly. The boy smiled back content and happy at his mistress' praise.
To anyone looking on, it appeared life in the s
mall village was completely normal. Women were already busying themselves with fetching water and feeding the few farm stock animals that they had. The only unusual thing of note might be the men lining up in the street. These were preparing for another days hard training. Dalia did not have many soldiers, and these men who were now under her command, would be a welcome addition. The handful of younger boys had been rounded up and sent along with Dawid's younger brother, back to the ship, which had bought the Darekians ashore. Once made to drink a potion similar to that of their elder villagers, the subdued youngsters would be sent to a special camp. Dalia had seen fit to build several of these camps. Each hidden away from prying eyes, situated deep in the western Darekian mountain ranges.
Her father had lost most of his supporters, but Dalia and her mother had kept a few loyal subjects. With the help of her powers, Dalia and her mother had slowly built up bases. Gathering youngsters and having them trained to her needs. Over the years, these now well-trained children had matured into her loyal guards. Having lost her mother to illness Dalia had been left to step up the operation. Initially taking youths of fourteen years and above, she was now taking any age. Her plans for Darekia were long term, and she thought this would give her a steady stream of soldiers, although not for some time yet.
As a result, aside from the few older remnants of her father's regime, her own forces were mostly aged barely a few years older than she was. What they lacked in years they made up for in loyalty. Brainwashed to serve as she wished, they would willingly die for her without question. Those who were weak and not fit were discarded in the training process. If they were lucky these were made into servants, those deemed useless, were done away with permanently.
Dalia looked skyward as if awaiting something from above, but nothing came. "Silas," she shouted, "Once the women have finished their chores, I want the search resumed." The huge muscular beast stepped out of the shadows and stood beside her. It did not speak but lowered its head slightly in acknowledgement. The search was to be in the ruins of what was the old wizard's castle. The previous days sifting through the rubble had not found anything. "I know something of power is here," she said as much to herself as to the creature beside her, "I can sense it is strong."
Silas stepped forward up to where the men were starting their training. Now the villagers were under Dalia's spell they did not seem to mind nor fear the huge creature. Tugging slightly on the leash, Dawid stood and walked alongside his mistress, never speaking nor disobeying. The young boy's mind was now Dalias to command as she wished. The dark blood magic used far too powerful for a boy his age to overcome. Few had ever been fortunate to fight against it, and those that did were quickly caught out and killed.
The first cases of Dalia's magic not being as perfect as she had thought had proved an eye-opener for her. She had been led to believe her powers were capable of overcoming the weak mind of anybody she wished. She had already had her men check for signs that every man woman and child here was under her spell. Early indications were that she had them under her command, to do her bidding. Her previous experiences had taught her to keep regular checks on all new compulsion spells. A few years earlier, she had lost a handful of young recruits, when she had assumed them hers to command. Instead, they had simply walked from her training camp of their own free will. She did not know why her spell had not been as effective on their minds as it had on others, not that they had lived to tell the tale. Once they were found to be absent, she had sent others to track them down and kill them.
She watched as several of the women carrying large clay jugs of fresh water walked past her. They clearly were struggling with the weight, but they did not speak nor complain. "You there," she shouted to one of her soldiers. "Have the women ready to start the search as soon as possible. I wish to watch for a while." The man, bearing the colours of her dead Darekian father, bowed his head, "As you wish my Lady." Probably no more than twenty years old, this man was a product of one of her training camps. Taken as a boy and mentally and physically trained to obey her commands at all costs, she looked more closely at the young face.
Dalia cast her gaze down and back up his body. Eyeing the soldier as one might a prized animal. Liking what she saw she placed her hand on his chest, "You will share my bed tonight," she ordered. The soldier once more bowed and acknowledged the order, as if it were no different to any command. "As you wish my Lady," he said before turning to carry out her initial request. Dalia smiled at the thought of the evening's pleasure that lay ahead. She often selected a young man from the ranks to sleep with when she felt the need. This particular man was one she had not yet tried. His dark hair and eyes, high cheekbones and fresh face were something she liked. The older members of the guard, whom she had inherited from her father, were all tattooed and something she found not to her liking. Of course that had not stopped her bedding a majority of them, a few she had even ordered back again.
She turned down to look at her pet, "Perhaps one day when you're a little older I may get you a mate Dawid, though I'm not sure you are ready just yet." The boy looked up longingly, and she placed a hand on his head to stroke his hair. She gave a tug on the leash and the two walked casually through the village, as Silas dropped in behind them. "Do you long for a mate Silas," she added, turning her head to the large beast. The creature did not respond and Dalia left it at that.
After several minutes, they approached the massive area of fallen stone. What had once stood for centuries had tumbled down when Sandred's power had ceased maintaining the structure. The debris and rubble had sat mostly undisturbed since that fateful day. What interested Dalia lay beneath. "I am sure there is something of power buried here. We must find out what," she added, talking once more to no one in particular.
Feeling happy with herself, she decided to let Dawid off his leash. "Go have a run, but come back when I call," she ordered. The youngster obeyed without question, and darted off scrambling across the piles of fallen stone. With the morning sun breaking through the clouds, she looked skyward before deciding to make the most of the moment. She held out her hand, rotating it so the palm lay down, slowly chanting the words of blood magic. With her other hand, she pulled a knife from her belt and made a small nick to the palm of the other. A single droplet of blood fell to the dusty rubble beneath her feet.
A wind stirred and swirled like a mini twister hovering above the rubble. The gust stirred up a cloud of dust as it moved across the ruin. With deep concentration, Dalia gasped as the magic faded. "Over there," she pointed turning to Silas. "Have them dig there. I can sense a great power from that area." After ordering the Orlac to remain at the site, she called her pet to heel. The youngster responded as instructed and scampered, a little dusty looking back to her side. After attaching the leash back to the boys collar, Dalia sighed at the sight of her dirty young pet. "We shall have to bath you when we get back Dawid, what have you been doing?"
By lunchtime, the village had virtually emptied of people, as they had all headed toward the ruins. Dalia was pleased when two of the village girls had bought Dawid back to her cleaned and dressed in fresh clothes. "Much better," she said before nonchalantly waving away the girls. "Tidy my room, and make sure the bedding is fresh for me tonight," she added walking away. They obeyed without question, bowing their heads subserviently before her.
After making the short walk back toward the ruins, Dalia stepped up toward her Captain who was overseeing the work being carried out. Her look of expectancy was soon replaced by one of frustration as she was told they had still found nothing. "We are wasting our time my Lady," the man said. His weathered, tattooed face looked at her. This was a man left over from her father's failed regime, but had remained faithful to her cause. "We should be building our armies, and creating Orlac's as your father would have done.
Dalia was not used to subordination, but she usually allowed the older members of the guard a little leeway. Despite being a good deal shorter, she stared at the man in a threatening way. "My father wa
s a fool Captain. He wasted his powers creating beasts he could not control, and almost killed himself destroying an entire city, when all he need do was kill one boy." Sensing a threat Silas, stood his massive body beside Dalia. The Captain may have been a large muscular man, but compared to the Orlac he looked like a mere child. "Captain, I would prefer it if in future you keep your opinions to yourself. Now find me what I seek."
Dalia stood watching the villagers move stones and rubble. She had even ordered the men to leave their training to assist. She looked skyward and was transfixed by a black swirling shape. She smiled to herself as the shape manifested itself into a flock of large crow like birds. One of which flew down and perched itself on a nearby branch. Dalia walked over to the bird, and stared into its eyes, gently touching its head with a finger, as if reading its small mind.
After a minute she turned away, and the bird flapped its large wings and rejoined the others swirling about overhead. Dalia's attention was quickly diverted by a number of raised voices coming from the dig site. "My Lady," one of her soldiers said as he stepped up towards her. "We have found some kind of trap door." Dalia smiled, "Good work, let's get it opened and see what lies within." The soldier bowed his head, before looking over to Dawid sat crouched beside her. "You may pet him if you wish," Dalia said, gesturing for the youngster to stand.
After what Dalia thought was far too long a time to clear the area around the trap door, they told her they were ready to open it. Dalia made her way gingerly stepping over the fallen stone, until she reached the area that had been cleared. The timber trap door looked sturdy, and had survived all these years with tons of stone piled on top of it. "Open it," she ordered two of her soldiers stood off to one side. The two bowed their heads, and with the aid of a few long bars, pried the entrance open.