The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2)

by Daniel McHugh

  “I’m afraid he wouldn’t feel it.” smiled Teeg. “His mind is ....preoccupied at the moment.”

  The conversation near the roadside rose once more. Kael distinctly heard the voice of Lilywynn bark out words like “childish” and “distraction”. The bushes parted and Sprig lightly stepped into the camp staring back toward the area from which the voices emitted. The tiny man turned wide-eyed to the group then broke into a huge smile. He danced over to the fire pit, retrieved a slice of jerky from Kael’s sack, then dashed back into the heather and disappeared from sight.

  Within moments of Sprig’s departure the shouting ended. The bushes parted and Lilywynn stormed into the camp. It was the first time Kael had ever seen the young woman lose the grace with which she always moved. She stomped to the sack and retrieved some jerky as well, the entire time glaring at the back of Teeg. The old Elf seemed unusually preoccupied with the flames dancing before him. His back remained rigid and he dared not turn toward the woman. Lilywynn scoffed then slipped from the camp.

  “Did you have to tell him where we were going?” asked Ader shaking his head.

  “He’s my future king.” pleaded Teeg. “I may bend the truth with my superiors, but when asked a pointed question, I cannot lie.”

  “He’ll be a burden.” grumbled Ader. “He’ll attempt to block our plans.”

  “He doesn’t know them.” smiled Teeg. “He asked me where you were, not where you were going.”

  “We shall see.” said Ader.

  Eidyn parted the gorse bushes and entered the camp leading a pair of white stallions. The prince’s head hung low and he avoided eye contact with all in the group. Eidyn tethered the stallions to a low tree branch and removed his bedroll. He trudged to the far side of the camp, outside the light of the fire and quickly went to sleep. The rest of the group soon followed suit.

  CHAPTER 11: THE STONE PROPHET

  Travel resumed the following morning. Kael attempted to converse with the Elven prince several times but was rebuffed on every effort. Eidyn rode near the rear of the group, head hung low.

  After a dozen leagues on the open rode, Lilywynn appeared next to Tarader. She spoke briefly to the Seraph then disappeared back into the grasses without a look to the rest of the company. Ader rode on for a few moments then halted.

  “A unit of the Northern Guard moves toward us.” stated Ader. “I have no wish to announce our presence to all who travel this road. It will slow our journey as we go, but I wish to leave the road and allow them to pass.”

  Without waiting for a reply the Guide directed Tarader off the road and into the heath. The group followed along a crude deer path and eventually found themselves standing in a dried creek bed. Ader dismounted and sat on the edge of a large boulder without a word. The others followed his lead and tied their horses off on nearby bush limbs.

  Granu and Cefiz immediately engaged in a hushed conversation involving troop tactics. Teeg slid back up the path toward the roadway. Kael assumed the old Elf incapable of sitting idly by while information concerning the troop’s size and strength slipped past him. Eidyn plopped down in the creek bed and closed his eyes as if he were sleeping.

  Kael frowned and wandered down the dusty bed to the North. He found a large log and sat. The boy experimented with Seraph fire while he rested. He generated a small blue ball of fire in his hand and tried to make it grow. After a few moments it fizzled and disappeared.

  “Are you having trouble maintaining it?” came a soft voice to his right.

  Kael started and turned to see Lilywynn sitting next to him.

  “One drawback of the power is how it focuses your concentration.” continued the girl. “A pack of Ulrog could have strode past and you wouldn’t have noticed.”

  “Ader is trying to teach me to separate my conscious from my subconscious.” frowned Kael. “I believe I spend too much effort thinking about it and not enough simply doing it.”

  “Oh.” nodded Lilywynn.

  The pair sat staring at each other for a long awkward moment. Finally, Lilywynn dropped her head and bit her lip.

  “It’s totally inappropriate.” whispered the girl. “We’re at war. We both have responsibilities.”

  Kael nervously looked to the dusty creek bed as well.

  “His feelings are immaterial.” continued Lilywynn. “Sprite chose this moment in history for his people to emerge from our self imposed exile. I’m his representative. I can’t afford distractions.”

  “What of your feelings?” asked Kael delicately, looking to the girl.

  “My feelings matter even less than his.” cried Lilywynn looking into Kael’s eyes. “It’s Eidyn’s feelings that I need to control.”

  Kael paused and smiled at the Sprite.

  “Some advice?” offered Kael. “Don’t quash his feelings. You’ll only inflict pain. You can’t tell him how he feels or what to feel. Look to your feelings. Let Eidyn sort out his own.”

  The young woman looked past Kael’s shoulder and she pursed her lips.

  “I must go.” she said flatly.

  Kael turned to follow her gaze and saw Eidyn standing in the creek bed staring at them.

  “The Zodrians have passed.” growled Eidyn. “We can move on.”

  The Elven prince scowled and spun away. When Kael turned back, Lilywynn was gone. Kael frowned and sat on the log a moment longer. The boy looked to his hand where he produced a small ball of blue flame once more. Just as soon as it appeared, Kael lost his concentration and the ball vanished.

  The group moved North at a faster pace after their encounter with the Zodrian unit. Ader worried about their movements being reported to the enemy by spies. They kept to the road as much as possible, but whenever Lilywynn or Sprig stepped from the scrub land surrounding the road, all knew they would stop shortly.

  Two days into the trip, Sprig darted from the bushes and leapt upon the back of Tarader. The Sprite whispered into the Ader’s ear as the giant horse trotted on. Ader rose in his seat and uttered a gentle command. The giant stallion halted and the remainder of the party reined in their mounts. Ader quietly questioned the Sprite, then nodded his understanding of the situation. Sprig spun on the horse’s back and his eyes met those of Kael. For the first time Kael recognized uncertainty in the confident little man’s eyes. Immediately, Sprig’s expression changed to its normal playful grin and the Sprite winked to Kael as he flipped from the back of the giant horse and sped into the cover of the roadside.

  “What does our guide report?” asked Cefiz. “More troops on the road ahead?”

  Ader didn’t respond to the Zodrian. He stared at the dirt road lost in thought.

  “Lord Ader?” questioned Cefiz.

  “Uh?.... Oh, pardon me.” said Ader snapping from his trance. “It seems we may have a .....visitor on this journey.”

  The group exchanged puzzled glances with one another. Even Teeg seemed bewildered by the comment.

  “What do you mean?” asked the old Elf.

  “We shall see, we shall see.” mumbled Ader.

  The Seraph whispered another soft command to Tarader and the horse slowly trotted up the road to the North.

  A league passed beneath the hooves of their mounts when the group crested a small hill straddling the road. Ader moved to the lead and edged forward as they slowly moved up the hill. As Kael approached the top of the hill he saw the trade route ahead. There, in the middle of the road, stood a huge figure, completely robed and hooded in gray. The figure’s head was bowed in prayer or thought and his hands were folded within the sleeves of his robe. Teeg gave a hard look to Ader and the Seraph lead the party forward.

  “A Delvin Scribe stands mid road.” rumbled Granu to Cefiz.

  “What would a scribe be doing here in the middle of nowhere?” returned Cefiz.

  “If I were to guess.” frowned Teeg. “I would say he is waiting for us.”

  Once again members of the group looked questioningly at one another. Ader rode on. The scribe either didn’t no
tice or care about their presence. He remained head down and frozen in the middle of the road.

  When the group moved within ten yards of the scribe, Teeg deftly moved his stallion between Kael and the figure. The move confused the boy, but he slid his mare further to the left and allowed it to happen. Tarader passed within a foot of the figure and still it remained immobile. Granu strode past on the other side and the size of the scribe struck Kael as unusual. It certainly didn’t possess the giant’s height, but its girth was comparable.

  The entire group moved past the hooded figure and continued up the road. Kael leaned over toward Teeg and whispered.

  “That was odd.”

  Teeg looked to the boy and a definite concern remained upon the Elf’s face. Ten paces more and Kael turned to look back at the figure. To his surprise, the scribe trailed three strides behind the group, matching their pace. Kael became uneasy. Granu had apparently seen something he didn’t like as well. The giant positioned himself between the scribe and Kael.

  The group journeyed on for several more leagues in this manner. All conversation stopped and every member save Ader stole periodic glances toward the mute figure trailing them. Finally, Kael had enough.

  “Why don’t we simply ask him to leave?” blurted the boy to Granu.

  “You can neither tell a Delvin Scribe to join you nor to leave you,” stated the giant as he glanced to the scribe. “ for they will comply with neither request. They come and go on their own decision. “

  “Apparently, we’re involved in something historic, or at least worthy of a footnote in the Delvin archives.” added Teeg smiling uneasily.

  The scribe made no acknowledgment of the group’s conversation. His stride remained the same and his head remained hidden deep within the cowl of his robe.

  “Ader, why don’t you tell him to go away.” said Kael. “He serves you doesn’t he?”

  The Seraph glanced over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.

  “What makes you think that?” asked Ader.

  “Well ... uh ... they’re servants of Avra aren’t they?” spluttered Kael.

  Ader frowned in thought.

  “Their actions up until this time don’t suggest that they’re violent or disciples of Chaos.” stated Ader. “But as to their intentions or whom they serve, I know not. “

  Kael furrowed his brow in confusion.

  “But they’re a religious order?” said Kael.

  “The scribes only religion is to their text. It’s their sacred object, their quest.” said Ader. “When I was still young, performing the tasks my Creator set before me, the scribes unexpectedly appeared. Many religious groups have sprung up during my existence. Some good and others not so good. So many that soon I learned to ignore them all and simply move on. The scribes seemed no different than the others.

  Then one day I happened to reference their text. I found it both informative and astoundingly accurate. It’s certainly helped me keep abreast of activity throughout the world that otherwise might have escaped me.”

  “So their work helped you?” asked Kael.

  “Yes, but the enemy accessed their material as well and found it equally informative.”

  “Amird?!”

  “Or his servants and spies.” replied Ader. “The Scribes do not discriminate. All who come to the library at Delvi are allowed to reference copies of their text. In turn, scribes are allowed access to the most guarded enclaves of this world.”

  “I saw one in the halls of Rindor.” said Kael.

  “And what was he doing?” asked Ader.

  “He just stood there.” returned Kael.

  “Observing.” stated Ader. “The Scribes observe. They drink in every detail, then they return to Delvi and write a detailed report of all they’ve seen. Names, places, actions. It all goes into their record, no matter how sensitive or mundane.”

  “Why aren’t they barred from access to ....more sensitive areas?” asked Kael.

  “If I may?” asked Teeg to Ader.

  “By all means.” replied the Seraph.

  Teeg turned to Kael.

  “There are a number of reasons.” started Teeg. “First, as Lord Ader said, the scribes reciprocate with unlimited access to their text. You cannot imagine the wealth of information stored within. Second, in certain situations it is impossible to keep a scribe out.”

  “What?” scoffed Kael.

  “The Delvin scribes are the fiercest warriors in this world.” rumbled Granu. “The fact that they don’t need to display their prowess does not change its validity.”

  Kael nervously glanced back at the hulking, gray robe shadowing him.

  “But they carry no weapons!” said Kael.

  “They don’t require weapons.” said Teeg. “Their hands and feet are all they need. I haven’t heard of a Delvin scribe being challenged by a man in decades.

  Third, if you try to keep the Delvin scribes from your castle or fortress, they will simply infiltrate. It may take them years, but you’ll discover that the soldier who rose through your ranks and is now a trusted advisor to a duke or earl is actually a scribe who was ordered to report on the area. Over the years I’ve ferreted out many scribes. They simply bow their heads, take their leave and return to Delvi.”

  “How do you discover them?” asked Kael.

  “Ironically, it’s their own record that exposes them. Often it’s a reference or phrase from a closed door meeting that only a select few attended.“ Teeg smiled. “Once, I read a passage concerning the growth rate of the herds of Rindor’s outer ranches. Fascinating stuff really. You can assess the strength of a kingdom by how quickly their herds grow.

  I read a quote from a fellow named ‘Hunly’ . Apparently he had been in a meeting with Dren the head drover for the estates of Manfir. Dren maintained control over all of Manfir’s herds and the men the prince employed to tend those herds. A very important position in Manfir’s household.”

  “And highly honored.” added Cefiz. “The responsibilities are great.”

  “Hunly was Manfir’s representative to his Rindorian estate.” continued Teeg. “Often Hunly visited the estate to make sure all was in order. I was quite an intimate acquaintance to Hunly. In fact, I am Hunly.”

  Kael blinked and turned to Cefiz. The lieutenant nodded.

  “So you can imagine how viewing a quote of my own in the Delvin text shocked me. Then I recalled that the conversation took place in a private meeting between Dren and myself. Upon my return to Rindor I confronted the drover. He was one of Manfir’s most trusted employees. However, as soon as I exposed him, he retired to his quarters only to return to me a short time later wearing a simple gray robe.

  The scribe neither apologized nor attempted to explain his actions. He laid the key to his quarters on my desk and took his leave from the estate. When we entered his rooms we found it full of all his worldly possessions. A small chest in the corner contained nearly the entire sum of his pay for a decade. The man spent a fraction of the coin he had earned and simply abandoned the rest.”

  “Well, he was a spy.” exclaimed Kael. “Shouldn’t you have tracked him down and imprisoned him?”

  Teeg smiled and thought over the suggestion.

  “Actually.” mused the Elf. “The exchange probably favored us tremendously. Manfir’s Rindoran estates are a rather dull place. Somewhat off the beaten path. Not much worthy of note tends to go on there. The scribes gleaned very little information from that place.

  Dren on the other hand was one of the hardest working men I have ever encountered in my life. He made vast improvements in both the livestock and the cultivation. Without him, I dare say Manfir’s properties wouldn’t have turned a profit..”

  “I’m confused.” said Kael pointing at the scribe. “Should I be nervous?”

  “Not based on the Scribe’s past.” stated Teeg.

  “That’s not an accurate statement.” said Ader over his shoulder.

  Teeg sighed and looked to Kael.

  ”Lord
Ader has ... reservations concerning the Scribes.” said Teeg.

  Ader looked at the gray robed figure steadily pacing behind them.

  “Their openness about information concerns me, but it’s nothing compared to their....” Ader paused. “Their prognostication.”

  “Their what?!” exclaimed Kael.

  “Their fortune telling for want of a better word.” added Teeg. “The Scribes don’t just maintain an accurate record of events and conversations that have taken place all over this world. They also intersperse verses of whimsy within the text. Many reference events in the future. As time collides with these references, many come true.”

  “Why is that so bad?” asked Kael.

  “Because, my boy, many of these verses reference people, places and events known only to our side.” snapped Ader. “By openly referring to them, the scribes have alerted Amird to things I’ve struggled hard to keep from the servants of Chaos!”

  “However, I’m sure Lord Ader would agree that he benefits from these references as well.” said Teeg.

  “That statement is somewhat accurate.” frowned Ader.

  “Then how is that bad?” asked Kael.

  Ader whispered and Tarader immediately halted. The party hastily reined in their mounts.

  “Everyone dismount!” exclaimed Ader.

  “What?” said Eidyn.

  “All of you!” barked the Seraph. “Down from your mounts. It’s time we’re all aware of what’s going on here. My judgment is constantly called into question by this group and I will have at least this one issue fully explored and decided!”

  The group all dropped from their horses and stood in the middle of the road. The huge, gray robed figure stood several paces from them.

  “There are several facts concerning the scribes.” said Ader. “Lord Teeg has already discussed their tenacious pursuit of information. Another concerns their openness about this information. All scribes are required to completely memorize the books. If the originals are burnt or lost, a hundred scribes can easily reproduce them from memory. If you question a scribe concerning a passage he is duty bound to recite it from memory.