Keegan watched as the massive, two-headed giant (quite small compared to the dragon, actually) stumbled into the room, both heads bowing emphatically to the dragon.
“We caught ‘im in the forest, your worship, he’s the one what was called by the guardian,” stuttered Grim.
The dragon actually appeared to smile - something Keegan really wished he had not seen.
“Good. The little fool shall make a decent snack; ‘twas a pity to set him loose in the wilderness.”
The giant was standing closer to the dragon now, wringing his hands together “But, your grace, you knows what HE said ‘bout keeping him ‘ere.”
“In case you had not noticed fool, I am no longer a servant to that Council of the damned, nor am I bound by that fool of a wizard who freed me. Ours is an alliance of convenience, nothing more. I upheld my side of the deal by setting the young fool free in the forest; it is the boy’s misfortune that he found you. Now, go and fetch a deer or two from the forest. I feel like a snack.”
“Yes your worship sir,” said the giant, bowing deeply and backing away from the dragon until he reached the door to the passage Keegan had taken to get here. As soon as the giant left, Keegan realized just how perilous his situation was; if the giant reached his cell and found the door open, he would raise an alarm. Keegan began edging his way towards the open double doors, moving slowly and carefully while trying to keep himself pressed against the wall to maintain his camouflage. The dragon had resumed his resting position and obviously hadn’t seen Keegan yet. His robes and skin continued to change color and texture to match the walls and even the door when he reached it. He was edging towards the opening beginning to think he might actually make it, when the dragon opened his eyes lazily and looked directly at him.
“Your potion does not mask your smell, youngling. Nor does it affect my ability to see in the other spectrums,” Brimstone hissed at him.
Keegan froze where he was, not quite knowing what to do; if he made a run for it, the dragon would surely burn him to a cinder.
“Oh don’t worry boy, I’m really not going to eat you. Your species is far too stringy for my taste. Besides, that is not your destiny in my plan.”
“I….don’t understand” squeaked Keegan.
“That’s right, you don’t. You probably never will either, but that is immaterial. For you to serve your purpose you need not understand, only do as I instruct.”
“And if I don’t?” Keegan actually managed to ask.
“You die where you stand. If you’re thinking about trying to betray me after you escape, don’t bother. You see, telling the guardian or the Council about me will alter nothing.”
“What is it you want from me?”
“Succeed. Get to the Council and be interviewed.”
“And?”
“And nothing. Just go to the Council. That will accomplish all that I desire. Follow the passage from the Great Hall and you will exit at the base of the mountain to the south of the forest. The river is only a half day’s walk to the South. Following the river East will bring you to the village of Quai. From there even you should be able to find your way.”
“But…”
“Leave.”
“But… “
“If you do not leave before that fool of a giant returns, then I will have to incinerate you where you stand. Is that sufficiently clear?” the great dragon said, raising his head up and glaring down at Keegan.
“I understand. Thank you, dragon, for sparing my life.”
“Hmph. You serve my purpose youngling, nothing more. Now leave.”
Keegan didn’t hesitate this time and darted out the door and down the hallway, giving little thought to why he was being freed and concentrating on saving his skin.
###
Chapter 13 – Always Tip the Skunk!
The city of Quai was nestled peacefully on the Eastern shore of the White River, and it was bustling with activity when Keegan reached it early the next morning. According to Kust it was a thriving center of commerce, thanks to its location between the Outer Sea and the Capital city of Innenstadt. All goods arriving had to pass through this port, which made it a hub for river shipments. Keegan made his way to a small cafe near the center of town, hoping to grab a hot meal before venturing any further up-river. He found a table in the corner and collapsed into the chair. A server came over, bringing him a large mug of coffee.
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t ordered yet,” he said.
“Bought’n paid fer by th little fella over there,” she said, jerking her thumb over her shoulder.
Keegan glanced past the large woman in the direction she pointed, but saw only people busily eating their breakfast.
He leaned back in his seat, shrugged his shoulders, and asked for a plate of steak and eggs. The server shuffled off with his order and he raised the mug and drank deeply.
“It’s a local brew, but not half bad once you get used to it,” said a little voice beside him.
Keegan choked on his mouthful of coffee and looked downward. Sitting in the chair beside him was Kust, the dark elf who had first helped him near the forest.
“Damn you!” snapped Keegan, wiping coffee from his dripping chin.
“Oh, now, that’s a fine way to greet a friend – and one’s just bought you breakfast at that!” said Kust, clearly offended. “I save your worthless neck, buy you a cuppa and what do I get?”
“Save my neck? Where were you when that two-headed beast attacked me? Or when I was trapped under the mountain facing a dragon?” Keegan snapped.
“Keep your voice down, boy,” hissed Kust, giving his companion a sharp elbow to the ribs. “I didn’t say I would babysit you all the way, now did I? You know part of this whole affair was arranged by members of the Council as a test to your abilities. Were I to interfere every time you stubbed your toe, the Council would have me exiled, or worse.”
Their server ambled over, plopped down two large platters of food in front of them, and wandered off. Keegan quickly dived into his meal with gusto. He had been without food for several days as he had yet to master the charm Kust had used to conjure a meal when they first met.
“I guess you might be right,” said Keegan grudgingly, between mouthfuls of food. “It’s just that I’m still very new to all of this. I don’t even know how to use this power everyone says I have; I even tried to get rid of this blasted ring when I was imprisoned in the mountain.”
Kust’s fork fell to the floor “You idiot! You’re lucky you didn’t pay for that with your life. Talismans are not to be dealt with lightly, especially one as old and as powerful as the one you bear.”
“I figured that out,” said Keegan. If he did not know better, he could have sworn the ring on his finger had squeezed even tighter at that moment.
“Look” said Kust, “you’re not going to know everything all at once; it’s going to take time and training. Lots and lots of potentially fatal training. Great wizards aren’t simply made overnight; they’re molded from good apprentices.”
They both ate silently for a moment, while the server filled their cups again with the strong brew.
“So, what do I do now?” Keegan asked.
“From here your trip is simple. You buy passage through the Transit Gateway to Innenstadt, the capital city. Once there you will present yourself to the Council, at which point you will be interviewed,” said Kust as he hopped to his feet, letting out a mighty belch in the process. “Now, it’s best to be off with you, before the first boats leave out this morning; waiting for the later ones will only raise the fares and give you more time to get into mischief.”
Scowling at his small companion, Keegan finished off his last bite of bread and rose to his feet. He followed the little elf out into the sunshine towards the center of town.
“There, that large stone building over there,” said Kust, pointing to a dark grey building with a high roof. Instead of doors, it had an enormous arch on each side that stood at least fifteen feet
tall. Every few minutes Keegan saw a bright flash of light from somewhere in the building. “Now, off with you and don’t be late. Your grandfather owes me a nice bit of coin once you’re safely at the castle.” With a phwep he disappeared into a puff of smoke.
Keegan just shook his head and ambled off towards the Transit Center, fumbling in his robes until he found his coins. Passing through one of the main entrances, he saw rows of archways lined up in the middle of the building. A different colored line, made from some type of sparkling stone set into the floor, led away from each doorway. He noticed that on the left side of the room the various lines converged and led to what looked like a security checkpoint. Overhead was a sign that read, ‘Arrivals.’ On the right side of the room was another checkpoint nestled under a sign that said ‘Departure.’ Walking up to the checkpoint, he noticed a small desk with a sign on it that indicated tickets could be purchased there. Behind the desk sat one of the largest skunks Keegan had ever seen. It was sitting on a stool and wore reading glasses perched on the end of its nose. A small nametag attached to a chain around its neck indicated the skunk’s name was Delores.
As Keegan walked up to the desk, the skunk looked up at him over her reading glasses and set aside her pen. The look she gave him indicated she was NEVER going to get her paperwork done at this rate.
“Yes?”
Keegan wasn’t quite sure what to do; he’d never actually seen a skunk before, much less talked to one.
Delores took her glasses off and set them methodically on her stack of papers, glaring at Keegan with a look that would freeze salt water.
“Are you here to book passage or not? I really don’t have time to waste while you stand there with your mouth open. I have to fill out another form 1257a, in triplicate no less! So make up your mind!”
“Sorry,” stammered Keegan. “I need passage to Innenstadt, please.”
“Purpose?”
“I’m on my way to see the Council.”
“Ha! You and every other half-wit! You do know they won’t see you without an appointment, right?” Delores shook her head and muttered under her breath as she shuffled papers and stamped forms.
“Name?”
“Keegan.”
Delores sighed and rested her head in her little black paws. Gritting her teeth, she was making an obvious effort to keep a civilized tone in her voice.
“Keegan what?”
“Oh, sorry. Keegan Whitestone,” he said sheepishly.
The skunk stopped shuffling papers and looked up at him, eyes narrowing to slits.
“Really. Well now isn’t that interesting,” she muttered as she filled in his name on the form. Finished with the paperwork, she slipped the form into a slot on her desk.
“That will be three Crowns.”
Keegan counted out three of the larger coins onto the desk and Delores pressed a small red button with her paw. With a sharp ‘chink’ a rectangular silver token dropped into a little silver dish sitting on the edge of the desk in front of Keegan.
“Follow the red line – third archway on the right,” she said, holding out her paw expectantly.
“You’re kidding, right?”
Delores, keeping her paw outstretched, responded with something akin to a snarl. “I’ve been on duty for the past twelve hours. I’ve spent the past forty three years booking passage for every simpleton who wanders in through that archway, and you have the nerve to ask if I’m kidding?”
Keegan had just begun to take a step back when Delores’ temper snapped. Before he could jump clear, she flicked her tail and let loose the contents of her musk glands. Bolting for his assigned archway, Keegan wiped the tears from his eyes just long enough to deposit his token in the slot and jump through.
###
Chapter 14 – Family Reunion
Coughing and gagging from the stench that still clung to his clothes, Keegan stumbled through the portal and landed on the grass of the Transit Center of Innenstadt. Eyes still stinging from being sprayed by Delores, Keegan blinked the tears from his eyes and looked around. Directly in front of him stood the Council Hall, the largest building in the city.
The building was quite imposing, with a central tower spiraling upward at a rather odd angle. Keegan could not see what kept the entire structure from falling in on itself. Passing through the ornate stone archway into the front courtyard, he followed the path to the main entrance. He pulled on the large iron ring set into the doorway, but found the door would not budge.
“Name?” said a deep, rasping voice that sounded like gravel pouring from a wheelbarrow.
Startled, Keegan jumped back a step and looked in the direction of the voice. Set next to the door was a large winged gargoyle carved out of stone. The creature appeared to be looking straight at him.
“Your name, sir?” the creature again inquired, only this time Keegan actually saw the beast’s mouth move.
“Uh, Keegan...Keegan Whitestone,” he stammered.
“Ah yes, young Master. We have been expecting you,” the beast said, nodding its great stony head. The great beast rose up on its hind legs and spread its wings wide; “Ianua Abolescere” it said in a thunderous voice and the massive doors swung inward without a sound.
Keegan passed through the doorway into the great hall, and saw Acamar striding up to him. “Well my boy, a bit late, but at least you’re in one piece.” He said, smiling over the rim of his glasses. As he drew closer to Keegan, the smile faded quickly from his face and he was forced to cover his nose with the sleeve of his robe.
“Oh dear,” he said with a strangled cough. “You must have met Delores (cough). Let me guess, you failed to give her a tip?”
Keegan looked at his robes with a grimace and nodded sadly. Acamar sighed and shook his head.
“Delores (cough) may be ill tempered, but she (oh my, that is strong) is very, very good at her job. Remember that next time you meet her.”
Acamar sketched a glyph in the air with his finger and said ‘olfacta terminus.’ A golden glow surrounded Keegan as tiny, jewel-like sparks whizzed across his robes, faster than he could follow, enveloping him like a glowing gold tornado; he was obscured from view for a few seconds before the sparks burned themselves out. When they were gone, both Keegan and his robes smelled as if they had just come from being laundered.
“Oh now that is much better,” said Acamar. “I’m glad to see you arrive at last. We feared the worst when we learned about Brimstone’s betrayal.”
“I thought you knew that dragon!? The beast dumped me in the middle of nowhere and I was almost killed!”
“I know,” said Acamar gravely. “I had thought Brimstone reformed, but it seems I was mistaken. Now that he is free of the amulet, I fear he may be hoping for a return to the days of old.”
“That’s exactly what he’s hoping,” said Keegan. “He had the chance to kill me in the caves and didn’t; he let me go on purpose.”
“The ‘caves’?” asked Acamar, “Where were you held, do you know?”
“Not exactly,” Keegan replied. “It was just north of the river, not far from the town where I took the portal that brought me here. Inside was carved like a giant cathedral, right out of the stone. He also said something to the creature that knocked me out, something about making a deal with one of the Council members.”
“Did he say who?” asked Acamar.
“No, but it must be the same wizard that appeared when Brimstone landed near the forest. All I could see of him was a dark, hooded cloak.”
“If what you say is true, then I fear it is worse than I first suspected. What you describe sounds like the ancient citadel, the seat of power for the Dragons before the uprising. It contains a portal similar to the one at Veilstone Castle that can pierce the veil in multiple places at the same time. If anyone were to possess the veilstone to power it, then they could cause the disruption of the entire veil or even destroy it permanently.”
“So, what do we do?” Keegan asked.
“You my
boy have done enough; your current task is to pass the interview with the Council and begin your training with the Guardian. I will pass along the information you have given me to those that are best equipped to deal with it. Now I will take you to the Guardian. It is he who must present you before the High Council.”
Acamar escorted Keegan down several long passageways until he came to a halt in front of a circular stone portal. It was covered in a pale grey mist, swirling about within its confines like a miniature thunderstorm. Acamar stepped through, dragging a somewhat reluctant Keegan behind him by the cuff. As Keegan passed through the void, a strange tingling sensation passed through him. Suddenly, he found himself standing inside a dimly lit and very cluttered office. An old wizard sat in a leather chair by the fireplace, sipping on a cup of tea.
“Master,” said Acamar, bowing slightly to the old man, “may I present your grandson, Keegan Alexander Whitestone.”
The old man set aside his tea and rose to greet Keegan. For someone who was obviously quite ancient, the old wizard was an imposing figure. As he walked over to Keegan, his robes seemed to change colors, shimmering in the dim light. “My boy,” said the old man, clasping both of Keegan’s arms “You don’t know how happy I am to see you alive.”
“Uh, thanks, I think,” said Keegan, somewhat taken aback. “Look, I’m trying to understand all of this but to be honest I’m lost. First, out of nowhere a black cat appears and starts talking to me. Then the cat turns into a wizard and not only tells me my long dead grandfather isn’t really dead, but I’m also descended from a long line of powerful wizards. I have to admit I’ve seen more today than I had ever dreamed possible, but how can I believe you are who you say you are? My father told me my grandfather died long before I was even born.”
The old man chuckled quietly and moved back over to his chair by the fire. “Please Keegan,” he said gesturing to the chair opposite him. “First sit down and relax. Acamar, please bring Keegan some tea and biscuits while I explain a few things.” The old man sat down and poked at the fire with his staff, stirring up sparks. “There are a great many mysteries in the universe, Keegan, only the first of which has mankind even begun to unravel. You see, mankind has practiced magic for thousands of years, but most people aren’t even aware of its existence. Fewer people still have ever seen a dragon or a gnome and probably would not believe it if they did. Our world exists beyond the sight of the one you live in, for our protection as well as your own. You see, there are those who believe that the possession of immense power entitles one to rule over others. That in essence is the crux of our problem.
The Guardian's Apprentice (Beyond the Veil) Page 8