The Q'Herindam

by B Cameron Lee

  Cringle. His Servant.

  “I was worried Arwhon,” Shiri whispered. “It’s been over a month with no news but here you are. Oh, I’m so happy I could burst.”

  Cristal approached with her arms held wide to wrap her arms around her favourite Grandson.

  “I hope you’re well Arwhon,” she said, looking up into his smiling face, “And no harm befell you.”

  She saw the shadow flicker through his expression.

  “Not again! By the Fates you are sorely tried boy.”

  “All is well Grandmother. It all worked out in the end and I discovered another of the seven races.”

  He saw the puzzlement on their faces as he extricated himself from Cristal’s embrace to extend his hand to Cringle. Clasping Arwhon’s hand with much vigour, Cringle spoke confidently.

  “Master, it’s good to see you well and that you have returned Krissi to us. We missed her.”

  Arwhon caught the little smile and realised he was being toyed with. He stepped forward to give Cringle a friendly thump on the shoulder but missed completely. Cringle had hardly seemed to move. Arwhon’s eyebrows rose and he turned to Cristal who offered a wry guiltless shrug.

  “We seemed to have a bit of time on our hands so I sent Cringle for ‘lessons’. He learned faster than anyone expected and also decided to grow some more. We believe Vehrin’del might have tweaked him a little with her magic when she healed the boy. He’ll make an even more talented Servant now. Come in, have something to eat and while you do you can tell us of all your adventures.”

  Just then Arwhon felt the familiar tingle in his head and apologetically looked at the group in front of him.

  “You’ll have to excuse me for just a few minutes. Someone wants to see me and if I don’t go, he’ll likely appear in the dining room.”

  As Arwhon walked toward the stables with Shiri close beside him,

  Cringle dived back through the door towards the kitchens to organise the lunch. By now the staff were used to him taking charge, Mendle had approved of it, so in no time at all there was cold meats, bread, butter and jams and a large pot of steaming cafke arrayed on the table.

  In the stables, Arwhon’s reunion with Duran was joyous, the big grey stallion so excited he was literally shaking as Arwhon hugged him around his strong neck, soaking up the joy emanating from the Barsoomi. With the promise of a ride later, Arwhon disentangled himself and went back up to the house holding Shiri’s hand.

  Krissi was too big to come inside now so Arwhon sent an image of the top of the church tower and Krissi took off to roost there. Her link to Arwhon meant she was never further than a thought away and Arwhon knew she could comfortably occupy the space formerly utilised by Escarion’s gryffon during the battle for Belvedere. If the door at the bottom of the tower was locked, Krissi would not be bothered, although it would be a brave soul venturing up there unannounced. He would have to ask Cristal if she still had the key to the stair door.

  They all sat down to lunch and Arwhon insisted Cringle sit with them to eat as it was important he heard what had transpired in Dwarfholme. Arwhon started his story as they began to eat and continued on with it after lunch when they retired to the study. There was some of Mendle’s famous fruit cake and a fine wine readily to hand. After Arwhon had finished his story he wanted to hear about Cringle. His Servant gave a passable report of his time spent with Merdon, without revealing any of the secrets he had been asked to keep.

  It was nearly tea time when the various accounts of their adventures were finalised and by then Cristal was fidgeting in her chair.

  “Can we see some Firemagic now Arwhon?” she asked. “Just a little. I always knew you could do it.”

  Arwhon smiled to himself and looking at the fireplace, saw the logs and kindling had been set ready for the evening. He pointed at the fireplace, although he didn’t have to point, it was more for effect and a thin stream of fire erupted from the end of his finger. Immediately the logs burst into flames, the fire roaring until Arwhon casually stopped pointing and crooked his finger. The flames vanished and the logs in the fireplace were cold and black, looking like the fire had gone out days ago. With a snap of his fingers it resumed burning again.

  Cristal’s eyes shone with joy at this exhibition of Arwhon’s ability.

  “You’ve become a Fire Mage at last.”

  “No Grandmother, these are basics. I must journey to Trugor to absorb the knowledge from the obelisk if I want to become a Fire Mage.”

  “That means you’ll be leaving again.” Cristal said with a disappointed tone in her voice.

  “Not for a few days. Which reminds me, what news of Raleen and Kuiran?”

  Cristal collected herself and told Arwhon about the waterclock running backward and how they all believed it was Kuiran contacting them. Arwhon nodded as his Grandmother spoke.

  “Yes, it does sound like you’ve been contacted. Still, I do wish he was here now rather than so far away. No matter, he’ll be learning what he needs to no doubt and I do hope he found his parents.”

  They murmured their agreement and all proceeded to the dining room for the afternoon tea Mendle had set out for them, leaving behind the merrily blazing fire. For some reason it burned the whole night through, without need for further logs.

  After tea, Arwhon remembered an important errand, so excusing himself he went upstairs and removed his armour and weapons, apart from the dagger. It was a pleasure to saddle Duran and ride out onto the streets of Belvedere. He was still recognised, as he couldn’t hide his M’Herindar eyes but people knew he was a private person and merely waved or nodded as he passed, for which Arwhon was most thankful.

  His ride took him past the rear door of Callandor’s establishment and Arwhon left Duran outside while he went in. The armourer was really happy to see Arwhon and agreed to take him to the dimly lit room with the trapdoor. Once there, he rapped firmly on its wooden surface. The joy which lit up Silverseam’s face when he lifted the trapdoor was indescribable. The hairy dwarf leapt out of the underground stairway and danced around Arwhon in delight before settling down and asking for Arwhon’s account of his trials in the tunnels of Dwarfholme. Callandor understood and as much as he would have also liked to hear the tale, he knew he had to leave. It was private Dwarf business.

  Arwhon quickly related the gist of the story to Silverseam and promised to return in the next few days and tell the whole tale, including the story of the Guilars. This seemed to please Silverseam immensely, the prospect of having his curiosity satiated. They parted, one heading underground, the other back to his horse as the light of day began to fade.

  The next morning Arwhon, Shiri, Cristal and Cringle sat around the breakfast table enjoying the companionship as Arwhon outlined his plans for travelling to Trugor.

  “I’m sorry Cristal but the sooner I can gain the knowledge from the obelisk at Trugor, the quicker I’ll be able to deal with the Q’Herindam and their evil. To think I have looked at that pillar for nearly every day of my life and not known what it contained….”

  Cristal shook her head.

  “A few days rest will do you good young man. You look worn and if you are not fed and rested who knows what will happen to you.”

  Cringle sided with Cristal.

  “As your Servant, your welfare is important to me. I think you should spend at least three or four days in Belvedere getting your bearings before you charge off again. You were lucky yet again Master but you did not have your Shield and Servant with you as you should have. It’s our responsibility to make sure your concentration is on the job at hand. If you’re rested, it makes our job easier.”

  He glanced over at Shiri who took Arwhon’s hand and squeezed it.

  “Cringle speaks true my love. We should not rush into such an important event. You don’t know how taxing the intake of knowledge from the obelisk could be.”

  Arwhon looked at the faces around the table and heaved a sigh.

  “You’re right of course. I should lis
ten to your advice, as you’re the ones who guard my back. Very well. A week but no more. Alright?”

  There was a collective release of breath around the table as common sense prevailed. Immediately everyone relaxed and the conversation turned to lighter matters.

  Over the next few days, Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle roamed around Belvedere enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. Cringle did not let on that he knew every nook and cranny of it. They chose to go without their armour or weapons, apart from belt knives or daggers. In Cringle’s case the number of knives secreted around his person was hard to discern but it was more than four. Arwhon spent some of his time underground with Silverseam and talked weapons with Callandor. He was also introduced to the Thieves’ Guild who welcomed the saviour of Belvedere with open arms and a lot of beer. On the fourth day after Arwhon’s arrival in Belvedere, there was an even greater surprise when Jalwynd put into the harbour.

  The ship had barely tied the last mooring rope when Captain Belmar ran down the gangplank and headed straight for Cristal’s mansion. He was received immediately and was shown into the dining room where he stood before Cristal, his hat in his hands. His first words gladdened Cristal’s heart and her joy was evident as the little Captain spoke to her.

  “Mornin’ Cristal. The kids are fine. There was a bit o’ trouble to begin with but Kuiran’s found ‘is parents and they’re quite taken with Raleen.”

  Cristal couldn’t contain herself and stepped up to warmly hug the little Captain which caused his face, buried as it was in her bosom, to become very red. She eventually let him go and invited him into the study to tell all.

  “Come in, come in. Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle will be back for lunch shortly and they’ll want to hear everything.”

  Captain Belmar nodded.

  “I really shouldn’t, I’ve left the First Mate in charge of Jalwynd. We got a hold full of Trade goods and I don’t want the Port Inspectors down in there until you’ve had a chance to look at the manifest.”

  Cristal beamed a knowing smile.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll send a note with a runner. Nobody will set foot on Jalwynd until I arrive. There has to be some advantages to being on the Council of Ten.”

  She sat down and dashed off a note to the Harbourmaster and called Mendle to find a runner to take it down to the harbour right away. When the message bearer had left she appraised Belmar with a knowing eye, raised an eyebrow and asked.

  “Cafke or a glass or two of the special mead?”

  Captain Belmar pulled out his little pipe and tabac pouch as he pretended to consider.

  “The mead sounds inviting.”

  When Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle eventually arrived back at the mansion, they found a very merry Cristal and Captain Belmar sitting in the study, laughing and joking as they sipped their drinks and exchanged news.

  They all moved into the dining room where Cringle and Mendle organised some lunch, after which the little Captain related the tale of their trip to Wyalon and the subsequent sudden deposing of the Council of Mages and Kuiran finding his birth Mother and Father.

  “When I left, young Kuiran was learning Watermagic. He says he wants to get back here as soon as he’s learnt enough to be of assistance to you Arwhon.”

  Arwhon found the kind earnestness of Captain Belmar to be very heartening and cast his mind back to their first meeting on the wharf at Trugor just after his father had been murdered. For that is what it was, murder. The little Captain was very genuine, a True person and Arwhon wondered what his roots were, besides his relationship to the King of The Broken Lands. While Arwhon was thinking this the Captain offered them an invitation to inspect some of the Trade goods he had brought back from Wyalon and Cristal jumped at the chance.

  Jalwynd was tied up at the docks with a Belvedere port official waiting at the bottom of the gangplank to make sure nothing was offloaded until the manifest was sighted and the hold inspected. He did not say a word as the little group were shown on board. Down in the hold, Cristal was nearly shaking with suppressed excitement as the little Captain ordered some of his crew to unpack a few of the crates and boxes.

  Furniture items, inlaid with the most glorious, multicoloured Mother of Pearl Cristal had ever seen were soon exposed, along with shimmering dresses covered with Mother of Pearl sequins. Drinking vessels and plates made from shells and fine inlaid musical instruments made up another crateful.

  “Is it all as good quality as this?” Cristal asked, running her fingers over the beautifully lacquered surfaces of shell and wood where not a seam between them could be seen.

  “Aye Cristal, more and better toward the centre where it be more protected like,” the Captain replied.

  “We’ll make a fine profit from this Captain.”

  “Aye lass, that we will,” the grinning Belmar replied.

  “Right. Tomorrow we’ll get Jalwynd unloaded and put the cargo in one of my warehouses and you can sail around to Encarill and rest your crew. I’ll see if we can find a paying cargo to take there to pay for that trip. Meantime, I’ll try to find more Trade goods to fill your hold for a return trip to Wyalon. Come up to the house tonight and have dinner with us and maybe make up a list of the things you think might sell well on the island.”

  Belmar looked happy at his dinner invitation, smiling broadly as he followed them to the gangplank. Cristal was the last to leave.

  Captain Belmar reappeared in the early evening with a large bunch of colourful flowers for Cristal, his hair neatly slicked close to his head from his ablutions. Cristal bent down to place her hands on his shoulders as she delivered a peck on his cheek. At this the little Captain’s face blazed a brilliant red as he appeared to bask in her attentions. He had brought his list of possible Trade Goods to take to Wyalon and Cristal scanned it before dinner was served, nodding here and there and showing surprise at some of the items on the list.

  “We should be able to fill this without a problem but it will take most of the time you are gone to do so. How much shore leave will your crew need?”

  The little Captain drew on his pipe as he considered.

  “If’n I promise them six weeks at the end of the next voyage and pays ‘em well now, I reckon three weeks ud do ‘em. I might not get ‘em all back but thay’s a goodly bunch so most ull turn up afore we sail.”

  “Excellent. So shall we say a week and a half to Encarill, three weeks layoff and a week and a half back here? Six weeks all up?”

  Captain Belmar spat on his hand and held it out. Cristal’s face wore a satisfied smile as she spat on her own palm and they shook hands on it with the traditional Trader shake.

  Over the next few days Jalwynd was emptied of the goods from Wyalon before a mixed load of steel and some silk Cristal had tucked away in another warehouse were loaded into her hold for the voyage to Encarill. Very soon they were standing on the wharf waving goodbye as Jalwynd slipped her mooring and rode the tide out of Belvedere’s harbour. As she sailed off into the distance, Arwhon stated his intention to leave shortly with Shiri and Cringle. They were going to ride to Trugor.

  Cristal was a little disheartened by the news but as she had said before, Arwhon knew Arwhon’s business and he did have so much to do. The next morning they made their farewells and set off, Arwhon and Shiri dressed in their armour with Cringle riding along behind on Vixen, his stocky little pony. The two of them had now reached an understanding and Vixen rather liked Cringle, as he was always finding little titbits for her.

  They didn’t push the pace but rode steadily for much of each day, the leagues rolling by under their hooves. Duran was happy to be out of the city with Arwhon mounted on his back while Krissi spent a lot of time aloft, now that she was grown and flying was second nature to her. It was easier than running and she loved to glide in the thermals, rising higher and higher until she just was a tiny dot in the sky before angling away to find the next column of warm air. The trip was idyllic and they all enjoyed the chance to be back in the saddle and out of the city ag
ain.

  Crossroads came and went and they started the trek up the Grand Valley, staying at inns where they could and eating well. Krissi sailed air currents, keeping them in sight, apart from when she spotted something to eat herself. Soon they would come to Forbidden which held bad memories for Arwhon and he wondered how the strange town would affect him this time.

  Not at all he hoped.

  It was not to be. Before the town of Forbidden came into view, Arwhon smelled the taint of Q’Herindam evil and the Ring on his finger tingled with the now familiar warning he knew not to ignore. He quickly informed the others of the danger they may be in and suggested they keep a close eye out as they neared the unfortunate hamlet.

  It was Cringle who spotted the attack out of the corner of his eye and he shouted a warning to Arwhon. A boulder the size of a cart was hurtling toward them. Reflexively, Arwhon threw up his hand and an incandescent shield of fire instantly formed between them and the boulder. It hit the shield with a loud sizzling sound as it melted into a mist of molten rock which sprayed around the shield of fire.

  “Up on the hill Arwhon.” Cringle cried out. “Near the rocky outcrop.”

  Arwhon looked in the indicated direction as he drew Power and spied a tiny figure in the distance, dodging behind cover. Shiri drew Earthmagic. As much as she could hold and only just in time as another boulder came at them from the other side. She ‘grasped’ it with Earthmagic and diverted its course away from them but the effort drained her greatly. Arwhon drew his sword and pointed it at the pile of boulders which the small figure in the distance had hidden behind, concentrating his Firemagic into a tight narrow beam. The rocks exploded and he saw behind the remains of them a cowering figure which jumped up to run into cover. At that moment there was a scream from above and Krissi stooped toward the Q’Herindam Mage. The Mage looked up and threw magic bolts at Krissi but as everyone knows, gryffons are immune to magic. The bolts slid around Krissi as her dive gained momentum. Arwhon was trying to look both ways at once as the ground to his left swelled up and came at them in a large wave.