by Jaxon Reed
He looked back at the wizard. Greystone appeared stunned.
“What is it? What’s the matter? Do you know this knife, Greystone?”
The wizard shook his head like a dog shaking off water, snapping out of it. He took a cautious step backwards.
“This, Highness, is the Forlorn Dagger.”
CHAPTER 10
Mita stood in the library, admiring the portrait of Theena. Oldstone suggested they not bother with training this morning. Something about an emergency council meeting. She spent the free time exploring the library, with its many books and artifacts.
Oldstone stood in the library, too. He spent several minutes preparing a spell. A large hazy globe appeared in the center of the room, near the table, six or seven paces in circumference. He looked up at her, watching him, and he explained what he was doing.
“No one can get into the castle without permission. This is a gateway for others on the council, allowing them to come through.”
She nodded, and turned back to the portrait of Theena. The dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty seemed to be staring back, studying her.
Moments later she heard a pop! of displaced air, and another wizard apparated into the room. He wore a plain, drab cloak, and his long blonde hair was streaked with gray. He carried a staff topped by a dull, colorless stone.
“I call dibs on this place when you die, old man!”
Oldstone smiled, and clasped his friend’s shoulder.
“I have yet to make out my last will and testament, Greystone. But if you’re nice to me, I’ll consider it. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
He nodded toward Mita. She smiled at Greystone.
“Oh! Oh my, a battlemaiden! And how do you do, Lady . . . ?”
“This is Princess Mita of the Crystal Kingdom, Greystone. I recently commenced her training.”
Greystone made a respectful half bow.
“My apologies, Highness.”
“It’s quite alright. I haven’t been addressed as ‘Highness’ since I got here.”
“I see you’re standing next to the great Theena. You know, that’s a Fulton portrait. His magic always made the paintings seem alive.”
Mita turned and looked back at the picture. She knew of Fulton, of course. He was considered the greatest artist ever.
“I didn’t realize that’s who painted it.”
“Sadly, I think it must have been his last one. He didn’t survive the Battle of Hest.”
“Neither did Theena,” Oldstone murmured quietly.
Greystone snapped his head back toward the elder wizard.
“Sorry, old friend. Painful memories. Unfortunately, the Battle of Hest is related to why I’ve called for an emergency meeting. I have found the Forlorn Dagger. Or rather, it has found me.”
He proceeded to tell the story of meeting Stin, and how the man was unable to see or enter the village until he relinquished the dagger.
“So where is it now? You obviously couldn’t bring it into the village.”
“We buried it, five paces down. That seems to be the depth required to negate its power. I marked it carefully, both in memory and on a map in case we want to find it again.”
Oldstone nodded, deep in thought and memories.
“So, it’s near the entrance to your village?”
“Yes. Nobody wanted to carry it very far. It’s resting safely among the trees right now.”
“That’s as good a place as any. Not many people know how to get to your village.”
“If it’s dangerous, why can’t we hide it up here in the castle?”
Both men looked at Mita, surprised at her suggestion.
“Do you not know about the Forlorn Dagger, Highness?”
She shook her head.
“I’m afraid not, Wizard Greystone. It absorbs magic?”
“Correct. Not only that, but magic cannot be used against it, nor by whoever wields it.”
“We can’t bring the dagger up here, Mita,” Oldstone added. “How would we get it here? We can’t transport it by magic. Second, we don’t know what effect its power might have. I’m afraid if it were here, it might cause the castle to lose levitation, making it plummet to the ground. No, we cannot store the dagger here. Buried in the Hidden Forest is as good a place as any, for now.”
“But where did it come from? You said it played a role in the Battle of Hest, Wizard Greystone. What happened?”
Greystone looked at Oldstone and raised his eyebrows. Oldstone nodded in consent.
“About four hundred years ago, the Magic Council faced one of its greatest tests. The dwarf wizard Lok attacked the human kingdoms of Coral and Emerald. He brought up horrible monsters from the depths of their mines. Dwarven mines go deeper than ours, and they sometimes disturb mighty creatures living far below. Lok also raised up vast armies of trolls and orcs and rogue dwarves, all far superior to men in battle.
“We defended ourselves with armies from both kingdoms, and thousands of soldiers volunteering from other provinces. The council stood against him, and that counted for a lot with twelve wizards fighting in unison. And of course we had the mighty Theena on our side who was able to kill the monsters in droves.
“Unfortunately, Lok infiltrated our ranks through trickery. We found out later he had offered the wizards serving under the names Sandstone and Loadstone at the time incredible bribes to turn on us and fight for him. Those two killed thousands of our men and three other wizards before they were finally taken down.”
Greystone stopped, and looked at his friend again. The older wizard seemed very sad, and recounting the story seemed to depress him more. But he nodded again, bidding Greystone continue.
“As for the Forlorn Dagger, here is how it came to be. Some years before the battle, a star fell in the village of Hest, plowing a long furrow in a farmer’s field. The entire village came out to see it. They found a rock from the sky, about three paces in width. It lay partly buried in a hole at the end of the furrow, hot and smouldering.
“The local smithy was a man of considerable repute. Like many in the region, his magic involved the creation of blades, and he was very good at his craft. Several swords of fame were produced in his shop as well as others in the region, and a Hestian blade is still highly regarded to this day.
“He paid the farmer two gold pieces for the star rock, for he had deduced it held metal, although what kind he could not tell. But he felt willing to take a chance on the rock, and bought it from the farmer before anyone else made an offer. Once it cooled, he used a team of oxen to pull it up out of the ground and truck it to his shop.
“There, he refined the star rock in fire, burning out impurities until only the metal remained. It was a metal unlike any he or anyone else had ever seen. It glowed, and seemed magical somehow. There was enough to fashion a small blade, so he made it into a dagger.
“It was not his best work. He found that his magic was useless in fashioning the blade, so he resorted to using only his human skill. Nonetheless, it was still a fine blade, and he decorated it well. Even without magic, it came out beautiful and ornate.
“In due course, as you might suspect, he realized that the metal from the star absorbed all the magic of anyone wielding it. The dagger would allow no one touching it to use their Creator-given supernatural abilities.
“The smith could never sell the dagger, and he passed on shortly after making it. He died suddenly, without apparent cause. He went to sleep one night and never woke up. Of course, the villagers blamed it on the dagger. It gained a reputation as being cursed. About that time, someone said it was ‘forlorn,’ and the name stayed with it.
“When Lok gathered his forces against us at Hest, he had someone find the dagger and take it. Cunning as he was, Lok realized that the blade would not only sap the magic of its bearer, it could be used against someone else as well, negating their magical defenses no matter how strong.”
“So, let me understand. It saps the magic of whoever holds it and whoever it tou
ches?”
“Precisely, Highness. All magic is useless, with it or against it. Whoever holds it cannot use magic. But if they use the dagger against another, that person’s magic can provide no assistance. Lok realized it can be used to cut through any person’s defenses. Even magical armor.”
Greystone looked at Oldstone, who was staring at the floor, listening. The younger wizard’s eyes held compassion for his friend.
“Captain Lancet. That was the name of the traitor. Lok singled him out because of his proximity to our command group. We don’t know what he promised Lancet in return for his treachery, but he gave the captain the dagger and told him to await his opportunity.
“We were winning the battle, with the help of Theena of course. She swooped down on the opposing troops, wreaking death and destruction on the monsters and dwarven warriors. But when she returned to the command post, Lancet saw his opportunity. The dagger sapped his magic, but it was also able to pierce her protective globe and her armor. He stabbed Theena in the back, when she wasn’t looking.”
Oldstone wiped away a tear. Greystone clasped him on the shoulder, comforting the older man for a moment before continuing.
“We jumped him. We had to kill him by natural means, as all magic was useless as soon as it touched him. Lancet slew two others that day with the dagger, including Fulton. He was there drawing sketches of the battle, but he helped jump Lancet and was stabbed to death for his efforts.
“In the heat of battle, in the fog of war, the dagger disappeared. We were so focused on Lancet, we didn’t pay much attention to the weapon he used. It was only afterwards, when reflecting on how he was able to kill our battlemaiden, that we realized he must have used a special dagger. By then it was long gone. We didn’t know what happened to it, and of course all magical efforts to locate it failed. It has remained hidden all these years.
“Recently, rumors started circulating about its reappearance. The Duke and Duchess of Windthorn in the Ruby Kingdom like to collect valuable artifacts and magical objects. It was said that somehow they came into possession of the Forlorn Dagger. The man I met in the Hidden Woods evidently stole it from them. And now it lies hidden again, safe for now.”
THE OTHER NINE wizards apparated into the library a short time later. Oldstone politely suggested to Mita she leave, since she was not part of the council. She grabbed a copy of Edwardeo’s plays and retired to her room for the day.
Once the wizards were seated, Cutie rushed around the table bringing them all drinks and pastries. After some polite small talk, Oldstone cleared his throat, and everybody turned their attention toward him.
“We are gathered today because Greystone has located and secured the Forlorn Dagger. This warrants our attention.”
Eyebrows were raised amidst quiet murmurs of surprise. Oldstone nodded toward Greystone, who repeated the story of finding Stin at the entrance to his village.
When he finished, Redstone was the first to speak. He was shorter than the others, standing about five paces, with reddish-orange hair and beard befitting his name.
“So, if ye know where it is, can we assume Darkstone knows where it is also?”
Greystone and Oldstone exchanged glances. The older wizard replied for both of them.
“We can assume he will find out soon enough. We know he likely paid for the thief to steal the stone through his surrogates in Ruby City. Since that did not go according to plan, he has been searching for the thief ever since. Broadsheets with the man’s face have been plastered across the Ruby Kingdom. But the thief has proven remarkably . . . resourceful . . . in escaping, despite the inability to use his magic while possessing the dagger.”
Greystone nodded in agreement, and added, “The thief is quite remarkable. It appears he apprenticed under Syphon, the master criminal.”
This caused quite a few eyebrows to rise, and several wizards around the table nodded in recognition of the name.
“I had to help catch that one,” Brightstone said.
Everyone turned his way. He was completely bald, the top of his head shiny like the stone topping his staff. He sported a shorter beard than the others. Brown and streaked with gray, it reached down only to the top of his chest.
“We put him in King Keel’s royal dungeon nineteen or twenty years ago. He’s still there, far as I know.”
“Our thief was locked up as a child for stealing in Coral, and apparently shared a cell with Syphon for a while.”
“Interesting. The master criminal cultivated a protégé. How did he steal the dagger from the Duke and Duchess? I understand their collections are well guarded.”
“I have not yet had a chance to discuss that with him. But as we said, he is remarkably resourceful.”
Oldstone cleared his throat and drew their attention to him once more.
“The important thing is, Darkstone will be seeking the dagger. We need to be prepared for a possible confrontation with him, should he seek to retrieve it.”
Loadstone slapped his hand down on the table, and everybody turned to look at him. Tall and thin with dark almond skin, a circle of white hair wrapped around his head and a thin white beard flowed down to his waist.
“I, for one, welcome a confrontation with Darkstone. We need to place his stone in better hands. This council should be restored to the full twelve once more.”
There were murmurs of consent from around the table. Oldstone raised his hand for silence.
“It is true there are twelve wizard stones in the world, and there may only be twelve wizards at a time. But when one goes rogue, as Darkstone has, retrieving the stone is only possible at great cost. How are we to get it back without suffering the loss of many in the process?”
“He’s already caused suffering, Oldstone. Look how he killed King Tren and Queen Karla and all those others just so he could place his puppet Endrick on the Emerald Throne. We can only thank the Creator that Greystone was there and able to save young Prince Trant. That’s another wrong that needs to be righted. When are we going to see to it the rightful heir to the Emerald Kingdom is restored to his throne?”
Now it was Greystone’s turn to clear his throat, and all eyes turned toward him.
“I’m afraid Darkstone may be planning on expanding Endrick’s reach. Not long ago, I interrupted his attack on a travel guard transporting Princess Margwen of Coral.”
Eyebrows shot up around the table.
“Alone, I found myself about equally matched with Darkstone. That gives you an idea of his current power.”
Several eyes widened at the news. Greystone was one of the more powerful wizards on the council. Many considered him second only to Oldstone.
“Fortunately, Creator be thanked, events turned in my favor and Prince Trant and I were able to rescue the princess. We took her to my village, where she remains under my protection.”
The wizards mulled over the news. Redstone broke the silence.
“I do not like to interfere in the royal families as much as you do, Greystone. I don’t think any of us do. However, should ye be able to restore Prince Trant to his throne, an alliance marriage with the Coral Kingdom and Emerald would be highly advantageous for both kingdoms.”
“I agree with you. I think Darkstone sees the advantage as well, and was trying to obtain Princess Margwen for Endrick. In fact I would not doubt if his plan was to extend the reach of Endrick’s power into the other kingdom by way of marriage and murder. That is two times the Creator has seen fit to have me spoil his plans.”
Several feet scuffled on the floor, and many of the wizards shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Coral, with its command of the seas and extensive trade, was arguably the wealthiest and most powerful of all the kingdoms. The thought of Darkstone controlling it made many uneasy.
“Ye’d have a hard time convincing Darkstone it was the Creator who done it,” Redstone said. “He don’t believe in the Creator.”
“How can someone not believe in the Creator?” Loadstone said. “Obviously everyt
hing was created. Can books write themselves? Can wagons form without a maker? Our world and all of us were created too, by a power far greater than ourselves.”
“Aye, I agree. But Darkstone told me himself before he went rogue that he don’t believe there’s a deity. He’s an ‘a-deist,’ I suppose.”
Oldstone raised a hand, and brought the conversation back to its original focus.
“Regardless of Darkstone’s personal beliefs, we need to be prepared for what happens when he discovers the dagger’s location. This time, I don’t think he’ll resort to surrogates in an effort to retrieve it.”
STIN OPENED the door to the pubic house connected to the inn and walked inside. He waited a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Those sitting at the tables for an early lunch looked up from their plates and conversations.
On the far side of the room, chair legs scratched against the floor, and Kirt came running toward the door. He threw himself against Stin in a hug, catching the thief by surprise. The lecture he had planned to give the boy, along with all the stern words he had prepared, melted away.
He chuckled, partly in embarrassment since everyone was looking at them, and partly in happiness. He patted the boys head, and made his way toward the table. Kirt held onto his tunic as they crossed the room, as if trying to keep him from slipping away again.
Bartimo and Bellasondra stood up as he approached. She came around and gave him a hug of her own, surprising Stin again.
“We were so worried! We didn’t know what had happened to you.”
“I was late for my meeting with Master Barley here, and got caught up in our discussion, else I would have gone back out for you. Bellasondra’s right. We were just talking about how we should find you again. Kirt has been beside himself with worry.”
They all looked down at Kirt, who still held resolutely to Stin’s tunic. All traces of cynicism in the lad were gone, for the moment at least. Stin tousled the boy’s hair.
“Well it wasn’t that bad, really. I spent the night under the trees until the wizard found me this morning, and showed me how to get into the village.”