“May I speak?” he asked.
“You may,” came a voice from across the darkened cavern.
Tiberius thought hard about what he should ask. His mind was practically humming with excitement. He had never dreamed that there were men in Avondale who knew so much about magic. He wanted to sit and learn everything he could from the secret brotherhood, but he knew he didn’t have time for that. He was in possession of the Balestone, and Leonosis somehow knew of its existence and that he had it.
“Is the Balestone a threat?” Tiberius asked.
“It is a danger to the entire world,” came an ancient-sounding voice.
“Can it be destroyed?”
“Only a master of the Fourth Order could destroy the stones of power,” said another voice. “Better to find the Emerystone and use its magical strength to aid your quest.”
“What do you know of me?” Tiberius asked.
“The Portentstone revealed that a powerful wizard would use the stones of power to restore balance to the world.”
“What does that mean?” Tiberius asked.
“What do you think it means?” asked a nearby voice.
Tiberius was frustrated. He understood more than ever, but he still didn’t have the answers he really needed.
“Where is the Emerystone?” he asked.
“No one knows,” said the elderly voice from the across the cavern. “But many believe the masters of the Four Orders hid it.”
“They once had a community,” said another voice. “Far away from here. It was a large complex. Many believed the stone was hidden there.”
“It was believed that only someone who doesn’t need the stone may find it,” said Ennis.
“And the Portentstone?” Tiberius asked.
“It was in the seat of power, to the east, before the cataclysm,” said someone in the darkness. “No one knows if it still exists.”
“The earls who were at the coronation in Sparlan Citadel came back changed,” Tiberius said. “Their bodies are being used by some foul magic, but the earls are dead. Do you know what kind of magic could do that?”
“Not magic,” said a voice from across the cavern. “Only necromancy. Only a being from the Nether Realm would be able to control and use revenants.”
“What do you mean?”
“Spirit beings,” said the elderly voice. “Demons. Creatures of immense power that are not of this world. The renegade wizards summoned many such foul entities, attempting to strengthen their own magical prowess. More often than not, the demons turned on the wizards summoning them, and in most cases the portal between their realm and ours was only temporary. It was rumored that some of these beings were trapped in our world.”
Another voice spoke up. “It was believed that these spirit creatures gained strength from our pain. The more we suffer, the stronger they become. They must inhabit a body to work their foul magic in our world, but few people can survive the malevolent presence. In most instances, a person’s physical body suffers and even dies from the infestation of the spirit creature.”
“It was also believed,” said another voice, “that if one of the demons from the Nether Realm could conquer our world and harness the power of our suffering, they could open a permanent bridge between their world and ours. That is why they gave the Balestone to the renegades. It is an anchor point for their ambitions.”
“So it must be destroyed,” Tiberius said.
“It must be destroyed, yes,” the ancient voice agreed. “But the stones of power contain great magic. Destroying just one of them could endanger the entire world.”
“What do you mean?”
“Destroying a stone of power would require unleashing that power,” said another voice. The wizards of the Four Orders believed that if they simply destroyed the Balestone, the result would be devastation of such magnitude that our entire world would be consumed.”
“So there’s nothing we can do?” Tiberius said.
“Only a master of the Fourth Order could contain the magical power and subdue it,” said the ancient voice. “We have kept this knowledge through the years for just such a time as this. It is up to you to use it.”
Tiberius wanted to argue. He didn’t want the fate of the world resting on his shoulders. He felt accomplished in the small bit of magic he knew, even successfully wielding spells of the Fourth Order, but that didn’t mean he could control a power so great that it could destroy the world. His chest felt heavy, and he had trouble catching his breath.
“Magic was meant to benefit all mankind,” said the ancient voice from across the dark room. “And the Four Orders tried to ensure that wizards learned their craft in safety, but their caution became their undoing. If you are the wizard from the prophecy, then you must use your skills to save our world from tipping out of control and falling into darkness.”
“But what if I can’t do it?” Tiberius said.
“Then the world of men will fall. We will become nothing but slaves, bred only to suffer and to strengthen whoever controls us,” said the ancient voice. “There is no one else capable of wielding the power needed to drive the immortal spirit beings out of our world.”
Tiberius didn’t know what to say, and before he could think of another question, the members of the brotherhood began to chant again.
Three stones, common stones, yet not ordinary stones. Each possessing a unique power. From the Four Orders came the Emerystone, a tool to help all mankind. From the Dark Orders came the Portentstone, a gem to guide the masterful. And from the Nether Realm came the Balestone, the key to enduring vengeance. Three stones, three points of the triangle, three treasures with the power to seal or to lay bare the entire world.
Chapter 20
Grentz
News of the sky ship returning to Avondale spread through the palace quickly. No one knew who to expect exactly. Grentz had returned to Avondale in the ship once Leonosis’ betrothal to Princess Ariel had been arranged. Brutas and Countess Wendolyn had then taken the ship back to the capital. Any of them could be returning, even the new king, although Grentz thought it more likely that Leonosis would use the Sparlan Citadel ship if he were to return.
Grentz had seen to the Countess Mauryn and her daughters. He had even sent a messenger to inform Earl Ageus, but now he would need to have an escort ready to receive whomever was returning from the capital. Both of the king’s war ships were tethered to the tall watchtower over the city, and Grentz needed an explanation for that. He also needed to make sure Rafe and Tiberius were safe, but he had no idea where they were. The stress of the entire situation made hime feel tired. Climbing into the king’s war ships and fighting for his life was nothing compared to the danger of political maneuvering. Grentz would have backed his son in any fight with confidence, but he didn’t know what to expect from Brutas or the new king if Rafe were found in the city.
“Rameth,” Grentz called to his second in command, who was speaking to a group of officers.
“Yes, Commander?”
“I want a full squad on the rooftop to meet the sky ship,” Grentz said.
“I’ve already ordered it. The earl’s guard is assembling now.”
“No,” Grentz said. “Not the earl’s guard. I want regular troops on that rooftop. I’ll take command of them myself.”
Rameth looked puzzled but didn’t argue.
“I want the earl’s guard on duty outside his chambers,” Grentz continued. “And I want you to assembly two more squads and take up strategic positions around the palace.”
“Are you expecting trouble?” Rameth asked quietly.
“I don’t expect trouble, but I want to be ready for anything. Leonosis had us double the watch before he left the city. And that was before two war ships arrived and took up station above Avondale. With all the changes happening lately, I want to be sure we’re ready for whoever is on that ship.”
“Of course,” Rameth said. “I’ll see to it immediately.”
The younger officer brou
ght one fist up across his chest in salute to the sword master, and Grentz returned the salute. Then he made his way slowly through the palace. He was tired, worried, and for some reason he couldn’t quite explain, he felt afraid. He didn’t like being afraid, he never had. Even as a little boy, long before he was the sword master, a title he’d never wanted, he had forced himself to face anything that frightened him. He had spent his life trying to eradicate fear, yet after all these years, his fears had returned with an incredibly potency.
He could have taken a more direct route to the palace roof, but he was secretly hoping to find his son before he had to attend to his duties. Rafe needed to get Tiberius and Lady Olyva to the war ship they would use to escape the city. It was just a precaution, but there was no telling who would descend from the sky ship that was quickly approaching or what they would think of Rafe’s return to the city. He searched everywhere he could think of, even checking the small quarters where Tiberius had once lived, but his son was nowhere to be found. Finally, he went to his own residence, which appeared to be empty, but he went inside and closed the door anyway.
“Rafe, are you here?” he called.
“Dad,” Rafe stepped out from behind a thick tapestry that his mother had woven. Lady Olyva was with him.
“Someone’s coming from Sparlan Citadel,” Grentz said. “Where’s Tiberius?”
“I don’t know,” Rafe said. “I haven’t seen him all day.”
“Things could get dangerous.”
“Should we go to the war ship?” Rafe asked.
“Not now,” Grentz said. “There’s too many people moving around the palace. If Leonosis is coming to the city, you’ll be executed.”
Lady Olyva looked worried, and Grentz wasn’t proud of the fact that he had frightened her, but she needed to understand the danger they were in.
“You could be in trouble, too,” Rafe said. “We could all go.”
“No, I can’t leave the earl. You know that.”
“But the war ships. Won’t you be in trouble for helping me attack them?”
“I’ll say I had nothing to do with it,” Grentz said. “Don’t worry about me. You two stay here and stay hidden. We’ll sneak you out tonight.”
“What about Tiberius?”
“He’ll either show up or he won’t,” Grentz said. “If he doesn’t, he’ll have to fend for himself. Now, I’ve got to go. If I’m not on that rooftop when the ship lowers its stairway—”
“I know,” Rafe said. “Go!”
Grentz nodded, then hurried out. He felt a little better knowing that Rafe and Lady Olyva were safe for the moment but was also frustrated that he wouldn’t get to spend a little more time with Rafe. Before his son had been banished from Avondale, Grentz had only seen his son as the ambitious little boy who wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. That wasn’t actually the case, but it had been difficult to see his son as an equal. He had always been hard on Rafe and rarely took the time to really get to know his son. When the affair between Rafe and Lady Olyva had come out, Grentz had been shocked and terrified at the same time. Earl Ageus was never one to treat a slight, however minor, with grace or mercy. Grentz had no idea what the noble family would do to his son, but he knew it wouldn’t be forgiveness. Despite Grentz’s own loyal service through the years, despite the fame that Grentz’s reputation gave to Avondale and its ruler, there would be no quarter given for his son.
The verdict of banishment had nearly crushed Grentz. He had been lethargic for days, shirking his duties for the first time in his legendary career. His men, always loyal, had taken up the slack, but Grentz had never forgiven Leonosis. He had tried to convince the earl to spare Rafe, but Ageus and his cruel sons had been too busy trying to impress King Aethel and never really heard Grentz’s pleas. And even though Grentz knew the odds of his son surviving the blighted lands were nearly nonexistent, he had harbored a slight hope through the weeks that followed. He only wished that now he could have taken more time to spend with his son, who had risen above Grentz’s greatest hopes and returned from banishment not only alive, but stronger than ever.
It was dark by the time Grentz arrived on the roof of the palace. The Hamill Keep sky ship had been moved to a secondary anchor point not long after Avondale’s ship was spotted returning from Sparlan Citadel. Now the graceful sky ship was being lowered the last few feet, and the stairs from the bottom of the vessel were being secured.
Grentz inspected the men on the roof. Normally the earl’s personal guard would have met the ship, but instead Grentz wanted a squad from the earl’s war band as an honor guard. They looked nervous, each man standing rigid, their eyes staring out at nothing. They each held a round shield in front of them, with a tall torch also held in that hand. In the other they each held a spear. Grentz was proud of his men. Even on short notice they not only passed his inspection, but looked ready to meet a king or defend him in battle.
Grentz took his place and didn’t have to wait long for the occupants of the ship to appear. A double row of the king’s soldiers came marching out of the ship. Grentz was surprised and counted a hundred men before Brutas appeared. The earl’s second son always looked annoyed or bored, but in the dancing light of two dozen torches, he looked angry. His right hand was thickly wrapped in a white bandage, which he kept close to his body.
“What is that ship doing here?” Brutas shouted at Grentz as soon as his feet touched the rooftop. “Tell me you captured it along with everyone on board.”
“Master Brutas,” Grentz said calmly, preparing to explain the situation.
“Earl!” Brutas shouted. “My brother is king, and I am now Earl of Avondale.”
“My lord, your father still lives. In fact—”
Brutas cut Grentz off again in mid sentence.
“I don’t care about my father,” he demanded. “I want to know why the ship from Hamill Keep is here.”
“The Countess Mauryn came seeking aid,” Grentz said as he followed Brutas into the palace. “She and her family were in danger when Hamill Keep rioted. They arrived earlier today.”
“That ship should have been destroyed!” Brutas bellowed.
“We had no idea,” Grentz said.
“And the king’s war ships?”
“What of them?”
“Why didn’t they destroy the ship from Hamill Keep?”
“I don’t know,” Grentz said, acting surprised. “Are we at war with Hamill Keep?”
“Must I do everything?” Brutas complained loudly. “Were you not informed by the officers on the war ships that Leonosis wants the sky ship from Hamill Keep destroyed? He’s searching for Tiberius, and it’s possible that my traitorous brother might try to return home.”
“But he was banished,” Grentz said. “How could he return?”
“I don’t know,” Brutas whined. “All I know for certain is that we need to question the countess. Bring her to me, immediately.”
“Yes, my lord,” Grentz said, thinking he would see that Rafe was escorted out the castle before fetching the earl’s wife from Hamill Keep.
“Not you, Grentz,” Brutas said. “You stay with me. A servant can fetch the disgraced family from Hamill Keep.”
“As you wish,” Grentz said, holding back the curse that formed on his lips.
Brutas went immediately to the earl’s audience chamber. Unlike Hamill Keep, the palace at Avondale had many meeting rooms. The feasting hall was large and used only for meals or special events. The earl met with his many petitioners in a long hall with thick columns and ornate tapestries. Brutas had never spent much time in the hall, but Leonosis had taken up his father’s duties of the past year.
“Fetch me food!” the earl’s second-born son barked at a servant as he sat heavily in the ornate chair that stood on a raised dais at the end of the room. “And wine.”
“Why are you traveling with soldiers?” Grentz finally got the chance to ask Brutas.
“It was Leo’s idea. He’s convinced that Tiberius is c
oming back to Avondale.”
“King Leonosis thinks that Tiberius still lives?”
“Don’t bother me with your incessant questions,” Brutas said. “I’m weary from a long trip.”
Grentz wanted to slap Brutas—or, better yet, bash him over the head with the hilt of his sword—but he held himself in check. He couldn’t believe that Brutas was acting so headstrong, not while Earl Ageus still lived. Leonosis had been cocky, but he had also be acting as the earl for some time while his father’s illness grew worse. Brutas, on the other hand, was new to the role but acted as if his new duty were nothing but a heavy burden, despite the fact that he hadn’t actually done anything.
Food and wine were brought in, and Brutas, ever a hearty eater, fell on the meal like a starving man. He was sloppy, obviously still not used to eating with just one hand. Grentz stood back and watched, wondering how Earl Ageus would react to his son’s behavior. He also couldn’t help but worry a little about what would happen once the earl passed away.
His contemplation was interrupted when the Countess Mauryn and her three daughters were escorted into the hall. They were all dressed in formal gowns and looked, in Grentz’s opinion, quite lovely. The daughters trailed behind their mother, who walked down the long hall with her head held high. There was no trace of fear or worry, even though Grentz had shown the women to their rooms earlier in the day and had heard them discussing their concerns.
“Lord Brutas,” the countess said. “It is good to see you. Thank you for taking us in and offering us your protection.”
“I did no such thing,” Brutas said angrily.
“I was told we were welcome in Avondale,” the countess replied coolly. “Was I misinformed?”
Brutas ignored the question.
“Where is your daughter and her traitorous friends?”
“My daughters are here, at your service, my lord.”
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