Surface World 2

by Ed Montalvo

  His dark complexion concealed his blush, then realized the magistrate’s behavior. There may be trackers present, hence his dismissal. Like Dregous, Tatiana held a cool facade. She knew this would happen. “Come Angel, we have been graciously dismissed,” he took her hand and was grateful Ceron gave him a way out.

  Ceron knew of the ducal prince’s death. The rumors of his demise were exaggerated. He believed this wouldn’t be their last encounter. This may prove beneficial, he hoped.

  The odd couple exited and was escorted out. The princess felt for Dregous and wanted to see his eyes to know what he was feeling. “Forced to the streets like some leh’zowah,” he growled softly, needlessly endangering his family. Trapped, he couldn’t return and couldn’t stay. “What in the nine hells was I thinking?”

  “Dregous…” Tatiana began.

  He raised two fingers, “Please do not say it, do not say…, I told you so. What a fool I am to think people would…” he stopped abruptly to look at the magistrate’s place as people passed them.

  Tatiana stumbled a step, trying to stop with him, “But…” she began, he turned again resuming to walk away.

  “Does he not see the position I am in?” he quickened his pace, looked at the princess. “You warned me,” he turned again and again Tatiana fell behind.

  “Dreg…” she started.

  “There, I have said it for you, now you do not have to waste your breath,” he understood Ceron’s position, but was still flustered with himself.

  The back and forth annoyed the princess. She chose her words carefully, “If he does not believe US, that is his error,” she consoled him. “What I was going to say, we should rejoin Rem,” she said gently.

  “Twice I played the fool today.”

  “Who is counting,” she smiled.

  “Who is counting…, truly Angel?”

  She giggled, “Come, let us not lose the morning,” and bumped him slightly as they walked.

  Chapter 2

  His greatest asset is his mind. The point was argued; knowledge is power. Though, it is useless if not organized and tempered with wisdom, as he stated. He has visited many schools; none have equaled what he has learned with his father. When we discovered his identity, he was regarded warily. His people are masters of the arcane craft.

  Riverdale’s academy, Witness account

  The princess drew the constable’s attention and asked for directions. Her beauty mesmerized him, and he was more than willing to aid her. She readdressed Dregous and saw him with a blank stare toward a building. The large structure caught Dregous’s eye. “Dregous…?”

  “Hmm…” he replied without looking.

  “What is the matter?” Tatiana stepped beside him.

  “That building.”

  She glanced, “What of it?”

  “I wonder if that is an academy or guild.”

  Tatiana looked between him and the building, “Academy?”

  “The arcane,” he answered. “I am going in. I shall not be long,” he absentmindedly kissed her hand.

  Tatiana blinked rapidly, “Very well.” She watched him pass the gate and caressed where he kissed, realized what she did, then flushed while glancing about and walked away hoping no one noticed.

  As Dregous stepped to the door, it opened. He quickly scanned the doorway then stepped into the darkness, it closed behind him. His father had done the same to their palace by creating unseen servants. They bid minor tasks, allowing no distractions.

  A grand entrance greeted him. The hall was intriguing, but noticed minor discrepancies. A preset illusion that doesn’t dispel easily, he thought. He saw no windows as he made his way to the center. Shadows on the floor caught his attention. It was a depression. He detected a few more as he preceded cautiously, and wondered if this was a perception test. There were hidden patterns in the passages disguised as obstacles. The second, midsize went the opposite direction; the smallest through the middle.

  Entering without permission reminded him of his mother. She tutored him in etiquette. “Greetings!” he called out, “Apologies for my trespass.”

  “Accepted…. Which is the correct path?”

  Dregous was surprised someone answered. He was taught since childhood to know his path, then stood and walked through the obstacles as the illusion faded. The certainty to learn all that crossed him would be his. The darkness diminished, and he found himself standing in the foyer of the great hall. Long tables littered with books and papers stood before him. The students were lost in study. Tall arched windows graced the walls of the main hall beyond the foyer. The interior was designed plain by Drouwen standards. The walls were decorated with bookshelves from floor to ceiling. He estimated over three thousand books occupied the shelves.

  An elderly man walked over, “Greetings, I am Tahveel.”

  Dregous discretely observed the man. He was short, plainly dressed, thin and balding. “I am Dregous Von’Negrous.”

  “Hmm…, almost sounds like, Dragon black, in Latin, though oddly pronounced. Von…, that one eludes me, surely it is not Latin…, Germanic perhaps?” he didn’t give Dregous a chance to answer. “I must say, that was interesting nonetheless. Tell me, it is clear you are not a novice. Who is your Master…?”

  The prince’s heart pinged from the insulting title, “My instructor is my father…, and, you are correct, it is slightly related to Latin and Germanic. My name, roughly translated is, Dragon the Black, Dragon the Onyx, Dragon the tourmaline or Dragon the Obsidian,” he stated. “Though I preferred the latter,” cluing his origin.

  “Most curious, your name consists of earthen elements,” he mused. “There are two races that follow that practice. Mountain dwarves and…,” his eyes widened, “Oh my,” he whispered.

  “Fear not instructor Tahveel, I fled my ancestral home,” Dregous misled. “I come befriending your academy.”

  He studied Dregous, “How may we assist you?”

  “If I may, I wish to speak with your head instructor.”

  “That would be the head master.”

  “Of course,” Dregous couldn’t address him a demeaning title and still regard him with respect.

  “This way,” he said blandly.

  Silently they walked to the northeast corner stairwell to a mezzanine. The stairs were designed to blend into the wall. Interesting, Dregous thought and followed the old man and noticed irregularities. “Is this it?” he reached for the handle. The old mage was stunned, only high initiates can detect his illusions. Dregous opened it, allowing Taveal to enter first.

  “Forgive me…” the old mage started.

  The Arch mage cut in, “No need master Tahveel,” he gestured Dregous to enter. “Please… sit,” he offered. Tahveel shut the door behind him. “I watched you since the gates…. What are you called?”

  Dregous sat and felt ashamed for Tahveel, “I am Dregous Von’Negrous.”

  “Well mas…”

  He raised two fingers stilling the Curator, “With respect…, in my culture the title master, is regarded the lowest form of salutation. An insulting perspective for a respectable position.”

  “I wish to convey esteem.”

  “It is appreciated, truly.”

  He assessed Dregous. His request was displacing, “Would you draw your hood.”

  He was confident the school would benefit and keep him secret. Drouwen arcane are legendary, stronger and more effective.

  His eyes widen, “How interestingly curious.”

  “How so.”

  “Well… wait… is this your first visit?” Dregous remained silent, unsure how to respond. The guild master didn’t react as expected. He knew by Dregous’s silence, this was his first visit, “I see. Things have changed in the past few decades. The fear of your people has cooled. However, there are those that heed the bard tales.”

  Dregous didn’t expect his response. If the humans can change, perhaps there is hope for the Empire. It filled him with grand expectations. They spoke of his membership. He ask
ed to learn some new spells before departing with his companions. The Curator didn’t protest. He offered the noble two spells as good faith that he would join the guild upon his return. The Ducal prince accepted and gave the spells a quick inspection then politely thanked him and departed.

  ***

  Tatiana walked behind Rem, “Do you have everything?”

  Rem jumped ready to fight. She giggled with her hands on her hips. “Not amusing! You jolted the wits out of me,” Remmen lamented.

  “Oh, stop being a baby, it was unintentional,” she snickered.

  “I must confess, I have not seen anyone jump so,” Tuke chuckled.

  “Let us see how high you jump if it were you?” Rem gave her a sidelong look as he sheathed his blade.

  “Tuke,” Tatiana was surprised. “I thought you would not join us?”

  “Oh, the matter was simple.”

  “Where is darkie?” Rem knew it would annoy her. Tuke addressed Rem with widened eyes for that remark.

  “Dregous…,” she emphasized. “…will join us shortly. He stopped by a guild.”

  “What for?” Rem asked.

  “Ask him upon his return?” Tatiana retorted with a cool stare.

  “It is a place where mages gather to study their craft I am told. I hear it is quite interesting,” Tuke replied. Rem shook his head, packing the horses.

  “By the way, how much rations did you get?” Tatiana rubbed her horse’s neck, “Hello beautiful, are you feeling well?” she cooed.

  “Two weeks,” he secured the saddle on Dregous’s horse.

  “Is that enough?” Tuke wondered.

  “Should be. We are not traveling far,” Rem answered.

  They continued preparing, when Dregous showed, “Are we ready?” he had a pep about him.

  “Aye,” Rem answered, “We have…” he paused, “…wait, are you cheery?”

  Dregous addressed Tuke, “You join us?”

  “Unless you wish otherwise my friend,” he replied cheerfully.

  Dregous was unsure of that word, friend and what it meant. “Of course not, I am pleased you accompany us,” then addressed Rem, “I am, and I passed an entrance trial at the hall,” his voice softened as an afterthought, “At least I believe it was.”

  “An entrance test?” Tatiana chimed.

  “Well, that is what they call it,” then addressed Rem, “The supplies?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “We need more,” Dregous stated.

  “More! How much…, …wait, why so much?” Rem griped. Tatiana also wondered why more and waited for his reasons.

  “I must agree, if the journey is short,” Tuke added. Dregous explained. He was taught to plan for things unseen. “I see your point,” Tuke stated.

  “That is well and good, just one thing,” Rem added. Tatiana arced a brow. “No more coin.”

  “And what I handed you?” she asked.

  “I only got what was needed plus another horse.”

  “I have coin,” Tuke offered.

  “No need dear Tuke,” Tatiana replied.

  Dregous retrieved a few more coins from his purse. “This should cover the rest,” then walked to his horse.

  Tatiana’s gaze followed him, when she spotted Angelique coming and thought, great, the she devil.

  Tuke waved, “You made it.”

  Dregous signed her, ‘Are we agreed?’

  Seeker walked up to Tuke, “An available farm beyond the hill for Millie and Jarred required attending,” then signed Dregous, ‘Agreed.’

  They traveled two days without incident. At dusk, they neared the mountain base and struck camp. Seeker gathered wood while Tatiana handled the horses. Rem scouted the area. Tuke tended to the bedding blankets while Dregous started the fire then studied the diary.

  It wasn’t long before the camp was set, and a fire for cooking. Rem prepared the evening meal. Tatiana inspected and cleaned her sword, making small talk with Seeker, discretely trying to glean any information regarding her intensions for Dregous while Tuke prayed.

  “Is there anything new in those books that steals your attention?” Remmen asked.

  “I discover something new with each repetition,” he flipped a page.

  The half-Elf annoyed Seeker how he addressed the prince, and expected a backlash. She was curious why nothing happened, “Why is it, my…”

  Dregous interrupted, “I read the witch’s journal,” then signed, ‘The others do not know who I am. Only the female…. Please address me by name only….’

  Angelique grew nervous when he signed, PLEASE. Why use a word that doesn’t exist in their language? I have him, the surface made him weak, she thought.

  Tatiana was surprised he answered without hesitation, and hid her displeasure. With his peripheral, Dregous noted the look in her eyes and of the others, then explained the books’ origin.

  “What about what the witch did?” Rem added.

  “Witch?” Seeker thought he referred her, as she glanced at Dregous.

  “Oh my,” Tuke added. “As Tatiana tells it, it attacked our two friends here,” chinning the couple as he recounted.

  Dregous down played the incident. “Lukous is the honored one, he saved us,” he glanced Tatiana. Her face saddened, “Regrettably, fallen…, though a champion nonetheless, and will not be forgotten,” she brightened as he continued. Dregous wondered if someone will pass on his deeds, and avoid oblivion.

  The princess smiled, “I appreciate your sweet words. He will always be remembered.”

  “May I say a prayer for our absent friend?” Tuke asked Tatiana.

  “Please.”

  Tuke held his holy symbol, “Oh heavenly angels I beseech your everlasting grace and smile upon our departed friend Lukous. Bathe him in your eternal glory so his passing is clear and gentle into your loving embrace and forgive him any transgressions. Allow him to look upon us with favor and see he is missed and loved though exceedingly pleased he is in your benevolent presence and bless him so he may guide Tatiana to true absolution,” his lyrical prayer was like a lovely song, and brought the princess to tears. Seeker never heard a human prayer and was moved. Rem passed a hand over his eyes thinking of his brother. It was as though the priest reached into his soul.

  Dregous thought Tuke was much like the princess, a bright shining spirit. His heart ached for killing Lukous. His face was burned into his memory. He could not imagine what Tatiana was feeling. The witch suddenly flashed through her book at him like a freezing mist, jolting and pulling him from his melancholy state. It was as though death reached from a cold depth.

  “What is it?” Rem’s eyes widened, “Is it occurring again?” he recalled the forest.

  “Dregous… what is wrong?” Tatiana rushed to him as Tuke stood and surveyed the darkness.

  “Nothing Angel. My head aches,” he lied.

  “What is it?” Rem drew his sword. Seeker followed suit with a sword and long dagger.

  “Are you sure?” Tatiana knelt before him.

  Dregous opened his eyes and found the princess looking at him. Her eyes were mesmerizing, “I must inform you,” his grim whisper alarmed her.

  Tuke muttered to Seeker, “I sensed a presence…, it is gone now.”

  “What sort of presence?”

  “Uncertain. It vanished quickly. It was cold…, angry…, like a warning.”

  “What is the matter?” Tatiana asked gently as she sat beside him. She tried to still her fear against Dregous’s ominous tone.

  “Are you well?” Rem asked.

  The Dark Elf nodded without looking. Rem tightened his lips then tended the horses. “In the event something befalls me.”

  Tatiana’s heart went cold. “What do you mean?” she studied his eyes, “Explain.”

  “The artifact…,”

  “What about it?”

  “To find it, continue north to the base of the mountain. There, you must look for a dried blood trail.”

  “Dried blood trail?”

 
“A layer of red dirt and rocks. Follow it until you reach a cave,” he gave her a moment to absorb the information.

  Tuke was confused. The animals should have sensed something. “I would feel better knowing what is about. I shall return,” Seeker announced.

  “I will accompany you,” then the priest crouched before Tatiana with a solemn expression, “Angelique and I will scout about.”

  Tatiana hid her concerns, “Stay close,” she advised, then addressed Dregous after Tuke and Angelique left, “Why are you telling me this?”

  “You must remember so you may find it….”

  Why would he tell me how to find the item? Did he decide to return with Angelique? she wondered. “I know all will be well,” her reassurance paid her little comfort.

  “As Tuke puts it, let us pray.”

  Seeker and Tuke returned reporting nothing. They kept a weary watch. Rem sat by the fire sharpening his sword thinking of the booty while glancing into the darkness periodically. They consumed the last meal of the day while discussing the journey ahead.

  The conversation merged to sharing their aspiration. Tatiana possessed no lofty goals. Though hers was simple, it was extremely difficult. To become Ukko’s champion. Seeker’s desire was for Crystal, ensuring she wants for nothing.

  The princess studied Dregous, his eyes seem to brighten as he spoke. He wanted to educate people and show them the beauty of his culture. His strongest desire was to change the empire, where no one is cast aside or tormented for the sake of pleasure, the equality of the sexes and the respect for individuality. Seeker wondered what would the Empire be like if he did implement those changes?

  Tuke admired Dregous. To bring about change to a nation would take a single minded will. He knew through history, it requires personal sacrifice. There was a sadness to his goal that moved them. Tatiana thought him noble, selfless and wanted to help. In some ways, he was like Tuke, thinking of others.

  “Tatiana… are you well?” Tuke asked.

  “Um, I am.”

  “Are you well?” he repeated.

  “I was lost in thought.”

  Dregous studied her with calculating eyes then glanced at Seeker as she cleaned her daggers and sword.