“You and Elias,” said Danica, her voice strained with the effort of affected nonchalance, “I didn’t realize you had been together.”
“No, no, we haven’t,” said Bryn, speaking so quickly that she stumbled over her words. “We’re not. I don’t know why I said that.” Bryn felt her neck flush. “It’s like someone else just used my mouth.”
“No need to be embarrassed,” said Eithne with an arching of an eyebrow. “You’re a little out-of-sorts is all.”
Ogden bent to retrieve his books. His eyes were yet on her, but his expression had changed, and he looked at her as if making a series of calculations in his head, as if evaluating her.
Bryn, having composed herself eyed Ogden back. “Out with it then, wizard.”
“What?” asked Ogden.
“It’s a good thing you studied the arcane arts and not the gambler’s art, because your poker face is transparent. What are you thinking?”
Ogden exchanged glances with Phinneas, while Danica came to stand at Bryn’s side. “If you have something to say, Ogden, spit it out. No secrets here, not between us. Too much is at stake.”
Ogden backed away from the entryway, so that Lar and Eithne could enter the room as well. He cleared his throat. “We know that on the day the disturbance occurred a signature of mysterious magic rippled through your chambers, but it dissipated, so we thought that perhaps it passed through randomly, which made sense at the time because I felt it ripple through my chamber as well, as did other sensitives in Peidra.”
Bryn’s heart quickened, though she didn’t know why. “So what’s changed?” She stiffened as Danica grabbed her by the wrist in a white-knuckled hand. She opened her mouth to ask the younger woman what she was on about, but the question died on her lips when she saw the White Habit’s eyes had grown round as marbles, fixed across the room, above her splintered bed.
Bryn muttered the words of her most used cantrip and an involuntary curse escaped her mouth. A vortex of blinking energy churned over her bed, at one moment there, swirling in smoky arcs of energy, and the next flickering into nonexistence. “What is it?”
“That’s just it,” said Phinneas. “We haven’t the foggiest clue.”
“What are you on about?” asked Eithne. “What do you see?”
“The first clue that will lead us back to Elias,” Danica said. “But I think that we should discuss this elsewhere.”
Ogden exchanged glances with Phinneas and said, “Our sentiments exactly.”
Once they were situated in Eithne’s private sitting room, with water, wine, and light lunch fare, the queen said, “Will someone please explain to me what’s happening in my palace?”
Ogden pulled at his nose and shifted in his chair. “For reasons as yet unknown there is a vortex of unknown energy, of unknown origins, serving an unknown purpose in Bryn’s chamber.”
Eithne took a sip of wine. “I’m more interested in what you do know.”
“What we know is that a creature clearly not indigenous to Agia appeared in Bryn’s chamber and that this vortex which is phasing in and out of being must be the reason. We also know that Elias has disappeared.” Ogden’s eyes came to rest on Bryn. “From his sword, we know that at some point in the last two weeks, Elias was in Bryn’s bedroom.”
Danica leaned forward. “This vortex that spewed that abomination out may have sucked Elias in?”
Phinneas shook his head. “We don’t know that, but it’s as good a place as any to start. The primary question however, is why you don’t remember Elias having been in your chambers, and why, indeed, no one in Lucerne or Peidra has remembered seeing Elias since he left for Knoll Creek almost two seasons ago.”
Bryn remembered the way that Ogden had looked at her in her rooms. “You think that I have something to do with this?”
“Nothing of the sort,” said Ogden. “But you haven’t been yourself since this all began.”
“Small wonder,” Bryn returned dryly.
“No one is saying that you’ve done anything wrong,” Phinneas said. “You’ve clearly been exposed, as we all have, to an unusual magic, and we don’t know exactly how it may have affected us. You may know something, but are just not consciously aware of it.”
“It seems to me,” said Eithne, “that may be true for all of us in Lucerne, for none of us know how Elias came to be here, or how he came to disappear. We have to at least consider that all of our memories have been affected somehow.”
“A point well made,” said Ogden, “but it now appears that Bryn’s chamber may be the epicenter of this strange spell, or whatever phenomenon is responsible for all this madness.”
“And of course,” Bryn said, her voice dropping into a monotone, “you can’t be sure that Elias wasn’t sneaking into my chambers, unbeknownst to everyone else. If anyone could manage it, surely Elias Duana could. This is what you were thinking when you dropped your books in my rooms.”
As Bryn finished speaking she was well-aware of the weight of Eithne’s eyes upon her.
Ogden spread his hands. “All I’m saying is that there are some inconsistencies with our memories and the physical evidence. Something happened in your rooms, and Elias was there.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve no assumptions as to why he was there, although it was more than likely because of this strange arcane working.”
Bryn’s only response was to study Ogden, who shifted under her gaze. “Not that it’s my concern, or anyone’s business if Elias called on you, for whatever reason,” he added, though his eyes flicked reflexively to Eithne, whose face was a stoic mask of indifference, though Bryn thought she saw something hot and sharp glitter in her hazel eyes.
“All we’re asking,” said Phinneas, “is that you allow me to examine you. You may remember that I have some skills as a hypnotist.”
“Yes,” Bryn replied, “I remember. That’s why Ogden recruited you into the Sentinels all those years ago.” When Ogden began to reply, Bryn held up a hand. “No more. If I’ve missing memories I want them back, almost as much as I want to find Elias. I have no objections.”
“Is there any danger to her?” Eithne asked.
“None,” said Phinneas, “I will be very cautious.”
“But...” said Danica, before trailing off, a pensive expression stealing over her features.
“What is it?” asked Lar.
Danica’s eyebrows drew down to hood troubled eyes. “I was going to say that Elias couldn’t have been up here, because he was writing to me every week, but then I remembered the wytchwood.”
“What do you mean?” asked Bryn.
“You remember how we used the wytchwood in the Hartwood to travel to the one in the royal gardens? Well, there’s a wytchwood in Knoll Creek in the Lurkwood, not far from where Slade ambushed us. Theoretically, Elias could have used the wytchwood there to travel back and forth to Peidra.”
Phinneas scratched at his chin. “He accessed the wytchwood once; it stands to reason he could do so again.” He looked to Ogden, who shrugged his eyebrows. “Yet there are so many inconsistencies.”
“Do be so good as to spell them out for the rest of us, good Doctor,” said Eithne, who was beginning to feel more than a little out of her element.
“Well, for one,” said Phinneas, “we have formulated a hypothesis that Elias may have entered the same quasi-vortex that the creature emerged from, but we didn’t become aware of its existence until a week or more after he went missing.”
“I fail to see the significance,” said Eithne. “As the vortex seems to be blinking in and out, it could well have just escaped our notice.”
“That is a possibility, surely,” said Ogden. “Yet think on this: We discover the vortex less than twenty-four hours after Danica returned to Peidra. Bryn discovers an arcane signature of a foreign magic at almost the same moment Danica entered the palace. Why?”
Danica and Bryn exchanged a glance. “It is an unusual coincidence,” said Danica.
“Your father didn’t believe in
coincidences, Danica,” said Phinneas, “and neither do I. We live in a causal universe, he would say. There are no accidents.”
“What does this mean?” asked Bryn. “What’s your best guess?”
“We don’t have a cogent hypothesis yet,” said Ogden. “What is clear is that all of these seemingly disparate events are somehow connected. This spell may well be a geas that is set to trigger under certain conditions.”
“But to what end?” asked Danica.
“Perhaps it’s a trap,” said Lar, who up until this point had remained largely silent, “set to spring when we’re all together again, and Elias was the bait.”
Phinneas blinked. “An elaborate scheme to bring the leaders of the Sentinels together and eliminate them, leaving crown and kingdom ripe for the picking?”
Ogden grunted. “Given all our meandering theories, you, Lar, have struck the heart of the matter, and made the only point of true significance. You’ve reminded us that we’re all in danger, and must be more vigilant than ever.”
After the gravity of Odgen’s words a charged silence fell over the chamber. Eithne took another deep pull on her wine-glass. She had begun to feel its effects, and with the warmth radiating through her middle she felt a fire kindle in her mind, tempering her resolve. They had spent too much time sitting about trying to unravel riddles prior to Sarad’s coup, and it had almost cost them the kingdom. It was time for action.
“Here’s the plan,” said Eithne. “We don’t know when the vortex, or portal, or whatever it is will open again. Thus, Bryn’s rooms are off limits, save for with a full complement of Redshields. Four Redshields will remain posted outside Bryn’s rooms at all times, in case anything unusual happens. If and when it does, three will remain to deal with the threat and the fourth will run to muster reinforcements. Ogden, I wish for you to deliver these orders to Blackwell personally.”
“Aye, Your Highness,” Ogden said.
“Also, set whatever wards you dare in Bryn’s chambers, so that you will have a head start the next time some creature from out of nightmare comes to call,” said the queen. “Phinneas, I want you to examine Bryn at once. But do so in Ogden’s chambers, where you’ll be safe from detection by any untoward arcanists, and courtiers wagging tongues.
“Danica, I want you to go with Phinneas on the off chance that anything goes wrong. You’ve already demonstrated that your healing abilities are well beyond any we’ve ever seen. I don’t want to take any chances with my cousin’s health. Also, Bryn and Danica, I want you to stay here in the royal suites until all this business is cleared up.”
“I think that’s hardly necessary,” said Bryn.
“I must insist,” said Eithne. “We don’t know why Elias disappeared, or who took him, but it looks like they did so in your chambers, or at least that he was there, though there are none who remember it. That places you in danger. You can’t very well return to your rooms, and these are far more defensible than any in the kingdom, and we have a cogent escape route. Further, it’s common practice for two Whiteshields to be posted outside my chambers at all times, and no one will be the wiser if they’re a few extra inside the royal apartments.”
“And me?” asked Danica.
Eithne smiled at the younger woman. “Danni, you and Elias share a special bond beyond what is usual for siblings. If our enemies are aware of this, they may try to use it against us. That and as Lar pointed out you may well be as much a target as any of us. The royal apartments are the safest place for you. I also think it prudent to assign a guard detail to accompany you on your business about Lucerne and Peidra.”
Danica shook her head. “If our enemies do have eyes in Lucerne, it will tip our hand.”
“Your point is well made, but I see no alternative.”
Danica’s trademark half-smile lit her face. “Lar.”
“Me?” asked an incredulous Lar.
“Think,” said Danica, “It’s perfect. He may not be a trained Whiteshield, but, well, look at him. He’s a bruiser, and no one will think it odd that he accompany me. All know that he is a friend to me.”
Eithne weighed Lar thoughtfully with her eyes. “Yes, and he is a Marshal.”
Eithne had begun rebuilding the Marshal Barracks on palace grounds, not far from where the horses were stabled. Construction had paused but briefly during the coldest weeks of winter. Since recommissioning the order Eithne had already accepted the oaths of two-score Marshal pledges, being led by Ronald Oberon of all people. The eager pledges didn’t want to wait for construction of the barracks to be completed, so Eithne decreed they begin training with the Redshields. Still, they needed a leader, but Elias had gone home to Knoll Creek. She had begun to fear that the First Marshal would never return, and now it seemed that he had disappeared from the very face of Agia.
“Very well, Danica, that will do for now. Lar, you are to accompany Danica and keep her safe.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Lar said and bowed from his waist though he remained seated, which set the whole room laughing.
“And Lar,” said the queen, wiping her eyes, “have you lost your Marshal shield?”
“No, I have it still.”
“Well, for God’s sake put it on! You’re the most senior member of the fledgling Marshal Corps, so that makes you acting First Marshal until Elias’s return.”
The color drained from Lar’s face, but to his credit he merely said, “Yes, Your Grace.”
“Your first order of duty,” continued Eithne, “is to report to Blackwell and outfit yourself with proper armaments. Have him take you to the royal armory, rather than the guard armory, and take whatever armor and weapons you like. Blackwell is an expert in nearly every fighting style, so have him tutor you in martial combat as his other duties allow.”
With all members of the Lucerne Sentinels charged with a task, Eithne disbanded the meeting and they all went about their business, each with a heavy heart but somewhat bolstered at having something to focus their attentions upon.
Chapter 8
An Unexpected Caller
Nyla flickered like a wraith, there one moment and vanished the next. Half of her face reappeared beneath the gauzy veil of her spell, before melting into the shadows as she ducked into the tree line.
Elias tracked the bodiless footfalls as she meandered the perimeter of the forest. He knew her disappearance to be naught but illusion, but the sight caused the fine hairs on the back of his neck to stand to attention nonetheless.
Elias spun on his heels and pointed. “There you are!”
“Very good, both of you,” said Teah, who watched the contest from the far edge of the glade.
Nyla materialized, hands planted on her hips, in what seemed to Elias to be the universal display of a little-girl’s disapproval. Although Elias had to remind himself that Nyla wasn’t all that young. “How did you do it?” she asked.
“I used my ears,” Elias replied. “You were invisible to my eyes, but you made noise as you moved. That and I could...feel where you were.”
Nyla stormed across the glade and stood toe-to-toe with him. “Hey, we said no second sight!”
Elias couldn’t help but smile. The Enkilder, as Elias learned Teah’s people called themselves, referred to arcane sight as second sight. “I didn’t use my second sight, I just felt where you were. I could sense your presence.”
“You have keen instincts, Wayfarer,” said Teah, who approached her pupils. “They will serve you well in the world.”
Elias’s smile wilted. Teah had warned him that the lands outside the Hartwood had grown more dangerous and lawless over the centuries, which is why the Enkilder had isolated themselves so fully from the outside world. What Elias had known as Galacia had long ago dissolved into feuding clans, each struggling to maintain a hold on the region’s dwindling resources. Phyra to the west hadn’t fared much better, and Aradur, through which his course lay, had reverted back to its ancient caste system in the cities and to tribal nomads in the open deserts and prairi
es. Erasteses and Miria had fallen to Aradurian marauders. Kvesh, far to the south and west, protected by Algaren’s Channel and the forbidding Pal Acno Mountains after, might well be the final remnants of civilized society in Agia, but Elias wasn’t passing that way. Of Ittamar’s fate, Teah did not have any light to shed. Nor did she know anything of the island nations of Ulbrea in the distant southeastern oceans of the world.
When Elias had asked what prompted this rampant devolution through the lands, Teah grew reserved and her eyes became distant. He felt the sorrow bleed off her like doleful violin strains at an Erastean tragedy. “The Fey returned,” was all she had said, and despite Elias’s prodding she would go into no further detail.
“Now it’s your turn, Elias,” Teah said, pulling Elias from his thoughts. When Elias’s only response was to study his feet, she asked, “Do you want me to review the method with you again?”
“No.”
Teah and Nyla withdrew as Elias took a couple of deep breaths and sank into the void. He summoned his magic but rather than shaping it immediately to serve his intent, as he had done on the sparing occasions in the past when he had used magic through a focused act of will and not from instinct, he wreathed himself in a cloud of raw arcane energy. He channeled as much power as he dared, until the world began to waver on the other side of the cocoon of raw arcane force he wrapped around himself. Ogden had taught him how to draw arcane shields around himself to ward off attacks and even deflect magic, but that required a physical manifestation of energy. This, as Teah had explained, was different, and far more difficult.
Elias’s task was to craft a reflective energy field. It lacked the properties of a solid shield, and were anyone to pass through it, they would merely feel a prickling sensation. The spell was composed of weightless, raw magic, and for some reason Elias couldn’t define it proved impossible for him to construct. If erected correctly, the reflective qualities of the shield would deflect light around him like a mirror and thus hide him from the casual observer.
Wayfarer (The Empyrean Chronicle) Page 6