by Kris Hiatt
Chapter 23
Treace had mixed feelings about returning to the College. On one hand, he was happy to see some of the faces, even though they looked at him as if they didn’t know him. He was glad word had made it to them about his façade, but he wanted to talk to his old friends. On the other hand, now that he was here, he knew his time with the baron, and more importantly, with Liern, had nearly come to an end. He enjoyed teaching Liern, even if the boy would never be a great swordsman. The baron had been kind to him and had given him a great deal. He would miss that.
“We recommend that each party have two members, other than their leader,” Drevic said.
“What about your order?” Liernin asked.
“I will be there, with the Archmagister, and so will Brental. He went to Shamir much the same as I came to you those months ago,” Drevic told him.
“What about my son?” Liernin asked.
“You and two others, Shamir has already agreed. I’ll give you time to decide,” Drevic said and walked a short distance away.
Treace could see Brental talking with Shamir and his men from across the courtyard. Each party was given one end of the area, with the Archbishop, being alone, in the center by the statue of Truntil.
“I will go with you, sir,” Drokier said.
“Old friend, you are retired. I’ve asked too much of you already, but I need you again,” Liernin said and Drokier smiled immediately.
“I’m glad to be at your side,” Drokier said.
“Actually, I need you to watch Liern. Treace and Primain will be with me,” the baron explained.
“You don’t want to take Liern with you?” Drokier asked.
“I do, but you heard Brother Drevic, two people with each baron.”
“Let me talk to Shamir, sir, I’ve been around him a little lately and he may listen. Besides, Liern can’t be called a man,” Drokier said. “Not yet anyway,” he added after Liern gave him an offended look.
“Fine, it can’t hurt. He may see reason in allowing the next baron in the proceedings.”
Drokier left to join Shamir and his entourage. After joining them, Treace could see they were speaking and being quite animated about it. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it wasn’t long before a smiling Drokier returned.
“He agreed to let Liern join, not counting as one of the two, sir,” Drokier said.
“Thank you, old friend,” Liernin said, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“But only if I am one of the other two,” Drokier added. “He said that since I am from Kadenton he thinks I will be less likely to do anything stupid.”
Liernin looked Treace and Primain over and Treace hoped he would be included, he had to be included.
“Primain, thank you for joining us, but please remain here.”
“Yes, sir,” Primain said, somewhat disheartened. Treace knew how he must have felt.
Liernin motioned for Drevic to join them.
“You’ve decided?” he asked once he got there.
“Yes, but Shamir was kind enough to allow my son to join us,” Liernin said.
“Kind of him,” Drevic said. “Follow me.”
Treace nodded at Primain as they departed and headed for the meeting, which Treace knew to be held in the Meeting Chamber, but the others couldn’t know that. They were led up the southern stairs, while Shamir was led up the northern. Treace found it ironic that each baron was led up the stairs closest to their opposition’s territory.
Once there, Nimbril opened wide the double doors to the Meeting Chamber and escorted both barons in at the same time so to dispose of the chance of argument of who would enter first. Next, Brental escorted Drokier and Disdane in, leaving Drevic to escort Treace, Liern, and Shamir’s other man, whom Treace didn’t know, into the room. The man wore a longbow over his shoulder and was clad in simple leather armor.
Drevic closed the door behind them, and moved to a spot next to the Archmagister. Shamir and his two men were on one side of the room; Brental placed on that side, next to Nimbril, and on the other was Liernin and his men, with Drevic on their side. The Archbishop was the odd man and stood on Shamir’s side.
“Greetings gentlemen and first let me thank you for agreeing to meet here, in this neutral location, to discuss the current topics in which both great cities disagree upon,” Nimbril said in welcome. “Please, sit.”
No one did.
“On behalf of Kadenton, we thank you,” Shamir said, speaking quickly.
“As do all members from Haven,” Liernin added.
“Before we begin, if I could ask that you fine warriors please remember that this is a meeting, and your weapons should remain sheathed at all times,” Nimbril said, looking around the room. Seeing no disagreements, he continued.
“I would also like to thank the Archbishop for joining us. His presence is always welcome and his wisdom is appreciated,” Liernin said, nodding to Vrindel.
“The Church is always willing to assist when it can,” he said.
Treace guessed the only reason the Archbishop was here was because he didn’t want to be left out, not because he wanted to help, but he didn’t really know the man well enough to say for certain.
“Also, Magister Drevic will be taking over as head of our order once these meetings have concluded,” Nimbril said. “A wonderful woman has agreed to take in a foolish old man, and it’s time for me to retire.”
“Brental, you agree with this?” Shamir asked.
“I was given no choice,” Brental said.
“The matters of our order are not of anyone’s concern but ours,” Nimbril told the room.
Shamir shrugged his shoulders as if it didn’t matter, and Liernin looked pleased to have a friend as the new leader of the College. Treace thought Brental took that slight too well, and thought that perhaps the time away from the College had finally settled the volatile man down.
“Will we not sit?” Nimbril asked.
“I’d prefer to stand,” Shamir stated.
“Me as well,” Liernin agreed.
“Suit yourselves,” Nimbril said, though he still remained standing. “I hope the brothers that have been spending time in each of your locations have provided some insight to what we are trying to accomplish.”
“Indeed,” Shamir said, smiling.
“I have appreciated Drevic’s insights and company,” Liernin said, always seeming to speak second.
Treace couldn’t wait for the pleasantries to get over with. Even the Archmagister was laying it on a little thick, but he supposed that’s the way nobility was. You had to waste half the time being proper and acknowledging everyone in attendance rather than simply getting down to business. He doubted he could ever get used to that.
“As have I,” Vrindel added. “I know the acolyte that visited here had many positive things to say.”
“I’m glad to hear they were so well received. I would like to continue building the relationship between our orders, if it pleases the rest of you?” Nimbril asked.
All heads nodded after a quick look around the room to see if anyone would disagree.
“No disrespect to any of you, but I hope you can see now why we wish to remain a separate entity, not tied to either city directly, or to the Church,” Nimbril said. “Although we appreciate your offer.”
“Although I still don’t agree, I see your point of view,” Vrindel stated.
“That’s all I could ask,” Nimbril said.
“I understand your reasons and agree with you,” Liernin said.
“I believe our orders will be very close in the near future,” Shamir said, smiling.
“This pleases me,” Nimbril said. “And I have a gift for the leaders of each order.”
Drevic reached behind him and grabbed something off the chair that was behind him. It was a stack of some kind of fabric that Treace had missed when he entered the room.
“I had these made to commemorate the occasion. The time when the four orders came tog
ether, despite their differences, for the betterment of the world as a whole,” Nimbril said.
Drevic gave one to Nimbril, and then proceeded to move around the room to give one to the other leaders.
Nimbril opened up the fabric, and it turned out to be a banner of sorts, something like a flag. On it was the symbol of each order, the two cities and the College forming a triangle, with a large circle, the symbol of the Church, around all three. The open book of the College formed the top of the triangle, with the stag of the left, and the setting sun on the right.
“It is a wonderful symbol,” Liernin said. “I’ll have the ship captain sail this flag on our return to Haven. I’ll place it over the entrance to my palace after, where it will remain until it is torn apart by the ocean’s winds.”
“I’ll put it under my own flag, flying high on my palace in Kadenton,” Shamir said, not being outdone.
“I’ll place it on the wall behind my lectern, so all who attend mass will know our great orders can see eye to eye,” Vrindel added.
Treace was already tired of the positioning and wanted the proceedings to start. He understood the need to show support for each other, and knew they were doing the right thing by being in attendance, but didn’t like the politics of it all.
“I’ve got something for you in return,” Brental said to Nimbril.
Nimbril turned to regard Brental, smiling quite profoundly. Treace couldn’t see exactly what happened next, it happened so fast, but Nimbril’s body turned rapidly around and Brental snarled over his shoulder with a dagger at the old man’s throat. He began walking back toward the corner of the room, ensuring no one could get behind him.
Treace pushed Liern behind him and reached for his swords, the other man he was escorted in with reached for his bow, and Drokier shot backward.
“Stay back, all of you, or I’ll slit his throat like a festival day pig,” Brental said, pressing in on the dagger to draw a slight line of blood.
“Brental! What are you doing?” Drevic demanded.
“Taking my rightful place,” Brental said.
“Do something,” Treace said to Disdane, who was less than an arm’s length from Brental. If anyone could reach the magister and be able to stop him, it was Disdane.
“Stay out of this,” Shamir said.
“What?” Liernin asked.
“The matters of their order do not pertain to us, remember?” Shamir asked, smiling.
Treace couldn’t believe what was going on; Brental went crazy and Shamir wasn’t going to help. Even the Archbishop, who seemed just as stunned as the rest at first, stepped back and watched the festivities. He knew he had to act. Between him and Drokier, they may be able to stop Brental, but probably not before the old man got his throat cut. Perhaps Nimbril could focus enough to enact a barrier, or if he couldn’t, he hoped Drevic could heal him if that did happen, but he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He knew it would be a huge risk, but he thought about throwing a sword and hoping to hit Brental before he knew what hit him.
“You stay out of this, Treace,” he heard Drokier say.
“Treace!” Liern yelled.
He turned around to see Drokier moving quickly toward Shamir’s side of the table with Liern in front of him, a dagger at his throat as well.
“What in the name of God are you doing?” Liernin demanded. “Let go of my son!”
“I won’t hurt the boy, as long as he stays out of it,” Drokier said, motioning to Treace.
“Will you do something now?” Treace asked Shamir.
“It looks to me like he’s just trying to keep the peace,” Shamir said, smiling.
Treace had no doubts that all of this was a plan, and that Shamir was in on it. Brental and Drokier turning against their order and joining Shamir at the same time couldn’t be a coincidence. He didn’t have time to reflect on it now, however, so he concentrated on the dilemma at hand. He moved to get in front of Leirnin, but the man pushed him aside.
“Drokier! Give me my son,” Liernin demanded again.
“Once this is all settled, he will be returned to you unharmed,” Drokier said. “As long as The Wolf sits and stays like a good dog.”
“Sheathe those damn swords,” Liernin said to Treace, not taking his eye off his son.
“This is madness!” Drevic said.
“Madness is allowing you to lead our order,” Brental said. “Name me the leader, Nimbril.”
“You can’t be serious?” Drevic asked.
“Name me the leader, or I’ll cut your throat. And don’t think about using your barrier either, or Drokier will be forced to hurt the boy.”
“It won’t matter, even if I do, the truth will get out, and you’ll be dismissed. If I don’t, you’ll kill me and you’ll still be dismissed and taken to jail,” Nimbril told him through clenched teeth. The old man must be in a large amount of pain.
“Then if it doesn’t matter, just do it, or I’ll kill you.”
“Just do as he says,” Drevic told Nimbril, apparently agreeing with Nimbril’s assessment of the situation.
“Yes, just do as I say,” Brental said, pressing the dagger harder.
“I name you the leader,” Nimbril said.
Treace knew it was the only way. From all he knew and heard about Nimbril, the man wouldn’t use his barrier and risk Liern’s well-being.
“Say my name,” Brental told him. “Say who you’re naming, and call me Archmagister.”
“I name you, Brental, Archmagister, and the leader of the College.”
Treace thought Brental would explode in satisfaction. He wondered how long the man had hoped, dreamed, and schemed to get to hear those words.
“You have what you wanted, Brental, let him go,” Drevic said.
Treace took a quick look around the room and couldn’t believe this was happening. Somehow Drokier got Liern, who was Treace’s responsibility, and he would never forgive himself should something happen to the boy. Brental wanted to be the leader of the order so badly that he lost his mind and was threatening Nimbril’s life. Shamir sat idly by, so was Vrindel, and even Liernin was prevented from doing anything. What a mess.
“Not quite yet. You heard him, right? I am the leader of the College,” Brental said, facing Shamir.
“I heard him clearly,” Shamir agreed.
“You?” Brental asked Liernin.
“Yes, yes, I heard.”
“And you Archbishop?”
“Oh, I heard him.”
“Good, then as the leader of the College, I offer an alliance with Kadenton, to be protected by and be part of that great city,” Brental said.
“Accepted,” Shamir said.
This wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be happening. Treace never thought to include his own brothers as a threat. He knew his mistake, and knew this would not end well for virtually anyone.
“And, now that the College is part of Kadenton, Liernin, I want you and your forces off of my land at once. If you refuse to leave, I’ll consider it an act of war and respond in kind,” Shamir said, motioning toward Drokier, who held Liern.
“You too, Drevic, you’re gone. I now dismiss you from this College,” Brental said.
“You can’t do that,” Drevic said. “That takes the council’s agreement.”
“Under Nimbril’s rule, maybe, but not under mine. I decide what happens here.”
“You’re crazy,” Drevic told him.
“Maybe, but I’m the Archmagister now, not you. Now leave, or I’ll kill him.”
“Treace, kill him,” Nimbril said.
“Shut up old man,” Brental said.
“Don’t you move,” Liernin ordered Treace.
Treace knew he was in a difficult spot. If he attacked Drokier, he might not be quick enough to prevent harm to Liern. Nimbril wanted him to attack Brental, but if he did, surely Liern’s life would be forfeit, and Treace couldn’t have that, so he remained still.
“Good dog,” Drokier taunted.
Treace didn’t
act, but he surely wanted to kill Drokier now.
“Raythien, go tell the brothers, and the men of the change in leadership and that they now serve Kadenton. Anyone who disagrees, escort them out,” Shamir said once it was clear that Treace wouldn’t be goaded into action.
“Sir,” the bow user said before leaving the room.
“What about you, Archbishop, where do you stand?” Shamir asked.
“The Church is not part of this squabble,” Vrindel told them.
“Oh, but it is. You have the priory in Haven, where you reside. You have a temple in Kadenton that you never visit. If I didn’t know better, I would say that you were for Liernin,” Shamir said.
“It’s just where I reside, not where my loyalties are,” Vrindel said, trying to calm Shamir.
“Either you’re with us, or you’re with him,” Shamir said. “And if you’re with him, your members in Kadenton will be treated as prisoners of war.”
“You wouldn’t,” Vrindel told him.
“Oh, but I would,” Shamir said. “Disdane, what are our laws regarding prisoners?”
“We don’t take any,” the massive man said.
“So, to be clear, what would happen to those people?” Shamir asked.
“I’d kill them.”
“You wouldn’t,” was all Vrindel said.
“Join us, and you’ll have the College and Kadenton as members of your flock. Against us, you’ll still have Haven, but you’ll knowingly be killing all of your members in Kadenton, which is what? About a hundred men and women?” Shamir asked.
Treace didn’t envy Vrindel his decision at all, and in the end, knew how the man would choose, if only because Treace would make the same choice himself; he had to save as many people as he could. He had to of known that Liernin wouldn’t treat the members in Haven the same way and would most likely help them if he could. Still, Vrindel didn’t answer right away.
“Researchers in Kadenton have found that Shamir is a descendant of Kaden,” Brental said. “I have seen it with my own eyes.”
No one could know the truth of that, and no one had time to find out whether or not it was a lie, the situation wouldn’t allow for it. Vrindel either had to believe him, or not, with not much time to decide.