by B J Hanlon
“Where are we going?” Edin said as Le Fie led him up a circular stairwell.
After a few flights, they stopped at an oak door though the stairs continued upwards.
“Are you going to leave me in a tower cell?” Edin said.
“What are you a damsel being held by a dragon?”
Through the door, they entered a short hall flanked to one side by doors, the other by windows. He could see a courtyard, and a blond woman being escorted down a path by a dark-haired man. Flowers were in full bloom and the man had his hand on the small of the woman’s back.
Edin felt his heart sink.
Le Fie stopped at the end of the corridor and took out a small pair of needles and dug into the locking mechanism of the door. He entered. “Placisus?”
“Can’t you ever knock man,” said a thick man who sat behind a large oak writing desk. He was clearly in the middle of penning some sort of missive.
The room was rather bare, a small rug was sprawled on the floor, behind the man sat a large picture window. Off to the side was a file cabinet next to a weapons rack. There was a sword, spear, halberd, and other war instruments. A crossbow hung on a wall as someone else would hang a painting.
“I could.”
“Placisus, Captain of the Guard,” Le Fie said to Edin. “This is Edin. Rihkar’s boy.”
Placisus sat back and pulled a pair of spectacles up from a chain around his neck before eyeing Edin up and down. “I can see it, why is he here?”
“The brosons tried arresting him and taking him to the FAE.” Placisus was silent, “it is incumbent upon you to keep order over the city and not have those thugs running around like mongrels off their leashes.”
Placisus rubbed both hands down his face. “There was a decree… I cannot interfere with them. They are under the sole authority of the FAE.”
Le Fie crossed his arms. “Are you not the head of the guard? You answer to the Praesidium.”
“I’m doing paperwork in my quarters while the bells toll. What power do you think I hold anymore?”
“Blast it.”
“Indeed.”
Le Fie stared out the window for a moment. “I need to take him before the Praesidium. All of the Praesidium. If someone wants to bring charges, I don’t want my uncle ruling without a proper hearing.”
“They haven’t gathered,” Placisus said frowning. For a long moment, the two just stared at each other then Placisus sighed. “You want me to call them, don’t you?”
Le Fie nodded.
Placisus sighed, “stay here, lock the door.” He stood and left the room muttering something and shaking his head.
Le Fie went around the desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a black corked bottle.
“Whiskey?”
“I thought you didn’t… what was the word… partake?”
“I don’t… usually.” He poured two glasses of the drink and offered one to Edin.
His mouth suddenly felt dry as he stared at the drink, Edin licked his lips wanting it, nearly needing it. After all that had happened today, there was no reason not to. Edin took the glass and drank. Le Fie sat in Placisus’ chair.
“What is happening?” Edin asked. “What were the attack bells for?”
“How do you know what they were?”
“Dorset,” Edin said looking toward the cabinet again. On top, he saw a thick book. Delrot Constitution and Law. The thing was as wide as his palm. Edin pulled it out and set it on the desk.
“I have suspicions… but they are unfounded at this point. My mentor…” He stopped and Edin looked up. “Never mind.”
Edin raised an eyebrow watching the spy and absently began leafing through the tome. The words were small and full of legal jargon. Edin recognized some of the terms but soon his eyes glazed over.
An hour or so later, keys sounded from the other side of the door. Le Fie had begun pacing and Edin had taken the seat behind the desk.
Le Fie drew his blade and positioned himself behind the door. It was probably just Placisus, but Edin took Le Fie’s movement to mean he should probably do the same. He knelt behind the desk and spotted a hand crossbow strapped beneath it. Edin pulled it out.
Placisus entered. “Fie?”
Edin didn’t have time to warn Le Fie as the head of the guard stepped back and revealed himself. Behind Placisus, were four men in guard uniforms and another in the uniform of the brosons.
Le Fie stepped back and pointed his blade, Edin aimed the crossbow.
“Wait!” Placisus shouted throwing his hands up as if they could stop either weapon.
“Explain.”
“He is to be put in the dungeons until the trial. Under guard.”
“What trial? And under whose guard?”
“For starting the riot… and under my guard,” Placisus said, “I convinced a group of the councilmembers to give me the authority.”
“Why is he here?” Le Fie said pointing the blade at the broson.
“The FAE insisted… for Edin’s protection,” Placisus said with a sour tone.
Edin watched the two men in what amounted to a staring contest. It was something Berka and he did as kids. Edin rarely won.
Finally, Le Fie sheathed his blade and nodded but Edin still aimed the crossbow. Not at Placisus, but at the broson behind the three guards.
He imagined what the bolt would do. Edin could see it pierce the man’s throat, knocking him to the ground where he’d choke on his blood. The gurgling of his breaths, the tears in the eyes as the man slowly died from drowning… murderer…
Edin lowered it, grabbed the glass, and downed two fingers of whiskey to keep his jaw from shivering.
“Come with me,” Placisus said waving his hand at Edin. “We will talk again.” He said this in Le Fie’s direction.
Edin went but kept his eyes on the broson. The man moved with purpose as he led them through one of the side doors, through another corridor, and down three long flights of dark stone stairs.
Edin was completely lost.
At the bottom, he began to feel the presence of a wan stone.
A pair of guards stood behind a metal gate. They opened it for the broson followed by Placisus and then the remainder of the troupe.
The talent was being suppressed, as if a door was closing slowly to keep the talent outside. Edin noticed the small black stones melted into gray granite walls.
There were three steel doors shooting off the main room. Two to the sides and one in front. Placisus stopped to chat with who Edin assumed was the head jailor while the broson and the remaining guards turned to the left door and led him deeper inside. A row of cells sat to the right, a bare stone wall to the left.
They put him in the furthest barred cell, nearly half the size of the others with a small pallet at the back, a thin blanket, and a pot. He heard a drip of water and spotted another droplet forming on the ceiling.
Without a word, he went in and the gate slammed closed. The sound sent a shiver up his spine.
As they were turning away the broson stopped and stared at him. He grinned showing yellowed teeth. The look in his eyes was one that promised harm.
From down the hall, a man barked something and they all, the broson included, headed back. The thick door slammed shut and Edin moved toward the pallet.
It wasn’t like there was much to explore, he had a place to relieve himself and a place to sleep. The chill lingered, and he realized it was much colder down here. Edin sat on the pallet, the only thing to keep his body off the floor. Edin curled up beneath the blanket and rested his head on an arm before closing his eyes.
A sound, a squeak, came from somewhere in the distance. It was as if a mouse were being pulled by the tail. It woke him… or maybe he never really slept.
Edin opened his eyes to darkness. Complete darkness. For a moment, he thought maybe his eyes were still closed.
They weren’t. Someone had turned out the lights.
“Hello…” Edin called out tentatively, sweat fo
rmed on his brow. He called out again, no one answered. Jailed alone and without sight. Something was wrong. Even more wrong than he’d previously imagined.
He felt the edge of the pallet and slowly moved toward the brick wall. Next to him, he heard the drips of water. He huddled near it feeling the soft taps on his shoulder like some ghostly damp finger.
He put his hand in front of his face, he imagined it there, but could see nothing. He didn’t like the darkness, it was all enveloping and painful. He needed a light, an ethereal light.
But the wan stones had sliced his connection to the talent like it had been his arm or leg. He heard something from down the cell block.
Fear rose. “Hello?” His voice quivered in the darkness. Someone was there, he could feel it.
Edin needed light, he needed to be able to see. He couldn’t fight in the dark, maybe Dephina could, but not him and at that moment, he did want to live.
Edin needed his talent. Had to have it. He reached for it and focused his mind. It was like digging a well with his bare hands. It was a part of him and a part of the world around him. That he knew.
But nothing happened, no feeling in his gut, only the slow tears of frustration.
The clatter of a stone came from somewhere down the hall.
Again, he begged the gods to let him know why he had to be a mage? Why had they cursed him?
Then he tried again, tried to bring it back his concentration, but his mind kept moving. He heard something. Or did he? Was there a flicker of light at the end of the hall? Something green?
Edin pressed his back into the wall and pushed up with his legs. They were strong, as was his body. The wan stones didn’t affect his speed. Sandon learned that the hard way. He had near terrin speed.
Shivers from the cold dungeon rolled up and down his body. He took a step, his footfall clapped and echoed.
“Arianne,” he whispered and closed his eyes.
He felt his breathing steady and tried to clear his mind. Edin needed to see. Something or someone was out there, beyond the bars. He concentrated trying to see with his mind, seeming to delve deep into his own body, his own consciousness.
He didn’t know how much time had passed with his eyes closed. Edin felt inside himself, searched for the way to latch onto his talent. It was his only hope. Then something twitched in his gut, small like the final flicker of an oil lamp cut off from its fuel. But this was the opposite.
Edin shook his head, almost shocked by the small burst of energy.
Opening his eyes, he saw a pair of green orbs floating in the air. What… who was that? A click came in that direction. Then another. The sound was familiar, where’d he hear it? His heart raced as he stared into them. What were they?
Edin concentrated on his breathing, trying to ignore the clicking and felt the air flow in and out. A twinge grew in his stomach again. It wasn’t to be confused with his hunger. Or was it? Was it just a figment of his imagination?
Edin held onto it. He let it grow.
It was meek at first, then slowly he felt it build. Sweat beat down. It felt as if he were pushing a thousand-pound boulder up a hill. It moved but just barely as his body and mind strained.
But he kept it moving, fighting the oppressive feeling trying to hold it back.
The clicks stopped. It was a crossbow. Edin opened his eyes, saw the green orbs about eye height.
His heart skipped, then he heard the snapping of the trigger and the throng of the string.
Edin let a small ethereal ball appear as he dove to the side. He felt a searing pain in his shoulder and cried out. It was echoed immediately after by another scream, a higher pitched one. The light disappeared leaving only the outline of a the ethereal ball.
The screaming, moaning wails moved away from him, then he heard a thud and a grunt. Wood clattered to the ground. Edin felt the searing pain It got his shoulder...
Edin dropped into the corner and then he heard the door slam open. Far to the left, he saw the orange glow of the firelight.
“Why are the torches out?” Someone screamed.
Edin touched his shoulder and it burned. He screamed, his breathing was heavy and labored. Edin tried to stand. His balance felt off and he tilted forward splattering onto the floor of the cell.
A man yelled questions that were fading from his mind. “Who are you? How’d you get in here?”
A woman howled, “I can’t see!”
“What are these… green spectacles?”
Edin groaned.
“Is someone down here?”
“What are you talking about?” another voice said.
Edin heard footsteps coming near him.
“She’s an assassin! Grab her!” The one yelled beyond the moaning screams of the woman. “We have a body…” Edin groaned, “he’s alive, call the...” The world faded.
8
Prison Ward
Edin felt something press between his lips. Then someone gripped his mouth and began to open it. A warm thin broth poured into his mouth. He swallowed, not sure if he did it or it was his body’s natural reaction.
Another spoonful of the broth flavored with chicken. Something stringy flowed in and lodged itself at the edge of his throat. Edin coughed, broth splattered out.
A woman shrieked as the warm liquid dribbled down his cheeks settling into his beard.
Footsteps pounded, Edin couldn’t open his eyes.
“How is he?” It was Le Fie’s voice with a hint of worry.
“The poison is gone but… the healer believes it’s something more.” A woman said. “Exhaustion… talent exertion to be exact.”
“What? The place is lined with wan…” his voice trailed off. A few moments later, he heard shuffling, a dull thud, and a shriek from the nurse. Metal crashed and a glass shattered.
“Placisus, how the heck could you let this happen?” Le Fie wasn’t shouting, his voice was low but somehow offered more menace.
“Get your hands off me!” Placisus gargled. “I gave strict orders no one entered after we placed him there. There’s no way in unless you blow through a yard of solid stone…”
Edin groaned. He had no idea what they were talking about. His mind swam with darkness. He groaned.
“Is he awake?”
“I don’t know, please come back later,” the woman said, “he can’t be rattled.”
“I want a guard at the door. No one but me enters. Not even Pharont, I declare this island security matters,” Le Fie said.
“You can’t. Only…”
“Test me again… my friend,” Le Fie growled.
Edin remembered nothing after.
He was unsure of anything when he woke. He felt as if his brain were stuck in a bog. He felt his breath moving in and out of his mouth. His chest rose steadily and a pain pulsed in his arm. Edin shivered.
After a long time, he peeled open his eyes. A white curtain surrounded him hanging limply from wooden runners. Sweat tickled his brow despite a chill.
He was in a small bed covered in a thick blanket, diffused moonlight shone in through the cloth in a palpable glow. The scent of herbs wafted in from unseen sources. It was an infirmary and he felt alone.
Edin felt a tickle at his nose, he was tired, and tried to ignore it. Finally, he needed to scratch it.
His arm wouldn’t move. Edin could feel it, but couldn’t control it. The other arm was the same. Edin’s heart raced as he tried moving his legs, tried to sit up. Nothing worked.
A panic hit his chest, he felt like he was there… but wasn’t.
What was wrong with me?
“Help,” the word went from his mind, but wouldn’t pass his lips. Alarm grew in him like the rot of an old apple. Was he paralyzed? His mind raced, he remembered… Le Fie leading him to the guard captain.
What did he do? A throaty groan like that of a frog came from him. He tried to think, to move.
Only his eyes worked. Edin shifted them around trying to see, but he couldn’t move his head. Soon, they
demanded to close and Edin fell back into darkness.
The next time he woke, it was daylight. A few moments later, a nurse pulled back the curtain and smiled.
“You’re awake,” she said. “That’s good. I am going to have to change you.” She was rather pretty with silvery blond hair and a genuine smile. She held the soft look of someone used to caring for others.
Edin still couldn’t move or speak and was shocked when she pulled back the blanket and he got a whiff of something awful.
“My…” she said. “I have to bathe you too I guess.” Her smile was still on her face but it was clearly forced.
After the most embarrassing hour of his life, Edin fell back asleep.
He was going to have nightmares about the smell, seeing the nurse pull off his undertrousers, wiping his nether regions with a sponge and covering him with some odd skirt-like cloth...
It took many days for him to be able to move his body again. Edin woke briefly and even ate some food though it was soup that did nothing to quell his hunger.
It was evening again as he woke. Beyond the curtain, he saw the outline of a single torch. There was no sound and he didn’t know who was out beyond this new cell.
A moment later, boot steps on the stone floor and then the torchlight disappeared as the door slammed shut.
Soon, he began remembering more of what led him here. The arrest by the brosons, the one striking Dorset, him being imprisoned, and then the floating green orbs…
As the feeling and control over his body improved, Edin stayed silent on the fact that he could move again. Someone tried to kill him, they got into the jail and used a poisoned bolt... but somehow, the ball of ethereal light cut through the wan stones for just a moment. Somehow, it saved him.
Edin stared at his few visitors still not talking or moving, though he was sure Madame Caesum knew he had regained his body when she prodded his foot and he twitched.