* * * * *
The late morning sun beats upon Cornar and the others standing on the shore. To the east, the Farling drifts away and into deeper waters.
“Now that everyone is here, we’ll break up into groups. The seven of you,” Cornar points to the mages, “Cast your invisibility spells, and make sure yourself and two others are covered. Stay close to each other, my men will lead the way to my home. From there we will regroup and continue with our plan.”
A moment later, the members of the expedition vanish from the shoreline, and the light patter of their footsteps sound their way up the rocky shore into the forest. From there they head southward across the small plain dividing the city of Soroth from the vast trees that cover the rest of the island.
After a quarter of an hour, they reach the city’s northeastern most square; the same which houses the Sea Vistonia, the tavern visited by Iltar and the others three weeks prior.
The square is busy now, filled with horses, carriages, and many affluent citizens. It was customary for most of the Sorothian upper class to visit the tavern for all their daily meals. After all, it was the chief notable attraction of the square, and well known throughout the entire island.
On the northeast corner of the square, between the fabled restaurant on the east and a market building to the north, is an opening in the city wall. The stone hedge neatly stops short of the rocky coast. It was removed by request of the notorious tavern’s owner because it blocked the view to the shore and the sea beyond it. He called it a hindrance to the atmosphere they were attempting to create outside the establishment.
Taking advantage of this, Cornar and the others make their way into the city by this small gap. The invisible warriors, mages, and thieves travel through the alleys between buildings as they make their way to their leader’s home.
With quiet expertise, the expedition reaches Cornar’s urban estate.
The aged warrior’s home is nestled along a street not far from the northern walls of the city, several blocks east of the Necrotic Order’s guild hall.
The home is surrounded by a brown cement wall with hints of dull orange. A large circular gateway sits in the middle of the barrier just beyond the walkway, separating the property from the street.
Seeing only a few people in the area, Cornar edges up to the metal gate. Being cautious of the squeaking hinge, he gently guides it open. By unseen means, the gate opens then the light sound of footfalls patter through it.
Within the estate’s walls is a beautiful garden, dotted with several trees, one to the left and the other two along the right. The leaves of the trees are still green, and the scene shows no hint of the cooling weather.
An oval fountain marks the center of the garden, between the doorway to the home and the gateway to the street.
From the gate, a stone path branches off in two directions; one runs along the wall and back toward the stables at the rear of the abode. The other leads to the fountain, circling it before paving the way to the home.
The warrior’s beautiful two-story home sits squarely at the property’s center; nearly square in shape, its second sit story over only the home’s left and rear sides. A circular tower rises a story and a half above the sloping roof at the home’s front and right side.
The home shares the same color as the exterior walls surrounding the garden, but with off-white highlights in the various window frames.
Once within the walls of his city estate, Cornar, remaining invisible, feels his way past those around him. He walks up to the raised and covered entry of his home, then heads to the side-by-side wood and fogged glass doors that lead into the edifice.
Cornar silently swings the door on the right side open, then creeps into a spacious foyer.
The foyer’s walls are a golden beige with streaks and dots of white accent them, giving the illusion of large stone slabs. Directly opposite of the doors, a partially curved stairwell leads to the second floor; it straightens out near the top, running parallel to the door. The foyer’s ceiling vaults to the top of the second story, allowing a view to the main doors from the hallway adjacent to the stairs.
On either side of the foyer, two opened doorways lead to rooms adjacent to the entry hall. To the right of the doors is a squared lounge with an enclosed circular stairway leading to the tower. Opposite the lounge is a larger room with several ornate chairs and sofas. This second room’s color is distinctly different than the entry and small lounge, with peach toned stone texturing covering the walls throughout.
Cornar and the others invisibly move toward the peach room, and the warrior notices his maid busily dusting a hutch and mirror on the wall. She is short and youthful, with shoulder length golden blonde hair and dressed in worn clothing; a custom most women from Soroth embrace when cleaning a home.
Hearing the sound of wood popping within the foyer, the maid abruptly turns, seeing the home’s door open. Eyes widening, she moves to investigate it, but abruptly bounces into an invisible man. She lets out a soft shriek of fear, prompting the men in the room to quickly drop their invisibility.
“Nilia,” Cornar gently calls, moving across the large parlor, “Calm down. Everything is fine.”
“Master Cornar, what’s going on?” Nilia exhales shakily, her pale green eyes darting to each of the remaining members of their expedition. She moves cautiously around the men in front of her toward Cornar. “You were not due home for weeks.”
“We’ve returned early,” Cornar replies, putting his hands on her shoulders to calm her. “We have urgent business with the council of the Necrotic Order. I need you to go get Midar and Cordel. Tell them there’s an emergency at the house.”
“Okay…” Nilia agrees hesitantly, still confused.
“Don’t tell them I’m here; just get them to come back with you. And be quick!”
Nodding her head, Nilia pushes past the men and some move out of her way. She runs out the door, leaving it wide open.
Cornar motions for Aron to shut the door and the party breaks up between the three rooms. The aged warrior hears faint footsteps on the stairs to his tower; he turns to look at the enclosed stair, but doesn’t see the source of the footsteps.
Meanwhile, within the larger room, both thieves are admiring the décor of the space. The fabrics of the sofas and chairs are from Arbath, a city almost halfway around the world. Their fabrics have thick stripes of golds and reds with small and large oval-shaped designs lining the center of the stripes. The wood is ornately carved in a way that resembles the waves of the oceans.
In front of where Nilia had been standing is a high cabinet with similar shapes carved into the edges of it; above the cabinet is a mirror with a wooden frame that matches the seating and storage pieces of the room.
“Don’t even think about touching anything!” Cornar calls out to the thieves, partially in jest, but knowing that they might have the gall to try.
“We’re just admiring…” Nath says, rolling his eyes as he sits on the sofa. “You have a beautiful place, Cornar.”
“Thank you,” the warrior says curtly, turning toward at the room’s rear leading to a dining hall. “Now, is there any food…?”
After peaking his head into the room Cornar quickly turns back with disappointment.
The other eighteen men, minus the one who had ascended into Cornar’s private study, are scattered about the three rooms: The majority of the mages are congregated in the smaller parlor where they are briefly scanning their host’s collection of literature. Cornar’s men are resting on the chairs or standing watch at the home’s entry. Thin but tall panes of windows line the entry door, and two of the warriors, one on each side, watch the gateway.
Pacing between the three rooms, Cornar carefully watches his companions; partially out of concern for his family’s things, as well as ensuring everyone who disembarked the ship is with them.
“They’re coming,” Aron whispers from the doors, aiming the announcemen
t to Cornar.
Through the panes, the warriors see Nilia running through the garden, still shocked from her employer’s mysterious appearance and quest. Not far behind her are the two warriors, Midar and Cordel.
A moment later, Nilia opens one of the large doors and stumbles into the foyer; the two warriors following immediately behind her. Once they’re inside, Aron closes the door.
Midar and Cordel look at Cornar with confusion; their mentor standing near the stairs to the second floor of the home.
“Why are you back?” Midar asks in bewilderment.
“I can’t tell you everything right now,” Cornar sternly shakes his head. “We have to hurry. Iltar is planning on killing the council and we need your help.”
“What?!” Cordel cries out. “You two saved them just three weeks ago!”
Ignoring the outburst, Cornar continues, “We need to sneak inside the main hall. Our entire party here,” he motions to the men around him, “Will go up to the council chambers. However, we’re not doing that until all members of the council are gathered. Iltar is sending word for them to meet as soon as possible. Once the other six are there, you’ll signal to Nemral, who will be concealed by his cloak just beyond the gates. That will require the both of you to be stationed outside, can you do that?”
“Yes,” Midar replies hesitantly; he trusts Cornar and knows the warrior would only resort to such a ploy under dire circumstances. “I’ll tell the captain of the guard I want some fresh air. I’ve been inside all day as it is.”
“Excellent. And we need you to open the doors so we can sneak in. How many of the council members have you seen?”
“Two,” Midar states then looks to Cordel for confirmation, and the latter silently nods his head. “Alacor and Jalel. I haven’t seen any of the others in several days.”
“Fine, I won’t keep you long in case you might miss them. Iltar should arrive shortly. Before you go, how many guards are there on duty?”
“Five, besides us,” Cordel responds.
“Good, go and Nemral will be behind you,” Cornar looks to the large parlor and motions for the thief to come forward. He repeats the orders he gave his men, and the thief vanishes beneath his cloak before leaving the home.
As the two warriors leave, Cornar sits on the stairwell, letting out a deep breath while relaxing against the hard step.
“What’s going on?” Nilia asks as she steps near Cornar and leans against the wall.
“Iltar is planning to overthrow the Necrotic Order,” Cornar replies, smugly smiling at Nilia. Their corruption ends today. Perhaps you will be able to learn the ways of conjuration once and for all. Necromancy won’t be the only art taught there after today.”
The Dragons' Legacy Page 25