by Char Cam
“Hap-happy to hear that,” was the gritted reply.
“Indeed. Tha’ would beh ah wise plan,” Bliz agreed.
“Yes, and mayhap when you’re stronger, Finyar, you might tell me what it is they want.” Alvaro gave Finyar a steady look, which, though wasted on a blind man, nevertheless seemed to be felt. “I’ll tell you what I can.”
“Okay. Bliz, our turn through the portal.”
Bliztarf, in shadow mode, a rogue trait that made them virtually invisible, stepped forward.
In trying to find the ‘travel agency’ earlier, Alvaro and Bliztarf had passed a healing center repeatedly. It was easily found again. Alvaro called his mobile and the wounded rescuers loaded onto it. The ride was smooth and short.
They stepped through the doors of the healing center. Immediately they were swamped in healers. Alvaro picked one at random. A pretty blonde that seemed familiar. She looked like sunshine bottled up in a woman’s supple frame. Her eyes, a pretty shade of brown Bliztarf couldn’t describe, rocked Alvaro with their impact.
Bliztarf smirked. The man was a goner.
“Could you come with me please? And could we find a private room?” Alvaro asked, voice sounding rusty.
Bliztarf smothered a laugh with difficulty. She was gonna slap the man. Alvaro’s tone and words sounded like he was randy. However, suddenly she agreed and led him further into the structure.
“Is this sufficient?” she asked archly.
“Yes.” Alvaro said blushing. “Bliz, put him on the bed please.”
Bliz did so and came out of shadow mode. The healers gasp of horror wasn’t because of the man’s condition.
“Mikle? Oh, Mikle!” She rushed to him. The moment she touched him, she screamed and was launched backward. Alvaro moved like lightning and caught her, though he stumbled a bit. Fortunately, he retained his hold on her because she was unconscious. He sank to the floor looking dazed.
Soon after, the room was invaded by other healers. Some went to Finyar. “No!” Alvaro shouted. “Don’t touch him! This healer did and she was thrown back!”
One healer approached Finyar and waved her hands over him. “He’s so filled with foul dark magic there’s no way we can attempt to repair the damage,” she stated with certainty. “I’m sorry.”
Bliztarf could tell she was sincere. He thought it must suck to be a healer and not be able to do anything for a patient.
The healer Alvaro held regained consciousness. Helping hands raised her to her feet.
“Healer Trinyi?” she asked as soon as she saw the one standing by the bed. “How is he? Can he be--”
“I’m sorry child. We will think on what can be done. I think the Imperator must be appealed to for a new body for him. Now. There are others that must be attended to that can be helped. Healers, attend them.” Hastily, the healers left…except one. In the sudden silence, a quiet sob was heard.
“Now Princess. Don be cryin’ o’er the likes a me. I’ll be fine, you’ll see,” Finyar encouraged. “Had my fortune told I did. There’s one to come see me that I’ve a secret to tell. After that, I’ll be as right as rain showering Crescent Meadow.”
“Promise?” sniffed the healer.
“I wouldn’t lie to my best Princess would I?” Finyar grinned with a bit of spirit.
“I thought my sister was your best Princess,” the healer whined, apparently encouraged to tease the Captain.
“Well, she is, when you aren’t around to be,” Finyar said sagely.
The door opened and a team of medics entered. “Good day,” one greeted them. “I’m physician Stewart, non-magical. We are quarantining this room while I give the patient a physical and see what shape he’s in. Healer, you of course, can stay. We may need healing of our own if his magic escapes into the room. If you two check out after coming in contact with him, you’re free to go,” he said pointing to Alvaro and Bliztarf.
“I’ll do that now Physician,” the healer assured him. Quietly she grasped Bliztarf’s hand, released it, then held Alvaro’s hand. Alvaro shuddered with the contact before she let his hand go.
“They’re clear,” she informed everyone. “I’ll get contact information and return shortly.”
Physician Stewart didn’t hear her. His exam had already begun.
The healer escorted them outside the room. “The examination could take some time. Where can I contact you to let you know his status?”
Alvaro ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know at the moment. I suppose we could just stop by? If that’s all right?”
“It’s fine. Just ask for Healer Denjel and I’ll come tell you how he is.”
“Thank you. As well as caring about his well-being, I need to talk to him about a matter of pandemic security. Don’t let anyone you don’t know near him. Be alert for assassins. Someone wants that man’s information badly and if they can’t get it, they want him dead.”
“I’ll so inform security,” Denjel said grimly.
Denjel…Denjel…”Finyar called her Princess!” Alvaro whirled around.
“Ah be’ thas her awl righ’,” Bliztarf conceded. “The true heir to tha Kilantrovar duchy.”
Alvaro grimaced. “You get the feeling there are too many coincidences?”
“Like someone else is in control an jus’ leadin’ ya around‘? Like in a game?”
They looked intently at each other.
“Naw,” they said at the same time.
“But at the same time, Bliz…that fight we had to free Finyar…what was done to him…really good holograms, right? We, we didn’t actually kill anyone…did we? And Finyar…” Alvaro looked worriedly around, running his fingers through his hair before turning back to his friend. “I know we agreed to treat it all as if it were real, but…”
Bliztarf was troubled. “I’ve thought about the transporter. You know how it goes dark when we ‘leave’?” Alvaro nodded. “Well, what if they just flip a switch and new scenery gets turned on? I don’t think we killed anyone, but just the same, don’t let any hits get past your guard.” Bliztarf looked around covertly. “Could be a nasty jolt given to you to simulate a hit.”
“Good point. Treat it all as real--”
“--because it is real,” they finished together.
Alvaro sighed. “I have to get back to Kilantrovar. I have guests.” He frowned. “I was hoping to do some investigating on Frankinzoid.”
“Excuse me Great Sirs.”
Alvaro turned to see a freckle-faced youth of about fifteen bowing low.
“Yes?” The youth remained bent.
“Ah believe ya have ta tell him ta rise.” Bliztarf said helpfully.
Alvaro rolled his eyes. “Rise,” he commanded. “And don’t do that again,” he said sternly. “What’s up? What do you need?”
“I’m to give you each a packet once you’ve signed for them with your Epic Card. Oh! But first I’m to give you this note.”
Alvaro took the note and broke the seal. He chuckled as he read it; handed it to Bliztarf.
Slide the card. Don’t MAKE me sic my cat on you!
Elsbeth
They both obligingly swiped their cards in the provided machine, and received the packets.
“Congratulations! Good Journey Great Sirs.” He started to bow, noticed Alvaro’s scowl, and took off at a brisk pace into the crowd.
Bliztarf opened his packet. “Huh. It seems Elsbeth has bough’ herself a palace. She made us co-owners…so ah guess we own a palace too.”
“Imagine that,” Alvaro grinned. “We’ll have to make time to take a look.”
“In tha meantime, why don’ you go back to Kilantrovar and take care of business there. I’ll stay and look into Frankie and the Imperator angle,” Bliztarf offered.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
“’Course ah mind. Jus’ no’ ver’ well,” was the tongue in cheek reply.
Alvaro groaned. “Right. Keep me update
d.”
Bliztarf spent a weary and frustrating afternoon searching for traces of Frankenzoid. His questions led him to the run down sections of town. Carefully and cautiously, he was told about the leader of the Thieves Guild. Haro knew Frankenzoid best. Haro was after him to take him down. Safe to tell him because everyone knew Haro wanted Frankenzoid. Haro was the one he needed to meet with to see the Imperator. Haro could get appointments. For a price. Haro. Haro. Haro. Bliztarf left word everywhere with everyone. He wanted to set up a meeting. It was all that could be done at the moment. He returned to Kilantrovar.
Alvaro had been having his own frustrating afternoon. His return was uneventful. However, he was met immediately by Sgt. Shanks.
“The Cap’n?”
Alvaro shook his head. “Nothing to be done for him. We have to get him a new body. To do that, we have to get in to see the Imperator. I have no idea how to do that. Yet. Bliztarf is working on that in Azdromadarim.” Shanks appeared to be relieved that his Captain was being cared for.
“I’ve put the prisoners in the same stinking cell the Cap’n was kept in. Most of them have rezzed.”
Rezzed. Resurrected. Souls returned to bodies and made alive again. A small shudder of relief zinged through him. “That’s good. I hadn’t thought about securing them.”
“Well, that’s what Sergeants are for,“ Shanks said sagely.
Alvaro grunted. “They can wait for a bit. Bring your men and come to the courtyard.”
It was eerie, looking at all those people still as death yet frozen in obscene postures of life. Shanks had never seen anything like it and hoped he wouldn’t again. They looked as if they were about to speak, caught between one breath and the next. When you stood beside them, you were sure, they would turn to look at you. One man had tripped and was held motionless, his face alarmed as he headed for the lawn face first, his hands filled with merchandise. Frantic expressions and fearful ones were immobile and yet…they seemed aware. Shanks felt his skin crawl.
The Kadan came to stand beside him. “I’m making you Captain, acting. I want more men recruited. Enough that when Captain Finyar gets back we’ll have two companies.” Shanks watched his sergeant stripes morph to captain bars and rolled his eyes. Great. Now he was a bloomin’ officer and some sergeant was gonna clean up after him.
“Have some of your men form a holding circle for these people. As they are released, calm them down and put them there. Search everywhere.”
The Kadan strode forward and ‘caught’ the falling man, saving him from his rough landing. The man blanched as he realized who held him. “Go over to the Captain. He’ll tell you where to go.” Then the Kadan was on to free the next immobile resident.
“Kornar, take Trake, Seinlo, Kem, and Faro and wake these people up. The rest of you form a half circle and keep the villagers here.”
“What about the animals?”
“Leave ‘em for the villagers to deal with.”
In a short time, the people were animated again. Some tried to run, but were quickly subdued. They glared defiantly from within the confines of the circle, but they didn’t start trouble. They were all afraid, he realized. The chamberlain’s horror stories about what would happen if he wasn’t in charge no doubt was sharply remembered now.
Once gathered, the Kadan stood in front of the cowed crowd. He wasted no time with fripperous conversation. “Tomorrow morning at ten, come back here. Don’t bring your merchandise, but bring your money. There’s going to be an auction. Everything the previous chamberlain owned will be auctioned off. If you have records of items that were indeed stolen by him, bring those to the attention of Henrow. He doesn’t know he’s the new Chamberlain yet, but by the time you’ve returned with--”
“AAAAAAAAAAAH!!”
Shanks chuckled and so did quite a few others. Henrow had just discovered he was the new Chamberlain.
The palace doors sprung open as if bungie cords were released from tension. An undignified Henrow ran out onto the steps. He saw the gathering and stopped. From horror, to panic, to grimness, and finally resignation, he adapted and accepted his new role.
“If you instruct me, Your Eminence, I will take care of this,” Henrow said with returned dignity.
Alvaro waved him over. “Okay. I’m having an auction. Everything Gosgow has is to be sold. If they can prove stolen goods belong to them, they can have ‘em. Otherwise everything must go. The proceeds are to be split among the merchants.”
“Sir, does that include houses, land--”
“Everything. Think you can find records of his holdings by ten tomorrow.”
“If I don’t sleep.”
The Kadan laughed.
“I’m serious,” Henrow stated earnestly.
“Oh.” Alvaro rubbed his chin. “Well hire some people to help, for goodness sake. You’re the Chamberlain.” The Kadan ran his hands through his hair. “And I suppose I need a new Butler now.”
“Tickson has been promoted to that position and everyone moved up accordingly.”
“Great! Well, things to do and all that. I’ll leave you to it. If you have questions, get in touch to ask ‘em.” The Kadan patted Henrow on the back, which had everyone gasping. He turned and bounced up the stairs. “Tickson!” he shouted. “Library now please!”
Although the Kadan had spoken moderately to Henrow, all had been able to hear. Shanks signaled to his men to let the villagers leave to attend to their business. They seemed however, to want to group together and talk.
“Did you see? He patted Henrow on the back like he was a real person!”
“He says he splitting the money--”
“…said please?”
“I can get my ornate candlesticks back! The ones I made for my wife!”
Henrow called out, “If you have receipts proving ownership, bring them forward. The auction begins at ten sharp in the morning.”
“What if we don’t have receipts and we want our stuff?”
“Most of the items were made to be sold, correct? Well, they will be sold. If there are personal items taken, I will have a truths sayer available to take your statements. Now, go about your business and return in the morn.” Henrow then climbed the stairs and pulled the palace doors closed behind him.
It would be a good recruitment opportunity, thought Shanks as he disbanded his men about their duties.
“Heard about your man rescued from prison,” Talltop said as Alvaro entered the library. Talltop was reading in the center lounge area. He closed his book. “Sorry ‘bout the shape he’s in. Sounds like Shela’s work.”
“Shela?” Alvaro inquired sharply.
“Frankenzoid’s mage.” Talltop rose. Walked up the shallow steps. “It’s believed she’s HoSafe trained.”
Alvaro swore. “Him again! Bliztarf is in Azdromadarim getting information. How is he working with the HoSafes? I’m one hundred percent convinced he is working for or with them.”
“In the meantime, what are you going to do ‘bout him?” Talltop pointed disgustedly at the still form of Gosgow.
“Well, as to that, I’ve an idea,”
The new butler tried a stately entry into the library. It was more of a hurried waddle. He was very tall. Rotund. There was no urge to pinch his cheeks however. This man would not take names; he would just punch you. He still had a price tag dangling from a sleeve. Alvaro debated about telling him. Embarrass him now, or let him find out later and be embarrassed then. “You got a…” Alvaro mimed something hanging from his own sleeve. Tickson glanced at his sleeve, saw the tag and nonchalantly yanked it off.
Alvaro turned to look at Gosgow. “Tickson, I’m going to need a few items. And some discreet employees.” He looked at Talltop. “Here’s my idea.”
Alvaro was checking his contraption one last time when Bliztarf returned.
“Been runnin’ ‘roun’ all afternoon. Pu’ ow’ some feelers. The one we want calls himself Haro,” Bliztarf said tiredly. “I’ve
pu’ ow tha word we wan’ a meet. And wha’ the heck iz tha‘?”
“Good work, Bliz. And this is my master plan! Muahahahahaha! Let’s head over to Azdromadarim and see our palace. Talltop got called into some long distance conference call with some of the other clans. And for my master plan to work, I don’t really want to be around here. Let’s go have some fun with our group and see how their day’s gone.”
“I’m kinda hungry. Think they’ll have food?”
“How typical. Always thinking with your stomach. I‘m sure you’ve had dozens of snacks today.”
“Just sayin’. A bit of dinner would be nice.”
The only sympathy Bliztarf got was his beard grabbed for a sharp tug that stumbled him off his feet.
In the deepest part of night, a figure furtively entered the library. The statue that was not a statue was balanced on a four foot by five foot by four foot tall wooden block platform at the book end of the room. Cautiously, the intruder crept over to it. He tentatively touched a sleeve. Immediately the sculpture came to life.
“Howrglass? What are you doin--”
“What did you tell him?”
“Tell who? The Kadan! There’s a new Kadan! I didn’t tell him anything. I haven’t even seen him. I was going up the steps last I remember. I haven’t talked to anyone!”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” With a thrust almost too fast to see, Howrglass forced a short, thick blade into Gosgow while pulling him down onto its point. He turned and shoved. A sucking sound announced the blade was free. Gosgow thudded to the ground and groaned.
“Frakenzoid no longer finds you useful.” Howrglass stood over Gosgow watching the life drain from him. He pulled a pouch from his belt and sprinkled the contents over the corpse. It caught fire immediately. Alarms went off in the library and voices in the distance began shouting. Howrglass left swiftly. The corpse quickly burned beyond resurrection before anyone arrived to put out the fire.
Howrglass never noticed his two silent witnesses.