by R. E. Palmer
‘Yes, ma’am, I’ll—’
‘Tom!’ A guard with a blackened face rushed over to them.
‘Arawold.’ Tombold hugged the man. He stood back. ‘Were you at the gate?’
Arawold struggled to catch his breath. ‘I’d arrived minutes before. It all happened so fast, no one saw them coming. The first exploded at the foot of the gate, must be at least a fifty dead and twice that injured.’ Tombold’s head dropped. Arawold grabbed his arm. ‘But not your lads, Tom, not yours. Bryok escaped without a scratch, Edwald took a knock but he’ll recover.’
Tombold tilted back his head, briefly closing his eyes. ‘Thank you, Woldie you don’t know how good that is to hear.’ He placed his hand on Arawold’s shoulder. ‘And your lads?’
‘Off duty and in the shelter, thankfully. But it doesn’t look good for Dravo’s boy. He’s in a bad way, don’t think he’ll make it to morning.’
Tombold winced. ‘Poor lad, so young.’ He glanced back to Elodi. ‘You said two strikes, what of the second?’
‘Hit the tower. The roof collapsed crushing dozens more below.’
Elodi touched his arm. ‘And the gate? Is it damaged?’
Arawold noticed Elodi for the first time. He took off his cap. ‘No, ma’am, I don’t think the enemy targeted the gate, just slung their shots over the top. I guess to let us know they mean business.’
Tombold scratched his head. ‘Or a distraction. Are the listening posts still manned?’
‘Don’t you worry, if those creatures attempt to tunnel underneath, we’ll hear them soon enough.’
Elodi frowned. ‘Tunnels? Listening posts?’
Tombold answered. ‘The Archon gave instruction for two tunnels to be dug by the gate to listen for any rumblings of mining on the other side. It took practically a year to go a short way down. If they have machines to make more than a dent in the bedrock, they’d easily have the means to smash through the gate.’
Arawold cut in. ‘But you can never be too vigilant, ma’am, he’s a clever one is our Archon.’
Elodi noticed Tombold glance over his shoulder. ‘It’s late, please go to your wife and find your sons, thank you for your’ — she checked Arawold — ‘candor earlier, I look forward to speaking again.’
‘My pleasure, ma’am.’ He turned and called back. ‘And if I see Lord Broon, I’ll be sure to pass on your request.’
Elodi pushed back the blankets, kicked out her legs and gave up trying to sleep. Her exhausted body pleaded to rest, but her mind refused to relinquish its hold. Every time she closed her eyes, her head filled with images of the Caerwal Gate cracking asunder and fell creatures swarming through the gap. And then, Tombold’s account of her father troubled her. What had he discovered that led to his death? And what of Bardon? Her hand went to her mouth. What if he had met with the same fate as her father? Had not Bardon also visited the Hall of Scrolls?
Elodi swung her legs off the bed and stood. She threw on her gown and walked to the window. Outside, the sky to the east glowed pink as the sun prepared to bring in the new day. Elodi took the hint and walked over to her wardrobe. She ran her fingers along the dozen outfits her maid had deemed fitting for a state visit, but her hand stopped at the most practical, and one suitable for riding. Today, she first had to find Bardon, then make arrangements with Wendel to return to Calerdorn. Whatever the Archon had planned for the months prior to his audacious plan came second to her people. And she needed to oversee recruiting more numbers into Harlyn’s small reserve army now they had sole responsibility for defending their borders and re-enforcing the Drunsberg Mine. If the mine fell into the hands of the Ruuk, and the supply of metals lost, it could severely disrupt the Archon’s plans. Bardon had been right; she had held the position a few months and already Elodi felt the weight of her title bearing down on her aching shoulders.
18. a Key, a Scroll & a Master
The Castellan disrupted Elodi’s plans before she had finished her breakfast. He had sent a messenger at first light to request she attend a private meeting. She had hoped to find Bardon beforehand, but all her efforts to locate him had come to naught. She decided against changing, preferring to remain in her everyday clothing rather than letting the Castellan think she had dressed for his benefit.
As the morning bell struck, she pulled up a chair in front of the Castellan’s table. His eyes wandered around the books stacked high on his desk before coming to rest on Elodi. The Castellan attempted to smile but failed, appearing embarrassed by his effort. He brushed away a strand of hair from his cloak. ‘Lady Harlyn, I trust you slept peacefully after last night’s events.’
Elodi lied. ‘Yes, thank you, Castellan.’
He nodded. ‘General Kragan informs me our counter-strike silenced the Golesh and will have forced them to withdraw from the gate. I doubt they’ll be repeating the same error of judgement any day soon.’
‘That is good news.’
‘Encouraging to know our defenses can withstand such an assault.’ He leaned forward; Elodi guessed the small talk was over. The Castellan’s eyebrow raised. ‘And I hope your late-night visitor didn’t cause you distress. I must apologize for my aide’s behavior.’
Elodi stiffened. ‘An apology is unnecessary. Your man proved to be most helpful during last night’s attack.’
His fingers drummed the desk. ‘All the same, Tombold was wrong to visit at such a late hour. I have assigned him elsewhere. He won’t bother you again.’
‘I object. He was not bothering me, he—’
‘I would advise you against entertaining’ — the same eyebrow lifted again — ‘men in your quarters after nightfall. Some may regard it as inappropriate.’
Elodi stood. ‘I will entertain whoever I please, Castellan, and I would thank you for keeping your nose out of my business.’
The Castellan waved his hand. ‘Lady Harlyn, please sit. I meant no offence.’ Elodi sat slowly. He continued. ‘But everything that goes on in this citadel is my business. And because I make it my business, I can assure you, you are perfectly safe—’
‘More than can be said for my father.’ It slipped out. Elodi had not intended to bring the subject up at this stage, but the Castellan’s attitude irritated her. And she could see her statement caused obvious discomfort.
‘But… by all accounts he—’
‘He did not fall, and I can assure you he would not have taken his own life.’ She took a breath. ‘I am informed no storm struck on the night in question.’
‘Lady Harlyn.’ He placed his hands on the table. ‘I am responsible for the safety of the Archon, the Council, and all who live, breathe and serve in this place. I’m sure you can appreciate the challenges that come with the post, especially with the news of activity in the south.’
‘Then you have neglected your duty, otherwise my father would still be alive.’
His face reddened. ‘Lady Harlyn, as you are aware, the threat is always present, there are many spies in our midst and as vigilant as I and my men can be, I cannot guarantee absolute safety at all times.’
Elodi held her nerve. ‘Do you think Lord Harlyn fell’ — she narrowed her eyes — ‘or took his own life?’ He blinked. She saw his doubt. ‘Or was my father pushed off the bridge?’
‘As I said, there are spies who wish to sow discord. We don’t know how many agents of the Golesh are among us.’
‘Here? In Archonholm?’
The Castellan sighed. ‘Yes, even in Archonholm. But I cannot let it become common knowledge. Far better don’t you think for people to believe one story than to create panic. What would it do for morale if the people knew the Golesh were active within our stronghold?’
Elodi tried to read his expression. Could it have been a spy? Had her father discovered a secret in the archives forcing the enemy to have him silenced? She sensed the Castellan saw her doubt. He straightened. ‘As someone who holds high office, ma’am, I’m sure you can appreciate the challenges I face every day. I must keep the order and maintain th
e people’s faith in the Archon for the good of all the realms. How am I to achieve that if people are suspicious of the person working next to them? And this leads me to the purpose of this meeting.’ He picked up a sheet of paper from his desk, closing the matter of her father’s death. ‘Do you know of Lord Broon’s activities last night?’
‘No.’ The Castellan held her gaze. She stuttered. ‘You surely don’t think he had anything to do with the attack on the gate?’
‘No, of course not. But last night came as a shock, and as of now, I know the actions of all those in the citadel, all that is, except Lord Broon.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Therefore, I cannot be certain of his well-being.’ He scratched at a knot in the wood of his desk. ‘Have you seen the lord since the incident at the gate?’
Elodi glanced at the gray mountains outside the window behind the Castellan. ‘Err… no, no I haven’t.’
The Castellan glanced down to his paper. ‘Then I have further investigations to carry out.’ He looked back to Elodi. ‘I hope we don’t have another crisis on our hands.’
She tried to smile. ‘I’m sure he will show up soon, he is a resourceful man.’ Her jaw tightened. ‘As was my father.’
Elodi stood at her window watching the last of the stubborn morning mist rise from the Foranfae Forest. Back in Calerdorn, she would stroll the ramparts high on the inner wall at dawn, but rarely see the sun. She raised her eyes to the horizon. Many leagues to the north, her people suffered while her loyalties lay divided. Elodi had to prepare Harlyn for the coming storm, but she had to know how her father had met his end.
Without a second thought, she crossed the room and opened her door, desiring fresh air. Elodi assured the guard she did not require his attendance and strode away before he could question her judgement. Deep in thought, she rounded a corner and bumped straight into Bardon, coming the other way at speed. Without breaking step, he hooked his arm in hers, swung her around and whispered. ‘To the North Terrace. We have little time.’ She struggled to match his long strides, but kept pace for the sake of his urgency.
She went to speak. ‘Where have you—?’
‘Not here.’ He increased the pace. ‘Wait until we’re alone.’
The sun had yet to reach the North Terrace, and as yet, people had stayed away. Elodi shivered in the citadel's shadow. ‘Here, wear this.’ Bardon removed his cloak and placed it around her shoulders.
‘Thank you, it’s’ — she looked at his clothes — ‘have you been up all night?’
He nodded as they walked to the north wall. ‘I made the most of the commotion and paid a visit to the Hall of Scrolls.’
Elodi gasped. ‘Were you not worried? I thought the Golesh had breached the gate.’
‘Of course, but what could I have done to make any difference? I’m surprised you didn’t also make the most of the disruption.’
She leaned on the cold stone. ‘I was otherwise engaged. I had another visitor after you left. He had news of my father’s last moments.’
Bardon spun around. ‘Who?’
‘One of the Castellan’s men, an aide assigned to my father.’ She touched his arm. ‘You must be careful. On his last night, my father too visited the archives, and’ — her hands clenched — ‘it was no accident.’
‘Can you be sure?’
‘The Castellan’s man said there was no storm. He could not have fallen. But what did he read in the archives that sent him straight to the gate?’ Elodi glanced over her shoulder. ‘You act with caution.’
Bardon winced. ‘It may already be too late for caution. I suspect the Castellan’s men are looking for me.’
‘I’ve just come from a meeting with that odious man, and yes, he seems keen to know of your whereabouts.’
‘Meeting? All because of me? I apologize for creating an awkward situation.’
She waved her hand. ‘Not at all, I took the opportunity to question him about my father. But listen, this can wait, what of your evening?’
‘When the alarm sounded, the guard rushed to his post and left the old Master of the Scrolls and few young fellows in charge.’ Bardon turned to face the citadel. ‘Did you know the Master has to be blind?’
‘That doesn’t surprise me.’
Bardon sighed. ‘I’m afraid I abused my position and brow-beat one of the boys to give me access to that locked room.’
‘They left the key with a boy?’
‘They had no choice. Apparently, the Archon has it in his possession day and night, but in the event of an imminent attack, his chief aide brings the key to the hall. The aide would prepare the most valuable, and as I suspect, sensitive archives for an evacuation. Should the horn have sounded the signal for a withdrawal, the scrolls would have gone to the Menon Gate and transported up country, but to where I can’t be certain.’ He laughed. ‘To my good fortune the Master took ill. Must have been the shock of the alarm.’
Elodi’s hands clenched. ‘What did you find?’
‘More than I could have hoped, and not where I’d have thought to find it. First, there’s little in the manner of scrolls kept behind lock and key. Everything up to the last dozen years before the closing of the gate, and then for several decades after, are kept in the public area. But as for the fifty or so years in between’ — he frowned — ‘there appears to be little written history.’
‘Ah yes, in Harlyn we refer to that time as the Lost Years.’ Elodi fastened Bardon’s cloak around her neck. ‘My father said they lost much during the war, then later as the Archon recovered and the land suffered. We lost our way, our leadership, and of course, we’d lost countless thousands in the struggle in our realm alone.’
‘And the same appears to be true with the archives.’ Bardon nodded. ‘Yes, I’m familiar with the term, but in Broon we call it the Age of Shadows.’ He cocked his head. ‘Have to say I prefer our name. More dramatic, don’t you think?’
Elodi smiled. ‘Maybe, but ours is a more accurate description.’
‘I’ll grant you that. But regardless of what we call it, I did not think it was as far-reaching. But with so little to show for nigh on fifty years, I must have been wrong.’ He held up his finger. ‘However, in a way it made my task easier. It took only an hour to check the few scrolls in the locked room. But one caught my eye, written many years before the gate was closed.’
Elodi could barely contain herself. ‘So why would they keep them under lock and key when all other records of that time are available?’
Bardon snapped his fingers. ‘Exactly! And it made for an interesting read, leading me to believe we’re right in suspecting there’s more to the aimless masses beyond the mountains.’ He drew Elodi closer. ‘From what I can make out, they had a leader, and a powerful one. But what came as a shock is—’
‘Lord Broon.’ They turned. A young Palace Guard strode across the terrace and came to an abrupt halt. He saluted. ‘Lord Broon, the Archon requests your attendance.’
Bardon winked at Elodi. ‘The Archon, no less?’ He turned to the young man. ‘Requests? I take it I have a choice?’
The young man stammered. ‘Err, no, Lord. I believe the Archon is keen to see you this minute, sir… Lord.’
Bardon smiled. ‘I understand, in fact, I would’ — he glanced to Elodi — ‘we would both be very keen to see the Archon. Please lead the way.’
19. the Archon’s Last Stand
‘I see Broon and Harlyn are, as usual, thick as thieves.’ Elodi felt the stone floor vibrate as the Archon spoke. He leveled his gaze and raised what would have been an eyebrow had he had a single hair on his head. ‘Just like the old days before the building of the gate, eh.’ Elodi fought to recover her breath from the steep climb up the spiral steps to the Archon’s private quarters at the top of the citadel’s highest tower. The man stood as straight as a watchtower a few paces from them, dressed in a robe with creases as sharp as his features. Elodi tried not to stare but could not tear her eyes from the markings on his skull. She had not been mistaken at the gate; th
ey did in fact glow in the sunshine pouring through the narrow doorway behind him.
The Archon relaxed and almost managed a smile. ‘I rarely allow entry, but these are unusual times which call for unusual deeds and, unfortunately, I cannot guarantee whose ears may overhear our conversation anywhere but here.’ He fixed his eyes on Elodi; she wondered if her words with the Castellan had already reached his ears. The Archon’s voice rose. ‘Lady Harlyn, I trust you slept well last night despite the rash act of those brutes?’
Elodi nodded. ‘Yes, thank you, Archon, it is a fine room worthy of a palace.’
‘I am pleased to hear it.’ The Archon stepped aside and held out a hand to the narrow door leading outside. ‘Please, be my guests. We can spare a few moments before the formal part of our meeting.’ Elodi stiffened. The Archon read her mind. ‘It’s quite safe, if a little daunting at first, but I think you’ll find the view will make it worth conquering your fears.’ He smiled. ‘Ah yes. Perhaps, keep your eyes closed for a moment. Think of it as a test of your trust in me while I lead you to the north side of my tower.’
Elodi’s pulse hammered in her ears as the sunlight turned her eyelids red she shuffled out through the doorway. She slid the back of her hand along the smooth wall to her left as she followed the Archon’s voice. ‘You may open your eyes now.’
Elodi blinked, unable to see anything apart from the wooden boards beneath her feet. Bardon drew a sharp and slipped his arm through hers. ‘Just a precaution.’ She raised her head and grasped the rail. A bird swerved, surprised by their sudden appearance in her domain. But Elodi forgot her fear as her eyes were drawn to the sky. So much sky. Like a vast, blue dome it spanned the world, protecting the Five Realms from the unknown above its roof. A few wispy clouds speckled the otherwise pristine ceiling. At the top of the tower, the Archon’s banner played a drumroll as its three fingers snapped at the thin air. Beneath the dome, the green canopy of the mighty Foranfae Forest stretched out to the horizon, vying to draw her attention from the sky.