Chronicles of Den'dra: A Land Torn: Ancient Powers Awaken (35 page)

“
That human boy is exceedingly perceptive. Emeck was it?”

“
Yes my lord. Have they reached the Draeld yet?”

“
More or less. I summoned you for a reason.” The elf King turned from the window.

“
My lord?”

“
The council has elected to remove me from power a century ahead of schedule. They feel that I was exceedingly foolish in releasing the Asgare. It would not have been as much of a problem if he hadn’t taken Skeln’den’hal but we knew that he needed it if he is to fulfill destiny.”

“
If they suspect you then I am soon to follow. Today a councilmen was asking exactly how it was possible that a mere human was able to disarm the ranger commander. He even suggested that perhaps I should seek retirement and allow a younger elf to take my place.” Essdra spoke the word retirement like it was the most insulting of curses.

“
High councilman Varric. He will try for my place but he doesn’t have the votes. Evenstar is more likely.”

“
What will you do now?”

“
I believe that I will go north. Perhaps find the Asgare again.”

“
Beyond the forest?” Essdra pondered the idea for a moment.

“
Indeed... You should remain here. You still have a long career. Varric can’t force you to retire. Only the rangers can make that vote.” The elf king turned back to the window again.

“
I have been their commander for the last eight centuries. Perhaps it is time for a change. The problem is that many of them will want to come with me.” Essdra had expected this conversation for some time and had prepared accordingly.

“
Retain their loyalty. I fear a time is coming when the elves must act but that the councils with be hesitant to do what must be done. If they will still listen to you when they are needed it could make a great deal of difference.”

“
Of course my lord. If you don’t mind my asking. How is it that you are still able to track the Asgare? No none of us were able to even sense him once he acquired the sword.”

“
Skeln’den’hal only hides them from the elves. It didn’t attempt to hide from another soul forged weapon.” The elf King left the window and sat down on his throne.

“
You used Forest Wing’s light bow?” Essdra was slightly perplexed.

“
That isn’t the only soul forged weapon the elves possess.” The elf King laughed with a twinkle in his eye.

“
But if the Asgare has one, Reigns has nine and we have the Light Bow then that is all eleven. Wind Claw cast his into the silent sea.” Essdra puzzled over the quandary that the elf King posed.

“
Storm Claw’s staff was left in his tomb not cast into the silent sea. It resides in Reign’s collection as one of his nine. The Ice Queen’s coronet however is a different story. It grants long sight to its wearer.” Essdra caught her breath as she focused on the thin gold crown woven through the elf King’s hair.

*****

Between his fits of delirium Illiad would have periods of relative lucidity. Em'risi refused to leave her father’s side and had been present for the last couple days without rest. The days before that had been nearly constant but for periods of rest. The black streaks that she had noticed in Illiad’s colors that spring had grown. It was now wrapping through and strangling all but the brightest of his erstwhile vibrant lights. She knew that his end was approaching and that there was nothing any physician could do to save the King. The illness had manifested itself physically only a couple weeks past but had progressed rapidly slacked by nothing.

Reigns had appeared a couple days after the fever had set in. To Em'risi’s observant eyes he had appeared uneasy before hurrying away. A couple days later he had returned with a physician and for some reason the chamberlain had mysteriously fallen out a window of the tallest tower. The new chamberlain hovered about nervously and refused to meet her gaze. She hadn’t expected that Reigns would appoint someone who didn’t have something to hide from her to care for her father. The new chamberlain’s lights and colors were dim and clouded much like the old chamberlain’s had been. Illiad’s clammy hand gave her a weak squeeze and she leaned down to place her ear near the drawn face.

“Do what Balinor asks.” The request was a whisper that Em'risi was barely able to decipher from his ragged breathing. One look at his lights showed that the light was for a moment more dominant than the darkness. A second later the black streaks contorted and the light was almost drowned out.

“
What did he say?” It irked Em'risi that Reigns had not the concern to limit his inquiries. Every time Illiad muttered something that the chancellor couldn’t make out he had demanded to know what had been said. The princess often wondered why he cared what the King’s final delirious words might be.

“
He said that he forgot to curry his favorite charger after riding him today.” Em'risi coolly looked the chancellor in the eye as she lied. He held the steady gaze for a second before glancing away.

“
That brute had been dead for years now.” Reigns muttered inconsiderately under his breath. Em'risi chose to ignore the comment. Dipping a cloth in a bowl of cool fragrant water she wiped her father’s brow. The only person she had ever loved lay dying before her and the man responsible was pacing behind her. It took all her self-control not to scream at the vile creature who seemed worried that the King might yet say something to upset his plans.

“
You should get some rest Em'risi.” The physician that had been in attendance for the last couple hours urged.

“
I won’t leave him. I can’t.” The princess ignored the hand placed on her shoulder as she watched the light struggling against the darkness that was consuming her father’s life force. Now only a feeble flicker that kept time with the heartbeat she could feel in the wrist she held. Silently she watched as the doomed battle for life grew closer to the inevitable end. The flicker grew dimmer yet until it was hardly discernable to her vision. Then the pulse of life began to decay from the pattern that had been the King’s for his entire life. The familiar pulse that had always illuminated his colors. Then it was gone. The heartbeat and the pulse of light. Without the life force to illuminate it even the darkness was gone. There was nothing in the clouded eyes that stared at the canopy over the bed. No reassuring glow could be seen. Nothing but the material part of her father remained. A familiar form ravaged by poison, disease and fever.

Bereft of the only person in her life that had ever seen her as something other than a princess. Em'risi sat in stunned silence for a few seconds hoping against hope that the light would again return. That what she knew to be true would prove to be false. A nightmare that she would awake from. When her hopes were dashed on the truth her senses were telling her a hot tear slid down her face. Her head felt like it would explode from the pressure of the unescaped tears. The desire to rail against the fates was overwhelming. She might have turned on the monster that had precipitated this calamity if only she had the strength to lift a finger.

“You really must get some rest. You can’t hope to be of any good to the King in your state my princess.” The physician again insisted.

“
You are right. Pardon me, I must get some rest.” Em'risi responded mechanically. Incredibly she had the strength to rise to her feet and make her way to the door. A servant had the good graces to open it for her and close it after she left. Her room was on the far side of the castle. Not feeling able to make it that distance she instead wandered towards a secluded alcove that she had frequented over the years for privacy.

Sitting on the stone bench and staring out over the green fields outside the city she sank into a numb haze. Her vision blurred and her heart felt like it would break in two but she was unable to express her grief more adequately. Time ceased to have meaning. The green fields were now a shade of shadow darker than the sky. The moons were both skimming the horizon casting long shadows from anything that blocked the light’s path. Em'risi was watching the slow chase of the moons and the shifting shadows when she heard movement behind her.

“Em'risi’?” She recognized Sir Balinor’s voice. Her father’s last words came back to her now along with her senses. She wanted to escape back into the mindless oblivion that had enveloped her only moments ago.

“
Is it time?” Em'risi rose to her feet and turned to the knight. She saw his face illuminated by the moon’s light even as hers fell into the shadows.

“
My lady, the King... He...” There was genuine pain on the knight’s face. Pain and concern.

“
Yes. My father is gone.” As Em'risi said the words it became real. The pain tore at her voice and turned the last syllable into a choke.

“
My Queen, I'm so sorry.” A deep silvery blue flash through Balinor’s lights. Em'risi was distracted for a moment as she thought such a beautiful color was poorly fitted for the sorrow she knew it to stand for. When the color subsided she realized what he had called her. It was something of a shock to hear it. The burden that the one simple word imparted slammed into her.

“
Sir Balinor, are we to leave now?” Em'risi’s thoughts emerged from the grief induced fog with painful clarity. Now as the ruling reagent Reigns would assume complete authority in her name. The atrocities that he would be sure to commit in that name would be laid at her feet. The people would have no justice. The people. They were all that mattered any more. The duty to the people. The only reason Em'risi had left to live was her responsibility to the people. As the Queen she was bound by that responsibility. Her father had abandoned the people to Reigns but she could not.

“
If we don’t get you to safety now then we may never be able. Reigns will not rest until you are under his complete control.” Sir Balinor sank to a knee and looked up into his queen’s face. “I failed to protect your father. He wanted me to protect you in his stead. I swear my life to your loyal service.”

“
Rise Sir Balinor. You haven’t failed my father yet. He chose his fate as punishment for his failings. Neither of us were able to dissuade him.”

“
My Queen, we must leave now. I took the liberty of packing a few of your things ahead of time.” Balinor stood and stepped to the entrance to the alcove. He was about to step out when Em'risi stopped him.

“
Not that way.” Em'risi and the knight stepped back into the shadows as a guard carrying a torch appeared in the hallway. After peering into the alcove from the doorway he moved on without seeing the two people pressed into the shadows. Em'risi watched as Balinor silently slid his blade back into its sheath a moment later.

“
The halls are filled with guards searching for me. This way.” Em'risi stepped to the far side of the alcove and pressed a small stone in the wall. A couple of the floorboards clicked and sprang up slightly. When Balinor lifted them he realized that they were a trap door leading to a set of spiraling stairs below. He led the way feeling for the next step in the pure darkness. Once Em'risi had pulled the door shut there was nothing in the way of light. The princess however was familiar with the passage and nimbly made her way down. The knight on the other hand was a little slower. At the bottom of the stair there was a short passage and a secret door that let into a servant’s hallway in the lower level of the keep. From there Balinor followed Em'risi out into the courtyard where they kept to the shadows.

“
Forgive me my Queen but I was unable to procure a proper carriage for you.” Balinor apologized under his breath as he followed Em'risi.

“
Nor would it have been wise to do so. Carriages move much slower than a single rider.” Em'risi paused at a door next to the stables.

“
If necessary we can ride double riding is too much for you.” Balinor offered.

“
Sir Knight, I am my father’s daughter. I have been riding for years. You should not worry about me.”

“
Forgive me my Queen. I did not know. If you would follow me I have a couple horses saddled near the gate.” Balinor was about to take the lead when Em'risi rapped on the door she was standing in front of. Balinor barely refrained from cursing under his breath at the noise. He tried to pull Em'risi away from the door but was stymied when she resisted. A moment later and sounds from within approached the door. The door opened revealing a young man half-dressed and bleary eyes squinting at the shadowy forms.

“
Princess Em'risi. You look terrible!” The young man blurted out as soon as he recognized his visitor.

“
Curb your tongue servant or I will cut it out.” Balinor had a dagger drawn in preparation for carrying out his threat when Em'risi stepped past the man into the gloomy interior of the room.

“
Sir Balinor that will not be necessary.” Em'risi held a candle to the coals in the fireplace and carefully coaxed it to life. When she had the candle lit she turned back to the confused young man.

“
Aleest, can you saddle Raos and Elmet please?” Em'risi turned back to the wall and lifted away a panel revealing a riding outfit. It wasn’t one you would expect to see a princess in but was more in keeping with a groom’s attire.