Into The Ruins (45 page)

Rigo had to decide what he would reveal.  Giving up too much would weaken his position, yet these were the people most likely to help him and he might never have another chance.  If something didn’t put the Three Kingdoms at risk, then it might be to his advantage to be truthful.

“You walked into the trap that had been prepared for you?  You had been here the night before and engaged our Army, so had to be aware of our ability with magic.  Why would you do that?”

Once again a smile flashed across his face, this time one almost of embarrassment.  “Your magic is different than our own.  We had hoped to sneak into the village quietly, then make our way elsewhere where we might find someone to talk with.  We did not realize it was possible to block one’s magic in the manner you do.”

“You cannot block magic where you come from?”

“It can be done, but in a different way.”  Rigo wasn’t prepared to reveal that only a few wizards had that ability and nothing as effective as the symbols existed there.

“I’m not sure I believe your motives.  You attacked our Army, then claim you wanted to find someone to talk with.  If talk is what you wished, why did you not do so initially?”

Rigo explained that his ability with the language didn’t exist at that time and they found themselves unable to communicate.  While he was talking, the King whispered something in the Queen’s ear.  He also explained that they had not attacked the Army, but merely defended themselves, making every effort to see no one was harmed.

“After the altercation, why did you come back?  You could have gone back where you came from.  What brought you here in the first place?”

Rigo hadn’t decided how to respond to the Queen’s first question, but he’d learned enough to address the second safely.

“We came because of the Hoplani, the beasts you call the Chulls.”

“You are responsible for them?” the Queen asked aghast.

“Quite the contrary.  Our land is in grave danger from the beasts, and we set out seeking an answer to the creatures.  We needed to know where they came from and who was behind them.”

“And have you had any success? The creatures are a growing problem for Sedfair as well.”

“So I have learned since coming here, which more than anything suggests we could become allies.  We found where the creatures originate.  They are unnatural, and there is a vast factory deep in the Wastelands.  Unfortunately, like much of the Wastelands, magic fails to function properly in that region, and there is nothing we have discovered that will destroy the factory.”  Rigo explained how they decided it would be necessary to learn more, and had continued on in their explorations in hopes of finding answers.

The Queen noted that the Casters had long known that magic failed in the Wastelands, yet somehow Rigo and his friends had crossed despite that.  They had also been discovered in a small patch of land that somehow was immune to the effects of the Wastelands.

“An oasis,” Rigo agreed.  “There are many of them spread throughout the Wastelands, but often separated by vast distances.  My scholarly friend believes they are regions where the Wastelands are losing their grip upon the land.”

“You travel between these patches where magic works?” the Queen asked.

Rigo could see no reason to deny this.  He could sense the topic was making the two Casters in the back of the room uncomfortable, and since they already knew the truth of the matter, there was nothing to gain by pretending otherwise.

“That is so.  Once one knows where they are, it is possible to move between them by creating the portals.  I believe you call them
Doorways
.”

“And how do you locate them?” Queen Rosul asked.

“That is what makes it difficult.  They are often widely spaced in regions of hostile desert where magic fails.”

“Since you obviously know of them, why wouldn’t others be coming here the same way you did?” she asked.

Rigo decided.  “Some of them are separated by such a large expanse of the blocked desert, that making the
Doorway
is only possible when aided by a special talisman.  Without the talisman, the way is blocked, something that is not usual with
Doorways
.  Your Casters know of this.  They have explored deep into the desert visiting the places we used to get here.  They only stopped when they found they could not progress any farther.”

The Queen shot a glance at the two Casters.  “I did not know of this.  Our Casters have penetrated far into the Wastelands, not just to the one location where your friends were captured?  I was not told of this.”

“They stripped the information used to make their
Doorways
from the mind of our friend Orna, who died as a result of their probing,” Rigo said angrily.

“That was how the woman died?” Queen Rosul said not as surprised as she might have been given that Carif was involved.  She recalled having doubts about the story the day she’d raised the matter with the Saltique when she’d cornered her about the prisoners.  “I was told she died as a result of wounds she had acquired resisting capture.  The Reading didn’t have anything to do with her death.”  Even as she said this, Queen Rosul sensed she was about to learn otherwise.

“She was without injury when we were brought to this city,” Rigo said, his anger still showing.  “They came and dragged her out of the cell and we never saw her again.  Later, when I was interrogated by the woman named Carif, she let me know that they had tried to follow back to my homeland, only to find the way barred.”

“You said you crossed through because of a talisman.  The reports indicated you performed your magic without any aids.  That is very different than the approach common here.  Now you are telling me our observation was wrong?”

“Generally we create magic without the use of any outside object or without the symbols that are so common here.  This was a special case where an artifact was able to augment our magic, increase its effectiveness, and allow us to perform actions that were otherwise denied.”

“Do you still have this talisman?”

Rigo smiled.  “Would I reveal its existence if I did? No, the talisman that allowed us to come here was destroyed.  That was why we couldn’t go home.”

“Clearly you could build another?”

“No, we can’t.  It was created more than two thousand years ago, before the plagues caused the fall of civilization.  The means of doing so is long lost.  It is also why no one will follow.  There are no more.”

“The plagues,” the Queen said thoughtfully.  “You endured them as well.  That is something else I would like to discuss at a later time.”  Then she returned to the topic at hand.  “So you claim you are trapped here?”

“It seems so, unless you have the means to overcome the Wastelands and help us get home.  From what I have learned, I don’t believe that to be the case.”

“What is your hope then?”

“We hoped to make contact with those in power here.  I guess that is you.  We saw your Army fighting the Hoplani near the border, indicating you have a similar problem with the beasts.  There are alternate means of dealing with them we can help with.  Perhaps, since our magic is different, a way to overcome them entirely could be found.  Even if we never were able to go home, if a means could be found to destroy them, our goal would be accomplished.”

“You would help us?  After being locked away and after what happened to your friend?”

“It would depend on what we can learn about you,” Rigo replied honestly.  “If Sedfair is no threat to our homeland, then we would consider doing so.”

“What about the Baldari?” the Queen asked.

Rigo’s look conveyed his lack of understanding.  The Queen explained about the small race of fighters that periodically invaded the southern parts of Sedfair.  Rigo admitted having never encountered them.  The discussion lasted another glass before the Queen was satisfied.

“You have given me much to think about.  I apologize for what has been done to you, and will see to making you more comfortable soon.  I can do nothing about your friend who was killed.  I knew nothing about that.  I will question those responsible, but it cannot be undone.”

She turned toward her Advisors and Consort who had asked almost no questions during the long session.

“Do any of you have anything else?”

Lady Alani who had watched Rigo closely through most of the session spoke up.  “How old are you?” she asked.

Rigo thought it an odd question given the circumstances, but could see no harm in answering, so he told her.  The King asked several questions about the size of his homeland and the numbers of wizards, which Rigo sidestepped.  Certain things he wasn’t about to reveal even though he was relatively certain they had no way of getting home to the Three Kingdoms.

“You can’t believe she’ll help us,” Lorl protested loudly after Rigo was returned to the cell and he explained to them what had happened.  “We can’t trust any of them.  They’re just trying to get you to reveal what you’ve been holding back.  Don’t forget what they did to Orna.”

Rigo knew that was a possibility, but he didn’t believe it was really the case.  Emotions had been too strong, and the animosity between the Queen as the two Casters was real in his opinion.

Ash’urn was of a different opinion.  “Maybe we can play the two groups against one another.  We have to be careful what we reveal, but maybe we can gain some freedom, even if it turns out they are working together.  If we can just get those bands off of you two, they will have trouble cornering you a second time.  I suggest we play along, see what is the truth, and look for an opportunity.  It’s either that, or settle into these wonderful accommodations for the rest of our lives.” 

Rigo was inclined to agree with Ash’urn.  He wanted to believe the Queen.  She seemed sincere and interested in his tale.  Could he have been tricked?  He decided he’d have to see how matters developed to know for certain.

Queen Rosul smiled as she watched that outsider named Rigo being led out of the room by her guards and followed by the two women Casters.  Her smile was driven as much by what she thought she might have learned as by the obvious discomfort of one of Carif’s key people, who’d been placed in a situation she could not control.  Specialist Kimm was not one to keep her emotions hidden, and more than once Rosul had noted the woman’s discomfort with what was being discussed.  That made her all the more sure what the outsider had told her was true.  The other one, Suline she recalled, was supposedly the Caster who had captured the first two of the outsiders in the small village of Slipi.  It was interesting that she had been brought to Nals, and that she had showed no particular emotion regarding the material discussed.  She was either better at hiding her feelings, or she wasn’t as concerned with keeping matters secret.  It would be interesting to know which.

“Come,” she said simply, after everyone else had departed.  They wouldn’t discuss the meeting here.  That was better done in one of the special rooms that she was certain weren’t monitored.

The four of them walked silently out the small door at the rear of the large chamber in which they had held the meeting.  Each of them was reviewing the matters they had listened to, trying to decide where the truth might be, and what action should result from it.  They followed Rosul into the smaller, and more private room.  She nodded to her guards and closed the door.  No one would disturb them unnecessarily. 

“What do you think?” she asked, the question open and not directed at anyone in particular.

“He seems sincere,” Kalli volunteered.  “If they are indeed trapped here as he said, it would explain a lot.”

“He could be lying,” Kall warned.  “We don’t know much about them, and have no idea how skillful at deception they might be.”

“I don’t think so,” Alani said.  “Did you see his face when he talked of this Three Kingdoms?  There was a sense of loss there I don’t think could be faked easily.  I believe that whatever happened out there in the Wastelands, they have found themselves stranded here in Sedfair.”

“He wasn’t open to revealing much about his homeland,” Kall objected.  “If he wishes our help, you would think he would be more forthcoming.”

“Would you be?” Rosul asked softly.  “He doesn’t know us either, other than the treatment he has seen at the hands of Carif.  We could be probing to know about his home.  We could have the ability to make our way there and have been concealing it from him.  I would wager you would react very much as he has if you were in his place.”

“This might be a chance at what you have always wished for,” Kalli said.  “Another land.  Another people.  If they could be made allies, think of the possibilities.”

“He as much as offered to help with the Chulls,” Kall agreed.  “I wonder what he knows and how they deal with them where he comes from.”

“Don’t forget their magic,” Rosul said pointedly.  “They appear to be what we hoped our small group might become.  They wield their power without the usual trappings that our Casters require.  If he could be encouraged to share that ability with those we have hidden, think what it might mean.”

“What do you think Carif was up to, keeping this concealed from you?” Kalli asked.  “Does she suspect, do you think?”

“I believe I would have learned of it if she had,” Rosul replied.  “I believe she is up to her usual tricks.  Knowledge is power, and she hoped to learn what the outsiders knew and use it to the benefit of the Guild.  That they have traveled into the Wastelands and found the means to do so freely is disturbing.  That is something that might benefit our battle with the Baldari, yet she holds it private.  I cannot allow this to go unnoticed.”

“How do we proceed?” Kall asked.

“More interaction with the outsiders is required.  I want them moved.  They can be located in one of the special cottages held for visiting nobles.  There are none scheduled to visit here for a time, so they can be placed there, and Carif can guard the place without causing undue attention to be brought to bear.”

“You will allow her to continue to guard them?” Kalli objected.

“There is little choice,” Rosul reminded her.  “They are gifted, and the law specifically gives the Guild the responsibility for overseeing any such who are being detained.  While I think I believe the stranger can be trusted, it is only a feeling.  I cannot risk the security of Sedfair on a belief from a single encounter.  That means they will have to stay banded for now, and therefore are officially being detained.  That gives Carif a certain authority.”

“What would you have done with them once they have been relocated?” Alani asked.

“Interact with them.  Show them around.  Give them a chance to see Nals and who we are.  Engage them in conversation and comparison between here and where they came from.  Hopefully a better judgement of who they are can be formed.”

“Who will watch over them?” Kalls asked.

“If they are within the castle, my personal guard will be responsible, just like today.  Outside, and in the city, unfortunately, it will fall to the Guild to oversee them.” 

Rosul looked at her consort.  “Would you carry the message to the Guild that I expect the prisoners to be relocated today.  I don’t want to entrust that to a messenger and give them the opportunity to misunderstand my intentions.”

“As you wish,” Kall said.  “Are we done here?”

“For now,” Rosul said.  “Think on the meeting, and if any thoughts come to you, please share them with me immediately.”

Kall was the first out of the room, heading off as requested to speak with the Guild.  Kalli smiled, and hurried after him.  It was obvious that Alani was lingering and waiting for the others to depart.

Rosul walked over and deliberately shut the door giving them privacy.  “All right, Alani.  What is it?”

Briefly Alani looked unsure of herself, something Rosul had seldom seen in the woman.  Then she asked, “Do you know Lord Chaten?”

“I know the name,” Rosul replied.  “I don’t think I ever met him.  He’s a lesser noble, isn’t he?  Not one of the Hundred Families.”

Alani nodded.  “His family has never risen so high.  He lives down the coast about three days ride.”

“What about him?” Rosul asked.

“I met him and his brother a number of years ago,” Alani explained.  “His brother died some five years ago.  A very curious thing happened to him many years ago.”

“Don’t make me pry it out of you.”

Alani sighed.  “Okay, it’s probably nothing.  But, he had a son who disappeared without a trace one day.  The son wasn’t even ten years old.  No trace of him was ever found.  That was some twenty years ago.”

“Kidnappers?”

“No ransom was ever requested.  I became interested when I learned of the story, because Lord Chaten’s brother described abilities that his son was displaying that were very intriguing.  He was almost certainly one like Lyes.”

“Why is this important now if he disappeared so long ago?”

“Because Lord Chaten’s brother looked remarkably like this outsider.  Had you introduced me to him under different conditions I would have asked if he were a relative.  It’s that close.”

“You can’t think this Rigo is the missing son?  That’s why you asked about his age.”

“I don’t know.  It’s an interesting idea.  The son disappears.  This man looks remarkably like his father.  He has abilities with magic which the son was starting to display, and mysteriously can speak our language, which he claims he had no previous exposure to.  Might it not be interesting to have Lord Chaten come for a visit?”