Mindbender (9 page)

“Very well,” Alexander said. “Phane must not learn the secret or the world will fall. I don’t fully understand the scope of his power and he may have ways of drawing the knowledge out of my mind without my awareness or consent, so I see the wisdom of your advice.

“Nevertheless, I’d like to make plans for the future. My childhood tutor and lifelong friend of the family is a master alchemist. How can I help him rise to the level of mage?”

Balthazar smiled and nodded his approval. “I can provide you with a series of experiments and formulas for him to work through. Each will push him to expand his understanding and develop his connection to the firmament. He will need a well-equipped workshop in order to proceed and the processes are complex, so I doubt it would do any good to teach you at the moment. Just know that the secret is here when you’re ready and that I commend your wisdom in allowing it to remain a secret for now.”

Four sovereigns nodded their agreement while Malachi shook his head in disbelief and contempt.

Alexander stood. “Thank you for your counsel.” He turned and strode into the darkness. When he opened his eyes, everyone else save Jataan and Chloe was asleep. The commander sat at the table watching him. Chloe flitted up to eye level when he opened his eyes.

She spoke in his mind. “You’re back, My Love. Did you find what you needed?”

He smiled at her and nodded. “I believe I did, at least for now,” he said to her without speaking.

“Jataan, you should get some rest,” Alexander said as he arranged his bedroll and lay down.

“Now that you are back and safe, I will,” Jataan said. “Lieutenant Wyatt reports that his quarters and meals are good. He will be ready to ride at dawn. I’ve taken the liberty of assigning a Ranger guard detail at the entrance of your tent for the night.”

“I doubt it’s necessary but I’ve come to value caution,” Alexander said as he closed his eyes.

Chloe curled up on his pillow a few inches from his face.

Chapter 7

When Alexander woke the next morning, Chloe was sitting cross-legged not six inches from his face watching him sleep. He smiled at her.

“Good morning, Little One,” he said to her without speaking.

“Good morning, My Love,” she replied. “There is much commotion in the camp.”

Alexander sat up and saw that Anatoly was asleep and breathing deeply, Lucky was just waking, Jack was already up and out of the tent, and both Jataan and Boaberous were outside as well.

Alexander rubbed the sleep from his eyes and pulled on his boots. Even though he’d slept well, he still felt tired. The past few days had offered little time for rest. When he strolled out of the tent into the early dawn, he saw his Rangers eating breakfast around a set of cook fires. Jack and Boaberous had joined them, but Jataan was standing just outside the tent with his hands clasped lightly behind his back.

“Good morning, Lord Reishi. The Rangers tell me they have breakfast ready if you’re hungry.”

“Have you eaten?” Alexander asked.

“Not yet,” Jataan said.

Alexander nodded and started for the cook fires. Jataan followed him like a shadow. Breakfast was oatmeal with nuts and honey. Alexander ate quickly and had the Rangers make up two more bowls for Lucky and Anatoly. Jataan frowned slightly when he saw Alexander head back to the tent with breakfast for his friends, but he didn’t argue.

Lucky was checking Anatoly’s bandages and smiled appreciatively when he saw the steaming bowl of oatmeal.

“How’re you feeling?” Alexander asked Anatoly.

Anatoly glared at Jataan and then looked at Alexander. “My wound is mostly healed but I’m still a little stiff. Mostly, I’m confused. Why is he here?” Anatoly asked, looking hard at Jataan.

Alexander sat down on the side of his bed and handed him the other bowl of oatmeal. He held up the softly glowing Sovereign Stone and shrugged. “It turns out the Reishi line is descended from the Ruathan line. When I picked up the Stone, it bonded to me—and Jataan switched sides.”

“That’s a bit hard to swallow,” Anatoly said suspiciously. “Are you sure we can trust him?”

Alexander shrugged. “As sure as I can be. His colors tell me I can and he helped fight off the Andalians. He seems pretty intent on protecting me.”

Anatoly didn’t look convinced.

“I understand your reluctance to trust me, Master Grace, as well as your understandable animosity toward me,” Jataan said. “However, I assure you that I serve Lord Reishi and no other. I have offered him my life in recompense for the crimes I committed against his family and that offer stands. He may order my death at any time and I will end my own life on his command without protest.”

“Huh,” Anatoly said. “I suppose I’d rather have you on our side than trying to kill us. But it may take some time for me to warm up to the idea.”

Jataan bowed. “Quite understandable,” he said as Boaberous Grudge entered the tent.

“Him, too?” Anatoly asked.

Alexander nodded. “Apparently, the whole Reishi Protectorate will come to serve me once they learn that I’ve bonded with the Sovereign Stone.”

“That could be useful,” Anatoly said around a mouthful of oatmeal.

Alexander spent the next half hour recounting what he’d learned through his clairvoyance and by visiting the Reishi Council, except the part about the keep on the southern island of Ithilian. He was concerned that Phane might have some means of listening in and he needed whatever information he might find in the keep too much to risk it.

Lucky and Anatoly were both happy and relieved to learn that Isabel and Abigail were alive and well. After breakfast they went out to find the Rangers tending a small herd of horses. Conner Ithilian strode up to Alexander.

“I have an honor guard of a hundred men waiting outside the encampment,” he said. “Your Rangers are preparing the horses my stable master has provided. We should be ready to ride within the hour.” He looked past Alexander to Anatoly. “How are you feeling, Master Grace? I trust my healer took good care of you?”

Anatoly stepped up and offered his hand. “I’m feeling much better, thank you. Your healer doesn’t require me to swallow noxious liquids,” he said with a grin and a sidelong glance at Lucky, who smiled gently at seeing his friend well enough to needle him about his potions. Anatoly’s injury had been severe. Lucky would never admit it, but he’d been worried that Anatoly might not survive.

***

The three-day ride to the capital city, also named Ithilian, was quick and uneventful. They rode hard each day. Since they were a large party numbering over a hundred riders and flying the banner of the House of Ithilian, no one interfered with them.

The countryside was rich and lush. Spring came early on Ithilian, so the crops were in full growth. Many of the vegetables were being picked and the orchards were heavy with fruit. The herds were fat and well tended.

Aside from the warmer climate, the place reminded Alexander very much of home. The people were industrious and behaved with a sense of responsibility for their lands. The soldiers in Conner’s honor guard were respectful toward the people and took care to avoid damaging crops, livestock, or land.

It was clear that the Old Law was understood and respected here. Alexander began to feel hope for building an alliance. He knew from experience that you could learn a lot about a people’s leaders by the way the people behaved. The citizens of Ithilian worked hard and took care of their own.

In the middle of the afternoon on the third day of travel, they crested a rise and got their first glimpse of the capital. It was a sprawling city spread out on the plains surrounding a rocky hill that rose a thousand feet high. The central hill overlooked the confluence of two large rivers that joined to continue their journey to the ocean several days’ travel away. Dozens of bridges spanning the rivers joined the three sections of the city together.

The palace rested on top of the central hill and was surrounded by steep forested slopes on all sides. It was made of white marble that glistened in the sunlight. Streamers fluttered in the breeze off the soaring spires atop the conical tower caps. It was every bit the castle that Alexander had always envisioned when his mother told him stories as a child. Unlike Ruatha, Ithilian had been a seat of power for over four thousand years. New Ruatha was an impressive city with its glittering plateau encrusted with buildings, but Ithilian presented a romanticized view of power that only served to heighten the authority of the king.

“I’ve always loved this view of the city,” Conner said.

“It’s beautiful,” Alexander replied quietly.

They rode on into the city itself. The main roads were well traveled and well maintained. The flagstones were heavy and fit together with exacting precision. Crowds of people parted with a nod of deference for Conner and his retinue. They paid little attention to Alexander and that suited him just fine. He had learned that battle and warfare was as much about information as it was about manpower or magic. The less the enemy knew of his whereabouts, the safer he was.

They followed the wide street through the center of town past shops and through marketplaces until they arrived at the base of the central hill. A low stone wall surrounded it with a road on the outside and forest on the inside. A break in the wall allowed access to the single road that wound up through the untamed forest to the palace on top.

It was almost a jarring transition to go from bustling city to the calm and peace of ancient trees and wild underbrush. When they emerged from the woods, they were greeted by a manicured garden that surrounded the sprawling white marble palace. Many of the flowers were in full bloom and displayed an explosion of colors that stood in stark contrast to the bright white of the palace’s outer wall.

As they rode through the open gatehouse, Alexander noted that the walls were easily forty feet thick. It was a military structure first and foremost despite the light and unthreatening façade it presented. Within was a small city with a smaller keep built on the highest point of the enclosed seat of government. All manner of structures filled the capital fortress and each was made from the same white marble. While they were all well maintained, it was clear that the place was ancient. Many of the structures had probably been constructed during the rule of Balthazar Reishi.

Conner led the way to a large stable where their horses were turned out into a lush green paddock. After a brief conversation with the stable master, Conner returned to Alexander and his friends.

“Your packs and gear will be taken to your quarters in the family keep,” Conner said. “I’m told my father is in council. If we hurry, you’ll have the opportunity to address the assembly.”

Alexander sighed as he thought to himself how useless nobles usually turned out to be, but there was no help for it. They would expect to be a part of the decision-making process if only to assuage their egos, and they were always more cooperative if their importance was acknowledged.

The honor guard was dismissed and Conner was left with his personal valet. He led Alexander and his friends through the streets until he came to a fork in the road. One branch led to the keep overlooking the entire valley, the other led to an impressive-looking building constructed on the next highest point on the hilltop. It was a round building about two hundred feet across with a domed top supported by a circle of pillars.

“Lord Reishi, my aid will show your people to your quarters,” Conner said. “We should go to the assembly hall so you can meet my father.”

“Jack, I’d like you to come with us,” Alexander said.

Jack nodded.

“I’d feel better if you had someone to watch your back,” Anatoly said. “No offense, Prince Conner, but we’ve had more than our share of threats and this is unfamiliar territory.”

“I concur with Master Grace,” Jataan said. “I will accompany you.”

“That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” Anatoly said.

Alexander smiled at the big man-at-arms as he put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be all right with Commander P’Tal. Take a look at our quarters and get some rest. You still look a bit worse for wear.”

Anatoly nodded with a frown. “We’ll be waiting for you.”

Alexander, Jataan, and Jack went with Conner to the assembly hall. The building became more impressive as they got closer. The pillars were easily seventy feet tall and ten feet in diameter. The entire place was built with polished marble. The outside wall was interspersed with tall windows that let in the light of day. Conner led them up the broad steps to the entrance and into a foyer. He strode across the marble floor to the double doors across from the entrance. On either side of the doors stood a guard in polished battle armor, each with a spear at his side. They opened the doors as Conner approached, but one dropped a spear across Alexander’s path as he attempted to follow Conner through the door.

“Weapons are not allowed in the assembly hall,” the guard said. “You’ll have to surrender your sword until your business is concluded.” His tone was respectful but unwavering.