Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron) (19 page)

“Why have you never told me this before, father?”

“It was in the past and it was a painful memory I did not wish to relive.  I only tell you now so you will have a little better understanding of why the Axethane has come to you.  It is a great honor you are being offered, my son.  Think not lightly on the matter.”

“My half-brother, what was his name?”  Gant asked softly.

“I named him Grant after his great grandsire.”

“So I am named after him.”

“No, you were named in memory of him, but it would have been wrong of me to try to make you someone you were not.  You are your own man, and I couldn’t be more proud of who you are.”

“Thank you, father.  I will consider all you have told me.”

“That is all I ask.  Get a little rest.  I will return for your answer an hour before dawn.”  Ralk left the room and quietly shut the door.  He knew the pain his son was feeling.  He had lost his whole family in a matter of a couple of days.

Ralk
also knew that this was not the time to grieve.  There would be plenty of time for that when the war was over.  Now was the time for avenging those who were lost.  As he walked down the corridor leading to the dining hall, he saw Kale’s wife walking toward him.

She stopped in front of Ralk and bowed her head.
  “Axethane, could I speak with you?”  She asked quietly.

“Of course, Kara, isn’t it?  What may I do for you?”  Ralk inquired, pushing everything out of his mind.

“Yes, Axethane.  I was wondering if you would speak to Kale.  Maybe you could make him understand.”

Ralk looked at Kara with a puzzled expression.
  “Understand what, lass?”

“Well, Kale has always been best friends with Axethane Bran and, well, I think he is afraid of being friends with him now,” Kara tried to explain.

Ralk nodded in understanding.  “I think I know what you are asking.  He feels awed by the fact that Bran is Axethane and doesn’t think familiarity is respectful.  It is not uncommon.”  Ralk turned Kara around and wrapped a fatherly arm around her shoulders as he led her back to the dining hall.  “I’ll see what I can do, lass.”

“Thank you, Axethane.  They have been best friends their whole lives.  I can see what this has done to Kale.  I imagine Axethane Bran is feeling the same sadness.”

“I can assure you he is.  Just because we are Axethane does not change how we feel about our friends.  Leaders often suffer the loneliness of isolation, revered leaders even more so because everyone tries to always be respectful and places them on a pedestal of awe and reverence that is beyond the reach of friendship,” Ralk explained.

“Is Captain Gant going to be alright?”  Kara asked after a few moments of silence.

“Aye, he will be fine, in time.  His grief will fade as will all of ours, eventually.”

“So he was not injured, then
?”

Ralk tapped his chest with his palm.
  “Only in here, lass.”

Kara nodded in understanding.  Everyone knew Captain Gant had
recently lost his young son, Hine.  Placing a protective hand on her stomach, she knew how he must feel.  It nearly brought her to tears.  “No one should have to bury a child,” Kara replied gently.

“You are right, lass.  It is the cruelest task this life can
hand out.”

Chapter Seventeen

Michael glanced around the camp.  The brightly colored tents were muted in the darkness.  A lot of activity revolved around the center of the camp. The elves in the immediate area relaxed their guard when they saw who it was that had suddenly popped into their compound.  Micah was already striding forward, heading for the group of elves, with Colonel Bastise a half-step behind him.

The Colonel’s massive frame completely occluded Micah from Michael’s view as they walked off.  Michael was once again impressed with Colonel Bastise’s size.  He was almost as wide in the shoulders as Branik
, but he was a full head taller, making Bastise appear much larger.

Michael glanced over his shoulder at Branik. “I wonder who would win in an arm wrestling match
,” Michael thought.  He shrugged and started toward the center as well, Branik and Reek right behind him.

The elves parted fluidly as Micah walked among them.  When he reached the group of people in the middle of the ring,
Micah saw Joshua and smiled.  His gaze took in Mael and the white haired man on the opposite side of his nephew.

Unexpectedly,
Micah's nostrils caught the distinct scent of Were.  He looked again at the white haired man.  Yes, it was him.  The man appeared calm and unconcerned about his surroundings.  For a Were, trapped within a ring of elves, he did not display the sense of loathing and fear that such circumstances would merit.

Micah shook his head and laughed.
  “Well Joshua, it seems your penchant for dramatic entrances even extends to other worlds.”

Hearing the familiar voice of his uncle, Joshua straightened and turned in the direction of his voice.
  “A man must remain true to himself if he is not to be labeled a hypocrite,” Joshua bantered.  “In all honesty, I cannot claim the credit.  Wizard Mael and Rein have upstaged me this time.”

Micah turned his eyes from his nephew to Mael.
  “I thank you, Wizard Mael, for freeing Joshua.”

“Your thanks are not necessary.  This makes us even.  My debt to you is paid,” Mael said curtly.

“So it would seem,” Micah replied, the smile leaving his face.  Micah turned to the white haired man and bowed slightly.  “It is my pleasure to meet someone from the house of Felinius once again.”

Rein smiled as he heard the gasps of shock coming from the surrounding elves.  Their silence was broken by the buzz of whispered
murmuring moving through their ranks.

Ataum, at hearing the name
, stepped forward.  “Is this true?  Are you of the House of Felinius?”  Ataum asked in surprise.

Rein turned to the tall blonde elf and bowed low with courtly grace.
  “It is true.  I am Prince Rein, and I am at your service.”

The murmuring among the elves grew more excited.  The House of Felinius was one of the clans of
High Caste Weres that fought alongside the elves in the Race War.

Joshua
stood stunned and gaping at discovering Rein to be a prince.

“Close your mouth Joshua, you look like an awestruck tourist,” Micah commented smiling.

Alissa stepped up beside Ataum and bowed to Rein.

Ataum turned to see his wife and looked once again at Rein.
  “Prince Rein, this is my wife, Alissa, and I am Ataum, Captain of the Forest Guard.”

“Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Princess Alissa,” Rein said bowing to Alissa.  “And you also
, Prince Ataum.  I had not expected to meet members of the Royal House here.”

“We are in exile.  All of us,” Ataum explained with sadness tinting his voice.

“I was informed that the elves had split over the war.  I was, however, unaware of the particulars.  I am glad to see that at least a few of the Royal House still have some common sense.  I had no doubt the Forest guard would be here,” Rein said bowing again to the crowd in general.

Smiles lit up elven faces at hearing Rein’s words and seeing how he treated their Prince and Princess.  The Royal House of the
High Caste Weres was greatly respected among the elves for their valiant efforts in the Race Wars.

“Prince Rein, I believe Wizard Merric would be grateful if you would me
et with him.  Word of what the High Caste’s plans are for this war would be of great interest to him, and to me, for that matter.  If you would accompany me to Kantwell…”  Micah interjected before further pleasantries could be exchanged.

“Of co
urse, Lord Micah,” Rein answered.

Micah lead Joshua and Rein toward where Michael
, Reek, Branik and Colonel Bastise waited a few feet away.  He noticed that Mael followed as well.  Micah turned to Mael as if in afterthought.  “Is there something I can do for you, Wizard Mael?”  Micah asked.

“It seems I am without a home at the present.  Perhaps you could speak with Wizard Merric about the possibility of temporary accommodations for me,” Mael replied smoothly.

“If you would kindly wait here, I will inquire with Merric on your behalf,” Micah replied just as smoothly.

Damn the man. Mael thought to himself.  He is making this another favor so I will owe him once again.  Mael bowed to Micah, keeping his face expressionless.
  “I would greatly appreciate that.”

Micah chuckled.
  “I doubt that, but I will inquire nonetheless.”  Turning to Michael, Micah said, “Please take us back to Kantwell, Michael.”

Michael tore his eyes from Mael and nodding, spoke the words of transport.  He heard Joshua groan and felt sympathy for him.

They reappe
ared in Kantwell’s Great Hall.

Micah grasped Joshua’s arm as he bent forward clutching his stomach.
  “Breathe easy, Joshua.  It will pass quickly,” Micah informed him.

Michael and Colonel Bastise both looked at Joshua knowingly.  They were both new enough at teleporting to feel for him.

Joshua was prepared this time and was able to keep from throwing up, though his stomach still did a few somersaults.  He breathed the way Rein had instructed him, and the nausea passed much more quickly than it did the first time.  As he straightened up, Joshua noticed the statue in the center of the hall.  Being an artist, he recognized the talent behind the sculpture and was awed by it.

“Your mouth is open again.  Honestly boy, you are going to catch no end of flies if you keep this up,” Micah informed him with a chuckle.

Joshua turned to him with a huge smile on his face.  “I am really here, aren’t I?  It is still so hard to believe.”

“You are truly here.  Welcome to Thelona and the seat of the free wizards.”
  Micah looked at Reek.  “Would you go and locate Merric, please?”

Reek nodded his ascent and bolted for
the stairs.

Joshua watched the man run off in amazement.
  “He is Avari?”

“Aye
, and so is Avar Branik.”

Joshua looked Branik up and down and whistled softly.
  “They grow them big on this world,” Joshua stated.

Micah motioned for Branik to step forward.
  “Joshua, this is Avar Branik.  Avar Branik, this is my nephew, Joshua.”

Branik bowed to Joshua.
  “I also extend welcome to you, Joshua.  Lord Micah has mentioned you many times.”

Joshua was
still a little taken aback hearing his uncle addressed by title.  He knew Micah held such a title, but it was quite different hearing someone address him so.  It suddenly hit Joshua with staggering clarity just how old and powerful his uncle was.  He'd known all his life, of course, but the reality of that revelation was mind numbing.  He now saw his uncle in an entirely different light.

Here
, Micah was not just a rich eccentric uncle that had taken in an orphan.  Here, he was a mighty warrior whose mere presence evoked respect, if not fear, in all those around him.  On this world, Micah did not hide his age or his ability.  All on this world knew his name and knew he commanded the greatest warriors ever seen.

“
I am honored to meet one of the legendary Avari,” Joshua said bowing as well.

“Micah, my friend, I think Joshua is star struck,” Bastise laughed.

“Aye.  To hear stories of this world is entirely different than seeing it firsthand.  And I seem to recall a certain amount of awe on your face not so long ago,” Micah said with a knowing smirk.

“I
was merely recovering from the sickness of how you people get around on this world,” Bastise replied with mock indignation.

“Forgive me, Colonel.  I must have been mistaken,” Micah said drolly.

Joshua and Michael both laughed at hearing the banter between Micah and Bastise.  Seeing his uncle act this way allowed Joshua to rein in his mind so he was not so overwhelmed with awe.

He looked back up at the statue.
  “This is a wondrous piece.  Who carved it?”

As Joshua finished his question, two men suddenly
materialized before him.  He recognized the other Avari, therefore, the man with him had to be Merric.  Joshua also recognized Merric from descriptions Micah had given him over the years.

“I believe I will allow Headmaster Merric to answer that question
, but I am afraid you will have to wait for that answer.  We have pressing business at the moment.  Reek, Branik, would you please escort my nephew to the dining hall and see if any food can be found?  I am sure he must be hungry after his confinement.  We will come find you when we are finished,” Micah said as he squeezed Joshua’s shoulder gently in affection.

“Aye, Lord Micah,” Branik replied.
  Branik turned and gestured for Joshua to follow him.  The three walked around the statue and through the archway in the opposite side of the hall.

Joshua
's gaze lingered on the statue until he was passed it.

Merric had noticed the white haired man immediately.  Seeing him standing there in nothing but a loin cloth made Merric pretty sure he was looking at a Were.  They tended to be the only ones that dressed that
minimally or in nothing at all.  Such attire was bred from necessity, of course.  When Weres changed form, any clothing worn tended to be destroyed.  Knowing Micah would never bring an enemy, unbound, into Kantwell caused Merric to wonder at the reason for this man’s presence.

Micah, seeing Merric scrutinizing Rein, introduced him.
  “Headmaster Merric, this is Prince Rein of the House of Felinius.  Prince Rein, this is Merric, Headmaster of Kantwell.”

Merric’s eyes widened at hearing the man’s lineage.  Merric bowed to Rein as Rein
returned the gesture.  “Welcome to Kantwell, Prince Rein.  It is an honor to again meet someone from the House of Felinius,” Merric said formally.

Rein bowed his head in acknowledgement.
  “Your reputation is well known to the Royal House, Headmaster.  It is I who am honored,” Rein replied with a smile.

Micah looked over and saw Colonel Bastise and Michael standing
off a bit by themselves, talking quietly.

“Michael, Colonel, please forgive me for not introducing you sooner.  I was preoccupied with
the safe return of my nephew and forgot my manners.”

Rein turned to the two men and inclined his head.

Michael and Colonel Bastise walked over to rejoin them.

“Prince Rein, this is Wizard Michael
.  Wizard Michael, this is Prince Rein.”

“Myrkron, actually,” Michael corrected Micah, bowing to Rein.

Rein’s facial expression, which had been passively genial, suddenly changed to awe, and he kneeled before Michael.

Michael was taken aback by the display and looked to Merric and Micah for answers.  Micah merely shrugged
, but Merric eyed Rein’s kneeling form more critically.

Colonel Bastise looked over at Michael with a puzzled expression.  This man, Rein
, was a prince.  He had bowed graciously to Micah and Wizard Merric but he kneels before Michael.  Colonel Bastise wondered what he'd missed.

“Please get up Prince Rein,” Michael
instructed him hesitantly.

Rein rose to his feet.

“You obviously know what I am.  My question is; how do you know?  Merric says there is no record of the Myrkron anywhere that he can find.”

“Wizard Merric is correct.  There is no written record of the Myrkron in Kantwell,” Rein informed him.
  “As to how I know, my family tells stories of a great magi with a golden sash that healed an ancestor of mine.  Without that magi’s aid, our line would have ended.  That magi called himself a Myrkron.”

“
Did this Myrkron give his name?”  Michael asked.

“He did indeed.  It is a name we have guarded and treasured throughout time,” Rein stated.

“Would you name him?”

“If you are truly Myrkron, I would prefer you told me,” Rein said,

Michael looked at Rein and nodded.  “His name was Mason, wasn’t it?”