Remembered (33 page)

They spent the following two hours, or so, sparring with
each other slowly and carefully while Markum looked on, giving his usual
instructions.

“All right,” he called out. “I think that’s enough for now,
but I wanted to bring your attention to something else. Notice the ornaments on
top of the hilts. These are called pommels. They are counter weights. More
advanced fighters can use a pommel as a weapon. Believe me, you don’t want to
get smacked in the face with the handle of a—”

Tol suddenly appeared at the backdoor. “Annie, Markum,
Everyone, come in the house now!” he yelled.

Markum and Annie shot a worried glance at one another and
ran towards the house. Max, Cora, and Zifini followed close behind.

Annie tried to come up with reasons why Tol was home so
early and why he seemed so distraught, but only one thing came to mind. Sara
stood at the kitchen sink, wiping her eyes. Annie knew the answer immediately.
“Kellus,” she blurted out.

“What’s wrong? Markum demanded. “Why are you home from the
shop?”

Tol leaned against the counter and folded his arms over his
chest, looking around his family anxiously.

“What’s the matter?” Zifini pushed.

Tol swallowed. “Kellus has been arrested,” he announced to
the room.

“What?” Max asked.

Markum and Zifini gasped.

A small whimper escaped from Annie.

“Kellus was arrested this morning for murder,” Tol said
solemnly. He took a deep breath then pushed air slowly from pursed lips.

Annie felt her head spin and realized she was falling
backwards. Someone grabbed her arm. “Get her into a chair,” she heard Tol
holler.

Zifini maneuvered her into a seat, and Cora handed her a
glass of water.

“Kellus killed Lionel,” Markum muttered to himself. It was
the most obvious conclusion.

“No, Markum,” Tol replied. “He was arrested for the murder
of the apprentice Loc.”

Gasps erupted around the kitchen.

This had to be wrong, it made no sense. Annie knew that
Kellus strongly disliked Loc, but not enough to kill him. What could Loc have
done to deserve this?

Tol continued. “Loc was found dead on the floor of Kellus’s
room this morning. His throat was cut, and Kellus’s bloody dagger lay beside
the body.”

“Where was Kellus when Loc’s body was discovered?” Cora
asked.

“He was in the room, in bed, sleeping off drunkenness,” Tol
answered. “Two peacemen broke down his door. They had reason to suspect foul
play. They pulled Kellus from bed and forced his head into a basin of water
until he was fully awake and sober. Kellus claims he has no memory of what
happened in his room last night.”

“When will he be given a trial?” Max asked.

“When Nordorum returns to the Citadom,” Tol answered. “It
seems that Nordorum left on Saturday. The other peacemen cannot schedule a
trial without his consent.”

“How did you hear about this?” Zifini asked.

“Danus and Borm came to the shop to tell me, not two hours
ago. They’re concerned for Kellus. They believe he’s innocent,” Tol said.

“Why?” Annie asked, having found her voice.

“There are a few disturbing details, things that seem
suspicious,” Tol answered. “Danus told me that Kellus was in a great mood
yesterday, full of joy, happier than Danus had seen him in almost a year. He
even joked and laughed with the other apprentices, something that he hasn’t
done in many months. Danus questioned his change in mood. He said that Kellus
just smiled and told him that life was good again. But when Danus and Borm
accompanied Kellus to the dining room that evening, his mood changed
instantly.”

“What happened in the dining room,” Sara asked.

“Kellus stopped walking and stiffened suddenly. He began
glaring at Lionel. Danus told me that Kellus’s hands began to shake, and his
look was one of rage,” Tol continued. “Danus asked him if he was okay. He said
that Kellus stared straight at Lionel. He appeared not to have heard Danus. And
then he took a deep breath and walked forward to the apprentice table.”

“Shit!” Markum blurted out.

“What else, Tol?” Sara questioned breathlessly. The hand
that held the handkerchief to her face shook violently.

“Seemingly, Lionel called Kellus over. Danus claims he knew
something was wrong immediately. Kellus was having trouble remaining calm. His
nostrils were flared, and his hands were balled into fists as he approached
Lionel,” Tol explained. “Lionel stood from his table and walked to the wall, to
where he and Kellus could not be overheard. Even though they spoke in whispers,
it looked like Lionel was taunting Kellus, and Kellus’s expression was
murderous. Danus felt sure the confrontation would not end without violence.”

Annie felt her stomach turn. She knew right away that they
had made the wrong decision, that they should never have sent Kellus back
there.

“Kellus’s face was white when he returned to the apprentice
table,” Tol said. “Danus asked him what happened, but Kellus refused to answer.”

Annie stood up and walked to the counter to get a tissue.
Tol’s eyes followed her the whole way. “Are you alright?” he asked. Annie shook
her head and sat back down. She looked at Tol blankly, waiting for him to
continue.

“Where does Loc come into this?” Max asked.

“I’m getting to that part,” Tol said. “According to Danus,
Kellus picked up a glass of wine and drank it back in one mouthful. Loc offered
to bring him another—it was apparent to everyone present that Kellus was deeply
troubled. When Loc returned with another glass, Kellus drank that back in one
mouthful also. Not five minutes later, Kellus was drunk…very drunk. Danus was
sure that the second glass had been drugged as he’d seen Kellus drink lots more
wine than that, at times, and remain sober. Danus was concerned and offered to
walk Kellus to his room, but Kellus refused his help.”

“Are we to believe that Loc drugged Kellus?” Markum asked.
“Why would he do that?”

“He may have been following orders, unaware that it would
end in his own death,” Tol suggested. “Loc may have been told that Kellus was
being sedated. Kellus’s emotional instability has been no secret in the Citadom
for the past months.”

“There’s something you’re not telling us, Tol,” Annie
accused, listening to a gut feeling.

Tol took a deep breath and looked her right in the eye. He
spoke softly. “Danus visited Kellus in his cell not long after he was arrested.
Kellus told Danus that he would never leave the Citadom alive; that he would be
killed before Lionel allowed a trial.”

This was instantly obvious to everyone.

“NO!” Markum yelled. He punched the wall with such forced
that the vibration caused a stack of dishes to fall to the floor, smashing into
pieces.

“Nordorum will not allow it,” Max said. He walked over to
Annie and hugged her around the shoulders. “Nordorum will help Kellus. He would
not allow the murder of an innocent man.”

“An innocent man has already been murdered, Max!” Markum
yelled. “Surely, that fool Loc committed no crime. He was much to bound by
rules.”

“But Nordorum—”

“IS NOT THERE!” Markum roared, finishing the sentence.

“Try to remain calm, Markum,” Tol pleaded. “Hysteria will
not help your brother.”

Markum gasped for air and nodded.

“I regret to tell you all this, but there’s more,” Tol said
in a quiet voice. “Nordorum’s leave is suspicious.”

“What do you mean?” Cora asked.

“When Nordorum leaves the Citadom for more than a few hours,
he makes known his whereabouts. It is his duty to be reachable at all times,”
Tol stated. “Danus overheard several of the peacemen express suspicion that no
one was left word. Lionel was asked by more than one peaceman when Nordorum
would return, but he answered that he knew nothing.”

“Lionel killed Nordorum,” Markum said with conviction.

“Let’s not jump to our own conclusions,” Tol replied.

“But why would Nordorum leave without telling anyone? Why
now, when Lionel is so close to being brought to justice? It seems like a
mighty coincidence,” Markum argued.

“What reason would Lionel have to kill Nordorum, though? Tol
questioned.

“Lionel knew that Kellus could bear witness against him,”
Markum suggested. “He killed Loc and framed Kellus for the murder.”

“And if that were true, how would murdering Nordorum stop
Kellus from bearing witness?” Sara asked.

“Kellus sits in a cell waiting the return of Nordorum to
receive a trial, but Nordorum will not return. This leaves Kellus to rot in
prison until Lionel thinks enough time has passed that no one will grow
suspicious if Kellus meets an untimely death. Kellus knows this. This is what
he warned Danus about.”

“No!” Annie screamed.

“Calm down, Annie,” Max murmured, still holding her around
her shoulders. The others looked on for some time as she tried to compose
herself with Max’s help.

“I apologize, Annie. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Markum
said quietly.

“But you’re right,” she answered. She felt desperate tears
well up in her yes. She knew Kellus was right also. Lionel would never risk
Kellus being brought to trial.

“As I was saying, I don’t believe that Lionel killed
Nordorum because he had no reason to. It’s not as if Lionel knew that Annie was
back before Kellus returned to the Citadom yesterday,” Tol continued. “He would
have had to kill Nordorum on Saturday, the last time anyone has seen the
Master. Why would he kill him then? The only people that know of Annie’s return
are us here and Kellus. How could Lionel have found out?”

“Us here, Kellus, and Mr. and Mrs. Wellum,” Annie
interjected. She knew immediately that this was very bad. How could she have
been so foolish?

“Who?” Tol asked.

“My old neighbors…Mr. and Mrs. Wellum,” Annie answered.

Tol closed his eyes and leaned back against the counter.
“Please tell me that you are not referring to the Mr. Wellum that has a fish
stall at the market. Please tell me you don’t mean that gossiping old fool.”

“That’s the same Mr. Wellum,” Annie said in a hushed voice.
She looked down at her hands. She had made a major mistake.

Tol threw his head back. His hands started shaking. He
breathed deep, trying hard to calm himself. “Why?” he yelled through clenched
teeth. “Why does he know that you’re back, Annie?”

“I didn’t know where to find Max and Cora. I hoped that he
could give me information, which he did,” she cried.

Tol banged the counter. “Why would you have needed that
information? Was it not obvious to you that Kellus would never abandon the
twins? Did you not trust his character?”

Annie buried her face in her hands.

“We can safely assume that Markum is right, then. Lionel did
know you were back before Kellus returned there,” Tol continued.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Annie cried in her own defense.
“I knew nothing at the time.”

Tol ran his hands through his hair. “Forgive me,” he said
sincerely, pleadingly. “I had no right to talk to you that way. I know what an
ordeal you’ve been through.”

Markum walked quickly over to the wall where he had set his
sword when he entered the kitchen. He began tying a scabbard to his waist.

“What are you doing?” Tol asked in a harsh tone.

“I’m going to get my brother from that fucking place. I
intend to use force if necessary,” Markum answered.

“Sit down,” Tol ordered.

“No,” Markum replied sharply, glaring at his father. “You
sent Kellus back there. He didn’t want to go, but you convinced him that it was
the right thing to do. Why should I listen to you?”

“Sit down!” Sara’s yell echoed around the room.

“Mother, he will kill Kellus. Your son will not come home
again, I’m sure of it.” Markum yelled back.

“Please, Markum,” Tol begged. “The news that old Mr. Wellum
knew of Annie’s return changes everything. This isn’t just about Kellus
anymore. Every one of us is at risk now. Kellus may be safer than the rest of
us, for now, at least.”

“What should we do?” Max asked.

“I need time to think,” Tol answered. “And I’m forbidding
any of you from leaving this house. We must assume that Lionel is aware that we
all know the truth. He may plan to have us attacked here.”

Annie stood up and walked towards the door leading to the
living room.

“Where are you going?” Cora called after her.

“To my bedroom. I can’t stand another minute of this. I’m
going to lie down,” Annie called back. She walked up the stairs, threw herself
onto her bed and pulled a pillow over her head. “Kellus!” she cried out. Her
Kellus sat in a prison cell waiting to be executed. He had committed no crime,
but he would die regardless.

It was useless. There was no refuge from the torment, no
hiding from the inevitable.

An hour later, she made her way back downstairs, suddenly
needing the company of others.

Tol, Markum, and Max were still seated at the table. They
were deep in conversation, heads close together. All three looked at her when
she entered the room.

“How are you, young lady?” Tol asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I want him back,” she sobbed.

“I’m going to get him back for you…for us,” Markum said.
“You have my word on that.”

“He speaks the truth,” Tol assured her. He looked resigned,
but the pain in his eyes was evident. “I hate the idea of sending another son
into that place, but Markum is right, it’s the only way.”

“You’re going to the Citadom to get Kellus?” she asked.

“Yes,” Markum answered. “We’re convinced now that Nordorum
will not return. Kellus will have no other help.”

“When?” she questioned.

“The sooner, the better,” Tol answered. “We hope to recruit
the help of Danus and Borm. If they could simply let Markum into the Citadom in
the middle of the night, it would cut the risk in half. I hate to think of him
having to break in, if it’s even possible.”