The Beginnings Omnibus: Beginnings 1, 2, 3 & Legend of Ashenclaw novella (Realm of Ashenclaw Beginnings Saga) (38 page)

“I am good at one thing, half-elf,” Saeunn stated, eyeing the man with a grim, almost dangerous look, as she sat in a chair across from him.

“Aeldur,” he said.  “My name is Aeldur.”

“Aeldur,” she echoed, removing her gaze from his. “I am willing to send any and all who threaten our ideals and our freedom to meet face to face with whatever god or demon lord they align themselves. I promise to send my foes and any who would threaten us to meet their makers!””

Aeldur walked toward the door, impressed by her brutal honesty and undeniable courage. “I believe you,” he nodded, eyeing the sage who still sat quietly in his seat, hood drawn to bask his face in shadow. The sage made no indication as to his thoughts one way or the other, his attention focused on a leather-bound book.

“Let’s hope that you can take instructions well,” he said to Saeunn as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Stay close to home as the bells toll into the morn…for we will send word.”

 Saeunn leapt from her chair and stood, leveling a gaze upon Aeldur that seemed to convey an almost childlike excitement. The half-elf could not help but stare at this exotic woman.

“If you are chosen, then you will be told in detail of the quest that lies ahead,” Aeldur informed her as he opened the door. “You are free to go.” He wanted to be done with this particular interview for several reasons. Tiyarnon brushed past the woman as she exited and he looked curiously at Aeldur.

“What of her?” he asked, perplexed.

“You will have to trust me that she is a worthy candidate…and that she is unsettled by magic of all kinds. It is obviously off-putting to her,” Aeldur explained emphatically. “Based on her recent actions and the actions of her past, she is pure of heart and an outwardly fierce warrior.”

Tiyarnon leveled a sidelong glance at him and back to the seated man.

“I would choose her over many others,” he boldly continued. “Ultimately, it will be up to the Inquisitor, but I feel that you will meet no one more courageous or pure of heart.”

Tiyarnon pondered those words, rubbing his bearded chin and eyeing the sage again, who sat unmoving in the chair, and who still hid his eyes from them both.

“That is my opinion,” Aeldur preemptively stated as he thought Tiyarnon might begin to lecture him. He looked away from the high priest, who stared hard at his fellow council member, then back to the sage once more.

“I have interviewed many a cut-throat today and not one, regardless of their aura, has the heart of that barbarian!” Aeldur reiterated, gesturing toward the empty door frame where she stood only seconds ago and trying to convince not only Tiyarnon, but himself, that he’d made the right call.

 “Sometimes these things can best be determined by our gut and not by divinations or magic,” Tiyarnon whispered. “I understand. I also understand the great legend of the Chansuk barbarians and agree with you in this matter. Most barbarians are fearful of magic—even that of their shamans.”

“I am pleased that you trust me so,” was all Aeldur could manage as he walked out of the room.

“If trust were an issue, you would not be Captain of the Watch,” Tiyarnon mumbled under his breath. “I pray that we have both made the proper choices.”

After the interviews were completed, some applicants lingered a while but others were gone just as quickly as they had arrived. Some cursed their luck for not having been chosen or for having been denied for one reason or another. Others openly threatened the High Council, mostly verbally, and left in a huff.

Within a few tolling of the bells and before this eve’s end, the interviews were completely and unexpectedly finished. Almost ten score people had been interviewed and the decisions now had to be made.

As each viable candidate left, they were told that the High Council might send for them and that they should remain visible and available so that they could be easily found.

The High Council members met once again in the main assembly room.  There were the nine previous members present, along with Garius and the two sages, as well as one other—a dark-haired and curious-looking high elf.

“I appreciate you wanting my input,” Elec respectfully told Nimaira wearing a slightly bashful expression. Her beauty was noticeably intimidating to Elec, who had never seen such a stunning half-elf before. He had seen many half-elves and women in his life, but none so spectacularly beautiful. She seemed to have been blessed with the best qualities of both the humans and the elves!

“Your input as a representative of Acillia is invaluable,” she encouraged him. “And the information that you have brought us concerning the goblinoid army and all of the theories of your people has helped our cause significantly.” She stood close to him and held his hand in a tender manner to reassure his comfort. “For if there is some great evil coordinating the now misguided orcs and goblins, then we must dispense with it quickly.”

“Many thanks,” Elec replied humbly. “I am glad I can make the slightest bit of an impact at all. My people wanted to make certain you had this information in written form for safe keeping and reference,” he continued. “The elders do not want it to fall into the wrong hands.”

“It will be safe here,” Nimaira confirmed confidently.

 “We could use some advice here about a few of the finalists,” Tiyarnon suggested. “If you feel up to it that is, Elec?”

“Advice?” Elec replied in a perplexed manner. He stood at a loss for a moment, which was evident on his face to any of the onlookers. Then he recalled the seriousness of the situation and added, “I will give you any help you need.”

“I was hoping you would say that,” a commanding voice called from an adjacent room. The imposing form of well-armored man with striking features entered and regarded Elec. A hint of a smile briefly crossed his visage before he resumed his imposing and expressionless demeanor once more.

“What do you mean?” Elec asked him, truly curious now.

“I am Garius Forge. I have interviewed several applicants myself today and not one elf amongst them would I choose,” Garius explained. “That is…except for you.”

He let the words and their meaning wash over the elf for a moment as Elec stared at him with his mouth open.

“The idea of having a representative of the high elves of Acillia with us brings many advantages. We could use a scout such as you, particularly with a keen set of elven eyes, on the expedition. I am contracting your help unless you can give argument to the contrary.” Garius stood waiting for a moment again, giving the elf a minute to think about it.

“But, I am no mage.” Elec’s gaze drifted to the floor.

“I am aware. Your considerable
other
skills would be useful,” Garius countered. “I have done some research into your past and have contacted your elders who give me the impression that you can handle yourself, especially your Uncle Faorath, who sends his warmest regards. He is the one who showered me with news of your talents,” Garius added, watching Elec’s eyes widen in delight. “He speaks very highly of you.”

Elec trembled visibly as he tried to understand just what the Inquisitor was asking of him. Many thoughts of incompetence ran through his mind at this point, stemming from his father’s regularly stated disappointment and poor opinion of him.
Why would this man want my help? I am no hero,
Elec thought. “What of my family?” he asked. “Or my elders? My mother? May I speak with her?”

 “I will be able to send word to your people by eve’s end with the aid of magic in my possession,” Nimaira explained to Elec, trying to ease his mind. “The Inquisitor used the same magic to speak with your family already. It is difficult to maintain for long, but I would be able to allow you a slight exchange.”

“I will be able to speak to them?” Elec asked the sorceress, after a moment of confusion. “My uncle and mother, I mean?”

“Aye,” Nimaira said. “Briefly, but yes, you may. There is a limit to even my powers, you understand?”

“I suppose that will be good enough,” Elec resignedly agreed.

“I suppose it will,” Garius reiterated. The way he spoke made Elec feel as though he demanded compliance from him. “I have heard that you are a cunning trapsmith, a formidable guide and a capable warrior,” he continued, not allowing a response from the elf. “I am suggesting that we can make use of your services. I have interviewed many an aspirant this day and none match your…qualifications or history. You will be properly compensated with anything we can offer you.”

“That is not the issue,” Elec replied, hesitant to confess his real reason. Finally he spoke again after a long pause. “I am not a warrior,” he flatly admitted.

“Yet, you carry many a magical trinket and I see you are equipped with ancient, enchanted blades that contradict your own assessment,” Garius stated, countering the elf’s argument. Elec looked a bit startled again by the amount of knowledge this Inquisitor seemed to possess.

“How do you know all of this?” Elec asked, truly amazed at how easily this man had refuted his point and encouraged him in his own abilities, something he was not used to hearing very often.

“Let us say it is one of my gifts, Elec,” Garius responded simply.

“Let us compare notes and see what we have on our agenda,” Tiyarnon proposed, drawing the attention from the Inquisitor and back to himself. “We have much to discuss in the coming day.”

Garius left the room and stepped out into the hallway. Elec tracked him with his eyes down the corridor. He was a fascinating human indeed. He obviously had a lifetime of altruistic deeds under his belt and yet didn’t seem so old at all—for a human that is. Elec paced down the hall after him and followed him to his room.

Garius spun on him. “Is there something on your mind, elf?” the Inquisitor asked as he blocked the door to his room.

“Yes…you spoke of what I can do and my weapons, but I know nothing of you and yours,” Elec said accusingly. After he realized what he’d said, he immediately thought himself the fool.

“I am out of line and meant no disrespect,” Elec apologized, moving past the Inquisitor to stand within his quarters. “What is that?” Elec asked, gesturing toward a massive two-handed maul. It had runes on its head and appeared to be one of the finest crafted weapons he’d ever seen. Though, it seemed too large for the man to wield comfortably, he reflected.

“That is my weapon of choice. It is called
The Repentant
. It is magically enchanted and I am able to focus holy energy through it, filling it with righteous power to help smite my foes,” Garius explained to him. “I am an Inquisitor
and
a Faceless Knight of Order, do not forget. I have not only the power of the Gods of Order backing me, but I can handle myself in combat as well.”

“Of course you can, I did not mean to offend.”

 “Have confidence, Elec. We will get to know one another very well over the next few months, I am sure,” Garius said in a friendly manner. “And beyond, perhaps.”

Elec bowed his head in agreement that Garius could indeed be both a great warrior as well as the Inquisitor he claimed.