The Merchant and the Menace (51 page)

“So,” began Kael cautiously. “Tell me about this
woman, Wist.”

“Your mother?” said Ader as he searched for words in
the river below.

Kael held up a hand, pausing the conversation.

“For now, let us just call her Wist,” said Kael
softly.

Ader smiled and nodded his head at the boy.

“As I said, Wist was the daughter of Ilver Admir.
Ilver was an Elven woman of great beauty and standing in Forend. She held the
confidence of kings and queens for centuries. She bore four daughters, Wist was
the youngest,” said Ader. “When the Elves discovered the world rift, Wist
traveled with her sister and her sister’s husband through the breach into our
world. She was so loyal to Eirtwin, and followed her anywhere.”

“Eirtwin?” said Kael in shock.

“Your mother’s sister,” smiled Ader. “It took all
my counsel to dissuade her from wrapping you in her arms and doting on you like
a child. I daresay you might have been a bit confused if the ruler of the Elven
people treated you like a new born babe.”

Kael stared at Ader in disbelief.

“Do close your mouth boy. It is a bit
disconcerting.”

Kael shook his head and blinked hard. Once again
the answer to one question flooded his mind with dozens more.

“If Eirtwin is my ... my aunt,” Kael nearly choked
on the words. “Then Eidyn is ..”

“Your cousin,” concluded Ader. “Although I must
admit he is a bit older than you. Nearly a century to be exact.”

Kael fell backwards against the framing of the
window seat. He felt dizzy.

“I believe you’re not truly an Elven prince. I may
have exaggerated a bit in our meeting with Corad and Lucyn,” continued the
Guide. “Your title is something more along the line of a Viscount, but I never
paid any attention to such trifles. If you are interested feel free to ask
Teeg.”

“What about Eidyn?” asked Kael. “Does he know this
information?”

“Our young Elven heir is learning things as we go
along, just as you are. He knows you possess unique ... ah, we will call them
gifts, but he is truly unaware who you are. Events progressed rapidly following
your birth and news from Astel was quickly cut off. Only a select few know you
were even born.” said Ader.

“Well, I don’t know how to exactly react to that.
Should I be glad or sad?” said Kael frowning.

“It depends,” answered the guide.

“On what?” asked Kael.

“On who exactly knows, and how much they know,”
added Ader. “Once again, Kael, don’t underestimate the importance of what was
accomplished by an old soldier and a disowned princess. Not to mention loyal
followers like Cefiz and Manfir.”

“Well  ....” spluttered Kael. “What was
accomplished? Why did my parents give me away? Did they even know my father and
mother ...er, Brelg and Yanwin ... oh whatever, you know what I mean! And if
there was a good reason, why didn’t I simply go to live with relatives?”

“Normalcy,” stated Ader.

“Huh?” blinked Kael.

“Normalcy, Kael. Your parents wanted you to be
protected but also to live a normal life. A request that baffled me at first. I
could offer you all the protection any of the great realms might muster. By a
simple command a tower would be built, guards posted. Of course the enemy would
know your location. Even the most loyal of realms contains a traitor or two.
There would be attempts on your life. Security would grow ever tighter and more
restrictive. Maybe you would be allowed to wander in the woods or the market
once in awhile. However, they would be cleared first and guards posted
everywhere. Does this sound normal to you?” asked the Seraph.

“No,” answered Kael.

“Do you think you would have been normal under
those circumstances?”

“No,” answered the boy once more.

“Of course not,” exclaimed Ader. “That is when I
saw the solution. Anonymity. Just a village boy from the country. Someone the
enemy considered a nobody, from nowhere. A place so unimportant in the
struggles of this earth, that it goes by unnoticed and unchanged. Thank Avra
for Kelky!”

“Queen Eirtwin said that even the smallest hamlet
and everyone in it contributed to the whole. All were important,” said Kael.

“Your aunt is a wise woman, Kael. That is the
difference between Order and Chaos. To Chaos, only the powerful are important.
The rest are expendable. Sacrifices to the advancement of their domination,“
stated Ader. “Chaos cannot conceive of someone such as yourself not living in
the heart of power and fame.”

Kael smiled and shook his head. Ader’s eyes met his
and they exchanged a chuckle.

“What do you find so amusing?” asked Ader.

“You called the queen of the Grey Elves my aunt. I
don’t think that will ever sound normal to me,” laughed Kael.

”I suppose not, but you will find so much more to
grapple with as time goes on,” stated Ader.

“Why?” asked Kael. “Why am I so important?”

 “Ah. This is what I was afraid of,” said Ader.
“You go to put the cart before the horse. You must learn
who
you are
before you learn
why
you are.”

“What?” blurted Kael shaking his head. “You all
talk in riddles.”

“What I mean is, you begin to delve into your
ancestry. You are discovering where you come from and the people who brought
you into this world. There is much to discuss on both topics. Both are topics
of history and fact. Both give you a solid foundation to discuss
who
you
are.

“However,
why
you are is a topic concerning
the future. You have obviously done nothing of note in this world yet, so why
you are so important must happen in the future. The future is unknown and open
to theory and conjecture. Let us stick to and discover the facts about
who
,
and then I will deal with the
why
. Agreed?” asked Ader.

“Agreed,” nodded Kael and he added. “Why did you
call me your grandson?”

“Because that is what you are, my boy,” announced
Ader. “Well in a manner of speaking.”

“Why is there always a condition with the answers
you people give?” grumbled Kael.

“We are unusual people and the usual rules don’t
apply to us. We must answer cautiously,” laughed Ader. “Centuries ago the
people of the Astelan plains called me Ader the Hartstrong. It was a title of
respect to my longevity I suppose. They were a wonderful group of nomadic
hunters. Quite civilized really. In fact, more civilized than many of our
societies today. I spent many years with them, nurturing their society, trying
to help them achieve their full potential.”

The old man stared at the river now. His eyes took
on a faraway look.

“That is when I met my wife, Loriad. She was a
chieftain’s daughter. Smart, pretty and athletic. Frankly, the type of woman I
met throughout my life countless times. Special, but not so special if you know
what I mean,” laughed Ader. “However, I soon realized that Loriad was
different. At first I puzzled over what drew me to her, but then my eyes
opened.

“She was a person of profound wisdom. Others
deferred to her on all matters. What appeared cloudy, cleared with a few
insightful words from her. When there was strife, she calmed discord with the
most logical and fair of all choices. I had grown accustomed to telling men and
woman alike what to do, but found myself happily laying some of those burdens
at her feet. She was a blessing to me.”

The Guide stared at the swirling water of the
river, lost in reminiscences. Kael remained silent, too nervous to pull Ader’s
reverie away from a time of happiness. Finally, the old man snapped out of it.
He turned to Kael.

“She died in her sleep after forty-eight seasons of
marriage. I mourn her passing everyday,” said Ader.

He stared into Kael’s eyes for a moment.

“Every so often I see her, in the face of one of
our descendants. A smile, a gesture. I see her now in the way you try to keep
your face passive. Your furrowed brow,“ smiled Ader. “You are the seventeenth
generation born into the line of our union, Kael. I have watched you all grow
up and die as I toil on this earth. It is both a blessing and a curse.”

Sorrow washed across the face of the Seraph.

“Over the years, our descendants assumed the throne
of Astel. Generation after generation received the gift of Loriad’s wisdom. It
was only natural that her children’s children claimed leadership. I sometimes
spent decades away on the business I was created for. Often I kept my visits
private. Over the centuries the Astelans let my memory turn from history to
myth.

“The people revered the family for its
accomplishments, not a tenuous connection to a traveling mystic. Astelans
changed my descendants’ name to DeHarstron. You, my boy, are Kael DeHarstron,
the only child of King Mester DeHarstron and Wist Admir, true king of Astel.”

There was a knock upon the door. Ader and Kael’s
eyes remained locked on one another for a moment. Finally, the Guide turned and
called out.

“Please, enter.”

The door swung open and Teeg stepped into the room
smiling merrily.

“Hmm,” mused Kael. “If I didn’t know better, I
would swear you two contrive these interruptions.”

Ader laughed and patted Kael on the back. Teeg took
on a look of indignation then smirked.

“You’re right,” stated the Elf pausing for effect.
“You don’t know better.”

Kael gave a halfhearted frown then smiled at the
old Elf. His mood lightened greatly. At least now he was starting to get
answers.

“Did I interrupt a particularly interesting chapter
of “The History of Kael Brelgson”?” asked Teeg.

“Apparently, it’s ‘Kael DeHarstron’, “ announced
the boy.

“Ah yes, then it
was
rather interesting,”
said Teeg. He turned to the Seraph. “I’m here to inform you that our rogue
Keltaran prince was found by Eidyn. He is here now, under extreme protest I
might add. I would appreciate it if you would go speak with him and calm him.”

“Where did they find him?” asked Kael.

Teeg smirked and shook his head in disbelief.

“Eidyn tracked Granu’s movements through the entire
city. The giant hid under piles of manure in Hentil’s stables. He remained
there even as Rindoran guards searched it numerous times. He was trod on by
horse and soldier alike and never budged. Reeking of dung, he exited the
stables and made his way in broad daylight through alleyways to the north wall.
Not a soul caught sight of him. I find it almost inconceivable that so ... so
large a man may travel unnoticed!” said Teeg.

“Lord Teeg, you of all people should know the
stealth of the Keltaran. They spent a good part of their history hiding. They
are accomplished in the matter,” stated Ader.

“True, true,” returned Teeg shaking his head. “But
if I were a washer woman dumping the mornings dirty water into the alley and a
shadow the size of a house passed me, I would certainly question what I just
saw.”

“Is a washer woman in your repertoire, Lord Teeg?”
joked Kael.

The old Elf stopped abruptly in confusion, then
smiled and tugged an earlobe.

“On occasion,” laughed Teeg. “But only if I find
time for a close shave in the morn.”

The trio burst into a hardy laugh. Ader turned to
Kael.

“Are you satisfied for now and willing to digest
what you have learned? I will stay and continue our conversation if you wish?”

Kael pursed his lips and deliberated. Ader was
trying his best to appease the boy. Kael wanted so much to continue their talk,
but knew he must live in the present as well.

“I was given plenty to think about. You might as
well attend to Prince Granu. I shudder to think what might happen to the walls
and occupants of this palace if he becomes any more agitated,” said Kael
smiling.

Ader patted the boy on the back once more and he
and Teeg stepped from the room closing the door behind them. Kael returned to
his seat by the window and once more stared through the beveled glass at the
river sliding by beneath him. A calm settled over him. Slowly his heavy lids
closed as he sunk into the thick cushions arranged on the seat.

Guttering torches cast odd shadows on the walls of
the dank chamber as Sulgor crept forward in search of his master. Usually,
Izgra sensed the Malveel Lord’s approach and stood waiting for him. This time
however, the beast found the chamber empty, Izgra’s dais deserted. Sulgor moved
forward. The heavy, black velvet curtain hanging behind the dais shifted in the
sluggish currents of air pushing through the open balcony of the chamber.

Sulgor stopped. A barely audible hiss and buzz
emitted from behind the curtain. Sulgor was drawn to the oddly familiar noise.
The Malveel desperately strained to hear more. Dare he move forward? Izgra was
clear concerning the curtain. None were to look past its blinding darkness.

The Malveel growled. Was he not Sulgor the
Magnificent, first of the Malveel? Surely when the Deceiver returns, he will
once again place Sulgor at his right hand.