The Merchant and the Menace (8 page)

“I neither heard nor saw him until the last moment.
Luckily I was able to conceal my movements and avoid detection. Also, as we
know, many of our enemy’s emissaries are not what they seem. His appearance was
not threatening but I took no chances. I allowed him to continue for an hour
and trailed him distantly.

“Unexpectedly, he stopped and sat near the edge of
the path. I determined to get a closer look at the boy, so I moved in slowly.
Again I took all the necessary precautions. However, I was overheard.“

General Chani’s face screwed into a look of
distress and he cleared his throat.

“I don’t know how, but he was aware of me,”
continued Eidyn. “He broke and ran. I experienced trouble keeping up because I
wanted to remain concealed and followed in the wood. He remained on the path
and eventually made the Efer... his only error in judgment.”

“What are you saying Eidyn? He was in the Nagur.
There is no escape from us in the Nagur!” exclaimed General Chani.

“I mean what I say, General. This boy outran me. I
am not ashamed to say it. With his silent ways and speed, I dare say had he
avoided the river and entered our wood, he would have eluded me. As providence
would have it, he ran directly to my men stationed at the Efer crossing. Once
he was outnumbered and in their sights, he surrendered.”

“Might this mere boy be capable of the deed
perpetrated on Lord Giar and Steff?” asked the general staring at Kael. “Giar
was a trained veteran of the military. He served on my personal staff. Should
this boy be allowed in the court unbound? Captain Eidyn, is he a captured
prisoner or a guest?”

Chani glanced to the other officers in the room
with concern.

“I’m unsure of the capabilities of this boy, if that
is what he is,” stated Eidyn. “However, he was armed.”

Eidyn removed a canvass wrapped object from beneath
his cloak.

“My lord, the boy carried the ....”

“Silence! Stay your words Captain Eidyn,” boomed a
voice from the doors of the king’s court.

Kael wheeled and stared at the opening. There on
the threshold stood Jasper the trader and his son Rin. The duo stepped into the
middle of the court and stopped near Teeg and Kael. The entire court, including
the king and queen, crossed their hands over their hearts then held them out,
palms upward. Jasper quickly returned the gesture and turned to face the
throne.

“Hail, Lord of the Elves and protector of the Holy
Wood. Hail Eirtwin, Mother of the Elven people,” said Jasper.

“Hail and well met Ader, Chosen of Avra. You are
not long from our lands, yet return at an opportune hour. The Holy Nagur is
troubled,” returned Leinor.

Jasper turned and approached Eidyn. He took the
wrapped object from the Elf’s hands. Kael stared in shock and disbelief. His
old friend radiated power and control throughout the room. Eidyn readily released
his burden, lightly bowed to the man he called “Ader” and backed away. The
throne room’s full attention focused on the old man. Kael was filled with
courage and edged closer to the tinker.

The boy took a deep breath and started to speak,
but a sharp look from Jasper erased any notion of continuing. The trader’s eyes
left no doubt how serious the situation was and that Kael was expected to
remain silent. Kael’s courage departed as easily as it came and he too stepped
back to allow Jasper center stage.

“My lords and ladies, you received quite a shock
today. I suggest you all return to your homes. Nothing can be done now. I must
take counsel with your king,” stated Jasper.

Leinor stood and bowed, acknowledging his
agreement. The king motioned to his guards and the doors to the chamber were
opened. The nobles and military personnel filed out. Kael stood in the emptying
court stunned. Jasper ordered the nobles of Luxlor to their homes, and they
obeyed!

“I require General Chani, Prince Eidyn and Lord
Teeg remain,” announced Jasper.

 Once the room cleared, Jasper directed the group
closer to the king’s throne.

“Ader, you heard of the deaths of Lord Giar and his
son Steff?” asked Prince Eidyn.

“Most unfortunate,” stated Jasper with a heavy
frown.

“I sent them toward Erutre to warn Chieftain
Temujen of the increased boldness of the ‘unnaturals’,” stated Leinor.

“Of course,” said Jasper. “This is a time for all
of the lands to share information and show aid to one another.”

Kael was anxious for answers, but so far complied
with Jasper’s obvious demand for silence. The boy’s mind reeled and the
uncertainty of his situation sent his heart racing and the blood rushing
through his veins. How was this situation spinning so far out of his control?
Better still, how did his old friend confidently storm into the Elven court and
take control? Even the king deferred to the tinker’s wishes. And why was
everyone calling him “Ader”?

Kael shook his head to clear the confusion. When he
glanced upward he noted Queen Eirtwin’s intense scrutiny. She had been silent
throughout the proceedings. However, her penetrating stare processed all. She
smiled.

“Ader,” said the queen. “You should introduce us to
this young man. You called him ‘Kael’, did you not?”

“What?” said the king. “Kael, you say?”

 “King Leinor and Queen Eirtwin, this is Kael
Brelgson from the tiny village of Kelky, not more than a day’s journey from
your borders,” said Jasper pulling Kael closer to the king and queen.

Kael stretched out his hand toward Leinor. The king
smirked and awkwardly accepted the handshake. Kael then turned to the queen and
stopped in confusion and uncertainty. She laughed and offered him her hand to
kiss, which he did readily.

“I .... I’m pleased to meet you both,” stammered
Kael.

“The pleasure is all ours,” replied the queen
bowing her head.

“Very well,” commented Jasper. “That should do for
the courtly pleasantries. Now that I am here, we know who the boy is and he may
go about his business.”

“Ader, I don’t mean to question your judgment, but
are you certain? This boy has skills he should not possess!” stated Eidyn with
concern.

“I don’t understand,” said Kael. “Why do they call
you ‘Ader’?”

The boy turned to King Leinor.

“His name is Jasper and that man by the door is his
son, Rin.”

The king and queen smiled and glanced at one
another. Eidyn and Chani looked perplexed. Teeg stared at the ground and
frowned.

“Do you see what you caused?” growled Ader as he
spun toward Teeg.

“I felt it was time,” shrugged Teeg.

“Well I didn’t,” grumbled Ader.

Rin approached from his position by the door.

“Ader,” he said calmly.

“What is it Manfir?” asked Ader still scowling at
Teeg.

“Where is the boy’s companion? Where is Aemmon?”

Ader turned toward the boy.

“Kael, your brother, where is he?” asked Ader
abruptly.

“He injured his leg. He’s waiting for me on the
other side of the woods,” replied Kael.

Ader glanced at Manfir.

“What say you?”

“He is capable,” said Manfir dryly. “We detected
nothing on our ride. The danger seems to have passed.”

“Yes, but we obviously missed the danger on our
first pass through the wood,” frowned Ader. “If we had been more diligent, Lord
Giar and Steff might never have fallen and Kael would never have been allowed
on this folly of a trip.

“Nevertheless, it is Aemmon Brelgson who concerns
me now. The danger may be past, but precautions should be taken. Decisions must
be made. Eidyn, you endured a strenuous and emotional fortnight. You will go to
your chamber and rest. Also you will keep everything you saw and heard in the
Nagur and here tonight completely confidential. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Ader,” said Eidyn, bowing and departing.

“General Chani, you will dispatch a squad of your
corps to find and guard Aemmon Brelgson on the north edge of the Nagur. I do
not anticipate any further trouble. The attack on Giar and Steff must have been
the creatures assignment and they do not like to tarry once their work is
done.”

“As you command,” declared Chani, and he also bowed
and departed.

“Lord Teeg, you will occupy the time of our young
friend until his departure tomorrow. See to it that he obtains the goods he
came for. I’m sure my wishes concerning Kael are understood,” said Ader
sternly.

“Perfectly, my lord,” replied Teeg arching an
eyebrow.

“Wishes about what, Jasper?” asked Kael in
confusion.

“Kael,” said Ader calmly turning to the boy. “By
now you must realize that I am called ‘Ader’ in these lands. To avoid confusion
with our hosts, please do the same. You are mixed into something you should not
be. None of this concerns you. You were dragged into it by happenstance.  As a
favor to your father, I extricated you. Please get your things tomorrow and go
home. I must discuss certain matters with the rulers of this land. Teeg, show
him the remainder of the castle.”

Before Kael could object, Teeg took him by the arm.

“Come, Kael,” said Teeg with a grin, “it is a
fascinating place.”

The old Elf led him toward the door.

“Kael Brelgson,” called the queen from behind him.
“It was a rare treat to meet you.”

The last thing Kael heard was the voice of King
Leinor as the doors to the chamber were pushed shut behind him.

“Please Eirtwin, the boy is confused enough. Do not
further it.”

Teeg led Kael down the passageways of the palace.
They passed door after door. Kael wondered what all the rooms held. Finally,
Teeg stopped and pushed one open.

“This will be your chamber for the evening, Kael,”
said Teeg.

They entered a huge room that could easily hold the
stables of “The King’s Service”. It contained a desk and a large table to the
left. On the wall opposite the door, maps were mounted.  To the right of the
door stood a large bed carved of the same beautiful white wood. Large windows
looked out over the palace grounds.

“That is the biggest bed I’ve ever seen,” said the
wide-eyed boy. “It’s bigger than the room I share with my brother back home.”

The idea of Aemmon in the woods with a creature
roaming around leapt into the boy’s mind. His excitement dissipated and he
moved toward the windows, staring out as darkness settled on the Nagur Wood.
Teeg noticed the change in temperament.

“Kael, your brother will be fine. The attack on
Giar and Steff was two days travel from the Nagur path.“

Kael chewed on his lower lip and turned back to the
Elf.

 “Master Teeg,” said the boy. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing, Kael. Just as Lord Ader said. Don’t
worry. We will acquire your goods in the morning. You may pack up and get back
to Kelky by the end of the day tomorrow.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed at the old Elf and he scowled.

“Well, at least tell me why you keep calling
Jasper, ‘Lord Ader.’”

Teeg paused and stroked his chin in thought.
Finally, he smiled and looked into Kael’s eyes.

“Kael, do you know the name ‘Ader’?” asked Teeg.

“It is a common name in some of the lands,” replied
Kael. “Some people give the name to a child for good luck or in reverence to
the Seraph Ader.”

“And who or what is the Seraph Ader?” questioned
Teeg.

“Well the myth is that the Almighty Avra created
the Seraphim or Guides to watch over his people in times of trouble. They
support Avra and perform his bidding.”

 “Good,” responded Teeg. “Brelg and Yanwin taught
their sons well. However, what puzzles me is the use of the word ‘myth’.”

“My mother and father trained us in all the stories
of lore that they knew,” said Kael. “We were even taught to read using bits of
the Delvin scriptures. But those were just stories, Master Teeg. Fables from
the past.”

Teeg turned and walked to the door. The old Elf
smiled over his shoulder.

“Kael,” said Teeg. “Every fable is based upon some
amount of truth. The trouble is discerning where the truth ends and the fiction
begins. You may discover more truth in those old fables then you ever thought
existed.

“Make yourself comfortable. Food and drink will be
provided to you. Then I suggest that you get a good night’s rest.”

Teeg left Kael in the royal guest chamber of the
castle of Luxlor. The boy returned to the window and watched as light after
green light appeared in windows and doorways throughout the palace grounds. The
Elves’ lights burned strong and bright, banishing the darkness and calming Kael’s
fears.

Flaming red eyes glared in the darkness.

“You failed me”, hissed the hooded figure on the
dais.

“No ... absolutely not my lord,...I ... it will
take more time,” stammered the colonel. His vision swept to the corner of the
cold, stone chamber where the body of his superior smoldered.