The Unwilling Accomplice (Book 5) (15 page)

"I'm sure the High Priest and his scouts have told you all you needed to know of our travels," Ned returned.

At that moment King Theowin appeared with the servant at his back. The king joined the two men standing in the hall and bowed his head to each of them in turn, giving preference to Ned. "My servant tells me you have come to see Edwin," he commented.

"Yes, and I have given my message. I need only wait for the reply and to lead them back to the Temple," Birch replied.

"Then you wish for Edwin to return to the Temple?" the king guessed.

"Yes. It is the greatest wish of the High Priest to see Lady Lamikan again," Birch revealed.

Theowin raised his eyebrows and turned to Ned. "Lady Lamikan, daughter to Lord Lamikan, is in your party?" he wondered.

"Yes, though she prefers the name of Pat now," Ned replied.

"Whatever name she prefers has no bearing on her answer," Birch spoke up. "I only wish to have the answer to the message and to escort My Lady to the Temple."

Ned chuckled. "I am afraid we cannot leave just yet. One of our group has an engagement for this evening."

The priest scoffed. "What can be more important than returning to the Temple?" he challenged.

Ned pointedly glanced at King Theowin, who looked to Brother Birch with a stern expression. "Honoring the traditions of the elves, in whose city you currently reside," he told the brother.

Birch frowned, but bowed his head. "I meant no insult, I assure you. Pray, might I know what constitutes this arrangement?"

"A duel between an assassin and a lord of the elves," Ned revealed.

Birch's eyes narrowed, but he bowed his head. "Then I will remain in the city until the morrow and expect your answer then," he agreed, and turned toward the front doors. "Until then, I wish your friend well in the duel."

"A moment," Theowin spoke up, and the priest paused. "I have many empty rooms, and would be delighted with your company while you stay in our fine city. I will not accept a refusal." He turned to the servant. "Show Brother Birch to one of the west-wing rooms."

The servant bowed and looked to Birch. "If you would follow me."

Birch smirked. "It seems I have no choice but to accept your hospitality. Pray, when is this important duel?" he wondered.

"In the afternoon. If you would like you may accompany my retinue and myself to the Dueling grounds," the king invited him.

"That would be an honor. Until then," Birch replied. He bowed and allowed himself to be guided to his room by the servant.

The king turned to Ned. "I feel in need of a refreshing bit of air," he commented.

"Yes, the castle has suddenly become stifling," Ned agreed.

The pair strode from the castle and turned their feet toward the balcony. They stopped at the edge and King Theowin turned to Ned. "You must think me a fool for allowing him in my house," he mused.

Ned chuckled and shook his head. "On the contrary, I, too, believe in keeping your enemies closest."

"And speaking of that unpleasant priest, what is his precise message?" Theowin wondered.

"His open or hidden one?" Ned returned.

"Both, if he has them," Theowin replied.

"The High Priest wishes to see Pat again, but I believe he has other intentions than merely to speak with her," Ned commented.

"And this Pat is Lady Lamikan? Does she know of her father?" Theowin asked him.

"She knows he was a noble knight. Beyond that is unimportant," Ned replied.

Theowin smiled. "Is one's ancestry always so unimportant?"

"I do not wish it to be a hindrance to her," Ned insisted.

"That is for Pat to decide," Theowin argued. He set a hand on Ned's shoulder and gazed into his old friend's eyes. "Over the many centuries I have lived the hardest idea to accept was that I needed to make room for the young so they could grow into their own. You must now accept that fate, the fate of growing old."

Ned leaned over the short stone wall and gazed out over the great sea. To Theowin the eyes of this castor were filled with more years than the body showed, and he wondered what horrors and beauties this adventurous human had seen and experienced.

"Lord Tramadore gave me much the same speech before we left his kingdom," Ned mused.

Theowin softly smiled. "Then my advice is in good company," he replied. He paused and noticed a strained expression in Ned's face. "Old friend, what bothers you?" he wondered.

"Whatever we do we must remain in the city for the time being, at least until the woman is captured," Ned pleaded with him.

"But why? What is she to you?" Theowin asked him.

"She has followed us through many of our travels, perhaps since the beginning, often in the disguise of an old woman. She means to be a protector for one in our group, but I do not trust her," Ned explained.

Theowin frowned. "There is something you are not telling me more than knowing this intruder into my city. What is it?"

Ned sighed and looked at Theowin. "She claims she is Mary Osgood, wife to Canavar and mother to Fred, my current apprentice."

Theowin blinked at Ned and dropped his voice. "Surely you jest," he whispered.

Ned shook his head. "I wish this was some horrible jest, but I fear all of it is true. The soul of my deceased apprentice, the one we spoke of at the dinner, resides in this boy's body."

"But how can that be? What castoring has brought this about?" Theowin questioned him.

"Canavar's infatuation with souls, and his strange desire to repossess the soul of his son from death," Ned explained.

"And the woman, this Mary Osgood, is in league with Canavar?" Theowin guessed.

"No, she has her own intentions, and she would take away Fred if she could, but I won't allow that. He is safest among those he trusts," Ned insisted.

Theowin stepped away from the rock wall and walked a few paces toward the arches. "This is. . .this is most disturbing, Edwin," he commented.

"It is, but I must plead with you not to blame the sins of the father on the son, nor to use my young apprentice as bait to catch the Lady Osgood," Ned pleaded.

Theowin turned to him and his face was grave. "That is a heavy request. I have relied on your wisdom a great many times, but here I must give you the advice. The boy may be an innocent, as you profess, but Canavar is not. His presence will attract Canavar and endanger my people. Because of that, I must ask that you leave with this Brother Birch as soon as the duel is over."

Ned sighed, but nodded. "We will agree to your request and leave on the morrow. For now I must check on my apprentice. He had an adventure in sleepwalking last night," he commented.

Theowin raised an eyebrow. "Sleepwalking?"

"It was nothing serious, and I have guaranteed he will not do so until I return," Ned told him.

CHAPTER 19

While Ned and Theowin discussed the new visitor, Brother Birch was shown to his room across the entrance hall from the others. He stepped into the room, admired the lavishness, and turned to the servant. "Thank you, I won't need anything else," he told the elf. The servant bowed his head and withdrew.

The moment the door clacked shut Brother Birch hurried over to the entrance. He pressed his ear against the door and listened to the sounds of the servant's feet walk down the stairs and into the depths of the castle. Birch cautiously opened the door and peeked out. Nothing stirred. He stepped out, softly shut the door behind himself, and tiptoed across the stairs to the opposite balcony. Before him stood a dozen doors to choose from, and he knew not where to begin.

Fortunate for him that Ruth stood outside Fred's room. Her thoughts were occupied by the coming duel and Ned's insistence she stay outside Fred's room until his return. Thus, she didn't notice the strange robed figure until he stepped in front of her. She growled and pushed him away from her. Brother Birch toppled to the ground, and Ruth gasped. "Pardon me. I did not realize you were standing there," she quickly apologized as she helped him up.

"No harm done, I assure you," Birch replied as he brushed his hands against his robe. "I was merely looking for someone, I believe she goes by the name of Pat."

Ruth tilted her head to one side scrutinized the man's appearance. "Are you acquainted with her?" she asked him.

"Yes, I helped to raise her at the Temple of Phaeton to the south of here, and bear a message from the High Priest," he explained.

"I shall see if she is awake," Ruth offered. She reluctantly moved over to Pat's door while still watching Fred's entrance, but paused and turned back to him with a sheepish smile. "May I ask your name?"

"Brother Birch," he told her.

Ruth bowed her head and knocked on the door. There was a faint answer, and she slipped inside and closed the door behind herself. Pat sat on the bed with her feet swung over the side and her long hair a matted mess around her face. She blinked at her friend as Ruth approached the bed. "What is it?" Pat wondered.

"There is a man here to see you," Ruth whispered. "He told me his name was Brother Birch and that he wishes to speak with you about a message from a High Priest," she explained.

Pat's eyes lit up and she jumped to her feet. "Brother Birch here! Quick, help me with my clothes!"

Pat was soon attired in her normal clothes and she hurriedly stepped out into the hall with Ruth close behind. Brother Birch stood nearby, and smiled and bowed his head when Pat appeared. "Good morning, Lady Lamikan," he greeted her.

She smiled and returned the bow. "Good morning, Brother Birch. It has been many months since we last met. How is everyone at the Temple?"

"Quite well, I thank you, but I come bearing a message from High Priest Hathorne. He wishes for you to return to the Temple as soon as possible, and to have me escort you back," he revealed.

Pat stiffened and her heart beat faster. "Is something the matter?" she asked him.

"Nothing dire, but that will be explained by the High Priest if you would come with me as soon as possible. Perhaps at this moment," Birch pleaded.

Ruth's eyes widened and she grasped Pat's sleeve. Pat clasped her hand. She understood Ruth's concern. If they were to leave now then Fred would be forced from the barrier city, or they would need to part company with him, neither of which she was willing to do. Pat smiled at her friend and turned to Birch. "I cannot fathom what the High Priest would wish of me, but I am sure we can delay our return for a single day. One of our companions has had a complication," she explained.

Birch pursed his lips and glanced around the hall. They were alone. He stepped closer to the two young women and lowered his voice. "I did not wish to disturb your mind, but I feel you must know that your protector Edwin did not wish for you to know my intentions in seeing you, and therefore to keep you from making your own decision on the matter. Under such circumstances I am sure you will be willing to leave with me at once," Birch told her.

Pat furrowed her brow. "Keep me from making my own decision? What reason did he give for such a decision?"

Birch grasped Pat's hands and held a somber expression on his face. "He did not specify, but knowing this I must beg you to return with me immediately. The High Priest wishes to speak with you urgently," he insisted. A shadow fell across him and he turned to find himself up into Sins' covered face. Birch's mouth gaped open and he stumbled back. The women stepped aside and he crashed into the wall behind them. He raised a shaking, accusing finger at Sins. "A-an assassin!" he squeaked.

Pat stepped up to his with a smile and set her hands gently on his quivering shoulders. "You needn't fear him. He is one of my guarded," she explained.

"B-but an assassin!" he protested.

"Sins is quite harmless if you do not provoke him," Ruth assured the man. Sins' eyes narrowed and he looked every bit the provoked assassin.

"W-what does he want?" Birch asked the women.

"The truth from your lips," Sins answered for himself.

"T-the truth? I have spoken no lies," Birch protested.

Sins strode up to the man and grabbed him by the throat. He lifted Birch a foot off the floor and out of Pat's grip. The priest clawed at Sins' hand, but could not free himself. Pat glared at her companion and tried to pull Birch down, but only succeeded in stretched his arm. "Sins, I demand you free him at once!" she ordered him.

"Speak the truth," Sins demanded of the priest.

"I-I have!" Birch argued. Sins tightened his grip on the man's throat and the man squealed. "Very well! Very well!" Sins set the man down, but did not release his throat. Birch turned to Pat who stood near him. "I was merely paraphrasing Edwin's words and-ack!" Sins tightened his grip on the man's neck and Birch choked. "Edwin had no intention of excluding your opinion on the matter," Birch rephrased.

"Then you lied to me?" Pat questioned him.

"I assure you it was a white lie, Lady Lamikan. I meant no harm with it. I merely wished to speed you to the High Priest as soon as possible. He does wish to speak with you urgently, but on what matter this lowly servant knows not," Birch insisted.