The Vlakan King (Book 3) (23 page)

"No, but it noticed us I am sure."

"Interesting. I haven't seen one in years. There were quite a few after the Celaeri war wandering aimlessly, just another large carnivore. Keep your distance and you'll be fine. Must be over ten years since I've seen one around here and let me tell you ladies, I don't miss much that goes on around me. I may be an old Turuck, but my eyes are sharp. The two of you are nobility that much is plain. You are dressed for travel but not as common folk. Your boots would not last the season in the wild. Merie's speech reminds me of Eslenda and no one else in Dael has such auburn hair as Princess Krysta. Even I know this and I live far from civilization. Where can you go that others won't see what I see? So I must ask Raeind, why is it King Kalen or King Hal cannot protect these ladies? Surely Lockwell can be kept out of the castle? Or is he so powerful now?"

"I would like to know Raeind's mind too," said Merie. She folded her arms and stared at Raeind who glanced at Krysta but received no reassurance.

"Let us eat first," said Salie, sensing an argument resurfacing. "Best not to waste the food while it tastes its best. Afterward we can discuss matters."

The meal was consumed in silence. Despite the tension Salie enjoyed the company. Krysta had been correct; he was beginning to long for companionship from time to time. Whether that would mean leaving his home to travel with them was another matter.

Before they had finished Raeind walked into the trees.

"Can we trust him?" asked Merie.

"I trust him," said Salie. "But why should my opinion matter to you? You have just met me. Your experience with Raeind is greater than your experience with me."

"Your words have no curves to them," said Merie. "You speak plainly and mean what you say. Raeind hides much."

"You just don't like him," said Krysta. "I am not as moonstruck as you think. He is a wonderful craftsman and an interesting person but I can defend myself. I have trained with Laretes for many years. I can best half the Men in the guard even at my size."

"I admit I do not like him. I am not satisfied with his explanations and he only doles out information when it is wrung from him. He is keeping something to himself and I don't trust him."

"Will you still follow my lead?" asked Raeind who had returned.

"How long have you been there?" asked Merie.

"Long enough. Your concerns are reasonable but I will not tell you anymore at this time."

"Raeind, how will that help?" asked Salie.

"By keeping them with us. The truth may not be settling after all."

"Oh great," said Merie. "Does that mean things are to get worse?"

"Yes, much worse and we do not have so much time that we can spend it on lengthy discussions."

"Raeind, I'm beginning to understand Merie's concerns," said Krysta. "What can you tell us?"

Raeind sighed and looked off into the forest.

"I will tell you this; the Jungeguds are trying to take control of Landermass and some have united. They are working together and have enlisted powerful sorcerers and races to carry out their plans. Not everyone working for them knows it such as the Celaeri. The Celaeri are blind to everything else but their own fate and are a useful tool."

"How do you know this?" asked Merie.

"I told you earlier; it is the task of the Arayr family to keep watch over Landermass."

"High King Armana de Arayr knows all this?" asked Merie. "He's part of your family correct?"

"He is not deeply involved in what we do; he has other matters to mind. However, he is aware in a general sense."

"Who's in charge if not the High King?" asked Merie. "You are still keeping back information."

"Merie, I cannot tell you the name of our leader for I do not know it. I am told he is an Arayr but more than that I do not know. I have never met him or spoken to anyone who admitted meeting him."

"So it's a family trait," said Merie.

"Merie, leave it be!" said Krysta. "If there is such a threat to Landermass we do not have time for inquests."

"I think Princess Krysta's correct," said Salie. "There will be time later if we are victorious. But Raeind, please be sensitive to Princess Merie's concerns."

"There are watchers in every kingdom of men," said Raeind. "And in a few others where Men are welcomed. We are stretched thin across Amloth and Anavar but we do have a good understanding of the events of Landermass. What I told you was the result of many wise heads analyzing all the tales brought to us."

"No mistakes?" asked Merie. "Is your group infallible?"

"There are a few whose judgment cannot be questioned. And no, I am not one of them." He managed a brief smile but it vanished quickly. "There are times I am overmatched when I must made decisions on my own. There. Does that make you feel better?"

"I don't feel better," said Krysta.

"I still think my grandfather could have helped us," said Merie.

"He will. Prince James was to explain everything to him."

"The ghost?" asked Salie. "He is still around?"

"Not for long," said Raeind. "I fear he is beginning to fade. I cannot say how long he will remain among us."

"So what do we do now?" asked Merie.

"We must go to Cresida."

"We have no horses," said Krysta.

"No. We will walk and it will be difficult."

The Vlakan surrounded him. They watched him and made no sound. He felt no threat from them and approached one. The beast held its ground. He reached out his misshapen hand and scratched the bristlely fur on its head. He looked into the yellow eyes and thought he understood their thoughts. Yes, he did. He saw what they saw and felt what they felt. They looked to him to lead them; to speak for them to the Celaeri and guide them in the war to come. Their leader had been killed in the Celaeri War, somehow he knew that. He remembered holding the sword that killed Belderag. He was now their leader and they had waited for him to return. He felt the warmth and comfort as they drew around him.

Over time the fellowship of wizards, mages and sorcerers grow as their long lives trims their circle of friends and brethren. Couple these with the talents of Zidar, Celaeri, Anethean, Tuor, Turuck and Daerlan to make a large gathering of powerful individuals. As they age many practitioners tend to grow solitary and withdraw from the world around them. However, in the Toraba Forest, the ancient home of the Wierlun, a quaint village of sorts has sprouted from the earth. It is not a directed growth of huts and cabins but a haphazard scattering of domiciles housing many of the remaining legends of Landermass. Blackthorne lives far to the south in his own walled estate; he retreated from the company of Men when he still claimed his original life span. In Toraba live such beings that could shake the world and claim sovereignty over it; some could do it singly. The point I want to make is that this place is peaceful, quiet and all who live there are content not to meddle in the affairs of kingdoms and their leaders. But we cannot hide and the troubles of Landermass always find their way to our doorsteps.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

The wagon rolled to a stop outside Gerrand's hut. The riders stayed in their saddles with their heads down. The old sorcerer hobbled out into the dim sunlight to the sobbing Moria and embraced her. Loric dismounted and motioned to the others. Dvorak unhitched the horses from the wagon and led them to pasture. Berlo and Dimont stood off to the side as Moria grieved.

"Where is Blackthorne?" asked Gerrand. "Why is he not here?"

"He went back to watch the end of the battle," said Navir. The Daerlan shook his head. "He felt the need to mark Kerreth's passing and would be able to get away undetected from Warga and Wulfgeld unlike the rest of us. Kerreth was my oldest friend. I do not believe he is gone."

"That is saying a lot," whispered Dimont to Berlo. "Friends for thousands of years. I cannot comprehend that span of existence."

"I was still King of my people when I first saw him," said Navir, speaking to no one in particular. "He was so big and strong. I had never seen anyone like him. I thought he was a god. He moved silently and struck as quickly as a big cat. He never gave ground during a battle, pressing ever forward."

"Dimont, you and Berlo listen well," said Loric. "The loss of Kerreth Veralier has shaken this company. You may understand the loss of a friend or family member but Kerreth was so much more. He lived for thousands of years and gave meaning to this immortal life we lead. I felt worthless and cursed my immortality but Kerreth found me and made me part of the Talos Company. Most of us did not fit in with our families, towns or even our own races. We followed Kerreth's lead and felt connected to Landermass again. Our existence was no longer meaningless. Now our anchor is gone. Tell the High Mage that we are not as strong as we were."

They watched the others greet the dwellers. Wynne strode out looking from side to side.

"Where are Jarius and the Greyrawk boy?" asked Wynne.

"They are continuing the search for Ian Greyrawk," said Loric. "Brevin has gone with them."

"Just the three of them? I don't think Brevin is enough to protect them."

"Jarius is powerful," said Loric. "And Brevin is wise enough."

"But Jarius is untested," said Wynne. "And that is laid at my feet. I protected him and did not allow him to prepare for the outside world. I did not want him to become like Blackthorne. My folly will cost innocent lives once more. Jarius will not allow Brevin to guide him. He will resist and rebel against what Brevin may try to teach him. Brevin's good intentions will drive Jarius to Blackthorne's way of thinking."

"What do we do now?" asked Dvorak.

"Someone must go after them," said Gerrand. "Loric, I think it should be you. Jarius admires you and will listen to you. And you have the speed to overtake them. Head for the coast. The rest of us must prepare Toraba to withstand the evil of Pashar Bei. With the Celaeri to support him he will move against the kingdoms of Anavar. His success would give a power base to support the Celaeri in their efforts to return and control Cresida. I already sense the tendrils of his sorcery in the land. I am too weak to fight him directly. You have no magic and you are well suited for the task of tracking and protecting Davan and Jarius. The rest of us will build wards around this land. Berlo and Dimont must return to Nantitet and warn Artus Endria of the new threat to this land."

"Where is Blackthorne?" asked Wynne. "What new grief is he up to?"

"He stayed behind to witness Kerreth's death."

"And you believed him? Fools! There is something more to his madness. He respected Kerreth, but that would not keep him to watch Kerreth die. He would not remain near anything that could kill Kerreth. Blackthorne had a purpose in staying behind, dark and nefarious I don't doubt. Well, we shall learn about it eventually, perhaps to our disadvantage."

"You don't trust him," said Berlo.

Wynne turned to him. She walked to the mage and looked deeply in his eyes.

"You wanted to learn how to use magic for battle. Blackthorne can teach you many things but you will like few of them. To use your magic in the ways Blackthorne does will change you and not for the better. I have changed and I do not like the person I have become. Because of what I am, my daughter Melian became a most dangerous witch, snaring anyone who treads too near her home. You Berlo will come to terrify those you love. Keep that in mind in your quest for knowledge." She looked long at Dimont before turning away.

"That was cheery," said Dvorak. "I am glad I have no aspirations."

"Is Wynne right?" asked Moria. "Is Blackthorne up to dark things?"

"We won't know until he returns," said Gerrand. "But he may only have wanted to watch Warga and Wulfgeld. It is not often that gods cross one's path."

"Come Moria," said Faeya Ryr. "You need to rest. I freshened your cottage and I will sit with you awhile."

"Thank you."

Loric watched them go to Moria's cottage.

"I will leave in an hour. I need to gather supplies and eat a bit."

"I'll help you," said Dvorak.

"I guess we will prepare to return to Nantitet," said Dimont. "We shall have plenty to keep us busy."

"Help yourself to what supplies you need," said Gerrand. He lowered himself to the ground under the large tree, groaning as he moved.

"May I help?" asked Navir.

"Thank you no. I am old and must make my peace with age. Sometimes I envy you Navir, and other times I do not. Today I do not, even if it is painful to sit on the ground. I need clarity of thought. For all his rough edges Kerreth could see things that eluded me. We are going to miss him in the days to come."

"What are our plans?" asked Dvorak.

"I can't speak for the Talos Company," said Gerrand. "I no longer have the energy to travel nor would my strength hold in a magic fight. I can only offer advice."

"Do not discount your advice," said Navir. "You are wise yet. Dvorak, I am not the leader of the Talos Company. With Kerreth dead, Taina is the leader."

"She is due back from Nantitet any time," said Gerrand.

"Fine, we will wait for Taina," said Dvorak. "But she will not know about Kerreth. She has known him most of her life."

"True," said Navir. "We must then allow her time to grieve before we push on. Did Kerreth give any indication of what he planned after the Tower of Erast?"

"I think he was going to go with Davan searching for Davan's father."

"That is beyond us now. Perhaps Taina will have insight to the situation in Nantitet. I believe we will be needed wherever the Mordyn threat arises."

"It was present in Erast," said Dvorak. "A Mordyn sorcerer and Celaeri warriors."

"A mere handful of Celaeri. If more arrive it will be a formidable threat, but not until then. Pashar Bei needed Wulfgeld's help to defeat us. Wulfgeld will not follow an army into the Three Kingdoms."

Two hours later Blackthorne rode into the clearing. His pack was bulging and heavy as he carried it to a vacant cottage. He went back and stabled his horse, brushing it down and feeding it. Then he returned to his cottage. He looked at Navir and Dvorak who stood near the tree but he did not speak or smile. He shut the door and threw the bolt.