Elvangar Page 4

  Lady Mystic smiled broadly as she subtly nodded her head. “I do like the way you think, Aakuta. That would be greater entertainment than anything I could think of. Do you mind if I mention it to Vand?”

  “Not at all,” smiled Aakuta. “The credit shall all be yours.”

  Lady Mystic smiled as she separated from Aakuta and approached the Emperor. Vand stared at Aakuta while Lady Mystic whispered in his ear. He nodded slowly, and Lady Mystic returned to her spot next to the dark mage.

  “The Emperor agrees with you,” Lady Mystic whispered when she returned. “When everyone else is dismissed, we are to remain behind. He wants us to witness the punishment.”

  Aakuta let Lady Mystic’s words roll around in his mind as he thought about the way the Emperor had stared at him. A cold chill ran up Aakuta’s spine. He suddenly realized that Vand did not trust him at all. The punishment was to serve as notice to Aakuta should the dark mage get any ideas of treason.

  The meeting dragged on for another hour after the spymaster had finished. Aakuta became bored with listening to the trivial concerns of the petitioners. Suddenly, the door opened and a man was thrown into the room. The man wore the uniform of the Motanga military, but he had no weapons on him. The officer who had left the chamber to fetch the sector commander strode through the doors before they closed.

  “Today’s session is over,” announced the Emperor as he glared at the soldier on the floor.

  People silently turned and filed out of the room. When the door finally closed, only Aakuta, Lady Mystic, the Emperor, and the two soldiers remained. The Emperor rose from his throne and walked down the steps. He circled around the officer on the floor and spat upon him.

  “Your dereliction of duty has cost me greatly,” snarled the Emperor. “You have allowed elves to escape this island. Even now they walk the roads of Khadora. How should you pay for your failure?”

  “I beg your mercy,” cried the commander. “I had no way of knowing that the escapees were in my sector. I have served you faithfully. Please don’t kill me.”

  “Very well,” the Emperor replied after several minutes of silence. “Stand up.”

  The commander rose submissively. He looked around the room to see who was present. He avoided the glare from the emperor and stared at the floor. Vand gestured to the gold-trimmed officer and instructed him to open a door at the rear of the chamber. The officer immediately complied, his expression one of wonder.

  “Walk with me,” the Emperor said to the commander.

  The soldier nodded and followed the Emperor out of the chamber. Lady Mystic tugged on Aakuta’s sleeve and nodded towards the door. The two mages followed the emperor and the soldiers. The small group emerged into a corridor. They walked along the corridor a short distance before they came to another door. The emperor turned and dismissed the gold-trimmed officer. When he had left, the emperor opened the door to the chamber. A blast of hot arid air immediately swept into the corridor. The emperor’s face began to glow with pleasure.

  “Wait inside for me,” the emperor instructed the commander.

  The soldier nodded and walked into the chamber. A sudden brilliant glow emanated from the chamber, and the soldier began screaming hysterically. Emperor Vand smiled thinly at Aakuta.

  “Don’t even think of betraying me,” Vand warned Aakuta. “There are some powers so great that you will never be able to comprehend them.” Turning to face Lady Mystic, the emperor continued, “Enjoy yourself with the commander. Make sure that everyone knows what happened to him.”

  Lady Mystic nodded her assurance, and Vand stepped into the chamber. After several minutes, the screaming soldier flew out of the chamber and slammed into the wall of the corridor. The door closed silently, cutting off the brilliant glow.

  “What do we do with him now?” Aakuta asked as he watched the screaming soldier banging his head against the stone floor in an attempt to kill himself.

  “We enjoy the show,” shrugged Lady Mystic. “He needs to be seen in the city as an example of what happens to those who fail their duties. Should we levitate him down the stairs, or just toss his body off the roof?”

  “He won’t die?” asked Aakuta.

  “Not until he is allowed to,” replied Lady Mystic.

  Chapter 3

  An Odd Assortment

  The string of red-clad soldiers wound through the city to the Temple of Vand. The line ran around the temple and into a huge cavernous room through the rear entrance. Lady Mystic and Aakuta stood in the center of the room watching the procession. At the end of the room opposite the entrance, Emperor Vand stood mumbling words as he took a soldier’s right wrist into his hand. A small curl of smoke rose from the contact, and the soldier jolted slightly. Vand dropped the man’s wrist and waited for the next soldier to step forward so he could repeat the procedure.

  The recently processed soldier shook his head as he fought the pain that had been inflicted on him. After a few seconds, he walked forward to a long table and picked up the clothes that had been laid out for him. He turned silently and marched towards the rear exit from the temple where Clarvoy and Santiock waited for him. General Santiock stared at the soldier as the man halted in front of him.

  “Brown and yellow uniform,” General Santiock announced.

  “He will be impersonating a soldier of the Kamaril clan of Khadora,” declared Clarvoy. “He will not be leaving until tomorrow.”

  “Return to your barracks,” ordered General Santiock. “Report to the docks at daybreak.”

  The soldier nodded silently and marched out the door. Already the next hellsoul was approaching the general.

  “Simple black cloak,” announced General Santiock.

  “I have need of him tonight,” Clarvoy smiled mischievously. “Send him to the docks.”

  Suddenly, the crazed commander raced into the temple, his red uniform torn and ragged and his wide-open eyes focusing on nothing. The man’s mouth was twisted grotesquely and drool ran down his chin. The guards moved quickly to halt his progress. Two spears pierced the man’s side and a sword slashed across his abdomen. The commander fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Seconds later, he rose and began running again, his entrails hanging through his fresh wound. The guards seized him and dragged him out of the temple. Vand looked briefly at the distraction and instantly returned to processing the long line of soldiers.

  “What a horrible existence,” remarked Aakuta from the center of the room. “How long will he exist like that?”

  “As I said before,” smiled Lady Mystic. “He will not be allowed to die until Vand feels the punishment has been met. Such is the price to pay for betraying a god.”

  “A rather heavy price,” Aakuta remarked. “It was humorous at first, but it grows tiring now.”

  “It is meant to grate on your nerves, Aakuta,” smiled Lady Mystic. “For some reason Vand does not trust you. I can’t imagine why.”

  “Nor can I,” scowled Aakuta. “I have tried to be helpful to the Emperor. I have studied your spells and potions. I have even offered my advice on how to improve them. My every action has been to make Vand’s operation more successful, but he insists on sending fools to the mainland. Can he not see the destruction he is doing to his own cause?”

  “Do you think he cares about his losses?” laughed Lady Mystic. “Vand is thousands of years old, Aakuta. His playing in Khadora and its neighboring countries brings amusement to him. It really doesn’t matter in the end what the Torak does. So he unites the pitiful armies of Khadora, so what? They still will be unable to defend against what Vand is going to throw at them. The same is true of the Sakovans and the Fakarans. In fact, maybe their newfound organization will make the war more enjoyable.”

  “Are you telling me that my advice is rejected even though he knows that I am right?” asked the dark mage.

  “Vand doesn’t want your advice,” replied Lady Mystic. “He wants you to be excited about his projects. Oh, your advice might be desirable when it conflicts with
his other advisors as that makes for an interesting exchange, but he will not alter his methods because you think your ways are better.”

  “So he is going to send these thousands of hellsouls to the mainland just for excitement?” questioned Aakuta.

  “Mostly,” nodded Lady Mystic. “Oh, Clarvoy will make good use of them no doubt, but it is the excitement Vand desires. Think about it. It is really a brilliant plan. Thousands of assassins roaming the mainland causing death and destruction, and they will not be able to be killed. Imagine the havoc this will cause. It almost makes me want to go and watch.”

  “How does Vand get his excitement from this?” inquired Aakuta. “What gain does he get when he cannot witness the havoc?”

  “He can somehow,” frowned Lady Mystic. “I do not understand it, but he has a way of seeing what happens. I think he gets visions in that chamber behind the throne room. How the visions come, or how accurate they are, is unknown to me, but he usually has a good feel for what is going on in the mainland.”

  “Interesting,” mused Aakuta. “I truly wonder what exists in there.”

  “Do not even think about it,” warned Lady Mystic. “You saw what happened to the commander. Your curiosity will be your death, or worse.”

  * * *

  Rhoda rose from her bed at Raven’s Point and walked to the window. The breeze was coming off the ocean as she leaned out the window. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as the wind gently blew her long black hair back into the room. As an air mage, Rhoda loved the feel of the wind upon her face. She remained frozen for several minutes as she felt the soft caress of the breeze. Eventually, she opened her eyes and stared into the predawn darkness. The stars overhead twinkled brightly, but she could smell the faint tinge of fog in the air. She pulled back from the window and slipped on a robe.

  Rhoda padded softly through the mansion so as not to disturb those who were still sleeping. She nodded to the sentries at the rear door of the mansion, as she did every morning, and pranced out into the darkness. She raced down to the waterfront and ran along the wooden boulevard until it ended. As she leaped onto the sandy beach, she felt the soft sand flow over her toes. She squealed softly with joy as she ran along the beach, away from the mansion. When she reached her favorite cove, she halted and spun in a circle, letting her arms fly out from her sides.

  She inhaled deeply again and closed her eyes. The breeze was almost nonexistent in the cove and a frown fell over her face. As an air mage, she loved the feel of the wind. She stared upward and could not see the stars. The smell of fog was strong, and she looked down and gazed upon the sea. She could just make out some wisps of fog just offshore. She sighed with resignation and began to take off her robe for her morning dip.

  A foreign sound echoed softly through the fog, and Rhoda froze. She tilted her head as if to hear better, but the sound was already gone. She remained unmoving for several long moments, hoping to hear it again.

  Suddenly, she heard the air ripping apart to her right. She whirled to face the noise, her mouth opening to scream, but it was too late. The freeze ball slammed into the air mage, instantly halting any movement. Her open eyes stared through the ice as she watched helplessly. Several men dressed in dark colors ran towards her. She could barely make out the shapes moving in the darkness, but there was nothing she could do about it.

  Four men seized her frozen frame and lifted it off the beach. They carried her swiftly along the beach to a waiting boat. She saw two other men already in the boat as her capturers lowered her to the floor. The sounds that filtered through the ice were grossly distorted. The men spoke briefly, but she could not understand what they were saying. What she did understand was that her life was about to change, and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

  * * *

  “Great shot!” congratulated Huckel. “Both of you are excellent archers.”

  “It was a fair shot,” grumbled Caldal as he held the bow away from himself and stared at it. “If you humans had a decent bow, I would show you what an elf could do.”

  “If you can tell me how to make a better bow,” offered the Khadoran trainer, “I would have on made for you.”

  “These bows will do,” replied Caldal with a shake of his head.

  “Aye,” nodded Huckel, “you do well with them. Anyway, it is time for you to head up to the Emperor’s office. “Come back when you have time. I would like to learn how you shoot so well.”

  Caldal did not reply as he turned and strode off. Eltor ran to catch up to him.

  “Why were you so cold to Huckel?” asked Eltor. “He was kind enough to you.”

  “He just wants to learn our elven secrets,” scowled Caldal. “I will tell these humans nothing.”

  “Your mind creates enemies where none exist,” scolded Eltor. “These humans do not hate us, and Huckel was just genuinely interested. He was not trying to pry secrets out of you when he offered to make you a bow. He was trying to please you.”

  “And what about learning our secrets of accuracy?” retorted Caldal. “You heard him say that he wants to learn how we do it.”

  “Of course he does,” Eltor shook his head in frustration. “If you saw someone doing something better than you, wouldn’t you want to learn how it was done? Huckel trains soldiers from all over Khadora. If he can learn better ways of doing something, he is eager to do so. I admire him for that. He really cares about teaching his men the best that he can. Your rudeness to him was insulting.”

  “Insulting?” balked Caldal as he halted outside the rear door to the Imperial Palace. “How did I insult him?”

  “You insulted me,” Eltor corrected. “After your performance towards him, I am ashamed to be known as an elf. I can only imagine what that man thinks of us now. I suppose he will see all elves as being rude, arrogant, and egotistical.”

  “What does it matter what he thinks?” shrugged Caldal. “It is against the law to interact with humans. We are not supposed to be here, and he will never be allowed into Elvangar. Who cares what a human thinks of us?”

  “I care,” admitted Eltor. “I know the hatred that was shown to us by the humans of Motanga, but we have seen none of that here in Khadora. In fact, just the opposite is true. Emperor Marak has opened up his palace to us. Our every request is instantly fulfilled. He has given us fine animal-skin clothes and weapons to call our own. Even though you attacked him when we first met, he lets us go armed and unescorted. That is not the mindset of an enemy.”

  “But the law…” Caldal began.

  “I know the law,” Eltor shouted. “The law also said that we were forbidden to pass the Barrier Islands,” he added more calmly, “but we did so knowingly. Do not hold up the law to me when you willingly break the portions that you want to. We will already face punishment when we return to Elvangar. I will not mistreat these humans for fear of the punishment that I will receive. In fact, I want to learn what I can from them. This is a golden opportunity, Caldal. No one in our lifetime has interacted with these humans. Their entire understanding of elves will be based upon what you and I do here. Do you really wish to create more enemies for our people?”

  “But they are humans,” frowned Caldal. “There will never be any relations between them and our people.”

  “You may be right,” conceded Eltor, “but you may also be wrong. Elves and humans did live together at one time. Who is to say that it can never happen again?”

  “Queen Alycia will not allow it,” Caldal said firmly.

  “Do you know her mind so well?” asked Eltor. “What if Emperor Marak is right about an invasion from Motanga? What if Queen Alycia agrees with Emperor Marak? What if she changes the law?”

  “I cannot imagine that happening,” Caldal shook his head. “It is just not imaginable.”

  “And what if she does want it to be,” posed Eltor, “and we have already poisoned the relationship with the way we treated these humans? Is your stubborn pride worth alienating all humans? Will it burden you so to act cor
dial to these humans during our stay here?”

  “I suppose I could be nicer,” conceded Caldal, “but you ask too much. I cannot feign friendship where none exists.”

  “Not even for MistyTrail?” smiled Eltor. “She may be an elf, but she is a product of this land. She has grown up in the land of humans. Are you willing to accept her scorn for the way you treat her friends?”

  “Why would she care?” questioned Caldal. “Once she sees Elvangar, she will never return here.”

  “I cannot see the future,” declared Eltor, “but I can see the hurt in her face when you are rude to the humans. You must have noticed it.”

  “She has been more distant since we arrived here,” admitted Caldal, “but I figured that she chose her human friends over us.”

  “It is we who have been more distant,” corrected Eltor. “Ever since we set foot on the human’s ship, we have withdrawn from her and Mistake. I can see it now as I look back on our behavior. I wish I had been able to see it then.”

  “You almost sound like you are growing close to these humans,” frowned Caldal. “Next you will be telling them the secrets of Elvangar.”

  “No,” Eltor shook his head. “I will never reveal anything that will endanger our people, but I am growing fond of the humans. Think about how we have been treated and then imagine that these people are a lost tribe of elves. How would you feel towards them?”

  Caldal thought silently for a moment before answering. “I would feel differently,” he conceded, “but they are not elves.”

  “No, they aren’t,” agreed Eltor, “but they have treated us more than fairly. All I ask is that you try to be diplomatic in our relations with these people. You do not have to like them, but try not to hate them. Can you do that?”

  “I will try,” nodded Caldal as he opened the door to the palace.

  The elves hurried up the staircase and along the corridor to the Emperor’s office. The sentries outside the office nodded politely and opened the door for them. They walked into the office and found a number of people already assembled. Mistake and MistyTrail smiled at the elves as they entered. There were two soldiers dressed in black and silver, the emperor, a person in a black hooded cloak, a sailor wearing black and silver, and a young woman in a simple white robe.