Knight Eternal (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (Harbinger of Doom Volume 3) (10 page)

“
Claradon! Welcome, my
dear nephew,” said Lord Malvegil as he approached the group. “Too
long have these halls not seen your face.” At his arm, Landolyn
smiled politely.

Ob gave Claradon a bit of a push on the
back, and he stepped forward, hand outstretched. “Greetings, Uncle
Torbin. Good to see you, it’s been far too long.”

They clasped forearms. Malvegil leaned in
and spoke quietly now, squeezing Claradon’s forearm and shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, dear boy. Your father was a fine man, and my good
friend of long years. I can’t believe that he and Gabriel are
gone.”

“
Nor can I.”

“
There’s much that we must
discuss,” said Malvegil.

“
Ob,” boomed Malvegil as
he looked past Claradon. “You stinking gnome bastard. Come here,”
he said, arms outstretched.

“
Lord Ob to you, you
stinking scum,” Ob said. Ob hopped up on a chair and they embraced
like brothers, smacking each other warmly on the back. Lady
Landolyn looked mortified at the whole exchange.

“
Do my eyes deceive me?”
said Malvegil as he looked to Artol who stood nearby smiling.
“Artol the Destroyer, The Hammer of Lomion, the Scourge of the
North!”

“
Those names are old and
worn, Torbin, I’m due for a new one.”

“
You will have to earn it,
just as the others.” The two men firmly embraced; the requisite
three manly pats on the back each.

“
But I’ve forgotten my
manners,” said Malvegil. “This vision of loveliness,” grasping his
lady by the arm, “for those who haven’t had the pleasure, is my
consort, the Lady Landolyn.”

“
Welcome, gentlemen,” she
said, bowing her head politely, though her voice was less than
welcoming.

When the greetings and introductions were
completed, Gravemere offered to lead the group on a tour of Dor
Malvegil’s sights while dinner was being prepared. He boasted of
Dor Malvegil’s extensive library, well-appointed gallery, and the
impressive views from the eastern terrace.

Theta gave Claradon a
withering stare that commanded him to speak up. Instead, he
suddenly took great interest in Lord Malvegil’s shoes.

“
Lord Malvegil,” said
Theta. “We’re on a mission of great urgency. No doubt, we would all
enjoy the hospitality of your fine house, but we must be off this
night. Much is at stake.”

Malvegil studied Theta,
looking him up and down. “I will speak of this with Lord Eotrus, in
private. In the meantime, you men may enjoy the hospitality of
House Malvegil.” Malvegil grasped Claradon by the arm and led him
from the hall, the public discussion over. Ob followed on their
heels.

“
Who is he?” said
Malvegil, as he, Ob, and Claradon climbed the castle
stairs.

Claradon hesitated.
“Well—

“
He is trouble, is what he
is,” said Ob. “He’s a foreigner what calls himself Angle Theta—Lord
Angle Theta, actually. Some folks call him by other
names.”

“
Never heard of him. Some
upstart, no doubt, who doesn’t yet know his place. I can’t place
his accent. Where is he from?”

“
Some place far to the
west, or so he says,” said Ob. “All very mysterious, if you ask
me.”

“
Uncle, Lord Harringgold
sent a raven—”

“
I’ve had no ravens from
Dor Lomion in weeks,” said Malvegil. “If he sent one, that proves
the system is compromised, as I’ve long suspected. What was the
message?”

“
Jude was
kidnapped.”

Malvegil stopped dead on the stairs.
“What?”

“
Ambushed on the north
road,” said Ob. “A dozen men with him found dead, including some of
our best.”

“
Jude was taken captive,”
said Claradon.

“
Captive! On Eotrus lands?
Who did this?”

“
The stinking Leaguers,”
said Ob. “Heard of them, I trust?”

Malvegil growled, his jaw set, but said
nothing more until they reached the third floor. “Ransom?”

“
They
haven’t asked for any, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to,”
said Claradon. “That’s why we’re here. Those who took Jude are
aboard a ship called
The White
Rose
. They would’ve passed here within the
last day or so. As far as we know, Jude is alive and on
board.”

“
Darn raven,” said
Malvegil. “If it had arrived, I could’ve stopped them. Jude would
be free now and them that took him, in irons.”

Malvegil led them toward
his private den. “To attack a squad of soldiers like that—the
League is moving faster than I anticipated.” Malvegil grabbed a
passing servant and commanded him to fetch the Harbormaster and his
aides at once, though when they arrived, they reported only
that
The Rose
had
been seen the previous day, but did not put to port.

Malvegil settled into a wide leather chair
in the Lord’s Den, a grave look on his face. Claradon and Ob sat
across from him. Servants poured the men wine, but fled the room at
a gesture from Malvegil.

“
We can do no more for
Jude than what you’ve planned. Track that ship, bring it to heel,
and get Jude back one way or another. I will aid you in any way I
can. I would give you another ship or two, but nothing I have is
fast enough to keep up with you. Anything else I have that you need
is yours.”

“
Thank you,” said
Claradon.

“
No need to thank me,
boy—we’re family; I can do no less. Your father was more than my
sister’s husband, he was my best friend for all my life. From when
Aradon and I were small children our families visited each other,
for a week or more, several times each year. Those were some of the
best times in my life, which is why we continued the tradition
after you kids were born. I will always regret that we didn’t keep
up those trips over the last few years, but with Eleanor gone, and
you boys always off in training—it just wasn’t the same. I can’t
believe that it has been two years since I’ve seen your father, and
now, never again. There just never seems enough time.”

“
Aye,” said Ob. “Never
enough.”

“
Our family visits were
some of the best times of my life as well,” said Claradon. “I know
Glimador feels the same, and so do my brothers.”

“
I’m glad of that,” said
Malvegil. “We did that much right, at least. We could talk for
hours of the happy times, and we should, but tonight, we’ve graver
matters to discuss. I’ve heard Glimador’s tale about your father.
Mountain trolls, my ass. You swore him to secrecy, I’m sure, though
he won’t even admit that much. Tell me what really happened to
Aradon and the others.”

“
The stinking Shadow
League happened,” said Ob.

Malvegil winced at the
remark, and then took a gulp of wine. “Are you telling me that the
League killed them?”

“
In a manner of speaking,”
said Claradon.

Malvegil closed his eyes. “There’s no
stopping it then. This puts Lomion on the road to ruin. It can only
end one way.” Malvegil downed the rest of his wine. “Now tell me
everything. Leave nothing out.”

Claradon and Ob related the events of the
Vermion, a dark tale of death, demon lords, and mad cultists.
Malvegil listened intently and asked many questions.

“
A hard story to swallow
whole or in pieces,” said Malvegil. “You did well not to tell this
tale to the Council. It could only have made things worse, and they
would certainly never accept the truth of it.”

“
If I wasn’t there, I
wouldn’t believe it,” said Ob, “but I was.”

“
I’ve seen many strange
things in my days,” said Malvegil, “and more often than not,
Gabriel was around when I saw them. He seemed to attract the weird
or mayhaps it attracted him. I’ve never seen a demon though, and
never even believed in them. Fairy tales and ghost stories for the
fireside, nothing more, I’d say.”

Malvegil stared at the
fireplace for a moment, considering his words before continuing. “I
wasn’t with you that night, but I accept your story as honest told
however wild it sounds.” Malvegil refilled his goblet from a glass
decanter. “They died heroes, Aradon, Gabriel, Talbon, Stern,
Donnelin, and the rest, defending our kingdom. Few better ways for
old soldiers to pass, I suppose.”

“
I’d prefer old age,” said
Ob.

“
You passed old age a
hundred years ago.”

“
Of course, he moves slow.
I’ve left him behind, and he can’t catch me,” Ob said
chuckling.

“
Did
Korrgonn sail with
The White
Rose
?” said Malvegil.

“
He did,” said
Claradon.

Malvegil nodded. “You’ll
want to leave at once. I would feel the same if I were you, but
still, I strongly advise you to remain here the night. The Dead
Fens, as Ob knows too well, lie just to the south of Malvegil
lands. It’s an evil place and always has been. A fog that never
lifts makes passage perilous even in full daylight. But of late,
things have grown fouler—fouler than they’ve been in twenty-five
years,” he said, with a glance to Ob. “Dark shapes are seen by
passing ships. Strange sounds are heard even in the
day.”

“
Over the last year,
several small boats have gone missing never to be found. In recent
months, guardsmen and sailors have disappeared without sound or
trace from the decks of even the largest vessels. If you leave
tonight, you will find yourselves in the heart of the fens before
dawn. That is somewhere you don’t want to be. Get a good night’s
rest here, in comfortable beds and safe surroundings, leave in the
morning, and with any luck at all you’ll be past the fens hours
before dark.”

Claradon stared into his goblet.

“
Aye, it might be best,”
said Ob, “all things considered.”

“
Sound advice,” said
Claradon.

“
It’s settled then,” said
Malvegil, “and that’s good, for we’ve much more to discuss.
Glimador tells me you gave Barusa quite a thrashing.”

“
You should’ve seen it,”
said Ob. “He had Mr. High-and-Mighty on his knees.”

Malvegil broke into a wide
smile. “Well, you are your father’s son, I’ll give you
that.”

Claradon’s face reddened and he looked
down.

“
I’m sorry,” said
Malvegil. “The pain is still fresh, I know. It will lessen in time,
but it will always be with you.” Malvegil took a drink from his
goblet. “Find strength and what comfort you can in the good
memories of your father, of which I know you have many.”

“
After that duel, you’re
lucky to have gotten out of Lomion City alive. The Shadow League
has a warrant out on your life, I’m certain.”

“
Religious nuts, every
one,” said Ob. “They’ve bought off half the High Council, maybe
more.”

“
Religion isn’t their aim
or their purpose, old friend; it’s merely their tool. This is about
revolution—a revolution from within.”

“
The League wants to take
over—to seize power over Lomion City and the whole of the kingdom,
and rule it as they will. Their religious trappings are nothing
more than that, a way to delude the commoners and the fools and
mask their true goals. Our way of life is being destroyed before
our eyes. The monarchy has already fallen, the republic, which has
wielded the real power for the last thousand years, is near
collapse. Once the Vizier or the Chancellor or some other gains
enough power to take control of all the League’s forces, they will
kill the Tenzivels and the Harringgolds, they’ll dissolve the High
Council and the Council of Lords, and Lomion City will be lost.
From there, they’ll move on Kern, Dover, Sarnack, Dyvers, and all
the Dors. Nowhere will be safe for us. Not here, not
anywhere.”

Malvegil stood and began
to pace as he spoke. “They have agents everywhere; they’ve been
infiltrating for years, right under our noses. They’ve been
recruiting our own citizens into the cults and brainwashing them in
the temples, making them hate their own land, their own government,
their own way of life. They even have spies in my own House, so
mind your words when we’re not in private. While we’ve been focused
on threats from without, they’ve been slowly eating away at us from
within.”

“
Can’t we raise the
Council of Lords into action?” said Claradon. “The combined might
of the Lords must still far outstrip whatever forces are loyal to
the League.”

“
I tried to do just that
when I was in Lomion three months ago. All I got was a dagger in my
back.”

“
What?” said
Ob.

“
They tried to kill you?”
said Claradon.

“
They did, but luckily, I
had on a vest of chain beneath my shirt for just such an occasion.
When I had him, the assassin cut his own throat rather than be
taken. That one was in it for religion, as are many of the League’s
agents and soldiers. It makes it easier for the League’s leaders to
control their troops, for religious zealotry can take hold of a man
and make him do things beyond his imagining.”

“
Glenfinnen went into
hiding after the attempt on my life. Baron Morfin wasn’t so lucky.
They killed him and his son. A murder-suicide declared the good
Chancellor. Hogwash and horsefeathers. They think us fools enough
to believe that?”