Seeds of Rebellion (26 page)

“And Damak’s son,” Nedwin added.

“Damak?” Jason said. “The torture guy?”

“Bridonus lacks their ruthlessness, but he is essentially a puppet of the emperor,” Galloran said. “The three other remaining guardians must be rescued.”

“I’ll see to it,” Nedwin said.

Galloran nodded slowly, placing his palms together at his lips. “Trivett on the Isle of Weir will be the hardest to reach. Perhaps we’ll dispatch Vernon.”

“Have you heard anything about Rachel?” Jason asked, internally crossing his fingers.

“Tark related how he left her with Drake,” Galloran said. “He is a seedman of no small reputation, though by my day he had already withdrawn from the rebellion against Maldor. I have heard no tidings regarding Rachel, but if Drake meant to disappear with her into the wilderness, the lack of information is encouraging.”

“I have to find her,” Jason said.

“We’ll make every effort,” Galloran promised. “Nedwin, have you anything else to report?”

“Not at present, sire. You’ll want to interview the men Jason brought.”

“Naturally. Begin preparations for us to depart in the morning. We will all require horses. I wish to converse with Lord Jason in private.”

“Certainly, sire.” Nedwin rose and exited the room.

“I never expected to see Ned again,” Jason said once the door had closed. “When I first met him, he took my knife and threatened me.”

“He related your first encounter,” Galloran said. “Nedwin is doing his best to cope with deep scars.”

“He used to be your servant?” Jason asked.

“My squire. When I was blinded and captured by the conscriptor Grollis, Nedwin was apprehended as well. He was a bright, sensitive young man with enormous potential. That was about fourteen years ago. After six years of torture I was released—a blind, enfeebled mockery of my former self. During the first few years of my incarceration, I was near Nedwin on occasion. He had an unconquerable will and remained fiercely loyal to me even after I was reduced to a babbling wretch. Because of his strength, the tormentors pushed the limits with Nedwin, experimenting with untried toxins and procedures.

“After I was released, I assumed Nedwin had perished. His fate remained a mystery until he located me by following your trail. I’ve learned that he remained imprisoned more than five years longer than I, enduring excruciating reconditioning the entire time. When he first arrived here, wearing only a coarse sack and a glove, he seemed beyond the brink of madness. But in a short while he has come a long way. Once he was the clever and articulate younger brother of the Earl of Geer. Maldor’s tormentors shattered him, deformed his mind, but he is battling his way back toward sanity. Never have I witnessed a more valiant spirit.”

“I had no idea,” Jason said.

Galloran rubbed the side of his cot. “I know firsthand how thoroughly the tormentors can annihilate a person. Even disregarding my eyes, I do not yet feel like the man I was. It has been an arduous process of long, anonymous years, gradually overcoming fears and frailties to reassemble my identity. My memories regarding the Word were the hardest to recapture, though I’ve finally enjoyed major breakthroughs of late.” Galloran sniffed, adjusting his blindfold. “The time to reconstruct myself has now passed. The hour to act has arrived. Do you intend to continue with us in this cause?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Galloran sighed. “Difficult times have befallen us. You’ve already endured many hardships.”

“I’m lucky to be alive.”

“Luck only carries any of us so far. You’ve achieved much more than mere luck would allow. You’ve made smart choices, forged strategic relationships. Tell me about when you used the Word. Are you certain you said it to Maldor in person?”

“Yes,” Jason said. “He didn’t know I had the whole thing, so he admitted me to his throne room with a big crowd there. The Word vanished from my mind when I spoke it, but it didn’t bother Maldor. He later explained that it was actually the Word to destroy some other wizard named Orruck.”

“Orruck?” Galloran repeated, stroking his beard. “Intriguing.”

“Maldor told me that years ago you spoke the Word to him in person. Since you were blind, he pretended you were talking to a decoy.”

Galloran steepled his fingers. “I only recently remembered that episode with help from Nedwin. So I was actually in the presence of the emperor.” A small, sad smile appeared on his lips. “He is a truly gifted liar. Thank you for the vital knowledge that the Word itself is fraudulent. It sickens me to consider how much time and effort has been misdirected. The knowledge you sent with Tark taught me that I remain capable of outrage. As soon as I learned of the elaborate deception, I sent Nedwin to retrieve Jugard from his pointless guardianship, and then I began concocting a plan.”

“Can you tell me?”

“It continues to evolve, but centers on uniting all who continue to oppose Maldor in a desperate gambit. It was a course of action I considered long ago, but Kadara still imagined itself untouchable, and too many kingdoms denied the urgency of the situation, preferring
to pretend they could somehow appease Maldor and avoid war, so I elected to hunt the Word instead. Hopefully, it is not too late to atone for my folly.”

“I’ll help if I can,” Jason said.

“That would be most appreciated,” Galloran said. “Tark told me that you escaped from Felrook. How did you manage such a feat?”

“A displacer rescued me and then forced me to return to the Beyond.”

“A displacer?”

“Yeah. When I first arrived here, I had no idea that displacers served Maldor. A displacer befriended me and Rachel to observe our actions, but we sent him away once we learned he worked for the emperor. He must have taken some genuine interest in me, because he smuggled me out of Felrook after the Word failed against Maldor and I was captured.”

“He returned you to the Beyond?”

“Yes, using a gateway near Felrook. He only released me from Felrook on the condition that I would go directly home. Despite my promise, I tried to escape, so I could warn you that the Word is a fraud. But he overpowered me and sent me away.”

“And you came back to Lyrian?” Galloran said in disbelief.

“Believe it or not, I came through the same hippopotamus that brought me here the first time. Jumped into the tank on purpose. I wanted to keep others from wasting their time pursuing the Word. And I couldn’t just ditch Rachel.”

Galloran smiled. “Truly, you are possessed by that species of madness that begets heroism. You have performed an invaluable service. Tell me about your new companions.”

“One is a mercenary named Aram.”

“Aram the smuggler? A mountainous man?”

“Yes.”

“I know of him. He has never displayed any willingness to resist the emperor. How did you retain his services?”

“Tark recommended him to me, then I got in good with his mother, and she convinced him. I’m not sure whether he’s fully committed yet. He’s getting there. You should see him fight!”

“That might prove difficult.”

“Whoops, I meant—”

“I’m jesting. Who is the other?”

“Ferrin the displacer.”

Even with most of his face concealed behind a blindfold and a beard, Galloran looked alarmed. “He has a deadly reputation. A foe most devious and capable. Young for a displacer, he was just rising to prominence back when I was completing the Word. My sources have followed his career. If his character were less capricious and his methods more orthodox, he would already be a candidate to lead the displacers. This is the displacer who freed you?”

“Yes. According to him, Maldor discovered his participation in my rescue, and he now wants to join our side.”

“How convinced are you of his sincerity?”

“Not completely certain. He’s been really helpful so far. And he’s already passed up a bunch of chances to betray me. Without his help, I doubt I’d be here.”

Galloran took a deep breath. “Giving him our trust could prove ruinous. I’ve learned never to underestimate the deceptive abilities of our enemies. Malar is the only displacer I’ve ever met who truly joined our cause, though plenty have pretended. Summon your new comrades, and we’ll see what I can discern.”

As Jason rose from the bench, Dorsio crossed the room and opened the door. Down the hall, Aram and Ferrin stood conversing with Tark. When the short musician saw Jason, he broke off
the conversation and sprinted down the passageway. “Lord Jason!” he cried. “I’m sorry I was unable to meet you at Potsug.” He looked distressed.

“It worked out,” Jason said. “You recommended a good bodyguard.”

“All they wanted was you. Our enemies, I mean. Soon after you left me, a group of soldiers began hunting me in earnest, ready to dispose of me after I had led them to their true quarry. It was quite a chase. I killed a few of them. It took me longer than I had anticipated to work my way here.”

“I’m glad you made it. I was worried about you.”

Tark beamed, then scowled. “The evening I arrived, the castle came under assault. I feel like a token of foul luck. All around me suffer.”

“It had to be the information you carried,” Jason said. “They must have found out what I told you.”

“I revealed nothing until I arrived here!” Tark swore.

“They may have guessed. Maldor knows what secrets I carry. Or the lurker could have overheard us.” Jason turned to Aram and Ferrin. “Galloran wants to talk to all of us.”

“Galloran is here?” Tark exclaimed.

“He didn’t tell you?” Jason said. “Come with us.”

The four of them entered the room with Galloran. Dorsio closed the door, remaining inside.

“Do you mind if Tark joins us?” Jason asked.

“Not at all,” Galloran said.

Jason sat on a chair off to the side. Ferrin, Aram, and Tark sat on the bench.

“You’re Galloran?” Tark asked in awe.

The Blind King snorted. “Is this becoming common knowledge?”

“I know how you feel,” grumbled Aram.

“Ferrin deduced it long before we got here,” Jason said.

“Ah, yes, the master spy,” Galloran said. “I have heard frightening reports about you from my sources.”

“Likewise,” Ferrin said.

Galloran chuckled. “I’m sure the gossip about me was terrifying. Were you warned that I was a blind pauper serving as an arbiter in a ruined castle?”

“You’ve only been lionized into the greatest hero of our time,” Ferrin responded. “I expect the reputation is well deserved.”

Galloran appeared thoughtful. “An inflated reputation can be useful when inciting a revolution. Aram, am I to understand you have enlisted in our cause?”

The others all looked to the big man. He swallowed. “Do we have a chance of success?”

Galloran crinkled his brow pensively. “A succinct and important question. The situation is dire. Our first order of business will be to investigate our assets. Without some key alliances, we have no chance. Even if we manage to unite the remaining free citizens of Lyrian, it may be too little, too late. But this effort will certainly represent our last opportunity to prevent an age of tyranny that will endure for many generations. I will not give up the cause until I am sure we cannot prevail.”

“Then I will join you until the cause proves unwinnable,” Aram said.

“You’re a mercenary. I have little to offer you at present. Should we succeed, you will receive a barony.”

“You’d make a fine baron,” Tark encouraged.

Smirking self-consciously, the big man looked around the small, dusty room. “We can discuss payment once you’ve been restored to your throne.”

“Fair enough.”

Aram cleared his throat. “I may as well tell you, since the secret is out: I’m half giant. My usefulness fades each morning at sunrise and does not recommence until dusk.”

“Half giant?” Galloran said. “How did you come to be?”

Tark gaped at Aram in astonishment.

“My mother is human; my father, a giant.”

“No magic?”

“Just nature.”

“Fascinating. Welcome, Aram.” Galloran turned his head, as if looking at Ferrin. “Back to the matter of the famed Ferrin, son of Baldor. Am I to believe you honestly mean to join our rebellion?”

“I do,” Ferrin replied. His voice and expression seemed relaxed, but Jason sensed a nervous tension underneath.

“You desire this alliance because your impulsive rescue of Lord Jason offended Maldor?”

“And he must know I’ve learned about the fraudulent Word,” Ferrin added. “Maldor has irrevocably become my enemy.”

Galloran frowned. “A common enemy is not necessarily a reliable basis for friendship.”

“The circumstances have compelled me to take a step I have long contemplated. Even when I served him, I quietly yearned to see the emperor overthrown.”

“You did not believe it was possible,” Galloran said flatly.

“I still have my doubts, but I’m willing to try. I know much that could be of service.”

“Undoubtedly. How can I know you will not betray us?”

“I could give you my word.”