The Warlock Senator (Book 2) (10 page)

Miles fumed and clenched his jaw. His eyes flicked from Sweets to Craver before he looked at Desmon.

“Easy, friend,” Desmon said. “No one is impugning your honor. To the contrary, we are looking for someone exactly like yourself to join us. Let me explain, and then you can do as you please.”

“Make it quick,” Braun said.

Desmon nodded. “Seeing as you serve a noble, we figure you have your finger on the kingdom’s pulse. You and I both know that our king is not much longer for this world. We are forming a band of brothers to help ensure that power transfers to the right heir after his death.”

“His rightful heir?” Braun scoffed. “The king has no heir.”

“He has no blood heir, that much is true,” Craver put in.

Desmon pointed to C
raver and nodded. “But, a special council has named an heir.”

“If this council has named an heir, then why form a band of thugs to ensure the kingdom transfers smoothly?” Braun asked.

“Don’t play to be dense,” Sweets said. “You know how the nobles work. If there is ever a chance that power can be taken, you know as well as we do that they will do anything to seize that power.”

“So, we are offering you a spot with us. Help us protect the rightful heir to the throne. You will not be able to save your master from the senate, but you can honor him by ensuring the kingdom does not crumble upon the king’s death.”

Braun shook his head. “My master serves the king, and the kingdom, that much is true. But I owe my allegiance to House Lokton.”

“Lord Sarelle has been named as the rightful successor,” Desmon continued. “Several other nobles recognize his right to the throne.”

“He has no claim to the throne, unless King Mathias names him as heir. A secret council of nobles holds no authority,” Braun answered.

“Still, it makes more sense that the late queen’s nephew should rule. He is the closest living relative,” Desmon added.

“Unless you would rather have the senate take over the kingdom upon the king’s death,” Miles put in with an icy stare.

“
I will not hear any more of this,” Braun said.

“Well,” Desmon said with a shrug. “We tried.”

“Go and tell Jep to keep his nose out of my business.”

“Before you sever it from his face?” Miles put in.

Braun jerked his chair up and slammed it on the floor next to Miles, causing the man to flinch. “Don’t press me,” he warned. Braun turned back to his bed and gathered his things.

“Oh come now, there is no need to walk out,” Desmon said.

“I prefer better company,” Braun said.

“Good luck finding any space tonight,” Craver said. “Most of the inns are full this time of year.”

“I can find better company in a stable,” Braun replied.

Desmon chuckled to himself. “I do believe he values his horse higher than us,” Desmon jested.

Braun smiled. “I would value the soiled hay mucked out of the stable above the likes of you.”

Desmon’s smile disappeared. “Well then, go and sleep with your horse. I doubt our next meeting shall be so amicable.”

Braun nodded knowingly and then quickly exited the Hungry Man Inn.

Al and Erik checked the straps on their saddles and nodded to each other when they were ready.

“I figure we can make it half way to Buktah tonight,” Al said.

“Why are we going there?” Erik asked.

Al shrugged. “Seeing as how you are in a new body, your armor isn’t going to fit a
nymore. So we need to go back to my forge so I can make a new set for you. Besides, it might benefit us all if I send my apprentice here to help with preparations.”

“Preparations?” Erik asked curiously.

Al nodded. “The temple is well stocked, but we will need another smith here to make sure we have enough equipment. When you and Lepkin are switched back, you will go back to your training. Given the frequency with which the Blacktongues have followed you, I imagine we will need a smith around here to help us stay ready.”

Erik nodded. “Will it delay us much
?” Erik asked.

“Nah,” Al gruffed. I
have some basic pieces in stock. I will have to make some adjustments to them in order to ensure a proper fit, but that won’t take very long.”

“You know
, I never got a chance to use the armor you made for me anyway,” Erik said.

Al sniggered to himself. “Yeah, ironic huh?” Al smiled and clambered up the step ladder that allowed him to mount his horse. “I spent the better part of six months making that set of armor for you. Seems a shame to leave it here.” Al bent down and fastened the straps around the top of his left foot.

Erik shook his head. “I imagine if Lepkin wakes up in my body it may serve him well in case the temple is attacked again.”

Al nodded.

Erik watched Al tighten his right stirrup. He wondered how it could be comfortable for Al to straddle the full size horse with his diminutive legs, but he decided not to ask. He almost asked about it, but decided it might be better just to get on with the journey.

Al caught Erik looking at him and smiled wide. “Not all dwarves ride ponies, boy,” Al said.

Erik shrugged. “I guess I am not the only one who can see what others are thinking,” Erik said. He jumped atop his horse with incredible ease. Being in Lepkin’s body definitely had its advantages.

“So, where is Goliath?” Al asked.

Erik frowned. “He doesn’t recognize me,” Erik said.

“Just as well,” Al commented. “It might raise question if people saw ‘Lepkin’ riding your horse.”

“Who would know the difference?” Erik asked.

Al shrugged. “Anyone who works for or with House Cedreau maybe. Come on, let’s get to it.”

The two spurred their horses on at a gallop, riding away from the stable as quickly as their four legged steeds could go. Erik fell into a rhythm as his horse’s hooves gnawed at the stone path leading to the main road in front of Valtuu Temple. The stale, hot air wrapped around him as his speed increased and the valley started to pull away behind him. Lepkin’s sword flapped out to the side, slapping into the side of his leg and his horse.

The grasses of the valley stopped just inside the tree line of the forest as bushes and shrubs took over the ground. Great pines and oaks whipped by as Erik and Al galloped along the winding road. Squirrels and birds ceased their chirping to gawk at the two intruders briefly before skittering away. The morning sunlight broke through the leaves, warming the forest and inviting the flowers t
o open and turn toward the golden rays.

The two of them travelled silently, sacrificing discourse for the sake of speed. The quiet gave Erik plenty of time to ponder the recent events. He found his mind wandering back to the battle near his
home and he again saw Janik’s face. His grip on the reins tightened and his heart skipped a beat. How could Janik have betrayed him so? Why would he have pretended to be his friend for so long, only to ambush him in the woods outside Lokton Manor? A dark thought entered into his mind and fear gnawed at Erik’s stomach. Erik pulled up short on the reins and brought his horse to a slow trot before halting it. Al caught Erik’s movement and pulled his horse back around a few seconds later.

“What is it boy, is something wrong with the horse?” Al asked.

“No,” Erik said with a shake of his head. I was just thinking…”

“Think while you ride, Erik, we don’t have time to dawdle,” Al chided.

“Why did Janik come to Lokton Manor?” Erik asked.

Al shrugged. “I don’t know.” The dwarf let his horse trot up beside Erik’s and tug at a young fern on the ground. “Perhaps he expected you to return from the temple to defend your home.”

“But why not just do away with me at Kuldiga Academy? There were plenty of times when I was washing windows with him and no one else was around.”

Al sighed. “What’s
bothering you, Erik?”

“Don’t you find it odd that at the same time my father is defending our home the wizard attacked the temple looking for Nagar’s Secret?” Erik looked back down the road and then turned back to Al. “Then, after both attacks are foiled, Senator Bracken arrests my father before you have even had enough time to rest.”

Al stroked his beard and cocked an eyebrow. “It does seem uncanny that all three events happened so quickly,” Al agreed.

“And that Janik chose that precise time to attack me in the woods,” Erik said.

“Well, we know that Janik was with the Order of the All Seeing Eye,” Al put in.

“Was the wizard with the warlocks as well?” Erik asked.

Al shook his head. “No, Marlin told me that Erthor was with the Wyrms of Khaltoun.”

“So is it possible that Janik was orchestrating the whole thing?”

“I don’t know, but we can talk about it more when we stop for lunch.”

Erik nodded and looked past Al. “Will I be able to save him?” he asked. Al didn’t answer. “There is still Tukai’s prophecy.”

Al turned his horse and started off down the road again. Erik begrudgingly followed after him.

*****

Marlin pulled himself upright and pushed down on the side of the granite tub as he climbed out of the crystal clear pool. He reached out and pulled a large towel from a golden bracket and dried himself off. He couldn’t see the steam in the room with his natural eyes, but he could feel it enveloping his skin. He took in a deep breath and wrapped the towel around himself. Then he left the bath chamber and walked through a short antechamber to his room. Once there he grabbed his white, hooded silk robes and dressed himself. He took a green bottle from the top of a desk and generously applied the scented liquid to his hands and neck. Lavender and spice filled his nose.

Next he opened the desk drawer and removed a pair of golden, silk gloves and placed them upon his hands. He slipped his feet into a pair of soft, leather soled slippers and then exited his room. The cool air from the night permeated the halls of the temple.
The halls were quiet and still. He wrung his hands and bit his lower lip. All around him seemed at peace, though he himself was a tempest of doubt, worry, and confusion.

He sensed a presence nearby. He turned to see Dimwater emerging from a nearby hallway.

“You look as though you are going somewhere important,” she said.

Marlin nodded. “I have some things I need to tend to. I need to get clarification on these prophecies.”

“So you are going to talk to Tatev about the immortal mystic?”

Marlin shook his head. “No, while that would give us clarity, finding the immortal mystic would require a journey far to the east.
We don’t have that kind of time.”

“Assuming Tatev knows for certain where the mystic is and whether the legend is true in the first place, right?” Dimwater finished.

“Precisely,” Marlin said.

Dimwater nodded and rubbed the outside of her arms. “So, where are you headed then?”

“I am going downstairs,” Marlin replied. He started to turn and walk away, but thought better of it. “I can’t offer a full explanation now,” he said. “Suffice it to say that there are other sources of knowledge beyond the libraries in this temple.”

Lady Dimwater nodded and backed away, turning to return down the hallway from which she came. She took two steps and then paused, turning quickly to face Marlin again. Her lips parted slightly and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I wish I could come,” she said.

Marlin smiled. “Perhaps some other time,” he offered.

Dimwater smiled and walked away, talking softly to herself.

Marlin watched her for a moment, studying her aura. He could see the awe swirling through her. He knew she had guessed what he was about to do. After the light from her aura was long gone he turned away and walked to a simple, iron crossed door at the end of the hall. Marlin produced a long, slender claw from a pocket and slid it into the opening under the knob. Golden rays snaked out from the brass key plate, reaching and stretching across the iron bands over the door. The metal glowed and vibrated against the wood. Marlin looked back over his shoulder and then turned the knob. The latch clicked open and the door gently fell open.

He removed the claw, stepped through the doorway and pushed the door closed behind him. The steps steeply descended down a tight spiral. Small, goat horn sconces adorned the wall every seven feet to illuminate
the tunnel and caused the gold inlay between the red bricks to shimmer and dance.

At the bottom of the stairs the brick opened up into a green marble tunnel. Torches hung silently halfway down the s
mooth, hard walls. Marlin’s slippers created soft echoes through the tunnel as he made his way to the end of the hall. As he got closer a golden glow appeared and grew brighter and brighter until he stood in a large antechamber made entirely of gold with glowing crystals hanging from the ceiling.

A small golden dragon head protruded from the left wall, mouth closed and waiting silently for Marlin. The eyes were open, made of jade, and staring at him. Marlin reached over and slid his index finger over the dragon’s head. A small hole opened in the top of the head. Marlin pulled the dragon claw out again and slid it point first into the opening.

The jade eyes began to glow. Marlin held his palm out in front of the dragon head. Green light exuded from the dragon’s eyes until they enveloped Marlin entirely. After a few moments, the light died down and then the golden mouth opened, revealing a key on the dragon’s tongue.

A door materialized
in the wall at the end of the hall. The bricks cracked and crumbled as golden light ripped through the green marble, revealing the golden door. A large golden eye opened on the door and Marlin slid the key into the pupil and turned it. The tumblers inside clicked and snapped. The door slid back three inches and then sank into the floor below.

Marlin took a deep breath and held it for a moment. The stark darkness beyond the open doorway gave him reason to pause. There seemed to be nothing beyond the doorway. Finally a faint red glow appeared and Marlin heard the words he was waiting for.

“Enter, prelate,” the deep, thunderous voice said wearily.

Marlin stepped into the darkness and pushed forward, aiming to go to the red glowing light. A few yards into the next chamber the door behind him
rose up from the floor and sealed the way back. Chills ran through Marlin’s spine and his feet halted in mid step for a moment. After a couple of seconds he continued going forward. It took him several minutes to reach the red glow in the center of the chamber. A fist-sized garnet sat upon a golden candlestick with smaller jasper stones placed into the base of the stick.

He reached forward and placed his hand over the glowing garnet. The light flowed warmly into Marlin’s hand and pulsed through his arm momentarily before withdrawing back into the gemstone. Marlin removed his hand and stepped back from the candlestick. The light intensified from within the garnet and flooded the room. Dark ton
es of red rippled out through the chamber, bouncing off of nondescript dark forms and bumps. The garnet hummed and vibrated as it started to rise from the holder. It stopped about twenty feet above Marlin’s head and began to spin. The faster it spun the lighter the red tones became throughout the room until streaks of brilliant white light streaked through the air, rending the clouds of red and illuminating the room as though it were a small star.

Marlin raised a hand above his eyes and shut them against the searing light.

As his eyes adjusted he brought his arm down and opened his eyes. A great, golden leg rested before him. He stared at the shield-sized scales briefly before following the leg up to the shoulder. He shuddered at the sight of the long spikes protruding from the dragon’s spine. He then looked to the great, angular jaws filled with teeth the size of spears protruding through the thin, leathery lips.

The eyes opened slowly, revealing great green orbs flecked with gold and red specks. The long, angled pupil shrank quickly and then widened slightly as the eye shifted to focus on Marlin.

Marlin bowed his head. “I apologize for disturbing you, great one, but I have many troubles on my heart,” Marlin said.

The dragon pulled its head back, sliding its leathery neck over its leg briefly until its head was poised to look at Marlin. “Normally, I am only awakened to perform the Exalted Test of Arophim,” the dragon said. “However, your predecessor woke me
for counsel on occasion as well.”