The mage from nowhere, p.46
The Mage From Nowhere, page 46
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Why the fuck is an elf sitting with the king like he’s some sort of advisor? Leon did not have a problem with elves, but he did have a problem when he stepped into the throne room expecting to spot the two useless advisors sitting beside the king, only to see a third one there now. A third one who was not Leon.
This was not the time to cause problems, however. This was a time for Leon to repair some of the damage that his disobedience was about to cause. He had convinced his friend in Koluk, Jennava, to spy on Orvyn. Leon did not trust the ugly bald man. Leon had only met him one time, but he was sure that Orvyn was entitled, selfish, and definitely had too much power. Those three traits were what usually turned a man evil.
The king, bless his kind heart, could be an idiot. Not all the time, thankfully, and less than most people. But enough so that he needed two, or possibly even three advisors now to help in nearly every decision.
“What is the matter you wish to discuss?” Nykal asked Leon.
Jennava, standing beside Leon, poised with confidence as she often was, had already told Leon what she’d found. It was the reason Leon had called this meeting with the king. Leon and Jennava had disagreed somewhat about the meaning of what she’d witnessed, but they’d agreed completely that the king should be notified.
Leon had requested that Jennava speak without an audience behind her. Most of the strife of the kingdom was handled publicly, with lords and ladies in attendance who had too much time on their hands. Every now and again, one of the working people of the city of Newhaven could be found sitting on benches in the room, but usually they were there because they had something Lord Langston deemed important enough to bring to the attention of the king. It was certainly not because they had an hour and would rather spend it listening to this rabble. Most of the people here had no idea how valuable an hour could be to those beneath them in society.
It was empty now, however. Not even one of the king’s sorcerers was allowed to attend. Therefore, Leon was surprised when he heard the door open behind him, and even more surprised when he saw the queen—who he thought was still in Tryn—casually stroll in and take a seat on an empty bench.
“Your grace,” Leon said with a nod to her.
She nodded back.
Leon had gotten to know Esma fairly well over the last year or so. Her beauty would make one think there wasn’t an abundance of intelligence within her, but the contrary was true. Leon was certain that she offered Nykal advice, though it was always done in private. On occasion, Nykal would leave a meeting angry about Leon’s pushiness but then meet him in the morning with a changed opinion. Leon had always figured this was the queen’s doing.
Jennava curtsied and gave the queen the same greeting. Then she turned and stated her business to the king.
“This is about Orvyn Nyvro,” Jennava said.
The king showed his displeasure with a face, but at least he said nothing. Leon had already spoken to Nykal on several occasions about his distrust of the man with a name that was spelled the same backward as it was forward. Nykal admitted he had been receiving requests for coin from Orvyn, which he had handed over. He would not say how much, but he did note that in return, Orvyn had been providing written updates about everything he did with the coin and how much Koluk had improved since his arrival. Updates from The Bracket—the constables dedicated to keeping the peace in Koluk—confirmed his words to be true.
“He has been an excellent lord,” Jennava said.
The king appeared surprised, but not as surprised as Leon had been when she’d told him the same thing.
“Orvyn sees to the needs of the people,” Jennava continued. “He has many loyal people who assist the farmers, miners, and woodcutters around the city. He holds public counsel to settle problems and does so fairly. Koluk has seen an increase in grain production, timber, ore, and also fewer beggars on the street. He seems to have a natural skill of understanding what is needed for city improvement and putting everyone to use to achieve that goal. An example of such is a man with a lame leg who has been begging for months. I have gotten to know him. He is kind and willing to work, but no one had been willing to hire him. Now he works for a butcher, and both could not be happier. I had spoken with this butcher before, unable to convince him to give the other man a chance, but Orvyn found a way. I asked if Orvyn threatened him. No. Bribe? No.”
Leon had told Jennava that this must be sorcery. With the changes to mana, there seemed to be some sort of spell—not a curse—that caused strong emotions. He had told her about Illia and Tarak’s experience. Jennava had agreed that something that was once seemingly impossible now seemed to be becoming more common. She had noticed something similar happening with one sorcerer in The Bracket. This sorcerer had become aware that his emotions could suddenly be shared with those around him. He had yet to learn to control it. In fact, he had grown to despise it.
Jennava continued, “Orvyn is neither charismatic nor handsome, but people seem to listen to him. I watched him pass by a tavern where two drunkards had begun to fight. He told them their behavior was embarrassing, and it stopped them. So he told them pretty much nothing, and it worked. I have seen men fight like this. They usually do not care what anyone thinks. Leon and I have spoken about this. We believe sorcery is at hand, but we don’t know how it works. However Orvyn is using it, he seems to have good intentions. Everything seems to be thought out, all of his actions premeditated. It’s like he’s following a plan he thought of prior to becoming lord. Koluk is improving. But in all the time I spent following him, I did see something I would consider more than just suspicious. One thing.” She put up a finger. “It is small, but it might undo everything I have just said about him.”
“How long have you been following him?” Nykal interrupted.
“About a week.”
“And you only saw one thing one time that might be suspicious?”
“Yes.”
Lord Langston looked at the king and spoke. “I’m not sure I even wish to hear it. There are many things I do in a week that might be considered suspicious when they are not.”
“I agree,” Nykal said. “If you look under every rock, you are bound to find something unsavory. This was an unsanctioned follow, mind you. Did Leon tell you I gave him permission for this?”
“No, he brought his concerns to me, but frankly, your majesty, I had the same concerns. I had already been investigating Orvyn on my own. I felt there was something off about him.”
“I had the same feeling when I first heard about him,” Nykal admitted, “but he has proven himself an ally.”
“May I tell you what I saw?” Jennava asked. “Then you can decide.”
“Go ahead, Jennava.”
“It happened last night. A man seemed to recognize him and head straight for Orvyn, but Orvyn turned away as if unaware he had been seen. The man stopped and appeared confused. He looked at me as I passed by pretending to be on my way. I do not think he knows me, but I know him. I made a loop and followed this man, all the while wondering if he and Orvyn had unfinished business, but by then Orvyn might have realized I was following him. That might be why Orvyn turned away when he saw this man.”
“Who is it?” Nykal asked.
“I believe you know him well,” she said, hinting. “Tedson Faulk.”
“Are you certain?” Nykal asked with shock.
“I am. It was Tedson.”
“That scoundrel?” Lord Langston asked. “I highly doubt he would be meeting with Orvyn.”
“I also doubt that,” the king agreed. “And even if he was to meet with Orvyn, it wouldn’t necessarily mean Orvyn was guilty of anything.”
“Oh come on,” Leon blurted. “Sire. My apologies,” he added as he realized he was losing the room. “But Tedson Fuck—”
“Faulk,” Nykal corrected. “How do you know him?”
“I knew his brother long ago,” Leon said.
Lord Langston said, “I heard his brother died young in a street brawl.”
“Yeah, who do you think was responsible for that?”
The queen gasped, as did Zarin.
“Are you admitting now before us that you murdered Tedson’s younger brother?” Lord Langston asked.
Leon glared. “I’ve never murdered anyone. I have killed, though. Many were for you, king, and others were for the good people who didn’t deserve to deal with Tedson’s brother. I don’t remember his name, but I do remember his face. I was working with a fisherman in Tryn, gutting fish and preparing them for market. Now I bet none of you knew Tedson’s brother like I did. He would throw women down and stomp on their head if they refused his advances. Even worse was he was a renowned duelist, always carried his sword around and loved to pull it out as if it were…” He looked behind him at the queen.
“Well, you know what I mean,” Leon continued. “The only thing he kept hidden was his skill with dteria, which he used to make sure he won every duel. Cheating son of a bitch. Beat me a few times, and I never said a thing because of who his brother was. Anyway, one day he kicked my bucket full of fish. He claimed it was in his way. It wasn’t. I went after him and told him he owed me a bucket and a dozen fish. He laughed. I lost my temper. As you can imagine, one thing led to another, and soon he was swinging his sword at me. I grabbed his arm to stop him. I was ready for his dteria this time. I knew he would use it as soon as he felt like he needed to, so I had my own spell of wind ready. The fight escalated. Eventually I grabbed his sword from him. What I didn’t know was how easy a man could die from a simple gash in his neck. I learned many things that day. Another was how if enough people hate someone, none of them are going to see a damn thing even if something happens to this person right in front of them. Oh, stop looking at me like that, Reuben,” Leon interrupted himself. “This was ages ago, and it was self-defense. Besides, I’ve already spent time in prison for killing other fuckers less evil than Faulk vermin.”
Lord Langston looked at Leon as if he smelled foul. “It is impossible to forget that you are little more than an animal.”
The elf, however, regarded Leon indifferently. It was his gaze that bothered Leon more than Lord Langston’s comment.
Leon held in his confusion about the elf and continued, “Lord Tedson knew it was me who killed his brother. I don’t know how he found out if no one said anything, but he knew. His problem was he had no witnesses, no proof. He was always trying to incite me to do something else so he could throw me in Tryn’s dungeon, but he didn’t want to look corrupt. The people were already onto him, a dteria spreader. He was scared about a rebellion, and soon his fear became a reality. Your rebellion, sire. Your revolution. Then he had other things to worry about besides me, and not long after, you were made king and sent the daisy to Koluk. There was no lord there, as you know. We do not speak about these matters, you and I, so I’m not sure if you are aware that he made the city worse.”
“I am aware,” Nykal said. “He had the support of many enemies even then, but I wanted to give him the chance to change sides. Instead, he fell into the shadows and disappeared. I never knew what happened to him. I had assumed he’d fled to Rohaer. He had always supported the spread of dteria, and I figured he would have made a life for himself where it was most prevalent.” The king put up a palm. “Whatever his case, a very minor engagement—not even a real conversation—with Orvyn does not prove that Orvyn is guilty of anything.”
“How can you say that—?”
Jennava interrupted Leon, “There is one other thing I found.”
There was? She hadn’t told Leon this.
“I followed Tedson for a while that night. Eventually I saw him meet with someone else.”
“Who?” the king asked.
“Wolf.”
Lord Langston gasped.
“Are you certain it was him?” Nykal questioned.
“Yes. I saw him fly off afterward.”
“Give me a moment,” Nykal said. His advisers leaned in.
Leon asked Jennava, “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Because I know how you are when you feel certain of yourself. I thought it better I present this.”
“Woman—”
She stared back at him, silencing him.
“All right,” Leon said. Maybe she had a point. He would’ve come into this meeting shouting about how he was right.
He listened in on the conversation between the king and his advisers.
“We know Wolf made an attempt on Aliana’s life,” Zarin was saying. “But what reason would Orvyn have to want Aliana killed?”
“Lord Langston?” the king asked. “Can you think of any?”
It was clear by his expression that he could not.
Leon spoke up. “What reason does anyone have to kill Aliana? We have talked about this in depth with her. No matter who sent Wolf after her, we aren’t going to figure out the answer. Don’t give up on Orvyn just because you cannot find a motive. You will find no motive for anyone.”
“Who is Aliana?” the elf asked.
“Who are you?” Leon retorted.
The elf stood up and calmly walked over to Leon. “I am Fatholl.” As he stopped just short, Leon felt strangely at ease. “I have traveled much of the world and am here to offer advice. I have been informed you are the king’s top sorcerer. I would like to speak with you later about sorcery. We may share experiences.”
Although Leon felt calm, he still did not trust this elf. It seemed a little strange for him to show up so suddenly.
“I’d rather kiss a donkey’s ass than share secrets of sorcery with someone I barely know.”
Leon surprised himself by saying these words aloud.
The king stood up from his chair. “Leon!”
The elf turned and put up his hand. “It’s fine.” He turned back to Leon. “I appreciate his honesty.”
There was something hypnotic about Fatholl’s gray eyes. Leon lost his focus and even forgot what he had been speaking about.
“Let us become better acquainted before we speak of sorcery,” Fatholl said.
Leon found himself nodding. Then he looked down to see that he was shaking the elf’s hand.
Fatholl returned to his seat next to Zarin, the farthest from the king, though Leon had a feeling that seat would shift soon enough.
Fatholl leaned forward and explained, “Allow me to share a secret. I know of the sorcery that seems to be new to your land. I am well-versed in it. I have used this sorcery to calm all of you and show you all that I can be trusted. I’m still using it as I speak. I think all of you would agree that these words might spark anger or distrust normally, but all of you still trust me. Do you see?”
“Well, shut my mouth,” Leon muttered, “The son of a bitch is right.”
Fatholl hummed in thought. “You should not feel anger right now. I have made sure of it.”
“No,” Zarin answered for Leon. “That’s just how he talks.”
Lord Langston asked Zarin, “Did you know he can do this?”
“I did not,” Zarin said. “I thought he convinced my mother to trust him because of the knowledge he presented. Not because of sorcery.”
“You will have a choice at the end of this,” Fatholl said. “This sorcery is incapable of making a permanent change. It dissipates as the caster finishes their spell or is no longer in proximity to you. We are called psychics. The sorcery is called psyche. All of you should know you are very easy to manipulate. I might not have been the only one to do so.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Nykal asked.
“I wanted you to see and feel the effects. I think a few hours is not too long to let this go on, wouldn’t you say?”
“I agree,” Nykal said. “Or do I only agree because of your sorcery?”
“You will find out once I leave. There will be much for you to decide. You should note that you made me an advisor upon meeting me once. If I could convince you of that, then think of what Orvyn might be able to convince you of if he has been using psyche as well.” Fatholl stood up and started toward the door on the other side of the large room. “I am confident that I am stronger than Orvyn. If you bring him, Tedson, Wolf, or anyone here who knows about this attempt on Aliana’s life, I’m certain I can get that information out of them.”
Fatholl stopped at the door and turned around. “I have not told this to the elves in Evesfer. I have not told this to the analytes. My followers know it. They have been with me everywhere. And now you also know. That is all who knows. The only reason you know is because I believe this is where Dorrinthal is most vulnerable. This could be where psychics are planning something. It is also where a rift has opened, allowing access to Ancients who are capable of traveling through the dark realm, something the rest of us cannot do safely. I am an ally. I have a reputation. When I believe something to be right, I do not care how many may die in order to achieve this goal. Right now I believe the right thing to do is to defend your land and protect the freedom of mana. You all would be foolish to cast me aside. I will now let you think with clear minds as I await your answer in my quarters.”
He opened the door, stepped through the doorway, and shut the door after himself.
The latch catching echoed through the chamber. The silence stretched on. Leon felt his normal emotions return, but confusion seemed to be the dominant one. It was strange for the silence to go on so long, at least a minute now. Everyone shared the same bewildered expression. Leon usually would be the first to say something, but “the fuck?” didn’t quite seem appropriate, and it was all he could think.
It was sorcery, surely. Psyche, the elf called it. What the hell were they even talking about before all that? Oh yes, the one who wanted Aliana dead. It all seemed so simple before this conversation, but now there was psyche involved. Psyche? It was something Leon painfully knew nothing about. These were not curses. They had already figured that out. Curses were far more obvious. This was subtle, like a slow poisoning that the victim didn’t notice until they were falling asleep, and that’s when it took their life.
