The noble scars, p.19
The Noble Scars, page 19
Maeldroth placed the sword into the soldier’s open wound and leaned on it; the guard was too weak to resist. Bardek watched Maeldroth smile as he stole the man’s breath, wondering if the demented sorcerer had a plan that would make sense of this.
“See that this guard, and all others that still have their limbs, are delivered to my lair,” the wizard said. “Toss the remaining carcasses into the moat.”
“What in blazes are you going to do with them?”
“If you wish your kingdom to remain intact, don’t question my schemes, simply oblige them.”
“Your regard for my well-being is touching, as is your patience concerning our dilemma. But I have more vital issues to attend to, such as dispatching a crew of soldiers to chase down these rogues and retrieve what is mine.”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort, Your Majesty. You’ll allow me to tend to this in my own way!”
“I don’t share your detachment, wizard. My bride has been taken, and I crave her return.”
“Don’t play the wounded fiancé with me. She’s nothing more than a political maneuver and a virgin canal to you.”
“How astute of you. But tell me, Maeldroth, has that keen intuition of yours told you that they’ve also taken the prisoner from the lower depths?”
The wizard’s large eyes widened. “Was the prime command not deployed?”
“It was, but it seems the giant was too much for our guards. Apparently, he went straight to the prisoner’s cell, as if he knew what he was looking for.”
“How would he know who that prisoner is?” Maeldroth asked.
“I don’t know! You’re the one who’s supposed to have the answers.”
“That prisoner has been here for so long it’s incredible he’s still alive. Can he even speak?”
“I certainly hope not! It could be disastrous if he offers proof of what he’s witnessed. Damn, I should have killed him long ago.”
“It matters not, Your Majesty. Shortly, we’ll have the revenge you seek, and your princess will be returned to you.”
“My faith in your abilities would be somewhat stronger if they didn’t seem to be… depleted as of late.”
“What are you implying?”
“Why were you not aware of the attack on the castle?”
“I was. In fact I was engaged in it. I had a confrontation of my own with Escura.”
“And you let him live? Did you not see what he did here?”
“Indeed, I did.”
“Do you think this is amusing?”
“I think it’s wonderful.”
“You’re as sick as he is. Tell me, is the pirate demented? Why does he kill like this?”
“He kills like this because it’s in him to do so.”
The king shook his head. “Why are you here, wizard?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you here, in my castle?”
“I’m here to serve, of course.”
“Belth to that! You’re far more concerned with your torturous endeavors, lost scrolls, and your pursuit of the Lady of the Hood. You use my kingdom for your sadistic indulgences, and when I need you the most, you’re nowhere to be found. Of what use are you to me?”
Maeldroth raised a hand and flexed his fingers. “You question the effectiveness of my favor only because you’ve never experienced it in opposition. Had you ever, as many of your enemies have, then you would not be so quick to question my worth. Pray, Your Majesty, for the sake of your eternal soul, that you do not. The only reason you recruited me as your ally was because you didn’t want me as your enemy.”
“Spare me your threats and explain yourself. Why did you permit them to escape with the princess?”
“To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know they’d taken the princess or the prisoner, but had I known, I’d have done nothing different. It was imperative the pirate be allowed to escape unharmed. He’s an invaluable asset to our cause. One day, he’ll return as an underling.”
“So, you do know him.”
“Let’s just say he wouldn’t be what he is without me.”
“Maeldroth, your private affairs are of no concern to the realm. Twice now, these rogues have invaded my castle, and this time, they’ve taken my bride. When we’re under attack, I expect you to act in the best interest of the crown, not yourself.”
“I assure you, Your Majesty, the well-being of your crown is my utmost concern, as my own fortunes are tied to it. I pay great attention to the forces that oppose you, yet I intervene only when I feel the circumstances are beyond the abilities of your legions. I didn’t feel these three to be a considerable threat, and yet, I may have erred in thinking such. Indeed, my vision has been clouded as of late.”
“So, there is something wrong.”
“I’ve sensed a force in our midst recently, one that opposes my piety.”
“What kind of force?”
The wizard took a deep breath. “The farther I delve into the depths of darkness, the closer I get to sensing the malevolent being that lies unborn and nameless, the Usurper of Belth. Although the thought of his emersion invigorates me beyond description, it also serves to remind me of the balance that is set in opposition to me and my kind. There have been times throughout the years that these opposing forces have thwarted my efforts.”
“Do you believe these forces protect Zerin and his crew?”
“There may be something harboring Zerin, but not the other two, especially not Escura.”
“You said you knew the pirate was coming, how is that possible?”
The deep-set lines on the maniacal face crowded into a smile. “Escura and I have a unique bond. I can feel his anguish and sense his approach. It is the wrath and hatred of such men that serves my purpose.”
“Is he dangerous? Is he a threat to us?”
“He’s most definitely dangerous, but not to us. I’ve been following him for years, reveling and growing in every deed of lust and revenge. In time, he will serve our cause.”
“So, what about Zerin? If he is divinely guided, should we not kill him now?”
“Yes, we should. In fact, I have already begun to rectify that issue. I’ll get your princess back, along with the heads of her abductors, with the exception of Escura’s. For him, I have grander plans. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave to tend to this matter.”
The wizard disappeared into the darkness of the corridor, leaving Bardek to question whether he was ever really there.
“Yes, be gone with you, you damn sorcerer,” the king muttered to himself. “I’ve matters to attend to as well.”
Bardek marched away, continuing to curse Maeldroth under his breath, knowing damn well the wizard was right in his assumptions. Bardek did employ him to keep him from becoming an enemy, but the wizard was taking greater liberties with his authority. However, now that Zerin had taken the prisoner, he could not afford to weaken his bond with the wizard.
But when you’re king, outlets for your anger are always within reach.
~
Five dead soldiers, with their limbs intact, were dragged down through the dank corridors to the wizard’s lair, leaving a muddy trail of blood behind them. The guardsmen, who had been ordered to bring them, quickly scampered away, not wanting to know what the wizard planned to do with them.
On his way out of the pit, the last soldier stopped and turned toward the wizard. The little sorcerer looked up at him, his large eyes glowing bright within his cowl. The most devious grin graced his face as he ogled the cadavers like a child with new toys.
The soldier quickly ran away.
Chapter 25
As Zerin and his party pushed farther into the woods, the castle trumpets that heralded their invasion and subsequent escape faded. Bardek’s soldiers would no doubt assume they fled south through the city, instead of passing through the mountainous terrain surrounding the north point of StrongStone. For now, it would seem they were safe, thanks to Thia.
Not a word had been spoken since they’d left the castle; their thoughts, however, were not as idle as their tongues. Zerin was ecstatic over the information he hoped the prisoner would offer and overjoyed with the presence of their newest traveling companion.
Thia hung closely to Zerin’s side, often reaching for his hand while they scurried across uneven ground, making sure to keep him between her and the other two.
They trekked through the woods and down into a valley, stopping at the edge of a creek. The water was a welcome relief from their thirst and their wounds.
Galvin laid the prisoner down at the water’s edge. The old man’s lungs heaved in and out as he sucked in the cool night air. Zerin knelt at his side. The moon offered just enough light to expose the hard life etched into the man’s face. It was difficult to guess his years. He was more the victim of torture and malnutrition than old age. Aside from his facial deformities, several fingers and toes had been removed.
Zerin anxiously leaned into the man and whispered in his ear, hoping for answers that would fulfill his quest’s desire. They had risked their lives and killed many to hear what he had to say.
“Who are you?” he asked, but there was no response.
He placed his hand on the old man’s shoulder to comfort him, only for him to cower away.
“It’s not your fault,” Thia said. “This poor man has been beaten so much he thinks everyone wants to hurt him.”
Again, Zerin asked him his name, and the old man turned to him, mumbling incoherently. Thia leaned closer to examine him, looking at his ears and inside his mouth as he talked. “Zerin, he can’t hear and he can’t speak. His inner ears have been pierced, and he has no tongue.”
Zerin turned toward Galvin and Escura, who looked away from him. He couldn’t blame them. He’d put them through Belth and back for a beat-up old man who had nothing to offer them.
Thia watched as Zerin leapt to his feet, frustrated, heading toward the creek for a drink, but to her surprise, he came right back with his hands cupped full of water, offering it to the old man. He drank heartily, and a joyous expression came to his dilapidated face. He had clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and no one was beating him. This might have been a bad day for Zerin, but it was the best day this old man had in a long time.
A smile grew on Thia’s face as she watched Zerin repeatedly fill his hands to appease the thirsty old man, showing gentleness at a time when he was so disappointed. He cherished every drop of the fresh water, but he was too weary to hold himself up, so he leaned forward, resting his hands upon Zerin’s knees. Then the old man’s demeanor changed. His hands began to swim all over Zerin’s body, frantically enamored with the sailor. Tears rolled down his face. The four of them watched the old man, not knowing what to think.
“He’s lost his mind,” Escura said.
“I’ve no doubt that he’s lost his mind,” the giant responded, “but it would appear he’s found it again.”
“Zerin, do you know this man?” Thia asked. “Because he certainly seems to know you.”
“I have no idea who he is, nor do I recall ever seeing him,” Zerin replied, still kneeling, being hugged by the crazy old man.
Then suddenly the man crawled off, scouring the ground before them, reaching his hands as far out as he could while his belly scraped along the ground, as if he was trying to swim.
“What in Belth is he is doing now?” Escura asked.
“He’s looking for something,” Thia said.
The old man crawled along the ground for about twenty paces until he found an area free of grass and debris that was full of sand. He rose to his knees, reaching upward, trying to grab someone. When Zerin approached him, he clutched his hand and pulled the sailor down beside him. The old man began to draw with the stub of his best finger in the sand.
“He’s trying to tell us something.”
Sure enough, the old man was drawing pictures. The three warriors and the princess stood over him, trying to decipher his messages.
After drawing three separate figures, the old man raised his hands in the air to indicate he was finished. The four of them stood over the drawings, but it was dark, and the figures made no sense. They were intrigued yet frustrated over the indistinct etchings in the sand. Were these the answers they sought? Is this what they’d risked their lives for? Did the Secrets of Noble lie within the dirt sketches of a broken old man?
For what seemed a frustrated eternity, the four looked over the drawings, unable to comprehend them until Thia yelled out.
“Back away!”
The three looked at her in surprise.
“Back away!”
The three warriors obliged the princess and cleared out of her way as she moved closer to the drawings.
“Do you understand them?” Zerin asked anxiously. “What do they mean?”
But the princess said nothing as she continued to study them in the faint rays of the moonlight, until finally, she said, “Here! Right here in the first drawing, this crest. I recognize it. It’s the royal seal of King Janith. The second drawing is an open scroll with a handle, and the third is a picture of a belltower with the Fergasmythe emblem on it—the same that appears on the bell tower in my city.”
“Are you sure?” Zerin asked.
“Yes, I am. This emblem is at the very top of the tower, facing the market.”
“Do you suppose somewhere in that tower there could be hidden scrolls of King Janith?” Galvin asked.
“If there is a secret that Bardek is hiding then maybe it is contained in Janith’s handwriting,” Zerin said.
“If there is some truth to this, Zerin, then this old man was worth risking our lives for,” Galvin said.
“So, he was the reason you came to the castle?” Thia asked.
“Yes. If there was an order to kill him in fear of his release, then we figured he must have something of value, but we had no idea why.”
“Well, if those scrolls are indeed valuable, then you owe this poor man a debt of gratitude.”
Zerin smiled, agreeing with the princess as he turned toward the old man. He lay on the ground, several feet away, curled up in a ball with the most peaceful look on his face. Zerin and Thia leaned over him to feel his heart and listen to his breath, but he was gone.
Zerin stood over the wretched soul, wondering who he was, and more importantly, how he’d seemed to know who Zerin was. Regardless, he’d been a brave man to endure what he had, brave enough to deserve a decent burial.
They dug a deep hole and placed their helpful stranger in it, then covered him with dirt and rocks.
Thia crossed her hands over her chest. “May this man peacefully return to the Great Realm of the Grand Spirit from whence he came, knowing he has sacrificed much to preserve that which the Spirit holds dearest.”
“You’re a believer?” Zerin asked once she finished.
“You are not?”
“No.”
“And the two of you?” the princess asked the giant and the pirate.
“I believe in this,” the giant said, holding up his axe. “A god of might rules these lands. I’ve not seen enough compassion among men to believe in a spirit who is grand.”
Thia looked away from the giant and toward Escura. “And what of you? Do you believe in the world of Spirit?”
The pirate stared at her, his disdain for the question evident in his gaze. “Aye, I believe in a world of Spirit, and there’s nothing grand about it.”
Silence crept over the group, uneasy as they were over the pirate’s conviction.
“Well, we have purpose now,” the giant said. “Finding that old man made the trip worthwhile.”
“That’s not all we found today,” the pirate said.
“What else was there?” asked Zerin.
“This,” the pirate said, holding up an old book with a worn leather cover.
“What is that?” Thia asked.
The pirate handed her the book, and she opened it, taking note of the age of the ripe parchment, careful not to damage the pages. She walked out of the shadows, seeking ample moonlight to read by. She studied the text, then turned to the pirate. “Where did you get this?”
“Can you read it?” Zerin asked.
“It’ll be difficult; it’s written in an ancient dialect rarely studied any more. Very few people are familiar with it.”
She continued to struggle in the dim light until Galvin reached into his satchel and pulled out flint and stick. He made a makeshift torch for the princess to read by.
“It will take a while to decipher this. I haven’t read such words in a long time.” Again, she turned to the pirate. “Where did you get this from?”
Escura got back up, snatched the book from her hands without asking, and sat down on a tree stump.
“You can read this?” the princess said. “How can this be?”
But the pirate ignored her and read from the book. “The Mage is testing me. He has taught me all he can regarding the arts, yet he claims I have a final task yet unfulfilled. A task whose origin I must discover myself.”
The pirate turned the page.
“How are you able to read a dialect that’s not been used for millennia?” the princess asked again, but the pirate didn’t answer her as he continued to read.
“I awoke last night to the screams of a hundred heralds in my head. The Mage’s final quest came to me. I left my room in the depths of the castle, creeping up the stairs as silently as I could.”
“Whose journal is this?” Zerin asked.
Escura stopped reading. He looked up at the others, who were huddled around, hanging on each of his words.
“It belonged to the wizard,” the pirate said before continuing. “I found the Mage’s quarters and slipped inside. I pulled back the curtains on his bed and saw him there, bundled in his blankets with his back to me. I took a moment to feel the comfort of the down-filled mattress and sheep skin covers; how unpleasant.
“I raised my hands and quietly began my incantation. The Mage began to stir. I sped up my efforts and watched as the blankets and sheets engulfed his throat, wrapping tightly around his airways. As he struggled to free himself, I stood back from the bed and changed my hex. Within moments, I saw smoke circling the curtains, then with a final word, I willed the bed into flames.
