Chapter 20: Maluhk’s Tale

Moments later, Alcar and Warlik had brought three three chairs down from the study – enough for Lox’aar and two others. Alcar seated himself on the floor alongside Olynka, with Brutus sprawled across his lap.

It was late, and Alcar was now wondering where he would sleep that night. Would be be welcome to stay in the tower? But so far, nobody else was showing any concerns about that issue. He didn’t want to be the first to suggest making such mundane arrangements. And at least he knew that his father wouldn’t give a shit whether he came home or not.

Besides – he really wanted to know what it was that Maluhk had done. The master’s announcement had felt like the beginning of a confession. Was it something so deeply criminal that the city authorities could never know? If so, what did that mean for a potential apprentice?

“After Maleki left us, our group broke up,” said Maluhk, nodding towards the lizard warriors but looking around at the apprentices. “We had done well, but the most important job was done, it seemed. We had won a measure of fame and fortune, and times were getting hard. Refugees from the rebellion of Dathmir, for one thing, and the brutality that the Empire showed after that period.”

“This was before our witch friend Maleki moved to the Islands of Dubasa,” added Warlik, looking at the youngsters. “At that point she had moved home to Lorn and had a son, and didn’t have time for adventuring.”

“Indeed,” said Maluhk. ”But before that, for a time, we still gathered periodically for quests of great importance. The most recent one was the rescue of Thacla von Dathmir, princess of our neighbouring realm.”

Alcar raised a skeptical eyebrow. He had heard of the princess – an outlaw, and something of a folk hero among the people of Katresburg. He wasn’t entirely sure that she really existed. “Right. So you actually met the princess?”

“Met her? Why, we worked together to break her out of prison in the Imperial Capital,” said Warlik. “It was perhaps our greatest moment as a group of adventurers.“

“And our last real quest together,” observed Maluhk.

Lox’aar nodded but said nothing, her eyes glittering in the low light.

“Now, my friends here know all about this. And as you know, this city is ruled by Duke Frage – a nasty piece of work, and totally unfit for the role. Many powerful people in the city recognize this, and would rather see Princess Thacla installed on the throne. She’s a true hero, and would fight for our province rather than allowing the Empire to suck it dry for troops in their war against the confederacy.”

“Are you sure the Empire would be cool with that?” asked Etienne.

“Uncertain,” said Warlik, “but there is reason to think that the Varians wouldn’t act. The civil war against Dathmir was costly enough, and they would be keen to avoid another while engaged still with the Confederacy. Also, this province is much harder for Imperial armies to reach, thanks in part to the Great Swamp.”

“In short,” said Lox’aar, “they would hate it, but we think it’s likely that they would leave her alone, at least for a time. And that way, she could begin to gather her strength.”

“But where do the dwarves come in?” asked Olynka.

“Right, right – I’m getting to that,” said Maluhk. “Well, the clans are keen to maintain the status quo. They don’t benefit from change, and as dwarves are not technically Imperial citizens – even those who spend time in the city – they are never conscripted to the Imperial armies. My role was to persuade them to come on board to the idea of regime change.”

“I thought that you did some kind of task for the dwarves,” said Alcar, feeling confused.

“I’ll get to that, too,” replied the sorcerer. “A few weeks ago, I travelled together with Thacla von Dathmir and a warrior by the name of Dakkir Mac Shinter to the dwarven homeland in the mountains. We spent some time there, and were met by the clan leaders. Alcar, you remember young Xavier, correct?”

“The one with the crossbow bolt in his leg?”

Olynka raised her eyebrows, but Maluhk just nodded. “Yes, yes. I am sure they have healers who can sort that. Anyhow, you might be interested to know that two of his uncles are the joint leaders of the dwarven clan. We feasted with them, went on a hunting trip together... diplomacy, in short. It was essential to get their support if we were to move against the duke.”

“So you guys are like... revolutionaries?” said Alcar. His thoughts of becoming Maluhk’s apprentice was now seeming more and more like a distant dream.

“I hope that’s all right with you three?” Maluhk was looking intently at Etienne, Olynka and Alcar as he spoke; no doubt the two lizardfolk were already on board.

“Well, it certainly seems like an adventure...” began Alcar slowly.

“I’m in!” said Olynka without hesitation. “Death to the duke, that cruel oaf! Everyone in the countryside would say the same.”

Etienne just shrugged. “Well... what’s in it for me?”

Maluhk shared a glance with Warlik, and then looked at Etienne. “The rewards could be great, if you play your cards right. You see, the outcome of my visit with the princess was that the dwarves declared their desire to obtain a mystical text called the Viperstar Codex. What this is, I can’t tell you exactly. But as far as the clan chiefs are concerned, it is, well...” He looked at the lizardfolk again. “Can you explain?”

“It’s a scientific thesus that explains how the world is structured,” said Lox’aar, speaking slowly and precisely. “It allows the bearer unimaginable power. Like a sort of manual from the gods. Some say it allows the very nature of reality to be edited and amended.”

“Isn’t that, like, kind of dangerous to hand over to them?” said Alcar, frowning.

“Yes, yes,” said Maluhk. “But in some ways, better in their hands than those of others. The Emperor, for example.”

Warlik looked at his sorcerer friend. “And what of Gellan?”

Maluhk shook his head. “He’s changed, my friend. There is no going back.”

Alcar recalled Warlik mentioning the name Gellan at the time of their first meeting. “That’s a guy that used to be in your adventuring party, right?”

Maluhk sighed heavily, and then nodded. “Yes, kid. He’s one of the finest swordsmen in the realm. Sadly, he was overtaken by a lust for power. The Emperor offered him a chance to train and lead an elite fighting force called the Knights of Dawn, and he accepted.”

“Knights of Dawn? Never heard of them.”

“I fear you will before long,” said Warlik.

“So as I understand it,” said Olynka, standing, “you offered to give the dwarves this codex in exchange for their support. Or at least their neutrality. Allowing you to put Princess Thacla into the royal castle here in Katresburg.”

“Right,” said Warlik. “And the duke in a prison cell.”

“And where is the princess now?” she continued.

“Safe,” said Maluhk simply.

It was clear to the apprentices that that information was shared on a need-to-know basis only.

“Right. Well, and then Master Maluhk was paid by the dwarves to find the Viperstar Codex as part of the deal?” persisted Olynka.

Maluhk cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed. “The coin is for a good cause, I assure you! As you’ll soon see, revolution comes with certain expenses. The negotiations were... beneficial to both sides.”

“But then you couldn’t find the book,” said Alcar.

“Not yet,” said Maluhk sharply. “Honestly – some people are so impatient! I have taken several trips out of town to look for it, and I know I am close. I have multiple leads, but only one pair of legs. There are numerous possibilities that I need to rule out one by one, but I can only do so one at a time, and even then, only when I am free to travel.” He sighed. “Once my own files are organized...” he trailed off, gesturing vaguely towards his own books that now lined the side walls. “There’s just so much to do.”

“Just as well you have three new apprentices,” said Olynka, with a broad smile. She reached down and took Alcar’s hand, pulling him to his feet; Brutus yawned, and rolled onto his back. “What do you say, my friends? Shall we help to find this codex to appease the dwarves, and get Princess Thacla on the throne where she belongs?”

Alcar was about to speak out in enthusiastic support, but first Etienne stood up, pulling his pipe from his pocket. “I dunno,” said the halfling. “I’m no monarchist. If we are going to kick out the duke, I’m happy to play my part. But after that, wouldn’t it be better to... I dunno. Elect a leader, or something?”

Warlik chuckled. “My little friend, that is the sort of thing that Thacla von Dathmir would say. She really is a remarkable woman. But listen – a war is coming, whether we like it or not. The city is on a knife edge, and it’s only a matter of time before the Imperials will show their true colors. There will be bloodshed. The only question is how well prepared we are to handle it.”

“He’s right,” said Lox’aar. “I’ve found out a lot about the Knights of Dawn. Sorcerers and witches are in their firing line, and non-humans too. We’d be used as slave warriors if they got their way.” She shook her head sadly.

“So, my new apprentices,” said Maluhk, putting a great emphasis on the word. “This is it – are you in or out?”

“I guess I’m in,” said Etienne.

“I am one hundred percent in,” said Olynka, eyes shining.

Alcar hesitated. Brutus had stood up and now nuzzled at Alcar’s hands, and the young man rubbed at the dog’s ears, trying to suppress his own fear at this course of action. He wanted to be an adventurer, didn’t he? To win Maluhk’s trust? But when he had set out, it had felt like something he could do calmly, safely – not in the context of a brewing revolution that would sweep the whole Empire.

He looked at Olynka, who was still smiling, excitement written across her face. That one had a real thirst for adventure, he reflected. Then he looked at the others – new companions all, but people he already liked and trusted.

“Very well,” he said. “Where do we start?”

End of Part 1