Chapter Fifteen - To Treat with the Dead

Rogha’s heavy boots clacked loudly against the marble steps leading to the large doors that closed off the temple of Lorlea. He spat in disgust at the vanity of the Lorleans.

“The Mighty Temple of Lorlea, indeed,” he read, bitterly. “For now,” he mumbled, then knocked sharply on the door twice. Moments later, the doors swung open for him with a great groan. He was greeted by a guard who, at the sight of Rogha, began to tremble.

“You will take me to Narda,” he said. He displayed no respect for the guard, and just as little respect for Lady Narda. His deep voice boomed throughout the overly decorated hall. Onyx. He thought to himself repulsed - material desires were so mortal.

“I believe she is currently unavailable. Is, uh, is she expecting you?” He stuttered.

“That is not your concern,” he answered, his voice rising. “You will take me to her now.”

“I would be happy to, sir, but as I said, she’s currently indisposed.”

“And this is your final word on the matter?” Rogha asked him.

“I’m afraid so. If you like, I could…” But the man never had a chance to finish. Rogha flicked his hand at the man, as though to swat a fly. The man flew backward through the air and hit the wall behind him with such force, the stone cracked around him. The man crumpled to the ground, a trickle of blood creeping from the corner of his mouth.

“I’ll let her know, that you’re indisposed,” he said ruthlessly. And he proceeded into the hall where another guard stood, attempting to appear untroubled by Rogha’s presence.

“I’m looking for Narda,” he said simply. “Or shall I tell her that you’re also indisposed?”

“No, sir. I will show you to her right away.” The guard said, as though he would love nothing more.

“No less than I expected.” Rogha breathed. He walked through the great hall. Pools of water lined either side of the walkway. Rogha snorted in disgust as his cape tickled the surface of the water beneath him. The drag from the water tugged at his golden epaulets. He pulled the cape forward out of the water, his boots continuing to echo sharply throughout the hall.

His escort showed him through three other rooms before introducing him to Narda who was sitting behind a table, feasting alone. She coughed at his appearance, and then stood at once.

“Rogha,” she said through a wheezing voice. “I wasn’t expecting you. Sit down, please.” Rogha entered but did not sit. “Leave us.” She barked at the escort. He bowed to her and shut the door behind himself. “Help yourself.” She grinned at him and waved a hand over her feast.

“No,” he said dryly, annoyed at her ignorance. The dead did not require food.

“Alright, fine. Don’t sit, I don’t really care. What is it I can do for you?”

“It amazes me what little you see festering outside your own front door.”

“I’m sorry?” She asked, seating herself behind her plate once more.”

“Alldel, you incessantly ignorant woman, Alldel!”

“I assure you, Alldel is within my grasp.” Narda held up a goblet of wine as if to toast.

“No, they are not!” He snapped. His voice echoed around the large room. He flicked his hand in her direction, causing her to splash herself with the wine.

“I will thank you not to insult me while you walk within my halls.” She snapped as she wiped clean the wine she had spilled. Her courteous voice had grown cold.

“You sit among your creature comforts behind the mask of a ruler and convince yourself that you have the upper hand, even as your marble floor cracks beneath your feet!”

“Rogha, Rogha, there’s no sense in this bitter arguing. Sit, eat with me, and we will talk.”

“No,” he repeated. “Alldel moves to infiltrate this temple. If you wish the Staff of Lorlea to be restored, you must act now.”

“Alldel moves to infiltrate this temple…” She repeated sarcastically. “Why would Alldel infiltrate Lorlea? They’re hoping I’m going to help them destroy you, the blissfully ignorant pigs. I wouldn’t be surprised if they succeeded if this is the best you have to offer. And serve you right!” She snapped, pointing a finger at him as though he were another of her subordinates.

“There’s no reasoning with you, is there? You truly are as naïve as you are pompous. Alldel didn’t buy that mockery of a treaty for one second, you fool. I thought you had a real strategy. Well, I suppose I can’t blame that on you. That’s my fault for taking you at your word. I’ll know better next time.” Narda glared at him but did not retort.

“And what makes you so certain?” She asked.

“My dear stewardess, you aren’t the only one with spies in Alldel.”

“And what of this infiltration? What would you have me do?”

“They’re coming for the staff. If they find out you still have it, you’ll be finished before you ever get started with it.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Rogha!” She said, rising from her seat.

“Give me the staff, I will restore it to its former power. I can even make it stronger,” Rogha said, with an enticing voice.

“To what end? How will you restore it?”

“You know what is needed for me to gain control over the necraphym.”

“I will not allow you to taint my crown jewels with your Rhodhinian filth! We have discussed this, and I have rejected your offer!” She said.

“You would be a fool to reject my offer. What about the Staff of Alldel, have you made any progress with that, yet? It seems foolish even to ask.”

“I have given them a disguised treaty that will give me access to it. It’s only a matter of time before it’s in my hands,” her face spread into a look of great confidence in herself. Rogha shook his head in disbelief. “I suppose you think I’m unable to finish that for you, too?” She asked, taking another sip of wine.

“I have told you before…” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes in frustration. “Alldel doesn’t have a clue where the Staff of Alldel is. You need to befriend Amos of Soceria.”

“Well…” She snorted with laughter. “I can assure you that won’t happen. They trust me less than Thale trusts me.”

“And that’s the best you can do?” He asked. She looked up at him, frustrated.

“And I suppose you have a better idea, do you? Alldel has been waiting years for me to offer an alliance to them.”

“It is not my job to come up with ideas. That’s supposed to be your job, and I suggest you start doing it. Great annoyance though he may be, Thale of Alldel is no fool! But of course, you wouldn’t know how to recognize that.”

“You can’t scare me, Rogha. You need me.”

“I don’t need you any more than I need that fool of a puppet Seevus insists on training. You want to take your chances? Fine, take your chances. But if you can’t secure another way to restore the staff in ten days, then I’ll be back for it. And you better have it ready, or I’ll show you what it truly means to be indisposed.” Rogha turned to leave the room. Narda stood, fuming in his direction. She started to sit back down at her table, but just before she did, Rogha stopped.

“And one more thing,” he turned to face her, unable to contain it any longer. “What do you think I would do with your feast? I am already dead. What use do I have with your food?”

“As I said, Rogha, you don’t scare me. You need me. You cannot have this kingdom without me. If you come inside these walls, disrespecting me again, I will be sure it is the end of your existence,” she said quietly.

“I repeat; I am already dead. What more can be done to me?” He grinned at the defeated look on her face, and then he turned around to leave.” Narda snapped at a guard standing nearby.

“Clean this mess.” She indicated to the table and followed Rogha out the door. Rogha turned around, stopped the guard by holding up a hand, and said calmly to Narda,

“Clean your own mess.” And then with a flick of the same wrist, caused the guard to drop dead.