Chapter Twenty-Four - Treason

Adric arrived back at the citadel, Dawnwood in hand, the night before. It had been very late, which was okay with him. He was tired, lost in thought, and wanted to be alone. He couldn’t imagine the bombardment of people and questions if he walked through the city gates with the Staff of Alldel slung over his back. After depositing the staff in his cabin, he had almost gone to see Karina, but he decided against it, and instead, warmed himself some tea and made himself comfortable. It was past midnight, and she was likely in bed anyway. He could see her some other time.

When Adric woke the next morning, he felt unusually refreshed. He was sure Thale would have been busy for a couple of hours already, but as he didn’t even know that Adric had returned, Adric allowed himself the luxury of some rest. He also observed the absence of some of the apprehension he had been experiencing thus far in Aelwynn. He was sure this was attributed to the tamtan. The late King Wystan had left just enough to give Adric an understanding and a more mature level of confidence in his position that he had not had before, but not so much that it changed him from who he was before the tamtan.

Although physically he was the same, his mental condition had certainly experienced a significant spike in knowledge and ability in his role in Aelwynn. He genuinely felt he could take over as ruler at any time. He felt all the experiences, the wisdom, and past experiences of King Wystan as though they were memories of his own. This struck him as interesting. He could certainly understand how one would wish to be selective of the parts of himself that he would put into a tamtan if one wished to create one. Privately, he was glad Wystan had refrained from such elements of his life as love, taste, and pleasure. Adric much preferred to form his own opinions, and certainly his own experiences in these more personal matters.

He did think Wystan might have included something about Adric’s grandmother though. Wystan had not. He knew Wystan must have taken a wife of some sort, because how else would Adric have even been born if he had not. But he had never heard mention of her. Nowhere in any of his family history had it ever mentioned the wives of the men from whom he was descended. What must it have been like to be married to King Wystan of Alldel? And his heart flipped over in his chest. What would it be like to be married to King Adric of Alldel? The words felt odd on his tongue. King Adric of Alldel. Yes, he would need time to get used to that.

After about twenty minutes, he was cleaned up and dressed. He was going to spend the day shadowing Thale. He had done this before, but with little conviction, as he did not believe himself capable or worthy of the position. He learned many things about Thale in these shadowing sessions. Thale’s wife, Ada, had given birth to their only child, a daughter, just a few short years prior. Thale loved Hilda, his daughter, but naturally, he was concerned for the future of the kingdom. Would Alldel accept a stewardess in his place when he died? He and his wife hadn’t yet had any luck producing another child, and they were both nearing the end of their childbearing years.

Adric put this thought from his mind. He mustn’t allow this concern to sway his decision regarding the throne. Plenty of nations were led by good, honorable, and capable women. He laced his boots, stood from his chair, and decided to leave the Staff of Alldel here for the day, but then, as he reached for the door handle, he heard an eerie whispering,

“Take it,” it said. The whispering reverberated as though he were in a cavern. Adric nearly jumped into the air. He looked around the room, his heart rolling against his chest.

“Who’s there?” He asked. No reply came forth. He reached again for the door.

“Take it!” The whispering said again, except this time, much more forcefully. He looked around the room. He was sure he was alone. Adric’s heart pounded. What was this? It was strange, but he suddenly felt a nagging thought in the back of his mind. He could not leave the staff behind. This bothered him. It was like a kind of dependency. He went back to retrieve Dawnwood. Maybe it was a bit like having something new. Until the novelty of the object begins to wear off, you want it with you at all times. He agreed with himself on this and fetched the staff. As he exited his cabin, he decided he had imagined the whole thing, and put it from his mind.

If he had been hoping for a quiet, discreet walk to the steward’s office, he should have known better, at least after deciding to carry the staff. He attempted to carry it nonchalantly, discretely, as an ordinary walking stick. He thought this was going quite well while he was in the privacy of his own walkway. It certainly carried naturally in the palm of his hand, sliding elegantly back and forth with his stride. It clinked nicely against the floor when he placed it on the ground.

When he reached the main corridors of the Citadel, his feeling of nonchalance vanished without delay. He was used to catching people’s eyes as he walked by. The inhabitants of the Citadel were naturally curious about him. But now he was carrying what was unmistakably the legendary Staff of Alldel. He also reminded himself that he had dressed the part this morning. He did not ordinarily dress quite so officially. This had been his way of protesting the position; not today. Today, he looked as official as the elite in the Alldelan government. His red tunic, black military pants, fat ruby ring, polished boots, prominent belt buckle, and of course, Dawnwood worked together in such harmony that he caught every eye he passed.

The Staff of Alldel grew heavy in his hands. He was becoming more and more aware of its presence as he walked the corridors of the citadel. He grew uncomfortable with his cadence of lifting the staff and snapping it back down to the ground. It felt rehearsed. Deciding it did look a bit odd, he tucked it gently under his right underarm, and quickened his pace thinking Thale’s office wouldn’t come into sight soon enough. Despite this though, Thale’s office was soon in view. He did not knock but entered immediately. Inside, he found Thale and Verrik going over some morning reports. They stopped their talking as soon as he entered.

There were probably several reasons why they went quiet upon his entry, besides being unannounced. He was dressed as an official, something he didn’t usually do. He also was not expected to be back from his trip with Amos. But, of course, the most likely reason was the staff tucked safely under his arm.

“Adric, I…is that what I think it is?” Thale said. They had both risen from their seats upon his entry.

“I think you know what this is,” he said with a grin, pride showing in his face, despite his efforts to appear natural.

“May I?” Verrik asked him, holding out a hand for the Staff of Alldel. Adric had anticipated the question. He had already decided it would be silly not to allow them a chance to see it for themselves. He had decided that of course he would let them hold it. It was a magnificent artifact of Alldelan history. But when it came down to the actual deed of handing it over, he was surprised at the reluctance he felt. It was like when he tried to leave his cabin without it.

“Keep it!” The whispering returned. Adric jumped, again, and gasped.

“Adric?” Thale asked. “Are you alright?” Adric ignored him.

Leave me! Adric thought inside his head. No reply. What was this voice? Deciding to test his command, he reached forward with Dawnwood, and placed it in Verrik’s hand. The whispering did not object. This was ridiculous. He was in the company of friends. Adric signed in relief.

“Are you alright?” Thale asked again.

“I’m fine,” Adric said with a smile.

“It is magnificent. It is truly breathtaking in every regard. The craftsmanship is marvelous,” he was running a finger along the fine gold threads of aritium that crisscrossed their way up the shaft of the staff. He held the ruby to the lights in the room.

“It’s so clear,” he said about the stone. “Truly fascinating,” he said as he passed the staff to Thale. “But how did you get to it? Where was it?” Verrik said, taking his seat once more. Thale finished examining the staff for himself and kindly handed it back to Adric. Adric took a seat beside Verrik and placed the base of the staff on the floor, holding it upright.

He told them the story as it began when they first set off for Gnostgate. He told them of the stories Amos had told him, and how they had stopped for camp. He left out some of the more personal bits about Amos and the necraphym. He felt if Amos wanted Thale to know, that he would have told him. And then he reached the point about the tamtan that Wystan had created for Adric’s benefit. Verrik was unfamiliar with the term, but Thale knew immediately what Adric was talking about.

“And Amos let Wystan do that?” He said with outrage in his voice.

“Yes,” Adric answered. “He trusted Wystan beyond anyone he has ever known.”

“Still, to create something like a tamtan…” Adric ignored the comment. He knew why Thale felt that way, but he didn’t feel much like going into it. So, he continued his story all the way up to Gnostgate. He described the dark gates and the city, abandoned and desolate. Adric told them of the building they entered, where Amos had created a hidden gateway to the chamber below. And then he told them of the Staff of Alldel resting in its plinth.

He stopped for a moment, wondering whether or not to tell them of the tamtan. He decided he would. He needed them to know that he was more capable than he used to be. He explained this, and he described how he was able to jump into battle to aid Amos in his attempt to fend off the wraiths. And then he told them of the necraphym. They were particularly interested in this part of the story. Concern grew on Thale’s face.

When Adric finished his tale, it took a minute for Verrik and Thale to think of anything to say. They sat in silence for a couple minutes, but Adric just waited. He had told them all he was going to say. If they had questions or wanted to know more about his journey, they would have to ask.

“Well, Adric, it certainly seems that you have gained a whole lot in such a short time. While I’m glad the Staff of Alldel is within our own control, I do wish we had known more about it before now. It sounds as though Amos has been keeping secrets from us,” Thale said.

“Amos kept those secrets under the orders of King Wystan,” Adric answered.

“That may be, but he’s dead, and a new war is beginning.”

“He did what he thought was best.”

“That’s not his prerogative. Alldel does not answer to Soceria.”

“You’re arguing with the wrong man,” Adric said. “I certainly didn’t have him keep any of this from anyone, and I shared it all with you as soon as I returned.”

“I’m not blaming you, I just a have a lot on my mind at the moment.”

“I understand,” Adric told him. “At the risk of adding something else to your list, I do have one more thing to report,” he said. “Elric and his party have been captured by Lorlean operatives.” Thale closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

“Very well,” he said.

“What do we do?” Verrik asked. Thale shook his head.

“There’s nothing we can do at the moment. Alldel can’t admit to sending scouts into Lorlean territory.”

“But it’s Elric,” Verrik said.

“He knew the risks when he left Alldel for the mission. We’ll have to trust that he can handle himself, at least until such a time as we can mount a rescue. I can’t go tearing off to Lorlea to spring him from a jail cell.” Adric tried to think of what he could tell Gaden. Nothing seemed adequate. The best thing, he thought, would be to keep silence for now. He wondered how much Gaden would hate him when they got back together if they ever did. His insides burned with the thought that he might not see them again.

“Sir, if we’re going to be present for that meeting with the Lorleans, then we better get moving,” Verrik said.

“You’re right. Adric, we have a meeting with two Lorleans claiming to have defected against Narda. They came to us last night and stayed in an inn somewhere in Aelwynn. I told them we would meet with them today. Are you up to that?”

“Of course.” Adric nodded.

“Good. Then let’s not keep them waiting. One more thing. I have invited a wood nymph to join us. He will be reporting back to Alderhaven regarding the meeting.” They all rose and made their way to the conference room, where they expected these Lorleans to be waiting on them.

Inside, the two Lorleans were indeed present. They were also accompanied by a single wood nymph who sat at the opposite end of the table. They joined their guests, Thale at the head of the table as usual. Adric and Verrik joined him on either side.

“Gentlemen, welcome to Alldel.” Thale started.

“Thank you, sir. My name is Kaean, this is Sarril,” he pointed to the man beside him. “I have served as one of Lady Narda’s top officials for several years. We come with news regarding the relationship between Alldel and Rhodhinia. For a while now, our stewardess has been developing a relationship with the Rhodhinians. That relationship has been gaining in its strength lately. One thing we have noticed is her growing dislike for Alldel. I’m sure by the sound of it you didn’t believe much of what she had to offer in the treaty she brought to you. Lady Narda has been working alongside one we know as Rogha.”

“Who is Rogha?” Thale asked.

“We don’t know much about him. He is definitely from Rhodhinia, but we try to avoid him if we can. He has been making regular trips to Lorlea. It’s always the same thing from him. He wants to know how she is progressing.”

“Progressing with what?”

“They are making an effort to find the remaining rubies you have, here.” Thale nodded. “Rogha wants Lady Narda to use her influence with you to turn over the rubies. She has, of course, been unsuccessful. Her reports are driving a wedge between her and the Rhodhinian government. Unfortunately, we believe it has come to a climax.”

“In what way?” Verrik asked.

“We have reports that say Rhodhinia is, as we speak, marching to Alldel.”

“What?” Thale said, angrily.

“Seevus has built an army of wraiths. He has sent that army to infiltrate Alldel. He wants this land.”

“And you’re telling us this, why?” Thale asked him, still angry.

“Please understand,” Sarril interrupted, “We are putting ourselves at great personal risk by coming here. By telling you these things, we are committing treason against Lorlea.”

“Then why are you here?” Verrik asked.

“Because the stewardess is wrong. She should be moving against Rhodhinia. This war should have stopped a long time ago, and the only thing she has done is to secure it’s beginning. Too many people died the last time this war was fought. It didn’t need to start again, but it has. Alldel needs to prepare itself. War is coming.”

“How long will it take an army of wraiths to march from Rhodhinia to Alldel?” Verrik asked Thale.

“They could be at our doorstep by this time tomorrow,” Adric answered. He could tell neither Thale nor Verrik had expected him to answer this question. Thale dismissed it quickly though, remembering the story Adric had told them about the tamtan.

“Very well,” Thale said. “If Rhodhinia marches to battle, then Alldel will meet them in force.” Thale stood and opened a cabinet against the wall behind him. He pulled from it a large, rolled-up sheet of paper. He walked back to the table and unrolled it. It was a map showing the nations of Alldel, Lorlea, Soceria, and Rhodhinia. They gathered around the map.

“Do you have any idea when they might have set out?” Verrik asked. Thale pulled from a box a handful of red and black pawns.

“Our source tells us they left the Rhodhinian gates in Ahri as early as two days ago.”

“Alright.” Said Verrik, tracing a finger from the Ahrian center down the map and near the northern edge of the Tulusbian Forest. “If they left two days ago, that probably puts them somewhere here,” he pointed somewhere between Aelwynn and Ahri near Westerlyn at the junction of the Thendor River and Standafal Creek.

“So, the question is, do we head them off outside Westerlyn, or do we make them cross Standafal?” Thale was looking at the map trying to decide which way they were going to go.

“If it were me, I would not go through Westerlyn. Westerlyn doesn’t gain them anything and would just waste resources. It’s a clear path to Aelwynn, why would they not just do that?” Verrik traced the routes with a thick finger.

“Yes.” Thale nodded in agreement. “So if we try to intercept them here, we should be able to avoid any damage to the outlying villages,” Thale suggested, pointing to an open spot on the map north of Aelwynn, south of Westerlyn.

“I think so,” Verrik said. “I think that’s the best bet. If we can make it there before they do, we can set up a complete blockade to keep them from pushing further into Alldel. It also keeps the battle off Westerlyn soil.”

“That also puts us in a good position to call for aid from Soceria and Alderhaven,” Thale said.

“It’s possible Soceria could also be under attack.” Adric interrupted. “Amos seemed to think if Rhodhinia ever did launch an attack, that he would also attack Soceria.” Adric saw Thale’s shoulder fall.

“Do they have those kinds of numbers?” Verrik asked, turning to the Lorleans.

“Yes, I believe they do.” Verrik shook his head.

“Sound the alarms,” Thale told Verrik. “Rouse the soldiers, we march at dawn.” Verrik nodded and left the room. “I thank you for bringing this to our attention,” he said to the Lorleans. “I know you have put your lives at risk to bring us this information. If you truly wish to defect, Alldel will be happy to offer you asylum.”

“Thank you.” One of the Lorleans said. “But we can’t be much use to you if we are hiding within Alldel. We must go back to Lorlea. I will try to send new reports as they come in.” Thale thanked them once more, and they too left the conference room. Thale turned to the wood nymph.

“Will Alderhaven come to our aid?” He asked. The wood nymph stood.

“If Rhodhinia moves against Alldel, then Alderhaven will be there to protect its neighbor. You have been very good to us. You have allowed us to have our own ways, and you have respected our sovereignty. Alderhaven will aid Alldel.”

“Then before you go, can I send a message back with you? Can you get this message to Kaocin in time?”

“Of course.” Answered the nymph.

“Tell him to send my operatives to Soceria. They must be warned.”

“I will deliver your message.”

“Then go quickly.” The nymph bowed to Thale and exited the conference room. Thale sat back down and sighed heavily.

“We need Elric.”

“You made the right decision in sending him.”

“Yes, but it now appears it was unnecessary.”

“There’s no way you could have known that,” Adric told him. There was a knock on the conference room door.

“Come in,” Thale said. It was the Lorleans.

“I forgot just one thing,” he said. “You had operatives in Lorlea, did you not?” Thale hesitated, wondering whether or not to answer. It was not needed. The Lorleans continued,

“One of the prison guards is a member of the rebellion. He freed them under a rouse of being attacked just this morning. Their arrest was staged by the rebellion to protect our anonymity. They were never in any real danger; we would not have let harm come to them. Please pass along our apologies to them, they were probably very distressed and not treated with great hospitality. We appreciate their time and sacrifice, and we wish them well. As we speak, they are making their way to Alldel on the backs of four of our horses, and they have a wood nymph with them who goes by the name Gaila. We sent them with maps of the Temple of Lorlea and the city of Ilgard. Use them wisely, it cost lives to get them to you,” The Lorleans bowed again and left the room. Thale and Adric stood with their mouths hanging open. They could not believe the fortune that had befallen them.

“Maybe it wasn’t a wasted trip after all,” Thale said, unable to suppress a grin. These Lorlean rebels were turning out to be a very helpful group, indeed.