The Merchant and the Menace Read online

  After several minutes walk, the group arrived at the palace. A small flight of steps led to a long corridor. The floor of the hallway was made of the same white-grained wood as the rest of the castle. Greenish light from jars similar to those Kael glimpsed in the tunnel radiated the hallway.

  After passing several connecting corridors, the group reached a large set of doors guarded by a pair of Elven soldiers. Diom motioned Kael to a smaller doorway inset to the right. The group entered a cozy room filled with exquisite furniture. Rich tapestries of beautifully woven scenes from the palace grounds of Luxlor covered the walls. Busts of Elven royalty stood on pedestals throughout the room.

  “Sit,” said Diom pointing to an embroidered armchair.

  Kael did as he was told. Diom took a chair opposite Kael and sat as well, staring at the boy intently. The other guards stood by the door to the room. It felt to Kael like hours went by before the door swung open. Diom jumped to his feet and stood rigidly at attention. An elderly Elf swept into the room and surveyed the scene. The Elf stood slightly under Kael’s height and had a kindly, wrinkled face. He wore a blue robe with gold embroidery and carried a jumbled bundle of scrolls.

  “Well Diom, it is good to see you in the city walls. How do you fare?” smiled the Elf.

  Diom lowered his head and bowed.

  “I am excellent, sir. I’m happy to see you are in good health,” answered Diom.

  “Couldn’t be better. Well now, to the business at hand. I see you are in charge of a.... prisoner,” the Elf turned toward Kael. “Kael Brelgson, how fare you?”

  Kael stood somewhat aghast and froze as the Elf extended a hand in friendship while trying not to spill the scrolls.

  “Come now, Kael. Don’t be so taken aback. I am Teeg, you may remember me from seasons ago when I visited your father’s inn. You were but a small boy then.”

  “Ah ... I do vaguely remember you,” replied Kael extending his bound hands. “It’s true, I was quite young then.”

  “Diom, I am sure that is unnecessary,” said Teeg pointing at the leather constraint.

  Diom glanced from the old Elf to Kael’s wrists then quickly drew a dagger from beneath his cloak and cut the strap. Kael thanked Teeg and rubbed the blood back into his hands.

  “I beg your pardon Master Teeg...”

  “Oh, just Teeg is fine, Kael,” cut in the Elf. “I know you have many questions about your experience, however, you need only wait a few short minutes before they are answered. Diom, your service was superlative as always. I will take our guest from your hands.”

  “As your honor wishes,” said Diom and he bowed.

  “Kael, please follow me,” said Teeg.

  The old Elf led Kael back into the hallway and past the guards stationed at the large double doors. The doors opened and Kael entered a long chamber with a highly vaulted ceiling. This room, although of great size, was furnished as ornately as the anteroom. Tapestries hung on the walls and pillars lined both sides. A sky blue carpet ran to a dais at the far end of the room. Upon the dais were four intricately carved chairs.

  In the right center chair sat a tall, distinguished looking Elf. The Elf’s black locks were beginning to frost. He wore sky blue vestments and a cloak with gold embroidered borders. To his right sat a beautiful woman in a light blue gown. Her black hair was braided with spun silver and hung over her shoulder, down her chest.

  “Trust me, Kael,” whispered Teeg as they walked the carpet, “be honest, polite and to the point and you shall be home in Kelky tomorrow.”

  Teeg nudged Kael as they stopped before the throne and the old Elf bowed. Kael hesitated and bowed as well. As he did so, he glanced around the throne room. A small gathering was present. The Elves in attendance were all richly dressed with colorful vestments and robes. Kael noticed Eidyn among those in the crowd. The Elven captain wore his cloak, a green tunic and pants. Several medals were pinned upon his chest. Other Elves sprinkled throughout the court were dressed similarly. The king raised his hand as Teeg and Kael approached. The court quieted.

  “Lord Teeg, why do you summon a council of the king at this late hour?” questioned the stately Elf.

  “Leinor, King of the Grey Elves. Before I address your question, I prefer that your son, Prince Eidyn, make his report to the court.”

  All eyes turned to Eidyn. Kael narrowed his eyes in confusion. Captain Eidyn was a prince?

  “Eidyn,” replied King Leinor. “What news have you?”

  Eidyn stepped to the center of the room beside Teeg and Kael. He bowed deeply to first the king and then the queen. The queen smiled and nodded her head to him.

  “Your highness, your majesty,” said Eidyn, “my news is not good. I suspect your fears of an ‘unnatural’ in our homeland are well founded. These past twenty days I searched the forest from boundary to boundary for evidence of such a creature. Where the northern tip of the Nagur meets the Derzean Sea, in the place called Bothom’s Hollow, I found tracks. They were faint and hard to pick out but I am certain. A Malveel prowls the Nagur.”

  A gasp emitted from several in attendance.

  “I followed its tracks for days,” continued Eidyn. “When I appeared to be close, the tracks disappeared.”

  “Impossible!” scoffed an old Elf in military garb, “A beast of such size cannot simply disappear. No such beast could elude you.”

  “Thank you for your confidence, General Chani. Nonetheless it is true, the track went cold. After several days of searching an ever increasing circle, I admitted defeat and moved on. My task then led me to the Eastern edges of our homeland. There by the Toxkri Swamp ...,” Eidyn paused and studied the court members in attendance.

  “Eidyn, I spoke to your cousin Gwinnen. She is not amongst those assembled here and retired to her chambers to rest. Please continue,” prompted Teeg.

  “There I found the bodies of Lord Giar and his son Steff,” stated Eidyn solemnly.

  A murmur broke out in the Elven court. Kael registered the dismay on the faces of the noble men and women. The soldiers, however, stood steady and stone faced.

  “Eidyn, this news is grave and makes my heart heavy,” said King Leinor. “Please my lords and ladies. We must contain our grief and determine the cause of such a catastrophe.”

  The murmur quieted and order was restored.

  “Eidyn, how did they perish?” asked Leinor.

  “My lord, their bodies appeared to be torn to shreds by a beast of some kind. I discovered the same tracks as those at Bothom’s Hollow. I determined they were set upon by the Malveel I failed to shadow.”

  Eidyn bowed his head.

  “Unfortunately, their condition did not allow me to bring them home to Gwinnen for proper burial. I interred them where they fell and said the rites over their graves.

  “I decided to return to Luxlor as quickly as possible with this news. I headed toward the Nagur path. After several days travel I nearly reached my objective when I almost stumbled into the path of this boy,” Eidyn said pointing at Kael.

  The court assembly turned to study Kael. Many of the members of the court were still reeling from Eidyn's news. Their shock already turned to anger and he felt its focus.

  “As you well know, my lord. I am a trained officer of your elite corp. Two days previously I discovered the mutilated bodies of my kin and knew of the presence of an ‘unnatural’ in the Nagur. Believe me when I say I was using all of my skill and training to detect anything unusual. However, with the Almighty as my witness, I nearly walked into the path of this... this boy.

  “I neither heard nor saw him until the last moment. Luckily I was able to conceal my movements and avoid detection. Also, as we know, many of our enemy’s emissaries are not what they seem. His appearance was not threatening but I took no chances. I allowed him to continue for an hour and trailed him distantly.

  “Unexpectedly, he stopped and sat near the edge of the path. I determined to get a closer look at the boy, so I moved in slowly. Again I took all the necessary prec
autions. However, I was overheard.“

  General Chani’s face screwed into a look of distress and he cleared his throat.

  “I don’t know how, but he was aware of me,” continued Eidyn. “He broke and ran. I experienced trouble keeping up because I wanted to remain concealed and followed in the wood. He remained on the path and eventually made the Efer... his only error in judgment.”

  “What are you saying Eidyn? He was in the Nagur. There is no escape from us in the Nagur!” exclaimed General Chani.

  “I mean what I say, General. This boy outran me. I am not ashamed to say it. With his silent ways and speed, I dare say had he avoided the river and entered our wood, he would have eluded me. As providence would have it, he ran directly to my men stationed at the Efer crossing. Once he was outnumbered and in their sights, he surrendered.”

  “Might this mere boy be capable of the deed perpetrated on Lord Giar and Steff?” asked the general staring at Kael. “Giar was a trained veteran of the military. He served on my personal staff. Should this boy be allowed in the court unbound? Captain Eidyn, is he a captured prisoner or a guest?”

  Chani glanced to the other officers in the room with concern.

  “I’m unsure of the capabilities of this boy, if that is what he is,” stated Eidyn. “However, he was armed.”

  Eidyn removed a canvass wrapped object from beneath his cloak.

  “My lord, the boy carried the ....”

  “Silence! Stay your words Captain Eidyn,” boomed a voice from the doors of the king’s court.

  Kael wheeled and stared at the opening. There on the threshold stood Jasper the trader and his son Rin. The duo stepped into the middle of the court and stopped near Teeg and Kael. The entire court, including the king and queen, crossed their hands over their hearts then held them out, palms upward. Jasper quickly returned the gesture and turned to face the throne.

  “Hail, Lord of the Elves and protector of the Holy Wood. Hail Eirtwin, Mother of the Elven people,” said Jasper.

  “Hail and well met Ader, Chosen of Avra. You are not long from our lands, yet return at an opportune hour. The Holy Nagur is troubled,” returned Leinor.

  Jasper turned and approached Eidyn. He took the wrapped object from the Elf’s hands. Kael stared in shock and disbelief. His old friend radiated power and control throughout the room. Eidyn readily released his burden, lightly bowed to the man he called “Ader” and backed away. The throne room’s full attention focused on the old man. Kael was filled with courage and edged closer to the tinker.

  The boy took a deep breath and started to speak, but a sharp look from Jasper erased any notion of continuing. The trader’s eyes left no doubt how serious the situation was and that Kael was expected to remain silent. Kael’s courage departed as easily as it came and he too stepped back to allow Jasper center stage.

  “My lords and ladies, you received quite a shock today. I suggest you all return to your homes. Nothing can be done now. I must take counsel with your king,” stated Jasper.

  Leinor stood and bowed, acknowledging his agreement. The king motioned to his guards and the doors to the chamber were opened. The nobles and military personnel filed out. Kael stood in the emptying court stunned. Jasper ordered the nobles of Luxlor to their homes, and they obeyed!

  “I require General Chani, Prince Eidyn and Lord Teeg remain,” announced Jasper.

  Once the room cleared, Jasper directed the group closer to the king’s throne.

  “Ader, you heard of the deaths of Lord Giar and his son Steff?” asked Prince Eidyn.

  “Most unfortunate,” stated Jasper with a heavy frown.

  “I sent them toward Erutre to warn Chieftain Temujen of the increased boldness of the ‘unnaturals’,” stated Leinor.

  “Of course,” said Jasper. “This is a time for all of the lands to share information and show aid to one another.”

  Kael was anxious for answers, but so far complied with Jasper’s obvious demand for silence. The boy’s mind reeled and the uncertainty of his situation sent his heart racing and the blood rushing through his veins. How was this situation spinning so far out of his control? Better still, how did his old friend confidently storm into the Elven court and take control? Even the king deferred to the tinker’s wishes. And why was everyone calling him “Ader”?

  Kael shook his head to clear the confusion. When he glanced upward he noted Queen Eirtwin’s intense scrutiny. She had been silent throughout the proceedings. However, her penetrating stare processed all. She smiled.

  “Ader,” said the queen. “You should introduce us to this young man. You called him ‘Kael’, did you not?”

  “What?” said the king. “Kael, you say?”

  “King Leinor and Queen Eirtwin, this is Kael Brelgson from the tiny village of Kelky, not more than a day’s journey from your borders,” said Jasper pulling Kael closer to the king and queen.

  Kael stretched out his hand toward Leinor. The king smirked and awkwardly accepted the handshake. Kael then turned to the queen and stopped in confusion and uncertainty. She laughed and offered him her hand to kiss, which he did readily.

  “I .... I’m pleased to meet you both,” stammered Kael.

  “The pleasure is all ours,” replied the queen bowing her head.

  “Very well,” commented Jasper. “That should do for the courtly pleasantries. Now that I am here, we know who the boy is and he may go about his business.”

  “Ader, I don’t mean to question your judgment, but are you certain? This boy has skills he should not possess!” stated Eidyn with concern.

  “I don’t understand,” said Kael. “Why do they call you ‘Ader’?”

  The boy turned to King Leinor.

  “His name is Jasper and that man by the door is his son, Rin.”

  The king and queen smiled and glanced at one another. Eidyn and Chani looked perplexed. Teeg stared at the ground and frowned.

  “Do you see what you caused?” growled Ader as he spun toward Teeg.

  “I felt it was time,” shrugged Teeg.

  “Well I didn’t,” grumbled Ader.

  Rin approached from his position by the door.

  “Ader,” he said calmly.

  “What is it Manfir?” asked Ader still scowling at Teeg.

  “Where is the boy’s companion? Where is Aemmon?”

  Ader turned toward the boy.

  “Kael, your brother, where is he?” asked Ader abruptly.

  “He injured his leg. He’s waiting for me on the other side of the woods,” replied Kael.

  Ader glanced at Manfir.

  “What say you?”

  “He is capable,” said Manfir dryly. “We detected nothing on our ride. The danger seems to have passed.”

  “Yes, but we obviously missed the danger on our first pass through the wood,” frowned Ader. “If we had been more diligent, Lord Giar and Steff might never have fallen and Kael would never have been allowed on this folly of a trip.

  “Nevertheless, it is Aemmon Brelgson who concerns me now. The danger may be past, but precautions should be taken. Decisions must be made. Eidyn, you endured a strenuous and emotional fortnight. You will go to your chamber and rest. Also you will keep everything you saw and heard in the Nagur and here tonight completely confidential. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Ader,” said Eidyn, bowing and departing.

  “General Chani, you will dispatch a squad of your corps to find and guard Aemmon Brelgson on the north edge of the Nagur. I do not anticipate any further trouble. The attack on Giar and Steff must have been the creatures assignment and they do not like to tarry once their work is done.”

  “As you command,” declared Chani, and he also bowed and departed.

  “Lord Teeg, you will occupy the time of our young friend until his departure tomorrow. See to it that he obtains the goods he came for. I’m sure my wishes concerning Kael are understood,” said Ader sternly.

  “Perfectly, my lord,” replied Teeg arching an eyebrow.

>   “Wishes about what, Jasper?” asked Kael in confusion.

  “Kael,” said Ader calmly turning to the boy. “By now you must realize that I am called ‘Ader’ in these lands. To avoid confusion with our hosts, please do the same. You are mixed into something you should not be. None of this concerns you. You were dragged into it by happenstance. As a favor to your father, I extricated you. Please get your things tomorrow and go home. I must discuss certain matters with the rulers of this land. Teeg, show him the remainder of the castle.”

  Before Kael could object, Teeg took him by the arm.

  “Come, Kael,” said Teeg with a grin, “it is a fascinating place.”

  The old Elf led him toward the door.

  “Kael Brelgson,” called the queen from behind him. “It was a rare treat to meet you.”

  The last thing Kael heard was the voice of King Leinor as the doors to the chamber were pushed shut behind him.

  “Please Eirtwin, the boy is confused enough. Do not further it.”

  Teeg led Kael down the passageways of the palace. They passed door after door. Kael wondered what all the rooms held. Finally, Teeg stopped and pushed one open.

  “This will be your chamber for the evening, Kael,” said Teeg.

  They entered a huge room that could easily hold the stables of “The King’s Service”. It contained a desk and a large table to the left. On the wall opposite the door, maps were mounted. To the right of the door stood a large bed carved of the same beautiful white wood. Large windows looked out over the palace grounds.

  “That is the biggest bed I’ve ever seen,” said the wide-eyed boy. “It’s bigger than the room I share with my brother back home.”

  The idea of Aemmon in the woods with a creature roaming around leapt into the boy’s mind. His excitement dissipated and he moved toward the windows, staring out as darkness settled on the Nagur Wood. Teeg noticed the change in temperament.

  “Kael, your brother will be fine. The attack on Giar and Steff was two days travel from the Nagur path.“

  Kael chewed on his lower lip and turned back to the Elf.

  “Master Teeg,” said the boy. “What’s going on?”