The Merchant and the Menace Page 9

  “Once Avra separated himself from Chaos he desired to commune with beings like himself. He wished to share the bounty of his power. Thus he set forth and created the universe and all the worlds contained within it. Every rock, tree and speck of sand is the product of Avra’s love and imagination. He poured forth his blessings and created a realm of fantastic magnitude. Each of us is a small part of Avra’s limitless force. You are part of Avra and He is part of you.”

  Kael paused and tried to reconcile such a weighty concept.

  “It’s a bit much when you first discover it,” smiled Ader, “but as the idea lingers, it settles a man’s soul. To know that you’re part of the all powerful Creator and he is a part of you, fills you with an unparalleled confidence.”

  “But Avra doesn’t decide to create people,” said Kael. “People do. A man and a woman.”

  “True,” replied Ader, “but remember, all men and women are products of those before them. Ultimately, all people are the products of the first humans put on this world. So they are all creations of Avra’s first creations. Since all people are part of Avra, whatever they create from themselves is part of Avra.”

  Kael blinked hard.

  “Avra set us on this world to emulate him, to create order from disorder, to grow, learn and produce,” continued Ader. “Avra wanted man to rejoice in his world, to live every day striving to create and bring beauty into the world. Creating and nurturing life is part of that plan.”

  “Then why would someone ever choose to follow Chaos?” asked the boy.

  “The answer to ‘why’ can only be found in the heart of each and every man,” returned Ader, “but the answer to ‘how’ is quite simple. Free will.”

  Again the boy stared at the old trader with a puzzled expression.

  “Avra’s desires for us are just that, his desires. What of our own? When a man chooses to cheat his neighbor, he fulfills a desire all his own. Avra might easily create a race of men subject to his wishes. They would follow each and every command of their master, but that was not what our Creator wanted. He wished to share his existence with beings made in his own image, beings capable of making choices and striving toward unlimited potential. Creations enslaved to the will of another possess no such abilities. Their potential is constrained by the boundaries set by their master.”

  “So Avra placed men and Elves upon this world and set them free to do as they wish?” asked Kael.

  Ader frowned.

  “Yes and no.”

  “That’s not an answer.” scowled Kael.

  “It’s a difficult question, my boy,” said Ader. “The Elves upon this world are a somewhat ... unique situation.”

  Ader hoped that would suffice but Kael stared at the old trader.

  “The Elves are a creation for a different place and a different time,” resumed Ader. “As I said, Avra created many worlds, or more precisely planes, upon which he created many beings. The Elves are not originally from this world. They are from a higher plane.”

  “Then how did the Elves get from this .... higher plane to our world?” asked Kael.

  “That is a lesson for another time.” said the old man, “We must make speed and return to Luxlor.”

  Ader’s refusal to answer bothered Kael. He wanted those answers. His brother was dead and Kael barely escaped death at the hands of a hideous creature bent on his destruction. He needed to know more to help him explain the madness of this day.

  “Well, at least tell me what part you play. Why should I trust you or do any of the things you tell me?” stated Kael angrily.

  The old man frowned and searched the boy’s eyes.

  “Oh, we both know how ridiculous that question is don’t we? You already guessed correctly who I am,” said Ader. “However, you’re going through a trying time, so I’ll humor you. I am Ader, third Seraph of our Lord Avra the Creator of this existence. You talk of myths and rumors, religions and stories. I am those myths and rumors. I’ve been on this world for what seems an eternity. I’m a guide, a helper and a confidante. I’m here to help man when he seems at his most helpless. It’s my job to nudge, nay even to push them in the right direction. Does that tell you enough?”

  “Umm, well, maybe,” returned Kael.

  The boy was embarrassed by his own uncertainty. His mind searched for questions. A moment ago he possessed so many, but now he felt even more confused. He desperately wanted to keep the conversation alive and think of anything other than Aemmon.

  “Well, how old are you?” asked Kael, grimacing at what he deemed a ridiculous question.

  “Age is irrelevant. I’ve been around quite a long time by your standards. Even by my own. However, Avra is ageless. To him I’m merely a baby.”

  Undaunted, Kael asked. “Well, how about in a time frame I understand?”

  “Oh, several thousand years, at least. I lost count centuries ago. Years are meaningless to me. Events are what matter. How will they unfold and affect this world? Some of those events are centuries in the making, others just a few short years. However, both tend to affect this world with the same significance,” said Ader.

  “Do you.... talk to Avra. I mean, is He real?” asked Kael.

  “Of course He’s real,” scoffed Ader. “Look around you. How do you think all of this was created?”

  Kael paused then clenched his teeth.

  “Why does He allow ...”, Kael choked on the remainder of his question.

  Ader paused once more to allow the boy to rein in his emotions.

  “Kael, we all die,” said Ader softly. “Every one of us is born with a certain amount of life force. Eventually, our life force runs out. Those are the people who die of old age. Other times, our life force is snatched from us. Disease, famine and war are some of the reasons. Why? Chaos strives eternally to break down this beautiful world and turn it back into the seething abyss that it once was. Like the waves of the sea breaking on the shoreline, so is Chaos. Wave after punishing wave eventually breaks the rock down. Chaos attacks the heart of man. Chaos rules the weak of spirit and tempts him to turn on his brother. Without order, the world is an ugly place indeed.”

  “Then Chaos is what killed my mother?” asked Kael.

  “No, your Mother died of disease,” answered Ader, “This world is not a paradise Kael, nor was it meant to be. Avra created a place for man to rejoice in his successes and a place to learn and strive to overcome his failures. Man struggles to survive everyday. Food, water and air are just the basics for survival. If man needed nothing and he was able summon all he wanted, he would be a god himself. One day someone will cure the disease your sweet mother died from, and mankind will move forward.”

  “Why hasn’t it been cured already? Why her?”

  “To Avra, a millennia is a heart beat. Time has no meaning. Do not misunderstand me. Every man woman or child is infinitely important to him. I do not diminish the life of your mother. However, she was born with a certain amount of life force, and the disease, another creation of Avra, overcame that life force. Her spirit is an altogether different matter,” stated Ader.

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we are born, Avra’s hand passes through the water of life and creates our swirl in it. In some cases, his hand thrusts the water aside and a powerful wave is born. I am thousands of years old. Avra’s hand moved powerfully indeed. In other cases, his hand barely stirs the water. These people are short lived.

  However, in both cases, the individual is free to build or spoil their spiritual force. Do you rejoice in the world, entering everyday with a feeling of thanks? Do you treat others as if they are the most important thing in the world? Do you show grace to those who wrong you? Pity to those who suffer? These are the qualities that enhance the spiritual force of an individual. Your mother’s spiritual force was never taken from her. Her life force merely drained away. She continues to thrive in the presence of Avra.”

  The trader paused and Kael’s face wrinkled in concentration. Ader told him thing
s his mother and father taught him his whole life. Things he heard, but never really listened to or understood.

  “What about that ... that thing that killed Aemmon? If Avra gave life to that, why would I want to believe in or follow him?” demanded Kael.

  “That is an altogether different subject, and I must admit, one I’m not ready to discuss with you. Besides, you are so taken in by our conversation that you lose track of our surroundings. Diom must be pleased that you were unable to detect him this time.”

  Kael looked up from the path to see the Efer bridge standing in front of him. He searched the woods around the bridge and again picked out the faces of Grey Elves among the shrubs and trees. Diom was not among them.

  “Diom was about a league back in the North Nagur. Apparently, King Leinor and General Chani expanded their perimeter of defense.”

  The pair rode on in silence past the small cottages on the outskirts of the Elven kingdom and toward the white wall. They passed few Elves at first, but as they journeyed deeper into the Elven kingdom, the streets crowded. Many of the Elves greeted Ader with the traditional opened palms then placed them across their hearts. Some showed this sign of respect then quickly turned to others and whispered. Kael knew the ways of an isolated village. Rumors of their hasty return would spread quickly.

  Kael noticed a boy keeping pace with the riders as they made their way past shops and street fairs. The boy stole glances at the pair as he dodged fruit stands and meat carts. As Kael turned to Ader to point out the boy, he noticed the old trader looking in the same direction. When Kael swung back, the boy was gone.

  The journey proceeded rapidly and Ader led them to the stables of the palace. Runners were sent ahead to announce their return and Teeg awaited them in the stable yard.

  “Greetings Lord Ader and Kael Brelgson, I didn’t anticipated such an early return to the palace,” announced Teeg somberly, “and you’re without Manfir. I fear grave tidings come with you.”

  Stable boys took the chestnut by the reins and led her into a stall. Ader swung himself down from Tarader's broad back and the huge stallion trotted to the water trough and drank deeply.

  “Grave indeed, Master Teeg. However, the news remains ours until we find a suitable venue. The king and queen must summon their counselors and generals.”

  “This has been done. They gather in the palace hall as we speak. Your early return prompts concern throughout the palace. Please, adjourn to your chambers and refresh yourselves. Might I suggest a new cloak, the burnt and tattered edges of that one caused enough fright in the city for one day.”

  “Ah, I’m a fool. I’m so caught up in my pondering, I announce to the world our troubles,” frowned Ader. “We will depart and bathe.”

  “All will be ready when you return,” said Teeg.

  One of the stable boys led Kael to the guest chamber he occupied the previous evening. Fresh clothing was laid on the bed and a large bath was drawn. He undressed and slid into the hot water. Immediately, he relaxed. Kael realized his entire body was tense from the moment they encountered the battle scene.

  It felt good to relax, but the emotions he fought to control came into stark focus. Kael let himself go to those emotions and lay in the tub sobbing. He slid deeper into the water and closed his eyes, squeezing tears upon his cheeks. The copper tub cradled his body and before he knew it, Kael was fast asleep.

  CHAPTER 8: THE STONE CHAMBER

  Sulgor crouched low in front of the dais with his eyes averted from Izgra’s gaze. It rankled the Lord of the Malveel to bow down before this mortal being. The Malveel fought the urge to leap forward and tear out the throat of the human. What did Izgra know of their battle? This elf and human mongrel dwelt on earth for a fraction of Sulgor’s existence.

  However, Sulgor comforted himself in the knowledge that his master held plans for the Half Dead. Plans that would leave Izgra a shell of his former self. Plans that Izgra could not escape even if he dared try.

  These thoughts emboldened the Malveel lord and he glanced upward at the hooded figure. Sulgor appraised the only being beside Amird whom he had ever bowed before. Izgra was in direct contact with Amird and Sulgor surmised the weak human was utterly in the Deceiver’s control. Sulgor wondered how much of Izgra’s thought was still his own, but the Malveel believed Amird probably controlled all.

  Sulgor slowly rose and his chest grew. He was Amird’s first creation. Molded from the rock and magma in the steaming pits of Tar Kreng centuries ago, the Lord of the Malveel had ruled over Amird’s creations in the absence of the Deceiver. When the plan was complete, he would be restored to his rightful place. Izgra would be no more and he, Sulgor, would reign as master of the Malveel, Ulrog and all other beings in Amird’s thrall.

  “Your brethren fail me,” snarled Izgra from behind the cowl of his jet black robes. “They possessed the opportunity to remove the threat and they were unable to complete the task.”

  “They may be slow in returning. Who is to say what the outcome of their journey to the Nagur is?” snapped Sulgor.

  Boney, decaying hands shot from beneath Izgra’s robes and flashed out toward the Malveel King. Crimson fire slammed the giant beast back to the ground as flames crackled and hissed about the scaly body. Sulgor writhed in agony and gnashed his long, razor sharp fangs. The beast desperately tried to retreat from the fire.

  “I am the one to say!” shrieked Izgra. “Your Lord and Master!”

  The flame halted and Sulgor shrank further from the dais. Izgra’s hands remained poised in the direction of the Malveel. Spasms of pain racked the beast’s body.

  “The sooner you come to realize that I am Amird and Amird is me, the sooner you will halt this rebellion against my authority. You were our first, Sulgor, and our strongest. However, even the strongest servant must be put down if he does not obey,” stated Izgra. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes ..... my lord,” snarled the Malveel King bowing his head. “I serve only you.”

  “Good,” replied Izgra. “Your brethren did fail me. I feel all of the beings created by the power of Amird. Methra and Quirg are no more.”

  Sulgor’s eyes widened with surprise. He dare not ask how the warlock discovered this news. The Malveel glanced at the figure on the platform. It was true that his master favored the warlock with great power. Izgra’s eyes glowed red with the fury of Chaos. The Malveel barely distinguished the decaying face of the self-proclaimed “vessel of Amird”.

  “What is worse,” rasped Izgra, “they encountered the Old Man in the woods. The battle was short-lived, but I felt his surge in the spirit pool. I hoped not to rouse him at this early stage. He was to be dealt with later.”

  “What are your wishes?” asked Sulgor, lowering his head further.

  “Methra was close. I felt something. It was just a flicker, but the new Seraph makes his way into the world. We must hasten our plans,” said Izgra. “Contact your assets and step up the pressure in both the West and the South.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” consented the Malveel as he backed from the dais and exited the stone chamber.

  -----------------------------

  CHAPTER 9: STEPPING FROM THE SHADOWS

  “Kael, wake up,” whispered Teeg.

  The boy came to with a start. The old Elf was standing over him holding a robe.

  “You slept quite some time. Do you feel refreshed?” said Teeg.

  The bath had lost its heat and Kael shivered.

  “Uh, yes. Sorry. Did I miss the meeting?” asked Kael.

  “No. It took time to gather the king’s court and there is much to discuss.”

  Kael rose and accepted the robe.

  “Is Jas.... Ader there?”

  “That is the other reason the meeting is delayed. Lord Ader tends to prioritize differently than most. He stopped in his chambers briefly, then left and cares for some other.... business. Nevertheless, he’s due to return shortly and we’ll be getting underway. I anticipate you desire to be a part of the proceeding
s?”

  “Oh, yes!” exclaimed Kael.

  He stepped from the bath, hurriedly dried and dressed. Teeg waited patiently, using the time to explain the history of the artifacts found in the room. When Kael was finished, they walked down the hallway to the palace court.

  The court bustled. Runners and pages provided refreshment for the lords and ladies. Small groups of nobles huddled together conversing intently. Military personnel marched into the great hall carrying charts and maps to the large table where General Chani sat. Eidyn stood beside him and looked up as Kael and Teeg entered the hall. His gaze pierced the boy. In fact, many eyes in the room fixed on Kael. The assembly briefly hushed. Kael’s face flushed then returned to normal as conversation built once more and eyes returned to their previous attractions.

  Teeg led Kael toward the front of the room. They halted to the right of the platform holding the thrones of the king and queen. The old Elf and the boy sat in a set of chairs placed against the wall and waited. General Chani poured over his maps.

  Once again the room abruptly quieted. Kael looked up to see King Leinor, Queen Eirtwin and Ader stepping from behind a blue tapestry hanging behind the dais. Nearly every eye focused on the trio. However, Kael’s keen senses focused his attention to the opposite end of the great hall. He noted movement as a large cloaked and hooded figure slipped into the room and disappeared into a shadowy corner behind the assembly of Elves.

  “Thank you all for coming on such short notice and waiting for so many hours as the queen and I sought council from our dear friend Ader,” announced King Leinor.

  “As you all know,” continued the king, “dire news surfaces. The deaths of loved ones at the hands of the unnaturals reaches us. The Deceiver’s slaves venture much farther from his realm than ever they dared in the past. Our homeland is threatened. The lands of our allies are under siege.