“
You men are going to be teleported with Wollfen here and Admiral Marcos. You will end up in a cell and will break down the door, okay?”
The men nodded, it was all very weird but they obeyed orders.
“
Admiral Marcos, I know you will think this unusual but I am placing Wollfen in full command of this mission. He understands the situation going on up there. I don’t expect you will be too long.”
Again Raz looked to Wollfen who again nodded as he ate and drank what was presented to him. Wollfen stood up already feeling a lot better.
“
Alright, we will take a flask of water for the other prisoners, are we all ready?” The four men nodded, “Now all of you get a hold of me and don’t let go until the journey is over.”
Wollfen felt hands grip him and he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were in the gloom of the cell. Some of them behind him let out a small gasp. He had forgotten to tell them of Madeira being there.
“
Take care, she is with us, hello Madeira, how are you?”
“
Better now that you are back, I hate the dark and these bugs have been driving me nuts.” He smiled at that.
“
We will be out of here in a flash.” He turned to the soldiers, “There’s the door, knock yourselves out.”
Wollfen stood beside Admiral Marcos as two of the men went to work hacking at the door, he was sure that soldiers would be waiting on the other side for when they broke out.
“
Do you know Lord Ayburn by any chance Admiral?”
“
Actually yes, he is brother to Lord Ercanbold who lost command of all military forces in the Kingdom. He was last involved in the decision making of the major campaigns lost by Ercanbold. I was curious as to what had happened to him, now I know.” Wollfen could see why Ayburn would have been sent out here.
“
So what is your take on his actual capabilities when it comes to a personal command? I have to know how he should be dealt with once we get out of here.”
“
Well, he has never before commanded any troops. His forte’ was always political intrigue and getting himself ahead. Personally I didn’t think much of him, no idea about how to get a job done.”
“
Thank you Admiral for your frankness I can see why Lord Raz would put his trust in you.” The Admiral smiled inwardly, everybody liked compliments.
“
When the door is broken I think the two soldiers should go out first followed by you, then you can address whatever officer is out there to get all this sorted. Give them a lot of bluster.” The Admiral smiled outwardly this time.
“
You know Lord Raz is always giving me a hard time about having a stick up my ass, so I think I know exactly what you are talking about.”
Finally the door gave way and the Admiral gave instructions to call out before exiting. They announced their intentions and then the two men stepped out beyond the door fragments. There were a number of armed soldiers on both sides who stood back as clean well dressed Kingdom soldiers looked back at them. When an Admiral in full regalia appeared that really shook them. Where had these men come from?
The Admiral addressed the men standing opposite in a loud voice.
“
My name is Admiral Marcos, commander of the southern fleet of the Kingdom, in service to Lord Raz southern commander of all military forces. Who is in charge here?” A junior officer stepped forward.
“
I am sir.” The poor man looked on in trepidation not knowing how to handle the situation at all.
“
You will escort us immediately to Lord Ayburn’s chambers as we need to address him and his conduct in some very serious matters.”
The officer looked at him and at Wollfen by his side who was whispering into the Admiral’s ear. The Admiral gave a slight nod and turned back to the junior officer.
“
You also have the other men interred here. Open the doors so that we can tend to them.”
“
I’m sorry sir but I don’t have any orders to that effect.” The Admiral was losing his patience quickly.
“
I am giving you the orders. I outrank even the Lord here! Now do as I say!” The officer bowed and apologized profusely.
“
Yes sir, immediately sir.”
He signaled a man forward to unlock the next two doors and when it was done a jailor went into each. At the far cell Vaughn was carried out under his shoulders. He was in a very sorry state and Wollfen reacted angrily. Then the second jailer came out of Burkhard’s cell and shook his head. Wollfen pushed past him after grabbing a torch and went in. They all heard him cry out from within. A few moments later he came back out and he approached the junior officer. With a deadly calm voice he addressed him through gritted teeth.
“
That man in there was a loyal soldier of the Kingdom and personal friend of Lord Raz himself. He did not deserve to die the way he did!” The man looked up at him with wide eyes.
“
I was only following direct orders given to me personally by Lord Ayburn!”
“
Following orders, following orders.”
Wollfen stood there clenching and unclenching his fists. He was ready to knock this man down. Marcos stepped in.
“
A review will be taken of your actions and if you are found to be culpable I will see to it that you are brought to account. What is your name man?”
“
It is Officer Ward sir.” The Admiral looked him up and down.
“
Well then Officer Ward you can start making amends by tending to this other prisoner and escorting the rest of us to Lord Ayburn.”
“
Yes sir.”
He signaled some men to take care of Vaughn and turned to lead the others. Marcos and Madeira ended up walking side by side together as they made their way out. Marcos couldn’t help but ask.
“
Just how do you fit into all of this? Aren’t you a sorc of Isogorr?” Madeira nodded.
“
Yes, my name is Madeira, high sorc, second only to the Queen herself but my allegiance is to Wollfen first and foremost.” Marcos was a bit shocked.
“
You say you are loyal to Wollfen? Who is he loyal to?” He thought it a pertinent question under the circumstances.
“
He is loyal to the good of all.”
Now that was a weird answer. He couldn’t make any sense of it.
As they reached Ayburn’s office the officer turned,
“
If you will wait here I will announce your arrival.” Marcos shook his head.
“
No.”
He signaled one of the men carrying an axe who in turn smiled, brought his boot up and kicked the door in. As it crashed back, the two soldiers walked in followed by Marcos and the rest. They fanned out standing in a line looking at Ayburn across the desk who had a shocked look on his face.
“
Lord Ayburn I am placing you under arrest for the illegal detainment and incarceration of agents of the Kingdom.” The shocked man reacted quickly, looking over Wollfen and the rest.
“
By whose orders?”
“
By my orders! I am Admiral Marcos, commander of the southern fleets. As a ranking officer I have decided you have to face serious charges!”
“
I think not! That man there is a spy! I have it on good authority! And who is the enemy sorc?”
“
You do not ask the questions here Lord Ayburn. I have already made my decision.”
“
But, but, you have it all wrong.” The man was protesting quite strongly but Marcos was unmoved.
“
You are to stand down immediately. Now hand me your sword.”
Ayburn slowly stood and pulled at the buckle of his sword belt all the while giving Marcos a hard stony look. Wollfen recognized the sword as his own.
“
I think you can return Cerendell to me thank you.” Ayburn handed it to Wollfen as he him gave a sour look.
“
My father will hear of this, mark my words.”
“
You are confined to quarters Ayburn until I decide how you are to be punished. You are lucky you are not being charged with high treason. You would have been hung for that.” As Ayburn was escorted from the room Marcos turned back to Wollfen. “So, what now?” Wollfen thought on that for a bit.
“
I think I’ll leave Madeira here with you and I will return to Port Volarus with Vaughn to get him some medical attention. I will also see Raz and ask for an officer to be put in charge here. I will bring him back here to relieve you. Then I will again go back to Port Volarus to take you back. From there I will decide what my next course of action is to be. In the meantime, you may wish to address the troops and tell them of the change in command before I get back. We don’t want some sort of mini mutiny going on because no one has the facts. I can see Ayburn trying to pull something.”
“
Mm, good idea, I will see you when you return. I hope you don’t take too long, this place stinks.” Wollfen smiled.
“
I’m sure you won’t suffer too much.” He turned to Madeira, “I’m sorry to leave you behind again, but if the locals try to do something you can give Marcos a hand.”
She understood perfectly and she was content to stay this time. After all, it wasn’t a pitch-black room. Wollfen closed his eyes and again he disappeared. Marcos found a chair and sat looking at his surroundings , Madeira did the same. He sat there quietly for a bit studying Madeira as well, then decided to ask some more questions,
“
So tell me High Sorc, if you are loyal to Wollfen first and he commands you, where does the Queen fit in?” Madeira looked around the room while talking.
“
Oh I don’t think Wollfen has decided yet what to do with her. It is safe to say that her days are numbered, I am sure of it.”
She finished looking around by looking at him with the final comment and again he couldn’t make heads or tails of what she meant. He looked her up and down, she didn’t seem that scary at all to him in fact she was strikingly beautiful, pure white skin and jet-black hair.
“
I suppose I had better call all the officers together to address them so they know what’s going on. They aren’t going to believe I’m here unless they see for themselves.”
It wasn’t until the following day when Wollfen returned and he had a whole entourage in tow. Not only did he have a ranking officer with him to take over but he also had Nightwing and Loranda with him as well as a dozen soldiers handpicked by Lord Raz.
They were to act as escort for Marcos and the body of Burkhard when they returned. Wollfen introduced Night and Loranda to Madeira and they sat together to exchange pleasantries. Wollfen watched on for a while pleased with what was going on. He had high hopes for Madeira. He had every intention at sometime in the future of making her one of the eight. He moved off after a while to talk to Marcos and see what they should do with Lord Ayburn. They still hadn’t decided whether to inter him here or take him back to Port Volarus.
“
Personally I would be happy to see him rot in his own dungeon until the thaw. Then he can be transported back to Oceania for trial by the high courts there.” Marcos considered Wollfen’s wishes.
“
I’m thinking it's best to separate him from his own men. We cannot gauge how loyal they are to him.” Wollfen could see the prudent thinking in that.
“
Yes you have a valid point. We will escort him back to Port Volarus. It will be an easier time for him but he will have to wait until justice is served quite a bit longer too.”
“
Then it’s settled, he comes back with us when we leave. I have everything organized here. The men have already managed to build a coffin for Burkhard too and he resides within. We are ready when you are.” Wollfen didn’t respond straight away.
He thought about Burkhard. The man had proved himself to be a loyal and competent man who never complained about any task. He would miss him. He got up not wanting to think about it for now.
“
Let’s get going. There’s no need to delay anymore.”
All of Wollfen’s people gathered and Lord Ayburn was brought out. He was shackled hand and foot no longer carrying the air of a superior officer.
“
Ready for a long trip Ayburn?”
“
Where are we going?”
“
To Port Volarus, it is to be your new home for a few months at the very least.”
Wollfen gathered them all to him, they interlocked arms and held on. He closed his eyes, the portal opened and they left. A few moments later they popped into Port Volarus and Ayburn gasped. Wollfen looked around and greeted officer Morus, he was their new resident beacon. Nightwing had managed to identify him as one with magical talent during their stay in Port Volarus. It meant none of Wollfen’s friends need stay behind. He turned to the others.