Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron) (16 page)

"
So, you have come to taunt me.  Be gone and allow me to languish in solitude."

"
It seems we have a skeptic in our midst, eh Rein?"

Rein moved up beside Mael.
  "So it would seem.  Have you a plan for getting us out?  I assume; since, you came through the door, teleporting us is out of the question."

Joshua’s face seemed to animate instantly.  He pulled his legs in and stood up looking from one face to the other.
  "Are you really here to take me to Uncle Micah?  I find it hard to believe that one of Mortow’s wizards would turn against him."

Mael’s smirk melted away and
he took a step toward Joshua.

Seeing the look on the small man’s face, Joshua involuntarily took a step back and almost fell into the chair.

"I am no one’s wizard!  I am my own man regardless of what others may believe.  My name is Mael, and I owe your Uncle a certain debt.  Delivering you to him should clear that debt once and for all."  Mael turned to Rein.  "Yes, I have a plan.  I intend to kill the trolls guarding the door; then, once we are out of the room, I will teleport us close to Kantwell.  I suggest that both of you stay out of my way, and remain here until I have finished with the trolls."

Without giving either man time to respond, Mael walked briskly to the door and knocked twice on it in rapid succession.  He heard the click of the lock and the door started to swing open.  Mael held both hands out in front of him, fingers slightly splayed, palms facing the door.  As the door cleared his fie
ld of vision, he chanted softly, "
Fundas incinerate,
" separating his hands in a spreading gesture.

The trolls barely had time to register surprise on their faces before the heat waves
, radiating outward from Mael’s hands, blackened them, turning them to dust that drifted gently to the granite floor.

Mael turned to the two men waiting inside the room and with a curt g
esture, motioned them forward.

Rein took Joshua’s arm and
nearly had to pull him forward to get the man moving.  He seemed in shock at what he had just witnessed.  Mael glanced in both directions down the hall; and, seeing it clear, stepped out of the room.  Rein and Joshua followed immediately on his heels, Rein maintaining his grip on Joshua’s arm.  Mael quickly spoke the words of transport; and the three of them were instantly in the same location Mael had teleported to when he delivered Mortow’s message to Kantwell.

Joshua stumbled and clutched at his stomach with his free arm
, but Rein’s firm grip on his other arm kept him on his feet.  Rein let go of Joshua’s arm as the man buckled forward and emptied the contents of his stomach on the ground.

Mael’s smirk
returned to his face as he looked into Joshua’s eyes.  "You had better get used to it.  That is the least of things yet to come."  Mael glanced around and called out to the elves he knew would be watching them.  "It is Wizard Mael once again.  I bring a present for the Avari Lord."

Several elves
emerged from their concealment, bows at the ready.

Mael recognized a couple of them from
before, including Kline.

"
Twice, in as many days, Wizard Mael?  One might begin to think you enjoyed our company," Kline said, scowling, but lowering his bow.

Mael looked at Kline.
  "I need to speak with Wizard Merric and Lord Micah.  I have something they want," Mael said gesturing to the blonde man still on his knees.

Kline looked at the kneeling man
, then at the white haired man standing behind him.  Kline’s eyes flashed with anger as he recognized the man as a Were, but he controlled his voice.  "Follow us to the camp.  I will send a runner to Kantwell."

Rein saw the look the elf gave him
, but remained expressionless.  He knew the elves hated his kind.  Rein leaned down and helped Joshua to his feet.  "The sickness will pass.  Try taking deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth," Rein offered.

Joshua, his head spinning and his stomach churning, mumbled a barely coherent
‘thanks’ and altered his breathing.  Joshua hated getting sick at his stomach.  He always felt so helpless and alone when it happened.  Feeling his stomach start to calm, he was finally able to look up at Rein.  "What did he do to me?  Joshua asked between breaths.

"
Mael only did what he told us he was going to do.  He teleported us to a place near Kantwell.  Your sickness is a side effect of that mode of travel," Rein informed him.

"
If it is a side effect, then why am I the only one sick?"

"
Because, it was your first time.  Many become sick as you did the first couple of times, but it gets easier each time.  Eventually, it will cease to affect you in that way."

"
I don’t ever want to do that again.  It felt like someone had a grip on my stomach and was trying to crush it," Joshua replied standing up straighter as the last of the nausea passed.

"
You may not want to, but, it’s the easiest and quickest way to travel. You would be well advised to get accustomed to it.  It usually only takes a couple of times before the side effects are no longer discernible.  Come now, the elves grow impatient, and I am not very well liked around here.  They would love nothing more than to have an excuse to put a few arrows in me; and I would prefer they did not."

"
Yes, of course," Joshua said as he started moving where Rein guided him.  It was dark, and he had never been able to see very well in the dark.  "I remember Uncle Micah telling me about the race wars, but that was so long ago."

"
To a human, yes; but, to our two races, a mere half century or so is not very long.  I’m afraid both of our races have longer memories than is good for us," Rein told him with a slight smile.

Joshua looked at Rein’s face.  In the dark, what he could see of it
, did not reflect anger or resentment; but, appeared more contemplative.  "You are different from the Weres that came for me.  You seem more…human…oh!  You’re a high, ouch!"

Joshua’s revelation was cut off as Rein’s grip on his upper arm tightened suddenly and painfully. 
Looking to Rein’s face, he saw the man subtly shake his head side to side; the contemplative look now replaced by one of determination.

When Rein saw that Joshua understood, he loosened his grip on
his arm.  They continued on to the elven camp in silence.

Chapter Fifteen

Michael woke and glanced out the window.  What he could see of the sky was gray and pink.  He sat up and stretched.

"
Just great!  I’m tired as all hell, and I wake up before dawn.  That's just my luck."  Michael new Branik and Reek would be expecting him in the rock garden for training, so he dragged himself out of bed and into the garderobe.  Having finished, he washed up, combed his hair and put on a shirt, a pair of pants and buckled on his sword and dagger.

Michael looked at the purple robe and golden sash lying folded on the little table in his room.  He hated to leave them unguarded.  They were his heritage and had been entrusted to him.  He reached out to feel the
protective field around his room that Micah had put in place.  It was weakening, since he had not been back for several days.  Michael fed energy into it and altered it to prevent anyone except himself, Branik and Reek from entering.  Feeling a little better about the safety of the garments, Michael walked to the door and opened it.

Branik and Reek were both standing across the hall from his door like silent sentinels.

"Sorry guys, I'm moving a bit slow this morning.  I am ready when you are," Michael informed them.

Reek smiled.
  "I think, slow would be a bit of an understatement. It is not morning, Michael.  It is evening.  You have been asleep all day."

Michael
’s eyes widened in shock and he looked inquiringly to Branik only to receive a confirming nod from the big man.

"
Why did you not wake me?"

"
Sufficient sleep is as important as adequate exercise.  If you do not allow your body and mind the rest they require then no amount of meditation and training will aid you.  You had been up and going non-stop for over two days.  Sleep was more important; but, now that you are up, we can get on with the others.  I think for today, we will limit you to stretching and running.  That will remove the remnants of sleep from your body.  A good meal and a proper night’s sleep should see you back to normal tomorrow," Branik explained gruffly.

Reek elbowed Branik in the side an
d took a step toward Michael.  "Don’t let him fool you.  He is the reason you slept as long as you did.  He would not let anyone near your door for fear they would wake you," Reek said smiling.

"
Someone came to see me?  Who was it?  What did they want?  Was it Merric?  Did he find out something about Joshua?"

Reek held his hands up in defense.
  "Your questions come as quickly as elven arrows.  Relax, Michael. If it had been important, we would have awakened you.  Martin and little Miles both came to see you.  They only wanted to check on you, since you had been gone for a time."

“So
, there has been no word on Joshua?  Has Micah returned yet?”

“No
, on both counts.  Come, let’s get you something to eat,” Branik grumbled.

“I am starving.  I can’t remember when I ate last,” Michael said as he followed Branik and Reek down the hall toward the steps.
  “I wish Micah had come back.  I really need to talk with him.”

“I know we are poor substitutes for Lord Micah
, but perhaps we can help,” Reek offered, looking over his shoulder at Michael.

Michael stopped short.  Hearing him stop, Branik and Reek both s
topped and turned to face him.

“I did
not mean to suggest that, Reek.  I know I have been a royal pain in the ass for you two, but I value your friendship as much as Micah’s.  It's just that he has been around a long time and knows so much about so many things. Plus, he is familiar with my world.  For some reason, I feel more connected to him,” Michael shrugged, trying to explain.

In a rare display of warmth, Branik stepped up to Michael and laid his hand on Michael’s should
er.  “No need to explain, Michael.  We know how you feel about Lord Micah.  I think you must share some of the same feelings we Avari have toward him.  We are here to help you.  Remember, Lord Micah has been our teacher since we were old enough to listen.  He does not merely instruct us on how to fight.  He has been our advisor and mentor in all matters.  If you have questions about anything of which we have knowledge, you need but ask.  Lord Micah did not merely ask us to train and protect you.  He made it clear you were to be counted among us.  By declaring that, he made you Avari.”

Michael tried to smile
, but his eyes watered up and tears started to slide down his cheeks.  “I have been nobody of significance all of my life.  I have belonged to nothing.  I grew up in an orphanage not five miles from where I lived with Karin.  Until I met her, I was lost and alone, always dreaming of other places.  When she was killed, I felt that isolation once again.  You cannot possibly conceive what your words mean to me right now, Branik.

"I might have some idea," Branik commented flatly.

"Not likely.  Even here in Kantwell, I do not feel like I truly fit in.  Certainly, everyone has been nice enough and tried to make me feel at home, but the other apprentices look at me with something akin to awe in their eyes.  It sets me apart, even if my age did not already accomplish that.  I feel as though Merric does not know whether to embrace me or fear me.  My magic is unknown to him, and I think it makes him very nervous to see such power in someone as untrained as I am.  Aside from you two, Micah is the only one that fears for me without also being afraid of me.”  Michael finally did manage to smile.  “Well, aside from little Miles.  He is too young to understand that kind of fear.”

“Sometimes there is wisdom in youth.”  A familiar voice said from behind Michael.

Branik and Reek both folded their hands together and bowed to Micah.

With a look of relief on his face, Michael turned fluidly and imitated Branik and Reek.  Keep
ing his head bowed, Michael replied.  “I am glad you are back, Lord Micah.”

Micah raised an eye brow at hearing the title from Michael.
  “So, they have finally told you.  Now stop that, all of you.  You make me feel like a pretentious old fool.”

Branik and Reek both relaxed
, but Michael kept his head bowed.

“I see no reason not to honor someone who has given me such a gift as you have,” Michael replied earnestly.

“Then honor me by not being so damned formal.  You know how I feel about all the titles and pomp, Michael.”

“Yes
, but I wanted you to know how much this means to me.  I...I haven’t been this happy since Karin said yes to my wedding proposal.”

Micah waited until Michael looked up at him.
  “Well, then allow me to formally welcome you to our family, Sydoj Michael,” Micah said with a slight bow.

Michael was smiling from ear to ear as he asked
the obvious question.  “What does sydoj mean?”

“Sydoj is the word for student from my native tongue.  It is the title g
iven to all Avari until they pass the tests of mastery; then they become Avar, teachers.”

Michael turned to look at Reek and Branik.
  “So both of you are Avar?”

Reek and Branik both nodded.

“Michael, we need to talk about a few things,” Micah said, bringing an end to the long line of questions he knew Michael would ask.

Michael looked at Micah once again
, but this time the awe and happiness were gone from his eyes.  Instead, they held a hint of anger.  “Yes, we do.  I have been trying to find you for several days now. You always seem to slip away just before I arrive.  Are you avoiding me, Micah?”

Micah looked shocked at the notion.
  “Of course not.  What possible reason could I have for doing such a thing?”

“I can think of two,” Michael said with finality.

“Reek, Branik, would you two go to the kitchen and bring Michael some food?  We are going to return to his room.”

Both men bowed to Micah, turned and walked off.

Michael started walking toward his door before Micah finished his request.  He stopped and closed his eyes.  He mumbled something under his breath.

Micah’s acute hearing picked up the words
, and he realized Michael must have altered the field around his room; because, the spell he cast was giving Micah access to the room.  Puzzled at why Michael would alter the field to keep him out, Micah pushed the thought aside, attributing it to the stress Michael had been under the past few days.  Micah walked up beside Michael and waited for him to open the door.  He followed Michael in and closed the door behind him.  “Ok, Michael, I am here now.  What is on your mind?  What two reasons do you believe I have for avoiding you?”

“Why did you not tell me that Mortow was Merric’s son?  I cannot even imagine how Merric must have felt when I told him
that I plan to kill his son.  A little heads up would have been nice.”

“Ah that, well, it really was not my place to give you that information.  I deferred to Merric’s
discretion.  Since it seems you have recently learned of it, then I assume Merric did not tell you either.”

“No
, he did not.  Mortow told me.”

“
Then I assume Merric did not want to trouble you with facts that might get in the way.”

“
Get in the way?  Micah, it's his son we are fighting.  It is Merric’s own flesh and blood who killed my wife!”  Michael vented.

“Precisely.  Merric would have wanted to spare you the gruesome details
, so they would not interfere with the tasks you have ahead of you.  Knowing Mortow is Merric’s son could cause you to hesitate at a time when it could be fatal.”

“
Not likely.  The man is responsible for murdering my wife, and now he has kidnapped Joshua.  No, even if Merric stood before Mortow protecting him, I would still kill him, no matter how I had to reach him.”

“Merric would never do that.  Mortow has hurt him as much as he has hurt you, Michael.  What other reason do you think I have?”

Michael began pacing the floor.  “You know what I am, don’t you?”  Michael asked not pausing in his pacing.

“I believe so. 
Why would you think I'm avoiding you because of that?”

Finally Michael stopped his pacing and looked directly at Micah.
  “Because I believe you are the same as I am.”

Micah laughed.
  “You think I am a Myrkron?  Now why would you think such a thing?”

“For one, you know the name.  Merric
had never heard of it.”

Micah held his hand up to stop Michael.
  “The Oakkrin told me the name.  That is how I know of it.”

“You are
of the time from when the last one should have come.”  Michael looked at Micah as if trying to see inside of him.  “You are a nine key, Micah, though the doors are closed to you.  I do not understand how that is, but I sense the magic in you.  It comes and goes.  When you appeared in the hall a few minutes ago, I could feel a strong presence of magic. Now it dwindles almost like a candle guttering out.”

All mirth left Micah’s face and he
took up the pacing that Michael ceased.  “You can sense this?  How?”  Micah asked in agitation.

“I do not know
, but I can.  Tell me something Micah; what do you see beyond the ninth door?”

Micah stopped pacing abruptly and spun to face Michael.
  “There is nothing beyond the ninth door,” Micah practically yelled.

“Yes
, there is.  What do you see?”  Michael asked calmly.

Micah’s face was instantly calm once more a
s he eyed Michael shrewdly.  “So that is what it means.  Obviously, you already know; so why don’t you tell me?”

“It doesn
't work that way, Micah.  I know what I am.  What do you see?”  Michael reiterated.

Micah began to pace again.
  “I see a golden door, but I only see it when the other nine are open.  When they close, that door is gone,” Micah answered with sadness.

“That door is called Ianua Vita.  It is the door of life
.  It gives us the power to heal.  There are two more beyond that one.”

Micah quit pacing and faced Michael once more.
  “Michael, how did you learn this?”  Micah asked.

Michael walked over and picked up the purple robe and golden sash.  He held them out for Micah to see.
  “These were given to me by the man who waited for you to come.  His name was Mason.  He was our predecessor.  By all rights, these should have been yours. Something happened, and you never came into your power.  He gave them to me along with the name of the three doors, well the names of two of them.  This robe belonged to his predecessor, but the sash has been worn by every Myrkron who has walked the worlds.”

There was a knock at the doo
r, two sharp strikes.

“That w
ould be Branik,” Michael said.

“Only he can rattle the very stones of Kantwell with a knock.”

Micah strode purposefully to the door and opened it.  He said a few words to the two Avari outside and took the tray offered.  He closed the door without admitting either man and placed the tray on Michael’s table.  “The man must be immortal if he waited on me and is still around to pass these on to you,” Micah commented as he stared off out the window at the night sky.