As he followed the nobleman out of the room, Khir could not help but wonder whether their conversations would ever be similar again to those they held when walking through the countryside outside Tamriel before the invasion began.
~
Rynn stared out of the window in Varayan’s room, peering beyond the estate gardens to the city streets. He expected to see a contingent of guards approaching any minute with a warrant for his arrest.
He was still going over the events that had transpired at Karrid’s estate earlier. He was starting to believe that there was no power left within him after healing Ilkar but clearly something remained. He had been as shocked as Arlath and Kithia when he somehow threw the soldier across the garden with just a touch. Again, he had been awake during this but had been powerless to stop it. He recalled wanting to push Arlath away as the recruit interrupted his conversation with Kithia but he would never have had the confidence or strength to do so.
He glanced over at Varayan, whose condition seemed to have worsened still since the morning. “Why can’t I heal you?” he asked, fully aware that he would never receive an answer.
Hearing shouts beyond the estate walls, he quickly turned back but still no guards appeared at the gates. Exhaustion threatened to overcome him as he retreated from the window and he made for his own bedroom, looking one last time at Varayan as he staggered past.
“
I need to sleep.” Rynn was not even aware that he was talking outloud.
As he entered his room, the acolyte felt a dull ache beginning in his head. Thoughts of how he could possibly harness the once-more dormant power swam through his mind. As his tired brain struggled to assemble the ideas into a coherent pattern, clarity suddenly struck him unexpectedly.
A distant voice was calling to him.
Now is the time. Read.
“
You wished to see me, councilor?”
Talgan was sat behind the desk in his private study but had failed to hear the captain of the guards enter. His thoughts were a whirling tempest within his head, going over Saroth’s words when they last met.
“
I did,” he smiled, composing himself and standing. “Please, take a seat.”
Toresin sighed as he began walking slowly across the room. “I’ll stand if you don’t mind. I am sorry to be blunt but I have many duties to attend to so will this take long?”
“
You don’t like me much, Toresin,” stated Talgan, choosing to remain standing so that the captain did not tower over him. “Why is this?”
“
Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
Talgan shook his head. “No, but I would like to know before I continue. Your attitude towards me is puzzling.”
“
Councilor, believe it or not, I do not have many people I can call friends.” Toresin’s voice carried a hint of sarcasm. “My job here is to protect the city at all costs and I have to make enemies along the way in doing so. You and I do not agree on some matters but I neither like nor dislike you. You are a politician and I have learnt that words mean very little, whereas actions on the other hand speak volumes. Does that answer your question?”
“
In part. However, I will not push the subject any further. Instead, I wish to know how your investigations are going.”
Toresin’s eyes narrowed. “I have been reporting to Jolas. Surely you should be discussing this with him.”
“
Jolas has other matters to attend to. You heard about the incident at Karrid’s estate?”
Toresin nodded. “It seems that the young acolyte from Boraila is a potential danger but Jolas insisted that I did not question him. Arlath Thellis sustained no serious injuries.”
“
Only to his pride,” said Talgan. “Jolas will be keeping Rynn under close watch at his estate from now on. I simply wish to understand whether you have found anything unusual within Vylandor during your searches. I need to put minds at rest amongst the people.”
“
Nothing strange has been unearthed during the investigations. We have questioned those who would know if a new power was growing within the city. We have even been searching the sewers but nothing as yet has come to light to indicate the presence of these foreigners in Vylandor.”
Talgan walked around his desk, hands clasped behind his back. “This is a large city, Toresin. I assume that you will continue looking.”
“
Of course we will,” Toresin said impatiently. “I still feel that something is not right here. I will be keeping a close eye on our young survivors from the north too.”
“
What do you mean?”
“
It could be that they were followed back here by a spy. We are still investigating Varayan’s fall but he will not survive much longer so, with no other witnesses coming forward, that may be a dead end now.”
Talgan came to stand alongside the captain. “You feel that Varayan falling was no accident?”
“
We may never know. He was a thief, councilor, who clearly was up to no good. When he passes, it will be no great loss. However, the manner in which he fell has raised questions. He looked as though he had tried to leap an impossible distance between rooftops but an experienced thief such as he would have known he could not make it. This indicates to me that perhaps he was being pursued.”
“
And you believe that perhaps a spy who followed them back to Vylandor did this?”
“
It is just one possibility. If there is a spy in the city, chances are that he is either long gone by now or hiding. Another reason to continue the searches.” Toresin glanced at Talgan, seeing the councilor’s thoughtful expression. “You look troubled.”
“
Simply concerned that one of those murderers could be inside our city at this very moment.” Talgan looked up into the captain’s inquisitive eyes. “However, I feel safe knowing that you and your men are aware of this possibility.”
“
There are many possibilities. I hope that none of them turn out to be true. Is there anything else you wish of me?”
“
No. I thank you for taking the time to speak with me and all I ask is that you keep me informed if you find anything. If I can keep the people calm, then it will make your job much easier.”
Toresin turned to face him. “As you wish. Good day, councilor.”
Talgan watched the captain leave the study and then leant back against his desk. Toresin clearly still did not like him and had been holding back during their brief conversation but what other reasons did the captain have?
Talgan withdrew the dagger from its hidden sheath behind his back, placing it carefully on the desk. Toresin had given him no reason to use it and he hoped that the blade would remain clean.
Chapter 30
A cold breeze blew through the trees on either side of the track, causing the last leaves clinging to their branches to rustle softly. The night sky was without clouds and moonlight filtered through the forest to cause eerie shadows amongst the ground cover.
Ilkar patted the neck of his horse as he rode through the darkness, occasionally glancing back to check the remainder of the king’s contingent was following. The only sign they were behind him was a glimpse of armour as a soldier would ride through a beam of moonlight. He was riding well ahead of them in an attempt to appease his concerns over a potential ambush being sprung. Scouts had already reported that no enemy soldiers lurked amongst the trees and that the settlement ahead was quiet apart from the building where Daen and the other five survivors from Turambar were awaiting them. However, Ilkar still felt apprehensive returning to this region on the south banks of the Ulmerien.
Somewhere deep in the forest to the west, the shrill call of an owl could be heard and was promptly answered by a second more distant shriek. Ilkar shivered at the sound and continued casting nervous glances into the sinister shadows of the trees.
As the track began to curve northwest, he spotted a light ahead and his heart began to rise. They were almost at their destination and he would soon see Daen again. Despite having travelled from Vylandor with three thousand soldiers, Ilkar had still felt alone. Being reunited with these survivors would give him the hope he so desperately needed.
The buildings of the settlement came into view and Ilkar was pleased that the moonlight fell upon most of them. Several located on the outskirts remained shrouded in darkness. The sound of the river also met his ears, despite the fact he could not yet see the flowing waters. He noticed that the light that was seen as he approached was eminating from a larger building at the north end of the settlement and he recognized the house immediately as that belonging to Cullen and his wife.
Dismounting, Ilkar scanned the treeline surrounding the settlement. As he did so, a soft call came from the foliage to his left and moments later a Rotian scout appeared from the darkness. Ilkar recognized him as the man who had given the original report to Afaron just over a day before.
“
It still seems quiet,” he said to the scout.
“
There is nothing different since we were last here, sir.”
Ilkar stared across at Cullen’s house and the two windows that were illuminated by flickering candlelight within. “Why that building?”
“
Sir?”
“
Why would Daen and the others choose that house to rest in? It is very close to the river and is visible from the walls of Turambar. If the enemy soldiers now occupy the fortress and were watching the south bank of the Ulmerien, they would be able to see any light or movement.”
The scout pondered this for a moment. “Considering that some of them were wounded and that they were all exhausted, I doubt that they were thinking too clearly when they arrived here. We can move them to another house.”
“
If the enemy realize they are here, then it will not be long before they come across the river. Of course, they may already be on the south side elsewhere.” Ilkar swept his hand towards the treeline. “Whilst the king is here, I want all scouts keeping watch in the forest. You will need to watch the east, west and south but place yourselves deep amongst the trees so that you would have ample time to warn us of any approaching danger. Is that understood?”
“
Yes, sir. I will deploy the men as you say.”
Ilkar watched as the scout headed back into the forest and vanished once more into the darkness. He then looked back down the track and could see the other soldiers approaching his position.
He quickly led his horse into the settlement, keeping as close to the cover of the buildings as possible until he stood directly south of Cullen’s house. He began moving north tentatively, casting the occasional look towards Turambar on the opposite bank. He tried the doors of one or two abandoned homes as he passed and was pleased to find them locked. No building showed signs of forced entry and this was certainly good news.
An empty stable stood to one side of Cullen’s house and Ilkar quickly tied his horse within before moving up to the building. He passed one of the lit windows and tried to peer through but a curtain had been drawn across. The second window was the same. Before he approached the front door though, Ilkar circled the house with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Happy that no foreigners waited to ambush them, the corporal moved up to the door and listened at it. For a moment, there was only silence but then came the sound of a boot heel scuffing the wooden floor somewhere beyond.
Ilkar looked over his shoulder and could see the king and his men arriving in the settlement. The two hundred soldiers split up and moved in small squads through the streets, some heading to the east side and others to the west. Afaron could be seen following Ilkar’s route but with men surrounding him on all sides. Behind them, a lone soldier followed with the king’s horse.
Turning his attention back to the door, Ilkar knocked as loudly as he dared. “Daen,” he called softly. “It’s Ilkar.”
For a moment, he thought that nobody within had heard him but, as he went to knock again, footsteps approached the door then stopped.
“
It’s Ilkar,” he repeated. “Scouts arrived here just two days back and spoke with you. They told us you were here and we have come to help and get you all away from the river.”
“
Step back from the door,” came a voice within. “Stand in front of the windows so I can see you.”
Ilkar recognized Daen’s voice but it was weak and distant now rather than strong as before. The corporal moved back and stood so that he could be seen from any of the windows at the front. He did not see any face appear and no curtains twitched. A bolt was pulled back from the door and it opened, revealing the dim hallway beyond. A man appeared in the doorway, arms crossed and staring at Ilkar. He was a tall and well-muscled Rotian whose features were almost hidden by a dark beard and hair that had grown so that his fringe covered his eyes.
“
Good to see you, Daen,” smiled Ilkar.
Daen looked beyond the corporal and saw the approaching soldiers. “Is the king with you?”
“
Yes. Can I come in?”
Daen seemed to sway slightly, then he turned and disappeared back into the house. Ilkar could only imagine how tired they all must have been so it was not beyond reason that Daen did not feel much like talking. With a wave to Afaron signaling that the king was clear to approach and enter, Ilkar followed Daen.