Steel and Sorrow (30 page)

Nareash grinned. “So you, too, believe this nonsense about one mage being responsible for the city’s damage?”

Hezen’s expression darkened. “I was there. One of the few who survived. I saw what happened. How do you think I got my scars?”

“I have no doubt you saw something, but I assure you that you’re mistaken. I’ll be back within a month. See that when I return, there has been progress.”

* * *

To Colan and Guwan’s credit, neither said a word as they hurried back through the palace and out the gate. Once Nareash restored their glamour and they were lost in the mix of people walking the streets, Guwan finally spoke up.

“I heard Kaz’s name . . .” he started.

“Yes. There is a commander in Cadonia by that name.”

“Is it . . . our former warleader?”

Who else could it possibly be? One Above, what are the odds he would have turned up in Cadonia? Amcaro dead, Jonrell returned and killed, and now Kaz? So much to consider.

“Anything is possible.” said Nareash. “But there are other possible explanations. There is a race of people called Byzernians that live on islands to the east of here. They generally have much darker skin than those you see now. It could be one of their people. And a name means nothing. No one person’s name is unique.”

“But if it is him . . .” said Guwan, a slight hesitancy in his voice.

“Then we’ll deal with him. More specifically, you’ll deal with him, General. Will that be a problem for you?”

“No.”

“And any of the other Kifzo?”

“Possibly, but not many. Most would like the opportunity to take him down.”

Nareash smiled. Kaz had not ingratiated himself with his fellow warriors which had done him no favors in winning their loyalty.

Though it begs the question about how his men perceive him now. He must have changed in some capacity to be awarded command over the royal army. Of course, Elyse was never very bright.

“Master, are we going back to the same site we teleported in from?” asked Colan.

“Yes. It will make things easier for the return trip.”

“And the shamans in your room will be able to locate us?”

“I left a trail for them to latch onto more easily. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance.”

As they reached their location, Nareash took in the devastation around him one last time. He shook his head.

Impossible. I’ve only heard stories of Sacrynon having this sort of power.

“Grab my arms again. We won’t have but a night to rest and then we’re leaving to join Tobin’s forces.”

* * *

“Nachun, please come in.” Mizak stepped aside and fully opened the doorway. Nareash entered the old man’s simple home. Unlike his room in the palace, Mizak’s texts were organized neatly on shelves that lined the walls.

On a table, several small pieces of parchment gleaned from Quarnoq’s library had been carefully placed. Nareash saw from the filled paper and half-full inkwell, the old scholar had been busy at work, documenting his findings.

“How are things going?” asked Nareash, tired, gesturing to the table. He had only a couple of hours before leaving to meet up with Tobin.

“Good. There is even more there than I originally thought.” The excitement in Mizak’s voice drained. “But you aren’t here to check up on that, are you?”

Nareash smiled at the old man’s sharpness. “No, I’m not.” He removed a piece of paper from his robes, the map that Guwan had discovered. He handed it to Mizak.

The old man’s brows furrowed. “This looks like a map of Hesh, but this . . .”

“Is the rest of the world,” finished Nareash.

The old man’s eyes widened as he looked up. “Where did you find this?”

“Quarnoq. It was one of the items I had truly sought.” He pointed to a spot on Thurum where Asantia resided. “I’ll be going there by ship when Tobin’s campaign is done.”

“What’s there?”

Nareash smiled. “That’s too much to get into now. Anyway, I need you to make twenty-five copies of this map for the voyage. I made one myself during our return trip to Juanoq, but it took me too long and you have much greater skill at this than I do. I’m leaving you with the original. Can you do it?”

“Twenty-five, you say?”

Nareash nodded. He expected the old man to ask the question hidden behind his eyes.

Why so many?

But he didn’t.

“I want to go with you.”

“Why?”

Mizak chuckled. “Why not? It’ll be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m not getting any younger.” His face grew serious. “That’s my term of payment. Twenty-five exact copies, and in exchange I’m allowed to join you.”

Nareash shrugged. “I can always use another mind as sharp as yours. Done.”

Chapter 21

“Lucartias is a very different city,” said Lobella.

“You’ll find that the southern Cadonian cities have very little in common with the northern cities,” said Elyse.

“It seems so much darker.”

Elyse heard the somberness in her friend’s tone as they gazed out from the bow of the ship. Brown, stone towers loomed over the rust-colored mansions that stood out from the black warehouses running along the docks.

“The stones used to build the cities here come from the Cataric Mountains rather than the northern ranges we’re used to.” She paused and turned to Lobella. “Are you alright? I thought you would have enjoyed the chance to travel by boat for the first time, but you’ve seemed distant most of the trip.”

Lobella forced a pathetic attempt at a smile. “I do like the smells of the ocean. I’m just thinking of mother again.”

“I offered to have someone else come in your stead. I knew I should have made you stay.”

Lobella put her head down. “No, Your Majesty. My place is here.” She shrugged. “Besides, Gauge insisted that you may need me. My duty to you is more important than the duty to my mother.”

Elyse tilted her head to the side. “Are those your words or Gauge’s?”

“Both. I only needed him to remind me.”

Elyse frowned, hurt to see her friend in such a mood. Elyse reached out and placed a hand on Lobella’s to comfort her. Lobella tensed slightly.

“May I be excused?” asked Lobella. “I’d like to make sure all our things are together.”

“Yes,” said Elyse, feeling hurt and confused.

Lobella offered a bow and left.

I’ll try to talk to her again later.

Elyse stood alone at the railing, watching the city grow before her eyes, turning her head to take in the expansive view.

It won’t be long now. Just a few more hours to dock the ship and make our way through the city. Then, perhaps I can figure out a way to come to peace with Conroy.

Thinking of Conroy led her to recall the conversation she had with Lady Jaendora shortly before leaving port in Floroson. They had laughed and cried reminiscing about the past.

When Jonrell and Lord Undalain were still with us.

The mood soured when they discussed the risks of Elyse’s decision to visit Lucartias. Though Lady Jaendora did not like Elyse’s plan, she understood that like the queen’s risk in obtaining Jeldor’s alliance before the start of the war, the opportunity to reduce bloodshed with her visit was too great to pass up.

* * *

“Your Majesty,” said Captain Sylik with a bow. “It was an honor and a pleasure to have you grace my humble decks.”

Elyse smiled. Lady Jaendora had insisted that Sylik be the one to transport the queen and her retinue. “Thank you, Captain. The pleasure was all mine. Your stories made the trip go that much faster, especially those about Jonrell.”

The captain shook his head. “It’s a shame what happened to him. He was a good man.”

“Yes, he was.” She quickly changed the subject. “Will you be staying in port long?”

“If Her Majesty needs me to, I’d be more than happy to wait. Otherwise, I’ll try to leave on the morrow. I’ve got a list of things that Lady Jaendora would like me to check on while in this part of Cadonia.”

“Then please, go.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

They finished their farewells and parted. She disembarked onto the raised docks with Kroke in her shadow as the two dozen men of her personal guard surrounded her. Lobella drifted in behind them.

“This isn’t right,” said Kroke.

“What isn’t right?” asked Elyse.

Kroke gestured with his head at the surrounding dock. “Look around. I know we’re at war, but this place is practically deserted.”

Elyse scanned the waterfront. “Well, it is getting late in the day.”

“Not that late. The sun still hasn’t set.”

“Sylik didn’t seem concerned.”

“Yeah, well we ain’t at sea anymore. I’ll trust his gut while rolling around in the waves. On land, I’ll trust my own.” Kroke grunted, eyes darting between the heads of the soldiers walking in front of them. “I don’t like it. I don’t even see the local authority. They should be greeting the ship, especially during a war.”

Elyse looked over and saw Kroke tense. She followed his gaze to a small alley on the right. A well-dressed herald stepped into the fading sunlight wearing shades of dark red and bright gold. A dozen armed men wearing brown cloaks over mail and carrying spears followed him.

Elyse touched Kroke’s arm gently. “It’s alright. The soldiers are with the city’s watch.”

Elyse called for her guards to halt and they waited at the end of the docks for the herald to arrive.

The herald trotted up, shouting through a scowl. “What is this? Armed men are not allowed in the city, especially not at a time of war.”

The captain of Elyse’s guard stepped out in front and shouted back. “Open your eyes and look at our colors. You’ll want to show some respect when you address your queen.”

“The queen?”

Elyse tapped the guards in front of her. They stepped aside, exposing her. The herald dropped to one knee. The city watch followed.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” said the herald. “This is completely unexpected. How can I be of service?”

Elyse walked forward with Kroke close at her side. “We would like transportation to Duke Olasi’s residence.”

Elyse noticed several of the guardsmen flinch, a few exchanging nervous glances.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Uh, no, Your Majesty,” said the herald. “It’s just that our lord’s health is failing.” He put on a bright smile. “But let’s not talk of that. You must be tired from your travels.”

Elyse nodded. The herald turned and quickly sent several men off on errands. After a few moments they returned with a carriage.

* * *

The carriage plodded through empty streets. Elyse’s Royal Guard marched alongside her. Intermittently throughout the trip, the number of men from the city watch had grown to over three times the number that had greeted them at the waterfront.

Kroke cursed as he stared out one of the carriage windows. “That’s three more.”

“So what are three more men?” shrugged Elyse, trying to appear indifferent.

“Three more
armed
men,” Kroke corrected.

“I don’t understand,” said Lobella. “Aren’t they just providing us an escort?”

Elyse started to open her mouth, but Kroke cut in with a hushed voice. “You heard that herald. What was his name, Mouse or something? The city is safe and yet hardly anyone is on the streets. Why would we need a small army to reach Duke Olasi’s residence?”

“His name is Mase, actually,” said Elyse. “And he said that many were in the fields working while daylight allowed, doing their part to provide supplies to Olasi’s forces for when they have to take the field. Olasi is an honest man, Kroke.”

“What about his son? I was there when Illyan warned you about him. I’m beginning to think that shifty little man is the only one who truly knows what’s going on in this country.”

“Enough!” Elyse hissed. Elyse glanced over to Lobella who nervously played with her fingers as she watched the twirling blade dance in Kroke’s hand. Elyse rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “And please, if you must have a knife in your hand, at least keep it still.”

Kroke frowned and shifted in his seat. He began to clean his nails while keeping his eyes on the passing cobbled road.

Elyse sighed. Truth be told, she felt uneasy as well, but the last thing she wanted to do was admit she had made a mistake.

* * *

When they arrived at Duke Olasi’s estate, Mase ushered them through the castle and into the duke’s audience chamber. He insisted that Elyse’s guards wait outside the door, but allowed Kroke and Lobella to accompany her.

A troubled feeling haunted the queen as the door clicked shut behind her. She noticed Kroke’s fingers wiggle as he eyed the countless members of the city watch lining the walls of the chamber. The dozens of armored men stood at attention with such rigidness, they resembled the bronze-plated columns supporting the high ceilings. Lobella’s heavy breathing sounded over Mase’s footsteps as he brought them to the center of the chamber.

Mase bowed. “Your Majesty, I’ve been told that Markus should be here at any moment. By your leave?”

Elyse nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Mase left through a side door and a minute later Markus entered through the same opening. Soldiers clicked their heels together and stood taller as he strode across the space.

In his late fifties, Markus maintained a neatly-trimmed scalp and beard of salt and pepper hair. Elyse had not seen Duke Olasi’s son in years, but the man obviously favored his father. He took his seat in a large chair against the back wall. Only after he appeared satisfied with the positioning of his rear did he even look up to acknowledge Elyse.

She spared a glance at the city watch.
This isn’t right.

She remembered the formality and kindness Olasi showed at the dinner following her father’s funeral in everything the duke did. Then she looked at Markus and felt angry. Olasi’s son wore his arrogance brazenly.

Suddenly he no longer looks like his father.

Elyse started to speak, wanting to voice her displeasure in Markus’s behavior when he began.

“Your Majesty, I beg your pardon if I don’t kneel or bow, but this old leg injury of mine is acting up and I’d rather not make a fool of myself by tumbling to the floor,” said Markus. His tone lacked the sincerity Elyse desired to hear. He continued. “Your visit is quite unexpected, Your Majesty. What brings you to my corner of Cadonia?”