The Dragon's Champion (9 page)

Erik smiled
wide. “See you at home then?”

Lord Lokton
nodded with a sigh of resignation. Erik dug his heels in and gave a shout.
Goliath tore off down the road. Clumps of dirt flew out as the mammoth horse
galloped and quickly disappeared from view as the road turned into the forest.

“I dare say that
there is more of you in your adopted son, than one would ever guess,” the
magistrate said.

“Sometimes I
wonder if he is too much like me,” Lord Lokton replied. The magistrate chuckled
heartily and offered an understanding nod.

*****

“I am surprised
you didn’t stay for the boar hunt,” Master Orres said. “I am sure Erik missed
you.” The massive man gracefully dismounted from his horse and joined Master
Lepkin on the front porch of a small wooden cabin surrounded by the dense
forest.

“The boy is my
apprentice, but that doesn’t mean he should become overly dependent on me for
support,” Master Lepkin replied.

“Still, it is
common to attend an apprentice’s first hunt after the Konn Deta.” Master Orres
sat on a wooden bench and leaned back against the exterior of the cabin. “I
always marvel at the fact that you live here Lepkin. A small cabin in the
woods, it doesn’t seem good enough for a knight of your rank.”

“I like the quiet,”
Master Lepkin said evenly.

“A manor can
also be quiet,” Master Orres pointed out.

“A manor is
meant for a family. I have no children of my own, nor do I have a wife.” The
edge to Master Lepkin’s tone was not lost on Orres.

Master Orres
sighed and folded his arms. “You could have dueled for the right to her hand,”
he gruffed.

“Have you come
to open old wounds, or is there another purpose for your visit?” Master Lepkin
quipped.

Master Orres
shook his head and looked away from Lepkin. “I came to discuss the boy.”

“What about
him?” Master Lepkin asked.

“Given the
recent developments I think it would be wise to keep Erik out of Kuldiga
Academy for a while.”

“You want to
expel him?” Lepkin asked. His brow arched sternly and he stood up from his
chair.

“No, he doesn’t
deserve that,” Master Orres replied, still not meeting Lepkin’s gaze. “But with
tensions rising between House Lokton and House Cedreau, I think it could be bad
for Erik if he stayed in Kuldiga Academy. There are a lot of apprentices who
were thoroughly embarrassed by Friday’s tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised if
they were planning something to get back at Erik.”

“Are you truly
worried about Erik? Or is it the risk of losing House Cedreau’s financial
support of Kuldiga Academy that steals your sleep at night?”

“Master Lepkin,
you know me better than that,” Orres snarled. Finally he turned his eyes up to
meet Lepkin’s. They were stern and fierce, but Lepkin sensed that he was hiding
something as well. “You also know the houses of the great lords. You know their
ways, their customs, and the reach of their power. I am not suggesting a
permanent withdrawal; I am only proposing a short term solution.”

“How long?”
Lepkin asked.

“Until the end of Erik’s first year.”

“What! You can’t
be serious.” Lepkin turned on his heels and slammed his fists into his hips.

“Lepkin, hear me
out. A week or two won’t be long enough for anyone to forget what happened on
Friday. And think about the Konn Deta. You know as well as I that Lord Cedreau
will not be willing to let that go easily, nor the horse that Erik has chosen.
Erik’s first year will be over in six months. Take him into the field with you
and train him out there. It will be better this way. Besides, field studies are
common for Apprentices who have gone through the Konn Deta.”

“Erik is no
common apprentice, you know this. We don’t have six months to spare.”

“Then train him,
and do it well, Master Lepkin. I also know what is coming, but before I can
deal with that, I must be able to see to other matters. You know I can not do
that if Kuldiga Academy is thrown into chaos. It was your own stunt that got us
into this mess, and it is you who will fix it. Erik finishes the year in the
field. That is final.”

“As Headmaster
of Kuldiga Academy, you have the authority to run the school as you wish.”
Lepkin turned around and stepped close to Orres. “But be warned, there is more
trouble coming than a few wayward kings or knightly orders. The Shadowfiends
are growing in numbers and strength. They are planning something. If we make
even the smallest mistake, we will not live long enough to protect the realm.”

Master Orres
stood silently. He nodded grimly and pushed around Lepkin to walk off the
porch. “Can I count on you to stay away from Kuldiga Academy?”

“I will be in on
Monday morning to pick up a few things, and then I will do as you have
requested,” Lepkin replied.

“Thank you,
Master Lepkin,” Orres said. “I’m glad I can count on you.” Master Orres smiled
and stuck his foot in the stirrup of his saddle. He pulled himself up and waved
goodbye. “Be safe, my old friend, and
may
the Gods
help you train that boy of yours.” Orres turned and set his horse off through
the woods at a quick trot.

Master Lepkin
stood there watching the trail long after Master Orres had vanished into the
trees. The words “be safe” kept echoing in his head. Something about Master
Orres’ tone gave him cause to wonder whether it was a threat.

*****

Erik looked
around with smiling eyes. All of House Lokton and many guests were seated around
the hall to share in the feast. He sat at the main table, on his father’s right
while Raisa, his adopted mother sat on Lord Lokton’s left. The magistrate also
sat at the table, along with Mr. Stilwell, and Sir Duvall. Two more tables
joined each side of the main table, running down the sides of the great dining
hall. Lord Lokton had spared no effort for this feast. The fanciest table
runners made of green silk with gold trimming ran along each table. Atop the
runners were set two ornate, silver candelabras that bathed the room in warm
light. The boar was being served among trays full of fruits, meats, and sweet
breads. The aroma of the feast filled the great dining hall of the manor. A
juggler performed in the center of the room while the guests talked among
themselves.

It seemed that
all had forgotten what had happened at the Konn Deta as they feasted. Loud
laughter bubbled up occasionally in different areas of the hall. Erik could
tell that it was the jovial laughing brought on by good food and good times.
Everything seemed to be in perfect order. That was when a puff of smoke
appeared in the center of the hall.

The juggler
scurried back from the smoke like a frightened chicken, squawking awkwardly as
he grabbed for his juggling clubs. The smoke swirled out with black tendrils
waving smoothly as light emerged from the center. Streams of green, yellow, and
white poured out until finally a man stepped through the smoke. With a wave of
his hand the smoke vanished. All conversations ceased, replaced by gasps and
growls. Some of the men, Mr. Stilwell and Sir Duvall among them, drew their
swords and rose to their feet in defense of their master.

The stranger
smiled again and snapped his fingers. All of the torches, candles, and oil
lamps went dark. Not even the light of the moon could pierce the fathomless
darkness that held the room. Erik held his hand in front of his face, but he
could not see it. Then he felt a shiver. The heat was gone with the light. It
was deathly cold in the hall. If anyone screamed or moved, Erik couldn’t hear
any sound over his beating heart.

“Tukai,” someone
said after a moment. Erik could only faintly hear the words, as though the
spell of darkness muffled their sound. “That is enough,” the voice continued.

“Oh, but I was
just beginning to have fun,” someone else replied. The darkness vanished and
was replaced by light as bright as the noon-day sun. Erik looked around, but
none of the torches, candelabras, or lamps burned. There was only the man in
the center of the hall.

“Put away your
swords, men,” Lord Lokton instructed. It was then that Erik realized that his
father had been the one who spoke first in the darkness.

“But, milord,
he’s broken the law and come straight into your house without invitation.
Surely no good can come from this,” Sir Duvall countered.

“While I
appreciate your sentiments, Sir Duvall, our swords will be of no avail if he
does decide to do evil to us,” Lord Lokton replied. “Put your weapon down.”

Erik felt fear
grip his stomach and twist it into knots as he studied the intruder. The man
wore black robes with shiny, purple trim on the sleeves. A long hood hung
loosely over the stranger’s face, covering his features. Strands of silver hair
poked out from the hood like old snakes. The man wore a medallion around his
neck. The gleaming triangle of gold enclosed the image of an open eye. A staff
of wood appeared in the man’s left hand and he took three steps toward Lord
Lokton.

“That is far
enough, Tukai,” Lord Lokton announced. “What have you come for?”

“I was disappointed
when I heard that House Lokton had not invited me to witness the Konn Deta of
its newest son. Tukai turned to face Erik. Erik couldn’t see the man’s face,
but he was certain that Tukai was staring right into his eyes.

“House Lokton
does not hold company with warlocks,” Lord Lokton replied.

“Ah, yes,” Tukai
hissed with a finger poking the air. “I am an evil man, I forgot.” Tukai
removed his hood and Erik saw his face. The orbs of Tukai’s eyes were pure white,
without any color at all. His long, hooked nose came to a pointy end above a
curled set of thin lips. “House Lokton may not wish to deal with warlocks, but
I know of the ill omen that shrouded the boy’s ceremony today.”

“Was it
your
doing, old snake?” Lokton quipped.

“Come come, why
would I care to do something like that?” Tukai replied wickedly. Without
warning he floated into the air and glided over to stand at the main table,
just opposite Erik.

Sir Duvall
lunged forward with his sword and pierced the warlock through the chest. Tukai
reeled back, grabbing the blade with his hands and crying out in agony. Tukai
stumbled a few steps to Erik’s right and then, tired of the charade, started to
laugh.

“I have not had
someone try to do that to me for a long time,” Tukai hissed. “It tickles
something fierce.” Erik couldn’t believe his eyes. Tukai pulled the sword from
his chest and tossed it onto the table in front of Sir Duvall. There was no
hole in his body, or even in his robes. Tukai was untouched by the blade
despite the fact that it had coursed straight through him.

Sir Duvall took
his sword back and reluctantly sheathed it.

“I have come
with a warning for you, because the omen concerns not only House Lokton, but
the whole of the kingdom.” Tukai turned back to Erik and shoved his open palm
up close to Erik’s face. It stopped just a half inch away from his nose. Tukai
closed his eyes and let his head fall back. Erik didn’t dare move, nor did
anyone else. Tukai started to tremble slightly and groan. Erik sat still,
transfixed on the warlock. All of a sudden Tukai pulled his hand back and
opened his eyes.

“Your son will
destroy your house, Lord Lokton. There is a power that runs through him, and it
is a very dangerous power. If he is allowed to discover it, the power will
awaken one day and consume all living. You will have to choose now.”

“Choose what?”
Lord Lokton asked hesitantly.

“You will choose
whether to kill him, or let him destroy the kingdom. A curse is over your son’s
head.” Tukai glided over to Lord Lokton and placed a dagger on the table in
front of him. The emerald encrusted hilt sparkled in the magical light. “Kill
him now and save your house, save us all.”

Lord Lokton
became very still. He locked eyes with the warlock for a moment before pulling
the dagger up in his hand and throwing it back. “Get out of my hall, now. I
will not kill my son.”

“But, Lord
Lokton, if you do not kill your son this very night, he will kill you,” Tukai
countered.

“I will not!”
Erik roared angrily. He felt rage boil up in him until he could sit and watch
no more. He pulled his dinner fork in his hand and ran over the table to get at
Tukai. He lashed out, stabbing Tukai in the shoulder with his fork.

Tukai reeled
back as he had before, only this time he made no sound. His eyes were wide with
terror as he looked back at Erik. The warlock pulled the fork from his shoulder
slowly. Blood coursed from the wound and seeped into the torn robes. With a
hiss, Tukai disappeared, taking the magical light with him. Again the room was
dark, but not as before. The moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting
its silvery calm over the hall.

“Lights, now,”
Lord Lokton commanded. Many people rushed to light the torches and the lamps.
“I want every man sworn to my service to come into the center of the hall and
kneel before me and my son.”

Erik watched
with a confused expression as all of the men in the hall rushed to kneel before
him. Only the magistrate did not kneel before him, as he was sworn to serve the
kingdom, and not Lord Lokton.

“I want each of
you to swear your loyalty now to my son, Erik,” Lord Lokton commanded.

“With respect,
my lord,” the magistrate interjected. “The Warlocks of the Eye do not lie. The
prophecies they give are true and always come to pass.”

Lord Lokton nodded
his head. “I know that, my friend, but the prophecies are not always as they
seem. The warlocks twist their words to turn the prophecy to their own
purposes. I have been schooled in these matters by the Keeper of Secrets,
himself. Tukai is not to be trusted, even if his prophecy does come true.” Lord
Lokton turned back to the men before Erik and drew his sword. “Swear loyalty to
my son now, each and every one of you. I don’t care what you think of me, my
son, the omen, or this prophecy. None of you will harm a hair on my son’s head,
ever. Swear loyalty now, or die by my sword.”