The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (12 page)

All heads spun toward the old sergeant as he rounded the corner of the hallway.

“That Keltaran saved a Zodrian life today!” snarled Brelg. “In your prejudice, you attacked the one man in this facility practicing vigilance! Get to the yard and I’ll be there shortly to sort out how those on guard duty allowed an intruder into an impenetrable fortress!”

Many of the recruits hung their heads and helped their injured comrades to their feet. When their numbers thinned,  Ader waved his hand and the green wall dissipated. The Seraph moved to the side of the giant and helped him sit against the stone wall. Brelg rushed past the pair and approached Kael.

The boy stood motionless in the center of the hallway. His outstretched hands sputtered and crackled with blue flame. His big, round eyes remained focused on the area where he had materialized the wall. Kael felt as if he were lightly floating there now.

“Kael?” whispered a  Brelg. “Son?”

Ader finished tending to the giant and propped him against the wall. The Seraph walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the boy.

“Let it go!” commanded Ader. “Draw yourself back in, my boy.”

Slowly, Kael  took command of his senses. He allowed his mind to release the blue flame.

“Take a deep breath.” suggested Ader calmly. “Lower your hands.”

The boy did as told. The blue flame flickered and went out. Kael blinked. His head and shoulders fell forward. Brelg reached out and caught the boy in his strong embrace.

“Are you all right?” asked his father.

“Just a bit lightheaded.” replied the boy rubbing his eyes.  “I ... I need to sit down.”

Brelg immediately shouldered the boy and pulled him into the nearest room.

“I’ll see to our injured prince.” stated Ader moving down the hallway toward Manfir.

Brelg used one hand to keep Kael standing, and with the other he stood one of the chairs upright. The boy immediately dropped into the chair.

“How’s that lad?” asked the father.

“Much better.” replied the son.

Brelg stepped to the corner of the room and filled a drinking ladle from a bucket placed there. He returned to the boy and helped him take a long draw on the cool water. Kael nodded reassuringly to his father and smiled. The sergeant returned the smile and rubbed the boy’s mop of black hair.

“You worried me there, boy.” said Brelg. “I thought they might have gotten to you. Cefiz tells me they would have, if not for the giant.”

“He saved my life.” said Kael rubbing his tender brow.

“You look a sight boy.”

“I’ll be all right.”

A roar of pain echoed down the hallway and an instant later Teeg ran into the room carrying a bloodied arrow. The Elf quickly looked about and his eyes settled upon the bucket of water. He ignored the father and son and rushed from the room hefting the sloshing bucket before him.

“I don’t envy the man dressing that wound.” stated Brelg.

“Nor the Elf who drew the arrow out.” replied Kael.

A moment later Eidyn struggled through the door with a woozy Manfir leaning heavily upon him. The Elf prince moved toward the table, and Brelg retrieved the second sprawling chair. Manfir fell into the chair and the Elf inspected a large lump on the side of the Zodrian’s forehead. Brelg furrowed his brow and looked to the Zodrian prince.

“I’ll be fine.” announced Manfir. “Tis my pride that’s hurt more than anything.”

“Better your pride, than your sword sticking  from my gullet.” came a rumble from the doorway. “Or an assassin’s bolt in the boy’s chest.”

The group turned to see Granu limping into the room. The giant’s shredded robe glistened with sticky, wet blood. The Zodrian prince glared at the Keltaran for a long moment as Eidyn approached him with a cool, wet  towel.

“Many thanks Eidyn, but look to the true hero of the day.” began Manfir, standing and pointing to Granu. “I was but one of the fools on the stage today. Running about like a hen with a fox in the house.”

Manfir pushed the chair toward Granu and stood swaying unsteadily. The Keltaran  nodded in appreciation, moved to the chair and slowly sat. Kael noted a bright crimson binding about the giant’s thigh. Teeg and Ader entered the crowded room and Flair followed. The young man carried strips of white cloth and a small jar. He moved toward the giant as Granu put up his hand.

“It’s under control.” growled Granu. “I don’t need more attention.”

Flair ignored his protests and knocked the outstretched hand aside.

“I quickly plugged the bleeding earlier.” stated Flair. “But to truly stop the flow and begin to heal, I must redress the wound.”

The southerner moved quickly. He untied the bandages about the giant’s thigh and stripped them from of the wound. The large triangular puncture in Granu’s thigh immediately welled up with blood. Flair dipped a strip of cloth into the nearby bucket and wiped the wound clean. Granu looked into the eyes of the company. All were focused on the wound as Flair pulled a bone needle from the sleeve of his tunic. The Southlander threaded the needle with a  length of heavy thread.

“What are you all looking at?” asked Granu. “We have an assassin to catch...”

The giant clamped his teeth together as Flair stabbed the needle into the Abbot’s exposed skin.

“The Keltaran is right.” announced Brelg. “I must direct my troops. I will leave Kael in the protection that has served him well to this point. Be careful son.”

The old sergeant smiled at the boy and tousled Kael’s hair once more. He turned and stepped toward the door.

“I will accompany you.” mumbled Manfir staggering forward.

Ader put a hand to the Zodrian’s shoulder.

“You can do no good now, Prince Manfir.” stated Ader. “The son of Grannak has seen to that.”

Manfir stopped and glanced at the concerned eyes throughout the room.

“There are hundreds of eyes scanning the city for the assassin.” continued Ader. “One more hazy set will add nothing to the search. Sit down on the bunk and lend your equally cloudy mind to our discussion.”

Manfir looked into the Seraph’s eyes then nodded, walked to the bunk and sat.

“Chimbre, Lilywynn and Sprig supposedly kept watch on the gates of the Hold throughout the evening.” said Ader to Teeg. “This assassin either fooled the children of Sprite or they abandoned their posts. I desire an explanation, Lord Teeg.  Please attend to it.”

The Elf Lord bowed and slipped from the room. Ader’s vision swept the dark cube and the Seraph made one last assessment of the situation. He spun to Kael.

“Start from the beginning.” demanded Ader.

Kael jumped in surprise, then took a deep breath and told his story from the moment he woke. Ader listened intently and his eyes narrowed at the mention of the black figure. When he seemed certain that Kael could add no more he turned to Granu.

“You were out of your room?” asked the Seraph.

Flair continued to sew the gash in the giant’s thigh. Granu replied through clenched teeth.

“I’ve never been partial to small spaces.” said the giant. “I planned to return before the bell called the recruits to their training.”

“No hint of anything unusual? Any personnel about the yard before the bell’s call?” asked Ader.

“Only the one called Cefiz.” shrugged the giant. “The anger of his prince drew him up before the bell.”

“Where is Cefiz?” asked Kael.

“He’s out combing the streets for this assassin.” replied Chimbre as the Sprite slipped through the doorway with Sprig and Teeg. “He and a group of recruits claim the assassin exited the building. Cefiz possesses the best description of the assailant’s height and size and is aware of its last known location. He will return shortly.”

“And what do you have to say for yourself?” frowned Ader.

“Nothing.” said Chimbre.

“You’ve nothing to report?” scoffed Ader.

“Oh, I’ll give you a report.” replied Chimbre. “But you won’t like it.”

“Go on.” growled Ader.

The Sprite rolled his eyes and sighed.

“We watched the doors all evening. Brelg’s recruits never left their posts. No one entered and no one left.” said Chimbre. “Sprig relieved me, then I relieved Lilywynn several hours later.”

Eidyn glanced at Chimbre upon the mention of Lilywynn. The Sprite noticed the look and pursed his lips.

“My sister slipped into a guise and roams the streets hoping to overhear some news on this creature.” stated Chimbre as if in reply to Eidyn’s look.

The Elven prince reddened and leaned over to help Flair dress Granu’s wound.

“Is there any other way in or out of this facility?” asked Chimbre.

“No.” replied Manfir sitting forward on the bunk.

Ader stood staring at the wall with a faraway look on his face.

“The situation may have grown extremely dangerous...” mumbled the Seraph to himself.

The room went silent save for the croaking of Flair's thread as it was drawn through the heavy hide of the Keltaran.

“What do you fear, my friend?” asked Teeg.

“A development that I am not prepared for.” answered Ader. “But first I must acquire more information.”

As if on cue, Cefiz strode through the doorway. Sweat covered the cook and his breathing informed them that he hurried to the meeting. The lieutenant bowed to the room , then moved toward Kael. The boy jumped to his feet as the man threw his arms out and gathered Kael in.

“How are you, laddie?” asked Cefiz.

“I’m fine.” smiled Kael.

“Hmm ... ” mused the cook eyeing the boy. “You looked a sight up there on the balcony, and no better up close.”

“That was an unfortunate byproduct of being rescued by a Keltaran.” frowned Kael.

Cefiz’s face went flat and the Zodrian turned to Granu.

“I’ve always tried to teach the boy to roll with the force of a blow.” said Cefiz extending his hand. “Whether you’re thrown from a horse or slip while repairing the rooftop, your injuries will be less severe if you go limp and let the force dissipate.”

The giant grabbed the cook’s hand and firmly shook it.

“I fear the boy never anticipated being bowled over by a Keltaran warrior when given that lesson.” smiled Granu.

The corners of Cefiz’s mouth turned upward and he nodded to the giant.

“Thank you for your vigilance, Keltaran.” said Cefiz.

“And you for yours.” returned the giant. “A timely shot from your longbow saved me from a crossbow bolt in the back.”

Manfir stood and staggered forward.

“What do you have to report, lieutenant?” asked Manfir.

The stern look came across Cefiz’s face once more and he bowed to the prince.

“The assassin escaped, my lord.” stated Cefiz. “I thought I cornered it upon the rooftop, but I was deceived.”

“Deceived! How so?” demanded Manfir.

“The assassin escaped to the city below and once it reached the maze of alleyways, it vanished.” returned Cefiz.

“That’s impossible!” stated Chimbre angrily. “We watched both exits. One small group of recruits left heading in the direction of the wharves. Only if the assailant changed into a recruit’s uniform and blended in amongst them, could it have exited the Hold!”

“The assassin didn’t exit through either of the gates.” stated Cefiz. “It flew to the streets below.”

“Flew! Impossible!” scoffed Manfir.

“Flew?” said Flair.

Granu’s eyes narrowed and Eidyn looked entirely perplexed. Ader turned and looked into the eyes of Teeg. The old Elf took a moment to read the thoughts there, then closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

“Flew.” whispered the old Elf. “Of course.”

“What are you talking about?” questioned Kael.

“Gentlemen, I fear a new development has occurred that I didn’t anticipate. A threat has entered the picture that I thought not possible.” said Ader. “The Sprites didn’t fail us, nor did Brelg’s recruits. The assassin entered the Hold last night then lay in wait for Kael on the rooftop above.”

“I tell you that’s not possible.” stated Chimbre. “No one entered the gates last night.”

“The assassin didn’t enter through the gates. The assassin flew to the rooftop in the darkness of the evening and waited.” said Ader.

The room went silent for a moment as looks of confusion were exchanged. Teeg remained still. His eyes were closed. The Elf lord slowly drew in deep breaths, calming himself.

“The Borz.” he whispered.

All eyes in the room locked on the old Elf. Chimbre and Sprig glanced to one another and Kael noticed a look of trepidation pass between them.

“The what?” asked Flair.

“The Borz.” repeated Chimbre. “The Windriders of the southern desert.”

“What are they?” asked Kael.

“A new wrinkle in the equation. A problem. A ....” began Ader.

“A mistake!” exclaimed Teeg exhaling and opening his eyes. “The Borz hold no affiliation to Izgra or Amird. They are a secretive, spiritual people. Nomadic tribesmen who travel the Borz desert. Why align themselves with the Lord of Chaos?”

“If I knew why, I might have anticipated such an outcome.” growled Ader. “Obviously, we made a mistake dismissing the Borz.”

“Are we certain the assassin is one of these Borz?” asked Granu.

“It
was
a Windrider.” announced Lilywynn confidently entering the room.

The girl stepped to the table and dropped a crossbow, a burlap sack and several rods upon it.

“The crossbow is of Zodrian design.” stated the woman. “In fact, I would argue that its origin is the armory of this building. The sack holds several crossbow bolts, also of Zodrian design. It is the rods that are the most telling of the group. They are actually cuttings of rimshar from the swamps along the edge of the southern Toxkri.”

“Rimshar?” questioned Eidyn.

“It is a fast growing, hollow reed.” replied Lilywynn. “Rimshar is incredibly strong and extremely light. The Borz periodically collect it as they travel by our border.”

“What’s it used for?” asked Kael.

“To fly.” interrupted Cefiz shaking his head.

“What?!” questioned Kael.

“Not so much to fly as to glide.” replied Lilywynn. “The Borz drape a light material over a framework of the hollow reeds and use the material to catch the wind. The sail is able to support the weight of the Windrider as he or she glides through the air.”