The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (21 page)

“If I may?” asked Teeg to Ader.

“By all means.” replied the Seraph.

Teeg turned to Kael.

“There are a number of reasons.” started Teeg. “First, as Lord Ader said, the scribes reciprocate with unlimited access to their text. You cannot imagine the wealth of information stored within. Second, in certain situations it is impossible to keep a scribe out.”

“What?” scoffed Kael.

“The Delvin scribes are the fiercest warriors in this world.” rumbled Granu. “The fact that they don’t need to display their prowess does not change its validity.”

Kael nervously glanced back at the hulking, gray robe shadowing him.

“But they carry no weapons!” said Kael.

“They don’t require weapons.” said Teeg. “Their hands and feet are all they need. I haven’t heard of a Delvin scribe being challenged by a man in decades.

Third, if you try to keep the Delvin scribes from your castle or fortress, they will simply infiltrate. It may take them years, but you’ll discover that the soldier who rose through your ranks and is now a trusted advisor to a duke or earl is actually a scribe who was ordered to report on the area. Over the years I’ve ferreted out many scribes. They simply bow their heads, take their leave and return to Delvi.”

“How do you discover them?” asked Kael.

“Ironically, it’s their own record that exposes them. Often it’s a reference or phrase from a closed door meeting that only a select few attended.“ Teeg smiled. “Once, I read a passage concerning the growth rate of the herds of Rindor’s outer ranches. Fascinating stuff really. You can assess the strength of a kingdom by how quickly their herds grow.

I read a quote from a fellow named ‘Hunly’ . Apparently he had been in a meeting with Dren the head drover for the estates of Manfir. Dren maintained control over all of Manfir’s herds and the men the prince employed to tend those herds. A very important position in Manfir’s household.”

“And highly honored.” added Cefiz. “The responsibilities are great.”  

“Hunly was Manfir’s representative to his Rindorian estate.” continued Teeg.  “Often Hunly visited the estate to make sure all was in order. I was quite an intimate acquaintance to Hunly. In fact, I
am
Hunly.”

Kael blinked and turned to Cefiz. The lieutenant nodded.

“So you can imagine how viewing a quote of my own in the Delvin text shocked me. Then I recalled that the conversation took place in a private meeting between Dren and myself. Upon my return to Rindor I confronted the drover. He was one of Manfir’s most trusted employees. However, as soon as I exposed him,  he retired to his quarters only to return to me a short time later wearing a simple gray robe.

The scribe neither apologized nor attempted to explain his actions. He laid the key to his quarters on my desk and took his leave from the estate. When we entered his rooms we found it full of all his worldly possessions. A small chest in the corner contained nearly the entire sum of his pay for a decade. The man spent a fraction of the coin he had earned and simply abandoned the rest.”

“Well, he was a spy.” exclaimed Kael. “Shouldn’t you have tracked him down and imprisoned him?”

Teeg smiled and thought over the suggestion.

“Actually.” mused the Elf. “The exchange probably favored us tremendously. Manfir’s Rindoran estates are a rather dull place. Somewhat off the beaten path. Not much worthy of note tends to go on there. The scribes gleaned very little information from that place.

Dren on the other hand was one of the hardest working men I have ever encountered in my life. He made vast improvements in both the livestock and the cultivation. Without him, I dare say Manfir’s properties wouldn’t have turned a profit..”

“I’m confused.” said Kael pointing at the scribe. “Should I be nervous?”

“Not based on the Scribe’s past.” stated Teeg.

“That’s not an accurate statement.” said Ader over his shoulder.

Teeg sighed and looked to Kael.

”Lord Ader has ... reservations concerning the Scribes.” said Teeg.

Ader looked at the gray robed figure steadily pacing behind them.

“Their openness about information concerns me, but it’s nothing compared to their....” Ader paused. “Their prognostication.”

“Their what?!” exclaimed Kael.

“Their fortune telling for want of a better word.” added Teeg. “The Scribes don’t just maintain an accurate record of events and conversations that have taken place all over this world. They also intersperse verses of whimsy within the text. Many reference events in the future. As time collides with these references, many come true.”

“Why is that so bad?” asked Kael.

“Because, my boy, many of these verses reference people, places and events known only to our side.” snapped Ader.  “By openly referring to them, the scribes have alerted Amird to things I’ve struggled hard to keep from the servants of Chaos!”

“However, I’m sure Lord Ader would agree that he benefits from these references as well.” said Teeg.

“That statement is somewhat accurate.” frowned Ader.

“Then how is that bad?” asked Kael.

Ader whispered and Tarader immediately halted. The party hastily reined in their mounts.

“Everyone dismount!” exclaimed Ader.

“What?” said Eidyn.

“All of you!” barked the Seraph. “Down from your mounts. It’s time we’re all aware of what’s going on here. My judgment is constantly called into question by this group and I will have at least this one issue fully explored and decided!”

The group all dropped from their horses and stood in the middle of the road. The huge, gray robed figure stood several paces from them.

“There are several facts concerning the scribes.” said Ader. “Lord Teeg has already discussed their tenacious pursuit of information. Another concerns their openness about this information. All scribes are required to completely memorize the books. If the originals are burnt or lost, a hundred scribes can easily reproduce them from memory. If you question a scribe concerning a passage he is duty bound to recite it from memory.

However, all other requests for help or information are completely ignored. Kael, let us say you were set upon and nearly beaten to death. Left on the side of the road to rot. A scribe that came upon you might record the event but he certainly wouldn’t  assist you. That would take time. It might interfere with his mission. Don’t fool yourselves into believing this group has your best interests in mind. From the outside they look like a scholarly group of intellectuals, following a divine calling. There is nothing divine concerning their actions.”

Ader turned from the group and faced the hooded scribe standing frozen in the middle of the dusty road. The Seraph approached.

“All scribes attempt to memorize every passage of the text.” called Ader over his shoulder. “But one scribe is required to know it all. Every word written over a thousand years is contained within his head. The Prelate of the Delvin Scribes, the head of their order, knows all verses.”

Granu’s eyes flashed recognition and he inched forward in front of Kael.

“Nostr.” said Ader addressing the scribe before them. “Recite the seventh book of Josi, verses seven through seventeen.”

“Nostr!” rumbled Granu.

The figure removed his hands from the folds of his gray robe and grabbed the cowl hiding his face. Shock and fear pulsed through Kael’s entire body. The huge gray hands were encrusted with chips of rock. Slowly the scribe pulled the hood from around its head and Kael stared at the rough face and thick neck of a giant Ulrog. Cefiz gasped and if not for the presence of Granu, Kael would have bolted up the road.

“And in the South shall he rise, in sight of the ancient wood.” began the deep, grating voice of the scribe. “A child like no other. He shall trace his line to man but also the eternal. Two Fathers will he have. The man of arms shall raise him but the King shall give him life. When...”

“That is enough.” said Ader coldly.

The Ulrog halted and stood staring at the Seraph.

“Was he talking about me?!” exclaimed Kael.

“Now you see what I mean.” said Ader. “Information like this is contained throughout the Book of Scribes. Information that seems cloudy and vague when first presented, but as you dig and uncover, it helps fill in the gaps.”

“But I still don’t see the danger?” said Kael.

  “Kael! How do you think those Malveel were led to the South!?” snarled Ader. “What made Izgra decide to send some of his most valuable servants to the edge of the Nagur? It wasn’t random. I’m not saying this particular verse was the culprit, but there are others. Don’t think for a moment that the Book of the Scribes is simply a text meant to preserve history. The Scribes and their text have their own agenda. I don’t know what it is yet, but I don’t think I’ll like it.”

A wall of emotion slammed into Kael. He hadn’t thought about Aemmon in over a week. Guilt, sadness and anger filled the boy’s mind. Images of his brother’s body being dragged so irreverently in the maw of the Malveel flashed into his head. Kael winced at the memory. His face reddened and his heart pounded. As he tried to avoid eye contact with those in his group he turned and found himself looking into the steady unflinching gaze of Nostr, Prelate of the Delvin Scribes.

“Why?” asked Kael. “Why would you leave clues to lead them to me?”

“Don’t waste your time, Kael. “ broke in Ader. ”He will not answer any quest....”

“The verses were not meant to lead anyone to you, Kael Brelgson.” crumbled the voice of Nostr.

Ader’s head jerked back and he stared at the Ulrog.

“Then what was the purpose of the verses?” demanded Kael.

“Their purpose cannot be unveiled.” stated Nostr.

Kael clenched his teeth in anger and turned to Ader. The boy was stunned to see the Seraph dumbfounded. Ader blinked then glanced between Kael and the Ulrog. The Seraph cleared his throat then addressed the Scribe.

“Have the servants of Amird accessed the material concerning Kael?” asked Ader.

The stony face of the Ulrog remained unchanged.

“Does Amird know of Kael?!” demanded Ader.

Once again Nostr remained still. Ader’s lip curled in anger and he motioned Kael to ask. Kael blinked and turned to the Ulrog filled with uncertainty.

“Does Amird know of me?” Kael asked the Ulrog.

“Yes.” came the quick reply.

Kael glanced to Ader then back to the Ulrog.

“Have the servants of Amird accessed material concerning me?” questioned Kael more confidently.

“I cannot say.” replied Nostr.

Kael frowned and furrowed his brow.

“You cannot say because you don’t know, or you cannot say because you are not allowed to?” demanded Kael.

Nostr remained silently staring at the boy.

“Why will you answer only some of my questions?” barked the boy in frustration as he spun to seek help from Ader.

“I have been directed to answer certain questions from, Kael Brelgson.” came the coarse reply.

“What?” said Kael turning back. “Why?”

“Many of your questions were foretold to me, as were my answers.” said Nostr. “You are to be provided with certain information.”

“For what reason?” asked an exasperated Kael.

“That is for you to determine.” stated Nostr.

Kael spun back to Ader.

“What should I do?” asked the boy.

The Seraph looked at the boy then narrowed his eyes at the huge Ulrog in front of him.

“Forget him.” stated Ader. “Act as if he’s not here. We cannot allow his presence to change our plans in any way. Apparently, he’s willing to provide you with tidbits of information, but only those of his choosing. We shouldn’t allow that type of agenda to influence our judgment. We’ll continue our journey North. If he follows, he follows.”

Ader spun from the Ulrog and returned to Tarader. The huge stallion dropped to its knees and the old man swung a leg over the horse’s back. As the horse rose into the air the Seraph addressed the Scribe.

“Nostr of Delvi, I do not know your interest in the boy, but the vows I follow concerning violence to my fellow man do not apply to you. Don’t test me, Ulrog!”

Tarader spun North and the gray robed Scribe stood motionless. The others scrambled to their mounts and the procession continued on its trek.

CHAPTER 12: BLOOD OF THE SERAPH

The party traveled North for the remainder of the day. As the sun dipped beneath the Western horizon, Ader called for a halt. The group moved off the road and found an acceptable clearing to make camp. Cefiz expressed concern regarding the camp’s defenses, but Ader brushed aside his protests.

Kael tied the horses off and collected firewood. As the boy circled the camp with his head down, he nearly walked into the rigid form of Nostr standing in the brush line surrounding the camp. The boy jumped back in surprise.

“Uh ... well ... uh.” mumbled Kael as he navigated around the hooded stone man.

“I believe the words you search for are ‘excuse me’.” raked the voice of Nostr.

His giant hands came forth from the robe and lowered the cowl. Kael stared at the Ulrog in anger. This thing was a creation of Amird. A representation of all evil in the world. A servant just like the Malveel.

“Don’t talk to me!” snapped Kael.

“How can one pass information without talking?” questioned the Ulrog.

“I don’t want information from you.” growled Kael, glaring at the stone man’s eyes.

Kael was struck by something unusual. Nostr’s eyes weren’t like those of the priests who rode with Tepi. The priests’ eyes had been black soulless pools of oil. Nostr’s eyes were like any human’s eyes. They were white with a blue pupil. Kael calmed and flatly addressed the Ulrog.

“Why would I want information from you?”

“How can one learn to trust and release their fear unless they discover another through conversation, an exchange of ideas?” asked Nostr.

“Kael.” came a deep rumble from across the camp.

Kael turned to see Granu striding toward him.

“Kael. Return to the camp with the wood you’ve gathered.” said Granu. “I’ll gather the rest.”

The Ulrog passively looked at the Keltaran. Granu edged closer and stared hard into the Ulrog’s blue eyes.