Mad Lord Lucian (2 page)

He coaxed Lucian to his feet. The emaciated man was able to stand and walk a few steps, as long as someone held his hand to lead him. Otherwise, his weakened muscles would give out and he would stumble and fall.

Senda slowly pushed the chair down the dim hallway. There were no windows in this part of the castle. Lord Lucian built his chambers against the face of the mountain with only the one hallway leading in or out. His bedchamber would be where he and his soldiers would make a final stand in the event the castle was ever attacked.

There were no tapestries, and only a few torches in metal sconces, along the wall. His footsteps and the squeaking of the wheels echoed in the emptiness. Senda greeted the guards. They addressed the servant rather than their Lord. Lucian's condition made everyone uncomfortable. No one seemed to know what to say.

The Mystic will make Lord Lucian strong again
.

Senda had sent word for a Mystic when it was clear the local herb women were unable to help. He had received word rather quickly that a Mystic residing in the Forbidden Territories was available and would arrive within the week.

The servant was a little nervous about having someone from the Forbidden Territories on the island. Everyone knew the people living there filled their bodies with various drugs and poisons. It seemed as though anything that grew or lived in the swamp was toxic or hallucinogenic in some way. The inhabitants sold their wares in many villages and towns. The rare potions and dried herbs were worth their weight in gold, and anyone lucky enough to come across a merchant from the Forbidden Territories often spent all the money they had to obtain the treasures.

Senda was relieved he'd arrived at the audience chamber before the Mystic. He pushed Lucian next to the high-backed chair at the back of the room. It, too, was topped with carvings of shadowcats and was made of very dark reddish-colored wood. Senda had always thought it made the chair look as though it was covered in blood.

He took his Lord's hand and pulled him toward the chair. The man came quietly, eyes vacant, mouth agape. His white hair stuck out in wisps around his gaunt face, giving him the look of one who is dead, or close to it. Senda arranged his Lord's robes and placed his hands on the arms of the chair. He gently wiped a line of spittle from Lucian's face with a handkerchief.
He is as Lordly as I can make him look
.

When Mystic Anali entered the audience chamber, the air grew visibly chillier. Senda frowned, then shook his head.
The man is here to help
.

Anali walked slowly, yet purposefully, toward the chair where Lord Lucian sat slumped to the side. The man stopped and lifted his hood, bowing before the Lord of the island. The light from the torches reflected from his bald head.

“Welcome, Mystic Anali.”

The Mystic straightened, a slight smirk curling his lip. “I live only to serve. May I examine him?”

Senda nodded and stepped to the side, allowing the Mystic to circle behind the chair. Anali put his fingers on the side of Lucian's neck, then placed his fingers on the Lord's temples, closing his eyes and mumbling under his breath. He raised Lucian's arms and legs, pinched him in several places, nodding when the Lord would flinch or even cry out.

“That is a good sign. The mind still has some function.”

“Can you help him?” Senda wished his voice hadn't sounded so desperate.

“I can.”

Senda breathed a sigh of relief. “How soon can you get started? Are there any herbs or potions you require? I shall send someone…”

Anali lifted his hand, shaking his head. “I said I
could
help. I never said I
would
.”

Senda opened and closed his mouth, incredulity and anger keeping him from blurting out exactly what he wanted to say.

“Most people do not understand what is required of a Mystic to heal someone in this condition. They tend to interfere, making my job impossible.”

“Lord Lucian will die if something isn't done. We have exhausted all of our options. If you can save him, then I beg you, please do so!”

Anali gazed hard at Senda. He nodded slowly. “Very well. But I warn you, any interference, and I will leave. You can't question my methods, and you mustn't tell anyone else what you observe. Lord Lucian
must
be kept isolated during his treatment. Only you and I will be allowed to see him.”

Senda nodded, willing to sell his own soul to the dark spirits to save his Lord. “I will do as you say.”

“I must be close to the Lord. Please have my things transferred to Lucian's chambers.”

“As you wish.”

Anali stared hard at Senda and cleared his throat.

Senda took the hint and left to see to moving Anali's possessions into his Lord's chambers. Before he closed the door, he turned and felt that same chill as before. Anali had his hands behind his back and was staring at Lucian, much like a butcher gazes at a haunch of beef.

You agreed not to interfere
.

As he made his way down the hall, he wondered if he had made the right decision in sending for the Mystic.

TWO

SENDA TRIED TO IGNORE THE WHISPERS of the servants as he made his way through the kitchens. The sun had not yet risen, and the head cook, Neli, lit several beef tallow candles to ward off the darkness. Most servants were bleary-eyed, jaws creaking with the force of their yawns. When they spotted Senda coming, they perked up, watching him as he placed the components of the morning meal on a silver tray: teapot and three cups, a plate with boiled eggs and mounds of bacon, some sort of dish made with tubers fried with small green onions and bits of ham, two loaves of bread, and a silver bowl with butter.

He left the kitchen, wishing to be away from the accusatory stares. He held his head high as he walked briskly to Lucian's quarters. Anali and Lucian would be wanting their breakfast. The tray was heavy and Senda's muscles began to fatigue.
It's no wonder! There is enough food to feed five men!

Send did not know what Anali had been doing to Lucian but in a matter of days, but the man had
life
in his eyes again. As the days passed, the man's appetite grew by leaps and bounds. Anali said his healing body needed the extra nourishment.

Lucian became stronger, able to move without assistance, though still unable speak. He wasn't able to form sentences, but Anali and Senda could make out what the man wanted to convey. The Lord's frustration was evident with every thrown goblet, every scream of rage.

“Give it time, my Lord. You have been under the thumb of a deadly disease few live through. You will have to learn how to speak again,” Anali would say after one of Lucian's temper tantrums.

The guard at Lucian's chambers hurriedly pulled the doors open when he saw Senda coming. Senda tried not to huff and puff as he breezed past the guard.

“Ah, breakfast has arrived, my Lord.” Anali sauntered into the solar, wearing a silk robe in bright scarlet. His head gleamed, having just been freshly shaved.

Senda set the plates piled with food on the large table and prepared his Lord's tea just how he liked it: with a pinch of lemon and a tiny bit of sugar. Sugar was a precious commodity and quite rare. Lord Lucian had a sweet tooth and people often brought him the sweet confection in an attempt to gain his favor.

Lucian entered the solar, making sure to set his feet carefully before shifting his weight. His muscles had yet to regain their former strength. However, his face had that same familiar predatory look Senda had grown to know and love. Lucian was a sharp adversary when it came to treaties and battle, but Senda knew that under that steely facade was a caring and just man.

Lucian had been given the island by Patriarch Laevanya as a joke. The Patriarch meant it as an insult; Lucian took it as a challenge. Within a few short years, Lucian changed the barren rocky island to a prosperous kingdom. His Lords and Ladies had worked hard for Lucian, knowing full well the man would deliver on his promise to shove the gift in Laevanya's face.

“Smells good.”

Senda almost dropped his plate when he heard his Lord speak. Lucian grinned at his fumbling manservant.

“My Lord! When did this happen?”

“Mystic Anali worked with me most of yesterday.” Lord Lucian spoke carefully, almost as if he was thinking about each word before saying it aloud.

“He is making tremendous progress. Soon, he will be ready to begin assuming some of his duties,” said Anali.

“Are you certain? Lord Suasor doesn't mind…”

“Of course he doesn't mind, you witless fool! The man has his eyes on Lucian's throne.”

Senda was stunned. “The man has served Lucian well for many years. Besides, he doesn't have the soldiers to attempt to usurp the throne.” Senda met his Lord's eyes, hoping the man would set the Mystic straight.

“He will have the men if he joins with the other Lords on the island,” said Lucian grimly.

Senda couldn't believe Lucian thought Suasor wanted to assume leadership of the island. The man had had many opportunities while Lucian had been too ill to fight back. Suasor worked diligently and without complaint.

“My Lord, Suasor is loyal to you, as he has been since first coming to the island. What proof do you have that he is planning on committing this treason?”

“You
dare
to question your own Lord?”

Senda stared at the Mystic. “I have always been allowed to speak my mind with Lucian.” He was becoming more and more concerned that something was very wrong.

“Perhaps I have let you get away with too much.”

Senda looked away from his Lord. The man's eyes were full of suspicion and anger. Senda had seen Lucian angry when the need called for it, but he could count the number of times on one hand.
What is happening to Lucian?
He glanced at Anali and took a deepbreath. “Perhaps you should stop taking the medicines Anali gives you…”

“You think he has something to do with this?” Lucian demanded. “The man
saved
me!”

“I am aware of that, and I am grateful for what he has done, but you are not yourself, My Lord…”

“I am more myself than I was a few weeks ago. Do you realize I was aware of everything, Senda?” Lucian's face changed into something terrifying, but Senda couldn't look away from the rage burning in his eyes. “Oh yes, my dear man, I could see and comprehend
everything
! But I was trapped in my body, couldn't make it move, couldn't even keep my own tongue in my blasted mouth!” Lucian threw his empty cup against the hearth, where it shattered into a million pieces.

“I heard every snicker, every whisper, saw every grimace, and glance filled with pity. Well no more! Those people will rue the day they laughed at me.”

Senda shook his head. He couldn't deny what Lucian said. “People were afraid; they didn't know how to react…”

“I am still their Lord, damn and blast them! They should have treated me no different than they had before I became ill.” Lucian began coughing with such force that Senda feared the man would die from the effort.

“
Latus eris
,” Anali whispered.

Lucian's coughing subsided immediately.

“I think Lucian has had enough for one morning.”

Senda stood rooted to the spot, watching the bald Mystic lead his Lord to his bedchamber. He couldn't hear what Anali whispered to Lucian, but Anali turned and grinned.

Dear Spirits, what have I done?
The man's feral grin worried Senda. It was clear to him that Lucian was different, though up and moving. He knew he should be happy that his Lord was well.
But at what cost?

THREE

SENDA WOKE TO THE SOUND of Anali and Lucian moving about the Lord's bedchamber. He hesitated for a moment before padding silently over to the closed door.

“I think it is time to get rid of him, my Lord.” Anali's voice drifted to Senda's ears.

“But he has been loyal to me for many years, Mystic. I can't get rid of him. Where will he go?”

“That is not your concern. What
should
concern you is the plotting going on right under your nose.”

“I can't believe my own manservant is behind any plotting. I may have been too lenient in letting him speak his mind, but he is loyal to me.”

“As you wish, my Lord.”

Senda turned from the door, heart pounding in his chest.
What do I do?
He paced back and forth, becoming more agitated and frightened with each passing moment.

Lucian said he wasn't going to let me go
. Senda took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he had been correct in thinking that Anali was up to mischief.
I must expose the man. But how?

Senda dressed hurriedly. Lucian and Anali would be expecting breakfast soon. He needed to perform his duties as if he had no idea what the two men had been discussing. Senda feared what the Mystic would do if he knew Senda had overheard the conversation.

He tried to act naturally as he made his way to the kitchens. His mind couldn't seem to focus on one thought; they scattered like leaves in a summer breeze. Senda wished there was someone he could trust, someone he could talk to about what was happening with Lucian and Anali.

He stopped short, the barest hint of an idea forming in his mind. He bit his lip, wondering if he should bother the man with his worries.
I have to have help. I am in over my head
.

Neli was waiting none too patiently for Senda to arrive. The large platter was taking up counter space that she needed to begin fixing the noon meal.

Senda apologized profusely, claiming he overslept.

“Well, your extra sleep has cost me! Now hurry back with them dishes!”

Senda ducked a very well-aimed kick at his backside and scurried out of the kitchen. He took his time returning to the Lord's chambers, trying to gather his scattered thoughts. He prayed to the good Spirits to help him fool the Mystic.

The guard barely stirred when Senda walked up to the main doors to Lucian's chambers. Senda couldn't blame the man. The guards drew straws for this particular duty. No one ever volunteered. Sitting day and night for a fortnight was not something a soldier enjoyed doing. The more seasoned veterans would often force the younger men to take their duty if they drew the short straw.