Chronicles of Den'dra: A Land Torn: Ancient Powers Awaken (29 page)

“
Are you...?” Ildroth trailed off as he stared at Fenar.

“
Now now darling, I'm not the Asgare.”

“
Perhaps then I should speak to the big man with the mask.” Ildroth raised an eyebrow at Fenar.

“
Send Danryn to see Tusul and I'm sure another meeting can be arranged.” Fenar saw that she had hit her mark as Ildroth twitched.

“
That won’t be necessary. Can you tell me when I might be able to speak with the Asgare?”

“
I really can’t say. What I do know is that he isn’t in this region. When he returns is anyone’s guess.” Fenar left Ildroth to brood over his glass of wine in peace. Leaving the room she went to the cellar and opened the hidden door. A minute later she was knocking on the door at Brounn’s establishment. When he opened the door she stepped into his cellar.

“
So how did it go?” Brounn took his habitual position at his table.

“
More or less as expected. Rorale appeared and demanded a bribe. He was so brazen as to name an amount.” Fenar took a seat opposite Brounn and pulled a fan from a sleeve.

“
Really? How much did he want?” Brounn and Fenar had been opposed over whether or not it was more prudent to anger the burgomeister. Brounn was of the mind that it would be safer to simply give over the bribes to the man. Fenar had won out with the argument that she wanted the Golden Thistle to acquire a reputation of being honest and on the level.

“
He wanted a hundred gold coin to make him forget not having gotten asked permission for starting construction. He was about to start explaining what else he wanted when Ildroth interrupted him.” Fenar was fanning herself absently as she spoke.

“
We could have afforded that. It wouldn’t have been much compared to what you have already spent.

“
Oh don’t be silly. He would have come back again and again with demands for ever increasing sums. Tusul really is a genius. He rigged up some sort of system for pulling cool air out of the cellar and out the roof. Sometimes a bit moist and musty but so much more comfortable.” Fenar slipped back a strand of loose hair.

“
I like my establishment the way it is. Tusul is always trying to change it. So how did Ildroth manage to convince Rorale to leave you alone?” Brounn swatted at a fly that had managed to find its way into the back room.

“
Ildroth argued with him for several minutes. I hadn’t realized that the man was so pig headed. Ildroth actually had to pull on one of his new connections in order to shut the man up.”

“
New connections?” Brounn raised an eyebrow this time.

“
It seems that he has managed to get himself a medallion from Reigns. He is a double agent.” Fenar smashed the fly with a flick of her wrist.

“
Is it going to be a problem?” Brounn asked apprehensively.

“
I don’t know yet. He is afraid of you so I don’t know if he is because he is playing us or if he wouldn’t risk it.”

“
It might be a good idea to keep an eye on him. Until we are sure we will have to verify everything he says.”

“
Ah, my motto. Trust but verify.” Fenar laughed.

“
So what are you going to be having Ildroth doing now?” Brounn changed the subject.

“
I think that he will be staying in one of my rooms for the time being. He hasn’t said much but he did say that he is the Inarack representative keeping an eye on Warton. He is probably going to be in the area a lot.”

“
Hmm, that’s good. It will be easier to keep an eye on him. He doesn’t know about the inn does he?” Brounn was referring to the alterations to the building.

“
No but he suspects. He refuses to meet anyone in the inn but always leaves. I will have my agents keep me updated as to his actions when he leaves the inn. By the way, he is asking about the Asgare. Do you have any updates about him?” Fenar eyed another fly that buzzed nearby.

“
I'm actually a little worried. Emeck hasn’t made contact in over two weeks. Either he is too far south or else...” Brounn offhandedly gave the information. Fenar knew that he was worried. Rakyr used to be the same way.

“
By south how far do you mean?” Fenar inquired pointedly.

“
Well, if Emeck is near as strong as I think he is then the Asgare is at least as far as the Draeld. Otherwise Emeck and or both of them met an untimely demise.”

“
The Draeld. That is a long ways south. His son must be resourceful.” Fenar nodded thoughtfully.

“
His adopted son and yes. Skeln managed to elude him within two days even though the Asgare was only two hours behind.” Brounn snorted.

“
Adopted? He didn’t ever strike me as the family type but adopting?”

“
He said it started as part of his cover but the kid grew on him and now Reigns is after the lad. The Asgare is probably trying to save Skeln as much to spite Reigns as any other reason.” Brounn chuckled as Fenar threw him a black look.

“
Or he could just be worried about what Reigns might do to his son.” Fenar gathered her dress and stood up.

“
Could be. Whatever the reason. Be careful Valkyrie.” Brounn went back to his work as Fenar returned through the hidden passage.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Urake, are you there?”
Urake sat up in his cell. It was early in the morning. He had not had any visitors in the last few days accept for the meals handed through the bars by silent guards. Not even the enigmatic elven woman had visited in the last couple days. Now he was sure the isolation had begun to get to him.

“
Essdra said that this shouldn’t be so hard. URAKE! CAN YOU HEAR ME?”
Urake realized that he wasn’t imagining things. Emeck had developed an additional telepathic ability. Lowering his guards Urake formed a response.

“
You don’t need to scream. How are you doing and what is this about Essdra?”
Urake sensed a disturbance in his thoughts that he was only able to equate with jubilance. He guessed that Emeck’s emotions were spilling over through the link.

“
I'm fine. Essdra is worried that I might accidentally kill someone else so she is trying to force me to control my abilities. How about you?”
Emeck sounded alright if not a little excited about his new breakthrough.

“
I'm alright. The food is alright but the company is not much on conversation.”
Urake made light of his isolation.

“
I'm sorry. I have to go.”
Emeck abruptly broke contact leaving Urake alone again.

“
Did he hear you?” Essdra was standing on the other side of the bars from Emeck with her traditional scowl.

“
It took a few tries before he heard me then he told me to stop screaming.” Emeck watched as Essdra flinched.

“
He responded?” The elven woman pursed her lips and thought for a minute.

“
He said that the food is good but that his guards don’t talk.”

“
The Asgare is more skilled than I had thought. UnGifted humans are rarely able to form coherent thoughts and convey communication.” Essdra sneered.

“
You don’t like humans do you.” Emeck watched Essdra tense.

“
Stay out of my head.” Emeck stepped back as Essdra snarled at him.

“
I didn’t have to get in your head. Every time you mention humans you sneer or scowl.” Urake received another scowl.

“
Some insight. The elves are at war with humans. How do you think I like humans.”

“
If you hate humans so much why are you being nice to me?” Emeck queried inquisitively.

“
I'm not being nice. I'm just trying to make sure that you don’t kill anyone.”

“
You are training me and I'm getting stronger. How do you know that I can’t intentionally hurt someone now?” Emeck stepped back up to the bars and looked Essdra in the eyes.

“
I... I have my reasons. Elves are naturally able to block lower level telepaths so you shouldn’t have been able to hurt any of us.” Essdra turned to leave.

“
I guess I will see you later.” Emeck leaned against the bars.

“
Probably not.”

“
I'm sorry if I said something to offend you. Please don’t be angry.” Emeck was afraid he had offended his only visitor.

“
You are doing well. Better than expected for a human. Watch your friend’s mind and be careful.” Essdra left with her cryptic warning hanging in the air. Urake had just finished his food when Essdra appeared outside his cell.

“
So you have been training Emeck?” Essdra simply pursed her lips and scowled.

“
I have my reasons for training him.” Essdra glanced at the two guards and motioned towards the door. They obeyed promptly leaving the two of them alone.

“
What might these reason be? I thought that you were worried about him being dangerous?” Urake waited as Essdra appeared conflicted.

“
The council is split three ways. Some of them think that you should be executed for your crimes. Among them the crime of corrupting Skeln’den’hal. Another group thinks that you might be recruited to fight for us. Without the sword that is. Personally I support this group not that I like you but that brings me to the third group. By far the minority group but the group my superior belongs to. They think that this son that you are searching for is the one referred to in prophecy. They also believe that you should be freed to continue your search. Unfortunately they also believe that if your son is a Dragon Lord then Skeln’den’hal is required for your task.” Essdra had taken to pacing back and forth as she talked.

“
I don’t see how training Emeck fits into this story.” Urake received one of Essdra’s glares.

“
I'm getting to that. Unfortunately Skeln’den’hal is resisting any efforts to move it so we will have to skip that part of the plan. I was training Emeck so that the two of you can have a chance of escaping.”

“
What are you saying?” Urake was confused by Essdra’s actions.

“
Humans can be so simple minded sometimes. It’s a wonder they haven’t gone extinct already.” Essdra rolled her eyes after insulting the human race.

“
And elves are so stuck up that it isn’t the least bit surprising that Reigns was able to convince humanity that you mean to destroy us all. Funny when you think that he is half elf himself.” Essdra bristled at Urake’s jibe.

“
That creature is no elf.”

“
I don’t know about that. He is a lot older than any living human.” Urake prodded Essdra for more information. He was suspicious that she was trying to lure him into a trap.

“
He is half dark elf. Their miserable race has been all but wiped from Den'dra.” Essdra clearly hated these dark elves more than she hated humans.

“
Why would you want to help me escape?” Urake scrutinized Essdra. Her face was conflicted for a moment before she answered.

“
I have my orders. Emeck is monitoring your mind. Tell him to say morningstar out loud twice.” Essdra gave the cryptic order and waited for Urake to comply.

“
Does your honor prevent you from killing an unarmed man? Is it better if I die in an escape attempt?” Urake wasn’t about to give any of the elves an excuse to execute him.

“
Fool! I'm trying to help you escape. If you don’t do as I say, you will rot in this cell forever while the council argues about your fate. Every minute you waste is a minute that will cost you dearly to recover.”

“
I am only trying to make sure that this isn’t a trap. What will happen when he says morningstar twice?”

“
His guards are under orders like myself. They will escort him to an agreed upon meeting place.” Essdra was getting impatient over Urake’s reluctance.

“
Why do I have to send the message?” Urake wondered why Essdra wasn’t the one making sending the commands if she was in charge.

“
You have a death wish. I'm under suspicion because of who I'm loyal to. They are monitoring me. If I sent the message to the guards that it was time then our plan would be given away. The people monitoring me are afraid of Emeck so they won’t risk monitoring him. Send the message now before it is too late.”

“
He says that he is being moved. How are we supposed to be escaping? Are you just going to take us out of the city and dump us in the forest?” Urake stepped back as Essdra unlocked the door of the cell and handed him a long cloak like those the guards wore. From a distance he appeared elven to any observers.

“
More or less.” Essdra checked the hallway before stepping out.

“
I'm defenseless. I would prefer my weapons back.” Essdra scowled at him before pulling her cloak back and revealing Urake’s arsenal minus Ice Heart.

“
I would prefer that you remain defenseless until we leave the city if at all possible. You did nearly defeat two of my best rangers single handedly.”

“
Look at where that got me.”

“
You are alive aren’t you?” Essdra was busy making sure that they didn’t meet anyone and wasn’t willing to waste time on conversation.

“
There is that but then again I'm alive only because I defended myself.” Urake could remember that pitched battle. Essdra merely glared back at him.

“
This way.” Essdra turned down a corridor but Urake paused. He was oddly compelled to take the other. When Essdra realized her charge was not following she sprang after him and seized his wrist. Urake merely shrugged her off and continued. Glancing back he saw her sitting in the hallway staring after him with a shocked expression. Turning a corner Urake saw a couple guards stationed at a hallway. Nodding to them and without missing a step he passed between and moved into the hallway that they had been guarding.

Laying on the floor in the center of the hallway was the object that had been drawing him. Ice Heart lay as if unceremoniously dropped in haste. Urake approached and picked up the sword. Giving it a couple practice swings he listened to the blade sing as it sundered the air.

“I missed you old friend.” Fastening the ancient blade to his belt he returned the way he had come. The guards at the entrance merely returned his nod and paid him no further attention. When he reached the corridor intersection that Essdra had initially wanted him to take the elf appeared with a surprised look.

“
What was that about?” Essdra confronted Urake when they were safely out of earshot.

“
I couldn’t leave Ice Heart behind.” Pulling the cloak back Urake revealed the sword. Essdra visibly paled as she retreated a couple steps.

“
You feel nothing when you touch him?” Essdra barely whispered the question.

“
It is a beautiful weapon masterfully forged. Of course I feel honored to wield it.” Urake wasn’t sure how to interpret the sudden change in the elf.

“
I was allowed to carry it as far as the hallway that you found him in before I was struck with his power yet he allows you to touch him. Why?” Essdra confused Urake further with her reference to the sword as a person.

“
I have carried this blade for more than twenty years. What is so special about Ice Heart?” Urake queried.

“
Eld’or the Night Soul carried Skeln’den’hal. The blade is soul forged from the Dragon Lord’s essence during the millennium war. Eld’or lives on in that blade and yet he allows a human to wield him.” Essdra eyed the Skeln’den’hal with awe before they moved on and Urake covered the sword again.

“
What did you mean when you said that you were struck with his power?” Urake asked as they traversed the maze of hallways.

“
It was nothing.” Essdra avoided looking at Urake.

“
If it is so special then I should have been able to escape your ambush then.” Urake returned to the subject after a few minutes of silent travel.

“
He saved your life. Your injuries froze and stopped the bleeding. Now they are entirely healed within three weeks’ time. Hardly a scar and yet you don’t realize how incredibly grateful you should be.” Essdra had returned to her surely self.

“
Mind if I get the rest of my weapons back?” Urake decided that Ice Heart was a sore subject so he changed the topic back to something else.

“
I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore.” Essdra handed Urake his bow, quiver and his knives. The elves had not deprived him of his leathers and clothes so it was just the weapons that Essdra had for him. After hiding them in their traditional placed he was ready to continue. After threading the maze of corridors for what seemed forever they exited through a guard’s gate. Emeck was released by his guards who disappeared back through the door that Urake and Essdra had just exited.

“
Follow me and keep out of sight.” Essdra handed Emeck a cloak and the three departed. Urake glanced around at the elven city. It was composed on the lower levels of carved stone but on the upper levels it appeared to be grown from giant trees. Urake realized that the portion of the city that he had been in had been on the lower levels. Probably even an underground level. Above that the buildings towered for hundreds of feet.

Urake and Emeck kept a low profile as Essdra led them. It wasn’t long before they had left the elven city but there were guards posted throughout the forest. Most of them simply saluted Essdra and didn’t impede them. They had almost passed the perimeter when a sentry stepped out from behind an enormous tree and challenged Essdra.

“Who goes there!” The sentry held a set of short swords.

“
Ranger unit commander Essdra. I'm just taking some of my new recruits out for training. Let me pass.” Essdra stopped as the sentry raised one of his swords.

“
New recruits? Your unit is one of the elite ranger units. You only take the best of the best. You don’t train anyone in your unit. Your rangers train everyone else.” The ranger held up the other sword threateningly.