Malspire (33 page)

There was a silence as the Secret Servant looked round to make sure of his heading through the harbour. He then continued, "Ajator came to me to ask about a man called Obein Klarans."

"Yes, I remember Ajator mentioning him, the one spotted in Sulenfir."

"I looked into the man and it seems that he truly is an agent of the enemy. Or he is at best a double agent."

"And at worst?"

"At worst, the puzzle gets ugly. I am not sure, and I do not have proof, but I think your brother uncovered a plot to overthrow the Emperor or at least hurt the Empire."

"I knew it! Ajator is loyal."

"I think there is an enemy in power close to the Emperor who is orchestrating many of the Empire's current difficulties in order to weaken the Emperor. I think your brother knows who this is and confronted the man."

"Who is it?"

"Can you not guess? Who did Ajator attack?"

"Balegrim?" I hissed. The Master of the Secret Servants.

"Yes. Lord Luthis Balegrim. My employer, but also the man whom I suspect has been trying to have me removed for being far too inquisitive. I may be wrong, but if this is the case then your brother has bitten off more than he can chew, Malspire. Balegrim is always by the Emperor's ear. He runs the show in that he is the Emperor's eyes and ears in the world."

"The Emperor must be warned!"

"Of course, but will he listen? Balegrim is one of the thirteen advisors. We need proof before this can be brought before the Emperor."

"Then I must find Ajator. Together we can speak to my father. He will listen to Ajator, and the Emperor will listen to my father."

"Yes, but as you say, you must first find Ajator, and in that regards I can but help you to your ship and turn a blind eye as you sail away. I do not know where he can be found nor even if he is still alive. You however are his twin. If anyone can find him, it is you. You must find him."

I did not like Pavantu, yet here he was helping me to escape. Was this some cunning trick played in order to find Ajator by the Secret Servants? If so, Villor would probably have to have been involved in the planning, yet Villor seemed sincere. It did not matter however. I was now set on a path to hunt for my brother whether or not Pavantu was using me as bait.

"Then I shall seek him out."

"Good," said the Secret Servant, just as we came alongside the Dragonfly. "The agents of Balegrim will not know how you escaped, but should you remain here come sun up, you will be boarded so make haste, Malspire. One more thing..."

"Yes?"

"A fast messenger arrived today carrying a special cargo. You will find it in your cabin."

"Very well," I said, reaching for the climbing net that was waiting for me. Above in the darkness I could just make out Harl and Olvan.

"Good luck, Lord Ardalrion. Remember that you are now outcast from the Imperial and Ardalrion Navy. I will work with Lord Villor to make sure that any record of the taking of the Dragonfly is destroyed, making you a free agent. Villor will speak to his admirals and I will speak to those I trust. You will have allies but be secret in your moves and contact. Be cautious in your actions. Ride the shadows until you have what you seek. Balegrim is a dangerous man and he has the trust of the Emperor."

I nodded and began the climb. After a few steps, I stopped and turned to Pavantu who again was hidden by his hood. "Thank you," I said even though I did not trust the man, but if he was true then he deserved it, for he was risking as much as any in this plan. Pavantu did not answer but instead began the long haul back to land. On reaching the deck level I was helped over the gunwale by Harl after handing over the chest to Mister Olvan. Olvan stood with a grin on his face. I then saw Doctor Eebel, Jodlin, Willan and the rest of my crew, all smiling and seemingly happy to have their captain back. I supressed a smile as I nodded to Mister Olvan who saluted.

"I presume Mister Perti is below."

"As always, sir."

"Welcome back, Captain," said Harl. The others mumbled welcomes in the darkness. I was touched and again had to supress my joy at the sight of them all and the hope it instilled.

"Thank you all," I said. Should I say something else? "What are you all standing about for? We have a course and I want this ship turned about and at sea within the half hour."

"Yes, sir," said Olvan and began delivering orders to get the ship under way.

I then noticed Doctor Eebel nodding his head in the direction of the captain's cabin. Of course, Pavantu had mentioned something about a delivery.

"All senior crew to my cabin in twenty minutes."

With that I went to inspect my new cabin. Willan opened the door for me without a word, and I stepped into the lantern lit room where I came face to face with Veinara.

I was speechless. She stood before me in a blue dress and black coat. She was beautiful in the half shadows of the room, standing there, hands held together, a look of mixed joy and anxiety written on her face.

"Malspire." she said and smiled.

"Veinara… How...?"

"They came for me, Malspire. As soon as the trouble began. Your father was so upset about the news. He stalled them long enough for me to escape. Tell me you know what is going on. Tell me you know where Ajator is."

"I don’t know what is going on, nor where Ajator is. I am sorry. Why did you come here?" I was having trouble believing my own eyes. Less than an hour ago, I was sure I was going to die and would never set eyes upon this woman again, and now here she was standing before me.

She looked crestfallen but continued: "Why? Dear Malspire, don't you remember? You are my knight and I need you again. Ajator was not there. You were the first one I thought of when I could not find him. Now that I have found you, I know we can find him. Will you search?"

"Of course," I said. "We leave within the half hour. We will find Ajator and put things to right again."

She smiled again. I put her in the captain's chair and looked about myself. Someone had managed to find my hat, cutlass and knife which were placed on a side table. The engine juddered and men began to raise the anchor.

"I am sorry, Malspire."

I turned back to her. She looked fragile and vulnerable. "What for? This was not your doing."

"That's not what I meant. I am sorry for being so cruel to you."

I felt the old pain again, but said nothing. I did not want to admit to any of it, but found it hard to speak. Eventually I just nodded and said, "What do you know, Veinara? What did Ajator say?"

"Nothing. They say he attacked Lord Balegrim and then vanished. Before this there was no indication of trouble. Nothing. I had never even heard of this lord before."

"There must be something. Did he mention a man named Klarans? Did he speak of the rebellion at all?"

"No. We spoke of it sometimes but never more than what was written in the papers. I have never heard the name, Klarans. There is one thing however, probably unrelated but it is important all the same."

"Go on."

"I have told no one, but you should know," said Veinara, then hesitated. "The day he vanished, I had been to see a doctor."

"Are you unwell?"

"I am in good health, Malspire," she said with a brave smile and an odd glint in her eye.

She was beautiful now, the strength of character returning to her. I longed to hold her, to stoke her hair and kiss her, but it was a dream. She was now my sister in the eyes of the gods and the wife of my best friend and brother. 

"I am pregnant."

***

As the sun rose into a crisp, clear morning sky, the Dragonfly was making good speed through the Quarvor Sea. I stood alone on the castle, the others having the good sense to know when to leave me to my thoughts. I was pleased to have my men about me again. There was Mister Olvan, young but growing by the day. Willan, naive yet cunning, joking yet took his duties seriously. Jodlin, huge, frightening and yet all the while a comfort. Doctor Eebel, a man I was finally growing to respect. Grandon Harl, wise, silent and understanding. All reliable men, men I could trust. Men I had fought beside. Men I was proud to command. Below the pregnant wife of my lost brother slept. I wondered what the future held for us – all of us. I knew one thing for sure and that was that I had to find Ajator. I had to reunite the Ardalrions, and then, together we would bring Balegrim to account.

If only I knew then what I know now. Then, only the gods knew what fate had in store for us, and if I could see them, I would have despaired, for the gods cowered. The distant horizon of time crept inexorably closer, unstoppable, unforgiving, and it was, if mortal eyes could behold it, a black abyss.

###

About the Author

Nikolai Bird is a lead designer for a global web application company. When he is not designing, he is writing. When he is not writing, he is illustrating and has to date illustrated four children’s books. He also spent many years as an artist selling paintings worldwide, but his passion has always been reading and writing. This is his first novel and he hopes very much that you enjoyed it. To find out more about Nikolai and Malspire go to
www.malspire.com

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