The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde (38 page)

To Chyfe, Chad asked, “What do you think?”

“I never heard of Catha being referred to as Kartha before,” admitted Chyfe. “My father may know more about this than I do though.”

“What about the coat of arms?” asked Riyan. “Ever seen anything like that?”

“Two headed falcon?” he asked. When Riyan nodded he said, “One head looking left, the other looking right?”

“Yes,” replied Riyan.

“Maybe I have,” he said. “The island of the lake that Catha sits on is considered to be cursed and no one goes there. So of course as a boy I had to find out why.” He paused as he thought back to a day almost ten years ago. “Two friends and I borrowed a boat from a neighbor and rowed out to the island. We spent the better part of a day poking about the island. It was high adventure for three lads, alone in a cursed place and all. The island itself was pretty sizable, it would take over an hour to walk from one side to the other.

And that’s across its narrowest point.”

Turning his attention to Riyan he said, “Your tome was correct about there being ancient ruins. We came across a dense copse of trees that had overgrown one such area. It was along the northern tip of the island and it was there that I saw…”

“What?” urged Soth. “What did you see?” He and the others were hanging on his every word.

“It may have been the coat of arms which you are looking for,” he replied, “but I’m not sure. The ruins itself was all but overgrown with vegetation and trees. We found the remnants of what had to have been a monolith of some size. I think at some time in the past, one of the trees that had overgrown the place must have toppled over and struck it.

For it lay on its side with the decaying bole of a tree lying atop it. It must have broken apart when it hit the ground for there were only two sections left intact, the rest of it was a pile of rubble.”

“One of the larger chunks of the monolith that had broken off bore the heads of the falcon that you just described,” he explained.

“Was there anything else there that you might recall about the ruins?” Riyan asked.

“No. We spent the rest of the day there and left before the sun went down,” he replied. “Never did find out why it was considered cursed.” Riyan sat back and thought about it. “Sounds like we need to go there,” he concluded.

Maybe there were ghosts that appeared there as they had during the wee hours of the night in Algoth. If so, that would account for the belief it was cursed.

Once they finished eating, they made their way up to the second floor and found the room in which Swordmaster Terril was pouring over dispatches from other Guilds. When he saw them at his door he waved for them to come in then returned his attention back to the dispatch he had been reading.

Riyan stepped in first and said, “Good morning Swordmaster.” The others offered their greetings as well. The Swordmaster merely nodded as he continued reading the dispatch. When he was finished he set the dispatch on the pile with the others and looked up at the Armsmen before him.

“Well gentlemen,” he began. “I had expected you to be here before now.” Seth glanced at Riyan nervously.

“You did say to come here after we ate,” Chyfe stated.

“Hmmm,” he said. On his desk were five scrolls tied with a wide, red ribbon sitting side by side. He picked up one and handed it to Chad. Then he did the same with the rest until they each held one.

“These scrolls are a declaration by our Guild that you are Armsmen,” he explained.

“Don’t lose them.”

“We won’t,” replied Riyan.

“Guard it with my life,” Chyfe assured him.

Swordmaster Terril grinned at Chyfe’s statement. “They’re not that important Armsman Chyfe. Word will be sent to all the Guilds that you have attained the rank of Armsmen. Though, it could take time for word to reach those a far distance away.”

“Thank you Swordmaster,” Chad said.

“I’m sure you all will bring honor to our Guild,” he said. “Now, there’s another matter through which you may show your gratitude to your Guild.”

“Yes Swordmaster?” questioned Soth.

Riyan groaned. He had a good idea what it was that was going to be asked of them.

“As you know, an attack was made on the town of Sandlun to the south,” he explained. “Duke Knor has made a request of the Guild to send any and all newly raised Armsmen to help increase our presence along the border. He fears there may be further attacks.”

“I understand there is already a sizeable presence down there,” Riyan said. The tone of his voice drew Swordmaster Terril’s gaze.

“True,” he agreed. “However, such a request must be honored.”

“Do we have to go?” Chad blurted out before he could stop himself.

Swordmaster Terril leaned back in his chair and stared at the five Armsmen before him. “The Guild does not rule its members, body and soul,” he explained. “This is merely a request by the Guild for its members to uphold its honor.” He could see in the faces of the men before him that they were reticent about acceding to such a request. “What reason could there be that would make you wish to refuse to uphold the Guild’s honor?”

“As you may have heard,” began Riyan, “a friend of ours recently had his estate attacked. He’s but an apprentice who is about to test for Practitioner. It was his hope, and ours, that we would take employment with him and provide protection in the event of any further attacks once he had attained the new rank.”

“Hmmm,” he murmured again. “All of you?”

“Well, Chad and I at any rate,” he replied.

“And us too,” added Seth. Soth nodded next to him.

“I doubt if four Armsmen would be enough to withstand another attack,” added Chyfe. “It might be best if I were to be included along with the others.” At that, Swordmaster Terril raised his eyebrows in surprise. It had been well known that Chyfe had always intended to head south and win his fame on the border. “You, Armsman Chyfe?” he asked.

“Yes sir,” Chyfe replied. “After what we went through together in the Ki’ Gyrx Forest, I would not wish to abandon my comrades.”

“A noble sentiment,” he said. Then he nodded. “If that is your wish, the Guild will hardly stand in your way.”

Riyan felt relieved. He had feared that more pressure would have been exerted on them to comply with the Guild’s request.

“I wish you luck and fame in your endeavors Armsmen,” he said to the five men before him. “And always remember, when you are in need, the Guild is here for you.”

“Thank you Swordmaster,” Riyan said. The others nodded in agreement.

Realizing they had been dismissed, they turned about and left Swordmaster Terril’s office. Once they were back on the stair and heading down to the ground floor, Riyan asked, “You guys really planning on accompanying us to Catha?”

“Of course,” Seth said.

“There may be renown to be won down on the border,” Chyfe said, “but what you and Chad are embarking upon could be an adventure destined for the sagas.”

“I hardly think that,” Chad replied with a chuckle.

As he stepped from the bottom step, Riyan paused and turned to his three new companions. “Remember, not a word about anything to anyone,” he cautioned. When he received their nods he turned back and resumed his progress back to their barrack. Once there, he began collecting his things and began putting them in his travel pack. Despite having been there for awhile, he really didn’t have that much to take with him.

“I better let my father know what’s going on,” Chyfe said. When Riyan turned to him he held up a hand to forestall the reproach Riyan had on his lips. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell him where we’re going or what we’re doing. Just that I’m traveling with my fellow Armsmen on to adventure.”

Riyan nodded. “As long as that’s all you tell him,” he said. Then to Seth and Soth he asked, “Will you two need to take your leave of your family as well?” Seth nodded.

“Then why don’t you three do that right away and meet us out at the estate,” he suggested. He gave them a quick rundown on how to reach it.

Having finished packing what items he had, Chad slung his pack over his shoulder and waited for Riyan to finish.

“I’m going to head up to the Archives before we leave,” Riyan told him. “I want to say goodbye to Stryntner.”

“I understand,” Chad said. Then he thought of one young beauty he hadn’t seen in awhile and said, “I’ll meet you out at Kevik’s.” When Riyan gave him a crooked smile, he blushed which caused Riyan to laugh.

“Thought so,” Riyan said.

“I’m out of here,” Chad announced and turned for the door.

“Wait a second and I’ll go with you,” Chyfe said. Soon he, Chad, and the twins were leaving the barrack while Riyan finished packing his belongings alone.

As soon as he had his packs ready to go, he set them on his bed and then left the barrack. He went up to the third floor and found the door to the Archives open. It usually was during the day if Stryntner was inside.

“Keeper?” he said as he entered the Archives. Glancing around, he didn’t immediately see the old man. Then he caught sight of gray hair in the back and made his way through the free standing bookshelves.

Stryntner was standing by one of the bookshelves with a tome opened in his hands.

He held his face close as he used his one good eye to read the words upon the pages.

“Ahem.” Riyan cleared his throat unobtrusively to let Stryntner know he was there.

The old man looked up from his book and turned his head towards Riyan. “Ah young Riyan,” he said. “I was just thinking about you.”

“I don’t know if you’ve heard or not,” Riyan began, “but I’ve been raised to Armsman. I’ve employment elsewhere and won’t be able to come and transcribe for you any longer.”

“Yes,” nodded Stryntner, “I believe I did hear something about that during my morning meal.” He turned to the bookshelf and placed the tome he had been reading back on the shelf. “I would like to give you something for all the help you’ve been.”

“That isn’t necessary,” Riyan assured him. “I enjoyed my time here.” Turning to face Riyan, Stryntner stared at him for a moment before saying, “Come with me.” He moved past Riyan and made his way to his room in the back.

Riyan followed him until he came to the doorway leading into the old man’s room, then came to a stop. He waited at the doorway while the old man passed through his room and disappeared into another. Other than where he stood, the doorway through which Stryntner had just passed was the only other exit from the room he called home. A moment later, he reappeared with a thin book in his hand.

“Here,” he said as he handed the book to Riyan.

Taking it, Riyan noticed right away that this was no aged tome, but one with relatively new binding. “Thank you,” he said.

Stryntner nodded and then began escorting him to the door of the Archives. “I hope you find what you’re looking for young Riyan,” he said. Once he had walked Riyan to the Archives’ door, he promptly turned about and headed back into the Archives.

“Goodbye Keeper,” Riyan said as Stryntner walked away. When no reply came from the old man, Riyan returned back down to the barrack. Once there he put the book into his pack and then slung it over his shoulder.

He cast one final look around at the barrack before heading out.

Over an hour before the third bell, Kevik arrived at the Tower of the Magi. With staff in hand, he entered the Hall and found a good place to sit while he waited for the appointed time. This time of morning, there were few others than himself within the hall.

There were two magic users engaged in a heated discussion not too far from where Kevik sat. The third and final person in the Hall was quietly sitting in a corner, reading near one of the glowing spheres the Tower uses for light.

He was ready. With a good night’s sleep and a light breakfast earlier this morning, he was primed for what was to come. He ran through the spells he planned to do for the Magi and was confident they would give him little trouble. After all, if he could cast them during the heat of battle, doing so before the Magi shouldn’t be too difficult.

After sitting there for some time, he noticed two robed individuals entering the Hall from the front entrance. One was young, maybe even younger than he was while the other was much older. It dawned on him that the younger must be another Apprentice who was taking the Test today. The older magic user would then be his master. They quickly found a place off by themselves and took their seats.

Two other Apprentices with their masters joined Kevik and the other pair in the hall before the appointed time. He couldn’t help but feel saddened by how fate had robbed him of his master. Master Mage Allar by rights should be here to stand by his apprentice.

Now he could only do so in spirit. Kevik vowed to himself that he would do his master proud.

When three bells finally arrived, the large door opened and a Seeker stepped forth. He took four steps into the Hall and announced, “All Apprentices seeking to be raised to Practitioner, please come forward.”

Kevik immediately came to his feet and crossed the room. The other Apprentices with their accompanying masters did the same. Once he and the others stood before the Seeker, the Seeker said, “Follow me.” Then without further preamble, the lad turned about and passed through the door. They fell in line behind the departing Seeker, each Apprentice walked beside their master. Kevik found himself behind the second such pair, with the final pair bringing up the rear.

He had never been in this part of the Tower before. The few times his master had business beyond this door, he had been forced to wait in the Hall until his return. Now though, here he was. It didn’t look much different than the other areas he’d frequented with his master. Doors lined the hallway through which they were passing, with the odd adjoining hallway here and there.

The Seeker went down for a ways then turned into one of the side hallways. Lined with a reddish purple carpet, this hallway was much better accoutered than any section of the Tower Kevik had yet seen. There were niches in the walls on either side that held a variety of items. The ones to the right contained busts of men, most likely important magic users of times past, while the niches on the left each held a single item. By the time they arrived at the ornate double doors at the end of the hallway, he had seen a dozen different items ranging from a rather plain looking scroll, to a gem encrusted amulet which must have cost a king’s ransom. He was sure they were magical in one form or another and wondered what they did.