Chapter Nineteen - Fear of Power

Mara backed off from Brendan, and turned towards Klicati.

“What do you mean?” she asked.
“He’s very obsessed with treasure,” Klicati stated. “Haven’t you noticed yet, Mara? That’s why he keeps coming in here. He wants some of your treasure.”
Mara snorted in disgust, smoke breathing from her nostrils. “Stupid mortals, coming in and trying to steal my treasure. Treasure is not for them, but for the king who cometh.”
“Does he even know of the king?” hissed Klicati, an evil gleam entering her eyes.
“I know not,” said Mara, as she turned back to Brendan.
“O Saint Leo, have mercy on me and pray for me,” Brendan murmured under his breath.
“You dare to enter the home of a Ligon without permission of the door ward?” she asked threateningly.
“I . . . I . . . I didn’t know there was a door ward!” he cried.

Steam hissed from her nostrils, and fire blew from her mouth. She rose back onto her legs, flapping her wings. “You will soon learn hereafter,” she said with a dragon like roar. “Go now, and do not return, or I shall surely kill you then.”

Brendan was as white as a sheet, and did not pause to say anything. He turned and ran back out of the lair and into the wood.

A few minutes later, the four travellers arrived at the mouth of a cave. Edmund turned to Kathryn, a slight frown on his face. His eye met Yoran’s for a brief moment, and he saw that though the Squirrel felt wary about travelling into there, he would not go against the wishes of a lady. And even on his own, Edmund knew that the squirrel would still enter.

“Is this the place, Kathryn?” he asked quietly.

She nodded quietly. Then she tightened her grip a bit on his arm, and took the first step into the lair. Moving slowly yet surely the four of them moved quietly further into the cave. As they turned the corner, Edmund caught a flash of red, and found himself face to face with a Ligon. She roared in anger at more trespassers, and let out a stream of smoke and fire.

“NO!” cried Edmund, as he swung his shield up to try and block Kathryn from being hit by the fire.
“Lady Kathryn!” Yoran cried, though he knew he could do nothing.

Jessica could say nothing, her face went white as she let out a voiceless scream, horrified at the sight before her. She could not, no, she could not die. It was not fair! She loved her sister, and wished dearly to be in her sister’s place.

Edmund’s shield was to no avail. Some of the fire hit his shield, but the rest blew full force into the face of Kathryn. And then, just as soon as it had begun, it ended. Kathryn was thrown to the ground, and Edmund stood in shock. Tears streamed down Jessica’s face, and Yoran turned to comfort the girl.

Hayden Potter smiled to himself as he sat in the palace that Sir Paulo had until recently claimed as his own. He had not sent Lady Genevieve away, but instead kept her, ordering her to be the head housekeeper. Potter sipped his tea thoughtfully as he glanced out his window. Guards in the uniform of the Seventeens were pacing the streets, throwing stern glances around to anyone they happened to pass by. All was quiet, and most was ready. A knock on the door brought a harsh interruption to the peaceful silence, and brought his mind from its conspiratorial thoughts to the present. A page entered, looking quite bashful and shy.

“Excuse me, my lord general, but, a messenger from the king has come to see you.”

Potter’s eyebrows shot up, and he quickly rearranged the papers on his desk.

“Show him up, please. Thank you.”

By the time that the messenger from King Orlando had arrived, Potter had straightened up his desk, to a civilized and cultured orderly fashion. He quietly and calmly sipped his tea as the messenger entered. Gently placing the tea cup back on its saucer, he turned his attention to the messenger of the king.

“Please, do, be seated sir,” he said with a cultured smile. “May I ask after your name?”
“I am Wayner, General Potter. I come from King Orlando, who is currently in Minelido.”
“So he did take the city,” said Potter. “That’s wonderful. With relative ease, I suspect?”
“Relative in what way, General? The King will always find his battles easy.”
“Oh, of course, Wayner, of course. Naturally. That is how it should be. But come, let us turn to other matters. What reason were you sent to me?”
“The King orders you to meet him in Minelido, with the majority of your army. He says for you to leave enough here to keep the city under control, and take the rest with you.”
“When must we leave, Wayner? Did the King specify?”
“Yes, he did, General. You are to leave early tomorrow morning and head immediately to Minelido. Then, when you and General Binks arrive, he will march on Aiulindale.”
“Very good. Thank you Wayner. I will see to it that you are supplied with food and a place to sleep tonight. We will be ready to ride come daybreak.”

The Eleven Knights found King Eldor pacing his tent, a thoughtful expression on his face. Sitting nearby was a girl, apparently the one who had come the night before. The Knights bowed, and waited for the king to begin to speak.

“Sit down,” the King said quickly to the Knights. Those that found seats did so, the rest remained standing. “You have heard the news?”
Sir Paulo shook his head. “No, we have not. What news is this, pray tell?”
“Our friend, Duke Orlando DiCaprio has proclaimed himself king of Elenaesia. Runners just arrived from Minelido and Ge’irdae. His men have captured both cities.”
“They captured Ge’irdae?” breathed Sir Bedwyr incredulously. “How could they have done that? And so soon?”
“The runner says that one of the Varnhyme was with them,” Eldor stated simply. “Apparently DiCaprio has also ordered the deaths of every woman or child named Cindy, Cynthia, or a variation of that name. The reasons why are unknown, but his men are already murdering these innocent victims.”
“The Princess!” cried Sir Taran.
“You should return to Aiulindale, Bob, my boy,” said Sir Rupert. “Maybe you can do something to save her.”
“I agree, King Eldor,” Sir Paulo said, stressing the Eldor part. “You should return back to the capital. Stay there, if only to protect your daughter.”
“Are you all in agreement on this?” asked Eldor.

Nods came from around the room. Cynthia settled back in her chair, pleased that she had been able to contact the King so quickly. But the news that the Duke had a Varnhyme disturbed her deeply. This could mean trouble for the King, trouble she did not wish to deal with. Yet deep inside she knew that it would be necessary.

General Binks strode into the courtyard of the palace in Ge’irdae. There was Draziw, his arms raised, his head lifted to the heavens, his eyes glowing the brilliant emerald. Then slowly, he lowered his arms, and bowed his head to the earth. The green glow to his eyes faded softly, taking its time, leaving behind the blue colour that seemed to match the midnight of his robe. He raised his head again, and turned towards Binks.

“What is it that you want, o mortal, that you disturb Draziw Varnhyme in his moment of solitude?” he asked sharply.
“You are mortal to, Draziw, never forget that,” snapped Binks.
“You will not refer to me as such, o mortal,” replied Draziw, his blue eyes blazing. “Instead, you shall call me Varderahyme, as it is in the ancient language.”
“Very well then, Varderahyme,” said Binks. “What have you found in your session of solitude now?”
“King Orlando desires you to take the majority of your army to meet him in Minelido.”
“That is all you found out?”
“Do you DARE to question me, o mortal?”
“Never, Varderahyme,” said Binks, with just a hint of sarcasm. “I am merely enquiring as to what else the King has desired or requested.”
“That is all, save that I travel with you. We will uproot the enemy from his seat, we will overturn the usurper from his throne, we will not fail!”

He lifted his head to the skies, raised his arms, and as his eyes glowed their brilliant green again, he uttered words in the ancient language. Then, dark clouds rolled over the sun, a loud clap of thunder echoed throughout the city, and lightening flashed. Then, he began to speak again, this time not in the ancient language.

“Bolt of the Heavens, listen to my voice! Bolt of the Heavens, hearken unto my cry! Bolt of the Heavens, be filled with the sounds I speak! Hearken to me, listen to me, pay attention to the sounds I voice! Come to me, o bolt from above! Dance for me, o bolt in the heavens! Declare thy majesty among the earth! Bolt of the Heavens, listen to my voice! Bolt of the Heavens, hearken unto my cry! Bolt of the Heavens, be filled with the sounds I speak! Hearken to me, listen to me, pay attention to the sounds I voice!”

As he spoke, the bolt of lightening danced in the sky above. It shone bright and clear against the dark background of the clouds. Then, it shimmered and shivered, and grew dim. The clouds rolled away, and Draziw returned from his trancelike state. He turned to General Binks.

“Do you now still doubt the power that is in me, Draziw Varnhyme? The power that I have? I can make even the lightening in the heavens bend to my will. Think of that power, and tremble before me, o mortal general. What is your position compared to mine? In that knowledge, despair. Prepare to leave.”