Arts of Dark and Light: Book 01 - A Throne of Bones (98 page)

“I believe I comprehend the gist of it,” Theuderic broke in. He was never able to retain anything he learned by listening, but preferred reading things for himself, although that was hardly an option here. “You think this thing in the palace is one of these Watchers?”

“I think it is a very real possibility,” Silvertree said. “And if that is the case, he will not be the only Watcher who has been roused to action by the present course of the moon and stars. That is why I am going to suggest that you both leave for the north as soon as you can. You must tell your king to prepare his realm for war on a scale that he has never before imagined. You may also assure him that, for as long as the situation persists, he need not waste his forces patrolling his borders against our kind. Before you go, I will prepare a letter to that effect.”

“A letter?” Theuderic asked dubiously. “I can’t imagine you’re empowered to bind the high king in such a way.”

“The gods themselves couldn’t bind the high king even if they wished. I’m not promising anything. I’m merely suggesting that if your king sees fit to take the initiative, he will likely find King Mael unusually inclined to listen, given how I have been providing him with the same information I give to you now.”

“I see. But I don’t understand something. Just because we can’t kill these creatures, at least not permanently, it doesn’t mean they’ve got any interest in men or elves. If they’ve been around for thousands of years, they obviously haven’t done us any real harm over all that time. Why are you suddenly so concerned about them now—because one of them might have killed a few celestes? The Church can always make more. The Sanctiff just named two new ones yesterday!”

“I think I may know why,” Lithriel said, looking up from the scroll that she’d continued reading silently. “It says, ‘All the earth has been corrupted by the effects of the teaching of Arazayel. To him therefore ascribe the whole crime, bind him hand and foot; cast him into darkness; and opening the desert which is in Dudael, cast him in there. Throw upon him hurled and pointed stones, covering him with darkness. But Arazayel learned of Qelbara’s words, and with the aid of Amarazak he raised up a great and mighty army of orcs, with which he threw down Qelbara, he who had been the chief of the Watchers, and set up a mighty fortress, which he called Yhaddiloud, where he awaited the opening of the Door of Shadows.’ That Door of Shadows must be some sort of portal to the new earth the leader of their people, Mazyeha or whatever his name was, led them.”

“Masyaza,” Silvertree corrected her. “That is indeed the crucial passage. As to the notion that the Watchers have done men and elves little harm over the ages, do allow me to disabuse you of that notion, magician. My researches have led me to conclude that one Watcher or another has been behind the irruption of the Witchkings five hundred years ago—and the great War of the Three Races that led to the destruction of the elven kingdoms of Arathaim and Falas five hundred years before that.

“Furthermore, I suspect your northern reavers would contest your assumption that no Watcher has done them harm, if I am correct concerning the remarkable rise of those you call ulfin. Neither of our races have ever feared war, but I believe several of the most terrible wars this world has known are the result of one or more Watchers attempting to take control of the gate that provides access to the various dimensional planes.”

“You seem to know a lot about this,” Theuderic said.

“I daresay I know more than any living being who is not a Watcher himself, save one. Few elves credit their existence, as there are hundreds if not thousands of references to other, equally outlandish beings to be found in the royal library in Elebrion. And you are likely the only man who has ever heard of them. When I was at the Collegium, I studied under Gilthalas and composed a paper on the topic. It’s always been of interest to me. So when the opportunity to come to Amorr presented itself, I seized it.”

“Why would a Watcher be in Amorr? Why not Savondir? Or the Wolf Isles, if you think a Watcher is behind the ulfin there?”

“Based on what Gilthalas and I have gleaned from oblique references and suggestive phrases in various old documents, there is a certain pattern I have observed in the past cycles of what I tend to think of as Watcher wars. The gate opens for a short period of time, more likely measured in weeks than months, and in a location that is not only unknown but is different than the previous occasions.

“However, the Watchers—at least, those interested—appear to have a good idea when it is going to appear. In preparation for its appearance, they raise armies by manipulating the lesser races, particularly the races of men and orcs, presumably because they are more numerous and warlike, then make use of these armies to gain control of the area in which the shadow door will appear. Or where it can be summoned, perhaps. We know very little of the door itself or the intentions of the various Watchers regarding it. We can only make reasonable assumptions based on the actions of those they are manipulating.”

“Why do you suppose they don’t make use of us?” Lithriel asked the high elf.

“Elves are too few, for one thing. We’re too long-lived, for another. Five hundred years, give or take a half-century, appears to be the cycle, and while that’s eight lifetimes for a man and twelve or fifteen for an orc, there are scores of elves who would live from one cycle to the next. So we’re probably less susceptible to their manipulation. Although, who is to say they don’t do so in more subtle fashion? In the end, it was the Collegium that put down the Witchkings, after all.”

“When is this Door of Shadows going to open?” Theuderic asked. “Or appear, or be summonable? You obviously believe it’s going to happen soon.”

“From what I can see, the players are still selecting their pieces and moving them into position. If we look to what I believe to be the most recent example, it was seven years between when the Witchkings came to power and when they first began to spread across Wagria.”

This, at least, was history with which every King’s mage was familiar. “The first records in which the Witchkings appeared was as a heretical death cult in the Margravate of Thauron twelve years before Thule Ahnenvater killed the margrave and crowned himself king.”

“I did not know that,” Silvertree mused. “I must confess, it never occurred to me that there might be useful documents in the possession of Men.”

“Men can be useful for all sorts of things,” Lithriel said, with a surreptitious wink at Theuderic. “Would you like me to see if they have any useful records that might reference either the Witchkings or the Watchers at L’Academie when we return?”

“Indeed. But I think you should consider returning considerably sooner than you have likely been intending. By which I mean that you should leave the city tonight. Do not even return to the Sanctiff’s palace.”

Theuderic stared at the high elf in amazement. He turned to Lithriel and saw that she too was nonplussed by Silvertree’s unexpected suggestion. “I presume you have some reason for recommending such a drastic action,” Theuderic asked. “Do you genuinely believe we might be in danger from the Watcher there, even if one is truly hidden within the curia? I can’t imagine the Church itself wishes either the Lady Everbright or me any harm.”

“I doubt the Church intends either of you any harm,” the high elf said. “Even if they look upon your relationship with the lady elfess with little more approval than the high king would. But you are the only one who has detected magic where there should be none, and I doubt that after it has been given time to reflect upon the matter, it will hesitate to eliminate anyone who might threaten to expose it and upset its plans. Both you and the lady present a potential problem to it, since I am certain it knows nothing of the nature of elven sorcery and would therefore not be aware that you are no longer a sorceress, Lady Everbright.

“These beings are very cunning, adept at hiding themselves and their true intentions, and they are ruthless even by elven standards. No Watcher would hesitate to kill any number of lesser beings from the younger races rather than accept even a small risk of its plans being disrupted. And I fear your visit here may well have alarmed it, as where would one go to learn about them but to an elf?”

“I don’t understand,” Lithriel said. “How could we disrupt its plans?”

“By exposing it as a practitioner of the dark arts,” Theuderic said before Silvertree could respond. “Which, here in Amorr, amounts to anything that even remotely smacks of magic or sorcery. But will all due respect, my lord Ambassador, this is all very farfetched. We don’t even know if one of these things exists anymore, still less that it intends us any harm.

“That is true. We know nothing for certain. We merely have a few points of information from which the pattern is drawn, and perhaps it is the wrong one. But you may wish to keep in mind that one does not live five centuries without learning to keep an askance eye on everyone and devote a thought or two to their fouler possibilities. When dealing with men, I have learned to expect the worst, and I am very seldom disappointed.”

“They surprise you sometimes,” Lithriel said, flashing a rare smile at him. It was sweet, but it was like a dagger probing at the guilt and shame he carried deep within him. “But even if we were to heed your advice, how would you propose we leave the city tonight? All of our clothing and possessions are at the palace. Can you send for them?”

“And there is the matter of my men.” Theuderic pointed out. “I can’t simply abandon them here in Amorr without even telling them that I’m leaving.”

“Where are they? Did they accompany you to the palace?”

“No, we had a troop escort of about thirty men-at-arms. They were forced to wait outside the outer wall, although I think they were permitted to stay in a barracks of some sort in that ring between the walls. I don’t know where, although I recall someone told me it was near a church.”

The high elf shook his head. “If you don’t know where they are, there is nothing we can do. If it’s possible, I will have my colleague see if he can find them after you’ve gone and let them know you’ve already left the city. If you wish, I can provide you with some writing materials, and you can leave them a message. But I don’t think you need fear for them. They’ve done no wrong, and I expect they’ll simply be ordered out of the city like any other group of foreigners.”

“This is lunacy!” Theuderic slammed his fist down upon the arm of the chair in which he was seated. “I haven’t agreed to go anywhere! Lithriel, we don’t actually know that any Watcher even exists. For all I know, the Church could be keeping a pet elf somewhere in that vast mausoleum. Someone has to train the Michaelines, after all. And even if there was one of these immortal beings lurking in the bowels of the Coviria, we have no reason to assume that its presence is unknown to the Church hierarchy or to believe it intends us any harm at all! The fact that you’ve survived for five centuries doesn’t mean that your paranoia is justified, my lord Ambassador. I simply must return to the palace.”

The high elf spread his hands and shrugged. “You may well be correct. But if you do return to the palace today, I should still like to suggest that you leave Lady Lithriel here.

Lithriel made a face. “I don’t know if that’s necessary.”

“No, that’s not a bad idea,” Theuderic said. “If I’m wrong and the Lord Ambassador is justified in his concerns, at least you’ll not suffer for it. I’ll have a better chance of escaping by myself too. It’s not likely that they’d hold us in the same cell. And don’t forget: I do have some protection by virtue of my being a representative of the king. You don’t. My lord, could you get her out of the city, if need be?”

“Of course,” Silvertree assured him.

Theuderic heard a noise from the corridor, and then the door opened into the sitting room in which they were seated.

It was the elf who had first greeted them at the door when they’d arrived, and although he looked as indifferent as ever, his words were alarming.

“There appear to be a large number of soldiers gathering outside the residence, Ambassador. Someone was knocking on the door, but I presumed we do not wish to permit them to enter, so I refrained from answering it. However, I expect it will not be long before they apply more vigorous measures.”

Theuderic and Lithriel looked at each other in dismay.

Silvertree rose to his feet, though not hastily.

“What sort of soldiers, Miroglas?”

“Most are wearing white armor with red cloaks. I saw some wearing legionary-style armor with gold cloaks too.”

“The Curian Guard and the Order of Saint Michael,” Silvertree commented. “It appears I may have miscalculated how eager the Church is to retain your company, magician.”

“Or the Watcher within it.”

“As you say. Do you find yourself now more willing to credit my concerns?”

“Somewhat,” Theuderic allowed. The presence of the Michaelines was particularly troubling. It indicated an expectation of resistance by someone with magical abilities. But was it his resistance or the high elf’s that they were anticipating? “I will admit that the level of interest appears excessive.”

“I suggest we see what they want. Miroglas, I assume you barred the door.”

“Indeed, Lord Ambassador.”

“Then let us go and see what the good priestlings have to say to us.”

“Are you mad?” Theuderic protested. “You can’t simply open the door and go out to them!”

“Whoever said anything of the kind?” The elf lord winked at Lithriel. “I had in mind we should address them from the roof. As for the door, I have already raised the wards. They will not be entering that way.”

As he spoke, there was a loud explosion and a barely audible cry from the gathering crowd outside.

“You see? I imagine our visitors are already learning the foolishness of attempting to force the door. No doubt the windows will be next. Come, follow me, and let us learn the reason for this most undiplomatic intrusion.”