Shard Knight (Echoes Across Time Book 1) (35 page)

The last piece of information has to do with the meeting location. You’ll find the parties you seek in the southern city of Prynesse. Find the master priest as he’s sympathetic to our cause.

On a final personal note, I’ve long considered you the son I never had. But, I think you know that. You’ve brought great joy to my life during my golden years, and these last months especially have meant the world to me. You’ve grown into a splendid man, and I only wish I had the chance to watch you tap into your full potential. I’m sorry I never had the chance to meet your Rika, but I can see how much you love her. Life passes you by in the whisper of a moment. If you find happiness grab hold of it with both hands, and don’t let go. Never let it go.

It’s been a sincere honor knowing you,

Patron Tyrell

P.S Send my regards to Little Athena

Ronan’s chest tightened as he carefully folded the letter and placed it in the envelope.

Rika and Danielle stared at Ronan through red-rimmed eyes and tear streaked faces. Neither spoke as they stared into the fire’s glowing embers.

Ronan fought back tears. That emotion wouldn’t serve him. He’d grieve Patron in his own time.

“Thank you for sharing Ronan,” Kelwin said.

Danielle used the sleeve of her dress to dab at her eyes and nose. “Who’s Little Athena? She must’ve been important to Patron.”

“She was Master Tyrell’s goddaughter. I’d imagine Athena’s not so little these days. She worked the citadel’s kitchens when I trained there. Master Tyrell knew her parents and looked after her for them.”

“So, we’re going to Prynesse?” Keely said unmoved by the note.

“No. We won’t be going to Prynesse,” Ronan said.

“Why not?” Danielle frowned. “Tyrell’s note said we’d find your friends there. We can’t do this alone.”

A sly smile touched Ronan’s lips. “Even in death, the old fox still plays the game.”

“Why’re you speaking in riddles?” Rika said.

Ronan chuckled. “Tyrell’s letter is a riddle. Master Tyrell had a special relationship with the Prynesse priest. He’s an extreme zealot. It’s no coincidence the southern death camp is located near Prynesse. The priest insisted Pride build the death camp near his city so he could watch the heathens suffer. Tyrell detested the man.”

Danielle smiled. “If Pride stumbled on the note, he’d search Prynesse first. He’d proclaim the priest a traitor.”

“Precisely,” Ronan said.

Rika’s shoulders sagged. “The note doesn’t help us.”

“Master Tyrell told us where to go. You just have to looks for what’s hidden,” Ronan said.

Rika sighed. “Spill it Ronan.”

“The Golden Tap,” he said. “He used those words in his letter.”

“What’s the Golden Tap?” Danielle said.

“It’s an inn unlike any you’ve ever seen. When I was a boy, Sir Alcott would take me with him when he visited the western regions, and we stayed at the Golden Tap.”

“We can’t abandon Arber and Brendyn.” Keely said.

“And my father,” Rika said. “He’s held in the southern camp.”

“When we came to the northern camp, we used the element of surprise. Pride will expect us to hit the southern camp. He’ll have the place heavily reinforced.”

“He knows our strength. He may publicly deny the power of Ayralen shard magic, but he’s seen the truth,” Danielle said.

“Pride thrives on control. He’ll transfer your father Rika. And your friends Danielle. He’ll want them nearby,” Ronan said. “He’ll use them to draw us closer.”

“So that leaves the Golden Tap,” Kelwin said.

“Yes. Do you still have those shards Kelwin?” Ronan said.

“I do,” Kelwin said.

“Good. We’ll use the shards to reinforce our militia. Several former shard knights serve in the Meranthian Resistance. They already know how to use shard magic.”

Danielle raised an eyebrow. “Former?”

Ronan nodded. “Pride forced knights loyal to Tyrell to give up their shards or die. He wanted knights loyal to him serving in the Order.”

“Ronan! Look at your wound.” Rika said.

Rona stared wide-eyed at the flesh near his ribcage, and his jaw dropped. He ran his fingertips over smooth uninjured skin. Two small nearly invisible scars left the only sign of an injury. “Amazing.” He rubbed the twin scars raised on his hip. “You’re full of surprises Danielle.”

Danielle grinned. “It’s warden’s work. Never underestimate Ayralen healing.”

Ronan returned her smile. “I won’t.” He stood. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.” He crossed the clearing to his saddlebag, pulled free a clean shirt, and slipped it over his shoulders.

“Are we finished chitchatting?” Keely said.

“Yes, we can’t keep Sir Alcott waiting.” He slipped on his leather tunic and secured the bindings. “Kelwin can you dose the fire please?”

Kelwin scooped dirt onto the fire and broke camp.

“Rika and Keely. If you two could scout ahead, we’ll have a much easier time avoiding unwanted travelers.”

“No problem,” Keely said.

Ronan secured the straps on Reggie’s saddle. “Let’s go. The Golden Tap awaits.”

Pride’s Ally

The triumvirate of shard knights stood at attention in the king’s heart room. They’d remained still as Merric Pride spent the last three hours trying to activate Elan’s Heart using Danielle’s ring.

The orb hummed and danced with light as Pride cradled it in his palms, but Elan’s Heart never changed. Nothing overt came of his actions.

“Perhaps if you try it on a different finger Your Majesty?” Lord Randal said.

Pride rolled his eyes in disgust. “Why didn’t I think of that brilliant idea?” Sarcasm dripped from his words as he glared at Lord Randal. “Don’t you think I’ve tried you idiot! I’ve tried everything! Nothing works!”

Lord Randal stepped back. “Perhaps we need the other ring Your Majesty?”

“Of course! I’m so glad you’re here to dispense such sage advice. Why don’t you bring it to me, and I’ll try it.”

Lord Randal blushed. “I just meant -“

“What progress have you made with that cursed book of yours? We need answers.”

Lord Randal removed a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed his forehead. “I’m afraid progress has been slow Your Majesty.”

Slow heat throbbed like a hot coal nestled at the base of Pride’s neck. “What’ve you discovered?”

Lord Randal’s eyes shifted without returning his gaze. “I’m not sure it would interest Your Majesty. It’s tedious tidbits of information.”

“Spit it out Niles. For Elan’s sake just tell me.”

Lord Randal forced a nervous chuckle. “Well, for starters, according to the book, Lora’s Heart may in fact be real.”

The throbbing heat in Pride’s head graduated to a dull ache. He crossed the room and laid Elan’s Heart in the suspension chamber.

“That’s assuming the book’s real Your Majesty,” Lord Randal said dabbing the perspiration from his forehead.

“I’ve no doubt Ayralen shard magic exists Niles. I witnessed it myself. That doesn’t mean it’s not an abomination. Whatever Lora could do with her magic, today’s Ayralen savages have no business using it.”

Lord Randal’s head bobbed like a marionette on a string. “Yes, yes, Your Majesty. The book made it quite clear that Lora’s Heart controls Ayralen magic. Just as Elan’s Heart bestows its gifts on Meranthian citizens.”

“You must’ve discovered more from the book,” Pride said.

A thin smile stretched across Lord Randal’s bearded face. “If we find Lora’s Heart and destroy it, Ayralen magic dies.”

Pride’s eyebrows raised. “That stands to reason Niles. What does the book say about its location?”

Lord Randal chuckled and wiped trickles of sweat from his neck. “It’s funny you mention that Your Majesty. I haven’t yet discerned that particular smidgen of information.”

He couldn’t take much more of Niles’ yammering. He barked out, “how much longer Niles?”

Lord Randal flinched. “About that, I’m afraid at this exact moment in time, I’m not going to be able to gather that odd piece of information Your Majesty.”

“And that’s because…,” Pride said.

“It seems I no longer have direct hold of the book Your Majesty.”

His head pounded as a torrent of heat rushed through him like a blacksmith’s furnace. “You lost it! In Elan’s name how? And give me a direct answer or I’ll have you imprisoned. I’ve heard enough of your rambling.”

Lord Randal’s eyes bulged, and lines of sweat ran like a river from thin strands of hair plastered to his balding pate. “It was stolen Your Majesty.” The words spewed out as spittle flew from his mouth landing on Pride’s robe.

Pride removed a pristine snow-white handkerchief from the deep recesses of his robe and unfolded it. He located Lord Randal’s spittle and dabbed it away. “Details you imbecile. I need the details!” He screamed the last word as he barely contained a burning urge to beat Lord Randal to death with his bare hands.

Lord Randal squealed and hopped backward. “The girl Your Majesty! Miss Deveaux took it from me. Her friends transformed into those gigantic cats and threatened to kill me if I didn’t give it to them. I tried Your Majesty, oh how I tried, but they stripped it from me and humiliated me.” Tears fell down his face as his body shook, and he made no effort to contain his anguish.

Pride held open his arms as if to welcome Lord Randal in an embrace. “Come now Niles, it’ll be alright.”

Lord Randal melted into Pride’s awaiting arms and sobbed. “It was horrible Your Majesty. Truly horrible.”

“There, there Niles.” He patted the smarmy snail’s back. “We won’t let something like this happen again will we?”

“No, Your Majesty. Of course not.”

As Lord Randal sobbed into his clean white robe, Pride jerked his knee upward connecting with the relaxed stomach muscle of the blubbering squid.

Lord Randal let loose a guttural grunt and collapsed at Pride’s feet. He writhed and curled into a protective ball as his hands clutched his stomach.

Dark energy swirled in Pride’s subconscious mind begging for release, but Elan willed restraint. He couldn’t kill Lord Randal as much as wanted to. Not yet. “How could you let that book of filth escape your hands? You should’ve died protecting it you vermin!”

Lord Randal writhed on the floor gasping for breath.

“What’s your plan for recovering the book Lord Randal? How do I stop the public outrage when the dirty lies inside its covers spread? I should’ve destroyed that damned book when I had the chance. Why did I let you talk me into keeping it?” A fresh blaze of anger swept over him, and he kicked the whimpering fool in his lower back.

With a stifled wheeze, Lord Randal stiffened on the ground and remained motionless.

Pride called forth energy enough to level a village and let it ripple along his outstretched fingertips. Ropes of dark blue shard magic sizzled between his fingers forming a spider web of horror. Dark energy danced and twisted sparking outward toward the immobile Minister of Internal Affairs.

Lord Randal groaned twisting like an injured fawn dragged into the belly of the lion’s den.

Pride pulled in deep calming breaths. This disaster never would’ve befallen him if the Ayralen shard weavers hadn’t meddled in his business. He’d make them regret their decision. “Niles, get up.”

Pride released the thick strands of energy. A sad emptiness filled him as the shard magic receded into the depths of his subconscious mind.

Lord Randal groaned and rolled onto his hands and knees. Unintelligible squeaks emanated from his throat as he tried to stand.

Pride ran a hand through his thick gray hair, and regret washed over him like a man late for church. “For Elan’s sake Niles, I’m sorry I struck you. I lost my temper.” He reached down and helped him to his feet.

“Don’t apologize Your Majesty.” He doubled over pulling in short breaths. “You’re right. I should’ve given my life to save the book.”

“If you’d sacrificed your life, I wouldn’t know where to find the book.” Pride said. “No, I’ve another way Niles. Have the Ayralen prisoners arrived?”

Lord Randal struggled to stand. “Yes, Your Majesty. All three arrived this morning.” Color crept into Lord Randal’s face as he straightened his uniform jacket. “Professor Finn and the two pagans we captured with Miss Deveaux.”

“What’s their physical condition? Have they weakened from hunger?”

Lord Randal shook his head. “Quite the opposite Your Majesty. They’ve managed to keep up their strength despite the…,” he cleared his throat, “conditions of colony life.”

“Good. Make sure the biggest man is in the isolation cell. We can’t afford his escape, and bring me the thin weaselly man that traveled with Miss Deveaux. He carried the red staff.”

Lord Randal winced, and he rubbed his lower back. “As you command Your Majesty.” He shuffled from the chamber, and shut the heavy iron doors behind him.

A slight smile stretched across Pride’s bone white cheeks. Elan had shown him the way.

Elan’s Heart rotated in the suspension chamber. The hypnotic tracers of shifting and swirling light begged Pride forward.