Shard Knight (Echoes Across Time Book 1) (37 page)

“Without the book Your Majesty we -“

The whiny shrill of Lord Randal’s voice set his head throbbing. “Yes Niles. I know.”

“That’s all I know Your Majesty,” Brendyn said. “I’ve kept my end of the bargain.”

“Yes indeed you have, but I’m afraid I’m going to need another favor.”

“But, Your Majesty I -“

Pride gripped Brendyn’s manacled wrist. He reached inside his mind and gathered enough magic to kill a man several times over. He squeezed the spirit energy into a concentrated pinpoint no larger than a pebble. “No, Mister Hartel. I’m not quite finished with you.”

Brendyn stared with wide-eyed fear at the compressed spirit energy drifting toward him. “I’ve fully cooperated. You promised.”

Pride gathered the dark blue sphere above Brendyn’s wrist and willed it forward letting it sink into the Ayralen’s skin.

Brendyn jerked away his hand as if he’d touched a hot stove. Panic locked his jaw shut, and his eyes widened with fear. “What did you do to me?”

“Do you feel that Mister Hartel? Do you feel it working inside you?” Pride said.

Brendyn shook his hand as if trying to shake loose a bug that had landed on his skin. “It’s moving. I can feel it moving inside my arm.”

“It’s Elan’s spirit Mister Hartel. It travels through your veins and lodges deep inside your heart. It’ll remain small enough to cause you no harm for a week. After seven days, it expands at a rapid rate.”

“But, but…I gave you what you wanted.”

Pride put on his best smile. “There’s nothing to fear. I can remove Elan’s little gift when you deliver. But, if it takes longer than a week, give or take a day, well…just don’t take longer than a week. Okay?”

The blood drained from Brendyn’s face. “Deliver what?”

“The ring of course. Mister Latimer’s ring and the book. I need them both.”

“But I don’t know where they are. I can’t begin to guess. I’ve never been to Meranthia.”

“Then I suggest you find a way. If you deliver the book and the ring, I’ll remove the…gift, and give you everything else I promised earlier.” He held up a hand. “By Elan’s name, I do solemnly promise.”

Brendyn shook his head. “You can’t do this to me.”

“Niles, please return Mister Hartel’s staff and pouch before sending him on his way. I’ve a feeling he’ll be needing those.”

“Yes Your Majesty. I’ll make sure he has them.”

Brendyn trembled as he shuffled across the room led by Lord Randal.

“Remember Mister Hartel, you’ve one week to return with the book and ring. I’ll be watching. You can bet your life on it.”

Brendyn glanced over his shoulder. “Yes…Your Majesty. I’ll do it.” Brendyn’s words came out in a hoarse whisper.

Pride’s headache had disappeared. He whistled the seventh hymn of Meranthia as he watched the beautiful lights swirl in Elan’s Heart.

The Golden Tap

At the road’s end, the legendary Golden Tap glistened like an emerald on the edge of Lake Latimer. Freehold’s upper crust visited the inn during summer retreat season. Its breathtaking views offered time and space for quiet reflection, but the music, dancing, and atmosphere kept people coming back season after season. Any socialite seeking attention vacationed at the Tap.

Danielle pushed her palm against her bouncing golden curls. “How do I look?”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was talking to the queen herself,” Ronan said. “Don’t forget your accent. You have to sound Meranthian or they’ll toss us out.”

“How do I sound now? Do I sound like you?” Danielle’s accent transformed from the flowing rhythmic tone common in Ayralen to the halted choppy Meranthian style.

“You don’t sound like me, but you sound exactly like mother. It’s frightening,” Ronan said.

Danielle blushed. “I just wish we didn’t have to steal gold from that caravan,” she said.

“They were slavers Danielle.”

Her expression soured. “You’re sure?”

Ronan rolled his eyes and pulled his hat low on his head. “Remember, I’m your servant. Treat me like one. Come on let’s go inside.”

Danielle waved overhead signaling to Keely the all-clear. “I’ll remember.” She tucked a small black poodle into her over-sized handbag and pushed open the shimmering door to the Golden Tap.

Black and white marble tiles covered the spacious entryway floor. Gold paint covered the walls accented by polished oak molding. A large floor-to-ceiling mirror ran along the wall separating the entryway from the main dining room. Gold light fixtures mounted every few feet emitted a soft glow giving the room an air of magic.

From within the Golden Tap’s main dining room, opera music tripped like wind drifting on a summer breeze. Looking up from a reservation book, a middle-aged man dressed in a formal suit and thin black bow tie smiled at Danielle and Ronan as they entered.

He wore an expression of genuine warmth as he prepared to greet Danielle. “Welcome to the -” He froze mid-sentence, and his face turned as white as a bag of bleached flour. His eyes widened as he gawked unable to speak.

Ronan cleared his throat. “Good evening, might you have a dinner table open for the lady?”

The man shook his head emerging from the daze. “I’m sorry. I apologize for my rude behavior. It’s your appearance. You resemble…”

“The queen? I hear that constantly.” Danielle waved him off with her white gloved hand. “It’s okay. With the looks I get, you’d think I was her long lost daughter or something.” Danielle scratched behind the poodle’s ear nestled in her bag. “Isn’t that right puppet.”

He bowed. “Yes. Well then, let me be the first to welcome you to the Golden Tap. My name is Rory.”

“I’ve heard so much about this wonderful inn, but I haven’t had the chance to visit. It’s a remarkable place.”

“Thank you Miss…”

“Miss Willow. Anna Willow,” Danielle said.

“Rory,” Ronan said. “Miss Willow will require a table for two this evening.”

“Yes. I’m afraid that won’t be possible. We sold out Marisa Madsen’s performance weeks ago. But, you’re welcome to visit the bar. I’ll add you’re name to the waiting list, and, should a table open, I’ll make sure you receive the first available.”

Ronan produced a gold coin from his suit pocket and slid it onto Rory’s desk. “Thank you Rory, but could you double check your reservation log? Maybe there was a last minute cancellation.” He pointed toward the reservation book leaving the coin unattended.

Rory’s hand flashed, and the coin disappeared as Rory feigned interest in the reservation log. His eyes gleamed as he nodded. “My eyesight grows worse every year. I do see a cancellation right here.” He pointed to some scribbles in his reservation book. “I’ve a table open near the veranda. Please follow me.”

Danielle followed the gray-haired steward through the marbled entryway, around the mirrored wall, and into the inn’s crowded dining room.

In the room’s center a young woman with a pitch perfect voice sang atop a raised circular stage. Beneath her, an orchestra performed accompanied her from a recessed pit playing in perfect timing with her voice.

Along the room’s back end Lake Latimer glistened under a cloudless twilight sky. Shafts of orange and yellow sunlight spread across the veranda filtering into the dining room’s interior. The architect had taken advantage of the Golden Tap’s scenic outdoor view as the indoor seating merged with the exterior veranda giving the entire room the feel of floating on water.

Danielle marveled at the Ayralen inspired design. Most buildings in the Heartwood took advantage of this architectural style.

Guests lined every inch of available space along the sidewalls converging into the bar where people stood shoulder to shoulder. Dozens of tables filled the main dining hall stretching onto the veranda where every table held guests. The exterior portion of the Golden Tap came equipped with an outdoor bar crammed with people craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the beautiful opera star.

Danielle couldn’t imagine where Rory planned on seating them. He’d spoken the truth about the sold-out show.

All eyes locked on the captivating young woman singing a beautiful soprano. Tear streaked faces mixed with expressions of awe and rapture. An obese man near the stage sobbed openly dabbing at a river of tears running down his quivering jowls.

Rory raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Three Golden Tap employees appeared from nowhere carrying a table and two chairs. He paused near the lone spot in the cavernous dining room that had space enough for a table and chairs. Within moments the inn’s staff had assembled the table complete with silverware, napkins, and a lit golden candle. He bowed with formal deference. “Your table M’Lady.”

Danielle moved in front of the dining chair Rory held out for her. “Thank you Rory.” She sat, and Ronan took the chair beside her.

“Your waiter will serve you shortly.” Rory bowed and drifted back toward his station in the foyer.

Danielle shuffled her chair closer to Ronan and leaned in. “Any sign of them?”

“None, although it’s hard to tell with so many people packed in here.” He kept his voice low.

She hooked the over-sized bag on her chair back, and the dark poodle popped out its head. “I’d help, but I’ve no idea what they look like.” She whispered.

“I’ll walk around and see if I spot a familiar face.” Ronan stood and pushed in his chair. “Yes M’Lady, I’ll fetch that for you.” He raised his voice loud enough for nearby guests to overhear and disappeared into the crowd.

The aroma of seared beef drifting from the kitchen made Danielle’s stomach growl. Ronan told her the inn served the best steak in the western region.

A moment later a waiter dressed in a short red coat, white shirt, and black tie appeared at the table. “Good evening M’Lady wel -“ The waiter froze mid-sentence.

Danielle never imagined her appearance would create such a stir. “I just look a great deal like her. It’s okay.”

The waiter blushed. “I’m sorry miss. I shouldn’t have stared. It’s just you look so much like our beloved queen, may Elan bless her soul.”

“There’s no reason to apologize,” she said.

The waiter cleared his throat and bowed. “Thank you, and welcome to the Golden Tap. My name’s Garr, and I’ll be serving you this evening. Will you take dinner after the show or hear our dinner selections now?”

“Thank you Garr. I think we’ll wait until after the show for dinner, but I’d love a bottle of cold summer wine.”

“Very good M’Lady. We’ve several excellent vintages. Would you care to see a list?”

“I’m so bad with the names. Just surprise me.” Her lips curved into a flirtatious smile.

“We’ve an excellent vintage that just arrived from Nefield. I’ll bring two glasses?”

“Yes, thank you Garr.”

Garr bowed. “I’ll return with your chilled wine shortly.” He spun and reversed course scuttling away toward the bar.

Marisa Madsen hit a note so high that hushed astonishment rolled over the crowd. She continued without hesitation pinging note after note in breathtaking succession.

The singer’s voice seeped into Danielle’s subconsciousness as she let the music take control of her. Her pulse rose and fell with the rhythm of Marisa Madsen’s voice, and her song grew faster and more complex.

The crowd hushed as Marisa’s song built to a fever pitch nearing a crescendo. Marisa turned and faced the audience listening from the veranda leaving her previous location unoccupied nearest the stage’s interior portion. Sitting at a large table closest the famous singer, Merric Pride smiled with eyes closed moving his fingers in time with the music’s beat.

Danielle gasped as she came face-to-face with the king. He had but to open his eyes, and he’d stare directly at Danielle. She held her eyes closed for a few seconds willing him away. When she opened them, Pride’s physical presence remained a nightmarish reality.

Standing in the upper balcony, a shard knight scanned the audience with intense unwavering eyes. Another knight stood over Pride’s left shoulder glowering at nearby guests, and a third stood by the interior bar.

Danielle needed to find Ronan. If she stayed any longer, the king or his guardsmen would discover her. She forced calm even breathing and wrestled the urge to stand and run. She stood with calm certainty grabbing her purse containing the toy dog and eased away from her table.

She pushed through the crowd, but the guests ignored her. Their attention remained glued to the captivating singer ruling the stage. Danielle gave silent gratitude to Marisa Madsen for providing such a complete and thorough distraction.

Scores of patrons crammed the interior bar as Danielle offered apologies and kept her face directed toward the floor.

Danielle’s chest tightened as panic rippled through her head. What if the shard knights had already found and captured Ronan? She’d never forgive herself the stupidity.

Flickers of the bar loomed ahead through a tangle of guests. Customers lined every inch of the long polished bar rail. A guest sat in every available stool straining to witness the performance of a lifetime.

Bartenders bustled filling drink orders of the few patrons more interested in ale than song, but no sign of Ronan showed in the crowd.