The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series (16 page)

Matt nodded to a bag tethered to one of their horses. “The artifact you’re referring to is in the bag. You can have it.” The others glared at Matt’s continued perfidy.

Confident Jaeden had Saurm under control, Tirene turned and walked toward the horse. He opened the saddlebag and found the orb. It emitted a red glow and it looked like the others had in his dream. He reached into the bag and touched it, although hesitantly. As he touched it, a warm sensation passed through his body. He withdrew his hand, and as he did, he noticed a coil of rope in the bag as well. He pulled out the rope and closed the bag before proceeding back to the camp. He approached the others while Liniana raised her eyebrows. He nodded to her, and a look of relief crossed her face.

He pulled Saurm's hands behind his back and used the rope to tie them together. He cut the remaining rope off and tossed it to Liniana, who tied her own captive up as well. He threw Saurm to the ground and turned to address the others who now stared in shock. Liniana felt bad she had to tie Matt's hands up as well, but he obliged. While he had helped them, they were unsure about how far they could trust him and he understood their dilemma.

The thief who had remained quiet thus far decided to speak. “What happens to us now? If you aren’t going to kill us, what will you do with us?”

Tirene glared at him. “You will accompany us to Riverfell where we’ll turn you over to the authorities. What happens after that is up to them.” He got up and strode over, heading toward Liniana and Jaeden. When he came close he said, “I recommend you both get some sleep while it’s still night. I’ll take the watch and keep an eye on our new captives.” Liniana tried to protest, but he stopped her. “Get some sleep. If I get tired I’ll wake you, Liniana.” He fixed an angry stare at Jaeden as he strode off and walked back to the captives.

Liniana spoke to Jaeden after Tirene had left. “Unfortunately I think he’s right. We should get some sleep. We’ll discuss your nap in the morning.” Angry with himself, Jaeden took his leave and crawled, defeated, into his own tent.

Tirene sat on a fallen log next to the fire. Twilight drifted into dawn and he noticed Matt still lay on the ground awake. “Matt, is it? Why did you help us?”

He realized Tirene addressed him, so he rolled over to face him. Not an easy task with his hands bound, but he managed. “It just seemed right.”

Tirene rubbed his chin and responded. “That doesn’t make sense.” He moved to rest his arms on his knees. “I’ve never seen someone so quick to give up his friends. If you hadn’t tossed me my sword, we would be dead by now.” Matt sat there nodding his head in agreement. “May I ask, how did you end up with those other three?”

Matt looked shocked. “What do you mean?”

“Well it seems to me you don’t fit with the others in your group. I’m curious as to what you’re doing with them. I mean, you helped us and revealed the information we were looking for…Why?”

His eyes looked sad as he looked toward Tirene. “I’m a simple thief that is all.” He let his eyes fall to the ground. “A simple thief.”

Tirene chuckled. “You’re not fooling me. A simple thief wouldn’t have helped us so quickly. No. I think there’s more to you.” He stood up. “Can you get out of your bindings?”

Matt sighed and worked his way to his knees. He shook his arms and a dagger slipped down into his palm. With a couple of quick slices of his knife, he cut through the ropes. He raised his right arm and tucked the dagger back into his sleeve where he kept it hidden. A smile crossed Tirene’s face. “Is that what you wanted?” Matt asked. He shook his hands to get the blood flowing, now that they were released.

“As I figured. If you could’ve gotten free, why didn’t you do it sooner? There’s something you’re hiding.” A stern look filled Tirene’s face; his eyes hardened as he stared. “I would like to know what it is.”

“Why? Because I am to follow you, that’s why.” He didn’t like discussing it, but pushed forward. “You have been in my dreams for the last week. In my dreams, I’m with you, a part of your team. When I saw your face, I knew I had to help you and I had no reason to hide what we had stolen. Somehow, I have to join you. I don’t know how, so don’t ask, but I definitely must travel with you. This I’ve seen every night.” Tirene reseated himself on the log, and Matt took a seat on another, opposite him. Matt lapsed into silence, concerned at how Tirene might find his admission.

He drifted into deep thought. “But you said it yourself, you’re a thief. What use do I have for a thief?”

“I told you. I don’t know why, nor do I know how. If you’re turning us over to the authorities, I’m not sure how it’s even possible, but I’ve seen it.”

“Tell me. How did you stumble into your line of work? Maybe the answer lies there.” Tirene said.

“I am what I am, and that’s all,” He shrugged.

Tirene furrowed his brow, sending creases across his forehead. “There has to be something more.”

Matt sighed and returned his eyes to the ground, resigned to the fact he had to disclose more. “A little over a year ago I traveled to Riverfell to trade grain from our harvest and purchase additional supplies. It took me two days, and when I returned home to my farm, just south of the village of Carlith, I noticed something didn’t feel right. As I grew nearer my farm, I could tell something had happened. My land had been burned, my farm had been burned, and nothing remained of my home but ash and stone. I had left my wife and my three-year old son at the farm when I set out for Riverfell. I searched the ash and rubble for them and found their bodies—or what remained of them—in the rubble of our bedroom.” His eyes glimmered with unshed tears, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Matt allowed the tears to fall and continued. “After I buried them, I went into Carlith to get answers. None of the other farms had been touched, and the village remained in one piece. I asked anyone who would listen if they knew anything. No one had seen or heard so much as a peep. Something didn’t add up and I started confronting people, my anger rising over the top. I got into a fight with two other farmers who live close to me. I wanted nothing more than to die. My main reason for living had been taken from me. Nothing remained. The village magistrate threw me out and told me to never return. I obliged and rode south. As I left my past behind, the urge to kill myself came upon me, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m too much of a coward. Within a couple of days, I arrived back in Riverfell starving and with no money. I found a farmer who I had traded within the past; he needed a hired hand and he sheltered and fed me. I worked for him for the rest of the harvest season, earning enough money to survive for a while. It became difficult to live, but every day got a little easier to deal with my loss.”

His tears had stopped and he now smiled at Tirene. “When the harvest season ended he no longer needed me, so I set off for town. I was drinking in a tavern, when I stumbled across these three. I asked if they were looking for another able body, and they accepted. I’ve been with them ever since.” A lone tear trickled down his face from his left eye. “I fear I’ve become what I hated.”

Tirene nodded at Matt. “I see. You’re with these three by happenstance.” He looked Matt up and down. “I can see you still grieve, and I’m sorry for your loss. If you continue to cooperate, I’ll give you a chance to undo any wrongs you may have committed. Don’t cross me though, or I will see you locked in a cell.” Tirene stood up and surveyed the land. The sun rose over the horizon and the sky had taken on an orange hue.

Surprised by this, Matt stood up. “What do you mean? You’re not going to turn me over?”

Tirene smiled. “It means I’m giving you a chance to prove your worth. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, after all. I think you did what you did out of necessity.” He turned to walk away. “Besides, you claimed to see yourself traveling with us in your dreams; I’ve decided to let you ride with us. You’ll be welcome to stay with us when we turn the other two over to the authorities in Riverfell.” He started to walk away, but before he got too far, he turned his head and said, “The others will be waking soon, I suggest you start preparing breakfast.” He turned back and continued, heading for the edge of the forest to relieve himself.

Matt felt confused. He couldn’t understand why Tirene would welcome an admitted thief into his fold, but did as Tirene instructed and started cooking breakfast.

After a short while, Tirene came back to the camp and noticed Liniana by the fire. Deep in a conversation with Matt, she turned her attention to Tirene as he approached.

“You continue to amaze me.” She gave him a smile. “What happened?”

Tirene returned her smile. “Matt didn’t tell you?” She shook her head. “Well then, it’s a long story.” He motioned for her to sit down and he joined her, revealing what he had discovered about Matt. Midway through the retelling, Jaeden awoke and stumbled over, still drowsy. His face showed his surprise when he saw Matt free, but listened to the end of the story.

When Tirene finished, everyone had awakened, including the prisoners. Matt served breakfast to everyone.

To allow their prisoners to eat their breakfast, they had to untie them. There didn’t seem to be a threat, as they had already relieved them of their weapons. With breakfast concluded, they retied the two prisoner's hands, this time in front of them, so they could steady themselves in their saddles and still hold the reins.

The two prisoners noticed Matt remained untied and began to protest. “What is the meaning of this? You aren’t going to tie Matt’s hands?”

Tirene flashed an angry glare in their direction. “I’ve decided he can be of use, so he will accompany us after we turn you over.”

One of them spoke up. “He committed the acts with us. I’ll tell the magistrate such when you turn us in and he will be arrested with us, or I can tell them...”

Tirene interjected. “I’ll hear nothing more about this. He’s useful. You’re not.” He turned to walk away. “Besides, I think in my present company they will honor our word over yours.” He chuckled. “If you want I can tie the both of you to a tree deep in the forest, then you will be left to the carrion birds and other prey.” He continued walking away.

This quieted the pair down as they climbed onto their horses. All of them continued the trip down the southward road. Liniana and Jaeden were in the lead, with Tirene and Matt bringing up the rear. The prisoners were in the middle. They rode at a more casual pace than the days before, with the sun climbing higher in the sky at their backs.

Rhovick sat and stared through the dim light of his cell, focusing on the five severed heads laid out in front of him. He had set them up in various positions. The stink emanating from the soulless heads disgusted him. Even though they were dead, he proceeded to converse with them. Over the past few days, these heads had become his friends. Each day that he failed to reveal the location of the orb, more innocents died. Their heads were left as a reminder, and each day it became more difficult to hold back the information.  His mind pushed passed sanity and closer to delusion now—it became harder and harder to separate reality from hallucination. Every once in a while he would drift back to reality and realize his position, but his mind would react by slipping into delirium. He just wanted to die, but Lutheras had taken all means of accomplishing his suicide away.

He had drifted back to delirium when he heard footsteps from down the hallway, bringing him back to reality. He stood and smoothed the clothes he still wore, wanting to face Lutheras when he entered the cell. He spotted the dark wizard outside of the door with three Minotaurs and a Goblin. His face displayed a baneful grin.

“Shall we keep this up, General? My guards tell me you speak to the deceased on a regular basis. It’s only a matter of time, and I told you I always get my information.” An orange globe appeared in his hands.

Rhovick shielded his eyes at the sudden appearance of so much light. It distracted the general and Lutheras opened the cell and walked in. When his eyes adjusted, he gave Lutheras a snide look. “When will you learn I don’t know of an orb?”

Lutheras let out a conniving laugh. “You keep saying that, but I know for a fact an orb is here, or was here. Now tell me where to find it.” When the general didn’t reply, he said, “You know General, you’re starting to make me believe you don’t care about the citizens of Korloth. You let innocents be butchered when all you have to do is tell me where the orb is. We’ve searched this town, and have found nothing.” His anger bubbled to the surface. “NOW TELL ME!”

Rhovick just laughed at him, which made Lutheras all the angrier. “There is no orb!”

Lutheras turned toward the Goblin. “Tuk, bring them down. And be quick about it.” He turned back to the general. “Let's see if a little change of strategy makes you more willing to cooperate.”

They sat in silence while they waited for Tuk to return. After a few moments of waiting, Tuk returned and brought with him a young lady and two young boys. Probably a mother and her sons. This wiped the laughter from Rhovick’s face. “You cannot bring children into this. Do you have no honor, no decency? ”

Lutheras laughed. “They are a means to an end. I want that orb. Tell me where you have hidden it, and no one shall be harmed. Besides, I’m not hurting them…You are.” He led the woman and children to stand between them. The woman pleaded with her eyes and tried to comfort her children who sobbed. “Now tell me!”

Rhovick looked paranoid while the severed heads spoke to him. It sounded more of a chant than a spoken word. “Tell him! Tell him! Don’t let these children die as you let us! Tell him! Tell him! They are children! Tell him! Tell him!” He felt so confused and the delirium crept over him again. He yelled, “NO! I swore I would tell no one! I cannot do it! It’s too important! He already has one! I’m so sorry,” he sobbed.

Lutheras knew the general bordered on insanity. He talked to himself and the severed heads while he rubbed his head in frustration. He blabbered and argued, but the more he spoke the more Lutheras knew the general would give up soon. This is what he’d been waiting for; he just wished it would’ve come sooner.

“What do you know? You don’t know me! You can’t judge me! What I’ve done, I’ve done to protect the world! Your death won’t be in vain! You died to protect secrets! Secrets that are bigger than anything you can imagine! STOP STARING AT ME!” The general convulsed, rocking back and forth.

Lutheras raised his hand and pointed to one of the children. “General Rhovick! Tell me now or the children die!” The woman clutched her children, bringing them closer. Tears streamed down her eyes as she tried to protect them.

“NO! Not the children. I...” He stuttered and started speaking.

“General, this is your last warning.” The woman shrieked at Rhovick, pleading for him to spare her children's lives.

This brought the general back to the events transpiring around him. “I cannot take this anymore. I want to...” He paused, and looked in the faces of the woman and children. He got a very serious look on his face and laughed at Lutheras. “I sent it away. When I saw your forces approaching, I sent it away with the remaining six keepers.” He laughed even louder, purposely withholding information. “I ushered them out the basement tunnel and told them to leave. I told them not to tell me where they were going,” he laughed hysterically. “I knew if I was captured in a situation like this, I’d be forced to reveal where they went.” His laughter continued, bordering on pure insanity, which began to annoy Lutheras. “So there. It does exist and I sent it away, out of your grasp. The joke is on you and now enough time has been wasted, it’s well hidden and out of your range.”

Lutheras' face turned a dark shade of red from the anger building within. He motioned to the woman and children. “Take them away, before I let harm befall them.” The Minotaurs ushered the three out of the prison cell. When they were out of sight, he raised both of his hands and leveled them at the general. “I find it odd you gave no instructions to the other keepers.” He let energy flow from his hands, sending enough to slam Rhovick against the cell wall, and let pain fill his body.

The general cried out with what little energy remained in his body. Tuk cringed while he watched. This seemed very pleasing to Lutheras—a smile crossed his face. “So tell me where you sent them.”

Even in as much pain as the general found himself in, a grim smile spanned his face. “I have no idea.” He managed through clenched teeth. More pain ravaged his body as Lutheras increased the flow of energy. “They left out of the secret south gate!” More pain. “They could be anywhere!” Blood trickled out of his nose and more trickled from his ears. “South! They went south!”

Lutheras thought he had made him crack even more, so he eased up on the suffering he caused the general. “South, good. Where in the south?”

Rhovick, in one last act of defiance said, “I told you I don’t know where. But I sent them south. That’s all I know.”

Lutheras' eyes glowed bright red, matching the complexion of his skin. “Well, then. You’re of no use to me.” He let even more energy flow into his foe. Blood streamed down Rhovick’s face from his nose and ears. His eyes were bloodshot, and he thrashed in pain as white sinewy tendrils attacked his body. He fought it for a time, and then slumped over when he should’ve still been thrashing. Lutheras realized the general would be dead soon and let go of his control of the spark. The general's body fell to the ground of the cell. He turned toward Tuk. “Now I want you to prove your worth to me. Take this dagger and slice open his chest. I want you to pull out the general's heart.” He thrust the dagger toward Tuk.

The Goblin tried to pull back, disgusted. Fear crept onto his face and he tried to back away. His green skin had grown an even paler shade as Lutheras reached out and pulled the Goblin back. He thrust the dagger into Tuk's hand and pushed him toward the general. “Do it, or die. That is your only choice.” His lips parted in a wide grin, delighted by the day’s accomplishments.

Tuk moved forward while he fumbled with the dagger between his two hands. He dropped to his knees and knelt beside the body. He rolled him over onto his back and grasped the dagger in both hands, thrusting it down into the chest. Blood splattered the Goblin's face. He had to push harder than he would have thought necessary to break through the ribcage before he opened up a large cavity. He turned to Lutheras who nodded for him to move forward. Tuk turned back to the general's body.

With a look of pure revulsion upon his face, he reached into the blood-filled cavity. He jumped when his hand touched the heart and felt it still beating. Deciding to get it over with as fast as possible, he grasped the heart and ripped it out. He looked at his hand, which dripped with blood, and the heart continued to beat outside of the general's body a few seconds longer. Abhorred with himself, he threw the heart across the room. It hit the wall and fell to the floor. He watched as rats converged, digging their teeth into it.

. Satisfied, Lutheras turned and left the prison cell, walking down the long hall. Once Lutheras left his view, Tuk bent over and emptied his stomach. He stood and felt the bile plastered to his face, especially around his lips. He reached up and wiped it away with the sleeve of his tunic. This would be his existence now.

Lutheras reached the audience chamber of the throne room, and spotted Eldrin. He waved him over. Eldrin began speaking before he closed in on Lutheras. “Did you find any more information? The city has been searched twice and it’s evident it isn’t here.” He added as an afterthought, “If it ever was here to begin with.”

Lutheras curled his lip as he raised his hand at the approaching Elf. Eldrin’s lips didn’t move as he couldn’t talk. “I will take no more of your insolence, Eldrin. Before the general's death,” he smiled at this part, “he revealed he sent it south. We don’t know where in the south they went, but we’ve wasted too much time already.” He released his hold on Eldrin's lips. Eldrin cocked his jaw trying to relax the muscles. “You will assemble five teams of Minotaurs, each to be led by a brother. You will lead one of the teams yourself as punishment for speaking when you should’ve kept your mouth shut.” Eldrin thought about speaking up, but silenced himself. “I see you’ve remembered your place. Now, each team will head in a different direction. Seek out the six keepers and find out where the orb is hidden. Talk to every household you encounter and question them. Someone must’ve seen where they headed. If the people won’t cooperate, then kill them. Let the rumors reach others; maybe then they will be more willing to talk. I want that orb and I want it now.” He leveled his dark staring eyes toward Eldrin. “Now go!”

Eldrin turned and stormed out of the audience chamber, gathering brothers on his way out. Lutheras turned and slammed his fists down in anger on the long table sitting behind him, displeasure filling his face.