Sergei sat in his chair, his pipe glowing a cherry red. His brows wrinkled in thought. He surveyed the room for the tenth time since Sigmund and Amarna had left. Reaching out with his senses to detect the life of the castle. He relaxed into a trance and found he was capable of sensing further than he had previously been able to. The stables were becoming rife with bodies preparing to ride out. But ride to where he mused. Just then he noticed the arrival of someone at his door. Pulling his senses back he drew on his pipe, it needed to be relit.
“Come,” he uttered moments before there was a knock.
“One of these days you're going to tell me how you do that,” was the voice from the other side of the door as the knob turned. Stepping into the room King Daividh let out a sigh. “There is news of bandits on the highway. This time they decided to hit a merchant train. We purchased the thread from them for the local weaver’s guild. We are not impressed and there is no way we can let this go. The disruption to trade is going to cost the crown thousands of golds.” The consternated look was both amusing and worrisome. “I am sorry my old friend. I just came from court after hearing the news and am still in ‘ROYALTY’ mode not friend mode, which I should have been upon entering. You are of a station I cannot order about. But I do need your advice.”
Sergei sat up straighter, motioning to the chair across from him. “Do tell Your Majesty.” A concerned look crossed his visage.
The merchant train was coming back from Tanneris, they make the finest thread in the neighbouring lands. Our spinners can't match the quality. Thus, I made a trade agreement for a large order for our weavers. The cost itself wasn’t in gold but in livestock and cloth. Where the cost comes in, is the taxes we would have received on the finished product. The cloth that would have been made from the thread would have garnered about one thousand golds in taxes. I am not sure what the bandits will do with five hundred skeins of thread and yarn.”
“Well, it’s not like they can sell it. That much thread would draw attention if they tried. If it is Tanneris thread no one will touch it without knowing the providence. I mean not just anyone can afford to purchase thread from the Tanneris Spinner’s guild.”
“You have a point, my friend. If we send out an announcement, anyone trying to offload the thread would draw attention and either the city watch or the castle guards. I have sent a squad of guards to track these brigands, they couldn't have gotten far.”
Eldrick couldn’t find the peace needed for his studies. He paced around the room, his thumb absently rubbing the amulet. His attention was caught by the oddity of the outer edge. Examining the edge, he could find nothing untoward. Yet his other senses all screamed that there was something amiss. On a whim, he made a puddle of wax from the candle. Rolling the amulet through the aqueous globule he noticed words. “Wisdom through experience” the raised letters seeming to glow in the pale light.
Running to the pile of books, Eldrick began a frantic search. He knew there was a book with that saying in it but for the life of him couldn’t remember which one it was. None of these books were of any use as they were all about the neighbouring kingdoms and nations. With a frustrated sigh, he remembered the tome he was looking for was one written by the founder of the order. Since he couldn’t recall the exact passage, he decided to ask Sergei.
With excitement and dread propelling his feet he burst through the door to the main room. Sergei and the king were deep in conversation. Skidding to a stop he tried bowing only to have his balance thrown off by his forward momentum, causing him to fall flat on his face.
“I must apologize, Your Majesty, Master, I was unaware you were in conference. I should have not burst forth in such haste.”
“Get up young apprentice,” the mirth in the words spoke of remembered youth. “I take it you have need of your master’s wisdom, that or your stomach's strangling your spine.”
Rising to his feet, Eldrick noticed he was indeed hungry. Glancing about, the lack of trays indicated either he missed a meal or the food had not arrived. Another option struck him, he would have to eat in the great hall with the King and his court.
“Your Majesty, are we to be guests at your table again?”
“My, you are the perceptive one. I was on my way to invite you, Sebastian and Sergei to dine with me tonight. Though it has come to my attention that Sebastian is in the infirmary, and will be there for a while. The healers are concerned about his wing joint.”
A flush of crimson slowly crept up Eldrick’s face. He strangled the urge to be by Sebastian's side. All that was impeding his desire to do that was the look Amarna gave him before she left.
“I recognize that look. The look of someone who feels they're shirking in their duties and yet torn by conflicting duty.” His voice elicited the gaiety of a misspent youth. “Now I do believe it is almost dinner time. Shall we adjourn to the great hall?” Rising to his own words Daividh offered his hand to Eldrick.
Reaching up Eldrick grabbed the proffered hand and got to his feet. Turning he helped Sergei to his feet as well. “Master I hope the day hasn’t been too difficult. I need to discuss something with you after dinner.”
“By all means m’boy. To answer your question the day has been peaceful, other than Amarna absconding with Sigmund. I am starting to feel my stomach gnawing on my spine. Since you dallied all day in your room with those tomes I assume you must be faint with hunger. So, let’s be off.”
The walk to the great hall was more cordial than the last time. The conversation was more relaxed and intimate. Daividh had a wry sense of humour. The topics flew from jokes to comedic anecdotes, not a word was mentioned of politics or assassinations.
“Unfortunately I must divest myself of your company until dinner is served. I wish it were otherwise but I have a duty to perform.” Duty was spoken as if in all capitals stressing the importance.
Entering the hall Eldrick’s gaze was drawn towards the richly garbed aristocracy. He felt he was dressed rather drably in comparison to the fine gowns and jewels of the ladies. He tried to focus his gaze straight ahead. Locking his gaze squarely on Sergei’s back. He kept glimpsing the sparkle of jewel tones out of his peripheral vision.
As they made their way up the steps to the high table the sound of rapping wood on stone announced the arrival of the King. They took their seats as Daividh entered the hall.
“There is no need to stand on ceremony this night. We are gathered for good food and pleasant company.” With that, he took his own seat and indicated the meal was to be served. The pageboys doled out the food to the King and guests. “Now let’s see what happens tonight,” he said in an aside to Sergei.
“I am unsure if you are aware my apprentice, there is a little trick which can be used to determine whether someone is being honest. This trick is not something just anyone can do. His Majesty has a small corps of mages who specialize in this ability. They are very secretive about how they accomplish it. I know the trick myself since it was taught to me by my father before his death. I have been planning on teaching it to you though there are some considerations which must be attended to first. I want you to use your senses to see if you can notice any who seem uncomfortable. Do not be afraid to admit it if you cannot. This is something that will take practice.”
Eldrick, relaxing sent his perceptions out across the room. All he could sense were the life energies in the room. He did feel what could only be described as a hiccough from a couple of ladies. He chalked that up to his imagination; he didn’t think that was what Sergei meant.
“I am sorry sir, but all I get are the energies of those in the room. I cannot tell if any are uncomfortable or not.”
“Quite all right, enjoy your food. It is best to work on these types of skills when not worrying about your stomach.” Sergei laid a hand on Eldrick’s shoulder with those words.
The food was simple fare for once. A baked cottage pie with melted cheese topping the mashed potato crust. The braised beef and vegetables in a rich gravy gave off an aroma that set the mouth to watering. With his first bite, the flavour of carrots, peas, and the salty rich gravy assaulted his senses. His stomach chose that moment to let out a loud growl he was sure could be heard on the other side of the room. His face flushed as he focused on eating, his head down. Before he knew it, his platter was empty and he was looking for more. Refilling his platter he set about eating this portion as well.
At the end of the meal, Eldrick and Sergei returned to their suite. The evening had passed uneventfully and with much conviviality.
“You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about. What is it?” A look of concern etching Sergei's face.
“Well sir I had a dream last night, well, I would almost call it a nightmare. But at the end I noticed a medallion sitting on the ground. I picked it up and well... when I awoke,” reaching inside his tunic he produced the medallion. “I was holding this.” Removing the cord from around his neck, he held the medallion out for Sergei to inspect.
Sergei gingerly took the medallion from Eldrick and began examining it. Sitting down hard in his chair, he tried to let his senses flow over and through the small piece of metal. What he sensed caused his brows to arch and he gave an incoherent cry of anguish.
“Have you looked at this with your other senses yet? There is a heavy element of both Fae and Eldritch magic about it.” His voice seemed pained and forced.
“No sir, I have not. Oh wait,” he rushed from the room only to return a moment later with a globule of wax in his hand. “I did run the edge of it through the wax, it seemed to have an indistinguishable roughness to the edge.” Eldrick the wax on the table in front of his elderly master.
“This cannot be. This truly can’t be. There's no way this is possible. This has been lost for nearly a thousand years. No one has seen it since the death of Servalin. I suggest you keep it well hidden there are those who would kill to get their hands on it. It has been rumoured to have special properties. In truth, the very fact that you have it after dreaming about it shows there is some veracity in those tales. I will need to consult with some arcane tomes to learn more.” With effort, he levered himself up. “I suggest you get some rest while I investigate,” he muttered as he left the room.
Taking this as a dismissal Eldrick retired to his room and empty bed. Sleep was a long-time coming as he tossed and turned unable to get comfortable all alone.
“Considering I spent so long sleeping in a bed alone why is it now that I cannot get my rest while Sebastian is in the infirmary and not beside me? I know I was jealous this morning and angry at him but now I miss him,” cursing to himself. As he lay back in the bed thoughts of elegant gowns crossed his mind causing him to arise. He approached the mirror which he had previously ignored. Gazing at his reflection was not comfortable. There was something just not quite right, or so he felt. The plains of his jaw were too square, his lips too thin, and his hair was way too short. Why had he never considered this before? Looking down at the reflection of the rest of his body caused him to shudder and turn away in revulsion. “This is not who I am supposed to be. There is something wrong with me. I cannot bring this up with Sergei or anyone else for they wouldn't understand. I am a freak.” Fleeing his reflection, he threw himself onto the bed, to cry himself to sleep.
