An Alliance of Mortals, page 14
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
“Serving the king can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding,” Falder continued. “So what brings two such illustrious dwarves to our door so late in the day?”
Hallic nodded at Larin and the mage cleared his throat before answering.
“We have a proposition for the king, a way to establish a permanent method of communication with our new allies.”
“Really?”
Falder stopped abruptly at the top of the steps and stared at Larin.
“But that is wonderful!” he exclaimed. “His majesty has been fretting about just that very thing. Your timing could not be better.”
“Really? That's a relief,” Hallic said as they began walking again. “We were worried that Shandon might not agree to the suggestion.”
“Well, I cannot speak for the king but I cannot think of any reason why he wouldn't, especially if the two of you think that it's a sound idea.”
“It's nice to think that he holds us in such high esteem,” the rogue said with a laugh.
“A nice change from what most people think of you, Hallic?” Falder asked slyly.
“You could say that,” Hallic agreed calmly. “Those of us who follow the rogue's path may be useful to the powerful, but they rarely trust us. Probably for the best, actually.”
Larin remained silent, but he was enjoying the playful teasing between the other two. The mage knew that Falder, even though he was one of the most important people in the royal court, had never been one to be impressed with his own position. He was very clever and Larin was pleased that he approved of their plan.
The three of them passed dozens of royal guards on their way to the king's chambers, but all of them saluted smartly and remained silent as they recognized the seneschal.
“They are on high alert?” Hallic asked him at one point.
“Ever since the attack by the goblins,” Falder replied. “The loyalty that the king inspires in everyone who serves him makes the guards feel even more protective toward him in these dangerous times. And nothing he can say to them can change that.”
“He's actually tried?” Hallic asked in surprise.
“Of course he has. You know how he is.”
Falder gave them a fleeting smile.
“The king is not comfortable with how the loyalty of the royal guard borders on adoration. Frankly, I don't think that he understands it. He was a simple warrior for a long time, you know. He did not know what it was like to live in a palace, to have others bowing and scraping to him. If he'd grown up with all of the pomp and circumstance, perhaps his attitude would be different. But he came into his crown as an adult, so his feelings aren't likely to change.”
“It must be hard on him,” Larin said sympathetically.
“It is a strain. But fortunately the friends who fought beside him, Jergen and Pieter, agreed to serve him here in the palace. That connection with his old life makes all of this...”
Falder waved at the towering marble walls with many large paintings hanging on them and the red carpet that ran the length of the hallway they were following.
“..tolerable.”
“They are loyal friends,” Larin observed. “I think that Jergen is as uncomfortable living in the palace as the king is, so they have that in common.”
“And Pieter is the calmest warrior that I have ever met,” Hallic added. “His presence is invaluable to Shandon.”
Falder nodded and they kept walking through the corridors of the palace until they finally reached the king's rooms.
Two more guards stood on either side of the entrance to the chambers. They saluted as the seneschal appeared and then became still again as he opened the door and walked inside, followed by Hallic and Larin.
As the door closed behind them, Falder let out a deep sigh and smiled at the others.
“Privacy at last,” he told them with relief. “Please allow me to announce you before you go into the lounge. The king doesn't care for surprises when he is relaxing after a long day.”
“I understand,” Hallic assured him. “We'll wait.”
The seneschal left them at the entrance and walked through the entrance room to disappear deeper into the king's quarters. Hallic and Larin could hear a distant rumble of conversation, but couldn't make out what was being said.
“Do you think that the king is well into his cups?” Larin asked anxiously. “He can be quick-tempered on occasion, when he isn't performing official business.”
“Relax,” Hallic said calmly. “Shandon likes you. Surely you know that? Even if he was rolling drunk, which I have never seen, he would not become angry at you for no reason.”
He patted Larin on the shoulder.
“You worry too much. Do you know that?”
The mage chuckled, looking a little embarrassed.
“So I've been told,” he admitted.
The sounds of muted conversation abruptly faded away and the two dwarves jumped as the king's voice suddenly echoed through the room.
“Hallic! Larin! Get in here!” he roared.
The pair hurried across the room toward the source of the shout. They passed through a small study that was walled with shelves stuffed with books and then down a short hallway that had a closed door that led into the king's bedchamber. At the end of the hall, an archway led into the large lounge.
The walls of the lounge were paneled with dark wood brought down from the surface long ago and the bar to the left of the entrance was made of iron and black marble. The ceiling was a dozen feet high and painted a soothing blue that mirrored with color of the sky far above the dwarven realm. Small lamps glowing with warm yellow light hung from the walls all around the room.
Shandon was sitting at one of the several round tables scattered around the room. Jergen and Pieter were sitting with him, all of them holding large glass mugs of ale. As Hallic and Larin entered, the king put down his mug, stood up and walked across the room to greet them.
“Ah, two of my favorite people,” he boomed cheerfully. “What a pleasant surprise.”
He shook hands with his visitors and motioned for them to take seats at the table.
“Sit, sit,” the king told them. “Let me get you something to drink.”
Both dwarves took a seat while Shandon went over to the bar and began filling mugs with ale.
“Falder?” he said, looking over his shoulder.
The seneschal was standing next to the entrance. He smiled ruefully and shook his head.
“No thank you, my lord,” he said regretfully. “I am still on duty. With your permission, I must get back to it. I was discussing staff rotations with the head chef when I was informed that our guests were here. You know how touchy he can be and I am sure that he is growing impatient waiting for me to return.”
Shandon laughed as he gave the seneschal a look of sympathy.
“Yes, he is a little short-tempered. But his puddings are legendary. Very well then. Off you go.”
Falder bowed and Hallic and Larin thanked him for leading them to the king's chambers. He smiled at them both and then hurried from the room.
“He never stops, you know,” Shandon told them as he walked back to the table and set a mug down in front of both of his guests.
“You're lucky to have him,” Jergen observed as the king sat down again and picked up his own mug.
“Oh, I know,” he agreed. “This place would descend into chaos if Falder wasn't here to keep it running smoothly.”
He drank some ale and then looked at his visitors.
“So, as happy as I am to see the two of you, I must assume that you didn't drop by just to say hello.”
Hallic pushed away the mug in front of him and grinned at Shandon.
“I'm afraid not,” he replied. “Nor was it because of your excellent ale. I don't drink, as I'm sure you know.”
“I was hoping that you might have loosened up a bit since taking control of your guild,” the king told him jovially.
“If I live long enough to retire from the job, I may actually become a drunkard,” the rogue said with a laugh. “It's something to look forward to, I suppose. No, Larin has a proposal for you and I urged him to come to the palace immediately to present it to you.”
Hallic glanced at the mage, who was taking a delicate sip of ale.
“He was worried about interrupting your rest, but I told him that you'd rather be disturbed than wait for news that might affect our people and their future.”
The king set down his mug and leaned forward, staring intently at Larin.
“Hallic's correct. Never hesitate to contact me at any time if it is an urgent matter, my friend,” he told the mage. “Surely you know me well enough by now to understand that our people come before my own comfort?”
Larin looked embarrassed as he put down his ale and met the king's gaze.
“Yes, my lord, I do. But you are so busy these days that I thought...”
His voice trailed off as Shandon grimaced. The king looked at Jergen and Pieter and shook his head.
“He's as bad as you two are,” the king complained. “How many times do I have to tell all of you that I don't need a nanny? My job is to make the tough decisions. And if that mean that I miss my beauty sleep, it's a small price to pay for the safety of the empire.”
He picked up his mug again and used it to gesture at Larin.
“So what is it that brings you here?” he asked.
The mage glanced at Hallic, who nodded at him in encouragement.
“Well, my lord, it concerns our new allies,” Larin began hesitantly.
Shandon's gaze sharpened.
“Yes? What about them?”
“I was contacted today by the elven scryer, Callius. I am sure that you know who he is?”
“Of course. He's the person who was able to open the portal from Trillfarness to this world,” the king stated. “And he was able to communicate with you from the surface? Remarkable.”
“It is, my lord. He said that it was easier to reach me because I am a dwarven mage and as such, I can sense ley energy, even though I cannot use it. He manipulates that energy the same way that we mages manipulate magic. It is an amazing talent and, as you said, allowed him to save some of his people. Too few, unfortunately.”
“It was an incredible tragedy. As devastating as the fall of the human race here on this planet,” the king said sadly.
“So what did the scryer have to say?” Jergen asked curiously.
“Callius has found a way for the three mortal races to stay in contact with each other using ley energy. It will allow us to communicate instantly with both the humans and the elves. As I am sure you know, my lord, having a reliable method of staying in touch with our allies, especially in an emergency, is essential for our mutual survival.”
Shandon's eyes widened and he sat up straight in his seat.
“If what you say is true, that would be invaluable for all of us. So why were you hesitant to bring me this news? And please don't tell me it was because you didn't want to disturb me. I know you too well, Larin.”
The mage shifted uncomfortably as he nodded sheepishly.
“Yes, my lord. What I was actually worried about was what Callius has to do to accomplish this link between the three races.”
“And what is that?” Pieter asked him.
“He needs to build a permanent anchor here in Kingstone, a pillar of some sort that will act as an link for his spell. He has already created one such pillar in Caladur. Using this anchor will not only allow for constant communication between our peoples, it can also serve as a transportation device, allowing us to send troops from here to either Caladur or Nottinghill Castle.”
Shandon nodded his understanding.
“Ah, now I see,” he said. “You are worried that this node, or whatever it is, could be used by our enemies to send their forces directly into the heart of our city.”
“Into the midst of any of the three races main settlements, my lord,” Larin told him. “It is a bold proposal and I think that the risk is outweighed by the benefits it presents. But I am just a simple mage. You are the king and the decision is yours to make, not mine. And we have to assume that there will be opposition from some of our people. The fear that having such a device here in the city will leave us open to another attack will have an impact. I'm certain of it.”
Shandon slid his mug along the tabletop from one hand to the other. He frowned in thought for a moment and then looked at Jergen and Pieter.
“Thoughts?” he asked them.
Pieter pursed his lips as he seemed to be mulling over what he had just heard, while Jergen laid his hands flat on the table and stared at the king.
“There is no such thing as absolute security,” he stated. “You and I both know that. So even though this anchor thing may present a risk, I say that the benefits it offers far outweigh the dangers. Imagine it. Being able to transport troops to the surface at the first sign of an attack on our new allies? The goblins would never know what hit them!”
Shandon grinned at his friend's enthusiasm, but his smile faded as he looked over at Pieter.
“You don't share Jergen's opinion?” he asked him.
The older dwarf stroked his short beard as he looked at each of the others in turn.
“I do agree with him,” Pieter told the king. “But I believe that Larin's concerns are valid as well. Our people have recently repelled an attack from the surface, for the first time in thousands of years. Such a thing shook many of them deeply. Our strength has always been our solitude, the many miles of stone and soil shielding us from the dangers on the surface. That has now been breached. We fought back the enemy and sealed the tunnel they used to get here, of course, but the worry that such a thing will happen again lingers.”
He shook his head.
“And now we are considering installing a device that could allow the goblins or some other enemy to attack us from inside this city. What will that sound like to our more nervous citizens? Let us put ourselves in their boots for a moment. Their fear is real and must be addressed, my friend,” he said to Shandon. “You will have to find a way to reassure the people. And I do not envy you that task.”
The king growled softly and then drained his mug. He pushed back his chair and walked over to the bar for a refill.
“I hate politics,” he said to no one in particular. “How in the Seven Hells am I to convince the faint of heart that a permanent connection to the surface is a good thing? I certainly believe it is. Let us not debate that point,” he added with a scowl. “Our isolation is no longer a strength. It is a liability. If the Chaos lords destroy the humans and the elves, they will then come for us and the miles of stone above our heads will not stop them. We need the other races, depleted as they are, to bolster our strength. It is as simple as that.”
He returned to his seat and looked pointedly at Hallic.
“You've been remarkably quiet, master rogue,” he noted with a touch of sarcasm. “But if anyone knows the people and their overall mood, it is you and your guild. So what do you think of the idea of this permanent connection to the surface?”
Hallic gave the king a cocky grin.
“I've been thinking deep thoughts, of course,” he replied brightly.
Jergen growled irritably and Hallic winked at him.
“Now, now, Jergen,” he said. “Each of us comes at problems in our own way. In my case, the king is correct. My people do keep tabs on how the populace responds to crises and threats to the empire.”
His smiled faded away as he looked at Pieter.
“Your concerns are valid,” he told the old warrior. “But, no offense intended, you are overstating the mindset of our people in this case.”
“Am I?” Pieter replied in surprise. “How so?”
“Some of the people are afraid of more attacks. That much is true. But the majority of dwarves have such confidence in the king, especially after he personally fought the goblins who invaded the empire, that if he endorses the idea of setting up the connection to the surface, I believe that the people will accept it. Oh, there will be some that grumble.”
Hallic looked at Jergen again and the warrior snorted, a reluctant grin hidden within his thick beard.
“But that is just their nature. You, my lord,” the rogue said to Shandon, “must show your confidence in this plan. Send out notices across the empire explaining the benefits of this connection. Your people are not fools. Well, most of them aren't. They will understand the reasons for this link and they will accept it. At least, that is what I believe. As Pieter said, the final decision is yours.”
There were nods from everyone around the table and Shandon put down his mug and began fiddling with the gold beads woven into his beard.
“So it comes down to me again,” he said wearily. “Have I mentioned that I hate this job?”
“Many times, my friend,” Pieter said warmly. “Which is why you are perfect for it. A reluctant king is an honest king, in my experience.”
“Yes, well, that may be true. I don't know. But since I am not one to dither on such an important matter, then I have made my decision.”
Shandon stood up and walked back to the bar. He turned around and leaned back against it, staring at the group sitting around the table.
“This is what we will do,” he told them. “Pieter, you will write up a proclamation explaining in simple terms what this permanent anchor is and its benefits to our society. Do it tonight and I'll review it when you are done.”
He smiled at his old friend.
“And if I am asleep, wake me up, hmm? This is an urgent matter and I want it resolved as soon as possible.”
“Understood, my lord.”
“Good. Hallic, use your people and their connections to spread the word among the populace. They need to put a positive spin on this news. Again, hammer the point that this will strengthen the empire, not weaken it.”
“Consider it done,” the rogue replied.
“Thank you. Jergen, find Falder and tell him that the scribes will have to produce hundreds of notices in the next few hours. And tell him that our messengers will have to carry those notices across the empire to every city and town as soon as they are ready.”
