An Alliance of Mortals, page 21
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
The other guard smiled sympathetically at her.
“Neither do I,” he admitted. “But if you are going to be babysitting that anchor, you should at least learn the names of the leaders of the other races, don't you think?”
Molly covered her face.
“What have I done,” she said thickly. “I'm in such trouble.”
“You'll be in even more trouble if you don't get back there,” the older guard pointed out. “You are still on duty, aren't you?”
Molly gasped and spun around. She ran off and the guards grinned as they watched her leave.
“It's times like these that I'm happy to just be a simple guardsman,” the woman said.
“Yeah, me too,” her partner agreed. “Politics! Let the higher ups deal with all that. Give me a sword and an enemy to swing it at and I'm happy.”
Malcolm ran through the iron gates into the walled-off section of the courtyard and skidded to a stop, his boots screeching on the stone-covered ground. The area was empty except for the towering obelisk, which was glowing with a cool blue light. Torches were lit all around the walls and they were dancing in the brisk wind blowing through the open gates.
The big man hurried over to the anchor and stopped in front of it.
“Hello?” he called out. “Is anyone there?”
“Aye, of course there's someone here,” a gruff voice replied, the sound emanating from the pillar. “Who is this? I was speaking to a woman a moment ago and she suddenly went silent. I thought this damned thing stopped working.”
Malcolm recognized the speaker's voice immediately and he took a deep breath before replying.
“This is Malcolm Deschamps, your majesty,” he said loudly. “Commander of the guards of Nottinghill Castle. I sincerely apologize for making you wait. The young lady who was on duty at our anchor was surprised by your message and hurried off to fetch me without telling you that she was leaving. This is the first time that the device has come to life, so to speak and it startled her. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Molly ran in as he was speaking and stopped abruptly at a warning gesture from Malcolm. He tapped his lips with a finger and gave her a wink.
Molly smiled tremulously and nodded.
“Oh, I see,” Shandon replied, his tone less irritated. “Well, that is understandable. These things still make me uneasy. I'm a warrior, not a mage, and using magic is foreign to me.”
“Thank you, your majesty,” Malcolm said with some relief. “I feel the same way. Now, how can I help you?”
“We here in Kingstone have reason to believe that spies sent by our mutual enemies are trying to reach our anchor. I have tightened security in the palace and I suggest that your people do the same on your end. Some of the spies recruited by our enemies have been killed. Apparently they had a change of heart and were murdered to send a message to others who might have tried to warn me of their actions.”
Malcolm stared at the glowing pillar.
“Spies? I see. Have you found the people responsible for sending these spies against you?”
“I've already ordered the arrest and detention of the person who we believe is at the center of this conspiracy,” Shandon replied flatly. “But I wanted to warn your people of the potential danger right away. And after we are done speaking, I will be getting in touch with the elves to warn them as well.”
“You have my gratitude, your majesty,” Malcolm stated. “I will tighten security around our anchor immediately and I will pass along your warning to the leadership.”
“Good. I know you, Malcolm,” Shandon said, his voice relaying his obvious respect. “You are a fine warrior. I know that you will keep the anchor safe. I can only hope that the elves are able to do the same.”
“Thank you, your majesty,” the big man replied. “I share your hope.”
“Go then,” the king said. “I won't keep you from your duties any longer. I will contact the elves immediately and pass along my warning. It was good to speak with you, Commander.”
The pale light around the anchor faded and Malcolm let out a long breath as he looked back at Molly.
“Well, that went better than I had feared it might,” he told her. “Are you all right?”
“I'm fine, sir,” she replied with some embarrassment. “I want to apologize for...”
Malcolm chuckled and shook his head.
“No harm done, Molly. You had no way of knowing who was calling. But next time, you might want to send a guard to summon one of us instead of going yourself. Bad form to leave the king of the dwarves talking to thin air, you know.”
She blushed a bright red and the big man laughed jovially.
“Just kidding,” he told her. “I'm going to round up more guards to watch over the anchor. How much longer are you on duty?”
The young woman looked up at the fading light in the night sky.
“Once it's full dark, I will be relieved by the next watcher.”
“Good. Stay alert for now. If the king is correct, and I have no reason to believe that he isn't, the anchor is threatened. If someone else calls, you know what to do.”
“Yes sir. I know.”
Malcolm smiled at her and walked off quickly.
Molly sighed and turned to stare at the anchor suspiciously.
“Don't you do anything weird,” she told it. “I've had enough excitement for one day.”
In Caladur, the night was waning. A few tentative bird calls rang out through the forest surrounding the town. The streets were deserted as the town still slept.
In the Council Hall, Ethmira was sitting alone, her feet propped up on the conference table. She was staring pensively at the tall pillar, silently thinking about her people and their uncertain future. There were a pair of rangers stationed outside of the doors into the hall, but Ethmira had insisted that one of the leaders of the elven survivors should be on duty near the anchor at all times, especially since the connection between the three mortal races was still so new.
As she slept very little and could go for several days without rest, Ethmira volunteered to take the night shift four times a week. It was a long and boring task, but it gave her time to think. Also, the loss of Amelda was still fresh on her mind and it kept the ranger from resting easily.
As she watched the black stone pillar and let her thoughts drift, the anchor was suddenly infused with a pale blue aura that lit up the darkened room.
Ethmira quickly slipped her feet off of the table and stood up, staring at the pillar suspiciously.
“Hello?” a voice called out from the anchor. “Is anyone there?”
The ranger smiled as she hurried over the stand in front of the pillar.
“Good morning, my lord,” Ethmira said to it. “How are you today?”
“Ethmira!” Shandon exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise. I am well, thank you. I was afraid that I would be greeted by another minor staff member like I was a few minutes ago when I got in touch with the people at Nottinghill Castle.”
“You called the humans?” she replied in surprise. “Why? Is there a problem?”
“There is indeed,” the king said gravely. “Our anchors are in danger. We've uncovered a plot to spy on the one here in Kingstone, which I can only assume was an attempt to find any weaknesses in our defense of the thing and exploit them.”
“The enemy already knows about them?” Ethmira asked him sharply. “How?”
“Who knows? Their installation wasn't exactly a secret, was it? In fact, we all told our people that the anchors would lead to more security by allowing us to reach our allies in times of conflict.”
Shandon chuckled.
“But it seems to have backfired somewhat,” he added ruefully. “The enemy must realize, as we already do, that these things could also be used to attack all three of our races. Which is why I am calling. Ethmira, you must strengthen the protections around your anchor. As I said, I just spoke to the humans. In fact, I was lucky enough to talk to the commander of their guardsmen, Malcolm. He assured me that he will take steps to immediately protect their anchor even more securely than it already is. You must do the same.”
“I understand, my lord,” she replied. “I will arrange for more guardians to watch over the anchor right away.”
“Good. That's reassuring to hear,” Shandon said with obvious relief in his voice. “All it would take is for one anchor to be seized by the forces of the dark gods and we could suddenly be waist deep in goblins and who knows what else.”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not,” Ethmira said thoughtfully. “Callius says that the ley energy that powers the anchors is anathema to the Chaos lords and their minions. Even if they were to take control of one of them, it is doubtful that they could use it.”
“Let us not take the chance that he is wrong, hmm?” the king replied. “Beef up your defenses and keep that anchor safe. We have already done the same, and the humans are doing so as well.”
“I will. Thank you for the warning, my lord.”
“Not at all. In this situation, what benefits one race benefits all of us. Best of luck, Ethmira. It was good to speak with you again.”
“And to you, my lord. Take care.”
The light around the pillar faded away and the ranger was left in the darkened hall, lit only by a single candle sitting on the conference table.
She stared at the obelisk for a moment and then hurried to the main doors. There was work to be done and no time to waste.
A few days later, Shandon was pacing along the ramparts of Kingstone. The walls around the city extended for miles and had multiple gates leading out to the deep roads, ancient thoroughfares that connected all of the dwarven cities and towns spread out across the empire. The king had never walked the entire length of the thick, high walls before, but he had decided to examine them in light of the new threat from the dwarves' enemies.
Jergen and Pieter had joined the king at his invitation, although the older dwarf had complained that his old knees weren't up to the job. But Pieter now walked beside Shandon and Jergen with no evidence of discomfort, exchanging comments and concerns with both of them.
“Are you sure that you weren't just making an excuse to stay home with your young wife, Pieter?” Jergen teased his old friend at one point.
Shandon chuckled as Pieter sniffed at the comment.
“Of course not,” he replied loftily. “I simply didn't want slow down the king's inspection. I'm not as young as I used to be, you know.”
“Bah!” Jergen exclaimed. “You're fitter then I am. I think that you've become a little too comfortable at home these days.”
“Leave it be, Jergen,” Shandon interjected with a smile. “Pieter is here now and I value both of your opinions.”
The ramparts along the top of the wall were over a dozen feet wide, with parapets rising from either side, notches built into them to allow defenders to shoot down at attackers both inside and outside of the city.
There were troops stationed along the entire length of the wall, which was uniformly thirty feet high. It had been built thousands of years in the past by master stonemasons, and it had been built to last. Over the centuries, any weaknesses that had developed along the wall had been repaired and the barrier strengthened. It had saved the citizens of Kingstone from attacks by monsters, raiders and the armies of Chaos alike and it was a source of pride for all dwarves. Many people living in far-off towns and cities would bring their families to visit Kingstone to marvel at the wall and tour the city. It had become something of a pilgrimage for the average dwarf, a point of pride that they could boast about to their friends and neighbors when they returned home.
Shandon and his friends were all wearing armor and carrying weapons. Even though they were still in the city, it was prudent to take precautions just in case the enemy had managed to slip assassins into Kingstone. And since learning of the network of spies in their midst, the king had become much more suspicious than usual. It wasn't a feeling that he enjoyed.
“Shouldn't you have brought along some bodyguards?” Pieter had asked him when they had first begun their inspection of the wall.
Shandon grinned at him and Jergen.
“I thought that I had,” he told them with a sly wink.
Jergen laughed loudly.
“Aye, you did.”
He slapped the heavy axe swinging from his belt.
“I'm just looking for an excuse to use this beauty. She hasn't been baptized in blood yet, and she's mighty thirsty. And speaking of new weapons, I see that you're carrying a lovely sword that I've never seen before.”
Strapped across the king's back was a greatsword that shone dimly with its own light. The hilt was plain, wrapped with leather strapping and capped with a gleaming white gem.
Shandon reached over his shoulder and ran a finger over the gem.
“Aye, it is new. I had a swordsmith in the market fashion it for me. I've missed my old greatsword, the one that I carried back when the three of us guarded those small border towns we worked for.”
“Oh, that one,” Pieter said with a nod. “Yes, I remember it. It served you well, my lord. Shed a lot of raider blood back in the day, as I recall.”
“It did indeed. I can only hope that this new blade is up to the task as well.”
A squad of four guards stood watch on the wall every fifty yards or so. Along with each squad, there were ballistae with crews of three specialists set up nearby. All of the warriors were alert and well armed and Shandon smiled in approval as he passed each group.
“I'm impressed,” the king commented at one point as he and his two friends passed another ballista.
The soldiers all snapped to attention as they recognized Shandon, standing like wide-eyed statues as he walked by.
He nodded at them with a friendly smile and moved on.
“I see no signs of boredom or indolence anywhere,” he added when the guards were out of earshot.
“Did you expect any?” Jergen asked in surprise.
“No, of course not. But soldiers are still people, and people aren't perfect. Standing guard duty is dull, tedious work at the best of times. Unless you're in combat, the hours can tick by slowly. The three of us know what that's like.”
“That's true enough,” Jergen admitted. “But the word is now out that there is a credible threat to the anchor and, by extension, to the city itself. These warriors know their duty. You won't find any indolence among them, I'm sure.”
Shandon sighed and shook his head as he stopped and stared out at the cavern beyond the city walls.
“I didn't want word of the spies to get out so soon,” he told his friends. “Any rats that we haven't flushed out yet will now scurry off into the shadows, never to be seen again.”
Jergen rested his forearms on the parapet, also gazing out at the dim reaches of the immense cavern.
“I doubt that,” he told the king. “Hallic's people are looking for any remaining conspirators. If anyone can flush out those rats, the rogues can.”
Pieter clasped his hands behind his back and rocked back and forth on his heels.
“Aye,” he agreed. “Hallic will deal with them. What surprised me wasn't how quickly the rumors spread about the threat. There are too many people in the palace who learned about it to keep it quiet. No, what surprised me was how easily the dwarf who organized the entire scheme gave up his secrets. Not the strongest person to hire to operate such a conspiracy, was he?”
The owner of the shop where the spies had been seen coming and going had been rounded up and brought to the palace. After a day of discomfort, sitting alone in the dungeons far below the streets of Kingstone, the dwarf, a merchant named Wass Coalburn, had asked to speak with the seneschal. He had told Falder everything and now sat in that damp, lonely cell awaiting his fate.
“Do you think he told us the truth?” Jergen asked the king. “As Pieter said, he broke rather easily, don't you think?”
Shandon continued to stare blankly into the distance.
“Oh aye, I think so,” he replied softly. “I do have a certain reputation for ruthlessness, especially when it comes to traitors. And the large amount of gold that Hallic recovered from that merchant's shop lends credence to his story.”
“But who was his contact?” Jergen asked angrily. “He says that he never saw their face. All he knows is that it was a woman, because of her voice, and that she was too tall to be a dwarf. And that she gave him a hell of a lot of gold to organize a network of spies to scout out the anchor in the throne room. Which means that whoever she is, she is still free and might try something else.”
“I am aware of that, Jergen,” Shandon snapped as he turned to glare at his old friend. “Why do you think I am walking the length of this wall? I need to be sure that our defenses are as secure as possible, and I need to be seen by our troops to reassure them that I am as alert and ready as they are.”
“Yes, of course,” Pieter interjected calmly. “Jergen knows that, my lord. He is simply worried about our people. We all are.”
The king took a deep breath and smiled apologetically at his two friends.
“Sorry. I'm a bit on edge right now. I know how loyal and committed to our people you both are. Come along. Let's finish this inspection. I have a meeting with Larin scheduled for later today and I don't want to be late.”
He walked off and Jergen and Pieter exchanged a worried glance as they followed.
“If he's this concerned, the threat may be worse than I imagined,” Jergen murmured.
“Aye, and he's meeting with the high mage. That's never a good sign,” Pieter replied. “Well, all we can do is be here to support him, no matter what happens.”
“Would you two stop whispering and keep up, please?” Shandon barked without looking back at them.
The dwarves grinned at each other and moved faster to catch up with the king. There was still a great deal of wall ahead of them to inspect.
Some time later, the king was sitting in his lounge speaking with Larin. The two of them were alone. The mage had declined an offer of ale, but had happily accepted the tea that Shandon had ordered for him instead.
