As always, Bajan stood by her side, his green eyes narrowed and probing.
Captain Nash stepped forward to take Kiernan’s hand, and he held it high between them as he escorted her to the King’s table.
King Maximus entered the hall behind his daughter, and before he could be properly announced, he said loudly, “Please have a seat. As much as I abhor mixing business with pleasure, we have important matters to discuss.”
***
Kiernan glanced over at Beck, now taking a seat at one of the tables with Airron and Rogan, and her stomach tightened in pleasure. She barely noticed as Captain Nash bowed over her hand and kissed it before holding out her chair and then taking the seat next to her for himself.
Her father stepped up onto the raised dais behind them and addressed the crowd. “Thank you all for coming. Regrettably, what was supposed to be an informal dinner must now be deemed a war council.”
The Nysians murmured in surprise and glanced around uncomfortably at each other.
“As you know,” her father continued calmly while the guests hurried to take their seats, “a host of invaders attempted to breach the outer wall to Nysa earlier today. Fortunately, the Iserlohn Army was able to repel the attack.”
Kiernan looked at her father with a raised eyebrow.
“One of these invaders even managed to get into the city and make an assassination attempt upon my life. My daughter, the Princess, stopped him with her sword.”
Shocked gasps were followed by nervous applause.
“With great remorse, I must now inform you that the fears of our ancestors have come to pass, and the protective measures they put in place centuries ago have failed.” He paused. “The shifters of Pyraan have been defeated.”
More anxious twitter broke out from the guests. Kiernan did not like the way this was going.
“The very same Mage who started the war over three hundred years ago has invaded Massa through the Crown Bluffs in the north, and all of the people and the land of Pyraan have been destroyed. With the exception of five shifters who escaped this massacre, magic is no more.”
She gritted her teeth at several shouts of approval.
Suddenly, the doors to the hall banged open and two Sabers entered with a large struggling man between them, a black hood thrown over his head.
The nervous guests scraped back their chairs and turned toward the commotion at the door.
The King kept on as if nothing at all were happening in the back of the room. “This Mage must be stopped at all costs. He is ruthless and devious and intends to enslave the people of Massa. He covets our women and children.”
Lord Etin’s chair crashed to the floor as he stood. “Never! Iserlohn’s swords will cut him to bloody pieces!”
Kiernan thought she saw a slight smile on her father’s face. The cunning orator continued with deliberate fervor in his voice now. “This Mage leads a mutant army to do his killing! To kill Massans!” Her father lifted his arm and pointed to the figure in the back. “Guests, behold! I give you the face of the enemy!” All eyes turned in time to see one of the Scarlet Sabers roughly pull the black hood off the prisoner.
Titus stopped struggling and rose proudly to his full height amidst the screams of the women.
Kiernan stood. “Father, please don’t do this,” she pleaded quietly.
He ignored her, his voice growing harder. “We will avenge the shifters who gave their lives protecting the people of Massa!”
Applause.
“We will persevere in the defense of this great nation!”
Applause.
“We will throw these animals back into the sea from which they crawled!” the King roared and basked in the thunderous applause generated by his words. He pointed again to Titus. “Starting with this one!”
The guests leapt to their feet with shouted pronouncements of unmitigated allegiance to their King.
Kiernan knew she had to stop this. She tried to meet Beck’s eyes over the heads of the crowd.
The doors swung open a second time and a tall, handsome man with long blonde hair strode into the room disregarding the protests of several servants. He appeared to be in his fortieth year with a strong, chiseled face that was mostly unlined. A black cape hung from his broad shoulders and flowed out behind him as he walked into Grace Hall. The most remarkable thing about him was his eyes, thought Kiernan. They were startling blue in color and seemingly wise and knowing beyond his years. A hint of mischief twinkled just beneath the surface.
“Apologies for my lateness, Max,” he said to the King informally. “I was unexpectedly delayed.”
Her father snorted. “I should have known you would show up, Starr. You always did have a nose for trouble.”
Starr? Galen Starr?
The elusive Mage strode swiftly through the newly dubbed war council directly to her father’s table and bowed. “And you, my dear King, always had a knack for rousing the masses,” he said softly, out of earshot of the others.
Her father smirked. “It has been a long time, Starr. I just regret that our reunion is due to unfortunate circumstances.”
“Why else would I be here except for unfortunate circumstances, Your Grace?” he quipped. “May I have the floor?”
When her father nodded, Galen walked to the back of the room to stand in front of Titus, still being held securely by his arms. The Mage shook his head in regret. “My apologies to you, young man. It seems my former apprentice has much to answer for. With your permission, I would like to speak to you in private after this council as there are many questions that I need to have answered.”
Titus looked taken aback, but nodded his head.
Addressing the Sabers with authority, Galen said, “Return this man to his cell until I can speak to him, but do not harm him.” It was an order. “On your way out, see to it that we’re not interrupted by anyone, including servants. Dinner will have to wait.”
The soldiers hesitated and glanced at Colbie Nash. “Do as he says,” the captain commanded.
As soon as Titus and the Sabers left the hall, Galen walked forward and addressed her father. “Again, my apologies, Your Grace, but events on the island are spinning out of control and time is of very limited supply. If you will, please introduce your guests to me. I would like to know to whom I speak.”
The King glared at Galen. “Very well, Mage, but you are testing my patience with your pomposity.”
Galen bowed his head in acknowledgment, but Kiernan again noticed an underlying sparkle in the man’s eyes.
Her father walked off the dais and Kiernan and the others followed. He introduced the two captains and several of their top officers. Next, he introduced the six lords and ladies of his Court, Lords Etin, Winslow, Hamilton and Paxton, and Ladies Conry and Knapp. Lastly, he presented the shifters.
Once the introductions were complete, Galen approached Bajan and bowed deeply at the waist. Bajan clicked his tongue, clearly satisfied at the display of respect. “I am honored to meet you, Draca. I have had many dealings with your Sovereign, Moombai, over the years and hold the Draca Cats in the very highest of esteem.”
Bajan’s eyes turned black.
Princess, thank the Mage and tell him I am pleased by his words.
After Kiernan translated, Galen bowed once more and turned to face the war council with outstretched arms. “Let us all sit down. It is imperative that you understand the occurrences that have led us here and what must be done to repel this invasion of evil.” He walked toward the tables and, with a casual flick of his wrist, several chairs skidded across the floor to rearrange into a half-circle.
Lord Etin’s face reddened in fury. “Your Grace! I’m sure the Mage must have a purpose for all of his dramatic antics, but flaunting magic in the face of the law? In the palace of the King?”
Before her father could respond, Galen put his hands up again in concession. “You are right, Lord…Etin, is it not? Forgive me, Lord Etin, but my gift is such a natural part of who I am that I h
ave forgotten where I am.” He held his hand out to the chairs. “Please. No disrespect was intended.”
The wary council members took their seats and Galen, throwing his cape back to billow out over the back of his chair, sat down with them. “Let me start by telling you why Adrian Ravener has chosen this time to start a war with the island of Massa.” He paused. “It is because of me. Because I am dying.”
Kiernan looked around the room at all of the stunned faces that must have mirrored her own. This imposing, vibrant man is dying?
“With my death, safeguards I created long ago to stop Ravener will be vulnerable. As you all should know from our histories, there were four original Savitars who defeated Adrian Ravener in his original quest for dominion. He has now returned three hundred years later for the very same purpose. Adrian is a magician of immense power and will give no quarter. He must be utterly destroyed. The only way to do so is to unlock an ancient magical counter that—”
Captain Franck snorted an interruption. “Bah! An arrow through his black heart will kill him the same as any man.”
Galen nodded. “True, but he will be well guarded, and while he is well guarded, he will be conjuring dark arts.”
“What must be done?” asked Captain Nash.
“Despite your mistrust of magic, the naming of four new Savitars is compulsory to success. Only they will have the power to reach and summon the counter.”
The Mage stood up to walk behind the seated guests. “It will not be easy.” He put his hands on Rogan’s shoulders. “It will take a master fireshifter to light the way.” He moved to Airron. “It will take a bodyshifter of many forms to locate the trail.” He touched Beck. “It will take a mighty earthshifter with the strength to carry the day.” Galen stood behind Kiernan. “And, it will take Princess Kiernan Everard, and only Princess Kiernan.”
She turned to look up at him. “Why me?”
“Because of your connection with the Draca Cats. The power we seek is in Callyn-Rhe.”
She tilted her head in question. “But, how do we find it? I had always been told that Callyn-Rhe is impossible for humans to find.”
Galen shook his head. “Not impossible. Each of you should be in possession of a pendant. These four pendants, when joined, create a map to the shrouded Callyn-Rhe. There is where you will find the weapon to counter Ravener’s plans.”
The King, who had been quiet throughout Galen’s dire assertions, walked over to him now with barely controlled rage. “How long have you been making these plans, Mage? How long have you known that you would be using my daughter to wage war?”
Galen’s blue eyes filled with regret. “I have known for many years that this day would come, Max.”
Her father’s fists clenched at his sides. “You didn’t find it necessary to share this information with me? With the other lands?” he asked in disbelief. “We could have had years to prepare!”
“We need her, Max.”
“Maybe your way is not the only answer, Starr! If you will recall, it didn’t turn out very well the last time the people of this island entrusted their welfare to you!” Galen didn’t flinch, but Kiernan could see the sorrow in his face. Her father went on mercilessly. “Hundreds of thousands of people perished, Galen! Their blood still stains your hands! I don’t want to see another Mage War. There has to be another way!”
Galen reached out to put his hand on her father’s shoulder. “There is no other way, Max. I wish there was.” He looked directly into his old friend’s eyes. “She is pureblood.”
The tension stretched between them as everyone in the room watched the silent battle that waged between the Mage and the King as they glared at each other for several long moments. Jaws twitched. Chins lifted. Fists open and closed.
At last, Maximus shrugged Galen’s hand brusquely off his shoulder and turned toward Kiernan, taking her hands in his. “What say you, daughter?”
She didn’t hesitate. “I must do as Galen requests, Father. I am the only one who can communicate with the Draca Cats.” She didn’t bother to remind him of her blood oath. He wouldn’t understand. Still, she knew her father was hoping to hear her rail against this unconscionable task being requested of her. To denounce Galen Starr and his enigmatic claims. But, she did none of those things and thus unwittingly handed the victory of this evening to Galen Starr.
The King was silent as he contemplated and paced in front of the war council. He stopped in front of Beck, Rogan and Airron with a measuring gaze. “Will you also travel to Callyn-Rhe with my daughter?”
Her three friends stood as one and she smiled. “We will.”
He turned to Bajan, sitting passively on his haunches at her side. “Will you travel to your homeland with the Princess and protect her? Lay down your life for her if you must?”
Bajan nodded.
“And so it is!” he bellowed, whirling back to the guests. “As the shifters have agreed to do their part in defeating the bastard Mage, so do I pledge to rout the Cyman Army. We march in one week for Starfell!”
Kiernan scraped back her chair. “Father, you must wait for the armies of the Dwarves and Elves. There are tens of thousands of soldiers in the Cyman Army!”
The King scoffed. “We have already discussed this. The Iserlohn Army and the Scarlet Sabers can handle these interlopers, daughter. We may be outnumbered, but we have advantages that the Cyman Army does not such as maneuverability, knowledge of the terrain and the best battle strategists in the land.”
Airron stepped forward. “But, Your Grace, with assistance from the Elven Gladewatchers—”
“Don’t forget the Dwarven Iron Fists!” interrupted Rogan.
The King nodded. “Yes, yes, both units would be very formidable allies and if they arrive at Starfell, I will be grateful for their aid. But, we can’t depend on them. Ravener has demanded a response by Earthshine which is six weeks away. It will take all of that to outfit the army and march to Starfell.”
Lady Knapp leapt to her feet. “House Knapp supports King Maximus! The Shadow Panthers march to Starfell!”
Lord Etin nodded his head. “I care not one whit for where the shifters go, but you have my support as well, Your Grace. The Eagles of House Etin fly for Starfell!”
One by one, the Royal Court voiced their backing by committing their forces to the engagement.
“House Winslow’s Couching Wolves with the King!”
“The Red Dragons of House Hamilton to Starfell!”
“The Thundering Bulls of House Paxton charge to the Valley of Flame!”
“House Conry’s Savage Badgers will not be denied!”
The King unsheathed his sword from the scabbard at his hip and lifted it high into the air. “It is decided! But, if it is surrender that Ravener is expecting, he will be sorely disappointed, for he will only receive the sharp points of our swords!”
Iserlohn was at war.
Chapter 16
An Expendable Pawn
While King Maximus was making his declaration of war, Rory Greeley slipped out of the doors to Grace Hall. He moved past the nervous servants milling about and went in search of the holding cells. Fortunately, most people seemed to forget he was around which left him ample opportunity for covert exploits.
He had to ask several servants for directions along the way, but finally found the correct location. Two brawny guardsmen in black and red tunics stood in front of an arched door that Rory was told led down to the underground cells. He walked purposely toward the pair, and the guards watched him come with suspicious eyes.
These are soldiers who know their duty and take no chances. Rory was fairly certain that they wouldn’t let him through simply by making the request, so he tried another tactic.
He smiled disarmingly. “Pardon. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the guest chambers. I have only just arrived with the Princess and must confess with some embarrassment that I can’t remember the way to my room.”
One of the guards pointed down a
corridor that led, Rory knew, to the guest chambers.
He fixed a confused look on his face and scratched his head. “Are you sure? I have already been down that way, sir, and couldn’t find them.”
The guards exchanged a glance and then one nodded, probably the senior of the two. “Stay at your post, Vance. I’ll show him the way.”
Rory thanked them both and followed behind the guard. Before they turned the first corner, he risked a peek back over his shoulder to confirm that Vance was still in position and looking forward again.
He was.
When the burly guard leading him turned to provide further directions, Rory struck. Although small, he was skilled at combat and knew how to immobilize a larger opponent. The unsuspecting soldier didn’t have a chance. A well-placed blow to the side of his temple dropped him like a stone.
Eyes darting up and down the corridor, Rory lifted the man under the arms and dragged him to the first door he saw.
Luck was with him. A quick look inside revealed a short set of stairs that led down to what appeared to be an empty wine cellar. Grunting with the effort, Rory yanked the unconscious man inside the door and let him tumble down the stairs to the bottom. He raced down after the guard and pulled him into a darkened corner.
After wiping the sweat from his forehead he undressed and placed his clothes in an empty barrel for safekeeping.
Then, he did the unthinkable. What no bodyshifter in Pyraan would ever consider. What all shifters considered a heinous, despicable act against humanity. He placed his hands upon the guardsman and absorbed his form.
The air shimmered and the body on the ground sunk in on itself as Rory’s smaller stature shifted upward. Arms and legs lengthened, light-hair turned dark, the bristle of a beard popped out on his chin.
It took a few moments to orient himself to the man’s height and bulk and strip off the soldier’s uniform. Once dressed, he shoved the shrunken corpse further into the shadows of the room, staggered back up the stairs in his new body and headed back down the hall toward Vance and the cell doors. Smoothing his uniform, he approached the other guard.
“Open it up,” he said, gesturing to the door with his head.
“What are you doing, Penske?”
“I just ran into Captain Nash. The prisoner is to be readied for interrogation immediately. King’s orders.”