Cataclysm, page 35
part #1 of Rebirth Series
“Does it involve the princess who mysteriously arrived in Riverhouse today without being spotted at any of the entrances?” he asked and Tic nodded.
“Too much has been revealed by you already for me to allow you to go on without you telling me everything, Master Rowe. Trust that I am a fair man and somewhat versed in the arts myself, so I will look at your case with an open mind, but you must tell me everything immediately,” he said and again Tic nodded, knowing that he had been expertly talked into a corner where the only thing that could free him was the truth.
“Okay, but this is not the place for that kind of information to be revealed. Would you walk with me back to my place and I will explain it on the way and show you?”
“Yes, but you should know that we are being monitored and will be followed,” he said and Tic paused wondering why the sheriff would have people follow himself. Then it dawned upon him.
“Oh…I am no threat to you. I mean, that is fine, have them follow, but you will never be in danger from me.”
“I believe that, Tic, however, what you expose me to may be a different story.”
“Very well then, lets walk.” They stood and started a slow stroll toward Tic’s home.
“A while ago I started mentally tracing the runes in Riverhouse, pretty much from the first day that I arrived actually.”
“What do you mean tracing the runes, I thought you weren’t able to do that?”
“I am not; I was tracing the patterns of the runes that already exist within the structure itself.”
“Do you mean the runes that were established when Riverhouse was created?”
“Yes, those and the deeper ones or the natural ones I should say.”
“Well, that is quite a claim, Master Rowe. It typically takes a council of twelve to access those runes, so I find it very hard to believe that you just stumbled into them,” Sheriff Frodeg said skeptically.
“I told you that I would show you proof so just bear with me until we get to that point, I have a lot to reveal and assuaging your doubts will prevent us from getting to that point. I didn’t stumble upon them, they revealed themselves to me. Jumping ahead a little bit just to avoid the next shock you will see, as I was viewing and repairing the neglected runes within the structure, I found a portal that displayed the princess locked in some kind of underground palace or castle. I didn’t know who she was so I watched her off and on for a couple weeks and didn’t feel she was in danger. She was relaxed and had a strange companion with her, but they were friendly and comfortable with each other so I thought nothing of it. Last night I took Leldeif on the same trip that I am going to expose you to shortly and we saw the princess again, only this time she was standing over a rune of her own creation that she had sprayed with lokai blood. I could tell by the rune she had drawn that she was trying to escape from the castle, which I found out was actually a prison for her and her companion so I helped.”
“You helped?”
“Yes, that was the bang that was reported to you as disturbing the peace. I ended up bringing both her and her companion here, to my place. I think she believes that she did it, but her rune was never going to work. It was sloppy and imperfect, the equations didn’t even add up. I didn’t tell her that before she left and probably never will.”
“Oh, what about her companion?”
“He is hiding at my place.”
“Hiding?”
“Yes, it turns out that he had been trapped there for over three hundred years and he doesn’t know what to do with himself.”
“Oh, I guess that is understandable considering the amount of time he was imprisoned, maybe I can help.”
“Maybe you can, however, there is one problem. I want to tell you what the problem is, but I am afraid that you are going to overreact. So, before I tell you, I want you to know that other than being a tad pompous…he is actually a very nice guy and not worthy of any rage or prejudice.”
“What are you trying to tell me, Master Rowe?” Frodeg stopped and grabbed Tic’s arm to turn him so they could talk face to face.
“His name is Nigel and Nigel is…an aerial.”
Frodeg’s eyes grew to the size of a giant’s and he started to sputter indecipherably.
33
Sheriff
Tic himself didn’t really know what was happening, but he did know that he needed this man on his side and that meant, no lies.
“Why can’t I move?” the sheriff asked with more than a little nervousness to his tone. “Release me or I will start shouting for my men.”
“I have done nothing, Sheriff Frodeg, I am not holding you in place, but there are things occurring around us that may attribute to this situation.”
“What are you going to do to me?” Now his tone bordered on fear and Tic had to find a way to defuse the situation and keep everyone alive in the process.
“I intend to show you what is going on, Sheriff, and how important it is for the very survival of Riverhouse that we work together.” Tic didn’t know where his words were coming from, but there was a timbre to it that seemed to placate the man. Tic felt as if it wasn’t really him having this conversation and his words came from another place entirely. It wasn’t as though he had been possessed by something evil or anything like that. It seemed more like a being or energy greater than him, but of a like mind…was speaking through him.
“There are evil forces at work in the north, Sheriff. Your garrisons have emptied to go and help the besieged as is your duty.” Tic was not privy to this information; he didn’t even know who was privy to it, but the words were coming from him. He had no idea why or how they were able to speak of things he knew nothing of, but he had a suspicion as to who, or should he say, what was using him at this precise moment. It was the power that he surrendered to the moment he stepped inside this grand structure. It was the force that welcomed him and those he brought with him into the very walls and showed them the weaves and pattern that others called runes. It was the force that had been guiding his steps ever since he got here and he loved it, cherished it, he also trusted it with all of his being.
“Our garrison has emptied. Mikalene has also sent troops directly north to help with the situation up there. The only entity left to defend Riverhouse is you, unless you listen to me and allow me to show you some things that will help.” Tic could feel his voice reaching out and caressing the dwarf, easing his fears.
“Will you come with me and hear me out, sir?” Tic asked knowing that it was from him this time, for he truly needed this man to come with him.
Sheriff Frodeg nodded.
“I am going to put my hand on your shoulder and guide you to my home. Please stay calm as I have no desire to harm you in any way, shape, or form and you will be home with your family in time for dinner.”
Frodeg barely glanced at the aerial as he entered the flat and Leldeif looked at the pair curiously.
“Leldeif, will you make sure nobody comes in, we might be a little vulnerable for a few minutes,” Tic said and Leldeif nodded and Nigel held up his coffee mug as if he too would help. Frodeg walked as if he knew there was more at work here than a simple cobbler and his hobby. Tic sat him in the chair and adjusted his collar so that he would be comfortable.
“What was what?” Frodeg asked. “That energy, I could feel it’s power. I know that wasn’t you.”
“No, it wasn’t. In fact, I don’t think that it was a person at all. So much energy and blood has been lovingly given to Riverhouse that I believe that it has taken on its own identity.”
“Wha—is that even possible? A sentient building?” the sheriff gasped.
“I don’t know, but it is the only explanation that I have. Now sit calmly, you and I are going to take a little journey. Don’t worry, we won’t even leave the room physically. Now close your eyes and you will feel my pull. Don’t fight it, just trust me. Leldeif and I went through this just last night and all was good.”
Tic took him on a circuitous route, underneath it all he could feel an understanding within the dwarf over where they were. Within the stone there was no sound, sight, or speech outside of the stone itself, but due to their private connection they could feel what the other was seeing. When they arrived at an entrance Tic was surprised to see recognition within the dwarf’s mind. He had mentioned that he had some experience with runes, but Tic had no idea that he had been upon one of the repair crews that required twelve gifted to chant and draw runes that strengthened the junctions in Riverhouse to keep it stable. He could tell that the sheriff also recognized where the old rune had decomposed and was starting to weaken.
Tic projected his thoughts so that Frodeg would understand that Tic had personally repaired this rune just a couple of weeks ago, but now it looked as if it hadn’t been touched in hundreds of years.
He reached out wondering if the time issue with where he had rescued the princess and aerial from might have something to do with the advanced decomposition of the rune that he now faced. He touched the rune, turning it instantly into a three-dimensional image. If Frodeg could have gasped, he would have. He never even realized that it was a composition of three weaves that joined together, completely enveloping the walls inside, outside, and through the very heart of the stone.
He focused his thoughts on Frodeg and could sense that he was getting through.
If you look at this junction you will see four equilateral triangles base to base making a square, that formation is called the nucleus. Outside of that you will see the other five types of triangles laid out in concentric rows starting with an isosceles triangle and ending with obtuse. Each row increases in size only to accommodate the expanding pattern as the number of shapes stay the same with zero gap between each shape. That I call the clutch because it holds it all together. This is where the strength of the weave is, so it is imperative that portion stays healthy. Of course, there’s the center square or the nucleus, within that nucleus you see more squares getting smaller and smaller until they finally disappear into eternity, or at least it looks like eternity. That is a portal. When I am alone, I can project my energy into that point and I instantly know the condition of the weaves spanning the entire structure from north to south. Tic paused allowing that to sink in a little before continuing.
This junction was not in this condition yesterday, Tic projected. We have to check the others and that means I have to enter the portal. It is different in there, Frodeg, do you think that you can handle it or do I bring you back?
A strong feeling of agreement flowed from the dwarf and Tic plunged in without hesitation hoping that Frodeg’s exposure to magic in the past was enough to keep him from losing his mind. Where moving through stone seemed ponderous and slow, entering the nucleus was like becoming one with lightening and instantly his being flowed through all of the weaves at once, completely covering the hundred plus miles from north to south in an instant. Unlike being locked within the stone while in the weaves they did have a sense of the outside world. There was not one square inch that wasn’t covered by the human and dwarf and he felt Frodeg’s mind starting to falter.
Relax, my friend, I am here with you, Tic relayed and felt him calm a bit. Can you see it? The junctions along the entire southern wall have been compromised. Reach out with me and we’ll use our own energy for the repairs, hopefully that will be enough.
Moving at the speed of lightening they were quickly able to reinforce the junctions. Tic wanted to bring Frodeg back right away when he started slipping, but this was too important. He did what he needed to, planning on coming back as soon as he was done with the sheriff. In less than an instant they were back in Tic’s home, both silent for a very long time as the sheriff digested what he had just been exposed to.
Nigel enter the room with two steaming cups. He handed one to Tic and the other to the sheriff.
“Thank you,” the sheriff said absent mindedly before he did a double take.
“You know that aerials are not allowed in Riverhouse?”
“I do know that and it is not surprising considering how devastating we can be. However, I am alone and from an age that was before this place. I don’t know what the political situation is, nor did I choose to come here, so I think it would be kind of you to give me a pass,” Nigel said calmly as if he didn’t really mind that his fate was in the hands of this man. The dwarf nodded thoughtfully.
“I might be able to do that, depending upon what your plans are and if you can add a little kick to this steaming mug here.”
“You see, Sheriff, that is the issue of the day,” Nigel said with a smile as he dropped some brandy into the mug. “I don’t really have any plans and I don’t know where my people are, and from what I have heard I don’t think that I would fit in with them. So, I guess for now…I am going to stay with Tic and the ugly elf here.”
“Wait a minute, that’s not going to work at all,” Leldeif interjected.
“Oh, spare the arch enemy crap, would you. I thought that way for hundreds of years and was just proven how wrong I was by a snot nosed princess. I can stay here and take care of the house, I mean you have real food which I haven’t seen in years and I can kind of feel out the world for a bit before I make any decisions.”
“What about the whole enslavement of the races thing that your people are so fond of?” Frodeg asked, getting right to the point.
“Oh please, that was a few overzealous rulers that promised us gold and women. I am alone, I’m not going to enslave anyone, especially if you find me some good side pork to smoke.”
“Side pork to smoke? Do you mean bacon?” the sheriff pressed.
“I don’t know, is that what you call it? We called it smoked side pork and it is my most favorite food in the world.”
“I will order some in for tomorrow,” Tic said and turned back to the sheriff. “He is kind of my responsibility, Sheriff, I will make sure that he does nothing to jeopardize your standing in the community.”
The sheriff took a long draw from a steaming mug before speaking.
“Let’s just say that I never saw you. In fact, I would like to keep this whole meeting private. I have seen some things here that I would have never thought possible and I have to process things. To say that I am shocked or stunned would be an understatement,” he said and stared at the elf, aerial, and human for a long time before continuing. “Now that I have seen these things, I think that it is imperative to keep it amongst ourselves, for now. These are dangerous times and I get the feeling that you could be my ace in the hole so to speak but you could also be my bane, so I want you to keep doing what you are doing and protect my home, our home now I guess it is safe to say. You will be seeing me quite often, Master Rowe, please try to be as forth coming in the future as you have been today,” the sheriff said and stood to leave. Tic stood and held out his hand.
“Thank you for trusting me, Sheriff. I won’t let you down.”
“That would be for the best,” he said and they shook hands. He shook his head back and forth several times before he asked in a raspy breath.
“What are you?”
“I am a cobbler.”
“No, you are not. Now tell me what you truly are.”
“I am a cobbler who as soon as he entered into Riverhouse knew where he belonged. Back in Lemure I dabbled in magic tricks that would have been entertaining at a cocktail party, until a better magician came along that is. But when I entered here, I knew there was more for me here than I could have ever imagined possible. Riverhouse speaks to me, not like a boss or a father but as a friend or a brother. A friend that I need as well as a friend who needs me,” Tic said and Frodeg nodded because he knew it to be true, he had seen it with his own eyes. There could be no other answer.
“So, what are you going to do to us?”
“Us? Me? What are you talking about?”
“The dwarfs, we have managed Riverhouse since the beginning, but with you here, we are not needed.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I am not here to take over or change anything you are doing. In fact, Riverhouse enjoys the dwarf’s presence and is happy with you. I am like its buddy and here to watch its back, so to speak, as well as repair its being as needed is all. We are vulnerable and as soon as the garrison is far enough away…things are going to happen. Very bad things, and we have to be ready.”
“Can you stop it?”
“I don’t know, I’d like to think so, but I am into things here that I had never imagined before and I am more of a craftsman than a warrior, so I really have no clue what I can or will do. I can’t help but think the pieces are falling together in our favor.”
“How so?” the sheriff pressed.
“Well, the meeting we just had where I could show you the problems in the runes. That wasn’t something that I had planned on nor would I; I am just not that outgoing. This…this place, Riverhouse spoke to you though me and she is creating her own destiny. It is why I am here, it is why you and I met, it is why Leldeif is under my employ and now we even have an aerial. Who else can make that claim?”
“I don’t think anybody could ever make that claim, ever,” the sheriff said with more than a little surprise in his tone.
“Exactly. Every day I learn more and more about this place. It is knowledge delivered so regularly that I feel as if I am being coached or guided toward these tidbits in a very organized or methodical manner. I saw new patterns, or runes as you call them, just on our outing that I have to go investigate tonight.”
“Really? What?”
“Give me a couple of days and I will let you know,” Tic said with a smile. After a couple of seconds, the sheriff gave a single nod.
“Very well then, you will be in contact with me then?”
“Yes, feel free to stop by at any time, the door is always open,” Tic replied.
Frodeg realized that he wasn’t going to get any more here and started to turn to go. He gave Leldeif a nod and then glanced toward Nigel who sat on the sofa with his wings neatly folded behind him to look as nothing more than a human. Nigel held a cocktail up in his hand and smiled at the sheriff.
