Betrayal at Goliath Gate, page 7
part #2 of Arcane Renaissance Series
“I just received word about your father. I'm sorry,” he said. “I know Celia, but... are these children from Aeyrdfeld?”
Celia nodded but said nothing.
“It's odd that you mention father. Mother says he's fine, that she'll handle the situation once she returns to the castle,” Giselle said. “And you're correct. These children were sent by their families for safety's sake. Do you have anywhere they can stay?”
“I'm sure we can take care of that,” the king said. “I'm not sure what Baroness Halett means regarding Marcus. The reports I received were... distressing.” Seeing the darkness that came over her face he hastened to changed the subject. “Where are Aaron and Liam? Don't tell me they went back to Aeyrdfeld.”
“Mother has some plan. She wanted me to tell you that she'll be taking back control of the castle and she's sure she can keep the Ganex at bay until your king's guard arrive.”
Wilhelm shook his head. “Unfortunately, the goliaths in my army will not be going to Aeyrdfeld, not for some time.”
“What?” Giselle asked. “Why!”
“Because General Gerund Keutteerik is a coward,” Thira said, stepping forward into the room. Giselle had forgotten how large the king's leothan bodyguard was. She was easily as tall as the king himself, if not somewhat taller given that slight forward lean the leothans had. Even little Meera and Shon had it, like a predator ready to pounce. Two curved knives hung on either side of her leather belt. It actually looked like there might be blood on one of them.
The king held up his hand. “He is somewhat circumspect. It's unfortunately quite common among the noble born in this country. The natural ridge to the north of Valendam is advantageous for defense. It's always easiest to set up a prepared position and let the enemy break against you like a storm against a dam.”
“He has defied your orders,” Thira said.
Wilhelm shook his head. “He thinks he's doing what's best for the country. He's called for me to join him at the battlements and sally forth together. Likely he wants to make sure I'm held responsible for any missteps when we move north.”
“Coward,” Thira said, folding her arms.
Wilhelm shrugged. “It's my fault. I wrote the law that allowed military commanders to exercise their own judgment without fear of reprisal from the king. It was meant to spur initiative, not encourage them to stall. That's why I valued Marcus so. The man had courage, integrity and a rational mind, a rare combination! I can only boast the first, though I've been told many would consider that simple stupidity.”
Giselle looked down at her feet. Poor father. If mother did save him, would he be scarred like the king? Would he limp and shudder and wear an eye patch? She didn't care if it meant he would be there for her and eventually her children. She'd wanted so much to see him become a grandfather. If only Aaron hadn't waited so long.
The king touched her shoulder. “I'm sorry dear,” he said. “I shouldn't have brought it up again. I've known your mother for a long time. She's an... interesting woman, for sure, but she gets things done. If anyone can save Marcus, she can.”
“I hope so,” Giselle replied, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
“I guess... I'll be off now,” Ina said, looking decidedly uncomfortable.
“No! Stay with us Ina, please. Have some tea. It's been so long since I've been to Valendam and Uncle Wilhelm has the best cook. Deanna is her name and you won't believe what she can do,” Giselle said.
“Oh so this girl didn't travel with you?” the king asked, using a finger to gesture toward the keralti.
“She helped us find the address for your contact. I'm sorry, but we kept getting lost. You wouldn't believe the things people have done to the city,” Giselle said.
Wilhelm nodded. “Yes. I'm saddened by it. I've enacted more reforms here than anywhere else. The Fenasian king wrote me a letter specifically to call me insane for making so many government positions elected. Yet still they march and shout how I oppress them. I fear nothing will appease them.” He sighed. “Well... I need to get back upstairs. I think we'll keep your presence here a secret for now. We do have some lesser used guest quarters in the southern wing of the palace. Thira will take you there.”
The leothan's ears perked up but her eyes narrowed. “I'd rather stay by your side. This is a dangerous time, much is moving, changing. I fear another attempt on your life.”
Wilhelm held up a hand. “You always fear that. Thira, please, take care of my friend's child and her companions.”
Thira closed her mouth, dissatisfied, but did not argue.
The king smiled at Ina. “Ina, I'm sorry to say you must stay for at least a few days. I can't have word getting out that Giselle is here. However, I can guarantee we'll treat you like a princess.”
“As long as my mother is notified, I'm fine with it!” Ina said. “Does being treated like a princess mean I can possibly view some of the gowns you have here? The queen dresses so elegantly!”
“I want to be treated like a princess too!” said Meera the little leothan girl.
“Can't we be treated like princes instead, or maybe knights? I want to be a stenridder!” Shon said as he pushed past Meera.
“I just want to eat!” Remmy said, raising a chubby hand.
The king laughed.
Chapter 5
“The key to prosperity is getting out of your own way. Put good people who know what they're doing in charge, then let them work.”
-Baron Marcus Halett of Faustland, 1617
There was a sharp flash of blue tinged white light that blinded Aaron, he stumbled to the side, bumping his hip into what felt like a chair. He rubbed his eyes, trying to banish the yellow glowing after image that filled his vision, which was otherwise dark. The baroness had apparently transported them to somewhere completely devoid of light.
“Wow, colors!” said the little boy.
“Hush Adem,” Mia said.
“Not to worry. This room is buried deep within the stone of the castle. No one will hear him,” Christine said as she touched a veil lamp with her fingers causing it to illuminate.
Aaron could now inspect the room and he saw, very little actually. There was a chair and a small shelf with a few items on it but no door. No door?
“Where is this?” Aaron asked. “Where's the door?”
The baroness gestured to a small box on the lower part of the shelf. It was already open and held a pair of green veil goggles.
“Use those Aaron, you'll see,” she said.
“You're not going to pass out on me again are you?” Mia asked flatly.
“No,” the baroness replied.
Aaron took the goggles and slipped them on. Instantly he understood what she meant. There was a door shaped alcove on the far side of the room that could only be seen through the goggles. It gave off a faint yellow glow.
“So you finally made it did you?” Harald asked. The little female doll with the golden curling hair was sitting in the chair to Aaron's right.
“Doll man!” Adem said with a giggle. “Will you teach me shor-sherry now? I want to make cake!”
Harald sighed, pointing at the boy. “It's high time he's handled.”
“You didn't bring it here?” Christine asked.
“No, frankly I'm beat. I barely made it back here. Can you... perhaps give me anything?” Harald asked.
Christine shook her head. “I need to be careful. I've much to do here. There's a cup of veil powder on the shelf, use that.”
Harald grimaced. “I will do nothing of the sort! You understand what that is don't you? It's disgusting!”
“Just do it,” the baroness said.
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean? What's wrong with veil powder? It comes from veil engines, why would that be a problem?”
Liam gripped his shoulder. “Who cares? When can I kill the traitors?”
The baroness raised a placating hand. “Soon Liam. I want you and Aaron to go with Harald to the dungeon. They're holding our people there. Find as many loyal to our cause who can still fight as you can. Try to be quiet getting there, but if you happen to kill a few company men, I wouldn't mind, just do it quietly. Once you have our people free, bring them to the garden. I'll be waiting.”
Harald had slipped off the chair and was trundling over toward the shelf, grumbling to himself.
“Doll man. I want to learn the shor-sherry!” Adem said again, with considerably more force.
Harald ignored him.
Mia tugged on the boy's hand. “Adem, please be patient.”
“No!” Adem said, his face reddening with frustration. “He never tells me!” The boy's fingers began balling into a fist which began to glow with an eerie yellow light.
Aaron took a step back, bumping into Liam and the shelf at the same time. Through the veil goggles he could see the boy's whole body beginning to glow.
The baroness spun around and put a thumb on the boy's forehead. Adem looked up at her, his face twisted with frustration. It looked like he was fighting her somehow. A few seconds elapsed where Aaron watched as waves of something flowed back and forth between his mother-in-law and the little boy. Finally there was a sort of rush of color and the boy slumped over, limp.
The baroness looked surprised. “That... was difficult. He's getting stronger.”
“As expected,” Harald said waving an arm dismissively.
Mia scooped the little boy up in her arms, listening to his chest. “You've put him to sleep?”
The baroness nodded. “Barely. We need to get him down there. Before he wakes up. I don't know if I can do that again.”
“He's strong,” Mia said. It seemed as much a question as a statement to Aaron.
“Frighteningly so,” the baroness replied. “But as I said, we have something for that.”
Harald nodded, his golden curls shaking. “He'll be fine.” Then he grimaced and dipped a yarn hand into the cup of veil powder on the lower shelf. There was a soft yellow glow as the powder evaporated, just as it might if it were sprinkled over a veil blade.
Aaron found it interesting. It seemed all sorcery had its roots in the veil after all, yet for some reason the doll didn't like the powder. He wondered why.
Back at the institute they'd discussed how veil engines worked, they'd even tinkered with some design improvements in one of his classes, but the basic principle remained the same. You used a veil crystal of sufficient size to open a point of power, and the engine would generate veil. However, though they'd spent an entire semester on the various veil reactions, they'd never gone into the specifics of precisely how the power was refined into powder.
Perhaps it was a company secret. Keeping such information hidden for as long as possible meant the powder remained scarce and the price high. More than that, it allowed them to control who had goliaths and how many.
Of course! Why didn't he see it before? The empire was using powder hungry goliaths that burned through powder at much higher rates. That suggested strongly they had the backing of the veil company. It wasn't proof of collusion, after all the Veil Company had facilities in many countries, they could simply say they were forced to comply, but it pointed strongly in that direction. Though, if it could be proven that the Veil Company had hired the soldiers who attacked Aeyrdfeld, that would be pretty damning as well, certainly to the king who had always been Marcus's staunchest supporter.
It only underscored the importance of determining how it was all done. The baron had said he'd wanted Aaron to find out how to build veil engines of their own but he would need to duplicate the rest of the process as well in order to power Aeyrdfeld's goliaths, if there were any left.
“Finished staring off into the stone wall brother?” Liam asked, swatting at Aaron's shoulder.
“Hmmm? Is it time to go?” he asked.
“They're already gone,” Liam said, gesturing toward the rest of the small room.
He was right, the recessed stone door he'd noticed through the goggles before was now ajar and the baroness, Mia and the little boy were gone.
“That's all right empty headed muscle boy, I was enjoying the momentary dearth of inane questions,” Harald said.
Did the doll just insult them both with one sentence? Aaron was impressed.
Liam reached for his sword. “I'll cut you to pieces you demonic little-”
“No you won't. You'll remember that I'm tasked with helping you liberate your dank and drafty castle.” He looked up to Aaron, raising his arms like a child. “Spindly one, pick me up. Put me on your shoulder.”
Liam chuckled in spite of himself.
Aaron grimaced. It seemed as long as the doll was also making fun of Aaron, Liam was fine with it.
Typical.
He bent down and swiped at the doll, snatching him up and placing him on his shoulder.
“There. So as you can see from the writing we need to go down,” Harald said gesturing toward the door.
Aaron could see the glowing door frame but beyond was only a blurred set of lines. He'd lost his spectacles a long while ago, making him basically useless for reading anything that wasn't directly in front of him.
“I don't see actually, let me get closer,” he said, passing Liam. Even though the room was small, Aaron had to cross it completely before the glowing scrawling on the far wall of the passage beyond the door resolved into words. “Ah, yes. Dungeon is down.”
“Your eyes are that bad boy?” Harald asked.
Aaron sighed. “I read a lot during my studies...”
There was a glow from his left as Harald began drawing lines in the air with his hands.
“What are you doing?” Aaron asked.
“Can't we just go?” Liam asked.
The glow faded for a moment as Harald paused. “Oh oh, right, the local tower is down. Mmmm. I'll have to construct the spell from memory then.”
“I'm sorry, what?” Aaron asked.
“Not to worry, I'm an old hand at these things. I'm sure I remember most of it,” Harald said as he weaved more symbols of glowing green, white and blue together.
There was a flash and Aaron's vision went black. His eyes, his eyes felt hot, like a poker had been jabbed into them at incredible speed and then removed. There wasn't even time to scream from the pain as it was already over. He just grunted and nearly doubled over. A flailing hand managed to catch the door frame or he would have fallen over.
“By God! What did you do?” Liam asked.
Aaron's pain had subsided completely, leaving only a warmth and that too was fading. Were his eyes even open? He thought they were, yet still everything was black as pitch.
“It's worked. I'm sure it has. You should be seeing perfectly from now on,” Harald said.
“But I'm not! I can't see anything!”
“Really?” Harald asked from his shoulder.
“Yes really!” Aaron said.
“You're supposed to be helping us!” Liam said from Aaron's right. “Damn you and your monstrous devilry. I should have known something like this would happen.”
“Hmmm. Odd,” Harald said.
“Odd? Odd! That's all you have to say? I'm blind!” Aaron said. “We could have just stopped at my room and gotten my spare spectacles!”
“Actually, that would take us out of our way. As you can see the ledger here clearly notes that the residence rooms are up the stairs while the dungeon is down. Oh right, you can't see that. Take my word for it then,” Harald said.
“Can you fix him at least?” Liam asked through gritted teeth.
“Ah... No. Not at the moment. I... don't really know what I did wrong. I'll have to consult some... ah... information. I'm sure it's fixable. Virtually anything can be done with sorcery, it's just about having enough power and know how,” Harald said.
Aaron shook his head. “I can't believe this.”
“I'm sure it'll be fine,” Harald said as he patted a yarn hand against the side of Aaron's neck. “Big boy, can you take his hand and lead him down toward the dungeon?”
“My name, is Liam.”
“Sure, Liam then,” Harald replied.
Liam's gloved hand gripped Aaron's right hand. “If you tell anyone we held hands I'll beat you,” he said.
“Seriously? I'm blind and all you can think about his how it looks?” Aaron said.
His hand was jerked forward. “Try to keep up,” Liam said.
“I am!” Aaron said, trying to use one of his feet to feel forward to the end of the stair. Even though the doll sorcerer had assured him his eyesight would be fixed eventually, it was still terrifying being completely in the dark. He'd never liked the dark when he was a boy. There were too many things that could be moving beyond one's sight.
Night fears had been something he and Giselle shared. More than once after he'd come to Aeyrdfeld he'd seen her wandering the halls at night, walking with a candle, often enough talking to herself quietly. He'd never joined her on those nights, but he'd wanted to. Aaron missed Giselle. He hoped she'd found the king and safety, finally.
Liam yanked him again. “It's just stairs! Come on.”
* * *
“I'm surprised they didn't find these tunnels,” Mia said.
Most castles had at least a few passages, often to help servants move food, washing, and chamber pots to and fro unseen, but Aerydfeld seemed to have several layers of them. It was hard to believe an enemy would take control of the castle and not discover at least some of the passages.
The baroness stopped, holding a finger over her lips as she peered out the exit of their tunnel, hidden behind a tall display case. Apparently no one was in the hall as she stepped out, gesturing for Mia to follow.
Mia had to be careful not to bump Adem's head as she exited the thin doorway, especially since the boy kept squirming in her arms. He was asleep, the rhythmic snoring assured her of that, but he didn't seem to be sleeping very well. It made sense given what the poor boy had been through. Filled with veil demons, poked by knives over and over by his own father, but only to keep him alive, then losing his father. Terrible.
“Try to keep him quiet,” the baroness said.
