CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jeremy awoke to the sound of trumpets. Slowly opening his eyes, he glanced towards the window and noticed the sun had not yet come out. Again, the trumpets blared and the king realized they were announcing the arrival of General Traug. It had been four days since he and Korben had their midnight chat, and both had been feeling a lot better about their situation because of it. Now with Traug arriving, Jeremy did not know how to feel.
Olrond and he had been friends since childhood. It had been Jeremy’s great honour of pronouncing him the new General of the Order. His father had thought he should learn how to do these things properly since he was to be the next king. So many things had occurred that day, and the days to follow. The same day, Elizanne had told him she possessed magical abilities, Gillock revealed he had once been part of the Wizards Order almost five hundred years ago and within a few days, Korben told him his secret. The strange thing about it all was he was more shocked to hear Korben’s news than he was to hear those close to him possessed magic. So many truths given to him, and yet he was unable to talk to anyone about any of them. Keeping all of these secrets had been tearing him up inside and now he had been forced to expose almost all of them.
Robyn awoke to the trumpets as well. Knowing he would be needed he headed to the stables. He was stunned to see General Traug back again. The last time he had spoken to Queen Malena, she had stated the general was going to be sent after the twins. It was apparent to Robyn that his queen’s fears regarding Lakin were very well placed. The general told his men to wait in the courtyard for he was going to see the king, alone. To Robyn, the general’s tone said everything. He was going to help the king. Robyn had heard rumours, which said the king had reinstated his royal soldiers, and that Korben had been training them again. What Robyn did not know was why it was all happening. The stable boy knew if the king was worried about war, than Malena would probably be concerned as well. Robyn excused himself and headed into the darkness. When he was certain he was far enough away, he pulled out his mirror. “My queen. I have news,” he said softly into it, but all that greeted him was darkness. Again, he called to her, but received no response. Panic overtook the stable boy. Had he done something to warrant this treatment? Unsure and very confused, Robyn went back to the stables to await orders from the castle.
Jeremy dressed and headed to the throne room. When he neared, he saw Korben, waiting for him.
“The general wants to speak with you alone,” stated Korben. Then quietly he added, “Do you think he knows?”
Jeremy answered by shrugging his shoulders. Aloud he said, “I will let you know when you are needed.”
Korben nodded his understanding and moved off into the shadows to await the king’s call.
Slowly Jeremy opened the doors and entered the throne room. Olrond was already inside, seated in a chair off to the side of the throne.
“If you lived here, that would be your seat,” said Jeremy, trying to break the silence. The general remained silent until Jeremy sat down near him. The king had decided to sit on the steps leading to his throne, instead of in it. Olrond stared at Jeremy, then carefully choosing words, began to speak.
“The Order is a lie,” he stated calmly.
“You have learned something?” asked the king.
“Lakin has rooms which are surrounded by magic. In them he holds beings thought to be long dead. I wondered why he would risk showing it all to me, and as I was riding here I, understood. He is the true power of the Order, and he was basically letting me know.” He paused as if thinking of how to proceed. “I believe his intent is to take over the Central Lands, and from there all of Melarandra.”
Jeremy sat stunned. He had not expected this type of an attack from the Order. “This news is grave,” he whispered.
A confused look crossed the general’s face. “You have other news?”
“Yes. It would appear Duke Dubar is unhappy with his current situation. I have reason to believe he is planning to overthrow me.”
Olrond gasped. “If he should do that, then Lakin will have no problem taking over the Central Lands.”
Jeremy nodded. “Now you know why the news is grave.”
Both sat in silence, not knowing what else to say. Jeremy broke the silence. “I never really disbanded my army,” he stated.
Again, a confused look crossed the generals face. “Why?”
“I feared that someday my family’s abilities would be discovered, and I would need to defend them,” answered the king.
“It appears those fears have come to pass,” the general responded calmly. “I only wish you had trusted me enough to tell me the truth long ago.”
“The day you became general was the day I found out that Elizanne possessed magical powers. Within a week, Gillock informed me of his abilities. It all happened so fast, I was not sure how you would have reacted. That is in the past. Right now, we need to figure out what to do about all of this. My soldiers make up almost the entire town of Klayhern, and Korben has sent them into training again. Maybe this can end well.”
Olrond smiled, but it was obvious he wasn’t as optimistic as the king. “The men I have brought with me are loyal to me, not the Order.”
Jeremy sighed. “I am glad we are again friends. I hated not being able to tell you all, but I am glad you now understand my position in all of this.”
Olrond smiled, this one more sincere than the last. “I do understand, I think I always did. It pained me to put you under house arrest, but it was something I had to do.”
Olrond’s face changed, for he still had more news. “I have other news, your highness. Brin turned herself in to Lakin.”
This news struck Jeremy harder than learning people were trying to overthrow him.
“She showed up minutes after Lakin had finished showing me his secret lair. I fear he may use her abilities to his advantage.”
Jeremy sat in silence; there was nothing he could do. Brin had decided her family was evil, and to be feared. He knew if Lakin should say the right things, Brin would join him loyally.