CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jeremy paced, aware that Korben was waiting for a response. “Are your scouts certain?” he asked, the concern in his voice apparent.
Korben understood why the king was worried. Late last evening, two men, who have been training as scouts, reported to him about a small army massing in Sprague. It appeared that Baron Lychen was going to move against them. “Yes, your highness. They brought back a very detailed report.”
Jeremy stopped and plopped himself down onto his throne. “This is most dire news indeed. What are we to do?”
Korben sighed. The men were training, and with the general's help had been progressing far quicker than expected, but they were not ready for a fight. “We must move the villagers inside the castle, and fortify the defences.”
Now Jeremy sighed. It had been so many years since the fortifications had been used. They were in such disrepair he was not certain if there was a point to fortifying them. “We are months away from being able to fortify the town. Those defences are far too old to be of use.”
“I know, Jeremy, but we must try.”
Jeremy stood and placed his hand on Korben’s shoulder. “I know you are right. Begin moving the villagers inside. Once we are certain the town is clear, start working on the fortifications.”
“Do not worry, your highness,” said Korben, reverting to formalities. “My scouts are certain they will not be able to mount an attack for at least two months. The baron's men are still finishing their training. He's not going to let them move against you unless he's certain they can defeat you. Lychen also doesn't know of your own men training again. This all may work out.”
Jeremy smiled at Korben's optimism. “You always did look to the bright side of things. Koral takes after you.”
Jeremy’s smile faded when he mentioned his daughter. Korben could see the pain in his eyes. “They are safe. Elizanne and Gillock are with them, I am sure of it. If anything had happened to them, we would have word.”
Jeremy nodded and moved off past Korben. Korben followed, not speaking any more on the subject. When they exited the throne room, Jeremy moved towards the library, Korben towards the barracks. Korben wanted to stay with the king, but knew his duties came before friendship.
As he neared the stables, the magic he had sensed previously suddenly returned. He decided to investigate what it could be and was stunned to see Payton standing over Robyn, threatening him. He wanted to intervene, but realized it wasn't Payton speaking. His speech was far too formal to come from a soldier. Not knowing what was going on, he decided to confront Payton.
He moved in, grabbed Payton, and threw him to the ground. Quickly pulling his sword out, he placed it on Payton's neck. “I don't know who you are, but you have some explaining to do.”
Payton's face turned into a sneer. “I knew one day you would figure it out, Korben Captain of the Guard. I was just conversing with my friend Robyn, nothing to concern you.”
“Malena,” spat Korben.
“How impressive. I did not think you would come to the right conclusion so quickly. You really do possess unusual abilities for a lowly soldier. No matter, I am done with this body. You may have your second in command back now.”
Payton suddenly shook, and lay still. Looking up at Korben, quite confused, asked, “Why am I at sword point?”
Korben felt Malena depart and knew it was again Payton speaking. “How long have you been working for Malena?”
The tone in Korben’s voice frightened Payton. He had not heard him ever speak with so much hatred before. “What are you talking about?”
As Korben had suspected, Payton did not know he was being used. Slowly he moved his sword away from Payton’s neck, but did not put it away. “How long have you been blacking out and not remembering what has happened?” asked Korben, softening his voice.
Payton slowly stood. “Since a few days before the twins were born.”
“That long! You should have told someone.”
“I know,” said Payton, obviously embarrassed. “I didn't know what to do. I was a palace page. I carried privileged information personally for the king. If I told anyone I may have been taken off the position, and not made it to where I am.”
Korben understood his reasoning. Payton had been an orphan, left at the temple of Allorethna. Jeremy had personally chosen Payton for this post. It was more than he could have ever dreamed of.
“You could have told me.”
Payton felt ashamed. “You've always been like an older brother to me, Korben. Don't think it wasn't appreciated, but you're a close friend to the king. How could I tell you?”
Korben, suddenly realizing that he had ignored Robyn this entire time, let the matter drop. When he spun around, the stable boy was gone.
“I don't think we will be seeing much of him anymore,” stated Payton.
“I think it's you we will need to be watching. We already knew about Robyn being a spy, but Gillock had taken care of it. It appears Malena decided to risk using you to get information. Do you remember anything?”
Payton shook his head. “No, just like the previous times. It has become more frequent since the general and his men arrived. I just assumed I hadn't been getting enough sleep.”
Korben was going to respond when a shout came from the direction of the barracks. Both Korben and Payton were running before the shout was repeated.
“What is it?” yelled Korben as they approached.
One of the soldiers turned and replied, “Baron Lychen sent someone to spy on us. We spotted two men running back towards the south. We figure the baron will soon know of our plans.”
“Did anyone get hurt?” asked Payton.
“The stable boy. He was running when the baron's men were spotted. I guess he was in the wrong place. Sword went clean through his stomach. He won’t live the night.”
The moment Robyn was mentioned, Korben had started running. He barely heard the last part of the soldiers report. He found Robyn, lying on one of the beds, his stomach loosely bandaged. There were two soldiers near him, both were men who came with the general. When they saw the captain they stood and saluted. “He was stabbed by accident,” one stated.
“Don't be so sure,” Korben responded. “One of you quickly go to the Temple of Allorethna. Ask for Meechie. Bring him here immediately.”
The soldier, which had spoken, saluted then ran off towards the town. “Payton, go inform the king, he should be in the library. Bring him down here as well.”
Payton saluted, and ran towards the castle. He still felt ashamed for not coming forward with his blackouts, but since he didn’t know why they were happening, how could he? He found the king exactly where Korben knew he would be.
“Your highness,” said Payton, bowing. “You’re needed at the barracks. There's been an incident.”
Jeremy did not even ask what happened, he just nodded and followed Payton out to the barracks.
“What is going on?” he asked Korben.
“Someone has stabbed Robyn. My men think it may have been spies sent from Lychen, but I’m not so sure.” Korben then moved the king off out of earshot and informed him of what was discovered with Payton.
“Payton should have come forward, but I understand why he did not,” stated Jeremy. “So, you think someone was sent to do this?”
“Yes,” responded Korben.
Jeremy was not so sure. “I do not know, but it all happened far too quickly. He may have been hurt on purpose, but I am not sure whom did this.”
Both men stood silent, and both were wondering just what was happening to their little kingdom. Meechie arrived moments later.
“What’s going on?” he asked, out of breath. “Your soldier wouldn’t say why I was summoned.”
Korben moved over towards Robyn. “This boy has been stabbed. We don't know by whom, but it may be fatal.”
Meechie did not say another word. He quickly moved over to where Robyn w
as laying and examined him. His face changed from shock to horror and he hollered to have the room cleared, save for the king and Korben. Once everyone was out, he chanted quietly, moving around the room. When he arrived back to where he had started, he explained his actions.
“That was a spell, your highness.”
The king said nothing, he had already surmised as much.
“There is a dark magic at work here,” Meechie continued. “Come and look at this wound.”
Both men moved in and noticed how odd looking the wound had become. “You see the odd colouring. Whomever stabbed this boy was using an enchanted sword. It was made to look like a poison, but anyone who possesses magic can sense the oddness of this immediately.”
Korben nodded. “I thought something was odd, but with all the excitement I pushed the feeling aside.”
The king was visibly upset by this news. “Well, now we know it was not Baron Lychen who sent those spies.”
Korben and Meechie turned to face the king. “The Order was behind this, your highness, I would bet my life on it,” stated Meechie.
“It is my guess as well,” he replied. “I just do not know why they would attack this boy. No one but us knew who he was.”
Meechie looked confused. “Who he was?”
“He was a spy for Malena,” answered Korben. “We don't know when or how he was chosen by her, but he's been feeding her information for a while now. Most likely, since he came to work at the castle two years ago. It's odd the Order would target this boy.”
“I feel that there's more to this than we know, and the boy will not be telling us any of it,” said Meechie, his voice quiet.
Jeremy and Korben looked over to see Meechie closing Robyn’s eyes. “Whoever did this had a reason, and I'm guessing part of it was to throw you off, your highness.”
Jeremy now looked at Meechie confused. “What do you mean?”
“Well, now you are curious as to why this boy was killed. Normally, you would put a lot of effort into finding out why, and my guess, that is what the Order is hoping for.”
“I see where you're going with this,” said Korben. “Think about it, your highness. The Order doesn't want the prophecy fulfilled. They will do anything to ensure this. Throwing you off keeps you from helping your children. There's also the chance the Order is helping Lychen and Dubar with their plans. Either way, the Order must be behind all of this and by killing Robyn it sets you off your guard.”
“And by setting me off my guard, it will be harder for me to see a fight approaching. This means Lychen is most likely preparing to attack, and soon.”
All three stood in silence, taking it all in. “I must go back to my temple, there are things which need to be done if a war is about to happen.”
They bid Meechie farewell, and moved over to Robyn’s body.
“We must have a proper funeral for him. He had no family that we know of, so he will be buried next to the royal tombs.”
Korben nodded, understanding the king’s reasoning for this.
He may have been a spy, but had never hurt anyone and was just a child. “I will make the arrangements, your highness. You need to go inside and prepare for whatever is about to happen.”
Both moved off in separate directions, saddened with what had happened and what was about to.
Malena shrieked louder than she ever had before. She had lost many spies over the years, mostly due to her overusing them. People with no magical abilities could only handle so much stress on their minds before they went mad or died. Robyn was young, and had many years left. His death hit her hard, mainly because of the mental connection. Gillock had blocked it, but once the boy was stabbed, they were connected once more.
The pain was overwhelming, and as suddenly as it came, it was gone. She knew Lakin had something to do with this. He was well aware of her situation with Robyn, and knew that with magic he could reconnect them. Slowly she regained her strength, and pulled herself back onto her throne. “That wizard has vexed me for the last time.” She moved her mirror over and called to Moray.
“Yes, my queen,” came his voice.
“I am changing our plans. I want you to come back here. There is something I need you to do.”
Moray looked dismayed, but his expression changed quickly.
“You presume much if you think you can order me around, Malena.”
Malena became worried, but did not show it. There was no way he could have broken her spell. He was bound to this world by her will alone. “I think you presume much if you think I cannot,” was her response.
Moray grinned evilly. “You are weak, and I tire of you. I think once I have killed off the twins, I will go to the Tower, and join with Lakin.”
Malena’s worst fear became realized. If Lakin and Moray joined, he could release an entire demon army onto Melarandra. “You will not get away with this. I summoned you and I can send you back.”
Moray laughed, and the sound made Malena’s skin crawl. “You silly human. I am no longer within your power. When you made this body ready for me to inhabit, you transferred not only me, but the binding spell as well. I am now here with a will of my own.”
Malena was stunned. She had tried every spell she had on him, silently, and nothing had even swayed him.
“Now if you don’t mind, I have two children to kill, and their friends to blame for it. Oh, don’t worry, your highness, they will not suffer, much.”
She was going to respond, but the mirror went dark. A chill took over her body, and she realized her hold on Moray was gone. She considered trying to reach Lakin, but changed her mind. He did just try to weaken her. Lakin would be quite angry if someone killed the twins, a fact that Moray appeared to have forgotten. She could not let the twins die, not when she was so close to being free. Somehow, she was going to have to let Vernia know what was going on, without Lakin knowing. If the wizard knew a demon wanted to join with him, it would make things move quicker than they already were. Malena sat back in her chair, and realized what had to be done. She was going to have to kill Lakin.