Alexander stood at the door outside Miktan’s residence. He struck the heavy knocker on the door. He thought it strange that a retired bard would have a knocker on his door that was in the shape of a hammer in anvil, but he paid it no mind. He took a step away from that door and waited to be greeted.
Alexander could not help but let his mind wander. Ever since the stabbing, his mind had been full of worry, both for Tavira and MAtthew. Alexander had done all he could. He had met with Lord Maris Kensly and asked that he think about listening to Matthew’s case.
Too much of it did not add up. He could not figure out why Tavira had been stabbed. While Alexander had not seen the man that stabbed Tavira as often as Matthew claimed to have, he did remember seeing him a few times. Alexader could often piece things together and find a solution, but this time, he just did not have enough information.
The wooden door opened and a tall, thin man stood in the doorway. He was a young man, Alexander thought, at least in comparison to his master. At least, Alexander took him to be Miktan’s manservant, though he did not know for certain. He stood half a hand taller again than Alexander. His dark red, almost brown hair, marked him as a Garlin man, or at least from the surrounding area. It was cut short, well groomed and oiled.
“Can I help you sir?” The thin man asked.
Alexander stepped closer to the door, “Yes, I am Lieutenant Alexander Varross. I was told that Tavira, a young girl that was stabbed earlier this day, was being cared for here. I was hoping I could see her.”
The other man showed no expression as he spoke, “Of course sir, if you would accompany me, I shall lead you to lady Tavira.”
With that, the man motioned Alexander through the door, shutting it before taking up a point in front of Alexander. He led him up a stairway and down a short hall, into a room with a large bed. On it lay Tavira.
“Master Miktan, Master Vansen; Lieutenant Varross is here to visit lady Tavira,” the thin man said as they entered the room.
Miktan and Vansen both sat to one side of the bed, Vansen at her head and Miktan sitting in a chair next to him.
“Thank you Jonson, that will be all,” Miktan said, giving a nod of dismissal to the thin man.
Jonson nodded, “Simply let me know if there is anything you need,”
“Thank you Jonson,” Alexander said as the other man left the room.
“Lieutenant, it is good to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances,” Miktan greeted with a weak grin.
“Indeed,” Alexander said as he moved to the opposite side of the bed, pulling a chair up behind him, “I wanted to be sure that she was doing well.”
“Healer Myira did what she could and gave us some herbs and a poultice to care for her,” Miktan explained, “She seemed to believe that Tavira would be fine.”
“I’m glad, I told Matthew that she was doing well when I saw him,” Alexander said.
“Is Matthew all right?” Vansen asked. The young man’s eyes were full of worry.
“As good as he can be considering the circumstances,” Alexander said with a light chuckle, “I’ve just come from speaking with Lord Kensly. He said that he would look into Matthew’s case and do what he could.”
“Good, good,” Miktan’s eyes returned to the girl, “Maris is a good man, he will be just in his decision.”
Tavira stirred and all eyes were fixed on her. She looked weak. She had looked weak before the stabbing, while they were walking the streets, but this was different. On the streets her face was filled with color, and her attitude could almost making you ignore her gaunt appearance.
Her eyes fluttered open and took in the room around her, “Wh-what happened?” She asked weakly.
“You were attacked,” Miktan began explaining, “a man on the street stabbed you. Vansen brought you here and we called a healer. She tended to your wound. You should be fine, but you will need to stay here in bed for a few days at least.”
“I was… stabbed?” Tavira asked as she shifted in the large bed and winced at the pain.
“Yeah,” Vansen said, giving the girl a smile, “I always told you that if you weren’t more careful you’d end up full of holes.”
She smiled, the freckles around her eyes standing out against her pale skin, “Lieutenant, what are you doing here?” She asked, her eyes falling on Alexander on the other side of the bed.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Alexander said.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him a smile. Her eyes looked around the room, searching, “Where’s Matthew?” The eyes of each man dropped away as she looking into them. The silence seemed to drag on, “Tell me!”
It was Vansen that spoke first, “He and Alexander chased the man that stabbed you down. Matthew caught him,” Vansen squeezed his eyes shut, remembering what Alexander had told him, “Matthew killed the man Tavira, the guards took him.”
“What?” Tavira exclaimed, trying to sit up in the bed but Vansen held her down by her shoulders, “the fool! What was he thinking? Killing a man over a little knife wound? Knowing the kind of fool he his, he’s probably sitting in a cell right now thinking that he deserves what he gets, probably thinking that it would be right if some High Lord sentenced him to be executed. Why, when I see the boy next I’m going to bash his skull in.”
Her anger had forced some color back into her face, even if it was still a few shades lighter than it should have been. She eventually gave up trying to fight against Vansen’s hold. She lay on the bed, arms crossed and a grim look on her face.
Miktan let out a laugh, “I’ve no doubt you will do just as you say. Alexander said he spoke with Lord Kensly about what had happened at that Maris will look into the situation.”
Tavira gave a firm nod, relaxing at the words. Alexander smiled at the young girl. Alexander could not help but think had his parents had a daughter, she would have been that same as Tavira.
He stood, stretching his arms before he spoke, “I should be on my way. The Captain should know what happened, should anyone bring up the subject of today’s events with him.”
Miktan nodded, standing to escort the man to the hall. When they were both a few steps from the room, Miktan turned to speak to Alexander, “I want to thank you Lieutenant. I’m not sure what you know of these children,” Miktan motioned back to the room, “But their friends are in short supply, and the world is a dangerous place for them. I am glad to know that they have another ally in this city.”
Alexander smiled at the old man and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “It is a dangerous place for us all Miktan. A friend is always a good thing to have, and are more often in shorter supply than enemies.”
Miktan nodded, “It is a pity, but that is most often the case. Be well friend, and if you see Jonson on the way out, if you would tell him to bring up some food for the girl, Myira said she should eat as soon as she woke.”
Alexander nodded and headed back down the stairs. He found Jonson standing beside the door leading from the house and gave him Miktan’s message before leaving. Back out on the street, Alexander started for the barracks. His eyes took in everything on street. His eyes watched the hands and faces of those that came near to him. He did not want to be suspicious of everyone, but the stabbing earlier had shaken him more than he expected.
He was glad when he finally reached the barracks and could relax. If he could not trust his own men, there were none in all of Elaesif that he could no trust. He walked through the building, saluting to men as he passed. He had stopped by Captain Edbar’s office only to find that he was out.
Alexander instead went to the small office he had been given when they arrived. He had insisted that he did not need an office, but Captain Russent would not allow an officer of the army to work out of their sleeping quarters.
Jogan stood from one of the chairs on the other side of the desk as Alexander entered the room, “Lieutenant, this came for you while you were gone,” the man held out a sealed letter.”
“Thank you Jogan, you may leave,” Alexander said, examining the seal. It was that of General Therad. Alexander looked up at the other man just as he was leaving, “Jogan, if you could inform me when the Captain returns, I need to speak with him.”
“Of course Lieutenant,” the man saluted and closed the door as he left.
Alexander broke the seal to the letter and hurriedly opened it.
Lieutenant Alexander Varross,
I would first like to apologize for the confusion my earlier orders no doubt caused, however it was of the utmost importance that information was kept safe.
Your purpose in Garlin is to prevent what could be the most serious threat not just to our nation, but all of Elaesif, that we have ever seen. I have received word that there is something held deep below Garlin that could threaten us all. I am unclear as to what is held in the ancient chambers beneath the city, but from what I have been able to gather, it is an item of immense power.
You and Captain Edbar are to do all you can, using whatever methods you see fit, to prevent any harm from coming to the people of Garlin, as well as the people of the world.
I wish you the best in your endeavors. Remain strong and remember your duty to the people of Elaesif.
Third General of the Beldinian Armed Forces
Lofric Therad
Alexander read over the letter again, trying to make sense of what it said but to no avail. He could not make sense of what he was reading. What could be held underneath Garlin that could harm the world? If it truly existed, how had it remained hidden for so long? How had the General learned of such a weapon? The letter answered the question of why they had been sent to Garlin, but it raised so many new questions.
Alexander fell back into the high-backed wooden chair that sat behind the desk, dropping the letter to the top of the hand-carved, oak desk. He closed his eyes and tried to piece all the information he had together. No matter which way he looked at things, he just could not seem to make it all fit. There were still too many holes.
A knock came at the door and Jogan entered at Alexander’s summons. The man moved to the front of the desk, saluted, and stood at attention, “Lieutenant, Captain Edbar has returned and would like to speak with you.”
“Good,” Alexander said, standing and grabbing the letter, “I have a feeling we have a lot to talk about.”
The two men left the room and walked the hallway to the Captain’s office. The room given to Captain Edbar was separated from Alexander’s office and the men’s quarters. Jefell Russent, Captain of the city guard, insisted that Edbar take his office and that he would move to one of the smaller offices. Edbar did not argue and took the office. He had stated that it would allow him distance from the men, that rumors would be less likely to be spread by any that might over hear something said in confidence.
As they neared the office, Alexander noticed Albur Torric, Edbar’s aid, waiting impatiently outside the closed door. Alexander dismissed Jogan before he got to the door. The man seemed torn between accompanying his lieutenant and following his order, but he saluted and left. Jogan was a good man, and a good soldier, but his loyalty sometimes was a little too strong for Alexander’s liking.
“Lieutenant,” Albur said when Alexander stopped in front of him, “the Captain is waiting for you.”
Alexander nodded and went through the door at the man’s motioning. The office was not much different than the one Alexander had been given. It was larger, and a bookshelf lined one wall, containing maps of the city and surrounding area, as well as books on the laws of Garlin. Alexander noticed a few titles that must have been just there for general reading; Kesmas and the thousand wolves, Telnogar Anson and his Queen, The Golden Drum, The Adventures of Regrad Regar.
“Lieutenant, have a seat,” Edbar said motioning to one of the cushioned chairs on the other side of the desk from him.
Alexander saluted before sitting, “Captain, I take it you have received a letter from the General?”
“Yes, though I must say that it doesn’t clear a whole lot up,” the Captain said as he gestured towards a folded piece of paper on the desk.
“No, it didn’t,” Alexander said as he pulled his letter from his pocket, setting it on the desk beside the other man’s, “Perhaps if we put our heads together, we can come up with something as to what this item is, or at least who is after it.”
“That, I think, won’t be entirely necessary,” Edbar said, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair, “I’ve just come from a meeting with Lord Bething. He too has heard of this supposed item beneath Garlin and wishes to keep it out of the hands of some that would use it to harm the people of this city.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow, having trouble believing that Lord Juston Bething would be come to the military to discuss such a matter, “And what does he propose?”
Edbar smirked, “His suggestion is that we retrieve the item before any others would have a chance to do so.”
Alexander frowned, “Would that be wise sir? We aren’t sure what this item is, if it truly exists, or what it is capable of and it is no offense to the honor of Lord Bething, but I’m not sure I would trust a single man with such an item if it truly does exist.”
“The High Lord would agree with you. His suggestion was to retrieve the item and leave it in the care of the court of Garlin until the Weaver’s Guild could come up with a way to contain, or better yet destroy it,” Edbar explained.
Alexander was still unsure on the matter. Lord Bething was a good man in general, but when it came to the city of Garlin, he was as protective as a mountain cat over its cub. The idea of leaving an item of such power in the hands of the High Lords just seemed like trouble to him. Most of the lords did all they could to scrap together what power they could. To place an item capable of brining ruin to the world would be to place a temptation in front of them all, risking a civil war within the city.
As for the Weaver’s Guild, the association of men and women that studied and practice the art of weaving the eight threads of power were more likely to try and harness the power of such an item than they were to destroy it. He had always been wary of the guild. They held more power than any single group in all of Elaesif. If they all worked together, there was not an army standing that would be able to hold them back. Each military had their own corp of weavers, but none held a number that would be able to stand up to the might of the guild. Luckily, they were more content living in their city complex, training and studying the histories of Elaesif and only rarely stuck their noses into the politics of the nations.
“What are your thoughts Lieutenant?” Edbar asked, examining Alexander’s expression.
“I don’t know Captain. There are too many unknown variables. We don’t know what this item is or what it can do. I do know that I wouldn’t want to leave it in the hands of the High Lords, I fear that the temptation would be too great for them,” Alexander paused for a moment, his throat dry from the whole idea of an item that could harm the world, “as for the Guild, I believe you know my feelings on them.”
“What other alternatives do we have? Certainly you would not want to leave such an item in the hands of the military. To do such a thing would threaten any nation that has managed to stay apart from the kingdom of Beldin. That is not to say I support such actions, however, I do believe that men have a right to chose,” Edbar surprised Alexander with his words. Something seemed different about the man, though Alexander could not place what it was.
“I agree, but I’m still not sure what should be done. I suppose that is why you are in command and I am not Captain. What ever you decide I will support and follow your orders to the best of my ability, as will my men,” Alexander vowed.
Edbar smiled and nodded in response, “I have learned that Lord Bething is looking to retrieve the item, with or without our support. As such, I want to have a hand in its retrieval. If we were to allowing Bething to get the item, there is no telling what might happen. As such, I would like you to accompany whoever it is that Bething sends to get the item.”
“Me sir?” Alexander asked, curious as to the other man’s motives.
“We have not always seen eye to eye Lieutenant,” Edbar said admittedly, “however, of all the men here, I believe that you are the one I can trust the most. Even when you disagree with an order, you carry it out. I trust that it will be no different with this.”
Alexander nodded, “As you order Captain.”
“I do, I will give you the information you need as soon as I have it” Edbar said with a nod, “Now, is there anything else you would like to talk about?”
“There is,” Alexander began to explain the events of the day, briefing Edbar on every detail. He left nothing out. The Captain seemed to take everything in stride. Alexander assumed that at least a little word of what happened had reached that Captain’s ears, but he left nothing to chance. At the end of it Edbar said that he would keep Alexander apprised of the situation and would let Alexander know anything he could.
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