Brian Kittrell - The Immortals of Myrdwyer

“Did Piers speak of the Zyvdredi assassins? Of the Drakkars’ true natures?”

“Zyvdredi?” Victor’s eyes widened. “Are you certain?”

“Beyond the shadow of a doubt.”

“No, he said nothing of the like. That explains many things, though.”

“It does? What sort of things?”

“Inconsistencies in his writings and holes in his explanations. If he didn’t divulge that information, it must have been because he was confident you would succeed.”

“If you had known, what would you have done differently?”

“Most likely, we would’ve gathered our best mages, all of them that we could find, Shimmering Dawn or not, and come upon Azura with a fury the likes of which have been unseen since the Great War.”

“Then, it’s better that he kept his silence, I think.”

“Truly? We would’ve made short work of the Zyvdredi and probably spared you a great deal of trouble.”

“At what cost? A battle such as you describe would have wrought destruction of epic proportions upon the city. With what little I know of Piers, I think he wanted to prevent as much suffering as possible.”

“You’re probably right. If we had come, I doubt that we could have avoided anything other than open confrontation in the streets.”

Laedron nodded. “I’m just glad that it’s over and we have returned home in one piece. Have you heard of any other happenings?”

“Beyond the war, no. We’ve had little time to pay attention to anything else.”

“Good.” Laedron turned toward the door. “Thank you, Master Altruis. If you’ll excuse us, we plan to return to Reven’s Landing.” Well, after a quick visit to Ismerelda’s house, of course .

“You’re leaving? But why?”

“We’ve completed our mission-and then some-and now, we want to see our families. I’m sure you understand.”

“Yes, but you can’t. Not yet, anyway.”

Laedron narrowed his eyes. “And why is that? Have we not done enough for the order?”

“You may not have noticed, but you’re famous for your actions, Laedron Telpist. You’re a hero.”

“And? Can heroes not go home after they have performed their heroic deeds?” He didn’t agree about being a hero, but he wanted to impress a point that Victor could easily understand.

“Yes, but not yet.” Victor pulled a letter from his desk and handed it to Laedron. “Have a look.”

As if a piece of paper will change my mind , he thought, sighing. He read the letter:

Victor Altruis, Master Sorcerer of the Knights of the Shimmering Dawn,

It has come to our attention that one under your charge, Laedron Telpist, and his party had been dispatched with a mission to the Heraldan Theocracy. We have been made aware that his efforts have stopped a plot to plunge the entire world into conflict, a plot set in motion by Zyvdredi masters. If you should be in contact with Master Telpist or his companions, you are ordered henceforth and without delay to bring them to us in the city of Morcaine.

Kelrick Ambriset, Chamberlain to His Majesty King Xavier II of Sorbia

Laedron’s hand dropped to his side, the paper still crinkling between his fingertips. “What do they want with us?”

“The letter doesn’t say, but I can only imagine that they want to speak to you and reward you for all that you’ve done. ‘Tis a mandate from the king, and as loyal subjects, we must heed his call.”

“It would seem that I have little choice in the matter. When do we leave?”

“Little choice? Of all the people I’ve ever met, you seem to care the least about being praised for what you’ve accomplished.”

Laedron returned the letter. “I did none of it for rewards or praise. When I fought Gustav, I did it for revenge, to bring death to my teacher’s killer. It was by happenstance that our goals aligned, Master Altruis, and when I saw the light leave his eyes, praise and reward were the last things on my mind.

“Our work done, we convinced Vicar Jurgen to take us to Azura, to aid us in defeating Andolis and bringing about peace. We did that to save lives and to right wrongs, not with hopes of receiving piles of gold, lands, or titles. So when you say that we should be rewarded, I can’t help but think that we deserve nothing.”

“I know how you must feel, Laedron.”

“Do you? Can you?”

Victor smiled. “I haven’t always been locked away behind a desk.”

“I’m sorry if you’ve felt any disrespect from my words, but I yearn to see my family, as do my friends, and it’s disheartening to know that, yet again, something stands in the way of that.”

“A few days. Morcaine isn’t far, and I’ll do everything in my power to hasten the trip for you. Would that help?”

“Like I said, it would seem I have little choice. We cannot disobey the king.”

Victor patted Laedron on the shoulder. “Stay with us tonight, and we’ll leave early tomorrow morning.”

“No.” Laedron waved his hand. “We have already arranged lodgings in the city.”

Receiving an awkward stare from Valyrie, Laedron shook his head at her just enough to get the message across.

Victor said, “Very well, but the invitation remains open should you change your mind. Return here at dawn, and we’ll depart.”

Laedron nodded, opened the door, and exited with Valyrie. “We’ll need to find Marac and Brice. This way.”

“Lodgings, Lae? We’ve made no such arrangements.”

“I know a place. Marac and Brice can stay here, but I want to visit my teacher’s former home and show it you, if you’d like.”

“Certainly, Lae. I’d like that very much, actually.”

Laedron nodded, then led her back to the grand entry hall and off to the west wing. “I’ve rarely visited this side of the keep.”

“Didn’t like it over here?”

“I wasn’t allowed very often. They preferred to keep the sorcerers separate from the knights during training.”

“Strange. You would think they’d train you together.”

“They trained the knights as a group, but sorcerers would benefit little from instruction in martial combat. Magic is our sword and shield.”

He turned at the last corridor, then noticed Marac and Brice in a side hall, talking to Meklan Draive. Laedron waited until they noticed him, gestured, and they came over to him. “You two stay here for the night, and we’ll join you in the morning.”

Marac, sounding eager, asked, “Did Victor tell you about-”

“He did.” Laedron sighed, lowering his chin and staring at his shoes. “We’ve been instructed to see the king.”

“Well, don’t get too excited about it, Lae,” Brice said, furrowing his brow. “When I heard the news, I thought you would be happy to finally be recognized for a job well-done.”

“I don’t need to be extolled for anything, and I’d rather just go home. If memory serves, we did what we had to do. We survived and helped who we could, nothing more.”

“Yes, yes, but to visit the king? The palace? To be requested, no less? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” Marac raised his eyebrows. “Don’t read too much into it, Thimble.”

“We’ll meet you on the morrow at dawn.” Laedron turned toward the exit.

“What will you do? Where will you go?”

“Ismerelda’s. I want to see her home one last time.”

* * *

He walked through the streets with Valyrie as if his feet knew the way. Reaching the alley that fronted Ismerelda’s home, he stopped and took a deep breath, recalling the time he’d gone to the market and nearly been robbed. What would I do with a thief now? With the flick of my wrist, I could end his life or immobilize him and give him over to the guard. Have I lost my sense of fear or merely gained confidence in my own abilities?