Richard Tuttle - Elvangar

“It was Vand who attacked you,” declared Emperor Marak. “He will do so again. You have been to the Island of Darkness. Can you doubt that the attack will come?”

“How would you know who attacked us ages ago?” asked Caldal. “You are just making up stories to befriend us. When you know what you need to know, you will discard us and lay plans for attacking Elvangar.”

“What if I could prove to you that Vand attacked the elves to create a division between human and elf?” asked Emperor Marak. “Would you be willing to carry a message from me to your king?”

“The king died years ago,” replied Eltor. “Queen Alycia rules the elves.”

“Are you saying that you will allow us to go home?” Caldal asked skeptically.

“I want you to go home,” assured Emperor Marak. “Even if your queen refuses to establish relations with us, she must be informed of what is happening on the Island of Darkness. Vand will not be satisfied with only our destruction. He will seek to destroy the elves as well.”

“How can you possibly prove what happened ages ago?” asked Eltor.

“I will take you to the lost city of Angragar,” offered Emperor Marak. “There you will be able to read scrolls from thousands of years ago. The history of good relations between your people and mine is well documented. The story of Vand is also documented. Will you accept my offer?”

Eltor and Caldal exchanged skeptical glances. Emperor Marak turned and walked away to let the elves discuss his proposition between themselves. He did not bother to construct an air tunnel to listen in. Instead he waited by the door. Finally the elves crossed the room to the door.

“We will accompany you to Angragar,” stated Eltor. “We will also hold you to your offer to allow us to leave this land, regardless of whether or not we find the proof you say exists. Do you agree?”

“I agree,” nodded the Emperor. “I will even see that you have a ship so you don’t have to steal one,” he added with a smile. “Let us go get Mistake and MistyTrail. I want to hear all about the Island of Darkness before your memories fade.”

“My memories will never fade,” frowned Caldal as he thought back on his time in the Chamber of Horrors.

* * *

Lady Mystic and Aakuta reached the top of the stairs in the great pyramid on the Island of Darkness. The soldiers immediately opened the doors to the throne room and admitted them. Aakuta trailed slightly behind Lady Mystic and followed her without question. She strode off to one side of the room and moved to the front to get a good view.

“What is the significance of today’s meeting?” Aakuta asked softly.

“I am not sure,” Lady Mystic admitted. “I do know that Clarvoy has returned from the mainland. I suspect that he brings great news.”

“Who is this Clarvoy?” asked the dark mage.

“He is the spymaster,” answered Lady Mystic. “He is Vand’s most favored servant. Do not cross him if you wish to live.”

Aakuta’s eyes swept the room, noting the presence and absence of those he had come to know during his time on Motanga. As his eyes swept over the Emperor, he saw that Vand was watching him. Aakuta quickly averted his eyes.

“He has been asking questions about you lately,” Lady Mystic said softly with a cruel smile upon her lips. “Perhaps you are not fully trusted yet.”

“Do not be so smug,” Aakuta retorted. “I do not think Vand trusts anyone. I have been as loyal as any other.”

“Perhaps,” replied Lady Mystic as the doors opened once more.

A man entered the chamber. He was neither tall nor short. Nor could he be described as either wide or thin. He had no facial hair, save thin eyebrows. When he removed his hat, Aakuta saw that the man’s head was clean-shaven. His nose was average, and his ears neither protruded too far from his head nor did they lay flat against his skull. The only things remarkable about the man were his eyes. The eyes were a sparkling black that seemed to penetrate whatever they focused on. And those eyes instantly surveyed the people in the room as he marched down the center carpet and halted several paces from the throne.

“Welcome back, Clarvoy,” the Emperor said dryly. “What news do you bring me?”

“There is much to tell,” Clarvoy reported in a dull monotone voice. “Is it necessary for all to hear?”

“I have chosen the audience for today,” declared the Emperor. “Speak.”

“Omunga has fallen to the Sakovans,” Clarvoy began. “Their crops are being rejuvenated by mages, and the bloodshed during the war was much less than we had hoped for. Karnic obviously failed his assignment. He has already paid for his failure.”

Vand’s eyes darted to gaze upon Aakuta and then returned to the spymaster.

“This does not please me,” frowned the Emperor.

“Many things will not please you this day,” replied Clarvoy, “but you will be wiser for having heard what I must say.”

“Continue,” prodded the Emperor.

“The Khadoran Emperor is training all of the armies of Khadora,” continued the spymaster. “Each clan has been instructed to send troops to Khadoratung to be trained. When they return to their estates, others replace them. This could cause us a great deal of concern.”

“What can be done to disrupt it?” asked Vand.

“Only trouble in the local areas would disrupt it at this stage,” replied Clarvoy. “I have been using some hellsouls to test the reactions of the clans. When there are unexplained murders near the estates, the armies are reluctant to move. If enough of this happens, Emperor Marak will not be able to train the armies. The clans will cite the need to enforce order in their home regions.”

“What else have you found out?” asked Vand.

“Four elves were seen in Khadora,” reported the spymaster. “Two females and two males. The males wore the uniforms of Motanga. It is rumored that the two females rescued the males.”

Rage fell over Vand’s face as he pointed to a soldier with gold trim on his uniform.

“There was a watch house abandoned not long ago,” stated the Emperor. “Their boat was also missing. Summon that sector commander to me immediately.”

The officer bowed and swiftly left the room.

“What is that about?” whispered Aakuta.

“The watchers were thought to have deserted their post,” replied Lady Mystic. “It now appears otherwise. The sector commander will be punished for allowing the escape.”

“What will happen to him?” asked Aakuta.

“Whatever happens to him,” smiled Lady Mystic, “he will wish he was already dead.”

“The enemy also has a method of communicating magically,” continued the spymaster. “They call it an air tunnel. It has the capability to send speech over great distances.”

Vand sat staring blankly for several moments before saying, “I want that spell known by my people. Discover how it is done. I also want to know how to disrupt their use of it.”

“I will see to it,” promised the spymaster.

“Is there anything else?” asked Vand.

“I could use more hellsouls,” Clarvoy stated.

“How many do you need?” asked Vand.

“As many as you can spare,” answered the spymaster. “I can make good use of them on the mainland.”

“Then I shall create more for you,” the Emperor smiled wickedly. “You shall have as many as you require.”

“Hellsouls?” asked Aakuta in a soft voice.

“They are revenants,” explained Lady Mystic. “They are very interesting creatures. When they are killed, they rise again to continue serving their master. We should watch as Vand creates new ones. He will probably be doing so this afternoon. Want to go?”

“Very much so,” smiled Aakuta. “I also have an idea regarding the punishment of the sector commander.”