Chapter Four
"Our next step," the king started as he
looked over the table, where once again his advisors were settled, this time
with everyone present, "must be to find out who the Dark Squire is and what it
is he wants to do. It would also be a bit of a bonus if we knew where they are
in Tortall. For they can't be too far."
He looked over his group with a pleased fatherly air. "I think, no I know that
we can catch this group, it can't be as bad as the immortals can it?"
His champion looked over and sighed with a
pessemistic air. "Thank you for the pep talk Jon, but I don't know if that will
work for me today. As far as I'm concerned the Dark Squire will most likely be
next to impossible to catch. Think of it, he's had a long time to plan after
his master failed, and twice, for yes I'm sure this is Roger's influence. The
Dark Squire has had plenty of time to make sure he get's this right."
Thayet shivered, just the thought of Duke
Roger sent chills up her spine. Alanna had exposed Roger's plans to kill the
Queen, and then the rest of the Royal family to the court, and he had been
killed in a duel, just the thought of it reminded Thayet of the part she played
in the castle, she was at just as much risk as the previous queen had been.
"Listen," Put in the always friendl voice of
George from the back. "If this Dark Squire has as much power and magic as
legend and history tells us, don't you think it would be kind of hard to hide
such great powers wouldn't it? I mean I know that I'm not an expert at such
things but –
"That's perfect!" Raoul pounced on the idea,
"Numair, I know Daine isn't here, but couldn't she find out from the animals if
they've sensed anything anywhere, and if they can pin point it or not?"
Jon didn't looked convinced. "I thought when
I started this investigation I made it clear to you that I didn't want it going
outside of this room! It's not safe, what happens if somehow they take Daine,
or something and she's forced to reveal what we're up too?"
Thayet looked at her husband, sometimes…
"Jon, the sma thing would happen to Daine as it would if it was any of us. She's
stood by this kingdom through thick and thin, half of the battles wouldn't be ours if we didn't have her by our side.
Jon, we can trust her, in some ways I think she has a stronger sense of mind
then many of the men sitting in there saddles, with the title of knight of
Tortall riding on there backs." Her green eyes flashed a look at Jon, an
unspoken request.
He knew better then to refuse. "Alright,
Daine knows, and the animals of the kingdom I guess, but I draw the line there,
no one, and I mean no one else must know, it is mandatory that it stays that
way."
"A compremise, I love it!" George called from
his side of the table.
"You sir will kindly hush your mouth!" A
firey red head set an even fireier glance at her husband.
***
"Just one more day of this and you should be
resoted to your full self again," Numair smiled down at his Queen, " want to
show you something though." He reached over to the paper covered slab of wood
that served him as a desk. "This," he said, "is the book that almost got you killed
the other night, I'm almost sure of it." He passed the worn, dark book to
Thayet.
The pages were yellowed and fading, but the
text was clear and sharp. She opened the first page and closed the cover again,
what had once been a dark maroony coloured binding, was now a midnight blue.
She laughed to herself and opened it again. This time the cover appeared a
crusty, woody green. With a questioning look at Numair all was explained.
"It's been enchanted, theh changing
symbolizes that the insides change as well. It's a subtle but meaningful
warning. It's a subtle message from the books creater that though knowledge
stays the same, the way it's read, or displayed is never the same. Now here's
Daine with the information from our animal friends, well her friends anyways."
A young women with soft brown hari and eyes
appeared laughing. "Hello Thayet, Numair is only sour because yesterday when he
was showing off for me., he attempted to jump on cloud's back, and Cloud moved
so Numair ended up with a faceful of mud, not to mention horse poop!" Diane's
eyes which had been filled with mirth darkened suddenly and she looked at her
fiance and her queen. "I talked with the birds, sparrows mostly, they're the
travelers. They say that there is a spot in the inner part of the city, close
to a building I'm sure George will recognize, they say for weeks now a strange
source has ben coming from it, it's unlike any of our magic, here Numair can
you help me?"
Thayet watched as the male mage headed over
to Daine and placed his fingers on her temples and they both closed their eyes.
After a few minutes Numair opened his eyes, it was like he was returning form a
long slepp, he seemed startled that Thayet was still with them. The sleep it
appeared had not treated him well, he face was drawn, and paler, well paler
then usual anyway. "Numair, Numair, what is it?" The queen's motherly concern
took over enven though her charge was a few years older, not to mention a few
feet taller then her.
"That magic, that the sparrow's sensed is unclean
magic, it is the magic of tow, people, maybe more, combined together together.
It is dangerous, possibly even fatal. During Jon's coronation period when you
first came here Thayet, I sensed this magic for the first time. When Roger and
Thom's magic combined. Thom died soon after, and I know that one of the magic's
holder's will soon, if not already will pass away."
Daine gave and unvoluntary shudder and looked
out the window. Thayet followed her gaze and her eyes fell apon the young pages
gathered in the courtyard. Though it was their first year living in court, most
of them looked relaxed and carefree.
"There is of course, one more thing. Jon is
coming now though, since he should know as well." A few minutes later they met
in the library, with the now present King, Goerge Alanna.
"What is it Numair? Have you found anything
out regarding the Dark Squire?" His blue eyes flashed angrily a sign of nerves
more then dissatisfaction Thayet had learned.
"I have met with Daine and she has showed me
the sense of magic that the sparrows have picked up radiating from a certain
building. It is in the inner city, not far from a tavern called the dancing
dove." Thayet saw George become alert. "It is a tall, building looks as though
it might have been an inn a one point but since the sparrow's cannot define
certain letter's the name or street number is still unknown. Here George, does
that help?" Numair handed George a rough sketch of a rundown, sagging building
next to the Dancing Dove.
"yes," George said, "as I had guessed, this
is the Balen Inn, it shut down a few years ago, for reasons unknown. I shall go
tomorrow and find all the entrances and exits, and see what protection is
surrounding the place, I have business in the city anyways."
"Good George, thank you. Is there any other
news from Daine Numair?" The King pressed a tired hand against his worn looking
face.
"Yes, The magic that is around this Inn is
that of an unclean source, whoever, or whatever is causing it has magic from
more then one other person, they are combined to produce something more
powerful then mine, or Thom's ever was." There was silence as Numair paused to
let the meaning sink in.
"The only other thing is when I was looking
over the book yeterday I found spells not only to bring back the dead, but to
link this world with that of the Immortals, and spells that could wreck havoc
and distroy the lands in one blow. I might suggest King, that this book is
hidden, or enchanted at least, it is crucial the Dark Squire does not get his
hands on it."
"Very well Numair," fetch the book and we
shall do what we can to distroy it." As Numair left the room Thayet went of to
her husband.
"Jon, I know this isn't a time when a King
can rest, but don't you think you would be able to serve us better in whole if you
could manage to get yourself out of bed in the morning?" She smiled at him and
stroked back his hair. "I know this Dark Squire has been keeping sleep from you
for a few nights now you show it badly. Promise me that tonight you'll give
yourself a break and let myself and the Mindelan's handle the Yamani's
complaints?"
Before Jon could utter his response Numair burst into the room a flurry of dark robes and wild hair. "Majesty, the book is gone."
