His palliasse was empty, the fabric was torn back revealing the damp straw, the blanket was askew and the table was on its side, the lamp in a pile of oil, long since extinguished.
"He's gone," Geldar said to himself, unable to believe it. "It was stranger, I never did trust him."
"Master Paladin?" The innkeeper's boy servant poked his head in the door. "Would you like me to bring up breakfast for you and Master Sinclair? You said to call at dawn, but seeing you're up-"
"Boy, tell me," Geldar said, with a hint of steel in his voice. "Did you see anyone leaving here at odd hours last night?"
"I can't tell you that," he replied, his voice trembling a little. "Barb was out late last night, you'll have to ask him Master Paladin."
"Bring him here," Geldar ordered.
"Shall I bring up breakfast as well," he asked.
"No, that will be all," Geldar replied, closing the door on him firmly.
He sat down on the cot and stared into space, recalling the events of the previous night. He and Sinclair, his nephew and his squire, had dined in the main room, aiming to retire early. That was when the stranger approached them, sitting next to them uninvited, a deep black hood over their face, hiding gleaming eyes that could be seen now and again in the dim light of the room.
"It's not often that you're seen in these parts," said the stranger, with a rasping voice that chilled the spine. "Westmarch is not usually home to that of the Zakarum. What is your business here?"
"Our business is our own," Geldar said in a tone the conversation was over. "Come Sinclair, it's time we retired, we have an early start."
"Going so early?" the stranger pressed. "And Sinclair, such a fine name for a boy."
Sinclair was about to respond but Geldar nudged him to silence. He knew this person could not be trusted, and also knew he had to get rid of him, and quickly.
"Could I spare you a few moments?" The stranger asked. "There is something I think you should know."
"I'm not interested," Geldar replied.
"It's about the Zakarum," the stranger persisted.
"What is it you wanted to say?" Geldar said, he was interested but on his guard.
"It would be better if we went up to your room," the stranger said. "I don't like to discuss it here."
"Your room," Geldar replied.
"I'm not staying here," the stranger said. "It won't take long to tell."
"Very well then," Geldar said reluctantly. "I'll lead the way, and no more than ten minutes."
"What ever you say," the stranger agreed.
On the threshold of his room, Geldar turned around and noticed the stranger was a behind them a little way. He pulled Sinclair closed and whispered in his ear.
"Stay out here," he said quickly. "Come in when he's gone."
Sinclair went down the corridor as the stranger approached, he still couldn't see his face save his eyes. He gestured towards the door and they both went inside, trying to be civil he offered a chair, the stranger sat down but Geldar didn't. He stood over him, waiting for him to speak.
"Well?" Geldar said after a long pause.
"This is the Staff of Enova," he said, reaching into his cloak and getting out a long staff made of mitral with a single diamond at its head. "It was taken from Baritone, a lieutenant under the Archangel Tyrell."
The stranger held out the staff to him, near his hand but Geldar didn't accept it. He waited for the stranger to continue.
"It holds the Stone of Enter," he said. "It was taken from the World stone Chamber."
"By Baritone?" Geldar asked and the stranger nodded. "You expect me to accept this object of betrayal?"
"You know the state of the Zakarum don't you?" the stranger asked. "If you went back to Kurast you would find it very different indeed from when you left it. I want you to join me," he said quickly. "Together we'll destroy the Zakarum and restore it to the glory that it was."
"Why should I trust you?" Geldar said. "How do I know you may be a fiend in disguise or in service of them? And why would I betray the very order that I dedicated my life to?"
"Then your life has been a waste, Master Paladin," the stranger said mournfully. "Join me in wielding this; we will set things to rights."
"How do I know that is all you will do?" Geldar asked. "Be gone from my sight! It wouldn't surprise me in the least if you are a traitor just as Baritone was. Go hence, trouble me no more."
Slowly, the stranger replaced the staff into his cloak and stood up, even more slowly. He went through the door that Geldar had opened, but turned back to say a parting remark.
"You will regret this, Paladin," he said in a slow and menacing tone. "I speak the truth, the Zakarum are no more servants of the light."
His hand disappeared into his cloak again and brought out the staff. Slowly, but surely, the staff turned to dust before his eyes until there was a small pile on the floor.
"This won't be the last you see of me," he promised.
And with that he turned and went down the corridor, Geldar stood in the doorway for a moment and then looked out in the direction he had left. He was gone, not a trace remained.
"Uncle, what was that all about?" Sinclair asked as he took off his surcoat and leather jerkin.
"Nothing," he replied, knowing that what he heard was not for his squire's ears. "It was only an addled man who had too much ale. Nothing to trouble you about."
"I thought he would have known about my father," Sinclair said, looking out the window to the moonlit night. "Whenever I see a traveller, I hope for news of him."
"Sinclair, how can I tell you this?" His voice concealed a slight tremble as he sat the boy down on his cot. "He's dead Sinclair, he perished in the labyrinth months ago like all the others that went to challenge the evil that took Tristram."
"He isn't," Sinclair insisted. "I just know, he isn't like one of the others down there, he must have gotten out alive."
"If he had he would have come back here," Geldar said. "I knew your father well as I know myself. There is a bond between us not broken easily, but I know he's gone. Trust that, there's nothing you can do."
"Nothing?" Sinclair voice ran slight treble.
"The best you can do is pray," Geldar said. "Pray for his soul. Pray that it doesn't descend into hell as all the others did that went to slay the evil."
"I pray for my mother," Sinclair said. "I pray that she is she is safe in the west in Kurast, where we left her. I know that my father is alive."
"To bed," Geldar ordered, taking his hand off the Sinclair's shoulder and starting to his feet. "We rise in the morning with the dawn, and you are not getting five minutes more sleep."
"Master Paladin?"
Geldar looked up suddenly and saw Barb standing timidly in the doorway, looking precariously out of his dark ringed eyes. Geldar stood up and closed the door behind him as he came in, standing in front of the door expectantly.
"Did you see anything last night?" he asked, his eyes searching Barb's face for truths. "At odd hours this morning, did anyone leave?"
"I was in the backroom with the malt," Barb explained. "But I did hear the front door unbolt at about three and not much later heard a horse walk towards the inn."
"Did you see anything?" Geldar whispered.
"I went to the window and I saw a figure in a black cloak with two other slumped figures I couldn't see," Barb answered. "They were carrying something."
"What were they carrying?" Geldar demanded.
"I don't know, I couldn't see it," Bard answered fearfully. "It was long and wrapped in a black cloth and they tied it over the back of a horse. The figure in black mounted the horse and rode off."
"Which way?" Geldar asked.
"Up the road," Barb answered. "North I think, but there's someone you can ask. I know they were awake at that time."
"Tell me," Geldar ordered.
"Holkin," Barb answered. "He lives on the edge of town, hasn't slept since the evil took Tristram."
But Geldar was out the door and down the hall before Barb had finished talking.
"Get my things ready," he called as he ran down the stairs. "I'll be leaving as soon as I get back."
Barb shrugged and began to gather the clothes scattered around the room. Some people he just couldn't understand.
