Chapter 23
Endorsement
I'm a bad man. I need to understand the past. It illuminates the present. -Croaker, Port of Shadows by Glen Cook
When the Vicarius came out from his office Lorelei was outside the door, waiting for him.
The two walked through the corridors of Eucheria Basilica in silence at first as Lorelei observed the faded murals and sculptures, the waning sunlight giving the rough features some detail. Most of the beasts were far too worn out for Lorelei to recognise, though she recognised the prominent vulpine features of Eucherius, his body fitted in a red cloak and his paw clutching a spear fashioned of shining steel.
"Apologies for the disappearance earlier," said the marten, rubbing his paws. "I was writing letters to my partner - she deserves to know of your visit, though I doubt news of it will arrive in time for her to do much about it."
"Your wife is away?" asked the otter, turning her head.
"Oh no, I have yet to marry - we have customs you woodlanders might find peculiar, or even, dare I say, perverse. But in this case I am talking about the other beast who watches over the beasts of Eucheria, the Dux."
Lorelei was not unfamiliar with the word. "I don't think you always need a military leader - not inside the city."
"You would be correct - but somebeast has to take care of diplomacy. And another somebeast has gathered all the world's banners in a single city, ready to hear our worries and make wrongs right once more. Your father is a beast of good ideas, most of the time."
Lorelei shrugged. "There are always exceptions."
"Which I have been very familiar with," replied Padrut. "You know, we called for his help once, when that hare was whispering into the sickly Lord Holmger's ear."
"You mean Bragi?"
"Indeed. He's always wanted to see every trace of Eucheria driven into the sea, and I fear he's gotten farther than any Helsker had before."
"How did the longears manage it?"
"By befriending Lord Erlend of Kaldos, of course. The Kaldosians had been our closest trading partners and advocates, but what would happen if they seek our wealth by pointing their spears at our necks is anybeast's guess. We sent a delegation to your father, but he was preoccupied with things I fear I do not know."
"Then why are you still here? As Vicarius of the last light of the sea?"
"There was a beast who came to Eucheria as a child," answered Padrut, "seeking a better life away from the fields of the woodlander lords. You would consider him a vermin, but despite his blood he was truly a Helsker at heart, for ill more than for good. Without honour and without dignity, he tried to reach for the stars, and yet he plunged down into infamy. You know of damnatio memoriae."
Lorelei's brows furrowed. "The reason you have not mentioned his name."
Padrut nodded. "Or his species. But while he is forbidden to set footpaw on these shores ever again, he managed to speak some sense into your husband's addled mind… and bribe some 'sense' into his empty pockets." The marten chuckled. "Speaking of bribes… we will be paying for your entourage's dinner. Not a feast - there is no time - but I do hope again that you enjoy our hospitality, meager though it be."
"Worry not, you have been of service," replied Lorelei. "Very well, we shall attend." Just get me out of here already…
To Lorelei's surprise dinner was a grand affair. As much as it suited Padrut and his brood to think that Revesvakt was under siege, food supplies had never been a problem.
Beasts within the island cities usually had a diet mostly based around seafood, and Eucheria was no exception. Padrut told the otter that in the past when the Helsker fleet blocked the city-state's access to wider seas, it had proven to be a burden for the woodlanders' coffers, and vermin fisherbeasts would haul in fish and molluscs as long as the city's authorities could sell them to the beasts of Revesvakt at reduced prices, which they had no problem doing.
Oysters and mussels were brought into the Basilica's Great Hall, and soon salmon and herring followed, wrapped in pastry and garnished with Laskarine pepper. More fish entered the room, fried and baked, and finally pies were served, filled with almond custard and with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Below the dais, Hirsent was being crowded around by younger beasts, most of whom looked her age. These vermin had never seen a wolf before, thought Lorelei. They have not been down South, across the mountains and seas. The packs of wolves who roamed the valleys were unknown to the Eucherians, as were the lynxes to the south or those strange mongooses who treated her father so well in Trazond.
Lorelei could see Hirsent struggle to talk with a slim-snouted weasel, who said something that made her ears fold swiftly. Sigurd, closer to the wolfess's side of the table, shook his head as his whiskers drooped.
"Didn't know that ver- beasts here could get so descriptive with their intentions," whispered the younger otter to the older.
"Have you read a romance in Ilsadian?" asked Lorelei.
"No."
"Then I recommend you not to do so - you're too prudish for that. I do wonder if your lady wife has though…"
"Well, that is definitely the case. You should hear her giggling about this chapter or that character with my sisters."
Lorelei rubbed her chin. "That's the reason she agreed to the match, right? She's close to the rest of your family?"
Sigurd gave a bitter laugh. "Not much stays a secret around you, hm?"
"Unless my father is around." Lorelei poked around her pie with her fork. "Tell me, what do you truly think of Avelyn Shellheart?"
"Nothing much. It's one of Father's ideas, and I just feel like it's also in my best interest to obey him. Mother didn't, but she eventually came to terms with it."
"She always does," muttered Lorelei under her breath. "But it's hypocritical of him, don't you think? He gets to marry for love, you don't."
"The tale of my parents' love is still sung in taverns and fairs," replied Sigurd, "as it is a beautiful tale. But ever since I was old enough to think about maids I have resolved to marry for my duty and for nothing else." He took a big gulp out of his goblet. "Perhaps it would be better for Kaldos if Mother's eyes never connected with Father's, and you had given birth to us instead. Would you think I'd turn out like Kiormund if that were the case?"
"Um, er, maybe, probably. I should have to think about it for some time." Lorelei stared at the Travrikan lordling for a few long moments before her thoughts were able to clear. "But let's not dwell on the hypothetical for long." Her voice softened as she waited for Rissos to bother Padrut again. What do you think of these Eucherians?"
Sigurd's brows furrowed. "When I was on my tour I met a few of them who spoke Travrikan well - too well. They were native speakers, I'm sure of it. However, when I tried to ask my guides about why they were here, they quickly changed the subject… which is something you seem to be very familiar with, don't you think?"
"Whatever. You think these beasts are a secret?"
"No, I think these beasts are embarrassments. If you were right they'd probably not be allowed to roam the city, or at least a part of it, at will."
It did not take Lorelei long to make a guess. "Were they woodlanders?"
"Not a single one," replied Sigurd. "There was a fox and two ferrets, and there was another one who looked like Padrut."
"Beech marten, hm?" Lorelei rubbed the side of her cheek. "Then this makes things curious… but we should think before we burden the Vicarius with our knowledge."
"I was expecting you to confront him now, I'd say."
The princess shook her head. "I'm not going to lose sleep over it."
Thordan wondered if Floret had always looked like that. The streets were strewn with sand, every two in three windows looked cracked and there was nobeast to be seen. "There must've been a storm here…" mused the otter, turning back to his vulpine companion.
He wasn't there.
"Fox?" asked the otter. "Erlend? Where in the world are you?"
"I, erm, am a bit busy at the moment!"
"Where are-"
Thordan winced as the fox's screams echoed around the dream. He opened his eyes and followed the source of the noise to find Erlend lying on the ground, unresponsive.
Cautiously, the otter tapped into Conjury, his footpaws hesitantly edging towards his friend as his paw started to warm. Before he could help his friend up Thordan realised that the fox's paw was warm too - almost hot.
The Conjurer wheeled back before the lance of flame could strike him in the shoulder, grimacing as the fox helped himself up. "You're not Erlend!" shouted Thordan.
"Ooh, you're quite observant, aren't you?" said the fox.
"Tell me who you are! Now!"
"The first thing you have to know is that you have to know nothing. After all, my time here is limited… and the same could most definitely be said-"
The imposter was interrupted by a sudden spray of sand being swept into his eye. Thordan's arm dropped down as he turned and ran into one of the many buildings as he silently thanked his luck. He was not trained fully in Conjury, but there was no way he would let an opportunity like this slip.
"Argh, blasted otter…" complained the fox. "You must realise you can't hide for long. This is my dream, mine alone!"
But I can run… Thordan felt his paw warm again as he felt the water in the air surrounding him. He grunted as he felt his fur moisten and his paw clutch around something cool. Or I can fight!
The fox's eyes widened. "Oh drat, I didn't realise you're too stupid to run."
"And now you do - good for you!" shouted the otter as he barrelled straight into the fox, his water-fashioned blade slicing through the air, barely missing the fox's chest as he spun away, striking back with a steel knife that bounced off Thordan's shoulder.
"Ooh, a set of water armour!" said Oswin, tucking a paw behind his back. "Quite ingenious, and I thought it was beyond you. Evidently I was wrong."
"Also evidently, you tend to be!" said the otter as he charged forward, but he could only manage a few pawsteps before he stopped mid-step and plummeted onto the ground, his eyes wide open as he struggled to speak.
"Huh, the traps still work. You're not going to move a single muscle, pup. Not for a very long while…" The fox put a footpaw on Thordan's twitching rudder as he put a paw on the otter's face. Terror swamped Thordan's heart as the pain magnified, only overshadowed by his confusion. Then suddenly he felt nothing, absolutely nothing, as the world turned white - as if he simply ceased to exist.
The last thing he heard was the voice of his vulpine companion. "I wish sweet dreams upon you, Thordan Swalestrom."
When the burning sensation faded the otter opened his eyes again. He blinked once, then twice, and again until his surroundings cleared and the fox came into view. "It's done, yes?" he asked, collapsing onto the sand-laden streets.
"So it is," replied the otter, taking a deep breath through his mouth as he sat down. "It feels so nice to be in a physical body again."
"You shouldn't have taken an otter one," said the fox. "You do know where I'll be for the foreseeable future, right?"
"The first thing you have to know about me is that I'll not be with you. I'm going to call the no less magnificent realm of Southsward my home for the time being - its young Archivist has talked with me on several occasions. I doubt being an otter would be a problem up where I am… though I must admit I would have to spend some time adjusting to my novel corporeal form - all of it."
The fox's paws clasped together as he chuckled. "You're going to have to get used to being male again too!"
"Oh great…" said the otter. "Thank you so much for reminding me that I have that to look forward to."
"Heh, just doing what a sibling does. Or so I think… mortals like Thordan tend to get attached to blood relatives of the same generation, and I suppose we're close enough to that point."
"You did get attached to him, right?"
"I did - we got what you wanted from him anyway. Still, it is a shame that the otter is no longer with us…"
"You do know who you are talking to, right?"
"Yes, I do. But he just had something you didn't, that's all."
"What's it?"
"Starts with an 'H' and ends with 'umility' - take a wild guess."
Oswin smiled as he watched his companion vanish back into the waking world. "Very funny…"
Lorelei awoke in a cold sweat.
She was back in Lecannu once more, beneath the marble towers of Kiordan's childhood home. The otter had heard from the servants that Kiordan had a happy adolescence, but when she pressed her father for details, none came forth. It was not until later on in life that she discovered what had happened all those seasons ago.
"Hello Lori!" came the smooth voice of the Emperor. "Nice dream you had, hm?"
"You were there?" asked his daughter, shaking her head. "Of course you were there, and of course you didn't tell me about it."
"Hey, I was no more there than you were… and I don't think this charming Thordan fellow minds us any more."
"He's been taken over by Os-"
"I know, I know. I saw it. Though I want to know everything about the otter."
"I told Hirsent. Did she not tell you?"
"Apparently not. I don't doubt that she plans to, but she appears quite busy with you at the moment. You gave her something to read, no doubt."
"Well, she grabbed it despite my direct orders."
"Heh, bits and pieces of Isangrim shine through now and then. You'd be surprised-"
Lorelei's footpaw slammed on the ground. "You know about Thordan."
"So I do. Met in person. I was a spry young beast, and you hadn't been born yet. He was as old as I am at that point in time… looked a bit like me actually."
"Are we… are we even talking about the same beast?"
Kiordan shrugged. "No, not likely. And I doubt your dreams would end that quickly…"
"What do you mean?"
"If I remember correctly, we started seeing things from Oswin's point of view even after poor young Thordan lost his body."
"So?"
"We can see into Oswin's plans!" Kiordan clasped his paws together with glee. "Well, you can, since I'll be a bit busy in Floret. I'll have fun dancing around Daghild's stubby snout as she tries to find a way to eliminate me that doesn't cause an international incident. Every time that hag fumes my life gains more meaning."
"Aren't you worried that she - or Oswin, even - will get you in the end?" asked Lorelei.
"Not in the slightest! Oswin's useless! He might have a Taggerung - the key word being might - up his sleeves, but so do I. Hirsent, remember?"
"She's too young to kill - or fight, even!"
"Lori, Lori, Lori. You keep forgetting she's older than you. Or I, for that matter!"
"Older than you too?"
"Well, yeah. I'm not ancient. Goodness, I think a part of me was in love with her - you can guess which, but knowing you, you won't."
Lorelei blinked, her blush disappearing with her curiosity. "You were in love with Hirsent?"
"No, I was in love with Melisse. Raised by rats, remember? Would make perfect sense to fall in love with one of them."
"Didn't it trouble you that she's older?"
"Oh, not at all!" Kiordan chuckled as his astrolabe emerged from thin air. "I was rather excited by the possibility! Your mother got a bit flustered when I told her about it. You know, in hindsight that was quite the mistake…"
"Huh, I have reached the point where I do not want to know more about you."
"Funnily enough, everybeast I've talked to has reached that point. Oh, you can take this." A fine blade materialised in his paw. "The Sword of Martin the Warrior - I think with this in your paws nobeast would dare target you in a dream - it is an Amplifier not to be scoffed at."
Lorelei grasped the hilt and spun it around with a single paw. "Allow me to guess… Oswin?"
"Oswin," replied her father, nodding. "Now, I have a date to attend. Without the food, drink and touchy-feely romance, of course - your mother would simply never approve of that." The astrolabe spun, a Pathway appeared, and Kiordan prepared to step through. "Oh, one last thing I feel like you should know."
"What is it?"
"I wasn't exactly telling the truth when you asked me if I'm afraid of Oswin."
"So you lied. What a surprise."
"Well, it was a teensy fib. Though yes, a part of me is utterly terrified of dying to his machinations… but the chance of failure just makes me more excited."
"But what about-" Lorelei could not even finish the sentence before her father vanished across the portal, leaving her alone.
Again.
C/N: I suppose this is the last one in a long run of my PoV chapters. All good things must come to an end, alas.
I wonder if the author is a bit concerned with introducing so many characters, like Rissos, the Komissoi, and everyone on the islands... but I am sure everybeast here would eventually play a part in the later parts of the story. I wish I didn't have to help introduce everyone and get some time to further my own character development, but my author says he will get around to it very soon. Whether I trust him or not is another matter.
In any case I have to say my goodbyes for now. I hope you enjoy Margane chapters... and if you do not, too bad.
