Defenders of The Sacred Land: Book One of The Sacred Land Saga (15 page)

Morgoran abruptly stood and cried, “Gondrial, watch out, the dragon is circling!”

The four scribes sitting at the small tables surrounding Morgoran began writing feverishly.

Gondrial stood back and cocked an eyebrow. “What dragon, Morgoran?”

“What, Gondrial, you are not in the keep with Ianthill?”

“No, Morgoran, I am here with you in the Vale.”

Morgoran looked confused for a moment, and then he looked off into empty space once again. “Dorenn, only Seandara and Bren can go safely with you to Scarovia.” His face twisted. “Jindara killed the beast but more will come. I tell you more will come.”

Gondrial motioned for the rest of the company to sit on the divans. He leaned in as they sat and whispered, “He is speaking of the future. His eyes only see ahead in time. The Silver Drake, for interfering with it as it destroyed Toborne, cursed him. His interference was noble, so the Silver Drake spared his life but would not let him live it.”

“Morgoran, my master,” Lady Shey said, bowing and taking his hand in hers.

“Shey.” His expression changed to fondness, and his face softened into a smile. “My lovely apprentice, time and time again you seek out Gondrial, yet all he does is hurt you.”

Lady Shey’s face burned bright red, and her eyes were as wide as the sky from horizon to horizon. She cleared her throat. “Master, Gondrial is here and—”

Without warning, Morgoran stood from the divan, slinging Lady Shey’s arm down. He moved at lightning speed and clasped his hands in a solid grasp around Rennon’s face. Morgoran’s clenched teeth flashed, and he spoke in a low menacing tone. “You control your power. It does not control you. The magic you possess is not wild, it is forgotten, and you must remember it.
REMEMBER IT!”

Rennon fell back onto the divan as Morgoran let him go, a look of utter terror on his face. He sat frozen, suspended in the moment, stunned. Tatrice reached to comfort her friend, but Morgoran grabbed her arm. “Do not help him, dragon sister; he will only learn if you let him be.”

“Perhaps we should come back another time. Morgoran is more agitated than usual this night,” Seancey said.

Morgoran sat back on the divan with Lady Shey’s help. “Aye, come back later, Ranger. I grow wary of your company.” His face contorted again. “The Enforcers come and will be at the gate tomorrow. Flee to Signal Hill to the north. Send the one called Trendan out to Brookhaven, but do not let him talk to his friends, for the information they give him will kill him.” He looked at Sylvalora and his gaze turned to pleading agony. She approached him and put up her hand to cup his cheek. “You have suffered so, Morgoran; if I had a wish to fulfill, it would be that you suffer no more.” Morgoran closed his eyes and grabbed her hand. “Thank you, your words warm my heart,” Dorenn heard him whisper to her.

Gondrial motioned for Dorenn and his friends to leave. Sylvalora and Lady Shey remained behind with Morgoran.

“That is it then. Trendan rides in the morning,” Seancey stated. “What will we do about the Enforcers?”

“We are going to do as he says?” Dorenn protested.

Gondrial ignored Dorenn. “I know you can handle the Enforcers, Seancey. I will prepare the mounts after the Enforcers leave the gates. We ride as soon as they are out of sight. We have to get the tome to Ianthill as quickly as possible. Shey, Sylvalora, and Enowene will stay here with Tatrice, and you and I will take Rennon and Dorenn with us. I am sure that Kerad will want to come along to keep an eye on Vesperin.”

Dorenn stopped, and Seancey and Gondrial walked ahead a few steps before they turned back to look at him. Rennon and Vesperin had stopped too. “What exactly is going on here? I have felt strange ever since I entered the Vale. Something is not right here. Where is Trendan?”

Gondrial looked annoyed. “What you feel is the power of the place you stand in. The Vale is a place of energies you do not yet understand. Power of…” he paused, searching for a word. “Suggestion is rather powerful here. As far as what is happening, too much information could be dangerous.”

“I am going back to Brookhaven,” Rennon stated flatly. “I’m not going with you any farther.”

“The same goes for me,” Dorenn said.

All eyes turned to Vesperin, who looked at his two friends with a soft expression. “Remember when I told you to ask me later of the charge Loracia gave me?” he said to Dorenn.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Rennon said, shaking his head and pointing his finger at Vesperin’s face.

“I am afraid I must go with them.”

“Why, Vesperin?” Dorenn asked pleadingly.

“Because I owe my life,” Vesperin replied. “Loracia restored it to me, and I will be going on Loracia’s quest. I cannot make you understand or force you to come along, Dorenn. But I ask as your best friend to help me.” He turned to Rennon. “Rennon, I beg you as my best friend for your help. I need you. Trust me.”

Dorenn and Rennon sighed almost simultaneously.

“What manner of quest?” Dorenn asked.

Vesperin smiled. “We will find out together.”

“What will it be then?” Gondrial asked.

Dorenn nodded. “We will follow.” He glanced at Rennon, who nodded somberly.

Chapter 8: Plans

Dorenn did not sleep well. He tossed and turned all night, frustrated that he would not be returning home soon. Thunder boomed in the distance, and the sound rolled ominously on for several seconds, drawing Dorenn’s attention to the window. He threw aside the light blanket covering him and slipped out of bed. The stone floor was shockingly cold on his feet, so he tip-toed until he adjusted to the temperature change. Upon reaching the window, he pulled the yellow draw cord to open the blue curtains. Looking out, he could see Trendan mounting up. Lightning flashed and rain began to fall. Trendan pulled his leather cloak tighter around his body as he straightened himself on the horse. Seancey struck the horse on the hindquarter and it cantered. Dorenn yanked open the wooden windowpane, rattling the loose glass.

“Trendan! Trendan, wait,” Dorenn yelled to his friend.

Trendan turned to look back at him, and Dorenn could see the saddened expression on his face, but instead of answering, Trendan turned away and spurred his horse onward. A cold realization pervaded Dorenn’s mind. Trendan knew something he did not.

“This is all madness,” Dorenn mumbled to himself, throwing the window shut. “I may be in the company of wielders, but I will not believe those insane ramblings of Morgoran.” Dorenn found his breeches and tunic and pulled them on. “I will find Vesperin and end all this right quick. I will drag him back to Brookhaven kicking and screaming if I have to. He never saw Loracia; it was probably just some wielder trick.” As soon as Dorenn was dressed, he walked to the rose and lavender scented washroom, combed his hair, and washed up for breakfast.

Not long after Dorenn had dried himself, Rennon walked into the washroom, his long, unkempt hair tangled and askew from sleep. He smacked his lips and dumped a bowl of water over his head into the wash basin without saying a word to Dorenn.

“Did you see Trendan ride out?” Dorenn asked.

“Nay, I just got up out of bed. Did he ride off already?”

Dorenn nodded. “I tried to call to him from my window, but he rode off anyway.” Dorenn shook his head and put his hands flat on the washbasin. “I just don’t believe all this nonsense, Rennon, and I can’t believe Trendan believes it either.” Dorenn shook his hands dry. “Yet he rode off as if he does.” Dorenn paused for a moment and sighed. “They have gotten to him.” Dorenn closed his eyes and breathed in heavily before re-opening his eyes and speaking in an even more agitated tone. “And did you notice how Tatrice was acting last night? She was so…”

“Cheerful!” Rennon said flatly. He paused from washing his hands.

“Aye, too cheerful if you ask me. I can’t figure what has gotten into her lately either,” Dorenn said disgusted.

Rennon cocked an eyebrow. “I do. She has been talking to Sylvalora.”

“What do you mean?” Dorenn asked, eyes narrowing.

Rennon stopped and gave Dorenn an inquisitive look. “She has been showing her how to do something with that little statue you gave to Tatrice. You didn’t know that?”

“Nay, what is she showing her?” Dorenn asked as he handed Rennon a drying cloth.

“How should I know? It was you who gave her the statue.” Rennon took the drying cloth and dabbed it on his face. “Where did it come from anyway?”

Dorenn stammered while still in thought. “I—I bought it in a shop in Cedar Falls.”

“Well, what’s it for?” Rennon asked inquisitively.

“I don’t know. I just thought it was something she might like,” Dorenn said. “The old man said it was made by the elves.”

“Are you certain that is what he told you?” Rennon asked.

“Now that you mention it, no, I don’t remember what he told me it was. What are you getting at?”

“It is something dangerous.”

“It did feel strange; it made my hand tingle while I held it.”

Rennon’s face dropped in shock. “And you gave it to Tatrice!”

“Well, she didn’t feel anything strange about it.”

“Great, you had better get it from her. It’s probably some kind of talisman. Sanmir had a stone he brought from Darovan that he used to mix in with potions to increase their potency. He used it many times, but he wouldn’t let me touch it. He said it would only serve one master and was not something to be trifled with.”

Dorenn became worried. “You think the statue may be affecting Tatrice in some way?”

“Could be. I would get it from her as soon as the chance presented itself.”

Dorenn nodded. “Maybe you are right.”

Rennon tossed the drying cloth aside. “Let’s go find Vesperin. I think we should talk to him without the wielders around and find out what really happened to him.”

“Aye, I was thinking the same thing. Let’s get out of here and get back to Brookhaven, the sooner the better.”

“Now that’s the Dorenn I know,” Rennon said smiling.

Dorenn and Rennon walked briskly through the long corridors of the Morgoran’s tower and found Vesperin eating breakfast in the dining hall with Lady Shey, Sylvalora, and Tatrice. Dorenn sat down beside Tatrice, and Rennon sat opposite him. Servants appeared with fruits and bread for the two newcomers.

Dorenn lightly kissed Tatrice on the check as he settled in his chair next to her.

“I was wondering when you might be joining us, Dorenn. Did you sleep well?”

“Not particularly,” Dorenn said. “I tossed and turned most of the night.”

“Well, you have a lot on your mind I would imagine,” Tatrice said.

Dorenn leaned in close to Tatrice’s ear. “I need to speak with you alone as soon as possible.” Sylvalora looked up sharply at Dorenn, and he started for a moment. “Are you all right, Sylvalora?” he asked and then immediately scolded himself for being so bold.

“Fine as a spring day, good man Dorenn, why do you ask?”

“You just seemed concerned for a moment.”

“I am just concerned you are not sleeping is all, Dorenn.”

“Aye, perhaps I am a bit jumpy. I apologize.”

“No need for apologies. Just try to get some sleep tonight. Perhaps have Rennon prepare you a sleeping powder?”

“Aye, Sylvalora, I will.”

“Good,” she said.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence while they ate their breakfast.

“Vesperin, don’t you have morning prayers to attend?” Rennon asked.

“I already attended them.”

“Good, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“With what?” Vesperin asked.

“Something,” Rennon said uncomfortably.

Vesperin stared at him for a moment. “All right. I will help you with your task. When do you wish to meet?”

“We can go right now.” Rennon pushed himself away from the table. “Are you finished with breakfast?”

Vesperin nodded and pushed away from the table. “Aye, let’s go. I am curious what you are up to.”

“Come on, Tat, let’s go with them.”

Tatrice smiled at Dorenn’s invitation, excited to be included. “Aye, let’s go,” she said.

“If you will excuse us, my ladies,” Dorenn said, rising from the table.

“Of course,” Lady Shey said.

Dorenn grabbed Tatrice by the arm and held her hand as they moved hastily behind Rennon and Vesperin out of the dining hall.

“What is all this about?” Vesperin asked suspiciously. “Why are you two acting so strange?”

Dorenn waited until they were well down the hall before speaking. “We are leaving. These wielders have done something to you both.”

Rennon sighed. “Oh, that was subtle, Dorenn.”

“My father put me in charge of this trip, and as far as I’m concerned, I still am in charge, and I say we go back to Brookhaven.”

“Don’t be a fool, Dorenn,” Vesperin said, stopping in the corridor. “I told you, Loracia has given me a vision.”

“Are you certain, Vesperin, or was that vision a trick of the wielders?”

Anger flushed over Vesperin’s face. “I would know the difference. I am surprised at you, Dorenn. I will not force you to come along, but I am staying.” Vesperin left down the opposite direction, away from Dorenn. Tatrice scowled at Dorenn and followed Vesperin.

“Well, that went well,” Rennon said sarcastically.

“Come on, let’s find Gondrial. I have a plan,” Dorenn said.

“What kind of plan?”

“You’ll see. Come on,” Dorenn insisted.

“I hope you know what you are doing,” Rennon said, following Dorenn down the corridor.

Rain still fell steadily as Dorenn and Rennon entered the courtyard. Dorenn spotted Gondrial at the gate beneath an outlook platform. He appeared to be looking through a battlement at the muddied road leading to the Vale.

“What are you looking for, Gondrial?” Dorenn asked as they approached.

“Not what, but whom. I believe the Enforcers are near. I have sensed their presence since morning.”

“How?” Rennon asked confused.

“How do you think they track other wielders if they are not wielders themselves?” Gondrial asked. “They are out there somewhere, searching.”

Dorenn shuddered. “That is disturbing news. Why do they hunt their own kind?”