Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane) (81 page)

To his left was a large, wood dresser with shiny, brass handles and more drawers than he cared to count. Past the foot of the bed, also on the left, were two, red velvet couches facing a fireplace that was as tall as he was and stretched out to either side spanning a distance at least as wide as the oversized
bed. A large mass of coals still glowed hot in its belly strangely making the room feel darker. On his immediate right was a large, black curtain followed by an oversized chest and wash basin and a free standing sconce of unlit candles that had two sisters at either side of the bed on the back wall. Directly opposite the bed were two great oak doors strapped with iron hinges that looked sturdy enough to stop even the most persistent intruder.

             
Thane slid down the side of the monstrous bed and rested his feet on a deep ocean of blue carpet swirled about with an intricate design laced in gold and silver. Looking at his naked body, he quickly decided his first order of business was to find something to wear. He brightened the room by lighting the many candles, chasing back the shadows to the deepest recesses and corners before he went rummaging through the dresser in search of his clothes. He was quickly disappointed in his search for his own things, so instead helped himself to what he could find; a simple, white v-neck tunic with draw strings and flared arms and green, crushed velvet trousers that felt a little bit too snug.

             
The pain in his shoulders increased sharply as he moved to put on the shirt, drawing him to the grand, cherry wood mirror that hung over the basin. He was not surprised at the marks he found where the razor sharp talons had dug into his flesh, but it seemed curious that the wounds were almost completely healed and beginning to scare over.
How long have I been here
? He took in his surroundings again.
And where, exactly, is here
?

             
His thoughts quickly scattered as the doors to his left suddenly burst open sending him into an immediate defensive crouch. He had no weapon but he
could
defend himself.

             
“Easy now, my friend. There’s no need to get uptight.” A tall, slender man stood in the doorway holding a large stein which he held up along with his other hand in a show of surrender and defenselessness as he locked onto Thane with steel, gray eyes. His clothes reflected those worn by Thane almost completely though his pants were leather and both pants and shirt were black. In fact, everything he wore was black, even the silk sash wrapped around his waist. His chin sprouted a pointed goatee and his mouth turned up into a mirthless grin. “I’m glad to see you are up and around. Why don’t you relax a bit and we can start with introductions, I’m Resdin.”

             
Thane’s muscles released some of their tension but he was not quite ready to give over his full confidence. “Where am I?”

             
Resdin moved fluidly over to the fireplace and set the stein on the mantle and then squat down, his back towards Thane, and added more wood to the fire. “You are safe, I assure you. You have nothing to fear from me or anyone else here.” Turning back to Thane, Resdin rose to his feet and gathered the stein up into his thin hands. “Here,” he said approaching the Chufa boy and extending the mug. “Drink some of this. It will help you feel better.”

             
Thane looked at Resdin’s grinning face and for an instant felt a familiarity about the man. “What is it?”

             
Resdin shrugged. “Just some harmless herbs and such. It will help your wounds to heal more quickly.”

             
Thane took the mug timidly and looked down at the black liquid inside. Waving it under his nose, he took a quick sniff before jerking it back away from him. His stomach tightened and his head suddenly pounded. The MarGua part of his Tane was reacting to the liquid, warning him away from it. As with all MarGua, he could detect poisonous or harmful fluids.

             
His eyes narrowed at the obvious attempt Resdin had made at poisoning him. But, before he could react, another person burst into the room.

             
“What is this!” an old man screeched.

             
Thane dropped the mug and stepped back, returning to a defensive stance.

             
“You blundering fool,” he yelled, slapping Resdin in the back of the head. “Are you trying to poison our guest?”

             
Resdin gave the old man a dumbfounded look.

             
Turning back to Thane, the old man reached out a gnarled hand, his beardless face covered in concern. “I am sorry dear friend. You must forgive my son here,” he said pointing a gnarled finger at Resdin. “I told him to bring you an elixir to help you recover from your wounds, but he’s somewhat of a dolt at times.” The old man knocked a fist lightly against his gray covered head. “Got kicked by a mule when he was but a lad, you know. It’s a good thing I got here in time to stop you from drinking that rat poison. I hope you can forgive him.” Turning to Resdin, the old man scowled. “Go on you fool. What do you say to our guest?”

             
Thane wasn’t sure, but Resdin’s face seemed to flash dark rage before he turned sorrowful eyes on him and dropped to his knees. “Please forgive me,” he said lowering his head. “I had no idea.” Looking up at the old man, he continued. “Master, I hope you will punish me for my mistake.”

             
Thane watched the display and suddenly felt pity for Resdin, who obviously meant no harm. “Wait.” he burst out. “That’s not necessary. I mean…there was no harm done. It was an accident.”

             
The old man glared at Resdin and then turned back to Thane. “You are most kind young, sir. But I am afraid that Resdin must learn to be more careful.”

             
“Please,” Thane begged taking a step towards the old man in supplication. “I couldn’t bear the thought of him being punished on my account. Nothing happened. Can’t we just forget about it?”

             
The old man hesitated, straightening his gray robes, which hung loosely over his wiry frame. “Well, since you are our guest, and nothing happened, I guess we can let it slide just this once.” Turning back to his son, the old man barked. “By Seless’ sacred doors boy, get on your feet. You heard what he said.”

             
Resdin shot to his feet. “Thank you, master.”

             
“Don’t thank me you idiot. It was him who saved your hide,” he said pointing to Thane. “Thank him.”

             
Resdin bowed stiffly almost as if he had to force himself. “Thank you.”

             
Before Thane could answer, the old man grabbed Resdin by the arm and yanked him towards the door. “That’s enough. Let’s go and give this boy some time to rest.”

             
“Wait,” Thane said reaching for the old man’s robe. “I have to get out of here. My friends will be worried. I must find them. They need my help.”

             
The old man waved him off pushing Resdin through the door. “Not today lad. You need your rest. You need to recover. Your friends, I’m sure, can take care of themselves. When you are better then, if you choose, you will leave.” The old man turned and started closing the door.

             
“Wait,” Thane said stopping him. “I don’t even know your name.”

             
The old man poked his head back through the partially opened door and smiled. “I’m sorry. I am Lord Bedler. And you are?”

             
Thane smiled back. “I’m Thane.”

             
Lord Bedler grabbed Thane’s hand. “Well Thane, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, you lie down and get some more rest and we’ll talk later over dinner.”

             
Thane started to object but was cut off by the closing door. Sighing heavily and shaking his head he threw his arms into the air and returned to the ocean sized bed to lie down. Reminded of the ache in his back, he thought better of it and dropped to the carpeted floor. “I guess I am still feeling a little weak,” he said to himself while stifling a yawn. Lying back, he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

*   *   *

              Bedler’s eyes burned white with fury as he glared up at Resdin, his gnarled, white hands clutching his throat. “What did you think you were doing?” he hissed. “I told you not to try and give him the
Dranlok
. He possesses the MarGua Tane. Any child with the MarGua would know not to drink it.” Bedler’s grasp tightened turning Resdin’s face red as he gasped for air. “You mess this up, and I will personally peal the skin from your worthless hide and feed you to Craklor!”

*   *   *

              A knock at the door brought Thane fully awake as Resdin poked his head in. “Thane?”

             
Thane rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stifled a yawn. “Right here.”

             
Resdin’s eyes shifted to the sound of Thane’s voice and his eyebrows rose questioningly. “What are you doing on the floor?”

             
Thane smiled weakly. “It’s my back,” he stated, rising to his feet and stretching. “The bed’s too soft.”

             
Resdin shrugged. “Whatever. It’s time to eat. Do you feel up to it?”

             
Thane bound to the door. “Yes, of course. I’m as good as new.”

             
Resdin eyed him with a slightly narrow look. “Yes, I’m sure you are.” Turning abruptly, he motioned with his hand. “Follow me.”

             
Thane suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but remember what had occurred earlier with the poison. Resdin acted kind enough on the outside, but his sideways looks and the small hints of emotion that seemed to play across his face for the briefest instant made Thane feel that he needed to be more cautious. After all, he had no idea where he was, how he had gotten there or who his hosts were. He needed to get back to Dor and Jack and help them rescue Tam.

Rubbing his shoulder, he remembered the scaring wounds. By their timetable, it would not be a shock if he had been there a month already. Jack and Dor probably had Tam at that moment and were comfortably sitting around a fire, having given him up for dead. He smiled. After another day or two, he would leave and find them and they would all be together again. He focused on those thoughts not allowing the alternative to slip through. He knew they were all right—they had to be.

              He rushed to catch up to Resdin as he disappeared through the bedroom door and sauntered down the hall. Very few torches or candles were lit along their path giving the hallway a somewhat cold feeling. Their feet fell softly on red, carpeted floors leaving only the smallest hush to mark their passage. Many doors passed on either side as they continued along the hallway until an intersection led them to the left and then another took them right. Thane tried to keep track of where they were going but was soon lost in the myriad of twists and turns that seemed to shout to him that they were in a maze. On more than one occasion he felt they were passing down the same hall as they had previously been three or four turns back, but all the hallways were so similar, it was hard to tell.

             
Finally, they reached a large stairway on which they descended three levels before it ended at what appeared to be a grand foyer. Resdin led them off to the left and down another hallway that was distinctly different from the others they had previously passed through. This one was at least twice as wide and lit up quite a bit more than the others. Thane was fascinated by the tapestries that graced the walls depicting anything from scenes of bloodshed and war to courtship and love. So entranced was he by their intricate designs and beauty, that he unknowingly passed Resdin who had turned abruptly to the right and disappeared through an archway.

             
Quickly finding his companion missing, Resdin returned to the hall and pulled Thane away from an enormous wall-hanging that traced the history of what could only be a prince and his doomed love for a common girl. Tearing his eyes from the masterful work, Thane took in the room into which Resdin had pulled him. As with everything else he was finding, this room was no different in its immense size and grandeur. It stretched out to his left extending at least three times longer than it was wide and ended at a giant fireplace, which blazed warm and bright. To his immediate right another fireplace replicated the other in shape and heat as if reflected in a mirror. Along the walls at equal intervals, candles the size of his thigh lit up the room almost completely.  He looked up and felt his breath sucked away as he stared in awe at the artistically painted dome ceiling above. As if in competition with the hall without, the ceiling was masterfully done in bright hues and soft textures depicting scenes from the lives of countless people as if attempting to retell the history of all who had ever entered.

             
The room itself was empty save for a large cherry wood table that stretched from one end to the other and was surrounded by empty chairs. At the far end, Thane could make out the figure of a man seated at the table’s head shrouded in shadow and outlined with light from the fire behind. He motioned to them and as they approached and it became obvious that Lord Bedler was the man behind the darkness.