Red Dragon's Keep (The Dragon's Children Book 1) Page 16

  “Lady, did you hear anything about moving supplies?” he asked Aeden.

  She shook her head. “No. I think we’d better check with Gregory, right now.”

  “Restin, check with everyone on staff and see if they know what happened to the supplies. Let me know as soon as you find out. We’ll find Gregory.”

  They pushed back their chairs from the table and strode from the kitchen.

  Gregory jumped to his feet as Thomas and Aeden burst through the doors to his office.

  “What is it?” he exclaimed in alarm.

  “What happened to the supplies that should be lining the walls of the kitchen and the halls?” Thomas almost shouted. Aeden laid a calming hand on his shoulder.

  “Ah.” Gregory sighed with relief. “I’ve ordered all of the supplies that are already here moved to the cellars. After you killed the seleigh soren, we were able to use that area again. Once it’s full, we’ll start using the halls and kitchen.

  “Thank the gods!”

  You are right, young Thomas. Something feels off. Send men to check the lower levels. HellReaver spoke to all of them.

  Gregory started at the voice in his mind. He shook his head. “I’ll never get used to that.”

  “Send a squad of guards to check the supplies, Gregory.”

  “Yes, my Lord. Jago, front!”

  Jago hurried across the hallway into the office.

  “Get a squad of soldiers and check the supplies in the undercroft,” Gregory ordered. Jago paused, then turned and jogged from the room. Gregory, Thomas and Aeden exchanged a long look.

  HellReaver spoke. That young man is a traitor.

  Thomas moved to the door and peered quickly around the door frame. Jago stood at the end of the corridor, talking into some kind of cube. Aeden ducked down below Thomas and looked the same way.

  “Hold.” Thomas straightened and stepped into the hall. Power beat through his blood as he issued his command.

  Jago froze in the act of putting the cube back into his pocket.

  Aeden flowed out of the door and over to Jago. Thomas and Gregory followed her. She leaned forward to inspect the cube.

  “This is a communication device. He was probably contacting someone with the Demons.” She reached out and plucked it from Jago’ frozen fingers.

  Thomas looked into Jago’ eyes and saw fear and panic as he struggled to break free.

  Aeden frowned in thought. She handed the cube to Thomas. It felt like crystal, perhaps made of quartz that came from the gold mines riddling the mountains surrounding the valley. It felt oily to his touch.

  Perhaps treated with something or manipulated magically? Aeden spoke to OathKeeper and HellReaver.

  I think yes. There is a high level spell permeating this object, responded OathKeeper.

  “Thomas, would you and HellReaver please place a shield around this object? I want to see if I can use it to locate the receiver. I have several tracking spells I’d like to try.”

  Thomas reached out with his mind and created a bubble around the device. He felt HellReaver and OathKeeper add their power to the spell. Thomas closed it off with a deft twist of his mind and handed the enclosed crystal back to Aeden.

  Gregory, Aeden and Thomas turned and looked at Jago. Thomas released him from his stasis with a touch of his mind. Jago made a move as if to run. His shoulders slumped in defeat. There was nowhere to run to.

  Gregory shook his head. “I can’t believe this. First Jalyn and now you? How far does the rot spread?”

  Thomas stared at Jago. He’d grown up with him. This betrayal hurt more than the others. Another layer of numbness surrounded his feelings. The chill in the corridor echoed his emotions.

  “Lady Aeden, would you please go and find whoever is on duty and send troops to check on the supplies and four soldiers to take Jago to the cells? I think those doing the checking might need a mage with them. Something doesn’t feel right about any of this. I’d ask HellReaver to bespeak them, but that might cause more panic.”

  Aeden nodded and hurried down the corridor. Thomas put his hand on HellReaver’s pommel and nodded toward Gregory’s office.

  “Move,” he growled to Jago.

  Aeden returned in a short while. “We couldn’t find anything sinister in the cellars among the supplies. I can feel something - I just can’t tell what,” she reported. The guards arrived and removed Jago in chains, marching him to the former supply room that had become the Keep’s holding cell.

  “Lady Aeden, you decide what to do with him. I need to talk with Haloran about setting up defenses,” Thomas told her. Aeden looked startled and then nodded in agreement.

  § § §

  Thomas didn’t bother to take his dinner to the head table to eat. He was just too tired. He’d spent the entire day with Haloran and his military staff, working out the defenses for the Keep. Lady Aeden joined them after mid-meal to share her thoughts on defensive measures.

  He made his way to the table closest to the pitchers of water and sat on the trestle table bench. He was thirsty, too. He picked up the wooden spoon he’d stuck in the thick stew the cooks served for dinner. Slices of fresh bread rested on platters that sat at the center of each table. He grabbed two and began to spoon the stew into his mouth. He’d been using magic continuously and hadn’t taken the time to eat enough to replace the energy that he’d lost. Now was his chance.

  Thomas looked around the room as he continued to eat. Magelight mounted on ornate brackets hung on chains depending from the ceiling. While not bright, they gave enough light to see by. He watched the captain of the guard sitting with the blacksmith and listened while they talked about the best way to create a fuller on a sword. The blacksmith’s hands, while clean, were forever blackened by the charcoal used in his trade.

  The table behind him was filled with the women who worked in the laundry every day. They smelled of lye soap and chattered among themselves.

  Thomas glanced at the tapestries covering the walls and was caught by the view of the one on the north wall to his left. Sitting in this location gave him an entirely different perception of the warhorses and knights that galloped across the fields of grain. He’d never noticed the farmers’ cottages in the background when he looked at it from the head table.

  He looked at the other tapestries as he ate. Each one held something that he’d not seen before. Maybe he was more sensitive to the differences that he noticed now. He looked toward the fireplace and watched as Owen and Breanna ate their meals. He’d never noticed how on display anyone who sat at that table was. He felt oddly embarrassed.

  His eyes traced the outline of the fireplace and watched as light and shadow chased themselves across its sides and back. His eyes were drawn to the mural that graced the wall above the mantle topping the fireplace.

  Images of Dragons soared above the massacre of Demons and humans taking place below them. A depiction of the sun sent rays of light flowing down over the battlefield. The rays were represented by circles filled with jewels.

  Thomas’s eyes stopped at one of the circles. A half arc of stone with jewels running from the center to the rim on two sides sent a shock through his system. He almost gasped aloud, then furtively glanced around. No one had noticed.

  He finished his stew without tasting it, got up and returned the wooden bowl, spoon and cup to the basket that sat at the end of the table. He went in search of Lady Aeden.

  He found her in her quarters behind the salle. She sat on a saddle chair, sharpening OathKeeper. A tray filled with empty dishes sat outside the door, waiting for the return of the skully who had brought her dinner from the kitchen.

  “Lady Aeden,” he gasped. “I think I found it!” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “The amulet!”

  Aeden jerked to her feet, grasping OathKeeper to keep him from falling to the ground.

  “Where?” she demanded.

  “The mural above the great hall fireplace,” he responded. He turned to rush back to the room, but she grabbed his
arm and stopped his movement.

  “No. This needs to be done when no one is around. Here. Sit. She tossed the tunic and trousers on the stool next to her saddle chair in the basket beside the door. Thomas walked over and perched on the stool. He vibrated with tension.

  “You’re right. I just want to see if it is the Dragon amulet and move it to safety,” he gulped.

  Aeden poured a mug of water from a pitcher on her table and handed it to Thomas.

  “Drink this. It will help calm you down. Did anyone notice what you were doing?” she asked.

  “I don’t think so. I checked and nobody looked interested in me. I might have missed it though.” He shook his head. “Right in front of us all this time. We need to get it out.”

  “Slow down, Lord Thomas,” Aeden snapped at him. “No one has discovered it since it was put there. I think it is safe enough for now.”

  “Right, right. We’ll have to wait until midnight or later, when no one is around.”

  They sat in silence for some time.

  “So, how did you see it?” Aeden asked him.

  “I was eating dinner below the salt,” he replied. “I’ve not been eating enough after doing magic and I was really hungry. I just grabbed and sat and started eating. I started looking at the tapestries and listening to people. I looked at the mural, and the amulet almost jumped out at me. It’s in the rays of light from the sun above the King killing the Demon that tried to eviscerate him.”

  Aeden looked at the far wall, as if picturing the mural in her mind.

  “I know exactly where you’re talking about,” she said. “I want to go see it myself.”

  They filled the time with talk about magic and how it could be used to fight the Demons and came up with several ideas to try at the next training session. Thomas went to the door to check for signs that the Keep was settling for the evening so often that Aeden irritably told him to stop and sit quietly.

  Time passed with agonizing slowness. Finally, Aeden judged that almost everyone had retired for the night. The two of them moved quietly along the walk and entered the kitchen. The fires were banked for the night and covered bowls filled with bread dough set to rise for breakfast rested on tables in the center of the room.

  Aeden followed Thomas into the great hall and walked to its center. They turned and looked at the mural. The amulet almost shouted its presence. They looked at each other, then walked to the fireplace and looked up. Real gems instead of glass droplets winked in the dim light.

  “You’re right, Lord Thomas. It’s the amulet, hidden in plain sight.” Aeden sighed. “We can’t do anything about it now. We’ll get Gregory in the morning and figure out what to do. Best to try and sleep now and deal with it in the morning.” She grinned wryly. “I know it won’t be easy. Try anyway.”

  “Yes Lady.” Thomas was suddenly exhausted. “I’ll go now. Meet in the Library after breakfast?” he asked.

  “See you then,” she responded.

  § § §

  Aeden watched as he left the room and mounted the stairs. She gazed at the amulet for a short time, thinking about its history. Shaking her head, she turned and made her way back to her own bed.

  § § §

  Thomas fell asleep quickly, but awoke time and again, jerked out of sleep by the knowledge that they had found the amulet. Finally he gave up, dressed and went down to breakfast.

  Aeden pointed out the Dragon amulet to Gregory with furtive gestures before they met Thomas in the kitchen. Gregory was by turns elated and apprehensive. He followed Aeden and Thomas up to the Library.

  “I’m not sure that we shouldn’t just leave it where it is. It’s been safe there for who knows how long,” Gregory started the conversation as they took their seats around the table. Bright sunshine filled the room with light.

  “I’ve been trying to think of a safer place, but I can’t. I agree with Gregory,” Aeden added.

  “The only problem I see is that we need to be able to remove it quickly if the Demons come and it looks like the Keep might fall,” Thomas answered.

  “There’s that,” Gregory responded.

  “I’ve got a confession to make and I hope it doesn’t make you too mad with me.” Embarrassed, Thomas cleared his throat and look everywhere but at them.

  “There’s a secret passage within the walls of the Tower. One of the branches lies right behind the mural. There is even a loose stone that you can remove so you can hear what is being said and see who is in the room, if they stand in the right place. I don’t know where on the mural wall it is, but we can check it and see if it’s anywhere near the amulet.” He gave his confession in a hurried mumble, wanting to get it all out at once.

  Aeden and Gregory sat in stunned silence.

  “I didn’t want anyone else to know. I found it by accident last year. One of the doors is in my room. It’s why I’ve been able to understand what’s been going on in the Keep,” he pleaded for understanding. “I just wish I’d found out about Jalyn before she did anything,” he finished.

  “Hmmm,” said Aeden into the quiet of the room.

  Gregory said nothing, just stared at him for long moments. “That’s a lot to take in. Have you mapped it?”

  “I…No, I haven’t seen it all. I’ve tried to map it. I think only the Duke is supposed to know about it and someone forgot to tell my father. He’s never said a word to me,” Thomas answered. “I’m going to have to ask for your oaths to keep it a secret.”

  “Of course,” Gregory and Aeden spoke at the same time.

  “Gregory, you and I will adjourn to the great hall. Thomas, you go to the fireplace wall and see if you can locate the amulet from that side,” She stood and so did Gregory. “If you can’t tell, come and get us and we’ll figure something out.”

  Thomas nodded his head mutely.

  “Thank you for telling us, Thomas. There’s no other way to get to the amulet without everyone knowing. You’ve done the right thing.” She put a hand on Gregory’s arm and drew him out of the Library.

  Well, that was interesting. HellReaver spoke in his mind. I knew about the passage, but not that you did. This makes the task much easier.

  Thomas slapped the table in frustration. Did you know about the amulet?

  No. It was made before my creation. I know only what you do from the records.

  Thomas’s disgruntlement eased a little.

  § § §

  He left the Library and made his way to his room. He locked the door with the iron pin through the hasp. He moved to the side of his fireplace and pressed out the pattern, opening the passage door. Lighting his small lantern, he moved unerringly through the maze and stopped behind the mural.

  He moved the lantern along the wall, looking for the loose stone. There it was. He set the lantern on the floor and carefully rocked the stone from its bed. As he drew it out, he turned it over. It was the amulet. He took a breath in wonder. Nothing gave away its power as he handled it. He hadn’t even guessed that there was anything different about it. He’d simply removed the stone and set it on the floor when he’d used this vantage point to listen to the wisdom of his elders.

  This makes our task of guarding the amulet much easier, young Thomas. HellReaver sounded pleased.

  Carefully, Thomas replaced the stone with slow steady pressure. Lifting the lantern, he checked that everything was in its place and returned to his room. He closed the passage door and swept the dust from in front of the panel. He blew out the lantern and set it on the mantle. He left the room.

  § § §

  Thomas met Aeden and Gregory in the great hall. They watched him with solemn faces as he approached.

  “Let’s go to my office,” Gregory said with a curt nod.

  Thomas followed them down the hall. Gregory closed the door after they entered, then turned to Thomas and grinned. Aeden’s grin was just as wide.

  “Well done, my Lord. We saw the stone disappear, but no one else did. Then it reappeared. It’s only visible if you are loo
king right at it.” Gregory was exultant.

  “We don’t need to move it at all now. Only if the Keep is going to fall,” added Aeden.

  Thomas nodded in agreement.

  “We tell no one,” he added in reminder. “I want to have a meeting with everyone to plan the defense of the Keep. I need to get something from the Library. Let’s all meet in the Solar in half an hour.”

  Chapter 30

  Gregory found Owen and Breanna at weapons practice. The cousins and Marta, as well as Sergeant Haloran, were doing an inventory of arrows and pitch balls. He passed on Thomas’s request and they all met in the Solar around the large ornately carved table that served Thomas’s mother for everything from cutting fabric to repairing armor. Its legs were carved into Dragons and its top was gouged and scarred. It was sanded smooth at least twice a year.

  Thomas walked in with rolled plans for each floor of the Keep that he’d found in the Library. He unrolled each one on the table.

  “Grab something to weigh down each corner,” he told everyone.

  Books and crystals and statues were pulled down from shelves for weights. Breanna brought a rock that was used as the doorstop. When corners were weighted, everyone bent forward to look. Thomas waved his hand over the plans.

  “Sergeant Haloran, I know you’ve assigned troops to defend each floor of the Tower if the Demons get in. Here’s my thought. I’d like all of us to help with that. Teams of two, and their Swords of Light, will patrol each level of the Keep with the soldiers, watching for Demons coming through the portals.”

  He pointed at each floor on the plans. “Breanna and Cameron, you’re a team on the second level. Evan and Owen, you’re a team on the third level. Marta, you’re in charge of the interior defense. You roam between floors, checking each team.”

  “Sergeant Haloran, what do you think?”

  The sergeant crossed his arms, then put his chin in his hand in thought. “It’s a good plan, Lord Thomas. We’ll need everyone, including your Swords, to defend the Tower. I’d recommend assigning six soldiers to the fourth floor. Evan and Owen can check in with them periodically. They’ll need the help when the Demons come through the portals to attack.”