Chapter 17
For the first couple hours after our arrival, Marald played the congenial host. We went to a smaller dining area than the one I had visited before, and platters of cold meats, bread, and fruit were available for consumption. I made a sandwich which fascinated our host.
After the meal, Marald offered a tour of his Keep to my two companions, who jumped at the chance. He assured them that I would rejoin them soon. They left with a servant. Marald cornered me, and asked if I would not wear the clothes that he'd had made for me, during my last visit.
Shortly I was on my way to the suite of two rooms that I had been given when I had first arrived. I now had a servant, who would be available to me at all times. This was going to take some getting used to. A servant.
I had been split off from my companions, and eventually bullied into changing into the set of green clothing that had been ordered for me, on my first visit here. I still didn't have boots, just the shoes I had on, on arrival. Still, it didn't look bad. They were black leather hiking shoes, and they actually took a fairly decent polish.
I looked again at the fine connections that had reestablished themselves as soon as I had come back through the gate. I was once again a spider at the center of a web of power, so to speak. Of all the connections, I still had no idea of what most of them did; but they glowed strongly, with a lovely light. It would take a little getting used to.
I was about to head out, when there was a knock on my door.
"Enter," I said.
The door opened, and Darla came in, followed by Hank.
"Well, well. Look at those clothes, will ya?" Hank said.
"They're very nice. How is it that you rate being treated like this, anyway?" Darla asked.
"Well, you remember when I said I had met that dragon? Well, he told Marald who I was. Turns out I am Duke De Landkur. My sister holds the title of Princess Landkur," I told them a little embarrassed.
"Wow! Nobility! No wonder you wanted to come back here," Darla said.
I frowned. "Actually, it's not like that. This is my home, too, you know. I have family here. Ask your uncle if he came back because of his nobility?" I said, feeling like I was trying to justify myself.
"Hey! It's ok. Don't worry about it. I'm just glad to be along for the ride! This place is fantastic!" Darla replied, going on at some length about what she had been doing in the short time since we had arrived.
"I asked Marald where we were located in this world. If we were to ride horses, it will take six weeks at least to get back to where I lived. Landkur is about the same distance, maybe a couple days ride further west.
"The problem is that Marald says my home city was defeated by Landkur and their allies years ago. My land has since been absorbed by Landkur," Hank said finishing with a sigh.
"I'm sorry," I mean, what else could I say? His side had chosen wrong during the war.
"Hell, I know it's not your fault, Boy. I was just wondering if you're planning to travel to Landkur, now that you're here? If so, can I hitch a ride? I might be able to make a trip like that the old fashioned way, but if your going to make a portal and go through to Landkur, it would save a whole lot of time and wear and tear on my body," Hank said with a grin.
"Hank? I can't make a portal to a place I have never been. The memories I do have were tampered with. I don't think I have a good enough 'memory-picture' to make a portal, or even teleport there," I told him.
"Well, that wizard Benlin says he can do the portal. He also said he sent a message to your sister, Mirwanna, that you were back in the land. As a matter of fact, Benlin wants to talk to you. He says there are things that have to be done," Hank finished.
Curious. Both Darla and her uncle were acting deferential. Something was not right, here. Well, maybe not right was a little too harsh of a judgment. It was more like they knew something I didn't know.
"Ok, whats going on? Aren't we all a little old for the, 'I know something you don't know, ' game?" I said looking first at one then the other.
"Marald wants you down in his office? Den? You know, that little room off the main entrance way. Something has come up, and he wants to talk to you," Darla said, grinning at me.
I rolled my eyes. I was being surrounded by people who thought they were being clever or funny. I opened the door again, and gestured the pair out with a little bow. Hank grinned at me, while Darla just laughed as she swept out.
A servant standing outside the door picked up 'guide duty'. Again, we went through a bewildering maze of corridors. Soon, we were at Marald's office door. Everyone begged off, saying I should meet with him alone. Shrugging, I entered.
I entered the door. I saw that Marald was there, but so was another person, muffled in a cowled cape.
"I hear you wanted to see me, Marald?" I asked.
I felt a probe coming from, well, out of the very air it seemed. I could not identify the direction it came from. I heard a soundless chuckle in my head. Then a voice.
"It is indeed he, My Princess," the voice said.
"Paul!" Yelled the caped figure, and threw herself into my arms.
"Sorry, but, who are you?" I asked. I was getting a feeling though.
"I'm your sister. I'm Mirwanna," she said, parting from me briefly to look into my face. She then held me tightly, again.
"Mirwanna?" I said dumbly.
"By the gods. Paul. We were told you had died over there. Markus told us you were killed when a building you were in caught fire, and he had gotten back to late to help you. We mourned you. Mom was beside herself with grief. Dad blamed himself for sending you to that place for safety."
She stopped and hugged me hard. I heard her voice breaking, and felt her body shake as she held me. I teared up, myself.
"Damn! Yet something else I owe Markus for," I said grimly.
Markus had a lot to answer for. Now he had crossed the line with the unforgivable, as far as I was concerned. I felt as if I had been hit in the stomach as my sister related to me what she had been told.
She laughed and cried. She let go of me, stepped back to look, then hugged me so tightly I thought she was going to crack a rib! This went on for a few more minutes. Finally, she let go, and just held my hands with hers.
"Paul. It is so good to have you back! It's like my wildest dream come true! You have to tell me everything you went through in that awful place you lived. What did you do to live there?" she asked.
"Hey, it wasn't so bad, really. I think we both know Markus is playing a game all his own, but he did take care of me when I first got there,"
I went on for some time. I told her of my youth, how I had joined the army of that land. What schools I had attended. She marveled to hear everything I was telling her.
Marald had set up three mugs, and had been standing apart until this time.
"Let us toast to families reunited," he said, passing mugs to my sister and I.
We clanked them together. I drank deeply, looking into my sisters eyes. She was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was very pretty to look at. Her aura was also a green, similar to mine, but more of a Teal color. She positively shimmered with power.
"Now, tell me about this girl you have brought with you. Is she your love?" my sister asked me.
Sister. What a concept for an only child, or one raised as an only child, to have.
"Well, I met her a little over a week ago. I really don't know that much about her, except that I think I have fallen for her, and fallen hard. I don't understand it," I replied honestly.
"What is her aura like?" she asked me.
"Well, it is like the blue of a summer sky. It is magnificent really," I said to her. She smiled at me.
"Our mother's Aura was also a blue. You do know that when one magic user comes across another magic user who has a particular aura, that the two mages are drawn to one another?" she asked me.
"Actually, no. Markus has neglected a lot of training and information about magic. I only recently discovered how to make a gate. Markus was worried about that, I think," I said speculatively.
"Well, I think your magic has found another magic that it likes. So you like her as a result. I don't doubt that she likes you, too, even if she can't explain it. By the way, I have brought a gift for her. I have some Sethlan with me," she said with a smile.
"Thank you. She is a good person. She was a police officer in that land," I paused as I saw confusion on her face.
"She was charged to keep the peace. A law keeper?" I stretched to explain. I saw comprehension on my sister's face.
Sister. There was that word again. It meant family! Something I had not had for most of my life.
Marald left us, and we talked. I am not sure for how long, but the room starting to get very dark before we stopped, and went in search of Darla and Hank. Mirwanna wanted to ask him whom he had worked with, when he had been here before his exile.
We found both of them outside, admiring the horses. Far above there were two dragons circling. I could tell they were dragons from my previous experience. I felt a silent acknowledgment coming from the two dragons overhead. That was a first, for me. I didn't know dragons could talk in my head like that.
"Darla? Hank? Meet my sister, Mirwanna," I said, introducing everyone.
"Hank, my sister wants to know who you and your group of exiles worked for back during the war," I stated in a no nonsense voice.
"We were assigned to commander Kinsic's force. When we saw what he was doing, a group of us decided to leave. Bryon (or Horvan, as he was known, here) was disgusted with what was going on.
"We had been lied to from the very beginning, I think. Once we knew what was actually going on, we left. We ran into a force of your countrymen. The few of us that were left formed a magical ring, and were holding out. That's when your father showed up.
"He and Horvan talked a while, and then the gate formed, and Horvan said we were exiled. That's as much as I know," Hank said somberly.
My sister nodded. "I understand. I know of this case. Dad spoke of it. He was very wroth with Kinsic's people. He destroyed them utterly, root and branch. Your Horvan did a very brave thing. He allowed my father to cast a truth spell upon him. That took trust, courage, and an honorable man. That's why Dad let you go with exile, instead of killing you all," My sister told him. Hank nodded.
"What was your family name?" my sister asked him.
"Lestri. Do you know if any of my family yet lives?" Hank asked a bit desperately.
"Oh, my, yes. The Lestri house moved, lock stock and barrel, to the city of Landkur proper. I am sure that you would be welcomed if you went home," my sister told him compassionately.
"The crown has no animas to you, personally. Welcome home," my sister said. I looked at Hank, and saw tears in his eyes. Darla saw it too, and ran to him, hugging him.
My sister smiled at that, and took me aside.
"I see her aura. I see a good and caring person. You could do worse, you know," she said to me, smiling.
"When are we going to give that Sethlan to her? She deserves to have the abilities her power gives her, doesn't she?" I asked her.
"We will do it tonight. She should take it on an empty stomach. So, no eating for her. She can drink water or cider. Nothing harder than that. No milk. Don't worry, Paul. I will monitor her myself," Mirwanna told me. I smiled at her and nodded.
It was a nerve-wracking evening, to say the least. Mirwanna explained to Darla what we were going to do, and why. She was hesitant, but willing. She drank the potion, and shortly afterwards started having the sweats.
My sister had her carried up to her room, and told me that while she would be all right, the sweats proved that this was going to be a rough opening (or ordering) of her powers. It would be best if I did not take part. Hank was similarly banned.
We went out upon the wall, and walked it for a time. We didn't really say much, just two people worried about someone.
It was driving me nuts! I was worried. My sister said Darla would pull through, but it was going to be rough. Damn it all, I should be able to do something! I had all this power!
Edited by TeNderLoin
