Chapter Four

The Traitor You Love...

Azrael fumed. How dare Arter behave this way? He thought. He had left his room turning left heading to the keep and did not see the body of the very uncle he fumed over which lay round a corner to the right of Azrael’s room. He went to the armoury and removed his weapons and after attaching his sword belt he sheathed his swords. Leaving the armoury Azrael found a young squire and instructed him to go and provision packs for Azrael and his companions. Azrael wandered along the corridors wondering if he could convince his uncle to change his mind without removing him from the throne of the west when he felt the sun shine warmly on him he realised he had left the castle and was now in the keep.

“Right I suppose I best find the others.” Azrael said aloud and turned towards the entrance to the main hall when two guards approached him from his side and halted, one of them drew his weapons.

“Do not move. You are under arrest!”

 He arched an eyebrow and growled,

“Do not be stupid.” And made to continue but the guard with the drawn weapon jumped to the side so he was now in front of Azrael,

“By order of the Duke you are under arrest! Now for the last time drop your weapons!” He called to him,

“I do not find this funny…” Azrael glared his hand twitching at his own weapons, “Drop your weapons now or I will be forced to make you.” He warned the guards,

One cried out for more men and three ran from the castle gates and two more from behind him.

“What is the meaning this?” Tallius’ voice rang out as he, Jon and the boys entered the keep. Tallius drew his weapons, being the only one of the four to have already retrieved his short swords, when he saw the swords pointing at Azrael. Azrael sighed and drew his long sword fast as a snake biting making the guards flinch,

“Very well…”

“Stop!” everyone looked up, except Azrael whose eyes never left the guard staring at his sword point, as Aldur approached followed by the Duke, who walked briskly behind Aldur with a smug look on his face.

“This is not the way for your father to change my mind, Aldur.” Azrael growled never lowering his sword, and reaching round and drawing his short sword as well, just as fast as his long sword.

 “Prince Azrael drop your weapons, I beg you cousin… My father has been slain.”

Azrael looked round suddenly at Aldur and when he saw no trace of deception in his face he cried out for as much as he found Arter stubborn and irritating he was still his uncle.

“When did this happen?”

“Not long ago. His body was found in a corridor in the west wing not far from your room. He was stabbed and bled out.”

“So Heir to the Throne, what happened? The Prince regent came to you and you decided to teach him what happens to those who disrespect you?” the Duke of Ithaka asked smirking. Azrael threw his swords point down into the ground where they stood then he sprang forward suddenly and punched hard connecting with the duke’s jaw. It was a good connection and the Duke was knocked to the ground but he sprang back up screaming for the guards to seize Azrael while drawing his Rapier. Aldur turned on him,

“You have been warned once about that tongue of yours. I am Prince regent now and I will be obeyed by my own staff. Now be quiet!” he screamed in the duke’s face. The Duke though red with anger simply nodded and bowed his head slightly and glared at Azrael.

“Azrael, I must ask did you kill my father?” Aldur asked weakly, the death of his father was still raw for him.

“No, until this moment I have not drawn a blade in Ithaka.” Azrael replied as he retrieved his swords and sheaved them again. 

“Then I must send for my brother’s and lock down the city. My father’s killer cannot be allowed to escape.”

Azrael nodded and said, “Have the garrison search all buildings and sections of the castle with orders to detain anyone not known to at least two others and get the city watch to close the gates and search all of the homes in the slums with the same orders. I will send my man Jon into the city with the watch but he will take command.”

Aldur looked thoughtful and nodded “Very well see to it.” He said to a guard. Then turning to Azrael and falling to his knee’s he said, “My prince, please forgive me. My guards were over zealous.”

“Get up cousin. We have a murderer to find. Jon, go to the watch house. Tallius go to my uncle’s body and find out what you can, Nial and Damon?” Azrael asked as Jon grabbed a guard to show him to the watch house. Nial and Damon looked at Azrael eagerly for their task, “report to Master Jil’etly.”

“What?” Nial said as their faces fell.

“You heard me Squire Nial. You and Squire Damon will report to Master Jil’etly and begin your education.” As Nial looked ready to protest Azrael called over a nearby guard and said, “Escort the young squires here to Master Jil’etly.” Then he walked away after Tallius. The guard chuckled as he saw the mutinous looks on their faces,

“Come on young sir’s you have your orders.”

Azrael and Tallius entered the throne room where Arter’s sons waited silently, Azrael noticed Aldur hadn’t sat on the throne but had chosen to remain in his old position on the seat to the right of the throne. They had finished examining the body of the old Regent moments ago and had headed straight to the throne room. The Regents sons looked up eagerly when they saw them.

“Your father died as you know from a stab wound in the stomach. It was made by a dagger of some kind.” Azrael began,

“We cast a spell that let us know the state of mind Arter was in before he died.” Tallius said,

‘He was surprised, not that he was dying he accepted that quickly. He was surprised about his killer.” Azrael added,

“What do you mean?” Christopher asked dabbing a cut on his forehead, he had fallen down at the news of his father’s demise.

“We believe he knew his killer.”

“What?” Christopher gasped, he dabbed the cut on his forehead and asked eagerly, “Can you tell who it was?”

“No.” Tallius said, "His mind was crazed and confused at the end of his life it was too difficult to hang on any one thread of thought other than he wanted to see Azrael desperately."

“Well, I can think of one who was eager for power.” Sebastian said, as Christopher calmed himself.

“Thinking it isn’t proof young prince. There is one way we might be able to find the assailant.” Azrael said and nodded to Tallius.

“We must find the blood trail.” Tallius said, “It was a bad wound your father died from and although he held the wound tight the blood would have dripped from him none the less... He would have bled from the moment he received it until he had none left.”

“We shall follow the trail to the source and if we are lucky we may be able to figure out who was the culprit.”

Aldur called for the guards,

“I want the corridors searched for signs of blood!” the guards nodded and left, “If it’s here we will find it cousin.”

“And hopefully we will find some answers as well…” Azrael replied.

Nial and Damon walked along behind the guard who was leading them to the squire’s hall. Nial was furiously staring at his feet as they went.

“Don’t worry young sirs, one day you will be among the ruling lords and you will order your children around.” The guard said to them cheerfully.

“Stop!” Nial called suddenly making the guard jump. He spun and saw Nial was kneeling down looking at something on the ground. He lifted his finger which was shining red.

“It’s blood.”

“The Regent...” Damon breathed. He spun to the guard, “You have to come with us now!”

“Whoa there young sir I have my orders…”

“Listen your lord was killed! He would have bled! This will lead to where he was attacked!” then when he looked less than eager Nial rolled his eyes sighing then said, “Oh well you’ll just have to catch us then won’t you?” and with that Nial turned and ran full speed down the corridor followed closely by Damon.

“Stop! Wait! Damn kids!” the guard called and ran after the boys.

Nial ran until Damon called,

“Wait! This way!” as he sprinted down a side corridor following the blood spots, Nial skidded and followed just ducking under the outstretched hands of the chasing guard the chase continued for some time until they turned a corner and skidded to a halt in front of a large door, just as Nial went to speak the door opened and he was face to face with the Duke who looked down and sneered,

“What do you two want? Is your prince looking to take another shot at me?”

Nial looked down and smiled and pointed the Duke followed his gaze to a large blood spot between the duke’s feet. Suddenly the guard was there grabbing them both,

“My apologies my lord Duke…” he began,

“No…not at all…” he said still looking down, his eyes darted to the boys and the guard then down the hall behind them “… please come in all of you…”

The guard frowned at the boys in confusion as he shoved them into the room,

“Milord I am sure whatever these two have said was in jest and was not meant to offend you sir. If my lord wouldn’t mind I think I should take them…” suddenly the Duke turned slashing his dagger catching the guard across the throat who gurgled shock evident on his face as he grabbed at his neck dropping to his knees as he flailed trying pointlessly to keep the blood from pouring from his throat. Nial screamed in rage and rushed the Duke slamming him into the wall of his chamber making him drop his dagger. Milax stumbled back then grabbed and flipped the young squire making him land hard on a wall side table which collapsed under his weight, Damon jumped on the Dukes back and punched him in the eye as Nial pulled himself from the shards of the table, He looked up to see Damon punching the Duke repeatedly as the he tried to pull his rapier free, Nial got up and jumped at the Duke as he slammed Damon into the wall. Suddenly the door flew open and Azrael and Tallius were there pulling the Duke free and throwing him back into his desk. Damon ran to the guard to check to see if he was alive. Nial ran to the open door and screamed, “We need a chirgun here!”

“It’s too late…” Damon said sadly as he pushed the guards eyelids closed.

The Duke smiled and brushed himself off, he looked Azrael in the eye with a look as cold as ice.

“My lord,” he said with venom in his voice, “You are just in time! These two…” He indicated the boys, “Have just tried to kill me and succeeded in killing the guard who came to my aid!”

Aldur and Sebastian walked into the room with Christopher, who smiled. The Duke returned the smile until Christopher said,

“So this is my father’s killer.”

The Duke looked at Christopher confusion evident on his face but for only a second then the look of confusion was replaced with a look of pure hatred as he stared at Christopher as if he was the only person in the room then he snarled like an angry tiger and in a fluid motion drew his rapier and sprang at Christopher but Azrael’s sword caught the rapier and pushed the Duke back.

“Fine I will spill your royal blood then shall I Azrael?” Milax snarled, and he swung at Azrael who parried the blow and returned a thrust of his own but the Duke it seemed was a swordsman of skill and moved out of the way of the attack.

Damon drew the dead guard’s dagger and tossed it high into the air, Nial suddenly slid forward on his knees catching the dagger. The Duke's attention was fixed entirely on the duel with Azrael he did not notice the youth sliding towards him until Nial lashed out with the dagger slashing the duke’s leg hamstringing him. Milax screamed in pain and turned and tried to balance on one leg and slash at Nial but Azrael stabbed forward taking the Duke in his back. Nial looked into the Duke’s eyes as he shuddered as Azrael’s sharp sword slid through his chest like a hot knife through butter and watched the life flee from his eyes which now stared into nothingness, Milax dropped to his knees and slid forward into a heap on the ground as Azrael pulled his sword free and wiped the blade on the Dukes clothes. Azrael sheathed his sword and pulled Nial up by the hand,

Christopher coughed and said, “I’ll get someone to come clean this mess up.” And walked briskly out the room as if nothing more than a spilled meal had just occurred.

“Thank you… but I would have won.” Azrael smiled,

“Well now we will never know sire.” Nial replied with a cheeky grin as he made a mock bow. They all turned to Damon who still cradled the guards head.

“What was his name? We made him follow us right to his death and I didn’t even know his name…” Damon asked tears running down his face, Nial hung his head as he too realised had it not been for Nial forcing him to chase them the guard would still be alive. Sebastian moved forward and looked at the guards face,

“I believe his name was Gamlin. He was a good man and he fought many battles for Ithaka…” He said sadly,

“He shouldn’t have died at the hands of the Duke of his city…” Nial said just as sadly,
"No, he should not have." Azrael agreed glaring at the crumpled body of the former Duke.

Tallius appeared at the door and looked inside and gasped.

“I see I missed all the…” He frowned, “Azrael… Don’t you feel that?”

The others looked to Azrael who had his eyes closed then he lifted his hand and pointed to the desk.

“Over there.”

Azrael and Tallius ran over to the desk and started moving papers and a plate off the desk but Azrael shook his head and closed his eyes again.

“Where is it?” Tallius growled, moving around the desk and stopped when they heard a loud crack. He looked at Azrael with a grimace,

“Sorry…”

Azrael rolled his eyes and pushed Tallius out of the way and knelt down picking up a large ornate hand mirror that’s glass was cracked and broken where Tallius had stood on it. He placed it on the desk and the others all tried to crowd round the desk to get a look at the mirror.

“Move away.” Azrael commanded. They all moved back quickly as the edge Azrael’s voice had taken made it clear he was serious.

“What is it?” Nial asked quietly as the tension mounted.

“It’s seer’s glass.” Tallius said, “A magic means of communication. Its blood magic.”

“It doesn’t make sense.” Azrael muttered as he paced back and forth in front of the desk, “Milax didn’t have talent… he couldn’t use seer’s glass if his life depended on it… that means…” Azrael’s eyes widened as he looked at Tallius,

“An accomplice.” Tallius said finishing Azrael’s sentence.

“But who?”

The group sat in silence for a moment then Nial raised his head. And looked out the door, then back at the Duke’s body then sat up and gasped…

“Azrael… this might sound crazy…”

The castle was a buzz as people rushed here and there the story of the traitor Duke was racing around the castle. But everyone moved out the way as they saw Tallius, Azrael, Nial and Damon marching down the corridors being led by Aldur and Sebastian through the castle. They came to a lonely corridor and Aldur stopped and took a deep breath he looked at his twin and they both bore mirror images of worry as Aldur pointed at two large doors. Tallius crept down towards the door passing the brothers. He whispered an incantation and placed his open palm on the door and whispered faster suddenly what appeared to be a white liquid began to spread from his hand and cover the door then flashed even whiter making them all cover their eyes when they turned back Nial and Damon gasped the door was gone… they could see into Christopher’s room. Azrael also moved towards the empty door frame and looked into the room he indicated for the others to join him.

“The door is invisible on this side.” he whispered as they all moved in front of the now invisible door. They looked inside and saw a large chamber inside the room its walls where covered in bookshelves filled with books and scrolls all around the room, to the left the room was a large desk also covered in papers and books. And a large full length mirror hung on the far wall in pride of place in the room. Christopher stood in the center of the room apparently talking to his reflection but no sound could be heard. Suddenly Nial realised with a start that the reflection wasn’t Christopher’s! The man in the mirror had his face covered by a cloth attached to his helm showing only his eyes which slanted slightly.

“Parashien!” Azrael gasped, “Tallius I need to hear in there.”

Everyone looked between Azrael and the man in the mirror. They were all as shocked as Azrael, the Parashien Empire lay to the south and they regularly clashed with the Kingdom over the Malik high canyons that joined the two nations as the canyons which where the location of a large silver mine. Christopher’s lips where moving when Tallius finished incanting another spell and they all jumped as his voice suddenly filled the cramp corridor.

“… I have already told you, the way will lie open. I'll deal with the others tonight.” He said as he took a sip from his glass,

“And the western armies?” the Parashien’s asked in heavily accented kingdom tongue,

“Why they will be protecting Ithaka of course.” Christopher said with a smile,

“The Imperial majesty Emperor Qui Lin yu wishes me to convey a warning…”

“Don’t bother.” Christopher snarled, “I know the plan! Your path to the east will be clear! Do you understand?”

“It would be best for you for it to be so.” And with that the Parashien disappeared.

Christopher sighed and finished his wine and poured another glass then faced the mirror and put his hand out and whispered,

“Calicke – Dramada – Pa”

A red mist appeared in the mirror and twirled until it filled the mirror like blood tainted water and then formed the face of Dramada. Who looked at Christopher and said,

“Did your father raise the alarm?”

Christopher smiled he paused to sip his wine as if taunting the spectre in the mirror before replying with a strange smile,

“I would hardly be standing here if he did now would I? No during the struggle after he hit me in the head with that vase I managed to slip my dagger between his ribs… he got away but I found him before he could reach anyone. I opened his stomach to be sure… he is dead.” Christopher paused as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying, Aldur rushed forward as Sebastian gasped at their brother’s words but Azrael grabbed Aldur's arm restraining him, he shook his head slowly.

“Remember our deal Dramada… I lost my most loyal servant to keep this little plan under wraps.”

“Yes, yes. It makes no difference to us who sits on the throne in the end. I take it that Milax is dead then?” when Christopher nodded he continued, “then it falls to you to make the arrangements. Do not fail us!” and suddenly he was gone.

“That’s no way to speak to the future king of Gallahan.” Christopher said and laughed loud and manically.

Clearly having heard more than enough Aldur banged loud and hard on the invisible door three times with his clenched fist. Christopher spun round to face the door and placed his glass down and walked to the door. He reached out and grasped the door but as soon as the door began to open Aldur kicked hard on the door making it fly open colliding with Christopher's face knocking him flying back into the room crashing into his table knocking over the glass as he slumped to the ground with blood pouring from his clearly broken nose. Aldur and Sebastian walked into the room but Azrael grabbed Aldur's arm while Sebastian checked their little brother and said not unkindly,

“I am truly sorry cousin but we need to know everything.” Azrael said, “When I leave here I will assume things have been settled.” He added pointedly.

Aldur only nodded and closed the door. The last thing Nial saw before Tallius spell broke was Aldur remove his dagger from the unconscious Christopher's belt and with a shock Nial realised the youngest son of Prince Arter would never leave this room alive.

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