Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal Read online

  He crossed the room, his gaze probing deeply into Akiri’s eyes. “So much damage. I fear you may never regain what you have lost.”

  “I am not damaged,” he snapped back.

  “Of course you are. Your merkesh only enhances your physical attributes. True magic is lost to you.”

  Akiri sniffed. “I care nothing for magic. A keen mind and sharp steel are all I require.”

  “Your father would not have agreed. He was a truly powerful Tul’Zahar. Only the beast Zemel rivaled his strength. Sadly, whatever power Zemel used to bind you to him may prevent you from ever experiencing what I speak of. Only time will tell, I suppose.” He produced a key from his sleeve.

  Suspicion gripped Akiri. “What is this? You are releasing me?”

  “Of course,” he replied, smiling. “What did you think was going to happen? I merely needed you contained until I had a chance to settle things with King Lanmar.”

  “Then why did you have those men attack me?”

  “A test. Nothing more. And of course, one that you passed most easily. But that made it necessary to hold you here until I could explain what had happened. The men you killed were part of the king’s own guard.”

  “Then he should train his guard better. They were easily overcome.”

  “Perhaps you can train them during your stay with me,” Tuvarius suggested.

  Akiri furrowed his brow. “Are you saying that you will allow me to remain here in the palace?”

  Tuvarius reached up and unlocked the shackles. “For a time, certainly. At least until you are fully convinced of the futility of your intentions.” He raised his hand. “Please don’t bother lying to me any longer. I know Zemel sent you. And I also know that you will not leave or attempt to kill me until you have the information you came here for. After all, even the legendary Akiri can’t obtain information from a dead man. But understand that in the unlikely event that you were able to discover the Scepter’s location, it would still do you no good. You cannot acquire it. No one can.”

  Akiri was uncertain how to reply. This could be a ploy to have him admit what up until this point Tuvarius was only suspecting. Now free of the shackles, he waved a careless hand. “I care nothing about this Scepter. Keep the secret if you wish.”

  Tuvarius laughed. “You truly have much to learn. A blind man could see through you in an instant. Did the Dul’Buhar teach you nothing of subterfuge and intrigue?”

  “The Dul’Buhar do not lie,” he replied proudly. “We have no need for such skills.”

  “But you are no longer a part of them,” Tuvarius pointed out. “And if you are to survive in this new world you face, there are other skills you will need beyond those you have been taught.” He snapped his fingers. Almost at once, a young servant boy hurried in carrying a folded robe. “Cover yourself with this for now. We can’t have you wandering around the palace in those ridiculous clothes.”

  Akiri accepted the garment and slipped it on. “Tell me, uncle. If you are so certain I am an agent of King Zemel, why not kill me and be done with it?”

  Tuvarius shrugged. “Good sense might say I should. Perhaps I’m just a sentimental old fool who doesn’t wish to have the blood of his brother’s child on his hands. Then again, perhaps King Zemel is not the only one with plans for you.”

  He led the way up a flight of stairs and through a series of corridors, passing by kitchens, storerooms, and servants’ quarters. Once back in the main area of the palace, Akiri was taken to a guest room in the east tower. Though by no means as lavish as the queen’s chambers, it was still far more comfortable than anything to which he was accustomed. A plate of beef and fruit lay on a table near the window, along with a bottle of wine. The bed looked soft. Almost certainly too soft, Akiri suspected.

  “Do not leave this room until I summon you,” Tuvarius instructed. “The mother of the young lord you assaulted while looking for me is demanding your head, and has the wealth and power to be granted her wish. I fear it will take me some time to calm her down.” He began laughing. “Between her and the queen, I don’t see how much more difficult you could have made this. Though I must admit, I envy you your liaison with Her Majesty. I hear tell she is every bit the passionate woman.”

  A few minutes after Tuvarius left, a young girl arrived with a fresh set of clothes. It was with enormous relief that he was able to shed his current garb, though the new garments provided were still a little tight-fitting for his large frame.

  He remained in the room for the better part of two days. Throughout this time, Tuvarius did not appear once, though he did send word that his nephew should remain patient. Akiri did not mind in the least. Patience was something he had in abundance.

  Tuvarius was definitely not the sort of man to act without thought, and he had already demonstrated quite effectively that his magic was powerful enough to be lethal. Akiri had fought battle mages in the past and knew how weak they generally were. Weak and cowardly. Hiding behind fire and ice while using superficial glamour to frighten the faint of heart. But Tuvarius was different. He had felt the man’s power, and it was unlike anything he had experienced before. Of course, he was well aware that there were at least a few genuinely powerful sorcerers in the world. King Zemel was one, but most shunned a public profile, and it was rare for ordinary people to actually encounter them. This was likely the reason why Tuvarius had gained such a sinister reputation.

  When his uncle returned, he bore a grave expression. “Tell me, just how many people did you kill before you came here?” he demanded.

  Akiri was sitting at the table, reading. He closed the book. “If you mean since I’ve been in Galfaria, only one. Well, three, if you count the soldiers you set on me. But you already know about that.”

  “So you did murder Barsyn Bartone,” he spat. “Wonderful. You have now managed to complicate matters even further.” He planted his hands on his hips. “Explain yourself. And be sure to tell me the truth.”

  “I needed a way to get inside the palace,” Akiri explained. There was no remorse or apology in his tone, only a statement of fact. “Killing him provided that means.”

  When he added nothing more, Tuvarius huffed a disdainful laugh. “I don’t believe it. You are actually protecting that cur Geridia? Fool! How do you think I know it was you?”

  “You mean Geridia has spoken of my involvement?”

  “Of course he has. The man has no spine at all. Once the Hunari Guild got hold of him, he–”

  “The Hunari Guild?” Akiri cut in. “Geridia led me to believe that they would only become involved if one of their own was killed.”

  “That might be true normally. But Barsyn Bartone was a very prominent man, and there has been much talk in the city of his killing – talk that is potentially very damaging to the Guild. And Bartone had written in his journal several times how much Geridia coveted his pendant. It was not such a great leap for the Hunari to trace the killing back to him. After they actually caught him in possession of it, he had little choice but to confess everything. He has now named you as the killer in the hope of avoiding his own execution.”

  Akiri’s eyes narrowed. “And do you think he will succeed?”

  His uncle flicked a hand. “He has no more hope of saving his worthless life than those two soldiers had of defeating you. If all else fails, I will see to the wretch myself. But the problem with the Hunari Guild remains. Apparently, they now feel that you have damaged their reputation and have come to the king seeking justice.”

  “What will happen?” Akiri asked.

  “You will be called to answer for your crime.”

  “And if I am found guilty?”

  “You don’t understand. You have already been found guilty. Only sentencing remains.”

  Akiri stood and nodded. “Then you are saying there is nothing to be done.”

  “No, I am saying that you have been found guilty. You must now go before the king and plead your case. You must convince him why your head should not be on a pike b
y morning.” He went to the door and gestured for Akiri to follow. “I hope your mind is as sharp as your sword.”

  He followed his uncle to the receiving hall. King Lanmar had taken his seat on the throne. Though his gray hair and deep wrinkles told of his advanced years, his broad shoulders and regal posture bespoke a man of vitality and strength. He was draped in a golden cloak, while a crown adorned with both diamonds and blood rubies rested proudly on his head. Beside him stood Queen Chelia. Her hair was tied into a series of tiny braids with silver strands woven within. The sleek sapphire dress she wore shimmered in the light cast down by twin crystal chandeliers that dominated the ceiling. Six of the king’s guards stood on either side of the royal couple, each one bearing a tall onyx-tipped spear and wearing a longsword on his belt.

  Facing the monarchs stood three men clad in leather armor bearing the emblem of a clenched fist embossed on the breast. Akiri assumed this trio was here representing the Hunari Guild. Kneeling at their feet was Geridia, his face heavily bruised and his once elegant clothing now torn and stained with blood. He looked down at the floor as Akiri approached.

  But it was the queen who caught his attention. Her expression was impassive, but her eyes were burning brightly and never left him for an instant.

  Tuvarius motioned him to a spot beside the Hunari and then stepped up to join the royal couple on the dais. There was absolute silence for a long moment as the king regarded Akiri. He found the monarch’s gaze oddly unsettling, as if he was digging deeply into his soul. Not even King Zemel had made him feel this uncomfortable.

  Finally, the king spoke. “You are Akiri?”

  He bowed. “I am.”

  “You will address my husband as Your Highness, dog,” snapped the queen.

  The king smiled over to his wife. “Calm yourself, my love. Low born cannot be expected to understand etiquette.”

  “I apologize, Your Highness,” Akiri said. “I meant no offense.”

  “It is not me who you have offended, young man,” the king returned. “You have committed murder. In spite of that, seeing as you are the nephew of my most trusted advisor, Lord Tuvarius, I would be inclined to show mercy. But unfortunately, the Hunari have taken exception to your crime. You have embarrassed them.”

  The Hunari standing to the left of Geridia bowed low. Shorter than his companions, he was the only one of the three wearing a red sash around his waist. “Your Highness, I am Volar Markasa, Captain and Regional Commander in Vurna. I assure you that this is about far more than simply our reputation. This is about achieving justice for our late client. We have provided you with all the proof you need. All we ask is that you use your great wisdom to pronounce a fitting sentence on this… Akiri.”

  “Your concern is appreciated, Captain,” said the king, “as is your desire to seek justice.” His eyes returned to Akiri. “And what have you to say?”

  “Nothing, Your Highness,” replied Akiri. “If my guilt is not in question, then there is nothing left for me to do but accept my fate.”

  King Lanmar raised an eyebrow. “Brave words indeed, considering the consequences. And do you feel what you have done warrants death?”

  “Many things men do make them deserving of death, Your Highness. I am no different. But I would question the motives of the men who seek to mete out justice upon me. Regardless of who actually delivered the fatal strike, it was most assuredly the Hunari Guild’s incompetence as much as anything else that was responsible for the death of Barsyn Bartone.”

  “That is a lie!” shouted Volar.

  Akiri diverted his attention. “Then Captain, please explain how a lone intruder was able to overcome a large team of your supposedly highly trained men and gain entry to a house that you were responsible for securing. And how did this intruder manage to escape so easily from inside, once the alarm was sounded? Should my death be required, so be it. But I would hope very much that it results in word of your failings becoming common knowledge.” He locked eyes with the captain. “That would certainly be justice.”

  Veins bulged from Volar’s neck. “You will not sully our reputation with falsehoods. The Hunari Guild is trusted throughout Galfaria with the safety of her most important citizens.”

  “Not for long, I suspect,” remarked King Lanmar. “Akiri is correct. Bartone’s death was indeed caused at least in part by your failure to adequately protect him. Should this become public knowledge, many nobles might think twice before continuing to place their lives in the Guild’s hands.”

  “And I will ensure that it does become public,” added Tuvarius. “If that is my nephew’s wish.”

  Akiri smiled inwardly, but remained expressionless. “It is, uncle.”

  Volar’s eyes darted from a grinning Tuvarius back to the king. “Your Highness, may I request a moment to speak with my men?”

  The king gave a curt nod and a wave of his hand. Volar immediately led the other two Hunari a short distance away where they huddled together and began talking in urgent hushed whispers. Akiri glanced at Geridia, his eyes still downcast and his narrow shoulders slumped forward. He looked utterly defeated.

  The Hunari returned a few minutes later. After shooting Akiri a hate-filled look, Volar bowed to the king.

  “We have discussed the matter, Your Highness,” he began. “And we are now agreed that justice would not be best served by the death of Akiri. At worst, he was merely a tool used by Geridia. It was Geridia himself who planned and instigated the murder of our client. Therefore, it should be he who pays the price.”

  The king rubbed his chin. “And you do not feel that Akiri also bears responsibility? Though he has not made any admission of guilt, was it not stated in your petition that you had proof it was he who dealt the fatal blow?”

  Volar cleared his throat. “Upon further consideration, we have found that this is not proven as decisively as first thought. Akiri was a guest in Geridia’s house. It is likely he implicated Akiri in order to protect his long-serving personal guard, Rena.”

  “So you are now saying it was this Rena person who got past your men?”

  “Not in the manner suggested, Your Highness. It was already known to us that she was our client’s lover, and we had instructions that she should be allowed to pass. It wasn’t until after the deed was done that we discovered what had happened. There is no way we could have prevented it.”

  Even in his cowed condition, this was too much for Geridia to bear. He jerked to his feet. “That is not true and you know it!” he shouted. “Rena has never so much as spoken to that pig.”

  Volar let his hand fly, striking the merchant across the jaw and sending him crumbling back to the floor. “You will not speak.”

  “And do you know where Rena is?” asked Lanmar.

  “Not at present, Your Highness. But we will begin the search at once.”

  “Leave her alone!” pleaded Geridia. “She has done nothing wrong, I swear.” This outburst was met by a swift kick to the stomach. He curled up, gasping for air.

  The king turned to his queen. “And what do you think of all this, my love?”

  Akiri could see Tuvarius tense.

  Chelia smiled sweetly at her husband. “I think the Hunari are all liars and rogues, my dearest. As for this Akiri person, I consider him to be nothing more than a brute and a murderer. But as the accusations against him have been recanted, I see no other choice but to free him.”

  Lanmar reached over to take hold of her hand. “My thoughts sound like music when spoken from your lips.” He turned to Akiri. “You are officially declared guiltless. As for Geridia, the sentence is clear. I also order the apprehension of Rena, his co-conspirator. I trust the Hunari Guild can handle this?”

  Volar nodded. “It will be done. I would ask only that Geridia’s sentence be carried out at once. I would not wish to have him spreading lies that could damage our good standing.”

  “That is acceptable,” said the king. He waved his hand dismissively. “You can go now. This has already taken up too
much of my time. My son’s sixteenth birthday is nearly upon us, and I would have this matter concluded.”

  Akiri and the three Hunari all bowed in acknowledgement while a sobbing Geridia was dragged away by two of the king’s guard.

  Tuvarius whispered something into Lanmar’s ear before stepping down from the dais and motioning for his nephew to follow. As they left the hall, Akiri caught Queen Chelia passing a brief look of anger in his direction. It was almost imperceptible, but she clearly hated him.

  “Very good,” said Tuvarius approvingly once out of earshot. “Your mind is quite sharp. It was clever to use the Guild’s reputation against them.”

  “A result of my training,” said Akiri. “We learn to exploit our enemy’s weaknesses.”

  His uncle smiled. “I can only assume that you hope to do the same with me. And who knows? Perhaps you will even succeed. We shall see.”

  Chapter Ten

  Tuvarius led the way up to his quarters on the north tower, a quite plainly furnished room containing a bed, two tables, and several bookshelves. Numerous chests were piled up in the room, some of them casually left wide open to reveal yet more books and a few crumpled clothes.

  “This is where I spend most of my time,” Tuvarius told him. “I enjoy the solitude. Not to mention the fact that it gives me an air of mystery. Useful when you are trying to stay out of sight.”

  “And why would you want to do that?” Akiri asked.

  His uncle snorted a laugh. “Do you think you are the first to be sent here by Zemel?” Grabbing a bottle and two cups, he sat at one of the tables. Once Akiri had joined him, he opened the bottle, allowing the sweet scent of plum brandy to fill the room. “Almost from the moment I arrived here, he’s been trying to get to me. In truth, I never expected him to send you. Too risky, and so very unlike him. The madness must be growing.”

  “King Zemel is not mad,” Akiri retorted.

  “Of course he is,” Tuvarius snapped back. “He may not always appear to be, but if he still desires the Scepter after such a long time, then he most surely remains unsound of mind.” His tone softened a little. “However, if it helps to ease your own thoughts, nephew, he was not always that way.”