Even through the closed door of the meeting room, Perry could hear the echoing of heavy boots against the wooden floor. Brash and conspicuous, with the quick rhythm of a short stride.

He knew immediately who it was.

Despite his best efforts, and despite the seriousness of the affair, he couldn’t stop a childish grin from filling his face as the door to the room swung open.

“Ho-ho! Perry! You’re looking ragged as ever!”

“Time makes fools of us all, Gamel,” Perry said as he clapped his old friend on both shoulders.

“Say, how is the sword treating you? I trust you’ve kept her in good condition?”

“And risk your nagging in my ear?”

Both Perry and Gamel turned toward the door as it was pushed open gently by a new arrival.

“I can hear your voice from the stairwell, Gami.”

“Your long ears are too sensitive.”

“Well, this is presumably a secret meeting. I’d have hoped for more discretion, but I suppose that would be asking too much.”

“We are perfectly safe within these walls, Eldrin,” Perry assured him. “We have nothing to worry about.”

Perry gestured the two men toward the wooden armchairs that stood in a semicircle facing the fireplace.

“Where is Nostros? I saw his carriage downstairs, but I haven’t seen him yet?”

“He should be back shortly. He was just—”

“Right here! My apologies to you all, but when nature calls, we must answer.”

“Nature seems to call you quite a bit these days,” Gamel said with a smirk.

“Beware the ravages of old age, my friends,” Nostros said, shaking his head. “Well…except for you, I suppose, Eldrin.”

“I am still capable of such ravages, Nostros, I can assure you.”

“Hmph! Spare me the commiserations. We dwarves work until we drop dead, and you’ll never catch us complaining!”

“Perhaps overworking is the reason you drop dead…”

“Watch it, Eldrin. It’s been a few years, but I can still swing an ax.”

“Perry, where is Falbrin?” Nostros asked as he crossed the room and sat down in one of the armchairs. “Is he running late?”

“Speaking on the ravages of age…” Gamel mumbled, sitting himself down next to Nostros. “I can hardly believe that old man is still alive and kicking! Unless…Perry! Don’t tell me—”

“No, Gamel. Falbrin is alive…at least I hope so.”

“Hope?”

“Do you not know?” Eldrin asked as he sat down next to Gamel.

“That is partly the reason I called you all here. Avenell, please, leave us.”

“Of course, Sir Perry. Should you need me, I will be in my office.”

“Please tell the servants to stay away from the north wing,” Perry added.

Avenell nodded and bowed his head. Without another word, he left the room and closed the door behind him.

“Perry, why exactly are we here?”

Perry took a moment to compose himself before answering.

“Falbrin has been missing for several months.”

The men looked at each other in surprise.

“Missing?”

“But are you certain, Perry? Perhaps he has just been busy?”

“Over the last few months, both Avenell and I have tried to reach him in Eadenfros. There has been no response.”

“Has anyone gone to check on him in person?”

“I was prepared to do so…until certain information came to my attention.”

“Well quit the theatrics, Perry! Spit it out!”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Perry sat down into one of the remaining armchairs.

“I had a member of my guild head to the northern towns to check if any of Falbrin’s usual merchants had seen him.”

“I assume they have not?”

Perry shook his head.

“Perhaps he has been preoccupied in his lab, researching? It’s not an uncommon occurrence.”

“Yes, you book reading types love to stay inside, squinting at ink by candlelight…”

“It would do you some good to try reading something, Gami.”

“I rather enjoy reading!” Nostros mused. “Even if it does hurt the eyes a bit, it’s very stimulating to hear wisdom from the great thinkers of old.”

“Hmph. I would expect nothing less from the Chancellor of the Historian’s College.”

“Nostros, how is the campus coming along?”

“Oh, Eldrin, it’s spectacular! You must bring your son along one day and we will—”

“Can you all focus!?”

“My apologies…”

“No need for such outbursts, Perry. Are friends not allowed to chat?”

Perry exhaled deeply.

“I don’t mean to be difficult, but I am not sure you understand the severity of the situation.”

“Falbrin is missing, yes?” Eldrin offered with a lazy tilting of his head.

“While I don’t wish to bring any ill will,” Nostros began, “Is it possible that he has perhaps…simply died of old age?”

The men nodded to each other.

“I don’t believe so,” Perry answered with a scowl. “Though my men did not find Falbrin, they did hear an interesting story from some of the merchants.”

“Oh?”

“An elderly man was seen a few months ago, traveling the outskirts and shanty towns, looking for a mercenary to hire. Then, a few weeks later, that same elderly man and a sellsword were seen in Outer Crossing, headed on horseback toward the western corridor.”

There was silence in the room.

“You think that this man was Falbrin?”

“That old bastard abhors violence. Why would he ever pay for a sellsword?”

“It is a concerning proposition but let us be scientific. Why would Falbrin do any of this? What cause would he have to take such action?”

“Eldrin is right, Perry. Falbrin lives a relatively comfortable life as head physician to the Royal Family.”

“What’s left of them…” Gamel added.

Nostros rolled his eyes before continuing.

“Why would he decide to suddenly flee Omnirius with a mercenary in tow?”

Perry leaned forward and folded his hands together as he spoke.

“Because of Zorren.”

Gamel spat from the corner of his mouth.

“Zorren? That snake…”

Nostros flicked his eyes to Perry and studied him a moment.

“What cause have you to suspect Zorren?”

“Cause!? No cause is needed to suspect that worm of anything!”

“Perry?” Nostros insisted.

“There is an elfkin, Telhari, who has been staying with us recently.”

“Oh? You’re harboring elfkin now, Perry?” Eldrin said with a wry smile. “Quite the eccentric you’ve become.”

“This man was approached by both Zorren and Allan Munzhaler.”

“Munzhaler!?”

“Of course, those two would be in bed together.”

“For what purpose did they contact him?”

Perry tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair as he recalled Telhari’s words.

“Zorren had asked Telhari for his help in destroying a certain object.”

Gamel stood up from his chair in a fury.

“Perry! He can’t mean—!”

“Don’t jump to conclusions, Gami. We don’t know anything for certain.”

“But—!”

“Who is this man, Perry? What would Zorren want from this Telhari?”

“Forgive me, Eldrin, my knowledge of your people is limited. But I believe he is from the West. His clan name is Lindhathal.”

“Lin—!”

Eldrin’s shock was too much for him and he sat back speechless.

“Lindhathal!?” Gamel grumbled loudly. “What’s a Lindhathal? Nostros?”

“It sounds familiar…but I cannot remember exactly.”

“Perry…Do you fully understand the absurdity of this situation? That you have a Lindhathal living under your roof!?”

“I suppose not…” Perry said as he innocently tapped his chin. “Is it that uncommon?”

“Unco—!? It’s unheard of! Impossible!”

“Surely not.”

“The Lindhathal are the Lore Keepers and Guardians of the high citadel of Minas Oroth. They are legendary warriors who have absolute mastery over ancient magic. Even among other elfkin, their existence is fraught with speculation, doubt and mystery.”

“Is that so…”

“Why is he here, Perry? What is he after!?”

“Well… He’s teaching Ellis swordplay.”

Eldrin’s mouth dropped open.

“If this man is truly as Eldrin describes,” Nostros began, “Then Zorren seeking him out—”

“What did he say!? Tell us Perry!”

“He declined Zorren’s offer, Gamel. Thankfully.”

“Thank the gods,” Eldrin said leaning back in his chair, “If Zorren had a Lindhathal in his back pocket…”

“Are we sure, though? Can we be certain that he isn’t lying to you?”

“I have not interrogated him about it, Nostros. But even still…I trust him.”

“You trust him? Why?”

“My instincts tell me so.”

“Instincts!? Perry—”

“Let it be Gami. I recall you saying the same thing, once upon a time.”

“And those instincts were wrong, Eldrin! Wrong! I should never have done it! Even if Rhoden had begged me!”

“Gamel…”

“We’re not here to drudge up the past.”

“Spin your words however you wish,” Gamel muttered with a scowl. “The sins of the past are always with us. They have been since that day.”