Gamel threw himself back down in the chair.

The four men sat quietly, listening only to crackling of the logs in the fireplace. After some time, Perry decided to break the silence.

“Gamel, we all bear the burden of that decision. Reynard knew that as well. All we can do now is look to the future.”

“I believe Perry is right. Zorren is up to something, and he must be dealt with. I couldn’t be sure before, but after hearing what Perry has said, I am now certain.”

“What do you mean, Eldrin?”

“A few days ago, my store was broken into, and several objects were stolen.”

“What!?”

“Eldrin!”

“Your store was…? But what of your enchantments?”

“Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, so I almost didn’t notice…but several objects were missing and the enchantments protecting them had been undone.”

“Eldrin, those enchantments of yours are quite powerful, are they not?”

“You are correct.”

Nostros sat back in his chair and folded his arms.

“Perry…I do not wish to sew ill will among you and your companions, but is it not suspicious that so soon after Zorren approaches your Lindhathal wizard, Eldrin’s shop is broken into?”

“Are you accusing Telhari of thievery?”

“I am simply saying the timing is suspicious. Surely, he would have the skill to do so.”

“I have no true grasp of his magical abilities so I cannot say for certain—”

“Don’t give us that, Perry.”

“I am being truthful, Nostros!”

“Forget it. Eldrin, what do you think?”

“A Lindhathal would have the skill to handle my enchantments…”

Eldrin reached into his pocket and pulled out a cerulean pearl. He clasped his hands together, enclosing the pearl in his palm, and shut his eyes. In a low tone, he began to mutter an incantation in the language of his people. His eyes opened and were instantly clouded over with an iridescence that rippled like waves on the ocean. Eldrin’s eyes began to dart back and forth with rapid motion; he seemed as if he was asleep and dreaming comfortably in bed. Finally, he blinked several times, and his eyes returned to their normal shade of bright blue.

“There are no magical objects on this premises.”

“Perhaps they’ve been hidden elsewhere? Or given directly to Zorren?”

“There is a second possibility. Perhaps Zorren has found another to fulfill his request?”

“I never imagined Zorren would have so many friends to call upon.”

“Ah, that does remind me. There is another bit of troubling news…”

“Better get on with it, Perry.”

“Zorren not only paid Telhari a visit, but he has also visited both Rothwell and Frederick as well.”

“Are you certain?”

“Absolutely.”

“And where are you getting your information from, Perry? Do you have some spies network we are unaware of?”

Perry smiled.

“No. Just a simple woman who runs a tavern.”

“Ma?”

Perry smiled.

The men looked at each other a moment, before nodding in satisfaction.

“Rothwell is relatively harmless,” Gamel said with a wave of his hand, “But Frederick…that sourpuss has never gotten over Rhoden’s bequeathment.”

“Yes, but what could he possibly do? Between Perry and Rothwell, Frederick’s power over this town is minimal at best. He may have the status of his family, but otherwise—”

“He’s a prick! And everyone in Viemen knows it.”

Eldrin sat back, staring at the floor rug and tapping his chin with his index finger.

“Normally, I would agree with you Nostros…and Gami. But if the Magistrate were to fully support him? That could change things.”

“How so?”

“In the absence of a true High King or heir to the throne, official decision-making capacity for matters of the empire fall to the Magistrate.”

“That role falls on the Royal Advisorship, does it not?”

“Many things do, you’re right Nostros. But there are some matters that the Magistrate has the power to handle on its own.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the power to overturn royal appointments…or challenge a royal decree.”

“You don’t think…?”

“Why would Zorren do such a thing? He was a part of this. He helped us— helped Rhoden?”

“It was never his idea!” Gamel shouted. “He was only brought in at the end. We were the ones who shared his vision! Zorren was simply a leech…”

“You don’t think he would have told Falbrin?”

“Zorren would have no reason to involve him at this point.”

“I can’t say I like the man any more than you Gami, but without him, we never would have been able to perform the ritual. You know this.”

“So that gives him the right to scheme behind our backs!? To undermine the legacy of our High King!? Our friend!?”

“But he can’t do it,” Perry said as he leaned forward. “It would be impossible for Zorren alone. He would need us.”

“He could not fully undo what was done…but he could still interfere.”

“How?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“If what he aims to destroy is—”

“He wouldn’t dare!”

“Gamel, you know that man. His ambition knows no bounds. He would sacrifice his own mother if he thought it would help him get ahead.”

“What would it take to destroy it? If that is the object he was talking about…what would he need in order to destroy it?”

“Lindhathal magic?”

“Nostros, we’ve been over this,” Perry said as he folded his arms defensively.

“You are certain we can trust Telhari?”

“With my life, Nostros. Perhaps Zorren himself is trying to perform the spell?”

“Zorren is knowledgeable, but he has nowhere near the capability to perform such a spell.”

“Supposing that is Zorren’s plan…after he has accomplished it, then what would he do? What is he really after?”

“I don’t know. Bringing Rothwell and Frederick to his side would only give him power over Viemen and at best the southern border.”

“You don’t think he aims to make a move toward Boginsklad?”

“Unlikely. The Magistrate’s popularity in recent years has risen precisely because they’ve worked to bring stability after the war. Starting another military campaign would lose them their favor among the people.”

“If Zorren is aiming for power, his eyes should be turned toward Eadenfros.”

“Perhaps he is trying to gain sympathy with the high nobility? If he can sway Frederick…”

“Even if he has the Viemens on his side, he’d never get Perry or the Mannigold’s to—”

“He doesn’t need me, Eldrin. Unfortunately, I have become somewhat of a black sheep in my family. It has not been officiated…but as it stands, my connection to the Mannigold’s is in name only.”

“I see…If Frederick can be brought to his side…”

“And he now has the Munzhalers with him, as well. Between the power of the Magistrate and the Treasury…”

“Then why do any of it? If he can make his move on Eadenfros…why move to destroy it?”

“Because of Glabrius,” Perry said with a sigh. “If someone ever did find it, that would be the only thing that could undermine his authority.”

“If?” Gamel huffed. “Are we not all beholden to Rhoden’s creed?”

“Even so,” Nostros said, ignoring Gamel. “Does the Magistrate not already have the power to overturn Rhoden’s Decree?”

“They have the power to take it to court…” Eldrin explained, “But the chamber members must still vote. There are many who are loyal to Rhoden, even after all this time. It would not go over well with the people, either— to betray the dying wish of their beloved high king.”

“Would he care? Zorren could still do it.”

“That is true…but then why wait? He could have started the process already. There would be no need to move in the shadows as he is.”

“We are all avoiding it.”

Everyone stopped to look at Gamel.

“What are you talking about?”

“The reason Perry called us here in the first place. Falbrin is missing. Why do you think he hired a sellsword to begin with?”

No one answered.

“He did it to protect himself,” Gamel continued. “Regardless of his motivation, if Zorren is aiming to destroy what this secret council has set forth, then to make sure it all stays dead and buried…”

“He will have to come for each of us.”

A log snapped in the fireplace, splitting down the middle and falling into the ash below.

“I hate to say it…” Nostros said softly, “But would we stand a chance?”

“Spineless scholar…”

“Gami!”

“It’s true,” Nostros admitted. “As it stands, the Magistrate is the Omnirian government. What do we have to fight them with? A knight shunned from his family. A dwarven smith pariah. An eccentric elfkin foreigner. And a spineless scholar.”

“I am glad to know you hold us in such high regard, Nostros.”

“Perhaps we can use you as a shield when we storm the Magistrate office!”

“Nostros isn’t wrong.”

“Perry! Don’t tell me he’s infected you with his pessimism?”

“If we are going to have any chance of stopping Zorren, we need to be aware of our strengths…as well as our weaknesses.”

“So then what do you propose we do?”

“At present, there are two major concerns,” Perry said as he held up two fingers. “Zorren destroying the key…and his plans to seize power.”

“Except we don’t know how he aims to do either.”

“Even if he does manage to break the enchantment and destroy the key…it won’t mean anything if he can’t win the throne.”

“In order for a man like Zorren to pull that off, he would need to win over both the nobility and the entire Omnirian polity.”

“But if there is an opportunity for someone other than an heir to claim the throne, surely the others won’t stay quiet?”

“You’re right Eldrin…Zorren won’t be the only one.”

“The Kendrich woman will surely make her move as well. That is to say nothing of the others.”

“And how about a Mannigold?”

“Do not joke, Nostros,” Gamel said with a chuckle.

“I’ve told you; my family and I are—”

“I am not talking about your family’s influence, Perry. I am talking about yours.”

“Mine!? What influence?”

“You really haven’t seen it, have you?” Nostros looked Perry directly in the eyes as he spoke. “The people of Gate City revere you. You inspire them. Protect them. Encourage them. Not only in Gate City, but also here, in Viemen. Especially in Viemen.”

“Even if that’s true Nostros…Gate City and Viemen alone won’t be enough.”

“You’re right. For Lord Perry Mannigold, it would be too much.”

“Then—”

“But not for the Starspawn Guild.”

“The what?” Gamel asked with a confused look.

“Perry’s ragtag group of misfits and adventurers,” Eldrin said matter-of-factly.

Nostros nodded several times.

“Precisely.”

“Thank you for your input, Eldrin,” Perry said with a frown.

“Nostros, don’t you think you’re being a bit optimistic?”

“Not at all,” he said sitting up tall. “One of the fortunes of being in my position at the Historian’s College is that I am able to see far into the past. We think we are the first to live through such troubles, but in truth, we are merely in a repetitious cycle.”

“There he goes…”

“Shh, Gami.”

“Perry and the Starspawn,” Nostros continued, “They have the power to win over the people, and by extension, the polity. It is certainly possible.”

“Possible, is one thing, Nostros. But probable?”

“We’ll have to make it probable, then, won’t we?” Gamel said with a smile.

“Gami? Not you too.”

“Well, it’s not going to be you or I, Eldrin! We are hardly the face of the Omnirian public. And it certainly won’t be our spineless scholar.”

“I wholeheartedly agree,” Nostros said as he sat back in his chair.

“You all are sounding insane!”

“Whether you admit it or not Perry, without Reynard, this is the only card we have left to play.”

Perry stared at the floor intently.

“…If there is no other way.”

“Then it is decided.”

“And what of Telhari? If he is powerful enough that Zorren sought him out, then he would undoubtedly be useful to us.”

“Telhari is not able to assist us.”

“Why not?”

“Because it is not his fight.”

“If we are going to stop Zorren, then—”

“Then we will do it ourselves, Gamel.”

“Surely even you aren’t this stubborn, Perry.”

“It is not stubbornness, Eldrin. That man has no business shouldering our burdens. Besides, I have entrusted Ellis’ safety to him for the time being. It is my wish that Ellis should stay as far away from all of this as possible. Dragging Telhari into our business would further put Ellis in danger. I won’t allow that.”

Gamel chuckled to himself.

“When did you become so soft?”

Perry didn’t answer him; he simply smiled to himself and looked toward the fireplace. He watched as the flames danced above the blackened logs, spewing out embers that fluttered in the air a moment before fading into nothing.

“I refuse to let Zorren have his way,” Perry said, finally. “Otherwise, what would it all have been for?”

Perry never received an answer.

Not from Gamel.

Nor from Eldrin.

Nor from Nostros.

All four of the men remained seated in their chairs, lost in the storm of their own minds. An orchestra of doubt and rumination, played to the tune of crackling flames.

Beyond the swaying of shadows against the curtained wall, a single crow stood alone on the windowsill. With a gleam in its eye, the crow leapt into the air, spread its silken black wings and disappeared into the night.