The group enjoyed several days of being praised, over-fed and generally celebrated by the grateful families of Port Kethim. The Port Master insisted that they lodge in his home, which had more than enough guest rooms to accommodate the heros of the hour. For once, Vulk and Drake didn’t have to share, which certainly made it easier to entertain those attractive townsfolk who wished to express their gratitude more… privately.

The Tritani were also grateful for the great service the friends had rendered them; and although they were seriously occupied in dealing with the wreckage and grief left behind by the false “princess,” on the third day a delegation arrived to hold a fete for the heros and the townspeople. The surface dwellers followed the Rous River some two kilometers inland, to a series of pools in the midst of a sunny glade surrounded by ancient oak trees, while the merfolk reached the same spot via underwater caves.

This was the Gareth Vall, the Meeting Place, where the Tritani had for centuries met with their surface-dwelling subjects and visitors. The pools and surrounding land had been fashioned in such a way as to allow the two peoples to dine and converse together easily, with the Umantari laying on low dining couches, in the Oceanian style, while the Tritani lounged half-submerged. Each group provided food for the feast, allowing both to enjoy foods not normally available to them, the harvest of both the sea and the shore.

The leaders of the Tritani delegation were Lord Korak, the Prince’s son and heir, and the High Priest Azador. Both were much recovered from their injuries, thanks in part to Vulk’s healing abilities, offered to help relieve the burden on the merfolk’s own healers, overwhelmed as they were with the injured. Both dignitaries bore gifts for the friends. The Heir formally presented them with the caskets of pearls that had been promised for each, the light but strong armour that had been crafted for Vulk, Mariala and Devrik, and the trident and shock-net, as well as armour, for Erol. Drake received a scroll of eel leather containing numerous tracts on the aquatic apothecary arts.

Azador then presented each of the companions with three mother-of-pearl vials, stoppered in white wax stamped with the trident sigil, containing the merfolk’s own version of the water-breathing potion.

“It lasts twice as long as the common version generally found amongst surface folk,” he said. “It is our offer to you all to visit us whenever you wish; you will always be welcome in the coral halls of Sha Hesima. You also have the Prince’s leave to travel where you will within his realm, as token of which he presents you with these.” He held out five oval plaques of gold coral, carved with the royal sigil of Hesima, each hung from a chain of braided gold.

Later, as the festivities began to wind down, Azador motioned Vulk to move aside with him, to a small pool somewhat removed from the others. When they were alone he pulled a small piece of eel skin parchment. On it was drawn a strange symbol, resembling a black three armed star, with the arms bent counterclockwise, over a similar shape in red at a different angle.

“We found this symbol etched and enameled into the metal of that accursed tiara the sea witch wore,” he explained,” as well as tattooed on the inner side of her left wrist, beneath one of her bracelets.

“None of our scribes or heralds recognizes it as belong to either the Tritani or the Arcutha… I was hoping that you, as a herald yourself, might know it from the surface world.”

“I’m sorry,” Vulk replied after examining the drawing carefully, “but it is completely unfamiliar to me as well. Both the tattoo and mark were in these two colors? Black and… what shade exactly would you call the other?”

“A deep crimson,” sighed the priest, obviously disappointed. “This copy is a very fair approximation. Both inks were such as are commonly used both below and above the waves.

“But I can’t help but feel this is significant,” he continued,” if only because it appeared twice in this affair. I think it should be brought to the Council’s attention.”

“I agree,” said Vulk. “May I keep this drawing?”

“Certainly, I have several others at home. I assume I can trust you to mention this in your report?”

With Vulk’s agreement the two returned to the festivities, and another round of speeches before the final sweets course of the feast. It was late afternoon before the party began wending its way back to the town.

While the group had been feasting, the crew of the Fortune’s Favor, under the watchful eye of her First Mate, had been busy loading up the cargo of undersea trade items the Tritani had brought with them. Captain Levtor was anxious to return to his ship and oversee the final stowing of goods and go over the manifest with the Port Master one last time. This trip promised to return a very nice profit, very nice indeed…

 

The ship sailed the next morning with the lesser tide, but contrary winds meant they didn’t reach Devok until late afternoon. Returning to their rooms at the Inn of the Cloven Shield, Drake found a letter from his brother Alakor waiting for him. It had arrived the day after they had sailed for Port Kethim, and it’s urgent news from Nolkior had only become more urgent with the passing days.

Over dinner in Mariala’s room that night the Drake read the deciphered letter aloud to his companions, including Raven and Black Hawk:

 

11 Agras 3018

Dear Draik,

I trust this missive finds you well, and finds you quickly. I would that your friend Mariala’s magical parchment was good for more than just a few words, but where magic falls short, we must rely on the Royal Post, eh?

I have recruited a solid group of men (and two women, a first for the Hand!) to fill out the Company. We are currently in Vinkara, in the employ of Lord Clarin, the Earl Kinen, for reasons that will soon become clear. This changes out plan to meet in Shalara on Midsummer’s Day, and I pray you are able to meet this new schedule.

As you may recall, the Earl has always been something of a recluse and homebody – tucked away here in the northeast, far from the intrigues of the heartland, our home shire always suited his quiet nature. For twenty years he has seldom travelled far from home, except for his annual inspection of his holdings in Kinenshire and his meeting with the King in Bürkon each autumn to pay his feudal dues.

But this month he announced, to the amazement of all (and the fear of a few, I think) that he intends to make a great Progress through the kingdom and attend the Royal Bellanin Tournament in Kolosür! He plans to hold a tournament in Vinkara at the end of the month, culminating on Maita Lai, to select three champions from his lands to represent him at the Royal Tournament. The excitement has everyone in an uproar, and every boy with a wooden sword is practicing night and day in the hopes of winning a place in the Earl’s entourage.

The reason’s for the Earl’s actions are a mystery, but of course that doesn’t stop the gossips from wagging their tongues (nor everyone else from having an opinion). His lordship has given several explanations that I’m aware of – he wishes to inspect his more distant holdings at Zebarin, Bürkon and especially Rägnol, which he visits seldom; to attend the Tournament with his champions, and meet in private audience with King Garinalt; to visit his daughter, Lady Thilisa, wife to the missing Earl of Yorma, in Urkonis; and to attend the Summer Fair in Shalara to negotiate some long term contracts for fleeces from his lands.

There are other, darker possible reasons, seldom more than whispered. Two years ago a Naventhülian assassin attempted to kill the Earl, and he’s been on guard ever since; it may be that he wishes to lure his unknown enemy out by leaving his secure base. If this is the case, he’s either a very brave man or a very desperate one!

But I think the most likely reason for this trip is his wife. Lady Lania suffered a terrible palsy several years ago, which left her crippled and speechless. Healers have tried to cure her malady, but the best have only managed to keep her alive. Rumor has it that the Maran hospital at Rivona, with it’s amazing mineral springs, has brought relief to similar sufferers, and it is on the planned itinerary.

But what has all of this to do with us, and our quest for justice against the cursed Danyes Bernan, you ask? The Earl is a man of sharp perceptions, an excellent judge of character, and he has long been suspicious of that false “nobleman.” Especially of his seemingly bottomless purse. The Earl has had agents monitoring Bernan since he was appointed Constable of Dür three years ago, but the man is simply too skilled at hiding his tracks.

But at last the Earl’s agents have uncovered proof that the Constable has been bleeding his fief, skimming tremendous amounts of money from his liege lord, the Earl of Buran. Earl Kinen plans to present the evidence to his fellow earl at Kolosür. While this may get the bastard removed from office, it may not be enough to get him hanged. I’ve shared my knowledge of Bernan’s trading in illicit drugs, but with that idiot Ardath mind-wiped after his trial, I have no eye-witness to back up my knowledge.

The Earl is willing to give me time to bring him proof, and has hired the Hand of Vengeance as extra security on his Progress – the captain of his personal security, the Wyvern Guard, is my old friend Kovar Delcanus… Ser Kovar now… and it was his speaking for me that tipped the scales. He believes that Bernan has learned of the Earl’s evidence, and will stop at nothing to prevent it from being delivered. With that threat on top of potential Naventhülian assassins and some shadowy, unknown enemy, he wants all the help he can get in protecting his lord.

I’ve told Kovar and the Earl about you and your friends, emphasizing your skill at uncovering plots and the machinations of the dark cults. I’m not sure the Earl quite believes me, but he’s willing to find places for you all in his entourage, if you can get here before Midsummer’s Day. He was intrigued by my tales of Vulk’s healing powers… although others have tried to cure Lady Lania he is always ready to seek some miracle. His status as a noble herald and cantor of Kasira doesn’t hurt. Lord Clarin was also interested in Mariala’s abilities, as he has been searching for months for someone capable of providing arcane protection for his wife on the journey. I hope Mariala will forgive my indiscretion, but I was really trying to sell you all as being indispensable to my efforts to put the final log on the Constable’s pyre. Although I thought it best not to mention Devrik’s more uncanny abilities – his fighting skill is credential enough, and I like to leave some surprises in reserve, as you know. Your own skills with herbs and gadgets falls into that category as well…

King Garinalt’s recent illness has been a boon to us (though I wish His Majesty full health and a long life, of course) as it has delayed both the Summer Fair and the Royal Bellanin Tournament by almost a month.

So, get here as fast as you can my brother. If this reaches you by the 19th, as the Royal Postmaster in Vinkara assures me it should, that leaves just enough time for you to get here by Maita Lai. If Kasira is with us, by the end of summer we shall see the Constable of Dür dancing from a Royal Gibbet! And our uncle next to him, if there’s any justice.

I remain, affectionately, your brother,

Alakor

 

P.S. – I am still going by my mercenary name of Colith One-eye, as I see no point in giving Bernan any kind of warning that I’m coming. So be sure to seek me under that name when you arrive in Vinkara. And take care as you pass by Dür; there is some chance of meeting those on the road who might recognize you, despite your own alias and more adult mein.

–A

 

There was silence around the room after Drake finished reading, as the companions contemplated what Alakor was asking.

“I’m afraid there’s no way we can make his timetable,” Mariala finally spoke. “The trip to Sha Hesima delayed us too much… if only we’d sailed a day later!”

Drake dropped the letter on the table and shook his head.

“No, it’s possible, damn it! If the Fortune’s Favor could sail on the early tide tomorrow, it’s three days to Shalara, and another five overland to Vinkara, if we ride hard. We could just make it!”

“But the ship can’t be ready, Drake,” replied Vulk gently. “I’m sorry, but they’re still unloading our cargo, and it will take at least another day to finish that and then resupply her for a voyage of any length. Even then, she’s not well equipped to carry not only us but also our horses and gear…”

“I’ll be damned if I’ll risk Immelen breaking a leg, or being swept overboard, or whatever other stupid thing that can happen to a horse at sea,” grated Devrik, slamming down his mug of cider. Raven patted his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He grunted and then nodded.

“But there may be another way,” he went on. “I’ve been studying with Master Vetaris a bit, and it was with his help that I learned how to use the Nitaran Vortex on Chalkman’s Hill to get to Port Kethim.

“I’m still far from casually opening portals, but perhaps with Master Vetaris’ help, we could use the Vortex to travel to Vinkara, or near it…”

“Actually,” Vulk chimed in, “I was studying Vortex control myself, at the Temple, before our little sea holiday, and I was granted permission to learn the proper rituals the day that we sailed. I haven’t had time to do so yet, but with luck and the proper prayers I could have the goddess’s grace in time to take us to Nolkior before the deadline.”

This set off a babble of excited planning and list-making… Mariala and Devrik agreed to seek out Master Vetaris first thing in the morning and request his help, while Vulk got up to leave for the Temple, to begin his preparations for the meditations, prayers and study that would be required for him to learn the Ritual of the Portals.

But all their plans were cut short by a knock at the door. Mariala opened it to find a young man in the livery of the Earl of Devok smiling at her.

“Good evening milady,” he said, stepping briskly past her into the room and surveying those within. “Ah, good, you’re all here. I bring greetings from my noble master Lord Toralt Hanorn, the Earl of Devok, to Vulk Elida, Cantor of Kasira, and to his friends, Scholar Mariala Teryne of Nolkior, Master Drake Bartoff of Nolkior, and Master Devrik Askalan of the Kildoran Republic…” he paused for just a second before concluding with, “and the rest.”

“His Grace requests and requires the presence of Cantor Elida in the Great Hall of Kar Devok at the third turn of the Serpent Watch on Garta 24 Agras in the 3018th year since the Demon’s Fist, along with such of his companions as may wish to join him, to receive from His Grace a gift that His Grace is most desirous to bestow.”

Vulk was speechless at this, but Drake was not.

“That’s tomorrow morning,” he said. “We don’t have time for –”

Mariala clamped a hand over his mouth, while Vulk gathered his wits and bowed his head to the page in acknowledgement of his master.

“Please convey my gratitude to His Grace for his kind invitation,” he said, “and assure him that we will be there at the appointed hour. May we bring these other friends of ours, or…”

“Certainly,” the page replied sunnily. “You may bring as many people as you wish. Just be sure everyone’s dressed properly for such a solemn occasion.”

“But what exactly–”

“I’m sorry, I was instructed to say no more. You’ll just have to wait.”

With that the page turned and slipped as quickly out the door as he had come in, leaving the room bemused and curious.

“Well, I think we need to continue our plans for departing,” Drake said, freeing himself from Mariala’s grip. “Whatever the Earl wants to dump on you, Vulk, can’t take too much time… and maybe the rest of us can slip away afterwards, if–”

“Yes,” Vulk said absently, his mind obviously deeply engaged in trying to unravel what sort of gift the Earl might want to give him so publicly. “Yes, I think we should continue to prepare… but this is going to delay my ritual studies…”

While the group began to break up, heading to their own rooms and bed, Raven pulled her brother aside and spoke to him in a low voice, while he nodded and smiled. While Devrik and his sister stepped across the hall to their own rooms, Black Hawk headed down the stairs, apparently to his own room. But instead he continued down to the common room, then slipped quietly out the door and into the night…