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Authors: C. Craig Coleman
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boys in spite of the old man’s remarks, but I’ll leave something on Memlatec’s shoulder just the same.
-
“Ring’s kinda big,” Saxthor said. “I think I’d best keep this thing in my pocket like you said. The center stone is missing, you know. I didn’t break it.”
The boys inspected the necklace. The bauble was simple, but wrought of gold in elfin style. Seven large loops were braided into the chain. Between the loops were small disks each inscribed with runes. Other than that, nothing appeared special.
“This is missing parts, too.” Saxthor looked up with a sheepish grin.
Bodrin giggled. “Bunch of broken junk if you ask me.”
“Hush.”
Memlatec put the chain around Saxthor’s neck fastening the clasp. Without note, the fastener disappeared; the chain had no beginning or end.
“Hey, the gold is warm, too.” Saxthor said.
Memlatec stared at the necklace. His eyes gleamed beneath his furrowed brow.
“Only you can remove the necklace, Saxthor,” Memlatec said. “Take the utmost care of this trinket. It holds unique power, also. Originally, seven gems filled those loops in the braid, each jewel infused with concentrated power. Those runes on the plates between the loops aligned and focused the power in the jewels. If the Dark Lord can seize the necklace and reset the gems, no power on the continent could stop him. Above all, you must guard the ornament from theft. So long as the necklace is dormant, the Dark Lord won’t know you possess it.”
Memlatec turned to the Sentinel Pine and cast another spell.
“Put your hand against the cavity’s wood, Saxthor.”
Saxthor was spellbound at what Memlatec said so Bodrin pushed him forward. The prince leaned against the wood with both hands. The tree cavity shimmered. When Saxthor stood back, his handprints had branded the wood. The cavity then filled with resin that hardened and reformed the massive bark plate as though the nook had never been there.
Saxthor grinned at Bodrin. “Guess I’m leaving something of myself in the Sentinel Pine for this stuff, huh.”
“I’ll call you back when the time is right.”
“I hope it’s soon.”
Saxthor turned to Bodrin to examine his treasures. They turned back to the wizard, but in his place stood Tournak, clad in forest green and brown for a journey.
“Memlatec returned to the palace to tell the queen we’re going camping,” Tournak said.
*
At the royal palace apartments, Memlatec bowed to the queen in the ornate private reception room. He seemed stiff and resolute which caused Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin concern. Her advisor seldom requested an audience, and wasted no time on petty court matters.
“You protected and advised our father and we value the reserved council you offer, Memlatec. We are alarmed at your suspicions that the unfortunate servant’s death in the stairwell may not have been an accident. We will trust you in this matter as you assure us it’s for Saxthor’s safety. This insistence on so sudden an extended camping trip would seem suspect were it proposed by anyone other than our esteemed High Court Wizard.”
The queen studied Memlatec’s demeanor. I miss my son already, she thought. I’m only parting with him having seen the wizard’s concern, even fear for Saxthor.
“I won’t question your purpose if indeed Saxthor is in danger.”
“The chatra will give notice to the court that the prince will be on an excursion in the country. Perhaps not our first minister, but rather his spokesman, to draw less attention and make Saxthor’s absence appear routine. Irkin is the cause of this, but without proof, I can’t restrain her.” The queen projected a calm, regal façade that masked her consuming worry.
“We shall send the court chamberlain to Countess Betsoya this very day before she expects the boys’ return. The chamberlain will explain we’ve recalled Saxthor, and Bodrin to accompany him, for the extended camping trip. We can only hope she’ll accept
-
“Ring’s kinda big,” Saxthor said. “I think I’d best keep this thing in my pocket like you said. The center stone is missing, you know. I didn’t break it.”
The boys inspected the necklace. The bauble was simple, but wrought of gold in elfin style. Seven large loops were braided into the chain. Between the loops were small disks each inscribed with runes. Other than that, nothing appeared special.
“This is missing parts, too.” Saxthor looked up with a sheepish grin.
Bodrin giggled. “Bunch of broken junk if you ask me.”
“Hush.”
Memlatec put the chain around Saxthor’s neck fastening the clasp. Without note, the fastener disappeared; the chain had no beginning or end.
“Hey, the gold is warm, too.” Saxthor said.
Memlatec stared at the necklace. His eyes gleamed beneath his furrowed brow.
“Only you can remove the necklace, Saxthor,” Memlatec said. “Take the utmost care of this trinket. It holds unique power, also. Originally, seven gems filled those loops in the braid, each jewel infused with concentrated power. Those runes on the plates between the loops aligned and focused the power in the jewels. If the Dark Lord can seize the necklace and reset the gems, no power on the continent could stop him. Above all, you must guard the ornament from theft. So long as the necklace is dormant, the Dark Lord won’t know you possess it.”
Memlatec turned to the Sentinel Pine and cast another spell.
“Put your hand against the cavity’s wood, Saxthor.”
Saxthor was spellbound at what Memlatec said so Bodrin pushed him forward. The prince leaned against the wood with both hands. The tree cavity shimmered. When Saxthor stood back, his handprints had branded the wood. The cavity then filled with resin that hardened and reformed the massive bark plate as though the nook had never been there.
Saxthor grinned at Bodrin. “Guess I’m leaving something of myself in the Sentinel Pine for this stuff, huh.”
“I’ll call you back when the time is right.”
“I hope it’s soon.”
Saxthor turned to Bodrin to examine his treasures. They turned back to the wizard, but in his place stood Tournak, clad in forest green and brown for a journey.
“Memlatec returned to the palace to tell the queen we’re going camping,” Tournak said.
*
At the royal palace apartments, Memlatec bowed to the queen in the ornate private reception room. He seemed stiff and resolute which caused Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin concern. Her advisor seldom requested an audience, and wasted no time on petty court matters.
“You protected and advised our father and we value the reserved council you offer, Memlatec. We are alarmed at your suspicions that the unfortunate servant’s death in the stairwell may not have been an accident. We will trust you in this matter as you assure us it’s for Saxthor’s safety. This insistence on so sudden an extended camping trip would seem suspect were it proposed by anyone other than our esteemed High Court Wizard.”
The queen studied Memlatec’s demeanor. I miss my son already, she thought. I’m only parting with him having seen the wizard’s concern, even fear for Saxthor.
“I won’t question your purpose if indeed Saxthor is in danger.”
“The chatra will give notice to the court that the prince will be on an excursion in the country. Perhaps not our first minister, but rather his spokesman, to draw less attention and make Saxthor’s absence appear routine. Irkin is the cause of this, but without proof, I can’t restrain her.” The queen projected a calm, regal façade that masked her consuming worry.
“We shall send the court chamberlain to Countess Betsoya this very day before she expects the boys’ return. The chamberlain will explain we’ve recalled Saxthor, and Bodrin to accompany him, for the extended camping trip. We can only hope she’ll accept
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