Chapter 40
November 29th, 2021
Lelia rode upon her palanquin, reclining in the mid morning sun, escorted by her manservants who silently did their duty, carrying her along and pretending not to exist. They were some of her most trusted servants though for they were privy to conversations that many others were not. As such, she had chosen them all carefully, and trusted them wholly. Especially after knowing that their breasts were bare of any scar. She glanced up and saw a very disheveled and gaunt looking Zechariah being led away by his guard. He looked to her, meeting her eyes and she thought she could see turmoil in his expression. But before she could study his face properly, he bowed his head slightly in deference and trust, before being led out of her sight.
"That young man may be more trouble than he's worth." A raspy frail voice said from beside her. She turned back to the Runesmith who was reclining upon his own palanquin, being carried along by his own people beside her.
"How did you know he was there?" She asked baffled by his statement.
"Oh?" The Runesmith asked looking overly innocent. "Was he? I was speaking generally, on the subject at hand."
Lelia squinted at him, trying to figure out if he was bluffing or not. She could never quite tell if he was blind or not. He acted blind, but he always seemed to see more around him than others did. "Yes." She agreed sighing and laying back again. "He might be. The urge to study his hand is...gnawing at me, but until I manage to secure his enslavement, I cannot be seen to be calling him to my private chambers for 'study'. I can only imagine what the courts would say to that kind of gossip."
"A wise precaution My Lady." The Runesmith said softly. "I can only imagine your eagerness. Mine own hands burn with the desire to study his."
November 30th, 2021
November 30th, 2021
Lelia nodded again. "What didn't you tell the Lieutenant?" She asked casually.
The Runesmith rubbed his beard with a shaky hand, grinning mischievously. "I suppose there's little point in hiding it from you." He said, pausing to gather his thoughts. "You remember my theories about the Aether and the planes?"
"Your belief on there being a sixth plane and element?" Lelia asked quietly.
"Indeed. The firmament." He replied nodding his head. "I believe that the runes you found, are evidence of the sixth plane. The runes were very detailed, and spoke of a place, along side ours, but that doesn't exist."
Lelia took a deep breath and ran her hand through her hair. "I...fear...that you may be right."
"Fear?" The Runesmith asked.
"There
November 19th, 2022
November 19th, 2022
was an incident..." Lelia said hesitantly. She paused for a long moment, gathering her thoughts, her mind rushing back to that horrible memory of terror, pain and helplessness.
"The incident which cost you the use of your foot." The Runesmith stated gently, pulling Lelia back from her memories.
"Yes." Lelia said grateful for the encouragement. Sometimes, approaching things academically is the best way to deal with pain. "I dove into his mind for he claimed to be possessed by daemons. As we both know, the reality of daemons are, though dangerous, far less terrifying than the religious or mythological teachings would have us believe. However," Lelia said pausing to take another breath in order to keep her voice from shaking, "However when I saw his memories I saw that they had been altered. Erased even, but in a way that was more complete than I ever dreamed or thought possible. More than that, whatever was or is haunting him somehow knew that I was there. I thought to draw it out and bind it thus defeating it but...it seemed unaffected or unharmed by being bound. It lashed out with such vehemence and...delightful malice...it..."
"How did it destroy your foot Lady Sundman?" The Runesmith interrupted in order to keep her mind focused and not spiraling. "What was the exact process?"
Lelia steadied herself as their palanquins turned through the gardens. One of her servants was eyeing her with concern upon his brow but realizing that his glance was not as subtle as he had thought, he quickly turned a stony face to the front and resumed his goal of pretending not to exist. Lelia released a deep breath. "It began as though it were a poison, running through my veins like death. I have never before experienced such agony that I have no words for it. Then, my skin was flayed of it's own accord and my bones pulverized from within. My being began to be unwravelled from inside my own body and I was powerless to stop it."
"Then it was the boy that defeated it?"
"Defeated? I don't think so. No. I have no idea what it is that he did but I do not think 'defeat' is the appropriate word for it."
"Banishment then? His runes speak of a location, extraplanar in nature but unlike any of the five planes we now. It could be that he banished this 'daemon' back to it's realm."
"I think that that is the only conclusion we can draw at this point in time. But what puzzles me more and scares me in equal measure is the question, 'Where did those runes originate?' And not entirely in a alter-plane manner but how did Zechariah come by them?"
"Indeed. it wouldn't follow that a daemon would give it's target or host the means by which it could be controlled."
"So what is it? Why is it here and what do those runes mean?"
The Runemaster sighed tugged at his long beard. "I'll have to study them at greater length to be able to properly draw any theories or even begin to understand them, and even then I do not believe that I will have a full or comprehensible understanding of these events. Particularly without the rune upon his hand."
"I would offer to provide you with a sketch of it or some other documentation but until the Courts convene I fear any such action is at best unadvisable."
"And once again you prove yourself far more adept at navigating them with greater cunning than they ever gave you credit for." The Runesmith said encouragingly.
"It was not that they questioned my intellect Master Runesmith, it was that no one would trust or work with me once they found out that I was a Psyker."
"Ever does the ignorance of fools determinedly plague us with lessons of patience and humility to the end of days."
"I can only imagine what it must be like for you, having become such a wise master of your craft."
"'Tis why I prefer solitude and why I share my time in the company of few. However, whilst I would generally enjoy bemoaning the burdens of exceptionalism, I fear that we had other matters of state to discuss?"
"Yes, you are correct." Lelia said gesturing for her servants to set them down in the center of her gardens. They promptly did so before bringing out some refreshments. "I can ill afford to have Zechariah removed from me and imprisoned in the palace prisons, much less executed. Whether he holds the key to the answers I seek is irrelevant. The potential questions he brings may prove invaluable."
"It may also prove to be nothing at all."
Lelia frowned at the Runesmith as she began grazing upon the refreshments the servants had laid out for them. "I do not think so and, I believe, neither do you. You are right of course but with what I've seen and with everything else going on I think too much is correlating for it to be coincidence."
"Though I concur, I only wish to advise tempering your expectations lest it does turn out to be nothing. That said, what is your plan then to try and convince the King to grant you ownership over the boy and save him from execution? Banditry is a crime not easily forgiven."
"I shall advocate that he was forced into banditry in order to save his own life so he doesn't deserve execution, merely a smaller punishment."
"It can easily be argued however that most who enter banditry do so out of necessity to survive than out of a chosen career path." The Runesmith countered.
Lelia chewed upon a grape slowly, before spitting out the seeds in a small and bright copper bowl. "How then should I argue for his salvation? That he defended me against attacks from the traitorous patrol? That he came willingly into my service putting his trust in my hands? The Courts will certainly argue that he only did these things to save his own life and not out of altruism."
The Runemaster nodded and he blindly felt for some bread, cheeses and meats. "I think all you have said is good to bring up, even if it will be countered. I would advocate that, at the very least, his execution be postponed until he can be studied. My own vote, and I believe the Court Wizard will back us, should be enough to save him for at least a time. The academic questions that he poses may be valuable enough to ensure our study and his life for a while."
Lelia frowned. "I suppose. Though I certainly do want to study those questions, I do want to see him perish. I believe him. He has a good heart and has seen much. Oh!" Lelia exclaimed before leaning in to speak more conspiratorially. "He spoke with Maharrani and saw them work their magic up close and not in combat. At the very least, if he vows to share his knowledge of our enemy, that can surly at the very least buy his life, even if he receives some other form of punishment for his desertion and banditry."
"When were you going to inform me of this tidbit?" The Runesmith exclaimed around a mouth full of delicacies which he quickly finished eating. "He spoke with the Draconian Empress and saw their magic up close? You're just telling me this now?"
Lelia cringed apologetically. "Sorry. There's just been so much going on it slipped my mind."
"Slipped your mind." The Runesmith said disapprovingly. "I'm the one who's old and frail! Slipped your mind indeed. Well, no matter. That is indeed a good line of argument. I should save it for the last, build your case and then use that. It should stun the Courts enough to throw them off their game long enough to secure his life."
"Unfortunately, it's not just Zechariah's life that I'm going to need to argue for."
"Ah, his companion? The brusque man, Gerald was it?"
"Gerb."
"Lowborn then." The Runesmith said before pausing and cocking his head. "Wait, Gerb you said?"
Lelia looked at the old man quizzically. "Yes. That's his name."
"By the Ten Divines." The Runesmith said rubbing his white eyes.
"I see. I take you know about his history already?" Lelia asked as the Runesmith nodded.
"The criminal who slew King Zulad's Heir. Everyone in the Courts knows Gerb's name. Well, perhaps not everyone." The Runesmith said thoughtfully. Either hearing or seeing Lelia's confusion, she didn't know which, he continued, "Anyone who lived through those times some thirty revolutions ago that is, and I suppose any who is close to the Zulad crown."
"I don't suppose you have any insights or advice?" Lelia asked hopefully.
The Runesmith hummed deeply. "In this matter, I'm afraid not Lady Sundman. Indeed, there is little aid I can offer you with Gerb. I can throw my support in with the Zechariah boy, but I'll not make an enemy out of Zalud by siding with you for Gerb."
Lelia sighed heavily as she sat forward rubbing her forehead with a hand. "I understand. I suppose even if there was clear arguments for Gerb's slavery no one would be crazy enough to back me, a social pariah, over King Zalud. Unless you know of any other Kings who might want to hurt Zalud?"
"Perhaps in another age and another place, when we aren't facing an invasion from the Draconians perhaps. In this time of war we find ourselves in however, I'm afraid your chances of that are quite slim." The Runesmith pushed himself up from his reclining position and sat cross-legged on the cushions in the garden. "Though...there may be some line of argument you can pursue." He finished hesitently.
"There is?" Lelia looked up hopefully.
"It's...slim...unfortunately. But yes. Perhaps. You see, the Blood Pits, the place Gerb fought, is not a place most people go willingly. They are usually slaves or blackmailed into fighting in the Pits. Consequently though Gerb did kill Selemoss II, he did not have a choice in the matter."
"That...that's great to know! Selemoss II was foolish and Gerb was simply fighting for his life."
"That may be true, but King Zalud will still want vengeance for his heirs death. Additionally, that does not clear him of the years of banditry that followed. It also may be more of a danger to you than you realize."
"If you are referring to the Underground, I already am working on that. I can protect Gerb here, and if he finds his family and brings them to me, they can also enter my service. Then the Underground won't be able to do anything to him."
The Runesmith looked directly at her, and she could swear that he could see her with those milky white eyes. He stared at her long and hard, his eyes unmoving as far as she could tell, before he spoke. "My Lady Sundman. Walls and guards and magic will not protect you from the wrath of the Underground."
She felt a chill run down her spine despite the midday heat. "What do you mean."
"If the Underground finds out that Gerb is here, they will hunt him. They suffered great losses when he fled the city. One of their most trusted informants was tortured, they lost their champion and consequently a lot of their financial support, and they lost a lot of men to increased patrols and security in the city following the manhunt. Gerb ruined many lives when he killed Prince Selemoss II."
"Surely, there would be some who would see Gerb favorably?" Lelia asked desperately.
"Possibly. I know he was close with the informant Sott, the one that was tortured. However, I doubt he harbors much good will towards Gerb now. However..." The Runesmith paused for a moment before he lined in very close to whisper quietly. "Gerb may be able to be used as a double agent. The Courts has dealings with the Underground, and I know a few of them have been trying to get some of their men higher up in the Underground's ranks. If Gerb could make some 'openings' available, perhaps the King would pardon his crimes."
Lelia's eyes were wide. "You're serious?" She asked incredulously. "You want me to use Gerb as an assassin against the Underground, and there are people in the Courts that are part of the Underground?"
"How do you think I know so much about it?" The Runesmith asked conspiratorially. "Of course, I can't tell you much. But, lets just say the services of a Runesmith are in high demand and in order to keep tabs on them, the King turns a blind eye to my dealings. People so rarely pay attention to an old man as it is." He grinned ruefully, but heard no laughter or humor in Lelia's disposition that he quickly stifled it. "Before you accuse me of any criminal activity, it is all above the board. I make runes for people, and some people like to sit and chat while I work. I know that some of them are criminals, but instead of turning them away, I try to get them to talk as much as I can while I work on runes for them. I refuse to make 'offensive' runes, so as far as I'm aware, my runes don't hurt anyone."
"I can't help but wonder if my secrets are safe with your ears." Lelia said softly.
"Indeed Lady Sundman. 'Tis one of the reasons my 'information brokering' is not made common knowledge to many individuals. You need not fear my lips though, for your agenda is the same as mine. You are not an ally that I should squander willfully."
"Until the day our agenda's no longer align."
"Such is the game of politics My Lady. A game which you have woefully neglected if I may add."
Lelia gave a haughty snort of dismissal at his criticism but could offer no retort knowing that he spoke only the truth. She had been away from politics for far too long. She had no favors which she could call in, she had no leverage. A widowed noble was cared for and could be a powerful player in the courts if she played her cards right. But with no back up she could only offer her name and inheritance and only that if she agreed to a wedding. Having distanced herself from the courts however, she knew that no one with enough power to do anything of significance would agree to a marriage with her. The only suitors for her would be minor nobles or wealthy merchants who would want her solely for her status. She had to go get herself in a political battle with the most influential man in all of Uthar. She was certain that she could keep Zechariah but Gerb?
"I'll just have to argue for mercy and pray to Shimara that His Majesty is merciful, and that Gerb can be a useful tool to His Majesty as an 'inside man'. Gerb did assist in protecting me from the attack as well as having effectively been banished for a very long time. Perhaps I can convince the courts that he has already paid enough to avoid death."
"You may be able to convince His Majesty to let him live and he may even honor your writ of ownership, but you will not be able to protect him from Zulad's retribution. Even if you manage to get the King on your side regarding Gerb's potential assistance with playing the part of Criminal once again, Zulad will attempt to get vengeance. There are other ways of punishing a man other than death."
"This is going to be impossible." Lelia holding her head. "I have to try, or I may never fully win Zechariah's trust, but if I can't get the King to support my ideas, then I can't afford to fight for Gerb's fate too hard, or I'll ruin my household and all those within."
"I wish I could help you more openly Lady Sundman. I truly do. You are one of the few nobles in this city that I actually like, and even more so, that I actually trust. However, I simply cannot lose Zulad's patronage and favor. That said...I may be able to offer you some assistance outside of the Courts."
"What assistance?" Lelia asked quickly.
"I'm afraid that I cannot say. Please My Lady, if you do not know than no one may be able to justly turn their wrath on you. They'll still likely gossip and suspect you, but no one will be able to hold it over you."
"What are you going to do?" Lelia asked getting nervous. He was often a secretive man but this made her uneasy. "You're not going to do something illegal are you?"
"My Lady Sundman, innocent child. This is why you have never and will never succeed in the courts. Politics is making things legal through illegal means. All politicians do illegal things in order to make the legal things work in their favor." The Runesmith turned his head and his white eyes once more to Lelia. "Lelia. Do you trust me?" He asked with a sudden drop of formality and casual tone. The sudden change surprised Lelia as it implied that the matter at hand was far beyond station and rank.
"For the sake of our mission... Yes Runemaster. I trust you."
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