'Havrakhad is a kalashtar,' Ashara said, squeezing into the little room behind him and closing the door. Havrakhad shifted away from her, though there wasn't much space for him.
A kalashtar. That explained a great deal, though Aunn's knowledge of the kalashtar was limited. They were a distinct race, not quite human, native to the distant continent of Sarlona. Their reputation painted them as beautiful mystics who had mastered the powers of their minds, able to communicate telepathically, move objects from afar, and perform other feats of what might as well be magic. It was a magic, though, that Aunn's artifice couldn't mimic or even fully comprehend.
'I see,' Aunn said. 'Well, are you ready to get started? Would you like my chair?'
A knock at the door cut off Havrakhad's answer. Aunn froze. It was late in the evening. Who would be looking for Kelas in his office at this hour?
'Excuse me,' he said.
Havrakhad, Ashara, and Cart shifted around to let him through to the door. He pulled it open.
'You're here late, Kelas.' It was a man Aunn didn't recognize.
'Yes.' Kelas hated to be interrupted when he had people in his office. He jerked his head back toward the crowded office. 'Important meeting. Can it wait?'
The man's face changed. The dark hair became sandy, tanned skin turned pasty white, eyes lightened to hazel. It was a face Aunn knew quite well, though the eyes were wrong. It was one of his own faces. It was Haunderk's face, the one Aunn used most often when talking to Kelas.
Aunn fought to keep his pulse and breathing under control, but rage and fear fought against him. What other changeling was using his face? Did he expect Kelas to be fooled? Was he trying to discredit Haunderk somehow? Or was he sending a subtle message that he saw through Aunn's disguise?
'It's not urgent,' the changeling said, smirking. His eyes were everywhere but on Aunn, trying to see past him into the study. 'I'll come back tomorrow.'
Tomorrow, Aunn thought, I already have an appointment with Jorlanna. I think I'll be out.
The changeling strode off down the hall without another word, and Aunn retreated back into Kelas's study, closing the door. Ashara shot him a quizzical glance, but he shook his head and followed Cart's gaze. Havrakhad was kneeling in front of Gaven, looking into his eyes.
Hearing the door close, Havrakhad stood and looked at Aunn. 'It would be best if there were no more interruptions.'
'There shouldn't be any more. Please begin when you're ready.'
The kalashtar kneeled again, put one hand on Gaven's shoulder, and gazed into his eyes.
Two ogres held Shakravar's arms, the meat that was his body now, and a dwarf stood behind him with a bludgeon. But the dragon would not be restrained. If only he could emerge from this body, revert to his true form, fill the room with lightning and spatter it with the blood of his enemies…
The judges of the tribunal stared down at him from their high seats. They called a witness to give testimony-an elf, the head of the Thuranni family.
'Lord Elar Thuranni d'Phiarlan,' one of the judges intoned, prompting shouts of protest from both the witness and another elf in the great hall.
'He's no Phiarlan!' came a woman's voice. 'He is excoriate!'
'I am Baron Elar d'Thuranni,' the witness said.
'The status of the Thuranni family is yet to be settled in the eyes of this tribunal,' another judge said. 'For now, we shall address you as Lord Elar and move on with the proceedings.'
'Very well.' Lord Elar bowed his head in deference to the judges.
'Lord Elar, please state your claim against the defendant, Gaven Lyrandar.'
Hearing his name, Gaven woke from what felt like sleep, and found himself in the firm grasp of two ogres, rage and violence churning in his heart. What was going on?
A dark-eyed elf was speaking, pointing an accusing finger at Gaven. Rienne was there, tears streaming down her face, avoiding his eyes. Judges glared down at him.
They had to understand, had to know, had to be prepared. 'When the Eternal Day draws near,' he cried, 'when its moon shines full in the night, and the day is at its brightest, the Time of the Dragon Above begins.'
'Silence!' one of the judges shouted.
He couldn't be silent. He had to warn them. 'Showers of light fall upon the City of the Dead, and the Storm Dragon emerges after twice thirteen years.'
'Silence him,' another judge commanded.
'Tumult and tribulation swirl in his wake!' Gaven shouted. 'The Blasphemer rises, the Pretender falls, and armies march once more across the land!'
'That's enough,' the dwarf behind him said, and the club came down on his head. Darkness swallowed him.
'Arnoth d'Lyrandar,' a judge's voice intoned in the darkness, 'please state your claim against the defendant.'
'My son,' Gaven's father said, 'he is my firstborn, my heir. But he has failed me. He failed the Test of Siberys. He refused to assist me in my business and chose instead the life of a dragonshard prospector.' Light slowly grew in the darkness, outlining Arnoth's body. 'I waited twenty-six years for him to return to me, until I couldn't wait any longer. Finally he came to me, but too late. I died that morning.' The light shone full now on Arnoth's face, showing Gaven the flesh rotting away from his skull.
'Guilty!' came a voice from the tribunal.
A chorus answered, 'Guilty as charged!'
Darkness again.
'Rienne ir'Alastra, please state your claim against the defendant.'
'When we delved into Khyber together,' Rienne's voice said from the darkness, 'when we sailed with Jordhan, when we worked for your House together, we were partners. Equals. We fought as a team. You covered my back, and I covered yours. We don't fight like that any more. You used to give a damn about me-you used to love me, and I don't think you do anymore.'
'Of course I do,' Gaven called. 'Rienne!'
'You left me here to die, Gaven. Here in the land of dragons. You abandoned me.'
'I couldn't-! They captured me-!'
'Gaven?' Her voice was fading. 'Gaven, help me!'
'Rienne!'
She was gone.
The kalashtar stood, staggered away from Gaven, and slumped against Cart, exhaustion etched onto his face.
'What happened?' Aunn asked. 'What did you see?'
'I'd accept that chair now, if the offer is still open,' Havrakhad said.
'Of course,' Aunn said.
Cart helped the kalashtar around the desk to Kelas's chair as Aunn waited, breathless.
Havrakhad slumped into the chair and covered his face with his hands. 'He carries many burdens,' he said, 'along a twisting path.'
Aunn's thoughts jumped to the Labyrinth, and the demon he fought there after leaving Maruk Dar. He looked at Gaven. Was a similar battle raging inside his mind?
'I don't understand,' Cart said.
Havrakhad wiped his face and dropped his hands to his lap. 'Something has trapped him, imprisoned him in a maze of his own thoughts. There his guilt, his shame, and his fear can prey on him, devouring his spirit. I tried to break through the maze, to find him and lead him out, but there were too many obstacles. Too much darkness.'
'You have to try again,' Aunn said, a sudden urgency seizing him. 'If the darkness takes him-'
'I will try again,' the kalashtar said. 'In a few hours. I must rest.'
'We all could use some rest,' Ashara said.
