‘Do you knowwho the last owner of the sceptre was?’ asked Aquitain.
‘I seem toremember daddy saying that the Queen of the Elendari had it butthat was a long time ago.’
Just then theyheard the bell on the shop door ring announcing a customer, shortlythereafter there was some shouting. Wolfram jumped up and startedacross the room to the top of the stairwell and then stopped as hesaw two Elendari men escorting his apprentice, Bertram, up thestairs.
‘What is it?’asked Garret.
‘Trouble I’mafraid,’ replied his brother.
Chantalotturned invisible, pulled out his short sword and quietly went tothe wall near the top of the stairwell so that he would be behindthe Elendari when they entered the room.
Aquitain wasn’ttoo surprised he had expected something to happen if this was aplan to help him find Alpha. So he just sat there beside Garretsipping his hot drink waiting to see what was going to happen.
The trioreached the top of the stairs and looked around. The two newcomerslooked vaguely Newman but had green eyes, wore their hair strangelyand had a distinctly different body language about them. They woreblack leather, had short swords at their sides and were covered byhooded cloaks, which seemed to be trying to change colour andpattern to match the walls.
‘Which one ofyou is Master Garret?’ asked one of the Elendari in a heavilyaccented voice.
‘I am MasterGarret. Would you please release my apprentice from that charm andtell me what you want?’
Bertramsuddenly appeared to wake up.
‘Whathappened?’ he asked looking quite embarrassed.
‘You wereaffected by a harmless charm, now go down and look after the shop.We’ll be alright.’
Bertram slippedpast the two Elendari men and went downstairs.
‘We are agentsfor Queen Aurora of Moonmist. She wishes to invite you to her courtas a guest for discussions. We have orders to escort you to ensureyou arrive safely.’ and the agent presented Garret with a royalwarrant.
Garret viewedthe invitation and then asked the obvious. ‘Why does she wish tosee me?’
‘The Queen didnot tell us why she wished to see you. Will you come willingly?’and as if to emphasize the willing part he placed his hand on thehilt of his short sword.
Aquitain spoketo Garret using mindspeak suggesting that he go willingly.
‘I will go withyou as your assistant. She might be able to help you get yourmemory back.’
He then toldthe others of his plan. Wolfram was quite surprised when a voicesuddenly appeared in his mind from nowhere but he said nothing.Garret paused as if thinking about it for a few seconds.
‘Okay,’ hesaid. ‘I will consent to go with you to see Queen Aurora, but Iwish to take my gnome assistant, change my clothes and have a wordwith my wife to say goodbye. I haven’t seen her for some time and Idon’t know when I’ll be back.’
The twoElendari men nodded in agreement.
Garret calledfor Bettina, she came out of the room with tears in her eyes andhugged him stiffly. He whispered in her ear and she looked directlyat Aquitain and he looked into her eyes and he knew who she was. Itwas Jaztrix. She whispered into Garret’s ear and turned awaysobbing.
‘What is goingon?’ thought Aquitain. She had purposefully revealed who she was.He tried to force a mindlink with her but she blocked it expertly.He was now even more puzzled. Was it really Jaz and if so why hadshe revealed herself but was not willing to talk to him? Maybe shedidn’t want him to see her spirit aura.
I wish tochange my clothes now and pack a small bag.’ Stated Garret and hedisappeared into his bedroom followed by one of the Elendariagents. Bettina sat down next to Aquitain and sobbing gently tookhis hands in hers and said.
‘Look after himplease Aquitain. We’ve only been married a few weeks and I couldn’tbear losing him.’
Garret droppedsomething heavy on the floor and swore loudly. Everyone includingthe Elendari in the room with them turned their attention towardsGarret’s bedroom wondering what had happened. Bettina leanedforwards and whispered to Aquitain.
‘Zephira andAlpha are in Moonmist. We’re not sure where. Allen Amber is tryingto find them.’
The Elendariglanced over at Bettina and Aquitain suspiciously but said nothing.A couple of minutes later Garret returned wearing fresh travelingclothes and a small shoulder pack containing some personal groomingitems.
One of theElendari walked over and said ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like tosearch you. We don’t want any little surprises on the way dowe?’
After searchinghim and finding nothing unusual, he asked if they were ready togo.
Aquitain sent amindspeak message to Chantalot asking him to tell Miranda not toworry he would get back to her as soon as he could.
One of theagents instructed Garret and Aquitain to hold his arm, the otherdid the same and they teleported from the room.
Chantalotbecame visible and Garret’s brother said.
‘I hope theyknow what they’re doing. This could be quite dangerous, but thenagain I don’t suppose there was any other way of solving theproblem without violence. From what I hear you wouldn’t want to gowandering around this Moonmist place without a guide or escort.They should be safe enough with the Queen’s men.’
Chantalotagreed and as they walked down the stairs to the shop front doorWolfram said.
‘That was afine bit of quick thinking. I’ve never had someone talking directlyinto my mind before. I take it your friend is a gnome wizard.’
‘Yes he wasWizard Captain employed by the High Wizard himself. Now he worksprivately.’ replied Chantalot.
‘You’rejoking?’ said Wolfram. ‘He looks so harmless.’
‘Yes he doesbut your brother should be as safe with him as anyone in Mudrun.Here’s a card with my name and address on it. Send a message to meif you hear anything.’ and with that Chantalot teleported back toTwin Towers.
Wolfram walkedback up the stairs to Bettina.
‘That was astroke of luck. Aquitain should get to Moonmist without too muchtrouble now. His gnome shape is really quite impressive. Did youget the message to him?’
‘Yes but I’mworried. We haven’t heard from AG for days and Aquitain was neversupposed to be separated from his memcrystal. He’s too vulnerablewithout it. There’s just too much happening too quickly. Allenthinks that with all the trouble on Moonmist at the moment thatthere’s a true Agent of Chaos there. If they collide who knows whatwill
