'But what about the tariffs?' shouted Lady Herrin after the retreating king.
'There will be plenty of time for the two of us to go around and around about your latest issue, I'm sure,' replied the king. 'Remind me on your next visit.'
The king continued past the row of pillars to the curved outer wall of his circular audience chamber. At the far end, right next to a statue of Ondeth Obarskyr, lay the door to his private reading chambers. Picking up a candle from a table beside the entrance, he opened the door and left the public domain, entering his sanctuary.
The king's reading room was dark, lit by only a pair of windows high up on the north wall. The moon's light came in through the glass, reflecting in grotesque, elongated shapes along the opposite side of the chamber. Though he loved his time alone-especially time with his history books that recounted tales of previous wars-his hectic schedule didn't allow him that luxury very often. Thus his reading room was often left dark.
Halfway across the room, his candle sputtered out. Korox cursed under his breath.
When his daughter came in with him, she would illuminate the room with a magical light. But he was all alone this time, and he'd have to navigate back through the darkness without her help. Feeling his way past an upholstered chair, the king knocked over a small table as he pushed on toward the moonlit doorway.
Righting the table, the king took a survey of the chamber. His eyes were beginning to adjust to the darkness, and he could make out the familiar shapes of his belongings. This was the place he went when he needed solitude, but right now, here in the dark, he didn't feel alone. Something, or someone, was here with him.
'Who's there?'
The king stood still, watching the corners and trying to make sense of the strange feeling he was having-as if someone was watching him. For a brief moment, the king considered making a break for the door. The palace guards and Magistrates were not far away.
A shadow shifted in the far corner of the room, and a chill ran down the king's spine.
'By order of King Korox Morkann, lord of this castle and ruler of all Erlkazar'-the king drew his sword-'show yourself.'
The darkness grew, taking shape as it separated from the wall. A form, roughly the size of a man, appeared out of the shadow. But there was something more about him, something… animal. Where on a man would be a pair of hands, on this figure there were blades, four on each, resembling the claws of a predatory cat or a beast from another plane.
Before the king could utter another word, the figure stepped forward into the pale beam of light, revealing a long cloak that covered most of his body and a fitted, featureless black mask over his face.
The king took a step away. 'Welcome back. And well done. Capturing Pello Tasca will present a big blow to the underworld.'
The Claw bowed before the king. 'Thank you, my lord.'
Korox slipped his sword back inside its sheath. 'You gave me quite a start there. You really shouldn't startle your king.'
The Claw nodded. 'You are wise to be afraid.'
Korox chuckled. 'Oh, come now. You do not scare me. Even if you do skulk around a little too much for my liking.'
The Claw shook his head. 'There is a plot against your life.'
It was the king's turn to shake his head. He sighed. 'Will I ever be safe in my own kingdom?' Then it dawned on him. 'Is the Tasca family behind this?'
'Yes. I believe the older brother was the instigator.'
'Well, I guess this means they're not fond of my Magistrates.'
'Or your plan to eradicate their Elixir operations.'
The king slammed his fist into an upholstered chair. 'The greatest threat Erlkazar will face in our lifetime will be posed by the drugs that these cretins are pushing on our people. I firmly believe that, and I intend to stop them from destroying this kingdom with it.'
'You will get no argument from me, my lord.' The Claw moved to the darkened corner. 'I will see what else I can discover about this plot on your life. In the meantime, be careful. Our enemies are everywhere.'
Slipping into the shadows, the Claw disappeared.
'Yes,' said the king, pondering this new information. 'They certainly are.'
Chapter Three
Over there, Genevie,' said Princess Mariko. 'Bring me that book. The one with the twisted-looking sigil on it.'
'Yes, my lady,' replied the handmaiden.
Genevie was old, even for a half-elf, but she seemed capable enough. Mariko had taken a liking to her immediately. She reminded the young princess of her recently deceased mother. Anything that brought back the soothing memories of her mother was something the princess wanted near.
The handmaiden wrapped her feeble arms around the book and attempted to lift it from the shelf. The massive tome had been handmade and was constructed of leather, vellum, and sturdy hemp thread. It had been built to withstand the rigors of age, and as such was very, very heavy.
The princess looked up from the notes she had been scribbling to see Genevie struggling.
'Oh, Genevie!' The princess raised her hand, and the book rose into the air. 'Let me help you with that.'
The handmaiden smiled, relieved to be rid of such a strain. 'Thank you, my lady. My arms no longer have the strength in them that they once did.'
'Of course, Genevie. I didn't realize how heavy it was, or I wouldn't have asked you to retrieve it.' Mariko waved at the suspended book as if it were a servant. 'Come,' she said.
The tome floated through the air and laid itself down on the desk.
The princess patted the bench beside her. 'You too,' she said to the handmaiden. 'Come take a rest.'
Mariko liked to play the 'good princess' game, as she called it, while Genevie was around. After all, Genevie saw her as an innocent, hardly more than a child. Mariko intended to keep it that way.
'Thank you, Princess, but I still have duties to-'
'Nonsense,' interrupted Mariko. 'Come sit next to me. Besides, I have a secret I'm dying to tell someone.'
'Well in that case…' The elderly half-elf hurried to the bench. 'I'm all ears. You know how I love secrets.'
The princess nodded. 'Yes, I do.'
Genevie bounced a little on the bench, seeming suddenly much younger in her impatience.
'You must promise to keep this a secret.' 'Of course, my lady.'
'Well'-the princess grinned-'I think I have met' someone. Someone I might like a lot.'
'Have you now?' Genevie gave the princess a conspiratorial smile and leaned in, lowering her voice. 'And does your father know?'
Mariko frowned. 'Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. And you mustn't tell him.'
Genevie clasped her hand to her breast. 'You have my word. Your secret is safe with me.'
'I've been so excited, but I haven't been able to tell-'
A knock on the heavy wooden door to the princess's chamber interrupted their conversation.
'Princess,' came a voice from the other side, 'I have a message from the king.'
Mariko stood and straightened her robes. She scanned the table in front of her. There were books and scrolls scattered everywhere, all covered in magical scripts.
'One moment please!' she shouted. Clasping her hands together, she spoke a single word. A purplish light burst between her hands, and she spread them wide, producing a large sheet of woven cotton cloth.
'Genevie,' she whispered, 'help me cover the table.'
The handmaiden grabbed hold of the cloth, helping the princess obscure the books and scrolls from view.
Satisfied that her recent activities were not immediately visible, the princess opened the door.
On the other side stood one of the king's messengers.
