The King’s Court

Altair jumped on his feet and looked around sheepishly at the throng of people looking at them. Knowing it was such an embarrassing situation; he cleared his throat and readied to make an excuse.

"Ehrmpah, well, I think weerr, have been messy." He said, shooting a cautious look at Sibyl and Theodoric. "Okay, people, clear up! Clear up this is nothing!"

The crowd dispersed, but many were still shooting puzzled looks at Theodoric and Sibyl, whose faces were very red with shame. Signy straightened up and wiped the blood away from her forehead. Wealthow was getting ready to perform a Sanctuary, and Nerva was less than pleased. He was also cursing under his breath.

"Sanctuary!"

They all healed at the same time. Unfortunately, Wealthow was unable to clean up Theodoric and Sibyl. Altair hated to think what the murky brown stuff was.

"Its no longer there." Nerva told himself as he stood up, looking around. "Its no longer there, thats why it doesnt hurt anymore. But where is it?"

"I need to find a bath." Theodoric said, his hair dripping with muck. "Excuse me"

He left, Sibyl at his heels. Wealthow was busy tending Altair and Signy. Nerva was sitting by the fountain, quiet as a statue. A nearby guard who saw them pop out of the Warp Portal quickly reported to his officer, who brought word to the Kings throne in the castle.

King Tristriam IV was having a major conference with his vassals then. The Count of Al de Baran was discussing the problem of his fief to the king, about how he used to have a thriving state and then, all of a sudden, everyone vanishes. The Duchess of Glast Heim was doing the same too; she was bemoaning the continued pestilence of the Undead in her rich lands. The king already had his face buried in his hands with frustration when the doors opened and the captain went inside.

"Majesty, Firnheild has just arrived from Byalan Island."

The King rose from his throne, his eyes suddenly bright. "Summon Wealthow Eyre at my presence at once, and tell her to bring Nerva alThor with her!"

The people in the throneroom went quiet. Sir Tiberius Thor, Nervas father, was quickly on his feet, his face paper-white. The High Elder of Geffen gritted his teeth.

"Right away, sir." The captain bowed before leaving.

"What is the meaning of this, Tristriam?" Caliph Harun al-Rashid of Morroc demanded. "You sent for a madman to take part in this mission?"

Sir Tiberiuss hand tightened on his swords hilt.

"I can explain, my lords and ladies." Tristriam said, gesturing for the people inside to settle down and allow him to talk. "I have valid reasons for keeping this news from you."

"And we would like to hear that!" the High Elder barked.

"Have you got any idea on how dangerous Nerva alThor is?"

"This is treason, Tristriam!"

"Madness!"

The king rolled his eyes. "Shut up and let me talk, please."

They fell silent.

"I have granted Nerva a full parole." He began.

"Preposterous!" said Cassius, Count of Alberta.

"Youre mad!" Rand yll Dinn of Payon blurted out.

Tristriam waited for the protests to die down. He cleared his throat and proceeded.

"It seems to me, that it is within reason that I allow Nerva a part in the investigations." He said, automatically holding up a hand to shut up the Duchess of Glast Heim. "He is the only one who knows what is out thereand lived to tell the tale. It is beyond doubt that all evidences point to him of murdering the other members of Swastika, but he is notin fact, NEVERproven guilty yet."

The High Elder made a hissing noise.

"I therefore consider my decision as wise and just." Tristriam finished. "And I allow no objection." He shot at the Lord of Payon, who was about to throw yet another furious diatribe.

Silence ensued in the Great Hall. After an hour, echoing footsteps came from the outside. Sir Tiberius turned around in his seat. The doors banged open.

"Majesty, I present to you Priestess Wealthow Eyre," the captain spoke. "And the Wizard Nerva alThor of Geffen."

Wealthow stepped into the room, quite amazed at the gathering of the most powerful people before her. At her side, Nerva froze, sensing the thick aura of hate like a cloud threatening to bring rain.



"I still cant believe this." Sibyl grumbled as she dried her hair ferociously with a towel. "I didnt know all that brown stuff was actuallya heap of excreta."

Signy wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, now you have a wide vocabulary."

"And Im not kidding!" Sibyl said in an injured voice. "Theodoric and I came smashno, dunking into it. Dammit, I cant remove the stink from my hair!"

"You can use Blue Herb paste if you like." Signy suggested as she handed a fresh set of Assassins clothes to her friend. "Only its much thicker than egg white."

"Uggghhhhh." Sibyl said, completely disgusted.

Signy shrugged. "I am just suggesting to you."

A knock came on the door and Altair came bouncing into the room, followed by a thoroughly cleaned but still scowling-heavily Theodoric. Signy lifted an eyebrow.

"Where are Wealthow and Nerva?" she asked.

"Castle." Theodoric answered sulkily as he sat down on the bed. "The king asked for them."

"Mission report, huh?" Sibyl guessed as she wound a long scarf around her neck. "But I wonder why they asked for Nerva as well."

Altair yawned deeply. "You know, I never thought Byalan Island became a paradise for monsters. Bugger, even Skeleton Warriors and Bigfoot managed to thrive there? Its beyond my wildest dreams!"

"You should have seen me knocked out by the big guy." Signy laughed. "I was out cold. Whats the matter, Theodoric?" she asked.

The Knight grunted and indicated a part of his chest. Signy made to touch it, but Theodoric howled and slapped her hand away. Her eyebrows shot upward.

"Broken ribs?" she said.

"Four of them." Theodoric grunted again. "Cracked."

"I would have thought Wealthows Sanctuary can fix that?" Signy spoke.

"Not with all of us, no." Altair shook his head. "Were all high-level people, and besides, the Sanctuarys power was divided on each of our damages. Some injuries can be left behind."

"Howd you know that?" Theodoric asked as he rubbed his ribs.

Altairs smile faded. "I, uhI wanted to be an Acolyte, you know, but, well"

The Blacksmith left the room. Theodoric, Sibyl and Signy stared at each other in amazement.

"What was that supposed to be?"



"Status report, Priestess Wealthow." King Tristriam ordered as he set his chin on interlocked fingers. "I want to know if you have come out with results. What is the Shadow? Where is it? What city-state will it target next?"

"Highness, it had just been yesterday since we have been dispatched." Wealthow replied. "Results cannot go out rapidly like this. We still have to see Glast Heim and Al de Baran."

The duchess and the count of the said states grew alert. The High Elder cast a dark look at the two of them.

King Tristriam nodded dolefullyand shifted his eyes to Nerva. The Wizard met the kings gaze with his own piercing stare. Unblinking, they stared at each other for a whole minute. It was a battle of willpower.

"Very well." The king said, letting go of the gaze. He shook his head and looked at Nerva again. "I can see you are well, Master Nerva. Has the fresh air done you good?"

Nerva did not answer. Wealthow cast a worried look at him.

"I said, Master Nerva, has the fresh air done you good?" King Tristriam repeated.

"How about you?" Nerva spoke. "Has the fresh air done you good?"

The Kings mouth hung open. The High Elder leapt up, anger surging through him in torrents.

"Such indolence in the Kings face!" the old man shrieked. "How dare you, you CRIMINAL!"

"Id shut up if I were you, master." Nerva said sarcastically, carefully stressing the last word. "You have more crimes than what your name can bear. And you might findthat my tonguecan spill fatal secrets sometimes."

The High Elder cast a nervous look at the King, but Tristriam appeared to have not noticed.

Murmurs arose from the state leaders. Caliph al-Rashid was eyeing Nerva cautiously as if he were a bomb that might explode any moment. Rand yll Dinn of Payon was clenching his hands into fists, his knuckles very white.

"Nerva!" Wealthow hissed. "Nerva, youre staking your parole here!"

"Can you tell us something about the Shadow, Nerva?" King Tristriam asked. Wealthow was suddenly thankful for his long patience. "You have seen it face to face seven years ago in Byalan Island. What can you tell us about it?"

Nerva didnt reply at once. Wealthow kept throwing nervous glances at him.

"Its not here." Nerva said.

Even Wealthow was taken aback by this answer.

"Nothere?" Tristriam repeated. "By which you mean?"

"I dont know." Nerva shook his head. "Even if it is miles away I would be able to feel its presence. Butits nowhere. Its nowhere around here in Midgard."

"What are you, a detector?" the High Elder spat.

Nerva looked at the old man and flashed his vampiric smile. That smile always sent chills down anybodys spine. Even Isidore Crane couldnt stand that smile for too long. "And would it matter to you if I am?"

"Preposterous!" said the High Elder, looking around at the other vassals. "Do you seriously believe this lunatics word? I myself have never heard of a human alarm! This is a radical lie!"

Wealthow didnt know what to do. The situation was out of her hands.

"And would you call the demonic possession of a human body radical, High Elder?" Nerva said coldly. "Because to me it is not."

Silence fell yet again. Wealthow stared hard at the back of his head, her brain sagging under the weight of this new information.

"Enough of this." King Tristriam said curtly. "Wealthow Eyre, what do you plan to do next?"

Wealthow stepped forward. "We plan to head to Al de Baran next, your highness. Afterward we shall proceed to Glast Heim."

"Good." The king nodded. "Very good. I shall look forward to results the next time I summon you here, Priestess. You may leave."

Wealthow and Nerva turned to leave, but the King stood up.

"Nerva alThor, you are to remain."

Nerva froze in his tracks. Wealthow looked at him anxiously.

"Dont let your temper get the better of you, Nerva." She said urgently. "Please. Its more than our lifes worth to lose you in this crucial task."

She gave him a final look of caution before the doors shut behind her. Nerva sighed and returned to face the kings court.

"How did you come to possess the power of knowing if the Shadow is in this world or not?" Rand yll Dinn asked. "Because, I have to admit, we are all intrigued. Sight and Ruwach provide extra vision for hidden enemies, but to detect one in such great distances?"

"The Shadow can possess you, Lord yll Dinn." Nerva replied. "If you are lucky to survive its grip, it leaves a piece of itself inside you. The piece shall always seek the whole, eager to become part of it again. In this process, the survivor can detect where the Shadow is."

"Do you mean to say" Sir Tiberius finally plucked up the courage to talk to his son. "That you have beenpossessedby this dark creature?"

Nerva didnt answer because it was already obvious. The High Elder hissed.

"How did you survive?" the duchess of Glast Heim inquired.

"Isidore Crane used Magnus Exorcismus on me." He answered.

"Can we be assured of your full cooperation on this, Nerva?" King Tristriam asked. "Because if ever Firnheild succeeds in stopping the pestilence in the north, you can be assured that I will lift all charges against you and return your freedomwith no strings attached."

"I OBJECT!" The High Elder screamed. "I OBJECT!"

"And what power do you have to overrule me, Lothair?" the king said, using the elders first name. "When did Geffen have authority to interfere with Pronteras decision?"

The High Elder slumped back to his seat. He was looking at Nerva with the utmost loathing. Nerva stared determinedly back, his eyes showing an even greater amount of dislike and hatred.

"Well, Nerva, I want to know your answer." Tristriam spoke.

Nerva shifted his gaze to the King. "In the honor of my soul, I swear to be at your service, majesty."

"Very well. I shall trust you." The king rose from his throne. "You may go. Good luck in Firnheilds task."

Without saying another word, Nerva swept from the room.



That night, all hell broke lose.