The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Four





Silas stood at the end of the long table as the Dunarian Council sat before him within the fortress of Jekyll Rock. He hated how they talked openly as though he was not there, trying to decide if he should be going on a journey to find the Gatekeeper.

“He’s a target,” Myron Lloyd pointed out. “Someone wants him dead, so I don’t think it would be wise to send him out into the open like that.”

“I agree,” Darius Umar said from across the table. “There’s too much of a risk.”

Silas looked down at Inga, wishing the two of them could just leave the meeting to practice his magic and forget about the incident that happened only an hour before. She sat across from the Erellen, Lorcan Zamire, who had also been invited to sit in on the meeting of the council. All four of the mercenaries, Inga, Lorcan, Coffman and Alric, had been asked to take part in council meetings because of their expertise. Each of them had their strengths that could greatly benefit the Dunarians and Kaden had spotted the potential immediately. It was a desperate time for the Dunarians and they needed all the help they could get. In fact, Alric and Coffman had left the day before to accompany Councilwoman Nalani on her mission to Voelif. Silas, on the other hand, had been doing nothing but training for the past three months and he was ready to see some action, to accomplish what he was meant to do. It was time to find the Gatekeeper.

“We beat the assassin in the woods,” Silas said. “We can beat him again if we have to.”

“It’s not a matter of beating him again,” Darius retorted. He raised a finger at Silas. “He knows what he’s up against and he will be able to find another way to kill you. You aren’t ready to go out alone.”

It was Kaden’s turn to chime in. “I’m afraid you all forget that Silas is not under our control. He is his own man and can make his own decisions.”

Katherine Fallera spoke next. “Of course we aren’t here to tell him what to do, Kaden, but he should hear us out.”

“And I want to,” Silas said. “I just don’t think it’s as serious as you make it out to be.”

The council sat silently, acting as though Silas was a little child and he had said something cute. He was tired of being in Jekyll Rock. He loved training and learning more, but he had been made to stand before the council every week to report his progress. It was humiliating because he had not developed nearly as quickly as he thought he would, and he knew the council felt the same. He was the Meshulan, wasn’t he? He was supposed to be more powerful.

The meetings were not Kaden’s idea. Although he was the leader, he would not deny the request of the council to evaluate Silas. They wanted to know everything about the Meshulan and wanted to help him in his journey. Silas figured they just wanted to keep an eye on him, to make sure his loyalties held true. Many were uneasy about the fact that the prophecy did not specify which group the Meshulan would deliver. Obviously, the Humans assumed it would be them. The power of the Stühocs was growing despite of Silas’ defeat over General Maroke. The Stühoc king, Anithistor, needed no single general to keep his troops in order.

Silas let out an annoyed breath. This meeting had only been called to address concern over the assassin. Kaden felt it was his duty to tell them of what was going on and their reaction had not been very supportive. Silas figured they were getting a little antsy because he didn’t seem ready to be the Meshulan. Silas didn’t agree, of course. His magic abilities may have been next to worthless, but he was still an excellent fighter that carried a magnificent weapon. He held tight to the staff as he stood listening to the council talk. He glanced over at Dublin who sat in the corner, taking note of everything spoken. The old man never missed a word.

There were six council members remaining in all. The death of Ward Holden, and Julian’s absence, after he had taken the kingship in Farlaweer, had left the council shorthanded. With Nalani gone, it left only five at the table.

Eight members had been the chosen number by Garland Ainsley years before because he thought it was perfect. The council often voted on issues, and because of the number there were often four-to-four ties. Whenever there was a tie on an issue, it meant it was time to reevaluate and work on a new solution to whatever problem they faced. It called for long, arduous meetings, but it worked. Most votes would end with unanimous consent.

There had been no motion to add any new council members. Kaden had mentioned it to the council, but they said with the Meshulan here, there was no need to focus on such a thing. Kaden let them win, knowing it wasn’t worth the fight.

Silas wasn’t sure, but it often seemed as though Kaden didn’t completely trust the council. He never said it outright, but several conversations left Silas thinking that Kaden would be happy if there was no council at all. He never asked Kaden this, because there had never really been an appropriate time. He would, though. Sometime.

“I think we should elect one of our own to go with Silas,” Quincy Todd said. “Darius is an excellent fighter and tracker.”

“Darius needs to stay in control of the Dunarian Order,” Kaden said. “The soldiers need Darius’ leadership now more than ever, especially with the growing threat of the Stühocs. The troops need to be ready to fight at any moment.” He paused for a moment, to look at every one of them. “I’m going to take Silas to the Gatekeeper. He will not go alone.”

All of them looked up at Kaden, surprised.

“Your leadership is needed here,” Katherine Fallera said.

“I can best fulfill my duties in The Reckoning by accompanying Silas,” Kaden said. “I have been to the Gatekeeper before. I have seen him and I know where he has stayed in the past.”

“But that was years ago,” she came back. “How can you know that he is still there at all?”

Kaden stared at her for a long moment. “If you remember, it was Garland Ainsley that appointed me to be Silas’ protector in the first place. Why do you insist that I not go?”

“Because you are the leader. We need you here.”

“Not been much of one lately,” Quincy Todd added, from his seat. The round, short man huffed. “Of course you want to go out.”

Kaden gave him a warning glare. “What do you mean by that?”

“I simply mean that you’ve been out of the walls of Jekyll Rock more than you’ve been in them lately. Do you know how many meetings we’ve had without you here? You’re supposed to run these meetings! We do a lot more than The Reckoning. In case you haven’t noticed, we run an entire city of people. They have problems, problems that we have to address on a daily basis. You’re rarely here to help, much less lead.”

“We have a mission to do,” Kaden said. “Our biggest goal is to help Silas accomplish what he needs to do, and right now, that’s to find the Gatekeeper.”

“He doesn’t need you to do that,” Quincy said.

Kaden slammed his fist against the table. “He does!” The shout echoed off the walls of the large room. Even Dublin sat in a stunned silence.

Kaden closed his eyes for a moment and breathed slowly, collecting himself and calming his nerves. “He needs my help, and he’s going to get it,” he said softly. “I’m sorry that I’ve been away from the council dealings so much, but you know what I must do.”

Each of them looked at Silas, studying him, probably wondering what the young man could ever actually do for them.

“Yes, a city was built in our name. Yes, we must take care of our people, but we must not forget that we are here only to pave a way for Silas to do what he needs to do. If Silas doesn’t accomplish his goal, it’s not going to be because we didn’t help him.”

“I say we put it to a vote,” Darius said. “I think it would be wise for someone other than Kaden to go with Silas. I personally think you need a rest, Kaden.”

Kaden’s jaw clenched at the man’s words. “This meeting’s adjourned.”

“We’re voting on this,” Katherine said. She looked down her sharp nose at Kaden in an attempt at finality.

“This meeting’s adjourned!” Kaden repeated. “I do not have to discuss this with you any further. I’m leaving with Silas in the morning. I do not need the council’s approval to do this. You are all dismissed.”

Each of them stared daggers into Kaden. Silas didn’t know what to think about what he had just seen. The council was on edge and he wasn’t sure why. What was the big deal? The trip would take no time at all. It was troubling that the council seemed determined to prevent Kaden from going with Silas. Everyone stood and the four council members wordlessly made their way to the exit, followed by Dublin. Kaden stood at the end of the table, looking at Inga, Lorcan and Silas.

“I’d say that was one of the more entertaining meetings I’ve sat in on,” Lorcan said.

Inga slapped him on the arm and he jerked back with a smile. Silas ignored this.

“I’m glad that you’re going with me, Kaden.”

Kaden looked up from the table. “Inga and Lorcan, you will accompany us in the morning won’t you?”

They both nodded. “Good. The four of us is all the team we need.”

“It’s not like you haven’t been gone before,” Silas said. “Why are they giving us a hard time?”

“I think there’s more going on here than a group of four people wanting me to stay behind for budget meetings and the like.” He took a deep breath. “I fear that something Julian has told me may be correct after all.”

Puzzled faces stared at Kaden, waiting for an explanation, but none came. This was not the time nor the place to explain what Julian was working on. There was no proof of their betrayal yet, and until there was, Kaden would say nothing.

“Just make sure you keep your chamber doors locked tonight.”