Chapter 11
TERRAN
“I’m about to commit treason.”
For his part, Dren hardly reacted. For a Gyorian, he was unusually calm unless a battle brewed. I was certain I could tell him most anything, and he would simply tilt his head to the side and consider my words before responding.
We’d finished training, a shorter session than normal given my… other activities. Having spoken to Lord Valdric’s scribe, I was certain my guess was right.
The Stone was in Gyoria’s Royal Vault.
“Go on,” Dren said, as if I’d informed him obsidian was black.
“Lyra revealed little to my father, but her presence alone seemed to rattle him. When she mentioned The Unbalance, he all but threatened to kill her… after denying such a thing occurred.”
“Quakes without causes, sudden cracks in centuries-old rocks… surely he does not believe we cannot see the truth of it ourselves.”
“I’ve long ago stopped attempting to understand his thinking. Also, my father all but admitted there was something amiss in the Depths, and thanks to Lyra, I know what that something is.”
We walked from the training yard, an expansive field cleared for such a purpose, back to the palace. Righting the crevices and dirt disturbed during training along the way, I contemplated how much to tell him. I trusted Dren with my life, and had literally done so on more than one occasion.
The thought prompted me to continue.
“Apparently, he stole the Wind Crystal in order to close the Aetherian Gate, returned a fake to Galfrid, likely around the time of the Battle of the Eastern Border, and hid the real crystal in the Depths.”
At “stole the Wind Crystal,” Dren had stopped walking, his expression going from curious to disbelief.
“He… did what, precisely?”
“My guess, thinking more on it,” I said, fixing the final patch of dirt with a twist of my fingers, “is that all three relics were needed to open it in the first place. My father would never have willingly given permission for Galfrid to use the Stone, and I have no knowledge of it being stolen, but it’s the only explanation why my father would need the Crystal. ”
I could see Dren thinking.
“Elydor’s way of ensuring all of its clans agreed to opening such a portal?”
“Perhaps.”
Dren’s head shook in disbelief. “How did Galfrid get your father to agree to use the Stone? Or Queen Lirael to use the Tidal Pearl for such a purpose? And your father? How could he have possibly stolen the Wind Crystal from Aetheria? And what of the Tidal Pearl? Lirael would have been even less likely to allow him to use it for such a purpose than she would to aid Galfrid in opening it.” His rapid-fire questions were the same as mine had been.
“And the Depths? Impossible. How could your father hide the Crystal there? And who retrieved it?”
With each question, I watched Dren’s expression. As I had been, it was initially a surprise, but as the full impact of my father’s deception sunk in, anger began to manifest.
“I know none of those answers, but intend to,” I said. “More importantly, Lyra claims the Crystal’s retrieval is the reason the Depths have calmed. She believes the Stone is not safe with my father and begs me to retrieve it from him.”
“For what purpose?”
“She claims only to safeguard against an Unbalance that began when Princess Mevlida came through the Gate. Or maybe even when my father closed it.”
Dren looked me in the eyes, unwavering.
“What do you believe?”
There was just one logical conclusion.
“That she’s been sent by Galfrid, and my brother, to obtain the Stone of Mor’Vallis to reopen the Aetherian Gate.”
“Did you ask her about this intention?”
“Nay. I doubt she believes me, or a Gyorian, could work out such a conclusion.”
“Aetherians,” he muttered, as if it were a slur. Which, of course, it was. They believed, with their vast libraries and scholars, they were the sole keepers of knowledge, superior in intellect over all other Elydorians.
“The act of treason you mention,” he said, Dren’s voice lowered despite that none of our men were within range of being able to hear our conversation. “You intend to obtain it for her?”
“Retrieve our clan’s most precious relic for an Aetherian?
Nay.” I gave him a look that told my right hand how little I cared for his suggestion.
“But I do agree that my father’s actions have borderlined on zealousness, his lies concerning me more than even his behavior.
And that having the Stone in my possession may be necessary. ”
“You cannot use it,” he said, an obvious fact I’d not refute. Only my father, the most powerful Gyorian, could wield it.
“I don’t intend to try. But I will allow Lyra to come with me to retrieve it.”
That, apparently, was one step too far for Dren, who finally showed his impatience.
“I agree, as you know, your father has become dangerous, even to Gyoria. And do not disagree, taking the Stone may be wise; though if he finds out, I would not wish to be a part of that conversation. But why take her? I thought Balthor had banished her already? I assumed you escorted her from the palace?”
We resumed walking once again, the palace walls looming before us.
“She is inside my chamber.”
Dren’s jaw dropped.
“If Lyra really wants me to retrieve the Stone only to ‘rebalance the realm,’ she’ll act accordingly. If she tries to take it or use it in a way that reveals a greater plot, I’ll know. Bringing her will test Lyra’s trustworthiness and expose Balthor’s true plot.”
“Test her trustworthiness? She is Aetherian.”
I reminded my friend of words he’d spoken more than once.
“And yet, my brother has partnered with one.” I used Dren’s tone of voice. “Perhaps Prince Kael sees what you do not. A king who would damn us all. Are those words not yours?”
“Aye, but… Terran,” he argued, “if you are caught. If she deceives you and takes the Stone—”
“I will not be caught. I know where Father hid the Stone and mean to test my theory. As for Lyra, I would not worry about her taking it from me. Do you truly believe an Aetherian noblewoman can overpower me?”
I was not fond of Dren’s hesitation to answer the question.
“If she were any other? No. I do not. However…”
His voice trailed off as I glowered at him. Dren thought better of finishing the thought.
“Your brother partnered with an Aetherian woman. They are seductive. The one inside your chamber, particularly so to you.”
That he’d noticed also did not sit well.
“It matters not.”
“You don’t deny it?”
I nearly laughed aloud. Deny Lady Lyra was seductive? It would be akin to denying my father had descended into madness beginning the day my mother died.
“I do not ask permission,” I told him as we entered the palace gates. “Merely to advise you of my plan as I will need your aid.”
Dren didn’t hesitate. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll see it done.”
“Tonight,” I said, “I retrieve the Stone of Mor’Vallis. Here’s what I need you to do…”