(no subject)
For general purposes of making certain things available to some people, I'm republishing a piece of fanfic that I wrote about 10 years ago. It's David Eddings fanfic, and his recent death made me remember the stuff I wrote in his universe.
Beloved Disciple
The rat-faced little man stood silently in the shadows, his face set in
a slightly worried expression. Things had gone smoothly tonight...much
too smoothly. Perfect capers set his teeth on edge. There was always
_something_ that was missed on a normal expedition like this, and
everything tonight had been too convenient. He hadn't even had to
persuade any strays that leaving the diplomatic function taking place
below wasn't the wisest course of action. And there were _always_
strays wandering about at Tolnedran affairs...if only to sniff out the
coffers of their host. He hadn't seen a soul since he'd left the
ballroom.
He became a shadow, distinguishable from the natural shadows of the room
only because of his mobility, and edged toward the ornate door that
closed off the upper end of the landing. He lightly pulled on the
handle, found it was locked, and extracted a small set of thin tools
from inside his doublet. Quickly choosing one, he picked the lock and
slipped into the dark chamber beyond.
Keeping to the wall, he silently moved toward the far end of the room, a
nagging feeling of...wrongness...echoing in his mind. And then the
lamps were lit.
"Can I help you find something, your Highness?" a deliberately too-sweet
voice asked from the center of the room. Kheldar turned.
"Vekra," he spoke with the bravado of a thief caught in the act. "Lovely
house you've got here."
"You aren't here to examine the architecture, Silk," the tall,
sable-haired woman replied, arching one eyebrow. "What are you after?"
Kheldar searched her violet eyes, trying to determine just where on her
hit list he stood. He sighed resignedly.
"I suppose it's best to be honest in this situation, Vekra. It goes
against just about every principle Drasnians hold dear, but I have a
feeling that I have a better chance of getting what I want by asking
you."
"Then why did you decide to burglarize my...never mind. I know
you...you did it to keep in practice. Ask me what, Kheldar?" the Nadrak
woman asked guardedly. She knew better than to take anything the little
Drasnian said at face value.
"Kheva needs to see a certain document..."
"You mean Porenn wants to see a certain document, don't you?"
"Kheva no longer has a regent, Vekra. He's quite capable of running his
kingdom himself."
"Don't play coy, Silk," Vekra said irritably. "I'm well aware of who's
really running the Intelligence Service since the dismantling of the
Regency. Khendon's almost in hysterics most days from trying to figure
out which of his agents is really his and which are working for the
queen bee at the same time."
"Very impressive. I won't ask who you're paying."
"Thank you for the courtesy," Vekra answered. "But I'm not. I do have
other methods, you know."
Kheldar blinked. "Yes, I'd almost forgotten about that." His face took
on a sly expression. "How loyal are you to Drosta? I'm sure that either
Porenn or Khendon would pay very well for someone with your talents."
She only sighed and shook her head. "Kheldar, you know better. I was
_assigned_ to Drosta. And you know who assigned me. Do _you_ want to
go tell him you're planning on hiring me away?"
Silk privately thought he'd have a fairly good chance, but decided to
drop the matter. "Forget it. Now about that document..."
Silk was mildly irritated when she began to laugh and spoke to the
ceiling. "Drasnians! All right, Kheldar, follow me. I probably owe
Porenn more information at this point than she owes me anyway. Although
I expect you to remind her that this cancels _all_ of my debts to date."
"Of course, Vekra dear," Silk assured her smoothly, moving to help her
through the doorway.
She glanced back at him, then at his hands. "I'd suggest behaving
yourself, Kheldar. I _am_ a Nadrak, and I haven't given up my
daggers...they're just hidden rather better than the average Nadrak
woman hides them. Besides, I believe your lovely dimpled wife would be
rather displeased. Think about it, won't you?"
Silk nonchalantly clasped his hands behind his back as they approached
the doorway. The woman's daggers he could dodge, but he had to live
with Liselle, and he couldn't stay awake forever.
The tall Angarak woman led Silk up a series of stairs, into a winding
corridor that seemed to follow the outside contour of the large house.
Shadows dominated this place, and as the corridor began to lead into the
interior of the dwelling and the windows which ushered the light of the
full moon inside dwindled behind them, the darkness became complete.
The Drasnian heard a slight sound ahead of him as a faint glow erupted,
seeming to float at the height of a tall man's head.
"Kheldar, put this on," Vekra said as she handed him a long piece of
dyed linen. "I think I'd feel more secure if you didn't know exactly
where I keep my more sensitive information."
"I'm hurt, my lady!" Silk replied in an aggrieved tone as insincere as a
Nyissan's promise. "The very thought that I would be so churlish as
to..."
"Did anyone ever tell you that you have a tendency to overact, Kheldar?"
Silk flashed her a wide grin and, borrowing a page from Beldin's book,
said, "Ah, me darlin', I do b'lieve that nasty rumor's been bandied
aboot oncet 'r twice!"
Vekra spoke as she shook her head slowly, "Sometimes I think the only
thing about my master that I'll never understand is the affection he
feels for _you_, Kheldar."
"The product of a long and fruitful accquaintance, my dear. You may
have noticed just a _bit_ of my influence in him."
"It's the despair of the established priesthood," she replied. "The old
guard Grolims are used to cold, humorless Torak, or paranoid,
monomaniacal Urvon. They can't quite get used to him occasionally
bantering with them as if they were lifelong travelling companions."
Once she was certain of the fastness of the blindfold, Vekra led Silk
through another maze of rooms and corridors, stopping once to spring a
hidden catch which caused a section of wall to slide back.
"Hidden doors, Vekra? Incredibly amateurish."
"I didn't design the house, Kheldar, so don't grouse at me. It's
typical for Tolnedran construction. Wouldn't want all that gold just
lying where anyone can find it, you know."
"Still...I'd think with your advantages you could find other ways to
keep things hidden," Silk said with just the slightest tone of
curiousity.
"Didn't you learn anything from Belgarath in the forty-odd years you've
known him?" she asked, tired of this particular fishing expedition.
Kheldar had been trying to pin down the limits of her abilities almost
since they'd met. "It takes as much effort to do it that way as it does
the normal way. There's really no need to use that method unless you
must."
Silk sighed theatrically. "How prosaic. I'm really very disappointed in
you, Vekra."
"You'll survive. Come on," she said, leading him through the secret
opening and up another flight of steps.
They stopped in a circular room, obviously inside one of the towers
which made up the corners of the house. Vekra removed the blindfold
from the wiry spy and moved to a locked armoire at the far end of the
room.
"Here," she said, handing Silk the document in question. "I assume
that's the one Porenn wants. I imagine that the trade agreements
Drosta's made with Zakath are rather vital to the Drasnian economy."
"On the nose, my dear, on the nose," Silk murmured as he skimmed the
pages. "If you can let me have this for an hour..."
Vekra arched an eyebrow and answered, "Not a chance, your highness.
That document doesn't leave this room and I'm not leaving you here
alone."
"But I need the information..."
She reached out for the pages. "Give me those. I'll take care of it."
Vekra spread the pages out on the desk to the right of the door, then
placed a sheaf of blank pages beside them. She began to skim the
originals line by line, humming as she did. Marks appeared on the blank
pages, in a pattern identical to those in the original agreements.
After finishing the last page, she handed both original and copy to
Silk.
"Check them. We want to make sure Porenn gets an accurate copy."
Silk quickly read the two together for accuracy, nodded, and pocketed
the copy.
"Thank you, Vekra," he said, handing her the original. "Porenn will
appreciate this."
"Just remember to remind her that our accounts are settled now. We're
even and any further information from either one will put the other in
debt again."
"I will. Shouldn't you get back to your party now? Tolnedrans are so
sensitive to snubs."
"Blindfold on, Kheldar," she said, her voice brooking no opposition.
"You're coming down with me. I'm not stupid enough to leave you in my
'treasure-house' without supervision. As a matter of fact, I think I'll
see you to the door. I wouldn't want you to come down with an
unexplained attack of absentmindedness and get lost in the corridors."
Silk sighed and tied the blindfold behind his head once again.
---------
After escorting Silk to the street then erecting a barrier specific to
uninvited guests, Vekra returned to her ball, alternately flattering and
flirting with the cream of Tol Honeth society. As with all Tolnedran
social affairs, the festivities lasted into the early morning, and the
last guest left just before sunrise.
After ushering the stragglers through the door, Vekra ascended to the
same room that she'd led Silk to the night before. Cleverly designed to
convince someone not familiar with the plans that it was situated in one
of the towers, it was actually in the very center of the house, on the
second floor. Almost the entire second story was taken up by a maze of
corridors and stairs. A staircase would go up, seemingly to the next
floor, but the corridor beyond sloped almost imperceptibly downward
until it was on the general level of the second floor once again and
looped back to that same set of stairs. The illusion of as many stories
as desired could be created merely by taking your blindfolded guest
through this loop any number of times. The "tower room" was near the
bottom of the trick steps. A set of _real_ steps to the real third
floor was concealed beyond another hidden door set beside the one into
the false "tower". It was truly ingenious for Tolnedran construction.
She was fairly certain a Nyissan architect had taken a hand in it.
She entered the illusion room and moved to the armoire, opening the
doors. She moved to the back of the heavy wardrobe and opened another
hidden door, which led into a set of stairs going upward.
At the head of the stairs, the woman known as Vekra entered a small,
quiet room, furnished simply, and sat at the window, facing east, her
head tilted upward.
*Master* she thought.
A strong, clear voice made itself heard in her mind. *Polarenn.*
*I gave Drosta's trade agreement to the little thief, as you
instructed. Is there anything specific you want me to watch for in Tol
Honeth?*
*No, Polarenn. I sense that you want to return to Gar Og Nadrak. You
may leave Tol Honeth whenever you want.*
*Thank you, Master* she thought, then after a slight hesitation,
continued. *Master, how loyal am I supposed to be to Drosta?*
*As if you were actually working for him. Why?*
*Then why am I betraying him to Porenn?*
*Because _I_ have loyalties to Porenn and Kheva that supersede yours to
Drosta. Kheva is probably the only person in the world who can claim to
have slid down the bannisters with a future god.* She could feel the
smile on his face. *Remember, Polarenn, that your duties to Drosta are
temporary. Once the wheel of time turns far enough, there will be a
king of the Nadraks that I can trust on the throne and your duty to
Drosta will be done.*
*I understand, Master.*
*And Polarenn...*
*Yes, Master?*
*Please drop that title. I'm Eriond. I always have been and always
will be. I'm sure you can remember who you work for without having to
remind yourself every time you address me.* Now she was sure he was
smiling as he spoke to her.
*Yes, Ma...Eriond.*
*That's better. Now get some sleep. You've had a long night and you're
leaving for Yar Nadrak tomorrow.*
*Thank you, Eriond. I will.* She smiled herself as she broke contact
and proceeded to do as instructed. She knew he was right. It was a
long way to Yar Nadrak, even with her "advantages."
Beloved Disciple
The rat-faced little man stood silently in the shadows, his face set in
a slightly worried expression. Things had gone smoothly tonight...much
too smoothly. Perfect capers set his teeth on edge. There was always
_something_ that was missed on a normal expedition like this, and
everything tonight had been too convenient. He hadn't even had to
persuade any strays that leaving the diplomatic function taking place
below wasn't the wisest course of action. And there were _always_
strays wandering about at Tolnedran affairs...if only to sniff out the
coffers of their host. He hadn't seen a soul since he'd left the
ballroom.
He became a shadow, distinguishable from the natural shadows of the room
only because of his mobility, and edged toward the ornate door that
closed off the upper end of the landing. He lightly pulled on the
handle, found it was locked, and extracted a small set of thin tools
from inside his doublet. Quickly choosing one, he picked the lock and
slipped into the dark chamber beyond.
Keeping to the wall, he silently moved toward the far end of the room, a
nagging feeling of...wrongness...echoing in his mind. And then the
lamps were lit.
"Can I help you find something, your Highness?" a deliberately too-sweet
voice asked from the center of the room. Kheldar turned.
"Vekra," he spoke with the bravado of a thief caught in the act. "Lovely
house you've got here."
"You aren't here to examine the architecture, Silk," the tall,
sable-haired woman replied, arching one eyebrow. "What are you after?"
Kheldar searched her violet eyes, trying to determine just where on her
hit list he stood. He sighed resignedly.
"I suppose it's best to be honest in this situation, Vekra. It goes
against just about every principle Drasnians hold dear, but I have a
feeling that I have a better chance of getting what I want by asking
you."
"Then why did you decide to burglarize my...never mind. I know
you...you did it to keep in practice. Ask me what, Kheldar?" the Nadrak
woman asked guardedly. She knew better than to take anything the little
Drasnian said at face value.
"Kheva needs to see a certain document..."
"You mean Porenn wants to see a certain document, don't you?"
"Kheva no longer has a regent, Vekra. He's quite capable of running his
kingdom himself."
"Don't play coy, Silk," Vekra said irritably. "I'm well aware of who's
really running the Intelligence Service since the dismantling of the
Regency. Khendon's almost in hysterics most days from trying to figure
out which of his agents is really his and which are working for the
queen bee at the same time."
"Very impressive. I won't ask who you're paying."
"Thank you for the courtesy," Vekra answered. "But I'm not. I do have
other methods, you know."
Kheldar blinked. "Yes, I'd almost forgotten about that." His face took
on a sly expression. "How loyal are you to Drosta? I'm sure that either
Porenn or Khendon would pay very well for someone with your talents."
She only sighed and shook her head. "Kheldar, you know better. I was
_assigned_ to Drosta. And you know who assigned me. Do _you_ want to
go tell him you're planning on hiring me away?"
Silk privately thought he'd have a fairly good chance, but decided to
drop the matter. "Forget it. Now about that document..."
Silk was mildly irritated when she began to laugh and spoke to the
ceiling. "Drasnians! All right, Kheldar, follow me. I probably owe
Porenn more information at this point than she owes me anyway. Although
I expect you to remind her that this cancels _all_ of my debts to date."
"Of course, Vekra dear," Silk assured her smoothly, moving to help her
through the doorway.
She glanced back at him, then at his hands. "I'd suggest behaving
yourself, Kheldar. I _am_ a Nadrak, and I haven't given up my
daggers...they're just hidden rather better than the average Nadrak
woman hides them. Besides, I believe your lovely dimpled wife would be
rather displeased. Think about it, won't you?"
Silk nonchalantly clasped his hands behind his back as they approached
the doorway. The woman's daggers he could dodge, but he had to live
with Liselle, and he couldn't stay awake forever.
The tall Angarak woman led Silk up a series of stairs, into a winding
corridor that seemed to follow the outside contour of the large house.
Shadows dominated this place, and as the corridor began to lead into the
interior of the dwelling and the windows which ushered the light of the
full moon inside dwindled behind them, the darkness became complete.
The Drasnian heard a slight sound ahead of him as a faint glow erupted,
seeming to float at the height of a tall man's head.
"Kheldar, put this on," Vekra said as she handed him a long piece of
dyed linen. "I think I'd feel more secure if you didn't know exactly
where I keep my more sensitive information."
"I'm hurt, my lady!" Silk replied in an aggrieved tone as insincere as a
Nyissan's promise. "The very thought that I would be so churlish as
to..."
"Did anyone ever tell you that you have a tendency to overact, Kheldar?"
Silk flashed her a wide grin and, borrowing a page from Beldin's book,
said, "Ah, me darlin', I do b'lieve that nasty rumor's been bandied
aboot oncet 'r twice!"
Vekra spoke as she shook her head slowly, "Sometimes I think the only
thing about my master that I'll never understand is the affection he
feels for _you_, Kheldar."
"The product of a long and fruitful accquaintance, my dear. You may
have noticed just a _bit_ of my influence in him."
"It's the despair of the established priesthood," she replied. "The old
guard Grolims are used to cold, humorless Torak, or paranoid,
monomaniacal Urvon. They can't quite get used to him occasionally
bantering with them as if they were lifelong travelling companions."
Once she was certain of the fastness of the blindfold, Vekra led Silk
through another maze of rooms and corridors, stopping once to spring a
hidden catch which caused a section of wall to slide back.
"Hidden doors, Vekra? Incredibly amateurish."
"I didn't design the house, Kheldar, so don't grouse at me. It's
typical for Tolnedran construction. Wouldn't want all that gold just
lying where anyone can find it, you know."
"Still...I'd think with your advantages you could find other ways to
keep things hidden," Silk said with just the slightest tone of
curiousity.
"Didn't you learn anything from Belgarath in the forty-odd years you've
known him?" she asked, tired of this particular fishing expedition.
Kheldar had been trying to pin down the limits of her abilities almost
since they'd met. "It takes as much effort to do it that way as it does
the normal way. There's really no need to use that method unless you
must."
Silk sighed theatrically. "How prosaic. I'm really very disappointed in
you, Vekra."
"You'll survive. Come on," she said, leading him through the secret
opening and up another flight of steps.
They stopped in a circular room, obviously inside one of the towers
which made up the corners of the house. Vekra removed the blindfold
from the wiry spy and moved to a locked armoire at the far end of the
room.
"Here," she said, handing Silk the document in question. "I assume
that's the one Porenn wants. I imagine that the trade agreements
Drosta's made with Zakath are rather vital to the Drasnian economy."
"On the nose, my dear, on the nose," Silk murmured as he skimmed the
pages. "If you can let me have this for an hour..."
Vekra arched an eyebrow and answered, "Not a chance, your highness.
That document doesn't leave this room and I'm not leaving you here
alone."
"But I need the information..."
She reached out for the pages. "Give me those. I'll take care of it."
Vekra spread the pages out on the desk to the right of the door, then
placed a sheaf of blank pages beside them. She began to skim the
originals line by line, humming as she did. Marks appeared on the blank
pages, in a pattern identical to those in the original agreements.
After finishing the last page, she handed both original and copy to
Silk.
"Check them. We want to make sure Porenn gets an accurate copy."
Silk quickly read the two together for accuracy, nodded, and pocketed
the copy.
"Thank you, Vekra," he said, handing her the original. "Porenn will
appreciate this."
"Just remember to remind her that our accounts are settled now. We're
even and any further information from either one will put the other in
debt again."
"I will. Shouldn't you get back to your party now? Tolnedrans are so
sensitive to snubs."
"Blindfold on, Kheldar," she said, her voice brooking no opposition.
"You're coming down with me. I'm not stupid enough to leave you in my
'treasure-house' without supervision. As a matter of fact, I think I'll
see you to the door. I wouldn't want you to come down with an
unexplained attack of absentmindedness and get lost in the corridors."
Silk sighed and tied the blindfold behind his head once again.
---------
After escorting Silk to the street then erecting a barrier specific to
uninvited guests, Vekra returned to her ball, alternately flattering and
flirting with the cream of Tol Honeth society. As with all Tolnedran
social affairs, the festivities lasted into the early morning, and the
last guest left just before sunrise.
After ushering the stragglers through the door, Vekra ascended to the
same room that she'd led Silk to the night before. Cleverly designed to
convince someone not familiar with the plans that it was situated in one
of the towers, it was actually in the very center of the house, on the
second floor. Almost the entire second story was taken up by a maze of
corridors and stairs. A staircase would go up, seemingly to the next
floor, but the corridor beyond sloped almost imperceptibly downward
until it was on the general level of the second floor once again and
looped back to that same set of stairs. The illusion of as many stories
as desired could be created merely by taking your blindfolded guest
through this loop any number of times. The "tower room" was near the
bottom of the trick steps. A set of _real_ steps to the real third
floor was concealed beyond another hidden door set beside the one into
the false "tower". It was truly ingenious for Tolnedran construction.
She was fairly certain a Nyissan architect had taken a hand in it.
She entered the illusion room and moved to the armoire, opening the
doors. She moved to the back of the heavy wardrobe and opened another
hidden door, which led into a set of stairs going upward.
At the head of the stairs, the woman known as Vekra entered a small,
quiet room, furnished simply, and sat at the window, facing east, her
head tilted upward.
*Master* she thought.
A strong, clear voice made itself heard in her mind. *Polarenn.*
*I gave Drosta's trade agreement to the little thief, as you
instructed. Is there anything specific you want me to watch for in Tol
Honeth?*
*No, Polarenn. I sense that you want to return to Gar Og Nadrak. You
may leave Tol Honeth whenever you want.*
*Thank you, Master* she thought, then after a slight hesitation,
continued. *Master, how loyal am I supposed to be to Drosta?*
*As if you were actually working for him. Why?*
*Then why am I betraying him to Porenn?*
*Because _I_ have loyalties to Porenn and Kheva that supersede yours to
Drosta. Kheva is probably the only person in the world who can claim to
have slid down the bannisters with a future god.* She could feel the
smile on his face. *Remember, Polarenn, that your duties to Drosta are
temporary. Once the wheel of time turns far enough, there will be a
king of the Nadraks that I can trust on the throne and your duty to
Drosta will be done.*
*I understand, Master.*
*And Polarenn...*
*Yes, Master?*
*Please drop that title. I'm Eriond. I always have been and always
will be. I'm sure you can remember who you work for without having to
remind yourself every time you address me.* Now she was sure he was
smiling as he spoke to her.
*Yes, Ma...Eriond.*
*That's better. Now get some sleep. You've had a long night and you're
leaving for Yar Nadrak tomorrow.*
*Thank you, Eriond. I will.* She smiled herself as she broke contact
and proceeded to do as instructed. She knew he was right. It was a
long way to Yar Nadrak, even with her "advantages."