Iron of the Innocent: The Dark Judge (Vol 1)

Chapter 15: No Choice

274 I.C.
Balindos
Caegoroth Kingdom
Cor Wresgoth Estate

It was the third day after Shydler refused Silence. Thoughts of the woman and her threats lingered far into the next, and it was not until the absence of Leena that his mind was drawn back to the reality of the moment. She was to have returned the following day, but no one heard from her since she departed for Gilstoth. She had been gone for two days, and Shydler was extremely worried. Shydler knew she traveled with a number from Wresgoth, but that was no guarantee she would return safely.

Standing on the balcony in his room, the late afternoon arrived in the midst of his thoughts. Another day passed with no word. The partly cloudy sky was blue with white clouds. Shydler's skin felt the warm southern air. He gritted his teeth as emotions swirled around him. He was worried, anxious, frustrated, and angry. Somehow, someway enemies from his past found him. They had been able to reach him after all that he did to keep himself safe.

His mind raced back over the last couple of years, trying to think of what might have allowed the minions of that make believe deity to locate him. He rested both hands on the rail and lowered his head in deep thought. The power of his magic was not in question. There would be no way a scryer would have been able to see him. There had to be something he missed, something he had overlooked.

* * * * *

Two years previously...

Shydler Cor Mezar, the Arch Duke of Comonlia, loyal friend of Queen Shatri, stood in the presence of the King of Argandos and listened politely. Shydler wondered if the king would ever realize how much of a jack ass he was with all his pompous deeds. The king was a ridiculous man with ridiculous ambitions. Shydler looked over at Sloan and raised his eyebrows as the king's apparent plans came to the forefront. Sloan returned the gaze and both knew just exactly what the other was thinking. The Lord of Comonlia glanced over at Gaun as the crowd clapped with enthusiasm. His face was flushed red, and his sweaty countenance appeared like it was about to split down the center. Shydler would like to see that along with his body swinging, hung in his favorite tree.

Shydler stayed away from Gaun as much as possible. The man was an embarrassment and a liability to all the nobles of Vabanion. His antics were inexcusable, but the nobles of Vabanion tolerated Gaun. His stupidity took the heat off of everyone else, and they could go about their business without too much scrutiny from the arch duke or his brother, the king. Gaun was basically a patsy. He was always to blame, the man clawed at everyone's nerves, and they excluded him as much as possible from state business. Shydler was beginning to think Gaun was going crazy anyway. He spent the majority of his time in seclusion or in a brothel. He had probably picked up some strange venereal disease. Shydler hoped it was a really nasty one that would do away with him.

Sloan again glanced over at Shydler when the Queen of Argandos began her speech to support the king's assertions. Sloan started out as a lackey, a servant of Lord Voltrice, and Shydler even had a confrontation with the brash, arrogant young man. The years had done wonders with him, though, and he had become a noble. Shydler felt he could trust him, but only so far. They were business partners, and Sloan became one of the most important distributors for Shydler's products.

Sloan trained thieves and assassins for Shydler, and he had even trained an apprentice to send to Sloan in return. Their relationship was based mostly on business, but Sloan was growing on Shydler.  Shydler was beginning to enjoy Sloan's sense of humor and particular tastes. The Lord of Comonlia was beginning to hope to strengthen their relationship, more on the level of friendship. Sloan would be a valued ally in business as well as in personal matters.

Shydler's thoughts wandered to his friends Voltrice and Korla. He would have to go and visit them someday soon. It had been a long time since he had seen them. He wondered how their daughter was doing. They had been nobles in Talanthis along with Shydler before the Argandos takeover. It had been one of the worst days in Shydler's life.