The Ivory Star

Chapter 4

"You sent for me, my lord?" Brudge gasped, his breath whistling through his mashed nose.

Sneev cast him a heedless glance through the spears of morning sunlight filled with motes of dust slanting between them through the tall window of the library. "Aye, Brudge, I did." His eyes narrowed. "And you took your time coming."

Brudge blanched, stuttering, "My apologies, Lord Sneev—"

"Never mind. Save your platitudes this time." He leaned forward, resting an elbow on his spindly knee. "Now we need to make sure that the prisoners are comfortable and content, and ignorant of us for a little while longer. I expect my reply from the Master to be forthcoming. But these men are not fools. Last night's attack proved that the Red Priests already know of something has happened. They most certainly will want to use him for their own purposes."

"May we assume then, my lord," Brudge said, "that the Eagle Knights know of his coming as well?"

Sneev stroked his narrow chin. "I hadn't thought of that, my dear Brudge. Hah, but that is why I keep you in my service! You have a sharp wit! Yes, that is probably the case. Therefore we must strive to put these two at ease once again. They mustn't bolt before the Master informs me of his wishes. Who knows what powers The One possesses, after all?"

"Begging my lord's indulgence, but why not kill them yourself, right now, or have them killed. No one would ever find them, or even know they were here."

"Maxha knows, I would much like to slit their throats myself and give them to her as an offering." He sighed heavily. "But they are the Master's meat. He may have something special planned for them." He waved an indifferent hand. "In any case, I expect the Master's message at any time. Then it will be out of our hands."

"Aye my lord."

Sneev thought for a moment, then said, "Bring them to me."

* * *

"Why is this bloody door locked!" Angus roared as he slammed his fists into the groaning wood. "Honored guests, my arse! Ye gods, I feel like shit!" He stepped back, grabbing his aching skull.

Eric stood back, finishing the last of his exercises, an amused smile crossing his face as he watched the hapless door absorb Angus's rage and frustration.

Their bodies protested greatly the previous night's overindulgence, heads throbbing from the sweet tal, bowels bulging from the food. And both were exhausted from a nearly sleepless night.

"What next?" Angus grumbled. "Is some fire-breathing dragon gonna come down outta the clear blue and have us for brunch?"

Eric cracked a smile. "Perhaps."

Then they heard the key fitting into its hole, and the click of the lock.

"About bloody time!"

The door opened a crack, revealing the hideous face of the man outside. "You're disturbing the ladies with all this pointless ruckus, sirs. You are not prisoners."

Angus began to seethe, his anger having found a breathing outlet, his face reddening. "Then why was the door locked?"

Brudge did not flinch. "There is but one keyhole on this door, and it is on the outside, and there is only this one key. Either your door is locked from the outside, or it is not locked at all, and after last night's events, we merely assumed that you would prefer to have your door locked."

"Well, you assumed wrong," Angus growled.

"My apologies, sirs. It will not happen again. But if you will follow me, please, my lord wishes to speak with you. He awaits you in the library." Brudge bowed deeply, a ponderous gesture indeed as his paunch hung low.