Shardfall, The Shardheld Saga, #1

CHAPTER 11 - RUNEMASTER

It took some time for Hraab to return, time the others spent sleeping, while Birthe fed Búi.

Muus sat staring at a spot on the wall where water leaked inside. Drip, drip, drip. The rhythm was blue in his head: water-blue, sky-blue. The skyshard filled his head, his being. A sea of blue; he only had to jump and all would be well. The sea rose, over the jetty in the harbor, over the stone quay, into the streets. It drowned the houses, the people, and the soldiers; crashed down the doors of the dungeon and gently brought him out, free. Free on board the waiting ship, free to go south, to Falrom, to... No. Not that way. Too many people would die, innocent people, friends. The skyshard burned on his chest. Images of tornadoes whirled past, bringing destruction, hail, fire, creating cover for them to escape. No. Not like that either. A hand shook his arm.

'Wake up. We're getting visitors. Put the stone away.' Muus opened his eyes and the warmth of the skyshard disappeared as he looked at Hraab.

'You're back.' Hastily he put the skyshard back in its pouch.

The boy grinned. ''Course I am. But wake up, there are people coming.'

'What kind of people? Soldiers?'

'Those, too. They're with someone important and two others. I don't know them, but they move with stealth. Quick, there they are.'

Outside the cell, keys jingled and then the door swing open. An older man stepped in. His hair was gray; his face lined and full of sorrow. He stopped in the middle of the cell and looked them over. What he saw seemed to reassure him, for he relaxed and closed the door behind him.

'Which one of you is the Holderling of Eidungruve?'

Kjelle brought his hand to his heart. 'I am, Kjelle Almansen.'

The stranger nodded. 'Welcome to Nidros. What was your business here at court?'

'I had a message to my Jarl, Dettrich of Dalland.'

'You walked up to the main gate and boldly asked for Dettrich, knowing he had committed regicide and fled like a coward. Why?'

'I didn't know anything about the King's death,' said Kjelle. 'We had just arrived over sea and went directly to the castle.'

The stranger pulled his lip. 'You came over sea. What ship?'

'The Madgund.'

'Yes, I saw her arrive. 'She's a familiar sight in Nidros. What is your message?'

Kjelle hesitated. 'It was meant for my Jarl's ear.'

The man raised his brows. 'Would you keep it a secret from the King?'

'Of course not,' said Kjelle. 'But the King is dead.'

'I am Logmar, King's Lendmann and Councilor. I speak with his voice.'

'Tell him,' said Muus and he saw the Lendmann turning his gaze upon him.

Kjelle sighed. Once more, he told everything, passing over the skyshard. He stressed the importance of the arrow feathers, emphasizing the part Rannar of Westhal played. While he spoke, Logmar's face became even more strained.

'This is bad,' said he when Kjelle had finished. 'Eidungruve's mine taken, Asgisla dead, Herigel's colors misused. Now the King lies murdered and Rannar is on his way hither.'

'To take the Crown,' said Birthe.

The councilor looked at her in surprise. 'You think he would be brazen enough to supplant Prince Ottil? I'd suppose he wanted the Regency and become the power behind the throne.'