Teajan: Return

Chapter Three

Terrus Vycian

Vycian Keep, Blackrift

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" Dear Terrus Vycian, Brenin of Blackrift,

   His grand majesty, the Emperor Dracius II, calls for all his lords to send their firstborn children, who have seen their tenth year pass, to the ancient palace of Teajan to behold the annual arrival of Nethraskan delegates , and celebrate the thirteenth year since Prince Racius's birth .

With high regards,

Jale Vithros, Steward to the Emperor "

The messenger finished reading, and proceeded to look at his boots which were in poor condition, laden with mud, and his left one was ripped at the sole, exposing his small toe, rotted to nearly a stump. The man looked poorer than a wounded deer, his lips cracked and caked in dried blood as if he hadn't drank in days. His bones visible beneath a layer of dirt and a thinner layer of skin. His fingernails were long, dirty and yellowing more than the teeth that hung from his thin bleeding gums.

"You are a poor man?" I inquired wishing to know the reasons for his condition.

"Yes, milord tis true. My home was Jiral, but Jiral was sacked by the White Fox..." He said in a heavy, troubled voice.

"Very few manage to escape The White Fox, it is said the only possession he won't take is your body. How did you manage to escape, I am curious?" I asked, now suspicious that the messenger could be an agent for the notorious, unidentified warlord.

"Milord, I was delivering a message to Sesak Porr. To the Admiral Flent. When I returned there was nothing but ash and flesh, I looked for survivors but there was no telling who was who... Everyone, everything all mutilated and burned. I ran all the way to Paladin's Home. But there was nothing they could do." The messenger fell to his knees in tears after uttering the final words. These tears evidence that my suspicions were false, many who had lost loved ones to the mysterious White Fox shed his same tears on street corners, inn tables, and the swords some threw themselves on.

I then stood from my throne putting my hands on my knees to push myself up, my back strained as I stood. "Fifty seven." I said making my way past the man to the armoire in the far corner of the study pausing by the window to look at some Khials preach to a group of young boys while walking along the main stone street that ran the from the east to the west, by the cuts on one lads face he had inquired about gods other than the Emperor and his family. Questions perceived as Heresy often resulted in a slashing. I continued towards the armoire when I saw all but one of the children turn around as the Khials draw their knives.

  "Fifty seven years I've been alive, fifty seven times I have seen the red moon envelope the white moon, fifty seven years I have been a citizen of this empire, I've lived through war, I've lived through disease, I've lived to bury three of my children, my parents, two brothers and my only sister. I've taken life on the battlefield and given life to sick children. I've seen emperors die, take the throne, get married and have sons who will succeed them."

   I grabbed a purse of gold and a key from the armoire while catching my breath. "I've lived a life full of things to fear, and forces that will destroy. But nothing, no war, no sickness, no death is as gruesome as the White Fox. What he is, who he is, where he is I don't know. But what I do know is that he has stolen from you. He has stolen from many but by your luck you missed one of his attacks. This is a key to a house on the far side of town, there is a bed, a table and a hearth, stay there for as long as you will just return the key when you decide you no longer want it, I will not deny you a home, nor will I deny you the coin to purchase what you need to survive so take this purse of gold." I said giving the messenger the items.

  The man fell to his knees in tears and shock. His thin grey hair falling like a curtain around his face. He stayed there blundering for a few minutes before standing up to grab the items, "Thank you oh kind Brenin. Your kindness and grace is not just a rumor it is truthful as the sun, I will always remember this day." He thanked.

With that the messenger limped hurriedly from the room, I walked to the desk where the messenger had set the letter picked it up and upon rereading it briskly walked to the guard by the doorway, "Halost," I said.

The guard straightened and looked at me, "yes, my Lord?" He asked his voice as thunderous as his face scarred.

  "Bring me Talixa and Tivaus." I answered, smiling as I realized that my daughter was right when she said I naturally said their names in order of age.

As Halost walked away I remembered my conversation concerning the White Fox, "And bring me your brother!"