Sword of Stars

Chapter Eleven. Bosoms and Bribes.

“What you have done is the most completely, extraordinarily idiotic thing you two have ever done, do you…” the Lord Caster raved and ranted, throwing his arms up in the air as he paced back and forth behind his desk. His red face looked comical against the white of his beard.

Dyn and Ryn sat in big chairs in front of him as they were forced to listen. Oh Stars, we’ve really messed up this time. Thought Ryn as she fiddled nervously with a lock of her blonde hair. We’ll be kicked out of the tower and forbidden to use Heterochromancy again. Perhaps they’ll even tear out our eyes…

“…figure out a suitable punishment for you both.” Finished the Lord Caster.

“But you said it was the past. What does it matter if it’s already happened? What danger could that be?” Dyn spoke up.

“Because it holds secrets about powerful items and technology that still exist today. While well hidden, if they did somehow get discovered by the wrong people then they could unleash a blight upon the land.”

“We are truly sorry Lord Caster,” Ryn said timidly. “We would never tell anyone.”

“Oh really?” He replied with anger. “And what would happen if someone found out you knew? What’s stopping them from torturing it out of you?”

“I…  I never thought of that.” She said in shock. The sudden thought of brutish men doing horrible things to her and Dyn brought tears to her eyes.

“No you did not because you’re just kids.” He leaned forwards on his desk, his wrinkled face slowly dying down from the violent shade of beetroot. “You’re smarter than this, especially you Ryn. You need to stop being pressured into mischief when Dyn goes looking for it.”

“Hey! I’m not solely to blame here!” protested Dyn.

“I only go with you to keep you from getting into too much trouble!” Ryn yelled.

“Oh yeah? Who opened the last door to the book huh?” he retorted.

“Enough!” The Lord Caster boomed. Dyn and Ryn both jumped and their mouths snapped shut with a click. He began pacing again as he became lost in thought. After a few long minutes in silence he finally spoke. “I have no choice but to put you both in confinement where you can fully think about what you have done and the potential danger you have bought to the tower. I’ve banished people from the tower before for just attempting to get past that door. Consider yourselves lucky. Do you understand?”

They both nodded.

***

Garek inhaled deeply as they entered the lake side village. The smell of fish filled his nose and he suddenly hungered for the tasty fresh water fish he so loved. The port bells rang heartily in the air and an enthusiastic chatter from the people filled the town. A wagon rolled past guarded by two big mercenaries. Garek assumed it was full of fish ready to take to Feldor or Andrill or even Luene in the south-west. There, the fish merchant would sell the fish or trade for salt water fish to bring back to Feldor and the towns in-between.

Garek looked over to Aeryn beside him. Her face was scrunched up and she was breathing with her mouth partly open. She had made a remarkable recovery since the night when Khaos attacked. Garek had to assume Cecil had done a good job but the old man was still doubtful. He had examined her scars and used his Heterochromancy to try and detect anything within her but as far as he could tell she was perfectly healthy.

Aeryn giggled as a gang of barefoot children ran past throwing a ball between themselves and yelling in glee. A white fluffy dog was zigzagging in-between their little legs as it yipped its heart out. “Aww, it looks just like a dog we had at home back in Andrill.” Explained Aeryn. “General Barker was his name.” Garek and Cecil laughed at the clever name.