The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Ajax

Ajax held himself against the curved wall of the tower, listening as Mothlenor's footsteps drew closer. He could hear the low murmur of conversation and Ferrand's heavy footfall, and Ajax pressed himself closer to the bend in the stair where the illusionary wall had once stood, clutching a nearly empty bag to himself.

Great Ones preserve my brother, for finally drawing the dragon from his roost.

The pair drew closer, and Ajax held his breath as they neared his hiding spot. But they stopped at the landing that led out to the castle, and at the sound of the wooden door closing behind them, Ajax released the air burning his lungs.

If they had spotted me... Ajax thought, his heart pounding lightly against his chest. If he had been spotted, Ferrand would have run him through where he stood, and kicked his remains down the remaining stairs and into the dungeons.

After a quick peek to ensure the stair was empty, Ajax took the curved ascent to Mothlenor's chambers. Within moments, Ajax found himself at Mothlenor's Tower, testing the door. It was locked, but Ajax had expected as much. He slipped a short crowbar out of the bag, sliding it into the groove between the door and the frame. With a quick jerk and the sound of splintering wood, the door was freed. Ajax instinctively winced with the motion, expecting his sore ribs to protest. But they didn't, and Ajax let out a grateful sigh. I seem to be healing faster than Silvana had anticipated.

Ajax hesitated, suddenly nervous. That had not been the first time he had pried open a locked door. Every once in a while, some young child would inadvertently lock themselves away in a bedroom or privy, and panicked parents with no sense or no finances to keep extra keys around would run to the barracks or a nearby King's Guard for aid.

But this had been the first time he had broken into a place with the sole intention of theft. The idea left Ajax's stomach in knots.

Ajax straightened from his crouch, dropping the metal bar back into his bag. He stepped carefully over the threshold, eyes darting around the room before him. It was empty, looking nearly the same as it had the last time he had been in here. There were papers and books and rolled parchments stacked and piled precariously on every available surface. A small vat of simmering liquid sat on a three legged stool, tucked against one wall, and the small basin that Ajax had noticed before was now gone, perhaps moved elsewhere.

Ajax moved silently to the desk, shuffling papers and other items around delicately. The egg had been here, lying on top of some papers.

But it was gone.

Ajax began opening drawers within the desk, rifling through their contents, searching for the dragon's egg. I have to find it, for Nevina.

Ajax desperately tugged open the last drawer, hesitating when he saw the contents. The mysterious stone Mothlenor had shown Ajax sat on a silk pillow, dull and dark. Ajax reached for it, not sure if he wanted to touch it. He could remember Mothlenor's words, as he waved the brilliantly colored stone for Ajax to see.

"Do you like it? It can help me see things. Or people."

Could he use this to find the Coven? Or me, if I flee with the egg?

Ajax took a deep breath, not sure what might happen, and grabbed the stone with one shaky hand and pulled it from the drawer.

Nothing.

There was no reaction to his touch, and the stone remained dark and cool in his palm.

Ajax straightened, slipping the stone into a pocket, and began his search of the desk again.

"Return what you have taken, thief."

Ajax jumped at the sound of Mothlenor's voice, looking up to see the king towering in the doorway Ajax had come through. "M-my Lord!"