The Silver Isles Kingdom

Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Veshua was up late. He couldn't sleep. Even with the safety of his army around his castle and the enemy yet far off, he couldn't sleep. Haunted by the voice of the man whom he had placed in control of Lo Bon, someone that was supposed to be an adversary he would deal with, not realizing until later that he was a mage that would ultimately be his downfall. But the mage from the isles he had become familiar with suddenly was at his heels. Bearing down on him even more, despite his desire to fight to the end, the voice haunted and taunted him even more.

Fight to the end? Really? You honestly think that you will have an ending that will be glorious? You're going to die, Veshua! Even without magic, that mage can still kill you before you can even raise your sword!

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You're nothing more than a voice in my head! You know nothing of my capabilities! Leave me alone!" Veshua yelled at the unseen oppressor.

The emperor sat in a large chair. He knew what was coming and didn't need any chastising from a voice that seemed to be calling from the grave. Nothing he tried could put his mind at ease, even if the voice would be silent, he was still unnerved by what was to come. Only hoping that the mage wasn't as powerful as the voice and others claimed. All he wanted was silence to be able to forge a plan to escape or even fool the mage into surrendering. Or at least let down his guard so he, Veshua, could kill him. Dying would then be less painful if he could take the mage with him.

You worthless low life! The voice said again. There's no possible nor probable way of you to defeat him in any way. He'll know of your trickery before you even plot it! I even knew you were plotting against me. It doesn't take a psychic to know your thougts. I knew because that's the kind of man you are. You are worthless!

"Shut up, I said! Shut up! Leave me be! You hear me! Leave me be!"

A knock came to his chamber door.

"WHAT!?!"

The door opened and one of his new scouts entered. "Begging your pardon my lord, but I couldn't help but hear you were disturbed by something."

"I am! A voice of a dead man keeps bothering me and will not be silent!"

"I see, troubled about the coming armies?"

"You didn't come to discuss my troubles," Veshua barked, "out with your business!"

The man pulled a book he held behind him. Walking to his master he set it on the table next to him. The book spoke of how the lineage of mages granted them their power, its title seemed promising too: How to kill a Rogue Mage. Veshua smiled while he greedily turned each page looking for all available tactics to kill a mage. However, despite its promising title, he still couldn't find anything that would help him. Surely there was a way to kill a mage without having to resort to having help from another. The contents were not promising. Still determined, however, Veshua pursued the information further.

You will not find anything there. The voice taunted him further. Even if there was something there, it would be a farce!

Jacque and Alexis awoke early the next morning. Well rested and prepared to return peace to the kingdom of whom they were in company with. A quick breakfast was given them and Jacque, immediately afterward, turned his attention to getting a feel for what was going on within the castle walls. Surely, this time, he'll have the energy to discern what was going on in the castle. But at the moment, it seemed as if though they were still asleep. No night watch was set, or if there were they had fallen asleep. Alexis waited patiently at his side. It wasn't long before he turned to her with a smile and beckoned for the soldiers, both his army and those of the kingdom who were still loyal to their royal family. It wasn't everyone, of course, but the leaders and council of the kingdom. "They sleep behind those walls. No one is awake within the castle, if they still sleep a while longer we may have an advantage." Jacque explained.