Mark of the Fool

Chapter 712: Warder

The door shut behind them with a click as final as a prison door.

Faint light illuminated the space, peeking through dilapidated shutters.

The ruffians young leader glanced at the bald man who watched Birger intently.

I take it you have something to show me, old father? he asked.

Will you be my moneychanger, then? Birger slowly dug the Red Mouses coin from his pocket, placing it in the palm of his hand.

The grey-clad Irtyshenans whistled.

I can hardly believe it, the bald man said. Are you really Birger of Kymiland?

Whos that? a squat thief asked.

The bald man shook his head. The young dont pay much attention to their history. Thats why our heroes of the past die away, and their names are forgotten. Birger of Kymiland was here at the very start of it all; he worked with our founder, Kelda. The very first Red Mouse.

Sounds like old things meant for old dusty books, another ruffian said. But, a Coin of Silent Friends is a Coin of Silent Friends, I suppose. So, what do we do? He looked at the young woman whod been leading them.

Who are all of you? she asked, nodding to Alex, Theresa and Bjorgrund.

Im Alexander Roth, the young wizard paused. Hed introduced himself by his full name, something he rarely did. He mostly used Alex, but there was something about this situationit felt like he shouldnt be so casual. This is my partner, Theresa Lu and her cerberus Brutus.

And Im Bjorgrund, the young giant said, his accent thick as he spoke the Low Irtyshenan tongue.

And who are they to you? she asked Birger.

My son and my companions; its on their behalf that Im here to ask for a favour.

Right, she said. Ill have to check the old ledgers.

Dont bother, the bald man said. Birger of Kymilands name is in there, hes one of the first five holders of a Coin of Silent Friends. Ill vouch for that.

Suit yourself, as long as its not my skin on the line, she said. Come on then, follow me.

Alex took a step forward before the leaders hand rose, stopping him in his tracks.

Just the old man, she said. Hes the one holding the coin, not you three.

Im not letting my father follow you alo

Son, stay here, Ill be back soon, Birger said. Trust me.

The young giant stared at his father for a moment. If you say so, he didn't sound convinced.

Birger turned to Alex. Ill be back.

Well be waiting for you, the young wizard said.

Together, the old firbolg followed the young leaderto the back of the hut, where she paused at a stone wall and pressed three rocks in rapid succession. There came a grinding sound, and a section of wall shifted, sliding down into the floor, revealing a staircase.

The woman stepped onto a landing, leading the way as Birger limped behind her, her four companions remained behind.

The wall slid back into place with a soft click.

Alex closed his eyes, concentrating, feeling for the energy below them hed felt earlier; that bit of Hannahs power.

The power suddenly flared.

He reached out to it.

A pair of images flashed before his eyes.

The first was of Birger and the ruffians young leader, standing at a sealed, stone door. When she touched it, the Travellers power surged, and she and Birger vanished.

Another doorway abruptly appeared in Alexs mind, heavy with Hannahs powertheir destination reached out from a direction far south, well beyond the city walls, perhaps beyond the Empires borders.

He couldnt know for sure, and as he was considering where it could be, the second image appeared, taking his focus.

Birger and the young woman stood in a foyer with walls of stone painted blood red. Men and women lingered around the doorway theyd come through. A breath later, the image was gone.

Seems the guilds a good distance from the city, Alex thought. It might even be outside the Empire. That would explain why they havent been found by the authorities after all this timeKelda used Hannahs power to create gates in the city that leads to a base far away from here. Perhaps she did something similar with her sanctum; maybe the reason no ones found it is because it's not located anywhere near here

His eyes narrowed. Theres a doorway in Hannahs cave that we knowabout, but maybe theres more

Id offer you a chair, the bald man spoke up. But there arent any. You might as well find yourselves a comfortable piece of floor like the rest of us. We might be here awhile.

###

It was well into the afternoon when Alex felt Hannahs power flare again. Hed been sitting with his back against a wallleaning on Theresawhen the image of Birger flashed in his mind, coming from a gate in the company of a long, lanky man.

The stranger wore red from head to toe, the lower part of his face was hidden by a scarlet mask.

Theyre back, Alex said, getting to his feet and helping Theresa to hers, while Brutus stretched.

Bjorgrund jumped up, the grey-clad ruffians followed.

Birgers crutch echoed on the stone steps, coming closer until the wall suddenly slid away; the firbolgs face was a mask of concern when he entered the room with the man in red.

They were not alone. Four figures dressed in grey followed close behind, broad-shouldered, with swords sheathed at their hips. Their appearance was quite ordinary, yet they moved with the silence of bandits, and thestealth of seasoned warriors.

Sharp eyes studied Alex and company beneath rough spun woollen hoods, grey cloaks draped their lean forms.

This is the man I spoke of, Birger said, raising his chin toward Alex. He needs your help to find Keldas sanctum.

The man in reds eyes met Alexs above his face covering, catching the young wizard off guard.Heavy eyelids surrounded gems where irises should have been, faceted red jewels shaped like human eyes, glittered in the gloom of the dimly lit room.

When he blinked, he neither flinched nor cried out, showing no sign of discomfort.

I am Warder, he announced, his voice hovering barely above a whisper.

I am Alexander. Alex nodded.

And I understand you are the latest Fool of Thameland? Warder asked.

Yes, Alex said. Did Birger tell you why Im here and why he wanted to use the Coin of Silent Friends to help me?

He did, Warder said, watching Alex through his flashing eyes. Is it also true that you have inherited the founders ability to travel from place to place in an instant? With no use of spellcraft?

Warders voice held a hungry note that he tried to conceal.

The Fool of Thameland drew himself up, adjusted his posture then vanished.

Appearing on the opposite side of the room.

The four ruffians stumbled back, swearing. Warders guards reached for their swords, but the masked man held up a hand.

Is that proof enough for you? Alex asked.

Yes. A smile touched Warders voice. Yes it is. He looked at Birger. Old father, what you said is true, it seems. An heir to our founders legacy has come.

So you will help him, then? the old giant asked. You will tell him where Keldas sanctum is, if you know?

Silence.

Alex held his breath.

He heard Theresas breath catch.

This was it. If Warder said yes, then they could go to Keldas sanctum and discover what shed learned,bringing him closer to the Mark of the General.

Closer to true freedom, free from the Fools constraints.

Warder spoke. I do not know where it isprecisely.

Precisely? Alexs hope fell.

Precisely, Warder repeated. We maintain archives containing much of our history from the early days, including maps and charts that could be helpful to you, since some indicate the general location of the founders sanctum. You can narrow your search to an area of only a handful of square miles. You should be able to find it within there.

Hope, tinged with suspicion, rose in the young wizards chest.

Wait, so why hasnt the guild gone there, since you know the area where the sanctum can be found? Alex asked.

We lack the tools to reach the founders sanctum, Warder said. Her ways of hiding it were far beyond anything we have ever matched. But, if you share her power, you will be able to find it; she wrote that her power is the key to finding it.

I see, Alex said.

Why didnt your predecessors tell me this? Birger asked.

Warder shook his head. Loyalty. All those who lived during our founders time were loyal to her wishes to a fault; she never told anyone the exact location of her sanctum, only its general location. And that general location was only shared with the guild. If she did not share it with you in life, they would not have wished to share it with you in death. but things have changed.

Changed enough that youre going against Keldas wishes? Birger asked, a mix of emotions in his voice.

The founder is history now. History that has long turned to dust, Warder said grimly. We respect her and her memorybut her memory cannot feed us. It cannot clothe us. It cannot make us strong or hide us away from the guards of the Empire. It cannot fill our coffers or our treasuries.

Something clicked in Alexs mind.

But, I obviously can, he said sourly. The second thing you asked me is if I shared her power: the ability to teleport places without using a spell. This is a transaction, isnt it? You want me to do something for yousomething that only someone with my power can.

Warder laughed, the sound was cruel and grating. Wisely deduced, Alexander, his eyes flashed. Dedication to a founders memory is all good and fine, but the Guild of the Red Mouse is about business, not a hall to either honouror violatethe wishes of the dead. We know our trade well, and have earned our position by not freely handing out favours to those we owe nothing to.

Whats happening? Theresa asked Alex in the common tongue. I dont understand what hes saying.

Hes not giving us the location, the young wizard said. He wants us to do something for him first.

Now hold on, Bjorgrund growled, pointing at the coin in his fathers hand. By your own rules, my father can call on your guild for a favour, isnt that the way its supposed to work?

And he did, Warder said slyly, in the common tongue. And we granted him a favour by revealing ourselves to those of you not remotely involved with the Guild. Alex caught a glint in the red gems that were his eyes. You now know more about the Guild of the Red Mouse than most of its associates, young giant, and that would normally mean youd all be below six inches of river ice with your throats slit. Weve compromised our safety and our secrets to complete strangers.

He looked at Birgers coin. That is favour enough, old father. If you wish for another favour in the future, come back and ask. Though, next time, we might need something from you in return.

Warder bowed deeply to the ancient firbolg, then turned to Alex. But the location of the founders sanctum is a well guarded secret, andwhile I would not be opposed to revealing it to her heir, so to speakI cannot do it and then receive nothing in return. The guild owes you nothing, Alexander, and we deal in trade, not charity.

He pointed at Alexs heart. You have our founders gift; the most wondrous ability that any thief anywhere could wish for. Gods, what I could do with that he said, a yearning returning to his voice.

Alex watched him closely, measuring the man. Well, I know what I can do with itso I gather you want me to go somewhere youd have trouble getting into.

Warder gave a dark chuckle. Right again. We have a client who needs a difficult job done. Theres a certain scroll in the library of Brightfire University; weve been trying to access it for months, but their security measures have made the taskdangerous. More dangerous than wed like it to be. But Kelda was able to go anywhere at any time; its said that sheentered Brightfires most secret chambers undetected.

Alex remembered that Kelda had been in the university of Generasis library. Shed written in a book there.

Three hundred years ago shed entered the building without anyone knowing.

So youre saying you want me to do what she did, Alexs voice was flat.

Precisely. Do it and the Guild will give you the location you desire.

Alex shook his head. Oh no. Now, I expect more than just that. He nodded at Birgers hand. I want one of those coins.

A pause.

Thatcan be arranged, Warder said, after briefly considering the wizards demand.

And one other thing, Alex said, thinking about the wealth of lore contained in ancient, magical librariesthe kinds of spells only found on the lower floors of Generasis library. Floors he didnt have access to yet.

Mighty spells and lore that could help him reverse the Mark could be waiting in the Irtyshenan libraryfor the taking.

Anything I take beside your scroll? Is mine, mine and mine alone, Alex said.

Warder paused, finally nodding. I think thats fair.

Good. When do we begin?

When can you start?

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