Knights of Alcea (Demonstone Chronicles #1)

By Richard S. Tuttle

They do not wear shining armor, nor do they carry colorful banners. Their names are unknown to the average citizen, but their commands carry weight over all but the king. They are the world's masters in warfare and magic. They are the Knights of Alcea.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard S. Tuttle
• Release date: Mar 25, 2009
• ISBN: 9781452308388

Richard S. Tuttle

eBook Reviews Weekly called Richard “...one of this century's leading authors of innovative fantasy tales." Molly Martin calls him “...a skillful weaver of tales.”Richard S. Tuttle began his writing career in 1997 with the release of the Targa Trilogy (Origin Scroll, Dark Quest, Ancient Prophecy). That trilogy became the foundation for the Alcea Collection, a seventeen volume epic fantasy collection of three series (Targa Trilogy, Sword of Heavens, Demonstone Chronicles).His other works include the Forgotten Legacy, an eight volume series, Complement for a King, a two volume miniseries, and the Amica Saga, his most current work currently in its seventh volume.

Book preview

Prologue

For years the Darkness shrouded the world causing fields to wither and die. Forest growth halted and animal life grew scarce and lean. The bounty of the sea diminished to the point where fishermen had trouble feeding their families. To add to the misery of the peoples of the world, rogue armies took control of the lands as governments fell and perished. Banditry ran rampant and people kept to their homes in fear of their lives.

Out of this era of desperation and misery arose the son of a fisherman, a seemingly simple lad born in a small village on the coast of Sordoa, but the future of the world had been waiting for him. After seventeen years of being a fisherman's only son, Arik Clava was thrust into a world of danger and set on a perilous quest to destroy the Darkness. Accompanied by others his own age, and guided by a strange pair of gypsies, Arik would grow into the Warrior King, and his companions would become the Knights of Alcea.

Arik was given the Sword of Heavens, a magical artifact that would vanquish a portion of the Darkness with each gem restored to its hilt, but the gems did not come easy. The Knights of Alcea were constantly hunted by the minions of Sarac, an evil mage with vast powers, but each gem also brought new allies sworn to the boy king. Fairies, unicorns, dwarves, elves, and even dragons eventually swore allegiance to Arik, but Sarac's forces were even greater in number. Huge armies of men, goblins, ogres, and yaki swarmed over the land to prevent the boy king from fulfilling the ancient prophecy. As the great armies of Sarac swept across the continent, the fragile land was further beaten down until food became a precious commodity.

In the end, King Arik and the Knights of Alcea won the day. All of the land was united under the banner of the Warrior King, and the evil Sarac and his minions were destroyed, but the cost was great. The land was barren and bloodstained. Fishermen had no boats, and farmers lacked implements to coax life into the soil. Tradesmen had no shops, and merchants had nothing to sell. It seemed as though the only profession with a steady stream of customers were the healers, and they had more than they could handle.

For three years the people of Alcea toiled to reclaim their lives, and many were well on the way to recovery, but others were not. While peace reigned over the land, and the skies were no longer tainted by the Darkness, many people were lured to a new religion. The Temples of Balmak began to appear, and the priests offered a vision of paradise that proved tempting to many. It didn't matter to those who sought refuge from misery that Balmak was an unknown god. What mattered to them was the thin sliver of hope for a better existence.

In Tagaret, the capital of Alcea, King Arik and Queen Tanya worked tirelessly to rebuild the kingdom. Prince Oscar's vast fortune was spent trying to help the provinces get back on their feet, but even he did not have enough gold to cure all of the ills of the devastated kingdom.

The Knights of Alcea did not disband, but neither did they still exist as a group. Each Knight went his own way, trying to rebuild his life after years of continuous battle. Wylan and Sheri moved to Southland, the boyhood home of Wylan. Tedi and Natia spent all their time with the gypsies, and Alexander and Jenneva retired to Atar's Cove. Prince Garong returned to the elves of Elderal, and Prince Darok settled back into the dwarven caves of Lanto. Bin-lu returned home to Lanoir. Only Fredrik and Niki remained in Tagaret with the king and queen. Fredrik was appointed the Royal Sorcerer, and his wife, Niki, became his assistant.

Little did anyone know that storm clouds were massing on the horizon, and that the hard years of rebuilding Alcea were about to look like a short interlude of peace between great wars.

Chapter 1

Senseless Death

Hega was a small town in the Cordonian Province of Alcea. Its citizens made their living selling furs and lumber. Being one of the northernmost cities in the new nation of Alcea, its winters were harsh, and its summers were short. It was a small community where everyone knew everyone else, and the affairs of the rest of the world had little impact on the people of Hega. The only outside influence in the last generation had been the clearing of the skies more than three years earlier. The return of the sun promoted growth in the trees and the animals, and that pleased Karl Gree.

Karl was a seventh-generation hunter of the Gree family, and he knew his trade well. Even during the years of darkness, his father had no trouble providing for his family, and Karl managed to learn all that his father knew before the younger Gree took a wife. It was a simple life, but a satisfying one for Karl and Lyda.

You look tired this morning, Lyda said as Karl drank a cup of milk and pulled his boots on. You should get more rest. There are still two hours before dawn.

I want to hunt the far meadow today, Karl smiled lovingly at his wife. I saw large bear tracks heading out that way yesterday. The time to strike is now before the first snow comes. If I get an early enough start, I will be able to make it home to bed tonight, otherwise I will need to sleep in the forest. You aren't trying to get rid of me, are you?

Lyda stopped stirring the pot and walked over to her husband. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately.

Never, she smiled. I just don't want you getting sick. You need to spend more time in bed.

Karl kissed Lyda and rose to his feet. Everyone warned us to get married just before winter so we could spend our first months together, he chuckled. We'll have more time to spend together real soon. I have to make the best of the hunting season while it lasts.

I know, sighed Lyda. Is your father going with you?

Not today, Karl shook his head and frowned. In fact, I promised that we would share some milk with them today. I should have gotten up earlier.

I will take care of it, offered Lyda. You go get that early start and come home tonight if you can.

Thanks, smiled Karl as he leaned over and kissed Lyda again. Make sure you do it early. Mother likes milk for the morning meal.

I will tend to it right after you leave and take it over there as soon as the sun rises, promised Lyda. Good luck.

Getting a bear does not involve luck, grinned Karl as he picked up his bow and quiver. I will try to be back tonight.

Lyda smiled and waved as Karl left the small hut and tromped off into the night. She hummed happily as she finished preparing the stew and set it to simmer. She looked out the single window in the small home and saw that the sky was beginning to lighten. Grabbing a pail, she left the hut and skipped around to the rear of the house. Tethered on a long rope was a brown cow, and Lyda beamed with pride as she saw it. There were only a handful of cows in the small town, and it pleased Lyda to be the owner of one of them.

Lyda filled the bucket with milk and started off towards the road to town. It wasn't much of a road, but there was little need for anything better. There were about as many horses in Hega as there were cows and only two wagons. Most of the citizens of Hega had never been farther than five miles from the town. There was little need for roads except for the occasional merchant and the timber wagons that came up once a month.

Lyda started singing a joyous tune as she walked down the center of the road. She smiled as she saw the sun begin to peek over the distant mountains. She always marveled at the beautiful colors the clouds turned at sunrise, and this day was no exception. When she reached the center of the town, neighbors began to say hello to her. Everyone in Hega rose early, and the town was a beehive of activity. Lyda smiled and waved to everyone as she walked down the center of the road towards the house of Karl's parents.

Suddenly, Lyda heard the dull roar of thunder, and she halted. Her eyes rose to the sky, and her brow creased with confusion. The clouds were light and fluffy, but the thunder increased in intensity. She put down the pail of milk and shaded her eyes with her hand as she gazed at the sky.

Riders! shouted an old man. Get out of the road, Lyda.

Lyda lowered her eyes and saw the riders coming towards her. Her mouth opened in surprise at the large number of horses being ridden towards the town. She had never seen that many horses at one time before, and she stared in awe. There appeared to be more riders than people in all of Hega. As Lyda remained frozen in the middle of the road, the riders peeled off the road to each side of the town. She stared at the men in confusion and wondered what they were doing.

As the riders spread around the buildings of the town, the first screams split the air. The riders shouted loud, unintelligible words, but it was the screams of death that filled Lyda's ears. The young woman wanted to race out of the town and hide in her hut, but her feet would not move. Her eyes grew large and her mouth fell open as she watched the men shoot arrows into anyone they saw. Friends and neighbors fell to the street with blood-curdling screams, and Lyda's legs began to shake violently as fear gripped her heart.

Suddenly, the riders were everywhere. They were behind the buildings and racing up and down the road through the town. Dozens of them rode right past her. She tried to close her eyes as she waited for the sting of the arrow that would kill her, but her eyes refused to close, and she was forced to watch as the riders killed everyone. Not content to just kill the citizens, the riders shot fiery arrows into the buildings and soon the entire town was ablaze.

As the heat of the inferno began to sear her skin, two riders dismounted right in front of Lyda. They stared into her face and then turned to gaze at the flames. That was when Lyda saw the elven ears. She tried to plead for mercy, but no words escaped her throat. Inexplicably, the two elves moved off without harming Lyda. As the town of Hega burned around her, the elves mounted their horses and slowly rode past her and out of town. Lyda's eyes flicked from rider to rider as the elves rode by, and still she could not move from the center of the road. Within minutes the only sounds in Hega were the crackling of the fires as the buildings of the town collapsed into fiery heaps of rubble. Soon after the elves were gone, Lyda's legs gave out, and she fell to the ground as she passed out.

When the young woman awoke, Hega no longer existed. Lyda gazed around the burnt town, hoping that she was deep within a nightmare. She struggled to her knees and then to her feet. Lyda left her pail of milk in the road and slowly walked through the destroyed town. She examined the bodies of her neighbors, hesitantly at first, but with increasing despair as she searched for anyone alive. Only after Lyda had walked the entire length of the town did the first tear arrive.

Lyda screamed in anguish as she fell to her knees, and the tears started flowing. Only she had survived the slaughter.

* * *

Rut-ki was a petite woman with shiny, black hair cut short in a boyish manner. Her black almond-shaped eyes were clear and devoid of emotion. Her lips were set firm in neither a smile nor a frown, as if her mind was a thousand miles away. Rut-ki looked more like a young girl who sold fish and rice at a stall in the marketplace than a master instructor of martial arts in the Imperial Palace of Lanoir.

Rut-ki watched silently as nine warriors filed into the training room. Each of the pupils bowed with respect to Rut-ki as they entered the room and sat on the floor. The warriors bowed their heads in meditation as they awaited the instructions for the day's lesson. Rut-ki waited until the men were settled before walking to the corner of the room and moving a human-sized dummy to the center of the room.

Today we will practice the flying kick, announced Rut-ki, but with a twist.

The nine students immediately raised their heads and gave their instructor their complete attention.

I need two of you to hold the dummy while I demonstrate, declared Rut-ki.

Two of the warriors rose and held the dummy from the sides. Rut-ki nodded and continued her instruction.

When you are facing a lone opponent, she continued, the flying kick can be a potent maneuver, but in certain situations it can leave you more vulnerable than before. This is particularly true when there are multiple opponents. Today I will show you a technique to lessen that vulnerability. There are many variations of this technique, and we will learn them all over the course of the next few sessions. We will begin with the simplest of the variations. I need another volunteer.

Another warrior rose to volunteer and Rut-ki positioned him so that she was equidistant between the volunteer and the dummy.

For this exercise, I will face two opponents, explained Rut-ki. I will strike a blow to one and simulate a strike to the second. Tomorrow I will secure a second training dummy so that we are able to perfect both strikes. Observe.

Rut-ki took three quick strides towards the dummy and leaped into the air. Her right foot streaked outward and smashed into the chest of the training dummy, causing the men holding it to struggle to maintain their balance. Instead of riding through the kick as normally demonstrated, Rut-ki's left foot struck a second later as she used the dummy to reverse her momentum. Her hands hit the floor and her legs flipped over her head. As her feet touched the floor, Rut-ki leaned forward and dove towards the volunteer. She rolled into a ball and rose swiftly with her right arm streaking upward. The fingertips of her right hand stopped an inch from the volunteer's throat.

Any questions? asked Rut-ki.

One of the men holding the dummy raised his hand and Rut-ki nodded at him.

You used the bulk of your first target to propel you backwards, stated the warrior. What if the target was a scrawny man? You would not succeed.

If it were a scrawny man, smiled Rut-ki, you would have no need for a flying kick. Also note that I used a kick to the chest of the dummy. A kick to the head or neck would be more lethal, but it would not offer the momentum needed for the recovery. Always remember to measure your opponents. Each technique has pros and cons. That is why I will teach them all to you.

The warrior nodded with understanding, and the instructor waited for any other questions. There were none. Rut-ki opened her mouth to give further instruction when the door opened and a soldier entered. The soldier bowed to Rut-ki and then crossed the room and handed her a slip of paper. Rut-ki read the paper and then examined the new arrival.

Have you had prior training, Wei-ra? Rut-ki asked.

A little, Wei-ra answered. Certainly nothing comparable to the quality of the Imperial Palace, but I am a quick learner.

We shall see, Rut-ki replied without emotion. Join the rest and let us begin the warm-up exercises.

As the warriors began exercising, Rut-ki stepped away and observed. When the exercises were complete, the warriors returned to their seated positions. Rut-ki again asked for volunteers and performed another demonstration. Again she asked for questions, but there were none.

Now you shall have a chance to practice the new technique, announced Rut-ki. Two will hold the dummy. There will be no second opponent for today. You are to imagine one present. Remember to strike the chest of the dummy. Begin.

The first two men in line held the dummy while the rest tried the technique. Rut-ki watched silently. When all eight of the men had attempted the technique, the third and fourth held the dummy and everyone tried it again. Rut-ki watched dispassionately, but a frown marred her face when the new man changed position with another warrior. Instead of being the tenth man in line, he wound up being the eighth. The order of the warriors did not carry any significance, but the move disturbed Rut-ki for some reason.

It was when the ninth and tenth warriors were holding the dummy that disaster struck. Wei-ra missed the dummy with his flying kick. The newcomer's foot smashed into the throat of one of the men holding the dummy. The stricken man fell to the floor with a gurgling sound, and Rut-ki rushed to his side. The man was dead.

A thousand pardons, Instructor, bowed Wei-ra. My footing slipped as I launched into the kick. Will he be all right?

Rut-ki rose and turned to face the newcomer. She peered into his eyes as if trying to read his thoughts, but the man's face was a mask of concern.

Begin meditation, Rut-ki said calmly.

The warriors hurried to their positions and sat on the floor. They bowed their heads in meditation as Rut-ki crossed the room and opened the door. She slipped into the hallway and snared a passing soldier. She issued terse instructions to the soldier and immediately reentered the training room. Within a few minutes, three soldiers entered the training room. Two of the soldiers loaded the body onto a stretcher and carried it away. The third soldier was an officer, and he spoke briefly with Rut-ki before asking for everyone's attention.

As with any death in training, announced the officer, there will be an investigation. You nine men will follow me.

The students rose and formed a line. They followed the officer out of the room. Several of them turned to glance at Rut-ki as they left, but her face was emotionless as always. A few minutes after the students left, a young servant entered the room. Rut-ki looked towards the door and frowned at the man. She desired time alone to think about the accident.

This is a training room for officers, she declared. You do not belong here. Leave.

The young man closed the door as he entered the room and glanced around.

I will not tell you again, snapped Rut-ki. I will not bother to have you arrested. I will deal with you myself if you do not leave immediately. You are not authorized to be here. Leave now.

The servant's eyes glanced around the room examining the training dummy and the instructor with interest. Rut-ki's normally calm demeanor began to fade. Her lips drooped into a determined frown as she walked across the floor towards the obstinate servant. She passed the young man and opened the door to the hallway.

Get out, she demanded. I need to be alone.

Close the door, the young man said. I am here to investigate the death of an officer.

Rut-ki looked at the servant with disbelief. I have already met the inspector, she snapped. Za-chan does not send a servant to investigate accidents.

So, smiled the man, you think it was an accident?

Who are you? demanded Rut-ki.

My name is Bin-lu, smiled the young man as he walked past Rut-ki and closed the door. Tell me what happened.

I will say nothing to a servant, Rut-ki shook her head. I am within my rights to force you to leave. Do not make me do it.

Bin-lu smiled at the young woman. It is obvious from your attitude that you have suspicions about the circumstances of the death. Do you think the attack was deliberate?

Rut-ki suddenly lunged at Bin-lu with an attempted debilitating strike. Bin-lu moved swiftly to one side and slapped the instructor's hand away. Rut-ki whirled, extending her leg to sweep Bin-lu's feet out from under him. Bin-lu leaped into the air to avoid the strike. Rut-ki dispensed with any pretense of being nice as she launched into a series of furious strikes against the servant. To her amazement, Bin-lu avoided each of her attacks. She suddenly halted her offensive.

Who are you? she demanded.

I am Bin-lu, smiled the man.

That is not what I meant, retorted Rut-ki. I am the instructor in the Imperial Palace because my skills are superior to all others, yet it is obvious that you are a man of considerable worthiness. Who are you?

I am a Knight of Alcea, smiled Bin-lu. Za-chan is aware of my presence in Ongchi, and he gives me free rein to investigate as I need to. While I would very much enjoy a bout with such a worthy opponent as you, it must wait. Tell me about the incident.

A Knight of Alcea? echoed Rut-ki. Why are you dressed as a servant?

To remain invisible, shrugged Bin-lu. I trust that my secret will not be repeated from your lips?

If you can prove your assertions, Rut-ki replied suspiciously.

Very well, nodded Bin-lu. There are two ways that I can do so. We can go before Za-chan, and he will verify it, or you can come to my room, and I will show you the tunic given to me by King Arik. I would prefer not to expose my interest in this matter to anyone at the moment. Will the tunic suffice?

It will, Rut-ki nodded.

Bin-lu opened the door to the hallway, and the two Lanoirians left the training room and walked to Bin-lu's quarters. Rut-ki noted that the quarters were in the diplomatic section of the palace, and when Bin-lu showed her the tunic, she nodded and sat down.

I am sorry to have doubted you, Rut-ki said softly.

I am pleased that you did, replied Bin-lu. One must never take anyone at face value. Tell me what happened in the training room.

Rut-ki told her recollections to the Knight of Alcea. Her telling was matter-of-fact without any indication of her true feelings on the matter.

According to your story, Bin-lu summarized, each student had four attempts to try the technique being taught. Were any other kicks off the mark?

None, replied Rut-ki. It is an exceptional group of students. They learn very quickly, and they are well-skilled.

Including Wei-ra? asked Bin-lu.

As I mentioned, answered Rut-ki, this was his first session with me. It was obvious that he had had prior training. Still, I cannot come out and say that it was intentional. Even the best of us can miss once in a while.

True, Bin-lu conceded. How did he land?

Rut-ki frowned. He landed well. That bothers me a bit, but not enough to condemn the man. It was his first session. Surely, he must have been nervous.

Did he appear nervous? asked Bin-lu.

No, conceded Rut-ki, but we are trained to hide our emotions. Surely, you are aware of that?

I am, nodded Bin-lu. That does not mean that we always succeed.

True, agreed Rut-ki, but he showed no nervousness that I could detect. It could have been just bad luck. It was the last kick of the session. Had he not slipped, there would be no investigation. It was a senseless death.

The last kick of the lesson? echoed Bin-lu. Did you not say that Wei-ra had just joined the group?

I did, replied Rut-ki.

Then he should have been the tenth student, frowned Bin-lu. Why was he not holding the dummy for others?

He should have been, the instructor said softly. He changed positions in the line. That bothered me at the time, but not enough to remark on it. He was new after all.

Was the dead man the ninth in line? asked Bin-lu.

Mu-chen was his name, Rut-ki nodded. He was ninth in line.

Interesting, mused Bin-lu. Wei-ra would never have had a chance to strike Mu-chen unless he did change his position in line. That is one coincidence too many for me.

But why kill Mu-chen? queried Rut-ki. And why in such a way?

Those are the questions we must find answers to, shrugged Bin-lu.

We? questioned Rut-ki. I am not an investigator.

I could use your help, smiled Bin-lu. While Za-chan would certainly give me access to anything I want, it might draw some unwanted attention to the investigation. As the death occurred in your training room, certain questions coming from you would be taken as mere curiosity.

I am not authorized for investigations, objected Rut-ki. I am an instructor.

As a Knight of Alcea, smiled Bin-lu, I can authorize you. Will you work with me on this?

What do you want me to do? asked the instructor.

You have access to the records of your students, answered Bin-lu. I need to know what the duties of Mu-chen and Wei-ra were. Did they know each other? Did they both know a third person in common? Was either of them working on investigations? Basically, if it was a murder, and I suspect it was, there has to be a motive.

Won't the Lanoirian investigator find that information and act upon it? asked Rut-ki.

I would be willing to wager that it will be ruled an accident, answered Bin-lu. It really is a clever way to silence someone without having to go into hiding. If Mu-chen was simply murdered in his bed, there would be a murder investigation, and all sorts of alarms would go up. As it is, it will be ruled an unfortunate accident.

And a blemish on my record as an instructor, frowned Rut-ki. I will do it. What else do you need?

I want to enroll in your class, replied Bin-lu. Perhaps I can befriend Wei-ra.

My classes are only for officers, Rut-ki shook her head.

Then I will be an officer, smiled Bin-lu.

Can you do that? questioned Rut-ki.

I can do anything, grinned Bin-lu. Being one of your students will also give me a reason to be in your company. This is going to work out quite well.

Rut-ki watched Bin-lu grin and wondered what she was getting herself involved in.

Chapter 2

Special Records

Wei-ra flew through the air, his right foot slamming into the training dummy and his left foot following a second later. His hands dropped to the floor as his legs were propelled over his body. Rolling himself across the floor, Wei-ra suddenly sat as his legs scissored together, catching Bin-lu's legs between them. Bin-lu tumbled to the floor, and Wei-ra struck quickly. The warrior released Bin-lu's legs and jumped to his feet. As Bin-lu sought to rise to his own feet, Wei-ra delivered a swift kick to Bin-lu's ribs.

Stop! shouted Rut-ki. Your team members are not practice dummies. Simulate the attacks for now.

Bin-lu inhaled deeply as the pain shot through his body. He grimaced as Wei-ra smiled and extended a hand to help Bin-lu to his feet.

My apologies, Wei-ra said softly to Bin-lu. I guess I got carried away.

No apology necessary, gasped Bin-lu as he accepted the helping hand and rose to his feet. Your attack was most efficient. You take to your lessons well.

Wei-ra grinned as the training dummy was abandoned and the ten students formed a line waiting for the instructor to speak.

That will be all for today, announced Rut-ki. Tomorrow we will work on a variation of the flying kick where you will face three opponents. Dismissed.

The students bowed low to the instructor and began to file out of the room. Wei-ra approached Rut-ki and bowed once more. She waited silently to hear his words.

Has the investigator completed his investigation? asked Wei-ra.

He has, replied Rut-ki. It was an unfortunate accident, but you must learn better control, Wei-ra. Even today you struck another student. Perhaps you need more individualized attention in your training.

I apologize, smiled Wei-ra. I sought only to show what my next move would be. It has been a long time since my previous lessons. I will be more careful in the future.

Very well, replied Rut-ki. I trust you apologized to Bin-lu?

Of course, declared Wei-ra. He understood. After all, he is new here himself.

Fresh in from Barouk, nodded Rut-ki with a slight smile. Let's not disable him before he gets to see the capital city.

Wei-ra smiled and bowed to the instructor. As Wei-ra left the training room, he spied Bin-lu in the hallway outside the room. The new junior officer was leaning against the wall studying a map of the Imperial Palace. Wei-ra ignored Bin-lu and started to walk by him, but at the last moment he halted.

I must apologize again, stated Wei-ra. I did not mean to follow through with that kick. Are you all right?

Bin-lu subconsciously rubbed his bruised ribs, but a smile split his face. I understand. Your skill in the arts is quite impressive. Someday I hope to have half the skill you possess. A few bruises are a small price to pay for such knowledge.

Wei-ra studied Bin-lu's face for a few moments before responding, Actually, it has been some time since I had lessons. I need more practice to gain better control. Twice now I have struck accidentally.

The officer who promoted me said that fighting is not a game, smiled Bin-lu. I can imagine it is hard to adjust from the battlefield to the classroom. On the battlefield one does not have to hold his punches.

Words of wisdom, nodded Wei-ra. The officer must have thought highly of your skills to place you in Rut-ki's classroom. Did you fight well on the battlefield?

I was not in the army during the war, Bin-lu shook his head. My father would not allow it.

Wei-ra's curiosity was aroused. Service in the army was compulsory during the reign of Emperor Hanchi and while Bin-lu looked young, he did not appear to be that young to have escaped such service.

How is it that you were able to remain outside the army? he asked.

My father is a fisherman, answered Bin-lu. Whenever the recruiting drives came to Barouk, he took me to sea for several days at a time. He does not approve of the military.

Yet you are now an officer, Wei-ra pointed out.

My father died two years ago, Bin-lu said sadly. He could no longer stop my desire to join the army.

Only two years and you are already an officer, noted Wei-ra. That speaks well for you. You must know someone special.

No, Bin-lu shook his head. I am just willing to work hard and do whatever my superiors tell me to do. I want to be the best at all that I do.

Wei-ra nodded as he gazed at Bin-lu contemplatively. He saw that Bin-lu noticed his examination and smiled defensively.

You are studying the map of the palace, stated Wei-ra. Is there some place you need to go?

Not need, explained Bin-lu. I have no further classes for today so I wanted to see some of the palace. I have heard that there is an old shrine on the grounds, and I was trying to locate it.

Are you religious? asked Wei-ra as he took the map from Bin-lu's hands.

Bin-lu hesitated only briefly as he contemplated which way he should answer the question.

I do not follow any god, Bin-lu replied, but neither do I deny their existence. I sought the shrine because of its historical importance.

It is right here, Wei-ra responded as he pointed to a spot on the map. You must go through the gardens to get to it.

Thank you for your help, smiled Bin-lu as he bowed slightly to the higher officer.

Wei-ra nodded and walked away. Bin-lu watched the man's back until he disappeared around a corner and then retreated into the training room.

Are you hurt? asked Rut-ki.

A little sore, shrugged Bin-lu.

Why didn't you halt his attack? asked the instructor. I know you have the skill to do so.

And expose my skill? retorted Bin-lu. That would not have been wise. I must maintain my cover of a fresh junior officer.

Cover? balked Rut-ki. Wei-ra is obviously on to you. Why else would he have attacked you?

To show his supposed clumsiness, answered Bin-lu. I was not a chosen target, but rather a target of convenience. He wishes you to believe that he has been out of practice too long and that the death of Mu-chen was truly an accident.

Perhaps, mused Rut-ki, but I am not convinced. I will keep you separated from him.

No, argued Bin-lu. That defeats my purpose. I can take a few beatings to learn the truth about Wei-ra. I need to get close to him.

I do not think you will get close to him, countered Rut-ki. He speaks to no one.

He spoke to me outside the room today, smiled Bin-lu. It was idle talk, yet I felt he was sizing me up for some reason. I need to know more about him so that my answers become pleasing to him. What have you managed to discover?

Not an awful lot, admitted Rut-ki. Wei-ra's record is impeccable. I am sure that record was taken into consideration by the investigator, which is why Mu-chen's death was declared an accident. Before the war Wei-ra was assigned to a group that tracked down rebels in the north. He advanced quickly. He was known to be a ruthless officer, but he always got results. His unit was responsible for wiping out several bands of rebels, and he received a decoration from the emperor for his work.

What about during the war? probed Bin-lu.

He commanded an elite group during the war, frowned Rut-ki. I have not been able to discover much about the group, but it appears that their activities were centered around spying and interrogations. Many of the records are sealed, and I do not have access to them.

I will see about getting access, nodded Bin-lu. What about right now? What branch does Wei-ra work for currently?

Transport, answered Rut-ki. He is an officer that handles the schedules for commodity transfers.

Transport? frowned Bin-lu. That makes no sense. A man of such a background should be far too valuable for such a lowly position. Were there any reprimands in his records?

None, Rut-ki shook her head. His record is spotless. There is not a single infraction in there.

Very odd, mused Bin-lu. Something here is not right.

You said that you have the ear of Governor Za-chan, suggested Rut-ki. Why not ask him to open the records for you?

Bin-lu stared at the floor for several moments without speaking. Finally, he shook his head.

That would not be wise at this time, he said eventually. We are talking about an officer with high credentials. If he were a loner, going to Za-chan would be the right thing to do, but if he is involved with others, I would assume that they are also high level officers.

We are talking about a simple murder, frowned Rut-ki. Why do you seek a conspiracy?

Did you find any information that Mu-chen and Wei-ra even knew each other? asked Bin-lu.

No, admitted Rut-ki.

Neither have I, declared Bin-lu. If they did not even know each other, then why the murder?

I don't know, conceded the instructor.

I don't either, stated the Knight of Alcea. That is why we must not reveal that we are investigating this. Tell no one of what we are doing until we learn more about what is going on.

Bin-lu noted that the instructor was biting her lower lip in a display that was wholly out of character. He sighed with concern.

Who have you told? asked Bin-lu.

I had to gain access to the records, answered Rut-ki. That involved explaining to a number of people that I was investigating the incident in my training class.

That can be explained, posed Bin-lu. One can expect you to be concerned about the incident. Did you ask the questions before or after the investigator made his determination?

Both, answered Rut-ki. He made his determination last night. I still was going through the process of getting the records this morning. Does that matter?

It might, nodded Bin-lu. It depends upon whether or not anyone is concerned about your questions and how closely they look at it. Perhaps I was wrong to get you involved in all of this.

I want to be involved, replied Rut-ki. If Mu-chen was murdered in my classroom, I want justice served.

And it will be, promised Bin-lu. I can accomplish that on my own. I will not endanger your life.

I can take care of myself, retorted Rut-ki. I was not handed this training position because I have friends in high places. I can defend myself quite well.

I understand that, Bin-lu smiled thinly, but you are getting involved in a different world. The types of people that I deal with do not attack you in the classroom. They poison your food and burn down your house. They sneak into your sleeping room at night and slit your throat while you are sleeping. It is not the type of combat that you can easily fight against.

Aren't you blowing this out of proportion? questioned Rut-ki. We have no real evidence that a murder has even taken place, and you are acting like there is a rebellion against the king.

It is events on the scale of rebellion that I am interested in, confided Bin-lu. If it is a simple murder, the case will be closed quickly and quietly. I always suspect something more sinister.

I thought the Knights of Alcea were involved in protecting King Arik, Rut-ki replied with an expression of confusion. What does that have to do with the Lanoir Province? Why are you even here?

The Knights of Alcea are involved in protecting Alcea, corrected Bin-lu. At times that may mean protecting King Arik, but there are always other dangers as well. I want you to halt the investigation. It is too dangerous now. I will proceed on my own.

You cannot portray a junior officer and gain access to confidential military records at the same time, Rut-ki pointed out. You will need help.

When I need further help, stated Bin-lu, I will ask for it. Stay safe.

The junior officer turned and exited the training room.

* * *

The Vault of Records in the Imperial Palace was like a fortress within a fortress. The large room sat at the end of a long corridor with no other doors lining it. There was no excuse for being in that section of the palace other than to request records. Inside the large room were rows of shelves that rose from floor to ceiling and spread almost wall to wall. Only small walkways at the ends of the shelves allowed passage from one row to the next. Just inside the door of the large room was a desk that was constantly manned by two soldiers, and another two soldiers stood guard in the corridor outside the room. The names of all visitors were recorded in a ledger along with the date and time of the visit and a description of the records requested. The procedures required both guards to initial the entries in the ledger to avoid any single soldier disobeying the rules for personal gain.

At the rear of the large room was a smaller room with a barred door. Two more soldiers sat outside that door, and their task was to escort people into the Special Records section. Entry to the Special Records section required approval from the Governor or the head of intelligence and even then the visitor would not be permitted into the small room without an escort. The Lanoirians took their record keeping seriously, and Bin-lu knew that while he could use his status as a Knight of Alcea to gain entrance to the Special Records section, he could not do so anonymously as the current case required.

There was one chink in the armor of the Imperial Palace, however. The small room that housed the Special Records had a small window high on the wall. The window was barred and considered inaccessible. The roof of the palace was constantly manned, as were the grounds, which left only one method of access.

Bin-lu sat by the window of his small room in the junior officer section of the Imperial Palace. He occasionally glanced out the window to gauge the progress of the moon across the night sky. As he waited for the moon to set, Bin-lu packed the tools he would need to remove the bars from the window. When he was done packing, Bin-lu sat and gazed at his gloved hands.

Bin-lu had been the unfortunate victim of a magical attack during the drive to complete the Ancient Prophecy. His hands and feet had been severely burned by fireballs. To make matters worse, a young, inexperienced mage had instructed deadly spiders to bite his hands and feet in an attempt to heal him. It was fortunate that Master Khatama was present at the time. The Mage had quickly ordered the dwarves to take Bin-lu to the elven healers of Sorelderal. The elven healers were able to restore Bin-lu's burnt flesh and save his life from the poisonous spider bites, but the episode left Bin-lu with a peculiar disability. His hands and feet stuck to anything he touched.

While Bin-lu contemplated suicide because his warrior days were over, Master Khatama convinced the young Lanoirian that his life had just begun. He had the elves fashion special gloves and boots, and he instructed Bin-lu in how to use his disability to his advantage. Over the years, Bin-lu had come to accept his condition as a blessing.

Seeing that the moon had set, Bin-lu stripped off his special gloves and boots. He hoisted the pack onto his back and slipped out the window. Bin-lu halted outside the window and gazed around. The guards on the roof were not visible from his position on the wall of the building, but the ground level guards were. He watched them for a few seconds before starting to move towards the rear corner of the building.

Bin-lu had to cup each hand and foot to unstick them from the building. The process was exhausting, but Bin-lu was well practiced in using his gift. Within moments he was at the rear corner of the building, and he hesitated to view the guards below. When he was satisfied that none of them were stargazing, Bin-lu turned the corner and continued his journey.

The window that Bin-lu sought was on the fourth level of the building, and he stopped outside it to examine the bars that covered it. When he was satisfied that he could remove the bars, Bin-lu maneuvered himself so that his head was facing downward. He moved his feet so that they stuck to the top of the window enclosure, allowing him two free hands to work with.

The bars were old and rusty from the constant exposure to the salt-laden air. Flakes of rust drifted downward as Bin-lu worked on the bolts, and he had to time his attack of the bars so that the passing patrols below would not be alerted by falling debris. It took half an hour before Bin-lu managed to get the two lower bolts out of the window, and he was feeling light-headed from being upside down for so long. The Knight of Alcea righted himself and examined the upper two bolts.

After a careful inspection of the bars, Bin-lu decided to try to bend the weak bars rather than unbolt them. He only needed enough room to squeeze through the bars, and he was able to bend them enough to accomplish his entry as long as he removed his pack. Bin-lu removed the pack and hung it on the bars. He moved under the bent bars and tried to peer through the dirty window. He could see nothing inside.

The Knight of Alcea tried to slide the window open, but it was stuck with age. He removed a knife from his belt and went to work on the edges of the window. Another half hour was wasted getting the window open, and Bin-lu began to fear that the rising sun might make his escape impossible. He slid through the window and worked his way down the wall inside the Special Records room.

The heavy door to the small room had no window in it, but the crack at the bottom was large enough to let light out. Bin-lu stripped off his tunic and used it to block the crack at the bottom of the door. When he was sure that no light would escape the room, he lit a candle and began looking at the shelves of papers.

Bin-lu first looked at the files for the Transport section. The files