The Warlock Senator (Book 2) (2 page)

“Sir, what of the battle?”

“Yes, Braun, we won.” Trenton closed his eyes and laid his right hand to the hilt of his sword. “We routed Lord Cedreau’s army and sent them home. But they will be back. With Timon and Lord Cedreau dead, you can bet that Eldrik will not wait for long before he brings
an army back here to finish this business of blood.”

“Then we should prepare,” Braun put in.

“Excuse me,” a guard called from the doorway. Braun shot the man an angry glare. The guard bowed his head reverently but entered the room anyway. “Forgive me for disturbing you, but I thought you should know that senator Bracken has arrived.”

“What?” Trenton asked. He shook his head and patted the dwarf’s foot. “I presume he wants an audience?” The guard nodded his head.

“Well, don’t stand there like a mute statue boy, when is the senator going to want the audience?” Braun asked.

“Right now,” Senator Bracken said sternly as he appeared in the doorway behind the guard. The room seemed to grow col
der as he pushed passed the startled guard and stepped through the doorway, as though he brought the chill of winter with him. No, it was the chill of death. Senator Bracken clasped his hands in front of his white flowing robes, thereby prominently displaying the purple stripes encircling the rim of the sleeves. A golden medallion, the symbol of his office, hung from his neck, sliding side to side with each step. His dark, oiled hair gleamed in the light, accentuating his cold umber eyes. His chin seemed to form a point under the thin lips that sneered at Trenton. Something was terribly wrong.

“Ho
use Lokton welcomes you, honorable Senator Bracken. May I offer you some wine or perhaps some fruit?” Trenton offered.

“Lord Lokton, perhaps we may dispense with the pleasantries,” Senator Bracken replied
coolly. “I am here on a matter of most serious business.”

“The senate sent you to investigate the murder of the magistrate?” Braun asked.

Senator Bracken turned a fierce eye to Braun. The brown orbs looked up and down the captain of the guard disdainfully before the senator spoke. “I am here to speak with Lord Lokton, not the hired help.”

Braun bristled, but kept his mouth silent. Trenton stepped forward and took the lead. “What may I assist you with?”

“For starters, you can explain to me why you have started a war on the king’s land? Do you not know that the kingdom is in dire straits as it is without your petty squabbles over land and wealth?”

“I did not start-” Trenton began to reply but he was cut off.

“Do not play games with me!” Bracken yelled. He clapped his hands and two large, heavily armed sentries came through the doorway. They pushed the other guard into the room, toward the bed. Lokton’s guard reflexively pulled his sword half way out of its scabbard and Braun went for the axe at his belt. “I see your help has no problems committing treason,” Senator Bracken growled.

“Braun, stay your hand,” Trenton said, though he made sure his own sword was loose in its scabbard. “What is the meaning of this, Senator Bracken?”

“By order of the senate, you are under arrest for high treason, Lord Lokton. Your two guards here might be able to help you escape, but I promise there are more than enough men on their way to subdue your entire household, if that is what you would prefer.”

“I am no traitor,” Trenton replied.

“Oh no?” Senator Bracken sneered. “I have more than enough evidence to convict you. It’s simple really. You knew that the knife you found and sent me wasn’t enough evidence to prove Lord Cedreau’s involvement in the magistrate’s murder, so you tried to enact your own brand of justice.”

“That’s a lie!” Trenton growled.

“Is it?” The two sentries pulled massive swords free from harnesses on their backs and flanked the senator. “The knife was taken from Eldrik Cedreau by Master Orres at Kuldiga Academy. The boy could not have used it to kill the magistrate. But, because you were quick to judge, you sent your men to slip into Cedreau Manor and kill Timon, Lord Cedreau’s youngest boy.”

“I did no such thing!” Trenton shouted.

“Do you expect me to believe you?” Senator Bracken growled. “You stand before me with an injury obviously received today during your massacre of House Cedreau’s men. Lord Cedreau is dead, and many of his knights lie in the dirt as well. How can you justify this?”

“They attacked me,” Trenton replied through clenched teeth.

“Because you murdered Timon,” Senator Bracken replied. He steeled his gaze. “You slew Lord Cedreau ignobly during parlay. Your depravity knows no bounds.”

“I’ll not hear another word of this,” Braun said as he stepped forward. “Command me, and their heads will roll.”

“Is that the wise thing to do?” Senator Bracken asked. “If you attack a senator, here and now, you will only prove your guilt. I will be forced to seize your manor. Your son and wife will be shunned from society and your house will be razed to the ground.”

“Braun, hold your hand, and your tongue,” Trenton commanded. Then he turned to the other guard. “Put your weapon away boy.” The guard did as he was told. Braun slowly set his axe on the bed next to him, but his eyes threw daggers at the senator. “Senator Bracken,” Trenton began as coolly as possible. “I have not sent anyone to murder any member of House Cedreau. I am afraid that you are mistaken in this.”

“You may tell that to the senate. They will assemble one week after we return to Drakai Glazei.”

“You have no proof of these accusations,” Trenton said. “You
cannot arrest me.”

“Proof?” Senator Bracken quipped. “I have a pair of letters from two men in your service, announcing that you have falsely imprisoned one of your own men after the death of the magistrate. I also have the witness of all of today’s survivors that say Lord Cedreau was slain during parlay. I have Lord Cedreau’s own letter claiming that his youngest son was slain by your men. I have an arrow that bears the signature of your fletcher, Master Himmal, and I have a report from Kuldiga Academy that supports Eldrik Cedreau’s claim that his knife had been taken from him. Apparently Master Orres took the knife from the boy only a few weeks ago. So, as you can see, there is more than enough to bring you in before the senate.”

“None of these prove anything,” Trenton said.

“Perhaps not decisively,” Senator Bracken said. “But, they will be of importance to the senate, I assure you.
I should also warn you, that if I happen to find Sir Duvall or Mr. Stilwell dead, then your fate will be sealed for certain.”

“How do you know Sir Duvall and Mr. Stilwell?” Braun asked skeptically.

“Be silent,” Bracken hissed. “You have no authority to question me.”

Lord Lokton fumbled for something to say. He thought of explaining Ben’s testimony against Sir Duval and Mr. Stilwell, but he knew that without proof he would not be able to convince Senator Bracken of his own innocence. He had to stall.
“Sir Duvall rode with me into battle,” Trenton said. “He is alive as far as I know, though I have not seen him as of yet. But he has not been named among our dead.”

“Interesting,” Senator Bracken said as he stroked his pointy chin. “Then take me to Mr. Stilwell. I know that you have him in your dungeon as we speak.
Two of your guards wrote and told me as much. If you are innocent and have no part in this madness, let him tell me.”

Trenton sighed heavily. “I cannot,” he said.

“Why?” Senator Bracken raised an eyebrow.

“Mr. Stilwell escaped from his cell shortly before the battle began.”

“Things are not looking very promising for you,” Senator Bracken said. He glanced to the two gigantic men with him and nodded. “Take him, by any means necessary.”

The two men moved forward and Trenton removed his sword belt. “I’ll be fine, Braun,” he said as the guards bound his wrists behind his back.

Senator Bracken smiled wide and then he produced a sealed parchment from the folds of his robes and tossed it on the ground before Braun. “I heard that Master Lepkin was here recently. This is an official summons for him to appear for the tribunal that will determine Lord Lokton’s fate. Can you get the message to Lepkin?”

Braun nodded. “I know where to find him, but it may take some time to reach him.”

“Well don’t delay, I am sure you know what happens if Lepkin fails to answer an official summons from the senate.”

Braun bent down and scooped up the parchment. “By your command, honorable senator” he said.

Bracken sneered at Braun’s remark. “Sarcasm is a weapon of choice among cowards and ankle-biters,” Bracken chided. “The tribunal date has been set, and we will convene with or without the Keeper of Secrets.”

*****

Al groaned and rolled to his side. Again something grabbed his foot and shook it violently. Slowly he opened his eyes. A large man stood over him.

“Wake up, good dwarf, I need your help,” the man said.

Suddenly Al remembered why he had been sleeping. “Where is Erik?” Al asked.

“Erik is back at Valtuu Temple,” the man replied.

“Who are you?” Al asked. The dwarf pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed.

“My name is Braun, I am the sergeant-at-arms for House Lokton. Erik told m
e that you saved his life and charged me with watching over you while you rested.”

“What of the battle?” Al looked around. “Am I to assume that we won? Where is Lord Lokton?”

“That is why I woke you,” Braun replied. “Lord Lokton has been arrested by Senator Bracken on charges of treason, and murder.”

“We should summon Master Le
pkin at once,” Al said, but he stopped short when Braun raised a hand. Al could tell by Braun’s expression that there was more to the story. “Go on,” Al said.

“
I have here an official summons from the senate. They are requesting Lepkin’s presence at the Tribunal. So, understanding the consequences should Lepkin fail to answer the summons, we sent messenger birds to Lepkin. We were answered by the Prelate of Valtuu Temple. There was a great battle there as well. A wizard led an army of Blacktongues riding upon a night shade. The Prelate said the attackers were defeated, but both Lepkin and Erik were injured and are currently unconscious.”

“Are the healers with them then?” Al asked.

Braun nodded.

“Well, it seems I picked a very poor time to sleep,” Al groused. “I miss all the action and even Lepkin can’t handle himself well enough without me.” Al chuckled to himself, but noticed Braun’s disapproving gaze. “Just trying to diffuse the tension…” Al straightened his beard and slid down from the bed.

Braun bristled. “My master is on his way to face the senate tribunal in Drakai Glazei, Lady Lokton is in a fretful state of mourning, and I am too far away from Erik to provide any meaningful service. You will forgive me if I fail to laugh at your joke.”

Al nodded. “Of course, Braun, of course.” The dwarf stretched his back. “Then what is the plan?”

“I have left another in charge of protecting House Lokton while I go to free my master from Senator Bracken.”

“You aim to attack a senator on the open road?” Al inquired.

“I see little choice in the matter. Do you have another option?”

A
l nodded. “I will go and fetch Lepkin. There is much at stake should he fail to attend.” Al stretched his arms and made fists, bending and extending his sausage like fingers a few times. “Besides, I am well versed in senate protocol. There is a good chance that if I get Lepkin to the tribunal, we can still save Lord Lokton.”

Braun folded his muscled arms and frowned. “Then go as quickly as you can. I will follow the caravan, but I will stay my hand. Just know that if
Lepkin’s injuries prevent him from attending the tribunal, or if my master is sentenced to death, I will lop off every head in the senate that stands between me and Lord Lokton.”

“Then I must hurry,” Al responded. “Wait as long as you can, Braun. I’ll do my best to get Lepkin to the tribunal.”

Braun nodded and extended a hand. Al offered his in kind and the two shook hands. “Take care, good dwarf. Cedreau’s spies have been spotted on Lokton land. They are not pleased with their master’s death, and they will strike like a pack of jackals at your heels if you let them.”

Al nodded. “I can handle myself,” he said with a wink.
“I will prepare immediately and try to set out before the sun begins to set this day.”

“Very well,” Braun replied. “I leave immediately for
Drakai Glazei. May the Gods smile upon you.”

*****

“I am sorry, but you cannot go inside with him,” Marlin said as he closed the door to Master Lepkin’s chamber. “It’s nothing personal, but the dark side of your aura could taint the healing process. We mustn’t take any chances.”

“Of course
,” Lady Dimwater replied softly. Her sky blue eyes bored through the wooden door barring her from her love.

The longing in Lady Dimwater’s
soul was more than obvious. Marlin could tell by the energy swirling through her aura how deeply rooted her feelings were. He patted her shoulder and gently turned her away from the door. “He is making quite a recovery. I don’t think it will take nearly half as long as I originally predicted.”