Chapter 13

Entanglements

Evening had fallen over the dark castle and everyone had retired to their rooms before dinner. Each of the rooms was a stately affair, decorated in fine woods and fabrics. The twisting and swirling designs of the room seemed to move in the periphery of vision. Lynn she sat next to Eliza as she lay motionless on the bed. She held Eliza's hand, remembering the days they spent in their cottage, hoping that one day they would share their love again. The shadows cast by the dancing flames of the candelabra seemed to flow over and across Eliza. Perhaps it was only Lynn's imagination but at times they almost looked like many hands roaming over Eliza's pale skin. Lynn sighed, waited, and remembered.

Marinae changed out of her dusty, grimy riding gear and into something suitable for dinner. She settled on a silver-on-black jumpsuit and made sure her throwing knives and daggers were easily within her reach. Weamar looked around his room. In one corner was a porcelain basin. A bowl sat on either side, both filled with water. One steamed and the other's rim was lined with frost. Weamar tested the hot water with a finger and adjusted it to be bearable on his face with the cold water. He cleaned up and prepared for dinner.

The hour passed and James returned, knocking on each door. Weamar wandered out to the hall.

"You want to wait here?", Marinae thought to Rambis.

"And leave you alone with that woman?", Rambis replied. "Like I would really let you get all the good eye gouging for yourself."

Marinae laughed. "Then let us be about it, Sir Cat!"

Lynn kissed Eliza's hand and set it on her chest. With the ring they were never alone, but Lynn could barely feel Eliza and didn't want to leave her. Slowly she rose and answered the door. As the door opened James turned his head to look at Lynn. Each movement of his neck created a sound like the grinding of bone on bone.

"Dinner.", was all the butler said. Lynn nodded and followed him along with Marinae and Weamar, but David, Damon, and Adederia stayed in their rooms.

The butler lurched off back down the hallway. "Follow. Do not wander.", he advised, speaking slowly. "The guards can be indiscriminate."

"Roses are dead, Violets are too, Dark elves would love to zombify you.", Marinae whispered to Weamar who snickered quietly.

They passed again through the winding halls and stairways until James brought them before a set of ornate doors. The design was similar to that found in the bedrooms, elegant and expensive. The doors swung silently open and James motioned his guests inside. Inside was the dinning hall. It was large enough to serve hundreds of guests but all of the tables were empty save for one. In the middle of the room was a long table filled with delicious looking and wonderful smelling food. Places were set for six at one end and for one at the other. A fireplace roared at one end of the dining hall. The flames, and the little light shining through the stained glass windows, were the only things keeping the room from being pitch black.

James showed his guests to their end of the table. Lynn took a seat. She was hungry but she didn't feel like eating. Weamar and Marinae took seats opposite each other, so that they could cover each other's backs. A few minutes later David, Damon, and Adederia appeared at the entrance to the dining hall. They were escorted by the butler, James, and two figures wearing suits of armor like those lining a number of the corridors. Damon seemed to be on the verge of a feral rage and David looked to be in pain. Adederia was, as usual, oblivious to what was going on around her. The three were seated and the armored guards stood at either side of the doors.

"You should be resting, dammit!", Marinae shouted as she watched David grimacing as he took his seat.

"I didn't have much choice in the matter.", David replied.

Damon folded his arms across his chest. "They unlocked the door when I wouldn't answer. So much for hospitality."

"Lovely.", Marinae said with anger growing in her voice.

Weamar said nothing, but scowled at the thought before helping himself to some of the food. Lynn put some food on her plate. Her limbs moved lifelessly as she sampled it and she chewed it dispassionately. Although her thoughts were far away, she knew that she had to eat to keep her strength up. A chime rang and from a curtained entrance appeared a young elven male. His features were refined and handsome and his clothing of impeccable style. In one hand he carried a silver tray bearing two pitchers and one crystal goblet filled with a bluish liquid.

"My name is Jonathan.", the elf said as he began filling the glasses with water and wine. "I will serve you this evening. I welcome you on behalf of my lady. She will join you shortly but until then, please enjoy yourselves."

Jonathan moved beside Marinae. Apparently by accident, his hand brushed hers ever so slightly as he reaches for her glass. Marinae flinched back from his touch. A faint hint of a smile passed across his lips as he filled her second glass.

"If there is anything you need, any of you, don't hesitate to ask.", Jonathan said as he continued down the table, filling glasses until he reached David. Jonathan placed the bluish drink before the wounded man.

"What's this?", David replied with a start.

"An elixir of vitality. It will restore your vigor and heal your wounds.", Jonathan said smiling. "You should feel honored. Normally only my lady's most favored servants may partake of it."

David sniffed the liquid and sipped it cautiously. Having not immediately been struck dead, he shrugged and drank the rest. As Marinae and Weamar looked about the room they noticed that the chair at the far end of the table was now occupied by a tall, dark, gaunt woman. They didn't know when she came in. For all they knew she had been there all along, cloaked in shadow. She looked like the woman in the portrait they had seen in the main hall, but she looked even more terrifyingly regal in person.

"Neat trick, that.", Marinae said to herself.

Jonathan bowed low towards the woman, remaining in that position until given leave to do otherwise. Damon's eyes narrowed and Adederia's widened. His filled with contempt and hers filled with fear. The woman nodded to the elf and he rose.

"Welcome.", said the dark woman in a voice that was both warm and cold at the same time.

Marinae nodded a greeting with the proper shade of politeness and distaste. Jonathan walked dutifully around the table to pour the dark woman's drinks. As he passed behind the guests, he moved too close to Weamar and accidentally knocked him in the side of the head with the handle of the silver tray, almost spilling the pitchers over him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry sir.", Jonathan apologized after deftly recovering. "Please forgive my gross clumsiness."

"Of course.", Weamar replied. He was getting used to being abused.

"I am Kendra.", the dark woman said slowly and carefully. "Do eat. There is nothing to fear."

"Thank you for your hospitality.", Weamar replied, fighting his revulsion.

Lynn picked at her food, saying nothing. David was feeling better, no longer wincing in pain at every breath. He could feel that his wounds were healing, and healing quickly. His appetite returned and he ate his share of the meal, enjoying the rich foods. Damon, not having had a decent meal in quite a while, set aside some of his distrust for the moment and filled his and Adederia's plates.

Kendra nodded towards Weamar. "You are in need of help. I offer you my services."

Marinae sipped her wine and ate as well, wondering what spells or poisons had been placed in the food. She noticed Jonathan glancing at her while he poured Kendra's wine. She kept an eye on him while making sure that he didn't notice her doing so. She wondered what a normal elf was doing in a place like Kendra's castle. He made her curious, but she didn't trust him.

"Shall we talk business?", Kendra asked.

"And what sort of business might that be?", Damon replied coldly.

"Eliza.", Kendra replied.

David's fork clattered to his plate. Weamar kept his eyes on his plate and tried to keep his expression neutral.

"You need her cured.", the dark woman added.

Marinae glanced at Lynn

"Please help her.", Lynn said softly.

"I can help you all.", Kendra began. "Each of you will receive something that you desire. But in return you must do something for me."

David pushed his plate away and wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. "Such as?"

"Have you heard of the hands of Balican?", Kendra asked.

There was a brief silence as the others looked around at each other. Then Damon answered. "It's an old Darkonese legend. He was warrior-saint. They say he could give life or take it away."

"Perhaps it is legend and perhaps it is not.", Kendra replied. "His tomb has recently been discovered."

Damon went silent, mulling over the implications.

"So, you want us to go get these hands?", David replied, cutting to the chase.

"Yes, before others do.", Kendra answered. "Rumors of great treasure have spread rapidly. Even Drakov may have an interest."

David glanced at the others. "And what would you provide as compensation?", he asked.

Kendra smiled. "What do you desire?", she replied, her voice warming ever so slightly.

David thought of Lynn and looked away. The others said nothing.

"Jonathan.", Kendra called out, raising her voice only a little.

The elf snapped to attention at Kendra's side. Kendra nodded her head. The servant exited through the curtain and returned soon after, bearing a small stack of parchment and several sharpened pieces of charcoal.

"Ask for anything.", Kendra said. "And I will do my part to help you find it."

Jonathan moved about the table, giving a sheet of parchment and a piece of charcoal to each of the guests except Lynn.

"Magic wands, shining armor, wealth, power...", Kendra said enticingly. "All these things are within my power to give to you."

Adederia took up the coal and parchment and began sketching seemingly random images. Damon watched Adederia and his face softened. He glanced furtively at the others and wrote a brief sentence, "I want Adederia to be like she was before", before folding the sheet in half.

David stared at the blank sheet for a while. He wondered if Kendra could truly give him what he wanted and what the true price would be. Then he thought that if she could fulfill his wishes that he would regret asking for anything other than what he truly desired. He filled out his request with a shaking hand, "I want Lynn to be able to look at me without guilt in her eyes. I want my body to be whole again."

Weamar had no idea what to ask for. He didn't really want to ask for anything. So he left the parchment and charcoal alone.

Kendra looked across at Weamar, "If not for yourself, then for another?"

Weamar's thoughts turned to Solance, but he felt that Kendra would only harm her. He said nothing and looked over at Marinae who was staring at the parchment in front of her.

"Is it a matter of trust?", Kendra asked, looking at Weamar and Marinae.

"Do you really need to ask?", Marinae shot back.

"My word is good.", Kendra assured Marinae. "I deal with many to our mutual benefit. If I could not be trusted I would not have the power that I do."

Weamar spoke up. "It's not that I don't trust you.", the ranger replied to Kendra. "But being given what I desire most would be contrary to what I desire most."

Kendra turned to Weamar "I am not giving you anything, Weamar. You are earning it."

Weamar chose his words carefully. "By not being swayed by the offer of reward, I already have what I desire, so I do not need to earn it.", he said, wondering if he had said what he meant.

"Then you do not accept anyone's help?", Kendra asked.

"Heh, no.", Weamar replied with a chuckle. "I accept people's help, but it irks me."

"All that you have you have earned.", Kendra began. "You give to others and they give back to you. This is the way of the world. This is what I offer you."

Weamar thought for a while. "I like being alone, in the wild.", he said with an air of longing in his voice. "That was where I was before becoming entangled with these others. I don't like it but it was thrust upon me."

"Is that how you see your friends?", Kendra asked almost emotionlessly. "As entanglements?"

"Insofar as my concern for them ties me to them, yes.", Weamar responded confidently.

Marinae shot him a dirty look but Weamar didn't see it. Lynn felt a wave of guilt come over her. It was because of Eliza that Weamar was still with them. Before she felt that she and Eliza were Weamar's friends. Now she realized that they were just his entanglements. She let out a quiet sigh.

"And you wish to be rid of them?", Kendra asked. "To be alone again?"

"No, and yes.", Weamar answered.

"Your independence I can give back to you.", Kendra said. "What ties you to your friends?"

"My independence ties me to them.", Weamar explained, making the simple seem complicated. "My choice to do what I think is the right thing, and their lack of objection to my presence."

"What is this right thing that you're doing?", Kendra said to Weamar, probing for anything that she could latch on to. "I can help you complete it."

"Simply trying to help good people help other good people.", Weamar answered. "Such does not require payment, achieving it is payment enough."

"Or would be if things went right for a change", Weamar thought to himself. In all his years alone in the forest, he had become very philosophical, and was enjoying the chance to examine his motives.

"And you must achieve this thing that is right without my help?", Kendra asked.

"I haven't refused your help.", Weamar answered

"I can always make it harder on you, so that it is more rewarding when you succeed.", Kendra suggested with a straight face.

Marinae rolled her eyes.  Weamar missed the sarcasm.

"If I desired additional difficulties, I could achieve those myself.", Weamar answered indignantly. "Tracking would be substantially harder if I poked my own eyes out, for example. Why is it so important to you that I ask for some boon?"

"She wants something.", Marinae answered. "She wants it badly enough to make deals, like, perhaps, the hands of Balican. And she can't get them herself, or with Kiri's help, or that of her servants."

"My servants are busy with other tasks.", Kendra explained. "Kiri will not be able to join you on this mission."

Marinae kept her joy a secret.

"I want to reward you because rewards are good for business.", Kendra admitted. "You will work hard to fulfill your end of the bargain and you will want to deal with me again. But if you wish that I give you no help, I will respect that wish."

"And he would owe you nothing in return.", Marinae added. Kendra nodded.

"Marinae, you know what Meech was working on before you stopped him.", Kendra said, turning towards the elf.

Marinae was startled for a moment. "How did she know about Meech?", she thought. She wondered just how much Kendra knew about them and how much she knew about what they had done.

"I know he was working with evil and had to be stopped.", Marinae replied.

"And you know that the Elves still do not believe that Drakov threatens them.", Kendra continued.

"Few know the face of evil until it gazes upon them.", Marinae nodded her head.

"Do you wish that the Elves stare into Drakov's evil face before they realize that they should have risen up to stop him?", Kendra asked.

Marinae swallowed hard. "I, I cannot speak to my people.", she answered, lowering her voice.

"There are ways to make them listen.", Kendra replied. "For their own benefit."

Marinae looked at her hands and bit back her despair. "If I go back, will they hear me?", she thought to herself. "Will they even listen before making me a pincushion?"

"They would listen if Drakov's men were found in their kingdom.", Kendra suggested. "Saboteurs, spies, preparing an invasion."

"No.", Marinae put her foot down. "I would just as soon deliver myself for judgment by my own people than have his bastards pollute our soil."

"Drakov plans much worse things for your people.", Kendra said calmly. "You have stopped him, for now, but he is not finished."

Marinae didn't answer. She didn't know what to say. Danger and evil were everywhere. She just wanted to get away.

"You don't have to decide now.", Kendra said to Marinae and Weamar. "You have one night to think about it." Then she turned towards Lynn. "Eliza has been taken to the dark tower. I may be able to return her to you by morning, but I fear that it will take some time to cure her."

"No.", Lynn said softly. She paused, gave in, and asked, "I want to be with her."

"I cannot allow you into the dark tower.", Kendra told Lynn. Then she softened her voice slightly, "When you see her next, she will be well again."

Lynn lowered her head and hoped that Kendra was speaking the truth.

Marinae looked at Lynn and felt her pain. Then she looked back at Kendra's chair again, but the dark woman was no longer there.