Tales of the Two Rings: Volume 1 by Ben Cassidy

Author:Ben Cassidy [Cassidy, Ben]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: Ben Cassidy
Published: 2013-09-07T06:00:00+00:00

Kel Tyro Bulaan stared out at the crystal blue water. A gentle breeze blew in over the green trees that led up from the beach, and wafted over the wide marble porch he stood on.

Behind him, Illru stood uneasily. His hands were folded behind his back. “The Guardians might still find the body,” he ventured hopefully. “The channel runs swiftly, and there might—”

“There is no body to find,” Bulaan said. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the warm sun and gentle breeze on his face. It was good to get out of that accursed mage tower. “The thief escaped.”

Illru shuffled, his purple robe drifting in the wind. “With respect, sir, that is highly unlikely. High Chara’nel was completely closed off. There was no way he could have—”

“Trust me, Illru, if any man could have escaped from High Chara’nel alive, it was this one.” Bulaan lifted a blue crystal goblet to his lips and took a sip of spiced wine. “I underestimated him.” He turned and looked sharply at Illru. “Without him we can’t prove anything, do you understand?”

Illru swallowed. “Suspicion is already falling on Kel Voloro Fooru. He is the likely instigator of such a plot. The other Kels—”

Bulaan banged his fist down on the porch’s railing, causing Illru to jump. “Throne of Pel’na, I needed that thief alive! He was the proof, Illru. He would have confessed and told the Hierarchy everything. Now we just have vague suspicions, unfounded accusations.” He shook his head. “It’s not enough.”

Illru tugged nervously at his robe. “We can appeal again, sir. When we return to Chara’nel, surely we can—”

“Enough,” Bulaan said wearily. He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “I am fatigued. For now let us leave the politics of the Palace behind us.” He stared down at the rolling white waves. “It is good to come home again, out of the stinking city and away from the plots and treacheries of my fellow mages.” He glanced back at Illru. “Ciare? Has she arrived?”

Illru nodded quickly. “Yes, Kel. She awaits you in your bedchambers.”

“Good.” Bulaan turned from the porch railing. “The perfect thing to take my mind off my troubles for a while.”

He walked out of the bright sunshine and into the brazier-lit hall of the manor house.

A row of scantily-dressed servants, most of them female, stood instantly to attention as he appeared. Several stepped forward with trays filled with slices of Llathese fruit, Kolan mushrooms and smoked Nevagan meats.

Bulaan raised a hand and the servants retreated.

Illru hurried inside after the Kel.

Bulaan walked towards a large archway that led to a wider hall. “No interruptions, Illru, do you understand? None at all.”

The mage nodded eagerly. “As you wish, Kel.”

Bulaan nodded absently, then walked down the hall and opened a door at the end. He moved into the room and closed the door behind him.

He was met with the pleasing scent of heavy incense, the soft tinkle of chimes on the evening breeze, and the rustle of soft silk. Bulaan smiled, and stepped into the large bedchambers of House Tyro.

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