Master's Mind (The Dagger of Dragon Rose Book 1)
Rescue

Be shadow, be silence, be fast, or engage violence - Thieves’ guild creed

Nathan awoke the next morning with fragments of the story that he’d been told clinging to his memory. The events surrounding the destruction of the castle seemed very familiar, like he had seen them before, but he just couldn’t remember. The story did seem to corroborate what Zorah had told him about the day that they had found him.

He shook his head to clear the cobwebs and winced slightly as he realized that his neck was stiff. He had slept in one of the chairs by the desk, so that Parel could sleep on the bed.

He stood, stretched, and began to look around the room. Behind the four poster bed, a mural had been drawn on the wall. It depicted several great battles that had happened through out history. Each battle featured the group that had called itself the Guardians of the Balance. A small group of friends that had banded together and been charged with maintaining the balance between light and darkness. At the forefront of the group stood a handsome Elf brandishing a glowing blue sword. The same sword that the Elf king had used in the fight that had cost him his life. The same sword that now hung from Nathan’s own sword belt.

He looked at the small figure in he mural. He looked very familiar, but Nathan could not place where he had seen him before.

He turned and came face to face with a full length looking glass. The image of his own reflection cause his eyes to widen. Suddenly the memory of meeting the old Elf in the graveyard came back to him. The old man had fallen to the ground in a worshipful gesture and called him “Your Majesty”. He had brushed the incident off as the frailties of age, but now that he was looking at himself next to the image of the Elf king he was not so sure.

Shantar’s voice floated through his mind. “You look much like your father, it is true.”

Nathan looked around to see where the bard was. He looked across the room to where the large pile of treasure lay and almost screamed as he saw the enormous golden dragon staring at him from the divot in the treasure pile. He backed away as quickly as he could.

“Do not be frightened, Taren.” The bard’s voices sounded again. “I will not harm you.” With that, the great beast stepped off of the mound of gold and began to shrink. His scales lost their golden luster, growing darker until they were shiny black. Charcoal colored hair sprouted from the reptilian head, that was quickly growing more human like. Large forefeet were shrinking into human hands. When the transformation was finished the black skinned bard stood in front of him.

“I apologize, I did not mean to startle you. Very few get to see me in my alternate state.” The bard smiled graciously.

Nathan was shocked by the event that he had just witnessed, but not so much that he missed what Shantar had said.

“You called me Taren. Who is that?” Nathan asked.

“Have you not guessed who you are?” Shantar asked, laughing slightly. “Paron Elloy had four children: Morganna - the girl with the dagger mark, Tarea - the girl with the dragon mark, Saria - the girl with the Rose mark, and Taren - The boy with wings.”

Nathan was taken aback. He had not told the bard about his wings, and yet he seemed to know.

“I have known that you were here all along. You are the reason that I built my Inn here in the first place. I have stayed in this city to both keep an eye on you and to protect you.” Shantar paused briefly, considering his words. “The Dark Lords have found you. Sending you into the mansion last night was an attempt to have you killed. Fortunately, you found Cyan before the Ogres attacked you. He was able to protect you from the Ogres.”

“Cyan?” Nathan asked.

“You know so very little. Perhaps it was a mistake leaving you in the care of the Humans.” The bard mused. “Do you know the story of the Crystal Blades?”

“They were created by Paron near the beginning of the Drake Wars as weapons to fight the dragons.” Nathan answered.

“Yes, they were created by a joint effort of my father and your father to combat the dragon menace in the Drake Wars. Since then a small group of them have been among the races to help when needed. They have accompanied the Guardians, and now they have been passed to the next generation.” Shantar gestured and the strange sword he had found in the mansion the previous night flew to him. “The blade is a special compound that only your father and a select group of other knew how to make. It is completely unbreakable.” He hit the blade against the wall as hard as he could. A sound like ringing crystal echoed through the room, but the blade remained whole and unblemished. He let go of the sword, but it did not fall. “They have the ability to not only float, but they can fight independently of their wielders. They each have special abilities. Cyan has the ability to control cold.”

“They help people? You make it sound like they are alive.” Nathan said, incredulously.

“We are alive.” A strangely metallic voice answered

“Taren Elloy, meet Cyan Iceblade.” Shantar said as he handed Nathan the sword.

Nathan accepted the sword uneasily.

“Your father and I were good friends. I hope that we can also become so.” Cyan said, his blade pulsing with each word.

Nathan’s head began to spin. Shantar placed his hand on the young Elf’s shoulder and steered him to the nearest chair.

“I understand that this is all a bit overwhelming. Unfortunately, you do not have much time to sit and work this out.” The bard sounded truly sorry. “I have just found out that a good friend of your Human mother is in prison, and slated to be hanged at a public hanging today at midday.”

“So, you want me to go and rescue him.” Nathan surmised.

“I understand he was also a friend of yours, as well as the master of the Thieve’s Guild.” Shantar explained.

“Garz is still alive?” Nathan quickly sat forward on the edge of the chair.

“Very much so, and if you would like to keep it that way, you will need to rescue him.” Shantar produced a black cloth bundle from within his desk. “Here, this will help you.”

Nathan took the bundle from the bard and unfolded it. It was a set of thieves clothing, but like no set Nathan had ever seen before. There were two long protrusions that extended from the back that looked like they would cover his wings. There were hundreds of little flaps in the protrusions that he did not understand..

“If you notice the flaps in the wing covers, they will hide your wings, and yet allow the air to touch your feathers so that flight is still possible.” Shantar said, pointing to the flaps. He then grabbed the ends of the wing covers. “The cloth will conform to the contours of your feathers. When you stretch your primary feathers, the cloth will stretch with you. This outfit should make flight possible while in the suit.”

Nathan was ecstatic. “I have been trying to come up with something like this for two years.”

“Well then,” The bard said as he waived his hand and three stone walls rose obscuring Nathan from view. “why don’t you try it out.”

With Shantar’s assistance, Nathan quickly donned the outfit. It was much more comfortable than the thief’s clothing that he was used to. The wing covers were comfortable and did conform to his wings perfectly. He was even able to fold his wings tightly against his back, and they blended into the outfit, making them invisible.

“These are great.” Nathan said excitedly after several minutes.

The walls that hid him while he changed slid back into the floor.

“We have a couple of things to discuss before you go.” Shantar said. “First, it is just after midnight, it would be a good idea to go get him before the sun rises. His execution is scheduled for midday.” He waived his hand and an image of the city prison appeared. There was a small blinking light in one of the cells. “This is where he is being kept. There are guards here, here, and here; with a patrol that passes by every thirty minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll get him.” Nathan said,

“There is one more thing, before you go.” Shantar’s eyes began to glow as he spoke. “You have a decision to make, and it needs to be made before you get back. You must decide if you are going to keep going by your Human name, or if you are going to reclaim the name that your father gave you and the birthright that goes with it.”

Nathan was taken aback. “That is a big decision. Shouldn’t I take my time?”

“You have until you get back to decide.” Shantar said.

The bard turned to the wall of his lair. As he waved his hand a section of the wall disappeared, opening into the foggy night outside. Just as Nathan was about to step into the night, Parel appeared. She was dressed in a set of Thief’s clothes.

“I am coming with you.” She said.

Nathan’s eyes went wide as he saw her. He had never seen her in anything except a skirt or a dress, and here she was in a full thief’s out fit. He was almost impressed, but he knew that it was going to be extremely dangerous.

“I can’t let you come. It will be too dangerous.” He told her.

Parel pulled a small knife from a pocket. “I am not asking. I am going with you.”

He almost laughed at the tiny weapon in her hand, until he looked at it closer. The clear blade that glowed a deep purple color.

“Is that a Crystal Blade?” he asked.

Parel nodded. “This is Oran. I found him the first time we met at the park. He saved my life that night. I don’t go anywhere without him.”

Shantar walked up to Nathan, and handed him his sword belt. “You are probably going to need this.” He watched as the young Elf strapped the belt on.

Nathan looked at Parel, trying to put as much dislike of the idea into his expression. “I really don’t think you should come.”

Parel glared back at him. “I really think that this conversation is over. Let’s go”

Without waiting for him she stepped through the portal into the foggy night. Nathan had to hurry to keep up with her.

“Parel, wait.” He said, and almost walked into her as she stopped directly in front of him.

She whirled around to face him. “Look, I know as well as you do that this is going to be dangerous. I don’t want anything to happen to you any more than you want anything to happen to me.”

Nathan shook his head. As much as he wanted to, he could not argue with her logic.

They concealed themselves on top of a rise that overlooked the prison walls. The light from the prison lit up the area, even through the thick fog.

“We need a plan.” Nathan whispered.

Parel smiled at him. “You are going to go and rescue your friend. I am going to create a diversion.”

“What do you have in mind?” He asked.

She smiled her dazzling smile. “You’ll see. First I need to go visit my daddy, I’m sure he will be more than willing to help.”

A feeling of guilt came over Nathan. It was partly his fault that her father was in prison. He had broken into their house and stolen some sensitive documents that had implicated Marcus Zalek in some shady business deals. The evidence had been enough to have him incarcerated.

“We can communicate with each other through our Crystal Blades. They can communicate with us and with each other over distance.” Parel explained. “Stay here until I tell you that everything is ready.”

Nathan smiled nervously. “Be careful.”

She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “You too.” Then she was gone, disappearing into the foggy night.

Nathan ran through several scenarios as he waited for Parel’s signal. The ideal situation was for him to get in, get Garz, and get out before anyone knew he was there. The worst situation that he could think of was for him to get caught and have to fight his way out. There were several other scenarios in between the two that he was able to come up with.

A commotion suddenly arose from within the prison complex. It sounded like a few of the prisoners had awoken and were shouting and banging on the bars. The sound grew in volume as more and more prisoners awoke and joined in. As though it were a counterpoint to some odd music, Nathan could here the guards shouting at the prisoners.

“Oran is saying that all is in readiness.” Cyan’s odd metallic voice sounded in his head. “The majority of the guards are occupied and we should be able to get to our target with little difficulty. I am also to tell you that they are out of the prison, so they are safe. They will remain in the vicinity should we require their assistance.”

Nathan nodded. He could see the prison clearly, even through the fog, so he knew approximately where the closest door to Garz’s was located. He took a quick running start, jumped off the rise, and spread his wings. He loved the feeling of the air whistling through his feathers, and was surprised that the coverings on the suit did not hinder that feeling at all. He circled the complex a few times, just to prolong the experience that flying always provided him.

He landed in the courtyard, moving quickly to the door. He was not surprised to replace the door locked. Pulling a slender lock pick out of his thief’s toolkit, it only took him a fraction of a moment to unlock the door. He hurried through the door to the cell where the Thieves Guild Master was being held. He quickly unlocked the cell door and was inside.

Garz was chained to the wall by both his wrists and his ankles. The arm chains were not long enough to allow the short man to reach the floor, and his legs were pointing in unnatural angles.

“Garz, what have they done to you?” Nathan asked.

“Satchel, I am very glad to see you. They broke both of my legs so that I would not be able to escape, as if I would have been able to any way with my hands shackled as they are.” Garz said.

Nathan smiled at his friend’s usage of his thief name. “I’ll get help. Cyan,” He said to his sword. “let Parel know that we need her help. I can not carry Garz by myself.”

Garz looked at him strangely as Cyan relayed the message. “To whom are you talking lad?”

“It’s a long story, and we don’t have time right now.” Nathan said as he freed Garz’s wrists and ankles from the shackles. “Be patient, help is on the way.”

Garz chuckled quietly. “Be patient? We are in a prison, attempting a breakout, and the boy says be patient.”

The sound from the other prisoners still echoed through the corridors.

Moments later Parel came running into the cell. “We don’t have much time.”

Garz’s eyes widened as he saw her. “Help on the way, eh?”

She pulled Oran out, the small purple blade pulsing to some unheard rhythm. Suddenly the bones in Garz’s legs began to knit back together, the legs straightening out the way that they were meant. Several seconds later, he was on his feet.

“Let’s go laddie and lady.” He said as he headed out into the hallway.

“Hey you!” A guard down the hall yelled. Apparently the riot in the main prison was not bad enough that all of the guards had been called to help quell it.

The guard began to advance on Garz, until Nathan stepped out of the cell holding Cyan in one hand and a set of bolas in another and Parel stepped out holding Oran. This caused him to pause.

“Who are you?” The guard asked him.

Nathan smiled. “I am much smarter than you, if you think I am going to answer that question.”

The guard advanced again running towards them yelling, until the floor underneath him turned to ice. He began to slip and his yell turned into a scream. As he approached the group, Nathan took a step forward and punched the guard with his sword hilt.

The guards feet came off the ground as he fell backwards. He was unconscious as his back smacked against the hard floor.

Nathan realized that he wasn’t going to need the bolas, so he stashed them back into the hidden pocket in his suit. He then grabbed the guard, relieved him of his keys, and locked him in Garz’s cell.

“Let’s get out of here before anything else goes wrong.” Nathan said.

The three of them ran down the hall towards the door that led to the courtyard.

“I am not going to be able to lift Garz out, I may be able to lift Parel, but I am not positive as I have never flown with anyone but myself before.”

Garz looked at Nathan inquisitively. “Never flown?” He asked.

“Again, long story and no time.” Nathan said.

“I’ll handle that.” Parel said. “Or more precisely, Oran will.”

“Who...?” Garz began to ask.

“Garz! Run now, explain later.” Nathan snapped. He hadn’t meant to snap at Garz, but the questions were coming at a very inopportune time.

They could hear more guards coming towards them as they burst through the door into the courtyard.

“Na... Satchel,” Parel called, remembering at the last moment to use his thief name. “You fly, Oran has used a lot of energy tonight. He is not sure that he can take all three of us. Fly towards the rise where we were hiding before. We will foll...”

She was cut short as they ran out into the courtyard. A contingent of about thirty uniform clad men stood on the center of the broad yard.

A high wall surrounded the common area of the prison. It was here that the inmates came to get sunlight and exercise. A net filled with balls hung from a pole under a series of baskests. The earth was trampled, and packed hard around the inner edge of the wall.

“Garz, can you fight?” Nathan asked.

“Do I have a choice, lad?” The old thief answered. “It would be easier if I had a weapon.”

Nathan handed him his short sword and drew both Cyan and his blue bladed sword. A murmur ran through both the Human and Elf members of the party facing them as they beheld the two swords. Many of the Humans and all of the Elves, with the singular exception of the captain himself, backed away from the fight, unbeknownst to the commander, leaving ten or so militia members facing them.

“Satchel, I presume.” A medium sized elf said as he stepped forward. He had a self important air about him.

“Captain Talinian, I hope.” Nathan answered.

The comment caused the captain to pause for a moment as he tried to puzzle out the insinuation that was buried in the comment. Unable to figure out what was meant, he decided to continue. “I would like to thank you for falling into my trap. I knew that you would come to try and rescue the guild master, for you are the last thief that has not been captured this night.”

Nathan gave a dazzling smile, not remembering that he was wearing a mask over his face. “I am not worried about your trap, for your incompetence is legendary, as indicated by the fact that two thirds of your force has deserted you.”

Captain Talinian looked around, and was visibly shocked to see that only ten of his original thirty militia-men were still standing next to him, but that did not deter him. “Get them.” He said in an almost comical voice.

The ten guards rushed forward, each yelling a personal battle cry that must have meant something to them individually. Nathan launched himself forward, slashing at the sword arm of the lead soldier. On the back swing, he caught two more soldiers in the sword arm, causing them to drop their weapons. He continued to turn and swing with measured strokes, until he found himself facing the captain with both blades crossed like a pair of scissors on either side of the man’s neck.

“Drop your sword.” Nathan said slowly.

The sound of Captain Talinian’s sword hitting the ground echoed through the courtyard.

“I will get you, Satchel. Mark my words. You are a common thief, and I will catch you.” The captain snarled.

“No you won’t.” Nathan replied. “Even if you were to capture me, the city magistrate would not keep me here for long. A thief I may be, but I am not common in any way. Most of your long term guests are here by my hand. Have you not wondered where the evidence came from that has convicted the men that you failed to catch? I was the one that broke into their houses and obtained the necessary documents to convict them of their wrong doings. I have done this city a great service.”

Talinian snarled at Nathan. The young thief smiled brightly. Causing the cloth of the mask covering his face to stretch grotesquely. He punched the captain with the hilt of his sword, and the man fell to the ground unconscious.

He turned to the ten men that were all staring at him, holding their bloodied sword arms. “I am sorry for what I had to do tonight.” He apologized. “I have done none of you any harm that a few days under the watchful eye of a healer will not fix.” Then he turned to Garz and Parel, neither of which had moved during the skirmish, and both of which were staring at him opened mouthed. “I believe this is our cue.” He said, gesturing to the wall that they would need to pass over. Without hesitating, he ran halfway across the courtyard, leaped into the air, and snapped his wings open, and rose into the air.

“What...? How...?“Garz sputtered..

“Mr. Tish,” Parel said crossly. “If you do not keep your mouth shut until we are safe, I will have Oran cast a silence spell on you.” She knew that the threat was empty, Oran did not have enough energy to maintain anything more than the spell that would allow them to fly over the wall.

Garz closed his mouth as he and Parel rose into the sky following Nathan.

When they had all arrived at the rise that overlooked the prison, they dashed into the trees that separated the prison from the rest of the city. Through unspoken consent, they ran towards the Human central park, Parel dragging Garz along as she ran. There was a thick grove of trees there that would offer good protection form anyone that might be looking for them. It was here that they would make introductions and explanations.

They reached the safety of the trees without difficulty. Each of them was breathless as they arrived. They sat for a long time in silence. After they had mostly regained their collective breathe. Garz was the first one to speak.

“I am very grateful to you both for coming to my rescue, but can someone please tell me what is going on? Who is this?” He pointed to Parel. “And who are Oran and Cyan?” He didn’t slow down as he rounded on Nathan. “How did you do that, back there? Why did all of those guards just up and leave? You, you’re him aren’t you? You are the lost son of the Elf king.”

“Garz slow down.” Nathan said. “First, this is Parel Zalek.” He gestured to Parel.

“This is Parel? No wonder you have kept her to yourself.” He said with a sly smile. “A beauty such as this would cause dissension in the ranks. Each boy trying to out do the other to impress her.”

Parel blushed slightly at the compliment.

Nathan drew Cyan from his sword belt. The blue light from the blade making his pale skin look translucent. “This is Cyan Iceblade. I found him in the old mansion while I was in there last night.”

A look of awe cam across the old thief’s face as he beheld the Elf king’s sword. The presence of the Iceblade seemed to confirm his suspicions.

“Oran,” Nathan continued. “is also a Crystal Blade.”

Parel held out the small knife. The purple glow of his blade was dim as was the pulsing light in the largest amethyst.

“He needs to rest. He used a lot of energy tonight. The healing spell to heal Garz’s wounds was especially draining for him.”

“As for the reason why the guards just up and left,” Nathan began. “That is a bit of a long story, but I will try to make it brief.” He pulled the mask from his head. “Do you remember three years ago, the day that you all but conscripted me into service to the guild?”

He paused long enough for Garz to nod.

“Do you know where I was coming from?”

Garz shook his head.

“I had just left the second, and last, training session with Master Tarininan, the good captain’s brother. He had just had me fight all of his advanced students, and I ended up much the same as I did tonight. After the match, he gave me this sword,” He raised the blue bladed Katana. “And proclaimed me a master. He then bowed to me as an equal and sent me on my way. Every one of the human guards that had dissented tonight were among that group that I had beaten. They were there when I was given the sword.” He shook his head. “This means that there are now members of the city militia who know my identity. I will not be able to work for you any longer.” He paused a moment to gather his thoughts. “I do not know why all of the Elves, except Talinian, left.”

Nathan jumped as Cyan’s metallic voice entered his mind. “That was very similar to why the Humans had left. The elves all recognized me. Whether through fame, or infamy, they all knew who I am.”

Garz watched as Nathan jumped. “What is going on?” He asked as Nathan began to nod.

It was Parel that answered. “Cyan says that the reason the Elves left is because they recognized him.”

Garz nodded in understanding. “I would have left too. I would not want to cross blades with the Iceblade.”

“Now, I have a question of my own.” Nathan said looking at Garz. “How did you come to the conclusion that I am the Elf king’s son?”

“I am not just a thief, I am also a gatherer of information.” Garz explained. “Thirteen years ago there was a rumor circulating that the king’s three daughters were born with strange marks on their chest, and that the kings son was born with wings. There was much speculation whether or not the rumors were true. Many, including myself, despaired that we would never replace the answer to whether the rumors were true when the castle was attacked. Until tonight. You’re Taren, aren’t you?”

Nathan nodded slowly. “I once was known by that name. Now I have to determine whether I am to hide from my destiny, or embrace it.”

“What are you going to do?” Parel asked.

“Do you remember what you told me when I asked you why you weren’t going to turn me in for breaking into your house?” Nathan asked.

“I told you that it just felt wrong to do that.” She answered.

“That is correct. I have known for a long time that my parents were not being truthful with me. This morning, Zorah told me how they found me in the wreckage of the Elf king’s castle the day it was destroyed.” Nathan had a far off look in his eyes.

Parel was staring at him in disbelief. “She told you that?

Nathan nodded. “Yes, right before she told me that it was no longer safe for me here. She had packed travel equipment for me, and all but pushed me out the door.”

Garz frowned. “I have known Zorah for a very long time. We have been friends since we were children. She was heartbroken for years that her womb is barren. Until, that is, she found you. You brought new life to her. If she told you that had to leave, than it had to be for a very good reason.”

“What happened to you?” Nathan asked Garz. “How did you get captured?”

“Moments after you left to go and break into the mansion, the city militia raided the guild hall. There was no warning. Cartaron was killed in the battle. I was captured, and sentenced to very public execution as a warning to any that may try to take my place.

Nathan was stunned. Cartaron was one of the few thieves that didn’t hate him. This was strange, because he was also the thief that Nathan had beaten when he was five. The fact that the thief was now dead was unnerving. He was the best swordsman in the guild, except for Nathan himself.

“I was ambushed in the mansion by a pair of Ogres.” Nathan explained. “If it had not been for Cyan, I would be dead.”

Garz let out a low whistle. “So the whole thing was a set up. I bet the orb doesn’t even exist.”

“Oh it exists.” Nathan said. “But hasn’t been in that house for over three hundred years. It was removed the day before Knoro was murdered.”

“How do you know that?” Both Parel and Garz asked in unison.

“I have been having these dreams for a couple months now. The dreams are about Knoro, Shalarandra Kaardrannan, and the Sun Fire orb.”

“Well, where is the orb?” Garz asked. “That thing would be worth several fortunes.”

“I don’t know. The dark elf woman took it on Knoro’s orders and hid it some where. I don’t know where.” Nathan explained.

“Why would Knoro give the orb to the person that was to kill him?” Garz asked. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“According to the dream, she didn’t kill him.” Nathan had a far off look in his eyes, as if he were seeing the dream again. “Dareth killed him. She was captured and killed trying to save him.”

When Nathan spoke Dareth’s name, both Garz and Parel looked around, expecting to see the Lord of Night step out of the shadows at the sound of his name. Nothing happened, and they both turned their attention back to Nathan.

“What are you going to do?” Parel repeated. “The bard expects your answer when we get back.

“Well,” Nathan said. “I have thought about it, and hiding from my birthright just feels wrong. It is time to shed the lie that has been my life for the last twelve years. I will reclaim my birth name, and with it my birthright. From this moment forward I will be Taren Elloy, crown prince of the Elf Kingdom.” Nathan seemed to take on a royal air as he spoke. “Garz, I will ask one thing of you.”

“Anything, your majesty.” Garz said, bowing.

“I will ask you to please keep the knowledge of my wings to yourself.” Taren said. “The Elves are not very understanding of such things.”

“My lips are sealed.” Garz said, bowing again. “Would you like me to keep your existence a secret as well?”

“No, you can spread that.” Taren smiled. “It will bring hope to those that have none.” He stood, and held his hand out to Parel. “Come, it is time to go and inform the bard of my decision.”