Korox turned to the nearest palace guard. "How did this get here?"
The guard fumbled for the words. "It just… just… did, my lord."
"What do you mean, 'it just did?' It's a huge stone obelisk. Did it drop from the sky?"
The guard shook his head. "No, my lord. One moment, it wasn't there. Then as the sun rose over Shalane Lake, it… it just was."
"And you saw no one? No creatures, no soldiers, no wizards, no one appeared with it?"
"No, my king," replied the guard. "Only the obelisk."
The king nodded. "Well then, raise the portcullis," he ordered. "I want to get a better look."
The order echoed over the heads of the people, shouted from one guard to the next, until it was answered by the grinding of heavy chain. The huge metal gate that protected the entrance of the palace complained as it was lifted into the air. With each crank of the wooden gear, the portcullis drew higher, the pointed ends looking like the jaw of a gigantic beast, ready to chomp down on any who drew near.
The king didn't wait for it to reach its full height. Ducking under the partially open gate, he made his way down the drawbridge, into the early morning. The senator, Quinn, and Whitman all followed. Captain Kaden rushed to catch up, fastening the last few buckles of his plate mail as he shouldered his way through the crowd, joining the others as they left the palace.
As they drew closer, King Korox began to recognize the words inscribed on its surface. The chiseled letters only became legible when the light hit them at just the right angle, reflecting off the inner surface of the carving and casting the words in contrast to the darker stone. Drawing up to the edge of the obelisk, the king sidestepped, tilting his head to get the sun's early rays into the right position.
King Korox Morkann of Erlkazar,
Underestimate my power at your folly. Further resistance or acts of aggression will not be tolerated.
On the moon's rise in four days time, deliver to me your eldest daughter, Princess Mariko.
Sacrifice the princess, or you shall forfeit the lives of everyone in your kingdom.
Arch Magus Xeries
Quinn caught the king under the arm, holding him up as his knees went weak.
In all the time he had been serving Korox Morkann, the Warrior King as many called him, he had never seen the man falter as he did now.
The king grabbed Quinn's shoulder with his other hand, steadying himself. "Where is my daughter?" he asked.
When no one answered, he repeated himself, this time more forcefully. "Where is my daughter?"
Captain Kaden echoed the king's concern. "Has anyone seen the princess?" He pointed to the closest palace guard. "You there. You were on duty this morning. When was the last time you saw the princess?"
The guard shook his head. "Not today."
"How about you?" shouted Kaden at one of his Magistrates. "Have you seen the princess?"
"No," replied the soldier. "Not since the black fortress arrived."
Quinn could tell the king was growing more and more alarmed. His eyes were beginning to narrow, and the edges of his lips were curled down, a sign that his initial shock was now turning to anger.
Straightening, King Korox took his weight off of Quinn. "Well, someone find my daughter. Right now!"
Every palace guard within earshot took off in a different direction. The crowd of gawking courtiers scattered-some helping to search for Princess Mariko, others just simply trying to get out of the way.
Captain Kaden lowered his head in a bow to the king. "With all due respect my lord, you don't plan to turn the princess over to that… that beast, do you?"
King Korox's voice boomed as he replied. "This is my daughter we're talking about here, son. I'd just as soon give up my own life than hers."
"Then what do you plan to do?" asked Senator Divian.
The senator always stood too close to the king for Quinn's comfort. She gripped his arm now, a look of stern disapproval on her face.
"You must be careful what you decide, Korox," she continued. "It is not just your daughter who is in danger. The lives of every man, woman, and child in Erlkazar are at stake here."
The king looked at her hand on his arm. The anger on his face had clearly not yet subsided. "This is neither the time nor the place for this discussion."
He raised his gaze to meet the senator's, his eyes narrowing as he did.
Quinn gripped the hilt of his sword, unnerved by the mounting tension between the king and his advisor.
Senator Divian relented, letting go of the king and nodding her understanding.
Korox turned to the head of the Magistrates. "Captain-"
Kaden cut him off before he could finish. "I'll find her, my lord." Then he took off into the palace at a full run.
Taking one last look at the stone obelisk, the king marched back into the great hall, leaving the senator by herself at the end of the drawbridge. Quinn followed behind.
The moment his foot touched the inside of the palace, King Korox began shouting.
"Mariko!" His words boomed as he stormed through the halls. "Mariko where are you?" No one else spoke. His unanswered calls echoed off the stone walls, making Klarsamryn seem cold and empty. "Mariko!"
"Perhaps we should split up, my lord," said Quinn.
Korox continued his march through the palace-a man obsessed, not slowing his pace.
"There are plenty of Magistrates here," continued Quinn. "I'm sure you will be safe while we search, and we can cover more ground if we're looking in separate places."
The king came to a stop. At the end of the hall, the man with the pointy beard and curled moustache had appeared- the man the king had called Vasser.
"No," replied the king, obviously preoccupied by the presence of the bearded stranger. "For now I need you by my side. Wait right here."
Korox left Quinn behind as he met with the mysterious messenger.
Vasser gave Quinn a wide smile, then he leaned in and whispered something into the king's ear. He talked for some time then pulled a piece of vellum from his pocket, unfolded it, and began pointing at several different points.
Torches behind Vasser and the king partially illuminated the vellum. Every time the shadow of Vasser's head lifted away, Quinn could see right through it. From what he could tell, it looked to be a map of the five baronies-Llorbauth in the center.
Vasser pointed to the docks, then to the south-maybe Duhlnarim? Then back again at Llorbauth. Whatever he had said caught the king by surprise, and Korox took a huge, unbalanced step back, his eyes wide with fear. Looking like a toy soldier, his legs wooden and stiff, the king spun around on his heels, turned, and continued his march down the hall.
"Quinn!" he shouted over his shoulder, resuming his earlier pace. "With me!"
The king's bodyguard rushed to catch up, running past Vasser as he did. The man nodded and gave a small bow, his face the very picture of concern. This man was trouble, but Quinn had no time to deal with him now. Letting him go for the time being, he caught up with the king as he turned the corner.
It was obvious to Quinn that they were headed for Princess Mariko's chamber. Surely by now they had already been checked by the palace guard, but perhaps the king just needed to see for himself.
Barging through the door, the king stepped, into his daughter's room. On any other day, he would have knocked and announced himself, always very respectful of Mariko's privacy. But today was like no other day.
Inside, as Quinn had suspected, the princess's bed chamber was filled with palace guards and court functionaries.