Chapter Five

“Tagor of the Frost. I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” With no guards, troops or weapons the man with the pleasant voice approached the table of the man he addressed, paying no attention to the women that clamoured around him seeking his attention and his finances. Their gropes found him neither wanting nor caring.

Tagor looked up to him, eyes alive yet never giving any emotion as he carefully peered about, still locked with his visitor. From the table a chair was pushed out until it slid into the mans legs without knocking him off balance. The woman to his side, possessing pure green eyes, slid her hand along Tagor’s back as she moved away from the table.

“I haven’t nearly enough wine for this visit Tolin. But if you are here and haven’t taken to ‘summoning’ me, I have to assume you actually need something from me.” Tolin offered a smile as he sat. Tagor responded shaking his head. “What do you want Tolin, I don’t have the patience today to deal with blood or perfume.”

“Hammerhold.” Tolin stated the name and still the man he came to meet showed no response. Others in the room may have tensed, he could indeed sense that, but there was nothing from Tagor. Still the cool look and calm features that always reminded Tolin of the frost of the winter.

“Tova you mean. That is what it is called now.”

“I see. You have been there?” Tolin questioned, obviously peeked by the name.

“No.” Now Tagor laughed and pushed a full goblet toward Tolin. Holding it at its base, the younger man held onto it as the other attempted to pick it up. “For the information you want, you will give me something I want. Protection from you newest dog, by my terms, is the only way to the information.”

“You come by your information much too quickly young man. I would think you had the will in you. Additionally I must admit a loss at my newest dog. Such a thing has not existed in some time.”

“Lie to me about Blackroot again and we are finished.” Tagor’s eyes narrowed and his brow showed a level of concern that completely betrayed his previous demeanour. “Long of the lost Hakani still serve in their own way, you Rhiyans are far too loud with your moves and intentions. Did you really think the changes of the point would go unnoticed? Do you really feel as your words remain silent your actions will do the same. I wont say it again, I want protection from your newest dog and my terms will be agreed to or you will learn nothing of Tova from me.”

It was no stalemate. Both wanted something and neither was going to budge. Yet Tolin had to be intrigued by Tagor’s reactions. Something about Blackroot spooked him. For that matter it spooked Tolin a bit as well. As Tagor had given away such, Tolin had to be sure he did not offer the same give away.

“Very well, we will be direct. You know what I want.” Tolin began, “yet I do not know what you want. So keeping with your desires we need to, as you have put it, no blood or perfume, what is you want?”

“I want the void band. I want it before I tell you anything. That should keep you and all your dogs off of me. We both know you carry it, so do not waste my time or insult my request. Priest if we have a problem with this, you can walk your way all the way back to your temple and then to the shadows with you.”

Tagor sat back in this chair, back to his original posture and expressions. Carefully, Tolin reached into his robes and carefully slid the band down his arm. He had worn it almost since his birth, one of the relics passed down from each high priest to the next. Jewelry of another time wrapped in legend, yet offering little beyond decoration.

It wasn’t the first time Tagor has referred to it, yet it was the first time he demanded it. It was obvious the young man had bought into legends and the stories. Tolin had to laugh as he thought about it. The band had never, in all his studies stopped his masters’ from imposing their will upon his growing powers. Nothing had stopped the pain of his education or the agony of his lessons. No, with the band he was losing nothing, but was gaining all the information he would need. Without another thought he tossed the band almost in Tagor lap.

“You now have something of mine. I will know what you do.” Tolin had returned his posture to that of his position. His shoulders had squared, his gaze was now that of the High Priest and not that of any other man. His years of experience in gathering information threatened to consume his interaction. Yet still it was held in check by his internal discipline. However, should Tagor decide to change his mind, that training, that education and those lessons would teach the man the bad really held no power.

The band disappeared in an instant. True to his demands, Tagor began to speak;

“Hammerhold’s legion fell by a force minor compared to it and did so in a single day. No magic, just men; efficient and purposeful. All of the royals are dead, all contact removed.”

“Hakani!” Tolin interjected quickly without given it more thought. “Their prowess never ceases to amaze.”

Tagor abruptly stood and announced, “Cast blame where you wish. I suppose we are done here.”

“You know more Tagor, tell me.” Tolin offered a smile that was anything but kind and motioned for the man to return to his seat. “If you know that much, you know much more.”

“These are not your people, these were organized men, darker, darker even than those as far south as Windra. Bearlike from beyond the mountains. Only from the wilds could such be born and only with the knowledge of the named could they make the trip.

“Nothing goes in or out from these lands, everything comes from beyond Dragonspine. But then no one I respect would bother taking the path offered. For many years we used the water flowing from Hammerhold Falls to move information. That is no longer available, for even that they protect and control. However, the right person could use their crane system to learn much.”

Tagor chuckled softly, I am sure Berric will not be able to put information to such use. He will fume the path is blocked from him and in that rage he will attempt to force them, yet as always, none can take a fortified and prepared Hammerhold.”

“And yet this group did, without even a legion? Either your information is wrong or you have taken up the art of storytelling.” Tolin responded.

“I read priest. I always have. You would do well to read more of your own, there are wonders well beyond your religion. Had you not given up so much to learn what you have learned, such sources would be open to you.”

“As that legend goes, you will pay the price for sharing such information with me, will you not.”

“No High Priest, you were not named, that much I know, therefore I share nothing with you that would cause me harm nor truly help you. I offer you only history, history that you cannot bend, alter or change to your wishes. As strong as you are, you are unable to wield such.”

“What is next, surely if I know you are here, others do as well?” High Priest Tolin watched him carefully now, he may have need of him in the future.

“Away. With the naming, I shall seek my own solstice away from here. The farther away from your beast, the better I will feel. Do not feign interest in my wanderings and do not look for me. Our business is concluded forever.”

Tagor started to walk away, yet again Tolin stopped him; “You know more, I would know it all.”

“I know that which does not include you and that is not your information to know. If you look for me priest, you will lose everything. Keep that in mind, you will have plenty to deal with soon.”

The green eyed woman took the seat left vacant by Tagor and looked at the High Priest, waiting.

“What do you want Jade?” High Priest Tolin asked slightly irritated, “I am not aware of any business you and I have together.”

“My hatred of you only grows High Priest, but I would be free of my debt to you.”

“Go with him, what have I to say of it?” He questioned her.

“You came to me for aid in finding Tagor, I have done this for you at a great cost to myself. I wish to be free of the Ministries strings. Release me from it.” Jade demanded of him.

“Your service to the Ministry is for life Jade, it has never been less than that. When I call for you again, I demand the same actions and whatever else in required. In fact, now that you have brought this to my attention, there is more needed of you.” Tolin now smiled from ear to ear, his hand reached over and stroked her breast, lingering over her nipple, teasing it. Suddenly gripping it tightly and twisting it until tears fell from her eyes, he pulled her closer. “You will travel to Blackroot and offer yourself to my student. Lay with him, know his secrets and all of this will be reported to me.”

Pulling her body away amidst the pain she stood and yelled, her eyes full of new tears. “I have always done what you asked. When you wished to see Tagor, you offered me freedom and now you take that freedom from me!”

“Ah but you are free, free to leave this place and journey to Blackroot. Once there, whatever he wishes, you will provide. Should he release you that will be his choice. Now get away from me whore, we have no business together.”

Tolin had gotten his information and now he had his first control on Joliel. Rhiya smiled upon him and his rewards continued to grow.

*****

The couple watched in silence as the High Priest gathered his escort and journeyed forward. Even as the sun began its decent, they stood in silence until the group was completely gone from view.

“Had he seen your lingering touch, all could have unwound.” Tagor said quietly.

“I am a whore, I touch lots of people, it was best he saw me act in my usual manners.”

“It’s a dangerous game. But we have what is needed. I only hope our cost isn’t too high. This beast in Blackroot is something to be feared and something to stay away from.”

“No Tag. This war is something to be feared and something to stay away from. You know I will never make it to Blackroot. I will fall the way of Hammerhold and that is enough.” Jade responded. “My sisterhood is well protected, my time is but in service. I will return to Tova and continue my service. My Emperor will not allow harm to come to his people.”

“I have never seen you give so easily Jade, it is not in us to be such.”

“You have never met the Emperor my brother. If you had you would understand and you would be at peace. If you go to Skara, you will come into his service and you will find understanding.” Jade almost pleaded with him.

“No Jade. Just no. I no longer serve anyone, my time is now my own.”

He moved to hand her the band he had received from Tolin. Quickly and silently she placed one hand on the band, one on his cheek and shook her head back and forth.

“Goodbye Tag.” She pushed his hand down, almost distancing herself from the band. Stepping back she smiled one last time and then was gone.