Chapter 12: Communicating Without Words

They were led into the castle, which sported large, open-air hallways and pillars, elaborate rugs and tapestries, and many guards and servants. The mages peered at everything, but the knight ignored it all and went to a large, gold-leafed set of double doors. Guards posted at each side opened them, and the knight led them by the ropes into an ornate throne room.

A carpet stretched from the doors to a dais, stitched with gold and silver designs. The throne was large, seeming carved of white marble and sporting plump silk pillows. A female clad in what made them think of a harem girl outfit, topped by a clock that went from her neck down loosely and with the lower corners attached to her wrists with ribbons lounged to the left on a large pile of silk pillows. She was very beautiful, about mid-thirties, with thick, shiny ebony hair and fair skin. She also wore jewels at nearly every available point; fingers, wrists, ankles, neck, ears, and even in her hair, mostly in the form of a glittering, delicate tiara.

To the first of the throne, on another mass of silk and fluff, reclined a young man about sixteen years of age. His hair was also raven hued, but his skin was dark copper from a tan. His short tunic was stitched heavily with gold, his pants white, all silk. Where the woman wore slippers, the youth sore leather sandals. He appeared bored, until the knight caught his eyes. Then his expression brightened considerably.

The knight smiled in return, but didn’t speak as he approached the throne and knelt before the man seated there. Much to all’s surprise, Vivi and Orko knelt as well. They shared a private, mental laugh as the knight actually gasped in surprise of their actions.

It’s a good thing we’ve both been around royalty, commented Vivi.

Yeah, though if I even knelt to Adam, he'd tell me to quit being foolish. They both smiled, as the king told the knight to rise, and a cushion-type chair was brought for him to recline in white they talked. The knight gave the rope a gentle tug, and motioned the pair to sit on the floor.

Things got a little dull for the mages then, as they couldn't understand a word that was being said. But it let them get a good look around. Orko focused on the king, while Vivi studies the room, both searching for anything that might give them an edge in finding their friend.

Orko's observations were that the king was about forty, with brown hair, clean-shaven, and tanned like his son. He was listening intently to the knight, but his eyes kept straying to the mages in curiosity. His silk clothes, also stitched with gold, were regal in the extreme, making him seem very lordly.

Vivi's observations were that the largely empty room held a lot of guards, and one large balcony-like porch that led outside. He strained to see out when he was a lone of prisoners passing by, but the prince caught his action and spoke up. All attentions was quickly on him, and the knight gave the rope a gently tug to get them to behave. The king seemed to ask them a question, but both mages shrugged.

Just then, the doors opened, and a man dressed in robes entered, leading men carrying weapons, armor... and the mages' things.

At the same time that Vivi and Orko saw the staves, spell book, and wand, the man saw them and became angry. The man and the knight engaged in a heated debate, which the prince joined in one, seemingly on the knight's side.

Is that one a mage? Vivi asked curiously.

I don't think so. There's not a lick of magical energy coming off of him at all.

He looks the part. Hmm... The king silenced the argument, seeming a bit annoyed, and Vivi decided to take a chance. He clapped his hands as best he could, to draw attention to himself, then pointed at the staves. He looked at the knight, and held out his hands, asking for the things. The robed man scoffed, but the king seemed almost curious. Vivi suddenly tried something else, a flash of an idea. He made writing motions, and then the asking motion again. Ignoring the protests of the robed man, the king had servants being Vivi a piece or parchment, a jar of ink, and a quill.

What's your plan? asked Orko.

Body language is universal, explained Vivi. Orko grinned as he caught on.

As are drawings! Vivi knelt down on the floor, and began to draw.

He drew two small figures with pointed hats, one bent in half, a man with a crown, and a man with a sword. They were rough at best, more elaborate stick figures than actual drawings, but the light of understanding in the knight's eyes told him that the man was getting the message. Then he drew bubbles coming out of all four's mouths, and drew squiggles in them, trying to indicate speech. He pointed again to the items, and then to the picture. After a brief conversation, which again went against the robed man’s wishes, the knight led them over to the pile of items. He rummaged through, not letting them touch anything, and held up the spell book. Vivi, taking the lead, shook his head no. Then the knight, after a little more searching, held up the other two pendants. Vivi nodded eagerly, again having to adjust his hat afterwards. The knight looked to his liege for permission, and he nodded consent.

We'll have to speak aloud after this, if we don't want them to understand, Orko quickly commented during this exchange.

That's a price I'm willing to pay. We've got to find the others. The knight took a deep breath, and donned the pendant. Please, Vivi thought, we want to see our brothers. The knight jumped in alarm, saying something, but whether it was to them or to the king they didn't know.

Think what you want us to hear, Orko told him, and the pendants will send the thoughts to us. The knight hesitated, then...

Who are you?

I'm Vivi, and he'd Orko, Vivi said, nodding his head as he spoke so as to show who he was. We’re not here to hurt anyone. We’re lost. The king spoke again, and the knight nodded.

My lord wants assurance that you are not spies of Rangoth. Now Orko spoke up.

We - us two and our taller friends - are mages. We’re just trying to get home. We’re not even from this world. The knight spoke to the king, maybe relaying what Orko had said, seeming a bit surprised at something, and the robed man bit out a harsh word. After a censuring look from the king, he strolled over to the mages, studying them, and then spoke again.

Prove to my liege that you are mages. I warn you, no tricks, or I will kill you. The mages nervously looked at each other. Is something wrong?

My magic is unpredictable, Orko explained, and I do not want to accidentally hurt anyone. And most of Vivi’s spells are battle magic.

I have only a few that do no damage, Vivi added. I can make fire appear in my hand, or make it snow around a pillar, if you’d like.

Do both. Vivi took a deep breath, and casted. The knight leapt back in surprise as flame appeared in the mage’s cupped palm, and then was extinguished by simply closing his fist. Then, with a gesture, a small pile of snow formed around the base of a pillar, thanks to a blizzard spell. The queen and prince gave cries of delight at that, and the king and knight were clearly stunned, but Orko saw the robed man scowl heavily. You can create magic.

Out friends, our brothers, are more powerful than we are, Vivi added. Please, we want to see them. The knight spoke to the king, who obviously believed the two mages’ words, prompting Vivi to take another chance. If his majesty wants, he can wear the other pendant, and will be able to hear us as you can. And our friends have a - a spell, that’s upon them constantly. It lets them learn languages in a matter of moments, just by hearing them.

Trolly-molly, that’s right! They probably already know yourlanguage, from hearing your guards speak. Again the knight translated their words to the king, who thought for a moment, then ordered two guards who left the room. The pair were untied, but wisely stayed close to the knight, as the robed man’s continuing scowl was unnerving. He was looking at the two mages with an expression akin to hatred.

I wanted to thank you, Sir Knight, Vivi thought to him while they waited, for helping us earlier.

No one should have to suffer unduly, or be forced to endure that sort of treatment, especially kids. And I know that being brothers, and separated, is very painful. The pair blinked at each other, probably the only facial expressions that were visible normally, but before they could comment back the door opened, and Dregan and Zentarou were led in They looked a little roughed up, small cuts and bruises here and there on their faces, and their clothes were torn and dirty. Heavy iron manacles hung from their wrists. But their eyes and expressions lit up when they saw their friends.

“Orko!” Dregan called out. “Vivi!” The two smaller mages would’ve gone to them instantly but for the knight’s hands upon their shoulders.

“Are you two okay?” asked Zentarou.

”We’re fine,” Vivi answered as the taller pair were forced to their knees before the king by the guards. He began a conversation with them, and as Orko had predicted, they were already fluent. Their manacles were removed in a few moments’ time, and they stood. Dregan looked to their things, and the king nodded. As Dregan moved over to retrieve their things, the robed man shouted at the king, and was answered by something that Vivi thought sounded like a threat. He fell silent, but scowled heavily at the mages, furious. Dregan belted on his sword and pouch, and handed back the others their things.

Who is that man in the robe? Vivi asked the knight.

Vizier Sahadi, came the reply. He calls himself a wizard, a magician, and is the king’s advisor in matters of war, claiming to be able to see into the future. And although a good majority of the things I’ve heard him predict have indeed come to pass, never have I seen him do as you did earlier.

Dregan, meanwhile, plucked out a handful of Soul Jewels from his pouch, and showed them to the king. He casted, and a single blue gem glowed brightly for a moment, then dulled and shattered to dust, and the Dunedi’s entire body was clean, clothes and all. Zentarou did the same, and then they repeated the spell on Vivi and Orko. Then Dregan bowed to the king and his family again with a comment that got a laugh. You’re friend has a quick wit. He said ‘It is only right that we look our best when in audience with a king.’ Dregan continued to speak, and Vivi caught him saying Zentarou’s name as well as his own, so he guessed that the elf was introducing them to the king. Then Dregan motioned, and sparkling lights danced from his fingertips. The queen laughed, delighted at the display. Only Vivi seemed to notice the vizier leave, angrily.

As Dregan and Zentarou gave a small demonstration of their abilities, Vivi and Orko sat with the knight.

What’s your name? Vivi asked him.

I am called Danious, knight of King Tazan and Queen Dalai, and sword trainer to Prince Caresh. That last bit sounded smugly proud.

Can you tell us why we were captured?

Long have we been at war with Rangoth, to the north. It started over land, but treacheries, assassinations attempts, captured soldiers and towns, kept it going on longer, far longer, than it should have. both sides are at fault in one way or another, but none could make it stop... until now.

What’s going to happen?

Prince Caresh is to wed Princess Aladania or Rangoth, a union that will forever end this war, for both sides have a code to never war against brothers, and this wedding will make them so. However, there are some on both sides who don’t want the fighting to end.

Who would want a war to continue? Neither Vivi nor Orko could make any sense of that thought.

Sell swords mostly, we think. Anyone who has something to gain by its continuance. But soon the wedding will take place, and the treaty will be signed, and we all can live a normal, peaceful life.

And what would you do? Wouldn’t you - since you’re a knight - be out of a job? Danious chuckled.

I’m an old man. I have fought many battles, and long for easy patrols along the walls, and a chance to settle down and start a family, something I dared not do as long as I wore my armor. He glanced at them. You two aren’t the children I took you to be, are you?

No.

Once we spoke, I realized this. I thought you two were a pair of brothers, young children, who were either prisoners of your friends, or spies sent to confuse us by your being children. If I hadn’t thought you were children, you’d be in a cell right now. But I am glad I was right in calling you brothers.

We’re not really brothers, Orko felt he had to add, although I know Vivi and I look a lot alike. We just call ourselves that, because we're all mages. Brothers in Magic.

Ah. Much like my brothers-in-arms. Just then, the king spoke up, drawing the knight’s attention. After a brief dialogue, Dregan and Zentarou, their show complete, bowed and turned to Vivi and Orko. Dregan smiled.

“He says we can stay in an inn that’s sponsored by the palace treasury. And he wants us to join him and his son tomorrow morning, after breakfast.”

“But we’ll get warped away before then,” reminded Orko.

“I told him, and he said if we were gone, then so be it, as we have no control over it, and if we’re still here, all the better.” King Tazan had a note written, and Danious escorted them to the inn, a decent-sized building next to the palace. The knight handed the innkeeper the note, he nodded, and handed the mages two keys. Danious bowed to them all, speaking both in his language, and via and pendant,

I’ll return this if you wish. Dregan spoke for them, and the knight kept it. I’ll see you tomorrow. He left, and the mages went to their rooms to rest.