Everyone started talking at once.
"Lord Rhy'non?" cried Keena.
"The Black Shield! That's the only remaining relic of the Treasures of the Royal Coalition of Magic! The great Elric Flamehand used it to create the Monarchy of Hraqia out of chaotic anarchy. It is the basis for the Flamehand dynasty. And who could have stolen it? How is it possible to steal such a powerful item from the most carefully protected treasure vault in the royal palace?" said Rhy'non.
"It's not the only one." corrected Larenth.
"Huh?"
"There are other relics of the Coalition. The greatest of the Treasures is in Prentwinng. It is known as The Blade, or Dragonsbreath." suddenly Larenth grinned. "However, I forgive you for not remembering, being that it's lost somewhere in a labyrinth of dungeons, not to mention the fact that it's cursed and useless to anyone but a very powerful wizard or someone who enjoys receiving infamous magical curses."
"Why didn't you tell us you're nobility?" Keena demanded.
Rhy'non brushed his thick hair with one hand. "I was going to mention it, but you challenged me, and afterward it didn't seem like a good idea. Besides, most people tend to get very distant when they find out you were born with luxuries they couldn't earn in a lifetime of hard work. I have to admit that this generally isn't true of graduates from the Royal Warrior Academy, since everyone there is treated equally, regardless of birth."
"Except for the masters, of course," muttered Keena. "I still don't understand how, with all that pampering, they still manage to beat their students every time."
"According to the rumors, they didn't always manage to defeat you," smiled Rhy'non. "I seem to remember hearing about a 'Keena' who stampeded her way through the Academy and set a few official records there out of boredom. You do remind me of her, although she wasn't nearly as charming."
"Your praise doesn't impress me any more than your big muscles do."
"Uh, sir, the Shield?" the servant reminded helpfully.
"Right. Inform his majesty that I will arrive as soon as I can."
"Yessir."
"Rhy'non, if I may be so bold, might I join you? I am the leading authority on the Treasures of the Coalition," said Larenth.
"You? You're not even twenty five yet!"
"Keena, please," Rhy'non urged.
"I suppose you think all wizards have to have long white beards." Larenth self-consciously stroked his close-shaven brown beard. "Well, trust me, none of the Academy wizards are of the Order of War."
"The what?"
"You should have learned about Orders. Didn't either of you study magic at the Academy?" Larenth grinned. "Although all magic is really the same thing, it comes in different forms. The type of magic you deal with depends on what Order you're trained in. The Order of War teaches about military strategy, life and death, many types of energy, and, of course, weapon enchantments. These are all products of the powerful force created when weapons are made. I can draw magical energy from weapons, depending on the strength of the mind of the smith, the effort that went into the creation, and the condition of the weapon. The reason that we 'sword-wizards' are so powerful is that the energy contained in weapons cannot be drained. That's why an enchantment done by the Order of War doesn't weaken the weapon physically. All the Treasures of the Coalition were enchanted by the Council of the Order of War, and I am the only remaining member of that Order."
"Why are you the only one left?" asked Keena.
"About a century ago, a group of wizards broke off from the Order of War. They turned evil and started calling themselves the Order of Death. One by one, they started killing off wizards from the Order they despised above all others. Soon only one was left. His name was Leunras. He was a Guardian of the Treasures, and when he realized what was happening, he scattered the powerful relics. Leunras was trying to find a safe spot to hide The Blade, when he encountered the mightiest of the evil wizards, whose name I will not speak aloud. The wizard couldn't kill Leunras, but he captured The Blade. Then Leunras proved he was the greatest wizard ever to cast a spell. He halved the power of the greatest Treasure and cast the Warrior's Curse on it."
"That any man who touches the weapon shall lose his sword-hand before the next moon." breathed Rhy'non.
"Yes, well that's actually the verbal rendering of it. Actually, if you touch a cursed weapon, you have a full month, and there isn't a loophole for women."
"So what happened next?" Keena asked. Despite herself, she was becoming interested.
"Leunras hid the rest of the Treasures in inaccessible places. The Sword of Nobility is somewhere in Elfglade Forest. The Axe of Beauty is buried under a mountain. Some of the Treasures were simply given to royal families. For instance, the Black Shield was returned to the Flamehands of Hraqia."
"It looks like we lost it again." muttered Rhy'non.
"My lord, here is the soldier who discovered the crime," said the servant, who had been walking ahead.
"What's he doing here?" Larenth wondered quietly.
"Report!" barked Rhy'non.
"My lord, I was making my usual patrol, and I hailed the guards of the the treasure vault. When I received no response, I realized they were dead.
"The two guards are still standing where the murderer had left them. Each one's throat has been slashed, but there is no blood on the floor, and hardly any visible on their clothes. It was done by an expert. To any observer walking through the dark passage, it would look like the soldiers were simply standing at attention. With a little luck, the crime might not have been noticed for several hours.
"The king ordered us to move all the treasure to a different vault, and only leave the items of lesser value. Also, everyone available, including wizards, was sent out in search parties to see if they can track the shield," said the servant.
"Why is it that whenever we earn a little peace, something unimaginably devastating happens?" wondered Rhy'non.
"Oh, come now, you know the answer to that. The Almighty Creator is testing us. Have all those years of religious instruction been wasted on you?" asked a man dressed in the rich clothing of a noble House.
"Father, what are you doing here?"
"I came to get you, bringing the swiftest steeds I could find."
How many steeds? wondered Larenth under his breath.
"You've fought political crises for decades. What is going on? Is this a serious issue, or will vanish in the mists by tomorrow?"
"Rhy'non, my son, we are in trouble. Ordinarily, this would just be a common theft. Daring perhaps, but not of any consequence in, say, a year. However, this came at a most inopportune time. Among the commoners, public opinion is unfavorable. Prentwinng has been turning hostile, and there is a powerful and unpredictable usurper who now holds the throne. If, after the theft of the Black Shield, there is a war, morale among soldiers will be low. Someday, you will learn to see all of this as I do."
"I'm not looking forward to it."
"You'll need it. Someday the burden of leadership will fall on your shoulders, will-ye or nill-ye."
"Rhy'non, who exactly is this?" asked Keena.
"Keena, Larenth, I present to you his Exellency Lord Oranthus of V'Kye, Chief Advisor to his Royal Majesty the King. He is also my father."
"Did you say V'Kye?" Larenth asked sharply.
"Yes, yes, the great House V'Kye, one of the oldest Noble Houses in Hraqia," muttered Rhy'non. "I can quote my lineage back twelve generations if you'd like. Or would you prefer that I describe the House Emblem, in royal purple and black, and explain the symbolism of its minute details?"
"It sounds like you're not very proud of your noble legacy." Keena commented.
"One day my son will learn the importance of politics. Now, who are you who accompany him? Identify yourselves."
"Keena, rank of Officer, graduated from Royal Warrior Academy, high honors, serving volunteer duty in the Northern Forest."
"Larenth, wizard-in-training, Order of War, serving volunteer duty and training in the Northern Forest."
"Order of War? I did not know there were any left. Who is training you?"
Larenth struggled to compose himself as he answered, "Actually, your Excellency, I'm training myself. My teacher and mentor was killed and I was forced to continue learning on my own. As far as I know, I am the last one left."
"I see. Well, any wizards willing to aid us in the search for the Black Shield are welcome, especially sword-wizards." He turned to Keena. "Any graduates of the Academy are also welcome. High honors, you said?"
"Yes, your Excellency."
"Good. I brought enough extra horses for you all. Come quickly, time is of the essence." They mounted and headed back toward Riverhaven, capital of the troubled monarchy.