A World Without Heroes - Brandon Mull [83]
Nicholas glowered. “If you mean Brin of Rosbury, you had best be speaking the truth.”
Jason now understood why Nicholas had appeared familiar. He did look like Brin.
“He never mentioned the name Rosbury,” Rachel said. “He called himself Brin the Gamester.”
“Brin was my youngest brother,” Nicholas replied. “Did Galloran give you anything else?”
Jason showed the poniard to Nicholas, who examined the weapon, peering closely at the blossom that could eject the blade. “This appears authentic. It bears one of Galloran’s seals, and it could certainly be the work of Brin.”
Rachel pulled out her crystal sphere.
“Orantium?” Nicholas spluttered. “You could have shown me that first! It is almost better evidence than the ring. And you know about the Word . . . You say you are Beyonders?”
“We came to your world about two weeks ago,” Jason said.
“Did Galloran bring you?” Nicholas inquired.
“No, but he knew the people who summoned us,” Rachel said. “A woman, Erinda, and some musicians, the Giddy Nine.”
“Already you pursue the Word?” Nicholas asked.
“The first place I went was the Repository of Learning,” Jason said. “I learned the first syllable from The Book of Salzared.”
“Have you discovered other syllables?” Nicholas asked.
“Two of the six,” Rachel responded. “The first and the fourth. Can you help us?”
Nicholas sighed, glancing down at his harness. “Your words kindle memories of better days. Once I was Nicholas of Rosbury. Like my forefathers I served as chief engineer for the kingdom of Trensicourt. Now I am Nicholas Dangler, a maimed tinkerer hiding in the poorest district of a city my ancestors designed and constructed.”
“Do you know any of the syllables?” Jason asked.
Nicholas closed his eyes, pain flashing across his features. “If Galloran lives, why has he neglected me? I am among the minority who have remained faithful! If Brin lives, how could he let us mourn him? We have lost so much!”
Jason felt torn—he would have expected Nicholas to react with joy at hearing that Brin and Galloran were alive. In Lyrian people’s perspectives sometimes seemed stuck on the negative. So many of those he met seemed broken and hopeless.
“Galloran is blind,” Rachel explained. “He was tormented by Maldor, and his mind suffered. He can’t remember much about the Word, although he collected most of the syllables. Who knows what else he may have forgotten?”
“What of Brin?” Nicholas asked. “Is he well?”
“He seemed healthy,” Rachel said. “He’s helping watch over Galloran.”
“You cannot tell me where they dwell?” Nicholas pressed.
“I don’t think it’s our secret to tell,” Jason said. “Galloran has kept his identity a mystery. He goes by another name.”
“I never envisioned him a free man in hiding,” Nicholas murmured. “He was indomitable. I assumed Galloran was dead or in prison.”
“He was in prison,” Rachel said. “But not anymore.”
“I do not know any of the actual syllables,” Nicholas sighed. “But before I was ruined, Galloran confided some secrets to me about the Word. The third syllable resides here in Trensicourt, inscribed in the royal lorevault, above the entrance, fourth word from the left. Another lies on the island in the center of Whitelake. And I know that The Book of Salzared inside the Repository of Learning holds the first syllable.”
“How do we get into the lorevault?” Jason asked.
Nicholas chuckled. “It’s nearly impossible. Only two men are allowed inside the lorevault—the regent and the chancellor.”
“Who are those guys?” Jason asked.
“Galloran was the last of the royal heirs to disappear,” Nicholas said. “The regent, Dolan of Vernasett, rules in place of the king. For years the nobles have desired to formally crown Dolan, but the people still believe the royal line survives in hiding, and the nobles fear a revolt.”
“Would the regent let us into the lorevault?” Rachel asked.
“Never,” Nicholas spat. “Dolan would hunt you as ardently as Maldor if he knew of your quest. And the chancellor, a man called Copernum, is even more treacherous. Although officially Trensicourt remains