Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [23]
"That is right," replied the senator. "The entire ridge is warded against scrying. I have seen nothing more than you have."
"Any guesses?"
The senator laughed. "Perhaps a demon has decided to take a holiday in Llorbauth."
The king scowled and turned to Captain Kaden. "And you? Any ideas?"
"I've never seen anything like it." The leader of the Magistrates shook his head. "But whatever it is, we need to be ready to fight it."
"Are you suggesting that we send our army up against that… that abomination?" asked Senator Divian. "Do you think that is wise? We still don't know anything about it."
"What I am suggesting, Senator," said Kaden, "is that we must be ready to defend our home. And yes, one option is force."
"I hardly think provoking an attack from a magical foe is the correct course of action, Captain," said the Senator.
"Silence," said the king. "We have enough trouble without the two of you getting into one of your philosophical squabbles."
"Yes, my lord," replied Kaden, shooting the old cleric a nasty glare.
Senator Divian picked up her tome and crossed her arms, holding the book to her chest. She returned the captain's look. "As you wish, my king."
"Good. I will need the both of you on the same side if we are going to guide Erlkazar out of this in one piece."
Both nodded, but they continued to stare at one another, refusing to look away.
The sound of footsteps on the marble floor broke the awkward silence.
The king waited for the senator and the captain to break their gaze with one another before looking up himself to see that Quinn had returned.
The king's bodyguard escorted the late queen's tailor. The impeccably dressed old half-elf walked with the aid of a cane, and Quinn held his arm, helping him finish climbing the stairs.
"Plathus," said the king, relieved by the tension breaker and genuinely glad to see an old familiar face. "It's been a long time."
The half-elf, his back hunched from a century of bending over a needle and thread, ambled to the king and took his hand in greeting.
"Too long, I'm afraid," replied Plathus. "Your clothes are looking quite shabby."
The king smiled. "I see you haven't lost your charm."
"No, no," said the half-elf. "I've lost much of my eyesight, and many of my teeth, but not my charm." Reaching into a pocket on his vest, Plathus pulled out a tiny pair of spectacles and placed them on the bridge of his nose. "Now," he said, looking the king up and down. "What sort of garment did you have in mind?"
"Actually, Plathus, I have asked you here for another reason."
The half-elf lifted his nose. "Oh?"
"Yes," replied Korox. "I want to know if you've ever heard of or seen that." He pointed to the floating black mass hovering over Llorbauth.
Plathus followed the king's outstretched arm and gazed out over the balcony.
"Oh my." The old half-elf lost his balance and tottered sideways. His spectacles fell from his face, shattering as they hit the marble.
Kaden, Quinn, and the king all dashed to catch him, but they weren't fast enough, and Plathus spilled to the floor. His cane slipped from his hand, bouncing several times, and the harmonious knock of the solid silverwood filled the chamber.
"Are you hurt?" asked the king.
The old half-elf seemed confused and a little dazed. He checked himself over, looking in each of his pockets before nodding.
"No, no. I don't think so."
The king and Quinn helped him back to his feet.
Plathus grimaced sheepishly. "Thank you," he said, dusting himself off and trying to regain some of his dignity.
"So I take it you've seen this before," said Korox, handing him back his cane.
The old tailor pursed his lips, seriousness written on his face. "Not with my own eyes. But I have heard of it, have met others who have seen it hang in the sky."
"Do you know what it is?" asked the senator. "What it wants?"
"It is called the Obsidian Ridge," said Plathus. "At least, that is what we called it at the time. What it wants, I do not know."
"Do you know where it came from?" asked the king.
The tailor shook his head. "No. All I know is that no one