Part 13 (1/2)

”Over here, Max.”

She stood to his left at the entrance to an alley. Max turned Starlight, following Eve past several houses to where everyone else waited. Mr. Penna got off of his horse and approached the door of a home giving it a hard rap with his knuckles. A few moments pa.s.sed without answer. Mr. Penna knocked again.

”Neysa, it is your master, Mr. Penna.”

This time the door opened immediately. A lacarna wearing ragged clothing stepped part way out.

”Mr. Penna!”

Mr. Penna ignored the surprised expression on the lacarna's face.

”Neysa, it seems that I was in such a hurry to leave a few months ago that I forgot Evangeline's papers. Sergeant Kallis is here to verify that I am indeed her owner. Please take her and find them at once.”

Max thought he saw a brief moment of confusion on Neysa's face before her eyes locked on Evangeline. Neysa swung open the door.

”Certainly, Mr. Penna.” She stepped out and grabbed Eve's arm. ”Evangeline, come and help me find your papers. We mustn't keep the Sergeant or Mr. Penna waiting.”

Neysa dragged Eve into the house. Sergeant Kallis looked suspiciously down at Mr. Penna.

”It is a bit unusual for someone in the inner court to have a lacarnian, let alone two. What is it that you do, Mr. Penna?”

Mr. Penna cleared his throat. ”I am an Inspector.”

Melody let out a tiny gasp. Mr. Penna s.h.i.+fted nervously, but refused to acknowledge her.

”It is helpful to have one or two of them under my control. They can sometimes get information that I cannot.”

Sergeant Kallis began to ask another question, but Melody interrupted him. ”Were you really an Inspector?”

Mr. Penna stared hard at Melody. ”Am, Ms. Eliades. I am an inspector, which reminds me. A few things you said during our trip have me concerned about your order's activities. I will be paying you a visit tomorrow.”

Melody's face flushed red with anger. ”What!”

Before any further discussion could take place, Neysa and Eve returned. Eve handed some papers over to Sergeant Kallis who hurriedly leafed through them.

”These seem to be in order. Next time do not forget them so as not to waste my or any other Protector's time.” He handed the papers to Mr. Penna. ”Come Maxwell, we are far enough behind schedule as it is. Lieutenant Biros is expecting you, and I need to return to my post.”

Sergeant Kallis started back down the alley. ”You're coming too, Ms. Eliades. You know as well as I that no member of the Children of the Immortals is allowed inside the court without an escort. I will drop you off at the gate where you can be on your way.”

Melody hesitated. ”I have questions for you, Mr. Penna. I...”

Mr. Penna handed the papers to Neysa. ”We will discuss the issues tomorrow, Ms. Eliades. As for you, Maxwell, be here early in the morning. I want to show you the rest of the city. You need to get familiar with it if you are to one day join the Protectors.”

Melody left to follow Sergeant Kallis. Max paused, a little confused by what had just happened, questions swirling around in his head. Mr. Penna nodded down the alley.

”Go on, Maxwell.”

Eve started to wave goodbye but had her hand pulled down by Neysa.

”Bye, Maxy.”

Max turned around, hoping Mr. Penna would straighten things out tomorrow. He reached Sergeant Kallis as he ushered Melody out of the gate. He then followed the Sergeant to the north end of the street, pa.s.sing several well-dressed humans. No other lacarnians could be seen.

At the next gate, two heavily armored guards blocked their path. A third guard stepped out of a small structure next to the gate.

”State your names and business.”

”I am Sgt. Alec Kallis. The boy is Maxwell Laskaris. We are to meet with Lieutenant Biros.”

The guard nodded. ”He is expecting you. Enter.”

He signaled to a fourth guard that stood on top of the wall, above the gate. That guard, in turn, signaled to someone else on the other side. The wooden gate creaked open revealing an open courtyard. Pa.s.sing through, Max saw a second iron gate above them that could be lowered for extra protection if needed.

Except for a stable, the courtyard was empty. On the far side, stretching at least three hundred feet wide and towering close to six stories in height in areas, stood the Protector headquarters. Max's heart raced as they left their horses at the stables and entered the building.

Inside, the entryway opened into a large, empty room. Max spotted Tyco speaking with another person under an archway leading off to another room. Hearing someone enter, Tyco glanced at the entryway where, upon seeing them, he finished his conversation and crossed the room.

”Sergeant Kallis, it is about time you brought Maxwell. I thought I had left you with an easy task.”

The vein on Kallis's head started to throb again. ”He is a stubborn boy and his friends did not make things any easier.”

Tyco scoffed at the Sergeant. ”A boy, a young lacarna girl, an old Professor, and a wannabe Immortal. Yes, a tough group for a well-trained Protector.” Tyco sighed. ”I suppose I should be glad you survived. Perhaps you should take some time off to recuperate.”

”That's not necess...”

Tyco waved off-handedly. ”Dismissed!”

Sergeant Kallis seethed. ”Yes sir!” Turning, he stormed out of the building.

With the sergeant gone, Tyco relaxed, giving Max a warm smile.

”So, Max, what do you think of Moenia?”

”It's huge! I can't wait until tomorrow for Mr. Penna to show me the rest of it.”

Tyco straightened, throwing his shoulders back. ”I don't know what he has in mind to show you, but I can easily say that you are in the best part of it. This is the headquarters of the Protectors, the most fortified structure in Moenia, containing valuables that you won't find anywhere else in Velrune.”

Max's eyes widened. ”Wow! Like what?”

Tyco chuckled. ”Not now, Max, we have other business to attend to. Come, follow me.”

Tyco led Max through several rooms and hallways before reaching a pair of large, lavishly decorated doors. A Protector standing guard opened one of the doors at Tyco's approach. They entered the doorway, stepping into a large room with a long, narrow table in its center. Four men rose from their seats at the table as the door closed behind Max.

Max swallowed hard. These men are no ordinary Protectors. They can only be in their late twenties, but their armor is expensive and master crafted.

He dared not guess the age of the fourth man who stood on the opposite side of the table. He seemed ancient with his white beard and hair and many wrinkles. He wore a magnificent robe instead of armor. It was this man who greeted them.