The Key: A tale of Velitrium
By Missiledine

Aslan Wofford, Arch Bishop of Velitrium eased himself down into his chair, he waved to the rest of the Bishops, "Sit down, sit down, I'm old and slow, you don't have to stand around waiting for me. Sit down!"

The rest of the attending Church Hierarchy settled into their chairs. Aslan looked around at the assembled men. To his left was Vathak Durr, Bishop of Drunmore Cathedral on who's behalf Aslan had called the meeting. To his right was Bristen Rostov, Bishop of Glenluce Cathedral. To Rostov's right was Fergus Doolan, Bishop of Rannoch Cathedral. To Durr's left was Olon Grath, Bishop General of the Sacarium Guard.

"Since we're all finally here I'll turn this meeting over to Bishop Durr. Go ahead Vathak."

Durr took a deep breath and began, "Four days ago Brother Dernan, a teaching Brother of Drunmore Abbey, was taking a class of Novices through the Cathedral's Hall of Relics. In the course of the tour they came to the display case containing the Key to the Vaults of the Kings." Durr paused for a moment. "It was noted by one of the novices that the case was, uhm, empty."

"Empty?" Questioned Bishop Rostov.

"Uhm, yes. Empty. Brother Dernan passed it off as a routine matter and finished the lesson then reported the fact to the Curator. That individual conducted a quick search of the Hall and then notified me. I ordered a thorough search of the Hall, then the Cathedral itself. The Key was not found."

"The Key to the Vaults is missing?" Rostov asked, clearly having difficulty with the concept.

"That sums it up." Agreed Durr.

"Mitra!"

"Who would take it?" Rostov demanded.

"Perhaps its in the hands of one of our sages, for academic purposes." Suggested Doolan.

"No, I've already looked into that. Policy is that relics do not leave the Hall without written permission and there are rooms available for research. And I've already made inquiries with those scholars with interest in that field. None have it or have even been near the Hall in the last month."

"When was it last in the case?" Asked Grath.

"Brother Dernan conducted a similar lesson two days prior to the discovery. The Key was in its case at that time."

"Who would take it?" Repeated Rostov

"A better question." Suggested Doolan," Who would want it?"

"What have you done?" Asked Garth, picking up a pen and dipping it in the inkwell in front of him.

"I let it be known that the Key was out of its case for study and cleaning. Then I closed the Hall of Relics for repairs. I then increased the guard on the Vault of Kings."

"How many?" Garth asked, scribbling notes.

"I increased it from its normal ceremonial two man posting to six."

"Why bother? What can anyone do with it?" Rostov demanded. "The last person capable of using it died five hundred and eighty some odd years ago. Only a Lord of the Velitar can use it, and they all died during the Death. Mitra! They're all buried in the Vault! Every last one of them."

"Are you sure?" Asked Wofford.

"With all respect your Eminence. Yes I am. The Church spent thirty years checking every family in the White Book for some sign of the bloodline. It's extinct. There are no more Lords of the Velitar. The Vault of Kings can only be opened with the Key and the Key can only be used by a Lord of the Velitar and there are no more Lord's of the Velitar. Therefore the Vault can't be opened."

"Then you don't believe the rumor?" Asked Durr. "The rumor that Treldar is a direct lineal descendant of Menachem Kudrun."

"I've heard that rumor too." Rostov nodded. "If the Kudrun line still existed why wait almost six hundred years to declare it? If they had come forward in the years after the Death, Treldar would be on the Throne as we speak."

Wofford shuddered, "Perish the thought!"

"Perhaps your right," said Grath. "But there are many possible explanations for such a hiatus, it doesn't rule out the possibility. If Treldar really is of the blood..." He trailed off and they all looked at each other in silence.

"He cannot be allowed into the Vault." Stated Wofford "I think that goes without saying." He waited while the other four nodded. "No matter how remote we consider the possibility we must take steps. Suggestions?"

"Has the King been told?" Asked Doolan.

"Yes," Wofford nodded. "But this is a Church matter, though the King offered us every assistance."

"The Key has been gone four or five days." Garth continued making notes. "It could be in Thanos already. What else have you done?" He looked at Durr.

"I have made inquiries, discreet inquiries, with Vorll Karnoff, Trillian Rorque and Galmar. I have not been able to contact Ollin Hart."

Wofford smiled grimly, "He's said to be lying low after being involved in the theft of Count Pathino's family jewels."

"It's not likely that a thief is going to try and sell the Key through the known magic dealers." Grath sighed.

"No, it's clearly been stolen on commission." Agreed Durr, "But who?"

"Perhaps a private collector?" Suggested Rostov. "It is one of the few Artifacts that is not locked in the Vault."

"That we know of." Corrected Doolan.

Rostov waved a little gesture of concession and sat back in his chair. "How do we go about finding it?" He asked . “Has Mog-Sur been consulted?”

“The wizard was with the King when His Majesty was briefed.” Woffard replied

Durr gave a dismissive wave, “The Artifacts are notoriously difficult to locate with magic, it is in fact one of the characteristics used to identify them. As skilled as the Royal Wizard is, he will be of little help.”

“Divination then?” Rostov suggested.

Woffard answered this, “We all know that Mitra is curiously silent on matters touching on the Lords, including their artifacts. We must solve this by more mundane means.”

"We must get it back." Muttered Doolan, "If there is even a chance that, that monster..." He trailed off, staring into space.

"We need to post patrols on all the known routes to Khun Dahgra," Grath spoke as he wrote.

"Something this big won't go the usual routes." sighed Durr, "But we have to try."

"Then we need to shake down every thief in the valley that is even remotely capable of pulling this off." Grath looked up. "Perhaps the Avengers might help with that?"

"If Treldar is behind this he won't have used local talent." Durr pointed out. "He'd have sent in his own people."

Grath laid down his pen and looked around the table, "There is another way."

Everyone looked at him.

"Go on General." Wofford urged.

"If we can't keep Treldar from getting the key, we keep him from using it."

"Durr has already posted extra guards." Pointed out Rostov.

"I don't mean that. I mean kill Treldar." Grath replied. "Kill him before he can use it. Kill him and any other members of his bloodline. Make absolutely certain that the line of Kudrun is extinct."

"Assassinate him?" Doolan asked with a frown. "Tricky."

"It wouldn't be easy." Agreed Grath

"Easy? It would be damn near impossible!" Protested Rostov. "You'd have to get across the mountains, there will be snow soon, through the Gates of Blood, into Thanos, into the Citadel, into Treldar's personal quarters, then you'd still have to kill him. Impossible!"

"Tricky." Agreed Durr

"And do it quickly." Observed Doolan.

"He won't sit still for it." Said Wofford. "He's an evil bastard, but a tough one. I don't envy anyone that job."

"It's said that his quarters are guarded by demons!" Rostov pointed out. "And he has legions of Undead at his beck and call, to say nothing of his Minions, the Talons, the other Priests, scores of Mages and Mitra alone knows how many warriors and Goblins! Impossible!"

Wofford rubbed his chin, "Who would we send?"

"Knights." Durr replied immediately "Knights of Mitra."

"And Sacarium troops," Grath agreed. "It's going to take more than one."

"And maybe some Avengers." Durr continued. "It's certainly in their writ."

"Even if they get him. Especially if they get him, getting out will be even harder." Doolan pointed out. "This is pretty much a one way trip."

"How much family does Treldar have?" Rostov asked. "I mean, if he has a couple dozen brats running around, or a few brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, we could be looking at a formidable task."

Everyone looked at each other.

"I have no idea." said Durr

Grath shook his head. No one else spoke.

"I think we need to find that out." Agreed Wofford

"Even so, killing Treldar may well be worthwhile." Doolan said. "There may be others in his line, but he is likely the most formidable member of the family."

"All right." Wofford laid his hands flat on the table. "Put together a plan for killing Treldar. Meanwhile, find that Key!"

"Perhaps we should increase the guard on the Vaults." Suggested Doolan.

"And how long can we keep the Hall of Relics closed?" Rostov asked. "If word of this spreads..."

"I've ordered the ceiling replastered and painted." Durr explained. "Everything inside is either draped or locked away to protect it from the dust. It'll take weeks to finish the work."

"You put a six man detail on the Vaults?" Wofford asked. Durr nodded. "Double it. Anything else?"

Grath looked up from his notes, "Yes. Assuming we recover the Key, I have a suggestion." He paused. "Destroy it."

"What?" Asked Wofford, "Destroy the Key of Kings?"

"Its a piece of our history! An artifact of our heritage!" Doolan protested

"People would notice if it vanished." Rostov pointed out.

"No one need know except us." Garth explained. "Have a copy made and put it in the case. Melt the original down."

"Melt it down?" Doolan asked, obviously scandalized at the thought.

"The thing is a menace!" Grath insisted. "We can't use it. The only person who can is our mortal enemy! Think what would happen if he gets his hands on it and is able to use it!" He looked around grimly, "Not only would that monster be confirmed as the rightful ruler of all the Velitar, but he would have access to, and the use of, the Artifacts of the Lords of the Velitar. Just think about what that means."

"But would the people really follow him?" Wondered Doolan, "He is High Priest of the Scarlet Cult and the arch enemy of the Church."

Wofford shook his head, "The power of the Lords goes back long before Mitra. The compulsion to obey is in our blood. Some may well resist, but most..." He trailed off.

"And there have been evil Lords in the past," Durr added. "The people still obeyed them, even knowing the true nature of their rulers. Look at Menachem Kudrun."

"And there is the question of the Artifacts. They would serve him. And I'd hate to have to meet some of those on the field of battle." Grath said.

There was a long, grim, silence.

Woffard slapped the table sharply. "Treldar cannot gain access to the vault! If he does, we five will be the first across the Demon Lords altar! As for destroying the Key, well, we'll discuss that when it is safely back in our hands." He stood up and the other four rose as well. "For now this meeting is adjourned. Mitra help us! Mitra help all of us."

The five bishops filed out of the chamber. Durr, waiting his chance, plucked Grath's sleeve, pulling the General back.

"I am in agreement with you regarding the key, Olon. But it will have to wait. Now here is an idea........"

Treldar sat at a portable campaign desk set up in his balcony above the Amphitheater. Below him two of his torturers were whipping a young woman for his amusement. Nearby, in restrictive individual cages, were six more prisoners, strong young men, awaiting death by ritual torture. Their ordeal would begin in a few hours, part of a ceremonial ritual of Blood Magery that would be used to enchant several sword blades for Minions of the Cult. The young woman's suffering would be nothing compared to the slow and agonizing death that awaited the others. The stronger the victim, the longer the ordeal would last and the more energy could be wrung from their suffering. The woman, though she probably wouldn't agree, was in fact lucky. The whippings and tortures she was enduring now, would weaken her too much for the ceremonial magic. After a few hours of providing Treldar with distracting amusement, and a couple more of entertaining the torturers afterwards, she would be returned to the holding cells to be nursed back to health. Her fate at that point was still undecided. Perhaps she would yet wind up on the torture tables of the Blood Mages. Or she might be sent down to the Pens, where human captives were bred like cattle to feed the Dark Altar's insatiable lust for human blood. Perhaps she would find herself toiling on one of the Cult's farms or in one of the mines or factories. She might be traded or sold to one of the Goblin Clans and taken deep under the mountains to labor beneath their lashes. If she was lucky, and attractive enough, she might come to serve in the household of one of the Cult's favored servants, perhaps even in Treldar's own quarters. Whatever her fate, it held little in the way of hope.

Treldar listened to the relaxing music of torment while he skimmed through the papers in front of him. They were summaries, prepared by his staff, of hundreds of written and verbal reports from scores and scores of spies and agents scattered across all of Velitrium, Khun Dahgra and even the Desert Cities. Twice a month the summaries were reviewed by Treldar personally, his Chief of Staff, Ulich, checked the daily intakes for anything that seemed important enough for immediate attention by his Master. It was rare that anything vital slipped by Ulich's perusal, his Master's displeasure was fearsome indeed!

Treldar tossed each page, as he finished it, onto the desk, his attention drifting to the screaming girl as he read one routine entry after another.

`On the 6th Baron Hellog's wife has given birth to a third son, named Gaylan. The child is reported to be healthy and....'

`On the 9th a report made to King Urien indicated that grain harvest throughout Velitrium would be 20% lower than last years, with the greatest reductions in the Counties of.....'

`On the 10th the Guard on the Vault of Kings was increased from two to six."

`On the 9th Count Pathino's City residence was entered and the Countess' jewelry case was stolen. Taken was......"

`On the 10th Choppo Chogs youngest son, Ruthga, was noted wearing a bejeweled daggar previously known to be the property of Duke Mulgrave."

"Hmmm." Treldar murmured. "That is interesting. The Duke is spreading gifts." He read on.

`On the 10th the Hall of Relics at Drunmore Cathedral was closed for repairs. These are to include plastering and painting...'

`On the 13th Pasha Jhanal announced the engagement of his seventh daughter to Yslini Dhanal, a wealthy merchant of....'

`On the 13th an unscheduled meeting of the Senior Bishops of Mitra and the Bishop General occurred in Velitrium Cathedral. Subject unknown.'

`On the 14th a Royal Mail Coach en route between Glenluce and the Village of Alves was waylaid and robbed. All the guards were killed. A Royal pay pouch containing 2000 Nobles was stolen. Baron Oberon's troops and Ducal forces failed to catch....'

`On the 14th the guard on the Vault of Kings was increased to twelve men.'

Treldar stopped reading. Increased to twelve? Why would Durr assign twelve Sacarium Guards to the Vault of Kings? He leafed back through the reports. Yes, there it was. On the 9th he had raised it from two to six, then five days later from six to twelve. No one can even enter the Vault, why waste so many men guarding it.

He closed his eyes and shut out the screams from below as he concentrated on the problem. The Vault of the Kings was the collective tomb of all the Lords of the Velitar, the original Kings of Velitrium and the warehouse of those Artifacts that were either too dangerous to have lying around or would only work for those who were in fact Lords of the Velitar. There was only one way in, locked and warded, and that way could only be opened by the Key, which could only be used by a true Lord of the Velitar. The guard on the Vault was purely ceremonial, more of an Honor Guard then genuine security, the Key was stored in Drunmore Cathedral, which was itself built above part of the Vaults, in the Hall of Relics.

Treldar flipped back a few more pages. The Hall of Relics was closed for repairs the day after the first Guard change. Hmmmmm...

Treldar stood up abruptly and gathered the papers. There could be only one meaning to these reports. The Hall of Relics closed, the Vault's Honor Guard increased, an unscheduled meeting of the Bishops, with the Commander of the Sacarium Guard present, a further increase in the Guards. It all added up. The Key of Kings was missing!

Treldar felt a growing rage as he considered the implications. He had a more than professional interest in the Key, that anyone would dare lay their hands on it was a deliberate attack aimed at him! He would soon learn who was responsible for this and he would not rest until he had the Key safely in his possession. He had never bothered taking action to obtain it before this, he had always figured that when the time came it would be easily acquired, until then he was content to let it rest safely in his enemies care. A mistake he would soon rectify!

He turned towards the curtained doorway from the balcony, stopping short of the heavy red curtains. If HE were in charge of the forces of Mitra there would be assassins enroute to kill the one person who could most benefit from the Key. Indeed, those assassins would already be poised to strike... He considered the curtain for a moment. Beyond would be four members of his personal Guard, each chosen from the ranks of the Minions. Could they be suborned by the enemy? Alone, four against one in the narrow side hall that led to the balcony, he could be easily overpowered and killed. With a contemptuous snort he thrust the curtain aside and strode out. Treldar was many things, but certainly not a coward. Of course, he wasn't a fool either. He had a defensive spell ready, and his hand rested easily on the hilt of his dagger. The Guards came to attention and moved swiftly into their proper positions, forming a defensive square around their Lord. without a moments hesitation Treldar stalked back to his quarters, there was much to be done, agents to be dispatched, preparations made, Ulich to punish....

Below in the amphitheater the torturers watched their Master's exit. They had stopped the whipping when he had stood up. For a moment they had thought he had changed his mind, but now, as the curtain closed behind Treldar, they grinned at each other and turned back to the sobbing woman. There were still three hours allotted to this session, they had nothing else to do for the rest of the day, and the slave certainly wasn't going anywhere, so now they would have some fun.