They stopped for the evening in the pine forest. Tedi got a fire going while Tanya helped Arik with the horses. Niki helped Kalina with dinner, while Fredrik helped Garth butcher a deer that Garth had killed. Everyone was tired from the stress of battle as much as the long day of riding.
“How come you didn’t want any offense magic during the battle?” Fredrik asked.
“I had hoped to kill all of the Dark Riders,” Garth answered. “If we had gotten them all and left no trace of a magic battle, anyone who discovered the bodies would attribute the scene to a bandit gang who were hiding in the canyon. If we left blasted boulders and scorch marks that would not be believable. Bandits generally don’t have anything to do with magic. The fact that Klarg escaped means we will be hunted. It is unfortunate because all of you need a lot more training before we start getting into battles.”
“Do you think there will be a lot of fighting?” Fredrik queried.
“There will be more than any of us will want,” Garth sighed. “After dinner we must all train and hone our combat skills. You, Niki and Tanya will join in. Have you ever used a sword?”
“No,” Fredrik admitted, “I have never even touched one until today. I shot a bow quite a bit when I was younger and I learned to throw knives. That is about the extent of my warrior skills.”
Garth examined the boy’s wiry frame and delicate hands and nodded. “Knives may do fine,” Garth commented. “That and some hand-to-hand techniques that I can show you.”
Garth heard laughter and turned to look. Tedi was coming from the stream with a long pole over his shoulders with four small buckets of water suspended on it. Arik and Tanya were laughing at Tedi, but Garth was impressed with the boy’s balance. The buckets were not discharging their contents. “And maybe the staff,” Garth added absent-mindedly.
Kalina signaled that dinner was ready so everyone washed up and gathered around the campfire and started eating the venison and apples that Tanya had picked on the way from the canyon.
“How do the King of Alcea and the descendant of the Dark One relate to each other?” Tedi asked. “I mean we have at least one of them with us and maybe both. Should they be working together?”
“Absolutely,” Garth affirmed. “The Kingdom of Alcea will be devoted to bringing the end to the Dark One’s reign and the descendant will be working to bring an end to the Dark One, himself. They are not necessarily the same thing. The Dark One has many followers. The Black Devils are a group of magicians devoted to the Dark One. There is also a group called the Servants of Sarac who are not magicians, but also devoted to him. There are races from the other Universes that worshipped Alutar, the Demons, Goblins, Yaki and Ogres. They will want Sarac to succeed because it will mean the return of Alutar. People who wish Sarac to succeed may well run some of the rogue armies. Whomever the King of Alcea is, he will have to marshal whatever forces he can to fight Sarac’s horde. It is imperative the King and the descendant work together to accomplish their goals.”
“So, in effect,” Fredrik offered, “we have just joined the Alcea Army.”
“Yes,” Garth said grimly. “More accurately, we probably are the Alcea Army.”
“Doesn’t Alcea already have an army?” Arik inquired.
“I don’t really know,” Garth answered. “I have not been there in many years. At the time people were still calling it Tagaret, which was its name when Targa existed. The Collapse, the war with Sordoa that was going on at the time, and the attacks from Sarac’s Army, all decimated the Targan Army. After the Collapse, all that was left of Targa was the city of Tagaret. What was left of the Army probably settled in wherever they were.”
“What of Alexander Tork and the Targa Rangers?” queried Tanya.
“Alex and Jenneva left to imprison Sarac in his castle,” Garth answered. “They haven’t been seen since. The Targa Rangers were only a thousand strong at their peak and Captain Mitar Vidson ran them. I would assume that they remained loyal to King Byron and rallied to him. If so, some of them may still exist.”
“You paint a pretty bleak picture,” commented Niki. “It sounds like this King of Alcea doesn’t even have a country.”
“He doesn’t,” Garth sighed, “but between Kalina, me, and you children, he will, and we will see that it grows strong.”
“You really need to stop calling us children,” Tedi stated. “I know you mean it as Collapse Children, but we still find it offensive.”
There was a general agreement to Tedi’s remark and Garth nodded. “You certainly proved today that you are not children. I am proud of the way you all followed orders, but what shall we call you, then?”
“We should be called the Alcea Rangers,” offered Tanya, “and that includes you and Kalina.”
Calls of agreement went around the campfire and Garth smiled. “Okay,” he said, “I will be proud to serve with each and every one of you in the newly formed Alcea Rangers. However, as proud as I am to serve with you, I would rather feel safe serving with you, so I think it time to start our training for this evening. Niki, you will train with Kalina this evening. Tedi, I want you to cut another pole like the one you used to carry water. I want you and Fredrik to start learning how to handle a staff. Tanya, you get to prove you are as good as the other boys against Arik. Let’s go.”
Everyone started to get up and Garth turned back towards the fire. “Forgot a couple of things,” he stated. “Everyone in the Rangers will be required to be proficient in using a knife and throwing a Lanoirian Star. These are two weapons that are easily concealed and deadly if used by someone who has been trained. See me when you can and I will supply you with enough to start training. You should train with these two weapons whenever you have nothing else to do. One more important thing, seeing as we have people in camp who see nothing wrong with going through others’ belongings. I have a satchel that contains Lanoirian Stars and myric quills. Do not go in it. Myric quills are deadly poisonous. One touch of the tip and you will be dead before you hit the ground. I will instruct you in their use when you are ready.”
A few red faces appeared as the Rangers headed to their appropriate training spots. Garth walked around and observed or instructed as needed. Fredrik was awkward at first with the staff, but Tedi had a fine sense of balance and handled the stick with excellent control. With a little training and a lot of practice, Tedi would be deadlier with the staff than he would be with a sword.
Tanya was indeed giving Arik a contest. Of the two Lorgo boys, Arik was definitely the better swordsman. Tanya was very good with a sword and was besting Arik, but it was obvious that she had received some good instruction. Eventually, Arik would beat her constantly because the boy was so powerful, but for training, Tanya would prove to be an excellent sparring partner for him.
Raised voices from Niki and Kalina drew Garth towards them and he stopped to listen.
“It just is not possible, Niki,” Kalina was saying. “A shield never remains stable or levels off, it keeps getting weaker each time it is hit. That is the very basic nature of the shield. It is probable that you just became numb and didn’t feel it getting weaker. Now I want you to list every spell you know and I will start to teach you spells which are closely related to the ones you already know.”
Tedi gave Fredrik a good hit to the ankle and Garth hurried over. He knelt down and examined the ankle. “It’s okay,” Fredrik declared. “It hurts a bit, but that is my own fault.” Fredrik limped to his feet and picked up his staff and continued his practice with Tedi.
For the next several weeks, the Rangers traveled half days and spent the other half days and evenings practicing. The results of the training were promising. Fredrik was modest when he said that he had played with throwing knives. He was already better at throwing knives than most men Garth had met, and he took to throwing the Lanoirian Star fairly well. He still had quite a way to go in hand-to-hand combat with a knife, but if he could throw them quickly enough, his assailants wouldn’t get close.
The old merchant, Boris, got his money’s worth on the instructions that he had purchased for Tanya. She was good with knives, bow, and staff, as well as the sword. She also enjoyed tossing the boys around in hand-to-hand combat. She picked up the knack of using the Lanoirian Star very easily, as well.
Arik was an eager and fast learner. His muscular body was in excellent shape and he had an amazing endurance. Tanya still beat him most of the time in swordplay, but he was getting better. With the bow, nobody could beat him and his keen eyesight seemed to help him with the Lanoirian Star as well. Tedi, Fredrik, and Tanya could beat him with a staff and Arik generally avoided using one.
Tedi excelled with the staff, getting better every day. He now took on Tanya and Fredrik at the same time and won most of the time. He was also turning into a good tracker, better than Arik, which surprised both of them. Garth also learned that Tedi had an excellent set of ears, hearing many things that Garth did not, and Garth’s hearing was excellent.
Niki was having trouble with both the knife and the Lanoirian Star, the only two weapons she was training with. When Niki practiced throwing, everyone cleared out of the way. Kalina said she was progressing well with her magic, though. She was not as strong or as talented as Fredrik, but she had some unusual talents. She could smell things that no one else was capable of smelling. Her claim had led to an interesting evening when the boys volunteered to hide things in the woods and make her find them blindfolded, and she did. She also knew some types of magic healing that Kalina had never heard of. She claimed to have learned them by accident and Kalina promised to secure a book on healing spells for her when she could.
Garth combined horseback archery lessons with hunting and food was always plentiful. Kalina combined her lessons on edible plants with instructions on gathering plants and minerals necessary for some magical potions. She began to accumulate some stock to teach Fredrik and Niki how to make potions and what they were good for. For the most part, Garth was very pleased with the progress that the Rangers were making. Already, the four warriors, Arik, Tedi, Fredrik, and Tanya, would have been welcome recruits to any army. Garth had plans of making them much more than recruit material, though.
Arik and Tanya rode into the campsite with a large buck and were arguing about whose skill contributed more towards the kill.
“It was my shot that took him down,” insisted Arik.
“Only because it was your turn,” Tanya protested. “I am the one who tracked him down.”
“Tracked him!” laughed Arik. “He practically stood and waited for us.”
The bantering continued as the two Rangers dropped the buck for Fredrik and Tedi to prepare and took care of their horses. Kalina observed Garth smile and shake his head and came over and embraced him.
“I haven’t seen you smile in a long time, warrior,” she teased.
“Nor you, witch,” Garth said softly as he returned her embrace. “Out here with the children, one could almost forget the death and destruction that continues in the world.”
“Almost,” Kalina uttered as she broke the embrace. “We are going to have to make a trip into town soon. Tanya told me that some of the horses need their shoes tended to.”
Garth sat by the fire in a thoughtful mood and Kalina sat down next to him. “Melbin is less than a day’s ride,” he finally offered. “I will take the horses in tomorrow and get them taken care of.”
“Can I come with you?” Fredrik asked as he also sat down. “I have been making knife sheaths and most of the knives we have are a little too large for concealment. I would like to shop for something a little smaller and a bit more balanced.”
“The knives we have will do the job,” Garth stated. “Where are you trying to conceal them that they have to be smaller?”
“You have never been a dainty woman,” Niki laughed as she sat next to Fredrik. “Would you believe that Fredrik has eight knives on his body right now? You, Garth, have created a monster. Besides, I will keep an eye on him for you. I need to do some shopping as well. Just this morning, I broke my last comb.”
“I wouldn’t mind getting some news on the situation in Lorgo,” added Arik. “We don’t know what has happened since we left.”
Garth looked up at Arik, Tedi, and Tanya standing across the fire. Garth turned to Kalina for help and she smiled at him. “I did promise to try and find books for Niki and we could use some more leather and dyes,” she shrugged.
Garth laughed heartily. “What is the matter, Tedi?” he quipped. “Didn’t they let you in on this con?”
“I’m quite happy here,” Tedi remarked. “Though I have no objections to helping Tanya with the horses. You really can’t handle them all by yourself.”
Garth looked around at all the smiling and eager faces. “Okay,” he consented as he threw his hands up. “I don’t need a mutiny on my hands, but…” Garth grew deadly serious as he continued, “but we have to be very careful. There are dangers in the cities and one loose word will endanger us all. Arik, you will be in charge and you will keep everyone safe. I will need to pick up some information while I am in the city and it will not be safe for all of you to be around me. Kalina and I are known by different names in Melbin. Do not use them unless you are in dire trouble, but we are known as Mikal and Yolinda Obanik.”
“Why do you use different names for different places?” asked Tanya. “Are you wanted criminals?”
“We have broken no laws,” Kalina answered, “but, still, we have many enemies. For your own safety, you will pretend not to know us in the city unless we approach you and then you will use the new names Garth has just told to you.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and the evening was filled with excited plans for the outing to Melbin. In the morning everyone except Garth shed their black uniform and donned clothes that would fit the city. The entire campsite was cleaned up and the group was ready to leave at first light.
By midday, the walls of Melbin rose in the distance and Arik and Tedi stared in awe. While the boys were impressed by the size of the city, Fredrik, Niki, and Tanya were only curious about what Melbin would be like.
As they rode on, Garth explained a bit about Melbin. “The city was not always this large,” he began. “Before the Collapse it was a little larger than Lorgo because it was a seaport for Targa. The Sordoan border was only a few miles south of here. During the war Melbin was attacked by both sides repeatedly and what they didn’t destroy, the Collapse did. After the Collapse, the citizens began to rebuild the city and one of them, Alfred Krakus, declared himself King of Melbin. He had the old garrison destroyed and a wall built around the city. Other than the seacoast, there are only three gates to get in and out of the city, one on each side of the city. In the center of the city he built himself a grand palace. The times were very troubled then and the wall around Melbin attracted many immigrants. The city is now filled to overflowing and construction is occurring outside the walls. The King taxes the people heavily, but they seem willing to pay his tribute because crime is almost nonexistent in Melbin. The laws are very strict and many minor offenses result in the death of the violator. Do not steal or cheat a merchant during your stay in Melbin.”
Garth paused to make sure everyone had heard his last statement. “Magic is forbidden,” Garth continued, “but like a lot of things, magic is used in private with no consequences. The Black Devils maintain a house in Melbin openly and no one complains. I suppose that I do not have to remind you to stay clear of the Black Devils, but remember that if you use magic inside Melbin, you will draw their notice. Kalina and I are going to use the West Gate to enter. The rest of you will use the South Gate. There is an inn on the coastal highway called the Fluttering Jib. That is where you will stay. We will be staying in the Bosun’s Chair across the street.”
After they had ridden on for a mile, Garth and Kalina veered off towards the West Gate and the rest of the group continued on towards the South Gate. Their excitement rose as they neared the walls and approached the massive South Gate. Streams of people were entering and exiting the city. Tedi felt uneasy passing before the stern looking guards in their orange and black livery, but the guards paid the group no more than a passing look.
Once inside the city walls, smells and sounds assaulted the group’s senses. Arik and Tedi savored the salty air of the seaport, while Fredrik and Niki inhaled the scents of the merchants and food sellers. Hawkers cried out to them as they passed, offering deals at favorite inns and restaurants, or offering to take them on a city tour. The Rangers ignored the offers and strode on towards the Fluttering Jib. Fredrik had to pull Niki along several times as she stopped to inspect a merchant’s wares.
Even the street in front of the Fluttering Jib was busy with street-side jugglers and musicians. Arik turned and looked across the street to the Bosun’s Chair as they turned down the alley alongside the inn to the stables. The stables were large and well cared for and Arik inquired about a blacksmith and was told that the inn had a working relationship with one. Arik could make his arrangements with the blacksmith and leave the horses in the stable. The blacksmith would collect the horses as needed and have everything ready in the morning.
Satisfied, the group entered the Fluttering Jib through the back door to the common room. The place was busy, but the innkeeper saw them and came right over. Arik was staring at the size of the common room, so Fredrik spoke to the innkeeper. He requested two rooms and the Rangers turned to look at him as he gave his name as Lord Wason of Cidal. The innkeeper, however, showed the proper respect due a Lord and escorted the group upstairs and showed them their rooms. The rooms were large enough to be comfortable, but small enough to prohibit spending any more time in them than necessary.
Once the boys entered their room, Fredrik stripped off his traveling clothes and donned the red velvet suit, which he was wearing when he left Cidal. Arik and Tedi began teasing him about it, until they noticed his serious look as he started fastening knives to his legs and arms. Another sheath was strapped to his back at his waist and one between his shoulder blades. Two more went into his waistband in the front, one to each side and Fredrik arranged his jacket so they were not visible.
“Are you planning for a battle?” Arik asked.
“I want to try them out and see if anyone detects them,” Fredrik explained. “People in cities are used to hidden weapons and one game they play is to try to spot a newcomer’s hidden cache. I plan to fatten my private coffers with a little gambling. Would either of you care to join me?”
“I promised Tanya that I would join her in a trip to the weapons merchants,” declined Arik.
“No, Thanks,” Tedi said. “I think I will just walk around and see what a city is like.”
Arik left soon after Fredrik, and Tedi went down to the common room to get a bite to eat. The inn was still serving the midday meal and the common room was fairly crowded. Tedi found a seat at an empty table and waited for someone to offer him food. A guard in the orange and black livery of Melbin and a man in a light green woolen tunic occupied the table next to Tedi and he listened to their conversation as he waited. The conversation was fairly boring as it centered on women, gambling, and crude jokes and Tedi was glad when a young girl finally came to offer him some food and drink. Tedi was elated that fresh fish was one of the food choices and ordered a plate of flounder and potatoes with a green salad. The price was a bit high, but all of the Rangers had a fair bit of coin taken from the bodies of the Dark Riders and Tedi desired a good fish dinner.
Tedi let his eyes rove over the crowd in the common room while still listening to the conversation at the next table. The men started talking about other people and Tedi had no idea who they were talking about, but every once and a while he picked interesting comments about other places. He heard them mention a mercenary company from Cidal in a favorable light. There was talk of two rival factions fighting for control of Trekum and some game that was played in Tagaret called, The Game of Power, that was killing people. There were mentions of places that Tedi had never heard of and creatures that sounded impossible to imagine.
Tedi’s food arrived and he savored the smell and flavor of the seafood. He had never thought that he would miss eating fish, but the mere flavor of the flounder brought a smile to his lips. He thought about Fredrik’s comments before leaving the room and looked at the people in the common room anew. There were all sorts of people about. Most of them were travelers, of course, but the room seemed to be favored by locals, as well. Tedi saw several tables where the people kept coming and going, but those who were already at the table always knew the newcomers. This obviously marked them as locals having the midday meal.
Others looked around cautiously as though they were unfamiliar with their surroundings and fearful of everything and everybody that came into the room. These were obviously new travelers and Tedi laughed to himself that he probably looked just like them. Still others had the look of being separate but familiar. This group was used to traveling and staying in strange places, perhaps they had even stayed here before, but they were still wary. They didn’t shun the companionship of the others, nor were they eager to invite it. They gave the impression that this was a normal occurrence in their profession and, therefore, familiar, but had had enough experience to know that danger always existed, even in familiar territory. They were probably messengers, merchants, and couriers.
Tedi had seen much of the same behavior in the Fisherman’s Inn in Lorgo when he spent several weeks there following his mother’s disappearance, but the Fluttering Jib presented it on a much larger scale. From the number of inns they had passed on the way to this one, he knew that Melbin must be a city of considerable importance for quite a distance around.
Tedi finished his meal and sat drinking his weak ale. He watched as a guard in the orange and black livery entered and began searching the room. The man was obviously looking for someone and when he looked in Tedi’s direction, his eyes widened and he started forward. Tedi felt a moment of fear as the guard marched towards him and he relaxed only when he realized the guard was interested in the table next to him.
Tedi berated himself for being so foolish, as the newcomer joined the guard and man at the next table. Tedi drained his ale and prepared to leave when the conversation at the next table caught his ear.
“So, there you are, Hanjel,” the newcomer said. “The Captain will have your throat if he finds you in here. You are still listed as on duty.”
“Easy, Lomar,” the seated guard replied. “He thinks I am delivering a message and when I get back my shift will be over. Join us for a bit.”
“Did I just hear you offer to buy me a drink?” chuckled Lomar.
“Now, why would I do that?” Hanjel coughed.
“Because I know something that will interest you,” smirked Lomar.
Hanjel signaled the serving girl and said, “Sit and convince me that you know something interesting, Lomar, before the serving girl collects my money.”
“I just saw Mikal Obanik walk into the Bosun’s Chair,” Lomar grinned.
Hanjel choked and spit ale across the table. “The devil, you did!” he cursed.