It was barely past first light when the pounding on the door woke Fredrik. He struggled to sit and the pounding continued. Sleepily shuffling over to the door, Fredrik threw the bolt back and two Melbin Guards rushed in, their heads swiveling to search the room. Fredrik could see two more guards waiting in the hallway beyond the door. “Lord Wason,” one of the guards declared, “you have been summoned to the Royal Palace. It is well that you are dressed, King Alfred appears impatient this morning.”
As fearful as he was, Fredrik walked over to the basin and wet his face. “I shall just be a moment,” he said through the towel wiping the sleep from his face. The guard tapped his foot impatiently while Fredrik tried to smooth his red velvet suit. At least, Fredrik realized, he was not under arrest. The guards would not wait for him if they had orders for his arrest.
When Fredrik was as presentable as he could be after sleeping in his clothes, he turned and walked out the door. The guards had a carriage waiting for him and, once he was in, they rushed him to the Royal Palace. Fredrik was escorted directly to the Throne Room where King Alfred was waiting. The guard escorting him whispered something in the servant’s ear and the servant scurried up to the King and relayed the information.
“I see the lodging in our inns is not to your liking, Lord Wason,” the King stated. “Perhaps I should extend rooms in the Palace for your comfort.”
A shiver ran down Fredrik’s back as he thought the King must know about the house he had occupied last night. Slowly it dawned on him that the King probably was referring to the state of Fredrik’s clothes. Some travelers slept in their clothes and armed because they did not trust the innkeeper to keep them safe while they slept. “I am afraid it was a long day yesterday, Your Highness. I know that Melbin is a city where travelers are safe, but I was so tired I must have fallen asleep before I could undress.”
“Understandable,” the King laughed. “You probably indulged yourself in a bit of merriment last night to toast the conclusion of your hunt for the witch.”
Fredrik noticed that the King’s laugh had been forced and the body language of the servants and the guards, who had not been withdrawn, told him that he was a suspect in the escape. “Actually, it was simple fatigue,” Fredrik stated. “The witch has led me on a merry chase for some weeks and I must admit that many of those nights did not afford a bed as comfortable as the Fluttering Jib.”
Frowning, the King tried a different approach, “I am told that you had a party of four with you when you arrived and they left you late last night. Did they have some urgent task to fulfill for you?”
This part Fredrik had rehearsed in his mind last night. “They were not my servants,” Lord Wason declared. “They belong to Captain Grecho of the Cidal Mercenary Company. They are on their way north to negotiate a contract. They had agreed to be my escort while I was chasing the witch. When I informed them last night that my search had ended, they took their leave and continued on their mission.”
The King’s frown grew as his brow knitted and his eyebrows lowered, darkening the monarch’s eyes. “Then I am to believe that they did not effect the release of your witch last night?” King Alfred said with a rising voice. “The very professional escape, I might add.”
Fredrik knew it would come to this and realized the next few moments would decide his fate, whether it be death or freedom. “What do you mean escape?” he shouted. “You can’t have let her escape.”
The room grew very tense and the guards appeared to tighten their hands on their weapons. “I am sorry for my outburst,” Lord Wason said softly while consciously clenching his hands to appear furious with the King’s poorly guarded prison.
“I beg the King’s pardon for words spoken in haste, but the thought of her being free again boils my blood,” Fredrik humbled with the sound of forced softness. “The men of Captain Grecho obey my command and are loyal to the Lord of the Manor. They would not take it upon themselves to free a witch that I wished imprisoned.”
The comment about loyalty had been meant to impress King Alfred that if he detained Lord Wason, he would be striking out against the Cidal Mercenary Company, which, while not true, would cause the King to tread more lightly towards Fredrik. “May I ask if the woman could have possibly used magic to escape and if Your Highness has any indication of where she has gone?” Lord Wason queried.
The King, after a minute of studying Fredrik, motioned for the guards to leave. “This has never happened before,” conceded King Alfred. “The witch was drugged which should have made it impossible for her to use magic and there was a stub of rope found attached to the flagpole which would indicate a mundane rescue. Although, the cell was still locked and the purpose of the rope makes no sense. It was long enough to reach the bottom of the cell, but it was next to the wrong cell and the loose end was not in the cell. I am afraid that there is little information that I can supply to help you locate her. If I receive further news, I will send a messenger.”
Fredrik bowed and left the throne room. He spurned the carriage, which was waiting for him and walked backed to the Fluttering Jib lost in thought. As he entered the common room, he noticed Yolinda Obanik sitting by herself at one of the tables. He nonchalantly walked over and sat down. The crowd was sparse for the morning meal and the serving girl appeared promptly. He ordered a concoction of eggs and cheese and turned towards Yolinda.
“You are alone,” Yolinda whispered while holding her mug of coffee to her lips. “Where are the others? What has happened?”
Fredrik acted like he was having pleasant conversation with a stranger. “They rode out last night and are waiting for us north of here. I can’t explain it all now, but if your business in Melbin is complete, I would suggest that we leave.”
“Is everyone all right?” Yolinda demanded.
“Niki has been drugged to keep her from using magic,” Fredrik explained. “She was unconscious when she left. Everyone else is okay.”
“Be ready to leave in fifteen minutes,” Yolinda whispered. “I will get the ingredients needed to help Niki. We will meet you at the stables for the Bosun’s Chair.” Yolinda placed her coffee mug on the table and disappeared out the door of the inn.
Fredrik finished his breakfast and went to his room to gather his belongings. He removed the red velvet suit and dressed in a gray woolen tunic and matching breeches. Carrying his gear down to the stables, he paused to inform the innkeeper that he was leaving. When he reached the stables of the Bosun’s Chair, Mikal was waiting for him holding both his black stallion and Yolinda’s white mare. Yolinda hurried along the alley and mounted without a word. Silently the three rode through the streets of Melbin and out the North Gate.
When they were well away of the gate, Garth demanded an explanation of the events of Melbin. He told Fredrik to start at the beginning and leave nothing out. Fredrik was just finishing his tale when they left the coastal highway and headed for the sea. “I think I know the cove that Tanya is speaking of, although it is not a particularly safe spot to wait,” Garth commented.
Garth was pleased to see that Arik was at least alert to the danger when the young warrior jumped down from his hiding spot in the rocks to welcome them. “I guess everything went okay,” Arik smiled at Fredrik.
Arik led them into the cove to where Niki was stretched out on a blanket. Kalina quickly dismounted and knelt at the girl’s side to examine her. “Get a fire going and put some water on to boil,” she demanded.
“This is not a safe place for a fire,” Garth cautioned. “Can it wait until we find a more suitable place?”
“No,” replied Kalina. “The drug can be very harmful, especially if they were not careful administering it. The fact that she was about to be executed could be enough reason for them not to care how much they used. I must get some tea into her.”
Kalina removed a parcel from her pouch and handed it to Tedi. “Mix half of this into a tea and see that she drinks all of it. Return the unused half,” Kalina ordered.
Kalina went to her horse and removed the long, canvas wrapped package and laid it on the ground. Stopping, she unwrapped the Sword of Heavens and picked it up. Holding it out from her she started to rotate in a circle and finally stopped when it tingled.
“It is as much west as it is north,” Garth surmised.
“Yes,” replied Kalina dryly, “and you want to take us further north.”
“The children are getting better every day,” Garth explained, “but they are hardly ready to battle the world. The delay of a week will not matter in the course of the Prophecy and they will be one week better trained for it. Besides, if we let the situation in Alcea totally crumble, the Prophecy can not be fulfilled. Remember, one of them is supposed to lead Alcea to greatness. How can that be accomplished if Alcea doesn’t exist anymore?”
“So, the children will be better trained, will they?” Kalina snorted. “And you expect me to believe that your plans won’t get them killed in Alcea? We could have lost them all for only one day in Melbin and there is no one there who particularly cares if they live. In Alcea, everyone will want them dead.”
“If you are so opposed to my plans,” Garth stated, “I will go to Alcea alone. I know what must be done and I will have it done.”
“And abandon the Children of the Prophecy,” mocked Kalina. “I think not. You have waited all your life to get your hands on them. You will not leave them now.”
“I will find you wallowing your way across Targa when I am done,” Garth smiled.
“Let us not fight about this, Garth,” Kalina sighed. “We will talk about it later.”
Kalina wrapped the sword back up in the canvas and went to check on Niki. Garth wandered down to the surf and removed his boots to let his feet feel the cool saltwater wash over them as he paced along the beach. A barefooted Tanya appeared alongside him and Garth shivered as he realized how complacent he had become about the children’s presence.
“Something is troubling you, warrior,” Tanya suggested. “I have never seen you two have a harsh word for one another. Is it because of the difficulties we got into in Melbin?”
“No,” confided Garth. “The Alcea Rangers performed admirably in Melbin. I am proud of all of you, not just for using your abilities well, but because you worked as a team. I learned some very disturbing information while in Melbin and feel that the problems in Alcea need to be addressed now. Kalina feels that we must hurry to fulfill the Prophecy and she has a point. Even though the Rangers are not yet battle worthy, every day we delay is an opportunity for Sarac to get at you.”
Tanya reached down and plucked a shell from the surf, letting the water rinse the sand from it. “Can’t the problem in Alcea wait for us to return from wherever we are going?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Garth. “The situation may wait, but some very good people will die in the meantime. They are friends and people whom I admire, as well as being influential to affairs in Alcea. When it comes time to place the heir upon the throne, they would be good people to have alive.”
“You will work it out, warrior,” Tanya chirped as she sprinted across the sand to a blanket against the rocks.
Garth turned around and headed back towards his boots. He looked and saw that Kalina had Niki sitting up, drinking tea. He picked up his boots and strode across the sand towards the rest of the group. Niki was talking and Garth deduced from the smile on Kalina’s lips that Niki was going to be all right. He sat down on somebody’s blanket and dusted the sand off his feet before putting his boots back on. Tedi was missing from the group and Garth assumed he was on sentry duty.
Kalina got Niki up and walked her back and forth to assure herself that there was nothing wrong with her. Once she was satisfied, she ordered the campfire extinguished and announced that they would be leaving in five minutes.
Everyone got their belongings packed back on the horses and mounted up. Garth let Kalina lead while he pondered which way he would go when they got to a road that led westward. They rode for half a day before the road westward appeared. Kalina halted at the crossroads, but the children kept on going. Kalina started to say something, but Arik cut her off.
“The Alcea Rangers are bound for Alcea,” he proclaimed. “It is about time that we saw what we are fighting for. If you and Garth don’t hurry along, you will miss dinner.”
Kalina looked dumbfounded as Garth caught up to her and he just shrugged his shoulders and grinned. Kalina shook her head in dismay, but Garth saw the corners of a smile appearing on her lips. “You orchestrated this, didn’t you?” she accused.
“This was not my decision,” he chuckled. “Our Rangers are becoming more of a tight-knit group than either of us would have suspected. I only mentioned my concern to Tanya because she asked what we were arguing about. I do think they have a valid point about seeing what they are fighting for, though.”
“You would,” laughed Kalina. “It is funny to have two strong-willed people ignored by a group that we still call children. You better move along, I do not intend to miss dinner.”
For the rest of the day they rode on, and nobody mentioned the incident at the crossroads. Arik chose the campsite and Garth watched with amusement and pride as the Rangers efficiently set up camp and started dinner and practice as if this was their daily routine. The episode in Melbin, without Garth and Kalina to guide them, had melded them into a working team, dependent on each other and seemingly independent of anyone else. Garth knew better, but it filled him with admiration for the five of them.
Kalina mixed the rest of her concoction into a tea for Niki, while Garth went to observe the practice sessions. Arik and Tanya were using the bolas that Tanya had purchased in Melbin. The pair of balls attached by a strong cord was thrown at the legs of a person or animal. If thrown properly, the weight of the balls caused the cord to wrap around the legs and fell your opponent. They were using a pair of sticks for the practice and were getting better with each throw.
Fredrik and Tedi were battling with the new staffs acquired in Melbin and Garth had to admit that the staffs made a difference in their effectiveness. Seeing no need to intervene, he walked over to check on the stew that was cooking over the fire.
Niki recovered well from the drug and was rattling on to Kalina about her captivity and how she had been good in Melbin and how it wasn’t her fault. Garth smiled broadly and announced that dinner was ready. Dinner was fairly quiet as the stew was ravenously devoured. After dinner Garth lit his pipe and the questions started about what they should expect when they arrived in Alcea.
“I am not really sure,” Garth admitted. “It has been years since I was there. The information that I am getting leads me to believe that things have gotten progressively worse. King Byron was assassinated and Queen Marta fled the city. I do not know who rules it now. There has been a power struggle in Alcea since the time of the Collapse. Many refuse to accept Alcea as their new country. They prefer to call the city Tagaret, which was its name when Targa still existed. I think many would prefer to resurrect Targa to its former greatness. They, of course, would not be the ones whose blood was shed doing it.”
“You mentioned patriots in prison,” Tanya stated while checking Kalina’s reaction to her acknowledgment that Garth had spoken to her. “Who are they and why are they important to Alcea?”
“I do not know the full scope of the problems in Alcea,” Garth declared. “One of those who is captive is General Gregor. He was the General at the time of the Collapse and supported the move to rename the Kingdom to Alcea. He was the strongest supporter of King Byron and I suspect his imprisonment was meant to keep him out of the way while the King was killed. They probably are now afraid to release him because he would be steadfast in bringing to justice whoever killed the King.”
“This power game that they are playing… ” quizzed Arik, “wouldn’t one of them point out who had the King killed? I mean… wouldn’t it be to someone’s advantage to reveal the killer?”
“It would, indeed,” Garth agreed. “The problem is that it would be to so much advantage that everyone is probably claiming it was everyone else. The name that they have given to their petty scrambling is the Contest of Power, and they do see it as a game. Alcea, like Targa before it, has a Council of Advisors who meet with the King to determine what must be done for the Kingdom. I have heard that this Council has somehow made their powers equal to the King’s and I would suspect that most of our Contest players have a seat on it. Actually, I should say that the Council members are probably big players in the Contest. There are probably twenty Contest Players for each seat on the Council.”
“So they would not have to replace the King to rule,” summed Arik. “They would just need the agreement of a majority of this Council.”
“Exactly,” Garth agreed. “Someday we will have to face this Council, but that is not for this trip. I mean to get General Gregor out of prison and possibly find the Queen and get her to safety. The General may well be instrumental when the heir returns to Alcea.”
“The Queen may be the grandmother of one of us,” proclaimed Niki. “We have to see to it that she is safe. Do you know if she has red hair?”
“Is your face well known in Alcea?” asked Tanya.
Garth looked at the young woman as if seeing her for the first time. “I suppose it is to some people,” Garth answered. “Why do you ask?”
“It may be too dangerous for you to get General Gregor out of prison,” explained Arik. “This may be a job better suited to the younger Alcea Rangers.”
Garth looked at the young faces around the campfire and groaned. Certain that he had created a monster, he voiced his objection. “Look,” he said authoritatively, “you all did a great job in Melbin and I’m proud of the way you handled yourselves, but you can not just go throwing yourselves into danger at every opportunity. There are people in Alcea who will recognize me, but that is something I can deal with. There were people in Melbin who knew me and hunted me. That didn’t stop me from doing what I went there for.”
“What did you do with Hanjel?” Tedi asked.
Everyone must have seen Garth’s mouth drop open because they all started laughing, even Kalina. Garth quickly shut his mouth and began to speak, but Arik cut him off.
“We know that Kalina and you are trying to protect us and train us at the same time,” Arik began. “That is not an easy task, but hear us out. We are not trying to step mindlessly into danger, nor are we trying to keep you out of it. We are doing what you have taught us and what you are not doing yourself. We are approaching the problem considering all of the assets available to us. We are asking you to do the same. You may look at us like children, but we are the ones the Prophecy talks about and it is our responsibility to do what is necessary.”
“We are not trying to revolt or chase you away,” added Tanya. “In fact, we realize now, more than ever, how much we need you. Just try using us as fellow soldiers and not precious artifacts that need to be preserved.”
The silence lasted for several moments before Garth spoke. “It has been many years since any of my men gave me a dressing-down,” he chuckled. “This one has been well deserved. I think some of your particular talents may well prove to be useful.”
“Do you mean like Lord Wason going before the Council to seek better relations with Targa?” Fredrik asked.
“Or someone with lock-picking ability getting thrown into the dungeon?” added Tedi.
“A magical diversion,” suggested Fredrik.
“Or better, a beautiful diversion,” Tanya chuckled as she threw her long blond hair over her shoulder.
“I like them all,” laughed Garth and noticed that Kalina was laughing so hard, she was doubled over.
Niki pouted about not having anything to offer to their grand plan and left the campfire. Nobody took special notice of her leaving. Garth instructed Fredrik to spend some time with Kalina for magic tutoring and then he challenged Arik, Tedi, and Tanya to try him with their practice swords. The three warriors readily agreed and raced to the open area to get their wooden swords.
The three young warriors proved that they could work as a team and Garth got a decent workout from them. He was tempted to protest when Tanya got his legs wrapped up with the bola, but realized that practice was best when it came close to simulating the real world. Instead, he spread his legs as far apart as the bola would allow, and swung his sword to sever the cord. Tanya let out a yelp when she saw that her bola would have been sliced into pieces if Garth had more than a wooden sword, but Garth did not give her time to cry. He threw his body to the ground and quickly rolled into her and Arik, knocking them to the ground. Garth was up again quickly enough to fend off Tedi, who had leaped over the two bodies. Eventually, the cord around his legs did Garth in and the three young warriors converged on him for the kill.
“I’d like to replay that with a real sword,” chuckled Garth.
“What made you think of cutting it?” Tanya asked. “If you had a real sword, the bola wouldn’t have even slowed you down.”
“I don’t know that it is something I can teach you,” Garth answered. “You train your body to react to threats. With enough practice, you do things by instinct. I don’t know what instinct would make me react to a weapon, which I have never faced, but it did. The only advice I can give you in this area is to keep practicing. Even after you are the best there is, keep practicing.”
The warriors returned to the campfire discussing different portions of the practice and sat down to cups of coffee. They were discussing plans for Alcea when Kalina and Fredrik returned to join them. They discussed contingency plan after contingency plan until sleep started to overtake them and one by one they drifted off to their blankets.