Fall of a Kingdom

by Michael Greenfield

  Shuffling from the corridor outside caused her to bring her attention back to the present problems she found herself suffering. As she stared at the door’s window she saw a dark, mud encrusted face appear.

  “Your Highness?” The voice was not discreet, though Myriana felt that it had not carried as far as the guards down the corridor.

  “Yes.”

  “My apologies for your present predicament but I’m afraid that it is unavoidable.” The eyes of the man came sharply into focus in the princess’s vision and she saw true remorse in them.

  “Then perhaps you could see your way to letting me go?”

  The dark figure chuckled. “It is good to see that they have not broken your spirit yet.

  Alas, I am unable to do such a thing.

  I am here to bring you news. Your father is dead.”

  The flat way the message was reported hit the young girl harder than if a thousand Mythraan had screamed it at her.

  “I know.” The response was barely audible. Through gathering tears she stuttered, “How? Where? How can you possibly know?”

  “My dear girl,” the voice echoed the sorrow that coursed through her veins, “how and where are of little consequence. What is important is that you know this and that you bear in mind the fact that the Mythraan and their friends are the ones responsible.

  I won’t lie to you and say that I feel for your loss, the fact is that I didn’t know your father and therefore don’t know what kind of a man he was. All I know is that I’ve watched the daughter he raised face more than most could be expected to in the last few weeks with far greater spirit than some of the bravest of warriors could have managed.

  Just remember that there are people out there still that care for you, and they will find you.”

  “Take this.” She removed one of her royal rings from her finger and handed it to the stranger. “Give it as proof that I still live if you are able.”

  The figure accepted the ring without saying a word.

  Myriana raised her head from her chest, where it had drooped, as she struggled with the tears that welled from her eyes to see that the face had gone.

  After a few minutes she regained her composure and began to examine the facts that she now knew. The one thing that struck her was the implication by the mysterious stranger that he had been keeping an eye on her since she had been captured.

  Was he a friend that would help when he could, or was he an agent provocateur, sent to give her false hope? If so, how foolish had she been in giving him her ring? Whatever his intention, the effect was to brace the girl as she lay back onto the cot and stared at the ceiling. No matter what happened now, she would not give in to despair. She would find a way to escape. She would find a way to destroy the monsters that had inflicted this upon her.

  Landfall

  Night had fallen on the first full day at sea only a short time previously, but Cal still stood by the stern railing facing the spot on the faint horizon where the sun had passed out of sight. The day had passed remarkably uneventfully compared to the last few weeks that he had experienced and he was making the fullest use of the tranquillity of the ocean that surrounded them.

  The gentle and soothing sound of the waves breaking against the bow of the Hurricane was muted by the length of the ship but was still audible above the constant creaking of the timbers that made up its hull. A slight wind filled the sails above his head and nudged them eastward at a steady pace that should guarantee them landfall within the fortnight, as long as it kept its strength and direction that was.

  To be honest Cal had found their first day at sea boring. Farsighter, Dorrin and Collett had spent most of the day locked in the Captain’s cabin, deep in conversation. What they had spoken of had not been mentioned but Cal was confident that they were trying to figure out what they would be doing when they reached port.

  Many of the crew had regarded the passengers suspiciously, but a loud bark from the Captain had sent them scurrying about their tasks before they could become a nuisance.

  Tamala had kept to herself in the small cabin that had been given to her, though it had seemed a lot smaller when Cal had tiptoed in shortly after the rest of the party had retired to their hammocks the previous night. At least Tamala’s cabin actually had a sleeping pallet in it as opposed to another hammock, although she had pointed out that you could definitely have some fun with one if you were imaginative enough.

  Cal wasn’t sure whether the risk was altogether worth the reward, but wisely decided against saying anything.

  Now he found that he had some time to think about things before the piratical figure that ran the galley doled out what he claimed was meat stew.

  A faint sound behind him caused his hand to drift toward his dagger. The laughter that immediately followed didn’t change the position of his hand one inch.

  “Apologies Master Cal.” He turned to see Esbet’s first mate, a barrel chested south coast man called Duroc, stood patiently. “I’ve been sent to fetch you down to the Captain’s cabin.”

  He smiled apologetically. “They said not to surprise you so I had to try, sorry.”

  Cal smiled. “Just so long as you don’t make me jump you should be alright.”

  “I’ll remember that.” He touched his forefinger to his forehead as he spoke, a gesture that passed for a salute aboard ship. The big man was still chuckling as Cal moved past him and stepped to the hatchway that led below decks. He knew that they were continuously training him as and when they could, but couldn’t decide if they had purposely told the Mate not to sneak up on him knowing full well that he would try. Probably.

  He tapped on the wooden door before he let himself in. the cabin was quite a bit larger than the one that Tamala occupied, but it was also quite a bit fuller.

  The Captain’s sleeping pallet was on the left, or port as he had been told, side, snug against the wooden hull. A writing chest stood to the rear, whilst a large table took up the centre of the room, complete with a selection of battered stools and chairs arrayed around it. Filling most of those pieces of furniture were Luda, Collett and Farsighter. Dorrin stood by the writing chest, staring through the window in the stern wall of the cabin whilst Esbet searched a small cupboard nearer the door.

  “Cal! Grab a seat.” Farsighter gestured to one of the remaining chairs.

  Spread out on the table was a larger scale map of the eastern kingdom of Galorn. Cal could see many vast forests marked, almost covering the entire area, but it was obvious to anyone with an ounce of intelligence as to where the main routes were between the towns and cities. Clearly defined by the straight edges that appeared unnaturally along several of the wooded areas, the road system of Galorn was known even to a country lad like Cal.

  The only problem was that even the Galorn themselves had no idea as to where it had actually come from. The system of hard surfaced roads had existed as long as the country and beyond. Rumour held that the Lighters built it, but if that was true there had never been any confirmation from them.

  As Cal took his place Collett resumed where he had left off just before he had entered.

  “As I said, Galorn itself should hopefully pose few problems. Even if the Mythraan have launched some form of attack through the mountains to the north, the standing army and the fortifications in the passes should slow them down considerably.

  To actually talk to the People of the Light we have two options.

  Firstly we can just make our way straight to the Gorge and present ourselves. It has the advantage of letting fewer people know exactly what it is that we’re doing, but runs the risk that the Lighters, without official sanctions, won’t see us.

  The second option carries more risk in that we contact the Galorn and use their official connections to arrange a meeting. It’s the more certain of the two, but carries the greater risk that Mythraan or Shaler spies may find out what we are doing and move to stop us.”

  The table went silent for a few moments as they pondered what the
former commander of the King’s army had said.

  “I agree that the first option carries the most risk of failing, but as for the second, I can’t see how we’re going to gain entrance to see anyone with the authority to organise a meeting for us.” Dorrin had turned back from the view out of the rear of the ship and again faced the room.

  “Why can’t Luda ask to see someone?”

  Heads turned to face Cal as if the dark side of the moon had just spun round and shouted ‘boo!’. Slowly Dorrin smiled, while Luda began to chuckle.

  “For all our cleverness we totally forgot that we were travelling with Lord Holdur. In fact we even thought about the idea when we arrived at Nibar’a.” Farsighter looked straight at the big man’s face. “I know that it’s probably not something that you want to be reminded of too much at the moment, but you do now carry the rank to demand an audience with King Athmyran’s chancellor.”

  Luda sat silently. Cal thought that he was going to ignore Farsighter, but that was not to be.

  “I know that you mean no hurt with your words, but they hurt nonetheless. And yes, you are right that I have the rank to be able to demand audience.” He grinned at Cal, though it obviously took an effort.

  “Don’t worry about it Cal, I know that you speak for the good of the kingdom and thank you for reminding me that I have other duties beyond accompanying friends on a perilous journey.”

  Cal tried not to look too sheepish at the way he had just blurted the suggestion out, rather than finding a more diplomatic way of raising the issue.

  Collett spoke once again. “Perhaps it might do for you to be accompanied by the King’s commander.”

  Dorrin raised an eyebrow.

  “I also needed reminding of a few things, like the fact that I’ve been trawling round the countryside with you for the last few weeks with little thought to the idea that I’m still an officer in the army.”

  Dorrin’s face suddenly lit up. “That’s it.”

  “What’s it?” The rest of them looked thoroughly confused.

  “We have a noble Lord and the senior commander of the army travelling in the same party. We have hordes invading us from the north, and we are just several days away from the capital of Galorn.

  How much do you want to bet that our enemy won’t be the slightest bit bothered by a diplomatic mission to try and enlist the aid of the Galorn crown, because it’s something they would expect us to do?”

  “Hide in plain sight?” This time Luda’s smile was genuine. “I like the idea of no longer hiding.”

  Farsighter turned his eyes to the youth sat at the table. “It would appear that once more you prove to be more than just another poacher from the west.”

  Cal smiled, pleased at the response. “It’s nice not to feel like a spare part that my father left lying around the forge.”

  Collett looked thoughtful for a moment. “Master Farsighter, a question if I may?”

  Farsighter looked bemused at the sudden turn of phrase, whilst Dorrin smiled as if he had already read the mind of the soldier. “Of course.”

  “I realise that I once promised that I would not do this, but circumstance can change things.” He paused for a moment. “It would seem to me that Cal has already proven himself in battle, wouldn’t you agree?” Farsighter nodded. “And as commander of the Her Majesty’s army it would seem that I should at least travel with one aide?” This time Farsighter just smiled in response.

  “Cal, you have already agreed to carry out much more than most soldiers could reasonably be expected to and have proven that you have what it takes to make such things happen, perhaps it is time for us to make things a little more formal.”

  Cal looked perplexed. “I’m not sure that I follow what you mean, sir.”

  “I’m glad that you added the sir, you’ll need to do that quite a bit more in future.”

  Dorrin interrupted, “Like every moment of the rest of your life!”

  Collett shot Dorrin a dirty look. “I cannot offer you a full commission without Her Majesty’s signature, but in front of witnesses it is well within my rights to offer you a field commission for the rank of lieutenant until it can be confirmed.”

  “But I’m not even officially in the army, I never got the chance to join up.”

  “Technicalities! The boy is offered the chance to be the second highest officially ranked member of the party and he worries about technicalities, Gods Old Wolf, what have you been teaching him?” Dorrin threw his eyes heavenward whilst Cal stared at him confused.

  “Allow me to explain. Luda holds an honorary position in the army due to his rank of office. I myself hold the rank of Lieutenant also, but your appointment will be to the Royal Household Guard as Adjutant to Commander Collett, and therefore takes precedence to my own appointment.

  That, I believe, makes you the second highest ranked member of the party.”

  Collett stifled a smile as he spoke up. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much Cal. Your appointment, though officially binding, is mainly for show. Even if it wasn’t, I’m the only other member of the Household Guard in our joyous party, and I don’t think that I’ll take that many orders from you.”

  Cal slowly nodded as if he understood, though it was fairly plain that he did not.

  Cal and Dorrin made their way to the galley. The meeting had broken up shortly after the final details had been worked out for their approach to the Galorn hierarchy and now the two of them had decided that they required some form of sustenance.

  They entered the small area set aside for the preparation of food for the crew to find Tamala and Vorston already sat at the only table. Dorrin couldn’t resist the moment.

  “My Lords and Ladies,” Both looked toward the newly arrived duo, “may I present Lieutenant Cal Ironsson of the Royal Household Guard.”

  Tamala fairly leapt into Cal’s arms whilst the dwarf chuckled heartily before clasping Cal’s hand. “Congratulations boy. From what I’ve heard it is well deserved.”

  Tamala winked at Dorrin over the new Lieutenant’s shoulder. “When will he get his patent of nobility?”

  Still sat in the cabin, Farsighter eyed Collett cautiously.

  “Suspicions Old Wolf?” Collett’s eyes twinkled as he spoke and his lips cracked into the faintest trace of a smile.

  “Just curious. Despite the logic of what you said I know that you’re up to something.

  Yes, the lad is good. Damn good in fact.”

  “Don’t give me that,” Collett interrupted, “I know that you’re just as experienced at these things as I am and that’s the best damn prospect I’ve ever seen.”

  “Being totally honest, I’d have to agree with you, but be that as it may you’re still thrusting an awful lot on him very quickly.”

  This time Collett’s lips broke into a wide grin. “Perhaps, but have you been following the training he’s been doing with the others?

  His swordplay is approaching a level where both myself and Luda are starting to take him very seriously indeed, and that’s after less than two months training, I don’t want to think about what he’ll be like in two years.

  His archery, well, there was never anything for any of us to teach there. I’d wager his eye against yours in a competition, though maybe not quite yet in battle.”

  Farsighter grunted at that. “I suppose that you’re going to tell me his mind is quick enough to swindle Dorrin next?”

  “Master Farsighter, to be perfectly candid he’s too great a talent to be relegated to the Rangers.” He held his hand up quickly. “Before you say a word, I have the utmost respect for the Rangers, a finer fighting unit you could not find, but Cal would be wasted out on the edges of our borders chasing off Shalers and the like.”

  Collett suddenly looked tired, more tired than Farsighter could ever recall seeing him. “I worry that returning Her Majesty her throne will take longer than we would hope. We lost many good men and officers at Holdur, and we have little idea as to how they fare back home without us.r />
  Put boldly, Cal may find himself carrying a lot more responsibility than that of a mere lieutenant before these days are past. Her Majesty will need solid, dependable, and above all intelligent officers at her side and I will not lose the best choice I have seen so far because he’s set his heart on joining the Rangers.”

  The next few days passed reasonably quickly for Cal. Despite his new military rank he found that most of the discussion as to what the group would do when they reached Mid’gra was carried out without him. A fact that had its compensations as it gave him more time to be with Tamala though both had decided that the constant motion of the ship coupled with any attempt at being physically passionate induced bouts of sea sickness that were just not worth the momentary pleasure preceding it.

  Instead, they had taken to just standing together on the bow of the Hurricane, letting the stiff breeze blow through their hair as they enjoyed the closeness of each other’s presence.

  Collett had been initially worried at the fact that the pair were not being the slightest bit discreet about their relationship and the effect that it might have had on the crew, who were not able to enjoy the feel of a woman’s body for the duration of the trip and probably would not be allowed to after they had berthed, as Esbet planned to return to Boraan almost immediately.

  The fears had been swiftly allayed when the two of them actually failed to appear next to the bowsprit one evening and he saw several of the crew approach him with openly concerned looks on their faces, wanting to know of Cal and Tamala were alright or whether they had been struck ill by something.

  Smiling, he had related the story to the others whilst they were sat in Esbet’s cabin eating supper, much to the embarrassment of the subjects of the tale.

  It was stood in their by now familiar spot that Cal saw the first glimmer of light on the horizon. The sun had only just set and Esbet was making ready to put the ship to sea anchor for the night when he heard Cal’s call.

  Quickly looking through his spyglass, Esbet judged that the faint lights of Mid’gra that Cal had spotted were just over an hour away. Glancing quickly back to the western horizon and with a shared look with his first mate he called for a slight trimming of the sails before he strode along the deck to where the two lovers stood.