Fall of a Kingdom

by Michael Greenfield

  “A beautiful sight is it not?”

  “That it is Master Mariner.” Cal laughed as he replied. “I mean no disrespect, but to a country lad like myself it seems unnatural to be surrounded by so much water for so long.”

  Esbet laughed at that. “Would it help if you knew that I was born only a day’s travel south of Holdur myself?”

  Cal looked disbelievingly at the man. “How did you come to captain a ship starting from solid farming country?”

  “Perhaps I’ll tell you some day, but for the moment I must ensure that we don’t hit anything too solid in the dark.” With a sly grin he was away back to the stern, leaving Cal and Tamala to silently watch the approaching lights.

  The following morning Cal got his first good look at Mid’gra. The port itself was a lot larger than it had appeared to be as they carefully made their way through the moorings the previous evening. The entrance was narrow enough that he was glad he had not been able to see what the captain had been doing at the time. Hills flanked either side of the narrow way through to the port but flattened out almost immediately after the first line along the coast, allowing the city to sprawl out from the circular haven.

  Several smaller hills were encompassed by the city, and Cal could see impressively sized buildings adorning the summits of them. The most eye-catching was a huge white construction that shone with an almost unearthly brilliance in the morning sunlight. Motioning toward it he learnt from one of the deckhands that it was the palace of the Galorn king.

  Even from this distance the palace looked massive. Covering the entirety of the hill closest to the centre of the city it offered a clear view of its surroundings. Cal imagined that in times past the Galorn kings would have found it a more than suitable point from which to organise the city’s defence. Heroic images flashed through Cal’s mind as he thought about it. He was smiling dreamily when a pointed cough from behind caught his attention.

  He turned to find Dorrin stood waiting.

  “Collett wants to see you.”

  “Esbet’s cabin?”

  “Well there’s nowhere else to hold meetings apart from the galley and they’re serving breakfast at the moment.”

  Cal smiled. “I wouldn’t mind eating and talking at the same time.”

  “Neither would I, but Collett’s a bit of stickler when it comes to meetings.”

  They quickly made their way down to the captain’s cabin where Collett was sat with just Luda; no mention was made of where Farsighter or Tamala were.

  “Morning Lieutenant.” Cal realised that this was to be a formal meeting. Tamala and Dorrin had spent the last couple of days since his impromptu promotion instructing him on the rules and etiquette of army life and he immediately brought himself to attention.

  “Morning Sir.”

  “We’ll be requesting an audience with His Majesty this morning, during which I want you to do something for me.”

  “Of course Commander.” Cal wasn’t sure as to what he was agreeing, but he had been told repeatedly that you didn’t disagree with a senior officer unless you were absolutely sure of your position.

  Collett grinned. “Relax Cal, it’s nothing to dangerous.

  I’ll request that you be shown around the barracks whilst Luda and myself meet the king. Take Tamala with you and just act normally.”

  “Excuse me?” Cal knew what he thought of as acting normally with Tamala, but thought it might raise a few eyebrows if he went that far in the middle of the barracks.

  The older soldier laughed. “That’s exactly what I want, just not quite so brazen as normal.

  You’ll be just another junior officer taking his lady away from the stuffy formality of court discussion. Show off, point things out, that kind of thing. Don’t worry too much, whilst you’re doing that Tamala will take careful note of all of the things that I need to find out.”

  Cal said nothing, accepting things as they were. He knew that Tamala would probably think of this as a boring task beneath her talents, but he also knew that she would do it without question.

  “I also want you to make use of that blacksmiths knowledge of yours by checking out their armourer and seeing what you can do about getting us some light armour. Thinking ahead to what we could be facing soon, it might be an idea if we were slightly better equipped in general.”

  The youngster nodded, waited a moment to see if there was anything else, and then spoke when it was apparent that Collett was finished.

  “I have something to ask Commander.” Collett nodded. “Shouldn’t I have some kind of insignia of rank or something to identify me to others. Even I know that I’m young for what you’ve given me, and if I find that I need to use my rank at any stage I’ll need something other than the memory of a conversation to identify myself to whoever it might be.”

  Collett smiled as he regarded the youngster. “Quite correct Lieutenant, which would explain why one of the crew has been excused from duties recently in order to make you a uniform.

  Fortunately we had no problems getting your sizes.” The sly smile made it obvious that Tamala had known about what was happening.

  “Why is it that everybody feels that they have to keep secrets from me?”

  “Cal, just think how boring life would be without secrets. Besides which, I told Tamala not to inform you.”

  Cal’s expression became confused. “Why?”

  “It was nothing to do with you directly,” Collett paused a moment, “I had to be sure that Tamala had things in the right perspective.” The answer shocked Cal. It was definitely not what he had expected to hear as a reason.

  “I have no reason to doubt Tamala’s loyalty to the crown,” Collett continued, “but I had to ensure that she still remained totally focussed on the fact that we are not out for a morning stroll. What I see happening between the two of you, well, I’ll be honest and admit that I was concerned at first, but now I wouldn’t change a thing, except perhaps the circumstances under which you met.

  That doesn’t alter the fact that during the course of our duties over the next few months there may be times when it is essential for Tamala to know something that is of little importance to yourself, and the less non-essential information someone knows, the better for the rest of us.”

  He let that sink for a few seconds, glad to see the realisation spreading across the face of the young man from Fallon’s Glen.

  “I apologise Commander. Of course I see why you would need to do such a thing,” then a sly smile of his own touched Cal’s lips, “and I suppose that the expression of surprise wouldn’t have been the source of any amusement at all would it?”

  Collett laughed loudly. “Get out of here Lieutenant.”

  As soon as the door had been closed and Cal’s footsteps had stamped up the stairway to the upper deck Collett returned his attention to Luda.

  “When will you make your way up to the palace?”

  “As soon as they send someone. The Galorn are sticklers for protocol and the harbour master will have informed them that a ship bearing the pennant of Boraan moored during the night. That fact alone should be enough to get someone senior down here shortly after breakfast.”

  “That’s not what has me worried. What do we do next if they decide not to help us?” The expression on Collett’s face spoke volumes for the responsibility he had taken on when he took charge of their small group. Luda quickly realised that the tall commander had managed to hide many worries over the previous few weeks but he could contain them no longer.

  Luda spoke quietly. “We move as quickly as we can, hoping to reach the borders of Mythra ahead of our enemies. We cannot fail, even if it means entering the heart of Mythra in order to succeed.” Even as he spoke the words, he felt a chill race up his spine, almost as if in recognition of a premonition.

  Cal raced to the room that he had shared with Tamala for the trip to Mid’gra, gracefully skipping the few obstructions found en route and blindly oblivious to the faint smiles on the lips of the few crewmen he p
assed below decks. It took no more than thirty seconds to reach the cabin where he stopped momentarily to knock on the wooden door before opening it.

  Tamala sat on the end of the bed they shared, staring intently into a mirror she had been pleased to accept as a gift from Captain Esbet. In her right hand was a crude brush that she had obviously been using to try and bring her long hair back to some semblance of order after several weeks of abandonment. She didn’t even turn as he entered.

  Quite what Cal had expected of her when he burst in he wasn’t sure, but complete indifference was not one of the options he had briefly considered as he had made his way to the cabin.

  “I’m to receive a uniform to go with my promotion!” he had not meant it to sound quite as harsh as it did, but it was too late to retract the statement.

  Tamala waited a moment before turning to regard him, her eyes cold as ice, something Cal had never seen before in the young Lady. “Yes, you are.”

  The silence stretched uncomfortably for several seconds before Cal realised that he was not going to receive any kind of apology. “Tamala,” he paused as he tried to think of what to say without making things any worse than they were, “damn, I’ve been so stupid!”

  Tamala couldn’t contain herself any longer and tinkling laughter broke past her lips. “Oh Cal,” she stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, “you must understand that there are going to be times when I can’t talk about some of things that I do, even to you.

  I had assumed that was why the Commander told me not to talk to you about it.”

  “So he said, but that doesn’t mean that I have to like the fact that there are going to be things that you deliberately keep secret from me.”

  Tamala struggled to bring her mirth under control. “I thought that’s what was supposed to keep relationships interesting, a bit of secrecy now and again?”

  Finally Cal answered Tamala’s smile with one of his own. “You want an interesting relationship? You’ve attached yourself to some country bumpkin who’s agreed to travel to the ends of the land in order to rescue our Queen from hordes of seven-foot demons and mysterious warriors that vanish into thin air whilst throwing fireballs about.

  And that’s not mentioning the entire Shaler nation that seems hell bent on destroying our country.”

  “Country bumpkin, I think not, and as for the mysterious warriors, I seem to recall that you faced one and are still here to tell the tale.”

  A short, sharp laugh erupted from Cal. “How I managed that feat I couldn’t say, though I think that Vorston knows more than he’s letting on.”

  “As you said, I wanted an interesting relationship, now kiss me and let’s stop this foolishness.”

  Audience

  Collett and Luda were summoned to the deck shortly after breakfast to discover a short, rotund man in brightly coloured doublet and hose waiting. Collett had changed into his own uniform and the man took his rank insignia in at a single glance.

  “Good day Commander, I am Sheldon Myerscough, Chancellor Baridon’s personal aide.” He bowed slightly as he introduced himself.

  “Good day Master Myerscough, I am Avrim Collett, Commander of the Royal Guard, and this is Lord Luda of Holdur.” Both men returned the bow as Collett spoke.

  Myerscough acknowledged Luda with a cursory nod of the head. “May I ask what business the commander of Boraan’s armies has in Galorn at this time?” The question made it obvious that he was aware of at least some of what was happening in Boraan.

  “I have come to make a request on behalf of Boraan.”

  The shortness of the reply made it equally obvious that whatever was to be spoken of would not be mentioned out on the deck of the ship, where anyone could overhear.

  “I am to assume then that the matter requires the immediate attention of the Chancellor?” The tone was commendably void of any curiosity.

  “That would indeed a correct assumption Master Myerscough. If it would prove acceptable to the Chancellor, both Lord Luda and myself would accompany yourself back to the palace, along with one other member of our retinue.”

  Myerscough made no hesitation in accepting Collett’s proposal. “That would indeed by acceptable.” Luda raised an eyebrow at the speed of the reply, but made no mention of it, whilst Collett quickly whispered to one of the deck hands that stood at hand. Within moments Vorston arrived on deck.

  “A dwarf?”

  “Ah, most perceptive this one,” he winked at Luda who suppressed a smile, “well I’m not a goblin am I? Vorston of Wendel’s clan, companion of Commander Collett and Lord Luda, and warrior of no small measure, despite the small stature.” He grinned as he extended his hand out in the traditional wrist clenching gesture of a warrior.

  Myerscough tentatively took the proffered hand, though he looked sorely troubled by the gesture. “Greetings Vorston.” Ever the consummate professional he managed to keep his voice steady, although his face had taken on a slightly pale cast to it.

  “May I ask a small boon?” The question served to break the atmosphere that had formed.

  “Certainly Commander.” Myerscough looked grateful to be able to move his eyes back to the Boraan soldier.

  “My aide and his lady have been cooped up for some time during the trip, perhaps they might be allowed to tour the palace whilst we meet with the Chancellor?”

  “Of course,” he nodded as he spoke, “if you will give me a moment I will send runners to the palace to inform them of what is happening.” So saying, he turned on his heels and made his way back to the side of the ship to where he could be lowered to the waiting longboat, to be returned to the quayside. “I’ll send the boat back as soon as I’ve disembarked.”

  Collett waited for him to disappear back to the boat and then turned quickly to Vorston. “What was all that about?”

  Vorston smiled wickedly. “Ancient history. You obviously know that Galorn originally created a country by forcing his neighbouring clans into submission and then adding them to his rule?”

  “I think most countries used the same technique at the time,” Luda replied, grinning.

  “Well, Galorn tried to subjugate a dwarven clan, you’ll never guess which one?”

  “Wendel’s?”

  “Only we stopped his army cold as they made their way into the mountain passes. They were so weakened that they ended up losing part of what is now M’Ur to rebellion, as well as failing to take the Reaches they were after.”

  “Is this likely to cause a problem?”

  “It shouldn’t. For the most part we’ve had passably cordial relations with Galorn for the past hundred and fifty years but as you saw, some still retain a hereditary fear of us.” Vorston grinned again, shrugging his shoulders. “It keeps life interesting.”

  Fortuitously for Cal he was just trying his new uniform on and having Tamala and the member of the crew who had made the garments, a burly looking sailor called Tomas, make the final adjustments when the message came that he was to make his way above deck ready to travel to ashore.

  The boots that he wore had apparently been found amidst the clutter that the crew had accumulated since they had last called at their homeport of Joorat, whilst the material had been scavenged from part of the most recent cargo that they carried. A little experimentation in the dying process had resulted in a uniform that would pass all but the closest inspections by any seasoned sergeant in the Boraan army.

  The ships armourer had been responsible for working the buttons they had into imitations that would fit the uniform, along with the badges of rank that now adorned Cal’s shoulders and left breast.

  He wore the sword that Vorston had given him in an over-shoulder scabbard that hung from his right shoulder to his left hip, whilst a ceremonial dagger that Luda had provided hung from his right hip. A quick straightening of the garments followed by a nod of approval from Tamala were all the confirmation he required that he was ready to head up to report to Collett.

  As he went through the motions of finishing o
ff his preparation he stared in open appreciation of Tamala. She was clothed in a shimmering, deep blue dress that Esbet had found for her, though he refused to say whether it was part of the ship’s cargo, or whether it was from another source. Matching shoes had appeared as if by magic, and ten minutes spent in front of the mirror whilst Cal watched finalised the details of her hair and makeup.

  When questioned about where the makeup could possibly have come from, Tamala just smiled. “A lady always travels prepared, unlike most of the men she travels with.”

  Smarting from the reply, and slightly crimson faced, Cal had maintained a diplomatic silence from that moment onward.

  Finally finished, Tamala stood and nodded to Cal, who opened the cabin door and held it for her. He followed her closely as she made her way to the upper deck, and couldn’t help but grin as he heard the murmurs of the crewmembers they passed en route.

  As they arrived on deck Vorston let out a low whistle of admiration. Tamala’s checks coloured slightly, though she smiled as they did. “I take it I meet with your approval Master Vorston?”

  “Most assuredly my Lady, most assuredly.”

  Collett cast his eyes heavenward. “Enough of this, the longboat is here and we need to be going.”

  They quickly organised the hoist to lower Tamala to the waiting boat, whilst the three men and one dwarf clambered down the netting that had been dropped along the side of the Hurricane.

  Within minutes they had been deposited on the quayside where two carriages waited.

  Farsighter and Dorrin both stood at the side of the Hurricane watching the longboats depositing their passengers on the quayside. Dorrin had already commented on the fact that the two carriages had appeared awfully quickly, though Farsighter had dismissed the fact, allowing that a capital such as Mid’gra would be amply prepared for unexpected dignitaries appearing at almost any time.