by Mary Vee
Ben nodded.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” said Gilbert
“Good,” the man said. “Please warm yourselves by the fire.”
Gilbert swung his leg over the saddle and slid off his horse. He handed the reins to Ben who led the mares to a tree and tied them to a branch. Matthias and the guards hovered close to the king. The crackling fire invited them to warm themselves. He rubbed his hands together near the flame.
One stranger stirred the meal. “I apologize for the wait. We’ll need to give the food more time to cook since we arrived only a few moments ago.”
Gilbert sat on a nearby rock next to Matthias. A chill crept up his back, stealing the warmth he received from the flames. Something didn’t seem right in this place.
Matthias leaned over. “I recognize these people from somewhere, sire. I can’t place where, though. I sense discontent.”
“We can’t assume these citizens are dangerous just because you sense something. They’ve offered us a portion of their meal. Give them a chance.”
“Very well.” Matthias silently watched the fire for a short time before turning to the strangers. “Tell us about your journey.”
The man stirred the coals. “We heard of an old building north of Aerlis’s castle. Some say it has hidden treasure and priceless scrolls in the lower levels.” He put his arm around the woman. “Our crops have not grown well since dragons invaded last year. We sold our home and decided to set out to seek our fortune. It seemed a good time for us since our children are grown with families of their own.”
Gilbert watched the flames flicker. He too had misjudged this poor couple, who willingly shared their meal. Such kindness. “We have bread and sweetmeats to contribute. Ben, fetch food to share.”
The woman served bowls of warm stew as Ben returned. He broke a hunk of bread for each person. Matthias sipped his stew. “Where do your children live?”
“In a community north…I mean east…yes, east.” She cleared her throat. “Excuse me. I was mixed up. We’re heading north, and our children live east.”
Matthias turned to Gilbert. He raised a suspicious eyebrow.
The man ate another bite and set his bowl on a rock. “Please forgive her. She couldn’t keep a direction straight to save her life. She’s a great cook, though. Have some more.” He grabbed the ladle and scooped stew into the empty bowls including his. “We aren’t exactly sure where the old building is other than north of the castle. You wouldn’t happen to know?”
Matthias shrugged. “First time I’ve heard about it.”
Ben eyed the king. Gilbert chose not to respond. He sipped his soup and shrugged.
Matthias patted his stomach and set his bowl down on a rock. “Thank you. That was delicious. What do you know about these scrolls?”
The man pushed his cloak sleeves away from his food. “I’m told they contain a secret message. One worthy of risking a life.” He stood and collected empty bowls.
Ben leaned forward. “What message is great enough to be worth a life?”
The man looked straight at Gilbert. The king tried to look away but he couldn’t. It was like the man’s voice had special powers over him. He spoke low and soft. “I’ve committed the clues to memory:
In Sharon’s great expanse
Salvation’s gift unfolds
Hidden in the rock
To many, truth untold.
Great sacrifice required
To right the stain
Proven the only answer
For true freedom. We claim.
Surrendered
In morning’s first light
Discover solace by
Relinquishing the fight.
When heard the knock upon a door
A treasure will untwine
Vast mysteries sent from above
New direction you will find.”
The man sat back. “These instructions have been handed down to our generation from those who once lived in the empire. The treasure and answers you want await anyone who seeks them.”
Gilbert said, “Yes, the answers we seek.” He forced himself to turn from the stranger and look at the fire. He rubbed his eyes. “The stew was delicious. Thank you for sharing your meal with us.”
The man stood then helped his wife to rise. “Well, we best get going. Don’t want to burn all our daylight with one meal. Enjoy the warmth.” The strangers packed their belongings, mounted, and trotted north.
Gilbert pulled up a blade of grass to chew. “It’s nice here. I could spend the night in this place.”
“Would you like me to move the castle tomorrow or wait a day?” Ben playfully tossed a stone into the water.
Matthias rubbed his back then stood. “Let’s not wallow away our day, either.”
“I agree.” Gilbert walked to his horse and looked up at the stirrup. “How am I going to mount Promise?”
Ben cupped his hands together. “I’ll help.” Gilbert set his left foot on Ben’s hands. “On the count of three. One. Two. Three—go.” Gilbert sailed up onto the saddle.
“Thank you.”
While Ben checked on Pokey then mounted, Gilbert looked to the north. “Matthias, it’s time I discuss with you my plan for this mission.”
“Very well,” said Matthias. “Should I be concerned?”
“No. I already knew about the old building those strangers mentioned. Ben and I discussed the value of finding and reading the secret scrolls. Uncle Roland’s castle is still a considerable journey from here, but the ruins aren’t much farther. For the sake of the kingdom and to bring peace quicker, I believe we should head north and search for the hidden parchments.”
Ben shook his head. “I agree with searching for the scrolls, but riding north, sire? We can’t. It’s too dangerous.” He turned to Matthias. “Tell him.”
“Sire, you do plan to head west eventually, correct?”
“We ride one league. One short league to save Aerlis. If the answer is not in the scrolls, then yes.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dark, swollen clouds crawled over the northern border of Aerlis from Malum. Shades of greens swirled with sinister grays, threatening to envelop them if they dared cross the border. Gilbert had never seen such an angry sky.
“Sire, don’t think me weird,” said Ben, “but that creepy cloud has sinister eyes.”
Gilbert saw it too.
“I agree.” Matthias looked west then back at Malum. “The situation presents a grave danger, your majesty. I suggest we turn as you originally planned before something bad happens.”
Gilbert watched the heavens move like muddy waters. He’d never admit to being afraid, especially now with his knight status, but he was. “I agree. Something doesn’t seem right.”
He commanded Promise to turn west as two riders came from the north shouting “Wait.” A plume of dust trailed them.
The chancellor craned his neck and looked into the distance. “Sire, I believe they’re fleeing something. Why else would they ride with such haste? Perhaps we should continue west as you commanded a moment ago.”
“Aren’t they the riders we ate lunch with?” Ben leaned forward. “They have the same capes.”
“Looks like it.” Gilbert squinted, noting the same horses as well. “We should listen to what they have to say. It could be a warning.”
The strangers urged their horses toward them. “Sire, we have news.” They slowed their rides, stilling them when only a few feet away. The man took a moment to catch his breath. The woman seemed oddly happy. “Your majesty, we’ve seen the old building in Malum. It wasn’t far beyond the border.” He pointed to the north. “We saw the scrolls. Would you like to see some of the treasure we found in one of the rooms?” The man and his wife reached into satchels and brought out handfuls of precious jewels. “And there’s much more! We took only what we felt would provide a comfortable future for ourselves and left the rest for others.”
Matthias rubbed his forehead. “You’re saying yo
u didn’t take all the treasure?”
“The thought never occurred to us.” The man rode closer and held the jewels for their inspection. “Doesn’t it belong to the whole empire?”
“Yes, I suppose. But who are the others you speak of?”
He showed the jewels to Matthias. “Others who are in need like us. It would’ve been dishonest to take it all.” The man poured the jewels back into his pocket. “We weren’t sure you’d still be here, otherwise we would have brought the scrolls too. But go. See for yourself. The chest is there. We hope they will bring peace to Aerlis. In the meantime, my wife and I will use these jewels to start a new life.” He pressed an object into Gilbert's hand and folded the king’s fingers snugly around the gift. “Please accept this token of our allegiance to your reign. Perhaps it will help you remember the words I spoke at lunch.” He nodded to his wife, and the two rode off to the south.
Gilbert opened his hand and looked at the gift. A polished emerald cradled in his possession. “They only took a small portion of the jewels to meet their needs.” He looked back at the couple. “And they shared their food earlier.” Gently rocking the gem in the cup of his hand, he played the man’s report again in his mind. Going to the old building could stop the dragon attacks sooner.
“Sire, I don’t wish to disturb your thoughts, but shouldn’t we press on to Vista?” Matthias pulled up his horse’s reigns, stopping it from nibbling grass.
“This is proof the building is there.” Gilbert held the jewel out. “It wouldn’t be much farther from here. Think, Aerlis could be free of dragons tonight. Wouldn’t that be worth the danger?”
Matthias and Ben conferred with their eyes. Ben shrugged. “I guess I’m game. The worst that could happen is we’d be turned to toast by a grumpy, green fire-breathing dragon.”
Matthias sighed. “I’ll do as you command, your majesty. My preference, however, is to head for the safety and solace offered in Vista, where we’re guaranteed intelligence from King Roland.”
“I’ll remember that, Matthias.” Gilbert shifted in his saddle, ready to leave.
“One more question, your majesty.” Matthias pointed to the couple far in the distance. “Didn’t the man’s wife say they were from the east?”
Gilbert thought for a moment. “Yes, I think so.”
“Then why did they ride south?”
“Matthias, your wishes to ride west have been noted. Casting blame on that nice couple will not save our kingdom. Perhaps they needed to ride south for a short way then turn east.”
A low rumbling echoed in the sky. To the north, lightning blazed through swirling clouds.
Gilbert patted Promise, more to settle his own fear than the horse’s. “Maybe that couple wants their new home to be farther from Malum’s border.”
Matthias raised an eyebrow. “One would think they’d prefer to live by their children, who live in the east.”
“What does it matter?” The conversation was a waste. “They made quick time in and out of Malum. We can too. Let’s get the scroll then go home.”
“Danger is an ever-present force in the north, your majesty. Caution is wise.”
The emerald’s smooth surface gently rolled in Gilbert’s hand. Destructive power brewed in the sky. He filled his lungs with the misty air, which strengthened—no—inspired his spirit. “Matthias, didn’t you say the secret to peace had been passed down to Emperor Stephanas then to his three sons? And my father never told it to you?”
“That is correct, your majesty.”
“You have also said you didn’t know why thistles grow wild where roses once bloomed.”
“Yes. Where is this questioning leading?”
“Matthias, do you know for a fact that the answers to our questions aren’t in the northern kingdom?”
He sighed. “No. I’m not sure, sire.”
“Since Grandfather’s palace is located in Malum, logically he would hide highly classified documents in a secret location close to it.”
Matthias sat quietly for a moment. A frown weighed his thoughts. “I can understand your logic. And although my heart says go west, I can support your decision to search for the empire’s lost scrolls.”
Ben looked from Gilbert to Matthias. “If my vote counts, I’m game for adventure, even if that creepy cloud follows us.”
Gilbert squeezed the gem before slipping it into a satchel. “We’re off, Promise.” He grabbed the saddle horn tightly as the destrier galloped north. He’d forgotten to ask the man for clearer directions. Too late now. The building couldn’t be difficult to find since that couple returned so fast.
The road narrowed as they neared the border. Only one rider fit through the path at a time. A guard stepped from his station. He held up his hand. “Halt.”
Matthias spoke first. “Guard, I present King Gilbert, Lord of Aerlis. He has urgent business in Malum. We mean no harm."
“King Gilbert, you say?” The guard stepped forward and inspected them. “I’ve never seen you before, but I’ve seen King Cyrus, may he rest in peace. You’re the spittin’ image of your father, I’ll say. There’s a hefty storm brewing ahead. Might want to find shelter soon. Proceed.” He snapped to attention and saluted before opening the gate.
Gilbert nodded and rode past the guard followed by Matthias and Ben into a thick wood.
Droopy hemlocks draped over the road, reaching their branches out like sad arms waving for help. Satin black squirrels ran up and down the suffering trunks as if mocking the hemlock’s pain. Mist floated from the ground. The path narrowed more, allowing brush to touch Gilbert’s horse. Ravens cawed, and bats swooped overhead. “Matthias, do you remember that poem the man told us?”
“I am old, sire, but not forgetful. For your sake, I’ll recite each verse as we need. Here is the first:
In Sharon’s great expanse
Salvation’s gift unfolds
Hidden in the rock
To many, truth untold.”
The verse didn’t reveal how far they’d have to ride into this dismal place. “I remember now. Who is Sharon?”
“It’s a Hebrew word meaning flat area, or plain, sire.”
The words of this first verse swirled in Gilbert’s mind as he worked to untwine the message. “We need to find a large, open area. The old building should be there.”
Ben’s eyes widened. “We find the building, and since it’s old, it may appear to be rubble, or made from rock.”
The rest of the poem wasn’t as easy to decipher. Gilbert reviewed the words. “Maybe, ‘the truth untold to many’ simply means only a few people know where the scrolls are hidden. That won’t last long after that couple spreads the news about what they found. We don’t need the treasure. The scrolls’ message is the salvation from dragons and thistles.” He sat back in the saddle, satisfied with the interpretation. “What other possible meaning could exist for the verse?”
“Indeed.” Matthias stared up at the sky. “What other possible meaning could exist? Consider there may be one that doesn’t take us into Malum. I know of a valley on the other side of the Berekhat Ram Mountain called Sharon.”
“To the east? Way over there? You’ve got to be kidding.”
Ben laughed. “Lord Chancellor, your fear has created crazy ideas. King Gilbert's interpretation makes perfect sense. You’ll see. We’ll find a ‘Sharon’ in no time. Then we can leave.” He tugged on Pokey whose pace had slowed during the last league.
Thick vegetation filled every inch of forest on both sides. A breeze swooped past, carrying the rancid odor of decaying flesh.
Gilbert cupped a hand over his nose to squelch the stench.
“Rotting venison.” Matthias groaned.
“Ugh, my eyes are tearing,” said Ben. “This is nasty. You can eat without me.”
No one could stomach that meat. “Go faster, Promise,” Gilbert commanded his horse, anxious to get away from the stench and this place. “The great plain can’t be much farther.”
The breeze conti
nued to blow through the trees. Hemlocks and other pines groaned at the unwelcomed force pressing their branches to move. In the distance, wolves howled an eerie call. They rode faster.
Ahead, a massive shape like a puddle poured from the woods onto the road. The dim light prevented Gilbert from identifying the mass. “Matthias, what’s on the ground?”
“I believe those are snakes, sire. Hungry snakes.”
“There are hundreds of them.” Gilbert suddenly remembered his former horse’s deep fear of the slithering, slimy creatures. His friend, Ben, rode her not far behind him. “Hold tight, Ben. She might bolt.”
Chapter Seventeen
Gilbert kept a firm grip on Promise’s reins in case she reared. He glanced back at his friend. “Ben, can you handle her?”
The reins flew from Ben’s hands. He grabbed onto the saddle as Good Knight stirred. “Whoaa, girl. You’re okay. The snakes won’t hurt you.” He patted the frightened animal, but she reared up, pawing her front hoofs high into the air. She screeched a frightening neigh.
Ben dropped Pokey’s reigns. “Settle down, Good Knight.” He scooped up the reins and wound them around the saddle horn then squeezed his thighs against her sides. “Whoaa, Good Knight. Come on. Settle down.” He flopped forward as her hoofs plummeted to the ground.
The guards cried out, “We’re coming. Hold on.”
She stomped to the left then reared up again screaming her neigh. Ben’s eyes widened, and he called out, “She won’t settle!”
The guards attempted to pass Pokey in the narrow wooded passage. When they couldn’t find a way, they dismounted, struggling to find footing on the bed of snakes.
Good Knight reared farther back then lunged to the ground, squashing the slimy creatures. The jolt jarred Ben’s grip, throwing him off the saddle. His hands tangled in the reins mid-flight, leaving him dangling against the mare’s side.