by Mary Vee
Ben darted back down the stairs out of breath. Sir Phillip pointed to him then Gilbert. “You—get him, and the rest of your party far from here. We’ll stay and fight. Now, go!”
Two knights carried Matthias up the stairs, dragging the chancellor’s feet on each step. They barreled back down, empty-handed except their swords.
Malum soldiers pushed closer, wielding their swords at the line of knights. Gilbert was pushed against the wall by the battle. Ben scooted forward next to his friend. They raised their swords and thrust them into the attackers. Enemy soldiers dropped back, cringing in pain and opening a space for more to break through the wall of knights. The soldiers’ blades banged and clanged against Gilbert’s and Ben’s. The odds grew in favor of the enemy.
Ben softly said, “The kingdom needs you. Get out. Now.”
“And I need your help to succeed.” Gilbert squeezed past the knights and fled up the stairs followed by Ben. In the wide open plain and bright sunlight, they found Matthias sitting on Promise. Elizabeth held the reins of the horses. Clanging swords pierced the air from the access. The door shut, buying them time to get away.
“Let’s go. Our knights will hold them off for us.” Gilbert mounted Promise with Ben’s help. He settled in behind the chancellor, shifting the scrolls hidden under his tunic, and took the reins. “Here is the plan. Elizabeth, you ride Charger with your daughter.” He pointed to the horse. “Ben, you take her son and pull Pokey. Every heartbeat counts. Let’s go.”
Elizabeth and her daughter mounted Charger like seasoned riders. Ben grabbed Pokey’s reigns and mounted Good Knight. He lowered his arm to the boy. “Grab on.” The boy obeyed. Ben set him in front and showed him how to hold the horse’s mane. “We’re ready.”
The three galloped their horses across the plain. Elizabeth took the lead and rode surprisingly well. Her children giggled as the wind blew in their faces until the little girl gazed up at the sky.
She turned, her skin pale as snow. “Mommy, is that a dragon?”
Elizabeth looked up. “Oh, dear. Yes, honey. Th…that’s a dragon. Remember what we decided to do if we saw one?”
“Yes. I ’member. We’re ’apose to trust the Great King to send help.”
“Focus on riding.” Gilbert leaned forward and whispered to Promise, “Faster.” The destrier galloped at a great speed, passing Elizabeth. Gilbert hugged Matthias tighter to prevent him from falling. He looked back to ensure Good Knight and Pokey kept up. “Ride, Ben.”
The dragon swooped low.
Gilbert couldn’t reach his sword and support Matthias at the same time. Ben wouldn’t be able to reach his weapon while holding the boy and Pokey’s reins. They couldn’t fight in these circumstances. “Hurry, head for the woods. Faster.”
Fire shot down from the dragon and landed near Promise’s hooves. The destrier never flinched but kept to her task. The dragon circled, skirting the treetops, gaining height then swooped down as the last horse entered the woods. Flames flew at them.
Pokey let out a sharp cry.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gilbert slid off Promise’s back.
Ben steadied the little boy riding with him. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He dismounted and caught up to Gilbert. They rushed back to Pokey and walked around her inspecting for injuries. Her tail had singed hairs and smelled smoky. Gilbert patted her side. Ben stroked her neck and looked into her eyes. Moisture dripped down her cheeks. “You’ll be okay, Pokey. We’re a team. I need you.” He patted her one more time before returning to his mount. “She’ll be fine, sire.”
“We’ll slow down for Pokey’s sake, but not too much until we get out of Malum.”
They rode side by side through the woods past the log cabin’s ashes. The children whimpered at the sight of their former home. “Don’t worry.” Elizabeth released a comforting smile. “King Gilbert will help us find a place to live in Aerlis where we’ll be safe from dragons.” The girl hugged her mother’s arms. She settled back against Elizabeth and appeared to sleep.
The group worked to keep awake for the remainder of the journey out of Malum. Even frightening noises from the wild animals didn’t prevent occasional nodding.
Someone shook Gilbert’s leg. He opened his eyes and abruptly sat up. The border guard stepped back from the horse. “Are you all right?”
“Yes?” Gilbert yawned. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“Hope your journey proved profitable, your majesty. Are you leaving already?”
“Yes. We found what we needed and now wish to return home.”
“You and the knight back there can go through. And. Hold on. What’s going on with the chancellor? And who are these children and the woman? Pick up some of our citizens? That is illegal. I can’t let you take them across the border. King Ivan’s orders.”
“The chancellor is not well. This woman is in my service, providing medical treatment for him. Naturally, she has her apprentices with her.”
The sentry furrowed his brow. “I don’t know. King Ivan expects his orders followed.”
Gilbert wouldn’t grovel. It would only make this situation worse. He was a king as much as Ivan and should be obeyed too. He waited, silently.
“Well.” The sentry looked the team over again. “Since you’re the king of Aerlis, I’ll let you pass. Don’t go making a habit of this. I’m not about to lose my head for a sad story.”
“Carry on.” Gilbert nodded.
“Thank you, sire.” The sentry snapped to attention and motioned them to pass.
They rode out of sight of the guardhouse and searched for a place to camp for the night. A peaceful place on Aerlis land. They rounded a wide bend and stopped in a field. Gilbert slid off his horse. “We’ll camp here. If we have fortune, the knights will follow soon.”
Elizabeth rifled through the supplies for herbs then searched for a bowl to grind the leaves. The children helped Ben and Gilbert set up tents, light a fire, and tend the horses.
To the right of their camp was a small pool, apparently fed from a spring. Elizabeth asked her daughter to fetch water. When she finished mixing the healing drink, she warmed it over the fire and served Matthias.
The soothing potion brought life to his face. He struggled to open his eyes. “Where are we, sire?”
“Don’t worry, Matthias. Our knights found us in the ruins and rescued us. They stayed behind, fighting the enemy while we escaped. You are safe now, in Aerlis.”
Matthias opened his swollen eyes a little more. “Did you find the treasure and scrolls?”
“We didn’t find treasure.” He pulled three parchments from his tunic. “However, I rescued these. Hopefully, we’ll find the information we need.”
“I would read them and offer advice if I could see well enough, sire.”
“Don’t worry. Ben and I will figure it out. You rest.” The idea seemed to suit Matthias. He closed his eyes and snored before another word could be spoken.
Gilbert took the scrolls to a rock near where Ben sat and unrolled one. Two large and scripted K’s decorated the top. Centered on the page were the words,
Keepers of the Kingdom Oath
As a Keeper of the Kingdom,
I solemnly promise to honor my king.
To protect our people. Life and liberty!
To keep evil from
Its enchanting deceptions,
Usurping authority,
Persuading desertion,
And obliterating unity.
To my king, only my king,
Will I give faithful homage
For time and eternity, on my honor,
This I pledge.
Ben straightened his back. “This sounds good, sire.”
“Yes, I agree. We could use this oath, but it doesn’t really give any answers that I can see. Let’s read another one.” He set it aside then picked up another. “This appears to be a map. No words. Only symbols.” Gilbert turned the parchment around. “I can’t figure out this drawing.” He tu
rned it over and examined the back. “Nothing here either. What do you make of it?”
Ben leaned closer. “Maybe it’s a treasure map.”
“Save the plunder hunting for another time. Do you think a mere treasure map would be hidden with these other scrolls?”
“It depends on what it is. Gold, diamonds, emeralds. who knows what else is in the treasure. You saw what that couple brought back.”
“I’ll schedule your hunt on another day. For now, we stay true to the mission. Find the secret to saving our kingdom.” Gilbert set the map aside and reached for the third scroll.
Ben held one end of the parchment and read with Gilbert. “It’s the same poem the man and woman told us. Look at the colorful inks, decorative lines, and ornate work. This must be the original.” He pointed to the border artwork. “These are not dragons like those paintings on the shields in the ruins. These are roses. Look down here.” He pointed. “I wonder why the artist left this space empty?”
Gilbert sighed. “Roses on these documents. Dragons in the ruins. It’s confusing.” He touched the artwork on the side. “The answer to saving the kingdom must be here.”
“Perhaps this will make more sense after we sleep.” Ben let go of the parchment. “The children are tired. We’re all tired.”
“I am too,” Gilbert said.
“Good night, sire.” Ben walked toward his tent.
“Wait, I think we should go to Vista,” Gilbert blurted.
“Why?” Ben turned back.
“I was wrong for taking us into Malum.” Gilbert set the scrolls on the ground. “Uncle Roland’s country seems to be doing fine. He’d understand the message in these scrolls. He can explain the riddle of the poem then we’ll know what to do for Aerlis.”
“Sure. Yeah.” Ben yawned. “Can we wait to leave until morning?”
His friend was right. The journey into Malum had been difficult. The others snored in their tents. Gilbert took the scrolls inside his tent, secured them, and rolled onto his bedding. Sleep pulled him into a field sprinkled with crimson roses. The vibrant colors soothed a gnarly feeling in the pit of his stomach that had sat there since visiting Malum. The fragrance welled up a longing inside for peace and joy. Servants mysteriously appeared from behind. They escorted him to a table and offered him a seat in the company of rich kings and poor farmers. The two groups laughed and told stories as though they were longtime friends.
The host welcomed everyone to the table. He piled food on plates for the hungry and gave healing herbs to the persecuted. How strange to see guests treated so well, whether rich or poor.
A servant offered Gilbert food. He thanked him, but rather than eat, he watched the happy guests and their celebration. Children danced, played games, and helped where they could. Some women sat at the table and joined in intellectual conversations, and others sewed or managed the needs. Men sat at the table, raising a glass after dragging in the day’s kill, and others tended to business conversations and mending broken items. Everyone helped.
The host walked to Gilbert’s chair. His voice was deep, firm, yet comforting. “Do I know you?”
Gilbert didn’t understand the question. He’d never met the man.
In a dream world where one story ended abruptly, and another started, Gilbert found himself standing alone in a scraggly plain overrun with thistles and nettles. Wind stung his cheeks and sleet snapped at his skin. A chill flowed so deep, his bones seemed to shiver. The harvest moon shone brightly on a cave straight ahead. He ran through the storm toward the opening.
Once inside, he rubbed warmth into his hands. Deep into the recesses, the green glow he’d seen before lit the cavern. A soft soprano’s singing echoed from deeper in. She sang a beautiful song he hadn’t heard for a long time until that unnerving raspy voice broke through the melody and said, “King Gilbert.”
“Who are you? What do you want from me?”
“You went to the ruins and found the scrolls, I see.”
“Yes, but I didn’t understand them.”
“King Gilbert, you found four scrolls but only brought three across the border. You have yet to obtain the one with the secret. You must go back and collect all the other parchments. You’re the only hope for the restoration of the Keepers of the Kingdom. The instructions, written ages ago, are securely hidden and waiting for the intended one.”
“What do you mean? Who is this intended one?”
“You, King Gilbert. We will help you lead and restore the land. Dragons will continue to dominate Malum and seep into Aerlis until you return to the ruins…return to the ruins…return to the ruins….” The glow dimmed.
Gilbert stood alone.
Cold.
In a fathomless dark.
He huddled on the cave floor and wrapped his arms around his legs, warming himself. He closed his eyes for only a moment and sensed unexpected heat on his back. He opened his eyes. Dusty, dry desert spanned as far as the horizon. The sun blazed, baking the earth. His tongue stung from thirst. He shaded his eyes and searched the ocean of sand for water.
The only kingdom desert Gilbert remembered from his lessons lay on the western side of Aerlis. It extended up into Malum. He explored a short way wondering why his dream brought him here. In the distance, one single red plant stood out among the brown sand and scrub plants. He squinted. It looked like a rose. He trudged through powdery sand in the direction of the plant, but when he arrived, he found only a thistle. A scraggly, purple thistle.
The rose had disappeared. He turned, scanning all around, and found no red. Not a plant. Not a flower. Not even a petal.
The sun bore down, squeezing out sweat and exacerbating his great thirst. This was a miserable place.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gilbert woke not feeling rested. He looked across the large tent set up to double as a portable meeting room at those assembled. “I heard myself talking about thirst in my dream.”
“I left your drink on the table,” said Elizabeth.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” Ben walked over to Gilbert with too much energy. Perky morning people should be boiled in oil. “What’s on the list today? The knights found our camp about an hour ago and—”
Gilbert bolted upright. “Why didn’t you wake me? Are they all right? Where are they?”
“They won’t be able to tell their news now anyway. They fell asleep two minutes after arriving. Can’t you hear the snoring chorus?”
Gilbert stretched. “No use planning anything until they wake.” A whiff of food made his stomach growl. “What’s cooking?”
Ben pointed to the tray on the table. “Elizabeth made warm bread, venison, and figs.”
He wanted to thank her, but she’d already left the tent. Gilbert ate from the same tray Ben had, assuming that since he didn’t keel over dead, it must be safe. After eating, he checked the other tents and counted the knights. Three. Only three? What happened to the fourth? He closed the tent flap and walked back to the fire.
Swirling flames burst like the dragon’s fire. What a mess. Ben sat next to him, his hands full of figs. “Sire, what are you thinking about?”
“Crazy things that keep popping into my dreams.” He hadn’t told anyone the details and considered whether to share with his friend or not. If he couldn’t confide in a best friend, who could he? Gilbert hoped Ben wouldn’t mock him. “Last night in my dream, a creature with a raspy voice told me to go back to Malum and get the rest of the scrolls. If I didn’t, the dragons would never leave the empire.”
“And you believe it, sire?”
“I’m not sure what to think. A similar dream is why I went there in the first place. Malum wasn’t what I thought it would be, but we found the scrolls.” Gilbert looked beyond the fire at the clear sky overhead. This land, his home, brought warmth to his heart, so different from across the border. “I never realized how beautiful Aerlis was. I mean, sure, thistles have taken over the crops in the northern regions, but that’s because we’re near Malum. There probably weren�
�t many roses before the dragons invaded. Why are we making the rose so important anyway?” He plucked a thistle from the ground. Leaves fell into the fire as he pealed them from the stem. “We should go back to the castle.”
Ben stood up. His fighting spirit forced his brow down. He’d never showed such defiance before, not before his king or when Gilbert was a prince. Ben shoved his fists on his hips. “I don’t think we should return, sire. This isn’t the kind of talk I’ve heard from the prince who wanted to beat my high score in archery or the prince who bragged about someday being a knight instead of a king.” He yanked a thistle from the ground and shredded the plant before casting it into the fire. “You can’t quit on me. Let’s see where this mission takes us.”
“I’m just thinking of the kingdom. Stop in and check on Sir Robert. They could be under siege and need our help.”
“Excuse me.” Elizabeth’s voice called from behind them. “The knights are waking. You mentioned wanting to speak with them.”
Ben walked out of the tent first. He turned to Gilbert, and with the same look of challenge he’d given in the past, he sprinted ahead.
“Challenge taken.” Gilbert sprang forward, catching up to Ben then beating him to the knight’s tent. They stood outside and caught their breath. “You gave me that win, Ben.”
“I wish I had. You are growing stronger, sire. This is the time to use that strength.”
“You’re right.” Gilbert walked inside. “Lord Philip, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, sire.” He looked at the others still lying on their blankets. “They’ll recover from their injuries in time. Unfortunately, Sir James suffered a mortal wound. The enemy far outnumbered us. We had to leave his body in the ruins to escape with our own lives.”
Gilbert sat near Lord Philip. “Tell me what happened.” He invited Ben to join them.
“It all happened so fast.” Lord Philip rubbed his injured arm. “We had the battle under control. I planned to carry on the fight until you and the others fled. The enemy flooded around the underground corner in droves wielding swords as though their very lives depended on victory. And perhaps it did. I couldn’t tell why they were down there other than they seem to be preparing for war.