Fire and Thorn

by Mary Vee

  Robert laughed at the comical grin the chancellor managed with so many bruises. “Where are the scrolls?”

  “One of the knights said he placed them on the table.”

  The regent walked to the other side of the room and saw the parchments. He unrolled the first. “This one about the oath is interesting.” He unrolled the second. “This map is curious. Did you figure out what it describes, Chancellor?”

  “Not yet. The terrain resembles Malum, possibly indicating the ruins. Without more information, we couldn’t be certain.”

  He unrolled the third scroll. “Is this the hidden words you spoke of?”

  “Yes. The words appeared to be exactly the same as what the man recited.”

  “Why did the scribe put this open space at the bottom? Words are normally centered on the page.” Sir Robert held the parchment close to his nose and sniffed. “There’s an odd scent.”

  Matthias nodded. “Smell it again and tell me if you detect any lemon or sulfur.”

  Regent Robert drew the document close and breathed deeply. “I detect a faint lemony scent, but a stronger sulfur odor.”

  “That would make sense. Someone put a message in invisible ink. Alchemists and wizards alike mix a potion and use it to write on a document then dry the parchment completely. Before a paying audience, they apply lemon juice and heat, revealing the secret writing, and claim that a ghost or other invisible being wrote the message. Citizens pay large sums to be amazed by these cheap tricks.”

  “You’re saying there’s a secret message on this document?”

  “Theoretically someone has already read it, hence the lemony scent. The ink becomes invisible again when it cools.”

  “We should find out what it says. It could be important.”

  “If you don’t mind, Sir Robert, I would like to help.”

  “After all you’ve been through, chancellor, you deserve to be present. The supplies aren’t far. I’ll return shortly.”

  Matthias fell back on the bed and burrowed under the blankets. “Thank you, Lord Regent. I’ll rest until you return.”

  Robert walked to the closed door. As he reached for the knob, it sprang open. Surprised, he jumped back. “Did you need something, Guard?”

  “Why, no, Lord Regent, I only opened the door for you.”

  “How did you know I was leaving?”

  “Well, I…ah…heard you say it.”

  He couldn’t have heard their conversation through that thick wooden door. “Thank you.” He quickly lost trust in that guard. Maybe he shouldn’t trust any worker until peace returned to the kingdom. Another guard stood posted by the staircase. “Find Captain Timon. Tell him to meet me at Chancellor Matthias’s apartment.”

  The guard saluted.

  Robert hurried down the stairs to the kitchen. Katia carried a load of dishes while Elizabeth’s daughter danced circles around her new playmate.

  “Katia. I need lemons, a bowl, and a clean cloth delivered to Matthias’s apartment.”

  Before she had a moment to respond, he sprinted back up the staircase and on to Matthias’s room.

  He rounded the corner to the corridor and stopped suddenly when he didn’t see anyone posted there. “Captain Timon, did you see a guard standing before this door when you arrived?”

  “Yes, Sir Robert. He said you wanted me to replace him. He rushed away after telling me the message. I assumed he had an assignment.”

  “I didn’t give that order.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Regent Robert stormed into Matthias’s apartment. He scanned the room, searched under furniture, and looked behind the drapes and the door, tossing things on the floor. The scrolls were gone.

  “Timon, find that guard. This is one game those scoundrels will not win against me. All guards are suspect as of this moment. Wake the knights. Get them here. Now.”

  Matthias stirred. “What’s going on? Can I help?”

  “No, lord chancellor. You rest. I will take care of this.” Robert dashed out the door and down to the main floor, dodging soldiers that had scattered through the halls, checking each room.

  He sped out the front entrance and on to the East Gate, ignoring questions from those he passed. Those two villains had drained the last drop of his patience. He would not allow this guard to escape. “Citizens of Aerlis, listen. We must stop a thief. Everyone, come here. Yes. You.” He pointed to the crowd and encouraged them to bunch in close to him. “Good, now link together and form a human wall. Let no one pass.” As the last hole in the human wall filled, Regent Robert saw a man running along the castle wall to the right. “Good people of Aerlis, stand strong where you are. Let no one breach your wall.”

  Five knights blasted out the front entrance of the castle and made eye contact with the regent. He pointed to the enemy clawing his way to the top of the inner curtain that fortified the castle. The crook used castle defensive platforms to climb higher.

  Robert bolted with the knights close behind. The crowd cheered as they soared up the platforms in the chase. The imposter guard dragged himself to the highest defensive position and swung his leg over the wall. Faster than a monkey swings through a forest, the knights leaped after him and snatched the villain’s right foot before he cleared the wall and yanked him back. Four men hurled him down into the bailey. The imposter guard landed with a thud and a loud groan.

  Stunned by the fall, the guard slowly sat. He looked at his surroundings then whirled up onto his feet and floundered to his left until he saw the line of people blocking him. He spun the other way and ran face first into Regent Robert’s fist.

  The crowd burst into laughter and cheered. They swarmed the imposter, preventing his escape. Robert searched the villain for the scrolls. He patted the guard’s tunic and felt long, rolled lumps. He yanked all three from under the thief’s tunic and held them up in the air. The victor. Again, the crowd cheered.

  The knights had climbed down from the wall and broken through the masses ready to help. Robert pointed at the villain. “Pick that scoundrel up.” Two knights grabbed the guard’s arms and hoisted him to his feet. “This man stole these scrolls and is an enemy of Aerlis. Lock him up in the dungeon.”

  The knights dragged the man away.

  At last. Robert could boast of one victory. “Thank you, good citizens of Aerlis. Without your help. we might not have captured the thief. You are honored citizens.”

  The crowd cheered again then returned to their work.

  What a day.

  Robert returned to Matthias’s apartment and met Captain Timon there.

  “Regent, I have a report.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “We have discovered an unauthorized weapons room in the lowest levels. I had the stores removed and added to the castle weapons. A more detailed search found a band of traitor castle employees. We put them in the dungeon until summoned for questioning.”

  “Well done. Your men are to be congratulated. Help me move this table.” They pushed the table close to the chancellor’s bed and spread out the scrolls. “Timon, check the corridor. Until all the guards have been investigated, none are to be trusted.”

  The captain pressed his ear to the door then pulled it open and looked. “No one is out here, Lord Regent.”

  “Good. Guard the door.” Robert cut one lemon in half and squeezed the juice into the bowl. “Now what do I do, Matthias?”

  “Lightly dampen a clean cloth with the juice and gently apply it to the blank area.”

  Robert followed the instructions. “There is nothing here.”

  “Yes, I know.” Matthias leaned on his arm and looked at the parchment. “Breathe on the moistened area. The warmed breath provides heat.”

  Robert blew on the document. Almost instantly markings appeared. “It’s…it’s amazing.” He leaned back and watched images appear. “Look here, and over here. I can’t believe it.”

  Matthias leaned closer to the parchment. “My eyes are too swollen to focus. Tell me. What do you
see?”

  “Timon, check the hall, again.”

  The captain quietly popped the door open. “Why are you here?” He bellowed and moved to block the person’s view.

  “I was ordered to guard this corridor.”

  “With all that has happened, you probably haven’t eaten or rested in a while, right?”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Tell the others to take a break and have a meal. I’ll circulate through the corridors and keep watch.”

  “Thank you, Captain.”

  Timon closed the door and whispered, “Clear, Lord Regent.”

  Robert dabbed more lemon juice on the document and breathed. “Matthias, there’s a rose and four more verses to the poem.”

  The chancellor leaned forward. “Tell me what they say.”

  “Okay, but I can only read two verses at a time before the words disappear again.” He blew long and gently on the space then read.

  “Twisted meanings,

  Deception planted,

  Blossom in the heart.

  Led astray by evil forces

  Wanting all to part,

  From the treasure meant for mankind.

  Few have found the narrow way.

  Selfish efforts proved unworthy,

  The Great King’s sacrifice could only pay.”

  He blew on the parchment again then read.

  “Seek the Rose,

  Stand resolved, loyal, tried, and true.

  The bright and morning star

  Reveals the pathway made for you.

  Rise early, take your stance,

  And resist all evil council,

  The Rose will keep your kingdom safe,

  And free from every evil.”

  He sat on the edge of Matthias’s bed. “Well, the message is clear to me. King Gilbert needs to find the Rose. I have this feeling that the location of this flower is hidden in the earlier verses of the poem.”

  Matthias sat back and sighed. “Now that I’ve heard the full message, I must agree. We were duped by that man and woman. It was so easy to believe what they said. Had I thought clearly at the time, our tragedies could have been triumphs.”

  “All is not lost, Lord Chancellor. King Gilbert will find the answer in Vista. King Roland must have learned this poem and the meaning that will show him the way. I only wish, for your sake, he had gone there first. Get some rest. I’m going to visit with Elizabeth and her family. Maybe she can tell me more about Malum.”

  Gilbert, Ben, and Lord Philip traveled west through open fields and over rolling hills toward Vista’s border. They’d ridden a long way and still had far to go. Gilbert looked at Ben and saw fun brewing on his face. “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m debating whether I could beat you to that next hill by ten heartbeats or twenty while still towing Pokey.”

  “You’re on.” Gilbert leaned over and whispered, “Fly, Promise. Fly to that hill ahead.” Promise raced forward, taking a great lead.

  “That’s cheating, sire.” Ben’s voice trailed then, amazingly, increased in volume. “Having trouble keeping the lead?” He laughed while bursting ahead. Poor Pokey barely kept up while struggling under the extra weight of the supplies. Her nostrils flared, and she neighed with Ben’s laugh. They were outrunning a destrier.

  Promise galloped forward without a drop of sweat, holding her second place. Gooey sap dripped from low-lying branches onto the horses’ manes and the riders as they wormed through a stand of cedars. Gilbert tried to push an approaching limb out of the way but found his hands glued to Promise’s sticky mane. He tugged his hand free just in time to push the branch. Some fragments of her hair stuck to his fingers.

  At the base of the hill, Promise lifted her head, eyeing the finish line at the top. Gilbert leaned forward. “Okay, Promise, time to show them you’re a destrier.” She extended her strides and propelled her body forward. Like a mighty wind moving a sail, she soared. Her powerful muscles earned the envy of the palfrey contestants. She held her head high and crossed the imaginary finish line. Gilbert raised his hands in the air and laughed harder than he had in a very long time.

  Good Knight darted across the finish line second with Pokey a length behind, panting wildly. Ben slapped his leg and laughed. “That mare of yours could be a racehorse. Although, Promise, you might work on finding a rider who can sail with you instead of bobbling in the saddle.”

  “What do you mean? I didn’t bobble.”

  “Sire, if you weren’t bobbling, then you had a swarm of mosquitoes on your saddle.”

  Lord Philip crested the hill with an amused look on his face. “Did you two enjoy yourselves?”

  Ben puffed his chest and raised his nose high. “Had you bothered to enter the contest, Lord Philip, I’m confident that Good Knight and Pokey would’ve placed second, and you would’ve still toddled in last.” He raised his hand to say more but stopped. “My fingers are glued together with sap. Yuck.” He lowered his arm to rub the goo onto his tunic.

  “Wait.” Lord Philip rode next to Ben’s horse. “Don’t touch your clothes.” He looked at Ben’s hands. “The only way to get that stuff off is to wear it off. Rub your hands together. Yes, like that. Now more. Keep rubbing them. That’s right. Work until pieces flake off.” He looked at Gilbert. “You too.”

  Pieces of sap also fell from Gilbert’s hands as he scrubbed and looked out at the view. The top of this particular hill stood higher than any other they’d traveled that day. From it, they could see all the way to the border of Vista.

  Ben had looked at the land spanning below them also. “Those same riders are there. See, on the far side of the valley? How do they stay the same distance in front of us whether we walk or race the horses?”

  “Ben, you can’t assume they’re the same people. Many travel this road, entering from other paths and have similar clothes.”

  “They look the same to me, sire.”

  “They can’t be the same man and woman who went into Malum for treasure. Impossible. Those two turned south.”

  Lord Philip urged his horse forward, riding between Gilbert and Ben. “Sire, since the sun is ready to set, I suggest we camp here for the night. No matter who those two up ahead are, we’ll be safer up here.”

  Ben dismounted. “Excellent idea. It’ll give us a chance to clean more of the sap off our hands and set the swarm of mosquitoes on Gilbert's saddle free.”

  “Funny. Hah. Hah.” Gilbert rolled his eyes and dismounted.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Gilbert tossed a tent to Ben while the horses helped themselves to a thistle dinner.

  Lord Philip gathered wood then started a campfire. “Too bad Elizabeth isn’t here to make a warm supper. She’s a great cook.” He scrounged through the supplies and found salt pork, figs, and bread.

  Gilbert and Ben finished setting up the tents while Lord Philip tended the mares. He gave the horses a thorough brushing, grumbling about working the stickiness out of their manes, and rubbed them down before giving them each an apple. “We’ll have to cut hairs coated with sap, except Pokey’s. Somehow, she managed to miss the drips.”

  The four animals huddled together and whinnied, most likely commenting on their new cuts. Gilbert patted Promise. “Don’t worry, you’re still beautiful.”

  The journey to and escape from Malum had tired them. Gilbert smelled the fresh grass and gazed at the land darkening in sunset colors. Such a peaceful place. He sat with Ben and Lord Phillip on rocks close to the campfire. Lord Philip passed out the evening’s food and drink. They ate, stuffing their stomachs then sat back and enjoyed the crackling fire.

  Ben pulled up a piece of grass and placed it between his lips. “Lord Philip, tell us about your travels and adventures.”

  “Would you prefer a story about the land or the sea?”

  The sea? Gilbert always dreamed of sailing. “I didn’t know you had any adventures on the sea. Did you ride a tall ship? How far did you sail? Where did—”

  Lord
Philip laughed. “Hold on, sire. I understand. You want a sea story.” He gulped his drink and set the flask down. “On a day when your father was still young, I boarded my first ship. They named her, The Faithful. From bowsprit to stern she had the latest fittings. Ahhh, she was a beauty.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “Despite my lack of experience, the captain allowed me on board, most likely because my father served in Emperor Stephanas’s royal fleet. I suppose my fighting spirit flowed from the bowels of my soul even back then.” He laughed.

  “We put to sea from Aerlis’s port not long after I tossed my bag inside my quarters. I returned on deck of the most intrepid ship ever to set sail. The first mate told me the mission would be the greatest one of my life. I couldn’t help but savor the moment by filling my lungs with fresh, salt air.”

  He inhaled a deep breath, held it in his chest, then let it out, satisfied. “I was about your age at the time and longed to explore. After the ship jostled in the sea for two bells, the crew settled into their watches. I looked around to make sure no one could see me and crept to the mizzenmast.”

  “The what?”

  “This ship, sire, spanned such a distance it needed three masts. They call the middle one, which happens to also be the tallest, the mizzenmast.”

  “So, what happened?”

  “Hand over hand I climbed the ratlines, aiming for the very top and the best view. My feet and hands swung to the next rope up, swift like a monkey, taking me higher than I’d ever been. I felt the cool, moist breeze in my face. Can you imagine?”