by Mary Vee
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Gilbert pulled folded documents from inside his tunic. “Just before we came on this journey, I found important chronicles of my father’s dated back when he first set up our kingdom.” He carefully unfolded the parchments. “These are a few of the pages. I want you to hear the portion that tells us what must be done next on this quest.…
June 13
Long ago, Father told us, the only way to rule a kingdom was to have the Rose from the Valley of Sharon. His father told him everyone needed the Rose whether a farmer, baker, servant, king, or worker of any other type.
When Father first formed the empire, he took his closest and dearest staff on the quest. He said the faithful obedience to the sacred book kept peace in the empire. Upon his death, he divided the empire into three kingdoms. Roland and I asked Ivan to go on the quest, but he refused. He thought Father’s rose met the need for his kingdom. Less than a year later, Ivan stopped following the laws and principles written in the sacred book passed down to us from father.
Ivan always seemed different, always searching for something to make him feel happy and never finding it.
June 20
The quest took longer than we thought due to unexpected problems and bad decisions on our part. We arrived at the base of the Valley of Sharon this evening. Tomorrow morning we’ll look for the Rose. While warming at the campfire, Roland and I reviewed Father’s instructions. They said, “The Rose can only be seen by those who admit they’ve made bad choices, understand they need rescuing, and humbly accept Help.”
We had tried and made many bad decisions. We agreed we couldn’t rule our kingdoms by ourselves. We knelt and accepted the Help of the Rose. Roland was drawn into this quest and Father’s teachings in a deeper way than I was. He said he planned to tell everyone he met about the Rose and how it could bring peace. As for me, I just wanted to go home and enjoy my kingdom. I wished, though, that Ivan had come. His anger toward Father for not giving him the whole empire held him back from joining us.
“This is all I have. The next pages are missing.”
Ben pushed a stick into the fire and stirred the flames. “I don’t understand, sire. How can this rose help us?”
“I don’t understand it either.” Gilbert shrugged. “I think it’s one of those things one does because deep inside we know this is right.”
Ben nodded. “But is this rose enough to keep dragons and thistles away?”
“According to Father’s journal, it will save us.” Gilbert folded the parchments and put them back in his tunic. “We aren’t told exactly where the Rose is located, only that it would be in this valley, and a bright, morning star would show us the exact location.”
Jonathon stood and rubbed the back of his neck. “But, sire, what if it takes days? With our supplies gone, we won’t last very long in this desert, even with the mountain pool Katia found.”
“I know these tents won’t protect us from the heat, wind, and sun for too long,” said Gilbert. “The words passed down from Grandfather said the bright and morning star could only be seen in the early morning before the sun rises. If we can’t find it in the early morning, we’ll have to work out a way to survive until the next one. We’re staying until the job is complete.”
Sybil took a stick and stirred the fire. “I’m not an early riser. How is a star supposed to wake me?”
“It takes a bucket of water to wake you,” said Ben
Gilbert shrugged. “I don’t think any of us wake up early on our own.”
“Then what should we do? The night watch may not see it,” said Daniel.
Gilbert walked toward his tent. “You squires can figure out your own way. As for me, I’m going to pray for a wake-up call.”
His team looked at each other. “A wake-up call? What kind of wake-up call?”
“The same one that has woken me the last two mornings.”
“I’m tired.” Ben pushed himself up and walked to his tent. “There better not be any prickly plant pieces under my blanket.”
Charles ran to catch up. “Hold on, Ben, I’ve got a scorpion that says it wants to talk to you.”
Gilbert glanced back at Charles’s empty hands and kept walking.
Sybil volunteered for the first watch since no one had successfully woken her for duty during the entire trip. She settled next to the fire pit and stirred the sparks back to life.
Gilbert crawled under his blankets and listened to his team tossing about inside their tents, trying to get comfortable. As he drifted off to sleep someone whined, “Owwwww. I found another thorn.”
Gilbert woke several times during the night. Waiting for an early wake-up call was like waiting for the dubbing day of knighthood. He crawled out of his tent and found Daniel, the new watch person, fast asleep by the fire. Gilbert kicked the log hard enough to wake him.
Daniel shook his head then jumped to his feet. “Sire! I…I’ll stoke this fire to a warm blaze.” He fumbled for a new log and accidentally dropped it on his foot. His hand flew to his mouth to muffle the cry of pain.
“Don’t worry, Daniel. Since I’m up, I’ll finish the watch. Get some sleep.”
Daniel bowed and yawned. “Thank you, sire.” He stumbled, half asleep, to his tent.
Gilbert set a log in the center of the fire. He blew steadily on the coals until new flames flickered then placed on a second log. At least this sleepless night kept him warm and safe from scorpions or tarantulas crawling over him while he slept.
The flames grew to a steady blaze. He stretched his back and looked up at the stars, thankful there hadn’t been any problems since the supplies fell over the mountain. Neither he nor his team could endure anymore. The only thing left to do was to find the Rose and take it home.
At this moment, his life seemed peaceful.
“Sire?” Katia’s presence surprised him.
“Why are you awake?”
“I heard someone and wanted to know who it was. Can’t you sleep?”
“I’m just excited and glad to finally be here. I feel like it’s the night before my birthday.”
“Why is that?”
“Deep down, I sense we’re going to find the Rose tomorrow. It’s hard to explain the peace I feel. Like I’m doing the right thing.”
“I might understand better than you know. Having the Rose will bring Aerlis back to what was first intended. I sometimes imagine what my family would have been like had I not been separated from them. I picture a dad who is interested in what I do and is always there for me. That he takes time to teach me, comfort me, and sees that I have all I need.”
“Our fathers were similar.”
“I think, sire, the Rose will to meet your needs, and although Aerlis will face trials, we’ll be able to endure them by remaining faithful to the Sacred Book.”
Gilbert yawned deeply. After several sleepless nights, he finally felt tired. Another yawn burst before he could cover his mouth. “Excuse me, Katia. I’m tired. I’ll wake Justin for the next watch.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll keep guard for a while. I’d like to watch the night sky.”
“As you wish.” He yawned and pointed. “When you’re ready to sleep, wake Justin for watch duty.”
“I will. Rest well, sire.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Gilbert crawled inside his tent and under his blanket. He opened the flap far enough to check on Katia. She sat on a rock gazing up at the stars.
She’d been away from the castle all this time, tromping around in the wilderness where she didn’t have anything available to groom herself, yet her beauty radiated in the moonlight. She was a mystery. At times, she moved her lips without saying a word, like now. He didn’t understand why. There was something special about her, and he was glad she came. He pulled his blanket up higher and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
“You must heed my warning.” A male voice shouted.
Gilbert opened one eye. He was inside his tent. It was still night and very dark. The person on w
atch must have let the fire die down.
“King Gilbert, I hear your thoughts. Why won’t you heed my warning?”
“What warning? Who are you?” Gilbert sat up and jerked his head left and right. He couldn’t see a thing in the dark and didn’t understand what was happening.
“I’ve been sent to help. You want to do what is right for Aerlis, correct?”
“Of course, I do. I wouldn’t be in this desert if I didn’t.”
“Then you must follow my instructions. Break camp while it’s dark and flee the valley. Danger is near. Tribulation will erupt with such intensity it will destroy your entire team.”
The warning didn’t make sense. Did the words come from the evil raspy voice or from the Great One who spoke the sacred words? “You’re not talking about the volcano, are you?”
“This is your warning. Troubles will come tomorrow. You and your entire team can escape before it’s too late. Flee to the ruins where you’ll find an army ready to fight for Aerlis. You will also find treasures beyond belief and have power worthy of a king. Heed my words, King Gilbert, or you will die.”
Now he knew who spoke. The dragon from the Keepers of the Kingdom. “Leave me. I will fulfill this quest as my father and grandfather before me.” Gilbert flopped back down and pulled his blanket over his head.
A horse’s panicked cry woke Gilbert. He sighed. Sleep was out of the question. He threw off the blanket and pushed aside the tent flap. Ben, Charles, Sybil, Justin, and Jonathon ran toward the mares. Their hoofs flailed high in the air although nothing visible invaded the camp. Something spooked them. But what?
The squires neared the frightened creatures, speaking words of comfort and stroking their manes. The mares didn’t respond. They wildly kicked and screeched. Justin jumped back as a hoof came close. Sybil looked around them. “I don’t see anything. What is frightening them?”
The steward hobbled toward the horses. “Separate them, quick, before they hurt each other.” He grabbed the reins of a horse and firmly yanked her away. “Slow down, girl. You’re ok.” But the horses continued to panic.
Unsure if something dangerous lurked in the dim starlight, Gilbert pulled Jonathon and Sybil aside. “We have to search the area. Maybe a mountain lion found its way here. Grab your weapons and come with me.” They moved away from the camp. “Split up. Signal if you see anything.” Gilbert stood fast, guarding the outer area and only saw outlines of scraggly trees, boulders, and the mountain.
He said softly, “Anything?” No answer. “Did you find anything?” Jonathon mumbled something from somewhere to his left, but Gilbert couldn’t hear him over the screeches of the horses. “Repeat.” No response. Gilbert turned and stepped right into Jonathon. “You’re supposed to be over there.” He pointed. “Anyway, what did you see?”
Jonathon trembled, hardly able to speak. He faced the mountain. “A dragon ducked behind that cliff over there.”
“That’s ridiculous. The dragons are in Malum and Aerlis. In all this darkness, you must have seen an ibex, an antelope, or a gazelle. Right?” There couldn’t be a dragon here. “Jonathon, Speak to me.”
The squire closed his eyes. “It was a dragon, sire. A poof of fire came from its mouth. Right at me.”
Gilbert looked toward the mountain. They were so close to fulfilling the quest. All he had to do was get the Rose. He looked up at the sky for the bright, morning star father had mentioned and couldn’t see it. This was the time. Nearly dawn. “Let’s get more help.”
They ran toward the camp and found Sybil staring up at the mountain. “Dragon!” she screamed. “It’s flying towards us.”
“Draw your weapons,” Gilbert ordered the camp. The squires left the frightened horses and ran into their tents for their bows.
A burst of fire seared Katia’s tent.
She crept out and low to the ground towards Gilbert. From the dim starlight, her eyes widened with panic. She worked for each breath. “Sire, there’re no trees to hide behind. Get inside.”
Ben arrived next. Fear widened his eyes. “Sire, what are you doing standing out here? The dragon will see you. Quick. Hide in this tent.” He pushed the king backward.
“I’m trained, the same as you.” Gilbert shoved Ben’s arm away.
Katia stared intently from one to the other. “I have the king’s old sword and am ready to fight. Sire, please go inside.”
Sybil and Daniel fired arrows into the sky. A ball of flames streaked toward them, much like the fiery cannonballs shot from a trebuchet, and landed on the ground, igniting brittle scrub plants. Smoke formed clouds carrying desert sand into the air. They melted together in a billowing shroud, masking visibility.
Ben turned back to the king. “I beg you, sire, go somewhere and hide. We’ve finally made it to the Valley of Sharon. If you’re killed now, how will we save Aerlis, and who’ll be our king?”
Gilbert looked beyond Ben and saw Daniel and Justin raising their weapons. “Get out of my way. I need to help.” But Ben refused to move. He pushed past and forward three steps before the steward blocked the way. Ben disappeared from his sight. He took another step forward. The steward refused to move. “Sire, I must insist you retreat to a safe place.”
“Just because you’re taller doesn’t mean you can stand in my way.” Gilbert peeked around him and saw the dragon swipe at Daniel and Sybil. “We’re wasting time.”
Ben, Jonathon, and Justin fought the creature back with swords, stabbing at the dragon’s legs. Gilbert's heart raced, aching to join the fight. “Step aside, Steward.”
His protector pressed forward causing Gilbert to stumble back into his tent. “Don’t forget the reason for this quest, sire.”
Gilbert slipped and fell back next to his bow. He leaned over and picked up his weapon. “I haven’t forgotten why we came. The reason is to rid Aerlis of the dragons. Now, step aside, that’s an order.”
He pushed forward, but as he lunged, a bright light shone, blinding him. Gilbert looked away and rubbed a scaly film from his eyes. The squires’ screams pierced his heart. They were his friends. He stepped outside the tent, stared at the battle scene, then up at the light. “It’s the bright and morning star. How could I have been so foolish?” He bowed his head and sighed. “The real reason for the quest, Steward, is to find the Rose.”
The clanging of battle sounds reverberated several feet away. The sound pulled at his fighting spirit. The bright light tugged at his soul and mind. “All right, Steward. I’m going to let them fight the dragon. Help them as much as you can.”
“Yes, sire.”
“Katia, the star is supposed to show us where to look. Will you go with me?”
“Yes, sire.”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Gilbert looked back at the battle.
Ben and Charles aimed their arrows then released, hitting the monster’s side.
Sybil and Daniel wielded their swords, piercing the dragon’s tail and underbelly. Green goo of dragon life splashed down on them.
Jonathon and Justin shot their arrows faster than the others.
None of them cowered in the battle. In the panic of the moment, Gilbert hoped he’d do the same. He wanted to be there with his friends. He should be there instead of watching from a distance. Together they could conquer the dragon and become heroes for saving Aerlis.
“Sire, we don’t know how long the bright morning star will shine.” Katia looked from the battle to him.
She was right. Each person had their job. He had to be the King Knight. “Let’s hide behind that large boulder and plan our search.”
The desert had an amber glow. Soon the sun would rise. The battle raged behind them like a thunderstorm. He covered his ears warring against the distraction.
Then, like a soothing, rippling brook, words from his father’s parchment played in his mind, relaxing the battle storm and calming his spirit.
The only way to rule a kingdom is to have the Rose from the Valley of Sharon.
Gilbert faced
the valley, crouched low, and searched the ground.
“Where are you going, sire?” Katia asked.
“Search to the left but stay close. Look for anything red.”
“Yes, sire.”
“And stay low, hidden from the dragon.”
Father’s journal said they found the Rose on the first morning. It couldn’t be too far away. He crept farther sweeping through and around plants. Puffs of sand dust flew with each step.
In the near distance, they checked rocks and brush. The star’s light didn’t seem to shine on any one place. “Can you see anything?”
“Not yet, sire.”
Gilbert rifled through broken cacti branches, needles, and prickly scrub plants and looked up when clanging and shouting from the battleground echoed toward them. The sound ripped his spirit in two. His muscles tightened in sympathy for his friends. His mind pleaded for him to run back and help them.
“I’m going to check over there.” Katia pointed deeper into the desert. “Would you like to join me?”
Her deep brown eyes reflected the radiant morning star and comforted him. “Yes, I’ll join you.” They walked to the new area and searched. To occupy his mind away from that battle, he asked her, “I once saw you walking in the west wing. And later into a secret stairway.”
“I used that stairway to spend time alone.”
“How did you manage to open it from the inside and how did you learn about the stairway?”
“A long time ago, when I was maybe three years old, several men in uniforms carried me up those stairs. They told me to be quiet and never tell anyone about the secret passageway. They took me to a nurse who raised me in the castle. Since only a few people knew of the stairs, I thought my escape to serenity would also be a secret. I’m sorry, sire. I didn’t know you’d followed me.”
“I saw you walk past my apartment and wanted to know where you were going. You disappeared down one of the corridors. Once I found the secret stairs, I wondered who used them and why.” He twisted his back to relieve the ache from bending.