Raven was concerned for her since she was with child and remarked. “I do not think you should ever do that again either if it is that hard on you. Relaying messages is enough. Please rest while I have a look at this scroll.”
Rebekka lay on the bed while Raven began to unroll the scroll on the bed beside her. The handwriting was elegant, in the old style of the kings of the past and read:
“The beginning of Amnon Prescott’s journal concerning the greatest adventure a human being could have, pioneering a new frontier. Actually it is not new for we lived here before, only several thousand years in the future. It is so refreshing to come back to this land in its pristine beauty and before it was settled by but a few souls. It is a new lease on life, thanks to the discovery of the isolinear crystal that allowed us to come here. Our plan was so radical, so utterly perfect, no one of our future time would be able to figure it out. And that is what worries me, the only way this wonderful plan we conceived could fail is for someone to be careless and let it slip from their mouth, or else betray us to the enemy. I just fear there are too many people involved for this to be a success. Over forty of us have vanished from our time, and surely someone has betrayed, or will betray us, for I fear this paradise will not last long.”
Raven paused here, his heart sank as he read these words. He had heard this same reasoning before of supposed betrayal from his father. That road took his father into a war that cost Edward, his brother, his life along with many others. Will human nature never change, he wondered? Even the ancients suspected each other. He wished he could shout through the ages back to them all and assure them that there had been no betrayal and the ancient enemy had not found them. To be at peace with one another and trust each other as they should so the kingdom would prosper. For a great kingdom it would come to be, greater than any of the ancients could imagine. Over a thousand years the kingdom had endured and had been a haven for the inhabitants of Glenfair. If only they knew that they were safe from this enemy they speak of, perhaps their lives would have been at peace. Raven turned back to the scroll and continued reading.
“I have laid my suspicions on those who have been the most unsatisfied by living without our precious technology. I have shared this with Uriah and he agrees we should keep an ear open and a watchful eye. The rest of the information I have gathered to support my suspicions is written on another scroll. I digress, for I would write of the great adventure that brought us to this place. As I mentioned, the crystals enabled us to come this far back in time, but without our beloved Merry Sheldon we would not have been able to put them to use, for she was the catalyst, the time shifter that moved us through time. The crystals only amplified what she had the ability to do. She of all people seems the happiest in this place, and no wonder, for our enemy, the tyrant, wanted nothing more than to have her for his own. He even had set a date for their marriage. She hated and despised him, but could do nothing about the impending marriage until Uriah told her of the crystals. Oh, he must be fuming mad, a raving lunatic for what we have done to him. For if he suspected that Uriah and Merry loved each other, he would have had Uriah killed, even though he was his own weapons master. And now they are husband and wife, a very happy couple, except for the consequences this great leap in time had on Merry. No one knew what it would do to her until it was too late. I believe though, that she would make the same choice again even if she knew the consequences. I wish I could tell the old tyrant of Merry’s and Uriah’s marriage without giving us away to know the rage that it would bring him. Life was barely tolerable under his rule, and we all lived in constant fear for our lives. All we had to do was displease him a little and we could be sent to prison or executed for crimes against his regime. So, I am glad we were able to inflict the harm of at least taking his bride away from him. Now we are at peace in this wonderful land that is both old and new to us.
Raven stopped reading and looked at Rebekka. She had her eyes closed and was dozing in and out of sleep. Raven put the scroll away and decided there would be time to read it later. They both needed sleep for the next days events, the collection of the southern tribute and the feast that went along with it, and they had both been up long enough as it was.
The next day was bright and cheery with little Edward having a great time with his grandparents and his uncle Gregory. It seemed Edward had a special bond with Gregory and likewise Gregory did not mind this little bundle of energy following him around everywhere. At lunch time Bandon Prescott was satisfied with the organization of the days events and was finally able to relax a little. Raven noticed this earlier and had given Bandon space without distraction, for he knew what it entailed to run matters of state. But now there seemed an opportunity to speak with him and Raven wanted to bring up the matter of the Prescott ring and present it to Bandon. Rebekka was there as well, for he wanted her present when he gave the ring to her father.
Bandon now free from distraction turned to Raven and said, “My king, we are most glad to pay tribute to you and the feast will be our way of showing this gratitude. Duke Zandel will also attend and bring with him the southern tribute with as much joy.
Bandon smiled at this for everyone had been surprised at the change in heart Mason Zandel had shown at his father’s funeral.
“I am greatly looking forward to the nights events,” stated Raven. “But there is something I must speak with you about now that cannot wait.”
Bandon was now very attentive, and Raven did not delay less Bandon get the impression the king was not pleased with the hospitality or guess any such unpleasant news was coming.
“I would like to give you something that belonged to your ancestors, something very special.” And with that Raven produced the ancient ring with the Prescott seal.
Bandon’s eyes went wide as Raven handed him the ring and he exclaimed. “We had thought our families ring lost forever. How did you ever come by it?”
Raven had already decided to tell Bandon about the secret passage but decided to wait to tell him about the scroll until he had finished reading it. For it would only lead to questions that Raven did not want to answer as of yet.
So Raven said, “Rebekka and I could not sleep last night so we did a little exploring and found a secret passage and a hidden room in your castle. In there we found the ring.”
“Here!, in my castle,” Bandon said with astonishment. “Will you show me this room, he asked?”
“Yes we will,” Raven replied, “as soon as we finish eating.”
Bandon sat back into his chair for he realized he had half risen from his seat at this unexpected news.
Bandon, now more relaxed stated; “My dear King Raven, you are always full of surprises. What can we expect next from you? And you my daughter, are just as mischievous. I had thought at first I may have given the king a burden by giving him your hand in marriage, but I see now that you both keep each other entertained by your ceaseless curiosity.”
Rebekka blushed at her father’s remarks but thought to herself. If you only knew father of the mysteries we have solved, and the places we have been, you would turn pale.
After lunch, Rebekka and Raven took Bandon to the northeast part of the castle to where the hallway ended. Raven showed Bandon the catches in the wall and opened the doorway to the secret passage. After they had lit some lamps they proceeded on to the room.
The crossbow bolts stuck in the wall did not escape Bandon’s eye so he asked Raven. “There were traps here were there not, to protect something of value?”
Raven affirmed the traps and told him what they were about to see was what was in the room. As they entered the room Bandon surveyed it and walked over to the chest. Looking at the lock, it did not take him long to realize it would open with the ring Raven had given him. So he inserted the ring and opened the chest. Inside was the scroll that was brittle with age. Bandon picked it up and it crumbled in his hands.
“If this was a map to treasure we are out of luck,” Bandon said with good humor.
He was just about to close the lid when he stopped.
“Did you look inside this chest?” he asked Raven.
“Yes we did, and all we saw was paper and writing.”
“Did you notice,” Bandon remarked, “that the bottom is much higher than it should be?”
Raven looked and now he did notice. How could he have missed this important feature to the chest. It had a false bottom. Perhaps it was the distraction of the traps that caused Raven to miss this feature of the chest. But with Bandon’s desire to find treasure he had noticed the false bottom. Bandon motioned for Raven to proceed since he was handy a finding ways to open things like secret passages. Raven inspected the bottom and finally found the catch and opened it up. He stepped back so Bandon could look and heard his father-in-law gasp. Raven peered over his shoulder and saw that in the bottom of the chest there were gold and jewels.
Bandon stood and looked Raven in the eye and said. “We shall divide this spoil between us.”
“Nonsense,” Raven said, “this is your family’s. It was here in your castle and your family ring opened the chest, it belongs to you.”
Bandon bent down and peered back into the chest. He could be heard fishing around in the gold and jewels when he withdrew he had a couple of things in his hand. A necklace of rubies and sapphires sparkled in his hand as he turned to Rebekka.
“This necklace befits a queen,” he said as he put it around his daughter’s neck.
Raven had never seen jewels like this before, the elegance and magnitude of the gift impressed Raven. Bandon Prescott although frugal was not selfish, and Raven could see the genuine joy he had in giving this precious gift to his daughter. Rebekka hugged him and Raven could see the joy she got from such a gift.
Bandon then handed Raven a ornate knife with gold and pearl accents with the letters “LT” inlaid in the handle. Raven started to protest but Bandon waved him off.
“These are for you if you promise not to tell your mother Lilly about these treasures. I can keep her supplied for some time with gifts from this chest.”
He reached in and pulled out a necklace of wonderful blue pearls and said. “Hmm, and she has a birthday coming up soon.”
Raven and Rebekka could not help but laugh at this gesture and even Bandon laughed as he put the pearls back.
“Come,” he said, “we have a wonderful day ahead for us all.”
Rebekka headed down the passage and Raven started to go when Bandon caught his arm.
“Raven,” he said kindly, “I want to thank you for returning to us our family ring. It means more to me than all the gold or jewels. I know this ring is special and it will never be lost again.”
With that he held out his hand to shake Raven’s but instead Raven hugged him.
“You have given me something of much more value than gold or jewels too!” With that he motioned with his head down the hall toward where Rebekka had disappeared.
Bandon smiled and said; “I am glad you think so, for I know there is something special about her.” They both smiled and headed down the passage after Rebekka.
The evening feast was splendid, and Raven could not remember Bandon in a better mood save for the day of Rebekka’s wedding. Every one was having a good time when it seemed the feast was over and it was time for the passing of the tribute to the king. Duke Prescott stood and with much fanfare declared their prosperity was great during the past year and declared there was a little extra tribute than normal in this year’s payment.
And then his sense of humor took over and he added, “I expect to see some new attractions at the summer feast as a result.”
Every one laughed at this, for all knew a portion of the tribute went to the costs of the summer and fall feasts the whole kingdom enjoyed.
Mason Zandel now stood and spoke loud for all to hear, “This is my first presentation as duke since my father has recently passed away. We of the Zandel dukeship as well gladly pay tribute to the king. But let me add, as a youth I always resented having to pay the tribute and never understood its benefits until recently, and I am not speaking of the feast the king provides. It is a gesture of solidarity that we all share and have a part in this kingdom. Without a good king we all will suffer, for the king is the head and the dukes are his hands and feet. One is no good without the other. Let us all be thankful for we have a good king who loves this land, and I believe there is nothing he would not sacrifice for the sake of all of Glenfair.”
With that Mason handed the king the southeastern tribute to the roaring cheers of the people. King Raven stood there a moment until the cheers died down and began his acceptance speech.
“Duke Zandel has spoken the truth concerning my love for the kingdom of Glenfair. But the strength of Glenfair is not the king, but comes from the trust and cooperation of the king and dukes together. That is what makes Glenfair strong and peaceful. May you accept my gratitude for the tribute that will enable us to continue the prosperity of Glenfair. I believe history will bear us out that there have been no finer dukes than what we have, and have had in my lifetime. May God bless and prosper Glenfair as we continue the alliance that has outlasted every other kingdom about us.” With that Raven raised his glass in salute and said forcefully. “To a thousand more years!”
The people echoed, “To a thousand more years!”
The next day Raven and Rebekka bid Bandon and Lilly goodbye as they prepared to head back to the king’s castle. Little Edward was sad to leave his grandparents and especially his uncle Gregory. It had been a good visit, but Raven was anxious to get back to the castle and see what needed his attention. It was not that Master Fields lacked the ability to handle anything that came up, he was just the type of king who had to be involved with his people. It was probably good that Glenfair was a small kingdom, for the king would not have any rest if it were any larger. But he enjoyed and appreciated the kingdom more now that it was his responsibility.
So off the three rode north, horses laden with the tribute of the southern dukeships.
Funny, Raven thought, if we were in any other kingdom, we would have to have a guarded escort to protect all this tribute. But here we are the king, his wife, and his son all alone and no guards at all.
Not that Raven had traveled outside of the kingdom of Glenfair, but he had heard plenty from outside sources of what other lands were like and none of them were anything like Glenfair.
People came from time to time to settle here but there was not a whole lot of opportunity for economic gain in Glenfair because of its size. Almost all of the land was already parceled out between the dukes and the king, and the industry was small.
Raven had never really thought of that before, Glenfair was not a poor kingdom, but neither did it flow with gold or opportunity. Many that came here stated it was wonderful to visit but soon left when they could not acquire the wealth that was available in other lands. There were those who stayed that wanted more than wealth, who liked the atmosphere, morality and peace Glenfair offered. To those who sought that kind of life, there was always a place for them. Raven wondered how long into the future Glenfair would be able to go until it was forced to consider the economics of the rest of the world, instead of just getting by like they had for centuries. He hoped it would be a long time, for he loved what Glenfair was, but also knew it could not last this way forever.
The day passed quickly and finally the castle loomed into view. Master Fields met them as they came in and servants unloaded the tribute. There were a few small matters Master Fields wanted to brief the king on, and as Raven listened he smiled, it was business as usual, it could not be better. Today he saw the kingdom in a whole new light, one to be treasured and appreciated while it lasted.
Chapter 3
The Appearance of Evil
“An angry man be dangerous, an evil man be more so. But be there an angry, evil man, and his pride doth not allow him rest till he worketh his hurt upon another.”
--Chronicles o
f the Ancients
King Raven wanted very much to go visit Andronicus at the top of Brickens’ Falls. His curiosity of learning more of the ancients had been aroused while reading the ancient scroll of Duke Amnon Prescott. But one thing he wanted to do was to finish the scroll before he went so he could get all of his questions answered.
Raven felt down to his side and rested his left hand upon the knife that had been given him by Bandon Prescott when he found the jewels in the chest. When Raven got home he examined the knife more closely and only then did he begin to appreciate the craftsmanship that had gone into it. It was made of the same alloy steel that his ancient family sword had been made of. And apart from its beauty, it was very functional. It was balanced like a throwing knife but had the handle and grip that enabled you to fight with it as well. It was a nice addition to the fighting armor that had been left to him from the ancients.
Raven was grateful for his heritage and for the kingdom Almighty God had allowed him to be born into. He did not take this peaceful kingdom, this gift of God lightly and determined in his heart to be the best king a land could have. He knew part of that now was to learn its history and purpose of existence. He was puzzled though by the remarks of the scroll, no he was saddened, for his view of those heroes of the past was altered since reading the first part of the scroll. He now knew the truth, that human nature was the same in all ages, having experienced first hand his father’s turning from the true path a king should walk. He should not have expected more of the ancients than was true of all humanity. None were perfect, only God held that title, and reserved it for himself alone. Raven smiled for he knew the Almighty did not have to worry about competition from his human creation on that front. How patient God must be to endure humanity. Knowing there were problems of mistrust among the ancients did not defer his desire to know more of them and he had scheduled the afternoon free to retire to the council chamber and read the rest of the scroll.
The King's Ancestors Page 5