The Letter for the King

by Tonke Dragt

  “Who was your commander?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Who gave the orders?”

  “Don’t know.”

  “You know very well!”

  “No, I’ve no idea. The captain, I suppose, the leader of the Red Riders.”

  “And what is his name?”

  “Don’t know. We just called him the captain.”

  “We? Who do you mean?”

  “All of us.”

  “Were there others who came from the forest?”

  “Yes. My mate, Udan, and Asgar, but he’s dead now.”

  “How did you come to be working for the Red Riders?”

  “They rode by and asked if we wanted to work for them. They gave us weapons and chainmail. And so we went with them.”

  “I see. What were you doing before that?”

  “What business is that of yours?”

  “Answer the question!”

  “This and that. We used to chop wood sometimes.”

  “And I’m sure you were robbers too,” growled Bendu. “I can’t imagine you were doing honest work.”

  The man muttered something under his breath.

  “Who gave the orders?” Ristridin asked for the second time.

  “I told you that already. The captain.”

  “Not the Black Knight with the Red Shield?”

  “Knight?” said the man, with what seemed to be a genuine look of surprise. “I never saw any knight!”

  The prisoner was able to provide little information. The Red Riders had not mentioned what they were doing in the Kingdom of Dagonaut. Most of them, he told the knights, did indeed come from Eviellan, but he had not known them for long, no more than a week. So he had entered into their service after the murder of Sir Edwinem. He had met five of the men in the forest; others had joined them later, but not until they were near Castle Mistrinaut. He had never seen the Knight with the Red Shield, but he believed that the captain had received his orders from another man. He was also able to tell them that the Red Riders had various spies. Leor, the manservant at the Inn of the Setting Sun, was indeed one of their informants. He had passed on the message, via another spy, that the Grey Knights were approaching, together with the young man the Red Riders had been seeking, who was on a black horse. He did not know why they were after this young man, but he did say that the captain had been very angry when he heard the Grey Knights were accompanying him. He could not tell them anything about what other plans the Red Riders might have.

  “You understand that you will be punished for your actions,” said Ristridin sternly. “Assaulting travellers on the road is a serious offence. We shall hand you over to the lord who governs this region and he will deal with you as you deserve.”

  “Who is the local lord?” asked Arwaut.

  “The lord of Castle Westenaut,” replied Ristridin. “I suggest that a number of us ride to the castle to hand over the prisoner and to request some men and horses to assist us.”

  “That is not necessary,” said Bendu. “We can handle those few riders on our own.”

  “I am sure we can,” said Ristridin. “But they may spread out over the area and go into hiding. So we need to ensure that everyone in this region is informed and is on the lookout. There may also be others out there, who are not dressed in red – their spies and accomplices. They should not be given any chance to escape.”

  “You make a good point,” said Bendu.

  “It is now about ten o’clock, maybe half past,” Ristridin continued. “The horses need to rest for at least an hour. Then three of our company can ride to Castle Westenaut, with the prisoner. It is around five hours from here, so they should be there by four.”

  “I know where it is,” said Sir Evan. “I spent the night there on my way to the City of Dagonaut.”

  It was decided that Sir Evan should go, accompanied by Arwaut’s squire and one of the men from Castle Mistrinaut. They would meet the rest of the company the following day at the place where the First Great Road left the Blue River.

  “We shall set off early tomorrow morning,” said Ristridin, “so we should be there around midday. We shall wait for you.”

  Tiuri watched his companions in silence. He wondered what they would do next. They would go after the Red Riders, of course. In that case, Tiuri could no longer stay with them; he had to travel onwards, along the Blue River. His task suddenly seemed very difficult again, but that was probably because he was feeling the effects of his injury.

  The company did not talk for much longer. They divided the watch between the uninjured men who were not travelling to Castle Westenaut, and then all was quiet in the camp.

  5 SAYING FAREWELL

  When Tiuri awoke the next morning, he felt much better. It was early, and most of the men were still asleep. Arwaut was lying beside him; the white bandage had slipped down his forehead. Ilmar was hanging a pot over the fire, but Ristridin and Bendu were nowhere to be seen. Tiuri closed his eyes again; he could sleep a little longer. But sleep would not come. His mind was far too active and there was so much to think about.

  After a while, he sat up and looked around. He realized just how close the mountains were. They were already in the foothills, in fact. It was a beautiful, cold, dewy morning, with a crisp breeze and a sun that made the snowy peaks glisten. Tiuri stood up, went over to the river and washed himself in the icy water. As he was washing, Ristridin and Bendu returned from their search in the forest.

  “Good morning. Are you feeling better?” asked Bendu, smiling at Tiuri for the first time.

  “I’ll play the physician again soon and take another look at your wound,” said Ristridin. “I have a good salve in my saddlebag. That should help. Arwaut and Marvin, Evan’s squire, will have to submit to my ministrations too.”

  Later, as they were eating breakfast, Tiuri said, “What are your plans?”

  “We will start by riding on to the point where the Great Road leaves the Blue River,” Ristridin replied. “That’s where we intend to meet Evan, with the reinforcements from Westenaut.”

  “In that case,” said Tiuri, “the time has come for us to part company. You mean to hunt down and capture the Red Riders, while I shall travel onwards, along the Blue River.”

  “Surely you do not wish to travel on alone!” exclaimed Bendu.

  “I cannot stay with you,” Tiuri replied. “I am very grateful that I have been able to travel so far in your company. If you had not been with me yesterday, I would not be here now. But I must travel onwards, as quickly as possible.” He paused. “You will have guessed that my goal lies beyond the source of the Blue River. I must cross the mountains, to the Kingdom of Unauwen. That is my mission.”

  For a few moments, there was silence.

  “To the west,” said Arwaut finally. “But why not travel along the Great Road?”

  “There are other ways over the mountains,” said Ristridin, “although they are known to few. The hermit Menaures knows the mountains well; he is sure to be aware of a path that is steeper and more difficult, but far quicker. And, more importantly, one that is unknown to the enemy.”

  “And the enemy will not pursue Tiuri,” said Bendu. “That is where we come in. We shall take care of the Red Riders, so that Tiuri may travel on in safety and in peace.”

  “This is true,” said Ristridin. “But I must say, Tiuri, it saddens me to say farewell.”

  “I am sorry too,” said Tiuri, “but it has to be this way. And you have said yourself that I no longer need fear the Red Riders.”

  “I will vouch for that,” said Bendu firmly.

  But Ristridin said, “Do not underestimate your enemies, Tiuri! I do not wish to scare you and I agree with your decision, but you must remember that the Red Riders may have many spies. The Riders themselves are conspicuous, but their accomplices might be watching you in secret, in the guise of ordinary people… a shepherd, a traveller, anyone! You must steal away from us quietly, so that you are long gone before they realize
.”

  Tiuri could feel his courage beginning to falter. He had to admit that he was not looking forward to taking leave of the knights and travelling on alone. But he also knew that it could not be avoided. He had his job to do, and the Grey Knights had theirs.

  They talked for a little longer and then decided to travel on together to the spot where they would meet Evan and his companions. Then Tiuri had a thought.

  “What about Ardanwen?” he asked. “Could I cross the mountains on horseback?”

  Ristridin shook his head. “That’s not possible,” he said. “Not along the paths you will be taking. You could if you were travelling along the Great Road, but that too can be hard going.”

  Tiuri sighed. “Then I must leave Ardanwen behind,” he said.

  “We shall take care of him,” Ristridin promised. “He can stay at Castle Mistrinaut until you return to claim him.”

  “But he does not belong to me!” said Tiuri. “He is Sir Edwinem’s horse.”

  “But he has accepted you as his master,” said Ristridin. “Did I not tell you that he would not allow anyone on his back but Sir Edwinem? He would only take another rider if Edwinem ordered him to. I think you must be his master now. But that is a matter for later. You may be sure, however, that Ardanwen will be waiting for you on your return.”

  “I have an idea!” said Ilmar, who had been sitting and pondering. “One of us must exchange clothes with Tiuri. I can do that. And I will ride Ardanwen, if the horse does not object. Then, if they are spying on us, the riders will follow me and, in the meantime, Tiuri can slip away unnoticed and be on his way.”

  “That’s a very generous offer,” said Tiuri, “but I don’t want you to do it. I do not wish to endanger others more than I already have.”

  “I think it is a fine suggestion,” said Ristridin, “and Ilmar must do it! What matter if it is dangerous? We have all set out to defy danger! I believe that Ilmar’s offer is most befitting of a future knight, and you, Tiuri, must allow him the opportunity to assist you.”

  Ilmar glowed with pleasure at Ristridin’s words and Tiuri reluctantly agreed. Ilmar leapt to his feet. “Now you must tell Ardanwen to allow me on his back, Tiuri,” he said. “And let’s change our clothes right now, behind that rock, so that no spies see us.”

  “A fine idea,” said Ristridin.

  The First Great Road followed the Blue River to the point where it met a narrow tributary, which was called the Little Blue River. There, the road turned to the south, following the smaller river into the mountains. The company arrived around midday and found the other men already waiting. Sir Evan told them that the lord of Westenaut was equipping his men, and that they would arrive before nightfall. One of the men from Mistrinaut was sent back to warn his lord in case the Red Riders should head in that direction.

  For a moment, Evan mistook Ilmar for Tiuri, so the ruse seemed to have worked. There was no reason to put off their farewell any longer.

  “But let us first eat together,” said Ristridin. “How is your arm now, Tiuri?”

  “Oh, the wound is no longer troubling me,” replied Tiuri, which was not entirely true.

  The Grey Knights had made their plans as they were riding. They were going to divide the company. Ristridin, Evan, and their squires would travel on for some way along the Great Road to throw any spies off the scent. The others would cross the Blue River and head back into the forest. At the end of the afternoon, the two groups would meet up again at the point they had set out from. Tiuri would accompany the second group for a while before going his own way.

  The meal was soon over. Tiuri said farewell to Ardanwen, who seemed to understand that he would have to be parted from his new master again; he gave a quiet whinny and looked at Tiuri with sad eyes. Then Tiuri shook each member of the company by the hand and thanked them for their help.

  “May your road ahead be blessed,” said Evan. “Perhaps we shall see each other again in the Kingdom of Unauwen.”

  “I wish you a successful journey,” said Ilmar, who had climbed onto Ardanwen with Tiuri’s help, “and I am sure it will be so.”

  “Goodbye for now,” said Ristridin. “Soon you will hear from me again. At the first bend in the road, I will blow my horn twice to mark our parting. Farewell until we meet again!”

  They parted company, without looking back. Tiuri rode on Ilmar’s horse. Before long, he dismounted at a sheltered spot in the forest and took his leave of Bendu and his companions. “May you find the Red Riders, Sir Bendu,” he said.

  “Edwinem’s death shall be avenged,” said Bendu. “And my wish is for you to carry out his task as it should be done. And you will succeed; I have no doubt. Perhaps you will be a knight next time I see you, as by rights you should be already. Now leave. The coast is clear.”

  And then Tiuri was alone. The sound of hoofs died away and he felt lonely and vulnerable. But he moved on at a brisk pace, staying among the trees for as long as possible. Then he followed a rocky path that ran to the right of the Blue River. It went uphill and downhill, sometimes next to the river, sometimes on the slope above. The rocks on both sides became higher and higher, but to the left he occasionally had a beautiful view over the Little Blue River and the First Great Road.

  After an hour or so, he paused as he heard the distant sound of a horn, the silver horn of Sir Ristridin, bidding him farewell.

  Tiuri walked on and saw a section of the Great Road down below, and a few distant figures. They were already so far away!

  The horn sounded once again, with echoes repeating its silvery note.

  “Farewell, Grey Knights,” Tiuri whispered. “Farewell, Ristridin of the South. Until we meet again!”

  PART FIVE

  IN THE MOUNTAINS

  1 A TRAVELLING COMPANION

  When the sound of Ristridin’s horn had died away, Tiuri walked on. He realized that he was now setting off on the final part of the road that the Knight with the White Shield had told him to follow. Once he was over the mountains, he would have to find his own way. It was now nearly two weeks since he’d left the chapel outside the City of Dagonaut. How much longer would he have to travel before he had completed his mission and could give the letter to King Unauwen in the land to the west of the Great Mountains?

  He had to get used to being alone again, after travelling in the company of the Grey Knights. But he was now far better equipped than on his lonely journey through the forest; he had weapons, food and even some gold and silver coins. The threat also appeared to have passed. The Red Riders had been routed and the Grey Knights would soon take them prisoner. It seemed unlikely that they would find Tiuri now. So, even though at times it was narrow and winding, the path along the Blue River did not seem as arduous as the roads he had followed before.

  After a few hours, the path veered away from the river and headed to the right. But Tiuri realized that he would be able to continue along the other side of the river. There was a small crucifix attached to the rock face there, with words carved in uneven letters on the stone beneath it:

  Pilgrim climbing to the heights above,

  may you travel with God’s love.

  And, dear friend, as you go,

  pray for us in the valleys below.

  Tiuri knelt there for a short while. How many pilgrims have passed this way before me? he wondered, as he set off. Once again he felt like a pilgrim, a pilgrim with an important but mysterious task.

  A sudden noise disturbed his reflections: footsteps behind him. They could have been coming from some way off, but they sounded loud and clear on the stony ground. Tiuri looked around. There was no one in sight. Oh, of course there must be other people wandering around these mountains, he thought to himself. But, even so, he started walking faster. He could still hear the footsteps; in fact, they seemed to be coming closer.

  After a while, Tiuri stopped to rest. He heard the other walker pause and then hurry onwards. He thought for a moment and took out the habit that the monks at the Brown Monastery ha
d given him. He put it on over his grey chainmail and tied the rope around his waist. Anyone who saw him would think he was a pilgrim, on his way to the hermit Menaures, the kind of person who would be less conspicuous in these surroundings than a squire in chainmail.

  He did not rest for long. A little later, he looked back again and saw a man appear around a bend in the path. The man looked tired and wearily raised his hand in greeting. Tiuri waved back, but did not slow his pace. Then he heard the man call out.

  “Ho, traveller! Pilgrim!”

  Tiuri wanted to act as if he hadn’t heard, but the shout had been so urgent that he had to stop. Panting for breath, the man caught up with him.

  “Greetings, pilgrim,” he gasped. “What a climb! Wait a moment.” He sat down at the side of the path, dipped his hands in the river and splashed his face. “That’s better,” he said, turning to look at Tiuri. “Hello, pilgrim. I am pleased to see you.”

  Tiuri didn’t feel the same way. He didn’t like the look of the man at all. But that was unfair, he told himself; he was probably just an innocent traveller. He was a stocky, dark-haired man, but the first thing Tiuri noticed about him was his hard, pale grey eyes beneath thick eyebrows that met in the middle. His mouth, however, curled into a friendly smile.

  “I am pleased to see you,” he repeated. “I’m not really at home in the mountains, you see, and I’d appreciate some company. I imagine you’re off to see the hermit Menaures, eh?”

  “That’s right,” Tiuri replied.

  The man stood up and said, “I have an even longer journey – all the way over the mountains – and I heard the hermit knows the mountain paths. Would you mind if I travel with you?”

  “Well,” said Tiuri slowly, “I can hardly say no, because this path doesn’t belong to me. But, to be honest, I prefer to travel alone and I want to walk quickly.”