The Letter for the King

by Tonke Dragt

  “Is that so?”

  “A carrier pigeon recently brought him a message from somewhere to the east. He would not let me read the letter or store it in the archive.”

  “Who sent the message?”

  “I do not know. Perhaps you could tell me.”

  Tiuri wondered if it could have been Slither. Had he travelled along the First Great Road? Had he made his way over the mountains? Was it Slither who had asked the mayor to capture Tiuri and hold him until he arrived in Dangria himself? That was certainly a possibility…

  “I do not know the mayor,” Tiuri said to the scribe, “but I think you might be better off serving another master, at least if you are a loyal subject of King Unauwen.”

  The scribe gasped. “What?”

  “I have to go now.”

  “Wait a moment. I’ll see if anyone’s on guard down there.” He leant out of the window and took a good look around. Then he turned to Tiuri and said, “You should go now. It’s getting dark. There are guards patrolling, but if you’re quick you’ll make it. And I wish you better luck than your friend.”

  “Piak! Did they capture him?”

  “Yes, they got him. He is in the dungeon beneath the town hall.”

  “No!” gasped Tiuri. “I have to help him.”

  “Then don’t wait around here,” said the scribe. He looked out of the window again. “Another guard just went past. You’ll have to go now. You can only help your friend if you’re free. He will not thank you if you manage to get captured as well.”

  That was true. Tiuri climbed onto the sill and looked down below. A ledge jutted out from the wall beneath. If he stood on it, he would be able to jump down into the street.

  “We’re at the back of the town hall here,” said the scribe. “Quickly! Go!”

  “Thank you,” whispered Tiuri, as he slipped out of the window.

  Down below, a couple of guards were coming around the corner, so Tiuri dashed into a side street and ran away from the town hall as quickly as he could. He heard a shout and wondered if he’d been spotted, but he didn’t wait to find out. He raced down the streets and only slowed to a fast walk when he realized people were staring.

  He soon reached the marketplace, where he hid in a dark doorway. As he stood there, wondering where to go in this unfamiliar town, which was full of enemies who were searching for him, a man suddenly appeared. “Come with me,” he whispered.

  Tiuri was startled, but then he recognized the old man who had spoken to him and Piak earlier.

  “Let me lean on your arm,” the old man said, “and walk with me. I told you going up those stairs would do you no good, didn’t I? But you went up them anyway, and what happened? Your friend’s in the dungeon and you’re running around as if you want to join him.”

  He slipped his arm through Tiuri’s.

  “Get rid of your bow and arrows,” he said. “You’ll attract too much attention.”

  Tiuri silently obeyed. He didn’t know if he was doing the right thing, but he had no better plan.

  His new friend walked across the marketplace with him, taking care to keep to the busiest areas. Most of the traders were already starting to pack up their wares and no one paid much attention to Tiuri and his companion. Even so, he still kept looking around, alert and ready to make a run for it.

  The old man stopped at a clothes stall. “Tell me,” he said to the market trader, “would you have a jacket for my friend? A cheap one?”

  “As long as he has the coin to pay for it,” said the trader. “I know you certainly don’t.”

  “Oh, he’s good for it,” said the old man, looking at Tiuri. “I did warn you about pickpockets, didn’t I?”

  Tiuri rummaged around in the pouch on his belt and took out a few coins.

  “Not too much!” whispered his companion. “Here, just this piece of silver. That’s enough for a jacket.”

  “Wants to change his appearance a bit, does he?” said the trader, taking a good look at Tiuri. Then he searched through his goods. “This might do,” he said. “Try it on.”

  “It’s not much good for a piece of silver,” said the old man. “You’re taking advantage because we have no time to bargain.”

  “A man who’s on the run can’t afford to be fussy,” said the trader, winking at Tiuri. “Well, it fits you fine. And it makes you look like a true citizen of Dangria too – half a dozen different colours on every piece of clothing. Look, I’ll even throw in this hat for free. It looks a bit odd, but it’ll serve your purpose.”

  Tiuri and his helper left the marketplace and walked on.

  “So, that’s that taken care of,” said the old man. “Now let’s have something to eat. We’ll go to the White Swan. It’s safe there.”

  Tiuri stopped in his tracks and said, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. They know that I came here with Ardoc the farmer, and they also know he was heading for the White Swan.”

  “Ah, I didn’t realize. But that also means they’ll probably already have been to the inn to look for you. Tell you what, I’ll go on ahead. If they’ve already searched the White Swan, it’ll be fine. They’re not likely to check the same place twice. And if they do, the innkeeper will find somewhere to hide you. But I’ll go and take a look. You can follow me, slowly. If the coast is clear, there’ll be a candle in the window and that means you need have no fear about entering.”

  He told Tiuri the way to the inn and disappeared without waiting for a reply.

  Tiuri stood there for a moment. Then he began walking slowly through the dark streets towards the inn, still surprised at the unexpected help he had received. Finding the inn was easy enough. In the window, beneath the sign of the white swan, a candle was burning.

  5 AT THE WHITE SWAN

  Tiuri pushed the door open and stepped into the inn. There were no more than a dozen people inside. Most of them were eating. The old man was standing at the counter, talking to the innkeeper. When he spotted Tiuri, he came over to him, followed by the innkeeper, and said, “I’ve already ordered our meal. But you’ll have to pay for both of us.”

  “Of course,” said Tiuri.

  The innkeeper laughed. “Iruwen never has any money on him,” he said.

  “No,” said the old man, whose name was apparently Iruwen. “Don’t need it.”

  Before long, Tiuri was sitting opposite Iruwen at a table in a dark corner. The innkeeper brought them their food.

  “Enjoy your meal,” said Iruwen.

  Tiuri looked at him. Iruwen had a straggly beard and his clothes were rather shabby. His eyes, though, were kind and wise.

  “I would like to thank you,” Tiuri began.

  “Ah, hush. I haven’t done anything yet that’s been any effort for me and would therefore deserve your gratitude.”

  “Why exactly are you helping me?” asked Tiuri.

  But Iruwen shook his head and said, “Let’s eat first and then talk.”

  Tiuri didn’t want to start eating until he found out what had happened to Piak.

  “Your friend came running out of the town hall,” Iruwen told him. “He almost went tumbling down the stairs and the guards were too startled to stop him. When he dashed out into the marketplace, more guards came running outside, with the mayor following after them and yelling, ‘Stop that boy! Take him prisoner!’ It was quite a commotion. Your friend weaved around the stalls, with the guards running after him. They were knocking things all over the place! I didn’t see the guards catch the boy, but later I saw them bringing him back to the town hall. They took him to the dungeon beneath the town hall, and that’s probably where he still is.”

  “How… how did Piak look?” asked Tiuri.

  “Oh, a bit ragged around the edges; his clothes were torn. But he didn’t show any fear.”

  “I have to get him out of there!” said Tiuri. “I have to! But how?”

  “We’ll think about that after eating,” said Iruwen. “You’re not alone in this city. I want to help you, as do a number of
other people. Why exactly was it that the mayor took you prisoner?”

  Tiuri was spared from having to answer that question when two men stepped through the door beside the bar. It was Ardoc and Dieric. The farmer looked around the room and said, “Good evening.” He greeted Iruwen in particular and then his eye fell on Tiuri.

  “Well, well!” he said. “If it isn’t young Martin!” He walked over to their table.

  Tiuri stood up and said, “Good evening, Master Ardoc.”

  “Please, don’t get up!” said Ardoc. “Enjoy your meal.” Ardoc pulled up a chair and joined them.

  The innkeeper came to take his order. “Will you be eating at this table?” he asked.

  “If they don’t mind,” Ardoc replied, nodding at Tiuri and his companion.

  “Of course not,” said Iruwen.

  “My thanks,” said Ardoc. “Pull yourself up a chair, Dieric.”

  The innkeeper noted down their order and went back to the bar. Then Ardoc looked at Tiuri. “So where’s your friend?” he asked.

  Tiuri hesitated.

  “He’s in the dungeon beneath the town hall, isn’t he?” continued Ardoc. “Have you stepped on the mayor’s toes? Did you insult him somehow?”

  “We’ve done nothing to him,” said Tiuri.

  “Nothing? Well, that’s precious little reason for a man to be taken prisoner, isn’t it? Particularly someone who swears he’s never been to Dangria before!”

  “It’s true,” said Tiuri. “It’s the first time we’ve ever met the mayor.”

  “Really?” said Ardoc. “Then you must be hoping that it’s also the last. But what’s going to happen to your friend? What a sorry state of affairs!”

  Tiuri realized that everyone in the room was looking curiously at him and he felt rather uncomfortable. Ardoc must have noticed, because he said, “Oh, don’t be afraid of anyone here betraying you. You’re at the White Swan, although that probably doesn’t mean much to you. The mayor’s men have already been here. And if they return, I’m sure the innkeeper will give you a place to hide. Isn’t that right?” he called over to the innkeeper.

  “Certainly,” he replied. Then he looked at Tiuri and said, “You’re not doing much justice to my good food, young man! You must be worried.”

  “Yes,” said Tiuri. “About Piak.”

  “Your friend?” said the innkeeper. “Well, I’m sure Iruwen or Ardoc will know what to do.”

  “Perhaps,” said Ardoc. “Bring us some wine, would you? And we can drink to finding a solution.”

  When the innkeeper had gone, Ardoc leant over to Tiuri and asked quietly, “So who are you, then?”

  “Who am I?” said Tiuri. “My name’s Martin. You already know that.”

  “What does his name matter?” said Iruwen.

  “Oh, your name may well be Martin,” said Ardoc, “but you are not who you are pretending to be! You’re no boy from the mountains like your friend Piak. You come from a different part of the world, and you’ve moved in different circles. Your manner could be that of a nobleman. You ride like an experienced horseman. And the mayor must have his reasons for wanting to take you prisoner. So, tell me. Who are you?”

  The innkeeper brought over a bottle of wine. Tiuri didn’t answer until he’d gone.

  “I can’t tell you any more than I have already said,” he replied. “The mayor may have a reason for wanting to imprison me, but I don’t think he would be prepared to tell anyone what it is. And I’m not either. I cannot and will not say anything about it.”

  “I see,” said Ardoc. He opened the bottle and filled the glasses.

  “They’re strangers here,” Iruwen said to him, “but they’re not just simple travellers. They are here for a reason.”

  “Exactly,” Ardoc replied. “Travellers from the east rarely visit Dangria just for the sake of it. But what do they have to do with our problems? This Martin says he’s never met the mayor before.”

  “And that’s the truth,” said Tiuri. “He’s the one who summoned us.”

  “Yes, that’s right,” said Dieric. “He invited them. I saw it myself.”

  “He was very friendly at first,” Tiuri continued. “He said we were his guests. But then he wanted to keep us in the town hall against our will.”

  “And your friend escaped,” said Ardoc. “He ran out into the marketplace, shouting something… What was it he was shouting again, Dieric?”

  “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Dieric replied. “That’s what he was shouting.”

  “So what did he have?” asked Ardoc.

  “Nothing,” replied Tiuri. “I have to get Piak out of that dungeon. He was only trying to help me.” He looked at Ardoc, and then at Iruwen. “You have already very kindly assisted me,” he said. “Could you help me with this, too, perhaps by giving me some advice? I’m a stranger in Dangria but, if I’ve understood you correctly, I don’t think you’re very keen on the mayor. Why is that?”

  “Now he’s asking us questions!” said Ardoc to Iruwen. “While he plays his cards so close to his chest!”

  But Iruwen said, “It is true that many people here in the city regard the mayor as an enemy. And I have always felt that way about him. The rot set in when he took charge of Dangria. He has forgotten that he is only the mayor and that he runs this city in the king’s name. He acts like an independent ruler, according to his own whim. Since the rift between the two princes, knights with white shields rarely come to our city. They have to keep watch in the south now. But there are certain people who need their supervision and…”

  “Ah,” said Ardoc, interrupting him. “Martin doesn’t know about all of that.”

  “Yes, I do,” said Tiuri. “Or, at least, I know something about it. I’ve heard about Unauwen’s sons and the conflict with Eviellan.”

  “But there’s going to be peace with Eviellan now,” said Dieric.

  “So they say,” said Iruwen. “Let’s hope Unauwen’s knights soon return and that the mayor will be ousted.”

  “Are you rattling on about that again, Iruwen?” said a man at the next table, who had apparently been listening to their conversation.

  “Ah, some people don’t believe me yet,” said Iruwen, standing up and looking around the room. “They’re just angry with the mayor because he treats people unfairly or because the taxes he levies are too high. Even here, at the White Swan, there are still people who refuse to see the danger!”

  “Danger?” cried the man at the next table. “Danger? I don’t like the mayor and his cronies, but I’m not scared of them.”

  “Iruwen sometimes talks as though the enemy will be at our gates tomorrow,” said another man.

  “The enemy is among us,” declared Iruwen. “Mark my words, all of you here! What has happened in our city today should give us pause for thought. Since when have strangers – no, guests – been treated in such a way in Dangria?”

  All eyes turned upon Tiuri.

  “But what exactly are these strangers doing here?” someone asked. “I have to say, I don’t really understand what’s going on.”

  Tiuri felt that everyone was waiting for an explanation from him. He stood up and said, “And, to be honest, I don’t understand it all either. You are clearly dissatisfied with your mayor. So why not do something about it?”

  “What can a handful of people do against so many?” said the man at the next table.

  “That’s nonsense,” said Iruwen. “Many people here are dissatisfied, Doalwen, as you well know. You’re just too lazy, too cowardly, too comfortable!”

  “You can’t speak to me like that!” cried Doalwen. “What you’re preaching is rebellion, Iruwen, and that’s dangerous! I would vote for a different mayor, but I’m not going to rise up and drive him out by force. King Unauwen would condemn such behaviour.”

  “King Unauwen wishes for justice in his kingdom,” said Iruwen. “And he will listen if we ask him to.”

  “The king has other things on his mind,” said Doalwen.

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nbsp; “And maybe we will soon make peace with Eviellan,” said the innkeeper, pulling up a chair and sitting down with them.

  “We’re straying from the subject,” said Ardoc, looking at Tiuri.

  Tiuri looked around the room and hesitated briefly before saying, “Are you all true subjects of King Unauwen and enemies of Eviellan?”

  Everyone stared at Tiuri in astonishment.

  It was Ardoc who broke the silence. “Yes,” he said. “But why do you ask? We are hoping for peace; we have felt the consequences of the conflict here too, even though we are far from Eviellan. But again, why do you ask that question?”

  “Because I believe your mayor is a friend of Eviellan,” said Tiuri. “In fact, I’m sure of it!”

  His words caused quite a stir. Only Iruwen said, “That does not surprise me at all. It is as I have always suspected and feared.”

  “But how do you know that?” cried Ardoc.

  “Keep it down, keep it down,” the innkeeper warned. “This is a grave accusation, not the kind of thing to start shouting about before we know it’s true.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t tell you much more than that,” said Tiuri. “Most of what I know – and that is little enough – is secret. But what is certain is that the mayor has links to Eviellan, and that he captured my friend and me on the orders of spies who are working for that land.”

  “But there is to be peace with Eviellan!” said Doalwen, interrupting him.

  “Quiet!” called Ardoc. “Let him finish.”

  “I can tell you that I was pursued through the Kingdom of Dagonaut and attacked by Red Riders,” Tiuri continued.

  “Red Riders from Eviellan!” whispered Iruwen.

  “Yes, Red Riders from Eviellan. They served a Black Knight with a Red Shield.”

  “A knight of the King of Eviellan,” murmured Ardoc.

  “But what were they doing in the land of King Dagonaut?” asked another man. “You’re not at war with the land in the south, are you?”

  “No,” Tiuri replied. “They were pursuing one of King Unauwen’s knights.”

  “A knight of King Unauwen? Who? It wasn’t Andomar of Ingewel, was it?” asked Iruwen.