The Letter for the King

by Tonke Dragt

  The gentlemen at the table looked uneasy and whispered together. One of them stood up and spoke to the guards. Then someone called for order again, but it was some time before everyone in the hall had quietened down.

  “The meeting is closed for today,” declared Master Marmuc.

  “Why?” cried a number of angry voices. “We’ve only just started!”

  “The meeting is closed,” repeated Master Marmuc. “The boy will be released. Please clear the room and go home.”

  The guards moved towards the crowd to lend weight to his words. Tiuri looked around, at the seething, unruly crowd and the pale men at the table. He saw Ardoc and Doalwen nearby, but Iruwen had disappeared. Someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was Master Dirwin.

  “Your friend will be here soon,” he said. “I should like to speak to the two of you.”

  Before long, two guards brought Piak into the room. He looked surprised to see so many people, but when he spotted Tiuri his face lit up. Tiuri headed straight for him. He had to push his way through the crowd to reach his friend.

  “You’re free!” he cried, shaking Piak’s hands. “Oh Piak, I…” Then he stopped speaking and just smiled at Piak.

  “What are all these people doing here?” asked Piak, after he had enthusiastically responded to Tiuri’s handshake.

  “They helped to get you released,” began Tiuri. He didn’t have the opportunity to say anything else because some of the crowd burst into cheers. “Hoorah! He’s free!”

  The mayor and most of the councillors left their seats at the table and headed up the stairs. It looked rather like an escape.

  “Come on,” cried Tiuri. “Let’s get out of here!”

  Later, he could not recall how long it took before he was standing in the marketplace with Piak. There were still people everywhere, talking excitedly and paying no attention to the guards, who kept shouting at them to go home. After a while, Tiuri and Piak managed to sneak away unnoticed.

  In one of the streets leading to the square, they bumped into Dieric, Ardoc’s man.

  “Ah, there you are,” he said. “Everyone seems to have gone mad! I’ve lost the others. Come back to the White Swan with me. I think they’ll probably be there.”

  Dieric was right. They did indeed find most of the people who had helped Tiuri and Piak at the White Swan. The innkeeper poured glasses of wine for them and invited them to drink to their success. Piak and Tiuri had a lot to tell each other, but some parts of the story would have to wait until no one else was around.

  Piak told everyone that he was feeling just fine. “Well, you know,” he said, “it’s not much fun sitting in a dark hole, but it’s not that bad if it’s just for a short time. If only I’d known it would be over so soon!” And then he wanted to hear exactly how Tiuri had managed to get him released.

  “You have all of these people here to thank for that,” said Tiuri. And, helped out by Iruwen, Ardoc and some of the other men, he told Piak how the plan had come together.

  “Whew!” exclaimed Piak. “That’s really amazing! I could almost start to think I’m an important person.” Then he turned to Tiuri. “So everything’s as it should be?” he said, with a meaningful look.

  “Everything’s fine,” replied Tiuri. He held out his hand again and shook Piak’s in silent gratitude.

  Then Master Dirwin arrived. He headed straight for Tiuri.

  “Good evening, young man,” he said. “I thought I’d find you here. I’d like to speak to you. There are many things about this business that still remain unclear to me.”

  “Oh, he can’t say too much about it, Master Dirwin,” said Iruwen.

  “I’m sure he can tell me more than I know now,” said Master Dirwin, stroking his beard. “I have come from the town hall, where I spoke to the council. There is to be an extraordinary meeting, tomorrow morning. The mayor will be required to account for his behaviour.” He looked at Tiuri. “There are odd rumours going around the city,” he continued. “I have even heard talk of spies from Eviellan! I would like to know how much is true. I would also like to know why the mayor took you prisoner. I feel there is much more to this than you have told, young man. What are your names, incidentally, you and your friend?”

  “Their names are Martin and Piak,” said Iruwen.

  “Well, Martin and Piak, you will have to be present at the meeting tomorrow.”

  “Why’s that, Master Dirwin?” asked Tiuri, even though he knew very well.

  “To explain exactly what happened, of course,” replied Master Dirwin. “And not only that. We also need to know the reason behind what occurred. You can tell me everything now, but you will have to repeat your explanations before the council tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” cried Tiuri. “That’s impossible! We can’t stay here that long.”

  “Why not?” asked Master Dirwin. “That really is most unreasonable. I, along with many other people in this city, believe that you have been treated badly. That is why your friend Piak was released immediately. But you can’t just run away now.”

  “We’re not running away,” said Tiuri. “I’m just saying that we cannot stay!”

  “Because of you, there was almost an uprising in our city!” said Master Dirwin. “I cannot see what reason might be important enough to prevent you from staying. You have yourself accused the mayor… Oh, not directly, but you’ve said enough to make it clear that an investigation is required. In the interests of our city, I order you to remain here. I speak not only as a citizen of Dangria, but also as a member of the council!”

  “Are you back on the council?” asked Iruwen.

  “Yes, after tonight’s meeting I was invited to join the council again,” Master Dirwin replied.

  “Well, that’s good news,” said Iruwen.

  Master Dirwin turned to Tiuri again. “Now, speak,” he said.

  Tiuri repeated to him everything that he had already told to the people at the White Swan.

  Master Dirwin listened in silence, but did not seem too satisfied with what he heard. “It’s all very vague…” he said when Tiuri had finished speaking. “But fine, I shall trouble you no longer. I still have much to do. I hope to hear more details tomorrow. For tonight, I command you to remain in the city.”

  “You can have a room here,” said the innkeeper. “I’ll show you where it is and then you can go to bed whenever you like.”

  “I bid you goodnight,” said Master Dirwin. “Until tomorrow. I’ll come and fetch you. At about eight o’clock. Agreed?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Tiuri.

  Tiuri did not have the opportunity to say anything else, because Master Dirwin appeared to consider the matter closed. He bade everyone goodnight and left. Tiuri sighed. He didn’t know what else he could have said.

  “Shall we go to bed?” Piak whispered to him.

  “Good idea,” said Tiuri. “But aren’t you hungry?”

  “Well, to be honest, yes,” said Piak. “I haven’t eaten a thing since this afternoon.”

  “I’ll rustle something up for you!” said the innkeeper. “I’ll bring it to your room.”

  “Sleep well,” said Ardoc to the two friends. “And you have nothing to fear. Master Dirwin is a wise man, and above all a fair and honest one. You can trust him.”

  Tiuri and Piak wished everyone goodnight and followed the innkeeper to a small, neat room with two beds. Soon after that, Piak was tucking into a late supper and Tiuri also had a bite or two.

  “So,” said Piak with his mouth full. “Finally we’re on our own.”

  “And finally I can thank you,” said Tiuri.

  “You’ve already thanked me,” said Piak. “Do you still have it?”

  Tiuri laid his hand on his chest. He could feel Sir Edwinem’s ring, but not the parchment and the seals of the letter that he had carried for so long.

  “I burned it,” he whispered. “But I learnt the message by heart.”

  “Really?” said Piak, also whispering. He didn’t ask what the
message was, even though it was thanks to him that it had not been lost.

  “It was written in a secret language,” Tiuri told him. “I don’t know what it meant. Oh Piak, without your trick the mayor would surely have taken the letter. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  Piak looked embarrassed. “Ah, hush,” he said.

  “But, Piak, how did you know the mayor’s hospitality was a trap?”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize at first,” Piak answered. “But I had a funny feeling when I looked at all those shields. Right at the back of the room was one that was as red as blood. I remembered you telling me that the knights of Eviellan have red shields. I thought it might just have been a coincidence. But then I walked past an open door and I heard some guards talking. They were saying they’d have to surround the town hall. Well, I thought that was strange, so I listened in on them. I didn’t hear much, but it was enough.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Oh, something about a boy of between fourteen and eighteen, a young man from the east, from over the mountains. And that he mustn’t be allowed to escape. It sounded suspicious so that’s why I did what I did. And they fell for it!”

  “So what happened?” asked Tiuri. “What did they do when they’d caught you?”

  “It was so foolish of me,” said Piak, “getting caught like that! They took me to that hole beneath the town hall. Well, I say hole… It’s actually really big, but nothing like as fine as upstairs. It’s so cold and dark. They threw me down on the ground and the mayor came in and he said, ‘Give it here!’ I played dumb and said, ‘Give you what?’ He was furious, but he got even angrier when he realized that I didn’t have anything with me… at least not the thing that he wanted. No, please don’t start thanking me again. Why else did I come with you? To help, of course. Besides, adventures are fun when everything turns out well – and there’s a good meal waiting at the end!”

  Tiuri smiled but he still felt anxious. “So what do we do now, Piak?” he said. “We’re in such a hurry, but we have to stay here to make statements and give explanations. Even though we can’t actually explain anything…”

  “Couldn’t you tell Master Dirwin?” asked Piak.

  “I’ve already thought of that. If he wants to keep us here, I’ll have to tell him. But I’d really rather not. My mission’s secret. It’s awful, but I really can’t afford to trust anyone. Even the mayor of this city turned out to be one of the enemy’s men. There may be more of them in Dangria, and we’ve already attracted far too much attention.”

  “That’s my fault,” said Piak. “You’d have been better off travelling on as quickly as you could and coming back to help me later.”

  “No!” said Tiuri. “I’d never have done that. Anyway, it was only thanks to your quick thinking that we managed not to lose the message. But I do wish we could leave right now.” He thought for a moment. “You’re right. I’m going to tell Master Dirwin the whole story,” he said. “And only him. Perhaps I can speak to him tonight.”

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” called Tiuri.

  It was Iruwen. “Not in bed yet?” he said, closing the door behind him. “I thought as much.”

  “Please sit down,” said Tiuri. “Now I can thank you again for your help. Piak would never have been released if it weren’t for you.”

  “Yes,” said Piak. “A thousand thanks!”

  “You’re welcome,” said the old man, with a smile. He sat down and looked at them. “And now you want to leave the city as quickly as possible, don’t you?” he said. “Well, I happen to have a friend who’s a guard at the small gate in the northern city wall. And he has the watch from ten until two. So you should be able to leave soon.”

  Tiuri and Piak stared at him in surprise.

  “You’re going to help us escape?” asked Tiuri.

  “Of course. I understand you’re in a hurry. And if you stay here, it could mean a long delay. I know what it’s like. Council meetings, questions, answers, more questions, declarations, statements. All very complicated and time-consuming. Master Dirwin is a good man, and I am glad to have him on the council again, but, as I have already said, urgent matters must take priority.”

  “We are so grateful that you are prepared to help us once again,” said Tiuri. “But how do you know our business is urgent?”

  “Forgive me for saying so myself, but I have my suspicions,” replied Iruwen, “and when I have my suspicions about something, they’re usually right. You came here with a purpose and something tells me that it is in all of our interests. And so I must help you to achieve your goal.”

  “My thanks,” said Tiuri. “When can we leave?”

  “After you have finished eating,” Iruwen replied. “We’ll leave by the back door. No one will notice us.”

  “I’m ready to go,” said Piak. “I couldn’t eat another mouthful.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Tiuri. “I still have to pay for our meals. And for this room. Perhaps you would give the money to the innkeeper.” But when he reached for the pouch on his belt, he had a shock. It was gone!

  “Oh, you fool,” said Iruwen. “You didn’t look out for the pickpockets.”

  “I’m so sorry,” said Tiuri. “What should I do?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Iruwen. “It’ll be paid, one way or another. I’ll borrow it from somewhere.”

  “Oh, this is such a nuisance,” said Tiuri. “Do you have any money, Piak?”

  “Just one brass farthing,” he replied.

  “Keep it for luck,” said Iruwen. “Come now, don’t worry about such trifles. I hope I get my hands on those pickpockets though! It must have happened in the crowd. You know, Dangria isn’t the city it used to be.”

  “What was it like before?” asked Piak, standing up.

  “It was once as it will be again,” replied Iruwen. “Wait until we have a new mayor and the king’s knights return. Shall we go?”

  “What’s Master Dirwin going to say?” said Tiuri, thinking out loud.

  “He’ll probably be angry. But he won’t stay angry for too long. He’s far too busy for that. I’ve heard that he’s making all manner of plans. Tomorrow morning, for instance, a messenger will be taking urgent news to King Unauwen.”

  “They’re sending a messenger to the king?” said Tiuri.

  Iruwen looked at him sharply. “Yes, a messenger to the king,” he said. “Might that perhaps not be necessary?”

  “Why do you ask?” asked Tiuri.

  “Well, say, if a messenger were already on his way there… Yourself, for example.”

  “You’re right,” Tiuri answered quietly. “We’re going to King Unauwen.”

  “Then you must leave at once,” said Iruwen. “I’ll speak to Master Dirwin tomorrow. You should be able to cover some distance tonight.”

  Before long, they were walking through the silent streets to the gate where Iruwen’s friend stood guard. On the way there, they almost ran into a group of armed men on horseback.

  Iruwen signalled to the boys to stay in the shadows, and then stopped the horsemen and spoke to them. They told him that they had been instructed to reinforce the guard on the city gates.

  “No one may leave the city,” they said. “By order of Master Dirwin on behalf of the council.”

  When the horsemen had ridden on, Iruwen said, “Come on! Quickly! They’ll probably go to the small gate last. We must be there before the reinforcements arrive.”

  They reached the gate in time, but had to say a hurried goodbye. Piak and Tiuri thanked the old man again for his help and the guard let them pass through. And so Tiuri and Piak finally left the city of Dangria and continued their journey to the west.

  7 THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE RAINBOW RIVER

  Tiuri and Piak walked all through the night. They wanted to put Dangria behind them as quickly as possible and make up for lost time. All was quiet; they did not hear or see anyone. Occasionally the two friends talked quietly, but as th
e night wore on they spoke less and less.

  They didn’t rest until daybreak and still they didn’t stop for long, even though they were so tired. Later that morning, they were lucky enough to be offered a ride on a hay cart by a farmer who was travelling to the west. Lying in the fragrant hay, they soon dozed off and they didn’t wake until the sun was high in the sky.

  “What a couple of sleepyheads!” said the farmer. “If you’re heading to the Rainbow River, you’ll need to get off here, though. I’m taking a side road.”

  Tiuri and Piak thanked him and continued their journey on foot through a landscape of low, rolling hills. Tiuri kept glancing back over his shoulder; no one appeared to be following them. Dangria was no longer in sight, but he wouldn’t feel comfortable until they were on the other side of the river, in what Ardoc had said was the heart of the Kingdom of Unauwen.

  When they came to an orchard, they stopped and gazed up hungrily at the ripe fruit on the branches. “I think I might just help myself to a few apples,” said Piak. “Is that so wrong when you have no food and no money to buy food, and you’re starving and you’re in a hurry and, what’s more, you’re on a mission of vital importance?”

  Tiuri smiled. “Let’s risk it, shall we?” he said.

  Munching their apples, they continued their journey.

  Late in the afternoon, the road led over a ridge and, as they reached its highest point, they saw the Rainbow River lying in front of them. The river was very wide and gleamed in the sunlight. There was a stone bridge crossing the water and a mighty fortress beside it on the eastern bank. Closer to Tiuri and Piak, there were houses and farms, surrounded by fertile fields, and on the opposite riverbank lay a village and the road that led on into the west.

  The two friends headed towards the river and found themselves in civilization once again. There were lots of people at work in the fields, and the road was busier, too. They couldn’t help but stare at the fortress; the closer they came, the mightier it seemed. The bridge actually appeared to be connected to the building, and a gate built from the same stone as the fortress stood at the end of the bridge.