The Letter for the King

by Tonke Dragt

  As they carried on talking, they drew nearer to the castle. A narrow road, flanked by stone walls, wound its way up the hillside to the gate.

  Although it was late, the guards let them in straight away. Both the riders and the horses received a warm welcome, with food and a place to sleep for the night.

  Very early the next morning, Tiuri stood in the courtyard with Warmin and Piak, ready to set off. One of the castle servants came over and said to Warmin, “You’re the leader of Sir Ardian’s knights, aren’t you? Sir Ivan would like to speak to you. Would you come with me?”

  Warmin pointed at Tiuri and said, “This young man should come too.”

  “Is that necessary?” asked the servant. “My master wanted to speak to the leader.”

  “In that case, he definitely has to come,” said Warmin.

  The servant looked puzzled and stared at Tiuri. He clearly thought he looked too young and shabby to be of any importance. But then he nodded and led them inside. Tiuri frowned. He wished Warmin had not drawn attention to him. If only we had got up earlier, he thought, and then we would already be on our way. He glanced at Piak, who gave him an encouraging wink, and then followed Warmin.

  They were taken to a large hall, which was still in semi-darkness. The lord of the castle stood waiting for them beside a table with two candles on it. Sir Ivan was no longer a young man. His hair was white, but his back was as straight as a lance. He looked from one to the other and then asked Warmin, “Are you Warmin, the leader of Sir Ardian’s men?”

  “Yes, sir knight,” said Warmin with a bow.

  “I heard a man was killed last night in the Hills of the Moon,” Sir Ivan continued. “A messenger, on his way to King Unauwen. Is that true?”

  “Yes, sir knight,” replied Warmin.

  “Why was I not immediately informed?” asked the knight. “The western Hills of the Moon are within my territory – and the eastern part is also under my protection, until Sir Andomar returns.”

  “We sent word to Ingewel, sir knight,” said Warmin. “And everyone in the area was warned to look out for the murderer.”

  “Why have you not gone in search of him yourself?”

  “The toll master has sent us on a mission to the west, sir knight, so we had to continue. But I have sent back some of my men. More than half of them, in fact.”

  “Good,” said Sir Ivan. He looked at Tiuri. “Might you,” he asked, “be one of the young men who discovered the body?”

  “Yes, my lord,” Tiuri replied. And he thought to himself, I hope he doesn’t start asking all kinds of questions. It seems like everyone I meet is trying to hold us up.

  Tiuri’s fears were unfounded. Sir Ivan asked no more questions but said, “Well, I can tell you that the murderer has been caught.”

  “What? Really?” said Tiuri and Warmin.

  “Yes,” said Sir Ivan. “He is at this moment being held at the Inn of the Hills of the Moon, until I decide what is to happen to him. He was captured in my lands, so I am the one who shall pass judgement on him.”

  “When did this happen?” asked Warmin.

  “Yesterday evening, shortly after you left the inn. A messenger brought me the news early this morning. He’ll be able to tell you more. He’s still here.”

  Only then did Tiuri realize that there was someone else in the dimly lit hall. Sir Ivan beckoned the man and he came over and bowed. He looked like a farmer, but he was wearing chainmail over his clothes and a helmet on his brown hair.

  “This messenger came with a letter written by the landlord at the inn,” said Sir Ivan, “and he also has his own tale to tell.”

  The messenger bowed. “The innkeeper paid my fee,” he said, “but the message I have brought is also from the toll master’s men. It is sent for Sir Ivan, lord of the White Moon, for Warmin, leader of the guards, and for the two young men who are travelling with him.”

  “Please continue,” said Sir Ivan.

  The messenger bowed again and told his story. “Yesterday evening, some men from my village, assisted by the toll master’s men-at-arms, captured the man who matched the murderer’s description. He called himself by a strange name… what was it again? It’s in that letter I gave you, sir knight.”

  “Slither,” said Sir Ivan.

  “Slither…” Tiuri repeated quietly.

  “At first he denied that he was the murderer,” said the messenger, “but after we had caught him, tied him up and locked him in a room at the inn, he started ranting and raving. He cursed us and he cursed this land and then he cursed those two young men. He cursed them with all of the wicked names under the sun.”

  “And why was that?” asked the knight.

  “That’s the strange thing about it,” said the messenger in a hushed tone. “He didn’t say why. He just cursed them… in a way that was enough to send shivers down your spine! I was there myself and I heard everything. He called one of them by his name. ‘Curses on you, Tiuri,’ he said. ‘May the devil and all his black powers break your neck!’”

  Then the messenger fell silent and Tiuri felt his blood run cold, as if he himself had been there and heard Slither cursing him. But that feeling didn’t last for long. Slither had been captured, after all!

  “And who is this Tiuri?” asked Sir Ivan.

  Warmin glanced at Tiuri, but said nothing.

  “Are you Tiuri?” the knight asked him.

  “Yes, my lord,” Tiuri admitted.

  “And why exactly does this Slither wish you harm?”

  Tiuri thought for a moment before answering, “I think it’s because I’m one of those who are to blame for him being captured.”

  Sir Ivan looked at him thoughtfully. Tiuri realized that he reminded him of someone he knew, but he couldn’t think who it was. Then the knight turned back to the messenger and asked, “Do you have anything else to report?”

  “No, my lord,” said the messenger. “Just what’s in the letter. That the toll master’s men have asked their leader to return to the east as soon as possible, together with the men who are still with him. But only if the two young men can spare him, of course.”

  “Why must I return?” asked Warmin.

  “They didn’t tell me that,” said the messenger.

  “Do you have anything to add?” asked Sir Ivan. And when the messenger shook his head, he said, “Then you may go. My servants will make sure you’re fed. I’ll give you a message to take on your return.”

  The messenger bowed deeply and left the room.

  “Who are you?” the knight asked Tiuri.

  “You already know that, my lord,” he said. “My name is Tiuri.”

  “Where are you from?”

  “From the east, my lord.”

  “So you’re not one of the toll master’s men?”

  “No, sir knight, he’s not,” said Warmin. “But the toll master ordered me and my men to accompany him and his friend. They need to go to the west and they are in a hurry.”

  “That’s right, my lord,” said Tiuri.

  Warmin took something from under his chainmail and handed it to the knight. “Here is the proof that I am acting on the toll master’s orders,” he said. “His glove.”

  “Yes, I recognize it,” said the knight. He returned the glove to Warmin and continued, “Although order and peace appear still to prevail, events are occurring that make me uneasy. Sir Ardian will not have sent out his men for no reason! I shall not hold you up, now that I have told you what you needed to know. As for Slither, he will remain my prisoner, and I expect you to return and testify in the case against him. That applies to you, too, Tiuri.”

  “Yes, my lord,” he replied. Suddenly, Tiuri felt happy and relieved. Slither had been captured! Now he had nothing left to fear. They would reach the City of Unauwen by the evening of the following day. His journey was almost over. He turned to Warmin. “There is no need for you to travel on with us,” he said. “Slither can no longer harm us.”

  “Who exactly is this Slither?” as
ked Sir Ivan.

  “I don’t know him,” replied Tiuri. “All I know is that he is dangerous, and wicked.”

  “That much is clear,” the knight said wryly. “But surely you must know more about him than that!”

  “He is from Eviellan,” said Tiuri.

  This answer seemed to shock the knight. “From Eviellan!” he repeated.

  Warmin was also clearly surprised by this news.

  “My lord,” said Tiuri. “By your leave, I wish to depart immediately. Perhaps you will soon hear more about this business than I can tell you now.”

  “You are a most puzzling young man,” said the knight. “If my ears do not deceive me, you come from the other side of the Great Mountains. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, my lord,” said Tiuri.

  “Have you then by any chance…” the knight began, but he didn’t finish his question. He shook his head and then said, “I trust the toll master implicitly and shall abide by his decision. Go in peace! You, Warmin, must decide for yourself if you wish to travel on or to return to your men in the east. Farewell.”

  Tiuri and Warmin bowed and returned to the courtyard, where the others were waiting impatiently.

  “What did the knight have to say?” Piak asked his friend.

  “Good news!” said Tiuri. “Slither’s been captured. A messenger brought the news.”

  “Captured? Really?” whispered Piak.

  “Yes,” said Tiuri. “Apparently so.”

  Piak looked at him with gleaming eyes. “That’s excellent news,” he said. “Now I won’t have to keep jumping at every shadow and looking behind every bush.”

  Warmin came and stood beside them and cleared his throat.

  “What is it?” asked Tiuri.

  “So, then. What should we do?” he said. “Shall I come with you or not?”

  “You may leave us with a clear conscience,” said Tiuri.

  “Well, if you say so…” said Warmin. “You see, I’ve been wondering why my men asked me to return so quickly. And if you no longer need our help, I’d like to go and see where it’s needed. Something is amiss in this country. Trouble seems to be brewing… But,” he continued, “if you want me to, I’ll gladly come with you. I now see you as my commanding officer, no matter if that sounds foolish, as you are so much younger than I.”

  Tiuri held out his hand and said, “I thank you for your help, Warmin. And please thank the toll master for us. We shall do so ourselves when we return to the Rainbow River.”

  “Fine,” said Warmin. “But I won’t let you go until I’m certain you’re properly armed. It might not be needed, but it can’t hurt. An imaginary bow and arrows won’t do you much good! I’ll find you some real ones, and I’m sure they can spare some chainmail from the armoury here.”

  It took some time for the equipment to be gathered together and handed over to the two friends. “Phew! Do I really have to wear this thing?” asked Piak, after he’d put on chainmail for the first time in his life. “I’d prefer an ordinary shirt.”

  Warmin smiled. “You’ll get used to it,” he said. “It’s good protection, so it’s worth wearing.”

  “Then I’ll keep it on,” said Piak with a sigh. “But I really have no need for that bow. I couldn’t hit a mountain, even if it was three feet away.” Then he changed his mind. “No, give it here,” he said with a grin. “It might look good with the chainmail.”

  The two friends said goodbye to Warmin and his men and headed along the road to the west.

  “So now it’s just the two of us again,” said Piak. “So, what do you think? Do I look a bit more like a squire now?”

  4 THE BEGGAR AT THE GATE

  And, of course, Tiuri had to tell Piak exactly what Sir Ivan had said to him.

  “Well, I’m glad he let us leave so soon,” said Piak. “I was a bit worried that we’d be held up again. Perhaps we should have disguised ourselves. A couple of old men with beards maybe?”

  Tiuri laughed. “And where were you hoping to find these beards?” he asked.

  “I don’t have to think about that now,” replied Piak, “since it’s no longer needed.” Then he looked around at the landscape and said, “You know, these hills are a bit like the mountains, and it’s true enough that they’re beautiful, but I’ll be glad when we’re away from here. How about you?”

  “Me too,” said Tiuri.

  Tiuri and Piak would always associate the Hills of the Moon with those hours of anxiety, the threat of the wicked Slither and, above all, the young scribe who had died there.

  To their relief, they had soon left the hills behind and entered a region that looked completely different, with rolling fields of golden corn and green meadows and horse paddocks, interspersed with dark patches of woodland. They saw lots of people, and villages and farms and, now and then, the distant towers of a castle.

  In the afternoon, it started to rain, but that didn’t spoil their mood or slow them down. They even rode on for some time after the sun had gone down. The weather was dry by then and the pale light of the moon lit up their path and gleamed in the puddles on the road. Frogs croaked in the ditch by the side of the road and crickets chirped in the long grass.

  “We could just keep going all night,” Piak whispered.

  But Tiuri shook his head. He looked over his shoulder at the Hills of the Moon, where they had left the danger behind. And yet he was still on his guard, as if he were travelling through a hostile land. Why was that? He hadn’t felt that way during the daytime. So why did he now feel as if they were being followed and spied on again? It was foolish! He decided not to mention his feelings to Piak, but to find a safe place to sleep as soon as possible.

  When they came to a barn, they decided to spend the night there. But no sooner had they led their horses inside than a dog started barking. Then they heard footsteps, and a deep voice called out, “Who’s there?”

  Tiuri peered around the door to see a man with a lantern in his hand. A large dog was jumping around his legs. Tiuri hesitated as he considered how to respond and Piak didn’t reply either. The dog left its owner and ran towards the barn, wagging its tail.

  “Look, Parwen,” the man called to his dog. “It seems I have guests in my barn! Well, that’s fine, just as long as I know who they are.”

  Having heard that, Tiuri dared to venture outside. Piak followed him. “Good evening,” Tiuri said to the farmer. “May we stay the night here?”

  “Certainly,” said the man. “But you’re welcome to come to the house with me if you prefer. There’s an empty bed and you’re sure to get a better night’s sleep there. And maybe the wife can rustle up some food for you.”

  The friendly farmer was so insistent that he persuaded Tiuri and Piak to accept his invitation. Soon they were sitting with the farmer and his wife in the kitchen, eating bacon pancakes.

  “Our thanks for your kind hospitality,” said Tiuri.

  The farmer smiled. “You’re welcome,” he said. “It’s late to be out and about. Are you on your way to the city?”

  “You mean the City of Unauwen?” said Piak.

  “Yes, which other city would I mean? Although there are, of course, other cities and…” Then the farmer paused and said, “Listen. Parwen’s barking again. I’ll just go and see who’s there.” He picked up his lantern and headed outside.

  “Where are you two boys from?” asked the farmer’s wife.

  “Oh, from far away,” replied Tiuri.

  “From the Great Mountains to the east,” Piak said.

  “Really?” she exclaimed. “Then you have travelled a long way! Have you been to Dangria? And did you cross the Rainbow River? Did you pick flowers in Ingewel and see the moon shining on the hills? Such beautiful sights… I’ll tell you something, though. The king’s city is the most wonderful sight of all.”

  “Do we still have far to go?” asked Piak.

  “Oh, no. Not far. You could be there by tomorrow afternoon if you wake up with the chickens.”

  T
hen the farmer returned and said, “I couldn’t see anyone out there. It’s strange, though. The dog doesn’t normally bark for no reason.” He turned to the two friends. “I don’t know what time you boys want to get up tomorrow,” he said, “but I think it’s about bedtime.”

  “Yes, you look tired,” his wife agreed. “Come with me. I’ll show you to your bed.”

  “These people are so kind,” whispered Piak, when they were in bed.

  “You’re right,” agreed Tiuri.

  Outside, the dog started barking again and Tiuri wondered what it was barking at, but then he smiled and thought, Let the dog bark! We’re lying safe inside, behind closed doors.

  Piak soon dozed off and the dog settled down, but Tiuri lay awake for a long time, staring into the darkness, before finally falling asleep.

  At the first cockcrow, the two friends got up, thanked the farmer and his wife again and set off on their way. The weather was good; there was a strong westerly wind, but the sun was shining. At first, they rode through a landscape that was similar to the countryside they’d seen the day before. Later, the road led through a forest and up a hill and when they reached the top… they saw the City of Unauwen lying there in front of them.

  It was a large city; there were so many towers, nothing but towers in fact, white and silver, glinting in the sun. They reined in their horses and stood there for a moment, just gazing at the city. The end of their journey was in sight!

  Then they urged on their horses and galloped swiftly onwards. The road became much busier at that point, with other byways joining it, and they soon realized that they were not the only travellers heading to the capital. They still had quite some way to go, and they did not spare their horses. The closer they came to the city, the more they longed to be there.

  The City of Unauwen was built on gentle hills, and it was not grey and enclosed by a high wall, but light and open. It spread out over a wide area, and had low walls and lots of gates and steps, and towers with gold weathervanes glinting on top. A gleaming river flowed into the city from the south; Tiuri knew it must be the White River. In the distance, to the north, there were higher hills, which glowed red in the sun, and more hills rising up behind them like a rainbow and vanishing into the mists. Many roads led to the city, all good, wide roads like the one the two friends were riding along.