"Penelope? You think that likely?"
"Quite frankly I just don't know, but you must take precautions."
"You have something particular in mind, I can tell," she said.
"I do. I won't mention this to anyone else, but you must ensure Revi is kept safe. If he were to fall into enemy hands, they might find out about the gates."
"You think he'd talk?"
"No, but she practices dark magic. For all we know, she might be able to force the information out of him with a spell."
"Can I tell Hayley?" she asked.
"If you see fit, but don't tell too many people, and whatever you do, don't tell Revi. The last thing we need is for him to be looking over his shoulder."
"Don't worry, we'll keep him safe."
"Make sure you do, he's more valuable than a gate location. If things go sour, get him out of there at all costs."
"I'll do as you say, General."
"This is not a command, Beverly, it's a request from one friend to another."
"Understood, Gerald. Don't worry, we'll look after him."
"Get the men sorted out quickly. You'll set out at sunrise."
"I'll find my father and make arrangements," promised the red-headed knight.
* * *
As it turned out, the baron was most accommodating, though he insisted he send his own man to help. So it was that early the next morning a dozen of the Bodden horse stood ready to ride, Beverly and Heward at their head.
"This mage of yours," said Heward, "he must be valuable."
"He is," she assured him. “He's the reason we can use the gates."
"A fascinating thing, those gates. I shall have to see one someday. What's it like when you travel through them?"
"Actually, it's a rather strange sensation. Perhaps, when we get back, I'll get Aubrey to take us through. You can see the Saurian home temple."
"I'd like that," said Heward. "Tell me, how is that smith of yours?"
She smiled, "He's well. My father brought him with us to Tewsbury. His smithing duties have kept him busy, but we've managed to spend some time together."
"I'm surprised you didn't want to bring him on this expedition," he said.
"No, I'd rather he were safe here with the army. I'd hate to put him in danger."
"But it's all right to put me in danger?" he added with a grin.
"That's different, and you know it. You're a knight. Aldwin knows how to take care of himself, but he'd be a distraction for me in battle, I'd be constantly worrying about him."
"I can understand that," said Heward. "Don't worry, he'll be safe enough." He looked around conspiratorially, "After all, there aren't THAT many good looking women here."
"Very funny," she said. "When this war's over you should become a bard."
"You think so?"
"No," she said. "Now, where are the others?"
Heward looked westward, where the road curved around the old church. "Here they come now, if I'm not mistaken."
Beverly turned her gaze to see the rest of their party. Hayley and Revi were trotting in the lead, a dozen Orcs following along at a jog.
"Don't they get tired?" asked Heward.
"No," said Beverly, "at least I've never seen them so. They can run at that speed for hours."
"I wish we had more of them in the army," observed the Axe.
"So do I, Heward, so do I."
"Bev," called out Hayley, "I see you're all ready to go."
"Yes," she replied, "though I don't know if you've met Sir Heward."
"The Axe, isn't it?" asked the ranger.
"Yes," replied the knight, "and you must be the archer that Beverly told me about. A fellow Dame of the Hound, if I'm not mistaken."
"Indeed I am, and this is Master Revi Bloom."
"Your reputation precedes you, Master Bloom," said Heward. "We are most fortunate to have you on this expedition."
"You serve the baron, don't you?" asked Revi. "I seem to remember you did your part at the Battle of the Crossroads."
"Is that what we're calling it?" asked Heward. "Yes, I suppose I did, but then again, we all did. If I remember correctly, it was your skills that helped many of our men survive their wounds. We are grateful to have you."
"If we're done extolling each other's virtues," said Hayley, "can we be on our way?"
"Certainly," said Beverly. "Why don't you ride up front with me, Hayley, then the men can spend all their time complimenting each other."
Hayley grinned at Revi, "I believe that's an excellent idea." She urged her horse toward the head of the column, the nimble Archon Light almost prancing as she did so. “Where's Aldus?" she asked.
"He’s ahead of us. He left early to commune with nature,” Beverly replied.
They set off at a slow pace, waiting to clear the city gates before picking up speed. The women rode in silence for some time while the two men chatted away, then Hayley turned to her companion, "Tell me, Bev, now that you've had time to spend with Aldwin, how was it?"
Beverly merely smiled and rode on.
Twenty-Seven
The Ruins
Summer 962 MC
The group headed north, through the remains of Hawksburg, and then took the road to Mattingly. A week after leaving Tewsbury they reached the coordinates that Revi had calculated as a gate location. It wasn't hard to tell where the dig was; the noise of the workers alone was enough to give it away. The first sound that caught their ears was that of a whip.
As they drew closer, large mounds of freshly dug dirt blocked their path, requiring them to dismount. Beverly, Hayley, Revi and Aldus Hearn moved forward on foot, leaving Heward in command of the troops.
A group of tents were set up to the east of their present position, but the freshly dug earth ahead promised a greater prize. They crawled forward, using the mounds as cover as they peered over. At first glance, they spotted a shallow pit, only about a Troll's height in depth, but looking further, they discovered it stretched across an area the size of a jousting field.
"They've been busy," said Hayley.
"Indeed they have," agreed Revi. "It appears they have unearthed a Saurian Temple."
"It looks strange," commented Hearn.
"That's because they're normally under a hill," said Revi, "like at Queenston."
"Fascinating," mused the Earth Mage. "I can clearly see corridors and chambers. It looks like a series of tunnels."
"I rather suspect the Saurians created the structure and then moved the earth around it for extra security."
"It makes sense," said Hearn. "I, myself, can move earth. I take it these Saurians you speak of are powerful mages."
"They are, or at least, they were," said Revi. "It appears that is no longer the case. We found no evidence of any remaining spellcasters in their capital, though the high priest was able to work the flame once we showed him how."
"Fascinating," mused Hearn again.
As they watched, a group of six workers exited the structure carrying heavy wicker baskets with a soldier escorting them, or more precisely, watching them. They approached a small mound that was just before the temple entrance, then halted and began to empty the contents of their burdens.
"They're stripping the temple of its artifacts," said Revi.
"Yes," agreed Beverly. "I remember we found similar items at Uxley."
"Look, someone is approaching them," whispered Hayley.
Sure enough, a man drew closer to the pile created by the workers. He wore a rather plain looking tunic but carried himself like a noble.
"That must be Summers," said Hearn. "I think I've seen him before."
"You know him?" asked Revi. "Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"I didn't remember the name, but I met that man in Shrewesdale years ago."
"What were you doing in Shrewesdale?” asked Beverly.
"I studied under the great Sage Mezin. That man down there approached the sage with his theories, which, if I recall, were rather strange."
"What theories?" asked Revi.
"Something about the destiny of men to rule over all the other races. Mezin didn't take him seriously."
"How long ago was this?" asked Beverly. "I spent some time in Shrewesdale myself."
"Oh, quite some time ago, more than twenty years in fact, though I don't recall the exact date. Does it have relevance here?"
"Not really," she said. "Of more import to us is how we are to proceed."
"Let's get back to Heward and make our plans," suggested Hayley.
They were soon safely returned to their horses where Heward had posted lookouts. Sitting beneath a small cluster of trees, safe from prying eyes, they began to plan their next move.
"We need to get into those ruins," said Revi.
"Why don't we just attack the place," offered Heward, "we've enough soldiers."
"No," said Revi, "if we do that they might destroy something important. We need to see what they've been up to and what they've learned."
"We also need to find their notes," said Beverly. "I don't think they're going to keep those down at the dig."
"They'd be in the camp somewhere," suggested Hayley.
"Precisely," Beverly replied.
"Then we have to get into those tents," announced Aldus Hearn.
"During the day they're more likely to be down in the pit," said Beverly, "but at night they'll be in camp."
"I would suggest an infiltration of the camp first," said Hayley. "It would have to be during the daylight, and we'll need to watch for guards."
"I'm far more interested in that Saurian Temple," confessed Revi, "but I see your logic. The temple will have to wait for nightfall."
"We have to scout out their camp before we go in," said Beverly. "We don't know the layout, or how many guards they have."
"That guard down in the pit," asked Aldus, "what kind of armour was he wearing?"
"I'm not sure," said Beverly, "I've never seen its like before."
"Can you describe it?" asked Heward.
"Yes," said Aldus. "It looked like fish scales, small overlapping plates of metal."
"It sounds like scale mail," said the Axe.
"You're familiar with it?" asked Hearn.
"I've heard of it, though I've never seen it. I'm led to believe it's a foreign invention. I rather suspect these guards are foreign mercenaries."
"Like the Kurathians?" asked Revi.
"Yes, but from a different area. I'm not familiar with the world outside of Merceria, but I've heard tales of great kingdoms and empires."
"If the king has contacts outside of Merceria, it bodes ill for us," said Beverly.
"Indeed," added Revi, "it means our enemy's influence is quite considerable, but I doubt it's the king that has arranged things. I rather suspect it's the work of the Dark Queen."
"I assume you mean Lady Penelope?” asked Heward.
"I do. You might not know this, Sir Heward, but Lady Penelope is an Elf."
"She looked Human to me," defended Sir Heward. "She was at court as we passed through Wincaster on the way to Bodden."
"Yes," said Revi, "but she uses some type of magic to conceal her true appearance. I believe she's also a Necromancer."
"In the court of Merceria? No wonder we're fighting the crown. Do you suspect the king is one as well?"
"No," said Beverly, "but we think he's being controlled. I'm sure the princess would like to capture him and release him from whatever hold has taken him over, but it's doubtful that will happen. I rather suspect he'll fight to the bitter end."
"And so this foul Necromancer controls the kingdom?"
"She does," said Beverly, "though not for much longer. We'll take back Wincaster, and when we do her dark reign will come to an end."
"Do you think she's here?" asked Heward.
"I hope not," said Revi, shuddering. “The mage that was purported to be her brother conjured some very dangerous creatures at Redridge. If Penelope is here, we're all doomed."
"That doesn't sound like you, Revi," remarked Hayley, "you're usually much more positive."
"Don't worry, she's not here," assured Beverly.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Hayley.
"There would be more guards. Penelope doesn't travel anywhere without lots of protection."
"Good," said Revi, "that makes our job much easier."
"So where do we start?" asked Heward. "We want to sneak into camp, but we also need to get into the ruins. Have I missed anything?"
"No, that about sums up everything," said Hayley. "Let's start by observing the camp as Beverly suggested."
"Shellbreaker can help with that," added Revi.
"Here's what I propose," said Beverly, "We'll begin with the Bodden horse in reserve..."
The discussion went on for some time as they made their plans.
* * *
Hayley looked out from the trees. The Orcs were spread out in a thin line to either side of her, each one intent on the camp. She waved her hand, and then Beverly advanced, coming up to crouch beside her. "It's all clear," the ranger announced.
Beverly crept forward. "Wish me luck," she said, moving past Hayley. Revi and Aldus followed a few yards behind, each quickly crossing the distance to the first tent. They paused behind the shelter before looking back to where Hayley, her hand in the air, watched as the guard finished his circuit and then began moving north again. She silently chopped her hand down, and then Beverly advanced past the edge of the tent.
In the centre of the camp lay a much larger shelter, a pavilion of sorts, and it was to this that they made their way. Standing just outside the doorway, Beverly moved her head close to the canvas to listen. "I don't hear anyone," she whispered. "I'll go in first."
Drawing her hammer, she stepped inside. A moment later she reappeared. "It's safe," she said.
Following her in, they at first noticed a pile of furs, but what held everyone's attention was the table set up in the middle. Papers littered the surface, most held down with a stone to stop them from blowing away should a breeze enter.
"What do we have here?" muttered Aldus Hearn, picking up a note to examine it.
Beverly began rifling through the furs, looking for anything that might be of interest while the two mages looked over the table.
"This is interesting," said Revi, lifting a stone.
"What is it?" asked Aldus.
"It appears to be a rune stone."
Aldus Hearn looked at the object in Revi's hand. "I've never seen a rune like that."
"It's a new one," he explained, "or rather, new to us here in Merceria. I discovered a number of them when we studied the gate at Uxley."
"Fascinating," said Hearn. "These new runes, I take it they're what enable the gate to function?"
"Partially," said Revi in reply. "It's actually much more complicated. Each gate has a unique address that identifies it. After a starting sequence, you have to touch the appropriate rune stones in the correct order to activate the gate, then you can step through the flame."
"I'm confused," admitted the Earth Mage. "Is it a portal or a flame?"
"Both," said Revi. "We call them gates because they open and allow us to walk through them, like a gate, but in appearance, they're a green flame that you step through."
"Fascinating," said Aldus, and then returned his attention to the papers before him. "There are plenty of notes here, but none seem to indicate any knowledge of gates or flames."
"I agree," said Revi. "They talk mainly of artifacts, though there is some mention of solving a puzzle of some sort, whatever that may be."
"Perhaps the temple itself will provide the answers we seek."
Beverly, who had been looking through a bag of clothes, stood. "We haven't much time. The guards will be wandering back through camp soon. Have you two got what you came for?"
"It would take hours to sort through this lot," admitted Hearn.
"We'll take this stone," said Revi. "At least that way they'll be missing a rune. I do
ubt they've had time to identify it and even if they did, without it in their possession they won't be able to activate the gate."
"Fair enough," said Beverly, "but we need to move, now."
She opened the tent flap, peering outside. Off in the distance, she spotted Hayley, hiding amongst the trees. The ranger noticed her and gave a hand signal. Beverly backed into the tent, standing to one side of the flap and putting her finger to her lips.
The others froze. Outside, they heard a guard walking past. He paused a moment just beyond the doorway and then continued on his way.
Beverly counted to ten, before carefully peering outside again. The guard's back was toward her as he wandered away to the south. She waited for him to turn at another tent then waved the two mages forward.
They made their way past the other tents to find safety once again in the trees. Hayley let them pass, then brought up the rear after making sure they weren't being followed.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Revi sat in a small clearing examining the rune stone. "I'm not sure what type of stone this is," he said, "but I don't think it's from around here."
"I would agree," said the Earth Mage. "Do all the temples use the same?"
"Yes, at least all those we've seen."
"Interesting, it must have magical properties we're not aware of," said Aldus.
"I've seen runes etched on stone before," said Revi, "but not like this. It reminds me of the stonework we saw in Tivilton."
"Tivilton? Where's that?"
"Back in Weldwyn," said Revi, "what you would call Westland. We found an ancient ruin there."
"This is a most interesting mystery you've discovered," said Hearn. "I should love to help you unravel it."
"I look forward to it," said Revi, "but we must get this accursed war over with first."
"Agreed," said Hearn, "war spoils everything. Why can't we just all get along, it would make things so much easier?"
Just then a rustle among the trees interrupted them as Hayley stepped into the clearing.
"They're returning to camp," she announced.
"And?" asked Revi.
"And nothing. No one seems to have raised the alarm. They must not know you took that stone."
Fate of the Crown Page 29