by Garry Spoor
She closed her book and acknowledge defeat.
“Morning Roland,” she called out.
“He said you would be here.”
He carefully made his way through the overgrown brush, the same brush she thought would keep visitors at bay. She was glad to see he wasn’t dressed in his finery. Not only did she feel uncomfortably underdressed when they were seen together, she would hate to be responsible for any tear he suffered on a loose branch. One of his outfits was probably worth more than she would earn in a year, working as a Hunter.
“Who said I would be here?” she asked when he finally untangled himself.
He dusted off his pants and picked a few dead leaves from his shirt. If he was this fussy walking through his own garden, she couldn’t imagine how he would act in the wild. “Alex said I would be able to find you in either the stables, the kennels or the hardest to reach area of my garden.”
“Remind me to thank him for his help,” Kile said as she set the book aside.
“You were missing when I got up this morning.”
“I felt like being alone for a while.”
“You didn’t even let Cenfus know where you were going.”
“He wouldn’t approve. He doesn’t seem to approve of anything I do.”
“He’s only looking out for you.”
“I’ve been looking out for myself all my life, I don’t need his help,” Kile replied as she got to her feet. “Besides, I don’t think he likes me much.”
“Did you or did you not threaten to stab him in the hand with a butter knife the other day?”
“No.” Kile replied. “It was a fork. And it definitely wasn’t going to be in his hand.”
“I rest my case.”
“He tried to shoo Vesper out of the room. Nobody touches my friends.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that,” he said as he reached down for the discarded book. He casually opened it and flipped through the pages. “You know, we do have more interesting books than these.”
“Yes, the romance novels,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously. “Funny thing to find in the King’s personal library. Quite a large selection too.”
Roland laughed. “I wasn’t referring to those,” he said. “Those were my mother’s, she was an avid reader. No, I was thinking of some of the more….”
“What? Proper books?”
He shrugged. “It’s not every day you see a young lady reading books on politics and war.”
“If there’s one thing I learned over the last year, it’s that I know very little about those subjects,” she replied. “You remember my first visit to Windfoil? I didn’t even know who you were. It was never important back in Riverport.”
“And it is now?”
“I just don’t like being left in the dark.”
“So, what do you want to know?” he asked.
Kile grinned. “Don’t even get me started,” she replied.
“Well, how about this. You walk with me in the garden and I’ll get you up to date on what’s happening in the political arena,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Only if I can lead the way,” she replied. “You’ll only get lost.”
She led him through the clearing and around the hill, where the foliage wasn’t so dense. Once they were back on the trail, they walked side by side.
“So, what’s happening on the western front?” she asked.
“Well, so much for small talk,” he replied.
“You said you would get me up to date, and I haven’t heard any news from the front.”
“Well, the truth is, it’s been relatively quiet. The valrik appeared to have withdrawn from the border for now, but we are keeping vigilant. They tried this before. I think it may be only a matter of time before they regroup and hit us again.”
“I don’t know about that,” Kile replied. “From what I’ve seen, the valrik don’t want any part of this war. I don’t think they’re as bad as what we’ve been led to believe.”
“I wish that were so, but what of the massacre at Grover’s Den?”
“Why do you bring that up?”
“You knew somebody who died there, didn’t you?”
“I’d rather not talk about that.”
“Fair enough, but, can you really say the valrik didn’t want the war after what they did there. And what about Coopervill? You knew people there too.”
“Yes, I knew people in Coopervill, but that was the work of the Valgar.”
“And the valrik fought right alongside them.”
“Only because they were forced to,” she argued.
“And who’s to say they won’t be forced again. My brother is still out there and he wants this war. I don’t know why, but he does, and he’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants. He’s always been like that,” Roland said, turning to face her. “Look, I know you want this war to end. So do I. And while I have big plans for the future, the safety of my kingdom must come first.”
“I know,” she replied. “It just… seems so pointless.”
“What war doesn’t?” he asked with a shrug. “Look, I shouldn’t be telling you military secrets and all, but there is a plan in the works which may see this war come to a definitive end, as soon as next spring.”
“What do you mean?”
“We now have reason to believe, the Alva once possessed a great artifact which could reclaim the wastelands and put an end to the Uhyre threat, once and for all.”
“Reclaim the wastelands?”
“The wastelands were once a great forest where the Alva lived. Until the Uhyre came. They brought with them a blight which corrupted the lands, killing off everything. It turned all the land into the desert we now have. The Alva was forced to flee, but they always swore they would return to heal their homeland. They tried living among the Aruvians, but our cultures were too different, and it wasn’t long before they departed from our shores, looking for a solution. Their races suffered greatly at sea, and their numbers have diminished, but, as you know, a few have actually returned, and they know of this artifact.”
“The Alva ambassadors in Forthbar,” Kile exclaimed.
“Exactly. They have come, seeking our help. They feel that if we can help them reclaim this artifact, and bring it to the wastelands. It will restore it to its original form and in the process, drive the Uhyre back to the mountains.”
“Do you trust them?” she asked.
“I don’t know about trust. There are a few details to the story which run counter to what I was taught as a child, but who’s to say what version of history is the truth. I’ve assigned a few scholars to look into the validity of the Alva’s tale. They’ve informed me, there might be something to it after all. If there is even a slight chance it will work, then I think it’s worth a try. Don’t you?”
“It seems a little unbelievable.”
“Says the woman who speaks with animals.”
Kile laughed. “I suppose if it does bring an end to the war...”
“It will, one way or another there will be an end.”
“But will things ever go back to the way they were?”
“Not everything,” Roland replied. “Some things will never be the same, and maybe that’s not all bad.”
“Maybe.”
They walked in silence for a while and Kile thought about what Roland just told her. It was the new version of the wasteland’s history, which nagged at her the most. It seems every race was blaming another race for the creation of the desert if it suited their own agendas. The vir blamed the Alva, the Alva blamed the vir, and now they were both blaming the Uhyre. Where did the truth actually lie? Umingoth had hinted the destruction was brought on by something the Alva were experimenting with, and if anyone would know, he would, but how much could you trust a dragon? And, if it was true, what were the Alva experimenting with? What could turn a thriving forest into a dead wasteland?
“So, what will you do, after the war?” Roland asked.
The questio
ns brought her back to the gardens, and she suddenly looked up at the young man she was walking with. Reality was starting to sink in.
“I’m sorry?” she replied.
“You know, you plans, for after the war? I assume you have some.”
She never thought that far ahead. Since rejoining the Guild, it felt like a daily struggled. One day at a time, she kept telling herself. So far it had gotten her through the worst of it.
“I have no idea,” she replied.
“Well, if it means anything. Yesterday afternoon the Callor forces, under Lord Bollen, have secured the province of Denal. Lord Ian Warren will be returning to take over his father’s place come this spring. So, the Denal province will be back up and running in no time, and I am assuming, so will Coopervill.”
“That’s good to hear,” she replied. “But, I don’t think I’ll be going back there.”
“But aren’t you stationed there?”
“Yeah, sort of. You see I quit the Guild before the war started. I only rejoined because I felt I had to.”
“And, once the war’s over?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to stay a Hunter or go off on my own. There’s so much of this world I haven’t seen. Do you know I haven’t even been to Baxter’s Bay yet? Everybody talks about it, but I’ve never seen it.”
“Well, between you and me, it’s a bit overrated. I know, I’m not supposed to say thing like that. It’s bad for the tourism. I mean, you should see it at least once, just to say you have.”
“Maybe I will, when this is all over.”
“What about home. You ever think about going back to Riverport?”
“That, I’m afraid, is no longer an option. I kind of burned my bridges when I scared the wits out of my sister-in-law.”
“You don’t have to tell me about family.”
“I suppose not,” she laughed. “Anyway, I have to deal with the mystics at the Tower first. See if I can get my head screwed on right before I make any decisions.”
“Well, there is one option you haven’t considered.”
“And what’s that?” she asked.
“You could always stay here… with me.”
Kile stopped and looked at him. “Roland, I…”
“No,” he said, holding his hand up. “You don’t have to give me an answer now. Just think about it. Do what you have to do at the Tower. Get yourself better, then decide. This place is always open to you. Well, I don’t have to tell you that. You’re the only one who’s ever managed to sneak into the place.”
“It’s… tempting.”
“Maybe this will sweeten the deal,” he said, and before she could say anything more, he leaned in and kissed her. For one brief moment, nothing else seemed to matter. Unfortunately, that moment was all too brief.
“Kile come quick.” Alex shouted as he came running into the garden. He slid to a stop when he saw her with the King. He always had the worst timing.
“What is it Alex?” She asked.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
“Out with it Alex. What’s so importation you’ve lapsed into your hyperactive chipmunk mode?”
“Grim’s at the front gate.”
“What? Is Tullner with him?”
“No, he’s alone.”
This wasn’t good, why would Grim be here, and where was Tullner?
“Grim? Your horse? What’s he doing here?” The King asked, looking between the two of them.
“That’s what I’d like to know. He was supposed to bring Tullner to Forthbar to warn Colonel Barshed of the Rojan.”
“But we already knew about the threat in the north,” Roland replied. “A Hunter arrived in the city, nearly two weeks ago. It gave us just enough time to muster the forces of Callor and Azintar, not that we needed to in the end.”
“That would have been Larks,” Kile explained. “We sent him to warn the Colonel of a possible threat, but it wasn’t until later we understood it ourselves. Ravenshadow sent men into Rojan, posing as your men to destroy their cities and ultimately rile them up enough to go to war.”
“So, that explains it.” Roland said, scratching his chin. “We couldn’t understand why the Rojan broke the treaty for no reason. It would seem I underestimated my brother.”
“Yeah, that’s why we had to block the Lutmorli pass.” Alex added.
Kile shot him a look.
“You blocked the pass?” Roland asked, looking at Kile. “How?”
“That’s a little difficult to explain.” She replied. The last thing she wanted to do was tell Roland about Umingoth. She needed to keep the existence of the dragon secret, and not just for the dragon’s sake. “Right now, we should get to Grim and find out what’s going on.”
“Fine, follow me, but we are going to talk about this later tonight.” Roland said as he led them out of the gardens.
They took the King’s personal passage, which cut through the royal chambers and led them out into the main baily were they were met by one of the gatehouse guards. He was a tall, stern- looking man with a sour face and he eyed Kile suspiciously before addressing the King.
“My Lord, we have a slight problem,” he said.
“What is it, Captain?” Roland asked.
“There appears to be a mountain pony just outside the gate, and he refuses to move.”
“Well then, let him in.”
The guard gave the King a curious look.
“I’m sorry, sir. Did you say you wanted us to let him in?”
“That’s right, Captain. Unless you are in the habit of leaving guests standing on our doorstep.”
“If you say so, sir.” The Captain replied. It was clear, by the look on his face, he thought the King had gone daft, and when he looked at Kile, it was also clear who he thought was to blame. Turning to his men, he shouted for the gate to be opened. The portcullis were slowly raised as four solders ran forward to remove the cross bar which barred the gate. Nobody stopped Grim from casually walking into Windfoil.
“What is it, what’s wrong?” Kile asks as she ran up to the mountain pony. At this point she didn’t care if the guards were watching her or not.
-Having a grand time here, are we?-
Grim said, looking over at the King. If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn he was jealous.
“That’s none of your business,” Kile replied. “Just tell me what happened? Where’s Tullner?”
-Your little soldier boy is where he’s supposed to be. I took him all the way to the city and dropped him off right in front of your Colonel’s headquarters. He was a little slow getting off, so I helped him on his way.-
“What did you do?”
-I just helped him get off a little faster, then I headed here. Someone has to keep an eye on you, so you don’t do something foolish.-
He said, looking at Roland.
-Looks like I might be too late.-
“Drop it, Grim.”
-As you wish. So, I kept my side of the bargain. Do you plan on keeping yours?-
“Are you sure Tullner’s fine?”
-I waited long enough to see him to the door. When he went inside, I took off. What they did to him after that, I neither know, nor care. He is not the most pleasant of traveling companions, although, he speaks very highly of you. He went on and on and on and on, it was getting rather tiresome. I thought about dropping him off half way, but I couldn’t find a cliff high enough to do the job properly. I don’t think he truly understands the level of communications we share, otherwise, he wouldn’t have said some of the things he said.-
“Like what?”
-Do you really want to know?-
Kile looked around to see the guards, as well as Roland, were now paying close attention to her. This was neither the time, nor the place for such a conversation.
“We will talk about this later,” she whispered to Grim.
-As you wish. Now, where are the stables in this place? It’s been a long walk and I’d like
to rest.-
“Alex, do you think you can show Grim, where the stables are?”
“Yeah, sure thing,” Alex replied as he set off across the baily. Grim plodded along behind him.
“Is everything okay?” Roland asked.
“Yeah, everything’s fine, he wanted to let me know he dropped Sargent Tullner off in Forthbar and came to collect his reward.”
“Sargent Tullner, what about the others who went with you?”
“Tullner went on ahead. He was to bring word to Colonel Barshed that the Rojan were under the misconception that you ordered the attacks on their cities. We wanted to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed, if at all possible.”
“But, if Tullner went on ahead, how is it that you and Alex arrived here almost a week earlier.”
Kile shrugged. “It’s a Hunter thing. Trade secrets, I can’t just tell anyone. The Guild has rules.”
“I see,” The King replied with a grin. “I guess I’ll just have to accept these little mysteries about you.”
“I suppose so,” she added as she set off toward the kitchen.
Roland caught up to her. “By the way,” he asked. “What does a horse get for a reward?”
“Apple pie, what else?”
***~~~***
31
It was another two days before members of the war council arrived, and with them, the first snowfall. All of Windfoil was covered in a white blanket as winter descended upon them from the north. Fires were lit in the great hall while the kitchen staff prepared large quantities of food. It was the first time in over a century that Windfoil would play host to such a large gathering of noblemen. Lords from the surrounding provinces as well as officers of the King’s Command filled every corner of the old castle. They were all eager to hear news and to give it.
From her hiding place on the balcony, Kile watched them file in. She had been offered a seat beside Roland at the head table, but she declined. For some reason, it just didn’t seem proper. She wasn’t noble and she wasn’t an officer, so questions would be raised by her presence there. Questions she didn’t want to answer, mainly because she didn’t know how. Things were moving too fast, and she was finding herself in some unfamiliar territory. Roland wanted something she wasn’t sure she was ready to give.