Sword of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  “I’m riding off in the morning for Wincaster, the king will surely send help,” said Arthur.

  “No, ride to Shrewesdale. The king is there, there’s no one in Wincaster to help you.”

  “But what about Marshal-General Valmar?” he asked.

  “By now he’s already on his way to Shrewesdale,” she said.

  Arthur looked downcast, his trip of two more days had now become weeks. “Aye,” he said, “then I’d best get to bed, for I’ll have to rise early to make up the miles. I’d advise you do the same.”

  She considered his words carefully; arriving at the estate at this late hour would accomplish little. Better to clean up and rest the night, visiting first thing in the morning.

  * * *

  Beverly arose later than she had intended the next morning, for fatigue had taken its toll. She forced herself to awaken, eating a hasty breakfast and then saw to her horses. The innkeeper was kind enough to provide directions, and so, a little while later she found herself riding up to the Uxley Estate. She entered the grounds through the large open gate, glimpsing the white stone building in the distance; a number of people stood out front, watching her approach.

  As she got closer, she recognized Gerald Matheson beside a young girl with blond hair, obviously the princess. On the other side of the princess was a younger bald man. A formidable dog sat next to the small group, watching her every move.

  Beverly increased her speed, dismounting mere feet from the dog, hoping she didn't startle it. She drew her sword and knelt in front of the girl, the point of her blade held against the ground.

  “Your Highness, I pledge my life, my sword to your service,” she spoke the oath with all the feeling she had been holding in reserve for this moment.

  The young girl looked back with a blank expression. “I don’t understand,” she said.

  It was Gerald that spoke, “She’s pledging to serve you, offering to become your knight, your protector.”

  “Why would she do that?” asked the young girl.

  Beverly spoke quickly, felt the jumble of words tumble out of her mouth, “Long have I sought someone worthy to serve, Your Highness.”

  The princess still looked confused, “What makes you sure I’m worthy,” she innocently asked.

  Beverly kept her eyes on the girl for a moment; was she serious? She glanced at Gerald's solemn face. “The fact that Gerald Matheson is here is proof enough for me,” she said. “He has always been a loyal servant of the crown.”

  The princess focused her intense gaze back on Beverly. “But I’m not looking for a knight, though I’m flattered of course.”

  Beverly’s mind raced. How could this child not want protection? Could her life here have been so secluded? Then it dawned on her, “Have you not heard the news, Your Highness?” she asked.

  “What news?” asked the girl.

  “The kingdom has been invaded. An army from Westland crossed the border and a second, from Norland, has attacked Bodden. We’re at war!”

  A strange look passed between Gerald and the girl before the princess spoke, “It is the obligation of the nobility to protect the people.”

  “Those are my father’s words,” Beverly pointed out, surprised.

  “Interesting,” said Anna, “I learned them from Gerald, he’s quite the teacher.”

  “It appears we have something in common, Highness, he taught me as well.”

  The bald man coughed.

  “Oh,” said Gerald, “allow me to introduce Master Revi Bloom, the Royal Life Mage.”

  The wizard bowed slightly, “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Dame Beverly.”

  “And you, Master Bloom. Though I’m surprised to see you here. I would have thought you’d be with the king.”

  “Alas,” he replied, “my skill is not sufficient to impress His Majesty, and so I have remained at Uxley in the company of the princess.”

  “Should we not make preparations, Your Highness?” asked Beverly. “Time is of the essence.”

  Gerald looked back at the princess, “I’ll tell the captain, Your Highness, and have him assemble the men.”

  “Yes,” she agreed. “Come inside, Dame Beverly, and we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”

  Beverly spoke up, “There’s no room for discussion, Your Highness, we must get you to Wincaster as soon as possible.”

  The young girl turned on her suddenly, “We’ll go to Wincaster if, and when I decide. I’m the royal here, and you have pledged your service to me, not the other way around.”

  Beverly felt her cheeks flush; she had overstepped in her zeal, and she cursed herself for her impetuousness. “Yes, Your Highness, sorry if I’ve caused any offense, I’m only concerned for your safety.”

  “It’s all right,” the princess said as she led them into the Hall. “I’m sure you didn’t mean any offense. Gerald has told me a little about you; I'm lucky to have someone of your skill in my service. What do we know about the attackers?”

  “Not much I’m afraid, there are rumoured to be close to a thousand or so men attacking Kingsford, and we can probably expect a similar number at Bodden.”

  “How do you know that?” the princess asked.

  “My father wouldn’t send for help for anything less. The Keep there will stand a siege for a considerable length of time.”

  “So our priority should be Kingsford,” said the princess, musing to herself.

  “Excuse me, Your Highness?” said Beverly. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” continued Princess Anna, “that any move to defeat the invaders would have to march to Kingsford first. Is the king in Wincaster?”

  “No, Your Highness, he winters in Shrewesdale.”

  “And who commands in his absence?” she enquired.

  “Marshal-General Valmar, but he’s likely sent word to the king already.”

  “Will Valmar march to Kingsford, do you think?”

  Beverly thought quickly. What she knew of Valmar was not encouraging. “No, I don’t believe so, he is a cautious man.”

  “Have you spent much time in Wincaster?” asked the princess.

  “A number of years, Highness. Why do you ask?”

  “What kinds of troops are stationed in the Capital?”

  She had to think this over carefully. As far as she knew, there were a couple of companies of archers, some foot soldiers and some heavy foot that made up the Royal Guard. “I should say about 300 foot, 100 of those are Royal Guards, there’s also two companies of archers and two companies of light horse. Certainly not enough to take on an invading army of a thousand or so troops, and pulling them out would leave the capital defenceless.”

  They waited in the great hall until Gerald returned with another man. “This is Captain Arnim Caster,” he said introducing the new arrival. “He commands the princess’s bodyguard.”

  Beverly eyed the man suspiciously, “You were sent by Marshal-General Valmar, weren't you?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Caster replied, adding quickly, “but I serve the princess.”

  The two weighed each other carefully, neither one trusting the other. Had Valmar already inserted his control over the princess? Was Beverly too late?

  “Gerald,” said the princess, “Lady Beverly wants us to go to Wincaster. What do you think?”

  Gerald looked at Beverly, then back to the princess. “I think it’s the best option until we know more. We need to find out what’s happening in the capital.”

  Anna nodded, “Then it’s decided, we’ll go to Wincaster. Once we’re there, we can determine what to do next.”

  “Your Highness,” said Beverly, “Marshal-General Valmar commands in Wincaster, he’ll have control of the troops.”

  “Not when a royal is in residence,” said Anna confidently. “Don’t worry, Dame Beverly, I know how the law works.”

  Beverly was pleasantly surprised and relieved; this little girl appeared far wiser than her age would indicate.

  Twenty-Eight


  The Temple

  Spring 960 MC

  Captain Caster nervously paced back and forth in front of his assembled men. Appearing to have finished with his internal discussion, he walked over to the princess.

  “What is it?” she asked him.

  “One of my men is missing. I sent him out earlier to find you, and he hasn’t returned.”

  Gerald, who was beside her, looked to Beverly, “We’ll find the missing man and then catch up; you should get the princess to safety in Wincaster.”

  “No,” said Beverly, “it would be better if we all travelled together.”

  “I agree,” said the princess. “Let's get a search party out and find him; he might be injured.”

  They organized a search party and rode out across the grounds, determined that none should be left behind. Forming a long line, within hailing distance of each other, it didn’t take long to locate him. As chance would have it, Beverly was the one who found him. As she was crossing the old crop field she came across a derelict well that was boarded up. Its walls were long since ruined and boards had been placed over what was now little more than a hole in the ground. A few of the boards were freshly broken and cracked. Dismounting, she called the others over, and then stared into the darkness, yelling into the shaft, only to be greeted by some moaning.

  Revi Bloom knelt at the side of the hole, peering into the gloom. He uttered words foreign to Beverly while holding his hands in front of him, palms facing upwards. A small globe of light appeared, floating just above his hands. It was bright, as bright as a lantern, and as he stared at it, it began to move through the air, through the cracked wood and into the old well. Well, this was an interesting development, thought Beverly, but she didn't have time to investigate it further, they were here for a reason.

  Beverly and Revi both looked down as the globe of light descended; it soon reached the bottom where they could make out the injured soldier. He was about twenty feet down and lying across roots which appeared to have broken both his fall and his leg, for it was twisted painfully beneath him.

  By now the others had joined them and formed a circle around the well. “I’ll get a rope,” offered Gerald, making his way to his horse.

  “It’s my man,” said Arnim, “I’ll go down and get him.”

  “You’d better take Revi with you,” added Anna. “It looks like he'll need some healing.”

  “What can I do to help?” Beverly offered.

  “Stand by up here,” said Gerald; returning with a rope, “We’ll need some muscle to pull him up.”

  Arnim tied a loop in the rope, and then placed his foot inside it, while the rest lowered him down. Revi stood by, controlling the floating light. It didn’t take long for Arnim to reach the injured man and a moment later he called up. “His leg is definitely broken, but I can get him loose. It might be best to heal him up there, where you can see him better.”

  They all agreed, and a moment later they were hauling the poor fellow up. Arnim remained below on the side of the well where it had partially collapsed, forming a small ledge for him.

  Revi laid his patient out, and went to work, calling up arcane forces to repair the leg. Beverly was amazed as she watched. Moments later no blood or bruising remained, save for what had bled onto the guard’s clothes.

  A shout from the well grabbed their attention.

  “I found something down here,” yelled Arnim, “a flat surface. It’s got runes or something on it.”

  Revi helped the wounded man to his feet and then passed him off to the other guards. “Take him back to the Hall, he’ll need to rest for a time; he’ll be a little weak.” Revi made his way back over to the well. “Lower me down,” he said. “I’ll take a look.”

  Once again Beverly helped lower the rope, watching from the top as the mage and the captain examined the runes.

  “It looks like an ancient language,” said Revi. “Hold on, I’m going to cast a spell.”

  They heard a faint noise as he called upon the arcane powers once again, and then he commanded the glowing light to come closer to the wall. “I was correct. It's an ancient language, Saurian to be exact, but I can’t fully comprehend what it says.”

  The princess suddenly took an interest, then Beverly saw her turn to Gerald. “Gerald, we must go and get Lily, she might be able to read it.”

  Gerald nodded, “All right, but I don’t know if she’ll come for me, you’d better come as well.”

  Anna nodded, then peered down the well, “We’re going to get some help. See if you can clear away the wall, maybe some of it’s covered by dirt. Beverly, you come with us.”

  Beverly leaped onto the back of Lightning, and the sturdy horse, as if sensing something important, fidgeted as it strained to be let loose. Riding across a significant portion of the estate, she wondered where they were going. It was only after entering the wetlands that they finally slowed their pace.

  “Wait here,” commanded Anna, before she and Gerald dismounted and started moving down into a grotto.

  "Let me go," yelled Beverly, "you've got a bad leg, it'll take too long."

  Gerald looked back at her and patted his thigh. "Not anymore," he said, "the mage saw to that."

  It was at that moment that Beverly noticed Gerald was walking without a limp. "When did he do that?"

  "Years ago," he called back as he turned to follow the princess.

  Beverly cursed her father, for he must have known about this ages ago. She wondered what else he was withholding from her as she waited patiently, still not understanding what was going on. A few moments later they emerged with a small being, about Anna’s height, walking between them. The creature looked like a lizard, but walked upright, like a Human. It wore no clothes but had a cloth satchel slung across its shoulders. Anna stopped and then pointed at her, saying, “Beverly."

  The creature looked up at her, “Bev - er -ly,” she repeated in a sing-song voice.

  “Beverly, this is Lily,” she made the introductions as if seeing an upright lizard was an everyday occurrence. “She’s a Saurian.” Anna saw the look of bewilderment on Beverly’s face and smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s a long story, and we’ll fill you in on the way back to the well.”

  Anna mounted her horse, holding her hand out expectantly for Lily. The diminutive thing hesitated only a moment or two, and then grabbed the proffered hand, hauling herself up and placing her arms around the princess’s waist.

  The princess told Beverly all about the strange creature as they road back to the well. Lily was the name that Anna had given her; this strange being that was one of oldest races in the land, according to Revi. It was thought that the Saurians had died out centuries ago, she explained, but she and Gerald had found Lily, and they had become friends. Now they wanted her help to unlock whatever was below the well.

  They arrived back at the well with their new companion, but to Beverly's surprise, the guards took it all in stride. She must be the only one here who didn't know that Saurians still existed. The princess brought Lily over to the well and asked for them both to be lowered down.

  “Your Highness,” Beverly interrupted, “if you’re going down, allow me to go first. It's my duty to keep you safe.”

  The princess looked to Gerald, who merely nodded. “Go ahead,” she said, “but it’s going to get crowded down there.”

  A shout came from the well. “We’ve opened a door,” said the mage, "and it leads to a corridor of some length.”

  “Hold on,” yelled Anna, “we need to get more people down before you go charging in.”

  They lowered Beverly first. Brick lined the side of the well, but as she got closer to the door, the brickwork changed and appeared to be more of a fitted stone. Arnim and Revi were standing in the doorway, with a door unlike any she had seen before. Rather than being hinged on one side, it pivoted in the centre so that one side swung out while the other swung in.

  Beverly drew her sword as Revi floated the light into the corridor before them. The floor
was constructed of stones fitted together, and the walls appeared to also be set with stone, but she could see no mortar in either design. The globe continued to levitate down the hall as Arnim and Revi entered behind her.

  Soon, Anna and Lily were there, with Lily chattering excitedly. The mage incanted another spell, and Lily began conversing with Anna in a rapid dialogue.

  “Lily thinks it’s a temple,” translated the princess.

  “That would make sense,” Revi concluded. “The Saurians traded all over Merceria, well before it was Merceria, of course.”

  Beverly looked at the young mage. “Your wisdom impresses me,” she said. “You look so young for someone so knowledgeable.”

  “Andronicus kept me hard at the books for years,” he replied. “I hated it at the time, but now I appreciate all the work.”

  “What else do you know about these people?” she asked, as they made their way down the corridor.

  “The Saurians, that’s our name for them, are thought to be the oldest race. They populated this land along with the other Elder races; the Elves, Dwarves, Orcs and such before Merceria was formed. They were an advanced race who traded with everyone. It’s said that they could travel unhindered, but I have no idea what that means. In those days they helped the other races advance their cultures, build cities and such. They were known as teachers and masters of knowledge.”

  “What happened to them?” she enquired.

  “No one knows for sure, but by the time of the coming of man, they had withdrawn from the land. Perhaps they saw the advance of Humans and decided their time was waning or perhaps some calamity befell them, no one knows for sure. Until they found Lily, I would have said they were extinct.”

  They soon came to a corridor that led to their right. “What do we do now?” asked Anna.

  “I say we split up,” suggested Arnim. “We can cover the area quicker that way. We have no idea how big this place is.”

  “I can only control one light at a time,” reminded Revi.

  “That’s all right,” interrupted Anna, “I brought a lantern down with me. Give me a moment to light it.” She knelt down and made a small pile of straw, then pulled out a flint and steel. A couple of strikes and she had some sparks.