“Why did you bother rescuing me?” asked Sydar.
“Three reasons,” smiled Alex. “One, you are a Red Sword, and we look after our own. Darin and Daevo were the other reasons.”
“Will they be alright in Tice?” questioned Sydar.
“I told them to say hello to Sergeant Soligan when they got there,” answered Alex. “I am sure that they will be cared for until you arrive. They are intelligent lads.”
“That they are,” Sydar attempted a smile. “I have heard that Tor is a nasty place. Why would you take such a young group there? Isn’t this artifact something that you and I can retrieve?”
“We are not even sure that it still exists,” frowned Alex. “If it does, there is only a small chance that it resides in Tor. Do not underestimate our group though. They are some of the finest fighters that I have ever ridden with.”
“You aren’t serious?” questioned Sydar. “Three of them are barely grown.”
“You were involved in an operation to restore Queen Marta to the throne,” said Alex. “Are you aware of why she wanted to return to Tagaret?”
“Her grandson was preparing to assume the throne,” nodded Sydar. “Why do you ask?”
“Her grandson, Prince Arik, is riding point right now,” smiled Alex. “Behind him is my wife, Jenneva. The other two are Tanya and Wylan. We call ourselves the Alcea Rangers.”
“The prince?” Sydar wondered aloud. “Does he know about me?”
“They all know,” nodded Alex. “Look, Sydar, you are not the first man to become overwrought with grief. It can happen to the best of men. My advice to you is to put it behind you. There are dangerous times ahead for all of us, and we need each other very much. Make your life count for something. It is too precious to waste.”
“I will try, Colonel,” nodded Sydar. “It is hard after failing my queen and then my sister.”
“You did not fail your queen,” smiled Alex. “She entered the city before I left. There was not a single casualty.”
“Blessed Sword!” exclaimed Sydar. “They really pulled it off then?”
“They did,” grinned Alex. “I would not be surprised to learn that she is in control of the city already. Someday soon, Arik will return to Tagaret and assume the throne.”
“I would love to be there that day,” grinned Sydar.
* * *
Adan held up his hand for quiet and pointed up towards the rocky ridge before them. Tedi looked up and scanned the ridge. He saw a slight glint of sunlight off a piece of metal and focused on it. As he watched, he saw a figure separate from the ridge and disappear behind the rocks.
“We are being observed,” Tedi said softly.
Adan nodded and grinned, “It is the gypsy way. I must have a talk with them about better precautions now that the sun shines again. That glint would alert anyone approaching the camp.”
Adan left the trail a league later, and they began climbing a narrow trail through the rocky terrain. The trail led through a narrow canyon. Tedi heard sounds and looked up at the rim of canyon. He caught the furtive movement above him and tensed.
“They are gypsies,” remarked Adan as he saw Tedi looking up. “Fear not.”
The narrow canyon widened into a large valley. Tedi gasped as he saw close to a hundred gaily-painted wagons in the valley. Shouts of welcome poured from all corners of the gypsy campsite as the trio rode into the valley. The gypsies ran and formed a corridor. The welcoming gypsies excitedly waved scarves over their heads and started singing, as Adan led the way through the two parallel lines of gypsies. Terrik stood grinning at the end of the human columns. Adan dismounted and hugged the gypsy elder.
“The king with a thousand lives,” Terrik shouted as Adan broke the embrace. “Let there be a feast to celebrate the return of our king.”
Thunderous shouts of jubilation rippled through the gypsies as they scurried to prepare a feast. Natia and Tedi dismounted and stood alongside Adan.
“And our princess returns with the basta as well,” grinned Terrik as Mandal and Hortice joined the group.
“He is not a basta,” grinned Natia. “Not any more. He has proved himself to be more gypsy than most of us. Tedi has rescued our king.”
Terrik stepped forward and embraced Natia. He nodded and grinned as he moved to Tedi and embraced him as well.
“Welcome home, son of the gypsies,” Terrik greeted Tedi.
Mandal and Hortice stepped closer and patted Tedi on the back.
“You have done the impossible,” congratulated Mandal. “Welcome home, brother. We look forward to hearing your tale of adventure.”
“What of Caroom?” asked Adan.
“He was fooled by the rock map,” reported Mandal. “I, too, would have been had Natia not let me in on the secret. We had people who were watching his movements for a while. The Lanoirian army gave up the chase and returned to Lori. Then we lost track of Caroom. There is nothing more to report.”
“So he was trying to lead the Lanoirians to our camp then,” frowned Adan. “It is a sad day when one of our own betrays us. We must remain vigilant for Caroom. I believe he will try again to betray us.”
“As sure as the sun rises and sets,” added Rax as she joined the small gathering.
Rax’s eyes spotted Tedi and Natia holding hands and she smiled. She leaned forward and kissed Tedi’s cheek. As she leaned close to Natia to kiss her cheek, she whispered, “Aren’t you glad you stopped using the wendalweed?”
Natia blushed deeply and smiled as she nodded. “I am very happy,” she whispered back as she squeezed Tedi’s hand.
“The tribes will become harder to hide as we grow more numerous,” commented Terrik. “With Caroom on the loose, he will eventually find us. We cannot leave that to chance.”
“Meaning that Caroom must be found and eliminated,” frowned Adan. “I fear that I agree with your assessment, Terrik. It will not be an easy task to find Caroom. He knows our ways well.”
“It will be a harder task to eliminate him,” frowned Terrik. “Only once have I seen him bested,” he added as he looked at Tedi, “and I fear that was a chance occurrence. It is going to take a lot of effort and manpower for us to accomplish this task.”
“Manpower that we cannot afford at this time,” nodded Adan. “Caroom gave the Lanoirians our scent, but I fear that my escape will force the Lanoirians to hunt us as they never have before.”
“We need to convene a war council,” interjected Terrik. “Nothing less will see us through the next few months.”
“I agree,” nodded Adan. “Our best plan will be to make the Lanoirians afraid to leave their cities. Unfortunately, that will make gypsies targets to be killed on sight. It will not be safe for men to be out tracking Caroom.”
“I will track Caroom,” offered Tedi. “I can pass myself off as a basta easily enough.”
“No,” frowned Natia. “You have risked enough already. This is a gypsy problem.”
“Am I a gypsy only when you want me to be?” questioned Tedi. “And a basta at other times? I know how to track, and I can best Caroom in a fight. There is nobody more suited to this task than me.”
“That would leave the tribes able to plan the attacks on the Lanoirians without distractions,” agreed Terrik. “The lad makes sense.”
Adan held up his hand for quiet as he stared at Tedi and Natia. Slowly he nodded his head.
“The gypsy people cannot request such a sacrifice from a newfound brother,” declared Adan. “It would be wrong of us to expect Tedi to solve our problem without risk to ourselves. I can accept Tedi’s help if another of our tribe will join in the hunt with him.”
After an awkward moment of silence, Natia spoke, “I will go with Tedi. I have pledged my life to our tribes, and I have pledged my life to him. If anyone can show our devotion to this hunt, it is I.”
“I expected no less of you,” Adan smiled sadly. “Go with the favor of Thun, our god of war, and return by the grace of Mya, our goddess of luck. May your hun
t be successful.”
Chapter 26
Banner of Alcea
“I don’t like the idea,” argued Oscar Dalek as he paced around the King’s Chamber in the Royal Palace. “You will be needlessly exposing yourself to harm. You have succeeded in gaining control of the government in Tagaret. Why risk it all now for some publicity?”
“It is not mere publicity,” Queen Marta insisted. “Yes, we control the government now, but what good is that if the people and the army still want to revolt? Everich drove these people to starvation. Can you blame them if they are a little skeptical about promises from their government?”
“No,” sighed Oscar, “I can’t blame them, but there must be a way we can do it without exposing you to the risk.”
“If they kill me,” retorted the queen, “you can take over the government and do it your way.”
“Another change in government would hardly inspire greater confidence,” Oscar shook his head.
“The Red Swords will protect the queen,” interjected General Gregor. “Nobody will get within a stone’s throw of her.”
“Are you forgetting that this city is infested with Black Devils?” asked Oscar. “Can your Red Swords protect her against magic?”
“I might be able to,” Fredrik stated softly.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Fredrik.
“You are a mage?” asked the queen.
“I am,” Fredrik replied sheepishly. “It is not something that I like to advertise, but I could hold a shield around the queen long enough for the Red Swords to capture the Black Devil, or get the queen off to a safe place.”
“Well there you have it,” the queen smiled at Fredrik. “Now that your objections are overruled, Oscar, what about the financial situation? Can we do it?”
“We have little choice,” frowned Oscar. “Gold will have no value in a dead city. Use whatever of my wealth you deem necessary. I suspect that will mean all of it.”
“Good,” nodded Queen Marta. “General, what about the cities defenses?”
“I think the details we worked out this morning are valid,” answered General Gregor. “The real question is whether or not the people of Tagaret will rise to the occasion.”
“They will rise,” smiled the queen. “Never underestimate the good people of Tagaret.”
“I still question the wisdom of opening the gates of the palace grounds to the citizens,” interjected Konic. “Remember that the people of Tagaret have been rioting. The wall around the Royal Palace is your last line of defense from the angry mobs.”
“Not exactly,” corrected the queen. “Guarding the entrances to the Royal Palace itself will be enough protection for me. I want as many people as possible to hear my speech. The grounds of the palace can accommodate thousands of people. Besides, I want the people to see our new banner of Alcea.”
“Banner of Alcea?” asked Alan.
General Gregor walked into a small room off of the King’s Chamber and returned with a cloth banner. He held it up for all to see. The banner featured a bright green reptile with black wings. A brilliant red tongue and eyes of fire added startling realism to the colorful dragon.
“That is the mark on Arik’s chest,” declared Fredrik.
“Indeed it is,” smiled the queen. “It is the ancient emblem of Alcea. Arik is the future king spoken of in the Ancient Prophecy. It is for him that we have gathered here to preserve the country. It is time that the people of Tagaret knew about it.”
* * *
Kendal ducked into the abandoned carriage factory. Sheri saw him enter and waved him over.
“Another search?” Sheri asked anxiously.
“Not today,” Kendal shook his head. “The Council no longer rules Tagaret. The queen has taken over.”
“What did she give the troops a day off while she celebrates her victory?” quipped Jon. “Nothing will change for us.”
“You came just to tell us that?” asked Sheri.
“Not exactly,” smiled Kendal. “I always enjoy visiting you, but I also wanted to hide for a while. Colonel Salvo is trying to rally men to attack the queen when she gives her big speech today. I did not want to be in a position to have to refuse his order. I figured that I could just hide until it is over.”
“What big speech?” questioned Sheri. “And why does he want to attack the queen?”
“Duke Everich has been arrested for treason,” explained the Targa soldier. “He was the Council as far as the army was concerned. Colonel Salvo wants to free him.”
“Shouldn’t a soldier be concerned with someone taking over the government?” asked Jon. “Why are you afraid of your orders?”
“Did you feel the same when Kendal alerted us to raids?” scowled Sheri. “Now all of a sudden you are concerned about what is good for the Council?”
“I really don’t care who runs the government,” Jon shot back. “They are all filled with greed as far as I am concerned. Nobody cares that we will starve to death.”
“What is she like?” Sheri asked Kendal. “I don’t ever recall seeing her, even when King Byron ruled.”
“I have never met her,” Kendal answered. “I know the Red Swords adore her. That is what makes Colonel Salvo’s plans so foolish. Our army cannot stand up to the Red Swords. In fact, many of our men seem to like the Red Swords. We expected them to be smug and act as though we were dirt. They have behaved just the opposite. They hold training courses for the army that have waiting lists. They invite us to join with them in games and contests. I do not think that Colonel Salvo will find many men willing to attack the Royal Palace.”
“I would love to see her,” mused Sheri. “I doubt I would get anywhere near her, though.”
“Sure you can,” offered Kendal. “They are opening the grounds to the Royal Palace for the speech today. Anyone can enter. I suspect it will be quite crowded though. Most of the city will try to squeeze in to see what it is all about.”
“Sounds like a great time for a heist,” grinned Jon. “Strike while everyone is listening to the royal wench.”
“No,” scowled Sheri. “We have been through this before. We will not steal any more food until Arik’s money is gone. We agreed.”
“You agreed,” retorted Jon. “I promised nothing. Some foreigner gives you some gold and you can’t keep your mind off of him. I am not so easily swayed by pretty looks.”
“It is not his looks that sway me,” argued Sheri, “although I will admit that he is very handsome. He is different than any man I have ever met. There is a quality about him that speaks of righteousness and courage. As if everything is black and white in his mind. There is no room for gray or in between. He lives to fight evil.”
“What a dreamer,” laughed Jon. “He is just another foreigner tramping through Tagaret and looking for whatever he can lay his hands on.”
“Who is this foreigner?” asked Kendal with sadness in his eyes.
“He saved us from an ambush a few days ago,” answered Sheri. “He gave us a pouch of gold when he left. He wanted us to use the gold to buy food instead of stealing it.”
“Is he one of the two lads who held off the army?” asked Kendal. “Near the Falcon’s Hood?”
“Yes,” nodded Sheri. “The other one was named Wylan. They both left the city the next morning.”
“I heard about that,” Kendal said. “Some men spoke highly of their skills. They were beaten for it. It is not safe to voice your opinions under Colonel Salvo.”
“I want to go see this queen speak,” decided Sheri. “Will you take me, Kendal?”
“Certainly,” brightened the Targa soldier with a twinkle in his eye. “It will be fun, and you will be a good excuse as to why I was not in the barracks when Colonel Salvo came by.”
* * *
Konic, Alan, and Fredrik stood on the balcony of the Royal Palace, gazing down at the grounds that were already swelling with people. Fredrik scanned the rooftops of the surrounding buildings in search of any Black Devils who might wish to take
advantage of the queen’s appearance.
“See anything?” Konic asked softly.
“Nothing,” Fredrik answered. “That doesn’t mean the threat won’t materialize when the queen appears.”
“She is a courageous woman,” admired Alan.
Fredrik looked up and saw a higher balcony high above him. “I want to take a look from up there,” he said.
Konic followed his gaze and nodded. “It is time to get back inside anyway,” he added.
The three councilors entered the library that hosted the balcony.
“What does it look like?” asked General Gregor.
“Nothing so far,” answered Fredrik. “I noticed a balcony higher up. Can I have access to it?”
“Certainly,” nodded Queen Marta. “Before you go, I wanted to ask the three of you to serve on my new council. Will you accept?”
“I do not know that I can offer you much in the way of advice,” replied Konic, “but I offer you whatever you wish to avail yourself of.”
“I agree with Konic,” nodded Alan. “I will do whatever I can to see Arik on the throne.”
“Fredrik,” questioned the queen, “you seem hesitant. Is there a problem?”
“I am not sure that I am suited for such a lofty position,” frowned Fredrik. “I do not have the years of wisdom that Lord Clava and Lord Markel possess, nor do I have the intimate knowledge of Tagaret that Oscar and the General have. I want to do what I can for Arik, but I wonder whether my calling is here, or on the trail with the Alcea Rangers. Frankly, I miss the Rangers, but most of all, I miss Niki.”
“Where is Niki?” asked Oscar.
“She is with Master Khatama,” Fredrik answered. “He is planning on leaving the city today. Niki wants to leave with him.”
“You must follow your heart,” smiled Queen Marta. “Being on the Council is not the only way that you can aid the cause. Should you change your mind, you have but to ask.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” bowed Fredrik.
* * *
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