“You paint a grim picture,” frowned King Devon, “but we have more tricks than just the Castle of Man. You indicated that this Sarac is in a hurry. Would a delay of a week affect his plans?”
“Quite possibly,” nodded Alex. “I am not sure how much of a delay it would take, but eventually he would call off the attack because his window of opportunity would have passed. Do you think you could hold out that long?”
“There is a chance of that,” replied King Devon. “What is that instrument you are holding?”
“It is a gift from the elves,” stated Alex as he handed it to the king. “It magnifies things. It is called a scope.”
King Devon held the scope to his eye and peered into the pass. A smile spread across his face as he raised the scope up the side of the mountain near the center of the pass. Alex estimated where the king was looking and vowed to check it out with the scope later.
“An excellent device,” declared the king as he handed the scope back to Alex. “At what price would you consider parting with it?”
“As I said,” Alex frowned, “it was a gift. I would be insulting the givers if I were to part with it.”
“I wouldn’t part with it either,” laughed King Devon. “I knew you would refuse. You bring up an interesting problem though. We must find a way to protect the Castle of Man when the enemy gets in close.”
“Archers on the lower levels could wreak havoc on the enemy,” suggested Arik.
“That is already set up,” nodded the king.
“Destroying the permanent part of the bridge would slow them down,” offered Tanya.
“Yes,” nodded King Devon. “That is a thought, but one that I would avoid unless it is absolutely necessary.”
“Fire is your best bet,” declared Alex. “Yaki can be made into running torches.”
“I like your thinking, Alex,” grinned the king.
“Is it possible to gain the dragons as your allies?” asked Jenneva.
“I am not sure how that could be done,” the king shook his head. “It has taken us centuries just to learn how to avoid death at their claws. I am afraid that is not very practical.”
Alex brought up the scope and searched he mountainside where the king had been looking. It took him a few moments to find anything out of place, and when he did, it was only two Tor soldiers. A puzzled frown fell over Alex’s face as he tried to figure out what two men could do up there to make a difference in the attack.
“You notice everything,” commented the king as he turned to Alex. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Curiosity,” smiled Alex. “What can they do to alter the outcome of this battle?”
“In time you will see I am afraid,” frowned the king. “In time.”
Alex nodded and slipped the scope back into his pouch. He leaned out of the crenel and tried to look down. He could see several battlements below him, but not the base of the castle. What he could see was the enemy surging through the bodies of their comrades as they push forward.
“Is it permissible to send Prince Midge down to see the battle below?” Alex asked.
“I have no objection,” shrugged the king. “How will that help you?”
“Fairies have the ability to project images from their memory,” explained Alex. “Prince Midge could provide us with a view of how the battle is going.”
“Truly?” the king asked with surprise. “Send him down then, but I do not wish to view the images up here. We shall wait for him in my chamber.”
Prince Midge looked to Arik for approval. When the Bringer nodded, Prince Midge leaped into the air and darted over the side of the wall. The king led the Rangers back to his chamber. A few minutes later Prince Midge arrived. The scene the fairy projected showed a fierce battle at the lowest level. The goblin archers were firing up towards the first battlement, while the ogres were throwing large stones at the drawbridge in an attempt to destroy it.
“Very useful talent,” the king said softly. “You have captured a view that even my defenders cannot see, although I am sure that they can hear those stones hitting the drawbridge. I wonder how they plan to cross the moat?”
Prince Midge changed the image to the one he remembered north of the pass. It showed a vast army building siege engines and waiting their turn to enter the pass. Some of the ogres already entering the pass were carrying long logs.
“I think that answers your question,” frowned Alex.
“Burning Embers!” exclaimed King Devon. “You were not kidding about the size of the army gathered there. It would take a week just for all of them to fit through the pass.”
The king slumped down at his desk and fell silent. Alex saw his sword and bow in the corner of the room and retrieved them. After several silent minutes, the king rose.
“I had hoped that we would not need to use my secret weapon,” the king shook his head, “but I see there is no alternative. We must go back upstairs.”
The king stormed out of his chamber, and the Rangers followed him up to the roof. Once on the roof, the king scanned his men until he found Lieutenant Montbalm. He signaled for the officer to come to him.
“Prepare the River of Fire,” instructed the king. “Give the signal.”
“Are you sure?” questioned the officer. “There has been no report of problems yet.”
“I am sure,” nodded King Devon. “The army that comes against us is overwhelming. When they retreat, I want enough arrows and rocks brought into the castle to last for seven straight days of attack.”
“Seven days?” gasped Montbalm. “Surely their army could not be that large?”
“It may be even larger than that,” scowled the king. “I do not think that you will have time to gather anymore before they resume the attack though. Go give the signal.”
“As you command,” nodded Lieutenant Montbalm as he turned and ran towards the end trebuchet.
“What are you planning?” asked Alex.
“A devastating attack on the pass,” frowned the king. “On the side of the mountain where you saw me looking is a cave. A very large cavern actually. It has been filled with oil. The two men, who I presume you saw through your scope, will allow that oil to flood the pass. Then they will put fire to it. The pass will be a blazing inferno for days. It is not something I wish to do, but I fear there is little choice for us. Ideally, I should wait until the bulk of their army is committed in the pass, but I fear the ogres have forced me to act earlier than I would have liked. If they gain entrance to the lower levels of the Castle of Man, they could wreak great havoc on my forces.”
“By using it now,” reminded Alex, “you will not have it for later if they continue the attack.”
“Quite true,” nodded King Devon, “but I am hoping the loss of time will make them change their minds about coming through Tor. If I am wrong, the Castle of Man will fall to Sarac.”
“I am willing to stay and stand with you to the end,” offered Alex, “but I beg leave for Prince Arik. He must assume the throne if Sarac is to be defeated.”
“You have already aided my people greatly,” King Devon smiled sadly. “There is no reason for any of you to stay.”
“We might as well all stay,” suggested Arik. “Without the Shield of Oykara, there is no hope to restoring the Sword of Heavens.”
“I have plenty of shields here that you can have, young prince,” offered the king. “If there are none to your liking, describe one and I shall have a smith make it for you.”
“Thank you,” Arik shook his head, “but that will not help. Only the shield of kings will satisfy the dwarves.”
“Shield of kings?” questioned King Devon. “Was this dwarf mentioned in the scrolls a king?”
“King Astel,” nodded Arik. “He was the one carrying the Shield of Oykara.”
“Well why didn’t you say so, lad?” grinned the king. “Anything taken from royalty would not be melted down. Those things we display in the trophy room. There are thousands of pieces of armor and weapons on
display.”
“I don’t think they are alive,” panted Lieutenant Montbalm as he raced to the king. “We gave the signal three times. We have seen no movement.”
“May I borrow your scope, Alex,” asked the king.
“Certainly,” nodded Alex as he removed the scope from his pouch and handed it to the king.
The king marched off to the edge of the battlement and brought the scope to his eye. He scanned the mountainside while the Rangers gathered around him. For several long minutes the king continued to play the scope over the mountainside. Eventually, he stopped moving and muttered under his breath.
“Goblin archers,” growled King Devon. “Both men are dead. And soon we shall be too.”
“Why not send more men to accomplish the task?” asked Sydar.
“How am I going to get men into the pass?” scowled King Devon. “The only path to the cavern is from the pass. Perhaps I should ask the ogres to leave while I plan for their death?”
Alex gently reached over and took the scope from the king’s hand. He brought it up to his eye and scanned the mountainside until he found the bodies of the king’s men.
“How do you release the oil?” asked Alex.
“Obviously we don’t,” scowled the king.
“I can get to the area where your men died,” volunteered Alex, “but I need to know what to do when I get there.”
“You can what?” asked the king. “Do you realize that the cliffs above the cavern are sheer vertical drops?”
“I am very skilled at mountain climbing,” explained Alex. “I don’t need a trail. Tell me what to do.”
“I am going with you D…Alex,” declared Tanya. “You can’t free the oil while goblin archers are firing at you.”
Corporal Sydar stared at Tanya and smiled broadly as if the solution to a complex puzzle had just arrived in his head.
“I will accompany Alex,” offered Sydar. “Tanya knows more about this shield than I do. She can help Arik look for it while we are gone.”
“Aye,” nodded King Devon. “It will take two of you. Come down to my chamber, and I will draw you a diagram of how the cavern works.”
Chapter 30
For the Prince
Alex grabbed onto the small ledge, his fingers aching from the tenuous grasp. He felt around with his foot and finally succeeded in finding a small purchase. His fingers tingled with the momentary release from supporting his weight. He cautiously raised his eyes and looked at the sheer rock wall above him. He scanned the rock face carefully, seeking his next handhold. He spied a crevice above him and stretched to reach it. As pulled himself higher, he heard a softly spoken profanity come from Corporal Sydar as a small stream of debris bounced its way down the mountainside.
“Sydar?” Alex said softly.
“I’m alright,” Sydar replied. “Just a little out of practice.”
Alex shifted his weight as his foot found an acceptable hold. His free hand explored the inside of the crevice as he reached ever higher. When he felt the proper handhold, he pulled himself up and moved his foot to the small ledge that his fingers had used not long ago. Beads of perspiration gathered on his eyebrows and threatened to drip into his eyes. He slowly moved his head and wiped his eyebrows on his sleeve.
After a few agonizing minutes, Alex managed to get his feet into the crevice. He looked up and smiled as he saw the top of the cliff. After a moment’s rest, Alex began climbing up the ever-widening crevice. He pulled himself onto the rocky plateau and silently scanned the area for the enemy. Satisfied that the area was fairly secure, Alex rose and walked towards the trees. He sat down with his back to a tree and let his muscles relax. Corporal Sydar joined him a few minutes later.
“I need to get more practice,” Sydar said softly as he flexed his fingers. “There are not rugged mountains such as these near Tagaret.”
“Practicing on stone walls helps,” nodded Alex, “although the stones are too regularly placed. Still, it keeps the muscles in shape.”
“It is sort of like climbing a castle,” Sydar chuckled softly as he gazed across the canyon at the Castle of Man. “Imagine climbing that monstrosity.”
“It is an amazing structure,” agreed Alex. “The Tor people are not bad once you get to know them. It is a shame that they chose to isolate themselves. I hope I have managed to change Kind Devon’s attitude on the matter.”
“If he is sincere about allowing us to leave,” responded Sydar, “then you already have changed him. You do seem to have a way with people. You certainly saved me from my self pity.”
“Why did you decide to join me on this mission?” asked Alex. “It is bound to be dangerous.”
“I am sure that it will be,” frowned Sydar. “I am under no illusions about what we are trying to accomplish. I guess I just have a soft spot for children like you do.”
“Children?” questioned Alex. “Are you planning on continuing your journey to Tice from the cavern, rather than returning to the Castle of Man?”
“No,” Sydar shook his head. “I was talking about Tanya.”
“What about Tanya?” Alex asked quizzically. “You don’t think she could accomplish this mission?”
“No,” chuckled Sydar. “I am sure that she would do fine. You forget that she bested me in each of the spars we had on the way to Tor. I have the utmost respect for her abilities. I was referring to her being your daughter. I figured that you would prefer that she remain at the castle instead of coming on this mission.”
“How did you know?” questioned Alex.
“I didn’t at first,” smiled Sydar, “although I wondered what the young lass was doing with your group. Her slip today at the Castle of Man merely confirmed my suspicions. She almost called you Dad. You must be very proud of her.”
“Exceedingly proud,” grinned Alex. “I am indebted to you for volunteering in her place. She thinks that I doubt her abilities when I try to exclude her, but she cannot understand a father’s instinct to protect his children. It is something that I have a hard time dealing with.”
“I have never been a father,” frowned Sydar. “Never will be, I suppose. I just can’t imagine myself settling down with a family. Still, I know the feeling that you speak of. It is how I feel about Darin and Daevo. I do not know what I am going to do with them.”
“You will raise them as your own,” encouraged Alex. “I am sure that you will do just fine.”
“That is where we disagree,” Sydar shook his head. “As much as I love those boys, they are better off being raised by a loving family. I plan to search for such a family when I get to Tice.”
“Are you sure that is the best thing for the boys?” asked Alex. “You may have regrets later for your choice.”
“I doubt there will be a later for me,” frowned Sydar. “I know my skills as a soldier are better than average, but I lack certain skills. That is why I was turned down by the Rangers when I applied.”
“Are you bitter about that?” inquired Alex.
“I was at first,” admitted Sydar, “but not anymore. I now realize that they were correct to reject me. I am sometimes not as observant as I should be. That failing has ruined my life. It almost endangered the queen. It killed Emil, and it has orphaned Darin and Daevo. I am better suited to being on the battlefield than raising two boys. I suspect the coming war will eventually kill me, as well as thousands of others.”
“Thousands will die,” Alex nodded sadly. “Still, I think you are too hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes from time to time. We just have to learn from our mistakes and continue on with life. Hopefully we will be wiser from making those mistakes.”
“I have learned much from my mistakes,” Sydar smiled sadly. “I think I have come to grips with who I am and what I can do. I am a good soldier, and I will do my best to make sure that Arik becomes King of Alcea. I will try hard not to make the same mistakes that I have made before.”
“That is the best that any of us can do,” nodded Alex. “
Are you rested enough to continue on?”
“I am,” nodded Sydar as he rose. “Promise me one thing, Alex.”
“What is that?” questioned Alex.
“If I die during this coming war,” the corporal said seriously, “promise me that you will find a good home for Darin and Daevo. If I haven’t already, that is.”
“You would be wise not to dwell upon death,” warned Alex. “It can dull your senses and make you give up hope.”
“I do not dwell upon it,” assured Sydar. “It is just that you are the one person that I can trust to keep your word. It would allow me to push my worries for the boys out of my head.”
“Then rid yourself of those worries,” smiled Alex. “Darin and Daevo will be taken care of, whether you fall in the coming war or not. They are bright lads and will go far in this world. I will speak with friends in Tagaret and arrange a home for them. That way they will be close to you when you rejoin the Red Swords. I think you should maintain your relationship with them.”
“Of course,” grinned Sydar. “I will always be their uncle. They will get tired of seeing me before long.”
“I doubt that,” chuckled Alex as he rose.
* * *
“This is the trophy room,” announced King Devon as he led the way into a spacious hall.
The walls of the huge room were lined with armor and weapons. Long rows of freestanding racks ran the length of the room.
“What does this shield of kings look like?” asked King Devon.
“I don’t really know,” frowned Arik. “All we know is that it is a dwarven shield.”
“And that it is very old,” added Wylan.
“Most things in here are fairly ancient,” sighed the king. “Look around and see if you can find it.”
Tanya and Jenneva took one side of the room while Arik and Wylan took the other. Prince Midge darted in and out of the racks on the floor. The king walked through a door at the rear of the room and stepped into a small library. He ran his finger along one of the shelves, as he slowly made his way to the far end. His eyes scanned the scrolls as he walked. When he had almost reached the end of the shelf, he stopped and pulled out a scroll. His eyes perused the scroll and he shook his head. He replaced the scroll and chose another one.
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