They walked together the rest of the day and into the evening.
IV
“Incredible.” Kalibra had repeated that word several times an hour for most of the day.
The Red Knight, who rode in front of her, turned in his saddle with a wry expression. “Yes I believe we have established that the trail is cunningly made and well hidden, it is in fact incredible. Perhaps you could try ‘unbelievable’ just for a little variety.”
Behind Kalibra, Ular kept his face as blank as possible. After all, there were eleven Crimson Guardsmen, he was sure that she could kill at least three before the Knight would say anything to her about it. At this point he wasn’t about to let an inappropriate laugh make him the first. He looked behind to check on the young slaves. He had tied leads from their mounts to his saddle so that if they fell off, he’d at least have the horses.
Simon watched Atheria as she rode in front of him, she seemed much more relaxed than she did when they started. “Sparkles, is everything all right?” His attempt at a whisper didn’t work out as he had hoped, Atheria, Ular, and Kalibra all turned in response. Atheria smiled and nodded, then raised her eyebrows in an expression that roughly translated to ‘not now, you’ll get us in trouble.’
Wayden, the first of the remaining nine Crimson Guardsmen in a line behind Simon, wondered why the Red Knight hadn’t also turned in response. “Probably because no one has ever called him ‘Sparkles.’” He concluded.
Deminar was beside himself as he watched the fifteen horses and riders snake along in front of him. “He, the High Councilor by office and the man who by all rights should be king, delegated to the back!” The two Mindow scum were another matter. Sooner or later the Knight would tire of his pets. Once they were his, he’d let his men have a little practice. Those two will learn what happens to a slave that doesn’t know its place. Behind him were the ten men that completed their company, each leading a packhorse. He smiled. They were his men, the best trained and most ruthless killers this land has ever bred. “He thinks of them as laborers with swords that he can toss to the wolves while his men get into position. We’ll see, he may be immortal, but no one else is.”
“Joshua!” The Red Knight called to his lieutenant in the lead, “What’s ahead?”
The Guard turned. “Sire, there is a clearing about two hours on. It has a good water supply and a pasture for the horses to graze. The trail stays hidden for a few days in, so we’ll need to be single file until it opens up farther on. We’ll be able to make camp tonight well before we loose the light Sire.”
Several hours later and far into the foothills, the orange glow of sunset painted the rolling hills that stretched out below them and back to the sea. The mountains beamed in the waning light as they towered behind the camp, a wall too vast to comprehend. A quick trail meal and the company settled in for the night. Deminar chose to camp his men separately at the far side of the clearing. The Red Knight called his lieutenant to the tent.
“Joshua, I do not believe we are in danger of a raiding party, at least not until after we reach the way station. Your primary threats for this leg are twofold, our supplies and Deminar. Place all the supplies in the center of the camp and have the Guard bed down around them. The horses are at risk so be vigilant. I want two Guard on the perimeter and two with the supplies at all times.” The Knight paused to consider the more immediate threat.
“Have Deminar’s men do whatever labor needs to be done, if they complain, remind them that they are not burdened with guard duty. Use the slaves to help as needed but only with the Guard, Deminar and his men are not allowed near them. I didn’t invest this much time in them to have their throats slit before they become useful.” Then added, “Send Kalibra in. You’re dismissed.”
“Yes Sire.” Joshua left the tent and called the Guard together for assignments.
Kalibra entered the tent, barely gave the Knight a nod, and searched until she found what she needed, a pillow. She placed it on the camp chair and sat down gingerly. After a heart felt sigh, she turned to her lord, “How did you find this trail, I couldn’t see it and I was riding on it.”
“We were given it.” The Red Knight described to her his exchange with the unknown woman.
Kalibra was skeptical. “It must be a trick, someone bribed Joshua and told him the route while he was scouting Yamikura’s trail. There will be an ambush shortly, maybe even tonight. Would you like me to talk to Joshua, it wouldn’t take long.” Her smile even gave him pause.
“It may be some kind of trick, but nothing that straight forward. So leave Joshua alone, he’s loyal. I still believe the Mindow are the key. I’ve given some thought on how to proceed, bring them in.”
Kalibra thought about taking the pillow as she got up to leave, today reminded her that she hadn’t spent a full day on a horse for almost a year. She returned with the slaves a few moments later. “Just bow your head and do as he says.” She told the pair as they entered the tent, then took two pillows and left.
The Knight had Atheria and Simon sit in front of his chair. “Close your eyes and relax.” He instructed. Then looked at them, “What do I see? Teenagers, slaves, dancers, yes but what else?” He knew that they had strong, bright flames. He wondered how he knew that, and realized that he come to depend on instinct alone for his judgment. “Open your eyes!” He ordered forcefully.
He looked into Atheria’s eyes, his will determined to find the answers he sought at any cost. Suddenly he felt fear like an intense flame that seared his flesh and froze him in place. He saw that fear in her eyes, but he also felt it. It was her fear.
“Atheria!” Simon yelled as she fell over unconscious, “Please Master may I help her?”
“Yes.” The Red Knight rose and left the tent. “Joshua!” The lieutenant came immediately. “See to the slave girl, she’s in my tent,” with that the Knight walked off into the dark. It had been ages of the world since he had felt fear like that, it disturbed him in ways he could not understand.
Atheria awoke several times that night, her screams muted in Simon’s shoulder. He did not sleep, just held her in his arms and sang to her softly.
V
Tre and Raphael had camped on the road just before it sloped down to the Kingdom. Tre made sure they were up before dawn so Raphael could see sunrise as it moved across the valley. The weather did not disappoint. Raphael was mesmerized. Then he saw something that took his breath away. He watched as the border of light and shadow move across the Kingdom and suddenly a great beacon shown. The white marble castle sparkled like a jewel on green velvet. He had no words; he didn’t think there were any that could describe what he saw.
“You see that notch in the mountains at the very farthest part of the valley?” Tre asked. “There is a place a day’s ride through that pass, it’s called Second Valley. That’s where I grew up. It actually has more farmland than this valley does, and I think it’s even more beautiful. On the other hand, we don’t have a castle so we’ll call it even.”
Once the sun was fully up, they set out. As the slope leveled out Tre lead them to a trail that branched off the road, before midmorning they were walking their horses toward the entrance to Angel Falls. Tre looked up and saw a welcome sight.
“Dorian, you old dog, I thought you’d be sleeping under a tree somewhere!” Tre gave is old friend a bear hug. “Half Pint, this is Dorian he’s the trader that trained me. Dorian meet Raphael, the scrappiest little warrior you’ll ever meet.”
“I’ve heard of you young man. I tried to get you for the Trader Corps, but John said he wanted you in the Royal Guard Elite. We were both overruled by Catherine, I think she has something special in mind for you.” Dorian shook the young man’s hand and then slapped Tre on the back. “John’s waiting for you at the gate.”
“Take these will you.” Tre handed him the reins of their horses. “They’re hunter trained, just let the poor beast run free. After what that scum put them through, they deserve the rest.” He gestured to the tack and
bundles, “There’s a few of pouches of Deminar’s gold we can put to good use, the rest is just salvage.”
Dorian lead the horses back down the trail. “Come and find me when you can, I want to hear all your tall tales.”
“Tall tales!” Tre yelled after him. “I’ll have you know that I have never exaggerated in my life.” He heard Dorian’s laughter as he whispered to Raphael, “Well, not more than once or twice.” He said with a wink and a grin.
Raphael followed his friend as they wound their way to Angel Falls. For the second time in one morning, Raphael was speechless. Tre looked back and saw his face. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Do you remember when I told you that I would take you on an adventure? Hang on Half Pint; the adventure is about to be kicked up a few notches. John says we can cross.”
Tre came behind him and put his hands on Raphael’s shoulders as they went through the falls. “Close your eyes.” He heard the man’s voice say in his head, and he kept walking as Tre turned him right.
“John! Well met!” Tre and John embraced. “You know who this is of course. Raphael meet John, he’s the Sentinel I told you about.” They both looked at the young man as he wandered around lost in everything he saw. “Oh well, I introduce you to him once he comes out of it.”
“Catherine will want to see him this morning before she gets tied up with Yamikura. I brought three horses.” John said as he walked to their mounts.
“Anybody I know?” Tre asked with a smile and waved hello to the horses.
John stopped mid-step and hung his head as he chuckled. “It’s good to have you back Tre, and with that joke, I officially declare you back.” John mounted. “You’d better hand Raphael up to me, I don’t think he’s ready to ride alone yet.”
Raphael turned his head and stared at John as they rode off. “Yes, I know. Isn’t it beautiful.” John said softly as he shared in the young man’s emotions of awe and happiness that were so pure, it felt like he had a radiant ball of wonder sitting in front of him.
“Raphael!” Catherine gave him the hug she had promised him. “I’ll bet you’re hungry.” She said and led him to the kitchen. Catherine noted that he had mostly returned from the land of wonder by then, although she doubted if he could tell whether or not his feet were touching the ground.
John pulled Tre aside, “We may have another assignment for you, has Catherine kept you up to date on her progress with Yamikura?” Tre nodded. “No one believes that the Red Knight will just turn around and let us be. Hopefully though, Yamikura will lay the groundwork for the next step. We’re going to offer to meet with the Red Knight. That’s where you come in, we’d like you to be the Kingdom’s representative.”
“You want me to meet with the Red Knight?” Tre thought about it for a moment. “Danielle.” He said.
“What about Danielle?” John didn’t understand.
“On the sea coast, a condemned man gets a last meal. I want mine to be prepared by Danielle.” Tre expression was solemn.
“I would ask you to take this seriously, except that I see your point.” John conceded. “We don’t know how, or even if, this will happen. In case it does, then we need to be ready. If it does happen, you will go with the Royal Guard Elite and be presented to the Red Knight as our representative. You won’t be alone, in addition to the Elite, both the Caretaker and I will be there. Will you help us?” John waited for an answer.
“Yes.” Tre looked lost in his own thoughts.
“Thank you.” John shared his emotions with Tre, gratitude most of all. “At least you’ll eat to your heart’s content. Catherine has spoken to Danielle and Edward about Raphael and they want him to live with them. They’ve also asked that you stay on until Raphael settles in. I’m on my way to Spirit’s Vale to work with Dionara, so I’ll contact you when it’s time to join the Elite. A councilor will fill you in when you get there.”
VI
Dionara watched the hawk circle high overhead as she floated in the lake. “Well, do you intend to land anytime in the near future?”
“I haven’t made a decision yet.” John continued to make lazy circles as he caught the air currents rising from Spirit’s Vale.
“Come, swim with me.” She rolled over and swam away from the shore.
John swooped down and glided along the surface. Just as he passed Dionara he pulled up to check his forward momentum, changed in midair, and dove into the water. “Good morning my Lady.” John couldn’t think of a way to bow and swim at the same time.
“Good morning my gallant warrior!” Dionara sent a mental hug along with her greeting and shared the warmth she felt for him. She sensed his reluctance; it was as if he was afraid to be near her. She could enter his mind to find the answers she wanted and he would never know. Of course, she would know that his trust had been violated, and that would be even worse.
“Froggy tells me that I’m to practice on you, did you agree to that?” Dionara didn’t need to enter his mind, his inner conflict radiated like a bonfire. Hope, fear, desire, and shame all swirled around him. She touched his thoughts lightly and found that he believed that she could not sense any of what he felt. He put forth a facade of calm friendship and respect for her to sense.
“If there is anything I can give, or anyway that I can help you my Lady, then I both agree and insist.” John believed that he only allowed her to feel the truth and depth of his commitment. He did not know that to her, he was as transparent spring water.
“First test.” Dionara said with an expression of intense concentration. She stared at him as they treaded water, their heads just above the surface. “Ready?” She could feel him put up every mental barrier he had. “Here it comes.” She waited a moment, and then lunged at him. “Call me Dionara or I’ll hold you under water until you have to turn into a fish!” She grabbed him, gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then dunked him.
By the time he surfaced, she had started for the shore and was several stokes ahead. “Last one to dry land makes breakfast!” She yelled.
Later, after she had experienced what a wonderful cook John was, Dionara leaned back in the love seat while he cleaned up. “Yum! That was good.” She said. “You have many undiscovered talents, John of the Forest. I don’t know which I’d enjoy more, having you defend me in noble combat, or just feed me till I’m fat and happy.”
John laughed and shook his head. “When did the Caretaker leave? I thought he’d be with us for a few days.” His voice trailed off as he went to the kitchen.
She followed him and took his hand. “Leave them. I clean up once a week or so, or if I can’t find the bed under the mess.” She sat him on the love seat. “Froggy, that no good son of a goat.”
“Frog” John interjected.
“Oh, you heard that story.” She gave him an impish smile before quickly regaining her mock fury. “Froggy, that no good son of a frog, picked up and left just when things turned interesting. I finally had him right were I wanted him.” She dropped next to John on the love seat. He tried to get up and go to the chair, but she grabbed him. “Oh no you don’t, you and I have work to do.” She sat back and had John lean against her with her arms wrapped around him.
“Does this help you?” He asked.
She hugged him, “Well, it doesn’t hurt.”
“John, you are now, as you have always been, my protector.” She whispered in his mind and let the emotions she felt flow into him. Love, honor, respect and gratitude poured from her flame to his. “Close your eyes, relax, and let me feel your weight against me. Join me.”
John found himself with Dionara in the field next to the gate on the day that she arrived, they watched as the earlier John flew in and the Caretaker left. She took his hand as they walked over to themselves. “This was the first time we met, it feels like so long ago.” Dionara stooped to look at her memory self take the Sentinel’s chin in her hand and give him a kiss of apology. She stood and took John’s arm. “That was the first moment I felt something from within, it came from
you.” She allowed John to share in her memory of how the power, warmth, and love she felt from within him had made her question who she was.
Arm in arm they left the couple under the tree, Dionara turned back to her memory self briefly, “Take it easy on the wine there girl.” She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I never listen.” They walked toward the gate where a fourteen-year old John waited impatiently for the Caretaker.
“NO!” John said and stepped back.
Dionara held on to his arm. “Yes,” she whispered.
Terror, guilt, and shame flowed from John as she bathed him with her love and acceptance. “I’ve only just recovered my own memories from that day.” She stroked his face and looked into his eyes. “There are secrets here you know nothing about John. Please let me show you.”
“My lady, I made it my sole purpose in life to atone for what I did here.” John tried to turn away but she wouldn’t let him. It took all his courage to face her. “I will lay down my life to protect what is left, but I cannot change what I destroyed.”
She met his determination with hers. “Yes, the past cannot be changed, but we are not here to change the past. We’re here to create a brighter future for you, for both of us.”
She led him to the side as the Caretaker made his way to the gate. “You know, don’t you, that Froggy was in love with my mother? Listen to his thoughts, there never was a reason to guard the royal family on their picnic. Catherine knew why he was here, and Froggy certainly knew. Look, please look, he can barely keep a straight face as he tells you how important it is.”
“I know all this.” He returned her gaze, his pain throbbed like an open wound, “Yes, I was young. Yes, it wasn’t my responsibility, but fate put me there with the ability to stop this tragedy. I threw away your parents lives for daydreams and fantasy. “Look at me.” He turned to his memory self who was lost in thoughts of the young princess. “Pathetic!” The anger and self-loathing he had kept secret for so long burst with a power and fury that consumed him. “I should have died that day!”
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