Tre got up and poured the leftovers from his mug into the fire. “Tomorrow John, a new perspective for a new day. Get some rest my friend.”
John rose and stretched. “It wouldn’t be bad if it was just last night, but I haven’t gotten much sleep this entire week.” John entered his tent, obviously enjoying a roguish reminiscence.
“Did I mention that you were cruel? I’m pretty sure I mentioned that.” Tre left to find his sleeping roll.
III
Catherine closed the door and peeked around the side to check the shutters. “All set.” She noted. A couple of quick knots and the camp gear was stowed on the second packhorse. Before she could mount, a sparrow flew by and circled around for another pass. “Angela! How marvelous!”
The sparrow stopped about five feet in the air and in a flash, her student appeared. Catherine saw that her feet were six inches from the ground at the same moment that she dropped and fell over. “Are you all right dear?” She reached to help her up.
Angela sprang up instantly. “I’m fine.” She said much too quickly, and took a moment to discreetly brush some dirt off, then gave Catherine a big smile. “I wanted to say good bye before you left and to thank you for all your help.”
Catherine’s heart filled with the purity of Angela’s flame. “Thank you!” Catherine said as they shared a heartfelt hug. “I think I enjoyed our time together more than you did.”
“Can I take care of anything while you’re gone?” Angela asked.
“I can’t think of anything, but if I do, I’ll drop in on you. It will be a big help to know that I won’t need to come all the way back just for an errand.” Angela was so happy that even Catherine’s kiss on her forehead didn’t bother her. “While I’m gone, try practicing your change over the pond so that you finish straight up and your feet just touch the surface, it will save you a few bumps and bruises.” Catherine tousled Angela’s hair and mounted her horse.
The memories of when she first learned to change flooded back to Catherine as she rode away. “If my mother only knew! She would have fainted at all the wild stunts I pulled. There were a few broken bones, and worse, but a quick flash and I was right as rain.” Catherine thought of all the wildness Angela will get into over the next few days and it made her want to try a few herself. The excitement she felt made her reconsider her original opinion. “No, Mom wouldn’t have fainted, she would have given me some ideas!”
Catherine was still lost in her daydreams as she rode up to Danielle and Edward’s farm when a blur caught her eye. It was Raphael at full speed coming to meet her. Edward followed him at a more human pace. “Edward, how do you keep up with him?”
“I don’t, I just consider him a free spirit and let him run.” Edward said in his mind. “Of course with his natural speed and Danielle’s cooking stoking the fire, anything can happen!”
Raphael arrived and gave Catherine a formal bow, “Welcome Sentinel Catherine.”
“If you continue to bow to me young man, I swear I’ll hug and kiss you until you ask for mercy!” She got off her horse and gave him a demonstration. “How are you settling in?” She asked once he was thoroughly doused with affection.
“It’s like a dream but I don’t wake up.” He hugged her. “Thank you.” He turned quickly, a bit embarrassed. “The cow!” He remembered. “Please excuse me Catherine, I left a bucket under a half milked cow.” Instantly he was at full speed toward the barn.
Catherine greeted Edward, and Danielle who had come out of the house. “I can only stay a minute, I’m on my way to Dionara.” She looked to the barn. “How is Raphael adjusting?”
“He’s made of stout stuff, that one.” Edward told her. “He worries about his family of course, I don’t think it bothered him as much when he was on the trail with Tre, but now that he has a home it’s on his mind. He doesn’t say anything, but a parent knows.”
Danielle came over and gave Catherine hug, “Thank you, he’s wonderful.” Catherine could feel her happiness. Thoughts of Raphael’s family reminded Danielle of the coast, and the Knight. Catherine felt her concern come to the fore. “Is it almost time?”
“Yes, one way or another, the fate of a great many people will be affected. Your granddaughter has become so much more since you last saw her, if anyone can turn the tide, she can. Did she contact you this morning? I haven’t contacted her since the trouble at the way station. I don’t want to interrupt her or the Caretaker if they’re involved with the Knight.”
“Not yet, the last few day’s her contact has been irregular.” Danielle’s worry intensified.
“Don’t worry,” Catherine reassured her, “If anything major had happened, the Caretaker would have told me. I think the reason her schedule changed is that the Knight is aware of us now and she has to wait for him to let his guard down. She and the Caretaker are learning all they can, the more we know, the better our chances. If you hear from her, please tell her why I haven’t contacted her and that I’m bringing supplies. I’ll be there the morning after tomorrow.”
They waved good-bye as she rode off. Catherine touched her horse’s mind and that was the last she’d need to concern herself with the ride. “You know the route better than I do, don’t you.” She stroked the horse’s neck, “Now all I have to do is not fall off.” She reminded herself.
Relaxed in the rhythm of her horse’s gate, her awareness went out. She could sense Dionara, but didn’t even get close to the Vale. The Elites were on schedule. She laughed at John’s disbelief as Tre told him one of his stories. As always, the Caretaker’s presence was never far from her thoughts. She could feel him soar as he shadowed the Knight.
“And now we wait.” She reached out again. “Good morning! You three are making good progress.”
“Thanks to you and the Caretaker.” Yamikura replied. “Good Morning!” Atheria, Simon, and Yamikura said in perfect unison.
“Did you three rehearse that?” Catherine’s worries of a boring day on the trail evaporated in a chorus of laughter.
Two days later Catherine released herself to join with Spirit’s Vale.
She had camped only a few hours away the night before so that she could join Dionara fresh and rejuvenated. As soon as the Vale came into view, she dismounted to find balance and allow the Vale to heal her anxiety.
A short while and a lifetime later, she returned to individually. “I wonder if this is where she sat?” Catherine asked herself that every time she stopped at the entrance. She often thought of the young woman who first found this valley, her direct ancestor and the woman she was name after, the original Catherine.
Reality returned as she rode to the chalet. “Four days.” The thought felt like an anvil that hung from her, and each day it weighed a bit more. She couldn’t imagine what Dionara was going through. Her first chore was to unpack the supplies, and then she’d peek in and see if Dionara was involved with her work.
“Catherine!” Dionara ran out and hugged her. Suddenly Catherine felt as light as air, and didn’t have a care in the world. Her natural joy bubbled up and mixed with the happiness that flowed from Dionara. “Finally, someone to swim with.” The princess ran off shedding clothes as she ran, “Come on, the supplies can wait.” Catherine heard Dionara’s voice fade as she ran. She dashed after her with a smile from ear to ear.
She felt like a teenager again, and quickly learned that not only could Dionara swim like a fish, but was not above dunking someone from behind. Between the laughter and water play, it seemed like Catherine was transported back in time. Once or twice, she looked at Dionara, but saw her friend Diana.
Eventually the two ended up floating near the shore. “You would be amazed, he keeps his memories in tiers.” Dionara explained, “We search and see nothing until we find the key to the tier, and then the memories open.”
“Then you have a plan?” Catherine hoped the answer was yes.
“Froggy and I agree, the more of a plan we commit to ahead of time, the less likely we’ll succeed. The near tra
gedy with Yamikura proved that.” Dionara inched closer as she spoke. Catherine readied herself for another splash fight. “The solution must be created dynamically.” Dionara made her move but her splash only met water. Catherine had pushed off the sandy bottom and glided away from the shore. She swung her arms across the surface and a great wave caught Dionara from the side. “You may have youth, but I have experience.” Catherine basked in her triumph.
IV
The column of Elites wound into a clearing where five horses grazed. “Well met gentlemen!” Yamikura walked up to the riders. “You would be John and Tressan, it is an honor to meet you both.” The two men dismounted.
John signaled the Elites to make camp and pointed to the east side as Tre shook hands with Yamikura. “I understand that you wanted to speak with me,” Tre smiled, “If I had know I would have waited for you.”
“It was a pleasant ride. I wasn’t in a hurry.” He shrugged then bowed to John. “It is truly an honor to meet a Sentinel of the Forest. I request to join your company sir, to provide what service I can.”
“You are most welcome to join us,” John responded, “although I believe that if we were to ask Catherine, she’d say that we were joining you.” John gave the new comer a warm smile, they shook hands, and the three moved to join the Elites. “Where are Atheria and Simon?” John looked around.
“Off gathering wood.” Yamikura pointed to the trees.
“They need to be on their way soon, the Knight is less than a day’s ride. If he decides not to camp, he could be here as early as late tonight.” John called Peter over. “Please bring the supplies for the Mindow and have someone round up their horses. We need to get them saddled and packed.” John heard a whinny behind him and turned. Four of the five horses that were grazing stood behind him. “Thank you Catherine.”
Atheria and Simon came running across the field, they stopped and bowed to John.
“Wait,” Tre turned to John, “if everyone we meet is going to bow to you. I’ll just go get some food.”
Atheria gave Tre a hug. “Thank you for what you did for Raphael, Tressan of the Palace Guard.” She and Simon bowed to Tre.
“Well now, that’s what I call friendly!” Tre announced, and the group laughed as one.
John tilted his head. “Yes Catherine, I know. I was getting to that.” John untied a package from his horse and handed it to Yamikura. “This is from Catherine.”
Yamikura opened the wrapping and saw cloth of deep forest green. The clothing was simple in style and expertly crafted, the fine pattern of embroidery was subtle from a distance but intricately detailed. The fabric had the feel of silk, with the strength and substance of riding gear. “Thank you.” He whispered in his mind as his warmth flowed to her.
“I’m so happy you like them!” Catherine’s happiness joined with his appreciation.
“We missed you the last few days, are you all right?” Yamikura tried to keep his thought light, but could not mask his concern.
“Yes, nothing new has arisen.” Her reassurance accompanied her words. “The Caretaker and Dionara needed my undivided attention for a little while, that’s all. I’m back now.” The depth of his concern touched her. “You’ll learn more tonight, John will let you know.” Catherine opened her awareness to the group.
John turned to Atheria and Simon, “There’s fresh clothing for you two also, go with Peter and he’ll get you a meal before you go. Come and say good bye before you head out.” Peter and the teenagers went off toward the Elites, the horses followed.
In a short while the Elite camp was set up and his men had started to assemble the table and chairs for the negotiation area that would be placed in the middle of the clearing. John was inspecting the area when three riders approached.
“You two look a lot less travel warn,” John greeted the teenagers, “and no belts I see. Are you comfortable on horseback now?”
“Yes sir,” Simon answered, “We haven’t needed the belts since the third day we were free.”
“During the day and a half with the Caretaker in the lead at full gallop, we learned fast.” Atheria added.
John could imagine. “I bet you did!” He smiled. “It will take you another eight days or so to get to the Kingdom. Tom will take you to the castle where Princess Dionara has assigned you quarters and asked one of her councilors to get you settled. Hopefully we’ll only be a few days behind you.”
“Tom,” John spoke to the Elite. “Get as much distance as you can today and an early start tomorrow. I know you would rather stay, but keep in mind that if all does not go well here, you may be the only Elite Guardsman left, the Kingdom will need you to rebuild the Elites and prepare for what comes next.”
“Understood sir.” In one way Tom felt that it was wrong to leave, but he also knew that what his Captain had said could very well happen.
The small group left the clearing headed east, and John returned to his inspection. “Did you know that I can feel it when you think about me, even when we’re not in contact?” Dionara’s essence poured into him, she purred with satisfaction at his response.
“Hello my love.” John immersed himself in the joy they shared. “Yes, I do.”
“Here’s the plan. We tell that mud in the well, no fun, Red Knight to go dunk his head in a bucket and you get back here as fast as you can. He interrupted our anniversary, and I’m not happy!” She sent him an image with her arms crossed and her lower lip stuck out.
“Yes my love.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure that would completely eliminate the problem, but it will show him that we are resolute in our determination.”
“I think that should be enough, don’t you?” She inquired.
“Yes my love, more than enough.” He looked up and watched the Elites run their exercises. “Do we know if he’ll arrive tonight, or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, early. He told his captain to find a camp about an hour away.” Dionara and John shared their hope interwoven with the knowledge that, for good or ill, their lives will change tomorrow.
John exhaled as he saw Tre and Yamikura approach. “Duty calls my love.”
“Think of me often!” And John did. “Mmmm, do it again, do it again, do it again.” Dionara’s voice trailed off.
Tre and Yamikura heard John’s laughter as they walked up. Tre took one look at John’s face and shook his head. “Did I mention that you were cruel? I seem to recall mentioning that.”
V
Early morning vapor rose from the wet grass as luminescent fog drifted across the clearing into sunlight beamed through broken clouds. The Royal Guard Elite stood, the precision of their ranks delineated in crisp shadow. John, Tre, and the Caretaker stood next to the pavilion at the center of the field as the Red Knight’s company rode in and veered to the west. The Red Knight, Kalibra, and Deminar dismounted and walked to the pavilion.
The Knight stood behind the chair to the west and motioned Deminar to the south chair. Tre moved to the eastern chair and motioned for the Caretaker to take the north. Kalibra and John stood on their respective sides, just outside the canopy. Tre nodded to the Caretaker.
The Caretaker addressed the Knight. “Red Knight, may I present Lord Aranido, her Majesty’s representative. He has full authority to treat for the Kingdom.” He turned to Tre. “Lord Aranido, may I present the Red Knight.” The two principals nodded and all four sat. The Knight stared straight ahead without expression the instant that he was seated. Tre leaned back and the Caretaker relaxed in a meditative position.
When it was evident that no one was speaking, Deminar stood up. “What is this, some kind of deception?”
Kalibra came to the table with her sword drawn, John immediate responded. The Caretaker held up his hands to both. “Please return to your posts. The negotiations are under way. The Red Knight is in communication with the Sovereign of the Mindow Kingdom through me. As I told the Red Knight, while you do have safe conduct, my protection of the Mindow is still in effect. I never said the negotiation would
be face to face, so please withdraw.”
Kalibra looked at the Knight, and then waved a hand in front of his face. Deminar banged the table, “This is outrageous! I de” Deminar stopped the moment Kalibra’s sword touched his neck.
“Shut up and sit down, or didn’t the Red Knight explain your position in this company clearly. I will make any decision that needs to be made.” Deminar sat slowly, her blade still at his neck.
John knew this was the critical moment. If Kalibra chose to fight, then he would engage her and move her as quickly away from the pavilion as he could. Nothing must be allowed to break the connection. If the Caretaker or the Knight were struck, the possibility of a solution would be lost. They might loose Tre if he doesn’t duck fast enough, but he knows his duty and won’t move until she commits. If she chooses combat, then the Elites would be put to the test. It all hinged on her.
Kalibra stood. ‘Well, you can’t hurt him, and he did say he was willing to talk to them.” She put away her sword, as did John.
The Caretaker nodded, “I thank you Queen Kalibra, unfortunately I’m afraid that they will be awhile, can we provide you a chair?”
“I’ll be back shortly. If you kill him before I get back,” She motioned to Deminar, “I’ll use his chair.”
Kalibra left to join the Crimson Guard. The Caretaker resumed his meditative state, and Deminar stared at Lord Aranido. Tre gave him an aristocratic sneer. “You look familiar.” Deminar said. Tre turned away. He and John thought the possibility of Deminar being at the table was slight, and if he was, they judged the risk of Deminar recognizing him as even less. They knew that the councilor did not equate the lower classes with actual people.
“You! You’re the guardsman!” Deminar raged and started to rise, John drew his sword half from the scabbard and Deminar sat back down. “A spy in my own house! Because of you I was judged incompetent. Then you stole that slave, an insult that made me look like a fool! I ordered you to put it to death.” Deminar glared at Tre.
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