At Bix’s side stood Captain ReShard, an attractive man with a zeal for battle and a lust for power that drove him to success. ReShard was a vain man, always maintaining his well groomed black hair and keeping his uniform and armor in spectacular condition, giving the appearance that he had never been in battle, though in truth he was a very skilled warrior who had fought well against the snow elves. Behind the two men stood six of Bix’s most trusted soldiers.
“What brings you to the Talboth Garrison, General Bix?” Rathkemp inquired.
The General looked at Petra, bowing his head to her before speaking. “I have dire news for you Princess Petra: Your grandfather has died.”
Petra clutched her arms to her chest gasping at the news. “When?” She asked as tears began rolling down her face.
“Last night,” Bix answered. “Lord Boric has been selected to serve as proxy to the Council of Elders until after the funeral, when the new King will be named. I have been sent to escort you to Alexon to meet with the Elders and help to prepare for your grandfather’s funeral.”
Seeing Petra’s grief Rathkemp motioned to a pair of squires standing off to the side. “Please take the Princess to her room.”
Landis was about to follow as Petra was escorted out of the room, but his father gripped his arm bidding him to stay. Instead of Landis, the Sword Master motioned to Eric to follow the Princess.
“We will be honored to escort Petra to Alexon tomorrow.” Rathkemp suggested. “The hour is getting late and the Princess is tired and is obviously in no condition to travel tonight.”
Bix agreed. “There is no need to leave before morning. We can have her to Alexon by the afternoon. You do not need to travel with us.”
Rathkemp was appalled at the thought of being told not to accompany the princess. “Perhaps there is no need, but we shall ride escort.”
“Lord Boric has requested that the Knights of Alexon refrain from doing anything that would show that the Knights support Petra’s claim to the throne. The Knights are bound to serve the King of Alexon and the King is dead. Petra has not been named the successor and therefore does not enjoy the privileges of that protection. Any show of support from the knights could unfairly sway the decision of the Elders.”
Rathkemp stood and stepped forward, clearly irritated at what Bix had said. “Boric is not the king and thereby does not have the right of ordering the Knights of Alexon to do anything. We answer to the King or Queen of Alexon. Not Boric or the Council of Elders, with the lone exception of the Knight-Elder.
“So unless you bring me word from Knight-Elder Arogor, then I will do what I deem appropriate. One of the duties of the Knights of Alexon is to protect the King and the King’s family. Until King Semmit is buried he is still the king. And therefore Petra, as his proclaimed heir, will have our protection. We will ride to Alexon tomorrow.”
Bix did not like the Knight-Captain’s decision but had no authority to deny it. He secretly admired the man’s willingness to openly oppose the mandate offered by the very man who Rathkemp DuJurnor may soon be serving. He believed that he would have made the same decision if he were in Rathkemp’s place. “Very well, Knight-Captain DuJurnor. It will be as you insist.”
“Will there be anything else, General Bix?” Rathkemp inquired.
It was Captain ReShard who spoke next. “Yes, we demand to know why that man is within the boundary of the kingdom.” He pointed at Trevor Kahn.
“Trevor Kahn is here under the protection and invitation of Princess Petra.” Rathkemp answered.
“That is unacceptable, “ReShard said, “He was banished from all of the lands of Alexon. Only the King can revoke that order. Princess Petra has no authority to do so. I demand that he be arrested immediately.”
“The Princess wants Trevor Kahn to escort her to Alexon to be rewarded for his services, and she intends to revoke that order once she sits upon the throne.” Rathkemp insisted.
“If she is named Queen then she can do that. Until that time Trevor Kahn is in violation of his exile. And you are in violation of the law if you obstruct his arrest.” ReShard adamantly replied.
One of the Knight-Captain’s attachés approached Rathkemp from behind and whispered, “ReShard is legally correct. If you oppose Kahn’s arrest then you can be brought up on charges as well.”
Rathkemp’s face showed contempt for what he was about to do as he looked at Trevor Kahn. “I am sorry, but legally ReShard is correct. I must order your arrest.”
Jareel stepped in front of Trevor, pulling his sword and pointing it at the soldiers behind Bix and ReShard, who immediately readied their own weapons. “You will not take this man away like a common thief.” Jareel invoked.
“Lower your sword!” Trevor Kahn admonished Konik’s nephew as he sidestepped him, drawing his own sword as he turned to face Jareel, leaving his back exposed to the soldiers, “I will not permit you to harm a soldier of Alexon. While my title has been stripped away from me, I still hold to the oath I took when I became a knight. And that oath requires me to stop you if necessary.”
“But they intend to arrest you, and you can be executed for violating your exile.” Jareel reminded him.
“I knew the risks when I returned with Petra. And I willingly place myself into their hands.” Trevor turned about and lowered his sword to the floor then stood with his hands held outward. The soldiers began to advance on him. “Halt!” Rathkemp ordered, stopping the soldiers in place. “We are in the Garrison of the Knights of Alexon. And Trevor Kahn was once one of our own. Therefore it is we who should arrest him. I will take Kahn prisoner and we will take him to Alexon where his fate will be determined.” Rathkemp called two of the knights standing on the sideline forward and ordered them to take Trevor Kahn into custody and lead him away. “There, I believe that satisfies your request.” Rathkemp said to Bix and ReShard.
“I am satisfied.” Bix replied.
It was clear from the look on ReShard’s face that the Captain was not as agreeable with the decision. But he was not about to speak against the General’s decision.
“Very well, General Bix, I offer you and your men accommodations here in the Garrison should you so desire. We will prepare to leave in the morning.”
The General accepted the Knight-Captain’s offer and left with his men. After they were gone Jaylen approached Rathkemp. “Be very careful, Bix and ReShard are both strong supporters of Boric’s claim to the throne. It is no wonder that he has sent them to bring Petra to Alexon. I would not be surprised if he claims to have rescued her, or in some way use this to lessen her claim to the throne. I would strongly suggest that you allow Jareel and some of the others to ride to Alexon tonight so that they can begin spreading Petra’s story there before we arrive.”
“That would be a good idea,” Rathkemp agreed, “I do not like Bix very much but I would doubt that he would ever do anything to harm the Princess. Still, you are right that Boric could try to spin the story his way if given the chance. I would not put it past him to try to have the sword taken from her so that he can be the one to display it to the people.”
“I will go with Jareel.” Landis offered. “And I will take the Pearls of the Elf Lords so that they cannot fall into Boric’s hands.”
“We will go as well.” Twaller offered for Katryn and himself.
Rathkemp nodded his approval. “Very well, get your things together and I will leave word with the Sentinel that you can leave when ready.”
“Be careful not to allow any of Bix’s men to learn of this.” Jaylen warned.
* * * * *
Landis was in the room that was intended to be his quarters for the night. Instead of finding time to rest, he was busy preparing his things to leave. As he finished packing his knapsack he was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come in.” He answered.
Petra opened the door and came into the room. “Eric tells me that you are leaving tonight.”
“Yes, Petra,” Landis replied fastened the knapsack closed. His bow a
nd a fresh quiver of arrows sat beside the door. The damaged bracelet with the red pearl was in his pack with the two broken pieces of Aaron’s staff and the black scepter. “Some of us are going ahead of you to Alexon to make sure that they hear your story before you arrive with Bix. We want to make certain that Boric does not try to steal your glory.”
“You are leaving with Katryn.” Petra spoke the other woman’s name bitterly.
“Yes, Twaller and Katryn offered to accompany Jareel and me.”
“Landis, I have talked a lot with her. I know that you and she were together at one time. And I can sense that she still has feelings for you…”
“Please, Petra. Now is not the time to discuss this.”
Petra stepped closer to Landis, taking his hand into hers. “Please stay with me. You do not have to go. Let Jareel go with them. They can handle this without you. I need you here with me.”
“You do not need me, Petra. You have my father, Rathkemp and plenty of others to protect you and get you home safe.”
“It is not that, Landis.” her voice was starting to quiver. “I need you beside me. I love you.”
The words pierced the half-elf as hard as any sword; the same words that Landis had been dying to hear for years, but not from the same woman.
“Petra...” He started, unable to complete his sentence.
“Well, Landis?”
He had to say something, but what? His feelings had been tied in knots for several days now. He had to make the right decision. He thought of all of the reasons why he should say no to her. Each of the excuses fell before him: Age did not matter, for while he had considerably more years of life, he was—by nature of his mix-breed race—basically the same as a human of twenty years. His father had three centuries of age difference between him and Landis’ mother. Relationship did not matter, for distant cousins had often married in the Sergius family. None of the excuses he could come up with were valid enough to hide the truth. So why couldn’t he just accept it and allow their relationship to continue? Landis knew the answer well enough. He looked deeply into Petra’s blue eyes, wishing that he did not have to make this decision. “Petra,” He started. “My mother faced many difficulties because of her marriage to my father. And she was only a princess. You are to be the Queen. How would your subjects take the news of a half-elf as their Prince-Regent? I have already seen suspicion as people look at me here in Talboth. This war with the snow-elves has brought back prejudice against elves. My father stopped me from following you out of the middle chamber because he knew how many of those there would view it. Remember, you are supposed to be betrothed to Eric. If we are together and anyone finds out it could ruin your chance to be named Queen.”
“We can deal with those problems.” Petra insisted, “I will be the High Queen of the Westland, Landis. And you are a hero, as well as a Royal Prince of the realm. I think that the people will overlook such petty issues.”
“Race is not a petty issue to many, Petra. The people love my father, yet today I saw men look upon him differently. Some of them knights. Even with his fame the humans of Alexon would never serve him as their leader. I am sorry, Petra, I am afraid that it will not work; as much as I would like it to. Besides, I do not know if I could ever live in Alexon for long. And I am still not fully over what happened with Jandelie.”
Petra’s eyes widened. “You were over her well enough that night we spent together on the Smuggler’s Road!”
Landis felt the sting of those words. He could not reply, but Petra was only beginning, “Listen, Landis. Jandelie is dead. And from what I understand she never did treat you very well when she was alive. I could help you to get over her.”
“What happened between us was different, Petra.” Landis tried to explain, trying his best not to hurt the fragile young princess who had already suffered so many losses. “I am not denying that I have feelings for you. It is just that I have a responsibility to see to it that I do not cause you any more harm. After all of this is completed I can take time to sort out my own emotions. But not before then.”
Petra chose her next words carefully, speaking them in a calm, cool manner. “I could force you to stay. There is the matter of my honor at stake. I could hold you accountable.”
“You could, but you will not.”
Petra grabbed the half-elf in her arms, pushing him back so that they fell together onto the bed, allowing her passion to take over. Landis wanted to give in to his desires. He wanted that more than anything else at this moment. He could not allow this to go on any further. Landis pried Petra’s arms apart, forcing her off of him long enough to climb out of his bed. “Petra, grab a hold of yourself. You are a princess—the next High Queen of the Westland—and you deserve better than this. Do not degrade yourself so.”
Tears streamed down Petra’s face as she jumped from the bed. “It is Katryn that you want, isn’t it?” She accused.
Landis shook his head, “Petra, right now I do not want anyone. I just want to get you to Alexon and see you become Queen. And I have to find out what to do with these damned pearls. I treasure every moment with you but I cannot promise anything at this time. Please do not make this any harder than it has to be.”
Petra turned from Landis and dashed to the door. Before opening it she turned back once more to look at Landis. Words could not come to her. Petra flung the door open and fled down the hall. Landis sat down on the bed. Why does life have to be so unfair? He thought.
* * * * *
Petra raced down the hallway towards her room, unaware of the eyes that watched after her. When she was safely past, Jordan Jarobohim stepped out of the shadows. A mixture of feelings washed through the young man. Jordan looked down the hall to the door to Landis’ room, cursing under his breath. He liked Landis for a friend. But he did not like the way his Queen was falling for the half-elf. And he was angered that Landis had apparently hurt her. His heart cried out that he was honor bound to avenge her pain. Jordan could not confront Landis. It was not that he feared the half-elf; Jordan accepted that he probably could not defeat Landis in battle even if his back was fully healed. He would willingly face death to defend Petra, and had done so already. No, it was not fear that kept the Squire in check. He knew that Landis was doing the right thing to help Petra. Jordan also knew that what was going on between them in private was none of his concern. What bothered him most was that Jordan knew that he had fallen in love with Petra, and that there was nothing he could do about it.
Chapter 28
The following morning Petra sat quietly across from Jordan in the carriage as they waited to leave Talboth. Jordan could tell from the look of Petra’s face that the Princess had slept little and had been crying most of the night. He attempted to ask her if she was okay, to which she responded that she had been upset over the loss of her grandfather. He knew that to be true, but he knew also that she was upset over Landis. But Jordan was wise enough not to mention the half-elf’s name to her.
General Bix and Captain ReShard exited the garrison with their six, well armed soldiers in tow. The General walked passed the carriage and offered Petra his sincere condolences for the loss of her grandfather before climbing atop his towering warhorse.
Jaylen was once again on horseback. ReShard made several disparaging remarks about the Sword-Master to his fellow soldiers from a distance that he thought safe from Jaylen’s ears. The elf ignored the first of the comments before deciding that enough was enough and spoke up. “General Bix, does your Captain have a problem with me? From the way he keeps looking at me and wagging his tongue I would think that he objects to my riding along. If he questions my honor once more, then I will gladly face him sword-to-sword to settle the matter.”
General Bix glared at Captain ReShard before answering. “I apologize if Captain ReShard has offended you, Sword-Master Jaylen. He has spent many days fighting snow-elves and perhaps he is just behaving on instinct. I am sure that he means you no ill will. Is that not true, Captain?”
Re
Shard reluctantly swallowed his pride, “I mean you no offense.” He knew Jaylen’s skill all too well to accept his challenge. But he longed for the day when Boric took the throne and discharged the elf from his duties.
The outer door to the stables where the knights kept their horses opened and out rode Rathkemp DuJurnor with four mounted knights and Trevor Kahn.
“Why is he not bound?” ReShard wanted to know, seeing that Trevor Kahn rode freely with the knights.
Rathkemp answered, “I see no reason to risk him falling from the saddle because his hands are tied. We have his sword and he is unarmed. He will be riding in the middle of four Knights of Alexon. I can assure you that Trevor Kahn will not escape and is of no risk to any of us.”
“He is your prisoner, treat him as you please.” General Bix said.
Once again Captain ReShard did not agree with his general, but wisely chose to remain silent. Bix looked about as they prepared to ride. “I see the mage, but where is your son, Jaylen? And where is the man who wanted to defend Kahn yesterday? Surly they must want to ride with us.”
“They have ridden ahead to make sure that the road is safe.” Jaylen answered, pleased to note that Bix had not noticed the absence of Twaller or Katryn. He guessed that their presence had been unworthy of his attention the day before.
“Enough talk,” Rathkemp said, “We need to ride so that we can get Petra home.”
Elf Lords: 01 - Pearls of the Elf Lords Page 21