Grand Vizier of Krar

by W. John Tucker

  Those memories were of little use right now. The ridge was teaming with enemies, right to the edge of the marshes. Questan needed to get past them so he could swim out to the underwater cave which led to the hidden network of tunnels beneath Quolow. He returned to his boat and resolved to wait until dark. In the meantime, more rest was sorely needed.

  *

  Night brought no further hope to Questan. There were too many soldiers blocking his path to the underwater cave. As morning came, he saw that his only hope would be to take his boat to the mouth of the river and then navigate his way to the city via the lake. This was not as easy as it might seem on a map. The lake was between three and four leagues wide for most of its length and it was seven leagues long. It could become very rough and there were dangerous currents. It was far too rough for Questan’s tiny boat in its present, dubious state of repair. To avoid being seen by enemy lookouts he would have to row into the middle of the lake, worn out as he was, and then row back to shore right in front of the city, hoping not to be swept forward over the waterfalls or mistaken for an enemy spy by his own people and shot before anyone could see who he was.

  Having no choice, Questan rowed through the marshes toward the lake. That far should be safe enough, he thought. If he came across enemies here he could quickly lose them in the labyrinth of waterways. Once he came to the open waters of the lake, he would need to take much more care, to ride the dangerous currents caused by the arrival of Polnet River to the southwest and, of course, avoid enemy craft.

  The marshes had retreated since Questan had last used his small boat. He had passed them many times in barges and ferries and had noted their retreat, but he was now navigating from his memory of using his own boat, a memory perhaps not as sharp as in his heyday (he liked to think that his memory had merely relaxed rather than declined since his retirement). That is why he found himself in open water far earlier than he had expected.

  Within seconds of gliding into the lake beyond the cover of the reeds he found himself surrounded, arrows pointed at his heart.

  68

  6th November

  In conversation with the centurion, Pelembras had discovered that a circus had indeed been in the area for the entertainment of the troops. Some of the men had seen it when it stopped for one night along the banks of the Polnet. Others were angry because they had been on duty when it passed and had not been able to go to see it. No one knew for sure where its next stop would be or for how long. They just knew that it had moved south along the west bank of the lake, crossed the Polnet not far north of the blockade, and then took a wide path around the marshes, probably heading for the camps east of Lake Quolow.

  “I would have liked to see one of those performances,” Pelembras said to the man. “Were there contests of arms or, say, paraded captives?” He tried to sound as though he was an enthusiast rather than an investigator.

  “No, these performances are just abbreviated versions of the show they put on in the arenas at the major camps. There are jugglers, acrobats and exotic animals, but the fights and Prize Girl competitions only take place in the arenas. I believe that is for crowd management reasons.”

  The centurion was in no hurry. The longboat made several stops along the river to pick up and deliver various despatches and packages. It did not reach the lake until nightfall and the centurion insisted on stopping there for the night.

  “The enemy take advantage of our unfamiliarity with the rivers and countryside,” the centurion told Pelembras. “They send small bands of terrorists to attack us during the night. Many of our longboats on Southport River and other rivers to the north have been destroyed in night-time terrorist attacks. It is better that we make camp here and post sentries.”

  “That seems a wise choice,” Pelembras agreed. “However, my spies should set about their task of finding timber for our river fleet. As soon as dawn comes, with your agreement, I will send them to question the locals living near the river. There are forests in the mountains to the east and maybe stores of timber hidden not far away.”

  The centurion had no objection. After all, Pelembras was to stay with him to explain everything to General Utukin.

  Pelembras walked back to Arnapa and the others who had stayed in their canoes and kept away from the longboat crew during stops.

  “Blan is undoubtedly now with a circus caravan. It passed east of the river after staging a show near the blockade two nights ago,” Pelembras reported. “Blan was probably taken to it some time after that. Not many locals remain in the riverside farms we passed today. Still, you might be able to find out more about the circus. I have the centurion’s permission for you to go your own way at dawn tomorrow. Remember, your official role is to search for timber.”

  “What of you, Pelembras?” Arnapa asked. “The enemy will soon find out that you are an impostor. You must get away soon.”

  “Don’t worry about me. My dear wife is always saying how she can be talking to me one moment and the next moment she can’t find me,” Pelembras joked, although he was well aware of the risk he was taking. “If we don’t meet up again soon, I will make my way to Southport River and then upstream.”

  Arnapa kissed his cheek. Pelembras smiled, showing more confidence than he felt, and then turned back toward the centurion’s camp where tents were already being erected and watch fires set up.

  69

  Lake Quolow – 7th November

  “President Questan!” Zeep exclaimed.

  “Of course,” Arnapa said, “I remember you. What are you doing here?”

  They all lowered their bows. Questan gave a deep sigh of relief when he recognised Zeep. He then recognised Arnapa as well, although she had appeared in disguise so often he was not quite sure which was the real Arnapa or, indeed, if there was a real Arnapa.

  “Have you come to search for Memwin?” Questan asked.

  “Memwin…? No, we have come to find a colleague travelling under the name of Blansnette,” Arnapa replied.

  “Then you don’t know. Of course, the news would not have reached you yet,” Questan surmised.

  To their increasing wonder and horror he then told them of his meeting with Blansnette, her kidnapping, and Memwin’s appearance and disappearance. He showed them Memwin’s note to him.

  “I have never felt events to be so far out of control,” Arnapa confessed.

  “In my early days of learning the brewing business, Kem used to say to me that the Great Plan is always at work and that events are never entirely out of our control,” Bonmar averred.

  “Thank you for reminding us, Bonmar,” Arnapa said disconsolately, too distressed really to feel much faith in the Great Plan or any other philosophy of human destiny. “We should hold on to that hope. Perhaps we should have foreseen that Memwin would try to follow Blan. Perhaps also their destinies are bound together more strongly than any of us could have imagined.”

  “If Memwin managed to sneak away from the citadel and come up here all by herself, then maybe she is safer than we think,” Aransette suggested hopefully.

  “I think you’re right,” Questan agreed. “That’s why I didn’t try to follow her further. My anxiety is about the risk she is taking, not her ability to evade adult attention, an art she seems to have mastered.”

  Despite her worry for them both, Arnapa was strangely relieved that Memwin was with Blan. She made a quick assessment of her options. “We can’t follow them on land through enemy territory. Pelembras may be exposed at any time and therefore the game will be up for us too. According to Galnet, the circus is heading for Belspire, so we must follow the rivers and hope to make the rescue after the circus reaches Southport River.”

  “Do you trust Galnet?” Questan asked.

  “He had no interest in lying to us about that,” Arnapa judged.

  “Then you must go to Quolow,” Questan urged. “There is an underground river which emerges beneath the waterfall at the north of the lake.”

  “Come with me in my canoe, Questan,”
Arnapa offered. “Even if your boat survives the voyage it will take you days. In these state-of-the-art outrigger canoes we can manage the swell of the lake and move very quickly.”

  Questan gratefully accepted the ride. After finding a new place to hide his boat in the marshes, he struggled into Arnapa’s canoe. Soon the three canoes were gliding out into the lake. After a mile they turned south toward Quolow. Despite the recent arrangements made between Pelembras and the enemy, Arnapa did not want to be spotted from the shore. Even if Pelembras’ charade still held, it would be difficult to explain why his spies were searching for timber in the lake.

  They reached Quolow that night without incident. The enemy had numerous barges but these were used to transport supplies around the shore and rarely ventured far into the lake. The enemy strategy was first of all to prevent Quolow from sending assistance to Dabbin. Then, once the navy had taken control of the whole of Southport River, and the locks by which large ships could bypass the waterfall and float up to Lake Quolow were repaired, quimals would be sent upstream to destroy Quolow itself. Meanwhile a small fleet would be built on the lake to suppress resistance and support the siege, and it was for this that the centurion and his general had assumed Pelembras had been sent by Black Knight.

  There was little help to be had in Quolow to rescue Blan and Memwin. The city was hard pressed to repel periodic attacks against the north and south walls. However, Questan did obtain more detailed maps of Southport River. Arnapa already knew the rivers well, so he explained the maps for the benefit of the others.

  “As you see from these charts, the Polnet reaches the Southport about ten leagues north of the waterfall, and Belspire is about fifty-five leagues’ voyage upstream from the confluence. Both rivers are very broad and feature many side channels through marshes and swamps for much of their length, so you should have plenty of cover for your canoes. Ports have been built where these marshes are narrow enough to be built over. The main channel of each river is very strong and deep, so the greatest of ships can sail between Port Fandabbin, Quolow and Belspire. Of course, we removed our largest ships to Port Fandabbin before the enemy arrived, so all Utukin has are captured barges, ferries and longboats. He is repairing the locks for bringing quimals up to Lake Quolow, so we know his plan. If he succeeds in repairing the locks and acquires enough quimals then this city will fall.”

  “How do we get our canoes past the waterfall?” Bonmar asked.

  “I will show you,” Questan replied. “I still have some influence in this city with some of the officers I fought alongside in the last war, so I have conscripted some friends to carry your canoes and packs to the dock. You are also welcome to take whatever food I have. Fresh water is no problem here, so take as much as you can carry.”

  “You will need your food as the siege goes on,” Arnapa said. “We will live on what we find in the marshes and perhaps what we can steal back from the enemy. We are already very grateful for your help and the information you have brought us.”

  Questan led them to an old stone building in the middle of the city. A huge windlass was fixed to the tower above and was slowly turning in the breeze. When they entered the building they found themselves in a large hall. In the subdued lighting from several lanterns they could see what looked like a circular swimming pool in the middle of the chamber.

  “Behold our city water supply,” said Questan. “It is very deep. We pump it up from the underground river. Unless the enemy finds the source of the river, way up in the mountains, we should not become thirsty.”

  “Is it likely that the enemy will find the source?” asked Bonmar.

  “We don’t even know where it is ourselves, despite having searched for a thousand years,” Questan laughed. He then led them to a broad staircase which spiralled downward into darkness. He took a lantern and they followed him below.

  Thirty fathomes down they emerged into another chamber but this time it was well lit with a multitude of lanterns. A small river or brook ran through it from right to left, about twenty paces in front of them. They were standing on a dock cut from the stone and they could see their canoes tied up ready for them at the water’s edge along with numerous other canoes of various sizes. A wooden bridge crossed the brook to where other craft were tied up.

  “Here is my favourite escape route,” Questan declared. “When you reach the cave beneath the waterfall, slow down and head to the wall on your right where the waterfall is weakest. You will be soaked as you pass through, but not crushed or capsized, as would be the case if you tried to pass through nearer the middle. I wish I could come with you but I would only hold you back, and some of the enemy’s officers might still recognise my face from the last war. Give my regards to Blan and Memwin. It was a privilege to meet them.”

  “We will,” Arnapa said, “and it was my privilege to meet you again after so long, old friend.”

  “It does not seem so long for me, Princess,” Questan chuckled.

  The brook wound this way and that but was very strong and they only needed to guide their canoes into the middle of its current. After an hour and a half the tunnel roof rose suddenly away and they found themselves in a huge cave. The noise of the waterfall, audible for a long while in the tunnel, suddenly became almost deafening. They could see the golden glow of dawn beyond the sheet of falling water which curtained the entire opening of the cave.

  As instructed, they all paddled furiously toward the cave wall a hundred paces to their right. They were lucky to reach it just as they were propelled through the curtain of water. There were marshes on either side of the fall, so they lost no time seeking cover in the nearest reeds to their right. They had emerged at the far eastern edge of the waterfall. The western end was a mile away and, beyond that, they could see the great wall of the canal by which large ships would float up to the lake. Through her spy glass Arnapa could see mounted soldiers there riding up and down, supervising thousands of captives engaged in repairing the locks.

  Arnapa signalled the others to follow her as she manoeuvred her canoe into the marshes and set a winding course through them toward Southport River.

  70

  Outside Austra Great Harbour – 8th November

  “Great One, there is important news from the Geode at Belspire,” the Earth Wizard said as he grovelled on the ground.

  The shadow was upon Black Knight again, the wound in his forearm was throbbing, and he sensed that this news would not lighten his mood.

  The Earth Wizards usually bowed low, but they only grovelled when the news was bad. Black Knight correctly assumed it was because they were frightened he would draw his scimitar and sweep their heads off, so they tried to keep as far away from a potential sword stroke as they could.

  Actually, he would only have struck them if they showed disrespect or disloyalty or had made a very serious mistake by reason of their own incompetence. There were not enough of them for him to take too many liberties with their lives. Nevertheless, it suited him to keep them nervous.

  “Tell me,” he said evenly.

  “A girl matching the description of Princess Blancapaw has been seen on a barge travelling north along Polnet River,” the Earth Wizard reported.

  “When?” demanded Black Knight, already suspecting that the answer to this question was why the man was grovelling.

  “Eleven days ago,” the man stammered.

  Black Knight rubbed his throbbing arm as he thought. There was no use complaining. He knew that the advance on Quolow had been so rapid that General Utukin’s Geode had to be left behind at Belspire. It had become depleted and had to be taken apart and placed on the ground to recharge its energy. Communication between the besiegers at Quolow and headquarters at Belspire depended on errand riders. Until the last few days there had not even been time to set up beacons, the Quolowans having destroyed their own as they retreated to their city.

  “I want more recent news about this. Send General Utukin a description of Blancapaw and have all spies on alert for her. Even
if she has already reached Port Fandabbin, we need to know whether or not it was her.” Then, after a pause, he said, “Tell Admiral Sakkrint near Slave Island to prepare to send one hundred quimals to escort me to Port Fandabbin; also to build up our blockade here to a total of fifty quimals. Tell the admirals near Proequa to reinforce Sakkrint at Slave Island as he requires.” He had forgotten their names. He had replaced admirals often enough to be excused the momentary lapse of memory. However, it was very much unlike him to forget anything. He put it down to the shadow.

  *

  Outside Austra Great Harbour – 10th November

  “Great One, there is more important news from General Utukin’s Geode,” said the Earth Wizard as he again grovelled on the ground. With a movement of his hand Black Knight ordered him to speak.

  “News has come more quickly now that the beacons are working between Belspire and the general’s camp. A strange rumour is spreading among the troops. It has been called the Queen Memwin Prophecy. I dare not mention the nature of this terrible lie which, of course, no one believes. It seems to have started in the camp east of Quolow.”

  “This is too much!” Black Knight screamed in rage as the Earth Wizard discreetly shuffled backward on his knees. “First a sighting of someone who resembles my fiancée heading for Quolow, and now a rumour, spreading from Quolow, concerning my daughter. I can guess what the rumour is about. You need not tell me. They are there, I tell you! They are both there plotting against me. Tell Admiral Sakkrint to send the squadrons I requested to meet us in the strait. I am going back to Port Fandabbin.”