by Bill Albert
The Fifth Minister’s eyes locked on her in total shock.
“Yes, 1000 years of bloodshed because of a curse. He knew it, he could have brought it to an end, but this thing who wants to be King, let it continue.”
“Is this true?” The Fifth Minister asked the First Minister. “Is a curse on the elves true?”
The First Minister nodded without saying a word. The thoughts of Second Minister and the Sixth Minister were unreadable. The Eighth Minister’s face was frozen, but she could tell by the look in his eyes this had been unknown to him. The rest said nothing, but she could tell that they had known the truth.
“Your vote, Fifth Minister,” the Third Minister called.
The Fifth Minister, his mind in turmoil, look looked down at the floor.
“We must all vote to make this official,” the Second Minister laughed at the Third Minister.
“No victory for you today,” the First Minister said.
“This day isn’t over yet,” the Third Minister snapped. Moving faster than any Giants before him the Third Minister spun quickly and, with a massive thrust of his hand, knocked Gallif, Luvin and Rosario off their feet with a single swipe. Mekon step forward to attack the Third Minister but the Eighth Minister beat his move and was standing between the two of them with the tip of his 2-foot-long giant dagger against Mekon’s throat. The Seventh Minister jumped forward with the silver tip of his wand pointed at the Second Minister when the Ninth Minister did the same to him.
The First Minister sat in his chair unmoving while the Fifth Minister tried not to show his fear.
“You will die before the sun goes down,” Mekon simply informed him.
Gallif tried to stand but a swift kick from the Third Minister sent her flying towards the open wall. She managed to stop herself from falling by catching the lip at the edge. Luvin and Rosario raced after her and secured her in place, but the blunt impact of the kick had broken some of her ribs. The healing cast on the suit would help her recover but she would have to wait before she could crawl in and stand.
Kellis looked at Gallif, then down at herself, before facing Gallif again.
She nodded and understood.
“Before you make your decision, the Third Minister said to the Fifth Minister who looked back at him as if you weren’t arranged. “Let me give you one more reason I should be King.”
The Third Minister flicked his wand in a zig zag pattern and appeared to fade out of existence for a moment as he turned in a circle. Before he stopped in a solid form the walls of the Council Chamber started to change.
The First wall, facing southeast, depicted the dragons that used to live and rule the land, began moving to the and soon the open end of the chamber, facing east, was now blocked.
The Second wall, facing directly south, depicted the Dragon War and it suddenly stared to slide downward as if it were moving to a lower level. They knew this was impossible as the level immediately beneath the Chamber was curved and could not have been placed there naturally. Whatever cast he was using had of changed the stone walls size and shape as well. The grinding of stone on stone continued as the southwest wall also vanished. The entire southern horizon of Spring Fired and the outer lands could be seen.
Like a magician trying to pull one last trick out of a hat the Third Minister walked to the edge of the floor and wound his wand in circle creating a ball of intensely hot and bright red light. Then he swung it outward into the sky as if he were throwing it away.
As soon as the flare reached its peak, they could all hear a distant rumbling. It was as if a fierce thunderstorm was approaching incredibly rapidly, but the skies were clear. Every one of the Council scanned the horizon looking for a source. Though her body was stiff, and she cannot stand by herself Gallif had Luvin and Rosario help her to her feet and walk or to a position where she could see the rainbow mountains.
The rumbling increased for several minutes until a dark shape appeared directly to the west of them. It was between two of the highest peaks in the mountains and silhouetted against the sun. They had to squint and try to cover their eyes, but they could make out some long cylindrical shape.
They caught more movement to the south and southwest and saw two more incredibly large cylinders moved into positions on the rims of the mountain. Though they were miles away they could see the cylinders had an open and were tilted upward. Anyone who had ever thrown anything or seen an arrow fired could imagine the path anything ejected from the cylinders would take.
“The range will depend on the angle of the cylinders,” the Third Minister boasted.” They could stop advancing army dead in its tracks as far away as Atrexia,” he said. “Even Mount Seidler would be within this range,” he said looking down the Fifth Minister as he mentioned his opponent’s hometown. “For the record, to show we have a majority vote, to support my claim to the throne?”
The Fifth Minister desperately looked around the chamber for help. The other Ministers, who were on his side, were just as trapped as he was. Breathing heavily, he suddenly thought of how he had idolized the Third Minister as he had grown up. He had been a hero to him, and he had spent many nights praying and dreaming about the honor of working at his side. He wiped his hair back and stood to face his hero. He stood tall and strong in his voice was clear.
“No, I did not you your claim,” the Fifth Minister said.
“Send him home,” the Third Minister said turning to the Seventh Minister.
The Seventh Minister spoke so fast no one in the room could pick up everything he said. He swiped his wand at the Fifth Minister, who suddenly lifted off his feet. The Seventh Minister walked forward and the cast who pushes victim out of the open walls went well. With a simple twist of the wand he released the Fifth Minister who fell screaming to the streets of Spring Field.
“I believe now I have a majority vote,” King Krove said. As they watched he pulled away the robes that signified him as the Third Minister and let them drop to the floor. He and worn green and azure clothes of royalty underneath them. They were simple in design, but everyone was aware of their meaning.
“I need you to dispatch a Royal proclamation,” King Krove said to the Ninth Minister. “They are already signed and approved in my office. My age will help collect them.”
“Yes, my King,” the Ninth Minister said.
“Do so immediately. Let everyone in the Land of Starpoint know the King Krove will protect them,” he said proudly then added, “as long as they pay their tributes to him. Send my personal aide and an elite squad of my shokas up here on your way. Thank you, my friend.”
“It is an honor, my King,” the Ninth Minister said with a smile and headed down the stairs.
Only Seconds after the Ninth Minister had left the stairs, they heard the city thumping of a group coming back up. They looked on in astonishment as five Giants and five humans entered the chamber. Each was dressed in formfitting armor that covered them from head to toe. Each had weapons ranging from hammers too short swords to spikes. According to legend shoka’s had been highly trained and brutally efficient warriors, used by the Dwarven Blood Lords to the northwest territory, as a strike force. There was no doubt that’s what this team was designed to do. The giant warriors took up a line behind the three Ministers that remain seated in the five humans surrounded Gallif, Luvin, and Rosario.
Krove walked around the chamber at a steady pace with his back so straight and held so high it was if an invisible crown sat on his head.
“My King,” the Seventh Minister inquired. “What shall we do with the traders?”
Krove turned and slowly studied Gallif, Rosario, Luvin and Mekon.
“Take him away,” Crow said pointing and Mekon. Lock them up and inform the executioner he will be required for another event in a few days.”
Two of the shoka quickly grabbed Mekon and wrapped the chain around his neck and wrists. One of them yanked hard on the neck chain and Mekon was pulled forward suddenly. The Second one prevented him from falling but forced him to keep mo
ving.
King Krove step forward menacingly and glared down at Gallif. The giant may have been physically bigger and stronger than her but, at that moment, the fact that she looked at him as an equal did not escape them.
“You have one simple choice. Tell me the information I need are you and your friends have seen your last sunrise.”
Gallif looked at him with a crooked smile. By his words she knew that he didn’t want anyone else to know they were talking about the Bridge of Immortality. “You’ll get nothing,” she said and for that moment it was as if she were looking down on him.
“Oh, yes, I will, little girl. You have all the weaknesses that humans do.”
King Krove glanced at the Seventh Minister the knotted Luvin. Using the same cast as before he flicked the silver tip wand and Luvin was a few feet off the floor. The Seventh Minister walked forward and, before anyone knew it, Luvin was suspended outside the open southern wall.
“No,” both Gallif and Rosario cried in anger.
“Bring him back, now!” Gallif demanded. “Set him down safely.”
“Tell me, tell me or he dies.”
Gallif turned and ran to the open wall. She spun back and leaned forward in one smooth movement. The tips of her boots were on the very edge of the floor. She stood with her arms open wide and it was clear just the slightest shift in her weight would send her plummeting to Spring Field below. She stared at Krove and there was no fear in her eyes.
“If he dies, I die,” she warned him and there was no doubt in the King’s mind that she would die with her friend if she had to.
The Second Minister and the Sixth Minister sat in their chairs fighting the urge to rise. The presence of the giant warriors near them kept them seated.
“It’s your choice, my King,” Gallif said without emotion. “If he dies today, then so do I, and eventually, so will you.”
He looked at her, wanting her dead, but new that she had control of the situation.
“Back off,” King Krove said to the Seventh Minister. “Bring the boy in.”
The Seventh Minister took a step back until Luvin was inside and safe. Gallif step inside as well and assume is her heel was on solid ground, he relieved Luvin from the cast. Luvin dropped a few inches, but the shock was enough that it unnerved him, and he fell to the floor. Gallif and Rosario ran to him and surrounded him to hold him steady.
“Get him up, now!” King Krove ordered.
Gallif and Rosario rose holding Luvin between them.
Krove suddenly looked at Luvin differently as if he had just noticed something for the First time.
“I’ve dealt with you before,” the king said as he searched his memory for whispers. “I killed you, or someone like you, once before.”
“No,” Luvin said. His voice was calm and did not betray any nervousness in the system. “You tried before, yes, but you failed.”
“Then I better make sure I get it right next time,” the king said and smiled.
“Excuse me, Third Minister, what you going to do with us?” The Sixth Minister asked. “Notice, I refuse to refer to you as King as I will do everything I can to stop this illegal seizure of the throne.”
“These three will be held in one of the meditation chambers,” Krove said without looking away from the three humans. “They are small, close to the center of the tower, and have only one door. There is nowhere for them to escape to. You, as Minister, are free to go,” he said confidently. “You may return to your offices and houses as you wish. Keep in mind, a move you make against me will be considered an act of treason. You will be dealt with appropriately.” His confident smile was broken by a polite comment from Gallif.
“Excuse me, King Krove,” Gallif asked in her politest voice. “I don’t think you have everything as under control as you imagine. In fact, there is much, much, more going on here than you know.”
He started to raise a fist in anger to strike her down but the gasps of shock from the other Giants, including the Ministers in the room interrupted him. He whipped around and followed all their eyes to the same point.
The First Minister’s chair was completely empty.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: HEAT
“Do you think they’ll give us any food?” Luvin asked.
Gallif looked at him with her bright green eyes and slowly smiled at his silliness which was exactly why he asked.
“I’m sure that’s not on their list of things to do today,” Rosario said from her seat opposite them.
“Well, as far as it goes this isn’t too bad. Comfy cushions, sweet smells, no manacles, no rats. They didn’t even take our weapons. If you have to be in a cell I’ve been in worse.”
The meditation room they had been placed in was quite fancy and comfortable. It was circular with a bench all the way around. The floor was covered with plush blue carpet, soft cushions, and pillows rested on the bench in the walls were covered with calming, blue, green, and browned silk drapes. There were no windows and only one door that was immediately closed after they were forced in. There was one very small vent in the floor and another in the ceiling and the only lights came from a small candle that stood on a round table in the center. Built into the table was an incense burner that gave the room a pleasant chocolate smell. It was large enough that a giant could sit comfortably. Three humans found it incredibly spacious.
Rosario had plopped herself down on one side of the room, LAN her side, and was growing tired rapidly.
Luvin had sat down opposite her and was barely able to reach the center table with his feet. Gallif had sat down next to him and, being slightly taller, easily rested her boots on the table.
“I can see why they use this for meditation,” Gallif said. “We been up here for hours and I’ve heard nothing in any direction.”
“How long you think we been here?” Rosario asked. “I can’t even guess.”
“For hours, give or take a few minutes, Gallif answered.
“You think the riders with a Royal proclamation pronouncing the new King has left yet?” Rosario wondered. “I don’t doubt it,” Gallif said.
“I’m trying to get used to the truth about the Third Minister,” Luvin said then corrected himself distastefully. “I mean King Krove. He was so obsessed with himself and the thrill of running a kingdom he didn’t notice what was happening right there. He was having such a thrill for murdering a fellow giant he completely forgot about Kellis.”
“I keep thinking about that too,” Rosario admitted. “I can’t believe she would have abandoned us there. Especially as loyal as she is to the first minister.”
“She didn’t,” Gallif said flatly and they both looked at her in surprise. “I made eye contact with her just as Krove was bringing his thugs in. She knew she could get out the same way she came in and I nodded for her to go. She’ll help us more out there.”
“It wasn’t just Krove,” Rosario pointed out. “None of them noticed she was gone.”
“Most of the Giant Lords never notice us when we are there,” Gallif said. “How can they miss us when we’re not?” She scooted down a bit and put her head on Luvin shoulder. “That is why this kingdom will fall,” she said as she drifted off to sleep.
***
Within two hours after sundown more than 200 riders left Spring Field with the Royal Proclamations announcing the new King and inviting everyone to the city gates to honor their new leader. Birds were dispatched to the furthest points to help spread the blessed news. In a rare move for the Giant Lords, but a hint of the changes that were taking place, hundreds more were sent to make sure that even the arm reaching cities of Primor and Outbound would be able to marvel at the news.
There was something else traveling with the messengers that no one, especially King Krove, could easily understand. Citizens in the late-night establishments in Dakteria, the newest city, joined around the writers with excitement. As the Royal proclamation were read and posted there was a moment of off and surprise that was commonly followed by something else.
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Just outside a restaurant in Dakteria a young halfling girl named Aliala stared at the announcement in shock. She looked at her friends, mostly children between the ages of 10 and 15, but also adults, and waited for them to speak.
At Denarios’s Tavern a group of older gentlemen heard of the new King, finish the last call for ill, then left. In Bauerent seven boys in their late teens read the Royal Proclamation, rolled their eyes, then went to the barns to ready their horses.
As far East as Christabel even the residence of the most beautiful city in the land responded quizzically to the news. A new King already? No replacement for the Fourth Minister? What happened to the girl? Assassin? Hero?
King Krove had expected the usual cheers and sighs of relief for the new King. Instead, he got a silence the likes of which no one alive had ever known. Then the questions got louder.
***
Gallif sat completely naked in the center of a flowery forest clearing on a fresh spring day. Her sense of smell was engrossed in the fragrances of roses, lilacs and even dandelions. Her ears picked up the chirps and tweets of every bird in the scratch and shuffling of squirrels and other natural forest denizens. Somewhere up in the nest she heard the slightest crack of a robin’s egg in the very first squeak of a new life. Somewhere else a crow dived out of the sky in a dark streak, spotted its target, in tour the world from the ground with its talons before returning to its checks.
The grass that she sat on grew rapidly and soon was winding its way around her legs. Unafraid, she tried to wiggle her foot and as she did the grass waved as if a gentle breeze had passed over it.
A small squirrel skittered up her arm and rested on her shoulder. It looked forward, gendered as it sent something, then turned around to look behind her. His tail bristled against her cheek and tickled her. She giggled but the not brushing away.
A bird landed in her bright red hair. It checked at her then, without giving her any pain, it pulled a short strand of her hair from her and flew off to its nest.