by Steve Barker
Hollyglade handed dGerrie the blanket to cover his now exposed torso, and held out her hand to steady him. He nodded, slipped the blanket over his head, and began to move away from the wall.
Moving slowly, the group set off down the tunnel. Jeron taking steps gingerly on his bare feet, dGerrie limping slowly and leaning on both Hollyglade and the walls, and Hollyglade doing her best to support dGerrie while favouring her injured knee and sore feet.
The tunnel wound its way downward for quite some time without encountering a side passage or intersection of any kind. After a while, it changed from laid brick and stone, to a rough cut passage through the white bedrock upon which the capital sat. After what seemed like just under half an hour, the tunnel came to an intersection, where Jeron paused and waited for the other two to come close.
“Alright, now comes a choice,” he said, looking each of them in the eye. “We can either take this tunnel, which leads to the coast, and hope to find a ship we can board to head either North toward, and ideally beyond, Demaria, or South to Sudara, or possibly the far lands beyond it.” He paused, letting those options sit with his companions for a moment.
“Or, we can take this passage which will let us out in the Westwood, and travel over land in any direction we choose. Though it would be difficult to secure transport by sea, we could move quite far, quite fast, and could give anyone a wide berth should we find a vessel we can commandeer for ourselves. Land presents more options in terms of direction and destination, but more hazards as well.”
Hollyglade looked at both of them, then to the passage that lead to the Westwood.
“Land. I must take the path to land.”
dGerrie looked back at her, hearing the resoluteness in her voice.
“You have a plan. I can hear it.”
“Yes, I do, but I can’t ask you to come with me.”
“You can, Sprout. But you don’t have to. I’m with you. I finally found you, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
She smiled and nodded, hearing the resolve in his voice. They both looked to Jeron, awaiting his response. He took a breath, and stared at the floor for a few moments, then nodding his head, he found Hollyglade’s gaze and met it with his own.
“I owe you my life. Regardless of what plans I have for myself, I must at least see you to some sort of relative safety. I’m with you. My plans can, and must wait.”
Hollyglade was taken aback somewhat, as she could never have imagined someone with any status, let alone a prince, wanting to throw their lot in with her. She had no words to offer in response to the commitment each of these men had offered her. She had not even revealed where it was that she hoped to venture to. She stood, holding dGerrie, not knowing what to say, when Jeron broke the silence.
“Well, I’d like to know exactly where we are going, as I’m sure it’ll be interesting, but first we must get out of here. Come. There will be more time for talk later, if all goes well. We have a fair way to go before we can pretend to feel safe.” He turned and headed down the tunnel leading to the Westwood, a sword in one hand and the torch in the other, waving for his companions to follow. The tunnel wound its way through the bedrock beneath Magnaville, taking the trio further away from Whiterock, and the destruction that had nearly taken their lives.
As they moved through the passages, Hollyglade felt a mix of relief and tension. Having survived the Sorcerer’s attempt to steal her very essence, she was grateful to be alive and whole, and that her friends, both old and new, had survived with her. But now, they would face unknown dangers once they left the relative security of the hidden tunnels under the city.
They reached the end of the tunnels in just under an hour, and paused to catch their breath before taking the risk of venturing out into the relative openness of the Westwood. At the door leading out, Jeron signalled for them to wait, and to remain silent as he pressed his ear to the door to listen, and held it there for quite a long time. Once he was certain it would be safe, he pulled away from the door, and sat down with Hollyglade and dGerrie.
“I can not hear anyone outside the door, but I do not trust that we will have a completely clear exit. There may be some foes to evade or confront once we exit. How fare you both?”
dGerrie looked to Hollyglade, indicating he had the same question for her. She looked to Jeron
“I’m well enough, at least physically, but without more weapons to go around, and with my relative rawness in the use of them, my hope is for stealth. That is one area of skill where I may outclass the both of you.” She looked back to her injured friend “It’s you I worry about, dGerrie. You have saved us, and me for I can’t even recall how many times it is now, but you don’t look well.”
dGerrie met her gaze with a smile, though it was somewhat forced through the ongoing ordeal of his injuries.
“I’ll manage. I must. It’s of no advantage for us to remain here.” He turned to Jeron with a gravity in his expression “Jeron, how well do you know the area we step into? Do you have a plan for us, in terms of which direction to take? We must find shelter, food, and water. We should all do well with some rest and sustenance.”
Jeron nodded pensively as he shifted his gaze away in consideration of their immediate needs.
“I agree, friend. We must recover some strength before attempting to travel too far. There may be a haven for us nearby. I remember a set of small caves where I used to play as a child, somewhere near where this tunnel lets us out. But I must admit that my memory of their exact location is a little lacking.”
Hollyglade perked up at the suggestion of the caves.
“Do you refer to a system of caves among an alder grove, where a small stream flows out from the main mouth?” She asked with a hint of eagerness.
“Yes, that sounds like them. Do you know them?”
“I do!” she replied. “I had no idea that there was a secret tunnel that let out in the same wood.”
“Nor should you,” chuckled Jeron. “They would not be secret if you did.”
Hollyglade smiled for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, and stood up.
“You two stay here. I’ll scout quietly and quickly. I’ll find the caves and return to lead you there via the safest route.”
“Sprout,” dGerrie interjected, “I don’t want to let you out of my sight again. I can’t handle the thought.”
“Stilt,” she replied reassuringly, “I am well enough to move undetected past whatever eyes or ears may be about, especially in the dark of the new moon. You forget, that as a Giantish girl, I need no light by which to navigate, and as an Elvish girl, I shall be swift and silent. Let me save you now.” Her posture and tone displayed an adamance neither man could argue with.
“Alright,” Jeron agreed “we shall trust our escape to you. You have saved me once already. I shall not look to find reason to doubt you now.” He stood with her and took her hand in his. “I will stay to see what I may do to aid him. Take this.”
He offered her the sword.
“It’s of no use to me. I am at best clumsy with such a blade.”
“Then take this, at least,” dGerrie said, holding out the sheathed dagger. “You’re not going out there without some sort of blade.”
She nodded and took the weapon, sliding it into her belt. She then knelt down, placed a hand on either side of dGerrie’s face, and pressed her forehead to his.
“Thank you, brother,” she whispered. “I’ll be back for you before you know it.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder, and smiled.
Standing up and giving a look of acknowledgement to Jeron, Hollyglade moved to the door with him.
“When you return, do not knock on the door. Scratch it like a cat, but gently. I will acknowledge you in the same way.” he whispered.
She nodded, and grabbed him around the shoulders, giving him a quick hug, and then turned to the door. Without words, he opened the door slowly, and let her out, closing it carefully behind her.
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“Your Grace!” shouted Yerin Greln, “King Harford is missing!”
The War Marshall ran to the King, who was in the process of gathering his Lords and commanders after the collapse of the Tower of Whiterock.
“What?!” the King snapped in surprise and anger, “Where has he gone? How did we lose him?”
The War Marshall stood still, though he wanted to step back from the suddenly bristling conqueror.
“My King, it seems that he has slipped away in the confusion created by the collapse of the tower. I have dispatched the closest cohorts to begin the search, and would like your leave to expand the number of soldiers assigned to find him. He can not have gone very far.”
“Do it. Take as many men as you require. Set up checkpoints on all roads out of the city, all gates to the castle and the city walls, and restrict all vessels from leaving the harbour.” The King paused, and took a look around the throne room. “And War Marshall, it appears we are searching for Lord Quentin Wendal also. Furthermore, if that Sorcerer we’ve heard about is spotted, he is to be chained and brought before me. I’ll have no such manipulator free to roam about in either of my Kingdoms. Make haste, War Marshall.”
“At once, Your Grace.” Yerin Greln spun and hurried out of the throne room to oversee the search and set up of checkpoints.
The King returned to his previous meeting
“Lord Birk, you are to organize the surrender of the Lorian troops. They are to be treated with respect and dignity. Weapons are to be surrendered, but those who are willing to swear their fealty to Demarian rule, shall be paid their wage from the Lorian coffers and allowed to retain their position, serving Demarian rule of occupied Loria. Once vetted, any such men shall be returned to active duty. Any non-military civilians, if unarmed, may return to their homes and occupations once cleared through vetting.” He paused and looked each Lord and Commander in the eye. “Remember Lords, Commanders, though our cause was just, we were the invaders, and the aggressors. To the innocent civilians of Loria we may be seen as greedy conquerors. Treat these people with the respect the late King Jerold held for them, and make sure that everyone under your command does the same.”
Each of the gathered lords and commanders nodded their acknowledgment.
“Good. Get to it men,” he said, dismissing them.
“Lord Orban, Lord Birk, stay please.”
The two lords remained and gave a slight bow
“How may I serve, Your Grace?” offered Orban.
“My Lord Orban, I need someone here to administrate. I can not remain here in Loria too long, though I will stay at least a while, and I require someone to discover all details of the young King’s rule since the passing of his father. Find the minutes from his Vestry’s assemblies, and the written copies of any decrees he that have been made by this boy. It is well known that he had begun to shift this Kingdom into some disarray as of late, and I shall need to know what we must do, and undo, in order to stabilize our rule over it.”
“I shall begin right away, Your Grace.”
“Good. Assign someone to look into the Lorian finances, and have them report to you. We must know how much strain the crown is under, especially if we are to treat their Royal Forces as they deserve.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Orban bowed and left, calling several of his aides to follow.
Lord Birk straightened his posture, and awaited the King’s acknowledgement. King Dermond motioned for him to follow, and walked over to one of the windows facing the fallen tower.
“Birk, we need to know the truth about Prince Jeron. It was surely no Demarian who interfered with him. We must know if he is alive or dead, and who orchestrated his fate. Does the young Harford deserve blame? Was he manipulated? Was it done without his knowledge? I must know the answers to these questions. Use whatever means you must to find the truth”
“It will be done, Your Grace.” replied the lord “What of those who are responsible, should I find them? What shall be their fate?”
“Justice, my Lord. But fair justice. I shall decide their fate, if and when you find them. Get to it. I desire to give these people the truth soon, so that designs on rebellion have fewer incentives.”
“Your, Grace.” The lord bowed, and left the King alone.
King Dermond Riaghlad stood looking out over the rubble of the collapsed tower for some time. His thoughts were disturbed as he grappled with the rationale for the invasion that brought him there. Oh Jerold, my old friend, what took you from this life so soon? I had hoped you would outlive me. I had hoped to die in the midst of peace. I had hoped our friendship would rub off on our neighbours to the north and south. What a mess we’ve made, your son and I.
The King returned to the dias. Breathing deeply, savouring his victory and looking out over the city, King Dermond Riaghlad once more settled onto the throne of Loria.
Epilogue
The morning air was crisp, and the snow blanketed the ground, settled upon the trees, and painted the landscape in purest white. The sun was rising, and shone through the thin clouds. Though it had only been snowing a few days, the forest was silent of the bird calls normally welcoming the dawn during the summer months. Far back from the mouth of the cave, beside the creek that flowed out from deep within the ground, a small fire burned, well enough back from the opening not to be visible from outside the cavern.
“No, don’t shave it! You need to hide your identity still. You are the rightful King, but you still need to stay hidden in the short term. Besides, I like it.”
He smiled, and put the blade back in the pocket of the jerkin he had managed to take from a sleeping Demarian soldier.
“I must say, I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact you eat animals. I mean, you can hear them, talk to them basically, right? Does it not feel like eating a friend?”
“Listen, Jeron,” Hollyglade replied with a smirk “they are what they are. It’s not their intelligence that allows me to connect with them, it’s my gift. One does not need to read the thoughts of a lamb led to the slaughter to know that it would rather not die and be eaten.” She took another bite of the rabbit leg and shook her head at him playfully.
“I just can’t imagine it. I think I’d have a hard time with it.”
“That’s because you and I have never had that connection.” dGerrie replied for her. “We’ve grown up not knowing what animals think or feel, so it’s easy to be blissfully ignorant. She’s grown up knowing what they think all along, so it’s just normal for her. We have all arrived at the same place, even though we have traveled different roads to get here.”
“You’re a wise man, dGerrie.” he chuckled. “I’m going to miss you.”
Hollyglade met Jeron’s eyes
“Are you sure this is the best plan? Are you sure you won’t come with us?”
“It is, and I am. Though I would love to see the mountains again, and meet the Elder Folk you seek there, I must search out the good men whom I can trust would honour me as rightful King. There are sure to be many men who remain loyal to my house, my father, and the Kingdom itself. If I am ever to return Loria to freedom, it must start here, and it must start without delay. Though the word we have all overheard these last few days is that King Dermond has treated the people kindly, he is not their King. They do not deserve a foreign conqueror. They deserve their own, true King.”
Hollyglade smiled, uplifted by his steadfast love for his people.
“We’re going to miss you too.”
“Thank you, Holly. I’m gladdened to finally see that you are both well enough to travel. You have a long road ahead of you.”
dGerrie drew up the corner of his mouth, in a coy half smile.
“We aren’t taking roads, remember?.”
“I worry how long that will take you, and for the fact that tracks stay in snow for longer than people think.”
“We have time on our side now. No one knows we live, and no one other than that dead sorcerer, and that
coward of a bounty hunter, even knows who we are. You can only follow a track if you find the track. We’ll be fine. We’ll use roads when it’s in our interest, but don’t forget, the animals have their roads too.”
“Holly, are you sure you can trust the Gnomish? The Elvish? You’ve never spent any time with them, and though I can’t say much about the Gnomish, I can say that the Elvish don’t tolerate half-breeds. How do you imagine you’ll get them to accept you?”
She nodded in agreement with his assessment of the challenges that lay before her in the high Elvish alpine. She had struggled to answer the question in her own mind, of where to go and whom to seek out for guidance. She knew that she must learn to use the power within her, to control the gift her father and mother had given their lives to preserve. She knew that the Elvish had great knowledge of innate magical abilities, and that the Gnomish were said to be tolerant of anyone who could manage to survive a winter on the peaks of the Southern Range. Those options both seemed to hold value, and risk. She had also contemplated seeking out the Wizards, perhaps even Artache himself, yet the idea of becoming some sort of specimen to be studied turned her stomach. No, she had a different plan.
“I am going to the Elvish Highlands, but not for the Elvish, nor the Gnomish.” She replied.
“The Giantish? But aren’t they beyond the mountains altogether? Do you mean to travel through the Elvish lands in stealth to find your mother’s people?”
“Not them either. No, I’ll travel to the Elvish Highlands, for what I seek is there. But it is not the Elvish, Giantish, nor Gnomish whom I seek. I wish I could tell you, truly, but you must not know. My father told me where to find the one I seek when I was a child, but I remember clearly that he told me I must never share the knowledge of who it is that I travel to find.”
“How do you know that this is the right person to look for? The right person to teach you?”