The Lone Apprentice

by I K Spencer

  The traitor represented another source of concern. It seemed to Anthen that Cidrl had watched him more closely in the last day or so. It was a subtle change and Anthen might attribute it to an active imagination and the never ending strain of his predicament but he couldn’t help wonder if the man was beginning to suspect something.

  Teya's physical condition had steadily improved but the young guardsman could tell that the tension, not to mention the confinement of the tiny dressing room, was taking its toll on the woman's spirit. Anthen sensed that she now believed and trusted him but knew she couldn't wait much longer before she must try to flee. His role as the mute slave forced him to wait for hours at a time but she had it worse, having to sit and wait the entire day in the hot, airless space. Also, the food pilfered from the kitchen was nearly gone and appropriating any additional supplies from the palace kitchen would be too risky.

  The sun had been up for over an hour before Cidrl called for him. He ate half of the cold breakfast, then transferred the remaining half to another plate for Teya. Wishing for some strong coffee, he left all of the tepid sweet tea for her. He took the food to the dressing room door and knocked softly. Teya opened the door and took the food from him. Her face was slick with sweat and he knew she worked to strengthen her legs each morning while waiting for him to leave, then she would bathe. They whispered morning greetings to each other before he returned to stand and wait to be summoned.

  Soon after, the door opened and Cidrl beckoned him to follow. Anthen entered the adjoining chamber and was shocked to see the man in black seated in one of the chairs. Caught off guard, he almost met the newcomer’s angry glare but forced himself to continue to shift his gaze around the room.

  "Well well. If it isn't our promising young apprentice." The man's voice was thick with contempt. He rose and approached Anthen. "Poor little Guardsman," he continued, his face just inches from Anthen's.

  Anthen could smell the man's foul breath and he fought to ignore the threat and remain impassive.

  "Look how far he has fallen. From one of the elite with a beautiful woman to mute slave no better than a dog!"

  Anthen felt the fury that seethed in the man and he wondered how he should respond if the man tried to strike him.

  "Dolkes!" Cidrl snapped. "Sit down you fool! You know he would not stop short of killing you this time. There, you asked to see my latest victim and now you have so finish your report."

  Dolkes eyes blazed with wrath but he did back off and return to his seat. Cidrl was seated as well, still finishing his tea. The two men returned to their meeting, ignoring Anthen.

  "When will they be there?" Cidrl asked.

  "A few days, no more," Dolkes answered, no longer angry.

  "You told them exactly where to wait and ordered them not to move, as I instructed?"

  "Aye. Just as you told me."

  "You told them how vital it is that they not be noticed."

  "Aye."

  "Good. They better not leave the camp in search of sport or I will have their heads. They must not raise suspicions."

  "When will you leave?" Dolkes asked.

  "Just as soon as I can get the Dolonary pigs to finalize matters," Cidrl replied angrily. "It is no wonder they cannot win a war."

  "They better win this one," Dolkes responded. "How many will they send with you?"

  "That is one of the things that still worries me. I have to make sure their numbers are not too great."

  "It should not be a problem. We will have plenty, picking up one from each province we pass through. That's enough of your rogue guardsmen to handle plenty of Dolonary regulars."

  "Yes but the Dolonarian fools may want to send an entire regiment."

  Anthen's heart skipped a beat at Dolkes’ mention of the rogue guardsman and provinces. He must be referring to Isaencarl's provinces, which meant that Cidrl's objective lay somewhere inside the realm. Was the traitor planning an assault on the king himself? Anthen also took note of the news that Cidrl planned to turn against his Dolonarian escort. Why would the traitor give so much aid to the enemy, then turn on them? It didn't make any sense. Anthen's thoughts were interrupted by Cidrl's next question.

  "What news of Jamen's lackey Garrick?"

  "No news. No sign of him since he attempted the crossing. No doubt the drunken old fool fell in a sink hole."

  "Hopefully. Though I would choose a more painful death," Cidrl replied angrily. "The old warrior escaped me twice and has caused too much trouble to earn such an easy death." Cidrl finished his tea and both men rose.

  Anthen followed the pair along the familiar path to the military section of the castle to the captain's chamber. While they walked, Anthen wondered about the fate of Garrick. Had the older guardsman perished in the poisonous marshes? Since awakening from the spell, he had not noticed a change in the faint glow of the stone worn round his neck. That only told him that Garrick was not moving, not how far away he might be. Anthen felt a twinge of guilt for the way he treated Garrick. With the way things had turned out he now had nothing but respect for the older guardsman and prayed that he awaited somewhere in the jungles below.

  The trio’s destination turned out to be the office of the young captain in charge of finding Teya. Cidrl and Dolkes took seats while Anthen remained standing by the door. Fortunately the room was small enough for him to easily hear their discussion.

  "I have nothing to report," the captain admitted, frustration and embarrassment clearly evident on his face. "We have no leads whatsoever."

  "You have investigated all sources from which she might have been aided? All suspected Arnedonian sympathizers have been interrogated?" Cidrl asked impatiently.

  "Yes. We have learned nothing."

  "Then you have a traitor in your midst," Cidrl replied calmly.

  "What do you mean?" the captain responded defensively.

  "You have ruled out all else. She must have received help from someone inside the palace. Why she may be hidden somewhere inside the castle as we speak!"

  Anthen's expressionless face did not betray the fear rising within him. The captain silently considered Cidrl's declaration.

  The traitor continued, "Everyone must be considered, starting with those with access to the dungeons. I suggest you begin a room by room search of all servant chambers."

  The captain nodded and Anthen saw the gleam of new hope in the young Dolonarian's eyes. He rose and promised to begin both efforts immediately, saying that he might have news before sunset. Before they left, Cidrl told him if the initial efforts found nothing to continue widening the searches and investigations until something turned up. Anthen realized that it was now just a matter of time until searchers descended on his room.

  He followed Cidrl and Dolkes for the rest of the day but learned nothing else of value. He was dismissed for the night, his cold supper waiting in his chamber. He ignored the meal and went directly to the dressing room door.

  "You have news?" Teya queried as soon as she saw the look on his face. She was dressed once again in her traveling attire. She moved now with little difficulty and the bruises on her face were all but gone.

  Anthen described the meeting with Dolkes, the man in black, and filled her in on the little he knew about the man while omitting the severe beating he had dealt Dolkes back in Gates and any mention of Urvena.

  "And what do you infer from this news?" she asked when he had finished. "What are the likely targets he would strike in your country?"

  "The obvious target would be the royal palace but with what aim? Assassination? Kidnap? Murdering a member of the royal family would only rally the troops and Cidrl knows that Jamen would never submit to ransom. And bringing Dolonarians to the center of the realm would be nearly impossible."

  "Cidrl may have no choice in that; they may have insisted involvement before agreeing to whatever bargain he struck with them. Some other strategic maneuver?"

  "Of course there is Dolonhold. The Dolonarians would dearly love to hold that." Anthen
thought but could think of nothing else. "I cannot see how a handful of men could hope to take the stronghold."

  "Perhaps there is some weakness Cidrl can exploit?" Teya wondered aloud.

  "The western approach is weaker. I suppose he might circle around and come at it from that side but still it would take a sizable force." Anthen shook his head, not seeing it as a real possibility.

  "Perchance there is a secret entrance," she mused.

  Anthen wouldn't have thought so but he remembered Garrick's remark that the academy did not pass on all secrets to the guardsmen in training. Perhaps there was a secret entrance.

  "It is possible," he agreed. "And with a good plan, a small force might do enough damage to make the fortress vulnerable. I cannot rule it out but I do not think it likely. I believe it would require complete surprise and then the main Dolonarian force would have at least a week's journey to give the small party succor. That seems far too long for the advance party to hold the fort."

  The pair took a break to share the food from Anthen's dinner tray. Teya sat in the dressing room doorway so she could instantly hide if someone entered the chamber. Anthen sat in a nearby chair.

  "I have more news," Anthen said between bites.

  Teya looked up, waiting for him to continue. The sun had set and it was growing dark in the room.

  "Cidrl is now convinced that you were helped by someone inside the palace and they are starting a search of the castle, beginning with the servant quarters."

  Teya calmly took the distressing news, more evidence that she was much more than just a helpless but faithful daughter.

  "How long before they come here?" she asked between mouthfuls.

  "The Dolonarian captain thought they would finish with anyone having access to the dungeons by the end of the day. Next they will consider the rest of the palace staff. My guess is that this would be nearly the last place they search but they could choose to search all the guest chambers at once." The guardsman paused, giving himself one more chance to reconsider before he spoke. He had given serious thought to the Arnedonian's situation throughout the day and had reached a difficult decision. "Teya, you must leave tomorrow night at the latest but I think you better go tonight."

  The woman only nodded, considering the suggestion while chewing the tough meat from his evening meal. She stared out the window at the deepening gloom and he knew she faced a tough dilemma. If she left before him, the Dolonarians would make it very difficult, if not impossible, for him to use the same escape route to flee the highland. They finished their meal in silence as the room darkened.

  "I have come to a decision," Teya announced after all the food was gone. She rose to her feet, no sign that her legs were still sore, and sat in the chair opposite him.

  "I believe, considering what I know and what you have told me, that helping you is in the best interests of Arnedon. Therefore, my duty is to tell you what I know and help you in any way I can." Anthen started to speak but the Arnedonian cut him off. "But know this. If you are a traitor, I promise you I will not rest until you are sent to rot in hell." Her eyes blazed with intensity and he had no doubt she meant every word of the threat.

  The guardsman met those eyes with his own, equally serious, and offered his hand. The two professionals clasped each other's forearms.

  "I pledge upon King Jamen and my very soul that I speak nothing but the truth," he vowed.

  "Partners then," she said with a nod.

  "Partners," he echoed.

  "Good," she said and smiled, her face warming considerably.

  "First," she continued, her face serious again, "I may have seen the Dolonarian force you believe is being mobilized. Many thousands of soldiers in a camp spread over many miles and it looked as though they were planning for more to arrive."

  "Can you show me where the camp is located?"

  She nodded and they both rose. Anthen pulled a map from his pack and they moved to the dressing room and lit a lamp. Anthen spread out the map and Teya studied it for a moment.

  "There." She pointed to a spot about halfway between Gates and the sea, agonizingly close to the border.

  "That cannot be much more than two days march to the border," Anthen said in alarm.

  "Perhaps a bit further. I am guessing based on my route mind you. Anthen, the force is immense; I saw a large cavalry unit and they've constructed immense catapults, twice the size of anything Arnedon has to offer."

  Anthen nodded, looking for clues in the camp's position.

  "And it gets worse still. Anthen I saw tribesmen regiments side-by-side with the Dolonarian regulars."

  "That is impossible!" Anthen looked up and saw from her expression that there was no doubt. He felt sick to his stomach.

  In the far eastern region of Dolonar there were bands of Dolonarian rebels collectively referred to as the Tribes. The Tribes were made up of largely separate clans united over the centuries by a common goal, to remain separate from the rest of Dolonar. Unlike their highland-dwelling cousins, the tribesmen were nomadic jungle folk and fierce fighters. The Tribes and Dolonar had been at war for centuries, which cost Dolonar heavily during its wars with the realm. A combined Dolonar and tribesmen force was a tremendous threat to Isaencarl, even without Cidrl's treason.

  "How did this alliance come to pass?" Anthen asked, still in shock.

  "Some of my sources believe that, in return for their involvement, the Tribes were promised complete independence. I do not know for sure but some think your traitorous comrade had a hand in it, convincing the Dolonarian leaders to abandon their futile efforts to annex the Tribe's lands in favor of the far more valuable land of your kingdom."

  Anthen closed his eyes and shook his head, stunned by the enormity of Cidrl's treason. If successful, it meant the fall of the realm and the total annihilation of his homeland, his people reduced to slave labor under the Dolonarian yoke.

  "Anything else?" the dejected guardsman asked weakly.

  "I learned from underground sources that the traitors from your homeland, which I now know to be Cidrl and his supporters, have some secret weapon that will guarantee victory."

  "Cidrl's objective," Anthen whispered their common conclusion. "What could Cidrl possibly hope to gain in all this? The Dolonarians would kill him or toss him aside once victory was guaranteed." Anthen recalled how Cidrl had vowed that the bald Dolonarian leader would bow before him and felt a glimmer of hope. "Hold. His plan must involve some unknown twist that will thwart the Dolonarians in the end. Recall his pledge that the Dolonarian leader would kneel before him."

  "Anthen, he may be insane."

  "Aye. He is insane but that makes him no less brilliant. Whatever his plan is, I know if it succeeds, Cidrl will end up with all the power, perhaps even with Jamen's throne."

  Teya shivered at the statement and Anthen knew why; even Dolonarian victory over the realm scared her less than picturing Cidrl with such power. She sat in silence for a while before turning their discussion to their precarious present situation. "What will we do about the search?"

  "Let me think," Anthen replied, pondering the problem. "If we knew where they had already searched, we might move you."

  She nodded but Anthen could see that she had misgivings.

  "Have guards been added since the escape?" Teya queried.

  "Yes." He had noticed additional sentries posted all over the palace.

  "Do you know another suitable hiding place?"

  "Not really," Anthen admitted. "I would sneak down and look around the kitchens, hopefully there is a little-used storeroom. Of course, then there is the difficulty of knowing whether it had been searched or not."

  "Well, maybe another course of action will occur to one of us. Until then, I guess I should be ready to ambush those sent to search this room. That would at least give us the time until they are missed to escape."

  "I have something you may find useful," Anthen said and left the dressing room briefly. He returned shortly, holding his handbow out to her. "
No doubt you have seen this."

  She smiled. They both knew the first thing she would do on being left alone in the room would have been to search through his things.

  "If more than a single guard is sent, this weapon might suit your purpose better than your longbow. Did you figure out how to use it?"

  Teya shook her head and he showed her how to arm the two tiny bows, then demonstrated by firing two quick shots into the leg of a small table pushed to the far end of the cramped dressing room.

  Teya's eyes widened in surprise. "Impressive marksmanship. I would not have imagined such force from so tiny a weapon."

  "That is about the limit of its range," Anthen said as he retrieved the bolts and showed her how to load the weapon. He moved behind her and showed her how to sight the target. She had a pleasing scent—soap and leather.

  "Is this standard guardsman issue?" she queried, then fired both bolts. Both shots missed the thin table leg, but by a small margin. At such close range, that level of accuracy would be fine.

  "No. It is my invention. You are the only person, along with Cidrl perhaps, who has seen it." Anthen guessed that the traitor went through all his things as well.

  "Your own contrivance?" Her eyebrows arched with respect. "I can see Cidrl did not overstate your promise. Is the special crossbow your design as well?"

  Anthen nodded. "Shooting has always been a passion for me. You obviously have a good eye," he added noting how close she came with her first attempts.

  "I enjoy shooting as well, though prefer the longbow. I can see how this little thing might be more suitable in some situations, however, for those with our vocation."

  "Aye."

  "Anthen, may I ask you a question?"

  "Of course."

  "Is it true that guardsman candidates are chosen as very young children and taken from their families?"