"Me?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "I've never been to a royal court!"
"First time for everything," he told her. "You can practice on Governor Stazor."
Amber shifted nervously in her seat. She was a commoner and knew nothing about how to deal with important people. Sure, she had been accepted by Lord Zodiac into the Company, and sitting next to her was one of the most influential men who ever lived. It was different with Tayan, though. He was more like a regular person. Except when he was forced to in Newburg, he never let on how important he was. It had never occurred to her that she might be one day be standing in front of dukes and kings by his side.
Seeing the concern in her face, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Stick close to me--you'll do fine."
She refrained from telling him sticking close was exactly what she had planned on doing. "So, tell me about Governor Stazor."
Tayan told her about the city of Paladnia, and how Stazor turned it into a safe place for its citizens to live. Whether it was the company after riding alone for days or the sound of his voice, Amber began to feel better. As he went on, their eyes never wavered from each other. The coach slowing to a stop didn't get their attention, nor did the conversations outside the coach until another voice entered their world.
"Excuse me for a moment?"
They both looked to see a young human knight holding the door to the coach open. His armor was so finely polished it had a mirror-like quality to it. His helmet was in the crook of his arm as he waited for them to notice him. Beyond him was a guardhouse of perfectly cut blocks of stone.
"I am Tayan Montara of Elrad, this is Sister Amber Tanner of Capetown."
The knight bowed deeply to Amber. "Welcome to Paladnia, Sister.” Looking at Tayan, he hesitated briefly then bowed. "Lord Tayan, it is a pleasure to meet you. The Governor speaks very highly of you. I am Sir Tartan--I will send a rider to inform Governor Stazor of your arrival."
"Send word I would like to see him as soon as possible."
"Yes, M'lord," Tartan said. Shutting the door, he waved to the driver then called out, "Marlen, ride to the palace. Inform the Governor that Lord Tayan Montara wishes to see him immediately."
The coach started up again, and Amber gazed out at the city. Paladnia had to be the cleanest metropolis she had ever seen. The buildings were colorful; both wood and stone were painted in bright colors. Whether they were passing houses or shops, nearly every window sported long planters full of flowers. There was no trash along the walks or alleys, and not one of the waste barrels located near each building was filled to overflowing. She also noticed there were no ragged people or beggars. Everything she saw indicated a perfect community. Even the air was much cleaner than other cities she had been in.
Shortly, the coach pulled up to the palace gates. The walls and guardhouse were bright white. Amber had to squint as another knight in polished armor came up to the coach and opened the door.
Stepping out, they were ushered through the courtyard by a pair of knights. They walked past a white fountain to see a priest with a ring of gray hair on the palace steps in front of the door.
One knight halted them. "Please wait here for a moment.”
They stopped, and the priest held his holy symbol, the Cup of Odin, to his heart as he stared at them.
"It is nothing to be concerned about, we are required to do this with all our visitors," the knight told Amber.
By his action, Amber knew the priest was looking for an evil presence. It was insulting--she restrained the urge to do the same to him. "I suppose your priest would ask Odin himself to stand for such a test."
The knight grinned as he leaned closer to her. "He might."
That made her chuckle. The priest turned and went back inside without a word and came back out with two more knights. The tall blond one wearing chain mail over his clothes waved to them as the newcomers strode up to stand a few paces away.
"Greetings, Tayan!” Bowing to Amber, he said, "And to you, Sister."
"My name is Amber," she said, eyeing the priest, who was still watching Tayan. "Is there a problem?"
Sensing she was talking to him, the priest looked at her. "Sister, move away from Lord Tayan."
"Why?"
The priest started to say something else, and Stazor held his hand up. "Father Ross, do you detect something?"
"Yes," he said, furrowing his aged brow. "I don't understand it. Neither Sister Amber nor Lord Tayan has evil intent, but I feel Lord Tayan has protection from evil."
Frowning at him, Amber asked, "Isn't that good, to be protected from evil?"
Stazor also turned to the priest. There was a bit of stress in his voice as he said, "Please explain."
"Governor, Sister, when I say he has protection from evil, I mean that evil is doing the protecting. There is a presence around him that is blacker than anything I have ever sensed."
Tayan glanced nervously at them. "What is it?"
Ross shook his head. "I do not know. All I know is that it is strong."
"Are you sure?" Stazor asked, looking quite puzzled.
"What is around him is very powerful--it is like he is being protected straight from the pit by the devil himself," Father Ross stated.
"Ridiculous!" Amber spat. "Tayan is not evil! He has had a rough time and feels guilt, that must be what you have sensed."
The priest eyed her sternly. "Step back and see for yourself, Sister."
Flustered, Amber did so. "Fine! I'll show you.”
Pressing the talisman of her Goddessto her chest, she concentrated hard on Tayan. As she did, she saw what she expected to see. A light glow was around him, the presence of goodness. She thought then that a cloud was passing overhead, for beyond the light around Tayan it suddenly grew dark. Shifting her gaze off him for an instant, she saw the day was as sunny as it had been. Glancing at the sky, she saw no clouds. When she looked at Tayan, the darkness was still there. It did not touch him, but surrounded him just beyond the light.
Her mouth hung open; the talisman dropped from her hand to bounce at the end of its chain. f
"It can't be," she whimpered. "It's all around him!"
"Yes, a powerful evil force is watching him. If someone were to attack him, it would manifest itself," Father Ross explained. "I feel this strongly."
Tayan shifted nervously in place. "Maybe I should go. Amber can tell you what I came to discuss."
"Wait," Stazor said quickly. "We know your heart is good. If you are being plagued by evil, we must help you be free of it.” Turning to one of their escort knights, he said, "Show Sister Amber to the sanctuary. I will be along shortly."
The knight beside Amber hooked his arm for her to hold. She didn‘t want to leave now--this was serious. Looking pleadingly at Tayan she said, “I should stay with you.”
He gave her one of his gentle smiles. “Go with them, Sister, I’ll be fine.”
She wanted to plant her feet and stay put. Still, she hooked her arm under the knight’s and let him lead her away. The darkness that surrounded Tayan filled her mind. How were they going to defeat it?
***
Stazor walked with Tayan toward the large guest building. Glancing around, he waited until they were out of earshot of the others before he asked, "What brings you, my friend?"
Tayan took a deep breath. "There is trouble in Newburg. Zodiac has told me he is going after the source of evil, but he didn't tell me where it is. At the moment, there is an army led by black knights surrounding Newburg, and in the town the elves and druids are ready to draw swords against each other."
"It sounds grim," Stazor observed. "What can we do?"
"When Zodiac is ready, he wants as many men as we can gather to attack. I do not yet know when that will be."
Stazor considered that for a moment. "He is being cautious. I understand why he has sent you to gather arms. What I do not understand is why evil is protecting you. I would think it would try to destroy you, to keep you from your mission."
; "So would I." Tayan shrugged. As they came to the double doorway of the guest quarters, he mused, "Maybe it can't stop me. If it knew I was coming here, it might be trying to discredit me."
"That is a possibility," Stazor agreed. "There also is the chance that it wants you to finish your mission so it knows who its enemies are. There are many who only pay lip service to the gods. They are satisfied to sit in church and worship, but when it comes down to eliminating evil, they let others act."
Tayan could have made many remarks about that statement. Most people didn't want to become involved unless it was their home in danger. They didn't go looking for trouble or to get killed.
"I take it you'll help?" he asked.
"I can spare two companies at the moment. If there is time to prepare, I will have more. Lord Zodiac didn't say where or when, correct?” Tayan shook his head, so he continued. "Then I will start preparing today. Who else are you to visit?"
"Duke Jordan and the elf nobles in Tolina then King Gunther in Zayton, of course.” Pausing a second, he added, "Possibly Krundle afterwards. I heard rumors of a fighting machine one of their generals is working on."
With a chuckle, Stazor said, "Oh, yes! General Cooper's infamous steel wagons.” Waving a hand to dismiss the subject, he said, "Last I heard he had managed to seriously burn his best smiths. I wouldn't look to him--he might get you killed trying to help you."
Tayan couldn't help but grin. "What are these wagons?"
Smiling broadly as if telling a joke, Stazor said, "He has this crazy idea that boiling water can drive wagons instead of horses. As I understand it, he spent much of his duke's gold to build two wagons made of steel that didn't have a hitch. He tried to make them go with their own power, and both of them blew up. Three of his men died from scalding. Believe me, Tayan, you don't want any part of him."
Although Stazor made it sound impossible, Tayan had to wonder about the idea. Without horses that could be wounded or killed, an armored wagon could be turned into a mobile fortress. If this Cooper managed to get them working, they would be a formidable weapon.
Getting back to his problem, he asked, "Is there something you can do to find out what is watching me?"
Clapping a hand on his shoulder, Stazor told him, "We will do what we can. The good news is that you are in no danger for the time being."
A servant came out, dressed in a gold jacket over his white uniform. Flagging him down, Stazor told him, "Jubar, this is Lord Tayan Montara. Show him to one of the guestrooms, please."
Jubar turned to Tayan and bowed. "Very good to see you, M‘Lord. If you will follow me, I'll see you to your room."
"Meet us in the chapel once you're settled," Stazor said and walked off.
Tayan didn't have anything to settle. He had been spirited off without any possessions. His pack was still in Eldarin's quarters, as were his sword and bow. He did follow the servant up to his room so he would know where to sleep at night. As they walked, he checked his pockets. He had a gold piece and a few silvers; hopefully it would be enough to at least buy an extra set of clothes and a few supplies. He would still need some kind of weapon--he'd ask Stazor to lend him one until he got his own.
The guestroom was actually a suite of three rooms. Besides a good-sized sitting room decorated with plush chairs and couches, there was a separate bedroom and a small room Jubar called a water closet. Tayan stood by as he explained the function of the strange-looking facility.
Motioning to the bathtub with metal bars coming down from the ceiling, Jubar told him, "These are the water pipes to fill the bath. Hot water is on the left, cold on the right.” He reached over to push up a lever attached to the cold water pipe. Water spilled out until he pushed it back down again. "The chamber pot works in the same manner. I will have someone come in to draw your bath, but the chamber pot you will have to do yourself," he said with a grin.
"There is a cistern filled with hot water?" Tayan asked.
"It's not exactly a cistern. Did you notice the brass tank on the roof? The water comes from there and is heated in a smaller tank on the top floor. I would be glad to show you the plumbing, if you like."
Running hot water. It sounded intriguing, but Tayan had more important things to think about at the moment. "Maybe later. Where is the nearest place I can buy some clothes?”
Jubar bowed slightly as if he was happy there was something he could help with.
"What are you looking for? There is Laura's Tailor Shop if you would like something made, Pernell's for formal wear and Elanzo's Dry Goods for just about everything else."
"The dry goods store is fine."
"When you leave the palace, turn left. Elanzo's is just past the second street on the right. Is there anything else you require, M'Lord?"
Tayan shook his head. "Not at the moment.” He thanked the man and headed out to find Stazor.
The inside of the palace chapel was the finest he had ever seen. Besides windows of stained glass depicting various religious leaders and the images of Odin and Leighna in bright colors, every piece of stone and wood was brightly polished. The letters and pictures carved into the columns were filled with gold, silver torch holders hung on each pillar. At the front, a tall pulpit sat to the left, and the altar was covered by a white linen cloth trimmed with bands of gold stitching.
In front of the altar, Amber stood with Stazor on one side of her and Father Ross on the other. None spoke as he walked in. The way they watched him caught his attention, especially Amber, who looked worried.
Halfway up the aisle, Tayan slowed, sensing something wrong. Not two steps farther, he caught a flash of motion to his right. He ducked out of instinct before his brain registered he was being attacked. Something whizzed by his head so close his hair was fluffed by the wind. His left foot swung up behind in an arc to kick at the shape, making contact with the attacker's arm.
Rolling away, Tayan shot back up in a defensive stance to face a knight holding a fully padded practice staff.
"What in the abyss is this!" he demanded.
As the two men faced off, a loud, deep roar sounded outside that made the building tremble. The knight turned away from Tayan and flung the practice weapon to one side then drew a more deadly broadsword as he faced the back of the chapel.
Stazor ran up the aisle. "It's outside, get ready!" he called.
Father Ross and Amber were right behind, and they all took positions around Tayan. Both Father Ross and Amber held their holy symbols, watching intently to the left and right.
Stazor started for the doors with the other knight. Glancing back quickly, he said, "Come, but stay together."
Tayan began to understand. They had set up the attack to draw out the thing shadowing him. Now, they were going out to try and destroy it. Stazor was a brave man, but he was sure whatever this was would not be stopped by so few.
"Wait, let me go first."
"We will send it back to whence it came!" announced Father Ross.
Jumping forward, Tayan dashed up behind the knights and stopped them with a hand on each of their shoulders. "Stazor, you go out there, and this thing will kill you."
Stazor's face was stone. "I cannot allow an evil thing to exist here."
"Then let me lead." Without waiting for a reply, he slipped between them and went to the doors. Behind him, Amber cried out a warning for him to get back. Ignoring it, he pushed the doors open and strode outside.
In the courtyard, the only thing he saw were several knights gathered together, weapons drawn. Like him, they were searching for whatever had roared. By their looks, they didn't see or sense anything. The others poured out of the chapel behind him in a semi-circle.
A few seconds later Father Ross announced, "It has fled."
"Holy presence drove it away." Amber breathed deeply with relief.
Tayan wasn't so sure. "Holy presence kept it at bay. I think it may have been called off."
"It figured out we weren't really going to hurt you, and the risk to itself was too great for
it to stay," Stazor concluded.
''Probably."
His face screwed up in frustration, Stazor sheathed his sword. "We didn't even get a look at it!” Letting out a sigh, he said, "Tayan, it may very well kill you once you leave the city. Stay with us--I will send messengers to deliver Lord Zodiac's message."
"Thanks, but no. Whatever it is, I'm the one that has to deal with it.” Glancing at Amber, he added, "I would appreciate it if Amber stays with you."
This brought an immediate response. Glaring at him, she said, "I will not! Tayan, I may be your only protection from that thing. Zodiac told me to stick by you."
He could just see Amber standing before some nightmarish beast. He was sure she'd try no matter how scared she was, or the fact it would tear her to shreds.
"He doesn't know about that thing. It was strong enough to enter a holy city and tried to enter the chapel itself. I doubt you would be any more than an annoyance to it," he told her sternly.
Amber drew herself up and looked at him defiantly, "I had thought insects to only be an annoyance before I met the druids. Now I know they can be powerful weapons. I know I am not a Mother, but I trust in my Goddess. Leighna will protect us."
"The gods have their plan, part of which might not be to save a young girl who chooses to face down the devil," Father Ross said heavily.
Amber shifted her glare to him. "If I may serve Leighna better in heaven then so be it. Tell me that you would back down from evil, and I will consider staying here."
"Sister Amber, we are more capable of fighting such," Stazor pointed out.
"Listen to the governor, Sister," Father Ross encouraged. Stepping towards her, he held up his finger to stress his point. "Your soul would be a great prize to a thing such as that. It might not attack you directly but play with your mind, trick you into doing something to weaken yourself. You do not know how devious evil can be! To have faith is very important, Sister, but so is knowledge. You are not prepared to do battle with our enemy."
"I stay with Tayan," she insisted. "I would ask to pray with you, Father, and have your blessings."
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