by R A Oakes
“No, no, that’s fine. I just figured you’d need help to carry out my order, but apparently not.”
General Zarkahn leaned down, removed Prophet’s paw from Swarenth’s chest, and said, “Your reaction time was excellent, my lord. If you hadn’t responded so quickly to the attack, my humble efforts would have been to no avail. Your bravery and speed are commendable. I can see why your men follow you unflinchingly.”
Valkira thought, This silver-tongued devil is going to own Dominion Castle by nightfall if Swarenth’s not careful.
But that wasn’t what the general was after. Yet.
“I’d be dead by now if it weren’t for you,” Swarenth
declared.
“I did my best to save a leader who holds the future of the world in his hands. I did what anyone who wanted to follow a true king would do. I protected my ruler.”
General Zarkahn had stumbled upon the one thing that pleased Swarenth most of all. The general had referred to him as the king without being asked to do so. It was a salve to Swarenth’s ego. It was the gateway to his heart.
Valkira decided to hitch his future to the general’s rising star, and said, “I saw it all, my lord. General Zarkahn acted without regard for his personal safety. It was an amazing act of heroism.”
“You must be rewarded,” Swarenth said with the relief of one who has escaped death by the slimmest of margins. “What do you want most?”
“Only a soldier’s opportunity to serve his king, my lord,” General Zarkahn said humbly as he knelt before the scrawny winged ape. “Lord Stallington is near death, and may be dead already. You are the future, my king. I wish only to serve the most powerful individual in the known world. Please accept me into your service.”
Swarenth’s devious mind worked quickly. He wanted to bond this remarkable fighting machine to himself. “King’s Champion!” the gargoyle leader shouted. “Henceforth you shall be known as the King’s Champion!”
“I’m not worthy of such an honor, my lord,” General Zarkahn said as he touched his head to the floor in front of the gargoyle’s feet.
Valkira stood back in awe and wonder. The general had only been at Dominion Castle since this morning and accomplished more for his career advancement in that short time than the chief ambassador had in years. Valkira jumped into the conversation again, hoping now to win the general’s favor. “Such heroism still requires some other show of gratitude, my lord.”
“Yes, yes, of course. What should I give to you? How do I reward my champion, my defender?”
“Well, Lord Stallington is history, my king. It’s time your banner flew over Skybrook Castle.”
“Yes, I agree, but I’ll need someone I can trust to run it for me. Someone I can count on.” Swarenth paused to give the matter some thought and looked over at Rathlor who was clearly terrified and standing off to the far side of the platform with Yermeti.
The gargoyle leader stepped closer to General Zarkahn and lowered his voice. “How about if we keep Rathlor here with my niece, and you go back and claim Skybrook Castle as mine. If you can, I’ll make you its new ruler. You’ll be Lord Zarkahn. How does that sound?”
“Well, the political structure of Skybrook Castle is falling apart more and more every day as Lord Stallington weakens. Many warriors at the castle are already loyal to me; and before I left Firecrest Castle, I sent dispatches with a trusted aide back to my captains with orders to primarily hold their own and wait until I return. However, I said that if an opportunity presents itself, they shouldn’t hesitate to exploit it. So, I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be facing when I return to Skybrook Castle, but if Lord Stallington has died in my absence, the castle will be pretty much up for grabs. And I intend to be the one who grabs it. For you, my king. I mean to take possession of it in your name.”
“If all goes well, Skybrook Castle could be ours within a few months,” Swarenth said smiling broadly.
“Even sooner, my lord, if we send some troops back with the general,” Valkira said. “Once back at Skybrook Castle, he could convince his men to join us and open the front gates. Several hundred of our troops could ride unopposed into the main courtyard.”
Swarenth’s eyes glistened with excitement. He forgot about being covered in blood and having five of his warriors lying dead not ten feet away.
“From Skybrook Castle, I could invade Crystal Valley, capture Crystal Castle and launch an invasion of The Rock from there. All the western lands once under Kardimont rule would be under my control.”
“We could drive farther west than that, my king,” General Zarkahn said. “We could use The Rock as a base of operations and gain new lands. Your kingdom could be expanded far beyond the previous holdings of the Kardimonts. You could be the greatest warrior king of all time.”
“The greatest warrior king of all time? Do you think that’s possible?” Swarenth asked in awe.
“That and more, my king.”
“Do you actually think you could orchestrate a bloodless coup at Skybrook Castle?” Swarenth asked.
“If Lord Stallington’s already dead, there may not be a need for a coup. The Fighting Eagle wants his daughter, Genevieve, to inherit the castle rather than Rathlor, but a lot of people are opposed to that.”
“Lord Stallington wants a female to inherit Skybrook Castle?” Swarenth asked genuinely shocked.
“Yes, sire.”
“You mean all that’s standing between me and Skybrook Castle is a woman?”
“Well, Genevieve is getting assistance from another woman named Chen. They call her Black Scarlet, and she parades around the castle squeezed into a tight leather outfit while wearing a scarlet cape and blouse. She also brought 100 warrior women with her.”
“Genevieve’s depending on 100 women led by a scarlet whore?” Swarenth asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Black Scarlet uses sex as a weapon pretty effectively, sire. I’ve never seen anyone quite like her.”
“My men will tie her to a bed and show her their weapons,” Swarenth laughed. “After a couple dozen conquering warriors show her who’s boss, she’ll soon settle down.”
“There’s also a girl named Aerylln,” General Zarkahn said.
“Aerylln’s at Skybrook Castle? With Baelfire and
Zorya?”
“Yes, sire.”
“What has she been doing?” Swarenth asked nervously.
“Aerylln’s not up to much at all, sire. In fact, the night before I left for Firecrest Castle, some of my men roughed her up. She was all but helpless.”
“They beat her up?”
“They shoved her around some,” General Zarkahn explained.
“Baelfire and Zorya did nothing?”
“Her father was plenty mad, but nothing unusual happened, sire. He killed several men over the incident, but that’s to be expected.”
“Humans are too sentimental about their children,” Swarenth said in an annoyed tone of voice. “Killing good warriors over a woman. Disgraceful.”
“She’s only in her late teens, sire.”
“Fresh, is she?” the warlord asked as his eyes widened.
“A virgin for sure, my king.”
Swarenth’s eyes brightened at the thought of an innocent girl trapped in his bed and screaming in terror. “I want her taken captive, and I want it done before she becomes a threat.”
“Aerylln doesn’t appear to be much of a threat at all. Chen’s a headache, but that’s the biggest problem we’ve got.”
“Just a bunch of women?” Swarenth sneered.
“These aren’t typical women, sire.”
“Women are women.”
“Yes, sire.”
“Skybrook Castle might as well roll out the welcome mat for me,” the winged ape smiled.
“Before we get overly optimistic, I need to go back and check things out, sire.”
“Do you think you’ll be in for any surprises?” Swarenth asked somewhat concerned.
“Sire, I’m a general. It�
�s my duty to anticipate surprises.”
“I want you to take my nephew, Zenaruka, and 300 of my warriors. My nephew’s young. I give you the boy. Bring me back the man.”
“Yes, sire, I’ll watch over him.”
“Don’t be reluctant to put his life at risk. If he dies, I won’t hold you responsible. But if he comes back as the same worthless boy he is now, then I’ll be very unhappy.”
“Understood, sire.”
“I’m also going to send Valkira with you.” Turning to his chief ambassador, Swarenth said, “Tell the old pirate at Firecrest Castle that it’s time he earned his keep.”
“We wouldn’t want any of his rabble to enter Skybrook Castle, sire,” General Zarkahn said, concern obvious in his voice.
“Of course not, but they’re expendable troops. Keep my warriors in reserve, but waste as many of his men’s lives as you want. If a situation’s questionable, toss a few of his men at it and see what happens. Their deaths mean nothing.”
“That’s good to know, sire.”
“Oh, one other thing. Zenaruka’s on a wild-goose-chase of a mission. He’s to look for Ulray Kardimont’s son, Tarlen. I’ve been looking for him for 30 years, off and on. It would be a help if I knew whether he was dead or alive. I’m not going to saddle you with such a burden, but if you happen to stumble onto a lead, follow up on it.”
“How badly do you want him, my king?”
“More than anything else in the whole world.”
General Zarkahn thought, At least now I know what he wants most.
“I’ll follow any lead we come across, sire.”
“Don’t waste much of your own time on this. Let Zenaruka handle this thankless task.”
“Yes, sire.”
“I’ll give you a week to select the 300 warriors you’ll be taking with you. Also, during that time, get to know your way around the castle. Get the feel of things. After all, you don’t like surprises.”
“No, my king, not at all.”
As General Zarkahn left the arena, he didn’t know it, but he was in for a series of surprises. First, King Tarlen would be surprisingly easy to find. Secondly, General Zarkahn would discover that many of his officers were either dead or under arrest. Thirdly, it would come as a big surprise to discover that Genevieve was now in firm control of Skybrook Castle, or at least Chen was on her behalf. And finally, he’d be surprised to find himself out of a job.
If there was ever an extreme reversal of fortune, General Zarkahn was about to encounter it.
Chapter 18
Skybrook Castle. Three weeks later.
After nearing their destination, Valkira, Zenaruka and 300 gargoyle warriors had continued heading north to Firecrest Castle, but General Zarkahn had turned west, rode for an additional four days, and returned alone to Skybrook Castle. The general was stunned when he saw warriors wearing green tunics bearing the face of a tiger, for he knew such a uniform had been worn by King Ulray Kardimont’s subjects years ago. However, General Zarkahn hadn’t as yet encountered King Tarlen, who was out working at his ranch. But most disconcerting to the general was that Lord Stallington, though still in a very weakened condition, was up and moving around.
Their reunion was anything but pleasant.
“You owe me your life. I now ask for repayment of that debt, and I command you to support Genevieve as my heir!” the Fighting Eagle demanded as he became short of breath from the strain of shouting at his general.
“I thought you were dying, my lord. I was just doing what I thought was best for Skybrook Castle,” General Zarkahn said defensively, a tone of defiance in his voice.
“What’s best for Skybrook Castle is what I say is best. My will is still the law around here.”
“I beg of you, my lord, please listen to me. People will not accept female rule.”
“Anyone at Skybrook Castle will accept what I tell them to accept.”
“Yes, of course, my lord. But is it wise? Is it really what’s best?”
“How dare you question my authority?” the Fighting Eagle thundered, getting a second wind and appearing to rise above his infirmities.
Genevieve looked at her father and was both shocked and delighted to see that he suddenly looked ten years younger. Almost like magic, he was exuding the tremendous power and strength that had always bent other men to his will. This confrontation was bringing out the best in him, drawing the last of his reserves to the surface for one more dramatic act of leadership.
“I’m not questioning your authority. But please listen to my counsel.”
“You’ve had your say. This matter is closed.”
“But my lord.”
Eyes blazing with anger, Lord Stallington gripped the hilt of his sword and drew the blade an inch out of its scabbard.
“You will yield to me on this!” the Fighting Eagle shouted as he took a step towards General Zarkahn. “You will yield!”
The general took a step back and made no effort to defend himself.
Genevieve was thrilled. This was the father she had always known.
Decades ago, before meeting the Fighting Eagle, Zarkahn had been an angry, unstable, violent man who often experienced wild fits of explosive rage. But Lord Stallington had shown his new friend how to channel that rage into ways that could be useful. A young Zarkahn had gradually disciplined his emotions and gained control of his temper, which made him twice as dangerous. He now thought before he acted. Some said that without Lord Stallington’s force of will and moderating influence, General Zarkahn would have self- destructed. As it was, the inner chaos never fully left him, and it lay dormant waiting its chance to awaken once more.
But now the Fighting Eagle, the man who’d transformed his life, was standing before him. General Zarkahn went down on one knee.
However, the Fighting Eagle was not to be appeased so easily. He took another step towards General Zarkahn, unsheathed his sword and swung it upward in a great sweeping arc.
General Zarkahn bowed his head to accept the deathblow. He could not find it within himself to lift one finger against his master.
Lord Stallington held the weapon high above his head but gradually lowered it and smacked the general on the back of the neck with his hand as a substitute for the cutting edge of his sword.
“Going against my wishes while I was ill. What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know, my lord.”
“Why have I kept you around for all these years?”
“I’ve no idea, my lord.”
“Well, you can fight a little. I guess that’s it.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The Fighting Eagle had just gotten this treacherous, dangerous, volatile man back under control when he felt a wave of nausea flowing over him. He began coughing uncontrollably, then clutched his chest, staggered a few paces and collapsed onto the floor. Genevieve ran to her father and took him into her arms.
Lord Stallington looked up at the powerful warrior now standing over him and said in a raspy voice, “You will obey my wishes. You will make my daughter lord of Skybrook Castle.”
General Zarkahn said nothing.
“Swear to me. I want your oath!”
But it was no use. As the Fighting Eagle’s life drained from his body, General Zarkahn’s ability to control his inner turmoil evaporated as well.
Lord Stallington, the Fighting Eagle, the right arm of King Ulray Kardimont, looked at his daughter, gave her a smile, drew one last breath and died.
General Zarkahn remained silent. After taking one final look at his dead master, he turned on his heel and walked away.
“It’s over,” is all anyone heard him say as he left the great hall for the last time.
Chapter 19
Firecrest Castle. Four days later.
“What?” Valkira shouted.
“Tarlen owns a ranch a few miles east of Skybrook Castle and has been raising horses there for years,” General Zarkahn said again.
“A rancher? Tarlen Kar
dimont’s a rancher?” Chief Ambassador Valkira asked. He couldn’t have been more stunned if you’d hit him on the side of the head with a board.
“Yes, he’s been raising top-quality warhorses for almost ten years now.”
Valkira turned to Lord Ridgewood and stared at him hard. “He’s been living right under your nose, and you never suspected anything?”
The old pirate didn’t know what to say. Totally flabbergasted himself, he managed to squeak out, “I knew they weren’t ordinary ranchers.”
“What do they look like?” Valkira asked General Zarkahn.
“Well, there are over 100 of them riding around wearing green Kardimont tunics. They’re so bursting with pride and energy that they’re ready to storm the gates of Dominion Castle by themselves if necessary.”
“They’d be dead before they got within a mile of the castle,” Valkira said.
“Maybe. Maybe not. When men don’t care whether they die or not, sometimes remarkable things can happen.”
“They’d all be dead by the time they reached the front gate,” Valkira insisted.
“Probably, but Tarlen’s warriors don’t care. I’ve never seen men so ready to fight. They would attack a whole squad of gargoyles with their bare hands if they had the chance. If you stripped those guys naked and gave them nothing but rocks to fight with, I’d still give them even odds of winning.”
“There are only 100 of them,” Valkira stated firmly, not liking the high-esteem with which the general held the enemy.
“Give me 100 men like that, and I could change the world.”
“You have 300 of Swarenth’s best warriors at your disposal. You’ll have to change the world with them,” Valkira said angrily.
“Okay, okay, don’t get testy. It’s just that as a general, I appreciate good warriors when I see them, regardless of whose side they’re on. And remember this, never, and I mean never, underestimate those men. They are the last remnants of Ulray Kardimont’s personal guard. They are fanatics. Such men could gather a following.”
“We have to stop them before they can do that. We have to nip this in the bud. We need to take them down now,” Valkira said.