Two Heirs (The Marmoros Trilogy Book 1)

by Peter Kenson

  “What is it, my lord?” Seb asked.

  “Well it’s not a dragon, so don’t worry about that. It’s the people inside it we need to be concerned about. And take your hand off your sword hilt.”

  The occupants of the skimmer emerged. First out were two very big men in long, brown monks robes that reached all the way to the ground and large cowls pulled forward over their heads, concealing everything beneath. Then a much smaller man climbed out, dressed in the robes of a court official and finally two more ‘monks’.

  The crowd melted into the background as the group approached the dome.

  “What is this?” the small man asked.

  “Nice to see you too, Alcanzar,” David replied. “It’s quite unusual, isn’t it? What do you make of it?”

  Alcanzar signalled to one of the ‘monks’ who produced a miniature monitoring device from under his robes and strode over to the dome. He held the device up to the grey wall several times, adjusting the settings on the recorder each time. Eventually he went over to the chancellor and muttered something to him in the guttural Belsian language.

  “My man says it’s a combination of a spatial displacement barrier with some sort of temporal displacement interwoven into it.”

  “That’s what I think as well,” David agreed. “I’m quite impressed with it. I think it’s absolutely unique.”

  “I assume this is a creation of the Ystradian brat.”

  “A harsh description but yes, I believe it was created by the heir to the throne of Ystrad.”

  Alcanzar barked an order and another of the monks produced a compact laser assault rifle from beneath his robes.

  “My, my. I wonder how many other illegal goodies they have hidden under those robes. Do you know how many Imperial laws you are breaking by having that on this planet?”

  “The Emperor is half a galaxy away and the only firepower you have within a hundred light-years is that rusty little corvette in orbit. So I don’t greatly care what His Imperial Majesty thinks. This is a private matter between the Belsi and the Ystrad. So I suggest you stand aside.”

  David shrugged and led Seb away to one side as the monk fired a blast at the dome with no visible effect. The assault rifle was capable of being switched between blast mode and continuous fire and the monk flicked a switch on the side before raising it to his shoulder again. This time he fired a continuous burst for thirty seconds, again with no obvious effect before lowering the rifle and looking to Alcanzar for instructions.

  “Keep firing. Empty the power cell into it.”

  The monk raised the rifle and resumed firing at the same spot in the wall. For several minutes nothing happened except that the laser beam was absorbed into the greyness. Then a dimple started to appear in the otherwise smooth surface.

  “Keep firing,” Alcanzar urged him. “You’re breaking through.”

  The dimple gradually deepened into a concave depression as the laser pushed further into the wall. Suddenly the internal surface of the depression changed to a mirror state which reflected the laser beam back along its incoming track. The rifle exploded with a blast that knocked everyone off their feet within twenty paces.

  David picked himself up and rushed over to the wall but the depression had vanished and the surface was a uniform greyness once again. He looked over to where the body of the monk lay in a shallow blast crater. His monk’s robes had been shredded revealing most of a suit of space armour. However, he had not been wearing gloves or a helmet and so his hands had vanished leaving only bloody stumps and his face had been completely destroyed.

  The others had picked themselves up and were standing round the edge of the still smoking crater. “What happened?” Alcanzar demanded.

  “I’m only guessing here but I would say that the dome just defended itself against an attack.”

  “Is it sentient, then?”

  “No, I’m detecting nothing like that. But that barrier was created by a very powerful intellect who may still be connected to it in some way.”

  Alcanzar gestured to the remaining monks. “Get that body out of here.”

  Then he snarled at David. “The Ystrad brat can’t hide in there for ever. We will know when he comes out and when we come back, I suggest you’d better not be here.”

  David gave him a bland smile but felt no great need to disabuse him about his error on the gender of the Ystrad heir. He watched as they loaded the dead monk onto the skimmer and waved them farewell as the ‘dragon’ took off.

  “Who was that?” Seb asked as the skimmer disappeared into the distance.

  “That was Alcanzar. He’s acting as the chancellor to Duke Henry of Paelis but his real mission is to find your friend Rachel.”

  “Why? What does he want with Rachel?”

  “That is a long story but Rachel is actually the heir to a kingdom a very long way from here. Right now she’s safe behind that barrier but when she takes it down, she will be in a lot of danger.”

  Seb considered this for a minute and then shook his head. “I don’t understand but I will accept what you say. What can I do to help?”

  “Firstly find the Benyahim family and reassure them that Rachel is safe for the moment. Then help Baltur with erecting and guarding the tent. I’ll send Izzy down to sleep in the tent. I’ll probably feel when the barrier comes down but if not, I need to know as soon as it happens.”

  As Seb left to find Josep and Agnes, David looked around to find himself alone with a grey, hemispherical dome, a dead body lying on the grass, a still smouldering blast crater and a lot of frightened faces peering out from behind wagons and tents.

  “It’s all right,” he shouted. “It’s all over for now. You can come out and would somebody please remove that corpse.”

  “Suzanne, how much of that were you monitoring?”

  “I saw what you saw, my lord. On the instruments, Mikael observed the laser beam hitting the barrier but could not detect any change in its composition. Then suddenly, the laser beam thickened and there was an explosion. I have the evidence of your eyes but nothing scientific.”

  “Okay, I want a delegation from the Ystrad ship down here tomorrow morning, one hour after dawn. No more than three ambassadors. I’ll pass them off as powerful magicians from a distant country. Notify Khan of what has happened but I am taking operational responsibility for this. Has that squad of Imperial Guard arrived yet?”

  “Uh, yes but it’s not exactly a squad. They’ve sent a veteran sergeant and one trooper.”

  “I’m glad to see there are no budgetary constraints on this mission. Get them down here as well but not into the city. And have them bring me a weapon and a communicator. I want to be able to talk to them directly without having to go through you. No offense.”

  “None taken, my lord.”

  “”I’ll send you coordinates for the landing site later but make sure the ambassadors are dressed appropriately. Oh, and ask if any of them can ride a horse.”

  “I’ve already asked that question, my lord.”

  “And what was their answer?”

  “What’s a horse?”

  ***

  The landing site they chose was the quarry at the back of the city. On David’s orders, the slaves had been kept in their quarters for the morning and the only people inside the quarry were Jaks and himself. The royal coach with its escort of red cloaks was waiting around the corner out of sight of the actual landing. As they waited for the shuttle to arrive David went over his instructions to Jaks one last time.

  “Remember, whatever you think you see in the next hour, probably isn’t happening. This is a group of very powerful magicians who can make things appear otherwise than what they are. But if any report of this morning’s events gets out, I will know who to come to because there’s only the two of us here.”

  “You can trust me, milord. I won’t breathe a word,” Jaks replied looking excited and scared by turn.

  The shuttle landed in the
deserted quarry exactly one hour after dawn. First off were the guardsmen and David told Jaks to stay back while he spoke to them. Both men saluted smartly as he approached.

  “Lord Held? Sergeant Grimshaw and Trooper Adams reporting, sir.”

  “Welcome to Marmoros,” David nodded, returning the salute. “What have you been told?”

  “Surveillance and possible intervention, they told us up there, sir. Said you’d give us the details.”

  “Right, the city is down the road behind me, about two klicks but I’m afraid you’re going to have to go the long way round through the hills. On the far side of the city there’s a large meadow filled with hundreds of wagons. And in the middle of all that there’s a grey dome with a tent wall around it. That’s the target. Set up the OP where you can see the top of the dome over the tent wall.

  “We believe there are two people inside that dome and while they are in there, they’re quite safe. But when that dome comes down, which it may do at any time and without warning, then I’m expecting a return visit from a rather obnoxious Belsian, along with three marines in full combat gear.”

  “Only three, sir. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “I only know about three, sergeant. He lost one on his last visit but he may have some replacements. Also they were packing some heavy duty weaponry and they arrived on a skimmer. I don’t know what other equipment they may have available.

  “The problem you will have, is that the two young people, when they come out of the dome, will look exactly like all the other locals and will probably be surrounded by a crowd almost instantly. However, the protection of those two young lives is your ultimate mission, sergeant.”

  “Yessir. Rules of engagement, sir?”

  “Any other marines on the surface of this planet are to be treated as enemy. You are authorised to take whatever pre-emptive action you feel is necessary to complete your mission. I will handle the diplomatic consequences.”

  “Yessir. They asked me to give you this package, sir.”

  David opened it quickly. Inside was a communicator that had been designed to look like a six pointed star on a chain to hang round his neck. There also a small needle laser, the shape of which was harder to disguise but it came with a spring-loaded holster which could be attached to the inside of a forearm. He strapped it in place and adjusted his sleeve to conceal it.

  “Right, one final thing, sergeant. Now that we have a communication channel, I want you to report any sightings of locals up in the hills. I have a patrol of men up there somewhere and we believe there may be hostiles also. They’re no threat to you but I need to know about them.”

  The sergeant saluted again and the two marines headed off away from the city at a swift trot. David looked around and smiled at Jaks, who was standing there with his jaw hanging down to his chest.

  “Right, Jaks. Time to deal with our other visitors.”

  The door of the shuttle opened again and three tall distinguished looking men, dressed as high court officials, walked slowly down the ramp. David was pleased to note that their physical appearance was not too off-worldly. They were more tanned than the locals and probably a head taller than most but should not otherwise cause undue comment.

  The leader of the three bowed to David and then bowed again to Jaks, who struggled to keep a grin off his face.

  “My name is Sir Mahagama Karunaratne and my colleagues are Sir Wijesinha Navagattegama and Sir Adikaram Chakravarti.”

  The other two ambassadors bowed as they were introduced. David returned the bow and nudged Jaks to do the same.

  “Welcome, Ambassador Mahagama. My name is Lord David Held and this is Jaks, my personal equerry, who will be looking after you during your stay. If there is anything you require for your comfort, I’m sure Jaks will be able to arrange it.”

  The three ambassadors turned and bowed to Jaks again, causing another grin to momentarily appear. Behind them, a crewman waved from the door of the shuttle and started to retract the ramp. The shuttle took off as soon as the door was sealed.

  “Jaks go and fetch the coach and the escort.

  “Your Excellencies, I apologise for the somewhat primitive form of transport but I am trying to manage your arrival to generate the minimum disturbance to the local population.”

  Ambassador Mahagama acknowledged the point with a slight inclination of the head.

  “I will take you straight to the barrier so that you can see it for yourselves. I will also send a message to Lady Falaise Brantyen, the Queen Regent, informing her of your arrival. As I am sure you have been informed, her son, Prince Jeren Brantyen is inside the barrier with your Queen Rachel.”

  Mahagama raised his hand in protest. “Rachel is not a name of our people.”

  “No, but it is a common name here among the local population where she has lived all her life. She had to blend in.”

  The ambassador acknowledged the point again as Jaks rode up, leading David’s horse and with the coach and escort following close behind. David ushered them into the coach and then sent Jaks to find Falaise.

  There was no crowd as they arrived at the tent surrounding the barrier but it quickly began to form at the sight of the royal coach surrounded by red cloaks. There were a few gasps of surprise and some murmured comments as the ambassadors descended and David led them towards the tent. At the entrance, Seb and Baltur stood shoulder to shoulder and saluted the group as they approached.

  Once inside the tent, the ambassadors spread out and each walked slowly around the perimeter of the dome. They used no instruments but David could sense the mental activity as they explored the composition of the barrier. After a few minutes, they all gathered together and stood in silent conversation. Finally, Mahagama turned back to David.

  “Lord Held, we know you are not a natural telepath but you have some considerable talent in that field. And yet you did not listen in on our conversation.”

  “That would have been impolite to the point of rudeness, your excellency. And I doubt your shielding would have allowed me access anyway.”

  David smiled at Mahagama who looked at him for a second and then smiled back.

  “No it wouldn’t, but many men in your position would have tried. Where were you trained?”

  “With the monks on Platos.”

  “Ah, that explains it. Excellent. Well, firstly what we do know. This is definitely a construct of our people. Unfortunately, neither I nor my colleagues have ever encountered anything like this before. The complexity of the weave of spatial and temporal threads is exquisite. The power that must have been used to create it is phenomenal. But I fear it is beyond our ability to dismantle.”

  “No disrespect, ambassador but I suspected that might be the case. That young lady in there has quite an exceptional talent.”

  “I agree. Exceptional even for a member of the royal family. My heart is joyful at the thought of what she may achieve for her people with the right training.”

  Further discussion of the young queen’s potential was interrupted by the sound of salutes outside the tent as Falaise arrived. David was pleased to see that Marta had come with her.

  “Lady Falaise, may I present to you ambassadors Mahagama, Wijesinha and Adikaram. Your excellencies, this is Lady Falaise Brantyen, the Queen Regent.”

  The three ambassadors all made a deep bow which Falaise acknowledged with a nod of the head.

  “Welcome to Marmoros, your excellencies. Now tell me, what can you do about this… thing?”

  Mahagama spread his hands wide in a gesture of helplessness. “I was just explaining to Lord Held that there is nothing we can do. This barrier was created by a very special young girl from our royal family. She has tremendous power but lacks the training that someone of her age and status would normally have received. This is a product of her mind and she alone can dismantle it.”

  Falaise’s brow creased in a frown as she directed her gaze at David. “A member of a royal family? This R
achel is the special person you have been searching for? I thought you said it was a boy?”

  “I was misinformed, my lady. We all thought the missing child was a boy but all records of the child’s birth were destroyed.”

  “And you’re saying that there’s nothing any of you can do? That we have to wait for this special girl to take down this barrier that she created in the first place? How long do we have to wait?”

  David shook his head. “I don’t know, my lady. I can only guess what the conditions are like on the other side of the barrier. We know they have food and water because Rachel’s wagon is in there. But that’s all we know for certain.”

  “My son is in there, my lord,” she sobbed. “He’s been injured and I can’t get to him.”

  Marta put her arms around Falaise as she stood with tears running down her cheeks. David signed to the ambassadors that they should move outside and give the women some privacy.

  “Ambassador Mahagama, if there’s nothing more we can do here, I suggest we return to the palace to wait. Quarters have been prepared and Jaks will look after you. I assume that we will feel something when the barrier comes down?”

  “We have touched the barrier with our minds,” he replied. “We will know if there is any change.”

  The three ambassadors returned to the coach and Jaks led the procession back towards the city. David was waiting outside the tent for the ladies when Bern rode up with a couple of his men and an open wagon.

  “Bern, what’s happening at the gates?”

  “Gates are secure, milord, but we caught these three,” jerking his head towards the wagon, “trying to scale the valley slopes after they couldn’t get through the gates. Thought I’d better round them up for you to look at.”

  “Good man. I think I know who you’ve got there but let’s take a look at them.”

  Bern and his men went round to the back of the wagon and roughly hauled the prisoners to their feet. Raslo and the two thugs stood there with hands tied behind their backs and signs of wear and tear on their faces. The two women had come out of the tent at the first sound of voices but when she caught sight of Raslo, Falaise gave a little shriek and rushed forward. Before anyone could stop her, she smashed her fist into his jaw and he went down as though poleaxed.