"Evacuate?" King Arik questioned loudly. "No. Tagaret must stand. This is one battle that we cannot run away from. Too much depends upon Alcea being alive. The Ancient Prophecy depends upon it."
"He is only talking about women and children," Prince Oscar interrupted softly. "Nobody is talking about walking away from this battle, but General Gregor advised, and I concur, that we ship the innocents to Grakus. The evacuation is voluntary and started this morning."
"Sorry," blushed the king. "I should have known better before I spoke. Neither of you has given me anything short of your entire devotion. We will find a way through this. Who would have thought that Alcea would span almost the entire world when we started this?"
"What portion of the world is not under your command?" asked a strange voice.
King Arik turned to stare at the white-haired stranger. He thought the face looked vaguely familiar, but he could not place it.
"Only the northwest," frowned King Arik. "Who are you?"
"We have met before," smiled the man. "That was long before you became king. I am known as General Julio Fernandez. I am an old friend of Alex's. I was also a good friend of your grandfather's."
The king turned to see Alex grinning broadly at the strange man. "Of course," King Arik remembered. "We met you in Kantor when we were searching for the Sapphire of the Fairies. What are you doing in Tagaret?"
"Since the Collapse," answered General Fernandez, "I have tried to unite Cordonia under one government. While I am well respected by my people, I was never able to complete my task. When we met in Kantor, Alex told me about the Ancient Prophecy. It started me thinking about the future of my people. Days later when you cleared away the Darkness over my land, I knew what my task was to be."
"And what is that?" questioned the king.
"I could not get all of the Cordonians to agree to unite," continued Julio, "but I found it much easier to unite them after the Darkness left. The people were eager to follow a king who could banish the Darkness. In short, Cordonians have agreed to become part of Alcea. More than just agreeing, they eagerly look forward to being part of your kingdom."
"That is exciting news," smiled King Arik. "The people of Cordonia are welcome as part of Alcea. If we survive, that is."
"As Alex can tell you," smiled the Cordonian general, "my specialty has always been intelligence. I pride myself on knowing what is going on in the world outside the borders of Cordonia."
"This is true," interjected Alex. "General Fernandez has always had an excellent spy network."
"What this means," continued Julio, "is that I knew about Sarac's army descending upon you. There is currently an army of ten thousand volunteers heading for Tagaret."
"Now that is encouraging," brightened General Gregor.
"It would be if my timing was better," frowned General Fernandez. "I fear that they will be a week too late. However, I did come before my army with a detail of one hundred men. I place them now at your command."
"You and your men are most welcome here," nodded the king. "If you would speak with General Gregor after this meeting, I am sure that the two of you will find the best use of their skills. I will also draw up a declaration naming you as governor of the province of Cordonia. Thank you for coming."
General Fernandez bowed deeply before King Arik.
"All right," King Arik said to everyone, "we now know the state of our preparedness. It seems that there is little to do now but to await the enemy. I encourage everyone to put your personal affairs in order tonight."
The king left unsaid his thought that most of them would not survive the coming days. The mood in Tagaret was already gloomy enough without him adding fuel to the fire. The crowd broke up and dispersed. As everyone was leaving, Wylan and Sheri approached the king.
"We need help putting our affairs in order," Sheri said.
A puzzled frown fell over Arik's face as he stared at the couple. "What kind of help do you need?" he asked.
"We want to get married," Wylan answered. "We were hoping that you would perform the ceremony."
"That is wonderful," grinned King Arik. "I am thrilled for both of you. Set the date, and I will arrange a gala affair."
"Today," replied Sheri. "We are under no illusions about our chances of surviving the coming battle, but our marriage is important to us nonetheless. If it is to last only one day, then so be it."
"And we do not seek a gala affair," added Wylan. "You mean a lot to each of us. That is why we seek your service to perform the wedding, but our guest list is small. I would like the Knights of Alcea to be present if they wish to come."
"And I only ask for a few of my friends from the warehouse," added Sheri. "Did you know that Fredrik and Niki were recently married?"
"No, I didn't know," admitted the king as his mind began to focus on relationships. It was a topic that had never really entered the king's mind before.
"Will you do it?" asked Wylan. "It would mean a great deal to us."
"Of course I will," smiled the king as he shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Come with me."
King Arik led the happy couple over to Prince Oscar. "Father," he said, "I want to arrange a wedding for today. I know it is short notice, but perhaps it will buoy the spirits of our people. Wylan and Sheri wish to be man and wife. I was thinking that the palace gardens might be a grand spot for such an event. Can you see to it?"
"With pleasure," nodded Prince Oscar. "Leave everything to me. It will be a grand affair."
Wylan and Sheri were giddy with excitement. The mood change was contagious and as people found out about the wedding, plans for a great party developed quickly. King Arik worked his way through the group for several minutes before returning to Wylan and Sheri.
"I am so happy for both of you," King Arik repeated. "I just wish this could have happened at a better time. Wylan, maybe you should join Sheri on a ship to Grakus. You have your whole life ahead of you. There is no need for you to waste it here tomorrow."
"My service to you is not something that I consider a waste," countered Wylan. "I knew that my life was changing the day I met you in Cleb, and I knew it was changing for the better. I could no more walk out on this upcoming battle than you could. We will prevail tomorrow. I do not know how, but the gods smile upon you, Arik. You watch and see."
"I am not sure that I even believe in the gods anymore," sighed King Arik, "but I refuse to give up hope of defeating Sarac. I should tell Prince Oscar to make sure that the wedding is held early enough to allow Sheri to catch a ship to Grakus. Or maybe I will just have him hold the last ship until she is ready."
"I am not going to Grakus," Sheri countered defiantly. "I am staying here to fight."
"Nonsense, Sheri," chuckled Wylan. "There are plenty of people left in the city that can support the soldiers. There is no reason for you to stay. I will feel better knowing that you are safe."
"I am not talking about supporting the soldiers," huffed Sheri. "I said that I am staying to fight. I have been getting lessons for quite some time now. I will be up on the wall with the rest of you."
"Lessons?" questioned Wylan. "What are you talking about? You can't be serious."
"Why can't I be serious?" Sheri retorted loud enough to draw some curious stares. "Do you remember the day that you said that you would not want me along with you because you would be worried about me getting hurt?"
"Of course I do," answered Wylan. "We were talking about my rejoining the Knights of Alcea. What does that have to do with anything?"
"I pledged that day to become proficient enough with weapons so that you would never have to worry about me," declared Sheri. "I think I have progressed quite well."
"And who has been giving you these lessons?" asked Wylan.
"I have," answered Randi Witzak. "Me and a bunch of Rangers meet with Sheri every day. She has quite a talent with knives, and she is fair with a bow as well. You would be right proud of her."
Wylan stood with his mouth hanging open. His eyes pas
sed from Randi to Sheri and back again. King Arik started laughing.
"Never underestimate the power of woman," he chuckled, "especially one trained by Alcea Rangers. At least this answers one of the questions that I was about to ask."
"And what is that?" snapped Wylan as he failed to find the humor in the situation before him.
"I was going to ask how we could find a wedding dress for Sheri on such short notice," replied King Arik. "I think the easier solution is for her to wear the tunic of the Knights of Alcea."
"Are you serious?" gasped Sheri as she threw her arms around King Arik's neck and kissed him. "I love you. I mean adore. Umm…"
"I think we all know what you mean," laughed the king.
Even Wylan laughed as the people nearby started congratulating Sheri on her acceptance into the Knights of Alcea.
Chapter 6
Man and Wife
Alex and Jenneva entered the Sword and Shield Inn in Tagaret. The common room was plain and fairly empty. A young man stood at the station where the innkeeper normally stood. Alex did not recognize him. Alex looked around the room, scanning the faces of the current patrons before approaching the young man.
"I am in need of a room facing the street," Alex said.
"None left," the young man replied curtly.
"That is a pity," Alex responded with suspicion. "I have stayed here before and always enjoyed the view from your establishment. Are you sure there are no front rooms available?"
"Quite sure," the young man replied nervously, his eyes darting towards the patrons in the common room.
"Very well," Alex said. "I will take an inside room then. Are you new here?"
"New?" echoed the young man. "No, I have always been here. Follow me. I will show you to your room."
Alex turned and gazed at the patrons in the common room one more time before following the innkeeper up the stairs. The young man appeared to be especially nervous, and the hairs on the back of Alex's neck tingled slightly. With his hand behind his back, his fingers twisted into an abnormal contortion as he climbed the stairs. He heard Jenneva behind him clear her throat in reply.
The young man reached the top of the stairs and opened a door on the right hand side of the hallway. He turned around and waited for Alex and Jenneva to enter the room. Alex stopped at the open door. His eyes scanned the interior of the room as best they could from the hallway.
"This is your room," the young innkeeper said impatiently. "Go in."
"After you," Alex smiled thinly. "I always demand that the innkeeper show me the room in case I find it unacceptable. I wouldn't want you complaining that I dirtied it and then complained."
The young innkeeper frowned nervously, but he entered the room hesitantly. Alex and Jenneva followed him in.
"Here it is," the young man said as he waved his arms around the room and started to leave.
"What about the window?" asked Alex. "Are you sure it works properly?"
The young man sighed nervously, but he walked over to the window and opened it. Jenneva swiftly closed the door to the room, while Alex brought his arm around the man's neck, cutting off his air supply. Alex drew his knife and held it in front of the man's face before placing it under the man's throat as he removed his arm.
"Any loud noise will be your last," Alex said softly. "Do you understand?"
Alex shook his head in disbelief as the young man tried to nod, nearly piercing his throat on the tip of the knife.
"I understand," the young man finally whispered.
Alex slowly turned the man around so he was facing him. He looked deeply into the young man's eyes and asked, "Who are you and who do you work for?"
"I am just the innkeeper," the man replied nervously. "Do not hurt me."
"Your answer is insufficient," pushed Alex. "You have one more chance to answer my question."
The young man's eyes darted towards the closed door as if he were expecting someone to come to his aid. Jenneva had worked her way into the corner of the room so she could watch the young man and the door to the room at the same time.
"No one is coming to your aid," Alex said steely. "Even if someone cared enough about you to send help, do you really think they could open the door and cross this room before this knife slices through your throat? Satisfy my curiosity or die."
"I am a Spider," the young man blurted out. "Someone told me to play innkeeper for awhile. That is all that I can tell you."
"What is a Spider?" Alex asked skeptically.
Sweat began pouring down the young man's face. "You don't know?" swallowed the young innkeeper. "Spiders are spies. I have done nothing wrong, though. Please don't hurt me."
"He is telling the truth," Jenneva said from the corner.
"Partially," scowled Alex as he removed the knife from the young man's throat and sheathed it. "Restrain him," he added as he stepped away from the man.
The young man made a dash for the door, but Jenneva was quicker. An icy blue orb sped across the room and impacted on the man's chest. His body instantly froze in mid-step. Alex walked to the corner where Jenneva was standing.
"Are you sure he was telling the truth?" Alex asked softly.
"I am certain," nodded Jenneva.
"Then he has no right to be a Spider," frowned Alex.
"What do we do now?" questioned Jenneva.
"We wait for someone to show up," shrugged Alex. "The innkeeper will be noticed missing before too long."
"Who are you expecting to show up?" inquired Jenneva.
"A real Spider," answered Alex. "There is no way they would allow this boy to run loose for long. Someone must be his minder."
"And in the meantime?" frowned Jenneva. "Do we just stand here in the corner?"
"Is that so bad?" chuckled Alex. "You used to like being alone with me."
"This is hardly considered being alone," giggled Jenneva. "We have done more interesting things than stand around watching a man melt."
"We have indeed," smiled Alex. "Can he hear us?"
"Not at the level we are talking," Jenneva shook her head. "If we stood in front of him and addressed him directly, he would have no problem hearing us."
"Good," nodded Alex. "There is something that I wanted to ask you about your performance earlier today."
"And what is that?" questioned Jenneva.
"You used Reflecting Pool to impersonate a Melbin Guard and then the emperor," Alex began. "That whole affair confuses me. Both you and Dalgar lost your deceptive images when you cast magic. How is that possible?"
"It is a limitation of the Reflecting Pool spell," answered Jenneva. "If you used magic while assuming someone else's person, the illusion is shattered."
"Yet when we needed to expose Mordac when he had taken over the king's identity," countered Alex, "we went through great risk to ensure that the king imbibed some concoction which was required to effect the same purpose. How can that be?"
"I see your confusion," nodded Jenneva. "At that time, the best information that we had about the Reflecting Pool spell indicated that the concoction, Passive Drain, was required to enable the façade to dissolve when magic was used. Quite plainly put, the tome that I used for a reference was wrong. Under the influence of Reflecting Pool, a mage may not employ magic at all. If he does, the façade dissolves. He can, of course, immediately reinstate it if he so desires."
"Reinstate it?" echoed Alex. "I thought you had to have the body available? That also was my next question. How could you assume Emperor Hanchi's body when the emperor was long dead?"
"This is complicated," sighed Jenneva. "Reflecting Pool is a two stage spell. Part one captures the essence of a being. It is more than just an image illusion. It entails the method of behavior, speech tones and inflections, physical characteristics, and much more. Other than memory, you actually assume all of the characteristics of the victim. We call it the essence."
"All right," nodded Alex. "I can follow you so far, although I am sure that this is more than I wish to know."<
br />
"It is necessary for you to know about this in order to understand it," smiled Jenneva. "The second stage is the invocation of performance. That is when you take the stored essence that you have stolen and put it to use. The essence may be obtained from the living only, but it need not be immediately applied. That means that if you use magic and destroy the façade, you still have the essence to use in invoking the second stage."
"So Dalgar could have become Emperor Hanchi again after he dealt with us," surmised Alex.
"Precisely," nodded Jenneva.
"But how were you able to become Emperor Hanchi when you never met him?" asked Alex.
"But I did meet him," smiled Jenneva. "When Dalgar portrayed the emperor, he WAS the emperor. He carried that essence within him, even when he was exposed as Dalgar. I merely extracted it from him before he died and then applied it before we left the farmhouse."
"I do not know how you manage to keep all of this information in your head," Alex replied.
"The same way that you keep battle strategies in yours," Jenneva said.
The door suddenly opened and Alex drew his sword. A bald man walked in the room and stared at the frozen figure of the young innkeeper. He shook his head as he turned to look at Alex and Jenneva.
"There is no need for the sword, Alexander Tork," the man said. "I can see that our recruit failed his initiation test. Please use the room directly across the hall. Your friend is already there."
Jenneva started to speak, but Alex grabbed her hand. "Just leave," he said to her softly as he sheathed his sword.
Jenneva left the room and opened the door across the hallway. Alex immediately followed her and shut the door. Larc was sitting on the floor near the window.
"I apologize for your reception here today," Larc said immediately. "The recruit was a cocky one. I could think of no better way to reform him than to have you teach him a lesson."
Amethyst of the Gods Page 7