Arik's two fathers walked along the path until they came to the king. They sat down on each side of him.
"Do you love her?" asked Prince Oscar.
"What are you talking about?" snapped King Arik. "We were just talking about the Council of Advisors. Love had nothing to do with it. I have never thought of Tanya that way."
"Haven't you?" probed Konic. "If you had one person to spar with, who would you chose?"
"What does sparring have to do with this?" questioned the king.
"If you had to go into deadly battle, who would you want by your side?" Konic persisted.
"I came out here for solitude," scowled King Arik.
"If you wanted to confide in someone," interjected Prince Oscar. "Who would it be?"
"All right," conceded the king, "I like Tanya and admire her skills. That is not the same thing as love. I could feel the same about Tedi."
"Could you?" inquired Konic. "Tedi has been gone quite some time now. I doubt that he comes to your mind very often. Yet Tanya is only gone for a few minutes, and you are acting like you have a mortal wound. Maybe it is not love, but have you truthfully asked yourself how you feel about her?"
"I don't know how I feel," admitted King Arik. "It is all very confusing. All I did was offer her a seat on the Council of Advisors. She turned me down and said that she could not live in Tagaret. She had to be free to travel the world."
"Is having her on the Council that important?" asked Prince Oscar.
"No," sighed the king. "I thought she would be thrilled about it. Instead she spurned me. I guess I just thought that she would always be by my side. I was wrong."
"Maybe she does not want to be thought of as merely an advisor," suggest Prince Oscar. "Have you thought about that?"
"I don't know what to think anymore," the king shook his head. "I find it easier to deal with the enemy on the battlefield than I do with Tanya. She just confuses me."
"Did you think much about her when she was at the Castle of Man?" asked Konic.
"All the time," nodded King Arik. "I was worried that I had sent her to her death. If I had to do it over again, I doubt that I would send her there."
"Did you feel the same about Jenneva?" questioned Konic.
"Jenneva?" frowned Arik. "No. Why would I?"
"I think the point is," smiled Prince Oscar, "why you felt that way about one and not the other."
"Jenneva is a skilled mage," King Arik began before his eyes grew wide with understanding. "But Tanya is younger. And Jenneva had Alex with her."
"Son," Konic said sternly, "I have always taught you to be honest. That includes being honest with yourself."
"I understand, Father," nodded Arik. "I am not trying to deceive myself. I just don't know how I truly feel. It matters little in any event. Tanya is like a beautiful wild horse. I might be able to capture her and bring her home, but then she would not be what I desired in the first place. Wild horses cannot be owned."
"Son," smiled Prince Oscar, "you worry first about finding your true feelings. After that nothing else matters. If you can restore the Sword of Heavens and unite the world under your banner, surely you can solve a small problem like wild horses."
"I suggest you spend some time thinking about your feelings for this lass," advised Konic, "but I would not start until after the battle with Sarac's forces. Your mind must be clear tomorrow. Too much depends on you. Keep your mind clear."
"I agree," nodded Prince Oscar. "Things will sort themselves out soon enough. In the meantime, figure out how to use those elves that came into the city tonight. Used wisely, they will greatly increase our chances of survival."
"You are both right," King Arik said as he rose. "I should get some sleep while there is time for it. Not to mention soothing the bodyguards that are sure to be angry."
"The bodyguards will recover," chuckled Prince Oscar. "Just get some sleep."
Chapter 9
Prelude to War
Jenneva saw Tanya storm down the hall and enter her room in the Royal Palace. She immediately followed Tanya and entered her daughter's room. The door made a noise as it opened. Tanya whirled around and faced the door, her hand automatically reaching for a Lanoirian star in her pouch.
"Is something the matter?" Jenneva asked as she saw Tanya's tear-stained cheeks.
"No," Tanya shook her head as she turned away from her mother.
"Are you sure?" pushed Jenneva. "I want to help."
"I said no," Tanya replied sternly. "Please leave me alone."
Jenneva frowned and stood staring at Tanya for a few moments before leaving the room and closing the door. She returned to her own room and sat on the bed. A few moments later, Alex entered the room.
"Something is wrong with Tanya," greeted Jenneva. "She has been crying."
"Did you talk to her about it?" asked Alex.
"I tried to," sighed Jenneva, "but she asked me to leave. I am worried about her."
"I wouldn't be overly concerned," replied Alex. "I bumped into Oscar on the way here. It seems Arik and Tanya had a misunderstanding."
"About the battle arrangements for tomorrow?" questioned Jenneva. "Tanya must be the other mage in the mage towers. Nobody else will be able to handle it."
"No," Alex shook his head. "It was on a more personal level. I will go talk with her."
"She won't talk to you," warned Jenneva. "This troubles me on the eve of battle. She needs a good rest to store the energy that she will expend tomorrow."
"I will handle it," Alex assured her as he left the room.
Alex closed the door and walked to Tanya's room. He placed his ear to the door, but he heard nothing. Silently he eased the door open and slid into the room. Tanya was facedown on the bed, her face shoved into a pillow. Alex eased the door closed and walked over to the bed. As he sat down on the bed, Tanya rolled over and prepared to strike the intruder.
"Easy, warrior," Alex said soothingly. "It is only your father."
"What are you doing here?" scowled Tanya.
"I am playing a healer tonight," smiled Alex. "I have come to ease your pain."
"I don't need any healing," retorted Tanya. "I can take care of myself."
"You always have taken care of yourself," Alex nodded. "You leave little room for others to help you. I make a point of taking care of my men, whether they want it or not. Tell me what the problem is."
"Men?" screeched Tanya. "Is that what I am to you, too? Am I just another one of your men to aid in battle?"
"You know that is not true," frowned Alex. "Convict me of using poor language, but do not attack me for my sentiments. Was that the problem with Arik tonight? Does he just think of you as one of the men?"
"That is all I am to him," scowled Tanya as she sat up. "Were it not for the battle tomorrow, I would just leave this place and never come back."
"I take it that you wish to be more to him than just a fighter," posed Alex as he put his arm around Tanya. "What is it that you want?"
"What does it matter what I want?" sniffed Tanya. "Isn't it all about what the king wants?"
"Not to me," soothed Alex. "There is nothing more important to me than my wife and daughter. Tell me what you want."
"I don't know what I want any more," answered Tanya. "I thought that I loved Arik, but he just uses me. I hate him."
"Uses you?" echoed Alex as he rose from the bed and drew his sword. "That is a problem that I can solve. I shall kill him."
"No," shouted Tanya. "That is not what I meant. You cannot kill the king."
Alex grinned as he sheathed his sword. "So you do not hate him," Alex said. "At least we are getting somewhere. Tell me what has you so troubled."
"You are toying with me," giggled Tanya.
"Perhaps," smiled Alex, "but I prefer hearing your laughter to the sound of your tears. Tell me what happened tonight in the garden."
"You know?" asked Tanya with surprise in her voice. "How could you possibly know that we met in the garden?"
"Fath
ers know everything," grinned Alex, "especially when they have beautiful young daughters. What did he say that upset you?"
"I don't know," admitted Tanya. "It is not really anything that he said. I guess it is what he didn't say. He offered me a title and a seat on the Council of Advisors."
"That hardly reason to cry," puzzled Alex. "What did you say?"
"I told him no," sighed Tanya. "I said that I could not picture myself living in Tagaret after this is all over. I really can't, Father. I would go mad staying in the city for the rest of my life. That is not who I am."
"I suppose he took exception to your refusal?" questioned Alex.
"Very much so," nodded Tanya. "He snapped at me and said good night. Just like that, I was dismissed from his presence as well as his mind."
Alex smiled thinly and shook his head. "Has it occurred to you that your statement about not wanting to live in Tagaret might apply to other positions as well as a member of the Council?"
"What do you mean?" asked Tanya. "Why would I want any other position?"
"If you love him," Alex replied, "one might suspect some desire on your part to be his mate. Is it possible that your refusal was taken on more than one level?"
"Why would that make him angry?" puzzled Tanya. "He has never mentioned marriage to me. In fact, I don't think marriage has ever entered his thoughts at all."
"It may not have before," conceded Alex, "but everyone he knows is getting married recently. Just because you seem to understand him better than most people, do not presume to understand him totally."
"It doesn't matter anyway," sighed Tanya. "I have no desire to be a queen, and he has no option of abandoning Alcea. It will never come to pass."
Alex started laughing and Tanya looked at him questioningly.
"What is so funny?" she asked.
"Life is funny," Alex replied. "Everyone knew that I was in love with your mother long before I did. I wonder if she was as frustrated as you are now?"
"I hardly see that as a source of amusement," Tanya frowned.
"Your mother wanted only to live on her island and study magic," Alex continued, "but I was in the army at that time. My job required me to travel a great deal. It certainly looked like we would never get together."
"But you did," mused Tanya. "Jenneva has certainly not had her wish of living on Atar's Cove and studying magic. For twenty years you have roamed the world looking for the Children of the Ancient Prophecy."
"True," nodded Alex, "but when this is done, I have promised that we shall retire to Atar's Cove."
"You will lay down your sword?" Tanya asked with shock evident on her face.
"I will," nodded Alex. "Sometimes you have to compromise in life. I want Jenneva to be happy. I may learn to fish like Konic did."
"That is hard for me to imagine," responded Tanya. "I just can't picture it."
"Well, we will invite you to visit," smiled Alex. "You will see it for yourself."
"I suppose there is one of your lessons for me in this somewhere," posed Tanya.
"There is a lesson in everything we say and do," chuckled Alex. "My advice to you is to dwell upon things before you act. Love cannot be forced on another. Give it time and then evaluate the situation. If you both love each other, you will work out the other problems easily."
"Sage advice," giggled Tanya. "You talk of love as you talk of battle strategies."
"Whether I like it or not," shrugged Alex, "fighting has been my life for many years. You will find that the mental skills you apply on the battlefield will serve you well in all areas of life. Speaking of battlefields, we really need to rest before the morning. Put Arik out of your mind for now. Deal with it when the fighting is over."
"I shall, Father," smiled Tanya. "I am glad that you forced your way in here tonight. I think you do have healing powers."
"Forced?" laughed Alex as he rose and walked to the door. "You should spend some time with the elves. They will instruct you on the methods of moving silently much better than I can. I saw some old elven friends enter the city tonight. I will talk to them about getting you lessons. You will enjoy it."
Tanya nodded and smiled as Alex slipped out the door and closed it.
* * *
A couple of hours before dawn, Alex left his room in the Royal Palace of Tagaret. He moved noiselessly through the corridors and out the door to the courtyard near the front gates. A thousand black-suited men milled about in the courtyard. Alex walked towards them.
"So you have decided to rejoin the Alcea Rangers," grinned General Gregor as Alex entered the milling group.
"Rangers never retire," grinned Alex. "They do get old and go fishing, but that time has not yet come for me."
"Excellent," smiled the general. "Do you understand the mission?"
"I have been briefed," Alex nodded. "We are to harass the vanguard of Sarac's army as they approach the city."
"Precisely," responded the general as Captain Mitar Vidson joined the small group. "The idea is to make them nervous. They will not be expecting opposition until they gather before our walls and regroup. I aim to let them know that this battle is not going to be dictated by them."
"Welcome back, Colonel," smiled Mitar. "I am pleased to have you aboard. You will have control over half of the Rangers. We just want to shake them up, not fully engage them. Bring all your men home."
"We will shake them up," nodded Alex. "Why are we splitting the Rangers, though?"
"The enemy is advancing over a wide front," explained Mitar. "We want to spread fear through their ranks, so it makes sense to spread the two groups out a bit."
"And what will cover our retreat?" asked Alex.
"The Red Swords gather here in an hour," stated General Gregor. "They will form up and head out towards the invaders. When you see them, disengage and bring your men home. The Red Swords will cover your retreat."
"So we will have an hour to do our mischief," nodded Alex. "I think we can shake them up a bit in an hour. I am ready when you are."
"Good," smiled Captain Vidson. "My group will go northwest. You get to go due north. See you back here in a couple of hours."
The leader of the Alcea Rangers turned and shouted orders to his men. The large group of black-clad men smoothly separated into two groups. Captain Vidson mounted and led one of the groups out through the gates of the Royal Palace. Alex moved quickly to retrieve Kaz and returned to the remaining group. He mounted Kaz and studied the men under his command as the first group continued to leave. He recognized many of the grinning faces before him. He smiled and nodded to those he did not recognize.
"It has been a long time since I rode with the Rangers," Alex said to the men. "I missed you all. Let's see if you still have what it takes. Mount up."
"Shouldn't that be the other way around?" shouted one of the older Rangers. "We want to know if Colonel Alexander Tork still has what it takes. It has been a few years for you, Sir."
Alex turned and stared at Randi Witzak, the Ranger who had shouted. Alex grinned broadly at the Ranger.
"We'll measure the count when we return, Sergeant Witzak," grinned Alex. "I think you'll find that old Rangers only get better with age."
Many of the Rangers laughed loudly, but some started chanting, "Tork." Soon they were all shouting Alex's name. Alex shook his head happily and waved the men forward as he led them through the gates.
* * *
Tanya slept fitfully. As she tossed and turned she heard the distant shouting. It was just one word, over and over. She swiftly pulled on her clothes and raced for the library. She flew out onto the balcony just in time to see the tail end of the Rangers leaving the courtyard. Her eyes scanned forward along the column and saw Alex leading them through the city streets. She blinked her sleepy eyes in confusion. She raced back along the corridor and barged into her parents' room. Jenneva opened her eyes and saw Tanya. She closed her eyes again and tried to return to sleep.
"What is Alex doing with the Rangers?" asked Tanya.
> "What is it that Rangers do?" Jenneva retorted rhetorically. "They are going to harass the enemy."
"Must he always put his life in danger?" scowled Tanya. "Can't he rest for a moment?"
"Angry that you weren't invited?" sighed Jenneva as she sat up and stared at her daughter. "Look, Tanya, Alex built the Rangers out of nothing. It is something that he created. Do you expect him to watch them ride out to protect this city and not desire to go with them?"
"But will it never end?" questioned Tanya. "He spoke last night about retiring to Atar's Cove with you. He said he would go fishing."
"He might actually do that someday," sighed Jenneva, "but that day is not today. If we both survive this coming storm, he has promised me that we will return to Atar's Cove. You should know your father well enough by now. If someone needs him, he cannot refuse. You are much the same way."
"Yet he didn't ask me to go with him," pouted Tanya.
"Your role in this battle is not that of a warrior," Jenneva pointed out. "We must man the mage towers, and I think we need to talk about it before the war starts. However, I want as much sleep as I can get right now. This battle will be exhausting. You should return to bed. We will talk in the morning."
"But…" objected Tanya.
"But nothing," Jenneva said sternly. "I am going back to sleep. Good night."
Tanya nodded and left the room, but she did not feel that she could return to sleep. She decided to visit the kitchen and get a bite to eat. She expected to find the kitchen dark and empty, but the torchlights gleamed out into the corridor. She stepped hesitantly into the kitchen and stared at the assemblage. King Arik sat at one of the tables with four Red Swords, the elf prince, and the dwarf prince. They were eating a morning meal.
"Welcome to Arik's kitchen," smiled the king as Tanya stepped into the room. "There are some eggs left if you care to have some."
"Am I interrupting anything?" Tanya asked hesitantly.
"Nothing more than a meal," assured the king. "When the king can't sleep, I guess nobody can."
Tanya's eyes ran over the people at the table. Nobody seemed to mind the loss of sleep. She walked to the fire and helped herself to some eggs and sat at the table.
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