Amethyst of the Gods

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "That could work," mused the general. "There are ten thousand Cordonians heading this way."

  "There is also the remnant of the Sordoan armies," reminded the king. "They are supposed to be heading here. Have them divert to the west instead of coming here. The smaller Sarac's army when we have to attack his stronghold, the better it will fare for us."

  "I will see to it," the general nodded enthusiastically. "In the very least we will have a count of the forces of the Dark One."

  "Isn't that David Jaynes?" King Arik said as he pointed towards the remnants of the Red Swords approaching the western gates.

  "It is," frowned General Gregor as he eyed the captain at the vanguard of the scraggly band. "One arm hangs limp, and the other carries the sword of Alexander Tork. We best go down and meet him."

  The king and the general hurried down the stairs and got there just as the Red Swords were entering through the gates. Captain David Jaynes saw the king and walked up to him. He painfully handed the sword to King Arik.

  "I could not find his body," David said sadly. "One minute he was deflecting fireballs with his sword; the next minute he was gone. I fear that the Red Swords have been decimated. There may be more returning to the city by a different route, but this is all that I could find."

  King Arik accepted the sword, but he remained silent for some moments while the Red Swords filed into the city. His mind pictured Jenneva and Tanya inside the Gateway Inn, and a shiver of despair coursed through his body. He could not think of how he would break the news to the two mages.

  "The Red Swords will be rebuilt," the king promised the captain. "You shall have the pick of the army."

  "Begging your pardon, Your Highness," frowned David, "but while the lads in the army have many promising recruits, there are not enough there to meet the stringent requirements of the Red Swords."

  "We have more than the Alcea army to draw from," countered the king. "Choose from the men of any province from Cordonia to Lanoir. I want the Red Swords rebuilt, and I want them to be respected for the caliber of their men. We can discuss this later. Get yourself and your men healed up, Captain. The Queen's Helpers will direct you to the appropriate healers."

  David Jaynes winced as he bowed to the king, but he covered it well.

  "You are wise to give the men hope for the future," smiled the general after David had left. "It means much to them right now."

  "And how do I give anyone hope with this?" King Arik asked as he held up Alex's sword. "Alex was like a god to these men."

  "Not a god," the general smiled tautly. "A legendary hero, certainly, but not a god. Alex never placed himself above the common soldier. The soldiers themselves elevated him in their own minds."

  "And with good reason," declared King Arik. "There was no finer warrior in the world. We must find his body. I want him buried in the Royal Gardens."

  "Are you so sure he is dead?" asked General Gregor. "I have made the mistake of believing him dead before, only to be pleased by seeing him again afterwards."

  "I understand," the king nodded sadly, "but Alex would never abandon this magical sword. It was a gift to him from Jenneva before they were married. It never leaves his side."

  "I will arrange for a detail to search for his body immediately," the general nodded glumly.

  Overhead, sitting on a branch of a tree, a small blue fairy was listening to the conversation. Bantam tossed her body into the air and glided across the street to the Gateway Inn. She fluttered her delicate wings as she landed between Kaz's ears. Kaz's head snapped upward as the fairy mentally passed the overhead conversation to the unicorn. With a snort of determination, Kaz walked to the door of the inn and pushed against it with his horn, but the door did not budge. Kaz rose up and hit the door with his front hooves. The wood splintered and the door flew open. Many heads in the street in front of the Gateway Inn turned towards the sound. The people watched in wonder as the black unicorn with a blue fairy between his ears exited the inn. Bantam leaped into the sky as Kaz turned towards the gates and broke into a gallop.

  King Arik frowned as Kaz raced by. "I was worried about telling Tanya and Jenneva about Alex," he murmured aloud. "I suppose they already know now. Kaz will not rest until he has found Alex's body."

  "You should comfort them," responded General Gregor. "They may decide to go out looking themselves and that would not be good for their health."

  King Arik nodded and headed for the Gateway Inn. He rested Alex's sword on his shoulder as he examined the splintered wood of the door to the Gateway Inn. He stalled there trying to think of what he would say to Jenneva and Tanya. Finally, he shook his head and entered the common room.

  Jenneva looked up as the king entered the room. Her vision focused on Alex's sword and her eyes widened in fear. She tried desperately to sit up, but her body was too weak.

  "Help me up," she demanded of the king.

  "No," Zalaharic said sternly as he pushed past the king and put his arms on Jenneva's shoulders. "You will go nowhere."

  "Away from me, magician," warned Jenneva. "When my husband calls, I will be by his side. There is nobody who can stop me."

  "Nobody but yourself," retorted Zalaharic. "Listen to your body. You may be able to will the pain away, but at least hear its complaints."

  "I hear the complaints well, magician," exhaled Jenneva. "They matter little to my obligation to my husband. I will be by his side. It is no concern of yours."

  "No concern?" countered Zalaharic. "This whole city has sacrificed to save you and your daughter. A score of the best healers have stood in this room for a day laboring to save you and Tanya. I will not see that effort wasted by some ill destined desire to search the battlefields."

  "Tanya?" Jenneva said weakly as she turned her head to look at the other table. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes as she recognized her daughter. "Will she live?"

  Zalaharic felt the fight drain out of Jenneva. He eased her back down on the table. "She will live," he said comfortingly. "She must have had more warning of the attack than you did. Her shields saved her from the degree of damage that you encountered. She sleeps peacefully. You should do the same."

  "Kaz and Bantam are out looking for Alex," King Arik interjected. "General Gregor is also sending out a detail specifically to search for him. We do not know that he is dead. Rest assured that we will find him."

  "Kaz will find him," sighed Jenneva. "If anyone can, it will be Kaz, if he can get through the enemy lines."

  "The enemy is gone," the king informed Jenneva. "Sarac's Ravens are no more, and the host of the Dark One is running back to Mount Kalas, what is left of them that is. Tagaret is safe."

  "Find him for me, Arik," demanded Jenneva as she closed her eyes. "Find him."

  * * *

  "Lattimer!" shouted the Dark One.

  Even standing on the top platform of the Dark One's tower high atop Mount Kalas, Lattimer heard the call. He dismissed the Black Devil who had been reporting to him and hurried down the circular staircase to the main library. He moved swiftly past the towering shelves and out into the corridor beyond. Sarac called twice more as Lattimer traveled the halls to his master's office. Lattimer knew that he was in mortal danger. Sarac must have found out how bad things were going to be this impatient.

  "It is about time that you heeded my call," the Dark One snapped as Lattimer entered his office.

  "I was on the roof receiving reports," Lattimer explained haltingly.

  "Reports that you would rather not share with me?" Sarac asked accusingly.

  "Reports that I would rather not share with you," admitted Lattimer. "Tagaret has repulsed our attack. The remnants of your army are heading here to secure your castle."

  "Remnants?" screamed Sarac. "Remnants? There has never been a larger army in all of history. How could they have failed?"

  "Every person and every creature not in your army stood against them," explained Lattimer. "Unicorns, dragons, fairies, elves, dwarves, everyone."

  "W
e have underestimated King Arik all along," scowled the Dark One. "What of Sarac's Ravens? Is there hope that they may strike during the boy king's victory celebration?"

  "Sarac's Ravens no longer exist," frowned Lattimer, "but there is a bright spot in all of this."

  "A bright spot?" sighed Sarac as he shook his head. "And what might that be?"

  "Sarac's Ravens killed Jenneva," reported Lattimer. "Alexander Tork also died in the fighting."

  "That is good news," Sarac replied, "but it does not end the Ancient Prophecy."

  "No," smirked Lattimer, "but I just had a report that Fredrik is probably dead as well. That would end the Ancient Prophecy."

  "Really?" brightened the Dark One. "Fredrik's death would definitely end the prophecy. How did this happen?"

  "He tried to attack the Black Devils at the start of the battle," answered Lattimer. "He was shielded by others, but our attack was so fierce that we crumbled his shields quickly. One Black Devil reports that he saw Fredrik struck directly by lightning."

  "Excellent," smiled Sarac. "Why did you not tell me this first? None of the rest of your reports really matters now. Are we really sure that Fredrik is dead?"

  "I have passed on the only information that I have on the matter," shrugged Lattimer. "While it is highly unlikely that he survived, I cannot prove his death."

  "Well find a way to prove it!" commanded the Dark One. "If he is still alive, see that he dies. We will deal with the rest of the boy king's rabble at our leisure."

  "I will see to it," assured Lattimer. "There is also a report about Emperor Hanchi."

  "You have managed to get a man inside his ranks?" questioned Sarac. "Gaining control over his army now would be of great benefit."

  "Dalgar was Emperor Hanchi," declared Lattimer.

  "Was?" questioned the Dark One.

  "Was," nodded Lattimer. "Dalgar and his men are dead. The Lanoirian army is returning to Lanoir. I do not know the details, but this happened at Melbin a few days ago. The Lanoirians are no longer a threat to King Arik and Tagaret."

  "Dalgar no longer concerns me," scowled the Dark One. "I should have destroyed him myself long ago. You have another task before you, Lattimer."

  "Yes, Master?" Lattimer replied apprehensively.

  "I want Mount Kalas to be impregnable," ordered Sarac. "Until we have proof that Fredrik is truly dead, I want this mountain fortress guarded with all of my forces. Nobody is to enter or leave without my authorization."

  "Master," sighed Lattimer, "I will make Mount Kalas unapproachable, but I cannot seek your authorization for each spy that I send out."

  "Very well," nodded the Dark One. "Your authorization will be acceptable, but no other. I fear desertions after our defeat at Tagaret. I will not have my minions running away until I am through with them."

  "Understood and wise," nodded Lattimer. "The goblins have already been overheard discussing their retreat northward. I had the conspirators executed and fed to yaki. It was a public display to demonstrate to the others what awaits anyone seeking to desert."

  "You are a good servant, Lattimer," commented the Dark One. "Continue to please me, and I will see you amply rewarded. Leave me now."

  Lattimer bowed low and backed out of the room. He breathed a sigh of relief that he had managed to leave the room alive. Not only had he managed to leave the room alive, but he had managed to obtain authorization for the comings and goings of the castle. That authorization could prove to be a lifesaver if things went badly in the future.

  Lattimer's mind raced over all of the failures they had faced against the Sword of Heavens and the Ancient Prophecy. He began to wonder if Sarac's defeat was preordained in some way. King Arik had managed to survive every attack and every pitfall placed in his path. Lattimer did not believe that anyone could be so charmed. That left the only reasons for King Arik's success in the hands of the immortals. Lattimer immediately thought of Alutar, the Great Demon. He was sure that the Demon must be maneuvering events somehow, but he could not figure out exactly how that could be.

  Lattimer raced into the library and went to the table in the corner that had on it the references to the Ancient Prophecy. He quickly scanned the ancient tomes and selected the one with the descriptions of the seven gems. He found the description of the Amethyst of the Gods and sank into a chair to study it.

  If Fredrik was not dead, he reasoned, King Arik would still have to seek the last gem. While Lattimer did not possess the Sword of Heavens to locate the gem, he had been able to approximate the location of the other gems by reading through the ancient tomes. If he could find the location of the Amethyst before King Arik, Lattimer could lay a trap to snare Fredrik and end the Ancient Prophecy forever. His research might also unveil how Alutar expected to turn the Ancient Prophecy to his own benefit, because Lattimer was now convinced that the Great Demon was helping the boy king.

  Chapter 16

  Funeral Pyre

  The common room of the Gateway Inn in Tagaret was dark when Zalaharic entered with his torch. He silently maneuvered around the room and lit one wall torch and placed his torch in an empty wall sconce. He moved quietly to waken and gather the three unicorns in the room.

  "It is nighttime?" Jenneva asked quietly.

  "It is," answered Zalaharic in a whisper. "Sorry if I have awakened you, but I know that the unicorns must get out and exercise. I will be right back to keep watch over you."

  "Have you slept, Zalaharic?" asked Jenneva as she sat up.

  "I have," nodded the elf healer as Tanya awoke and sat up. "A bit at least."

  "Well you should rest some more," advised Jenneva. "Tanya and I need no further watching. I can watch over Tanya if she needs anything."

  "I feel fine," interjected Tanya. "It is you that I am worried about. You had less warning than me and you are much older. How are you feeling?"

  "Jenneva may have had less warning," commented Zalaharic, "but her body is barely older than yours. Had I not known better, I would have taken you for sisters."

  "How did you know better?" quizzed Jenneva. "There are not many who do know."

  "It is hard to keep a secret from an elf," Zalaharic grinned sheepishly. "I heard about what you did in Melbin and about Tanya's relationship to you and Alex. Your work there was most impressive."

  "Has Alex been found?" asked Jenneva.

  "What has happened to Alex?" Tanya asked with concern.

  "He has not been found yet," frowned the elf healer.

  "They must continue the search in the morning," demanded Jenneva, "or I shall break my vow to you about remaining here."

  "They have not stopped looking," Zalaharic replied. "All through the night the search parties are combing the battlefield. The elves of Glendor are out in force, although I do not know how they will recognize him when they find him. Has he ever been to Glendor?"

  "We have been to Glendor many times," answered Jenneva. "Prince Rigal and Prince Elgorn are old friends. They know Alex well."

  "That explains their eagerness to perform the search through the night," Zalaharic nodded thoughtfully. "If you are feeling well enough, I see no reason why you cannot join them in the morning. You seem to have finally gotten some rest. That was my main concern."

  "Thank you for all that you have done for us, Zalaharic," smiled Jenneva. "I am indebted to you."

  "It was an honor to be able to help," Zalaharic bowed. "I will take care of the unicorns and then get some more rest myself. The morning will bring another demanding day for me."

  "What happened to Father?" Tanya asked after the elf had left.

  "They found his sword," Jenneva said as she pointed to the sword near the fireplace. "If he is not found by morning, we shall go looking ourselves. I tried to yesterday, but Zalaharic stopped me. He was, of course, correct that I would have done more harm than good. We both needed rest for our bodies to complete the healing."

  "He would never willingly abandon his sword," frowned Tanya. "What did Zalaharic mean about us being sister
s? Was he flirting with you?"

  "Zalaharic would not flirt," Jenneva shook her head. "No, it was his discovery of the facts as a healer that provoked his comment. I have told you before of the amber liquid that Egam gave to me. We do not know its nature other than it appears to slow the aging process, but Zalaharic is confirming that its effects are more pronounced than even we thought. It appears that the elixir is very powerful in that the aging process is severely slowed. Egam wanted to make sure that Alex and I would live long enough to see the Ancient Prophecy fulfilled."

  "But that is the same elixir that he gave to Arik," posed Tanya. "Isn't it?"

  "I suspect that it is," nodded Jenneva. "I presume that the Mage also wants Alcea to last long enough to bring a measure of peace to the world after Sarac is defeated."

  "But does the Mage truly want Sarac defeated?" questioned Tanya. "There is some question about that. The decision to quest for the Amethyst of the Gods is upon us soon. What do you think Arik will decide?"

  "I don't know," frowned Jenneva. "Arik does not have the close association with the Mage that we have both had. I suspect that Arik will choose to continue to fulfill the Ancient Prophecy regardless of what the Mage desires."

  "And what will you do?" asked Tanya. "Are we to have to choose between sides?"

  "From what I have heard about the battle that we missed," answered Jenneva, "Sarac's armies are but a fraction of what they once were. The Darkness is gone from all of the lands we know. There is some credence to the Mage's desires to keep Alutar contained by not fulfilling the Ancient Prophecy."

  "Yet we are pledged to help Arik fulfill it," Tanya pointed out.

  "So it seems," Jenneva nodded thoughtfully. "There is more to this than we are being told.

  "Has that not always been the case with the Mage?" inquired Tanya. "He was always full of secrets when I knew him as Uncle Boris."

  "And when I knew him as Egam," nodded Jenneva. "Of course, some of those secrets were kept even from himself. I cannot begin to fathom an immortal mind."