"I apologize for the villagers," Alex said sheepishly to King Arik. "I did not expect such a welcome."
"There is nothing to apologize for," King Arik replied loudly. "You are my hero as well, Alexander Tork. Welcome home."
The villagers roared with approval at the king's words, and the party began. Flute music erupted from a group of young musicians, and villagers scurried about with mugs of ale and plates of food. The Knights of Alcea were escorted to the village square where long tables were set up and decorated for the festival.
While Alex and King Arik were the center of attention, there were so many villagers hungry for information that all of the Knights of Alcea were constantly thronged with questions. As the sun rose high in the sky, the Knights of Alcea grew more comfortable with the villagers. Podil started visiting the sick and lame to see if her magic could help ease their suffering. Balamor entertained the children with illusions and stringless puppet shows. Tedi and Natia arranged short flights on the unicorns, while Prince Garong gave archery lessons. Fredrik stayed close to Niki as she visited with the barnyard animals, and Prince Darok watched in amazement as the villagers withdrew the bridge over the river.
"Why do you remove it?" asked the dwarf.
"It is for our protection," explained Jo. "We normally only remove it when we are threatened, but Laman thought it would be wise to withdraw it while the king is here. With all the partying going on, it would not be hard for an enemy to sneak up on us. I suspect our celebration could be heard in the next valley over."
"Your village leader thinks of everything," smiled the dwarf. "Lavinda is well defended, yet your people do not appear to live in fear. Is that not a contradiction?"
"I don't see it as one," replied Jo. "It may have begun as a reaction to fear, but now it is a way of life. If anything, our defenses have almost eliminated our fear of outsiders. We are still wary of course, but I think we are confident in our ability to repel whoever tries to bother us."
"I can relate to that," nodded the dwarf. "I guess in a sense our tunnels are the same thing to us. We feel safe inside the mountains"
"Yet you travel openly with Alex and the king," Jo pointed out. "Are you afraid of the coming battle with the Dark One?"
"Only a fool would say that he was not afraid," shrugged the dwarf. "Still, I have great confidence in the Knights of Alcea. We have been through much in the past. This will be the final hurdle in the quest to restore peace to the land. Who could possibly stand aside and not want to take part?"
"It is a strange mix of people in your group," commented Jo as she turned and stared at Wylan and Sheri who were talking quietly and lounging on the grass alongside the river. "Almost as many women as men, and some of them do not appear to be very warrior like."
The dwarf prince smiled as he followed Jo's gaze. "Many of the women are magicians," he said. "That one is not. Sheri is perhaps one of the most courageous people I have ever met. Her skills are not yet on a par with the rest, but that will not stop her from being a part of the Knights of Alcea. She is also Wylan's wife."
"And the others?" prompted Jo. "Jenneva I know of, but not the others."
"Podil is a master magician," answered the dwarf, "and Niki is Fredrik's wife and can speak with animals. Natia is the princess of the gypsies and wife to Tedi."
"Many married couples," remarked Jo as she saw Tanya sitting quietly at the edge of the square. "What of Tanya?"
Prince Darok's eyes focused on Tanya. He was unsure what he should say about her. He knew that she desired little to be known about herself, but the villagers were friendly and practically her kin.
"The fairies say that she will be the queen of Alcea," the dwarf stated. "I believe it to be true."
"She moves like a warrior," Jo commented. "She is always wary of those around her. Even now she sits and observes everything and everyone. Can she be trusted?"
"Do you trust Alexander Tork?" chuckled the dwarf.
Jo's brow puzzled at the dwarf's question, but she noticed the similarity between Tanya's pose and Alex's. Alex also sat wary, even though he was among friends.
"She is his daughter," the dwarf prince finally said softly.
Jo's eyes grew wide and her mouth hung open as her gaze moved from Alex to Tanya and back again. "And Jenneva's?" she asked.
"Aye," nodded the dwarf. "She is a magician as well as a warrior. These things are not talked about much. She prefers her privacy."
"Then she is much like her father," Jo responded softly as she watched Tanya sitting alone, "so much to praise and so little willingness to accept it. I think someone needs to introduce her to her village."
"Her village?" questioned the dwarf. "This is the first time she has ever been here from what I have heard."
"That may be true," smiled Jo, "but we are her people nonetheless. This village was founded by Alexander Tork and named after his mother, Lavinda. The land once belonged to Alex's grandfather. If she is a Tork, then this is her village. Excuse me, please."
Jo walked over to Tanya and introduced herself. Tanya seemed to welcome the company and brightened considerably. Prince Darok shrugged and walked over to the group surrounding the king. The villagers were asking how the Knights of Alcea planned to attack Mount Kalas, and the dwarf grinned as he listened to the conversation.
"I have an idea, Garala," interrupted the dwarf.
"What is that Prince Darok?" King Arik asked.
"This talk of strategy would be easier to understand if we had a model of Mount Kalas," answered the dwarf prince. "Many of us have never seen this mountain stronghold."
"An excellent idea," nodded Alex. "Shrimp should be able to provide an image for us."
"And I can create a replica out of stone," offered the dwarf.
Button nodded enthusiastically, and the king asked her to get Shrimp to come to Lavinda. The tiny blue fairy leaped into the air and darted away. Within an hour, the dwarf began chiseling a boulder as Shrimp maintained an image of the mountain and the castle atop it. The villagers looked on curiously as the dwarf captured every facet of the image. Alex and Jenneva continued to be swamped with villagers that wanted to know everything they had done since the Collapse. King Arik also had an enormous number of people trailing after him wherever he went until finally he needed some privacy. He searched the village and found Tanya talking with a group of villagers. He politely took Tanya's hand and offered apologies as he led Tanya to a quiet area along the riverbank.
"These people really appear to love you," Tanya smiled as they sat down on the riverbank.
"Not only me," grinned the king, "but my choice of a bride."
"What do you mean?" asked Tanya.
"Much of the conversation this afternoon revolved around you," replied King Arik, "and not just from the villagers. Sheri hinted that I was hurting your feelings by having Shel around."
"Did she?" giggled Tanya.
"She did," nodded the king. "Natia was not so diplomatic. In fact, she was quite blunt with her advice. She told me in no uncertain terms that I had better propose to you quickly, or I would lose the best candidate for queen that Alcea will ever have. I take it that you did not tell anyone of our plans."
"No," Tanya shook her head. "Only my parents know, and you were there when I told them."
"Well…," King Arik frowned.
"But it is odd," Tanya continued. "Some of the villagers insinuated that they knew of a royal wedding that was coming up. How could they have known?"
"I was getting to that part of it," chuckled the king. "More than one woman in the village has reminded me that the king must marry nobility."
"What are you saying?" frowned Tanya. "Surely, you are not going to let tradition stand between us?"
"Of course not," smiled King Arik. "I know that you are aware that your parents are Duke and Duchess of this region of Alcea. It is a simple matter to make you a baroness. You have certainly earned the gratitude of Alcea already on numerous occasions. We just have to formalize it as I tr
ied to do in Tagaret."
"That would reveal my relationship to Alex and Jenneva," frowned Tanya. "I am not sure that is safe for them at this time."
"Or for you," nodded the king, "but these villagers already seem to know that. Perhaps Alex or Jenneva told them."
"If they did," responded Tanya, "I think the villagers could keep it quiet. Their love for Alex is without bounds. They would do nothing to harm him."
"Precisely why I think we should hold a ceremony here to make you baroness," grinned the king. "It would be official, and yet few people would know about it. Prince Midge says that we have a couple of days before the Rangers arrive. It is the perfect time and place for the ceremony and to announce our intentions to get married. What do you think?"
For several long minutes, Tanya sat silently staring at the river flowing by. Finally, she started laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" asked King Arik. "Did I say something humorous?"
"No," smiled Tanya. "Your arguments are logical."
"Then why do you not answer me?" questioned the king. "Why do you laugh instead?"
"I fought many creatures since we have met," answered Tanya, "both with sword and magic. I have been in positions that would horrify most warriors, but it took your proposal to truly frighten me."
"Frighten you?" responded the king. "What are you afraid of?"
"Making a mistake," shrugged Tanya. "What if we are not well suited for each other? What if I cannot stand being a queen? I don't know what frightens me," she admitted. "I am just scared."
King Arik started laughing, and Tanya stared at him curiously.
"Now I get to ask what makes you laugh," Tanya said.
"We are about to fight the most powerful human in the world," King Arik pointed out. "He still has a formidable army of creatures and a well-defended stronghold on the tallest mountain in the Boulders, and you are more afraid of marrying me than you are of destroying him."
"That is crazy," giggled Tanya, "but there is no decision to make regarding Sarac. He must be destroyed."
"So it is the decision that scares you," surmised the king. "Do you love me, Tanya?"
"You know that I do, Arik," smiled Tanya. "I love you more than I can describe."
"And I love you," declared the king as he rose and took Tanya's hand. "There really is no decision to be made. Let's go announce it to the village. You will find that the fear will dissipate quicker than the morning fog."
Tanya smiled and nodded decisively as the king helped her to her feet. The king led Tanya into the village square, and they climbed onto a table. Tanya blushed as the king called for everyone's attention. When the villagers had gathered, the king performed a simple ceremony making Tanya the baroness of Gandy. The villagers cheered wildly. Many of the villagers congratulated Alex and Jenneva as well.
"They already knew about my parents," Tanya whispered. "You can see it in their faces."
The king grinned and nodded. "I also want the great people of Lavinda to be the first to know that Tanya and I will be wed when we return to Tagaret," announced King Arik. "You are all welcome to attend the wedding and the crowning of your queen."
The people not only cheered loudly, but hundreds of flowers were thrown towards the table as if the villagers had been expecting the announcement.
Tanya's mouth opened in surprise as she tried to ask the king how they could possibly have known what he was going to say. As her eyes scanned the crowd, she saw Jo wink at her. Tanya shook her head and smiled at the young woman. When the crowd had quieted down, Tanya jumped off the table and approached Jo.
"How did you know?" Tanya asked.
"Very little remains secret in a village like Lavinda," smiled Jo. "Prince Darok overheard the fairies talking about it. I hope you aren't angry, but we know what the Knights of Alcea are about to face in the coming days. Some of you may not be coming back. This is a moment of joy that should not be postponed."
Tanya thought about the words for a moment. She turned, and her eyes searched the crowd for Alex and Jenneva. When she located them, they were in the middle of a crowd receiving congratulations on the announcement. She turned back to face Jo and nodded appreciatively.
"I guess I had not thought of that," Tanya said softly. "Everyone here really loves them, don't they?"
"And you," smiled Jo. "You are so much like your father. Know this: whether you are queen or pauper, the people of Lavinda will always be here for you. This is your home whenever you want it to be."
Tears came to Tanya's eyes as she hugged Jo. "Much of my father's life becomes more focused in my mind now that I have met the people of his village," sobbed Tanya. "Thank you for everything, Jo."
"Wipe away those tears," smiled Jo. "Now that Lavinda officially knows who you are, there are many people who will want to greet you properly."
Tanya wiped her tears away, and Jo led her towards the group around Alex and Jenneva. The people swarmed about Tanya, and Alex hugged her before he excused himself from the crowd.
Alex roamed through the village until he found the unicorns. He walked up to Kaz and laid his hand gently on the black unicorn.
We need more of your people, my friend, enough to fly the Knights of Alcea over the Boulder Mountains.
Then I shall go and get them, Alex.
Before you go, Kaz, there is something else I need to say to you. We have been partners for a long time now, but things are about to change. As you know, I have promised Jenneva that I will retire to Atar's Cove when all of this is over. It is a small island and ill suited to such a magnificent soul as yourself.
What are you saying, Alex?
Alex swallowed hard and continued, It might make more sense for you to return to your people. Larastrides grows old, and Chaco will probably remain with King Arik. The unicorns will need a Shamora. I do not have the right to ask you to go with me.
No more than I have the right to ask you to live with my people, Kaz snorted. Now is not the time to discuss this. I shall go and return with enough of my brethren to accomplish the task of getting the Knights of Alcea over the Boulder Mountains. We shall talk of this later.
Alex wiped the tears from his eyes as he turned and left the unicorns. A few minutes later, he heard people shouting and turned to see Kaz and Yorra flying out of the valley. Alex pushed the thoughts from his mind and strode over to where Prince Darok was modeling Mount Kalas. Most of the Knights of Alcea were standing around discussing the model.
"There is only one path up the mountain," frowned Tedi. "We will be easy targets for their magic."
"We'll be cut to pieces," added Wylan as he gazed at the winding path twisting its way up the southern face of the mountain.
"Sheri, Natia," Alex said, "the two of you need to practice your archery while we are in Lavinda. The bow will be your primary weapon."
The two women nodded. Alex could not miss the looks of concern on the faces of Wylan and Tedi. He sympathized with their feelings as he walked around the model to the northern side.
"The Rangers, elves, and dwarves will be attacking up the path," he declared. "The Knights of Alcea will be attacking from the north."
"From the North?" echoed Bin-lu. "I might be able to do that, but I doubt the rest of you can."
"See this narrow ledge?" Alex pointed to a small ledge on the north side of the castle. "That is where the Knights of Alcea will attack from after Sarac commits his forces against those attacking from the south."
<
"There is no way to get there," Prince Darok pointed out.
"The unicorns will fly us there," replied Alex. "Bin-lu, you will need to carry a pack loaded with jars of fire glue. Podil, you will be responsible for shielding Bin-lu."
Bin-lu and Podil nodded silently, and Alex continued, "Tanya and Niki will both shield Fredrik."
"Why both of us?" frowned Niki. "I can shield him alone."
"I do not doubt you, Niki," smiled Alex, "but Fredrik is the key to all of this. Anyone of us may be killed in
this coming battle, but Fredrik must survive to get to Sarac. Let Tanya help you with the shielding of him."
"Alright," Niki nodded with a frown as she stared at Tanya.
"Balamor," Alex continued, "I will not pretend to know what you do, but you will understand what is needed as I present the rest of this plan. We will depend on Jenneva for our magic offensive. The rest of us will be bowmen or sword swingers as the situation dictates. Remember that our goal is to get Fredrik close enough to Sarac to slay him with the Sword of Heavens. This fight will not be easy, and each of you should be prepared to leave this world during the battle. If anyone wants to remain in Lavinda, now is the time to think about it."
"When do we leave?" asked Prince Garong.
"Our forces from Tagaret must start the attack," answered King Arik. "They should be here within two days. Prince Midge is also bringing a fair number of fairies to help out. I will be discussing their part of the attack with them when they arrive."
"Kaz and Yorra have gone for more unicorns as well," added Alex. "Each of you will have a unicorn to get over the Boulder Mountains and to that northern ledge. If any of you have questions between now and when we leave, either King Arik or I can answer them for you. The king and I are agreed on the strategy for this mission."
When nobody spoke, King Arik nodded and smiled tautly. "We have two days before we leave," he stated. "Use the time to prepare for the battle. We will only get one chance to surprise Sarac by using the northern ledge. If that approach fails, we will have a much harder time fighting our way up the southern path."
Chapter 31
Perchance to Dream
Niki woke up screaming hysterically. She bolted upright and stared around the cabin that the residents of Lavinda had let her and Fredrik use. For a moment she was disoriented and did not know where she was. Finally, she recognized her surroundings. She heard the door to the cabin fly open, and she turned ready to unleash a fireball at the intruder.
"What is the matter?" called Fredrik as he raced into the room.
"Oh, it is you," trembled Niki. "I almost killed you."
Fredrik sat on the bed and put his arm around Niki who was shaking uncontrollably. "Everything is alright," Fredrik said soothingly. "It was probably just a dream."
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