The wagons got emptied and piled up on the training ground. With Bolin’s supervision, the lot was separated into three piles. The smallest pile was full of Ispar metal that Bolin was waiting for. The second one was full of weapons, most of them were maces. Those maces were brought for the Kajlas soldiers as it was their favorite choice.
Aylan stood in front of the third one. These are special coal. With a mixture of some other ingredients, they become highly inflammable. And if anybody knows how to put them into a projectile mixed with nails and pieces of iron, they'd make an explosive that could destroy ten times more than a conventional missile thrown from the catapult. King Khuli was way ahead of his time, Aylan thought. There was no way to know let these people know about this destructive thing. So, he had to lie to them. “Well, looks like we have wasted our time looking at these cheap coals, and these aren’t as important as the spears to us. Because we need spears to fight the horsemen of the king.”
The people got convinced by his explanation, apart from some old men. But they remained silent as they realized that Aylan was trying to keep it secret from the mass. They led the group who carried the spears to the tower. Aylan led another group to take the coals to the canal side. He kept the coals by the canal the way that if there’s any chance of defeat, all they have to do was cut a rope and the sacks full of coals would sink in the canal; making them useless.
Aylan and his friends spent the whole day supervising the training and the situation in the tower. Jeem stayed in the head guard’s office to find anything that helps them. In the evening Aylan went to Bolin’s workshop to see his signature work with the ispar. Bolin knew a technique to make lightest, but the strongest shield and armor from a mix of the ispar and the iron. He was summoned to the king’s castle for this reason. King Khuli wanted to strengthen his army and get out of the Emperor Namdar’s control.
The process of mixing of two different metals wasn’t easy. It needed a certain temperature, which can only be in the evening and certain amount of metals to create the perfect mixture and then hammering the mixture into a proper shape. Bolin and his assistants were doing all this long process with patience under this enormous pressure. As they knew it was a life and death situation.
Laam stood behind Aylan as he was looking at the big pan full of melted iron was being tilted on a drain to go down to an even larger pan to get mixed with the melted ispar. “Fascinating scene, isn’t it?”
Aylan looked behind to his friend, “Yes, it is,” he replied, kept looking during the mixing process.
“Aylan, I have an idea about those coals,” Laam said.
“Shoot me,” Aylan didn’t read Laam’s mind.
“I know, you not only want to keep those things out of King Khuli’s reach but from the mass people, too. May I suggest to keep at least a small amount in the tower in case we need them in an emergency?”
There was something in Laam’s voice that made Aylan look at his friend back and read his mind. He had the whole war plan in his mind, and the coal was one of the key element of that. Laam wanted to shoot these inflammable projectiles at the back of the Midney force to surprise them. Aylan took a few moments to think. “Okay, do as you wish. But make sure they are destroyed if we had a slight chance to get defeated.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Laam smiled. “I will keep them in a safe place. Now let’s go to the tower. The councilors are waiting for us to discuss the war plan.”
The two friends walked to the tower. Laam stopped by the training ground for a few moments to check his list and continued with Aylan. When they arrived at the tower, Jeem came out with a big smile on his face and a rolled parchment in his hand. “Look what I have found in the head guard’s office.” He opened the parchment in front of his friends. “It’s a detailed map of Ashaland, created for the military plan. I believe this map would give us some advantage against the Midneys.”
Laam took the map in his hand and looked at it top to bottom. “Yes, it will. I was going to explain my plan based on my memory, but this map would help the others to understand the plan easily. Good job Jeem.”
As the trio entered the main hall, where the councilors and Nokul Bidhansor were waiting for them. The hall was a briefing room for the guards. For that, there was no furniture except for a table. The councilors and some other men were already there waiting for them. Laam walked to the table and put the parchments. Jeem took one of the torches from the wall and put it on a stand on the table.
“Gentlemen,” he said. “Please come forth and let me explain the war plan.” As the men gathered around the table, he continued. “Though we all know the king wouldn’t attack us at least in two more days, I’d like to prepare for any sort of attacks, whether they are direct or secret. So, for that reason, I offer to install the guards in front of the tower from tomorrow. I have a list of five hundred men, made by Damal Minalsor and Nokul Bidhansor, who are capable of facing the Midney force.” Laam stopped to let others say their opinion. Nobody said anything. “We will divide their shifts into three parts. They’ll take rest and practice until the time comes. One hundred and fifty archers. Twenty of them would be operating the crossbows. I have chosen forty men to operate ten catapults.”
“This gate-tower is built in a secure and stable position which is almost impossible to break-in from the both sides of it. So, our primary target would keep this under control; in case, we have to fall back. But it has a few tunnels connected to the city, and one of them went straight to the canal,” he pointed to the map. There are three tunnels went to the city, two of them had started from the main entrance, and the third one continued to the dungeon, underneath the king’s castle. “Needless to say that the king knows about these tunnels and as soon as he realizes about our location, he would definitely send his force from this way too. Now I’d like you to advise me, whether we should close them down or try to use them for our favor?”
Jelad, one of the councilors who was a royal guard many years ago, leaned onto the map and took a few moments to examine it. “My memories are betraying me, son. Otherwise, I should have warned you about these tunnels before.” He slowly looked up and then looked around the room. His old face seemed confused as if he was trying to remember something. “I’m not sure,” he said. “There should be another tunnel which starts right in this room and went somewhere by the King’s quarter. I’m sorry again, son. It’s been a long time. I can’t remember where it is actually.
Laam put his hand softly on Jelad’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Uncle Jelad. We will find it out.” He signaled the others to start searching the door to the tunnel. All the men spread quickly. They searched the every single inch of the walls but didn’t find anything that indicates there’s a way in. Then they looked at the floor. After about half an hour later, when everyone was about to give up, Budhil’s stick locked into a metal ring at the corner of the hall, and as he pulled it up, a big part of that corner floor moved aside.
Aylan brought a torch and hold it on the newly found secret door. They saw a brick made stairs, covered with dust. Aylan checked the stairs and assured that the stairs haven’t been in use for ages. To make fully sure he stepped down by the stairs to the landing, which was covered by the cobweb. He removed the cobweb to make a way to get to the metal-made door at the end of the landing. There was a latch, which could be opened from the both sides. Aylan pulled the latch slowly. The long unused latch was jammed with the door, so he pulled harder. The latch slipped in the door with a loud bang noise. Aylan waited for a few moments to hear some movements, but when he was sure nobody was coming, he stepped outside the door and found himself in a tunnel. By checking the dust filled floor and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, he was now totally assured about the tunnel. Aylan fastened the latch and walked up to the main hall to face the curious men waiting for him. As he stepped outside the secret door, he said, “I’m sure this tunnel is kept secret even from the guards and by the look of it, I can tell the king himself don’t know about this either.�
� He looked at Laam and said, “I’d suggest to block the other tunnels and keep this one open with guarded.”
None of the friends had mentioned the tunnel under the forbidden mountains, that Jeem often used to see his family. The fewer people know, the better and Jeem already had taken care of it.
Laam shook his head. He glanced around the room. The gypsies were born warriors. They face the danger on a daily basis. His concern was about the villagers. Though he knew that the harsh life in the village and the desire for a free life made them formidable inside. And at this preparation of the war, they have demonstrated their true selves. “All right then, allow me to inform about your positions from now. Please be comfortable to let me know if it is the right condition for you.” Laam opened another parchment and spread it on top of the map. He designed this plan last night, while he was building the crossbow as he could see the both sides of the tower from the roof.
It was a perfect plan. Laam showed his true leadership with the plan. He only had seen them for a day but measured everyone’s ability and skills within this short period. Thus, nobody had any objection or differing opinions to raise.
When he was about to dismiss the meeting, Damal nodded to Budhil. Budhil nodded back to him and stepped ahead, “Before we are finished with this meeting I’d like to say a vital thing on behalf of the old council.” He glanced at the present men in the room to ensure that he had their full attention. “As we have lived an imprisoned life and had no chance to lead by a real leader because we were forced not to. Since the situation has changed and we have the opportunity to get our homeland back, we would like to have our very own king, who would lead us to the victory and raise the glory of the Ashaland once again. With the full confidence in our fellow villagers, who had agreed with our decision for the new leader before, we propose to declare Laam Yaadsor as our new king of Ashaland!” He gave another glance to the men and said, “Let me know if you have any disagreement, please.”
The whole room was amazed by the news. “No, I don’t,” said Jelad. The others shook their heads and cheered with him. The gypsies raised their hands in a gesture of their unanimity. The room suddenly filled up with a new life. The long dead dream came alive.
“Yes!” Jeem whispered. He was excited to know his best friend being the king. Laam stood steadfast in his position. He was aware of this time would come and be mentally prepared.
The councilors stepped ahead, slid their swords out and grabbed the top with the other hands as they bent their right legs in front of Laam. “We swear to serve our new king with our lives. Please accept us as your loyal tenants,” they said as they reached their hands out to him. Aylan and Jeem followed them. The gypsies took a moment to think as the harsh relationship between them, and Ashalandian had repaired just a day before, but as they saw their newly appointed leader Nokul Bidhansor sliding his sword out from his scabbard, they followed him too.
“I am feeling honored by your decision. Though I highly doubt my ability of Kingship. But I would like to accept the honor for the time of the war and lead my people to the victory.” He slid his sword out and put the top of it on Budhill’s sword. “I accept you as my companions and declare my loyalty to my people and our homeland!” He paused for a moment and continued, “you may rise now.”
The men stood up and sheathed their swords back into the scabbards. Damal said, “All hail the King.” The others echoed him, “All hail the King.”
Before anybody gets close to Laam to congratulate him, Jeem jumped to his friend and hugged. “I’m so proud of you Laam, I mean my King,” he smiled.
Laam smiled and hugged his friend back, “Please call me by my name, Jeem. You’re my friend.”
Jeem was about to shoot some counter logic but had to stop as a man shouted that he was going to inform the others and rushed out of the hall. Before he starts again, the councilors stood close to Laam and started shaking his hand one by one.
The news of new king had spread like wildfire. The all five thousand Ashalandian and the gypsies stopped their work and gathered in front of the gate-tower. Everybody was eager to see the king. Bolin smiled as he guessed this would happen. He took a sack from his wagon and rushed to the tower.
Shaibal, who was appointed as the commander of the catapult operators came into the hall to notify the councilors about the people waiting for their king. Damal asked Laam to address his people. As they came out and stood on the balcony, the people cheered. Budhil raised his hand to calm them down. “My dear brothers and sisters. You have given us, the old councilors, the chance to serve you in the past. Now then, we are out of the dungeon and about to fight the evil power, we need to lead by an actual commander, and there is no one better as the King Laam Yaadsor.” He gave a pause as the people cheered again and continued, “We the councilors, have decided...”
“Wait up old chap,” Bolin interrupted as he ran up the stairs. He opened the sack and took the sword out of it. He looked at Budhil and said, “I know King Laam is an incredibly humble man. He wouldn’t accept any crown while addressing his people. For that reason, I have made the same sword, that the late King Hedar ordered me to make for him, which was supposed to be the tradition of the Ashalandian Kings.” He then handed over the sword to Budhil.
Budhil took a glance on the sword. It was indeed looked like King Hedar’s. The long ispar-made sword with a picture of the forbidden mountains and the river Aar on its butt. He stood under a torch, so everyone else could see the sword clearly and became speechless seeing its fineness. Budhil thanked Bolin and looked back to the crowd. “Once again, we declare Laam Yaadsor as our new King of the Kingdom of Ashaland.” People cheered in the response of his speech. Budhil slowly presented the sword to the king. “All hail the King.”
Laam took the sword and nodded to the counselor and then gave a long glance to the crowd. “My people,” he said. “I have said it to the councilors and saying it again, I am honored for the responsibility you have given to me. And, I promise I will serve you till my last breath. I will fight for you until the last drop of blood remains in my body.” He raised the sword and said out loud, “And I believe that we will win the war and get our kingdom back once again.”
The crowd screamed again. This time saying, “All hail the King. All hail the King.” Some excited teenagers brought the drums from the basement storage. They started beating them as the people were praising their king.
Then suddenly Jelad started singing in a deep but loud voice. He was looking over the crowd, somewhere far.
“Swear to the river Aar
And the forbidden mountains
The misery would leave us soon
We’ll go back to our home again.”
The crowd went quiet, and the teenagers stopped beating the drums. Even the prisoners in the cell came close to the metal bars to listen to the song.
Jelad sang,
“Let the flame burn the bodies
Let the wind blow the homes
We will stay to face the fate
To set free the poor souls.
Let the sunshine light the sky
Let the moon be the guide
The journey for the freedom
Seeks for the blood and fight.”
Jelad looked at King Laam.
“Oh King, show us the way
By the grace of the mighty God
Take the lead and take us there
To the land, where we all belong.”
The atmosphere in the gate-tower and surrounding area had changed totally with Jelad’s song. Everybody felt the spark of the unknown power deep inside them. The power that washed the fear and confusion away. They are now been ready to face their foe.
***
The message was sent. It took the Midneys till the midday to realize what happened at the gate-tower. And now, in the evening, the bit of the drums made their hearts tremble. The lords of the king’s court ran to the castle. They sat in their chair with deep disquiet. They kept looking at the chief Lord Brirar
, but he stayed silent too. Moments passed by, the tension in the room kept raising. Since the chief lord wasn’t saying anything and the King hadn’t shown up yet, the lords were thinking to leave the court. And right at that time, King Khuli stormed into the room. The lords stood up quickly in respect, anticipated to see the king’s enraged face. Instead, he gave them a smile and sat on his throne rather slow.
The lords stayed standing as the Queen Mother would enter the court as usual. King Khuli looked at their faces and said, “You may sit down. The Queen Mother is upset about the situation and isn’t participating in tonight’s meeting.” He didn’t tell them about the stolen Cricles, for which the secret garden was opened, and the Dainees were no longer safe.
All the lords took their seat and noticed the King wasn’t wearing crown or designer tunic. Though he was talking very gently, his face was showing otherwise.
Chief Lord Brirar arose from his seat and walked close to the throne. “My King,” he said. “I believe that you already have received the news about your special delivery had been robbed of the runaway villagers.”
King Khuli had leaned on his right hand. As the Chief Lord spoke, he leaned back on the throne and gave him a blank look. Lord Brirar had no doubt that the King has become insane now and he wouldn’t listen to anyone.
“Yes, those filthy insects have robbed my precious coal and ispar metal,” said King Khuli. Still giving a blank look. “I want to crush them with my bare hands. Rip their chests off to see how strong they are to stand against me.”
“My King,” Lord Brirar hesitated. It wasn’t the right time, but he had to tell him. “Master Dorian has escaped.” He paused to see the King’s reaction.
“How this is even possible?” King Khuli asked in a cold voice. “An over hundred years old man escaped from two of the best Kajlas men?”
“That’s the mystery, my King,” lord Brirar replied. “When they didn’t return in the afternoon, two other soldiers went to the monastery see what happened to them. They found the soldiers unconscious on the ground and the horses were nowhere around. The soldiers are still unconscious. I assume it’s the effect of some kind of dark magic.”
Son of The Prisonland (The Myth Shadow Trilogy Book 1) Page 19