by I. B. George
Buried in his thoughts, he didn’t even realise they had reached Cavas’s quarters as Mavar drew the curtain to the entrance, allowing him in.
***
A ray of light penetrated through the grate of the only window in the tower. From one corner of the room came the squeak of a mouse and Robert climbed further onto the hay mattress, pushing himself closer to the cold wall of the cell.
Somewhere in the opposite corner of the room, a small mouse stood on its hind legs cleaning his coat and stroking his ears with his little paws.
It had just been getting lighter when he had come to his senses. He had spent a few moments inspecting the room he was in. Apart from the hard mattress, he had seen the window, a small rectangle with a lattice which gave a meagre light.
Robert didn’t know exactly where he was but judging from the clouds he could glimpse, he guessed he was confined in one of the upper cells and he felt glad he hadn’t been locked up in one of the underground ones.
At first he thought he was at Heldor Castle, in the king’s hands. It made sense, since the men who had captured him were Tyreas’s soldiers.
He didn’t know what had become of his friends but he prayed they had escaped their pursuers. He hoped he hadn’t slept for more than a few hours, thinking that there wasn’t much time left until the fourth phase of the moon.
Since he’d woken up, he hadn’t heard any noise coming from behind the heavy wooden door which was secured with iron slates fastened by bolts. Several times he tried to push it but it wouldn’t even budge against his feeble efforts.
All he could hope for was that his friends were nearby and planning his rescue. They were his only hope.
A shadow moved across his face and when he looked through the barred window, he saw a bird flying close by. Eventually the bird came to the window and Robert recognised with joy the Professor’s falcon.
“Khar!” he called happily as the falcon landed on the window ledge.
“Robert, I’m so glad to see you again. Are you all right?”
“Yes… well, I think I am. I can feel a small wound on my forehead, but I’m fine. The Professor?” he asked hopefully and waited for Khar to confirm that his friends were safe and sound.
“Captive,” replied the falcon and a shadow crossed Robert’s face.
“Is he also being kept here at Heldor?”
“No, Your Highness, our friends were captured by some bandits. And Your Highness, my prince, you are not at Heldor, but in the Forgotten Outpost.”
You could read the amazement on Robert’s face but he was happy that at least he hadn’t been taken too far from the Border. Still, his friends were being held captive and that worried him a bit.
“Do you know… are they all right?” inquired Robert.
“They’re fine, prince. I saw them two hours ago. I think the bandits are waiting for a ransom to free them.”
“A ransom?!” wondered the prince. “Who would pay a ransom for them?”
“No-one, Your Highness, as we well know. But the bandits don’t know that yet so, for the moment, our friends are safe.”
The prince started pondering. His friends’ captivity complicated things a little. Hoping to be rescued as soon as possible seemed like some kind of utopia[18] now. He was glad to hear that he wasn’t being held at Heldor, but his joy had been short lived when Khar revealed that his dear friends had been taken prisoners by some bandits.
“Chin up, prince. From what I know of the Professor, he’s sure to find a way to escape.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, my dear Khar. Otherwise, all our efforts until now would have been in vain.”
“I’ll keep an eye on our friends and will let you know as soon as they are free. I must leave now, Your Highness. I hope to bring back happier news next time.”
“I hope so too, Khar. May Lokar be with you.”
Khar spread his wings and flew towards the sky, while Robert watched his majestic silhouette disappearing into the horizon. Left alone, the prince sat down on the mattress in his cell again, praying for his friends’ release.
***
Radius went inside Captain Cavas’s tent, shoved in from behind by Mavar who then went about his business, considering his mission achieved.
“Come in, Professor,” the captain invited him in with a pleasant voice. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation.”
Radius wondered if there was any sarcasm in the captain’s voice, considering that, being a prisoner, he couldn’t have possibly refused Cavas’s invitation.
“Thank you for inviting me, sir Cavas,” replied Radius, making the captain wonder in turn whether the Professor was being ironic.
“Have a sit,” the captain told him after a few moments of silence and pointed to an old, dusty chair that stood next to an armchair.
Cavas sat down first, then the Professor followed his example and sat on the chair he had indicated.
“I’m assuming, and correct me if I’m wrong, that you’re the leader of the small assembly you’re part of, am I right?” asked Cavas, fixing Radius with his gaze.
“I wouldn’t call myself that,” replied the Professor. “I like to think that I am a companion to my friends and not their leader. On the other hand, it is true that due to my age and experience, my partners often ask for my opinion before undertaking something.”
The captain smiled when he heard his interlocutor’s crafty words which were meant to avoid a straight answer. He guessed that the Professor avoided giving any clear information until he was aware of his intentions, so he went straight to business.
“My Wanderers checked through the stuff in your bags and from what I can gather, you’re not particularly well off, Professor. That made me think that in these circumstances, feeding you would probably cost me more than the ransom I might get in exchange for your release.”
Radius raised one eyebrow in surprise.
“Should I then assume we’re free?”
“To be honest with you, that was my intention at first… but then I realised I could still make something out of this… if I turn you in to King Tyreas.”
If lightning stroke Cavas’s tent right then, it would not have scared Radius more than the captain’s words.
“Looks like my guesses were right,” continued Cavas upon seeing the amazement on Radius’s face. “What I don’t get is where is Prince Robert? The king would pay a small fortune for him.”
Radius pulled himself together quickly, regaining his composure.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, honourable. Who is this Prince Robert?”
“Come now, Professor, don’t insult my intelligence. I know for a fact that you are the prince’s companions. Actually, I can recognise the Royal Advisor, Akura and the Master of Arms, Azar. Yes, sir, I know them well, although they didn’t recognise me. I’ve probably changed a lot in the past ten years.”
Radius decided to reveal everything, convinced that the bandit in front of him already knew too much.
“It’s true, we are the prince’s friends. And if you know so much about us, then I assume you also know that King Tyreas is after us, right?”
“Of course, Professor… Everybody’s heard about the prophecy of the Oracle in Konaar and Prince Robert.”
“So now you know who we are. What are you planning to do?”
Cavas gave a hearty laugh when he saw the look of resignation on Radius’s face.
“I shall let you go, Professor… in fact, the Wanderers and I will accompany you to the Border. I’m guessing that’s where you’re heading to.”
Radius’s eyes widened, not daring to believe his ears.
“And why would you do that?” he asked suspiciously.
“For you to understand that, first I must tell you a few things about me. My father was the Hunting Master at Sardar Castle. For as long as I lived there my early years were free of cares. My only worries were the endless parties I was attending and the wine that poured continuously. Then the war start
ed, my father died in the Sardar siege and I hit the road. I chose to settle here, in the heart of Tyreas’s kingdom and swore to myself that one day I will make him pay for all the hardship I have endured. So far, I haven’t succeeded. Now, however, I think it’s the perfect time to help and bring him down by aiding the prophecy to come true. So, Professor, that is why I’m willing to help you.”
On hearing Cavas’s speech, the Professor calmed down. He realised that once again, fate had been generous by bringing the captain in their path.
“Thank you, Captain,” uttered Radius at length. “Unfortunately, however, we can’t leave the kingdom… at least not yet.”
“Why not?” Cavas was genuinely surprised.
“Because the prince has been captured by the king’s men and without him our journey is pointless. Robert is the key to the prophecy, according to the oracle, so if you want to help us Captain Cavas, you must join us in our attempt to rescue the prince.”
“Sadly, Professor, this would mean knowing the exact place where the prince is being held. Or maybe you already know where he might be…”
“I don’t, captain. But I could find out quickly enough if you’d allow me to speak to one of my friends who has been following the prince.”
“And where is this friend, Professor?”
“Somewhere nearby, I think, captain. If you’ll allow me to leave the tent, I could call him.”
“Do you think he’s nearby?!” exclaimed the captain in surprise. “I’m afraid he couldn’t be so close to us and not be uncovered by my guards. I have people posted on each of the paths leading to the camp. If indeed your friend is near the camp, it means my guardians are useless.”
“I have no doubt, captain, that your men are very good at their job, is just that my friend doesn’t use the paths… he flies.”
“Flies?!”
Without another word, Radius went out of the tent and scrutinised the sky, sheltering his eyes with his hand. The captain went behind the Professor and wondered if he was in his right mind looking for his friend in the sky.
At last, Radius noticed a dot in the sky, circling above the camp and he raised his fingers to his lips, whistling loudly.
Khar replied with a sharp cry and dived towards Radius who reached his arm to him.
“Nice to see you, Professor!” said the falcon as he gathered his wings close to his body.
“Welcome Khar, my friend!”
“Should I assume that everything’s ok here, Professor, since you called me.”
“Yes, my friend. Captain Cavas here and I came to an agreement over several issues.”
“Glad to meet you, captain.”
“Likewise,” replied Cavas. “By all gods, Professor. That’s a fine spy you’ve got there. I would have never guessed he was a falcon.”
“Khar has been in my service for a long time, Captain. I don’t think I could have found a more loyal friend, a better messenger or a more skilled spy than him.”
“I don’t doubt that, Professor,” chuckled the captain. “Khar, my friend, if you ever get tired of your job, you can always join me. I could use a sharp eye like yours to keep me out of the king’s soldiers’ way.”
“I’ll think about that, Captain,” replied Khar diplomatically.
“Khar, are you able to tell me where the prince is?” intervened Radius. “The captain has agreed to help us rescue him.”
“Of course I am, Professor, I just spoke to him an hour ago. He’s being held in a cell in a tower at the Forgotten Outpost.”
“About one hour and a half distance away,” said Cavas. “I’ll give orders to release your friends straight away. Then I’ll take thirty of my best men and accompany you to the Outpost.”
“Thank you, Captain. The prince will be grateful for your help.”
“Professor, I’ve already explained my reasons for doing this. As for retribution, thwarting King Tyreas’s plans should be enough to begin with. If later on the prophecy comes true and the prince should remember me, then I would be twice as happy. But until then, we must think about infiltrating the Forgotten Outpost. Khar, do you have any idea how many soldiers are posted now at the Outpost?”
“I believe fifty or perhaps sixty…”
“Quite a few,” worried Cavas. “First of all, we need to get there and figure out how to get in. Then we would have to wait until nightfall in order to balance the advantage the soldiers have on us. We would probably attack at dawn when possibly some of the soldiers on guard might hopefully feel sleepy.”
“I fear the prince might be taken to Heldor by then,” added Radius with worry.
“I don’t think we have a choice, Professor. They are more numerous and better trained than us. In case they decide to move him to Heldor, then we shall follow them and wait for the right time to attack.”
“Then we’d better hurry. Can we leave in half an hour, Captain Cavas?”
“I’ll give the orders. Everyone shall be ready.”
“Khar, keep an eye on the Outpost. Tell the prince we will rescue him soon… he mustn’t lose hope.”
“I’ll do that… See you!”
“Then may the gods keep us safe, friends… we shall need it.”
“May the gods keep us safe, Professor.”
***
From his room on the second level of the tower, Captain Kolar was looking out the window in the direction from which his messenger was supposed to have come back from Heldor.
He had been staring at the same spot for over an hour, waiting for the soldier to bring the instructions from the king. The prince was locked up in one of the cells on the last level of the tower and was being guarded by six of the soldiers at the Outpost.
He looked down in the courtyard and saw his soldiers ready to leave and waiting for his orders which failed to arrive. Regardless of the king’s orders, he would leave immediately either to look for the other fugitives or to escort the prince to Heldor.
The Outpost was going to be covered only by the regular guard made up of thirteen soldiers, including their commander, a round, dopy fellow who was now strolling around the courtyard idly.
Judging by the sun’s position, it was three hours after midday and the courier should have been there by now, if Captain Kolar was correct.
He had already thought about what he was going to do in case the messenger didn’t turn up. He was going to wait for another hour, then give orders to the soldiers to follow him in pursuit of the rest of the fugitives and leave Robert under the guards’ watch.
Something has happened, I’m sure of it. Either on the way to the castle or on the way back. I did tell that idiot to take great care on the road, to rush to the castle and come back just as fast with the king’s answer. Without stopping and without talking to other people. He should have been here… an hour ago, thought Kolar.
In the courtyard, the soldiers were starting to mess about, bored with waiting for the captain to make up his mind. For a few moments Kolar watched in amusement. As a rule, he was very keen on discipline but now he left them to it, knowing that they needed a few moments of leisure after the marching they had endured in the last days without so much as a complaint.
I think another hour has gone and no sign of my soldier. I shall have to make a move soon… each moment is precious and the fugitives could be getting further and further away. There is a chance though that they might be waiting nearby and attempt to rescue the prince. In that case, that would work for us because we wouldn’t have to run around looking for them all over the kingdom or even beyond the Border.
He opened the window and called to his aide to get the men ready to depart. Immediately, everyone in the courtyard straightened their clothes, checked their weapons and harnesses then jumped onto their horses.
The captain fastened the belt with his sword around the waist and grabbed his cape. He went out of the room and climbed down the spiral staircase to get to the courtyard.
***
Lying on his front on top of the rid
ge of the hill, Captain Cavas was looking through a spyglass at the Forgotten Outpost, which stood a few thousand paces ahead.
“There’s a big commotion in the courtyard as if they were getting ready to go,” he said, turning to Radius.
The Professor reached for the spyglass and had a go at looking at the watch post.
“So it appears… let’s just hope they’re not taking Robert to Heldor.”
“I didn’t see the prince,” Cavas reassured him.
He didn’t know Robert, but he was certain he wasn’t in the Outpost’s courtyard. How hard would it be to spot a little ten year-old among a load of soldiers? Azar crawled to him, as silent as a serpent.
“Then there’s only one other explanation, Professor,” he uttered as he reached Radius. “They’re getting ready to start looking for us.”
“It’s possible,” murmured the Professor, watching through the spyglass. “By all gods, isn’t that Captain Kolar? If he’s here, then it means Khar was right… Robert is also here.”
The gates to the Outpost opened, allowing the troops led by Captain Kolar to pass under the arch situated at the entrance. He stormed out towards the spot where, a day before, the glass mountain had appeared.
“I counted forty eight soldiers, Professor,” Azar’s voice rang out.
“That means there are ten or fifteen soldiers left at the Outpost, if our friend Khar counted correctly,” whispered Radius. “What do we do now?”
“I say we wait for half an hour to allow the soldiers to get further away,” suggested Cavas. “During this time, we could watch them and find the weak link in the garrison. I’ll get back to my men and tell them to be ready in case we have to leave at once.”
“I’ll come with you, Captain.”
“Azar!”
“Yes, Professor!”
“You’re in charge of checking out the place. I can’t think of anyone more suitable.”
“Thank you, Professor. Don’t worry… if this place has a flaw, then I shall find it.”