The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1)

by Matthew M. Johns

  Deborah smiled bashfully when she noticed her dad’s expression. “Apparently,” she said, “I am to accompany you to dinner.”

  David stared for a moment more and then smiled. “You look a lot like your mother. I think she’ll be sad to hear she missed seeing you all dressed up. It is one of the only things she misses from her youth.”

  After wishing his other children goodnight, David extended his arm to Deborah. They walked out to find a young human boy waiting for them. He bowed and informed them he was to guide them to the dining hall. They followed the page (his uniform was slightly too big for him) as he led them up the main castle road through a large portcullis. Once through, he led them off to the left and up a winding staircase. The flight of stairs led to a small set of double doors. Looking down the hall into which the doors opened, Deborah saw another two sets of double doors, with the center ones being twice as big as the one they stood before.

  The page led them up to the closest set of doors and knocked on them. An elf, similarly aged and dressed, opened the door. The human page handed the elf page a card. The elf looked at it briefly, then looked up at David and Deborah. He dismissively waved his hand at the other page and motioned for David and Deborah to enter.

  They entered a small waiting chamber with a standing mirror and simple padded bench. The elf page asked them to wait, and he left the room using another set of double doors. David and Deborah didn’t have long to wait for his return.

  “You are being announced now,” he said and held the door open for them to go through.

  David and Deborah entered into a large hall with half a dozen circular tables and one large rectangular table. The round tables were staggered around the room, while the rectangular table sat elevated on a foot high stage. The four round tables nearest the rectangular table had place settings on them, as did the rectangular table. There were already a few elves sitting at the round tables, and they looked closely at David and Deborah. Their attention was soon drawn away when the majordomo announced the arrival of Hogan.

  “Master Hogan, fifteenth in the line to Lord Avrant, son of Lady Gielz, and Lieutenant in his majesty’s guard.”

  Hogan entered from a set of double doors opposite those the two Koens had just entered. He quickly spotted David and Deborah and made his way to them, making a few brief salutations along the way. When he finally made it to their side, he bowed slightly at the waist. David returned the gesture, while Deborah bent her knees and bowed her head in a curtsy. Deborah’s face lit up in a smile as she was delighted in her ability to remember how to curtsy, something she had only done as a little girl. Hogan smiled as well, taken in by the beauty of Deborah and the warmth of her smile.

  Hogan turned to David. “I’m so glad you didn’t object to my inviting your daughter. I couldn’t help but feel she deserved something special for having missed a birth anniversary.”

  David bowed his head again to Hogan. “Thank you, although I don’t know how this dinner will be much of a gift.”

  Hogan waved the comment away. “You needn’t worry about my cousin causing a scene. This is mainly a family dinner and a chance for him to observe you up close. You’ve been granted a seat next to General Kolk at the king’s table. Your daughter will have to join me at my table, though.”

  Just then the majordomo announced the arrival of the king and his party. Those who were currently sitting rose to their feet.

  “His Majesty,” the chief steward boomed, “the ruler of the Seventh Kingdom, Lord Avrant, and his queen Lady Liseea, second heiress to the Fruited Groves.”

  Each of the men bowed fully at the waist, their eyes cast down to the floor. The ladies made deep curtsies, their eyes similarly downcast. Deborah quickly followed suit; from the corner of her eye she saw her father bowing deeply, but his eyes were fixed on the royal couple. Seeing this, Deborah could not resist taking a peek at them as well.

  The lean angular pair of elves were dressed in fine clothing that flowed gently in the breeze created by the couple's movements. The king’s hair was plaited, and on his head he bore an elaborate crown set with seven jewels. The queen’s long braids were far more elaborate than those Deborah had seen the servants wearing. Fine ribbons were woven in, as were several different types of sparkling gems. The queen also wore a crown, but hers was a thin, yet solid, band of gold carved with minute designs. Deborah was surprised to recognize one of the designs; she looked down at the ring on her left ring finger to confirm the similarity. Before she could ponder further on the similar designs, the king and queen sat at their table and the king simply said, “You may be seated.” The assembly took their seats. Quietly, the majordomo announced the late arrivals, which included General Kolk.

  David turned to Hogan and said, “I thought you said this was a family dinner!”

  Hogan smiled at David. “It is; once a week he likes to make all the family scrape and bow during a formal dinner. Their presence will insure he doesn’t make a scene. He has to save face in front of the family or else someone might get it in their head to take the throne from him. Now you’d better go; dinner service will start shortly.”

  Hogan then turned to Deborah and offered his arm. Deborah smiled, but looked to her father. David gave Hogan a stern look, before she signaled for Deborah to go with him. David made his way to the king’s table and took his seat.

  Throughout the dinner David and General Kolk talked of several things, including how David became the Truth Blade. While the king appeared to be in conversation with either his queen or the elderly man to his left, David was aware of the king watching him on many occasions. He also knew that the king’s ears were capable of following two conversations at once. Occasionally, David made an effort to keep glancing down at Hogan’s table.

  While there were three other elves at the same table who were about Deborah’s age, Deborah and Hogan seemed absorbed in each other’s company. David was struck at how at ease both seemed, especially Hogan. The young lieutenant had seemed ill at ease with himself during their first meeting. That lack of self-esteem was reflected every time he spoke of his family or his position. Now he seemed to be smiling a great deal and talking quite easily with Deborah. For her part, Deborah seemed to be pleased with his company and enjoying herself. David grumbled internally to see his daughter so enamored and reminded himself to have another conversation with her about young men, especially in this environment.

  Dinner lasted exactly an hour and consisted of four courses. At the end of the fourth, David was asked to join the king, the general, and a few other associates in the king’s study. As he stood, David signaled a page and asked that he convey a message to master Hogan. The page nodded, received the message, and nodded again. David saw the page go over to Hogan, but could not stay any longer as the king was leaving.

  Once the page whispered the message in Hogan’s ear, Hogan looked up to see David exiting the room with the king’s party. He gently touched Deborah’s hand and pointed to her departing father.

  “Your father has been invited to the king’s study. He has asked that I take you back to Way House.” Hogan stood and offered his arm. “If you would indulge me, I would like to make one stop first.”

  He smiled awkwardly when Deborah didn’t immediately stand. She watched her father depart, feeling a little apprehensive at his leaving her. David turned and made eye contact with Deborah and gave her a reassuring smile. At that moment Deborah realized Hogan was speaking; some of his uncertainty, not present during the evening’s conversation, was back in his voice.

  “Well. . . I mean, I had arranged for something to be delivered later, though we can take care of it now. . . if you don’t mind.”

  Deborah smiled as she stood. Hogan’s smile returned and broadened. She took his arm and he began to walk with her. Deborah felt a tinge of regret at making him feel momentarily out of sorts, so as they walked from the room she thanked him.

  “It was very thoughtful of you to invite me. The food was wonderful. I enjoyed the
blend of new and familiar tastes. My meals here in the Crossroads have been quite interesting.”

  “Many newcomers are often surprised at how things here are so similar yet different at the same time. It has been nearly a decade since so many outsiders have come from the outlying worlds. My own family has been part of the Way World so long as to know nothing save the traditions from our home world. Ah, here we are.”

  As they talked, Hogan had taken Deborah out a side door of the dining room, down a flight of stairs, and through a door under those stairs. The door opened to a hallway, which quickly led to a side entrance to a large kitchen. Within the kitchen there was a large fireplace that could easily fit half a dozen full grown humans side-by-side. Flanking either side of the fireplace were six black, iron stoves. Four good sized tables in the middle of the room and several counters opposite the fireplace created work space for the staff and storage areas for food. Scattered throughout the room were several doors; Deborah could see that some of them led to storerooms, some led to stairwells or hallways, and one housed a large dumbwaiter, able to accommodate one servant and a cart.

  Deborah watched as the door hiding the dumbwaiter opened to reveal a female elf and a cart laden with dirty dishes. Deborah recognized the dishes from the dinner they had just left. She continued watching as the female elf pushed the cart over to a bay of stone and metal sinks that were full of steaming, soapy water. Deborah was so captivated watching all the different humans and elves that she didn’t notice Hogan talking with a plump human woman whose dress sleeves were pulled up, revealing thick, muscled arms. However, Deborah was soon interrupted in her marveling when Hogan brought the woman forward to introduce her.

  “Deborah, this is Evangeline, the head cook. I’ve been scolded by this woman more times than I care to remember.”

  Evangeline let out a hearty harrumph. “Something that wouldn’t have happened had you not always been trying to nick food,” She said with a broad smile.

  Deborah was taken aback by the other woman’s British accent. However, before she could comment on it, Hogan spoke up.

  “Well, your cooking is the best, especially your cakes. Speaking of which. . .” Hogan trailed off.

  “Oh, yes,” replied Evangeline, taking Deborah’s hands into her own. “I’m sorry to hear about your missed birthday, dearie. Hogan came in earlier today and requested something special.”

  Having said that Evangeline moved off across the kitchen and entered one of the storage rooms. Deborah looked at Hogan. He tried to look back innocently, but a broad smile broke across his face.

  “What did you do?” she asked, as a smile spread on her own lips.

  Hogan turned away from her slightly, as if interested in something else in the kitchen.

  “It embarrasses me to say this, but my family has not been over-welcoming to anyone for many years. Had your father not been the Truth Blade, you would be housed at an inn in Ven instead of the castle proper. Ven, the town south of here, isn’t the best place for travelers. My cousin, Lord Avrant, doesn’t bother with hospitality much. The council members even stopped getting invited to business dinners, so they started sending proxies.”

  Hogan stopped and took a deep breath before he continuing. “Knowing you wouldn’t be shown much consideration, I’ve tried to provide you with some hospitality.”

  “And a fine job you’ve done,” Evangeline said as she walked over, holding a tray with a dozen and a half small cakes on it. Each cake was decorated differently with colored frosting, fresh fruits, and simple designs. Deborah stared at the cakes for nearly a minute before tears began to cloud her eyes. When she spoke it was softly, as she was straining to hold back her emotions.

  “My mother . . . every year . . . she makes cupcakes for our birthdays. We’ve never had more than one present every other year, but always there were the cupcakes.”

  Evangeline gave the tray to Hogan and embraced Deborah. Softly she stroked the curls in Deborah’s hair and gently shushed her. After several minutes, when Deborah was sure she had control of herself, she broke the embrace.

  “Sorry,” Deborah said still in a whisper. “Thank you, both of you. This is a wonderful gift.”

  “There, there, you just stop your apologizing. There’s no shame in feeling sad,” Evangeline said. Then she looked over at Hogan who was shifting in place, feeling awkward for what he’d done. “You stop your fidgeting and escort this young lady back to her family.”

  Tray in hand, Hogan led Deborah through yet another door, which opened into a hallway lined with servants’ quarters. At the end of the hallway, the door there brought the two to a courtyard with a large well. From there they simply went past the well and through a small portcullis and were within sight of Way House. Hogan guided Deborah to the front, where the young page that had led Deborah and her father into the castle was dozing on a stool.

  “Alexander!” Hogan called out, startling the boy into wakefulness. It took a few seconds more for his mind to focus on his task and the person who spoke his name, finally, the young boy stood to attention.

  “Sorry, sir,” he said, and Deborah recognized that the boy had a British accent similar to Evangeline’s.

  Alexander scrambled to open the door and made a bow when it was open wide. Deborah smiled at him as she passed, and Alexander beamed and bowed deeper.

  Way House had two floors. There was a right and left wing on both floors, separated by a central gathering area. The upper gathering area was half as small as the lower, and overlooked the lower one via a balcony. Sitting on the edge of the balcony were Jeremiah, Ruth, and Hannah. They all three looked up when they heard Hogan’s and Deborah’s footsteps. Seeing Deborah, Ruth ran back and could be heard calling that Deborah was back.

  Hogan followed Deborah up the stairs. They were greeted by all of Deborah’s siblings, save Mary and Dinah, who were already asleep in one of the bedrooms in the upper right portion of the house. The Coterie brothers all sat in a semicircle of chairs around a small table. They had looked up when Deborah topped the stairs, but now returned to their card game.

  Rock played a card, then quietly asked, “The Truth Blade is still with the king, then?”

  Hogan nodded and said, “Yes; I doubt my cousin has the energy or desire to get into much intrigue, so he should be along within the hour.”

  Hogan looked around and saw a small end table between two chairs. He stepped over to it and set down the tray he’d still been holding. Most of the children’s eyes followed him. Deborah smiled with a mixture of elation and sorrow. When she spoke, however, only the joy was evident in her voice.

  “Hogan had some cakes made for my belated birthday. There are plenty for everyone. Help yourself.”

  As her brothers and sisters gathered around the tray and selected cakes with much debate, Deborah stepped up to Hogan and took his arm. She smiled at the oohs and aahs of her siblings and squeezed his arm.

  “Thank you again,” she said. Then without thinking she leaned in and kissed Hogan’s cheek. Instantly, they both blushed. However, before anything else could happen, First Thunder cleared his throat.

  “Young man,” he said in a low rumbling voice, “you should probably take this moment to say good-night before the Truth Blade returns.”

  Both Deborah and Hogan blushed deeper. Hogan gently disengaged his arm from Deborah’s and quickly wished her good night. Still under the watchful eyes of the Coterie brothers, he walked down the stairs and out of Way House.

  Chapter 13

  David was tired when he returned to Way House. After dinner, he’d been subjected to a room full of the king’s relatives, all of whom had been given advisory positions or had been made glorified overseers. Since the king did not choose to treat David with anything but quiet disdain, Avrant’s relatives did likewise. Only General Kolk took time to briefly exchange words with David, and these words were not complimentary.

  “I’ve called together several reserve units after receiving news of the dramatic events
at council today. Luckily, I have a couple of days before the first of the actual council members arrive. My current security contingent was adequate in light of only having proxies present at council; however, due to your exuberant demands, I’m to prepare for a more diverse presence at the council.”

  General Kolk took a quick drink and continued, “Did you know that council delegates tend to travel with large security forces? I would not be surprised to find them choosing to travel here with even larger forces than in prior years. It seems the King’s call to resolve tax issues and crop depletion, coupled with your sudden presence, has put them on the defensive.”

  When David could no longer take any more of the General’s prattling, he cleared his throat. He was aware that Kolk had been put up to confronting David and that they had waited until they were secured away with only the king’s select few in attendance. Thus, David was also aware that more than just the General would be listening to his response. David let his voice carry across the study.

  “General, it seems to me that the Seventh Kingdom is suffering from apathy. The council members have grown accustomed to operating with some level of enmity. The rule of the land has become lax to the point that the council members felt comfortable not overseeing crop yields or, worse, falsifying storage reports. I’m sure the tax revenues are in similar straits.

  “I am not surprised to hear that your council members are gathering forces. The ruling class has become accustomed to not being held accountable and is now taking umbrage at being called out for their crimes or lackadaisical oversight. I’m glad to hear that you are taking precautions for the true meeting of the council. If I were you, I’d make sure my men had cool temperaments, for hot heads will only make this situation worse.”

  Lord Avrant, like David, was a smart man. Lord Avrant knew David was not only referring to the local lords when he talked about mismanagement of the kingdom’s holdings. He also knew that when David spoke of holding people accountable, he was referring to the people in this room as well as those now coming to the true council meeting. So, though Lord Avrant was furious at David for his words, he did not show it outwardly, save for the tightly clenched fist that held his wine goblet.