Complete Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches

by William Robert Stanek

Sever’s army is quitting the field, Galan replied, and it was then that Seth saw the white flag and six figures moving toward the Kingdom lines.

  Seth was puzzled. But to the east, the attack comes.

  By the Mother, I did not realize—you must find Prince Valam. William has decided to quit the field. Seth, he knows the truth. But he also says he cannot fight against King Jarom.

  Vostok’s army came. The clash began. The Kingdom army seemed unsure of which direction to defend against. Seth started running along the top of the wall. He was sure disaster waited in this indecision. He tried reaching the prince’s mind, but he had no idea where Prince Valam was among the mass of men in the frenzied camp below.

  Sergeant Danyel’? Chancellor Van’te? Seth screamed.

  Fatigue clouded Seth’s mind, allowing panic and dread to flood over him. He raced faster and faster. Then Sever’s army began to quit the field, and when it was clear they were not just falling back and were actually retiring, a wave of cheers erupted from the mouths of the Kingdom soldiers. The men atop the walls also began to cheer.

  Seth stopped running. The whole of the Kingdom army turned about, and weary or not, they began a driving charge. King Jarom’s army hadn’t anticipated such a massive counterstrike. Their shield wall was weak and it fell quickly.

  In retaliation, Vostok’s horse soldiers began their assault, but this came too late. The two armies were too intertwined and the enemy riders trampled their own soldiers as well as Kingdom soldiers. And when the riders met the first solid Kingdom line, horses and men collided, lances met readied swords and pikes, and large numbers of riders were pulled from their mounts or had mounts cut out from beneath them.

  The Kingdom army had its own horse soldiers and they were driving into the heart of the enemy army. Vostok’s army, stunned and surprised, could only fall back again and again, but without support from the other flank they no longer had superior numbers in the field. It was now they who were outnumbered.

  One last time the army of Vostok tried to raise a defense so they could re-form, but this was shattered quickly and the Kingdom army made good their rout. The men upon the walls began cheering louder and louder. For days their city had been besieged and now the enemy was on the run. They were elated and suddenly no longer weary.

  Seth watched the Kingdom horse soldiers pursue the enemy army to the valley’s rim and beyond. It was there that Seth lost sight of them. He too was joyous, and he joined in their cheers.

  A full celebration was underway.

  The fires in the city were at last extinguished and rebuilding would begin as soon as possible. Already priests and priestesses had arrived, answering Prince Valam’s call for aid. The Priestesses of the Mother were caring for the hundreds wounded. The Priests of the Father were interring the dead upon the fields south of Quashan’, and the former battlefields would forever more stand as grim reminders of the devastation wrought by even the briefest of wars. Great Kingdom’s losses had been heavy .

  Adrina’s joy was tainted with sorrow. She felt so alone, even though Galan was beside her. Vilmos had gone off in search of Xith, and while Adrina was sure Galan would have rather sought out Seth, Galan had stayed with Adrina to comfort her. Emel had not been among the fit or the wounded, and she had searched through every one of the dozens of relief houses set up to care for the wounded. The only thing she could do now was to search among the dead for his body, a task that seemed too grim for her to bear alone, yet she was determined to find Emel and to say her goodbyes.

  “Father Jacob,” Adrina called out.

  A very weary Father Jacob turned to greet her. He took her hand. “Your Highness, I have heard of your deed, you have done well, very well indeed.” Jacob grinned, and a bit of fatigue lifted from his eyes. “I knew you would.”

  “Emel,” Adrina said, “you haven’t…”

  “No, I have not seen Emel, yet I do not think you will find him here.”

  “I have looked everywhere but here, Father Jacob.” Adrina was in tears. “He is nowhere to be found.”

  “I have lain to rest too many familiar faces, I remember each, and none was Emel’s. Perhaps you searched the wrong places.”

  Adrina was convinced otherwise. “No, if Emel were alive, I would have found him.”

  Galan took Adrina’s hand. Riders are still in the field.

  Father Jacob sighed. “A few, yes. They help clear the fields. Most have returned to the city to join in the celebrations. Emel is not among them.”

  A few, Galan said, sending disbelief along with the words, I see hundreds.

  Father Jacob and Adrina followed Galan’s gaze, a confused call going forth from the walls matched their surprise. That the large band of riders was Kingdom horse soldiers there was no doubt, but the rout of the enemy army had been completed before the day had even begun, and now the day was nearly over.

  The jubilant soldiers’ swords and lances glistened in the late afternoon sun. They did not race their mounts, instead they held them to a steady trot. The animals must have indeed been weary.

  “Could it be?” Adrina asked.

  Neither Galan nor Father Jacob had to respond to the question. At the fore of the group was a great black stallion. In Adrina’s mind, there was no mistaking Ebony Lightning, Emel’s beloved mount.

  As the riders approached, their faces slowly became clear. Adrina knew that it was Emel who rode Ebony. What’s more, Emel wasn’t just at the fore of the pack, he was leading it and behind him were over three hundred Kingdom riders. Their shouts and cheers rose to the walls of Quashan’ and trumpets returned their jubilant cries with increasing vigor. Those celebrating in the streets of Quashan’, curious as to what the commotion was, came to the field, and soon thousands covered the near end of the field by the city’s southern gate.

  Father Jacob said, “His father would have indeed been proud this day.”

  “Indeed,” said a voice from behind them. At once Adrina recognized the voice of her brother. Prince Valam put his hand on Adrina’s shoulder. “Captain Brodst will surely hear of it, for I will tell him myself on the day I see his son is promoted to Second Captain, Imtal Garrison.”

  “Second Captain?” Adrina asked surprised.

  “Imtal Garrison is without two of her captains, and who better to fill the place than one who has proven himself worthy.”

  Adrina pointed a finger at Valam. “You knew where he’d been all along, didn’t you?” Adrina wiped tears from her cheeks. “And you let me worry and fret—”

  “I had a hunch, but I wasn’t certain.”

  Before Adrina could reply, Emel reined in Ebony beside them. He was grinning ear to ear. He leapt from the saddle.

  Adrina ran to him and hugged him fiercely. “I thought you dead. Where have you been?”

  Emel laughed then said. “Making sure Jarom’s army never returns to South Province without giving precious thought to the consequences. We chased them so far, and they ran so fast, I’d be surprised if they weren’t still running.”

  “You will make a good captain, Emel,” Valam said.

  Adrina was still hugging Emel fiercely, and now Emel’s face was a bit red. “Captain?” Emel asked.

  “Captain,” Adrina said, and she kissed him on the cheek.

  Valam cleared his throat. Adrina stepped back, and Valam gripped Emel’s shoulder. “Second Captain, Imtal Garrison. Captain Ghenson was a good man, and I know you will lead well in his stead.”

  A surge of celebrants and music came toward them as dancers and musicians made their way to the field from Quashan’s many squares, stirring more excitement into the already boisterous crowd. Valam, Emel, Adrina, Galan and Father Jacob found they could do nothing other than join in.

  Chapter Fourteen:

  Parting Ways

  The celebrations continued for three days and nights. Every day since the destruction, artisans had been hard at work rebuilding the city. The Master Stonecutter had seen to the walls and his laborers and masons had them nea
rly as strong as they once had been. Already the city’s smiths had the ironwork of the southern gate and portcullis restored. The city’s woodworkers had started construction on dozens of new homes. And the fact that there was already a shortage of nails, timber and bricks, proved how hard everyone was working toward the city’s restoration.

  Vilmos was growing restless. It wasn’t so much that he was tired of life in Quashan’s keep, but he was unaccustomed to people paying so much attention to him. Serving girls made him uneasy by catering to his needs and treating him as he imagined visiting royalty must be treated. The room he and Xith shared held riches beyond anything he had ever dreamed of. The mattresses on the beds were made of hundreds, maybe thousands, of goose down feathers, as were the magnificently plush pillows. He had never imagined a bed could be made out of anything other than straw covered over or that a night’s sleep could be so restful and refreshing.

  The sheets were soft and silky smooth. Servants would draw him a bath each evening and he used scented soaps to wash with. He had been given fine clothes, a jeweled dagger to put in the scabbard at his belt, and handsomely crafted leather boots. No more ill-fitting boots.

  Oddly, it was the absence of his old and worn boots that made him yearn for home. He wondered how Lillath and Vil fared, and hoped that no harm had come to them. He had told Xith of his vow that one day he would return home, and Xith had said that perhaps one day he could go home, but that day would be a long way off.

  Vilmos looked at himself in the mirror again, made a face, and started to undress. Xith came into the room.

  The shaman smiled, then said, “You look like a fine young man, come quickly. We cannot keep His Highness waiting.”

  Vilmos frowned, looked back into the mirror, then wordlessly followed Xith. He knew something special was planned for this evening, but what Xith hadn’t told him.

  They were descending the central stairs to the keep’s great hall, when Vilmos asked, “Why all the secrecy? What is afoot?”

  Xith stopped and faced Vilmos. “Enjoy yourself this evening. We will be leaving Quashan’ in the morning. It is time to begin your education.”

  “Education?” Vilmos asked.

  Xith didn’t answer, instead he continued down the stairs. Vilmos heard playful laughter in his mind and before he followed Xith, he glanced to the top of the stairs. Galan and Seth stood at the top of the landing. Galan wore a deep blue dress befitting a princess and Seth wore princely clothes matched to Galan’s dress.

  We will leave in the morning also, Galan said. Galan took Seth’s hand as he offered it to her, and he led her down the stairs toward Vilmos. Perhaps you will come with us to Imtal to speak to King Andrew.

  “I would like that,” Vilmos said, “but I think Master Xith has other plans.”

  “Perhaps, perhaps not,” Seth said. He spoke aloud. “But I fear we are nearly late and should hurry.”

  Vilmos smiled at Seth’s spoken speech. Seth was working hard on his Kingdom accent.

  Galan laughed again, and Vilmos heard its echo in his mind as she prodded him to chase after Xith.

  Vilmos raced off to the keep’s great hall. Seth and Galan followed.

  Inside the hall, hundreds of guests were seated at the many tables encircling the main table. At the head of the main table sat Prince Valam. Seated to his left were Chancellor Van’te, Keeper Martin, Father Jacob, Sergeant Danyel’, Captain Adylton of Imtal and Captain Berre of Quashan’. Princess Adrina, the soon-to-be captain Emel, Vilmos, Xith, Seth and Galan were seated to his right. Vilmos was glad to be surrounded by a few friendly faces, for most of the others in the enormous hall were strangers to him.

  Wonderful aromas rose from the kitchen at the northern end of the hall and, nearly out of sight, attendants waited to bring food to the tables. Vilmos glanced to the four empty seats around the table and wondered who they were reserved for, then bowed his head as Father Jacob began the before meal prayer.

  Father Jacob concluded the prayer as he had the past seven evenings, by giving thanks to Great-Father for divine providence. Afterward, for a brief time, a discord of voices returned.

  Vilmos looked about the hall.

  Emel, to his left, said, “Still not used to it, are you?”

  “To tell the truth, I would much rather eat somewhere more private.”

  “And miss all this?” asked Adrina. “Just wait till you see Imtal’s hall.”

  Vilmos shrugged.

  Emel whispered, “Me too.”

  Adrina asked Vilmos, “You will be coming with us to Imtal, won’t you?” When Vilmos didn’t answer immediately, Adrina glared, then added, “You must.”

  Vilmos turned expectant eyes to Xith.

  “Alas,” Xith said, “it is time we were on our way. Vilmos and I have much to do. He has an education to begin.”

  Adrina made a face.

  Xith said, “Do not fret, Princess. Seth and Galan will accompany you to Imtal, yet, I suspect that you have not seen Vilmos and I for the last time.”

  Vilmos was about to say something when Lord Valam cleared his throat, then stood. A sudden hush spread throughout as Valam’s gaze swept around the hall.

  “On the eve of the seventh day of the cleansing of our home, we celebrate.” Valam raised a golden goblet. “We commemorate those who have fallen in the defense of their kingdom and honor those who helped achieve victory.

  “It is unfortunate that this hall cannot hold each and every soldier presently residing in Quashan’, for, down to the last man—” Adrina cleared her throat. “—and woman, they contributed to victory, and none more so than those of you seated here today. I, the citizens of Great Kingdom, and your king, thank you.”

  Valam raised the goblet above his head in salute, then drank from it until it was empty. A cheer went up, then everyone likewise honored the toast, Vilmos included, though he did not drink wine. Xith had warned him that he shouldn’t and for good reason, because it was customary for each of the honored guests to likewise make a toast. Cheers followed every toast, empty wine bottles were hurled against the walls and attendants hurried about the room with new bottles.

  When it came time for Vilmos to make a toast, he was so nervous that all he could manage to say was, “To Great Kingdom,” and still the crowd cheered.

  The last toast made, the cheers faded. Prince Valam stood. He raised his hand, commanding silence. “Several matters have come to my attention that demand addressing,” he began. “First of all, the heroic deeds of those seated here—” Valam swept his hand around the central table. “—are largely unknown to all save a few. I wish to make public the knowledge of these deeds so that all may know and none will forget.”

  Keeper Q’yer was admitted to the hall. He carried a large tome and placed it before his prince.

  “Inscribed on these pages are the deeds of the twelve seated here before you as best as can be ascribed,” read Valam aloud.

  Valam looked to those around the table. “Please stand and be recognized as I read your name. Chancellor Van’te, once King Andrew’s advisor who now serves Lord Valam. Keeper Martin, Head of Lore Keepers. Father Jacob, First Priest of Great-Father. Sergeant Danyel’, Quashan’ garrison. Captain Adylton, First Captain of Imtal garrison. Captain Berre, First Captain of Quashan’ garrison. Princess Adrina, daughter of King Andrew. Sergeant Emel Brodstson, son of King’s Captain Brodst. Brother Seth of the Red Order who are the Queen’s Protectors. Brother Galan of the Red Order who are the Queen’s Protectors. Master Xith, of Oread and wise shaman. And lastly, Vilmos, son of Vil, Counselor of Tabborrath Village.”

  Briefly Keeper Q’yer began recounting the deeds inscribed in the tome. Lastly, he spoke of Princess Adrina, Galan and Vilmos’ venture into Sever’s camp and an audible murmur passed through the crowd. It was clear few knew of this event.

  Valam said, “From this day hence, this tome shall be put in a glass case which will stand at the entrance of this keep so that all may look upon it and read the inscribed names, and tho
se who stand before you shall be known as Quashan’s protectors, heroes of the realm. Let the word go forth from this hall so that all may know.”

  Unrestrained cheers followed and it took Valam a few minutes to calm the enthusiasm.

  “The next matter concerns my sister, Princess Adrina, who has decided to return to Imtal instead of staying the winter in our fair south.” Keeper Q’yer handed Valam a scroll. “This scroll contains a message to my father, King Andrew, that Adrina will conduct to Imtal. With my regrets that I must stay in the south, I send a request that the King grant Brother Seth and Brother Galan an audience that they are surely due.”

  Valam put his seal upon the scroll. Keeper Q’yer raised it for all to see. Then Valam said, “Now, I think it is about time we eat!”