They sat in the boat as the oarsman stroked the tender through the harbour walls that towered above them. Breakwaters surrounded the huge lighthouse at the entrance. It had guided ships to the mouth of the port for hundreds of years. Opposite the lighthouse was a keep with keen-eyed soldiers looking out for smugglers and pirates.
He expertly steered the tender through the other boats scrabbling to reach the dock, then found a gap next to a protruding staircase. The steps led up to the dock and disappeared under the water beneath.
He continued to row to hold the tender against the sea wall as the Queen and her companions stepped onto the gangway. Tian slipped the oarsman a few coins for his troubles.
Rolden breathed a sigh of relief to be back on firm ground. “I am never getting on board a boat again!” he said out loud to no one in particular.
As they climbed up on the jetty they paused a little to find their bearings. The jetty itself was a wooden stretch of moorings with ropes and fishing nets bundled along its length. Baskets of fish, squid, crabs and other catches were lined up, with merchants inspecting them and haggling over prices.
The port contained a myriad of buildings and warehouses that hustled and bustled. Alleyways led away from the docks deeper into the island fortress. Cranes and pulleys arched out from the roofs of the warehouses lifting crates of food, spices, clothes and cages of exotic animals. Rich merchants were carried on rickshaws across the cobbled stones.
“This way,” said Tian, and headed up a crowded thoroughfare. The four guards flanked the Queen. They tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible; at the same time easing scurrying pedestrians out of her way, or indeed applying a firm shoulder as a drunken sailor or two crossed their paths.
The group followed Tian upwards as he led them to the Castle of Lumines. The castle sprawled at the top of the mount and held sway over the rest of the island.
Tian turned to the Queen. “The castle is well guarded as you would expect. We’ll take a side entrance, which tends to have a lighter watch. I have also guided some tours in the castle grounds so it would not be unusual to find me escorting a group around.”
As they approached the gate, Tian raised his voice: “The construction of Lumines Castle was commenced two millennia ago, the final structure as we see it now being completed three generations later. The imposing watchtowers and battlements of the castle loom like cliffs, towering above from every approach from the port and the town below.”
Tian nodded at one of the guards. “This is one of two round towers that house side gates to the castle. From the west gate here, you can make your way to the west terrace. This way please!”
He called to the party then gave another look to the guards to suggest ‘that only he got the “stupidest” pilgrims. It’s easier herding cats, don’t you know’.
The group followed him through the gate and Tian continued, “The entrance to the state apartments is ahead. These were destroyed by fire one hundred years ago and have been restored to their original grandeur. Up to the right you can view St Severin’s Chapel. To the left, just ahead of us, you have Aquamura’s council chambers.”
Tian approached two guards who were sentries on the entryway to a viewing gallery of the council chambers. “Fine sirs,” he announced. “Would it be possible for my pilgrim friends here to enter the viewing gallery? It has the finest architecture that the Four Realms has to offer.”
“Sorry, mate,” responded the guard. “The council is in session as we speak, so no one is allowed to enter unless they are on official business.”
Tian nodded and shrugged. “Perhaps a quick peek through the window?” Before he even had time to consider it, two of the Queen’s guards stepped forward and had daggers to their throats. A third stepped behind them to open the door and then bundled them in.
Once inside they stripped, bound and gagged the guards to maintain their silence. One of the Queen’s men stood over them to ensure they did not escape or raise an alarm. Tian and one of the Queen’s guards dressed in the sentries’ uniforms stepped back outside impersonating the guards.
Rolden and a remaining guard made their way down an atrium and to the entrance of the council chambers. The Queen turned to her guard: “Wait here just inside the door. If anything untoward happens get Lady Amice and the men to safety. Find your way back to the docks and have the captain take you back to Puregrove.”
Rolden opened the door and the Queen stepped inside. She found herself in an aisle that led directly to the speaker’s chair. She took stock of the atmosphere in the hall.
She concluded that the council was debating an item that would fall into the category of ninety-nine point nine per cent of items tabled. Mundane, humdrum, day-to-day administrative business.
That did not seem to worry High Commissioner Yip. He was a short, balding man who’d not given up on his hair yet as strands held on to his crown growing ever longer. His protruding bulging eyes peered over tiny spectacles. Clearly he was enjoying his position of prominence far too much, debating every minute detail and cracking jokes that only he laughed at as well as a few embarrassing cackles coming from the anaemic sycophants on the council who knew no better. He was the type of person who’d strived all his life to reach this position of prominence. Now he’d got there, he was going to enjoy it no matter how miserable the experience for everyone else.
The Queen was as kind-hearted as they came, but first impressions, this man immediately got on her nerves.
She took a deep breath, threw back the hood of her cloak and strode into the room. It was one of those great entrances; her heels clicked on the floor stone and her cloak swished against the chairs on the side of the aisle. It was apparent she was not expected. By the time she reached the speaker’s chair, everyone had sat bolt upright and there was an excited murmur around the room.
The Queen caught Lady Amice’s eyes briefly. She wore the sort of grin that you have when you know a big secret which has been let out, and finally you can relax.
The speaker was the first to regain his composure. “Queen Laila, we are most honoured. This is most unexpected. We were not anticipating your arrival. I apologise, it is most amiss of Aquamura not to have organised a reception fitting for the Queen of Terramis.”
It was quickly evident that he was irritated by the fact that he had no idea of the Queen’s presence in Aquamura. Likely at some point in the near future he would be demanding that heads would roll. Temporarily, he held it together to follow protocol. “To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?”
The Queen waited for silence to address the council. “High Council of Aquamura. I apologise most sincerely for this break in protocol but I have grave news to share with you. My passage here was not taken lightly. There are those that would have prevented me in the strongest terms of addressing the council today.
“Hence the covert nature of my voyage from Ampheus and entrance to Lumines. That does not lessen the pleasure for me to visit our dear allies in Aquamura; the delight to see my friends in the room today. Unfortunately, my visit is brought out of dire need and I am not here simply to receive the famous generosity of Lumines. I have here a parchment from King Armanar and an identical one has been dispatched to Celestina.
“Ampheus has come under siege from Gorath’s Horde. We humbly entrust on a bond that has endured for millennia between our two realms. I request that Aquamura sends its armies once more to stand together with Terramis and Windstrom against this scourge that stains our earth.”
There were gasps around the hall as the message sank in. The Queen handed the parchment to the speaker who unfurled it and read the contents. He paused then addressed the council and said, “It is so!”
The Queen was conscious that certain members of the council had turned to face an individual seated to the left of the High Commissioner. He lounged with his feet resting on the back of the pew in front of him.
He waved his hand dismissively. “The Queen is surely mistaken. Gamura bears no ill will to the other realms. We continue to form alliances. We trade peacefully as we have done for many years and as we will do for many years to come. I myself am here to negotiate a new treaty between Gamura and Aquamura.”
“And you are?” asked the Queen.
“Emissary Gowan,” he replied.
“Well Emissary Gowan, you are a fraud and merely a puppet of your Dark Lord. Council, do not be fooled by this man’s words. If we do not stand together, first Gorath will take Ampheus and then he will march on the other realms in turn. Do not underestimate my words in any way. Gorath has moved his armies and his intentions are clear. The future of the Four Realms is in grave peril.”
There were shouts from the High Council: “This is an abomination!”
“We cannot let this stand!”
“We must join against our common enemy!”
The Emissary turned to the High Commissioner. “Commissioner?”
The Commissioner was flustered but regained his composure. “The Emissary has assured us that the Queen is mistaken. We are negotiating a trade agreement that will bring great wealth to Lumines.”
“Great wealth to you!” someone yelled. “Your dealings control the trade routes and trade exchanges. You are blinded by your own self-interest!”
“High Commissioner, do you doubt my word, the word of the Queen of Terramis? Let me assure you that the trade agreements of Gamura will be worth nothing once Gorath brings you under his dominion. You will be ruled with an iron rod; your lands and people subjugated to his evil ends. Let me assure you, you would feel very differently if Gorath’s Horde was encamped outside Lumines.”
The High Commissioner saw his power and authority being eroded and jumped up furiously. “You are allowing history and superstition to overshadow the fine intentions of Gamura. You can’t listen to this foolish woman’s rantings.
“Guards, guards. Take the Queen and escort her to the chambers secure quarters. She has intruded on our time and patience too long. As for the council you have become ineffective and I relieve you of your duties. Only I have the vision for what is best for Aquamura and I alone shall rule this land as I see fit.”
There was uproar among the council members as the High Commissioner’s personal guards descended on the Queen. The Queen turned to the side entrance and shook her head in Rolden’s direction. He whispered to his soldier who strode into the room, grabbed Lady Amice by the arm and led her out through the side door.
Council members spilled from the pews, still affronted by High Commissioner Yip’s outburst, blocking the path of the soldiers. Scuffling broke out and just when the commotion got out of hand, a council member fell to the ground.
A hush descended. The councillor grasped his hands to his stomach and stared open-mouthed in shock at them. His hands were covered in blood. Standing over him was one of the Emissary’s Gamuran soldiers, his sword unsheathed, blood dripping from the tip.
High Commissioner Yip screamed once more: “Take the Queen, she has caused this. Confine her until I am ready to deal with her further.”
One of the Commissioner’s guards moved to grab the Queen, but his hand was blocked from grasping her. Rolden stepped in. “This is the Queen of Terramis, do not lay a hand on her. However ill-judged the motivation of our political leaders, as a soldier of Aquamura your duty and honour should ensure she is treated with the utmost courtesy and dignity. I will be joining her to hold you to that.”
He beat his fist to his chest. “Troth to the Realms.” The soldier nodded and returned the salute. The Queen was escorted out of the hall followed by her Captain, leaving a stunned council behind them.
*
The torches flickered on the battlements of Ampheus and the guards walked between the towers. It was a dark night with the clouds obscuring the stars and what light there was came from the new moon above. Nobody noticed a slight movement on the ground below. The earth was shifting silently below, rippling towards the lake at the front of the castle.
Within the castle a cloaked figure passed through the shadows and climbed the stone steps to the battlements above the gate tower.
Two guards approached him. “You can’t be up here.”
The cloaked figure removed his hood. “Ahhh, apologies, we did not realise who it was. Forgive me, sir; but still it’s highly irregular for anyone to be up here, especially at this time of night. I must ask you to return to the castle for no other reason than it is not safe for council members to be up on the battlements.”
The figure raised his hand and gripped his fingers together. The two guards registered panic as their throats tightened, preventing air reaching their lungs. They hopelessly scrabbled at their throats but the grip was too tight. Each fell to his knees desperately struggling for air and finding none, losing consciousness on the ground at his feet.
The fox strode along the battlements to the area between the two gate towers. He raised his hands above his head and began to utter an incantation, the words almost a whisper.
Sumnar woke. He could sense it and was immediately filled with dread. An incantation within the castle walls; an incantation with power and menace. An incantation from someone who must wield sufficient wizardry to control such a spell. Also, he understood the spy was no ordinary spy. The spy was a wizard with unknown powers; and Gorath was ready and waiting for him to make his move.
He raised himself, dressed, grabbed his staff and left his quarters running. As he ran he shouted to the guards to raise the alarm and to ready themselves for an attack. Two came running towards him.
“The King, the Captain of the Guard; rouse them and tell them to make their way to the main gate; we are under attack!
“Raise the alarm, raise the alarm!” He came to a standstill in two minds. The incantation was building in strength. Did he have time? He made his decision and turned away from the main gate and sprinted up to the castle quarters.
Once inside he found the Princess’s quarters and slammed his fist on the door. She opened it clothed and ready. “I heard the shouting; is something up?”
He eased her back into the room. “Listen carefully, I shall say this only once. It appears our spy is a wizard and is aiding Gorath. I must go and confront him else I sense the castle will surely fall. The King entrusted in me a purpose, which I must now give over to you.
“Take Defiance and the cloak of invisibility. Here is the King’s ring; make your way to the armoury and retrieve the Earth Totem. Take it to the chapel, and in the alcove you will find a false torch handle. Pull it and it will open the entrance to the catacombs.”
He handed her the silver flask. “In here are directions as to how to navigate through the catacomb.
“Wait for me inside the alcove tunnel. I will come to join you as soon as I can. Under no circumstance must you let the totem fall into Gorath’s hands.”
With that he stood, struck his fist on his chest and said, “Troth to the Realms,” then he turned and left.
Sumnar ran back down the castle alleys to the battlements. The clouds began to circle like a tornado in the sky and flashes of lightening built up as the maelstrom intensified.
The cloaked figure’s incantations grew powerful and more insistent; he lowered his hands and in one movement he gripped them together. A huge lightning bolt burst from the sky and roared through the air. A blue flame arched up into the air, sucking power from the storm clouds above. Tendrils of blue flame licked around the battlements and into the towers of the front gates.
The cogs began to turn, the drawbridge lowered and the portcullis rose from the ground.
Chapter 18
Sky Born
Just out of view, shapes loomed around, encircling them; pairs of savage eyes lit up by the glow of the flames. Prince Aron slowly held up his hand to warn the companions.
“Wolves,” he said. “Nobody make any sudden noises or movements.”
“I guess they followed the scent of the ibex,” said Daylon. “But isn’t it the opposite; should we not try to scare them off? In fact, I recollect common wisdom is that we should start yelling, throwing sticks and stones, waving our arms and stamping our feet and the like. We need to look as big and scary as possible.”
“Aland?” asked the Prince.
“Not sure; they both have merit in my mind. Shall we vote?”
Aron thought. “Show of hands or a round of ‘ayes’?”
“Wait!” hissed Ailin. “If the Prince is right, waving our arms about or a shout of ayes may set them off.”
Leo listened to all this with increasing exasperation. “Daylon is right, we should all make lots of noise.
“So, on three, grab your weapons or a burning log and stamp, yell and wave as much as you can.”
The Janshai had come to within a few hundred yards of the group. In fact, the fire had been a beacon for them to follow. It often proved a huge frustration to the Janshai that their prey did not put up more of a challenge. It had been many years since a remarkable and astonishing hunt story had been written. They had all heard the same campfire stories over and over again and were completely bored with them.
This was proving to be like any other. ‘So, you remember that Prince who lit a fire that we could see from ten leagues away. Yep, followed it straight to them and slaughtered them in their sleep.’
If the Janshai had a sense of humour, which they did not, they may see some ironic comedic value in certain prey, frustrating their natural instincts. ‘How do you frustrate a Janshai? Stand on top of a large hill, in a bright yellow tunic, with a target on your back, blowing a trumpet and waving a sign saying, “Over here, over here’.”
But they did not have a sense of humour and would not get the joke.
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