by John Evans
"Have they released anyone?" asked Shara.
"No, milady," replied the captain. "The General and the army staff are still prisoners inside, hopefully."
"They probably don't know that Teamer's head now graces the wall above the gate," said Per. "That may affect their stance on defending the palace."
"It might at that," commented the captain.
"Offer conditional amnesty to the militia inside," suggested Shara. "Also, remind them that the city is in the army's hands along with all the merchants' houses and wealth. They may not want to fight if they are not going to get paid."
"Can I come with you?" Per asked the captain.
"It will be dangerous."
"No more than the rest of my life. Besides, I've got friends inside."
The captain nodded and they made their way by a circuitous route until they were at the main entrance to the keep. The drawbridge was up and Per could see militiamen lining the walls. The captain had secured a white flag and attached it to a pole. He waved it back and forth until he received a similar response from the palace. The drawbridge lowered and a group of five men walked out.
"State your business," commanded one man in rich clothing. Per saw that four of the men were dressed as wealthy merchants, while the fifth was a stern-looking militia officer.
"The city is under control of the army," said the captain. "I am here to offer amnesty to the militia inside the palace. They are free to return home, but unarmed."
"What of reprisals?" asked the militia officer.
"I can't guarantee there won't be any, but the army will maintain order. Your final disposition rests with the General."
"You're defying your king, soldier-boy," sneered one of the merchants. "Teamer is king of Delta. He will be returning soon with an army of his own."
"Teamer's dead," said Per bluntly. "His head now adorns the Head Gate and his body lies within its walls."
"You lie!" cursed the merchant.
"I'm sure the captain will offer escort and safe passage to any who wish to go and look." The captain nodded once affirmatively. "Remember, the army controls everything outside the palace, including your houses, stores, and wealth."
The militia officer sighed deeply. "This war is over. On behalf of my men, I accept your offer of amnesty."
"You can't!" shouted the merchant. "You're bought and paid for!"
"You paid us monthly in arrears and that was two weeks ago," replied the officer. "Can you show me the funds right now to pay my men for this month?" The merchant's face took on a shocked look. "I didn't think so. I'm not going to throw their lives away. Captain, I hold myself accountable for my men and their actions. I will answer solely to the General."
"What of us?" cried out another merchant.
"You gentlemen are no longer my concern," replied the officer. He reached down and pulled a green strip of cloth from his belt. It had been tucked in there along with a red strip. The officer waved it over his head and Per looked up to see the militia leave their positions on the walls. "I'll send my men out in groups of ten for your inspection. Weapons will be left in the main courtyard. What of personal weapons? The ones that belong to individuals?"
At this point, the four merchants broke away and raced back inside the palace. Per made to follow them, but was stopped by the militia officer. "If you chase after them, there may be a misunderstanding inside. My men have orders to capture them. They will replace the prisoners now locked up in the dungeon"
"Your men can keep their daggers and knives," said the captain. "Personal weapons will be returned at the discretion of the General. Label them and set them aside. I will have them secured until his decision is made."
"Fair enough. Why don't we have your man here come inside with me? He can explain to the General what is going on."
"He's not my man," corrected the captain. "He's the one that brought Yayenski's body back. There are three heads above the Head Gate."
"Ah, the prophesy," mused the officer. "You must be the Questor. Have you ever met the General?"
"Once or twice," replied Per with a smile.
"Good. Captain, wave that white flag from the drawbridge when you are ready and I'll send my men out."
The captain walked away, while the officer escorted Per towards the palace. "What's your name, son?" asked the officer.
"Per, Pervikar Devon."
"I'm Colonel Holtz. I'm just glad this madness is over. Did Teamer suffer before he died?"
"Not really, but he has an eternity of guarding the walls of Delta to reflect on his actions. If you thought it was madness, why did you go along with it?"
"Because they would have gotten someone else if I didn't," replied Colonel Holtz. "I kept control on my men, reined in the worst of the merchants' intentions, and kept the prisoners alive."
"And you got paid," added Per.
Colonel Holtz grimaced. "Yes, I listened to my purse more than my heart or loyalty."
They walked inside the palace wall entrance. Per saw the four merchants along with three others tied and gagged off to one side. Two men came forward to meet them.
"We can keep daggers and knives," said Colonel Holtz to the two men briskly. "Label personal equipment and set it to one side with four guards. All other weapons are to be left in the courtyard. When they wave the white flag, send ten men out at a time. Sergeant, you're in the first group. Make sure you account for everyone."
"What do we do once we have left here?" asked the sergeant.
"Go home. We are dissolved. I'm not sure what the General will do with me, but that's the price I have to pay for leading us into this folly. You will go home, understand?"
"Yes, sir," replied both men.
"Let's go see the prisoners, Per," said Colonel Holtz, leading him towards the dungeon.
At the first cell door, he unbuckled his swordbelt and handed over a set of keys. Per unlocked the door. "Is it time for my execution?" he heard the General ask from within the cell.
"Sir, I have surrendered to the army," said the Colonel. "The Merchant's Guild is broken. The militia is being dissolved even as we speak. You are free, sir."
The General came out of his cell. He was dirty and unshaven, but still had that overpowering air of authority. Colonel Holtz offered up his sword with both hands. The General took it, examined it, and raised an eyebrow in recognition.
"My own sword?" asked the General.
"I thought it would be safer with me than Teamer and his kind," said Colonel Holtz. "I believe you know Per."
"Of course, but where is Teamer?"
"His head is above the gate along with Yayenski's," said Per.
"You got them both?" asked the General. He then shook his head. "Time for that later. Let's get the others released."
They released the General Staff of the Army, the palace guards and some other prisoners who had opposed the Merchant Guild's takeover. They found Iona, Inga, and Holina crowded together in one cell. Inga rushed to the General and hugged him tightly. Iona and Holina were a little more sedate, smiling their thanks to Per and gently touching his arms as if to make sure he was really there.
They all trooped back up to the courtyard. The militia was gone and the captain was there with his soldiers guarding the weapons and the merchants. Shara, Contico, and Celine had managed to get inside the palace.
"Your orders, sir?" asked the captain as he saluted the General smartly.
"I guess you are the one I have to thank for rescuing us," said the General returning the salute.
"No, sir, it was Lady Shara who actually got us moving."
"But you still took the initiative to act," said the General. "And that should be Queen Shara."
"Queen Shara?" stammered the captain, looking a little pale.
"Yes, Queen," repeated the General. "Wife of the Overlord and that sort of thing. Secure the streets until the City Guard can take over their duties again. Secure these prisoners in the dungeon. Report to the General Staff and I want your report of t
his action in two days, Major."
The ex-captain's head came up sharply and a smile spread across his face. "Yes, sir! And Colonel Holtz?"
The General turned to face the Colonel. "Will you give me your word not to leave the city and to stay in your house? "I want you to report to the palace tomorrow morning. Will you give me your word on that?"
"No, sir, I am sure a number of my men were killed or injured in the fighting. I know that some will have escaped and are in hiding. I wish to check on the injured and get those in hiding safely home before they do something rash."
"Nothing more than I would do," replied the General. "Promise not to leave the city and report here tomorrow, fair enough?"
"Yes, sir," said Colonel Holtz, who turned and left the palace.
The General turned and stared intently at Per. He then looked around, taking in all the activity around him. "Well, Per, it appears you have found the unknown five."
"The unknown five?" asked Per in confusion. Then he remembered. "Ah, the prophesy, but I don't see any unknown five."
"One, two, three, four, five," counted the General, pointing in turn at Shara, Iona, Contico, Holina, and Celine. "They may be known to you, but unknown to someone else. Right now, we need to find you a place to stay. I'm not sure of the state of the rooms inside the palace. Major! Are there any places close by where we can put these people up in safety?"
"There are several merchant houses nearby, which are under guard," replied the newly-promoted officer, bringing muffled cries of protest from the bound merchants. "I believe Lord Teamer's house would be sufficient."
"All property of traitors belongs to the Lord of Delta," quoted the General. "We can settle the legalities later, but for now that house belongs to me. Have someone take our guests there and keep them safe."
"I'm not leaving you," said Inga.
"I've got to get cleaned up and out in the city where I can be seen. It'll reassure the people that I am back in power," said the General.
"I'm still not leaving you," she said.
"As you wish," replied the General with tenderness in his voice.
Per and the other five women were escorted by three squads of soldiers. They all gasped as the sergeant-in-charge led them to an opulent mansion, only slightly smaller than the palace itself. The six of them went inside while the sergeant posted his men outside. They halted in the foyer when they came face to face with about twenty servants.
"May we help you?" asked a man hesitantly. He was dressed in formal clothing and Per guessed he was the head servant.
"The General sent us," replied Per. "The palace is a little chaotic right now and he told us to room here."
"This is Lord Teamer's residence," said the servant a little fearfully. "We can not let you stay unless he has given you leave to do so."
"Teamer is dead," said Per. "The General has seized this residence since he has deemed Teamer to be a traitor."
"Oh, I see," said the servant, assessing the information. "You are, of course, welcome. We will vacate the premises as soon as possible."
"Hold on," said Per quickly. "There is no reason for you to leave."
"We have to," said the servant dryly. "We are all indentured servants. With Lord Teamer dead, our contracts pass on to his next-of-kin."
"You are mistaken," corrected Shara. "As indentured servants, you are not property, but you are counted as part of Lord Teamer's wealth. The General has seized all of his assets, which, I believe, includes you."
"Possession is nine-tenths of the law," quoted Holina. "Would you rather stay here under the General or over with Teamer's relatives while they settle the case?"
The servant smiled. "I know it would be better for us here, but I will need some sort of official notification of our status."
"I'll get that," responded Iona as she went out to talk to the sergeant.
"May I offer you food and drink while the staff prepares your rooms?" asked the servant. "It would be inhospitable to refuse a request from the General. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Bath?" asked Holina and Contico at the same time.
"Of course, but...," The servant hesitated looking up and down Per's seven-foot, six inch frame.
"Pool or fountain would be fine," he suggested.
"Yes, sir, but the water will be cold."
"Hasn't killed me yet," laughed Per.
The servant turned and began issuing orders to the rest of the staff. They took off on their assigned tasks with an air of relief. The servant led them into the dining room, which was large enough to seat twenty people around the exquisite cherry wood table. Per started towards one of the chairs and then stopped.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to get out of this armor first," he said, looking warily at the chair and guessing if it would hold up his three hundred and fifty pounds.
"There is a veranda through these doors," said the servant. "Lord Teamer installed a marble table and benches for dining outside."
"Fine, we'll eat outside," said Shara.
Iona and Holina got Per unbuckled from his armor and left it in a corner of the dining room. The servant stated he would have it cared for. Dressed in his padding and breeches, Per picked up Dorgeth and went outside to the veranda.
"Whew, you smell!" complained Celine.
"One of the disadvantages of wearing armor," replied Per. "The oil to keep it from rusting traps the smell of the metal and my sweat into the padding."
They had just sat down when two maids, a footman, and the cook came out bearing trays laden with foot and drink. Per saw that the food consisted of whatever could be prepared quickly - eggs, cheese, jams, cooked meats, and breads. The servant plucked two pitchers from a tray and was pouring water or wine for them all.
Shara tasted the wine and raised a questioning eyebrow to the servant. "An excellent vintage," she said admiringly.
"Lord Teamer's finest," replied the servant.
"I would hazard a guess it is not a vintage he readily shared," said Shara.
"I believe you are the first to taste it besides Lord Teamer," said the servant.
It was just then that Iona came out onto the veranda, followed by her mother and the sergeant. Per stood up as they came forward.
"You are the domo here?" asked Inga of the servant.
"Yes, milady."
"Do you know who I am?" she asked quickly.
"Yes, milady."
"I speak for the General," said Inga impatiently. "Lord Teamer is branded a traitor. All of his wealth, possessions, and holdings are forfeited to the crown, including contracts for indentured servants. Do you understand, uh, what is your name?"
"Elijah, milady, and I do understand."
"Good, I have to get back," said Inga abruptly.
"Milady, it appears you are in a hurry, but, if I may, can I send word around to Lord Teamer's other holdings to inform them of the change?"
"How much do you know of Lord Teamer's possessions?" asked Inga.
"More than he thought I knew and enough for him to have me killed if he knew about it," said Elijah.
"Really?" asked Inga, losing a lot of her tenseness.
"Yes, milady, a considerable number of possessions and not all of them legal."
"Stay here," ordered Inga. "We need to secure as much of them as possible. I'll send back troops so make a list to give them."
"Milady, some food before you leave?" asked Elijah.
Inga swallowed hard as she looked longingly at the trays. "I have to get back."
"He'll wait," said Iona, pushing her mother to the table. "He would wait forever for you. Eat! It won't do him or you any good if you faint from hunger."
"Sergeant, send word to the General," commanded Inga. "We'll need troops to secure the late Lord Teamer's assets."
"Yes, milady," replied the sergeant, who left immediately
They all sat down and ate their fill, although Inga ate quickly and left. They were just finishing when Per heard the stomp of marching boots co
ming from out in the street. He and the ladies went to the front door. A hundred men in two platoons were marching down the street towards the mansion in the morning light. They were being led by the major.
"Your Majesty," said the major. "Per, ladies. The General sent me here with minimal instructions. Is Lady Inga still here?"
"No, but I imagine he wishes you to secure Lord Teamer's assets," replied Shara. "The domo here knows a lot about Teamer's business dealings and where to find them. Seizing them will help break the back of the Merchant's Guild."
"Then we should not delay," said the major.
Elijah went over all he knew with the major, his two lieutenants, and Shara. The other women went upstairs to their baths and beds. Per was led by another servant to a secluded pool, which had an artificial waterfall. He cleaned up and put on a robe that the servant had brought with him. The servant led him back to the mansion and up to the room set aside for Per.
He gasped when he opened the double doors. The room was huge with priceless paintings and sculptures around the walls. The bed was humongous and was covered with silky, rich cloth that shimmered in the light.
"The domo thought you would be comfortable here," said the servant. "It used to be the Master's bedroom."
"I'm overwhelmed," said Per, looking around in wonder.
"Get some rest, sir. I am supposed to wake you when the major returns."
Per did not think he could fall asleep, but no sooner had he laid down on the bed, his body relaxed and he drifted off. It was just before noon when a knocking at his door woke him up. It seemed like he had just fallen asleep and he was still tired. He dressed quickly and headed downstairs. He heard footsteps behind him and spotted Shara on the landing. He waited for her to come down and they walked together into the morning room.
"Your Majesty, Per," beamed the major warmly as they entered the room. "The General should be well pleased with what we found. We even found a couple of merchants in hiding."
"No problems. I hope?" asked Per.
"Well, I did have a little trouble getting my men out of the ladies' boarding house, but the biggest problem I had was at the small villa where he kept his mistress. I don't know what he saw in her, apart from her beauty. She was cold, calculating, with a tongue sharp enough to cut off a man's head. I finally just had my men strip her of all her jewelry and toss her out into the street. She was still screaming and yelling when I left there."