Emerald of the Elves

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “It is not that we disagree,” smiled Jenneva. “On the contrary, Alex thinks it is a wise move. We just worry about someone making a mistake. There are thousands of people lining the parade route. Any one of them could attempt to kill you. It is impossible to be sure of your safety.”

  “I cannot rule by hiding from the people,” shrugged Prince Arik. “My grandmother hid, and it did not help her. Perhaps if she had been more public in her life and showed her devotion to the people, Tagaret would not be in a state of chaos right now. I am not criticizing her in any way. She loved the people and was devoted to them. Some of them knew it, and some did not, but nobody will doubt my resolve to take care of Alceans.”

  “Can you handle that, Arik?” questioned Jenneva. “You have always been a modest person. You have never given yourself the credit you are due.”

  “It will not be easy,” stated Arik, “but I have no choice. For at least a short time, I must appear very sure of myself. If I do not exude self-confidence, how can I expect the people of Tagaret to have confidence in me?”

  “I will help him, Jenneva,” offered Tanya. “I understand what Arik needs to do.”

  “What a pair you make,” smiled Jenneva. “Neither of you are the boastful type who easily gather fools to follow them, yet, you are two of the most competent people that I have ever met. I will return to Tagaret and keep watch for you.”

  “We are not trying to get fools to follow us,” countered Arik. “That is the difference. We are trying to get people to help themselves.”

  Jenneva smiled and hugged Arik. “You will do fine,” she smiled. She stepped back and hugged Tanya. “Take care of him,” Jenneva whispered.

  Everyone stood around awkwardly waiting for the others to leave. Tanya finally tugged on Arik’s arm and nodded towards the trail. They turned their horses and left the clearing. When they were out of sight, Jenneva transformed back into an eagle. She rose swiftly into the sky, and flew directly back to the old section of the city. Within moments, she hovered over the rooftop of a large building. The rooftop was covered with hundreds of tiny fairies, and she slowly glided towards a clear patch of roof.

  The fairies chirped excitedly as Jenneva transformed into her human self. Alex walked over and hugged her.

  “I am pleased to see you back safely,” smiled Alex. “This is not a friendly city to be flying over.”

  “Now you know how I feel when you go out alone,” giggled Jenneva. “I just returned from Arik and his escorts. They will be at the defensive wall soon. Arik is intent on continuing.”

  “Then we shall be intent on protecting him,” nodded Alex. “Nixy, it is time for the fairies to be watchful. Have you instructed the others about what we expect them to do?”

  “Of course,” chirped the tiny blue fairy. “Anyone with a weapon gets put to sleep unless they are a Red Sword. Then we notify the nearest Red Sword about the location of the body. Anyone who looks unhappy or suspicious will be watched closely.”

  “Good,” nodded Alex. “I want you to accompany me. It may be better for you to put people to sleep than for me to kill someone in the crowd.”

  “Then I shall be your fairy for today,” smiled Nixy.

  “I am going to fly to various rooftops along the route and transform,” declared Jenneva. “I cannot cast while I am in eagle form, and I want to be in a position to cast when they are passing.”

  “That is an excellent idea,” agreed Alex. “I will meet you at the palace when Arik is safely there.”

  Jenneva hugged Alex and transformed into an eagle. Alex watched the eagle fly away before he scooped up Nixy and placed her on his shoulder. He watched as the fairies left one at a time. They had been warned about gathering in groups, as people would be more apt to notice them. When he was satisfied that the fairies were following the plan, he opened his breast pocket for Nixy. The fairy slid in. Alex walked to the edge of the roof and peered down at the mobbed streets. He picked out the spot that he wanted to start at and moved quickly to the hatch leading into the building.

  Alex hurried down the stairs and exited the building. He merged with the traffic moving behind the lines of watchers. Appearing to be casually strolling along the street, Alex’s eyes were constantly moving. He looked for the telltale glint of weapons, or people with less than excited attitudes. When he saw someone with a sour disposition, he dallied nearby, his ears alert for snippets of conversation.

  His also scanned the windows of the buildings across the street. Almost all of the windows had people hanging out of them, waiting for the prince to arrive. He searched for windows with nobody visible or with people lurking back from the window, anything that seemed out of character for a citizen along the parade route.

  Suddenly, Alex stopped, his eyes focused on a window three stories up. Alex backed up until his back was against the building behind him. He watched the targeted window carefully. He wasn’t exactly sure what made him focus on that particular window, but he trusted his battle senses enough to pay heed to them. A head popped out of the window and looked in the direction that Prince Arik would be coming from. It quickly was pulled back inside the room. Two other people were visible in the room, but they did not come near the window. Finally, Alex opened his pocket. Nixy cautiously popped her head out. Alex pulled his long hair over his shoulder, and Nixy darted under it and stood in his shoulder.

  “See that building across the street?” Alex whispered. “There is a window on the third floor with nobody hanging out of it.”

  “I see it,” Nixy replied.

  “I want you to fly into that room and come back,” instructed Alex. “Go in high and stay near the ceiling. I just want you to describe what you see. Do not stay there. I will walk a block away from this crowd so nobody notices you. Hang on.”

  Alex moved to the closest intersection. It was a narrow alley and he slipped down it until he was close to the next street. When he stopped, Nixy darted into the air. She flew upwards until she was over three stories high, and then she headed back towards the building that she was to investigate. She slipped into the window and hugged the ceiling as her eyes played over the small room. Without being noticed, Nixy flew out the window and returned to Alex.

  “Three men are in the room,” reported Nixy. “They are heavily armed.”

  “And bows visible?” asked Alex.

  “Each of them had a bow at hand,” nodded the tiny blue fairy. “There were also several arrows out of the quivers and laid upon a table near the window.”

  “Not a good sign,” murmured Alex, “but not actually illegal according to the posters put up. I wish I could determine their intent.”

  “They were not talking while I was in the room,” frowned Nixy. “Do you want me to return and listen to them?”

  “No,” sighed Alex. “There is no time for that. Back in the pocket.”

  Nixy slid into the pocket, and Alex moved swiftly along the alley to the parade route. He found the nearest Red Sword and stood casually next to him.

  “Do not turn around, and do not be obvious,” whispered Alex, “but I want you to look at the building across the street. Look at the window three stories up, third from the left.”

  “Who are you?” asked the Red Sword as his eyes sought out the specified window. He fought the temptation to turn and face the voice whispering to him.

  “Alex Tork,” whispered Alex. “There are three men in that room with bows and arrows at ready.”

  “Are they assassins?” questioned the Red Sword. “Do you know if they are a danger?”

  “That is the problem,” replied Alex. “I do not want to kill innocent citizens. I have a plan though.”

  “Speak it,” ordered the Red Sword as he signaled one of his fellow soldiers across the street.

  “I want to spook them and see how they react,” suggested Alex.

  The other Red Sword crossed the street and joined the small group.

  “We might have a situation,” the first Red Sword whispered the one
who had just crossed the street. “The man behind me says he is Alex Tork. Can you verify it?”

  “He is,” nodded the second Red Sword. “What is the problem?”

  “Three men in a room with bows,” repeated Alex as he heard distant cheers coming from the new section of the city. “We do not have much time.”

  “We should stop the prince, and get him to safety,” declared the first Red Sword.

  “No,” insisted Alex, “we can handle this. Give me a count of two hundred. Then the two of you walk to the center of the street and point to the window. Make it obvious enough to gain the attention of the people in the room.”

  “Then they will just flee and reappear further along the route,” frowned the first Red Sword.

  “No they won’t,” promised Alex. “If they try to flee, I will be there waiting. If they do not try to escape, then I am going into that room. I will stay with them until Prince Arik passes by.”

  “That will work,” nodded the second Red Sword. “Do you need a weapon?”

  “I do not wear the Red Sword uniform,” Alex shook his head. “I do not want to take the chance of being struck down by my own people. I will improvise.”

  “Starting a count of two hundred,” nodded the first Red Sword.

  Alex walked across the street and entered the building. As soon as the door was closed, Alex raced up the stairs. He reached the third floor and looked around for something to use as a weapon. There was nothing. He opened his pocket, and Nixy popped her head out.

  “Time for you to wait elsewhere,” instructed Alex. “Things may get a little rough.”

  “Maybe not,” giggled the blue fairy. “I heard your plan, and I can help.”

  “Whatever you do, stay safe,” ordered Alex as Nixy left his pocket and hovered in the air near the staircase.

  Alex moved along the hallway until he was outside the proper door. He looked back towards Nixy as he counted down the numbers. He smiled when he saw three Red Swords appear out of the air. The fairy’s projected image was lifelike as the three Red Swords aimed their bows down the hall. Alex moved away from the door, and away from Nixy, so that the escapees would come out between the image of the Red Swords and himself. He reached into his pouch and retrieved three Lanoirian Stars. He counted down to zero.

  Shouted words emanated from the room. After a few seconds, the door to the room flew open. The three men scrambled through the doorway and turned towards the stairs. They halted when they saw the three Red Swords aiming their arrows at them.

  “Drop you weapons or die,” demanded Alex coldly.

  The men spun around and stared at Alex.

  “I won’t give you a second chance,” declared Alex as he let them see one of the stars in his hand. “Do it now.”

  Two of the men dropped their weapons. The third man raced for the doorway. Alex threw a Lanoirian Star that struck the man in the neck. The man ran into the wooden doorway frame and collapsed on the floor, his blood spreading rapidly into the corridor. Alex heard feet pounding up the stairs. The two captured men stood uneasily as they watched Alex’s hands. Alex let them see another Lanoirian Star.

  The two Red Swords that Alex had alerted earlier reached the third floor and raced through the area where the image had been seconds before. They drew their swords.

  “Put your noses to the wall and your hands behind your back,” ordered one of the Red Swords. “Don’t make me hurt you.”

  The two captured men immediately complied. The two Red Swords quickly bound the hands of the men.

  “We have them now, Colonel,” stated one of the Red Swords. “Thanks for being on watch.”

  “I am going back out into the crowd,” declared Alex. “Glad to know men as fine as you.”

  “Likewise,” grinned one of the Red Swords. “I’m Stubby and my partner is Shank. If you need us for anything, just shout.”

  Alex nodded and paused at the stairway to let Nixy back into his pocket. Back on the street, Alex moved through the crowd. The cheers were decidedly closer, and Alex smiled to himself as he saw the excitement of the people waiting to see their prince. Alex noted many Targa soldiers in the crowd. It was strange seeing the soldiers without their weapons, but he realized that they must be truly excited to be here. It gave him a warm feeling.

  Alex reached a corner where the parade route made a turn. There was a massive amount of citizens present in that location, and he slowed to let his eyes rove over them. A young girl standing with a Targa soldier saw him and smiled at him. He smiled back. The soldier turned and stared, his mouth falling open in recognition.

  “Do you know who that is?” Kendal asked Sheri.

  “No,” Sheri shook her head. “Why?”

  “That is Alexander Tork,” declared Kendal.

  “The name is familiar,” shrugged Sheri, “but I can’t remember where I heard it.”

  “Familiar?” chuckled Kendal. “He is only the most skilled warrior in the world.”

  Sheri turned to look at him again, but he was already gone. “Well, that is nice,” Sheri said, “but I am here to see Prince Arik. It sounds like he will be here soon.”

  “Very soon,” nodded Kendal as he rose up on his toes to see over the person in front of him. “Listen to those cheers. The citizens are going wild. I never expected such a welcome.”

  “I wish I could see better,” frowned Sheri as she gazed at the back of the tall man in front of her.

  The man heard her and turned around. He looked down at her and smiled. “You are the food lady, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “I was,” nodded Sheri. “I ran the Queen’s Helpers.”

  “Well you did a fine job, lass,” smiled the man. “Bring your boyfriend up here. I can stand behind you two and still see well enough. Wouldn’t want a Queen’s Helper and a fine soldier to miss this show.”

  “Thank you very much,” Sheri grinned as the man stepped back.

  Sheri moved forward so that there was nobody in front of her. Kendal stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She didn’t seem to notice as she caught sight of the parade. In the distance she saw the first Red Swords riding side-by-side. The roar of the crowd was getting very loud, and she could feel the excitement in the people around her. Citizens began fidgeting and rising up on their toes. Then the parade came into view.

  Two sets of Red Swords rode proudly in the front. Directly behind them was Prince Arik wearing his white breastplate. The dragon stood out vividly, and Sheri thought she actually saw a red glow from the dragon’s eyes. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth opened as she stared at his horse, for it wasn’t a horse at all. She shook her head as she gazed at the beautiful spiral horn of the unicorn.

  “It’s a unicorn,” gasped Sheri. “A real unicorn.”

  “Look on the prince’s shoulder,” prompted Kendal. “There is a little green person standing there. He has wings!”

  “It’s a fairy!” shouted one woman. “There is a fairy riding on the prince’s shoulder.”

  “And a dwarf behind him,” shouted a man. “This is something to tell the family about. I don’t think there has ever been a dwarf in Tagaret before.”

  Sheri shook her head in amazement. Prince Arik was waving to all of the citizens, His eyes panned the crowd on both sides of the street, and every person felt like he had looked specifically at them. Sheri was so intent on staring at Arik and the unicorn that she almost missed the beautiful young woman riding behind him. Riding next to the dwarf, was a golden haired woman dressed in white. Sheri had seen her before with Arik. Sheri’s mouth closed, and she frowned.

  Sheri’s mood recovered quickly as Prince Arik reached the corner. The people on both sides of the street bowed as he passed. Sheri bowed too, but her eyes never left the procession. As soon as Arik passed, the heads popped up again. Someone shouted with wonder and pointed up. Sheri’s eyes rose quickly, and she gasped as she saw the swarm of fairies flying over the procession. Underneath the fairies were another sixteen Red Swords. Sheri’s h
eart swelled with pride at being a citizen of Tagaret.

  Behind the Red Swords were thousands of people. As the parade passed, the spectators followed it. Sheri had no intention of following thousands of people. She moved back through the crowd with Kendal right behind her. She ran to the street that paralleled the parade route, and then ran towards the Royal Palace. She knew the procession was slow enough that she would get another view of it. She ran four blocks and turned back to the parade route. The crowd was thick and Sheri could not get close.

  Kendal sensed her frustration. He picked Sheri up and let her sit on his shoulders. She was thrilled because the parade had not reached her new spot yet. As she watched it approach, she saw the famous soldier on the other side of the street. She tapped Kendal on the head and pointed at Alex. Alex detected the movement from across the street. His eyes locked with Sheri’s for only a brief moment and then continued to scan the crowd.

  Alex looked up and saw an eagle flying overhead. He nodded inwardly and continued to scan the crowd and the windows of the buildings. Suddenly, a fiery projectile flew from above his head. It soared towards Prince Arik, and the crowd screamed. The fireball impacted on the shield around Prince Arik. The flames disappeared. Alex lurched towards the street, bumping into citizens who were too scared to complain, as his eyes rose to the windows over his head. A freezing blue projectile sped from the rooftop on the other side of the street. It passed through a window on the second floor. Alex charged towards the building. He threw open the door and flew up the steps. He counted the doors and slid to a halt outside one of them. He tried the door, but it was locked. He raised his boot and kicked the door in.

  Inside the room was a human figure frozen like a statue. Alex scanned the room for other people and found none. Two Red Swords burst into the room with their swords drawn.

  “He will thaw eventually,” Alex said. “He needs to be sent to the dungeon and restrained before that happens. Remember that he is a mage. I am going back into the streets.”

  The Red Swords nodded as Alex left the room. As he exited the building, he looked at the roof across the street and signaled Jenneva that the mage was in custody. He watched as an eagle left the rooftop and headed towards the Royal Palace.