The crowd roared its approval and chants of Arik’s name rippled through the citizens. As the crowd quieted down, a voice shouted asking how they could banish the Darkness with just a sword. Arik nodded and smiled.
“Those of you who saw the procession today,” stated Arik, “saw some things that you may not have believed existed in our world. Allow me to explain what I have been doing while Queen Marta was securing the throne of Alcea for me. This Sword of Heavens is a magical artifact that contains seven gems. These seven gems represent the seven Universes that were affected by the Collapse. I have been traveling around this world with a small band of incredible people. We have managed to restore four of the gems required by the Sword of Heavens. With the restoration of each gem comes the clearing of the skies where the gem is found.”
“Do you mean the Darkness is gone in parts of the world?” shouted a citizen.
“That is exactly what I mean,” nodded Arik as he signaled for Prince Midge, “but there is more to it than that. This fairy,” Arik continued as Prince Midge hopped onto Arik’s outstretched palm, “is Prince Midge. This is the prince of the fairy people. They have pledged their loyalty to our struggle. Now you can see that the people of Tagaret do not stand alone in this struggle against the Dark One.”
Chaco came out next as Arik signaled.
“Many of you marveled when you saw me ride a unicorn into this city,” Arik said. “Now you shall meet him. Chaco is a Shamta of the unicorn people. That is like a prince in our society. The unicorns have also pledged to join us in this struggle. While many of you have never seen a fairy or a unicorn before, let me assure you that they number in the thousands. They are mighty allies in this struggle.”
Arik’s nervousness was gone as he indicated that Darok should join him on the balcony. “This is Prince Darok,” Arik continued. “He travels with me to represent the allegiance of the dwarf people. They, too, have joined with us to fight against the Dark One. The point is, citizens of Tagaret, that we are not alone in this struggle. We will persevere, and we will win this battle against evil. I will not tell you that it is going to be an easy task. Quite the contrary, it will be the hardest task that we have ever faced. Many of us will die in the coming battles, but we are blessed with the spirit of many good peoples. We will unite together to make this city stronger. We will join forces to defeat the armies of evil that are sent against us. We will demand the return of the sun, and the stars, and the moon.”
The citizens roared with enthusiasm. Raised fists filled the courtyard and beyond, while people began shouting Arik’s name again. A grin spread over Arik’s face as he felt the energy of the crowd. Slowly he remembered why he was speaking. His grin gave way to sadness again. He waited for the crowd to quiet down.
“The birth of Alcea must wait for tomorrow,” declared Prince Arik. “Today is a day for remembrance of a great woman and a great queen. I believe that every citizen has the right to pay his last respects to such a wonderful ruler. I have requested that the grounds of the Royal Palace be opened to the citizens of Tagaret to allow them that opportunity. The queen’s casket resides in the gardens behind this palace. If you wish to pay your respects, you may do so. The grounds of the palace will remain open until all who wish to visit the garden have done so.”
“Will it be open tomorrow?” shouted a citizen. “Not all of us will be able to get in there today.”
“The grounds will remain open day and night,” answered Prince Arik. “They will remain open as long as there is a line to visit with Queen Marta. The coronation will not take place until our mourning is complete. After the coronation, we shall all get to work on defeating the Dark One. “
Arik turned and left the balcony as people queued up to pay their respects to the queen. Both sets of his parents waited in the library for him. They congratulated him on a magnificent speech, but Arik merely nodded. With Tanya in tow, Arik worked his way through the Royal Palace to the gardens. He stood beside the casket before the first citizen arrived.
“What are you doing?” questioned Tanya.
“I am making myself visible to the citizens of Tagaret,” Arik responded. “They are being asked to put their lives on the line for me. The least I can do is offer them the chance to see me.”
“How long do you expect to do this?” questioned Tanya.
“As long as I can,” answered Arik as the first citizen arrived at the casket.
The citizen knelt for a brief moment on the kneeling-bench, and then bowed to Prince Arik. “Never have I felt so much a part of the royal family,” declared the old man. “Your grandmother taught you well. She would be proud of you. Know that the people of Tagaret will follow you to the Dark One’s lair and back.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled softly through those waiting in line. Each citizen expressed their condolences and their support as the day wore on. When the sky darkened, the light from the candles stretched around the entire Royal Palace and illuminated the courtyard and the gardens. The Red Swords took shifts protecting Prince Arik, but Tanya stayed by his side the whole time. The night turned to day and people were amazed that they had not missed talking to the prince, even though they had been far back in the line.
“I do not understand it,” Arik said softly to Tanya when there was a small break in the line. “I still do not feel tired. I guess their enthusiasm is keeping my spirits buoyed.”
Tanya smiled and nodded while she quietly cast another spell on Arik.
Chapter 15
Shades of Mordac
“You wouldn’t believe it,” beamed Sheri. “I do not think in the whole history of Tagaret a prince has been more accessible to the people. All day and all night, Prince Arik stood by the casket of Queen Marta. He spoke to every citizen who came by.”
“Why are you so naïve,” Jon shook his head. “So he talked to you, so what? He wants us all to die to save his throne. If a little talk will get us to do that, so what?”
“How can you possibly see any bad in what he is doing?” argued Sheri. “I don’t understand you, Jon.”
“He speaks with a Sordoan accent,” retorted Jon. “The boy is not even Targan. You are only thrilled because you think he will bed you. Well guess what? Do you really think he will pay any attention to you while that blonde goddess shadows him wherever he goes? You mean no more to him than the dirt beneath his boots.”
Sheri opened her mouth to argue, but Jon stormed off.
“What is wrong with him?” Sheri asked as she watched Jon slam the door to the old warehouse.
“Maybe he sees Prince Arik as competition,” shrugged Benni.
“Competition?” quizzed Sheri. “For what?”
Benni rolled his eyes and shook his head. The rest of the gang giggled, and Sheri finally realized what Benni meant.
“Are you serious?” asked Sheri. “Do you think Jon likes me?”
“Maybe you are blinded by the shine of the royalty,” shrugged Gwyn. “If you don’t realize that Jon wants you, then you are the only one who doesn’t get it.”
“I never thought of Jon that way,” confessed Sheri. “I still find it hard to believe that is what is bothering him.”
“Well, it won’t help any to dwell upon it,” sighed Benni. “Are the Queen’s Helpers going to be back in business?”
“Yes,” nodded Sheri. “Prince Arik praised us for all that we had done already. He wants us to continue what we have been doing. He said he intends to keep up with everything that Queen Marta started. I believe that he has even greater plans in store for us.”
“I guess we will become the King’s Helpers,” interjected Gwyn.
“No,” Sheri shook her head. “Prince Arik thought it would be a fitting memorial to continue on as the Queen’s Helpers. He said it would remind him of Queen Marta each time he heard the name. I thought that was sweet.”
“Who was the girl in white with him?” asked Benni. “Is she his sister?”
“I don’t think so,” frowned Sheri. “I heard her
name is Tanya, but I don’t know anything else about her. I have met her a few times before. She always seems to be in a hurry when I see her.”
“Do we have tasks for today?” asked Sheela, a short redheaded girl.
“Not today,” answered Sheri. “The coronation will be this afternoon. I don’t think anyone will be working today. You can just relax for once.”
“Alright,” nodded Sheela. “I think I am going to check out the sewers again then.”
“We hardly need to use the sewers any more,” giggled Sheri. “Why waste your time getting dirty?”
“I like the sewers,” smiled Sheela, “besides, I have seen signs of other people using them. I am curious what they are up to.”
“Somebody else using the sewers?” questioned Sheri. “Why would anyone be using the sewers after the Council was disbanded?”
“I don’t know,” shrugged Sheela. “That is why I am curious.”
“Well be careful,” warned Sheri. “I suspect that anyone using the sewers is trying to hide something.”
“What are you going to do today?” asked Benni.
“I need to check in on Daevo and Darin,” replied Sheri. “They took Queen Marta’s death rather hard. They have nightmares of killers stalking them in the Royal Palace. I figured that I would cheer them up.”
“And hang around for the coronation no doubt,” grinned Gwyn.
“The thought never crossed my mind,” giggled Sheri.
Sheri slid out of the warehouse and walked the city streets towards the Royal Palace. The city was in a festive mood. Many of the inns had brought tables out into the street and were providing free ale. Musicians gathered near those tables and treated the citizens to songs about the glory days of Targa. One bard had already made up a song about Prince Arik and his unicorn. Sheri laughed at the words. Several enterprising merchants were selling Alcean banners. She noticed that the Targa soldiers had their weapons back and were patrolling the streets again. She stopped and frowned at one of the soldiers as a stray thought tickled her mind. She walked up to the soldier.
“What are you called?” she asked.
The soldier turned and stared at her for a minute before answering. “I am a soldier,” he replied.
“I know that,” Sheri giggled. “I mean what are you called now? Are you still a Targa soldier?”
“Oh, no,” the soldier chuckled. “We are Alcea soldiers now. There is no more Targa.”
“Does that make you happy?” she asked.
“It sure does,” the soldier nodded. “What makes me even happier is the training that we are getting now. You are the Queen’s Helper girl, aren’t you?”
“Sheri is my name,” she nodded as she skipped away.
She wasn’t exactly sure why, but the soldier made her feel happier. Maybe it was just the feeling that everyone was happier, or maybe because the soldier recognized her as someone who was making a difference.
The gates to the Royal Palace were still open, and the guards smiled at her as she entered the courtyard. The Red Swords stopped her from entering the palace until they checked with a list General Gregor had given them. She felt good that her name was on the list. It made her feel important.
When she got to the room where Daevo and Darin stayed, she heard laughing and giggling coming from behind the door. She hesitated and thought about knocking, but she decided not to. She opened the door and stood with her mouth hanging open. An older man was on his back on the floor. Daevo and Darin were attacking him. She shook her head as she recognized the man as one who was always with Prince Arik. The man caught Daevo in one hand and Darin in the other. He held them over his head and turned to look at Sheri. His face turned red, and he gently lowered the boys to the floor and stood up.
“I was just teaching them how to fight,” smiled the man.
“So I can see,” giggled Sheri. “You are not their father are you?”
“No,” the man replied sadly. “I am Alexander Tork. I knew their uncle. Are you here for their lessons?”
“Just to check up on them and see how they are doing,” replied Sheri as she tried to remember where she had heard the name before. Suddenly, the parade came to mind and the words that Kendal had said when he pointed out this man. “You are a famous warrior,” she blurted out. “You travel with Prince Arik.”
“I do have the privilege of traveling with Prince Arik,” nodded Alex. “I guess I should be leaving.”
“No,” screamed Daevo and Darin in unison. “Stay, Uncle Alex.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” declared Sheri. “I just wanted to make sure that they were alright.”
“I will come again another time,” Alex promised. “You two need to get back to your lessons anyway.”
Alex sheepishly headed for the door, and Sheri left the room as he did.
“I really am sorry for interrupting,” apologized Sheri.
“I was just taking a break,” smiled Alex. “I need to get back to work.”
“What are you working on?” asked Sheri. “Is it something that I can help you with? I really don’t know what to do with myself today. I really came in hopes that I could see the coronation, but I am not sure if they will let me watch.”
“I think there will be room for you,” assured Alex. “Can you read?”
“Yes,” nodded Sheri. “Why?”
“I am doing some boring task,” explained Alex. “If you want to help me, I will escort you to the coronation.”
“That would be great,” Sheri said excitedly. “What do I have to read?”
“Come with me, and I will show you,” replied Alex as he led Sheri along the corridor. “It is not far. We are in the library going over some lists.”
“What kind of lists?” asked Sheri.
“Before the Collapse,” Alex stated, “there was a time when an evil magician was collecting all of the books in the world. His name was Mordac and he sought a tome called the Book of the Beginning. He sent men out all over the world to steal books. After Mordac was killed, Targa seized all of the books. We told all of the temples and libraries to submit a list of the books that they had lost. When those lists were received, we returned the stolen books to them. Now we have the task of reading all of those old lists again. You can help.”
“Why are you reading all of those old lists?” questioned Sheri. “Did some temples not get the right books back?”
“The books were all returned,” replied Alex. “Prince Arik is searching for a book called the Book of Things. My wife, Jenneva, remembered these lists from long ago. We are searching the lists to see if the Book of Things was listed as being lost. It may gives us a clue as to where to find it.”
“No wonder you snuck off to play with Daevo and Darin,” laughed Sheri. “That must be pretty boring. Still, I would be glad to do anything that I could to help Prince Arik. Lead the way.”
Alex stopped and opened the door to the library. He let Sheri enter and then followed her into the room. Jenneva and Prince Darok turned to see who had come in. The dwarf prince sniffed the air and then returned to reading his list.
“You are Sheri?” greeted Jenneva. “I am Jenneva.”
“Yes, I am,” replied Sheri. “I have come to help you with the lists.”
“Excellent,” smiled Jenneva. “We are looking for the Book of Things.”
“Alex told me,” nodded Sheri. “How did you know who I was?”
“Just a guess,” smiled Jenneva. “Start on these lists. I will grab some more.”
Sheri started going through the lists. She frowned at the indecipherable writing on some of them. After an hour of reading lists, she was ready for a break. Suddenly the door to the library opened, and Tanya walked in. Tanya looked around the library Her eyes locked with Sheri’s as she closed the door. Tanya walked quietly to the other side of the table and began reading lists. Sheri forgot about her break and continued with her lists as she watched Tanya.
“I am Sheri,” she introduced herself.
&n
bsp; “Hello Sheri,” mumbled Tanya. “I am Tanya.”
“I know,” smiled Sheri. “I heard you were Prince Arik’s sister.”
Tanya looked up and stared at Sheri. “I am not his sister,” she said flatly. “You are the girl who dragged him into the sewers, aren’t you?”
“I didn’t drag him,” frowned Sheri. “I was helping him to escape.”
“Whatever,” Tanya mumbled as she returned to reading her lists.
“We are going to take a meal break,” announced Alex as he walked Jenneva and Prince Darok towards the door. “Would you girls like anything?”
“I just ate,” Tanya announced as Sheri shook her head.
“We will be back in a bit,” smiled Jenneva as they left the room.
Sheri and Tanya continued reading through the lists for a few moments before Sheri placed her lists on the table and stared at Tanya.
“Do you love him?” Sheri asked. “Is that why you hate me?”
Tanya paused and returned the stare coldly. Finally, she saw the fear in Sheri’s face and realized the courage it took for the girl to ask that question.
“I am used to doing whatever I can to protect Arik,” Tanya said softly. “I suppose that means that I tend to look at everyone as a threat. I am sorry for the way I have treated you. Believe me, I do not know enough about you to hate you.”
“I am glad to hear that,” sighed Sheri as she stared at the sword Tanya had with her. “You still did not answer my question, though.”
“No, I didn’t,” agreed Tanya. “It is obvious that you do think you love him. I would not get your hopes up.”
“Because he is royalty?” asked Sheri, “or because you plan to keep him for yourself?”
“I do not know much about royalty,” admitted Tanya. “What I meant is that Arik will be a warrior king. Have you thought about what that means? There is a good chance that Arik will die before all of this is done. Even if he doesn’t, Arik will not be the type of king that spends a great deal of time in the Royal Palace. He will be out waging war. That is what he was born to do.”
Emerald of the Elves Page 19