Council of War

by Richard S. Tuttle

  Shouts of alarm began to compete with the cries of death as the Snakes realized that there were forces at both ends of the barn shooting arrows at them. The rush to the center of the barn evaporated as some of the Snakes turned to defend the barn from the outsiders.

  "It's up!" Queen Tanya shouted victoriously. "You can rest now."

  King Arik took a deep breath before replying. "It was not a rest that I needed. I didn't want to get skewered by one of our men's arrows."

  The closest Snakes tried to strike the royal couple, but their swords slammed into the physical shield instead. Queen Tanya gritted her teeth as dozens of swords impacted the shield, each one of them delivering a tiny jolt as the energy maintaining the shield was slowly chipped away. Arik and Tanya stood inside their invisible bubble and watched as Captain Orteka's mercenaries whittled down the Snakes. In moments it was over, and bodies littered the floor of the barn. Queen Tanya released the shield as Captain Orteka leaped over the pile of bodies to reach them.

  "I take it that something went wrong?" asked the mercenary captain.

  "It did," King Arik nodded. "A fairy landed on my shoulder and was seen. Where did it come from?"

  "It was not one of yours?" asked the captain.

  "No," the king replied. "Prince Midge and Bantam went after it."

  "You didn't kill Charlson did you?" asked Queen Tanya. "We need to question him about the Snakes."

  "I truly don't know," answered the captain as he looked at the ring of bodies piled around the royal couple. "I have men searching the bodies for survivors, but I guess they will not need to search the ones around you two."

  The captain turned and walked away to supervise his men. King Arik's eyes rose to the rafters of the barn, searching for the location of the missing fairies.

  "You ruined another perfectly good tunic," chided Queen Tanya as she stuck her hand through the burnt hole on the king's back and felt the Breastplate of Alcea.

  King Arik ignored the friendly taunt and pointed upward. "I saw something move up there. It might be the fairies. I am going up."

  "Not without me, you aren't," replied Queen Tanya as the king sprinted towards a ladder leading up to the loft.

  The royal couple climbed silently and tiny voices drifted through the dead air of the loft. They crept towards the voices.

  "I heard that the king and queen were attending a meeting in the barn," the fairy voice said defensively. "How was I supposed to know that they were in disguise?"

  "Did you try looking?" scowled Prince Midge.

  "I didn't have to look," retorted the other fairy. "I sensed him as well as you and Bantam. I knew it was the Bringer. I was just trying to fulfill a very important mission."

  "I do not care how important your mission is," Prince Midge said sternly. "You endangered the life of the Bringer. If you ever make a mistake like that again, I will personally feed you to an ogre. Do you understand?"

  "I understand," the rogue fairy replied with despair.

  "Runt?" questioned King Arik as he got close enough to see the fairies. "What are you doing in Alcea? Has the Remora returned?"

  "The Remora was sunk," reported Runt. "I was sent on a most important mission. There are Doors heading for Alcea."

  "Doors?" questioned the king.

  "Magical Doors," the fairy nodded his tiny head. "Portals. The Federation army can use the Doors to get to Alcea. The ship carrying them must be destroyed before it lands."

  "If the ship has not landed yet," asked Queen Tanya. "How did you get here? Is Zara close enough to fly to?"

  "It is too far," answered Runt. "I left the ship in the middle of the ocean. There were islands enough for me to get home from there. I hopped from one to the next so I could get here before they landed."

  "You have done well, Runt," the king replied. "I must have a complete telling of what has happened since the Remora left here, I think we need to have that report in Tagaret so everyone can hear it. Come with me."

  * * *

  As soon as darkness arrived over Ur, sixteen unicorns took to the sky and headed west. Five of the riders had ridden unicorns before, but Edmond had not. His first few minutes of flight were both exhilarating and terrorizing, but he adjusted to the new experience well before the mountains of the Barrier required the unicorns to ascend to dizzying heights. It was still dark out when they landed in Zarocca in the trees along the Cyranak River.

  "The castle of Baron Ohmson is less than an hour's ride ahead of us," Edmond stated. "Perhaps I should go on alone."

  Garth Shado shook his head and turned to face Natia, Tedi, and Morro. "The three of you will remain with the herd. Kalina and I will be going on ahead with Edmond. If anyone comes along, you are to avoid contact with them. Do whatever you must, but do not cross the river to the south. That is the Forest of Death, and I do not want you to enter it."

  "We will be fine," replied Tedi. "If you are captured, send Bitsy with as much information as you can. We will get you free."

  "I am counting on that," replied Garth. "Try to get some sleep, and use Button to keep a watch for you." Turning to the Tyronian, he said, "Lead on, Edmond."

  There was an old abandoned road running through the trees along the northern bank of the Cyranak River, and Edmond led the way onto it. By the time the castle came into view, the sky was lightening with the dawn. As they approached the gates of the city, a column of riders was exiting. The officer spied the strangers and turned the column to intercept them. Garth watched as the soldiers turned their mounts with military precision and surrounded the visitors. The officer rode through the circle and halted in front of the three foreigners.

  "Who are you?" demanded the officer. "And where are you going?"

  "I am Edmond Mercado," answered Edmond. "I am looking to purchase some land in the area to start an estate. I have spoken with Baron Ohmson in the past, and he is aware of my search."

  One of the other soldiers moved his horse close to the officer and spoke softly in his ear. The officer nodded.

  "You would be best to look much further west," advised the officer. "Baron Ohmson is not in the habit of selling land to Tyronians."

  "So I understand," smiled Edmond, "although I wouldn't mind asking him once more and trying my luck. The protection offered by his well-trained troops would be comforting."

  "I am confident that you will have no luck," replied the officer. "In any event, the baron is not within the walls today. He is on his way to see the king."

  "Is this about the recent incursions?" asked Garth.

  The officer snapped his head towards Garth. "And who might you be?" he asked gruffly.

  "Garth Shado," answered the Knight of Alcea. "I am a special agent for Sidney Mercado."

  "And how did you hear of the incursions?" asked the officer.

  "I have a gift," smiled Garth. "Sometimes words travel from far away and lodge in my head. It is extremely hard to explain, but I heard talk of people coming out of the Forest of Death. That is unheard of, isn't it?"

  "For people to come out of the forest is odd," agreed the officer as he looked at Garth suspiciously.

  "I have heard that anyone who escapes the Forest of Death with his life intact usually comes out crazy," stated Garth. "Is that true?"

  "Forgive my friend," interrupted Edmond. "I think he was hoping to see some executions while we were in the city."

  "Then he is truly out of luck," replied the officer. "The intruders were sent on to Traginak. I think it would be wise for you to also head for Traginak and abandon your search for land. This area of the country is not safe for settlers, and foreigners are not well accepted."

  "Perhaps you are right," conceded Edmond. "I have found nothing acceptable in this area. I bid you good hunting."

  The officer signaled his men and the column reformed and rode towards the river. Edmond turned away from the gate and headed eastward.

  "You came close to getting in trouble back there," Edmond said softly. "Baron Ohmson keeps what happens i
n his realm secret from even the capital."

  "Yet he is taking my people to the king," Garth pointed out as he stirred Bitsy to life. "Why would he do that if he keeps his secrets so closely guarded?"

  "I do not know," conceded Edmond. "What are you up to with the fairy?"

  "I need to make sure that we are not being drawn away from my men," answered Garth. "Bitsy, go into that castle and search for Karl and the others. We will be camped a bit to the east."

  "I shall return before high sun," promised the fairy as she leaped into the sky.

  "Camped?" asked Edmond. "Can we afford the time? It is a good five days to Traginak, and the baron must have a good head start on us."

  "It won't be five days if we fly by night," smiled Garth. "We will camp until sunset."

  * * *

  Karl Gree and Baron Ohmson stood before King Persimon. The king tapped his fingers on the arm of his throne with impatience.

  "Tell the king what you told me," Baron Ohmson urged softly.

  Karl looked around at the scores of people waiting for him to speak. He shook his head as he recalled how easily the Federation had planted spies in the Alcean provinces.

  "I repeat my desire for a private audience, King Persimon," said Karl. "The information that I am willing to share must remain confidential. It is vital."

  "You are a foreigner," shouted the king, his impatience getting the best of him. "Who are you to dare question the loyalty of my court? Take him away! Let him hang in the morning along with his comrades."

  The guards grabbed Karl Gree and dragged him out of the throne room. The king glared at Baron Ohmson.

  "I do not take kindly to such displays of impertinence," the king lectured the baron. "I was told that you had information vital to the coming war. Instead you bring a group of foreigners who believe that they can refuse an order from me."

  "I beg your indulgence," Baron Ohmson said with a bow of his head. "I do believe that these foreigners bring information that might have a significant effect on the coming war. While it is unusual to grant a private audience to such a man as Karl Gree, I beseech you to listen to him. The importance of what he has to say is worth the breech in protocol."

  "Do you also now claim that my court is disloyal and suspect?" scowled the king.

  "I make no such claim, King Persimon," the baron replied, "but I understand the man's need for secrecy."

  "As you state that you have no concerns about my court," the king smiled thinly, "you may enlighten us as to what is so vital to bring you to Traginak."

  The truth of the matter was that Baron Ohmson was not sure of the loyalty of the king's court, but he had now been inserted into Karl's dilemma. To refuse to answer with the king in a rage would be foolish beyond words. The baron sighed heavily and nodded his head in submission.

  "The group of men that we captured coming out of the Forest of Death claim to be from a country not of this land," he began. "They have been sent to Zara to spy on the Federation, but the armies of the Federation had them trapped. Their only choice was to flee through the Forest of Death. While I understand that people sent to spy on the Federation are not that significant to Zarocca, these men also claim to have destroyed the attack fleet that was destined for Korocca. They mistakenly thought that it was bound for their homeland. The reason I bring these men to the attention of the Crown is that there is another country out there that might form an alliance with Korocca and us. This is a significant matter."

  The court was aflutter with murmurs about what the baron had revealed.

  "What country do these men purport to have come from?" asked the king, his rage subsiding as he digested the information.

  "They call it Alcea," answered the baron. "From what they have said, it is far across the sea."

  "Then how can they help with our problems?" asked King Persimon.

  "I am not sure," conceded the baron, "but we are going to need help if the Federation invades. I already have my hands full with what comes out of the forest now. I cannot imagine the strain of being asked to commit troops to Korocca to help with the invasion."

  King Persimon nodded with understanding. The word ogres was not openly mentioned in court, but the king knew full well what the baron was saying. The Royal Sorcerer chose that moment to whisper a few words in the ear of the king. The king nodded and returned his gaze to Baron Ohmson.

  "While I now understand why you felt so strongly about bringing this to my attention," stated the king, "I do not see how these Alceans can help us in any way. If it is true that they destroyed the Federation fleet, they have bought us time as the Federation will be years in building it back up. Still, they are foreigners in our land, and they have admitted to coming from the Federation. That gives me all the reason I need to punish them for their impertinence. Let us forget about these Alceans, and get our minds back to getting ready for war with the Federation."

  Baron Ohmson was disturbed that the king had just brushed aside a potential ally, even if that ally was far away. More so, his intention to continue with the executions was uncalled for.

  "King Persimon," responded the baron, "I must protest the treatment of the foreigners. While I am usually the first to proclaim foreigners unworthy of our attention, these men are not a harm to Zarocca. If we have no desire to pursue a relationship with Alcea, at least let my men escort them out of the country."

  "They have insulted me and insulted my court," the king scowled. "They will pay the penalty that I have proscribed. This conversation is finished, Baron Ohmson."

  The baron bowed low in respect to the king, but respect was not the feeling currently in his heart. He seethed inwardly at the injustice of King Persimon, but he showed no emotion as he exited the throne room.

  * * *

  Garth, Kalina, and Edmond once again left the others with the unicorns outside the city of Traginak, while they approached the city. Garth stared in awe at the great wall surrounding Traginak. It was several stories tall, and a lot of the stonework was obviously new.

  "They are preparing for war," Garth commented.

  "They have been for years," Edmond nodded. "The wall is several paces taller than when I was here a while ago. I can't imagine what they are trying to keep out with a wall so high."

  "Ogres," answered Kalina. "Those creatures will climb over a pile of their own dead to breech the wall. Given enough time, no wall is high enough to stop them."

  "I cannot imagine what a live ogre must be like," frowned Edmond. "The dead ones I saw were hideous enough."

  "Then pray that you never see a live one," quipped Garth. "Will we be questioned in this city as we were at the castle?"

  "Not as severely," answered Edmond. "Merchants that do manage to get here from Tyronia are usually tolerated well enough. The locals will still look upon you suspiciously, but you get used to it. It is a far cry from the horse countries that my father spoke of when talking about his youth. He always thought of them as warm, friendly places to visit. Zarocca seems to be worse than Korocca. Many think King Persimon has become bitter in his old age. He tolerates very little these days."

  "Are there inns in the city?" asked Kalina.

  "Oh, yes," nodded Edmond. "People from all over the horse countries come to Traginak. The Courtyard Shadows is a fine inn. Their stables are the cleanest in the city, and that is saying a lot when one is talking about the horse countries. The Zaroccans are fastidious about caring for their horses."

  "Are the human accommodations good as well?" chuckled Kalina.

  "They are," laughed the Tyronian. "It is a fine inn much like the Gateway Lodge in Zinbar. You will be comfortable there."

  The trio approached the large gates of the city. The guards saw them coming and stiffened their posture. Edmond moved a pace ahead of the other two as they neared the gate.

  "Good day," smiled Edmond.

  "What is your business in Traginak?" one of the guards asked gruffly.

  "We are Tyronians seeking a fine inn for the evening," Edmond
replied pleasantly. "Can you tell me if the Courtyard Shadows is full yet?"

  "I doubt it," the guard replied. "Are you just staying the night then?"

  "That is the plan," smiled Edmond.

  The guard stared at Kalina for a moment and then waved them through. Inside the great wall, the city was bustling with activity. The stone streets were clean and well-dressed people moved about at a leisurely pace. Garth observed a group of men with a wagon cleaning horse droppings off the street, and he noted the stark difference between Traginak and the cities of the Federation. As they moved through the city streets, a wagon in a hurry turned the corner and almost collided with them. Had the team of horses not halted suddenly, there surely would have been an accident. Garth stared in wonder as the horses appeared to bow their heads towards him.

  "Did you see that?" Garth asked softly. "Those horses bowed towards us just like the officer's horse did at the castle yesterday."

  "I did not notice," replied Edmund, "but I would not be surprised if the Occan horses are more intelligent than any other. They are magnificent animals. I wish we could raise them in Tyronia."

  They recognize us. Kymia snorted musically. Even without our horns showing.

  Garth frowned in thought. They know that you are unicorns? How can that be?

  I am not sure how they know, but they do. The Occans are descended from us. Maybe it is part of their herd memory.

  Descended from unicorns?

  Sort of. They are the offspring of a unicorn and a horse. Their race has existed for centuries.

  Can they talk?

  Not like we can. Their thoughts are primitive, but I can understand them.

  Could humans understand them?

  No. They are not intelligent enough for that, but I would not be surprised if they understand the humans.

  "Isn't that Fakir Aziz?" Kalina asked as she nodded towards a man on the side of the street talking to another man.

  Garth snapped out of his conversation with Kymia and stared at the men that Kalina had nodded towards. He nodded his head in agreement and halted Kymia. Garth dismounted and walked away from his unicorn. Kalina quickly dismounted and grabbed Kymia's reins as well as Yurl's.