by Nathan Roden
Oliver took a step forward.
“Queen Jaclyn is the best person I have ever known, My King. She represents the best of us.”
“Are you willing to die for that belief, squire?”
“I am.”
“Children,” Lucien muttered, shaking his head. He lowered his bow and looked away.
“Go. Get out of here, before my senses return to me.”
****
Noah woke with a start. It took him a few moments to remember where he was. He looked out the window. It was still dark.
He dressed quickly and pulled on his boots. He pushed the door open quietly and slipped outside. He walked toward the carriage.
A man stood with his back to him. The man relieved himself at the end of the carriage. Noah waited. The man walked to the carriage door. He opened it. Noah raised his sword.
“No!” the little voice whispered.
Noah hesitated. He had come to trust that little voice. He lowered his sword.
“Come inside! Quickly!” Sara whispered.
Noah exhaled. His head throbbed from the almost constant stress. He entered the carriage, the door held open by a complete stranger.
Noah stepped inside. The man followed. Noah pushed the man out of the way and closed the door. He faced Sara.
“Where were you? You left and told me nothing!”
“How much magic do you possess?” Sara asked. “Can you hide yourself from others?”
“Well…no.”
“The queen remains in the dungeon,” Sara said. “She refused to come with us.”
“You are the king’s squire?” Noah asked.
“That is my official title, My Lord,” Oliver said. “But my loyalty is to the queen.”
“I don’t understand,” Noah said. “How could you swear loyalty to the queen and yet be the king’s squire?”
Oliver swallowed. He looked away.
“I’ll never deny her. The kingdom is corrupt. The king is corrupt.”
Oliver looked Noah in the eye.
“The queen’s allegiance is to the true king! The rightful king who was robbed of his throne! If what I say is heresy, I do not care! Run me through and put an end to my misery!”
Noah reached for Oliver. Oliver flinched.
Noah reached for Oliver and pulled him into a hug.
“I…I do not understand, My Lord,” Oliver said.
“In the face of death, you have declared your loyalty to the true king.”
“And to my sister.”
“Your…?”
Oliver wobbled. He reached for the side of the carriage.
“I need to sit down.”
“I’m sure you do,” Noah said.
Twenty-Five
Brendan and Reese arrived early at the training area. They stretched and limbered up.
“Where is Lucien?” Reese asked. “Do you think he’s finally remembered he’s the king and decided to roll over and go back to sleep?”
“Oh, sure,” Brendan said. “How likely is that?”
Lucien showed up minutes later. He had been for a run and had his shirt tied around his waist. Sweat rolled off of him as Reese offered him a ladle of water. Lucien’s muscles shone in the early morning sun, the result of the intense regimen he imposed on himself.
“Where do you want to start, your Grace?” Brendan asked. “Bows, swords, or daggers?”
Lucien held up his fists.
“None of the above. I am most lacking in fisticuffs. So, that is where I wish to begin.”
Brendan and Reese shared a look.
“That’s never been our strong suit, Lucien. That was Tree’s territory.”
Lucien fought to ignore his feelings at that moment.
“Well, Tree is gone. I want to learn how to use my fists. I want to be able to defend myself when weapons are not an option.”
Reese put his hands on his hips.
“Do you realize what you’re asking? You’re asking us to throw punches at the king.”
Lucien kept his fists clenched. His lips curled into the slightest of smiles.
“No. I am not asking that at all. It is an order!”
Brendan and Reese held their hands at their sides.
“Why are you doing this, Lucien?” Brendan said. “By the gods! You are the king! I can understand a fascination with the bow—hunting is a glorious sport!”
“But hand-to-hand combat, your Grace?” Brendan continued softly. “Why should you ever have the need? You command the army. You command the King’s Guard.”
Lucien looked at his fists. He opened his hands and let them fall to his sides.
“It is not a secret,” he said. “I do not rule this realm. My uncle does. And he rules by fear, and an iron fist. Do you wish to live under his rule for the rest of your lives?”
Brendan and Reese looked on without an answer.
“I asked you a question,” Lucien asked.
“No,” Brendan said.
“No,” Reese said.
“Then answer me this,” Lucien said. “Can strength be overtaken by something other than greater strength? If there is another way, I would very much like to hear it.”
Brendan and Reese stared at the ground.
“That’s what I thought,” Lucien said. He held up his fists.
“Teach me what you know.”
Brendan put his hands on his hips.
“Lucien—”
Lucien swung with his right hand. Brendan turned his head away. The blow barely missed his chin.
Reese grabbed Lucien’s shoulders. Lucien threw his elbows in an attempt to get away.
“Bloody hell!” Reese said. “I’m trying to show you where to put your feet, Your Grace.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
Twenty-Six
Simon and Boone walked to their camp. Rolf Roball stood and finished the last of his breakfast.
“Are you ready to try this again, Your Grace?”
Magdalena stepped toward Simon.
“I’m going with you.”
Magdalena addressed Roball.
“You may remain here, if you wish, My Lord.”
“But I am unknown within the kingdom, My Lady. I will be able to move about without scrutiny.”
“That may be so,” Magdalena said. “But while my face is known in Islemar, I am not suspected of involvement with the rebellion. And strangers are not ignored the way they once were.”
“But—”
“Are you able to change into a wolf, Lord Roball?” Captain Finn asked.
Roball looked shocked. And then he laughed.
“Ha, haw! Certainly not!”
Lieutenant Winston smirked.
“Not to mention that the Lady will be a considerably lighter load.”
The others laughed.
Roball made a face of protest.
“That was uncalled for, lieutenant. True. But uncalled for.”
Tanner stepped forward.
“If you’re going, then so am I.”
“That won’t be necessary, Tanner,” Magdalena said. “I can see to it that Caleb reaches the castle.”
“Only in a perfect world would it be that simple. And we cannot expect anything to come easily from this day forward. You know it as well as I.”
Tanner took his sister’s hand.
“I’m not going to lose you again.”
“I am willing to go,” Captain Finn said.
“Don’t be absurd,” Magdalena said. “You are now one of the most wanted men in the kingdom.”
“I have a different mission for you, Finn,” Lamont said. “I need for you to travel to Marcelo.”
“Marcelo?” Finn said. “Why?”
“Sterling will soon learn about the border camp,” Lamont said. “And when that happens, our time in the south is over.”
“Look!” a soldier called out.
A huge dark shadow passed overhead. The black dragon landed.
“It’s time that my old friend gets a look a
t Islemar,” Sir Edmund said from his perch upon Papa’s back.
“You don’t mind sharing the load, do you, Simon?”
“Definitely not, My Lord. We have one more passenger than before.”
“Oh?”
“Magdalena and Tanner will be going instead of Lord Roball.”
Sir Edmund looked at Roball and opened his mouth.
“Don’t say it, Edmund! We’ve already had a laugh at my expense.”
“I’ll ride with you, Lord Braun,” Caleb said.
“Good idea, Caleb,” Sir Edmund said. “Since you are the only one who can communicate with them, I would like for you and Papa to become fast friends.”
Simon followed Papa across the border. They flew in the shadows of the forbidden mountain. Smoke continued to rise from the ruins of the Border camp.
The destruction of the camp will be discovered soon, Simon thought.
Simon did not need to see the ruins to know that there was no turning back. But it brought the thought to his mind again. There was a definite element of time working against them—the birth of his nephew.
Simon veered away from the mountain. He climbed to a higher altitude, squinted and looked down. His heart sank.
He flew over one of the caves where he used to take sanctuary. He hoped that Dathien and Sterling had abandoned their plans to station men at each of the caves. Simon’s hopes were dashed when he saw the unmistakable light of a campfire. He veered back to the safety of the mountain and continued to follow Papa’s path toward the sea.
Simon heard Sir Edmund cry out. Papa changed direction, flying up and toward the surface of the mountain. Simon followed. He relaxed when he saw the reason for Papa’s detour. A rare plateau appeared on the mountain’s surface. A powerful spring flowed into a lake of cold, clean water.
A herd of deer and a herd of swine lay in the tall grass surrounding the lake. They ran for cover when they saw the approach of the black dragon. Simon circled and landed as Sir Edmund and Caleb slid from Papa’s back. Papa launched into the air and quickly took down a large sow.
Magdalena and Tanner stretched.
“Are you going to…eat?” Magdalena asked.
“I ate before dawn,” Simon said. “One breakfast is enough for me.”
“How much further is it?” Tanner asked.
“We’re almost halfway,” Simon said. “When we approach Islemar, we will have to fly higher to avoid being seen. The winds from the sea will make flying difficult.”
Magdalena moaned. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.
“I had forgotten that part. It will be late in the day—and wet. And cold.
“We could always get off early and take the four-legged route into the village,” Tanner said.
“No,” Magdalena said. “I’m not letting Caleb out of my sight until we find Sara and Zeke. That child is not just a wizard. Or a sorcerer. He is a miracle. And we will need more miracles in the days to come.”
“Of course,” Tanner said. “It was just a thought.”
“Of course,” Magdalena smirked. She walked toward the lake.
Tanner looked at Simon. He rubbed his hands briskly against his shoulders.
“I hate the cold.”
“Don’t worry, friend,” Simon said. “After we reach Islemar, I’ll build you a fire.”
“You’re certainly a friendly sort,” Tanner said. “Sometimes I forget that you’re the king. I…mean that in a good way.”
“We’ve been ruled over by nasty kings for long enough, wouldn’t you say?”
“I would. I would say that.”
Simon sighed.
“I’ll have to be nasty for a while in order to bring that to pass,” Simon said. “You may have to join me.”
Tanner dipped his cup in the water and drained it dry. He filled it again and raised it high.
“Here’s to lightning—and to fire. May they bring us victory.”
Simon plunged his head into the water and drank. He raised his head and blew fire into the air. He spread his wings.
“Let us drink—to lightning. And to fire.”
“My Lady,” Simon said to Magdalena. “I would like to ask a favor.”
“Yes?”
“The cave above Islemar. I would like to know if there are guards stationed there. Unfortunately, I spotted a campfire near the cave north of the border camp. We will need a place to hide and to rest—even if for a short time.”
Simon looked at Papa.
“I don’t know where else to hide him.”
“Leave me near the base of the mountain,” Magdalena said. “It won’t take me long to have a look.”
“It won’t take us long,” Tanner said.
“That’s what I meant.” Magdalena smiled. “It won’t take us long.”
Simon and Papa landed in a clearing at the base of a mountain.
“Caleb,” Sir Edmund said.
“Yes, My Lord?”
“Please explain to Papa that he should hide in the trees for a little while.”
Caleb faced the giant dragon and made a series of screeches. Papa turned and crashed into the dense forest, leaving a trail of downed trees in his path. Sir Edmund stared after him.
“Fascinating!”
Magdalena and Tanner transformed into wolves and sprinted up the mountain. They returned an hour later and transformed back into human form.
“There are two men stationed near the cave,” Magdalena said. “They won’t present much of a problem. I think they’ve been drinking.”
She lowered her voice.
“I could take care of them, if you like.”
“No,” Simon said. “That won’t be necessary. Not yet.”
“I placed a simple hex on them,” Tanner said. “They’ll sleep soundly for at least the next two days.”
Magdalena’s head snapped around.
“Exactly when did you do that?”
“After you started back down the mountain. It will do them no harm. And should we need to return, violence will not be necessary.”
“That’s good thinking, Tanner,” Sir Edmund said. He turned to Simon.
“The sun will set in about two hours. Where will you leave your passengers?”
“There is one approach near the village gates that provides adequate cover. It is not far from the south road into the village.”
“Excellent,” Sir Edmund said. “And I would like to give Papa a view of Islemar—discretely, of course. Will that be possible?”
“Yes,” Simon said. “Under cover of darkness, you can fly north of the harbor and then fly directly toward the watchtower. That will provide you a view of the harbor and the docks. The watchtower is never manned. The winds there are cold and inhospitable. You should be able to land atop the bastions of the watchtower and from there observe a large part of the village.”
“Again, excellent,” Sir Edmund said. “Will you come with us?”
Simon stared blankly, lost in thought.
“Oh. Certainly, My Lord.”
Twenty-Seven
Simon and Papa landed east of Islemar, beyond sight of the southern road. Magdalena stepped into the trees. She emerged moments later, dressed in a commoner’s robed. She pulled the hood over her head. She provided a similar outfit for Caleb and helped him change into it.
Magdalena glared at Tanner. He placed his robe behind a tree and covered it.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I may need that later, but for now I’ll be following you on four legs.”
“Why?”
“To give us two levels of defense, should something go wrong.”
“Well, stay out of sight,” Magdalena said. “I don’t know about the Southlands, but wolves are hunted and killed in the north.”
“You’ll never know I’m there. But if you need me, I will be close.”
Magdalena, Tanner, and Caleb waited until they saw no one using the road. Magdalena and Caleb walked to the center of the road and w
alked north. Tanner crossed the road and stepped into the trees. He transformed into a wolf.
The guards at the gate of Islemar paid the woman and child little attention. They gave them the same warning they gave other foot travelers.
“You best have a destination in mind. No one sleeps in the streets of Islemar. Or on the docks. If you’ve got nowhere to go, you’ll be shown the road in the morning.”
Magdalena and Caleb kept their heads down. They passed through the gates and continued to the village square. They stopped and drank from the well. Shop owners began closing down for the day as shadows grew long.
Magdalena led Caleb down the hill toward the docks. Seagulls squawked at each other, fighting for whatever they might scavenge from the fishing boats.
Caleb inhaled deeply.
“I would like to sail one day.”
“You will,” Magdalena said. “I promise.”
“Father took us fishing once,” Caleb said. “Not here. He took us to a lake.”
“And you enjoyed it?”
“I enjoyed doing everything with my father.”
Magdalena put her arm around Caleb’s shoulder and squeezed. She led him to the dock where two men rested after unloading the day’s catch. One man stood. The other pulled off his boots and shook them.
“Good evening, my Lords,” Magdalena said.
The seated man grunted.
“We ain’t no lords. Are you blind?”
Caleb lowered his hood.
“The Lady is not, but I am. And you are quite rude, my Lord.”
The standing man chuckled and slapped the seated man’s head. He glared at Magdalena and Caleb.
“You’re not allowed to be here. These docks are wet and slick as an eel and it will be dark before you know it. We’re leaving, and there will be no one to save you when you fall in.”
“We won’t fall in,” Magdalena said. “I was hoping that you might have a pole and line that my son could use—just for a few minutes. He has never fished in the sea.”