* * *
The next day brought more fresh snow and most of the dignitaries were slow in departing the palace for their own homes and villages. Heather was eager to resume her planning for potential threats, but the King had not yet much energy and his advisers would politely listen to Heather but take no action. That evening Daniel listened patiently as she complained about the lack of concern of those in the palace. He gently reminded her that she still had those of the Forest in her service. She was quiet for about a minute before saying, “I would have our young priest travel to the Forest to continue his studies of the times before. Do you think it possible?”
Daniel replied, “Travel during the winter is much slower and more arduous but with proper preparations it is possible. Would the church leaders allow him to go?”
“He has been ostracized since his support of the old law. I am sure I can arrange the request such that they would be happy to have him gone. You think those of the Forest would be willing to risk taking him?”
“Those of the Forest have pledged their services to you. They will do as you ask.”
Heather now had a mission and there was more eagerness in her eyes. Daniel suggested that they should go into the city and find Jeremy. Concern was immediately evident on Heather’s face and she tried to make excuses for not leaving the palace. Daniel took her hand and said, “I know you would protect me but you cannot do it by keeping me in this cage. My spirit will wither.”
Tears filled Heather’s eyes and she tried to explain the danger she felt from the royal physicians and church elders. If Daniel were even to accidentally break another law, they would again pounce him. It wasn’t safe. So she again described the hatred she saw on their faces and voiced her concern about a possible assassination attempt.
Daniel held her close and said, “Just as your father could not protect you by confining you to your home, you cannot protect me by keeping me inside these walls. My spirit will not allow it. You must find another way.”
Heather knew Daniel was right, but the fear of losing him was a heavy burden. She finally said, “Let us go and see if we can find Jeremy.”
Daniel was not surprised to see Heather don her sword as well as her cape as they prepared to face the snow on their way to the tavern. Jeremy had sampled many of the taverns and had chosen the Rusty Tavern as his personal favorite. Daniel and Heather made their way to the wharf section of town. The freshly fallen snow bestowed a look of freshness upon this old district. The moon was out and there was plenty of light. When they arrived at the tavern there was no doubt that Jeremy was there. Laughter rang out as he finished one of his stories. The local patrons had adopted Jeremy and the other hunters but when Heather and Daniel entered, the room became quiet. Jeremy welcomed them warmly and brought them to his table. Gradually the noise level returned as others began telling their stories.
Jeremy said, “About time you two got away from the palace. Let me get a couple more glasses of beer. You know, your brewmasters do a pretty good job.”
They enjoyed watching and listening to the many stories being told. When Heather was finally comfortable with the setting, she asked Jeremy about guiding the young priest to the Forest for his studies. Jeremy took a sip of his beer and licked the froth from his upper lip before saying, “We can make the journey. He is a good man and travels well. When would you have us leave?”
“Soon, maybe on the day after the morrow.”
“Not a problem. Several of those of the Forest would like to return home and would be happy to leave with him. Daniel, you must need another beer.”
Daniel accepted the second beer and was content to sit back and watch the antics of his dear friend. It was getting late when Captain John entered. Jeremy waived him over and he joined them at the table. He nodded to Daniel and Heather before saying, “Princess, it has been awhile since we last met here. Does you being here mean that I’m in for more adventures?”
Heather smiled and said, “We’re here to find Jeremy but I would like to speak to you of a voyage.”
“A winter voyage?”
Heather replied, “The ship of the Red Ambassador you said was built for exploration. I would have you set out on such a voyage.”
“To where?”
“To wherever the Red Ambassador had meant to sail. I doubt that he would’ve gone north because of the ice pack.”
Captain John sipped his beer quietly before answering, “To the South is only the barren desert.”
Heather asked, “Does the desert go forever?”
“Who knows? The ship would hold supplies for a two-month journey. I would suppose we could sail South for a month and still be able to return home if the desert did not end.”
Heather asked, “When could you be ready to set sail?”
Captain John took another drought of his beer and said, “If we had access to the military supplies, we could be ready in one week. I would assume this would be considered a military mission.”
It was Heather’s turn for a moment of silent reflection before she answered, “Yes, I’m afraid it probably is a military mission.”
“My crew and I will sail under your name because of the pledge we made. However, getting access to the supplies will require a more formal authorization. Can you obtain this authorization?”
“My father’s advisers do not sense the urgency of the threat from the Red Ambassador. I’ll speak directly with my father for the authorization. Plan on sailing in ten days time.”
“The ship will be ready.”
The evening was getting late when Daniel and Heather headed back to the palace with their friends. They were somewhat boisterous coming through the gate but Heather didn’t really mind. Moving forward with their planning was much preferred to arguing with her father’s advisers. Now she had to do was get her father to agree. This would be a problem for the morning.
They joined the King in their private quarters for breakfast. His strength continued to improve but fatigue still limited his activity. He listened first to Heather’s request to send the young priest to the Forest for study of the ancient scrolls and the time before. This simple request was complicated by the need to obtain permission from the church elders. Her father said, “The assignment of the individual priest is the responsibility of the church elders. I, of course, have the right to request a priest be assigned for a task but the trick is to make sure they assign the one you want.”
Heather responded, “I doubt if any of the other priest would want to go.”
Her father smiled and said, “Political decisions sometimes overrule common sense. We need to present the request in a manner that maintains the elders’ sense of control but also accomplishes our goal.”
Daniel asked, “Would it matter if those of the Forest who would be leading this expedition requested the young priest whom they already knew?”
Heather’s father nodded his head and said, “An excellent suggestion. It removes my daughter’s conflict from the process. I will have the request submitted this morning. What else did you want to talk about?”
Heather described her plan for a voyage of exploration. Her father asked a number of pertinent questions. He agreed with her assessment of the dangers represented by the Red Ambassador. He then expressed his concern about the risk involved in a winter voyage. Heather was insistent that the potential danger justified the risk. Finally, her father agreed to authorize the supplying of the ship and the voyage of exploration. Despite the morning hour, his fatigue was showing and Heather left to continue her planning alone.
Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before Page 2