by Guy Antibes
“You are Hendrico Valian?” the guard asked. “I remember you from winter.”
“I am.”
“I’m glad you have returned. Hopefully, you can help Dimani,” the guard said.
He had a few words with his fellow guards and led them into the castle. Pira gave Ricky a concerned look. After hearing the guard’s few words, he wondered what had happened to King Courer.
The chamberlain recognized Ricky, as well, and took the pair aside. “He is sequestered in his study. The king doesn’t want visitors, but we won’t give him an opportunity to reject an audience,” the man said.
Ricky followed behind the chamberlain and Pira, still dressed in her brown bodyguard outfit. The guards stood in front of the king’s study, but their esteemed escort had words with the two men, and they unlocked the study door.
King Courer looked awful. His eyes looked like a raccoon’s with dark circles. He had lost weight and looked very nervous. Ricky didn’t bother to ask and sang the compulsion’s counterspell. The king collapsed. His head hit the desk with a thud.
“What have you done?” the chamberlain said.
“A sorcerer has put a spell on him. I just cast the counterspell. It has that effect on some people. He will revive soon enough. You can wait with us.”
Ricky looked at Pira and nodded. She sang the counterspell to sterility. They wouldn’t bother asking permission.
In a few minutes, King Courer stirred. The chamberlain ran to the king’s side.
“Your majesty,” he looked at Ricky and Pira before he continued, “you fainted before I could properly introduce Lord Valian and Princess Pira.”
The king rubbed a red spot on his forehead. “I hurt.” He blinked his eyes and looked at his visitors.
“You—” he shook his head. “You have done something to me.” He leaned his head back. “Macco, could you pour me some wine first, and then cups for my visitors?”
The chamberlain’s eyebrows went up. He gave Ricky an encouraging look.
The king took a long draught before he set the cup down. “I suppose I’ve been ensorcelled, and you have removed the spell?” He rubbed his forehead.
At least King Courer didn’t cast them out of his study.
“I did,” Ricky said. “A sorcerer put a spell on you. If you would permit, I can apply a protective spell.”
King Courer nodded. “It won’t hurt like the counterspell?”
Ricky chuckled. “It won’t.” He sang the spell and sat back.
“If the same sorcerer tries it again, he will be disappointed.”
Courer nodded. “I can remember everything. I think I fought it, but I couldn’t shake the spell off. The sorcerer is a friend of Ducri Wamia,” the king said. “I have ignored Jac and have let his father run wild in South Dimani.”
“You need to eat, Your Majesty,” Princess Pira said.
“I suppose I do. Can you summon Jac? I have to apologize.”
“Where is the sorcerer?” Ricky asked.
“In the South with Forari and Ducri. I will send Jac to stop them. They think they have my authority to secede from Dimani. They don’t.”
“Write out the order, Your Majesty,” the chamberlain said, arranging paper on the king’s desk.
“Of course.”
Ricky linked with Jac who soon joined them with Nania and Mattia.
“You look better,” Jac said to King Courer.
Ricky agreed. The compulsion spell had made the king look shrunken, but he now looked as if he wasn’t going to keel over.
“I have troops at the ready?” King Courer said.
Jac looked at Ricky, and then back at the king. “I do. More than the rabble my father extracted from the capital.”
“You have my permission to deal with the traitors, including Ducri and your father, in any way you wish. If they desire to fight, you may fight them.”
King Courer took another page and scribbled something down. Both were soon sealed by the king’s hand. The chamberlain took them away to make copies. “Now introduce me to your friends, Jac.”
“This is Nemo Mattia, a former strategist for King Leon’s armies and Nania Sarini, Princess Pira’s current bodyguard.”
The King nodded to both.
“I have a disturbing story to tell you,” Ricky said. “You have been victimized by a certain faction of sorcerers. There is a reason you have no heirs…”
~~~
Chapter Six
~
While Mattia conferred with the Dimani commanders, Jac, Pira, Nania, and Ricky rode ahead to the Griama’s manor house. Ricky didn’t look forward to seeing Jac’s mother again, but Jac insisted that they go ahead of the army.
Before they reached the house, a guard stopped them at a hastily constructed checkpoint.
“You can’t go farther,” the guard said. He wasn’t dressed in a uniform, but wore a bright blue armband, as did the other nine men rising to their feet.
“My family owns the land you stand on,” Jac said. “You can’t stop me.”
“Yes, I can. Your father, Lord Griama, controls the land. He told me personally not to let anyone through. This is the northern border of South Dimani, and he will soon be the king.”
“And what will Ducri Wamia be?” Ricky asked.
The man shrugged. “That’s between the two of them, I guess. I pretty much am paid to do what I’m told.”
“Even if it amounts to treason?” Jac said.
The guard laughed at him. “Treason depends on what viewpoint you have, doesn’t it?”
Ricky couldn’t dispute what the man said.
“This is treason in the eyes of King Courer and the Dimani Council,” Jac said. “I have documents signed by the king.”
“The king?” the guard said, looking a bit uneasily. “We were told the king accepted Lord Griama’s right to split off South Dimani.”
“The king was under the influence of a sorcerer. You might be, too,” Jac said.
Ricky sang the counterspell, but none of the guards were affected. “Perhaps you will listen to reason,” he said.
“Perhaps we will,” the guard said. “Show us the king’s letter. There are readers among us.”
Jac held the documents while three of the guards examined the orders.
“What do you intend to do?” one of the three said.
“An armed force is heading south towards you. The question is, who will you fight, King Courer or a usurper?” Ricky said.
The men looked at each other. One of them said. “What can you pay us?”
These men could be bought with a pittance. “A golden falcon apiece,” Jac said.
If King Courer couldn’t pay, Ricky would, if only to avoid the ruination of Jac’s family home. He looked at Jac. “That’s more than I would offer,” he said.
“And who might you be?” the original guard said.
“I’m the person who fought Ticco Griama and won,” Ricky said.
“You got it in for the Griamas?” the guard said.
Ricky shook his head. “I ride with a Griama by my side, traveling to see Lady Griama. Does that sound like I have it in for the Griama family? I am here for Dimani.”
The men looked uncertain.
“You choose,” Jac said. “If you head back to the capital, your body will be intact. If you choose to stand with my father, I can’t guarantee you will survive.”
“Make the decision now,” Ricky said, drawing his sword. “We will head south regardless of what you decide.”
“Four against ten?”
“Or four against zero,” Jac said, sliding his sword from its sheath.
Pira moved to the front and took her wand, extending the blade. Nania showed them her sword as well.
“Three sorcerers and a former professor of weaponry at Sealio University might give you some pause,” Pira said.
The men looked at each other. A few picked up their packs and lined up in front of Jac, who sheathed his sword and paid a Dimani gold piece to each. They headed
north up the road. In moments, only the original guard stood in front of them.
Ricky leaned forward. “The odds?”
“Are not good. Tell Lord Griama that Amado was the last. I value my life.” The guard grabbed his gold piece and hustled north to join his friends.
“A few weeks in a tavern and the falcon will be gone,” Jac said.
“In a few weeks, the South will be free. If they have headed all the way to Rassoport by now, perhaps your father will have eradicated the Rassos. I’d be happy if we could free the contract servants.”
Jac pursed his lips. “That might cost you.”
“We will see what our assistance is worth,” Ricky said.
~
No more soldiers barred their way. They rode through the manor gate. Ricky felt nervous and uncertain about meeting Lady Griama, despite Jac’s assurances. The manor quickly came into view, and the five of them rode to the front door.
“Be alert,” Jac said. “We are still in danger.”
Ricky pulled out his wand since it wasn’t as threatening as his sword and sang a protective shield around them all. Pira looked at Ricky’s black metal wand and pulled hers out. Nania’s eyes constantly moved around the grounds, as they waited for someone to come out of the house.
The same servant who had helped Ricky leave in darkness the last time he was at the manor, came out to greet them.
“A few of the lord’s men are inside, but they aren’t threatening Lady Griama, at present. Did you run into difficulty up the road, Lord Jac?”
“Nothing that we didn’t handle without sweet words and the display of our weapons.”
The man looked at the wands. “There are no sorcerers here among Lord Griama’s men. Lord Forari has boasted about it. I’m not sure that Lord Wamia is so foolhardy.”
“The sorcerer who ensorcelled King Courer is among them. Where are they?”
“Approaching Rassoport, last I heard. They were planning to engage Lord Rasso and remove him from South Dimani one way or another. If I may say so, Lord Wamia has been promised their business in an exchange for a pledge of fealty to Lord Forari as King of South Dimani,” the servant said to Jac.
“Time to assert King Courer’s proclamation,” Jac said. He dismounted. “Hold the horses.” He gave his reins to the servant and walked in. Ricky had to follow him to protect him with his shield. Pira and Nania walked close behind.
Lady Griama stood in the foyer, running to her son. “I never thought you’d make it.” Her eyes went to Ricky and the two women. She gasped and curtseyed to Pira. “Princess, I thank you for gracing my home.”
Pira nodded back. “You will excuse my attire. We are in Dimani on serious business.”
“What business is that?” a uniformed man said as he stepped into the foyer from the closest sitting room.
Four other soldiers dressed in the blue uniforms of common soldiers joined the first. These were men who would not be persuaded to retreat for a gold falcon, Ricky thought.
“My father has declared South Dimani as an independent domain. King Courer has likewise declared him a traitor.”
“Courer?” the man dressed as an officer said. “Courer is not going to issue such a proclamation.”
“I have it here,” Jac said. He held it out for the other man to read.
“Your king was ensorcelled,” Ricky said. “I removed the enchantment.”
The man eyed Ricky’s wand. “Just because you hold a wand, doesn’t make you a sorcerer.”
Ricky sang the blade out. The man’s eyes widened, and he took a step back. “You are Valian?”
“I am,” Ricky said. “I return to Dimani from an extensive education in Duteria where I became a Tower sorcerer.”
The man didn’t look impressed by Ricky’s Duterian status. Ricky nearly smiled at his lack of humility. Pira would make him pay for his boast, for sure.
“I’d like to see your authorization to stop Lord Griama. I assume you brought a copy?”
Jac produced the other document and showed it to the five men, but pulled it back when one of the men tried to snatch it.
The men looked at each other. Their hands went to their swords.
“You will note we can kill you out of hand with the King’s permission. You are traitors if you fight us. Is that how you wish to die?” Ricky quickly sang the compulsion counterspell. They all staggered, including Lady Griama.
“Mother!”
Lady Griama sought out the closest seat where Jac helped her down. “My head.” She put both hands to her temples.
The soldiers fought to stay erect. Two of them ended up sitting on the floor.
“You were all ensorcelled,” Ricky said. “I wonder if Lady Griama has been under a spell for quite a bit longer than the soldiers.”
Lady Amira Griama nodded her head. “I believe you are correct. Forari brought a few friends to the manor last fall. That is about the time I ceased to feel well.”
She looked at the soldiers and then stopped.
“It looks like we are victims, too,” one of the soldiers said. “I’ll fight with you. I don’t much like being duped, magic or otherwise.”
In the end, two of the five saddled up and headed north for Dimani, and the officer and two other soldiers stayed behind. They would wait for the Dimanian army to arrive.
Lady Griama invited Pira, Jac, and Ricky into her study while Nania conferred with the soldiers.
“I apologize to you all,” Lady Griama said.
“Not to me,” Pira said. “I’m just along for a ride in the country.”
Jac’s mother smiled. “You are kind.” She looked at Ricky. “I am deeply sorry for the disgraceful way I treated you when you last visited. Now I know what prompted me to act the way I did, but still, I did a few nasty things while you were here.”
“I knew you weren’t yourself,” Ricky said.
“You acted like the gentleman that you are. I assume you are bringing an army to capture my husband and the loathsome Ducri Wamia?”
Jac handed her the documents he had shown the soldiers.
“My husband has disgraced me even more by allowing someone to tamper with my mind. It is unforgivable, truly,” she said. “If he can’t be persuaded to stop, you must do what you must. Promise me one thing.”
“What, Mother?” Jac said.
“See if he is compelled. If he is, please spare his life, if he isn’t, take it.”
Jac turned red. “I promise.”
Lady Amira took a deep breath. “When does the army arrive?”
“In two days, maybe three,” Jac said. “They were ready to come with me, but when Ricky arrived with information about the compulsion spell, we decided to make it as far as the manor and then wait for them.”
“I’m afraid for everyone. Dimani soldiers are not the best, even against my husband’s rabble.”
Ricky nodded. “I brought a Parantian strategist. He is experienced and will help put order in the army. We will wait here before we head south and spend some time with the soldiers who stayed.”
After dinner, Lady Amira took Ricky aside. “How can I make up for my behavior?”
“Help Jac. There is a possibility that King Courer will produce an heir. If that happens, Jac will no longer be the Crown Prince. He will be able to handle that, but he will need support as the new head of your family. Lord Griama has done enough to be removed from that position.”
She smiled. “Jac counts you as his best friend, you know. I will do as you say.”
~
It took Ricky all morning to persuade Pira to stay behind while Jac and he did some reconnoitering. She still tried to plead to come along, even when Ricky and Jac stood by their mounts ready to leave.
“But I’m a sorceress, and I have one of these,” Pira waved her wand at Ricky.
“Then use it to stop Mattia from going any further. If you come with us, Nania has to come, and no one knows Mattia,” Ricky said.
“He is right, Princess,” Nania said
. “Lady Griama knows the terrain as well as Jac. This isn’t the right time for you to risk yourself.”
Pira folded her arms.
“Don’t pout,” Ricky said. “It worked when you were twelve. It still works, but not as well.” Ricky nearly said it didn’t work anymore, but that would have been imprudent. He smiled.
“Very well. If Mattia rides out before you return, I’ll go with him.”
Ricky shrugged. “You’ll have protection.”
“Come back to me in one piece,” Pira said. She took his hand and kissed it. “Something to remember me by.”
“Thank you,” Ricky said as he mounted the horse. Soon the two friends traveled through the forest south of the manor. Lady Griama said Lord Griama’s ‘troops’ had vacated all the villages north of the forested lands.
The forest was serene. “Your father’s intention was always to take back the Rasso’s land, is that right?”
Jac nodded. “Without Dimani’s help, he must have decided he would do it all on his own,” Jac said. “I don’t think compulsion was at play. With King Courer not able to stop him, why not take over South Dimani, so he would have a base to push north and invade a compliant capital. Then he would kill King Courer and set me aside. He would be king.”
“A usurper?”
“Exactly. Unfortunately, he is my father. If I can’t bring myself to defend myself against him, I will rely on you to do so. I fear he won’t hesitate to end my life if he can use my death to be King of Dimani.”
“I read that anything can happen in a battle, so we will see. We fight together, so we can fulfill your promise to your mother.”
“About the compulsion spell?” Jac shook his head. “He won’t have one.”
“If he does have a compulsion spell, and he staggers like the others you’ve seen receive the counterspell, don’t let up on your guard.”
“You don’t trust my father?”
Ricky shook his head. “Even if the sorcerer compelled your father after he groomed Ticco for the Dimani throne, I think you may still be in peril.”
Jac nodded. “For now, let’s not talk about such things. We need to grab what information we can.”
“The officer seemed to think the rabble will be all the way to Rassoport,” Ricky said. “Let’s go to Wedo’s village and find out. I’ve met the innkeeper before.”