Edward looked at them all, and with conviction said, “Yes, I do believe we have a chance. Not of our own strength, but because I believe God wills the kingdom of Glenfair to survive. God preserved our kingdom in my father’s time. I do not believe such deliverance took place so that the kingdom would perish in the next generation. Even though we do not see it, there has to be a way that the kingdom can survive. Tomorrow it shall be revealed to us what deliverance God may bring. Tomorrow at first light, Brianna and I ride out to speak to the Sabatols.”
Since no one else had anything to say, the council disbanded and the dukes went to their forces to explain that the Sabatols intended to take no prisoners. And that the lives of their wives and children were at stake if they should fail.
Brianna and Adriell came up to Edward after the council and asked him where Pi had gone.
“I hope she is on the cliffs even as we speak in search of the ancient’s secret storage place.” All three looked south, even though it was getting dark and silently prayed that Pi would succeed.
Pi smiled to herself. Sometimes there was a great advantage to being a machine. First, because she had an internal compass and directional system, and secondly because of her night vision. She had come to the cliffs below the Prescott castle undetected by any of the Sabatols. Now she began to scale the cliffs to find the secret storage facility of the ancients. The cliffs were steep with little purchase for gripping or standing. For a human it would have been almost impossible to do what Pi did easily. About half way up to the coordinates that were listed on the map, Pi began to doubt whether she would find what she sought. A little above her she spied a metal ring anchored in the rock. Relief flooded over her as she now knew she was headed in the right direction. The ancients probably flew and lifted all of their equipment to this place, that would be easy. But getting down would be another matter. They would have to use ropes to scale the sheer cliffs. That metal ring bespoke of that passage down to the safety of the valley. Soon she found another ring, and then another. At last she came to a ledge that was cut into the solid rock face. Pi stood on the ledge and felt along the cliff face. Having had experience with the secret doors in the king’s castle she felt for anything that would hint of a way in. For an hour Pi searched the narrow ledge. This had to be the place where the ancients stored their equipment and power supplies. Pi was about to concede defeat when she decided to go higher on the cliff face. Ten meters above the first ledge she found a smaller one. This time feeling the stone she found the catch and depressed it. The rock face gave way and Pi went tumbling inward.
After the Sabatol war council had ended General Drinidel went to find General Lentz. It took some time in the vast camp of the Sabatols but General Drinidel finally succeeded.
Taking him aside where no one could hear he asked, “Are you confident that tomorrow’s battle will be as easy as Razcon thinks it will be?”
General Lentz frowned and did not answer right away. They lived in dangerous times with Razcon as king. To be heard even to oppose the king would mean death. But he did not think General Drinidel sought to betray him. They were alone and it would be the general’s word against his.
“Since it seems that you and I are the only ones to voice any concern, I will tell you what I think. Tomorrow’s battle will not be anything like Razcon expects. Even though we may triumph over the little army of Glenfair, I do not believe it will be easy. We may loose half our forces.”
General Drinidel thought about what Lentz had said. He too,had concerns that they would not only loose half their forces, but the battle as well. Not because they had inferior forces, but because everyone thought numbers were enough to overwhelm Glenfair without any battle strategy. If the Glenfair army was disciplined and used brilliant tactics, the Sabatols would be in trouble. That much he dared not offer in the war council, for it would cost him his life.
“I, too think we will suffer great loss in this conflict. It is sad that no one else seems to see the danger we face in our overconfidence.” After this statement Lentz began to relax a little, seeing General Drinidel expressing the same concerns.
General Lentz ventured further, “General Drinidel, How do you feel about the evil magician’s (every one called Sucinord that behind his back) desire to kill everyone in Glenfair? Do you think the king will allow that to happen?”
General Drinidel answered shrewdly, “I do not think the king cares as long as he gets Glenfair.” He could see Lentz was appalled by the king agreeing to Sucinord’s plan.
Lentz could not refrain, “This kingdom is small and its people would be no trouble to subjugate once we conquer it. To kill women and children is.... unnecessary.”
“I do not like it either,” was all Drinidel offered.
“Then what are we to do?” Lentz asked.
“I will think of something. Until that time wait until you know what it is I intend to do. Until then we should talk no more of these matters.”
General Drinidel watched General Lentz move off into the night. Even though Lentz shared his confidence with him he still dared not reveal his true feelings or intentions. He hated Razcon, and despised the wicked king he had become. He was sorry that Razcon had killed Ivan Karahtz and had taken the throne. This whole scheme and war would never have happened if Ivan were still king. He knew that Ivan never would have made a league with that devil Sucinord. It was too bad that Ivan’s family were dead. That had destroyed any hope he had for a rebellion to overthrow Razcon. No matter, during the battle tomorrow his regimen would be close to Razcon. In the confusion of battle he would kill Razcon and then go search out that evil sorcerer and put an end to his wickedness.
Pi picked herself up after tumbling inside. Dim lights were on, evidently triggered by the opening of the secret door. She saw that she was on a platform above a large hanger carved into the solid rock. Then it dawned on her that most of the solid rock that went into the castles’ construction was probably cut from this large chamber. Below her lay the machinery the ancients had used to construct the castles. She was amazed to see how much the ancients were able to bring with them back through time. She recognized almost everything in the vast cavern, since it all had come from her time in the future. She climbed a ladder down off the platform to the floor below and went to study the large door to the main cavern. She noticed then that the door could only be opened from the inside, there was no secret latch for the large door. She ignored the machinery closest to her and began to walk toward the back. She stopped as a flyer caught her eye. If it was still functioning, a flyer could cause great panic in the army of the Sabatols. Pi smiled but quickly discarded that idea. No one but her could fly the machine, and that would leave Sucinord free to slaughter as many as his heart desired. No, she had to face him on foot. She proceeded further back in the cavern and found what she had been searching for. The extra power supplies for the equipment. She picked one round module up and looked at the power level. It was drained. She went to another, then another and the power meters all said the same thing, empty. Pi began to loose heart when the state of disarray of the power modules made her realize something else. These were discarded, probably used up in the construction. No one would just throw good power modules into a pile, they were too valuable for that. Her eyes searched the walls of the cavern and then spied the shelves with neatly stacked power modules on them. She walked over and took one off the shelf and looked at it. The power meter showed only fifty percent available power. She expected some drain over the centuries, and the level it contained was acceptable. She opened her pack and placed the power module inside, then began to sort through the others. Most were half full, but some were higher. She filled her pack with them and began to sort through the electronic components on the selves. She finally found what she was looking for and charged it with one of the power cells. It came to life and went through a diagnostic mode. Pi smiled and placed it into the pack as well. All the information she possessed from her time was going to be very use
ful. There were very few people who had access to the information she possessed. While she lived in the future under Queen Rebekka’s rule helping to raise Adriell, she had access to any information she desired. Few questioned her, first because she was the android of the state chancellor, and lived in the palace. Second because she was an android, and incapable of harm people believed. So no one ever questioned her snooping and looking into anything she desired.
Pi looked in the cabins and boxes attached to the equipment until she located all the tools she needed. she then took the power modules out of her pack and took the covers off. Most people of her day believed the power modules tamper proof, and something that could never be used for destruction. She knew otherwise. The knowledge she possessed was so secret that no one had ever turned a power module into a destructive device before. She was sure the top military intelligence knew how to do it, but no one had ever tried. After all, that is where she found the information. It would take a normal human two hours to reconfigure each power module to self destruct. Pi did them all in two hours. She also configured the radio device to work as a remote control to set off the explosions all at once. Everything was ready. She placed the remote trigger in her pack along with the power modules and headed toward the platform that led to the outside. Although the modules at half power were not extremely explosive, Sucinord would be destroyed easily by these.
Edward lay in his tent beside Brianna. Both had on most of their armor, as one does when they are at war. Neither were comfortable, and neither slept.
Finally Brianna spoke, “I am sorry, Edward, that the Sabatols have invaded Glenfair. I could see the dismay on the faces of our soldiers.”
“It is not your fault, Brianna. If Sucinord had not given them access to the pass, none of this would be happening. Sucinord is the one truly responsible for our present crisis.”
Brianna frowned, “I know Sucinord is mostly to blame, but Razcon’s heart is made of pure evil and greed. My father would never have attacked Glenfair without just cause. He took pride in the fact that the Sabatol kingdom was not built upon greed and conquering like the Wickshield kingdom of the north. In fact, my father told us he was delighted that Glenfair had defeated the Wickshields in your father’s day, and hoped that Glenfair would long prosper in their defense against them. It was his feelings towards Glenfair that prompted us to flee here after his death. But Razcon is not like my father. The Sabatols will never be at peace while he is king.”
Edward’s throat tightened, “I hope you are not thinking of seeking Razcon out in the battle. That would be foolish. Leave the king of the Sabatols to me.”
Brianna did not answer, which confirmed what Edward suspected. “Brianna, please, leave Razcon to me. We will all do well to survive the battle tomorrow. Do not compound that by trying to avenge your father’s death.”
Brianna answered slowly, “I know if I pursued my vengeance it would be a distraction to you wondering if I were in trouble. I will not do that to you tomorrow, I promise. I will stay and fight beside you, and watch your back in the battle.”
Edward was somewhat relieved to hear this from Brianna, though he still worried about her in the battle.
“Try and get some sleep,” was all Edward could say in response.
Edward was up before light and walked into the middle of the camp. There Pi waited for Edward to meet her.
“Did you find anything helpful,” he asked her as he approached.
“Yes, I found what I was looking for and they can be used to destroy Sucinord.”
Pi held out the sack to Edward and he looked inside. Seeing the power modules, he took one out and examined it.
“What exactly will this do?” Edward asked. Pi began to explain how she had converted the power modules into explosives. She then took out the trigger device and explained to Edward how it linked all the devices together. Edward asked a few more questions about the devices before he made his decision.
“Pi, I know you intended these to be used against Sucinord, but have you seen the size of the Sabatol army?” Before Edward could continue, Pi held up her hands for him to stop. Edward only nodded in understanding.
“Pi, go get Adriell and bring her here quickly.” Pi rose and left without saying a word. Soon Adriell and Pi returned.
Edward looked at Adriell and Pi and said, “Do you, Pi, recognize Adriell as your authority and owner to be obeyed?” Adriell shook her head and started to say something, but Edward raised his hand to silence her.
“Yes,” Pi stated emphatically. “That ownership has been passed down from Ellise, to Adriell’s mother, then to Adriell.”
“Then, Adriell, command Pi to erase from her memory everything related to the ancients storage places in the cliffs and the devices she has brought to me.” Adriell had a look upon her face that Edward knew was anguish. Before Adriell formed the words, Pi spoke to her.
“Is that what you wish, Adriell?”
“Yes,” was all Adriell could utter. Pi closed her eyes and opened them again.
Edward held up the pack with the power modules in it and asked, “Do you know what is in this pack, Pi?”
Pi looked at the pack and unemotionally stated, “That is a question I can not answer, for I have never seen that pack before.”
Edward nodded in satisfaction and said, “Go and bring Brianna here, it is time for us to prepare for what must be done.” Pi left and Adriell and Edward watched her go. As soon as she was out of sight, Adriell turned on Edward with anger and hurt in her voice.
“How dare you ask me to do something like that to Pi. You know that I have never considered her anyone’s property or slave. To do that to her was humiliating to her and me.” Edward waited for Adriell’s anger to subside before he spoke.
“I am sorry, Adriell. It was necessary for Pi’s safety to do what we did. In this pack are small explosive devices brought back by Pi for the destruction of Sucinord. We need them worse against the Sabatol army. You know more about androids than any of us. If these devices were used to take human life and Pi knew she was responsible for that, how would it affect her?”
Adriell now understood why Edward had done this, “I understand, Edward, but it was so hard to do that to Pi.”
“Right now, hard things are required of us. Pi knew that. That is why she made it easier on you by requiring only a yes from you.” Adriell only nodded as Pi and Brianna approached.
When they were gathered closer, Edward spoke; “At first light, Brianna and I will ride out to speak to the Sabatols. Pi, do you know what you are going to do when the battle starts?”
“Yes,” Pi answered. “I am to seek out Sucinord and destroy him before he kills any more humans.”
Edward was glad that her previous intentions were still intact. Only the knowledge of the power modules was missing. Soon the dukes and Master Rollins joined them.
Mason Zandel laid his hands upon Edward’s shoulders and asked, “Do you feel it necessary for you and the queen to still go out upon the battlefield this morning alone?”
“It is necessary that we take this risk,” answered Edward.
“Then God be with you,” Mason stated.
As the sun was rising, two people rode out toward the Sabatol army. The closer they came, the larger the army looked to Edward. He hoped none of the Sabatol army would try and take them hostage, for that would start the war prematurely. He had hopes that once Brianna was recognized the army would forebear any malice.
They rode close enough to see the faces of the middle of the Sabatol army and then stopped. The Sabatol army was ghostly quiet, intent on hearing what the two strangers had to say. Most believed they had come to offer surrender, seeing the size of Glenfair’s army compared to theirs.
Edward raised his hand and began to speak, “I implore you of the Sabatol kingdom who have come into our land that you return from where you have come and not to shed blood upon our soil. We have lived in peace for many centuries, and we desire
not your deaths, nor do we covet your kingdom. We desire only to be left in peace. Why should your wives, sons, and daughters be bereaved of you this day in the cause of war. Return before it is too late to turn back. For if you war against us, surely your blood will be spilt upon this ground.”
When Edward had finished this statement, there was quiet laughter from the Sabatols. Razcon laughed with disdain at Edward’s statement. General Drinidel did not laugh. What he saw was totally different than Razcon. And what he realized struck a little fear into his heart. The king of Glenfair was not frightened, he was very serious about the Sabatols returning the way they had come. And the words he heard were that, not of pride or malice, but of confidence and a surety that the Sabatols would pay dearly if they started this war. He glanced over at Genera Lentz and saw the same concern mirrored in his eyes as well. His thoughts were interrupted by the woman starting to speak.
Brianna stood in the saddle, handed Edward her shield and removed her helmet. She then took the shield back and held it high for the Sabatols to see. Then she began:
“I am Brianna Karahtz, daughter of the late king Ivan Karahtz. The news of my death is greatly exaggerated. You see the shield I bear, it is that of the royal house. And you hear my speech and accent is that of the Sabatols. I am the rightful heir to the Sabatol throne, not Razcon.”
Razcon looked at Sucinord, who stood unmoved. “I thought you said you killed all of the women!”
Sucinord merely replied, “I gave you the ring and entrance into Glenfair. That is everything you wanted. What does it matter if she is alive now, soon she will be dead with the rest of Glenfair.”
Razcon scowled, he would deal with this lying, deceiving magician after this was over. His attention was drawn once again to Brianna, for she continued to address his army.
The King's Descendants Page 17