by John Migacz
CHAPTER 56
The sun-filled day grew warmer as Balthus, Adrianna and their charges rode down the cobblestone road toward Brightmoor Castle. It was late morning and traffic was sparse. The sprawling citadel sat atop a hill, its blue and white pennants rippling slowly over towers of gleaming white stones. With the castle in sight and their journey coming to an end, they slowed their pace.
“We have been very lucky this trip,” said Balthus. “We’ve had only a few mild showers these last two weeks. I’m glad we didn’t have to make the trip during the fall rains. Traveling in bad weather is hell.”
Rory gave him a knowing nod.
Janelle spurred her luse ahead of everyone, then reined up and faced the group. “Balthus and Adrianna,” began Janelle, “I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help, guidance and friendship. It has been a memorable experience riding with the two of you.”
“Same goes for me, guys. Thanks,” said Bo.
“Yeah,” said Rory.
“It has been our pleasure,” said Balthus with a bow. He felt almost embarrassed by the sentiment. “But our time together is not yet over. I doubt if Dieya is in the castle. He never seems to stay in one place for very long. There’s no telling how long we might have to wait for him.”
“He gave us the means to signal him when we arrive,” said Janelle.
“Will he be able to see it if he is not close?”
“He will know even if he is a world away,” she answered.
Balthus shook his head. He felt like he had been doing a lot of that lately. “Let’s not dwell on things yet to come, and enjoy what is now.”
“A fine thought for any time,” said Adrianna, putting spurs to her luse.
They followed her to the main gates.
Duke Astard stared at the Shallcross board and puzzled over his councilor’s last move. Was this an all-out attack or a feint? He thought the councilor had the pieces and position to win if played boldly, but it wasn’t in the man’s character. He studied his opponent’s face but found no information there. He’d play it as a feint then, with the attack coming from the left.
The Duke became aware that a page had entered the room and stood awaiting his attention. “Yes, what is it?”
“Your Lordship, Sir Balthus of Steradam, his Lady Adrianna and a party of three have arrived and would like to pay their respects to his Lordship.”
“Balthus of Steradam, Balthus of Steradam…” repeated the Duke, searching his memory. “Oh yes, I remember him now. Did they state their purpose?”
“Sir Balthus said they came at a summons from Dieya the Sorcerer.”
The Duke straightened in his chair. “Well! This should enliven a day that is teetering on boredom. Show them into the antechamber and bring them wine.” He turned to his councilor. “Save the game if you would, Crestfield. It might be interesting to finish this one.”
The elderly councilor nodded. “What does your Lordship know about Sir Balthus? Is he a friend to your court? I must admit I have never heard of him.”
The Duke laughed. “I doubt you would have, unless it involved some tale of bad manners. Sir Balthus is not a man who takes rank seriously.”
The councilor tilted back his balding head, looked down his narrow nose, and sniffed.
The Duke continued. “Sir Balthus is a man loyal to the King and a well-known warrior. We have met only a few times. He has never offended me nor given me the slightest reason to dislike him, yet I do.”
“Shall I place a guard on him, your Lordship?”
“No, he is not a dishonorable man, just one to be wary of. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Let us dine with Sir Balthus and his friends and see what comes of it.”
“The main dining hall, Sire?”
The Duke thought for a moment. “Nooo, let’s play on his dislike of rank and show. Serve dinner in the private dining room.” The councilor bowed then signaled to the servants.
Balthus, Adrianna and the trio sat in a small room, awaiting the Duke’s pleasure.
“Here we are, safe and sound at Brightmoor Castle. I suggest you signal Dieya while we have some privacy,” said Balthus. “Is it some ritual or are any special items needed?”
Janelle reached into her pouch and pulled out Dieya’s small jewel. “No, all it takes is this.” She squeezed the jewel once and felt a slight click. She placed it back in her pouch and stood, stretching her back.
“That is it? No fanfare or bright lights?” Balthus looked disappointed.
“Sorry, Balthus. But I could sing and dance if you’d like.”
The clever reply died on his lips as a page appeared at the doorway.
“The Duke has requested you dine with him. If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms where you can freshen up. Dinner will be served in two hours.”
They followed the page to the upper chambers, where steaming baths awaited them.
Janelle, Rory and Bo were each given a separate room, bath and servant. Balthus and Adrianna were afforded a suite and two servants. Fresh blue tunics, with the Duke’s seal on the right shoulder, lay on their beds.
Balthus dismissed the servants and closed the door. “I can’t say I fault the man’s hospitality.”
“Remember that when he starts to grate on your nerves,” suggested Adrianna.
“Me? I am the soul of propriety.” He gestured at the tunic. “But I’ll not don his baldric like one of his lackeys.”
“No one’s asking you to. I have your dark green tunic with us. You can wear that.” She squeezed his shoulder. “And calm down, you’re fidgeting.”
Balthus sat on the bed and sighed. “You’re right, Dear. I don’t know why this man makes me so jumpy.”
“You haven’t even seen him yet. Relax and take a bath.”
Balthus undressed and tried to analyze his feelings. He had a knack of knowing when danger threatened but this was not one of those times. He put it down to an unknown factor and forced it out of his mind.
The hot bath, short nap and a few glasses of wine restored Balthus’ good mood and bolstered his willingness to allow the Duke some leniency. At a knock, Balthus walked to the door and waited with his hand on the knob. He glanced at Adrianna. She finished tying the last strap of her gold embroidered green tunic and stood with arms wide, ready for inspection. Balthus smiled, nodded, then opened the door. Rory, Janelle and Bo entered and Balthus closed the door behind them.
“Pretty nice rooms and service for passing travelers,” said Bo. “I had to toss a serving girl out of my room. She wanted to wash me,” he said with a grin. “I hope I offered no insult.”
Rory smiled. “I doubt it. She came to my room next, offering to help my serving girl with the task of bathing me. Not wanting to offer insult, of course I agreed.”
Bo shook his head. “You sly old dog, you.” He looked back to Balthus. “I dressed in my best clothes and left armor, helm and sword in my room. I don’t know the proper protocol for dining with a Duke. Let us know if we should be wearing those blue over-shirt things we found in our rooms and if we should wear our weapons.
“No, you did just right,” said Balthus. “Only a knight is allowed to wear his sword in the Duke’s court. And I wouldn’t wear his colors unless I was naked in front of the King.”
“And probably not then,” added Adrianna.
“Do you have any tips as to how to address him or how we should play this?” asked Janelle.
Balthus nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. “The Duke should be called ‘your Lordship’ when addressed.” Balthus thought for a moment and stroked his beard. “I think we would be safer just telling him we met Dieya in Freetown and that he asked us to join him here. If he thinks our mission has not yet begun, rather than just finished, it will make him less curious.”
Everyone agreed on the strategy.
“What can you tell u
s of the Duke?” asked Janelle.
Balthus sat on the bed. “Well, his wife died bearing him a son over a decade ago. The Duke never remarried, saying he preferred to remain loyal to her memory.” Balthus snorted. “I wonder what part of her memory the Duke honors, for rumors are that he rarely sleeps alone.”
Balthus stood at a knock on the door. A young page entered and announced that dinner was served. They followed the page past the high arched main audience chamber to a smaller, intimate family dining room, resplendent with exquisite wall coverings. Balthus hid his surprise.
Duke Astard was standing in front of the table, feet apart and hands clasped behind his back. Impeccably dressed, he wore a white silk shirt with the puffy sleeves that were currently the fashion. Covering the shirt was a light-blue silk tunic, edged in gold and embroidered with his family seal – a wreath of gold leaves. He was a striking figure of a man with long salt and pepper hair and a wiry swordsman’s body. Many women might refer to the duke’s dark eyes as bedroom eyes, but Balthus found their half-lidded appearance reminded him of a serpent.
“Sir Balthus, Lady Adrianna. Welcome to Castle Brightmoor.” He bowed low in front of the group. “I hope you have had a pleasant stay so far and that my humble home has satisfied your needs.”
Balthus bowed just as low. “Your hospitality has been second only to the King’s, your Lordship. Please let me introduce our traveling companions,” he said, waving a hand in their direction. “This is Rory, Bo, and Janelle of Freetown.”
The Duke bowed again, as did the trio. The Duke gazed at Janelle and his eyes narrowed. Balthus recognized the motion as that of a viper that has just sensed prey. The Duke approached Janelle and reached for her hand.
“Please, let us be seated and you can tell me of your travels.” He led Janelle around the table and seated her to his right. Balthus and Adrianna sat across from them with Bo joining the Duke on his left and Rory next to Balthus. The Duke signaled and the servants laid out a course of stuffed roast fowl with a fruit sauce.
“I understood you were summoned here by Dieya the Sorcerer,” the Duke said, as he filled everyone’s wineglass from his own hand.
The personal touch was not lost on Balthus. The Duke was a skilled opponent – he would have to be careful. “Yes, he met us in Freetown and asked us to journey here to await his pleasure. I imagine he has some task or other for us.”
“Dieya the Sorcerer,” said the Duke, and gazed into the distance for a moment. “It is hard to believe he will be coming here. I had forgotten his existence until I received a message that told of his visit to the King a week past.” He leaned toward Janelle and smiled. “Do you have some special talent that he can utilize?”
“No, your Lordship. We’ve only met him once.” She broke away from his hypnotic gaze and studied her plate.
“A beautiful lady such as yourself has many talents, I’m sure.”
Balthus let out a deep sigh which halted in mid-stream when Adrianna’s boot crushed his instep.
“The Sorcerer has always been somewhat of a mystery to me,” the Duke continued. “There is a room off the main audience chamber called ‘The Sorcerer’s Chamber’ which has been so named for generations. As a young boy it was the focus of many of my fantasies. Imagine, a locked room with no doorknob or handle. A door that can only be opened from the inside. Ah, I must admit I tried to open that door many times. The wonders that must be behind it filled my imagination.” He stabbed a piece of fowl with his knife. “Think of my surprise one day when the door opened and the Sorcerer himself stepped out. Think of my disappointment as I peered in and saw a very tiny and completely empty room. It served to break some of my illusions and I began to focus on my studies, as a young boy should.”
“Speaking of boys – how is your son, your Lordship? I had hoped to meet him,” said Balthus.
“Ah, Roderick has left for the Palace where he will take on the responsibilities of the King’s Squire.”
Balthus raised his glass. “Congratulations! What a great honor.”
“Yes, we were very pleased by the King’s offer. It is good for young men to see as much of the workings of the world as possible before taking on the larger responsibilities of ruling.” He refilled Janelle’s glass and bid her try the silby paté.
“How is the harvest coming?” asked Balthus, trying once again to distract him from Janelle. “Your province is responsible for feeding most of the kingdom. I hope all is well.”
The Duke’s eyes left Janelle. “Yes, it seems this will be another banner year for grain. The King is correct in trying to open trade routes with Javan. If he succeeds, I believe a new era of commerce will enrich the kingdom and make it a power to be reckoned with.”
The dinner continued with small talk about the workings of the kingdom. Janelle seemed fascinated by the Duke’s every word. She asked so many questions about the intricacies of ruling, farming, and commerce that Balthus wondered what she was doing. When he gave Rory a questioning look, he whispered to Balthus that she was an intelligence officer and just doing her job. Rory didn’t mention the paper that she wanted to write when she returned to their world.
When dinner ended, the Duke stood. “Please, my friends, join me in the library for brandy and sweetmeats.” As they rose, he placed his arm through Janelle’s and escorted them down the hall.
Janelle let out a gasp as she entered the room. The Duke’s library was one of the finest in Ravar. At the center of the octagonal room, a spiral staircase led up to a parapet surrounding a second level. A domed ceiling, filled with windows, let in light throughout the day. The south wall was a mass of glass from floor to ceiling and an ornate fireplace was built into the north wall. Books of all sizes, ages and types filled every shelf on both levels. A rolling ladder, several desks and comfy reading chairs were the only furniture.
“This is fantastic!” said Janelle gazing at the books.
“I’m pleased you like it,” said the Duke. He walked to a roll-top desk that held several brandy carafes and glasses.
Their interests drew each one of the group. Rory studied the carvings on the spiral staircase. Bo and Adrianna walked to the window to admire the view. Janelle perused the books and Balthus moved toward the brandy.
As the Duke poured, Balthus looked down at the Shallcross board on the desk. “Ah, Shallcross.”
“Do you play, Sir Balthus?” asked the Duke, as he handed him a snifter.
Balthus studied the board the Duke and his councilor had left unfinished. “Dark wins in fifteen moves, ten if his luck holds.”
The Duke nodded. “So, you’d play it boldly, eh? What about the possibility of Light conceding the field quadrant and withdrawing to the castle?”
“Doesn’t matter. If the knights launch from here,” he gestured to the board, “they will cut off any retreat.”
The Duke surveyed the board and nodded. He then studied Balthus with a gaze that weighed his guest’s ability. “Sir Balthus. Would you fancy a game?”
Balthus smiled.
Bo glanced at Balthus and the Duke, as they set up the Shallcross board. “Well,” he said to Adrianna, “it looks like we will have to entertain ourselves for a while.”
Adrianna watched the two seated men begin their game. “If you want real entertainment, just watch those two try to outdo one another. That will be entertaining enough.”
“This is an exquisite set,” said Balthus, examining the gold and silver pieces representing light and dark.
“Yes it is. It has been in my family for many generations and only the King, I believe, has a finer set. As it should be,” he added.
Shallcross was a game played on a sixteen by thirty-two checkered board. The players represented two kingdoms vying to capture the king. It was the national game played everywhere in the realm. The pieces consisted of a king, chancellor, ministers and several other levels of pieces, each wi
th their own characteristics and movement abilities. Each player took his turn, moving the allotted spaces or trading his move for “rises.” Rises were blocks placed under a piece to symbolize a rise in terrain. The higher the terrain, the more pieces, or a higher level piece, were needed to take the square.
“Do you play with the luck rod?” asked the Duke.
Balthus smiled and nodded. “Always.”
The luck rod was a sealed hollow glass tube, twelve inches long and two inches across, containing a single ten-sided die. An axle on a frame supported the luck rod vertically at the center. Before the start of each person’s turn, the player would rotate the rod. The die would fall, hit the axle and drop to the base. Each player counted his points and when twenty or more were reached, he received an extra turn and restarted his count. This was the “luck” factor.
The Duke took the king of each side and held them behind his back.
“Right or left?”
“Left,” answered Balthus and the Duke handed him the piece in his left hand, which turned out to be the silver, or light. Balthus would move first.
As interest in the game grew, Adrianna pulled the trio aside and explained the general rules.
“Sounds interesting,” said Rory, and Bo agreed. They moved to get a closer view.
Adrianna looked at Janelle who shook her head and rolled her eyes. Adrianna smiled. “This is definitely a man’s game. I know of no woman for whom it holds the slightest bit of appeal.” They looked back to the men seated around the desk, totally absorbed in the game.
“I find it interesting that this type of board game exists on almost all worlds in the Alliance,” said Janelle “and it is universally found boring by most women.” She and Adrianna shared a grin.
“This library, though,” said Janelle as she looked around. “I could spend a year here reading everything.”
“You can read?” asked Adrianna.
Janelle started to speak, then stopped. “I don’t know. Let me try.” She took down a book at random and opened a page, spending a moment looking at the words. She glanced at Adrianna and nodded, her eyes going back to the book. “It’s a little difficult because the visual construct is different than the spoken word,” said Janelle.
Adrianna stared at her. “How is that possible? I mean, now that I think about it, how did you learn our language and written word if you’ve never been here before?”
Janelle pulled Adrianna away from the game to the overstuffed leather chairs by the window and they sat down.
Janelle sat quietly, collecting her thoughts for a moment. “The brain,” she began, “is made up of several sections. Some function to interpret what is going on and to direct movement. Others are made up of tiny pieces that hold information, such as words. When we learn a word it gets stored in one of these pieces.”
She looked at Adrianna for understanding and Adrianna nodded. “We have discovered how to put words into an empty piece through the use of a helmet-like device. The words are stored very quickly and their meaning connected to the language you already know. For instance, I speak in your language, but I still think in my own.”
Adrianna sat back and pondered this new information. “How long did it take to learn our language?”
“Well, we received only a very basic vocabulary. That takes ten minutes.”
Adrianna sat stunned. “You learned to speak and read our language in ten minutes?”
Janelle nodded.
Adrianna stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. Ten minutes. So much to learn and an easy way to do it. She leaned forward and placed a hand on Janelle’s arm. “Can you use this device to teach children to read and write?”
“No, not effectively,” said Janelle. “First, the person must have already developed what meaning to associate with the words. A child doesn’t have that yet.”
“How about learning new things, not just new languages. Can your machine teach someone about, oh, say your dimgates?”
“Somewhat. Machines can aid in learning, but the basic concepts have to be already established in the brain for it to work effectively.”
Adrianna sat back and stared out at the view. “You certainly have an incredible world out there.” She looked back to Janelle. “But tell me, are you happy? Do these things bring happiness to your people? Do they feel contentment?”
Janelle smiled and also sat back. She tented her fingers. “You would think, with all our incredible devices, that people would be happy.” She shrugged. “It does make people more comfortable and they no longer need to worry simply about survival. But after being here for a short while, I feel that all it has done is to free people to wonder why they are not fulfilled.”
They stared out the window, alone with their thoughts.
The Shallcross game was well into its second hour and a clear winner could not be determined. Adrianna watched the Duke and Balthus. There was strain on their faces and a sheen of perspiration on the Duke’s. Balthus looked as though he’d been in combat for hours.
Suddenly, it was over. The Duke placed his king on Balthus’ side of the board, signaling that he conceded. Balthus let out a large sigh and wiped his forehead with his hand. The Duke continued to study the board as Balthus pushed back from the desk.
“You, your Lordship, are the most devious, cunning, insidious, shrewd, underhanded, sly…” he held out his hands, at a loss for any more negative adjectives. The Duke looked up. “…and you are the finest Shallcross player I have ever come across.” With that, Balthus stood and bowed low to the Duke. The Duke sighed, sat back in his chair and shook a finger at Balthus.
“If your luck with the rod hadn’t been so good I would have beaten you!”
“Yes, without doubt. That’s why I always count on my luck,” said Balthus.
The Duke rose to his feet, and looked down at the board once more. “They say a person is better off lucky than skilled and I think you proved that.” He offered his hand across the table to Balthus. Balthus shook hands, hand to wrist, as he would with any other warrior he felt was an equal.
Adrianna was glad to see that they had reached some understanding between them. She thought that Balthus’ aversion to the Duke was because they were so alike – but she would never tell him that.
The two men became aware of their surroundings for the first time in hours.
“My goodness,” said the Duke, “it’s almost dusk!”
“I hope we didn’t keep you from any important business,” said Balthus.
The Duke smiled. “Nothing was more important today than that game.” He came around the desk and placed a hand on Balthus’ shoulder. “But come, we must toast the inventor of Shallcross with some honeyed mead that I have been saving for just such an occasion.” He led Balthus off to the wine cellar and they began to discuss each move in depth. Bo and Rory followed. The women looked at each other.
“Honeyed mead?” asked Adrianna.
“I’m not sure what it is, but I’ll pass. Do you think it will be all right for me to roam the library some more?”
“Yes, I am sure the Duke would like that. He seems to be a bit smitten with you.”
“Humph, smitten is a kind word. That man just wants to bed me and chalk up another mark on his conquest sheet. I’ve met his kind before and I know how to handle them.”
“That’s very perceptive of you. The game between men and women doesn’t change much, I take it.”
“Well, as you may have heard Bo mention earlier, there are many different cultures that have a variety of attitudes toward sex. My home planet’s culture isn’t prudish, but isn’t promiscuous either. We believe that taking it slowly makes for longer, better relationships.”
“Well, you have a good time in the library. I think I will catch a nap before supper,” said Adrianna. She turned and left the room.
Supper conversation consisted mostly of Balthus�
�� and the Duke’s re-telling of the Shallcross game and critical points of games they had played in the past. Night arrived and the servants lit large candelabras and placed them on the table while others removed the remains of the roast boar. The Duke lifted his glass in a toast.
“My friends, thank you for joining me today. It has been a rare treat for me and I hope one for you as well.”
“Thank you for letting me browse through your library, your Lordship. It is absolutely fabulous,” said Janelle.
The Duke regarded her over his wine glass. “I have several volumes, dating back before Justin the First, which tell of the times before his rule.” He leaned toward her. “I wonder if you’d be interested in seeing them,” he said with narrowed eyelids and a voice that almost purred.
“Yes, I would,” said Janelle as she stood.
The Duke glanced around the table. “Anyone else care to see an original volume of the history of Ravar by Edcupian?”
“No thank you, your Lordship,” said Balthus. “Lady Adrianna and I would like to retire if you don’t mind. It has been a long trip.”
“Yes, and that soft bed upstairs is calling to me,” said Bo. “Thank you, your Lordship, for your hospitality.” He stood and bowed.
“Yes, me as well. Thank you, your Lordship,” echoed Rory.
“Well then, I hope you all enjoy a good night. I will see you at breakfast.”
Balthus took Adrianna’s arm and the Duke took Janelle’s. Balthus leaned toward Adrianna as they went up the stairs. “I hope Janelle knows what she is getting into.”
“She’s a big girl and can take care of herself. Besides, remember what happened to Oldwick.”
Balthus grinned.
“These are some of the oldest tomes in the kingdom,” said the Duke, lighting several candles. He had removed the books from a locked drawer and stacked them on a desk. Janelle sat and carefully examined the tomes, looking for any mention of legends or the Dieya. As she rose to change books, the Duke circled her waist from behind and kissed the back of her neck.
She turned and put a hand on his chest. “I think you should remove your hands, your Lordship.”
The Duke only held her tighter. “Janelle, my dearest. You can’t tell me you don’t feel this hot flame between us. I have felt it growing all evening. Please, stay with me tonight. When I look in your eyes they are like twin pools of…” He looked at her eyes and couldn’t decide which one to focus on. The left one seemed to be looking over his shoulder. Odd, he hadn’t noticed that at dinner. What was this? He never noticed she had a wart on her chin, either! Upon closer examination, he saw hair protruding from her ears. The Duke released Janelle and stepped back, gazing at her face. A face that grew more homely as the seconds ticked by. He wondered if he had had too much wine. Could his eye for the female form be failing?
He took another step backwards. “You are right. I acted the cad. Please forgive me,” he said with a bow. “Good night.” He tore his glance away from her seemingly uglier-by-the-moment face and bolted from the room.
A stunned Janelle leaned on the desk. “What was that all about?” she said.
A chuckle sounded from the far corner of the room.
Janelle looked, but saw no one. “Is someone there?”
The chuckle began again at the center of the room and a waver of light suddenly coalesced into Dieya. Laughing as walked toward her, he threw back his hood. “I hope I didn’t interrupt something between you and the Duke. I must say, I couldn’t resist.”
“Dieya!” said Janelle, with a huge grin. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you as well, Commlead. I feel I must apologize for my rude behavior at our first meeting. I sometimes forget social amenities.”
He looked so pained that Janelle could do no less than forgive him. She took his hand in hers. “No need to apologize. I understand, but please, call me Janelle. I’m not ready to go back to being a Commlead just yet.”
Hands still clasped, she led him toward the windows. “What did you do to the Duke? He looked at me as if he’d seen a ghost.”
Dieya smiled and squeezed her hand. “Oh, I just overlaid your face with a hologram and started morphing your features a bit. Again, I hope I wasn’t interfering.”
“No, you did me a favor,” she said, laughing. “The Duke has been very hospitable and I would hate to thank him by knocking him on his ass.”
Dieya turned to look out the window and up at the stars. “I trust you all made it safe and sound?”
“Yes, you could not have found better guides than Balthus and Adrianna.”
“Good.” He led her to a stuffed chair then sat in the opposite one. “Tell me of your journey. Please, leave nothing out.” He settled in and crossed his long legs.
Janelle told her tale, leaving out their revelations about their worlds.
“You know, Dieya, it seems strange to be sitting here in a candle-lit castle library, looking out at the stars and talking like we were old friends. It feels very strange, but very comfortable.” She looked into his eyes.
Dieya stared for a moment, then glanced out at the stars. Inhaling deeply, he let his breath out slowly, then looked back to Janelle and nodded. “Yes, it does. I sometimes get so caught up in what I must accomplish that I forget to enjoy life.”
“You should hang around Balthus and Adrianna more. If you forget to enjoy the moment, those two will remind you – and quickly. You know, Dieya…” she stopped and looked at him. “Do you have a first name? I’d like to drop rank for the rest of the evening and talk person to person, if that’s all right with you.” She studied his face but couldn’t read his expression. “I’m sorry if I’m too forward. I guess it’s from being around Balthus and Adrianna so much.”
“Ah, yes. Balthus and Adrianna. How much did they wheedle, cajole or trick you into revealing?”
Janelle smiled, but felt as if she should defend her friends. “I believe you are doing them a disservice. They have put together a lot of what’s going on here.”
“Jamis.”
“What did you say?” she asked.
“Jamis. My name is Jamis. Jamis Hadrian.”
Janelle pulled her feet cross-legged into her chair and smiled. “Hi Jamis, nice to meet you.”
She thought for a moment, then continued. “They tricked us several times, but it only reinforced the ideas they already had. Adrianna said she felt upon first meeting you that you didn’t belong on this world.”
“That’s the sorcerer image.”
“No, it’s more than that. They are both very perceptive and Balthus’ imagination knows no bounds.”
Dieya laughed.
“From your battle with the Krill and the few bits of information they pulled out of us, they know that it’s not magic that powers your weapons, just ‘better tools’ as Balthus said one time. Balthus can put seemingly unrelated pieces of information together and come up with a correct answer. For example, he told us you were probably a Cantarian.”
Dieya’s head jerked, a stunned expression flooding his face. “What! How is that possible?”
“Is it true?”
“Yes, but…”
“Well, he didn’t actually say you were a Cantarian, but he mentioned your not having a mother and the Arvari calling you ‘Lartese-something-or-other’ – man not born of woman. We figured out the rest on our own.”
Dieya relaxed. “It seems that they aren’t the only ones who are perceptive,” he said with a disarming smile.
Janelle felt his charm wash over her. Charm that couldn’t disguise the fact that he was a very lonely man. She guessed he was right – she was perceptive.
“How goes the war?” she asked.
“I just checked in with HQ less than an hour ago. There is a big battle raging at Concordia III. It seems a large flotilla of Kraken ships attacked that system several da
ys ago. Luckily, the second Grenoble Armada was nearby and we caught them between the planetary guns and the Armada. There are a lot less Kraken than there were last week.”
Janelle nodded. “Good. How about here on Ravar?”
Dieya grunted. “That is another story. It bothers me greatly that they arrived here without our detection. If they have developed a way to blind our sensors we are in big trouble. They are making another concentrated effort in the east as well.” He filled her in on everything that had happened since he last saw her.
Janelle realized he needed to talk to someone and she became his sounding board, asking pointed questions, bringing up possibilities he hadn’t thought of and, basically, just listening.
The night grew late and the conversation changed from the war to each other. In the darkened room as the candles guttered and starlight filtered in, it was easy to share hopes and dreams, ideas and aspirations with one another. Janelle became aware that this experience had changed her somehow. Dieya wasn’t the only one who lived a lonely life, she realized. Being removed from her technological world had served to refocus her attention on simpler things, the most important of which was being alive and enjoying each moment. She could recount each day she had been on Ravar and what she had taken from that day. In her other life, weeks and months would pass without having a day she could take to heart. A day to keep.
She discussed this with Dieya – now just a man named Jamis. She helped him realize that his thoughts kept him from enjoying the moment, from having a day to keep.
“You’ve given me a lot to think about.” He smiled. “But I do have one day I can keep,” he said, looking deeply in her eyes. “This one.”
“It’s one I’ll keep as well.” Janelle smiled, noticing that she could see his face more clearly than before. She glanced out the window to see a lightening of the sky and the fading of the stars. “Oh my! We seem to have talked the night away.”
Dieya stood and walked to the window. Janelle joined him. They watched in silence as the cold blue sky changed color to lighter blue with hints of pink.
“Thank you for listening, Janelle. It meant a lot to me.” He turned to face her.
“You’re welcome,” she said. She put her arms around him and hugged him hard. He returned her hug, then placed his cheek on top of her head and sighed. They held each other for quite a while until Dieya straightened and turned back to the sunrise. He kept his arm around her.
“You know, I hate to sound like Balthus,” he said, “but I’d sure like to find something to eat.”
“Suddenly, I’m ravenous, too,” she said. Her eyes brightened. “Let’s raid the pantry.”
They turned and walked arm in arm out of the library in search of the kitchens.
Balthus awoke and realized he had slept late. Dawn was well past. Sitting up, he found Adrianna already up and almost finished dressing.
“Ohhh, I missed the best part.”
“Too bad. That’s what you get for sleeping late.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Get dressed. A servant mentioned that the Sorcerer has been seen in the castle.”
Balthus got out of bed and began dressing. “It seems like he got the message. I’d like to know how that works.”
“So would I. It’s a good thing I can’t put it all down to magic and let it go at that. It forces my brain to explore new possibilities.”
Balthus agreed. He dressed and as he pulled on his boots he stopped, staring past Adrianna.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Well, do you realize this adventure could all be over today? I must admit my mind has enjoyed the stimulation of all these new ideas. It’d be a shame to lose that.”
“The trio said that might happen. Don’t worry; I’m sure something will come along to interest us. Dieya might have something in mind for us to do.”
Balthus nodded and buckled on his sword as they left the room.
The trio was standing next to Dieya as Balthus and Adrianna entered the main hall. Servants walked warily around the group as they went about their morning chores. Dieya the Sorcerer had not been seen in Brightmoor Castle for many years, but his reputation lived on.
“Balthus! Adrianna! Thank you for all your efforts,” said Dieya from across the room. He separated himself from the trio and walked toward them, hand outstretched. Balthus shook his hand, as did Adrianna. Dieya placed an arm around each of their shoulders and escorted them back toward the trio.
“I hope it wasn’t too arduous on you two,” Dieya said, with lowered voice.
“Not at all Dieya, it was a pleasure,” said Adrianna.
“Besides,” said Balthus, “we learned all about what you are really doing here.”
Dieya smiled. “Yes, and I know what you are doing now – fishing.”
Balthus leaned forward and spoke to Adrianna. “It’s only been a few weeks since we’ve seen him. You’d have thought I would have remembered how obnoxious he can be.”
“I’ve talked to one of the servants,” said Dieya, ignoring the exchange. “The Duke should be down presently and we’ll begin breakfast.”
“What’s next, Dieya? What happens to our charges now?” asked Balthus.
“I have one further task for you to do today and then I will take them off your hands.”
The hall doors opened and the Duke entered, followed by his councilor, the captain of his guards, the court physician and their wives.
“It looks as if you will be busy for a while Dieya. We’ll talk later,” said Balthus. He and Adrianna walked away, leaving Dieya alone in the center of the hall.
“Duke Astard, thank you for your hospitality for myself and my friends,” said Dieya, bowing low.
“Our pleasure, Sir Sorcerer,” said the Duke. He studied Dieya’s face. “It is you!”
“I see you’ve grown up, your Lordship. Have you lost interest yet in the room you so graciously keep for me?”
The Duke laughed. “Yes – once I found it was empty of magical paraphernalia! Come, let me introduce my court.” The Duke made the introductions and his court surrounded Dieya as if he was a celebrity – but one to be wary of.
“You, Sir, must tell me how you do not age. You don’t look a day older than I last saw you,” said the Duke.
Dieya smiled. “I have aged, your Lordship. This appearance is an illusion. My real appearance is like this – ” He touched his forearm and he changed from a man in full flower to a shriveled, aged old man with a few wisps of white hair on an otherwise bald pate. The Duke and his court gasped in astonishment and all took a step backward. Dieya again touched his forearm and the image of the ancient man dissolved to his previous appearance.
“My goodness,” said the Duke. “It makes you wonder which is real.”
“Perhaps neither of them are,” ventured Balthus from across the room.
The Duke shot him a stunned look as that realization struck. He quickly composed himself. “Well, no matter what you look like, I’m sure you need to eat. Please, let us all retire to the main dining hall where breakfast will be served.”
As they gravitated toward the door, the Duke stared closely at Janelle. Dieya caught the motion and, smiled.
“When did you arrive, Sir Sorcerer?” asked the Duke.
“It wasn’t until late last night.”
“You should have aroused someone to announce your arrival. My servants could have shown you to the guest bedroom.”
“Well, I did take a turn in your library. That was enough, thank you.”
The Duke broke his gaze from Janelle and stared at the sorcerer. “You were in the library last night?” Dieya nodded. The Duke looked once more at Janelle, then back to Dieya and smiled knowingly.
“Ah, that clears up some things. Thank you for telling me.” He was about to slap the sorcerer on the back but hesitated in mid-stroke and lowered his arm.
Breakfast wa
s a noisy affair with five different conversations going ten different ways and Balthus trying to dominate all of them. The Duke had seated Dieya to his right as the guest of honor.
The councilor’s wife touched Dieya on the arm. “Tell me, Sir Sorcerer, can you place a spell on me that will make me beautiful?”
“Not one that would make you any more beautiful than you already are, I’m afraid.” The plump matron tittered behind her hand and blushed.
The Duke leaned toward Dieya. “So, if I might ask, Sir Sorcerer, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
“I need to ask a favor of Sir Balthus and Lady Adrianna and their friends.”
The Duke nodded. “I guess even you need minions. If I can be of any service, please let me know.”
“Thank you, your Lordship. We will be taking our leave of your hospitality before noon.”
“Pity you can’t stay longer, but I’m sure a sorcerer’s work is never done, as is a Duke’s.”
“If you wouldn’t mind, your Lordship, I’d like to take some time alone with my friends after breakfast.”
“No, not at all. Please use my council chambers. I’ll see to it that you’ll not be disturbed.”
“If it’s quite all right, your Lordship, I’d like to use the library. Sunlight helps restore my powers.” The Duke hesitated a moment, then nodded. “Of course. Anything you need.”
Dieya knew about the spy hole in the Duke’s council chambers. He had used it once himself.
With breakfast over and farewells said to the Duke’s court, Dieya, Balthus, Adrianna, Rory, Bo and Janelle found themselves alone in the library.
“So Dieya, what’s next?” asked Balthus.
“I’d like you to look at this.” Dieya reached into a pocket of his cape and pulled forth a piece of parchment. He carefully folded it near the top and held it out for Balthus’ inspection. The trio scrambled to read over his shoulder. “Balthus, read it aloud,” said Dieya.
“By the proclamation of King Justin the Fourth... You’ve folded it so I can’t read what’s there.”
“Leave it for now. Keep reading,” said Dieya.
“By the proclamation of King Justin the Fourth, something, and Dieya the Sorcerer call to arms all loyal warriors of the Kingdom to gather at Crossville for a three month punitive action in the east. The pay will be one gold sovereign a month for your service. Bonuses will be awarded for courage and valor.”
“Well, Dieya, that should set every sword in the Kingdom swinging. A gold a month is high pay. Who’s the fool who will be leading these cutthroats with you?”
Dieya snapped open the fold so the whole parchment was visible. Balthus read it again.
“By proclamation of the King, Sir Balthus of Steradam and Dieya the Sorcerer…” Balthus’ mouth dropped open. “Dieya, have you gone mad? I can’t command as large a mercenary force as that pay will likely bring in!”
“Why not? Can you think of anyone better?”
“What about Valerian, the King’s Champion? How about him?”
“He will be there, leading the King’s Arm. But the King won’t let him lead a mercenary force.”
“The King’s Arm and a mercenary force?” Balthus gaped. “You must be expecting big trouble.”
Dieya looked at the floor and nodded. “I am,” he said quietly. He placed his hand on Balthus’ arm. “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t important. I need someone I can trust. Someone who understands what the stakes really are.”
Balthus collapsed in a chair. He looked poleaxed. Adrianna placed a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at her and she nodded. Balthus spread his hands and looked up at Dieya. “If you think it wise, I will do it.” He looked like a man who has just had a death sentence pronounced on him.
“Balthus, come on!” said Rory. “No one could shake a group of mercenaries into a prime fighting force better than you.”
“Yeah Balthus, you can do it,” said Bo.
Balthus stood up. “You’re right. You two can come along with us to crack a few heads!”
“Sorry, Balthus,” said Dieya. “At noon we will ride about twelve miles from here and Rory, Janelle and Bo will leave us. If you would, please accompany us and return with the luses. We will walk the final distance.”
“As you say, Dieya. We have time for one more toast with some of the Duke’s fine wine.” Balthus passed out glasses and filled each from the Duke’s wine cart. He filled his own last. “Eternal vigilance and absent friends.”
The group raised their glasses and drank.
“Please Balthus, don’t smash the glass,” said Adrianna. “You and the Duke are not bosom buddies yet.”
Balthus smiled and nodded. “Well met, friends. Let’s mount and ride before we get too drunk to do so.” He moved abruptly out the door and headed for the stables. Adrianna watched him go and smiled. She knew a brisk farewell was his way of dealing with any emotional parting. She followed.
Dieya led them due west to an outcropping of rocks near a barren valley. Everyone dismounted and said farewells with much hugging and handshaking.
“Balthus,” said Dieya. “I’ll meet you and Adrianna back at Brightmoor Castle.”
Balthus and Adrianna mounted and trotted away. Over his shoulder Balthus yelled, “Take the fight to them, friends. Send them to hell!” He spurred his luse to a gallop and Adrianna joined him.
Rory watched them ride off, then turned to Dieya. “Well, what now, Sir?”
“My base is in a cave near those cliffs. You should be home for lunch.”
“I heard that!” said Bo and walked quickly into the valley.
Dieya stared at his back.
“He’s a newlywed, Sir,” explained Rory.
“Ah, I understand. Then let’s not keep his bride waiting any longer, shall we?”
They followed the Lancelead into the valley with Dieya soon taking the lead. A brisk ten-minute walk led them to the side of a rocky cliff.
Rory looked up. “I hope we don’t have to climb far. That rock face looks very inhospitable.”
“No, it’s not far, Strikedag. We only need to get to that small ledge. A hologram masks the cave opening. Come, follow me.”
Dieya used his long strides to climb up the shale leading to the opening, with Janelle behind him followed by Rory, then Bo. As Dieya neared the cave entrance, Janelle slipped on the shale and slid backwards, causing Bo and Rory to slip down as well. Dieya’s enhanced speed flared instinctively and he dove to grab her hand.
It saved his life.
A half-mile away, Balthus and Adrianna were riding side by side when the explosion ripped through the air. The extra luses panicked and tried to bolt but Balthus kept a firm grip on their reins and calmed them down.
“What in the Seventh Level of Nimbus was that?” he asked.
“Do you think that was supposed to happen?”
“I don’t think so,” said Balthus. They looked back to the valley where a small cloud of dust rose into the air.
“Let’s go back and find out.”
They galloped to where the smoke and dust was still settling. Bo was staggering on his feet, everyone else was lying on the ground. Balthus leaped off his luse a second before Adrianna. “What happened?” he asked.
Bo looked up, his face blackened by dirt. “I don’t know! There was an explosion.” He leaned over Dieya.
“Help me up,” said Dieya. “I have a medkit.”
Adrianna aided Rory and Balthus rushed to Janelle and knelt by her side. She was unconscious and bleeding from several wounds. Her left arm was at an odd angle and Balthus was sure it was broken.
Bo helped Dieya to his feet. He had a bad cut on his forehead and blood leaked into his right eye. “Don’t touch her!” demanded Dieya as he staggered to Janelle. “The way she fell, she might have a broken neck.” He knelt next to her and removed from his pouch a small, recta
ngular silver box that contained rows of buttons and a small glass window. Placing it on the front of her throat, he touched one of the buttons. Balthus saw strange writing appear on the window of the silver box. The box beeped. Dieya wiped the blood from his eye and glanced at the writing.
“How is she?” asked Bo.
“Her neck is all right, but she has a bad concussion, along with a broken arm and some cuts.” He examined her bent arm and pulled it straight. She moaned slightly. He touched the face of the silver box, held it in the palm of his hand and passed it over the injured arm. His palm began to glow green and a blue light pulsed out from the bottom of the silver box onto Janelle’s arm. He played the blue light over the break for a few moments until the boxed beeped.
Bo knelt next to Dieya. “Can I do anything?”
“Yes. Run the auto-medkit over my forehead. I need to stop this bleeding.”
Bo took the silver box from Dieya. “Yes. You’ll need to see clearly when you work on her concussion.” He punched a few buttons on the box and passed it over Dieya’s cut, then read the writing on the small window. “It’s just a deep cut, no other damage.” He handed back the box. “Turn on your laser regenerator and I’ll guide your hand.” Bo held Dieya’s wrist and guided the glowing hand over the cut area.
Balthus stared as the bleeding stopped and the flesh knit back together. He stopped himself from blurting out an oath by biting his tongue.
Dieya dropped his hand. “Good enough. Let’s see what we can do for her concussion.” He knelt over Janelle, touched a few buttons on the silver box and held it over her head. The box beeped and he read the writing on the window. He touched a few more buttons and placed the box above her left temple. His palm glowed green again and alternating lights of blue and yellow emitted from the box. This process took longer than healing her arm. Balthus thought that perhaps the box couldn’t heal her when it finally beeped.
Dieya read the writing on the silver box. “She’ll recover. It will take time but she’ll be all right.” A collective sigh issued from everyone. Balthus reached out and held Janelle’s hand.
“How are your injuries, Strikedag?” asked Dieya. Rory was standing with Adrianna’s help.
“Not too bad, Sir. I’m damn glad you carry a medkit with you.”
Dieya placed the silver box against Rory’s neck and touched a button. “It’s S.O.P., Strikedag. I’d just hoped I’d never need it.” The box beeped and Dieya read the writing in the window. “Just some cuts and a bump on the head. You’ll be fine.” He passed the silver box over Rory’s wounds.
“Lancelead, how about you? Any injuries?”
“No, Sir. I took the least of it.”
Balthus hadn’t left Janelle’s side and was still holding her hand. He looked up to Dieya. “Will she really be all right? I’ve seen people with head injuries before. They heal up, but they are never quite right again.” He curled his big hand around her small one. “I’ve come to like and respect this lady quite a bit. Tell me true.”
Dieya smiled. “True telling, Balthus. She will fully recover. She just won’t be going anywhere for a while.” He looked up at the spot that used to be his base. “I guess none of us will be going anywhere for a while.”
“Dieya, what happened?” asked Bo. “One minute we were almost home, then blam! Was there an equipment malfunction?”
“No,” said Rory. He stood shakily, then steadied himself on Adrianna’s shoulder. “Take a deep breath, Bo. You can still smell the trolotrimeth in the air.”
“A booby-trap, Lancelead,” said Dieya. “I set it off when I started to enter the cave. If Janelle hadn’t slipped I’d be a smear on the canyon wall.” Dieya looked at the collapsed cave entrance and clenched his fist. “This is my fault. They have been one step ahead of me the whole time. They knew you three had dimgated here. It was their way of getting rid of all of us at once.”
“Do we still have dimgate capabilities?” asked Rory.
Dieya pulled a jewel off his wrist amulet, placed it on his temple and blinked rapidly several times. “No. My personal dim is still operational, but the base’s off-world dimgate and communications are down.”
“Dieya, we should get Janelle indoors and out of the elements,” said Balthus, still holding her hand.
Dieya nodded. “We’ll make a sling from our cloaks. There is no wood around here to make a travois, so we’ll suspend her between two luses. Strikedag, Lancelead, are you able to ride?”
“Yes, Sir,” they echoed.
Balthus untied his cloak and began fashioning a sling with some rope.
“I bet you have a lot of questions,” said Dieya, tying rope to the other corner.
Balthus glanced at him a moment then returned to his work. “No, and I won’t until we get Janelle to a place where she can convalesce.” He stopped tying a knot and stared at Dieya. “But after she’s taken care of, you and I are going to have a long conversation. Possibly out behind the woodshed, if you get my drift.” Balthus tightened a knot with a hard yank. “I don’t like not knowing what’s going on when my friends’ lives are at stake.”
Dieya looked at Balthus, then nodded. “Let’s get her back to the Duke’s first. Then we will talk.”
They traveled with Janelle in the sling until they reached the road and were able to commandeer a wagon. It had been a short ride out but it was near dusk before they returned to the castle courtyard.
They carried Janelle to her bedroom and Dieya once again took out his silver box, touched a few buttons and placed it on her throat. Everyone gathered quietly around her bedside. When the box beeped, he quickly read the display.
“It looks good. She incurred no more damage from traveling. She should regain consciousness soon.”
Everyone relaxed. Balthus gave Adrianna a hug and Rory patted Dieya on the back.
The door flew open and the Duke strode in.
“What’s this I hear about you having injur– ” His voice fell when he saw the dried blood on Dieya’s face. Glancing at down at Janelle’s pale, bruised face, his own grew pale. “In the Maker’s name, what happened? I’ll call for the physician.”
“No,” said Dieya. He grabbed the Duke’s elbow and led him from the room, motioning for everyone else to leave as well. “I have done all that is possible for her at the moment. I would request that a servant sit with her and let us know when she awakens.”
The Duke motioned to a nearby servant. “Let’s retire to the library; I believe we all could use a brandy. There you can explain all that occurred.”
They followed the duke to the library where servants filled glasses and left.
“Now, Sir Sorcerer, can you tell me what happened?”
“We were attacked.”
“Attacked! On my land! I will call out the guard and scour the countryside for the brigands!”
Dieya held up his hand. “That will not be necessary, your Lordship. This was a magical attack. A spell sent from afar.”
The Duke stared into space for a moment, then nodded his understanding. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No thank you, your Lordship. I will ask if Lady Janelle might abide here until she recovers.”
“Certainly. She will be an honored guest in my house.”
Dieya bowed low. “Your hospitality will be remembered.”
“Posh! I could do no less. Is there anything else I can do? Any minor hurts my physician can see to?”
“No, thank you. I would like to ask your indulgence and let my friends and I confer in private. Due to this attack we have much to discuss.”
“Of course.” With that, he turned and left, closing the library doors behind him.
“Can’t say he doesn’t know when to leave,” said Rory.
“The idea of magical attacks from afar has made him wary of our company,” said Dieya.
Balthus sat in one of
the overstuffed chairs and Adrianna sat on its arm. She placed her arm around his shoulders.
“He took one look at our faces and knew we are in no mood to play games,” said Adrianna. She turned to the Sorcerer. “All right, Dieya. I believe you have something to discuss with us.”
“We have put a lot of this together on our own,” said Balthus. “If we are to have a council of war and I am to head such a host, I think it only fair that you be fully forthcoming with the dangers and possible obstacles.”
Dieya nodded. “You’re right. I will discuss this with you as if you were one of us. I know you will have many questions. Please hold them to the end.” He waited until they both nodded.
“I believe this planet is undergoing some sort of experiment by the Kraken – our enemy. It seems that they wish to generate unrest, hardship and despair in the populace. They are gathering these negative energies in the vortexes I’ve told you about. The Krill’s job was to send this energy somewhere,” he glanced to Bo and Rory, “probably to the Cross you came from. Perhaps that is the purpose of a Cross, to store this energy and convert it for use. I have seen the vidpics of the mechanism in the Cross’s center. My guess is that the negative energy powers it. How, and what it does we don’t know and probably never will.”
Balthus looked at Adrianna and shrugged.
Dieya leaned toward them. “What I do know is that the Sevoal, a nomadic tribe to the east, has risen in a holy war, a crusade that will burst from the east and sweep over the King’s realm. We have to stop them. There’s no one else who can.”
Balthus began to speak then held his tongue.
“A Kraken agent has to be on Ravar. He placed the Krill into Baron Yorburg and I’m sure he is the one who booby-trapped my base and stirred up the Sevoal.” He looked down at the floor. “It is my fault for not reacting more quickly. I thought the agent’s only thrust was at Duke Lothogorn’s castle and I was trying to quietly discover his whereabouts. It turns out they have plans within plans. As you know, if they fail here, we might be in for a major battle droid invasion or they might continue to try to undermine the planet in some other way. That is something we cannot foresee. Right now, we must stop the Sevoal from overrunning the country.” He gestured to Balthus and Adrianna. “Go ahead, ask away.”
Balthus finished his brandy, rose, and began to pace. “You have said much that I don’t understand. But I don’t need to know the nuances of all you have said right now. I do know that the Kraken, whoever they are, want to ruin my world and we won’t let this happen.” He stopped pacing and looked at Dieya. “But Dieya – the Sevoal? We could defeat them easily.”
“Not any longer. The Kraken agent has shown them how to make steel arrowheads and axes.”
“Damn. We could be facing the finest light cavalry in the world. Their archers are second to none. With their double-curved bows, no armor could withstand an attack.” Balthus looked up. “How are their numbers? If they are few and lacking experience we could still steal a march on them.”
“There are probably over ten thousand, by my estimates, and gathering more. They have already taken Eastedge Keep using siege engines.”
Balthus jerked and his mouth dropped.
“Baron Genardt was dubious as well until he inspected the Keep. He is anxious to meet the Sevoal.”
“Will the King send the Arm?”
“A thousand of the King’s Arm will join us as an independent command.”
“Only a thousand? Perhaps the King might be persuaded to send more.”
Dieya smiled. “You are following in my footsteps, Balthus. The problem is the King’s Arm numbers no more than two thousand knights in total.”
Dismay shot across Balthus’ face. “He is insane to disband the Arm!”
“He had to. The kingdom has very large financial woes.”
Balthus stroked his beard. “It seems that the Kraken have picked an ideal time for an attack.”
“More likely they have been maneuvering circumstances to their advantage.”
“How long until they attack, do you figure?” asked Balthus.
Dieya shrugged. “From what I’ve learned, possibly six weeks.”
“Six weeks! That’s hardly enough time to gather the men, let alone to train them.” Balthus threw open his hands. “Can we expect any help from your people?”
“With communications at my base destroyed, they will not even know. Eventually, they will check when I fail to report in, but it will be long after we have dealt with the Sevoal,” said Dieya.
“What if the Kraken attack with battle droids?” asked Bo.
“Then it’s a moot point,” said Dieya. “We head for cover and try to survive until help arrives.”
Balthus placed his hand on the burning that had begun in his stomach, then resumed pacing. “What of that ‘explosion’ as Bo called it, in the valley?” He stopped and turned to Dieya. “Will they use that weapon again, and what was it?”
“I doubt they will use it again. They, like us, don’t seem to want to show any advanced technology. It was a mixture of chemicals which explode with great destructive power. Somehow they knew where my base was and trapped the entrance, waiting for someone to enter the cave.”
“A device that kills indiscriminately?” asked Balthus with alarm.
Dieya nodded.
“That is unconscionable!” He punctuated that remark by slamming his fist into his hand. “So, we are to wait at Crossville while the men gather?” said Balthus.
“Yes,” said Dieya. “I’ll have the proclamation asking for men to join us hanging in every town and hamlet by tomorrow.”
Balthus nodded. “Then Adrianna and I will journey to Crossville and await you. What of Bo and Rory?”
Bo shrugged. “If it’s all the same to you, Sir, I’d like to go with Balthus,” he said. “We’re marines, Sir. We could be of some help. Here or back home, it’s still the same fight.”
Rory grunted in agreement.
Dieya nodded, but continued looking moody and upset. “This is my fault. I should have been more proactive. They obviously knew where my base was and rather than just kill me, they set the trap to kill all of us at once. I should have known they wouldn’t let you three just walk away from your actions in the Cross.”
Balthus patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. We’ll break their bones yet. You’ll see. They’ve already made a major mistake.” He grabbed Adrianna’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“What mistake is that?” asked Rory.
“They got me mad at them.” Holding Adrianna’s hand, he left the library to find out about dinner.