Knight Progenitor

by Sharon L Reddy

  Chapter Thirteen

  "It's the Doctor's horse!" Mirune ran toward Leoht, but it was Merdin who leapt upon his back and raced out of the center of Talf's encampment. Mirune grabbed the closest saddled derkine and rode after her.

  In all, ten riders found themselves suddenly mountless as their commanders raced east. Peris had been mounted and was close behind Mirune. Gerond had a bit more trouble relieving a rider of his mount, but wasn't far behind the rest. Behind him were the baron's guards, and the sultan's, and Bethda's, and... But they were eight days away from the Doctor. Except, Merdin. She was on Leoht and only three.

  Merdin was an acrobat from a family of players. She had the strength and balance to ride the Doctor's beautiful animal. She rode him bareback. She held to his neck with her arms and gripped his side with her legs. Twelve hours into the journey she found the Turime.

  They lay unconscious by the side of the road, their horses standing guard over them. She checked them for injuries, but found none. She made them as comfortable as possible and rested briefly. She drank from a nearby stream and bathed the blisters on her legs in the cool water, then remounted. Leoht was impatient.

  Varna wasn't taking chances with him this time. She'd chained him in the center of the hall. She was unhappy at being told she had to keep him alive, but had found ways to entertain herself.

  "Raise him to his feet. He's rested enough. Give him a drink. Not ale, you idiot. I don't want him anesthetized."

  "Varna, how did you get to this time?"

  "The same way you did, Doctor. In a time machine." She walked around him again. Someone had decorated him very nicely, but the scars were fading. She was freshening them just a few at a time. Chuck wouldn't be happy if he bled to death. He had plans for him.

  "And just whose time machine was it?"

  "Chuck's. The original owners didn't need it." She found a lovely floret and turned it red. "It belonged to some Daleks. Chuck didn't know what they were, but I recognized the description."

  "Where did he find you?"

  "He landed in my prison cell. He wasn't very good at piloting it yet. I like this one. Like the crest of a bird."

  He held on to consciousness. He knew each time he passed out, the rings drew on his companions. He wished she'd found the scars a bit sooner. He wasn't enjoying what she was doing, but it was better than the brutal beating that had begun the encounter. "I don't even know this Chuck. Why does he want me?"

  "Oh, it's not Chuck who wants you, Doctor. It's his helper. It remembers you. It wants you back."

  "Wants me back?"

  "Hold him still. This is delicate work. Chuck says, even after nine thousand years, it remembers how you taste."

  Suddenly the Doctor knew what he'd followed to Laeth. The hagish Calla had driven from him was still alive. And it had a nine thousand-year-old sweet tooth.

  The army marched. Their leaders had ridden ahead. They packed up, formed up, and marched behind. No one gave orders. It wasn't necessary. Each one did what needed to be done. There was no confusion. It wasn't a human army. It was laethan and it was the last army that would march across the world.

  It would be winter before they reached the eastern plains, but they were prepared. The harvest of a world made its way to them. Each person who understood the cold aided one who did not. The cavalry moved out. The scouts had already gone. They would meet those who resisted in the east. The troops who would sweep to the north and south began their long run. The supply train split to follow. Each driver judging weight of load and speed of team. No one gave orders. It wasn't necessary. The people of Laeth had decided to retake their world.

  In four hours an encampment of twenty thousand disappeared.

  Peral awoke and realized someone had been there. A piece of journeycake lay centimeters from his hand. He went to the stream and filled a waterskin. He woke Jo first. The psychic link he had to her had surprised him. He knew his grandmother had formed one to his grandfather, but he hadn't known he'd inherited the ability. Neither Lib nor his father had. "Hi, sleepyhead. I think we'd better get as far down the trail as we can. Somebody's out ahead of us. The tracks by the stream are Leoht's and a barefoot woman."

  "Barefoot! Peral it's below zero!"

  "I know. There was a woman at Talf's castle who went barefoot even in winter. Her name is Merdin. The Doctor calls her Diana. I asked him why once. He said shouting hey you four times was confusing." He grinned at her. "You can try asking him about it."

  "Not me. Wake Lib and Lathan. I'll check the gear."

  Lib groaned. "We're awake. Just pooped. Let's go. The Doctor's probably keeping the rings from drawing on us. Sooner or later he'll have to rest."

  As Lathan stood and pulled Lib to her feet, he said, "Sometime, my new wife, we will sleep together and not need sleep so badly. If I were not so tired, I would look forward to it." The two sets of newlyweds laughed and climbed on their horses. They had to get as far as they could before the Doctor needed them again.

  Mirune found the deserted campsite. When Talf and the others arrived a few minutes behind her, she was asleep on the Doctor's bedroll. Talf and Lorin relit the fire and put together a meal. Gerond slid off his derkine and was asleep almost before he hit the ground. Logan, Caster, Amda and Nemir packed the Turime's gear. They wouldn't carry it, but Amda and Nemir wanted it packed right. Cermine, Peris and Bethda scouted for food. Nuts were the best portable source of calories. Peris had shared around most of the journeycake Tira had made during the ride.

  Talf awakened Mirune and Gerond to eat, then he too rested. They had ridden sixteen hours. The derkines had to have rest. They had all been asleep before Marn rode into camp, but he faced a very alert, armed, group within seconds of his arrival. He posted sentries and let the men and the derkines rest.

  The cavalry troop rode into the camp as the guards prepared to leave. Several guards were detailed to carry the Doctor's and Turime's gear. The cavalry had several remounts with them and the Doctor's saddle was strapped to one. The guards mounted and rode out. They were two hours behind their lords.

  "That's it. We've got to rest. He's going to need us and we won't have anything to give him." Heort had made the decision. Lib would have probably tried to 'stubborn it out' for a few more hours.

  "It's hard to stop, but you're right. Let's get some sleep. Here, I grabbed some of that fruit and nut stuff." Jo handed the journeycake around. "The horses will just have to stand guard."

  "I feel very safe with Geifan as my sentry. She sleeps more lightly than I." Lathan dropped beside Lib. "I fear this squire can do no more for his knight than offer shoulder to pillow on."

  "I hate to leave the horses untended, but maybe Wealdan will forgive me this time. How about you, Jo? Want a shoulder to 'pillow on'?"

  "Actually, bundling up in two cloaks with you is what I'm after. It's cold. And you're warm."

  The Doctor smiled at the girl who gave him a few bites of bread when Varna left the hall. And almost laughed when she offered to help him with other needs of the body. He explained that, since he was losing blood anyway, he'd arranged to get rid of any poisons that accumulated in it.

  It was night and she'd tiptoed across the hall, avoiding the men sleeping scattered around the floor. She touched him gently on the cheek and hurried away. He adjusted his metabolism for the cold. The bread wouldn't fuel him long, but it would help. He mentally apologized to his companions and slept. On his knees. With his hands chained over his head. The more strength he had, the less of theirs he would use.

  Merdin slept on Leoht's back. He walked carefully, but kept moving. They were still a day and a half from the Doctor.

  Bethda's derkine started limping. She waved the others on and climbed down to check her paw. She had a nasty bruise. She waited for her guard. Captain Ganis would have her derkine. He always took care of things like that. She waited two hour
s for her guard, then grabbed Cliffon's reins, swung up, and raced down the road. Ganis knew he couldn't keep up with her. Cliffon was probably the fastest derkine in the world and his queen the finest rider. He wondered about the strange man his proud queen followed and the four months she'd left her country without a ruler. He watched her disappear into the distance, her long pale hair streaming behind her, the most beautiful woman in the world following the legend who had named her Aurora.

  Leoht dashed into the yard of a hut and Merdin scooped up the pair of peasant's breeks drying on a rock by the door. He slowed just a bit and she balanced on his back and drew them on. She'd known the horses' hair was stiff. She'd helped Bethda take care of Leoht while the Doctor rebuilt his strength. Even so, she hadn't thought what it would mean to have that hair rubbing her skin. Derkines' short fur was velvet textured. She'd needed something to protect the bleeding blisters on her legs. She hadn't been truly surprised when Leoht found it for her.

  "Jo, you said she'd kill him. If anything, he's stronger. Got a theory?"

  "Not really, Peral. She's definitely not being nice to him. She wouldn't know how. It must be the same kind of situation as last time. Somebody else wants him. Has to be this Chuck person."

  "You do not think he holds taking that he needs?"

  Peral shook his head. "No, Lathan. Not this time."

  "He's distracted her somehow. Or else she hasn't got him anymore. Heort seems to be picking up the pace again. Enough talk. Let's ride." Lib urged Heort on and she answered with a run.

  "He lives. The amulet glows strongly upon me, but we are far from him. Would that we had steeds like to those the Turime ride."

  "I wish for wings, Mirune, but the derkines are what we have. I don't believe it! Bethda's coming up behind us. I'd heard she had a fine stable of derkine. We'd better pick up the pace or she'll soon pass us." Talf had been trying to get better acquainted with the aloof queen for months. She was the first woman who had ever seemed beyond his reach. And the first he'd ever truly wanted. Bethda did pass them. In six hours she had regained the two she'd lost.

  Merdin vaulted onto the sentry's back. She broke his neck with a quick twist and took his weapon. She had chosen him because of the weapon. She hid him and slipped back into the forest to learn to use the silent weapon that spit fire. An arrow could not cut the chain that held the Doctor. The fire weapon would. It had been easy to pass the sentries and gain the castle. They weren't expecting anyone to climb the wall. She had dropped one from the battlements. She had poured the wine he carried over him, so it would seem he had drunk foolishly and fallen. She had crept into the castle hall and seen what the woman did to the Doctor. The woman would die.

  The Doctor was rather pleased. The serving girl had returned the night before and given him heavily honeyed cake. He watched as she handed the man, who'd been ordered to give him something to drink, a skin. He drank the rich broth and wondered who she was. She was helping him build his strength right under Varna's nose.

  Merdin practiced with the weapon. She would get only one chance to free the Doctor.

  Caster rode between his squire and his daughter. He was proud of them. They had been right. Women were as strong as men in their way. Few of his guard could have withstood the biting wind and the blistering pace.

  Ganis and Marn were losing men. The men would remount and ride after them as soon as they were able, but all men and all derkine were not alike. Some were stronger than others. The sultan's captain had fallen behind, but his lieutenant, Hardune, kept pace. They were down to twenty-three men, but nearly fifty were but a few hours behind. The cavalry was a few hours behind them.

  Merdin burned her eighth chosen twig. She decided she was ready. She waited for night fall. Leoht had disposed of the one guard who found her tracks. The element of surprise would be hers. She intended to ride Leoht through the gates and into the hall when they were opened to change the guards at midnight. Leoht knelt and she slept against his warm side.

  The Doctor's companions were ten hours behind Merdin. Bethda was three days behind them. Talf and Mirune led the others one day behind her. The guards and the cavalry trailed along the road two to twelve hours behind them. And the army marched. But only Merdin and Leoht were in position to free the Doctor before Chuck arrived to take him to the hagish.

  "Lady, what you do is most interesting. May I clean your canvas that you may better see your work?"

  The Doctor was glad Varna was behind him. He'd smiled at the audacity of the serving girl. She'd gained a great deal of confidence over the last three days. His smile might have given her away.

  "Yes, I'm sure I've missed some interesting pieces. It's time for Chuck to call. Clean him off before I get back."

  The girl whispered, "This will hurt you. I have added healing herbs to the water, but it will burn."

  He gasped as she began to sponge him off. Varna heard and smiled. When she returned, she was angry. Chuck had ordered her not to play with the Doctor. He wanted his body healthy.

  The thing he called his assistant had decided it wanted it.

  Merdin gripped Leoht with her legs. Her timing must be perfect. She had to get in and out in the midst of the sentries.

  The serving girl had stolen the Doctor's cloak from the back of Varna's chair. She wrapped it around him and hid. She hadn't realized how late it was. The changing of the guard was moments away. She wasn't quick enough. One of the guards had seen her. He dragged her from her hiding place and clubbed her to the floor. She feigned unconsciousness. He left her there when his sergeant called.

  The gates were opened and men started moving toward them. Leoht started his run as the door to the hall began to open. He bowled over the men at the gates and clattered up the stairs to the hall, knocking men flying. Merdin shot through the Doctor's chains. Taking the two that held his wrists and the one between his ankles with a single shot each.

  The serving girl knocked down a guard and used his weapon on him and two others who were aiming at Merdin. She wasn't a very good shot, but she was close and did enough damage to stop them.

  The Doctor vaulted onto Leoht's back behind Merdin. As they raced toward the door, he grabbed the girl and swung her up behind him. Leoht carried the three of them through the door and barreled through the gates. A shot rang out and the girl slumped against him. He held her with one arm. He held onto Merdin with the other. They rode that way at a run for about fifteen minutes, then Leoht dashed off the road and stopped in front of a small cave.

  Merdin jumped off and caught the girl when the Doctor released her. He jumped down and carried her into the cave. He looked up in surprise as Leoht charged back onto the road and ran west. It only took him a moment to realize he was leading pursuit away from them.

  "Doctor, she bleeds badly. I have naught but this to stanch the wound." Merdin held out her cloak to him.

  "I've got to get the bullet out first, Diana. Do you have a knife?" She handed him a small dagger. "I wish I had something to sterilize... Hand me that weapon. Let me see... Yes." He sterilized the knife with the lowest setting on the weapon and removed the bullet from the girl's shoulder. Merdin watched in surprise as he used the beamer to cauterize the wound. "She's going to have a scar, but overall she was lucky. We certainly were. She saved our lives."

  "Who is she, Doctor?"

  He smiled and said, "For the last four days, she's been my best friend. Now, your legs are bleeding. Let's see what we can do about that." Merdin identified a medicinal plant for him. He found a rock with a shallow depression and, with water from the nearby stream and a stone, he pulped the plant and applied it to her bleeding legs.

  "I had been at the king's court but two days when the metal birds came. I saw my father fall defending his cousin the King of Palenthale. I hid among the serving women. I sought these two years to find a way to free my cousin Gerond. He knows me not, except as one w
ho tended him when he was ill treated. He oft sought to send me away for fear I would suffer beating. Or when he had been ill used in such way his face colored as I tended him. I rejoiced in his escape and plotted my own until you were brought. I could not leave one there friendless."

  "Cheris, how old are you?"

  "I am near a woman, Doctor. I will be sixteen in eleven days time." The Doctor did a quick calculation and realized she was about two months shy of eighteen in Earth terms. He had gotten used to using the old Earth calendar and it seemed to be a habit he just wasn't going to break. "My father had hoped I would win the king's favor. He wished our house more tightly bound to the king's own. Though Gerond was but a child, it was not too soon for his marriage to be planned. I did not resent my father's wishes, for his reasons were honorable and Gerond showed great promise as future man and king."

  "Are you then a princess?" Merdin had never understood the politics of royal marriages, but she'd been to a lot of them. Her family was a wandering troupe and much in demand at royal weddings.

  "No. Upon my father's death, I became queen of a small land in the eastern hills. I had no siblings and my mother died at my birthing. My father looked to find aid against bandits at his kinsman's court. My country no longer survives. I am queen without realm." She began to laugh. "But I am not worried. I have learned a trade. I am a most excellent serving wench."

  Leoht led the Doctor's companions to him. They arrived about eight minutes ahead of a troop of Varna's guards.

  "This isn't what I would call excellent cover, Doctor." Lib ducked back in the cave. He'd said Chuck wanted him alive. This troop of guards didn't seem to have gotten the message.

  "It's been a rather pleasant place until quite recently."

  "There are about twenty of them. I think we should break out of here. Those shots will bring more."

  "Cheris and Diana aren't going to move as quickly as usual. We need to distract the guards."

  "Doctor, NO!" Oh great. He was already headed out. Lib watched him run for Leoht. He vaulted on and raced west. The guards ran for derkine. He'd provided a distraction. "Come on, girls. Let's get mounted."

  Lathan dropped off Geifan and ducked into the cave. A few guards had stayed behind. They were getting fewer by the minute. Jo and Peral were rapidly reducing their numbers. The guards weren't good at watching both the cave and their backs.

  Peral shouted, "Clear! Let's roll!" He and Jo were already remounted. Lib leapt on Heort and Merdin jumped up behind her. Lathan lifted Cheris onto Geifan and climbed on. He put Cheris in front. With her wounded shoulder, it would be hard for her to hold on to him. So, he would hold on to her. Peral and Jo were already racing after the Doctor and his fifteen pursuers. Jo had grabbed a gun from a guard she'd taken out. Peral as usual hadn't.

  Lib and Lathan rode hard to catch up. They hadn't quite when Jo began lowering the numbers of guards ahead. Lib grinned. The Doctor had far outdistanced the guards' derkines. He'd be waiting for them.

  The Doctor dropped out of the tree right in front of the lead derkine and said, "Boo." The derkine tried to avoid the object that had startled it and tangled with the two behind. He ran for cover before the guard troop could get the milling derkine under control. Jo and Peral barreled through them, their horses shouldering through the much smaller derkine. Jo jumped off Freond and started taking out guards with a gun. She was being careful not to kill any. Peral was as difficult as the Doctor about that.

  There were only seven guards still mounted when they decided they'd had enough and turned to run. Heort gave a delighted squeal and charged through them. Lib heard Merdin laugh and felt her jump off. Right in the middle of the remaining guards. The Doctor saw Merdin hit the ground and ran for her, Peral right behind. Lathan slid off Geifan as she charged through the remaining derkine. The two remaining guards tried to get away. Jo shot them both down.

  Cheris watched the six of them. They were incredible! Fifteen guards lay in the road. They drove off the derkine and all remounted. Lathan laughed as he jumped up behind her and Geifan pranced. They raced down the road for two hours, then the Doctor led them into the trees. There would be aerial pursuit soon.

  "A fire would be nice."

  "I agree, Peral, but I don't think we should chance it. We know the aircraft fly at night. I'm afraid it will have to be a cold camp."

  "Cold is right, Doctor. Here. This is the last of the journeycake."

  "Share it around, Jo."

  "Not this time. We'd rather you got your energy from this than us." She grinned at him. "Get some rest. We'll watch." He couldn't deny the logic of her argument, so he ate the journeycake and rolled up in his cloak.

  "He'll not be warm enough. Come, Cheris. We too need rest. We will share warmth with him." Merdin led Cheris to the Doctor and they curled around him. He awoke as they lay down beside him and Merdin pulled her cloak over them. He was surprised and sat up. "Lie down, Doctor. We have but two cloaks amongst three. Would you leave Cheris cold?"

  Jo grinned at Lib. Merdin had used the best possible argument on the Doctor. "I've got a suspicion she's got him figured out."

  Jo snuggled deeper into Peral's arms and they made themselves comfortable to stand their watch. They watched half the night, then Lib and Lathan took over. Aircraft flew over several times, flashing searchlights through the trees. The Doctor awoke three hours before dawn and slipped out from between Merdin and Cheris. Merdin awoke, but he told her to rest and keep Cheris warm.

  "I'm going out ahead on Leoht. Can you spare me a cloak? They need mine."

  "Here, Doctor, take mine. I'll use yours tomorrow. Lathan's is quite a bit larger and he'll need it to keep Cheris warm."

  "Thanks, Lib." He fastened the cloak and squatted down in front of them. "Merdin says there is probably a small army headed east. I'm going to see if I can find it. I'll get back as soon as possible. We need food and I'd really like to find Leoht's tack. Riding around bareback on a horse is 'roughing it' a bit much."

  "All right, Doctor. Just be careful. We'll ride out at first light."

  "Stay close to cover, Lib. The aerial search will intensify at dawn."

  As he rode out, Lib said, "Lathan, I'm going to kill Varna for what she did to him. If he stops me, I want you to do it."

  "Trust that I will, my knight."

  "You know, I never realized a squire was such a nice warm thing to have." Lathan laughed and wrapped his cloak tighter around them. "I think I was a little jealous yesterday. Something about seeing Cheris riding in front of you, bundled in your cloak, bothered me."

  "You shall never have cause to doubt me, but I am most complimented."

  The Doctor met Bethda on the road. She had journeycake and an extra cloak. He sent her to meet the others and rode on to meet Talf. She decided to kill Varna for what she'd done to him. She was a good queen. She never ordered an execution she didn't think was absolutely necessary. This one she was willing to perform herself.

  "It's good to see you, Doctor."

  "Hello, Talf." He smiled at the group milling around him. "It looks like the general staff deserted the army. Where are my saddle and pack?"

  Logan laughed. "We did not desert. We but lead a bit more than is usual. They and what you seek are behind."

  "Good. Bethda had some food with her. I sent her ahead. They've got aircraft searching. Stay close to the trees. Gerond, I want to talk to you."

  He told the boy about Cheris and his face lit. "I know this one. She risked being beaten many times to aid me. I know twice she suffered the beating. It did not stop her. Do you think she would consent to be my queen?"

  "I think she's the one to ask, but I would say she'd at least consider it." He turned to leave and found his way blocked. Mirune, Lorin and Cermine sat on their derkines in front of him. Gerond decided to catch up with Talf's group. The women didn't look happy with the Doctor.
<
br />   "Were you going to leave without speaking?"

  "Yes. I'm in a hurry."

  Cermine smiled. "It is good to see you, Doctor."

  "Doctor, who has done this to you?" Lorin was angry.

  "An old acquaintance. Now, I'd really like to get started. If you would excuse me?" They sat smiling as he urged Leoht to a run and rode away from them.

  They got the story of Varna from Gerond. They rode east. The Doctor didn't know it, but eight more people had decided she would die. Eight, because Gerond had decided it long ago. It was the first decision he made when his father fell and he became king.

  The Doctor was a bit disgruntled. He'd had to locate the cavalry remounts to find his saddle, then return to the guard contingent to collect the rest of his gear. They took a good while to locate it all. He got extra food and blankets and rode east. Talf grinned as he raced by on Leoht. The Doctor reached his companions about ten minutes after Bethda. She was handing journeycake around.

  "Hello, Doctor. I see you found everything. Want to trade cloaks?" Lib unfastened his cloak and held it out to him. He traded with her and said, "These shoes weren't made for stirrups. Varna's still got my breastplate and boots. I've decided I want them back."

  Bethda said, "Doctor, I ask that you wait for the others. They would be disappointed were you to go without them. They have ridden hard near six days."

  "We'll wait, Aurora." Jo raised her eyebrows at Peral. Aurora? "Peral, find some dry wood. We'll have to put it out at nightfall, but I want a fire. I'm tired of being cold. Set up camp under the trees." Peral and Lathan built a smokeless fire and they had their first hot meal in days.

  The Doctor was sitting by the side of the road waiting for them when Talf's group rode up. He directed them to the campsite and waited for the guards. Marn detailed two men to take the Doctor's place and the camp began to grow. The cavalry troop arrived and shortly after them the leader of the scouts. He found Talf and the Doctor making a map of the area around Gerond's castle, using his and Cheris memories as reference.

  "My Lord, the army marches. They are ten days behind. Colonels Jeth and Daris lead rapid advancement to the north and south. Two scouts bring news of hill people in Palisaire who guide us against our enemies."

  Talf turned to the Doctor and grinned. "It seems you've led us into battle after all."

  "Ranger Gaire, do the hill people know their queen is alive?" He couldn't help it. He still thought of the man as Robin Goodfellow. He was little and his eyes twinkled.

  "They will tomorrow, Doctor." He smiled and slipped out of the tent as silently as he had entered.

  "I'm not going with you, Talf. I'm leaving tonight with Ranger Gaire."

  "Doctor, we're going to retake Gerond's castle. Don't you want to be there?"

  "No. I've learned what I need to know from Varna. I need to see what's happening in the east. Just find my breastplate and boots. Talf, destroy all the weapons and aircraft."

  "We shall. Though I don't understand how their presence could cause the destruction of the world."

  "That's the reason. They don't belong here. The kind of science they contain must be understood, not just used." Talf shook his head and grinned. He was getting used to the Doctor finishing what he had to say and leaving.

  The Doctor found Ranger Gaire preparing to leave. "I'm coming with you."

  The little man's smile crinkled his weathered face. "I leave at first moonrise. I will await you at the eastern road. And, Doctor, I have decided I like this name you have given me. So do my men. You may call me Puck."

  Gerond walked into his hall alone. He strode to the center of the hall and announced, "I am King of Palenthale. I have returned to my land."

  Varna laughed. "Hello, pretty boy. Nice of you to visit. Take him."

  Peral stepped through the doors. "I am Turime. I am arbiter." The men approaching Gerond stopped and looked at Varna.

  "There's only one, you cowards. What are you waiting for? Take the boy."

  "I don't think that would be a good idea, Varna." Jo stepped through the doors with Lib and Lathan. "I don't know if you remember me, but I bring the list of your crimes from other worlds. I am Turime and I accuse you."

  Lathan strode into the hall. "I am Turime. I call judgment."

  Varna's men fell back as the hall filled. Mirune stepped in front of Gerond. "I am of the people. I bear the truth. I call the people to witness." Lorin, Merdin, Amda and Nemir joined her. Mirune took the amulet from around her neck and held it out. As each of the other four touched it, it flared. When all five held to it, the hall pulsed with blue-white light. Mirune handed the amulet with its flashing diamond to Gerond.

  "I am King of Palenthale. I judge you guilty of the murder of my father."

  Cheris took the amulet from his hand. "I am Queen of Palisaire. I judge you guilty of the murder of my father."

  The amulet was passed from hand to hand.

  "I am Baron of Pralth. I condemn you."

  "I am Queen of Perline. I condemn you."

  "I am Sultan of Karishdan. I condemn you."

  "I am Sultana of Karishdan. I condemn you.

  "I am Prince of Pasedel. I condemn you."

  "I am Duke of Merale. I condemn you."

  Peral watched as Mirune retrieved the amulet from Logan and placed it around her neck. He turned to Varna and said, "These are the lords of this world. They have judged and condemned, but I am Turime and arbiter. It is mine to intercede. I give you leave to speak in your defense."

  She lifted a weapon and pointed it at Gerond. "What's the matter with you? They've got swords and you've got guns. Kill them. I'll dispose of this problem child myself."

  Lib shot her down. "I am Turime. I am executioner."

  "I have to go, Gerond. My people need me."

  "But, Cheris, I need you. No, you are right. I am being selfish again. I will follow. I will ride at your side to free your land. I hope, when our world is cleansed, you will hear my suit." He blushed and smiled.

  "I can think of no other that would be more welcome." Cheris took his hand, then turned and mounted her derkine. He was still a boy, but would become a fine man. She would wait for him.

  Peral grinned at Jo. "I've got his boots and breastplate. Shall we deliver them?" They followed the man now known as Puck toward the eastern hills.

  The army swept Gerond's kingdom clean and marched east.