Fire and Thorn

by Mary Vee

  There was so much to do. His father deserved a memorial service. His mother needed to be rescued. The plot to take over the kingdom had to be crushed. The secret of the rose must be solved. And Katia—Katia’s secret must be discovered.

  There was nothing to stop him from taking on the role of a knight and a king at the same time. Didn’t kings from long ago ride with knights into battle? Then so would he, to save Aerlis. The plan formed clearly as the sun shone through his window. He’d ride to Vista, learn how to drive the dragons away, and save his kingdom.

  Just as he opened his mouth to call for a guard, a knock sounded. “Enter,” he said.

  A burly guard held the door for Katia followed by the taste-tester. She carried a tray filled with pork, bread, cheese, and sweetmeats to a small table near the window. “Do you need anything else for your late midday meal, sire?”

  “No. Tell Matthias I’d like to speak with him.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  Gilbert walked to the table with less of a limp. He sat and saw why his father liked eating by these windows. Either view provided a peaceful setting to work out problems.

  “Sire,” The chancellor regally glided into the solar. “I understand you sent for me?”

  “Yes. Please sit.” He pointed to a chair across from him.

  Folds of Matthias’s robe draped across the floor as he complied. “How may I assist you?”

  Gilbert tore off a piece of bread from the loaf. “I’ve made a decision.” He motioned to the food trays. “Please have some bread.” They ate for a few moments before Gilbert continued with his message. “Tomorrow, at first light, I will travel to Vista and visit my Uncle Roland.”

  Matthias twined his bony fingers together and rested his hands on the table. “Very wise, your majesty.”

  Gilbert paused, surprised at the first compliment from Matthias. “I’m appointing Sir Robert as regent while I’m gone.”

  Matthias lowered his head. The news seemed to disappoint him. “I see.”

  “After hearing the history of Grandfather’s kingdom, I am all the more convinced I need you to come with me on the journey.”

  “Sire.” He shook his head. “You need a younger soul to attend your needs while you travel. I’m too old. Might I recommend….”

  “I’ll have others to protect me. I need you. You know the history of this kingdom and how my father ruled the people. Your counsel means more than what any attendant or soldier can give in your place. You’re the one who will go with me to Vista.” Gilbert set his food down and held his eyes firmly on the counselor, unwilling to relinquish his decision.

  Matthias groaned softly as he rose to leave. “Did you need anything else, your majesty?”

  “Yes. Send for Sir Robert.” Gilbert took a bite of pork. “And remember, we leave at first light.”

  “Your majesty.” Matthias strolled out of the room in his usual regal manner. Not fast. Not slow. But very powerful.

  Moments later, Sir Robert arrived. Gilbert set his glass down. “Come in. Come in.” He pointed to the chair across from him.

  Sir Robert remained in the doorway. He gazed around the private quarters, eyeing the table in the center, hand-engraved from cedars of Lebanon. He turned to the window. The view spanned the southwesterly portion of the kingdom and the sea beyond. He remained speechless. A guard nudged him forward. Sir Robert said, “Excuse me, sire. The table is magnificent.”

  “Yes. Father knew a craftsman who made it. Have a seat.” Gilbert reached for a tray of sweetmeats and offered one to the knight. “I’m very impressed with your work. You’ve shown loyalty to Aerlis.”

  Sir Robert stood behind the chair. His raised eyebrows showed he was unsure about accepting the offer to sit. “Thank you, your majesty.”

  “After a meeting this morning, I’ve seen our kingdom has many problems. I want to act on these needs immediately but am not exactly sure what to do.”

  Sir Robert bowed his head. “You have a difficult task. Is there any way I can help?”

  “I expected you to ask that question.” Gilbert wiped the crumbs from his hands. “I’ll be leaving in the morning to visit King Roland. Since he’s known for wisdom, I expect to find answers or at least a battle plan that will restore Aerlis to the peaceful state it once enjoyed.”

  Sir Robert nodded. “May your journey be prosperous.”

  “Thank you.” Gilbert sipped his drink. “To reward your work at the Banyan Tree Forest, I’m appointing you regent, at least for the time I’ll be gone. The journey should be short.”

  Sir Robert’s narrow jaw dropped in disbelief. He stammered, “I…I will be happy to guard the kingdom in all m…man..manners for you, sire. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have the Lord Chancellor as regent?”

  “He is going with me. The kingdom will need someone with your strengths in my absence.”

  A grin crept across Sir Robert’s face as he bowed. “I would be honored, your majesty.”

  “Good. Be ready at morning’s light.”

  Sir Robert dug his right foot into the floor and pivoted. The smile still radiant across his face. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Ask the guard to send in the steward,” Gilbert said as Sir Robert reached the door.

  “Your majesty.”

  Gilbert finished his meal as the trusted head servant who had served his father for many years arrived. The man stood tall and lean with a look of confidence.

  “You called for me, sire?”

  “I need you to make some arrangements. I’ve decided to go to Vista.”

  The steward nodded. “Yes, sire. Do you know how long you plan to be gone?”

  “As little time as necessary. Also, prepare for the lord chancellor to go with me. I want to leave first thing in the morning.”

  “Will you require anything else, your majesty?”

  “Send for Katia.”

  “Yes, sire.” The steward left.

  At last, the thrill of action filled his soul. If his squire friends had been in the room they would have celebrated in their usual way. He laughed. He, Gilbert, the new king of Aerlis had a plan to restore his kingdom. He faced the window and watched the villagers. “Don’t lose hope,” he whispered.

  Behind him, a woman cleared her throat. “You sent for me, sire?”

  Gilbert turned. “I assume the others told you about the journey.”

  “Yes.”

  “How are the preparations for the trip going?”

  Katia picked up the food tray. “I told the cooks. They’ll have food packed prior to first light. I happened to see the stablemen and told him as well. He’ll have horses groomed, saddled, fed, and watered for your departure. He assured me the packhorse would be loaded with supplies.”

  Gilbert was pleased with her ability to know what he needed. No wonder his mother liked her. “Good. Thank you. Tell the guards I have no need to see anyone else today.”

  She bowed. “Yes, your majesty.”

  The meetings had lasted most of the day and a lot had been accomplished. First light would arrive early, and he wanted to be ready to leave on time. He walked back to the private quarters that were now his, forcing each difficult step.

  The bed was nestled in the back of the chamber. A giant could sleep comfortably on the eight-foot-wide, twelve-foot long, and four-foot-high bed. A step had been left near the headboard. He remembered his father once playfully tossing him on the bed and his mother allowing him to play there. After several yanks and tugs on the blankets, they fell away from the pillows. The maids would do this job in the future now that they knew he would sleep here. He climbed onto the mattress and pulled the bed curtains closed then slithered under the blankets.

  From somewhere in the village, minstrels played festive music. The tunes flowed up and through Gilbert’s window. He wondered how they could be happy. They’d suffered as much as Elizabeth, the woman with starving children in his dream. He closed his eyes and listened to the spirited music, letting it soothe him to sleep. />
  Gilbert’s dream took him to a cold, dark room. He shivered.

  “Would you like some light?” An emerald glow appeared. The same shade he’d seen in a past dream.

  Gilbert searched for the source of the voice. “Show yourself.”

  The glow’s intensity increased and floated through the air nearer to him. “King Gilbert, we know you plan to travel to Vista.” The glow pulsed with each word. “Many before you have been frightened by our appearance.”

  Gilbert could see why. Who spoke to a strange voice like this? No one sane that he knew.

  The glow broadened, illuminating the cave around him. “We know how to bring roses back to your kingdom. The secret has been in our possession for a long time.”

  Gilbert shivered in the chilly air. “If you know the secret, please tell me.”

  Silence.

  Gilbert sighed. “Hello?” His voice echoed through the chamber.

  “There lies an old building due north of your castle. It’s one league into Malum. Go to the lower level to a room six doors down. Inside you will find a chest with chronicles of the empire. Remove the scrolls inside. The information you seek is there.”

  “You expect me to go into Malum?”

  “Only if you want to save Aerlis.”

  “Why didn’t anyone mention this to me before?”

  “We, too, want to save your kingdom. Many have attempted this journey, but only those who truly seek will find the answer. Join us, King Gilbert, and save your kingdom.”

  The glow faded.

  Darkness enveloped Gilbert. Such a thick blackness. His heart pattered too fast, strained as if he’d climbed a great mountain. He opened his eyes, relieved to see the bed curtains.

  That’s it. No more sleeping for him, ever again. Morning sun sparked the horizon. He grabbed a torch and walked to the door. The hinge creaked as he turned the knob and pulled.

  A guard snapped to attention. “May I help you, your majesty?”

  “No, thank you. I’ll be at the portico.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  Through the stone arch, and down the walkway of family portraits, Gilbert found a place on the floor where he could sit with his back against the wall and still view the painting of his father. The colors woke with the morning sun. “Father, I plan to visit Uncle Roland and seek his wisdom about the rose,” he whispered, “but I’ve never been past the castle walls before. I’m excited and concerned at the same time. Am I making the right choice?”

  He sat with his knees curled to his chest and watched the paintings respond to the morning light.

  Matthias flung open the portico door. “Aha, I thought I would find you here, sire. You said we’d leave at first light, right? Shall we go? The dragons await.”

  “Funny, Matthias.” He stood, ready to fight as knight and king for his kingdom.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Gilbert’s plans for the mission energized him. He placed his full weight on his ankle, surprised it didn’t cause any pain. His shoulder also didn’t hurt when he moved his arm. He had the training and the thirst for adventure.

  During the last few years, other squires laughed at his futile attempts to do what only taller and stronger kids could do. They never laughed out loud. No one was crazy enough to laugh at the prince. But their faces showed it. This mission would prove them wrong. He’d conquer the dragons, wipe out the thistles, and earn the love of the citizens.

  Katia followed Matthias into the portico with a tray of food. “The cooks made this in case you wanted something to eat before your journey, sire.” She bowed.

  Matthias sat in an open chair at the table.

  The particular food and its arrangement on the tray reminded Gilbert of an identical meal he had with his father. About two years ago, a religious man arrived at the castle and asked to speak with the king. The man said he saw a vision and had been told to bring a message. Father squirmed in his chair but finally agreed to meet with the man in another room. When he returned, Father seemed bothered.

  The timing of this memory made him wonder if last night’s dream was a vision. Maybe peace could come to Aerlis faster by visiting the old building in Malum. And if that was so, he’d do whatever it took to find the scrolls.

  The road leading north connected to other routes, one to Vista, the other to Malum. If the scroll couldn’t be found or didn’t reveal the answers he wanted, he would travel on to Vista and seek Uncle Roland’s advice. Convincing Matthias to ride into Malum would be a chore. He’d look at him with those that-is-not-wise eyes. The truth would have to be told after they’d long left the castle.

  Matthias and Gilbert walked down to the stables where Sir Robert and the stableman stood waiting. Four saddled palfreys and one packhorse piled high with bundles had been prepared. “Good day, sire. Chancellor.” The stableman bowed. “Sire, I’ve prepared these five horses for your mission. Your favorite, Good Knight, seems in a spry mood this morning. She’s a beauty.”

  Matthias and Sir Robert nodded their approval.

  Gilbert walked around the horse that now seemed unworthy of his position. “She’s a beauty, all right, but not the right horse for a king to ride on a mission.” He walked through the stable looking at the other horses. Packhorses stood in corrals to the left, palfreys in the center, and to his right, in regal display, stood four impressive destrier war horses.

  He neared the magnificent creatures that towered over him. One had a sleek bay coat and a black mane. The second, a satin black sheen. The third, a milky white color. The last, a marble gray. All four had long, silky hair near their hoofs. They had brawny legs, broad backs, and rounded bodies. If he had to describe these fine animals, he’d say power and strength. His tutor once said a destrier could measure around fourteen hands from hoof to shoulder, but these seemed taller.

  The stableman approached. He patted the black horse. “This one here is called Nightmare. King Ivan gave her to your father on his last birthday. She was a wild one at first, but we managed to tame her.” He moved over to the gray horse. “And this one here is King. She’s been your father’s horse since the first day of his reign. I remember…”

  The third horse whinnied. Gilbert walked to her and stroked her mane. “Tell me about this one.”

  “She named herself, sire. Sir Spenser, may he rest in peace, used her every time he went to battle. The first day he walked up to her, he said, ‘Do you promise to serve me well?’ This lady nodded and whinnied. I’m telling the truth. I saw it happen. Then Sir Spenser asked, ‘Do you promise to obey me, help me in battle, and protect me no matter the cost?’ She nodded again as though she understood every word he said. I speak the truth, she’d never met him before. When the knights brought her back from the Banyan Tree battlefield, she had grave injuries. I didn’t think she’d live to see another mission. But here she is.” He patted her side. “Well and ready to ride.”

  “What is her name?”

  “Why, sire, her name is Promise.”

  Gilbert reached up and stroked the tips of her mane. “Promise will be my horse for this journey.”

  “A destrier, sire?” He lowered his voice. “Of course, it would suit your need, but wouldn’t you like one that better fits your…um…build?”

  “I see no reason why I can’t ride a destrier. My father and uncles rode them. These horses are not only brave and meant for adventures, but they also command the respect of any on-looker.” Gilbert inspected Promise again. “Prepare this horse for me.”

  Sir Robert stepped forward and bowed. “Sire, these horses are highly trained to respond to specific commands given in specific ways. Would you like me to teach you?”

  “Can Promise respond to simple instructions for left or right, go fast, slow down, or stop?”

  “Of course, sire. But the left and right commands are given by voice, not the reins. And the…”

  “We should get going, to take advantage of the sun. No time for a tutorial, Sir Robert. Thank you for your advice. I think Promise
will work with me.”

  Matthias stepped forward. “Sire, Promise is a good choice for a seasoned knight. Have you considered the destrier is—well, you can see they’re tall.”

  That was not the encouragement he’d hoped for from the royal advisor. “And she will be difficult for me to mount. I know. But, she really seems to be the horse that can handle what we might face. She’s fast, obedient, and smart. She rode into battle with a warrior knight. I’m willing to learn how to mount and ride her.” He turned to the stableman. “I want the destrier.”

  The stableman bowed. “Yes, sire.”

  Matthias checked over the packhorse. “Sire, who will lead this mare?”

  Gilbert brushed his hands together. “You will.”

  “Me? Sire, I’m a feeble man. It’ll take all my concentration to keep my backside in the saddle. A guard could lead the packhorse and also protect us from harm.”

  “I’m teasing, Matthias. Don’t worry.” Gilbert turned to a stable boy. “Find Squire Ben. Have him report here.”

  “Yes, your majesty.” The boy left.

  Matthias’s eyes grew wide. “But, sire—a squire? Perhaps…”

  “Really, Matthias? Usually, you’re the one pushing me to move forward.”

  “I’m too old for adventures.”

  “That’s not true. You are my source of guidance and wisdom. Both will be essential for this journey. You’re going.”

  The squires had gathered for their morning chores, all except Ben who strutted across the inner bailey with the stable boy. He turned once to face the other squires and proudly waved before breaking into a jog toward the stable.

  Ben bowed. “Good morning, sire. I brought your sword, bow, and quiver stocked with arrows.” He packed them on the horse.

  “Wait.” Gilbert reached out his hand. “I’ll take the sword.” He slid the weapon into his belt.