Fire and Thorn

by Mary Vee

  “Granted.”

  “Second, I wish I had good news, but spies, dragons and the death of citizens have plagued us daily in your absence. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sure you did your best. Tell me what happened.”

  “First, the spies.” Robert told about the man and woman from the Great Hall, a similar couple who appeared in court wearing cloaks, and the spies who mortally wounded four guards, leaving only one survivor.

  Gilbert sat forward. “I wonder if the same two spies caused all the problems as you say. Didn’t Timon think a network of spies created the problems? The one couple’s advice about hidden scrolls in the ruins of Malum proved helpful, I thought.”

  “Oh, that reminds me of good news.” Sir Robert’s eyes sprang wide. “Lord Matthias and I deciphered the code at the bottom of one of the scrolls. We used lemon juice and heat to reveal the invisible message.” He glanced to the left then right before whispering, “The scrolls are stored in a chest under Matthias’s bed.”

  “Good choice. Thank you for your service while I was gone. The issue of the spies may have to wait. For now, I’d like your advice. While on my journey to Malum and Vista I received counsel, one from each kingdom.” He explained the two. “It is said, the rose has the power to save us from the dragon and heal our land.”

  Sir Robert walked to the painting of King Cyrus and stood for a moment, gazing at it. “There are many roses surrounding the king. At the time of the painting, I remember he had a fond appreciation for the flower. His eyes show a spirit of peace and a soul that is determined to pursue a calling.”

  “What makes you say that?” asked Gilbert.

  “Angelico clearly smoothed the brown in his irises adding a dot of reflecting sunlight. Over here his hands are relaxed on his legs. See the determination in his chin and nose? They are held high. There is a rose in his epilate, on his shield, and the hilt of his sword. These symbols show strength and leadership.”

  Gilbert followed Sir Robert to the next painting. “What do you see in this canvas of King Ivan?”

  Sir Robert moved closer then took a few steps back. “I see pain, anger, and disappointment, sire. Angelico painted his brows furrowed and his eyes squinted to show anger. His shoulders are slumped which indicates disappointment, and his eyes are glassy as though tears had formed.”

  “I hadn’t noticed those details.” But Gilbert could clearly see them now. “Thank you for your advice.”

  Sir Robert bowed and smiled proudly. “You’re welcome, sire.” He left the meeting.

  Gilbert returned to the solar and rummaged through his parents’ belongings still stored in the room, believing Father had left him clear instructions somewhere among them. He spread the objects on the floor and looked at each. Nestled near the bottom of the pile was a stack of wrinkled parchments, fragile and yellowed with age. Tenderly smoothing out the folds, he discovered his father’s personal journal.

  The inside cover had a single letter “K” penned with green ink in the middle of the page. Tiny dragons entwined, forming the letter, a symbol for the Keepers of the Kingdom.

  Gilbert lit a candle then turned to the first page.

  June 13

  The royal builders completed my castle today. Citizens who have moved to my kingdom from Father’s empire seem happy. I’ve chosen to name it Aerlis. Roland and I will meet with our own staff tomorrow and plan a quest to the Valley of Sharon. Long ago, Father told us the only way to rule is to have the Rose from the Valley of Sharon in the kingdom. Each newly appointed king has to make the quest in order to have peace in their kingdom. Father had taken the quest with his staff when his empire began many years ago. We’ve asked Ivan to join us, but he refused. He thought Father’s rose plants were good enough for him. I pray he changes his mind someday.

  June 24

  The quest is taking longer than we thought. We arrived at the base of the valley this evening. Tomorrow morning, we’ll search for the Rose. While sitting in front of a campfire, Roland and I reviewed Father’s next instruction. He said, ‘Only those who know they are in need and are willing to humble themselves to take the Rose can see it.’ We agreed we couldn’t rule our kingdoms by ourselves, and that we needed the Rose.

  June 25

  A very bright star awakened us before dawn. We jumped from our beds and searched for the Rose. We each found—

  The rest of the page had been torn away. Gilbert turned the paper over. It was blank. He looked through the other parchments and read about events and kingdom matters, but no additional information about the quest. He gathered the first pages confident Father wrote of one and only one acceptable action for any king.

  Gilbert changed clothes, scooped up his father’s journal, and rushed to Matthias’s apartment.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Gilbert gently knocked on the door. “Matthias, are you awake?”

  “Is that you, sire? Come in.” The chancellor hobbled out of bed and greeted the king with a bow. “I didn’t know you had returned from Vista. Please, sit, and tell me what’s on your mind.” Matthias poured a flagon of water for each of them then sat.

  “I have the craziest dreams.” Gilbert drank then cleared his throat. “They started after the Banyan Tree Forest attack. I even had several last night. I wish they’d stop. I’m so tired.”

  Matthias chuckled. “Sometimes we dream strange dreams, sire. In time they will ease.”

  “Perhaps you’re right, Matthias.” He paused and rubbed the back of his neck, nervous about sharing what he really came to say. “I’ve been thinking a lot and have come to a decision.”

  “A decision about what, sire?” Although Matthias gave him the due respect of a king, his tone sounded the same as when an adult spoke to a child. Gilbert wasn’t angry or offended by it. He just wanted the chancellor to respect him.

  “How to best save Aerlis. I have one chance to restore my kingdom. There isn’t time for more. Any direction we pursue to solve the problem will cast a high risk of death on our people.” Gilbert slowly let out a breath.

  Matthias set his cup down. “So, what have you decided, sire?”

  “I will do what my father and his father before him did.”

  The chancellor raised his eyebrows. An approving grin brightened his face for the first time since they’d traveled to Malum. “You’re going on a quest to the Valley of Sharon.”

  “Yes, Matthias, it’s our only hope.”

  “Well done, sire.”

  A steward appeared at the door with a tray of breads and fruits. “I’m sorry for the delay. I checked your chamber and wondered where you were, sire. Would you like to eat here?”

  “Yes. Leave the tray.” After the steward left, he picked up a handful of fruits and bread and said to Matthias, “I’m calling a meeting.”

  “You have a plan, sire?”

  Gilbert swallowed his food. “I can’t explain this enthusiasm and excitement I have. It’s like I know deep inside I’ve committed to the right solution. It’s bigger than anything that has happened in my life. I’m ready to meet with the staff and set the plan in motion.”

  Sir Robert stepped into the doorway and knocked. “Sire, I need to brief you with recent news.”

  “Come in and give your report.”

  He entered then spoke softly so that only Gilbert and Matthias could hear. “Dragons attacked five more families living on the eastern border of the kingdom last night. No one survived.”

  Gilbert leaned back against the chair, disappointed in the news. He rubbed his forehead with one hand. There couldn’t be any more delays. His muscles tightened. “Call in all available knights.”

  Sir Robert shuffled his feet. “Sire, I’d like to obey, but dragons have killed nearly all of them. The few that remain have turned cowardly and fled to Vista. The situation may call for knighting squires, whether they’re ready or not.”

  Gilbert looked out the window at the village. “Families. That means children have been killed too. And for what? Lo
rd Magus said his army would provide protection, and those who joined him would reap riches.”

  At this time of day, the men and women beyond the castle walls busily set up their shops, laughing as they worked. Dirt and grease smudged their faces, hands, and clothing. They worked from sunrise to sunset, scraping scarcely enough to live, yet laughed like they enjoyed their lives. They didn’t want riches. They wanted peace. That was all. “What was I thinking?” He called for the steward.

  The man walked into the room. “Yes, sire?”

  “Arrange a meeting in the Great Hall. Have the five squires who trained with me, their trainer, the chief cook, Count Godwin, Sir Ben, and you meet me there. Oh, we’ll need refreshments as well.”

  “Yes, sire.” He closed the door on the way out.

  Gilbert turned to Sir Robert and Matthias. “I would like you both to attend the meeting.”

  Matthias rose then slipped on his sandals. “What is it about?”

  A knock interrupted Gilbert's reply. Sir Robert opened the door and welcomed Katia. “Excuse me, sire, the steward mentioned you and Matthias were meeting. Did you need anything?”

  “No, thank you, Katia,” Gilbert said. She gracefully bowed and seemed to float out of the room. He hardly remembered the others in the room.

  Sir Robert smiled ever so slightly. “Well, now, I see you’ve noticed Katia.” He cleared his throat. “Getting back to the meeting. You were saying?”

  Gilbert picked up his drink. “The meeting?” He turned back to Sir Robert. “Yes. We need to get to the meeting. I’ll brief you there.”

  Matthias washed his face and hands. He smoothed his hair and beard then wrapped his royal robe over his clothes. “I’m ready when you two are.”

  Captain Timon and three other guards escorted them down to the Great Hall. Nervous about his plan, Gilbert rubbed his hands together.

  Matthias spoke softly. “Stand strong. Those you’ve called to this meeting want to save Aerlis as much as you.”

  Gilbert took a deep breath before walking into the room. “I’m ready.”

  He walked to the conference table and stood before the chair at the head of the table. The five squires, Sir Ben, and others invited bowed.

  Gilbert nodded. “Thank you for coming to this meeting. I’d like to begin with a toast.” He picked up his drink and held it high. “A toast to Aerlis, may our kingdom forever prosper.”

  Those at the table replied. “To Aerlis, may our kingdom forever prosper. Long live the king.” The squires did their fist bump salute and cheered.

  Gilbert never thought he’d hear such enthusiasm. He cleared his throat, commanding their attention. “Please be seated.” Their chairs screeched across the floor. Gilbert pulled his close to the table and set his hands on the surface.

  “I admit I cannot run this kingdom alone. When my father and Uncle Roland began to rule, they chose to follow their father’s example. In the first days of their reign, each new king took their principal staff on a quest to find the Rose of Sharon. I really don’t know why other than both their kingdoms found peace and prosperity as a result.” Gilbert reached for his water, hesitated then set the cup back down without drinking.

  Matthias leaned over to him. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

  “Yes, I am well.” He picked up the cup again, drank, and felt better. “During the quest, their kingdoms had little protection. Great perils attacked those who journeyed to the Valley of Sharon, yet they pushed forward, completing the mission without turning back. My grandfather, Emperor Stephanas, returned to his empire with the Rose. When my father and Uncle Roland became kings, they, too, returned to their own kingdoms bearing the Rose. This Rose is said to take away evil, which I assume means the dragons and thistles.”

  The trainer stood. “What about King Ivan? His kingdom isn’t very peaceful.”

  Gilbert sighed. “Uncle Ivan never went to the Valley of Sharon. He felt his father’s rose plants were good enough for Malum and therefore didn’t need to get his own.”

  Squire Charles stood. “You expect us to go with you to the Valley of Sharon and leave the kingdom unprotected? That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve heard. The kingdom will be destroyed.”

  Matthias glared at the squire. Charles slithered back down in his seat.

  Sir Ben stood. “Excuse me, sire, what are these dangers you speak of?”

  “I’m not sure. I only know there will be great dangers. More importantly, I know this is the only way to save our kingdom.” He stood to demonstrate his dedication to the importance of the quest. “Look, Aerlis becomes more like Malum every day with dragons and thistles infesting our land. King Ivan refuses to get the Rose. To restore our kingdom, we must do what Emperor Stephanas, King Roland, and my father, King Cyrus did. We must get the Rose from the Valley of Sharon. Who is willing to go with me?”

  If silence could echo, it did in the Great Hall.

  Squire Jonathon looked at the others seated at the table then at Gilbert. “You mean all of us at this table? You are choosing us to go?”

  “Well, not all.” Gilbert eyed each one. “I can say you all will have an important role in this quest, but not everyone is going. Two will be staying behind to take care of the castle.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Gilbert leaned back on his chair mainly to give those seated at the table time to think before giving them permission to speak. “Questions? Comments?”

  “We aren’t prepared for this.” Squire Daniel stood abruptly. “The best knights have been sent to fight the dragons and hunt down spies. They’ve either been killed or severely wounded. Others ran like cowards.”

  “I’ll admit it. I’m scared too,” said Sir Ben. “But if we don’t go, Aerlis will perish. Haven’t we trained to be knights? Each of you said you wanted to protect the kingdom when you agreed to become a squire.” He turned to Gilbert. “I’m ready to serve the kingdom.”

  The trainer slammed his fist on the table. “If the king commands you to serve him on this quest, then you will. No one feels prepared for any battle, and those who say they are, usually lose their life due to arrogance. Trust me. I trained each one of you. You are prepared.”

  Matthias calmly set his hands on the table and eyed all but Gilbert and the trainer. “Do not worry about buying weapons and horses. Aerlis’s storehouse will fund and supply all your needs for the quest.”

  “That is true.” Gilbert leaned forward ready to command the discussion. “You are the ones who can bring success to this quest. Don’t doubt your abilities. I have no idea how difficult this journey will be, but I do know there isn’t any other group I’d rather take with me. Stand confident in your training and rest in your abilities.” He paused. “Now, as to the matter of who will remain at the castle, I’ve made up my mind and will not change it. Chancellor Matthias and Count Godwin will be in charge of the castle in our absence.”

  Matthias pressed his eyebrows down. “But sire, of your mercy, maybe consideration should be given to Sir Robert staying? He could at least attempt to defend the castle, whereas I am much too old. He also has the experience from these last two weeks, during which time the kingdom suffered many issues with spies and dragons.”

  “I would like to go,” said Sir Robert, “but an advisor is needed to guide you. If not Chancellor Matthias, what about Count Godwin? He seems to know more about this quest than any of us. Don’t misunderstand. You know I’m not afraid of battle, sire. I just think I could do more for the kingdom here, guarding the castle.”

  Matthias agreed.

  Gilbert lifted his cup and drank. He pondered the arguments for only a moment and still felt his decision seemed right. “I’ve heard your comments. However, this choice and the ones made throughout the journey need to be mine, according to the information I’ve received. King Roland said his quest to the Valley of Sharon laid a firm foundation for his ruling of Vista. He also said my father established Aerlis by taking his honored staff. Our kingdom did well…until he died.<
br />
  “Those embarking on the quest are required to take their greatest possession. I now see the greatest possession of any king is the people who support him. My father and uncle left their counselors at their castles while they were gone and took the rest of their high-ranking staff. You can ask Count Godwin if I am telling the truth.”

  The count nodded. “It’s true. King Roland asked me to stay at the castle when he took his staff on the quest. I can’t explain it, but somehow the kingdom remained safe in their absence, and King Roland figured out the answers to his questions along the way.”

  “Squires, knights, chancellors, and staff, my decision stands. Matthias will stay, Sir Robert will go.”

  Squire Daniel tipped his head as though deep in thought. “Sire, I know how lonely life can be without family around. Shouldn’t a few of us spend our time looking for the queen while you venture on this quest? Isn’t she more important than this rose?”

  Gilbert leaned forward. “Many knights and guards have voluntarily risked their lives to chase every possible clue to find her. They’ve gone into Malum and other countries. Not one day has ended without a band of warriors searching. Sadly, to this point, she hasn’t been found.

  “These instructions for the quest have been taken from my father’s journal. In addition, I’ve sought the wisdom of others and read scrolls penned long ago, during the rule of the empire. I have searched for the quickest and best way to free Aerlis from torment. These sources confirm the necessity and urgency of this quest whenever a new king is crowned.

  “I love my mother very much and would gladly venture into Malum and beyond to rescue her myself. My heart tells me she’s safe for now and will be found only when we’ve done what is right.” He looked at those seated before him. “So. Who is with me?”

  Ben stood and held up his cup. With a spark of adventure in his eyes he shouted, “Long live the king!”