The Four Gifts of the King

by R. Scott Rodin

  The guards made no reply. Instead they parted to let a Phaedra through.

  “May we help you? This is a restricted ramp, you know. Only Cassandra’s men and guards may enter here. Do you have business with her?”

  Astrid slid back her shawl to reveal her face, and those assembled gasped.

  The Phaedra bowed his head. “I am quite pleased to see you, Astrid. We all assumed the worst when you fell from the end of Cassandra’s ramp. How delightful to see that you are well. And who is this riding with you?”

  “It is my bodyguard from the Barbariq people.”

  Two Phaedra drew closer to look at Steward.

  “May I see my sister now, please?”

  The Phaedra continued staring at Steward but then turned away and nodded. “Of course. Let us escort you to her.”

  “There’s no need. I know where to find her.”

  “I wouldn’t think of it. You are a special guest, and you shall have an entourage.” The Phaedra feigned a show of respect—and the game was on.

  Meanwhile, Zedekai had led the ten warriors of the king into Ascendia. He’d divided the ten into pairs, ordering them to ride in from different directions. Two warriors wasn’t that unusual. All ten at once? That would cause quite the stir.

  Each duo had their assignment to work their way through the labyrinth of streets, past markets, schools, parks, and palatial government buildings, until they all arrived at the end of Donturnates’s ramp.

  Zedekai looked ahead. While the ramp had not yet been walled up, twenty armed guards stood watch over the small opening leading to it. Out across the valley, the far end of the ramp rested against the face of the distant mountain.

  He signaled to the other warriors. It was almost time to take the ramp and secure it for Astrid, Steward, and Cassandra.

  Dunston had made his way on foot through the city streets. He smiled when he heard Elopia’s shrill voice right where Astrid had hoped she would be—in the city market. Dunston looked across the open market square and spotted Elopia, who was, as usual, engaged in an animated conversation with a group of her friends. The group of six or so meandered across the market, stopping to pick through some fabrics or dried goods or clothing items as they chatted nonstop. Maybe they would remain occupied by the lure of the salesmen and the endless arguments that seemed to be the glue that held them together.

  No such luck.

  Elopia glared at her companions. “You are all just too brainless for me. I must leave you before I scream.”

  One of her group swung a Quash at her, and Elopia swung hers to collide with it. The sound of clashing Quashes raised no attention, not even from the others in Elopia’s group. She snarled at her attacker then flashed her a sneer and stormed away.

  Time to act! Dunston grabbed a large cantaloupe from a market stand and walked toward Elopia. As their paths intersected, he feigned a fall and, with a shriek, threw the cantaloupe in Elopia’s direction.

  As he’d intended, she darted in his direction just in time to catch the piece of fruit before it smashed to the ground.

  “Bless you, oh, bless you, my darling young lady!” Dunston lay sprawled on the pavement, holding his leg for added effect.

  “Are you okay, little man?” Elopia tried to help him to his feet and return to him the rescued fruit.

  “Okay? Okay? Why, I’m certainly not okay. These streets of yours are treacherous indeed.” He struggled to stand then limped closer to her and peered up into her eyes. “But you, my dear, are among the fairest of the women I have seen in all Ascendia. Indeed, in all the kingdom, I do so swear.”

  Elopia blushed. “That is very kind of you. Here, let me help you.” She supported Dunston as he drew out regaining his balance and dusting himself off.

  “My dear lady, you are so kind. And your kindness will not go unrewarded. Walk with me and let us talk about how I shall repay you, for I am a man not without means.” He began walking in the opposite direction of Cassandra’s ramp.

  Elopia stopped. “Oh, I would love to talk about a reward, but I must join my sister on the ramp. She gets very cross if I don’t report to her once a day. She is such a tyrant, but I really must obey.”

  Dunston waved her on. “Yes, yes, you must obey. But the day is young. I will leave you plenty of time to make your appointment with your sister. But if you want the reward, you must follow me now. Please, for only a little ways. Then I will set you free to return to your sisterly duties.”

  Elopia didn’t move. Would she turn from him? Head for her sister? Dunston was about to sweeten the lure, but the thought of a reward must have been too much for her to resist.

  She smiled at him. “All right, but only for a short while. When I have my reward, I must go to the ramps.”

  “Of course, of course. Now come, my beauty, and let us walk and talk of rewards and wishes and dreams come true.” Dunston led Elopia across the market and out into the maze of streets running the opposite direction of the ramps.

  Astrid and Steward rode onto Cassandra’s ramp amid a large escort of Phaedra. Steward looked at the ramp—how had it progressed so much in so little time? Her workers had brought the mountainside within reach, and she had them working at an even more frenetic pace than when he was here last.

  Yet as Steward caught site of her imposing figure at the ramp’s end, he could see that the mountain was still far away. Cassandra was shouting orders and seemed almost hysterical as they drew near enough to hear her.

  “Ten meters! That’s all we made yesterday? How can we be going so slowly with all these workers?”

  Her chief engineer threw his hands in the air. “You know as well as I do that at this height, each meter requires a massive support system. Your Ascender is now hundreds of feet above the ground. This is as fast as we can go.”

  A few workers spotted Steward and Astrid, and the small band of Phaedra with them, and stopped to watch them.

  Cassandra scowled. “What are you all looking at? Get to work. We must do better than ten meters today or I will fire you all!” She turned in the direction of her workers’ focus and saw Steward and the others. She squinted and watched them approach.

  Then Cassandra’s mouth fell open. “Sister? It cannot be. Astrid! Little sister!”

  Astrid slid off her horse and embraced Cassandra. “It is me, back from the dead—or nearly.”

  Cassandra stepped back. “Astrid, why did you risk your life to rescue Steward? Is he still alive?”

  The Phaedra drew near, as though listening for her reply.

  Thank heaven for the mask he wore!

  Astrid looked down. “I am sorry, sister. He deluded me, and I shouldn’t have betrayed you. We both survived the fall, but he died later in Seudomartus.”

  The Phaedra seemed quite satisfied with the confirmation of what they believed.

  “But there is more. I have some very exciting news for you.” With a flair of emotion in her voice, Astrid told the story just as they had planned. She stopped just as she was about to unveil the idea of taking Cassandra to the end of Donturnates’s completed ramp. “Sister, can we talk in private?”

  They had planned this as well. Astrid needed to tell Cassandra of their plan without the Phaedra hearing her.

  Cassandra looked at the Phaedra, who had moved in close to catch Astrid’s every word. Cassandra inclined her head to them. “Please excuse us for a moment. We have some sister talk to do.”

  “Great Cassandra, we are here to serve you. But how can we serve if we do not hear and know the story that Astrid has come to tell you?” There was caution and urgency in the Phaedra’s tone.

  Cassandra looked at them and then at Astrid. “This is nothing to concern you. Just family talk. I assure you that nothing of importance will escape your hearing. But please give us a few moments.”

  “Very well. We will await your invitation to rejoin you.” The Phaedra shot a glare at Astrid and backed away.

  Astrid and Cassandra walked to the ramp’s far edge. As any goo
d bodyguard would do, Steward nudged his horse to follow, staying a short distance away, but close enough to hear.

  When Astrid and her sister were out of earshot, Astrid made her offer.

  Cassandra placed a hand on her sister’s arm. “Take me to the mountain on his ramp? Yes, I will do it.”

  Astrid looked past Steward, probably back at the wall of Phaedra. “But how will we get off this ramp without the Phaedra protesting?”

  Cassandra thought for a minute. “Do you remember Creaker’s Tunnel?”

  Creaker’s Tunnel?

  Astrid nodded. “Yes, of course. I think we are the only ones in Ascendia who know about it.” Astrid paused then smiled. “Yes, that’s perfect.”

  Cassandra was almost smiling. “Meet me there with my disguise on the hour. Now follow my lead.”

  Cassandra turned back toward the anxious Phaedra and scowled. “Why aren’t we working? And where is the paving mixture we need? Enough talking. Astrid and her bodyguard will spend the night at the House of Bendor, if she so wishes, but we have nothing else to say to each other. As for the paving mixture, I will see for myself what the problem is.”

  With that, she mounted her horse, galloped through everyone, and disappeared down the ramp, seemingly in a rage.

  Astrid looked offended and shook her head. “I don’t know why I even came! Come. Let’s leave this place and my deluded sister.”

  It took all of Steward’s self-control to restrain a grin. These sisters were quite accomplished at deception.

  Astrid and Steward rode off. As they did, Steward raised a long staff into the air, from which a single red flag waved. He did it as though he were required to do so as part of his duty as bodyguard, but in reality—it was a signal.

  At last.

  Zedekai had been waiting, watching through a looking glass for the red flag. He lowered the glass and signaled to the five pairs of warriors.

  “It is time.”

  The warriors rode out from their hiding places, and before the guards at the end of Donturnates’s ramp could react, they started the assault.

  Cassandra rode through the streets until she was out of sight of the Phaedra. She turned her horse down a narrow street that passed under three successive archways then dismounted and led the horse farther on foot. She rounded a high wall and cleared away brush to reveal a small passageway from where a stream emerged. She tied her horse and walked into the darkness.

  She followed the cool, flowing water and, after a short distance, spotted a beam of light shooting out to illuminate a domed cavern just large enough to stand in. She and Astrid had found this secret place long ago. It served them well as they met here to frustrate Elopia, who was never let in on the location of the hideaway.

  Before long she heard footsteps, and Astrid emerged behind her. “Creaker’s Tunnel. I never thought I would be back here.”

  Just then Cassandra heard the distant sound of a horse and cart overhead, and the cavern gave out a groan. Cassandra and Astrid looked at each other and grinned. “Creaker’s!”

  Enough frivolity. Cassandra straightened. “We don’t have much time. Are you sure you can get me to the mountainside on the ramp?”

  “Yes, it’s all arranged. Here’s your tunic and veil. Come, let’s go.”

  Astrid and Cassandra emerged from the cave, right where Astrid had told Steward to wait. They mounted the horses he’d brought, working their way through backstreets toward Donturnates’s ramp.

  “Just a little farther, dear lady.”

  Dunston had said that very same thing countless times, and Elopia had gone along. But this time she stopped, planting her feet.

  “You must give me my reward now, for I will go no farther. I am too far from the ramps, and I must return to my sister, who will be furious with me for taking this long. I must have my reward now, if you will.”

  Dunston took as much time as he could, clearing his voice and playing out the drama. Then he looked Elopia in the eye. “You foolish girl. You have the greatest gift right in your hands, and yet you don’t even know it.”

  Elopia looked down at the Quash that she held in her grip. “My Quash? Yes, I know its power. This is no reward. You’ve tricked me and wasted my time!”

  Dunston put his hand up to silence her. “My dear, if you knew for one moment the real power of the Quash, you would realize how rich you are. The power of the Quash is the power to serve, to heal, to know, and to give love. It is the essence of everything you crave and cannot attain. It’s the secret of your existence, and it’s the gift to you from the king. And that knowledge, my dear, is the ultimate reward, is it not?”

  Elopia studied her Quash. Then her hand gripped the edge, her knuckles turned white, and when she looked at Dunston, fire sparked in her eyes. “Yes, it is powerful, as you say. And for this great reward, let me make sure you feel its power.”

  Dunston saw what was coming and tried to duck. But she swung the Quash at him with such speed and force she caught him upside the head. Stars exploded in his brain, and he hurtled back onto the street.

  The last thing he saw was Elopia sprinting toward the ramps.

  Astrid, Cassandra, and Steward rounded the final corner before the entrance to Donturnates’s ramp.

  Steward looked ahead. Here’s praying the king’s warriors have cleared the way.

  As the three rode up to the entrance, guards at the gates of the ramp stepped forward— and Steward smiled. They were the king’s warriors, pretending to be the guards!

  Somewhere there are a bunch of guards tied up in the bushes.

  “What business do you have here? This is Donturnates’s ramp, and no one is allowed entrance here.”

  Convincing. Very convincing. Hopefully Cassandra is buying it.

  Astrid straightened, looking every inch the regal woman. “I am Astrid of the House of Bendor. We have been invited by Donturnates to visit him, and we are here at that invitation.”

  The warrior-guard studied her. “Yes, we remember you and the invitation. But only you three may enter. Donturnates’s home is near the ramp’s end on the mountainside. You are free to pass.”

  From beneath his covering, Steward allowed himself a quick smile as they rode on past the warriors. Thank heaven they’d made it to the ramp. And without a Phaedra in sight. He looked down to see the dust flying from their horses’ hooves. How many people had died to create the pavement under them?

  The enormous ramp swept across the entire valley. They galloped their horses for nearly an hour before Steward saw the ramp’s end coming into view.

  Cassandra pulled the veil from her face and drew a deep breath. Steward saw the anticipation in her features. She thought she was about to see the goal for which she had been working all her life.

  He almost felt sorry for her.

  They pulled their horses to a trot as they came to the place where the ramp merged into the mountainside. A path lay ahead.

  Astrid turned to her sister. “Well, this is it. What do you think?”

  Cassandra looked around her, as did Steward.

  The path led into a forest, where shafts of light from the brilliant midday sun streamed through. The meadow surrounding the forest entrance was filled with wildflowers, and the songs of birds were everywhere.

  Cassandra drew a deep breath. “It is magnificent! Just as I had hoped and believed. But we must not stop here. Let’s see where the path leads us.” She took off, galloping away as though driven by some internal force.

  Steward pulled the shroud from his head and looked at Astrid. “What if we’re wrong? What if this is everything she thought it would be? She’ll be a more voracious ramp builder than before.”

  Astrid looked around. “I have to admit it is beautiful here. But the king didn’t call us to be ramp builders. I sense there’s more here to see and learn.” Astrid rode off, and Steward put his hood back on and followed.

  He caught up to the sisters just as the meandering forest path emerged into another meadow. Steward k
new it was time to tell Cassandra the true purpose of the trip. “Cassandra!”

  The two women reined in their horses and turned toward him. He rode to their sides, reached up, and pulled the hood from his head.

  Cassandra recoiled. “Steward! It can’t be. I thought you died in Seudomartus!” Then her eyes narrowed and she shot a piercing look at Astrid. “So you lied to me. What else have you lied about, little sister?”

  Astrid put her hands up to try to calm her sister. “Cassandra, I’m sorry. I did lie to you about, well, about everything. Donturnates’s men didn’t rescue us. We escaped the ramp by use of a hook and rope.”

  Steward lifted his chin. “Well thrown, I may add. And I didn’t die on Starr Hill but recovered at the king’s palace.”

  Cassandra threw them a sneer of disbelief. “The king’s palace? You mean to tell me you have been to the palace and seen the king? Hah!”

  “Yes,” Astrid replied, “and we are here because the king has sent us to you.”

  Cassandra shook it off. “This is insanity! Why would the king send you…or save you?” She glared at Steward.

  How could they convince her? Somehow she needed to see reality. But how?

  “We came to help you see the horror in building ramps with the blood of your people. We came to show you the futility of it all and to help you discover the life the king would have you live.”

  Cassandra pulled her horse around and circled them. “You lied to me and kidnapped me to get me to stop my ramp building? You’re jealous of my progress. You want my ramp for your own. That’s it, isn’t it? You brought me up here to kill me. Then all I have will be yours!”

  Help us, king. We’re about to lose her. What can we say?

  Astrid pleaded. “No, Cassandra! We came to show you the real end of your ramp-building work. And we came to tell you the purpose of the Quash and sash that you wear. The king has shown it to us, and now he’s sent us to show you.”