by Brad Clark
Twenty warriors were with Princess Nikki. Ten of them had bows with arrows nocked and ready to be fired. The other ten had their swords drawn. As they approached, they made a semi-circle around the cage’s door.
Princess Nikki walked up to them and stood right in front of Conner. The fiery eyes that she had in the forest were gone. In their place was a softness that was also shown in her body language. Although the swords were strung across her back as a visual threat of what she could do, she seemed relaxed and at ease.
“So,” she said. “You are Hurai.”
Conner wasn’t sure if she was asking or telling, but he said, “Yes.”
“Master Goshin taught you well. You fight with the skill of Hurai and not that of a barbarian.”
A smile came to his face as he thought about his old teacher. “He did as well as he could with me. I was not a very good student, though.”
Her eyes twinkled as she said, “Yeah, you’re probably right. I did handle you pretty easily.”
Conner’s eyes narrowed, wondering if she was kidding or not. “I held my own against you.”
“For a time,” she replied. “At first, you fought as Sak’Hurai might, but then you had some moves that confused me. I figured you out pretty quickly.”
“I was also trained to be a Karmon Knight.”
“Ah! Of course,” she exclaimed. “Master Goshin went to the land of Karmon many years ago. You are a Karmon Knight, then?”
“No,” Conner replied with a shake of his head. “It is a long story.”
Glaerion stepped forward and interrupted, “A long story for another time. Are we to have an audience with the king?”
The moment Glaerion entered the conversation, Prince Nikki’s demeanor changed. The softness in her eyes left, and her face tightened. “Yes, my father has called for you. You will come willingly, or must we bind you and drag you through the streets of our town?”
Before Galerion could reply, Ryshak said, “If you mean to execute us, then no, of course, we will not come willingly. We might as well fight to the death right here.”
“Ryshak! Enough!” Glaerion said.
Princess Nikki looked at Ryshak for a moment before responding. “You have spirit, Elf. I will give you that. Your offense is worthy of death, but my father will not wish it unless you provoke him. Respect him, and us, and he will do likewise to you. Now, what are your names?”
“I am Conner. This is Glaerion. Ryshak is one of the Elven Guard.”
“In truth, the only reason that you are alive is that Conner is with you. We followed you for some time, but if it had been just the two of you Elves, we would have not waited so long to make ourselves known. I found it curious to see a Human traveling with Elves. My father is also curious, which is why you have an audience with him so soon. He is a busy man and many days would normally pass before an audience would be granted.”
“We appreciate him seeing us,” Conner said.
Ryshak let out a snort. Glaerion gave him a harsh look but said nothing more.
“So tell me, Conner, why is a Human traveling with two Elves?”
“We came here to ask for your help,” Conner replied.
“What could the three of you need help with? And why would you think we would help you?”
“War is coming.”
“War? There have been rumors of something happening to the east across the seas, but no real news will come until the trade ships start traveling come springtime.”
“The rumors are true. Our kingdom and our world have been invaded by the armies of the Deceiver. The Elves are already on their way to help in the fight. We are here to ask for help from the Hurai.”
Princess Nikki’s face went white. “The Deceiver? How can that be?”
Glaerion cut in and said, “It is quite a story that I am sure will be told when we have our audience with your father. Maybe it’s time that we are taken to him.”
Princess Nikki glared at Glaerion for a moment, but then she turned to her warriors and barked out a command in her native language. The bowmen slowly withdrew arrows from their bows and placed them in quivers that hung from their belts. The swordsmen sheathed their swords. She unlocked a chain that had held the door shut and stepped back to allow Conner, Glaerion, and Ryshak to exit.
As her three prisoners passed by, she shook her head and said softly, “Elves and Humans fighting side-by-side. I never could have imagined seeing this day.”
Conner turned to her and said, “Is that not evidence enough of our need for help?”
“Maybe so. Watching you from afar, and then watching you fight together, I can tell that you are more than just traveling companions. They trusted you with their backs.”
“Glaerion and I have gone through a lot together. We are friends.”
Princess Nikki looked at Glaerion for confirmation.
“I just hate him a little less than others. I guess you could call that friendship.”
Princess Nikki’s stoic demeanor disappeared for a moment, and she laughed. “An Elf with humor! Come. My father is waiting for us. You will share the rest of your story with him.” She started to step forward, but then her eyes locked on Ryshak. “I still sense anger with you. Hold your tongue around my father, or he will not listen to anything you have to say.”
“He will be quiet,” Glaerion assured.
“We will escort you through town to my father’s palace.” She pointed her hand, directing them to fall behind her warriors. “I trust that you will not run, for it would be a shame to have to kill you in front of my people.”
“We will not run,” Conner said. “We are here as friends.”
The look on Princess Nikki’s face showed her doubt, but she didn’t say anything else. She turned and started walking towards the Hurai town. Conner and the Elves fell into step behind their Hurai guard.
***
The streets of the Hurai town were bustling with regular citizens going about their daily tasks. For the first time, Conner saw Hurai that weren’t warriors, and they didn’t look much different than typical Karmons. They were dressed in simple clothes, and many had headcovers to protect themselves from the midday heat. He saw no other warriors, soldiers, or guards, other than their escorts. There were no armed patrols to keep the peace, and it seemed as if there would be no reason to have such guards. The town was peaceful and tranquil. Only when they reached the middle of the town did it become noisy. A large open market was located in the center of the town where merchants sold their goods, hollering and shouting in their own language.
Princess Nikki moved close to Conner as they marched through the market. The townspeople turned to watch, and the noisy din became quieter as they took notice of the Elves and Conner. Many turned to whisper to their neighbor and the rest simply stared back with open jaws. Clearly, it was not every day that Elves came to their town. After they had passed through the market, they wandered through the town’s narrow and winding streets. Eventually, they reached the edge of town where they came to a stop. Ahead of them was a large, elaborate building that could only be the king’s palace. It was in the center of an expansive yard that stretched far into the distance.
“Your father’s palace?” Conner asked Princess Nikki.
“Yes. It has been home to the Hurai kings since the One God first touched our people with his blessing.”
A low stone wall surrounded the immediate palace grounds. It was clearly not meant to be a defensive wall, but a deterrent against someone simply walking onto the palace grounds. Armored guards walked alongside the wall, swords strapped to their backs, and eyes looking about for potential danger. The palace consisted of a single main building that rose several stories up in the air. Four outer buildings were located at each corner of the building. A stone walkway connected all five buildings. The palace grounds were well-manicured with many trees, bushes, and flowers. A wide cobblestone street separated the palace wall from the rest of the town.
Princess Nikki led them onto the s
treet and marched them up to an open gate. Two Hurai warriors stood directly in the opening, blocking their way. Their faces were painted with black lines across their cheeks and chin. Steely eyes stopped their escort.
As Princess Nikki stepped forward, Conner realized that both the guards had two swords strapped to their backs. That was the sign of them being Sak’Hurai, the elite soldiers of the Hurai.
After a few words had been passed between them, Princess Nikki turned and said, “You have been granted admittance to the palace. You will stay near me and not wander. To do so would mean death.”
Conner stepped forward. Glaerion and Ryshak were directly behind. Their escort of twenty warriors waited until they crossed through to the palace grounds before turning and marching away.
“They don’t get to follow us?”
“The palace grounds are sacred. Only those that are invited or are worthy may step foot on these grounds.”
Conner smiled. “So we are worthy?”
Princess Nikki shook her head and snapped back without a hint of humor, “Of course not. You have only been invited. Now be silent, especially around my father. He is old and cranky and does not take kindly to impetuous youth.”
“Impetuous?” Conner laughed.
Princess Nikki glanced away as if she were suddenly embarrassed. “Just be silent.”
She led them along the stone path and towards the main building. Two more Sak’Hurai stood guard next to a set of closed double doors. As soon as she approached, the Sak’Hurai opened the doors, and they entered the building.
The heat of the day made the first room hot and stifling. There were no windows or other doors to allow a breeze to come through. In front of them was a second set of double-doors that were closed.
“My father has been the ruler of our people for almost fifty years,” Princess Nikki said. “He is wise but very stuck in his ways. Do not test his patience, as he will have no qualms about ordering your deaths.”
“Of course,” Conner said, glancing back at Ryshak.
Princess Nikki also turned to Ryshak and said, “I did not want to bring any of you in front of my father, but once he learned of your capture, he demanded it. You, most of all, must keep your tongue under control. He will not hesitate to have it removed if you speak words he does not like.”
Ryshak did not respond but only glared back at her.
“Yes, like that,” Princess Nikki said. To Glaerion, she said, “You seem reasonable and have shown yourself to be friendly. If he calls upon either of you two Elves to speak, it must be you who does so. Your friend Ryshak is clearly a warrior and not a diplomat. The time for warriors may be coming, but for now, you need to be the diplomat.”
“I understand,” Glaerion said. “So does Ryshak.”
“Very well. My father, King Loshin awaits.”
She walked forward and pushed the doors open, revealing the audience chamber of the King of the Hurai. The chamber had a high ceiling that gave the room a cavernous feel. As they walked across the hard floor, their footsteps echoed off the walls. Carvings, sculptures, and paintings adorned nearly every inch of the walls. Halfway down the hall were empty benches. Directly in front of the benches was a raised platform where King Loshin sat. He was slumped in his plush chair snoring loudly.
Princess Nikki glanced back at Conner, her cheeks flushed red. She cleared her throat to try and awaken her father, but he did not move. His snores echoed louder than their footfalls.
“Father!” she suddenly shouted.
King Loshin snorted and sat up quickly, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Conner’s breath caught in his chest as he was certain he was looking at his old friend, Master Goshin.
“Master Goshin?” Conner asked, even though he knew it couldn’t be him.
King Lorshin squinted and looked down at Conner. “Goshin? Did you just call me Goshin?”
Before Conner could reply, Princess Nikki stepped forward and said, “Father, this is the man from Karmon. His name is Conner.”
King Lorshin cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. “Karmon, huh. What is Karmon?”
“It is a kingdom many, many days travel from here,” Conner replied. “One of our…your kind lived there. That was Master Goshin. He trained me.”
“Goshin trained you, huh? I doubt that. He was a Master of Sak’Hurai. He would have only trained Hurai. He would not have wasted his time with your kind.”
“He is one our kind. He is Hurai,” Princess Nikki said.
King Loshin rubbed his scraggly beard and looked closer at Conner. “He does not look it. Death to them all! I have no time for this!”
“Father! You were the one who demanded to see them!”
“Fine,” the king said with the wave of a hand. He settled back into his chair. “Tell me about my long lost brother, then. Where is he? Has he found it, yet?”
Conner glanced back at Glaerion, surprised at what he had just heard and unsure what to say next. The Elf just shrugged his shoulders.
“Master Goshin was your brother?” Conner asked.
“Youngest of them all,” the King said. “Goshin, Roshin, Noshin, Soshin, and Loshin. Loshin, that is me. I am the eldest. That is why I am king. Goshin was the youngest, that was why he was chosen for his task. He left when he was young, just after he achieved the title of Master. I have not seen him since.”
“He is dead,” Conner said, unsure how else to break the news to the king.
“Dead, huh. You saw him die?” The king’s lower lip quivered and his cheeks started to flush.
“I did. By the hand of the Emperor of Taran.”
“Taran, huh.” His words were spoken slow and even as he tried to maintain his composure. He glanced away so no one would see tears forming in his eyes. “They have been a scourge upon our world for centuries. Did you avenge him?”
“We were both prisoners at the time. Emperor Tarcious knew that we were friends and killed him because of me.”
“He is dead, though,” Glaerion said from behind them. “I killed Emperor Tarcious. I avenged your brother’s death.”
Loshin’s eyes narrowed as he tried to focus on Glaerion. “You are an Elf. You avenged my brother?”
“I did.”
“Maybe your kind has some worth after all. Tell me, though, why have you defiled our land with your presence?”
“We have come to ask for your help,” Conner replied, trying to keep the king from focusing on Glaerion being an Elf. If they were to get their help, he knew it would be best if the request came from him, one of their kind. “A great evil has come to our world, and we need your help to defeat it.”
“A great evil?”
“The Deceiver has come with an army.”
The king looked down to the ground and then over to Princess Nikki.
“It is as you have foretold,” Princess Nikki said.
“Indeed.” The king’s gaze returned to Conner, and he looked over him for an uncomfortable amount of time. Finally, he let out a long sigh. “All of it.”
Conner could feel both Princess Nikki and her father staring intently at him as if they were studying him. His mind was suddenly flooded with thoughts and emotions that seemed overwhelming. So much had happened in his life the past couple years that he couldn’t keep it all straight. Events blended into one another until it was just one long mass of danger, tragedy, and near death experiences. He wanted to think that it was all excitement, but there was pain and heartbreak as well. Sometimes he wished that he could just take it all back and return to the simple boy of the woods that he was when he first met Elissa, but he knew that life had passed by. He was who he was, and he had to embrace it. No matter what that meant for his life and his future.
Finally, he broke the eerie silence by asking, “Will you help us fight against the Deceiver?”
King Loshin casually dried his eyes and took a deep breath to regain his composure. “You have convinced the Elvenkind to help you? Is that why he is with you?”<
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“Actually, no,” Conner said. “Well, yes, we have convinced the Elves to help us, but Glaerion is not here because of that. He is here because he is my friend.”
“Humans and Elves friends? Of all the things I had expected to see in my lifetime, that is not one of them. There is a story here, clearly, for you to tell. So speak. Tell your story.”
“Are we on trial here?” Ryshak asked loudly. “Your daughter threatened us with execution. Are we pleading for our lives?”
Everyone turned to him.
Conner spoke first. He didn’t have a lot of experience in royal settings, but he had enough to know what to say. An apology might seem the right course to take, but backtracking from Ryshak’s outburst would be a sign of weakness. They needed to be strong in their presentation. “My Elven friend speaks out of turn, but his question is valid.”
The king replied with a strong and powerful voice. “My daughter takes the laws of our land seriously. Sometimes to a fault. You have broken our laws by coming onto our sacred land, but I do not think that such an offense warrants death. What punishment you receive is yet to be determined, though. I will listen to your words, now. Tell me your story.”
Ryshak’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. “Well, I guess I should thank you, then, for not killing us.”
“Ryshak!” Glaerion snapped. “Easy. We still need their help.”
Ryshak clamped his mouth shut and crossed his arms.
Conner saw so much of who Glaerion used to be in Ryshak. If it were just a few months ago, it would have been Glaerion speaking up and insulting the king. Over the course of their time together, not only had they become friends, but Glaerion had softened his anger. Hopefully, Ryshak would learn as well. His sword would be needed in the coming war, but he needed to develop some diplomacy if he were to help them right now.
Hoping that Ryshak wouldn’t interrupt again, Conner recapped the last two years of his life. From the moment he met Elissa, through his training with Master Goshin, and his exile in Taran, his story had the king’s close attention. When he described his time as a prisoner of the Tarans and had to witness his good friend’s death, both Princess Nikki and King Loshin became emotional and did their best to hold themselves together. Clearly, Master Goshin was as special to them as he was to Conner. With a croaking voice full of emotion, he described his time with Micheal. He was still not completely sure that he was really dead at that time, but there really wasn’t anything to convince him otherwise. There was no memory from the time he got shot with a handful of crossbow bolts to when he was standing in the fog in front of Micheal. Some of the details of that meeting were foggy, but he remembered clearly the words that were spoken to him, directing him to take up the fight against the Deceiver.
