Fate of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  Beverly stepped around the corner, scabbarding her blade. "I am Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam," she said, holding her hands to her side. "We have come from the great temple at Erssa Saka'am."

  The words appeared to have a soothing effect on the creature, for it lowered his spear. "Greetings honoured guests," it said. "I am Gort, guardian of the temple. Long have I waited for word from my brethren."

  Revi and Hayley came up behind him, the orb of light now clearly displaying his features. He was a little taller than Lily with speckles of blue here and there on his otherwise green skin. His head bore a crest which continued down his back, giving him more of a reptilian look.

  He somehow identified Revi as a mage quite readily and bowed his head. "I am sorry if I caused offense," he said.

  "It is we who are sorry," replied the mage. "We have come a long way and didn't expect to find anyone here. How long have you been the guardian of this gate?"

  "A very long time," replied Gort, "as long as I can remember. There used to be three of us, but the others passed into the darkness."

  "I am sorry to hear of their passing," said the mage.

  The diminutive lizard dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Tell me, why have you come here? Are all of my people now dead?"

  "No," said Revi, "quite the reverse actually, they thrive, though they live very far from here."

  "Why did they not return?" he asked.

  "They had forgotten how to use the flame," explained the mage. "It was only when we rediscovered the secret that this type of travel could resume. Tell me, what do you know of the area? Have you gone outside?"

  "Of course," Gort replied, "I regularly hunt in these hills, else how would I survive?"

  "He has a good point," said Beverly.

  "We are Humans," continued the mage. "Have you seen others like us, in the outside world?"

  "Yes, they live in a village outside of these hills."

  "He must mean Wickfield," whispered Hayley.

  "I daresay he does," replied Revi, switching back to the common tongue, "but we need to go and visit it. Tell me, Gort," he continued, effortlessly resuming the Saurian tongue, "could you take us there?"

  "I shall lead you to the edge of the hills, but I will go no farther for I fear these people are warlike and may seek to do me harm. They remind me of Elves."

  "That will do nicely, thank you," added Hayley.

  "I will be going west," announced Beverly. "Know you of the Whitewood?"

  "It is some distance from here," replied the Saurian. "I suggest you go north and then follow the river west, it will guide you as easily as may be."

  "Thank you," said Beverly, looking to her companions. "I shall see you in a week?"

  "Probably more like ten or so days," replied Hayley. "Whoever returns here first will wait on the others, agreed?"

  "Agreed," said Beverly, "though you can't wait forever. I would suggest if I'm not back in two weeks, you return to Queenston without me."

  "And if we don't return?" asked the mage.

  "Then I shall have to come looking for you. I can't operate the gate, remember?"

  "We'd best get moving," suggested Hayley. "It's still early, and we want to get out of the hills by nightfall if we can. These are dangerous lands."

  "Gort," said Revi, "will you take us to the other Humans now? We have to visit them. When we return, we'd be happy to take you back with us to the Great Temple."

  "Certainly," replied the Saurian, "you should be on your way at once, and I will remain here to guard the temple. Follow me, and I will lead you to the exit."

  * * *

  Revi tugged at his tunic, "Are you sure I have to wear this?"

  "Of course," said Hayley, "you can't just wander into the village in your wizard's robes."

  "Why not?"

  "It may be under the king's control, and you'd be placed under arrest. I won't have you rotting in jail again."

  "It's just so...constricting."

  "I think it suits you," she said. "Now remember, you're a farmer up from Hawksburg."

  "What about you?" he asked.

  "Me? I'm a ranger, remember? No one's going to ask questions of me."

  The edge of the village could clearly be seen, with the spire of the church visible above all else.

  "We're being watched," noted the ranger.

  Revi looked about, "I don't see anyone."

  "Up in the bell tower," she said, "though I suspect we'll see others shortly."

  The road through the village was straight, heading directly to the river beyond with a makeshift wall at the southern end. Two men, presumably warned of their approach, made their way out of a nearby building and took up a position behind the row of barrels.

  "Halt," cried out the taller of the two as they drew nearer.

  Hayley reached into her tunic and pulled forth her ranger's token, brandishing it before her. "I'm a King's Ranger," she called out, "make way."

  The men lowered spears, pointing them directly at her. "A friend of the king will find no safety here," one threatened.

  Hayley halted, grabbing Revi's arm to prevent him from advancing. "What's going on here?" she asked.

  "Do you not recognize the flag?" the guard asked, pointing to the top of the church.

  She glanced up; a makeshift flag pole was attached to the bell tower, but with the windless day, the flag had not been visible. Now, her eyes focused on it, taking in its meaning. "The red flag of rebellion," she said at last. "It seems to be spreading."

  "What would you know of rebellion?" asked the guard.

  Revi stepped forward, despite Hayley's protestations. "I am Revi Bloom," he said, "have you heard of me?"

  "Aye," replied the guard, "though we'd heard you were dead. Killed along with the people's princess."

  "The people's princess?" mused Revi. "You mean Princess Anna?"

  "That's the one," he replied. "There's no other."

  He smiled, "Then, my friend, I bring you joyous news, for Princess Anna is alive and well. Not only that, but Kingsford and Colbridge have fallen to her armies."

  "How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?"

  At this, Hayley spoke up, "Is Elwind Marhaven still the reeve here?"

  "Aye, he is, what of it?"

  "Then go and fetch him. Tell him Hayley Chambers wants to speak to him."

  They watched as the guard spoke to his companion, who then ran off.

  "You know the reeve?" asked Revi.

  "Of course, I regularly patrolled the area around here. The reeve was appointed by the Baronet of Wickfield. He never spends any time at his estate, he's too comfortable in Wincaster, so he pays the reeve to look after things."

  "And you suspect this Marhaven fellow will be friendly?"

  "I think so," said Hayley.

  Revi detected some hesitation in her voice, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

  She blushed, "Well, he might have been a little enamoured of me at one time."

  "Enamoured?"

  "Yes," she replied.

  "And just how enamoured was he?"

  "Well, he might have proposed at one point."

  "Is he likely to bear a grudge? I mean, Hayley, you did rebuff him, didn't you?"

  "I wouldn't be standing here now if I hadn't. Don't worry, he's a decent enough fellow. I think everything will be fine."

  The man that came to meet them was younger than Revi had imagined, with chiselled good looks and a crop of black hair tied back with a strip of leather.

  "Hayley Chambers, what a pleasant surprise," the reeve called out.

  "You're looking well, Elwind," the ranger called back. "I trust all is peaceful?"

  He halted before them to look them over. His attention to Revi was brief, but he let his eyes linger on the ranger for a while before answering. "There is a gathering storm, I'm afraid. We have word that the king has sent troops to quell the rebellion."

  "And yet you still offer resistance," said Revi. "Are you that sure of vic
tory?"

  "Our understanding," continued the reeve, "is that the army will move west, to attack Bodden first. The villages here are small and unimportant in the politics of the realm. The king has troops here and so believes us to be loyal."

  "And yet you still fly the red flag," offered Hayley, "why is that? Surely you would be better off to fly the flag of the realm?"

  "No, the people here have suffered too much and refuse to pay the king's taxes. This new offensive was the last straw. When word came down calling on us to increase taxes and send half our food to the army, they'd had enough."

  "What of the Royal Garrison?" asked the mage.

  "The Wincaster bowmen? They're supporting us. Despite their name, they were recruited from the area. Most of them have families here, and they'll not see them suffer. That's why we've begun fortifying the place."

  "If the army comes, this barricade will do little to dissuade them," said Hayley.

  "True, but if they come in force, we'll cross the river into Norland. Better to face the raiders than the wrath of the king, but enough of this banter. Come, let's get you inside where we can catch up on old times."

  He led them past the makeshift barricade and down the single street that ran northward. "The captain has posted lookouts in the bell tower," he explained, "and we've set up a command centre in the church itself." He turned left, leading them to the indicated building. "Captain Wainwright commands the archers."

  "I'm afraid I don't know him," offered Hayley. "Is he to be trusted?"

  The reeve halted, looking directly into her eyes, "You've changed, Hayley. You never used to distrust anyone till they gave you a reason."

  "I've been through a lot in the last two years," she replied.

  A group of soldiers stood around a table. At their entrance, the man at its head came toward them. "You're Revi Bloom?" he asked, without preamble.

  "I am," exclaimed the surprised mage.

  "Then I have need of your services," the man replied.

  "And you would be?" asked Revi.

  "Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I'm Captain Harold Wainwright, Captain of the Greens."

  "The Greens?"

  "Yes, the Wincaster bowmen."

  "Ah," replied the mage, "I see now, the green tunics, it all makes sense."

  "Are you here to help?" pressed the captain.

  "We will help if we can," replied Hayley, "but there's just the two of us. I'm not sure what we can do."

  "I have a number of wounded men," explained the captain. "We fought off Norland raiders last week when they tried crossing the river."

  "I can take a look at them," offered the mage. "Where are they?"

  "They're in the back. We've turned the Holy Father's office into a sick room. Halion," he called out, "take the Life Mage to the wounded."

  "Aye, sir," came the reply.

  Hayley watched as Revi was led away, then turned her attention back to the captain. "What kind of strength do you have?"

  "A company of archers, and thankfully we're at full strength, or at least we will be when the mage heals my men."

  "So you have bows, but what about spearmen?"

  "The local militia has been called up," offered the reeve.

  "And how would you rate their training?" asked Hayley.

  "Little to none, I'm afraid," he answered.

  "You need more men to man the walls," she observed.

  "Agreed," said the captain, "but there are no more to call."

  "What about Mattingly," she asked.

  "It's a good distance from here," replied Captain Wainwright, "and they'd have to march through Hawksburg to get here."

  "Not if they paralleled the river," said Hayley. "I've made the trip on several occasions. It's an easy enough path."

  "We know little of the garrison there," offered the reeve, "but we'd welcome any help they might be able to send. Are you offering to go and talk to them?"

  "I'm not sure we can spare the time," she said. "We have to rendezvous with another member of our party."

  "It would mean a lot to us," offered the reeve, "to me, especially."

  "That horse left the barn a long time ago, Elwind. I'm with Revi now."

  A look of surprise crossed the reeve's face. "The mage? You can't be with a mage."

  "Says who?" she demanded.

  "Mages don't have relationships. They're married to their craft."

  "Are you an expert on mages, now?" she retorted. "Trust me, I've known Revi for some time, he's dedicated, but I wouldn't say he's married to his craft."

  As if by magic, Revi Bloom returned. "All done, Captain," he said, wiping his hands with a cloth.

  "That fast?" asked the reeve in disbelief.

  "What can I say," said Revi, "I'm very efficient at my job. They'll be weak for a day or two due to blood loss, but I expect them to recover fully."

  "I must thank you," said Captain Wainwright. "We need every man."

  "The good captain would like us to go to Mattingly and see if we can bring the levy here."

  "The militia?" asked Revi. "Won't they need it themselves?"

  "If the king strikes, he'll likely attack Wickfield first," offered Hayley, "it's closer."

  "What about Beverly?" Revi asked.

  "Precisely what I was thinking."

  "I suppose we could leave a note with Gort," offered the mage.

  "Who's Gort?" asked the reeve.

  "A mutual friend," responded Hayley. "Revi, can I talk to you in private for a moment?"

  "Certainly," he responded.

  They hustled outside then she looked around, careful that no one was about to overhear their conversation.

  "They need reinforcements," said Hayley. "What if we sent them some troops from Queenston?"

  "That won't work," said Revi, "they're needed in the coming offensive. We have no idea when or even if the king will attack here. No, it has to be the levy at Mattingly, unless you think Hawksburg could help."

  "No, they're too close to Tewsbury. I rather suspect they'll have their own troubles soon enough."

  "The trip to Mattingly will take too long, Hayley. We still have to get back and make our report."

  "We could return to Queenston and get a couple of horses. That would speed up the trip considerably."

  "Yes," he agreed, "but we'd still have to wait for Beverly. There's no telling how much longer she'll be."

  “Then we'll have to leave her a note if she's not there already."

  "How long would it take, do you think?"

  "To get back through the gate and return with horses? No more than a day I would say, and we'd more than make up that time on the way to Mattingly."

  "It sounds like a good idea," said Revi. "I suggest we get moving on it right away. How soon can we leave?"

  "First thing tomorrow," she offered. "If we leave before sunup, we can be back to the gate long before dark."

  "You'd best say your goodbyes tonight then," he said. "Though I suspect the reeve will be sorry to see you go."

  Hayley saw the look on Revi's face. "Hey, I'm your lucky charm, no one else's, remember?"

  Revi coughed to hide his discomfort, "Of course, I know that. What do you take me for, some love-struck youth?"

  The ranger kissed him tenderly.

  "What was that for?" he asked.

  "Just for being you," she replied.

  * * *

  Beverly Fitzwilliam started out heading north to the great river and then turned westward, following its southern bank while it meandered across the land. The distant trees of the Whitewood drew closer until finally, she entered their shadows. The woods here were thick with undergrowth that hampered travel.

  Hours after entering the forest, she stumbled across an unexpected sight. It first came to her attention when her boot made a cracking sound. She looked down to see a bone, crushed beneath the weight of her foot. Pausing in her steps, she cast her eyes about. As they adjusted to the vibrant colours of the wood, she detected hints o
f a bone here and there, along with the glint of metal. She investigated further only to find a sword, still gripped in a skeletal hand.

  A battle had taken place here some time ago; the bones picked clean, the woods engulfing the bodies. She remembered Albreda's reputation and decided this was as good a place as any to call forth the druid.

  "Albreda," she called out, "it's Beverly, I'm here. Come and find me!"

  Her voice echoed in the great wood, but only silence greeted her. She continued her journey, heading deeper into the Whitewood, calling out occasionally as she went.

  The afternoon wore on. As she knelt by a stream, she heard the snapping of a branch. Standing, she drew her sword, her thirst now forgotten. Her eyes scanned the trees, but it was her hearing that told her the truth; there was movement all around her.

  At first, she wanted to lash out with her sword, but her mind soon got a grip on her emotions. This was the lair of Albreda, she reminded herself, and no harm would befall her here. She scabbarded her sword and waited.

  Moments later, a wolf came out of the undergrowth. It approached slowly, eyeing her the whole time as she stood, silent and unmoving. Soon, others joined it, surrounding her. Beverly remained still, scanning the trees, ignoring the wolves.

  "I am here to see the Lady of the Whitewood," she announced.

  "And so you have found me," came a voice in reply.

  Albreda stepped from the shadows, her face wearing a look of surprise. "Beverly," she called out, "is that really you?"

  "Yes," the knight replied.

  Albreda crossed the intervening space quickly to embrace the red-headed knight. "By the Gods," she said, "this is too good to be true. I knew you must be alive, I just knew it."

  Beverly, surprised by the act, returned the hug.

  Albreda withdrew, holding Beverly at arm's length, "Look at you, healthy as a horse and alive. I knew the reports of your death had to be wrong, my visions would have seen it."

  "My father, is he well?" Beverly asked.

  "He is," replied the mage, "as is Aldwin."

  Tears of relief came to Beverly's eyes at the mention of her smith.

  "Yes," said Albreda, "he's been mourning your loss, though. We'd been told you were dead. Tell me, how did you come here?"

  "Revi has unlocked the secret of the gates," she replied.