by M. J. Sewall
Aline quietly came in the room. “There's a girl outside. You'll want to talk to her, Denny.”
A girl of eighteen stood nervously in the hallway. Denogg asked, “My dear Jenae, what is it?”
Aline went to the girl and gently prodded her to come into the room. The girl started crying. “I didn't know they were going to… I can't believe they did this. I'm so sorry.”
“Oh, my poor dear. Tell me what you know,” said Denogg.
“I know who poisoned the king. It was one of my cousins,” said the girl.
Denogg put his arm around the girl's shoulder to calm her. “Were those the two cousins that you asked me to hire last year?” Asked Denogg softly. The girl nodded her head and cried harder.
Denogg asked, “And now you're afraid I will think that you helped them because you asked me to hire them?”
The girl was sobbing. “I had nothing to do with this. I don't even know them that well. They came last year saying that I needed to help them get work. I should have known something was wrong when my younger cousin asked to pour the berry juice.”
“Do you know for sure that he did this?” asked Aline.
She opened her hands to show a small jar that was empty. She continued to cry.
Denogg carefully smelled the little jar. “Thorny root,” he said wrinkling his nose. “That would do the trick.” Denogg hugged the girl, calming her a bit. “Where are they now, my dear?”
“I don't know,” she cried. “I went to look for them, and they were both gone, most of their things are gone. They must have fled, but I don't know where they're going.”
The guards wouldn't let any of them leave, but they could go anywhere inside the vast home. They immediately went to the servant wing and searched the room assigned to Janae's cousins, looking for anything that might tell them where they'd gone.
There wasn't much left. A basket was in a corner with apple cores in it, and a bit of rope, but nothing to tell them where they had gone. Gordon and Aline searched again, but found nothing else. Gordon looked closer at the little bit of rope that was left. “Denny, this looks like a Gor knot.”
“A what?” asked Aline.
Gordon answered, “A Gor knot. I read about them. On old ships, they use them to secure their personal property. They tie elaborate knots around their things. No one can untie the knot and retie the knot exactly the same way. It's like a personalized lock. Old time sailors used them all the time.”
“So they might be fleeing the kingdom by ship. Do you have any idea where they would go?” Aline asked the serving girl.
The girl thought for a bit then said, “My family are from the old kingdom of Thure, but my two cousins came from Artoth. They could be going back there.”
Denogg said, “Thank you my girl, you may go about your duties. Trust me, no one will punish you, but please tell no one about this.”
The girl left, and they closed the door. Denny said, “You need to find those boys. We need to get you both out of here.”
“Both of us? Why? I can track them myself and bring them back. Why risk your fortune by having Gordon go with me?” asked Aline.
Gordon asked, “Why exactly would you lose your fortune anyway?”
“I promised my fortune to the crown if you are found guilty, or Loren in your place. We have to get you out of here for several reasons. One, to find those boys. Aline, two searchers are better than one. Gordon, you're smart, let me ask you a question. What do you think will happen if you stay?” asked Denogg.
Gordon thought, then said, “Well, if Aline went and I stayed, I would probably have to go to the funeral of the king, and so would you. Even if Aline found them quickly, she wouldn't get back before the funeral. And funerals attract dignitaries from other kingdoms…”
Denogg nodded, “Clever boy. Go on…”
“If Aline doesn't get them back here, they will k… kill Loren, and they'll give me back to Trunculin as a prisoner to show good faith,” said Gordon.
Denogg nodded, “That's right. And I can offer you no protection now. You being far away from here will be the best way for you to be safe. At this point, Aline can guard you much better than I can.”
“And your fortune. What about that?” asked Gordon.
Aline answered, “Because he has put his fortune against your innocence; if you are free, you will be safe, but it will look like you are guilty. The queen can seize everything he owns until we can prove your innocence… whether you're here or not.”
Gordon shook his head, “I don't want to go if it means that you lose everything. I already feel like Loren is in prison because of me.”
Denogg answered, “My dear boy, you don't know how things work around here. The kings and queens of Thure have excellent blood, but most of them have no coin. This kingdom's ship building fortunes dried up long ago. They keep up appearances, but the cupboards are bare. Believe me, my boy. They want my fortune more than they want your head.”
“But that's more reason for me to stay. I can't be responsible for you losing…”
“My king, I have been rich for a long time. And when you're rich, no matter how much you give to the poor, or how much you pay your servants, the tax collector always want more. In my long years as a merchant, among other things, I have learned not to keep all of my pebbles in one pocket. I have wealth secured in other lands. Not to mention large pockets in places no one knows about. It will be hard to lose this place,” he said, looking around at his enormous house, “but I knew it was gone the moment the queen asked her question. Whatever happens, I will be fine.” He rubbed his belly and said, “Besides, I could afford to miss a few meals. Now, let's get you ready, and then we will go off to a little secret of my house I need to show you.”
Denogg sent the servant out to do some shopping, or so he told the guards. Denogg quietly told Aline and Gordon, “Okay, I have a ship leaving for Artoth. I sent my servant out for a dog team. Since they only left a few guards, there should be no problem to pull it around the back of the house where my special exit is. Now, let's take a tour of the house.”
As they came out of the room, Denogg immediately started talking and pointing to things around the room. “This likeness here was a gift from the third king of Thure. Of course it was not a gift to me, but to his queen, since the third king lived almost two thousand years ago.”
Denogg continued as they went down the long hallway lined with art. “Oh, this painting was done by the famous artist Ninian just for me. He owed me a lot of coin. Artists never seem to be able to manage their finances, so he painted this for me as payment.” They passed a guard who was not interested in art and paid them little attention.
“Was that the same Ninian that painted the mural of the hundred kings?” asked Gordon, genuinely interested. Aline strolled next to them, decidedly unmoved by the painting.
“Why, very good my boy. He is the very artist that painted that masterpiece that surrounds the king's chair. Are you as interested in art as you are in history?” asked Denogg.
Gordon replied, “Not really. Only when they come together at the same time.”
Denogg laughed as they continue down the long hallway, giving quite the performance for the guards. “Ah, I must show you this room.”
They walked into a large room stacked with rows containing nothing but bottles and large kegs. The room was like a maze and they went through a series of high shelves until they reached the back of the room, well hidden from the entrance.
“The drinks room,” declared Denogg, “You see it's in the darkest, coolest part of the house to make sure the wine stays good until I get thirsty,” Denogg continued, “and you see the floor. You'll noticed that the floorboards are wider than the rest of the house. Occasionally there are accidents and a bottle drops, or old bottles suddenly pop open on their own. The mess goes down into the sub level.” Denogg pushed the only small rug in the room aside with his foot. He grabbed a pole off the wall with a hook at the end, and pulled a section of floor up to re
veal a secret door.
“This room has quite a few features. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore you.” As Denogg was saying this, he had quietly opened the trapdoor.
Denogg put a hand on both of their shoulders, just as they heard footsteps entering the room. It wasn't a guard. Instead, it was two servants carrying a basket each, supposedly full of dirty clothes for the laundry, but also full of all of their weapons and gear. They got ready to descend into the hidden room below that led to the exit. Denogg said “Don't worry. The dog team will be waiting for you.”
Aline suddenly hugged Denogg very hard.
“What was that for, my dear?” asked Denny.
“For all that you've done, and all that you'll do in the coming days. Thank you Denny,” Aline replied.
Gordon started to thank Denogg and put out his hand.
Denogg did not take his hand, “You know, I think that hug is contagious. Come here, my boy, you deserve more than a shake of the hand,” he said as he hugged Gordon.
All Gordon could think to say was, “Thank you.”
Denny smiled and said nothing else. He simply pointed his finger down to the ladder that led into the secret exit. They both quietly went down, and as soon as they did, Denogg closed the trapdoor above them, putting the false floor back in place, replacing the rug. There was little natural light all along the narrow passageway. But it was clear which way they were supposed to go.
They made their way out of the narrow passageway through a small door. They were careful as they came out, looking around in every direction. The dog team and Denny's trusted servant were there, just as promised.
This was a shielded side of the house that no one could see. There was foliage and large bushes all around, protecting the view. The servant said, “I know the quickest way to the docks. They won't know we're gone until it's too late,” said the servant as they left Denogg's house forever.
Chapter 23: Bad Weather
They were gone for nearly an hour when a guard called through the door. “Denogg, why are these servants guarding the door?”
Denogg said warmly, “Greetings Lantovas. They are not guards. They are waiting to carry the wine for tonight's meal. Let him through, please.”
Lantovas, The firstman of the thurian guards, walked past the servants. Before he could ask another question, Denogg said, “Lantovas, being in charge of the king's guard, you must've gone to a great many events. Can you help me pick out a bottle of wine for tonight's meal?” Denogg picked up a bottle casually and said, “How about this rare Amontillado? It's about time to drink it. It's nearly twenty years old. What do you think?”
The head of the guards looked around, then back to Denogg. He went to the nearest shelf, then cast his eyes to the shelves next to him, scanning them quickly. He picked up a bottle. “I think this one. It was the king's favorite.”
“An excellent choice. My family label…”
“Wait, Denny, where are the boy king and the girl?” The guard looked around with concern, “didn't they come in here with you?”
“Oh, they left here a while ago,” said Denogg. “Must be on the other side of the house. Probably dressing for tonight's meal. You know young people get bored so easily…”
Lantovas said, “I was just in the other part of the house. My guard said the three of you were in here.”
Denogg put the bottle back on the shelf. “I don't keep track of all my guests. That would be rude.”
Lantovas stopped listening to Denogg and went around the large room, looking in all directions then went to the back of the room. “Strange that there is only one rug in this room.” He spotted the hook on the wall, pushed away the rug, and lifted the false floor. “Damn it,” nearly too angry to speak, Lantovas asked, “Where are they? I will only ask you once Denny.”
“My name is Denogg of the family Xoss, and I may be a prisoner in my own house at the moment, but you will treat me with the respect I have earned. They have left, with my help. You will not find them, so do with me what you must. But I will not tell you where they have gone.”
The guard stared. “Most of your trade is by sea,” Lantovas narrowed his eyes. “My guess is to the docks. To one of your ships in the great port?”
Denogg blinked his eyes, but said nothing.
The guard bolted from the room, straight to his second in command. He jerked off his cape, nearly throwing it at the other guard. “I have to get to the docks quickly. Denogg let them go. I don't know how far ahead of me they are.”
“Are you sure?” asked the guard.
“It's the only thing that makes sense. He has ships coming and going every day, and he wants to get that boy king out of the kingdom. Gordon has no other friends here as far as we know. We didn't bother to put troops at the docks, since we are only holding a fat man, a girl and a thirteen year old boy.”
The second in command motioned for his other guards to get Denogg.
Lantovas continued, “Leave guards here for the servants and take Denogg to the palace prisons. I just hope I'm not too late.”
The head of the guard left by the front door at a run, straight to his horse. He figured they were at least a half hour ahead. But he also knew his horse was fast. The streets were narrow and treacherous all the way to the docks. They must've taken a dog team, he reasoned. Even in these streets, his horse could out run the dogs.
Lantovas jumped on his horse and raced to the docks. The first raindrop hit his face as he got to full gallop. He knew it would be a long ride, but he had to get there at all costs. He nearly ran over several people along the way. His horse was breathing heavily by the time he finally made it to the docks.
When he reached the docks, it was a hard rain. He scanned the docks for any sign of them. He saw several dogcart teams. He asked a man packing up his fish if he'd seen them. The man didn't say anything, just pointed to the ship. Maybe he would catch them after all.
The ship that was leaving the bay was barely visible in the rain. It was nearly to the open sea. He asked the man again if he was sure they were on that ship. The man nodded wearily and went back to his work.
Lantovas scanned the ships that were docked and saw two with the blue-green royal emblem. One was a large warship that was in the bay mostly for decoration, taken out of service long ago. The other was a small racing boat that had belonged to the king. The king love to participate in small racing challenges twice a year. He went to the ship and said to the man tending it, “I need to take this ship on king's business, and you're going to pilot for me.”
“The king is dead. What business could he have with this boat?” said the man.
“You're going to take me to catch that ship,” Lantovas said, pointing to the ship that was almost out of sight.
“In this rain? It's too dangerous,” replied the man on the boat.
Lantovas replied, “That ship is carrying the king's murderer away from justice.”
The man's face changed. He got serious and went right to work. In just a few moments, they had departed the docks in pursuit of the king's killer.
* * *
The ship carrying Gordon and Aline away from Thure was a small vessel manned by a crew of six men. They had been very kind to both Gordon and Aline, after Denogg's servant had given the message to the pilot. The pilot now understood that besides the spices, furs and wine, he was now to transport two passengers. The pilot was also told in the note not to ask who they were.
The sun was going down just as they were leaving the bay, and Gordon stared at it. Gordon was tired and worried. He watched the sinking of the sun into the ocean, and he wondered how it would ever have the courage to come back up again. He could just barely see the last sliver of the sun set through the clouds. The clouds came at them quickly and began to spit rain, about to be joined by even darker, wetter clouds blowing towards them.
Aline came up beside him with a cloth to keep the rain off their heads. “None of this is your fault, you know.”
“No? So
why does it feel like it is? I didn't want to be king. I didn't want any of this. Loren is in prison for me, accused of killing a king I just met and Denny is losing his fortune. And I'm running away… again.”
Aline assured, “You are not running away. We have to find the people that poisoned the king. And Denny was right. You're safer being far away. Everyone who is in this struggle knows that they might not see it through. Everyone is willing to sacrifice themselves if it means, at least in one part of this world, that people can be free; to pursue their own fate. What's going on is a lot bigger that you or me, or even Loren or Denny.”
Gordon let the idea into his mind and weighed it against everything he'd learned. He had read about other kingdoms and how life was for people who lived there. But he had only known one way of life. “So, why are you in the struggle? What are you looking for?”
Aline looked at the dark clouds and finally said, “In my land of Aspora, we don't have one king. In fact, there's no one in charge. Have you read much about Aspora?”
Gordon answered, “Just that it's big and wild…”
Aline explained, “Not only are there no kings, but there are really no laws. People just do whatever they want.”
“No laws and no king? Doesn't that mean everyone's free?” asked Gordon.
Aline laughed softly. “You'd think it would be a great idea wouldn't you? There are no rules, no limits, no one telling you what you can and can't do. Men can get drunk, piss right in the streets, fight and kill each other. Some proclaim they are the king of a street, or a city. Until someone else comes along and kills them. There is always fighting. You have to learn to fight young. No one has the time to write books or invent airships. They are too busy trying to stay alive.”
“But at least everyone's free.”
Aline stopped smiling. “That's not exactly true. Those little kings proclaim you must do what they say. Maybe people listen to them, maybe they don't. People die all the time in Aspora. Empty, stupid deaths. No rules is as bad as having too many. I remember being scared all of the time, knowing I had to fight or die. I probably would've died, if I hadn't met Mantuan.”
