“No, Tedi,” pleaded Natia as the circle of gypsies moved backwards to make room for the fight.
Someone pulled Natia backwards, leaving Tedi standing alone in the circle with Caroom. Caroom laughed evilly as he hefted the large club and advanced towards Tedi. The giant’s biceps bulged as he passed the club from hand to hand. Tedi spread his feet apart and prepared for Caroom’s first blow.
Caroom swung the massive log at Tedi’s head, and Tedi blocked it viciously with his staff. The club disintegrated in a shower of splinters. Tedi swung in a complete circle and brought his staff low to the ground. He forced his mind to lessen the force of the staff as it connected with the giant’s ankles. Caroom tumbled to the ground throwing up a cloud of dust. The giant snarled as he grabbed another log from alongside the fire ring and started to rise. Tedi swung his staff into Caroom’s buttocks and the giant was propelled over the fire ring and crashed to the ground on the other side. Tedi raced around the ring and held the end of the staff to Caroom’s throat.
“Submit to the rule of the princess or die,” demanded Tedi.
Caroom’s huge hands wrapped around the staff as he attempted to rip it aside. Tedi concentrated on applying just the right amount of pressure as the tip of the staff dug into Caroom’s throat. Finally, Caroom’s hands fell away from the staff.
“Stop,” croaked the giant. “I give up.”
“If you cause any more trouble for Natia,” growled Tedi, “I will come back and kill you. Mandal, Hortice, mount up. We are going to Lori to rescue Adan.”
“I am going too,” declared Natia. “The campsite remains here until we get back.”
Chapter 14
Land of Bastas
Tedi flattened himself at the edge of the cliff and gazed down upon the Lanoirian city of Lori. Natia immediately joined him, and a few minutes later Mandal and Hortice also gathered at the edge of the cliff.
“How are we going to do this?” Natia asked softly.
“I do not have any ideas at this moment,” admitted Tedi. “First we have to locate where they are holding him.”
“Probably in that large stone building near the city wall on the left,” pointed Mandal. “That is the central army building in Lori.”
“You have been to Lori before?” asked Tedi.
“Once,” nodded Mandal. “Adan sent me in to find out why the garrison was building up with so many new men. That was before the Lanoirians were so intent on driving us out of the country. I guess that is when it all started. The army maintains a large presence in Lori now. It is not just the gypsies that that they seek to annihilate. These hills are filled with rebels who do no wish to follow the new emperor. The army seeks to crush all of us.”
“We should have brought more men,” frowned Natia.
“Those who volunteered are here,” declared Tedi. “I would have thought that Adan had more followers.”
“You never gave them the chance,” countered Natia. “Gypsies are not quick to violence, but Adan is revered by our people. If you had waited, many would have joined with us.”
“I was afraid of my own temper,” admitted Tedi. “I thought it best to get away from Caroom before I killed him. I do not like that man.”
“He seeks to rule the gypsies,” interjected Hortice. “Even though he is much larger than any other gypsy, he has always stood in the shadow of Adan. In some tribes, the strongest is always the leader. Caroom feels it should be that way in our tribe.”
“Your beating of him was humiliating,” added Mandal. “You have made a very powerful enemy.”
“It was also awesome,” grinned Natia. “How did you learn to fight like that? Rax said you were a fisherman.”
“Rax is correct as usual,” responded Tedi. “She is a very wise woman. Arik and I grew up fishing in Sordoa. We did not know at the time that Arik was destined to become the King of Alcea. Much has happened in our lives since we found out. Learning to fight has been one of those things.”
“Your skill is impressive,” nodded Hortice, “but you must never leave your back open to Caroom. He will kill you if he gets the chance. Mark my words well, friend. They are not exaggerations.”
“Why didn’t Caroom try to save Adan himself?” questioned Tedi. “He must have been there with him.”
“No,” replied Natia. “That is not how they work. They leave together and come back together, but that is all. Caroom stations himself along the trail that Adan will take to return to the camp. That way he can detect anyone following Adan. That is how you were captured. By chance, you were taking the same trail that Adan had just used. Caroom thought you were following him.”
“So the soldiers must have already been close to the camp,” mused Tedi. “Maybe we should have let Caroom lead them to a different location.”
“No,” interrupted Mandal. “That is not how it happened. When Caroom first came into camp, he said that Adan was captured in the Great Meadow. That is quite some distance from the camp. I do not think the soldiers know where the camp is.”
“How did he know that Adan was captured then?” queried Natia. “And even know that he was taken to Lori?”
“I do not care for the thoughts that are entering my head,” scowled Tedi. “Would Caroom have betrayed Adan? Is he that hungry for power that he would give up his own king?”
“I do not like Caroom,” frowned Natia, “but I cannot imagine him betraying the gypsies.”
“I can,” countered Hortice. “It is no secret that he covets the leadership of our tribe. I have heard him talk when his belly is full of too much ale. He would try to convince us that Adan is too soft to lead the gypsies, but nobody would listen to him.”
“Look,” interrupted Mandal as he pointed towards the trail alongside the Chi River. “Is that Caroom now?”
“There are few men that are that large,” frowned Natia. “What is he doing going to Lori?”
“It is him,” nodded Mandal. “I am sure of it. Perhaps he is trying to rescue Adan by himself so he can remove the humiliation of the beating that Tedi gave him.”
“Maybe he is going to warn the soldiers that we will be trying to rescue Adan,” spat Tedi. “Then he could get rid of us as well as Adan.”
“Nobody would stand between him and the crown then,” nodded Natia. “Nobody else in the camp would dare to stand up to him.”
“It could be worse than you imagine,” frowned Hortice. “If Caroom is sure that he will not lead the gypsies, he might seek revenge by telling the Lanoirians where the camp is.”
“No,” gasped Natia. “He wouldn’t.”
“We can’t be sure what he will do from up here,” sighed Tedi. “I should go down and see what I can find out.”
“We will all go,” countered Natia.
“No,” Tedi shook his head. “After seeing the number of soldiers in Lori, I do not think this small band of ours can rescue Adan. You three should return to camp and move the gypsies to safety. At least if Caroom is betraying the whole tribe, the people will be safe.”
“Moving the tribe makes a lot of sense,” nodded Natia. “Mandal, you return and get them to move. Leave a rock map of where you are taking them, but change the first and last stones. Also place the sign of danger at the old camp.”
“If I reverse the stones,” argued Mandal, “then nobody will be able to tell where we have gone.”
“I will be able to,” asserted Natia, “but Caroom won’t. Also the danger sign will alert the other tribes, which are supposed to be arriving. This is something that Adan has already spoken to them about. They will find the new camp. Trust me.”
“You mean Adan did not trust our own people?” questioned Hortice. “He arranged for this reversing of stones before he left?”
“Yes,” admitted Natia. “It is not that he does not trust our own people, but he feared that some gypsies might be caught and interrogated. The Lanoirians may have already learned how to read our rock maps.”
“I had not thought about that,” conceded Hort
ice. “Adan is indeed wise.”
“Look,” pointed Mandal. “Caroom went straight to the large stone building.”
“And he is being greeted as a friend,” growled Hortice. “We should all return to camp immediately.”
“Hortice,” ordered the gypsy princess, “You go with your brother. I am going into town with Tedi. He will need someone to watch his back while he snoops around.”
“But…,” protested Tedi.
“No arguments,” declared Natia. “I speak for the gypsy people in my brother’s absence.”
“We shall go,” nodded Mandal. “Keep her safe, basta.”
“Before you leave, Mandal,” asked Tedi. “Do you know where the prison cells are in that building?”
“I do,” grinned Mandal. “The whole back wall of the building is nothing but cells. It will be up to you to determine which one holds our king. I wish you luck, bast…Tedi. May we meet in the forest and celebrate your triumph with the largest feast ever.”
Tedi grinned as Mandal and Hortice wriggled away from the edge of the cliff. He heard the pounding hooves as their horses bounded away towards the gypsy camp.
“I thought you were just going down to look around,” accused Natia. “Do you really think you can free Adan on your own?”
“I can only try,” replied Tedi. “Besides, I am no longer alone. I do wish you would reconsider and join Mandal before they are too far gone.”
“I can handle myself,” asserted Natia. “Do you think that the gypsies are weak and unable to accomplish great deeds without your help?”
“Those were not my thoughts,” defended Tedi. “You will be in danger in that city. My fear is that my love for you will cause me to pay more attention to what you are doing than what I should be doing. It may get us both killed.”
“I am sorry,” smiled Natia as she leaned over and kissed Tedi. “I will be fine in the city. Trust me.”
“I do trust you,” Tedi replied. “Let’s wait until nightfall before entering the city. Many of the soldiers will be asleep then.”
“Then we should get some sleep now,” decided Natia as she curled up next to Tedi.
Tedi nodded as he put his arm around Natia and stared down at the city. He was not sure when he had drifted off to sleep, but a dull thundering sound awakened him. Tedi gazed down at the city and saw a large column of soldiers riding out of the city. He gently tapped Natia and she sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“What is it?” she asked as she looked up at the sun dipping below the horizon.
“The army is moving out,” Tedi said softly. “And Caroom is leading them.”
“That swine,” Natia blurted out as she fell to the ground alongside Tedi and peered at the army. “I can’t believe that he is doing this.”
“It is time to start believing it,” scowled Tedi. “I should have killed him when I had the chance. I hope Mandal and Hortice managed to get your people to safety or I will never forgive myself.”
“It is not your fault,” replied Natia. “He fooled the gypsies as well. How can anyone expect a basta to see more than Caroom’s own people?”
“I am not sure that basta is a term of endearment,” Tedi said as he tried to lighten Natia’s mood. “Is that how you see me?”
“You are a basta,” frowned Natia. “I wish that you were not, but the gypsies do not easily accept outsiders.”
“So there is no hope for us then?” Tedi asked.
“There is more than hope,” smiled Natia. “I will go with you when you leave.”
“You are their princess,” objected Tedi. “You cannot abandon them.”
“That is why we are here to rescue their king,” grinned Natia. “Adan needs no help in leading the gypsies. We must secure his freedom.”
“So we shall,” Tedi promised as he wriggled back from the edge of the cliff. “It is time for us to visit Lori. It will be dark by the time we get there.”
“We have to be careful,” warned Natia as she rejoined Tedi by the horses. “The chances are that Caroom described us as well. They may be expecting us.”
“I am sure that they are,” nodded Tedi as he rummaged through his bag.
He tossed a tunic and pants to Natia.
“Put those on,” encouraged Tedi while he extracted the white robe that he had used in Ongchi.
“I will look like a boy in these,” Natia complained as she looked at the drab brown clothes that Tedi had tossed to her.
“Yes, you will,” grinned Tedi as he pulled the hooded robe on. “We will not look anything like what Caroom described. Here, wear my sword and bow.”
“I would prefer that you remain armed with weapons that you are familiar with,” argued Natia.
“I have my staff,” replied Tedi as he patted his pockets full of Lanoirian Stars. “I have all that I will need.”
Natia disappeared behind a tree and came out wearing Tedi’s old clothes. She handed her gaily colored skirt and blouse to Tedi and he shoved it into his bag. He looked at Natia and dug deep into his bag again. He pulled out a cloth cap and placed it on Natia’s head. He shoved strands of her hair up under the cap and stepped back for another look.
“Perfect,” grinned Tedi. “You look like a poor street urchin who is trying to pretend that he is a warrior. Do you know how to use a sword?”
“I am better with a bow than a sword,” answered Natia, “but I am best with knives.”
“Then we leave the sword with the horses,” Tedi decided as he started laughing.
“What is so funny?” Natia asked sharply.
“You look how I imagine I did before I left Lorgo,” chuckled Tedi. “You should be out hunting rabbits.”
“I am so glad that it pleases you that I look like a boy,” scowled Natia as she leaped onto her horse. “What are you supposed to be? A priest?”
“Are priests tolerated in Lanoir?” questioned Tedi as he mounted his horse.
“Not in the big cities,” Natia shook her head, “but out here near the Sordoa border they are accepted.”
“What about papers?” quizzed Tedi. “I have only merchant papers and diplomatic papers.”
“Diplomatic papers?” echoed Natia. “You must explain that to me some time. Papers are seldom asked for here. Most of the people in these parts do not even have papers. The army is starting to give everyone around Porang papers, but it will be some time before that happens up here.”
“Then a priest I am,” grinned Tedi.
“Do you know anything about religion?” queried Natia.
“A little,” nodded Tedi. “Certainly not a great deal, but I think I can portray a follower of Abuud fairly well. I listened to their prophet talk a while ago.”
“I am not familiar with Abuud,” admitted Natia as the rode down the trail towards Lori. “Perhaps the city of Lori is not either. What do we do when we get into the city?”
“I want you to just browse around,” explained Tedi. “Determine if there are any patrols around the big stone building. Note the locations of any sentries. Most importantly, avoid drawing attention to yourself. We will enter the city separately. You will go first so I can rescue you if something goes wrong.”
“We will get separated,” frowned Natia as the sky began to turn black.
“Lori must have inns,” mused Tedi. “Find the inn closest to the big stone building on the side nearest the gate we enter. Hang out at the stables as if you are waiting for your father. I will find you there.”
“That is all that you want me to do?” asked Natia. “Hang around the stables?”
“Can you think of a better way to pick out a horse for Adan to ride on?” chuckled Tedi. “Gypsies do steal horses, don’t they?”
“Of course,” laughed Natia. “Do you think we raise them on our farms? Where are you going to go?”
“Into the big stone building,” Tedi answered nervously. “I have to find Adan.”
“You may never come out again,” Natia inhaled sharply.
“I will come out,
” promised Tedi as the gate to Lori appeared in the distance. “If you hear any commotion, gather the horses and head for the big stone building. We may have to leave quickly. Go on ahead of me now.”
Natia nodded as her horse started trotting for the gate. Tedi watched nervously as the distance widened between them. He watched Natia slow down as she approached the gate. The soldiers did not appear to pay any attention to her as she rode through. As Tedi neared the gate he saw two of the soldiers laughing and pointing towards him. One of the soldiers moved and stood in the middle of the gate as Tedi approached. Tedi halted his horse in front of the man.
“What business do you have in Lori?” demanded the soldier.
“I have come to spread the message of peace and harmony,” declared the priest.
“There is little need for peace here,” laughed the soldier. “You should return to Sordoa where you will be safe for a while.”
“Sordoa?” echoed Tedi. “I am heading for Ongchi. The Emperor must be informed of the blessing that Abuud has bestowed upon him.”
“Blessing?” repeated the soldier. “What blessing?”
“Look up, child of Lanoir,” Tedi stated solemnly. “The god Abuud has placed his blessing upon Emperor Hanchi. It is a sign from the heavens that the Emperor is to be granted his desire for peace and harmony, not only over Lanoir, but over all lands.”
“All lands?” echoed the second soldier. “That is news that the Emperor would be pleased to receive. Will you speak of this miracle during your stay in Lori?”
“Lori is a stop to rest my weary body,” replied the priest. “The miracle should be spread to Ongchi, and the Emperor, before all others know. There is something that I might do for your fair city though.”
“What is that?” asked the first soldier.
“I have some talents of my own,” smiled Tedi. “Gifts from Abuud to be sure, but gifts that are unique to myself. If you have rogues that have been condemned to death, I have the ability to channel their energies to the Emperor when I meet him. I can capture the energies of their souls and carry it to Ongchi. When the rogues are finally executed, the Emperor will gain their strength and wisdom. Are there any such rogues in Lori?”
Dwarven Ruby Page 18
