Dwarven Ruby

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “Well, Tredor?” snapped Duke Everich. “Are you going to raise your hand or not? Do not be a fool by aligning yourself with other fools. I will not wait forever.”

  Duke Tredor’s hands began shaking, and he shoved them under the table.

  Duke Everich snarled as he turned towards the door, “This meeting is adjourned.”

  “I think not,” protested Konic as he leaped to his feet. “I have a motion to be presented to the Council.”

  Duke Everich whirled and glared at Konic. Duke Everich was breathing heavy as rage ripped through his body.

  “You have caused your last problem,” spat Duke Everich. “I may not be able to assassinate you in front of your mercenary guards, but they are not here now. Seize him,” he shouted to the two Targa soldiers near the door.

  Gasps ran through the assembled councilors as they watched the most sacred taboo of the Council being abandoned. Even during the height of the Contest of Power, nobody had been as bold as to attack a councilor in the Council Chamber. The ramifications were unthinkable.

  Fredrik’s chair fell to the floor as he leaped to his feet. His move was so swift and natural that most of the councilors failed to detect the knife that slid out of Fredrik’s sleeve. Fredrik hurled the knife at the door next to Duke Everich. It loudly dug into the door and reverberated.

  “Call them off or you die before Lord Clava does,” Fredrik said coldly as another knife slid into his waiting hand.

  “You traitor,” snarled Duke Everich as he glared at Fredrik.

  The two Targa soldiers halted uncertainly as they looked to Duke Everich for guidance. He begrudgingly waved them back to their posts as he reached for the door.

  “I am not done with my motion,” Konic declared stubbornly. “Shall we vote without you?”

  Duke Everich hesitated with his hand on the door.

  “I make the motion to disband this council,” Konic stated steadily. “Control of the government will rest with the Crown as embodied by Queen Marta. If she deems the need for a council, she shall have the ability to create one.”

  “I second the motion,” Lord Markel declared without rising.

  “I have already adjourned this meeting,” retorted Duke Everich. “Your motion is out of order.”

  “All those favoring the amendment, rise to your feet,” smiled Konic.

  Alan immediately rose. Duke Zalski promptly followed. Duke Tredor glanced from Duke Everich to Lord Clava. Slowly he rose to his feet. Konic looked at the two seated councilors. Duke Jiardin glared at him with venom in his eyes, but Count Melorn’s brow was creased with indecision.

  “Let it be shown that the motion passed with six votes for it and two against it,” declared Konic.

  “You are out of order,” shouted Duke Everich. “How dare you include me as a vote in your counting of this illegal motion? You shall rue the day you crossed my path Sordoan. This Council will meet tomorrow morning to discuss your arrest for treason.”

  Duke Everich swung the door open and suddenly backed up when he saw the Red Swords blocking his exit. Six Red Swords entered the room and flanked the Targa soldiers. Queen Marta followed in their footsteps.

  “Please sit, councilors,” Queen Marta requested softly. “I have some follow-up information regarding the requests I made of you earlier.”

  “I was just leaving,” snapped Duke Everich as he tried to push past the Red Swords.

  “I think your presence here is mandatory,” stated the queen as one of the Red Swords pushed the duke towards his chair.

  “I asked this Council for an accounting,” Queen Marta began as the councilors took their seats. “I have not received it. As this city is in dire financial straits, I visited the clerks myself last night. What I found is most distressing. More than distressing, it is treason.”

  Duke Everich tried to rise, but a Red Sword stood behind him and placed his hand on the duke’s shoulder to keep him seated.

  “The money raised from the citizens of this fine city,” frowned Queen Marta, “are being sent to the Dark One.”

  Gasps of surprise emanated from the councilors.

  “Instead of feeding our people,” Queen Marta continued, “we are equipping the Black Devils and Dark Riders who are directing our enemies to our walls. Councilors, you are supporting the enemy. This is treason. What do you have to say for yourselves?”

  “Your Highness,” Konic bowed as he rose, “many of us have not been privy to where the funds have been going. As to your charge of treason, I agree with your determination. I would like to report that this Council just voted to disband itself and turn the government over to the Crown. It is now your responsibility to dispense justice on your charge of treason.”

  “I am pleased to see that the majority of councilors care enough about this city to forego their positions,” nodded the queen. “Was it a vote of the majority?”

  “It was,” nodded Konic.

  “The vote was quick,” interjected Count Melorn. “In fact, I had not managed to get to my feet to show my support before the count was taken. I would like the record to correctly record my vote.”

  Konic nodded to Count Melorn as he addressed the queen, “There was only one dissenting vote.”

  “That is commendable,” nodded Queen Marta. “Who had knowledge of the accounting for the government?”

  All eyes turned to Duke Everich who was being forced to remain in his seat.

  “Remove him,” Queen Marta ordered as two Red Swords seized Duke Everich. “Councilors, I will have need of advisors to effectively run the country. I invite each of you to submit your desire to participate.”

  Queen Marta turned and left the room.

  * * *

  Alex tussled the hair of Darin and Daevo as the ship docked at Miram. The ten-year-old twins grinned at Alex.

  “Don’t forget to say hello to Sergeant Matt Soligan when you arrive in Tice,” smiled Alex. “I think your Uncle Sydar and him will get along splendidly.”

  “We will,” the twins promised in unison.

  Alex rose and went to the gangplank where Tanya was holding Kaz’s reins. Alex took the reins and nodded to Jenneva. Together they marched into Miram with the other Rangers behind them.

  “You are beginning to like this father routine,” giggled Jenneva.

  “They are fine lads,” replied Alex. “I wonder what happened to their father?”

  “That is a question that is repeated all too many times today,” frowned Jenneva. “Are we heading straight out of the city, or staying the night here in Miram?”

  “Wylan’s stomach can use a rest before we start riding,” answered Alex. “I think we will spend the night in Miram and get an early start in the morning. The Harbor Inn over there looks fit enough for one night.”

  Alex led the way to the stables of the Harbor Inn. He frowned and shook his head at the bloodstains on the grass nearby. While the Rangers tended to their mounts, Alex entered the inn to pay for the three rooms.

  “I can only let you have two private rooms,” declared the innkeeper. “The rest are taken mostly.”

  “Mostly?” chuckled Alex as he paid for two rooms.

  “Well,” shrugged the innkeeper, “one room is paid for, but nobody is staying there. Still, he might come back so I should keep it open for him. It is already paid for.”

  “We can survive with two rooms,” responded Alex. “We will need five meals as well.”

  “Grab a table before they fill up,” suggested the innkeeper. “Venison or cod tonight. You get your choice as long as they last.”

  “Thank you,” nodded Alex as the Rangers entered through the back door.

  Alex looked into the common room and saw one table open. He waved to the Rangers and sat at the empty table. Arik and Wylan sat opposite Alex while Jenneva sat on the same side of the table. A grinning Tanya squeezed in between Alex and Jenneva.

  “We could only get two rooms,” Alex said softly. “You will be staying with us tonight, Tanya.”


  Tanya nodded silently as a girl came to take their order. Alex ordered the venison, and he looked around the room as the rest of his party ordered. He let his ears drift to the conversations going on around him.

  “She was a right good looking woman, too,” a man behind Alex said. “I can understand how the poor man must have snapped. They were despicable scum that would murder a young woman that way.”

  “Snapped?” replied a second voice. “He didn’t just snap. I heard it took several soldiers to pull him away from hacking up the bodies. There were body parts all over the courtyard. I heard they couldn’t tell which parts belonged to which Targa soldier.”

  “Well none of them belonged to that Sydar chap,” responded the first voice. “They found a Red Sword uniform in his bag. I imagine taking on two regulars army chaps was nothing to him. You don’t mess with a Red Sword. Not and live to tell about it. He proved that saying to be true, he did.”

  “What is King Yanto going to do with him?” asked the second voice. “Do you think he will hang him?”

  “Darn shame if he does,” replied the first voice. “From what I hear though, the man doesn’t care if he dies or not. They say he went stark raving mad.”

  Alex tapped his fingers on the table to get everyone’s attention. He then signaled the Rangers to be quiet and rose from his seat. He walked out of the building and reentered. When he entered the common room, he seated himself at the table with the two talkative men. He nodded to the men and let them continue their conversation, waiting for an appropriate opening.

  “Sorry,” apologized Alex, “but I could not help overhearing your conversation. I noticed the blood on the grass out by the stables. Is that where this happened?”

  “Yup,” nodded one of the men. “Right out back. They even doused the courtyard with buckets of water, but that mess won’t clean up anytime soon. Most horrible thing I ever saw.”

  “I guess this Sydar was grieving awfully hard,” mused Alex. “What will the king do with him?”

  “Hard to say,” pondered the man. “King Yanto doesn’t care for violence in the city and is usually pretty harsh with his punishments. Still, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the chap.”

  “Plus he was a Red Sword,” added the other man. “King Yanto has a high regard for the Red Swords, even though we aren’t part of Targa any more. Still, he can’t just let him go. No, sir, not with what he done. Suppose he decides to hack up someone else?”

  “Would you like your meal served here?” asked the girl as she stood by Alex with a plate of venison.

  “No,” Alex said as he rose. “Perhaps I should eat later.”

  Alex turned and walked out the back door of the inn. Tanya was only seconds behind him.

  “What are you going to do?” asked Tanya.

  Alex looked down the alley and saw the ship pulling out of the harbor. He frowned and shook his head.

  “I was hoping to talk to the king and get Sydar on that ship,” sighed Alex. “I am not sure what to do now, but I must speak with King Yanto.”

  “Isn’t that dangerous?” questioned Tanya. “If Sydar is truly a murderer, I would think that you would not want your name associated with him. Or will you use an alias?”

  “For once I think my real name might help,” mused Alex. “As for Sydar, I don’t know what to do, but I cannot just abandon him.”

  “But he almost endangered the queen,” responded Tanya. “Why do you feel obligated to intervene on his behalf?”

  “He is a Red Sword, Tanya,” Alex replied softly. “He made a mistake in Tagaret, but he also revealed nothing of importance. It would have been easy for most men to tell Colonel Salvo what he wanted to hear to rescue his sister or himself. A man should not die for avenging his loved one’s death. Go eat. I will return later.”

  Alex walked out of the courtyard and headed for the large castle on the side of the hill overlooking the harbor. He saw the ship streaming northward as he climbed the hill. Although the sky was already turning darker, Alex imagined that he could see the two ten-year-old boys standing on the deck wondering where their mother and uncle were. He wiped the tears from his eyes and approached the gates to the castle.

  “I would like to speak with King Yanto,” announced Alex as the guards stopped him at the gates.

  “It is late in the day,” declared one of the guards. “Is he expecting you?”

  “No, he isn’t expecting me,” answered Alex. “Still I would appreciate it if he could spare me a few minutes tonight. I plan to be leaving early in the morning.”

  “King Yanto is one for retiring early,” the guard shook his head. “I will ask, but I think you would have better luck in the morning. What name shall I give him?”

  “Alexander Tork,” answered Alex.

  Both guards stiffened and stared at Alex. One of the guards shook his head while pawing his chin.

  “I heard you were dead,” the guard stated suspiciously.

  “If I was,” sighed Alex, “I would have no need to speak with King Yanto. Please ask him if he will see me. It is rather important.”

  The guard nodded and ran off. Within moments, there was a crowd of guards standing near the gates. They were all staring at Alex and whispering among themselves. Alex turned around and stared at the city below him. A few moments later, the guard returned and opened the iron gates. He escorted Alex into the castle. A dozen guards moved to flank Alex as he was led to the throne room. There were no introductions made as the guard led Alex to stand a safe distance before King Yanto.

  “Thank you for agreeing to see me,” bowed Alex.

  “One can hardly refuse the chance to see a legend,” retorted the king, “but are you truly Alexander Tork?”

  “I am, Your Highness,” answered Alex, “but call me what you may. I have come to speak to you about an unfortunate incident that took place within your kingdom. I speak of the matter of Corporal Sydar of the Red Swords.”

  “Do you know this Corporal Sydar?” asked King Yanto.

  “Not personally, Your Highness,” replied Alex, “but I do know of him, and why he was here. I arrived on the ship that was to have taken him to Tice.”

  “Tell me about Corporal Sydar,” ordered the king. “Tell me why he was in my city, and why he committed such a heinous act.”

  “There is a movement underway in Tagaret to return the queen to power,” Alex began. “The current Council has squandered the wealth of the city, and people are starving. Corporal Sydar was involved in that effort to restore Queen Marta to the throne. He was captured by the Targa army and imprisoned. The Red Swords managed to get him released and ordered him to go to Tice.”

  “So there is civil war in Tagaret?” asked the king.

  “No,” Alex replied. “Every effort is being made to avoid a conflict. The change in power is to be accomplished peacefully.”

  “But still you have the Targa army pitted against the Red Swords,” frowned King Yanto. “You do realize that it was two Targa soldiers that Corporal Sydar murdered?”

  “That is what I heard in town,” nodded Alex. “I also heard it was in reaction to the murder of his sister. One can hardly hold a man accountable after he was forced to witness such a thing.”

  “You can say that only because you did not witness the brutal murders,” the king shook his head. “Sydar did not merely kill the Targa soldiers. He mutilated their bodies.”

  “I heard that as well, Your Highness,” frowned Alex. “It is not a sight I would like to view, but I have seen men snap from the pressures of battle before. They do things that they would never do normally. Believe me that the Red Swords would not accept into their ranks a beast who took pleasure in performing such an act.”

  “I can believe that,” nodded the king. “I have great respect for the Red Swords. Still, I do not wish to be involved in a conflict with Tagaret over the disposition of this man. It was Targa soldiers that he killed.”

  “Soldiers that were acting outside their authority,” noted Alex. “
Tagaret has no authority to sanction the murder of an innocent woman within your kingdom.”

  “I grant you that,” nodded King Yanto. “Still, Corporal Sydar is beyond redemption in my opinion. The murder was brutal and beyond anything civilized. Can you give me one reason why I should spare the corporal’s life?”

  “I can give you two,” answered Alex. “Darin and Daevo. They are two young lads who were on the ship with me from Tagaret. The woman who died, Sydar’s sister, was their mother. Corporal Sydar is their only known kin.”

  “You do have the heart of Alexander Tork,” smiled the king as he waved the guards away. “Come with me, Alex.”

  The king led Alex through the corridors of the castle and down a flight of stairs. He knocked on a thick door and a guard opened it. King Yanto led Alex into the dungeon and stopped before a cell door with a small barred window in it.

  “Look in there,” the king said softly.

  Alex looked through the small window and saw a man curled into a ball on the floor. A plate of untouched food sat on the cot, which had not been slept in.

  “He has been like that since we placed him in there,” whispered the king. “He will not eat. He does not talk. He lies in a ball and cries. What am I to do with him?”

  “I have seen it before,” frowned Alex. “It is a man who no longer cares if he lives or dies. Some would even thank you for putting him out of his misery. In fact, he might even thank you as you hang him.”

  “But you would not be one of those who would thank me, would you?” asked the king.

  “No, I wouldn’t,” answered Alex. “The man made a mistake, but he does not deserve to die for it. There are good people in the world who still need his skills to protect them. There are still two young boys who need to be raised to uphold the values that Sydar has clung to in this evil world. No, I wouldn’t sanction throwing this man’s life away just because he has come to an event that he can not handle.”

  “It may surprise you,” smiled King Yanto, “but I feel the same. It is why your corporal still lives. My problem is that I do not know what to do with him. I cannot just turn him loose to strike down someone else.”