“How come she gets to be queen?” scowled Niki as she followed Boris onto the roof of the inn. “Why can’t I be the queen?”
“You have much more important things to do,” smiled Boris as he gazed at the other rooftops. “Stick with your animals. They will be much more loyal than people can be.”
“Really?” puzzled Niki. “I guess I never thought about it that way. You mean people are not always loyal to the queen?”
“A queen must work hard to win the loyalty of her people,” answered Master Khatama. “She can lose their loyalty just as quickly. Animals are not so fickle.”
“What are we looking for up here?” questioned Niki.
“We are looking for evil,” declared Boris. “There is much of it hidden in Tagaret. Keep your head down or someone will mistake you for an assassin.”
A fairy fluttered down and landed on Master Khatama’s shoulder.
“What have you found, Nixy?” asked Boris.
“Nothing yet, Mage,” chirped the fairy. “We have dozens of our people searching. If any of them do show up, we shall put them to sleep.”
“Make sure that your people are not detected,” warned Boris. “Your secrecy in Tagaret may still be needed.”
“We shall be careful, Mage,” promised Nixy as she shot into the air.
“Why did she call you a mage?” questioned Niki.
“Everyone has a bit of magic in them,” smiled Boris. “Some people would not recognize your skill as magic, but we both know that it is.”
“Oh,” frowned Niki. “You have a strange way of looking at things.”
“Here comes the queen now,” Boris pointed. “Hear how some of the crowd is booing?”
* * *
Queen Marta gazed down at the multitude below. The palace grounds were full to overflowing. Youngsters had climbed the wall and were seated upon it. The streets outside the wall were also packed with people. Some of the people waved joyously. Others bowed. Many of those assembled below were shouting and booing. The queen watched with sadness as people started pushing one another over their individual reactions to seeing the queen. She gave the signal for the horns to sound. The sounding of the horns quieted the crowd for a moment, and Queen Marta seized her chance to speak.
“Citizens of Tagaret,” she said loudly, “some of you are glad to see me, while others are not. I find no fault with any of you. I ask only that you hear my words, and then decide whether my return to Tagaret is good or evil. Whether you believe in me or not, do not disparage your neighbor for his views. Beginning tomorrow, I will hear complaints regarding the rule of Tagaret. Today I ask only that you listen.”
Some dissenters continued to heckle the queen, but she was glad to see that her supporters were refraining from shouting or pushing. She waited patiently for the noise to subside.
When it did, she continued, “Citizens of Tagaret, you have been ruled poorly. You have been over-taxed and under-fed. The Contest of Power that has ruled this city for too long has resulted in near disaster. Fortunately, the Council has finally ruled to abolish itself. This kingdom is now under the rule of the monarchy once again.”
“You’re too late,” shouted a heckler. “We have nothing left for you to steal. Go back where you came from.”
Somebody cursed and shoved the heckler. Others joined in.
“Stop,” shouted the queen. “Let him speak.”
The crowd stopped pushing the man and he glared up at the queen, but said nothing.
“Please,” instructed the queen, “if anyone has complaints, do not punish them for airing them here. You have been treated unfairly, and I know that many of you are angry with the government. I, too, am angry. I want to help you, and I want your help. This city is on the verge of extinction, and I will not let that happen.”
“And what are you going to do about it?” yelled another heckler.
Queen Marta smiled when nobody moved to silence the heckler. “There is a lot that I can do,” answered the queen. “As of today, I have instructed the tax collectors that the taxes in Tagaret had been suspended. That includes past due taxes.”
Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd and the queen smiled.
“Furthermore,” she continued, “wagons loaded with food are already on their way here from locations near and far. While the crown can afford it, food will be distributed free to everyone.”
Cheers erupted throughout the crowd. Queen Marta held up her hands for quiet, and the crowd fell deathly silent.
“That is the good news,” announced the queen. “There is plenty of bad news to offset it. Duke Everich has been looting the treasury of this city. He sent the funds to the Black Devils and the Dark Riders, so we cannot recover what he has stolen. He has been arrested for treason.”
A fiery projectile soared up from the street and smashed into the invisible shield surrounding Queen Marta. Fredrik felt the shield absorb the force as he scanned the street below. He spotted a man running away, and then saw him fall to the ground. Red Swords immediately surrounded the body and hauled it off.
Four Red Swords rushed onto the balcony to usher the queen inside, but she waved them off.
“Even now the forces of evil seek to destroy what they can of Tagaret,” the queen stated defiantly. “Do you citizens know why the forces of the Dark One have focused so much on our fair city?”
The queen watched the mass shaking of heads below. She gave a signal and banners unfolded from each of the towers. Each balcony of the Royal Palace had a banner unfurled, and a huge banner rose from the roof of the Royal Palace.
“The Dark One seeks to destroy Tagaret because of the Ancient Prophecy,” continued the queen. “This banner that flies before you is the ancient banner of Alcea. It is the symbol of all that is good in our world. It is the banner of the warrior king who will return the sun and the moon to Tagaret as surely as he has already done in other parts of the world. Citizens of Tagaret, it is the banner of YOUR king.”
“Who is this king?” shouted a voice from below. “Where is he?”
“This king,” Queen Marta declared proudly, “is my grandson. As to where he is, he is out fighting the forces of evil to restore the Sword of Heavens. Within a short time, he will be coming to Tagaret to clear our skies of the Darkness. When he does, Tagaret can expect the forces of evil to descend upon us in a most terrifying fashion. They will come not because he has banished the Darkness, but because they need to kill him to complete their destruction of our world. I vow to you now that I will not let Tagaret fall to the forces of evil, but I need your help.”
“What can we do?” yelled a voice.
“We need soldiers,” the queen said loudly. “We need workers to prepare defenses. We need thinking minds to study our weaknesses and advise us how to adjust for them. We need the citizens of Tagaret to unite and work together, because together we shall defeat this evil. Do we have citizens here in Tagaret who stand ready to fight the evil?”
The crowd roared with approval. The queen noted that there were still numerous skeptics in the crowd, but she was pleased with the initial enthusiasm.
“We also need cooks to feed the workers,” the queen continued. “We need smiths to fashion weapons and stone masons to raise the walls. There is work for everyone, and there will be food for everyone.”
“Where is all of this money coming from?” asked a citizen.
“A good question,” nodded the queen as she signaled for her son. “Our treasury is bare, and yet we have much need of gold. Many of you can remember the time of the Collapse. At that time my son, Prince Oscar, went into hiding as instructed by the Ancient Prophecy. It is his son who will be the warrior king. It is his money that will feed all of you. Some of you think that the monarchy is here to steal your gold. Let me set you straight. My son earned his gold long before he became royalty. When this is all over, he will be penniless. This monarchy is not interested in your gold, only your survival.”
Prince Oscar stepped forward and bowed to the queen. He turne
d and bowed to the citizens below. A dozen fiery projectiles slammed into the shield that was now protecting both the queen and the prince. The combined force of the fireballs hitting the shields jolted Fredrik. He shouted a warning to the queen.
The street beyond the wall became a hive of activity. Red Swords raced through the crowds trying to reach the magicians that were attacking the queen. The Black Devils prepared to strike again, and Fredrik shouted a warning to the queen. As soon as he did, he felt his shields strengthen considerably. He frantically scanned the crowd, wondering who was aiding him
The four Red Swords appeared to escort the queen from the balcony, but again she refused to leave. She nodded approvingly as the citizens of Tagaret started striking out at the Black Devils. Within moments the Black Devils were all knocked down and were being kicked by the citizens. The Red Swords arrived and parted the angry mob. They seized the bloodied magicians and hauled them away.
“That, citizens of Alcea,” shouted the queen, “is the way we shall deal with evil. Sarac’s forces will try to conquer us, but I know the people of Tagaret as good hard working loyal people. There are no finer people in the entire world. Let the evil come and we shall dispense with it together.”
The crowd raised their fists and shouted. A wide grin spread over Queen Marta’s face as she basked in the enthusiasm of her people. For the first time since learning of her grandson, Queen Marta knew she was right to have come back to Tagaret.
“There is one other thing,” continued Queen Marta. “There will be many attempts to kill me in the future. Whatever happens to me, or my son Prince Oscar, never let anyone replace the monarchy. Only the warrior king can save Alcea. This throne must remain open to him if Sarac is to be defeated.”
Sheri stared at the queen and the banner flowing from the balcony she stood on. “What is the name of this warrior king?” she shouted.
“Prince Arik,” answered the queen, “is the warrior king.”
“He is the man I was talking about,” Sheri said to Kendal. “I should have known that he was special.”
“How could you have known?” asked Kendal. “In fact, how do you know?”
“Not only was his name Arik,” grinned Sheri, “but his breastplate bears the symbol of Alcea. The same dragon that adorns those banners is emblazoned upon his breastplate.”
“And only a true warrior could have held off the Targa army as he did,” nodded Kendal. “So what she says is the truth.”
“Yes,” nodded Sheri. “And he was as generous as his father and his grandmother. No longer will our people starve.”
“So you support the monarchy then?” asked Kendal.
Sheri grinned at Kendal. She raised her arm and shouted, “Long live Prince Arik!”
Sheri kept shouting and soon the entire crowd was shouting with her. Queen Marta gazed at the shouting crowd, but she focused on Sheri.
“I would like to speak with that lass,” she said softly to Oscar.
“Then she shall have an audience with the queen,” smiled Oscar as he kissed his mother on the cheek and disappeared into the library.
* * *
Sydar sat watching Arik spar with Wylan. Alex walked over and sat next to him.
“The lads fight well,” Sydar remarked. “Did you teach them?”
“I taught Arik,” nodded Alex. “He has been teaching Wylan mostly. Both of them have good skills, but Wylan needs more instruction and practice. He has not been with us very long.”
“Wylan would do better than most in the army already,” commented Sydar. “Arik’s skill is amazing. Even in a spar you can see that he becomes one with his weapon. He will be a king that soldiers will follow anywhere.”
“He is going to have to be that and more,” frowned Alex. “There will be a tremendous amount of blood shed in the coming times. Arik will have to be strong to survive it.”
“I would like to follow him,” remarked Sydar.
“What of Darin and Daevo?” asked Alex. “They need you, too.”
“They need someone,” nodded Sydar. “I doubt it is me though. They need a father and a mother. Don’t get me wrong, Alex. I would never shun my obligation to the boys, but they deserve better than what I can offer them.”
“What happened to their father?” Alex asked.
“He was a Targa soldier,” frowned Sydar. “He was a good man. As things go in Tagaret, he was killed in the Contest of Power. He had the misfortune of guarding the wrong noble. That city has destroyed everything I ever cared for. I yearn for someone like Arik to set it straight. He will make a fine king.”
“You could bring the boys back to Tagaret,” suggested Alex. “You could find yourself a wife and settle down.”
“I suspect that is what I will do,” nodded Sydar.
“Well, we should reach Tor tomorrow,” sighed Alex. “At the pass you will be on your own. Do you feel good about this?”
“I do,” nodded Sydar. “I am indebted to you for saving me in Miram. I will get the boys back to Tagaret. At least I will be able to aid in the defense of the city when the time comes.”
“That time is fast approaching,” nodded Alex. “Keep your blade sharp.”
Chapter 27
Castle of Man
The road was wide enough for two wagons to pass each other, but it was overgrown with weeds that were brown and stunted. A few recent wagon wheel tracks marred what would otherwise resemble a long abandoned road. On each side of the road the forest was thick, although the trees showed signs of thirst, as most of the trees in the world now did.
Arik gazed towards the horizon as he led the small group along the road. Off in the distance, the Boulder Mountains rose magnificently and disappeared into the haze of the Darkness. One particular section of the mountains appeared darker than the others, and Arik was peering at it when Alex rode up alongside him.
“That is the castle of Tor,” Alex remarked.
“What is?” responded Arik as he scanned the horizon again.
“The black part of the mountains,” pointed Alex. “Right in the center of the trail.”
“That is a castle?” gasped Arik as he focused again on the dark section of the mountains. “You must be looking at something other than what I am. I see a dark spot in the mountain range.”
“I understand,” nodded Alex. “I felt the same way when I first saw it. It is so massive that it is easy to think it is part of the mountains. It blocks the Tor Pass. I have heard that there are thousands of stairs that must be climbed to reach the top.”
“You have never been in it?” questioned Arik.
“No,” replied Alex. “The people do not trust outsiders. Besides, I have never been one to leave myself open to examination by strangers. I chose to climb the mountains instead of using the pass the last time I was through here. That was many years ago.”
“I cannot imagine man building something so large,” Arik stated. “It must have taken forever.”
“I am sure that there is a good story about the building of the castle that needs telling,” commented Alex. “The hard part of our journey will be getting into that castle.”
“You mean getting out of it,” frowned Arik.
“Get off the trail!” warned Prince Midge as he dove down out of the sky. “Get into the forest!”
Alex and Arik both raised their arms to signal the rest of the party. They turned and dashed into the woods on the right hand side of the road. Alex turned around as soon as he had entered the forest. He scanned the road to make sure that all of the Rangers had made it to safety. He heard the rush of the wind as the tops of the trees shook slightly. He watched with wide-open eyes as the dragon swooped down and swept along the road in search of its prey. The dragon let out a screech of frustration as it soared up over the trees again. A shower of dead leaves cascaded down onto Alex as the dragon circled overhead.
“What was that?” Wylan gasped.
“The colors are wrong,” mused Tanya, “but it looks like the beast on Arik’s c
hest. Its body should be green, not orange.”
“Quiet,” ordered Alex as he felt the presence of the dragon overhead.
Alex peered up as another shower of dead leaves rained down upon the group. He blocked the falling debris with his hand as he gazed upward. Suddenly he saw the trees being pushed apart, and a large orange body appeared between the tops of the trees.
“Flee!” shouted Alex. “Stay in the forest. Head for Tor.”
Alex hesitated for a moment as he watched the rest of the party flee. He looked around frantically for Jenneva and Sydar, but he could not find them.
They went the other way when we left the road.
Alex looked across the wide road and saw Sydar watching him. Jenneva was in the distance behind him. He signaled orders to Sydar as more debris fell from above as the dragon climbed down the trees.
Thank you, Kaz. What would I do without you?
You would get tired walking. Kaz snorted musically.
Alex smiled nervously as he directed Kaz to catch up with the others. The dragon screeched once again as Alex rode out of sight. Alex caught up to Arik, Wylan, and Tanya. Moments later he felt the wind disturbing the treetops overhead.
“It is following us,” Alex said softly to the others.
Arik merely nodded and continued to set a steady pace as they wove through the trees towards the city. Alex stayed at the rear of the column and concentrated on the noises overhead. A little while later, Arik spooked a small herd of deer. The deer bounded away from the humans and gathered near the edge of the road. Alex halted. He waited until he saw the orange body through the tops of the trees, and then he moved slowly and cautiously towards the deer. He smiled inwardly as the debris rained down upon him once again. When he got fairly close to the deer, he spoke softly.
“A little further, substitute prey,” Alex said aloud.
The deer looked up at the sound of his voice. After a moment’s hesitation the small herd of deer bounded onto the road. Swiftly the dragon descended. Before the deer could gain the shelter of the forest, the dragon’s claws sunk into the flesh of the largest buck and soared along the road before climbing into the sky with its meal. Alex hurried through the forest to catch up with the rest of the Rangers.
Dwarven Ruby Page 34
