“Nothing?” scowled Jenneva as she pulled a knife and cut off Alex’s tunic. “There is not much left of the skin on the back of your arms and legs. Be quiet and get down on the floor, face first.”
Alex groaned as he obeyed his wife. Jenneva opened her pack and brought out several jars of ointments while Tanya knelt by Alex’s side and began casting a healing spell.
“He did it for us as much as he did it for Prince Arik,” Alex stated softly.
“What do you mean?” asked Jenneva. “Are you talking about Sydar?”
“Yes,” replied Alex. “He knew about Tanya somehow. He knew she was our daughter. In a way he was envious, but his actions were meant to deny me the risk he took for himself. He wanted this family to stay together. Still, he was concerned for the boys. I promised him that Darin and Daevo would be taken care of.”
“And so they shall be,” soothed Jenneva. “They shall have the best that Tagaret can afford.”
“Your wounds looked worse than they really are,” commented Tanya. “It is mostly abrasions with some burns in exposed areas. You will be sore for a while, but there is no permanent damage.”
“Except for your clothes,” smiled Jenneva. “I will ask King Devon if he has some spare clothes.”
“What about the Shield of Oykara?” Alex asked Tanya as Jenneva left the room.
“Arik found it,” answered Tanya. “King Devon has given us leave to take it with us.”
“So we are free to leave Tor then?” questioned Alex.
“Yes,” nodded Tanya. “Whatever you said to King Devon about the outside world has given him pause to reflect on Tor’s isolation. I suspect that travelers will soon be welcome here.”
“Then we leave first thing in the morning,” declared Alex. “The attack on Tor shows that Sarac is escalating this war. We do not have time to waste. The Sword of Heavens must be restored quickly.”
Jenneva returned with clothes for Alex and he got dressed. The Tork family left the king’s chamber and returned to the roof. Alex walked to the edge of the roof and gazed through the crenel to the pass below. Great billows of smoke rose to merge with the Darkness, while the fires devoured every living thing in the pass. Other than the flames, nothing moved.
“It was effective,” King Devon stated as he stepped up alongside Alex. “It is something we cannot repeat though.”
“The devastation is immense,” nodded Alex. The fires will burn for some time. Hopefully, it will be long enough to dissuade Sarac from continuing his march through Tor.”
“We have learned a valuable lesson from this attack,” declared King Devon. “Our supplies in the Castle of Man will be increased tenfold. We are also making modifications to prevent the unusual method of attack the ogres used. I think we will be more prepared when they return.”
“A good strategy would be to attack them from behind as well,” suggested Alex. “We do have a garrison at Tice that is loyal to Prince Arik. Perhaps you should open a line of communications with them.”
“From what you have told me,” nodded King Devon, “we must band together to survive. I would like to send someone with you to Tagaret. Is that acceptable?”
“Not only is it acceptable,” nodded Prince Arik, “it is most welcome. We will just be passing through Tagaret though. We must return this shield to the dwarves. It is time to clear another section of the Darkness away.”
“I understand,” nodded the king as he handed a sealed envelope to Arik. “I would appreciate it if you would present this to the dwarves when you get there.”
Arik took the envelope and gazed at it before looking at King Devon. “It shall be delivered as soon as we arrive in Dorgun,” assured Arik. “We leave in the morning.”
* * *
Sergeant Tember climbed the stairs and gazed over the wall at the host of radical pilgrims. He shook his head as he saw the fanatics building yet another catapult. He walked up next to King Altaro and Lord Parsiki.
“Should I organize another group of horsemen to destroy that catapult before they finish building it?” he asked the king of Klandon.
“We lost a lot of men the last time out,” frowned King Altaro. “We will lose even more this time. Better they should be closer to completion before we strike. Why let them begin building another so soon?”
“As you command, Your Highness,” nodded Sergeant Tember.
“You might want to look further to the left before you make that decision,” commented Lord Parsiki. “They are working on three more catapults just beyond the trees.”
King Altaro turned and gazed out across the plain. His eyes scanned the tree line until he saw where the other three catapults were being constructed. He swore under his breath.
“That’s it then,” growled King Altaro. “I am not going to send a continual stream of lads out there to die. Sergeant, as soon as it is dark I want you to organize the evacuation.”
“You can’t just give up,” protested Lord Parsiki. “Once they are entrenched in Klandon, they will continue their march down the Boulder River.”
“I suppose they will,” frowned King Altaro, “but it buys us time to prepare for them. If they succeed in diseasing this city, they will move on Mya immediately. It is better to leave the gates open in the morning for them. At least they will not infect Klandon.”
“So you are just going to give them Klandon then?” questioned Lord Parsiki.
“Yes,” nodded King Altaro. “If we start the evacuation after dark, we should complete it well before morning.”
“But why?” asked Lord Parsiki. “You have good defensive works here. Even if you don’t destroy their catapults, there is little they can do to breach the walls.”
“There is one attack they could do that we have no defense for,” King Altaro pointed out. “If they decide to send diseased bodies down the river, not only will Klandon die, but every other city along the Boulder River. They may not have thought of that yet, and I don’t want them to think of it. Sergeant Tember, after you start the evacuation I want you to proceed to Tagaret. They must be informed of what this fool prophet is doing. Remind them of what I said about the disease traveling on the river. If they can spare some soldiers for Mya, we could certainly use them.”
* * *
Mandal ran towards the campfire and waved for everyone to follow him. The gypsies quickly gathered around with questioning looks.
“Lanoirians soldiers are tracking us,” Mandal reported. “I estimate around three hundred of them.”
Adan gazed up at the pink sky and asked, “How much longer will they ride today? It will be getting dark soon.”
“They did not appear to be in a hurry,” answered Mandal. “I think we have until morning to prepare.”
“We should start breaking camp now then,” mused Terrik. “We have a lot of wagons since the tribes joined. It will take time for everyone to leave.”
Adan stood and gazed around the campfire ring. Hundreds of gypsies waited anxiously for the decision of their king. Still, Adan was not one to make rash decisions.
“Very well,” Adan finally nodded to Terrik, “start the preparations to leave, but the women will be driving the wagons.”
“What of the men?” questioned Hortice.
“The men,” Adan smiled grimly, “are going hunting. There will be little moon tonight and that bodes well for the gypsies. The tribal leaders know where we are going next. Each leader will be responsible for his own tribe in getting to our destination. Terrik, you shall be leader in my place.”
“Does that mean I get to ride with you?” Natia asked eagerly.
“It does,” smiled her brother. “Your stealth will be very useful this night.”
“And Tedi?” pushed Natia. “Will your new brother be coming with us, too?”
“And Tedi,” affirmed Adan. “It is time for him to understand how the gypsies earned their fame. Let’s get to work, everyone. Be quick and be silent. May Mya watch over all of us this night.”
“What d
oes Adan have in mind?” Tedi asked Natia softly as the gypsies hurried to break camp.
“You will see,” grinned Natia. “We are about to teach the bastas that they have no business tracking gypsies. They are not going to be very happy.”
“Are you sure of this?” inquired Tedi. “Three hundred soldiers will not be an easy battle. Many of the gypsies are bound to die. Why not just flee?”
“There are times when the gypsies choose to merely blend in with the night and disappear,” smiled Natia. “This is not one of them. You must learn to place your trust in Adan. He is wise beyond his years. Come help me prepare Rax’s wagon for the trip. It is too much for her to handle alone.”
Tedi watched the gypsy camp as he helped Rax and Natia prepare the wagon. The camp was quiet, and the gypsies packed with an efficiency that came from years of moving camps quickly. Adan stood near the campfire while other gypsies prepared the king’s wagon.
Throughout the hour that Tedi worked on Rax’s wagon, a steady stream of men made their way to Adan for instructions and then rode out of camp. By the time Tedi and Natia were done, wagons were leaving the campsite. Natia led Tedi to the campfire and stood next to her brother.
“We are almost ready,” greeted Adan. “Are you prepared for this, little sister?”
“Prepared and eager,” grinned Natia. “Who will be going with me?”
“Hortice is very quiet,” suggested Adan. “Would he be your choice?”
“You know my choice, brother,” pouted Natia. “Why do you tease me so?”
“It is my nature,” Adan grinned and shrugged. “Have you explained to Tedi what is going to happen yet?”
“No,” grinned Natia. “I am your sister after all.”
Adan laughed loudly, and many gypsies turned to see what their king was laughing at. Adan put his arm around Tedi in a fatherly fashion and grinned at him.
“She is full of surprises, little brother,” chuckled Adan. “Do not worry, though. I have seen you move, and you move as silent as a gypsy. You will do well.”
“What is it that I have to do silently?” Tedi asked nervously.
“Sneak into the basta’s camp,” shrugged Adan. “Natia will show you the way. Here comes Hortice and Mandal. Come, let’s go.”
“Is he joking?” Tedi asked softly as Adan strode towards Mandal and Hortice. “Am I really supposed to sneak into their camp?”
“Of course,” replied Natia with a carefree toss of her hair. “Do not worry. I will go with you. Get our horses.”
“Great,” sighed Tedi as he left to get the horses.
When he returned, the last of the gypsy wagons were leaving the campsite. Adan, Mandal, and Hortice were holding the reins to their horses. Together, the five of them began walking towards the forest. The walk lasted only ten minutes before Adan halted and tied his horse to a tree. The rest of the party followed Adan’s lead and tied their horses as well. Mandal led the group up a steep rocky path.
Mandal knew his way well as he weaved between outcroppings and stepped across small ravines. In just a few short minutes, the five gypsies stood in the darkness looking down on the Lanoirian army campsite. The soldiers’ campfires were spread across a large expanse of the valley below. Tedi swallowed hard as he looked around for the rest of the gypsy army.
“Where is everyone else?” Tedi asked softly.
“Oh, they are not coming here,” smiled Adan. “It will just be the five of us.”
“Just you and me, actually,” grinned Natia. “These three will be staying up here to watch.”
“You aren’t serious,” Tedi shook his head. “You are having fun with me, but I am not enjoying this joke.”
“Relax,” Adan patted Tedi’s back. “You will do fine.”
“Let’s go,” prompted Natia as she started down a steep path towards the Lanoirian soldiers.
Tedi looked at the three male gypsies, confusion evident on his face. He shook his head and followed Natia down the trail. Natia moved stealthily, but she did not dawdle. Within moments, she stopped behind a large bush at the base of the trail.
“In between the Lanoirian soldiers and this bush,” whispered Natia, “are three hundred horses. Our job is to free them. Do not spook the horses, and do not alert the soldiers. Exude confidence, and the horses will not care what we are doing. I will start on the right. You start on the left. When we meet in the middle, we return here and get up the hill as quickly as we can. Understand?”
Tedi nodded, and Natia slipped out from behind the bush. Tedi laid his staff on the ground and drew his knife. He silently moved to the left. His ears picked up dozens of conversations as he stealthily stole across the open area. The Lanoirian soldiers were relaxed after a day on the trail. They bantered and carried on as if they had not a care in the world. Tedi started cutting the reins. He moved as quickly as he could without making noise. Occasionally, a horse would shake or move back a step, but mostly they ignored Tedi.
Tedi listened for any sounds that the soldiers had detected Natia or him, but the Lanoirians were making a fair bit of noise themselves. When he met Natia, she was grinning from ear-to-ear. She nodded towards the bush and together they slid through the shadows. Tedi picked up his staff as Natia started up the trail. When they reached the top of the trail, only Adan was waiting for them.
“Well done,” grinned Adan. “Now the real fun begins. Ready your bows, just in case.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Tedi.
“I am going to push this rock over the cliff,” replied Adan. “Mandal and Hortice have already found other large rocks to push. The horses will be spooked and run.”
“That’s it?” questioned Tedi. “We snuck into the enemy’s camp just to have fun with the soldiers? Surely they will round them up before morning?”
“They will never see those horses again,” grinned Natia. “There are gypsies at both ends of the valley. Whichever way the horses stampede, they will become gypsy horses long before morning.”
“And it is a long walk back to Lori,” added Adan as he watched a distant torch wave far to the left. “One group is ready already. As soon as we see a torch on the right, the rocks will roll.”
“There it is,” Natia said excitedly.
Adan pushed the large rock, and it tumbled down the side of the hill. Tedi watched as two other large rocks rolled down at the same time, one from the right, and one from the left. The noise of the rocks bounding down the rocky hillside thundered through the air. Shouts rippled through the army camp, and the horses bolted. Initially, the horses were confused with some of them going in each direction, but the confusion did not last long. Before the first soldier reached the tether lines, three hundred horses galloped away. Natia pulled Tedi back into the darkness.
“Now you are not just a gypsy,” she whispered. “You are a gypsy horse thief. Let’s go before they figure out what has happened.”
* * *
“Look at the height of the wall,” Wylan said as the group approached Tagaret. “I don’t remember it being that tall.”
“It wasn’t,” replied Alex. “I would assume that Queen Marta was successful in restoring the monarchy to Tagaret. She must be preparing the city against an attack.”
“Will that wall really stop any attack?” questioned Lieutenant Montbalm. “If the same forces that attacked the Castle of Man attacked here, I fail to see how that wall would even slow them down.”
“It would be a different kind of battle,” responded Alex. “Sarac’s forces would not be penned in like they were in the pass, but neither will our forces be confined to the castle.”
“Look at the banner flying above the gate,” Tanya said excitedly.
“It is the banner of Alcea,” declared Arik. “That is proof that Queen Marta is in power. I would like to visit with her.”
“So we shall,” agreed Alex, “but only for the rest of the day. I am anxious to get the Shield of Oykara delivered to the dwarves.”
“We still have not se
en Sarac’s Ravens,” warned Jenneva. “The last time we headed south from Tagaret was when they attacked us. They may have spies within the city. We best be cautious.”
Several of the Red Swords at the gate recognized Alex. They saluted as the group entered the city. He nodded towards them as he passed through the gate. Alex frowned at the recognition. It had been years since he had ridden openly through the city and had been recognized by friendly troops. He turned to look back and saw the excited soldiers pointing at Arik.
“Our faces are becoming too familiar,” Alex announced. “I am sure that Tagaret still holds a fair number of our enemy. Perhaps we should enter under the cover of darkness next time.”
“It is close to the time that Arik must be recognized,” countered Jenneva. “We should impress upon Queen Marta the need to find the enemy among us. Arik must be seen to rally his people.”
“Can we get one of those banners of Alcea to carry with us?” asked Wylan.
“We already have one,” giggled Tanya. “Arik is wearing it.”
“Save the banter for when we are safe within the Royal Palace,” warned Alex. “Keep alert until then.”
The group quieted down as they rode through the streets of Tagaret. Alex breathed a sigh of relief as they passed through the gates of the Royal Palace. Sergeant Trank grinned broadly as he saw them enter. He issued orders to a runner who disappeared into the palace. Within minutes, the whole Royal Palace knew that Prince Arik was on the grounds. Red Swords and Targa regulars alike appeared to watch the prince dismount and enter the palace. The rest of the party followed.
Arik headed straight for the King’s Chamber. He was shocked when he almost bumped into Sheri leaving the room.
“My Prince,” curtsied Sheri with a broad grin. “Welcome back to Alcea.”
“Sheri?” frowned Arik. “What are you doing here?”
“I lead the Queen’s Helpers,” smiled Sheri. “I have just completed my report to the queen.”
“Isn’t that what we should be doing?” asked Tanya testily.
Sheri glared at Tanya, and then smiled as she curtsied to Prince Arik again. Arik shook his head and entered the King’s Chamber. The group followed Arik, but Wylan lingered outside.
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