by Guy Antibes
“I am now.”
The both rose from the dining table and Sallia followed Duke Jellas to a large room. Maps of Gensler adorned two walls and those of the rest of Besseth filled another. High windows let light shine in from another. The western exposure illuminated a map of the entire world on the floor.
“Don’t look down too closely. The floor map is very old and very inaccurate.” The Duke laughed as he looked at Learsea. After a few moments he barked out a laugh. “He’s a sly one, Anchor. I wouldn’t have seen it if he didn’t tell me. Look at this.” The duke pulled a stepladder over to the map and used a long pointer. See this gap in the mountains? It can fit an army, but it’s far from the capital. But look at its proximity to Oringia through here and Happly has a short, straight path through the Red Kingdom. They assemble just on the other side of these mountains. See, the land is flat with only a few major rivers.” Jellas traced a pathway, needing to reposition his stepladder to finish up at Learsea on the coast.
“If Learsea has no army of consequence, the victory is easy,” Sallia said. The strategy was simple now that the duke showed her. “There’s no other way?”
“Not unless you cross these passes, which would be easily defended and might be, for all I know. See these two rivers? The army would have to cross them multiple times heading east, but that’s only a matter of logistics. No, this is a straight path. If Willom’s generals didn’t see this, no wonder he’s worried about his army.”
“Then you should notify King Willom,” Sallia said.
“Anchor wants me to. He’s also sent a messenger. Pillar is still a week or two away from relieving Anchor, but the boy wants Willom to begin to assemble his army at the spot where the armies join up. Oho! He’ll have Histron in a pickle if Willom’s able to assemble enough farmers with pitchforks and scythes.”
A guard entered the room. “We received a bird. The master of birds said it looked like a South Keep bird, but the message is from someone named Unca.”
“Unca!” Sallia said. “Is it for me?”
“It is for a Sally at Crackledown, but we thought it might be for you, your highness.”
A parchment had been wrapped around a pouch. Sallia stared at the pouch, knowing what it contained and unwrapped the parchment.
Dearest Sally,
I sincerely hope that Duke Jellas has been treating you properly. As for me, I have been forced into hiding and am unable to break away to see you in Gensler. I have been subject to danger from time to time, and will continue to be so. I hereby give up my custody of the Bloodstone to its rightful owner. Perhaps when all of this madness is over, we can meet again.
Take care of yourself and this most precious symbol of the Red Kingdom.
Your servant forever,
Unca, former Court Wizard to King Billeas of the Red Kingdom
She slipped the Bloodstone from the pouch and showed it to Duke Jellas. “If you ever had doubts about me… ”
“That is the true stone? Not a copy?”
Sallia gazed at the stone in her palm. “I would know. Now I’m dismayed. I had gotten over Unca’s death and now he’s in sufficient danger to send me this.”
~~~
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
~
WEEKS HAD PASSED SINCE LOTTO ENTERED HAPPLY and Anchor paced in the map room, wondering what had befallen them all.
“Sir, two birds from Crackledown.”
Anchor grabbed the messages. Princess Restella had walked her army into a trap and had been captured. Lotto talked the Ropponi wizards into joining him and they captured Happly Keep. The Princess and Lotto found their way to Valetan.
Peleor had turned Fessano. Fessano was an old friend of Unca’s and it hurt him to realize that he had become a traitor. Anchor sighed and read on.
“Morio is headed south with the Ropponi and the foreigners intend to discuss how they can help defeat the Red Kingdom,” Anchor said to the ranker. “Get Gasso. We will soon have visitors. They are allies and led by the Duke’s son, Morio. Please inform Gasso to show them to the map room when they arrive.”
~
Anchor read an ancient battle history between Learsea and Oringia. At the time, Learsea’s borders extended north of the Fargo. He wanted to get a feel for historical Learsea thinking. Even then, Learsea had a penchant for tentative land battles. Why did they fight so much better on the ocean? Did the prospect of losing their coastal lands have more meaning to the nobility?
He went to the map case, filled with rolled up maps and identified with tags that hung down. He found the oldest map of Besseth he could find and carefully unrolled it. The ink on the parchment had faded to make it nearly unreadable, but Anchor looked closely for Learsea. He looked back at the tag to see the map was six hundred years old. The kingdom of Learsea hugged the coast. An old kingdom comprised the land all the way to the mountains.
The Learsea nobility didn’t care as much for the plains as they did the coasts because the plains were once part of a different kingdom and that schism might still persist in their culture. Perhaps an army might have a better chance if most of the officers and men were from the plains. They would be more sensitive to losses on their own soil. He rubbed his chin as he heard a number of footsteps in the keep’s common room and looked up from the map as Morio opened the door, grinning. He ushered in a strange contingent.
“This is Shiro, leader of the Red Rose, Anchor.” Morio turned to the Ropponi. “Shiro, this is the commander of the South Keep, Captain Anchor. Hopefully, he has received a bird from my father so he isn’t totally surprised by our presence.”
Anchor took the message he received a few days ago and waved it at Morio. “Indeed. I have news of Valetan. The generals took over the castle in Beckondale and imprisoned the king in his own quarters. Lotto, Princess Restella and Mander Hart were able to rescue the king and kill the commanding general as well as Peleor, the Dakkoran wizard. This is the same Peleor that encouraged Duke Histron to usurp the throne of the Red Kingdom. This is good news and soon we will have more forces to battle the Red Kingdom.” And the threat of Valetan joining on Histron’s side had just vanished.
The Ropponis were not as tall as Morio’s men. They all had straight black hair and a substantial majority were women. Many wore their long hair in topknots. Shiro closed his eyes while looking at Anchor. The man obviously used power to look at him. Could he see Unca with that sight? Anchor couldn’t feel a thing.
“I’d like a few words with Anchor. Alone,” the Ropponi said.
Anchor didn’t like the look on the Ropponi’s face and didn’t want to be overheard so he shepherded Shiro to his office. Could the entire Ropponi contingent have fooled Morio into invading the keep? Anchor didn’t think Lotto would have joined forces with them if the Ropponi were untrustworthy.
“Sit,” Anchor said, showing Shiro the chair as he stood by the window.
“You are a sorcerer. I would like to know to whom you swear allegiance. I do not choose to follow a sorcerer of the Dakkoran Empire,” Shiro said.
Anchor’s eyebrows rose at the man’s blunt words. However, they had answered the very same question that he wanted to ask. “I have no power as you likely know, my friend. You must have a great deal of power to see that I once had Affinity.”
“Affinity is common within the men and women of my band. We are called the Red Rose.”
“I am sure that has meaning to your troops?”
“It does. Your allegiance?”
Anchor stood at looked out the window, not really seeing the forest beyond. “I am pledged to the rightful leader of the Red Kingdom.”
“So you are one of Daryaku’s minions.” Shiro put his hand to his sword.
Anchor showed Shiro his bare hands. “You don’t have to do that. The rightful leader is the sole survivor of the King’s family, the Princess Sallia. She currently resides in exile at Crackledown, the capital of Gensler, as a guest of Morio’s father. I am her humble servant, although she doesn’t know how deeply I ser
ve. Ask Morio if that’s true.
“And now I have a decision to go to her or use my strategic talents to end this war.” How he would have liked to send Shiro on his way to Learsea in his place and depart for Crackledown.
“I have a stone that will prove that we both can be trusted.” Shiro dropped a large yellow gem onto the table and showed it to Anchor.
“The Sunstone? It can’t be. It’s been lost for centuries.”
“And found in this one,” Shiro said. “The very fact that you recognize it as such proves that you are more than a mere commander.” Shiro snatched up the Sunstone. “Touch it, if you dare.”
Anchor glared at Shiro as if his manhood was questioned, but then his gaze softened. “Of course. I have touched the Bloodstone and soon the Sunstone. I should ask Princess Restella for permission to touch her Moonstone.” He shivered. “I have no desire to touch Daryaku’s gem.”
“Nor do I,” Shiro said. “Touch it, please.”
Anchor extended his hand and Shiro closed his hand before Anchor had a chance to touch it. “Sit, Anchor. The exchange of minds might disorient you.”
He sat and touched Shiro’s stone. Instantly he felt pulled into Shiro’s mind. Somehow he knew how to pull memories from the man. He sought out the latest ones. Shiro loved Chika, one of his commanders. He observed his thoughts as he talked to Lotto and could detect the man’s hatred of Ropponi rulers transferred to the Dark Lord. He had seen enough.
The link ended as Anchor withdrew his hand. He rubbed his forehead. “I am a little disoriented.”
“I trust you, Wizard Unca,” Shiro said.
Anchor shook his head. “In this body, I am Anchor. Now I can see why the Emperors of Roppon hid the stone. The one who wields the Sunstone must be above reproach and I am sitting in front of such a man.” Anchor bowed his head. “You understand my dilemma.”
“I did not probe particularly far, but far enough. I cannot give you proper counsel since your problem is one of the heart. I would go to Learsea with you. Your princess needs her kingdom and you need your princess as a ruler to fulfill your pledge to the dead king.”
“You have seen enough?” Anchor said.
“Enough to pledge my people to your cause. I am not a Bessetian, but I will help you as I can. My first in command, a man named Tishiaki, is more seasoned at military leadership than I, but I have a greater Affinity. You can be assured that we will stand by your side.”
Anchor put his head in his hands. “You don’t know how much I had hoped for one such as you to help me. Without my power, I am a mere strategist and need additional practical minds. I’ve corresponded with the King of Learsea and they are good men, but don’t have the stamina to fight the Usurper of the Red Kingdom on their own.” He put out his hand and Shiro clutched it.
They walked back to an anxious group in the larger room. “We have resolved to work together. Shiro and his Red Rose contingent will accompany me to Learsea. I have committed to be King Willom’s war leader. I hope that your father will give me the southern forts as part of a joint command to reclaim the Red Kingdom.”
“I figured that would be your decision,” Morio said. “I’m sure my father will agree. My companions and I will go to him as soon as possible.”
“Sooner the better,” Anchor said. “With Valetan no longer as a possible ally, Duke Histron won’t delay once what is left of Happly’s forces reach him.”
“I can help you communicate with them. Chika? Do you want to go on a trip?” Shiro said.
“You mean?”
“Yes we will teleport Morio and his men to their capital city. I am sure I can find the way through a session with the Sunstone and Morio.”
~
Sallia stood when the visitors from Happly were shown into the Duke’s private chambers.
Morio brought his father up to date.
“It would please me to see Anchor command the Eastern forces. Valetan and Prola will invade the Red Kingdom through Gensler. Morio will stay with me,” Duke Jellas said, nodding to Sallia.
As the prospect of invasion to retake the Red Kingdom became more of a reality, the Duke began to include Sallia in his councils. These people standing in front of her would be working to help her regain what was lost.
Morio cleared his throat. “Actually, we’re going back to the fort and ride our horses back. I need to check our troops and tell them what is to come.”
“Check our troops or the condition of all of the taverns from there to here?”
“A little civic tour at the same time wouldn’t be out of the question,”
Duke Jellas gave his son a rueful smile.
Shiro nodded his head in a little bow. “I’d like a few minutes with Princess Sallia. I have a private message to deliver from Anchor. Chika will join us.”
The Duke rose from his seat and waved his arm to encompass the room. “Do so in here. The princess will show you to the dining hall when you are finished. It’s time for our evening meal.”
Sallia and the two Ropponi didn’t quite know how to begin their conversation.
“Here is a note from Anchor,” Shiro finally said.
Sallia brushed her pale hair out of her face and looked sideways at Shiro. He could have given her the parchment without all of the drama. “You said you had a private message?”
“I lied. Anchor’s message is between only you two. I wanted to give you his note in private.” Shiro pulled out his Sunstone. “Anchor told me that you wear the Bloodstone. This is one of its siblings.”
“The Sunstone?” Sallia stared at it. She didn’t take her eyes off of it as she pulled the Bloodstone from around her neck and took it out of Unca’s pouch. She wished he could be here to see all of this. She held it out for Chika’s inspection and then showed it to Shiro.
“It looks like a large drop of blood,” Shiro said. Sallia could see humor in his eyes. “Close it in your hand and think of the Sunstone. I will do the same. I want to see if they still can be used to communicate,” Shiro said.
Sallia shut her eyes and concentrated on the Bloodstone, trying to project a message to the Sunstone.
“Can you hear my thoughts?”
“I can,” Sallia said in his mind. She couldn’t repress a giggle at the response. “This is wonderful.” She said it aloud and projected it through the stone. Even though she held no power, the stone still worked through her. She couldn’t keep from smiling.
“I wanted to see if the legend is true that these are communication devices. They are.” Shiro smiled, as he spoke to them from his mind.
Chika hit his arm.
“That hurt!”
“It’s not polite to keep me from the conversation,” Chika said. Sallia had to restrain a smile. She envied the free interplay between the two Ropponi.
“Hello?”
Sallia heard another woman’s voice through the magical link.
“I am Shiro.”
“I am Princess Sallia of the Red Kingdom,” Sallia said before the woman could identify herself.
“Shiro I’ve met. Princess Sallia, I’ve been wanting to meet you again for some time. I am Princess Restella of Valetan. The last time we met we were just girls.” Sallia heard the voice clearly.
“And I am Lotto.” The voice was indeed his. Sallia could feel her heart beat with excitement.
“Lotto, you aren’t even holding the Moonstone!” Princess Restella said.
Sallia got the impression of laughter. They pair had developed a close relationship all of a sudden. She found the development somewhat disheartening.
“We’re linked, remember?”
“Oh, that!” Sallia pursed her lips as the little spat played out to Shiro and her.
“Listen. Anchor and I are headed for Learsea and will help the King of Learsea command his land forces. We will coordinate our maneuvers through the stones,” Shiro said. “We can meet again tomorrow night at this time and talk about strategy.”
Princess Sallia nodded and wanted others to know
about this exciting development. “I will include the Duke.”
“What about Armand?” Restella said.
“Armand? You mean Lessa?” Lotto said. She heard jealousy? Perhaps their linking hadn’t settled down the rivalry Lotto had told her about.
“I did. Armand.” Restella said, defiantly. Definitely not, Sallia thought.
“I will teleport to Happly and bring Lessa to Crackledown in time to include him,” Shiro said.
“Good,” Lotto said. “It’s time we put an end to this war. You’ll have to teach me how to teleport.”
Sallia wanted to teleport to see Anchor once again, too, but sensed it was a magical talent. Thankfully, the Bloodstone didn’t need magical talent to listen to the conversations. Shiro and Lotto carried on a bit more, but Sallia had heard enough.
Shiro and Sallia put their stones away. The shock of their impromptu meeting took her breath away. She led them to the dining room. The meal hadn’t quite started. Lotto and Restella had bickered together like a married couple. She recalled how her parents would do much the same in private. She had an interest in Lotto after their trip to Crackledown and now she would have to adjust her thinking about him. The notion set her adrift a bit. She felt disoriented.
Sallia couldn’t get the conversation out of her mind. Her fellow stone-holders were active in defending Besseth and she stood by and watched. She didn’t want to feel useless, but what else could she do? Unca would have been able to help her through all of these changes. She looked forward to his help when she regained the throne.
She had spent too much time thinking of herself before she had to flee. Now she’d have to concentrate on Duke Jellas’s actions and begin to train herself to rule. The thought both excited and frightened. Anchor had risen quickly to prominence. She remembered the words of her letter to him and recalled how broken he appeared in the Everwet inn. If he could rise to the challenges of these awful times, then so could she. She needed Unca for advice and Anchor for inspiration, but most of all she needed to emerge from her exile as a queen worthy of them both.
