The Olvion Reality (The Chronicles of Olvion Book 1)

by Larry Robbins

  The king stepped in. “Warrior Tag-Gar, this is my Vice-Monarch, the Honorable Brackus. Brackus places great importance on the use of titles and honorifics. So much so that he forgets you are new to our land and a guest in my home.”

  Brackus colored slightly, fighting hard to hold down his anger.

  Ruguer appeared delighted by the diplomatic admonishment of the Vice–Monarch. He snatched a crystal flute from a nearby table and held it out to the man. “Care for a drink, Vice Monarch? I’m told these blue libations are easy to swallow.”

  Zander’s face struggled to hold back a smile. Brackus glared at the military commander. He stood up stiffly.

  “Majesty”, Brackus said, “I have much work to do. I beg your leave.”

  “Of course Vice-Monarch. Let me walk you to the door.”

  As the king escorted Brackus to the double doors Ruguer leaned over so that only I could hear his whisper.

  “In Olvion we have a saying: The number of charon asses outnumber charon.”

  I laughed in spite of myself and felt the bonds of my shyness loosen somewhat.

  “We have almost the exact saying in my land,” I said.

  “Yes,” he replied, “your land. We must have a discussion about that subject soon. I’ve heard reports about your origins and they are fascinating to say the least.”

  “Fascinating to myself as well,” I told him.

  King Zander returned with Dwan on his arm. He guided us all to a circle of purple couches by one of the four fireplaces where we all settled in.

  “Now, Tag-Gar”, the King said with a grin, “Please tell me how you saved my warriors at the outpost by exposing your backside to our enemies.”

  We sat for hours drinking the sweet blue drinks and laughing at stories told by the king and Ruguer. It was obvious that Ruguer was very highly-regarded by his king and the two interacted like equals. In fact most people spoke to Zander more like a highly-placed politician than an absolute monarch. This was fitting, of course, because this king did not hold unlimited power. He was subject to review and removal should his actions merit it. The kingdom’s members of parliament represented different segments of the populace and some policy decisions required their approval. I was impressed by his obvious skill at maintaining an approachable image while keeping the informality from being disrespectful.

  It was the king who told me the whole story of how Dwan had once been the private healer to his mother. He looked at her with pride when he told me of her decision to go into the field of danger when she could very easily have remained in the luxury of the court. Dwan would drop her eyes when he and others would tell stories of her accomplishments. Apparently many warriors who made it back to Olvion from battle were pulled from death’s clutches by her medical talents. I found myself revising my earlier assumptions that her position was more of a paramedic-type rather than a doctor.

  After a few hours I began to be less successful at hiding my yawns. Zander noticed and shooed me back to my room, promising to spend more time with me on the next day. I said my goodbyes, shooting what I hoped were meaningful glances at Dwan. She seemed not to notice. I finally gave up. Ruguer had one of his officer’s guide me back to my room because there was no chance of me finding it on my own. I brushed my teeth and washed up for bed. I was just about to disrobe when there was a knock. Dwan entered when I opened my door. She apologized for making me wait saying she did not want her personal business to be common castle knowledge. We then made good use of our long-awaited privacy.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Trial

  After an unbelievably wonderful night shared with Dwan I woke the next day feeling like a newly-wed. Dwan and I shared a shower. She was a bit reluctant at first but I explained to her that I was motivated strictly by the desire for maximum hygiene. After all, I explained, if there is no one around to wash your back it never really gets clean.

  She dried and pulled on a robe then peeked into the hallway before fleeing to her own room to get dressed. Tinker was in the bed when I came back from the bathroom. It occurred to me that I had not noticed where she slept. A pleasant feeling washed over me. I saw her huge eyes studying me as feelings of approval grew in my head.

  “Yeah, I’m pretty happy about Dwan and myself getting together, too.” I said.

  I was dressed when Dwan knocked. We put Tinker in her pouch and headed toward the closest dining hall. I was ravenous with hunger having not eaten the day before. Just before we reached the stairwell Ruguer caught up to us.

  “We must talk.” The big warrior put his arms around both of our shoulders and escorted us to the dining facility of the second floor. The place was a large circular affair, big enough to hold sixty or seventy people. It currently held only twenty or so and the sound of casual conversations taking place among them was easy on the ears. It was similar to a cafeteria with a bank of tables bearing different foods from which one made their choices. I took a bowl of some sort of purplish fruit and a pastry while Dwan and Ruguer filled mugs with the hot licorice-tasting beverage. I discovered a type of tea that smelled somewhat minty and, after making our selections, we met at a small table by a window overlooking one of the mountain ranges. I noted concern in the warrior’s eyes.

  “What troubles you?” Dwan asked.

  Ruguer smiled and took a gulp of his beverage.

  “It is a minor thing but one which has to be handled deftly.” He looked from Dwan to me. “The Vice-Monarch has raised a question as to your purpose here. He was embarrassed in your presence last night and that is something he will not abide if he can help it. But it is more than that, obviously. There is an effort by Brackus, abetted by several influential members of parliament, to remove Zander and put Brackus in his place.”

  Dwan looked stricken. “Now? With the Grey Horde amassing in the countryside and we are facing an all-out war? That is beyond idiocy.”

  Ruguer laughed lightly. “And what else would you expect of idiots? The truth of the matter is that the quest for power is absolute and knows few, if any, restrictions. There are those, our weak-minded Vice-Monarch among them, who feel that every crisis is just an opportunity to seize power. He and his supporters intend to attack Zander’s handling of the preparations for this coming invasion. They hope to convince enough members of parliament that he, Brackus, is better suited to protect us.”

  “But what does that have to do with me?” I asked.

  “You are a distraction. The reports of your actions are spreading through the kingdom. If they are left unanswered you will be regarded as a hero of the people. That is good for Zander and bad for those who want to unseat him. No one really believes you are any sort of threat to the kingdom. But this is one of many situations on which Zander is now forced to divide his attention. Every issue that they raise gives the impression of a kingdom out of control. I would liken it to a death from a thousand cuts.”

  I felt anger rising in my chest. It would seem politics are the same even between different worlds.

  “What exactly is the charge against me? And who is making it? Brackus?”

  Ruguer finished his beverage and pulled at a pastry. “Oh no. Our Vice-Monarch is not that foolish. He will act as if he is disgusted by the accusations. But in our constitution any question raised by a member of parliament, when it speaks to the issue of the safety of the kingdom, must be investigated. The originator of the accusation is allowed to remain anonymous. I would suspect Barnus, the minister of finance. He is third in line to the throne and has the most to gain by the removal of our king. He would be elevated to Vice Monarch in such an event. But Brackus will happily chair the inquest and do what he can to damage the king’s standing.”

  Dwan slammed her mug on the table, drawing attention from some of our nearest diners. “They should both be hanged for treason. How do they expect to take Tag-Gar’s actions in defense of myself and our warriors in the field and wash them as devious?”

  “That, dear healer, will be interesting to see. In any eve
nt we are expected shortly in the open court. Attendance is restricted to members of parliament and witnesses, of which you, Dwan, are one. They intended to catch you unaware and unprepared but I thought some foreknowledge was warranted. Come, we must make our way there.”

  I walked in silent anger at first, analyzing this information while Ruguer and Dwan discussed it out loud. Is this how their society rewarded my risking my life to save their people from horrible deaths? But then I calmed myself. Obviously there were plenty of good people here because I had met them. Why would I expect this new world to be free from self-promoters seeking power? The thing for me to do now was to compose myself. I had done nothing wrong and had nothing to hide. A feeling of calmness and confidence flowed into me, obviously coming from Tinker. By the time we reached the entrance to the open court I felt much better, even eager to proceed.

  The open court was just what the name describes. It is a circular courtyard with tile floors and surrounded on all sides with soaring walls in which there were no windows. Though huge in size once the entry doors were closed no one could see inside. There was no ceiling and we were covered only by the pinkish sky. Several brightly colored birds cooed and squabbled in the higher reaches. In the very center of several rows of chairs were two tables which faced each other. Each table had places for seven chairs, one larger one surrounded on each side by three smaller. Brackus was sitting in a chair at the table to my left. He glanced up as we entered and then looked quickly away, pretending we had not been seen.

  We walked through a passage between the chairs down to the center. We were surrounded by dozens of people whom I suspected to be members of the Olvion parliament. They did not display any open hostility which gave me some encouragement. In a section lining the front of the rows of seats I spied Mag-Gan, Vynn and several members of the formally besieged outpost. When we arrived in the center of the court yard I could see King Zander conversing with a man in military garb. When he saw us approaching Zander pointed and the warrior walked away. The king crossed over to join us. He put his hands on both of my shoulders and smiled.

  “Good Warrior”, he said. “I am so sorry to subject you to this. Unfortunately our constitution prevents me from treating matters such as these in the manner they deserve. Please bear with us, Tag-Gar, and I will try to make this as quick and painless as possible.”

  I tried to appear unfazed. “I am a guest here in your land, King Zander. I will gladly participate in any proceeding which your government feels necessary.”

  Zander shot a cold look to the table at which Brackus sat. “Did you bring your little friend? I believe you call her Tinker?”

  I looked at Dwan. She passed me the shoulder pouch in which Tinker was presently snoozing. I slung it around my own shoulder and turned back to the King. “She is in here. She spends much time sleeping but still seems able to provide her translations to me. Should I waken her?”

  Zander pulled a corner of the pouch open and peered inside. I saw him smile. “Not now. You may experience a small surprise later in the hearing. Her presence may be required. Until then try to remain calm. There are people here who will try to twist the meaning of your actions into something they were not. But most here are good and wise people. At all costs retain your composure. Remember, their actions are a reflection of their weakness. True men do not have to resort to such dishonor. Now come, you will sit with us.”

  Zander led me to the table that faced that of Brackus. He sat in the larger middle chair and I was on his right. Ruguer sat on his left. The other chairs were taken by Dwan, Vynn and Mag-Gan. I did not recognize the other six sitting with Brackus.

  After a few moments Brackus rose and smiled to the gathered watchers. He rapped on his table with a polished crystal orb. The sound was surprisingly loud in the chamber and all conversation ceased.

  “Revered Lords and Ladies it is my unpleasant duty to present a question of security for your examination. I confess I do not, at least at this juncture, believe it to be a matter of merit. But our duty compels us to take any such question seriously just as we have all of the other questions we have examined recently.”

  Here the Vice-Monarch cut a glance toward Zander. Several of the observers looked his way as well. The king showed no reaction.

  Brackus continued. “The question today concerns this man.” He turned and pointed to me. “Simply put, should we accept this man for what he says himself to be? A warrior? I recall no one of authority granting him this status yet he is addressed as such by those with whom he interacts. An ally of Olvion? Perhaps. But for what purpose? From what kingdom does he hail? Fair questions, all.”

  Brackus looked down and referred quickly to some notes on a pad in front of him.

  “Ah yes. This important issue must also be addressed.” He turned to an older man in the front row. The elderly gent was dressed in a blue and white tunic with a white sash. He wore a small cap reminiscent of a yarmulke on his head. He was the only person in the hall so dressed and was obviously some sort of clergy. Brackus pointed to him. “Our good Vicar would tell us that there is good and evil in this world. The two are always at war, with evil pulling toward the darkness and good toward the light. It has always been so. With so many evil things happening around us lately (another glance toward the king) we must be vigilant about whom we invite into the heart of our government.”

  Brackus theatrically gave a long sigh, shaking his head from side to side. Then he faced our table. “It pains me to ask this but the question has been raised. I have spoken to some of the warriors from our outpost. They tell me this person (he pointed a finger at me) has no knowledge of how he came to our land. That he went to sleep in another world, and woke up in ours.”

  A murmur spread through the attendees. A smile played at the sides of the Vice-Monarch’s mouth.

  “As I said”, he continued. “The Vicar has more knowledge of this type of thing. But is it possible that evil has stricken this poor man? Swept his mind of his own past so that he might one day find himself here, in the heart of our castle, close enough to the king himself that he might visit evil deeds upon him? Look at his size, Lords and Ladies. The color of his hair and eyes. Is he of our lands? Is he a natural man? Or could he really be a…an unnatural thing?”

  On the other side of Ruguer, Dwan started to rise. The King’s Sword placed his hand lightly on her arm and she reluctantly kept her seat.

  Brackus wiped away the expression of worry that he wore. He replaced it with a smile.

  “As I said, this is an onerous duty. But as the Vice-Monarch it falls to me to prosecute it with all due vigor.” He turned to us again bearing what he must have thought was an apologetic expression. “In accordance with protocol we will have the questioned one rise and answer to our inquiries. Then, anyone who supports him will be allowed to have their say. After that it will be up to you, good Lords and Ladies to ask your own questions. Your Majesty, I see that you have chosen to sit at the defending table. I am somewhat surprised, I must say. Will you adjust protocol to speak in his behalf?”

  Zander did not change his expression. “No, good Vice-Monarch. I prefer to wait until all is said on both sides. I will, however, make a statement when that is done.”

  Brackus nodded. “Of course, Majesty. Would you have the defended begin?”

  Zander turned to me and smiled, gesturing with his eyebrows that I should rise. Ruguer leaned in to whisper in my ear that I should address the crowd as “Good Lords and Ladies”. My old companion, shyness, arrived just then, accompanied by his equally unwelcome friend, panic. I fought for control and steadied my breath. Just as I gained my feet I felt a stirring in Tinker’s pouch. Another wave of calmness drifted from my belly, to my chest, to my head. Then other feelings mixed in. Confidence. Courage. Disdain for my accusers. And a small helping of anger, just enough to put an edge to my thoughts.

  I turned to the gathered observers. “Lords and Ladies. First let me thank you for allowing me into this chamber and for the opportunity
to put your minds at rest. I absolutely understand the need for security in this time of danger for your kingdom. I confess I might have been disappointed with a less cautious reception.” I noted more than a few nods and approving whispers. I turned to where Brackus now sat at the opposite table.

  “And I would like to assure the good Vice-Monarch that I hold for him no measure of resentment. After all, he has nothing to gain and is simply performing his appointed duty.” I heard a faint scattering of laughter from some of the seated observers. “As to the questions he put forth: It is true that I recall spending all of my life, with the exception of the last several days in another world.”

  Another murmur from the crowd.

  “Hear me, please. If it were my aim to deceive this gathering I would not tell you this. Certainly a man with something to hide would not give such an account. But that is my reality. It is my recollection. I cannot explain it and it is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. I will not deny it for whatever purpose.”

  Brackus frowned slightly when many in the chamber appeared to accept my honesty.

  “You ask why I would ally myself with Olvion?” I looked directly at Brackus. “I came upon two people tied up like animals by a group of sub-human cannibals. Evidence of one other of your citizens having already been butchered and consumed was in sight. Which side should I have chosen?”

  The whispered comments in the court grew louder. I spun to take in everyone in the crowd.

  “I did what any man who respects himself as a man would do. I have come to know your people in the last several days. I have no doubt any son of Olvion would have done the same.”