by Chris Ward
‘The Queen, The Queen!’ came the cry, and The White Queen returned to her throne and acknowledged the praise.
Rema looked at Andes and they smiled, Andes nodding in silent agreement. This White Queen was most impressive.
The rest of the proceedings took some time but towards the end Rema realised that there was no opportunity to approach the Queen. She was safe behind a solid wall of Guards who had clearly shown their intention to prevent any breaching their line. As they left he tried several times to speak with one of the many officials, but his approaches were all met with a shake of the head and one laughed loudly.
‘Meet with the Queen. Impossible! She chooses with whom she meets. Never the other way. Good day.’ And that was that. They roamed the city for a while before returning to their Inn for an evening meal and then retired to the small room above the street where the conversation was about the Queen and what the next step might be in Rema’s plan to gain an audience with her. No progress was made and so they lay on their beds and let sleep creep upon them, each with many thoughts and new impressions. Andes could not help but think of Fryn, but as he fell asleep his memory of her, always so clear, became obscured for a time by the vision of the tall and beautiful woman who stood beside the White Queen at the Judgiem that day. He felt strangely confused with this before he slept, but when he did it was undisturbed by any dreams, his great form contently stretched over the bed, his legs hanging in space at one end. Rema dreamt of the White Queen and although he tried to reach her she remained far off and unknowable. Finally he dreamt no more and the new day’s sun was high in the sky when it woke them the next morning. Rema’s sense of deep hearing was greatest after sleep and having woken he lay and listened to the city as a single shaft of sunlight bathed the room in its warmth; the intensity of it made seeing almost hurtful to his eyes. He heard the faint happy conversation common to all people, full of gossip and comment, inquiry and answer. Suddenly Rema sat bolt upright. Andes sensed the change and sprang to his feet like a cat, wide awake and ready for whatever came before him.
‘What?’ he cried. Rema sat and tuned his head all about, strange sounds coming to his ears.
‘There is something wrong with this city,’ he whispered, eyes half focused.
‘Wrong?’ Andes said. Rema nodded slowly still listening.
‘Yesterday at the Judgiem I knew there was an undercurrent of hatefulness. All those people jostling and not caring. It seemed then not much more than an unruly crowd but it disturbed me...and now I hear things...
‘What things?’
‘It’s a wailing...a sort of deep longing... like someone is desperate to see lost memories or overcome a painful grief.’ Rema paused. ‘It is part madness, part evil...it is not normal...’ his voice trailed off. ‘Ahhh!’ he cried suddenly putting his hand to his ears and cradling his head.’
‘What now?’ Andes responded in alarm.
‘I don’t know,’ Rema whispered, ‘but it was horrible Andes, truly horrible.’
A short time later Rema led Andes out into the cobbled street and within a hundred paces they found themselves in the large city square, which was bustling with life. A huge market had been erected with stalls of all descriptions selling everything a large city might desire. Foods of all types, some bland, but many exotic from far countries were on display. There were bolts of brightly dyed cloth, and silks from over the oceans. Cooking pots and farm tools were mixed with live animals; chickens and goats and several large cows which were being taunted by a group of cheeky children. And so many people. The smell and the excitement was almost overwhelming. They had never seen such a sight and it caused the two friends to stand for a time and take it all in.
‘Fryn would love to see this,’ Andes said quietly. ‘So much to buy, so many lovely things.’ Rema smiled knowing that Andes’ thoughts did not stray far from his Fryn.
‘I saw you looking at the tall woman yesterday...the one who stood with the Queen,’ he said as he looked around, and at the same time mildly baiting his friend. ‘If we meet the Queen we will meet her.’
‘Who?’ Andes said, feigning ignorance and fooling no one. Rema turned to him then and by a short sharp nod of the head indicated that they should leave. He led the big man out of the bustling market and north toward the walls of the Palace looming high above them. It was his only idea; to go directly to the Palace and seek audience with the Queen. The road was wide and led upward, designed as a grand entrance to the Palace with the large square right below. It led directly to a small fort built out from the Palace walls and clearly serving the purpose of protecting the main entrance. It had a huge portcullis and two round stone turrets either side with enormously thick walls. These were crenulated and provided excellent opportunity for defence. Rema noticed armed guards actively patrolling the battlements.
And this is only the entrance fort, he thought, for far above loomed the defences of the Palace proper.
Standing on either side of the raised portcullis were two of the largest people Rema had ever seen. ‘Look Andes, these are the giants, the Nephilim. The book speaks of them. They have always served the royal house and protected the Palace.’ Andes nodded; he too was awestruck, for despite his great size it was nothing compared to the two Nephil who stood like statues, their enormous swords pointing down into the flagstones between their feet.
‘That big... they’re probably slower than a tortoise,’ Andes said in jest, trying to comprehend just what sort of fighting men these might be.
‘I plan not to find out, Andes,’ Rema replied, and his big friend just nodded in agreement.
They were allowed entrance to the fort and saw that there were in fact two more portcullises, making three in total. One half way along the entry road which was now hemmed in by a high wall either side, again with battlements on top. Then another at the far end where the palace wall proper began. Any attacking force wanting to force entry to the Palace by this route would be led into a narrow path from where on high they would become easy targets for defending soldiers.
They were admitted to a guarded office just before the second iron portcullis. This one was down, as was the more distant third line of defence.
‘These defences would be impossible to overthrow,’ Rema commented quietly to Andes who just nodded in agreement. ‘Nothing in the Highlands matches even this small fort.’
‘Your business?’ A brusque official squinted at them from behind his bench. He had a rather worn looking parchment open before him and what appeared to be lists and notes scribbled upon it. Several quill pens and a jar of ink completed the adornment. Rema took a deep breath.
‘I would like to be granted an audience with the Queen.’ The official stared at him.
‘But what is your business?’ He repeated.
‘That would be between myself and the Queen,’ Rema answered evenly.
‘That may well be young man, but no one is admitted before the Queen unless the proper proceedings have been fulfilled. I need to know what your business is before anything can be arranged.’
‘I wish to inquire of the Wisden.’ Rema stated clearly. At this the official took a sharp breath and his Adam’s apple seemed to race up and down rapidly in his throat as if with a mind of its own. This caused his next words to be uttered somewhat more shrilly.
‘The Wisden! No one speaks with the Wisden.’ He paused and peered more intently at the two strangers before him. He felt suddenly very uncomfortable by the presence of the taller man, the giant, who seemed suddenly most intimidating. He was glad of the two soldiers standing in the office listening. ‘You are perhaps representing some trade delegation? Some group from the east coast perhaps? You have reasons for this request?’
Rema placed his hands gently but firmly on the timber bench and leaned forward to the official until his face was close enough for the man to smell him. ‘My friend I am from the Highlands. I have travelled a long way to get here. I request an audience with the Queen for the purpose of inquiring from t
he Wisden on certain matters which are of interest to myself and the people who I represent.’ The two soldiers stirred uncomfortably at Rema’s boldness, causing Andes to turn to face them. For a moment the tension in the air was palpable. ‘I mean no offence in this request.’ Rema stood up and allowed the official some relief. ‘Surely there is some procedure which will allow me to have audience with the Queen?’ he continued quietly, and everyone relaxed a little.
‘No,’ the official stated feeling once more in charge and unwilling to give ground. ‘No, there is no question of you being granted this. I have a long list of such trivial requests and even if you merited some relaxing of the rules it would take many days. Many days.’
Rema felt suddenly defeated. ‘Is there no way for a citizen to speak with the queen? Is she so remote that this cannot be arranged?’ Once more the tension filled the air. The official stared at Rema as his Adam’s apple worked away madly. Nothing was said for a time.
‘Course you could enter the archery competition,’ one of the soldiers suddenly interrupted the silence. He spoke clearly but in a manner which was more sarcastic than helpful. ‘The Queen loves a good archer.’ The other soldier laughed and then added,
‘The winner always gets an audience with the queen. But you would have to beat the best in Revelyn, and then the best of all of them, and he has won for the past 5 summers.’
‘So I guess that door is shut as well my friend.’ The other soldier interrupted, however he did not speak as a friend might speak, but Rema ignored the tone for he was instantly interested. He turned his back on the official who was then immediately annoyed to be cut from the conversation. This is my office the man thought angrily.
‘How does one go about entering such a tournament?’ Rema asked the soldiers looking from one to the other. They were taken back that his interest was so genuine.
‘You shoot a little then, man from the Highlands?’ Another sarcastic comment, and Rema sensed Andes beginning to boil.
‘Take your bow and do a little hunting then? Drop a fierce rabbit now and then do we?’ The other soldier continued the mockery. Rema felt angered but also pity. They knew nothing and he was not about to enlighten them about his skills.
‘Yes, a few rabbits now and then. You might say that,’ he replied. ‘Anyhow if I cannot gain my purpose by this means,’ and here Rema indicated the official behind him with a toss of his head, ‘then I have no choice but to win this archery competition of which you speak.’ The two soldiers looked at him for a moment then burst out laughing.
‘Well, my friend. I am sure old Gravyn will have something to say about that. I’ll wager he will win again against all comers. Even against you, mighty rabbit slayer from the Highlands!’ The laughter was louder now. Andes clenched his great fists and Rema only just managed to halt him with a hand upon his arm or else there may well have been a nasty incident.
‘When is this tournament and how do I enter?’ Rema asked. The two soldiers did not speak but looked at each other. ‘Come,’ Rema continued, ‘surely you know how this is done or do I assume that this Gravyn you speak of is afraid of a Highlander such as I?’ This made them laugh again.
‘You will not last beyond a few arrows.’
‘Then tell me how to shoot those few arrows,’ Rema persisted calmly. The two soldiers seemed to want to continue their mockery but Andes had run out of patience. He went to the one seeming to be most insolent. He put his face in the other’s, and growled.
‘Tell my friend before it all gets very unpleasant. I am sure you have orders to assist in official matters, not hinder them.’ Andes demeanour had a remarkable affect on the two.
‘Of course you are right.’ The soldier before Andes spoke quickly whilst the other man looked out the doorway. Ah, thought Rema, you have been caught at this before. You’re just a bully.
The official now saw his chance to regain some authority and gave them clear instructions all delivered in a high and mighty tone.
‘Go to the public hall anytime today. There will be others there entering. You will need your own bow and arrows, and your must demonstrate some ability before you will be allowed to enter. The Queen takes this very seriously and will not be mocked by incompetence. She has the highest of expectations.’
‘And so have I,’ Rema replied giving the man a withering glare. ‘So have I.’
As they left and walked back out of the fort Rema thought he heard one of the soldiers calling to a friend something about a Highlander thinking he could show the Lowlanders a thing or two about archery. He walked with Andes in frustration down the hill to the square where half the world seemed to have come together. They lost themselves for some time in the crowds and to their surprise quickly grew to enjoy the cheerful good temper of the festivities. At the southern end of the square there was a grassed area, a remnant Rema assumed of a time when the city was just a village which grew up around a common pasture. It was to this point that they finally gravitated and discovered a most unusual sight. A small and coloured canvas tent had been pitched there, complete with flags and bunting. Beside it stood a hobbled horse and cart and in front there was a shaded area where a throng of happy children sat, entertained by a person who seemed clearly to be a travelling magician. He wore a long and flowing gown, a monk’s cowl almost. The cloth from which it was made was highly patterned and the light reflected off it in wonderful patterns which caught the eye unexpectedly, giving the wearer a most exciting aura. The man himself was old and bearded but his eyes were deepest blue, and whilst his face was lined it seemed to be continually smiling. As Rema and Andes approached, the magician was delighting the children with a range of simple tricks. He would make a coin appear from nowhere, and then lose it again, only to find it from behind the nearest ear. He took three cups and placed them upon a bench before him; under one he hid a small white ball, making sure that all could see just where is lay. He invited the children to guess where it was after he moved the cups around in a simple pattern. The children squealed in delight and pointed at the cup on the left.
‘Are you sure?’ the magician asked.
‘Yes, that one that one,’ they chorused; but of course it was not there. Gasps went up and the adults became more interested. The conjurer showed where the ball was. It was under the middle cup. He replaced the cup and slowly moved the three once more. This time all who watched were fixated on the puzzle. The children simply following as best they could; the adults looking for a sleight of hand, but saw nothing. Again and again the children failed to predict where the ball lay. And then the magician set one cup aside; now there was only two. Once more the children guessed wrongly. Now the last cup. ‘Under there!’ they cried and the adults smiled knowingly, it was of course under the only cup in play.
‘Are you sure?’ the magician asked.
‘Yes, yes we know it’s there,’ the crowd replied.
The man lifted the cup and there was no ball. Sitting there instead was the smallest white dove which any had ever seen. The gasps from the crowd were a reward for all; and so it went on, adult and child entranced. At one point Rema looked about and his heart suddenly missed a beat. Never had he been so affected by the vision which met his gaze. His mouth went dry, his pulse sounded suddenly like a drum in his head. All this in a mere moment, for standing to one side of the crowd, not far from the horse and leaning on the cart was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was young, perhaps his age and lithe and strong. Her complexion spoke of good health and adventure outdoors. Her hair was brown and long, well combed and worn untrammelled by a bow or broach. The fine features of her face seemed perfection to Rema. She stood gazing upon the children and their happiness, unaware that she had just caused such disquiet in another.
Rema found he could no longer concentrate on the entertainment, but Andes, unaware of his friend’s distraction caught his arm and turned him back.
‘Look at this Rema. It is not possible...’ And so he forced himself to once more join the crowd, in time to
see what appeared to be a folded cloth turn into a bunch of flowers. The clapping was a measure of the delight of all who watched, but when Rema turned back again to look upon the woman, she was gone, and suddenly he felt sick at heart. What is this I am feeling? He thought. No woman has ever moved me this way. Who is she? He turned his head about and sought to find her, but without success, for she had vanished completely, as though another of the magician’s tricks.
The entertainer stood and addressed the crowd; now with a different, more serious tone.
‘My friends I am happy to see you laughing and enjoying my simple tricks.’ Clapping swept through the crowd. ‘I have sought to please the children, but it seems that I have made a few of you older ones a little less concerned with things about you.’ He paused. ‘At least for a moment,’ he continued. ‘Most of you know me, for I have happily set up my tent in Ramos now for many summers, so it will be no news to you that I offer more than such simple entertainment. For some of you who might wish to know more of happiness in this life, when all around seems so hard to understand, I, Gryfnor, can give you something beyond your dreams.’ He spoke with a magnetism underlined by the clear proof of his ability to perform the fantastic. The crowd listened intently. Even the children sat quietly and waited.
‘I have in my possession more of the wonderful Diabules, which many in Ramos have already accepted as their own, these mystical stones which allow those who posses them to enter into a higher consciousness, to see things they dream of, to restore themselves to lost ones...’ He paused and looked the crowd in the eye, as if this were possible for it seemed all who stood there and listened saw him do it to them alone. And then he finished. ‘...Indeed to overcome this world.’ A murmur ran through the crowd. After a moment the magician continued.
