“But I am afraid the merchant families have grown bolder of late - time has dampened their memories and reduced their fear of the throne. They will not lend their ships to this cause, even if they had enough ships to lend. Our royal navy is virtually non-existent, relying on the merchant families to provide protection of our waters, for it is in their best interest to do so. Our army cannot come by sea.”
Jason felt his hope fade but refused to allow the revelation to snuff out his hope. “Is there any way for us to reason with the merchant families, your grace?” Jason asked. “Surely if the situation is explained to them they will listen to logic and aid us.”
“You are welcome to try, sir Thorpe, but I fear you will not reach an agreement with them. But go, speak with them, and return to me after.”
“If I cannot reach an agreement with them, can your army pass through the Gallean Woods?”
The king sighed. “The only folk who hate our nation more than our own merchants are the Gallean people. Blood has been spilled by both sides for centuries. If I could speak with their leaders I might be able to convince them, but alas I would not make it to their capital without being pin-cushioned with arrows.”
“I understand,” Jason said. “We will return shortly.”
As they left the throne room, Favio spoke. “Well, that was terrible.”
“At least the king didn’t say no,” Jason said.
“It’s easy to say yes when you know you won’t be called upon to act upon what you’ve agreed to.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Favio nodded. “Indeed. The merchant families will laugh in our faces, mark my words. They might even stab us in the back as we’re thrown from their presence. When we fail the Galleans will never agree to let their ancestral enemies through their lands.”
“We have to try. We need their knights, and going back empty-handed isn’t an option.”
“No,” Favio mused, “I don’t imagine Dawyn would be pleased to see us return without an army.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “Into the belly of the beast we go, my friend.”
Chapter 18
Arriving at the Tower of the Seven Stars, Coryn marveled as she had her first time there. The silver metal gleamed in the sunlight, it’s spire stretching toward the heavens. A haggard looking man at the gates signaled for them to be opened as Coryn’s carriage approached. Coryn had decided a carriage would be more suitable for this visit than arriving on horseback. She felt naked without her armor and sword, having only a leather jerkin and belt knife for protection, but knew that it would be taken as a sign of disrespect if she arrived ready for combat, no matter what the state of the city. Her guards made no such attempt, and their eyes watched the crowd of people gathered outside of the gates to the Tower as they parted before her carriage.
Voices cried out from the throng of citizens. Mothers weeping, holding their children up, asking for them to be taken for safe-keeping, men asking for safe-keeping for their wives and children.
The carriage entered through the gates and halted within. The gate guard who had signaled came up to Coryn. “My queen, ‘tis an honor to have you here, ma’am.”
“Thank you, sergeant,” Coryn replied. “Are we free to go?”
“Yes ma’am. You know the way?”
“Of course.”
The guard moved away from the carriage and the driver urged the horses into motion.
Coryn ascended the steps of the Tower and entered. In the entrance foyer she asked after Alivia and was asked to wait while they summoned her. A short while later, the lifts opened and Alivia exited.
“Coryn!” Alivia exclaimed, coming up and giving Coryn a hug before pulling back and assessing Coryn’s face. “Is everything all right?”
“Just dealing with the nobles,” Coryn said with a sigh. “The siege has only just begun and already they are showing their true colors. How fares things here?”
Alivia’s face darkened. “I almost think the mages here in the tower have conspired with your nobles to bring us both down. I find myself constantly arguing with them.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Not at the moment, but it’s good to see you. I have been searching through the archives for any mention of the Krai’kesh. Follow me, I have some things to show you.”
The two entered the lift and descended into the basement. After a few seconds the lift emitted a ding and the doors slid open.
Coryn followed Alivia as she led her through a pair of wooden doors and into a huge library. Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, while neat rows of books occupied the space between the walls. A cluster of desks occupied the center of the room, and a large book sat atop the center-most desk.
Alivia sat at the desk and gestured to the seat across from her. Coryn sat.
“This,” Alivia said, “is the Book of Founding. Have you heard of it?”
“Stories only,” Coryn replied. “My father spoke of it before in passing, but would not tell me what the contents were.”
“I have been studying the Book for some time now. I have discovered some interesting information.”
“Such as?”
“The Book contains different stories from various Founders. Robert, the first king of Tar Ebon, for example, writes of establishing the boundaries of the kingdom and the government. Isaiah was the founder of the Tower of the Seven Stars and writes of how it came to be in this place. Others you may have heard tell of, such as Mufasa and Sir Francis, wrote their own messages for us to read.
“I’ve come across information that explains where the Krai’kesh came from and what they did in what the Founders called the ‘old times.’ I’ve surmised the ‘old times’ refers to the time before the Founding. But the most important information I’ve found identifies some of the weaknesses of the Krai’kesh weaknesses and explains how they could not pierce black stone. Listen to this from Isaiah:
‘During the last days of the war, we discovered a substance they could not pierce with their claws. Using our most powerful metallurgy magic, we were able to create a metal of condensed particles so dense that not even the hardened claws of the Krai’kesh could pierce it. My colleagues and I theorized that such magic could be duplicated with other materials, such as stone, fabric or even water, in the form of ice. As such, we have begun construction of a wall around this city we believe will withstand a Krai’kesh ground assault when the time comes.
‘Further research into the energy fields emitted by Krai’kesh war bands and ship has yielded information on the nature of the fields. The fields emanate from a type of crystal containing complex organic circuitry. The crystals emit a type of negative energy which, while the Krai’kesh systems remain unaffected, causes any electrical system or projected energy manipulation employed by Earth Federation forces to stop functioning. While I was unable to test the theory in practice, my colleagues and I have theorized that manipulation of both space and time may allow circumvention of the negative energy field. I fear this theory will remain untested due to the absence of an individual possessing command of space and time.’
“This last bit is from several months later.
‘The council has voted to put in place a failsafe should the primary plan fail to hold back the anticipated invasion of Krai’kesh recorded in archaeological evidence from our time. I have been asked to construct a natural barrier between the northern and southern hemispheres of the planet. The barrier must, when completed, span the entire width of the planet in a single band running parallel with the equator. We considered walls of fire, energy field generators and a barrier of ice, but at last we decided on a more renewable source of energy for the barrier - one that would not rely on our declining technology or consistent management by members of our order. By harnessing the heat of the oceans around the equator, we have created a hurricane. The expected result is the hurricane will remain in perpetual motion and continue growing. To contain the hurricane at the equator, thus creating a wall of storms, w
e have redirected the trade winds in the northern and southern hemispheres to form a barrier to either side of the storm. The hope is that, should the Krai’kesh succeed in destroying the northern hemisphere, the lands south of the wall of storms will survive and perhaps stand a chance against the Krai’kesh at some point.’
“The Book goes on, with entries about communication with the other six ark ships, but these are the relevant passages to the Krai’kesh I’ve found thus far.”
“Fascinating,” Coryn said, eyes wide. “The implications of this knowledge - we know how to defend against them now and know the source of the field that stopped your magic from working. And we finally have an explanation for the storm wall. Good work, Alivia.”
Alivia smiled. “I hoped you would be pleased. But this information does us little good inside our walls. We must let the others know. I believe Dawyn may have the ability the Founders speak of in the Book - the power over space and time. Come along, we must develop a plan.”
Chapter 19
“I won the tournament,” Dawyn said as he stood again before King Morisette in the throne room of his palace. “Have you come to a decision?”
The king was silent for a moment before speaking. “You have proved yourself a formidable opponent in the tournament, sir Darklance. Your display of valor and ferocity, tempered with mercy, has won over my generals and nobles alike. We will join you on your journey to rescue Tar Ebon.”
Dawyn resisted the urge to breathe a public sigh of relief. Instead, he nodded his head in gratitude. “It was my pleasure to participate, your majesty, and I thank you for agreeing to aid my people.”
Chapter 20
“What is an envoy of Tar Ebon doing so far from home?” the plump, balding merchant Ignacio Ramirez asked Jason. The man sat at the center of a group of seven merchants seated at a wooden table in the heart of the merchant’s guild headquarters. The seven merchants represented the seven great merchant houses.
“Thank you for granting me an audience, merchants of the Citadel,” Jason began. “I have come from meeting the king of the Citadel. He has agreed to lend troops to aid Tar Ebon in her fight against the alien invaders known as the Krai’kesh, but there remains the problem of transportation.” Jason paused, but none of the merchants spoke. He swallowed. “We have come to ask for the aid of the seven great houses. We need transportation for the knights of the Citadel for them to reach Tar Ebon.”
The seven merchants exchanged glances and whispers. One merchant, an older woman with red hair and long fingernails, asked “Why would we help your city, even if we had the resources?”
“Because the fate of Tar Ebon itself lies in the balance,” Jason replied. “Without the aid of the knights of the Citadel Tar Ebon could fall.”
“With what money will you pay us?” another merchant, this one a thin man wearing what looked like a turban, asked.
“I have no money right now, but the kingdom of Tar Ebon can pay you once the city is liberated. Also, it is your civic duty as…”
“Duty?” the plump man shouted. “You come here to speak to us of duty with hands devoid of coin with which to pay us? We have no duty,” he spat the word, “to aid you or your land, and we are not in the business of charity.”
“But,” Jason began to protest.
“We will hear no more of your…pleas. Leave us, now, and do not return without coin to pay for what you ask. We will not meet with beggars, and only indulged your visit because we believed you came in an official capacity with money to back up your request.”
As the merchant spoke, a pair of guards flanking the table the merchants occupied stepped forward to enforce his words.
Jason looked to Favio.
Favio shrugged. “I fear we have lost this one, Jason. They will not change their mind without coin in your hand.”
Jason eyed the pair of guards, then looked again toward the merchants and drew in a deep breath. “Hear me, merchants, and relay this to your masters. Your greed will be the end of you. I may not have the power, or the money, to bring your guild and your houses down now, but one day, mark my words, I will. When that day comes I will ensure your houses are no more. Mark my words.” Without waiting for a reply, Jason did his best approximation of an about face and marched, straight-backed, out of the room. Only when he was in the hallway did he let out a huge sigh.
“Bold words,” Favio observed. “Did you mean them?”
“Of course I meant them,” Jason said. “Now I just have to live long enough to see them through.”
“Do you have any other ideas now?” Favio asked.
“The merchants are out, which removes any possibility of transporting ANY troops by sea. That leaves the Gallean Woods, right?”
“That is the only way over the mountains, yes,” Favio said. “But the Galleans would never allow Allyrian forces to pass through their lands.”
“They’re our best, no, our only, chance now. We have to convince them to allow the knights of the Citadel to pass through their lands.”
“How do you propose we do that? Even if we convinced the king of Allyria to travel with us to the Gallean Woods, it would take days or weeks to reach anyone of authority there, if we weren’t ambushed as soon as we entered Gallean lands. You would be risking starting a war.”
“The king doesn’t have to go,” Jason said. “I could go and negotiate on his behalf.”
Favio shook his head. “No, that would never work. They wouldn’t believe that you negotiated on the king’s behalf, even if the king gave you a letter with his official seal. Not only that, you wouldn’t know how the king thinks or how he would respond. You could endanger the Citadel. The only possible chance we have is if the Allyrian king speaks with the Gallean king directly. I’m afraid the chances of Allyrian aid to Tar Ebon is becoming slimmer by the moment.”
Jason was silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. They had to get the two kings to communicate, but either king visiting the other face-to-face would take too much time and quite possibly endanger one or both kings. If only they could communicate long distance. Letters, perhaps? By owl, raven or courier pigeon? No, that would take numerous exchanges and was time-consuming. Too bad they didn’t have e-mail or instant messenger capabil…wait! “Bridgette,” Jason whispered.
“Excuse me,” Favio said. “What did you say.”
“I may have figured it out,” Jason exclaimed, excitement mounting. “Just be quiet for a moment, I have to concentrate.”
Favio, a look of confusion plastered on his face, opened his mouth before snapping it shut and nodding.
Jason reached out in his mind to the bundle of emotion and thoughts that were not his own. He had been leaving Bridgette to her own devices, but time was of the essence. Bridgette? Are you there, he asked in his mind.
A moment passed and there was no reply. Jason began to worry. What if something had happened to her? Oh, wait, the time difference. He began to calculate the time zone difference between his location and hers when a reply came from Bridgette.
Yes.
Are you all right? Jason asked
I could be better. I just killed a Sagami warrior, some big shot over in these parts, and now I’m on their shit list.
Oh, ummm…that’s not good.
No shit, she snapped. The good news is they agreed to help Tar Ebon. They are nothing if not honorable. They put aside their demand for justice until after we’ve defeated the Krai’kesh.
If we defeat them, Jason thought.
What was that? Bridgette asked.
Nothing. It’s just that I’ve hit a brick wall over here at the Citadel. The king of Allyria agreed to aid Tar Ebon, but the merchants are being selfish and refusing to transport the Allyrian knights. That leaves only the Gallean Woods, but they hate the Allyrians and would sooner kill the knights of the Citadel than let them pass. I think if the king of Allyria could meet with the Galleans they could possibly come up with some kind of peace arrangement, but it would be hazardous for either leader to
go into the others’ land. But then I had an idea…just hear me out…
Chapter 21
Bridgette closed the link with Jason and let out a sigh. It was going to be a long day. She went downstairs in the tavern she and the rangers of Tar Ebon were staying at and approached Captain Osley.
“Captain, I have to go away for a short while. You have command in my absence.”
The captain, a mug halfway to his mouth, paused and stared at her. “Ma’am? May I ask where you are going?”
“It’s not your concern, Captain,” Bridgette replied. “I assure you, I will be in no danger.”
“All right ma’am. Please take care.”
Bridgette returned to her room and gathered a few supplies. She drew in a deep breath and shifted. The world turned to gray before her eyes. She focused her mind on the Tower of the Seven Stars and felt a pulling sensation as the grayscale representation of her tavern room faded, to be replaced by a gray version of the Tower. She spared it a glance before setting her eyes on the horizon. Again the landscape faded and changed. She looked behind her and saw the Tower far in the distance. She set her eyes forward again and focused on the next landmark in the distance.
She continued her leapfrog advance toward the Gallean Woods and Anwyn.
She arrived a short time later at what appeared to be her destination. Houses carved from trees gave it away, as did the giant tree towering above all the others. She debated whether to just appear in the center of the town or take a more stealthy approach. She decided on the latter.
Chapter 22
Anwyn sat in her room, a guest of the druids of Gallea, though she felt more like a prisoner. She sat at her windowsill looking up at the clouds, remembering what it felt to fly among them.
The Shadow Trilogy Complete Box Set Page 45
