by Bill Albert
After a few moments they separated and Gallif told her friend what had happened…
“…the elves are cursed,” Rosario repeated. “The Giant Lords have known that for hundreds of years…”
“Yes, they knew I didn’t tell a soul. Did nothing to stop it. Did nothing to stop us from hating them.”
“It gave them power?” Rosario asked still reeling from the revelation.
“Yes,” Gallif nodded. “How many times has there been a royal proclamation that didn’t, in some way, mention that the evil of aquilus? We are taught from day one to be afraid of them. With that constant threat who was the top only one who could protect us but the Giant Lords?”
“It’s a convenient threat,” Rosario nodded. “The elves aren’t always evil. We, the people of the Land of Starpoint, have hounded and murdered them for centuries,” Rosario hung her head. She looked at the floor for several minutes ashamed to face even Gallif. "The Others are willing to help that this curse?"
"Hopefully. They have a very wise and powerful caster named Novelevon who Jakobus is looking for. Hopefully, by now, they will be in contact.”
"The elves are all evil," Rosario said begin to make sure she understood it. "We never give them a chance. Whenever we thought about them, heard about them, or on the rare occasions we solve them, we never given the chance to be the opposite. It never occurred to me that we could be wrong." "Just like we thought all of the giants were good," Gallif whispered looking straight at her.
Rosario leaned close to Gallif and said in almost a whisper, "I don't know if I can get you out of here."
"You don't have to," Gallif whispered back. "I need to go to Spring Field and face the Third Minister there."
Rosario looked hard at Gallif and Gallif stared back at her. As hard as it was for Rosario to believe what Gallif was saying and going to do she saw the truth and determination and Gallif's eyes. Combining her instincts and her trust in her friend she didn't ask any more questions. Gallif knew Rosario would trust her and said, "My throat is really dry."
Telling her that, as an infirmary, they were regularly given fresh water from a well outside Rosario gave her a wooden cup of cool water. Gallif drank half of the cup carefully then put a hand on her sore cheek.
"How bad is this?" She asked Rosario openly.
"It's pretty bad," Rosario said sadly "if we had a few days, some mooberries, and a few elm leaf extracts I can probably get rid of it. It would be gone by now if they'd let us use potions, but they plan on executing you and won't allow us to use them on you. It'll heal, I'm sure they'll be no infection, but the scar is permanent."
"Can I see it?"
Rosario thought about resisting but couldn't deny the truth to her friend. She grabbed a small mirror and handed it to Gallif. Gallif held a mirror up to her face and put a hand on Rosario's arm as Rosario lifted the corner of the bandage. Gallif clenched her teeth tight as she saw the scar on her face. She took a deep breath and hand is a mirror back to Rosario then looked at the floor fighting back tears.
Rosario gently put her fingers on Gallif's chin and lifted her head up to look into her eyes. She thoughts only briefly and then leaned forward and kissed Gallif on the lips. Gallif leaned into her and kissed her back before resting her head on Rosario shoulder.
"I'll stay with you as long as I can," Rosario said.
It wasn't long before Mekon and a squad of heavily armed guards were back to retrieve her. Gallif was on her back and Rosario had repositioned the strips so she could not move.
"Gallif," Mekon said gently as he looked down at the woman who had once saved his life. "Were going to put you in a close wagon and set out for Spring Field within an hour. This will not be an easy trip," he said flatly. "There's a lot of people who, like myself are forever loyal to the Giant Lords. There's a hatred in them that wants the privilege of executing you themselves." "I can't say that I blame them," Gallif admitted. "I remember, just a year ago, I would've felt the same way that they do. Before I met Zaslow inside the mountain. Before I met you." She didn't hide the feelings of betrayal she had for him. Despite what he had seen her do he was just too dedicated to the Giant Lords to consider they were not all good. "I imagine, once they execute me, you'll be rewarded for your service."
Mekon showed no sign of guilt or sorrow and just shook his head. "We're going to have three cots completely wrapped in blankets. They'll be identical and no one will know which one is you. They'll be put one each in three carriages. That's where you'll stay until we reach Spring Field. Everything you need will be in the side. It'll be close and cramped but, once inside, you'll be able to move freely."
"It should be summer soon, "Gallif said. "A three-week trip from here to there. I might survive the heat."
"What about her injuries?" Rosario asked. "Those are still fresh they may not heal properly trapped inside there like that for three weeks."
Mekon looked at her like she was mad to question him but decided not to discipline her and ordered, "Get a sack of fresh bandages and whatever she would need together. If you can get it to the stables in six minutes, we will take it with us."
With that he turned to the guards and nodded. They approached Gallif and laid a blanket over her from head to toe. It was thick enough that she could not see through its fibers. She could still hear them and tell by their movements they were not trying to be gentle. They stumbled but kept her aloft and after a lengthy series of twists and turns she was suddenly outside of the building. There was a brief pause as she heard the chirping of birds in the distance. She sucked in his much fresh air as she could through the blanket, held it in her lungs, then exhaled slowly through her nose.
She felt a brief glimmer of hope as she heard the soft rumbling in the distance. No, not really a rumbling, but the snort of the most amazing pure white horse in the world. Snow was nearby and Gallif sighed in relief.
She heard a squeaky hinge followed by the sensation of being lifted into the air. She felt movement and a voice incredibly close to her whispered, "I'm going to cut your bonds while we're here, but if you try to get off the cot or attack me the guards will have no choice but to kill you. Do you understand?"
She waited, felt nothing, then was shocked by a slap on her scarred cheek. She ground her teeth together not wanting to give whoever this was the satisfaction of having hurt her, so she just nodded that she understood. She laid there quietly as the bands were removed and stayed still until she heard the squeaky hinges and the doors close and bolted shut. Almost instantly the whole carriage started rattling as it moved out towards the capital city of the Giant Lords.
CHAPTER THREE: AS GALLIF MARKED TIME
The Second Minister of the Giant Lords stood on the highest viewing level above the capital city of Spring Field. As he looked out, he thought how much things have changed in such a short time. Less than a year ago he could've stood at the same spot looking in the same direction and just barely see the edge of the capital Terra Ferla forest on the horizon. It was a thin darker green stripe that ran completely along the north-south horizon only to be broken by the blessed Starpoint Mountain. Even he had dreamed, as a child, that he would climb to the top of the behemoth and touch the lights in the sky. Now it was gone. Broken up into a crew, five-pointed mountain range with stone twin towers in the center that climbed as high as he stood right now.
Now there were nights that he dreamt about the mountain and how it fell. In his dreams the rumbling of the land never stopped and soon all that he knew was swallowed into the broken ground. Then there was when the last of the dwarves were swallowed into the ground. Some nights it was the humans that were last to go into the abyss. Once in a while it was even the elves that lasted. However, every night, in every dream, it was the giants that were the first to go.
His eyes wandered to the southeast. His spies had informed him that Gallif had been captured in the swamps and, by now, should be in Outbound. With any luck she would soon be on her way here where he could finally speak to her himself
. He believed she knew the truth that would finally expose the Third Minister as a traitor.
The Second Minister had been carefully mounting the evidence against the Third Minister. Slowly and delicately his spies had spoken with people and kept track of where the Third Minister went. They also never lost sight of the fact that for every spy or informant they had the Third Minister had one, if not two, to counter them.
He hopes that Gallif would have the information they needed. He did not know for sure what part she may have had in the fall of Starpoint Mountain but knew she had been involved. He also knew that she had not killed the King. There were so many casts and guards protecting the King no matter where he went that even someone as exceptionally talented as her could not have gotten that close. Close enough to kill him.
He was also curious by the fact that, according to the reports, she had been spotted in the swamps the same day he had been assassinated. The only way to cover that much space in that short of a time was with jump casting in few people were able to perform that complicated of the cast. Even if she had it at her disposal it would make no sense to jump in and assassinate the King there and then. Why not assassinate him at some private moment instead of having a thousand witnesses.
He looked at the southeast again hoping he had enough of his operatives in place to intercept her wagon before it arrived in Spring Field. The Giant Lord laws were just, but if she fell into the hands of the Third Minister with this public anger against her she would die.
He turned to see that Sixth Minister coming towards him. One of his falcon messengers was resting on his leather shoulder pad. The small container strapped under its wing was open and the Sixth Minister had a paper in his hand.
The Sixth Minister moved closer and they stood side by side facing away from the city. This way they could speak clearly, and no one could hear them.
"She'll be leaving Outbound today," the Sixth Minister said indicating the notes on the paper.
"You are sure?"
"Positive," he said crumpling the paper up and tossing it off the platform. He closed the leather container the falcon carried, and the bird flew away.
"Good," the Second Minister nodded. "We should prepare her defense for trial. At least that will give us time."
"She pled guilty," the Sixth Minister informed him and waited some time for him to respond.
"Why the hell would she do that? I was so sure that she was innocent."
"I still believe she is. She's quite intelligent," the Sixth Minister said stroking his beard.
"We best advance our plans. Perhaps even send a team out to intercept her sooner," the Second Minister suggested.
"Agreed."
"I'll put some of my agents on it immediately."
"Fair enough," the Sixth Minister said than added, "We need to meet in my office sometime later today."
The Second Minister was so surprised it took him a full minute to speak. He knew the Third Minister was watching them both so the last time they spent together the better. Coming here to this platform was actually easier than meeting inside the capital buildings and offices.
"Do you think that's wise?"
"I think it's a must," the Sixth Minister said flatly. "We've suspected for a while that the Third Minister was working on some top-secret project far out in the Rainbow Mountains. Something in the mining and metal forging region he didn't want us to know or see. I sent an expedition to find out the truth."
The Second Minister could not deny how impressed he was. They had suspected something but had been unable to find any hints to back them up.
"What do you have?" The Second Minister asked looking towards the western horizon where the Rainbow Mountains were extremely close.
"Not sure yet. I got word this morning that half of the expedition was returning and requested that I be in my office just after sundown."
"As will I," the Second Minister nodded.
***
The Third Minister sat in his private quarters. He took a large, slow draw from his pipe, let the noxious mists swirl in his lungs, then exhale slowly. Not feeling any better he took a sip of his hot tea. The combination of the two usually helped clear his thoughts and settle his nerves. Despite his extraordinary willpower the lack of sleep was taking its toll on him.
No matter how many times he thought things through he still felt there was something he was missing. The King had been assassinated and everyone thought Gallif was guilty. All of her power, all of the trust that the citizens had placed in her was gone. His contacts told him it was true. She was no longer a threat to the Giant Lords. More importantly, she was no longer a threat to him.
He would wait a respectable amount of time after the mourning finished and then offer himself for a candidate for King. He knew they would be shocked and probably protest saying there was nothing in their own laws that could support that claim. He would admit that they were correct. Then he would point out to them that there was also nothing that said he could not be a candidate for the position. Weeks, possibly months, of debate would follow in the beginning he would let the debate play out naturally, he knew who his friends were, but if he felt the tide turning against him he would use the dark secrets the ministers had to make them support him. He had worked hard and secretively defined what their secrets were and for those who had nothing he could use he would create them instead.
Never one not to have another trick up his sleeve he was sure that his projects inside the Rainbow Mountains were already finished. If he could not get control of the Land of Starpoint by hand he would use force.
He bit his lip on the thought of Marassa no longer being involved in his operation. She had been an effective agent and was missed. Once he took the throne, he would send a group of special agents to retrieve her. If she was no longer there, they could still bring back the library. Zaslow was no longer available either. That human disease, the female, had killed the second him and the desks were taking their toll on the original. When Zaslow had last been here the decay have begun and his mind was harder and harder to control. The Third Minister had made some special casts so Zaslow could not jump into his office or private rooms again.
There was a shimmer on one wall and the only agent he had left who could jump cast came into the room.
Welcome, Acrufix," the Third Minister smiled. "Please be seated."
"Thank you, my Lord," Acrufix said and took a seat at the table.
"You have news?"
"Yes, she's in Outbound now and they'll be heading our way today. They could be here in 2 to 3 weeks." "Good. I've been looking through the roster of public defenders who could be picked to represent her. Bona is good on smaller cases but will never last in the case this big. His nerves are shot. Todora is also good but is incredibly slow in his work. They'll want a speedy trial and it would take months if they assigned her to him. Paytheo, Theon and Sohu are excellent at what they do but I know their secrets. The only wildcard is Nuroe. He's tough, solid, and clean."
"My Lord, that won't be necessary. She pled guilty."
In shock the Third Minister slammed his fist on the table as he stood. He finished the rest of his tea in a single gulp and smashed the ceramic cup against the wall.
What could she have? What could she know? There had to be some advantage to occur for cutting the process short. She would immediately be taken to the Royal Court where the death sentence would be passed. The next morning, she would die, but for that single, last moment, where she would be face-to-face with the Council of Ministers, the Royal High Judge, and the widowed Queen.
"She had all of her belongings taken from her?" The Third Minister asked.
"Yes, and they have been packed into a trunk and will be inside the caravan."
The Third Minister nodded. If she had something with her, a weapon, source stone or charm that could protect her she would be separated from it. He couldn't help but wonder if there was a cast upon her.
"Do you know the roots they will take?" The Third Minist
er asked quickly.
"Not yet, but I will be able to get it once they are underway."
The Third Minister intently soft about his next move. He purposefully walked to one of the cabinets, opened it with a wand, then retrieved a sack about the size of a human arm and tossed into Acrufix.
"Go there and plant this somewhere on the caravan. It's filled with oreg spices. The monster aquilus will pick up the scent a mile away and come after it."
"Your honor, I must remind you that there are hobgoblin militia guards who will be escorting her. They will be well able to handle over a hundred elves."
"Yes, I know. The elves won't destroy the caravan, but they will slow it down and weaken it. Then you will move in for the kill."
There was a long pause before Acrufix nodded and confirmed that he would do what he was ordered.
"Go quickly," the Third Minister ordered and continued as Acrufix stood and the shimmering of the jump cast started. "When this is finished bring me back a handful of her red hair," he said staring at the broken teacup.
Acrufix stepped into the shimmer and the jump cast dissipated before the Third Minister looked back.
He relaxed into the chair and took a long draw on the pipe. He felt much better now knowing that, within a short time, Gallif would be dead. His plans would carry on as he expected in a few months he would be King of the Giant Lords. In a here he would be Emperor.
Very soon, and long before that day, Gallif would die and the dreams he had of her sitting in the Giant Lords throne would stop. He hoped.
***
As the last of the palace towers collapsed into dust the Sixth Minister fell to his knees. He was wounded, devastated, and the war was lost. All but one of the other ministers was dead. Krove still lived, of course, because he was the one who had appointed himself leader.
Amongst the rubble and debris of the palace he saw a figure emerged and come walking towards him. It was Emperor Krove and, despite his title, the Sixth Minister felt no need to rise.
