by Mike Shelton
The next day Christine sat on her white Cremelino and watched one such wagon filled with food come around a corner. Its gray colors signified the food was from Sur, a large city to the northwest of Anikari. A lot of the wheat, oats, and other grains were grown and stored in that city. Workers there were now shipping the end of last year’s harvest. The covered cart seemed to be alone, without an armed escort. This one would be easy. The wagon was an old one, the sides nailed together numerous times to keep it together on the road. The canopy was faded and full of colorful patched-up holes. A lone man sat in front, driving the scrawny horses.
“Now!” Christine yelled, and she and the other raiders drove their horses full speed toward the rickety wagon. One rider jumped onto the back to pull its wares out. Instead, a fist from under the canvas struck him in the jaw and a couple of pairs of hands pulled him down.
Another raider jumped on top of the canvas, falling into the apparently empty wagon. He, too, was restrained from getting up as the wagon continued moving.
Christine had seen this enough times in the past few weeks. Some of the city people sent decoys out to attract their attention, while other wagons rode on by without being touched. She looked around but saw no other wagons. In fact, the air grew oddly quiet.
Riding up alongside of the wagon, Christine decided that if things had to be done right she would have to do them herself. She jumped off her white horse onto the seat next to the driver. She went to grab the reins and drive the horses away, but she gasped at the man beside her. It was someone she knew. It was Karel, her cousin.
Someone else grabbed her from behind. She struggled against being held, her feet knocking the reins out of the driver’s hands.
Help! she sent the message out to her horse in her mind. She heard her horse bump into the wagon. The horses pulling the wagon veered off the side of the road, making the wagon tilt. Christine fell onto the driver, and the rickety wagon rolled to a stop. She scrambled to get up, but hands from behind had secured her. She couldn't move. All she could do was yell.
“What are you doing? Let—” They gagged her mouth and then turned her around. Thomas! Her head screamed. And Jain! And Karel! She couldn't believe this. What was happening? Was her own brother kidnapping her?
Lightning reached out to her. There are too many of them. I will follow you, and then we will find a way out. They cannot catch me.
Christine felt a sense of frantic worry from her Cremelino. Lightning seemed to reach out to someone else for help. Someone farther away.
The horses were set loose and the wagon was left on the side of the road. The kidnappers removed Christine’s mask but placed a covering over her eyes so she couldn’t see where she was going. Her long riding skirt was ripped, her face dirty, and her long blonde hair mixed with dust and sweat. She was so angry that thinking became difficult for her.
After stopping momentarily, the kidnappers lifted her up onto another horse. She rode for a short time and then, by the smell of her surroundings, guessed they had entered one of the local barns. Her nose twitched at the stench as someone helped her dismount. They had her sit down in silence for what seemed like hours, her hands still tied. Her mind thought frantically of ways to escape.
Eventually she heard footsteps, and someone removed her eye wrap. She blinked a few times in the musty light. All she could see was a small corner of the barn and... Thomas. She wished they would ungag her. She hated the feeling of not being able to move her mouth.
Thomas brought some food over.
“Christine, I am going to take the gag off and untie your hands so you can eat. But if you start screaming, we will put it back on.”
She felt like lashing out and hitting him, but her hunger kept her emotions under control, so she nodded yes, and Thomas took the gag off and untied her hands. Just because she wasn't supposed to yell, didn't mean she couldn't give him dirty looks… and she did.
“I'm sorry, Christine.” Thomas hung his head down. “We didn't know what else to do.”
The food, a vegetable stew, smelled wonderful. She tried to eat, but her stomach felt nauseated, and the food wasn't helping. Christine had never felt anger like this before, except for maybe when her father had died.
“Too many people are being hurt by your raids. We have to think of another way.” Thomas continued, “The King is sending out more patrols, and soon you are going to get yourself killed.”
Christine finally spoke. “You, Karel, Jain... Who else?”
“Many of the farmers want you to stop. They backed you at first, but now you won’t listen to reason.”
“And where is Jain now? Can't he face me?” She was bitter and furious.
“He’s talking to your mother. Karel and Anya are outside keeping watch. Do you feel all right... I mean we didn't hurt you did we?”
Thomas, poor Thomas, Christine thought. Then she laughed inside. It serves him right! He deserved to worry. Maybe she wouldn't answer him. Make him suffer some more. Thomas heard a sound and turned around. Christine kicked the plate of food up at the back of him and started to get up. She forgot that one of her feet was tied down. She tripped and fell hard onto an old wooden crate, sprawling all over the sharp edges. She felt a sliver slide deeply into the palm of one of her hands. Karel, who had heard the noise from outside, came rushing over and picked her up. He wouldn’t look her in the eyes though.
“Tied down like an animal!” she hissed, “What comes next?”
“Please, Christine—” started Karel.
“Don't ‘please’ me, Karel. My own cousin.”
“I... we... just give us some time, Christine. Things are getting complicated. Rumors are the King is dying and will name a new king soon. The city is in a panic since Edward has no heirs. Unless someone strong takes the throne, civil war will erupt, with many of the councilors vying for the position of King. We have been approached separately by multiple factions asking for our help... in trade for protection.”
“You trust them?” asked Christine. “They are all the same. They’ll use us to get their own king elected, then they will turn against us.”
“I admit it may be a small chance, but this is better than no chance at all, Christine. You just can't go around raiding forever. We need our money. And everyone needs food,” continued Karel. “You don’t understand how your actions are hurting all of us. We are worse now than before.”
“Money... that's all they think about; and now is it all we think about too?”
Anya had just walked in. Her jaw was tight and her eyes watery. “No, we think about lives also, Christine. You don’t care who gets hurt or killed, farmer or city dweller.”
Christine felt the sting of the statement. Had she become so callused she hadn't noticed? But there had been no other way. Had there? She looked at the splinter in her palm and tried to dig the piece of wood out, giving her something to do while they spoke.
Anya continued speaking, turning to Thomas and Karel. “Thomas, you stand guard for the next three hours; then Jain is supposed to be back. I am going to get some more food for us. It may be a long night.”
Karel turned to go with Anya, then turned back to Christine. “Things will be all right.”
“For whom?” Christine was still frustrated, but some of her anger had been taken away by Anya’s statement.
“For all of us, I hope, Christine.”
Chapter 12
PLEADING FOR HELP
Jain Anderssn was trying to explain to their mother where Christine was. Caroline couldn't believe what Jain and his friends had done to her daughter. He argued their point, and she conceded that something had to be done. Jain knew it upset his mother to say so, but she agreed it wouldn't hurt to keep Christine in the barn until morning.
Emily, Jain and Christine’s younger sister, walked into the room asking what was going on. Caroline didn't feel it fair to hide anything from her, so she nodded to Jain to tell her what was happening.
Emily smiled and laughed nervously. “Maybe Christine will
settle down a bit now.”
“I should have stepped in earlier, but with your father gone...” Caroline had tried to be strong for her children, but tears filled the corners of her eyes.
Jain knew his mother missed their father horribly. They all did. His death had brought the three of them closer, but Christine had pushed away from them.
In the midst of their conversation, a knock came at the door. Caroline wiped her eyes while Jain opened the door. The three of them only stared at who was there. Jain had never seen him up close, but he knew who it was. There was too much resemblance to Darius for him to be anyone other than Darius’s father, Senior Councilor Richard San Williams himself.
“Councilor… uh... come in,” said Caroline as she motioned for him to enter.
“I am sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to your daughter.”
“My daughter?” Caroline wondered if they would arrest her.
“Christine. Is she here?” Richard asked.
“No. Not right now.”
“What’s going on? Is she in trouble?” Jain jumped in. Even though he had just tied her up, he was still ready to defend her against any city men, especially the Senior Councilor.
“I have to talk to her. It’s very important. She’s not in trouble. I promise I won't hurt her. I just need to talk, please.” His voice almost cracked.
Jain stood, looking at Richard suspiciously. He was about to speak when his mother jumped in.
“Why do you want to see her, Councilor?” Caroline glanced around him, seeing if anyone else was outside with him.
Richard sighed deeply and looked at each of them before answering. “It’s hard to say. I just need to ask her something.”
Jain still didn’t trust him, but he noticed that the councilor seemed more subdued than he would have thought, given the circumstances.
“I know what she has been doing, but I promise that I just want to talk to her. Will you take me to where she is?”
“Will you go blindfolded?” Jain asked Richard before his mother could say anything.
“What? Don't you know who I am?” Richard straightened himself up to his full height, “How dare you!” He couldn’t believe these farmers. He was trying to understand them— now that he was one of them by birth. But they were going too far.
“Then, I guess you can't see her.” Jain jutted out his chin in defiance.
“Jain!” Caroline admonished. “If the Councilor wants to try and help this situation, we should let him.”
“I don’t trust him. In order to prove himself, he must go blindfolded.”
Richard took a deep breath and sighed deeply. Once again he had to suffer for the good of the kingdom. He thought of Darius and wondered what he would do when the boy came to Anikari. He thought of the fighting between the city and the farmers and hoped he could get Christine to stop at least until Darius arrived. He nodded his head slowly. “I will do as you say, young man, but no tricks. This is a very serious situation, more than you know.”
Caroline stepped forward and bowed her head to him in deference to his position. “Thank you for coming out here, Councilor. I know it may have been uncomfortable for you. But if there is anything you can do to help my daughter and this whole situation, I welcome it.”
Richard smiled a genuine smile and nodded his head. “I just hope it’s not too late.” Caroline watched Jain blindfold the councilor and then help him onto a horse. They rode off together deeper into the farmlands.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Christine heard a horse and the voices of more people, one of which was Jain. Her back was to the barn door, but off to the side she could see Karel and Thomas offer an awkward bow.
“Got them bowing to you now, huh, Jain? Is that what this is all about?” Christine almost spat the words out. She wouldn’t dignify her brother’s appearance by turning around.
“Christine, someone is here to see you,” was all Jain said.
She heard footsteps approach her and walk around her side.
“Christine,” said a deep voice that had a tint of familiarity to it.
Christine turned around slowly and then almost fell off the old wooden crate that she sat on. She didn't know what to say. She thought about the last time she had talked to Richard San Williams. She had tried to sneak through the castle in disguise, and he had caught her. What did he want now? Did he know it was her destroying so many carts of food? Was she going to the castle dungeons?
“May we talk alone?” Richard turned to Jain and Thomas. “I promise nothing will happen.”
Jain eyed him carefully, and the young men walked away to the other side of the barn.
Christine and Richard sat in silence a few moments. Richard gazed out toward the middle of the barn as if gathering his thoughts. Christine took the time to look at the Councilor’s profile. She saw a resemblance to Darius in his father and all of a sudden felt self-conscious of how she must look. Embarrassment at what she had been doing flicked through her mind. What would Darius have said? Suddenly she wondered if something had happened to him. Was that why Richard had come? Nine months had passed without her hearing from him.
Finally Richard turned back to Christine. He paused a moment longer and then spoke, “Christine... I know you don't trust me, but you must listen to what I have to say. It was an extremely difficult decision for me to come to you.”
Christine furrowed her eyebrows. At least it didn’t sound like Richard was bringing bad news about Darius. Instinctively she reached up and smoothed her hair.
“I have come to ask you to stop the fighting,” he continued.
“You came out here to ask me that?” Christine laughed.
“Just listen. I am only asking the fighting to cease for a few days; a truce. As you have most likely heard, there is trouble within the city. The King...”
“Your problems are not mine.” Christine couldn't believe he was trying to do this. “We have already been approached by others.”
“Others?” Richard seemed surprised. “Who?”
“It is no secret that the King doesn’t have an heir to the throne. There are other groups who may treat us better than you.”
Richard looked surprised. “And you believe that?”
Christine thought a moment. “No, actually I don’t believe that any of you will treat us better. Why do you ask me?”
“I know it is you riding around on that horse my son gave you.”
It was Christine’s turn to look surprised.
“There are not many farmers who have an expensive Cremelino.” The councilor stood up from the crate he had been sitting on. “Listen to me, Christine. An announcement will be made in the next few days. Please stop the fighting until then.”
“It must be an important announcement for you to lower yourself to our level and to come out to the farmlands. Is it about an heir to the throne?”
Richard looked down. Beads of sweat began to appear on his face. “You must keep this confidential, Christine. There is much more at stake than you or even I could believe at this moment. I am only telling you to show you that I really want to resolve this now.”
“Who?” she asked, not really expecting an answer.
“I can't say.” He did not look her in the eyes.
“What difference does a new king make? There will still be fighting.”
“Maybe not.” Richard’s voice lowered.
“What are you saying? That the new king is a benevolent man who loves the farmers? Or, is he going to be a farmer, perhaps?”
Richard did not smile at her sarcasm. “Will you call off the fighting?”
“I don't know if I can. As you can see, my so-called friends and brother have limited whatever power I had. What if we are attacked?”
“I will stop that. Will you do your part?” Richard looked her directly in the eyes. His eyes held a pleading she had never seen before. They reminded her of Darius so much she had to hold back a gasp. Oh, Darius. It was hard to hold back the
tears, but she couldn’t let the councilor see her weaken. She bit the inside of her check to buy time to think.
What isn't Richard telling me? He is hiding something. She projected her thoughts out to her Cremelino.
Trust him this once, Christine. Came the reply. The power of the prophecy is building. Soon you will know all!
Lightning’s reply surprised her. “Give me one good reason to stop the fighting.”
Richard stopped pacing and looked at the ground. Then he looked back at her. “Because my mother was from the farmlands.”
Christine’s eyes widened in disbelief, and a small laugh escaped her chapped lips. For a moment she just watched him, looking for any sign of deception.
“I just found out two days ago,” the Councilor said. “I didn't know before.”
Christine was still speechless. Maybe that's why Darius had been so nice to her, even though he didn't know about his parentage.
“I'm confused, Christine. I don't know what to do.” The Councilor’s shoulders slumped. He looked exhausted.
She knew that had been hard for the man to admit. She would not have expected it of him. Darius always said he was a hard man—someone who fiercely protected the Realm, but from the seat of his castle chair.
“Will you stop the fighting?” He asked once again.
Christine’s voice came out very quiet. “I will try. But it may take a few days. “
Richard smiled nervously. “A few days are all we have.”
Christine just nodded.
“I had better leave now.” Richard said. “Please keep this information to yourself for a few days. It might be pivotal information in the naming of the new king.”
She thought he meant it could start unnecessary fighting before the naming of the King. She wondered if it was someone who had approached them already. “Can you talk to my brother?”
He nodded and began to walk away.
“The son of a farmer, huh?” she whispered toward his back with a smile on her lips, “Maybe there is hope for you yet.”
Richard turned and looked over his shoulder at her.
“And, Councilor, I have a secret for you.” She paused as he took a few steps back toward her. “Something I just recently found out also. My father’s father was from the city. We’re not so unlike each other as you had thought.”
