by Mike Shelton
Out on the streets of the city again, Kelln began telling Alessandra about Anikari, his family, and exploits with Darius. The longer he spoke, the more his spirits lifted. Up until recently he had had a good life. There were lots of good memories for him in Anikari.
With a short walk they entered the Mighty Stallion, a clean and inexpensive inn not too far from the castle. After bathing and changing into some fresh clothes they had gathered at Kelln’s home, they went into the common room to eat.
“What’s going on here?” Kelln asked a pretty serving girl. “Why is it so empty?”
“Are you a stranger here? The farmers have cut off all food from us. We have to ration what we have until the King settles things with them.”
Kelln knew of the troubles mounting for years between the farmers and the city people. Personally, he had no problem with them. In fact, he and Darius had made friends with quite a few of them after meeting Christine.
He remembered one day hanging out with a few of the farm boys in Karel’s barn. They joked around and had fun just like Kelln and Darius did. Most were not as educated as the city people were, but their personality and looks were not any different.
“I don’t understand.” Alessandra turned to Kelln as they waited for their simple food.
“People hold on to hatreds a long time around here. Many assume that the farmers have mixed blood with those kicked out from the wizard rebellion generations ago. It continues to breed mistrust and hatred even this many years later. The farmers are treated as a lower class by many of the nobles.”
“But they grow your food and raise your cattle.”
Kelln nodded. The serving girl brought them a bowl of thin soup and a few crusts of bread. He paused in the conversation to take a few bites. It was salty and flavored heavily with garlic and other herbs to overcome the fact that there wasn’t much substance to it.
Alessandra continued with her line of questions. “So the nobles mistrust magic and wizard powers?”
Kelln looked around nervously, but the inn was empty enough that there was no one close enough to overhear their conversation. “It’s not talked about much here in Anikari. It’s not necessarily illegal, but exhibiting magical powers is looked at suspiciously.”
“Won’t they all be surprised!” Alessandra laughed. “If the Preacher and Darius converge on the city, there is bound to be some power displayed here.”
Kelln furrowed his brows and frowned at that thought. He had to help his friend. Kelln knew if he could get Darius away from the Preacher, maybe even back with Christine, he could talk some sense into him.
Kelln wondered how Christine had fared over the past year. He wondered if her family was safe or if she had married. He decided he would go see her soon and tell her all about Darius. She would know what to do to help.
“What did the councilor mean about Darius? He was cut off by the King… saying something,” said Alessandra.
“I'm sure he meant Darius should be acting more responsibly since he is the son of a noble and the King’s commander.” Kelln felt uneasy. He suspected what Richard had been going to say, but couldn’t understand how it could be.
“The King and the Councilor both seemed nervous. I think something else is going on.” Alessandra took a few spoonfuls of the weak soup. “Did you see their faces? They are hiding something from us.”
“You’re exaggerating. I know Darius and his father. They haven’t recently gotten along very well. His father worried about Darius’s interaction out in the farmlands. They didn’t see eye to eye on many things. I do wonder why they asked Darius here, though.” Kelln was not as calm on the inside as he showed Alessandra on the outside. The King and Richard were genuinely surprised at Darius’s growing power. The shock had almost killed Darius’s father.
“Do you think he is bringing my father and the army?” asked Alessandra.
“The King’s men hadn't seen an army,” answered Kelln. “Maybe he is coming on his own. Let's wait until tomorrow and see. Right now I need some rest.”
They rented two rooms in the inn, to the owner’s obvious joy, and headed upstairs.
Kelln laid on the too-soft bed and thought about the last year of his life. Things used to be so much simpler when he and Darius were in the academy studying. He smiled at multiple memories of their adventures together. Kelln had to admit it was usually him who got them into precarious situations. Darius had been the level-headed one. At least until he had found the sword and some type of power had awakened in him. Ever since then Darius had been more apt to get angry. Kelln thought about what Alessandra’s grandfather, Alastair, had taught him about God and prayed a silent prayer for Darius. He hoped that Alastair was being cared for by someone. He had hated to leave the old man, but Alastair had said he would be fine. Soon after those thoughts he fell into a much-needed sleep.
The next morning a knocking on his door caught Kelln by surprise, and he sat up in bed with his heart pounding. He shivered in the morning air and threw his cloak on over his clothes before answering the door.
“Oh, it’s you.” Kelln said to Alessandra as she moved into the room. He sat back down on his bed and started rubbing his eyes. Alessandra let out a soft giggle.
“What?” he asked.
“You look like a little boy just waking up.”
“I do not!”
Kelln tried to pat down his unruly hair, but he knew the curls wouldn’t do much without a douse of water, and even then they probably needed a trim.
“Your hair is all messy, and you're rubbing your eyes like a little boy.”
Kelln picked up his lumpy pillow and threw it at Alessandra, hitting her in the head. A large smile spread across her lips, and she laughed, her dark, almond-shaped eyes sparkling with amusement.
Alessandra proceeded to throw the pillow back at Kelln. He ducked, and the pillow bounced off his shoulder.
They both dove for the pillow, reaching it at the same time. Kelln, the stronger of the two, tugged the pillow harder and pulled it and Alessandra on top of him. With the pillow partially between their bodies, Kelln reached his head up and stole a kiss from her lips. She frowned slightly but didn’t move away so Kelln moved in for another.
This time she did pull away and grabbing a pillow from the side of the bed threw it back at Kelln’s face. They both ended up in a fit of laughter. Kelln couldn’t remember the last time he had actually laughed. It was a good release for him, and he met the new day full, rested, and optimistic for the first time in many months.
That morning Kelln continued to show Alessandra around the city of Anikari. She had only been there briefly when she had found Kelln, and it had not been for sightseeing. Spring was in full bloom, with late tulips opening and a few dogwoods still dropping their last blossoms. The grasses were greening, and the sun warmed the air. Kelln showed Alessandra the ancient stadium where the festivals were held and the King’s field where Darius had won the archery contest.
“You and Darius were good friends, weren't you?” asked Alessandra as they sat on a rock overlooking the field.
“Yes.” He paused. “Yes, we were. We did everything together. He would always tease me about getting him in trouble, but I knew he liked it. He always said he wanted adventure, but I don't think any of us thought it would turn out like this.”
“Did you know about his power?”
Kelln told her about library basement at the old academy. They had been trapped in the dark. Darius was thinking hard about what to do when suddenly a light appeared in his palm. It was the first time they realized Darius had some type of power. Later that same afternoon they found a sword in the basement that flared with a bright light at his touch.
“He didn’t talk about it much after that, though. He used it a few times around me but seemed quite hesitant. I guess things changed when he left the city.”
“What will you do if he comes to Anikari to fight?”
“I will have to stop him.”
“But he will kill yo
u.”
“I don't think so. Somewhere inside of him his old self is still alive. You don't know the Darius I do: considerate, helpful, humorous, every good quality you could think of... except he did have a short temper. I just have to keep trying.”
“Why didn’t you stay in Belor and help him, then?” Alessandra put her hand on his arm.
“Because your father was going to kill me!” Kelln raised his arms up in the air as if the answer was obvious. “And when Darius got all caught up with the Preacher I couldn’t reach him. Maybe being in Anikari will help. Maybe if I can find Christine that will help.” He told her about Darius’s relationship with Christine and a little of the history of the conflicts between the city people and the farmers.
They began walking back through the town. Alessandra reached over and slid her hand inside Kelln’s. “You learned a lot from my grandfather, didn't you?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I remember the way he used to talk to me when I was little. He always sees the good in people and wants to help everyone. He is a strong and wise man.”
“He is a wizard too.”
Alessandra nodded.
“As is your father, the Preacher.”
She nodded again.
“And you?”
She stopped so quickly on the street that Kelln almost fell down. “Why do you say that?”
“The power is passed down through bloodlines. So I figured if your grandfather has it, and your father has it, then you must also. That is why you knew about Darius.”
“I knew about Darius because I saw him do things. And my father talked to me about him.”
“But?” Kelln prodded.
“But?” Alessandra echoed back, then stopped and thought for a moment. Then she laughed. “Kelln, I just don’t know. I have never thought about it. I have never felt anything inside. Most of my father’s power was learned, so maybe my grandfather’s powers didn’t pass on to him or to me.”
After looking around the town they circled back to the inn. All of a sudden a man stepped up in front of them, and the two guards that had shadowed them came forward.
“You two need to come with me.” The man said in a commanding voice. Kelln recognized him as one of the King’s guards.
“Where?” Kelln asked.
“The castle.” was the only answer they received from one of the guards. “Just be quiet and follow Roland here.”
Kelln and Alessandra were led quietly to a side entrance through the outside castle walls and then into the castle’s lower levels.
“Who wants us?” asked Alessandra.
“Councilor Richard San Williams.”
“Richard?” repeated Kelln.
“You shouldn’t be so informal with his name,” Roland stated.
The group walked into a small room. After entering, the two men closed the door and then moved a large bookcase in front of it. They continued walking down a long hall filled with pictures of past kings and queens, until they came to Richard’s office. They knocked and then entered. Richard sat at his large mahogany desk. He motioned for Roland and the two soldiers to leave.
Richard stood and paced a few short steps, stopping in front of a book case. He looked recovered from the night before. His color had returned, and he seemed back in control. “Darius has been kidnapped.”
Kelln's mouth hung open as if to respond, but he didn’t say anything.
Richard continued. “We know he was in Forest View last night and was taken from his room. Another man was with him, a Gildanian, if things are to be believed, but we don't know where he is. We received a ransom notice in the past hour, with additional instructions to come later after the ransom is paid. It was eluded that the kidnapper would like to be set up as a ruler of one of our cities.”
Kelln opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t think of what to say again. Who would kidnap Darius?
Richard looked back and forth at Kelln and Alessandra, then continued. “We will obviously not meet these demands but must rescue him instead. We cannot send an army of our own men, because we are not sure where loyalties lie right now and don’t want to cause any undue alarm. Darius must be brought back as soon as possible without anyone knowing he was taken. So he must be found and brought back without incident. There is an undercurrent of unrest in Anikari right now, and we can’t afford anyone to have a reason to start fighting.”
“Mezar was with him, it seems,” stated Kelln.
“Mezar?”
“The Gildanian commander Darius captured… though Darius treats him more like a friend than a prisoner, from what I have seen.”
Richard’s jaw tightened. He invited the two young people to sit down.
“Kelln, I know you are a bright young man, but we also know that your father is in Belor. Can I trust you?” The councilor looked Kelln directly in the eyes.
“I’m not siding with that crazy man in Belor. He wants to kill me.” He looked at Alessandra apologetically. He knew the Preacher was her father, but it was hard to remember at times. The two seemed so different from each other.
Richard smiled. “Good. Good.”
“I will find Darius,” Kelln said sternly.
A knock sounded at the door. Richard glared at the door and spoke quickly. “You will be provided an escort. He knows the forest well and has already been briefed on the mission.”
“Come in!” Richard said in a loud voice.
Richard stood to meet the young man who entered. The man flashed the three a brilliant smile but lingered longer over Alessandra. She blushed.
“Kelln and Alessandra, I want you to meet your escort on this mission... Sean San Ghant.” Richard scowled at Sean.
“I know Sean,” mentioned Kelln. “I’m not sure I agree he is the best to help us, though.”
The councilor raised his eyes at the statement.
Kelln continued. “Sean and Darius haven’t always seen eye to eye on things.” Sean had goaded Darius most of their time in school. The young man, a year older than Kelln and Darius, was the quick-witted, handsome son of a minor noble who wanted power and attention. Darius, who was the son of the first councilor, could have all the political power and attention he wanted, but he despised it. Sean had never understood that and was always trying to put Darius down.
Sean laughed and didn’t take his eyes from Alessandra. “Just normal friendly competition between two noble sons. Nothing to worry about, Kelln. Now who is this striking young woman?” Sean strode forward, his red jacket tightening around him with gold buttons up the front.
Alessandra introduced herself, and Sean took her hand, bowed, and left a soft kiss on it. When she didn’t respond, Kelln nudged her, and she remembered to smile and thank Sean.
“All right, everyone knows what needs to be done,” Richard said. “We must find my son soon. Three horses and supplies are waiting for you outside of the north gate behind some trees. Be careful when going out of the city. Send word as soon as you find out anything. And we need to keep this quiet.”
The three young adults headed toward the door, with Sean leading. Kelln was the last to go. Before leaving the room, Richard called Kelln back in.
“Go on ahead.” Richard told the other two. “I need to talk to Kelln for a moment.”
Alessandra looked at Kelln, but he nodded to her that he would be fine. She turned a corner with Sean, and Kelln turned back toward the Senior Councilor.
In whispering tones Richard said, “Kelln, I trust you to find my son. I know you have been his best friend for years and know him probably even better than I. You must find him, Kelln.” Richard paused and lowered his voice. “You do understand why, don't you?”
Kelln smiled nervously, remembering back to what he thought Richard had been about to say. Was Darius really to be the next king? “I think so.”
“What you think is true, Kelln. You don't need to know why or how right now. I barely understand it all myself. Only the King and I—and now you—know the secret. Trust
and tell no one. Not Alessandra or Sean… and certainly not Darius.”
Kelln felt dizzy and put his arm against the wall to steady himself. All he could do was to nod his head in the affirmative. Why would the councilor tell him all this?
“You are the only one able to save him, if he can be saved. You had to know. You have to succeed.”
Kelln still didn’t know what to say. “Darius as K—”
“Don’t say anything out loud,” warned Richard, “even to yourself. This has far-reaching political implications.”
Kelln laughed uncomfortably. “Councilor, Darius has always hated politics.”
Richard allowed himself a small, grim smile. “Don’t I know.”
“This will kill him,” Kelln paused, “or he will kill us all.”
“Our destroyer or our savior,” whispered Richard as he opened the door for Kelln.
Kelln strode down the hall and around the corner, catching up to Sean and Alessandra, but his mind was miles away. He thought back to when he had been imprisoned in the dungeon prison in Belor. He had felt lost and full of despair. Now, only weeks later, he had talked to the King and had been given a command by his Senior Councilor to find Darius, his best friend. The next king! He said a silent prayer that he would be guided to find his best friend and that Darius would accept whatever came to him.
Chapter 16
SEARCHING
Later that evening, the three-person search party set up camp next to the east bank of the Black River, just south of Anikari. It had been a long, unproductive day. Sean seemed to be winding them around the long way. At one time Kelln thought they had found some wagon tracks, but Sean dismissed them as being old and of no concern.
On the first evening the group talked around the campfire, planning their next day’s activities. Sean mentioned he had seen Darius a few months earlier in the Superstition Mountains and they had become friends and had a good time talking about the city. Kelln tried to appear interested, but he didn’t believe for one minute that Darius and Sean had become friends. Sean was hiding something.
