Apparition

by Tom Liberman

  “Why he was just here,” said the queen with her headed tilted to look at Mike. “He is a persuasive young man. I’d be surprised if there isn’t elf blood in his heritage somewhere. His mother has that look about her although his father is nothing more than a brute dressed in civilized clothing … and that sister of his! More of a man than most men.”

  Mike smiled and looked at the gorgeous carpet beneath their feet. It depicted a group of bow-wielding elves standing beside a large lake upon which sat a magnificent castle. “Didn’t mother meet father when he came to help us when the Five Nations attacked Acanthus?”

  “That’s true, of course,” said the queen. “Your father is a brave man and a fine warrior. The world needs such as him. Don’t take my words incorrectly, my sweet Golden Sunset. I don’t hate your father or your brother. It’s not their fault for being the way they are. It’s your mother’s fault. She’s the one to blame in all of this. I know you agree.”

  Mike nodded her head, “I do hate her.”

  “That’s the spirit!” said the queen. “Now we must decide on your future. Your hair, oh dear, that’s the first thing. We’ll want to look at wigs while it is growing out.” She looked up and said, “See to it,” to no one in particular but that seemed to settle the matter. “As to your friends. We’ll have them into the throne room for a lunch. That should more than satisfy them to the fact that this is a place where you belong and they do not. I know it won’t be easy, they are your friends, but you just have to be strong for a little while. When they see you sitting regally in proper clothes they’ll understand they just aren’t cut from the same bolt as you. Tell them to go without you. That you’ll catch up to them later or some such. They’ll take your word for it and be on their way. Then you’ll be free to stay with us. Your mother can’t object. Her entire argument was that she was free to make her own decisions in life and therefore she cannot be upset when you do the same.”

  Mike suddenly stood up and strode across the room to the throne and looked down upon it.

  “Yes,” said Queen Ellesia. “That is what was taken from you by your mother. It will never be yours now. It belongs to me and then to my son, after that his children, and on ever after that. That is what your mother took from you.”

  Mike spun on her heels and looked at her aunt, “I have this dagger,” she said and pulled it from its scabbard. “I came here to find out what sort of magical properties it has. It was father’s and grandfather’s … paw-paw’s before that. I find that I do not need to find its value anymore. It means more to me than this throne. You have explained much to me, Queen Ellesia. I thank you. I hope that Tanelorn will have your friendship when they most need it. I hope you listen to my cousin when war comes to Tanelorn and to Acanthus, for one cannot come without the other. I will go with my friends now.”

  “You little fool,” said the queen standing up from her chair. “You are just like your mother.”

  Chapter 20

  “Why did we have to leave so fast,” said Marianna looking back upon the woods that were fast receding to the west. “It was so lovely.”

  “A golden prison,” said Mike, shaking her head. “My mother fled it and so do I.”

  “You agree with your mother about something?” said Rhia looking at the girl whose eyes were shining brilliantly. She had changed back into her boy-style clothes although the wrappings that kept her bosom suppressed were no longer in place and her pleasing shape was noticeable.

  “I may have been hasty in my judgment of my mother,” said Mike pausing for a moment. “That doesn’t mean I think’s she all wonderful or anything.”

  “Of course not,” said Rhia with a laugh. “Did you learn what the elves plan to do when the gnolls invade?”

  Mike nodded her head, “I learned what my aunt plans to do but I also learned that there are others within Acanthus who feel differently. It is impossible to guess what they will do, but I learned things of greater importance. The dragonkin and the Rock Lord will join the invasion. I suspect that even with the help of Ironhome and Acanthus that Tanelorn cannot stand against such a three-pronged attack. There is only a single ally that might save Tanelorn and the Gray Lord must be convinced to solicit their aid.”

  Rhia looked at Mike, “Who would that be?”

  “The Five Nations,” said Mike firmly. “They must be convinced to convene and elect a First General. That is the only force that can save Tanelorn from the storm that is coming.”

  “So we return to the Gray City?” said Marianna nodding her head. “And Pillswar?”

  “Yes,” said Mike nodding her head. “We must convince the Gray Lord to seek help from the Five Nations and take more aggressive measures to prepare for the assault.”

  “Then let’s stop talking and start walking,” said Rhia, picking up her pace. “Tell us when you start to tire,” she said to Marianna. “Don’t overstep your limits or you’ll collapse. We’ll rest when we must. It won’t be easy. We did not get to fill our bags in Acanthus but there is water and food to be found. We’ll live off the land. Mike, you spent the last of your money with the dwarves on that dagger?”

  “It was never my money,” said Mike under her breath.

  “What was that?” asked Rhia.

  “Yes, I spent the last of the money. Good riddance to it. From here on we rely on ourselves.”

  The road from Acanthus led directly to Tanelorn and they had no trouble making good time. At noon they stopped for a short repast of wild carrots and onions they found in a patch off the road. An hour later they spotted a lone figure standing by a little fire.

  “Perhaps he has news of events in Tanelorn,” said Rhia looking ahead. “If you remember the mood in the city was rather anxious when we left and the army was on maneuvers.”

  “Maybe,” said Mike as they approached. The figure was rather short and, as they got closer, they all recognized him at the same moment and pulled up with a start.

  “Young adventurers,” said Yulvo with a little nod of his head although his hand pulled one of his small axes from his side. “You are here far earlier than I expected.” He looked around.

  “No allies to help you kill us?” said Rhia stepping forward, her sword already in her hand.

  “My uncle has a copper tongue is what my people would say, he is a politician. It can be twisted and turned to say anything or nothing at all. I was not so blessed. I have but my axe and my arm, I am a soldier. Yes. That is the answer to your question, Rhia. I am here to kill you. I am here to prevent your return to Tanelorn.”

  “You’re too late,” said Rhia shaking her head and smiling. “We turned over the papers we found in the house of Sunbringer to the Gray Lord already. If you bring forth that axe then you will die by my sword.”

  “No,” said Marianna for her bow was already out and arrow nocked. “My arrow will arrive before that.”

  “I am used to hearing lies and your words ring true,” said Yulvo with a nod and his hand moved away from his axe. “But another day or two and things would have been different, but that is not the way of it. You left too quickly and I am the one who must pay for that. Kill me if you wish.”

  Marianna pulled back the bow string and let fly but Mike knocked her arm at the last second causing the arrow to fly high and wide. “What?” said Marianna turning to Mike.

  “Yulvo,” said Mike stepping forward. “You have lived your life in whatever citadel of dwarves lies to the north, you have traveled with your uncle. It is clear that you think we are the enemy and I can do nothing about that. Your mind is your own to make. As is mine. We will not kill you until such a time as you try to kill us. Stand aside and let us pass.”

  A little frown came across the dwarf’s face and he shook his head. “I shall take your reprieve but do not imagine that it will alter my behavior when we next meet. Tanelorn is a threat to everyone. The Gray Lord is a fool and his weapons will be used to enslave the people of this world whether under his name or someone else’s. You are a brave … girl
. I see that. And perhaps an intelligent one. You say my mind is my own, I say the same to you. Do not be swayed by the noble stance of the Gray Lord. Perhaps he has good intentions but those are not enough. The Fist brings order to this world. The Guide has the Broken Throne and he has the gold of Craggen Steep just as the Emperor had so long ago. Perhaps you can save Tanelorn today but there is a storm coming far larger than you can imagine. It would be better if Tanelorn was destroyed now and the world saved the carnage that will come if it survives. However, the outcome is inevitable. The Empire will be reunited and not under the banner of Tanelorn. The Gray Lord brings ruin and death to anyone who is foolish enough to befriend him. Heed my words, Mike. Heed my uncle and join us. You think you win today. You think you win tomorrow. But in the end you will lose.”

  “You are free to live your life,” said Mike. “As am I. There is nothing more free than freedom.”

  “You’ve seen through that little charade then,” said Yulvo with a nod of his head. “Well done. I wish you well in what remains of your life. You’ve survived today and perhaps you’ll survive tomorrow but in the end you’ll die if you keep your course.”

  “We’ll all die,” said Rhia, her head lowered and her gaze on the dwarf. “By the Sword, by the Horse, and by the Lance, I will die for what I believe to be right. I am a Freerider.”

  Yulvo nodded his head and shot forward his arm in a fist, “I salute you, Rhia. Die for what you believe. That is a good way to die no matter the hopelessness of your cause. We will meet again.”

  “We will meet again,” said Rhia. “Come on,” she finished and started walking down the road to Tanelorn.

  Mike and Marianna went after her although the red-haired archer had another arrow nocked in her bow and walked backward for a ways to make sure the dwarf did not try to attack them from behind.

  “I don’t think he’ll try anything,” said Rhia shaking her head.

  “You are the one who taught me to be cautious,” said Marianna over her shoulder.

  Rhia laughed, “I stand corrected.”

  Chapter 21

  The trio made good time heading to Tanelorn along the well-maintained road and regularly appearing little farmhouses proved to have kindly people more than happy to fill their sacks with supplies. They even stopped for a night at a massive villa with walls only slightly less tall than those of Ironhome.

  It took them four days of hard travel to arrive at the spot where the training maneuvers had taken place, although all that was left was ground beaten to mud by the sessions of thousands of soldiers. Already grass was growing on the trampled dirt.

  “Tanelorn is but an hour ahead,” said Rhia looking toward where she knew the city lay. “What will we find when get there? Revolution? Pillswar might be in charge already having overthrown the Gray Lord. There was much sentiment in that regard.”

  “I don’t think it’s come to that,” said Mike although there was little conviction in her voice. “We could head north to my family’s villa if that’s the case.”

  “If he’s in charge I’ll kill him,” said Marianna and her voice was flat and toneless.

  “Marianna!” said Mike turning to the girl.

  “I will,” she said. “I’ll hurt him first but then I’ll kill him. And my mother also.”

  Mike looked at Rhia who shrugged her shoulders. “I shouldn’t have said anything. We need to go into town and find out what’s going on before we decide to kill anyone. Come on. We’ll know if something’s wrong when we get to the gates and not before.”

  The three girls walked toward the City of Gray but their pace was not as quick as previous days and they did not speak. When the city finally came into view the many banners were still fluttering from the low walls and there was no sign of civil unrest. What smoke there was from the city seemed to be from chimneys and not fires burning out of control.

  They got to the western gate an hour later and found several young guards wearing the gray cloaks of Tanelorn standing quietly. The taller of the two nodded his head and looked appreciatively at Mike, “Hello, ladies. What brings you to the Gray City?”

  “See,” said Mike turning to Rhia and Marianna and raising her eyebrows.

  Rhia laughed, “We’re just returning after a long journey. What’s the news of the city? When we left there was much worry about an invasion from the north.”

  The same one who was looking at Mike nodded his head, “There is still much concern but since we returned from maneuvers people seem more secure. You have nothing to worry about. If those gnolls decide to attack we’re more than ready to defeat them.”

  “Good,” said Mike and smiled prettily at the boy. “Do you happen to know where Captain Lofo is? We were doing some work for him.”

  The young soldier shook his head, “I’m not sure, to be honest. I think there’s some sort of a meeting planned at the Gray Lord’s for tonight and I’d imagine he’s getting ready for that.”

  “Meeting?” asked Mike.

  “To discuss how to proceed against this threat from the gnolls I’d imagine,” said the young man his eyes still wandering up and down Mike’s figure. “What’s your name?”

  “Mike,” said Mike.

  The young man laughed, “Unusual name for such a pretty girl. I’m Alton. I’m off guard duty later this afternoon if you want to see the sights of the city. I’d be happy to show you around.”

  “I’m sure …,” said Mike and then paused as the boy grinned. “That I’m not interested.”

  The smile left his face for a moment but then it returned and he laughed, giving her a wink, “My loss.”

  Mike smiled as well, “Ok, ok. Maybe later, but we’ve got to find Lofo.”

  The boy smiled again and nodded his head again, “I look forward to it.”

  “Mike’s got a boyfriend,” said Rhia as they entered the city.

  “Shut up,” said Mike shaking her head.

  “He’s cute,” said Marianna.

  “I said, shut up,” repeated Mike, grinning. “He was pretty cute. Where do we find Lofo? I always met him at that headquarters place. I don’t even know where he lives.”

  “We need to be careful,” said Rhia suddenly looking around. “Just because Pillswar doesn’t have men at the gates anymore doesn’t mean he’s stupid. He’d have people stationed near the gates looking for us.”

  “We’ve already done what we can do. We don’t know anything that can hurt him. We didn’t learn anything at Ironhome or Acanthus. And there’s no way Yulvo beat us here.”

  “He doesn’t know what we know and what we don’t know,” said Rhia. “And Yulvo might have some magical means of communication available. We don’t know anything. Just because the Gray Knights are back and in charge doesn’t mean Pillswar can’t hurt us. We need to go somewhere safe and hope to find Lofo. I’d say that headquarters building is about as good a place to go as any. We shouldn’t have come in this gate, but after we tricked him last time he’s probably got all the gates covered now. We should have just hopped over the wall.”

  “Come on,” said Mike. “The city is secure with all the Gray Knights back. We should be fine. Just keep your eyes open in case.” They began walking through the familiar streets of the city and while there was a presence of Gray Knight soldiers that had been absent before, the feeling of the city seemed to still be uneasy as citizens walked around with downcast eyes. Eventually they arrived at the headquarters where a number of tough looking soldiers were loitering around a fountain and talking animatedly with one another.

  Mike walked up to them, “Is Lofo here?”

  The oldest of the group shook his head, “No. He went home early. There’s a big dinner at the Gray Lord’s house tonight. Hopefully they’ll let Jane Gray make decisions about the disposition of the army and we’ll start to get ready for those gnolls.”

  The soldiers around him largely grunted in approval although a few pursed their lips and shook their heads.

  “Tonight?” asked Rhia.

>   “That’s right,” said another of the soldiers and then looked closely at Mike. “Your name isn’t Mike, is it?” he asked.

  “That’s right,” said Mike.

  “We’re to pass along a note to a young boy named Mike. You’re not a boy though.”

  “I’m that Mike,” said Mike with a smile.

  The soldier looked at her closely, “Are you sure?”

  Mike laughed, “I’m sure. If you have a note I’ll take it.”

  “What do you know of Pillswar,” said Rhia to the older soldier. “Is he doing anything? Last time we were in town he was causing trouble.”

  “It depends on how you define trouble,” said the soldier turning his head to the side. “I’m not a fan of Pillswar. He’s a manipulator but he’s right about a few things. There’s trouble coming to Tanelorn and we need to be prepared. I know the Gray Lord built this place and I’ll follow his lead when it comes down to it, but I don’t want to see all this destroyed. I’ve got a wife, kids.”

  The other soldiers nodded as well.

  “About that note?” said Mike.

  “It’s in his quarters,” said the soldier pointing to the interior of the building. “Come along. We’ll get it. You’re sure you’re that Mike he was talking about?”

  “I’m sure,” said Mike firmly.

  The soldier looked at Rhia and Marianna.

  “She was a boy last time we were here,” said Rhia and raised her eyebrows and winked at him. “Magic!”

  The soldier looked Mike up and down with a grin, “That’s some good magic.”

  They arrived in the little room that Lofo used a few moments later and the soldier found a sealed piece of parchment. The soldier picked it up and looked suspiciously at Mike one more time, “You’re absolutely certain?”

  Mike laughed, “I’m Mike. If you don’t believe me we can go find Lofo.”

  The soldier pursed his lips but then handed over the piece of parchment.

  Mike pulled out her dagger and slid it through the seal with an easy motion. She opened it and read the thing quickly.