"Even that is not acceptable," scowled Prince Oscar, the king's biological father. "These assassins appear to have a limitless supply of fools who are more than willing to throw their lives away in an attempt to harm you. Today you had all of the Knights of Alcea available to you, but you cannot afford to keep them in Tagaret. They are needed elsewhere if we are to prepare this nation for war."
"He is right," offered General Gregor. "While the Red Swords are the finest soldiers in the world, it was the Knights of Alcea who took the brunt of the battle today. It is too dangerous for you to be out and about in Tagaret without a military escort."
"So I am to remain in hiding in my palace?" growled the king. "That is not acceptable to me. I will not be jailed by fear. Surely, they must be running out of assassins by now."
"Prince Oscar has the right of it," Lord Clava said softly. The soft-spoken lord had raised King Arik as his son after finding him abandoned at sea. He seldom spoke at meetings, but when he did, it was always worth listening to him, and Arik listened intently. "The Zarans have had years to infiltrate our society, and they have used those years wisely. I suspect that their organization is huge, and we will need a lot of resources to rout them all out before the Zaran armies arrive. To do that, you will need the Knights of Alcea out among the people. You know the truth of that as well as I do. Why do you deny it?"
King Arik sighed heavily and gazed at the man he had called father for most of his life. "So you want me held captive as well?" he asked. "I never thought I would hear you say that."
"And you have not heard me say it," smiled Lord Clava. "My suggestion may not be taken well by the rest of your advisors, but I think you and Tanya ought to disappear for a while."
"Disappear?" asked Queen Tanya.
"I like it," smiled Prince Oscar as he slapped Lord Clava on the back. "We too often forget that the king and queen are Knights of Alcea in their own right."
"You mean we should go on the road?" questioned Queen Tanya with a glint of hope in her voice. The queen was not one to enjoy the trappings of royalty, but she agreed with Arik that it was a duty they could not ignore. "Am I hearing you correctly?"
"What of their safety?" asked General Gregor. "We cannot follow a couple of travelers with a battalion of Red Swords."
"Their safety would rest in their anonymity," offered Zack Nolan, Alcea's spymaster. "Each of them is quite adept at defending themselves. If no one knows who they are, they should be able to travel freely."
"But enough people know what they look like," protested the general.
"That can be changed," offered Fredrik. "It would only require a fairly minor spell to maintain a facial illusion. The changes do not need to be drastic at all."
"I concur," agreed the spymaster. "Another illusion will be required for the Sword of Heavens, but you will be able to portray yourself as anyone you want to."
"And I am sure that Lord Clava and Lord Markel will aid me in running the kingdom in your absence," smiled Prince Oscar. "That is, of course, if you trust us to do so."
"Trust you?" chuckled King Arik. "I could not think of anyone as competent as the three of you. I must say that I am warming to the idea. Now only if I could convince my queen to give up the trapping of royalty for a while."
Everyone in the room laughed, as it was no secret that Queen Tanya yearned to be out and traveling the countryside once more.
"Then it is settled," declared Prince Oscar. "I see no reason to continue this meeting. Shall we adjourn?"
The king nodded his agreement, but he caught the eyes of those he wished to stay behind. The rest of the people filed out of the library, and the festive atmosphere died quickly. Five Knights of Alcea remained in the room with the king, queen, and Prince Oscar.
"Does anyone else know about this journey of yours?" the king asked Alexander Tork.
"As of now," answered the Knight of Alcea, "only those present have any idea of what we will attempt, although there was talk of such a journey some time ago."
"I have gone to pains to see that the idea was ridiculed," offered Prince Oscar. "It is not that I distrust the other advisors or Knights of Alcea, but with the Zarans uncanny ability to hear things best kept unheard, I felt it best if no one was aware of the voyage."
"I agree," stated Queen Tanya as she looked at her parents with concern. "Are you sure that you two must be the ones to go?"
"I am positive," answered Alex.
"Your gut sense?" asked Tanya.
"It is more than that," admitted Alex. "For the longest time, I have been having dreams about going to Zara."
Jenneva looked queerly at her husband and it was obvious to all that he had never mentioned the dreams to her. He looked at her shyly and shrugged his shoulders. The queen was quite surprised by the unspoken admission.
"What kind of dreams?" asked Tanya.
"An urging," answered Alex. "It is hard to explain, but I do not think the idea of capturing one of the Zaran ships was my own thought. It feels as if I am being ordered to go."
"Egam?" gasped Jenneva. "Could he in some way still be influencing our lives?"
Jenneva used the name of the Mage that she was most familiar with, as she tutored under him when he was called Egam, but he was also known to other Knights of Alcea as Master Boris Khatama, a traveling merchant. The gods referred to him as Razil, or the Creator, but what he truly was, no one knew. Yet it was accepted by all of the Knights of Alcea that the Mage stood for Light over Darkness, and Good over Evil. He was the opposite and foe of Alutar, the Great Demon, which the Knights were now convinced was also known as Balmak.
"Who knows what an eternal being is capable of," the queen pondered out loud. "The Mage has not been heard of since he was sucked into the planet's core via the Ocean's Sewer, but surely he must exist on some plane."
"Your motivations are secondary to me," interrupted the king. "Even if it was just your gut feel, I understand your need to follow it. Have the rest of you freely agreed to this journey?"
"I am most anxious for the journey to begin," nodded Karl Gree.
"We have," Tedi answered for Natia and himself. "We realize that my staff will be required if we run across any more K'sans. Only it and the Sword of Heavens are capable of killing such creatures."
"Directly," interjected Jenneva. "K'san can be killed without a magical weapon, but it sure would be useful to have one along."
"I agree," stated Queen Tanya. "What else do you need from us?"
"I need three Rangers," answer Alex. "They have particular skills that I think will help us survive the journey."
"Ask and they will be yours," offered the king.
"There is a Ranger by the name of Clint McFarren," Alex said. "He is an expert in charting. The map we have of Zara is a crude thing, and it only shows the waters off the coast. I think we need to map the entire continent."
"Done," nodded Prince Oscar. "I will have him summoned to the king's office as soon as we are done here."
"Another is Shawn Cowen," Alex continued. "I have never met anyone who is more skilled in survival techniques. He can look at a plant or animal and tell you whether it is editable or not, and that may come in handy in a land where we are not welcome."
"And the third?" asked the king.
"I don't know," sighed Alex. "I need an expert in naval warfare. I want the Remora equipped to do battle at sea, and yet not appear to be a warship. A Ranger may not be the best choice."
"I know whom you want," offered Prince Oscar after a moment of thought. "There is a Red Sword by the name of Max Caber. He could make a raft into a warship."
"Have him see me," stated the king. "If he is willing to take on the journey, I will make him a Ranger. What else do you need, Alex?"
"Fairies," answered Alex. "I think six of them should suffice. And I will need to use some unicorns to get everyone to the ship, but I will not be taking any with us."
"That is it?" asked the king. "What about a crew?"
"That is all that
I require of you," smiled Alex. "I intend to add others to the voyage, but I will not bother you with the details, nor will you be bothered by their absence from Alcea."
"Fair enough," the king said with finality. "Prince Oscar will also see that you are given ample provisions and a hefty amount of gold to allow for provisioning once you are there. Go swiftly and come back safely."
The meeting broke up and people filed out of the room, but Queen Tanya dallied so that she would have a few private words with her parents before they left. She embraced Alex and Jenneva silently for several long moments before speaking.
"You both had better return from this voyage," she said with a glint of tears in her eyes. "If you don't, I will never forgive you."
Alex and Jenneva smiled tightly and hugged their daughter once more, but neither of them uttered any false promises.
Chapter 2
Gathering of the Crew
Three unicorns circled over a hidden valley in the heart of the Boulder Mountains. They spiraled lower, almost lazily, as they waited for the elves below to invite them into the valley.
"There is the welcome," Alexander Tork announced to Jenneva and Karl Gree. "We're going down."
The unicorns descended to a small clearing where two elves stood alongside a dwarf. Smokey immediately jumped to the ground and began wagging his tail.
"Welcome to Glendor," greeted Prince Elgorn as the trio dismounted. "It has been a long time since you have graced us with a visit."
"Too long," grinned Alex as he embraced the fair elven prince, "but Glendor is not known for it fine fishing."
"I never believed those stories about you retiring to a life of fishing," laughed Prince Elgorn as he broke the embrace and hugged Jenneva.
"The stories are true," smiled Jenneva as she returned the elf's hug. "He really is a fine fisherman. May I introduce…"
"Karl Gree?" asked Prince Elgorn as he broke the embrace and faced the Cordonian hunter.
Karl stared at the elf, his face a display of genuine surprise. "How could you possibly know who I am?" he asked.
Prince Elgorn grinned broadly and grasped the hunter's forearms in welcome. "There are precious few humans who are granted the privilege of training with elves," he stated. "Prince Garong of Elderal has told us all about you. Welcome to Glendor."
"I am deeply honored," smiled Karl Gree.
The darker elf and the dwarf approached the new arrivals, and Prince Elgorn turned and introduced them to Karl.
"This is my brother, Prince Rigal," Prince Elgorn declared, "and Prince Tergota of Lanto."
"I am pleased to meet both of you," Karl said solemnly as bowed to the princes.
"It is wonderful to see you here, Prince Tergota," interjected Jenneva. "I take it that all past hostilities are forgotten?"
"Very much so," grinned the dwarf as he embraced Jenneva and Alex. "It only took a trip to another Universe to knock some sense into Rigal and me."
"All of Glendor and Lanto have much to thank you and Alex for," added Prince Rigal as he also welcomed his old friends. "We work very closely with the dwarves now, and it benefits both of our peoples."
"I am so very pleased," smiled Jenneva as she thought back to the daring journey to another Universe taken with the two princes over twenty years earlier. The elves and dwarves had hated each other at the time, but their hatred had been based on false premises and a history that had become distorted.
"What brings you to Glendor?" asked Prince Elgorn.
"I actually came to ask a favor of Prince Rigal," Alexander answered seriously. "I need an elf to join me on a perilous journey."
"There is no shortage of elves in the world who would do whatever you ask," offered Prince Rigal. "Why me?"
Alexander Tork gazed at the three princes before him for several moments before answering. Those who knew Alex understood that he was concerned about what he was going to say.
"I must ask that what I am about to say will not be repeated to anyone not present," Alex said softly.
There was no hesitation from the three princes. Each of them nodded their agreement.
"We are embarking on a journey to a land far away," explained Alex. "It is a land from which armies will flow in an effort to destroy Alcea. I want to learn more about our enemy and do whatever we can to halt the invasion. In this unknown land are humans and elves. I think it is important to have an elf in our party so that we are not seen as just another group of humans trying to manipulate the elves."
"That makes sense," frowned Prince Rigal, "but why Glendor, and why me? You have the allegiance of thousands of elves from Elderal and Sorelderal."
"Both Elderal and Sorelderal were heavily involved in the quest to restore the Sword of Heavens," answered Alex. "The enemy has had spies in Alcea for a fair number of years, and I cannot take the chance that either group might have been infiltrated. Glendor has remained well hidden and is small enough to know every member of the community."
"But why Rigal instead of me?" asked Prince Elgorn. "I am the heir to the throne of Glendor. Did you think that I would not grant your request?"
"Certainly not," replied Alex. "Prince Rigal has journeyed with Jenneva and I before. He will well understand the qualities that we are looking for in an elf, and those qualities are more than mere skill. They also require a certain temperament."
"We also require a darker-skinned elf," interjected Jenneva.
"I can think of several good candidates," offered Prince Rigal. "Certainly Lyron and Gerant would fill your need perfectly. Why do you need a darker-skinned elf?"
"The elves in this far away land are the Dielderal," answered Alex.
"The Dielderal?" snarled Prince Rigal. "Those same creatures that waged war against their brothers and slaughtered unicorns? You really expect to talk with them?"
"I think we must try," Alexander nodded. "While I do not hold much hope for making allies out of the Dielderal, it would be nice to make their alliance with the Zarans more tenuous. If we can succeed at that, we may be able to find a way to drive a wedge between them."
Prince Rigal's face was a dark mask of hatred and his hands curled into fists at his side. During the journey to the other Universe, he had seen what the Dielderal were capable of, and it sickened him to think that elves could be so heartless and cruel. He had been ashamed to share a race with such a despicable people.
"I see why your requirements include a certain temperament," Prince Elgorn said softly. "It will be hard to find an elf in Glendor who does not feel as Prince Rigal does about the Dielderal."
"Yet Prince Rigal once felt the same fury towards dwarves," Jenneva stated. "Hatred by itself is a weakening influence. Do not allow it to cripple you."
Prince Rigal glowered at Jenneva, but his fury subsided as she returned his glare with a comforting smile.
"Perhaps I was wrong to bring my troubles into your home," Alexander sighed. "I apologize."
"No," Prince Elgorn shook his head. "Your reasoning is sound. It is we who are unappreciative of what you are trying to do. We will select an elf to accompany you on the journey."
"Not exactly," Prince Rigal said abruptly.
Everyone looked at the dark prince and waited for the biting words that were sure to follow.
"We will send three dark elves with you on this journey, Alexander Tork," the dark prince declared.
"Three?" frowned Alex. "Why three?"
"Because only one elf will do nothing to make the Dielderal believe that they are truly speaking for elves," explained Prince Rigal. "They will assume that you have groomed a misfit as a puppet to speak words you want heard. It must be at least three, or they will not be heard."
"I had not thought of that," nodded Alex, "but your reasoning makes sense."
"Then who besides Lyron and Gerant?" asked Prince Elgorn.
"Me," declared Prince Rigal. "If someone from Glendor must confront our evil brothers, then it should be someone who speaks with authority. I will be one of the three elves to go
to this far away land."
Alex's mouth opened to argue, but the dwarf's laughter caused him to stop.
"I don't suppose there is room in your party for a wee dwarf, is there?" asked Prince Tergota. "I so much enjoyed my last journey with Prince Rigal."
"We do not know of any dwarves in Zara," Jenneva shook her head. "If there are no dwarves in that land, you would immediately be attacked as a spy. I do not think it would be wise."
"I agree," stated Alex. "That is the very reason we seek dark elves for the trip. We are going to have to blend in to survive."
"If we are to join you now," Prince Rigal said, "I will need to get the others ready for the trip."
Alexander stared at the dark elf for several long moments before speaking. "You will have time to prepare," he said, finally accepting the dark prince and his companions as members of the team. "I will send unicorns in a few days to pick you up. Plan on a journey of at least a year."
"And do not feel obligated to join us, Prince Rigal," Jenneva added. "This journey is fraught with danger. There is more than a fair chance that none of us will ever return. We did not plan on taking an elven prince with us. Your king and queen might object strongly to your participation."
"That is a matter for King Gondoral to decide," stated Prince Elgorn. "Send three unicorns, and they will be mounted with dark elves."
* * *
Kalamaar was the second largest city in the province of Cordonia and one of the largest seaports in the known world. By the time the three riders passed through the city gates, the sun had set and the stars had come out to shine. Dark as it was, the fairy found the riders without a problem.
"I have located him," chirped Bitsy, "but he is not alone. His mate is with him."
"I did not know that Captain Gomery was married," commented Jenneva.
"Not that kind of mate," frowned the little blue woman. "I mean his second in command."
"Chanz?" asked Alexander Tork.
"That is the one," nodded the fairy. "They are in the common room of an inn."
Alex frowned heavily. The message that he had passed through Prince Oscar had requested a private meeting with the captain.
Final Voyage of the Remora Page 3
