Ariel's Charm

by Marnie Lester

  Now he must accept that neither would return to Walhalla — ever! But what of the child Volanda had been carrying when they fled? That child was the rightful heir to the throne of Walhalla. But how could he find the child? He was not of a direct bloodline. He could not use the Palladox Charm.

  It was in this state of mind that people began approaching him and asking what they could do to overthrow Largo. Although most of the citizens of Walhalla lived in fear of Largo, the old saying about a whipped cur came to mind. Reynaldo remembered his father telling him, when he was small, that there was only so many times an animal could be kicked before it turned and attacked. Reynaldo could see this potential in the people of Walhalla. He knew that the time was coming when they would fight for their freedom and for their homeland.

  Still, the question of finding the child remained. Reynaldo soon found himself meeting an ever growing group of people, usually in the isolated forest of Leminor. These people came from all parts of Walhalla and all walks of life. Everyone from farmers to artists to ministers wanted to be part of the growing resistance movement. Reynaldo remembered one of the couples who impressed him. It was a farming couple from North Alderidge. The woman, Lantia, carried a worn but treasured scrapbook with old drawings of Dariew and Volanda. Reynaldo found himself touched by the genuine love of the woman for the former monarchs.

  It seemed only a few seasons later that word reached him of the mass poisonings that were taking place in villages that had sworn fealty to Dariew and Volanda. Reynaldo was shocked when he heard that Lantia and her husband Matteo, had fallen victim to Largo’s evil machinations. As Reynaldo continued to travel through Walhalla he heard that the son of Lantia and Matteo was vowing revenge against Largo for his parents’ deaths. He knew he must stop the boy from doing something so foolish.

  Reynaldo travelled to Golden City. The elandril riders had told him Marco was seeking work there. It was not difficult to find him. Reynaldo was in the outskirts of the woods behind the palace when he saw a tall, strapping lad come around with a wagon of manure. He waited until the boy noticed him then stepped forward and introduced himself. Marco’s pain and anger radiated through him as clearly as sunlight. Reynaldo recognised it for what it was, the same pain and anger that he had felt when he learned of Dariew and Volanda’s deaths. He also knew it was the kind of emotion that pushed people into doing impulsive and dangerous acts. Reynaldo wondered if the boy had taken this job on the possibility of getting close to Largo — close enough to kill.

  Reynaldo began to spend time with Marco and soon found he was a genuinely artless and honest young man. Reynaldo estimated his age at about two seasons older than Volanda’s child. An idea began to form in his mind. Part of him rejected it. He did not want to give into the possibility that he could be taking advantage of this boy. But a bigger part knew that he had to try. So he talked to Marco about his plan to bring the rightful heir home. He told Marco that he needed the Palladox Charm. Even Marco knew it would be impossible for Reynaldo to enter the palace. Marco found a way to acquire the chest containing the charm. He blushed when he told Reynaldo that he was forced to break the cabinet holding the box. Reynaldo knew it would be better for both of their sakes if they left Walhalla soon.

  The next part was more difficult. Reynaldo knew of the enchantment on the Palladox Charm. He knew that the enchantment would prevent him touching it. It seemed an impossible obstacle to overcome until he remembered hearing how the ancient ones created the enchantment on the charm. It was worth a try but how was he to find them? All he knew was that no one had seen them in Walhalla since the time of King Rufus and Queen Ariel. Where would they have gone?

  Reynaldo thought back to boyhood tales of the dark territories. It was the uncharted section of land in the west of Walhalla. Parents had frightened their children for years with tales of monsters to prevent them exploring the forbidden woods. It seemed likely that the Dark Territories would be the only place where they could remain out of sight for so long. This meant that Reynaldo had to overcome seasons of myths, legends and reservation and then travel somewhere that he had never dreamed he would. The reason for his quest to find the ancient ones made the risks insignificant. It may be a difficult and potentially pointless journey, but Reynaldo knew he had to try. It took many days travel before he reached the home of the ancient ones. Reynaldo could still visualise the breathtaking vista that was the world of the Keepers of the Gift.

  So he knelt before them and pleaded for their help. He was stunned to find that they had also been watching the child. The ancient ones told Reynaldo that the child had reached an age that made it possible to bring home the heir to the throne of Walhalla. They told him to seek a girl child who had the same striking beauty as her mother. They then lifted the enchantment from the charm, but told Reynaldo he could only use it once. After that the enchantment would return. This news did not completely surprise Reynaldo. He realised though, that if his journey was in vain and he was unable to find the child, he could never return to Walhalla. Reynaldo prayed that the next person who would touch the charm would be Dariew and Volanda’s child. As Reynaldo rose to walk away from them, they unexpectedly called him back. What they told Reynaldo made his blood run cold and made him question his actions.

  Chapter 34

  As they walked in companionable silence Marco kept glancing at Ariel trying to determine her thoughts. Although he had suffered the loss of his parents he had never truly felt alone. That was, until he made the leap with Reynaldo. The world they came into was grim and frightening. Marco knew there were very real dangers in Walhalla. He also knew that the Walhalla in which he had grown up was very different to the one his parents had told him about. He could still remember the sad, faraway look in his mother’s eyes as she told him of a time of plenty and contentment.

  Her stories were so vivid that Marco felt as though he had known King Dariew and Queen Volanda although they had fled from Walhalla when he was only an infant. His mother had a small scrapbook that had belonged to her brother Kylo who had been an artist and much in demand by members of Walhalla’s royal court during the reign of Ariel’s parents. The scrapbook that his mother possessed had featured a number of charcoal and lead sketches of a beautiful dark-haired woman and a handsome man with unusual grey eyes.

  After the death of his parents, Marco began his journey to Golden City. He knew that he would need to find employment if he was to survive. Marco had never been afraid of hard work. He had spent many hours on his father’s farm scything grain, chopping wood and repairing the family home and sheds. His time spent outside had given him a strong build and a healthy tan. It had also given him a sense of pride and contentment that helped him cope with his parents’ deaths.

  He lived with the elandril riders for a while after leaving his home; another people of Walhalla who Largo could not bend to his will. Marco sub-consciously knew that he could not live with them forever so headed to Golden City to try and earn a living. As Marco had experience with farming, it was not difficult to find employment. Marco was quickly taken as a stable hand by Salazar, the man who ran the palace stables.

  One day Marco was disposing of a wagon of manure when he met Reynaldo. The waste products from the drallions were disposed of in the fields behind the palace. Marco having grown up on a farm saw this as a huge waste as he recognised the fertilizing properties of the manure. Standing and shaking his head at the huge and rather smelly pile, he became conscious of being watched. Turning his head he saw a dark-haired man standing nearby. Reynaldo walked over to Marco, held out his hand and introduced himself and after the usual greetings Reynaldo asked Marco from where he hailed? After their first meeting, Reynaldo and Marco began to meet regularly in the field behind the palace.

  Reynaldo told Marco that he was staying in what once had been a small hunting lodge on the distant outskirts of Golden City. Reynaldo knew that if he entered Golden City recognition of him by Largo’s men would put him in a dangerous situation. Reynaldo was pleased when
Marco told him of the stories that his mother had shared about the former king and queen. He told Marco of his increasing concerns about the future of Walhalla under Largo’s reign. It was the sharing of this knowledge that hatched the plan between them to bring Ariel home.

  When he was working at the palace, Marco had been in the habit of taking his midday meal in the kitchens. He soon attracted a bevy of admirers in the serving maids of the palace. These girls fluttered around Marco offering to butter harrow bread, or pushing second helpings of everything on him, although part of Marco felt guilty that he knew he could use this situation to help with the plan. It was by charming one of these maids that he learned more about the layout of the palace and the location of Largo’s chambers.

  It was not difficult to learn about Largo’s movements and that Largo took part in regular training sessions with the palace sword master. Largo’s men were trained in both sword fighting and archery. The training of Largo’s forces was conducted in the arsenal courtyard. The weapons arsenal was a series of small sheds in the western section of the castle grounds some distance from the main part of the palace. Largo believed that a well-trained and well-armed army of men would aid in his instilling fear in the people and maintaining control. So Largo arranged for regular patrols by mounted squadrons of drallion riders through the surrounding villages. To keep his troops from becoming complacent and to keep his citizens intimidated, Largo, from time to time, would accompany his troops on their patrols.

  Marco’s duties in the stables included the saddling and haltering of the drallions readying them for their riders which helped him learn about the patrols. He discussed the routine of the patrols with Reynaldo and it was decided that these periods of absence by the men and Largo would be an ideal time for them to make their move. Reynaldo had told Marco about the Palladox charm and the importance of it in their plan.

  One morning the opportunity came for Reynaldo and Marco to set the plan into action. The troops were readied to go on patrol and Largo would be with them. Marco waited for the squadron of drallion riders to leave the palace with Largo and Patrail at their head.

  He waited until Salazar finished his inspection of the stables and left for the day. Marco bided his time then, unnoticed, slipped into the palace and made his way to Largo’s chambers. The chambers were unguarded so it was not difficult to gain entry. Reynaldo had told him of the chest holding the Palladox charm and where it would be stored. Marco glanced around to ensure that no-one was nearby before he entered the chamber. Soundlessly Marco moved across the dimly lit room. Marco paused at every noise; his heart pumping; all his senses finely tuned for threats and flight if need be.

  He found the small cabinet Reynaldo had told him about. Unlike the chamber door, the door of the old cabinet was securely locked. Marco cursed under his breath. He had no option — he must force the door open. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his folding knife that he had carried since he was a small boy. The old bone handle was worn and molded by use perfectly to fit the palm of his hand. Gently he eased the tip of the blade into the small gap behind the lock and carefully maneuvered the knife, until he heard a slight creak. He knew the next part would be more difficult. Grasping the small handle he pulled with all his might. A loud groan issued from the tortured wood. Marco froze for several moments, his heart pounding, waiting for the sound of running footsteps outside the room. They did not come and he breathed a sigh of relief. The wood of the door was ancient and brittle. Forcing the lock had splintered the wood; one hinge gave way and pulled out. Marco looked at the cabinet and realised that he could not hide the damage that he had done to the ancient wood.

  For the first time Marco looked upon the chest that held the Palladox charm; the magical item which might prove to be the salvation of Walhalla. The chest was covered in cryptic symbols that Marco did not understand. Its craftsmanship was perfect. Its lines and joins could not be matched by any craftsman in Walhalla. Marco marveled at its beauty. Carefully lifting out the chest, Marco slipped it inside his jerkin. Marco stayed where he was for a moment, his ears straining to hear the slightest sound. Apart from the sound of his heartbeat hammering in his ears, there was no other noise to indicate that he had been found.

  Walking to the door of the chamber he leaned his head against the wood and again listened for any sounds of movement. He did not even want to think about what would happen to him if Largo caught him. Marco carefully poked his head outside the door and checked that the corridor was clear then left the palace believing that he would not return again to Walhalla. Marco was intelligent and he knew that his actions had just made him a marked man; as long as Largo reigned Marco could not return to his homeland.

  Chapter 35

  Marco and Reynaldo now had the means to return the rightful heir to the throne. Marco still did not understand fully how the Palladox Charm worked or its true purpose. He had heard the stories as a boy, stories of ancient beings and powerful enchantments. He had always thought they were just make-believe. Yet, now holding this remarkable object in his hand, the stories seemed very true.

  As arranged, Marco again met Reynaldo at the edge of the Western Woods that skirted the back of the palace. Marco had never entered these woods. Other legends from childhood had prevented any natural curiosity. He knew these woods bordered the part of Walhalla simply known as The Dark Territories. The legends told of fearsome beasts and powerful beings that inhabited these woods. The stories were enough to keep a young man from venturing in unknown ground.

  Yet as he approached the woods he saw Reynaldo emerge from the dense trees. Somehow he knew these woods were not unfamiliar to Reynaldo. Somehow he knew that Reynaldo knew more about the Dark Territories than most of Walhalla.

  Reynaldo stepped forward and noticed Marco’s pallor and trembling hands. Clearly his theft of the charm had been harrowing. Reynaldo could not feel guilty about putting him through it, however. There was too much at stake. Reynaldo held his hand out and Marco placed the ancient chest in his hands. Reynaldo gazed at the extraordinary object. The box was made of the heavy cowl wood so it would last forever. Its surface was covered in exotic symbols that Reynaldo knew was the language of the ancient ones.

  Reynaldo hoped that their theft of the charm had not been in vain. A part of him knew that it was an enormous risk, trying to reach the ancient ones. It was also difficult to know if they would be willing to lift the enchantment to enable him to use the charm. The idea had come to him many seasons ago. Initially he had dismissed it as whimsical. But it had kept coming back. Finally he decided he had to try. He knew that no matter what the risks, the potential benefits far outweighed them.

  He gestured to Marco then turned back towards the woods. He knew it was a lengthy and perilous journey to Crystal City, the home of the ancient ones. He had taken a few steps when he realised he was walking alone. Reynaldo turned back and saw Marco, seemingly glued to the spot, his eyes wide and his face pale. Reynaldo knew that Marco had heard the legends of the dark territories. He stepped forward and lightly touched the younger man on his hand, his eyes locked on Marco’s.

  ‘Marco, we have an important task ahead of us.’ He hesitated. ‘I know you are afraid, but you must trust me. We will be safe.’

  Marco looked at the older man, the calm in his face, the reassurance in his eyes. Although he already had committed himself to helping Reynaldo, he knew that he would do so again without hesitation. Reynaldo’s strength and bravery shone from him like a beacon. He had a calm and an intelligence that made men follow him without question. Marco also knew of Reynaldo’s remarkable mili-tary record and fully understood how troops of men would follow his orders without question. Marco knew he felt that way now. Wherever this journey took them he would stay with Reynaldo.

  The two men turned toward the woods and began walking.

  It was many days later when they found themselves retracing their steps out of the forest. Marco walked in stunned silence, the image of Crystal City burned into his brain. Th
e journey to find the home of the ancient ones was confusing. Marco simply remembered images of huge trees and a thick mist that obscured everything around them. Strange creatures called at intervals yet somehow Marco knew that something was keeping these creatures at a distance. Finally he realised it was the presence of the Palladox Charm. He knew this when, after hearing a terrifying roar, he glanced down at Reynaldo’s hand and saw a faint glow coming from inside the chest.

  There were other things that Marco knew would never leave his mind, things that he also knew he would never speak of to anyone. The power and presence of Madrigor, the leader of the ancient ones, had left him feeling tiny. The air had vibrated with an energy that made Marco tremble. Marco had stood back and watched as Reynaldo spoke to the ancient ones. Reynaldo had knelt respectfully and asked for the power to use the Palladox Charm.