Knights of Alcea

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "To confuse the followers?" posed Tedi. "Travelers would think it was the same priest."

  "But for what purpose?" frowned Bin-lu.

  "What if K'san is not a name?" suggested Natia. "What if it is a title? I mean, what kind of name is K'san anyway? It is not Lanoirian."

  "No, it isn't," agreed Rut-ki. "I just assumed that he was a foreigner."

  * * *

  The cave was dark, but Tanya knew the way through it by heart. She did not bother to light a torch as she closed the door and let the darkness envelope her. She walked slowly across the open space between the Doors and prepared to open the second Door. She halted for a moment to put herself in the right frame of mind and then opened the Door. She steeped into Jenneva's study in Atar's Cove.

  "Tanya!" greeted Jenneva as she rose from behind her desk. "It has been too long. Can you stay for the evening meal?"

  "That is exactly why I have come," smiled Tanya. "Is Father home?"

  "He got back less than an hour ago," answered Jenneva. "He will be thrilled to see you. I hope you are in the mood for fish?"

  "Of course," laughed Tanya. "What else would I expect to be served at a fisherman's home?"

  "Go out and see him," urged Jenneva as she hugged the queen. "I will finish up here and start the meal."

  "I would like to help with the preparations," Tanya said as she made her way to the door leading downstairs. "They never let me cook in Tagaret."

  "Queen's don't cook," chuckled Jenneva, "but I look forward to your help."

  Tanya exited the study and danced down the stairs. She had not visited her parents in months, and she suddenly wondered why she had not. She paused on the stairs and gazed out the window. Alexander Tork was cleaning fish at the dock, and Tanya thought she could hear him whistling to himself. She smiled broadly and continued down the stairs and out the front door of the house. She ran towards the dock and Alex turned to watch her approach before she was halfway there.

  "I see you haven't lost your knack for sensing strangers," greeted Tanya.

  Alex's face beamed as he watched his daughter approach. "I would hardly call you a stranger," he grinned, "but it has been some time since you visited."

  Tanya ran to the dock and wrapped her arms around Alex. The fisherman hugged Tanya back with his arms, but he kept his hands away from her.

  "Careful," he laughed, "you will get scales all over your queenly self."

  Tanya kissed Alex on the cheek and released him. "It looks like you have this fisherman thing down pat," commented Tanya. "Are you still enjoying it?"

  "Very much so," answered Alex. "I find it peaceful and calming. We have a very idyllic lifestyle here in Atar's Cove. How are you adjusting to being a queen?"

  "It is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be," giggled Tanya. "Arik is good at getting me out of the palace every once in a while."

  "Are you happy?" Alex asked in a serious tone.

  "Very," smiled Tanya as she noticed a large dog curled up on the dock. The dog was staring at her. "When did you get a dog?"

  "About a month ago," Alex answered. "His name is Smokey."

  "Appropriate," Tanya responded as she walked over and patted the grayish-black dog's head. "Where did you find him?"

  "I didn't," replied Alex. "He found me. "The poor thing must have fallen overboard from some ship. I was out fishing, and he swam up to the boat. He was cold and exhausted by the time he found me. It was rather fortunate because there was not another boat in sight that day. He's a good tempered beast, and he keeps me company."

  "He goes out fishing with you?" asked Tanya.

  "Sometimes," Alex nodded as he cleaned his hands. "Other times he stays here and frolics with the unicorns."

  "Are Kaz and Yorra still happy with their decision to stay at Atar's Cove?" asked Tanya.

  "Very much so," smiled Alex. "Come and I will show you the young ones."

  "Young ones?" echoed Tanya. "Kaz and Yorra had babies?"

  "Two of them," grinned Alex. "You should bring Chaco and Frea some day."

  Alex stopped suddenly and turned to face his daughter as if something just tugged on his mind. "Why didn't Arik come with you?" he asked. "You two aren't fighting are you?"

  "Goodness, no," smiled Tanya. "Arik is always busy with one thing or another. If I waited for him to be free, I probably wouldn't be here now."

  "Are there troubles in Alcea?" asked Alex.

  "Alcea covers the entire continent, Father," replied Tanya. "With that many people there are always problems. Arik can deal with it. Show me the unicorns."

  "Alright," Alex nodded as he resumed leading Tanya around to the rear of the house.

  Tanya saw the baby unicorns, and she screeched with delight. Kaz and Yorra saw Tanya coming, and their eyes twinkled with pride. While Tanya conversed with the unicorns, Alex slipped into the house and found Jenneva in the kitchen.

  "Did she say why Arik didn't come?" Alex asked Jenneva.

  "Don't get involved," Jenneva cautioned.

  "I am not getting involved," Alex retorted. "I just think it is strange that she came alone."

  "Why don't you ask her?" Jenneva suggested.

  "I did," Alex sighed. "She said he was busy and immediately changed the subject. I think something is wrong."

  "Nonsense," countered Jenneva. "You just can't imagine anyone surviving without Alexander Tork around to save them. Arik and Tanya can run Alcea without our help. Keep your nose out of it."

  "That was harsh," Alex retorted. "I very much enjoy our life here in Atar's Cove, and you know it. I just cannot dismiss an intuition that was honed over many years."

  "And your gut tells you that something is amiss?" Jenneva asked as she stopped preparing the vegetables.

  "It does," Alex nodded. "It is not anything that Tanya has said, but rather what she is not saying."

  "What do you mean?" questioned Jenneva.

  "She has not spoken of Alcea at all," replied Alex. "She has not griped about any petty problems, nor has she shed light on any joys in her life. She has said nothing."

  "Maybe she will open up over dinner," Jenneva shrugged. "If she is having problems with Arik, she will talk about it."

  The sound of Tanya entering the house caused the conversation to end.

  "I will go and finish up with the fish," offered Alex. "Maybe you two will talk while you prepare the meal."

  Tanya entered as Alex was leaving the kitchen.

  "The babies are adorable," Tanya said as she started to help Jenneva prepare the meal. "You must be thrilled to have them."

  "We are," smiled Jenneva. "Kaz and Yorra are teaching them to fly already. Soon they will all fly to Monoceros to meet their people."

  "Will you and Father go along for the ride?" asked Tanya.

  Jenneva stopped and turned towards Tanya with a thoughtful look on her face. "We had not discussed that, but it might make for a wonderful excursion. Perhaps you and Arik would join us?"

  "I would love to," Tanya frowned, "but now is not a good time for it. Maybe we will go another time."

  "So there are troubles in Tagaret?" Jenneva asked. "Is that why you came?"

  "Do there have to be troubles in Tagaret for a daughter to visit her parents?" Tanya retorted defensively. "In truth, Tagaret is just fine. Arik and I have been doing a bit of traveling lately, and taking the time for a journey to Monoceros would just be too much as this point in time."

  "I am sorry," Jenneva apologized. "I did not mean that the way it came out. Alex was concerned that something might be wrong, and you know his thoughts rub off on me. Where have you been traveling?"

  "We just got back from a trip to Cordonia," Tanya answered, "and Elderal as well. It was good to see Prince Garong again."

  The sound of playful barking drifted in through the window followed by Alex calling the dog's name.

  "The mighty fisherman comes with dinner," giggled Jenneva.

  "Is he truly happy being a fisherman?" Tanya asked softly.

 
; "Very much so," Jenneva smiled. "No one had more doubts about his ability to settle down than I did, but he truly loves the quietness of it all. He arises early every morning and exercises before shoving off in his little boat. He is gone most of the day and always comes home whistling a merry tune. It doesn't even matter whether or not he catches anything, although he usually does. He just loves the solitude and peace."

  "What a contrast to the life he was forced to live," Tanya commented. "I am happy that he has finally found peace. What about you?"

  "Oh, I am very happy," smiled Jenneva. "I have all day to read through the multitude of books that I have accumulated. There is so much knowledge in those tomes that I will never absorb it all."

  "So you each have your own little kingdom of peace?" pressed Tanya.

  "We are alone much of the day," nodded Jenneva, "but we share the nights with one another. We almost always light a fire and lounge around and talk. It is much like it was when we were searching for the lost children. The nights were always the best part of the day for us. It was a time when we could get to know one another and relax in the comfort of each other's arms."

  "Do you ever miss that other life?" asked Tanya. "I mean, it is hard to picture you two as the world's greatest warrior and the most accomplished magician. Do you miss the excitement and the glory of being Knights of Alcea?"

  Jenneva frowned and shook her head. "Neither of us ever sought glory. You know that. As for the excitement, we are managing just fine without it. Neither of us ever chose that life, Tanya. It was a life that was chosen for us. Had it been our right to choose, you would have grown up on this island as the daughter of a fisherman."

  "Instead of becoming a queen," smiled Tanya. "I, too, could accept that with one small caveat. I would not have met Arik living on this island."

  Jenneva smiled broadly as she realized that Alex was wrong about there being problems between Arik and Tanya. The way Tanya's eyes lit up when she said Arik's name spoke wonders about her love for the king.

  Alex returned with the fish, and the women finished preparing the meal. Smokey came into the house and curled up on the floor as the family ate. After dinner, Alex started a fire in the fireplace and everyone sat around and talked. Tanya was interested in hearing every little detail about her parents' lives, but she avoided any talk about the troubles in Alcea. While she had avoided raising suspicions by saying that all was well in Tagaret, the same could not be truthfully said about the rest of Alcea. After several hours of talking, Tanya rose to leave.

  "This was fun," smiled Tanya. "I really must find time to come here more often."

  "And bring Arik the next time," stated Alex. "We would enjoy seeing him again."

  Alex started to rise to walk Tanya to the study and the connecting door to Egam's cave, but Tanya waved him off.

  "I can find my way in the dark," declared Tanya. "You two stay and enjoy the fire."

  Alex settled back down, and Tanya headed up the stairs. When she reached Jenneva's study, she opened her breast pocket and stirred a fairy to life. Bantam stretched and yawned, and Tanya whispered instructions to the tiny woman. Leaving the fairy behind, Tanya stepped through the Door to Egam's cave and then through another Door to her study in the Royal Palace of Tagaret. The king was dozing in a chair and woke as she entered the room.

  "You were gone a long time," stated Arik. "The meeting ended hours ago."

  "It was time well spent," shrugged Tanya. "What were the results of the meeting?"

  "Nothing conclusive yet," answered Arik. "We will meet again in the morning. Are Alex and Jenneva coming?"

  "No," Tanya replied. "I decided not to bother them."

  "What?" balked the king. "I thought the purpose of going there was to get them to come to the meeting?"

  "That was the purpose," sighed Tanya, "but I won't do it. They have spent their lives saving the world from its troubles, Arik. Now they truly have a life of peace and quiet. They have earned it, and I will not take that away from them. And certainly not for the minor problems that Alcea is facing today. So we have a rogue religion. We have faced that before with Azmet and the followers of Abuud. We can handle it."

  "And the attacks on the dwarves and the marauding elves?" asked Arik.

  "Another minor problem," shrugged Tanya. "Elves, dwarves, and humans have been at each other's throats for millenniums. You managed to unite them all under your banner before. I am sure that you can do so again."

  "And the assassins searching for the sailors?" Arik pressed.

  "I don't know what to make of that," Tanya conceded, "but assassins are not something you need the world's greatest warrior to handle. Wylan will do just fine. You are the king, Arik. All of these problems are serious, but it is not like Alcea is going to fall apart because of them. We can handle it without tearing my parents away from the solitude they so courageously earned."

  "I guess you are right," Arik conceded. "I know that we can solve these problems ourselves, but it is hard to ignore resources as helpful as Alex and Jenneva. Did you at least leave a fairy with them?"

  "I left Bantam," nodded Tanya. "I told her to stay hidden so that my parents did not become alarmed. You know how Alex can always smell danger. If he saw a fairy, he would be here in an instant."

  "Doesn't that prove that he would want to be involved?" posed the king.

  "No," Tanya shook her head. "It only shows that my parents will forego their own happiness to right the wrongs of the world. They have done that for all of their lives. They always took on the weight of saving everyone else. Now it is their time to enjoy life. Leave them alone."

  * * *

  "That was a pleasant visit," Jenneva said after Tanya had left. "I really enjoyed seeing her."

  "As did I," agreed Alex. "Did she give you any indication of how serious the problem is while I was outside?"

  "Don't start that again, Alex," warned Jenneva. "There is no problem with Tanya, and certainly not in her relationship with Arik. She is still very much in love with him."

  "I never suspected otherwise," Alex said defensively, "but there is a problem that she is hiding. We talked for hours, and she never said anything about Alcea. She was afraid of saying the wrong thing."

  "Why must you see danger where none exists?" retorted Jenneva.

  "I have learned to trust my gut," countered Alex. "It has never steered me wrong before. There is definitely some problem weighing heavy on Tanya's mind, and it concerns the well-being of Alcea."

  "Then why wouldn't she just come out and say so?" asked Jenneva. "Surely, she knows that we would be in Tagaret within minutes if she or Arik needed us?"

  "Indeed," nodded Alex. "That is precisely why she avoided saying anything. Did you notice how many times she asked how we were enjoying our retirement? I think she came here to enlist our help with some problem, but decided that she could not do so."

  "And I think you are just too suspicious for your own good," declared Jenneva. "The King and Queen of Alcea are extremely talented people, and they have wonderful advisors. Can't you just be happy staying here with me?"

  "I have never been happier," admitted Alex. "I truly mean that. I know you think I am itching for excitement, but you are wrong. I just can't help worrying about them. Do you remember the conversation we once had with Tanya before she knew who we were? She asked why we had dedicated our lives to finding the Children of the Collapse instead of just living our lives as we wanted to."

  "I remember it," sighed Jenneva. "We tried to explain that we did it because we could and no one else could, but that was the Ancient Prophecy. We were commanded to do it by the Mage."

  "We were commanded to do it," nodded Alex, "but that is not why we did it. We both felt an obligation to use the skills we were given for the good of mankind. You cannot retire those feelings, Jenneva. It is who we are."

  "We may not be able to get rid of those feelings," Jenneva responded, "but we do not have to go looking for trouble, either. When Tanya or Arik asks for our help,
we will immediately respond, but that has not happened yet. Let's hope that it doesn't."

  Chapter 14

  Welcome Home

  After Tanya left Atar's Cove, Jenneva went to her study, leaving Alex alone downstairs smoking his pipe. Smokey was curled up next to Alex, content to be near his master. Alex tried to relax, but he could not shake the feeling that Arik and Tanya were in some kind of trouble. He had never understood where his sense of danger originated from, but he knew enough to always listen to it. He was sure that Tanya had hidden something from him when she visited.

  Suddenly, Smokey's ears rose. He lifted his head and opened his eyes. The dog got to his feet, his nose sniffing the air. Silently, the dog padded across the room and peered into the kitchen. Alex sat staring into the fire, his eyes transfixed on the leaping flames as he tried to imagine what troubles Tanya had not mentioned. He finally noticed that Smokey was no longer curled up near him when the dog's teeth grabbed the arm of Alex's tunic and pulled. Alex frowned at the dog's behavior, but it was clear that the dog wanted something. Alex got to his feet.

  Once again Smokey moved silently across the room, and Alex followed. The dog entered the kitchen and stared at a shelf. Alex followed the dog's gaze to a bowl of fruit.

  "You want some fruit, boy?" Alex asked.

  Smokey barked, but not a joyful bark. The dog bared his teeth and growled menacingly. Alex became instantly alert as he looked at the bowl of fruit and the shelf that held it. Cautiously, he reached out and snatched the bowl of fruit. A tiny blue fairy tumbled from the bowl, her wings beating furiously as the dog leaped at her.

  "No, Smokey!" Alex said quickly. "Fairies are not to be harmed."

  "Keep that beast away from me," shuddered Bantam as she hovered near the ceiling.

  "On my shoulder," commanded Alex. "I will know the reason why a spy has been sent to my home."

  "I am not spying," replied Bantam. "I was just helping myself to some fruit. Surely you would not begrudge me a small piece of fruit?"