Champion

by Jon Kiln

  They were quickly placed into a covered wagon. It seemed the General did not want the citizens of Aelland to see merchants in chains. Not that there was anyone around as it was past the curfew time and the streets were deserted.

  “Uncle, keep faith. I will escape and rescue you as soon as I am able,” Ganry whispered into Ludas’s ear, disappointed by the turn of events, but not surprised.

  “Do not fear for me, I will not break,” his uncle assured him. “It is the Emperor who we should fear for. He is our priority. I will accept my fate in this, whatever it may be.”

  The journey was a brief one and soon they were all led out of the wagon and through the passageway of the palace into the dungeons. They were placed in a huge metal barred cage together, and their chains removed by the guards before the doors were locked.

  The cage already had a resident who was sleeping on one of the many benches that were placed on the far wall. Riley, one of the mercenary leaders, went to investigate, and he was stunned to see who it was.

  There, fast asleep under a thin, dirty blanket, was the Emperor.

  Soon, all the prisoners were gathered around the sleeping monarch.

  “He looks in a very deep, sleep,” one voice said.

  “He’s definitely breathing,” said another, with relief.

  Though the merchants spoke in a hushed reverent tone, they were pleased at finding the Emperor alive.

  “Can you awaken him, Riley?” Ganry asked the mercenary. Riley appeared wiry, but strong. A pointed beard adorned the bottom of his chin, tied with thin rope. Ganry thought the fashion was dangerous, liable to be grabbed in a scuffle.

  “Nay, I think he’s under some sort of spell.”

  Riley and Ganry moved away from the merchants to speak quietly together.

  “Barely a year ago I would have refused to believe you, even laughed in your face at the thought of magic,” Ganry said. “But now, after what I’ve seen these past few months, I believe there are many unexplained events and happenings.”

  “Damn witches,” Riley spat. “The Emperor was right to ban them. He should have gone further and exiled them all. It is all Jeon’s fault, he wanted the witches as part of his forces. It seems we now know why. He is using them to gain control of Mirnee.”

  “No, I think it is more than that.” Ganry remembered the army of the undead that they had seen the other night. “I believe his plans spread beyond the borders of Mirnee.”

  “Surely the army is not strong enough to invade our neighbors?”

  Ganry decided to share with Riley the strange sights they had witnessed the other night. How it appeared that the witches were gathering a force of what Ganry now believed to be the undead.

  “I had heard rumors of dark arts in the Kingdom,” Riley said. “But I would never have believed Jeon to resort to such evilness.”

  “I’m beginning to wonder who’s in charge now, Jeon or the witches? I feel the good General may no longer be running the show. He has unleashed a power that he cannot control. I hope we can work together in these dark times. We will all be in need of allies that we can trust.”

  Riley held out his hand and gave the secret sign of the blood mercenary group. Ganry responded with the appropriate return gesture. Their budding alliance was struck and sealed. The mercenary code of honor was strong, but Ganry knew that those that fight for gold can be easily swayed, so he vowed to keep a close eye on Riley all the same.

  14

  The Emperor had aged considerably since his last public appearance, and all the merchants in the cage were visibly shocked. His skin had yellowed and he looked drawn and haggard. Magic must take much out of the body and mind. He started to come around in small stints. Every time his eyes opened, Ganry was by his side.

  “I’ve been thinking, Ganry,” he heard his uncle’s voice as he knelt on the floor by his side. “We must have a traitor among us, and I think I know who it may be.”

  “You need to be careful of what you say, uncle, this is a serious accusation and you would not want to get it wrong.”

  “I know but I feel I am correct in my thinking,” Ludas whispered. “There is one who has not been arrested because he wasn’t there. The tailor, Jed. Remember he left claiming to have another appointment in the palace that he dare not miss. Do you think that it was a simply ploy to get out of the way?”

  “It is a thought, uncle, but let’s not presume him guilty until we are more certain. Many who were there the night before were absent today. I feel you should keep these thoughts to yourself for now, until we have more proof of his duplicity.”

  “What are you two young ones plotting and planning there?” The Emperor’s frail and shaky voice interrupted their hushed conversation.

  “Nestor, my friend,” Ludas said with delight as he went to grab ahold of the Emperor’s frail and bony hands. “It is so good to see you awake.”

  The Emperor attempted to sit up. “Yes, I thought it a familiar face and voice that has been by my side all these hours. Ganry, my boy, welcome home.”

  Ganry was truly pleased to see the Emperor awake. It had been a long time since he was last by this great man’s side.

  “I regret having you exiled, but that was the only way to appease Jeon after the passing of his son. It was either banishment or death, as you know,” the Emperor stated. “I have missed you, boy,”

  “I am hardly a boy anymore, my Lord,” Ganry laughed.

  “Parents always tell me that their children never seem to grow up in their own eyes and that is how I see you. You will always be a boy in my heart.” The Emperor laid back down as he spoke. He was still very weakened by the magic that had burned through every vein of his being. “Be careful what you say Ganry, I fear I am still under the witch’s influence.”

  “You should rest. You need to conserve your strength.” Ganry helped him to lay back down. “You have friends by your side.”

  “I fear Jeon has put us together for his own causes and not to allow us to reminisce,” the Emperor said as his breath slowed down and he closed his eyes.

  “He has a point there, uncle,” Ganry agreed. “Jeon is up to something. I too, fear it is not simply per chance that we meet the Emperor here.”

  “How right you are,” a voice cut across the murmur in the cage.

  Ganry stood and turned in the direction of the voice, a voice he knew well. General Jeon was standing at the other side of the metal barred door, a smug smile on his face. He had forgotten how much he hated this man, but it began to well-up, leaving him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He said nothing.

  “Nestor can stay with his friends if he simply provides me with the information that I require from him,” Jeon said, as if the task was an easy one.

  General Jeon stared at Ganry, and he too felt the swell of hatred. When the commander of the raiding party told him that he had the person he hated most upon this world, in his dungeon, his instant thoughts were to have him killed immediately. Yet, that would be too easy. He would love nothing more than to torture this man, over days and weeks, but he did not have the time to stay and enjoy such a pleasure. Not when he was readying for an invasion into Palara.

  “The great and gallant Ganry, finally shows his face,” Jeon said with a deep, sardonic tone. “Oh, I have longed to see you again, my old friend. Probably just as much as our Emperor here, but for different reasons. Nestor would welcome you as a returning hero, but I know you for the coward you are. Because of you my son is dead, and I will have my revenge.”

  Jeon’s voice was getting louder with every word, until at the end he was shouting out in his rage.

  Ganry did not flinch at his words. He had no fear of this man. He was only fearful for the Emperor and his uncle.

  “I hear you have a following of witches these days.” Ganry broke the silence of the two men as their eyes locked into one another.

  “You know nothing, you upstart. I have the power to kill every man in this room,” Jeon threatened. “But I am merciful and will
only be killing you, today.” Still, Ganry did not shift his stance. “It’s a pity I don’t have the time to do it myself,” Jeon continued. “Then again, I have a pretty young Queen to conquer. Already, I have broken the borders of Palara. Oh yes, I hear you have a fondness for the beautiful Myriam. If I remember rightly, she will be about the age of your own daughter, if she was still alive. It hurts to lose a child, don’t you agree?”

  “The Queen of Palara has a strong army and strong allies to call upon. She will be ready to deal with any trespassers who attempt to cross her borders.” Ganry’s response was calm and measured, although his blood boiled with rage.

  “Ah, but I have a trick or two up my sleeve, Ganry. Once my special forces are deployed, the Palaran army will flee before them, quaking with fear.”

  “I have seen your special forces, and it is not you who commands them, Jeon. You allow the witches too much power. Once they have what they want from you, then you too will march in the ranks of the undead.”

  General Jeon was momentarily speechless. How could Ganry know of his army of the undead? Perhaps he was bluffing, but he certainly seemed confident in his words.

  “Besides, Myriam has someone who is easily a match for your witches, should they dare to cross into Palara. He will send them straight back to the dark hole they were spawned from.”

  In truth, Ganry was talking up Hendon’s ability. He was not sure he could deal with the witches, but he wanted to cast doubt in Jeon’s mind, try and delay the invasion.

  General Jeon was furious, but Ganry’s words had concerned him. He had heard of the wizard who was loyal to the Queen. Rumor was that she had powerful magics at her disposal, but surely he was only one man. He said nothing, not allowing his enemy any pleasure in knowing he had struck a nerve. He needed to collect his thoughts. He would love nothing better than to give this murderous traitor a long and slow death, but right now, other more important matters required his attention. The boy must be found. Only his blood would suffice for the ritual.

  “Your time will come, Ganry. You will pay for the death of my son, of this I promise,” Jeon threatened. “First, I will destroy everything you hold dear, and then I will personally kill you.” With those words the General turned and left, leaving Ganry shaking with rage.

  15

  Ganry returned to the Emperor who was still awake.

  “He’s in Palara with the white wolves,” the Emperor whispered into his ear.

  Ganry acted as if the Emperor had said nothing, but now, he knew the child’s whereabouts.

  “Rest, old man,” Ganry said, laying his hand on the Emperor’s arms that lay across his chest.

  Nestor was tired, so very tired, but now he knew that his son would be in safe hands. He trusted Ganry and had finally shared the information that the treacherous General had wanted so very badly. Now he could truly rest.

  Riley covered the Emperor with the blanket. It would give little warmth but Ganry appreciated the gesture and nodded his approval.

  “Do you think he’ll survive?” Ludas asked, knowing Ganry could not give such an answer. It was more a rhetoric question.

  Ganry looked at his uncle sadly. He could not say, only time would tell. The Emperor had suffered much over the last few months, his body tormented with dark magic to force him to reveal the location of his son. Yet still, he was a strong man, he had not succumbed, and even now there was hope that he could survive.

  “I hope so, uncle. He comes from a strong bloodline, there is hope still. But I cannot stay to protect him. I have important matters to attend to in Palara.”

  “I understand, you have a new life now, new loyalties, and we must accept that. I am just grateful that I got to see you again.” Ludas looked at his nephew and wished he could change the events of the past.

  “My loyalties always lay with my family, uncle, even to my father,” Ganry tried to explain. “But, I have a new Queen, and she needs me.”

  “I know, and I do not hold it against you,” Ludas told him truthfully. “We all must go where our heart takes us, and yours lies in Palara now.”

  Ludas seated himself next to the sleeping Emperor, perhaps hoping that if he willed it, then the leader would live.

  Ganry looked at the two old men. His uncle was weary, and the Emperor hovered on death’s door. He wished he could do more, but he had to concentrate on the child. It was becoming clear to him now that this was much more than a simple coup. Not even a grab for power, by Jeon. Something else motivated him, but what?

  Maybe when he found the boy, the answer would be clearer. Jeon must have some idea that he was in Palara for him to be taking the steps to invade. He must make plans of escape, but he could not do that without help. He approached the mercenary, Riley, knowing that he would need his contacts if he was to escape Mirnee.

  “Riley, we must speak,” Ganry said to his new acquaintance, praying that he could trust this man.

  ***

  General Jeon sat in the throne room. He had never sat upon the throne and he had no desire to do so. His yearning for power was nothing to do with wealth or control. He needed the witches and their magic. Many years ago, he had agreed to help stop their persecution by the Emperor, and his reward was to be the day they raised his son, Porteus, from the dead. He would not be like those shuffling creatures that are part of the attack on Palara. His son would return as he remembered him. All he needed now, was the Emperor’s child, the royal albino. Only his blood could open the portal and free their Mistress, the witch Thalia. She had been banished from this world by another royal albino, over one thousand years ago. Royal albinos are very rare and it had been over a millennia since the last one. Now, at last, the means to bring back his son was at hand.

  When General Jeon had suffered the deep grief from the loss of his only son, the witches had approached him. They made promises that he could be with his son, once again, in this life. Overwrought with his sadness, he had agreed, and had no regrets.

  “Sire, he is here,” a voice broke his thoughts.

  “Bring him in, quickly,” the General ordered. “I don’t wish him to be seen by anyone.”

  The man was brought into the room, though he hid his face under the hood of his cloak.

  “I am going to make it easy for you to help Ganry escape from the prison. I must have the Emperor’s boy, and Ganry will lead me to him. The Emperor will have given him the information about the child. Ganry will do everything he can to save it. Just leave messages where you have been instructed to, along the road. I will be following.”

  The man bowed his head but said nothing, his face still hidden in the hood.

  “That will be all,” the General dismissed him. “You will be given all that you need.”

  General Jeon was once again alone with his thoughts. He yearned for the day he and his son would be together again. Was it wrong for a father to love his child enough to do the things he did? Always he questioned himself, but having his son back was all that mattered.

  ***

  Artas was readying himself for an evening of hard work. He had agreed to help Daphne deliver some of her herbal medicines to the sick. She had explained that she only went to those who needed care through the night. Others cared for them during the day. These medicines had to be administered soon after they were concocted, otherwise they would lose their healing power.

  “I am a healer, Artas, that is what I do,” she had told him. “That is what I have always done. It is made harder now with the curfew.”

  “Why do you suppose the General has imposed this curfew?” he had asked her.

  “I see many strange things as I go about my business. I think that whatever they do on an evening, they do not want the people of Aelland to see. Sometimes, I see the witches leading strange apparitions, like the ones we saw the other night.” She shivered at the memory. “You saw them too, you know of what I say is true. They have the smell and look of death, yet they walk the streets of Aelland.”

  Artas shivered als
o at the memory of the columns of creatures that smelt of death. He hoped they did not come across them again on their nightly prowl.

  As soon as the sun set, Daphne packed the medicines into her bag and they set off into the night. Any thoughts of meeting the creatures was soon forgotten as the night was a glorious one. The moon was full and bright, and the sky alight with millions of stars. Under other circumstances he could think of no better setting to be out with such a pretty girl.

  As they arrived at each house, Artas waited outside. Daphne did not wish to startle the ill by explaining she now had a bodyguard. Plus, he could watch out for the witches. On one occasion he had spotted them passing the end of a long street. Keeping himself in the shadows, Daphne had opened the door to come out of the house. Luckily, he had managed to pull her against the wall, and they let the witch and her Night Shadows pass them by.

  He waited outside the last house, glad that the evening was over and they could both go back to safety and off to their beds. As he stood in the shadows, he heard a voice calling him, softly. It sounded like Daphne’s voice, but yet he knew she was still in the home she had entered.

  Artas, I need you, come quickly.

  Artas tried to ignore it, thinking he was tired and his mind was playing tricks on him, but the voice sang out to him, urging him to come to her.

  He turned into a small alleyway, and there she was, at the far end. She seemed to be sheathed in a soft warm glow and she held her arms open, invitingly.

  Come my love. Come to me. I am in need of a brave knight…

  The voice was beautiful and so was the speaker. He could see now that it was not Daphne, but a beautiful woman with long flowing silver hair, dressed in a long silver gown.

  I have an errand for you, my love, an errand of love. I will reward you well…

  “Artas!” someone shouted his name loudly. Was that Daphne’s voice?