Champion

by Jon Kiln

  He looked around to see the shape of a figure, standing at the entrance of the alleyway that he had just entered. When he turned back to look at the beautiful woman, she was gone.

  “Artas, why are you here? You are supposed to be keeping watch!” Daphne asked him angrily.

  Artas was confused for a moment. Where had his love gone?

  “Come on, we are finished. It’s time to return,” Daphne said as she took ahold of his arm, dragging him out of the dark, spooky alleyway. “Some bodyguard you turn out to be,” she mumbled as she finally got him to turn around. For a few moments he seemed distracted, confused even. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a red flash in his eyes, but it was soon gone. Once again, she thought to herself, her imagination was getting the better of her. “Time we got back. I think we both need to get some sleep.”

  16

  “You have to help me, we have to free Ganry,” Artas pleaded with Daphne.

  “I think rescuing the Emperor is more important,” she replied.

  They had been arguing over this for most of the day and Artas was becoming frustrated at her stubbornness.

  “How many times do I have to explain it to you. If Ganry is free, he will see to the rest. He is the key to our success.”

  “So you keep telling me.” Daphne was equally frustrated at Artas’s insistence that they should rescue the grizzled warrior. “I don’t know him, but I do know my Emperor, and he is far more important than any soldier.”

  “Fine.” Artas threw his hands up in the air and stood up, turning his back on the girl. “You go your way and I’ll go mine. If we cannot work this out together then we must part ways.”

  “If that’s how it has to be, then so be it.” she said, not wishing to communicate with this pompous young man any further.

  Throughout the day they stayed apart from each other, both preparing for their missions that very night. At one point, Daphne, trying to make some kind of peace, went in search of Artas but he was nowhere to be seen. Just before nightfall she spotted him, packing his backpack with rope and climbing implements.

  “Where have you been all day?” she asked, not really caring if he answered or not.

  “Mind your own business,” was his curt response.

  “Fine, go get yourself captured or maybe even killed. See if I care,” Daphne said, storming off.

  Artas set off that very evening. Although he was getting used to moving about this community in the dark, it still took him longer than he would have hoped to find the apple orchard. This was his way onto the Palace level. Once in the grounds, he needed to find the stables.

  He was feeling pretty nervous and jumpy at every unexpected noise, sometimes thinking he could see shapes in the shadows, but when he looked closer there was nothing. By this point he was wishing he could have convinced Daphne to come with him. He regretted being rude to her but the truth was he couldn’t remember where he had gone earlier that day. It was like most of the day was a blank in his mind. He remembered being out in the market, but the next thing he knew, he was back in the bakery. All the hours in between were a blank and he had no idea why.

  Unbeknown to him, Daphne was following in his footsteps, having decided it would be better to work with him, but without his knowledge. She watched his back as that would be more useful than them arguing constantly, had they tried to work together. Besides, he would no doubt need rescuing at some point. She smiled to herself as she watched him wander around the streets, more often than not taking the wrong turn. It was nothing short of a miracle when he eventually found the apple orchard. Once he disappeared over the wall, she gave him a few minutes before following.

  It was going to be a long evening. Artas knew he had to get through all the secret tunnels that criss crossed this building. If he wasn’t careful, he could easily get lost and spend the rest of his life wandering around this damn palace. He had to free Ganry tonight, and they needed to finish this quest as quickly as possible. That way, this whole thing might be ended so life can return back to normal, not that he can remember what normal felt like.

  In the last few years he had lost his parents to the usurper, Duke Harald. Also, during the coup, he had seen good men killed when they had gone on a mission to find the dragons. Whilst he had become injured, at least he still had his life, which was more than his friends had. It was because of this injury that he had been left behind as Regent when Myriam had gone to rescue her grandmother from the plains of Vandemland. Now, one of the borders was threatened by Mirnee, and he would do anything to make this problem disappear. After all, the problems of the leader of Mirnee were not the problems of Queen Myriam of Palara.

  Luck was with him this night. For once he was doing all the right things and he soon found himself standing outside the dungeon gates. Perhaps he had some special link with Ganry because they were such good friends. No matter, the main thing was, all the pathways had been clear and he could use stealth.

  As he stood by the metal grid in a stone wall, he could hear a number of people making low wailing noises, pitiful and desperate. The sound sent shivers up and down his spine and spooked him even more than he already was.

  Looking through the metal bars, he saw two guards sitting at a table, both slumped forward. The rhythm of their breathing was of someone in a heavy slumber. Pushing slowly on the gate, he was amazed to feel the doors give way. He stepped quietly into the darkened room. His luck really was with him tonight, as on the table lay a set of keys.

  Quietly, he approached the guards, who seemed to have fallen asleep whilst playing a dice game. He picked up the keys and walked the passageways, seeking Ganry. Something niggled him in the back of his mind. This was all going so easy. Still, he pushed aside the warning bells and moved deeper into the darkness.

  “Artas, over here!” a voice whispered loudly in the dark. “You are a welcome sight, but I am surprised to see you walking the corridors of the dungeons.”

  “I’ve even got these.” Artas dangled the keys in front of him, feeling pleased with himself. He quickly unlocked the barred door of the cage that Ganry was imprisoned within.

  “We must go quickly, the guards are asleep but I doubt they will be for much longer,” Artas quickly informed him.

  “Ganry, you must go alone,” Ludas said as he approached them. “We cannot risk you getting caught. The boy is important, go find him.”

  Ganry nodded his agreement. He had more chance of escape if there were fewer of them. He called over to Riley, who joined them, ready to make his escape too.

  In no time, the keys were back on the table and the three men were on their escape route out of the palace, and out of the town.

  All the while, Daphne had been watching from the shadows as the men made their leave. She waited a few moments before making her own move. The guards still slept and she took the keys and entered the cell.

  Ludas, fearing the worse when the door opened again, was surprised but pleased to see Daphne. After listening to her plan of escape, this time he agreed to go with her. If they were caught, at least they had nothing to lose. One of the larger mercenary soldiers picked up the Emperor’s frail body, carrying him in his arms as easily as if he were a small child. It was agreed that many would stay behind so there were still people in the cell. With strategically placed covers on the beds, as if many were sleeping, the cell could probably pass a brief glance.

  ***

  “Is it done?” General Jeon asked the witch who was intently staring into a pool of simmering green liquid with a swirling green cloud hanging above it.

  “It is General, although not quite as planned. They have gone in separate groups, but both the man Ganry, and the Emperor, are out of the dungeon,” she replied, still concentrating on the pool.

  “Good,” he breathed a sigh of relief. “Now we can arrange for the Emperor’s death and blame his rescuers. See to it, as I will be leaving the city. I intend to follow those cutthroat mercenaries. They will lead me straight to the boy. Once I have
him, then I want my own boy back. You have delayed long enough with your promises, witch.”

  “Our agreement was the delivery of the albino boy, General. Once we have the Albino then you will have your son.”

  “Still, with the death of the Emperor it would make it easy for you to rule. Keeping him alive only complicates matters for when you take the throne.”

  “We have no use of a throne. Our power is in the magic, not some weak figurehead. Our leader does not sit upon golden thrones.”

  Jeon did not bother to reply. Whether or not the Emperor lived or died was of no concern to him either. A few years back, it would have been so different. But now, with the loss of his son, and how the Emperor had favored Ganry over him, had left him bitter. But keeping the Emperor alive could be problematic. If the people had a figurehead to get behind, they may revolt. Still, who ruled Mirnee was of little interest. Once he had his son alive again, he intended on getting as far away as possible from this place, and taking his dear child with him so they could start a new life.

  17

  Using Riley’s local knowledge, they hid out for the first night in one of the mercenary camps that were dotted about the countryside. The next day Riley left to arrange their passage to Palara. He knew a few captains, he told them, who owed him favors.

  Ganry was still unsure about Riley. He had really wanted to accompany him today, but he had insisted on going alone. Despite his growing suspicions, Ganry realized that it made sense. It would be easier for Riley to move around the town by himself.

  “He’s been gone a while,” Artas said, noticing that Ganry kept watch on the camp entrance. “Do you trust him?”

  “I don’t know. Our escape was far too easy, it was almost as if they wanted us to leave.”

  Artas did not reply, but nodded at Ganry. He too had felt that something was wrong. Something malevolent hung over them. He himself was sleeping badly and only last night he awoke to find himself outside the camp gates. Sleepwalking was a problem he had never had before.

  Just then the gates opened and Riley returned. Spotting Ganry and Artas he made straight for them.

  “I have arranged our passage for tomorrow on the ship, ‘The Flying Lady.’ I know the captain well. We will leave before dawn, so I suggest we turn in early tonight.”

  ***

  It was another restless night for Artas, his dreams filled with dark shadows and red glowing eyes that stared at him. Once again, he awoke in the woods outside camp. How he had gotten there was a mystery. The stress of everything must be getting to him, he told himself, before making his way back.

  As he quietly walked across the camp, he was unaware that he wasn’t the only one awake. Someone was watching him intently as he made his way back to his bed.

  ***

  It was still dark as they made their way through the market area towards the docks where their ship awaited them the next morning. Despite the early hour of the day, the dock was buzzing with people going about their business. Fishermen readying their nets for the day’s catch, other boats loading freight for delivering to far flung places around the globe.

  They had met no one on their way here and once again Ganry’s suspicions were raised. His intuition still told him that something was not right, but his need to return to Palara as quickly as possible was paramount. He pushed his fears to the back of his mind, but kept his sword close and the edge honed. The sea route, whilst being the longest, would be the quickest and least problematic. Especially with the Mirnee Army occupying the borderland to Palara.

  They found their ship, the Flying Lady, and Riley introduced Ganry to the Captain.

  “Captain Quint, at your service, gentlemen. Welcome aboard.” The Captain had a face full of bushy whiskers and a large pot belly, which he rested his hands on. “Now I don’t mean to rush you, but the sooner we’re out at sea, the better I’ll feel.”

  Ganry nodded his agreement and the Captain barked out orders to his men. Soon the ship was gently sailing out of the harbor. Sails were hoisted and the ship picked up speed as it swiftly plowed throughout the waves, effortlessly. Ganry could see why she was called the Flying Lady.

  “Fastest in Mirnee,” the Captain interrupted Ganry’s thoughts. “We can outrun any of the Mirnee or Palaran Navy ships.”

  “Let’s hope we don’t have to do anything like that,” Ganry replied to the Captain’s boasting, though he was pleased that they traveled in such a swift vessel.

  They made good time, at this rate of knots they could be back in Palara by nightfall tomorrow.

  It came as some surprise when the vessel suddenly slowed. Ganry made his way up deck to find the sails had been dropped, and they were sitting still in the water. Over on the bow he spotted the Captain talking with Riley. Captain Quint was scanning the sea with his telescope.

  “Problem, Captain?” Ganry queried.

  He said nothing in reply, just passed over the telescope. Looking out to sea with the instrument, Ganry could see a number of ships on the horizon. They were coming towards them. Looking at the masts, he could see they flew the Palaran flag.

  “Ah, it seems that we will be leaving you sooner than expected, Captain,” he noted, assuming they had come to greet him and his party.

  No sooner had Ganry spoken than he could see several arrows flying from the leading ship. A few seconds later and the water in front suddenly erupted, as the arrows crashed into the waves. Fortunately, they had not yet come close enough, but the next ones could be on target.

  “Quickly, Captain, do you carry any Palaran colors?”

  “We do indeed, sir, we have many flags,” the Captain replied with a sly smile. “In my business, sir, we ‘ave to be careful. Never know who ya might be upsetting. You could call us the sea mercenaries, ready for all occasions.”

  Ganry was still not sure it would work, but they quickly raised the Palaran flag and watched closely as the Palaran warships approached. It seemed to have done the trick, as no more warning shots were fired.

  The Captain watched nervously as the four Palaran ships surrounded him. His personal option would be to sail off at speed. These ships would be no match for the Flying Lady. But he must see if his passengers could sort this out between them. The largest of the ships, recognized by Ganry as the Admiral’s flag ship, pulled up beside them.

  “Who be Captain of this vessel?” a voice shouted over from the Palaran side.

  “We wish to speak with Admiral Bingham,” Ganry shouted back. “This is Queen Myriam’s personal bodyguard, Ganry de Rosenthorn. Cease this attack immediately, by orders of the Queen.”

  There was no reply but Ganry could see the movement of men as the ships bobbed up and down, side by side. Luckily the skies were blue, and seas were calm.

  “This is Commander Patterson, may I board your vessel, Ganry de Rosenthorn?”

  Ganry looked at his Captain, who nodded agreement.

  Within the hour Commander Patterson had come over by rowing boat, and was being shown to Ganry in the Captain’s cabin so they could talk in private.

  “What has happened in Palara that the Admiral’s fleet is attacking those at sea?” Ganry asked.

  “That’s just it, Ganry, I don’t know,” Patterson replied, looking puzzled. “The Admiral has gone mad, I am sure of it. He ordered us to attack you. He was ranting and raving, even when we saw the Palaran flag, he wouldn’t have any of it. It was his intention to sink you. I felt I had no choice but to relieve him of his duties and have him locked in his cabin. He’s been acting strange for weeks. Forced us to sail out of Port Brammanville, leaving it without any protection. I sent word for the rest of the fleet to return as soon as we were well away. I’ve no idea what has gotten into him.”

  “That is a brave move commander. The price to pay for mutiny is death. Personally I am pleased you have taken the risk, or we might all be languishing at the bottom of the sea right now.”

  “I’m well aware of the risk, but I feel I have acted in the best interest of the fl
eet and my country, and stand by my decision,” Patterson responded, defiantly.

  “Of course, Commander. I will speak to the Queen on your behalf. She will know of the service you have done this day for our nation. You say you ordered the return of the rest of the fleet to protect the port?” Ganry worried this was all part of the border attacks.

  “Aye, I did. The Admiral thinks them all at sea, but there’s only the four that you see. In his delusional state he never noticed that the rest were not with us. I needed him to think we were following his orders so I could gain his confidence and determine the reason for this folly. Trouble is, he acts like a man possessed. He is not the Admiral that I know and respect.”

  “Your words may be truer than you think, Commander. Mirnee has witches influencing its leadership. The Emperor is imprisoned. It is undoubtedly those who have bewitched the Admiral to this treachery.” Ganry smiled at him. “They’ll have been sorely disappointed that their plans have gone awry and Port Brammanville remains protected. Well done, Commander, you have done your Queen a great service.”

  Patterson could not find it in within himself to give Ganry a smile of appreciation. He had been living on his nerves for weeks, but he did allow himself a long sigh of relief.

  “This is good news to my ears. It has been a vexing time. We will return with you, if you don’t mind four naval vessels for company.”

  “The quicker we get back, the better.”

  They were soon on their way again, making good time. Ganry worried for the Admiral. It seemed clear to him now that the witches must have possessed him when he was out on patrol. He recalled the strange meeting, out at sea, on their way to Mirnee. Thanks to a quick thinking Commander, their plan had been thwarted. He must mention this to Myriam. She would wish to reward Commander Patterson.

  From the distance, he could see Port Brammanville, home at last. Another day and he should be within the castle walls.