Demonkin

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “We have been through this before,” argued another mage. “Birds just will not fly through the imagery of rocks. They just won’t do it. When was the last time we had a false alarm? I’ll tell you. Never is when.”

  “Then where is your invader?” scoffed the first mage. “If something flew through the illusion, where is it?”

  “We should be looking for it instead of arguing,” snapped a black-cloak.

  “Perhaps it was just wind-blown debris,” suggested one of the mages. “The winds do pick up at dawn. It could have been a leaf that got caught in an updraft.”

  “And your mother could have been an ogre,” railed a black-cloak. “The alarm has gone off. We must investigate it.”

  General Tauman listened with contempt. He thought the mages acted like undisciplined children, and the lack of discipline disgusted him.

  “The alarm has been sounded,” the general said forcefully. “It will be investigated immediately. The time for discussion is after the investigation has been completed. Go and do what you must do.”

  His short speech had the desired effect. The mages immediately stopped bickering among themselves and set out to investigate the cause of the alarm. General Tauman mounted his horse and rode back to his headquarters. He dismounted and marched to his office, calling for Colonel Dorfan to join him. The young colonel promptly entered the general’s office and closed the door.

  “Those mages are fools,” scowled the general.

  Dorfan had not risen so quickly in rank by speaking out of turn. He said nothing as he waited for the general to get to the reason for the meeting.

  “They cannot determine whether or not the illusion was penetrated,” explained the general. “While their illusion has kept away prying eyes, I do not want to depend solely upon it. I want you to assign men in rotation to keep watch from the surrounding peaks. I want those peaks manned all day and all night until further notice. If anything flies, walks, or crawls among the peaks, I want to know about it promptly.”

  “I will see to it immediately,” declared the colonel.

  “Not immediately.” The general shook his head. “Let the black-cloaks finish their investigation first. Your men will have to set off the alarm to gain the peaks, and I do not want that done until the mages are done running around like crazed lunatics. Just set up the schedule for now. When the investigation is complete, explain to the mages what you will be doing and when the shift changes are.”

  “They will not take kindly to this,” stated the colonel. “It will be showing a certain amount of disrespect for their illusion.”

  “Of course, it will,” chuckled the general. “Why do you think I assigned this task to you, Dorfan? Let them think that you do not trust their alarm. Meanwhile, I will continue to maintain strong support for their efforts and praise them for it.”

  “I understand,” the colonel smiled thinly.

  Chapter 11

  Elves in Despair

  King Elengal rode the unicorn while Morro ran alongside. When they neared the Despair River, Morro called for a halt. The Dielderal king dismounted.

  “There will be guards not far ahead,” stated the king. “If you are not planning on returning to Elfwoods, you must not be seen crossing the river with me.”

  “That is why I called for a halt.” Morro nodded. “You must go on alone by foot from here, but I will be keeping watch over you.”

  “And just how will you do that?” inquired the king.

  “You must have faith in me,” the thief replied evasively, as he reached into his pouch and grabbed the hourglass.

  Morro triggered the magical artifact before the king could ask any more questions. He smiled at the frozen king and bowed dramatically, although the king would never remember seeing it. Morro leaped onto the unicorn and told it to gallop northward. The creature merely stood silently. That was when Morro realized the flaw in his plan. Time only stopped for him, not those with him. The unicorn would have to be left behind. Morro quickly scribbled a note and placed it in the king’s hand. With the sands already running low, the thief raced along the trail to the river.

  The bridge over the Despair River was well guarded. A hut stood on the northern side of the bridge, and two squads were permanently assigned to it. The elven thief ran across the bridge and past the guards. He slid into the bushes a score of paces beyond the riverbank and waited. A few minutes, later the guards jerked to life again. Morro smiled broadly.

  Across the river and around a bend in the trail, King Elengal blinked as Morro suddenly disappeared. The king frowned as he rotated in search of the thief. Only when he went to scratch his head did he realize that there was something in his hand. He looked at the note and frowned even deeper. He shook his head in wonder as he looked at the unicorn.

  “This note says that I am to tell you to meet Morro on the other side of the river,” the king said to the unicorn. “You are not to be seen by the guards. Do you understand me?”

  Perfectly.

  The king gasped and dropped the note. “You really can talk?”

  The reply came in a humorous tone.

  Apparently so. I wish you well, King Elengal.

  The unicorn turned and headed into the forest. The elven king watched the unicorn until he could no longer see it. He shook his head once again and then bent down and picked up the note. He stared at it for a moment and then decided to burn it and scatter the ashes. When the task was complete, the king walked along the trail and across the bridge. An officer stood blocking his path when he reached the far side.

  “I am King Elengal,” declared the elf. “I am heading to Despair to speak with Emperor Jaar.”

  “I recognize you,” stated the officer as he waved for one of the soldiers to join him. “I will provide you with an escort.”

  “That is most kind of you,” smiled the king, “but I have little fear of being attacked by the citizens of Despair. I would appreciate it if you could send a runner to the emperor to advise him that I am on the way. I do not wish to spend any more time out of Elfwoods than is absolutely necessary.”

  The request was unusual, but not extraordinary. The officer narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the elf.

  “I would also like the runner to deliver the message personally to the emperor,” the king continued. “Can that be done?”

  The officer was curious now. “Is there someone in particular that you are afraid of intercepting the message?”

  “There is,” stated the king. “What I have to discuss with Emperor Jaar is extremely sensitive. That is why I am willing to forego the normal escort that you provide. Such an escort is always noticed. It would be best if I could quickly speak to the emperor and return to the Heart. If necessary, I will wait here until your messenger returns with the emperor’s permission for me to proceed alone.”

  An escort was usually given to the elven king when he visited Despair, but there were no rules requiring one. The elven king was the only Elfwoods elf who had unrestricted access to Despair. The officer could not forbid the king to proceed to Despair, but he could demand that the king accept an escort. The officer stood staring at the king for a few moments and then eventually nodded. He instructed the soldier beside him to deliver the message directly to the emperor and then waved the elven king by.

  King Elengal walked away from the bridge. The road to Despair turned a short ways from the bridge and then paralleled the river to the city wall. The king passed through the city gates before Morro reappeared, and reappear is exactly what he did. One moment the king was walking along the pathway staring at the shops along the street and the next moment Morro was standing at the mouth of an alley. The king was sure that he just magically appeared.

  “How do you do that?” the king asked softly as Morro moved out of the alley and walked alongside him.

  “I have a gift of speed,” smiled the thief.

  “So I have heard,” frowned the king, “but you seem to be moving faster than the eye can follow. How is that po
ssible?”

  Morro ignored the question. “Did you give the message to the unicorn?”

  “I did,” the king replied with wonder. “What incredible creatures they are. Have you not met up with him yet?”

  “No,” answered the thief. “I needed to make sure that you arrived unmolested, and the unicorn cannot enter the city alone. I will go back and search for him once you are safely in the palace.”

  The two elves walked on in silence for a while before the king suddenly gasped. His hand reached out and grabbed Morro’s hand. Morro halted as the king grabbed him. He turned to look at the king and saw him staring across the street. Morro followed his gaze and saw the Federation general coming out of a shop. While Morro and the king were staring at the general, the general noticed them. His eyebrows rose in surprise and then he nodded his head towards a nearby alley. Morro watched as the general walked along the street and entered the alley. Morro started to cross the street, but the king held him back.

  “That general was in Elfwoods,” the king whispered, “but he portrayed himself as one of the Alceans. Our allies have been infiltrated.”

  “It is quite the opposite of what you are thinking,” smiled Morro. “That is General Forshire of Tyronia, or at least that is who he is known as here in Despair. Come, we should talk to him.”

  The king hesitated, but Morro tugged his arm. The elves crossed the street and entered the alley. A dozen paces into the alley, it turned sharply and General Forshire was waiting for them.

  Clint bowed to the elven king, but his interest was in Morro. “I need help,” Clint said. “Can you introduce me to the thieves of Despair?”

  “As a Federation general?” balked Morro. “I do not think that is wise. While the thieves have no love for the Federation, some of them may see you as the enemy. They might just turn you in to the emperor.”

  “There must be a way,” insisted Clint.

  “Let’s discuss it after I get the king into the palace,” suggested the thief.

  “What are you doing here, King Elengal?” asked Clint. “Is this about the incident in the Heart?”

  “It is,” answered the king. “How is it that you can portray a Federation general?”

  “It is a long story,” replied Clint. “I looked very much like a general in Tyronia. When the Federation seized Ur, a switch was made. The old General Forshire is dead. He was a traitorous dog, and I took his place. Do not do anything to jeopardize my position. Too much is riding on it.”

  “Your secret is safe,” vowed the king, “but I am in awe at what you Alceans seem to be able to do.”

  “It was just a fortunate opportunity,” shrugged the general. “Do you want me to escort you to the palace?”

  “No,” answered the king. “In fact, you and Morro may conduct whatever business you have. I need no escort from here.”

  “Are you sure?” asked the thief.

  “Positive,” replied the king. “I will leave you two alone.”

  The king turned and walked back the way they had come.

  “It is not wise for us to talk in the city,” warned Morro, “and I need to recover my unicorn. Is there somewhere outside the city that you are familiar with?”

  “There is a large clearing about a league west of the city,” answered Clint. “If you are taking the trail west, it splits about a league from the gates. Take neither fork but continue westward. You will find it easy enough.”

  “I will meet you there,” promised Morro.

  The thief left the alley next. Morro glanced towards the palace and saw the king approaching the gates. The gates opened to admit the king, and he strode briskly to the entrance of the palace. An officer met him on the steps.

  “I have come to speak to Emperor Jaar,” declared the king.

  “I will notify Grand General Kyrga immediately,” stated the officer as he turned to enter the building.

  “Stop,” the king said with authority.

  The officer halted and turned with a frown on his face.

  “I said that I had come to speak with Emperor Jaar,” stated the king. “I have not come to speak to a general.”

  “I understand,” replied the officer. “Grand General Kyrga is to be informed of all diplomatic arrivals. I will have him notified.”

  “Perhaps I am not making myself clear,” the king replied stubbornly. “If you are to notify anyone of my arrival, it will be Emperor Jaar, and only Emperor Jaar.”

  “That is not proper procedure,” objected the officer.

  “I care little for your procedures,” retorted the king. “I have an understanding with the emperor. Are you taking it upon yourself to jeopardize that understanding?”

  “I am just following my orders,” declared the officer.

  “And you are loyal to the general over the emperor?” questioned the king. “In the Elfwoods, that would earn you a sentence of death.”

  The officer swallowed hard, but he was unmoved by the king’s bluster.

  “I suggest that you escort me directly to the emperor and then report my arrival to Grand General Kyrga,” the king suggested in a softened tone. “That way you will have fulfilled your obligation to the general, but still put the emperor first, as he should be.”

  The officer nodded thoughtfully. He knew that a messenger had been sent from the river to speak to the emperor, so he had no doubt that the elven king was expected.

  “Very well,” agreed the officer. “Follow me.”

  The officer led the king through the palace to the emperor’s study. The guards outside the study recognized the elven king, and the officer did not have to explain the reason for his appearance before the study’s door. The guard knocked and then entered the study. Almost immediately, he reemerged and held the door open for the elven king. King Elengal entered the study. The door closed behind him. He crossed the floor and bowed slightly to the emperor.

  “I heard you were coming,” stated Emperor Jaar. “I understand that you are concerned about people knowing of your visit. Why?”

  “I have something very important to discuss with you,” answered the king, “and I would prefer to do it without interference from your underlings.”

  “That is most unusual,” frowned the emperor. “Just what is it you expect my staff to do about your visit here?”

  “Silence me,” declared the king. “I think there are some under your command who would rather that you do not know what is happening in your empire.”

  “Silence you?” the emperor replied in a laughing manner. “I think you overrate your own importance.”

  The emperor was trying to make light of what he thought was a preposterous accusation, but King Elengal noticed the uncertainty in the emperor’s eyes.

  “Perhaps,” the king responded, “but I guarantee that Grand General Kyrga will knock on this door within minutes. That is, if he is in the palace this day.”

  The king had aroused the emperor’s curiosity now. He knew that Kyrga kept a close eye on things around the palace, but the elven king made Kyrga’s arrival sound almost like a certainty.

  “And you suspect that he is betraying me?” asked the emperor.

  “I make no such allegation,” answered the king. “I wish merely to speak to you in private. When we are through, you can consider the behavior of your people in your own way. You do not need my help with that.”

  “Fair enough,” decided the emperor. “Sit and tell me what is on your mind.”

  Before the king could move, a knock sounded on the door. The door opened and Grand General Kyrga walked in. Emperor Jaar looked at his general through narrowed eyes.

  “I am busy at the moment, Kyrga. Come back later.”

  The general glanced at the elven king and then looked at the emperor in confusion. “If there is trouble in Elfwoods, I would like to know about it.”

  “I said later, Grand General Kyrga.”

  The tone of the emperor’s voice was clearly a command. Kyrga glared at the elven king, but he nodded and
withdrew from the room. Emperor Jaar watched Kyrga depart and then turned to glare at the elven king.

  “This had better be good. You are starting to make me feel angry with your mysteries and unspoken accusations.”

  “Recently a detachment of soldiers entered the Heart,” King Elengal said. “There were about a hundred soldiers, two black-cloaks, and K’san. Did you send them?”

  “Federation soldiers are allowed in the Elfwoods whenever necessary,” stated the emperor. “You know that as well as I. If you have come to complain about an invasion of your land, you are wasting my time. Elfwoods is your home for only as long as I allow it. You do not own it.”

  “I understand that,” replied King Elengal. “Your soldiers may go anywhere they want with only one exception. Our archives are sacred, and you have agreed to that, as has every Emperor of Barouk.”

  Emperor Jaar’s brow creased heavily. He suspected what was coming next.

  “This particular group of soldiers sealed off the Heart from the rest of Elfwoods. No one was allowed in or out of the Heart for the duration of their stay. K’san and the two black-cloaks invaded the archives. This is in direct violation of law.”

  “I doubt that my men would force their way into your archives,” the emperor replied with more conviction than he truly felt. “Why would we care about your records? We have our own.”

  “Your records do not record the bloodline of our founding prince,” answered King Elengal. “Why should they? With the exception of the order of succession, we are all the same to you.”

  “Precisely why your tale makes no sense,” retorted the emperor. “Perhaps your historian invited K’san into the archives to discuss something. How would you know? You are not even allowed in the archives.”

  “You are correct about our law,” conceded the king, “but you are wrong about our historian. He tried to halt the mages and was severely wounded for his efforts. Our healers worked day and night to save his life.”

  “Did you actually see this attack?” asked Emperor Jaar.

  “I did not see the attack,” admitted the king, “but I was called there within minutes of it.”