by Mike Shelton
Christine leaned over and put her hand on her husband’s arm. “You diffused that in a nice way. Now you will have him close by to keep a watch on him.”
“Christine, I trust him. He earned the promotion. He’s a good soldier. I may not need protection, but you or others might.”
“Darius, you can’t trust everyone. Be careful,” she admonished.
Christine had previously voiced her worry to Darius that his new power and his ability to love and understand people had made him too trusting and vulnerable. In the first few months of his reign, when someone was brought to him that was in trouble, Darius would blindly trust their assurances they would change their behavior. Three times already a former troublemaker had been brought back in for continuing his law-breaking. It was hard for Darius to understand someone not keeping their promises. His power was growing and his love of the people grew with it; he just had to remember there were still evil hearts and intentions in the world.
Two horses were led to where the King and Queen stood. Lightning, Christine’s personal Cremelino horse, was pure white with a long mane. The other horse, although not a Cremelino was just as large but stood black and shiny, waiting for the King to mount. Cremelino horses were a special breed, but neither Christine nor Darius had realized the extent of the horses’ magical powers. It was common knowledge that a Cremelino bonded with only one person at a time. No one else was allowed to ride them unless allowed by the Cremelino. If tried, immense pain would jar the insides of the culprit. But the ability to communicate mentally with them took them both by surprise.
Darius looked at Christine and her Cremelino and smiled. He thought back to the time three months earlier when after being gone for almost a year, he had returned to Anikari. He had seen Christine and Lightning on the road outside of the city trying to stop a skirmish between the farmers and city guards. He had used his growing powers to heal Lightning that day.
Remember the prophecy, Lightning spoke to their minds. It is not yet complete:
Forgotten lines of ancient magic
and the power of the throne.
One will make them both his own
if his heart sees the true power.
He will bring light to fight darkness
and love to fight hate
if he reaches into the power of his heart.
He will find new allies, turn enemy to friend, and
Find the binding of all power on the path of peace.
Christine responded back, “He has fought his own darkness and brought light again to the kingdom, and he rules with love. Isn’t the prophecy fulfilled then?”
Not yet, my dear. He has much more to do on his path of peace.
Darius let out a breath of air. He appreciated the fact that they could communicate with Lightning, but their prophecies, hidden meanings, and secrecies were enough to drive him mad.
No one else in the group had noticed the quickly exchanged thoughts between the three of them. The mind-speaking ability of the Cremelinos was only known by a few of them. Lightning had explained to Darius and Christine that she had been prepared to help them fulfill the prophecy. In ancient times, the Cremelinos spoke with wizards, but the practice had been lost since the Realm had kept the Cremelinos for themselves while shunning magic. Lightning’s ability to speak with Christine came from ancient bloodlines of lesser wizards that ran in her veins and her special relationship with Darius.
Let’s go, wizard! Lightning said.
This time, Darius heeded her words. He smiled and put up his hand in signal to proceed.
“Farewell, my friends,” he called out as his own anxious steed galloped across the courtyard and through the castle gates, Christine riding Lightning by his side. “My father and the other councilors are in charge until I return. I will bid your good wishes to the other cities and kingdoms we visit. They will know the Realm is still in control, that her people are proud, and their King will bring them honor.”
Among the cheers of its citizens, the group began its descent through the streets of Anikari, the great and ancient capital city of the Realm. Darius spread his hands wide, and flowers bloomed in the windowsills of the businesses and houses lining the streets. The crowds shouted in joy and saluted their new King and his powers. The young people looked up at Christine and Darius in dreamlike stares of hope and longing. They loved their new King and his wife. Bards and storytellers were already singing songs and telling stories of their courtship and wedding.
Darius did notice some of the older residents standing in the back. They did not cheer as loud or join in the celebration as much. They held to the old ways of nobility and separation from others more firmly. Darius tipped his head at those specifically and tried to reach out his magic of love to them. Some responded with amazed looks on their faces; others were too hardened to feel. He had left directions with councilor Martin Halverssn from the farmlands to take things slow and not make any sudden changes. He hoped old prejudices would fade over time.
The autumn day turned warm, but the high heat of summer had left them. They left the western city gates and skirted the outside of the farmlands, turning north and then back east around Anikari. Humble farmers and ranchers stood on the side of the road and let their praises be known. Darius knew many of them and Christine most of them. These were good hardworking people who toiled so those in the city had food and meat. The apple orchards hung heavy with a good upcoming harvest. Berries, watermelon, tomatoes, and other late summer fruit and vegetable gardens could be seen dwindling with their last fruits of the year.
“I’ve missed riding like this,” Christine said to Darius. “We have been in the city too long.”
“I agree. By late fall however, the Diamond Palace will be finished enough to spend some time there this winter,” Darius said, referring to the large home he was having built out in the farmlands along the edge of the Lake of Reflection. The natural meadow that they had found years before had been named the Field of Diamonds. The palace would give them a chance periodically to be out of the city, while still able to conduct the business of the Realm.
Christine smiled, and Darius felt giddy with excitement of the upcoming trip. They would travel slow, as large royal groups tended to do, stopping at many small towns and villages on their way down to Belor, then up the coast to Mar. He had sent Kelln ahead to make sure Mar was safe for them. He didn’t want to put Christine in harm’s way. After Mar, they would travel west to Sur. He had sent dignitaries to the Kingdom of Arc to arrange a meeting with King Anwar. Afterwards they would travel down to Denir in the southwest and then onto Gildan.
The trip would last a few weeks at least, maybe a month, but Darius felt it an important part of him being King to be out and meet the people. People seemed to treat others better and gossiped less once they met someone. He knew his quick rise to power, his age, and his wizard magic was already grand fodder for rumors.
As they left the farmlands, he spurred his Andalusian to a quicker pace. They weren’t going far that day—only to Forest View—but he needed some fresh air. Lightning and Christine took up the pace beside him.
You didn’t want to race, did you, Wizard?
Darius laughed. “Oh no! It would not be seemly to have the King lose to his lady.”
Christine joined in the laughter, and faint amusement came to their minds.
Someday we will get you your own Cremelino, Wizard King! One that can keep you in your place. You did direct your ambassador to come to White Island, didn’t you?
“Yes, I did,” Darius answered. “But you never told me why.”
You will find out soon enough. Just stay alert. There may be trouble on this trip of ours.
Darius considered her warning seriously and looked around. The captain commander seemed to have everything in control. He would tell Roland to keep a special watch for trouble.
Chapter Two
ADVENTURES IN MAR
Kelln sat outside the assistant governor’s office in Mar, the third ti
me in as many weeks. It was infuriating, this sitting around and waiting. He had never liked sitting still and doing nothing. He’d asked to review the trade accounts, which should have been readily available. One excuse after another had him shuffling off to a multitude of people. Now he found himself waiting in the same office as three weeks before. As offices go, this one wasn’t a bad place to wait. The chairs were cushioned, stewards came by at regular times to hand out refreshments and sweets, and the ladies in Mar were quite striking with their customary multi-colored skirts hiked up higher than would be proper in Anikari.
Still he was getting tired of not being taken seriously. He had made no headway in finding out anything about the Preacher or Alessandra either. Thinking of the Preacher always made him cringe inside. The man’s evil powers had invaded his mind and tortured him while in Belor.
He noticed a man come in through a side door and enter the office. He jumped out of his seat and trotted over to the secretary’s desk. The secretary glanced up at Kelln and spoke in a bored monotone.
“May I help you, good sir?”
“Was that Assistant Governor Tamidor coming in?”
“Yes, it was, sir.”
“As you know, I have been waiting to talk to him about the trade accounts,” Kelln said.
“As you have told me, sir.”
Kelln, normally patient and one for some fun, had lost all the patience he had and was not having fun anymore. He smoothed down his official coat and stood taller. “Look here. I am the King’s ambassador. I have been ordered to review the books by the King, and I am tired of being ignored.”
“I am sure you are, sir. No one likes being ignored,” the secretary said.
“That’s it, little man.” Kelln reached down and grabbed the front of the man’s shirt and pulled him up in front of him. Kelln paused for an instant when he grasped that the man stood taller and thicker than him, which wasn’t very hard since Kelln was on the short side and had a hard time putting on weight.
The secretary’s face grew grim, and his disposition changed. He reached for a dagger at his side. “You don’t want to cause trouble here, Ambassador, do you? I don’t think you want to cause a scene right now.”
Kelln knew when to back down. He put his hands up in front of him and breathed in a deep breath, letting the air out in a slow and patient manner. He tried to relax. The man was right; Kelln didn’t want to cause any problems. He was Darius’s first ambassador to come to Mar, which had always been a little more independent than the other cities due to its underground Guild of Thieves. Looking up at the big man in front of him, he was sure this man belonged to that guild and had infiltrated the government. Maybe they all had! They were hiding something.
“Fine,” Kelln muttered. “I will return in two days. Tell the assistant governor I will review the books at that time.” If not, then he would find the governor and deal directly with him.
The large secretary sat back down, resuming his old behavior and form. “I am sure you will, sir.” He then continued writing down something in his books.
Kelln groaned under his breath and walked out the door. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going and almost knocked down a lady coming into the building. She glared at him, and he snarled back.
A good walk was what he needed to stretch his legs and clear his head. He wasn’t so sure any more about this ambassador position. It took all the fun out of life. He had heard about gardens on the other side of the offices, and so he turned the corner in search of them.
Just as he did so, a man came out of the side door. He glanced around with nervous tics. Kelln slid behind a nearby tree to watch. He was surprised to see Assistant Governor Aron Tamidor sneaking out. The man had on a dark hooded cloak and pulled the hood up over his face. Looking around once again, the man set off at a quick pace.
Kelln smiled. Now maybe there would be something fun to do. He decided to follow the man. Tamidor walked with his head down through the city office building complex and then into the market area. The sun had risen almost to its peak.
The market sounds and smells racked Kelln’s senses pleasantly. Fresh sweetbreads tempted him toward the bakery sector, but he needed to stay close to the man he was following so as not to lose him in the crowds. Being a warm day at the edge of the desert, the assistant governor stood out with his hooded head. The man didn’t think to turn around and look behind him, which worked to Kelln’s favor.
At one point, the man stopped, as if deciding which way to turn. Kelln turned to the nearest market booth and tried to be busy examining their wares. Unfortunately, it was a booth of women’s skirts and dresses. Outside of admiring many a girl who wore skirts and dresses, Kelln didn’t know much about them. His sisters owned one or two, he supposed.
“Ah, good sir.” The female shopkeeper had noticed him. “Looking for a gift for your special lady?”
Kelln tried to follow where Tamidor headed with his eyes. He ignored the lady’s question and didn’t notice the nicely dressed man who now stood beside him.
“Ambassador, you didn’t answer the lady’s question.”
Kelln turned around, surprised at being addressed in his official capacity. Something didn’t seem right. He didn’t know the man who had addressed him, and a bad feeling set off alarms in his head. A middle-aged man in white pants and a colorful cloak stood next to him. A small dirk hung ceremoniously at his side. The man smoothed down his long mustache, a style that had become popular lately in Mar, and glared intently at Kelln.
“I’m sorry,” Kelln asked. “Do I know you?”
“Probably not,” the man said, “but we know who you are.”
Kelln tried to turn his head without being obvious. He didn’t want to lose Tamidor, but it seemed like he now had.
“Looking for someone?” The man smiled.
Now Kelln realized what had happened. The assistant governor hadn’t looked behind him because someone else already followed from behind. He berated himself for such a dumb mistake. He would have to do better than that to be a good ambassador for Darius.
“Just out for a stroll and perusing through your fine market.” Kelln put on a happy face. “This is a marvelous place with so much to see.”
“You are quite right, good sir. I should get you an escort to show you around. You wouldn’t want to accidently find yourself in a bad part of town.”
Kelln realized the man had threatened him but tried to remain calm. “I can’t believe in this beautiful law-abiding city you have such bad parts of town. I think I am fine by myself. But I do thank you for your offer. Maybe another time.”
The man lowered his voice, waved his hands away in a disguised signal, and stepped closer to Kelln. “It’s time to leave the market, sir.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, Kelln saw other men approaching. He was about to respond when a fair-skinned, dark-haired young woman his age with a younger boy in tow giggled and stepped up next to Kelln.
“There you are, you handsome man. You snuck off without me.” She put her hand on Kelln’s arm in a seductive manner as her colorful bodice pushed in next to him.
Kelln was confused, and the other man stopped and waved his hand again to hold back the other men.
The young lady drew her eyes around the booth they stood in front of and squealed in delight. “Oh, you were buying me a dress!” She reached over and picked up one of the many items on sale. “You are so sneaky.”
Kelln studied the younger boy standing next to her. The scrawny, straw-haired, freckled youth gave him a wink, and Kelln understood what they were doing. He moved in closer to the attractive lady.
“You found me out.” He played along. “It was going to be a surprise for your birthday.” Kelln put his arm around her and leaned in for a kiss. He might as well enjoy the game.
The teasing girl put her fingers up against Kelln’s lips. “Not here in public, sweetie.”
Kelln backed up with a pout.
The young boy moved up next to the
girl, “Taliana, Mother is expecting us back soon.”
“Quite right, brother,” Taliana said. She proceeded to loop one arm through his and another arm through Kelln’s. “Then we better hurry and find some more dresses.” With that, she danced the two boys down the street and away from the man who was giving Kelln trouble. Turning a corner, the boy motioned with one hand for both Taliana and Kelln to follow him down the street. Soon they found themselves in the back of an older plaster-coated building.
Kelln surveyed both of them but didn’t say a word. Finally, the two strangers burst out laughing.
“That was fun!” Taliana’s blue eyes sparkled.
“You were great, Tali,” the young boy added.
“What’s going on here?” Kelln felt confused at best. “And who are you two?”
The younger boy stuck out his small hand to Kelln. “My name is Rapp. Nice to meet you, Ambassador.”
“Rapp?” Kelln muttered.
“Well it’s actually Rappatorian, but you know.” The boy seemed embarrassed. “It seems a little too formal for what I do.”
“And what is it you do, Rapp?”
“I run errands for people. Help people get out of trouble. You know, that sort of thing,” he said vaguely.
“Rapp is being quite modest, sir.” Tali spoke to Kelln for the first time since the dress booth. “He is one of the guild’s best runners. He works for one of the guildmasters.”
“Which one?” Kelln asked with suspicion.
“The Merchants’ Guild,” Tali answered. The city of Mar had been run by guilds further back than the founding of the Realm. In order to do any kind of business in the city, you had to belong to a guild. Even the thieves had a guild.
“And Tali, if that is your real name, what is it you do?”
Tali laughed and tossed her head in a way that would melt many men. “My name is Taliana Penrose, daughter of Governor Penrose, guildmaster of the Merchants’ Guild. I don’t work for the guild, but Rapp here asked me for a favor, and I decided to help. Did you like my performance?”
