The Path Of Peace (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 3)

by Mike Shelton

  “Just like the old days.” Mezar moved his hand over the smooth mane of his new Cremelino one more time. “Like the High Wizard said.”

  “Let’s just hope ours ends more peacefully,” Darius mused.

  While Mezar went to get ready to leave the following day, Darius returned to the feast. Still thinking about Kelln and the Preacher, Darius saw Sean laughing with animated gestures with a group of nobles from Sur, and a plan began to form in his mind, a plan that definitely held an edge of danger and risk, but one that may prove Sean’s newfound loyalties once and for all.

  Chapter Sixteen

  PLANS

  The sturdy horse sloshed through the mud-filled road on its way to Mar. It’s sturdy pace and strength let Sean’s mind wander. The dirty and uncomfortable surroundings did little to dampen Sean’s spirits. He sat atop the black Friesian and whistled a merry little tune he’d picked up at a bar in Sur. Even though the ground was still trying to soak up the record-breaking snow and rain over the past ten days, the skies were clear and bright blue. The storm seemed to have forced the change in seasons from fall to winter, but all in all, it wasn’t a bad day for traveling.

  The more Sean thought about his situation, the more amazed he became. When Darius asked him to go to Mar and help Kelln find the Preacher, he bristled at first. The Preacher might kill him for his failure in Arc and Sur. Darius still questioned his loyalty to the Realm and looked at this assignment as a test of sorts. Sean still even questioned it himself. Could he be trusted?

  Sean wished for Danijela as a traveling companion. He had seen her power, and she would be a strong ally in a fight. He was intrigued by her power and her sharp wit and feisty persona challenged him. She, as a wizard apprentice of Arc, and he, being a noble of the Realm, knew nothing serious would ever happen, but the flirting during the storm had helped to pass the time—though the age difference was slightly scandalous at best.

  Alone, he rode the empty miles between Sur and Mar, a week-long trip with the muddy roads. Why did Darius allow him to go alone? Why did he trust him? Should he trust him? What if he was once again blinded by the Preacher’s power and charisma? Sean realized he was weak for those things.

  With all his personal doubts, the one thing that kept him focused was the moment when Darius could have let him be killed-after all that Sean had said and done to him personally, yet he struck at the prince with his power instead and saved his life. Moments later, as the King held the inconsolable Danijela after her brother fell off the cliff, the power of peace, love, and comfort that emanated from Darius was something that Sean would never forget. Those two memories burned a change to the deep recesses of his mind.

  Yes, he still wished for power. He wished people would bow to him. But he now saw Darius as one worthy of what he might never achieve himself. Maybe in the King’s good grace, someday he would be fully pardoned for his crimes and given a small spot to rule in the Realm.

  Each night he stayed in a clean inn and ate well with money provided by Darius. He had to stay an additional day in a small town that sat on the banks of the Black River. The river had swollen with the recent rains, and the bridge needed to be repaired.

  Finally after eight long days riding, he glimpsed the white walls of Mar beginning to rise in his line of sight off in the distance. With his credential papers in his pocket, there wouldn’t be any problem entering the city. Darius told Kelln through his and Tali’s Cremelinos what was happening. He had told them he was sending someone to help but held back who it was. Sean smiled at the thought of Kelln’s surprise when he found out. Another one of Darius’s tests of his loyalty, he assumed.

  Entering through the city gates, Sean surveyed the market district. It was not as wet here, and people were dressed in loose-fitting, colorful clothing. Vendors reached out to sell him clothes, jewelry, and other trinkets. He was amazed at the colors that swirled around him. Women in their dazzling multi-colored skirts and vendors with colorful tent-tops made it hard to concentrate on where he was going. He dismounted and walked next to his horse through the city.

  The smell of spiced food filled the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation of a meal. He made his way through the market district and toward an inn Darius recommended he meet Kelln at.

  Before stepping up on the inn’s porch, a young man grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side.

  “Hey, you urchin.” Sean tried to kick the boy. “What is the meaning of this?”

  The young boy deftly escaped the kick and glanced around quickly. “You are here to see a special person?”

  “What are you talking about? Who are you?” Sean was getting annoyed.

  The boy leaned in and whispered, “You are looking for the ambassador?”

  Sean stopped in his tracks and took better stock of the situation. “And who are you that I should be telling you my business?” He noticed a few people glancing their way as they walked down the street.

  “My name is Rapp. I’m the governor’s runner and let’s say a friend to the ambassador.”

  “Rapp, you say? Well, I’m supposed to meet him here by direction of your King.”

  Rapp’s eyes opened wider. “You know the King?”

  “Of course I do,” Sean snapped. “Now let me go in there.” He tried to move around the boy but was stopped again.

  “He’s not there. I will take you to where he is.”

  Sean didn’t know what to make of the situation but decided there wasn’t any choice but to trust the boy. As they passed the edge of the inn, a dark-haired beauty joined the two of them walking down the street. She appeared to be only a few years younger than Sean, not nearly as young as Danijela. But there was something about her that reminded him of Danijela, though not in looks, for they were completely opposite—one smaller with short blonde hair and one tall with long dark hair. The similarities were more in the way they carried themselves. Confident.

  She smiled at him, and Sean thought it more of a predator grin than a welcoming smile.

  “Tali is going our way, too, “ Rapp offered. “So do you know the ambassador?”

  Sean smiled. “Let’s just say, he and I have had our moments together. This may be quite a reunion for him. A surprise!”

  The girl turned to him and glared. “I wonder if you are to be trusted.”

  “The King sent me, didn’t he?” was all Sean said. Tali shrugged.

  With apparent surprise, the girl threw herself in front of Sean and pushed him up against the wall of a close-by building. She pushed herself in tight against him, as if to kiss him.

  “Pretend we are lovers. Don’t look around.”

  Sean smiled at the fun. “Sounds fun, honey, but don’t we have business to get to?”

  She leaned in closer, and Sean smelled a slight wave of perfume. He wrapped his arms around her tighter, and she flashed her brown eyes at him. Her face was smooth and porcelain, quite a contrast to the dark brown hair hanging down past her shoulders. Sean moved in for the kiss.

  Rapp continued walking around the corner. He whistled a signal. Two men came around a corner and glanced momentarily at the couple kissing at the edge of the building. After walking a few steps away, the girl moved her hand in a slight wave. Two bricks from the walkway moved, and the men tripped on them, sprawling on the ground.

  With the distraction, Tali grabbed Sean’s hand and proceeded around the corner, joining once again with the young boy.

  “Done already?” Sean quipped. Then instantly felt a sting on his behind. Turning around, he tried to figure out what happened.

  “Tali, King Darius told you not to do that with your magic,” Rapp said.

  She glared at the boy. “But young men sometimes deserve it.” Then she glared at Sean.

  “What did I do? And who are you? How did you do that?” Sean was full of questions. Taken out of his controlled environment, he was not his usual self.

  The girl came around in front of him and sarcastically offered him her hand to kiss. “I am Talia
na Penrose, daughter of Governor Penrose, and a wizard of some means.”

  “Great, another wizard,” Sean mumbled under his breath. He kissed her hand, and she smiled at him, flipped her hair, and continued walking.

  Turning to Rapp, he said, “Is she always like this?”

  Rapp rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes. She enjoys the teasing. You should see her with the ambassador.”

  Sean laughed at that. He couldn’t imagine the thin, redheaded Kelln El’Han handling anything so sophisticated as this woman.

  Composing himself once again, he became more serious. “Who were those men?”

  “Those were high-ranking members of the Guild of Thieves. They are aware of who I am and would wonder what I am doing here in this part of town,” Tali said.

  “And what are you doing here?” Sean asked.

  “Making sure you stay safe on your way to meet with the ambassador and the governor.”

  “Wizards,” Sean sighed. “Can’t seem to get away from them anymore.”

  “So you are here to help Kelln find the Preacher?” Rapp asked.

  Sean was surprised that the information had been shared. He nodded, not wanting to say anything more.

  “How will you do that?” the boy asked.

  “We have a history together,” was all Sean said. “Nothing more until we meet Kelln.”

  Thirty minutes later, they entered a back alley that ran between sets of nice homes nearer to the water. Rapp signaled to stop in front of a door that he entered first. A minute later, he came back out and ushered them in.

  The house was pleasant with painted white walls and comfortable furnishings. An open window afforded views of the Blue Sea. Sean breathed deeply, smelling the ocean air in his nostrils, and realized that this was his first time being this close to the ocean. Coming upon a room, two men sat in chairs. The one facing him was obviously the governor, and the other held a mop of red hair sticking up over the top of the chair. As soon as the three entered the room, the two men stood up and faced them.

  Kelln about fell over himself. “Sean? What are you doing here?” He pulled his dirk out and headed toward one of his most hated enemies.

  Sean stepped back a few feet and put up his hands. “Kelln. Stop. Darius sent me.”

  “If he did, then you tricked him again.” Kelln’s face was red.

  Tali, her height between the two men, stepped between them. “Kelln, at least listen to him. He says he knows the Preacher.”

  “Of course he knows him, Tali. He kidnapped Darius, helped the Preacher escape, and has sided with him in creating havoc in the kingdom.”

  The three others in the room glared at Sean for an explanation.

  “Please, put down the weapon, Kelln. Let’s just talk.”

  The governor stepped closer. “Ambassador, my daughter and I can handle this young man if he is not who he claims to be. I agree with your assessment, but our King did send him to help. Let’s at least hear him out.”

  Kelln mumbled a retort but reluctantly put his dirk down.

  Sean stepped up to the governor and bowed, reverting to his noble upbringing. “Governor Penrose, I am Sean San Ghant of Anikari. I do indeed hold some history with the Preacher. But let me assure you, King Darius has sent me here in good faith to help the situation.” He took out his papers, which he gave to the governor. Darius had written a note to him and the ambassador.

  “I still don’t believe it,” Kelln mumbled.

  Sean turned to him. “Just so you understand, Kelln, I was not the one that let the Preacher escape; that was your beautiful raven-haired friend, Alessandra. It was all her doing. I was just offered a way out with them, and I took it.”

  Kelln jumped toward Sean again and tried to grab him.

  Tali swatted him back with a push of air. “Now boys, we can’t tolerate this fighting if we are going to get anything done.”

  “A feisty one, she is.” Sean smiled a toothy grin at Kelln. “She likes to tease the boys it seems.” That remark got him another pinch on the bottom. “Ouch.” He scowled. “Stop that.”

  “Then stop acting childish,” Tali said, hands on her hips.

  Her father smiled and regained control of the situation. “Let’s all sit, please. We need to plan on how we find the Preacher and stop his influence from growing in the city. Rapp, make sure the place is secure, then ask someone to bring us some food. This might be a long night.”

  * * *

  In the three weeks since Christine had been under the care of her newfound friend, her nausea had abated, her skin tone was healthier, and her energy level was up. The two developed a schedule of spending time together each day and taking walks. First, it was just inside the large building she was held prisoner in, but in time, they ventured to an outside garden area.

  The fresh air and sunlight lifted the queen’s spirit. With winter approaching, the days were getting shorter and the nights cooler; however this much further south, the daytime temperatures were still comfortable enough to wear a light coat.

  The doctor never shared her own name with Christine and still seemed very skittish and nervous any time that Christine talked about her home or the chance to escape.

  Christine discovered through listening to the servants that she was being held in Gildan in a large estate of one of the general’s most faithful followers.

  “There must be hidden doorways in the garden walls,” Christine mentioned one day.

  “Dear, you must stop thinking about escape.”

  “I can’t,” Christine said. “Darius is out there searching for me. General Alrishitar is planning on invading the Realm. I must warn my husband. There is no one else.”

  The wizard smiled. “How did such a young girl become so bold in life? I could never be like you.”

  “But you are a wizard with powers I can never even dream of.”

  “But I am a weak wizard. I am a wizard of the mind. I do not fight or battle. I use my power for studies and scholarly work. That is how I learned about healing.”

  “My husband is a wizard of the heart,” Christine mentioned proudly.

  That got the doctor’s attention. There hadn’t been many wizards with the power of the heart over time. They were thought to be some of the most powerful but also more volatile and open to sudden mood changes. “The general will not have such an easy time then.”

  “No, he will not,” Christine became more firm and serious. “That is why I need to escape.” She stood taller, face flushed. Her golden hair flowed down her back over a light silk coat that was more to hide the pregnancy than to provide warmth. She stood a good hand taller than the woman.

  “And you will help me,” Christine continued. “I will leave either way, doctor. If you would see me safe, your help would be better for me. If not, I will still try on my own. I must reach my husband or reestablish the bond to my Cremelino.”

  At mention of the mythical animal, the wizard doctor took immediate interest. She had made a lifetime pursuit in studying ancient creatures, particularly the Cremelinos. Having never seen one herself, she was full of questions. The Gildanian wizard did not know about communicating through the bond. They contemplated together why it was weakened now for Christine. They could come up with no answer.

  In the end, with the excited expectation of maybe meeting a Cremelino horse, the wizard decided to help the young queen find a way to escape. The wizard promised to discretely search out those who were not sympathetic to the general and to find out the whereabouts of Prince Mezar. Christine knew if they could find him, he would help.

  Later that week on one of their morning walks, the doctor confided in Christine that contact had been made with someone who caught rumors the prince was back in Gildan. Contact would be made if possible.

  Christine’s hope lifted for the first time. She tried to be strong on the outside for the doctor and others around her, but inside she was only a moment away from weeping each time she thought about her dear husband. He must be frantically searching for
her and out of his mind. She hoped that his grief was not distorting his powers. The power of love and compassion were strongest in him, but feelings of anger and frustration could bring havoc and even deadly results.

  She missed Darius and found herself reliving more and more their times together as younger teenagers. Times were so simple then. She marveled how the daughter of a poor farmer had become the queen of the Realm.

  As much as she missed Darius, the lost bond to her Cremelino was sometimes even more debilitating. For years, the constant comforting presence had sat in the back of her mind, urging her on, giving her strength, and bringing hope.

  She sat on her bed, feeling sorry for the missed bond, when the door to her room crashed open. It was General Alrishitar.

  The heir to the throne of Gildan was livid. His face was red, and dark veins stood out on his light brown face. His hair, although dark in his younger years, now held tips of gray. His hand came up out of his dark black robes and pointed at Christine.

  “You deceived me, girl!” he roared, his voice filled with an expanse of power. The walls shook, and Christine winced.

  He took three large strides and grabbed the queen off of the bed. With rough hands, he pulled her to her feet. Christine felt tears sting her eyes. Her lips quivered with his rough handling.

  The general grabbed her cloak and ripped it from her body in one fluid motion. Christine stood still in her light blue silk gown, her baby bump obvious.

  “You are pregnant and hid this news from me? You and that wretched doctor of yours.”

  With the mention of the doctor, Christine’s fear grew deeper, but her resolve slid into place. “Where is my doctor?”

  “She has been taken away. She is a traitor to the crown, and her use to me is over.”

  The doctor had been right. If the general found out, she would be killed. The realization hit Christine, and she fought hard to stay in control. “You are the traitor, General.”