The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1)

by Matthew M. Johns

  David stood in the doorway to the room which his youngest children were sharing. The girls had barely been dressed for bed when they fell asleep. He gazed at Dinah and Mary, who had chosen to share one of the large beds, as they slept. Looking at these two, his mind began to drift and he thought about his wife. He wondered if she had yet to receive his letter and hoped its words would help her understand a little of what was going on. He realized he had a great deal more to tell her, too. Before he could go too much further with this train of thought, he closed his eyes and said a prayer over Mary and Dinah; then he added a prayer of protection over Rebekah and their unborn child.

  As he was finishing his prayer he felt the presence of another body. He looked up and saw a well-toned woman approaching. She was lightly armored and carried two long daggers on her belt. He knew from meeting her shortly before supper that she had pale green skin and hair to match. This didn’t stand out too much now, though her cat-like eyes did. She bowed and spoke to David in a respectful whisper.

  “Greetings, Truth Blade; my sisters and I have the honor of watching over your children this evening. Rest assured we will keep them safe.”

  David had been surprised that the particular and snobbish Lady Liseea had let the three weald sisters be part of her maiden guard. However, once he met the triplets and saw a demonstration of their skill he could guess why. Though it suited their nature and natural abilities, the sisters had always been on night watch so as not to be seen by their former mistress. Hogan had politely asked that they keep their nightly vigil, though he stretched their patrol to the guest wing as well, where the rest of the Koens (save Deborah) would be sleeping.

  “Thank you,” David began, but started to fumble when he tried to place a name to the woman.

  The guard smiled, flashing her sharp incisors. “E’lina, sir. Don’t worry about our names overly much. My sisters and I encountered that enough in our lives as identical triplets, let alone under the service of Lady Liseea.”

  David inclined his head in a bow. “Thank you E’lina,” he said, then returned to the task of checking on his children.

  Most of the kids were already asleep, exhausted by the day's events. David himself was sore and weary, yet as the only parent present he felt a sense of duty to see to each of his children. A longing for his wife pierced his heart yet again. He was still feeling the pain when he finally found Deborah, who had not been in her quarters, but was still in the dining hall.

  Deborah was sitting catty-corner across from Hogan. They were leaning into each other, hands intertwined, enjoying a close conversation. The two were so engaged they failed to notice David’s arrival. As he watched, he saw Deborah smile and laugh. A sad finality wrapped about David’s soul as he realized this was it, this was the end. Deborah had had a trying and traumatic day. She had faced demons, fire, government upheaval, and a renewed call from God on high, yet here she sat able to laugh and smile, radiant as her mother had been when David quartered her. David didn’t have the heart to disturb her and was about to leave when Yero, not sharing any of David’s misgivings, entered through the other door.

  Yero made quick eye contact with David before he headed straight for Hogan and Deborah, making a little more noise in his walk than necessary. Upon reaching them, he spoke to them in a whisper that carried a great deal of authority even from where David stood. The two young lovers stood, and Hogan gently kissed Deborah’s hands before letting them go. Soft, brief words of parting were spoken, and then Hogan left. In the absence of Hogan, a solitary maiden guard appeared. David hadn’t even noticed the elf warrior standing by the tapestry, so near the young couple yet seemingly not present at all.

  Yero led Deborah to David. She hugged her father, kissed him on the cheek, wished him goodnight, and then glided off with the maiden guard in tow. David watched her go, but his attention was brought back to Yero, who was now standing at his shoulder.

  “You are sore and wounded.” It was a statement of fact, not a question. Yero continued at David’s silence. “I have a good chamber for you. Near the children. I have taken the liberty of ordering a medical soak.”

  The two men began walking, side-by-side, yet with Yero leading. “It seems my young lieutenant is enamored with your daughter. . .”

  “. . . and vice versa,” David said, completing Yero’s thought. “I hate to be so grandiose; however, if Hogan is not the one the angels talked about Deborah marrying, then may there be a clear sign, along the lines of him being struck dumb in the night.”

  Yero chuckled. “I hear the protective father's plea to God.”

  David let himself smile. Yero sighed. “I can only imagine how you feel; so much, so quickly.”

  “Her mother isn’t even here,” David said, the bitterness unable to leave his voice, “yet I have to give her away. What am I going to say to Rebekah when we finally meet up? How many children...?” He couldn’t complete the horrifying thought out loud.

  Yero guided David in silence around a corner and up a flight of stairs. There they came to a door with a middle aged man standing in front of it. Yero stepped in front of David. The sword wielder took a deep breath and tried to put his self-pity aside. He looked up at his companion and for the first time realized that the burn marks on his face were now merely reddened patches of skin. David was on the verge of asking about his wounds when Yero interrupted his thought.

  “Look,” the captain said, “my people have a tradition, especially for young couples. When they approach a stage where they are becoming serious, we separate them and they spend three days in near isolation so they can think about their future and pray for the will of God. Sometimes they realize they are not willing to go through the ordeal for one another; other times their hearts are moved in a new direction during the trial. However, they can also find out they truly want to pursue the path they are on. Three days, starting tomorrow afternoon after the council meets. It will give them time to contemplate the future, and also help the rest of the kingdom prepare for the transition.”

  David nodded, though he was unsure three days were enough to prepare himself for the inevitable. Yero motioned over to the other man. The elf bowed to David.

  “Truth Blade,” Yero began a little more formally, “This is Niles. He is a field medic, my best. He’s prepared a healing bath for you and will help you recover from today. Rest; we will deal with the children and the council tomorrow. Ah, yes; by the way, your daughter has requested that I lead her home guard.”

  David smiled, “She’s already started taking to the task, I see. I still feel she is too young for both ruling and marriage.”

  Yero nodded. “That may be; however, God can use our talents well enough. He shows His power through our faith and uses us in spite of our faults. You and your children have great gifts; even ones you don't perceive as of yet. Remember, God didn’t call you because you were ready, but because He was. Trust in His plan.”

  “I know, it isn't as if I don’t have access to His truth,” David responded patting the Sword of Truth. “Just the enormity of the task. . .”

  “Go, refresh yourself and rest. Let the Lord put into place that which you will need to be successful.”

  David shook his head and turned. Niles had the door to David’s room open and they entered. Yero turned to leave, but David called after him.

  “Yero, be sure my daughter knows what she may be getting into by having you in her service. I don’t doubt your loyalty or ability, though there are rumors and truths about the anthope that she needs to hear about from you.

  “I’ve seen many things in my own time here, things that defy rational understanding on my planet. She needs the truth in order to make a wise choice. For what it is worth, I believe you are the best choice.”

  “Thank you; I will do as you wish.”

  The two men bowed to each other, then parted company.

  It was a long night as each of the Koens examined yet another change to their lives. Would the pace of running and fighting eve
r stop? As each one came to feel they understood the enormity of the task in front of them, something new developed. Deborah was to be crowned queen and married. This information met with different reactions from the various children.

  The youngest girls, still captivated by princess tales, were near giddy with excitement. Jeremiah saw the first great step to a challenge he was not certain all of them would survive unscathed or even with their mortal lives. Mel, the second oldest, was looking at the situation another way: he was thinking of the inevitability that he was next. He didn’t feel ready. He also knew his sister wasn’t as confident as she seemed. He had thought they would have years to prepare. Were any of them ready? Nic was puzzled over the events of the day and was striving to make sense of it all. Silas brooded, hungry for a chance to prove himself, to snatch a moment of glory. Eve tried to dismiss the whole affair and retreat into nothingness, but became consumed with thoughts of what never would be and what she still had to do. Exhaustion took them all, though, and each found a measure of rest for the time being.

  David didn’t sleep at all. He was in turmoil. He knew he was following God’s path. He felt the certainty of it in his soul and the vibration emanating from the Sword of Truth. These were his children, though. So much was happening and he was now filled with regrets. How many years had he not told his wife about his past, about who he really was? Why hadn’t he divulged his knowledge about the Crossroads? Yes, he was commanded not to and he understood the reasons why, but now it seemed as if he should have tried. How, though? Now they were here, separated. Rebekah was at risk, as were their children. Deborah was going to be married, and he had no idea how he was going to tell his wife how miserable and sorry he was.

  Chapter 37

  For the first time in over a generation, the council met in the great hall. In truth, the hall had been used for little in many, many years, so it needed some work to prepare it for the council’s use. The work was seen to quickly and the great hall was ready at the appointed time, though some councilors still complained about excessive dust.

  The members of the council were subdued as they entered the hall. Many of them quickly transitioned to shock or outrage as they realized the balcony seating was taken up with observers. None of the councilors had realized that Deborah had sent messengers out amongst the public, inviting them to what she was calling the people’s council. Plots to stifle the novice queen suddenly fizzled in their minds as they speculated what this new course of events would mean for them.

  A dark murmuring started on the main floor as councilors came together to vent. This discord was quickly silenced when the councilors heard the entirety of the balcony populace stand. They first looked up and back to see what was going on. When they noticed all of them were focused on the front of the hall they turned their attentions forward and noticed that Deborah was standing there unannounced.

  Deborah had entered from a side chamber near the royal dais. She wore a simple dress of pale green. Her hair was styled, though not ornately. Her escort consisted of her father and Yero. David was wearing a pair of unimpressive brown breeches, his well-worn leather scabbard belt, and a simple blue shirt. Save for the sword which everybody knew of, he looked rather unimpressive. Yero, on the other hand, wore full military regalia. His uniform was fresh and crisp, and many were shocked to see that he was now sporting the rank Commander of the Royal Guard, though the crest of the household was missing from his left shoulder.

  There were several messages being conveyed by the appearance of the uncrowned queen and her escorts. The councilors were busy trying to piece all the clues together, though many of them were having a hard time completely deciphering their meanings. Two things were clear, however. First, the queen to be was not going to place herself above the populace or use her family influence to gain greater power. Secondly, there were going to be great new opportunities for all, as was evident in the promotion of a simple captain to the commander of all the guard. Those of the councilors who were still steeped in the control of the Manipulator and greed began calculating how much control they might be able to acquire.

  Deborah motioned for everybody to sit, and they did so. She stood in front of the throne, but did not sit herself. Yero and David moved to stand behind and off to the side of the throne, so that a person focused on Deborah would just be able to see them out of the corner of his eye.

  “Good sirs of the council and my guests,” Deborah began. “I have called you all together this day to begin setting the words of God into realization.”

  Deborah’s voice projected well throughout the chamber as she put to use several years of high school drama training. The confidence in her candor of speech belied the nervousness in her core.

  “From this day forth, the council of the Seventh Kingdom shall meet in this hall. The council shall be comprised of the landholding nobility of each province within this kingdom, and a representative of the working class within those borders as well.”

  Murmurs broke out both on the floor and in the balcony above. Both sets of people expressed the uncertainty of Deborah’s words and the indignity it could mean for the current ruling class. The whispering died slowly down as Deborah raised her hands to call the room into silence. When she spoke this time her voice seemed even louder, her speech more empowered by passion.

  “For too long this kingdom was held in sway by a demon’s will. I am not saying the system by which it was governed was responsible for this, though it helped. The demon isolated the aristocracy from each other and the people en masse from the ruling body. We cannot let this happen again. I know the system of governing I will help create will not be without pitfalls, nor will it be incorruptible by demons and those led astray by them. However, it will help us remain vigilant, relying upon one another to hold each other accountable to the right path of God. Together we can counter the foothold the Void and the Fallen One seek to have in this kingdom, in this crossing, and in the worlds beyond.”

  When Deborah stopped talking there was silence. It lasted for seven seconds. Then observers in the balcony began to clap. They stood once more. Urged either by passion or pressure to conform, the councilors began to join them. Yero, David, and Deborah took note of those who didn’t even deign to applaud.

  Deborah raised her hands for silence once more. As soon as she had it, she began speak once more. He voice was marginally quieter, and a small bit of her nervousness leaked into her tone.

  “It has been decreed from on high that I will be crowned upon my wedding day.”

  She paused, visibly taking a breath. “Three days from now I will announce my betrothal, and a week thereafter I will be wed. Following this we will begin to refocus our governance to the will of the Creator and fortify these lands against the manipulations of the Void.”

  As a mix of eager and/or conciliatory applause began, Deborah turned and exited the way she had come. She was grateful for the presence of her father and Yero. She welcomed her father’s gentle hand upon her shoulder drawing, from it strength and confidence, two things she had merely tried to project but did not feel. Halfway down the corridor she turned and embraced him, trying desperately to absorb his quiet calm and strength. She did not realize she was crying until she tried to speak.

  “I’m. . . not. . . ready,” she sobbed.

  David embraced her tightly and gently rocked with her.

  “I know, I know. He will make us ready when He calls us forth. He will give us what we need to carry the burden given to us.”

  They stayed that way for nearly half an hour before they broke their embrace and continued down the hall to her chambers.

  Chapter 38

  Jared stood beside Pax at the mouth of an alleyway. Across from them was a broader, much more elaborate archway.

  “Down that way is the back gate to the royal healer’s compound,” Jared started to explain. “The rear guard house usually has two guards posted. I can inquire about the lady’s well-being. It is not likely they will know. However, since i
t is so close to the shift change they may be willing to check for us. If she’s not up, they won’t disturb her. Chances are we will get dismissed and told to come back later.”

  “Will they not be suspicious of you trying to gain entrance through the rear?” asked Pax.

  “No, commoners are restricted from coming any other way. With the sun just setting, the hour might seem odd, though not completely unheard of.”

  “So you’re certain my messenger credentials won’t grease the gate?”

  “They could, although there is just as much likelihood that you could be jammed up like I am. The lady was pretty bad when we finally rolled her in. At the least she’s still unresponsive. If they chose to, they could delay you until she came around, same as me. You said you wanted a second option. Sneaking in the back is the second option.”

  “I’ve had to sneak into plenty of places to make sure my messages got to the correct owners.”

  Pax stood quiet for some time. Jared had to focus hard to keep the little man in view; he seemed to be able to wrap the shadows of the alley around him.

  “Very well,” the nisse finally said, “you must approach the guards and try to get in. I will accompany you. Be warned, though; do not draw any attention to me. Should any opportunity present itself I’ll slip in. Once inside a place, it is much simpler to appear that I belong if I get caught.”

  Jared knew better than to ask how the nisse would get in. However, he could not resist pleading with the messenger.