by M. J. Sewall
Behind them, Ellice said, “Let us take her. We can help her back in our kingdom.”
From the creature, Ardrell yelled through her metal helmet, “Hurry, there's room for everyone.”
Crys looked at her daughter, momentarily shaking herself out of her madness. The doubt returned. It seemed to strangle the madness. “Yes. Yes, please… please, take my daughter. Make her well.”
“Mother…?” asked the girl.
Crys turned to Gordon, the madness nearly extinguished by doubt and fear, “Please take her. You must hurry, there is only a moment left.”
The beast flapped its wings and was close enough to the tower that they climbed on board the back of the beast. When the girl was secured, and all were on the saddle, Ellice screamed, “You're coming with us.”
Tears streamed down Queen Crys's face as Ellice climbed aboard the beast last. Ellice held out her hand for Queen Crys. They joined hands. The beast began to lift, but Crys saw her dead son surrounded by blue flowers and let go at the last moment.
“Mother!” cried her daughter, trying to leap from the saddle. Aline kept her on the beast. Queen Crys looked into Ellice's eyes, and she could tell this is what Crys wanted. She was back to the top of the tower. As the beast rose into the air, trying to get away from the tower, Ellice could see Crys lay down on the roof next to her dead son.
That was when the first explosion happened. It shook the tower, seeming to do no damage at first. Then the explosions started to happen one after the other, the tower blowing outward. Before the smoke and dust made it impossible to see, Ellice saw that Crys stayed on the top, lying there with her son until the last moment.
A wave of air hit them as the beast pulled away from the explosion, crossing to the far side of the cliff, careful to stay under the hanging chains. The girl sobbed uncontrollably, covering her face. The rest watched as the explosions continued, the walls of the round tower blowing out in a spiral that continued down the structure. Dust and stone bits blew everywhere in the large space under the chains. The largest parts of the tower fell to the waters below, splashing into the river.
Gordon felt the girl sobbing, even if he couldn't hear her. The deafening sound of the destruction made all of their ears ring. Gordon though about Danette and the guards in the lower section and hoped they got far enough away. He looked over to where they might have escaped, but there was too much dust and smoke billowing around to see anything clearly.
The beast made its way upward until it was just under the lowest chain. Drops of rusty water fell as the girl continued weeping. Aline was holding her tight, afraid the girl might fall from grief, or leap off the saddle if she let her go. Still unable to hear anything, Aline wondered how they would leave this place.
Gordon looked up as another rusty drip hit his head. A new shadow appeared over the opening in the trees. Through the chains, he could see ropes coming down through the chains. After a few moments, men were on the ropes, and they were dangling from an airship hovering above them.
Brenddel yelled, “Is everyone alright?” But no one answered, unable to hear him.
On the rope closest to the beast, Brenddel reached out his hand and they handed him the girl through the chains first. Soon they were all on ropes, with men on deck helping pull up the ropes through the web of chains, bringing them all safely on board.
After they were all secured, Brenddel came back down the rope, dangling just feet from Ardrell.
“Can you get back through the underwater cave?” Brenddel asked Ardrell.
“I don't think so. Stones from the tower may have blocked my access. I will have to stay here for now. I'll help these people for now. I'll start by making sure everyone survived the destruction of the tower. Then I'll work to help bring all the survivors together, live as one again.”
Brenddel nodded, “I hope we meet again, Ardrell. Thank you.”
Another rope dropped close to them, and down came Aline, faster than was safe. She leapt onto the Jhalgon, embracing her aunt. Brenddel used the moment to climb back up. From on deck, Gordon looked at Aline and Ardrell embrace. They touched their foreheads together just as Aline and her mother had done. Then Aline came back up the rope, and Ardrell flew back toward the ruined tower.
The explosions were over, but stones still fell down the cliff wall to the waters below, making large uneven splashes. The bodies in the river were entombed in their watery graves. Ardrell, the Jhalgon rider, glided down and out of sight as the airship started to rise over the forest.
Onboard, and underway back to their kingdom, the girl's sobs eventually got quieter. Ellice and Aline gave the girl as much food as they dared. Gordon's machine was lost in the tower, and he had used all of Loren's oil on the girl. They would have to be careful with her until they got back to the kingdom. They informed Brenddel they would need to get Gordon and the girl to Loren and the healing rooms as soon as they landed.
Tolan remained tied and gagged on the airship, under guard. There was much to talk about as they headed back, Brenddel not sure of how much he should tell the others. He stood at the front of the airship, thinking, I hope there's a kingdom to go back to.
Chapter 46: The King's Plan
Another large throwing stone hit the palace. All of the doors had been barred with heavy wood, and metal bars. The windows had been covered with the metal shutters and barred from the inside. Each shutter had open slits to see the enemy attacking. So far, they were content to hit the palace with heavy stones from a distance. They knew the army made up of regular folk mixed with their own former soldiers would attack eventually.
“It's clear they are readying for a frontal attack of the palace. They are just waiting to open up a hole in the palace so that they can pour in and take it,” said Lozarian, busy directing soldiers to implement the planned defenses. So far, no innocent people had been killed. As the attacks continued, the attackers seemed less innocent.
“Could they really get in?” asked Devver.
“I won't let them,” said Mantuan. “These walls are thicker than most people know. The palace was almost completely rebuilt from the inside in the days of King Leeman. It's designed to withstand a siege.”
“But not for an army turning on itself,” said Stathen.
“What's next?” asked King Asa.
“Next we get you to the safest place in the palace.” Mantuan turned to the king's brothers, “Vance, Devver, take the King to the law room.”
“What? No,” Asa nearly yelled, “Mantuan, I won't go and hide while our kingdom is under attack!”
“No arguments, my King. If they get in, they will want your head. You are the symbol of the kingdom right now and if they capture you, it will be the symbol that they want to destroy. They will use your death to prove that they are destined to rule, that fate is on their side.”
“I won't go,” said Asa.
“You will, my King, if I have to have you taken there in chains,” said Mantuan.
Asa didn't know how to respond. He suddenly felt as powerless as he did under Trunculin. The rest of the people in the room were shocked by what Mantuan said, but they understood his reasoning.
“I'm sorry, my King, that was too harsh,” said Mantuan, breaking his attention from the war map, to turn and face Asa. He put his arm on Asa's shoulder, “But we must keep you safe at all costs. I can die tonight, my king, you cannot. Please.”
Asa rubbed his eyes, angry at the situation more than at Mantuan. He also realized a blind boy king was just about the most useless of all the god's creatures. He clutched his staff. “Of course. You're right Mantuan, I'll go. Vance, Devver, will you help me?”
“Thank you, my King. I will do everything I can to keep us safe,” Mantuan said. They all stood silent as they watched King Asa and his brothers get to safety.
They helped their brother leave for the law room, making sure he had his wooden staff. Asa had favored it over his brothers leading him around in recent days. It made him feel a little less useless as his
eyes slowly improved.
Asa and his brothers ignored all the scary sounds of large stone hitting the palace, and finally made it to the law room. Asa had visited several times in the last half year, marveling at the amount of laws. They had been so busy finding and trying corrupt councilors, that they had not been able to dismantle 'the snake' that was the law book yet. Asa walked along the great law book, which was one long continuous book set on endless tables. It went from room to room in serpentine curves, and still filled up nearly an entire floor of the palace.
“Why here?” asked Vance.
“This level has no windows. The floor was strengthened as they added more laws. Paper is heavy. It's the strongest level in the palace.”
“Whoa!” Devver called from several rooms away, “It goes all the way around!”
“Have you learned all of these laws, little brother?” asked Vance.
“I hope you're jesting. No. We are working through the councils to undo many of these laws. The idea is to get back to the original ideas. The first thirteen thought fewer laws were better, one small law book. The same one we have printed and given free to the people now. The people in charge of their own fate, with just a few good laws to guide them,” said Asa. “But it's been slow. I mean look around, it's ridiculous.”
“It's too soon for you to make eye sight puns,” said Devver.
“Stop that. There's a war outside. It's no time for jests,” said Vance. Devver walked away again.
Asa said, “It's no wonder it was so easy to be in trouble with the law before. In these books, nearly everything is against the law, if they care to enforce it.”
They were silent for a few moments. Total silence. If heavy stone was hitting the palace, they did not hear it in the law room.
“We were all so proud of you when you became King. When Gordon was picked, we all cheered,” said Vance, “But you should have heard Devver when you got chosen. He yelled so much, he couldn't talk the next day.”
“This book goes on for miles!” They both laughed as Devver was heard again, deeper in the law room.
Asa sat in a chair, “That was a strange day. Other days got a lot stranger than that. I never wanted to be King, you know.”
Vance sat down next to Asa, “I know little brother. I would say it was fate, but we all know it was Trunculin.”
“I hope father forgives me for staying king someday.” Asa said quietly.
“He will. I think under all his anger; he just worries for you. He was mad when we had to go in hiding just before the trial. But secretly, I think he wishes he could have killed Trunculin, after the truth came out. Have you ever wondered why he chose you?”
Asa chuckled softly, “Probably because I was so small. Some people think it was because I'm dumb, but…. Well, Trunculin's dead and I'm still a king.”
Vance said, “Now the people want your head.”
“Yeah. Being a king isn't much fun most of the time.”
“Maybe fate did choose you somehow,” said Devver, having gone the entire length of the book, coming back where the circle began.
“Thanks Devver, but Trunculin chose me. The people just continued his mistake.”
“I think…” Devver said, “…and don't tell anyone I said this. But I think you're a good king.”
Vance said, “Don't tell him that…”
“It's true, I believe that.” said Devver.
“I know it's true,” said Vance with a smile, “just don't tell him. It'll be harder to tease him.”
Asa smiled, “Don't worry, I won't tell anyone either. But thanks, big brothers.”
“Not that it makes any difference,” said Vance, indicating the situation they were currently in. “But I think it was fate too.”
Asa straightened up, “…and no matter what god of fate made the real choosing… sometimes a king has to be bold, and make the people believe fate was right…”
Devver said, “Did you just make that up…?”
“No.” replied Asa.
“…Because that was awesome.” said Devver.
Asa got to his feet, “That was said by the last of the original thirteen. Cetos, the last man to serve as king. He agreed to be advisor to the first boy king. I learned about it only weeks after Trunculin died and the people insisted Gordon and I keep the crown.”
“What happened?” Devver asked.
“My teacher says that there was nearly a war. Not everyone liked the ideas of the triangle kingdom, especially led by a boy. But Cetos gave that speech to the first boy king. I remembered it because….” Asa trailed off, pacing.
Vance tried to remember exactly what Asa had said, “Sometimes a king…. wait… what you are thinking?”
Asa stopped pacing, “I have a plan, but you're not going to like it.”
Asa told them his plan.
“You're right, we don't like it.”
Asa said, “But it could work.”
“It could work, it might work,” Vance said, “but if it doesn't…”
Asa said, “The people want my head. The worse might happen anyway.”
Vance hit his hand flat on the stone wall, “Yes, but this will protect you better than your plan.”
“I need the people to feel that fate may have been right after all,” said Asa.
Asa couldn't see him, but Vance rolled his eyes, and Devver and he exchanged the look of two people who knew a bad idea when they heard one.
“You either help me,” said Asa, “or I do it alone.”
Vance threw up his hands. Devver said, “Who are we to argue with a king?”
They all headed to the healing rooms. No one questioned them as they wove through soldiers rushing in all directions. Asa said, “Sometimes it helps being young. No one seems to notice you.”
They arrived at the healing rooms and there were beds everywhere. Lining every softly glowing wall were soldiers and regular people, many holding cloth to their wounds. Asa's brothers looked around in horror.
They saw head wounds, and others that were covered in so much red that they couldn't tell from where the blood came. Most of the regular people were being treated for injuries outside the palace walls; there was a healing area set up, so that no one could fake injuries and get inside the palace. That meant all the people here now were in the worst shape. They looked at each other, deciding silently not to tell Asa.
As they passed another healing room, Loren noticed the boys.
“Asa. My king, you shouldn't be here.” Loren looked up from sewing a man's wound.
“Oh, umm. Hello Loren…” Asa hated to lie. “…There were some people from the crowd that were hurt yesterday. I want to talk to them.”
“Now? My King, we're a bit busy.”
“I know. I'm sorry, Loren. I won't be in the way. I thought I should talk to them personally. Prove I'm no monster hiding in the palace.”
Loren gave Asa all the attention he had time for as he wrapped the man's leg in some healing cloth, “They are in the second room on your left.”
“Thank you Loren.” Asa and his brothers left.
The three walked down the hallway, healers and their assistants running this way and that. They passed by the room Loren described, making their way instead to the very last healing room. Lying on either bed were two soldiers. Both were under blankets and seemed to be sleeping. One soldier had healing cloth around his head, covering one eye. Vance saw the circle of blood coming through the cloth. He was glad Asa couldn't see it, he would probably think this was all his fault.
They moved the table out from against the wall.
Loren finished with his patient and made his way to make sure Asa found the right room. He arrived to see an assistant healer standing over the people Asa had asked about. Loren asked, “Were the King and his brothers just here?”
“I've been here over half the hour and no one has been here. Oh, I saw three young men pass by. They headed to the back of the healing rooms.”
Loren thanked him and went int
o the last room. The injured soldiers were sleeping comfortably.
But the boys had vanished. Loren knew where they had gone, but he had to get back to work. He just hoped they weren't doing anything crazy.
Chapter 47: With Horse and Axe
Mantuan got on his horse. The men around him checked their weapons, and Mantuan reached around his back and touched the handle of his battle-axe.
“Let me go instead,” said Lozarian.
“No, Lozarian. You are Firstman. I have no official title. You must protect the King at all costs. If I fall, no harm is done. Besides, from what I'm told… they don't like me out there very much.”
Lozarian shook his head. “The King won't like this. If innocent people are killed….”
“Better I be blamed, then,” said Mantuan, “They attacked us, they are not innocent. This is a war they started. Talk has ended. Action is required.
“I hope you're right,” said Lozarian. “Good luck.”
Mantuan said to his men, “When this is over, you acted on my orders alone. If anyone gets the blame, it's me. Now, let's go fight for our kingdom.”
The men roared in response and they left the stables, twenty armored horses at full speed. Some had short bows, some battle hammers, all had knives and courage. They charged out toward the front line of soldiers, and the attacking people beyond.
* * *
Asa and his brothers came out of the secret tunnels into a courtyard at the back of the palace. Waste bins filled with food lined the courtyard, ready to be hauled off.
Devver said, “That was fun. How did you know about those tunnels?”
“What's fun about darkness and spider webs in your face?” asked Vance.
Asa said, “The darkness doesn't bother me, remember? Gordon told me about the tunnels. It's where Aline rescued him and got him out of the kingdom.”
They made their way quietly out of the courtyard. There were a few guards around, but this was a secluded area of the palace grounds. It led to a small wood, then to the king's dock. This side was well protected and far from the battles brewing on the other side of the palace.
