“Great,” exclaimed Fredrik. “Iwonder if she was stupid enough to use magic here.”
Arik and Tanya both shot Fredrik awicked glare and he turned red when he realized what he had said.He smiled weakly and shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry,” heapologized. “I really meant stupid enough to get caught usingmagic.”
Arik and Tanya were not impressed withthe subtle distinction Fredrik was making. “Niki is the moreimportant of the two,” Arik stated. “Garth can take care of himselfand Niki is likely to use magic on the King and get herself killed.How can we find out where she is and what she has done?”
“I know a guard,” suggestedTedi, “who appears honest and might tell us. I don’t really knowhim, but I know his name and what he looks like. He is the one whowas talking about Mikal Obanik and what happened five years ago.His name is Lomar.”
“If this guard is honest andknows Mikal is in town,” Tanya asked, “why is he not arrestinghim?”
“He thinks what Mikal did wascorrect,” Tedi said. “The King was mad because Mikal refused to behis General of the Army. That is what got him thrown out of thecity and Lomar won’t arrest him to face the King again.”
“That is a story I want tohear more of,” Tanya said, “but right now we have to get Niki tosafety. In most cities, you can just go up to the Palace Guard andask them if somebody has been arrested and what for. I’ll go trythat and come back.”
Tanya left as Fredrik said, “It is mostlikely that she used magic. If that is the case, they will executeher. We have to find out where the prison is and how to get herout.”
“I am not enjoying my firsttrip to the big city,” Tedi remarked. “I’ve spent all dayfrantically looking for Mikal before someone kills him and now wehave to plan a prison break.”
The boys sat and pondered theirsituation for a short time before Tanya returned. “She was arrestedfor something she did in Caldar. Something about using magic totake clothes from a woman,” Tanya informed them. “The woman is herein Melbin and recognized her.”
“Can they arrest her forsomething she did in another country?” Fredrik asked.
“The King can do whatever hewants in his country,” Tanya explained.
The four Rangers sat lost in thoughtfor some time. Garth would be furious with them if they didn’t getNiki free and this would probably be the last city they ever sawfor the rest of their lives.
“If this woman can have Nikiarrested for something that happened in Caldar,” Fredrik statedforcefully, “then I can have her arrested for something she did inCidal.”
The others looked at Fredrik like hewas crazy. Fredrik smiled and explained, “I am known as Lord Wasonin Cidal, the Lord of the Manor. We had to leave the town ratherswiftly because Niki used magic to hold one of my maids off thefloor. She was in a rage and they would have killed her. She rodeout on a horse and I pretended to be chasing her. As far as anyonein Cidal knows, I am still chasing her. I will go to the King anddemand her arrest. He will turn her over to me and we canleave.”
“That sounds pretty good,”Tedi admitted, “but will the King even see you?”
“If he is really Lord of theManor in Cidal,” Tanya speculated, “the King probably will see him.Do you know anybody there that the King might know?”
“Just before we left town, Iwas in a meeting with Captain Grecho, head of the Cidal MercenaryCompany. The King may have heard of him,” hoped Fredrik.
“I heard about them today inthe same conversation,” Tedi exclaimed. “They are known here inMelbin and have a good reputation.”
“Well, Lord Wason,” bowedArik, “it would appear that you are about to see the King ofMelbin.”
Fredrik straightened out his clothesand headed for the Royal Palace, which was an imposing mansion inthe heart of the city. The Palace itself was set back quite a bitfrom the road and Fredrik feared he would look foolish walking infrom the street. He turned around and headed towards a carriagehouse he had seen earlier in the day. For twenty crowns, he renteda large, ornate carriage for the trip to the RoyalPalace.
The carriage pulled up to the gate tothe Royal Palace and the driver announced Lord Wason of the CidalManor having just arrived in the city to seek audience with theKing. The guard looked inside the carriage and nodded. A runner wassent to the Palace and he returned several minutes later with amessage. The guard opened the massive gate and waved the carriagethrough.
The carriage rode up to the front ofthe Royal Palace and stopped. A Palace servant dressed entirely inwhite, except for an orange and black sash, opened the carriagedoor. Fredrik stepped out as proudly as he could. The servantclosed the carriage door and then led Fredrik inside. The Palacewas fairly new and very well decorated. The entry was large andspacious and sported large plants to give the room an outdoorfeeling. Paintings lined the walls of the tiled corridors and thedoors were made from excellently carved woods with goldscrollwork.
The throne room was large and the floorwas completely covered with carpeting as fine as any Lanoirian rugFredrik had seen. Spaced along the walls were large murals of theseacoast and statues placed between them. The throne, itself, was agaudy gold chair with orange and black cushioning. Seated on thethrone was a small, plump man with a receding hairline. Behind thethrone were two women dressed in orange and black dresses. Theservant announced Lord Wason and Fredrik realized he was speakingto the King.
Fredrik bowed to King Alfred and waitedfor a signal to approach. Fredrik had never been before a King andhe had no idea what the protocols were, but he behaved as if theKing were a god and hoped that whatever he did would not create anoffense.
“King Alfred, I greatlyappreciate you taking the time to see me without an appointment. Iam afraid that our first meeting is marred by my need to asksomething of you.”
“Lord Wason, please, I do notstand a great deal on the formalities of the old ways. The last Ihad heard the Lord of the Manor in Cidal was Lord Alrecht. As yourname would indicate that you are not his son, may I ask how youhave come unto your Title?”
Lord Alrecht was my uncle, YourHighness. He was murdered by Black Devils passing through Cidal andI am his only heir.”
“You have my sympathies,” theKing offered. “I trust the Cidal Mercenary Company avenged hisdeath?”
“Actually, Your Highness,Captain Grecho informed me that the company was unaware of themurder until it was long over and the Black Devils had movedon.”
“A pity,” the Kingsympathized. “Well, what is it that you wish from me, LordWason?”
“I have been chasing a youngwoman who was staying in my mansion in Cidal,” Fredrik gambled. “Ithas come to my attention that she was arrested here in the citythis very day.”
“It seems to me, if I recallcorrectly, your uncle used to chase women, as well,” the Kingjoked, “but I think I know of the woman whom you are referring to.A Lady of Caldar has charged her with sorcery. The Lady told me aninteresting tale about having her dress ripped off her on the mainstreet of Caldar.”
“That could very well be thesame woman, Your Highness. The woman I am after used sorcery on oneof my own maids in my own mansion and I have been chasing her eversince.”
“Well, at least I no longerhave to feel guilty about executing her for sorcery,” chuckled KingAlfred. “Of course, the Lady of Caldar’s word was enough to satisfyme, but your word assures me beyond doubt. I will allow you towitness the execution and then we shall have a great feast for theLady and yourself.”
A shiver ran through Fredrik’s body. Hehad not known that the woman whom Niki disrobed in public was theLady of Caldar. The woman had seen Fredrik with Niki and if she sawhim here, he could also be arrested and executed.
“Your Highness,” Fredrikpleaded, “I would request that this woman be turned over to me sothat I may have her returned to Cidal to stand trial for her crimesagainst me and the people of Cidal.”
The King lost his entire jovial moodand went silent. For several long agonizing moments, the only soundin the large, cavernous room was Fredrik’
s ownbreathing.
Finally, the King of Melbin spoke. “Youpresent me with a difficulty, Lord Wason. I have before me a womanwho has committed serious crimes in two jurisdictions. Eachjurisdiction is a potential ally and vassal of Melbin. Caldarappeared before me first, but Cidal is closer and has the backingof the Cidal Mercenary Company. This is a difficult choice. Wouldyou care to look at the woman and confirm for me that we are,indeed, dealing with the same woman?”
“Certainly, Your Highness,”Fredrik agreed.
A servant and two guards led Fredrikout of the throne room and along a corridor to the rear of thePalace and across the yard almost to the far wall of the estate.Not far from the wall was a large, square plot of land surroundedby a moat, with a flagpole being the only structure above ground.The guards worked a winch that moved a narrow bridge out across themoat and the servant led Fredrik across. The entire island was aseries of cages built into the ground, which were exposed to theweather. The servant stopped at the first cage and Fredrik’s heartsunk as stared down at Niki in the cage. She was sleeping andFredrik did not have the heart to wake her.
Fredrik returned across the bridge andthe guards withdrew it. The four men marched back to the throneroom and Fredrik addressed the King.
“Your Highness, just seeingthe woman again makes me plead that you give preference to my claimtowards her.”
King Alfred nodded and laughed. “MyLord Wason, my advisors have come up with a plan to please bothCaldar and Cidal. You will be given the woman to take back to Cidalas you requested.”
Fredrik’s heart leaped with joy atavoiding this close call over losing Niki.
“That will be, of course,” theKing continued, “after we have executed her to satisfy Caldar’sclaim.”
Fredrik’s heart sank and he beggedleave from the King’s presence. On the way back to the FlutteringJib, he tried to think of what he would tell the others.
Chapter 17
Breakout
When Mikal Obanik emerged from thebasement of the leather shop, the sky had blackened and the alleywas dark. As dark as the alley was, the news from Alcea was evendarker. Instead of Alcea preparing to receive its new King, itsounded like the petty interests of rival Lords had takenprecedence. Worse than that, King Byron had been assassinated andQueen Marta had fled the city.
Mikal waited a moment to let his eyesadjust to the darkness and moved down the alley to his nextcontact. Sounds far behind him in the alley caught his attentionand Mikal refused the temptation to turn and look. If someone wasfollowing him, there was little he could do until they got closer.Care would have to be taken to make sure that no one knew hiscontacts, though. Long after Mikal had left the city, his contactswould have to continue living here.
At the end of the alley, Mikal steppedout on the wide street and watched the passing people. Gauging theproper moment, Mikal stepped out and merged with the flow oftraffic, hoping to lose his follower. It was only a half-heartedattempt as Mikal was taller than most of the citizens of Melbin andhis head would be visible above the crowd, still, the tail wouldknow only the general location when he left the crowd. He workedhis way patiently to the opposite side of the street and suddenlyducked into an alley. Walking quickly, Mikal reached the end of thealley and entered another broad street. He turned right on thestreet and right into the next alley. Halfway up that alley was adoor and he opened it and slipped in.
The corridor on the other side of thedoor was unlighted and Mikal walked cautiously to a doorway at theend. Mikal tapped on the door with a distinctive knock that alertedthe occupant on the other side as to whom was calling on him. Thedim light that showed under the door was extinguished and Mikalheard a bolt being thrown back and the door opened a crack. Mikalslipped into the room and closed the door. A voice from the otherside of the dark room called softly to him. “You have been away fora long time.”
“Matters of importance causedmy delay,” Mikal replied softly. “I understand the situation athome is not well. Do you have any information on Mother’swhereabouts or what happened to Father?”
Mikal heard the other occupant of theroom trying to use a striker and said, “I need to keep my nightvision. The alleys of Melbin are full of rats tonight.”
“Very well,” the mysteriousvoice answered. “Father’s illness was just part of the Contest. Ihave no knowledge of the gambler who threw the dice. No one knowsthe whereabouts of Mother. Some are planning to ask King Alfred toprovide a home for her if she can be located.”
“I would think that there aresafer places for her to visit,” Mikal said gruffly. “Still, someonemust look after her.”
“There is some degree ofbitterness in that statement,” chuckled the voice. “The invitationwill be offered. She may choose to accept or decline.”
“What else have you heard?”Mikal questioned.
“There is no longer a safetynet at home,” came the answer. “The dungeon is filling up and thereis the threat of emptying it in a harsh way. Your Cousin is one ofthem. That is all I have for you, I’m afraid. Don’t stay away solong next time.”
Mikal quietly offered thanks and afarewell as he slid out the door into the dark corridor. Crackingthe door to the alley, Mikal peered out looking for any passersby.Seeing none he stepped out into the alley and made his way towardsthe busy, wide street. The alley was dotted with small, blackalcoves and Mikal was halfway to the street when he heard a scrapeon the ground from one he had just passed.
Mikal immediately stooped as he spunaround to face his attacker. The knife just barely passed over hishead and Mikal threw a forceful punch up between the attackerslegs. A whoosh of breath smelling of cheap ale was expelled fromthe attacker and Mikal grabbed the man’s legs and straightened hisown, tossing the large attacker over his shoulder. Mikal spunaround and knelt on the man’s neck as he grabbed both of the man’swrists with his large callused hands. Smashing the man’s handsagainst the ground, Mikal was rewarded by the sound of the knifefalling to the ground.
The man tried to struggle beneath himand each time, Mikal put pressure on the man’s neck with his knee.Eventually, the man stopped struggling and Mikal said only one wordsoftly, “Name?”
When the man didn’t answer, Mikalincreased the pressure of his knee and asked the question again.Finally, the man answered, “Hanjel.”
“I should have known it wouldbe you,” Mikal said grimly. “First, you had no pride in yourposition. Now, you have too much pride, or is it hatred? This willmake the second time that I have spared your life, Hanjel. Therewill not be a third. Make no mistake about it. Even if you stand inthe presence of King Alfred, if I see you again, I will killyou.”
Mikal quickly snatched the fallenknife, rose and walked out of the alley to continue with hiscontacts, without looking back.
* * * *
Fredrik returned to the Fluttering Jiband walked up to his room. The other three Rangers were waitinganxiously. The disappointed looks on their faces were obvious whenFredrik entered the room alone.
“Wouldn’t the King see you?”asked Tanya.
Fredrik slumped down on his bed andshook his head. “The King saw me,” he answered. “I thought I hadhim ready to release Niki to me, but all he offered was her bodyafter she is executed. The woman whom Niki attacked is the Lady ofCaldar and she demanded her execution. The King has agreed toplease her.”
The room went suddenly quiet and Arikstarted pacing the floor. After the continuous sound of Arik’spacing drove everyone to irritability, the others made him sitdown.
“There is no option left butto break her out,” Tanya concluded. “If only we could figure outwhere they are holding her.”
Fredrik perked up at his chance tooffer something useful. “I know where she is,” he chirped. “I sawher, but she was sleeping. There are cells dug into the ground onthe Palace estate. They have a moat around a large area with cellsand a mechanical device that extends a narrow bridge over it. Theytook me to verify that Niki was the woman whom I wasafter.”
“Where about on
the estate isthis island?” Arik demanded.
“It is as far from the Palaceas you can get and still be on the estate,” Fredrik explained.“There is a large wall around the entire estate, but I did not seeany guard towers. I did pass two roving patrols while they had meout, but I didn’t see anyone stationary at that end of theestate.”
“Great,” exclaimed Arik. “Wecan scale the wall and get her out.”
“Why would they leaveprisoners so exposed?” queried Tedi. “They must put some value onkeeping their prisoners locked up. There is something missinghere.”
“There is quite a bit missingif you will let me finish,” scolded Fredrik. “The bridge mechanismis locked with a key the guard carries. It also makes a tremendousnoise when it is operated and if we try to use it, we will bekilled or captured.”
“Can’t we just swim across themoat?” asked Tanya.
Fredrik shook his head tossing his darkbrown hair over one eye. “I wouldn’t advise that,” he sighed. “Themoat is filled with hungry reptiles. Some of them were twenty feetlong. I heard the guards laughing about feeding time, which, Igather, is seldom, but their gnashing teeth could easily tear yourlegs off. Also, the cell, itself, is locked and the pit is too deepfor her to climb out of. Even if it wasn’t that deep, you wouldhave to wake her up without her screaming her head off.”
“Why hasn’t Niki used hermagic to get out of the cell?” quizzed Arik. “Does she know anyspells that would help her escape? I mean, why is she just sleepingwhen she should be raging to get out?”
“A good question,” added Tedi.“Are you sure she was alive, Fredrik?”
“I thought she was justsleeping,” Fredrik replied thoughtfully, “but you are right. Thatis not like Niki at all. She would be screaming and cursing andthrowing any spell she could conjure.”
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