by Jon Kiln
It was not until later that they discovered they were all related via the D’Anjue bloodline, and that was Hendon’s special skill bestowed upon him by the stones of Berghein. Linz’s skill was more subtle, never realizing he had it for most of his life as it seemed so natural. He could sense how to find things or trails that were important, so he knew he would be needed on the quest to search for the Duchess.
His duties to his people would have to wait. His mother, trusted and admired by the Lake people, would rule well in his absence. Hopefully the quest would be a short one and he could return to resume his duties. The Lake people were learning the history of their ancestral link to the D’Anjue family. Blood ties are always important to his tribe, so he felt certain they would approve of his mission.
A few hours later they arrived at the log house that was Hendon’s home, but there were no signs of anyone there. The door was not locked and the insides looked undisturbed. The bed had not been slept in for a while.
“Maybe he goes to see new Queen,” Wyatt suggested.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Wyatt, and if two of us think this, I believe it must be so. We will sleep here tonight and rest the horses.” He was certain that Hendon would not deny them the shelter of his home. “First thing in the morning we will depart for Castle Villeroy. I must relay my news to the Queen before she organizes a wider search for the Duchess.”
***
Hendon sat in his room. He always missed the forest whenever he had to leave his home. The castle gardens were pretty enough, but they did not compare with the tall trees and the wild animals of his home in the Cefinon forest.
He picked up his staff, turning it in his hands, feeling the rough wood under his fingertips. He was faced with a sudden vision of riding his horse, Bartok, out in the hills. This pleased him because he thought his horse magnificent, yet why had Bartok suddenly come into his mind? Hendon believed there was a reason for everything, nothing was coincidence. No one can change the call of nature or of events that happen in one’s life. Each individual plays their part in the game of life and hopes that at the end of their journey, all will be well.
An old man’s gravelly voice came into his head. “Well, go on then. How many times do I have to tell you?” the voice commanded of him.
“Tell me what?” Hendon said aloud. “Who are you and where are you hiding?” His eyes scanned the room for the person whom the voice belonged.
“Do you have to shout?” the voice cried back, inside of his head.
Hendon put his hands to his ears as the unknown voice echoed around in his head.
“Use your mind boy, don’t yell at me with your mouth,” the voice instructed.
“You mean you really are in my head?” Hendon asked, through his thoughts and not his mouth.
“That’s much better. You take an awful long time to grasp things. I can see I will have my work cut out, training you.”
“I don’t even know who you are?” Hendon said, in his mind.
“Now listen, very carefully, I’m only going to explain this but once to you. Do you hear me, boy?”
Hendon did not reply. He smiled to himself. He had a good idea who he was having a conversation with, in his head.
“You will take me with you wherever you go. I am to be treated like one of your limbs, and also with the utmost of kindness, so no more polishing, it tickles,” the gravelly voice said.
“I know exactly who you are,” Hendon said. “I think you’ve turned into a miserable old man in the spirit world, Barnaby, as you sound very grumpy in death.”
“Hmmph, that’s as may be, but don’t you be getting above your station. This is the only way I can help, now that my body has passed away. I didn’t like the thing anyway, it was full of aches and pains,” the voice said, not denying it was Barnaby.
“To what purpose would you wish to linger on in this world, Barnaby?”
“Until the balance is set again. Now then listen, you must go to the lizard people for two reasons. First, you can rescue the Duchess, whom I happen to have a great fondness for. Then you can set to rights what needs to be done. Now go off and tell the Queen. I need to rest now. I can’t communicate with you for long. Off you go, boy.”
With that he was gone, and Hendon was once again left in peace.
5
There was a commotion outside of Hendon’s rooms, which overlooked the stable’s courtyard. Crossing the room to peer out of the window, he saw that Linz had arrived with one of his tribesmen. He knew that the Queen had not sent for him. She had said she felt he had enough responsibilities with his new role as Chief. So it was a mystery as to why he was here.
He had always liked Linz, strong and determined despite his young years, he instantly felt better knowing he was here. With his exceptional skills at tracking, he would be useful in their quest. Especially now they had a destination. Picking up his staff he went to greet the new arrival. As Hendon arrived in the courtyard, Linz was still in the stable mounted on his horse, as was his companion.
“Ah, Linz, good to see you, my friend. You have arrived at a good time. You must have known that we needed you,” he said as he approached the young Lake chief who was now dismounting from his horse.
“Hendon,” Linz smiled at the approaching forest dweller. Their hands clasped together in a friendly greeting. “I have news for the Queen,” he told him.
“I will come to see her with you, as I too have news to convey,” he said, dropping his voice to almost a whisper and staring at Linz’s companion who stood close by.
“This is my faithful guard, Wyatt,” Linz introduced his riding partner. “He is also my teacher for I have much to learn in combat. You can trust him. I do, with my life.”
Hendon felt satisfied at this and continued his conversation. “We must go on a journey to the Lizard people. Who is better to negotiate with them than the Chief of the Lake people. Indeed, you must have sensed that we needed you.”
Linz was momentarily stunned by Hendon’s words. It seemed the dream was an omen after all. He stepped closer to his friend and recounted his nightmare to him.
“I had a terrible vision one night.” Linz was now also whispering. “I knew it was more than a normal dream. The lizard people had murdered the Duchess. I feel the dream was an omen and I agree that we need to go on a journey and speak to these people. I do believe that is where the monk Ghaffar has taken her, but I don’t know why.”
Hendon looked on in horror at Linz’s account of the dream. “Surely if the Duchess was dead, Myriam would know?”
“I cannot say, my friend,” Linz replied, unable to offer any comfort. “I’m not sure if what I have seen has happened, or is yet to come to pass.”
They were both so deeply engrossed in their conversation that neither of them had heard Ganry approach.
“So, it seems that Myriam’s perceptions are becoming strong,” a gravelly voice sounded across the stables. Both looked towards the sound of the voice and watched the veteran warrior approach. He had been sent by Myriam to greet Linz as she had felt his presence close by, even though she had no knowledge that he had arrived.
“Let’s not keep the Queen waiting. She is keen to hear your news Linz, and why you felt it so urgent to leave your people in their time of need,” Ganry stated.
Myriam was so pleased to see Linz that she could not help herself but run to him, and hugged him tightly in her greeting. Ganry looked on and frowned, one day, he thought to himself, she will behave like a Queen, but he said nothing. Myriam had much on her mind and small issues of formalities were the least of her worries.
“I know it hasn’t been long since last we met, but when we’re together I feel such a strong bond,” she explained to all present. “We have much to discuss. I’m sure you have both had a message of sorts with regards to the quest to find my grandmother?” she asked, awaiting an answer.
“I had a terrible dream,” Linz replied first, “and it involved the Rooggaru, or at least his race.�
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Myriam shuddered at her memory of their encounter with the large lizard. They were lucky to escape with their lives that day, indeed they almost lost Ganry. The thought of having to face a whole race of those lizard people filled her with dread.
“Legend says that they gave the stones to our ancestors to enable us to battle with their long hated enemy, the dragons,” Myriam said. “It could be just that though, a legend. Truly I do not know where the Berghein stones came from, though my tutor, Leonidavus, came from Berghein, so I suppose there must be a connection with that area. I do not see how the lizard people owned those stones, other than they may have stolen them. This would not surprise me as I do not trust these creatures. Do you really believe that our quest means we have to deal with this terrible race?”
“I agree with Linz, Myriam. My staff also told me we must journey to the Rooggaru,” Hendon said.
All looked at the staff in his hand, but no one spoke of it. With everything they had experienced recently, a talking staff did not seem so fantastical. Only Ganry looked skeptical.
“I too have had a dream,” Myriam informed them. “My grandmother came to me to let me know that she still lives. She also mentioned the Berghein stones and urged me to keep them close, and not give them up because our powers will fade.” She paused, waiting to see if anyone could shed light on her conundrum. When no one spoke she continued, “It’s a real puzzle to me. Why would we give up the stones?”
Still no reply from her friends. She felt that the answer to this question was essential to their success, but it remained a mystery.
“Let’s catch up over dinner,” she suggested. “Linz, you can take the room next to Hendon’s. I think the sooner we all talk together, the better. My grandmother is very precious to this bloodline. As the Queen, I want to thank her for all the help she provided me in gaining back my throne. Go and clean up Linz, you’ve had a long journey. I will see you both at dinner,” she finished.
All bowed and left the Queen’s chambers, with the exception of Ganry.
“You have a kingdom to run, my Queen. Think wisely before embarking on quests that others can do for you.”
Then he too, bowed and left the room.
6
They all met at dinner where they listened intently to Hendon’s explanation. “I don’t know why none of you can hear him when he’s so clear to me. Though he does speak in riddles and I don’t always understand his words.”
Everyone was gathered around Hendon’s staff, because he had told them that Barnaby communicated with him through the strange piece of wood. Barnaby himself, found it all rather amusing but refused to perform at Hendon’s command.
No one else can hear, foolish boy, because I speak in your head. Barnaby thought that if he had a head, he would be shaking it right now.
“I still maintain it’s just a piece of wood with some carvings on it. There is no such thing as magic,” Ganry said, sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than anything else.
“He tells me that the lizard subterranean city lies in Vandemland,” Hendon continued, ignoring Ganry’s comment. “That is where we must go if we are to save the Duchess.”
“Do you know how big that country is?” Ganry said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Where does your stick suggest we start?”
“I think we should go to Qutaybah,” Myriam suggested. “He proved to be very faithful to my grandmother’s cause. He will help us find her once he knows she is still missing. I’m sure he will.”
“Queen Myriam, I understand your concerns for the Duchess, but I feel I must advise you that this is no quest for a Queen.” Ganry once again made his opposition to this folly be known.
Myriam knew that she really needed to learn to exert herself better with Ganry. He was her protector and she trusted him and his advice, but she was the Queen, she needed to have the final decision in everything.
“This is not just any quest, Ganry, this is my grandmother, who, might I remind you, saved my crown. I cannot leave it to others to find her and bring her home. I owe her too much.”
“She is right, Ganry.” Linz felt he also needed to help the Duchess, despite his responsibilities. “I too should not have left my leadership in another’s hands, but the Duchess is kin. Because of her the Lake people now own their lands, officially. We no longer need to stay a secret tribe. We owe her much, as does Myriam.”
“Artas, Hendon, have you two any more to add to this argument?” Ganry pleaded with them for their opinions. If he could sway half the group to his view, then perhaps he could get Myriam to remain at the castle and rule her kingdom, as she was meant to.
Artas spoke first. “I lost my parents to that usurper, Duke Harald. I cannot take my revenge out on the false Regent because he is dead. What I can do is honor the one person who made sure that happened. I say the entire kingdom owes the Duchess this favor.”
Ganry knew he could not argue with that because it was true. The Duchess had been the only noble to fight the usurper to start with. Her bravery was probably what encouraged the others to finally make their move. He also realized, and was secretly quite pleased, that Myriam had a steely resolve about her, one that he could not sway. It boded well for her future reign, should she survive this expedition.
“I would not stop you. Your very wish is my command,” Ganry replied, resignedly. “If you are to go, then so shall I, of that I am steadfast.”
An uneasy silence fell on the room while each contemplated the decisions that were being made. It was Hendon who finally broke the stillness.
“There is more I haven’t yet told you.” He waited to be sure he had everyone’s attention before continuing. “I cannot tell you for certain what it is, but there is more to this quest than a simple rescue. Barnaby gave me one of his warnings in a riddle: They want that of which we own, so we must beware.”
“What? What do we own that they want, Hendon? I do not understand these words. Surely if we knew what is was we could deal with this much quicker?”
“That, my Queen, I do not know,” Hendon replied, humbly. “My staff, or rather the spirit within it, speaks in riddles. I sometimes think he is playing games with me.”
“It is clear to me that all immediate members of the D’Anjue bloodline need to be on this journey,” Linz added. “We have all had a message of sorts. I had a dream, Hendon has his voice in a stick, and-”
“A staff, Linz, it is not merely a stick,” Hendon interrupted.
“Through your staff,” Linz corrected, seeing it was important to his friend. “And, Myriam has had a message from her grandmother, the Duchess, through a dream. We are destined to follow this path together.”
“It is decided then,” Queen Myriam said, forcibly, ensuring that Ganry was in no doubt of her determination to get her own way on this. “There will be myself, and Ganry to protect me. Linz and his protector, Wyatt. Plus Hendon. We five will travel to Vandemland and return the Duchess safely back to her homeland, though her castle lays in ruins since it was burned to the ground.”
Someone grunted a throaty cough in the background and all eyes turned in their direction.
“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” Artas spoke up.
“No, Artas I had not forgotten you, for you will stand in my stead as Regent. You of all the people I know, I can trust.”
“I thought you were going in secret?” Artas pointed out.
“That secret will soon be uncovered when we go. I would need to inform the Heads of State and politicians anyway, and not one of those could be trusted to keep a confidence. No, our absence will soon be noted by the interfering decision makers. This way, should the people find out I go in search of my grandmother, you will be here to keep order. Artas, I know you wish to come along, but equally the kingdom needs an honest leader.” She would not force this upon her personal knight, but he really was the best candidate to hold the fort.
“Yes, my Queen, it will be my honor to care for your kingdom in your absence.” Desp
ite his heavy sadness at not going on the rescue mission, he managed to disguise his disappointment. “Although once my injury is healed, I’m coming along on the any other adventures.”
“Absolutely, Artas,” Myriam smiled and hugged him.
“So, that’s decided then.” Myriam was relieved it had all gone her way. She really was going to enjoy being Queen. “We set off as soon as we are fully prepared, and certainly within the next few days.”
All returned to their quarters to rest before the journey began, and each would reflect on their roles in the mission. Ganry was determined that Myriam would return to rule her kingdom, even if that meant he had to lay down his own life to ensure her safe return.
7
The five travelers decided to journey in disguise while they were still in the Kingdom of Palara, each one wearing the simple clothes of merchants. Each would also carry a small supply of silks to reinforce their deception.
Having horses meant they could carry plenty of food supplies and hide their weapons from prying eyes. After much discussion, they agreed that a wagon would slow them down, although Ganry would have preferred one as it would have allowed them to hide the Queen.
Since the coupe, there was now much more trade activity. Myriam’s new advisors had agreed to slacken security on all borders. They hoped this would lead to an increase in trade to help the crown pay for the cost of the war that the usurper had caused. Trade negotiations were just one of many new changes that Myriam had implemented. Trade would bring prosperity back to the people of Palara.
This night they were staying at an inn just a mile from the borders of Vandemland. It was a busy inn due to the borders being overcrowded. The pass between the two kingdoms was set on a narrow road, between high cliffs. Prior to the coup, hardly anyone had used the official posts to cross the border, with smugglers having free reign. Now the borders were better patrolled and most, if not all, goods had to go through the official crossings.
