Ancient Prophecy

by Richard S. Tuttle

  Borundi mixed with the guards and got to know many of them well. The information about Miriam arriving was spread liberally throughout the guards. Borundi was also able to pick up a great deal of information regarding the Royal Palace and Ali Kasim.

  Borundi repeated this procedure several times during the week and soon he was freely admitted to the barracks within the Royal Palace, but still he could go no farther. All of the guards knew him and greeted him and Borundi started frequenting the tavern favored by the Royal Palace guards. Borundi caught many snippets of conversation regarding him and the mysterious Miriam Rakech who would soon be coming to live in the mansion.

  One day Aurora arrived along with a fresh shipment of gold. Borundi spent two days with Aurora secluded in the mansion, bringing her up-to-date on his progress and the plans for finally ensnaring Ali Kasim.

  On her first day as Miriam Rakech, Aurora went on a shopping spree. She purchased the finest clothes and perfumes available in Trekum. Borundi brought in four Black Devils and outfitted them as personal bodyguards for Miriam. For several weeks Miriam was seen all over town shopping and dining while Borundi continued to spend time with the Royal Palace guards.

  Whenever Miriam was at the mansion she made herself visible to the Palace. Whether she was just strolling the grounds or getting ready for bed in front of the window, Miriam always had an audience of the Royal Palace guards.

  It was only a matter of time before Ali Kasim felt an irresistible urge to meet his new neighbor. The invitation had arrived for Miriam to attend a luncheon with the Sultan and Borundi and the four bodyguards accompanied her. The bodyguards were not permitted into the luncheon and remained at the Guard Barracks with the Royal Palace guards. Borundi was admitted but he had to remain off to one side and was not allowed to partake in the luncheon.

  Borundi watched with admiration as Miriam reeled in her catch. She approached Ali Kasim slowly and shyly, letting him believe that he was firmly in control of the conversation and the events of the luncheon. The meal dragged on for hours and Ali Kasim had to send away his Advisors several times. The Advisors became distraught as they canceled appointment after appointment and lunch turned into dinner.

  The Sultan invited Miriam to stay the evening with him and she politely declined, finally leaving to return to her mansion.

  “You are a remarkable woman, Miriam,” applauded Borundi, “but why didn’t you take the opportunity to stay when he finally offered it? I would think that you will never hear from him again because of this mistake.”

  Miriam laughed softly. “Borundi, you could not be more wrong. The Sultan has an entire harem at his disposal whenever he feels the urge. Being with a woman means little or nothing to him. He can be satisfied with less effort than he expends reviewing the guard. What will absolutely drive him mad is a woman refusing to be with him. I expect the Sultan is going to make quite a pest of himself, demanding more and more meetings with me. The real trick will be the timing of when I finally say yes.”

  Miriam, of course, was correct. Ali Kasim sent daily invitations to Miriam Rakech and her bodyguards got to spend many hours with the Royal Palace guards in the barracks. Borundi excused himself after the first few days and spent his time building the Black Devils and the Servants of Sarac. Soon Ali Kasim and Miriam Rakech were seen all over town shopping or sightseeing. Wherever they went the people crowded around and gazed at the couple -- quite the opposite of their reaction when the Sultan traveled by himself.

  While having dinner at the Royal Palace one evening, Ali Kasim remarked on this aberration. “Have you noticed how the people flock around when we travel outside the Palace walls?”

  “Who could miss it?” Miriam asked. “Why do you find their behavior strange?”

  “It is not the same when I travel outside by myself,” he replied. “The people shun me and hide from my gaze when I am alone.”

  Miriam chuckled because she knew that Borundi was behind the gazing crowd. He had arranged for the Black Devils and Servants of Sarac to learn when the Empress was going for walks and the people congregated to see the woman who would herald the return of Sarac.

  “Ali, you have much to learn about ruling a nation. You, as Sultan, are much to be feared by the people. You are the absolute ruler of Sordoa and your very word could dictate their death. As such, you do not appear to be human to them and people fear that which is different. When you travel with me, you become human and loved by the people. It appears to the masses that you are indeed one of them who has been chosen to lead this great nation and they are happy for you.”

  Ali Kasim reflected on Miriam’s words for a while before continuing. “You mean all I have to do to be loved by my people is be seen in public with a woman? That is ludicrous. Whether I walk with a woman or alone my power is the same. Surely they must understand that.”

  “It is not just being seen with a woman,” retorted Miriam, “but being seen with me that delights them so. The same type of crowd assembles wherever I go. They know that I am one of them who has had the blessings of the gods bestowed upon her. I am wealthy beyond imagination, yet I shop at their stalls and eat in their inns. While I travel with my small bodyguard they are not afraid of me. They know the bodyguard is for my protection and not dangerous to them. When you travel with me, that love and affection is extended to you.”

  Miriam took a sip of her wine and delighted in seeing the puzzled look on the Sultan’s face. “If you were to travel in the company of one of your harem, the people would scorn you. They would see her as your slave and your actions would be flaunting the thought that you could own any of them. Why not try it tomorrow and see if I am correct?”

  “I shall do that,” remarked the Sultan. “Arrive for dinner tomorrow evening and we shall discuss the results of my trip.”

  Miriam hurried back to the mansion and informed Borundi of the Sultan’s plan. Borundi immediately spread the word that the Sultan was going to parade one of his harem through the town tomorrow and if anyone gazed upon her, she would be executed at nightfall.

  The Sultan took his trip through the marketplace and people turned their backs as he approached. His fury grew as street after street emptied upon his arrival. He stopped in an inn for lunch and the workers fled out the back door leaving no one to serve him. He had his guards seize a woman off the street to question her actions and the crowd grew ugly and started shouting. Immediately, the Captain of the Guard informed the Sultan that they had to return to the Palace for his protection. The Sultan had only twenty guards and a crowd of several hundred had gathered down the street. Mystified, the Sultan agreed and the party returned to the Royal Palace.

  Upon returning to the Palace, Ali Kasim sent a messenger to the mansion to summon Miriam. Borundi met the messenger at the door and informed him that Miriam could not attend the Sultan. He explained that Stafa Rakech was in town for discussions with his daughter and they could not be disturbed.

  An hour later Ali Kasim showed up at the door to the mansion with his bodyguard. Borundi showed him in and explained that Stafa Rakech had, at last, left and Miriam was now available to speak with him. He ushered Ali Kasim into a study where Miriam sat crying.

  The anger drained out of the Sultan as he tried to comfort Miriam. “What is the problem? Why are you crying so?”

  “My father does not approve of my seeing you,” she blubbered. “He thinks that you lack the finesse of a true ruler and that you will be deposed before long.”

  His anger rising again, the Sultan spoke. “How dare he speak against the Sultan of Sordoa? Who does your father think he is?”

  Borundi stepped forward and addressed the Sultan. “If I may, Your Highness? Stafa Rakech is the richest man in the world, far richer than the entire nation of Sordoa. He has made Kings and Presidents and broken them, as well. I believe he has already chosen the next President of Cordonia, but I think he has little interest in the affairs of Sordoa. He is speaking as a father to his only daughter and heir. Please do not direct yo
ur anger of him toward my mistress. She suffers enough at his harsh words without the anger of someone Miriam cherishes being added to her misery.”

  Ali Kasim flinched at the words from the normally silent attendant. He nodded to Borundi and rose. As he walked to the front door of the mansion, he whispered to Borundi. “I wish your Mistress to join me for dinner this evening. I will avoid adding to her grief if you will spare me a few moments of your time this afternoon before she arrives.”

  Borundi agreed and the Sultan’s entourage left for the Royal Palace. Half an hour later Borundi showed up at the Royal Palace and was shown to the Sultan’s chamber.

  “Your Highness wishes to speak with me?” bowed Borundi.

  The Sultan waved Borundi to a chair. “I wish to know more of this Stafa Rakech. My intelligence bureau has failed to turn up anything of substance that this person even exists. “

  “As it should be, Your Highness,” commented Borundi. “Stafa Rakech dislikes public appearances. In fact, he dislikes appearances of any type. Most of his business dealings are done through intermediaries and he is quick with punishment to those who betray his trust or fail in his endeavors. Unlike nations, he does not require a court or a public hearing before issuing an execution order. If I were to disclose too much, I would be forfeiting my life. However, because of your closeness to my Mistress, I will attempt to answer any of your questions that I may.”

  “Can you arrange a meeting between Stafa Rakech and myself?” Ali Kasim asked.

  “That would be impossible, Your Highness,” answered Borundi. “As I said, Stafa Rakech dislikes personal meetings. Besides, I believe my Mistress has already proposed such a meeting and he declined.”

  “But why does he object to me seeing his daughter so much?” queried the Sultan. “I am a powerful ruler of one of the greatest nations of the world. Any other man would fear execution for refusing my invitation.”

  “Stafa Rakech fears nothing, Your Highness,” replied Borundi. “It would cost a mere fraction of his wealth to raise an army of one hundred thousand men from every nation on the continent. I do not wish to be disrespectful to the Sultan, but it is not wise to even whisper ill intentions towards Stafa Rakech. As for why he objects to his daughter being seen in your company, that is simple. It is nothing personal to you, Your Highness. The title ‘Sultan’ carries the connotation of one with a harem and thus an office where women are held in low regard. If your title was, perhaps, ‘Emperor of Sordoa’ he would have much less dislike for the arrangement.”

  The Sultan sat quietly for a while pondering Borundi’s words. He had adopted the title of Sultan because that was traditionally what the ruler of Sordoa was called, but he was not from the traditional line of leadership, anyway. Whether it pleased Stafa Rakech or not, the move to the title of Emperor might be a wise decision. It would, after all, stop the attempts of traditionalists from crying about the break in the Sultan’s lineage. He also had little use for his harem these days and he could always reinstate it later if he desired.

  “You offer good advice, Borundi,” the Sultan offered. “I shall immediately change my title to Emperor and dismiss my harem.”

  The Sultan rang a bell and called for his Advisors. He issued his orders and declared that runners go out to inform the nation that Emperor Ali Kasim now ruled Sordoa and that the nation would henceforth be called the Empire of Sordoa.

  “Thank you for your advice, Borundi,” stated the Emperor. “Perhaps now Stafa Rakech will think more highly of me seeing his daughter.”

  “I do hope so, Your Highness,” said Borundi. “I beg leave of my Mistress for this evening, though. I think it would be wise for her to have a day to recover from her father’s visit. May I tell her that you wish her company tomorrow at lunch?”

  Ali Kasim was disappointed, but he saw the wisdom of Borundi’s advice. “Very well,” he conceded, “tomorrow for lunch, then. Let her know that my decisions were for her benefit.”

  Borundi nodded and returned to the mansion. Borundi informed Miriam of the conversation and events that occurred at the Royal Palace.

  Miriam laughed and said,” I think the time is now right, Borundi. We do work well together. Arrange for an especially large crowd of well-wishers tomorrow. I will arrange for a stroll through the marketplace.”

  The next afternoon the Emperor and Miriam strolled through the marketplace. The people welcomed them like conquering heroes. Flowers were thrown before their feet and people bowed as they passed. Ali Kasim’s spirits had never been higher. When they returned to the Royal Palace, the Emperor ordered a lavish luncheon and entertainers for the afternoon. Ali Kasim felt like everything was going his way until he noticed the glum look on Miriam’s face.

  “What is the problem, Miriam?” he inquired. “This is a day of great celebration and you appear as if you had just lost a dear friend.”

  Miriam leaned over and kissed Ali Kasim. “I have, in fact, just lost a dear friend.”

  The Emperor looked over and saw Borundi standing next to Miriam, a sad look upon his face. Borundi obviously had just delivered some disheartening news. “What news disturbs you?” the Emperor quizzed.

  Miriam started to sob. After a few moments, she wiped her tears and embraced Ali Kasim. “My father sends word that I am to be wed to the next President of Cordonia, right after the elections.”

  Ali Kasim hurled his goblet at the performers and the room fell silent. With a wave of his hand he dismissed the entertainers from the room. He took a moment to compose himself before he spoke. “Why has he done this? How could he have even arranged it on such short notice? Surely, he hasn’t even had time to reach Cordonia since he left here.”

  Miriam broke down in tears and Borundi stepped up to the Emperor. “Your Highness, I fear that my advice to you may have been too late. I think her father was debating this move when he was here in Trekum and just made his mind up on the way to Cordonia. He fears that Miriam’s appearances with you will spoil her chance for her marriage to the President of Cordonia. I believe the potential groom has been pressuring for this wedding for some time. It would, of course, ensure him vast sums of wealth as Stafa Rakech is in extremely poor health and it is feared that he will not live much longer.”

  Ali Kasim’s mind whirled with the plusses and minuses of losing Miriam or keeping her despite her father’s wishes. Finally, he realized that he could marry Miriam now and wait for her father to die. If he changed his mind later, he would get rid of her and keep the money.

  “Miriam, darling,” he cooed, “let us get married immediately. We will say that we got married before your father’s message was received. That way, he cannot blame you for ignoring his desires. Say ‘yes' and I will immediately hold the ceremony on the Royal Palace grounds for all of Sordoa to see and celebrate.”

  “Oh, Ali,” she sighed, “you are so intelligent and quick witted. Father could not complain if we had not received his message yet and once we are married, I know he will accept you as a son.”

  The marriage was hastily arranged and runners were sent out to inform and welcome the populace. Borundi also sent out messengers of his own to make sure that the Emperor would have no second thoughts.

  Thousands arrived to view the ceremony and all of Trekum was enveloped in a party atmosphere. Certain segments of the population were even more thrilled than the rest. Word spread quickly that the Empress had arrived in Trekum.

  Chapter 5

  Contact

  Alex watched the elves with interest. This camp appeared to be some type of an outpost, like a forward scouting camp. The inhabitants were all warriors and most spent a good deal of time checking their weapons and practicing. The campfires were on the other side of the camp and Alex could not hear any of the conversations. During the first few hours of captivity, he knew they were the topic of conversation as the elves were constantly looking over at them while they were talking. After a while, no one bothered looking at them anymore and Alex figured that they had moved on to othe
r conversations.

  Eventually, all the elves retired except the six guards. Two guards stood outside the leader’s tent and the other four marched a pattern around the campsite. Jenneva had been correct in her thoughts about catching eye contact with the guards. They marched right past the prisoners without so much as a glance, as if they had already been disposed of. As the night wore on, the guards’ attentiveness was even more diminished. Alex figured that if he could get his hands untied now, they would stand a decent chance of getting out of the camp, although he knew that their odds of evading the patrols sent after them would be slim.

  Alex detected a noise behind him and stiffened.

  Spread your hands as far apart as you can. I don’t want to cut them.

  Kaz! Am I glad to hear you.

  I thought your group would run into problems. These woods have been dangerous for many years. This is where the dark elves spy on the fair elves. I brought friends with me. I hope each of your group knows how to ride.

  If they don’t, they will have to learn swiftly.

  Kaz cut through the ropes binding Alex and went to work on the others. Alex kept his hands behind him as he watched the guards. The other members of the party were awake and aware of what was happening except Egam and as soon as Kaz touched Egam’s bonds with his horn Egam awoke.

  When Kaz was done with the last of the ropes, Alex instructed him.

  Kaz, we have to wait until the next guard passes to retrieve our weapons. You should back up until you are out of sight.

  Very well, Alex. After he passes all five of us will move back up so your party can mount quickly.

  Right after the sentry passed, Alex and Prince Rigal stole out to their pile of goods and started passing out the weapons and packs to the rest of the party. Each member of the group hurried to the unicorns and mounted one. Egam had trouble getting up and Alex grabbed him and tossed him onto the back of the unicorn. Egam grunted and one of the sentries noticed the group escaping. Alex threw himself on Kaz’s back and the five unicorns and their riders took off.