The Dark Lord's Demise

by John White

  The mention of Betty's name startled Wes. He remembered something he had not thought of since the Matmon showed up on their raft. "Hey, I was about to explain all about you to Betty when she started yelling about how she made the bee stings go away!"

  "I know. You had no time to finish what you wanted to tell her. I will make another opportunity. She must learn about me if Anthropos is to be rescued from great error." Kurt and Wes puzzled over what Gaal meant. What did Betty have to do with any of this?

  Gaal's expression turned somber. "It is always in the darkest hour of Anthropos that I visit this land. Wesley and Kurt, you must stay on your guard. A strong delusion grips Anthropos. It is the most dangerous kind of delusion, for it contains pieces of truth. Your friend Betty shares in it. You must rescue both her and Anthropos from the lie. You must listen, listen, listen!"

  The silvery gray Koach, Swiftlope, padded quickly along the cobblestone streets of Nephesh. Lisa had to trot to keep her grip on the bristly fur of his back. She searched for familiar landmarks. So much in the city was changed. Strangely enough, the crowds of people regarded her and her wolf companion exactly as they had regarded the four children and their captors the day before. That is, they did not regard them at all. It was as though Lisa and Swiftlope wore the Mashal Stone on one chain and were invisible.

  Behind them people shouted "Look out!" and "Make way!" Swiftlope stopped and looked back. Another Koach, very dark gray, almost black, burst through the crowd. Its red tongue hung out one side of its mouth, and its white teeth were bared. Even when it knocked two people flat onto the cobblestones, its long bounding strides never slowed. It galloped straight toward Swiftlope and Lisa at full speed.

  Swiftlope lowered his head and growled. The stiff hair rose along his back. Lisa cowered behind him. She'd be caught in the middle of a wolf fight!

  The dark Koach stiffened its legs and stopped in front of Swiftlope. It panted a moment, tongue dripping, then gave a series of short howls and barks. Swiftlope's ears went up. He yipped briefly. The other Koach barked and whined at greater length. They carried on a conversation in their own language while Lisa strained to understand (which, of course, she couldn't). Meanwhile, people passed by as though the group of three did not exist.

  The second Koach turned and trotted off through the crowd. Swiftlope shook his huge head. "Her majesty, the queen, sends me new orders. I am to escort you not to the place of the abandoned children, as the king said, but to Nephesh Palace. I do not understand. However, I have learned never to question the wisdom of Queen Hisschi, for she holds the best interests of the kingdom in her heart."

  In disbelief Lisa stumbled along beside the Koach. An hour ago she had been a fugitive from a dungeon. (Technically, she still was.) Now she was on her way to Nephesh Palace, the royal residence.

  The sight of the palace thrilled Lisa and tore at her heart. It was much as she remembered: an ornate stone structure with towers, battlements and flags, surrounded by great lawns that descended in terraces to the River Rure. Only a little over a year ago (in Canadian time) she and her brothers had joined crowds of citizens on those lush green lawns for a royal garden party to celebrate the wedding of Kardia and Suneidesis. That was soon after Gaal's victory over the sorcerer Shagah, after the destruction of the evil city of Bamah, with its temple of sorcery and stone altar of sacrifice.

  Lisa surveyed the palace lawns to see if anything had changed. Scattered here and there were features she didn't remember: gazebos and benches, gardens and pools and fountains. Everything was beautifully maintained. Yet the grounds were deserted. No one, royal attendant or gardener or distinguished visitor, strolled through them or worked or sat and enjoyed the view.

  Lisa and Swiftlope entered the palace through what appeared to be a back way. Servants passed them and nodded in greeting. At least now Lisa didn't feel invisible. The Koach led her through a series of hallways until he stopped at a closed door. He bared his wicked-looking teeth, grasped the latch in his jaws and pulled downward. It was the type of pull latch that a wolf can open easily with its mouth and that a smaller dog or cat might learn to open with its paw. The door swung open to reveal a luxurious bath of creamy white marble, well stocked with bottles of colored lotions and piles of soft, thick towels. The Koach said, "Wait here a moment." He lumbered off down the hallway. His toenails clicked on the stone floor.

  Alone, Lisa stepped into the elegant bathroom. In her heart she called out, Gaal, I don't know what's going on, but I know you've got a mission for me. I believe everything I said to Betty Riggs. Oh no, Betty! What's happened to her? What's happened to Wes and Kurt?

  Swiftlope's clicking nails signaled his return. In his huge jaws he held clean clothing. "Make haste with your bath," he told Lisa after she had taken the clothes. "Food will be brought to you. Then their majesties wish to greet you in their council chamber."

  Wes and Kurt did not exactly see Gaal leave. He turned away from them, and at the same time the room of abandoned children surged back into view. Nothing in the room had changed. The tall boy sat at his game of Kill the Rat and beckoned to Kurt to rejoin him. The frightened boy cried. The girl in the ragged tunic bragged, "They can't scare me!" Only Kurt and Wes were changed. They had been with Gaal, and now they wanted to help all these people. They wanted to tell them to trust the Shepherd because whatever was going on, he would get them through it.

  The door of the room banged open. An official in a dark-blue tunic stepped inside. All the children froze in place under his severe gaze. Loudly he announced, "Wesley Friesen! Kurt Friesen! Are they present?"

  The brothers hesitated. Why were they being summoned? Would they be returned to prison or taken to the lodge ahead of the others? And why? Gaal had told them to listen. Perhaps they should say nothing yet. The boy who played Kill the Rat spoiled their strategy. "That's them right there!" he said. He pointed and grinned in devilish satisfaction. Wes wished he hadn't been so quick to introduce himself and Kurt.

  The official looked them over doubtfully, as though he couldn't believe his job had been so easy. He jerked his head back toward the doorway and said, "Come with me." His authoritative voice gave no room for questions or contradictions. The brothers had time for only a glance back at the strange roomful of children before the door slammed shut and they went on to whatever was next in this odd adventure.

  It soon became clear that the official was their escort, not their captor. He did not bind or restrict them in any way. In fact, the man barely looked at or spoke to them. They felt their brains spin in their heads. If they were no longer prisoners or suspects, what were they?

  They covered a quarter mile or so at a fast walk. Kurt whispered, "We're going in the direction of Nephesh Palace." In a moment Wes whispered in disbelief, "We're going to Nephesh Palace."

  In fact, they now traveled the same route Lisa and Swiftlope had taken: across the lush lawns, around the stately building and through a modest entrance to a servants' area of the palace. Like Lisa, the boys were rushed through hot baths and a change of clothing. They would have enjoyed a good long soak and scrub, but they made haste when they learned their destination: the royal council chamber for an audience with the king and queen.

  "What do you suppose this Queen Hisschi is like?" Kurt asked Wes. He turned around before a large mirror and admired his new tunic.

  "What kind of person do you think Tiqvah would marry?" Wes returned.

  "Oh, somebody beautiful and smart. And I'll bet she knows how to use a sword too. Gosh, I'm kind of nervous about seeing them."

  "Remember what Gaal told us? He said we should listen, listen, listen. Something more important is going on than a visit with the king and queen. Though I admit I'll be glad to see Tiqvah again."

  Kurt frowned at himself in the mirror. "Gaal said we have to rescue Anthropos from delusion. Could it have to do with what the old prisoner said about Gaal's worship being perverted? And I don't understand how Betty is mixed up in this. Gaal said we have to rescue her from th
is delusion too."

  "Betty has been a pain for us ever since she first rang our doorbell!" Wes grumbled. "As for her delusions, we've already seen one in action. She said our bee stings went away because she decided they weren't there. She tried to steal the credit from Gaal."

  "She doesn't know Gaal," Kurt pointed out, "so maybe it was a natural mistake. Anyway, I hope she and Lisa are okay. Do you think they both got caught by the soldiers?"

  Someone knocked at the door. By now they had no idea what to expect, good or bad. "Come in," Wes said. The door opened, and in another second the room exploded as Wes, Kurt and Lisa jumped up and down and screamed and hugged each other. The boys were usually not eager to hug their sister, but they were ecstatic to see her safe.

  When they calmed down a little, Lisa asked, "Where's Betty?"

  "We don't know. We thought she was with you," Kurt answered.

  Wes said, "Listen, we're bound to get interrupted soon. We don't have much time. Gaal came to us and he told us-"

  "Gaal came to you? When? Where?"

  "A little while ago, in a room full of abandoned kids. Oh no, I just thought of something. Maybe Betty wound up there before we did. Maybe she's already been sent to the lodge."

  "That business about the lodge is all rot," Kurt scoffed. "I don't think anybody gets sent there. I don't know what really happens to those kids, but it's something bad."

  Lisa interrupted, "Will you please explain what you're talking about? What room full of abandoned kids? Wait, I'll bet I know. When I saw Tigvah, he ordered me to be taken to join the other abandoned children."

  Now it was the boys' turn to be astonished. Together they said, "When you saw Tiqvah?"

  The door opened. The huge bulk of Swiftlope filled the doorway. Kurt and Wes stepped back, unsure how to react to the appearance of the Koach. Lisa put them at ease. "Swiftlope, these are my brothers, Wesley and Kurt. Sorry, they don't speak Koach, although Kurt has been known to try."

  The wolf pricked his ears. Kurt apologized, "Not really, only in fun." In answer Swiftlope growled, "Their majesties await you in the royal council chambers. Come with me." He turned his great body and padded off down the stone corridor. The Friesens looked at each other a little helplessly. Lisa said, "If only we had more time to talk! What did Gaal say

  "Only that there's a delusion of some kind, and Betty Riggs is mixed up in it," Wes answered quickly. Down the corridor Swiftlope turned and gave an urgent whine. The children hurried after him. Whatever was going on, it was not wise to keep the king and queen waiting.

  The royal council chamber was smaller than you might expect. Its single window looked out into an inner courtyard. In the center of the room stood a black semicircular table. Here they had once found King Kardia with the witch's green stone dagger in his chest. When Kardia learned that his wife and son were in mortal danger, his indignation and courage melted the dagger. Enchanted stone cannot stand the heat of fearlessness.

  Now at the same black table sat the one who looked so much like Kardia, yet different enough that they could not long be mnistaken for each other. At his side sat the queen. She did not need to ride a beautiful bay horse to look regal and in command. Seated in a plain chair, one arm on the polished table, she appeared both serene and majestic. She nodded in greeting when Wes, Lisa and Kurt entered the council chamber. Lisa felt drawn to the queen, yet she could not judge what was going on behind those deep-gray eyes.

  By contrast, Tiqvah rose to his feet, a most unusual action for a king. His thin face widened into a smile of welcome. He looked almost like a boy again. "Wesley! Kurt! Lisa! I feared I would not recognize you, but you look the same!" For a moment he was puzzled. "How can this be? How is it I have aged and you have not?"

  "It's Anthropos time versus our time," Lisa explained. She thought she should add "your majesty," but the phrase felt out of place after Tiqvah's warm welcome. Meanwhile, Kurt and Wes stood speechless. This was their first look at Tiqvah as an adult. They needed time to absorb the changes in him.

  The king leaned forward with his knuckles on the shiny table. His clothing hung loosely on his frame. "I regret I did not know the Lady Lisa when I first saw her. I thought she was another abandoned child allowed to run loose in the streets. As I considered her remarkable words, memories of my childhood stirred within me. I recalled wonderful things that, to my shame, I had forgotten. I rejoice that you, the friends of my youth, friends from another world, have returned to Anthropos!"

  "Can you tell us what's happened since we last saw you?" Kurt asked. He realized it was a hopeless request.

  Tiqvah smiled. "I shall try. As you know, I was a very young man when my father died-about your age, Wesley. My mother followed my father in death soon afterward. Truly I believe she died of a broken heart." (Lisa got a lump in her throat. She blinked hard and concentrated on Tiqvah's words.) "In truth, I was too young to assume the kingship of this land. Certain advisors in the palace took charge of me. They taught me their ideas. I learned my lessons well, so eager I was to prove myself. Now I begin to doubt some of what I was taught." He glanced toward a dim corner of the room. "I do not mean to disregard your wisdom, Hazilon. You have always given good counsel."

  For the first time the children noticed that another figure stood in it corner of the council chamber. It was a man in a long dark purple robe. Strange intricate symbols of gold thread were woven into the robe. His face was clean-shaven and angular. On his close-cropped gray hair was a small purple cap something like a beret. He bowed slightly but said nothing.

  Queen Hisschi spoke. Her voice was soft music in the quiet room. "Allow me to introduce Hazilon, high priest of the One Above All. He is our trusted advisor and friend as well as guide in all matters of our worship of the Unchanging One."

  Tiqvah's arms trembled. The queen rested her hand on the back of his hand, and he sat down-heavily for a man of his gaunt build. He sighed. "It is sad indeed that I ever lost touch with these important, with these vital ... I am weary. I must come to the point. I have need of brave Regenskind with gifts such as you possess." He looked intently at the children. "Very few of my subjects know what I am about to tell you. Do you swear secrecy?"

  The Friesens held their breaths and nodded.

  "A severe illness is upon me. It has afflicted me for over a year. The royal physicians are baffled. It has wasted my body and stolen my strength, except in short spells when I am able to summon my old powers."

  "I was afraid you weren't well," Lisa said. "All the same, you didn't look sick in that parade today."

  "But did you see me walking? No. You saw my steed walking for me. I usually go among my people on horseback. They do not realize my own legs have difficulty. The fullness of my royal robes covers the gauntness of my body."

  "And nothing can be clone for you?" Kurt asked.

  "I sought advice from the wise Hazilon. He entreated the Lord of All. Soon we discovered that honey made by our weaver bees is the best medicine for my illness. Perhaps you have not seen the weaver bees. They are a strain developed since your last visit to Anthropos."

  "We've met up with them," Wes said dryly. Queen Hisschi looked at him sharply.

  Tiqvah went on: "The honey soothes but does not cure. I consume a small dose each day; more if my weakness is heavy upon me. Such is the case today." He folded his hands on the tabletop and leaned forward to rest his forehead on them. He took deep, noisy breaths. Hisschi looked at him tenderly for a moment. "I shall continue for you, my lord," she said. She turned to the children. "Two seasons ago the hives on the palace grounds did not produce so much honey as usual. Last season, even less. The supply is dangerously low. A new swarm of bees recently left a hive and vanished. Shamnith and Ildreth, the royal beekeepers, tell us that the swarm mysteriously died."

  The queen emphasized her final two words: mysteriously died. The Friesens stiffened in horror. Wes especially felt sick. He had killed that swarm! Not only was he about to lose the king and queen's favor-his guilty face would g
ive him away even if he said nothing-but he had destroyed Tiqvah's means of getting medicine. He chewed his lip. Did Shamith and Ildreth think they were still at large? Did they know the children were here in the palace?

  Wes glanced at the queen. Her steady eyes met his gaze. With her next words she stripped away all their defenses. "I am told that you have special powers that can subdue the bees."

  The children did not know what to say. Queen Hisschi smiled. "Never fear," she assured them. "We know that a mistake was made. The laws of Anthropos are just and fair." They thought of the hall of inquiry, the cruel Commander and his officials, the old prisoner who was carried away shouting. The laws of Anthropos might be just and fair, but ,justice and fairness seemed dead-or dying!

  The queen's next words distracted them from their doubts: "His majesty wishes you to travel on his behalf, on a mission to the Island of Geburah in Lake Nachash. Do you know of this place?"

  Asking the children if they knew of the Island of Geburah was like asking you if you know your own neighborhood. They nodded vigorously and waited to hear what the queen had to say next.

  Queen Hisschi gestured toward the priest Hazilon. He stepped out of the shadows. In the light from the window, his eyes glinted with cold intelligence. The children knew he had missed nothing of the conversation so far. He revealed little of his own feelings. Yet there was something admirable and even noble about his dignified reserve.

  Hazilon took over where the queen had left off. Wesley thought his voice had a clean, sharp edge, like the edge of the Sword of Geburah. "I am honored to enlighten you further about this mission for his majesty. Among the servants of the palace are eagles with the power of speech. The strength of their flight and vision is beyond compare. They serve as the royal observers."

  "You mean they do aerial reconnaissance?" asked Kurt.

  Hazilon glanced at the king and queen. "The words are not familiar to us. In any case, not long ago an eagle flew over the Island of Geburah and brought back hopeful news. A weaver bee colony flourishes on the island. The queen has sent an eagle convoy to confirm the sighting. If it is true, no doubt great stores of honey are to be found there."