Sheri whirled away from the old woman and stomped back to Wylan’s side. She took Wylan’s hand again.
“Move your feet to my side of the bed,” instructed Sheri.
“Why?” frowned Wylan. “What are you going to do?”
“I am taking you out of here,” declared Sheri.
“To where?” responded Wylan. “You are going to drag me back to that abandoned factory? What is the point?”
“Yes I am,” countered Sheri. “Move your legs so I can help you up.”
“No,” retorted Wylan. “Just leave me be to rot here.”
Sheri pressed her lips tightly together as she tried to deal with her anger and frustration. Finally, she bent down and kissed Wylan on his forehead.
“I want you to come live with me,” Sheri said softly. “Besides, there are other wounded who need this bed. You don’t really want to stay here anyway. Do you?”
Wylan’s face softened with the kiss, and he fell quiet as he thought about the other soldiers who needed the bed. Finally, he slid his legs to the side of the bed and reached out for Sheri’s hand. She helped him stand up.
“Don’t move,” Sheri said as she bent down and picked up his pack and his weapons. She placed the staff in his right hand, and she placed his sword sheath over her own body. She pulled his quiver on and then helped him to put his pack on his own back. Finally, she reached out and took Wylan’s free hand.
“Walk proudly,” she whispered to Wylan. “You served honorably in battle for a noble king. Don’t let them see you as wounded.”
“Easy for you to say,” Wylan replied glumly, but he stood erect and allowed Sheri to lead him out of the healing center.
As they exited the Royal Palace, the Red Swords in the courtyard turned to look at who was leaving. When they saw that it was Wylan they formed a corridor to the gate. They drew their swords and clashed them together to form a tunnel. Wylan heard the noise and faltered.
“What was that?” Wylan asked.
“The Red Swords are creating a tunnel with their swords for you,” answered Sheri as she led Wylan under the swords.
“Why?” puzzled Wylan. “I don’t understand.”
“Then we shall ask them,” shrugged Sheri as she stopped at the end of the tunnel. “Why are you forming this corridor for us?” she asked one of the men.
“It is for Wylan,” the man answered sharply. “It is a tribute to him.”
“A tribute?” echoed Wylan. “I am a blind man. What good is a tribute?”
“Aye,” nodded the Red Sword, “you are a blind man, but that doesn’t alter your performance on the battlefield. Red Swords admire bravery and courage and you exhibited both in a fine display of fighting on the battlefield.”
“What did he do?” asked Sheri.
“So he didn’t even tell you, did he?” replied the Red Sword. “Not surprising. His type seldom brags. Wylan charged bravely into the face of the enemy. Being the first man to reach the nasty prophet, Azmet, Wylan ran him through with his sword. I could name a thousand men who would have loved to be there first. It took incredible courage to ride through the whole camp to get to Azmet.”
“Hardly worth my sight now, was it?” retorted Wylan.
“Now, now,” scolded the Red Sword. “Don’t be playing the pity game on a Red Sword, lad. I lost more than one friend out on that battlefield, and there wasn’t a man that rode out of this city that wouldn’t have gladly given his life to skewer Azmet. You fought courageously out there. Yes, you paid a price for our victory, but don’t let it destroy what you have left. Wear your blindness proudly, lad. It’s a hardship, but challenges are what we live for.”
“You make it sound like a gift,” Wylan shook his head.
“The fact that you are still alive is the gift,” countered the Red Sword. “Oh, I don’t expect you to understand this soon after the battle, but you dwell upon what I am saying. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, you ask for Jai Camtor. That’s me.”
“Thanks,” Wylan said, trying to be polite, but obviously not impressed with the speech of the Red Sword.
“By the way,” added the Red Sword as Sheri started to lead Wylan away, “My father was born blind. Yet here I stand in the uniform of a Red Sword. You have a challenge to overcome, but don’t make yourself into a real cripple.”
Wylan shook his head as the words hit home. He heard the Red Swords sheath their swords and walk away. As Sheri led him through the gates and onto the streets of the city, Wylan replayed the words of the Red Sword through his mind.
“Do you think he was telling the truth?” Wylan asked Sheri.
“About his father being blind?” mused Sheri. “I can find out, but I find it hard to believe that he would lie. As to their actions of saluting a hero, I believe every word of it. I have no doubt that he had friends die in that battle. The Red Swords are a very close group. They treat each other like brothers. It is not possible for one of them to die and the others not feel it.”
“I don’t feel like a hero,” sighed Wylan. “I just wanted to kill Azmet for what he did to Southland. He murdered thousands of people.”
“And the Red Swords wanted to kill him for what he was going to do to Tagaret,” countered Sheri. “You may not feel like a hero, but everyone else thinks of you as one.”
“What am I to do with the rest of my life?” asked Wylan. “I don’t know any trades. I wanted to be a soldier since I was little. There is nothing else that I am good at.”
“Well, you don’t know that to be true,” retorted Sheri. “I do not have any idea what you can do without your sight, but I am willing to work with you to find out. I know lots of people in the palace now, and just about every other important person in the city. Whatever you think you might want to try, I will help you do it. What more can you ask for?”
“My sight back,” replied Wylan.
“That isn’t going to happen, Wylan,” responded Sheri. “It may sound cold of me, but you need to move past that. There are a lot of other conditions that would stop you from being a soldier. I don’t think any of the men that I saw in the healing center today will ever fight again. Some had no arms or legs. Some were even worse off. Don’t dwell upon your injury. Use your mind to seek a way around it. You are a very intelligent person. You will come up with something. Promise me that you will try.”
They walked silently for several minutes as Sheri waited patiently for a response. Finally, Wylan nodded, “I will try.”
* * *
Bin-lu walked into the healing center. He looked at the bed where Wylan had been placed when they arrived in the city. The bed was empty. He walked up the row of beds, checking each as he passed. In desperation, he checked each of the other rows and discovered that Wylan was not in the room. He saw one of the healers and walked over to her.
“What happened to Wylan?” he asked.
The woman looked at him blankly.
“The blind one,” pushed Bin-lu. “He was in the end bed when I was here last.”
“Oh him,” replied the old woman. “His girlfriend or wife came to take him home. She works in the palace somewhere, but I don’t know her name. Ask Colonel Nolan. He might know.”
Bin-lu asked directions to the office of Colonel Nolan, and the old woman told him where to go. Bin-lu wound through the corridors of the palace until he found the right office. There was a guard standing outside the door. He nodded to Bin-lu and opened the door. Bin-lu entered the office, and the officer looked up expectantly.
“What can I do for you?” asked Zackary.
“I am looking for Wylan,” Bin-lu answered. “He was blinded in the battle at Watling Flats. Some girl took him out of the healing center today. One of the healers thinks she works in the palace. Do you know where he has gone?”
“Wylan?” mused Zackary. “He was the one who killed Azmet, wasn’t he? I heard about him. Fine courageous man.”
“That’s him,” nodded Bin-lu. “I heard him talk about a girl here in Tagare
t named Sheri, but I don’t know where she lives.”
“I know of Sheri,” nodded the officer as he signaled for the guard to enter. “I do not have the records here, but my man will check on it for you. Have a seat.”
Bin-lu sat down while Colonel Nolan explained what he wanted the soldier to find out. The soldier left and Bin-lu found the officer staring at him. Zackary stared at the gloves that Bin-lu was wearing.
“You are Bin-lu, aren’t you?” asked Zackary.
“Yes,” Bin-lu replied with surprise. “How did you know?”
“Your gloves,” admitted the officer. “That and your familiarity with Wylan. There are not many people in Tagaret that would be looking for him. I heard about your…condition. How have you managed to deal with it?”
“It doesn’t bother me anymore,” frowned Bin-lu. “I am disappointed that word of it has spread.”
“Don’t be,” smiled Zackary. “Truthfully, word of it has not spread at all. I make it a point to learn secrets that people don’t want spread. I am the head of Special Operations for Alcea. It is a post that Alexander Tork had in his younger years.”
“So how do you know about me then?” asked Bin-lu.
“I was assigned to Oscar Dalek since before you joined up with Arik,” Zackary said as he got up and closed the door to his office. “I was privy to everything involved in getting Arik on the throne. Even a few things that nobody will ever know about. I guess what I am trying to say, is that your secret is safe with me.”
“Then why bring it up?” inquired Bin-lu.
“Because I think I can use your talents,” Zackary stated frankly. “I had a certain reputation for getting things done in this city. That was before I took a dagger intended for Prince Oscar. Unfortunately, that injury precludes me from continuing the work that I used to do. I think you may well be able to take over those tasks.”
“What kind of tasks?” Bin-lu asked skeptically.
“Impersonations,” smiled Zackary. “Covert entry into various locations. Assassinations. Basically, anything that the army really can’t do.”
“Assassinations?” echoed Bin-lu.
“Yes,” nodded Colonel Nolan. “Sometimes it is necessary to save the king’s life, or to put one on the throne. Look, let me tell you what I know about you, then you can decide if this is the best way for you to serve King Arik.”
“Alright,” nodded Bin-lu.
“I know that you are loyal to him,” Zackary began. “That is the most important qualification. You are a good fighter with almost any weapon, but you are excellent with no weapon at all. Many times your mission might require being in a position where you have no weapon, especially if you are impersonating someone who shouldn’t have a weapon. Your unique condition is a fantastic plus. You can do things that nobody else can. Not only that, but nobody would even believe it after your are done.”
“And you think that I can impersonate someone?” tested Bin-lu.
“Do you mean like an officer in the Imperial Army of Emperor Hanchi?” chuckled Zackary. “Yes, Bin-lu, I think you can do whatever it is that we need done. You will need more training of course, but I am willing to teach you myself. I have secrets that nobody knows about. I use methods that are unthinkable. Imagine being a shadow warrior, a man of many disguises, or an assassin who disappears completely leaving no trace whatsoever.”
“You do make it sound exciting,” smiled Bin-lu.
“It is not a position where you will get a lot of public praise,” warned Zackary. “In fact, almost nobody will know that you even exist.”
“Who would know?” questioned Bin-lu.
“King Arik must know,” declared Zackary. “I will do nothing without his knowledge. Prince Oscar should know because he is regent when Arik is not here. Alexander Tork because he was my mentor and because I trust him with my life. Maybe a small group of others, but maybe not. It depends on who needs to know.”
“That certainly confirms your allegiance,” smiled Bin-lu. “I approve of your choice of people. I am intrigued with your proposal, but I also enjoy traveling with the Rangers. How can I be in two places at once?”
“You can’t be,” shrugged Colonel Nolan as he chuckled. “I was never able to pull that one off myself. You will use your talents where they are most needed. Nothing is ever more important than the monarch’s life. Think about traveling with King Arik as a personal servant. You would appear to be a quiet, obedient, common servant. Almost everybody would dismiss you as not worthy of his interest. Yet you would be one of the most dangerous people around. That alone could foil many assassination attempts.”
“And you would teach me your tricks?” asked Bin-lu. “You would train me to be a better fighter?”
“You will learn everything that you are capable of learning,” assured the colonel. “You will be privy to the most sacred confidences in the kingdom. I need to remind you that secrecy is at the heart of this job. People must not learn who you truly are. If you seek fame, this is not the position for you. We cannot have you out at the inn bragging about your deeds. You would not live long in that case.”
“Fame is not my goal,” conceded Bin-lu. “I seek to be the ultimate warrior. It does not matter to me that nobody recognizes my skills. It is to myself that I must prove my worth.”
“Perfect,” grinned Colonel Nolan. “Are you a fearful person?”
“I know fear,” admitted Bin-lu. “Only a fool does not. A true warrior overcomes his fears, or functions in spite of them. Does this position have to be approved by others?”
“It does,” nodded Zackary, “but I would not worry about it. Prince Oscar and Alexander Tork will accept my evaluation of you. King Arik already knows you well enough to see the beauty of you taking my place. Are you interested?”
“Not only interested,” Bin-lu nodded eagerly, “but I am excited about the opportunity. When do I start learning?”
“How about today?” grinned Zackary.
Chapter 20
Crimes of the Past
“We need to get fresh news about the Lanoirian army,” Alex declared as the city walls of Melbin came into sight. “I do not want to accidentally run into them on our way to Caldar.”
“Melbin isn’t the safest place for any of us,” reminded Tanya. “The last time we were there you were almost killed and the rest of us were almost arrested.”
“You make it out to be worse than it was,” chuckled Alex. “Hanjel is not a serious threat, and you were well out of the city before Niki was discovered missing. Still,” he added turning more serious, “it is dangerous for us in any city. Melbin will be no exception.”
“We could stop in Lorgo instead,” suggested Arik. “I would like to let those people know that our mothers have been recovered.”
“We can stop in Lorgo to inform them,” nodded Alex, “but Lorgo gets few visitors. My contacts in Melbin will be more informed of what is happening in the south.”
“We are bound to be noticed in Melbin,” interjected Jenneva. “I doubt that many dwarves have visited the city. Prince Darok will draw a lot of attention.”
“I could remain outside the city,” offered Prince Darok. “I do not wish to contribute to the danger.”
“No,” Arik stated emphatically. “If the people in the cities are not used to seeing dwarves, perhaps it is time for that to change. Prince Darok stays with me.”
“Let us remain separated then,” suggested Jenneva. “The attention that Prince Darok brings to your group will allow Alex to make his contacts in secrecy. We can use the same arrangement that we used the last time. Arik’s group can stay at the Fluttering Jib, and we shall stay across the street at the Bosun’s Chair.”
“Agreed,” nodded Arik as the northern gate to Melbin came into view. “Should we enter using different gates?”
“I do not think that will be necessary,” Alex shook his head. “You ride on ahead a bit. Everyone’s attention will be drawn to Prince Darok, and nobody will notice me. Do not forget that
we are known as Mikal and Yolinda Obanik in Melbin.”
Arik nodded and urged his mount to go faster. Prince Darok and Tanya joined with Arik as the two groups separated.
“You thought Tanya would stay with our group,” Jenneva declared softly. “I can see the disappointment in your face.”
“I do like traveling with her,” Alex responded, “but she has her own life to lead. She takes the task of guarding King Arik seriously. I am proud that she is conscientious about it.”
“You think that is why she sticks to Arik like the sole to a boot?” giggled Jenneva. “To protect him? Love was never an easy concept for you to grasp, Alex. I still remember how long it took you to propose marriage to me.”
Alex looked confused and shook his head. “She shows no signs of anything but duty to her king,” protested Alex. “You are seeing flying unicorns where there is nothing in the stables but nags. I have never even seen them holding hands.”
“And people say that Rangers are observant,” laughed Jenneva. “Have you not picked up on the rivalry between Tanya and Sheri in Tagaret? Or the way that Tanya looked at Arik at Watling Flats after Tedi introduced his bride-to-be? As for holding hands, most of the time their hands are filled with weapons. There is precious little time these days for romance.”
“They do get along well,” shrugged Alex. “Tanya could certainly do worse than the king of Alcea.”
“If she limits her choices to only men who can best her in a spar,” giggled Jenneva, “there will be few to choose from.”
Alex laughed and nodded as he watched Arik’s group approach the gates to Melbin. Prince Darok certainly did draw attention, but they were passed through the gates without a problem. As Alex and Jenneva passed through the gates, the soldiers paid no attention to them. Alex smiled inwardly.
Alex and Jenneva rode through the busy streets of Melbin towards the Bosun’s Chair. There were more people on the streets than Alex had ever recalled seeing in Melbin before. He gazed at the people and saw that many were carrying their belongings on their backs. Nodding to himself, Alex realized that the situation in lower Sordoa must be worse than he had heard. These people were clearly fleeing before the Lanoirian horde. Alex was so intent on watching the people that he failed to detect the Melbin guard that was following him.
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