Kethril

by Carroll, John H.

  “Now that is a proper defense,” Sir Danth said.

  “I don’t know why they have all that.” Anilyia waved her hand at the stakes and guards. “Oimryi hasn’t been attacked in centuries and there are thousands of people living outside the walls.”

  “It makes complete sense,” Sir Danth said without clarification.

  “How far does it go?” Tathan asked.

  “It’s mostly round with four main gates and a few smaller ones between,” Anilyia said as they rode through the wide gate. There was a great deal of traffic: people walking, riding, sitting on seats carried by peasants, or riding in carriages. Wagon trains moved through the mob. It all created a traffic jam that slowed their pace to a crawl.

  “From the west gate to the east gate, it’s a little over seven miles. From the north to the south, it’s just under eight,” she told them as if reciting lessons. “There are eleven districts outside the wall that extend for miles. My father’s scholars believe there to be well over a million people. Almost all are peasants, who tend to be rather noisy and smelly.” The last sentence sounded more like opinion than a recited lesson.

  Liselle was in shock. She couldn’t even comprehend a million people. It would be as many flowers as she had met in the valley, or as many stars as she could see in the sky.

  An hour later the sun had set, but there were so many lights in the city that it glowed, making it difficult to see the stars. Clean white buildings bordered the tree-lined boulevard, their domed roofs painted with bright colors and intricate patterns. Multi-colored mosaic tiles decorated the corners, eaves, windows and doorways. People riding carriages or horses moved along the cobblestone streets while pedestrians strolled on stone sidewalks. There were few children out after dark.

  “Most of these people either work late or they’re going to parties and taverns. There will be a better class of people the closer we get to the castle,” the princess explained.

  “Tathan and I are peasants,” Liselle pointed out.

  “Neither of you are peasants. I like you.” The princess seemed to consider that a perfectly logical argument. “I’m so excited! I’m almost home!” She gave a happy little squeak and wiggled in her saddle. Tathan squeezed her hand and smiled while Liselle shook her head in amusement.

  ***

  The royal palace was set in the northeastern section of the city, away from the center. Anilyia told them that the middle of the city was an enormous park and plaza with the biggest fountain in the world dominating the center. She led them down another tree-lined avenue that would take them to the main gates.

  “How are we going to do this?” Tathan asked. “I’m worried that they’re not going to believe you’re the princess. There are always people who try to run cons when kidnappings happen.”

  “I’m not worried about that, and I just need you to trust me on it,” she told him with a tender smile. “I’ve been thinking about it for the last few days. Sir Danth, would you mind doing the talking when we get to the gate. A knight’s words will carry more weight than anyone else’s. I’ll take care of it once we go in.”

  “Of course. I don’t like talking to councils and kings, but I love telling common soldiers what to do,” he told them over his shoulder.

  “Alright. We’ll be challenged at the main gate. Tell them you wish to speak to Councilor Hephran. He’s not the highest ranking person we’ll talk to, but he’s the highest ranking person the guards will actually call.”

  “Councilor Hephran. What is his position?” the knight asked.

  “He’s the Royal Guard’s liaison to castle security. Once he sees who I am, he’ll get us to the right place. And he probably wasn’t executed when I was kidnapped, although you never know with my father.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a position,” Tathan said. “I thought the Royal Guard was castle security?”

  “Not in Mayncal. There are hundreds of positions that other kingdoms don’t have.” Anilyia waved off mention of the other kingdoms as though they didn’t matter and never would. “There’s the palace.”

  The palace wall was twenty-five feet tall with iron barbs facing out. Guards with long pikes walked along the top. A wide grassy area with flowers separated the avenue from the wall. There were low ropes to discourage anyone from walking in the area. Liselle waved at the flowers and they waved their petals in return. One of the guards on the wall did a double take and wiped a hand across his eyes.

  “Whatever you do, don’t go past that low rope. The guards are ordered to kill anyone who does,” Anilyia warned Liselle who was starting to ride toward them.

  Liselle reluctantly rejoined the group. “Those are very pretty flowers. I’ve never seen most of them. Perhaps your father will let me talk to them before Vevin and I go exploring?”

  “Yes, of course,” Anilyia said. “I’ll see to it personally.”

  A few minutes later, they reached the main palace gate, which was set back from the avenue. The walls angled away from the street for a hundred feet on either side of the open gates, creating a space where fifteen guards stood at attention on each side, ready to deal with any danger.

  Sir Danth rode up to the guard who looked to be in charge. The man, dressed in blue and gold tunic and kilt, held up his hand. He also wore sturdy leather chest and skirt armor with light steel plates. His arms and legs were covered by greaves. Sir Danth had told Liselle a lot of little details about armor on their journey. It was interesting to see some of what he had described.

  “Hold there, knight. What is your business at the palace?” the man asked in a powerful voice. Liselle imagined it would be very useful in giving troops orders.

  “Greetings, my good officer. I am Sir Danth Wazmordin of Morhain. I would speak to Councilor Hephran, please.”

  “And why do you need to speak to him?” the officer asked. He was respectful to the knight, but did not defer in any way.

  “I have definite and vital news regarding the princess’s kidnapping and wish to report the information to him,” Sir Danth said.

  The officer studied the knight for a moment. Sir Danth was a striking figure and it was easy to take him seriously. The officer briefly studied the rest of them. He turned to a group of four young men in foppish blue and gold outfits who were sitting underneath a small awning to the left of the gate. “Summon Councilor Hephran immediately.” One of the young men jumped and ran through the gate at full speed.

  “I don’t normally call for a councilor without being certain that there is a true need,” the officer informed Sir Danth. “However, there is something about you that leads me to believe the matter is serious. If nothing else, the subject is. I warn you that you had best not be wasting time.”

  “I assure you we are not wasting your time, good officer.”

  “Very good. It would be wise of you to dismount so that you are on level ground during the conversation, as a gesture of goodwill,” the officer suggested.

  Sir Danth hopped down from his horse. Tathan and Anilyia dismounted between theirs so it would be difficult to see the princess. Tathan led her to stand behind Sir Danth. Liselle and Vevin also dismounted, but remained by their horses. Liselle noticed that Tathan had made his sword disappear.

  A few minutes later, the foppish young man led an official-looking older man through the gate. The newcomer was wearing a light blue toga with golden clasps and belts. He also had gold jewelry on his fingers, arms, legs and neck. Gold piercings lined his ears with a few in his eyebrows as well. His hair was mostly grey and there were numerous wrinkles in his face. Liselle thought he must smile a lot. “The runner informed me a knight had information regarding the kidnapping of the princess, Captain,” he said to the officer.

  “Yes, Councilor.” The officer thumped a fist to his chest in salute. He motioned toward Sir Danth. “This is the knight and his companions.”

  “Well?” the councilor asked, waiting for an explanation.

  Sir Danth was about to speak, but Anilyia put a hand on his
back and moved in front She took the silk off her head and shoulders. “Hello, Councilor Hephran. Are my parents well?”

  The councilor’s eyes widened, as did the officer’s. A few of the previously statuesque guards exchanged glances. Councilor Hephran was about to kneel, but took a closer look to make certain, turning his head each way a little as though getting a better angle. Tears suddenly flooded his eyes and he knelt. “Your Highness.”

  The guards slammed their fists against their chest in unison, creating a loud drumming sound. Councilor Hephran abruptly stood. “Captain! Defense!”

  Liselle was alarmed when the captain barked orders and all the guards rushed forward. They ran past the companions and lined the avenue entrance with their pikes out. Clearly, they weren’t going to allow anything else to happen to the princess.

  A few citizens traveling the avenue quickly left in the opposite direction. One of the guards sounded notes from a long horn and more appeared from inside the gates. They didn’t understand what was happening, but lined up with the others as fast as possible.

  “I’ll take you to your parents, Your Highness.” Councilor Hephran gestured for her to follow.

  When the companions followed as well, he stopped. “Who are these people?”

  “They are my rescuers, Councilor,” Anilyia answered. He looked them over dubiously again, but nodded and motioned for guards to take their horses.

  The cobbled walkway to the main building of the palace was large enough for four carriages to be pulled side by side. Expansive green lawns were on either side and guards with dogs patrolled them. More guards were appearing on the lawn from outbuildings around the palace. It appeared the horns sounding at the front gate had been some sort of alarm.

  He led them into a large courtyard similar to the one in Kethril, only there were two statues and a fountain. Marbled columns lined the main building of the palace for a very long distance to each side of the main doors. Liselle was pretty sure a couple of carriages could fit through those doors too. She couldn’t help but try to stare at everything as they walked into the long marble corridor inside.

  A crash to their right startled her. “The princess,” a woman shouted, pointing at Anilyia. The women dropped to her knees and bowed. Other people in the corridor began to fall to their knees and bow too. Many just stared in shock.

  Liselle ran a few steps to keep up with the pace the councilor set. She could see that Anilyia was half running while the boys didn’t have any trouble at all. The corridor seemed to go on forever until they finally went through another large set of double doors into a giant plaza with numerous gardens surrounded by five buildings. Councilor Hephran led them toward a building across the way at a diagonal to the left.

  Guards held up their hands as the councilor walked up six wide steps to the ornate doors. “No weapons allowed,” one announced, pointing at Sir Danth’s hilt sticking above his shoulder.

  “It’s an enchanted sword that cannot be removed,” Sir Danth informed them. “I give you my word I will not draw it unless to defend the princess or her family.”

  “That is not acceptab . . .” the guard didn’t finish the sentence because the princess moved forward.

  “This noble knight is a man of his word. He is my rescuer and protects my life. I require him to have his weapon,” she told the guards in the most commanding voice Liselle had heard her use.

  The men slammed fists to chests. “Yes, Your Highness.” Then they opened the doors for the party to enter.

  There were numerous twists and turns before entering a large room with marbled columns and a fountain. Liselle thought to herself that there were almost as many plazas and fountains as in Rojuun cities. She also realized that the palace compound was larger than most towns they had visited, maybe even larger than Puujan.

  A large crowd of people was coming from a side corridor toward them. “Councilor Hephran!” a man in an even more ornate toga shouted from the group. He was bald on top of his head. The hair on the sides and back were pure white and he had a potbelly. “There is a disturbance at the gate and people are shouting about the princess returning. Someone’s head will roll at this cruel joke.”

  “High Chancellor, it is true,” Hephran said. They met in the middle and he stepped aside, gesturing toward the princess.

  The High Chancellor’s eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. “It is true?!”

  More royal guards had spread out from the entourage and people surrounded them. It was unnerving to Liselle. From out of the middle came a man and woman dressed in the finest silks Liselle had ever seen. They wore exceptional jewelry and had crowns on their heads. Between that and the fact that the man had similar features and the woman looked very much like Anilyia except for darker hair, Liselle determined they must be the king and queen.

  “Daughter?” the king asked in wonder. The woman didn’t need to ask, but moved forward with outstretched arms and teary eyes.

  A sob shook Anilyia’s shoulders and she ran to her mother. They embraced fiercely and were joined by the king an instant later. The three of them stood there for minutes, just holding each other and crying. Liselle wasn’t ashamed of the tears flowing down her own cheeks, especially since everyone watching had tears too, even Tathan.

  The king wiped his eyes and parted from the women. He scanned the crowd before settling his eyes on Sir Danth, who looked out of place in the midst of all the silk robes and togas. All the companions stood out, but none as much as the knight. “And who is it that has returned my beloved daughter to me?”

  Sir Danth pointed at Liselle. “She did.” Then he stepped aside.

  Liselle froze. She hadn’t expected that. Talking to a king was far more than she was prepared for. Luckily, Anilyia broke the embrace with her mother so that she could introduce them. “Mother, Father, the woman he introduced is Liselle, Child of Flowers. She undertook the quest to save me. The knight is Sir Danth Wazmordin of Morhain, the Lost Kingdom. The purple haired individual holding arms with Liselle is Vevin. The other man is Tathan. He is a specialist in matters of security. Together they rescued me from . . .” Anilyia couldn’t finish because she broke down again, covering her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body. Her mother grabbed her into another embrace while the king’s face darkened at whatever he imagined had happened to his daughter.

  “Let us adjourn to the royal chambers where things can be explained,” the king said.

  Chapter 30

  Things took a long time to explain. By the time the sun had risen, Anilyia was asleep with her head in her mother’s lap. The king, having heard the short version of the story, let the companions rest. Tathan fell asleep in the luxurious room provided and lay awake for a while, missing the presence of Anilyia.

  The next day, they sat around a table in a meeting room. It had a balcony that looked out over lush gardens. Tathan leaned against the railing, enjoying a piece of fruit while Anilyia told of her treatment at the hands of the Rojuun.

  He wanted to run over and comfort her, especially when she cried. Had he sat at the table with others, his reactions to her words and tears would have given away his feelings.

  “It’s a lovely view,” Vevin said, coming up next to him.

  Tathan looked at the thick trees surrounded by marbled buildings. Statues and fountains dotted the paths that cut through beautiful flowerbeds. “It is nice. Hard to believe we were in snowy mountains just a few days ago.”

  “Are you going to be alright?”

  Tathan saw concern swirling in Vevin’s eyes. He sighed. “I don’t know. I’m afraid of staying in one place. Any other time, I’d explore the streets, get into trouble and run away to the next kingdom.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get into trouble and have to leave. I give it a year, maybe two,” Vevin said with a straight face.

  Tathan stood straight. “Really?” Vevin’s lips twisted in amusement. Tathan clouted him on the shoulder. “You know me too well.” He leaned back against the railing and sighed. “I w
ant to be normal this time. I want to be happy.”

  Vevin put a friendly arm around his shoulder. “You’ll never be normal, but I hope you’re happy.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  “I hope you get to know the same kind of happiness I feel. And I want to thank you.” Vevin leaned on the rail like Tathan.

  “What are you thanking me for?” Tathan looked at his friend.

  “For letting Liselle be my mate. I love her and she’s why I’m happy.” He turned and sat on the rail. “You could have said no, or interfered, but you supported us instead. You’re my best friend, Tathan.”

  Tathan looked back at Liselle. She was holding Anilyia’s hand while the princess told her parents about the nightmare she experienced with the Rojuun. The king and queen had welcomed Liselle into their home quickly.

  “I don’t know what my cousin is, Vevin.” Tathan turned back to him. “But I do know that you’re good for her. The two of you fit. I’m honored to call you friend.”

  “Thank you, Tathan. I promise to keep her safe.”

  Tathan looked out at the garden. “I hope so, because something is happening and she’s more important than we know.”

  “You feel that way too, then!” Vevin slapped his thigh. “I don’t know what it is either.” He paused. “I love her regardless of whether she’s filled with divine power or just a pretty flower, Tathan. I love her.”

  Tathan smiled. “I know. I didn’t mean to get so serious.” He stood and stretched. His body still ached from all the abuse he had put it through. It would be good to stay in a comfortable palace and take it easy for a while. “I’ve met a lot of important people recently, Vevin. Some of them are good and some are bad. I don’t know what it means.”

  “That sounds very ominous, Tathan. Do you know what I think?”