Chapter 23
Heather's father took command of securing the hill. He posted his sentries and had his soldiers begin bringing in the wounded for Daniel to evaluate. Things remained pretty chaotic until near sunset when some semblance of order prevailed. Scouts reported that those of the Red had retreated back across the river. Other scouts brought reports that the main force of the north was now positioned at the narrows in the great gorge. The sounds of battle had continued all day from across the river as the army of the South had drove to the river, creating a strong flank attack and further isolating the army of the Red.
Daniel had been working nonstop and Heather insisted he rest and take time to eat. His dour attitude contrasted sharply with the sense of victory others felt and he explained, "The power of the cannon to damage human flesh is horrible. I feel personally responsible for the terrible injuries of those of the Red that the cannon has caused."
Heather gently replied, "Your cannon has given us hope for healthy babies and survival of our peoples. The power was needed and responsibility lies not with you but with those who brought this attack upon us."
Heather's father added, "My son, you did not wish this war upon us and if your invention helps end it sooner, much suffering on both sides will have been prevented. You did what needed to be done."
Daniel listened but they knew not whether he heard, for his attitude changed not and he said little more. After he had left and returned to work, Heather's father asked, "Will your Daniel recover from this trauma?"
Heather recalled the episode of the blind beggar and replied, "He will recover but not until he has spent some time, melancholy and lost in his work. He is a healer, not a warrior, and war is particularly hard on him. We must let him do his healing so he himself can be healed. I would we need not ask him to do battle, but his skills and knowledge we have needed repeatedly."
Dusk was falling when a small commotion ensued because of the arrival of Betty. She was alone and responded not to the sentry of the north as she approached the camp. The sentry’s response was to call out the alarm. This startled the already confused Betty even more, and she had trouble talking. She settled down only after Heather had gathered her in next to the fire and given her some food to eat. After Betty had eaten Heather asked, "What of the hunter that I had left with you?"
Betty responded, "I sent him away."
"Why? Where did you send him?"
Betty scrunched her face up a bit and turned her head to the side before replying, "I heard Edna and sent the one from the Forest to help."
Heather's father watched the interaction and spoke not. Heather patiently worked to tease the information out of Betty. She asked, "Is Edna in trouble?"
Betty just shook her head in the negative and Heather asked, "Then why does Edna need help?"
Betty replied, "She comes but doesn't know where we are."
Heather said, "So you sent the hunter to guide her to us?"
Betty nodded her head in the affirmative and said, "She bring one of the big ones?"
Heather was quiet for a while as she tried to reason out Betty's thought processes she finally asked, "Edna is bringing someone big like Jason?"
Betty giggled and said, "No, not like Jason. More like the important ones but more bigger."
At this point Heather turned to Jeremy and said, "It would seem we will be getting company from the Forest; they are bringing a stranger. I would you help guide them to our camp across the river, but not until you've had a night of rest.
Jeremy wanted to argue that he didn't need to rest, but he really was fatigued after having had almost no sleep for the past few days. He responded, "I will leave at first light and would take another with to act as a scout."
Heather nodded in agreement and said, "I would you take about a dozen with you for I sense they may be needed. I think we all deserve some rest. I would those of the Forest returned to our other camp in the morning and leave the hill to my father's army."
Heather's father spoke up saying, "My forces will secure the hill but what of the cannon?"
Heather responded, "We will need to return with more powder and iron balls for the cannon. I would that someone you trust be placed in charge of the cannon and I will have Daniel teach them to operate it." Heather could no longer stifle her yawns and apologized saying, "I must rest. Let us continue the planning in the morning."
Daniel was late arriving at their tent and his bride was long asleep. Sleep came slowly to him as his mind was filled with the damage he had inflicted with his cannon. He dreamt again of the deaf beggar and he awoke with a somewhat less heavy heart. He slipped out of the tent before Heather was awake to check on some of the injured. By the time he was finished, Heather and her father were already breaking the fast. He joined them and reported, "Those of the Forest who have been injured should be able to travel back to our camp. Many of those of the Red may never travel well again and would be best cared for here, at least for now."
Heather's father spoke up saying, "We traveled hard and left behind much of our support system, which is just now catching up. I will have them establish their base here on this hill and we will provide ongoing care for those who were injured."
The planning went on and Heather asked her father, "Can you accompany us back to our camp?"
Heather's father responded, "I should rejoin my main force. Why would you have me accompany you?"
Heather said, "I sense that Betty has brought us very important news. I would you were there to help interpret what it means."
Heather's father stared at Betty in a puzzled sort of way before replying, "The spirits of the Forest are a mystery to me. I will accompany you, but first I would meet with my troops in the great gorge. We must set up a courier system so I can stay in contact with my forces."
Their conversation was interrupted by the departure of Jeremy and his companion. Heather told them, "Our camp site yet remains secret and I would have it such as long as possible. I pray that the God of the Sacred Water guides you safely back."
Jeremy nodded in appreciation and, shouldering his pack, said, "I think I have the easier task, for now you have to watch over Daniel by yourself."
Daniel countered, "Don't let the excitement of seeing your bride make you forget what you're supposed to be doing."
Heather thought she noticed just a slight flushing to Jeremy's face as he replied, "What makes you think I would forget that?"
Daniel responded, "I meant guiding them to our camp safely."
With a wave Jeremy was off. Heather thought the bantering was a good sign and that Daniel was already starting to heal. It was only after they broke their portion of the camp and started down the hill did Daniel tell her of the dream with the deaf beggar. He explained how in his dream the beggar was helping care for those who had been injured so severely by his cannon. He said, "My guilt is lessened knowing that this protector of mine is helping."
Before leaving the camp, Betty searched until she found Heather's horse, Spirit. Heather watched her gently stroked the ears of great the horse. Betty seemed to be talking to the horse and only after several minutes did she returned to Heather. Heather said, "I too am sad that the horse has died."
Betty replied, "It okay. He happy where he is now. Before I left I told him he had to protect you. He did a good job."
Heather asked, "Has he gone back to the Forest?"
Betty turned her head to the side and scrunched up her face before replying, "Like the Forest but different."
Heather and her father were riding and those of the Forest followed behind to help obscure any trail. Betty spoke not for some time as she rode behind Heather. She finally pulled on Heather's cape and spoke up saying, "The hunter I sent has found Edna."
They traveled upstream for some ways before crossing over an area of hard rock that left little sign. They traveled slowly, for Heather was in significant pain, though she complained not. Daniel would watch her face c
losely and whenever the strain seemed to be building, he would call a halt and have her rest. Despite her fatigue and pain she insisted on continuing her planning. As she and her father discussed the options, Daniel just walked alongside lost in his own thoughts. It was mid-afternoon when her father departed to check on his troops in the great gorge, accompanied by a small troop of those of the Forest. Darkness had already fallen before those of the Forest arrived at their campsite. They were greeted by Elrod who had many questions and left little time for answers.
It was late on the following day that Heather's father arrived with those of the Forest who had accompanied him. A private tent was set up for the King and the meal served to the travelers. Stories were begun almost immediately. Heather's father found amazing contentment sitting around the campfire listening to the stories of those of the Forest. Daniel insisted that Heather needed her rest and they departed the group but the stories went on.
In the morning Heather appeared somewhat more rested and received with her father the reports from the scouts. The army of the Southern Kingdom had established a solid flank position cutting off the army of the Red from the west. The army of the north had successfully bottled up those of the Red, who had descended through the great gorge. The battles were ongoing but the momentum of those of the Red had been broken. The war was yet to be won, but now there was hope.
Heather seemed comfortable enough accepting another day of inactivity but her father was obviously becoming anxious that he was not with his troops. They had regular reports of the battle and it seemed as if his generals were performing well. It just did not sit well with him not to be involved. Heather was only partially successful in diverting his attention by having the story told in great detail of their battle on the ice field. It was almost time for the evening meal before the scout arrived saying that Edna and her troop would arrive by midday on the morrow. He added but little detail other than almost fifty of those of the Forest were coming and with them was some sort of wagon device.
The evening meal was somewhat more relaxed and Heather's father partook more fully in the stories. Those of the Forest understood little of palace protocol but they all enjoyed how Heather's father had emulated her in overcoming the objections of his council. The stories went on around the campfire until late at night but without Heather and Daniel. Daniel was being somewhat of a mother hen as he looked after his bride, and she seemed not unhappy with the attention.
The morning dragged by somewhat slowly despite receiving the reports from the scouts. It seemed as if the war had reached somewhat of a stalemate. Many of the camp who were healthy left to assist those of the Forest in their approach to the camp. Heather instructed them to cover the tracks of the wagon device as much as possible, for she wished not for their camp to be discovered.
About midmorning Jeremy presented to the camp and asked to use their horses to help speed their progress. It was after the time of the midday meal when the large troop finally arrived. With them was a miniature house, complete with chimney and windows, on wheels. Heather's father exclaimed, "What by the God of the Sacred Water is that?"
Jeremy replied, "Sir, we of the Forest present to you an envoy from those of the Red. He is not particularly happy at the present time."
Heather's father asked, "How did this envoy happen to join with those of the Forest?"
Jeremy said, "Well, this story would be much better told with a glass of ale, but since we have no ale, I will let my wife tell the story."
Edna just shook her head at Jeremy's comment and began explaining how those left behind has sent word that another convoy was headed to the ice field. They did what they could to delay the progress. Once they were on the ice field, those of the Forest made the spirits of the Forest come alive. The scouts and supplies of the Red began to disappear, and when they arrived at the region of the crevices they found not a way across and were forced down the great gorge as had been their army. Once they were in the great gorge, things continued to disappear at an ever faster rate. One night those of the Forest freed all the horses. The horses were suffering greatly from the effort of pulling this portable house and it seemed only reasonable to free them.
Edna stopped to make sure everyone was following her and then continued to explain how those of the Forest made all of the guards and scouts of the Red disappear. Eventually, all that were left were the servants who were attending the one inside the house. At this point we decided to rescue whoever it was and deliver them to Heather.
Jeremy broke in at this point saying, "When I arrived, they had already relieved the occupant of most of the heavy supplies which were piled alongside this mobile house. Still, moving it was difficult and we needed to raise it out of the great gorge back onto the trade route." He then added, "It seems the occupant did not like being raised over the cliff with ropes and was quite vocal. Unfortunately, we understood not his complaint and just continued with our work."
Heather's father asked, "Who is he?"
Jeremy shrugged his shoulders and said, "We know not."
The young priest had been sitting by, listening to the ranting from within the house on wheels and spoke up saying, "I think he is demanding an explanation for what is going on."
Heather asked him, "Can you speak to him?"
The young priest slowly responded, "If he would stop yelling long enough to listen, I might be able to speak his language enough for him to understand."
Jeremy solved the problem by picking up a large stick from the pile of firewood and rapping the roof of the house on wheels sharply. This produced a sudden silence from within. The young priest spoke up, saying in the language of the Red, "Those of the Forest would know who you are."
This was followed by an almost violent stream of vocalizations from within, which made it impossible for the young priest to follow. Jeremy took action by again whacking the roof with the stick. This caused the one within to again settle down somewhat and speak slower. The young priest translated saying, "He is demanding to speak to his officers, I think."
Heather responded, "Tell him that his officers are gone and he is now with those of the Forest and we would know his name and position."
The young priest translated as best he could and again the response was a string of unrecognizable words, certainly angry swearing. Jeremy finally cut off the noise by again whacking the roof. The voice within quieted only somewhat and the young priest worked hard to try to understand what was being said. He finally shrugged his shoulders and said, "I think he is saying something about being the Minister of War and demanding again to meet with his officers."
Heather's father spoke up saying, "I would expect he is indeed such a minister and was traveling to claim the final conquest of our peoples and lands. You of the Forest have presented us a most important gift."
As they were discussing the meaning of the envoy, the curtains on one of the small windows parted and a face with a sharply pointed nose peered out of them. Heather tried to ignore the face staring at her but could not fully avoid looking at it. The voice from within the house on wheels began speaking again but in a much more calm fashion. The young priest spoke up saying, "I think he is asking if you are the warrior with the golden hair."
Heather was unsure how to respond but her father spoke up saying, "Tell him that she is indeed the one with the golden hair." As the young priest was translating this, Heather's father explained that he thought that the envoy had been fully informed of the last war and had surely heard of Heather's role.
The young priest was struggling to translate from his limited vocabulary, of those of the Red, what the stranger was saying. He finally spoke up saying, "I think he is asking if those with you are the wild ones who fight not."
Heather was very puzzled at the statement and when she realized he was referring to those of the Forest who relied on the spirits of the Forest, she began to laugh. She turned towards Daniel and Jeremy saying, "It would appear the envoy knows
you well, calling you the wild ones, but it seems he understands not your ability in battle." She turned towards the face in the window and said, "These are of the Forest, and are the same ones who have both captured you and defeated the army sent across the ice field."
The young priest again struggled to translate and this was greeted by silence from within the house on wheels. Those of the Forest began to prepare the evening meal, seemingly ignoring the envoy. As the smell of roasted venison began to permeate the air the voice from within the house on wheels again spoke up. The young priest was better able to understand and said, "The one within is asking to share in our food."
Heather and her father conferred. Heather spoke up telling the young priest, "Tell the one within he is welcome to join us and share our food."
Heather spoke quietly to those of the Forest, telling them to watch the envoy closely. Heather's father remembered all too well the attack in the palace by Alvin and the Red Ambassador. He positioned himself to the left of Heather so that his good arm was in striking position. They left the space between for the envoy. Those of the Forest had already begun sharing their meal when the door of the house on wheels slowly opened and out emerged a man, shorter than Heather, dressed in purple and red clothing, carrying his own plate and knife and fork. He spoke not, but sat between Heather and her father in the space allocated. Those of the Forest passed him portions of the meat and the root vegetables they had dug up. He most carefully cut the meat into very small bites and chewed them most deliberately.
The envoy held out a cup and one of the Forest filled it with water. Those of the Forest began their stories. The envoy watched but spoke not. When he had finished eating he stood and returned to the small house on wheels with just a nod towards Heather in recognition. Those of the Forest watched him discreetly and Heather had Elrod place the guard. The stories continued, but as had become the norm, Heather's fatigue sent her early to bed.
Daniel returned to the campfire and when he sat down next to Heather's father was asked, "Is my daughter okay?"
Daniel replied, "Her pregnancy seems to be proceeding well and she is taking the sacred water. Her fractured arm will be a problem and her days with the sword may be over."
"She seems so tired."
Daniel nodded his head and explained, "Her energy level seems to be improving somewhat as she moves into the middle period of her pregnancy. She pushes herself hard."
Heather's father was quiet for a while before saying, "I would you make her slow down, but I know my daughter and would not ask the impossible of you. I suppose we must just trust the God of the Sacred Water and let her be who she is." He then added, "My prayer is that she can return to normal life when these hard times are over."
After completing their morning ritual, Betty and Heather joined with the others for the breaking of the fast. Soon the door of the house on wheels opened and out stepped the envoy again with his plate and knife and fork. He shared in the simple food of those of the Forest. When the meal was finished he spoke up speaking slowly. The young priest translated as best he could but was having trouble. Larby spoke up saying, "I think he is asking about the ransom."
Before Heather could ask how Larby knew this, the envoy turned towards him and began speaking in the dialect much like Larby's. Larby and the young priest worked together to translate. The envoy spoke both the language of the Red and the older dialect, which was not so dissimilar from the language of Larby and those left behind.
It quickly became apparent that the envoy was indeed asking about the ransom. Those of the Forest understood not, but Heather and her father were beginning to understand the point of view of the envoy. Heather and interrupted the conversation by saying, "We would know your name."
The envoy listened to the translation and responded, "I am called Don the Great."
Heather then asked, "What is your purpose?"
A look almost suggesting embarrassment came over the envoy and he replied, "I have traveled in order to consolidate the newly conquered territory."
Heather's father spoke up saying, "It would seem that your arrival was poorly timed. Your ships have either been sunk or scattered and your armies have been cut off from any supplies."
A look of horror washed over the envoy's face and he said, "This cannot be, for I have planned otherwise."
Heather spoke up saying, "I think it best if we take you to the palace of the Southern Kingdom where you can see for yourself the status of the war."
The envoy asked again, "What of the ransom?"
Heather replied, "There will be no ransom. Surrender and a peace treaty will be your only option."
Heather spoke up for all those around her, "Prepare to abandon camp and move to the palace of the Southern Kingdom. I would one of the Forest carry a message to King Jason about our arrival."
Turning to her father she asked, "Will you travel with us or return to your troops?"
He replied, "It would be best if I returned to my troops for at least a short while. I would you leave a few of the Forest with me to accompany me to the Southern Kingdom when I am able."
Heather nodded her head and, chewing on her lip, paused a minute before saying, "I would expect those of the Red who traveled by ship will soon realize that there is a second battle going on. I would expect they would attempt a counterattack in order to free those penned in the great gorge." She added, "I will have those of the Southern Kingdom continue their pressure, but it would be best if you prepared your troops for an attack from the rear."
Her father replied, "You plan well. I assume you are breaking camp because you feel it is no longer secure?"
Heather again nodded saying, "The tracks left by the house on wheels will be almost impossible to cover up. If those of the Red are looking for the envoy, they will find us."
They had finished the midday meal before those of the Forest had finished breaking down their camp and Heather had finished her letter to King Jason. They had but the one horse to pull the house on wheels and Heather debated forcing the envoy to walk. Jeremy suggested that they would travel faster with the envoy secure in the house on wheels then trying to make him walk or ride their only horse. Jeremy expected that they would not arrive at the gate until the setting of the moon.
Heather was not unhappy that they would arrive in the darkness but she still wanted the palace guard as an escort. One of the hunters took her sealed letter and moved off in his loping run to deliver it to the gate guard who would act as the courier to King Jason. The rest of Heather's troop moved slowly towards the gate, with those of the Forest pulling and pushing the house on wheels. The one within complained repeatedly about the roughness of the ride, but they responded not.
Heather was walking near Larby and Betty and asked, "Why did the envoy not travel by ship?"
Larby responded, "It is the season of the whirling storms and much too dangerous to travel by ship. Travel must wait until the harvest moon when the storms settle down."
Heather recalled the storm they had witnessed and could not imagine a more severe storm, but Larby was insistent that the whirling storms were far worse. She asked him how he knew what the envoy was saying. Larby responded with a very pained expression on his face, "Those of my village were forced to speak as those of the Red. When we spoke not correctly we were struck with a whip." He added, "Amongst themselves they speak the high tongue but to servants and slaves they speak the low tongue. I learned a few of the words of the high tongue."
Heather thanked him for his knowledge and assistance and asked him to work with the young priest to more fully understand the language of those of the Red. They traveled on at a pace that even Heather found slow and irritating. She had some go ahead and prepare the evening meal. There was but a short break, for those laboring to move the house on wheels. The moon had set before they arrived at the gate. Heather had Jeremy travel ahead and use the smuggler’s tunnel to scout for possible dangers.
Jeremy
asked, "Would you have me check to make sure the taverns are also free of danger?"
Heather smiled and shook her head in the negative saying, "I would expect the taverns are long closed and it would be best if the ale waited."
After Jeremy had left, Daniel asked, "Would you rest?"
Heather replied, "I am tired, but rest can wait until the envoy is safe in the Southern Kingdom. I seem not so fatigued lately."
Daniel said, "It is normal for the fatigue to moderate during the middle of the pregnancy. It would be best that you do not overdo."
Heather held his hand as they walked saying only, "If you of the Forest would always travel this slowly, I would have no trouble keeping up!"
Daniel began laughing and said, "If we always traveled this slowly we would never get anywhere." He then asked, "How is the pain in your right arm?"
Heather replied, "As long as I keep the sling tight and the arm moves not, the pain is not so bad." She then asked, "How long until I heal enough to again hold the sword?"
Daniel responded not, and Heather looked at him before asking, "I will heal, will I not?"
Daniel said, "You have broken both of the bones just below your elbow. It is likely they will heal but with significant stiffness of the arm."
"Are you saying that I will never again use my sword?"
Daniel looked at the ground as he replied, "It will be as the God of the Sacred Water wills it." They spoke not again of this matter but waited in silence for the call of the owl from Jeremy. When the call came, Daniel answered in a similar fashion and they began moving towards the gate, which opened for them. Inside, they found a troop of the palace guard that assisted in harnessing up several more horses and they made good time.
The envoy spoke up, asking where they were, and Heather told the young priest to tell him that they had entered the walled city of the Southern Kingdom. He complained less as they traveled over the smooth road. When they arrived at the palace they moved quickly through the gated tunnel. Heather had them stop in the courtyard proper and said, "We will set up camp here."
The palace guard troop leader tried to explain that he had been told to deliver them to the royal quarters. Heather said, "We will camp here. Inform King Jason that I would meet with him at his convenience in the morning."
Those of the Forest quickly had a camp set up and the fatigue, evident on all, prevented the telling of stories. Elrod took charge of securing their camp and, more importantly, of securing the envoy. Morning light came all too soon and after Heather and Betty had completed their morning ritual they joined with others for the breaking of the fast. The smell of food again brought out the envoy with his plate. He sat next to Heather and seemed to notice not that those of the Forest watched him so keenly. He shared in their simple food and, only after he had finished eating, spoke up, saying, "Why do you camp rather than take lodging within the palace?"
Heather responded through the young priest, "Those of the Forest are most comfortable in the open." She then added, "I sense we are able to ensure your safety with greater ease here in the open."
The envoy then spoke, "You are not one of the wild ones."
Heather thought carefully before replying, "You sat next to my father, the King of the Northern Kingdom, at our last camp. Those of the Forest have adopted me and I now consider them my people."
Their conversation was ended when the messenger from King Jason arrived requesting Heather's presence. She spoke to those of the Forest, "The envoy is to be allowed his freedom only within the circle of the camp. No one is to approach without my permission." She had the young priest translate for the envoy who just nodded and returned to his small house on wheels.
Heather and Daniel accompanied the messenger to Jason's quarters where they found him breaking fast with his advisers. His face could not conceal the delight he felt seeing Heather and Daniel again. Soon, all of the advisers had been excused and Jason arose and welcomed them properly as old friends. He was most concerned of Heather's injury and would not hear of any planning until he was assured of her well-being. They were soon joined by Arthur, who appeared as if sleep had become a most precious thing. His uniform was as crisp as ever but the dark circles beneath his eyes told of the stress he was enduring.
Arthur gave a brief report, stating that there fortification of the western flank was proceeding well and they had repelled the most recent counterattack of those of the Red. Heather summarized their attack on the ships of the Red and her father's success at trapping those of the Red descending the great gorge. She then told of her fears of an attack on her father's forces from the rear. Arthur agreed and promised to continue the pressure on western flank in order to limit the army of the Red’s ability to counterattack.
Jason spoke up saying, "Now tell us of this gift you and those of the Forest have presented us, and what of that funny closed wagon?"
Heather spoke, "That wagon is a miniature house on wheels, and was traveling across the ice field before being captured by those of the Forest. It contains one who calls himself Don the Great."
Jason asked, "Who is this one who calls himself great?"
"He says he is the Minister of War and has come to consolidate their newly conquered lands."
After Jason had finished laughing he said, "It would seem he is a bit premature." He then asked, "Why did you insist on camping in the courtyard?"
Heather replied very carefully, "He is a man much impressed with his own position and power. Those of the Forest understand not the concept of court position and power, and I felt would not be influenced by his court mannerisms."
Arthur spoke up, asking bluntly, "You fear that there are those within the palace who would do the bidding of this envoy?"
Heather replied, "I would imply no offense, but yes that is my concern."
Jason spoke up saying, "Having personally experienced the effect of the influence that those of the Red can have, I must agree with your assessment." Turning towards Arthur he said, "We have worked hard to purge out the influence of Alvin and the Red Ambassador. Is it not likely that we were not completely successful?"
Arthur responded with his head held somewhat low, "It was my duty to be successful, but I fear what you say is true."
Daniel spoke up for the first time saying, "We of the Forest can add little to this next stage involving negotiations. It would seem that the envoy has some fear of us, for he refers to us as the wild ones. Would it not be logical to use this fear to our advantage, making him think that his future days will have to be spent with us and our primitive ways?"
Even Arthur had to smile with the reference to those of the Forest as being the wild ones. The mood had changed and Heather gave Daniel the briefest of smiles to thank him for his diplomatic maneuver. The discussion now turned towards how to use the envoy to their best advantage. It was decided a meeting would be held at the campsite, but not until Jason had time to learn a few words of the high tongue spoken by those of the Red. Jason and his scholars had been working to interpret the writings left behind by the Red Ambassador and had made some progress, but knew not how to speak the language. Heather said she would have Larby help with the learning of the spoken form and the meeting was set for midday on the morrow.
When Daniel and Heather had returned to the camp they found they envoy walking slowly around the camp, accompanied by the young priest. Heather informed him of the meeting and the envoy asked, "Will we be meeting in the palace?"
Heather replied through the young priest that no, they would be meeting here in the open where those of the Forest were most comfortable. They envoy proceeded to complain vehemently that he needed time to bathe and dress properly for the meeting. Heather let him go on for some time before holding up her hand and saying, "You are a guest of those of the Forest who rescued you. I am afraid you will have to follow their customs."
The envoy protested, "I am a prisoner! A hostage, not a guest!"
Heather spoke up and said simply,
"Those of the Forest know not of hostages and take not prisoners. To them you are a guest whom they must protect."
The envoy at this point was almost whining as he implored, "Can I not at least bathe prior to the meeting?"
Heather looked at Daniel who responded, "I will have Jeremy see if he can find a small tub, but heating the water may be an issue."
The evening meal was somewhat more lighthearted because Jeremy had managed a small keg of ale and the stories were told with a bit more vigor. The envoy ate with them and watched the stories being told without saying anything. He did partake in the ale but could not help but wrinkle his nose up at the unrefined flavor. As the evening wore on he finally spoke up and asked of his bath. Jeremy, with great showmanship, carried out a small tub and set it on the grating of the fire to warm. As Heather stood to depart for the night the envoy spoke up, saying, "I would tell a story."
Heather sat down again and the young priest and Larby worked together to translate the story of the envoy. The story concerned one of the "seers of the old ones" who lived a long time amongst the Red who had conquered his land. The seer had spoken repeatedly of one with golden hair who would one day defeat and the next day save those of the Red. The translating was difficult and neither the envoy nor those of the Forest fully understood the story. Heather arose and thanked the envoy for his story. She and Daniel then departed for rest and the envoy returned to his small house on wheels for his bath.
The morning brought more sunshine, but with it the sounds of battle off in the distance as the army of the South pressed against the flank of the army of the Red. The cannon again began to fire and the envoy was distressed at the sound, demanding to know the meaning. The young priest told him it was Daniel's cannon but could not explain how it made the noise, other than to say it used the powder. After the breaking of the fast, Daniel and Heather conferred and decided to allow the envoy to see the cannon operate. Guarded by most of those of the Forest, they made their way up the wall of the palace to the rampart where the cannon operated.
Daniel spoke to the officer in charge and had him take aim at a small, partially destroyed building not far from the palace wall. The cannon was loaded and fire set to the primer tube. The cannon flashed and roared. The cannonballs struck the small building with enough force to destroy the remaining walls.
They envoy's eyes were wide with amazement, but he said nothing. Heather gently turned him towards the river and pointed out the mast of his ships that were sunk and burned. They could see little of the actual ongoing battle, but the front of the battle was obviously moving slowly further away from the city wall. The envoy looked but spoke not. When they returned to their camp those of the Forest began to prepare for the midday meal and the envoy retreated to his small house on wheels. The meal was no sooner finished than the trumpets began to sound and the palace guard formed a column from the royal quarters to the campground.
Those of the Forest were somewhat amazed at all the finery accompanying Jason. Those who had met him at the time of his rescue had known him as a simple and very gregarious man. Now he presented in a royal coach dressed in finery such as those of Forest had only heard stories of. He rested in his coach until the door of the small house on wheels opened, and out stepped the envoy dressed in robes of scarlet with feathers forming a cape. His hat was of a black fur decorated with bright red feathers. He stood outside his door and approached not the coach.
Heather, dressed in the simple garments of those of the Forest with her fighting cape and sword, approached the coach and bowed towards King Jason. She then turned and held her hand towards the envoy and spoke, "Jason, King of the Southern Kingdom, I present to you the envoy of those of the Red who is a guest of those of the Forest."
With this introduction, Jason stepped from the coach and the envoy stepped forth. Jason spoke in the high tongue of those of the Red, "As a guest of those of the Forest I welcome you."
His pronunciation may not have been perfect but the effect was dramatic and the envoy responded, "As the Minister of War for the all-conquering Scarlet King I accept your welcome."
For some time this official posturing went on with the young priest and Larby assisting Jason in translation. Those in the Forest simply watched the display, as if two peacocks were strutting, and understood not the power struggle which was going on. Only after an hour of official posturing did the envoy request that Jason move him into the palace proper and treat him in the manner he was expecting.
Jason responded, "I appreciate your request but since you have been received as a guest of those of the Forest I must decline. We have the greatest respect for those of the Forest and could not insult them by removing you from their company." With that the conference ended and Jason stood and returned to his coach. Before stepping into the coach he turned towards Heather and those of the Forest, saying, "May the God of the Sacred Water continue to bless you."
Heather held counsel with those of the Forest, explaining what had happened and why it was so important. Betty asked, "Who won?"
Heather smiled and said, "I would say Jason won but I doubt the envoy is yet willing to concede defeat." They discussed what the next moves would be in this complex game and how those of the Forest could assist.
Daniel spoke up saying, "I think the envoy enjoys our stories and seems to be learning our language without acknowledging it. I have watched him and he pays close attention to the lips of the one talking."
Heather agreed with Daniel and said, "It may be best if we assume he does understand and if we tell the stories of the hard times in the Forest. He seems to be somewhat afraid of you wild ones and maybe we can build on that fear."
Daniel chipped in, "Maybe we should have Jeremy change back into a bear." He then added, after the chuckling had settled down, "On second thought then we would have to listen to even more stories, so maybe it's not such a good idea."
Jeremy was sitting next to Edna and developed such a pained look on his face that they almost felt sorry for him, until Edna nudged him in the ribs breaking the spell. When the laughter had settled down, Heather and Daniel left to meet with Jason while the others tidied up the camp and prepared for the evening meal.
Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before Page 29
