The Turquoise Queen

by Pedro Urvi

  Lasgol gave a snort of frustration. Let’s leave the explanations and games for today and go on to the village. I’m really looking forward to getting there.

  They went on down the main street of Skad, with Lasgol riding Trotter and Ona on his right. Camu followed, camouflaged so as not to be seen. The villagers they passed on their way were so startled by the sight of Ona that more than one of them gave a startled leap and ran off. Others realized that it was Lasgol and greeted him respectfully, without being afraid for their lives. He returned the greetings and smiled. It was nice that his neighbors should recognize and greet him. There had been a time when this had not been the case, but he preferred not to dwell on past pains and instead enjoy the present, which was much more inviting. He was returning to his own village, with Camu and Ona beside him. People were treating him with respect because he was Lasgol Eklund, Ranger, which he found satisfying. He felt a pleasant warmth rising up his chest as far as his neck.

  He greeted a woman with her son who had recognized him and was staring at Ona as if she were the most fascinating thing in the world. His mouth was open so wide that he could have put his fist in it, and as he pointed, he was pulling at his mother’s skirt, trying to catch her attention. Lasgol had been wondering whether to leave Ona in a nearby wood, but he had decided that since Skad was his own village (and not a very large one), its inhabitants were not particularly hostile and as he himself was well-known, he would have no trouble.

  At the end of a side street, he saw two locals he recognized at once, and stopped Trotter. Ona stopped too and stared at the two men. One was tall and strong, the prototype Norghanian warrior, an impressive figure. The other was the complete opposite.

  “Lasgol Eklund! What a surprise!”

  Lasgol nodded respectfully. “Chief Gondar Vollan.”

  “An honor to receive such an illustrious visitor in the village,” said Limus Wolff, his assistant, with a sincere smile.

  “Thank you.” Lasgol scanned them surreptitiously and was able to confirm that they looked well, which pleased him very much. He dismounted, and he and the Chief took one another by the shoulders.

  The Chief looked delighted to see him. “How are you? Everything all right?”

  Lasgol nodded and smiled. “Everything’s fine.” He turned to Limus and offered him his hand. The other shook it solemnly.

  “The Hero of Skad returns home and in one piece, and that’s cause for celebration,” he said.

  Lasgol blushed. “I thought it would be good to visit the village and my estate, to see how things are round here. It’s been a long time … and what with the war …”

  “It’s been too long,” the Chief said. “I was beginning to think something had happened to you.”

  Lasgol did his best to make light of things. “Luckily I’m still in one piece. I see you two have survived the bad times too.”

  “It was really tough,” Gondar said, “but we’re still alive.”

  “Did you take part in the battle of Estocos?” Lasgol asked with interest. The Chief was a good warrior, strong as an ox, and he was sure to have been recruited.

  “Yes, I was with Count Malason. I fought at his side during the whole campaign.”

  “I guessed as much.”

  “We were on opposing sides …” Gondar stared into Lasgol’s eyes, as if trying to guess whether this was going to be an issue between them.

  Lasgol picked up the signal. To the Chief he was a Ranger and had been with the East. They had been enemies. “Only for a moment,” he replied, once again making light of things so that Gondar would see there was no problem between them. He appreciated the Chief greatly and trusted him, and had no desire to lose his friendship.

  The Chief nodded. “I owe you my life. You’re a good man, and an honorable one. Whether we’re on the same sides or opposite ones, I’ll always respect you, and you’ll always have my friendship.”

  “Thank you, Chief. The feeling’s mutual.”

  “The war is over,” Limus said. “Let’s leave the past behind and focus on the future. What we need to do is rebuild the country and get it going again, and bury our dead along with our resentments.”

  “We’ll get this realm going, starting with the West,” the Chief said more plainly.

  Limus nodded. “Of course.”

  “We all agree on that,” Lasgol said.

  “Beautiful panther,” Gondar commented.

  “She’s my familiar.”

  “Then our Ranger Hero must have become a Specialist,” Limus said with a gleam in his eye.

  Lasgol nodded. “That’s right. I had no idea that the Chief’s assistant knew so much about Rangers.”

  Limus gave a slight shrug. “I like to know a little about everything. They say knowledge takes up no space, although it does take up time.” He smiled.

  “I have the best and wisest of assistants,” the Chief said, “and he knows a lot more than he lets on, particularly about this kind of thing.” He patted him on the back.

  Limus, who had not expected the physical acknowledgment, lost his balance and tripped forward toward Lasgol. At once Ona glared at him and gave him a warning growl. No coming close to Lasgol.

  With a lightning skip, Limus retreated. “Pretty panther, yes, she’ll be well-trained if she’s a Ranger’s familiar,” he commented, more as a wish than a fact.

  “So she is. Besides, she’s good and obedient.”

  “I’m truly glad to know that,” Limus said with a look of relief.

  “Have you just come for a visit, or to stay for a while?” Gondar asked.

  Lasgol knew the Chief asked this of every foreigner who came to the village, so that he would be sure to have everything under control. But in his case he knew that the question arose from genuine personal interest.

  “I’d love to stay for a while, but I can’t. Duty calls. I’ll just be here for today, then I leave tomorrow at dawn.”

  “The Rangers always have a lot to do,” the Chief said, nodding. He gave Lasgol a regretful look.

  “Even more so in these times of rebuilding,” Limus pointed out. “Their presence, protecting the lands of the realm, is more necessary than ever.”

  “We’re really busy, that’s quite right. To serve Norghana is our duty and our honor. How’s the situation in the village?”

  “As far as the law’s concerned, quite good. Things have improved since we came back from the war, and lately we’ve barely had any trouble. A skirmish now and then with deserters or outlaws, but nothing I wasn’t able to deal with.” Gondar put his hand on his war-axe.

  “Nice weapon.”

  “Count Malason gave it to me for services rendered. And I’ve got a lot better with it during the time I’ve spent with his troops. He has some good instructors who’ve taught me to use it properly.”

  “There’s nothing like a good instructor, that’s something I do know,” Lasgol said. He was remembering everything he had learnt at the Camp and in the Shelter.

  The Chief’s assistant shook his head gloomily. “As for the administrative and financial side of things, the village is beginning to recover, but it’ll take quite a while to get out of the hole the war has left us in.”

  “I’m sure this village will come through,” Lasgol said.

  “That’s what we all hope,” said the Chief confidently. “Everyone will do their part, that I’m sure of, and with Limus’ skill at managing resources, we’ll come through.”

  “I’ll do everything I can.”

  The two men gave Lasgol that sense of belonging and safety he always felt in their company. He embraced the Chief again, shook hands with Limus and said goodbye. He was reassured that the village was in very good hands with these two at the helm. He had been afraid that the Chief might not have come back alive from the war, or have been badly wounded, and he was delighted that it was not so.

  “If you need anything, you know where my house is,” Gondar said with a wave toward it. “It’s always open to everyone in th
e village, but in your case it’s not only open, but you’re also more than welcome. It’ll be a pleasure and an honor to entertain you.”

  The invitation touched Lasgol’s heart, and he touched his hand to his chest. “Thank you very much, Chief. My bow is at the service of the Chief of the village of Skad, if he should need it.”

  Gondar bowed his head in a gesture of respect, and Lasgol mounted Trotter, who was waiting patiently. Let’s go, he transmitted to the pony and to Ona and Camu, whom he hoped would not be too far away, involved in some mischief. Instead of going to the village square, they turned aside in the direction of Lasgol’s estate in the northern part. The faces of surprise and then recognition of the peasants were a poem. Lasgol smiled to himself, especially when children saw Ona. Their reactions were priceless. Several asked their parents to let them take her home with them, and a little girl who looked very quick-witted asked them for ‘one like that’ for her birthday. Lasgol almost choked with laughter and had to cover his mouth to muffle the sound.

  At the gate in the outer wall of the estate, he dismounted and opened the gate. With me, he transmitted as he went up along the path to the great house. Halfway there, the door opened and a woman came out to welcome him.

  He raised his hand. “Hello, Martha!” he said casually.

  “Lasgol, master!” she cried. “What a wonderful surprise!”

  “It’s my pleasure,” he said with a broad smile, and spread his arms to hug his beloved housekeeper.

  Martha forgot all trace of formality the moment she saw his open arms and hugged him tightly, revealing all the affection she felt for him.

  “Let me see you properly!” she said, pushing him away a little but not letting go of him. She looked him up and down several times.

  “Of course,” he smiled as he submitted to her inspection.

  “You’re older. More grown-up,” she said bluntly.

  Lasgol laughed. “I feel just the same.”

  “No, not the same at all. You’re a grown man. You’re your father’s spitting image from a distance, but at close range I can see your mother’s face in yours.”

  “Really?” Lasgol said, eager for her to say more.

  “When I saw you arrive, I thought for a moment I was seeing Dakon.”

  “Hearing that makes me glad. Really glad.”

  “You haven’t been wounded in the war, and you’re coming back because of that? Or are you on leave?”

  “Neither. I’m just passing through. Another mission’s waiting for me.”

  “Let me guess, you’re leaving at dawn?”

  Lasgol smiled and nodded. “You’re half-way to being a seer.”

  “But what kind of life do you people have in the Rangers? Can’t you come back home and rest for a few days? It’d be the sensible thing to do. Particularly after a war. Who knows what you’ve seen and been through? I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “The kingdom needs us now, more than ever. There’s a lot to do.”

  “That’s true … this county has suffered a lot.”

  “The whole West has, in fact the whole of Norghana.”

  “Let’s not talk about suffering. Today’s a day for celebration. The master of the house is back. Come in! I’ll prepare a meal worthy of a king for you!”

  “As long as it’s worthy of a Ranger, it’ll be enough.”

  “No way!” she said, almost offended. “What kind of housekeeper would I be if I didn’t prepare the best possible banquet when my master comes home after so long?”

  Lasgol smiled gratefully. “It’ll be very welcome,” he admitted. He had not eaten a hearty meal for a long time.

  Martha pointed to Ona, who was waiting behind Lasgol. “I didn’t want to say anything … but that snow panther belongs to you, right?”

  “She’s not exactly mine, she’s my familiar. She comes with me and protects me. You see, at the Shelter I got the title of Specialist Ranger as Beast Whisperer and Tireless Tracker. That’s why she’s with me.”

  “Oh … Beast Whisperer … it sounds interesting, but dangerous. Is she tame?”

  Lasgol shook his head. “Not tame, but she is very well trained. Don’t worry, she won’t do anything to you or cause any damage.”

  “Will she come inside?” she asked, hoping Lasgol would say no.

  “Yes, wherever I go she goes.”

  “Of course, master knows what’s best.” Martha forced a smile, but it was clear that the idea of having a great cat in the house was not really to her taste, and she could not hide the look on her face. Lasgol did not blame her. Who in their right mind would want a snow panther inside the house? Only a Ranger.

  “And the other creature?” She had lowered her voice so that nobody could hear her, even though they were alone in the house. “The magical creature … Camu … was that his name?”

  I’m here! Camu appeared at Martha’s feet, and she leapt backwards with the shock.

  Camu, don’t be mischievous! Lasgol chided him.

  She call. I appear.

  You have to warn people first … you startle them.

  You warn, I appear.

  Oh dear … Lasgol snorted. “He’s with us too,” he said to Martha.

  “I have to admit, every time you come for a visit, you bring some very interesting companions. Speaking of which, how’s Viggo? Everything all right? I liked him very much, even though he’s a bit of a scoundrel.”

  Lasgol laughed. “Yeah, he’s one of a kind, no doubt about that. He’s fine. The same as ever, with that very individual personality and unique charisma of his. Of course, he goes from one tangle to another.”

  Martha laughed. “I can picture that very well, the rogue! Let’s go inside.”

  “I’ll just take Trotter to the stable, then I’ll be with you.”

  “I can do it, Master,” she offered.

  “Don’t ‘master’ me, it’s Lasgol,” he said with a smile.

  “All right, Lasgol.”

  “A Ranger looks after his horse first, then himself.”

  Martha nodded and went into the house.

  I go with Martha.

  Fine, but be good.

  I always good.

  Yeah … yeah …

  Lasgol groomed Trotter, fed him, and brought him dry straw so that he would be comfortable. Ona watched meanwhile from the stable door.

  Rest, my friend, you’ve earned it, Lasgol transmitted, and gave the pony a couple of affectionate pats.

  Back to the house, he opened the door to let Ona in. They found Camu and Martha in the kitchen. Camu was lying at full length on the table, eating greens.

  “The poor thing looked starved,” Martha said with a nod at the creature.

  “This little rascal isn’t poor one little bit.” Lasgol scratched Camu’s head, and the creature closed his bulging eyes in gratitude.

  “Sit down at the table and tell me everything you’ve been through all this time you’ve been away. I’m sure you’ve had some incredible experiences.”

  Lasgol smiled back at her and sat down. Ona lay down at his feet under the table like an enormous puppy: one who could tear off half a man’s arm in a single bite or slash. Feeling grateful for Martha’s words, he looked around and suddenly felt very good. He was in the kitchen of his own house, sitting at the table with Martha preparing some delicious dish whose aroma made his stomach rumble, he had Ona at his feet and Camu on the table. He sighed. How good it was to be back home! How good he felt being back here, in the house where he had been so happy as a child! He let a smile appear on his face. He was very tired from the last few weeks of journeys and missions. That particular moment, his sense of well-being, the pleasure of it: all these things seemed to him priceless. He promised himself that he would come back more often, because this was a balm of peace and joy for his wearied spirit.

  Martha was gazing at him with a gentle smile. “Really, I look at you and I see your parents in you. You remind me so much of them … How I miss them, especially yo
ur mother. She was an amazing woman.”

  “I miss them a lot too …”

  “Oh, forgive me, that was really insensitive of me! I didn’t want to bring back sad memories.”

  “Don’t worry, they’re not sad memories.” Lasgol lowered his gaze to the pendant his mother had given him, which he wore around his neck and which produced the strange visions. He had not tried it for a while, and felt a touch of guilt. He had been so concentrated on his missions that he had neglected trying to find out more about his parents. He would have to do it soon. “I’ll always treasure the time I spent with them. I carry them in my heart. They’ll always be there.”

  “Very well said. Your parents would be so proud of you. I know it.”

  “Thanks, Martha, that makes me feel good.”

  She smiled. “I’m not saying it just for the sake of saying it. You’re a grown man, a Ranger. More than that, a Specialist, with his own familiar.” She glanced down under the table, where Ona was watching her in silence. “Your father would be so proud of what you’ve achieved, and your mother to see the kind of man you’ve grown into.”

  “What kind’s that?” Lasgol asked. He did not exactly know what she meant.

  “A good one, with a noble heart.”

  Lasgol went red. He had no idea know what to say. “Thank you … I try to do the right thing as best I can.”

  “That does you credit. Never change. I know it’s what your mother would want.”

  Lasgol nodded. “I’ll try. So, how’s it been? How was the war for you?”

  “It was a difficult time. People have suffered a lot.”

  “I can imagine …”

  “But we’re a strong people, the people of the snow, we’ll get over it and pull through, just as we always have.”

  Lasgol nodded. He thought so too. “What do you know about Ulf?”

  “That crosspatch? I’d like to say not much, but he often comes to make sure everything’s all right here. I think it’s because I cook him a few good meals which otherwise he wouldn’t get.”

  “That’s almost certainly the reason,” Lasgol said with a smile.

  “Don’t take any notice of me. I pester him a lot, but I know he comes to make sure I’m okay and that there aren’t any problems with the estate. I’m very grateful, to tell you the truth. All the village men were out fighting with Count Malason, and the rest of us were defenseless. Ulf came every day, then he’d patrol the village as if he were the Chief. All alone, with his crutch in one hand and his sword in the other. They wouldn’t let him join the Count’s militia because of his age and his wounds, so he nominated himself as acting Chief. It was very handy for us, because there were a lot of outlaws and deserters lurking around.”