The Turquoise Queen

by Pedro Urvi

  “He means King Thoran and his brother Orten,” Nilsa explained, although Lasgol had already guessed.

  “And half the Eastern nobles,” Lasgol added, “from Count Volgren onwards.”

  “Also, Commander Sven and First Ranger Gatik.”

  Lasgol nodded, and she went on reading: “Finally, there has been one last event, or rather tendency, which has drawn itself to my attention. Both Ivana and Haakon are getting more and more interested in my comings and goings. I find this strange, because never before have they taken any interest in yours truly, either for good or ill. They ask me too many questions, and they do it quite rudely.”

  “You see? I told you my hunch was a good one!”

  “We don’t know that there’s any connection.”

  “They showed a strange interest in me, and now in Egil. How can there be no connection? Those two are after something.”

  “Let me finish the letter,” Nilsa said, and went on. “The observation they are keeping on me, and the recent interest shown by Ivana and Haakon, must have something to do with the two greatest dangers which threaten us. The first and most obvious is that the interest is because of my name and the possibility that some day, I might seek the crown. That leads us to the usual suspects, and you all know who they are. It’s a very real possibility. The second – and less obvious – danger is to do with the Dark Rangers, although it seems to me less likely. I favor the first option, although we must be cautious, so I’m not ruling out the second, at least for the moment. It could also be both, since we have two Veteran Rangers and two Master Rangers involved in the situation, which makes things a great deal more complicated. I’ll continue to investigate these matters and keep you informed. Don’t worry, I’ll be very careful. I now take my leave, your close friend, Egil.”

  “That worries me a lot,” Lasgol complained. “And I can’t go to help him.”

  “Yes, it’s rather worrying, but for the moment they’re only watching him. They haven’t tried anything.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any easier. They might be waiting for the right moment to kill him.”

  “I think they’re watching him to find out whether he’s planning anything, and as long as they have no proof, they won’t act.”

  “Who do you think it might be?”

  “I agree with you, it’s probably Thoran and his people. That’s what makes most sense.”

  “Who else knows?”

  “For now, just you and me. I haven’t seen the others. Milton arrived with the message only two nights ago.”

  “That means it’s recent.”

  “Take it easy, Lasgol. Egil knows how to take care of himself, and in the Camp it won’t be easy to try anything.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Lasgol said. But he could not shake off a sense of foreboding. “And you don’t know anything about the others?”

  “Astrid and Viggo, not a word, but that doesn’t surprise me, because … you know … they’re assassins, and their missions are top secret. I haven’t seen them around here, though in any case, even if they were in the city they’d have orders not to be seen, so … well …” She shrugged.

  “I was hoping you’d have news from Astrid.”

  “I’m sorry. It seems to me that we know less and less all the time about where those two are.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of too, and that we’ll see less and less of them.”

  “Yeah, it’s a shame. They chose the most secret of the Specialties.”

  “It wasn’t for lack of trying on my part.”

  Nilsa half-smiled. “They obviously didn’t listen.”

  Lasgol looked rueful. “That’s right.”

  “Gerd’s in the south, watching the movements of the Zangrians. I got a message from him. He’s happy because he knows both the area and the ‘uglies’ as he calls them.” Lasgol nodded, looking amused. “Ingrid was sent north, to keep watch on the passes.”

  “That’s odd. Are they afraid the Wild Ones will come down from the Frozen Lands?”

  “No idea. I’m just a rather gossipy liaison and messenger. I’ve no idea what’s behind the reasons for the orders we get.” She smiled and shrugged.

  “Keep your nosy instincts sharp. They’ll come in very handy.”

  “Done deal.”

  “But don’t get caught.”

  “Never. I can pretend like a master.”

  “You’re a real street comedian.”

  “So I am,” she agreed. “Now come on, you’d better report.”

  “Yeah, let’s see what Gondabar wants me for. I’m afraid it’s not going to be anything good …”

  Chapter 11

  They went down the black stone spiral staircase to the third floor, where he was to report.

  “I’ll wait for you in the dining hall on the first floor. I’ll see what’s cooking in the kitchen and sit at one of the long tables to see what the other Rangers have got to tell me” She winked at him.

  “Okay, I’ll see you there as soon as I’m done.”

  She smiled. “Good luck!” she said, and vanished downstairs like lightning. Lasgol hoped she would not trip, because at the speed she was going she would crack her head open. That was what Nilsa was like: the oddest thing about the redhead was that even though she was aware that she was not the most coordinated person in the realm, she did not let this small handicap get in her way and went on acting as she was herself: pure nerve. A great quality that Lasgol appreciated in his friend, even though he was afraid it was going to cause her the odd problem here and there.

  He opened the door to Gondabar’s intelligence hall. In the enormous room he saw five Rangers working non-stop behind their large desks. This hall had fascinated him the first time he saw it, and on his second visit it still had the same effect. On one wall there were large maps of different regions of Norghana, drawn with infinite care. He wondered who had made them: some Green Cartographer, probably. Those maps caught his attention, but the ones of foreign kingdoms and distant areas of Tremia on the other walls fascinated him even more.

  The Rangers who were at work there were too busy to pay any attention to him. They were writing messages and notes on parchment and in tomes, which Lasgol guessed were deeply important, so that he did not mind the fact that they never looked up as he came in. On his way to the end of the room he passed a map of Norghana and was forced to stop and take a closer look at it. It was full of pins, each bearing a ribbon with the name of the Ranger it represented. Using his Hawk’s Eye skill, he searched for his own, and to his great surprise, found it, halfway between the village of Isverien and the capital. It seemed incredible to him. He looked around at the five Rangers, who went on working. They knew he was on his way, and as he had not yet reported, they had registered him as if he were between the two points.

  He shook his head, impressed, and came to Liriuson’s desk. The Ranger looked every one of his seventy years, since he did not have a single hair on his head and his eyebrows were thick and very white. He was writing a name on a ribbon he was intending to put in the map.

  “Specialist Lasgol Eklund, reporting,” Lasgol announced formally.

  “Orders, please,” Liriuson replied calmly, as if he repeated the same phrase a thousand times a year. He looked up and examined him from head to foot.

  “I received this message,” Lasgol said. He handed it to Liriuson, who read it slowly.

  “Right. Just a moment.” He took something out of a drawer in his desk: a silent whistle. He blew three times, without disturbing the other Rangers, and immediately a new Ranger came into the hall and joined them.

  “Take Ranger Lasgol Eklund to Gondabar.”

  “At once, sir.” The Ranger bowed respectfully and left, followed by Lasgol. They went up to the fourth floor of the tower, where Gondabar’s personal quarters were. Lasgol recognized the anteroom with its great oak door and the two Rangers on watch duty. His guide left him waiting there and went into the leader’s chamber. A moment later he returned
and beckoned to Lasgol, who followed him along a corridor which ended in three doors. The Ranger knocked on the one on the left.

  “Come in,” came a voice from behind the door.

  Lasgol obeyed, and the Ranger left. Lasgol found the leader of the Rangers sitting behind his enormous, ornamented desk. His expression was stern as usual, that of a man with a sharp mind and a strong hand, and yet in his deep gaze there was a trace of kindness. There was a good soul inside that hard man, or so it seemed to Lasgol.

  “Master King’s Ranger, Lasgol Eklund Ranger Specialist reporting,” he said very formally, and handed Gondabar his orders.

  “Welcome, Lasgol,” the leader greeted him, and Lasgol saw in his eyes that he recognized him. “I’m glad to see you alive. We’ve lost good Rangers in this war. Too many.”

  “It’s been tough for the corps,” Lasgol agreed.

  “It certainly has. And that’s why I’m glad to see you here today. Don’t think I’d forgotten about you. I’ve been following your missions.”

  The comment took Lasgol by surprise. He was not expecting the leader of the Rangers to take any special interest in him.

  “My Leader honors me,”

  “I hope you’re well. Any injuries? Any illness, or any other problem?”

  Lasgol was surprised by the questions. “Er … no, no injury or any other problem, sir.”

  “You look well,” Gondabar said, looking him up and down as though making sure of his physical health.

  “Thank you, sir. Our leader looks very well too,” Lasgol said untruthfully. The truth was that Gondabar appeared to be bordering a hundred, when in fact he could have been no more than eighty. Lasgol felt that he was more gaunt and worn than the last time he had seen him. His long sharp nose was whiter than snow, full of spots like his bald head. His face was so creased that each blink added years to it.

  “Ha! I doubt it very much, but thanks for the pretend-compliment. If you’re perfectly well, then you can leave on a new mission at once. Eh?”

  “Yes … sir …” Lasgol replied, rather taken aback.

  “Perfect. That’s why I had you summoned.”

  “Is it anything to do with the Dark Rangers?” Lasgol decided to venture, hoping to draw out some information on the topic. The last time he had been in this office they had both talked about it, and Gondabar had promised to look into the unpleasant business. Perhaps he had found out something significant, and had called him for that reason.

  “With that ugly business? No.” Gondabar shook his head several times.

  “Has there been any significant progress that might help us find out the leaders of this secret organization?”

  “I see you like to go straight to the point. That’s not always the best strategy.”

  “I’m sorry, sir … it’s just that it troubles me …”

  “I can assure you, you’re not the only one who’s deeply worried about it.”

  “I thought that maybe requesting my presence might have something to do with it.”

  “No, it’s something else which also concerns you, but don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten the Dark Rangers. I’m very worried by that stain on the honor of our Corps. I’ve been able to find out one or two details which confirm the existence of the group, as I already suspected, and as you insisted before the final campaign against the West. As far as that’s concerned, you can relax.”

  Lasgol gave a slight gasp. “I’m glad, sir,” he said, feeling very relieved. He had not been sure whether Gondabar was going to take the matter seriously or not. There was no knowing what leaders thought, or what direction their decisions would take.

  The Leader nodded. “I understand. Nobody likes being taken for a lunatic with a head full of conspiracy theories.”

  “There’ve been times when I’ve felt that way, it’s true.”

  “There won’t be any more of them. You have my confidence and support in this shameful and terrible matter. The other Ranger Leaders have been informed, and they’ll help me resolve the situation. We’ll find out what’s behind all this. Unfortunately, the war and our service to the King haven’t given us any opportunity to delve deeply enough into the mystery. Whatever progress we’ve made has been minimal, and I’m not at all happy. I can’t have a group of traitors roaming the realm at will, particularly as they’re our own people. It’s a terrible dishonor, something we’ve got to resolve by ourselves, since we ought to clear up our own problems internally. I can’t take this to the King.”

  “Wouldn’t King Thoran help us clear this up?” Lasgol asked, although he did not trust Thoran in the slightest. He himself might be the one behind the Dark Rangers, using them for his own dirty affairs. It was not unthinkable to imagine that he would use them to carry out secret work which he did not want Gondabar and the Leaders of the Rangers to know about. It was even possible that he was using them to destabilize the Rangers themselves, seeking to install a replacement in his own full confidence at their head without it appearing to have been forced by his own hand. It was a theory Viggo believed, and Egil had not dismissed it, which made it plausible.

  “The King has too many worries already. Besides, if he knew about this business he might demand my head for bad management of the corps on my part …”

  “No, sir …”

  “He’d be within his rights to do so. This has happened under my leadership, and it’s a dishonor which I must take on my own shoulders and pay for the consequences. So, I will, but for the moment I must focus on keeping the corps clean, united, and working with integrity and honor. That, and finding the Dark Rangers so that I can uproot them from our revered corps. I’m going to correct my errors, even if it’s the last thing I do. There’ll be no traitors among our people operating on the fringe of the Path. I intend to find them all and get rid of them, one by one. I don’t have much time left as a leader, but I promise you one thing: I’ll leave with that evil completely eradicated.”

  “Yes, sir.” Lasgol bowed his head. Gondabar’s words, and his determination, had impressed him.

  “That’s also one of the reasons why you’ve been sent on missions in distant parts of the realm.”

  “Sir?” Lasgol was not sure he understood what Gondabar meant.

  “To protect you. After what happened here in the capital, I mean the attempt on your life, I don’t want to run any risks with your safety. The Dark Rangers want you dead, and we need to find out why. It could give us a clue that would help us find the leaders. That’s why I’ve kept you away from the capital, and from big cities, where it would be easier to try and kill you.”

  “I see, sir. Thank you.”

  “Unfortunately, I had to call you sooner than I’d hoped. You’re needed, and it’s not me who called you.”

  “The King?”

  “That’s right. The situation in the North has gotten a lot more complicated in the last few months. There’s a lot of activity in the Frozen Territories. The Wild Ones of the Ice have been stopping our soldiers and Rangers from going anywhere near there. Not only that, but they’ve begun to cross the passes, and carry out incursions on this side of the mountains. There’ve been several villages and farms sacked. The King’s orders are to move on the passes, secure them, then go on to the Frozen Territories and take them for the Crown.”

  “I had no idea the Wild Ones were causing so much trouble.”

  “The information is being kept restricted. We’ve just come out of a war, and the King doesn’t want to start another.”

  “But if they cross to our side …”

  “He has no choice but to act. He can’t afford to appear as weak King.”

  “With all due respect, but what about the Ice Specter?”

  “That’s why you’ve been called. You’re going to lead the King’s troops to the Specter.”

  “Steel can’t kill it. I’ve seen that with my own eyes.”

  “Mage Eicewald and his Ice Magi are also going.”

  “I see. That’s why all tho
se soldiers are practicing.”

  “Exactly. You all leave at dawn.”

  “So soon?”

  “Yes. They were waiting for you.”

  “Very well, sir. Let’s hope the Ice Magi and the soldiers together can take possession of the territories.”

  “Let’s hope so. In any case, there’s no choice. Those are King Thoran’s direct orders.”

  “We’ll carry them out, sir,” Lasgol said.

  “It’s a great honor, to be guiding the King’s troops. We have to trust that the King’s forces will be able to deal with the Specter. The world of magic is extensive and complex. I only know a little about it, but I trust the knowledge and powers of the King’s Magi. With an army, together with the Ice Magi, there ought to be no creature or specter, magical or not, that can stand up to them. I don’t know whether they’ll kill it, but I’ve no doubt that they’ll banish it to the depths of some frozen abyss.”

  “Yes, sir …”

  “Good luck, Lasgol. Report when you come back.”

  “I’ll do that, sir.” And with a respectful nod, Lasgol left. He thought about the Specter, and a long shiver ran down his spine.

  Chapter 12

  Lasgol joined Nilsa in the dining hall, where they sat down by themselves at one of the long tables. There were more Rangers at the other tables, and Lasgol lowered his voice so that nobody could overhear them. Quickly he told her everything Gondabar had said.

  Nilsa listened wide-eyed, hanging from every word, biting her nails. When he had finished, she nodded repeatedly.

  “I’ll keep on the lookout for any information or suspicious movements that point to the Dark Rangers. You needn’t worry about that.”

  “Has Gondabar said anything to you?”

  “Not much, actually, but when you and I were attacked he did question me long and thoroughly, three separate times.”

  “That sounds like a good sign. I think it means he’s worried and wants to get to the bottom of the matter.”

  “Now that you’ve told me he’s investigating, I’ll offer to help him, casually. Then he might share some relevant information with me and we might get an insight into who they are and how they operate.”