The Turquoise Queen

by Pedro Urvi

  “Why I chose you to help me in this mission?”

  Lasgol looked into the dark eyes of the Mage, who had been expecting the question, doubtless along with many others Lasgol was asking himself.

  “Yes, why me?”

  “For two important reasons. First, because you did very well in the Frozen Territories. You held up during the great spell, and I know it was a difficult job. You demonstrated a strong will and a capacity for suffering. A little more, and we’d have had problems getting the use of your legs back. That says a lot about you, about your courage and your character, because those were what gave you the strength to hold on to the end. And secondly, because during the ceremony I noticed something that surprised me very much and which I wasn’t sure I’d perceived correctly.”

  Lasgol stiffened, fearing that the Mage had found him out.

  “That ‘something’ was two minor spells which someone had cast on you. Of course, I thought one of my Mages must have done it to help you, because I caught a glimpse of the two flashes that ran through your body. To my surprise, when I spoke to them they assured me that none of them had cast any spell on you. If it wasn’t them and it wasn’t me, that leaves only one alternative: it was you. There was nobody else anywhere near.”

  Lasgol wanted to say something, but had no idea what. He had been found out.

  “You needn’t deny it, because when I was treating your legs to help you recover, I could perceive the well of inner energy you possess. That’s something which not all mages can do, but some of us are capable of perceiving the Gift in others if we look hard, and I found it in you. It’s genuinely surprising to find someone like you – special, gifted with the Talent – among the Rangers. That’s not the usual route for someone with the Gift. As a rule, the gifted seek the help of Magi in order to develop their innate potential. I don’t think it was like that in your case. You cultivated it yourself, which is even more surprising and commendable. Those are the two reasons why I chose you to accompany me on this mission.”

  Eicewald’s voice had been calm but somber, as if he had not explained everything behind his reasons. Lasgol had the impression that the Mage was not telling him everything.

  “I …” he began. He had not been expecting the Mage to come out with that, and he had no idea what to say.

  “Perhaps I’m wrong in my theory?”

  Lasgol looked down and nodded. “No, it’s quite correct…”

  “And there’s a third and last reason. I’m a pretty good judge of character, and I know you won’t fail me when things get hard and I need you, just as you didn’t fail me during the spell. I value that above all else. I don’t care how intelligent, strong, or powerful a person is if in the end he fails me. Those are things you learn in the course of life.”

  The caravan stopped alongside the ship. The officer in charge exchanged a few words with the one in charge of guarding the ship, and a moment later the dock-workers began to load the boxes of weapons on to the ship, then down into the hold.

  “They’re starting to load,” Lasgol pointed out. He was trying to change the subject, because he did not feel at all comfortable with it.

  “The crew’s ready too,” Eicewald said. He indicated the sailors, who were adjusting the sail and carrying out a thousand and one tasks in every part of the ship. He glanced back at the stern, where the captain was giving orders to his sailors in an authoritarian voice. He must have been in his fifties, tall and thin, with a red beard that reached halfway down his chest and very clear grey eyes. He looked unfriendly. From what Lasgol had seen so far, all ship captains had the same expression, or at least assumed it when they were on board their ships.

  “Captain Olsen has a very good reputation,” Eicewald added.

  Lasgol had noticed that all the sailors were in their forties. “They all look experienced,” he commented.

  “I asked for an experienced captain and crew. And a small one, just those needed to man the ship. The fewer of us we are, the more chance of success.”

  “Because of the Turquoise Queen?”

  Eicewald nodded. “She doesn’t like strangers or visits, so we need to look harmless. That’s vital if we’re to reach her.”

  “Will we be able to?”

  “Let’s hope so, although quite honestly I can’t guarantee it. It’ll be up to her to decide, when the time comes.” The expression on the Mage’s face was not very confident. “Now all that remains is for the Rangers to arrive. They must be nearly here.” He gave Lasgol a slight nod. “Thanks for the recommendations.”

  “You’re welcome, sir. They’re the best company for any mission, and I’d put my life in their hands without a second thought.”

  “That’s high praise. They must be special.”

  “They truly are.”

  “I’m glad. I trust your judgment.”

  “Thank you, sir. Were all the names I suggested accepted?”

  “I had to put pressure on Gondabar and Gatik, but in the end they accepted.”

  “All of them?”

  “All but one.”

  “Oh … Is it the one I was afraid of?”

  “It is. I can assure you I tried, but it was impossible. It seems that someone very influential doesn’t want him to come with us – or rather doesn’t want him to leave his present post.”

  “I guessed something like that might happen.”

  “Here come the first ones, if I’m not mistaken.” The mage pointed with his staff to three riders who were galloping towards the ship.

  Lasgol narrowed his eyes to see them clearly. There was no doubt they were Rangers, from their clothes. They presented themselves to the officer on watch duty and showed him their orders, which the officer read carefully. After they had answered a number of questions, they were finally allowed to pass. A stable boy took their mounts and the three Rangers boarded the ship by the long ramp which connected it to the dockside.

  “Rangers requesting permission to board!” called the one at the head of the group.

  Captain Olsen looked them up and down for a long moment. “You have permission to board.”

  Lasgol smiled and spread his arms to welcome them. “Welcome, my friends!”

  The one leading them finally recognized him. “Lasgol!” It was none other than Ingrid, who strode forward and hugged him heartily.

  “It’s so good to see you!” said the second Ranger. His size made him unmistakable.

  “Gerd, this is great!”

  The big guy gave Lasgol a bear hug the moment Ingrid let him go, and Lasgol laughed in delight.

  “Put me down!” he begged. He was smiling broadly at the reunion.

  “I guessed this must have something to do with you!” the third one said. She pushed back her hood, revealing red hair and a face full of freckles.

  “Nilsa! I’m so happy to see you!”

  “And me to see you again!” She too gave him a big hug the moment Gerd had put him down on the ground again.

  “How are you all?”

  “I’ve never been better,” Ingrid said.

  Gerd flexed his muscular arms. “Flourishing like an oak!”

  “It’s so good to see you!” Nilsa said. She was clapping her hands in delight.

  “I’ll let you catch up, then afterwards we’ll have a talk,” said Eicewald, who had remained a little to the side. He went to speak to Captain Olsen.

  Ingrid was looking around. “What are we doing here?”

  “Haven’t they explained anything?” Lasgol asked, although he had guessed that bearing in mind the importance of the mission, presumably it would have been kept top secret.

  Gerd shrugged. “Not a word, just that we had to come here urgently.”

  “We met on the way,” Nilsa added. “I’ve told them it’s something very important and secret. Gondabar didn’t want to tell me anything, but he did say it was a special mission for the King.”

  Lasgol nodded. He was about to explain when a new rider appeared on the dockside. It wa
s another Ranger.

  “Who else is coming?” Nilsa asked. She was hopping up and down excitedly, while everybody else was looking down, trying to guess who it could be.

  Lasgol smiled. “We’ll soon know,” he said conspiratorially, and all of them turned to him eagerly.

  When the Ranger had shown his orders, he made his way to the ship, and after asking permission of the Captain, he came on board. Lasgol had already recognized his voice and the way he walked.

  “Oh no, not him!” Ingrid protested bitterly.

  “D’you need the best Natural Assassin of the realm for anything special?” Viggo asked. He pushed back his hood and let them see his face.

  Lasgol smiled from ear to ear. He was glad from the bottom of his heart to see his friend.

  “Exactly!”

  “Viggo!” Nilsa cried, and before Gerd could react she had already thrown herself on Viggo to hug him. She did it with such impetus that Viggo had to shift his posture so as not to fall backwards.

  “I’m happy to see you too, red-head,” he said, and winked. “I see you’re still as poised and nimble as ever.”

  Nilsa poked her tongue out at him. “And you’re as charming as ever.”

  “Come here, Romeo!” Gerd said. He lifted him in the air with a bear-hug and began to twirl.

  “Let me down, you giant, you’re going to make me feel sick. What’s all this passion for bear-hugs, anyway?”

  “I love them.”

  “Oh, I know. The problem is, the rest of humankind doesn’t.”

  “Nonsense, you all love them!”

  “This one’s got more than enough muscle, but he’s a bit short of brains,” Viggo murmured ironically.

  “Don’t mess with Gerd,” Ingrid scolded him. “He’s a good person, unlike you,”

  Gerd put Viggo down, and he went up to Ingrid. “You’re more beauti— I mean bossy every day, my little Blondie.”

  “What d’you mean, ‘my little Blondie’? I’m going to give you a black eye!”

  “I’ve missed you too,” Viggo said. He gave her a seductive smile and spread his arms wide for a hug.

  “Don’t even think of it!”

  “Just a little cuddle?” he begged, almost in a whine, and gestured to her to come and hug him.

  “A kick where it hurts the most is what you’re going to get from me!” She gave him a fierce glare and took up a fighting stance.

  He smiled mockingly. “Always so charming, and with those seductive ways of yours.” All the same, he refrained from taking a step toward her, just in case.

  “Come here,” Lasgol said. “I’ll give you a hug.”

  “Good thing someone loves me,” Viggo said. He turned to Lasgol with his arms wide, and Lasgol hugged him tightly.

  “I’m really glad to see you,” he said.

  “Aren’t they all?” Viggo replied with a mocking grin, as if the whole world were in love with him.

  “Yeah, the whole kingdom,” Nilsa said, and burst out laughing.

  Ingrid put her hands to her head. “By the Ice Gods! Who put this bonehead on the list? This mission is going to be insufferable!”

  “It must have been some very influential noble, or else one of the leaders of the realm,” Viggo said, strutting like a peacock. “They’re all desperate to get hold of me.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it in just a moment,” Lasgol said. He was scanning the docks in search of the last of the Rangers he had selected.

  Nilsa, Gerd, Ingrid and Viggo began to joke among themselves as he stared out, getting more and more impatient. Would she come? Had she been notified about the mission? Had she finally been given permission? The doubts were beginning to pile up in his mind. They would soon be setting off, they had already finished loading the boxes of weapons, and now a group of soldiers was carrying up a couple of chained trunks.

  Nilsa had noticed this. “Those look important,” she said.

  Viggo arched an eyebrow. “I’d say that’s a mass of gold they’re loading, and part of the reason we’re here.”

  “A cargo of gold on a ship?” Gerd said in puzzlement. “What kind of mission have they given us?”

  As the soldiers were carrying the gold down into the hold, one last rider appeared in the distance, galloping toward the ship. It was a Ranger, who dismounted, presented orders and came on board. They all stared, trying to puzzle out who it could be.

  “Am I late for the party?” came a feminine voice.

  Lasgol recognized her at once, and his heart turned such a summersault that it nearly leapt out of his chest.

  “I think you’re just in time,” Viggo said. He gave her a mischievous smile.

  The Ranger pushed back her hood, and they all saw Astrid’s smiling face.

  “Aren’t you going to give me a welcome hug?” she asked Lasgol roguishly.

  Lasgol stepped forward, took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. The two of them kissed as if their friends were not there, as if they were not on board a ship in the middle of a crowded harbor, as if nothing around them existed and they were absolutely alone, in one another’s arms. Lasgol and Astrid lost themselves in their love and went on kissing, carried away, lost in delight at their reunion.

  Viggo cleared his throat loudly. “Ahem … there are children around.” He jabbed his thumb at Gerd.

  “I’m not a child!” the giant protested. He shoved Viggo aside, although he could not help blushing.

  “It is rather embarrassing …” Ingrid admitted. She was looking at them with her arms crossed. “They don’t even know we’re here.”

  “I think it’s really romantic,” Nilsa said. She was watching them kiss with a broad, slightly envious smile, clapping silently in appreciation.

  “I think if the ship were to catch fire on the spot,” Viggo said, “these two wouldn’t even notice, they’d go on kissing, absolutely wrapped up in each other. We’d have to carry them away as they are, because we wouldn’t be able to separate them.”

  Nilsa giggled. “We certainly would.”

  Finally, Lasgol and Astrid moved away from one another, although they remained locked in one another’s gaze.

  “I’ve missed you so much, my sweetheart,” Astrid said.

  “And so, have I, my love,”

  “If you don’t stop this right away,” Viggo interrupted, “all this mushiness is going to make me throw up. Any moment now I’m going to start kissing Gerd all over his huge face.” He put his hands to his throat as if he were really about to vomit.

  “Me? Why would you kiss me?” Gerd protested, looking horrified. “You’d much better kiss Ingrid.”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” said Nilsa. “That’d be worth seeing.”

  Ingrid was holding up her fists at the ready. “If you take one step nearer me, I’ll punch you!”

  Nilsa laughed out loud, and Gerd smiled from ear to ear. The comment made Lasgol and Astrid come out of their reverie and return to reality.

  “She’d really love it if I kissed her,” Viggo said, “but there’s no chance of that.” His expression suggested that this would have been way below his expectations.

  “Love it? I’m going to kill him!” Ingrid cried.

  They all laughed, and even Viggo could not keep up his cynical expression and gave a chuckle.

  Astrid greeted the rest of the team, exchanging hugs and affectionate greetings with all of them.

  “There’s only Egil left, then all us Snow Panthers will be together again,” Nilsa commented. She was looking down toward the dock with great interest.

  “Egil isn’t coming with us,” Lasgol told them, looking resigned. “I’d have loved him to be with us, and in fact I asked for him, but they wouldn’t let him come.”

  “Why not?” Gerd said. “He’s the smartest of all of us. His brains would get us out of more than one tight situation, that’s for sure.”

  “I think so too,” Nilsa agreed.

  “He’s not allowed to come because of who he is,” said Vi
ggo.

  “Because he’s an Olafstone, you mean?” Ingrid said.

  Viggo nodded several times. “That’s right. They want him safe and nicely under control where he is.”

  “That seems to be the case,” Lasgol said sadly. “I was afraid it would happen. It would’ve been great to have his brains to rely on, because this mission is very complicated and there’s a lot at stake.”

  “How about telling us what it’s all about?” said Ingrid.

  Lasgol looked around to check that there was no-one at the prow, and beckoned them to follow him there. When they reached the figurehead, which represented a dragon, he told them what had happened in the Frozen Territories, the reason for the mission and where they would be going. When he had finished, his friends were left staring at him with expressions of unease and incredulity.

  “Let’s see if I’ve got this straight,” Viggo said. He was scratching his chin and looking up at the clear sky. “We’ve got to get on board this nutshell, with a deeply sinister Ice Mage we can’t trust, then dodge pirates on our way to a bunch of remote islands surrounded by an eternal mist which swallows up whoever penetrates it, all so that we can ask a powerful Sorceress Queen who doesn’t like foreigners to lend us a very powerful magical object – all so that we can come back and use it to destroy a Frozen Specter that the Peoples of the Frozen Continent hope to use to conquer Norghana. Have I left anything out?”

  This was said with all the sarcasm he was capable of, and as he was Viggo, it was a great deal.

  Lasgol was blushing in shame after hearing somebody else describe what the mission involved, with emphasis on the dangers. “Well … yeah … I think you’ve summed it up pretty well …”

  “Wow … that’s quite a mission!” Gerd said. He gave a snort that could have filled the sail and taken the ship out of the harbor.

  Astrid waved a hand uneasily. “Yeah, this is one of the really complicated ones.”

  “So it is,” Ingrid said very proudly, “but they’ve chosen the best team for it. When somebody’s got to carry out a mission as important as this for the realm, who are they going to call but the best Rangers of all?” She beat her chest with her fist. “And that’s us.”