Sucinord answered, not because he was afraid, but with the necessity of accomplishing his mission, “I wish an audience with the ruler of this place.”
The soldiers laughed and the official smiled, “So you want an audience with the king of the Sabatols? Sure, in about two years, and maybe then you may get a glimpse of him.” That remark brought more laughter from the guards.
“You will take me to see him immediately,” Sucinord said with irritation. “I have a proposal that may interest him about the kingdom to the north called Glenfair.”
“Maybe we will take you to the inquisitors and find out all you know before I decide if the information is suitable for the king’s ears or not.” With that he nodded to one of the soldiers who moved to lay hold on Sucinord. Sucinord quickly sidestepped the approaching soldier, grabbed him and threw him over twenty feet into a merchant's booth set up opposite the gate. The other soldier reached for his sword but a lightning quick hand stopped the movement and a second grabbed him around the throat, lifting him off of the ground.
In this position Sucinord looked at the official and said, “You will take me to see the king, for I have a business proposition for him.” Sucinord did not wish to make enemies here, not yet anyway, so he did not kill these people. The display was only to emphasize the seriousness of his request.
The official had never seen anyone so fast or strong in his life. A new respect for this stranger settled upon him, as well as fear for his life. He knew now that he could easily be killed by the quickness and power of this man before him. Other soldiers were quickly coming toward the disturbance when the official nodded and Sucinord released the soldier in his grasp. The man fell gasping for breath to the ground, a bruise forming around his throat.
“I will take you to the king, but beware, the business you have better be worth it or you will cost us both our lives. Follow me.”
Sucinord watched with amusement as the official motioned to the approaching soldiers and they formed an escort for them. He also noticed that the official placed some soldiers between himself and Sucinord. Good, thought Sucinord, he fears me and well he should!
Razcon, king of the Sabatols sat impatiently on his throne while the southern gate official pleaded his cause to the king. Normally Razcon would not have bothered with such a lowly official if he had not been suffering of late from extreme boredom. At least the story this man told hinted at some release from the monotony around him. What had really captured his interest was the mention of Glenfair. He had told no one, but secretly he hated the little kingdom to the north. His cousins had fled from him to Glenfair, and it irritated him that he could do nothing to eliminate that little problem. A great weapons master named Allterus had taken a job in Glenfair and met his doom there. Since that time no assassin could be found who would venture into Glenfair to eliminate the remaining royal bloodline other than his own. Brianna, her mother and sister for the present were safe within the borders of that little kingdom. He knew he should not be concerned since they were no longer within his borders, but somehow he could not let their escape go. It rankled him that they were able to get away so easily. Telfra and Damara were no threat. But Brianna was shrewd and could be a threat to his power if she ever had a child. Razcon knew it was Brianna who managed to get her mother and sister to the only place that was safe from his retribution.
“Send this stranger in,” Razcon ordered.
Sucinord was escorted into the presence of the king of the Sabatols. Neither said anything for a moment as they assessed each other’s potential.
“Are you the man who has information about Glenfair that would interest me? And let me warn you, if I find your information of little use I will execute you for bothering me.”
Sucinord was not moved at all by the king’s threat, he had already assessed the potential threat in the number of guards surrounding the king and knew he could easily handle them and escape if need be. Razcon saw that his statement had no effect upon the stranger and marveled that he stood so calm in his presence. Either he was a man of great confidence or a fool.
“I can give you something that perhaps you desire,” Sucinord stated. “I can give your armies access into the kingdom of Glenfair.”
Now he had Razcon’s interest, “How can you do something that no one else, including me is able to do?”
Sucinord could not reveal who he really was, a machine, superior in strength and reflexes to every human, with the exception of the king of Glenfair. Just the thought of Glenfair’s king made Sucinord pause with hatred. He would have to tell them something else about himself.
“I am a great magician,” Sucinord began, “With powers you can not began to fathom. I can give you the access you desire to the kingdom of Glenfair.”
“Why should I believe a claim as wild as this from a stranger,” Razcon said with scorn. “Do you have any way of proving your far fetched claims?”
Sucinord looked about the room and asked for a knife to be given him. After he had everyone’s attention he held out the knife and plunged it into his stomach. There were audible gasps from some present as Sucinord pulled the knife free with no trace of blood upon it.
Razcon sneered, “A charlatain’s trick.” He motioned angrily to one of his guards, “Give this stranger a real taste of a blade, not some cheap slight of hand.”
The guard quickly stepped forward and thrust his sword into Sucinord who glanced down with unconcern at the sword protruding from his body. He reached behind him and felt for the hilt of the sword and pulled it free. Then in a swift movement almost too quick for the eye to follow he swung around and impaled the guard who had tried to kill him with such force it sent him hurling through the air to be pinned to the wall by his own sword. The man glanced down for a moment in disbelief before the light of life left his eyes.
“Is that sufficient proof, or do you wish for me to kill all of your guards?” Sucinord asked.
Razcon looked around the room and saw the fear in his guard’s eyes, and then glanced at the man hanging on the wall a few feet above the ground.
“Your demonstration is sufficient for now,” Razcon stated. “But I need to ask you, why do want to give me Glenfair? If you are so powerful, why not take it for yourself?”
Sucinord replied, “I could take it myself, but it would take too long to kill everyone in the kingdom. I need your armies to make a quick end to Glenfair.”
Razcon thought for a moment, this man is more brutal than even I if he wants every soul in Glenfair destroyed.
“Years ago the kingdom of the Wickshields tried to take Glenfair for its own. They were defeated quite easily by a warrior of unparalleled quickness and agility. Some even say he is a demon protecting Glenfair.” Razcon watched the expression of Sucinord and smiled; “I see you have heard of him as well.”
Sucinord was angry with himself. How could he let his expression betray him. The king of Glenfair was the kind of warrior Razcon mentioned, and the only thing Sucinord had ever feared.
“I will take care of such a warrior if he exists,” Sucinord stated.
The king of the Sabatols watched the face of Sucinord, “I believe you could,” he stated flatly. “But I have one test I want you to pass before I will allow my armies to follow you into Glenfair. There are some women who have fled my wrath and are hiding in Glenfair. Their names are Telfra, Damara, and Brianna. I want you to kill them for me. And you must bring me the ring the oldest daughter wears as proof. It looks like this.” Razcon showed Sucinord his signant ring with the royal crest. “Bring me the ring and I will know then that you can lead us into Glenfair.”
Sucinord smiled wickedly, turned and then departed. As Razcon watched him go he thought; we will see if you are as powerful as you say. I will believe it when I see the ring.
Back at the king’s castle preparations were under way for the upcoming summer feast. Master Rollins was still recovering form his broken ribs, but refused to stay down. He always enjoyed organ
izing the hunt for the large ox-like Tor that inhabited the valley. Ever since he was allowed to come on the hunt as a child it had been his passion. That first hunt was with his brother Terry (who was now duke of the northeast) and Prince Raven, who later became the great king of Glenfair. Raven had saved his life from a charging Tor by severing its head with a sword. That moment had changed his life. The passion of the hunt never left him after that, and seeing how Raven handled his sword gave him the motivation to become the kingdom’s weapons master under the tutelage of Master Fields. Master Rollins needed to go over a few details with King Edward before the feast, so he began looking for him. Not finding him in the great hall, nor the king’s council chamber, Master Rollins went to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. People were busy with preparations, but Edward was no where to be found. He started to go back into the great hall when he noticed Adriell coming from the royal garden.
He shouted down to her, “Princess Adriell, is the king in the royal garden?”
To this Adriell shook her head no, which made Master Rollins frown. Where could the king be? Then it dawned upon him, the king must be in the secret chamber. Since the days that Raven became king of Glenfair, the secret chamber in the king’s castle had become public knowledge. The only fact that was kept from common knowledge was how to open the secret doors that led to various chamber. Only the royal family and a few others were given that knowledge. Master Rollins was one of the few who were not related to the royal house who knew how to enter the chamber. That is where Edward must be, thought Master Rollins and headed to the old weapons room the ancients had built. When he entered the weapons room he saw Edward there working his sword fiercely, and performing various exercises he recognized from his training with Master Fields. Edward noticed him and stopped, sweat dripping from his chin.
“I see you have found me, Master Rollins. What is it that brings you to the ancients’ weapons room?”
Master Rollins ignored his immediate concerns and was now more intrigued by Edward’s workout than his questions about the feast.
“Why is the king working so hard at exercises he mastered long ago when you were trained by your father?”
“Is that what you came to ask me?” Edward replied.
“No,” Master Rollins answered, “but the type of exercises you were doing even I could not accomplish smoothly. Why put yourself through such difficulty?”
Edward relaxed and brought his sword point down to his boot and spoke; “The encounter with Sucinord revealed to me that I had let some of my conditioning and training go lax. I should have kept the conditioning up and my reflexes tuned. I almost let the kingdom down by not taking my talents and training seriously enough. Andrew Crestlaw before he died explained to me that with great talent comes great responsibility. He told me that there was a reason I have the gift of my father, I would be needed to do battle. I have let Sucinord escape, and almost lost my life because I was too casual about my training. No more will that be the case.”
Master Rollins stated; “You are too hard on yourself, King Edward. You defeated Sucinord and would have destroyed him had he not fled.”
“May I remind you, Master Rollins that I would not be here if you had not intervened. I should never have allowed Sucinord to flee. I was winded and out of shape. The next time we meet it will be different.”
Master Rollins nodded rubbing his chin, “I can not argue against your logic, for only you know your full potential. But this I know, you did not fail us my king.”
Edward smiled at Master Rollins, “Now, what did you come to see me about?”
“The hunt has been organized, but I have concerns about the arms competition. It seems they have become dull and and the interest of the people in such matters wanes.”
Edward smiled again, “I know just the type of competition to liven things up. I have not competed in the arms competition since I was a youth. I think I will enter this year.”
“No one would want to challenge you in the arms competition, Sire. The whole kingdom knows of your skill with a sword.”
Edward was still smiling as he said, “No, Master Rollins, no single person would, but make it four against one and maybe some would attempt it. Besides, I will add a bag of gold as incentive to the first one to score against me with their sword.”
Now it was Master Rollins who was smiling, “That kind of advertisement will surely liven up the competitions this year. But I am concerned for your safety if the competitors get over anxious for the gold.”
“We face a real threat in Sucinord,” Edward said seriously. “A cut or bruise is well worth the risk to heighten my senses for the coming confrontation.”
“As you wish,” Master Rollins stated. “I will send out the appropriate information to inform the kingdom.” With no more business to discuss, Master Rollins left. Edward watched him go, and then remembered another bit of business he must see to before the feast.
After Edward had washed and dressed he went to the great hall and found Adriell. He sat down beside her and asked, “I need a big favor from you my sister.”
Adriell looked at the face of her brother and smiled. He looked both bewildered and confused.
“I know what you are about to ask me, it has to do with a woman does it not?”
Edward was shocked, and his face revealed that as well which brought a giggle from Adriell. This caught Pi’s attention so she came over to join in on the fun. Edward was now feeling self conscious at Adriell’s guess concerning the matter he wanted to discuss with her. Having Pi there did not help, but he would not have felt more at ease with her gone so he did not ask her to leave.
“How did you know I was going to ask you about a woman? Did you read my mind?”
Adriell roller her eyes, “Of course not! Only a woman can give a man that exasperated look you had about you. But that is all I know, and now I am curious to know more.”
“Well there is not much to tell,” Edward began. But a scowl from Adriell made him continue. “A few weeks back I took a ride in the country but did not use the royal saddle or dress as the king. I came to the small village of Brittany and met there a very courteous woman and her hospitable family. They did not know I was king of this land and so I did not tell them.”
Adriell interrupted, “How could they not know you are king of Glenfair. This is a very small kingdom and everyone would recognize you.”
“They are not natives of Glenfair, they are from the Sabatol kingdom. I was enjoying their company when one of the townspeople came to call on them and recognized me.”
Adriell interrupted once more, “I can fill in the rest of the story. They felt foolish because they did not know you were the king of Glenfair. And now after you had gained their confidence, you want to repair this breach of trust.”
Edward was amazed at how quickly his sister understood his dilemma.
“Yes, I would like you and Pi to go to Brittany and personally invite them to come to the summer feast and sit with us in the balcony during the competitions. And I will give them a personal tour of the roasting pits to sample the Tor taken that morning. Would you be willing to do that for me?”
Adriell smiled at Edward and said, “What is her name?”
“What?” Edward replied, not fully comprehending .
“Her name, Edward, how can I find her without a name?”
“Oh, I am sorry,” Edward said with embarrassment. “Her name is Brianna, and her mother’s name is Telfra. She also has a sister named Damara.”
“Is that all you have to say about them?” Adriell asked with a smile.
Edward was silent for awhile, not wishing to offer any more information than he already had. But Adriell kept waiting and smiling until Edward knew she would not leave until he offered more.
“All right,” Edward said roughly. “I am interested in Brianna!”
Adriell and Pi looked at each other with wide eyes as Adriell exclaimed; “God has shown his favor to us
in finally bringing a woman to your attention. This kingdom and this king do need a queen.”
“That is enough!” Edward said gruffly. “You talk as if we are courting. I have only met her once, and then she gave me a tongue lashing for deceiving them.”
Adriell could not help but smile again, “Sounds like she is a woman of strong character.”
“Will you and Pi please go, and do not say anything to anyone about this. Do you understand?”
Pi took Adriell by the hand and said, “Come we have a mission to accomplish for our beloved king.”
Edward watched as they both left the great hall still laughing and joking. He wished there was a way he could have kept this private, but he knew that was impossible if he wanted to see Brianna again. His sister and Pi would be much better at persuading Brianna and her family to come to the feast than he. Edward knew that they would treat him differently the next time he saw them because of his position. He hoped that they would come despite their former embarrassment.
Pi and Adriell rode out of the castle courtyard and started heading south toward the little village of Brittany.
“What kind of woman do you think this Brianna is?” asked Adriell.
Pi thought for a moment before answering, “She will most likely be much different than us because she is from another land. Certainly their customs and culture are much different than here in Glenfair.”
“But you and I were basically from another place and another time before we came here.”
“Yes, and you will remember some of the difficulty we had in adjusting to Glenfair when we arrived.”
Adriell was silent for a while contemplating Pi’s statement.
“Would you return to the future if you could?” asked Adriell.
Pi smiled at her and said, “That is something I have no desire to do.” Pi looked at Adriell and saw the perplexed look she wore and answered before Adriell asked.
“In the future, everyone knows I am an android. I am treated like a machine, for only a select few know that I have emotions like any human. Here, very few know I am a machine, so everyone treats me like I am human. That is more valuable to me than having the companionship of technology. Life was boring before I met your mother, and it is never boring here.”
The King's Descendants Page 8
