Council of War (60 page)

"There is not a foul word said about King Vlador anywhere in this city," frowned Garth. "I know there are people who detest him, but they are afraid to say so publicly. I think we are wasting our time here."

"Perhaps we are," agreed Natia. "King Vlador rules with an iron hand. If you are heard saying something disparaging about him, they haul you off to the dungeon, but our trip to Karamin might not be in vain. We were just talking about moving out of the city and into the forest."

"Natia thinks that there are bands of bandits in the forest that might fight the Federation," explained Kalina.

"I don't know," frowned Garth. "Dealing with thieves in the city is one thing, but bandits in the forest have a tendency to kill their victims more often than not. I doubt that we could trust them."

"These ones might be different," suggested Tedi. "It seems that the locals actually call some of the bandits by name, as if they knew them before they became bandits. I think we might be talking about men who have been forced to become bandits rather than those who are bandits just because it is an easy way of life to take things from others."

"What have we got to lose?" asked Kalina. "We are not finding any prospects here in Calusa."

"Our lives for one thing," frowned Garth. "We know nothing about these bandits. Some may be decent men forced to it, but others will cut our throats to steal our horses. Why risk a fight when there is little hope of a return?"

"Because we need twenty thousand warriors," retorted Kalina.

Tedi and Natia grinned, and Garth shook his head in defeat as he sighed heavily.

"Let's enjoy one last night in a bed," Garth said. "We will leave the city in the morning."

* * *

"Hold the torch higher," Max said. "I can't see how this works."

Karl Gree lifted the torch, spreading long flickering shadows through the dwarven tunnel. He held it close to the ceiling of the tunnel while Max stepped up onto a small ledge built into the wall. The big Ranger squinted as he gazed at the crevices in the wall. Suddenly, a wide grin spread across his face.

"Simple, but ingenious," Max declared as his hands pushed into two of the crevices.

Max lifted a large square rock out of the wall and placed it in an alcove carved into the side of the tunnel. He jumped down off the ledge and moved to the wall blocking the exit. He signaled Karl, and the Knight of Alcea helped the Ranger slide the lintel towards the void created by removing the keystone. A loud click echoed through the tunnel and Max leaned on the wall and pushed it to the right. Slowly the wall began to slide, an opening appearing in its place, and Karl stepped through.

"It's the mine," he called to the others. "Come on through."

While the group filed into the mine, two fairies suddenly entered the chamber from the mine side.

"They are here like I said they would be," chirped Mite. "Tell the others."

Squirt turned and darted out of the room. As soon as Max entered the chamber, he turned and examined the secret door from the mine side. The others stood around and waited while he did so.

"There is no way to lock it from this side," frowned the Ranger. "It was never meant to be reused. The flight of the dwarves was meant to be one way only."

"A dozen archers in here could hold off an army," stated Prince Saratoma. "There will be no need to lock the door as long as we have it watched."

"Welcome to the Isle of Despair," Captain Gomery said with a broad smile as he walked into the chamber. "Your arrival could not be more opportune. Chanz and the others have just arrived with a shipload of food. We could use some help in getting it unloaded and brought into the mine."

"Show us the way," replied Karl Gree. "We will get the ship unloaded in no time."

"I highly doubt that," retorted the captain. "Follow me."

Captain Gomery led the group to the surface and out into the sunlight. A huge old scow loaded with barrels and crates had been run up on the beach. The four Alcean sailors were struggling with a large crate, and the Rangers rushed to help them. Karl's eyes scanned the large vessel from one end to the other. He shook his head in amazement.

"I have not seen so much food since we arrived in this world," Karl commented in awe. "It will take days to unload."

"I only hope that it is enough food," countered Prince Saratoma. "It will have to feed thousands of my people for many months."

"I would not expect it to be enough," commented Prince Rigal. "The Dielderal must continue with their plan to bring more food out here."

"We will," vowed the Dielderal prince. "Now that we have a way to get the food out to this island, we will start implementing the plan.

* * *

Garth halted Kymia in the middle of the Calusa Road, and the other Knights of Alcea halted alongside him.

"What is it?" Tedi asked softly.

"Nothing," sighed Garth. "That is exactly what it is. Nothing. We have spent two days riding up and down this road and two nights camped in the forest. The bandits are all over these woods, but they have no intention of attacking of us. Why?"

"Perhaps we do not appear wealthy enough for them to be bothered with," replied Kalina.

"We have beautiful mounts," Natia retorted. "That alone should cause them to attack us. I agree with Garth. Something is wrong here."

"I could send Button out to find the bandits," offered Tedi.

"There is no need," Garth shook his head. "I have seen several of them in the last hour alone. I know that they are out there, just as they have been for the past two days. They simply are not interested in us."

"Maybe I was wrong to drag us out of the city," frowned Natia. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"No," retorted Garth, "you were correct. There was nothing in Calusa for us to find. If the bandits will not come to us then we will go to them."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Tedi.

"Release Button," replied Garth. "Have her work with Bitsy to discover the base camp of the bandits. We will make camp early this evening and later we will pay a visit to the bandits' camp."

"There will be a fair amount of risk involved in that," frowned Kalina. "While they may not appear eager to attack us now, they will defend themselves with vigor."

"We shall see," retorted Garth as he woke Bitsy.

Garth instructed Bitsy to work with Button, and the two female fairies shot into the air and disappeared. As soon as they were out of sight, Garth turned Kymia towards the forest and started leading the Knights of Alcea into the woods. An hour later they established a camp for the night and waited for the fairies to return. A fairy fluttered down out of the trees, but it was a male. He landed on Garth's shoulder and saluted.

"What news do you bring Runt?" asked Garth.

"The tunnel has been found and explored," the fairy reported, "and the ship has arrived at the island. The food is being offloaded. Karl requests his next assignment."

"Have him join back up with us," Garth said. "He is to bring the Rangers with him, but leave the elves in Elfwoods. There will be less talk in the horse countries if we do not return with them up there. The elves are to assist King Elengal in any way that they can. The sailors should remain at the Isle of Despair and await instructions."

Runt saluted again and prepared to leap into the air when Garth spoke again.

"Tell Karl to fly only at night. He is to traverse the Elfwoods to the Barrier and follow that northward until they reach Karamin. Only then should they turn westward."

Runt shot up into the canopy. An hour later Bitsy and Button returned.

"The main camp is five leagues north of here," Bitsy reported.

"Main camp?" asked Garth.

"All of the bandits do not stay in the same place," nodded Bitsy. "They have camps all up and down the Calusa Road, but the main camp is not near the road at all. It is at the end of a narrow canyon, and there are sentries all along the ridges. It will not be easy to approach."

"Show me a vision," demanded Garth.

The fairy immediately complied. A vision of the bandit camp came into view from a perspective of several hundred paces above it. The Knights of Alcea gazed at the narrow canyon and the hill at the end of it. Cut into the side of the hill was a cave opening with an overhang above it.

"It is a natural fortress," Tedi remarked with disappointment. "We are not going to be able to sneak in there."

"No, we aren't," agreed Garth. "I guess we will just have to ride in. Let's get some sleep. I want to arrive before sunup, but not so late that they have already started sending out their men for the day."

The Knights of Alcea bedded down for the night. Several hours before dawn, Garth woke everyone up, and they quickly got underway. Bitsy perched on Garth's shoulder and showed him the way. When they got close to the mouth of the canyon, Garth instructed the fairies to put the sentries asleep. The fairies obediently took off to complete their mission.

"Tedi," Garth said softly, "You and Natia are to remain behind. If we do not return by high sun, come up with a plan to rescue us. Don't forget that Karl and the Rangers will be coming. If you need their help, wait for them."

Tedi nodded silently, and Garth and Kalina rode onward. They rode slowly and quietly into the mouth of the canyon. Garth glanced at Kalina and flicked his eyes towards the rim of the canyon. Kalina nodded her understanding of his plan. She immediately erected shields around the two of them. Slowly they made their way the entire length of the canyon and dismounted at the end of it. Staring up at the cave part way up the hill, Garth made his way to the steep trail leading up to the entrance. Kalina followed silently.

The trail led to a narrow ledge that stretched out under the overhang. Garth and Kalina stepped onto the ledge and walked towards the cave. As Garth approached the mouth of the cave, he held his hand out for Kalina to halt. She stopped and watched as he continued onward. Garth stopped directly in the mouth of the cave and stared into the darkness.

"Who is in charge here?" he shouted into the cave.

Shouts rang out from inside the cave and people scrambled for weapons. Garth fully expected some arrows to strike Kalina's shield, but none did. The inside of the cave grew quiet as a voice of authority demanded silence.

"Who are you, and what have you done to my sentries?" shouted a voice inside the cave.

"Your sentries are merely sleeping," replied Garth. "I have come here to talk, nothing more."

"Who are you?" demanded the voice of authority.

"Mikal Obanik," replied the Knight of Alcea, not wanting to use the name of Sidney Mercado's special agent when dealing with bandits. "I am not from this land."

Suddenly a young man appeared in the entrance. He stared at Garth and demanded that a torch be lit. Several torches were lit and men crowded around their leader to shed light on the intruder.

"Where are the others?" asked the leader.

"My wife is on the ledge beside me," answered Mikal. "I told the others to wait elsewhere for me. Can we talk?"

"What about?" asked the leader.

"I have many questions," replied Mikal, "but we could start with your name."

The young man blinked several times and frowned. "If you do not know me, why are you here?"

The verbal dueling puzzled Garth. None of the bandits had tried to attack him, and the leader showed no animosity towards him. He began to wonder if they were bandits after all.

"I am looking for patriots of Karamin," Garth eventually said. "Not the Karamin of the Federation, but the real Karamin."

The young man's eyes grew wide for a moment and then immediately narrowed with suspicion. "I am Boric," he stated. "Why would you be searching for patriots? Are you a bounty hunter?"

Garth sighed. "I have already stated that I mean you no harm. If you are bandits, you have not bothered me or my people so I have no quarrel with you. I am searching for patriots to free Karamin from the grip of the Federation. If you are not like-minded people, say so, and I will leave you alone."

There was no reply, and Garth grew increasingly frustrated. He turned to look at Kalina and saw Bitsy landing on her shoulder.

"There are men moving to seal off the canyon," Kalina said softly enough that her voice did not carry into the cave.

Garth nodded in understanding. Boric was no fool after all. He was stalling for time while his men got into position. He turned back to face the bandit leader.

"You appear not to be the person I am searching for," declared Garth. "My wife and I will now leave you alone. If your men try to stop us from leaving, they will get hurt. Order them to stand down."

The shock of surprise showed on Boric's face. "What men are you talking about?"

"The men you sent to seal off the canyon," glared Garth. "Do not take me for a fool, Boric."

"The men are only for our protection," stated Boric. "If I had wanted to kill you, we already would have, but I will not talk until my canyon is secure. If you truly mean no harm, why would you have a problem with that?"

Garth sighed again and conceded the point to the bandit. "Alright, your canyon is secure. Do we talk, or do I walk?"

"We talk, Mikal Obanik," Boric said as he walked out of the cave and glanced at Kalina. Fortunately, Bitsy had already returned to the sky. "Why are you in my Karamin trying to foment rebellion?"

"I seek the downfall of the Federation," declared Mikal. "It is that simple. Where do you stand on the issue?"

"As I said," smiled the bandit, "my name is Boric. Obviously that doesn't mean much to you, but I am not surprised. Mikal Obanik is truly not from this land. I wouldn't expect you to know much about my country. King Vlador is my cousin, and he has sold Karamin to the Federation. I want it back for the people."

Mikal's eyes widened in understanding. "Is that why your men didn't attack us? You are not really bandits?"

"Hardly," chuckled Boric. "Oh, we do pillage and kill, but only Federation soldiers fall to our arrows. We have no argument with the people of Karamin or ordinary travelers. But you are not an ordinary traveler, are you? There is a large reward on your head."