Dragons' Onyx (7 page)

“Prince Garong,” greeted King Arik as he entered the kitchen. “I guess you had trouble sleeping as well?”

“No,” smiled the elf prince, “I am just an early riser today. I had some things to take care of before we left the city. Would you care for some rabbit? It is fresh.”

“How fresh?” chuckled the king.

“Not more than an hour,” replied Prince Garong.

“Thanks, but I feel like seafood today,” grinned King Arik as the Red Swords looked very confused.

“I thought you wanted rabbit?” questioned one of the Red Swords.

“Why don’t you men sit down and relax,” instructed the king. “I will make you some food, Lorgo style.”

The Red Swords didn’t know what to do. In all of their service to the crown, never had a king made them a meal. King Arik mentally dismissed the bodyguards and began preparing a meal of seafood. He rummaged through the food lockers, sniffing and inspecting the provisions. Finally, he put together a dish of day-old flounder and clams. He thought he would have trouble finding the spices that Master Tern used in Lorgo, but the palace was well stocked. He wondered if they got provisions from merchants like Master Khatama who rode throughout the countryside. His thoughts drifted to Boris as he prepared the meal. He frowned when he remembered Fredrik’s warning, but Prince Garong’s movement distracted him.

“Where did you find that rabbit?” King Arik asked. “I did not see any in the food lockers.”

“From the woods outside the city,” replied the elf prince. “Where else would you find a rabbit?”

“You left the palace,” frowned King Arik as he dished out five helpings and placed them on the table.  “I am surprised that I was not told about it.”

“Actually,” grinned Prince Garong, “I did not leave the palace grounds. The rabbit was a gift from a couple of old friends who just arrived in the city.”

The Red Swords devoured their meal while King Arik stared at the elf prince. “A couple of friends?” he echoed. “Why do I not get a good feeling about this? I suppose they were elf friends?”

“Who else would I know?” chuckled Prince Garong. “You said that I could bring two archers with us if I managed to get them to Tagaret before we left. Eltar and Pioti arrived this morning and had a spare rabbit. I thought I would eat it.”

“Eltar and Pioti?” King Arik shook his head. “How did you manage to get them here so quickly? And where are they?”

“They are waiting at the docks,” grinned the elf prince. “I was not sure if they would be allowed into the Royal Palace without someone waking you, so I met them at the gates. We will need two horses for them when we leave. They were not able to bring any with them.”

“You still didn’t say how they managed to get here so quickly,” King Arik pointed out.

“You are correct,” smiled Prince Garong. “Elves will go to great measures to ensure that Valon remains safe. Believe me when I say that you truly do not want to know how they arrived.”

“And I thought I would sneak into the kitchen early,” blustered Prince Darok as he lumbered into the kitchen and saw everyone eating. “What are we eating?”

“I am afraid that there is no fish left,” shrugged King Arik. “I just made enough for the people here.”

“I will share my rabbit with you,” offered the elf prince.

“Rabbit is real food,” nodded the dwarf prince. “I’ll shed no tears over the fish being all gone. Prince Oscar was looking for you, Arik. He seemed surprised that your guards were gone.”

One of the Red Swords bolted from his chair and raced out of the room. Prince Darok looked at the table and saw that the man’s plate was clean.

“At least he finished the meal,” chuckled the dwarf. “I felt mean saying that.”

“It is my fault,” shrugged King Arik. “I do not think that I can get used to being waited on. I am afraid that I will run these men ragged before I am done. They will be glad to see me leave the city today.”

“Not at all, Your Highness,” offered one of the Red Swords. “One of us should have told someone where we went though. Our task is to keep you safe, and we are doing that. I will say that we would prefer to go with you on your adventures rather than stay behind.”

“That I can understand,” nodded the king. “You probably don’t enjoy the palace any more than I do. Not this trip though. I have been trying to keep the group small,” he added as he shot a glace at Prince Garong.

“We will take good care of him,” Prince Garong vowed to the Red Swords. “How was the fish?”

“Best I’ve had in a long time,” offered one of the bodyguards. “If your weren’t the king, Your Highness, I would speak to someone about getting you a job here.”

“No thanks,” laughed King Arik. “It is hard enough to stomach the palace as king. I wouldn’t dream of trying it as a cook.”

“I am glad to see you in good spirits this morning,” declared Prince Oscar as he entered the room. “I have arranged a ship for you. It will be ready to leave within the hour.”

“Is it marked as an Alcea vessel?” questioned King Arik.

“It is unmarked,” Prince Oscar said as he sat down. “I would not advertise who you are. That would be unwise at this time.”

“Good,” nodded Arik. “Will the captain be willing to sail to the south end of the island? I have heard that many will not.”

“This captain is so courageous that he would sail into a storm for you,” nodded Prince Oscar. “He may appear old and ornery, but Admiral Raymond Hill is the finest sailor that ever hoisted a sail. He doesn’t care much for the title admiral though. You should just call him captain.”

“You sound like you know him well,” stated the king.

“I do,” nodded Prince Oscar. “He helped make my shipping company the greatest in the world. He even trained most of the other captains. You can depend on him, son. That is what is important. Tell him where you want to go, and he will get you there safely.”

“Well then we are off as soon as my short friend devours that rabbit,” grinned King Arik.

“Rabbit?” echoed the dwarf prince with his mouth full of food. “That rabbit was gone an hour ago. Are we having the morning meal onboard the ship?”

King Arik laughed and patted the dwarf on the back as he rose. “I have to get my things together before we leave. Maybe Prince Oscar can find a cook to fill the large void of yours while I am gone.”

* * *

“I was hoping that you would be up early,” Alex said as he entered General Gregor’s office.

“I thought you would want an early start,” nodded the general. “I have picked four Rangers to accompany you. Jer Wiltana, Bart Larmin, Stan Fargo, and Jami Witzak are their names. They can be ready to go when you want to leave. Just give me five minutes to get them.”

“I would have to notify you now then,” replied Alex. “The sooner we get started, the better chance we have of beating Sarac’s men to the Castle of Man. I don’t want to have to enter the castle when it is surrounded by magicians.”

“I agree,” sighed the general. “You don’t have to do this, Alex. Everyone knows that this is likely to be a one-way trip. Even the four Rangers are aware of the odds. They volunteered to go with you. I think they volunteered because it is you that is going. You have quite a reputation yet in the armies of Alcea.”

“I will try not to get them killed,” Alex replied without emotion. “As for doing the task, who else has a chance of helping King Devon? It is not me that they really need, but I go where Jenneva goes.”

“I didn’t expect any other answer,” the general responded sadly. “I know you came close to death the last time that you were up there. Adding thousands of Sarac’s men to the mix will not be of any favor to you. Promise me that you will all leave when it is certain that things will go badly.”

“You know that I can’t promise that,” countered Alex. “It is when things go badly that our help is most needed.”

General Gregor summoned the guard outside his door and told him to ready the Rangers that would be going to Tor.

“Are Jenneva and Tanya ready to go?” asked the general.

“Just about,” nodded Alex. “They are gathering ingredients for fire glue. You never can tell when that will come in handy.”

“You have a wonderful wife, Alex,” the general smiled grimly. “I wish I could send more men with you.”

“I am glad to have the four Rangers,” declared Alex. “They may make the difference in this battle. At least we will be able to delay Sarac’s army. Every day we hold them back is another day that Tagaret can use to get ready for the attack.”

“I fear we may need more days than you can give us,” frowned the general. “The citizens of Tagaret have been great. Even old women and small children report for work each day. King Arik has followed in his grandmother‘s footsteps with his ability to gather the loyalties of the common folk. The people of Tagaret love him.”

“What is there not to like?” Alex smiled. “His heart is squarely with the common folk. He is my kind of king.”

“And that is coming from someone who has had run-ins with all of the kings he knew,” chuckled General Gregor. “I particularly enjoyed your honor guard that was made up of young children for King Eugene at Lavinda.”

“I got my point across,” grinned Alex. “The king was ignoring the frontier villages and leaving the citizens to fend for themselves. That is not something that King Arik would ever do.”

“He was at that,” nodded the general. “And I know that King Arik wouldn’t abandon his people, any of his people. He is young, but in a way he is much wiser than other kings that I have served under. I hope he lives through the trials that are surely coming his way. The people of Alcea deserve his type of leadership.”

“If Sarac can be defeated, Arik is the one to do it,” assured Alex. “Have faith in him.”

“I have learned to have faith in him,” admitted the general. “There is one thing that puzzles me, though.”

“What is that?” questioned Alex.

“The girl, Tanya,” General Gregor began, “she is always close to King Arik. It is almost like she is his personal bodyguard. Or perhaps she has a crush on him. Goodness knows, he certainly would make a good catch for any lass. What I can’t figure out is why the king was so adamant about her going to the Castle of Man. I figured that she would go with him in search of the Dragons’ Onyx.”

Alex bowed his head and nipped on his lower lip. The general was a man that Alex could trust with his life, yet Tanya had good reasons for not wanting anyone to know that she was a mage. Not giving the general any answer would only pique his curiosity. Alex walked to the office door and closed it. He walked back and stood face-to-face with the general.

“There are things about Tanya that very few people know,” Alex said hesitantly. “Her safety resides in secrecy. If I were to share one of her secrets, would it be safe to assume that you would carry it to your grave unspoken to anyone else?”

“If you know of the secret and can attest that it is not something that can harm King Arik or his people,” the general stated, “then perhaps it is best not to mention it. I do not wish to be burdened with it. As you well know, I am a fairly good judge of character. When I have trust in someone, I don’t always think before I speak.”

“Not disclosing one of her secrets was my first reaction to your question,” nodded Alex, “but I know you as someone who will not let a secret rest. Your subconscious curiosity could cause others to take closer notice of her. That could be harmful to her and others.”

“Others?” echoed the general. “Now I am truly confused.”

“Tanya is my daughter,” declared Alex. “And Jenneva’s, of course. You can imagine the harm that would chase her if that became common knowledge.”

“Blessed sword!” exclaimed General Gregor. “No wonder the lass fights so well. I have been hearing bits and pieces of rumors about her skill as a fighter. She tends to leave a trail of impressed people behind her.”

“She is very skilled,” smiled Alex as he realized that the general’s curiosity would be satisfied for a while.

Suddenly, the color drained from the general’s face. “And you are taking her to the Castle of Man?” the general frowned sadly. “You can’t take your whole family there. Leave the lass behind. We can use her skills for training the defenders. Or send her with King Arik, but don’t take her with you. You have to know that the Castle of Man has the poorest odds for survival of any mission that you have ever taken?”

“Every battle carries risk,” replied Alex. “She could die just as easily with King Arik, or here in Tagaret defending the city. She is a skilled fighter, General. I will not treat her as a child. Besides, I doubt she would listen to me if I did try to dissuade her. Besides, after missing her for so many years, I am thrilled to have the chance to know her and fight by her side.”

“And she is probably as stubborn as her father,” General Gregor shook his head as a knock sounded on the door to the office. “That will be word that your Rangers are ready,” he continued. “Ride safely, my friend. Bring your family back safely.”

Alex smiled grimly and hugged the general. “We will be fine,” he said more confidently than he felt. “You know that I always come back.”

“You had better,” the general said sternly. “I have come to think of you as a son. Now that you have a daughter, I want to come to know her better.”

Alex smiled and opened the door. The general’s door guard was outside and announced that the Rangers were assembled at the palace gates. Alex thanked the man and headed back to his room to retrieve his packs. As he rounded a corner, he heard King Arik call his name. He stopped and turned, and the king ran up to him.

“I see that you are ready to go as well,” stated King Arik. “Fredrik left a note for me when he left. I guess there were some things that he refused to divulge in public. You and Jenneva need to know, though. Fredrik is Aurora’s son.”

“Fredrik is the descendent?” Alex repeated with wide eyes. “Is he sure?”

“According to his note,” nodded the king. “He finally had to tell Master Khatama, and he felt that we should know, too. His note says that he did not want to steal the limelight from Niki, and that he was eventually going to tell us before it was too late. He gave the cloak to Niki years ago. He also said that they plan to wed. Please let Jenneva know.”