The Scarlet King (16 page)

The young navigator nodded in appreciation
but said not. The older man asked if his mission had to do with the
black ships. The young man looked up quickly and that was answer
enough, but he said, “I bring news for Don the Great.”

The older man barked out several orders and
soon a wagon drawn by two horses appeared. He told the young
navigator, “A royal carriage it is not but it will get you to the
military headquarters quickly.” The young navigator climbed aboard
the wagon and as the driver shook the reins, the older man said,
“Remember me to your father.”

The young navigator turned and asked, “And by
what name should I remember you?”

“Speak of me as the old master from the
battle of the harbor. It was a hard time and he may remember
not.”

The wagon moved quickly off and before midday
he arrived at the military headquarters. The driver stopped the
wagon by the main entrance, which was guarded by at least a dozen
soldiers with arms ready. The navigator stepped down from the wagon
and made his way towards the door, obviously intimidated by the
fierce weaponry. Another guard dressed in formal attire stepped
from the door and asked his purpose. In a voice trembling with
anxiety, the young navigator replied, “I carry a letter for Don the
Great.”

The guard demanded that the young navigator
hand the letter over but he refused, saying, “I have been charged
to deliver this only to Don the Great.”

The guard asked, “Who charged you with this
task?”

In a quiet voice the young navigator replied,
“The warrior from the Forest with the golden hair.”

The guarded bellowed out, “That is
impossible.” And again demanded the letter.

The young navigator summoned what little
inner strength he had left and responded, “I will present this
letter to Don the Great as I have been charged. I would suggest you
carry this message without further delay. I know not what power
Spirits of the Forest have but I would not challenge them.”

Invoking the Spirits of the Forest obviously
rattled the guard and he turned and disappeared within. Fatigue was
setting in and the young navigator finally sat cross-legged on the
floor waiting for the guard to return. He may have even nodded off,
but was awakened by the sound of the door opening and the guard
returning accompanied by a formal military escort. The young
navigator stood up and followed the escort as directed. He was
brought through multiple corridors and his fatigued mind soon lost
its way. He was brought to an office with a large central table and
a desk which overlooked the harbor through a small window. Don the
Great arose from the table, leaving his officers to simply watch,
and sat at his desk where he received the young navigator. With
trembling hands the young navigator handed the letter to Don the
Great.

He spoke not as he opened the letter and read
the words from Heather. Her usage of the high tongue was still
somewhat limited but her message was clear. That the black ships
had been seen so far west was of great concern, but her proposal of
returning their army gave him hope. He looked up after reading the
letter and asked the young navigator to describe the one who’d
given him the letter.

The young navigator replied, “She was with
the wild ones of the Forest and had long golden hair.”

Don the Great then asked, “The envoys from
the distant lands are safe?”

Young navigator nodded in the positive, but
asked, “Did not my father already relay this message?”

Don the Great looked up at his officers
around the conference table and asked in a loud voice, “Have we had
a report about sighting the black ships to the west and of the
safety of those envoys from the far-off lands?”

One of the officers, after a moment of
silence, replied, “My report for today includes this
information.”

“How long have we had this information?”

The officer was now obviously nervous as he
replied, “The report was given to me yesterday after our meeting.
The captain had returned eight days prior and filed the report
through the normal channels.”

Don the Great stood and with great emotion
said, “We are struggling for our very survival and vital
information takes nine days to work through our system. I would
everyone work to improve this flow of information, otherwise there
will be no hope for us.” He then looked at the young navigator who,
despite the tension in the room could not help yawning, and said,
“Find this young man a place to sleep and dress him as an envoy. He
will need to depart before sundown.”

Shortly before sundown the young navigator
was awakened by servants who brought the fancy clothing of an
envoy. The young navigator was much embarrassed by having others
dress him but complained not. A meal was served, which he almost
inhaled because of his hunger. The door to his room opened and all
of the servants turned and bowed before Don the Great, who was
dressed for travel not as a Lord but rather as a minor official who
would accompany the envoy. The look of confusion on the young
navigator’s face brought a smile to Don the Great’s face. He
explained, saying, “It is best that this meeting be known by as few
people as possible. I would you keep also your silence.”

Waiting not for a reply, Don the Great simply
waved for the young navigator to follow. Outside the headquarters
they were met by a carriage with four armed riders on either side.
They had no sooner climbed aboard the carriage than it moved off at
a fast clip into the darkening night. They arrived at the gate
about the time the moon was rising over the horizon. Those at the
gate had obviously been warned and were prepared. The guards stood
at attention and saluted as the carriage went by. Don the Great had
the young navigator, dressed as an envoy, nod his head in
recognition as they passed by.

They had no sooner passed through the gate
than they were joined by one of those of the Forest, who simply ran
ahead of the horses directing their path. The loping gait of those
of the Forest matched closely the gentle pace of traveling horses.
Others of the Forest would occasionally appear and change places
with but few words spoken. They traveled north towards the
wilderness.

After another hour of travel they came upon a
small clearing with a campfire in the center. Around the campfire
was a single person sitting on her haunches with her hair glowing
golden in the firelight. Don the Great gave orders for everyone in
his party to stay ready and in place. He dismounted from the
carriage and walked towards the fire. Heather looked up not but
simply said, “It is good you came.”

He looked for a place to sit and chose a
large rock across from Heather. He replied, “A surprise for you to
be so far from home.”

Heather responded only, “My grandmother sent
me. Our envoys are safe but the Spirits of the Forest have detected
a great danger arising in the east. Those of the East are the
invading force who sail in the black ships and were sighted to the
west.”

Don the Great replied, “I prepare but our
army remains far from our shores and our ships are many fewer.
Within the government there are those who refused to believe the
threat.”

Heather replied, “As I have written, it may
be possible to return the army if they’re willing to follow those
of the Forest across the mountains.”

“How would you cross mountains which are
impassable?”

Heather shrugged her shoulders, saying only,
“For those of the Forest, passage is possible. Your soldiers could
be brought across if they traveled light and did exactly as
told.”

“What do you need from me to make this
happen?”

Heather replied, “I would need a pledge of
loyalty from those who would travel. We would also need supplies
and arms to be stored here in the wilderness.”

“Why not just bring the army into the
city?”

Heather thought for a moment before
responding, “The black ships to the west were looking for a landing
site. I would expect the invading force will be not just from the
sea but also from the land.”

The Red Ambassador replied, “I feel your
assessment is correct, and it would appear that they are preparing
to also land to the east and north with an army. A second landing
to the west would be logical but more difficult for them.” He then
asked, “How will I control the army if it stays hidden in the
wilderness?”

Heather looked up not before replying, “You
cannot. The army will need to be under my command. You take the
risk of accepting my command.”

It was now the Red Ambassador’s time for
reflection, and he spoke not for some time as he wrestled with the
issues of control and trust. He finally spoke, saying, “Having the
ability to attack from the rear would be a great advantage. There
are those even in the military who will object to your command but
it seems I have no choice.” He then added, “I appoint you as
commander of the army forces you bring across the mountains. I
would you pledge loyalty to our King.”

Heather responded, “Those of the Forest make
no such pledges. I will pledge to do all in my power to defeat the
darkness that is arising from the east.”

The Red Ambassador but nodded his head before
replying, “It is as much as I can expect and I accept your pledge.”
He then asked, “Have you any plan for battle?”

Heather shrugged her shoulders and chewed on
her lip before responding, “Severing their supply line will be
essential. I wonder if Those Left Behind can be brought into the
war.”

“You mean the wild ones of the northern
frontier? How could they help?”

Heather just smiled and said, “Having an ally
who knows the land is always a great asset. I will see if I can
make contact.” She then added, “We will need a wagon load of ropes
and climbing gear to assist your soldiers.”

The Red Ambassador, Don the Great, replied,
“I will have the supplies delivered here by midday tomorrow.” He
then asked in a more subdued voice, “What of your Daniel and his
powder?”

Heather responded not for some time, and the
Red Ambassador was about to repeat his question when she finally
spoke up. “Daniel is with the envoys from our lands. With them he
will stay, for I trust not your leaders.”

It was the Red Ambassador’s turn for silence
and he could only reply, “I blame you not, for our politicians have
wrought great harm to your peoples. I accept responsibility for
failing to object to their wishes. I can but assure you that the
military will protect you and yours to our fullest ability.”

Heather explained, “I am here only because
the Spirits of the Forest have spoken through my grandmother
commanding me to venture forth. I will do what I can to assist you
against this darkness which is arising in the east, for that is
what the Spirits of the Forest demand. Trusting your leaders I
cannot do, but I do trust your word.”

“The powder that your Daniel controls is a
formidable weapon and would have contributed significantly in the
upcoming battle. I accept your reasoning and will mention the
subject no further.”

Silence ensued for several moments before the
Red Ambassador said, “I will have a letter of command for you to
present along with the supplies here by midday. You have given me
hope which we deserve not.”

Heather said not and simply sat on her
haunches staring into the fire. The Red Ambassador rose to depart,
and said, “I would this young navigator continue to assist
you.”

Without changing her position, Heather
responded, “As he wishes.” She then added, “Hard times are most
certainly ahead. I would wish that when peace is restored our
peoples learn to live as trading partners, not as enemies.”

The Red Ambassador returned to his escort and
the carriage. He changed clothes with the young navigator and gave
him the choice of returning to the city or staying with Heather.
The young navigator replied, “If she has need of my skills, I would
stay with her and those of the Forest.”

“So be it. I would honor you with a promotion
but it seems of little or no consequence. If you wish such I will
arrange it.”

The young navigator replied, “I serve my king
and people, it is enough.”

As the carriage moved off, the young
navigator turned back to the campfire. Heather sat unmoving until
others of the Forest reported the Red Ambassador and his escort to
be truly gone. She then stood and began kicking dirt on the small
fire to extinguish it. She said only, “I would that some follow
behind and ensure we are not being trailed. A few others will need
to return here tomorrow for the supplies. They should head west and
we will meet up with them.”

With that she glanced at the sky to find her
direction and started moving off. She was joined by those of the
Forest, who created a guard in front and behind her with scouts
fanning out ahead.

They traveled for a few hours before arriving
at the other camp they had created. Fatigue was evident in
Heather’s gait and her small tent was a welcome refuge. She said
only to those waiting, “The meeting went well. We return to the
ship tomorrow at first light.”

The coming of the dawn found Heather
completing her morning ritual and preparing for the breaking of the
fast. They traveled hard but another night was required before they
sighted their ship in the cove. The signaling mirrors had worked
well. Rather than returning to the ship, camp was made ashore with
Daniel and baby Geoffrey joining them. Those of the Forest were
eager to leave the ship, and the atmosphere was jovial. Heather
gave her report and answered many questions. As the night wore on,
Heather and Daniel left for the privacy of their tent. Baby
Geoffrey had long since fallen asleep and awoke not. Morning light
came all too soon and the time for decisions had arrived. After
breaking the fast, Heather and Jason returned to the ship to meet
with Captain Cook.