The Scarlet King (4 page)

They proceeded to the base of the dais. The
envoy bowed low to the Scarlet King and pronounced, "To my King I
present the delegates from the far lands." He again bowed low and
turned first towards Jason and said, "This is King Jason of the
Southern Kingdom who leads the delegation." Jason took one step
forward and bowed his head in recognition of the Scarlet King, but
spoke not.

When those of the Northern Kingdom were
introduced they bowed appropriately as did Larby. When Jeremy and
Edna were introduced they stepped forward and but nodded their
heads in way of acknowledgment but bowed not, standing tall. The
advisers to the side of the King began talking in his ear and the
King was obviously upset. The envoy spoke up, saying, "These are
the wild ones we have talked about who have no king and no manner
of court."

The King nodded in acceptance and had one of
his advisers read a formal declaration of welcome. It was a
long-winded acceptance of the previously negotiated peace
settlement with the envoy, Don the Great. Mixed in with the many
words were indications that hard negotiations lay ahead. When the
scroll was finally completed, it was followed again by the chant of
the first messenger.

At this point the envoy again bowed towards
his King, and the delegates responded in a similar fashion as in
their presentation. The horns sounded again and the envoy ushered
them out of the great hall and through the passageway to their
waiting carriages. He said only, "Negotiations will begin on the
morrow. Formal attire will not be required. The launch will arrive
to deliver you to the negotiating room." He added, "It may be best
if you bring your own food and drink."

Those who traveled so far spoke little until
they were secure again aboard ship. They discussed their not so
warm welcome. Jason again counseled them, "We must remember our
purpose is peace, and we cannot let their customs, which we
understand not, interfere with our goal."

In the morning a smaller launch again staffed
by armed military personnel arrived to transport them to the
negotiating room, which was separate from the palace and closer to
the docks in a much less ornate government building. They were met
by the envoy and taken to a large room, which was almost filled by
a huge round table. Jason and the others who had traveled so far
were directed to one end of the table. After they were seated the
remaining chairs were filled by officials of the Scarlet Kingdom.
The envoy began the proceedings with a formal declaration of
intent. When he finished many of the officials again chanted
quietly, but the envoy simply ignored them.

Jason then spoke of the desire for long-term
peace and trade. He described only in the briefest terms their
defeat of the invading army. He then summarized the points of the
peace agreement he had negotiated with the envoy. Those of the Red
listened but continuously whispered amongst themselves. The envoy
finally spoke up and requested the officials maintain their silence
until Jason had finished. The reprimand was only partially
effective, but Jason continued his presentation. Edna and Jeremy
were only half-listening, but mostly observing closely those of the
Red.

Following Jason's presentation, the envoy
submitted his proposed format for completing the negotiations. A
scroll was unrolled which detailed the individual points of the
peace negotiations; under each was a list of specific details which
needed to be completed. It was a long scroll, and by the time the
summary was complete Jeremy was already tired of sitting. The hours
dragged into days and the days into weeks as the negotiating teams
worked their way through the document. Jeremy and Edna mostly sat
and held hands under the table watching the proceedings.

That evening as they yet again returned to
their ship, Jeremy complained, "I will be an old man before we
complete these negotiations."

Jason responded, "I expect it is hard for you
to put up with the protocol of government but it is a necessary
evil. Those of the Red seemed to have some fear of you so it is
good for you to be there."

Jeremy asked, "Why does the little man
dressed as a pompous pet bird always seem to disrupt things and
slow the progress?"

Jason explained, "He is the King's nephew and
representative. His elaborate dress is to signify his royal
position. It would appear the guild leaders must be subjected to
his approval. He definitely has made his best effort to derail the
negotiations."

Jeremy said, "I like him not. He whispers and
always is repeating that religious chant about evil spirits."

They discussed the progress of the
negotiations, and Jason said, "We have worked through the worst of
the problems. The many remaining issues are mostly matters of
protocol. I would hope that in another week or so we will have
finished our negotiations."

Jeremy shrugged his shoulders and said, "I
would think the one who looks like a pet bird will do his best to
make sure we do not finish. Why would they not want to complete the
negotiations?" he asked.

Jason tried to explain how all governments
have divisions within them and that all parties in the same
government do not always share the same goals. The discussion moved
to the technical points of the next day’s negotiations and Edna and
Jeremy went topside to enjoy the open sky above.

The next day dragged on like all the previous
days with Jeremy and Edna really not paying attention but merely
watching the people. The one Jeremy referred to as a pet bird kept
glancing at them and then quickly looking away. Towards the end of
the day a short break was called when the envoy was called away.
During the break the Pet Bird walked by Jeremy and Edna. He stopped
behind Edna and touched her neck and hair saying, "I would you join
me in bed tonight."

Jeremy reacted instantly and his fist met the
little man's face full on, sending him flying against the wall.
Immediately armed guards appeared with their spears leveled at
Jeremy. Edna grabbed one of the spears and turned it on her
attackers, keeping them from advancing on Jeremy, but even more
guards appeared armed with swords and bows. The whole room now
appeared full of palace guards. Jason tried to calm the situation,
but the guard simply isolated Edna and Jeremy from the rest of the
party by brute force.

When the envoy returned he found Edna and
Jeremy on the conference table, Edna clutching a single spear and
surrounded by the palace guards. When he demanded an explanation,
one of the guards pointed to the Pet Bird who was still unconscious
against the wall. A look of understanding swept over the envoy as
he realized why he was called away. Another official of the King
showed up and began shouting orders. The envoy told Jeremy and
Edna, "It would be best for you to surrender, for he has given the
order for your death if you do not."

Edna slowly lowered her spear as the guards
carefully stepped forward and tightly bound them with ropes before
dragging them off. As the room gradually cleared, the envoy
maintained his silence until only those from the far-off lands
remained. He said, "You must return to the ship. Tell the Captain
that I have ordered your protection and that he shall honor only
the green and white flag."

Jason demanded an explanation of what had
happened, but the envoy only said, "My enemies have played their
hand. Now I must plan the next move." With that he left and Jason
and the others did as they were told and returned to the ship.

The Captain received the message from Jason
with grave solemnity. He responded only with, "Those of the palace
will not dare challenge us directly but we must be wary."

When Jason and the others gathered, they
discussed what little they knew. Jason explained how they were
witnessing some sort of revolt within the government. When Larby
asked about Jeremy and Edna, Jason could only say, "They are but
pawns in this battle but I fear greatly for them."

After a very quiet and subdued meal Jason
sought out the Captain. The Captain asked what had precipitated the
event. Jason explained how the envoy had been called away, and how
the King’s representative, the Pet Bird, had approached Edna and
touched her, saying he wished her to share his bed.

The Captain was lost in thought for several
minutes before explaining, "Those of the royal blood have
instituted a custom whereby it is to be considered an honor for one
of the lower classes to be invited to their bed. It may be the most
despised of all the royal customs. Most assuredly this was a
well-planned attack on the one you call the envoy and your friends
are but the bait."

Jason asked, "And what of my friends?"

The Captain looked not at Jason before
replying, "For one of the unclean to touch one of the royal blood
is punishable by death."

It was now Jason who was quiet as he thought
long and hard before saying, "The enemies of the envoy will attempt
to barter the lives of Jeremy and Edna in exchange for the power
the envoy controls. I would assume this power is the loyalty of the
military.”

"Our military has always been somewhat
separate from the palace,” said the Captain. “It is the only
balance of power in the kingdom. Now we have been decimated by the
war pushed upon us by those of the palace. I expect they see this
as their opportunity to gain complete control."

Jason nodded in understanding and said only,
"It would seem that other than praying to our God of the Sacred
Water, all we can do now is wait."

The Captain responded, "If praying helps, so
be it. I fear little can be done for your friends, for the one you
call the envoy cannot give in to their demands for the sake of our
kingdom."

Jason accepted the Captain’s statement but
added, "I know little of the power of the Forest, but it is strong
in Edna; there may yet be hope."

Chapter 4

In the village of Issip winter was finally
coming to an end and the snow just beginning to recede. It was not
yet light but Heather was awake—not because of her baby but rather
because of a dream. Her grandmother, who had not visited her for
some time, stood by her bed looking down at her, saying nothing.
Sleep would not return. Heather finally arose, being careful not to
awaken Daniel or their baby, and kindled the fire. She sat in the
rocking chair and watched the flames, trying to make sense of her
grandmother's visit.

Daniel awoke as dawn was approaching and
found his bride thus seated. He asked, "Did baby Geoffrey awaken
you?"

Heather smiled just a little. "No, our son
sleeps. My grandmother paid me a visit."

Daniel was quiet for some time before asking,
"What did she have to say?"

Heather had a tightlipped smile as she
replied, "She said not. She just stood and looked at me as if
saying I should be doing something."

"What were you supposed to be doing?"

With just a little bit of a tear in her eyes,
Heather responded, "I know not."

Daniel shrugged his shoulders and said, "The
God of the Sacred Water will make it evident soon enough. For now
we should concentrate on the breaking of the fast."

They had no sooner finished a small meal of
bread and cheese when Betty and her son arrived. She looked
terrible, as if she had seen a spirit. Heather asked, "What is
wrong?"

Betty replied, "I think I heard Edna just
before awakening. It was terrible. The chains were cutting into her
wrist and the rats ran across her while she tried to sleep."

"Where is she?"

Betty was now openly crying and could only
sob, "I know not."

Just then baby Geoffrey announced he was
awake and needed to be fed. While Heather went to her baby, Daniel
tried to comfort Betty but she would not be comforted. For a while
Heather concentrated on nursing her baby while her mind tried to
figure out why the coincidence between her grandmother's visit and
Betty's dream. Even Betty's young son was quiet as if he too knew
something was wrong. Heather asked Betty, "Can you hear Edna from
so far away?"

Betty shook her head and said, "Only a
little."

Heather recalled working in the sewing room
and how Betty had first noted her ability to hear the . She had
just finished nursing her baby when she heard the knock on the
door. One of the women of Issip presented, saying, "We are
gathering to try and help. Come join us."

Heather handed their baby to Daniel for the
care he needed on the other end and reached for her cape. She and
Betty joined with the other and made their way to the sewing room.
Already it was full of the women of the village who most easily
heard the . They had started work again on a large quilt and were
visiting quietly. Nothing was said of Betty's dream and the
quilting went on as ever. Heather finally asked, "Can you help
Betty hear Edna?"

One of the elder women replied, "The Spirits
of the Forest are most easily heard when the mind and soul are
quiet. It would be best if you joined in the quilting and let the
spirits present when they're ready."

Heather did as she was told and began
embroidering the square she was given. Betty, who did not
embroider, was given a square to edge. They worked quietly as the
chatter of the women gradually calmed them. It was nearly time for
the midday meal and Heather was beginning to worry about needing to
feed her baby when Betty developed a far-off look. She said nothing
for some time and then spoke. "She and Jeremy in prison because of
a fight. She afraid. Glad to hear me. Need help."

Heather asked, "What can we do to help?"

Betty said not for many minutes and then
replied, "Jeremy wants to know if we can hear those of the
Red?"

The leader said, "If Edna can hear them we
should also hear them, for the Spirits of the Forest keep us
connected."