Dark Quest (11 page)

“Very well, General, but keep him under surveillance. You must realize that the King had no heir and my Council of Advisors will chose the next king. I certainly will favor those who are loyal to me in times of trouble.”

“I have had him under surveillance for some time. Perhaps some of his troops are required in the frontier. I will make those arrangements as soon as I notify the Council of your desire for a meeting.”

The Duke smiled at the General’s back as he left the office.

The Council of Advisors was assembled and informed of the King’s death. Duke Nelson called the meeting to order. “Gentlemen, it is imperative that we stabilize the Kingdom by naming a new King. Is there an heir?”

“There is always an heir,” offered Duke Lanker. “The problem we face is trying to find him. One would expect with a sonless King that potential heirs would have plagued his reign, but, to my knowledge, there has never been one. We will have to search the archives and explore the family tree.”

“Well,” Duke Nelson confidently proclaimed, “I’m sure that we will find the heir. In the meantime, we need a Regent to carry out the mundane affairs of the Kingdom. Having been the right arm of the King for many years, I can assume those duties while we are searching for the heir. I have been handling most of the duties already and my appointment will not give our neighbors the impression of instability.”

There were murmurs around the chamber and some bickering and posturing, but Duke Nelson knew that the dukes were so individually aggressive that none of them could build a majority. Within an hour Duke Nelson was proclaimed the Regent.

The process was repeated for naming Duke Nelson’s replacement as King’s Advisor. For a while it appeared that Duke Eddington might swing enough votes, but Duke Clemens withdrew his support and started the bickering anew. Duke Nelson was tiring of the nonsense. He had already gotten what he wanted. He surveyed the room and chose the one person who was not posturing for the position. Duke Whitley had not been on the Council long enough to have formed bitter enemies. “Gentlemen, please! This is only a temporary position and there is much to do in the Kingdom. As Regent, I want someone as my Advisor who will not polarize this Council. We need to act as one in these times of trouble. I would like to nominate Duke Whitley for the post. When the new king is crowned and I have returned to this Council, we can resume our posturing.”

There were more murmurs but each side was happy that the appointment of Duke Whitley would stop the other camp from gaining in power. Regent Nelson thanked the Council for their cooperation and left them to their business.

Duke Whitley’s first act of office was to nominate Duke Dalek for the open spot on the Council. The nomination was accepted and a runner sent to summon Oscar.

Regent Nelson walked into General Clark’s office. “General, I am officially notifying you that I am now Regent of Targa. What are the results of your investigation?”

“Congratulations, Sire. Unfortunately, we have not found the culprit yet.”

“Tell me, General, were there any outsiders in the Palace during the night?”

“No, Regent. We checked every gate and no outsiders came or went during the night.”

“Okay. Now, we know that none of the Palace staff could visit such brutality as we discovered this morning. Which of the Red Guards or regular army are strong enough to deal such devastating blows?”

“Regent, in all my years of battle, I have never seen such carnage as that. I would not have believed that a single slice of a sword could do such damage, if it weren’t for the reports of Tork’s prowess in the goblin war.”

“Yes, that is what I have been thinking myself. General, have Alexander Tork arrested immediately.”

“But, Regent, I don’t believe he is even on the Palace grounds. The last I heard, he was training the Rangers up north somewhere.”

“Impossible, one of my aides informed me that she saw Tork this morning in the courtyard.”

“One of your aides, Sire?” quizzed the General.

“Yes, General. I’m quite sure that is what Aurora said.”

“Very well, I’ll have him arrested.”

Sergeant Ferguson walked into Colonel Gregor’s office. “Colonel, the General has issued a warrant for Alex’s arrest for the murder of King Eugene.”

“He can’t be serious. Alex would never harm his fellow Red Swords much less the King. Did anyone point out to the General that Alex is on the other side of the country?”

“Supposedly, one of Regent Nelson’s aides said she saw Alex in the courtyard that morning. Of course, we both know that it is impossible to travel that distance in such a short period of time.”

Colonel Gregor reflected on Alex’s trip to Kantor and wondered if anyone else was aware of his short trip. The Colonel had taken it upon himself to cover for Alex. Something was not right with this entire affair. Something kept clawing at the Colonel’s subconscious mind, always just outside his grasp. “Fergy could you possibly imagine Alex doing something like this, for any reason?”

“No, Sir. The man would never harm Targa, not even if his own life depended on it.”

“That’s what I feel too, Fergy. I think I’m going home and get some sleep. This has been a very stressful day.”

Colonel Gregor left the Palace and headed for the Sword and Shield. He sat alone and ate a plate of stew before retiring to his room. He was alone in the corner of his room for about five minutes before the door opened and closed. The young man avoided the windows and sat on the floor next to the Colonel. “You’re still being followed, you know.”

“Yes, Larc, I noticed him when I left the Palace. Things are not going well. They’ve issued an arrest warrant for Alex for killing the King.”

“Impossible. Alex couldn’t do it. He’s being set up to distract attention from the real killer.”

“Yes, but who is the real killer, Larc? The General issued the warrant on the orders of the Regent. The Regent’s aide saw Alex in the courtyard that morning, but who is telling the truth? The General might have convinced the Regent to have the warrant issued. The Regent might be covering for someone else or his aide may be lying for reasons of her own.”

“Are you saying this aide is a female?” asked Larc.

“Yes. I assumed you knew. It’s the same girl who has been Nelson’s companion for some time. After his wife died last week, he arranged for her to be his aide in the Palace. I think she even has a room there.”

“That would explain why we haven’t been able to find her,” commented Larc. “Someone should get word to Alex before he gets hanged as an assassin. Do you know where I can find him?”

“Not really. He’s been out training a new group of soldiers called the Rangers. I’ve given him complete control of the group so he is free to go where he wants. I know two of the areas he wants to concentrate on are mountain climbing and survival training. That would suggest the Boulders. I wish I could be more specific. You realize, Larc, that if the Army finds him, he probably won’t fight.”

“The same can’t be said for me and my men, Colonel. Alex Tork is not an assassin and I will not stand by and allow him to be killed. If it comes down to a contest between Alex, the outlaw, and Nelson, the King, my men will stand with Alex. I suspect that most of yours would, too.”

The Colonel realized that what Larc was talking about was civil war. The Red Swords were sworn to protect the King, but Alex was a hero to them and there was no King. He had to get the warrant rescinded before the country self-destructed, but his intervention with either the General or Nelson would be futile. “Larc, don’t put your Spiders in front of the army. That would only result in a loss to the Kingdom, no matter which side won. When you find Alex, tell him to remain hidden and not to return to Tagaret until I can find some way to get this warrant canceled. See if you can set up your network to monitor army movements and keep Alex informed so that he can avoid a confrontation. Work with me, Larc. I’m on your side.”

The Colonel returned to the Palace and went to visit Lord Habas. Verifying that they were alone, he said, “Lord Habas, there is some information that I need to know. I am aware that you have some means to travel great distances in a small amount of time. Would you know if Alexander Tork has utilized this transportation lately?”

Lord Habas showed no emotion and sat silently for some time.

“Lord Habas,” Colonel Gregor pleaded, “I know that you helped Alex get to Oscar’s wedding. I had to cover for Alex when the General wanted to know how he could have been in Kantor. Alex did not want to reveal what is obviously some kind of secret between you and Egam, so I promised not to push him further. Things are different now. There has been a warrant issued for his arrest for the death of King Eugene.”

The Colonel saw the shock of his revelation register on Lord Habas’ face. “Even worse, one of the Regent’s aides reported seeing Alex in the courtyard this morning. I can’t believe that Alex could be involved, but my knowledge of his ability to travel is haunting me. I must know if he was really here or someone is lying.”

“Someone is lying,” responded the Magician. “Alex was transported by magical means to Kantor, but I can state unequivocally that unless he walked through one of the Palace gates, Alex was not here today. What I am saying, Colonel, is that there is absolutely no way that he entered this Palace by magical means anytime in the last month.”

“Thank you, Lord Habas. I needed that small sliver of doubt removed from my mind. It has been clouding my judgment and not allowing me to concentrate on the investigation. Is there a way for you to get a message to Alex for me?”

“I do not know where Alex is, but I will try to get him a message if it is in his best interests.”

“Lord Habas, you do not hold a monopoly on fondness and concern for our young hero. Alex can count on me for help in any situation he may find himself. The message is for him to hide. The Army undoubtedly is searching for him and I want him to avoid a confrontation and by all means avoid capture. I fear that if he gives himself up to the Army, he will not live to see a trial.”

“Colonel, I will see that the message gets delivered. You must not mention Alex’s transportation to anyone. It could get us all killed.”

Lord Habas waited until the Colonel left the room and then he left by another Door. The Magician had to knock to get through to Atar’s Cove. Egam and Jenneva welcomed him.

“We have trouble,” Lord Habas began. “King Eugene has been murdered in his bed and the Army is searching for Alex to hang him for it. I have a message from Colonel Gregor that Alex is to hide and not allow himself to be captured. Do you know where I can find him?”

It took a while for the news to register and then Jenneva and Egam wanted every detail that Lord Habas could remember. Egam and Jenneva decided to look for Alex together while Lord Habas returned to the Palace and snooped around. The Royal Magician would have to fly back from Egam’s cave as he had made sure to close his Door before he left the laboratory.

The eagle and the owl flew high over the Boulders, searching for Alex. They spotted him quickly as he was only several miles east of Egam’s cave. They swooped down and landed several hundred feet away behind an outcropping of rock.

Concentrate. Never doubt your abilities.

I love you!

Three hundred feet west. Come alone.

Alex turned to Mitar and told him to take over and jogged to the west. He rounded the bend and gave Jenneva a hug and kissed her. “What brings you to the sunny peaks of the Boulders?”

“Something very serious, I’m afraid,” stated Egam. He explained what Lord Habas had told them and passed the Colonel’s message along, as well.

“Something serious, indeed,” sighed Alex. “I cannot pit my men against their brothers. To even tell them about the King’s death is dangerous, but to not tell them leaves me without an alibi.”

“Why is it dangerous to tell them?” asked Jenneva.

“There are two reasons. I wouldn’t be able to explain how I found out and I believe these men might be tempted to fight the Army to protect me. I can’t allow them to do that.”

Egam noticed the telescope hanging from Alex’s belt. “You’ve been to Glendor?”

“Yes, the elves helped us defeat a goblin army. I have killed a King, but it was King Guldar of the goblins. Galdan speaks fondly of you, Egam.”

“Okay,” plotted Egam. “I can go to Glendor and have them send you a message regarding the King’s death and the warrant. Your men would not question the elves having such information. You could then order your men not to fight the Army. If they respect you, they will obey your orders and you will have your alibi.”

Egam gazed out across the plain of the northlands and pondered. “Alex, my cave is only miles from here. You could safely hide there for years. You could even get to Atar’s Cove from there. There are also old dwarf tunnels that connect my cave to Glendor, although there are still dwarves in some of the tunnels.”

“No,” Alex responded. “I came up here to make my men into the finest fighting force alive to serve the Kingdom. I cannot let my personal problems detract from their training. I like your idea about Glendor, but I cannot go into seclusion. I have a job to do and I will not shy away from it. If my men cannot elude the Army, then I haven’t trained them properly.”

“Is there a possibility that your men will chose not to follow you?” asked Jenneva.

“Yes, there is. I’ve selected these men not only for their skills, but their willingness to die for the Kingdom. Each of these men is a patriot of Targa, but that is a chance that I will take. My men will know that I did not kill King Eugene. They will have to choose between blind obedience to the Crown and doing what I think is in the best interest of the Crown.”

Alex embraced Jenneva before leaving. All the way back to his men he could smell the fragrance of Atar’s Cove that had permeated her hair. He wondered if he would ever smell it again.

Egam directed Jenneva to stand on the mountain path while he entered the valley. Egam stepped onto the forest path and stopped. “I am Egam, one who is welcome in Glendor. I bring with me Jenneva, one who is unknown to Glendor. I request permission for Jenneva to enter.” Egam waited. He knew a runner was being sent to relay the request and his answer would arrive in due time.