Emerald of the Elves (18 page)

The three men returned to their table, and Tedi sat down opposite Natia. The soldier looked around the room and shook his head knowingly.

“So these two gypsies attacked you way over there?” smirked the soldier. “That is why three of you were standing over here holding your wrists? I don’t suppose that these two daggers on the floor belong to the gypsies, do they?”

The soldier turned to Tedi and glared at him. “It seems the gypsies are the only ones who don’t have a story to tell yet,” he sighed. “What is your story?”

“We are not looking for trouble,” Tedi said hesitantly. “There were some unfortunate mistakes made by some of the men in the room. We seek no punishment for them. I am sure that they are sorry already.”

“I asked what happened,” the soldier stated sternly.

“They tried to touch my wife,” shrugged Tedi. “I knocked their daggers from their hands with my staff. Nothing more.”

The soldier turned and glared at the three men with the wounded wrists. “Get out of here before the gypsies change their minds,” he bellowed.

All twelve men rose and fled into the street. The soldier bent down and picked up the two daggers. He saw the blood trail on the floor. He rose and glared at Tedi again.

“You said you struck them with your staff,” accused the soldier. “Why is there blood here?”

“I did that as one of them was reaching for my body,” confessed Natia as she slowly drew her knife and held it up for inspection. “I did not want to embarrass the men by stating that in front of them. We only wish to be left alone.”

The soldier nodded slowly and left the inn. The innkeeper hurried over with a rag and wiped up the blood. He rose and glared at Tedi.

“You must leave,” he declared. “You have ruined my business for tonight.”

“But we did nothing wrong,” protested Natia.

“Then why am I wiping up blood from the floor?” retorted the innkeeper. “Do you know how much those men would have drunk tonight?”

“We only want some time alone,” insisted Tedi as he placed two more gold coins on the table. “We do not mean for you to suffer because of us. I fear that we must stay the night now. I think those men will be waiting outside for us.”

“It is not allowed,” the innkeeper shook his head as he eyed the two gold coins.

“Then get us up at the latest possible hour that is allowed,” shrugged Tedi. “Hopefully those men will be drunk by then, and the streets will be safe for my wife.”

The innkeeper grabbed the two gold coins and nodded. “I will only knock once,” promised the innkeeper with a nod. “It is your responsibility to get up and leave. You should think about joining the Army of Abuud. Your talents could be used.”

“I have heard the prophet speak once,” smiled Tedi. “He is a most persuasive speaker. I was hoping for the chance to see him again.”

“Really?” smiled the innkeeper. “Then you should do so. He is on his way to Mya. Perhaps you can catch him there.”

“We will certainly try to,” grinned Tedi. “May we take these plates to our room?”

“I don’t see why not,” nodded the innkeeper. “Take the room right at the top of the stairs. The key is inside the room.”

“Thank you,” smiled Tedi as he rose.

Natia rose and picked up both plates. Tedi left the mugs and took his staff. He picked up his pack on the way to the stairs. When they entered the room, Tedi tossed the pack onto the bed and leaned his staff against the wall.

“Now that was exciting,” grinned Natia. “You handled it very well.”

“Gypsies and their excitement,” Tedi shook his head. He opened his two breast pockets and let Droplet and Twerp out.

“I don’t care much for traveling in the dark like that,” stated Twerp. “Do we have a window?”

“We have a window,” chuckled Tedi as the two fairies fluttered to the bedposts. “Now all we have to do is wait. Why don’t you fairies go and check out the gate. It is dark out already.”

“I will go,” giggled Droplet. “I think Twerp is afraid of the dark.”

“I am not,” scowled Twerp as Droplet flew out the window. “I just don’t like to be blinded when there is fighting going on. Tedi could have fallen on us or something like that.”

Natia laughed as Twerp flew out the window. She moved the pack off the bed and slid onto the covers. Tedi locked the door and reclined next to Natia. Within moments, he was asleep.

It was six hours later when Twerp flew in the window and landed on Tedi’s ear. Tedi’s hand flew up to his ear reflexively, and Twerp laughed as he leaped into the air to avoid it. Tedi’s eyes popped open. He sat up and shook Natia.

“It is time,” declared Twerp. “All of the men on the wall are asleep except for the two at the gate. We will put them asleep while we are waiting for you.”

Twerp flew back out the window, and Tedi opened his pack. He extracted a long coil of rope and looped it around one of the legs of the bed. He leaned out the window and looked both ways before tossing both ends of the rope down into the alley. Tedi grabbed both strands of the rope and lowered himself to the ground. Natia leaned out the window and tossed the staff down to Tedi. The pack immediately followed it. Tedi leaned his staff against the wall and kicked the pack out of the way. He held one strand in each hand and waited for Natia to climb out of the window.

When Natia climbed out of the window, Tedi felt a tug on one of the strands. He quickly grabbed that strand with both hands and held it while Natia climbed down the other strand. As soon as she was on the ground, Tedi pulled the rope until it all tumbled at his feet. He scooped it up and put it in the pack. He grabbed his staff and ran lightly to the stables. He put the pack onto his horse and emerged back into the alley. Natia was waiting for him.

The gypsies stole down the alley to the wall. Tedi peered towards the gate and saw the two guards prone. He grabbed Natia’s hand and led her to the gate. He propped his staff against the wall and pulled one of the bodies away from the gates. Natia moved the other body.

“Twerp has gone to inform Baron Timor that the gates are open,” reported Droplet. “Better make sure that they are.”

Tedi and Natia each took an end of the beam holding the gate closed. They lifted it free from the gate and slid it into the slot in the wall where it was kept. Tedi cracked one of the gates open and peered out. He couldn’t see anything, but he heard the sounds of the approaching army. He waited until he saw the forms of riders approaching the gates. Tedi swung one gate open while Natia pushed the other one back. They moved to the sides as the Army of the West poured into the city.

After about a third of the army had entered the city, several riders moved out of the column and halted next to Tedi. The riders dismounted and tied their horses to a rail.

“You did fine, lad,” congratulated Baron Timor. “You and your lass. You make a good team.”

“Tedi? Isn’t it?” asked another rider.

“Yes it is, Reese,” nodded Tedi. “I am flattered that you remember me.”

“Flattered?” chuckled Reese. “Anyone who rides with the Prince of Alcea is special to me. I shall never forget you or Wylan. I still praise the day you three river rats descended onto my docks.”

“Have you retaken Cleb?” asked Tedi as the first sounds of combat filtered through the air.

“We did,” frowned Reese. “These crazy buggers are fanatics. They refuse to surrender, even when it is obvious that their cause is lost. We lost some fine men retaking Cleb by giving the scum a chance to give it up. We will not make the same mistake here in Klandon.”

“They are told that they will go to a special place in paradise if they die in battle,” shrugged Tedi. “You cannot reason with people like that.”

“Well,” smiled Reese, “you did a fine job opening these gates for us. You saved a lot of lives tonight. Maybe that evens us up with the losses at Cleb. Did you have any trouble?”

“Not with the gates,” answered Tedi. “The fairies took care of that for us. We had a minor problem at the inn, but it turned out all right. I suspect the only prisoners you will get tonight are the ones that the fairies put to sleep.”

“How many men are in this Army of the West?” asked Natia as she ran through a gap in the column to stand next to Tedi.

“We have five thousand fighting men with us,” replied Reese. “We will pick up another thousand when we meet up with King Altaro.”

“That is not much considering the size of Azmet’s army,” frowned Tedi.

“It is the best we can do right now,” shrugged Reese. “We do have another six thousand men guarding our cities and towns. We could pull off half of them if we had more horses and weapons.”

“The gypsies might be able to get more horses,” offered Natia. “It is our specialty.”

“I will never curse another gypsy as long as I live,” chuckled Reese. “The horses you brought to Southland were a blessing. We would be two thousand men less right now without them. If you can get more, I certainly have a use for them.”

“I think the dwarves were still making armor and weapons for the army when we left Dorgun,” interjected Tedi. “They follow Prince Arik now, so I am sure that we can get more.”

“Fairies, dwarves, unicorns, and gypsies,” Reese shook his head. “This son of Oscar is going to be one amazing king.”

“He is going to have to be,” declared Wylan. “There will be hordes sent against him. I shudder when I remember the sight from the Castle of Man. Tens of thousands of goblins and ogres.”

“That does not even include Sarac’s human army,” interjected Baron Timor.

“Or the Lanoirians,” frowned Bin-lu. “They may not be Sarac’s, but they will be going to Tagaret nonetheless.”

“Do you really think they will come this far north?” asked Baron Timor.

“This far north and beyond,” nodded Bin-lu. “Emperor Hanchi plans to rule the world. Unless somebody in Sordoa can beat him, he will show up in Tagaret.”

“Maybe if all of the rogue armies in Sordoa banded together,” mused Baron Timor, “they might stand a chance, but even then I doubt it.”

“Then it looks like you need more horses and weapons,” shrugged Tedi. “After we reach Tagaret, Natia and I will be returning to the gypsies. We will see that you get the supplies you need.”

“Then we should keep in touch,” suggested Reese. “I am sure that we will get some horses and weapons from Azmet’s men. There is no sense in endangering the gypsies if we do not need all of the three thousand horses that I mentioned before.”

* * *

Master Khatama sat on a log with Fredrik watching Niki groom the horses for the second time.

“I never thought I would see Niki doing such a chore,” commented Fredrik. “She really appears to like it. You have done wonders for her Master Khatama.”

“She has worked for the powers she has,” replied Boris. “It is a rather unique skill these days.”

“I believe it,” nodded Fredrik. “I have never heard of animal talkers before. Still, you are the one who opened up her talents for her. I really appreciate what you have done for her.”

“You like her very much, don’t you?” asked Boris.

“I love her,” responded Fredrik. “I know most people would think me crazy for saying that, but I do not care. I plan to marry her when she will have me.”

“I can believe that,” smiled Boris. “You gave up Cidal for her. Then the Rangers and the Council in Tagaret.”

“I would give up anything for her,” declared Fredrik. “Even my life.”

“That is as strong as love gets,” nodded Master Khatama as he gazed strangely at Fredrik. “She is special. That is for sure.”

“Many think that she is Sarac’s descendent,” commented Fredrik.

“No,” Boris shook his head. “That is one thing she is not.”

“Are you sure?” questioned Fredrik.

“Without a doubt,” replied Boris. “Her magical skills came neither from Sarac nor Aurora.”

“But she carries Aurora’s cloak,” insisted Fredrik.

“And that is most puzzling to me,” declared Boris. “How long have you known Niki?”

“A very long time,” answered Fredrik. “We met in Trekum around five years ago. I was not attracted to her at first. I guess she just grew on me.”

“Did she have many friends?” questioned Master Khatama.

“No,” frowned Fredrik. “Actually, she had no friends. Niki has always been peculiar. Most people will not take the time to understand her as you and I have.”

“Niki told me at one time that she got that cloak from another girl,” Boris said. “You have known Niki longer than anyone else I know. Perhaps you know who the other girl was?”

“She told you that?” Fredrik replied softly. “She never told me that,” he continued after a moment’s hesitation.

“Well that is what Niki said, and I believe her,” stated Boris.

“Oh, I would not doubt her word,” nodded Fredrik. “Master Khatama, would you consider taking me on as a student? I know that you have great skill, and I could use the instruction.”

Boris chuckled.

“I take it that I am imposing,” Fredrik said sadly. “I understand. I really have no right to boldly ask such a thing of a master.”

“You, Fredrik, are a gambler,” chuckled Boris. “And a very clever one as well. Do you really wish to learn magic?”

“More than anything,” Fredrik nodded vigorously.

“Now that I do not believe,” frowned Master Khatama. “Let me explain something about myself to you before we continue this conversation. I am not prepared to take on any full-time students. However, I will teach magic as I travel to certain select people. There are four things that I require of said persons. I am not sure that you are capable of complying with my demands.”

“I certainly would try to,” promised Fredrik. “What are the four demands?”

“Talent is the first,” declared Boris. “Without talent, my instructions would be worthless. Dedication is the second, for without it, all of the rest is pointless. Loyalty is the third. I have in the past trained those who I wish I had not. Never again will I train someone whose loyalty is in doubt. The fourth is honesty. I cannot and will not stand for a lack of honesty in a student. While the last two are not requirements to learn to be a master, they are my requirements for a student.”

“And you obviously think that I am lacking in at least one of those,” frowned Fredrik.