Emerald of the Elves (33 page)

“Nothing worth mentioning,” declared the voice. “There are still rebels in the hills of Lanoir, and gypsies, too. There was talk that Hanchi would not strike out for Sordoa until the rebels were defeated. I guess he changed his mind. Strange that he is attacking Sordoa and not caring about the possible loss of his own homeland.”

“Are these rebels and gypsies capable of taking over Lanoir?” questioned Mikal.

“I don’t see why not,” mused the voice. “Hanchi has brought his entire army with him to Sordoa. There is no army left in Lanoir to defend it.”

“That is most strange,” agreed Mikal. “He would gain little by conquering Sordoa if he losses Lanoir. It certainly would be a poor trade. How sure are you of your information?”

“Very sure,” promised the voice. “Those who are in the know, say it is like the emperor woke up one morning and was a different man. Certainly his goals changed overnight.”

“Is there any other opposition in Sordoa?” inquired Mikal.

“Nothing between Trekum and Melbin,” replied the voice. “Toresh has been abandoned. Sarac’s people moved north of Sordoa. The Cidal mercenaries are in Tagaret. All of the other armies are gathering in Trekum.”

“How long can Trekum hold out?” asked Mikal.

“Hard to say,” mused the voice. “There is still time for armies to get to Trekum to join the fighting, but not much longer. Hanchi’s army moves slowly. They carry their own provisions and many in the army are on foot. That is what is slowing them down. It certainly is not opposition. There hasn’t been any.”

“Thanks,” Mikal said. “You have answered the main question that needed answering.”

Mikal left the dark room and closed the door. He walked through the dim corridor and opened the door to the alley. Seeing nobody in the alley, Mikal slid out of the building and made his way towards the street at the end of the alley. As he neared the end of the alley, the light form torches on the street illuminated him.

“Stop right there, Obanik,” hissed a voice from the darkness behind Mikal.

Mikal turned around slowly and peered into the darkness. He listened to the footsteps as the man came closer. As the man stepped into the light, Mikal saw Hanjel with a crossbow aimed at his chest.

“You aren’t getting away this time, Obanik,” snarled Hanjel.

Mikal’s first thoughts were of Lomar. The guard had seemed sincere, and Mikal did not want to believe that he had been conned by Lomar, but he had to know for sure. “How did you know I was in town?” Mikal asked.

“The innkeeper at the Fluttering Jib recognized the children that you travel with,” snickered Hanjel. “So you have taken up traveling with dwarves now. Can’t say that I am surprised much. Scum like you always want to be around people that are inferior. That is probably how you get your reputation for being so skilled. Compared to those misfits that you ride with, anyone would look good. Pity that I have to do you in this alley. I would love to watch your face when your children hang.”

“Hang?” asked Mikal nervously. “Why would they hang?”

“For helping the witch escape the last time you were here,” sneered Hanjel. “As if you didn’t know. Your game is up in Melbin, Obanik. I passed up a promotion to be here tonight. It was worth it.”

I need your help this time, Jenneva. There is no way that I can outrun a crossbow.

“Look, Hanjel,” staled Mikal. “You are being childish. Put down the crossbow, and we can both walk away from this.”

“I will be the only one to walk away from this,” cackled Hanjel. “Don’t rush me. I have waited five years for this moment. I want to enjoy watching you squirm.”

A loud screech echoed through the alleyway. Something darted through the light and cast an eerie shadow on the walls of the buildings. Hanjel looked up to see what it was. The eagle soared down out of the darkness, its large sharp talons extended before it. Hanjel raised an arm to ward off the bird of prey, but he was too late. The eagle struck at Hanjel’s face, its sharp talons piercing his eyes. Hanjel screamed and dropped the crossbow. His hands flew to his face as the Lanoirian Star flew down the alley and struck his chest. Hanjel fell to the ground lifeless. The eagle flew into the darkness of the alley.

“That was too close,” Yolinda said as she walked out of the darkness. “We need to get out of this city tonight. Lomar will have you arrested for sure.”

“It was too close,” nodded Mikal, “but we are not leaving the city. The Children have been arrested.”

“Are you sure?” questioned Yolinda.

“I am not positive,” frowned Mikal, “but for once Hanjel had no need to lie. Let’s go check the Fluttering Jib.”

“I am sticking with you until we leave this city,” vowed Yolinda. “I will not lose you to some deranged king who is living his last year.”

“I do not think the King Alfred is all that unreasonable,” commented Mikal. “He is struck with his own power, but the people of Melbin have allowed that to happen. Your flying skills are excellent by the way. Remind me never to complain about your cooking.”

“You had better not,” giggled Yolinda. “How do we get the Children out of prison if they are indeed there?”

“We get arrested,” smiled Mikal.

Mikal and Yolinda walked to the Fluttering Jib. Mikal waited outside while Yolinda went in and inquired about the Children. She came out almost instantly.

“The innkeeper told me that he never heard of them,” reported Yolinda. “He was lying, and I told him so. He finally confessed that the guards arrested them about an hour ago.”

“We need to find Lomar,” sighed Mikal, “but first I want to get my staff. I do not want another sword battle in this city.”

Mikal left Yolinda in the street and ran to get his staff. When Mikal returned, Yolinda was talking to Lomar in the middle of the street. Mikal walked over and joined the conversation.

“He was in the common room of the Fluttering Jib,” explained Yolinda.

“I was waiting for Hanjel,” shrugged Lomar. “He likes to hang out there. Why are you looking for me, and who was Yolinda looking for in the Fluttering Jib? She wouldn’t tell me anything until you returned.”

“We were traveling with three others,” explained Mikal. “They were arrested for something that happened the last time we were here.”

“The ones with the dwarf?” asked Lomar.

“Yes,” nodded Mikal. “I need to get them released.”

“Are you daft?” asked Lomar. “Look, letting you spend the night in the city is one thing, but I will not be a party to breaking the law. Forget you even mentioned this to me, or I will arrest you.”

“Then you shall have to arrest me,” insisted Mikal. “I need to speak to King Alfred, and if getting arrested is the only way that I can do it, then I surrender.”

“Surrender?” gasped Lomar. “You are indeed daft. King Alfred was explicit when he banned you from this city. He will have you killed. I will not be a party to such murder.”

“Suicide,” corrected Yolinda with the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

“Forget it,” Lomar shook his head vigorously. “I am marching both you to the stables behind the Bosun’s Chair. You are both getting on your horses, and I am escorting you to the gates of the city. You are leaving Melbin, and you are never coming back. If you step one foot inside the gates, I will personally drag you before King Alfred. Is that clear enough for you?”

“Let’s save everyone a bit of time here,” sighed Mikal. “I killed Hanjel tonight. He came at me in a dark alley with a crossbow. I had no choice. It was him or me, so I killed him.”

“I helped,” smiled Yolinda. “It would not be fair for you to take all of the credit, Mikal.”

“That’s true,” nodded Mikal. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Yolinda.”

“You are both stark raving mad,” Lomar sighed in frustration. “You have left me no choice but to arrest you. I should have kicked you out of the city when I had a chance.”

Yolinda and Mikal Obanik were led into the palace. Two-dozen guards stood in the entry foyer guarding Arik, Tanya, and Prince Darok. The three captives sat on a bench outside an ornate pair of doors. At one end of the foyer were a large pile of weapons and the packs of the three captives.

“Over here,” instructed Lomar as he led Mikal and Yolinda towards the large pile. “Please deposit your weapons here. They are not permitted in the throne room.”

Mikal nodded and placed his staff down. He removed his sword and placed it gently on the pile. Next he removed Lanoirian Stars from his pouches and placed them on the floor. He added several knives as Lomar began to snicker.

Mikal turned and shrugged with a smile on his face. “I left the rest at the Bosun’s Chair,” he apologized.

“That is quite a pile for four people,” remarked Lomar. “Your woman must also contribute.”

“I have nothing to add to the pile,” shrugged Yolinda. “I abhor weapons.”

Tanya started laughing, and the guards glared at her.

“I am amazed at the levity your group can display at such a time,” frowned Lomar as he led Mikal and Yolinda to the bench. “Is it a humorous thing to be executed where you come from?”

“We would not be executed for defending ourselves,” retorted Mikal.

“That is not your only crime,” countered Lomar. “Just your presence in this city is punishable by death. Have you forgotten King Alfred’s words the last time you met?”

“I am willing to place my fate before King Alfred,” replied Mikal. “While his punishments have been known to be harsh, I believe that he can also be just when it is called for.”

“We shall see if you are right very soon,” sighed Lomar as the ornate doors opened.

Three burly men marched out of the room. They walked across the foyer and picked up their swords. They stared at the large pile of weapons and turned to gaze at the bench where the Rangers waited to be admitted to see King Alfred. They shook their heads and left the palace. One of the guards who had brought Arik, Tanya, and Darok entered the throne room. He returned promptly.

“King Alfred will see you three now,” he stated. “Let’s go.”

The three young Rangers stood and were ushered into the throne room by twelve men. Before the doors could close, Mikal and Yolinda rose and followed them into the throne room. Lomar and the other twelve guards ran after them.

“What is the meaning of…you,” glared King Alfred. “What are you doing in my city?”

The guards grabbed Mikal and Yolinda and were prepared to drag them out of the room when Mikal spoke.

“The five of us are together,” declared Mikal.

“So much the poorer for the other four,” snapped King Alfred. “The five may stay and be treated as one. All of the guards will remain. I will take no chances with Mikal Obanik.”

“I have never tried to attack your person in the past,” declared Mikal as he walked up to stand next to the three younger Rangers.

Yolinda followed his lead, leaving the group of five standing alone in the center of the room.

“I will grant you that,” nodded King Alfred, “but you still haven’t answered my question. What are you doing in my city?”

“The five of us are traveling to southern Sordoa,” declared Mikal. “We came to Melbin for supplies and information.”

“Even knowing that your presence in my city has been forbidden?” queried the king. “You do remember spurning my offer and my warning that you would be executed on your return here?”

“I do remember, Your Highness,” nodded Mikal. “I do believe that you were having a particularly bad day when you said it. That day was not so fine for me either.”

“So you take it upon yourself to determine what the laws of Melbin will be now?” mocked the king. “You must think rather highly of yourself.”

“Isn’t that what you are doing?” countered Mikal. “Haven’t you decided to make the laws what you want them to be? Haven’t you placed yourself above the interests of the people?”

“What insolence?” King Alfred scowled. “It is a pity that I can only execute you once. I can make your death very painful, though. One more outburst from you and it shall be made so.”

“Why do you find my words so hurtful?” questioned Mikal. “The reason that I am banned from Melbin is because I refused to be your general. Is that truly a cause to kill a man?”

“You killed four people if my memory serves me well,” retorted King Alfred. “Just one is enough to execute you.”

“I am sure you remember the circumstances of that day,” countered Mikal. “The deaths were not the reason for your anger. My refusal to serve you was the cause.”

“Your refusal did anger me,” admitted King Alfred. “And so it should. I was offering you a position of greatness. I was willing to overlook the deaths you committed, but you think yourself too wonderful to serve Melbin.”

“There is some truth in your words,” agreed Mikal, “but they are not accurate regarding my feelings. It is not that I felt that I was too good for Melbin. It is that I had more important work to do.”

“More important than being General of the largest army between Trekum and Tagaret?” blustered King Alfred. “I think that you delude yourself. Look at the company that you keep. A couple that is young enough to be your children and a dwarf. It does not appear to me that your task, whatever it is, could be very important at all. What task is it that requires your great skills?”

“Fulfilling the Ancient Prophecy,” answered Mikal.

“Bah,” growled King Alfred. “I have no more time for speaking nonsense with you. These children that you travel with stole a prisoner from my palace. They are condemned to die. You have returned to Melbin against my direct orders. You are condemned to die. The woman and the dwarf can go free after they have watched the executions. Take them away.”

The guards started towards the Rangers. Yolinda looked at Tanya and nodded, “Defensive only.”

Tanya smiled and nodded. Suddenly, a tremendous wind ripped out from the center of the room. All of the doors slammed shut as the gusts hit them. The approaching guards slid along the floor until they slammed into the walls and fell to the ground. Mikal dove towards the throne and rolled. He came to his feet at the foot of the throne and reached out with one hand to grasp the neck of King Alfred.