Emerald of the Elves (34 page)

“It would take very little pressure to snap the king’s neck,” announced Mikal. “You will allow yourselves to be disarmed and tied up, or you will lose a king. We have no intention of killing King Alfred if you comply. The decision is yours.”

The guards removed their swords and placed them on the floor. Prince Darok tore down a banner from the wall and ripped it into strips. Arik and Tanya helped the dwarf tie up the guards. When they were secured, Mikal let go of the king and walked back to the Rangers.

“How dare you use magic in my presence,” shouted King Alfred. “If there was any chance that I would show you mercy, it is gone forever. All five of you shall be executed now.”

“You will be executing nobody,” snapped Mikal. “You will listen and speak when directed to. I do not know if you are aware of what is going on in the world around you, but you are about to find out. Jenneva, if he threatens to execute us one more time, turn him into a frog.”

“Jenneva?” stammered King Alfred. “Jenneva the famous witch?”

“I wouldn’t let her hear you call her that,” warned Mikal. “She doesn’t care for that term much. For the record, I am not really Mikal Obanik. I am Alexander Tork. Jenneva is my wife.”

“Tork?” gasped King Alfred. “I cannot believe all of this.”

Murmurs rippled through the bound guards as Alex revealed his true identity.

“It gets better,” smiled Alex. “Get the Sword of Heavens, Arik.”

“The Sword of Heavens?” asked King Alfred. “Now I know you are mocking me. Next you will try telling me that the lad is the promised king of Alcea, and the girl is the spawn of Sarac.”

“You are half right,” grinned Alex as Arik returned to the room and shut the door. “The lad is King Arik of Alcea. The coronation was held recently, after the assassination of Queen Marta. He is the reason that I had to get myself arrested. I could not let you execute King Arik. Show him the sword, Arik.”

Arik walked up to the throne and held the Sword of Heavens before King Alfred. “You can see that four of the gems have already been restored,” declared Arik. “The last one was the Dwarven Ruby. This one right here. That, King Alfred, explains why Prince Darok is accompanying us.”

“The dwarf?” asked King Alfred.

“The dwarf,” nodded Arik. “I have dreaded taking the throne of Alcea because I have felt inadequate for the task. Upon seeing how you run Melbin, I think that I must reevaluate my feelings. A monarch does not rule for self-gratification. He rules to provide for the people. You would do well to remember that.”

Arik turned and walked back to the Rangers. King Alfred sat with his mouth hanging open after being lectured about monarchies by someone young enough to be his son.

“King Alfred,” Alex said, “Melbin is going to have to make a decision soon. Emperor Hanchi will be arriving on your doorstep in the near future. You will need to either be with Alcea or with Lanoir. I noticed members of one of the rogue armies leaving as we came in. I am sure that you must realize by now that they cannot defeat Emperor Hanchi. That leaves Melbin directly in their path. What are you going to do?”

“They came to solicit Melbin’s help in holding Trekum,” responded King Alfred as a serious frown shaded his features. “I was noncommittal. Frankly, I don’t think they can even hold Trekum for very long. What is Alcea offering Melbin in the way of alliances?”

“Shouldn’t the question be,” interjected Tanya, “what is Melbin willing to offer Alcea?”

“You want Melbin to be a vassal of Tagaret?” questioned King Alfred. “That is preposterous.”

“Alcea is much more than Tagaret,” retorted Arik. “Already our armies control from coast to coast, and we have just begun.”

“Coast to coast?” scowled King Alfred. “I think it is a bit much to state that when that crazy fanatic is carving out an empire in the heartland of what used to be Targa.”

“Azmet’s army was totally destroyed a few days ago,” responded Alex. “Alcea has taken back Mya, Klandon, and Cleb. King Arik’s allegiance runs from Bordon down to Dalek and east to Tagaret. You would do well to remember that Melbin used to be part of the old Targa.”

“That still is not enough to defeat Emperor Hanchi,” King Alfred shook his head. “Alcea will not hold out any longer than Trekum will.”

“There you are wrong,” declared Arik. “Alcea will defeat Hanchi and Sarac. That will be, of course, after Hanchi has crushed Melbin.”

“Release my guards,” demanded King Alfred. “I would no more execute the king of Alcea than I would carry through on my threat to kill you. I will not negotiate from the position of a prisoner.”

Arik nodded his approval and began to untie the guards.

“Arik!” argued Tanya. “He was threatening to execute us. Now you are so eager to take his word that he means no harm to us?”

“Melbin and Alcea need each other,” replied Arik. “Still, I would be a fool to have an ally that I could not turn my back on. If there is treachery afoot, let it be shown now. We cannot afford for it to raise its ugly head later.”

King Alfred nodded and smiled at Arik as the guards were untied. The guards recovered their swords and looked to King Alfred for instructions.

“There is truth in your words, King Arik,” frowned King Alfred as he waved the guards to remain where they were. “I worry about Emperor Hanchi and his massive army. I cannot imagine anything that can stop him. It gets worse for Melbin. Those rogue armies will lose at Trekum. What is left of them will be running north. I have to decide how to defend Melbin against them.”

“That will be a problem,” nodded Alex. “You could evacuate the city to someplace out of Hanchi’s path.”

“It may come to that,” nodded King Alfred, “but where could we go?”

“I can think of two options,” suggested King Arik. “Either Tagaret or Southland. Tagaret will of course be his next target, so that will only delay the battle. I do not think that Hanchi will turn towards Southland before Tagaret.”

“I heard that Southland was practically destroyed by Azmet,” responded King Alfred. “Is that true?”

“Azmet diseased the city with the Black Death,” nodded Arik. “Eight out of every ten people died, but he never touched the city. Even with the loss of population, Baron Timor is working with the Army of the West to expand it.”

“Then there would be a great deal of room there for my people,” King Alfred said. “Perhaps the women and children could go to Southland and my army to Tagaret to help defend it.”

“I think that may be the best solution,” declared Alex. “We could send some of Alcea’s army down here to help delay and weaken the Lanoirians before we evacuate by ship.”

“Yes,” King Alfred nodded enthusiastically. “What about the rogue armies?”

“I think they can be won over to our side,” stated Alex. “They certainly will have no love for Emperor Hanchi.”

“They are an unruly bunch,” warned King Alfred. “That is why I feared to host them here. They might be more trouble than they are worth.”

“They are not the best trained force,” countered Alex, “but they can fight. I think with the proper supervision, they could be a potent force against Emperor Hanchi.”

“I fear they would never accept outside supervision,” King Alfred shook his head.

“The generals might not,” smiled Alex, “but the soldiers will. Really, what choice do they have? If they get as far as Tagaret and they are still defiant, the Red Swords will destroy them.”

“The Red Swords are back?” asked King Alfred.

“They are at full strength,” nodded Alex. “So are the Rangers. Plus the old Targa army is being trained by the Red Swords. Tagaret will be no easy target for any attacker. If the rogue armies decide to avoid Tagaret, they will run into the Army of the West. There is no place for them to go.”

“Except Melbin,” frowned King Alfred. “I understand now that everything you said about the rogue armies applies to me as well. You paint me as being in an impossible position, and yet you have painted it accurately. If I join with Alcea, what will become of me personally?”

“I can see you as a noble ruling Melbin,” answered King Arik. “Perhaps a Duke, as King Altaro has accepted as his lot. I will not stand for the type of governance that I have seen here, though. The laws must be made for the benefit of the citizens.”

“For the most part,” responded King Alfred, “they have been. When I started the Kingdom of Melbin, it was to provide security for the people of the city. I did make Melbin one of the safest cities in the world. I grant you that I have become rather self-serving in the past few years, but I can reform.”

“Being a Duke in a country the size of Alcea, can be a greater accomplishment than being the king of a city,” mentioned Alex.

“You are quite correct again, Alex,” nodded King Alfred as he pondered his decision.

King Alfred rose, and Prince Darok tensed. Arik placed his hand on Darok‘s arm and shook his head. King Alfred approached Arik and fell to one knee before him.

“I place myself at your service, Your Highness,” King Alfred said solemnly. “I ask that you look upon the people of Melbin as your own and seek to care for them as you would care for the citizens of Tagaret.”

“I accept your allegiance,” declared King Arik. “Melbin will be cared for as well as any other part of Alcea. The Melbin Guards need to establish communications with General Gregor in Tagaret. I look forward to the day that I can make your announcement as Duke of Melbin formally. For now, those present shall witness the pronouncement. Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” bowed Duke Alfred.

“I am glad to see you join the family,” smiled Alex. “I have held a certain respect for what you accomplished here in Melbin In those dark days following the Collapse. I know that the citizens of Melbin will be well served in the future.”

“I can’t believe that I tried to get Alexander Tork to be my general,” chuckled Duke Alfred. “I should have known after witnessing your skill in battle. Why did you deceive me?”

“My task was to find the Children of the Ancient Prophecy,” answered Alex. “I was able to move more freely when everyone thought that Alexander Tork was dead. It served a purpose.”

“And who was the lass sorcerer that escaped?” asked Duke Alfred.

“Niki,” answered King Arik. “We believed her to be Sarac’s descendent. We could not allow her to be executed if the Ancient Prophecy was to be fulfilled.”

“I wish to hear the story about how you accomplished that feat someday,” chuckled Duke Alfred. “Nobody has ever been able to figure it out. How do we proceed from here?”

“We must head south in search of something needed to restore the Sword of Heavens,” replied King Arik. “We do not wish to meet Emperor Hanchi’s army on the way there.”

“There is little likelihood of that at this time,” interjected Alex. “It sounds like the rogue armies will hold Trekum at least long enough for us to accomplish our goal.”

“Then the rest of the preparations are in your hands, Duke Alfred,” nodded Arik. “I will notify Baron Timor to expect your women and children, if that is what you decide to do.”

“I think that is the wisest choice,” agreed Duke Alfred. “I do not wish to abandon the city early, though. I will wait until I see the outcome of the battle in Trekum. There should be ample time left to evacuate the innocents.”

“Choose someone from your army to meet with General Gregor,” suggested King Arik. “I trust that a plan for Melbin can be agreed to.”

“I will do that tomorrow,” nodded Duke Alfred as he glared at his Melbin Guards. “I will also delay the announcement of Melbin joining with Alcea until after you have left the city. I do not want to risk anyone discovering the extent of your travels. I know those men present will be wise enough to keep their mouths shut until the actual announcement. You may spend the night in the palace. There is no reason for you to return to the Fluttering Jib for tonight. In fact, I think it best if you did not.”

“Jenneva and I were staying at the Bosun’s Chair,” responded Alex.

“I will send a man for your belongings,” offered Duke Alfred.

“And our horses,” added Tanya.

“And your horses,” nodded Duke Alfred as he waved towards the door. “Come let me show you your rooms.”

The Melbin Guards all bowed as King Arik passed on his way out of the throne room. Lomar smiled at Alex and nodded enthusiastically.

* * *

“Use your ears,” instructed Bin-lu as he scraped the floor of the abandoned factory with his foot.

Wylan swung his staff towards the sound of Bin-lu. Bin-lu blocked the swing and leaped to his left. Wylan immediately pivoted and jabbed with his staff.

“Ow!” exclaimed Bin-lu as the staff struck his chest. “That is better,” he chuckled as he backed away from Wylan.

“But you are only being defensive,” frowned Wylan as he tentatively moved forward. “Were you out to kill me, I might as well give up.”

“Right now that may be true,” admitted Bin-lu, “but your skills are impressive. With enough practice, you will be the one of the greatest fighters still.”

“Greatest blind fighters, you mean,” sighed Wylan as he swung at the sound of Bin-lu’s voice.

“The greatest blind fighter in the world, no doubt,” nodded Bin-lu as he blocked Wylan’s stroke, “but your excellent skills will also best many a fighter with sight. More importantly, your opponents will not expect you to be capable. That will give you an advantage over them. Right now we play with staffs, but think about throwing knives and Lanoirian Stars. If you can learn to trust your ears, you have the ability to be deadly. Eyesight is limited to opponents in front of you. Your hearing is not. Most of us hear things in battle, but we pay little attention to them, as we have become dependent upon our eyes. You will not be so burdened.”

“You have a strange sense of humor,” Wylan shook his head as he swung the staff low and hit Bin-lu’s leg. “I would not mind being burdened with sight again.”

“Deal with what you have,” advised Bin-lu as he stepped close and swung his staff hard.

Wylan crouched and raised his staff to meet Bin-lu’s swing. He jabbed his staff upward and Bin-lu was forced to jump back.

“How did you know that was coming?” questioned Bin-lu

“You swung too hard,” grinned Wylan. “I could hear the staff passing through the air. A good thing for you, too. That would have hurt, and I would have become angry.”