Heirs of the Enemy (42 page)

“Understood.”

“Let’s do it,” Garth said as he moved away from the edge of the forest.

The three Knights of Alcea walked back to the small clearing and mounted their unicorns. Bacar and his men mounted their horses and got into position to form an escort. Bacar and another thief took the point with the four remaining thieves bringing up the rear. Tedi and Natia followed directly behind Colonel Belasko. The small column followed the trail through the woods and emerged at the foot of the hill. While the forest trail continued onward, Bacar led the group onto the trail leading up the hill to the castle. As soon as the small column made that turn, a distant horn sounded from the castle walls.

“Remember to remain silent,” Garth warned. “If the commander of the garrison is thorough, his men will be trained to extract information out of you. Anything you say has the potential for destroying the entire operation. If you get pressed, softly explain that Colonel Belasko is very strict and talking while on duty is forbidden. Also remember to maintain a professional appearance. No slouching or leaning against walls. Stand erect as if you are proud to wear the insignia of the Eleventh Corps.”

“Officer on the wall,” Tedi warned softly.

“And look wary as if you can handle trouble should it arise,” Garth continued, “but do not appear threatening. There is a fine line between the two, so concentrate on playing your part properly.”

“It’s the Eleventh,” a voice called from the wall. “Open the gates.”

The giant gates creaked as they slowly opened. Garth avoided the temptation to look up at the men manning the wall above him. He kept his eyes forward and saw an officer standing in the center of the courtyard. Bacar led the group through the gates and halted in front of the officer. Colonel Belasko dismounted and walked forward to stand before the officer.

“Good morning Captain Ergard,” Garth said as he stared into the officer’s eyes.

“You have me at a disadvantage, Colonel,” replied the captain as he saluted. “I do not recognize you.”

“You should remedy that, Captain,” the colonel smiled thinly. “If you remain a part of the Fifteenth Corps, you will be shipping out for Alcea soon. I am Colonel Belasko. May we talk inside?”

Captain Ergard raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the black-cloak. He returned his eyes to the colonel and nodded.

“Captain Markel,” ordered the colonel, “dismiss the men and bring the mage inside.” Captain Ergard opened his mouth to object, but Garth gave him no opportunity. “If you will lead the way, Captain Ergard.”

The captain sighed inwardly and nodded. He waved towards the main entrance to the castle and then turned and started walking. Tedi ordered Bacar to dismiss his men and then led Natia towards the castle. As soon as they passed through the doors to the large entry foyer, Garth turned to face his fellow Alceans.

“Remain here. I will speak to Captain Ergard in private.”

Captain Ergard anxiously led the colonel to the nearest sitting room. He was not used to intruders in the castle, but he was unsure of his place with a superior officer pushing his way in. He closed the door and waved the colonel towards a comfortable chair.

“We do not get many visitors here, Colonel. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

“There is only one purpose for coming to this castle,” replied Colonel Belasko. “You protect a valuable piece of property for King Harowin.”

The captain’s eyes narrowed with alarm, but he didn’t speak right away. Garth continued to stare at the man, measuring his character.

“Property is an odd choice of words,” the captain finally said. “This castle is under the control of General Montero. If you have business here, I should have been forewarned of your arrival.”

“You most certainly should not have been forewarned,” Colonel Belasko replied sternly. “General Montero controls the Fifteenth Corps, but King Harowin controls all of Ertak. I have been ordered to have a mage check on Prince Harold.”

“Impossible!” Captain Ergard said, rising to his feet and drawing his sword. “No one sees the prince without General Montero’s permission. My orders are to imprison anyone attempting to do so.”

Colonel Belasko remained seated when Captain Ergard leaped to his feet and unsheathed his sword. He gazed at the fear and alarm on the captain’s face with a calm, unconcerned demeanor.

“I am carrying out the will of King Harowin, Captain,” Garth said calmly. “Are you prepared to be denounced as a traitor to your country?”

“I have my orders,” the captain replied forcefully, his sword pointing in Garth’s direction. “General Montero was quite specific in his instructions. He will stand by my side.”

“The heir may be your commanding officer, Captain, but he will not be standing by your side when your neck snaps at the end of a rope. The best General Montero can do for you is to plead for mercy from his father. Is that what you are hoping for?”

Captain Ergard was beyond the point of reasoning. His lips curled as he stepped closer to Garth. “Get up. You can make your case to the dungeon master while I send a runner to General Montero.”

Garth sighed heavily as he stared at the captain. Being careful not to let his eyes stray upward, the Knight of Alcea brought the two longest fingers of his right hand inward to touch his palm. The movement meant nothing to the Federation captain, but it meant a great deal to the fairy lingering near the ceiling. Bitsy cast a sleep spell on Captain Ergard. Garth watched as the captain shook his head as if to clear his mind. The sword dropped from the captain’s fingers and hit the floor, followed closely by the captain’s body. Colonel Belasko rose from his chair and stepped over the body. He moved calmly to the door and cracked it open. Tedi and Natia stood not far away, and he signaled for them to join him. They quickly crossed the floor, eased into the room, and shut the door.

“Stand by the door,” instructed Garth. “Natia you stand in front of Tedi. Act as if you just cast a spell to put the captain to sleep. Tedi, when you see him starting to awaken, open the door a crack and close it hard enough for him to hear it. I want him to think that you two just entered the room and magically put him to sleep.”

Garth walked back to the captain’s body and picked up his sword. He stepped over the body and sat down, holding the captain’s sword before him. Minutes later, the captain stirred. Tedi opened the door as instructed and closed it firmly. Captain Ergard’s head snapped towards the sound. He gasped at the sight of the black-cloak standing near the door. Without taking his eyes off the mage, he frantically sought his sword.

“I thought it would be safer if this blade didn’t remain within your reach,” Colonel Belasko smiled thinly.

Captain Ergard’s head swiveled, and he stared at Colonel Belasko. He saw his own sword in the hands of the colonel. “How dare you!” he swore.

Colonel Belasko rose menacingly, the sword pointing downward towards the captain. He stepped away from the plush chair and waved the sword at it.

“Enough,” Colonel Belasko barked sternly. “I am trying to save your stubborn life. Get up and sit in the chair. It is time for you to understand the king’s plight.”

“The king’s plight?” the captain snarled with disgust as he rose cautiously and moved to the chair. “The king wants Prince Harold dead, and he has sent you to assure it. You may kill me, but you will never leave this castle alive.”

“You are ill informed of the king’s desires,” replied the colonel. “We mean the prince no harm.”

“I do not believe you,” retorted the captain. “The king has always wanted Prince Harold dead. Were it not for his brother’s intervention, the king would have already had him executed.”

Colonel Belasko sighed and shook his head. Juggler had informed him of the struggle within the royal family over the fate of Prince Harold, but the thief had not been able to explain it all. The captain’s words brought clarity to the situation and highlighted Garth’s miscalculation. His mind whirled, seeking the words to turn the situation around.

“Times have changed,” Colonel Belasko said softly, “and the king has had a change of heart. I am not sure if you have been informed yet, but the Fifteenth Corps will be part of the attack on Alcea. King Harowin holds a great fear that General Montero will not come back from battle.”

“General Montero will return,” the captain retorted, but not with the same level of animosity as before. “We will all return.”

“You will not be going to Alcea, Captain Ergard. You and your company will be transferred to the Eleventh Corps. You will be reporting to me. This castle is too vital to the kingdom to turn it over to fresh defenders. Prince Harold deserves a company that is already familiar with him and the castle. Your loyalty to the prince has also been noted. That is one reason I seek to keep your traitorous words within this room. I can understand your motives, but others might not.”

Garth tossed the captain’s sword on the couch and eased himself into a chair. The captain’s eyes clouded with confusion, and his brow creased heavily.

“King Harowin has been having dreams lately,” Colonel Belasko continued. “In each dream, he sees his eldest son struck down in battle. Whether these dreams are prophetic or not, the king’s thoughts about Prince Harold have changed dramatically. He now seeks a cure for the prince’s condition.”

“A cure?” echoed Captain Ergard. “All sorts of cures were tried during the prince’s youth. Nothing worked.”

“Are you suggesting that we give up hope?”

“Certainly not,” balked the captain. “I am just reminding you that every cure known to man has been tried before.”

“That is something that I am not qualified to address,” Garth smiled thinly. “That is why I brought an expert with me. I have been tasked by the king to do whatever needs to be done to find a cure for Prince Harold. Will you work with me to that end?”

“If there is any way to cure Prince Harold, you will find me a most enthusiastic assistant, but I am still confused. Why has General Montero not informed me of your visit?”

“General Montero has no knowledge of my visit, and he must not learn of it, especially the part about the king’s dreams. There are two reasons for this. The king well knows that a warrior must enter battle with a positive outlook. Should General Montero give credence to the king’s dreams, it will distract him at a time when he is most vulnerable. I have strict orders not to divulge the dreams unless necessary, and under no circumstances am I to allow this knowledge to make its way to the general. Do you understand what this means to you now that I have shared this secret?”

“I understand.” The captain nodded. “I have no desire to see the death of either prince.”

“As for the king’s new search for a cure, the king fears raising hopes too highly. He also fears that General Montero might infer a meaning that does not exist. If the king is seen to be focusing on the younger son as the eldest marches off to war, it might have the same effect as divulging the dreams.”

“But General Montero would rejoice a curing of his younger brother.”

“Then let him rejoice when he returns safely from Alcea,” stated Colonel Belasko. “No word is to reach the general prior to his departure. The king is adamant about this, and frankly, I agree with his assessment. General Montero will have enough on his mind without concerning himself with hopes for a cure, whether they be false hopes or not. Will you vow your agreement with these terms?”

Captain Ergard fell silent as he glanced at Natia. He eventually sighed loudly and nodded. “I want nothing more than to see Prince Harold well.”

“General Montero chose well when he selected you for this honor,” Colonel Belasko smiled. “If you can have someone direct Sergeant Markel to Prince Harold, I will have him escort the mage. While they are gone, I would like to review the security of the castle with you.”

The captain nodded and rose to his feet. As his eyes glanced at his sword on the couch, Garth purposely turned his back to the captain to show his trust in the man. The captain picked up his sword and sheathed it. As he approached the door, Tedi and Natia stepped aside to allow him to pass. The captain opened the door and led them into the entry hall. They turned to the right, and passed through an arch that led to a corridor. After walking around several bends in the corridor, Tedi frowned in confusion.

“Are there no guards in the castle?”

“Our defenses are based on keeping the enemy out of the castle,” Captain Ergard replied without stopping. “With only one hundred men at my disposal, manning the walls and towers takes precedence, but I can assure you that we can hold the castle indefinitely. Ah, here we go.”

The captain halted as the corridor opened into a large room. He waved to a sergeant, signaling that the man should join him. The sergeant hurried to comply.

“Sergeant, escort these two to Prince Harold. The mage will need to examine him. Return them to the small sitting room when they are done.”

The sergeant saluted, and the captain pivoted and retreated back the way they had come. The sergeant nodded to Tedi while purposely avoiding eye contact with the mage

“If you will follow me, Captain.”

The sergeant led the way back into the corridor, but he turned to the right at the first intersection. The corridor opened into another large room with a spiral flight of stairs leading upward. Tedi and Natia followed as the sergeant led them high up into the castle. The spiral stairs ended in a barren area with three doors leading off it. The sergeant knocked on the farthest door and waited for a reply. When a distant voice gave permission to enter, the sergeant opened the door and allowed Tedi and Natia to enter. While Natia continued into the room, Tedi halted in the doorway as his eyes evaluated the situation. The room resembled a mixture of a private office and a library. The walls were lined with books, and a broad desk sat in the center of the room. A gaunt young man sat at the desk staring questioningly at the black-cloak. Tedi turned towards the sergeant.

“You will wait outside this door,” ordered Captain Markel. “We do not wish to be disturbed until we are done.”