Search for Audric (34 page)

"Have you been to Princess Orenda's suite?" asked the prince.

"A few times," nodded Zalman. "I was not allowed in the palace, but Orenda used to sneak me in. One time she even lowered a rope from her window and I climbed up from the garden."

"Are there guards in the garden?" asked the prince.

"There were at times." Zalman nodded. "But we are talking about sixteen years ago. You must not depend upon my recollections to determine what the situation is today."

"Palaces are mostly steadfast in their routines," Prince Antion shared. "They will make changes in reaction to certain threats, but for the most part, if things have worked well for centuries no one sees much need to change them. Still, I will make sure to reconnoiter the situation before the rescue."

"So you are going to Tarent then?" asked Kerzi.

"Of course," replied Prince Antion. "Would you expect anything less?"

"No," answered the merchant, "but neither would the dark prince. Have you thought that it might be a trap to snare you?"

"The thought crossed my mind," nodded the prince, "but I cannot entrust this task to anyone else. If the rescue attempt failed, I would blame myself for the rest of my days, and a cold, bitter ruler is not what the people of Arin deserve."

"When will my wagon be ready?" asked Kerzi.

"Your wagon?" balked the prince. "What does that have to do with anything? If you think you are going to Tarent, you have gone mad."

"Oh?" grinned the merchant. "Perhaps you need more time to think about this? You and your warriors are going to ride along the Koar-Tarent Road, stop at the royal palace, and return home. Is that the plan? You tell me who has gone mad."

"And you think your wagon will travel undisputed?" scowled Prince Antion.

"It might," answered Kerzi, "especially if we are not heading where they expect us to be going."

"What do you have in mind?" the prince asked.

"We travel as merchants as always," answered Kerzi. "We pick up a load in Tarent and head east towards Dulga. Now, once the escape is noticed, the Borundans will be on the lookout for any group of riders, especially ones who appear to be in a hurry. They won't bother with merchants, but they won't find your father in any group of riders either, so they will then start searching the merchants. Their problem is, of course, they will be checking merchants heading for Anatar. By the time they get around to checking the roads to the east, we will be in Odessia."

"It might work," nodded Zalman. "They would never expect you to take the king eastward."

"And once we reach Odessia," grinned the merchant, "your friend Horst can arrange for an Odessian army to escort the king to Arin. The rest of us can continue onward to Vineland and search for that mystic you are so keen to find."

"You just don't want to settle down in Arin," laughed the prince. "That is what all of this is about, right?"

"I am an old man," smiled Kerzi. "Why should I change my ways now?"

"It is workable," interjected Zalman. "You should consider it."

"Oh, I am considering it," replied the prince. "It is the best plan I have heard yet. I will make one large alteration to it, though. We will not travel to Tarent in a wagon. That would take too long, and I am loath to leave my father in captivity any longer than necessary. We will buy a wagon in Borunda."

"If this is a trap to lure you to Tarent," warned Zalman, "they will be watching for a group on the Koar-Tarent Road. A slower trip by wagon may be the only way to get there safely."

The prince nodded and moved to the connecting door. He opened the door and asked King Hector, General Fergus, and Evan to join the others in the king's office. After an awkward period of making introductions, the prince explained the plan.

"It is far too dangerous," Evan declared. "The plan itself is fine, but you should not be in the group, Prince Antion. Let General Fergus choose men to undertake the task of rescuing your father."

"That part of the plan is not under discussion, king's advisor," the prince replied with finality.

King Hector stood mute with a pained expression on his face. Prince Antion knew that he had figured out that Prince Derri would be going on the mission with him.

"Those who travel with me will be told of the danger and given a choice," Prince Antion said for the king's benefit. "I do not expect anyone to blindly follow me on such a mission."

"That alters nothing," King Hector said. "Were I your age, I would be riding by your side myself. I can expect no less from others that I love. What else can Salacia do to ensure the success of this mission?"

"A diversion might be helpful," suggested General Fergus. "Two diversions actually. If we have a diversion when they are heading towards Tarent, it will take a great deal of pressure off of them. Borunda's eyes will be focused on the diversion and not our prince."

"Would the gathering of an army interest them?" suggested King Hector. "What if it looked like Arin had chosen war over a rescue attempt?"

"That is what I was thinking of," nodded the general, "but we can only use that trick once. We will also need a diversion after the rescue. We do not want to give the Borundans the luxury of having too much time to think."

"A large Arin force on the Borundan border could signify two things," suggested Prince Antion. "It could be the prelude to an invasion, or it could be an overwhelming force to escort the king home."

"I have a suggestion," interrupted Kerzi. "Merchants often carry news from places they have been. As we travel towards Tarent, we could spread the word of a massive build up in the Arin forces. That should be enough to throw the Borundans off stride. If that built up force should happen to start moving towards Borunda around the time the king is rescued, the Borundans would take it for a massive escort."

"That works well," the general nodded appreciatively as he looked at the merchant in a new light.

"There is something I picked up in Tarent that may also help in some way," offered King Hector. "Both Vineland and Caroom agreed to start selling large quantities of weapons and armor to Borunda. That means that wagons bound for Tarent with such a cargo will not be scrutinized very well."

"Are you suggesting we sell supplies to our enemies?" balked Evan.

"I am suggesting that a single wagon loaded with such supplies will aid in the rescue of King Caedmon," corrected King Hector. "Consider it ransom if you wish, but if it allows the prince to reach Tarent safely, it is well worth the cost."

"See to it," Prince Antion said to Evan. "We will also need a wagon to transport the goods. It need not be large, but it must be sound. I do not want to break down on this particular journey."

"It will be ready and loaded by day's end," promised the king's advisor.

"Who is going with you?" asked General Fergus.

"There will be seven of us in total," answered Prince Antion.

"Can you accept another?" asked the general. "I would like to send a man to stay with King Caedmon for the entire journey, and as you are leaving him in Odessia, that would require one more person."

"Who do you have in mind?" asked Prince Antion.

"There are several men that I would find acceptable," answered the general. "Any of those who have served as bodyguards to the king would suffice. I will allow you to make the selection."

"Agreed," nodded Prince Antion. "I will take Sandar, and I also want to take a spare horse for my father, an Odessian beauty."

"Not a problem," replied the general, "but such mounts often attract unwanted attention."

"They will also outrun and outlast anyone who decides to chase us," the prince pointed out.

Prince Zinan felt terrible. He sat in his office with his head between his hands, and the throbbing continued to pound in his head. When the knock sounded on the door, it rumbled more like a thunderstorm than miniscule taps of a human hand. He wanted to shout for the intruder to go away, but it felt like too much effort. He ignored the knocking, or at least he did not respond to it. Ignoring it entirely would have been desirable.

The door opened a crack and General Ortega stuck his head in. He saw the king's advisor sitting at his desk and stepped into the room. He did not bother to close the door, in case a hasty retreat was called for. The prince had been especially irritable lately, and the general avoided him whenever possible, but this visit was an exception.

"Prince Zinan," the general said softly, "there is a matter that must be discussed."

The dark prince looked up with venomous eyes. He glared at the general as if that were sufficient to drive the man away. In fact, it usually was, but not this time.

"I do not wish to disturb you, Prince Zinan," the general continued softly, "but there is great concern for the king's safety. I need permission to send the army north."

Price Zinan groaned and his eyes rolled slightly as he tried to focus on the general. Naveena entered the room and pushed past the general. She walked swiftly around the desk and placed her hands on the prince's head. The prince's eyes rolled upward and then closed. The general stared with a morbid curiosity as the prince's body trembled.

"Is he all right?" asked the general.

"He is fine," Naveena said dismissively. "He was too deep into his wine yesterday. He will recover soon."

With a final shudder, the dark prince opened his eyes and stared at the general. "Why do you need to send the army north?" he scowled.

"There are reports of a large Arin army gathering along the Arin River," stated the general. "It is quite possible that they mean to attack Tarent to recover King Caedmon."

"The Arin River?" retorted the prince as he waved Naveena away for him. "That means that they have not even entered Capri yet. It is bluster. They are not foolish enough to attack us. They would be easily destroyed."

"That is quite true," agreed the general, "but I am more concerned with King Garrick's safety than the rescue of King Caedmon. He ordered the army to remain in place when he left, and I need your authorization to move the men northward."

"Before he left?" Prince Zinan asked as he sat erect in his chair. "Left for where?"

"He is going to Capri," replied General Ortega. "Did he not share his plans with you?"

"Capri?" shouted the prince as he rose from his chair. "Whatever for?"

"I believe it is to discuss his betrothal to one of the Caprian princesses," shrugged the general. "I cannot say for sure. The king does not confide in me on such matters."

"Do you know anything about this?" Prince Zinan snapped at Naveena.

"I just heard about it," Naveena replied. "That is why I was coming to see you."

"Tell me what I need to know," demanded the prince.

"Leave us," Naveena said to the general. "We will discuss your request and notify you of our decision."

The general nodded and hastily retreated from the room, closing the door as he left. Prince Zinan glared at Naveena.

"I do not know what you think you are up to," Prince Zinan said threateningly, "but little escapes me. You slipped up with that little phrase our decision. There is no our, Naveena. You are my assistant. I make the decisions."

"Fine," retorted Naveena. "Then make them."

"I will," snarled Prince Zinan, "but only when I have the proper information. Do not play games with me, Naveena. I don't need you any longer."

"Don't you," snipped Naveena. "A few moments ago you were incapable of answering a simple question. I suspect you were practically incapable of thinking. I did not waste my life raising you to see you throw all of my efforts away. You need to stop indulging in your vices, and I do not mean your wine. Oh, General Ortega may believe your condition was merely from drink, but I know you better. Your depravity grows daily, and you refuse to listen to me. It will destroy you."

"Enough with the lectures," Prince Zinan waved his hand dismissively. "Tell me about Garrick and what he is doing."

"Your cousin decided to visit Koar to boost troop morale," Naveena said calmly. "At least that is what he told me and General Ortega. The truth is, he is on his way to Capri to wed one of the princesses."

"Which one?" interrupted the dark prince.

"Emilie," frowned Naveena. "Why does it matter?"

"Because I like Tamil," grinned the prince. "If Garrick starts making overtures to her, I will kill him."

"You may have to kill him anyway," scowled Naveena. "I told you to keep him on a short leash, but he manages to run off to his wedding while you are wasting away with your debauchery. How many times must I stress the danger involved in his wedding anyone?"

"Running off to Capri is hardly the same as a royal wedding," the prince said dismissively. "Let him have fun."

"Let me explain this one more time," Naveena said sternly and coldly. "If he sires a male child, your chance at the crown is over. Do you understand?"

"You worry too much," sighed Prince Zinan. "I can take over whenever I want to. If it means killing some baby along with Garrick, so what?"

"You need Garrick," Naveena stated. "He is capable of raising the armies we need to crush our foes, you are not. You may indeed kill him and take the throne, but Borunda is all you will ever rule. I thought you wanted more than that?"

"I want it all," nodded the prince.

"Than you must keep Garrick on a leash until the time is right," instructed Naveena. "He must not get together with Emilie. You need to stop it right away."

"How long ago did he leave?" asked the prince.

"Two days ago," answered Naveena.

"Two days?" frowned the prince. "I will be hard pressed to catch him."

"I know," sighed Naveena. "Whatever you do up there, Zinan, do not let Garrick father a child. It will ruin everything."

"Have the general ready me the fastest horse in the stables," Prince Zinan instructed his assistant. "And tell him that permission to move the army is denied. I won't have his men clogging up the road."

"You aren't worried about the Arin army?" questioned Naveena.

"No," the dark prince shook his head. "I do not know what they are up to, but they are not foolish enough to think they would ever reach Tarent by fighting the Borundan army."

"And if they get to Garrick before you?" asked Naveena.

"Then Garrick dies," shrugged the prince. "You said that I could not raise the army that Garrick could, but the king's death at the hands of the enemy would do it for me. Either way I win, Naveena. I always win."

Prince Zinan strode out of his office leaving Naveena alone. As soon as he was gone, she moved to the chair and sat down, placing her head between her hands to alleviate the throbbing. She hated Zinan for causing her this pain, but she had to drive him to achieve her vow. She could put up with his arrogant attitude, and his snide remarks, but it was his debauchery that brought her the most pain. How much longer could she continue to support him as she had been doing? How much more could her body withstand? She wanted to close her eyes and sleep to make the pain go away, but she couldn't just yet. She forced herself out of the chair and headed for General Ortega's office to make the preparations for Zinan's trip.

* * *

The Royal Palm Inn in Tarent sounded better than it looked. The building was old and in need of repair, but it was clean and affordable, which suited Kerzi's needs. It was also close to the royal palace, and that fulfilled Gunnar's desires. Kerzi had already sold the weapons and armor and received a very good amount of gold for the shipment, which was especially profitable because Kerzi had not needed to pay for the goods in the first place. Needless to say, the merchant was in a very good mood. Kerzi's party was huddled in one of the rooms he had rented for several nights.

"What did you learn, Kenra?" Gunnar asked.

"There are several obstacles from the east side of the palace," the Salacian reported. "There is a patrol that marches around the outside of the wall, night and day. We will have to time our approach very carefully. Then there is the wall itself. As we expected, it will require hooks to get over the wall."

Gunnar looked at Monte expectantly, and the Caroomite nodded.

"I bought four hooks and eight lengths of rope," the archer reported.

"Good," nodded Gunnar. "Continue, Kenra."

"Inside the wall we will face another patrol," the Salacian continued. "I timed them this afternoon, but there is no guarantee that the timing will be the same at night. If we are staying another day, I can find out for sure."

"No," Gunnar shook his head. "We move tonight. Kerzi has already purchased a load of nuts for delivery to Dulga."

"We will have to go with the timings I have then," shrugged Kenra. "There are some trees and shrubs inside the east wall, so we will have some minor cover if we need it, but I would not want to depend on it for long."

"Let me stop you there, Kenra," said Gunnar, "and find out if this differs from the western wall any. Sandar?"

"So far it is the same at the west end," reported the Arin soldier. "I think it will vary quite soon, though. There is not a clean path from the west end to the gardens in the rear of the palace. We would have to move past the barracks, and I think that rules out any penetration from the west."

"That does not sound like my preferred path," agreed Gunnar. "Continue Kenra."

"Once we get past the inner patrols," the Salacian continued, "we need to pass through a gate to get into the gardens. The gate creaks like a barn out of kilter in a windstorm. We won't get through it without making some noise."

"Can we go over the garden wall instead of through the gate?" asked Horst.

"We have four hooks," nodded Kenra. "If we use two on the outer wall, we can use two on the garden wall, but that would leave none for scaling the back of the palace. If we are going to approach it that way, I would suggest getting more hooks."

"That is not an option," interjected Monte. "I had to search pretty hard to find the fourth one. They are not very popular items."

"We will reuse the hooks if we have to," decided Gunnar. "Would it help if we oiled the gate?"

"Hard to tell," shrugged Kenra. "It creaks loudly now. I suppose if we heavily oiled it the noise would diminish, but we want to be careful not to get oil on our boots. That would be disastrous, especially for climbing."

"All right," sighed Gunnar. "Let's continue. We will work out these kinks later."

"There is one final patrol inside the garden," reported Kenra. "This one is the most dangerous. I could see no pattern to either their timing or their route. Once every so often, a patrol comes out of the barracks that Horst mentioned, and they march around the garden and then return to the barracks. There is no way to predict that patrol."

"That is dangerous for us," agreed Gunnar. "What about the alternate plan, Talot?"

"I got everything we need for it," answered the giant as he opened his pack and tossed a black robe to Jared. "That is the closest I could get. Try it on."

Jared took the robe and pulled it on over his clothes. When he pulled the hood up over his head, Gunnar nodded appreciatively.

"I couldn't tell the difference if I tried," he remarked.

"I am not comfortable in it," frowned Jared.

"You will not have to do anything magical," Gunnar explained. "All you will have to do is act as I have explained to you. Keep your statements brief, and always talk with an attitude like you are ordering a dog to get off your bed."

"But what if they ask me something?" replied Jared. "I cannot lie."

"You will not have to lie," promised Gunnar. "No soldier questions Prince Zinan when he speaks. You will have to trust me on this."

"The uniforms should fit," Talot said as he pulled two Borunda uniforms out of his pack and tossed them to Gunnar.

Gunnar held one of the uniforms up and frowned. "There is a hole in this one," he said.

"The other one is worse," Kenra said as he pointed to a rent in the side.

"I got them cheaply," shrugged the Lomite.

"What did you do with the bodies that were in them?" asked Horst.

"They will not be found," answered the giant. "At least not for a while."

Gunnar sighed and shook his head.

"You cannot buy Borundan army uniforms," explained the giant. "They are not for sale. Beside, the woman needed help. I would have saved her even if we didn't need the uniforms."

"All right," Gunnar said as he handed the uniforms to Kerzi. "Can you mend these for us?"

"You might want to try them on first," suggested the merchant. "If they need to be altered, I want time enough to do it right."

"Good point," Gunnar conceded. "I figured Sandar and I would wear them. I am a little hesitant to shave, though."

"There are some Borundans in the army with beards," offered Monte. "Not a lot, but I don't think it would raise any suspicions."

"He's right," nodded Horst. "I saw at least six around the barracks. You can get away with it."

"I still do not feel comfortable with this plan," frowned Jared. "You are asking me to deceive men. I don't think I can do it."

Silence reigned in the room as Gunnar stared at Jared and fiddled with his beard.

"Maybe a diversion is needed," Kenra said softly. "What would get the attention of all of the patrols at the same time?"

"Free ale," chuckled Sandar.

"Yeah," Horst scowled sarcastically. "We will set up a table in the front of the palace and serve ale to the soldiers. Perhaps some dancing women to amuse them while we sneak in and steal their captive?"

Gunnar snapped out of his meditation and nodded his head exaggeratedly. "That could work," he said enthusiastically. "Not the bit about the stand and the dancing women, but the soldiers truly could be lured by free ale, especially if they thought they could partake without anyone knowing about it."