The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 (16 page)

             
“Believe me or not, it is the truth” said Xander.

             
“Death’s Hand is a damn liar, is what he is” Durgard said loudly. “You were captured by the Palace Guard huh? By order of the queen they kidnapped you eh? More like you invited to live a life of luxury in the damn palace. You were given everything a man could ask for and left when your Thornian buddies tried to test our defenses.”

             
“It does not matter what you think, I just want to get this journey over with, no one has forced you to listen to me, you could go elsewhere” said Xander as he turned away.

             
“Well we are about 15 minutes from getting out of this damn forest. Your gibbering must have scared the elves off.”

             
“Not in the least Durgard, I have waived off two different groups from slaughtering you where you stand. It is not the rest of men’s fault they are led by an idiot” said Xander as he turned to face Durgard.

             
“Sure you have, I liked it better when you were telling us fairytales. You might as well get all of them out now; once Patrick gets done with you the only thing you will be good for is fertilizing the fields.”

             
“Now you wish to listen, where was I…”

CHAPTER

             
Xander kept his hand on his blade as he was being transported, wishing silently to himself that he was smart enough to enchant his dagger instead of just his sword. Xander was surrounded on all sides of the wagon by the Palace Guard, who now looked even more intimidating up close. Every one of them kept on their armor, helms included so the only thing Xander could see was that they were armed enough to take on a small Army and they were much larger than he was.

             
“You’ll not be needing to use that boy if you don’t do anything stupid. What could you as a boy who hasn’t even seen 20 summers do against 5 of us in a small wagon. Hold on to your little pig sticker in the wagon if you want to, but we won’t be attacking you. All of your weapons though will be taken from you before you meet her Royal Highness though” said one of the men Xander recognized as the arena fighter, since he was the only one covered in blood.

             
Xander said nothing as he relaxed his grip on his sword, taking the man at his word. Xander noted that there were hardly any seams in the armor, so it would be nigh impossible to score as easy kill. The only point of attack he could see were at the joints, but after seeing the men fight he figured that would be next to impossible. Xander calmed his nerves as he took in his surroundings, if I fight were to break out here he would not win, but he wanted to know if he could take at least one person with him.

             
“The boy has his head on a swivel he does, this child of war is probably plotting how to stick us good before he makes a run for it he is” said one of the armored men.

             
“Ha, let him try! I have killed more than my fair share of Red’s. He would just be another number added to my total” said another.

             
Xander stared at the armored man deciding if he had to kill of one them, this would be his target. The armored man laughed as the wagon pulled to a stop.

             
“Give me your weapons kid and don’t do anything you will regret. You are inside the palace walls, there is nowhere to run and we employ archers” said a Palace guard as he took away Xander’s sword and even discovered the dagger in his boot. Xander was then taken into the Palace.

             
Xander looked around the place in awe, this place was as decorated as the school was austere. Rich tapestries hung from various walls depicting battles the Rangelians had won. One such tapestry caught Xander’s eye. It was a man with red hair and two swords attacking the palace while witches and the army tried to hold him back. Behind the army Xander could see the Palace Guard led by who he guessed was Queen Celeste.

             
“Keep walking kid” said one of his captors as they pushed him along. As the walk grew further Xander noticed the floor changed from stone to some type of wooden floor. The Palace Guard then handed Xander over to two other men dressed in the uniform he saw the arena guards in, who then placed him in a small waiting room. After what seemed like at least 3 hours, Xander was summoned to what he could only call the throne room.

             
The room was lavish with a red carpet leading towards raised steps upon which two thrones were placed, an overly large thing that Xander could only guess was made out of gold inlaid with countless diamonds upon which a regal looking woman sat Xander identified as the Queen. To her right was a smaller wooden throne not adorned with any jewels but simply decorated with carvings upon which Princess Aubrey sat. Xander was marched right up to the base of the steps where he was instructed to bend his knee and keep his head bowed until it was time for him to leave.

             
“Leave me alone with this man, no one can over hear our conversation.” Said a voice Xander recognized as the Queen.

             
But your Majesty, what if this ruffian attacks you? He is a child of war after all!” said one of the men who brought Xander into the throne room.

             
“I will be fine, now leave us, wait at the door if you wish” said the Queen as Xander heard footsteps departing punctuated by a sound Xander thought was the door closing.

             
“What is your name child?” asked the Queen.

             
“My name is Xander your Majesty.”

             
“How did you come to be a slave, were you born one?” the Queen asked.

             
“No, I was born free, I became a slave after being accused by Lady Sharon the witch, of running off on my commitment”

             
“Did you run off Xander?”

             
“I did not your Majesty, we were attacked by brigands. One of our number was in league with them. I was ambushed and left for dead. After I regained consciousness I was discovered by some travelers who brought me to the city of Meadow, where I was about to be accepted into the Army before Lady Sharon made her claim. I was then brought here to the capital and given to the high witch” said Xander, not wanting to give away Shelia’s or Mesha’s identity.

             
“How long have you been in my city?”

             
“I arrived yesterday morning” said Xander, waiting for the questions he knew were coming.

             
“How did you come to find yourself fighting at the arena?”

             
“I was told I could improve my standing amongst the slaves if I were to fight for the school. That I could possibly become a slave guard protecting it’s students” Xander lied, not seeing why he should betray those who did not wrong him other than the arena.

             
“Where were you raised at?” Xander heard a different voice asking this question, one he identified as Aubrey.

             
“I was raised on Riley outpost facing Thorn by my mother your highness” Xander answered.

             
“And your mother, I take it she is a witch?” asked Celeste.

             
“Yes, she did not do well in the War and was captured by the Thornians. I am a result of that union and she was sent to live out her days guarding the pass between Rangel and Thorn.”

             
“How long have you been an enchanter?” the Queen asked.

             
Xander thought about lying but decided half-truths were better. “I discovered my talent a week ago your Majesty.”

             
“Your sword looks older than a week slave” The Queen responded with more iciness in her tone.

             
“The sword belonged to a bandit, they took the swords I had and left behind the one I carry as junk.” Xander said as he tried to keep fear from easing into his voice.

             
“How did you know you know you were an enchanter?” asked Aubrey.

             
“I picked up the sword and started cursing to myself about my luck. I swung it at a very young sapling and it broke at the trunk and carried far further than it should have.” Xander said as he guessed they would never be able to tell if he was lying or not.

             
“Have you enchanted anything personally?” the Queen asked.

             
“I enchanted and axe and some shovels to help out a small town build defenses to overcome a possible bandit attack.”

             
“How did you know how to enchant?” asked Aubrey.

             
“Trial and error your highness, the process leaves me very weak afterwards.”

             
“Xander how would you like to stay here as Armorer to my Palace Guards? You would have sizable freedom and could go anywhere in the palace you wished.” Asked the Queen.

             
“Yesterday I would have jumped at the chance your Majesty, but you promised me freedom if I won my match and I would have if you did not stop it. I only wish to return to my mother and help her in Riley.”

             
“You dare turn down an offer from your Queen?!?” Celeste said as she rose off her throne and deepened her voice.

             
“What my mother meant to say Xander, is what if it was arranged for your mother to move here, free from her banishment” asked Aubrey in a tone Xander thought was placating.

             
“She would not be welcomed by the witches here because of me. Likewise I would not be accepted anywhere because of my hair color. In Riley I did not have many friends, but I had no enemies.”

             
“Foolish boy, do you think the witches would leave you alone now that they know you could enchant? How would your little outpost fare if the Thornians knew they had an enchanter ripe for the pickings? Especially when they are having thoughts of a civil war not to mention an invasion by Frahse?” the Queen said in a mocking tone.

             
“I still wish to take my chances your Majesty. Your offer sounds like I would just be a slave in better surroundings instead of the freedom I wish.”

             
“You will do no such thing! I declare you a slave of the crown for your failure to help protect your Queen, the duty of every man in Rangel. For now you will be housed in the North Tower, do not try to escape. Your loved ones will feel the full weight of the Rangelian military if I even suspect they are harboring a fugitive. You are dismissed, guards come and get this man!”

             
The Palace Guard came into the throne room and grabbed Xander by the arm and led him out of the room as the Queen told them to put him in the north tower. Xander was dragged throughout the palace until he was taken up a short flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs an ordinate door was opened and Xander was pushed inside.

             
“Do not try to escape boy, the fact that you are here instead of the dungeon says she does not want you roughed up. If I have to catch you trying I will tie you to the bed and that is where you will stay all day, even for calls of nature. If you need anything knock on this door” said a palace guard that Xander recognized by his voice as the nicer one in the wagon.

             
“Will I be allowed to write my mother?” asked Xander hopefully.

             
“You know your letters boy? Not bad for a child of war, I’ll see about it. Now no acting up.” The guard then shut the door and Xander could hear a heavy beam being put in its place.

             
Xander looked around his surroundings and could see it was as nicely furnished as the rest of the castle. The room he was in looked to be some sort of sitting room, judging by the amount of sitting furniture and lack of bed. Looking at the far corner of the room, Xander could see a spiral staircase hugging the wall. Xander began to climb up the stairs, where the ceiling had a small opening. Xander passed through the ceiling and was now in what was he figured was his bed room. This room had a nice plush looking bed and a small changing room attached, journeying up the stairs further, Xander discovered a bath with pipes leading into it marked hot and cold. Xander’s mother told him about plumbing long ago but this was the first time he had actually ever seen it. Going up the steps even further Xander came upon the final room where the stairs ended. Xander could see a small window on the wall, the only one Xander noted during his exploration. The window was too small for Xander to fit his head through, but he could see outside, just not at the immediate bottom of whatever was outside his window. Xander figured if he had to take a guess, this was done purposely and there were probably guards stationed down below. Xander started walking down the stairs back towards his bedroom when he heard a door open and shut. Going down into the sitting room, Xander found Princess Aubrey waiting at the bottom holding an arm full of clothing with two of the palace guard.