To Be Chosen (54 page)

Sergeant Zaccum’s left eyebrow arched up. “I didn’t know that message had been verified?”

Once again David stepped in to answer a question not put to him. “No doubt the verification came along with the confession Daniel elicited from the thief.” It was a reasonable explanation for all that it was untrue.

Daniel did not feel the need to set the matter straight. In fact, he did not feel the need to explain his decision about continuing north. Zaccum eyed him as if seeking confirmation of the statement made by the Teki, and if so he was going to be disappointed. “Sergeant Keenan, assemble the men, I want everyone here, even the guards,” Daniel ordered.

Keenan snapped a salute. “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel,” he said, and then turned, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Assembly!” using the one-word command that caused each man to drop whatever
he was doing and come running.

Corporal Carlin took up the call as well and before Daniel could count to thirty, all of his human company encircled him. The remaining animals in his swirl were close by and out of sight, which is the way he wanted it. He removed the amulets from his pocket and opened his hand so all could see. “Jonah, do any of these look familiar to you?”

The Duke’s son fixed his gaze upon the contents of Daniel’s hand. “The third one to the left, the diamond set within the blue sapphire, it looks like the center piece in my sister’s necklace.”

Daniel nodded his head in agreement, having only asked for verification. He no longer had total recall and so wanted to confirm the fact before saying anything that sounded accusatory. “This is a communication amulet, a device that links the mind of the possessor to that of its maker.”

Jonah immediately stiffened. “Are you insinuating my sister is involved with the Aakacarns who assaulted my family home and murdered my brother?”

Daniel raised his hands, gesturing for calm. “I insinuate nothing. Her jewelry is likely just ornamental and coincidently resembles an amulet made by an Aakacarn, but it must be verified.”

Jonah’s face was red while he nodded acknowledgment of the fact. The Queen’s nephew would know the law and that a Knight of the Realm had no choice but to pursue the matter to its proper conclusion. This was a case no Knight of the Ream wanted to deal with, not when it concerned the heir to the throne.

Daniel put the amulets back in his pocket, but kept a grip on them, cast, Find: amulet, and closed his eyes. If anyone else in the camp possessed an Aakacarn communication device created by the same maker as these, the spy will be made known. One pace behind and six to the left, he sensed an amulet just like the one with the diamond set in a blue sapphire. He had been hoping it was one of the other objects, the fact would not have cleared Angelina Ducalin, but it would have made her complicity in the affair less likely.

He turned to face whoever possessed the other diamond set in a blue sapphire, opened his eyes, and could not keep the sigh from escaping. Not him, it just could not be. Ruth’s advice, “if anyone insisted upon accompanying him, let them,” never steered him wrong before.

“What’s the matter, you look like death warmed over, are you having a relapse?” Lieutenant Tomei asked, as if he was deeply concerned.

“Why Cale, what did they offer you?” Daniel said with a catch in his throat. This man had been his instructor in the art of the blade; someone who could be depended upon, who he thought had his back.

Cale’s eyes widened as if he was totally confused by the questioning, yet his hand drifted towards the hilt of the deadly weapon on his hip. “Who offered me what? I know nothing of what you speak.”

Daniel steeled himself for what was to come. “By my authority as a Ducaunan Royal Knight of the Realm, I am ordering you to empty the contents of your pants pockets.”

People began to move away from the blade master. Sergeant Keenan and Corporal Carlin gripped their swords, ready on the instant to draw them at one word from their commander. David had a knife in his hand on the instant and Silvia caressed her crossbow but had not yet removed it from the clip on her belt.

Cale’s eyes narrowed. “Just what are you accusing me of?”

The man had nerve, Daniel had to give him that, but it changed nothing. “Depending on what is in your pockets, you will be charge with treason, among other things.”

The Lieutenant eyed the men surrounding him, perhaps estimating his chances of getting out of the camp alive, perspiration glistened on his brow. He swallowed hard and a strained smile appeared on his face. “How did you know it was me?”

A collective gasp sounded from the assembly, each person had heard the charge, and the response that amounted to a confession. Daniel did not feel the man deserving of any answers. “Lieutenant Cale Tomei, you are charged with treason against the crown of Ducaun, betrayal of your standing as an officer and cavalryman of Ducaun, and spying on an active mission of which you are a part, resulting in the deaths of Corporal Josh Duwin, Guardsman Ross Monner, and Guardsman Raymond Carpenter. Do you deny these charges?”

If Cale denied the charges a formal trial would ensue with Daniel as the judge. The Master-of-the-blade drew his sword. “My family has served in the Royal Cavalry for centuries, defending the borders of Ducaun, and I have continued this proud tradition. You see what I have done as a betrayal, but I believe my actions justified. Our kingdom allows its citizens to worship as they please, everything I have done has been in accord with the free exercise of my beliefs, and I am not ashamed.”

“What does that have to do with what he’s being charged with?” David asked in a voice that probably did not carry beyond a few paces, but was clearly heard by the accused.

“I believe in Tarin Conn,” Cale boldly declared.

Daniel took a deep breath, his emotions mixed, furious at the betrayal, and saddened that it had come to this. “Lieutenant Cale Tomei, I find you guilty of the charges stated before this assembly. The sentence, by law, is death. We are in the field so the sentence is to be carried out immediately. The only choice I am giving you is the method.”

Cale smiled menacingly. “I choose a duel to the death by sword.”

Sergeant Keenan stepped forward and volunteered, “I will carry out the sentence.”

He was a brave man and would most likely die, along with any other similarly like-minded men, but Daniel could not allow it.

Cale sneered. “Bring your executioners on, one at a time. Let’s see who is alive at the end.”

Daniel drew his blade, accepting the challenge, “Very well, a duel to the death by sword.”

Cale laughed. “So I’ll start with you. No problem. There’s no way you can beat me. I let you win that one time in the swamp.”

The truth or falsehood of the statement made no difference now, whichever, Daniel felt the need to give fair warning. “Cale, this will not be a fair fight, it is not within your power to kill me. I was born with extra energy in my life force. Even without summoning potential against you, my stamina is greater, and I will carryout the type of death you requested. We don’t have to do this. I can make your end painless.”

Cale laughed all the more while the circle of watchers widened enough to give the duelists room for their bout. “I am the greatest swordsman in the kingdom, one of the greatest in the world, and it is I who is going to kill you,” he announced and launched into Parting Kiss. The spring forward and double thrust was easily met with Crack of the Whip.

The dance of death had begun and Daniel met every offensive form used against him. Cale moved with the speed of a striking viper, springing into the air. His, Sting of the Wasp was negated by Daniel’s Springing Tiger, and the duel continued. Thorn in the Bushes met Nip in the Bud. Serpent Uncoiling met Ferret Coming In. On and on they fought, both blades a blur, metal clashing against metal, sparks flying. Tomei began Pruning the Hedges, but changed to Fanning the Flames at the last instant. Daniel quickly switched from Raking Leaves to Falling Rain. Cale’s eyes widened at the swift response to his changed attack. The contest continued with the Lieutenant starting one form and ending with another over and over again.

Three quarters of a mark went by with both men moving at top speed in the dance of swords. The people watching no longer existed. Daniel’s entire world was inhabited by him and the traitor, who was beginning to breathe hard, yet did not slow. A mark and a half in, Cale was slowing and Daniel took the offensive. He leapt into the air. His Triplets in the Carriage was countered by Cale’s Spider in the Web, but it backed the traitor up ten paces, nearly tripping him. Tomei regained his balance and began Eagle in the Heights, which Daniel simply parried to the right and launched into a reverse Dry Leaves Stirring. He knew by the slight resistance to his blade, even before he came out of the spin, that the duel was over. On the ground in front of him was the body of his instructor, whose head was several paces away. Daniel wiped the blood from his blade and sheathed it reflexively. Cale certainly had been an excellent instructor.

Complete silence fell over the camp as the entire company looked on in shock at the dead blade master. Jonah was the first to break from the circle and approach. “You defeated a Master-of-the-blade in a fair fight,” he proclaimed with awe in his voice. “And you aren’t even breathing hard.”

Daniel did not feel victorious. This was an execution. Cale never stood a chance of winning. Not only did his opponent have extra energy in his life force, he had an invisible shield beneath his clothes. Even if Tomei actually managed to get through his defenses, Daniel would have been unharmed. “No, I carried out the sentence in the way he requested.” It was as simple as that.

The Royal Guardsmen cheered as one, the noise waking flocks of birds in the trees and causing them to take flight and scatter, a risky thing for them to do in the dark. Sergeant Zaccum came forward, eyes wide, and nearly a smile on his face. He was making an effort to appear solemn. “His sword and scabbard are yours. You are a Master-of-the-blade now, we are all witnesses, and you ought to have lightning bolts etched into your own hilt and scabbard.”

David was shouting congratulations along with the rest, but Silvia was watching the Chosen Vessel. She seemed to sense how he felt and instead came over and whispered to him. “I’m sorry.” It was enough.

Daniel nodded to her, which Zaccum took for acceptance of his remark. “Good, you can have it done at your earliest convenience,” the old Sergeant shouted over the cheers.

Corporal Carlin was the next to approach. Anyone who thought this man stupid because of the slope of his forehead was in for a surprise. This man was alert even while clearly being as excited over his commander’s display of swordsmanship as the rest of the men
. “What are your orders?”

Daniel pointed at the traitor. “Remove the contents of his pockets and have the items brought to my tent, then I want Lieutenant Tomei taken out of the camp and buried. Just bury him, he does not deserve honors.” he replied, and observed the celebrating going on around him, which he was in no mood for. “Set the guards and have Guardsman Lakane begin preparations for the meal. Guardsmen Rainbird, Falcon, Ridgecat, and Thrush are sons of fishermen, have them, and whoever else you see fit to send, go to the lake and catch enough fish to feed the camp.”

Carlin snapped a salute. “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel.”

Order returned quickly under the steady hand of Sergeant Keenan, who was chivying the men to be quick about their business. Rabin set up the command tent. Daniel waited for his belongings to be brought in and then went inside, with David, Silvia, and Keenan close on his heels. They each seemed to have something to say when all he wanted was to be alone for a little while. Cale’s sword and the contents of his pockets, among which was a communication amulet like the one found on Jak, were neatly laid in the corner near the upside down box. That blade would serve as a reminder to be more careful about who is to be accepted as a companion.

“That was a long execution, but in the end painless, just as you promised,” David apparently felt the need to point out.

“Do you really think Angelina Ducalin is a spy?” Silvia questioned him, earning a frown from the Sergeant.

Daniel removed his helmet and tossed it to the right of the bedroll. “I hope not. Just because the gems are similar doesn’t mean they are the same.”

“How did you know Tomei was the spy?” Keenan, who had lectured Hawk about ignoring anything Aakacarn-like in Daniel’s presence, was now asking questions he probably did not really want to know the answer to.

Daniel glanced at the man, who startled and took a step back, perhaps at the look on his commander’s face. “I cast a spell that gave me the ability to sense a twin to the amulets I found in Jak Taltin’s possession. The real question is who made the amulet, I’m fairly sure the answer is Serin Gell.”

“That would be a reasonable conclusion based on what we have learned so far,” Keenan replied, calmly, with no sign of his previous momentary reaction. He pointed at the sword on Daniel’s hip. “You should have lightning bolts.”

Why the big concern about displaying the bolts? “What I told Cale was true. My stamina comes from the extra energy in my life force and all I need do is keep fighting until my opponent gets tired and then move in for the win. That does not make me the better swordsman.”

“Did you cast a spell on him during the duel?” Silvia asked, as if he would.