Unicorns' Opal (36 page)

Everyone’s attention was riveted on Tanya as she dumped the contents of her pack on the table. While Tanya retrieved her personal effects from the pile and returned them to her pack, the others stared at the large pile of jewelry and gems.

“How much of this will you allow us to use?” asked Oscar.

“All of it,” answered Tanya. “I have no need of money. It is to aid Arik in ascending the throne.”

“You have no need to worry about your morals, lass,” smiled Oscar. “The Sultan squeezed these jewels out of landowners who could not afford his ever-increasing taxes. After he had all that he could take from them, he killed them.”

“I do not know much about jewelry,” interjected Konic. “What is all of this worth?”

“It is enough to feed an army,” Alex said. “That was good thinking, Tanya. I should have thought of that myself, but I was sure that Oscar would provide the funds.”

“Not only feed an army,” added Oscar. “It will provide the funds to enter the Contest of Power and much more. There is a fortune here. We have much work to do before we return to Tagaret. First we must stop the Queen from entering the city. If she arrives too early, she will surely be killed. Is there a way we can stop her?”

“There might be,” offered Alex. “Princess Callie, you said you inherited John’s artistic talent. Can you create a picture of General Gregor?”

“Certainly,” responded Callie.

“Make him twenty years older than you remember him,” added Alex. “His hairline has receded to about here. Hair color is lighter than before. It is almost white now.”

Callie rose to get her brushes and canvas while Oscar sorted through the jewels.

“What do you have planned?” asked Alan.

“Prince Midge can get to Tagaret long before we can,” explained Alex. “If we can show him what General Gregor looks like, he can hunt for him. I know he has taken over a farm about an hour outside Tagaret. There should be hundreds of men on the farm if not thousands. Once you find the farm, seek out only General Gregor. I will tell you what to say to him.”

“I shall complete this task,” saluted the fairy. “Where will I find you when I am done?”

“We will be catching a ship to Tagaret in a day or two,” answered Alex. “We cannot afford to spend time in that city though, so we will grab the first ship out to Tice. We will probably stay at an inn near the docks.”

“I will find you,” declared Prince Midge. “Nobody can hide from a fairy.”

“Callie and I will not be going with you,” Oscar stated. “We will need a mansion to move into before we dare set foot in the city. Alan, Konic, and I will draw up our plans and then they will go with you. Callie and I will come on a later ship. Will the rest of you be all right without them along?”

“We will be fine,” answered Arik. “Just make sure that all of you remain safe in Tagaret. That is the more dangerous mission.”

“I think we should have some Targa Rangers pose as security guards for the three of you in Tagaret,” suggested Alex. “They will not only provide security for you, but will allow us to get some troops inside the city unnoticed.”

“Perhaps I should start a mercenary company,” mused Oscar. “We could hire ex-Rangers. That would not only get them to protect us, but may get them in position to protect our enemies.”

“I like it,” nodded Alex. “Not many Targans know much about Grakus. Perhaps it could be the Grakus Mercenary Company?”

“I will design an advertisement for posting in Tagaret,” smiled Oscar. “We will be seeking only the most skilled warriors.”

“That will work well now that Fredrik is guarded by the Cidal Mercenary Company,” interjected Jenneva. “The competitive spirit of the players will require that they each hire mercenaries.”

“Where will you be heading after you deliver the Golden Horn?” asked Konic sadly.

“Wherever the Sword of Heavens leads us,” answered Arik. “We will not know until it tells us. I will be all right. You help prepare Tagaret for me and I promise I will be there when the time comes.”

***

“The flowers are beautiful, Baron Zalski,” admired Niki as she smiled at the tall lean man. “Where did you ever find such specimens? They are so full of color and fragrance.”

“I am told that flowers such as these used to grow right here in Tagaret,” smiled the baron. “Today of course they are extremely rare. I had them imported at great cost.”

“And just for me,” grinned Niki. “You are so thoughtful.”

“Well I do hope they please you,” continued Baron Zalski. “Father asked again when we planned to wed. I am not in a hurry you understand, but my parents are planning a rather large wedding and there are many things that must be scheduled.”

“Well, Baron,” replied Niki, “I have not heard of an opening of the Council of Advisors yet. I think it would be a much grander affair if you were being wed to a Council member.”

“You are so insistent on this matter,” frowned the young baron. “Father has stated that he will nominate you for a seat on the Council. Surely that is enough.”

“Hardly,” Niki shook her head petulantly. “The fortune my father left me is worth more than a mere nomination. I fully expect to be placed on the Council before we wed.”

“That is impossible to predict,” rebutted the baron. “The best he can do is make a nomination. Nobody is assured of a seat on the Council. It is the most sought after prize in Tagaret.”

“And here I thought my days of accepting suitors were over,” pouted Niki. “Oh well, I guess I shall have to check my social calendar again.”

“Niki,” implored the baron, “let me speak with father again. Perhaps he can call in some favors. I will impress upon him the need for haste.”

“Very well,” smiled Niki as she walked Baron Zalski to the door of the mansion. “I shall eagerly await word from you. And Baron, don’t forget my love for furs when you come next time.”

The baron nodded and hurried down the steps of the mansion to his waiting carriage. Niki closed the door and leaned against it.

“That was very good,” Dalgar said softly as he stepped out of the shadows. “I think you are learning to play this game well, but he was here longer than necessary. I do hope his carriage leaves the estate before Lord Tredor arrives.”

“Let them see each other,” scowled Niki. “I am getting tired of playing these games. Why can’t they just make a spot for me on the Council?”

“An interesting thought,” mused Dalgar. “Perhaps you should suggest it.”

“I think I shall,” growled Niki. “Is Lord Tredor the last for today? I am getting tired and would like a bath.”

“He is the last one scheduled for today,” nodded Dalgar, “but you should always be prepared for surprises. Speaking of surprises, I have to leave the city for a while. Something down south requires my personal attention.”

“It must be important for you to leave the city,” inquired Niki. “What is it?”

“Never ask me where I go or what I do,” scolded Dalgar. “Remember your place or I shall have to remind you. Get yourself ready for Lord Tredor. I hear a carriage outside.”

Dalgar disappeared into the shadows and Niki straightened her dress before she heard the knock on the door. She opened the door to see a short plump man and smiled broadly.

“Lord Tredor,” greeted Niki. “I did not expect you so soon. Come in.”

“Thank you,” replied the young man. “Why are you answering the door yourself?”

“I gave the servants some time off,” smiled Niki. “I do not like them hanging around when you are here.”

“Was that Baron Zalski’s carriage I passed on the way in?” questioned Lord Tredor.

“Hmm?” Niki responded distractedly. “Oh yes it was. His dear father came into possession of some imported flowers and the baron was kind enough to bring them over for me. I think he is allergic to them. Wasn’t that sweet of him?”

“Very,” frowned Lord Tredor. “I hope the servants were still here.”

“Oh of course,” smiled Niki. “I just dismissed them. They are probably taking the back way out right now. Let us retire to the sitting room.”

Niki led the way into the sitting room and Lord Tredor frowned at the vase of flowers. He held out a small colorfully wrapped package and handed it to Niki. Niki smiled broadly and slowly unwrapped the package. Inside was a small silver cloak pin in the shape of a pelican.

“Oh this is so darling,” grinned Niki. “How did you know I would like it?”

“I remembered you mentioning that you enjoyed watching the pelicans at your seaside palace down south,” smiled Lord Tredor. “It was very hard to find and amazingly expensive, but I knew you would like it.”

“You are so thoughtful,” nodded Niki as she placed the pin on the table and sat on the couch.

“I am at that,” grinned Lord Tredor as he sat next to Niki and held her hand. “Father wanted to know if your family would be attending the wedding?”

“Well that depends on when it is,” replied Niki. “My father is a very busy man. He cannot just drop everything and leave without notice. He may have to change the schedule of one of his ships just to attend.”

“His ships?” quizzed Lord Tredor. “I thought he owned a goldmine?”

Niki’s eyes darted left and right and her lips pressed tightly together. “He does,” Niki replied quickly. “The goldmine is just one of his ventures. He owns a shipping company as well. Why pay some other freight operator to ship your gold when you can just buy a shipping company and double your profits?”

“Ah,” nodded Lord Tredor. “That does make sense. He must be a very busy man.”

“I just said that he was busy,” scowled Niki. “Are you here to talk about my father or to talk with me?”

“I am sorry,” apologized Lord Tredor. “Forgive my manners. I have a lot on my mind today. In fact, my father is pressuring me for a wedding date again. We really should start making plans.”

“I thought we had made plans,” retorted Niki. “I have not been called to the Palace to take my seat on the Council yet.”

“Well of course not,” frowned Lord Tredor. “How can you be added to the Council when there are no vacancies? Father has agreed to nominate you. We will just have to wait for an opening.”

“Why?” asked Niki.

“Why?” echoed Lord Tredor. “What do you mean why? How can you possibly be nominated for a seat on the Council when there is no open seat?”

“Think about it,” smiled Niki. “I am sure you will come up with an answer. If not, our wedding will have to wait. If my father is going to come all the way up here for the wedding, I want to be a member of the Council of Advisors when he arrives. Isn’t that what you want for me?”

“Of course it is,” Lord Tredor answered pensively. “I just do not see how it is possible. Even if there was an opening, I am sure there would be thirteen nominations to fill it. The odds are not that good really.”

“Not good?” pouted Niki. “This wedding cannot mean very much to your family if that is your answer. My father could probably buy this city and you say my odds are not good at getting on the Council? Perhaps I have overestimated you.”

“Buy the city?” Lord Tredor said with his mouth hanging open. “You said he was wealthy, but I cannot imagine anyone that wealthy.”

“The goldmines are just his personal favorite,” retorted Niki as she struggled to remember the name Dalgar had told her to use. “They actually represent a very small portion of his wealth. Have you never heard of Stafa Rakech?”

“Stafa Rakech?” echoed Lord Tredor. “He is your father?”

“That was my grandfather,” Niki said smugly. “My father inherited all of his wealth.”

“Stafa Rakech is talked about in all the old stories of Sordoa,” remarked Lord Tredor. “I heard he practically owned all of Sordoa.”

“Now you are beginning to understand who you are dealing with,” smirked Niki. “I want that seat on the Council before our wedding. I do not want just a nomination and I do not care if there are any openings. Are you going to be my husband or do I need to start looking towards other suitors again?”

“But if there are not any openings,” Lord Tredor began.

“Then make an opening,” demanded Niki. “If you are not prepared to, just say so and I will find someone who is prepared to be one of the richest men in the world.”

Lord Tredor gulped. Players in the Contest of Power did die under unusual circumstances, but most of them remained clear of public places for their own safety. To actually find a Council member that exposed himself so that he could be killed would be incredibly lucky. Even then, gathering the votes needed to select Niki for the vacancy would be almost impossible. Yet a marriage to Niki was the goal of most of the young men in the city. If any of them found out how much she was really worth, Lord Tredor’s father might be the one that was eliminated to make room for her.

“I am sure that something can be arranged,” responded Lord Tredor. “It will take some time to set up, but it can be done. You understand that we are risking everything to do this. You must not breath a word to anyone or we shall all end up dead. Promise me that you will mention this to nobody.”

“Of course I promise,” grinned Niki. “Who could I possibly tell? I do hope all of this will not take long. I will go shopping tomorrow for suitable clothes to wear for when I am accepted to my seat on the Council.”

“Remember I said it will take time,” cautioned Lord Tredor. “I should return home and speak with my father immediately. You will excuse me?”

“Of course, darling,” grinned Niki. “I could use a bath anyway. You run along and talk to your father.”

Niki led Lord Tredor to the front door and watched him enter his carriage before she closed the door. Dalgar slipped out of the shadows once again.

“You might have snared the right pigeon in that one,” smiled Dalgar. “Then again, he may be fool enough to get discovered. I would not rush out to the tailors just yet. I wonder whom he plans to eliminate? Maybe we should select someone for him so he does not inadvertently remove one of your other suitors.”

“Who cares who he kills,” scowled Niki. “I cannot believe that all of these men are so timid. How do I get out of the wedding after I have my seat on the Council?”

“What wedding?” laughed Dalgar. “After you are seated, we make sure everyone knows his father eliminated a Council member. His father won’t last a week. We can shove Fredrik into the newly vacant seat.”