Emerald of the Elves (17 page)

“Very well,” nodded Alex. “I have some ideas that may work. It is still a risky proposition.”

“I understand that,” agreed Arik. “One thing that may help is that the Black Devils will be eager to show themselves. This may be our opportunity to eliminate them.”

“I will ride by your side and maintain a shield over you,” smiled Tanya. “That will allow the Red Swords to have time to react to any threats against you.”

“That is a good idea,” agreed Jenneva. “I would like to be in the city before you arrive. My skills may be necessary to eliminate the stronger Black Devils.”

“Prince Darok and I will accompany Jenneva,” stated Alex. “I will not have myself divert attention from the entering prince. Plus, I have a few ideas about how the army can prepare for your entry.”

“Alex, why don’t you and Jenneva go on ahead,” suggested Tanya. “The sight of Prince Darok accompanying Prince Arik will add to the excitement of the procession.”

“I will ride with the Bringer,” declared Prince Midge.

“And Chaco should show his horn,” added Tanya. “Let the people of Tagaret know that there are other peoples who follow Prince Arik.”

“I am beginning to like this idea,” smiled Jenneva. “If only we can be sure of protecting you, Arik.”

“That is the important part,” nodded Alex. “I agree that the plan is brilliant. “I have spent so many years sneaking around that I forgot the value of public displays. This will gather the citizens around you, Arik.”

“So you think it will work then?” Arik questioned.

“We will make it work,” promised Alex. “Can you find the field near Tagaret where we met after rescuing General Gregor from the dungeon of the Royal Palace?”

“I know where it is,” nodded Arik.

“That is where you will meet your honor guard,” stated Alex. “Prince Midge, do I have your permission to take charge of the fairies for this entrance parade? They will become essential for the preparations.”

“The fairies live for the benefit of the Bringer,” chirped Prince Midge. “Bitsy will carry word that they are to accept direction from you until I say otherwise.”

* * *

“Where did Wylan learn to fight like that?” marveled Baron Timor. “I remember him as a fair fighter, but now he shows great skill.”

“He has been taught by a master,” smiled Bin-lu. “Alexander Tork.”

“It shows,” declared Baron Timor as he watched Wylan fending off two of the baron’s men with staffs. “I wish all of my men had such training. There would be little that could stand in their way.”

“It takes only one of your men with such training,” Bin-lu pointed out. “Then he can teach the others. Perhaps Wylan will return to Southland after the Dark One dies.”

“I don’t think so,” shrugged the baron. “Not that Southland is a bad place to live, but there is nothing left there to bring Wylan back.”

“Find him a girl,” chuckled Bin-lu. “That is always a good way to sway a man’s mind.”

“He talks about a girl in Tagaret,” offered Baron Timor. “She must be special to him. Still, your idea has merit. Perhaps I should send a few of my men to Tagaret to get training after this coming battle.”

“Will the fight at Klandon be fierce?” asked Bin-lu.

“I hope it is not,” sighed the baron. “Twerp reported that the Army of the West is not far away. We should join up with them in the morning. Blessed Sword! Wylan just took both of my men out at the same time. That is talent.”

“Will tomorrow be the day of the battle?” questioned Bin-lu.

“Tomorrow night, actually,” nodded Baron Timor. “We are hoping to get the gates to the city opened before they realize they are under attack. I hope King Altaro’s men meet up with us before the battle. Their knowledge of the city would be priceless.”

“But that would also mean that Mya has fallen, wouldn’t it?” inquired Bin-lu. “Then we would have to rush after Azmet’s men.”

“Well,” pondered Baron Timor, “it would mean they abandoned Mya, but it does not mean that Azmet won’t dally there for a while before attacking Tagaret. I think we shall have plenty of time to regroup and chase after him.”

Bin-lu tossed a towel to Wylan as he approached the campfire. Baron Timor grinned at Wylan as he sat down.

“That was a marvelous display of skill,” complimented the baron. “If you fight like that tomorrow, Azmet’s men will run from you.”

“I will not be using a staff against Azmet’s men,” declared Wylan. “I have steel and arrowheads for them. I am looking forward to eradicating the disease called Azmet. Anyone who kills women and children without a thought does not deserve to live another day.”

“I doubt his god Abuud will welcome him, either,” nodded the baron.

Twerp fluttered down from the trees overhead and landed on the baron’s shoulder. “Mya has fallen today,” reported the green fairy. “King Altaro’s men are moving through the night to reach Klandon by tomorrow.”

“They will be exhausted by the time they arrive,” frowned the baron. “They will not be able to take part in the battle.”

“Some will be exhausted,” replied Twerp, “but others left yesterday. The king thought you would need guides for your attack on Klandon.”

“Excellent,” Baron Timor smiled. “That is really what I was hoping for. I do not think we need the king’s whole force there. You should go back and tell them to set camp. The intimate knowledge of the city that a few men can give us will be enough.”

“I will do so,” chirped Twerp. “Droplet and I also came up with a plan of our own. We can put the bad guards to sleep at the city gates.”

“Can you really do that?” asked the baron. “That is all the break we need. Once those gates are opened, Klandon will fall quickly.”

“Fairies can do that,” beamed Twerp. “I shall deliver your message to Droplet.”

As Twerp leaped into the sky, Tedi and Natia approached the campfire and sat together on a log. Natia looked depressed.

“Tedi!” exclaimed Bin-lu. “I thought you were staying with the gypsies?”

“We decided to join you on the road to Tagaret,” smiled Tedi. “I wanted Natia to see the city, and Adan wants to know how the gypsies can help Prince Arik. Besides, there are a few of Azmet’s people that I owe a thrashing to.”

“Well, you are more than welcome in my camp,” smiled the baron. “Between the horses and the delivery of the armor, the gypsies have done a great service. Will you fight with us tomorrow?”

“I will be joining you for the fight,” nodded Tedi. “I would prefer that Natia remain in camp. I am afraid that she disagrees with me.”

“I can fight as well as any basta,” Natia declared proudly. “You have no right to exclude me from the fighting. I will join with the others in the sacking of Klandon.”

The baron’s eyebrows rose as he gazed at the gypsy princess. “We are not actually sacking Klandon,” the baron smiled thinly. “We are liberating it. There might be a crucial part of our attack that calls for people with great stealth. It seems to me that a pair of gypsies would fill that bill.”

“What task is that?” Natia asked suspiciously.

“We need a couple of people inside the city to open the gates,” declared Baron Timor. “The fairies are going to put the guards asleep, but we still must get those gates open.”

“That would be easy,” grinned Natia. “Nobody would suspect gypsies of helping your army. Our presence might incline them to post more guards around their stables though.”

“Well that works to our advantage, too,” the baron laughed heartily. “At least we will know where their men are.”

Tedi’s shirt was a maze of color swatches with large billowing sleeves. A broad sash was belted around his waist and a gold earring dangled from his left ear. He had two knives, one in each boot, and his staff. Natia rode behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist. They began singing a gypsy song long before they reached the gates of Klandon. Tedi’s voice was loud and boisterous, while Natia’s singing was interrupted with fits of laughter. A crowd of religious followers gathered near the gates as they heard the gypsies coming.

The guards blocked the entrance to the city of Klandon. Tedi halted his horse and stopped singing. He looked curiously at the guards standing in his way.

“What is your business in the city of Abuud?” asked one of the guards.

“We need provisions,” smirked Tedi.

“We do not allow loud singing in the city,” scowled the guard. “This is a pious city.”

“We don’t plan to stay,” smiled Natia. “We just need some supplies. I will keep his ugly voice quiet while we are here.”

Tedi acted offended, but then he smiled at Natia and shrugged comically to the guards.

“Make sure that you leave with only one horse,” warned the guard as he stepped aside. “We follow Kartaria law in this city. Any violations are dealt with severely. You may pass.”

Tedi smiled at the guards as they passed. The crowd inside the gate parted, their voices murmuring excitedly.

“I see a problem,” Natia whispered to Tedi.

“What?” questioned Tedi.

“Look around,” warned Natia. “This is not a city. It is a garrison. There are no women or children. Only men.”

Tedi looked around at the people on the streets. He frowned as he observed that Natia was correct.

“We should leave right away,” Tedi mumbled under his breath. “Or better yet, you could leave with the horse. That would be my excuse for remaining behind.”

“Don’t even think about it,” scowled Natia. “You are a pig. I am as good a fighter as any man.”

“In a fight,” Tedi sighed, “you are as good as any man, but to me you are worth much more than all of the men put together. Why do you insist on putting yourself in danger? You know what it does to me.”

“It is exciting,” giggled Natia. “Show me a gypsy who does not like excitement and I will show you a gypsy who has never lived. One thing that you must learn is that I am not a porcelain princess. I can handle myself.”

Tedi sighed in resignation, and halted the horse near an inn. Natia immediately slid to the ground and tied the horse to a post while Tedi dismounted. A dozen stares greeted the gypsies as they entered the inn and sat at an empty table. A man in an apron immediately came to the table.

“We would like something to eat,” declared Tedi. “And can you tell us where we can buy supplies for the trail?”

“Show me some coins,” demanded the innkeeper.

Tedi reached into a pouch and produced a gold coin. He placed it on the table. The innkeeper went to reach for it, and Tedi swiftly scooped it up.

“You did not say how much the meal was,” Tedi said.

“I don’t make change,” scowled the innkeeper. “I can give you some supplies for the road. It will be worth your gold.”

Tedi nodded and opened his palm exposing the gold coin. Suddenly, he looked over at Natia and grinned. He promptly closed his fist again as the innkeeper was reaching for the coin.

“I would assume that meals come with a room,” grinned Tedi. “I am suddenly feeling very tired. I will give you the gold for a room and some supplies for the trail. I am sure it is more than enough.”

“We do not allow overnight stays in Klandon,” advised the innkeeper. “Try again next month. Maybe the rules will have changed by then.”

“Then we will not stay overnight,” grinned Tedi as he opened his palm again. “We would not want to break any rules. We will leave when the inn closes.”

Tedi winked at the innkeeper. The man looked around the room shiftily and then reached for the gold coin as if expecting Tedi to close his fist again. Tedi held his palm open, and the innkeeper snatched the gold coin. He disappeared into the kitchen, and Tedi rose.

“I will stable the horse and get our pack,” Tedi said softly. “Be right back.”

Tedi gazed at the other men in the common room and halted with his hand on the door. All of the men were watching him leave, and he felt a tremor of apprehension course through his body. The innkeeper emerged from the kitchen and placed two plates on the table. He looked at Tedi and then at the other men in the room. Tedi opened the door and hurried outside. He untied the horse and took it around to the stables. He hastily secured it in a stall and grabbed the pack off its back. Carrying the pack and his staff, Tedi moved swiftly through the rear door of the inn. He loudly dropped the pack on the floor as he saw three men crowding around Natia. All eyes in the room immediately turned to Tedi.

Tedi held his staff tightly as he approached the table Natia sat at. The innkeeper appeared in the doorway of the kitchen with two mugs in his hand. He halted when he saw what was going on.

“Leave the gypsy woman alone,” demanded the innkeeper as Tedi reached the table.

“They are infidels,” growled one of the men. “Do not tell us how to behave.”

“You will obey my rules or you will leave,” retorted the innkeeper. “You should preach to them about Abuud if they are infidels. Somehow, I don’t think that is your intent.”

“Mind your own business, you old fool,” snarled one of the men as he reached for Natia.

Natia’s hand came up so swiftly that the man did not understand what had caused the pain in his wrist. He pulled his hand away quickly as the blood from his wrist dripped onto the floor. Natia held a bloody knife in front her as if to ward off the other two men. The wounded man stepped further back and hastily wrapped a cloth around his bleeding wrist. The other two men drew long daggers from their belts.

Tedi’s staff instantly swung into action. He raised the end off the floor and hit one man’s dagger wrist from the bottom. He swiftly leaned forward and brought the staff down on top of the other man’s wrist with a resounding crack. Both long daggers fell to the floor. One of the other men in the room raced out the door, and the innkeeper uttered an oath under his breath. A soldier appeared in seconds. Natia slid her knife into its sheath.

“What is going on?” demanded the soldier as he drew his sword.

“These three were accosting the infidel wench,” reported the innkeeper.

“They attacked us for no reason,” complained the man with the cut wrist.

“Everyone return to your tables and sit down,” ordered the soldier. “I will determine who is at fault here.”