The Scarlet King (17 page)

After briefing Captain Cook on the
developments, Heather allowed each to voice their concerns and
opinions. She then explained, “It is the wish of my grandmother and
the Spirits of the Forest that we give assistance to those of the
Red. The danger of Daniel’s knowledge falling into the enemy’s
hands is so great that we can risk it not.” She then spoke as the
commander, and said, “Captain Cook, I would you set sail and return
Jason and the other envoys to the safety of our homeland. Daniel
and the little ones will accompany you.”

Jason understood that indeed Heather was the
commander and acquiesced to her wishes silently, but a look of
great sadness was evident on his face. Captain Cook merely replied,
“I accept your command.”

Heather arose and returned via the boat to
those waiting ashore. Betty was not dressed for travel, and Heather
felt relieved to know that she would help care for the little ones.
There was also somewhat of an emptiness knowing Betty would not be
there to support her. Daniel was very quiet as he helped his bride
to prepare to depart. He wanted not to leave her alone, but
understood the reasoning. It made the separation no easier to
accept and he worried greatly for her. And then she was gone,
headed towards the impassable mountains. There was nothing left to
do but head back to the ship and sail for home, leaving his bride
behind. At least Jeremy had recovered enough that he and Edna would
stay with her; it was what gave him hope.

Chapter 9

Heather and her troop of hunters from the
Forest traveled quickly to the west into increasingly barren lands.
Scouts spread out seeking water sources and food. Late in the
afternoon as they passed by the region of farming, Heather took
Stan aside and asked, “Would your people be willing to join the
battle against the darkness approaching from the east?”

Stan responded, “My people are few and not
warriors; what is it that you would have us do?”

“I expect a landing to the east and north of
the Great City. This will create a long supply line which we need
to disrupt. I would also have a messenger system to know the
movements of the invading army.”

Stan was quiet before replying. “If the
invaders land far enough north, they would be in our traditional
hunting area. My people know this area well and may be able to do
as you ask.”

Heather then said, “I would you take two of
the hunters with you and leave us for your people. Those of the
Forest can act as your messengers.”

Soon Stan returned with two of the younger
hunters ready to depart. Heather said, “May the God of the Sacred
Water watch over you and the Spirits of the Forest travel with
you.”

On the second day they were met by one of the
returning four original scouts. He reported that indeed the passage
existed but was technically difficult. When Heather asked, “Can
those not of the Forest make the passage with the help of the
hunters?”

The scout was quiet as he thought and finally
responded, “With enough ropes it is possible.” He added, “Moving
equipment or supplies may not be possible.”

Heather thanked him for his report, saying,
“Climbing supplies are on their way. I worry about water.”

The scout reported, “In another day’s journey
springs become available, but the hunting more difficult.”

Heather said not, saving her breathing for
travel. The hunters seemed to be able to sit by the campfire and
tell their stories, but fatigue always forced Heather to her tent.
Her sleep came almost immediately because of the fatigue, but was
interrupted frequently by images of Daniel and their baby and of
the upcoming war. As she was fighting the dream of war, an image of
Betty formed and her mind calmed. Restful sleep returned.

Heather and her group spent little time in
hunting or making camp, for Heather had a sense that time was
becoming critical. On the third day as they began climbing in
earnest, the wagon was finally spotted with the promised climbing
supplies. They had made poor time, for the wagon itself was not
well suited for travel across the rough terrain. Those of the
Forest unloaded the climbing supplies and stored much of the food
which was provided.

A scroll heavily sealed was given to Heather
and she opened it not. She trusted that the Red Ambassador had
indeed done as he had promised. Heather debated leaving a few of
the Forest behind to watch their cache and care for the horses, but
decided that it was far more important to have all the help
available for moving the troops through the pass.

On the fourth day the jagged mountains begin
to impose a restriction on their breathing as the air thinned with
altitude. Jeremy now took charge, setting a slow but steady pace.
He was adamant that they stop frequently and drink plenty of water.
The springs were again becoming smaller and harder to find. The sun
was fierce and any skin left exposed quickly turned red. The days
were warm but the nights were cold and many shivered in their
tents.

On the fifth day the ravine they were
traveling in narrowed to a thin slot just wide enough for a man
with a pack. The walls were at least one hundred feet high and
composed of polished stone that appeared as the marble in the Great
Hall. Jeremy pointed to small logs wedged about halfway up, saying,
“When rain comes this would be a most dangerous passage.”

After passing through the slot canyon they
entered a more open bowl with steep sides. The real climbing began,
for the walls needed to be scaled and the ridge reached in order to
cross the mountains. Those of the Forest had already been planning,
and with but a nod from Jeremy set out with their ropes to scale
the cliffs.

Heather was happy to simply rest and watch as
those most expert moved up the cliffs, anchoring lines for those to
follow. Others followed, establishing three separate paths for
assent. All too soon it was time for Heather to follow. Those of
the Forest looped the secondary rope around her chest, saying, “We
will help but it is best if you can use your legs to help move
upwards and stabilize yourself.”

The rope tightened; Heather grasped the
primary rope, using her arms to help pull herself up the cliff
face. Those of the Forest kept enough tension on the secondary rope
to reduce her effort, but not so much as to constrict her
breathing. Upon reaching the first ledge, the secondary rope was
exchanged for another from above and again Heather began moving
upwards. Four separate stages were required to reach the top of the
ridge. Heather’s breathing was difficult because of both the
altitude and the tightness of the rope. When finally gaining the
top, she simply sat and rested trying to regain her breath. Jeremy
was in good humor and pointed to the west, saying, “There is our
great ocean.” He then turned to the east and far in the distance
one could see the harbor of the Great City.

The wind was blowing and Heather soon
chilled. Jeremy directed those of the Forest to begin moving off as
the rest ascended the cliff, saying, “We have yet a few hours of
sunlight; let us try for a lower altitude.”

Heather followed those in the lead, but had
trouble concentrating and stumbled several times. The ridge sloped
downward, and after two hours of descending the air finally began
to provide enough oxygen for Heather to breathe comfortably. The
campsite was on an almost flat portion of the mountain with a
tremendous view of the setting sun. Enough wind persisted that
setting the tents was difficult, and the noise of the flapping
canvas should have made sleep difficult. Fatigue, however, easily
won out and after a meal of travel rations Heather was soon asleep.
Morning came all too soon and Jeremy had everyone moving, for he
liked not the clouds in the distance. As they descended the
mountains, the travel became easier and water was more
plentiful.

On the eighth day they arrived at the large
encampment they had created for the Army of the Red. They had
posted no sentries, and a great confusion arose when Heather and
those of the Forest arrived. Their commanding officer needed a few
minutes to dress formally before he would meet with Heather. They
met in his tent with a formal guard standing outside. The guard was
matched by an equal number of those of the Forest who simply milled
around and visited somewhat aimlessly, but were acutely aware of
any danger to Heather. The meeting started somewhat stiffly until
the commanding officer finally asked, “What is the meaning of your
visit?”

Heather handed him the scroll and the
commanding officer recognized immediately the imprint of Don the
Great. With hands which were ever so slightly shaking, he carefully
opened the scroll. As he read he said not, and when finished
carefully rolled again the scroll. He simply stared at Heather,
saying not. When he finally spoke it was in a humble voice, as he
said, “I serve my King and my people and will do as Don the Great
commands. I hereby pledge my allegiance to you as commander of what
will be the army of the wilderness.”

With that he stood and removed his sword,
passing it to Heather. She accepted the sword, and as he knelt on
one knee, she touched both shoulders with the sword. Heather said
only,” I accept your pledge and wish to work with you to subdue
this darkness arising in the east.”

With a simple command others now joined them
and listened to Heather’s plan. Many questions concerned supplies
and weapons. The commanding officer quoted the scroll saying, “Don
the Great is already providing us what we need. Our duty is to
arrive as quickly as possible to take up arms.” Many questions were
asked about the risk of crossing the mountains, and finally one of
the senior officers said point blank, “It is well known that the
mountains are impassable.”

Heather simply smiled, saying, “There is
ancient knowledge of passage and our existence should be proof
enough that passage is possible.” She continued, “The trip is
arduous and with some danger. I would only those volunteering
freely accompany us on our return.”

The discussion turned to more practical
matters of moving an army without supplies. Heather’s plan was to
station those of the Forest along the route, and have the army
group into units of two hundred which would stream up the
mountains. Those of the Forest could handle no more with their
ropes. Those who crossed first would be charged with setting up the
command, and camp in the wilderness to the north of the Great City.
Those who came towards the end would be responsible for carrying
more of the supplies.

When asked when the first group should be
prepared to depart, Heather replied, “At first light.”

There was a general murmur of dissent—that it
was impossible to prepare in such a short time. The commanding
officer said simply, “Her wish is our order. Go prepare our best
for travel at first light.”

When the others had left, the commanding
officer relaxed only a little. He asked Heather, “Would you join me
for the evening meal and tell me your story?”

Heather responded, “I would join you but ask
that two others of the Forest join us also, for they are the
storytellers.”

“Most certainly.”

The meal was the simple food of the military,
but it was obvious from the spice that the Southern Kingdom was
very much involved in providing their supplies. The commanding
officer was most interested in the urgency that Heather felt.
Hearing of the black ships far to the west, he better understood
the urgency. When Jeremy told his story of the treatment he and
Edna had received, a look of anger was evident on the commanding
officer’s face but he said not. He had many questions about the
navigational issues and the distances traveled. Jeremy did his best
to answer the questions, but many of the specific details he knew
not or could not figure out how to explain in the language of the
Red.

It was not yet late when Heather announced,
“I would rest, for tomorrow the hard work begins.”

As Jeremy and Edna accompanied her to their
camp on the edge of the military camp, she asked, “Trust you the
commanding officer?”

Jeremy replied first, saying, “He seems a
straightforward type.”

Edna was a bit more reserved, saying, “I
sense that he is not comfortable with you as the leader. There
seems to be no malice.”

Heather asked, “Think you it is because I am
a woman?”

Edna thought hard before responding, “No, it
may have to do with his previous pledge of loyalty to the Scarlet
King.” She then added, “It would be better if Betty were here, for
she hears others far better than I.”

Heather’s sleep was again tortured by the
absence of Daniel and their baby, as well as the upcoming war. As
before, it was Betty appearing in her dream that calmed her and
allowed her to rest. Jeremy had them up well before dawn. Heather
completed her morning ritual and broke fast with those of the
Forest. The mountains kept the campsite in shadows long after the
sky showed signs of daylight. They had no sooner broken their camp
than a column of military personnel began to present. In the lead
was the commanding officer. He said only, “I ask not that my men do
what I am unwilling to do.”

Heather nodded in appreciation and simply
moved off back towards the mountains. After just a few miles the
terrain began to steepen markedly. Heather fell back to walk with
the commanding officer. She complimented him on his troops, saying,
“They travel well.”

He was obviously struggling somewhat to keep
up and his breathing was already difficult. He replied, “We have
continued to work in order to be prepared.”

Heather suggested that he allow those of the
Forest to carry his pack. He responded, “I’m afraid that I’m no
longer young. Maybe it would be best.”

Heather but waved ever so slightly to one of
the Forest, who fell back and willingly took the commanding
officer’s pack. Heather continued, “For three days we will be
climbing and the air will become very thin. Our travel pace will
slow so that people can breathe. On the fourth day we will reach
the crest of the mountains and will begin the descent.” After a
short pause to catch her breath, she continued, “Those of the
Forest will need to lower your troops on ropes. It will be the most
difficult part of the journey.”