"The Talisman of Darien Kaur": Book two : "Princess of Arlain"

By R. James McCord

"The Talisman of Darien Kaur" : Book two : "Princess of Arlain"
The queen is dead. Gailinda of the realm of Arlain has succumbed to a long, wasting disease and her country is slowly being absorbed into the empire of the northern god Kaull. The heir apparent, princess Johanna, suffers from the same illness that clained her mother. Acting in the queens name, Johannas' brother, The Kaull Bishop Bardock is bringing in armies from the conquered lands to the north and dressing them in the uniform of Arlain.
Across the border, queen Cressalyn of the empire of B'akkai is nervous. First Carlonis to the north and now Arlain, across her eastern border is falling to the Kaull. She is at a loss until an old acquaintance arrives in her realm, a warrior bearing the Talisman of the sorcerer king Darien Kaur. She sends him on a desparate, clandestine mission to save her sister sovreign, princess Johanna and thus turn the tide of Kaull.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. James McCord
• Release date: Feb 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310493089

Book preview

THE TALISMAN OF DARIEN KAUR

~~~~~

BOOK TWO

(of four)

PRINCESS OF ARLAIN

by

R. James McCord

PRINCESS OF ARLAIN

R. James McCord

COPYRIGHT R. James McCord 2013

SMASHWORDS EDITION

CHAPTER 1

Battle lines, cried Dimitri. Form a defensive perimeter--there, he said, pointing a line across the road.

Jump to it, lads, the sergeant shouted, running among the exhausted guardsmen. Come on, get yer lazy arses up! All right now, who’s got arrows? The river had claimed most of the arrows from their quivers. Sergeant Bahrain found eleven arrows among the entire company, and only six of the guardsmen had made the crossing with their bows.

The horses were still tied to the rope leads. The men rushed to find their mounts and untie them from the string. Five of them were without saddles, but the men with saddles gave the others a leg up, helping their comrades to ride bareback. Sensing the urgency of their riders, the horses pranced as the guardsmen formed a skirmish line across the road. One guardsman, whose horse had been left behind, tried to mount Chandau, but the big horse would have none of it and ran away.

It was a fool’s errand, and every man knew it. Nineteen exhausted men with no mail and precious few arrows against an armored column of fifty men or more. The sun glinted off the helmets and shields of the approaching horsemen. Ardan started toward Chandau, but his father caught him by the arm.

Let him go, Warrenk said, pulling Ardan back toward the dock. He'll be no use to us now, we can’t ride around those soldiers. The river’s our only way out.

But we can't just leave, Ardan said, glancing back at the line of bedraggled guardsmen.

Its not our fight. Our deaths would mean nothing here. We have our own mission. Come on…. Now! Warrenk hissed.

Latock leaned against the dock piling and opened his eyes as the two men passed. Ardan stopped and knelt beside the priest. Is this farewell? Latock asked, glancing from Ardan to Warrenk.

You'll be safe enough, priest. They won't kill one of their own, Warrenk replied hurriedly. But they'll cut our throats as soon as look at us. Come on son, hurry now!

Take care of yourself, Ardan said as his father pulled him away. Warrenk sheathed his sword as he rushed toward the water’s edge. He turned quickly to grab his reluctant son and drag him into the river. When he did, Ardan resisted, looking back toward the skirmish line.

Wait, there’s something happening, Ardan said pointing back to the line of guardsmen. Instead of attacking, the approaching column had stopped at least thirty spans distant, standing formation in the middle of the road.

~~~~~

Roidaire knew it was hopeless. Short of a miracle there was no way their depleated troop could withstand what looked like a full armored column. ‘Oh well, in this life you can only try and hope for the best,’ he told himself.

It had always been a long shot. The chances of rousing the royal family, much less the entire realm, had never been good. The Kaull were too ruthless, too well organized, like a granite mountain against which his men would beat themselves to crumpled, bloody heaps. No one had ever beaten the Kaull. He wished he could have seen that clearly those many years ago. Perhaps he could have diverted Gailinda from this slow dance of death with the northern minions. But that day was long behind him, and now he had but one concluding scene to play. One last charge, and then, hopefully, a quick end: a soldier’s death. Roidaire grimly clenched his teeth and drew his sword, his lips drew back in a thin, hard grimace. He had been riding toward this encounter his entire life.

Make ready, Sergeant, Dimitri commanded, his eyes fixed on the opposite column.

Arrows ready, Sergeant Bahrain shouted. Each of the guardsmen who still had bows knocked an arrow and waited for the order to draw and fire. The rest drew their swords, holding them at the ready.

The commander of the opposing column turned to the horseman on his right, and spoke a few low words. The horseman, an officer, Dimitri judged by the gold chevron on his breastplate, nudged his horse forward in a slow walk. The officer reined in his horse in front of Dimitri and Roidaire before looking up and down the line of guardsmen with their weapons held at the ready.

You’re not actually going to shoot me, are you? he asked with languid insouciance. If I thought there was any danger, I would have sent the sergeant.

That depends on who you are, Dimitri replied briskly.

Ah, yes, Please forgive my manners. I am Lieutenant Brendig Ferauche and on behalf of my sovereign, Her most Royal Majesty, Queen Cressalyn and my immediate superior, Captain Andares of Her Majesty’s light cavalry, I hereby welcome you to the sovereign realm of B’akkai.

CHAPTER 2

What kind of beast is that, Ardan asked his father. A stone monster with the head of a woman and the body of a lion sat atop a stone pillar at the side of the road.

It’s a border marker is all, Warrenk replied casually. It’s probably the head of a past queen, or her mother. It marks the official boundary of the city.

It used to be the edge of the city many years ago, one of the soldiers riding beside them said. The soldier had been listening to Warrenk and Ardan since they left camp that morning.

For eight days the queen’s cavalry of B’akkai had been ‘escorting’ the Guardsmen first through the dry grassland and then through the inhabited, fertile lands.

Once the land had turned tillable, the villages appeared at regular intervals along the road, separated by patches of dense, hardwood forests. During the first five nights the column had stopped to camp along the road in open fields, but for the last three nights they had slept in wooden barracks. The food was better there. Full-time cooks at the stations made sure they ate well.

The Arlaine guardsmen were treated well by their B’akkai escorts. No attempt was made to relieve the guardsmen of what weapons they still possessed. B’akkai and Arlaine had long been on friendly terms. Until recently there hadn't been more than the most cursory of border checks along their shared frontier. Official visits between members of the ruling families were common and welcome events. It was part of any young noble’s education to be sent to live for a year or two with another noble family in the neighboring realm. The Royal families’ eldest princess, being the heir apparent, was too valuable to risk in such an exchange, but the younger children were expected to travel. Exchanges of this kind served to cement close relations between the two countries.

Even though both Captain Andares and Dimitri knew that this was something other than an officially sanctioned state visit, they both accepted the charade that Prince Dimitri, of the royal house of Arlaine, was making a state visit to the court of Queen Cressalyn of B’akkai. This saved the captain from the onus of deciding what to do with the sorry-looking band of lightly armed, poorly provisioned soldiers.

For two hours the column had been riding through what looked to Ardan like one large, continuous village. Open fields were still common, but as they rode on, the neat stone houses with their ubiquitous red, tile roofs came to stand closer and closer together.

Are we in the city now? Ardan asked the soldier.

Not really. What most people think of as the city of Mitrakas doesn't start until we cross to the other side of that hill, the soldier said pointing to a low ridge on the other side of the valley.

The road wound up and across the valley. Abruptly, at the bottom of the ridge, the packed dirt road gave way to square stone paves. The road switch backed across the ridge face climbing through dense, old growth forests. On the other side of the valley Ardan saw a vertical stone cliff carved into the side of the mountain. It was as if a giant sword had split the mountain and had carried the inner half away.

That’s the stone quarry at Kantaur, the young soldier said when he saw Ardan gaping at the mountain lesion.

But how did you cut the mountain like that? Ardan asked. The whole side of it’s gone,

It was cut one slab at a time, that quarry has been there for hundreds of years, the young soldier said. These stones we ride over came from there. Most of the people in this valley make their livelihood off the quarry in one way or another. They either dig the stone, dress it, or haul it to where it’s being used. Most of the pasture here feeds the mules that haul the stone throughout Mitrakas.

You seem to know a lot about it, Warrenk observed.

My father still works the quarry. He's a dresser and at times a mason. He smoothes the stone and cuts it to whatever shape the builder wants.

You didn't follow his profession?

All my brothers work the stone, and I can cut a block as true as any, the young soldier answered thoughtfully. My father made sure of that. It’s an honorable profession, I may still go back to it one day, but I thought I'd try soldiering first. If for nothing else, just to see what the rest of the empire looks like. For the next hour, while the horses climbed the winding road up the side of the ridge, the young soldier explained the intricacies of the building stone industry in Mitrakas. Ardan was surprised to hear how many different workmen it took, each doing his own job, to get the stone from the mountain to the project. Ardan became so enraptured by the tale that he became oblivious to the surrounding forest.

When the column finally crested the mountain and came to a gap in the trees, Ardan gaped in wordless astonishment. Below him on a wide plain, Ardan saw a huge grid of roads radiating from a serpentine river.

The young soldier gestured with his arm, welcome to the city of Mitrakas. Ardan had expected Mitrakas to be larger than the villages he’d seen, but the city stretched as far as he could see. It was a hundred, maybe even a thousand times as large as any of the villages they had passed through. The captain called a halt as they came to an open field. They dismounted and hobbled their horses to graze in the meadow. Chandau wandered free, as was his custom.

It’s so immense, I can't even think of how many people live there, Ardan said.

Of course, it’s the capital city. For an empire like B’akkai, how could it be any different? Warrenk replied.

It is the same in Arlaine, Latock said from behind them. The Royal city of the Queen is often the largest in the country. That is why she chooses it for her own.

It’s here that the first falls appear on the Merin river. All the caravan traffic has to leave the boats and start over land. From the eldest days Mitrakas has been a major stop on the old caravan route, the young soldier said as he approached the group. The wealth of many countries flows through Mitrakas and the Queen always gets her share. That’s what she pays me for, he laughed slapping his sword hilt.

Warrenk and Ardan sat in the long grass next to Latock. Warrenk busied himself by wrapping a thin strip of leather around the golden sunburst of his sword pommel.

Well, Latock, our path together comes to an end soon, Warrenk said casually as he wrapped the leather in tight interwoven arcs.

So it would seem, Latock answered. Do you think you'll ever find your Island again?

That’s hard to say, Warrenk answered, looking directly into the priest’s eyes. Many things can still happen. Who’s to say where our separate paths will lead?

In different directions, it would seem. Such a pity, I should have liked to have seen your Island, to live with a people who have no fear.

Yes, I think you would have liked it there.

Do you know where--? Latock started to ask, but his voice trailed off.

No, Warrenk replied softly, lowering his eyes as he shook his head, but I know there are things I must do. And you, do you know where you’re going after Mitrakas?

The voice of Kaull beckons to me even now. I can not ignore it, --I must answer.

Will you ride north to Carlonis?

Kauldara, Latock said quickly without looking up. I,--I don't--.

You don't know? Warrenk asked. Latock lifted his head looking first to Warrenk and then to Ardan. Ardan misunderstood at first, but he then came to realize that for the first time Latock was holding back, just as Warrenk was consciously not saying what was on his mind. It was so very sad. Friends who had once trusted each other were now being wedged apart.

I will go where the voice of Kaull commands me.

Warrenk nodded, acknowledging the inevitable estrangement. As Warrenk continued wrapping the pommel, Ardan slipped the wooden flute out of its pouch. Licking the mouthpiece, he lifted it to his lips and played a simple air that had been going through his mind all morning. It started out low and soft with a lilting measure. Latock took out his own flute as he cocked his head sideways, listening intently to the simple, unadorned melody. Latock licked the mouthpiece and brought it to his lips, holding it silently until Ardan finished the stanza. As Ardan repeated the tune, Latock joined in playing a high, filigreed harmony. Quick trills grew around Ardan’s melody, accentuating, yet never obscuring the tune. The soldiers had grown used to hearing the two travelers playing together at night, yet, to a man they stopped their idle conversations and turned to listen to the inspired duet.

They make for pleasant traveling companions, the lieutenant said, turning to Dimitri. Prince Dimitri considered his words carefully before replying.

Goodman Warrenk and his son have been pleasant enough, and most helpful in our dealing with the invading reevers.

And the other? the lieutenant asked.

The priest cannot be trusted, Dimitri said bluntly. The lieutenant looked inquisitively at Dimitri, silently waiting for an explanation. He was useful with the Reevers, but he is, after all, a priest of the Kaull. The lieutenant nodded his head.

The Queen tolerates the Kaull here in B’akkai. There’s a Bishop that sits in the Queen’s court and a few priests that circulate their strange notions among the people, but few take them seriously. Their stories are just too preposterous. Who in their right mind would believe such dreck?.

So it was in Arlaine in the early days, before my brother Bardone became one of them. The Kaull are insidious.

That would never happen here. Prince Sceirin, the Queen’s only son is fated by treaty to become the bishop of this Kaull in B’akkai, but he’s a callow youth and is kept under his mother’s thumb. I grew up at court. My father holds a position of some favor with Queen Cressalyn. I know prince Sceirin personally and can tell you that he will in no way threaten the security of his mother’s throne.

It came unexpectedly in Arlaine, Dimitri said bitterly, though it was my misfortune to see it long before many others.

If indeed this Kaull is as poisonous as you say, then it would be well of you to speak with the Queen about this.

That’s my intention, Dimitri said softly. As soon as the music stopped the captain gave the order for the column to mount up and assemble along the road. Dimitri rode at the front of the column beside the captain followed by the lieutenant and General Roidaire. They rode down the mountain slowly.

At the bottom of the ridge, the column continued through dense forest. As the road rounded a last curve onto an open plane, Ardan’s eyes grew wide at the busy streets beyond. Stone buildings jammed one against the other lined both sides of the street. Mule carts and wagons traveled the roads, and the streets were teaming with people dressed in the flowing, gauzy robes of summer. People were walking, running, elbowing their way past each other, or just standing beside the road and talking.

Where did all these people come from. I mean--, Ardan looked back at the forest they had just come from. The young B’akkai soldier laughed at Ardan’s wonder.

We just left the crown forest where none may build nor cut any standing tree, the young soldier explained. The forest belongs to the Queen and she decrees that it stand unmolested. The city has grown so that there’s no more space to build on the flat lands. The stone houses stand up to the very edge of the forest in a straight line. This is the outer edge of the city; it only gets more crowded from here.

The column rode through the clean, paved streets to a high walled fortress surrounded by neatly trimmed fields. The fortress wall was easily six arm spans high with men standing every five spans along the top, looking out across the fields. Flags and brightly colored pennants flew from pikes atop the wall. Though the streets were lined with people, Ardan noticed that no one walked across the green, inviting fields. That fact puzzled him. The column turned off the main road to a short thoroughfare leading to a large metal gate in the wall.

Is this where the Queen lives? Ardan asked. The young soldier laughed.

No, this is just an outpost. It protects the western approach to the city. Every main road entering Mitrakas has a garrison stationed near it on what once was the edge of the city. They all look pretty much like this one, he explained. The column came to a halt before the closed gates while the captain and his lieutenant dismounted and walked to the sentry station, a small room built out from the main wall. The sentry wore a uniform similar to the tunics and pantaloons of the cavalry, but with a polished metal breastplate. In one hand he carried a shiny, but lethal looking halberd. His leather tunic was trimmed with gold braid. The gold, and the fact that he was clean, differentiated him from the returning column.

Captain Andares spoke as the lieutenant stood idly behind his commander. The captain pointed to Prince Dimitri and the rest of the guardsmen, trying to explain what the strangers were doing in the group. The sentry looked back to Dimitri several times as if unsure of what to do. He left the captain, going inside the station and soon returned with another soldier. The accompanying guard was older, more sure of himself, with a gold chevron hammered into the top edge of his breastplate. Captain Andares repeated the same gestures and explanations that he had just finished.

I was afraid of this, the young soldier said ruefully.

What? Ardan asked.

They don't know what to do with you. That’s the captain of the guard up there. You’re not expected and you’re not prisoners. Now were going to have to sit out here until someone decides what to do. Ardan couldn't hear their words, but he plainly read the look of indecision on both the sentry and his captain. Before long Captain Andares and the captain of the guard walked together toward the head of the column where Dimitri waited patiently.

It’s been a long patrol, captain, don't leave my men sitting in the sun all afternoon, Captain Andares said.

Don't tell me my job. I'll let ‘em sit on hot coals before I endanger this post, the guard captain replied. They stopped before Dimitri. Prince Dimitri, your Grace, the captain of the guard said formally. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience, but we weren’t expecting you and our procedures require that certain formalities concerning the post’s security be satisfied.

I command the Queen’s Guard of Her royal Majesties army in Arlaine, captain. I appreciate your security concerns, Dimitri replied. I realize that by not announcing my visit in advance I put you at some disadvantage. You should know, captain, that although I’ve never visited your fair land, as a member of the Royal Family I received your Sovereign, Queen Cressalyn some years back when she visited my mother, Queen Gailinda. At that time Queen Cressalyn extended to my family an open invitation to visit her fair realm. An invitation that I, sadly, have been unable to honor until now. If you’ll just escort me to the post commander, I'm sure we can come to an understanding as to the disposition of my escort and any other incidental formalities. Dimitri spoke casually, but with authority. The captain of the guard quickly came to a decision.

Your Grace, he said in a decidedly milder tone. If you will please accompany me, it would be my distinct pleasure to introduce you to my commander, Colonel Varnout. Unfortunately I can't permit armed soldiers in service to a foreign sovereign within the gates, so your men will have to wait out here until Colonel Varnaut and yourself decide on their disposition.

But of course, Dimitri replied. My senior advisor, General Roidaire, will accompany me.

As you wish, your Grace, the captain of the guard replied. Captain Andares resigned himself to a further wait to satisfy official military procedures. He couldn't just leave the guardsmen unattended outside the forts walls.

Prince Dimitri, I’ll wait outside the walls with your men. If you’ll inform your sergeant, we’ll ride around and wait in the shade of the North wall. A low groan went up from the men as word of the delay spread to the back of the column.

~~~~~

The afternoon heat was taking its toll on the men and horses of both countries. The shade of the north wall was only marginally better than the sun. A hot, humid wind blew over the open fields. Ardan, Warrenk, Latock and most of the soldiers sat leaning against the relative cool of the stone wall. The B’akkai soldiers sat on either side of the guardsmen who naturally gathered as a group. Latock closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the stone.

Where do we go from here, Da? Ardan asked in a low voice. He didn't want to attract any more attention to his father or himself. He felt he had no claim on the generosity of B’akkai and would be content with indifferent civility.

I knew Queen Cressalyn many years ago, she was Princess Cressalyn then. I think she’ll remember me, Warrenk said. Out of the corner of his eye Ardan thought he saw a fleeting smile cross his father’s face. She’ll help us, I think. All I have, all we have to do is to follow Prince Dimitri to the palace and to let Her Majesty know that I’m here. Unless she’s changed over the years, she’ll help us. Warrenk looked quickly over his shoulder to where Latock sat a few spans away and lowered his voice. The trick will be to announce ourselves without alerting the rest of the court.

Why can't we just tell her when we go to the palace? Ardan asked.

I doubt if we’ll be invited to meet Her Majesty personally, son. Queens are generally not in the habit of meeting disreputable looking vagabonds who happen to tramp through their realm. Our best hope of getting word to her is through Prince Dimitri.

And what then? Ardan asked. What do you expect the queen will do for us if you meet her?

When we meet her, you mean, Warrenk said lightly, but then his face grew serious again. I don't know. Somehow, hopefully with her help, I’ll go to the rescue of my liege.

~~~~~

Warrenk awoke with a start at the sound of approaching hoof beats. He opened his eyes and noticed that Ardan was gone. He looked up to see Prince Dimitri, General Roidaire and a mounted company of at least twenty five B’akkai soldiers wearing shiny breast plates. Dimitri rode next to an officer at the head of the column. Warrenk then turned to see Ardan sitting beside Latock a few spans away.

The officer in charge of the mounted column held up his hand and called a halt.

Hello Karl, the officer, another captain said looking down from the saddle, long patrol?

Not any more, I hope. Can we go in now?

The baths are waiting, the officer said with a smile. I'm to escort His Grace, Prince Dimitri and his men to their lodging inside the fort. Captain Andares turned to Dimitri.

Well, your Grace, this is the end of our journey together. I wish you well during your stay and a safe return to your own realm. He gave the command and the road weary soldiers mounted their horses and fell in formation. Captain Andares only hoped he had done nothing wrong by bringing the prince, if that’s indeed who he really was, and his disheveled little band of warriors here. Although they had been no trouble, he was glad to be free of the responsibility for them. He hadn't figured out who exactly the three civilians were, or how they were related, but that was someone else’s worry now. All he wanted was a trip to the baths and cold ale to wash the road dust from his mouth.

I'm sure I'll see you again inside the fort, Dimitri said. Until then, captain.

Certainly, your Grace, the captain replied courteously. Captain Andares gave the order and the B’akkai patrol rode off toward the front gate.

Sergeant, have the men mount up and make ready, Dimitri said.

Ardan and Latock picked themselves up from the wall and started toward Latock’s horse. Chandau, who needed no bidding, came over and followed the two men. Ardan gave Latock a boost up as Latock was one of those who had lost their saddles at the river crossing. He then nimbly leapt on to Chandau’s back and fell into line beside the priest.

The Guardsmen fell into formation behind Dimitri, Roidaire and the new captain. The B’akkai escort, all twenty-five of them except for the captain rode around to wait behind the guardsmen. When all was ready the captain gave the signal and the column moved toward the main gate.

The same sentry stood guard outside the gate. The captain called the column to a halt and turned to Dimitri. Your Grace, I'm afraid our rules concerning your weapons still apply here. Only those sworn to the service of our sovereign, Queen Cressalyn may bear arms inside the fort. It is my duty to ask you to order your men to surrender their bows and swords. Dimitri looked shocked, he hadn’t expect this.

But they’re my guard, Dimitri sputtered. Colonel Varnout himself granted me access.

Yes and I'm sure you will find the lodgings adequate, but our rules still apply. They were issued by the Queen herself and even Colonel Varnaut hasn't the authority to suspend them. The captain and Dimitri looked hard at each other. Your Grace, its only a formality. Your weapons will be returned to you immediately upon leaving the fort. If we truly meant you any harm, do you really think your swords would save you here? The captain glanced at the bowmen stationed atop the wall. I myself will personally guarantee the safe keeping of your weapons until you leave, or the Queen grants your men permission to bear them.

Dimitri didn't like it at all. The very idea of his men being kept unarmed was insulting, but he had come too far to let this mission fall apart over some minor point. He turned and gave the order.

Sergeant, collect the men’s bows and swords along with your own as well. You will carry them and deposit them where the good captain here directs you.

All right now lads, the sergeant shouted. Takes off yer swords, bows and long knives and gives em to me to keep while we be guests inside this `ere fort. Come on, smart now, and wrap yer belts around yer scabbards proper like. Sergeant Bahrain removed his own sword first and held it across his arms. He then rode slowly down the column collecting the arms from each man.

Guard this well, sergeant, said Warrenk, laying his sword with the wrapped pommel atop the pile of swords. You know how precious it is to me. Sergeant Bahrain then rode to where Latock and Ardan sat at the end of the line. Ardan readily passed his old, rusted sword across Chandau’s neck, laying it on top of the pile, but Latock sat stone faced. The muscles in his jaw bulged as he ground his teeth.

A priest of Kaull, A sword master is never alive and without his sword. Never!, Latock said ominously.

I knows it, priest, and neither is a guardsman but....

This is different. On my sacred honor I have sworn to always carry this sword for my god. Sergeant Bahrain was hot, thirsty, and loosing patience. The bulky pile of weapons was starting to weigh on him.

Come now, priest, I know yer great, bloody sword be important to you. That’s why I didn't complain non when I pulled you with that heavy thing on across th’ river. You'll get it back, the sames as the rest of us.

Latock, they mean us no harm, its just their rule and its only till we leave here, Ardan said.

Come on, priest, Sergeant Bahrain said petulantly. These be heavy. Don't make us go a knockin you in the `ead again. Latock’s face went black. The sergeant knew he had said the wrong thing, but it was too late to take it back.

Latock..., Ardan pleaded, putting his hand on the priest’s arm. Latock pulled his arm away and spurred his horse, charging into the sergeant and knocking the swords to the ground.

You betrayed me, Latock shouted in fury. His horse galloped not more than four spans before Latock pulled the horse in a tight circle and faced Ardan accusingly. As the horse turned, Latock reached across to the curved sword. Who hit me? You knew and you never said, he cried accusingly.

As Latock began drawing his sword, the escort guard pulled their bolos and before Latock had a chance to duck, he was hit by three different sets of the weighted leather ropes. The weights spun around, pinning Latock’s arms to his side. As the final weight spun around a fourth and final set of leather covered weights hit Latock square on the chest, knocking him off the horse. He fell heavily on the grass.

Thinking fast the sergeant threw his now empty arms in the air so as to make sure the B’akkai soldiers saw he was no threat. `Alt!, he shouted so that the men from both armies could hear. He then rode over to where Latock lay struggling on the ground and slowly, wearily climbed down out of the saddle.

Ardan started to turn Chandau aside to ride to the priest’s help, but Warrenk caught his son's arm and held him back. Let the sergeant handle this, we don't need their suspicion just now, Warrenk whispered.

Sergeant Bahrain bent over Latock and drew the black, curved sword from its scabbard. Priest, you sure know `ow t' make things `ard on y'self. Dimitri and the B’akkai captain rode their horses from the head of the column. Latock had quit struggling by the time they arrived. He glared up as the sergeant stood beside him holding the sword. The captain glanced at Dimitri with a questioning eye.

The priest and these two are not under my command, Dimitri said indicating Warrenk and Ardan. Therefore I cannot vouch for them.

My son and I will willingly abide by the reasonable precautions your law require of us, captain, Warrenk quickly volunteered.

And you? the captain asked looking down at Latock. The priest made no reply, but glared in return. Bind him, the captain commanded turning to the guards. But be gentle unless he resists. Four B’akkai sentries immediately detached themselves from the column and proceeded to tie Latock’s arms behind him. The captain turned to a fifth guard. That's a heavy pile of swords for your sergeant to carry alone, the captain said to Dimitri. The private here will help him carry your weapons to the quarters where you will be staying.

Why thank you captain, I'm sure Sergeant Bahrain will appreciate your man’s help, Dimitri said. He appreciated the captain’s concession of letting sergeant Bahrain carry the weapons. It looked better to the men if their swords were entrusted to one of their own.

The four soldiers picked Latock up off the ground and hefted him back onto his horse. One of the sentries walked the horse to the column and handed the reins to one of the mounted sentries. Ardan just shook his head at the foolishness of it all.

The gates opened wide from the inside with one man pushing each ponderous, but well balanced door. The fort turned out to be even larger than Ardan had imagined. Just like the city outside, the fort was divided by long straight lanes that intersected each other at ninety degree angles. The streets were lined with ancient trees growing together in a canopy above the roads. Not only were there grassy parade grounds, but every third block was a well groomed park with fountains and gardens. A small stream wound its way from park to park. Women with children walked the promenades beside the road, some stopping to see if it was one of their loved ones who was passing.

After a short while, they came to another gate built into yet another wall within the fortress. This gate wasn’t as tall as the first, but by the weathered look of the stone, was much older.

The captain called the column to a halt and addressed yet another sentry stationed before the gates. Captain Kosolo escorting His Highness, the Prince Dimitri of Arlaine and his escort. The sentry saluted smartly and from within Ardan could hear the clicking of gears and the grinding of metal on stone as a huge, iron portcullis was lifted into the wall above. The captain and Dimitri nudged their horses forward, leading the rest of the column inside.

A keep within the fort? Dimitri asked as he rode through the gate into an inner courtyard.

This is the first fort built here over eight hundred years ago, the captain answered. It was also the seat of the local Duchy at that time. By tradition it’s still maintained as the last secure stronghold within the fort.

`Stronghold or prison?', thought Dimitri. I’m greatly honored that the colonel goes to such lengths for the security of my men and myself, Dimitri said, wryly looking up at the surrounding stone walls. The bowmen atop could shoot both outside and within the high stone walls. The captain either missed Dimitri's shrouded sarcasm or chose to ignore it.

Just inside the gate, built against the wall itself was the guard shack that housed the guards and protected the entrance to the gate room with its gears and levers.

The captain called the column to a halt just inside the gate and turned to Dimitri. Your weapons will be left here in one of the store rooms in back. They won't be locked if you will but give your word, Prince Dimitri, that neither you nor your men will try to approach them while you stay with us.

We will not approach them, Dimitri said, but then hesitantly glanced back at the column behind him. The father and son can be trusted to follow my lead, but though he rides with me, I can not vouch for the priest. His sword is somehow bound up with his oath of fealty to his God.

That is most unfortunate, but it does bring up a somewhat delicate issue concerning you and your men while you are our `guests' here in the hold, the captain said segueing as diplomatically as he knew how into a sensitive issue. The official status of you and your men have yet to be established by our rules of protocol. I'm sure that once the Queen hears of your arrival she will embrace you herself, but until we receive her summons and escort you to her royal presence we `request' that you confine your selves here to the keep. Since the priest is unable to comply because of his dogma, we will have to make other, ah, more confining arrangements for him. Dimitri cocked one eyebrow but then a wry smile passed over his face.

It is kind of you to save him the pain of willingly violating his religious vows.

Colonel Varnout has assigned the old guard barracks here to the use of yourself and your men. The stables and the kitchens are across the court yard. The laundry and baths are over against the far wall, come, I’ll show you.

Captain Kosolo walked his horse over to a hitching post lining the side of the old barracks. He tied his horse off and then solicitously showed Dimitri and General Roidaire into the barracks. They walked into a long, narrow room with stone walls and high, thin windows; too narrow for a man to squeeze through but wide enough to shoot out of. A row of wooden beds lined the inside wall, their mattresses rolled and tied in bundles lay atop them. Stone fireplaces with unlit logs stood at each end of the room. By the layer of dust covering the beds and floor, Dimitri surmised that the room hadn't been used for a long time.

Dimitri bent over and ran his glove