The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (33 page)

"Thank goodness you came," she said softly. "Howard had me imprisoned in my own home so I wouldn't interfere with Edward's plans. I overheard Howard and Edward plotting. Roger Diggs, the doctor was the one to kill Henry with your knife."

"Diggs? He bumped into me that day, I don't remember when, but he must have stolen it from my belt. What nerve."

"I tried to send word, but Howard stopped me. I finally told Richard but Howard had already left for Riverdowns."

"Howard will face justice in due course," said Hal. "The Turucks are our immediate problem, but now we know for sure Howard cannot be included in our councils."

Hal and Margaret sit together and talk about their father and the events that have since transpired. Plucker and Charles Oswald discuss strategy and inventory their supplies. After nearly an hour, Plucker interrupted the siblings.

"Sire, we have an accounting of our weapons and supplies. We have good swords and bows, but our arrows will not last through a long skirmish. Our food needs to be restocked in less than a fortnight. We could not run long if the Turucks give chase right now."

"We have plenty of stores at the castle," said Margaret. "Howard's been stockpiling for a long time. He expected the worst always."

"Excellent, but we can't use the castle, the Turucks will lay siege to it. We must take what we can carry into the wild. We have to be mobile to fight the Turucks and survive for any length of time. I don't want to leave you in the castle. You must prepare your household to come with us."

"We will slow you down," said Margaret.

"Sire!" Charles came running. "A scout said there is a company coming from the north."

"James?"

"May be, but there are more people than you described. Perhaps another company has joined with James."

"How long until they reach us?"

"Less than an hour."

"Welcome them but tell your men to watch the Turucks. We don't want to reveal our activity here, otherwise they might attack straightaway."

"Yes, Sire." Charles left to attend his duty.

"I will take Richard and organize the supplies."

"Thank you, Margaret. It's been good to see you again."

"Same to you, Hal. I've missed you."

Hal watched the activity and is joined by Plucker and Norman.

"Friends again?" asked Hal.

"As much as we can be," said Norman.

"No worries to you sire," said Plucker. "We shall not put ourselves above Eslenda."

"Good. Sharpen your swords. I want to ride with the dawn."

The voices chilled him and confused him, as he could not make out the words. The voices hissed around his ears like a cool night breeze; tantalizingly just beyond comprehension. The language was unfamiliar but the tone was insistent. The voice urged him constantly as the ache in his muscles increased, but he didn't know what he was to do. He was being pushed toward an unknown goal. The Kaliga had real weight but not much more than two swords. It was not a heavy load. His fatigue was unnatural, as unnatural as the voices weaving through his mind. He tried to ignore them and thoughts of his own came unbidden out of the dark places of his mind to fill the vacated consciousness. Some good memories, some not but each twisted by the taint of the Kaliga until he did not know which was the true memory. He walked in a mist, only aware of his feet moving, moving, he had to keep moving while the voices pushed him.

The shapes around him became indistinct and fog floated in his vision. He wasn't conscious of where he was going, just that he needed to continue. He felt someone touch him on the arm. He stumbled and the hands grew tight upon him. He thought someone spoke to him but the words were so far away. The words teased him, dancing just beyond his comprehension then vanishing into the mist surrounding his head. The voices outside his head fought with the voices inside him. He could not shake them, but his frustration twisted his thoughts, as he could not discern the words.

He did not know how long he continued that way but he knew he had stopped moving just as he knew he no longer carried the Kaliga. He just could not remember when the ground rose up and smacked his face.

"He's down!" shouted Sena. Jed Turlane came to help roll James over. Sena brushed his face clean of dirt. She checked for bruises and cuts. She put a pack behind his head and kissed him briefly.

"Might as well rest awhile," said Lan Tagjet as he watched the tenderness his daughter offered James. "James will need to rest before he can move again. Per, are you up to this task? James only carried it a couple hours."

"I must be," said Per Tagjet. "Prince James and I are the only bearers of the Kaliga. No one else should move it but Sena and she needs to save her strength for that ordeal. I am Nunari. I am equal to my task."

Per Tagjet saluted his father and went to check on the condition of the others.

Sena made James comfortable. Jed watched her care for his prince and softened toward her. Sena's life was Jed's responsibility now, just as James' welfare was his task. Jed gave Sena food and water from his stores.

Lan Tagjet moved the Kaliga out of the path and leaned it against a tree. It was brief but the sucking of his energy started with the first touch. The sensation flowed up his arm, pulling on everything it touched. He felt nauseous and quickly walked away from it. The Kaliga was almost alert; it sensed when Lan was nearby and its jewel glowed dimly. When Lan moved closer the intensity of the glow increased. It troubled him and he went to talk to Onyax Lor.

"How much further?" Sena asked Jed Turlane.

"We shall cross the Nunari border tomorrow afternoon," said Jed Turlane. "It won't be long until we hear word of the King and the war."

"Do you expect good news?" asked Sena.

"No," said Jed Turlane. "Not good news, but we shall know the situation. I have learned much from James during my service to him. There is always something we can do once we know what we face. No situation is too grim as long as we reserve the right to change our minds."

"Change your minds? Do you mean throw your plans away?"

"Yes. James is a master of adapting to the situation. When he was younger, he fought with men to the death and he took the opportunity offered him, he did not try to force his plans to the situation. He adapted, he won. It's always been that way with James."

"This country has changed so much in ten years. I should know the land but I don't. I have walked this country as a tracker yet it is unknown to me. I am not comfortable here. I don't think I can return to stay."

"You have seen nothing familiar?" asked Jed.

"No. It's as if my memory was scraped clean. There is shadows of memories but what should be there is gone."

"Was it difficult, those years?"

"At times. Often we just worked, ate and slept but we were not abused, not by the guards. It was Lockwell that brought evil upon us. I do not recall that he did anything to me, but he took a lot of the prisoners away and the ones that returned had changed. But not all returned."

"Lockwell. I get the chills whenever I am near him. How did King Henry have these prisoners without anyone knowing about it?"

"You said it yourself," said Sena. "Lockwell."

"How did the prisoners change?"

"Can't say for certain, but they seemed disoriented and some could not remember their names. Their eyes looked like they were seeing places not on Landermass. It was as if their souls had been ripped out and then restored but the memory of where the souls went could not be comprehended. I'm afraid the same thing may have happened to me."

"Lockwell has much to answer for," muttered Jed Turlane.

Per Tagjet stumbled and dropped the Kaliga. It falls heavy on the turf. His feet shuffle and he trips. He watches the ground rise up to meet him and then he is stopped before he hits the ground. He feels strong hands gripping him. He looks up into Daerlan features.

"Navir?" he said hoarsely. "You came back?"

"You are tired," said Navir. "The burden is too much for you. You must rest. I have brought friends."

The Talos Company stepped from concealment. The blue winged figure of Elberra startled Onyax Lor into action. She rose out of the darkness, winged spread as a harbinger of doom. He had seen such demons in the mists where his mother lived. He knew how to deal with them. He brought out dust from a pouch and hurriedly spoke words of power. A firm hand rested on his wrist. A tall dark mustached man with eyes that flickered red faced him. Onyax Lor sensed the sorcery around them.

"You are among friends, Wiseman of Nunari," said Blackthorne. "I can shield your spells in a blink and you would feel pain, but we are not enemies. Have no fear and set aside your magic."

Onyax Lor looked into his eyes and felt himself relax.

"Should I know you?"

"No. My name is Blackthorne and I am a sorcerer. I travel with friends. We are here to help you. That man is our leader."

The thick figure strode out of the darkness, his muscles straining his sleeves as he sheathed his sword. He looked at each one of James's companions measuring them in his mind.

"I am Kerreth Veralier and we are the Talos Company. We are on your side against the Turucks. We have been looking for you."

"Thank the gods," muttered James. "We are nearly spent."

"You are Prince James? Navir has told us your peril and your quest. We are here to guide you to safety. Blackthorne can shield the Kaliga for a time so it may be carried safely. But now, let's rest for a spell; there will be time for questions later."

The Talos Company set up a camp and provided food for the questers. Taina and Hobart served hot soup while Gorm brought out wine. The Nunari were wary of the Anethean, but Elberra kept her distance. Loric and Darkin Root stood guard.

Jed Turlane sat next to Sena and James. James leaned on her shoulder, barely able to keep his eyes open.

"The Talos Company is real?" asked Jed Turlane.

"It seems so," said James.

"We are so trusting, James. How can we be sure they are friends? All we know is the children's stories that are generations old. How much truth was in the stories? I can see Daerlan, mixed races of Men and who knows what, plus the blue demon, and the tiny fellow."

James didn't appear to hear him. Sena nudged him awake. His eyes began to focus on a familiar shape.

"There's your answer, Jed," said Sena. "See who travels with the immortals?"

"James?" Several figures walked to them and Elizabeth crouched down and felt his forehead.

"Mother? Queen Mary? What are you doing here? How fares Far Greening?"

"It has fallen. Kerreth and his people rescued us and those two warriors who were fighting the Turucks alone." She pointed over her shoulder. "Without Kerreth, we would be dead. And soon you too, it appears."

Ank Rak sat across from Lan Tagjet, relating his experiences to his leader. Lan Tagjet listened with a solemn face. Teresa Butler sat very close to Ank Rak.

"Ah, the girl that accompanied Father from Riverdowns. Seems to have found a comfy place to sit."

"Don't mock her," said Elizabeth. "She is a seasoned fighter. She has taken wounds for Eslenda."

"And Ank Rak, is a very honorable man," said Sena. "I have known him all my life."

"Sorry, sorry," said James. "I meant nothing, I am so tired. I am happy for her. It is a wonderful thing in the midst of war. But Far Greening is in Turuck hands. Where is Father?"

"He was in the field with his soldiers. I do not know where he is now." Elizabeth's face was pale and she looked to Mary.

"We must trust Hal's ability, James," said Mary. "He knows what needs doing. Your mother is now queen of Eslenda, just call me Mary."

"Yes, so much has happened so quickly," said James. "I scarcely know where I am."

"You need to rest," said Mary.

"You found the Kaliga?" asked Elizabeth.

"Yes and it is very fey. Its power grows daily while it is killing us little by little. If we don't get to the Menaloch soon, we never will."

"Excuse me, Prince James. I am called Dvorak Annis." The portly figure bowed to the prince. "I am a Mage and am adept at healing. May I examine you?"

"Of course," said James. He leaned into Sena with a sigh.

Navir, Kerreth, Blackthorne and Moria stood aside whispering when Dvorak Annis approached.

"These men are unnaturally exhausted," said Dvorak Annis. "I checked Prince James and Per Tagjet. If they continue like this they will be dead in a few days."

"It is the Kaliga," said Navir. "Its power is increasing the closer it comes to the Menaloch. The jewel glows constantly."

"I can feel it too," said Blackthorne.

"But it is much stronger than it should be. Even when we fought the Menaloch years ago I do not recall such a tremor of power from the Kaliga. I do not understand the change. The very air trembles with anticipation. I am worried that Per Tagjet and Prince James will perish before their journey is ended."

"Can't anyone else help them carry it?" asked Kerreth.

"No. When it was created we decided to limit the handlers to three - two to bear it and one to wield it. There are spells woven about it. No one else will be able to move it more than a few feet. The thought was to limit the chance that our enemies could steal it and use it against us, but we were much stronger in those days. I do not think I would fare better than Prince James or Per Tagjet today. The die is cast, it cannot be changed."

"How long will Per Tagjet last?" asked Kerreth. "James appears unable to carry it without another day of rest."

Navir shook his head. "It doesn't look promising. However, we have horses and that might make the difference. We will have to separate James, Per and Sena from their companions and some of us must give up their horses. I do not see any alternative. If Blackthorne's shield is effective we may have enough time."

"I will stay behind with the unhorsed," said Dvorak Annis. "Blackthorne should go with the Kaliga bearers and lend them such strength as he can."

"We need to travel soon," said Kerreth. "The Turucks will have all of Eslenda in their hands if we delay longer." He signaled to the Talos Company to come forward for their instructions. Along with Dvorak Annis, Loric and Darkin Root, Elberra would remain with the walkers. That would provide horses for James, Per Tagjet and Sena to ride to the Turuck lines. Blackthorne sprinkled crushed stone and blood over the Kaliga, speaking in a harsh language. The jewel glowed brightly and then slowly dimmed until it was barely illuminated. James picked up the Kaliga and smiled. It appeared to be just a spear, for now.