The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (36 page)

Tag Makk felt mortality in his chest and increasing weakness from the wounds James gave him. The Menaloch's power was gone and he was tired and bleeding. Sir Norman Oswald approached like a wraith, as yet unmeasured in this war. The greatest swordsman of his time stood, rested, strong and resolute. Tag Makk realized the odds were against him, but he had defeated long odds before. He raised his hammer and shouted to the heavens, then charged Sir Norman.

Sir Norman bowed to the charging warrior and began the dance of death. His movement was so elegant and the speed of his blade so swift that Kerreth smiled as he watched the artistry of a bygone era. The loss of the Menaloch and the wounds James had given him weakened Tag Makk and the tantalizing figure of Sir Norman Oswald, so close, yet untouchable, frustrated him into poor decisions. In the end it was not a match and the silver haired man drove his blade deep into Tag Makk's heart. The Turuck fell back with a cry that sounded over the battlefield.

Kerreth patted Sir Norman on the shoulder and nodded his head.

The death cry of Tag Makk halted the battle. The Turucks, abandoned by the Shadow Runners and now their invincible leader, stood dazed among the gore.

"Throw down your weapons!" cried King Hal. His captains took up the words and the Turucks began disarming themselves. The Turucks were herded together but not harmed. King Hal sent Jed Turlane and a company of soldiers to Far Greening to gauge the situation there. Word comes back that the Turuck captain handed the castle back to Bert Kalen once Tag Makk had fallen and the Turucks left Far Greening heading south.

Dvorak Annis and Navir worked as healers after the battle. They moved quickly to determine who needed their help the most. Soon their hands and arms were covered with blood.

Blackthorne helped them for a time then departed for home, irritated by his inability to save Lan Tagjet or Onyax Lor. Kerreth shook his head. Blackthorne measured everything by how it affected himself. Time had not changed him and would never change him. Perhaps that made Blackthorne who he was; Kerreth did not profess to be wise enough to know.

Darkin Root returned from the Turuck soldiers. "They won't want Daerlan help," he says to Kerreth. "They have been badly used by Tag Makk and the Menaloch. They just want to go home. They need to rebuild their confidence. Perhaps a dialog can be established with the Daerlan."

"Don't count on Navir's help," said Kerreth.

"He only sees things his way," said Moria. "Kind of like you, Kerreth."

"Very funny. We need to come to an understanding soon about your attitude."

"Oh, an understanding. Very detached way of speaking about love."

"Well, I have work to do," said Darkin Root. He scampered quickly to the Turucks, gathered near the place where the Menaloch was destroyed. Richard Cane commanded the soldiers who guarded them. He welcomed Darkin Root with a wave.

"Just the two of us now," said Moria.

"Yes. And that is the way it should be," said Kerreth. "I am thinking of a trip to a cabin in the Curesia Mountains that I own. Would you like to join me?"

"Kerreth, you aren't leaving my sight."

"I'll consider that a yes."

The Eslendians create a circle around King Hal. He has his sword unsheathed and is grim. The mood of the Eslendians is somber and quiet. Per Tagjet stands closest to King Hal, his head bowed. There is movement to the far side and the huge figure of Sir Plucker parts the watchers. He escorts Howard Cane into the circle and stops, pushing Cane down.

Cane is on his knees as Hal approaches. Hal nods to Plucker who backs away, leaving the king and Cane on the open space alone.

"Howard Cane, you are a traitor to Eslenda, conspiring to put Eslenda and its people in peril. The penalty is death!"

"Have you aught to say on your behalf?"

Cane looked to Hal, then to his wife, Margaret and last to his son Richard. Seeing no comfort in their eyes, he shakes his head.

Hal raised his sword and brought it down hard. Margaret let out a sob and was comforted by Richard. Hal walked to his tent to clean the blood from his gloves and tunic.

"Where are we going?" asked Moria.

"I think we will cross back to Anavar. We haven't been to Curesia in a long while. I think it's time," said Kerreth.

"Oh, yes, that cabin in the Curesia Mountains."

"Where's Navir?" asked Hobart.

"Navir and Taina are taking Gorm's body to Liannest for a Leave-taking Ceremony."

"Why didn't you go, Moria?" asked Hobart.

"I am half Daerlan. Not pure enough for that ceremony." She looked at Kerreth.

"What?"

"Waiting for the snide comment."

"What? About your purity? I am silent on the matter."

"Do you think that will help you?" Moria's voice rose.

"I'll ride ahead," said Hobart. He moved ahead of them.

Hobart could hear the shouting but was far enough away not to hear the words. The rest of the company moved up to join him.

"Nice day for a ride," said Loric.

"So you say," said Elberra. "But I believe we have company." She pointed ahead on the road near a hedge. A tall figure waited, shimmering in the light.

"Man or Daerlan?" asked Loric.

"I can't tell," said Hobart. "Looks a bit transparent. Dvorak! Ready a spell."

"Oh bother. I was just dozing off."

The company stopped yards from the newcomer. Kerreth rode through them to the figure. It was a man, tall and muscular with a sword draw, but he seemed uneasy as if unaware of where he was or how to react.

"Who are you?" asked Kerreth.

The figure turned toward the sound and Kerreth recognized him.

"Prince James? You are Prince James? Are you a ghost?"

The figure did not answer and continued to stare at Kerreth.

"I wish Blackthorne was here," said Dvorak Annis. "He can speak with the dead."

"James?" asked Moria. "Are you waiting for someone?"

The spirit that was James nodded.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Kerreth. "I know for whom you wait, but the souls taken by the Kaliga are not free until the breaking of the world. Navir kept that knowledge to himself until he left for Liannest. I am sorry. If you wish, you may travel with us for company. Perhaps in time you will learn to speak to us."

"What?" said Moria.

"Shh," said Kerreth. He turned back to James.

"Since you are dead you won't die in a few years so we can relax our rules on human members: you can join the company."

Loric shook his head and rolled his eyes. Elberra elbowed him. The Talos Company rode on with a ghost trailing them.

Hal sat on a high stone outside the walls of Far Greening, his people gathered around him with the Nunari and the Talos Company.

"We have reclaimed Eslenda! Hear the words of your king! I, Hal Islen take the name of Henry Islen for my reign. King Henry is how I shall be called and King Henry II after my father.

"My heir shall be Sir Charles Oswald in acknowledgment of his role in the defense of Eslenda. Sir Charles shall be named Protector of the Realm.

"Far Greening shall need a new leader as I shall live in Riverdowns. Sir Norman Oswald, I charge you with the defense of Far Greening, castle, town and people. How say you?"

The silver haired man walked to the king and knelt.

"I am honored by your trust in my family and myself. I shall be forthright and steady in my support of you, sire. If I may be so bold, I would ask to have Jed Turlane as my captain. He served your son well and has developed into a fine leader."

"So be it," said King Hal.

Sir Norman backed away and embraced his son.

"Richard Cane, come forward."

The young man stepped from his mother's side and knelt before the king.

"You are not your father and I hold you blameless in his treachery. I would you take Rockwood as your own and bring good relations to the Nunari."

"I will do it."

"Of that I have no doubt," said Hal. He looked to Richard's mother.

"Margaret, what is your desire?"

"Brother, I will stay with my son and run his household until he marries."

"Very well. Now we come to other matters. Per Tagjet, Hunter of the Nunari, you have repaid Eslenda's rough treatment of your people with courage and faithfulness that we did not deserve. What do you ask of Eslenda?"

Per Tagjet stepped forward and bowed.

"We are a people who recognize good and bad can come from people, regardless of the behavior of their kingdoms. Eslenda never failed us, only some evil individuals. We pledge to remain friends to Eslenda and look forward to good relations with Richard Cane. We honor the memory of Prince James, who together with my sister, Sena, united our people more than I thought possible. I shall consider Eslenda and Nuneland to be one people bound by James and Sena. We ask nothing from Eslenda save friendship."

"And you have it. You and your people are free to stay or go as you wish. May the light allow shine on you, Hunter."

"And you, King Hal."

The Nunari made to follow Per Tagjet. Hal nodded to them as they passed.

"Wait a moment Hunter of the Nunari," said King Hal. "You seem to have one of my guards in your company. How is this?"

"Your pardon, King Hal," said Ank Rak. "I am afraid it is my doing."

"Hush. Sire, I wish to accompany Ank Rak to Nuneland," said Teresa Butler.

A tight smile wrinkled Hal's face.

"I see. Sir John, Teresa Butler is still one of the King's Guards. Does she have leave to abandon her duties?"

"Sire, she did request a leave of absence and I granted it. Did I err?"

"No, of course not. Remember, Teresa, you are still one of the Guard and may be recalled at any time."

"Yes, sire. I will be ready." She knelt to Hal.

"No doubt. Fare well friends, until we meet again."

The Nunari began their trek north. Hal watched them for some time.

"Sire?"

"Yes, John?"

"It's time we headed to Riverdowns. Bert Kalen has the cleanup underway here and Sir Norman is in charge."

"Aye, let's be on our way."

"Will Hal be a good king?" asked Moria.

"Yes, there's steel in him now," said Kerreth.

"But the cost was high," said Loric.

"Aye," said Kerreth. "Sometimes there is no other way to temper the hardness. He will fill his emptiness with duty and serve his people well. His wife still lives although she does not wake. Navir could do nothing for her. Perhaps time will heal her, perhaps not."

"Is the Menaloch gone for good?" asked Moria. "I couldn't get Navir to answer me directly."

"That's not a good sign," said Dvorak Annis. "But at least the Menaloch is vanquished. There was a lot of energy dispersed when the Kaliga struck it and we must hope if the Menaloch survived, it is too weak to be a nuisance anymore."

"That is something," said Moria.

"But not enough," said Kerreth. "We shall be vigilant."

"When have we not been so?" asked Elberra. "It is our oath. We are the Talos Company."

Hal stood on the ramparts of Riverdowns watching the cleanup work in the town and the fields trampled by war. He spoke not, and stood for hours. Quink came looking for him.

"There is no trace of Lockwell," said Quink. "I found some more passages and one secret room but he is gone. Many personal things have been taken from his quarters. He is not coming back."

"I see. You are sure of your opinion?"

"Yes, sire. Every prisoner that Lockwell kept in the dungeon had Celaeri blood somewhere in their family history. D'siderin for one and even Sena Tagjet had Celaeri blood."

"Sena?"

"Her mother's grandmother was part Celaeri. She came from Cresida."

"And you say Lockwell has Celaeri blood too?" asked King Hal.

"That's what Loric said and he should know."

"What could Lockwell have been doing?"

They stood in silence for several minutes before Quink started fidgeting.

"I looked in on the Queen," said Quink. "She looks peaceful."

"Yes. If she does not wake at the least I shall know that no concerns will age her, only time. Eslenda has asked a lot from me Quink. I have paid it and I will pay more. But I do not regret the price to keep Eslenda whole."

"It was a great evil Eslenda faced. The price could have been much higher."

"Again your wisdom shines through. I still think you are the wisest of us all. Quink, I haven't heard much mirth from you lately."

"I haven't felt very merry, sire."

"Well, jester, what is it that I pay you for?"

"To finish the wine?"

"Ah, that's more like it. Come, Quink, I think you, Sir John and myself need to empty a few bottles this evening."

"You wish is my command," said Quink.

"Yes, yes it is. I will need to ask you about Lockwell and his activities. There are things afoot that I need to uncover, but let us start our new kingdom tomorrow, I'm tired."

"As you should be, King Hal. Eslenda is secure once more."

"Yes. Now I realize the true cost of freedom and we shall not close our eyes again." He touched the ring around his neck. "Come, John is waiting."