The Scarlet King (33 page)

He explained, "Our Daniel was so worried of
his powder that he forgot to remain hidden, and the mounted troops
took after him like a family of foxes after a rabbit. If it weren’t
for Heather riding to his rescue he would have been done for. Of
course it was three against one."

After he had described in somewhat enhanced
detail Heather's attack on the mounted troops of the East, he
turned again his attention to Daniel, saying, "Now, our healer
joined the battle using the only weapon he had—a small branch of a
tree. A sane person would question attacking a fully armored
military horse and its armored rider with a stick, but not our
Daniel. He attacked with the full fury of his profession, jamming
the stick into one of the few unprotected spots. Now, the horse did
not think kindly of someone sticking a branch up its arse, and
before you know it the horse was screaming and bucking, tossing his
rider to the ground. And that is how we came to have a
prisoner."

When the laughter and cheering had subsided,
Daniel replied in a quiet voice, "It worked. I did what needed to
be done."

As the evening wore on, Heather's pain seemed
to increase. She and Daniel left the campfire for their small tent
and some time together. Daniel seemed embarrassed about Jeremy's
story, and Heather said, "Again we have saved each other's lives
and how we accomplished it matters not. What matters is we are
together."

When morning came and the breaking of the
fast was complete, Heather called a Council of all those who were
in camp. She started the discussion by acknowledging the efforts of
everyone and remembering those who had paid the ultimate price. She
then explained how she felt the war would proceed, with the two
armies continuing to battle until those of the East either fled or
were completely defeated. She said, "I would expect that our role
in this war is coming to an end and that it will be the work of
Jason to negotiate a peace agreement. I would a few of you head
back over the mountains and carry the news to both kingdoms and to
those of the Forest."

When asked what would be of the rest of those
of the Forest, she replied, "I would we move our camp close to the
sea where our ship awaits, but I need to meet with the commander of
the Red first. Expect to travel on the day following the morrow. I
need to confer with Jason, for much planning yet remains. I would
your skills as hunters provide us with the food we need both for
our camp and our journey home. The scouts will continue to monitor
the battle and patrol for any possible danger."

Jeremy asked, "You fear those of the
East?"

Heather looked up not as she replied, "I fear
those of the East, but I also trust not those of the Red in the
palace."

The commander of the Red joined them for the
evening meal on the following day. He brought a report of the
battle, which had progressed well for those of the Red. The two
armies were in regular communication and continued to squeeze those
of the East. When asked about the possibility of a peace
settlement, he replied. "Those of the East conquer or die." He then
went on to predict several more weeks of fighting as those of the
East took an ever more defensive position.

Heather listened and respected what the
commander of the Red said. She said in reply, "We of the Forest are
not suited to traditional battle. We will continue to work with
Those Left Behind to prevent supplies from reaching the army from
the East, but our role seems to be done." They then worked to set
up a communication path with those of the Forest acting as
messengers. When the meeting was completed Heather released the
commander of his obligation to her, saying, "I return you to the
service of your King, but pray to the God of the Sacred Water that
we can continue not as enemies but as trading partners.”

The commander of the Red was quiet for some
moments before replying, "One can serve not two masters, but you
have given me and my people a great gift which will not be
forgotten even if those of the palace forget."

Camp was broken with the coming of the
morning light. Those of the Forest traveled at a leisurely pace
bringing their prisoner with them, who was not used to walking.
Even without all his armor and the slow pace those of the Forest
were traveling, he had great difficulty keeping up. He spoke the
language of those from the East and could be understood not by
those of the Forest. Those of the Forest were gentle enough with
him, assisting whenever possible and making sure he had enough food
and water. When traveling he was no longer tied but always kept in
the center of the group. Much sign was left by the stranger and by
the great white horse which carried Heather, and those of the
Forest spent little time in covering their trail. Those who had
gone ahead were able to signal the ship with their mirrors, and
those of the Forest arrived at the cove in time to watch the ship
sail into view.

Heather thought of moving everyone aboard the
ship, but knew that those of the Forest would be happier camped
ashore. They had yet a long journey home and deserved their time
ashore. The boats were lowered from the ship and Jason with the
others came ashore. Those of the sea then withdrew and the ship
again raised its sails and disappeared into the vastness of the
ocean. Only the signalman at the highest point could make out the
ship, but it was enough to maintain communication using their
mirrors.

Heather worried but little of their being
discovered, for the war seemed to occupy completely the attention
of both those of the Red and those of the East. A large campfire
was built and some more of their fresh meat roasted. Root
vegetables had survived the ravaging of the farmland by those of
the East and it was a most pleasant meal. Heather noticed that the
lady with the black skin never left Jason’s side. She spoke little,
and was now dressed in the clothes that Betty had made. The bright
colors seemed to accentuate the blackness of her skin; she was
beautiful to the eye.

As the meal was completed, Heather asked
Jason to tell his story. Jason objected, saying, "I am not a
storyteller. It would be much better to listen to Jeremy's
stories."

Heather responded, "There are those of the
Forest who may choose to disagree with you, but I would very much
like to hear your story and of the stranger who accompanies
you."

Jason glanced at his companion, who nodded
approval in a most inconspicuous way. Jason began his story by
first describing the initial battle with the two ships from the
East, and how his inability to predict advances in military conduct
had almost cost them their ship and their lives. His voice was
brighter when he described their search for survivors and how they
had rescued the one called Rheon. Heather listened to the story,
but also watched closely Jason's companion. Her facial expressions
indicated that she was understanding the story but said not.

Jason then told of their attack on the harbor
and the injury to Captain Cook. Even in the light of the campfire
he seemed to pale as he told the story of the surgery to remove the
Captain's lower leg. When he had finished his story those of the
Forest pounded a rhythm using whatever they had as a drumstick to
show their approval. Jason's companion brightened considerably with
the rhythm and immediately joined in.

It was now Jeremy's turn and he stood for
maximum effect, saying initially, "A story is best told with a
glass of ale, but I will do my best."

Daniel protested, saying, "Maybe it would be
best if parts of your story were not told."

Jeremy responded, saying, "You mean the part
about you attacking the warrior from the East and his warhorse,
both covered in heavy armor, with a stick?"

The more that Daniel protested that others
would not be interested in hearing yet again that part of the
story, the more those around the campfire urged Jeremy on. As
Jeremy began the tale his right hand again moved as if he held a
mug of ale. As the tale was being told, Heather leaned over to
Daniel, whispering, "You set up Jeremy nicely for the telling of
the story." In response Daniel squeezed her hand but said not.

The night was late before the stories were
all told, and Heather and Daniel much appreciated the solitude of
their tent and the time together. Morning came, and after Heather
had completed her morning ritual she joined those of the Forest for
the breaking of the fast. Jason arrived somewhat late, for he was
not an early riser.

After the breaking of the fast a meeting was
held between Heather and Jason, with Daniel and the stranger with
the black skin accompanying them. Heather summarized the war
situation and told of their prisoner. She asked if Jason's
companion could speak with the warrior from the East. Rheon began
shaking her head in the negative and speaking rapidly, but with
only a few words that Heather could understand.

Jason listened to his companion and seemed to
be able to understand her. He translated, saying, "Those from the
East who ride the great horses will speak not to one from the dark
country. She thinks I should be the one to speak to him. With the
help of the young priest I have learned some of their language, but
fear that without her keen ear I will miss much of what he has to
say."

Heather thought hard before replying, "It
would seem those of the East put great emphasis on appearance and
stature. It may be best if you presented yourself in royal dress,
and maybe the young priest and Rheon could sit behind you as
advisers and translators."

Jason replied, "I have aboard the ship the
robe I wore when I first met with those of the Red. It seems my
size has diminished, but it should meet our needs."

By the time the ship had been signaled and
returned to the cove it was midday. Heather took time to carefully
arrange the setting, which allowed Jason to be seated facing away
from the sun with the young priest to his left and Rheon to his
right seated just behind him. The prisoner was brought forth and
stood before Jason, but bowing his head in recognition of Jason's
stature.

Jason spoke in the language of those of the
East, saying, "I am Jason and would hear your story."

Hearing his own tongue from one of the
primitives brought out an obvious surprised look on the face of the
prisoner. At first he spoke not and Jason patiently waited. He then
began speaking—at first slowly and then much more rapidly. He
explained, "My name is Abdul the warrior and I serve the great one.
We have been sent to conquer this land in the name of our God and
to destroy the lesser gods."

Jason responded, "We are assisting those of
the Red who are our trading partners." Then without thinking he
added, "We serve under the command of the One with Golden Hair who
has been prophesied."

A look of unease crossed over the face of the
prisoner as some memory was triggered of a long forgotten story he
had been taught. At first he said not, and then looking around for
Heather said only, "I have experienced her power."

Jason continued, "Those of the Forest
consider you not a prisoner but as a guest who requires special
care. You are free to move around the camp, but I would advise you
not to leave the area of the camp, for those of the Forest would be
insulted and their arrows are sharp." He then summarized the status
of the war, saying, "Your mounted cavalry has been broken and your
horses starving, for the supply lines have been severed. Those of
the Red are pushing in from both the west and the east. Many of
your ships have been destroyed in the harbor and the headland
recaptured." After a pause he suggested, "It would appear that it
is time for your forces to sue for peace."

The prisoner appeared quite weary as he
responded, "The great one I serve expects and tolerates nothing but
victory. We are to either die on the battlefield fighting for
victory or return triumphant. Return without victory is not
tolerated and death by our peers follows quickly." He then said in
a quiet voice, "I expect your analysis is correct but we have no
way of suing for peace."

Jason responded likewise in a quiet voice, "I
would like to prevent the death and suffering which will happen to
both your people and those of the Red. We are a trading people and
would much prefer trading agreements to war."

For two days the intermittent discussions
continued but seemed to lead nowhere. Heather finally had enough
and sent a message to the commander of the Red who had served under
her, saying, "I would meet with you and with the envoy whom you
call Don the Great, if possible at the time of the moonrise outside
the secret passage." She gave the brief message to one of the
Forest to deliver and continued with her planning. She had several
of the Forest secure the area and create a net of sentries to guard
the meeting she wished to have. It was after the evening meal that
she and others of the Forest departed for the several hour hike to
the secret passageway. Betty had insisted on coming with and rode
behind Heather on the great white horse.

A small campfire was built in the cover of
the boulders just outside the opening of the secret passageway.
Heather and Betty sat patiently by the campfire saying little.
Those of the Forest were well hidden and ready with their bows. As
the moon's silver light first became visible, the creaking of the
passageway door could be heard. Heather moved not; no warning was
called out by the sentries watching the door. Heather listened to
the heavy footsteps of the boots worn by those of the Red, and
thought she could detect three separate sounds. She was not
surprised when three figures appeared in the light of the campfire.
She said only, "Come sit by the fire, for we have planning to
do."

Heather looked up not until the three had
seated themselves. She nodded an acknowledgment to the commander of
the Red and to the envoy. To the third person she said, "I would
know your name and your story."