The Scarlet King (35 page)

Rheon spoke into Jason's ear and Jason nodded
as he listened, rubbing the bristle on his chin. He spoke up,
saying, "You are at present a guest of those of the Forest. I would
know how your status would change if you are brought back to your
own people."

The stranger said, "I can but pledge my
honor, for if my commanding officer agrees not, so it will be. I
shall either return in disgrace or with instructions for a formal
meeting." He added, "If I return not it will be because my life has
been forfeited. I can promise no more."

Their conversation was interrupted by Daniel,
who had many questions about the source of iodine used by those of
the East. The stranger had no knowledge of such a substance, but
admitted that their invasion centered on capturing the royal spring
in front of the palace of the Red. When Daniel asked about the
presence of deformed babies the stranger replied, "Many of the
royal family are plagued by babies who grow not, and our healers
have learned of the strength imparted by the royal spring."

Daniel had many questions about their diet
and especially of the differences between the common folk and the
royal families. The stranger did his best to answer the questions;
Daniel listened intently as Rheon translated for him. It seemed
those of the royal families avoided eating food from the ocean, but
the common folks depended upon the sea for much of their food. He
had many more questions, but Jason spoke up, saying, "Cannot these
questions wait while we finish our discussion of a peace
treaty?"

Daniel appeared somewhat surprised by the
reprimand, saying, "I expect the cause of this war is similar to
the cause of our war with those of the Red. We need to treat the
underlying cause if we would have peace." He then went off to worry
about the arrival of his alchemy equipment and the testing he would
do on the water of the royal spring.

Jason and the stranger from the East
continued their discussion until the time for the evening meal and
the telling of stories. The stranger from the East joined them for
the food and watched the telling of stories despite his inability
to understand the language. Rheon now participated, and told a
short story of her people from the dark lands. Those of the Forest
were enthralled to hear of the land so different from their
Forest.

In the morning Jason met with Heather
regarding the offer made by the stranger from the East. Jason had
concerns about protecting their camp if the stranger revealed,
either intentionally or accidentally, their location. Heather
considered this for but a moment before replying, "I feel the
stranger is honorable in his own way. We have left much sign in our
coming and going and anyone looking could find us. I would chance
accepting his offer for otherwise many will die."

They then discussed the method of returning
the stranger to his people. Heather decided, "The stranger seems
unable to walk any faster than a small child of the Forest. I would
he ride the great white horse to the northern edge of the camp of
those of the East. Some of those of the Forest would travel along
as scouts and ensure he arrives back at his camp." She then added,
"I would our meeting, if it is to occur, be in the evening of the
day following the morrow. You and I will need to travel but at a
slower pace, with again those of the Forest scouting ahead for any
danger."

Jason responded, "I agree your plan is
logical, but how would you travel with your leg not yet
healed?"

Heather replied, "I will do as I must, but
having another horse would be of great help." She then added, "I
will speak to Edna and Jeremy to see if there is any hope of
securing additional horses."

Their conversation was interrupted by the
arrival of two of the Forest leading each a horse burdened with the
alchemy supplies that Daniel had requested. Heather smiled one of
her small smiles and said to Jason, "Seems the God of the Sacred
Water has already seen of our need."

Daniel immediately began arranging the
supplies on a flat rock he was using as a table. The stranger from
the East watched but said not. As Daniel began his work of alchemy,
Jason met again with the stranger. Jason spoke up, saying, "Heather
with the Golden Hair has agreed with your proposal. You will travel
on horseback with those of the Forest to the northern edge of your
camp. On the evening of the day following the morrow, one of those
from the Forest will be waiting to guide you to the meeting
spot."

The stranger asked, "How will we find the one
we are to meet?"

Jason just smiled at first before replying,
"Those of the Forest will find you and be aware of you long before
you could possibly find them." He then added, "It would be best if
your party was limited to only yourself and a few others."

As those traveling with the stranger from the
East finished their preparations, they were interrupted by an
excited yell from Daniel. Heather walked over to where Daniel was
dancing around and pointing to the black area on one of their
precious potatoes he had used. Heather asked, "What does that black
spot signify?"

Daniel responded, "The water from the royal
spring does contain iodine as I expected. Now if I just knew what
the yellow substance was I may be able to help in the
negotiations."

Heather understood not his discussion of
alchemy, and finally asked, "Does this mean that their royal spring
is much like our Sacred Water?"

Daniel exclaimed, "Exactly, but I need to
figure out what the yellow substance is and whether it promotes
health or not." He then added, "It would seem that those of the
royal family are smaller and less vigorous than the general
population. It may be that the yellow substance somehow hinders
their growth."

Heather reminded Daniel that Betty had said
the water was "bad water" and had told the King not to drink it.
Daniel replied, "Betty listens well to the Spirits of the Forest
and I know not how she knows what she knows, but I expect she is
right. I wish I knew more of alchemy, but I will do my best."

Heather had a day of rest with those of the
Forest, preparing both for their departure for home and for the
meeting with those from the East. Her thoughts were mostly of her
baby and of their simple home in the Forest. She did not even try
to hold back the tears, for they were tears of anticipation and
joy. She spent time grooming the great white horse and being
everything but a warrior.

As the stories were being told after the
evening meal around the campfire, she listened but was still far
away. Her attention was drawn back to the present as Rheon told the
story of her capture and the destruction of her village. Apparently
those of the East required everyone to believe in their god or be
put to death.

Heather shuddered at the violence people were
able to inflict upon others and wished not to hear more at this
time. She excused herself from the group and sought the shelter of
their tent. She was soon joined by Daniel.

Morning came, and after the completion of the
morning ritual she broke fast with those of the Forest and listened
to the reports of the scouts and of those working to obtain the
supplies for the journey home. Daniel reported that indeed the
royal spring contained almost as much iodine as their Sacred Water,
but he was troubled that the sample brought on the horses was much
more dilute then the container that the Scarlet King was drinking
from. He knew very little yet of the yellow substance, and again it
was much more dilute in the sample the horses had delivered.

It was midmorning when Heather mounted the
great white horse with Betty climbing up behind her. Jason mounted
the remaining horse that had carried the alchemy supplies. They
rode at an easy pace as those of the Forest scouted ahead and
behind. Rheon trotted at his side and had no difficulty keeping up.
She had not the loping gait of those of the Forest but her long
legs were obviously made for travel.

Nightfall was approaching when they arrived
at the camping site Jeremy had picked out, and they had a simple
meal of travel rations. Jason complained, "It would seem that the
riding of horses is not what my body was built for." He then added,
"Far better to ride the waves and let the ship carry you across the
ocean then to put up with the jostling and the soreness of riding a
horse."

Heather gave him one of her small smiles but
replied not. Her mind was occupied with the strangers from the
East; she asked Jason, "Think you that those of the East will
present themselves tonight?"

Jason responded, "The stranger from the East
seemed honorable enough even though his concept of life is so
different from ours. I would expect that indeed they will
show."

Rheon, who as always was at Jason's side,
spoke up, saying, "They will come but their words may not mean what
you think they mean."

Darkness had become complete and the moon had
not yet risen as they prepared for the possible arrival of the
negotiators. Those of the Forest surrounded their campsite as
sentries and defenders, both groups of whom were well hidden. It
was not long before a bird call was heard and repeated from several
different spots. Jason was somewhat puzzled as to the type of bird,
and Heather explained, "Those of the Forest are speaking and our
guests are on their way. They sense no danger."

Jason tried to emulate the calmness that
Heather displayed sitting by the small campfire poking occasionally
at the coals. He could not find within him the calmness that she
displayed. The sounds of the night seemed to change but little, and
yet Heather spoke up, saying, "They are near and travel as a group
of three."

When the one from the Forest who was leading
the group stepped into the small circle of light, he but nodded his
head before again disappearing into the darkness. The stranger who
had been their guest was leading two others, who now also stepped
into the small circle of light. Heather looked up not from her
campfire, but said simply in the language of those of the East,
"Welcome."

Jason spoke up then, introducing himself only
as an envoy from the Northern Kingdom serving Heather of the Golden
Hair. The strangers from the East could not help but notice the
glow of Heather's hair in the firelight. The one who had been their
guest introduced his commanding officer and the second individual
with a long beard who was apparently a scholar who traveled with
the military.

Jason wasted little time and again summarized
the military status and the desire that Heather had for a peace
agreement based on trade. They listened for some time as the
commander of the forces of the East spoke at length of the military
strength they represented. Heather understood not the words but
could easily sense the attitude of superiority. She poked somewhat
violently at the coals and said in her own language, "Enough."

The sharpness of her voice was enough to
silence the commanding officer. Jason explained, "Those of the
Forest work with the Spirits of the Forest and they care not for
your military strength. They seek to preserve life and would use
trade as a means of protecting the peace."

Those of the East conferred amongst
themselves, and the man with long beard spoke up, asking, "The
legend talks of such a place as your Forest and of the warrior who
would bring peace, but also speaks of one who is like a child."

Jason needed the help of Rheon to fully
translate, and before the translation was even completed, Betty
stepped out of the darkness into the light of the campfire. She but
looked at the scholar and could hear his mind. The one with the
long beard bowed in her direction and spoke in a chant which
neither Jason nor Rheon could understand. When the chant was
completed, those of the East again conferred amongst themselves.
This time it was the one who had been their guest who spoke up,
saying, "The legend has come to pass and we will do as you
suggest." He then continued, "If the peace agreement is to be based
on trade, what do you offer?"

Jason had been preparing for this question
and responded, "Those of the Forest trade with other lands their
Sacred Water which prevents the stunting of growth of babies. The
royal spring which you have sought to conquer has some of the same
substance which empowers the Sacred Water. I would suggest that
trade begin using this essential substance as a basis."

"What would you trade this Sacred Water
for?"

Jason responded, "I would trade for knowledge
of the world as is known in your lands. I would expect you have
much to offer. Those of the Red would seem most interested in
trading for the iron and brass you produce, and have available much
timber and grain in addition to their royal spring for
trading."

The commanding officer spoke up, saying, "I
am a warrior not a trader. As a warrior I must protect my honor and
the honor of my troops. You're asking that we risk this honor to
bring about peace and trade. How would you suggest this be
accomplished?"

Jason thought hard for some time before
responding, "I understand not your system of honor. I would expect
that if the primary goal of the invasion was to secure the royal
spring for your royal families, then returning with a supply of
water from the spring might suffice."

The commanding officer asked, "What would we
trade for this Sacred Water?"

Jason said not, but simply looked at the
scholar who travels with military. The commanding officer seemed
somewhat confused, but the scholar knew immediately Jason's intent.
He spoke up, saying, "You offer me a choice between an honorable
death on the battlefield or a chance to share my knowledge with
those of the legend. I would choose life and the opportunity to
learn more."

The commanding officer had trouble
comprehending what was going on and asked, "You would trade this
Sacred Water for a simple scholar?"