Council of War (64 page)

"You are back already?" frowned the old man, his eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky.

"Already, Atule?" frowned the queen. "I have not been here in years."

"Hmm," mused the old man. "I can remember the visit quite clearly. Come in, Tsarana."

Atule closed the door and promptly walked away. Queen Tsarana followed him into a semicircular room that had thousands of books lining the walls. A single window let the light stream in, and the light beams seemed to focus on the surface of a desk in the center of the room. Atule walked around the desk and slumped into an overstuffed chair that had seen a fair amount of use judging by the worn fabric on the arms. Queen Tsarana sat in a straight wooden chair before the desk.

"What brings you across the waters?" asked Atule.

"There is something that I seek your advice on. The Federation continues to grow, and it is only a matter of time before they seek to enter Atule's Maze. It is inevitable."

"You and your people are safe in Atule's Maze," stated the old man. "I have told you this many times. The jungle was created to afford protection for those who did not care to dwell in the world of men. Why do you think it will fail you now?"

"My people are not just those who live in the Maze," frowned the queen. "As you know, we send our warriors all over the world to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Even if the Federation merely surrounds us, it will mean the end of the Rhodans. Without new arrivals, we will die off and disappear from this world."

"That is possible," conceded the wizard, "but I cannot enchant everything. There are limits to even my power. I created the jungle as my home, and I have extended a welcome to you and your people. You will be safe within its confines. There is nothing more that I can offer you."

"I am not looking for anything more. I am seeking your wisdom on a decision that I must make. The situation is getting worse for my people outside the jungle, but there is an offer of help from an unlikely source. Boric of Karamin has offered a treaty with the Rhodans if we help him seize the throne."

"Is this Boric a good man?" asked Atule.

"He appears to be. Were the situation such that all we had to do was attack Federation soldiers, I would accept his offer, but there are conditions that give me pause."

"What is troubling you?" Atule asked in a fatherly way.

"He wants to pair his soldiers with my warriors."

"Why does this bother you?"

"Many of my women have shown weakness in close proximity to men. When they are called upon to fight, there are no problems, but this will be different. We will be fighting on the same side. You know what will happen."

"What will happen is nature's way," smiled Atule. "While rescuing women in trouble is admirable, you cannot eliminate men from their lives. Heal them. Make them strong and confident, but let them go free when they are ready. We have had this conversation before."

"But these marriages will occur in Calusa," frowned the queen. "It is too close to the jungle. They will want to bring their families back to Atule's Maze."

"That must not be allowed," the magician shook his head. "The jungle is to remain a refuge. It cannot retain its magic if it becomes merely another place to build a city. You have sworn to be stewards of the land. You must not relinquish your duties."

"Then they will be banned from returning?"

Atule sighed and smiled compassionately. "Each of your warriors will have a choice to make. They can wed, or they can return to the jungle, but they cannot do both. You cling to them as if they were your children, Tsarana."

"They are my children," the queen replied as her eyes moistened.

"Even children must grow up and leave the nest sooner or later. Prepare them as best you can, and wish them every happiness in their new life. There is nothing more that you can do. Some will flourish and grow. Others will wither and die. Such is life."

"And when they are all gone? What then? What will happen to me?"

"Blessed be the day that you cannot find a battered woman in all the land, Tsarana. Should that day come during your lifetime, rejoice."

Herinak Castle was a huge stone fortress sitting atop a hill overlooking the mouth of the Herinak River in Korocca. Under a canopy of tall towers and numerous spires, the castle spread out to encompass the entire hillside. Terraced gardens surrounded three sides of the castle, and many of the gardens were walled in as private gardens for the suites in the wing for visiting dignitaries. It was in one of those private gardens that King Myer of Tyronia sat with his daughter, Jeanel.

"What is to become of us, Father?" asked Princess Jeanel as General Skye entered the garden and approached the bench.

The king smiled weakly at the princess. "We will stay here until a plan is worked out for the defeat of the Federation."

"I mean after our return," asked Jeanel. "You cannot rule forever, and Mectin cannot be allowed to ruin the country. Is the Kingdom of Tyronia finished? Will you remarry to save it?"

King Myer frowned as General Skye halted alongside the bench.

"Why would you ask such a question at this time?" asked the king. "There are so many other obstacles ahead of us."

When the princess did not answer, the general cleared his throat. The king looked up expectantly.

"I believe the princess is encouraged by Queen Romani," smiled the general. "Perhaps it is time for Tyronia to consider revising its line of succession."

The king blinked and turned his attention from the general to his daughter. He saw a slight smile on Jeanel's face and knew that the general was correct in his assumptions. He frowned at the thought of Tyronia being ruled by a woman. It went against the grain of centuries of tradition, yet he, too, had been impressed with Queen Romani's grasp of the current situation. He suddenly saw his daughter in a new light, and his frown faded away, and a smile spread across his lips.

"Perhaps it is," King Myer agreed with a nod. "If such is to be the case, there is much our princess will have to learn. How fortunate we are to have been given a quiet place and some free time to see to those lessons. Is it a queen you truly wish to be?"

"I could do a much finer job of taking care of the people than Mectin could ever do," declared the princess.

"That is not hard to imagine," sighed the king, "but I think you underestimate yourself. You are much like your mother, and she would have made a finer ruler than I was. It is not much of a secret that your mother was the impetus of many of my major reforms. We will begin your studies today."

"The reason I have come," stated the general, "is that King Wendal is meeting with his advisors today. He has invited you to attend the meeting."

King Myer seemed annoyed at the intrusion. "What is the meeting about?"

"Baron Stikman holds out little hope for the Council of War," replied the general. "He seeks to form a strategy for defending the horse countries alone. We were invited to offer our suggestions."

"I am supposed to be dead," scowled the king. "Besides, you are far better suited to addressing matters of strategy. You shall be the voice of Tyronia in any such meetings. It is too late to deceive King Wendal and Baron Stikman, but let the others think me dead."

General Skye frowned with concern. "I understand that you would prefer to spend time alone with the princess, but is there some other reason that you wish for people in Herinak to think you are dead?"

"There are thousands of them," answered the king. "King Persimon was deceived by his Royal Sorcerer, and my own army in Tyronia was infiltrated by General Forshire. Why should I think that the Koroccans would be immune from such agents of the Federation?"

"A valid point," nodded the general, "but many people in the palace have already seen you."

"They have seen an old man with the princess," corrected the king. "None of these people know what the King of Tyronia looks like. Spread the word that I am the tutor of the princess. Let them all believe that King Myer is dead."

"It shall be as you command," stated the general. "I will inform King Wendal and Baron Stikman personally about your desires."

"You are a good man, Skye," smiled the king. "Advise the Koroccans as best you can, and keep me informed of any major decisions."

General Skye bowed to the king and the princess and backed away from the bench. He turned and retreated indoors and made his way directly to the study of Baron Stikman. He related the desire of King Myer, and the baron shrugged in agreement.

"I will inform King Wendal of the Tyronian decision," replied the baron.

"I promised that I would inform King Wendal personally," objected the general.

The baron glared briefly at the general for his lack of trust, but he eventually sighed and nodded. "We can stop by his study on the way to the meeting. Come along."

King Wendal took no offense at King Myer's request, nor did he act surprised. He immediately dismissed the issue as having been resolved and suggested that it was time to move on to the meeting. The three men walked together to the room set aside for the strategy sessions. The room was already full of advisors and barons of the realm. General Skye saw Queen Romani, and he moved away from the king to speak with her. He informed her in a whisper of King Myer's wishes, and she frowned heavily as she glanced around at the large number of people in the room.

"I had not thought about that," she whispered back. "Perhaps I should leave?"

"Let's get settled down," Baron Stikman said loudly as he signaled for the guards to close the doors. When the room settled down and dozens of conversations halted, the baron continued, "Many of you have already heard of the attack on Traginak. The attack marks the first time that creatures from the Forest of Death have targeted the capital of Zarocca. I suspect that it is a portent of things to come. The purpose of this meeting is to openly discuss possible strategies, not only for Korocca, but for Zarocca as well. We must stand united with our cousins to the west. In the spirit of openness, King Wendal has invited representatives from Tyronia and Vinafor to join with us in discussing this matter. Let us all welcome Queen Romania of Vinafor and General Skye of Tyronia."

Murmurs ran around the long table as everyone stared at the two foreigners.

* * *

The three riders rode into the Alcean camp and dismounted. Tedi and Natia looked on with curiosity, but Karl and the Rangers did not realize the significance of the third rider.

"This is Yortana," Garth announced. "She will represent the Rhodans in our meeting with Boric. Has he been informed of our return?"

Karl quickly nodded. "Max has just returned from the canyon."

"He is expecting you sometime today," stated Max Caber. "He asked how we knew, but I sidestepped the issue."

"Good," replied Garth. "Head on back to the canyon immediately, Max. Tell them that there will be three of us coming in."

Max nodded and immediately set off for the bandits' hideout. Kalina introduced the rest of the group to Yortana, and they had a bite to eat before remounting and heading out of the camp. When they arrived at the mouth of the canyon, Garth hesitated as he gazed up at the cliffs. He could sense the bandits watching him, but he could not see any of them.

"Shields," Garth said to Kalina. "Just in case."

"I agree," replied Kalina.

Yortana gazed around warily, but she showed no fear. Garth took the lead and started down the canyon. Yortana followed and Kalina brought up the rear. They traversed the canyon without incident, and Boric was waiting alongside Max when they reached the end of the trail. The three riders dismounted.

"Boric," Garth said, "this is Yortana. She will represent the interests of the Rhodans. Yortana, this is Boric."

"Welcome, Yortana," smiled Boric. "Am I to assume by your presence here that our offer has been accepted?"

"It is a fair assumption," Yortana replied. "I have been authorized to meet with you on behalf of the Rhodans. Our initial response to your offer is favorable, but I think we need to discuss exactly how this alliance will progress."

"Fair enough," agreed Boric. "Let's get into the cave where we can sit down and discuss our plans."

Yortana nodded and Boric led the way up the steep path. Max turned to leave and return to camp, but Garth placed a hand on his arm.

"Stick around," Garth said softly. "There might be more for you here than is presently clear."

Max shrugged and started up the path behind Yortana. Kalina followed close behind the Ranger, and Garth came last. When they reached the top of the trail, Kalina reached out and tapped the Ranger on his arm.

"Unsheathe your sword," requested Kalina.

Max did not hesitate. He drew his sword and held it out towards Kalina while Garth stopped alongside of his wife and watched with curiosity.

"What is the matter?" Garth asked softly.

"This sword is enchanted," Kalina declared as she waved the sword away. "It has the same two spells that I found on yours."

"Aziz?" asked Garth.

Kalina nodded. "I wonder what he is up to?"

"Check the swords of the others when we return to the camp," urged Garth. "For now, let's get inside the cave."

Max sheathed his sword, and the three Alceans proceeded along the ledge and into the cave. Boric and Yortana were already seated and discussing the potential union. Kalina moved to sit next to Yortana, but Garth and Max stayed near the entrance of the cave.

"What do these spells mean?" Max asked softly.

"One is a locator spell," answered Garth. "Fakir Aziz has the capability of determining your location at any time. We do not know what the other spell does."

"How concerned should I be?" asked Max. "Should I get a new sword?"

Garth shook his head. "We believe that Fakir Aziz is the Mage," Garth whispered. "If he enchanted your sword, it was for a purpose. Do not dispose of it."

"It still makes me nervous," admitted the Ranger. "Why did you want me to stay behind here?"

"I want to see this alliance prosper," Garth said as he nodded towards Boric and Yortana, "but time is running out for us. I am thinking of leaving you here when we leave. I will leave Runt with you so that we can keep in touch."