The Crystal Legacy (Book 2) (38 page)

They climbed on past the first landing to the second level above the great hall. In fact, the vaulted ceiling in the great hall went up three stories, so the guest quarters were on the keep’s fifth level.

“Thank you for your assistance, Lord Chamberlain.”

The chamberlain bowed. “It was my pleasure to be of assistance. Should you require anything, a servant will remain outside your door. The duke will be along soon to conduct you on your tour.”

Saxthor and Tournak took a while to get used to the accommodations. Even as a prince in the palace at Konnotan, he hadn’t had a suite of rooms.

“This is almost as sumptuous as King Grekenbach’s palace in Graushdemheimer.”

*

They rested until the duke arrived to take them on a tour about an hour later. He was in good spirits, the cautious tone gone.

“My representative at King Grekenbach’s court reported that a Neuyokkasinian prince visited Graushdemheimer and was the city hero for wiping out a troll infestation. That is most impressive, Prince Saxthor.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“If you’re ready, we can begin your tour of the Hadorhof’s defenses.”

Confirmation that Saxthor was indeed a prince, and the troll-slayer, made the duke feel he’d found a kindred spirit. His reticence gone, he now focused on impressing Neuyokkasin’s unofficial ambassador.

“The Gates of Hador are the peninsula’s finest defenses, if not those of the continent,” Saxthor said.

The duke beamed. “Shall we begin? The castilyernov’s dominant feature is the natural lay of the mountains. The entire border with Dreaddrac is the Hador Mountain chain made up of three parallel ridges. These mountains are so tall, steep, and connect so high up, that they’re all but impossible to climb over. No army could hope to make it across the mountains except at this pass. The mountain chain forms a V, funneling anyone from the north traveling south, here. This is the only place where an army’s baggage and supplies could cross with them.”

Saxthor nodded.

“To the west, the Edros Swamps of south-western Dreaddrac blocks an army moving south. Dreaddrac has no forest for timber ships. The only way south out of Dreaddrac is through Prertsten, and then the army has to cross back over the Akkin River. The Duke of Heggolstockin monitors such movements and can mobilize to meet them at the Akkin.”

“So the Dark Lord must take this pass to move south of Dreaddrac through the east,” Saxthor said.

Duke Jedrac stopped and turned to Saxthor.

“If they were to get an eastern army through this pass, they’d drive straight down to Graushdemheimer, or catch us in between their eastern and western armies. Therefore, they must never get through this pass.”

The three men arrived at the north face of the Castilyernov Hadorhof. The duke took his Neuyokkasinian guests to the window looking out on Dreaddrac’s plain. It was the longest straight drop Saxthor had ever seen.

“The north wall of the fortress was built directly on top of the mountain’s solid granite,” Jedrac said.

“Yes, the chamberlain mentioned that.”

“From this window, it drops over two thousand feet.”

Saxthor and Tournak stood stunned.

“Anyone following along the mountains can clearly see this pass is the only hope of getting through. Come, let me show you the tunnel and pass below.”

The duke led his guests back down the corridor to a staircase well within the interior. They descended two levels to the grand audience hall where the duke had received Saxthor. There, they went behind the throne to a circular staircase and down one level. The duke led them along a corridor past dungeons on either side to the end of the hallway. There was a gallery with stacks of rocks and pots of oil for throwing down on attackers through thin slits. They could shoot arrows or throw spears at the attackers, as well. No enemy could shoot arrows or make siege machinery that could reach so high.

“How does one get through the pass?” Saxthor asked.

“From this level, we have two massive iron booms. We can swing them out and raise or lower one or both platforms using multiple pulleys from the next chamber. Should attackers gain control of the platforms, we can seal off the iron doors from within, rendering the platforms useless. We’ll go there now,” the duke said, leading his guests back down the hallway, then up a level and through the room’s iron door.

“This is the control room. You can see the massive pulleys above us. We can use the platforms to move troops and supplies to the plain below for an offensive sortie.” The duke patted the oak beams of the pulley structure like pets.

Saxthor studied the ingenious mechanics. “No wonder no army has ever overrun this pass.”

“Nothing for the enemy to climb on,” Tournak said.

“I’ve a large garrison defending the pass, though it really isn’t necessary.”

“It’s impregnable short of treachery,” Saxthor said. “I have to ask, though: how are occasional orcs getting over the mountains?”

“We are not sure,” the duke replied, feeling his smile deflate. “Our guards did indeed find the two dead orcs Hendrel spoke of. The orcs dare not show their faces in the city, but some are getting through. They’ve been slipping into Hador for about two months now.”

“I’ve run across them, several cohorts I’m aware of,” Saxthor said so as not to be overheard. “The Dark Lord is sending them to infiltrate southern defenses, no doubt to rise up behind our lines once war starts. I hope you’ll be able to discover where they’re slipping through soon. I feared treachery, within even these walls, since I’ve seen their numbers and extent of penetration. Duke Jedrac, I’m not suggesting you’re failing in your responsibility to hold the eastern gate against Dreaddrac.”

“Certainly not!”

“I think you’re safe for now. The Dark Lord doesn’t want to reveal his strength yet. It might alarm the southern states, causing them to arm and form alliances before he’s ready to strike. However, I don’t think it'll be long before he’s prepared to march south. If he’s infiltrated this citadel, your life will be forfeit the moment he’s ready to move.”

“Not a pleasant thought,” Jedrac said.

“Dreaddrac will want to secure this pass first. If he’s placed someone here, waiting, the traitor will try to kill you and throw the city defenses into turmoil. You must recheck your garrison and household for potential assassins.”

This heightened Jedrac’s fears. “Recent reports have confirmed there is increased activity on Dreaddrac’s plain, and yes, more have slipped through.”

The control room door opened and a servant brought refreshments.

“Hold there,” Saxthor ordered. The servant had already turned to leave. Saxthor poured a goblet of ale handing it to the man. The servant looked at the duke, who nodded. The man drank from the goblet, bowed, and left the room.

“It would be prudent to have your food and drink tasted,” Tournak said.

“You can’t be serious-- poisoning,” Jedrac said, astonished. “It would be the easiest way to remove me at the critical time. A lot seems to be changing.”

“Changing fast,” Saxthor said.

Jedrac called the captain.

The captain, who had followed them through the tour and stayed far back out of hearing range, came forward.

“Take the prince to the secret passage in the base of the mountain. He should be aware of it. As usual, you’re to let no one else know you’re going there or that it exists.”

The duke turned to Saxthor. “You must excuse us; we have to attend to a matter of considerable importance. The captain will continue your tour. I’ll join you later in the dining hall.”

*

“Lead on, Captain,” Saxthor said. He finished his drink and, with Tournak, left to see the secret passage.

“If you’ll come this way, Your Highness,” the captain said, leading the prince and Tournak back into the heart of the fortress. When they were past the dungeons and nearly at the spiral staircase that led up to the reception hall, there was a hidden door off to the right in the dark behind the staircase arch.

“Now that’s well hidden, you’d have to know it was there to find it,” Saxthor said. Tournak nodded agreement.

The captain, with hand on sword, looked around to be sure no one followed. Pulling a hidden key from a neck chain under his tunic, he unlocked and opened the door. The hinges didn’t squeak. After relocking the door behind them, the captain led the two men down a narrow spiral staircase that seemed endless. It went down to the level of the Dreaddrac Plain. At the bottom, there was another small room leading to a corridor that passed horizontally through the rock. It ended in a secret doorway that came out on the plain under an outcrop, hiding it completely from above.

“What’s this for?” Saxthor asked.

“This is to make raids out and behind the enemy should Hador be attacked,” the captain said. His chest puffed up. “It took a year to excavate.”

“If it’s discovered, can the tower see it?”

“No, the guards can’t see it. Only after completing it did we realize that. However, it’s not likely anyone could locate the door. Even if discovered, it can only be opened from within.”

“I see.”

The captain laughed but kept his hand on his sword. “Only very healthy soldiers can climb back up to the Hadorhof’s lowest level. Any attack from here would have to be single file. So you see, there’s no real threat.”

Saxthor looked closely at the door’s seal and the floor in front of it. Tournak nudged the sandy floor with his boot. “How often does anyone monitor the door and corridors?”

“We don’t come here,” the captain said as he checked the door lock. “This is just for counterattack sorties. Come, it’s a very long hike back up those stairs. We’ll have to stop and rest to make it.”

“This must wear out a pair of boots just making one trip up and down, Captain,” Saxthor said. He laughed “It’s a good thing your boots are issued by the duke.”

“The stone is rough on boots for sure, Your Highness,” the captain said as they started back up the corridor to the staircase.

They returned along the corridor by torchlight and then back up the small spiral staircase to the hidden doorway behind the stairwell on the dungeon level.

Saxthor and Tournak went to eat with the garrison so Saxthor could observe the Hadorhof’s work force. Then the captain took the two guests on a tour of the battlements. Ending the tour, he took them back to their apartment to refresh themselves and rest before dinner with the duke.

For dinner, the duke had arranged another feast in his guests’ honor. It was a state occasion, and Jedrac had invited the Hadorian state’s nobility. The duke was delighted to show off the Neuyokkasinian prince.

I suspect the duke hopes Neuyokkasin will acknowledge his claim to the dukedom as a legitimate and separate principality one day, Saxthor thought. That can’t happen. It would bring war between Neuyokkasin and Graushdem.

The duke and Saxthor genuinely liked each other and respected each other’s strength and leadership abilities. It was a very pleasant night.

As the dinner was breaking up, Saxthor asked if he might speak with the duke privately. The duke, lightheaded from the wine, put his arm around the prince’s shoulder and led him toward his private audience chamber.

“Oh, could you have the captain escort Tournak back to our rooms?” Saxthor asked. “I think he’s had too much wine and he might get lost.”

“Captain, escort Lord Tournak back to his quarters. We wouldn’t want him lost,” the duke said. “Then you may go for the night. Any news of your family yet?”

“Not yet, Your Grace,” the captain said as he led Tournak from the dining hall.

When they were gone, the prince and the duke talked.

“Your grace, do you issue boots to the garrison?”

“Yes, boots are standard issue here,” the duke said. He poked his thumbs under his armpits puffing up his chest. “For many of our soldiers, these are the first real footwear they’ve had. Hador is rocky, even the floors, and not all the rock is polished. The boots don’t hold up long, regrettably.” He smiled. “So what did you want to see me about?”

“What’s the problem with the captain’s family?” Saxthor asked.

“Probably nothing, but his wife and child went to visit her parents in eastern Hador and haven’t returned. They left more than two months ago, and he’s concerned.”

Saxthor nodded. “Why do you need a sally port? I thought you said the walls alone would bar any attempt to get over the mountains if the lifts below were pulled up and withdrawn.”

“The captain’s aide suggested it some years ago,” the duke said. “Brilliant man, I’d have made him captain if he had remained here. He returned to King Calamidese of Sengenwha a few months ago. Said he loved it here, but the king couldn’t live without him.” He squinted at Saxthor in the dim light. “Why do you ask?”

Saxthor walked around the room, his fingers pulling his chin while thinking. He looked at the duke, whose furrowed brow showed his concern for Saxthor’s delayed response.

“Let me suggest that you send your fastest courier to King Calamidese and ask, confidentially, if the captain’s former aide is in his employ,” Saxthor said. “He came here and immediately got work as the captain of the guard’s aide?”