The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (24 page)

John was confused.  “Do what?”

“You spoke Giant, John.  I mean, YOU SPOKE GIANT!”

“No I was speaking like we are now, Edian.” 

Cordon laughed.  “No, you spoke Giant.  I don’t know what language it was, but I was sure glad you could do it.  I’m not a man who easily panics, but I was a little concerned when I saw that guy.  And then there you go, just rattling off some weird language.” Cordon gave a brave smile.

After translating the brief conversation John shook his head.  “Well I don’t know how I did it.”

“You must be tied into the Expanse of Gonta more than you know,” Cordon said firmly. 

John opened his mouth to protest, but quickly thought better of it.  He had no idea what had just happened and if it made Cordon feel better to think it was some sort of magic, then fine.  He would ask Larone about it later.  “Yeah, maybe.  Let’s get some rest.”

The next morning John and Cordon awoke to find the Banner of Freedom gone.

“Well, what do you know?”  Cordon gave a deep, heart-felt laugh. 

“At least they took it.  I hope it’s a good sign,” John said. 

* * *

Troops and supplies poured in and Ramadine was never a busier place.  It took John two full days before he could question Larone about the newfound ability to understand Giants.  Larone seemed perplexed by the surprising ability also.   “I have been pondering for some time now your ability to speak Esparian.  I have questioned Gaylee and she has told me of her ability to speak both a language called Polish and your native tongue of English without even realizing she was speaking them.”

John was stunned.  “What do you mean?  My speaking Esparian?  I’m speaking English.”

“No my friend, I assure you…you are speaking Esparian.  It is impossible that our two languages would be this compatible.  You are definitely speaking Esparian.” 

“But there are some words that are foreign to me and Gaylee has had to teach me their meanings.”  He protested.

“I can’t explain the full impact of what happened to you when you went through the Expanse of Gonta in the spiral to come here, but you definitely absorbed some power to communicate.  Perhaps,” he mused, “not as much as Gaylee did when she traveled to earth or Jessica when she came through, but you absorbed something.” 

“Something, huh,” John grunted.  “What else happened to me in there?” 

Larone shook his head.  “I do not know.  No one has traveled between our worlds in millennia.  And the writings of those who may have made the journey have been lost.  We may never know the full extent of how your travel has affected you.”

“And what about Jess?” John was feeling anger begin to rise in him.  “Does she realize she’s speaking Esparian?”

Larone shook his head.  “I doubt it.  Has she spoken to you about it?”

“No,” John sighed, checking his anger.  “And she has so much to think about right now, I’m not going to mention it.”  He shook his head.  “This is too weird.”

During the next week, before Anton, Jessica, Reese and Varnack returned, John filled his time with heavy training and meetings with division and regimental commanders from the eastern provinces.  John liked these men, Reese had done a good job approving and appointing them to their positions.  They seemed competent and unafraid.  Several officers wanted to attack the Deserts right away, but John convinced them it would be suicide. 

“Our maps of the Deserts are incomplete at best.  Without knowledgeable guides, we would be walking into ambush after ambush.  We will wait for Daenon to make the first move,” John commanded.  “We can interrogate our prisoners and gain more knowledge of the terrain.  I won’t go anywhere half-blind.”

Lepsis and Ophir kept daily communication with Ramadine.  They hastened to complete their respective tasks.  John sent another six regiments to Ophir.  When men arrived, he deployed more troops to the western outposts and made sure the supply lines from the Northern Plains were well secured. 

Having completed her tour of the western provinces, Gaylee returned one day before Jessica and company.  Since the West lay in Daenon’s direct path, the western peoples had already begun mobilization under the Ider Hoffle soldiers. 

Gaylee met with John and Larone in John’s new office to brief them on her tour when, halfway through her report, Lyrista burst through the door.  Pale, her mouth set in a grim line, she handed John a small piece of paper.  “I just received this.”  She walked over to gaze out the window.

John read the neatly printed message out loud.

Commander Lyrista, 

Enemy troops amassing on the Palium border.  Received word of similar troop movements on the Snow Peak border.  Please advise.

Fourth Bar Ru

Acting Commander Advance Scouts

Green Persite

Esparia consisted of fifteen large provinces.  The country stretched from the Eastern Ocean to the desert borders of Demar, and from the country of Marone on the north to Hent and Galland on the south.  With Gaylee bound for the three western provinces of Verdure, Ramana, and Kine, Anton and company needed to cover the remaining ten in three weeks.  Snow Peak and Palium were not on the list, for they were under Daenon’s control.  Larone sent word through the Red Feathers to the provincial capitals and universities, or ramastars, informing them of the impending visits.

Anton mapped their course and put them on a strict timetable.  Reese carried their standard, the Banner of Freedom, in a special holster made to attach to his saddle.  Jessica kept the extra banners folded in a bag at her feet.  The buggy she drove was small and handled well.   Web didn’t seem to mind the burden.

Varnack seemed quite content to run beside the buggy, every now and then darting in front of Web in a bizarre game of Trigal hound chicken.  Feeling Web’s growing irritation, Jessica scolded the hound more than once.  She noticed he didn’t bother the accompanying soldier’s horses. 

“Not as much fun,” was his reason.

They headed northeast at a brisk clip toward Lyson Hoffle, nearly fifty filons from Ramadine, in the fertile province of Uberty.  There was no time to keep things slow, so they pushed the well-conditioned mounts to their limits. 

With the Banner flying before them, they made an impressive group.  Reese looked handsome and stately in his crisp uniform, a direct contrast to Anton’s rugged, wild appearance.  Varnack always made an impression, and Jessica was striking with her long, bright red hair flying behind her in the wind.  The security detail rounded out the company.   Some of these men would ride beside her, trading positions every hour or so.  Some rode by Reese, but none rode by Anton.  Jessica felt quite safe, as she was certain these men were the best of the best.

The last golden rays of sunlight were fading into the horizon when Jessica noticed the glow of distant lights.  Anton maneuvered his horse next to her carriage.  “That’s not Lyson up there.  The dine’s at least another half hour away just over that little rise, so be on yer guard,” he warned.  Within minutes a faint cheer drifted to Jessica’s ears.  Hundreds of people, all bearing torches, lit their way.  The glowing lights grew in number with every filon until, when they reached their destination; the night was lit almost as if it were day. 

At Lyson’s gates, the High Olders met them with great fanfare.  So many people came with greetings that barely enough room remained to maneuver the horses and buggy down the street.  The four ambassadors were led to a spacious, brightly lit field where a platform had been erected.  The field was packed with people from the city and the surrounding tierns.

Once on the stage, Anton stepped forward and a hush fell over the crowd.  “My fellow Esparians, the time has come for each man to look deep inside and determine what he is made of.  Your country calls you to arms.  Not for over a thousand years has our liberty and freedom been so threatened.  Rise up, and for your wives, your children, your parents, and everything you hold dear, don your armor and take up your weapons.  Hoist this Banner of Freedom from every tower and take to heart what it stands for.  We are Esparians and we will never bow to tyranny.”

A cheer went up and a sea of drawn swords, held high, glittered in the firelight.  Jessica was totally taken by surprise at her uncle’s perfect speech. 
So he can talk well if he wants to
, she thought.  But now it was her moment to step forward and be heard, so she focused on her own words.  She gave the same address that her Grandmother had given that afternoon at Ramadine, with a few minor changes.  “A Protector has come from afar to lead this land.  My father, John Ernshaw of the House of Saylon, officially adopted by Lady Gayleena of Saylon House, wields the Sword of Judgment.  Let the Banner of Freedom fly over every school, Justice building and Tiern Center throughout Esparia.  It is a perfect, honest square of loyal blue, fringed by the silver of justice and centered by the eternal, red ring of courage.  May every man, woman and child who looks on it remember the day when a new Protector came to aid us in our struggle against tyranny, and freedom remained secure.” 

Reese raised the flag for everyone to see.  Each person in the crowd fell to one knee and gave the Salute of Loyalty.

Anton addressed the High Older, “Have the troops assembled and ready by mornin’.  I’ll need to see yer musterin’ records.  Fifth Bar Reese’ll approve yer officers and appoint new ones if necessary.   Now we need food and rest.”

* * *

“Get up.”  The message came through loud and clear.  Jessica opened her eyes to see Varnack nose to nose with her.  He licked her face. 

“What time is it?”

“Late.”

“What do you mean, late?  How late?”  She jumped out of bed and opened the door to let him out.

“Go.”

Having been too tired to change, she had slept in her clothes.  So she grabbed a chunk of warm, yellow bread and piece of yellow-brown fruit from a platter the inn keeper offered, and hurried out the inn door to the adjoining stable.  Anton, Reese, and nine soldiers sat waiting for her.  The horses were saddled and her buggy stood ready.  Before she could protest being left out of the morning’s activities, Anton bundled her into the carriage and they were off.

Anton’s plan called for ten capitol cities and twenty of the country’s twenty-five universities to be visited in twenty-one days.  It was a grueling schedule, and Jessica knew he was determined they keep it. 

“Uncle Anton,” she said when they were in stride.  “I appreciate the extra sleep, but tomorrow, I want to wake up when you and Reese wake up.  Unless you’re willing to give interviews, you’d better let me handle the public relations end of this journey.  I can be the main spokesperson for our group.  If there are any news people or questioning hoffle elders, you might want to let me handle them.”

“Well Jessi,” Anton took on a fatherly tone, “I don’t want ya to overdo it.  Ya need to keep up yer strength.”

“I promise if I get tired, I’ll let you know.  Okay?”

He frowned.  “Oh, all right.”

“And what happened to security guard number eight?” she asked.  She hadn’t had time to learn their names, so in her mind she had given each a number.

“Left him behind to help gather men and train ‘em before sending ‘em off to the border,” he replied.

The country they traveled through was flat and fertile.  They passed numerous small farms with green fields of ripening grain, row after endless low of tubers, edible roots and above ground vines.  Orchards of pink dwarf taya and gigantic, green hairy palanto trees grew in abundance. 

“Hey, Reese,” Jessica called out, “I know next to nothing about Esparia.  Come and tell me about it.”

Reese brought his horse next to her buggy.  “Uberty.  Farmlands and orchards.  Most of the nation’s food is grown here.  I’m sure Anton will settle agreements with the farmers.”

“Yer right there lad,” Anton interjected.  “I have lots of agreements to get signed from every province.  Time to put those taxes Haesom collected to good use.” 

“There’s not much else to tell.  Uberty is, well,” Reese shrugged his shoulders, “Uberty.”

Jessica laughed.  “Ask a stupid question…men.”

By late afternoon they reached Cardine, the capitol of Uberty, where bright green and yellow flags lined the main road and throngs of excited people, pointing and waving, escorted them to a wooden platform in the center square.  Anton and Jessica gave their same speeches while Reese stood at attention holding the Banner of Freedom.  The three ambassadors knew their respective tasks, so with the ceremony completed, they wasted no time.  Anton inspected the troops and made arrangements with the provincial authorities to have food sent to the front line.

Reese interviewed and approved the current officers, appointed a few more, then gave orders to secure the province from guerrilla attacks.  As most of the supply lines would be coming through Uberty, they needed to be well guarded.  Anton left another soldier from their security detail in charge there to ensure the safety of those supply lines.

Jessica met with the three news people and one tiern Elder, answering what questions she could.  She tactfully declined to answer queries concerning her whereabouts the past eighteen years and firmly stuck to the matters at hand, namely, raising an army, supplying it, and winning a war.

Varnack’s duty was given him directly from John.  He was Jessica’s bodyguard.  Alert and attentive, he watched the news people interview Jessica with an intense interest.  On several occasions she needed to put her hand on his head to stop him from growling and keep him in check.  By the end of the news conference, his irritation was palpable.

“It’s over, Varnack.  Calm down.  I could hardly answer those last few men, your exasperation kept bellowing in my head.”

“Hate questions.”

“Well, try to think of this as an exercise in patience,” she sniggered and scratched him behind the ears.  On impulse, she threw her arms around his head and kissed his forehead.  “I know this is hard on you and I shouldn’t laugh.  I’m just glad you’re here.”

Sunrise saw them back on the road, cantering toward the first of twenty military Defense Academies.  This one was located at Uberty’s center of learning, Uberty Ramastar.  The country they traveled through consisted of endless grain fields, green with freshly spouted plants.

“Not much to look at here,” Reese remarked. 

“Reminds me of a place called Nebraska.”

“Is that where you’re from?”

“No, but it’s a province in my country, or rather, the country I grew up in.”

“So is your country anything like Esparia?”

“Yeah, it is.  In fact I’m surprised at the similarities.  Plants are a little different and so’s the wildlife, but the people…well, I guess people are the same wherever you go.  All they want is to live their lives in peace.   The dines are larger, but not nearly as colorful, and the air’s not as clean.”

“Not as clean?  How can air be dirty?”  He frowned.

“There’re a lot more people where I come from, a whole lot more, so we burn a lot of fuel.  The air in the large dines is filled with smoke all the time.  It’s called pollution.”

He wrinkled up his nose.

“There’re many ramastars, like here.  In fact, I’m supposed to go to the ramastar in my state, or province, this fall.”

“What do you wish to study?  Will you be a healer like your father?”

“No.  I want to be a scientist like Uncle Anton and study biology and chemistry.  Many of my people suffer from terrible illnesses called cancers and I’d like to help find a cure.” 

“I think you’ll do well in whatever you choose.”

“Thank you, Reese.” Jessica felt her cheeks grow warm.  Their conversation would have continued, but at that moment both Reese and Jessica spotted a lone rider far down the straight road.  As he galloped toward them, his blue and silver uniform revealed his military affiliation.  After several more minutes passed, she could see he sported a full, black beard, but no mustache.  Reese gasped beside her. 

“Papa!” he called, then clicked his horse into a gallop.

“Papa?” Jessica questioned, looking at Anton for explanations, but none were offered.

The time at the Defense Academy went rapidly.  Reese's father, Geldric, was the commander of the facility.  For a brief moment, Jessica managed to corner Anton.  “I had no idea Reese’s dad was around.  Why is he such a phantom in his son’s life?”

“I dunno,” he shrugged his shoulders.  “Maybe the death of his wife was more than he could bear.  Maybe puttin’ distance between himself and the only other thing that could hurt him was how he coped with it.” 

Anton would say no more, but she saw the sadness in his eyes.  How she wished she could reach inside his mind and find out what had happened.  He held a tight lock on his pain.

Within a few hours Anton and Reese completed their work and the party left for Province Florio.  Jessica had found the Defense Academy impressive, but she was amazed at how much it resembled the training center at Ramadine.

As soon as they were in stride, she asked Reese about it.  “I was surprised by how much the layout of the Defense Academy resembled the one at Ramadine.”

“Actually, the resemblance isn’t to Ramadine directly.  More correctly, it resembled the Academy at Ider Hoffle.  All training grounds have been built as similarly to Ider Academy as possible.”

“How are the commanders, like your father, chosen?”

“From the Academy staff at Ider Hoffle.  Only the best are chosen to head the other schools.  They have to lead as well as teach.  Lyrista’s been asked several times to command a ramastar Defense Academy, but she prefers to stay in Ider Hoffle.  You don’t have to be a native of Ider Hoffle to be a commander, there are many commanders from other dines, you just have to be an Ider Hoffle teacher.  Someday, I want to command a Defense Academy.” 

“Just like your dad.”

“Yeah, like my dad.”