Abuud: the One-Eyed God (24 page)

The leader remained silent as he stared at the three boys. Finally he nodded.

"You two men take these two lads to get something to eat," ordered the leader. "Keep an eye on them, but do not trouble them. And if anyone says a word about the conversation in here I will have more than your hide. Believe me on this. I am deadly serious."

The guards nodded and led Tedi and Wylan out of the office. The leader continued to stare at Arik as if he was seeking to identify him.

"Talk, lad, and this had better be good," stated the leader.

"Only if I have your vow of secrecy," Arik said seriously. "I will not endanger more people without knowing who I am talking to as well."

"Fair enough," the leader nodded. "My name is Reese and I run Dalek. If what you tell me rings of the truth then you have my vow. If it does not, you will rue the day you set foot on my barge."

"My name is Arik," the heir began. "Arik Dalek. What we told you about Cleb is the honest truth, but there is more to tell. Are you familiar with the Ancient Prophecy?"

Reese merely nodded.

"Good," nodded Arik. "Have one of your men gather our weapons from the barge. I carried two swords on me. One I use to defend myself. The other is the Sword of Heavens. I am sure you know what that means."

Reese shouted and a man burst into the room. He directed the man to retrieve the weapons from the barge and the man left.

Arik reached slowly into his pocket and withdrew a folded note and handed it to Reese.

"I am sure you know of Alexander and Jenneva Tork," Arik continued. "This note addressed to them will show you that I am familiar with them as well. I am sure you know the reputation of both of them and are aware that they have been searching for the Children of the Prophecy since the Collapse. If you are familiar with the prophecy then you will understand that the Sword of Heavens must be used by one of the Children. I am that Child. I have already restored the Sapphire of the Fairies and the Unicorns' Opal. You will see these gems when the Sword of Heavens arrives here. As a shipping company man, you no doubt have heard about the clear skies over Cordonia and the Disputed Area. I did that."

The door opened and a man carried in the weapons and placed them on Reese's desk. He immediately withdrew, and Reese picked up the Sword of Heavens and examined it.

"Well I'll be cursed by a Black Devil," exclaimed Reese. "I am seeing proof of what you are saying, lad, but I have to tell you that my mind is not accepting it. Are you really Oscar's son? Is he still alive?"

"I am the son of Oscar Dalek," declared Arik.

Reese waited for the rest of the answer and eventually realized that it was not coming.

"Alexander Tork and Jenneva have not been seen in over a decade," Reese stated. "While I know the note was written before you got here, it really doesn't prove anything. If you truly are the heir to the throne, I expect that you know someone in Tagaret that people are not supposed to know about. Can you give me his name?"

"I can," stated Arik as he thought of the head of the Spiders, "but I won't. There is a reason that his name should not be mentioned. I have said more than enough to satisfy your curiosity. Reese is not a name that I have heard of before. I hope you understand."

"I want to believe you, lad," Reese said sincerely, "but this is such an important thing that I must be sure."

"Why?" asked Arik. "For stealing your barge? We have offered to pay for its use. That is the only reason that you are interrogating me. Tedi should never have said what he did, and I should not be saying what I am."

"I agree," frowned Reese. "The issue of the barge is not why I am pursuing this. I am excited because we have all waited for this day and yet never expected to live to see it. Still if you are who you say you are, there is a large organization in place to help you. Why not take advantage of it?"

"There is an even larger organization in place to destroy me," retorted Arik. "I will offer you one more piece of proof, but do not ask for more if you are not convinced."

"Very well," agreed Reese. "Make it good, lad, because I truly want to believe what you are saying."

"My mother and father had very special necklaces," offered Arik. "Did you ever see them?"

"Many times," replied Reese. "Many times."

"My friend Tedi is wearing my mother's necklace," declared Arik. "It is a long story as to why he is wearing it rather than me, but it is irrelevant. The necklace is genuine."

"I can guess why he is wearing it instead of you," responded Reese. "He must be a very good friend to shield you that way."

Reese shouted again and a man came running. The man retrieved Tedi just long enough for Reese to look at the necklace and then he took Tedi away.

"The city of Dalek is at your disposal, Arik," smiled Reese although he still had trouble believing the story. "What can we do for you?"

"We need to get to Barouk in Lanoir," Arik stated. "I understand that we can get a ship to Marchek from here. The only other thing we need is to get that message to Alex and Jenneva in Tagaret."

"The ship is no problem," responded Reese. "We have one planned to go out in three days. I will ensure that it is ready to leave this afternoon if you wish to leave early. As for the note, it sounds like I am going to have to send some men up to Cleb to find out what happened to our operation up there. One of them can continue on to Tagaret with your note."

"It is not safe for you to reclaim your business in Cleb right now," frowned Arik. "Azmet has thousands of followers there. He owns the city. You will not be getting any freight through there at all. Save the lives of your men."

"I will consider your advice on that matter, but I need to learn more about it," Reese said.

"Tedi and I met up with Wylan in Cleb," offered Arik. "He knows much more about it than I do. He also knows about the destruction of Southland."

"Southland?" echoed Reese. "We have not had wagons from there in two weeks. What has happened at Southland?"

"Azmet spread the Black Plague," informed Arik. "Most of the people were dead when the Baron asked him to go warn Cleb. He got to Cleb too late."

"This is serious, Arik," worried Reese. "These cultists are cutting our country in two. One can assume that Klandon will be next."

"There must be some way to get a message through," pondered Arik.

"Well I was going to send a package to Tagaret next month," mused Reese. "Perhaps I can free a man and send it early. It is a birthday present for my son, Larc."

"Larc is your son?" exclaimed Arik. "I did not know that."

Reese grinned widely as he rose from his chair, now knowing for sure that the heir sat before him. He walked around the desk and fell to one knee before Arik.

"He is indeed, Sire," declared Reese. "My wife, Carlene, is Larc's mother. I have been his father since he and Alexander Tork led the villagers to Bordon. You cannot imagine the joy your visit brings to me."

***

Tanya and Jenneva mounted their horses while Alex emptied a breast pocket for Prince Midge to ride in. After Alex mounted, the Rangers rode along the drive and exited the estate that the Red Swords called home. When they had proceeded far enough away from the estate to ensure their privacy, the Rangers' unicorns cast the spell that enabled them to fly. They took to the air, en route to the Horn of Lanoir.

They had not been airborne for more than a few minutes when Kaz's wings simply disappeared.

"Magical attack!" screamed Jenneva as Alex plummeted towards the ground with Kaz. "Spread out."

Yorra immediately soared higher carrying Jenneva up towards the Darkness. As Yorra soared ever higher, she changed direction to the north and headed back towards the Red Swords' estate.

Tanya ordered Frea to dive towards the ground, and the unicorn went into a steep dizzying dive. Tanya tried to search for the source of the attack as the wind tore into her eyes, but all she could see was the forest rushing up towards her.

Can you cushion Kaz's fall like you did for Alexander in the pass?

I can try, Frea, but can you beat them to the ground?

I am not sure. I have never flown this fast. I am worried about hitting the ground myself.

Try. I will ready the spell.

Prince Midge stuck his head out of Alexander's pocket.

"This does not look good, Alex," Midge shouted.

"Kaz is trying to summon his wings," Alex shouted back as he clung to Kaz. "It does not appear to be working. You should get out of my pocket before we hit."

Prince Midge edged out of the pocket and the wind quickly grabbed him. He managed to grab onto Alex's hair before he was swept upward. Prince Midge tried to cast a levitation spell on Kaz as they rushed towards the ground, but he found himself confused without a plane of reference.

Alex saw fireballs shooting up from the ground and looked below. He saw Tanya and Frea diving straight for the ground amid a storm of flaming projectiles coming from an area near the main trail to the east. His vision grew blurred as the trees rushed up to meet him.

"Let go!" Alex screamed to Midge as the branches started to fly past him.

Alex felt Prince Midge release his hair just before a protruding branch whipped into his leg. Alex mentally prepared for his final impact with the ground, but instead of the jolt he expected, he felt the soft magical cushioning of Tanya's spell. Even with the spell dampening their descent, Alex and Kaz hit the ground hard enough to wind them both.

That was impressive flying, Frea. I thought we were going to die.

So did I, Tanya. I do not want to have to do that again. I thought for sure we would slam into a tree even after we avoided the impact with the ground.

Tanya jumped off Frea and raced to Alex and Kaz. Kaz's body was scratched on his flank, and the leg of Alex's uniform was badly torn. Neither one of them moved, but she could see that they were breathing. She eased Alex's foot out from under Kaz and checked his leg. It had a nasty gash several inches long, but it did not appear serious. She turned to examine Kaz.

"Thank you," breathed Alex. "I thought it was all over. You have a fine habit of saving me."

"Glad that we could," smiled Tanya. "Frea is the one to credit though. I did not think we would survive her descent. How do you feel other than your leg?"

"Very sore," replied Alex, "but I can live with that. How is Kaz?"

"The scratches are not bad," Tanya answered. "Unless there is damage that I cannot see, I think he will be fine."

I am fine. Just let me rest a bit.

Tanya heard distant shouting and she started to reach for her sword until she recognized the voice. She tilted her head upwards and peered into the tree branches.

"Prince Midge is stuck," Tanya announced. "I am going to climb the tree."

Tanya moved to the large pine tree and began scrambling up it. Midge was stuck a fair distance up the tree and when Tanya got close, she could see his wing had been pierced by a pine needle. He dangled from the end of the branch, and Tanya could not reach him.

"Don't shake the branch," warned Prince Midge. "It will enlarge the hole in my wing."

"How do you suggest I get you down?" asked Tanya.

"Can't you use magic?" questioned the fairy.

"And why didn't that occur to me?" laughed Tanya. "Get ready little warrior."

"I was born ready," chirped Prince Midge.

"Wait," frowned Tanya. "Will you be able to fly with the hole in your wing?"

"Not well," admitted Midge, "but enough to float to the ground safely. Fairies get holes like these during mating season. I guess we have a tendency to fly crazily at those times. It will heal in time."

Tanya suppressed a giggle and sent a soft gust of wind that gently propelled Prince Midge off of the pine needle. She watched as he spiraled down to the ground. A flare of orange light caught Tanya's attention, and she turned her gaze eastward. She saw a large group of Dark Riders and a couple of dozen Black Devils, and a shiver coursed through her body. One of the Black Devils was trying to hit Tanya with a fireball, but the distance was too great. The evil magician was trying to lob the flaming projectile high into the air to extend its reach, but all he was accomplishing was starting a forest fire. Tanya swiftly descended the pine tree.

"We have to leave quickly," announced Tanya. "There are a couple dozen Black Devils and scores of Dark Riders east of us. They have managed to ignite a fire that will tear through this forest much too quickly. We are in its path."

Alex nodded silently as he stood up. He bent and scooped up Prince Midge and placed him in a pocket. Kaz was already standing and Alex mounted the unicorn. Tanya cast a spell before she mounted Frea, and unnaturally dark clouds appeared over the forest. Torrents of rain cascaded out of the dark clouds and fell on the parched forest.

"Make it bigger," prompted Alex.

"It is large enough to douse the fire already," replied Tanya. "I cannot save the trees that have already ignited, but no more trees will burn."

"I understand," nodded Alex, "but the heavy rain will slow down our pursuers as well. Increase the area of the downpour if you can. It will buy us some needed time to find Jenneva and Yorra."

Tanya nodded and smiled as she adjusted the spell to increase the size of the storm. Her head felt giddy as she strained to increase the fury of the tempest, and lightning bolts seared out of the clouds. Tremendous claps of thunder pealed throughout the area.

"Which way do you think Jenneva went?" asked Tanya.

"I am not sure," frowned Alex. "I would guess that she would go away from the attackers and then circle back close to the ground to get back to us undetected. Seeing as we did not know what direction we were being attacked from, I suspect that she would have headed over the territory we have just traversed. At least we know that is where the attackers are not."

"So we head to the north?" quizzed Tanya.

"We certainly have to leave this spot," shrugged Alex. "North is just my best guess."

Alex and Tanya rode northwest to give the storm a wide berth and then turned towards the north. It was not long before he found Jenneva coming towards them.