Champion (8 page)

Using Riley’s local knowledge, they hid out for the first night in one of the mercenary camps that were dotted about the countryside. The next day Riley left to arrange their passage to Palara. He knew a few captains, he told them, who owed him favors.

Ganry was still unsure about Riley. He had really wanted to accompany him today, but he had insisted on going alone. Despite his growing suspicions, Ganry realized that it made sense. It would be easier for Riley to move around the town by himself.

“He’s been gone a while,” Artas said, noticing that Ganry kept watch on the camp entrance. “Do you trust him?”

“I don’t know. Our escape was far too easy, it was almost as if they wanted us to leave.”

Artas did not reply, but nodded at Ganry. He too had felt that something was wrong. Something malevolent hung over them. He himself was sleeping badly and only last night he awoke to find himself outside the camp gates. Sleepwalking was a problem he had never had before.

Just then the gates opened and Riley returned. Spotting Ganry and Artas he made straight for them.

“I have arranged our passage for tomorrow on the ship, ‘The Flying Lady.’ I know the captain well. We will leave before dawn, so I suggest we turn in early tonight.”

***

It was another restless night for Artas, his dreams filled with dark shadows and red glowing eyes that stared at him. Once again, he awoke in the woods outside camp. How he had gotten there was a mystery. The stress of everything must be getting to him, he told himself, before making his way back.

As he quietly walked across the camp, he was unaware that he wasn’t the only one awake. Someone was watching him intently as he made his way back to his bed.

***

It was still dark as they made their way through the market area towards the docks where their ship awaited them the next morning. Despite the early hour of the day, the dock was buzzing with people going about their business. Fishermen readying their nets for the day’s catch, other boats loading freight for delivering to far flung places around the globe.

They had met no one on their way here and once again Ganry’s suspicions were raised. His intuition still told him that something was not right, but his need to return to Palara as quickly as possible was paramount. He pushed his fears to the back of his mind, but kept his sword close and the edge honed. The sea route, whilst being the longest, would be the quickest and least problematic. Especially with the Mirnee Army occupying the borderland to Palara.

They found their ship, the Flying Lady, and Riley introduced Ganry to the Captain.

“Captain Quint, at your service, gentlemen. Welcome aboard.” The Captain had a face full of bushy whiskers and a large pot belly, which he rested his hands on. “Now I don’t mean to rush you, but the sooner we’re out at sea, the better I’ll feel.”

Ganry nodded his agreement and the Captain barked out orders to his men. Soon the ship was gently sailing out of the harbor. Sails were hoisted and the ship picked up speed as it swiftly plowed throughout the waves, effortlessly. Ganry could see why she was called the Flying Lady.

“Fastest in Mirnee,” the Captain interrupted Ganry’s thoughts. “We can outrun any of the Mirnee or Palaran Navy ships.”

“Let’s hope we don’t have to do anything like that,” Ganry replied to the Captain’s boasting, though he was pleased that they traveled in such a swift vessel.

They made good time, at this rate of knots they could be back in Palara by nightfall tomorrow.

It came as some surprise when the vessel suddenly slowed. Ganry made his way up deck to find the sails had been dropped, and they were sitting still in the water. Over on the bow he spotted the Captain talking with Riley. Captain Quint was scanning the sea with his telescope.

“Problem, Captain?” Ganry queried.

He said nothing in reply, just passed over the telescope. Looking out to sea with the instrument, Ganry could see a number of ships on the horizon. They were coming towards them. Looking at the masts, he could see they flew the Palaran flag.

“Ah, it seems that we will be leaving you sooner than expected, Captain,” he noted, assuming they had come to greet him and his party.

No sooner had Ganry spoken than he could see several arrows flying from the leading ship. A few seconds later and the water in front suddenly erupted, as the arrows crashed into the waves. Fortunately, they had not yet come close enough, but the next ones could be on target.

“Quickly, Captain, do you carry any Palaran colors?”

“We do indeed, sir, we have many flags,” the Captain replied with a sly smile. “In my business, sir, we ‘ave to be careful. Never know who ya might be upsetting. You could call us the sea mercenaries, ready for all occasions.”

Ganry was still not sure it would work, but they quickly raised the Palaran flag and watched closely as the Palaran warships approached. It seemed to have done the trick, as no more warning shots were fired.

The Captain watched nervously as the four Palaran ships surrounded him. His personal option would be to sail off at speed. These ships would be no match for the Flying Lady. But he must see if his passengers could sort this out between them. The largest of the ships, recognized by Ganry as the Admiral’s flag ship, pulled up beside them.

“Who be Captain of this vessel?” a voice shouted over from the Palaran side.

“We wish to speak with Admiral Bingham,” Ganry shouted back. “This is Queen Myriam’s personal bodyguard, Ganry de Rosenthorn. Cease this attack immediately, by orders of the Queen.”

There was no reply but Ganry could see the movement of men as the ships bobbed up and down, side by side. Luckily the skies were blue, and seas were calm.

“This is Commander Patterson, may I board your vessel, Ganry de Rosenthorn?”

Ganry looked at his Captain, who nodded agreement.

Within the hour Commander Patterson had come over by rowing boat, and was being shown to Ganry in the Captain’s cabin so they could talk in private.

“What has happened in Palara that the Admiral’s fleet is attacking those at sea?” Ganry asked.

“That’s just it, Ganry, I don’t know,” Patterson replied, looking puzzled. “The Admiral has gone mad, I am sure of it. He ordered us to attack you. He was ranting and raving, even when we saw the Palaran flag, he wouldn’t have any of it. It was his intention to sink you. I felt I had no choice but to relieve him of his duties and have him locked in his cabin. He’s been acting strange for weeks. Forced us to sail out of Port Brammanville, leaving it without any protection. I sent word for the rest of the fleet to return as soon as we were well away. I’ve no idea what has gotten into him.”

“That is a brave move commander. The price to pay for mutiny is death. Personally I am pleased you have taken the risk, or we might all be languishing at the bottom of the sea right now.”

“I’m well aware of the risk, but I feel I have acted in the best interest of the fleet and my country, and stand by my decision,” Patterson responded, defiantly.

“Of course, Commander. I will speak to the Queen on your behalf. She will know of the service you have done this day for our nation. You say you ordered the return of the rest of the fleet to protect the port?” Ganry worried this was all part of the border attacks.

“Aye, I did. The Admiral thinks them all at sea, but there’s only the four that you see. In his delusional state he never noticed that the rest were not with us. I needed him to think we were following his orders so I could gain his confidence and determine the reason for this folly. Trouble is, he acts like a man possessed. He is not the Admiral that I know and respect.”

“Your words may be truer than you think, Commander. Mirnee has witches influencing its leadership. The Emperor is imprisoned. It is undoubtedly those who have bewitched the Admiral to this treachery.” Ganry smiled at him. “They’ll have been sorely disappointed that their plans have gone awry and Port Brammanville remains protected. Well done, Commander, you have done your Queen a great service.”

Patterson could not find it in within himself to give Ganry a smile of appreciation. He had been living on his nerves for weeks, but he did allow himself a long sigh of relief.

“This is good news to my ears. It has been a vexing time. We will return with you, if you don’t mind four naval vessels for company.”

“The quicker we get back, the better.”

They were soon on their way again, making good time. Ganry worried for the Admiral. It seemed clear to him now that the witches must have possessed him when he was out on patrol. He recalled the strange meeting, out at sea, on their way to Mirnee. Thanks to a quick thinking Commander, their plan had been thwarted. He must mention this to Myriam. She would wish to reward Commander Patterson.

From the distance, he could see Port Brammanville, home at last. Another day and he should be within the castle walls.

When Ganry finally met up with Myriam, his report of an army of dead did not come as any surprise to her. She informed him that her soldiers were already engaged in fighting the strange creatures on the border. She had told Ganry that a couple of villages had already been attacked.

“Tell me then, what is this border nonsense all about, and why did the Admiral wish to leave my main port unprotected?”

“General Jeon rules Mirnee now with the help of the witches. I’m not sure what his part in all of this is. He never seemed the type who lusted after power, but I suppose time and tragedy can change a man. It seems they are searching for the Emperor’s child, and are going to great lengths to find him. I am not sure why, or what role he plays in this. He is only a young boy of eight years.”

“Do we know where he is?”

“I’m afraid he’s been hidden in your Kingdom, my Queen. In the territory of the wolves.”

“So why does a cultured nation, such as Mirnee, allow the dark arts to be practiced so freely?” Myriam knew there was more to it than a simple coup.

“My own memories are of the Emperor banning witches from using magic. Most people did not really believe that they had any real magic skill anyway, just sleight of hand and simple mind tricks. The Emperor’s decree kept them quiet for many years. There is an old legend in Mirnee that the Queen witch, Thalia, was banished by some ancient ritual, by a descendant of the Emperor’s. Many thought it just a myth, a fairy story. Maybe it has something to do with this.”

“But why are they threatening my borders?”

“I can only assume they know the boy is in Palara, but not his exact whereabouts.”

“Then you must continue your quest, Ganry, and find this child,” Myriam said. “I have met the Emperor of Mirnee a few times, and he always seemed a kindly leader to me. Perhaps if we return his son, he can once again rule over Mirnee and bring peace to our nations?”

“I can’t say,” Ganry mumbled. “But we need to do something. They are raising the dead for their own evil means.”

“Yes, we already know this to our cost. Many of our villages on the border have been ravaged by these creatures,” Myriam told him, with a heavy heart. “It’s terrible, Ganry. They have to have their heads removed, and only then will they stop walking. The villages are filled with the bonfires of the dead.”

“I think you should request Hendon’s help,” Ganry suggested.

“Yes, yes, he was the first one who came to my mind as well. Are you sure you don’t want him to go with you and Artas?”

“No, I think he’s had enough foreign adventures but he will help protect the kingdom, of that I am certain.”

“Who do you take with you then?”

“I have a seasoned mercenary, Riley, plus Artas. We will take a small number of your best soldiers, those who are veterans of battle and won’t run from the dead. I will need steady men for entering the Wolf territory. We will enter in peace, to request the help of the alphas,” Ganry explained.

“I will give you my ring again, so you can show them it is the D’Anjue seal that takes you on your mission. This may help. They are depicted in the D’Anjue mural, the wolf people, so there is some past connection with my family. Be careful, they are a strange race who have the ability to shape shift into animals. I have never met any of them as they tend to keep to themselves, but I believe my Grandmother has.”

Myriam’s face lit up as she remembered another matter. “While we are on the subject, some good news! Grandmother and I have successfully begun the expedition for the family mural, built of stone in the basement of Castle Locke. It is to be brought here to the royal castle. This is to be the new home to the D’Anjue heritage.”

“Well, that will keep the stonemasons busy for a while,” Ganry smiled, knowing how important it was to Myriam and her grandmother, the Duchess D’Anjue. It had helped them to predict where the last Berghein family stone had been hidden, and had been a focal point for the D’Anjue bloodline, helping them remain strong during the coup of Duke Harald. Who knows what other secrets they may find of the hand carved stones.

“I know Ganry, that you don’t care for the magic of ancestral stones,” Myriam smiled back at him.

Ganry stood to leave the breakfast table, ignoring her remark. He was no longer certain of his skepticism regarding magic, not after all he had seen recently.

“I have much to do, my Queen,” he said.

“Of course, Ganry, and take all that you need.” She also stood to say her own goodbyes.

She approached the muscular warrior and hugged him, “As always, Ganry, please take care of yourself. This country needs you. Take care of Artas too. I have hardly seen him since your return, all he seems to do is sleep.”

“We had quite the adventure going to Mirnee, and he is still young. One day, my Queen, he will replace me. With the aches and pains I feel in my body these days, I don’t think that day is far away.”

They laughed together, two old friends, one a queen, the other her bodyguard, worlds apart socially, but as close as good friends can be.