The Path Of Peace (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 3) (10 page)

The guards helped Darius to his
feet and back to his horse, where he slowly remounted. “We need to hurry faster
to meet Jakob. Maybe the other Cremelinos know something.”

Darius spurred his horse forward
at breakneck speed, oblivious to the rocks and twists in the road, relying on
the horse to find a way through them.

“You must be careful, my Lord,”
Roland cautioned.

Darius gave him a firm look that
brooked no more argument from his guard. Darius was the King and his captain
swore to obey him. Everyone understood that Darius would do anything for his
wife.

Even at their quick pace, they
had to stop a few times to let the horses drink and eat. At each stop, Darius
paced in restless worry and continued trying to reach out to Lightning. But
nothing came. At one stop later that evening, he reached one of the other
Cremelinos in his mind.

Wizard, did you hear the cry?
The
Cremelino sounded shaken.

“Yes. What happened?”

Lightning is hurt. The Kingdom
of Arc sent men to capture the queen. She was taken by them and Lightning
barely escaped, but she is hiding in an abandoned farm north of Sur.

“Is she sure it was Arc?”
Darius
couldn’t understand why they would do this.
“This doesn’t make sense. We are
on the way to visit them.”

Lightning said they dressed in
all black with dark veils over their faces. Christine told her to go for help.

Darius’s heart lurched at the
mention of his beloved wife.
“Was Christine hurt?”

The last Lightning saw, her
guards had been killed, but the captors didn’t hurt her.
The Cremelino’s
voice became louder in his head. Without warning, Jakob and the Cremelinos
burst through the clearing where Darius stood
.

Lightning is fading. She has
lost all contact with Christine,
the male Cremelino shouted to Darius’s
mind.

“What does that mean, to lose
contact? What happened? Where is she?”
Darius was beside himself. Was his
wife unconscious, too far away, or something else? He couldn’t dwell on
anything worse. He couldn’t. It would tear him apart.

Anger built up in the King, anger
he hadn’t borne in a while. Christine meant more to him than the kingdom or his
throne. The emotions amplified his power, and he screamed, “Arc will pay for
this treachery.”

Lightning needs you, Wizard.
She needs your healing power,
the Cremelino pleaded.
We must go to her
first, then she can help us find Christine.

The pleading brought Darius back
from his cliff of anger. He could still have compassion. The Cremelino was
right; he needed to find Lightning and heal her. She was his only way of
finding Christine. He had to get there fast. Darius eyed the Cremelino that had
been communicating with him.

It is time.
The Cremelino
trotted up to Darius.
I have chosen you for my bonding, Wizard.

Darius nodded in agreement, putting
his hand out to touch the approaching Cremelino.

“I name you Thunder. Thunder to
show forth my power, Thunder to roll across the Realm, Thunder to find
Lightning and Christine.” He choked up and wiped tears from the corner of his
wet eyes. Darius pulled out his sword and thrust it high in the air. Yellow and
red lightning crackled around the weapon, and the sound of deep thunder rolled
across the sky in a deafening tone.

“We ride now!” he yelled and
jumped on the back of the Cremelino. Straightway, new emotions flooded through
his mind and heart. A presence filled a new awareness in his mind that he had
never felt before. He had communicated with the Cremelinos before, but he
hadn’t realized what the bond felt like. He envied Christine for what she had
been experiencing. It was pure thought with a magical creature. It brought
clarity of mind and strength of body. His wizarding powers alongside the
Cremelino presented him with increased power and vision.

“Roland, you and Jakob bring the
rest of the horses as fast as you can to Sur. I need to go on ahead. I can’t
wait any longer.”

“I understand, my Lord. Good
luck.”

“If need be, we can communicate
with the Cremelinos through Jakob,” Darius yelled as he dashed around a curve
in the path and out of sight. It would be dark soon, but that would not impact
the pair. They would lend their strength and abilities to each other, as it was
always meant to be.
Wizard and Cremelino, bonded together
once again!

THE GUILDS

R
ichard San Williams, senior councilor and
father to the King, left the council meeting frustrated. Too many of the
councilors seemed more worried about how they would appear or about how much
money they had in their strongboxes than in the affairs of the Realm itself.
Richard grudgingly agreed
Martin Halverssn, a farmer,
was one of the few with a good head on his shoulders. Richard felt he, Martin,
and Cray Dreydon, the military advisor, were sometimes the few men of reason in
the room. Even Jarad and Michael, the other two senior councilors, seemed to
slide back to old ways when Darius was not around. He knew that he was not
perfect, and by no means did he agree with everything that Darius did, but he
was fiercely loyal to the Realm itself.

He
guessed he shouldn’t expect everything to change at once. Richard himself
should know about changes. It had been a shock finding out only recently he had
not grown up as only the son of a poor brick maker, but a son that should have
been King after his father. The subsequent information that he and his father
had been banned from being King but his son Darius had not been had changed him
further. Upon finding out the reason his family had been banned from the throne
was because his father Alric, as heir to the throne, had married a commoner
from the farmlands, his life had completely tumbled.

The one
thing that kept him going through those days was that his friend King Edward
needed him. His son’s ascension to the throne came much earlier than Edward or
Richard had anticipated. He now stayed on in the unique position as councilor
to his own son when in fact if his father had never been banished, he himself
would have been the King for a time. Oh, there were times he held his tongue
and wanted to strangle his son; however he had to admit his son had not done
too bad as King. Compassionate to a fault and impetuous, Darius cared little
for meetings, but he was young, enthusiastic, and had a genuine concern for all
the people of the Realm, from all walks of life. That was something Richard was
still learning, and apparently many of the other councilors were also. He had
to admit that previously when he thought about the Realm, he had thought about
those in the city and their interaction with one another and neighboring
kingdoms. Including the farmers and others as part of the Realm had been a
difficult transition for him.

“Richard.”
Cray strode toward him. His age had done nothing to limit his influence and
stature.

Richard
looked at his old sword master and mentor and smiled, thinking this man had
tutored his son also. That was before Darius knew his place and had come to
grips with being a King. He chuckled to himself.

Cray
cocked his gray head to the side, as if asking what was so funny. A
dark-skinned stocky man in his sixties, he had been the most able commander of
the King’s forces longer than most could remember.

“I was
just thinking of you having to teach my son up in the Superstition Mountains.
Must have been quite interesting,” Richard said.

Cray
nodded. “Quite interesting!” He changed the subject. “I need to go to Sur.
These other councilors care only about what is happening in their own backyard.
Can’t they see a buildup of Arc forces, even a small one, is no mere trifle?”

“I
agree, Commander.” Reports of at least five hundred men from Arc setting up a
camp on the border had come before the council. “The King of Arc’s son, Prince
Bronwyn, is leading those men and used the excuse that they were there to honor
the new King of the Realm, but that many armed men close to the border is a
worry nonetheless. Take a small battalion of horsemen with you and go now.”

Cray
raised his eyebrows. The council had decided otherwise.

“With
Darius gone, it is my right as first councilor to make decisions in regards to
the safety of the Realm. We can say it’s an honor guard for our King in meeting
with their leader.”

“Two
can play at their game, huh?” Cray said.

“I
don’t know what they are up to. It doesn’t take troops to meet with the King.
Their black-clad riders can be intimidating,” Richard added.

“My
sources tell me the King’s son Bronwyn is more greedy than his father and that
he has no love for the Realm or wizards, either.”

“Wizards
have advised the Kingdom of Arc for centuries.” Richard frowned and looked
around the long hallway. Lowering his voice, he said, “Though I must admit, I
am still not so comfortable around wizard power yet either.”

Cray
gave the councilor a direct look, as if testing Richard’s reactions. “Your son
and King is one of them.”

Richard
jaw drew tense. “Don’t try and test my loyalties, Cray. I serve my son as you
do, faithfully and fully.”

“Of
course you do.” Cray turned to go. “By your leave, I will go to Sur now.”

After a
couple of steps, Richard breathed out a puff of air. “Cray?”

Richard
watched as his old mentor turned around. Unbidden memories of his father ran
through his mind. Cray had known his father as Prince Alric many years ago.
From what Cray told him, they had been best friends, and Cray was even aware of
Alric’s growing powers. When Alric was disinherited for marrying an outsider,
King Charles spread the rumor that his son had died in battle. Until Cray had
met Darius up in the training camp, he'd thought his friend's line had vanished
with him. Darius looked a lot like Alric at the same age. But Alric had changed
his identity and assumed the occupation of bricklayer to provide for his wife
and son.

“Take
care of my son,” Richard said with emotion.

“I
will, councilor.” Cray paused. “He is definitely the best of us all.”

Richard
nodded. That he was.

“And
take young Jain with you as your body servant. It’s about time the queen’s
brother got some training in the real world.”

* * *

Kelln
had a challenging time telling the difference between rumor and truth in the
streets of Mar. And no one seemed to be able to think for themselves before
checking with their guild. The Guild of Merchants and unfortunately the Guild
of Thieves were the largest, but by no means were they the only ones of
significant influence. Kelln had heard of the Guild of Fishermen, the Guild of
Dressmakers, the Guild of Bricklayers, the Guild of Weapon Makers, and even the
Guild of Wives. Kelln vowed never to get entangled with that one. It had a long
reach throughout the city.

Talk of
a new guild had surfaced in the last week—a Guild of Protection. The talk
around Mar had the ring of the Preacher behind it. No one seemed to know how to
contact him, though. The streets said if they chose you, a dark-haired beauty
would be in contact. Alessandra!

Kelln
sat in the ambassador’s office in the city office building. Two guards stood
outside his door with two more at each entrance to the building. Dozens more
were stationed around the city. Darius had been true to his word and had
delivered a battalion of guards to protect his interests in the city.

Kelln
sat thinking about Darius. Through Tali’s Cremelino, they received the dire
news that something had happened to Christine and Lightning. The Kingdom of Arc
was on the move. Kelln had wanted to come and help, but Darius needed him to
stay in Mar and try to find the Preacher and his daughter. He couldn’t afford
fighting on one front with another enemy at his back.

Lost in
thought, he almost jumped out of his seat when a closet door opened and Rapp
came strolling out. The small young man certainly had a way of surprising
people. Freckles covered his youthful cheeks. His impish grin and smiling eyes
told Kelln the boy enjoyed the surprise.

“Rapp.
What are you doing in my closet?”

Rapp
tried to pat down his unruly hair, but to no avail. “There’s a secret door. All
the rooms have them.”

“That’s
fantastic!” Kelln stood up the rest of the way. “I love Mar. Secrets wrapped in
secrets.”

“Well,
I do have a secret for you, Ambassador.” Rapp sat on the edge of Kelln’s
mahogany desk.

The
ambassador tried to give a scolding look to the scoundrel, but he didn’t have
the heart to tell him to get off of the desk. Rapp, although sneaky and
squirrely, was an amiable boy, and for some reason he had taken a liking to
Kelln. “Out with it then. The secret?”

“Some
of the minor guilds are having a meeting tonight. It is rumored a new Guild of
Protection will be talking to them and trying to form a loose alliance. This
could be your chance to find the Preacher.”

“Nothing
more than rumors again?” It was the third time in a week a supposed meeting was
to take place. When they arrived at the appointed place in disguise, nothing
had occurred.

“This
one is more reliable.” Rapp hopped off the desk. “I heard from the baker, who
heard from his wife, who talked to a member of the Tree Grower’s Guild—”

“The
Tree Grower’s Guild?” Kelln threw up his hands in exasperation. “They need a
guild for trees?”

“How
else would they be planted and cared for?” Rapp said, absolutely serious.

Kelln
smiled. How else indeed? Only in Mar. “And this is reliable?”

“Well,
the member of the Tree Grower’s Guild overhead—”
            “Forget it, Rapp. I can’t keep rushing out on hearsay.”

“The
mention of a dark-haired girl was heard,” Rapp added.

“Why
didn’t you say so at first?”

“I was
getting to that part.” Rapp frowned.

Kelln
rubbed his forehead. He could feel a headache coming on. “All right. Is Tali
coming with us this time again? What’s the disguise?”

“Fishermen
Guild,” he replied.

Kelln
scrunched his nose. “Not again.” He remembered the last time. He couldn’t get
the smell off of him for two days.

“They
are a large guild, so not all the members know each other. And others stay away
from them due to the stink.” Rapp laughed. “Be ready tonight.” With that, Rapp
walked out the door this time to the obvious amazement of the guards who had
never seen him enter. They looked at Kelln for explanation.

“Don’t
ask,” Kelln said. “I can’t explain what that boy does.”

Later
that night, Rapp led Kelln and Tali to an abandoned warehouse. Tali’s disguise
made her appear older. Rapp, due to his small size, was supposed to be their
young son. It was a stretch, but should hold up in the darkened room.

Just
outside the warehouse, Rapp produced some fish guts from a sealed bag. Kelln
almost passed out as they wiped the mess over their dirty fishing attire. Approaching
the door, they were given a wide berth, and no questions were asked. Kelln wore
a fishermen’s cap, covering his red curls. The three intruders hung in the
shadows, watching and waiting.

The
gathering crowd grew bigger with an obvious division of each guild standing by
their own. There was little trust in Mar. Some held onto lanterns in the dark
building, but plenty of shadows covered the fringes of the group. As predicted,
people stayed away from the members of the Fishermen Guild, even going so far
as to tell them to get to the back.

Soon, a
woman with her head covered in a colorful scarf entered the room, carrying a
bright lantern. Kelln strained up on his toes. He wished for Darius’s height
for the hundredth time in his life. But it wasn’t meant to be. He would always
be short.

“It’s
her,” he whispered to his companions. He knew her walk and stance well after
the last year.

Alessandra
held up her arms to silence the crowd. She took her time pulling back the hood
of her cloak. Many of the men murmured their approval at her good looks, while
their wives elbowed them in the ribs. With a slow turn of her neck, she looked
around the room. Though he suspected she couldn’t see him in the dim light,
Kelln ducked back down to avoid being detected.

After
ensuring complete silence, Alessandra began to speak. “My father and I are here
to form a new guild: the Guild of Protection. Too many of the smaller guilds
cannot standup to the larger ones, especially the governor’s Merchants’ Guild.
The governor and his companion guilds are too strict to set the terms and
prices of goods and services in Mar.”

A few
shouts and praises of agreement rippled through the crowd.

“We
approached the governor, but he did not understand the need for our guild.”

The
crowd shouted in anger toward their governor.

“That’s
because he wants to keep you cowed. He wants control. And who does he work
for?”

The
crowd was quiet, then a voice from the other side of the room yelled, “The
King.”

“Yes,
the King. The governor does everything for the King, but what does the King do
for you?”

Kelln
was amazed at her boldness. It wasn’t fair. Darius had planned on coming to
Mar, but the chaos in the guilds and the Preacher being loose had stopped him.

“Nothing,”
a lady shouted. “The King does nothing for us. Hasn’t even come and visited
us.”