Jack of Troubles

The cards of the Crystal Deck have been dealt and it is time to play the game. It is a game of life and death, of freedom and servitude, of good and evil. There is magic in the deck and it will show us the game one hand at a time.

Each hand holds one card that is more significant than the rest. In the first it is the Jack. Although he is the least of the face cards, his power has not yet been realized. But once it is, he will change the world. Whether this will prove for good or ill, who can say? These are things which shall be revealed in future hands.

On five hands rest the fate of the world. Each card in each hand has a part to play and only in the end will the true nature of each card be revealed. There is evil here, but who is evil and who is good rests on more than what one hand reveals. You must play the game to the final hand in order to learn that secret.

It is time to play the first hand of the Cyrstal Deck of Ryuu.

Chapter One

Dara swung her ax at the tree and knocked out another chunk of wood. She jerked the ax free and swung it again. As she worked the ax free for another swing, she heard the unmistakable crack as the tree began to fall. She had cut the tree properly so she didn’t need to move as the tree fell to her right. The bare, dry branches shattered as the crown slammed into the ground.

Dara hefted the ax and walked up the trunk and began removing the branches that hadn’t broken. It was the fourth dead tree she had felled that day. As a ranger, she was charged with a variety of tasks, one of the most important was to clear the dead trees in the mountain forests. This section of forest hadn’t been tended to in several years. Fire was a constant source of danger and the rangers were charged with doing what they could to minimize it.

She considered it part of her punishment. They hadn’t called it that, but sending her to this wilderness corner of the kingdom really couldn’t be considered anything but.

When she finished stripping the trunk, she hefted the ax over her shoulder and made her way to the next dead tree. It was the challenge she had been working up to. Unlike the others, which were young and thin enough to cut down in just a few minutes, this was a large old tree. It had few branches to cut off, but it had a sizable trunk to chop through. As she eyed the best direction to fell it, she heard that someone unskilled in woodcraft moving in her direction. Instantly the ax ceased being a tool and became a weapon.

You won’t need to use that, Dara Nihnvareh, a familiar voice called.

The voice I recognize, but those are not your footfalls.

No, I bring a guest who wishes to speak with you.

Dara dropped the ax to a resting position, but her stance remained poised to put it to use if needed.

The owner of the voice made her wait to confirm his identity. Dara’s ears flexed as she tried in vain to listen for his approach. He was too skilled at stealth and his companion was making enough noise for both of them. It wasn’t until her keen eyes detected movement by an outcropping that she confirmed it was Prince Velderah with an unknown Onzhi companion. She did not bow or acknowledge the prince. This was her territory and she was charged to act for the king as one of his rangers.

You can put away the ax. I come in peace.

Like you did when you got me exiled to this place?

Come now, it was your own actions...

You needn’t bother with pretext, we both know what you did.

Look at this interruption as a chance for me to make it up to you.

What do you want?

The King has sent me to recruit you for a special mission.

We aren’t at court so you can just get to the point.

You are to come with us so you can act as guide to an untrained traveler.

Why me?

You are the best. You may be out of favor, but no one can deny your talent.

You don’t have to be so generous with your compliments. If the King commands it, I will go.

The prince turned to his companion and spoke in the Onzhi tongue from south of the Zantin Mountains. She caught a few words, but not enough to grasp the meaning. She waited while they talked. After a fairly long exchange, the prince turned back to her and said, This man is a messenger and we will be traveling with him for many leagues. I suggest you work on your Onzhi. You are going to need it.

I was never good at studying.

You don’t have much choice. The people you will be traveling with don’t speak anything else. We should get going. It’s a fair hike down to where we left the horses.

Dara moaned under her breath. She didn’t care for horses even though she was a competent rider. It had been required during her training. She let Prince Velderah lead the way and followed behind. She quickly learned that their messenger was not accustomed to the dense subtropical Simmasi forests. She had been working along the top of a ridge where the trees weren’t as dense. As they trekked down the slope, the foliage grew denser and humidity increased, and their Onzhi companion began to suffer. No wonder she had heard him from such a distance.

She kept her ears in constant motion. They should be safe, but with at least three horses, plus the three of them, it might be enough to draw out one of the larger carnivores that inhabited the dense forest.

They reached the horses sooner than she expected. Prince Velderah had been brave to bring them this far off the main road. Once they were mounted, the pace quickened. They were soon at the road and making good progress toward the nearby city of Pietam.

How far will you be traveling with us? Dara asked.

Only until we reach Shivat. From there you and Captain Durshiel will be on your own.

Just the two of us?

Yes. Precisely why you need to pick up Onzhi quickly.

Just how long is this babysitting job going to last?

A while. This may be the last time we see each other in a long time.

Still exile, just in a different place.

You shouldn’t think of it that way. It’s more of an opportunity. Use it wisely and who knows what you might accomplish. He moved his horse close to hers and handed her a packet. These are your written instructions, from the King himself.

I could always refuse.

Father said, if you do, he has an even nastier punishment in store for you.

I see. I guess it will be better than cutting down dead trees.

I hope you still feel that way when next we meet.

* * *

Shaelon spent most of his free time in the ruins above the town of Misheva. It was quiet and no one else was willing to brave the ghosts of the old fortress to disturb him. It was the one place where he could just sit and think for hours. His favorite part of the ruins was the lone intact tower. It had been a short guard tower built into the mountain face, but it had survived the centuries that had laid much of the rest of the fortress to ruin. It had a commanding view and Shaelon imagined at times he could see the sea many leagues to the north.

No true history had survived of who had built or lived in or defended this fortress, so Shaelon had made up his own. He was no longer a child and many of those old fictions made him laugh, but as he grew older, he pieced together what the fortress might have looked like when it was in its prime. One day soon he might have need of the concept of defense and attack.

He lived in Misheva in exile. His grandfather had briefly been the last king of Ilendis before he had been deposed. After Shaelon’s parents had been assassinated, his grandfather had sent him to this forsaken place to be raised by the great Lord General Hispelon to be the next king. Shaelon had reached his twenty-third year and there was no sign that the long dreamed of restoration would ever happen. Still, being the heir to the throne of Ilendis had its perks. No one in Misheva had dared to anger him in many years. He attended to his lessons with Hispelon, but otherwise did as he pleased.

The afternoon was getting on and he needed to hurry if he was to get to combat training before dinner. He climbed down the tower stairs and clambered over the stones of the ruins to get to the road that passed nearby.

He was early for combat training, refreshed from his afternoon. He went into the side room and changed into his practice armor. It was more constrictive and offered more protection than the lighter battle armor. Supposedly, if he finished mastering combat wearing this, his skill in proper armor would be mastered as well. He didn’t believe it for a moment and had been training with an old suit of armor that he stored in the ruins. What really mattered was that Hispelon believed it and made him train in the prescribed manner.

He had started his exercises by the time Hispelon came in. Although he was getting on in years, his skill level was more than a match for Shaelon’s youthful energy and speed.

Our training today will be short. So let’s not waste any time and start with the dragon form. Hispelon’s steely blue eyes peered at his pupil from under the decorated helm.

The forms were almost a dance. At this stage of his training, they had sped up moves he had been studying since childhood. A misstep could be deadly with the weapons they were using. Shaelon gave himself over to the form as Hispelon had taught and completed it perfectly.

Well done. Hispelon’s praise was sparse. He moved directly into the next form. Each form took several minutes and they did one after another. Shaelon had long ago figured out that the heavily padded training armor was to get him used to the literal heat of battle. By the end of a training session he was drenched.

Today Hispelon stopped him after only five forms.

As I told you, we are stopping early. We have important guests. Go get cleaned up for dinner and wear your best clothes.

Who are the guests?

A courier and a guide. I have not had a chance to meet with them yet. They arrived right before our training session and I had Shevisha show them to the guest quarters to freshen up.

A courier? Shaelon asked. From who?

I don’t know yet.

But you have your suspicions?

Of course, my Prince. But remember your lessons. You cannot let suspicions affect your judgement. You must act only on hard facts. We do not have any facts on who the courier is from. Therefore, we cannot act based on guesses.

It is a lesson I remember well, but that doesn’t mean I’m not curious.

Curiosity has its place, just be careful.

Being careful is probably the most valuable lesson you have ever taught me. Shaelon smiled inwardly. He had many secrets from his mentor. That piece of advice had kept his personal activities from coming to light. I’ll meet you in half an hour in the feast hall.

No, it will be a more intimate gathering. We will be using the small reception room. But half an hour will work.

Shaelon quickly put the armor away and went to his suite to get ready. He wondered what kind of visitors warranted a more private setting. It was highly unusual and caught his interest. Whoever it was, they were important. Someone with word from the south perhaps?

He reached the small reception hall early. The servants were still setting the table. Shaelon noted that it was set for four, a very intimate gathering. Hispelon was big on pomp and there had to be a special reason to forgo it.

Ah, you have beat me here, Hispelon said as he swept into the room. Our guests are on their way down. Please have a seat.

When Shaelon attempted to take his customary seat on what he thought would be Hispelon’s right, he was intercepted.

Not there. Your place is at the end, the seat of honor.

Shaelon raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. That one action told him more than anything else. Something big was happening. He silently took the seat that Hispelon had occupied at every table they had ever sat at together. Hispelon took what had usually been his place. Shaelon sat down in the padded seat and relished the feeling of power. It was a small thing, but for an exiled prince who hadn’t been given any leash to speak of, it was a huge rush.

Hispelon stood, seeming a bit nervous. Shaelon observed, one of the many lessons Hispelon had taught him. Shaelon was good at it and had made use of it in many ways.

They heard their guests before they saw them - a man and a foreign woman. She spoke with an accent, but Shaelon could hear the calm demeanor of a warrior in her voice. He keenly watched the door and had to carefully school his expression when the woman turned out to be a Simmasi. A surprise, but at least they weren’t trying to marry him off. From the coloring of her fur, she was related to the royal family. Most Simmasi were some variation of tawny gray, but only the royal family bore the darker hue across their face and hands. Her hair was gathered in a short pony tail at her neck. Her clothes were clean and well mended, but not fancy. He began to suspect she was a ranger. When his eyes met her piercing blue ones, he was sure. This was not a courtly lady, but a warrior. Perhaps a new stage in his training.

Captain Durshiel, Ranger Nihn, may I present his Royal Highness, Prince Shaelon pe’Lokaseras, heir to the Ilendis throne of Elor.

The title of Ranger confirmed most of Shaelon’s suspicions. Welcome to my table, he said, noting that Hispelon seemed to approve. Please join me for my evening meal. The Lord General had taught him all the proper forms and drilled them into him using many of the locals as stand in guests. This was the first time he’d been given a chance to put the training to use.

We thank you, your Highness, Captain Durshiel said. Ranger Nihn had graciously escorted me through the Simmasi forests, but she is still learning our tongue.

Then let me extend a special greeting to her in her native tongue, Shaelon said in perfect Simmasi, and thank her for brining you safely to our door.

It is a relief that you speak my language, Dara said. But you do the Captain a disservice as he does not speak mine.

That does pose a problem, but not an insurmountable one.

Hispelon beamed at his charge’s perfect execution of his etiquette lessons. Even though he was at the head of the table, Shaelon knew that Hispelon was the one in charge and let him take over after the greeting, though he was beginning to wonder why a Captain and a Ranger rated moving him to the head of the table.

He had a long wait to find out. The Captain and Hispelon conversed about the latest news from the south, and Hispelon greedily absorbed all the news for the past couple of years since their last official messenger. Shaelon was beginning to think that was all these two were.

The Ranger was the first Simmasi woman that he had ever encountered. Like their male counterparts, they had the large feline like ears that protruded from their hair. He could see traces of retracted claws at the ends of her fingers. He was intrigued about a great many other things, but his contemplations were interrupted when Hispelon suggested they get down to the real business before dinner was served.

Your letter of introduction indicated you had some interesting news to deliver, Hispelon said. Is it what I’ve been hoping for?

Captain Durshiel cleared his throat and pulled a flat packet from a pocket. I’ve been asked to deliver this along with the verbal message, ‘it’s time.’

Hispelon’s hands were shaking as the accepted the packet. He carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter. As he read silently, his expression revealed that it was something good. He completely finished reading before he turned to Shaelon.

My Prince, your grandfather has sent for you. It is time to head south and put all your training to use.

Shaelon was cautious. That still didn’t reveal what was expected of him. He waited for more, and when Hispelon seemed confused at his reaction, he extended his hand for the letter. Hispelon quickly handed it to him.

Shaelon was not surprised that the letter was addressed to Hispelon, but it appeared to be in his grandfather’s own hand. As he read, he soon understood why. This was not a plan he would want shared with just anyone. His grandfather was dying just as he had gathered the forces he needed to retake his kingdom. He needed Shaelon to join them and be the figure they could all rally around and he would become king if they succeeded.

The specific instruction were that the Simmasi would provide their best Ranger to escort him south to the Barony of Yldar, where he would then have the protection of the Baron’s forces, and travel south to meet the main army on the boarders of Tolin where they planned on launching their offensive.

Shaelon was overjoyed at the plan. He had longed to leave for years and couldn’t wait to get started. It was a long distance to travel, but he was up to it. He was in excellent shape and ready to lead an army to victory. The kingdom he’d grown up dreaming about was almost his.

He read the letter again to be sure he had all the instructions correct. He was to travel with the Ranger through terrain she was an expert in traversing to reach the barony that had remained loyal to the deposed Ilendis monarch. But there was something missing. There was a unspoken danger in the letter and he needed to find out what it was before he was willing to embark on such an important journey.

* * *

Dara watched the Onzhi prince read the letter a second time and saw the concern on his face. She equally noted that neither of the other men at the table registered it. She took advantage of their lack of understanding of Simmasi and asked, What concerns you, Prince Shaelon?

I’m surprised you could notice. I’ve been trained to not reveal anything, even to a careful observer.

You were trained well, but detecting such subtleties is one of my areas of expertise. And you will do well in a royal court with such skill at avoiding questions.

Shaelon let out a loud laugh that caused the two men to glance about confused. They spoke in their Onzhi tongue, but the prince ignored them. When he regained his composure, he said, You are far more than just a ranger. I see why they picked you. If you are half as skilled a ranger as you are at reading me, you must be the best.

He studied her another moment, then said, But to answer your question, yes, there is an unspoken danger in this letter and I’m going to have to extract it from these two.

How is it that you know my tongue and your guardian does not?

The Simmasi King sent a tutor many years ago. I learned your language and much about your people. I’ve had several tutors like that. The Lord General here, has been my combat instructor and left other subjects to those who excelled in their own areas.

I think I can answer your question for you. The unspoken danger is the Witch of Eannor. It was her backing that deposed your grandfather. She will not want you to ascend to the throne. See what they say.

* * *

Shaelon was growing more and more impressed with his new guide. Time with her was going to give him a completely different perspective and broaden his views.

He’d heard of the Witch of Eannor. She indirectly controlled the Kordan Kingdom, the fierce warriors who had brought down Ilendis. Hispelon had never mentioned she might be a danger to him.

He looked at his mentor and father figure, and asked, Will the Witch of Eannor sit idly by while we restore Ilendis?

The expression on Hispelon’s face was priceless. He did not have a ready answer and sputtered for a moment as he struggled to come up with a suitable one. She has been quiet for many years. We have no reason to think she will stir from her distant throne.

She saw to it my great-grandfather was killed and my grandfather deposed. She went to great effort then, almost a personal grudge. Why wouldn’t she act again?

He’s a smart boy, Captain Durshiel said to Hispelon. He has guessed what we should have told him up front.

I am not going to second guess my King.

From this letter, my grandfather intends to put me on the throne. I suggest you start filling in your future king sometime soon.

Nothing in how Shaelon spoke indicated an untried youth in exile. He spoke as Hispelon had taught him, as a king and leader.

There is much that I have not told you. Your grandfather had some very specific requests in bringing you up and I have followed them to the letter. You have quite rightly heard that the Queen of Eannor, commonly called a witch because her ability with magic, was behind the Kordan invasion. They conquered the highlands before we knew what had happened. She sent her personal assassins and they were successful, but your grandfather rallied us and we fought back. We made sure it was no easy victory for her, but she wielded magic that we could not oppose. If your grandfather has put in motion the invasion that we hope will restore Ilendis, it means he has found sufficient magic to hold her back, if not defeat her. If we have the men and the right magic with us, the Queen will not have an impact. What she could still do is send her assassins to find and kill you. That is the danger you sensed. That is why you have been hidden away here in this forsaken place. We have guarded you with our lives and with secrecy. Captain Durshiel has gone to great lengths to hide his mission. From here he will continue on to Kralis, so her spies will have no idea what his true mission has been. He will ask the King of Neroga for his help in our efforts, and then travel south into Tice and lead their forces to join your grandfather. It is vital that you reach Yldar safely and join the army your grandfather has built. Built for you to lead to victory, for you to become King. Do you understand why all this is so crucial?

Now that you have made the danger clear and I see my place in the plan, I do understand. When should I leave?

I’ll be leaving at first light, Durshiel said. I have a long way to go myself, but I understand there are decent roads from here to the capital.

I haven’t had much opportunity to use them, but that is what I hear, Shaelon said.

I suggest you leave as soon as possible. I don’t have near as much land to cover as you do. Most of my journey will be by sea, and if the gods are willing, we will meet up again in Yldar.

I will leave as soon as the Lord General says to. Shaelon laid the decision back on his mentor who had made all decisions of that level for as long as he could remember.

The old man leaned back in thought. Shaelon could practically read his thoughts. He’d been training Shaelon for this since the day he was orphaned, but they were tied by those years of nurture and training. Shaelon was just as torn and excited. He was comfortable here in Misheva. It was nice for what it was. Life with Hispelon had been pleasant, if a little boring at times. He had learned a lot and in many ways he relied on his mentor. There had never been any talk of this day besides receiving the message and what that would mean for the future. Of the ties it would break, nothing had ever been spoken. Now that it was time, would Hispelon be the Lord General, or the substitute father.

The length of time it took for him to speak was an indication of the weight this decision carried with him, but in the end, he made the decision Shaelon expected him to. You should leave tomorrow as well. I will have the servants gather your supplies and everything will be in order for the morning. There is nothing to gain and everything to lose by waiting. It is best to act quickly. You are trained for this my Prince. I only wish I could go with you. I am too old for such a journey.

When we succeed, I will send for you. I would not consider ruling without my most trusted advisor.

* * *

Dara was not following much of the conversation. She caught that they were to leave in the morning and the Lord General would not be going with them. She wasn’t sure what Shaelon said, but the look on the Lord General’s face told her much about her new traveling companion. She could tell that it was not just his age that kept him from coming with them. He did not want to travel with the Prince. She didn’t think the Prince caught what she had.

Dara was sure that if she had time and had the language skills to ask around the town, that she would find that the prince was not well liked. From her experience with her own King and his sons, that seemed to almost be a prerequisite. She wondered what sort of things he had done that made the Lord General react that way. She casually wondered if the Prince might be leaving a bastard or two behind.

It was soon time to retire, but when she saw the Lord General summon a servant and caught some of what he instructed him to prepare, she excused herself to assist him. Travel through the Simmasi jungles required certain preparations and many outsiders had a tendency to bring the wrong things. No sense in making her job more difficult than it needed to be.

Her feeling proved to be correct. She had to stop the servant from packing a number of things. With her language barrier, she had a tough time getting him to understand what it was she did and did not want. He seemed to understand that she was a ranger and didn’t second guess her once he understood what she was saying.

We really need to work on your Onzhi as we travel, Shaelon said from the door when they were almost finished.

How long have you been standing there?

Not long. The Lord General was helping me pack my personal belongings and training materials. We are traveling by horse, aren’t we?

Most of the way. We’ll have to see what obstacles crop up. If we have to take the back routes, you may have to abandon anything you can’t carry. But for the next week at least, we will be on trails and roads that can accommodate horses.

How long do you think it will take to get to Yldar?

As the birds fly, it is nearly two hundred leagues, but the twists and turns of the roads and trails makes it much more.

As someone who hasn’t traveled often, that doesn’t tell me much.

A league is how far you can travel in an hour at a walking pace. We’ll be on the move ten to fourteen hours a day, depending on the horses and our feet and what we find on the way. It should take about three weeks, maybe a little longer.

That is a lot of walking if we have to abandon the horses.

That is why I’m driving this servant crazy. I want the right things with us so if we have to we can go on without the horses.

His name is Urishek.

Thank you. She turned to Urishek as he tied the last of the bags. Thank you, Urishek, she said in Onzhi.

He smiled and said something back, but she didn’t catch it. It wasn’t important. She took the bags and set them where they would be out of the way, but hard to miss in the morning. It was still early, but she wanted to be up and have time to saddle and load the horses.

How much do you have, do you think? she asked the Prince.

Only about one bag like that, plus my armor and weapons.

If we have to walk, you’ll have to wear the armor. Can you do that?

Every summer for the past five years, the Lord General has sent me up into the mountains for a month and I’ve had to wear my training armor the whole time. That is far heavier and hotter.

Don’t be too sure of that. Often there is nothing hotter than sunbaked metal. I just want you to be prepared. I am your guide and your escort, not your servant. If we have to abandon the horses, I have my own things to carry. We’ll divide the supplies. Besides, there is much we can pick up to eat along the way and I know all the streams and rivers that are fit to drink from.

He said they picked you because you are the best. That’s a lot to live up to.

And I hope you live up to all these hopes for you. That might be another reason why you are stuck with me.

Just from our short conversations, I think they made a good choice. I hope we are still speaking when we reach Yldar.

We had better. If nothing else, I have to return from this trip able to speak Onzhi.

Shaelon laughed at the way she said it. They had an early morning so Dara excused herself and returned to the room she had been shown to earlier.

She had grown up in the Simmasi capital of Timachek along the Garlara river. The palace had provided her first glimpse of nature in an otherwise polished and urban city. As a child she could always be found in the gardens and as she grew older, she found she was never happy when surrounded by stone walls and cleanly sawn timbers. She was only at home among the plants with sky over her head. She had found every excuse she could until they allowed her to apprentice as a ranger. She had taken to it like she was born to do it. She had spent most of her life outside ever since. This would be the first night she had spent indoors with a bed in many years. She was looking forward to the morning and getting back outside. Being indoors seemed alien to her.

Chapter Two

Tober hesitated before he knocked on the door of his mistress’s study. It was never wise to disturb her, but the messenger had said it was urgent, so he had no choice.

Come, her aged but strong voice called through the door.

Mistress... he began.

How many times have I told you, Tober, when I’m in my study, I am not to be disturbed?

This is not just any messenger. He has come all the way from Marsia.

Marsia, huh? Do I need to see him or did he bring a message?

He said it is directly from the Queen of Marsia for your ears only.

Show him to the outer chamber.

Yes, mistress.

As Tober left, she stood and took off the age worn robe she favored when she was alone in exchange for one that was appropriate to receive the Marsian messenger. The black trimmed maroon robe helped highlight her white wavy hair. She added the seldom used gold crown as a final touch before she went through the special door leading into her private receiving chamber. She sat her old bones in the small throne. It held special meaning to her. She had brought it with her when she conquered this city ages ago. It severed as a reminder of who she was and who she had been.

Tober showed the messenger into the chamber with no fanfare.

Welcome, she said, her practiced voice filling the chamber. I trust you had a safe voyage.

I am not a sailor, your Majesty. The sea voyage was challenging, but your river is almost worse.

I have not traveled that way in a long time, but I have not forgotten. What message do you have for me from your queen?

The news from Marsia is grave. Forces are gathering in towns and cities all along our border in the wildlands. Messengers went out several months ago and we suspect...

Yes. It is that time. I have had a feeling it would be soon. Do you know where the messengers were sent?

They have been everywhere.

Have any taken unusual routes?

We had word of one messenger headed toward Gelpar who took a mountain pass.

That is the one. I must have been blind.

Can you be sure, your Majesty? There have been so many leads and so many messengers on the trails.

I am sure. Go back and tell your queen that I am on the move. Tell her to hold fast, but keep to her own borders. Tolin will fall and there is nothing we can do about it, but I will meet them in the fields of Vanor and wipe them from the face of Ryuu. Shivoneh found herself standing at her full height. From the look in the messenger’s eyes she had scared him. That was fitting for someone whose enemies called her a witch. She felt her ring crackle with energy. Her control was slipping and she tried to rein it in. She had enough people thinking she was crazy, she wasn't about to add the Queen of Marsia to the lists. She felt the power ebb and her body relax.

Did your queen have an idea when their forces may move?

Yes, your Majesty. From what we have seen on our borders and in Tolin, they are within months of having a force large enough to succeed. It is obvious to the people of Tolin. Refugees have been crossing our border on their way west to the sea.

I see. You will need assistance to handle the refugees. I’ll have a fleet of cargo ships depart for Tanzar as soon as possible. Keep my people informed and we will share what we can. Now take a day or two to rest and then return to Marsia swiftly with my messages.

Yes, your Majesty.

Tober, as always, read her unspoken thoughts and opened the door for the messenger to leave. When he was gone, she rose and returned to her study and changed back into her comfortable robe and resumed her work. Much of what the messenger had told her she knew already. News of her old adversary sending a messenger north through the mountains had been a surprise. It put the final piece on more than fifty years of questions. Her quest to wipe that evil family off the face of Ryuu would have another chance.

She prepared messages to send out. She had preparations to make and an army to mobilize. All the kingdoms, duchies, and baronies had enjoyed a lasting peace for the last fifty-some years. She hated to add to the coming chaos, but she could not allow the offspring of an evil tyrant to regain power. The world was better off without them.

Most monarchs would need to raise taxes to finance the war she was planning. She would, but it was more for appearance. She had reserves that would last her decades if need be. But there was no sense wasting her funds when the kingdom could put some effort into it. True they would be sending some of their own into battle and many men might die, but the brunt of the might she wielded lay across the straights. As before, she would be there at the front of the battle.

The tawny gold cat she shared her chambers with decided it was time for her to take a break. Feskal would not be ignored so she scooped him up and gave him the attention he asked for. There was nothing as relaxing as a cat. She devoted herself to his pleasure, petting him and scratching the right places. As was typical, he only stayed a few minutes before he decided it was enough and left to do his cat things. She returned to her plans for war, hoping she would finally vanquish the latest in a long line of enemies.

* * *

Dara had her horse and the pack horse ready to go when the Prince joined her. His belongings were packed for travel and one of the servants had saddled the horse so all he had to do was lash his packs to the back of the saddle and he was ready to go. She admired his preparations, but how would he be alone on the road. She didn’t intend to coddle him.

Did you have any last good-byes? she asked.

No, I’m ready to go.

Dara mounted in one fluid motion and waited for the Prince to mount. He was noisy and clumsy. Another thing in the long list of things she would need to work with him on. While he’d been on mountain excursions and could handle himself in the wild, she was sure that he lacked stealth, especially in light of his noisy mounting.

They silently left the manor house and headed down the short road to the town.

I’ll be glad to get out of here, the Prince said as they came to a group of people already out and about.

Have they treated you badly?

No, but I’ve been raised to be a king, not a small time baron. I’ve dreamed of Elor since I was a boy.

I’m sure the Lord General has made it seem very grand. Personally, I abhor cities. Even this one is too large for my tastes. Dara didn’t catch his reply. Her sensitive ears caught what those people were saying after they had passed. They did not like the Prince. Somehow they knew he was leaving and why and were glad. From what they implied, the Lord General had failed in one area of his training, but the Prince would definitely appreciate the offerings of city life, especially for a king.

The road west out of the town would take them to Timachek if they stayed on it. It was probably the best road they would see until they reached Yldar. Misheva was at the northern tip of the Dorunis Mountains so to head south, Dara first had to get them far enough west to a trail headed south. They would stay close to the mountains.

They didn’t speak much during the morning. The Prince was lost in thought and Dara was busy looking for a trail they could use. It was dangerous to stay on the road for too long. There was a minor road they would reach midmorning tomorrow if they stayed on this road, but she wanted to angle southwest to both be safer and shave off some time.

She stopped them for a midday break when she found a spot that offered cover if anyone else happened to be using the road. So far they had only seen locals who had given the Prince the same look and made the same comments under their breath that the townspeople had. They seemed unaware that Simmasi hearing was twice as sensitive as the other races, except perhaps the Cavers.

You seem to be having problems finding something. The Prince said as they were eating.

We are in your territory, not mine. I’m trying to find a trail that angles southwest. I know the road we will take, I would just like to be off this road as soon as possible.

I don’t know the smaller trails around here, ranger.

We are going to be traveling together for long enough that you should use my name. I’m called Dara Nihn,

I thought I heard the Captain call you Dara?

That works, too.

And since, at least for this trip, you are replacing the Lord General as my tutor and guardian, please call me Shaelon. This is not a formal setting and even when I am king, you will not be one of my subjects.

How gracious, your Highness. She said it with a wry smile, but her thoughts were in a different vein. She was beginning to see who this young man in front of her was. She could see the natural leader, but she could also see his darker side. She wondered if her mission was a service to the southlands or if what she was charged with doing was more of a disservice. Not that the answer to such a question mattered. She had been commanded by her King and by her family ties and her training and dedication to being a ranger, she would do her best to succeed regardless of her personal feelings. And really it was only the reactions of those around him. Her interactions with him had been decent. She didn’t know what kind of lord or king he was, but she had the impression he was a decent man, well-mannered and ready to learn what he needed to.

After they ate, they resumed their journey. It was midafternoon before Dara found a trail that matched what she was looking for. It headed in the right direction, but they had to ride in single file. By nightfall, they had made good progress, but they were still too close to the main road for her comfort. She refused to build a fire to cook food. Instead they quietly ate cold rations.

Until we are at least a day south of the main road, it isn’t safe to light a fire. Tomorrow night we should be able to and we should be in Simmasi territory.

And you know every trail, tree, and bush?

Pretty much. I’ve been a ranger for fifteen years and covered most of the kingdom, especially the borders and the southern forest.

You do remember that this is not just a simple trip. We are supposed to share knowledge. I’m supposed to teach you Onzhi and you are supposed to make sure I can handle myself in the wilds.

I do. That starts in the morning. Your first test is packing up and getting going.

And your Onzhi lessons start now. Shaelon switched to his native tongue and quizzed her to see what she understood and found out that she had the basics, but could not carry on a conversation. They went over a few simple sentences for greetings and directions. When Dara seemed comfortable using them, they called it a night.

Dara was up first and had her horse and the pack horse ready before Shaelon was sitting up. He saw that she was ready and jumped up and quickly had his bedroll packed. Saddling the horse was not so easy. He knew the mechanics of fastening it, but he’d usually had a servant to actually put in on the horse. Dara watched as he fumbled with it and the horse kept moving. She finally gave up and told him, You are too tentative. Show the horse who is boss and do it quickly. When he still couldn’t manage, she grabbed the bridle from him an told