Dark Quest Page 9

  “Impossible, one of my aides informed me that she saw Tork this morning in the courtyard.”

  “One of your aides, Sire?” quizzed the General.

  “Yes, General. I’m quite sure that is what Aurora said.”

  “Very well, I’ll have him arrested.”

  Sergeant Ferguson walked into Colonel Gregor’s office. “Colonel, the General has issued a warrant for Alex’s arrest for the murder of King Eugene.”

  “He can’t be serious. Alex would never harm his fellow Red Swords much less the King. Did anyone point out to the General that Alex is on the other side of the country?”

  “Supposedly, one of Regent Nelson’s aides said she saw Alex in the courtyard that morning. Of course, we both know that it is impossible to travel that distance in such a short period of time.”

  Colonel Gregor reflected on Alex’s trip to Kantor and wondered if anyone else was aware of his short trip. The Colonel had taken it upon himself to cover for Alex. Something was not right with this entire affair. Something kept clawing at the Colonel’s subconscious mind, always just outside his grasp. “Fergy could you possibly imagine Alex doing something like this, for any reason?”

  “No, Sir. The man would never harm Targa, not even if his own life depended on it.”

  “That’s what I feel too, Fergy. I think I’m going home and get some sleep. This has been a very stressful day.”

  Colonel Gregor left the Palace and headed for the Sword and Shield. He sat alone and ate a plate of stew before retiring to his room. He was alone in the corner of his room for about five minutes before the door opened and closed. The young man avoided the windows and sat on the floor next to the Colonel. “You’re still being followed, you know.”

  “Yes, Larc, I noticed him when I left the Palace. Things are not going well. They’ve issued an arrest warrant for Alex for killing the King.”

  “Impossible. Alex couldn’t do it. He’s being set up to distract attention from the real killer.”

  “Yes, but who is the real killer, Larc? The General issued the warrant on the orders of the Regent. The Regent’s aide saw Alex in the courtyard that morning, but who is telling the truth? The General might have convinced the Regent to have the warrant issued. The Regent might be covering for someone else or his aide may be lying for reasons of her own.”

  “Are you saying this aide is a female?” asked Larc.

  “Yes. I assumed you knew. It’s the same girl who has been Nelson’s companion for some time. After his wife died last week, he arranged for her to be his aide in the Palace. I think she even has a room there.”

  “That would explain why we haven’t been able to find her,” commented Larc. “Someone should get word to Alex before he gets hanged as an assassin. Do you know where I can find him?”

  “Not really. He’s been out training a new group of soldiers called the Rangers. I’ve given him complete control of the group so he is free to go where he wants. I know two of the areas he wants to concentrate on are mountain climbing and survival training. That would suggest the Boulders. I wish I could be more specific. You realize, Larc, that if the Army finds him, he probably won’t fight.”

  “The same can’t be said for me and my men, Colonel. Alex Tork is not an assassin and I will not stand by and allow him to be killed. If it comes down to a contest between Alex, the outlaw, and Nelson, the King, my men will stand with Alex. I suspect that most of yours would, too.”

  The Colonel realized that what Larc was talking about was civil war. The Red Swords were sworn to protect the King, but Alex was a hero to them and there was no King. He had to get the warrant rescinded before the country self-destructed, but his intervention with either the General or Nelson would be futile. “Larc, don’t put your Spiders in front of the army. That would only result in a loss to the Kingdom, no matter which side won. When you find Alex, tell him to remain hidden and not to return to Tagaret until I can find some way to get this warrant canceled. See if you can set up your network to monitor army movements and keep Alex informed so that he can avoid a confrontation. Work with me, Larc. I’m on your side.”

  The Colonel returned to the Palace and went to visit Lord Habas. Verifying that they were alone, he said, “Lord Habas, there is some information that I need to know. I am aware that you have some means to travel great distances in a small amount of time. Would you know if Alexander Tork has utilized this transportation lately?”

  Lord Habas showed no emotion and sat silently for some time.

  “Lord Habas,” Colonel Gregor pleaded, “I know that you helped Alex get to Oscar’s wedding. I had to cover for Alex when the General wanted to know how he could have been in Kantor. Alex did not want to reveal what is obviously some kind of secret between you and Egam, so I promised not to push him further. Things are different now. There has been a warrant issued for his arrest for the death of King Eugene.”

  The Colonel saw the shock of his revelation register on Lord Habas’ face. “Even worse, one of the Regent’s aides reported seeing Alex in the courtyard this morning. I can’t believe that Alex could be involved, but my knowledge of his ability to travel is haunting me. I must know if he was really here or someone is lying.”

  “Someone is lying,” responded the Magician. “Alex was transported by magical means to Kantor, but I can state unequivocally that unless he walked through one of the Palace gates, Alex was not here today. What I am saying, Colonel, is that there is absolutely no way that he entered this Palace by magical means anytime in the last month.”

  “Thank you, Lord Habas. I needed that small sliver of doubt removed from my mind. It has been clouding my judgment and not allowing me to concentrate on the investigation. Is there a way for you to get a message to Alex for me?”

  “I do not know where Alex is, but I will try to get him a message if it is in his best interests.”

  “Lord Habas, you do not hold a monopoly on fondness and concern for our young hero. Alex can count on me for help in any situation he may find himself. The message is for him to hide. The Army undoubtedly is searching for him and I want him to avoid a confrontation and by all means avoid capture. I fear that if he gives himself up to the Army, he will not live to see a trial.”

  “Colonel, I will see that the message gets delivered. You must not mention Alex’s transportation to anyone. It could get us all killed.”

  Lord Habas waited until the Colonel left the room and then he left by another Door. The Magician had to knock to get through to Atar’s Cove. Egam and Jenneva welcomed him.

  “We have trouble,” Lord Habas began. “King Eugene has been murdered in his bed and the Army is searching for Alex to hang him for it. I have a message from Colonel Gregor that Alex is to hide and not allow himself to be captured. Do you know where I can find him?”

  It took a while for the news to register and then Jenneva and Egam wanted every detail that Lord Habas could remember. Egam and Jenneva decided to look for Alex together while Lord Habas returned to the Palace and snooped around. The Royal Magician would have to fly back from Egam’s cave as he had made sure to close his Door before he left the laboratory.

  The eagle and the owl flew high over the Boulders, searching for Alex. They spotted him quickly as he was only several miles east of Egam’s cave. They swooped down and landed several hundred feet away behind an outcropping of rock.

  Concentrate. Never doubt your abilities.

  I love you!

  Three hundred feet west. Come alone.

  Alex turned to Mitar and told him to take over and jogged to the west. He rounded the bend and gave Jenneva a hug and kissed her. “What brings you to the sunny peaks of the Boulders?”

  “Something very serious, I’m afraid,” stated Egam. He explained what Lord Habas had told them and passed the Colonel’s message along, as well.

  “Something serious, indeed,” sighed Alex. “I cannot pit my men against their brothers. To even tell them about the King’s death is dangerous, but to not tell them leav
es me without an alibi.”

  “Why is it dangerous to tell them?” asked Jenneva.

  “There are two reasons. I wouldn’t be able to explain how I found out and I believe these men might be tempted to fight the Army to protect me. I can’t allow them to do that.”

  Egam noticed the telescope hanging from Alex’s belt. “You’ve been to Glendor?”

  “Yes, the elves helped us defeat a goblin army. I have killed a King, but it was King Guldar of the goblins. Galdan speaks fondly of you, Egam.”

  “Okay,” plotted Egam. “I can go to Glendor and have them send you a message regarding the King’s death and the warrant. Your men would not question the elves having such information. You could then order your men not to fight the Army. If they respect you, they will obey your orders and you will have your alibi.”

  Egam gazed out across the plain of the northlands and pondered. “Alex, my cave is only miles from here. You could safely hide there for years. You could even get to Atar’s Cove from there. There are also old dwarf tunnels that connect my cave to Glendor, although there are still dwarves in some of the tunnels.”

  “No,” Alex responded. “I came up here to make my men into the finest fighting force alive to serve the Kingdom. I cannot let my personal problems detract from their training. I like your idea about Glendor, but I cannot go into seclusion. I have a job to do and I will not shy away from it. If my men cannot elude the Army, then I haven’t trained them properly.”

  “Is there a possibility that your men will chose not to follow you?” asked Jenneva.

  “Yes, there is. I’ve selected these men not only for their skills, but their willingness to die for the Kingdom. Each of these men is a patriot of Targa, but that is a chance that I will take. My men will know that I did not kill King Eugene. They will have to choose between blind obedience to the Crown and doing what I think is in the best interest of the Crown.”

  Alex embraced Jenneva before leaving. All the way back to his men he could smell the fragrance of Atar’s Cove that had permeated her hair. He wondered if he would ever smell it again.

  Egam directed Jenneva to stand on the mountain path while he entered the valley. Egam stepped onto the forest path and stopped. “I am Egam, one who is welcome in Glendor. I bring with me Jenneva, one who is unknown to Glendor. I request permission for Jenneva to enter.” Egam waited. He knew a runner was being sent to relay the request and his answer would arrive in due time.

  After a while, Prince Elgorn strode up the path. “Welcome, Egam. It has been many years since last you visited. Is this Jenneva the friend of Alex Tork and the student of Egam?”

  “She is,” Egam replied.

  “Then Glendor bids her welcome. Jenneva, you may enter Glendor. I am Prince Elgorn.”

  Egam quickly told Elgorn of the King Eugene’s death and the need to inform Alex of the death and warrant. Elgorn dispatched a runner and then led Jenneva and Egam to the village.

  Sergeant Witzak shouted, “Elf runner, Captain.”

  Alex strode over and received the news. He thanked the runner and turned to his men. “Men of the Targa Rangers, King Eugene is dead. He was brutally murdered last night along with two of your brothers, men of the Red Swords. The Crown is under the control of Duke Nelson as Regent for an unspecified heir.”

  The Rangers were mumbling and whispering. “There is more. There has been an arrest warrant issued for the suspected murderer and all Targan army personnel are required to search for the man.”

  The Rangers were shouting now. Angry cries of revenge and death to the murderer filled the campsite. One shouted, “Who is this man? What does he look like?”

  Alex held up his hand to signal silence. “The warrant is issued in the name of Captain Alexander Tork, Commander of the Targa Rangers.”

  Chapter 8

  Heir

  Oscar left the council meeting and hurried down the corridor towards the Palace exit. The Colonel caught up with Oscar as he was leaving the Palace. “Oscar, I need to talk with you.”

  “Now is not a good time, Colonel. I’m rather pressed for time.”

  Colonel Gregor saw the concern etched in Oscar’s face. He could almost smell the fear emanating from the young Duke. “Allow me to travel with you, Oscar. The Red Swords are loyal to me and I’m sure that I can help with your problem.”

  Oscar stopped abruptly. “My problem? What do you know about my problem?” Oscar looked up and down the corridor. He had to gain control of himself. Oscar felt foolish when he realized that his errant behavior might actually signal to others that there was something to discover. Besides, the Colonel was a friend and supporter. He may very well need the assistance of the Red Swords before this was over. “I’m terribly sorry, Colonel. I fear that I have been rather preoccupied and my manners are rude. I promised Callie that I would not be late for dinner and I have to go back for another session of the Council. Why don’t you join us for dinner?”

  The two men started walking towards the Palace Shadow where Callie was staying. “Colonel, where would your Red Swords stand if an heir to the throne were found, but the Regent was trying to bypass the line of succession?”

  “My men’s allegiance would be to the heir,” stated the Colonel. “Has the Council found an heir?”

  “And what if Kingdom law allowed the Regent to be crowned even if an heir still lived?”

  “The Red Swords have always been loyal to the Crown. If the Regent were to be crowned legally, we would owe our allegiance to him.” The Colonel was beginning to sense the reason for Oscar’s discomfort. “Until the Red Swords have been informed that the Regent has been legally crowned, our lives are at the asking of the heir. If you have discovered an heir, Oscar, you must let me help get him to the throne.”

  The men entered the Palace Shadow and saw Callie waiting at a table. As they approached the table, Oscar introduced Callie to the Colonel.

  Don’t overreact, Callie. He is a good man and we will need his help getting you out of the city.

  “Colonel, I have discovered whom the proper heir is. I have not informed the other council members yet, but they will know soon. The problem is that the Regent has invoked an old law that allows for his coronation if the heir is not presented in a certain amount of time. I think Duke Nelson intends to seize the throne for himself. He has not stated so, but the man is as power hungry as any man I have ever met. I cannot foresee him voluntarily stepping down.”

  “I can believe that the Regent would love to rule, but even he cannot stop a lawful heir from being crowned,” stated Colonel Gregor.

  “Perhaps I have dealt with too many bandits in my short years, but Nelson strikes me as a man who will let nothing stand in his way.”

  “Oscar, tell me whom the heir is and I will take a thousand Red Swords to escort him to Tagaret. Three thousand, if necessary.”

  “Colonel, the heir is John Secor, Callie’s father.”

  Callie dropped her glass and the water spilled all over the table. Oscar quickly mopped up the water and surveyed the room. Other patrons had been attracted by the commotion and Oscar proudly exclaimed, “I’m so sorry, my dear. Very clumsy of me.” Keep calm, Callie. There is more to this than even I know.

  “Well, that’s wonderful, Oscar. I really don’t see your concern. My men can be ready to depart in half an hour.”

  “Not so quickly, Colonel. If John isn’t here in two weeks, the Regent will be crowned. John is currently in Kantor and it would be impossible to get him here in that amount of time.”

  “Oscar, I can help with that problem,” the Red Sword began. “I can’t tell you how, but I believe that I have friends who can accomplish that task.”

  Oscar imagined that he knew who the Colonel’s friends were and wondered how he found out. More importantly, had anyone else found out? “Colonel, there is one more thing that you should be aware of. Lord Habas was arrested this afternoon.”

  “Arrested? By whose authority and for what reason?”

  “Re
gent Nelson ordered it for assisting the assassin Alexander Tork. There is also an arrest warrant out for Jenneva.”

  Colonel Gregor slumped in his chair. “Then all is lost?”

  “No,” replied Oscar. “I can have John Secor in Dalek in a week. You will need to arrange to have the Red Swords strung out between here and Dalek to protect us on our way back. More importantly, I want you to protect Callie. Get her to Dalek for me.”

  Callie you must use the Door in my study at Duke Whitley’s castle. Walk through it, but do not close it. On the other side will be three other Doors. Knock on the one directly on your left. It will take you to Atar’s Cove. Stay there and wait for me.

  Colonel Gregor watched as Oscar stared at Callie. He knew Oscar cared for her very much and was trusting him to guard her. “I will have my men in position and fresh horses will be available along the way for you.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. I am on my way. Stay and have dinner with Callie. I will inform the first Red Sword I see that you require his presence here. Never leave her side, Colonel.” Oscar rose and left the Palace Shadow. He knew where he could get fresh horses on the way. There were more than several of Larc’s men along the route.

  “You have my deepest gratitude, Colonel. You are risking much to help my father and myself.”

  “You are of the Royal Line, Callie. I would be remiss in my duties to behave otherwise, although I probably would have accepted the assignment anyway. I know that Oscar is a patriot. He has given much to Targa.”

  “All of this makes little sense to me, Colonel,” admitted Callie. “How could anyone believe that Alex would harm the King? Just because his sword is capable of great damage doesn’t necessarily mean he wielded it.”

  “I know, Callie, it wasn’t even his sword. Wait a minute, you’ve just made me realize something. King Olweg’s sword was missing from his bedroom and I assumed it was the murder weapon, but how could it have been?”

  “What do you mean, Colonel?” she asked.