A. Searle - The King's sword

“Where we are right now is little more than depressing. One among us is a betrayer but I do not know whom. The wizard Robusk has been imprisoned. And a band of King’s Guards will be upon us by nightfall.” Ronan’s eyes slid over each of them. “If any of you wish to back out of this now I shall understand and will not hold it against you.”

Mikel the Hort glanced around then slowly raised his hand. “I’m no good at fighting.”

“Then go, little friend. I wish you well.” Ronan inclined his head and for a moment the changeling hesitated, then scampered away from the group, his short legs moving him quickly across the moors. “Anyone else?” No one moved.

“Very well then but I warn you that things do not get any less depressing from this point.” Ronan crossed his arms, collecting his thoughts, and then took a deep breath. “I did not sleep last night. Many things did not rest well with me and I remained awake pondering everything that has happened and what we have learned.”

Ula settled down on the ground and one by one so did the others to listen to what Ronan had to say. “Last night Diato spoke that Thestian was an ill prepared wizard, easy to control. Why would Robusk name a wizard like that to be the next King?”

“I’ve met Thestian. He did not seem ill prepared to me. Young perhaps but…” Fiona began but Ronan continued, silencing her defense of the young wizard.

“Plus, Thestian does not send men to search for Robusk. He cannot be King if Robusk is missing. The sword must be presented to him by the current King.” Ronan began to pace as he spoke. “Thestian sent one warrior as an escort to Merisgale, a capable warrior but only one and to guard something as valuable as the King’s Sword?”

He looked at them to find them staring at him blankly. “I am not very smart. I’ve lived a very simple life. But this just smells a bit sour to me.” Ronan took a breath. “I believe the wizard Thestian is a fake.” They gasped, their eyes widened, but they did not speak.

“Monty said that Robusk had been missing for a couple of weeks. That was about the time that Fiona joined us. So until then, Thestian was believed to be a powerful and wise wizard who had excelled in his class.” Ronan faced them fully. “Now he is considered a village idiot who does not do things that even the dumbest of men would know to do.”

“You think someone took control of him?” Fiona’s gaze was rounded.

“No. I think he makes whomever he is using to believe whatever he wishes. He now has Diato believing he is in control of things. He’s given him free will to do as he pleases based on his emotions rather than commanding that he remember his responsibilities as Captain of the Guards.” Ronan shook his head when Fiona frowned. “Though last night I did believe Diato was part of the dark forces, I have changed my mind.”

“How can you be certain?” Ula asked.

“I can’t. But it would seem to me if he were, he would have anticipated our every move,” Ronan told them.

“Mikel the Hort said when he stole the dagger those were Diato’s words,” Keegan pointed out.

“But he didn’t say for certain that it was Diato. And if the captain of the guards was speaking privately with someone of obtaining the King’s Sword, wouldn’t he have done so in a locked chamber of the castle where no one could be eavesdropping?” Ronan searched their faces and then rested on Ula when she slowly nodded.

“You think someone set it up so Mikel the Hort would tell you what he’d heard, to set you off course.” She nodded again. “Perhaps it was Thestian himself.”

“That is exactly what I think, that he used Mikel the Hort to make us believe exactly what he wanted us to believe. The same he does with Diato and what he did with Robusk.”

“But Robusk is missing now,” Fiona argued, clearly looking for any way to make Ronan’s conclusion wrong.

“That’s right and once he was, Thestian became the confused and fumbling wizard, which worked nicely with Diato.” Ronan rested a hand on the sword. “There is also the fact that we’ve not encountered any dark forces since we began this journey.”

“Because Sleagan was having us bring it to him. He had a plan.” Ula rose to her feet, eyes widening. “Because he’s had a spy with us all along letting him know what was happing every step of the way. No one would question him because wizards are known to have prophetic dreams.”

“And if Thestian were not Sleagan why would he tell Diato of mine and Fiona’s joining when he knew that the man would become mad with jealousy? Even Fiona knew that he would.”

“Oh no.” Fiona’s expression fell as the realization of Ronan’s reasoning hit her.

“Diato thinks he will kill me, capture Keegan, and take the sword back to Thestian like a good little captain should.” Ronan crossed his arms.

“And by doing so, the sword is placed right in Sleagan’s hands,” Fiona finished, and then shook her head. “But what do they want with Keegan?” Ronan looked at the horseman. Keegan bowed his head.

“Most of what I told you was truth,” Keegan said lowly. “Orin Yore’s request for my freedom was denied. But I escaped prison two years later and used the name he’d given me.”

“Keegan Yore,” Ula whispered and he nodded. “What name did you have before?”

Doane Vaughn . “It doesn’t matter.” Ronan’s answer caused Keegan to look up at him.

“It does matter,” Arien argued, eyes suddenly flashing. “It matters because it could be he that is working against us.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ronan repeated, looking at Ula, “We all have secrets that name us a suspect. I’m not about to have them all aired and for no other reason but to rip apart those of us who are honest about our intentions.” Ula gave him a little nod of agreement.

“What will you do about Diato?” Fiona crossed her arms.

“I will attempt to talk sense to him and if he doesn’t listen I will have our dragon step on him and then serve him to his family for supper.” Ronan slanted a gaze at Monty when the dragon grinned, his pointed teeth glistening in the morning sun.

“It’s a doable plan,” Monty agreed.

“You should let me deal with Diato. He is a bit tougher than he may seem. I’ve bested him before,” Fiona said, causing Ronan’s head to snap around.

“I’m afraid not.” He crossed his arms. “You will keep out of the way. You don’t fight a fire by pouring more fuel into it.”

“I will not fail this mission.”

“And I will not fail at what I’ve set out to do.” Ronan’s tone was matter of fact. He ignored her frown, turning to Keegan. “You and the others go after the other guards if Diato will not listen to me. If they are as stupid as the one he spoke with last night, you will have no trouble. Between you, Bryan, Fiona’s snake arms, and Ula’s blue magic it would take you only minutes to leave Diato to face me alone.” Keegan nodded glancing at Arien when the boy made a sound of disbelief.

“And what am I and Bryan to do this whole time? Stand on our heads?” Arien kicked at the ground. “I can fight.”

“Yes, but you and Ahearn have an understanding…I did not forget that. If something goes wrong, someone will have to take the sword on to Merisgale. And fast.” Ronan pointed to the boy. “That someone will be you.” Arien’s frown only half lessened but Ronan did not want to chance the boy getting hurt.

“Monty will be our eyes. He can see them coming before any of us,” Ronan continued when Arien offered no more arguments.

“It’s a good plan.” Keegan nodded. “You do well with no sleep.”

“I do better with it. You all take today and prepare yourselves however you must. Rat foot or whatever.” Ronan saw the grin curl on Ula’s mouth before she and the others scattered.