Terry Brooks - The Sword of Shannara

Menion ate slowly, savoring the excellent food, feeling the strength return to his body. It occurred to him only after he had finished almost half the meal that he had not eaten for over twenty–four hours — or perhaps it had been longer. He glanced again through the window to the rain beyond, unable to tell if it was even the same day. It might be the following day…

In a flash he recalled his original purpose in coming to Kern — to warn them of the impending invasion by the Northland army. He might already be too late! He was still frozen with the thought, a fork raised halfway to his mouth, when the door opened a second time. It was the young woman he had rescued, refreshed and dry now, dressed in a flowing gown of warm, mixed colors, her long red tresses combed and shining even in the gray light of the rain–clouded day. She was easily the most stunning woman the Prince of Leah had ever encountered. Remembering suddenly the half–raised fork, he lowered it to the tray and smiled in greeting. She closed the door behind her and moved gracefully to his bedside. She was incredibly beautiful, he thought again. Why had she been kidnapped? What would Balinor know about her — what answers could he supply? She stood next to the bedside, looking down at him, studying him with those clear, deep eyes for a moment.

«You look very well, Prince of Leah;” she smiled. «The rest and the food have made you whole again.»

«How did you know who …?»

«Your sword bears the markings of the King of Leah; that much I know. Who else but his son would carry such a weapon? But I don’t know you by name.»

«Menion,” the highlander responded, somewhat surprised at the girl’s knowledge of his little homeland, a kingdom unfamiliar to most outlanders.

The young woman stretched forth a slim bronzed hand to grasp his own in warm greeting and nodded happily.

«I am Shirl Ravenlock, and this is my home, Menion — the island city of Kern. If not for your courage, I should never have seen it again. For that I shall remain eternally grateful and your friend always. Now finish your meal while we talk.»

She seated herself on the bed next to him and motioned for Menion to continue eating. Again he began to raise his fork; then remembering the invasion, he dropped it to the tray with a noisy clatter.

«You’ve got to get word to Tyrsis, to Balinor — the invasion from the Northland has begun! There is an army camped just above Kern waiting to…»

«I know, it’s all right,” Shirl responded quickly, raising her hand to stop him from continuing. «Even in your sleep, you spoke of the danger — you warned us before you passed out entirely. Word has been sent to Tyrsis. Palance Buckhannah rules in his brother’s absence; the King is still very ill. The city of Kern is mobilizing its defenses, but for the moment there is no real danger. The rains have flooded the Mermidon and made any crossing by a large force impossible. We will be safe until help arrives.»

«Balinor should have been in Tyrsis several days ago,” Menion announced with alarm. «What about the Border Legion? Is it fully mobilized?»

The girl looked at him blankly, indicating that she had no idea what the situation was with regard to either the Legion or Balinor. Abruptly, Menion shoved the tray aside and climbed out of bed, an astonished Shirl rising with him, still trying to calm the excited highlander.

«Shirl, you may think that you’re safe on this island, but I can guarantee that time is running out for all of us!» Menion exclaimed, reaching for his clothes. «I’ve seen the size of that army, and no amount of flooding is going to slow it down for long — and you can forget about any help short of a miracle.»

He paused at the second button of his nightshirt, suddenly remembering the young woman with him. He pointed meaningfully to the door, but she shook her head negatively and turned away so she couldn’t see him changing.

«What about your kidnapping?» Menion asked, dressing himself quickly as he studied her slim back across the room. «Do you have any idea why you would be so important to the Northlanders — other than the fact that you’re a beautiful woman?»

He smiled roguishly, a little of the brashness that Flick distrusted returning. Although he could not see her face, the highlander was certain she was blushing furiously. She was silent a moment before speaking.

«I don’t remember exactly what happened,” the answer came at last. «I was asleep. I was awakened by a noise in the room, then someone grabbed me and I blacked out — I think I was struck or… No, I remember now — it was a cloth soaked in some foul liquid that prevented me from breathing. I blacked out and the next thing I remember was lying on the sand near the river — I gather it was the Mermidon. You know how I was tied in that blanket. I couldn’t see anything and could hear only a little — but nothing that I could understand. Did you see anything?»

Menion shook his head and shrugged. «No, nothing much,” he added, remembering that the girl was not looking at him. «One man brought you across in a boat, then turned you over to four Trolls. I couldn’t see the man distinctly, but I might recognize him if I saw him again. How about answering my first question — why would anyone kidnap you? Turn around. I’m dressed now.»

The young woman turned obediently and came over next to him, watching curiously as he pulled on the high hunting boots.

«I’m of royal blood, Menion,” she responded quietly. Menion stopped quickly and looked up at her. He had suspected she was no ordinary citizen of Kern when she had recognized the crest of Leah on his sword. Now perhaps he would discover the reason behind her abduction from the city.

«My ancestors were kings of Kern — and for a while of all Callahorn, before the Buckhannahs came to power about one hundred years ago. I am a… well, I guess you could say I’m a princess — in absentia.» She laughed at the foolishness of the idea, and Menion smiled back. «My father is an elder of the council that governs the internal affairs of Kern. The King is the ruler of Callahorn, but this is an enlightened monarchy, as the saying goes, and the King seldom interferes with the governmental workings of this city. His son Palance has been attracted to me for some time, and it is no secret that he plans to marry me. I… I believe that, to get to him, an enemy might try to harm me.»

Menion nodded soberly, a sudden premonition springing into his alert mind. Palance was not in line for the throne of Callahorn unless something happened to Balinor. Why would anyone waste time trying to put pressure on the younger son unless they were certain that Balinor would not be around? Again he recalled Shirl’s lack of knowledge of the arrival of the Prince of Callahorn, an event that should have taken place days ago and one that all the citizens of the land should have known about.

«Shirl, how long have I been asleep?» he asked apprehensively.

«Nearly an entire day,” she answered. «You were exhausted when they pulled us from the Mermidon yesterday morning, and I thought you should sleep. You gave us your warning…»

«Twenty–four hours lost!» Menion exclaimed angrily. «If not for the rain, the city would have already fallen! We’ve got to act now, but what… Shirl, your father and the council! I must speak with them!» He grasped her arms with urgency when she hesitated. «Don’t ask questions now, just do what I say. Where are the council chambers? Quick, take me to them!»

Without waiting for the girl to lead him, Menion took her aim and propelled her through the door to a long hallway beyond. Together they hurried through the empty home and out the front doorway onto a wide, tree–shaded lawn, running to escape the persistent drizzle of the morning rain. The walkways of the buildings beyond were partially sheltered from the rain, and they were spared a second soaking. As they proceeded toward the council hall, Shirl asked him how he happened to be in this part of the country, but Menion responded evasively, still unwilling to tell anyone about Allanon and the Sword of Shannara. He felt he could trust this girl, but Allanon’s warning that none of those who journeyed to Paranor should reveal the story behind the missing Sword prevented him from confiding even in her. Instead, he explained that he had come to aid Balinor at his request upon hearing of an impending Northland invasion. She accepted his story without question, and he felt a little guilty for lying to her. Yet Allanon had never told him the complete truth, so perhaps he knew less than he imagined anyway.