Richard Tuttle - Sapphire of the Fairies

“You haven’t answered myquestions,” Larc reminded Garth.

“One, for sure,” Garth said.“Almost positive that we have two. I have had them for a couple ofmonths.”

Larc was shocked and showed it. “It’strue, then,” Larc finally got out. “Nobody really believed in theAncient Prophecy. Everyone thought it was just some talk soeveryone would have something to hope for. I see why you want totalk with Mitar and David, then. Their help will be necessary torestore the Rangers and the Red Swords. The General must be freedas well. What did you mean about your men? You have always been aloner.”

“I have formed the AlceaRangers,” Garth answered. “We are small, but we will succeed wherelarger forces would fail.”

“I will arrange for Mitar andDavid to be here this evening,” Larc capitulated. “If you needanything in the way of support, you have only to ask forit.”

“Thank you, Larc,” Garthappreciated. “You should know what I will be asking them to do soyou can spare them their other duties. The heir is not proclaiminghimself now. He needs more training before that can beaccomplished. I will be asking David and Mitar to find thelocations of their loyal members who have either left or remained.The Rangers and the Red Swords will not be reactivated now, butsomeone must lay the plans for doing exactly that.”

“They will have my fullsupport,” Larc promised.

* * * *

The tailor gathered his belongings andbowed as he left the room. Once the door was closed, Fredrikremarked, “I could learn to like this style of living. I have neverseen an inn as plush as this one.”

“Don’t get too used to it,”Tedi taunted. “We are not very far from the Targa dungeons and wecould end up in them yet.”

“I think the tailoring tookmore than enough time for the word of our arrival to spread,” Arikannounced. “Let’s go down to the dining room and have Lord Wasonshow himself off.”

Fredrik preened himself in front of themirror, making sure his new, blue silk suit was not wrinkled or indisarray. Arik in his brown and gray breeches, white frilled shirtand brown leather vest waited at the door, as the Lord’s bodyguardshould, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Tedi was attired as aservant with brown and gray breeches and shirt. Fredrik gathered uphis straight, wooden walking stick, which was delicately carvedwith seashore scenes and topped with a small gold knob and walkedout the door. Arik stepped quickly to stay on Fredrik’s heels andTedi followed a distance behind.

As they stepped into the dining room,dozens of eyes turned their way. Fredrik asked for a table in thecorner as Kalina had instructed him. Not being in full view ofeveryone would ensure that people’s curiosity about who was seeingthe newcomer would be kept high. Fredrik sat fully in the cornerwith Arik on one side and Tedi on the other. A waiter came to takethe order and Fredrik suddenly felt ill prepared. He had nevereaten in so fine an establishment and the wrong choice of foodcould show him as an impostor.

Fredrik laid the menu back on the tablewithout looking at it. “What is the best meal that is available inTagaret?” Fredrik asked the waiter.

“Without a doubt,” the waiterhappily replied, “it would be the Land and Sand offered only hereat the Palace Shadow, My Lord.”

“Very well,” Fredrik smiled,“Bring us three of the Land and Sand and I shall tell you if yourfood withstands the standards of Cidal. And bring a bottle of yourfinest wine, as well.” Fredrik immediately turned his head toobserve the room, pointedly ignoring the waiter as if he no longerexisted.

The waiter gave a short bow anddisappeared. “I hope I can stomach what you just ordered,”whispered Tedi. “We don’t even know what it is.”

“It will not matter,” Fredrikanswered. “It will be finer than anything you have ever eaten, I amsure.”

The stares continued as the waiterreturned with a bottle of wine. Right behind him were three morewaiters carrying large trays of food. They served Fredrik first andthen Arik. By the time it came to Tedi there was almost not enoughroom for the plates of food. The Land and Sand consisted of a largelobster tail, scallops, shrimp, oysters, and a large portion ofbeef. Tedi thought his meal could probably last him for three days.Still, as he started devouring it, he had to admit that it was thebest seafood he had ever eaten, and that was coming from afisherman. He had never seen a portion of beef that was so largeand yet so tender.

The boys deliberately ate slowly,expecting people to come over and introduce themselves, but no onecame. Eventually, they were finished and the waiters came to takethe plates away. As soon as the waiters disappeared, the firstcaller came. Fredrik looked past him and could see everyonejockeying for position and almost laughed. He had thought no onewas coming but they were waiting impatiently for him to finish hisdinner. Some of them must be furious by now.

The gentleman who was bold enough tocome first was quite distinguished looking. He was dressed in abrown version of Fredrik’s suit, but also sported gold braceletsand a gold necklace. He was probably three times as old as Fredrikwith well-groomed gray hair and mustache.

“Welcome to Tagaret, capitalof Targa, Lord Wason,” he greeted. “I am Duke Everich, King’sAdvisor and head of the Council of Advisors.”

Fredrik rose and extended his hand forthe formal shake he had been informed was customary in Targa. Arikand Tedi rose and bowed. The Duke shook Fredrik’s hand and seatedhimself. He kept looking at Tedi as if there was something wrongwith him. When everyone sat back down, the Duke sighed and Fredrikknew he had just committed some small mistake inprotocol.

“Duke Everich,” Fredrik began,“I am pleased and honored by my reception to Tagaret. Forgive mefor retaining my men. One, I dare not let out of my sight. Theother refuses to let me out of his.”

“Ah, that explains a lot, LordWason,” the Duke declared. “I was not sure whether it was Cidalcustoms that dictated eating with your servant. I thought perhapsyou were not made aware that there is a servant’s dining room, aswell.”

“I am afraid it is adiscipline problem, Duke Everich,” Fredrik stated, glad that he hadguessed the source of irritation to the Duke. “I fear that I camewith only one servant and one bodyguard. Now I cannot spare mybodyguard to watch the servant and I cannot afford to get rid ofthe servant. Foolish on my part.”

“You are young yet,” the Dukechuckled. “You have learned a valuable lesson. I must say thathearing of you here has piqued my curiosity. What is it that bringsyou so far from home?”

“I have come to seek audiencewith your King,” Fredrik declared. “My advisor, Captain Grecho ofthe Cidal Mercenary Company, believes it is time to seekalliances.”

“Your advisor rules amercenary company?” asked Duke Everich.

“Yes,” answered Fredrik, “theCompany is loyal to the Lord of the Manor and serves as the Army ofCidal. It is useful for them to earn currency and experience in theservice of others when there is no pressing need at home. I amsurprised that you have not heard of them.”

“Oh, I have heard of them, myLord Wason,” the Duke replied as Fredrik cringed. “I have usedtheir services before. I am just surprised that their allegiancehas been kept secret.”

“It has not been a secret,”lied Fredrik. “It is just not something that needs to be disclosedto every contract holder. If there was a conflict because of it,you can be assured that Captain Grecho would discloseit.”

“Of course,” nodded the Duke.“In any event, you are too late to speak with the King, I’m afraid.King Byron is dead.”

"My condolences,” offered Fredrik. “Ido hope it wasn’t sudden. Has his heir been crownedyet?”