Alynon's Tear Read online

  “Well, that’s ominous. What do you think he was warning about?” Whilhoit wondered aloud.

  “I’m thinking I don’t want to know,” I answered as I rubbed my face. As much as I loved staying at the palace, I think it was definitely time to leave. People were getting stir-crazy being in these apartments all the time. “I tell you what, let’s go find Arthur together.”

  As we entered the main room I noticed both Bri and Barad were missing. Surprisingly, it seemed Ryan was gone too. We made our way over to Arthur, who was talking to Lenux. “Arthur, we will need another horse for Whilhoit,” I told him as I sat in the chair across from him.

  “Of course, Sire. I have already ordered it,” He said with a knowing smile.

  Whilhoit shrugged. “Of course he did. I guess I’ll go inform my men,” He looked at Arthur. “Unless you’ve already done that too?”

  Arthur continued his smile. “No Captain, I left that for you.” Whilhoit walked away shaking his head.

  “It’s scary how he does that,” Lenux added as he shook his head.

  “Arthur, Alynon once told me that no one could read the future, I am starting to doubt that. Are there any more of my decisions you need to tell me about?” I asked.

  “Need to, Sire?” Arthur said as he raised his head in thought. “No, nothing that you need to be told.”

  I sighed. “I give up. “

  “Very good, sire,” he laughed.

  “So, how are we doing? Is everyone ready to leave?”

  “As much as we can, I think. I can manage whatever happens to our group going to Coneer. It’s your group that I worry about. We have no idea what is ahead for you.”

  “I know,” I said grinning. “Isn’t it exciting.”

  “Ahh, you men born with the need for adventure. You will be the death of the rest of us. By the way, how was breakfast with King Kendrick?”

  “It went well,” I replied. “Kendrick is still preparing for war. Hopefully, we will have time to do everything we need to before he is ready.”

  “We shall do our part, Your Majesty. You can count on us.”

  “Thank you, Arthur. You have my complete confidence.”

  “And he’s got mine too!” Max stated as he walked up behind me. “He’s gone and fixed all sorts of hole’s in the guilds budget. Er, I mean your army’s.” Max and the Fox Guild had joined our team as Alsselya’s army. In total there was only a few hundred members, but we hoped to grow before the war with Dommeran started. “I can’t say we are flush with monies, but we are doing a lot better than before.”

  “So, how is the army doing?” I asked Max.

  “Well, we are still taking short term jobs under the Fox Guild name. We have to pay for these men somehow, after all. In the meanwhile, we’ll train them boys with your new techniques. I tell ya, I’ve never seen the like of it. I even heard Brianna whooped a bunch of men down at the sword smith’s shop this morning without even using a weapon. Oh to have seen that!”

  “Bri did wha…” I started to ask. Then took a deep breath and sighed. “You know what, don’t tell me. That way I can deny all knowledge.”

  “That’s the sign of a wise King,” Lenux observed.

  “Oh, don’t worry. From what I hear them fella’s will heal, eventually,” Max defended.

  It is definitely time to be back on the road, I thought to myself.

  It was then that Ryan walked in, proudly wearing a new sword on his hip. He froze when he spotted me. “Ryan, that is a fine looking sword you’re wearing. Do I want to know how you got it?”

  Ryan at least looked ashamed, unlike Barad. “No, Sire. Probably not.”

  “Understood, carry on.” With that he went back into the offices.

  “I fear Barad and Brianna are having a corrupting influence on that boy,” I said as I stared at the doorway he just walked through.

  “Well I sure hope so,” Max declared. “He needs a little fun.”

  “Yes, maybe you’re right,” I said with a smile. I was secretly envious of Brianna and Barad getting to let off a little steam, but it was my fight with Captain Hannen that caused an uproar from which the kingdom was still recovering.

  “I think,” Arthur stated as he waved over a servant, “that this being our final night before separating calls for some wine.” He ordered the servant to get a few cases of wine and to go ahead and bring out what we have in stock.

  “Now that’s what I call a Chamberlain,” Max said with a smile. “I’ll have someone go fetch our Fox Guild people out of the barracks. Then we’ll have a real party.”

  Soon glasses of wine were being passed around as the suite filled with people. Mistress Jacobs and Master Felps joined us from their rooms. They were instructors at the Fox Guild and had assisted us when we had planned to attack Lord Hannen. That had not worked out as we hoped, but they were still key in defending the Vaelinian Lords who were under attack.

  I noticed Barad and Brianna had joined the party, but I had already enjoyed a few glasses of wine and no longer cared who they beat up. I was just happy to see my friends. I noticed Barad sneak into the office and pull Ryan out, handing him a bottle of wine. Ah well. Can’t stay naïve forever, I guess. Especially when Barad was around.

  Master Felps distracted me by placing his arm around my shoulder. He too walked around with a bottle in his hand. “Lee, tell me about your magic.”

  “Ok, what would you like to know?”

  “Everything! You were awful as a student.” Ok, I thought, Painful but true.

  “I mean, I don’t think I’ve had a student that struggled as badly as you,” He continued.

  “Ok, ok. I understand,” I stated defensively. “So, let me explain. My magic is neither elf nor human, it now comes from a well within me. I can sustain the magic so long as I have energy in that well. Once it’s depleted though, I will collapse for days.”

  “Amazing! So, I saw you levitate at the ball, and you put up that impressive shield. What else can it do?”

  “That, I cannot answer. It’s something I have not explored to its fullest. I can make objects float and guide them. I’ve snuffed out fires. Knocked down a few arrows, but I am not sure what its limitations are, besides running out of magical energy.”

  “Just amazing. I should like to study you,” He stated, only slurring his speech a little.

  I smiled at my old, drunken professor. “Of course, Master Felps. Maybe when this is all over.” He nodded sadly at the delay and staggered off into the crowd.

  Lenux came forward, taking my glass of wine and replacing it with a full bottle. “The King doesn’t have time to be refilling his glass every few minutes,” he said as he struggled to stay upright. It seemed everyone had a head start on me.

  “You realize that we’ll be leaving first thing in the morning?” I reminded.

  “Pfft, morning me may be angry with tonight me, but tonight me is having too much fun,” He said laughing at his own joke.

  Taking a drink from the bottle Lenux supplied, I had to admit it tasted very good. I walked around, greeting some old friends from the guild. It was a very good night.

  As I moved, I was noticing a little sway to my step. I laughed, thinking that I did enjoy a good wine, maybe too much. As people started to disappear, I made my way to my own bed, collapsing into the covers, still holding my empty bottle.

  Chapter 4

  (Lee)

  I woke to an insistent shaking on my shoulder. “Sire,” I heard in Arthur’s voice. “It’s almost sunrise. Time that you were to leave.”

  Groaning, I pulled myself from bed. “Arthur, do I have the authority to have you hung?”

  “Yes sire,” he responded cheerfully.

  “Excellent. Have that added to the calendar.”

  “Of course, sire,” he replied.

  Groaning, I got up and dressed in the travel outfit Crowler had made for me months ago when I was just a guard. It was still the most comfortable outfit I owned. As I stepped out of my room, Arthur handed
me a coffee. “Bless you, Arthur. You can cancel your hanging.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Is everyone up?” I asked.

  “The servants are getting the priests now. Captain Whilhoit is talking to his men. Young Albright has not arrived yet.”

  I smiled thinking of him walking around with that wine bottle last night. “Did he not stay here?”

  “No, I had a servant see him home.” I nodded, glad Arthur was looking out for the boy.

  “Well, I suspect if he isn’t here in the next few minutes, then that’s where we shall find him.”

  “I would think so,” Arthur responded.

  I walked over to Barad’s room, which he and Brianna now shared.

  “Barad! Bri! Get moving! It’s time to hit the road.”

  “I’ll hit you if you don’t leave me alone!” Barad yelled back. I smiled and made my way to the breakfast table. Ambassador Farloc and Lenux were already having breakfast. Lenux sat with his head in his hands, an untouched coffee in front of him.

  “Lenux? Are you ok?” I asked. He answered with a slight snore.

  I Turned to Farloc. “Good morning Ambassador. Ready to travel home?”

  That got a rare smile from Farloc. “Oh yes!” He stated enthusiastically. Then suddenly looked worried. “No offense intended, Your Majesty.” I waved away his worry.

  “None taken. I would be anxious to get home as well, if I were you. Still, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”

  “Oh I have as well. I never thought I would find friends living amongst humans.”

  “Did you partake in the party last night?”

  Farloc frowned. “My people do not believe in drinking to excess. It seems like such a waste of time.”

  “I agree, but it can still be fun.”

  At that moment Bri and Barad came lurching out of their room. With eyes barely open, they sat at the table as the servants brought some coffee.

  “Yes,” Farloc frowned, looking at them. “I can see how much fun it is.”

  I looked at the three of them and realized I probably didn’t look much different. “Ok, you win this one.” Farloc smiled in victory as he continued to eat his breakfast.

  “Where is everyone?” Bri asked as she started to become aware of her surroundings.

  “I understand the priests are on their way, Whilhoit is seeing his men off, and Ryan is probably still sleeping off the wine.”

  “Did we send someone for him?” Barad asked.

  “No, we will just collect him on our way,” I replied.

  After a few minutes, Father Yagen, Father Pild, and Captain Whilhoit entered the suite. Whilhoit looked fresh, but the priests looked like they had a little too much wine last night as well.

  “Father Yagen. Did you and Father Pild come to the party last night?”

  Father Yagen groaned as he thought of how to reply. “No, Your Majesty. Some of our friends from the local church wanted to see us off.”

  “Well, at least Whilhoit and Farloc aren’t hung over. They can corral us together and make sure no one wonders off until we are all awake. Well, if everyone is ready, I see no reason to delay. Let’s go.”

  We left the suite and traveled through the now empty corridors of the palace. Apparently, the palace administrators were not morning people. We made it out to the circle drive outside the palace to find it filled with people.

  Kendrick approached me with a big smile. “Good morning, King Eberon. You might have said no parade, but I can still give you a send-off.”

  Looking around, I saw that the Alsselyian Royal Guard lining either side of the stairs that led down to the drive. The drive itself was encircled by our army, which was previously the Fox Guild. Walking down the stairs gave me the opportunity to greet the guards that we have been practicing swords with in the exercise yard. It was good to get one last chance to say goodbye to everyone.

  As we completed the stairs and stepped down into the drive, Max had all the soldiers salute. Feeling self-conscious, and a little teary-eyed, I saluted back.

  Kendrick had followed us down the stairs. “I will miss you, my friend. Rarely have two rulers had an opportunity to spend time together as we have. I feel a particular closeness to you.”

  “And I you, Your Majesty,” I said, giving him a hug. It was likely inappropriate, but I didn’t care. My times in Vennean, while fraught with peril, were still some of the best months of my life.

  Arthur led me to the horse he had selected for me. It was a fine looking pinto mare. Throwing my bag behind the saddle, I mounted up. Looking behind me, I could see the others doing the same. I noticed in the back Stiven was already in his wagon waiting on us. I gave him a wave.

  I once again looked over my Royal Guard and Alsselyian army with pride. They were all fine men and women. Some of the military already had their new uniforms from Crowler. I could only imagine it would take some time to dress everyone.

  Making sure everyone was saddled and ready, I gave my mare a nudge to get moving. As I rode along the row of soldiers, I tried to wave in acknowledgement of each as we past.

  Once we were outside the palace gates, Barad rode up next to me. “Wow, that was some send off. So, what now?”

  “Now, we go wake our sleeping administrator and start heading north.”

  The Albright house was not too far from the palace. We made our way through the streets, weaving our way past the sleepy shopkeepers on the way to their stores. The sun was just starting to peak over the houses when we arrived at Ryan’s house. Barad and I dismounted and walked up to the house, knocked on the door. A young maid answered. She stared sleepy-eyed for a moment until she recognized me. Panicking, she dropped into a quick curtsy. “Your Majesty, how may I be of service?”

  “You can get up,” I replied. If I started getting that every time a door opened, it would get real annoying. “It seems Ryan has overslept this morning. We’ve come looking for him.”

  “I am very sorry, Sire. One moment.”

  The young maid stepped away and was quickly replaced by Lady Albright. She was beautiful woman. Just now starting to show a few wisps of white in her blond hair. Even though we were visiting very early, she already appeared ready for the day, still wearing a black dress for mourning. “Your Majesty! Thank you coming to visit. I am so sorry about Ryan. I will send someone to wake him.”

  This time Barad stepped in with his big smile. I knew it always meant trouble. “Lady Albright, I would consider it a great favor if you would allow the King and me to wake him.” At first Lady Albright looked surprised, then she took on a smile to match Barad’s.

  “Of course, sir. Please come in.”

  Once inside Lady Albright turned to us. “From what Ryan has told us, you must be Barad,” She stated, examining Barad.

  “Yes, my Lady,” Barad replied with a bow. “I’m sure it was my stunning good looks and winning smile that gave me away.”

  “Actually, it was your trickster personality,” She said with a smile. Follow me up the stairs and I’ll show you to his room.”

  I liked the feel of the Albright house. It wasn’t as extravagant as some Lord’s décor. Usually, those were the Lords with no real power. Instead, it projected an elegance that matched Lady Albright herself. My respect for the Albrights rose all the more.

  She led us up the stairs and down a hallway, finally stopping outside of a room. She turned to face us with a mischievous smile and nodded to the door. Barad stepped forward and opened the door.

  Looking into the room, it appeared much as I expected for Ryan. The room had books everywhere. They were piled on a desk and on the floor, as well as filling a bookshelf on his wall. Barad took a couple of steps into the room, then roaring, he charged at Ryan and leapt onto his bed tackling his sleeping form. With a scream Ryan tried to wrestle his way out of his attacker’s grasp. Laughing, Barad let him go. “Easy there, soldier. Time to wake up!”

  Ryan looked around realizing we were all standing in his bedroom. Your
Majesty! What happened? Did I oversleep?”

  “I’d say so, but watching Barad’s wake up call was entertaining enough to let it slide,” I replied. “How about Barad and I go out and wait with the rest of the party while you get dressed.”

  “Everyone is here!” Ryan said, panicking as he leapt from bed and started rushing around his room. We left him to get ready and followed Lady Albright back downstairs.

  “I would like to thank you, Your Majesty,” she spoke over her shoulder as we walked. “This time has been hard on us all, but especially so for Ryan. His brothers were hardened at a young age for the responsibility they would have to shoulder. I admit I did pamper Ryan a bit. As a third child it was unlikely he would need a tough temperament. I think his father’s death hit him especially hard because of that. It is you and Alsselya that have given him the strength he needed during this time.”

  “You are too kind, my lady. We have benefited greatly by Ryan joining us. You have raised a good man.”

  She looked back smiling, “I think so too.”

  We left the house and joined everyone who was waiting. Barad went to Lord Stiven’s wagon where Ryan’s horse was tied and brought it forward. A few moments later Ryan came out of the house carrying a book and his bag in one hand, and his sword in the other. There was a sarcastic applause as we all greeted him.

  “Jacket?” Barad asked as Ryan approached him.

  “Oh right!” Ryan replied realizing he left it behind. Dumping all his things into Barad’s hands he rushed back into the house, returning a moment later with a heavy jacket.

  Barad helped him tie his bag to the horse and get his sword belted on, then they both mounted.

  “All right folks. If no one has forgotten anything,” I stated looking straight at Ryan, who was now blushing, “then let’s be on our way.” Giving a tug to my reins and a tap with my boot to the mare, we started down the street.

  Chapter 5

  (Barad)

  We were only an hour outside of the city gates and I was already bored of traveling. I knew better than to try to talk to Bri this early in the morning, and the others looked just as tired after last night’s party. The overcast skies of winter always made me feel depressed. Looking for something to do, I rode over to Ryan.