The Scarlet King Read online



  The Scarlet King

  Sacred Water

  Book 3

  Charles Kaluza

  Copyright 2014 Charles Kaluza

  Prologue

  The Scarlet King is the final book in the Sacred Water trilogy. In the first book the world of Daniel and Heather is introduced as well as the importance of the Sacred Water, which contains iodine which prevents the development of deformed babies. These iodine deficient babies are referred to medically as cretins, but in the world of Daniel and Heather they were called half brains. Their status was as sub-humans and slaves. One of these half brains is Betty, who is blessed with a way of knowing things and becomes instrumental in protecting the Sacred Water.

  Others had learned of the power of the Sacred Water and tried to capture the source, which was located in the Forest—which is as much a living thing as it is a place in the mountains. It is the efforts of Daniel and Heather with those of the Forest who defeat those who would have captured the spring of their Sacred Water. Not only those of the Forest but also those of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were dependent upon this single source of iodine.

  As was seen in the second book, "The Time Before," another ancient people—Those of the Red, whose existence had been forgotten through time—also sought the health of the Sacred Water but who chose force as their method. Now, in the third book, we find that the ancient enemy of Those of the Red also seeks the power of the iodine. They are of the East and much feared for good reasons.

  This series developed from my own interest in diseases of the thyroid, which was a major portion of my medical practice. The early descriptions of the Africans brought to this country as slaves contain drawings of their coarse facial features and descriptions of their slow mental status. It turns out that the majority of those captured into slavery were from the iodine deficient areas of Africa. Many of our prejudices, like those explored in this trilogy, were based on medical issues which could have been easily solved had the knowledge been available. This book is written for young readers of all ages who are interested in science and medicine.

 

  The Scarlet King

  Chapter 1

  Heather was awakened by a pressure sensation that began in her lower abdomen and radiated towards her back. Her pregnant belly ball became progressively harder as the contraction built. She awoke not Daniel. The pressure would begin almost imperceptibly and then build to a point of pain before subsiding. She timed the regularity and was sure that her labor had begun. The misery and melancholy of the ice field were forgotten as she experienced the sensations of her womanhood. She gently rubbed her very pregnant abdomen and talked softly to the baby within her. A fleeting memory of her injury, incurred when her horse fell after giving its life to protect her, entered her consciousness, but she remembered Daniel saying that there was no evidence of harm to their baby.

  Her contractions were becoming stronger and more frequent. She was about to awaken Daniel when Betty pulled back the curtain and said, "It is time."

  Daniel began to stir and Heather helped him awaken by poking him with her elbow. "You should summon the midwife,” she said, “for our baby wishes to be born."

  Daniel did not respond and Heather poked him harder, which produced some groaning from Daniel. Heather's patience was wearing thin and she said, with an edge to her voice, "Why is it when one from our village knocks on our door for your help,you are instantly awake, but for me you sleep?"

  Now Daniel was awake but insisted on feeling the contractions himself. Heather just bit her lip and spoke not despite her irritation with the delay. Daniel may be husband and father to be, but as always he was a healer. His exam seemed to take forever. "I said it was time to summon the midwife, do you hear me not?"

  Daniel looked at his bride with a surprised look on his face but did as he was told. He dressed quickly and went across the village to seek the midwife. The lamp was already lit in her cottage and she appeared ready when Daniel arrived. He said, "The contractions of labor have begun."

  The midwife was much older than Daniel and they worked together often. She simply nodded her head before saying, "It will be some time yet but let us go prepare."

  Heather had begun to perspire and was definitely working harder with each contraction. The midwife carefully felt her abdomen and but nodded her head. She reached around and began gently massaging Heather's lower back while chanting, "It is not yet time, be patient and breathe."

  The massage and the quiet chanting relaxed Heather and the pressure seemed less. Daniel was frittering about the room, anxious about everything. Betty finally spoke up.

  "You go outside. You make Princess nervous." Betty spoke with authority despite her small stature, for she had looked after Heather since before they left the palace of the Northern Kingdom. The Spirits of the Forest gave her a way of knowing that Daniel understood not.

  Daniel looked at Heather, who nodded her head and murmured, "I'll be okay."

  Daniel left the bedroom and closed the curtain. He began pacing around the small house, but then Betty poked her head out from behind the curtain and stared at him. He stopped pacing, but Betty just pointed to the door. He did as he was told and went outside into the cool autumn morning. The sky was just beginning to develop a light pink color to the east. It was easier to breathe outside and he continued to stretch his legs and worry. He visualized all that could go wrong and was talking to himself. He heard not Jeremy arrive and jumped when Jeremy said, "Who are you talking to?"

  "I was just arguing with myself about all the things that could go wrong and how I should respond," said Daniel. "What are you doing up so early?"

  "Edna woke me up and said you needed some company." He asked Daniel, “How did she know?"

  Daniel said, "I suppose she heard Betty, who knew Heather was in labor before I did."

  Their conversation was interrupted by an involuntary groan from Heather. The sound bothered Jeremy greatly and he asked if everything was all right. Daniel chewed his lip before saying, "I think it is a normal sound for labor, but I worry greatly. She is not yet ready and there will be much work yet."

  Jeremy was quiet for a while before saying, "It is probably a good thing we men don't have to go through this. I'm not sure we would handle it very well."

  Daniel responded not but continued his pacing and worrying. The intermittent groaning began to change and Daniel said, "She is in transition, I think. It will not be long now."

  Jeremy wanted to ask what would happen next but was afraid to hear the answer. He tried to divert Daniel's attention by talking about the upcoming journey he and Edna were going on. Jason had invited them to join him on his diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of the Red and they had agreed to go. Daniel listened but said little other than asking when they would leave.

  "We leave on the new moon which is in five days. This will give us a few extra days in the Southern Kingdom to sample their taverns. Edna is worried about traveling aboard ship but she will do fine as long as we don't have any major storms."

  Daniel really did not hear what his friend was saying; he was listening to the panting and groaning coming from his small house. His bride was definitely in the transition phase. He wrestled with the mental image of the baby descending through the birth canal. He was pretty sure the baby was pointed the right way, but what if it was breech? What if Heather began to hemorrhage? Maybe the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. The thoughts just kept coming.

  Daniel moved closer to the door of their house, listening intently to the sounds from within. Jeremy stayed at his side and continued with his banter, but Daniel heard him not. The birth was getting close and the panting and groaning more intense, with
much less time between contractions. Now Daniel could hear the midwife telling Heather to push and he felt himself straining, trying to help her. This phase seemed to go on and on. Daniel realized he was having trouble breathing and had to force himself to relax and breathe normally.

  The tension had built to the point that Daniel was ready to go back into the house, when silence suddenly ensued. This was quickly replaced with a small feeble cry of a newborn baby, which grew quickly into the full-throated cry of a healthy newborn. Daniel's expression changed dramatically from intense worry to unbridled joy. He opened the door and rushed into the bedroom. The midwife had just finished cleaning the baby and was handing it to Heather. Daniel just stood there looking.

  Heather held the infant to her bosom but it was not yet done crying. She looked up at Daniel and said, "Come see our new son."

  Daniel moved closer but seemed almost afraid to touch the small pink baby that his bride held. Heather asked, "Would you hold your son?"

  Daniel reached out and somewhat stiffly took the small infant in his hands. It was so small. It mattered not that he had cared for many newborns. This was different; it was his son. He held the baby closer and began rocking on his feet trying to soothe it. The midwife was massaging Heather's belly trying to stimulate contractions, which finally caused her to pass the afterbirth. Daniel noticed not, for he was holding his son. He placed his little finger in the baby's mouth and the baby began to suckle. He handed the baby back saying, "I think he is hungry." He added, “He has blue eyes just like you.”

  Heather again placed the baby against her breast and this time he latched onto the nipple and began to suckle. The midwife was giving them instructions but they really did not hear her, for their attention was so focused on the baby. The midwife turned towards Betty and said, "I will trust you to watch over these new parents. If you need me I will hear you."

  The next few days were just a blur as the demands of a new baby seemed to consume both Daniel and Heather. Betty had already pretty much assumed management of the household, but she also had to take care of her own baby. For the most part those of the village bothered Daniel not for their healing, but when he was called, out he went. Time away from the confusion of his own household seemed almost relaxing.

  The time had come for the departure of Edna and Jeremy, and of course there was a celebration at the Village of Issip’s tavern. Heather decided it was an appropriate time to show those of Issip their new baby and announce its name. Preparation for the simple walk to the tavern seemed to take forever, but they arrived only a little late for the party.

  The tavern was packed but Jeremy had saved them room at his table. The baby noticed not the noise and commotion and slept. He was the center of attention until after the eating was done and the stories began. It seemed everyone needed to peek under the blanket and have a look at the baby. Edna asked, "Have you named your son?"

  Heather nodded but let Daniel respond. He explained, "We have decided to name him after my grandfather, Geoffrey of Issip." A round of applause was given to the baby, which caused it to awaken and begin crying. This in turn brought on more laughter and noise, which startled the baby Geoffrey even more. Heather finally soothed it only by putting the baby to her breast and allowing him to nurse.

  Jeremy was asked why they were going on this journey.

  "Well, you see, it is really my wife's fault,” he said. “If she had not arranged for the capture of the envoy from the Red in his house on wheels, there would be no journey."

  He sipped his brew and continued. "Turns out this envoy is the chief military guy for those of the Red, and when he saw that their invasion was failing he decided to negotiate a peace settlement. The Southern lands have a king named Jason, who decided he would be the envoy for all of our peoples to negotiate the final peace and trade agreements with those of the Red."

  Again he stopped for a sip of his beer before continuing. "Apparently these peace agreements require a signature from an official representative from each of our lands. Edna and I will be representing the people of the Forest."

  After another sip of his beer he added, "Which means you all should be nice to me and buy me another beer."

  This was followed by a general groan and catcalls, but the beer did mysteriously appear before Jeremy. The stories were beginning in earnest and Jeremy as always was the center of attention. The evening wore on much too quickly and soon the hour was late. Heather whispered to Daniel that it was time to go. They tried to discreetly depart but Jeremy would not allow it, saying, "A toast to my friends and their new baby for all they have done for those of the Forest!"

  The loud cheering was enough to again awaken baby Geoffrey, who responded with a loud cry of his own—which again brought laughter and cheers from the crowd. As Heather tried to soothe the baby, Daniel raised his glass in a toast: "And to Jeremy and his bride Edna who have done so much for all of us, may they have a most interesting voyage and return safely to us."

  Another cheer was raised as glasses were drained. Daniel and Heather walked back to their cottage in the cool autumn night. They said little but both knew they would miss their friends greatly. Heather needed to wipe the tears from her eyes.

  The remaining night was short and baby Geoffrey made sure that Daniel and Heather were awake before dawn. They had just settled the baby back down after feeding it when Jeremy and Edna showed up for the breaking of the fast, dressed for travel. Edna seemed a bit tired and anxious but Jeremy was in high spirits and seemed not to notice the effect of so little sleep. They shared a simple meal of fresh bread and dried meats with fruit from the orchard. Daniel tried to get Jeremy to take one of his notepads to draw pictures of any unusual animals they saw, but Jeremy refused. "I will let Jason be the recorder. It is best if I just pay attention to what is going on."

  The goodbyes were emotional and all had tears in their eyes and then they were gone. Daniel and Heather stood in the doorway and looked after them long after they were out of view. Heather asked, "Would you have gone on the journey?"

  Daniel replied, "They will see much and of this I am jealous. I would choose to be here with you and our baby."

  Heather held his hand and said not, but her mind raced with the dangers that their friends faced. She feared most the response of the Scarlet King, for the envoy himself seemed to have fear of the Scarlet King. Her thoughts were interrupted by Geoffrey again demanding attention at one end or the other, usually both. She left Daniel and his thoughts to attend the baby.

  For several weeks Heather and Daniel were immersed in the joys and frustrations of living with a newborn. Baby Geoffrey made sure that their lives were full of challenges, leaving little time for worrying about other things. About the time the baby began to sleep through the night, Daniel resumed his healing and was often gone. If it were not for Betty's help, Heather was not sure she would have been capable of managing. Some of the simplest things like planning meals were very hard for her.

  Heather was both a mother and a wife despite her warrior nature. The simple life of Issip agreed with her and she missed not the intrigue of palace life nor the tension of war. It often seemed that managing her small household was as much of a challenge as orchestrating a battle, but she had no wish to change. Her love of Daniel and their baby was great. The calmness of the Forest had brought peace to her life.