The Scarlet King Read online

Chapter 12

  Jason and the others aboard their ship had watched Daniel and the others of the Forest make their way inland, leaving them behind. Captain Cook gave the orders to set sail. They headed offshore in a waiting pattern, returning each afternoon to look for a light signal on the headland. The days wore on with their routine of sharing watches, but frustration continued to grow, as their inactivity seemed endless and their worry of their friends increased.

  Jason was at the helm slowly tacking back and forth, going nowhere, just out of sight of land, when the lookout spotted two ships abeam in the far distance. Jason put his book down and stared, but was unable to see the ships until they were actually pointed out as small dots, visible only occasionally with the swells. Jason changed course and headed towards the ships, saying, "Seems like we should see who they are."

  They allowed Captain Cook to continue his rest until they were sure that they were indeed the black ships from the East. The day was growing old and Jason directed their course back out to sea. Enough light remained so that they could tell that the black ships also changed course and were giving pursuit. As night fell, Captain Cook and Jason conferred. Jason said, "From my reading it would seem that our ship should outperform theirs when headed into the wind, but suffer when sailing downwind. I would propose we test this before engaging them in battle."

  Captain Cook responded, "The game of cat and mouse, then?"

  Jason but nodded and was silent for a moment before responding. "I would not wish to risk the lives of your crew, but feel we must test the capability of the invaders. I expect our cannons will give us a significant advantage in battle."

  Captain Cook stared at the distant sails in the fading light and thought for a moment before replying, "Assuming our speeds remain stable, it will be dawn before they draw near enough to do battle. You are sailing with partially reefed sails and we have some margin of safety. I think we can play the part of the mouse safely enough." He added, "There are two of their ships with larger crews. It is a dangerous game we play."

  There was intensity on Jason's face that Captain Cook had not noted before, and he replied, "I have been studying the writings of the last war and need to prove that my calculations are correct. It is time we joined this battle and did our part."

  Captain Cook replied only, "I will inform the crew and doubt that there will be any dissent." He asked, "When would you do battle?"

  Jason thought for a bit before replying, "The weather seems stable, so I assume the wind will remain from the west. I would we gradually change course after morning light to the east, allowing the black ships to gain further on us. I would then again change direction and race abeam the wind to test their ability." He added, "We can then either flee upwind or turn and do battle with our cannons."

  Captain Cook replied not for some time as he considered Jason's plan. He finally spoke: "I will take this watch. You should get some rest, for tomorrow there will be little rest."

  Jason headed below, stopping at the galley for some food that he ate while pacing back and forth in the small galley space. He headed to his cabin and lay on his bunk with his mind racing, trying to analyze fully what he had read of the last battle. The motion of the ship and the regular creaking sounds eventually relaxed him enough for sleep. Dawn was approaching when he finally awoke. The galley was already busy serving the crew, but room was made for Jason who, despite his royalty, was well accepted by all aboard the ship for his natural ability to be of the sea.

  When Jason arrived topside, Captain Cook explained, "The black ships of the East have closed on us a bit more than I expected, but I have not yet fully raised our sails. They sail with lamps lit so they must fear us not."

  Jason asked, “How long until they close to within striking distance?"

  Captain Cook rubbed the course stubble on his chin while he thought, before replying, "If we changed not our sails or course they are probably four to six hours from catching us."

  Jason stared long at the black ships which were slowly closing upon them before replying, "I would we continue the role of the mouse for a while yet so I can document their speed, and then fully raise our sails to measure the speed difference." He added, "Then we shall become the cat."

  Captain Cook but nodded in agreement, saying only, "I would get a little sleep while you do your calculations."

  Jason had one of the seamen take the helm while he used a measuring stick held at arms length to get a relative width of the pursuing ships. He repeated this measurement several times while drawing triangles on his notepad and comparing the change to their speed, which they measured by dropping a float at the bow of the ship, and timing how long it took to reach the aft end. When he was happy with his figuring he had the sails raised slowly so as not to alarm the pursuing black ships.

  He repeated his measurements and, as he had read, found that the black ships were indeed slightly faster on this downwind run. They began a slow turn to starboard until they were abeam the wind. Jason repeated his measurements but was troubled by the slight change in angle of the pursuing ships and knew not how to correct his measurements. He had filled several pages of his log with his triangular diagrams and calculations. Racing abeam the wind, the speed difference between the pursuers and the pursued had decreased but still favored the pursuers.

  While Jason perused his mathematics and speed measurements, the crew prepared for battle as best as they could. The individual crew members aboard the black ships were now visible as the distance between the cat and mouse ever so slowly decreased. Jason seemed concerned not, and mostly concentrated on his studies. When he had finished the calculations he ordered the helmsman to head into the wind by again gradually turning to starboard. Once again Jason took his measurements and drew his multiple triangles calculating the relative speed of both their own ship and the black ships pursuing them. It was as he had read, and indeed their boat made better speed heading into the wind. There was not much difference but enough that Jason felt secure in their ability to escape.

  He then asked that Captain Cook be advised that it was time for a decision. As a crew member went to awaken Captain Cook, Jason ordered the sails lowered ever so slightly to maintain a set distance between their ship and the black ships pursuing them. When Captain Cook arrived on deck he first estimated the time by looking at the sun, and then checked their course before looking aft at the pursuing ships which seemed much closer and much more menacing. He noticed the partially reefed sails automatically and that the ship was well trimmed, but said not. He had come to learn to trust Jason's ability and knew his crew well. He said only, "Your game of cat and mouse seems to be coming to an end."

  Jason replied, "It is as I had read, and the black ships do indeed outperform ours except for upwind sailing."

  Captain Cook asked, "What is the next step in your plan?"

  Jason looked back at the black ships, which had now split apart and were sailing parallel to each other so as to be able to attack from both sides. He said, "The black ships of the East have moved into attack position, but this has robbed them of a little wind and slowed them somewhat. I would suggest we reef our sails slightly to allow them to slowly gain and prepare our cannons for battle."

  "And if our cannons are not effective, what then?"

  Jason responded, "I would that we fired not until the ships approached close enough that our cannonballs could strike a crippling blow. Then I would raise sails and flee into the wind."

  Captain Cook stared at the black ships for some time before responding, "Your plan seems reasonable, but I fear our enemy may have surprises of their own. We do not want to be boarded, for if we are, all will be lost."

  Jason studied the concern so evident on Captain Cook’s face before replying, "I would trust your judgment and would you make the decision on the firing of the cannons and raising of the sails." He added, "You are of the sea and this ship knows you. Do as you must."

  Captain Cook but nodded i
n acceptance of Jason's command and began giving orders, lowering and trimming the sails ever so slightly, which allowed their ship to slow and the black ships from the East to close. Jason could make out not only the individual sailors aboard the pursuing ships, but even some details of the men. As he studied the ships’ characteristics, he noticed that each ship carried a small machine of war which he assumed was for launching stones or other projectiles.

  Time seemed to progress ever so slowly, as the black ships gradually closed the distance to the point that Jason could hear the orders shouted from the most upwind ship. A flickering of light brought his attention to the activity amidships of the downwind vessel. He stared intently, and then realized what he was seeing was a burning torch. The crew appeared to be preparing their catapult to launch small barrels.

  The realization that the enemy was preparing to bombard them with burning oil suddenly hit Jason. He yelled at Captain Cook, "We must flee into the wind now!"

  Captain Cook responded by giving the order to fire the cannons and raise the sails. The smoke had no sooner cleared from the first firing than Jason could see those of the black ships responding by firing their catapults. It was probably only the fact that they were going upwind which saved them, for the first barrels of burning oil fell just short of their ship, setting the sea afire. As the cannons prepared to fire again, Jason studied the ships. Both cannonballs had struck their target, damaging only some of the superstructure. He advised Captain Cook, "We must either try to take out their mast or hole the ships at the water line."

  Captain Cook gave orders to those aiming the cannons, and again the sky filled with smoke with the firing of the cannons. Jason took time to measure the distance. They were indeed pulling slightly away from their pursuers, who had launched more burning oil, but only one barrel of burning oil actually hit the stern of their ship. The crew immediately began dousing the flames with buckets of water and the fire was soon enough extinguished.

  After the fourth firing of the cannons, Jason was sure that they had damaged both ships to the point that their ability to give any further pursuit was markedly impaired. The crews aboard the black ships were no longer concerned with pursuit, but rather saving themselves and the ships. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and yet the sea continued to burn from all of the oil that had been launched.

  As Jason watched, the ship which had turned to the upwind to escape their cannons began to heel to port, as water flooded into the damaged hull. In slow motion the leaning became ever steeper, and before sunset the ship disappeared beneath the waves. The second ship responded not to the sinking of their sister ship, for they were struggling, trying to save their own ship and lives.

  Captain Cook came to stand by Jason as he watched the sinking of their enemy. Jason asked, "Should we not try to rescue any survivors?"

  Captain Cook answered not for some time. He finally responded in a gentle voice, "I think not. Sailors do not swim and the oil yet burns. If you wish we can check with morning light."

  Jason asked, "Why do sailors not swim?"

  Captain Cook shrugged his shoulders, saying only, "When you go to sea you give your life to the sea, and she takes it when she wants to. Fighting this serves no purpose."

  When they had sailed far enough away that Captain Cook felt secure, he lowered the sails and pointed the ship into the wind, putting her in irons to maintain their position. Those aboard celebrated their victory in their own way, but Jason could not clear his mind of the image of the burning oil being launched at their ship. He had not foreseen this nor was it in the writings of the last war. He had risked their ship and the lives of all the crew because of his failure. His sleep was tortured by images of fire spreading across their ship and crew members leaping into the ocean and certain death just to escape the inferno aboard ship.

  When morning came Jason found he was hungry not and avoided the galley as he went to relieve Captain Cook. As quiet as Jason was, Captain Cook was unusually talkative. He had many questions about Jason's speed calculations and the boat configurations. Jason answered the questions somewhat mechanically. Finally Captain Cook asked, "What bothers you so heavily this morning?"

  Jason at first said nothing and simply shrugged his shoulders. But then he spoke up, saying, "My desire to learn of the enemy almost caused the destruction of our ship and the lives of all aboard. My dreams were most unpleasant last night."

  Captain Cook stood at the helm rubbing the rough stubble on his chin, saying nothing for some time before answering, "Did you learn what you needed to learn?"

  Jason but nodded in the affirmative and Captain Cook continued, "Your plan was a good plan but not without risk. You as a leader carry a heavy burden, but the sea requires such of those who it has chosen to lead. As ship’s Captain I understand to some extent the burden you carry, but I also know that all of our peoples depend upon your leadership."

  Captain Cook departed for some much-needed rest and Jason assumed command of the helm. The crewman on watch continued the course back towards the site of battle, and for some time said not. They had worked together much and respected each other, so when the sailor spoke up, asking, "What is your plan for our next attack?"

  Jason turned his head and looked at the young sailor who was concentrating on watching for any debris in the ocean. The young man's face revealed no evidence of malice or sarcasm, and Jason realized he was most serious about continuing the battle. He responded, "If I had the courage I would sail into the harbor of the Great City and destroy the enemy ships most certainly anchored there."

  The young man chewed on his lip for some time before responding, "You plan and we'll do it."

  Jason’s jaw was clamped tight, his lips compressed; he responded, "I think the risk is too great to ask of you."

  The sailor responded, "What is the risk if we hide out here in safety and the battle is lost?"

  They sailed on in a zigzag pattern looking for debris from the ship they knew went down. The sun was past its midday high before some floating debris was discovered. They lowered sails and searched in vain for any signs of survivors. Jason finally gave up his search, acknowledging that Captain Cook had been right. But as they raised sails the lookout called out, "There is somebody ahead and to starboard."

  Jason turned the ship into the wind and had the sails adjusted, putting her in irons so that they would maintain their position. He was about to send for Captain Cook, but the change in the ship had already awakened him and he was soon topside. They had a boat lowered with two rowers and two armed guards. The boat slowly made its way towards the individual, who was waving vigorously with one arm while holding onto a large wood plank with the other.

  When they arrived, the survivor clutched their gunnel and spoke in a tongue they understood not. At first they helped the survivor not, for they were shocked to realize it was a young women whose appearance was something they had never seen before. Her skin was as dark as charcoal and her eyes seemed whiter than possible. She was far too fatigued to pull herself aboard, and the guards finally reached down and pulled her aboard. She was tall, even taller than those of the Forest, but very thin. She continued speaking but they understood her not.

  When they returned to the ship, those aboard lowered a rope. She was raised onto the deck mostly by those pulling on the rope, for her fatigue was great. She was no sooner on deck than Captain Cook ordered the stranger’s hands and feet tied, but he did allow a blanket. Jason questioned the need for tying her up, and Captain Cook replied, "Our enemy is ferocious and I will take no chances." He then asked Jason, "Have you ever seen such a person before with black skin?"

  Jason had been staring intently at the stranger and took a moment to respond, "I have never seen nor read of such a people. The others aboard the ship appeared as we do."

  Captain Cook gave orders, and soon the sails were reset and they were making headway back to their original holding area. Jason spent his time giving the str
anger small sips of water and bites of food. Even while chewing she kept speaking, but Jason understood none of what the stranger spoke. He closed his eyes, and instead of listening to the words themselves, he listened to the rhythm of the speech. It seemed a mixture of two different patterns, one of which seemed to echo the cadence he had heard from the enemy ships, but the other had a very distinct rhythm to it. It most reminded him of the drumbeat of those of the Forest.

  Captain Cook checked his course and left the helm to the seaman on watch in order to check on Jason. Jason explained his findings and Captain Cook asked, "What think you of this woman and of the danger she may represent?"

  Jason finished scribbling down on his pad the rhythm he had detected before answering, "I think she is not one of the invaders. Her speech seems to be a mixture of two different languages and she has been much abused."

  Captain Cook asked, "A servant or slave perhaps?"

  Jason nodded in agreement and said, "She may represent a key to understanding our enemy if only we could communicate." He added, "I wonder much of the land where she originated which produced the blackness of the skin."

  Captain Cook asked, "What is our plan?"

  Jason was quiet for long moment before replying, "I would we try and connect with those of the Forest to see if the young priest who accompanies them can learn this language." He then added, "I would also plan an attack on the enemy ships in the harbor if you and Heather find my plan reasonable."

  Captain Cook looked at him with little surprise, saying only, "If it is to be, it will be."

  They found no other evidence of ship wreckage or survivors. As night settled upon the ocean, they placed their ship in a holding pattern and simply awaited the dawn. It had been a stressful few days and everyone needed the rest, so other than the watch officer no one was topside. The woman they rescued remained restrained but now was allowed to have her hands in the front. She refused to leave Jason’s side and had to be forcibly placed in a locked storage unit, for Captain Cook trusted her not.

  Jason was awakened with the coming of the dawn and prepared for the day. He met Captain Cook near the galley as the Captain was ascending topside to check on the ship before the breaking of the fast. Jason asked if their prisoner could be released and join them for the breaking of the fast. Captain Cook thought for moment before responding, "You seem to trust the stranger. I will have the door unlocked but would recommend that she remain restrained."

  Jason acknowledged his concern saying, "The one we rescued is without a doubt a stranger but she seems not to be an enemy. I would expect she served as a slave or servant to those from the East. I would gain her trust, for she has much to teach us."

  Captain Cook but nodded and searched through his keys to find the one for the locked storage unit. The stranger was curled up against the bulkhead but awoke with the sound of the door opening. In the dim light she recognized Jason and begin speaking rapidly using words with different cadence. Jason could understand her not, but led her aft to prepare for the day. By releasing her hands from behind and having them tied again in the front, they allowed the stranger much more freedom and the ability to care for herself. Jason led her back to the galley where she consumed enough food for two people. As soon as the eating was done she resumed her speech.

  Jason held up his hand in what seemed to be a universal sign of stopping. He then pointed to himself and repeated his name many times. The stranger finally responded by repeating the sound, and after several tries was able to adequately say the name. Jason then moved around the galley and named many things, which the stranger then repeated. Jason then pointed at the stranger but said nothing. The stranger first knew not how to respond, and Jason again pointed to himself and repeated his name. This time when he pointed at the stranger, she replied, "Rheon."

  Jason pointed to himself and repeated his name, and then again pointed to the stranger and said, "Rheon."

  The stranger had a huge smile on her face as she nodded her head and pointed again to herself, saying her name and pointing to Jason and pronouncing his name with a heavy accent. They continued this work, naming the other crew members and other objects aboard the ship.

  By Jason's reckoning it would be midday before they again arrived at the headlands. He continued his work until land was sighted, then everyone's attention was focused on the headland looking for the light signal. The afternoon was growing long when at last a signal was seen. Those on board responded and Captain Cook gave orders to bring the ship into the landing site in the small bay. They dropped not an anchor but lowered their sails and turned into the wind to control the ship, as a boat was lowered and the crew members prepared to row ashore.

  Darkness was all but complete when the boat returned to the ship. Captain Cook gave orders for the raising of the sails as they headed back to the open sea and the safety it represented. With the crew of the boat was one of the Forest. He was welcomed aboard, but his stories had to wait until Captain Cook was satisfied that they were far enough from land to be safe from enemy scouts sighting them.

  The evening meal was made much more interesting as news of the war was relayed by the one from the Forest. Jason was particularly interested in the details of the steam cannon, but their visitor could relay only the details of the one experimental shot he had witnessed. The injury to Heather saddened everyone, for even those of the sea knew of her power as a warrior—but more importantly they knew her as a most human leader. Jason asked, "Is she able to travel?"

  The one of the Forest explained that she was riding a horse but had significant difficulty walking. The evening wore on, but Jason was deep in thought with his planning and noticed not. Morning came and Jason's plan was complete. He met with Captain Cook and said, "I will travel to meet with the Princess and bring the stranger with me."

  Captain Cook looked long and hard at Jason before replying, "I have pledged to guard your safety. How am I to do that if you travel?"

  Jason replied, "You cannot. The other option would be to rely on the one from the Forest to relay my plan and proceed without knowing if those of the Forest will be supporting us. It would seem we would have significant risk either way."

  Captain Cook replied, "Let us go forward and hear more of your plan before we decide."

  Jason took his time explaining the nature of the harbor and the presence of machines of war on the headlands to the east side of the harbor entrance, with only a small position on the west. He then quoted from the book he had been studying from the last time those of the East had attacked. When they had succeeded in landing enough troops, they attacked and eventually overran the defenses on the headland, which gave them control of the harbor entrance. This allowed their ships to not only conquer the harbor, but also to begin attacking the city walls with their machines of war.

  It was Don the Great's decision to use his remaining ships to at first flee to the safety of the open ocean and then return as a tightly organized convoy. The enemy’s machines of war based on the headland were unable to stop the convoy from reentering the harbor. They attacked just at nightfall when the black ships from the East had already set anchor for the night.

  Captain Cook had many questions about the nature of the harbor and of the entrance itself. Jason retrieved the book describing the last war and a chart of the harbor from his cabin. The stranger accompanied him, which bothered Jason not, but seemed to make Captain Cook uncomfortable. As they studied the chart the stranger would look over Jason's shoulder, and when she recognized the harbor she became agitated and repeatedly shook her head. She kept repeating, "No, no." She had learned yes and no but could explain no more why she was upset. Jason turned and put his hand on the stranger’s shoulder but said not, for he had not words the stranger would understand.

  Only after Jason had sketched out a very crude drawing of their ship attacking the black ships from the East did the stranger calm somewhat, but her white eyes remained wide open with obvious f
ear. Captain Cook said, "Our stranger has a great fear of those from the East. I expect there is good reason for this fear and we need to respect it."

  Jason responded, "All the more reason to risk a surprise attack, for if those of the Red fall, how long before we follow and our way of life is destroyed?" He continued, "I would take the risk here, far from our homeland, than risk our peoples."

  Captain Cook but nodded his head in agreement and began taking notes, trying to determine the time of the moon and tides. He asked, "Would you attack again at nightfall or sunrise?"

  Jason replied, "The last attack was at nightfall, and I would expect those of the East to be prepared again for such an attack. A sunrise attack where we followed the easterly portion of the harbor so the sun was at our back might be advisable."

  Captain Cook responded not but continued working on his figuring. Only after several moments did he look up. He said, "If we attack on the morning of the crescent moon, we can ride the end of the incoming tide and hopefully escape on the outgoing tide." He then added, "It is but ten days to the crescent moon."

  Jason thought but a short time before replying, "I would expect a three-day sail to the harbor, but it may be best to approach from the east. If we allow two days of travel for the one of the Forest to return to their camp, that would allow only eight days for Heather to prepare and begin the attack on the headland." He thought silently for a few minutes before continuing. "I would expect those of the Forest will have difficulty meeting our schedule, but it seems the logical time." He then asked, "What think you of our chances if those of the Forest are unable to assist?"

  It was now Captain Cook's turn for quiet reflection before he responded, "I would expect the shadows of the morning light and the additional speed of the tidal push will allow us access to the harbor, but I fear the escape will be difficult."

  They continued their planning as the ship again returned to the small bay for landing the one of the Forest. Jason completed his note to Heather describing the need to destroy the lookout and weapons of war on the headland to the harbor. The one of the Forest looked at the letter Jason handed him but took it not, saying, "It may be best if nothing is written, for there is some danger of my capture. Speak what you would have me tell Heather of the Northern palace."

  Jason unsealed the letter and read it aloud to the one of the Forest, who listened intensely and then repeated verbatim the contents of the letter. When Jason and the one of the Forest were satisfied, the one of the Forest climbed into the boat with his pack refreshed with food from the ship. He but waved once after he had regained the shore and disappeared quickly. Captain Cook spoke up saying, "How is it that those of the Forest seem to just disappear when they wish?" He then gave orders after the boat had been secured on deck for the raising of the sails, and they again disappeared into the vastness of the ocean.

 

  While Jason and Captain Cook did battle with those from the East, Heather continued her planning. The young priest had finally translated the hidden message on the scroll and those of the Forest had searched for the hidden entrance. Heather was meeting with the commander of the Red when Jeremy returned from a scouting mission to report that they had found the door to the secret passageway. The commander of the Red looked somewhat perplexed, and Heather explained, "The true message on the scroll sent by the one you call Don the Great was on the back. What appeared decorative was actually an ancient form of writing and it discussed this hidden passage."

  Jeremy interrupted, saying, "We found the passage as described, but the door is of some sort of metal and secured from within. Only a small window could be opened from outside."

  As they were discussing possible means of opening the door, Betty appeared, bringing food for Jeremy. She said, "Me small and I fit."

  Heather looked at Jeremy and asked, "Would Betty fit?"

  Jeremy held up his hands about a foot apart and looked at Betty before replying, "It would be a tight fit but might work."

  Heather asked, "How heavily is the area being patrolled by those from the East?"

  The commander replied, "They patrol regularly, but since we increased our attacks on the supply lines the patrols are much larger and pretty easy to avoid."

  Heather was quiet for a while as she planned. She spoke up, saying, "I wish not to endanger Betty, but it seems that the God of the Sacred Water has assigned her this responsibility. I would you watch over her." She then asked, "When would you travel?"

  Jeremy paused eating and replied, "We will have a small moon tonight and I would travel with the moon. If we carried Betty, we will be back in our patrolled area by daybreak."

  Heather accepted his plan, saying only, "As the God of the Sacred Water deems it, so it will be." She added, "Let the Spirits of the Forest guide and assist you."

  When the others had left, Heather and the commander of the Red continued their planning. Heather wished for a method of moving the heavy cannon without leaving a sign but knew not how. They finally decided to simply use the wagon and prepare to move their camp if those from the East followed their trail. They both agreed that since the attack on the Great City had begun that it was unlikely that those of the East would split their forces to pursue them. Those of the Forest had reported another small convoy of supplies headed towards them from the east.

  The planning centered on how and where to attack the convoy. Those of the Forest functioned primarily as scouts, with the Army of the Red assuming the burden of the actual attacks. The partnership had been very productive and the flow of supplies to those of the East had been severely limited. The scouts reported that all of the local farms had been scavenged of all food and fodder for use by the invading army of the East.

  The evening meal was made more festive by the stories told by Jeremy, but Heather worried about Betty. When nightfall was complete but yet two hours before moonrise, Jeremy prepared to depart. Betty was dressed for travel with her small sword strapped to her side. They set off with Jeremy in the lead with two others of the Forest. They alternated carrying Betty and traveled quickly despite the darkness. One of the three always went ahead scouting for signs of the enemy. As Jeremy had planned, they reached the perimeter of their patrolled area about the time of moonrise. They traveled somewhat slower as they traversed the valley to the west of the Great City. They arrived without incident at the area of the door. Here the river had cut deeply into the hillside, exposing a rock cliff and an area strewn with large boulders.

  With the change in light things were different, and it took Jeremy a while to again find the door amongst the huge boulders. They rested for a few minutes before opening the small door, which moved amazingly well for something so ancient. Before allowing Betty to try and enter, Jeremy lit a torch and peered into the opening. Before him lay a road of stones which extended into the blackness beyond the circle of his light. He could see no danger but also no internal mechanism which would allow the opening of the door. The roadway was wide enough for a small wagon but barely tall enough for someone of his height to stand. He told Betty, "It looks safe enough but I am not sure you will be able to open the door."

  Betty removed her cape and carefully folded it with her small sword carefully placed on top, and replied, "I try."

  Jeremy knelt in front of the door and created a step with his hands for Betty to climb upon. She studied the small opening for a few minutes before telling Jeremy, "I need be more sideways."

  Jeremy shuffled on his knees more to the side and Betty put her arms through the small opening and said, "Raise me up some."

  She wiggled first one shoulder and then the other through the opening before telling Jeremy, "Up." Jeremy slowly raised her as she continued to wiggle through the very small opening. She did well until her hips became stuck in the small opening. She said, "You need push."

  Jeremy did as he was told. Betty continued to wiggle until finally her hips were free and she was now hanging down from the opening. J
eremy carefully lowered her legs through the opening until her hands were resting on the ground. He did his best to lower her legs, but in the end it was a bit of a tumble for Betty. He passed the burning torch to Betty saying, "I hope you're alright."

  Betty replied, "Me okay." She then began looking around, but there was no visible mechanism or lever. She did see a key slot but no key. She called out to Jeremy, "We need key to open door."

  Jeremy again stuck his head through the opening and asked, "Have you checked to see if it is hidden nearby?"

  Betty replied, "I too short to see up high but no key here." She then said, "I will walk up tunnel and see if I find key."

  Jeremy passed another torch through the opening and Betty headed out walking on the stone path. There were many spider webs hanging down which continuously wrapped around her face. She liked not spiders. The walls were hewn in solid rock and were rough. She went slowly, looking for the key in the multiple small crevices. Every time she reached her hand into one of the crevices she just knew that a spider would be waiting for her, but she was diligent in her search. She knew not how far she walked but soon the torch was burning low.

  The rock was now smoother with few crevices, but the spider webs did not diminish. She lit the second torch and rested for a minute trying to decide what to do. She sensed people ahead and decided to continue. The second torch was more than half gone when she came to another door which seemed even more massive than the first. She could find no mechanism for opening the door. She again rested, trying to figure out what to do. When she was quiet she could tell that the one Edna called the Scarlet King was close by. His mind was jumbled and Betty could not understand his thoughts.