The Scarlet King Read online

Chapter 3

  For three days the delegates who had travelled from their homes to the peace conference waited not so patiently aboard the ship, the Red Dragon. In the distance they could see the activity of the busy city, but they remained isolated in the center of the harbor with only occasional supply vessels coming alongside. On the afternoon of the third day a brightly decorated skiff approached the ship. It carried a messenger who, with great fanfare, was piped aboard the ship. When properly presented to the Captain and the delegates, he carefully unrolled a scroll and read, "The Scarlet King hereby welcomes his visitors from the distant lands. In keeping with the customs of the Red Kingdom an honorary reception is being planned for tomorrow evening. It is expected that you will present yourselves to the Scarlet King at that time."

  The messenger continued in a low chant while he carefully rolled his scroll and secured it. The chant seemed to be in the high tongue but even Jason was unable to understand it. With only a little less fanfare, the messenger returned to his skiff and left. He had not even waited for a reply. All had questions, but Jason asked first of the Captain, "What was the chant the messenger concluded with?"

  The Captain looked embarrassed and paused before responding. "It is some sort of religious ritual that those of the upper class recite that is supposed to protect them from the evil spirits living in the lower classes."

  Jason asked, "Was the incantation directed at us, then?"

  The Captain shrugged his shoulders and said only, "Maybe. Or maybe against myself and my crew."

  Jason and the other delegates withdrew below decks and met near the galley to discuss the situation. The delegates from the Northern Kingdom were adamant that they should simply leave because of the insult implied by the messenger's chant.

  Jason counseled, however: "We have come to try and establish peace. If we leave without trying, we are subjecting our peoples to ongoing war. Even if we are successful in our defense, it will cause great suffering and loss of life. Those of the Red have inherited a Great City from their previous conquest of our ancestors. I would we try to establish peace and trade as a way to ensure our futures."

  The discussion continued for some time. It was Edna who made the decision by declaring, "I have come to try to restore peace to the Forest. I would stay."

  With the support of Edna and Jeremy, Jason's position was accepted by all but not without some grumbling from the northern delegates. The planning now began on how to present themselves to the Scarlet King. Formal attire was deemed appropriate for those of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Edna and Jeremy would dress in the traveling clothes of those of the Forest. Larby would dress in a somewhat similar fashion typical of his people.

  Preparations were ongoing until a large launch powered by military personnel at the oars presented alongside their ship. The delegates climbed down the ladder and assumed their positions. The ship's master began calling out orders and the synchronized rowing quickly moved the launch to the dock side.

  At this point brightly dressed servants helped the delegates climb out of the launch and into the waiting carriages. The carriages were upholstered with deep red cloth and leather and the horses were immaculately groomed. They traveled up cobblestone roads halfway up the hillside to the palace. With great ceremony the horns were sounded and the palace gates opened. The carriages moved into the palace yard flanked by military personnel at full attention on both sides.

  At a stand on the opposite side of the yard under a shade canopy stood the envoy awaiting their arrival. Servants again assisted them from the carriages and their arrival was acknowledged with more horns. The envoy smiled not, but greeted them only with a nod of his head. The stress in his face was evident. He turned and led the way towards the great hall past a large fountain that was covered in yellow crystals.

  The palace guards stood at attention as they passed; they were obviously fully prepared for conflict. With the sounding of additional horns the tall doors of the great hall were ceremoniously opened. The hall was far larger than the great halls of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms combined. Huge paintings of kings past lined the walls and all draperies were a very rich scarlet color. At the far end of the hall was the dais, with a throne which was raised high on the platform. The throne itself appeared to be made of a solid block of stone, which had been carefully carved and then lined with scarlet cushions. The steps leading to the throne were of the same highly polished stone that seemed almost translucent from the light of the many lamps.

  They proceeded to the base of the dais. The envoy bowed low to the Scarlet King and pronounced, "To my King I present the delegates from the far lands." He again bowed low and turned first towards Jason and said, "This is King Jason of the Southern Kingdom who leads the delegation." Jason took one step forward and bowed his head in recognition of the Scarlet King, but spoke not.

  When those of the Northern Kingdom were introduced they bowed appropriately as did Larby. When Jeremy and Edna were introduced they stepped forward and but nodded their heads in way of acknowledgment but bowed not, standing tall. The advisers to the side of the King began talking in his ear and the King was obviously upset. The envoy spoke up, saying, "These are the wild ones we have talked about who have no king and no manner of court."

  The King nodded in acceptance and had one of his advisers read a formal declaration of welcome. It was a long-winded acceptance of the previously negotiated peace settlement with the envoy, Don the Great. Mixed in with the many words were indications that hard negotiations lay ahead. When the scroll was finally completed, it was followed again by the chant of the first messenger.

  At this point the envoy again bowed towards his King, and the delegates responded in a similar fashion as in their presentation. The horns sounded again and the envoy ushered them out of the great hall and through the passageway to their waiting carriages. He said only, "Negotiations will begin on the morrow. Formal attire will not be required. The launch will arrive to deliver you to the negotiating room." He added, "It may be best if you bring your own food and drink."

  Those who traveled so far spoke little until they were secure again aboard ship. They discussed their not so warm welcome. Jason again counseled them, "We must remember our purpose is peace, and we cannot let their customs, which we understand not, interfere with our goal."

  In the morning a smaller launch again staffed by armed military personnel arrived to transport them to the negotiating room, which was separate from the palace and closer to the docks in a much less ornate government building. They were met by the envoy and taken to a large room, which was almost filled by a huge round table. Jason and the others who had traveled so far were directed to one end of the table. After they were seated the remaining chairs were filled by officials of the Scarlet Kingdom. The envoy began the proceedings with a formal declaration of intent. When he finished many of the officials again chanted quietly, but the envoy simply ignored them.

  Jason then spoke of the desire for long-term peace and trade. He described only in the briefest terms their defeat of the invading army. He then summarized the points of the peace agreement he had negotiated with the envoy. Those of the Red listened but continuously whispered amongst themselves. The envoy finally spoke up and requested the officials maintain their silence until Jason had finished. The reprimand was only partially effective, but Jason continued his presentation. Edna and Jeremy were only half-listening,instead mostly observing closely those of the Red.

  Following Jason's presentation, the envoy submitted his proposed format for completing the negotiations. A scroll was unrolled which detailed the individual points of the peace negotiations; under each was a list of specific details which needed to be completed. It was a long scroll, and by the time the summary was complete Jeremy was already tired of sitting. The hours dragged into days and the days into weeks as the negotiating teams worked their way through the document. Jeremy and Edna mostly sat and held hands under
the table watching the proceedings.

 

  That evening as they yet again returned to their ship, Jeremy complained, "I will be an old man before we complete these negotiations."

  Jason responded, "I expect it is hard for you to put up with the protocol of government but it is a necessary evil. Those of the Red seemed to have some fear of you so it is good for you to be there."

  Jeremy asked, "Why does the little man dressed as a pompous pet bird always seem to disrupt things and slow the progress?"

  Jason explained, "He is the King's nephew and representative. His elaborate dress is to signify his royal position. It would appear the guild leaders must be subjected to his approval. He definitely has made his best effort to derail the negotiations."

  Jeremy said, "I like him not. He whispers and always is repeating that religious chant about evil spirits."

  They discussed the progress of the negotiations, and Jason said, "We have worked through the worst of the problems. The many remaining issues are mostly matters of protocol. I would hope that in another week or so we will have finished our negotiations."

  Jeremy shrugged his shoulders and said, "I would think the one who looks like a pet bird will do his best to make sure we do not finish. Why would they not want to complete the negotiations?" he asked.

  Jason tried to explain how all governments have divisions within them and that all parties in the same government do not always share the same goals. The discussion moved to the technical points of the next day’s negotiations and Edna and Jeremy went topside to enjoy the open sky above.

  The next day dragged on like all the previous days with Jeremy and Edna really not paying attention but merely watching the people. The one Jeremy referred to as a pet bird kept glancing at them and then quickly looking away. Towards the end of the day a short break was called when the envoy was called away. During the break the Pet Bird walked by Jeremy and Edna. He stopped behind Edna and touched her neck and hair saying, "I would you join me in bed tonight."

  Jeremy reacted instantly and his fist met the little man's face full on, sending him flying against the wall. Immediately armed guards appeared with their spears leveled at Jeremy. Edna grabbed one of the spears and turned it on her attackers, keeping them from advancing on Jeremy, but even more guards appeared armed with swords and bows. The whole room now appeared full of palace guards. Jason tried to calm the situation, but the guard simply isolated Edna and Jeremy from the rest of the party by brute force.

  When the envoy returned he found Edna and Jeremy on the conference table, Edna clutching a single spear and surrounded by the palace guards. When he demanded an explanation, one of the guards pointed to the Pet Bird who was still unconscious against the wall. A look of understanding swept over the envoy as he realized why he was called away. Another official of the King showed up and began shouting orders. The envoy told Jeremy and Edna, "It would be best for you to surrender, for he has given the order for your death if you do not."

  Edna slowly lowered her spear as the guards carefully stepped forward and tightly bound them with ropes before dragging them off. As the room gradually cleared, the envoy maintained his silence until only those from the far-off lands remained. He said, "You must return to the ship. Tell the Captain that I have ordered your protection and that he shall honor only the green and white flag."

  Jason demanded an explanation of what had happened, but the envoy only said, "My enemies have played their hand. Now I must plan the next move." With that he left and Jason and the others did as they were told and returned to the ship.

  The Captain received the message from Jason with grave solemnity. He responded only with, "Those of the palace will not dare challenge us directly but we must be wary."

  When Jason and the others gathered, they discussed what little they knew. Jason explained how they were witnessing some sort of revolt within the government. When Larby asked about Jeremy and Edna, Jason could only say, "They are but pawns in this battle but I fear greatly for them."

  After a very quiet and subdued meal Jason sought out the Captain. The Captain asked what had precipitated the event. Jason explained how the envoy had been called away, and how the King’s representative, the Pet Bird, had approached Edna and touched her, saying he wished her to share his bed.

  The Captain was lost in thought for several minutes before explaining, "Those of the royal blood have instituted a custom whereby it is to be considered an honor for one of the lower classes to be invited to their bed. It may be the most despised of all the royal customs. Most assuredly this was a well-planned attack on the one you call the envoy and your friends are but the bait."

  Jason asked, "And what of my friends?"

  The Captain looked not at Jason before replying, "For one of the unclean to touch one of the royal blood is punishable by death."

  It was now Jason who was quiet as he thought long and hard before saying, "The enemies of the envoy will attempt to barter the lives of Jeremy and Edna in exchange for the power the envoy controls. I would assume this power is the loyalty of the military.”

  "Our military has always been somewhat separate from the palace,” said the Captain. “It is the only balance of power in the kingdom. Now we have been decimated by the war pushed upon us by those of the palace. I expect they see this as their opportunity to gain complete control."

  Jason nodded in understanding and said only, "It would seem that other than praying to our God of the Sacred Water, all we can do now is wait."

  The Captain responded, "If praying helps, so be it. I fear little can be done for your friends, for the one you call the envoy cannot give in to their demands for the sake of our kingdom."

  Jason accepted the Captain’s statement but added, "I know little of the power of the Forest, but it is strong in Edna; there may yet be hope."