The Scarlet King Read online

Chapter 4

  In the village of Issip winter was finally coming to an end and the snow just beginning to recede. It was not yet light but Heather was awake—not because of her baby but rather because of a dream. Her grandmother, who had not visited her for some time, stood by her bed looking down at her, saying nothing. Sleep would not return. Heather finally arose, being careful not to awaken Daniel or their baby, and kindled the fire. She sat in the rocking chair and watched the flames, trying to make sense of her grandmother's visit.

  Daniel awoke as dawn was approaching and found his bride thus seated. He asked, "Did baby Geoffrey awaken you?"

  Heather smiled just a little. "No, our son sleeps. My grandmother paid me a visit."

  Daniel was quiet for some time before asking, "What did she have to say?"

  Heather had a tightlipped smile as she replied, "She said not. She just stood and looked at me as if saying I should be doing something."

  "What were you supposed to be doing?"

  With just a little bit of a tear in her eyes, Heather responded, "I know not."

  Daniel shrugged his shoulders and said, "The God of the Sacred Water will make it evident soon enough. For now we should concentrate on the breaking of the fast."

  They had no sooner finished a small meal of bread and cheese when Betty and her son arrived. She looked terrible, as if she had seen a spirit. Heather asked, "What is wrong?"

  Betty replied, "I think I heard Edna just before awakening. It was terrible. The chains were cutting into her wrist and the rats ran across her while she tried to sleep."

  "Where is she?"

  Betty was now openly crying and could only sob, "I know not."

  Just then baby Geoffrey announced he was awake and needed to be fed. While Heather went to her baby, Daniel tried to comfort Betty but she would not be comforted. For a while Heather concentrated on nursing her baby while her mind tried to figure out why the coincidence between her grandmother's visit and Betty's dream. Even Betty's young son was quiet as if he too knew something was wrong. Heather asked Betty, "Can you hear Edna from so far away?"

  Betty shook her head and said, "Only a little."

  Heather recalled working in the sewing room and how Betty had first noted her ability to hear the Spirits of the Forest. She had just finished nursing her baby when she heard the knock on the door. One of the women of Issip presented, saying, "We are gathering to try and help. Come join us."

  Heather handed their baby to Daniel for the care he needed on the other end and reached for her cape. She and Betty joined with the others and made their way to the sewing room. Already it was full of the women of the village who most easily heard the Spirits of the Forest. They had started work again on a large quilt and were visiting quietly. Nothing was said of Betty's dream and the quilting went on as ever. Heather finally asked, "Can you help Betty hear Edna?"

  One of the elder women replied, "The Spirits of the Forest are most easily heard when the mind and soul are quiet. It would be best if you joined in the quilting and let the spirits present when they're ready."

  Heather did as she was told and began embroidering the square she was given. Betty, who did not embroider, was given a square to edge. They worked quietly as the chatter of the women gradually calmed them. It was nearly time for the midday meal and Heather was beginning to worry about needing to feed her baby when Betty developed a far-off look. She said nothing for some time and then spoke. "She and Jeremy in prison because of a fight. She afraid. Glad to hear me. Need help."

  Heather asked, "What can we do to help?"

  Betty said not for many minutes and then replied, "Jeremy wants to know if we can hear those of the Red?"

  The leader said, "If Edna can hear them we should also hear them, for the Spirits of the Forest keep us connected."

  Betty said, "Soldiers come. Taking them to the palace."

  Daniel appeared at the door carrying a very upset baby Geoffrey, who needed to be fed, and also carried Betty's child. Heather spoke up, saying, "Betty you stay here and help Edna. I will take care of your son." She left with Daniel for the duties of the mother. Daniel had many questions and Heather told him the little she knew. When asked what her plan was, Heather could only reply, "I know not. We must trust in the God of the Sacred Water and the Spirits of the Forest. If help can be given it will be from the Spirits of the Forest, for they are strong in Betty."

  Edna and Jeremy were half marched and half dragged from their cell across the courtyard and into the palace proper. Instead of going to the great hall they were taken to a smaller room, which held many guards and a much smaller dais. Jeremy could not help but notice evidence of dried blood on the stone floor. There they stood surrounded by guards in armor with spears pointed at them. Finally a single horn was sounded and the Scarlet King was carried in and set upon his throne. Only three or four advisers accompanied him. One of these was the one who had instigated the episode, the Pet Bird. He looked not well, with the entire left side of his face swollen and discolored and only able to see through his right eye.

  It was he who spoke, reading from a scroll with some difficulty. It was a long litany of the charges against Jeremy and Edna for attacking one of the royal blood. Jeremy thought he would never stop talking and whispered to Edna, "Can you make him be quiet?"

  Edna could hear the Pet Bird very well for he had touched her. Somehow Betty was making her hearing even stronger. She imagined the scene of the Forest with the great trees reaching down with their branches engulfing the Pet Bird. The man continued reading and chanting for just a few seconds when a great paleness came over him as the image that Edna had projected fully engulfed him. He stood with this look of great fear upon himself and was able to read no more.

  The Scarlet King, who had said not, turned towards him and finally asked, "What is wrong?" When he spoke Edna was finally able to hear the King whose mind had been closed to her. It was filled with much sickness and made her almost nauseated.

  The Pet Bird could only respond, "Make the trees go away."

  The King had grown impatient and told another of the advisers to finish the reading. When it was finally completed a third advisor spoke up, saying to Jeremy and Edna, "You have been charged with a most serious crime. It is only the grace and goodness of our most merciful and powerful King which prevents your immediate execution. You will now bow before him and plead for mercy."

  Jeremy and Edna but glanced at each other before Jeremy spoke up: "We are of the Forest and bow before no one but the God of the Sacred Water."

  The King became agitated as the words were translated for him. He arose to pass judgment on them, but as he started to speak Edna was again able to hear him clearly and insert the image of the Forest engulfing him into his mind. His mind was such a jumble of illness that at first the image could not form fully, but it was enough to make him pause.

  He sat back down and turned to one of the advisers, who then said, "You shall return to the prison and this time enjoy the stocks to help you think clearer." The religious chant was then begun to protect the royal blood from the unclean. Jeremy and Edna were again half dragged, half marched back to the prison. Instead of being thrown back into their cell, they were placed in a wooden apparatus which clamped around their legs and arms and held their heads.

  When the guards had departed, Jeremy asked Edna what she had done. Edna explained how she was able to put an image of the Forest into the minds of the Pet Bird and the King. When Jeremy asked how she had done that, Edna but shrugged her shoulders and said, "I think Betty did it."

  Jeremy said, "Well then, I think Betty has saved our lives, at least for now, for I am sure we were about to die. Can you continue hearing them and having them see this image?"

  Edna was silent for some time before replying, "I hear them and like the image not."

  While Jeremy and Edna experienced a night of progressive discomfort as the pressure from the wooden apparatus stiffened
their muscles and joints, the Scarlet King and the Pet Bird had nights even more terrifying. The image of the giant trees engulfing them became ever more clear and terrifying. With the coming of the morning light, little changed in the minds of the Scarlet King or the Pet Bird; their terror persisted. The advisers themselves were afraid because of the looks of fear so evident in their King and his nephew. The Scarlet King seemed unable to make a decision so one of the advisers sent for the envoy. He too appeared weary but his mind was clear. He was asked for an explanation.

  When the envoy had heard the story he replied, "It is Spirits of the Forest protecting their own. I would advise releasing them unharmed to appease the Spirits of the Forest."

  An adviser spoke up, saying, "These two of the Forest have committed a capital crime and release is not possible. They must pay the price of the crime."

  The envoy but shrugged his shoulders and said, "I have witnessed the power of the Forest and the destruction of our army. I would respect this power."

  Another of the advisers spoke up, saying, "I think the woman is a witch who has cast a spell on our King. She should be burned at the stake."

  There was a murmur of agreement from the other advisers, but the King's nephew, the Pet Bird, spoke up, saying, "Would killing the woman make the nightmare go away?"

  The envoy replied, "I would expect the Spirits of the Forest would be much angered and the visions would not only continue but become more vile."

  The statement caused the King to be somewhat aroused from his semi-stupor, and he said, "You will go and make the strangers stop the visions."

  The envoy bowed low and said, "I may need to release them from our lands to appease the Spirits of the Forest."

  The Scarlet King almost screamed at him, saying, "Do what you must but stop the visions."

  The envoy again bowed low and departed the hall. He headed not to the prison but rather to the military headquarters. There he spoke only to his most trusted assistant, giving specific orders. He then took a small escort with him to the prison. The prison guard was of mixed loyalty, with some favoring the military and others the palace guards. The envoy took no chances and spoke directly to the commander of the prison, relaying the Scarlet King's orders. The commander had reached his position by carefully balancing his loyalty to the military and to the palace. He replied, "You may meet with the prisoners but I must confirm with the palace your mandate."

  The envoy was taken down a flight of stairs to the most secure portion of the prison, and many locked gates were opened. When he arrived at the cell where Jeremy and Edna were being held, he was dismayed to see them in the stocks. He ordered their immediate release from the stocks. The guard was uncertain of the envoy's authority but the look of anger was enough to convince him to follow the order. Jeremy and Edna said little while they stretched their very stiff and sore muscles. The envoy said, "I can speak of my anguish that you are being treated such. There is hope for your release but I can no longer guarantee your safety."

  Edna asked, "Why is this happening?"

  The envoy thought for a moment before replying. "The power struggle is beginning for a new Scarlet King. You and Jeremy are unfortunate pawns in the struggle. If it were not for the protection the Spirits of the Forest have provided you, I am afraid those who would assume power would have already had their way and you would be no more."

  Jeremy asked, "What is wrong with the present Scarlet King?"

  "Have you not noticed the lumpy nature of his skin? That is a sign that the disease of the royal blood is well advanced and with it comes a sickness of the mind followed by seizures and death." He added, "It was his fear of this disease that caused him to seek your Sacred Water and begin the war against your peoples."

  Edna spoke, "The mind of the Scarlet King is very tortured and ill."

  The envoy then spoke in a very quiet whisper. "I am arranging for your escape tonight. You must make your way back to the ship and depart immediately. I can leave you no crew so you must sail yourselves. I think your King Jason is capable of navigating." In a somewhat louder voice he said, "I would you ask the Spirits of the Forest to release the King and his cousin from their visions in return for releasing you from the stocks." He then used his fingers to indicate just a small decrease.

  Edna was quiet for some time as she tried to make this message heard by Betty. She then said, "The Spirits of the Forest are not controlled by me but I will pray to the God of the Sacred Water that they have some mercy on the Scarlet King."

  The envoy then reached out and took Jeremy's hand saying, "I wish you the peace of the Forest." In his hand was a slip of paper which Jeremy kept hidden as the envoy turned to leave the cell. It was only after all the guards had left that Jeremy unfolded the piece of paper and read the message. It said, "Just before the rising of the moon your cell will be unlocked and you must make your way back to the ship. Depart at once."

  The envoy reported back to the palace and relayed Edna's message that she was praying to the gods of the Sacred Water to have mercy on the Scarlet King. The King appeared a little less distraught, but his cousin, the Pet Bird, seemed no better. The envoy then again requested permission for the release of those of the Forest but the King's advisers would have none of it. The envoy knew that there were those in the palace who were happy to see the suffering of the King and hoping it would lead to an even quicker death. Others, of course, wished for their Scarlet King's suffering to end and would willingly allow the release of the two strangers.

  The envoy had already decided that he could not wait for the outcome of the power struggle. He had planned to do what he knew must be done. By making it look like an escape, hopefully face could be saved by all and his King's suffering ended.

  Being free of the stocks made Jeremy and Edna a little more comfortable, but the mash that arrived for the evening meal was no more appetizing. The hours of the evening slowly crawled by as darkness gradually obliterated their one small opening to the outside world. Jeremy tried to figure the time of the rising moon, but the few days in captivity had distorted his sense of time. They were in an area of isolation without other prisoners, and silence pervaded except for the scurrying of the rats.

  A slight click reverberated only slightly in the silence and then Jeremy detected the softest of footsteps. Another click and the door slowly opened. In the darkness Jeremy could see only a small figure who spoke not but simply held the door for them. Just before departing the cell, Jeremy tore a strip of cloth from his cape and boosted Edna up and stuffed it into the bars of the small opening. Jeremy thought if the ruse had worked for Daniel maybe it would help them.

  They followed the footsteps through the many gates, all of which were unguarded at the moment. The torches provided a dim light, but Jeremy could see only a figure fully robed whose face was covered by the hood. Rather than exiting through the main gate of the prison, their guide led them to the service entrance which again was unguarded. He said not but simply handed Jeremy a coil of line and pointed in the direction of the wall.

  Jeremy took the line and turned towards Edna whispering, "Are you ready for a climb?" When he turned back their guide had vanished. They made their way through the gray darkness to the foot of the wall between some shops. Jeremy had no trouble climbing the interior wall, which had not been smoothed. He lowered the rope and helped Edna ascend. The exterior face of the wall had been extensively smoothed and offered few handles for a possible intrusion. The line was just of sufficient length for Edna to reach the ground but not long enough for Jeremy to use a loop to lower himself. He wanted not to leave any evidence of their escape and a rope dangling over the side of the wall would be surely seen.

  He tied a stopper knot on the end of the line and found a small crack where the knot barely caught, and began climbing down the rope. He hoped that when he reached the ground he would be able to shake the line and the knot would come free. His planning might have been good but
the execution suffered: when he was still twenty feet above the ground the knot slipped and he fell the remaining distance. Edna did her best to cushion his fall but his ankle twisted and he collapsed with a groan of pain escaping his lips. Edna looked around hoping nobody heard the sound. All was quiet.

  Edna helped Jeremy to his feet, and by using her as a crutch he was able to hobble along. They had both been studying the terrain during their many visits and only occasionally did they need to communicate as to direction. The moon was well up before they arrived at the harbor. Only a few torches burned. Tied to one of the pilings was the Captain's skiff. They untied the skiff and ever so quietly pushed off away from the pilings. Using the oars as paddles, they made their way slowly away from the harbor structures and guards.

  Not until they were into the open water of the harbor did they insert the oars. The squeaking of the oar locks seemed loud to those in the skiff but no alarm was raised. Jeremy manned the oars and Edna provided the steerage using the rudder. The moon was now up high enough so that they could see the outline of the ship. There was just enough of a breeze to complicate the rowing, and it seemed to take several times as long for them to reach the ship as it normally did. As they approached the ship they needed to decide whether to hail the ship or try to sneak aboard. Jeremy's ankle made it impossible for him to climb, but Edna said she would climb the anchor rope and get help to raise him aboard the ship.

  They positioned the skiff next to the anchor line. Edna grabbed hold the thick line and pulled herself upwards until the line entered through the scupper portal. At that point she had to wedge her foot between the ship’s hull and the anchor line. When she had stabilized her position she reached up; her fingers just barely were able to grab the rail. As she transferred her weight to her hands, she then had to free her foot from its wedged position. Only then was she able to lift herself over the rail and onto the deck of the ship.

  She crouched low and looked around. There appeared to be no one on watch. She leaned over the rail and could make out Jeremy in the skiff holding himself to the anchor line. She walked quietly to the companionway and spotted the sentry. She froze and tried to make herself invisible. The sentry moved and she recognized the thumping of Larby's peg leg. She whispered, "Larby, it's me, Edna."

  He spoke up saying, "We were hoping you were going to show up."

  Edna asked, "Where is the ship’s watch?"

  Larby said, "The Captain and the crew went ashore and left instructions that we were to allow only those flying the green and white colors aboard. King Jason figured something would happen tonight and we hoped it would be you." He then asked," What of Jeremy?"

  Heather explained briefly their escape and Jeremy's injury. Larby went below and got a few others to help and they moved forward. Larby took a line and easily slid down the anchor line. Those on board then hauled Jeremy topside. Larby used a line to secure the skiff and then climbed back aboard himself. By now the entire delegation was topside and everyone had questions.

  Jason took control. When he had heard of the envoy's instruction to leave immediately, he gave the command to do so. Unfortunately those on board were delegates and soldiers, not sailors. It was Larby who then took charge and began giving specific instructions.

  They began by partially raising the main sail, then Larby gave the order to raise the anchor. Using the large windless, they slowly began raising the heavy anchor. When all the free scope of the anchor line had been pulled in, they were no longer able to turn the windless. Larby went forward and tested the tension on the anchor line; it was as tight as a string on a bow.

  He returned to the pilot house and told Jason that the anchor was stuck. Jason asked what they should do. Larby chewed on his lower lip before replying, "It would be best if we waited for the tide to break the anchor free, but I fear that dawn will be approaching before that happens. If we would leave in the darkness we must cut the anchor line and lose our main anchor."

  Jason looked at Edna and Jeremy, and Edna said, "I wish not to see the prison of the Scarlet King again. I would we leave as ordered by the envoy."

  Larby again went forward, but instead of cutting the anchor line aboard ship, he tied a line around himself and descended along the anchor line to the water’s edge where he began sawing with his sharp knife. When but a single strand was left, he called up, "Relax the tension." Even with some relaxation of the tension, the last strand gave way suddenly with the line whipping upwards. Larby then had those aboard pull him up.

  The ship began moving ever so slowly and Larby took command of the helm. Under the partial sail they made slow but silent progress. Not until they had passed out of the harbor and into the open sea did Larby hoist the remaining sails. The pink of dawn was evident in the east as they sailed south away from the prison of the Scarlet King.

  With the coming of the light the escape of the prisoners from the Forest became known. A messenger who was trusted by both the King and the envoy presented at the envoy's quarters. He spoke briefly, saying, "Our King reports the visions have gone and his mind is more at rest. For this he thanks you but also sends a warning to be prepared, for some within the palace will not be pleased." As soon as his simple message was relayed the messenger disappeared quietly.

  The envoy prepared for the day knowing it would be a day of reckoning between those groups who struggled for power. He had not yet finished the morning review with his commanders when an official messenger of the palace arrived, requesting his presence at the palace. He would not tolerate even a few minutes of delay for the envoy to complete his planning. The envoy sighed heavily and told his commanders to prepare, then left with a messenger. He was escorted into the palace by armed troops and taken not to the great hall, but to the Hall of Justice as had Jeremy and Edna. There he was met by the same small group of advisers, several of which were openly hostile to him as they waited for the arrival of the Scarlet King.

  The Scarlet King was carried in and set upon his throne. His nephew, the Pet Bird, opened the proceedings by charging the envoy with treason for failing in the Scarlet King's command to capture the lands of the Sacred Water, and then allowing the release of the prisoners from the Forest. This monologue went on for some time and even the envoy, who was used to the long-winded tirades of his cousin, became tired of listening. The monologue finally ended. To add insult to injury, his cousin recited the cleansing chant at its completion, implying that the envoy was now a member of the unclean.

  Another of the advisers told the envoy to present himself to the Scarlet King and explain or accept the charges. The envoy bowed low to his King and replied, "I accept the charge of failing to conquer the source of the Sacred Water. I do not accept the charge of allowing the release of the prisoners from the Forest. They were not under the command of the military and therefore not under my jurisdiction. It also appears their escape has fulfilled my King's request to make the visions stop."

  His cousin began another tirade about how the prisoners could not possibly have escaped without the assistance of the envoy. This lengthy monologue again went on for some time. The envoy responded, "I would beg a chance to speak of another matter far more important than these charges against me."

  The King turned to the one advisor whom the envoy trusted and whispered something. This advisor then said, "Our Scarlet King would hear of this matter."

  The other advisers complained that the matter before the tribunal was treason and the tribunal could not be interrupted. With a wave of his hand the King dismissed their concerns and the envoy was allowed to speak. He looked straight at his King as he said, "I received a report this morning that one of the black ships was spotted off of our coast."

  This changed the nature of the tribunal instantly. Many questions were asked of the envoy, who had few answers other than the solitary ship had been spotted and identified. His cousin finally raised enough of a ruckus to regain the ear of the King. He said, "He is
obviously lying trying to prevent his rightful judgment. I move that his judgment be pronounced and the sentencing commence. If his report is true we will deal with the future as it comes."

  The advisor whom the envoy trusted asked, "If the report is true, who will take charge of our defense?"

  The envoy's cousin stood and fluffed himself up, making him appear even more a pet bird, and said, "I will lead the defense of our country and King."

  The envoy at this time forced the decision by saying, "My cousin, who knows not which end of the sword to hold, would defend our King and country?"

  Even the advisers associated with his cousin had trouble controlling their smiles, but for the one those of the Forest referred to as the Pet Bird the statement was devastating. He was thrown into an almost violent monologue, and his shouting continued until even the King tired of hearing him. He arose and said, "Enough. I would hear the judgment of my advisers."

  The advisers all stood and turned towards their King. They all wore small ceremonial swords made of the finest metals. Their decision was announced by showing their sword if death was warranted or allowing them to remain sheathed if they thought the subject was innocent. In unison they bowed before their King, and with great ceremony turned towards the envoy with their hands on the hilts of their swords. By rank his cousin came first; he vigorously removed his sword and thrust it towards the envoy. He was followed by his closely associated advisor who acted similarly. The one advisor the envoy trusted left his hand on the sword which remained in the sheath. The final advisor removed his sword with much trembling and could not look at the envoy.

  The four advisers stood as such until the King arose and said, "Judgment has been passed in this ancient Hall of Justice. I agree not with the judgment and will not allow the sentence to occur in this Hall. Your sentence will need to be carried out in the city square."

  The Pet Bird paled only a little with the reprimand of his King, and said, "As my King wishes." With a nod of his head the guards surrounding the envoy placed him in shackles and began escorting him from the Hall of Justice. As the envoy was turning from facing the Scarlet King, they made eye contact and understanding was evident between them.

  The trumpets were sounded and advisers went forth announcing a public execution. In the center of the plaza in city center was a raised platform with a huge ancient block of wood, with the groove carved in the surface to stabilize the prisoner’s head and neck. The trumpets proceeded ahead of the prisoner as he was slowly led to the city center. There he was raised up on the platform where at first he stood tall. His cousin, the Pet Bird, arrived shortly after in a gilded carriage.

  With great ceremony he was escorted up onto the platform. With the envoy still standing tall, the Pet Bird read the charge and the sentencing. When the official proclamation was finished he again recited the cleansing chant. He then spoke to the envoy, saying, "Well, my bastard cousin, it appears our years of disagreements are coming to an end. I'm sorry you will not be around to celebrate my coronation as the next King."

  The envoy, without turning towards his cousin, replied, "One battle victory does not ensure winning of the war." He added, "And at least I know who my father was."

  His cousin reddened visibly and said, "It would seem your days of battle are over. You should have fled with that witch from the Forest."

  The guards then stepped forward and had the envoy kneel before the ancient block of wood and rest his neck in the worn groove. The trumpets sounded and with great fanfare the Pet Bird called forth the executioner. The large crowd of commoners who had gathered seemed to shudder when the huge man dressed in robes of death, his face covered with a black mask, presented carrying a huge axe. The murmuring of the crowd died down as the executioner slowly approached the envoy kneeling over the block of death. The sound of the trumpets changed as the executioner began raising his instrument of death above the neck of the envoy. The sound of the trumpets ceased just as the executioner began to complete the upward swing of his axe of death, so all could hear the final thump of life as the axe fell.

  Just as the downward ark of death was to start, many of the observers threw back their cloaks and brought out their bows. Nearly fifty arrows simultaneously struck the executioner, who fell back against the Pet Bird. At first no one moved. The palace guard closed in around the envoy's cousin, who had finally crawled out from under the executioner. His finery was now covered in blood and the fear on his face evident for all to see.

  The envoy stood again and spoke to all assembled. "I fear for my King and my country, for we face an imminent danger and I choose not to die at this point.” He turned to his cousin and said, "Flee back to the palace and bother me no further, for if we are to survive the black ships much work needs to be done."

  With that the envoy simply walked off into the crowd dragging his chains behind him. The crowd divided in front of him and those loyal to the military formed a protective shield around him as he made his way back to the military compound.