Flash Fiction #525 -- The Long Way Home/24

 

For far too long, they all stood staring at each other and waiting for someone to answer.

Andora cursed, spun, and took off at a run. Jamison headed for the Euriday troops. Prince Palkin looked at Lt. Tanrun as though he hoped for some answer from him.

"I've told the scouts to look toward the sea and the bay whenever they reach high ground," Lt. Tanrun admitted. "They've seen nothing so far, and I can't say that I trust it."

Palkin nodded and ran his hand through his hair. "Kerric would have thought of it, but I am the true son of a land-locked country. I didn't consider an enemy fleet. You did well, Tanrun."

"Thank you, Prince Palkin," the man said and even smiled. Then he looked past them and sighed. "I think our rest is over."

The Euriday and Sciwhen troops were already starting to gather up their things. The Sundry did the same without being ordered. Andora was the one who came to them with the news.

"Unanik and Junal had thought it would be best to rest before we head into town in the morning. They changed their minds in light of your wise question, Tanrun. There is no reason the Atrian fleet should be anywhere near here. Therefore, it most likely is hiding close by, probably behind the islands a few miles offshore."

"It's that kind of wisdom --" Zorian began.

"Paranoia," Andora corrected.

"-- that is going to keep us alive," Zorian finished. "And I fully believe in the wisdom of paranoia. I am sorry Temple Master Pyrida took himself off in such a hurry --"

"But he didn't take me along," Rory added with a sudden feeling of shock. "And I find that odd. Pyrida doesn't believe we should make direct interference in the problems of countries. I think he must have realized this has gone far beyond Temple politics and petty problems."

"Meaning we are in serious trouble," Andora interpreted.

"That would be my guess," Rory admitted. He shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know if my mind is processing anything properly. I might be more paranoid than I need --"

Andora shoved him to the ground. People began shouting, and he heard weapons drawn. Andora didn't try to hold him down. By then, he had listened to a few arrows pass far too close. The two of them crawled quickly to cover.

"Atrians?" he asked. "Or has some army from half a world away decided to join us? Maybe Tassanians? Avanti? Maybe some troops from Jainta? And thank you, by the way."

"Atrians," she said. "At least as far as I can tell. I think they're trying to drive us back from the bay --"

"Which means they're not ready," Rory finished. "So we have to go now."

Andora agreed with a grim nod. She looked all around as though looking for a safe path out. Rory had a different idea, though.

"I'm getting behind the archers," Rory said as he settled on his heels, looking around and preparing to sprint.

"I don't think --"

"Magic," Rory reminded her. "Warn the others."

"Don't try to kill any of them," she hissed in a warning. "I don't think your friends could get you away fast enough this time!"

Rory nodded in agreement. Even too many minor wounds would tell on him. However, broken bow strings didn't hurt. He put his knife in hand -- and moved.

He barely heard Andora hiss in surprise as he used his power to move so fast he wasn't seen as more than a flicker to shadow. Rory saw her move away toward their people to warn them that he was not where they thought.

He thought he heard Zorian curse.

By then, he passed through the brush and made more noise than he liked. Several of the Atrians looked his way with worry, but by then, he was in a slightly cleared area where they stood.

They were ready to fire. That made it even easier for Rory. He sped across the front of the line, cutting ten bow strings in one quick movement. Then he moved out of the area and dropped, winded, into a slight depression.

His heart labored, and he couldn't hear much at first except for a dull roar -- But that turned out to be the yells of the frightened Atrians. They were moving away in haste, but he didn't think they would go far. Unanik and Junal were already taking advantage of the moment of panic and their own soldiers were on the move.

Rory got out of the way and stumbled back behind the lines. Someone was going to be carrying him again soon.

Andora had been waiting and snagged his arm. "Well done," she said and dragged him along. Rory's feet were having trouble finding the right pace again. "Most of us are heading straight down, through the village, and onto the ships. Some have gone ahead to give the signal so they can prepare for us, but with as much stealth as possible. Can you make it?"

"I will," Rory said, but he hoped Zorian was close in case he didn't go very far. The dark night seemed darker sometimes, but Andora never let go of him.

They did rest with some of the others. Rory knew Jamison and Keltrina were close by. Maybe Zorian as well, though he didn't hear his older friend. He hoped nothing had happened to the Admiral ... but he didn't look around or ask. Not right now.

The village was well-lit but didn't look busy. Troops were moving through with no apparent trouble. The town stretched out near the small harbor where three ships were ready for them, and two more holding off and prepared to move in, oarsmen already in place.

The sight revived Rory. The village was long but narrow where they would go through and a straight path to the ships.

What could go wrong?

Flash Fiction # 524 -- The Long Way Home/23

 Andora rejoined them in midmorning.   From the slight frown, Rory could guess something had gone wrong, though there was no sign of the news spreading through the troops.

"Yes?" Rory said.

"A pair of Sciwhen scouts are long overdue. They were about two miles off to our right," she said and glanced that way. "We have reason to believe there might be an Atrian force out there."

"Of course. Why not? I knew someone was missing from our gathering," Rory replied. "What do we do?"

"Keep moving, probably a little faster," Andora said. "Get to those ships of yours."

"Not mine. I'm from Sundry."

"My apologies," she said with a little quirk of a smile. "You are all men. Besides, you have stayed with the Euriday forces."

"And that's a problem?" he asked, catching a hint of something more.

"Your people are being led by a foreign prince. The person with high rank -- your Temple Master -- left them. I heard one person say you have seemed to change since you left court."

"I'll go spend some time with them," he said, understanding the problem. "No, the rest of you stay here --"

"I am going with you," Zorian replied. "There has been too much strange stuff going on, Rory. Having backup won't hurt. Besides, I was at court with you, so they'll be used to me standing at your shoulder."

Rory didn't argue. Andora only nodded and moved off, leaving them to sort it out. Rory and Zorian headed back down the line to where Prince Palkin rode with the Sundry at his back. He looked relieved to see Rory, which told him there had been trouble. The troops looked unsettled, but then so did everyone else. The news about the Atrians had not gone out yet. Rory would've seen far more reaction if the news had spread.

"Priest," one of the few men in uniform said with a nod. "We had heard there was one of you in with this group, but I was surprised you hadn't joined us yet."

Rory looked at the man and saw all their problems. He had an attitude, and Rory was just in the mood that he would have enjoyed pressing the man about what was happening. Rory held that reaction back, although Zorian made a sound of displeasure. The soldier frowned and looked as though he thought he should know who this man was. Rory suspected he must have been brought in from the backcountry and had not spent time at court.

"I have been somewhat busy," Rory replied and even looked the man over with a bit of disdain. "Besides, my orders from the Queen sent me to work with the Euriday."

It was true in some respects, and as far as Rory wanted to go with this man. Rory certainly didn't want to mention he was a spy and in the company of other spies from other countries.

Prince Palkin dismounted and handed his horse off to another man so that he could walk with them. He gave the soldier a look of mistrust that was not lost on anyone. Rory thought that might bring trouble, but the rest of the men seemed to understand. Once again, this pointed out that the officer was from another place, and he had not won their trust yet.

"Your fine Queen told me to be on the lookout for you, Roridan. She said I should put my full faith in whatever insanity you suggested. And so, here I am."

Zorian, who had been making slight sounds of displeasure, now laughed. The soldier didn't look any happier about it, and Rory suddenly worried for the Prince more than himself. He gave a slight sign to Zorian, who blinked back in agreement as he inched slightly closer to the Euriday prince.

"So, do you have any madness to share with me?" Palkin asked.

"There appeared to be Atrians somewhere off to our right," Rory said. "We're still hoping to reach the ships before we fall into a battle with them. I hope they see three different forces marching together and decide they are not strong enough to take us on."

"And what does a priest know about --"

"Roridan Callan was Captain of the Queen's Guard before he went to the temple," Zorian explained.

The man looked startled, then gave a strange, weary glance toward the other soldiers, some of whom hardly hid their grins.

"No one told me," he said. "My apologies."

The man not only sounded sincere but also as though he had gotten too used to saying those words. Rory thought he saw how this relationship must have gone so far between him and the men.

Rory did recognize a few of the junior officers and gave them a rueful look that a couple took to heart. He had no time for anything else, though. Besides, he wouldn't dress down the men in the presence of the other troops.

Andora showed up just then, a bit breathless from her run down the line. None of these people were used to Sciwhen soldiers and her arrival unsettled even Prince Palkin, though he hid it better.

"The two scouts are dead," she said with a shake of her head. "We can't know what they saw. More scouts are scouring that area, but I believe they were not killed where they were found. Generals Unanik and Junal would like everyone to be ready in case of attack. We're getting closer to the bay. You can smell the sea."

Rory had been so caught up in trouble with his people that he hadn't noticed the faint salty mist in the air.

"A question, if you don't mind," the officer said.

"Yes, Lt. Tanrun?" Prince Palkin asked.

"Does anyone know where the Atrian fleet is just now?"

Flash Fiction #523 -- The Long Way Home/22

 

Something clicked with the general's admission that they were already heading for Euriday.
"You didn't know the king was dead before you started," Rory said with a nod.
"No, we didn't. We were on the road for several weeks and coming at your king's request."
"Not my king," Rory reminded her. She made a sign as though to say it hardly mattered, and she was right.
Rory turned his attention to Unanik.  "And you are not here at Queen Intesia's behest," Rory said.
Unanik's face colored, and his hand jerked toward his sword. Rory retreated a couple steps, but the man got better control in the next breath.
"I know what's been said about Queen Intesia and me," he finally said. "I find it -- I will not -- it is --" He stopped and shook his head. "No, she did not send me. The orders came from the king by special messenger. I was to go and meet up with the Sciwhen forces and escort them to the city, avoiding as much trouble along the way as possible."

"But the King is dead," Jamison said.

"And I knew that before I got here. However, knowing that the Sciwhen forces would still be on the way and might not even know the news, I realized my duty was still to make the rendezvous and find out what General Junal intended to do now."

"The other soldiers out there?" Jamison asked with a slight wave to the northwest.

"Not hers or mine. They may be out of Euriday. They could be from Sundry -- but my guess is Euriday and a group I've had trouble with before."

"Oh, for the love of the Gods," Jamison all but shouted. "Tell me this isn't trouble from the New Order of Man followers."

Rory ran through the little bit he knew about the cult. He had never given them much notice -- just one of dozens of strange groups that found their way to the capital -- just as they did in Sundry -- to harangue anyone within reach.

They did have a high proportion of military members. Their only strong belief seemed to be that all the world must be ruled by a single elite military command.

He would not have considered them dangerous except for that link to the Euriday military. They were not a group Rory had felt was a problem. He could not tell if his friends took it seriously or were just grabbing at anything they could consider.

Rory decided he didn't care. This was not his job. In fact, it was time to leave this odd group behind and head fast for Sundry and the Queen. He had reports to make --

Rory even glanced in that direction, only to find Temple Master Pyrida striding his way, a pack slung over his shoulder.

"I am heading back to Sundry. You will stay with your companions and report the results of this unusual situation when you have some answers."

He almost protested, but his body reacted with a proper bow before his mouth could open and get him in trouble. Prydia gave one nod and turned toward the horse someone brought for him. Four Sundry soldiers had mounted to go with him.

Pyrida started to turn his horse and stopped. "We will have much to discuss your behavior and use of Temple secrets when this is done."

Rory said nothing as he watched the group ride away and tried to wish them luck.

"Rory?" Zorian said with a hint of worry.

He turned to find Zorian, Jamison, and Keltrina all had moved up to his back, and they all looked worried.

"Pyrida sent me out at the Queen's request," Rory reminded him. "I don't know what the man could have expected me to do differently. He can hint at a threat all he likes, but he'll have to answer to Queen Calladona."

"And you trust her to be on your side?" Jamison asked as they all went to gather their few belongings.

"She'll listen to Rory," Zorian said with solid conviction. "And she'll listen to me. Do we ride to her, Rory?"

"Not yet. Pyrida told me to stay with the trouble. Besides, it would hardly do to head home before I found an answer, would it?"  He walked a few steps while trying to minimize his limp and curb his anger. "Any answer at this point."

No one argued.

Before long, they were trailing behind the Sciwhen soldiers and before the Sundry group. The Euridays provided cover in the back and some scouts ahead. They did not rush, but by midday, they were well back into Euriday territory, and coming closer to the hills they would either have to climb again or find a way around.

Or take another direction. The generals directed their forces down a narrower trail heading to the south and away from the city.

"Why this way?" Jamison dared to ask when Unanik walked back the line. "This isn't the direction to the capital."

"No, it isn't," he said and grinned. "It is the way to the harbor and our ships, though."

The words delighted him with the thought that they would not be walking all the way back to the city. They camped that night with only half a day more to walk. Rory ate little food and curled up to sleep, glad for a few more hours of rest.

After some biscuits and tea, they were back on the trail, spread out farther because of the narrow path. It made everyone uneasy. They moved at a faster pace, and scouts from all three forces took to the surrounding hillsides and meadows. Rory didn't think anyone would get past those soldiers, each group in good-natured rivalry to outdo the other two.

Rory left the Sundry forces to Prince Palkin without any protest. He'd learned that when Temple Master Pyrida had joined the march, he had assumed command. Rory was so inclined, having had little military training.

He didn't want a war.

Flash Fiction #522 --The Long Way Home/21

 Rory struggled to his feet and looked around. No one appeared happy. "What is going on now?" he asked softly. "They weren't upset before."

"There are many more forces wandering around than they thought," Jamison explained. He looked bothered. "And more questions every time we sit down to talk, with no answers for any of them. Prince Palkin is convinced his brother didn't kill the king, though."

"I'm not so certain of it myself," Rory said. "But what are his reasons?"

"My reasons," Prince Palkin said from just behind him. Rory turned with a start, "is an agreement the two of us made just last year. I would rule -- and he would get my support and an army to conquer some barbarian land, away from any of our allies. It appeals to him, you know, and he wants that kind of excitement and fame."

"I --" Rory began. He shook his head but stopped at the rush of pain. Jamison had caught his arm, and he hadn't even noticed. "But --"

"Are you alright?" Prince Palkin said and looked worried.

"Bad few days," he admitted and took a deep breath. "You really think Prince Kellic doesn't want to be king?"

"Considering your kind of work and that you must have been studying my brother for some time, so you know his temperament. Do you think he misjudges what it would mean to be king?"

"I would not presume to --"

Palkin gave a frustrated sigh. Rory rethought what he would say.

"Your brother is not a stupid man," Rory said, drawing Palkin's notice again. "He has been impatient, but my observations and reports on him almost always mentioned battle plans. I assumed it was a war when he took the throne."

"But did he ever talk about what he would do as king?" Palkin asked.

Rory considered it. "Not that I recall."

"This does not mean he couldn't have killed Father in an attempt to get things moving faster, but I've had the impression of something else going on."

"I thought he would have claimed the throne immediately -- no matter how your father died," Jamison offered. "That he had not by the time we left the city makes me think he was hoping for you to turn up -- but that doesn't explain the matter of the ambassadors' apartment building."

"All of them dead," Palkin said with a shake of his head and a look of dismay.

"No one tried to escape the fire," Jamison replied. "So they must all --"

"Maybe not all dead," Rory said. "We didn't check. Someone could have left before we got there. My guess would be the Trakolan people since they're allies with Atria and were clearly in the city for something other than peace accords. They got messages from Atria sometimes, but never more than a warning to be ready."

"And we missed when they got the go-ahead," Jamison said, putting himself in the same work and knowing the same things. "I don't know how we both missed ... maybe we didn't."

"What do you see?" Rory asked.

"A new theory," Jamison said, and he didn't even look at Palkin.  "What if the warning was the death of the king?"

"Warning that now was the time to strike the other ambassadors? Maybe, though, why --"

"I would guess, given what we saw, that your people were the main targets and all the others to make more confusion."

"And Kellic being there?" Rory asked and then lifted a shaking hand before either could answer. "Lured in to either kill him or get him blamed. And he was quick to go after me, so I suspect someone had pointed him that way. This is mostly predicated on the idea that Kellic doesn't want to be king. You're certain?"

"Have either of you ever watched Kel at a Council meeting? Did he look like someone anxious to take the next step up?"

"Excellent point," Jamison replied with an emphatic nod. Rory mimicked the nod, having seen Prince Kellic at other meetings.   "But that still leaves us with the question of why any of this happened."

"We're not going to find out running around in the woods," Prince Palkin replied.

"You want to go back to the city," Rory said and began to understand the looks of displeasure all around.

"I will go back," he said. "Even if I have to go there with no more than your people at my back. They are sworn to me by your Queen, you know."

Rory didn't argue with him. That would be Temple Master Pyrida's job if he wanted to take it on. Rory was only a priest. He kept telling himself that as he limped off with Jamison, who kept shaking his head. Rory didn't bother to ask how they'd gotten into this mess. He could trace the path as well as Jamison and could make no sense of it, either.

General Unanik and General Junal stood together still and focused on their conversation. Pyrida stood with them, but he clearly didn't understand much of what they were saying. The man looked relieved when Rory arrived, though he only nodded and walked away.

"We make him nervous," Unanik said with a nod toward Pyrida.  "But not you, priest."

"I've been told that I am still too worldly," he admitted. "But that's what I need right now, isn't it? You are going back to the capital with Prince Palkin?"

"Of course," he said, and his look dared Rory to ask about loyalty.

Rory did not. It wasn't his country, and he'd know soon enough if anything was going on with the Queen. He had enough to worry about with Palkin and wondered what Kellic was doing. Who killed the ambassadors? Who killed the king?

Rory's head hurt. He looked to General Junal and found her amused.

"Yes, I'm going," she said. "I wouldn't miss this show. Besides, we were already heading that way, you know."