The Path of Decisions Read online

  The King interrupted him with a cough, then continued. “She was… from the farmlands, and he had a child with her. That child was you.”

  Richard stood up without even thinking and stumbled to the window ledge. Grasping it hard, he looked straight down at the castle grounds. He distinguished his own house a short distance away. Then his head lifted toward the city walls and out into the distant farmlands. His hands clenched the ledge so tightly that the ancient rock almost crumbled. Thoughts of his boyhood played out in small sketches across his mind. He visualized his father and mother. They had loved each other so much, but his father had given up the kingdom for her.

  “My mother was an outsider?” he screamed at the King. He couldn’t believe he was a descendant of those who tried to take over the Realm through rebellion. “That is who I am? One of them?” Spittle flew from his lips. He had never been so livid in his entire life, and he knew it wasn’t an altogether rational response.

  Richard opened his mouth to continue the retort but closed it before saying anything else. Why was it so bad? He had never paused to wonder why the city people detested the outsiders. It was just the way it was. He thought back to his boyhood and realized that he had never learned such disgust from his parents. They were open and friendly to all. It was his own drive to be something more than his father, to be a noble and to have the best things in life that drove him to those attitudes.

  Whatever the reason for his hatred, this information should not have been withheld from him. Rage filled his frame as he approached the King’s chair. He stood over the King like a hawk looking at his prey. “Why didn't you tell me before? There is no excuse for this, Edward. You had no right.”

  The King’s face reddened at Richard’s accusations. “I had all the right, Richard. Do not forget who I am. I am King of this Realm. It is my responsibility to protect it and provide for it the best way I know how. I must act for the good and benefit of the whole. Do not lecture me on what is my right. You serve at my whim.” He began to cough hard.

  Richard brought a goblet of water for Edward and helped him drink. The King rested his head back down on his pillow and continued speaking, though in a softer manner.

  “We all have struggles to face, Richard. And there is a time for each struggle.”

  “You are becoming quite the philosopher as you die, Edward.” Richard still felt betrayed and perturbed. “Don't you remember who the farmers are? They were people kicked out of the city generations ago because of disregard for the nobility and the rules of the Realm. They protected and intermarried with insurgent wizards who disregarded the law and tried to rise up against the true rulers. They were criminals and rebels. They are outsiders! I can’t be one of them!”

  “I agree some rebelled against the rule of the Realm. Maybe the King’s rule was too harsh against the wizards of that time and they felt they had no other choice. Other kingdoms have wizards. Why did we not want them? I don’t know all the answers, Richard, but maybe they were justified in what they did. “

  “Justified? Never. It is never justified in fighting those who rightly rule. They disgraced themselves. Those who didn’t die deserved to be kicked out of the city.”

  “Richard, that was so long ago. Why do we continue to call them outsiders? All they are now is really farmers. Those lesser wizards originally banished have melded in with the farmers for generations.” The King took another sip from his cup and laid his head back. “They raise and grow food for us. Why is that so bad? “

  Richard plopped back in his chair. His whole life was unraveling before his eyes. Why did this hurt him so much? It wasn’t that he was part outsider— that did hurt, but it was more that there was information and secrets about himself that he didn’t know.

  “I have had to carry this burden with me. It has not been easy.” King Edward’s voice trailed off.

  Richard took a deep breath and tried to regain a calmness he didn’t feel. “And my burden is?”

  “Richard, I have had to carry the kingdom and try to make the kinds of decisions I thought your father would make. I never remarried because I wanted to restore the line back to your family. It is not easy being the King.”

  “Nor a king’s councilor.” Richard muttered under his breath.

  Chapter 10

  ESCAPE

  Kelln had been moved down to the dungeon again. The days had passed with no visitors and little food. He tried not to despair. At least he wasn’t being beaten and tortured this time. He surmised that the Preacher had been too busy with Darius to think about him.

  One morning shortly after being given a few scraps of bread and overripe fruit, Alessandra entered his cell.

  Kelln was lying on a thin blanket in the corner of the stone floor. Upon seeing her, he turned his face away and closed his eyes against the hurt and pain.

  “Kelln,” she whispered, “we have to talk.”

  Kelln remained silent as Alessandra opened the cell door and walked over to him. She tried to turn his head toward her. He tried to ignore her soft hands and cringed inside when he couldn’t. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She was inches away. Her mysterious dark eyes were red and watery and filled with fear. Her arm was bandaged still, and fading bruises covered part of her face.

  He suddenly felt self-conscious and reached his hand up to smooth down his red curls, only to find himself wincing at his own bruises and cuts.

  “What happened to you?” she whispered.

  “Your father’s newest ally, my old friend Darius, seems to now have a temper.”

  “My father is planning on having you executed soon.”

  “So I've been told. Does it matter now? I have no friends!” He spat the words out.

  “I will help you escape.”

  Kelln shook his head as if trying to make sure he was fully awake. He couldn’t trust her again. But if there was any hope at all of surviving, he had to at least listen to her. “How did you survive the river? We looked everywhere.”

  “I hit my head and floated up unconscious next to some logs far down river. One of the scouts out guarding the city found me and brought me back.”

  “Some trick you pulled to get away.” Kelln turned his body to sit up. He didn’t like looking up at her and feeling inferior.

  “It was no trick, Kelln. Believe me. I almost died,” Alessandra pled, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  Kelln only grunted a reply. He didn’t know what to believe. But he would do anything to get away from the Preacher. He would take poison himself before allowing that man to enter his mind again. “Who let you into my cell?”

  “I gave the guard some drink... it made him sleepy,” she said with little emotion. “Did you hear what I said about helping you?”

  “You want to help me escape. I’ve heard that before, Alessandra, a couple of days before you turned me back in. I won’t let your father torture me more!”

  Alessandra looked hurt, but Kelln didn’t really care at the moment. He hurt inside and out and was on the verge of losing his life.

  “It wasn't my fault. It was my... father.” She seemed to hesitate on the last word. “I realize now what he has done. Being away from the castle for a few days helped me clear my head and really see what you have seen all along—he is using everyone for his own gain. Now, he is even influencing your friend Darius. He has him under some kind of spell or something. You must warn Anikari. If those two join forces like they are now saying and march against the King, it will be bloody.” She lowered her head and whispered, “I don’t know if I believe in his cause anymore.”

  “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “You just don’t understand, Kelln.” Alessandra barely held back the tears. “You didn’t grow up here, around him. He is so powerful. It’s hard not to listen to him and be filled with pride and righteous anger. But…”

  “But what, Alessandra? He might have started out with good ideas, but now, look around you. Belor is only one city compared to what the King has at his dis
posal. Your father is crazy to fight the Realm. He is so hungry for power he doesn’t care what is right and wrong anymore. Darius, too.”

  “He was a good friend, wasn’t he?” Alessandra asked with sympathy.

  “Yes, he was.” Kelln hung his head low. “And still is! I must help him.”

  “Then you must get out and warn the King.” Alessandra’s large brown eyes flashed with excitement. “That’s the only way.”

  “You come with me, then.” Kelln wasn’t going to let her turn him in again. He needed to keep her close.

  “I... don't know.”

  “Alessandra.” He said her name softly, but with emotion. “Either you come this time, or I don't go. It’s that simple. You stay, and I stay and die. If somehow you have a plan to help me escape, you escape with me. Leave his influence behind. It is the only way.”

  Alessandra headed for the door. “Be ready early tomorrow morning. I will be here before the sun is up.”

  Kelln looked hard at her. His heart was in turmoil. He loved the way her hair fell over her shoulders, and even in redness, her eyes captivated him. Yet he couldn’t trust her. At least not yet. “So are we leaving together?”

  “Do I have a choice?” Alessandra grimaced a small smile. “You are right. I need to leave.”

  “Alessandra, can you find out about my family for me? Just let me know how they are doing.”

  “I will try.” She reached for the door, “Just be ready tomorrow morning.”

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  The next morning, as promised, Alessandra came back to Kelln’s cell, slipping in between guard shifts. Her hair had changed once again. It was tucked under a shirt in the back, colored dark brown, and covered with a hat. She even took on the walk of someone different. She led him out of the room and down some narrow winding servant stairs into a small storage closet.

  “Here, change into these,” she said.

  Kelln lifted the clothes up out of a bag and almost laughed. “These are women’s clothes! I'm not going to—”

  “Do you want to escape?” Alessandra said as she put some other clothes over her shirt and pants. After they changed, she brought out some kind of powder, mixed it with water, and spread it over Kelln's arms, neck, and face.

  “What’s this for? It smells disgusting.” Kelln's nostrils flared.

  “As it dries, it will wrinkle and make you look diseased,” smiled Alessandra. Kelln hoped they wouldn't pass a mirror. He didn't think he could bear to look.

  They cracked open the door to the closet to check their escape route. All seemed to be clear. The two escapees walked into another corridor and out through a garden exit into the early morning air. The stars were beginning to fade as a slight yellow light grew out of the eastern sky. It would be a clear day. The warmth of spring was in the air. They snuck up around a tall stone column and up behind a lone guard. Alessandra whispered for Kelln to stay, and she walked with careful steps toward the guard. She drew out a sword from her baggy clothes and hit him over the head with the hilt. Kelln gasped for a moment as Alessandra motioned him forward.

  “He'll be all right,” she whispered to him in answer to his questioning eyes. Sometimes he wondered if he was safe with her. He wasn’t made for all this fighting.

  They spotted a few other people. Kelln figured it was the bakers and those who worked the markets. One of the city cleanup patrols was just leaving through a small gate to dump the prior day’s waste. Swiftly the two “women” moved toward the north gate. As they neared, they met up with other women who were dressed as they were and were preparing to bring the morning meal to the soldiers outside the gate. Alessandra and Kelln followed two of them toward the gate, but before they got far, Alessandra came up and told them they would take the food instead. They began to argue.

  “This woman’s son is out on the battle field,” Alessandra began, pointing to Kelln. “As you can see, she has a horrible disease and wants to talk to her son before she dies.”

  The other women looked at Kelln, grimaced, and backed away as if afraid of the disease. Kelln just smiled back at them without opening his mouth. He couldn't believe they thought he was a woman. He hoped no one he knew ever found out about this. He had a covering on his head along with a baggy shirt and long skirt. His small height added to the effect that he was an old diseased woman. The other women gave Kelln and Alessandra their food and walked away.

  Alessandra turned and whispered to Kelln that all they had to do was get past the guards now. The gate stood under heavy guard. As they approached, they were stopped and looked at with suspicion.

  “Aren't you a little old for a server?” one of them asked Kelln.

  “She is sick and wants to see her son,” repeated Alessandra.

  “What kind of disease do you have?” Another guard asked Kelln as he continued staring at the ground.

  “She can't hear you. The disease has made her deaf,” said Alessandra. The guards remained suspicious, but after looking at Kelln’s skin they let the two through the gates. What harm could two ugly women do? The guards continued to watch the pair until they were out of sight. Kelln and Alessandra spotted some soldiers a distance from the gate and started moving in their direction. The guards soon lost interest and went back to their posts.

  “Now how do we get out of here without being noticed?” Kelln asked Alessandra.

  “When we get close to the soldiers, start to cough and act like you are sick. I will leave the food with them and walk you over to the edge of the road. We will have to make it up from there.”

  Kelln did as he was told, still doubting the results. The soldiers took one look at Kelln and wanted nothing to do with him. He couldn’t resist a little wave of his fingers to them. He almost laughed at their stunned reaction.

  When he started coughing and wheezing they almost fell over themselves backing away. Alessandra came to Kelln’s rescue, and they walked off together. Off the road a little way, they watched the soldiers devouring their food. They were not interested in two unattractive serving women.

  “Why don't you sit down?” motioned Alessandra to Kelln.

  “What?” his eyes narrowed, as he whispered, “The ground is cold.”

  “Just do it!” she barked softly, looking back toward the soldiers. A new group seemed to be coming their way up the road. “We must hurry.”

  Kelln nodded. He saw a soldier glance over at them, but when Kelln starting coughing again, the soldier turned away. Alessandra bent over to help him, and they moved, disappearing from the soldiers’ view behind some bushes. As fast as they could they crawled away from the road, their clothes dragging on the hard ground. Kelln’s hands began to feel raw and sore as they crawled over bushes, rocks and sticks. The spring grass was just starting to fill in. The sun warmed their backs as it rose into the day.

  They reached a group of short trees with new green leaves, stood behind one and peeled the outer layers of their clothes off. They stuffed them into a hole in the trunk of an old maple tree, then began running in a northwesterly direction toward Anikari.

  Kelln hoped they didn’t meet up with anyone until he could find a stream to wash in. He could hardly stand the smell that he carried. And he didn’t make a very pretty old woman either.

  “This is just fantastic,” he whispered with sarcasm dripping from his lips.

  Chapter 11

  CAPTURE

  “Hey, get back here!” shouted the aged farmer as the three city boys ran off. “That’s my family’s food for the winter.”

  “Well, here is some of it back then, outsider.” One of the boys turned around and, with a laugh, sent two potatoes hurling through the air, barely missing the man.

  “Again?” asked the man’s wife as she came out to see what all the yelling was about.

  “Yes. The second time this week. But they only found a little food from the barn this time. They didn’t go into the cellar.”

  “Things are desperate for everyone, it seems.”

&
nbsp; The weary old man dropped his tired frame to the ground. Wet from the recent rainstorm, the ground soaked through his sturdy work pants. But the old man didn’t care.

  “Come on, Grandpa,” his wife said with a small smile. “Get up. We’ve been through this before. “

  “I know we can make it; it’s been like this our whole lives. But the younger generation of farmers doesn’t seem to want to stand for it anymore. Can’t say I blame them. It’s been five generations since the wizard rebellion. The farmers took pity on their families and took them in, and it has been trouble for us ever since. The power of those wizards is now long gone. Something’s going to happen soon. Something dangerous, if this keeps up. There will be all-out war, and the farmers won’t have a chance.”

  He reached up and grabbed his wife’s hand and walked into their small warm cottage, looking back once as he shut the door. As he did, he watched three horses racing from the farmlands toward the boys who had tried to steal their food. The old man knew they would head to the city gates to once again fight against those delivering food. As always they were led by a beautiful, large white horse.

  Fighting had erupted all around the outskirts of Anikari. People needed food, and the fear of not surviving drove people to do things they wouldn’t have ordinarily done. Many on both sides of the turmoil had been wounded, though no one had been killed yet. Always on the scene was Christine on her pure white Cremelino horse.

  Christine, hidden under a mask and cloak, hung back with other raiders until food wagons from other Realm cities came into view. Now they stopped all wagons from entering or leaving the city gates. Some of the city men had hired private guards to surround their wagon trains and keep the thieves away. Sometimes they succeeded; other times they didn't.

  Everyone in the farmlands knew of Christine and her vigilante war. Convincing a few other farmers to help from time to time, she and her followers stayed masked so as to not be caught and turned in by the city guard.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *