Dream of Empty Crowns Read online

  Gordon no longer saw the crowd. He was falling, staring up at an enormous airship. An arrow flew in front of his face, and he looked to his right to see the firstman Brenddel shooting at someone. A quick glance to the left and there was an enormous man lunging at him with an axe. He had a patch on one eye. Gordon was still falling. It was very cold, and Gordon was having a hard time breathing. Both men were hanging from ropes and fighting and reaching for Gordon at the same time. From nowhere, the girl Aline was attacking with a longknife. Gordon twisted in midair. Now he was staring at the world below, fast approaching. The whole world was on fire. Everywhere he looked there were armies fighting and fire, fire, fire. There were two shadows now. One was right in front of him, this time with Trunculin's face.

  Gordon felt as though his head was about to split open. Still on stage, he screamed and collapsed. The crown flew from his head and went clanging on the platform. He screamed again, holding his head. He was back in front of the crowd again and had no idea what was happening. The vision was slowly fading, the faces of the men and the girl flashing in his mind. His head felt like it would rip in two, as he tried to hold it together with his hands.

  Trunculin rushed for Gordon, but Stathen got there first. Not knowing what to do, he tried to pry Gordon's hands from his face. He feared he had been shot by an arrow, or poisoned somehow. Gordon's eyes were tightly shut and he was groaning.

  “Quickly, get him to the healers!” shouted Trunculin. Stathen began to lift Gordon. “No, Stathen, you are no longer king. Return to the crowds,” said Trunculin as the firstman Brenddel rushed to Gordon and lifted him.

  Gordon opened his eyes briefly and thought he was back in his vision when he saw Brenddel. He grabbed his head and screamed again. Trunculin was saying something to the crowd, but Gordon couldn't make out what it was. Before he shut his eyes again, he saw Stathen look at him seriously, then walk into the crowd to be swallowed; just another man now.

  The last thing he saw was Trunculin's angry face, or was it the shadow? Gordon closed his eyes again and was taken by darkness.

  Chapter 8: Strange Vision

  Rolem knew Trunculin was in one of his rages. He didn't want to say anything that would make things worse as he tried to keep pace next to the firstcouncilor.

  “Go to the healers. Find out what happened, what is wrong with him. I have to see someone. I will join you there soon,” said Trunculin.

  Rolem wanted to ask who could be so important to see now, of all times, but working closely with Trunculin had taught him not to ask too many questions. “Yes, firstcouncilor,” was all he said.

  Rolem went toward the healers and Trunculin headed down another hallway. The firstcouncilor made his way to a small corner of the palace where there were no guards. He unlocked a narrow door.

  A very thin man was sitting on a pillow, holding both sides of his head. His eyes were closed. Trunculin towered over the man. The thin man was breathing slowly. He did not open his eyes.

  In as calm a voice as possible, Trunculin asked, “What happened?”

  The mystic put his hands down, and slowly opened his eyes. “Who is this boy?”

  “A poor boy from the villages. We are trying to find his parents. He lives with his uncle, who used to be firsthealer. We cannot find the uncle anywhere. What happened?” repeated Trunculin.

  The thin man looked calmly at Trunculin and said, “When I tried to install the vision we agreed upon, I had to be very aggressive. The boy's mental walls are very strong; much stronger than they should be for a boy of thirteen. I nearly worked my way over these walls. But before I could install the vision, he has a dream vision of his own.”

  “How is that possible? Is the boy a mystic?” asked Trunculin.

  “No… no, I don't think so. Our guild would have detected him years ago if he had true mystic gifts. I don't know what he is. But I was able to see his dream vision as a passenger in his mind,” stated the thin man.

  Trunculin sat in a chair facing the man, “Tell me.”

  “The boy was falling from an airship. But this airship was much bigger than any that exist… at least, any my guild know about,” said the mystic.

  Trunculin shifted in his chair. The mystic stared at Trunculin, “Don't try to look in my mind, mystic, my walls are stronger than you know. Don't change the agreement now.”

  “Of course, firstcouncilor,” The thin man nodded. “There was a battle between several men on ropes. One man was your firstman Brenddel. He was firing arrows at another man. This man had a patch over one eye.” To underline the point, the mystic pointed to the eye the patch was over.

  The mystic thought he saw a note of fear on Trunculin's face, but it was just a flash.

  “Mantuan?” asked Trunculin.

  “Yes. And there was a fierce girl fighting by his side. There were armies from at least four other kingdoms fighting each other. Around all this, there was fire. It was as though the entire world was in a fiery war. There were two shadows overseeing the destruction,” finished the mystic.

  Trunculin's face hardened, “But this wasn't a true vision?”

  The man said, “It couldn't have been. The boy is no mystic, and there is no airship that large. Also, the kingdoms that I saw fighting have been allies for years. And, Mantuan, of course, is dead.”

  Trunculin was quiet for a moment, “But if Mantuan did survive… somehow…”

  “That would be surprising, but it might explain a few things,” agreed the mystic, offering nothing else. He blinked and looked at Trunculin expectantly.

  Trunculin looked away. The day had started to show on him. “I am tired. I need to go check on the boy.”

  “How does this change your plans? Is there anything more you would like to share with the guild?” asked the mystic, blinking again.

  Trunculin rubbed his upper lip, “The plans stay the same. We made the boy kings powerless. Gordon is king, only not able to serve. A sick king is easy enough to control. I will make up some illness and rule through him.”

  “But the crown fell. There may be an issue…” said the man.

  “No. Stathen did his duty. He went amongst the people. Gordon is rightfully king, even though he wasn't meant to be. It will serve,” Trunculin said. He hesitated, “Before I go, I need your skills.”

  The mystic opened his palms and offered a nod. He said nothing else. The mystic did his duty. When he was done, Trunculin said, “I have to go to Gordon. My absence will be noted.”

  The mystic nodded again and closed his eyes. Trunculin left the room more disturbed than when he arrived. He made his way to the healers. He walked past the guards and into the healer's chambers. There were no windows, as this was an interior set of rooms in the palace. The soft glow of light came from the walls and ceiling. Trunculin forgot how bright it was in the healing chambers. He squinted, sniffing the air that smelled so unique to these rooms, and remembered how much he hated coming here. Gordon was in the furthest corner of the maze like area, separate from the other sick. The firsthealer was standing over him, making notes in a leather-bound book.

  “How is the king?” asked Trunculin without greeting the firsthealer Corinn.

  “He is resting. We gave him a something to keep him asleep until we find out what is wrong with him,” she said.

  “Good, I have been…” Trunculin started.

  “What did you do to him?” she interrupted, turning to face Trunculin.

  He began again, avoiding her direct stare. “I had a mystic implant a vision. To guide the boy to the right decisions.”

  “Why did this mystic try to rip his mind open? This is not what I agreed to,” replied the firsthealer.

  “What you agreed to was the smooth continuation of this kingdom. The boy has to be controlled. Nothing has changed. He will be kept here and I will make some announcement tomorrow. It is too late for you to have doubts,” Trunculin said.

  The firsthealer said, “I can keep him like this indefinitely. I am using a weak poison that wil
l keep him asleep, but alive. But no more surprises, firstcouncilor. I will not be so willing if there are any more plans kept from me.”

  She used to say my name, he thought, “Of course. This developed quickly. There was not enough time…”

  She turned to Gordon's bed, made another note. She looked at Trunculin quickly, firmly, and left the room without saying another word.

  Trunculin looked out the door she had just exited, then went to Gordon. The large bed made the boy look very small. He was lying still, his face looking troubled as he slept, brow furrowed. Trunculin stood over Gordon for another moment, then he left.

  A few moments later, a cabinet near Gordon began to slide away from the wall. A head popped out from around it, surveying the room. Aline quietly slid the cabinet further away from the wall and quickly went to Gordon's bed. She removed a small ball of soft bread and placed it in Gordon's mouth. Aline looked around nervously to the entrance to the room. She wished there was a door there instead of just an open archway. She tapped her hand quietly against her leg and waited.

  Gordon groggily opened his eyes and started to say something. Aline quickly put her hand over his mouth and a finger to her own lips. Gordon realized something was in his mouth as Aline said, “No words. The zoress bread will absorb what they gave you,” she whispered.

  She checked the archway again to see a healer's assistant standing there, “Who… who are you? How did you get in here?”

  Aline made a quick movement with her left hand. The assistant collapsed quietly to the floor. Gordon saw the small stick Aline had thrown into the man's neck. Gordon had barely seen her hand move.

  “Come on,” whispered Aline as she helped Gordon out of bed. She put her fingers in Gordon's mouth quickly and removed the bread. What had been a soft white bread was almost black. She dropped it and it crumbled when it hit the floor. Gordon's legs felt wobbly, but she was able to help him to the hidden panel behind the cabinet. Gordon went through first, and Aline pulled a rope attached to the cabinet behind her, pulling the cabinet tight against the wall; the small passageway was sealed again.

  The firsthealer began to walk into the room, but saw the assistant puddled on the floor, “What is…” She looked around and saw that Gordon was gone. She realized that she needed to act fast. She examined the assistant, took out the tiny spear from his neck and smelled the tip. This just got stranger, she thought as she quickly exited the room. She told another assistant to attend to the man on the floor, explaining nothing else as she ran from the healing rooms.

  She got to the guard level a few moments later.

  “The boy is gone.” She told Brenddel, out of breath.

  “What do you mean? Gone where?”

  “Gone. Taken somehow. The room was monitored, I don't know how someone got in or how they got out. One of my men was knocked out with this,” she handed the small stick-like spear to Brenddel.

  He smelled the tip. “Swamp rot. Who are these people?” Brenddel paused, thinking, “No one saw him leave the room, or another person come in the room?”

  The firsthealer said, “No. The room was watched. Someone was checking on him every quarter hour.”

  “Was Gordon in the last room?” asked Brenddel.

  “Yes, how did you…”

  “They must be in the old passages. Only a few people know about them. It has to be Loren.” He slams his fist on the table. “He was in the palace all this time!”

  The firsthealer asked, “Loren? Why would…?”

  “He's the boy's uncle,” replied Brenddel.

  “Strange, the firstcouncilor didn't tell me that,” said the firsthealer stiffly.

  Brenddel and the firsthealer moved quickly through the door. “I know the passages, there is only one place they lead. You tell Trunculin. I will go catch them. Hurry.”

  Chapter 9: Horses and Rain

  Gordon kept blinking his eyes. The passage that the girl was taking him through was very dark and narrow, “Who are you exactly? What is going on?”

  “No time,” responded Aline.

  Gordon stopped. “I'm not going anywhere with you unless you tell me…”

  Aline yanked him forward. She was very strong, Gordon realized.

  “Sorry, my king, but if you don't hurry we will both be dead. I will carry you out if you slow me down. We're meeting Loren.”

  Gordon said, “You might have just told me that.”

  “No time!” Aline said as she pulled his arm. This time he followed her. They came to a rusty gate that Aline had to push hard to open. Gordon thought he saw light around the next bend.

  As they exited the narrow passage, the light was bright and Gordon had to shield his eyes. They came out at a place in the palace he had not been to. It reeked of rotting food. All along the wall, there were large containers full of waste. Aline got the hooded cloaks that were hidden there. “Put this on. Quickly,” she said as she put on her own.

  It was much too large for Gordon, but he had no time to complain. Aline was leading him behind the large wheeled bins of waste along the wall. They suddenly heard an angry shout from the other side of the yard. “Loren! Where are you Loren?” Brenddel shouted.

  “Oh no. Not yet…” Aline said quietly.

  Just then, a hand covered Gordon's mouth. Gordon quickly realized it was his uncle. Loren was hooded as they were and motioned to a large covered building at the end of the row of bins.

  “Formation search, find them!” Brenddel instructed his knifemen. They went in different directions to search the courtyard. “Did you think this would work?” he shouted again, “that you could steal a king from us, Loren?”

  Aline, Loren and Gordon had walked through the small door of the building, trying not to make a sound. They heard footsteps getting closer. It sounded like a guard was at the front of the building.

  “Here! I think I hear something inside the shack.” said the guard.

  They heard the feet of the other guards running towards the building. They also heard the men unsheathed their longknives.

  Brenddel was near.

  Loren released the rope from inside and the large door fell downward on one very surprised guard. The two horses leaped out with Gordon and Loren on one, and Aline on the other.

  Brenddel let out a growl full of rage. He fired a small arrow from his wrist arrow gun. The horses were very fast, and Brenddel couldn't tell if he hit anything. Other guards had hand held arrow guns and fired as well, but the horses and their riders were too far out of range. Brenddel and his men rushed for the other side of the palace grounds.

  * * *

  The two horses were side by side. Loren held Gordon tight around the waist as they galloped. “I know you have many questions. I will answer them all. We're still in danger, but will be safe soon.” He looked over to Aline who only shook her head. She obviously did not agree.

  Loren concentrated on getting to the docks. He knew they would send their fastest riders out, led by an enraged Brenddel. He knew what Brenddel was capable of if he caught them. He had seen too much to underestimate him.

  “Loren!” shouted Aline, pointing behind them.

  Loren glanced behind him. They were far from the palace on a deserted road. He saw no riders coming after them. Aline must have known that he was hoping they were safe, because she pointed her finger again, and said, “Up!”

  Then Loren saw it. An airship was coming in their direction. He scanned around quickly, “Damn. This way…” He jerked his horse to the right. “Through the trees,” he said.

  “We won't make it. The trees will slow us down,” warned Aline.

  “Better slow than seen,” replied Loren.

  “Look, there,” Gordon offered. “See that discolored dirt? Looks like an old walking path. Should lead somewhere.”

  “Good boy… I mean, my king. Aline, there's a path. It will lead to the docks.”

  The two horses and their fugitives made their way through the trees on the rough path. They had to reduce speed, but
the path was in better shape than Loren had imagined. Gordon could smell the sea.

  * * *

  Aboard the airship, Brenddel scanned for the riders and the telltale sign of a dust trail. He thought he saw movement next to a large canopy of trees. He was too high up to be sure, “Over there,” he told the pilot, “those trees. They must be headed to the docks.” Brenddel knew that the riders were far ahead of them. He might lose them. Brenddel told the pilot, “Increase speed. I won't lose them,” and went to the front of the airship to the operators of the rain makers.

  * * *

  Loren thought they had a chance now. He could barely see the airship through the canopy of the trees. That means that we can't be seen either, thought Loren. The airship was surely over them by now. Loren imagined a large shadow coming over the already gloomy forest. Gordon looked up just as he saw a reddish orange flash through the spaces between the leaves.

  Aline yelled, “Rain!”

  Loren and Aline both looked up with horror and returned to full gallop, despite the danger. Just then the trees to their left exploded with fire. The heat was instant and their horses protested briefly, as they forced them back into a full gallop again.

  * * *

  The pilot of the airship shouted to Brenddel, “Are you mad? That's our new king down there!”

  Brenddel said nothing, just stared down at the burning forest and the column of fire raining down. He smiled, “I won't lose them.”

  * * *

  The fire was all around them. To their right, another tree exploded. Aline was making a sound, but the noise of the destruction was too loud for them to hear each other. Loren realized it must be a shout of Aline's anger. Then the trees abruptly ended and they were in open space again. They could see the docks now, as the sun was just about to set.

  * * *

  “There!” Brenddel pointed to the two horses emerging from the flaming forest. Get to the ropes!” The soldiers each threw a rope over the side of the deck. Brenddel instructed the pilot, “Take the airship down.”