The Scarlet King (34 page)

The third person was staring at Betty and
said, "I expect you already know my story. I am Stephen the Scarlet
King and I have come to meet the one to whom we owe so much."

Heather was quiet for a moment before
replying. "Your debt is to my grandmother, who has given me orders
from the grave to assist you. I know not how the God of the Sacred
Water causes
the ?
to do as they do. It is
this power that has allowed those of the Forest to assist you."

Without further discussion or introduction,
Heather continued the meeting by saying, "We of the Forest have as
our guest the one whom I feel was commander of the mounted troops.
Jason has learned enough of their language to discuss the
possibility of peace, but the one from the East says they have no
way of suing for peace." Those of the Red nodded in agreement. She
continued, "I would try yet for peace by suggesting a trade
agreement, but know not what you have to trade. The cost to your
kingdom and to the military people who serve it will be great if
the war continues to the end."

Both the envoy and the commander of the Red
turned to their Scarlet King and said not. Before replying, the
Scarlet King reached for his container of water to wet his throat
before speaking. Betty wrinkled up her nose and said, "Bad
water."

The King looked at his water container and
then at Betty before replying, "It is the water from the royal
water fountain. It gives us the strength we need." He struggled
somewhat for his words and especially to organize them, for his
mind was much jumbled.

Heather responded, "I would you give some of
the water for me to take back to our healer, for he knows much
about our Sacred Water."

The King just nodded in agreement as he tried
to organize his thoughts. The envoy spoke up, saying, "Those of the
East have little timber for building, but if we supply them with
timber for building, it could also be used for the building of
their ships of war."

The Scarlet King only partially listened to
the discussion; when he had his thoughts finally organized, he
said, "The Kingdom of the Red is rich in grain and timber but we
have little copper or iron. These we could trade."

Heather said not for some time as she stared
into the fire. Without looking up she said, "We of the Forest have
done our part and will soon return to our homes. I would we
completed the peace agreement that was negotiated by Jason and the
envoy. I will present the option of trade to our guest from the
East. If he is not willing to take the risk of returning to his
country with the trade agreement, then the battle must go on until
their defeat is complete."

The envoy spoke, saying, "With my King's
permission, I would meet with Jason in the palace and complete the
final details of the trade agreement."

The King had a somewhat faraway look on his
face and he spoke, looking at Betty: "My time is short and I would
that you not leave, for the little one has brought me great
comfort."

Betty was obviously uncomfortable with the
attention and said only, "Not me. It is the Spirits of the
Forest."

Heather spoke, saying, "We of the Forest are
not of the city, and I would that negotiations occur in the open,
for our previous experience in your city was not favorable."

The envoy spoke, saying, "It will be as you
wish, for we owe you a debt that can never be paid. Our previous
treatment of your delegates is a great shame on our people."

Time was then spent on arrangements and
planning, but the Scarlet King participated not and had the faraway
look upon his face. It was only as arrangements for the next
meeting were finalized that he spoke in a quiet voice, saying, "I
would travel to spend my last days amongst the trees, which have
given me such peace. I would ask that you take me with you when you
depart for your home."

Silence ensued, with everyone just staring at
the small campfire. It was Betty who finally spoke up, saying, "The
Spirits of the Forest would like that."

The envoy then spoke up, saying, "I too would
like to spend my last days in the land of the Spirits of the
Forest, but the journey is long and fraught with danger." He then
added, "You are the Scarlet King, and how shall we govern without
you?"

The Scarlet King thought for some time before
responding, "My time is short, so what is danger to me? I shall
designate my successor and the governing will continue as always,
but without me."

Again silence ensued and Heather, without
looking up, said simply, "It will be as the God of the Sacred Water
deems it. I will need to confer with those of the Forest before
granting your request." She added, "Life in the Forest is a simple
life without the trappings of a kingdom. There will be none to care
for you as is the custom in your land, and you will need to live as
others in the Forest live. Winter is far more harsh than you
appreciate here in your Great City."

The Scarlet King responded, "I am dying, so
what do I need of the trappings of our kingdom? The peace and
serenity of those great trees is what I ask for."

Heather stood and said only, "I will relay
your request and have an answer at our next meeting." She then
strode off into the darkness with Betty at her side, leaving those
of the Red sitting at the campfire. They sat for some time before
the envoy signaled the guards, who assisted the Scarlet King back
through the secret passage door into the waiting carriage. The
commander of the Red stood guard himself while the King was carried
back into the palace.

It was late when Heather returned to their
camp, and the morning came all too quickly. She completed the
morning ritual and joined the others for the breaking of the fast.
Daniel had tried to wait up for her, but when she had returned to
their tent he was asleep with his notebook still open. Now he sat
at the campfire awaiting his bride and the news she brought.
Heather enjoyed a light meal with her companions before calling for
a Council. The Council needed to wait for Jason to show, for as
always he found mornings difficult. Those of the Forest joked that
Jason’s snoring was enough to scare away any and all creatures.
Others argued that it was only the sound of the ocean against the
rocks being amplified through Jason.

After Jason had eaten, Heather told her story
of meeting with those of the Red and of the possible trade
articles. She then told of the Scarlet King's request to travel
with them back to the Forest. She said, "I would this decision be
made by the Council after hearing Jason's opinion."

Jason spoke up only after a period of
thought, saying, "It would seem a logical decision if those of the
Forest are willing to forgive the past actions of those of the Red.
It would ensure future cooperation between our peoples." He then
asked, "Does the Scarlet King understand the nature of life in the
Forest?"

Betty spoke up, saying, "He knows. Needs to
live with the priest."

Those of the Forest had a few other
questions, but in general everyone seemed willing to allow the
Scarlet King to travel with them. There was some discussion as to
the difficulty in transport, and one of the hunters spoke up,
saying, "We will need the help of the traders, but if we use the
house on wheels that the envoy traveled in we can transport the
Scarlet King." After another moment of thought, he added, "The
traders will expect payment for their services and we will have
another mouth to feed."

Jason argued, "I would expect the increased
trade will more than compensate the traders for their efforts. You
could ask for payment up front, but I think that as highly regarded
and powerful as the Scarlet King is, those of the Red will continue
to sponsor him. I doubt they understand the nature of your lives in
the Forest." The discussion carried on, but in reality it was the
very nature of those of the Forest to offer hospitality, and
Heather doubted not that the request would be approved. No actual
vote was taken but it was obvious that the consensus was in
favor.

Daniel had been examining the water container
that Heather had brought, having already assumed that those of the
Forest would agree. There was an obvious subtle tinge of yellow to
the water, but to the nose it smelled fresh. He tasted of the water
and there was a slight bitterness, but otherwise it seemed fine. He
spoke up without thinking and interrupted the conversation of the
Council, saying, "I wonder what the source of this water is?"

Jeremy responded, "I think it is from the
fountain in front of the palace. It had yellow crystals all over it
and was reserved for those of the royal blood."

Daniel said, "I wish I had my alchemy
equipment to test the water. I would bet, Jeremy, that this is
their source of iodine, but I wonder what the yellow crystals
are."

Heather, wanting to finish the Council
discussion, said, "Make a list of the equipment you want and I'll
see if those of the Red can supply it." She then went on to
summarize the feelings expressed in the Council, saying, "We will
accept the Scarlet King as our guest and have him reside with the
priest at the monastery. I will speak to those of the Red of the
cost of his transport, but offer the hospitality of the Forest for
his ongoing living cost."

She then discussed in general terms the
challenges she saw in reaching a peace agreement with those from
the East. They discussed the provisions they would want for their
return trip home, and preparations were made to begin securing meat
and vegetables for curing. The Council was not so much closed as it
was allowed to disintegrate into the friendly banter of those of
the Forest and the telling of stories.

Daniel completed his list of alchemy
equipment and handed it to Heather, saying, "I would have a larger
sample of the water and maybe of the crystals if at all possible."
Heather accepted the list to pass on to the messenger; her fatigue
was obvious. Daniel said, "You need time for some rest."

Heather replied with one of her small smiles
and said, "I would tend to the great white horse, for that will
give me solace. I will rest when my mind has settled down."

Heather walked slowly towards the makeshift
corral that held the great white horse. The horse seemed to sense
her presence and walked to meet her as she entered the corral. She
needed to stretch to her whole height to scratch behind the horse’s
ears. She then began grooming him using just her fingers. Both she
and the horse seemed to enjoy the straightening of its mane, and
Heather found herself whistling softly.

For the better part of an hour she groomed
the great white horse. Then the horse bent down, urging Heather to
climb onto its back. Using her right hand to grasp the horse's
mane, she pulled, and then jumped onto the horse’s back despite her
injured leg and arm. The horse responded with a gentle shake of his
head and stood again. With no obvious encouragement the horse began
trotting around the corral.

Their guest from those of the East had been
watching and opened the door of the corral. Heather said not but
simply let the horse carry her out of the corral into the open
spaces. The horse gradually increased in speed until it was at a
full gallop, but its motion was so smooth that Heather barely
needed to hang on. She whispered into the horse's ears and it
gradually slowed, cooling down and returning to the corral.

The one from the East was waiting and closed
the corral after they had entered. The horse bowed low, allowing
Heather to slip off. The guest from the East pointed at the horse
and said, "Whitinglow." He repeated the name several times until
Heather's pronunciation was adequate. He then turned and left
Heather alone to meet again with Jason.

Chapter 17

Jason was waiting with the young priest and
Rheon at their normal meeting site, but they no longer dressed in
formal attire. Jason was learning the language of those of the East
ever so slowly and still depended greatly on the help of the young
priest and Rheon. Their guest from those of the East bowed ever so
slightly as a greeting and opened the discussion by saying, "The
One with Golden Hair whispers to the horse and the horse trusts
her. We the people have a legend of such a warrior but I know not
from whence it arises."

Jason had many questions of the legend, but
the one from the East could only respond, "Our scholars may know
the origin, but I know only what was taught in my military
training—that such a warrior was to be emulated for their
leadership ability. I never understood how such a warrior could be
a woman."

He was silent for a moment before continuing,
"I have seen and experienced her power, and I now believe the
legend to be true. I am willing to encourage my people to negotiate
a peace agreement with the mysterious people of the Forest and
their leader with the golden hair."

Jason asked, "What of the people of the City
of Red?"

The stranger from the East was obviously
greatly troubled with the question. He replied only, "If we are to
return to our own country having admitted defeat, we face loss of
our honor and certain death. If the agreement is with one of whom
our legend speaks, and incidentally includes some sort of peace
agreement with those of the city, there is hope that our honor will
remain intact."

Jason asked, "What if your Great One agrees
not to the agreement you present?"

Their guest but shrugged his shoulders,
saying, "Then our honor will be spoiled and our lives forfeited. I
can but pledge my own vow of peace, and if our commanding officer
so agrees I would expect all of our troops to make a similar
pledge."

Jason asked, "How would you suggest the peace
process proceed?"

The stranger responded, "I would meet with my
commander, and if he is willing I would then meet with you and the
one who whispers to horses." He added, "We will need to include
those of the Red, but not until my commander has made his
decision."