Thunderheart 2
Chapter 2
Rohan and the others considered Asa's request for a moment. Finally Rohan spoke.
"I think if he wants to go to Tir na nog, that's the least we can do," he said, "After all we owe him our lives and our kingdom."
King Conchobar nodded.
"Now that that's settled," he said, "We must turn our attention to being prepared for whatever Maeve will try now that her plans have failed."
"Your Majesty, If I may," said Connor, "The stun crystals are still a threat. They have no affect on me that's true but they do on your soldiers, and your Mystic Knights. Now, while I can undo the effects and release people, I can't be everywhere at once."
Conchobar's shoulders sagged.
"You know, he's right," said Conchobar, "I hadn't thought of that."
"Well what can we do," said Angus
"I may have a solution," said Asa
"Of course you do." Garrett muttered. He was silenced by a sharp look from both Conchobar and Deirdre.
"What is your solution, Asa," said Deirdre
"There is a group of Islands hidden the mist of Kells northwestern Coast. These islands are the only place in the world where you can find what the Ancient ones referred to as Nullifier Crystals. If had one about the size of a brick and put it up on the highest point in Kells it would emit and otherwise undetectable energy field that would render the stun crystals useless as soon as Maeve or any of the Temran's crossed the border with them."
"There could be a problem with that," said Ivar, "If as you say these Nullifier crystals can render the stun Crystals useless who's to say that they couldn't render our weapons useless and their by make it impossible to summon our armor."
Asa shook his head.
"I understand your concern, your highness," he said, "But you don't have to worry about that, Nullifiers only affect Stun Crystals nothing else, because they are the companion to the stun crystals. The stun crystals in the nullifiers both come from the same place."
"The stun crystals and the nullifiers are companions," said Rohan, "How does that make any sense?"
"Because, Rohan," said Cathbad, "In Nature there is always balance."
"Right," said Asa, "Right and Wrong, Pleasure and Pain."
"Stun Crystals and Nullifiers," finished Angus
"Alright," said the King, "It's settled, the Mystic Knights will journey to the Mist islands and retrieve these Nullifier crystals."
"Not so fast," said Asa, "The Crystal mines are jealously guarded by twelve tribes of fierce Amazon warriors. Even with all your powers you'd never be able to defeat all twelve tribes."
"Oh Great," said Angus flopping down in a nearby chair, "They have them, We need them and can't get them."
"I didn't say that," said Asa, "The person who makes the final decision is Kyra the High Queen. The Twelve tribal queens all answer to her."
"Right," said Conchobar, "I'll send an envoy to make a treaty."
Garrett stepped up.
"You're Majesty," said Garrett, "I would like to volunteer to lead this envoy. I have great experience in matters of Diplomacy."
"You could have fooled me," snorted Angus. Ivar and Rohan choked back snickers and Deirdre bit her lip and turned away for a moment.
"You're Majesty," said Asa, "With all due respect to the Prince, I should be the one to negotiate with the Amazon high Queen."
"What?!" sneered Garrett, "What could a servant Know about such matters of state? You forget your place, Servant boy."
"That is Enough, Garrett!" snapped Deirdre, "You seem to have forgotten already that not more than two hours ago this servant boy saved all of our lives!"
"So he has courage," retorted Garrett, "that doesn't automatically make the right man for this job!"
"No," said Asa, pulling out a signet ring with a green emerald in a silver band and holding up "But the Fact that I have twice help Queen Kyra's kid sister Kia escape from slavers and was given a signet of friendship that guarantees safe passage as well as the promise of a favor if I ever needed it, does."
Garrett's mouth was hanging open. And a look of realization came over Deirdre's face
"The Temrans that were attacked in the woods north of here," she said, "that was you!"
Asa nodded.
"But I knew Kyra and her sister before that back when she was just a princess." The tribes were friendly with the people of Ennis and used to come up there for the annual games, that is before the Temrans started causing trouble. Kyra, Kia, and their mother used to board in the Inn near the orphanage in Ennis where I grew up. I played in the games every year and that's where I met them.
One year at the games I was sitting under a tree eating my lunch when I just happened to overhear a man named Cadis talking to a known slaver named Oris plotting to kidnap Kyra and her sister apparently some rich guy in another country wanted them for himself and had officer Cadis, the biggest crook in town, a small fortune to arrange it.
I went and warned the Amazons what was up and when the slavers showed up, they found the amazons armed and waiting for them. Oris's men were slaughtered. Oris himself was blinded in one eye during the battle. What I didn't know was that I had been seen walking away from the tree after I overheard their plans.
Oris swore revenge on me for ruining his plans. I decided then and there to Leave my home in Ennis hopefully to lead Oris away if he ever comes looking for me."
"But why would you be afraid with your powers?" asked Angus
"At that time I was only nine years old," Replied Asa, "the only power that had manifested itself by then was my enhanced strength. It wasn't until the next year that I came into my full power."
"Well if what you say is true," said the King, "Then you are definitely the right man for this job. You will leave at first light." Asa nodded. Garrett huffed, jumped up and half-walked half-stomped out of the throne room. Conchobar shook his head at Garrett's display, sighed and busied himself with one of his generals.
"Sore head," muttered Rohan glancing toward the door Garrett had disappeared through as Deirdre walked over to him
Deirdre nodded.
"Mystic Knight or not, my patience with that man is dwindling fast."
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Deirdre was jarred awake and nearly out of her bed the next morning by a pounding on her door. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she opened the door to find Asa standing there.
"Your highness I apologize for waking you up so early," he said, "But do you know where Garrett is?!"
"No why," she asked
"Do you remember the signet right that I showed everyone yesterday?" Deirdre nodded
"When I got up to leave this morning it was gone!"
"You don't think Garrett took it and went to meet the high queen himself?" said Deidre
"What do you think?" replied Asa
"I think I just asked a stupid question," said Deirdre, "But wait a minute, you said that ring granted safe passage."
"Safe passage for me," said Asa, "That ring was specially made by Amazon jewelers for me as a token of friendship. If Kyra sees Garrett with that ring she's going to think that I'm dead and that Garrett killed me. She'll have him executed on the spot!"
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