A hard day's ride found them at the farther edge of Lina's homeland and turning east along lesser known roads towards the mysterious kingdom of Westhold. As dark evening fell they were seeking shelter in a little wayside inn just the other side of the Elemikian border. Lina, as usual, ate prodigiously, to the amazement of all who saw her. Zel seemed happy with his meagre cup of wine. Lina however, seemed grouchy and out of sorts. "I must have ridden too far!" she concluded. "Look Zel, I know we have to get there, but let's not push it too fast okay?" Zel looked at her seriously then said "Well, we did make good time today it's true, and in truth the horses won't keep this up, but you seemed so anxious to get away from your home town that we just kept going, when by rights we should have stayed the night there. Tell you what, you decide when we leave tomorrow, early or late, okay?" Lina sighed. "I must be tired or something, I didn't mean to be this snappy, sorry." Lina sat there sipping her tea and trying to ponder what was wrong with her this time. "Am I getting sick or something?" she wondered. "Zel", she said finally, I feel more tired than usual, a lot of traveling in two days, an emotional shock, that sort of thing. You mind if I hit the sack early?" Zel shook his head "No" and Lina departed. Zel sat there for awhile contemplating life, their mission, and what might be in store for them from the future. Finally he decided Lina had the right idea and went to bed early too.
The next morning revealed to Lina what was wrong. "I might have known..." she grumbled to herself. Eventually she faced the day and found Zel down stairs, looking like he hadn't left the spot from last night, although he assured her he had gone to bed. "You just slept in" he reassured her. "Yeah, well, now I know why. Um, Zel? You are in charge of the magic for the next few days." Zel gave her a puzzled look, then snorted a little laugh that splattered his tea all over as he suddenly got it. "I'm sorry Lina, I just clued in, sorry, sorry, sorry. "That time of the month" is it?" Lina shot him a sharp look, and nodded. "Okay, I'm on it" he said. "But, hey, this is good, I doubt we will have trouble just riding to Westhold, it'll be when we ride out with the "special ambassador" we'll be in trouble, if there is any to be had. By then you'll be ready for fun and games again, right?" "Yeah" smiled Lina. "That's a good way to put it, he, he. Okay, a little lunch and I guess we better get going." "I'm with you there." said Zel. The usual several course meal followed...
And so the rest of the journey progressed. The two friends talked and got re-acquainted, and even got to know each other a little more than they had already. They discussed life, the weather, magic, and the evil of kings who seek to go to war. Lina even offered to Dragon Slave the whole country, as a joke, but Zel reminded her she needed to know who the witch was first, if she was powerful like Lina and survived it would be devastation all around. Lina gave an exaggerated sigh and said "Yeah, yeah, I got it, it was just a joke..."
Soon enough they arrived at the border. Lina took a good look around. According to every map she had seen as a girl, this should be a rocky shore with empty ocean beyond. Yet it was plainly a high mountain pass they had been climbing for the past while. In fact, it must have been a river channel at one point in time, long dry now. That explained how it was much lower than the surrounding cliff walls which towered overhead straight and tall. Finally they reached the crest, and were confronted by a well build towering wall with a heavy duty iron gate in the middle of it.
"Wow!" said an impressed Lina. "This thing must be, what, a hundred feet tall?" "Something like that." replied Zel. "They did it because it is basically impossible in a tight spot like this for a siege tower to be used, and there is no way an enemy can get a ladder up that high to scale the wall. And that iron gate is something like two feet thick. You aren't going to get a ram up here that will break that gate. About the only thing that will threaten this place is a massive siege engine, one capable of throwing boulders of at least 200 to 300 pounds. One that big would take a long time to build, and be open to an attack in force from the defenders. It could be done, you need a big army to choke the passage while you build the stone caster, but that means an organised assault, of course. Or there is magic..." "Hmmmm, yeah," said a thoughtful Lina, "a well placed Dragon Slave would do it, but not unless there was an army ready to charge forward into the breach... Well, intelligence for Prince Phil if it comes to war I guess. But what's with the funny holes on the top and in the door?" "I wonder that myself." replied Zel. "But I never had a chance to ask. It looks like it was meant to hold a platform or something. Maybe when they were constructing it? And the door? No idea? Well, it's the border. Welcome to a world we never knew existed."
With that, they went up to the gate, and after the brief formalities common to any guarded border they were through. A small guard accompanied them, there had been orders to look out for them. "Um, thanks" said Zel, "although I do know the way now..." "No insult meant sir!" responded the lieutenant in charge, "We are primarily an honour guard, king's orders, sir!" "Uh, okay..." replied a suspicious Zel. "Well, we are at your command then Lieutenant!" With that they were off. Lina and Zel rode uneasily and mostly in silence the rest of the day. As evening descended they could see the a fortified city in the distance. It looked like they were making for it.
"Is that where we are going?" Lina asked one of the guards. "Yes my Lady! That is our capital city, Stronghold!" "Stronghold?" asked Lina, a little incredulously. "He, he, yeah, I know what you mean my Lady." said the guard with a smile. "Actually, it started out as a hill fort an incredibly long time ago, which everyone called the stronghold. When it became a city, well, we never got around to changing the name, although it has been suggested from time to time. I don't know, my Lady, imagine trying to rename your home city. Not as easy as it sounds." "I see your point." said Lina with a smile. "And thanks for the answer." "My pleasure, my Lady!" responded the guard. "We have been told to try and answer any questions and do what ever makes your trip more comfortable."
"Oh?" replied a curious Lina. "Tell me then, if you please, we have heard you have a very powerful witch in the employ of the king. Is that true? And is she as powerful as all that?" Zel's eyes flew open, Lina was obviously blunt, but, well, it was what they wanted to know... "Well, we call her the Royal Sorceress, for that is our title for one in her position. And yes she would be powerful or she wouldn't have been hired for the position. To tell the truth we know next to nothing of her, as usual, the Royal Sorcerer or Sorceress is a very secluded person who is busy with the affairs of the defence of the kingdom. We really never have seen her. It is said there are deep and powerful secrets in the Wizard's tower of the castle, and most magic users spend their lives in deep study once they are allowed to enter. It is said she is beautiful, but that she has an evil laugh, but whether that is true or no, I do not know, sorry."
"Well, then tell me, I hear you have a new Queen and a new Heir to the throne!" was Lina's next question. "Oh yes!" brightened the guard. "Queen Grace! Now I have seen her! Tall and lovely, with her long black hair which is very rare in this land of blondes! And her proud royal look! Definitely a regal person and a good match for the king! And you know? This was an all too rare love match! You can tell just by seeing how they look at each other. And Prince Arthur, the Heir! You'd think he was the next best thing to a god on earth the way they fuss over him. Here's an odd thing, well, at least by our satandards. The Queen will not suffer him to have a wet nurse, but feeds him herself! It is said she jokes of "Nothing but the best!" for her son, but that in actuality she just loves him so much she can't bear to let anyone else get as close to him in a motherly sort of way. What do you think of that?" "Actually, I like her already!" replied Lina, as she had a tender feeling for the woman who puts her child ahead of herself and her privilege.
Zel picked up the questions. "Queen Grace you say?" he asked. "Her name isn't properly Gracia is it?" "Not that we know," said another guard with a shrug, "it's always just been Queen Grace." "Where did she come from?" asked Zel. "Well, I believe it was from one of our western most dukedoms actually." replied the same guard. "Have you heard anything of a lady named Gracia travelling around these parts?" asked Zel again. "No, sorry." said the guard. "Was she famous in your country? A singer or performer of some sort? Lot's of people come and go, mostly merchants, but we don't meet most of them." "Oh well," said Zel once more, "This could have been as much as three years ago. She is someone the court of Seirune was interested in is all. I was told to make enquiries."
"And I have an enquiry of my own." said Lina. "A traveling magician I once knew who called herself "Naga the White Serpent". I think you WOULD have heard of her if she came this way." The guards thought for a minute then one of them said "The name rings a slight bell, but that's about all I can recall. Sorry, not very helpful today are we?" "Oh well..." was Lina's reply. "Say, you have been taking in mercenaries I hear. I would be interested in finding one called Gourry Gabriev if I could. He'd be tall, well built, with long blond hair and a special sword." "Well," said the Lieutenant "That fits the description of a lot of mercenaries we have recruited lately, but I don't recall the name. You might ask at the castle for all the names you were wondering about. Sorry."
With that they entered the town and quickly swept along the streets and up to the castle. It was obviously built for defence, not a luxury villa, but it had been well tended and had nice grounds and gardens. Lina and Zel allowed themselves some time for just looking around trying to get a feel for the city and the palace. As they got close they came to realise the castle was actually a great hall and all the defensive works were in the walls surrounding the inner court yard. It had a rugged appeal, reminiscent of wild free tribes of men rather than organised, stuffy "civilised" kingdoms and Lina found herself rather liking it from the start.
She also noticed the guards seemed rather free in their own way with their own thoughts and beliefs, and it was evident there was as much a bond of love to their king that made them want to serve him, as much as any sense of "duty." "So" she thought to herself, "a king, but not an absolute monarch then. Ahhh, a rather free people who would follow a king they love, not one they have to. They will not be easily led to a useless war, but they will fight all the fiercer for one they believe in... Hmmm, so if the king IS a slave to the witch or the queen he is still powerful. No, he won't be her slave, he'll be her ally. She could still be the leader though, especially if he is in love and is vulnerable to being lead around by her." "By the way" asked Lina out loud. "Just what is all the military build up for anyway?" "I'm afraid that that is something you will have to have answered at the castle." replied the Lieutenant. "But here we are, we must leave you now, I hope you like your stay, and that you get all your questions answered." With that they came to a stop before the gate. After the usual challenge Lina and Zel were let in.
As the two travellers entered the grounds of the keep they could see it was quite well maintained, efficiently laid out, with stables, armouries, food stores, wells, housing for many troops and probably refugees too. It also had impressive gardens of both the vegetable and flower type, open court yards, and even some place for animal to be raised. In fact, in a few small acres, they had a fort able to withstand all but the most determined of sieges or assaults. Lina and Zel looked at each other with the same unspoken question in their eyes, what were these people so afraid of that they were so prepared in their defences? All this they were able to take in with a quick sweep of the grounds, before they were greeted by "Lord Zelgadiss! Welcome back, you have made very good time I must say!"
"My Lord Erik!" replied Zelgadiss, getting off his horse and bowing as Lina slipped down and followed his cue. "May I introduce my travelling companion, the Lady Lina!" he said. Lina noticed he had left her last name off, and decided she'd do likewise if not directly challenged for it. The young Lord before them was a tall, blond smooth shaved man, except for a large full moustache, somewhat reminiscent of Gourry if his hair were shorter actually, with obvious strength of body under his simple but graceful clothing. Well, at least they weren't given to pretentiousness here. She also noticed he had only a dagger at his belt, sufficient for both defence and utility, but indicative of one who felt safe and comfortable, someone at home in the hall.
Zelgadiss continued the introductions. "Lina, Lord Erik here is the younger brother to King Alfred! My Lord, we are honoured to have such an important person greet us. We are after all, only emissaries." Erik laughed and replied "Oh enough polite talk Lord Zelgadiss. Why shouldn't ambassadors be welcomed by me? Anyway, the King is aware of your coming, of course, and wishes to see you as soon as possible. I will show you to your rooms where you may freshen quickly, but please, if you desire to change, don't be pretentious, just comfortable, I implore you." As he spoke he hurried them along to the castle, leaving the servants to bring in the luggage and stable the horses.
Lina quickly found herself in a small, but elegant room. It was not overcrowded with luxury, but rather it was dignified, and seemed to suggest that anyone who was in it was also dignified. Lina stared for awhile. She had been raised poor, and had dreamed of gaudy luxury all her life, yet now, seeing how it could be done with simplicity, she found herself rather liking this arrangement better. "Well, live and learn..." she said to herself as she got down to business and washed herself, combed out her hair and changed quickly. She was glad she didn't have to wear the formal and uncomfortable gown she had packed, just in case. But now it was plain these people were not formal beyond what was needed, and that dignity was something you did, not something you wore. Could they really be the warmongers Phil had been lead to fear by rumour? Had they got it wrong? Dressed in a set of travelling clothes which looked rather nice on her Lina stepped into the hall, and found Zel in similar plain but complimentary attire. A servant was waiting at the end of the hall and now she came forward and led them to the reception room of the king.
As they entered the Lord Erik himself stood up and announced "Your Majesties, may I present the Lord Zelgadiss, and the Lady Lina, special emissaries from the noble kingdom of Seirune! Lord and Lady, I give you their Majesties the King Alfred, the Queen Grace, and the Prince Arthur, the beloved rulers of the free peoples of Westhold!" As Lina and Zelgadiss bowed before them the King and Queen arose. The King laughed as he did so.
"Ah yes, the ruler of free people, and if you can solve that contradiction in terms I'll be glad, because the heavens know I can't." The king was taller than his brother with long blond hair running down his back, and a full, but neatly trimmed beard. He was perhaps slightly balding, obviously he hadn't been born yesterday. Never-the-less he was in fine shape, and was a handsome specimen of a man. If anything his plain clothing set off his looks more than any cloth of gold could ever have done. Lina noticed that, like Gourry, he had the graceful, almost feline movements of a swordsman. His face spoke of one who was much given to laughter but who could command when the time came. Lina wondered how such a man could be said to be wrapped around his Queen's finger, obviously he was nobody's fool. Either the rumours were wrong, and Lina's guess that they were allies was right, or the Queen was even more special.
She turned her attention to the Queen. She seemed very plain in a way, dressed out in a simple white gown that covered her from head to toe, quite literally, as she had on a sort of hood or veil that covered all but her eyes, which were a piercing blue. And they were very piercing Lina noticed. In fact, the Queen was staring so hard at her that it was like she was piercing Lina with her gaze. Lina was starting to feel downright uncomfortable when the woman finally seemed to force herself to tear her eyes away and look down. "Please be welcome noble guests" she said in a soft voice, which was a surprise to Lina after the strong gaze. "And please," said the King, "do be seated, this isn't some boring formal occasion. May I offer you some light refreshments?" he said as he clapped his hands. Lina cringed, but decided to grin and bear it, hopefully they could eat properly later. Servers came forward and cups of tea and delicate cakes were set before the guests. Lina contented herself for the moment with nibbling the dainties, they were quite good. The King and Queen seated themselves, and then King Alfred spoke.
"I realise you have only arrived, and I cannot at this time go into any reasons why, but I must ask that you set out again tomorrow morning. Time is critical, trust me. And so is speed and secrecy. Therefore, I must insist you travel like this. Lord Zelgadiss, you shall get a send off and leave with your horses well laden and bearing an official looking scroll. Lady Lina, you will be adorned as a mere wanderer and shall set off on foot, at a different time, with the special ambassador. And I will now introduce that person to you. My love..." he said turning to the Queen who stood up, with her baby in her arms. "The person you will accompany is no less than her Majesty, the Queen Grace, and with her, the Heir Apparent, Prince Arthur!"
Lina and Zelgadiss seemed to have a race to see who's jaw could hit the floor first. It seemed to be a tie. Zel pulled himself together first and said, or rather babbled, "Uh, so you wish me to be a distraction as the two ladies sneak away yes?" "Yes," said the King. "And I must ask you make for the border post haste and only rejoin them on the other side, safely out of sight of the wall. I have reason to fear spies everywhere..."
Lina now found her voice and blurted in with "The Queen? You are sending the Queen? And the Prince? That makes no sense, why?" The King and Queen looked at each other, obviously very sad. Tears were falling from the Queen's eyes, and seemed to be standing in the King's eyes. "I can't explain now." he said softly. "Trust me, all will be revealed in Seirune, but I ask, no, beg, that you respect what must be kept quiet until then." "Top Secret, all right, all right, I get it." replied Lina. "Okay, well, in that case, we will want a good supper, a good breakfast, and supplies enough to reach our destination." "You will have that and more." replied the King with a smile.
"Here, the first part of your load!" he said, tossing a bag to Lina. She opened it and forgot to breath. It had gold coins, and jewels of unsurpassed quality. She gave a gasp and said "That's practically enough to become a Queen myself..." "Well, don't" said the King. "Bring MY Queen safe back to me and you can have a hundred sacks like that one in reward." Lina was staggered by the visions of wealth which swam before her eyes for a second. She gave her head a shake and responded "I have no intention of not seeing this job through your Majesty. But I won't lie to you, your reward is very appealing..." "Lina..." said Zel, a bit embarrassed. "Ha, ha" chuckled the King. "I appreciate the honesty, don't worry, our mountains are full of gold and jewels and other treasures, I won't leave you short, either of you." Zel quietly muttered something about that not being the point...
Lina took a deep breath to regain her composure. She then thought for a minute and said "I actually would value something even more if it can be arranged." she said. "I am missing a close friend named Gourry Gabriev, a mercenary of some repute. You are hiring, he may have come here. He is tall like your Majesty, has long straw blond hair, usually wears a breast plate, and likes pale blue clothing. He disappeared only a week or so ago, I don't think he had time to grow a beard. He's about 29 years of age, and, well, I need to find him quickly if I can..." she said. "Oh..." said the King with a quizzical look. "The best I can do right now is to have the lists of recruits examined for his name, and if it is found we will bring him to you if we can. But you cannot delay, time is very important!" "No, no, your Majesty, I understand" said Lina. "Thank you for doing what you can." As she spoke it seemed to Lina that the Queen's eyes had opened a bit, almost as if in recognition of the name. Seeing Lina's look the woman slowly shook her head no. "Oh well, must have reminded her of someone else." thought Lina sadly. "Well, then, um, what is the next order of business?" she asked.
The King smiled and said, "Why, your supper, of course. I am sorry for making you wait for it, but I needed you to understand quickly what was wanted of you." "Ahh, okay!" said Lina. "Um, by the way, your Majesty, is it just me, or do you not use the royal "We" very much?" "No I don't." replied the King. "In Westhold we tend to reserve such pretentious formality for ceremonial occasions. Does this bother you? We are more than capable of using it if it would make Our honoured guests feel more relaxed around Us?" "AKK, no, it's okay!" said Lina with a nervous giggle. "It's just most kings I have met tend to use it like they want to rub it in your face or something, and actually it was a refreshing change to find you not doing so!" "Ahh, I see what you mean, and I thank you. It feels better not to have to use it from my point of view too." replied King Alfred.
They were ushered in to a dining room and a full meal was placed before them. "My wife and I must attend to some last details, and I must order the search for your friend, Lady Lina, so if you both will pardon us, we shall take our leave for tonight. If you want anything just ask, and when you are ready for sleep the servants will take you back to your rooms." There was a round of mutual bowing and the King and Queen left. Lord Erik, who had kept quietly to the sideline also made his departure.
Lina and Zel were then led to a dining room. For a long time there wasn't much sound beyond that of happy eating, especially from Lina's end of the table. Some of the dishes were quite familiar, some were strange, but all were delicious. Finally even Lina had to slow down and then she and Zel began to talk. "So, Zel, What do you think? Personally, I find all of this freaky! He's sending the Queen, and his new son, the very heir apparent? Are they mad? I smell a rat, or worse..."
"It is weird beyond belief Lina." replied Zel. "The first thing that comes to mind of course is that this isn't the real Queen or Prince. I have already thought that maybe it is the Witch and some hapless newborn. It would be a way of getting close enough to Prince Phil to do deadly damage, who would suspect a mother and baby?" "Yeah, that's a thought." said Lina, idly twirling a chicken leg, "But, of course, there's one heck of a problem, you need to know why a kingdom we hardly know wants to get Prince Phil, or Seirune? I mean, it is a powerful enough kingdom, but it isn't the only one, and attacking one like that will bring all the other kingdoms down against you really fast. I mean, for example, can you see Martina and Zangulas standing for that? They may have only so-so feelings for Seirune, but you can bet they will see an attack on Seirune by an outside power as a threat to themselves. They have made a few alliances with some of their neighbours, they could get quite an allied army together real quick, and there'd be one heck of a war. And doing in Phil wouldn't destroy Seirune's army, so you've got that, and all Seirune's allies to deal with as well. Of course, that may be what these people want."
"Yes I thought all of that too." was Zelgadiss' response as he sipped a drink. "Mind you, if they think we are ripe for the picking they may want us to get together for a mass "get it over and done with" battle, and if they are ruthless enough to send a woman and child out on an assassination mission, anything is possible. I doubt they would send the Witch though, they'd need her for when the war got tough. This could be some poor misguided, perhaps suicidal crazy woman who'd do anything for king and country. But, you know, watching them together, I rather got the impression it really was the Queen?"
Lina thought about it for a minute then replied, "I don't know why, but I think you are right, Zel, some sort of bizarre sneak attack doesn't seem right, somehow, not this way at any rate. Okay, let's say it really is the Queen, what would be the point?" Zelgadiss thought for a bit then said " I don't know. Peace?" "Nah, that's what ambassadors of the usual sort are for. Even if you want the Queen to visit, you arrange it through ambassadors first." replied Lina. "Trade? Friendship? Help?" asked Zelgadiss, trying to think the puzzle through. "Ambassadors, ambassadors, and ambassadors." replied Lina again. They thought for a bit then Zel said "Safety!" Lina looked puzzled. "He's trying to get her and the baby out of the country!" Zel exclaimed.
Lina thought about this, her fingers absentmindedly playing with her big loopy earrings. Finally she said " In that case, having her show up in the royal court of Seirune destroys her safety. He'd do better to sneak her out and have her go to ground as a peasant somewhere." "Ah, but this one is a distraction!" said Zel. "Maybe" said Lina, "but it is pretty risky that your enemies will realise the real one is gone, or going, and will watch all who leave the castle, or hall, or whatever they call this place. Still you have a point. But then what? When she gets to Seirune and the ruse is revealed?" "I don't know." said Zel. "I don't either." said Lina. "Well, I guess we will find out when we get back home." was all Zel could think to say.
They sat in silence for awhile, each pondering his or her own thoughts. But they couldn't make heads or tails of it. Zel finally said "Oh well, let's go to bed then, we need to make an early start anyway." "Yeah, okay" said Lina. "Um, you are back up to strength, right Lina?" asked Zel a bit hesitantly. "Yup," said Lina matter of factly "That business was last week." "Just wondered, in case we had to do battle..." said Zel. " I got it," said Lina. "Of course if you don't believe me, I can always fireball you to prove it, he, he..." Zel laughed and said "Oh, that's okay Lina, I will trust you. Well, let me ring for the servants, and I guess it is good night!" "Ha, ha, Yeah, goodnight Zel" replied Lina. With that, they were escorted to their rooms.
