“And let my older self be the one who gets to be married to you?” Thomas said. “I think things are how they are for a reason.”
“That sounds like the wine talking.” Tara tapped a bottle sitting on the seat beside Thomas.
“To me it sounds like I haven’t been drinking enough,” Thomas said. “Shall we discuss potential names for your new inn?”
§
At the gates to Melnith, a guard urged them to bypass the lines of people waiting to gain entry to the city. Once to the gates, the guards saluted and let them pass.
“I guess being in a royal family’s carriage has benefits?” Pantros asked.
“I’ll say,” Sheillene said. “From the looks of it, that line looks like it could take almost a day to get everyone through the gates.”
Looking out the window he could see the streets were packed with people and farm animals. Unlike Fork, most of the people in Melnith didn’t look like they were going anywhere. “And then where would they go?” Pantros asked.
“Where exactly are we going?” Faren asked. He was inside the carriage, resting while David drove. “I have an uncle with an Inn in the River Quarter. That’s where I was planning to go.”
“We have a missive for Prince Reginald of Relarch,” Sheillene said. “He’ll be at the palace, so that’s where we’re going first. I don’t think it’s much of a walk from the palace to the River Quarter, and with the streets this crowded, you can move faster on foot than in a carriage.”
Faren nodded, “And you need to get that cursed stone to somewhere safe.”
“We’d been hoping to get to Vehlos,” Pantros said. “That trip seems unlikely from here. Maybe we can get help from the King here. Surely Reginald could help us get to talk to King…um, I don’t know the Abvi king’s name.”
“Allaind,” Sheillene said. “King Allaind of Melnith. He has two children, Prince Aven the First Tempest and Princess Adria, whom I’ve met frequently in the city’s Hunter’s Guildhall.”
“The Princess is a bounty hunter?” Pantros asked.
“She’s an archer, she won the Silver Vanes the year I didn’t enter,” Sheillene said. “She hunts animals and such, but I don’t think she’s ever claimed a bounty. I don’t think she’s a master in the guild.”
“And Prince Aven is the First Tempest? Could he help with the gem?” Pantros asked.
“He might be able to, he’s about as powerful as Tempests get,” Sheillene said. “They are not usually as studied in artifacts as the Mages are, though. The Sorcerers might be able to help. With Thomas’s sister there, we might be able to talk to someone important. They should at least be able to point to someone else in the city.”
Marc asked, “What if the Vulak aren’t just raiding, what if they’re after the gem?”
“A whole army of Vulak?” Pantros said. “They couldn’t be after this.” He patted his pocket. “Could they?”
“I’m going to have to hop out and check on something,” Sheillene said. “Pan, I trust you with my pack. My lute is in there so don’t lose it or break it.” She grabbed her bow and hopped out of the carriage, which was still moving slower than the people on the streets were walking.
“Wasn’t she our ticket into the palace?” Marc asked.
“I think the carriage will be sufficient to get us in,” Pantros said. “David should be able to get us close to Reginald, and if needed, he can get us an audience with King Allaind, I’m sure. I doubt it will come to that. I expect Sheillene to be back by the time we reach the palace.”
Banners of a golden starburst on a blue background flew over the palace. Guards stood spaced sparsely along the top of the walls and several stood in front of the gates. Sheillene did return to the carriage as they approached the palace gates. “Bad news,” Sheillene said. “According to the Hunter’s Guild, the Vulak are converging on Melnith and looking specifically for the Nightstone. Something about a tribute their new god, Redevul.”
“Red devil?” Pantros asked.
“Close enough,” Sheillene said. “It seems that gem of yours is causing problems.”
“Should we give it to the Vulak?” Pantros asked. He didn’t think it sounded like a good idea to do so, but he hated the idea of being responsible for a whole nation being overrun by Vulak.
“Most certainly not,” Sheillene said. “The hint in their new god’s name is just not subtle and we already know what will happen if a demon gets his claws on that stone. A Vulak invasion would be a gentle breeze compared to the cyclone of a demonic invasion.”
“We’re here,” David called from the driver’s seat.
Pantros leaned out the window. Half a dozen guards approached the carriage and the palace gates were closed. “Why aren’t they opening the gates?” Pantros asked.
“Entry to the Palace is by invitation only until the crisis passes,” the guard closest to Pantros answered. The armor the guard was wearing was trimmed in gold, unlike the armor of the other guards.
“We’re here on official kingdom business,” Pantros said.
The guard approached the window. “That’s the same thing the last thousand people I turned away said. Unless you have King Reginald in there, you are not coming through.”
Sheillene stepped out of the carriage and approached the guard. “Captain Ghovan, I bear a missive from Prince Estephan to his brother. I am charged with delivering it, in person.”
“Sheillene, it’s good to see you again,” Ghovan said. “I can let you in, but your associates will not be allowed to enter.”
“The people in the carriage include a Knight of Relarch, Thomas Boncanta and a king.” Pantros heard Sheillene whisper, “of sorts.” After the royal title.
“King?” The guard asked. “Which king?”
Sheillene gestured to Pantros, “This is The King of Legerdemain.”
The guard’s looked at Pantros a moment then bowed, “Your Highness, my apologies.” He stepped away from the carriage and motioned to the guards by the gate. They pulled the gates open. “Welcome to Melnith, Your Highness, I hope you enjoy our hospitality.”
Pantros nodded, trying not to look surprised.
After they passed through the gates, Pantros asked Sheillene, “Legerdemain? Where is that? I don’t mind lying, but I should know more if I’m to play a role.”
“It’s not a where, but like you, the Guard didn’t seem to know that,” Sheillene said. “Legerdemain is the art of the pickpocket; it means sleight-of-hand. You are recognized as the King of Thieves; so really, there wasn’t a lie, just a juxtaposition of a title of nobility for one of recognition.”
“Bards know too many big words,” Pantros said.
“There are no big words,” Sheillene said with a grin, “just small minds.”
“Now you’re insulting kings?” Pantros asked.
Sheillene just chuckled.
David pulled the carriage to the palace’s main door. Men and women in royal livery scurried about the carriage, setting stepping blocks in front of the doors.
An Abvi in a fine doublet, also of the royal blue and gold, stood by a blue carpet rolled out to the step. When the travelers stepped out of the carriage, he asked, “I am Hijal, Assistant Seneschal of the Royal Palace. Who shall I say has arrived?”
“Sheillene of Whisperwillow,” Sheillene introduced herself. “And her esteemed companions.”
Pantros guessed they didn’t need to exaggerate their nobility now that they were past the gates. The guards were long out of earshot.
“Would that be Lady Sheillene,” Hijal asked.
“I’m not a noble,” Sheillene said. “If you need a title, you can use ‘Master’ or ‘Mistress’.” Sheillene pulled out a bronze medallion she had tucked under her armor. It had a symbol including a bow and spear, the symbol of the Hunter’s Guild.
Hijal looked at Sheillene’s medallion then at her face for a moment then at the guards by the gates.
“I have a royal missive from King Reginald for Prince Reginald,” Sheillene said.
Hijal looked a little relieved for a moment then the panic returned to his face when he asked, “Will you be staying in the palace?”