Hilgard tried to speak to the soldiers but they ignored him. The Fernland men were escorted down a flight of stairs that joined the top of the wall to ground level. They passed soldiers busy with a new shipment of armaments. They passed the shanty houses that lined the wall and walked into the interior of the city. As they neared the empty marketplace the houses were more ornate with wrought iron staircases and gates that led to interior patios. Missing were any signs of women and children. They must have already left on ships. The men continued on to the tall buildings that faced the waterfront.
Their escorts led them to the tallest of these buildings, past an intricately cut marble entry and up a wide marble staircase to a room with an arched wooden door. The soldier rapped on the heavy door and shouted something.
"Caliph?" Hilgard asked.
The soldier nodded.
A grey-haired stooped man opened the door and waved them inside. They sat at a beautiful table that looked out at the busy harbor below. The old man spoke to them and Hilgard translated.
"I think he asked, how is it we are friends and he does not know us," Hilgard said.
Muller considered how to react. He had told the soldiers he was a friend to gain access to the head man of Taz. Now that the caliph had confronted them with the lie, he decided he had best tell the truth. "I think it best we get right to the point," Muller said to Hilgard. "Tell him we were prisoners of Barburee. We paid a ransom to free ourselves and we wish to buy safe passage back to Fernland by telling him the secrets we overheard while we were prisoners."
Something about the way the old man reacted to Muller's conversation with Hilgard made Muller think the Caliph might understand a little of their language.
Hilgard attempted several translations of what Muller had said.
Finally, the Caliph waved Hilgard's attempts aside and spoke to Muller.
"Tell me these secrets."
Muller nodded. He has guessed correctly. "You agree to our terms? There are five of us who wish to return to Fernland."
"If your secrets serve us." The Caliph laced the fingers of his hands together and waited.
"You know that your river has been diverted by the Great Khan's engineers," Muller began.
The Caliph nodded with just a hint of impatience.
"When the river was diverted the engineers noticed a drop in volume where the river reached the valley floor."
Again the Caliph nodded, this time with interest.
"They suspected some of the water was being sucked underground, and that meant an underground channel of some kind."
The Caliph sat forward, now very attentive.
"The engineers dug along the old river channel, following the seepage of water. The channel must have been an ancient river bed. As they dug deeper into rock, they found the channel was still intact. The rock had kept it from filling in. It was a tunnel they could enlarge and follow right under the wall of your city."
Muller could see the Caliph was becoming alarmed. He continued quickly. "They are working at night to enlarge the tunnel. Once they are past the wall they need only dig upwards to enter your city from inside the wall. There is no way you can stop them. You won't even know where they will break through to the surface until it is too late. No doubt they will wait until dark to break through and take you all unaware."
The Caliph struck the table with his hand. "Murdering villains!"
He stood up so quickly his chair fell over. He walked back and forth looking out at the harbor.
"I know you tell the truth. I remember finding indications of such a channel." He sat back down on his righted chair and put his head in his hands. "We have lost. We must leave, all of us, before they break through. We will leave this day at dusk."
The Caliph called to his soldiers. They rushed through the door with swords drawn. The Caliph stopped them from assaulting Muller and Hilgard with a stern command. He spoke to the men for a few minutes, no doubt relating the story Muller had told. The soldiers' faces bore expressions of outrage and dismay as the Caliph's words hit home. As soon as the soldiers rushed out the door, the Caliph began gathering up the books and papers around him.
"Go at once and bring your friends. We will meet down at the docks. At least we will save our ships." The Caliph looked with anguish out at the docks of his city. He controlled his emotions and bowed to the Fernland men. "We are in your debt."
Muller and Hilgard left quickly to find Bear, Take and Smiles.
Chapter 49
Fernland
The little caravan of sick and wounded moved on into the night. Princess Electra and the Barburee men who rode beside the royal carriage made slow progress with so many injured. It was close to midnight when they arrived at Fernland's castle. The drawbridge was up for the night but signal fires sent by outposts along the way had alerted the Palace Guard. As soon as the royal carriage came into view from the tower, the drawbridge was lowered.
King Geoffrey and Queen Delphinia were awakened and came out of the castle in their sleep clothes to meet the carriage as it stopped in front of the castle. Seeing all the splints and bandages, the royal couple cast worried eyes into the carriage.
"I'm fine," Electra said, "but Bataar and his men have need of a physician."
Delphinia waved a porter off to bring the royal physician while Geoffrey questioned Electra.
"Were you attacked on the way?" he asked.
"No, I came along with Tandor and the driver. We found the others by chance already wounded when we stopped to make camp."
The royal physician ran down the steps of the castle in his nightshirt. He rushed from man to man, checking the severity of their wounds.
"Bring them all to my chambers."
As the wounded men were hustled off to the physician's rooms, Delphinia hugged her daughter.
"I do so hate these journeys you undertake on your own."
This did not bode well for Electra's newest plan. She quickly changed the subject.
"Our journey to Henge took a turn when we learned Bataar's men had made an attempt on Dagon's life." Electra sneaked a look at her father to see if this news brought any expression of guilt to his face, but his face remained impassive. "I believe Bataar and his men went on their own to Henge. He was intent on killing Serafina."
Delphinia held her breath in anticipation. Since Electra did not continue she was forced to ask.
"Did he succeed?"
"Bataar's English does not always lead to clarity, but I would guess not."
Delphinia took a deep breath and relaxed a bit.
"I'm not certain, but I believe I am relieved somewhat to hear it. She is my sister after all."
"Of course you are," Electra said, relieved herself to hear it.
King Geoffrey hugged Electra with one arm and Delphinia with the other.
"We have a great many questions, but you look tired. Let us try to get some rest and we will talk in the morning."
"I can hardly keep my eyes open." Electra looked gratefully at her father.
"I've not yet told Bataar his wife is here."
"Why ever not?" Delphinia asked.
"Their wounds were such that I wanted to keep to a slow pace. I did not know how the news would affect Bataar."
"Ah, you are so wise," Delphinia said. "Odval is a lovely little thing—too young to be married in my opinion. Of course we know nothing about her as we have no translator with Hilgard off to Barburee."
"In the morning, my Dears," King Geoffrey said as he led Delphinia and Electra up the stairs to the castle.
Everyone was much improved by a night's sleep. Breakfast was laid out in the formal dining room to accommodate all those well enough to leave the physician's chambers. Bataar surprised everyone when he arrived, hungry. He piled a plate high with food and sat next to Queen Delphinia.
"No Bataar wife?" he asked. "Send message—come meet number two wife."
Delphinia coughed poli
tely as she gagged on her food.
"You mean Odval. She is here. What a sweet girl. She is no doubt anxious to see you."
Delphinia called a serving girl over.
"Please let Odval know that Bataar has arrived. At least do your best to communicate that to her."
King Geoffrey sat down across from Bataar.
"How did you fare in Henge?"
"Bad witch," he said. "Army come, kill witch."
"I see." Geoffrey arched an eye at Electra but she busied herself with her breakfast.
Odval entered the room from the back, her eyes scanning for Bataar. She spotted him and her eyes lit up. He turned to follow the stares of those around him and his eyes lit up as well. She was dressed in bright red silks, studded with jewels. Her hair was styled up and out from the middle into a pair of black wings sprouting from her head. Her eyes were dark, outlined in black, her mouth a small rosebud.
As Bataar looked at her, she cast her eyes down. He spoke to her in a series of raspy commands and she rushed forward to bow, first before the Queen and then before Electra.
Electra quickly rose from her chair and glanced at Queen Delphinia, hoping for a clue as to what the expected protocol might be in this situation.
Queen Delphinia shrugged her shoulders and cleared her throat.
"Bataar, we are so happy you are here to translate for us. Would you tell your wife we would be honored if she would join us for breakfast?"
Bataar issued a few more harsh orders and Odval sat down next to Electra. She pulled a beautiful wooden box from her tunic and presented it to Electra. Electra took it and looked at Bataar.
"Should I open it?"
Bataar nodded.
Electra pulled off the close fitting lid. Inside were two crystal doves. Electra tilted the box to show them to her parents. They were beautiful. She replaced the lid and smiled at Odval as she handed them back. Odval jerked away in surprise.
"Is gift for sister wife," Bataar said as he smiled his approval at Odval.
Odval pulled a rolled parchment from her tunic. Electra hoped it was not some sort of marriage agreement. Odval turned to Bataar and held out the parchment, bowing with eyes lowered. She spoke a few words. One of them sounded like 'khan'.
Bataar took the message and quickly unrolled it. "Message Great Khan," he said, as he began to read. Bataar's eyes grew wide as he read the message. He finished and began again, reading more slowly this time, making sure he took it all in.
He looked at King Geoffrey, then at Electra. He stood and bowed, placing his hand over his face in the same formal gesture of shame that Electra had seen as he recounted his failure to kill the witch, Serafina. Everyone present held their breath, knowing whatever was in the message would affect them all.
Chapter 50
Fernland
The royal family watched as Bataar read the message from the Great Khan a second time. They could see the tension in the young man's face. Certainly this was not to be good news.
Bataar faced King Geoffrey as he spoke.
"Great Khan say Bataar come back. Say Bataar no marry Fernland."
Electra bit her lip to keep from smiling. She clutched the wooden box in her hand and once again tried to return it to Odval.
"No. You keep," Bataar said, putting his hand once again over his face in a gesture of regret. He gave a few orders to Odval. She jumped up and ran from the room, her breakfast untouched.
"We go now," Bataar said.
"And what of Henge?" King Geoffrey asked.
"Barburee no kill Henge. Kill Taz now."
"But your men aren't well enough to travel," Electra said.
"They go." Bataar left the room to gather up his men.
The royal family was still sitting in stunned silence when Avor entered the room.
He took in their stunned expressions. "What has happened? No one answered. He tried another question. "I heard Bataar has returned."
"You just missed him, he's on his way back to Barburee," Electra said.
"What do you mean?" Avor asked.
"Sit down Avor. Let me think," Geoffrey said, a sharp edge to his voice.
"Who or what do you suppose Taz is?" Delphinia asked.
"I believe there is a city called Taz, far to the south of Barburee," King Geoffrey said. "I believe it is on the sea, a port city. With the taking of Taz the Great Khan would no longer need Henge."
"You mean all this has been for nothing?" Electra asked. She suddenly remembered her two wolf track sticks, left behind under the seat of the royal carriage.
"I would not say for nothing," Delphinia said. "We have made a friend. Unless I misunderstood that gesture he made, I believe Bataar is now in our debt."
"You could be right," King Geoffrey agreed. "To them, actually to any of us, an offer of marriage is not to be taken lightly."
"Who is getting married?" Avor asked.
"No one now, it seems," Delphinia said.
Avor waited a moment, but everyone seemed too caught up in their own thoughts to explain anything to him.
"Perhaps I should go try to find Bataar."
"No!" King Geoffrey and Queen Delphinia said at the same time.
Avor frowned, the beginnings of anger tightening the folds around his eyes.
King Geoffrey sighed. "So much has happened and so quickly, we have not fully digested it. But you are right to question us. The Great Khan has ordered Bataar home. We believe they have decided to invade a city called Taz rather than Henge. And they no longer seek an alliance with Fernland or a marriage with your sister."
"So Bataar is leaving?" Avor asked.
"He is leaving as we speak," Geoffrey said.
"Perhaps I should suggest visiting him in Taz," Avor said.
"Whatever for?" Delphinia asked.
"He has promised to teach me to shoot arrows from horseback. Besides, he is still a friend to Fernland. You said so. We should arrange a reciprocal visit."
King Geoffrey looked at his son as though he were trying to solve a puzzle.
"You do know what sort of reputation the Barburians have."
"That doesn't mean they have nothing to teach us," Avor said.
King Geoffrey opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He looked at his wife for help.
"Do you think we might wait until we have news on the fate of Taz?" Delphinia raised her eyebrows as she looked at her son.
Avor seemed encouraged by that suggestion.
"I'll go find Bataar and ask him to send us a message as soon as they have conquered Taz." Avor lept from his chair.
As soon as Avor was out of hearing range, King Geoffrey turned to Delphinia. "Why can he not see that Barburee is a scourge upon the earth?"
"He will Dear, he will." Delphinia patted Geoffrey's hand.
They both faced Electra, confident that their daughter, at least, understood the situation.
"You have made us so proud," Delphinia said. "You saved the lives of the Barburee men and now Bataar is certainly in our debt. And, best of all, the threat of marriage is gone."
Electra twirled the little wooden box in her fingers. "Odval certainly seemed on board with the whole idea."
"I believe our Odval was a good little actress," Delphinia said. She saw the concern on her daughter's face. "What is it, Dear? You seem unhappy. Surely you did not want to be Bataar's second wife, did you?"
Electra saw her plan to go to school to study medicine slipping away. There was no longer a need to fake her own death, nor was there a need for her to disappear for a good long time. For her, it had been more than a plan to avoid an unwanted marriage. It had been a plan to fulfill a dream. She could not let that dream slip away. She took a deep breath and met her mother's eyes.
"I need to speak to you about something."
"Of course, my Dear. You may speak to us on any subject." Her mother smiled her encouragement.
"I plan to leave Fernlan
d for several years to study medicine."
"What! I...I don't understand." Queen Delphinia looked to King Geoffrey to deal with this incredible request.
"Why do you want to study medicine? Why do you want to leave to study medicine?" King Geoffrey asked.
"Medicine has always been my primary interest. I wish to increase my knowledge from those who know more than I."
Delphinia had recovered somewhat from her initial shock. "I'm sure, my Dear, that our physician would be thrilled to share his knowledge of medicine with you."
"Our physician is quite elderly," Electra said. "At a school of medicine the most up to date views would be shared."
"But surely, there are ways other than leaving. We have only now begun to know you." Delphinia's eyes began to swim with tears.
"It is out of the question," King Geoffrey said. "For one thing you are a girl."
Electra expected this argument and simply set her chin defiantly.
"We must not quarrel." Delphinia stood and put her hands on Electra's shoulders. "Certainly you are free do as you choose. But will you at least listen to our arguments against such a choice?"
Electra's chin relaxed and she settled in for a long discussion. "Yes, of course."
Chapter 51
On Board the Spirit of Taz, Bound for Fernland
Once aboard his flagship, Spirit of Taz, the Caliph dropped his box of books on a bunk and headed for the Captain's cabin, where he would meet with his son, Haddad. He knocked once at the cabin door.
"Haddad?"
"Yes I am here."
Haddad opened the door quickly and stepped aside to make room in the narrow doorway.
"The soldiers' told me only to pack at once and meet on board. What has happened?"
"A fortunate meeting with a group of foreigners. The Barburee engineers have found a tunnel that leads under our city."
"What?" Haddad's face mirrored his shock. "How could we not know of such a tunnel? You believe these foreigners?"
The Caliph let out a deep breath.
"I do." He sat down on the Captain's bunk. "Their story had the ring of truth. The Barburee engineers came across it by accident after they changed the course of the River Taz. It must have been an ancient river channel at one time, long since covered over by thick sediments. The murdering villains thought to take us by surprise in the middle of the night. Kill us all, no doubt, to make an example of us, as they are prone to do when people refuse to surrender. We are lucky to escape with our ships and our lives." A little moan fell from the Caliph's lips.