Chapter 2
The welcomingA break on the side of the mountains led to a secret passage with a wooden bridge which marked the way to an internal cave, big as a palace but much less luxurious and much more humid and cold.
The immense cave was poorly illuminated by a set of fires put here and there setting a gloomy atmosphere and fighting feebly against darkness and cold.
In the middle of the cave, someone was waiting by the fire, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames.
The Black Eyes and Wolves got to the where the man was standing, stopped and bowed. Tikos stepped forward, bowed again and talked. Excitement was in his breath, almost palpable, almost material.
-Master, we have exciting news!
-Tell me Tikos . . . has the Council been summoned? – Linur asked in a condescending way.
-Yes Master. – Tikos answered confused - Some Lords and Knights have left the closest cities and are on their way to . . .
-The Order of the Golden Plume too? – Linur interrupted.
-Yes Master.
-So those are NOT news Tikos . . . as I happen to know all that. What is the really good news you can’t wait to vomit on me? Is it that the Keeper has been found, perhaps?
-Yes. The Keeper has been found Master. In Odgen, at a tavern playing cards and drinking . . .
-Keep the details to someone who actually cares Tikos. Why isn’t the Keeper HERE, if he has been found then? I can only smell feathers and sweaty fur. I guess you all know why he is needed, don’t you? – Linur asked keeping his eyes on the flames. Black Eyes and Wolves stepped backwards, afraid of something they thought might be coming.
-He was too drunk on Roseenth my Lord. He is unconscious, might be like that for days . . . – Said Tikos without leaving his spot.
-I DON’T CARE ABOUT HIS STATE OF CONCIOUSNESS!! – Linur shouted turning. – BRING HIM HERE RIGHT NOW!! I HAVE MY WAYS TO MAKE HIM WAKE UP – He bellowed.
At once every creature, furry or not, left the cave in terror.
Linur stood alone watching a small black feather suspended on air, the only remain of his visitors, twisting and falling until it touched the dirty soil.
-
Bravo!! I almost believed you. – Said a mocking voice coming from behind him. A yawn followed. – This creatures never stop to amuse me! I’m sure you have someone else to trust to with the important matters, don’t you Linur?
A leopard walked slowly into the light. His feline walking was like a calculated, slow and seductive dance.
-Someone like you maybe, Zarna? – Linur asked back, his eyes fixed on the black feather lying on the ground. – Time will come when you will have to play an important role, my Pet.
-Oh! I know that . . .
my Pet. – The leopard said amused but threateningly, brushing his body against Linur’s cloak the way cats do. – Come! – Zarna commanded leaving. - You have work to do.
Linur turned. His eyes kept anchored to the feather on the floor, as if that little thing was the only thing that kept him in this world. Then silently he followed Zarna, away from the light and into the swamped darkness of the cave.
Each of the travelling groups of Council’s members who have been summoned to Coghlan City, were found on their way by Royal envoys and sent to Post-on-the-Hill, a small look-out post near the city, with a clear view of the valley, the limit of the forest, the market, the trade and travel routes, the Kingroad and the city itself.
Once at the Post they were welcomed at the gates by the Royal Sheriff, Marlon Pepperback.
-Welcome Sir Redcross! –
-It is LORD Redcross, Pepperback, please do remember it. The fact I am in armour does not downgrade my rank. I do not want to repeat it again . . . it is boring.
-Of course my Lord, I’m sorry. Welcome!
-Why have we been brought here, Pepperback, instead of being safely escorted to the Palace?
-Those were the King’s orders my lord. All members of the Council have been brought here.
-Are we the last to arrive? - He asked pretending to be surprised.
-Yes my lord. Please follow me to the Solar, all the other Lords are there waiting.
- All right, let’s go on then.- He signalled his party to follow him.
-Only you my Lord. The rest of your group must wait here. The guards and servants will take care of them - That actually surprised Lord Redcross, but he did his best not to show it.
Marlon Pepperback led Lord Redcross across the patio and up a stone staircase to the Solar where the rest of the Lords had been served with some food and drinks.
After the proper salutations, greetings and the exchange of false welcoming words, Lord Redcross was served some food and was intending to enjoy it when a Royal guard came out of the Keep and handed Pepperback a roll of paper with the Royal seal. Lord Redcross noticed the seal had already been broken.
-Gentlemen, your attention please – He began to read - By order of the King only the Lords and Knights Members of the Council will be escorted to the Palace. – A murmur of disagreement, made he had to raise his voice to keep reading.
- All the other knights, squires and rest of companies must stay in Post-on-the-Hill, where they will be treated as honoured guests as long as the Council is in meeting. Also horses, pigeons, hawks and other company animal, should there be any, must remain at the post and under the care of the Royal Guard and keepers.
-What an insult! They will stay here virtually as prisoners! – Said Lord Slim Teabush.
-WHAT? What an outrage is this? – Shouted Lord Redcross, not hiding his surprise anymore, nor his discomfort with the whole situation.
-It’s the King’s Order my Lords - Answered Marlon Pepperback stiffly.
-Hear me my Lords please! – Said Lord Avon Featherline stepping forward and shouting over the angry men’s voices. – These are our King’s wishes and orders; we must honour him and do as he commands without any complaints. He must have his reasons.
The men calmed down and finally agreed with Lord Avon. All except Lord Redcross who suspected something was terribly out of the ordinary.
Sheriff Pepperback continued:
-Council Members will be taken to Coghlan in horses provided by the Royal Guard. Party will leave as soon as meal and beverages are finished. There’s no need of taking anything else than what is in their possession at the moment this is being read. Everything they might need will be provided by the Palace when they get there. And one last command gentlemen, he added: NO ONE DOES ANYTHING WITHOUT SHERIFF PEPPERBACK’S CONCENT.
At the sound of his last words a dozen Royal guards rushed up the stairs and spread around the Solar, pointing their spears and swords to the VERY surprised and unprepared Lords.
Calm and meal . . . were over.
