When he reached the Front Gate, the rider had all but reached the Front
Gate. The rider dismounted very quickly the moment the horse came
to a stop. The rider
covered in clothing that made it difficult to determine the sex let
alone the race. Only the eyes were visible, a pair of clear blue
eyes. The rider intercepted
Rockhound as he hurried toward the Guard Post.
"Is this the entrance I use to see the Lientant?" asked a smooth but muffled voice that caused Rockhound to stop.
"Yes, but no one may enter without permission," standing firm in the way of the Front Gate.
"I wish to see the Lietantent. May I please have permission to pass."
"Only master Sean can grant such permission," Rockhound insisted wishing
someone else would pass by so they could deal with this stranger and he
could complete
his task.
Take a step closer, the stranger looked him in the eye and continuted
a little firmer and more presistant, "Then please fetch him. This
is a matter of extreme
importance with the New Dawn approching."
Something in what the stranger said triggered a since of urgency in
Rockhound. He turned on his heels and ran. Yelling up to the
guardtower, "Watch him!"
***************
Rockhound found Sean Carlton in his office, of sorts, doing his damedest
to determine what was written under the ink on a piece of paper.
Sean looked up at the
sound of approaching feet as Rockhound rounded the doorway.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!!?"
"Master Sean, you are needed at the Front Gate... A stranger...Important..." Rockhound puffed out far to out of breath for a solider in Sean's opinion.
"NOT NOW!!!!"
His conscience lept from the back of the chair where it had been sitting to his shoulder.
SCREE, SCREE
"Shut up!" as Sean tries to move away from his conscience.
"Sir????"Rockhound looked confused. "What of the Stranger?"
SCREE, SCREE
"And leave me alone."
Rockhound still confused at Sean's "dancing" movements about the room began to back out of the room.
SCREE, SCREE,SCREE, SCRRREEEEEE
"And where do you think you're going Rockhound!?" Sean asked as he noticed him backing out.
SCREE, SCREE,SCREE, SCRRREEEEEE
"If I go will you SHUT UP!!!!" he asked the air just above his right shoulder.
"Sir????"
As soon as Sean finished speaking his conscience fell silent again.
"Show me!" as Sean grabbed Rockhound's shoulder and thrust him forward.
****************
When they arrived at the Front Gate, Rockhound noticed the stranger had not moved from that spot.
"What do you want? You have bad timing stranger."
"Only to speak to you. I have come a long way to see you. And I will not be turned away."
Sean stepped closer. There was something about those eyes that were familiar. Something told him this one could bring help.
"My mission is of peace I swear. Sean, a storm is coming and I
do not with to be caught out in it. And neither will your men."
The wind picked that moment to gust
up and blow sand and dirt in everyone's eyes, then just as quickly
die down again.
"Come with me," he told the stranger. "Lock everything down and shut the gates up tight! No one in or out til I say so!" he yelled to the guard.
Sean took the stranger in the compound and headed for his office...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the mountains north of Daharahn an encampment is preparing for what
appears to be a rough night. A storm is comming from the south. It doesn't
look like it is
going to be a friendly one. A few hours before sunset the caravan stopped
to buckle down for the night. Better to travel the rest of the way in the
daylight.
A fairly intense perimiter is set up around the encampment and guards are posted generously throughout the interior of the camp.
Just before sundown from the south a guard at what appears to be the
main entry to the settlement notices a rider trying to beat the storm.
The guard sends for
captain They of the crown guard who recieves the rider.
"Good eve to you 'mam. I bring news to you from Daharahn. Squire Carlton
scribed this himself , sealed it, and put it in my hand. I gave me orders
to put it into your
hand with a message that it is FOR THE KING's EYES only."
" Good job sir. Rest yourself. we move out as soon as it is possible in the morning"
"Thank you, 'mam."
They complies with the instructions given her by the courier after she has the scroll checked for anything suspiciuos, and places it in the hand of the king himself.
" A message fro you Sire, from Daharahn. I was told it was for your eyes only."
" Thank you, You should be relaxing Captain you've guards to finish what you've started. We've a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
As They leaves the kings tent the wind outside seems to pick up and howls a bit.
The king reads the scroll sent to him from Daharahn.
Sire,
A dark day has fallen on the guard. Master Finn is dead under suspicious
circumstances.
A healer from the High Sultan of Daharahn has been sent for to attemp
to remedy the situation.
A letter in Finns possesion leads me to believe that there is a plot
against the crown afoot.
As a precaution I have locked down the compound and will be VERY stringent
on who goes in or out. When you arrive be sure that your advanced party
inquires
for me personally so that I may recognized them. I would go into more
detail but this letter could be compromised and I dont want anyone to have
information that
could be used against you.
Anxiously awaiting your arrival
Yours in service
SEAN C.
Lt. to the Crown Guard.
Squire To the King.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once inside the compound out of the approaching storm, the stranger began unwrapping his layers of clothing meant for protection from the weather.
"What did you mean I had bad timing?" the stranger inquired as Sean and the stranger headed for Sean's office.
Sean looks over to responded and recognizes the finely embroidered symbol
on the now exposed tunic, a raptor in flight outlined in a gold/silver
thread with the
center a deep green. It is now obvious that the stranger is not
a male, but most certainly female.
With a quirk of his eyebrow he proceeds to give her a brief overview.
"The King is due to arrive with in days. There is much to prepare.
And if that weren't enough,
today the court bard was found face first in the stone floor.
It looks like he tripped over the railing outside his quarters."
"Master Finn!?!?! I assume from that height he is not still breathing. Have you sent ! for a healer?"
"You assumption is correct and ye.... ROCKHOUND!!!!!!!!" Sean yells wanting to confirm his answer before he gave it.
"Sir!?!" Rockhound said running forward from where he had been tending to items stacked out in the open area of the compound.
"Did you send a runner for a healer?" Sean asked staring the big man in the face.
"Ye...No sir. He...," pointing to the stranger. "She...arrived just as I was about to and demanded your presence."
It was obvious to everyone that Sean's temper has rising and he was struggling to keep it in check.
Grabbing his arm only to get his attention, "Sean, I know where you
can find an excellent healer who can be trusted." The stranger looked
around, "Give me a piece
of paper and a writing utensil." A scrap of paper was produced
along with a charred, sharpened stick. She scribbled a short note
out that read simply, "Come at
once! Your skills and training are needed. The Champion's
Dove calls." She handed the note to a page-looking person, "Take
this to the healer at the bar two
streets south of Merchant's Square. Do you know the one I mean?"
"The one with peacemakers no one wants to mention.?"
"That's the one. Now go! You only have 4 maybe 5 hours at the most before no one is going anywhere."
"He'll never make it with the storm approaching!"
"Trust me on this one. If he hurries and gives the note straight
away to him, they can make it back in time. BUT if he waits a moment
longer they will both be caught
out there in the storm. Now GO!" as she shoves the boy toward
the gate. Sean motions for the guard to let the boy out.
*****************
Once back in Sean's office Sean sent for beverages for him and his visitor.
Once that was done Sean shut the door to his office and turned to regard
his! guest with a
building smile on his face.
"Tanara StormCaller what are you doing? You look much better than
the last time I saw you." Sean stepped forward and embraced her in
a welcoming hug as she
tossed her outer wrappings in the corner.
"Yes, I do look better don't I. The leg has healed nicely and
I am handling the rest slowly," she said as she released him from the hug
and headed for a chair near one
wall. Her eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment as though she
were remembering something. With a nod of her head she said, "Yes
it will time."
"As to why I am here, I learned through sources that you tried mightily
to locate me and set-up at least one rescue attempt. I came to thank
you in person. But I see
my timing is right on as usual. I forgot about the King's annual
pilgrimage and now you have your hands full with Master Finn's nose dive."
"You right your timing sucks, but none the less you are here.
And with the storm moving in, you probably will be here at least a day
or two." Sean sat down in the
chair at his desk. Scanned the room as though he was looking
for something he didn't care for and sneered at the corner behind the door.
Tanara tried to hide the
grin on her face.
A knock at the door told them the drinks Sean had ordered had arrived.
After retrieving the tray from the servant and shutting the door again,
"So tell me what have
you been up to? I hadn't heard from you or even anything about
you since your stepping down and your rooms were found totally cleared
out."
********************
A few hours later Sean and Tanara are summoned to the Front Gate.
The page had returned with someone. The wind had picked up and visibility
was getting very
poor.
"You know Tanara, this better be good. I eat enough sand and dirt
to make my dinners taste grittier than they already are," came a familiar
voice from under a thick
hood.
"Trust me Korlys, if the King isn't grateful I know dam sure that Master
Finn will be. Now lets get back inside. This storm will make
it impossible to shut those
heavy gates," Tanara said putting her arms around both Sean and Korlys
and started walking back toward Sean's office.