Arcons departure

[Mariss]

For two hours Arcon and Mariss had not said a word to each other as they made their way through the countryside.
Their body language and glances had said it all. It was that unspoken attraction between a man and a woman when words were not needed.

[arcon]

Finally Arcon spoke. "Why have you done this?
You have taken my son and forced me to leave an important meeting.
Am i to assume that your intentions are for money?

"Your majesty, there is more at stake here than riches. I have something your Kingdom needs. There is rumor about that the great land of Arconia will soon face its darkest hour. My sources confirm this to be true.
Wars are expensive. Years ago my country was desimated. Only a few hundred of my people escaped the barbarians that ravaged my land.
Shipping made my country very wealthy. In the last days of the ravage
we were fortunate to launch one third of our finest ships ladened with gold,silver,and jewels. This is enough wealth to finance a large scale war for a hundred years."

"Nothing is free,"Arcon was quick to remark. "What do you want?"

"In time you will know. First i will take you to your son. This will prove to you that i can be trusted. While i was in your capital,
i spoke with a man of the pen. He writes of the secrets of Arconia.
He spoke with me aganst his will of course. His spies are planted throughout the land and they tell him of the forces that work aganst you. Most of the populace doesnt even know of your return but your enemies have been informed."
Mariss took a deep breath and continued. "Your enemies view you as somewhat unfocused since your return but yet they still fear what you may do to spoil their plans."

"How did you find Niki?" arcon asked her as they crossed a small
stream ahead of their path.

"The man of the pen had your servants followed. He spoke with the boy while he played. He was playing as a swordsman defending his new father... King Arcon... according to the account givin to me by this man, Muloch. When i held my knife to his throat it didnt take long for him to tell me everything he knew about you,including the location of the boy."

[arcon]

As they rode up to the cottage,Arcon could see Niki playing with
his mock sword. The boy with his black hair and dark tan was more than striking. As they came upon the gate and dismounted their horses,
Niki jumped in the air with joy and ran toward them.
"Hello my father and King", the boy said in perfect English.

Arcon smiled and opened his arms. Niki moved so fast to reach him he nearly fell in the process. They embraced and Arcon picked him up high above his head and sat him upon Catmael.

"How has my little prince been doing these days? Have you been good?

"Always, your majesty,"he replied in his formal tone he'd picked up from the servants who cared for him. " I the future King of Arconia am both a gentlemen and a warrior."

Arcon couldnt help but laugh but what struck him as really funny was
that Mariss was also laughing. After taking Niki down from his horse the three made their way up to the
cottage door, Arcon couldnt believe his eyes. He stumbled nearly nearly taking Niki with him. To the left of the cottage door sitting
backwards in his chair was Lochinvar. He stood up, smiled at his ole friend and walked inside.

Arcon steadied himself on the walkway rail as they made their way toward the door. Mariss went from a smile on her face to a look of horror. "Are you ok?"she exclaimed.
Arcon was so quick to answer that it came as a snap. "YES, im fine."
As the party entered the home, the servants turned as if to salute.
Arcon quickly waved his hand as to ease them from formality. Sara, his former cook from the palace sent him a big smile as she sat a big pot of Roost beef upon the table.
Arcon very unsettled was looking all about the cottage. Mariss and Niki stared at him with uncertainty.
"Father are you hungry?" Niki spoke with pride in his new language skills. "I know your friend is." "What friend?" arcon replied,forcing himself not to scream.
Niki turned to a man entering the doorway from the rear of the cottage and as Arcon turned, his heart pounding in his chest,standing there with that stern look of business on his face was... Rasen.

"Lets eat". orderd Sara

[arcon]

Arcon sat back in his chair. Niki was insisting upon bouncing in his lap way to soon after eating such a fine meal. Finally Arcon sat him down insisting that he play elsewhere for a while. He and Rasen had not spoken of business in the presense of Mariss and the servants.
Dinner conversation had been limited to more personal matters. Rasen spoke about his family and Mariss gave her vague explanation of her complicated past. He didnt completely trust this myterious woman but he had to admit he was smitten with intrique and an attraction that he had to force himself to control.
The two men looked at each other and didnt have to say a word.
Arcon knew the look. Quickly Arcon spoke to Sara who was in the process of kitchen duty. "Sara, two brandys please." As she quickly poured the drinks and made her way toward the table, Arcon motioned for Rasen to move toward the rear of the cottage. Both men made their way to the rear porch of the cottage and pulled up chairs by a small square table sitting in the center.
Arcon looked staight into Rasens eyes without speaking awaiting his response. Rasen met his gaze and without expression or emotion said,
"The Elders have summoned".

[arcon]

"What of this woman?Rasen spoke as Arcon swallowed the last of his
brandy. Arcon rolled the brandy around in his mouth before he answered. "I will tell Sara that Mariss is exausted and wants to sleep late. I will entertain her this evening. While i keep her busy remove her weapons from her room. I will find her personal knife this evening one way or another. Enter her room just before dawn,bind her hands and feet and gag her so she cant scream. We cant take the risk of being followed.
"She will be furious your majesty".Rasen stated as he lowered his brandy glass down on the table.

" I know that Rasen. She has something to offer Arconia for what reason is unclear, but i know she wants it bad enough she will not give up. She'll get over it."

Both men stood up and made their way back inside.

[arcon]

Rasen slowly opened the door leading to Mariss's
room. He hoped Arcon had done his job. This Mariss woman
appeared to be more than capable of putting up a good fight.
As he made his way to her bedside he could see that her back was facing him. Her hands were close together above her head. This was perfect. Hed slip the rope around her wrist then quickly go to her feet. If he was lucky hed have her confined before she could completely wake up.
Slowly he eased the rope under her left hand. Just a little more and hed have her right hand in the loop. There! he had it...but just as he jerked the rope tight,Mariss screamed,"Russic Bastards", and bolted up from the bed. Rasen fell backwards but regained his posture and sprang toward the women. Mariss,now standing on the bed gave him a front kick to the jaw sending Rasen sprawling backwards toward the wall. Instead of pursing her ,Rasen was stunned and motionless. "Did you just scream "Russic Bastards?" Rasen asked,still holding his injured jaw. "I dont know",Mariss replied."I was asleep". "What the hell are you doing in here...anyway?
Before Rasen could answer a reply came from the direction of the bedroom door.
"He was following my orders,"Arcon stated as he entered the room.
"Listen to me Mariss", Arcon stated as he watched her shaking as she stood at the end of her bed. Arcon noticed a long slender knife in her left hand. Rasen having also seen the knife looked over at Arcon shaking his head.

"Mariss we have an important meeting to attend. I didnt want to take the chance of you following us. That doesnt concern me now. What does concern me is what you just screamed out in your sleep.
"What do you know about the Russic?"

Mariss slowly climbed down from the bed and placed her knife upon a small table close by. She pulled her gown together that had come open during her encounter with Rasen and sat down upon the bed.

She took a deep breath as Arcon and Rasens eyes met before she spoke.

"The Russic killed my parents. They made their way across my country consuming everything like a horde or locusts." Mariss buried her head in her hands for a moment but quickly raised her head and resumed speaking. I was their prisoner for one terrible week. Excuse me for not giving any details. My brother, who ive not seen since their invasion was responsible for my escape. It was he who had prior knowledge of their coming. No one in my kingdom believed him. Had it not been for him i wouldnt have access to a good portion of the wealth of my country. He arranged for the ships to sail and for me to sail with them."

Mariss had her head in her hands again.

Rasen glanced over at Arcon as if to say...what next?

Arcon walked over to Mariss placing his hand upon her head.
Looking over at Rasen he spoke. "She goes with us".

[arcon]

test

[arcon]

The smell of bacon flowed about the cottage...from room to room
it moved ,finally making its way into Arcons room. Sara was at it again, he smiled to himself. He hoped she had put a batch of her famous homemade biscuits in the wood stove oven. The present cook at the palace just couldnt quite match Sara's biscuits. No matter how hard she tried.As he packed someone knocked at his door. That would be Rasen. Quickly he put the shiny object into his pack and said, "come in".

[arcon]

Rasen entered Arcons room as the King turned away from
his bed roll and pack. Rasen thought he noticed an element of surprize in the Kings face but quickly began to speak.
"Sara has made her best breakfast and my gear is ready sir."

"Great." replied Arcon with what seemed to be a bit too much enthusism Rasen thought.
"How is our mystery woman this morning? Is she ready?"

"Im not sure sir. She has not left her room since our encounter earlier this morning. May I ask you a question your majesty? "Of course." Arcon replied without hesitation. "What is the purpose for taking her with us? Personally I think its risky. You know the importance of this meeting.
"Yes, I do". Arcon spoke in a very soft and controlled tone.

"There has not been an Elders meeting since my fathers rule. The meeting is the most sacred and the elders are the most powerful and wise men throughout this world as we know it. I know from the simple fact that we've been summoned that Arconia indeed (is) in serious peril.
Lochinvar warned us that the Russic were coming. Before i entered this cottage when we arrived I saw him sitting out front. When i first came into the cottage I thought you were him. He is with us and is guiding us to do what is right for Arconia. I know this sounds crazy but it is true.
"Rasen, Mariss will need to testify to the Elders about what she knows about the Russic. She has something that Arconia must have, to win this war. She has not told me her price but im certain she will devulge her intent to the elders.
There is another matter of great importance. Niki, is my present heir to the throne of Arconia but there is a complication that has arisen. I the King of Arconia, have fathered a child. The mother is our Scibe, the Lady Moon. Its a complicated story and theres no time for all the details at this moment. We were the targets of a spell but now there is a child on the way. So you see, there is much for the elders to consider.
Those that are hired to protect Arconia and the crown are to my knowledge doing their job. Lady Moon has sent me messages by way of pigeons. I have passed this on to a source that i cannot devulge to you. You must trust that i have the security of Arconia in mind with every action i take. I as the King, have sources that are not known by anyone,not even my precious Zelda. Im sure these sources had a lot to do with the calling of this meeting.
Do I have your trust and loyality?

"Until my death, your majesty" Rasen spoke never breaking eye contact with his King.

[arcon]

Arcon watched Mariss as she attached her bed roll to her horse. He was trying his best not to be obvious when Mariss quickly turned her head and caught his gaze. "He's a great horse", was all Arcon could think to say thinking to himself,'that was clumsy'.

[Mariss]

As Mariss mounted her horse, she noticed the intensity in the air. Arcon seemed a little nervous with his anticipation of the journey ahead. There was an unspoke attraction between Mariss and Arcon that Rasen couldn't help but notice. He didn't speak of this, but it was very obvious. It made him very uncomfortable, to say the least.

As the three were mounted and ready to leave, Arcon and Rasen looked at each other briefly, as if to acknowledge the awkward moment. Mariss smiled to herself, rolled her eyes as she kicked her horse and moved forward. Arcon and Rasen followed.

[arcon]

Arcon watched Mariss as she rode ahead. Her long sleek body seemed to move in concert with her mount. He felt his heart rate increase as he watched the movement of her hips. With ever step of her horse, her
body pitched forward slightly, gently rocking back and forth on her saddle. Her narrow waist and pronounced shoulders gave her a powerful look for a woman. It was this powerful look that he found appealing.
He was not in control of his desires but at the moment he didnt care.
For the first time...he was allowing himself to enjoy them. He couldnt help but wonder if Rasen had noticed his breathing.

[arcon]

Arcon rode beside Rasen as the party of three made their way along the rocky trail. It was a difficult path that made it difficult to relax while riding. Arcon turned to Rasen and began to speak.
"Are you scared to die Rasen?" he asked without taking his eyes off the path. Rasen turned to his King with a look of dismay. The King had never asked him such a personal question.
"Its something i only consider a risk your majesty ,its not something i
fear. I have seen death in war as you have. I've lost men that ive bonded with in battle. I'll admit the losses were difficult. Ive always considered it a nessecary part of life when death arrives.

"Did you know Lochivar?" Arcon asked in a very soft voice.

"Yes, i met him at an archery tournament 10 years before his death your majesty. He defeated me and went on to rank second place."
"I know he was your closest friend and loyal subject. I am very sorry for your loss."

"I lost more than a friend,Rasen. I lost part of myself."

Rasen stared at the King not sure what to think or say next. He waited for the King to continue.

[arcon]

The party had been silent for many hours. All seemed to be
in their own private worlds. The night would soon come and it was time to consider a place to camp for the evening. It was Arcon who broke the silence. "Over to the left there is a creek. We will camp there on the embankment for the night." Rasen turned this head toward the King and nodded that he understood.

(1 hr later)

Arcon leaned back on his bedroll looking at the campfire as he sipped his drink.It was good to relax after a long days ride. Rasen had his back to him and was beginning to snore slightly. Mariss had made her way to the creek to bath and he was alone with his thoughts, his brandy, and it felt good.

His thoughts seem to circle him like vultures waiting to feast. Each peering down at him with their eyes aglow ,their beaks driping with the blood of his soul. A white dove suddenly broke through and the vultures scattered in all directions. The dove came diving toward his chest, like a streak of lighting. It stopped just above his chest, opened its beak and began to speak. "The light of Arconia will shine bright through the eyes of the unborn."

[arcon]

Arcon awoke,sweat was pouring down his forehead.
"Damn", he said out loud. Why did Rasen have to build the fire so hot.
As he turned his head toward the fire he could see the few embers left,glowing as if to mock his thoughts. He closed his eyes again.
He felt the gentle touch of a hand upon his cheek. A wet cloth began to wipe his forehead and he could feel another hand pulling back the blanket that lay upon him. The gentle breeze of the night air began to cool his hot body. The wet cloth was now traveling along his chest as he felt a soft kiss upon his lips. He was just about to open his eyes when he felt the soft presense of Mariss's skin upon his.

[arcon]

Arcon awoke with the morning sun in his eyes. Rasen was adding wood to the fire and Mariss was no where in site. Rasen glanced over as Arcon lifted himself up but turned his head away very quickly. Arcon thought he sensed a bit of resentment in his mannerisms. More than likely his attitude had something to do with Mariss. Rasen was a family man, away from his family. It was probably more than a little difficult for him at times.

Arcon had finished putting his bed roll away, when Mariss finally walked back into the camp site. He glanced at her and realized she had been to the stream close to the site. How she could bath in the cold water was a mystery to him. "Your majesty, would you like some ham?" Rasen asked as he he turned and gave Mariss a stern stare. "Yes Rasen,sounds good to me." Arcon replied without looking up.

Mariss stood behind Rasen in silence like she was considering what to do next when she finally spoke. "Rasen, could i have some ham please?"
Rasen didnt speak but quickly tossed another slab of ham in the pan.

[arcon]

The party was slow to make ready for the days journey. One more day of riding and they would arrive at their destination. As Arcon made his mount ready he noticed the Mariss eyeing him as she groomed her horse. She was beautiful. The tallest woman hed ever known. Most of her past was still a mystery. What had the Russic done to her? How had she managed to escape?
He wondered if her brother was still alive.

Rasen was already prepared for the journey. Arcon could tell he was anxious to complete this mission. Being the family man he was he didnt like these long trips unless it was for battle. He did have a thirst for the fight. Every man has a dark side...Arcon thought to himself. Even Kings.

[arcon]

As the party made their way along the narrow path Arcons thoughts were of his beloved queen. His actions of late were very much out of character. Since his return from being lost at sea...everything had changed. Zelda seemed distant from him. Maybe it had been the strain of running Arconia without him. Maybe she had learned to live without him and just didnt need his company any longer. The pain in his heart was so strong at times. Why was he out here on this journey? He desperatly need to conclude this mission and find his way back to his queen. Arconia was in peril. The Russic would soon arrive. Arconia needed to be ready.

[arcon]

Their journey was nearing its end. Mariss seemed more than ready for a hot bath. Arcon was simply ready for a bit of brandy and some rest. Rasen looked as fresh as the first hour of the trip. The man never tired.

[arcon]

"Rasen, are you ready? Arcon spoke in a stern but yet quiet voice. "Yes,your majesty", Rasen replied not making eye contact. Both men urged their horses along the small trail leading from their campsite. No more words would be needed for both men knew the final purpose of their journey.
Quickly they made their way along the final trail leading upward along the mountainside toward the cave entrance. Methodically they weaved and maneuvered their horses along the path like a needle through tough cloth.

Slowly the path widened as they moved forward. Bushes became short trees and small trees seemed to turn to giants. The path had widened enough so the two men could ride alongside each other with Maris following close behind. As Arcon and Rasen approached the end of the tree line, both men looked up and then turned to each other. Their eyes confirming that both had seen the archers flanking them in the trees. A hundred yards from the tree line was the cave opening. Its only entrance was the lenght of two horses. As the two men approached, a hooded unarmed man exited the cave entrance and stood patiently waiting until they came to a stop and dismounted. Without a word he took the reigns of their horses and led the animals away.

Arcon, Rasen and Mariss entered the cave passing four hooded men. The pair of men to Arcons left were each armed with crossbows and broadswords. The pair to Rasens right, held long bows and short-swords. All four carried knives strapped to their boots.

As the party passed, the four men bowed their heads slightly bearing no expression upon their faces, and remained perfectly still. Every forty paces a torch stood to their left and right. In front of each torch stood a hooded figure. Arcon noticed each man had a loaded crossbow with a spare one at his feet. As they passed four hooded men, two on each side, walking toward them, Arcon realized it was mobile security unit. Fifty yards from the entrance they finally came to a large opening in the cave encircled with torches. Again standing by every torch was a hooded figure in black, each wearing a long black tunic. As Arcon , Rasen and Mariss passed, the party slowly bowed their heads.