Chapter
19 Delwin Troubles
When Ashlyn is known to set her mind to something, she can usually
accomplish it. She managed to put
Dahok far from her mind and concentrated on her search for Ana with her Aunt
Flora.
They
had tried just about every safe thing they could think of—Trumps, shifting
shadow, Hellriding and any other thing they could think of.
Ashlyn was on one of her visits to Flora on Shadow Earth when she was
told the latest idea.
“Ashlyn,
dear! I’m so glad that you’re
here! Come in.
I want to discuss a new idea with you,” Flora invited her in.
“I’m
all ears,” Ashlyn seated herself down on the couch as Flora disappeared into
the kitchen for a moment.
“Well,
I didn’t want to tell you about it until I had researched it and made sure
that it could work, but I was thinking about the Pattern,” Flora reappeared
with a tray of lemonade.
“You
already tried that and it didn’t work. The
Pattern decided not to comply,” Ashlyn picked up a glass of lemonade in one
hand and reached for the TV remote with the other.
“This
time I wanted the both of us to do it at the same time,” she said as Ashlyn
propped up her feet.
“I
don’t think I’m following this idea. Two
people can’t be on the Pattern at the same time, can they?” Ashlyn paused,
waiting for her to go on.
“There
can be if one walks the Pattern at the Castle and the other walks the Pattern at
Tir Na Nog’th. We both ask it at
the same time to take us to Anastasia,” she finished.
“Kind
of like putting more hands on a Trump. I
see,” Ashlyn had put the remote back. “When
did you want to try it?”
“Tonight,
if possible. There will be a full
moon in Amber tonight,” Flora said excitedly.
“Do
you think Martin will let us do that?” Ashlyn finally took a sip of her
lemonade.
“I’m
thinking he would,” Flora rose and went over to her desk.
“Well,
I’ll tell you what. I’ll handle
King Martin and I’ll get this whole thing cleared up.
I’ll meet you in the main hallway when I’m done say, about three
hours. There’s a good four hours
to sunset yet,” Ashlyn finished off her glass.
“That’ll
do, dear,” Flora said with a smile and produced her Trumps from the desk
drawer. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay,”
Ashlyn muttered with a sigh and pulled out her Trumps as well.
She pulled the one of her room out and in a moment’s time she stepped
through. She pulled out Martin’s
Trump next and almost instantly got a response.
“Yes?
Ah, Ashlyn! So good to hear
from you. What is it?” he asked.
“Have
you a moment? I have something of
importance I would like to discuss,” Ashlyn held out her hand indicating that
she wanted to be pulled through.
“Of
course,” he extended her hand and found herself standing before him in his
ready room adjacent to the throne room.
“So
what news do you bring me?” he asked as he reseated himself at his desk.
“It’s
about rescuing Anastasia. Flora and
I have a new idea, but it needs clearing from you. We’re
going to try walking the Pattern. She’ll
be walking the one here and I would be walking the one at Tir Na Nog’th.
We figured that two of us doing it at the same time would be enough for
the pattern to take us to her this time,” Ashlyn proposed.
“That
sounds awfully risky,” Martin seemed unsure.
“I
realize that there are dangers, but I wouldn’t be asking you this if we
hadn’t tried everything else we could think of already!” Ashlyn knelt to get
level with him at his desk.
“Have
you thought this through?”
“You
can ask Flora all about it if you want. She
told me that she’s researched this whole thing.
We wanted to try this tonight since there will be a full moon for Tir Na
Nog’th to show up and be substantial enough,” Ashlyn slowly regained her
feet.
“Alright.
Just take the necessary precautions if you’re the one walking Tir Na
Nog’th. I don’t want you falling
to your death or something,” Martin gave his consent.
“Good luck to you. I expect
to hear back from you when you return. I’ll
be wanting a full report.”
“Thank
you,” Ashlyn gave him a little bow of respect and quickly left to go find
Flora.
It
was later as the sun was setting that they began their journeys to the Patterns.
Flora was confident that it would work.
Ashlyn just kept her fingers crossed.
She took a Ranger with her to wait at the foot of the stairs of Tir Na
Nog’th just in case anything were to go wrong.
She kept an open Trump contact with Flora until they both simultaneously
set foot on the Pattern.
Ashlyn
realized that it had been a very long time since she had walked the Pattern.
She found that it took all of her concentration to keep her mind on
walking the Pattern. It took her a
good forty-five minutes to reach the center and she was a little surprised at
how much it tried to take out of her. She
found herself a little out of breath and took a moment to compose herself.
No sooner did she do it did she feel the oncoming of a Trump call.
“I
see you finally made it!” Flora said with a smile from the center of the other
Pattern. “Are you ready?
On the count of three. One,
two three!”
Pattern,
take me to within half a mile of Anastasia’s location!
The
next moment Ashlyn found herself standing in a lightly wooded area and it was
night. Above her about a hundred
feet up was a huge hovering disk that looked like something out of Independence Day. She
shook her head. I watch too much of
that—what did Flora call it—cable TV.
Ashlyn
couldn’t see Flora anywhere. She
held out her Trump and concentrated. There
was some kind of contact, but it was all full of static and interference.
She couldn’t hear a word Flora was trying to say.
Ashlyn looked up and moved out from underneath the disk.
Reception didn’t get much better, but she was able to make out that
Flora was stretching out her hand and Ashlyn grabbed for it and yanked for all
she was worth. Flora was suddenly
standing there with an unconscious Anastasia slung over her shoulder, slimed and
not wearing anything.
“Good
work. I was wondering where the hell
you went! Hurry and get us out of
here!” Flora held tight to Ana and placed another hand on Ashlyn’s shoulder
as Ashlyn activated the Trump of her room at the Castle.
They
were back safe and sound in Amber Castle. Flora
had set to work on making sure that Ana was all right while Ashlyn sent for a
medic and reported to Martin.
“You
ladies have done well,” Martin said with pride when she had found him and made
her report. “It will be good to
have Ana back again. We all missed
having her around. Have a good
night’s rest. You deserve it.”
Ashlyn
smiled and returned to her room. She
now felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
The stress and the worry were all gone.
It was proclaimed that Ana would be just fine.
Ashlyn retired to bed feeling good.
It
was around seven in the morning when she heard the pounding on the door.
A servant was gathering the family together again for another one of
those family meetings. Darn.
Just when she thought she was going to sleep in a little.
Oh, well. You can’t always
win. She dragged herself out of bed
and pulled on her clothes. She
pulled on her boots carefully. That
bootstrap looked as if it were about to go at anytime—a good enough excuse to
take Ana shopping later if she felt up to it.
With that thought bringing a smile to her face, Ashlyn went downstairs to
meet with everyone in the dining hall.
Breakfast
was being served and Martin seemed to be residing of the festivities.
He quickly brought everyone to a hush and began to make his
announcements.
“I
brought you all together to bring you an update on the situation with Llewella
and Osric. It would appear that they
have gotten together—quite literally. There
are six new threats to watch out for—their children.
They’ve all got some kind of twisted talent.
Pandora and Finch had run into two of them already.
The intelligence reports say that there’s Ash who’s proficient with
guns and has a “talent” with the chainsaw.
There’s Drusilla the sorceress, Gilgamesh the muscle of the bunch,
Magnus the fast runner, Riven who chose to take the Logrus and Tristan who is
known to carry and use a Pattern sword. We’re
talking armed and extremely dangerous. If
you come across any of them you are to get away at the first chance you have.
There’s no telling how dangerous they are.
In other business, I am pleased to announce that Anastasia had been
returned to us thanks to the vigilance of Ashlyn and Flora.
It was apparent that as she had been walking through shadow she was
abducted by some strange shadow race. We’re
pretty sure that it had absolutely nothing to do with Llewella’s bunch, but
we’re not discounting them as a threat, either.
And one more thing—” Martin paused for some air.
“I also wanted to announce that as of now, Dalt has been given a full
pardon. He is once again a member of
this family. I believe that he has
proven himself, and if any of you have anything to say against it, you can take
it up with me personally!” Martin
has risen up out of his seat and looked terribly stern—even frightening.
He meant what he said.
Everyone
was sitting very still. Even the
shuffle of dishes and utensils had come to a complete standstill.
Ashlyn sat completely aghast. She
looked over at her father and then back at the King. He
seemed satisfied with his say and left the room.
Breakfast was finished in stunned silence.
“Ashlyn.
Meet me in my room when you finish,” Blake said quietly as he passed
her on the way out. She waited only
a moment and excused herself. She
paused for only a moment, glancing about at other faces to try and see if they
felt the same way she did, but she couldn’t tell.
With a sigh of frustration and clenched fists she strode out of the room.
When
she reached Blake’s door she also found Finch and Vincent approaching at the
same time. Ashlyn rapped on the door
as soon as they caught up and Blake quickly let them in.
Anastasia and Pandora were already there.
“So
what’s all this about?” Finch asked once they had all seated themselves.
“I
wish I knew,” Ashlyn said with a frown. “Is
the King under some kind of spell? How
could he possibly pardon Dalt? My
father had to be under house arrest for five
years before he was pardoned of anything
and now we’re supposed to welcome Dalt with open arms?
I don’t think so!”
“Yes,
things would have been a little different if Random were still here, but he’s
not,” Ana soothed.
“Besides
that. We’re not here to discuss
Dalt. We’ve got bigger
problems—six of them to be exact,” Blake said as he sat down.
“I thought it would be a good thing if we all pitched in to build
ourselves a construct that would help protect us a little.
Something that can help us in a fight, maybe help in letting us escape if
we had to. Or something to rack
spells in or having a Trump that takes us to a safe haven.”
Blake began brainstorming and barely had gotten into it when there was a
knock on the door.
“Yes?”
Blake let him come in.
“Begging
your pardons, but I am looking for Lady Ashlyn.
Is she here? I’ve been sent
to find her,” a servant came in bowing low.
“I
am here,” Ashlyn stood up.
“Very
good, my Lady. You are being
summoned to your parent’s quarters immediately,” he said.
“If
you all will excuse me,” Ashlyn moved out of the way.
“Blake, just let me know on what you all decided.”
“Will
do,” he said with a dismissing wave of his hand as Ashlyn hurried out.
“So
what’s is all about?” Ashlyn asked the servant as she was escorted there.
“Something
about your mother. He really
wouldn’t say,” he replied.
“Oh,”
was all she said in return. She
figured that it was another one of their “important” projects they never
tell her about and left it at that. When
they had reached the door the servant bowed and went on his way again.
Ashlyn
knocked on the door and it was answered by her father who was looking rather
worried. She had never seen him look
worried before.
“Dad,
what’s going on with you?” she asked once she was inside and he had secured
the door again.
“It’s
your mother. She’s all right, but
she was beaten badly—” he began.
“Beaten?
By whom?” Ashlyn demanded and tried to push her way past him but he
stopped her.
“Delwin.
Whatever his reason, he’s after the spikards.
He had to beat her up to get hers. Unfortunately,
he succeeded,” Brand slowly released her.
“Quietly now.”
Ashlyn
entered the bedroom beyond and wasn’t prepared for the sight before her.
Jasra looked terrible. It
looked like Delwin had beaten her to a pulp.
Loki was already there at her bedside keeping his own vigil.
“Mother,”
Ashlyn called out softly. Jasra
seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness.
When she looked over at her father she was almost frightened at what she
saw. As he stood there looking at
his wife, the expression on his face was slowly contorting into anger and hate.
Ashlyn was seeing the legendary temper she had only heard of.
“I’m
going to see the King. I’m going
after Delwin myself!” Brand stormed out. She
had never seen him so angry before and she wasn’t sure how to deal with it.
Loki had purposely averted his eyes.
“Is
dad okay?” a shaky voice came from the bedside.
“He’s
upset. Wouldn’t you be?” Ashlyn
fought to control herself.
“Yes,
but I’ve never seen him so upset,” Loki replied.
“He’d
be just as angry if it were one of us—trust me!” Ashlyn stood by the door to
await his return. “Is she doing
any better?”
“The
doctor said that she was hurt pretty bad. She’ll
be needing bed rest for the next few days,” he said as he sponged Jasra’s
brow. It was only minutes later that
Brand returned more upset than ever and muttering darkly to himself.
“Damn
little whelp! Who the hell does he
think he is? Damn him anyway!
I should have let him bleed to death when I had the chance!” he stormed
and paced around the room. Ashlyn
joined Loki at Jasra’s bedside, holding him protectively.
Poor Loki was shaking and Ashlyn held him tight to try and protect them
both. Neither one of them had ever
seen him so angry nor were they sure of what he was going to do.
It was a very tense moment.
“And
what did the King say?” Ashlyn asked once he looked a little calmer.
“He
ordered me not to go after Delwin! The
fool!” Brand raged. Loki had gone
as white as a sheet.
“I
think we’ll let mom have her rest,” Ashlyn led him out so Brand could
continue ranting in peace. Loki only
nodded dumbly and let Ashlyn take him out of the room.
“You
think dad will be okay?” he asked.
“I
think so. I just hope it’s not
that stupid Fount talking,” she said trying her best to keep the animosity
from getting into her voice. “It
makes me mad that Delwin beat up mom and even more upset that it makes dad
upset—and I admit to being scared just a little.
I hope never to see that side of him ever again.”
“I’m
with you,” Loki said with a smile.
“Your
color’s coming back. You were as
white as a sheet!” Ashlyn smiled back. “You
know, I have just the thing to calm the nerves—”
“Lady
Ashlyn! I have been sent to find
you. Lord Benedict has requested
your presence in the throne room,” another servant came around the corner.
“I’ll
be right there,” she replied. “Sorry
little brother. Looks like it will
have to wait. Boy, I seem to be a
little popular today!” She gave
her brother a quick hug and took off for the throne room.
When she reached it she could hear Martin having an argument with
Benedict. Once she opened the door
she could see that the cousins were gathered there as well.
“Angmar
is in conflict with Corelaine and I want to take them with me to help smooth
things over,” Benedict argued.
“No!
Not with the madman running around! I’m
putting my foot down on this one, Lord Benedict.
No Rangers are to leave this Castle!” Martin had raised his voice.
“Alright.
If that’s the way you want it,” Benedict turned to the cousins.
“You’re all fired. There
now. They aren’t Rangers
anymore.” Ashlyn and Ana had both
covered their mouths to smother any forthcoming laughter since Martin now stood
there completely flabbergasted.
“Your
Majesty, it is very simple. Delwin
will be going after King Denethor’s spikard next in his quest to get them
all,” Benedict said with a kind of finality to it.
“Of
course. Take them!
Take whatever troops you need, Lord Benedict!” Martin said it with a
sneer and a wave of his hand. Ashlyn
didn’t really like where this was headed, but still said nothing.
“Thank
you. Your Majesty is too kind,”
Benedict bowed low and waved for the cousins to follow him out.
“No
time to lose,” Benedict began explaining as he led them out.
“I’m making each of you my honorary Generals and you will be dividing
the army between you. Once we reach
our destination we will be met with the Eisengarde Guard.
That will give us about fourteen hundred.
We’ll set up on the Road of the Golden Circle.
That’s where the road is most narrow and it’s the only way in or out
of Angmar. However, that is also
where the forest is the thickest. My
spy network had uncovered the fact that Captain Antilles of the Corelaine Guard
is of Amber Blood and that he will be joining the Six Siblings in this battle.
We must win. Do whatever it
takes to ensure that we do. I will
be with King Denethor to protect him from Delwin myself.
Get ready and meet back here as soon as you’re ready to go.”
Ashlyn
did as she was asked and in about a half-hour’s time was all set to go.
She wasn’t quite sure how to feel.
It had been a full day. She
stood quietly and pulled on her gloves while she waited for the others to show
up. She looked every bit the warrior
and the scar on her cheek made her look even more intimidating.
She had said her good byes to her brother and looked in on her mother
again. She wasn’t at all
particular with Brand as to what she was doing.
For whatever the reason, she felt it best not to give him the details for
fear of him going into another one of his rages.
Ana
came down and wordlessly joined her, make last minute checks that her weapons
were in place and that everything was just so.
As soon as the cousins were assembled Benedict appeared.
Still, not a word was uttered as they left the Castle and mounted up.
They were on their way to battle.
