Translated From Sarconian Annals - Draft Volume II

I must apologize for a few choppy sections in this chapter.  I'm having some trouble smoothing a few things over.

Crystal shifted a few of the pillows on the couch she was reclining on.  Her time in Corvan had been quite pleasant, for the most part.  Brian's fast action in repealing harmful laws had promptly won him the favor of his people.  The threat of civil war no longer hung over Corvan like a dark cloud. 
A dark cloud still hung over the castle, however.  Leonardo was spending his time sulking, and his resentment towards Walker seemed to grow by the hour.  Walker  had given Leonardo as much space as he could, but the matter had had to collide at some time, and it did.  Leonardo had challenged Walker to a duel.  Brian had protested, but Walker had accepted Leonardo's challenge, telling Brian that maybe if Leonardo lost his desired throne in a duel, he wouldn't feel like it was stolen from him.
Crystal was somewhat apprehensive about the duel, but she did not allow it to consume her.  She knew she had been trained by one of the best swordsmen in the known world until she could spar with him on nearly even terms, and she and Walker could duel for hours with no clear victor.
Crystal glanced up at the clock and realized that she should probably head down to the courtyard where the duel would be held.  She laid aside her book made a motion to rise, and the room suddenly exploded with movement.  She had casually kicked off her shoes, and now a maid sprang up to slide them on her feet.  Pages magically appeared out of nowhere, ready to deliver any messages she might send.  A servant came over with her cloak, asking if she wanted it.  She nodded, and the servant draped it over her shoulders.
She exited the room, servants trailing in her wake.  It had taken her some time to adjust to their almost constant presence.  She was nearly used to it by now, however, and generally ignored them.  There were already many people in the courtyard.  Brian was sitting under a canopy and beckoned Crystal to come over to him.  She sat down at his side.  Walker was nearby, swinging his sword in slow circles, loosening his arm.  Two squires were roping off the center of the courtyard.
At last the two combatants faced off.  Leonardo swung angrily at Walker.  Walker parried the blow, pushed Leonardo's sword to the side, and advanced in a swift offencive combination.  Leonardo retreated, trying to recover from the skill of Walker's attack.  Walker backed off, and the duelists began circling each other.  Once again, it was Leonardo who attacked, and he could still find no way through Walker's seamless defense.  Walker lightly leaped in and knocked Leonardo's sword from his hand with a few quick blows.
Leonardo stared at Walker, shocked.  "How did you do that?  How did you beat me?"
"I knew some things you didn't," said Walker.  "Good fight."
Leonardo nodded dumbly and walked into the castle.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the end of the courtyard.  A messenger dashed in and dropped to his knees in front of the canopy, clutching his side and gasping for breath.  "My lord," he panted, "Eresna has declared war on us.  They are attacking the norther border as we speak.  General Ruthford needs reinforcements...now."
"How long ago was this?" asked Brian.
"A couple of days.  I nearly ran three horses to death trying to get here."
"General Ruthford will have his reinforcements."
The messenger nodded his thanks, still gasping for breath.
Brian began rattling off orders, and the castle sprang into action.  Brian sent a messenger to General Ruthford, telling him that reinforcements were on the way.
That evening, a message came to Walker from Argon.  Walker looked grim as he read it.  "High King Donovan has refused King Argon's terms.  Donovan has declared war.  His army marches on the Sarconian border.  I must go there.  The Sarconian army is still small compared to Donovan's; Argon will need all the help he can get."
"I shall go with you," said Crystal.
"It would be safer for you to stay here," Walker told her.
"With a war brewing with Eresna?  I will be as safe in Sarconia as I would be here."
"So stay here," said Walker.
"I cannot."
"I think there is something deeper here," said Brian.
Crystal blushed and looked at her toes.
"Well?" asked Walker.  "Are you finally going to admit how you feel about Argon?"
Crystal blushed even redder.  "I love him.  I feel like I should be with him during these dark times."
Walker shrugged.  "Have it your way, since you will whether I like it or not.  I'm leaving right after sunrise tomorrow."
"I cannot take the threat of Eresna lightly," said Brian, "But Corvan promised Sarconia military assistance in event of a war.  I'll send a few hundred picked horsemen with you."
 
Crystal walked swiftly through the halls of the castle.  Preparations for her and Walker's departure had started immediately.  She had been to her chambers, and Gari was now directing the packing of her belongings, so Crystal was sure that everything was under control.  Now she was helping her brother.  Walker's squire had fallen terribly ill a few days before.  Although the doctors were confident that he would live, his days as a squire were over.  Walker needed a capable replacement and fast.  Crystal had spoken with Walker's squire, and the boy had given her the names of three boys who might be able to replace him.  She was off to find and interview them.
The first boy was very nervous.  He was the youngest a squire could possible be, and, although Crystal could see a great deal of potential in him, he was not ready yet.  The second boy was better; Crystal thought she had found what she wanted, but she interviewed the last boy, just to be fair.  He changed her mind.
His name was Toran.  He had been a squire for an older knight who had recently died.  The knight had taught the boy well, and Crystal was pleased at the speed with which he answered her questions.  Crystal had decided earlier that none of the boys would know why they were being interviewed until she had made her choice.  The decision was easy; Toran easily outstripped his competition in savvy and intelligence.  The youth nearly passed out from shock when she informed him that she had chosen him to be Walker's squire, but he recovered quickly and attacked his new job with vigour. 
They departed early the next morning with the sun in their eyes.  Ebony was less than happy over being held back by the horses of the calvary that rode with him.  Walker and Ebony frequently galloped down the line to make sure there were no stragglers, then up the hill to survey the overall situation.  Cameo was quieter and did not demand the constant exersise Ebony did, contenting herself with galloping up the hill with Ebony every now and then.  Toran could have easily killed both himself and his horse trying to stay near Walker, but Walker was alert to the situation and told Toran to stay behind with Crystal.
 
 ~~~~~~
 
Argon glanced around the busy courtyard, observing the activity from the steps of the palace.  The courtyard faced north, nestling against the white stone wall of the palace.  The sliced-off oval shape was walled near the front, then gave way to sturdy pillars where the gardens started.   Directly in front of where he stood, at the furtherest extention of the courtyard, a fountain was built into the wall.  The gates of the courtyard were on either side of it; one facing north-east, the other north-west.  Both stood open.
"They're coming!" hollered Daryn from the roof.  He bounded down the stairs, taking them two and three at a time, landed lightly at the base, and bounced gracefully to his place behind Argon.  The young squire never walked unless he had to; he much preferred running and jumping.
Argon looked back at his squire and gave him a quick wink.  Daryn answered with a mischievous grin.  The pressures of the kingship laid heavily on Argon's young shoulders, and he often found himself searching for something to do to relieve his tension.  Daryn was always happy to help, and they now had a secret between them.  They had engaged in a stair-jumping contest in one of the less-used parts of the palace the previous night.  Neither had won; they had been laughing too hard to finish the competition.
Argon's swift eyes caught the flash of mail glinting in the party coming over the valley floor.  Walker and Crystal were with the vanguard.  The horsemen branched off to the army's camp, but some of the figures continued towards the palace.
The people in the courtyard cleared as the the figures dashed in.  They reined in their mounts near Argon. 
They have changed, Argon thought.  Both Walker and Crystal had more of an air of command.  A thin band of silver rested in Walker's brown hair, a sign of his rank of Heir Apparent of Corvan.  A Corvanie soldier behind them held the long pole that supported the standard of Corvan: a black panther on a purple background.
They dismounted.  Walker's squire, a Corvanie boy whom Argon did not recognize, took Ebony and Cameo's reins.  Walker and Argon exchanged a warm handclasp, then embraced.
"It is good to see you, my friend," said Walker.
"And you, Walker," said Argon. "Crystal?  You look well."
Crystal smiled.  "I am, thank you."
Ebony reared.  The high-spirited unicorn, feeling the mountain air and knowing that his home pasture was nearby, wanted to leave the courtyard, squire or not.  The boy bravely kept hold of Ebony's reins and managed to keep his feet as the unicorn dragged him about.  Daryn went to his aid, and soon the unicorn was dragging both boys in crazy circles.  Crystal released a burst of laughter, for the whole thing sounded like this:
"Agg!  Whoaaaaa!  Steady there.  Now, Ebony, there's no need for this- ahhhh!"
"Hang on!  I got him!  Yarg!  No, I don't have him!  Help!"
"I've got him, sort of, hold on.  Oof.  Really, Ebony.  Just calm down.  Hey, are you alright there?"
"No!  Ohh, owwwww....my toe...  Erg...PLEASE Ebony!  Stop it!  Ahhhhh!"
"Your toe?  My elbow!  Ouch!  Ebony, you are the most difficult unicorn a squire ever had to deal with!  You know that?"
"He knows it and is proud of it.  Ugh!  Honestly, Ebony, if you don't stop, we won't be able to unsaddle you and groom you and turn you out in the lovely fresh grass.  So STOP!"
This reasoning evidently made sense to Ebony, because he stopped trying to rid himself of the boys that held desperately to his reins.  Daryn stepped back and let Walker's squire move in closer to the unicorn and take its bridle. 
Daryn glanced at Argon, and Argon gave him a quick nod.  Daryn picked up Cameo's reins and the reins of Walker's squire's horse, and both boys headed for the stables.  The standard-bearer headed to the army's camp, and Walker and Crystal went inside the palace with Argon.  They headed for a sitting room on the east wing.
"Argon?" asked Walker.  "You look tired, my friend."
"Donovan marches on us, and what do I have to defend my people with?  It seems that we have an army, yes, but it's little more than sheer man power.  They have not been trained to function as a unit like Donovan's men have.  There have not been any battles here in a very long time, and there is no one with military experience.  I honestly don't know what to do.  Cadwalladyr and his nine friends have had such training, but I don't know if I can put the load of training an army on them."
"Cadwalladyr?" asked Crystal.  "That name in unfamiliar."
"Cadwalladyr is a deserter from Strianelian Army.  He came here with nine others not long ago."
"I have some people in my group that could help them," said Walker.  "And I would be glad to help as well."
"Very well.  First, I think we'll find those that are not familiar with the use of the sword.  Most know what they're doing when they pick up a blade, but some will not.  Walker, I'll leave it to you and Crystal to train them.  The rest will start  drilling."
"What plan do you have for the officers?"
"There are no officers yet.  We'll be looking for people with leadership qualities who can actually command to become officers.  I'd rather not have inept clodpoles leading troops."

...............................................................................................

I was given the Lovely Friend Award by GraceElizabeth.  Thanks Grace!

In passing it on, I have to give it right back to GraceElizabeth.  She used to comment on here before she got a blog.  I always enjoyed what she had to say, and now that she has a blog it has been very easy to create a friendship.

Kantare.  I consider myself privliged to know this young author who is on the verge of getting his first work published.  The conversations that we've had (thanks to the inventor of c-boxes) have been mentally stimulating and often help me get past a difficult part in my writing.

Luthien.  From speaking of the oddities of writing to the oddities of relatives and other more serious subjects, my conversations with Luthien are undoubtably refreshing and fun.

*sigh* So many lovely people, so little time, and so few words that one can use.