The King's Secret, page 38
part #2 of Path of the Ranger Series
After the ceremony they all went back to their cabins, talking eagerly about what had happened. Most were exultant, a few devastated by their expulsion. The Panthers were euphoric at having managed to pass the second year without being expelled.
And to top that magnificent day, the graduation banquet was waiting for them. It was a very special feast, not only because it was full of delicious dishes and sweets, but because tradition ruled that at this special banquet the Instructors had to serve the students. Viggo was rubbing his hands in anticipation, and Gerd’s stomach was roaring like a lion.
“It’s going to be awesome!” Nilsa said.
They all began to get ready.
Suddenly they heard two dull knocks on the door.
“Uh- oh…” Viggo muttered.
Chapter 39
Egil opened it and found Gatik, the First Ranger, accompanied by several of his Royal Rangers.
“Is anything the matter?” asked Viggo, who was already wary.
Gatik stayed outside. “I’ve come for Apprentice Lasgol.”
Lasgol stiffened. He was holding Camu. He handed him over unobtrusively to Egil so that he could look after him. The creature had become quite fond of Egil over the past year and did not mind staying with him.
“Does Dolbarar want him?” Viggo asked, although he already knew it was not likely, as in that case they would be speaking to Oden.
“No. This is a royal request.”
Lasgol came to the door. “First Ranger,” he said, with the trace of a bow.
“Apprentice Lasgol, the King requests your presence in the House of Command.”
Lasgol went cold. What could Uthar want with him? It could not be for any good reason. That was certain.
He took a deep breath and tried to banish the fear from his body, without success.
“Of course,” he said, trying to sound as calm as he could. Before he went out he gave Egil an uneasy glance.
As he followed Gatik he had an ominous feeling. Perhaps it was to do with Egil. The King must have demanded an explanation. Or maybe it was about Darthor. No, there was no way the King could know anything about that, because he himself had not told anyone except his friends. But if the King was really the enemy Darthor said he was, it was possible that he might know more than could be imagined.
They went into the House of Command, and Lasgol found all the senior figures waiting for him. On one side, sitting at a table, were Dolbarar and the Four Master Rangers. On the other side of the common area, sitting in armchairs beside the fire, were the King, Olthar and Sven.
“Apprentice Lasgol,” Gatik announced, and left him in the middle of the hall.
Lasgol stood erect, with his hands behind him. He felt all eyes being turned on him. Dolbarar broke the silence. He rose and walked across to him with a friendly smile. He must be trying to make me feel at ease, ready for what’s coming, he thought.
“Welcome, Lasgol. I’ve been briefing the King about the most important events here at the Camp.”
Sven nodded. “You’ve all done a great job giving support to our troops.”
Olthar shook his head. “That’s true, but we weren’t at all happy about what happened about the son of Duke Erikson.”
Lasgol swallowed. So that was what it was about… he would have to deny everything.
“But that’s not why I made you come,” said Uthar. He got to his feet and walked over to Lasgol with his imposing size and presence.
Lasgol bowed his head before the King.
“How are you, young Ranger?”
“Fine… Your Majesty.”
“I’m glad to see you in one piece. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that I owe you my life, A King doesn’t forget. You’ll always have my gratitude for that. Did you claim your father Dakon’s titles and lands?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you have any trouble?”
“Nothing that couldn’t be sorted out.”
Uthar smiled. “I like young Lasgol. He has guts and decision. Not to mention having the reflexes of a cat.”
“He’s one of our best Apprentices,” Dolbarar assured him.
“Dolbarar has told me what happened to you in the north, during the rescue mission… what happened to you is extremely interesting…”
Lasgol stiffened. It was not because of the Duke’s son that he had been summoned, it was for that. He was beginning to feel that he was in deep trouble. He tried to keep calm.
“I want to hear what happened from your own mouth,” Uthar went on. “Tell me everything.”
Lasgol sighed. As calmly as he could, he told the same story he had told Dolbarar and the Four Master Rangers for a second time. But he omitted the part that had to do with Darthor. He did it deliberately. He could either omit it or tell the whole truth, but at that moment he was not sure what was best. Something inside him, a voice, perhaps his mother’s, was suggesting to him that it was best not to reveal everything. Besides, he had already told everybody that he had not seen Darthor, so that he could not very well change his version of the facts now.
He finished telling his story. Doubts assailed him at the sight of the King and everyone else there; he felt as if he were betraying them. He found it difficult to believe that Uthar, whom he was standing in front of, with that presence of his, was not the good king everybody believed he was. Everyone except Lasgol’s parents. I should tell the truth, I know, but I can’t. Not until I’m sure which is the real truth. A bitter taste rising up his throat made him realize that his silence would have consequences.
“The Wild of the Ice don’t often free anybody,” Uthar went on, “and Sinjor never. How is it that they let you go?”
“I really don’t know. It was Muladin who let me go.”
“Darthor’s Sorcerer,” Olthar said.
Uthar’s blue eyes were fixed on Lasgol’s. “And you didn’t see Darthor?” he asked. His tone was accusing.
Lasgol shivered, but held fast. “No… I didn’t see him.”
“Are you sure you only saw the giant Sinjor and the sorcerer Muladin?”
“Yes, sir,” he lied.
“I’m asking because the three of them managed to escape to the Frozen Continent. I need to understand how they did it.”
“I don’t know, sir…”
“I don’t think we’re going to get anything out of him,” Olthar said. “And even if he were to talk, he might be possessed by Darthor, or under the influence of one of Muladin’s spells.”
“That would explain why he doesn’t remember Darthor, if he actually saw him,” said Sven.
“And why he was freed,” said Gatik.
Both moved to the King’s side. “Move away from him, your Majesty,” said Sven.
“Are you afraid he’ll attack me?” Uthar asked in puzzlement.
“Your Majesty,” Olthar put in, “remember that Darthor has already taken possession of a Ranger. He might be controlling Lasgol at this very moment. Or he might be under a spell. In either case he’s a danger and a risk.” He pointed at Lasgol with his staff of power.
Uthar was thoughtful. “True. We don’t know what they did to him up there. I can’t have a murderer or a spy with me, even if it’s against his will.”
Lasgol opened his mouth to protest. This sounded bad.
“There’s one way to be sure,” Dolbarar said.
“How?” Olthar wanted to know
“The Healer, Edwina.”
“True. Ask her to come,” said the King.
Lasgol took advantage of the breathing-space to try and think. If the king was asking about that, it could only be for one of two reasons: one, that he really was the king everyone thought he was, and was worried that he, Lasgol, might have been bewitched. Two, that was not the case and the king was manipulating everybody. In this case he would have to tread very carefully, as this was a very dangerous game. Uthar would be trying to guess whether he knew more than he had said. I don’t know which of the two it is… so I’ll play my cards as best I can. I’ll hold firm and try to find out what’s going on.
Edwina came without delay, and the situation was briefly explained to her.
“I see,” she said.
“First,” Olthar said, “we need to see whether he has Darthor’s mark.”
“Lasgol,” Edwina asked him, “please take off your clothes and lie down on the table.”
Lasgol went red as a tomato, but did as he was told without protest. The Healer inspected him, with Eyra helping her. They could not find any mark at all on his skin.
“He’s clean of marks,” Edwina said.
“What about spells?” Uthar asked.
Edwina placed her hands on Lasgol’s chest, and her healing energy began to penetrate his body. For a long while the Healer searched for any form of external energy in his body, but found none. She withdrew her hands at last,
“I can’t find any trace of magic. He’s clean.”
Lasgol hastened to put his clothes back on.
“Is everybody satisfied?” Dolbarar asked.
Olthar nodded, as did Sven and Gatik. Finally the king said: “He’s clean.”
“May he leave now?” Dolbarar asked.
Uthar looked intensely at Lasgol, as if trying to read his soul.
“Yes, he may leave.”
Lasgol left the House of Command, and when he stepped outside he realized he was shaking like a leaf from the experience. But he had come out of it unscathed. At the same time he was now more convinced than before that the king was a good regent and that he himself had been deceived, just as his friends had told him. This feeling made him deeply uncomfortable about not having told the whole truth.
The following morning, Oden was organizing the farewell corridor to say goodbye to the king. He was placing the teams one after the other in two long lines, stretching from the southern exit to the House of Command.
The Panthers were placed near the exit, to the south. They lined up: Nilsa, Gerd, Egil, Lasgol, Ingrid and Viggo. Ingrid was not happy about this because she would have to put up with Viggo’s comments during the whole procession. She tried to change places, but Oden ordered her to stay put.
And so the parade began. Just as they had done when they had arrived, the King’s forces marched out while the Rangers stood stoically in line singing an ode to the brave.
King Uthar stopped his horse in front of Lasgol.
“No hard feelings,” the King said, and offered him his gloved hand. “I had to make sure.”
Lasgol was puzzled.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said apologetically, completely taken by surprise. “I couldn’t…”
He put out his hand, and the King shook it. He squeezed it hard, as was the custom among the Norghanians.
“My liege, you shouldn’t stop, for reasons of security,” Sven urged him.
Uthar turned to look at the Commander. “I know, I know.”
At that moment something happened.
Something truly amazing.
Camu appeared on Egil’s shoulder. He stiffened and pointed his tail at the King, then gave a little shriek, which was muffled by the singing of the Rangers, and emitted a golden flash.
The King released Lasgol’s hand and went on. He did not see Camu, because he was looking at Sven.
Suddenly Uthar’s face quivered, as if it were a distorted image, as if someone were to look at himself in the waters of a lake and a wave were to distort the image. Lasgol’s eyes widened. For a single moment, no longer than the blink of an eye, Uthar’s face changed. Instead of that hard face with its snow-white skin and sea-blue eyes under the blond hair, there appeared a completely different face. One with skin as dark as a moonless night and intense green eyes set in a shaven head.
Lasgol could not believe what his eyes were seeing. Beside him Egil uttered a word that left him in no doubt.
“Fascinating!”
Uthar’s face quivered again, the image of his face distorted once again and the original face reappeared: pale, blond and blue-eyed.
The King spurred his horse and rode on, unaware of what had just happened.
“Tell me you saw what I just saw,” Lasgol said to Egil.
Egil nodded. “He’s a Shifter. There’s no doubt about it now.”
Lasgol let out his breath with a gasp. Then he realized that Camu was still stoically pointing at the King from Egil’s shoulder.
He was about to be found out!
He used his Gift. Camu, hide. Now!
Camu did as he was told. Luckily Gerd was beside Egil, and his massive body was blocking any view of the creature and half of Egil. Even so, Lasgol looked in every direction in case anyone had seen him. Everybody was too busy watching the royal procession and listening to the singing to notice. What Lasgol failed to realize was that on the other side, a pair of cold blue eyes had seen the whole thing. They were Isgord’s eyes. A malevolent smile appeared on his face.
Lasgol turned to Ingrid, who was beside him.
“Ingrid, you must have seen it. Tell me you saw the king’s face change.”
Ingrid was shaking her head.
“Don’t deny it, you were looking at his face, just as I was. You must have seen it.”
Ingrid was still shaking her head. But she was denying it to herself, not to Lasgol, because she simply could not believe what she had just seen. Everything she had believed in was crumbling before her eyes, and that was why she was shaking her head. She was refusing to accept it.
“See what?” Viggo asked, his brow furrowed.
“Didn’t you see the king’s face?”
“I have nicer things to look at than Uthar’s face.”
Lasgol gave a despairing snort.
Egil asked Gerd, who was beside him, and Nilsa, but neither of them had noticed.
Lasgol took a deep breath. This time he was not wrong, this time he was right. The King was a Shifter. His mother’s words came to his mind: Uthar isn’t who he appears to be.
The last of the royal procession passed through, and the Camp gates closed after it. Oden ordered them to break ranks and return to their duties. The Panthers went back to their cabin. Lasgol sat down on his bunk and did not speak for some time. He turned it all over in his mind a thousand times, looking for every possible explanation and every possible angle.
When he spoke, only Egil was left in the cabin. He was playing with Camu.
“Now everything makes sense,” Lasgol said, nodding. “Now I know why my father had those two books.” He pointed at them where they lay on top of Egil’s trunk. “The King’s a Shifter, and Camu can detect him.”
“Exactly. That’s the connection we couldn’t find between the two books. Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”
“It also confirms that what Darthor told me about Uthar is true.”
“And therefore we must assume that he was also telling the truth about your parentage.”
“I think so. Darthor is my mother. Now I believe it, however strange it seems to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. It explains why my father made the attempt on the King’s life. He knew he was a Shifter, and when he saw he wasn’t going to fall into the trap he and my mother had set for him at the gorge, he decided to kill him in order to unmask him right there and then.”
“It was a good plan. If he had killed him, the Shifter would have regained his natural shape. Sven, Olthar and the others would have seen the deceit.”
“Unfortunately he didn’t succeed.”
“It was a daring plan, but a very risky one.”
“And it didn’t work out… At least now I know why he did it. There’ll be no more doubts or nightmares at night.”
“I’ll be able to sleep better too,” Egil said, jokingly, “because you won’t be moving all the time and waking me up.”
Lasgol smiled. “It also explains why they didn’t kill me when I was captured. And there’s something else… something inside me told me she was my mother. I don’t know how to explain it – maybe it was her face, maybe it was her words, or the tone of voice she used with me – but it’s what I’ve been feeling.”
“That means we’ve been supporting the wrong side.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“The side which ended up winning the war…”
“Yes…”
“What a reversal!” Egil cried excitedly. “I wouldn’t have imagined it in a thousand years.”
“Uthar has manipulated us all like puppets.”
“The Shifter, you mean,” Egil said. “That’s not the real Uthar.”
“What do you mean?”
“That being, the Shifter, is passing himself off as Uthar, but it’s not him.”
“Ah, that’s true. D’you think the real Uthar is still alive?”
“I don’t know, but I fear that he isn’t. Why take the risk when you’ve fooled everybody?”
Lasgol snorted. “Do you think he’ll have realized we’ve found him out?”
Egil shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’d say not. He didn’t give me that impression. It was just for a moment, and he couldn’t have seen himself.”
“Then we’re safe for the moment.”
“You’ll be safe as long as you’re in the Camp,” Egil said. “If he finds out you know the truth, he’ll kill you. He can’t take the risk, particularly knowing who you are.”
“What are we going to do?”
“What every good Ranger does: watch and wait for the right moment to act. The King has won. We can’t change that now. Darthor has fled to the Frozen Continent. We’ve finished the Second-Year and managed to graduate… We’ll let events follow their course and stay on the alert, waiting for an opportunity.”
“An opportunity for what?”
“To uncover the Shifter.”
“That’s if he doesn’t kill us first…”
“That’s correct, my dear friend.”
“Well then, we’re going to have a very interesting third year.”
Egil smiled from ear to ear. “Aren’t they all?”
“Better not to think about it.”
“True. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“Let’s go and have dinner with the others before Gerd eats everything.”
