The Early Chronicles Book Four: The Queen and the General

Chapter 6

Goran shifted his position on the stone floor in the armory.  He sat behind a rack of swords, well hidden from anyone who entered and would want to approach the vault.  Dinner would just be ending now, he thought.  He hoped Swanwhite would heed his instructions to remain in her chambers until he summoned her.  He felt pity for her having to wait and wonder, but it was best if it was he alone who confronted Mekau.  A pang of worry still sat in his chest at the thought that Mekau might be long gone with the plans to do who-knows-what and would never return.  This thought made the sweat drip down his neck and brow and his muscles tensed.  His heart began to pound and he started to rise from his position.  What made him stop was a breath of cool air and a deep voice. 

"Patience, my son."

Goran felt a peace come over him and his breath came normal once again.  He obeyed and settled back down to his waiting position.

"Aslan, guide my steps."  He whispered.  For a few minutes more, it was dark and silent. Goran began to hear footsteps echoing through the armory.  Goran rose up slightly and prepared himself to confront Mekau, but in a terrible twist of events, the footsteps echoing came from behind, not in front.  Goran felt a terrible crack in the back of his head as the butt of a sword slammed into his skull.  He collapsed forward and tried to focus his vision through the fuzzy black spots he started to see.  His head pounded and he felt a dizziness coming over him, but he was able to stand and spin around to face his attacker.  Mekau's leering grin was just visible under his dark hood.  Goran staggered and placed a hand on the stone wall to steady himself.

"What do you want with the plans?"  He managed to ask.  Mekau returned the sword to the rack and calmly pulled out the key to the vault he carried.  

"I have my reasons.  Someone I knew had need of them."

Goran's vision was slowly clearing, but his head still pounded terribly.  "You'll tell me if you're smart."  He growled.

"I must give you credit, General.  You've proved an admirable pawn."

"Tell me immediately or you'll be sorry!"  Goran finally lunged forward and caught Mekau by the collar.  Mekau seemed very calm.

"Don't you see, General?  I have the upper hand in this charade."  His chilling tone made Goran's grip loosen.  "I know you care very deeply for the queen, and if you want her alive then you'll do as I say."

A pain thrust through Goran's head and went down to his toes.  How could he not have seen this coming?  In defeat he released Mekau and leaned on the stone wall once more.  

"That's better."  Mekau smiled and unlocked the door to the vault.  "Here are my terms.  You tell the queen your keys simply slipped from the ring and you've found them on the floor.  The plans were being copied with darker ink and that's why they weren't in the vault."

Goran felt he would be sick.  "If I am bidden to silence, at least tell me who this employer of yours is."

Mekau was silent as he replaced the plans to their rightful place.  Then he turned and handed the key back to Goran.  "There is someone in Calormen of great power who has quarrel with the queen, though she knows it not.  A very complex system of spies has been set in place as a kind of mail route from here to Calormen.  I ride from here to the first station, then that messenger rides to the next, and so on."

"How long has this been in place?"  Goran said in shock.  To have set up such a trap undetected was remarkable.  

"Many weeks.  Now you will find yourself a part of it."  Mekau grinned.

"Never."  Goran whispered with rage. 

"Oh I think you will.  Considering one small slip up from you means the end of the queen."

Goran shivered with horror, then felt a heaviness settle inside him.  He was trapped.

Swanwhite paced throughout her room.  What was going on in the armory?  Had Mekau returned?  What if he never did?  Would Goran report to her as promised?  She tried everything to keep busy and distract her mind, but nothing seemed to work.  She thought about giving up and going to sleep, when a knock came at the door.  She flew to open it and saw Goran standing there with dark circles under his eyes and a dreary expression.

"Goran, what is it?"  She tried not to let the worry show in her voice.  Goran smiled weakly.

"It seems it was a false alarm, Swanwhite.  I found my keys on the floor tonight, they must have fallen off the key ring.  I also discovered that the plans were being copied and that's why they weren't in the armory.  They are returned now."  His tone seemed strange and dull.

"Are... are you certain?"  

"Yes.  I apologize to have alarmed you over nothing."

"And Mekau?"

"He was out visiting a friend all afternoon."

"I see."  Swanwhite still felt worried about Goran's demeanor.  Something wasn't right.  His eyes seemed to plead with her about something but she didn't know what.  "Are you sure you're all right?"  She asked him.  

"I am well.  I feel like a fool."

"Nonsense.  You are overly tired.  Get some rest and take care of yourself."  Swanwhite was about to dismiss him and close the door, but he grasped her hand and kissed it quickly.

"You must take care as well, my lady."  He said with a slight crack in his voice.  He then bowed and left down the dark hallway.  Swanwhite closed the door and leaned her back against it, fingering her swan pendant still around her neck.  Something about Goran's behavior was alarming.  Was it just like he said?  He just felt foolish for making a mistake?  It certainly seemed in-character for him to blame himself such.  Perhaps he would seem improved after he slept.  She would check on him come morning.

"Very good."  Mekau sneered as Goran reached him at the end of the hallway.  Not being able to contain himself, he slapped Mekau's cheek with as much force as he dared.  Mekau grunted and rubbed his cheek that was probably stinging greatly.

"Do much more than that and it won't go so well for both of you."  He snapped.  

"If anything happens to her, you'll wish you'd never left the South."  Goran whispered and brushed past Mekau.  

"Remember your orders.  You ride tomorrow to one of my sentries and give them a message for me."  Mekau called to him.

"What do I tell the queen about my absence?"

"It matters not.  Tell her you're on a training session."  Mekau brushed his hand through the air.  

"And what exactly is this message I'm meant to deliver?"  

"That is none of your concern."  Mekau narrowed his eyes at him.  "Now retire to your chambers and be grateful I've spared your life and hers."

"You so much as lay a finger on her-"  Goran clenched his fists but Mekau held up his hands in defense.

"I won't touch her so long as you do what you are told."

Goran turned on his heel and stormed off.  He would have rather faced ten angry Giants by himself than stand and lie to Swanwhite as he had done.  He slammed the stone walls on his way down the stairs and felt a trickle of blood run down his hand from the impact, but it did little to vent his anger.  What else would he be asked to do in order to protect her?  He had to stop this somehow without the queen getting hurt.  Even if it meant the end of his own life, he would see to it she was safe.