Below are the final pages of the first book of "Jaascin".  Although you will have to seek them out the entire novel is now on this blog.

threw a dagger at the man trying to pull the princess off her horse and sent another at the man attacking one of her guards.  He then sent an arrow flying after the last man who was trying to flee.  Jaascin felt the power of a mage from behind a group of trees to the side of the road.  Turning in that direction, he raised both of his swords, touching the tips and pointing them in the direction of the mage power, he sent a great surge of power in that direction.  There was, an anguished cry, then a moan and then silence.  The Mage energy was gone.  Jaascin was sure he had destroyed the mage.  That mage had not expected to be opposed by any such power.   

     Jaascin quickly determined the Princess and the woman with her were unharmed.    He then turned his attention to wounded men.  Two had been killed.  Four had been wounded.  They had fought valiantly although surprised and outnumbered.  Two of the group, were actually young pages who were not very experienced with a sword.  The Princess had seen Jaascin quickly cut down four men with his swords.  She knew it must have been his arrows that had killed three others.  She soon learned his daggers had accounted for another two.  She had never seen a man that skilled in fighting.  Even her father’s master swordsman could not have done what Jaascin had done.

     Jaascin’s other horses came up and Jaascin took things out of his bags and began to treat the wounded.  The two women looked on in amazement.  Here was a man who obviously was a great swordsman who also had the skills of a healer.  They had never heard of a man who had both of those talents. 

     Taking charge, Jaascin sent one of the pages, who was only lightly wounded, to the castle to alert them of what had happened and to prepare to care for the dead and wounded.  Jaascin then loaded the dead brigands onto their horses.  He quickly went through some of their possessions and removed several bags of gold.  Apparently this was part of their pay.  He slipped those into his bags.  No one saw him do this.  Jaascin figured he deserved this for his day’s work.  He turned to the Princess to explain why he loaded the attackers on their horses. 

     “Your men may be able to identify these men and from where they must have come.  This may help your father to learn who is behind this attack.  Obviously they intended to kidnap you.  I think you would have preferred to die.”

     The Princess, to whose face color was just returning, said in a somewhat unsteady voice, “I am sure you are right, Sir.  We have our lives to thank you for.  You must come with us to our castle.  My father will want to thank you personally for your heroic deed.”  Then she added, looking intently at Jaascin, “I have never seen a man like you before.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “I am from a foreign land a great distance away.”

     The Princess smiled.  “That is not what I meant.  I have never seen a man who is as great a swordsman as you are who also has the talents of a healer, and has absolutely no fear.”  The woman with her was looking intently at Jaascin while the Princess was talking.  She apparently was a friend of the Princess as well as a companion.  A quiet smile wreathed her face. 

     “Your green eyes glow, like those of the elves.  Yet you do not look like an elf.”

     Jaascin bowed in her direction.  “I am a very strange character, my lady.  A traveling vagabond, if truth be known.”

     “We are very fortunate you happened to be traveling this way, Sir,” the young woman said.

     Jaascin quickly got things organized and the group headed toward the castle.  Jaascin did not tell them he had been forewarned of possible danger to someone on this road.  A short distance from the castle they were met by a troop of soldiers.  The man, who was in charge of all the King’s soldiers, commanded the soldiers.  He looked Jaascin over carefully with interest.  He took note of the two swords Jaascin wore.  The Princess told him how Jaascin saved them. 

     Jaascin smiled and said, “I caught them by surprise and they were poor swordsmen.”  Then he told him that they should look closely at the robbers.  It might give them information on who was responsible for the attack.  Jaascin told him he was sure the reason for the attack was to kidnap the Princess.

     As they rode into the castle grounds, the King himself greeted them.  He had learned from the page something of what had happened.  The Princess immediately told her father how Jaascin had saved them.  She knew they would have been lost if he hadn’t appeared.   The King turned to Jaascin and looked him over with interest. 

     “We are deeply in your debt, Sir.  We hope you will accept our hospitality for as long as you wish.  We hope you will join us for our evening meal.  We would like very much to become better acquainted with you.”  The King noted the two swords he wore.  He had Jaascin’s possessions taken to a room in the castle.  The young woman, who had been with the Princess, came over to Jaascin as he was making sure his horses would be well cared for. 

     She quietly said, “I saw you bring the tips of your two swords together and point them toward the woods.  I felt a strong surge of energy at that time.  You did not suggest anyone should look on the other side of the wood.  I did hear a cry of great pain.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “You are very observant.  They would have found nothing.”

     “You are also a mage,” she stated very positively, then she turned and walked after the Princess.  Jaascin looked after her.  He knew she would say nothing unless specifically asked.  Jaascin thought he should get to know this young woman better.  There was something about her that interested Jaascin.  He was sure there was a story behind why she was here at the castle.

     This castle was large.  Apparently the Kingdom was large and affluent.  The room in which he was put was large, airy and surprisingly comfortable.  He was being treated as an honored guest.  He washed the dust of the road off and changed his clothes.  He was sure his short Elven sword would be acceptable attire at the evening meal.  He did wish to take a walk later outside the castle grounds. He felt the Elven sword with its fairy gem, would warn him of danger.  He felt that sword and his daggers would be sufficient protection.  He sat for a moment surveying the castle for any indication of evil forces within the castle.  He could find none.  Neither did he find any in the immediate vicinity around the castle grounds.  He wondered who had planned this attack on the Princess and for what reason.  He was sure it was a carefully planned attack. 

     He slipped a blood red gem on a golden chain under his shirt.  He knew it could not be detected unless the King’s mage was much more powerful than Jaascin thought.  He was not completely sure of its powers, but he knew it had great energy.  He had removed it from the possession of a great wizard from whom he had to flee.  He would have to test it out sometime.  There were a number of things in his possession of which he knew very little.  He did know they could be very valuable to him once he learned to use them.  He felt, it was now time to learn how to use these things.

     When he came into the dining hall, he was invited to sit beside the King with the Princess on the other side of him.  The Queen, a very attractive woman who looked very much like the Princess, sat on the other side of the King.  Beside her sat the King’s mage.  Both the Queen and the Mage looked Jaascin over with great interest.

     “The Princess tells me you are a healer as well as a swordsman,” the Mage said.

     Jaascin tipped his head and answered, “Of necessity, because I am a wanderer, I have acquired some small knowledge of healing.  That was all that was needed after the little incident this afternoon.  Your healers could do the rest when we reached the castle.”

     The Queen smiled at Jaascin as he gave his answer.  She did not look as if, she was completely believing his version.

     “You speak our dialect as if you have been here for many years.  You obviously are not from this area of the world.”   Then she added, “I notice you wear an Elven sword.  That is a beautiful gem imbedded in its hilt and in the design on its scabbard.  Is the design that of your family?” she asked.

     “I am an orphan, your majesty.  I know nothing about my family or from where I came.  I knew only my father, who was a traveling trader.  The design was put on the hilt and the scabbard at the direction of a friend.  The craftsman who created it did not say how the gem came to be embodied in the design.  He claimed no responsibility for it.”

     “But that is an Elven sword, is it not?” said the Mage.  Then he added, “Those gems look like what I am told fairy gems look.”

     Jaascin smiled,  “I have been told they are fairy gems.  I cannot attest to or dispute that claim.  I am told that only a few Elven maidens can see the fairies.  As to why a fairy gem would be put on my sword, I have no idea.  I do admit they are beautiful.  The sword was a gift from an elf, as are my Elven bows.”  Jaascin felt a tweak of his ear and a tsking sound that he knew only he could hear.  Aphrael was plaguing him again.

     The young woman, seated beside the Princess, was listening quietly but obviously watching Jaascin.  Jaascin felt, there was a strength to that young woman that most people did not recognize.   The attack upon the Princess, within close proximity to the castle, was discussed at great length during the dinner.  Jaascin reiterated his belief that the reason for the attack was to kidnap the Princess.  He said he thought a mage might have been involved in the attack and that is the reason the men guarding the Princess were taken by surprise. 

     The chief of the soldiers suggested the attack, was carried out this close to the castle, with the idea that it wouldn’t be expected.  Jaascin agreed that was a very good possibility.  Both the King and the Queen expressed their indebtedness to Jaascin for saving their daughter from that attack. 

     After the meal the Princess asked Jaascin if he would like to take a walk outside the castle yard.  The other young woman, who was nearby, looked pointedly at Jaascin and asked,

     “Is there any danger out there?”

Jaascin smiled at the obvious meaning to her question. 

     “No,” said Jaascin, “After that disaster, no one would dare.  They cannot figure out why it failed so completely.”  The young lady, whose name Jaascin learned was Shekim, smiled at Jaascin’s intentional misinterpretation of her question.  She had no intention of challenging him on his answer.

     The Princess asked Shekim, “Are you going to go with us?”

     “No Princess,” Shekim answered, “I will wait for another time.”

     “When you can have him all to yourself?” was the Princess’ laughing question.  Shekim just smiled but did not answer.

     They did walk outside the walls of the castle yard.  There was a wooded park with paths winding through it.  It was on a rise in the ground.  At the top of the rise you could see some of the buildings of the city.   There were several nobles’ estates bordering on the castle grounds.  The city was to the west.  They walked silently for a few minutes, then the Princess said,

     “Shekim thinks there is much more to you than meets the eye.  I must admit that there is quite a bit to you that has met the eye so far.  I still wonder at the timing of your arrival.  I also wonder at the furiousity of your attack.  It was as if you knew exactly what was going on and who were the attackers.  Your attack was deadly.  I would hate to be your opponent.”

     “Princess,” said Jaascin thoughtfully, “I have been trained to react to danger.  To me, at first glance, I knew what was happening and who were the attackers.  Surprise is a great weapon.  I had surprise on my side and I made the most of it.  That made my attack successful.  The commander of your father’s soldiers would have reacted in exactly the same way.”  Then Jaascin stopped and faced the Princess.  “Why did you tell that man you did not need a full guard of good soldiers?”

     The Princess thought.  “A young man who is here from a northern Duke, working with our soldiers and swordsmen, talked me out of having a full guard.  He said that was not necessary so close to the castle.  I would be freer without them.”  Then she looked at Jaascin.  “How did you know about that?”

     Jaascin ignored her question.  Instead he asked, “Is that young man still here?”

     “No,” answered the Princess, “My father said he left this morning to return to the Duke.  He said the Duke had requested him to do so.”

     “He had done his work,” said Jaascin thoughtfully.  “But the Duke will not be pleased with him when he hears the news of the disaster.  I think he will be sorry he returned to the Duke.”

The Princess was startled and looked intently at Jaascin.   

     “Do you think he knew I was going to be attacked?”

     “It was his job to insure the attack succeeded, and the attackers could get away safely with you,” Jaascin told her.

     The Princess continued to look at Jaascin.  “Are there others within the castle?”

     “No, but there may be a noble within the city.  That should be easy for your father’s men to find out.  Especially, if someone urged your father to accept this young man for training,” Jaascin said.

     “How do you know these things?  You become more mysterious all the time.  It is evident you are very learned on many subjects,” the Princess said as she turned and began to walk again.  Jaascin quietly walked beside her, she said little as she tried to absorb these things Jaascin had told her.  She had not thought to question why this man had made those suggestions to her.  They seemed logical because she didn’t dream there was any danger.  She would have to look at things differently from now on.

     “I have been an idiot.  I got some good men killed and almost got myself and Shekim…” Here she hesitated and looked at Jaascin sideways as she continued to walk.  “You implied they were intent on more than just kidnapping me and holding me for ransom.  You were implying they would have ravaged us for sport and then returned what was left of us.”  Here she shuddered.  “What a fool I was.”  Then she turned to Jaascin.  “Does Shekim know?” she asked.

     “I think Shekim knew the minute the men attacked and two of them headed straight for the two of you.”

The Princess was silent for several minutes.  Then she said,  

     “Shekim would have known because she had barely escaped that fate before.”  Then she added, “She has become a very good swordswoman.  I did not let her carry a sword that day.”

     Jaascin smiled.  He knew the guard had been able to kill the man who had grabbed Shekim because she disabled him with a dagger thrust.  That guard had been wounded trying to fight his way to the side of the Princess.  Jaascin idly wondered if Shekim was in need of a good sword.  He had added some very good swords to his baggage during his travels.  He had fought some very good swordsmen.

     Although the Princess tried to get some information about himself from Jaascin, he always managed to turn the conversation to other things.  They soon arrived back at the gates to the castle yard.  The chief of the soldiers was standing close by when they entered the gate.

     “Your suggestions were well taken.  We found out many interesting things which we are now investigating further,” the soldier told Jaascin.  Jaascin smiled at him in thanks for the information.  He knew they had figured out the young man was brought to the castle for a reason.  The attack had undoubtedly been plotted by a certain Duke.  He was one of those responsible for the unrest and fighting to the north.  None of these lands bordered the Kingdom.  There was always the possibility the unrest could spread.   

     Jaascin thanked the Princess for showing him the park and for her lovely company.  She smiled at him.  He has the manners of a courtier and the bearing of a noble, she thought.  Yet he makes no claim to being anything but a wandering vagabond.

     Jaascin returned to his room.  Remembering that the Princess had said Shekim was a good swordswoman, Jaascin began to go through his baggage looking at the swords he had.  He found one he thought would be perfect for her.  The hilt was beautifully carved and set with a few gems.  It had been forged by a master craftsman.  It had a blade that kept its edge for many years.  It was also light though very, very strong.  The scabbard had been beautifully done of the finest leather.  He would see if she would like to have it.  Then he went to bed.  He was to dine with the King again in the morning.  This is getting to be a habit, Jaascin thought.  He could see nothing wrong in that.  He had never laid claim to being what he was not.

     In the morning, Jaascin found himself seated between the Queen and the Princess with Shekim again sitting on the other side of the Princess.  He was greeted warmly by everyone.  After he was seated and was served, the Queen turned to him and said,

     “Shekim is determined that you are much more than you claim to be.  Of course, I guess you have only claimed to be a wandering vagabond.”

     Jaascin smiled at the Queen and then Shekim.  “I will admit that in my travels I have tried to pick up as much knowledge as I possibly can.  Some of that knowledge was gained from wizards, sorcerers and mages as well as scholars.  I have learned a few illusions such as is practiced by these men.”

     “Would you show us one?” asked the Queen.

     Jaascin bowed to her in agreement.  “One of the interesting illusions is what is called sorcerer’s fire.”  At this, Jaascin held out his closed hand, palm down.  Then he turned the palm up and opened his hand.  A flame was burning in the middle of his palm.  Then he slowly pulled his hand away and the flame floated in the air.  Then the flame moved over to a dish where it settled into the middle.  Suddenly the dish began to rise from the table with the flame in it. Everyone was watching with fascination.  Shekim had a smile on her face.   When the plate was at eye level the flame moved from inside the plate to below it.  There was a gasp from everyone watching.  The King said, 

     “I have heard that scorcerer’s fire is cold to the touch.  It generates no heat, nor will it burn anything.”

     “That is not necessarily true,” said Jaascin.  “I will demonstrate in a minute.  First I will extinguish this flame, and then have the plate float over to the Princess to demonstrate that the plate is truly floating.”  Jaascin then extinguished the scorcerer’s fire.  Then after a minute, he caused the plate to float over to the Princess.  She reached out her hand and grasped the plate. 

     “Now put it down on the table,” he told her. Which she did.  The plate remained on the table, then slid across to where it had started.  The Princess started to laugh in delight.

     Then Jaascin said, “If some one will get me several thin sticks of wood from the fireplace, I will demonstrate that sorcerer’s fire can be both hot and cold.”  The wood was brought to Jaascin.  He handed one to the Queen, one to the Princess and one to Shekim.  He then created the sorcerer’s fire.  He first brought it in front of the Queen.  “Put the end of your stick into the fire.”  She did and nothing seemed to happen. Then a frost began to form on the end of the stick.  Jaascin then moved the flame in front of the Princess.  He told her to put the end of her stick into the flame.  Finally after several minutes the stick began to burn.  Jaascin moved the flame in front of Shekim.  He extinguished the burning stick.  He then told Shekim to put the end of her stick into the flame.  The stick immediately burst into flame.  Jaascin then extinguished the burning stick and moved the flame to in front of him.  Then he turned to the Queen. 

     “How much do you trust me your majesty?” he asked.

     She looked at him puzzled.  “That is a strange question to ask, Jaascin.  I trust you completely.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “Your breakfast has obviously gotten cold.”  Her plate then slid to the middle of the table and the flame moved over her plate and covered it.  Then the flame moved off of the plate and the plate slid to in front of the Queen again. 

     “It should be just right now,” he told the Queen. 

     She took a bite and smiled.  “It is perfect, Jaascin,” she told him.  Then she turned to him and said, “But Jaascin those were not illusions.  The sticks are charred and my food was warm where it was cold.”

Jaascin just smiled and said nothing.  Shekim smiled at him. 

     “He is an impossible rascal.  You just have to hope he is on your side.”

     Jaascin smiled at her.  “I could say that it was your fiery personality that caused your stick to burst into flame.”

     Shekim smiled back at him.  “Then you would be in trouble with the Queen,” Shekim immediately replied.  

     Jaascin burst into laughter.  “I have met my match,” he told her.  The Queen and King started to laugh. 

     “I have no idea what to make of you, Jaascin.  Yesterday you were an outstanding fighting man.  Shekim swears you used wizardry after the fight.  Then you showed an insight that could lead to the perpetrator of the attack.  This morning you are delightfully entertaining while trying to convince us you are not what you seem.  Has anyone before called you a charming enigma?”

     Jaascin laughed.  “Yes, your majesty.  I do recall being called that several times in the years past.  It seems no matter how I try, I cannot live down the error of my ways.”

     “At least you are a charming knave,” said Shekim with a sly smile.

     The Mage was watching this demonstration quietly but with great interest. 

     Now he spoke, “I have heard of sorcerer’s fire being both hot and cold.  I have been told that only the greatest wizard, sorcerer and Mage in the world are capable to doing this.  I can levitate objects but not with such finesse as you.  I cannot produce both phenomena at the same time.”

     Jaascin smiled quietly.  “Perhaps I sat at the feet of one of those great masters at some time.”

     “Perhaps you are one of those great masters in disguise,” said Shekim with a smile.

     “That I deny, my lady,” answered Jaascin.  “But perhaps I am a charming rogue who has stolen some of the arts of these masters.”

     “Those arts cannot be stolen.  They must be learned,” the Mage said looking intently at Jaascin.  “You have undoubtedly been a very talented student.”

     The King then spoke out, “Seeing as we can assume that Jaascin is friendly to us, what he is or is not is not of great importance.  The important thing would be that he feels always welcome.  I do assume that you are a very learned man who has many talents.”  Then he added with a smile, “Perhaps you are also a charming rogue.”

The Queen looked at Jaascin, sitting beside her.    

     “Charming I would agree.  A rogue or knave I cannot see in you.  An enigma I would agree, but I put no dark side to that.”

     Jaascin smiled at her.  “You are most kind your majesty.  But perhaps you see me on my best behavior.  It is easy to be at ones best when one is among friends and can be at ease.”

     Shekim smiled, “What you are saying Jaascin is that you are what you must be.  You would be a very dangerous opponent.”

     Jaascin smiled, “I do not see us being on opposite sides, my lady.  You are much too handy with a dagger and a sword.”

     “For that I will be very thankful,” said Shekim with a lovely smile.  Then she looked at him in surprise.  “How did you know that I was handy with a dagger.”

     “Because it was your dagger that disabled the man that was attacking you and allowed the guard to kill him,” said Jaascin looking intently at Shekim.  The Princess and the King looked at Shekim.

     “How could you see that. You were fighting four men, then you threw the dagger that killed the man attacking the Princess,” said Shekim in disbelief.

     “In a battle against superior forces, your eyes must be everywhere and see everything.  That is a lesson I have learned well.  That is why I am alive today,” said Jaascin.  

     Shekim did not look as if she believed him.  She could not see how he could possibly have seen her stab that attacker.

     The King smiled.  “It seems your contribution to the defeat of the attackers has been overlooked, Shekim.  That is by everyone except Jaascin.”  Then he turned to Jaascin.  “Sir Lauen commented to me that you had very sharp eyes.  Obviously he knew of what he spoke.”

     “Sir Lauen and I have had like training, your majesty,” answered Jaascin.

     After the breakfast, Shekim waited for Jaascin who had stopped to talk to the Mage.  Jaascin smiled at her as he bowed her out the door. 

     “Shall we take a walk, Sir Wizard,” Shekim said with a smile. 

     Jaascin laughed.  “You do insist that I have strange powers.”

     “Not just strange powers, oh great one, but very great powers.  Perhaps even you do not realize how great,” Shekim said.  They walked out the castle gate and toward the wooded park.

     “Perhaps one day soon we can go for a ride beyond prying ears,” Jaascin told her. 

     Shekim looked at him speculatively.  “Perhaps that can be arranged.  I will speak to the stable master.”

     “You could ride one of my horses.  They are not ordinary pack horses,” said Jaascin.  “I am sure you can ride like a man.  I have saddles.”  Then he stopped and looked at her.  “The Princess says you are a very good swordswoman.  Could you use a very good sword?  I have several I never use.”  They were now in the woods.

     Shekim was silent for a few moments, “It is I who should be giving you gifts for saving my life and my honor.”

     Jaascin smiled at her.  “Your friendship is gift enough beautiful lady.”

     Shekim laughed.  “That slips out so easily.  You truly are a wonder.  I would disagree with the Queen.  You truly are a charming knave.  However, I have a different view of a knave than she has.  I think I like you as a knave.  You would be much more fun that way.”

     “Careful young lady.  If I have the powers attributed to me, I could put you under a spell, steal away with you and ravish you and cast the blame on some other poor soul.  No one would blame me.”

     Shekim started laughing delightedly.  “You would not have to put me under a spell to steal away with me, and you would not have to ravish me.  Beside I do not believe you would do any such thing, or even consider it.  There is no need.  You have charmed all of us.”

     “You are impossible, young lady,” Jaascin said.  “You know nothing about me.  You for one should be wary.  But you have not answered my question.  Can you use a good sword, I have one I am sure would fit you.”

     Shekim looked at him intently, then she accused him.  “You have already picked out one you intend to give me.  You do not expect me to refuse you.  I have nothing to give you in return.”  Then she said with a sly smile, “That is nothing you could not have had anyway.”

     Jaascin smiled, shook his head and then threw up his hands in resignation.  “You are making it very difficult for me to make believe I am a gentleman.  I am trying very hard you know.”

     Shekim started to laugh and had a hard time quitting.  “I do not believe you.  You tell stories.  Wonderful tales.  They sound so truthful.  You will not admit what you really are.  I am not sure I am ready to really know the truth.  Perhaps it is better if I believe the tales you tell.”

     “You are going to be a challenge,” Jaascin said.

     Shekim looked at him in surprise.  “You sound like I am going to have you around for a while.”

     Jaascin looked at Shekim for a moment.  “You are going to be my next project.  I have been told.  I was given no option.  We will discuss this further when we go for our ride.  Now I think we should go back and arrange where I should bring your new sword so we can fit it to you.”

     “Now you are giving me no option,” said Shekim.

     “No.  That is the way it is going to have to be.  I have to make sure you can protect yourself,” Jaascin said and he turned and started back for the castle. 

     Shekim hurried to catch up.  “There is no need to arrange for a place to bring the sword.  I can go to your room.  No one would object.  You are a very honored guest in the castle.”

     “I did not think it right for me to suggest that.  My reasons might be misinterpreted,” Jaascin said.

     Shekim laughed rather delightedly.  “And you said your were trying very hard to appear a gentleman.  It seems you cannot be anything else.”

     Shekim did accompany Jaascin to his room.  He showed her the sword he had picked out and began to fix the belt so she could wear it.  She reacted in great surprise. 

     “It is too fine a sword.  It must be worth a lot of gold.”  Jaascin ignored her protests and went on making sure it would fit her and she could wear it.  Then he fit the belt around her waist and slipped the sword into the scabbard.           

     “There,” he said in satisfaction, “It fits you perfectly.  Draw it and see how it feels.”

     Shekim did as she was told.  Jaascin watched her motions.  Her movements were swift and sure.  Shekim smiled. 

     “It seems very light, for such a sword.  It handles beautifully.”  Then she turned to Jaascin,  “It is much too fine for me to accept.”

     “It is better for you to wear it, than to have it lay idle in my baggage.  Besides, it fits you perfectly.  It was made for you.  The jewels glowed when you drew it,” Jaascin said  “It would please me greatly if you would wear and use this sword.”  Then he added with a smile,  “I may be forgiven many past sins because I gave you this sword.”

     Shekim looked at him.  “You will not let me refuse this wonderful gift.”

     “I cannot, my lady,” he quietly said.

     Shekim looked at him in disbelief.  “Why can you not.  I do not think any one can command you.”

     At that moment a jewel appeared on a table and a mist arose from it.  Shekim looked startled as a fairy appeared wearing a crown. 

     “I command him,” said Aphrael, then with a smile, “He doesn’t always obey, unless he really wants to do so.  He really is a charming knave as you said.”

     Shekim’s eyes were wide in surprise.  “Who are you and what are you to Jaascin?” Shekim asked.

     “She is Aphrael. Queen of all the fairies.  She has decided that it is her duty to plague me.  Why I do not know?  She has never explained that to me” Jaascin answered.

     “Jaascin is a nice person, but he needs someone to direct him.  He keeps wandering off where he shouldn’t go.  He gets himself into all kinds of trouble. I really don’t know what I am going to do with him.  He really means well.” Aphrael said, smiling at Shekim.  Shekim started to laugh, having gotten over the first shock of seeing this beautiful creature.  She had never seen a fairy before.  She had heard stories of them, but never quite believed.

     Shekim turned to Jaascin, “You are getting more strange all the time.  I am not sure you are real, or an illusion.”

     Jaascin laughed, “but who would want to create such an illusion.  It would have no purpose,” Jaascin said.

     Aphrael turned to Shekim, “Take the sword.  You will need it.  With it and Jaascin’s help, you will win back your Duchey.”  Then Aphrael disappeared and the jewel was gone.

     Shekim turned to Jaascin.  “I did see her.  She was not one of your illusions.”

     “No mage, or wizard or sorcerer can command a fairy, much less Aphrael.  She does as she wishes.  Unfortunately she wishes to plague me,” Jaascin told her.

     “Then it is true what she said.  That is the reason you implied you would be with me for a while.  That is why you said I would have need of the sword.  Have you really been commanded to help me win back my Duchey?”

     Jaascin momentarily ignored her question.  “Speak to no one of this yet.  We must speak of this when we ride together.  We will pick out a time.  I will have the King send you as my guide to the northern area.  Tell the Princess you finally agreed to accept this sword from me, but tell her nothing else,” Jaascin said. 

     Shekim promised she would do as he said, then she left his room and returned to hers.  She still didn’t know what she should believe about this man that called himself Sir Jaascin Wanilain.  For some reason she did feel she could trust him, although he left her totally confused.  He did not look at all like what she was sure he was.  He could seem so disarmingly honest.  That Shekim knew could make him doubly dangerous.  How he could help her recover her Duchey, she had no idea.  Perhaps that is why he wanted to go riding where there could be no prying ears.

Chapter Eight

     It was not until several days later that Jaascin and Shekim were able to go riding out alone.  A group of nobles had come to visit the King.  The Princess was busy helping her mother entertain the wives and daughters.  Jaascin and Shekim were able to slip out of the castle unobserved.  They took food with them so they could stay out the entire day, if they so wished.  

     Jaascin questioned Shekim extensively about the Duchey in which she grew up.  He questioned her about the country around it and the families who held the lands around her Duchey.  He asked about the people of the mountains beyond, which were not controlled by any noble.  He made her describe the countryside as she could remember it.  She proved very observant, and to have traveled widely throughout the area as she was growing up. 

     As she developed this picture of the country for him, he began to develop a plan and decide what he would need if it were to be successful.  He would have to learn something more about the man who had murdered her family and taken over the Duchey.  Friends had been able to get her away just in time.  She had been visiting friends when the attack occurred.

     Jaascin told Shekim, how she should make contact with these friends during the next several weeks, to learn what more she could.  Jaascin would use that time to contact Cyrellai’s father and ask if he could send a troop of Elven bowman to help him.  He planned to talk to the King and the commander of the King’s soldiers about sending a troop of his men north.  Jaascin planned to have neither the bowman nor the soldiers go with them but seem to be heading in a somewhat different direction. 

     Actually Jaascin and Shekim would not head for the Duchey, but would go to visit a friend of Shekim’s, who was the daughter of a Duke.  His land bordered on the Kingdom.  Jaascin felt sure he could gather more men from the nobles in that area.  From what Shekim told him and from what he had heard on his trip to the Kingdom, he might be able to count on help from the people in the mountain areas.

     Jaascin made it very obvious he was enjoying the hospitality of the King and his family.  He seemed in no great hurry to be on his way north.  He spread the word that he was headed for the mountains to seek a friend.  This friend had last been heard of living in these mountains. 

     Some friends of Shekim’s family came to the Kingdom and brought news from the area.  Certain ones that Jaascin knew he could trust, he gave things to do when they returned to that area.  He began to quietly lay the groundwork for his campaign.  He learned the man controlling the Duchey made regular raids around the area.  He and the main body of his men would be gone on these for several days to a week. 

     Jaascin learned Cyrellai’s father, her uncle and the king were all sending a troop of Elven bowman to help him.  They would seem to be heading for an Elven forest that was west of Shekim’s Duchey.  Jaascin was able to quietly arrange for the King to send two troops of men to a Duchey that was to the south and east of Shekim’s Duchey.  He got word through the commander of the soldiers that the Duke would add a troop.  With the help he was now learning he could count on from the people in the mountains to the north, he would have more than enough to retake the Duchey for Shekim.  However, Jaascin was sure that the Duke who had tried to have the princess kidnapped would try to retake the Duchey.  With these forces at his command, Jaascin could give the Duke a welcome he was not looking for.

     By the time he was ready to head north, Jaascin had his plans in place.  Shekim would be disguised as relative from the south going to visit her cousin, the daughter of the Duke.  She would be traveling with Jaascin as an escort.  A small group of travelers would be going with them.  A few of them would be soldiers going to positions with nobles in the area.  It would all be designed to look like normal movements.  Nothing to arouse alarm in anyone. Jaascin had been planning carefully.  He wanted to use the element of surprise to the maximum.  This, he figured, would limit casualties on his side.  He was in essence borrowing forces to fight this battle.  Many of the people supplying these forces could benefit from the success of this effort.  It could stabilize the region and bring a relative peace to this area. 

Jaascin received news he could count on the men from the mountains.  He also got the good news that the mountain dwarves would join him in this.

     They left early one morning.  There were about a group of twenty who left from the city.  The King’s soldiers had departed two days before.  It would take Jaascin and Shekim about five days to reach their destination.  This was a good two days ride from Shekim’s Duchey.  They planned to be at the estate of Shekim’s friend for two days before making any move. 

     On the evening of the second day, Jaascin received word the Duke had set out with a force for an area to the northeast.  Jaascin immediately sent word to the King’s soldiers to head for the Duchey.  He also sent word for one of the troops of Elven bowman to do the same.  They would all arrive at about the same time.  Jaascin would be bringing with he and Shekim about two troops of men who had gathered to support Shekim’s try to regain the Duchey.

     The plan worked although the bowman arrived after the castle had been secured.  They surprised the garrison defending the castle so they were able to take it without losing a single man.  The next day men from the mountains arrived.  They carried spears, which they threw with the help of a throwing stick.  This seemed to increase the distance they could throw the spears.   Jaascin then set about to ambush the Duke’s forces a short distance from the castle.  They would do it so the Duke’s men would try to reach the castle.  This would put them between the two groups of Jaascin’s forces.  He would use the spears as the first attack.  Then the elves would use their long bows to cut down as many men as possible.  The mounted forces of soldiers as well as the mounted bowman would begin an attack from the rear. 

     The Duke’s forces had captives with them at the rear of their column with only a few men behind to keep the captives moving.  The first attack wiped out this rear guard and the spears and the bowmen caused confusion in the main body of men.  The captives used this to begin to escape.  The spear throwers used this confusion to be able to move in from the rear to attack and then direct the captives to the side.  This opened up an avenue for an attack from the rear by the mounted soldiers and bowmen.  

     As planned, the remainder of the Duke’s men, were forced toward the castle.  They were met with a hail of arrows from the castle walls.  This caused total confusion.  Jaascin then led an attacking force from the castle.  The battle was soon over with a complete victory.  The Duke and his top men were all killed.  The captives, mostly consisting of young women and men, were rounded up released from the ropes with which they were tied and told they were free.     

     After learning that Shekim had returned to reclaim the Duchey, most of the young men asked to join her forces.

Jaascin now sent word for the dwarves, the rest of Elven forces and the rest of the King’s soldiers and those who were joining them to move toward the Duchey.  Jaascin knew the Duke, who had tried to kidnap the Princess, would soon hear about this retaking of the Duchey and would launch an attack to retake the Duchey for himself.  Jaascin sent men out to learn of his plans and to report on the movements of this Duke’s men.

     He then looked over the terrain in the direction from which the Duke’s forces would come.  He decided that if he were the Duke, he would split his forces into three.  He would send two smaller forces to flank the castle, and then retain the larger force to make it look like he was making a frontal attack.  Jaascin laid his plans to surprise the Duke.  He laid plans to ambush the two flanking forces.  He would then retain a group that would look like they were ready to defend against the main force. 

     He was sure the Duke had a Mage with him.  That Mage would try to conceal the two flanking forces, while leaving the main force visible.  From the forces of the King and other nobles, Jaascin had two minor Mages available to him.  Jaascin set about to teach those two Mages to make that mist hiding the flanking forces look intact while actually allowing Jaascin’s forces to see them clearly. 

     He was getting regular reports on the movement of the Duke’s forces.  The Duke was doing exactly as Jaascin had expected.  Jaascin would have the spearmen attack the flanking forces from both sides when they went through a small depression.  He would then have the long bows cut down as many as possible.  Then the mounted bowmen would attack followed by an attack by the mounted swordsmen and a group of dwarves.  At that time the spearmen, the men with the long bows and the mounted bowmen would move to a position where they could attack the main force when Jaascin mounted the attack of his forces facing the main forces of the Duke.  

     Jaascin intended to destroy the Duke’s Mage just before he mounted the attack by his main forces.  Jaascin knew he had superior forces at his command.  He did not think the Duke would be expecting him to attack.  He really did not know who was opposing him. 

     As planned, none of the Duke’s flanking forces survived the ambush.  The Duke was not aware of this because Jaascin was able to shield this from the Duke’s Mage.  He assumed the forces would be attacking Jaascin’s forces.  When Jaascin knew the ambushes had been successful, he rode to the brow of the hill overlooking the area the Duke’s men were now traversing.  Bringing his two swords up and putting their tips together he pointed them toward where the enemy Mage was.  There was a surge of power and then anguished scream. 

     Then Jaascin ordered his attack.  It was preceded by a hail of arrows from the long bows, then the Elven bowman rode forth and loosed their arrows then the swordsmen and the dwarves charged.  The Duke was not prepared for anything like this.  His forces were in disarray.  Jaascin rode straight for the Duke.  Shekim rode beside him.  The Duke tried to maneuver to attack Shekim but Jaascin cut him down and the two men beside him.  Shekim proved her ability with the sword by dispatching several men herself. 

     The battle was soon over with just some mopping up being done.  Many of the men in Jaascin’s forces had reason to hate the Duke and his men.  They gave no quarter.  The Duke’s forces were completely destroyed.  Jaascin now set about to determine how many men he had lost and how many men were wounded and needed care.   With Shekim’s help the wounded were soon carried into the castle and the healers began working on these men.   

     Among the men with Jaascin was the youngest son of the family whose Duchey this Duke had taken over.  He began to plan to reclaim his rightful lands.  A force was quickly organized to send with him.  Men were dispatched to villages in the mountains where loyal men from this Duchey had fled when the Duke attacked.  The Elven bowmen who had come from the south went with that force.  They then planned to be on their way back home after that had been accomplished.  The Elven bowman from the nearby Elven forest planned to stay until Shekim had established control of her Duchey.  Some other of the forces from nobles in the area also planned to stay. 

     Within a week of the defeat of the two forces, people who had fled the Duchey began returning.  The group of soldiers, who had helped Shekim escape before, returned and asked to serve her again.  She gladly accepted.  Jaascin carefully looked them over and told Shekim he agreed.  Several former castle staff members reappeared to take over their former duties.  Jaascin eliminated only two of them.  Those two immediately fled.

     As Shekim began to take up the duties of Duchess, she met Jaascin as he came into the castle after conferring with some of the men commanding the other forces.  She slipped her arm through his and led him to her office. 

     “You are planning to stay a while.  I have not seen much of you during this time.  You seem always to be off somewhere.”

     “You have been very busy, my lady,” said Jaascin.  “There is much to be done.  The people will need direction and help to pick up their lives.”

Shekim smiled invitingly as she looked directly at Jaascin.   

     “That is why I will need an adviser and confidant who I can trust completely,” Shekim said.  “I must find people to fill out the staff of the Duchey.  Although I cannot claim your time, I would be deeply indebted to you if you would stay a while and help me establish control.”

     Jaascin looked at her.  “I do not think you will have any problem establishing control of the Duchey.  You have many that are obviously very glad you have returned.  The rest are hopefully watching.  They want you to take charge and reestablish the claim of your family to these lands.  They have suffered much.”  Then he added, “I will be willing to stay for a while if you desire me to do so.”

Then Shekim favored him with a lovely smile. 

     “Besides, I have never had the chance to thank you properly.  Now I am even further in debt to you.”

     Jaascin laughed at her obvious meaning.  “You can pay that debt by serving your people as the wonderful Duchess they are hoping you will be.  That would be the best thanks I could receive.”

     Shekim smiled, “You don’t think I am going to let you get away with that.”

     Within another week, Shekim had the castle mostly restored to what it had been when she had lived there.  She moved Jaascin into the apartment adjoining hers.  She explained she needed him nearby so she could consult with him as needed.  Of course she decided nighttime was one of the best times to consult with him.  After again lightly warning her about his mysterious nature, he decided he might as well enjoy her company.  She proved to be a lot like Cyrellai.

     In the process of putting together the castle staff, a young woman was discovered who had been in the castle during the time of the former Duke.  She had been hidden by some members of the castle staff.  She was a young woman, who had wandered in while the Duke and his men were away from the castle.  Some of the castle staff had turned her into a dirty urchin who did the menial tasks.  They pretended she was not all there. 

     When she was brought before Shekim, Jaascin immediately recognized she was not what she appeared to be. 

     Jaascin said to Shekim, “Have one of your most trusted women take her, give her a bath and clean her up get her some new clothes and take her up to your apartment.  We will talk to her there.” 

     Shekim looked at Jaascin strangely but did as he asked.  After they had finished the business for that time, they went up to the Duchess’ apartments.  That dirty urchin had become an attractive young woman.

     As Jaascin and Shekim came walking into the room, the young woman looked directly at Jaascin and said in a somewhat forceful but also fearful tone, 

     “How did you know, Sir.  No other man was able to penetrate my disguise.  What do you intend to do to me?”

Jaascin ignored her question for a moment. 

     “What is your name?  Your real name?” he asked.

The young woman looked at Jaascin, considered for a moment, then she answered.

     “It is Esolane,”

     “You are the daughter of a Lord who was murdered by the Duke.  You thought the safest place for you would be under his nose in the disguise you affected.  Your disguise was not just the dirty clothes.”

     “How do you know that?” Esolane questioned.

     “Because he is a wizard, although he claims not to be,” answered Shekim.

     Jaascin turned to Shekim.  “You have just found your lady-in-waiting.  She will prove very helpful to you.  Besides between the two of you, you will have plenty of eligible suitors soon calling.  I think there will be one for each of you that will be eminently suitable.”  Then he turned to Esolane.  “I will speak to you alone later.  For now the Duchess will arrange for suitable clothes for your new position and get you established in your new quarters.”

     Shekim called in one of the women on her staff and gave her orders.  Esolane went out with the woman.  It was obvious Esolane was somewhat afraid of Jaascin.  He seemed to know things he should not have known.  She wondered how much more he did know.

    When they were gone, Shekim turned to Jaascin with a questioning look. 

     “How did you know she really looked like that, and how did you know who she was.”

     “It is all a matter of close observation, my dear Duchess,” said Jaascin with a smile.  “I saw her eyes.  They were much too alive to be a stupid urchin.  There were other subtle indications that she was not what they thought her.  In addition, there was a feeling of energy emanating from her.  She has certain small natural powers which she used to complete her disguise.” Then Jaascin thought for a moment.  “She has the eyes of an elf, although she has learned to hide that.  I think she may be part elf, and she may have a band of fairies.  We will learn about that later from Aphrael, I think.”

     “And you think she will be willing to serve as my lady-in-waiting?” Shekim asked.

     “She will be very willing.  Especially when she finds out you will treat her more as a friend, as the Princess did with you.  She will serve you well and faithfully.  She is very intelligent and will soon see where her future lies.  You need have no fear of her,” Jaascin answered very positively.

     “You intend to talk to her?”

     “Yes.  I may be able to increase some of her natural powers and teach her how to use them most effectively.  She is not a Mage, although she has some powers of one.  She also has some powers a Mage does not have.  That could be valuable to you.  I will learn what powers she does have.  Then I will know how I can help her.”

     Shekim smiled as the thought occurred to her.  “Perhaps when she learns not to fear you, she will fall in love with you.”

     Jaascin laughed.  “Although she somewhat fears me, because she does not know how I knew so much about her, she already has figured out that we are really not compatible.  For her it would only be a passing affair.  In that, she is like me, except that she will eventually be willing to settle down and become a wife.”

     Shekim smiled rather fondly at Jaascin.  “You are a charming rascal, but I am also aware we would not be compatible.  However, I think you make a wonderful lover.  But now I must go and see how they are coming with Esolane.  I must show great interest and make sure she knows I want us to be good friends.”

     “I think that would be a very good idea,” Jaascin tossed back over his shoulder as he went to see how the training of the swordsmen was coming. 

     Jaascin planned to stay another two weeks.  Then he planned to continue on to search for his friend.  He was now near the mountains.  Perhaps he could enlist the mountain dwarves to help him in his search.  For now he planned to make sure Shekim was secure as the Duchess.  He planned also to continue to work with Shekim on increasing her skill with the sword and to work with Esolane to teach her the use of the sword and the daggers.  He also planned to teach Esolane the use of the Elven bow.  Because of Esolane’s almost cat like movements, Jaascin thought the short Elven sword would fit her best.  He would teach her how to move inside the guard of a swordsman.

     Later after Esolane had been shown her rooms and measurements had been taken to outfit her with clothes, Jaascin met her and guided her outside the castle walls.  He took her for a walk to a clearing in a wood nearby.

 There he seated himself upon a flat rock and motioned her to join him.  She watched him closely.

     “I have no intention of doing you any harm.  I had certain information, when I came here with the Duchess.  It enabled me to detect who you were.  I was able to penetrate your shield.  I know you emit certain energy that only a mage or wizard would.  I also detect in you powers not held by those men.  You are part elf.  In spite of your ability to mask that in your eyes, I could detect it.  I believe you are a woman who has a band of fairies.  Even if you deny it, Aphrael will tell me if it is true.  I tell you this only because I want your cooperation.  You can be of great help to the Duchess in re-establishing control of the Duchey.  At the same time it will give you back the life you lost.  If you will let me, I will help you to realize the power you have and teach you how to best use it.  I will also teach you how to be a swordswoman, able to defend yourself against all except the greatest swordsmen.  But you must be willing to trust me.  It is immaterial as to who I am.  You know I helped the Duchess regain her Duchey.  As she will tell you, I asked nothing in return except that she rule the Duchey with intelligence and kindness.”

     Esolane looked at Jaascin intently.  The fear was beginning to fade but the wariness remained.  She could not determine what manner of man he was.  He was not like any other man she had known.  He looked like a swordsman.  He spoke like a very learned man.  It was obvious he had the powers of a mage.  He had the manners and speech of a noble and the charm of a courtier. 

     As she was trying to make up her mind what she should do, she was startled by the appearance of a beautiful gem between them from which a mist arose.  Out of that mist stepped a beautiful fairy with a crown upon her head.

     “Do not fear him child.  Although he is a charming knave, he will do you no harm.  He will, as he says, help you to regain the life you lost.  Do as he says.  Learn well what he teaches you.  Your fairies will dance if you agree.  Who am I?  I am Aphrael, queen of all the fairies.  Your fairies are telling you that.  Jaascin cannot see them at the moment.”

     Esolane looked on in astonishment.  This man even knew the queen of the fairies.  That was impossible, but it seems it was true.  Then she noticed that Jaascin’s eyes glowed green.  He must be part elf.  He grew more mysterious all the time.  She had noticed that her fairies had bowed before the Queen, and when she decided to trust Jaascin, they did indeed dance for joy.  At that moment Aphrael and her gem disappeared.  Jaascin sat watching her.

     Esolane took a deep breath.  “I will do whatever you ask.  I would be very pleased if you would teach me to use my powers.  I would also be very pleased if you would teach me the art of swordsmanship.  I do know a little of how to handle weapons,” Esolane said.  Then she smiled at Jaascin.  “I am now further confused as to what you really are.  I do think you are also part elf.”

     Jaascin smiled, “Perhaps you can just think of me as a charming knave as Aphrael says.  That I would probably admit to being.”  He then got up and waiting until Esolane also got up, turned and headed back for the castle. 

     Jaascin spent the next two and one-half weeks working with Esolane.  Shekim pretended to pout because he was spending so much time teaching Esolane.  However, Jaascin spent his nights with Shekim.  Like Cyrellai, Shekim did nothing to hide that fact.  Everyone in the castle knew that is what was happening.

     Three weeks later, when the young Duke came to pay his respects to Shekim and inform them he had successfully regained control of his family’s lands, Jaascin said goodbye and started for the mountains.  He was to be met by the chief of the mountain dwarfs as he entered the mountains.  Jaascin wasn’t sure how the dwarfs would react to Elven horses.  He left his three Elven steeds, in Shekim’s keeping.  He knew she would see they got the best of care.  He obtained three northern mountain horses known for their surefootedness. He was now on his last leg of this journey.  After he found his friend, he planned to return to the Elven forest to see Cyrellia again. 

     Although Jaascin had heard some things about the mountain dwarfs, and they had fought along side of him, he really knew very little about them.  He knew they were known for mining the mountains for gold, other metals and for gems.  He also knew they were very fine craftsmen.  However he had never penetrated their lands.  He would have to learn about them as he went along.  He decided he would be in no hurry in his search.  This would be another learning experience.  He had been able to reach an agreement with the chief of the mountain dwarfs to go into their country to search for his friend.  Jaascin thought he would have to look beyond the lands of the mountain dwarfs to the desolate mountains beyond.  That is what he had gathered from the conversations he had so far with the mountain dwarfs who had fought with him.  They had heard rumors of a strange man supposedly living in that area.  Some dwarfs had apparently seen him as he passed through their country.  However, they seemed to have little contact with him, so knew little about him.  They thought he might be a wizard, although he did them no harm.   

     Jaascin had no idea where he would find his friend, or how he would find him.  He thought he was on the right trail and he seemed to be getting faint messages that his friend was somewhere in this direction.  Jaascin had sent out the message that he was coming, but he had not been able to determine whether his message had been received.  His friend might not be powerful enough to send a message in return, that Jaascin could receive.  Jaascin did not worry.  He would learn something about the dwarves that he did not know, and something about the land in this northern country.  That was sufficient for Jaascin at the moment.  He was sure he would eventually find his friend.

The End