"THE LETTER FOR THE KING" "This is an old tale, from the days of knights." "It's set in two kingdoms." "The country of King Unauwen and that of King Dagonaut." "Two ruler friends." "King Dagonaut rules his country justly and his many brave knights keep the land peaceful and safe." "In the West, across the Great Mountains, is the Realm of Unauwen." "King Unauwen has two sons, twins." "One" " Iridian - is the crown prince." "The other, Viridian, rules Evielan the land in the South." "Viridian is his father's enemy." "He has often tried to invade Unauwen with his Red Riders." "But the story starts in Dagonaut City on the eve of the day when five young men are solemnly knighted by the king." "Tiuri!" "It was fine." " No it wasn't." "Again." "Tiuri!" "What are you doing?" "Finish it!" "You're dead, knight." "One of the shield-bearers due to be knighted is Tiuri son of the renowned knight Tiuri the Brave." "Are you looking forward to tomorrow?" " Sure..." "But..." " But?" "I could wait four more years, mother?" " The fledgling knight." "How did you get on today?" "Fine." " Good." "One more night before the big day." "You have now faced all the challenges but one." "You were pages and sewed a warrior." "You were shield-bearers for your proud fathers." "But after tomorrow you'll have to prove you are honest, faithful, helpful and brave." "Now the last challenge." "The vigil in the chapel on the hill." "You have to stay awake all night." "You can pray dream about knighthood." "But you have to remain silent and speak to no one." "Not eat or drink." "And you are not allowed to open the door for anyone." "You can only leave the chapel when you are fetched at dawn tomorrow by your fathers for the festive entry into the city." "If you break one of these rules then you won't be knighted tomorrow." "Open up, in the name of God." "Please help me!" "Don't you have a heart?" "Help me!" "I am severely wounded." "Help me!" "Thank you." "I need your help." "Quickly, there isn't much time." " I can't speak, I'm to be knighted." "No, no!" "What's your name?" " Who are you?" "What do you want of me?" "This letter is very important." "It's a matter of life and death." "It's for the king of Unauwen." "My black knight with the white shield has to deliver it." "You have to take this letter to him." "Why here?" "The city has many trusty knights." "They're too conspicuous." " So am I." "They don't know you." "Here..." "Go now, quickly." "Take my horse." "My knight is hiding in the King's Forest close by." "May God reward you." "Tell them Vokia sent you." "Who are you?" "Tiuri, sir." "Tiuri..." "I know your name." "Knight Tiuri the Brave?" "He's my father." "Your father..." "He and I..." "Why are you here?" "I came for you." "For me?" "Vokia sent me." "Here..." "This letter is for the king." "The king of Unauwen." "It's vital to his country and to yours." "Now that I can't take it you have to do it." " Me?" "Yes, you." "If there's time." "Listen." "Go to the west along the Blue River as far as its source in the mountains." "A hermit lives there:" "Menaures." "Here, take this ring." "If you show it to him, he'll know I sent you." "He'll guide you safely over the mountains." "That's the fastest way to Unauwen." "Can't anyone else do it?" "I'm really not your man." "Look at me." "You have to do it." "You can." "But beware." "Enemies everywhere." "The Red Riders..." "They want the letter." "Never open it, unless your life is in danger." "Then you have to read it and destroy the letter." "Hurry." "Go." "Before..." "I don't have a letter!" " He has got it!" "Where is the letter?" " I don't have it." "We'll have to travel on together." "What's your name?" "This ring will protect us." "It's the horse!" "Thank you, trusty steed." "Come on, we have to hurry!" "Hand over your money!" "I don't have any money." " What's this?" "Let me go." "You can't have the ring." "You can't have it!" "What if I take it?" "I beg you, I got it from a dead man." "It's dear to me." " Dear!" "Dear?" "!" "A proposition:" "If you could choose would you keep your ring or your horse?" "Both!" " Both?" "Choose!" "Or I'll chop off your finger!" "The ring." " The ring?" "Now go!" "Go!" "Get lost with your ring." "A coward like you!" "Where did you get that horse?" "I was given it." " Where did you get it?" "!" "It's mine." " We know that horse." "That is Ardanwen." "Ardanwen." " He got it." "From a boy we met." " Liar!" "A boy with a ring." " What did he look like?" "It was dark." "He wore a long whitish robe." "He had brown hair." "How old was he?" " About 16." "You fool." "You should have killed him." "Where is he?" " No idea." "Can't be far." "Next time you'll be hung." "Good day, friars." "God be with you, young traveller." " Thank you." "Are you heading west?" " To the Brown Cloister, it's that way." "Can I come with you?" "Of course, my son." "Thank you." "Are you cold?" "Wear this." "Thank you, brother..." "I'm Martyn." "You must be hungry." " No." "I am really." "Where are you heading?" "I'm going to the source of the Blue River." "To see Menaures, the old hermit?" " Yes, you know him?" "Tell me." "Where are you going?" " To the Brown Cloister, not far away." "Show your heads." "Our brother here is blind." "Come on." "Why did you do that?" "I can't tell you anything." "Keep it." "Thank you." " Go that way." "Hurry and you'll reach Mistinout Castle by sunset." "Thank you, sorry I can't say more about myself." "I hope you trust me," " Have a good trip." "You don't trust him?" " They're looking for him." "Good evening, friar." "You want to stay the night?" "Yes..." " And you are?" "Brother Martyn." " One moment." "I have to note it." "Lord Rafox always wants to know who his guests are." "Go on." " Thank you." "Come and join us." "Sit down." "You have to stand." "She's a beauty, isn't she?" "Or can't a young friar enjoy that?" "What's the lord like?" " The lord?" "Rafox?" "He's a powerful and honest lord." "It used to be different..." "Aha, Friar..." "What was your name?" " Martyn." "What a fuss." "The gate's shut." "You know why?" " Apparently some knights have arrived friends of Lord Rafox, and now the gate is shut, but I have to sell my goods." "Do you know anything?" " The gate stays shut." "I have to get to the next castle." "There's no point, brother Martyn." "Good morning, is this the friar from the Brown Cloister?" "I wanted to ask you something, sir." "Did you see a boy on the way?" "He's about 16: brown hair, blue eyes." "A boy?" "I don't remember one." "What's your name?" " Martyn." "Would you take off your hood?" "May I ask why?" "Well I never." "Brown hair and blue eyes." "But why, sir?" "You're mistaken." " What's up, father?" "I want to introduce you to some friends." "If you're not their man, you're safe." "I think this is your boy." "Maybe." "Does he have the ring?" " Who are you?" "Where is the ring?" " Ring?" "I don't know what you mean." "Did you pass the King's Forest?" " No." "I came from the Brown Cloister." "Search his clothes." "Why won't you say who you are?" "I'm your guest and deserve protection." "Stop." "I have a ring." "It's the ring." "He's the one we want, Rafox." "He's ours." "Take him." "Lord Rafox, I've done nothing." "Believe me." "Let me go!" "I am Tiuri, son of Tiuri the Brave." "I am the son of Tiuri the Brave." "Silence, liar." "Misjudged." "Misjudged." "I misjudged you." "Who are you?" "Are you really the son of Tiuri the Brave?" " Yes." "Why are you in disguise?" "Because I..." "Did you steal the ring?" " No!" "I can explain, later." "Take off your robe, fast." "Put this on." "Why are you doing this?" "I know nothing, but I heard my father talking to the Grey Knights." "Grey Knights?" " They want revenge." "Revenge?" " To avenge their friend." "They're coming for you." " Why?" "I didn't..." "My father hesitates, but they..." "Come on!" "Come this way." "I have an idea." "There's a boat behind the castle." " Go quickly!" "Thank you." "Come on!" "You!" "What do you want of me?" "Tell me what you want!" "Kneel down." "Bendoe, your turn!" "Say who you are!" "Are you with the cowards who killed Edwinem?" "Stop." "Why were you fleeing?" "Only a crook would flee." " You'd already condemned me." "Father, you think he's innocent so help him." "Tell him who you are, Ristirin." "I am Ristirin from the south." "These are Bendoe and Arwoud." "This is Ewijn from the west." "And you?" "Are you Tiuri the son of Tiuri the Brave?" "Yes." "Tell me why you left the chapel the night before you were to be knighted?" "Not only unheard of and against the rules but you also scandalised your father Tiuri the Brave." "I had a reason but I can't tell you." " Of course not." "Nor can you say where you got the ring and the horse Ardanwen." "How did you get the ring?" " I was given it." "Given?" "By a murdered knight?" "He was ambushed by the Red Riders of Evielan." "He told me before he died." "He gave me the ring." "To a shield-bearer like you?" " Yes." "You have to believe me, you were his friend." "We're going inside." "Why didn't you go back for help?" "To your father." "To the king." "I promised to say no more than that." "A mask of innocence often hide treachery." " I'm not a traitor." "A lot is unclear but I believe you." "I apologise for doubting your innocence." "You thank your life to my daughter Lavinia." "Here, the ring." "We'll come with you some way." "Thank you for believing me." "You were very brave." "I'll tell you everything when I come back." "I won't ask what, but I suspect Edwinem gave you a task." "I think you're going to Menaures in the mountains." "Edwinem is the knight with the white shield?" "Knight Edwinem of Forèstèrra, the most noble knight of Unauwen." "You know that Viridian ruler of Evielan, is a son of King Unauwen?" "Yes, Viridian is a younger twin." "Crown prince Iridian is the oldest." " Right" "Viridian hates his brother because he can be king." "Viridian is his father's greatest enemy." " He was." "But recently he wanted to make peace." "He sent some of his best knights to Evielan to negotiate." "Something went wrong." "We don't know exactly why." "Edwinem had to flee and you're the last to speak to him." "I still don't get it..." "Red Riders!" "You stay with Tiuri!" "Give me the letter!" "Stay there, Tiuri." "Stay there." "You defended yourself well." "How's your arm?" " Better." "We say goodbye here." "You have to continue on foot." "I have to leave you again, Ardanwen." "You'll get him back when it's all over." " He's not mine." "He is." "Take your cloak, it's cold up there." "Take this rope and dagger." "Ilmar is your master now." "Until I return." "And thank you, Ilmar." "You were brave." "It was brave of you." " Don't thank me." "Thanks all of you." " Beware of strangers." "Have a good journey." "Wait traveller." "Greetings pilgrim." "Quite a climb." "I'm glad to see you." "I'm not familiar with the mountains." "You must be going to see Menaures." "Yes." "May I accompany you?" "I'd rather travel alone." "I'm in a hurry." "Sorry, brother." "I won't force myself on you, I'll rest here." "Goodbye." "I don't mean it that way." "Of course you can come." "Sorry I was so unfriendly." "I won't be a burden." "I am Jaro." "I'm from the valley." "I'm Martyn." " Friar Martyn." "Shall I lead?" "We have to go up there, along the gorge." "Help!" "Grab the rope." "I can't." "I'm coming." "Stand on my knee!" "Stand on my knee." "Help me up." "Help me!" "Why didn't you help me?" "Good evening." "Good evening, You came for Menaures?" "Yes." "Menaures, Menaures!" "Visitors." "Welcome, travellers." "What brings you here?" "I..." " I have to cross the mountains ...holy man." "I'm not a holy man." "And who are you?" " I am Martyn and this is..." " Jaro." "I heard you know the mountains as no other." "I know the mountains." "But I can no longer go myself." "Maybe you can show us?" "But not without a guide." "What is the purpose of your journey, Martyn?" "I want to talk to you." "I'll wait here." " Let's go in the hut." "I'm not Martyn." "I'm not a monk." " I thought not." "My name is Tiuri." "I was sent by Edwinem with this ring." "Knight Edwinem bearer of the white shield." "He is dead." "Murdered." "That is sad news." "I knew him a very long time." "He's often been here." "Sit down and tell me more." "Are you wounded?" "A little." "It will get a lot harder." "I don't know if I'm up to it." "Why didn't a knight get this job?" "Don't give up now, Tiuri." "I will give you a guide, one you can trust as much as yourself." "My faithful servant Piak." "The boy you saw outside." "Don't you need him?" "This is more important." "Thank you." " Put this on." "That chainmail is too heavy to wear up here." "I couldn't sleep." "Menaures..." "You know what the letter says?" "No, I know no more than you." "You don't need to know." "You just deliver it." "You know King Unauwen and his sons?" "Yes, I am his brother." "His twin brother." "The king's twin brother!" "You heard that Prince Viridian wants peace with his father?" "Maybe he does." "It isn't easy to be a twin." "What do you think of Jaro?" "I think he can't sleep either." "Just like you." "Go, I'll stay on guard." "Thank you." "You have to compress it, Piak." "Roll it up tighter." "Hello Jaro, are you ready?" " I'm going." "Going?" "What do you mean?" "I'm going back." "You beat me yesterday." "Beat you?" "How?" "I'm a Red Rider sent to kill you so your letter won't reach Unauwen." "I wanted you to die in the chasm, but you saved my life." "Your rescue made me powerless." "I can't kill you now." "Farewell." "What will you do." " It's not your business." "Don't think the danger is over." "If I'm not back in time, he'll try to cross the easy way before you." "Who's he?" " Slupor." "There's no lord more mean and sly." "Be careful." "Very careful." "It's okay, Piak." "Make sure Tiuri gets over the mountains." "Go as far as needed." "Thanks, Menaures." " Have a safe journey." "Your father, a knight!" "Are you his shield-bearer?" " Yes." "He taught you to duel and shoot arrows." "Living in the mountains is beautiful too." "My whole family comes from the mountains." "My father fell in a ravine." "They said he was a daredevil." "Are you so daring?" "Don't you worry." "I can't see a thing." "We have to shelter!" "I know a cave, come on!" "We have to stay awake, don't sleep!" "Hey, stay awake!" "Were you dreaming?" "I think so." "What about?" "My father..." " Your father?" "My father, I think." "I know about your secret task." "The letter." "You can trust me." "I do trust you." "But never let on you know." "Or that my name is Tiuri." "Look, Tiuri!" "Unauwen!" "I'm so curious, I've never been there." "What's the matter?" "You were going to bring me, then return to Menaures." "Can't I go any further?" "But you promised Menaures..." " That I'd stay while you needed me." "He said that?" "I don't need you, Piak." "You don't want me, do you?" " Piak." "It's too dangerous." " Dangerous?" "Two can do more than one." "Tiuri, please let me come too." "I'll be your shield-bearer and obey you." " Don't talk rubbish." "We're just travellers together." "That's okay too." "Very well." "Do you know Dagonaut?" " I've been a few times." "Do you visit Dangria often?" " Quite often." "Less than I used to." "Good afternoon, Mr Ardoc." "Who are your companions?" "Two youths from Dagonaut, the mountains." "I have something nice for you." "Our mayor is interested in news from Dagonaut." "I'm sure he'd like to receive you." "Maybe for dinner." " We are honoured but we have to get on." "An invitation from the mayor?" "I know what I'd do." "I wouldn't refuse that." "If you want to report back, I'll be at the White Swan Inn." "Wait here a moment." "The mayor is coming." "What a surprise." "Young men from Dagonaut." "Welcome to my city." " Thank you, mayor." "I thought there were two of you." "My friend is here somewhere." "He's impressed by the hall." "Let him look round." "My scribe will find you a room." "Let's go upstairs." "Martyn, it's a trap!" "I have the letter here!" "Stop him!" " I'll deliver it!" "Hey you, after him!" "No, come back!" "There!" "Open up!" "The key's gone!" "Go on!" "Open up!" "He's in here!" ""I beo..."" "What is this?" "Search the city: inns, cellars." "Hurry, you fools!" "The door's locked inside." " Kick it down." "No, get an axe." "This is the mayor." "Come out." "You have no way out." "For the last time: surrender." "I'm warning you: open the door!" "Very well." "Stay where you are then, wayward boy." "We'll sort that friend of yours out first." "Piak!" "Hands on your head!" "Don't move." "I'll shoot if you move." "Very good." "Now move backwards very slowly." "Backwards." "Turn round!" "Hands on your back!" "Now move to the wall, the wall!" "He locked me in!" "Stay there!" "Hands up!" "Who are you?" " Never mind." "The mayor was expecting you." "He ordered the gatekeepers to bring all boys between 1 4 and 18 entering the gate to him." "How do you know?" "He got a message from the East by carrier pigeon." "I couldn't read it, nor was it archived." "Who was the message from?" "I don't know." "You probably have a better idea." "It's safe." "Why do you want to help me?" " I don't like the way this place is run by a mayor..." " Piak, my friend!" "They imprisoned him!" "I have to help." " You're better off free." "Hurry." "Do you know where the White Swan is?" " I know." "I'll show you the way." "If you want to be arrested, show off your bow and arrow." "Wait here." "Tiuri." " Piak!" "I hid here." "I didn't dare go inside." "I'm glad..." " You too?" "The scribe." "Get out of here!" "I wanted to check here because they came in with Ardoc, a merchant." "We'll carry on searching." " I'll watch out too." "Your friend hasn't been here." "Good." "You have to go, now." "I know a way." "Come on." "I'll go to Unauwen to inform the king." "Listen..." "Cross and turn right." "Walk to the toll bridge over the Rainbow River." "Go on." " Thanks." "Come on." "Three gold pieces?" "To cross Rainbow River you have to pay a toll." "We don't have that much." "So you can't cross." "So poor people can never cross." " Sure they can." "They can earn their toll by working for a farmer for the toll lord." "You earn a gold piece for a week's work." "We don't have that much time." "That's what everyone says who wants to cross for nothing." "Anyone trying to cross any other way gets locked up for three weeks." "We'll go and work for the farmer." "You don't mean that, do you?" " Of course not." "We need another plan." "I can't swim." "You can always go back." " You think I'm scared?" "Yes." "I have an idea." "But we have to wait for darkness." "Come on." "All right?" "We're nearly there." " I can see." "Piak!" "Piak!" "All that water." " We made it." "Tiuri, you saved me." "Of course I saved you." "You don't listen!" "Now you're in more trouble." "Three weeks in the dungeon." " No!" "Wait!" "I must see the toll lord." " Wait?" "I have something to pay him." "It's worth more than your gold!" "I was really given it." "Given it?" "Who by?" "Rubbish!" "Look at this." "There are only twelve." "A gift from King Unauwen." "Don't lie." "Where did you get the ring?" " From someone you must know." "Knight Edwinem..." "You say he gave you this ring?" " He's dead." "What?" "He was murdered by the Red Riders." "Murdered..." "I'm on my way to Unauwen." "Aha, the scribe." " I have a message for the king." "Have a good journey." "I don't understand what's going on." "I do understand your haste now." " I hope we can stay ahead of Slupor." "Any idea what he looks like?" " No." "Here..." "Only give it to the king himself." "Get horses and arms for him and Piak as soon as possible." "Certainly, lord." "Thank you." "Where did you learn to ride, horseman?" "On a mountain goat, knight!" "Go on." "Piak, do you have a good memory?" "For text?" " Text?" "Why text?" "Yes." "What did you say?" "Words from the letter." "You should learn them too." "You said that my task was yours too." "If anything happens to me then you..." "Tell me." "Listen closely." "You know what?" "We should sing it." "Sing?" " Yes." "It's easier to remember." "Not so loud." "Come on." "You heard that?" " What was it?" "I don't know." "What are you doing?" " Looking." "Stay here." "Piak..." "He helped us and now..." "Don't move." "By that tree on the hill." "Come on." "If he's here, our lives are in danger." " Who?" "You mean Slu..." "They must be here." "I can see the tracks." "I think it's Warmin." "Martyn, Piak!" "Who's there?" "Warmin, the toll guard." "I offer protection." "We just found someone." "Dead." "There." "I'll have him buried." "Imin let that black-cloaked stranger pass." "He asked if two boys, friends from Dangria, has passed." "I said a young rider from Dangria with a sealed letter for the king had passed." "He gave me a scary look." "He wanted to know what the boy looked like and spurred his horse." "I reported it to the toll lord." "Find him around here, dead or alive." "We'll take you to the inn." "Why did you let us sleep in?" "You were exhausted." " We must hurry." "I know." "Eat first." "Have some food." "A messenger wants to talk to the toll guard." " That's me." "Are you commander Warmin of the toll bridge?" "I have a message for you and the two boys with you." "Carry on." "Tonight with men from my village they captured the man who murdered the man from Dangria." "He had a strange name." "SI..." "Slupor, I think." "He denied he was the killer, but when we locked him he started shouting and screaming." "It scared me." "Fortunately he's captured," "They caught him, Piak!" "Thank you for the news." " Don't thank me." "Safe journey." "You heard it." "You can go on alone." "We're there, nearly." "Where's the palace?" " That way." "Thank you." "They're friendly here." " Yes." "Please, travellers..." "Alms..." "Let's give him our last coins." " For good luck." "Thank you, stranger." "I hope you achieve what you deserve." "It's Slupor!" " Fool." "Give me the letter!" "Look!" "The beggar is a traitor!" "A murderer!" "Tiuri, catch!" "Look at him lying there." "The spoilt son of Tiuri the Brave." "The journey was in vain." "No letter for the king and no knight." "All for nothing." "Pride comes before a fall." "Go on, kill me!" "Or don't you dare?" "You feel sorry for me?" "Coward!" "Let go!" "You're cursed, Tiuri!" "With your famous father." "May blood cover you and this cursed land." "Tiuri!" "The ring." "I have an urgent message for the king." "This ring is proof." "You must believe me!" "To the palace." "The king can see you now." "Come in, messenger." "Sire, I bring you a message from Edwinem with the white shield." "First stand up." "First I have to tell you that Edwinem is dead." "Before he died, he gave me a letter for you and his ring." "Give me the letter." "I don't have it." "Edwinem told me to destroy the letter if I was in danger." "So I did." "But I know it off by heart." "Who are you?" "Tiuri, sire." "I'm listening, Tiuri." "I have to think." "My friend is waiting outside." "He has a melody..." "That was it." "Call the crown prince, counsellors and all the knights." "It's very urgent." "You have been aware for some time that the ruler of Evielan my son Viridian, wants to make peace." "But then..." "Then we get a letter about the danger we faced if we accepted his proposal of peace." "It said that after making peace, Crown Prince Iridian would have died suddenly." "Viridian was planning, when no one suspected him any more to kill his brother, his twin brother, using poison." "Murder was his plan." "He would have become heir to the throne and ruler of our beloved country Unauwen after my death." "From here he would also have been a threat to the kingdom of Dagonaut where Tiuri and his friend live." "It is sad..." "What I have to say is very sad." "But now we know where danger lurks." "So I call on you, if necessary to take up arms against him." "Who is willing to do so?" "Menaures." "Piak, welcome." "Tiuri..." " Menaures." "Come inside." "Everyone owes you gratitude, Tiuri, for what you achieved with Piak." "Did you miss me, Menaures?" "Yes, I did." "What if I went to Dagonaut with Tiuri?" "I miss you, but that doesn't mean I can't do without you." "There's always something you'll miss whether you leave or stay." "You have to make up your own mind, Piak." "Goodbye." "Tiuri..." "You're back!" "Sire..." "Leaving the chapel..." "It never happened before." "That was a very serious lapse." "Go now." "Greet your father." "Tiuri!" " Mother." "Darling, I was so afraid." "How is father?" "What does he think?" " I don't know." "It was hard for him." "Father..." "If you get another chance in four years time to stay in the chapel and someone asks for help what would you do?" "I'd do the same." "The same..." "I'm so sorry, father." "I'm so happy that you're here and that you're alive!" "That you're alive, my son." "I'm not a knight." "I heard you acted like one." "Not always." "Father..." "May I be your shield-bearer for four years?" "The king must decide." "And so our knights will guard the southern border with their men to stop the greedy ruler Viridian." "But in the letter I received from King Unauwen brought by Tiuri, the son of knight Tiuri there is more." "That is why now I ask him to step forward." "Tiuri son of Tiuri the Brave." "You know that in this palace shield-bearers are only knighted once every four years." "You wasted your chance." "If you hadn't heeded the call for help that night in the chapel then now just like the other four you'd be a knight." "But now you did and fulfilled your promise to the murdered Edwinem and as a result protected Unauwen and this land from disaster that prevents you being a knight?" "You were not knighted but have shown yourself to be a knight." "Even without a sword and shield." "...you can be a knight." "Give me your sword." "Kneel." "Knight Tiuri." "You receive the shield of Knight Edwinem of Forèstèrra." "The white shield also means that, at his express request you will serve King Unauwen because you protected both our lands from disaster." "Knight Tiuri stand up." "I promise to serve you faithfully as also your citizens and all needing help." "I promise to use my sword for good and against evil and to use my sword to protect those weaker than me." "Long live Tiuri with the white shield!" "Tiuri spent the night in the chapel to complete the last knight's challenge." "Now all he had seen was like a dream." "He thought of the people he had met." "Of his future as a knight and above all of Lavinia." "But that Piak should also choose to leave Menaures and be his shield-bearer he could not have hoped." "Is that Lavinia?" "Yes, that's her."