The Tribulations of Major Crandall

     “You can’t let her go to Meridell, Morguss!” he snarled.

     “It’s for the Citadel, and you know that!” Morguss said, glancing at the large, dark oak doors behind them, and at the portraits overhead as though the citadel lords from ages past were eavesdropping on their conversation. “All for our revenge on Meridell…all to finish what Lord Darigan could not. Besides, did we not train her? Is she not the daughter of two of the most powerful spell-casters of the Citadel?”

     “But she’s…she’s still young, and she has never been to Meridell, let alone by herself!” The Aisha’s voice caught in his throat. “Can you stand sending her straight into Meridell Castle, on her own? Even if you can, I’ll speak to our lord – “

     He moved toward the doors, but Morguss stepped in front of them.

     “You have your orders, Crandall,” she said. “Do you plan to commit insubordination? You’re lucky no word of this shall reach Lord Kass.”

     Though Crandall’s features usually appeared…softer, kinder, than those of the average Darigan Aisha, his eyes flashed with such intensity that the Moehog flinched under her hood.

     “Is it insubordination for a father to worry about his daughter?” He gritted his teeth. “Are you not the least bit worried about Callista?”

     Morguss grinned. “Of course not. That girl has gifts far beyond her love for dancing. She will be the Citadel’s greatest weapon – stopping Meridell’s advance in its tracks without a fight. Callista has always been a natural, and she too wants to help bring peace to our land, once and for all.” The Moehog’s grin widened while Crandall’s wince deepened. “She’s growing up, Crandall. Becoming more powerful. In case you haven’t noticed.”

     An agonized hiss escaped Crandall’s lips.

     “For you to not worry about Callista…you are either extremely confident in her, or you are simply a heartless monster.” The Darigan Aisha made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “All these years of scheming and working behind the scenes must have hardened your heart.”

     “If becoming a monster is what it takes to restore Darigan Citadel to its former glory, then so be it.” Morguss shook her head and moved to open one of the doors. “Your heart, on the other hand, is too soft. It’s a wonder Lord Kass selected you for his council. You were right; we could never get along.”

     Crandall watched her leave the room. As soon as the door shut behind her, he whirled around toward the cracked mirror, drew back, and with an almighty growl, punched the glass into pieces without a care for the ensuing pain. Clutching his hand, which had already begun to heal under a gentle haze of emerald light, he stormed out of the chamber, banging the door in his wake.

     * * *

     “Milord!”

     In the Citadel’s war room, Lord Kass slowly turned from where he had been looking over a dossier proffered by a Darigan Usul. He thrust the papers back into the Usul’s claws and waved him away.

     “That will do, Spiketree. You are dismissed.”

     After the Usul bowed several times and scampered out of sight, Kass’ gaze hovered over Crandall, who placed his hand respectfully onto his chest and bowed with all the dignity of a high-ranking officer.

     “Major Crandall. You’re early for our meeting – even for you.”

     “Milord, before we begin, there’s just something I want to discuss.”

     “Let me guess. Is this about your daughter?”

     “Yes, sire,” said Crandall. “Please, milord, reconsider sending her to Meridell. At least, send her with an escort – or better yet, send me! I promise, I will return to the Citadel once she – “

     “You’re too late.”

     “What?” the Darigan Aisha blurted out before he could stop himself.

     “Callista is already on her way to Meridell,” said Kass tersely. Then, he grabbed Crandall’s wrist. “You are not to follow her. You are needed here.”

     “Sir – ah!”

     Crandall gasped as the grip on his wrist tightened.

     “I can change my mind and decide I don’t need you after all,” the Darigan Eyrie whispered dangerously. “You will stay here with my council. That’s an order, Major Crandall. Do I make myself clear?”

     Silence, as the Aisha steadied his breathing and rearranged his expression into something that was, hopefully, less desperate.

     “Good.”

     Kass let go of Crandall as other officers began filing into the room, taking their respective seats after their customary obeisance. Once everyone was seated, the Eyrie cut to the chase, turning over a blackboard to reveal a map and coordinates already written down on the other side. Drawn in the center was a rough sketch of Meridell Castle, and it was surrounded by various villages and locations, some of which were marked with X’s.

     “The Meridell knights have been sighted in these areas,” he said, gesturing to each one. “The Court Dancer will infiltrate the castle and ensure that no support from it reaches the knights. No reinforcements, nothing from their idiot king.”

     The “Court Dancer”? She has a name! But Crandall merely gritted his teeth and listened, making a mental note to speak to Morguss later about their daughter’s new…title.

     “Then, while she is putting on her show, we strike at the knights.” Kass pointed to a heavyset Darigan Chomby before turning his attention back on one of the biggest marked areas on the board. “You. Send the artillery team here. Break down the – Major Crandall, if this is about your daughter again, we already discussed this.” The Darigan Eyrie narrowed his eyes dangerously.

     A Darigan Yurble shook his head. “Major Crandall’s daughter has more spine than he does.”

     Crandall scowled at him before facing Kass. “Milord, that place…it’s a designated neutral zone. For the sick, the injured, and the civilians.”

     “And?”

     “Sir, they aren’t the enemies, they are – “

     “Are you trying my patience again, Major Crandall?” Kass roared, slamming his fist into the board without a care for chalk smudges.

     “Sir, it’s just, they were established by Lord Darigan and King – “

     “Weak leaders, both illiterate in the ways of war.” After dusting the chalk off his hand, Kass approached Crandall and glared at him.

     But after a deep breath, the Darigan Aisha stood up from his place, eliciting a ripple of uncertain, nervous chatter. Only Lieutenant Thaddeus, the Yurble, watched them quietly.

     “As I said, milord, they aren’t our enemies,” said Crandall, his hands clenching into fists. “As your Chief Healer and a field medic – “

     Everyone gasped as Kass slapped Crandall, who stumbled and clutched his face. Bright green fire blazed from his hand to his cheek.

     “As my Chief Healer,” hissed Kass, “you are in no position to tell me who are our enemies and who aren’t. Who is to say those weaklings won’t turn against us and aid the enemy in the future? They’re only liabilities. Your power is best used to fortify our army for the war against Meridell. Conserve it. Didn’t Morguss tell you anything?”

     “Speaking up against our lord,” Thaddeus commented, shaking his head condescendingly. “Sire, perhaps he should be punished for running his mouth?”

     Lord Kass looked at him as though pondering this option, but finally, he gazed at the Aisha, who was seated again, glowering but silent.

     “No,” said Kass. “But if he steps out of line, one more time…I shall find a new Chief Healer.”

     * * *

     Just because the hamlet of Turdle Creek was known to be a neutral zone did not mean it was completely defenseless. As soon as Crandall set foot into it, his scarlet eyes, sharp fangs and purple fur in full view, the peasant militia and a couple of Meridell knights immediately pointed their weapons at him.

     He unclipped a badge marked with a white-bound potion bottle from his cloak.

     “I mean you no harm,” he said. “I’ve come to warn you that Lord Kass will not respect the neutral zones Lord Darigan and King Skarl established in the last war, nor will he create new ones.”

     “And why should we believe you?” the Ixi knight asked, not lowering their lance. A murmur of assent rippled through the hostile crowd. “You are Darigan, are you not?”

     “I may be Darigan, but I am also a healer sworn to protect those in need.” The Darigan Aisha placed his other hand on his chest. “What reason would I have to lie to you?”

     A Nimmo in patched overalls hissed, prodding Crandall in the side with a rake. “To lure us away from our base, that’s what!”

     Others joined in, agreeing with the Nimmo.

     “Liar!”

     “A spy for Kass, is what you are!”

     “You’re not fooling any of us with your fake healer act!”

     “Please, just because I’m a Darigan – “ Crandall managed to dodge a rock thrown toward his head but found himself knocked down by the Ixi’s lance swung at his legs. As he got back onto his feet and scanned the combatants for someone, anyone, who might listen to him, the sight of several bows drawn back and pointed toward him told him to simply cut and run. Perhaps, he thought to himself, there was time for Turdle Creek to reconsider. From the corner of his eye, he thought he saw a few Neopians usher themselves out of a cluster of huts.

     Crandall sighed. Or, he thought bitterly, they simply wanted nothing to do with the strange Darigan Aisha wandering into their hamlet.

     After consulting a map, he looked up at a path that wound toward Meridell Castle. Here and there were peasants, guardsmen and knights who were holding off the soldiers of Lord Kass’ army, but even if Turdle Creek did not listen to him, others probably wouldn’t dismiss his healer’s badge as fakery, and would refuse to lay a hand on him.

     But what about my daughter? Will she listen to me? Or would she rather listen to Morguss?

     He felt a twinge of dread in his heart; there was a chance his real mission would fail, and he would have to return, dejectedly, to Darigan Citadel. But he was already here after successfully sneaking out of the Citadel despite Kass’ instructions for him to remain there. There was no turning back now.

     Crandall soldiered on. He ducked behind trees, cast hasty glamours over himself, and at one point threw himself behind the nearest bush, pricking himself on the thorns. But one brief wave of emerald magic later, he was good as new, and several paces away from the nearest castle window. The Aisha was quick to close the distance, green flames pooling into his palm and taking the shape of a long dagger.

     I just need to see that you’re safe.

     Crouching down and peering through the window glass, he saw several figures move here and there. Nobles in their frippery, the castle servants cleaning up after them, not a few knights and guards in their livery. One brown Aisha caught his attention, and he couldn’t help but follow her with his gaze. Lithe body, long auburn hair, the glittering, piercing green eyes that had a familiar look about them, and the tambourine, the tambourine she carried…

     “Callista!” Crandall said out loud before he could stop himself.

     “Traitor!”

     He whipped around at the sound of the voice and thrust instinctively with his dagger of verdant fire, but his hand was hit by a barbed spear, and the dagger dissipated into the air as Crandall fell onto the grass, staring up at the Darigan Yurble who had struck him, flanked by two of Kass’ elite Eyrie Guards.

     “You thought no one would notice you were gone?” Thaddeus hissed, leveling the spear toward Crandall’s heart. “You know word travels fast within the fortress. And it’s not hard to notice when a sniveling Chief Healer has vanished.”

     “Thaddeus, please,” Crandall pleaded. “I just wanted to see my daughter. I wanted to see if she was okay.”

     “You were also sighted entering Turdle Creek. Were you warning them about our lord’s plans?” one of the Eyrie Guards asked, with an expression like stone. “Lieutenant Thaddeus is correct. You are a traitor.”

     “No, no!” The Eyries laid hold of him and began pulling him away from Meridell Castle. “Please, I wasn’t giving away anything! Besides, they took one look at me and wanted nothing to do with me!”

     “You know what Lord Kass does to traitors,” said Thaddeus. He swung his spear toward Crandall’s head, and as the pole found its mark, the Darigan Aisha lost consciousness.

     Callista…Callista…if that was you…

     Your father loves you, no matter where you are…no matter what happens…

     * * *

     The landscape of Meridell was spread out below the Citadel – a normally nice view, if Meridell was not plunged into war, and if Crandall was not gripped tightly by the collar of his shirt over the edge. The Darigan Aisha’s heart raced as he wondered if – no, when Lord Kass would let him go.

     “You disobeyed my orders to stay within the Citadel until I gave the word,” Kass hissed into Crandall’s ears. “You fraternized with the enemy, betrayed our plans, and then you were apprehended near Meridell Castle. Are you defecting to the other side?” He extended his arm, so Crandall was forced forward, teetering on the brink. One push, one mere wind breath…

     “No,” Crandall whispered hoarsely. “But milord…please, let me say something. Just one thing.”

     “I was going to ask you for your last words anyway. Fine.” Roughly, the Darigan Eyrie pulled him back, but did not relinquish his grip.

     Crandall took a deep breath and said, “Milord. When those Meridellian knights stole the Orb, they didn’t care what would happen to us. But now, are we not doing the same to the civilians who probably don’t even know the real story? Who aren’t even fighting against us now? And the neutral zones I mentioned before…our troops are treated there too. If we mount a full-scale invasion of Meridell, our own people will be caught in the crossfire! And Meridell Castle…my daughter, she’s there…”

     Lord Kass groaned, whirled around, and threw the Aisha. Crandall braced himself and shut his eyes tightly – only to feel himself thudding onto solid ground, at his leader’s feet.

     “Pathetic,” said Kass, his glare deepening as he kicked Crandall. “Even now, you still think you know more of war than I do. There is no room on this Citadel for soft, sniveling fools.” After kicking the healer one more time, he added, “Leave.”

     “W-What?”

     “Leave!” Kass bellowed. “Leave the Citadel and never return! Go, live with your fellow fools and weaklings! See if anyone below will even take you in!” He laughed coldly, mirthlessly.

     Crandall didn’t know it was possible for his heart to beat even faster now, as he slowly got back up onto shaky feet.

     “Get out of my sight! Don’t let me see you again!”

     * * *

     “Crandall?”

     The Darigan Aisha blinked, and he remembered where he was – at the infirmary of one of Meridell’s most remote villages, not known for a lot, except maybe for a line of warriors whose fame and legendary deeds ensured that no one ever forgot the village’s name.

     And he was at the front desk, facing an elderly white Blumaroo with a large basket of fruit.

     “Oh…I-I’m sorry, Melissa, I must have dozed off,” he said, managing an amused smile as he adjusted his glasses and took the basket. “Thank you for the fruit. The other healers and nurses will appreciate it.”

     “You’re welcome.” Melissa nodded. “It’s just our family’s way of giving back to you and everyone at the infirmary. It seems like only yesterday you settled down at Trestin after the war...and you never did say when you’ll ever return to Darigan Citadel.”

     “There’s nothing left for me there, I’m afraid.” Crandall shook his head. “I’m just glad Trestin welcomed me with open arms. No, I’m the one who should be giving back, especially since one of the first to speak up to allow me to stay here was…the late Sir Reynold. Your…”

     Melissa’s smile became melancholy. “Yes…and I know he would be happy, if he could see you now. Anyway, I have to go. Andrea’s family is visiting again, and I’m going to the marketplace to stock up on some vegetables.” The Blumaroo waved to him before leaving the infirmary.

     Sir Reynold…who would’ve thought one of Meridell’s greatest heroes would be the first to welcome me to his home?

     Crandall sighed, folding his arms on the counter and staring out the window at the mountain range that sheltered Trestin. From here, it was harder to see the Darigan Citadel as it hovered in the sky.

     Should I have returned to the Citadel? Who knows, maybe Lord Darigan will have mercy on me. But…

     He placed a hand over his heart.

     No one knows where Callista went, after the war. Even after all these years looking for her, I don’t know where she is. Maybe she’s better off without me.

     Still, if only I could see her one more time…

     The End.