Chapter 11

We stared at the completed map. It showed several overlapping circles with the time delays the King experienced.

"What made you think there would be a bigger pause before whispers from farther away?" I asked my wife.

"When your husband adventures all over the Kingdom, you begin to notice such things." She smiled, shrugging off the compliment, then pointed to the spot on the map where all the circles overlapped. "She is here, inside the walls of Buya."

"Just north of the West Gate, and 'it smells like death', " I said to no one in particular.

"That creepy old haunted house?" Alladin suggested.

We all looked at each other and nodded.

"Your Majesty," I said, bowing to the old man. "We now have a very good lead to the whereabouts of your daughter; however, we do not have a clue as to the identity or nature of her captors. Please, Your Majesty, tell no one where we are searching."

"As you wish, Lord Gareth," the King nodded to me. "Must be all this fresh air; I haven't felt this well for weeks."

Indeed, the greenish tinge had left his cheeks. I whispered to Blaster a second, the asked, "Would it be all right if Muse Blaster cast a few Heal spells on you? I assure you that he is a wonderful Healer."

But of course he may, Lord Gareth," the King replied. "I have had many such spells cast on me. I always seem to grow weak again, though."

I nodded to the mage, and he cast a volley of anti-poison spells. Every cure he knew hit the King, followed by his strongest Heal spell, Water of Life. The King seemed healthier; he was less confused and his eyes were clearer.

"I feel much better," the King said. "If only it would last."

"Perhaps Your Highness could use this time of newly gained health to make a few public appearances," Pteri suggested. "Your people must have heard disturbing rumors as to your health. They probably already have you at the grave."

"What a marvelous idea! You are a very sensible, and charming, young woman. We just so happen to be outside Yunsil Tavern, too, one of my favorite places. Did you know they serve these wonderful little sausages there?" the King seemed to be his old self again. He had always had an appetite.

I instructed the rest of the party to get re-supplied and meet in front of the "haunted house." Pteri and I accompanied the King into the Tavern, where a number of peasants and commoners sat around tables drinking. In the middle of the tavern, a large party of hearty drinkers, mostly Nobles, had surrounded a very tall man dressed in aqua colored armor. I recognized him immediately, and apparently, so had the King.

"Prince M'hul!" King Senshi called to the tall man. "Well met! Buya greets you."

"Your Majesty!" M'hul pushed his way through his hangers-on to bow before the Buyan King. "You look well, Your Majesty. I had heard you were ill. I am pleased to see you are doing better!"

"As am I, M'hul," Senshi said as he grabbed him by the arm and led him to a private table. I followed along but suggested to Pteri that she go fill our supplies and send over the innkeeper for our orders. She always hated listening to men boast while they drank.

After a few minutes of wine and barely edible sausages (though Senshi was on his second plate) I asked M'hul, "So, old friend. Why ever did you tell Morgan that I was the man for this quest?"

M'hul looked at me with a confused expression, glanced at the King who was flirting with a young lady in a revealing Sohni dress, then replied, "I told that weasel Morgan that you were an incompetent old fool with an undeserved reputation. I figured you wouldn't mind the slander if it kept scum like that off your back."

I laughed, "He said you recommended me!"

"Had to be the worst recommendation I have ever given. Sorry old friend," M'hul seemed uncomfortable, but I reassured him that he had done the right thing. "How is the quest going? Any leads?"

I told him what had happened so far and that we had a pretty good idea as to the location of her prison. We would be meeting there as soon as we were all re-supplied.

"What are we waiting for?" He boomed, getting to his feet, "I haven't bloodied my armor all day!"

Why not? I thought, Blaster was plenty good enough of a healer for two Warriors, and Pteri can pretty much take care of herself.

"If you want to come, you are welcome," I said cautiously, "However, it may be a long search, and the Princess might not be in that great of shape when we find her. She has been without food and water for two weeks."

"I know just the thing she needs," M'hul replied, "Waiter! Another round of those sausages... To Go!"