Chapter 29

Tokint was in his room dancing about the room with his new found strength. He hadn't felt this good in years. He heard the door creak so he leapt into bed covering himself up careful to look as invalid as he could. When he saw that it was Amidal he displayed a big smile. She gestured him to be silent and locked the door behind her. She came close to him and whispered, "I must bid thee farewell dear brother. Your wife demands my life in the morning if I do not produce your son."

"I shall accompany you, my sister. I am recovered enough to travel long." He arose from the bed demonstrating his strength and agility.

"Please, Tokint; be still." She whispered. "You must be careful not to alarm her yet." He complied by returning to bed. "We will leave tonight through the escape routes placed by Queen Bayla. Do you remember them?" He tried to respond but she put her hand to his lips and whispered "Ears are ever listening." He nodded. "Then rise at midnight, dear brother and meet me in the corridor of chambers." He nodded again and she escaped his room through the secret passage way.

Amri unlocked the door to his room and entered just after Amidal had slipped out. The king was found in his usual vegetative state. Pleased that she had maintained her control over his illness she gloated and gleamed as she told him her full plan of attack upon the rebels. She explained how she had sent the army out to destroy those resistant to her reign and how she planned to do away with Amidal for her insolence. He glared at her through empty eyes behind a motionless body. He longed to reach out take her life right then but he knew that wasn't the plan. He had to follow the plan. She padded around the room examining the pictures on the walls as if looking for something she had lost. He didn't understand her actions but remained careful not to allow himself to follow her with his eyes. She seemed to inspect the entire chamber before she was satisfied. Gleefully she left him to his lonely room, locking the door behind her. He could hear her speak to the guards through the door, "Be sure no enters or leaves this room. The king is not well. I fear he may not survive much longer." 'If she only knew how well I was' he thought to himself.

He waited alert until just before midnight. He arose from bed and retreated from his room through the same passage way Amidal had used. He found his way through the winding corridor until he came to a large chamber under the castle. There he met with Amidal and a few of the guards that had chosen to accompany their leader that night. They went as quickly as they could to the meeting tents in the northern plains. They arrived at Lily's tent just before dawn. Tokint fell prostrate before Lily, "I am your humble servant, Queen Lily. The crown, I return to your family. May you forgive my inability to protect it as I have vowed."

"Rise, Tokint, friend of the crown." Lily softly spoke to him. "You have served the crown to the best of your ability. That is all that has ever been expected. Your service will not go unrecognized."

"Thank you, my Queen. You are most gracious. May the Great Spirit bless you." He notice his son standing near by Lily and added. "I pray my son has been in your service during his long absence from his home."

"Aye, sir. That he has. Come Toame, meet with your father." She took Toame's hand and presented him to Tokint. "He is my husband and is to be your king."

Tokint took his son's hand and bowed respectfully to him. Toame caused him to rise and embraced him. It was the first time he had seen his father in nearly fourteen years for he had been forbidden to visit him during his illness. They held the embrace and wept for joy.