Forest Kingdom Trilogy 2 - Blood and Honor

truth you always have to remember here. Castle Midnight needs a King. Any King.' He stretched slowly, and shook his head. His chain-mail rustled softly, as though protesting. 'Let's go. And Jordan ... I wouldn't mention Elizabeth's death to Viktor. Not just yet. It had better be our secret, for the time being.'
    Jordan nodded, and he and Sir Gawaine left the room and made their way back down the corridor. The Unreal was gone, and the West Wing was nothing more than cold stone and warm lamplight. There was a peaceful stillness to the air, like the calm after a thunderstorm has passed. Jordan felt a slow wave of tiredness moving through his body as tense muscles gradually unwound, but even so he wasn't fooled by appearances. Behind the air of normality, the Unreal was still there, waiting.
    Jordan and Sir Gawaine found the rest of their party waiting for them back at the barricade. Captain Doyle and his men were looking after the exhausted Steward and Mother Donna, while Cord stood guard a little distance away. Taggert had one arm heavily bandaged, but was well enough to be arguing fiercely with Doyle as to whether or not she was fit enough to return to duty. The two of them broke off and looked round as the guards raised a cheer on seeing Jordan and Gawaine. Many willing hands helped to pull the barricade apart and make an opening for the returning heroes. Wee Geordie and the ghost dog were jumping up and down excitedly, and apparently vying with each other to see who could make the most noise. Gawaine took it all rather brusquely, but Jordan was in his element. It had been a while since he'd known adulation like this, and he intended to enjoy it while it lasted. He clapped Doyle on the shoulder, and smiled magnanimously at the guards.
    'The gateway's been destroyed,' he said loudly, and grinned at Taggert. 'You should have a slightly easier time of it for a while, Steward.'
    Taggert grinned back at him, and moved forward to stand before him. 'You saved my life, your highness.
    Hell; you saved all our lives. I don't know what happened while you were in exile, but I thank God for it.
    You've come back a fine and honourable man, Viktor, and I'm proud to serve under you.'
    She drew her sword and raised it in the ancient warrior's oath of fealty. There was a clash of steel as the guards raised their swords too, and then one by one they knelt and bowed their heads to Jordan. Captain Doyle and Captain Blood knelt with their men, their faces proud and glowing and just a little awed.
    Taggert and Damon Cord and Mother Donna sank to one knee, and bowed their heads. Jordan had a strong feeling that things were starting to get out of hand. He looked to Sir Gawaine for advice, and found the knight was kneeling too. Jordan looked away, and found Wee Geordie and the bloodhound looking at him worshippingly. He swallowed hard, and waved weakly at them all with his hands.
    'Thank you, my friends. I only did my duty. Now get up. Please.'
    They got to their feet, adulation and respect still shining from their faces. Jordan felt decidedly nervous.
    Without quite knowing how, he'd raised a spirit here that wouldn't easily be dispelled, and he had no business doing so. He wasn't a Prince, just a paid actor doing his job. He looked almost wildly about him for a distraction, and his gaze fell on Geordie and the bloodhound. An idea that had been simmering at the back of his mind for some time finally took shape, and he walked over to the two ghosts.
    'Geordie, I think I know how we can find your mother for you. Do you know what kind of a dog this is?
    He's a bloodhound, bred and trained specially to track people by their scent. If we can just find something that used to belong to your mother, I think this clever dog might be able to lead us right to her.'
    The young boy's face lit up, and he ran forward and threw his arms round Jordan's waist. He hugged Geordie tightly in return, feeling tears forming in his eyes. No child should have to endure what Wee Geordie had gone through for so many years. Sir Gawaine stepped forward, and cleared his throat politely.
    'I beg pardon for intruding, your highness, but might I have a word with you?'
    'Qf course, Gawaine.' Jordan eased himself free from the young ghost's embrace. 'I won't be a moment, Geordie, and then we'll make a start.'
    He moved over to Sir Gawaine, who carefully lowered his voice.
    'Are you sure you know what you're doing? The Lady Mary of Fenbrook has been dead and buried for