Lost Empire by Jeff Gunzel Page A

Queen’s request, then why did you?”
    The man looked quite amused all of sudden, even allowing himself a light chuckle. “Tell you what, laddy, I’ll give you a bit of advice. Words to live by. There are literally thousands of mistakes a man is capable of making. But rest assured, no matter who that man is, saying no to a Queen will always be in the top ten.” His smile widened just a bit more as he raised an eyebrow. “And saying no to that Queen will always be in the top three!”
    Their brief laughter was interrupted by a call from up on the deck. “And I suppose you all are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” There stood a lean man with his elbows propped up on the rail. He wore fancy black leather boots and long white socks that hid the bottom of his dark purple silk pants. Partially hidden beneath his white ruffled shirt and purple vest was a white leather belt with a large silver buckle shaped like a tiger’s head. Multiple hoops of gold and silver hung from his ears, revealed only because his long black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
    Lord Andry gestured up toward the man. “Captain Najus Svastith has been burdened with the task of trying to get you all to a land no one has ever even seen before. I fear he will never return.” He turned to the group and looked Eric squarely in the eye. “Lucky for you, Najus doesn’t fear anything. Now go, all of you, before this suicide mission draws any more attention that it already has. I need to begin working on an explanation for what the townsfolk are about to see.” A long flimsy plank lowered down from the boat as he spoke. He reached out and dropped a hand across Eric’s shoulder, prompting him to hold up.
    Jacob turned back one last time as the three walked toward the boat. “Just so you know, despite your warnings of impending doom, we have every intention of returning in one piece.”
    “ And I pray that you do,” Andry called back, “but I would never place a single coin on your odds.”
    Both Eric and Lord Andry watched them walk up the makeshift bridge as it jiggled and bounced under their weight. He waited to be sure they were all far enough away. “Listen here, son. I don’t know exactly what happened in Taron that fateful night, and with all these rumors and stories sweeping through my city, I don’t even think I want to know.” He sighed as he dropped his hand back to his side. “But this much I do know. The Queen is far from crazy, and certainly no fool. If she believes your importance is that great, then who am I to disagree with her?” He gestured toward the ship. “Those men up there are a bit rough around the edges, mind you, but they are a fine crew. If anyone can help you see this through, it’s them. Go now. I’ve fulfilled my promise to the Queen and owe her nothing else. May the Gods smile on you.”
    Eric stood tall and looked him in the eye. “I know you think this quest a fool’s quest, and maybe you’re right. But no matter what happens, I plan to see this through. I thank you for all you have done, and the Queen thanks you as well. If by some miracle we actually reach this land no one seems to know anything about, we will have you to thank. And believe me, it will never be forgotten.”
    As he watched Eric hurry after his friends up the jiggling plank and onto the deck of the massive ship, Lord Andry just shook his head and turned away. “Good luck...Gate Keeper. You will need it,” he mumbled to no one.
    Najus stood on the deck waiting for Eric to board. “Come on now,” he said impatiently while quickly leading Eric to a short stairway. “I know you have questions, and we will have nothing but time as soon as this beast hits the water. But for right now, we need to keep you out of sight and try to make this go as fast as possible. The smoother this goes, the shorter folks’ memories might be.”
    He nearly threw Eric down the steps before making a spinning hand gesture to the men wandering around the