Silver and Light

by J. R. Castle

  “Don’t hurt them,” Darnel was saying. “Just tie them both up. Then you go get the carriage while I keep them quiet. Bring back a couple of those blankets Koloman keeps under the seats. We’ll take them back to the farm and deal with them there.”

  The ropes circled Kardia’s arms and legs, tightening around her neck if she tried to fight and easing when she grew still. The bindings reminded her of Jael’s silver rope. She huddled beside Kellie who whimpered as if finally realizing that all the stories and warnings she’d heard about wizards were true.

  * * * *

  “I seriously doubt that wizards have infiltrated Rodon,” Leon was saying. The nods of his advisers showed they agreed with him.

  Except for Naton, who sat quietly, staring down at his clasped hands while Jael Azazel related his story about the disturbing visitor passing through the Melodies Forest.

  “I don’t think you understand, Sire.” Jael began pacing, his hooves clomping over the stone floor. “She saw into his mind and heart. They were…related somehow. She called him Darsiderous, and she said he is in league with the Brethren Order. She didn’t see his whole plan, but he had on his person a potion that will control the mind of anyone who drinks it.”

  Leon pulled out the chair beside Naton and sat. “What are you thinking my friend? Is what the faun says a possibility?”

  He drew in a breath. “A probability, I fear. I’ve had ill feelings about the maiden Koloman brought you. Her reluctance to come inside the Hall, for one. But I’ve also been concerned over Koloman’s actions himself. He also rarely comes inside and when he does, he seems nervous and on edge. The other day, I found him in the library, talking, no ranting to himself about something that made no sense. He had books about the White Tree spread across the table in front of him, and he’d been writing notes in a book. A book he quickly closed when I approached him.”

  “What did Koloman say?” Leon asked.

  “Nothing. Said he was researching some facts, that’s all. I invited him to join me for lunch, and he said he was late for an appointment. He left, and didn’t even bother to return the books to their shelves, which is not like him at all.”

  Leon leaned back in the chair, his mind trying to work out what all this might mean. Koloman wouldn’t… no, he’d never sink to such a low. He had a Medallion! He could enter the Halls! However, Lady Anabelle… that was a different story. She often wanted to take the back streets or wooded paths when they walked together. And she had never shown him her Medallion. Perhaps Brock was right, and she didn’t have one.

  “But how would Lady Anabelle…she does not look like a wizard. Nor does her guardian, Mr. Darson.”

  Jael leaned his fists on the table. “Darson sounds a lot like Darsiderous. I believe Guardian Emmalyn said he has been going by the name Darnel for some time now to hide his true identity.”

  Zoppel spoke up then. “Darsiderous would be a Logorian name if I’m not mistaken.”

  One of the faeries made a loud chirping noise as she flew circles around Jael’s head. “Right, Amalite, she did say that.” He looked at each of them and translated, “The name is Logorian. He is the Guardian Emmalyn’s nephew. Her brother… well, he fell in love with a Curian and together they had Darsiderous. He’s quite powerful, without the aid of Wizards. And intent on rising to power and taking over this land in order to pay back his people and bring harm to the King.”

  “But,” Leon started, thinking none of this made sense. “Why would someone like that join with the Brethren Order? And why would he, I mean, what would he be doing with a potion that would allow him to control someones… oh, wait.”

  Things began clicking into place. His scattered thoughts. His not remembering words he said or promises she’d insisted that he’d made.

  “She’s failed to control me, hasn’t she?” He stood again. “I knew I never asked her to unite with me! I don’t even like her. At least, I didn’t think I liked her.” He pressed his hands to his head. “No wonder I’ve been so confused of late. What is she? A wizard? Enchantress? Witch? What?”

  The faerie made another series of chirps. Jael translated. “If she’s been trying to bend your will, there’s a chance she’s an elf, though she’d have to be full-blooded.” He shook his shaggy head at the faerie as it landed on the table and sat on top of an ink pot. “I’ve never heard of elves associating with wizards, not full-blooded ones, anyway.” Jael listened to her for a second with a shrug of his shoulder. “She says it’s not unheard of. Faeries know these things. Amalite is a Visionary Fae and can see things others can’t.”

  A round of gasps came from Leon’s advisers. He also was in awe of being in the presence of such a creature and humbled that she agreed to come along to help the faun. Their future must be dire for her to involve herself, but he knew better than to ask.

  Leon reached into his pocket and withdrew the note Lady Anabelle had sent him that morning after he’d bid farewell to Brock. “Well, Anabelle wishes to meet me in town today. She told me where to meet with her. Gather a couple of guards and let’s see if she’s there and if she is, we’ll bring her in for questioning.”

  * * * *

  The two wizards argued over using some kind of potion to control Kardia and Kellie who continued to struggle and scream until they shoved a wad of cloth into her mouth. Both of them lay face down on the path, their hands tied behind their backs and legs bound. Darnel didn’t seem to want to waste his potion. The last thing Kardia remembered was the blow to her head.

  When Kardia awoke, she was in a different place. Rough wood and dirt scratched at her cheek. The movement from the swaying carriage brought her back to her senses. Kellie lay beside her, a trickle of blood coursing down her cheek. She was still out. Above her, the couple talked in hurried whispers. The woman’s sharp heels jabbed into her back painfully.

  “We cannot allow them to live,” the elf woman was saying. “Besides, we can use their energy. Darnel, what is wrong with you, my love? We need to do this.”

  “You’re right, I know you are,” he said, sounding disdainful. “But I can’t do it without Fajer. We’ll have to bring him along.”

  Kellie’s eyes started to flutter open. Kardia slowly shook her head, hoping the girl wouldn’t kick up a fuss. But her eyes closed again. If only she could reach up and heal the cut to stop the bleeding, but that gift was gone.

  Shaydon, I believe you listen, even if we’ve not formally met yet. Help me find a way to get Kellie out of this mess. She’s too young and too precious to be taken this way. Don’t you think?

  The woman’s heel dug deeper into Kardia’s back as she leaned forward. “I say we let Fajer call forth the pit demon, then let it take him as well. This Sano,” she jabbed her foot deeper into Kardia’s flesh. “Is useless to us. You should have let me kill her.”

  Whatever he said in response was drowned out by the clomping of the horses as they crossed over a wooden bridge.

  * * * *

  Leon called for his horse. Naton offered to ride along with him. They sent Samuel to deliver a message to the General requesting he gather a few men to accompany him into town. He’d added in his note his suspicion that wizards had infiltrated the city and might be in collusion with Koloman. If anyone saw the former adviser, they were to bring him to the Meeting Hall for questioning.

  By the time Leon’s group was saddled and ready, General Gailad was waiting at the gate with half a dozen of his men. He gave the faun and the faeries a strange look but said nothing to their presence. Smart man.

  Gailad gripped tightly to the horse’s reins. “I’ve sent a unit out to Koloman’s house and farm, Regent. There have been rumors about strange guests staying at the country manor from his farm hands.

  “Thank you,” Leon said with a nod as he urged his horse toward the main road. So many people were mulling about for the festival, they had to pick their way along the cobblestone road carefully. When they reached Koloman’s townhouse, nobody answered their loud knocks on the door.r />
  General ordered two of his men to head down the alley and search the back entrance. “If that old wretch is up to no good, he’ll try to find a way to avoid speaking to us.”

  The faun Jael who’d walked along beside the horsemen searched the area. The two faeries accompanying him darted around his head like angry bees. “Why do you say that, Amalite? Little Bit said she was going to the White City, not here.”

  The mention of someone wanting to go to Aloblase drew Leon’s attention to the faun’s conversation. Before he could inquire about their discussion, his name being shouted above the clamoring of the crowd stopped him.

  “Regent Leonard! Regent, Sir, please, we need your help, Sir.” A young woman with raven black hair pushed through the crowd. He couldn’t remember her name but knew her from the gardening staff. She was friends of Kardia’s. He dismounted when she neared.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” He hated how bad he was with names.

  She offered a quick bow. “I’m Nellie, your head gardener, Sir. My sister, she’s missing. So is Kardia, Sir. They were taking the geese to market this morning. Something’s happened on the way there. I found this on the path,” she held up a pink ribbon like girls often wore in their hair. “And the geese have been left abandoned. I found them wandering around in the woods. Poor things were frightened silly.” She wrung the ribbon between her hands. “Can you help me, Sir? I must find my sister.”

  Leon placed his hands on her shoulders. “At ease, Nellie.” Maybe if he said it a few times the name would finally sink in. “Did you say that your sister was with Kardia? Are you sure they were together?”

  “Yes, Sir. They left early this morning to take the geese to market. But as I said, I found the geese. They never made it Sir. And…and…” She sucked in a deep breath. Her concerned eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m sure I saw blood.” Tears trickled down her cheek. “If anything happened to—”

  Naton, who’d been listening in offered, “Perhaps one of them fell and scraped something, so they left to seek out a Healer?”

  Jael grabbed the girl by the arm, a little roughly by Leon’s standards, but before he could push the faun away, he was asking, “Did I hear you mention someone named Kardia? No hands? Blond hair?”

  Nellie gasped as if frightened by the creature. Leon put a comforting arm about her shoulders. “Take care, Faun. Kardia and Nellie are indeed good friends.”

  His hands covered his mouth. “Little Bit? Here? Take me to the place you found that ribbon, girl. Amalite will be able to tell what happened. Take us there, this instant.”

  Must Jael be so demanding? Leon reminded himself that he was dealing with someone wild and would need to exert more patience. “You can ride with me, Nellie. We’ll all go and check this together. If you’ll please direct us back to the spot where you think they disappeared?”

  General Gailad insisted on remaining at Leon’s side, along with a few of his men,

  “I’m staying till we solve this mystery, Sir,” Gailad insisted. “I’ve sent back one of my men to round up another group to search the city and country for Koloman and the strangers he’s been entertaining.”

  A few of the General’s men remained at the townhouse. If Koloman returned, they’d be ready for him. The rest of them followed Nellie until they were behind the city. He’d forgotten about these wooded trails that skirted the edge of the forest.

  Nellie called everyone to a stop, pointing to the spot on the ground where she’d found the ribbon. Two geese waddled out from the woods, honking with agitation over being left behind.

  “There’s a lot of footprints in the dirt over there. But I can’t—”

  Jael spread out his arms, “Everyone stay put. Let me and the faeries have a look around if you please.” The faeries zoomed around, chirping and whistling as they examined crumpled leaves, turned rocks and broken twigs. All the while, Jael would say, “Yes, yes, a man’s foot for sure.” He sniffed at a leaf one brought to him. “That’s her. That’s Little Bit’s scent.” He glanced around him, turning in a circle on his hooves. “Where have they taken her? And the child? Oh, the geese. Amalite, ask the geese! Surely they saw what happened!”

  The faeries darted over to the closest goose. It ducked and turned circles as if trying to avoid being touched by them. One of the glowing Fae managed to land on its head while the other perched on the beak. More chirps and whistles came.

  “Well?” Leon asked, wishing he’d learned how to speak Fae. There’d been classes, but he’d thought them a waste of time.

  The goose flapped its wings. Nellie scolded it and bent to help hold him still. “Berty, stop fussing and tell them what you know, silly.”

  Was he the only one who found asking a goose questions strange? Leon glanced at General Gailad who shook his head in disbelief. Naton didn’t seem as surprised, but he seemed more intuitive than the other advisers. Leon would need to pay more attention to him. He was often the quietest yet most thoughtful of the group. And it seemed, most aware of what was really going on in his city.

  Wizards! Leon still had trouble grasping that they’d somehow managed to enter the capital. This was supposed to be a safe place. He rested his arm over his horse, Stormbolt’s neck, realizing he certainly had his work cut out for him.

  “Regent, the goose said they came upon two people on the path. The herder, which is what Amalite translated the goose’s word for Kardia, was attacked by the man. The elf knocked out both girls and tied them up.”

  Leon gasped. Could it be true? “What did this elf look like?”

  The question was passed on to the goose. Jael smiled and shook his head with a chuckle. “My apologies, Sire. Fowl always have their own unique way of describing things. He said the elf wore dandelions and clouds. Which means, her dress was probably yellow with white trimming. Not what I’d expect an elf to be wearing. Strange, if you ask me.”

  “Lady Anabelle,” he turned to Naton. “She has a dress of that color. It has to be her and Mr. Darson. Or whatever his real name is. How could this have happened?”

  General Gailad turned to his second in command. “Micks, return to base and gather more men to scour the streets. Henley, send out the word to close the gates. Nobody leaves today. Or enters, for that matter. Not until we clear this matter. All carriages and wagons must be checked.” To his remaining men, he said, “Bruks and Collin, divide your men and begin scouting the borderlands. Micks, be sure to send a large contingent out to Koloman’s farm. We’ll meet them there. Leon, I think that’s where we should go. I’m almost sure he’s involved in this somehow.”

  “I agree,” Naton said with a nod. “Perhaps the faun can do a bit more scouting to see if he can pick up a wagon or horse tracks. He seems to know one of the young women’s scent.”

  “Indeedy I do, sirs. I know a wizard hurt her once, I’ll not stand by while it happens again.” The faerie Amalite whistled in agreement. “Well, Amalite, I’m not sure about her being important to the Kingdom, but she is to me. She called me friend, and I aim to show her I’m worthy of that title.” Jael waved Leon to follow him. “Let’s go, Regent, Sir.”

  “Nellie, perhaps you should return home and—”

  “No! I have to find my sister. She’s an Illuminate, Sire. If a wizard got her….”

  The other men paused at this information. Leon’s heart stumbled over a beat or two. He’d heard tales and knew they were true, especially after their encounter with the Order in Tarrest. Had Riyah received his message yet? Would he return to Rodon right away? He sent up a petition to King Shaydon, hoping somehow Riyah would make haste.

  Leon had no clue how he and his men could fight against wizards without the help of the Elderad!

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Kardia,” Kellie’s voice whimpered, “What’ll they do with us?”

  Their two captors had left the carriage, though she knew someone stood guard near the open door. The elf started to rip off her fancy dress the moment they exited, saying she’d need to f
ind her real clothes.

  Kardia was sure Darnel stood beside the door. “Don’t let the old man know we have them. Get Fajer to come alone,” he called out after her.

  Kardia’s heart raced at the mention of that name. Would he end up killing her after all? Well, she had nothing left to offer him. But Kellie did. Somehow, she had to figure out a way to help Kellie escape. Lifting her head, she tried to peer out the open carriage door, wondering if there was some way… but a shadow fell over the opening before the door flew open and the bald man with the red tattoos stared down at them, his wide-eyed expression gloating.

  “Well, see? My contracts do not return void. You belonged to me, Sano, and here you are back in my hands once again. I told you it was foolish to fight. And you’ve brought a friend. That should help pay the debt you owe me, stupid child,” He raised his hand as if he intended to smack her, but Darnel pushed him away from the door.

  Kardia managed to push herself up, using the bench seat to brace her back. “I have nothing left to give you, sorcerer. I lost everything when I lost my hands.”

  Both Darnel and Fajer looked at her, as if perplexed. A slow grin spread over Fajer’s face. “You are more ignorant than I first believed. Do you think you’ve lost your gifts? Foolish child! Your gift is part of who you are. You can’t lose it. Well, not until your life ends, that is.”

  Kardia gasped. The book Leon had given her had said as much. But she’d not been able to…. It had to be wrong. Except the wizard confirmed what the book said.

  Still, if he thought her useful… “Then let my friend go. Take me—”

  “Silence!” Darnel warned, his gaze darting nervously toward the house.

  Fajer shook his head. “Oh no, the Illuminate is much more valuable than you, Sano. However, since you stripped me of all my powers with your little stunt, I’ll accept both of you as payment.”

  He slammed the door and locked it. Kardia heard Fajer barking orders for the elf woman to climb on back. The carriage rocked as the drivers were ordered down.