Heart of the Staff - Complete Series

by Carol Marrs Phipps

  “Fiddlesticks!” she said with a merry giggle. “With it or without it.” When she saw his shocked look, she took his hand. “Oh, my dear, dear, Fuzz. I can absolutely promise you that Father will approve wholeheartedly.”

  “But how could you possibly be so certain?”

  “Because, my love, after the fiasco over James, my parents and I came to an understanding. They granted me the right to choose my own husband. In fact, they will let me choose whether I marry at all. So mark me, we will be married.”

  Fuzz squeezed her hand joyously. “Even so,” he said, “King Hebraun and Queen Minuet deserve being asked for your hand as is respectful and proper.”

  “Certainly,” said Rose.

  “There is one other matter, Rose,” said Fuzz, going sober.

  “Oh?”

  “Edward.”

  Compassion filled Rose's eyes. “You want to finish raising him?”

  “Yes, if he so wishes. Would that make a difference in your acceptance of me?”

  “No. I would merely have one more person to love and to share my life with.”

  “You're wonderful. Then since we sail in the morning, would you mind if we go find him and ask him, now?”

  “Of course I don't mind. And, I'll bet he's in the nursery. I hear the dragonets, awake and carrying on, and Edward loves to be in amongst them.

  “To the nursery then,” said Fuzz, as he rose and pulled her to her feet.

  Edward was indeed in the nursery, enthusiastically feeding the hungry brood.

  They watched him go about his task with the utmost care. He gave particular attention to the little hen called Laora, to whom he talked at length as he fed her. She seemed to follow everything he had to say and made frequent babbling replies as she flapped her pin feathered wings and stretched out to him, while he in turn treated each of her utterances with earnest importance.

  “Laora is Edward's favorite of all my darlings,” said Lipperella as she finished feeding boisterous Flame and looked up, drying her hands. “You know, on more than a few occasions I have gotten up for the morning feeding to find him curled up with Laora and both of them sound asleep. I can't say for certain, but I suspect she's bonded to him.”

  “But if that's true and he leaves here,” said Fuzz, “your little Laora will be crushed.”

  Lipperella nodded gravely. “A mother never wants to give up any of her brood, but if they truly have bonded, it would be best for them both to remain together, whether they both stay or both go.”

  A look passed between Rose and Fuzz as they realized that they had just agreed to adopt one more. Lipperella saw the exchange and nodded with approval before going to find Spark.

  “Uncafuzz. Rose,” said Edward, making his way over to them. “If you came to help feed the babes you're too late.”

  “So I see,” said Fuzz, as he hugged him soundly. “Perhaps later then?”

  “Oh, sure. They'll be hollerin' their lungs out for more before you know it.”

  They ushered Edward into the parlour.

  “Well first of all,” said Fuzz, studying Edward's face the moment they were all seated, “Rose and I wanted you to know that she and I plan to be married.”

  “I kind o' thought you liked each other a lot,” he said with a solemn nod. “Are you going to live here in the Dragon Caves? Spark and Lipperella say there's lots of room.”

  “I really don't know where we'll live, Edward. Rose and I haven't quite gotten around to discussing it yet. However we did discuss you.”

  “Me?” said Edward looking back and forth from Fuzz to Rose.

  “Certainly, you,” said Fuzz. “We want you to come live with us, wherever we decide to.”

  “You want to be my parents?”

  “Well yes, if you'd like that.”

  “Sure, I would,” he said, throwing his arms around Fuzz's neck.

  “Good,” said Fuzz. “That's settled. So, I guess you'd better get packed and talk to Lipperella to see if there's anything more you need know about taking care of Laora.”

  Edward gave an odd stare.

  “We sail for Niarg in the morning, with a stop off in the Jutlands to see the Elves,” said Fuzz.

  Edward's face fell. “But Uncafuzz. Laora can't go with us. She's still a baby.”

  “Well yes, we know, but Lipperella said that you could take her with you.”

  “Well couldn't we just stay here a while longer, Uncafuzz? You know, just until Laora fledged? Lipperella told me that when the dragonets fledged they could do things on their own and wouldn't need to be fed all the time and stuff. Dragon babies grow up lots faster than people babies do, don't you know.”

  Fuzz glanced aside to find Rose at as much of a loss as he.

  Edward was already shaking his head. “I can't do that to Laora, Uncafuzz. It's awful to lose your mother. Laora should stay with hers for as long as she can, 'cause you never know when something unspeckdid will happen, and then she'd never get to be with her again.”

  “That is very noble of you Edward,” said Fuzz as he knelt beside him. “I'm sure you understand that since dragons are birds, they have a different way of going about some things. Lipperella thinks that little Laora has bonded with you. Do you know what she means by that?”

  Edward shook his head, wide eyed.

  “Well, it means that Laora has come to depend on your being there for her. We might actually harm her by separating you two. So, if you leave here, Lipperella wants you to take Laora with you. See what I'm getting at?”

  Edward nodded gravely. “I love you Uncafuzz, but I can't take Laora away from her momma. I just can't, not until she's fledged,” he said, looking right into his eyes.

  “I understand, Edward, but you do realize that you'll have to stay with her if she stays, don't you?”

  Edward nodded bravely. “If you still want to be my parents after Laora has fledged, then you can come back for us,” he said, just managing to keep his voice from trembling.

  “I'll always want you, Edward,” said Fuzz as he gave him a sound hug.

  Rose wrapped her arms around them both. “And so shall I,” she said.

  “Edward, Rose and I have to leave with Razzmorten in the morning, and we have no idea when we will be able to return for you and Laora, but do not forget this: I promise that we will return for both of you. Do you understand?”

  Edward nodded. “It's because of those bad sore sissies, isn't it, Uncafuzz?”

  “That's right.”

  Edward stood straight and gave Fuzz a broad smile. His eyes seemed too old for his young face. “Laora and I will be ready when you come to get us, Uncafuzz.”

  ***

  “Impossible,” hissed Spitemorta. “I just got here, Demonica. I'm not about to go running off to the Eastern Continent to enlist some Pit-awful trolls to come here just because you say they could rid us of the Elves more easily than our own troops. I happen to have faith in my army, Grandmother.”

  “Yea?” said Demonica. “Well dear, Elves happen to wield a fair amount of magic, or we wouldn't be worrying about them, and ordinary soldiers, no matter how skilled, just are no match for them. The Marooderyn Imshee, on the other hand, are quite immune to Elven magic. The Elves haven't a prayer of withstanding them.”

  “If these beasts are impervious to magic, Grandmother, how do you suggest getting them to leave their own lands, where they already have Elves to hunt, to come here and wipe out the Jutlanders?”

  “You just plain weren't listening,” said Demonica with a sigh. “The Gwaelic Elves on the Eastern Continent have learnt to use strike falcons, which are giant birds, to keep the trolls at bay. If the Elf Killers are offered a chance to hunt Elves who have no idea that these birds exist, why wouldn't they want to?”

  “What would keep the Elves here from finding out about strike falcons?”

  “They think all the Elves left behind in Gwael, your old name for the Eastern Continent...”

  “I've had history, Grandmother!”


  “They think all the Elves left behind were wiped out by the trolls. They're not going to try to ask, dear.”

  “How do you know, Demonica, maybe they like the challenge of Elves who can fight back. Sport, you know.”

  “You know, I just doubt that. But we can easily make our offer irresistible.”

  “How?”

  “You have available the Staff and Heart, Spitemorta. Can't you use your imagination?”

  “You just got through telling me that these Elf Killers were completely immune to magic, Grandmother, so what good does it do us to have all this magical might?”

  “The Marooderyn Imshee, which by the way is the Gwaelic name for them, are a right thick witted bunch, dear. Maybe you can't force them, but you could surely fool them. Let's suppose you appeared before them out of the sky as some almighty troll goddess and command them to follow you to the Northern Continent to eat Elves...”

  Spitemorta gawped at Demonica. “That's idiotic!” she sputtered.

  “You sound insulted. I take it that the idea of casting a glamourie upon yourself to appear raw boned, beetle browed and radiantly stupendous offends your image of yourself.”

  “Of course not,” snapped Spitemorta. “Just give me some time to get used to the idea.” She launched herself from her throne to pace about on the dais.

  “Perhaps it would be best to delay for short while,” said Demonica with a thin smile, “though only until you have things in place here, because we can't afford to let this get by us. The Elves could undo us. Once you have things straightened away, we sail for the Eastern Continent. That is, unless you've changed your mind about ruling the world?”

  “Absolutely not,” she snapped. “If we have to employ these monsters, then we will. But in the meantime, Grandmother, I'd like you to find a way for me to keep a grip on the people here and in Loxmere. They're going to be most upset when the sukere fields go up in smoke, whether or not that's really occurred to you. I know these people. The first thing they do is blame the crown for failing to protect them and their interests. You're dreaming if you think they're going to fight for a government they feel has failed them.”

  “I truly detest politics,” said Demonica, making a face. “But I do have a way of seeing to your concerns, Spitemorta. I'll need to return to Head for a short time. You'll have to find a temporary nanny for little Abaddon. I'll be off at once, but don't worry dear, I'll be back by the time you've done your part here.”

  “I don't suppose you're going to tell me just what it is that you're off to Head to do?”

  “Well no, dear. It would just be another delay, after all.” she said with a smile. “Try not to do things I'll need to straighten out when I get back.” And with a smirk she whisked away, leaving Spitemorta on the throne to wonder and fume.

  Once in her tower apartment she fetched her scrying globe from her wardrobe and the Heart of the Staff from its locked compartment in her desk. She slid the Heart into the folds of her kirtle and stared briefly into the globe before making traveling signs in the air as she mouthed an incantation. Instantly she found herself looking about in the audience chamber of her castle on her island keep, just off the coast of Head.

  She carefully set her scrying crystal on its stand on the dais and took a deep breath. It was very good to be home, even if for only for a short time. She stepped off the carpet, her determined footfalls echoing into the hallway. She wondered what Budog and Mazhev had been up to in her absence. They tended toward strong drink when she was gone. They would pay if they were not sober enough to help her.

  ***

  Spitemorta eyed the hodgepodge of ruffians and beggars Morgi had just brought before her. “I see no reason to trust a one of them,” she thought as she gave a grim smile. She rose to her feet. “You are sworn to absolute secrecy regarding this mission,” she said as she paced regally about. “If I so much as suspect you've been talking, you will die. Do I make myself clear?”

  Each man nodded, wide-eyed.

  She studied their faces utterly unconvinced of their loyalty to anything beyond their drunken habits. “Good,” she said. “Now, I have something you need to see.” She smiled at their cowering postures. “Morgi,” she said, calling forth her loyal guard.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” he said, stepping forward and bowing deeply.

  “You will please hand me your sword,” she said, as a wave of apprehension passed through her enlistees.

  Morgi handed it over without question.

  Spitemorta held it before her and carefully ran her fingers along the blade. “Good blade,” she said. She smiled. “Kneel before me Morgi.”

  “Your Majesty?” he said, tremulously.

  “Kneel.”

  He lowered himself on trembling legs.

  “Thank you,” she said in a soft voice. “I certainly wouldn't expect something difficult in front of your volunteers.”

  Morgi took a deep breath. He had misjudged her intentions, after all. Of course she meant no harm to him. He had always done her bidding. Perhaps she meant to knight him. “Odd time though...” he thought as he looked up with trust in his eyes. With a crisp metallic ping, his very own sword sent his head rolling away to stare back at his body.

  Chapter 81

  They looked very sober-faced, saying their farewells on the quay beside TheirMajesties'Ship,the Sea Sprite, as snow white gulls cried, hovering in the breeze beyond the pelicans perched on the piles at the end of the pier. Spark and Lipperella made their heartfelt good-byes mercifully short, feeling the need to get back to their brood.

  The diatrymas were particularly brief as well, with only Ceidwad actually speaking to anyone. She conferred with Razzmorten for a few minutes before pausing to look down at Rose and then bringing her head down to eye level to wordlessly study her face. She gently rattled her beak along a strand of her hair before speaking. “Your life now begins, dear,” she said, before turning away to stand quiet as a tree beside Mary.

  “I simply must return to my part of the forest for a time,” said Mary as Razzmorten took her hand. “If needs press, as I know they well might, have the Elves contact me and I can be there in just a few days with the diatrymas.” She left a tincture for pain with Yann-Ber and took Lukus aside to give him two small packets and a reassuring smile.

  Edward had Laora by the hand, out of the nest for the first time. He carefully ushered her to stand by Spark and Lipperella, then turned to lunge at Fuzz, flinging himself into his outstretched arms.

  At last they cast off. Hubba Hubba and Pebbles flew proudly to the top yard of the main mast as Lukus went below deck, followed by Razzmorten and Yann-Ber.

  Rose and Fuzz stayed above and watched Edward and the shoreline until they had crossed the bay and both were too small to make out. “Do you suppose I've done the right thing, Rose?” said Fuzz, as they watched behind. “Leaving Edward, I mean. I feel terrible.”

  “Oh Fuzz, I'm right certain of it,” she said, tenderly brushing his cheek with the palm of her hand. “Didn't you see how Laora and he clung to each other? Lipperella has to be right about the bond she spoke of. They simply can't be separated and Edward would've had a terrible time knowing that he was keeping Laora from Lipperella. Besides, I think he'll be safer with the dragons than he would be with us.”

  “Why would you think that, Rose?”

  “It's something Myrtlebell told me, actually, Fuzz. She said that Spitemorta made a hateful remark, as they were being taken to the Beak castle, about Myrtlebell 'daring' to give King Edmond another son and possible heir to the throne of Loxmere. She had the definite impression that Spitemorta wanted little Edward dead. Anyway, Spitemorta might expect us to take him with us if she thinks he could've survived the marsh after his mother was captured by the Beaks.”

  “I see what you're getting at,” said Fuzz with a nod. “In fact, if he returned with us, then he survived. If he didn't, then she might think that he died in the marsh and so, forget about him.”

  Rose nodded.

>   “I think you're right,” he said as he took her hand in his and leant against the railing and stared thoughtfully at the deep. “I wonder how long it takes for a dragonet to become fully fledged? I forgot to ask in all the rush to set sail.”

  “I didn't think to ask either, but I'll bet Grandfather knows. He knows everything.”

  “Taflu!” cried Fuzz, the moment Taflu fluttered out of the sky to stick to his back. “Where have you been? I looked all over for you. I gave up, thinking you went home.”

  “Well, I wanted to go back, Fuzz, but I remembered something. I think it would have helped when you were asking me, back at the Dragon Caves...”

  “What?”

  “Anyway, I think it might be important enough that I sure don't want you to be upset with me...”

  “What...?”

  “Besides, you're probably in a lot of danger now, and you'll need me to...”

  “Well what, Taflu? What did you just remember?”

  “Oh,” gritted Taflu, going silent for a moment. “Oh yea. Spitemorta and Demonica think Razzmorten is in the way. And...oh yea. Because of Lukus marrying an

  Elf, Demonica wants to make sure all Elves are destroyed. I mean I didn't think anything of it at first because it didn't make sense, but isn't that dangerous?”

  “We need to go below this minute,” said Fuzz sharing a horrified look with Rose. “Come on.”

  They met Razzmorten coming up. He turned around and gathered them all before him at his bunk. “I don't think it has anything directly to do with Lukus and Soraya, but Demonica knows that the First Wizard was half Man and half Elf. Any wizard or sorcerer with such a bloodline would be far more powerful than she is...”

  “And it means Soraya is in peril,” said Lukus.

  “And so are we all,” said Razzmorten

  “Indeed,” said Yann-Ber “I've never known that vile witch to fail to go through with any threat that she ever made. And her retaliation is always much greater than any affront to her.”

  “I'm really sorry, Razzmorten...” chirped Taflu.

  “Don't be,” said Razzmorten. “You've brought us vital news, and it's possible it will save our lives. And nothing's lost, either. We're already sailing in the right direction.”