“Oh but it does. Look at all the deep gullies running down the slopes. I'd allow that it seldom rains.”
Hey!” cried Abaddon, straining to see from under the flat of his hand. “See that, Arwr? I swear I saw someone dart between a couple of stone trees down yonder. I think he had a bright green hood on. I thought nobody lived in the Wilderlands.”
Arwr shared a look with Shot 'n' Stop. “If you're certain, Abby, perhaps we should point him out to King Neron.”
“Oh, I saw him.”
“Then hang on,” said Arwr as he flew down the slope at a light, easy jog.
“Arwr?”
“Yes?”
“Grown-ups never thought I had anything important to say back in Castle Goll.”
“Well this could be important,” said Arwr, “and try to keep your eye on the spot where you saw him.”
Abaddon just hugged Arwr's big fluffy neck.
***
“Can ye point him out Prince Abaddon?” said Sulacha as he shaded his eyes to look about.
“'Way out yonder, I think.”
Sulacha kept looking. “Ansin,” he said with a sharp nod as he stared. “I do indeed see prints in the sand which look to be human, but I see nothing astir down there now but a couple of lizards.”
“I don't see any of that,” said Abaddon. “You've sure got good eyes.”
“But you're not an Elf yet, Prince Abaddon,” said Sulacha with a serious face.
“You mean all Elves can see faraway like that?”
“No. Just the aons with eyes,” he said, studying the footprints. “Sire! Look yonder.
There's a man down there amongst the stone trees and he has green hair.”
“A Fairy!” cried Abaddon with an excited bounce on Arwr, as Neron strained to see just where.
“Well, Prince Abaddon,” said Sulacha. “Perhaps you've been a-seeing like an Elf all along, since you were the first to spot him.”
***
Spitemorta gazed out across her balcony, lost in her recollections of bagpipes, drums and smoke rising from hand gonnes. Suddenly Nasteuh awoke crying in the nursery. “Damn!” she growled. She stamped her foot and wheeled about. “Shut up!”
Nasteuh still wailed away.
Spitemorta tramped straight in to bend over the cradle. “I said shut up!” she shouted at the top of her lungs, making Nasteuh shriek and cry all the louder. She kicked the side of the cradle, nearly upsetting it. “I wish you'd never been born, you little ci hithau!” She looked up to see a very wide-eyed Nimue.
“What is your bidding, my Queen?” said Nimue, nearly losing her balance with her curtsey.
“My bidding? My bidding, dear, is that you get that horrid little shit out of here and make her shut up, even if you have to choke her.”
“Yes, yes Your Majesty,” said Nimue as she scurried to the cradle.
“And send what's his name, Herio? Herio. I need some entertainment.”
Nimue stood at the doorway, bouncing Nasteuh. “I'm sorry Your Majesty, but Herio's no longer here.”
“What do you mean? I don't remember executing him.”
“Oh, no my Queen, nothing like that. Bedivere said that he just flew out of here like a cat with his tail on fire when you and Demonica were away. Some of the young fellows told him about what happens to your serving boys if they vex you.
To Nimue's horror, Spitemorta looked mortally offended, but without warning threw back her head and roared with laughter. “So they say that, do they?” she said, daubing her eyes.
Nimue nodded.
“Well. I think that's wonderful, don't you?”
“Why absolutely, if you say so...”
“You bet. Now go find the wet-nurse so she can keep her out of here for a while. And while you're at it, send me the young fellow with the biggest mouth.”
Chapter 141
Meri Greenwood leant against the far side of the trunk of a stone tree and considered. “Peple,” he said, “and an hool trayne of hem ther beth. Wel, a trayne bethe better thanne an armee, but arne they frend or foo? If foo they aren, wol they the ende of us to buen atte laste?” He peered 'round the trunk again.
“Sholde Ich ga forth to meete hem, or sholde Ich to the forest retourne for to warne everych oon so that weo may desciden what to done?” He pulled back out of sight and sat down in the sand with his back to the trunk. “Ich sholde som thyng lyche un-to this have gessed after Warren and Eldan was in the Blake Desert and naked dragounes which most han escapid Razzorbauch didde seen. Thise peple arne verray likly heere to sese hem and deeth and stryf in ybring. Ich gesse a better look me nedis.” He rolled onto all fours and carefully craned his head.
“Myn word! Elven,” he said, “and evene diatrymas, of al thynges. A trow? Why moste they a trow to haven? Alacke! Yonder two Humaynes ybe. What is this? Koude the profecie have comen to pace? Ich can moore wysardes ne ymagyn with Razzorbauch in the mix. Ich moste calle the counceil togidre byforn weo oure-selven to shewen. Evene if moost of thise aren Elven, whoso knoweth what influence Razzorbauch over hem didde haven after what hee didde to us.” He gave the strings of each of his brogues a good yank and tied them before springing to his feet and darting away for the North Forest.
***
Sulacha studied Meri Greenwood's tracks and stood up. “He went straight north in a big hurry. I'd say he was none too happy about the sight of us.”
“But when we came to Deatalamh they called us their cousins,” said Neron, looking puzzled. “Why should they avoid us?”
“Didn't one of their own betray them all to Razzorbauch?” said Sulacha with a shrug. “If they can't trust each other, how could they trust us?”
“I see your point, but it would be wonderful to meet them, especially since we thought Celeste, Nacia, Alvita and Rodon were the very last. Besides, if they be here, they would know well this wild land. The only water we've yet to find on this side of the mountains is where he ends up.”
“Do you suppose that Celeste and them know anything about these Fairies?”
“She thinks all the rest of the Fairies vanished forever,” said Abaddon. “but I know that she'd love to find out, especially if Meri Greenwood still lives.”
“Ah,” said Neron with a surprised smile. “You got to know them right well, didn't you, my young prince?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I was with them for some time and they were wonderful to me, which was far more than I deserved, I'm sorry to say. And they make the best apple pie in the whole world.”
Neron and Sulacha traded looks at this, just as Danneth and Lukus rode up with James, Llewyrch, Aeron and Owain. “Sire, your point about the water,” said Sulacha, “I should be following that Fairy's tracks this minute.”
“Good,” said Neron. “You follow his and we'll follow yours. Besides, we can watch you for a long way out here, unless you end up back in the mountains. Do you want anyone to go with you?”
“I'm game,” said Danneth.
“With your leave, sire...” said Llewyrch, turning to James.
“Llewyrch's an excellent tracker in his own right,” said James.
“Time's a-wastin',” said Sulacha with a nod as he found his stirrup and lunged astride Scabhta.
***
“I do enjoy the sea air, Fuzz,” said Rose as she closed her eyes and smiled into the wind and sun. “It feels so good to be going home. I miss Niarg.” She turned aside and watched him studying the horizon as terns swooped and hovered beyond the railing. “And
I think it's time we went to the Dragon Caves and got Edward. Laora ought to be big enough, oughtn't she?”
“I think you're homesick, aren't you?” he said as he put his arm about her. Rose met his eyes with a nod.
“I think I am too,” he said, squinting back into the wind. “There was too much going on to notice while Yann-Ber was still with us, but I do now. And I've been wondering if little Edward thinks we've abandoned him.”
“That would be awful. We've been caught up in our af
fairs. The thought of Spitemorta and Demonica makes me shudder. They can't have been up to any good.”
“Oh, out of nothing, nothing comes, Rose. But I can't believe that one day good won't triumph over them, just as it did with Ugleeuh.”
“Of course you're right, but let's not talk about them anymore. They give me butterflies. I doubt that we'll have another voyage like this for years. Our grandchildren will be grown...”
“Grandchildren? You're grinning too much,” he said as he knitted his brow at the dolphins he was intending to point out to her. He gave her a squeeze as he caught her eye. “This may be the third or fourth time you've mentioned things like this since we got on the boat. Are you trying to tell me that you're with child?”
“Oh Fuzz,” she said with a bounce, “isn't it wonderful?”
“My!” he said with a blink. “Oh it is indeed. But how long have you known?”
“I wasn't sure until a few days ago, and I wanted to tell you after we were underway. There was just too much sadness back there, don't you know? I needed a special moment.”
“I can't wait to tell Edward,” he said with a triumphant slap of the railing. “I remember him asking Myrtlebell why he couldn't have a little brother or sister to play with.”
“Mother will be thrilled. And we might have twins...”
“Well, if it happens I've every confidence that we'll be up to it.”
“I know,” she said, nestling her head under his chin. As long as we're together, Fuzz, we're equal to anything.”
***
“That was a really good breakfast, Lance,” said Abaddon. “You cook just like a lady when you're crippled. You used to scorch it every single day before you were on crutches.”
“Why thank you Abbey,” said Lance.
“You think we'll see Sulacha and Llewyrch and the other Elf today?”
“Danneth.”
“Yea, him. You think?”
“How would I know? All we can do is follow their tracks and wait. They just keep going north along the foot of the mountains...”
“Yea, but it's been three days. Everybody's running out of water.”
“We'll be all right...” said Lance as he scoured the skillet with a handful of sand.
“But how do you know that if you don't know when Sulacha's...”
“Because we're not going to panic, Your Highness.” said Lance, pausing to catch his eye.
“Why'd you suddenly call me that?”
“Because I think you've earned it. You've been acting like a proper prince this whole way. Besides, if it weren't for you, we'd not even know where to look for water.”
“But I want you to call me Abby.”
Lance sat up straight and put down his pan. “Why?”
“Because you've earned it.”
It was a moment before either of them spoke. “Boy, it's sure quiet around here, Lance. You don't hear anything but the wind. Except for those wolves howling up in the rocks all last night. Why would they do that?”
“I wouldn't know.”
“You know?” said Abaddon as he stood up to study the horizon. “The dirt's getting brick red, I think. I thought it was supposed to be brick red west of the last gap, not north.”
Lance shrugged his shoulders.
“Have you seen Shot 'n' Stop? He was going to tell me more about the Peppermint Forest this morning.”
“He was with Mary and Arwr, talking to the troll, just before I started avoiding scorching breakfast.”
“Yea. Arwr's figured out Trollish and Mary's even learning it. I wonder if he'll tell them why trolls eat Elves.”
“I wonder.”
“It's funny how the troll caught me when Arwr threw me, a-kicking at the lyoth. He set me down just as easy. And then he roared right off and killed the lyoth with only his bare hands and chains. He saved us both. Why would he save his enemies, Lance?”
“Maybe he doesn't reckon a young fellow made him a prisoner like the older ones.”
“Yea? What difference would that make? Trolls eat grown-ups and children, don't they?”
“Just Elves, though. Not Humans.”
“I don't see why. Elves have pointed ears. So what's that anyway?”
“Good question,” said James as he stepped forth to help Lance onto his crutches.
***
Lukus strapped the last of their gear onto Shimmer's panniers and turned to Soraya as she finished burying the coals with sand. “You reckon it would be too much trouble to send a message globe to Mother and Grandfather to let them know that we're safe?” he said over the giggles of Daniel and Ariel as they each grabbed one of his ankles. “It's been a very long time since we fled Oilean Gairdin.”
Soraya stood up and brushed the dirt from her skirts. “I'm sure they could do with one less worry,” she said, looking about. “Since it'll be a while before we're ready to leave here, why don't we go find Great Grandfather right now? I'd bet he has time.
Lukus scooped up a squirming and giggling Daniel and Ariel in each arm, blew a raspberry on each dirty little tummy and fell into stride behind the prettiest young lady in the whole wide world, off to find Neron. By the time Lukus was swinging his leg over Starfire's saddle whistling Pigeon on the Gate, the message globe was hurtling over the Great Barrier Mountains like a shot.
***
Minuet and Razzmorten had been up on the wall walk of the castle's outer curtain, working since sunrise. The sun was high enough now that it was beginning to get hot. Minuet sat down on a stone seat beneath the merlon of a small battlement and blew away a sweaty strand of hair with a huff and listened to the catbirds below as she watched him approach from the far wall, running his hand along the parapet here and there as he came.
“Well, that's the last one,” he called out as he approached. “We'll see...”
“You're magic must be coming back, Father.”
“Oh indeed it is, but it isn't at all like it was, yet. I don't know if it ever will be, either...”
Suddenly the message globe flew in through a crenel, directly over Minuet's shoulder to hover before her. “Look!” she said. “Play us your message.”
“Hello, Mother,” said Lukus, quickly appearing out of the sphere's swirling colors. “We hope you and all of Niarg are well.
“It's been a hard journey, but we've finally made it across the Great Barrier Mountains to the Wilderlands. There has only been one casualty so far, a young Elf whom you wouldn't know, who was killed by a tawny lyoth, which was as real as real can be.
“We are now following the tracks of a Fairy to the north, so the old Fairies of Mount Bed have surviving kin after all.
“Daniel and Ariel are cutting teeth, saying Momma and Daddy and pulling themselves up by Soraya's skirt.
“King James, Prince Abaddon, Lance and three right honorable men from Goll are with us.
“I wish we were there. Soraya sends her love with mine. We'll do this again when we find a place to settle. Farewell for now.”
“Oh Father!” said Minuet with tears of joy as the little ball sprang from her hand and shot back over the wall and away. “I've been sick with worry for them.”
***
“Why can't I go with you this time Tramman?” said Inney, wincing from the late morning sun as she turned to look at him. “You're only going to gather blister kelp.” She looked down where she was sitting, to continue her idle scratching at the crumbly orange sandstone of Creg Boayl Arrey, the great rock lookout, jutting up from the vast table flat sea of big bluestem grass, called the Great Strah. She waited for his answer as a meadowlark called from the far end of the rock. She squinted at him again.
He watched their strike falcons, Jeelys and Sheshey, dart zigzags and pounce on something in the grass below. He took a brown spit and shook his head.
“Billey ny Cruinney says I'm his best student in an age,” she said with a toss of her silver hair, “and I'm already good with the medicinal stuff, too. I know about blister kelp, even if I haven't been
to the sea. And besides, Sheshey's big enough to protect me if there's any trouble.”
“He's still unproven.”
“He just earned top honors in the Mayday shawkyn spooghey trials. Besides, I heard you, Tramman. You told Olloo that he's ready.”
“You weren't supposed to be up late,” he said, leaning forward on his haunches for another spit, “and eavesdropping on a council meeting is forbidden, dear heart.”
“I didn't mean to. The trials had me wide awake and I thought I'd take a walk. When I went past the council house I heard you say Sheshey was the best of the lot, the best strike falcon since Jeelys. I even heard you say you had every confidence in him and me. So you didn't mean those things you just said or what?”
“Right. Just like that,” he said as he studied her face to find her fierce emerald eyes brimming with tears. “It takes work to hear anything going on inside.” He remembered when Olloo had assigned Inney to him. He refused at first. It had been much too soon. He was still tormented by the painful memories of his own little sister. How she had longed to be an austringa like her big brother. He remembered her disobeying orders to stay in hiding. She thought she and her shawk spoogh were ready for the trolls one night. He blinked and pushed away the memory as he watched Jeeleys and Sheshey tearing at whatever it was that they had just downed.
“Please, Tramman. I'll be safe. I'll not only have Sheshey, but I'll be with you and Jeelys and Obbree and Aalid. You won't be going into Marooderyn Imshee territory since you're going south in the first place, but even if you did run into one...”
“No one's been down there since we raided their caves. For all we know that's the very place they went.”
“But we'd have the three best strike falcons, ever. Besides, I always wanted to see the ocean and you promised me you'd take me there some day.”
“Yea? Well some day Inney, but that doesn't mean this trip's the right time.”
“When will there ever be a better time, Tramman? If the trolls didn't move, then their number will grow again and there never will be a better time.”
He studied her determined eyes as he shifted his chaw to his other cheek. “Well all right I reckon, but you'd better understand that you are under orders from the moment we leave Balley Cheerey until the moment we return or it's no deal.”
Heart of the Staff - Complete Series Page 153
