The mood reminded him of his mother dealing with a family member who had done something stupid. As he had often been on the receiving end of such meetings he knew they were never pleasant.
“You wanted to see me, Duke Griffinheart?”
The duke’s usual friendly mood was missing.
“Tell me Master Rabbit, what sort of horror have you brought to my lands?”
“If you’re referring to Belle, I have to say that’s a bit harsh.”
“Don’t play stupid games with me,” the duke growled. “I have had hundreds of refugees flooding through my gate with tales of horror about a horde of undead. They are led by one with glowing eyes and black robes, a lich. One of my own soldiers rode in to tell me he mentioned you by name.”
Well that explains the bad mood. “I am not surprised, I have a fearsome reputation. Undead everywhere are terrified of The Rabbit. I am sure the forces of darkness rose up the moment they learned I was near.”
“You have brought destruction and ruin to the people under my protection.”
“Well we White Mages do that, a lot. Did I mention we are plotting to take over the world?”
The soldiers in the room muttered and placed hands on the hilts of their swords. The duke pressed both hands down on the table
“Some people do say such things, though I have never heard those words from a White Mage.”
“I like to be forthright.”
“Many of noble blood distrust your order, but I am sure you know that. You can hardly blame us given how… zealous some of your compatriots can be.”
Waldo nodded. “We are definitely a dangerous lot, and not to be trusted.”
The duke and his men shared an uneasy look.
“Be that as it may, I have always had respect for you White Mages. Especially due to your attitude towards monsters. I agree with you completely that they should be exterminated, not allowed to infest parts of the world until they overbreed and go out to murder decent folk.”
“Very enlightened of you.”
“The goblins are a problem we have always had to deal with and one we know how to handle. Before you came here these lands had never been plagued by undead. Tell me, did you know you would bring them to my doorstep?”
Waldo gave an uneasy smile. “What are you suggesting? That I have undead chasing after me wherever I go? That’s a silly notion don’t you think?”
The duke looked at him intently. Waldo was all too aware that he was not a very good liar.
“Perhaps you did not deliberately summon them, but the fact is the creature that leads them named you. It demanded you and your women be sent out to it. You cannot deny a connection.”
“As I said, I have a fearful reputation among evil creatures. I am sure many want to destroy me.”
“Perhaps,” the duke let one beefy finger tap repeatedly. “Whatever the cause I mean to deal with this threat. Come the morning I am riding out with my entire garrison. You will be at my side, Master Rabbit. I expect you to use your full power to aid me.”
Waldo gave him a wide smile that he prayed the Dark Powers looked convincing. “Naturally. Being a White Mage what would I rather do than face the undead?”
The duke’s head bobbed up and down. “It should be a glorious battle. Please eat a hearty meal and get a good night’s sleep. It may take a day or two for us to locate the enemy and I want you at your peak. Your companions will remain here. I have no idea what the custom is in the Misty Isle, but here we don’t take women into battle.”
“I am grateful for your concern.”
“You can go now.”
The knight who had escorted him opened the door and Waldo found himself being dismissed like one of the duke’s footmen.”
XXX
As soon as Waldo was gone Sir Berrs spoke in a low voice.
“Arrogant, isn’t he? “We’re plotting to take over the world.” “We’re a dangerous lot and not to be trusted.” He might as well have been openly threatening you.” Berrs tightened his grip on his sword.
“He was lying,” the guard captain stated. “He knows more about this than he pretends.”
“Yes, obviously,” the duke said. “No white travelling abroad would be so poorly trained in hiding his thoughts. It was a message.”
“You should have called him on it my lord.” The captain said.
“That would be dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than ten times these undead. The White Mages are playing some sort of game with us, never doubt it.”
“It is most wise to keep his women here as hostages.”
“Guests,” the duke rumbled. “Never hostages. Hopefully, we will go out and Master Rabbit will show me some of this fearsome power he claims to have. With luck we will find this scourge and wipe them out before they can cause any further harm.”
“What of the harm they have already done?” Sir Berrs asked. “All of the people already killed and villages burned. If the whites caused all this just to put on a demonstration we should…”
“What?” the duke asked coldly. “Openly accuse him? Have a trial and give him a taste of Lawgiver?”
“I have heard suggestions I have liked less.”
“No. There will be no accusations, no arrests, and no accidents. I will send a message to King Leo with my suspicions, but nothing more. Whatever I may believe the whites are much too powerful to openly oppose. We will watch him carefully and play the game as well.”
Sir Berrs lowered his head. “As you day my lord.”
XXX
When Waldo returned he knocked on Belle’s door and both of them joined Alice.
“Change of plans,” Waldo told them. “We are leaving tonight.”
Chapter 20
The Hungry Snake
It was well past dinner time when the duke at last emerged from the meeting and headed back to his quarters. The situation was horrible. Not only because so many good people had died, but also due to the strong possibility that it was all some Avalon plot. When he and his troops dealt with these undead horrors some of his men were bound to be killed. Even if Master Rabbit was as skilled as he claimed, there would be casualties. The soldier who’d brought in the report had witnessed hundreds of these creatures following their master. The villagers who had come seeking shelter claimed the entire countryside was infested with thousands upon thousands of them, but he knew better than to listen to frightened peasants. Fighting against hundreds meant a pitched battle, and you could not win a battle without taking some losses.
All of that was terrible to be sure, yet Theos had a spring to his step and a smile on his face. He could not deny that he was looking forward to leading out his soldiers come the morning. The thought of battle, glorious bloody battle, excited him. In his life he’d fought in six campaigns against the goblins. As a knight he’d led countless patrols and gone questing to foreign countries.
The years and the pounds had accumulated, but at heart he would always be a warrior. Theos had no idea how many more years he had left in him. How many more times would he still be able to ride in the saddle and lead men with his sword in hand? And this was no ordinary patrol or clash with marauding goblins. They would be fighting the forces of true evil. There would be songs of this. People would be speaking of it for generations to come, and it would be his name that would ring the loudest.
So while he deplored the needless death and destruction, and loathed the idea he was being used in some sort of plot, Theos could not pretend to being unhappy.
As he approached his quarters he spotted something that made him happier yet.
“Duke Griffinheart, I pray I am not disturbing you.” The beautiful Alice performed a curtsey for him. One that gave him a splendid view of her bosom.
Theos felt the blood rushing to a certain part of his anatomy. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes from this lovely woman since her arrival. It was obvious why his son had been obsessed with her. Had she not already been married he would have gotten her into his bed.
> “You could never disturb me sweet lady. Tell me what brings you here?”
He could see her arms shaking slightly. She hesitated to answer.
A possibility occurred to him that made his heart beat faster. Could Master Rabbit have sent her to him as an appeasement? Men of significance sometimes did that sort of thing. A beautiful woman made for an excellent peace offering. A mistress would make a discreet visit and depart before the sunrise. How better for important men to smooth over a difference?
That sort of thing was reserved for common women who didn’t matter. You never offered up a wife. Though who knew what a White Mage might do? Everyone said they would do anything to get what they wanted. If this were the case Theos would not refuse and be rude.
He is a foreigner, and a white, it’s not surprising if he is a bit uncivilized.
At last Alice looked up into his eyes. Her exotic light violet orbs filled his vision. He felt himself getting light headed and licked his lips. The feeling reminded him of being a youth again, he was losing himself in those wondrous eyes.
“My lord, it embarrasses me to say this, but there is a request I wish to make.”
“Please ask, more than anything I should wish to please you.”
“Oh, that is a relief. In that case, my lord, would you give it to me?”
His smile was so wide and eager he thought his face might split. “Yes! Of course! As much as you want!”
“Truly? You don’t mind? I know it’s asking a great deal and a huge imposition, but if you would let me hold it in my hands I know it would give me comfort and help me sleep tonight.”
“Well, don’t let my age fool you, I expect you won’t get much sleep.”
Alice raised an eyebrow. “What does your age have to do with it?”
He nodded. “Exactly.”
She appeared a bit unsure. “Well, if you are certain could you give it to me?” She held out both hands.
“You mean here? In the hall?” There were a couple of his guards standing just twenty feet away watching.
“Is that a problem, my lord?”
What a bold and shameless woman! How had Lancel not bedded her? “I would much prefer we do this within my rooms where no one can see.”
“I am not sure I understand, my lord. What difference does it make whether you give me your sword here or in your quarters?”
“My sword?” He asked in confusion.
She nodded. “You said you would give it to me.”
“You were asking about my sword? But… but I thought…”
She clasped both hands together.
“You’re not changing your mind are you, my lord? I know it is a bother, but the feel of your mighty blade in my hands would help comfort my troubled mind. I remember the power of it, nothing else could compare. Please, allow me to keep it for just one night?”
She was staring at him with those eyes of hers.
XXX
Lying in bed the duke couldn’t quite believe he had actually agreed. He would sooner give up an arm than his family blade. But staring into her eyes he just hadn’t been able to tell her no.
Well he would get the sword back from her before setting out. It didn’t make any real difference.
XXX
When Alice returned she was holding the sheathed blade out in front of her with both hands. On the sheath was the image of a griffin in flight with an exposed heart. All of it in golden thread.
“Good,” Waldo said. “Everything is loaded up on Gronk’s back and we are about ready to leave.”
“You know, Master, I think you want me more as a pack mule than anything else.” The ogre was still disguised as a beefy human female. Who now looked to have a tent and two very stuffed backpacks piled atop her back.
“Don’t be silly. I value you for your ability to kill things. Your carrying heavy loads is just a bonus.”
“I am going to say this just one more time,” Alice handed the sword over to Waldo. “This is a really, really, really bad idea. Stealing Lawgiver is guaranteed to make us the duke’s mortal enemies.”
“Rabbit Slayer,” Waldo handed the sword over to Gronk.
“Excuse me?”
“Until we sell it I’ve decided to give the sword a new name, an alias if you will, to help hide its origins.”
“And the name you came up with is “Rabbit Slayer?””
“What? Is there another famous weapon with the same name?”
Alice gave a weary shake of her head. “It’s not even worth it,” she muttered. “Anyway, I used one of my Charms like you asked. So you have four left.”
He nodded. “There is nothing to worry about. We are quitting Norwich, and as soon as we finish searching the local area we are leaving Lothas behind.”
“Well I’m not sorry to be going, but how exactly do we leave? The only gate shut at sunset.”
“You can fly me over the wall and away from here. Once we land I can summon Gronk to me since he’s my familiar.”
“Wait a minute. You want me to fly us out? Uh, darling, you do realize there’s a full moon tonight, and that the guards have bows and arrows don’t you? What do you suppose they’ll do when they spot a succubus going past with a mage in her arms?”
“I expect you can soar by and be out of range before they can even react.”
Alice rolled her eyes. “I only soar when I am solo. When I am carrying you I have all the grace of a three legged sow. We’ll be a very big, very slow moving target. Gronk may be able to shrug off arrows but you and I are going to end up like the straw targets they use.”
“It’s a risk I am willing to take,” Waldo thought for a moment. “Maybe it would help if you lost a little weight.”
Alice’s eyes narrows and he felt of spike of anger. “Well, I could drop you while we’re in the air.”
“Why are you being so hostile? It’s a reasonable suggestion. I’ve seen your thighs.”
“What?!”
“Master,” Belle had finished tying the sword onto one leg and placed a hand on Waldo’s shoulder. “Do you know what a badger is?”
“Some sort of woodland creature I believe.”
“Yes, furry, short legs, pointy head, kind of tasty. They’re not much to look at, but if you bother them they can turn nasty. Even bears tend to avoid them. If a person were to start poking at them they might lose a finger for their trouble.”
“All right, I am not sure why you are telling me this. Are there a lot of them in the marshes?”
Belle nodded in Alice’s direction. “You’re poking the badger right now, Master, and from the way she is looking at you I think you might lose something a lot more precious than a finger.”
“All I said was that she could stand to lose some…”
“Poking!” Belle stuck a beefy finger in his ribs. “We girls are sensitive about our figures.”
Waldo rubbed his side. “You do recall that the way you look right now is just an illusion.”
“I mean in spirit.”
“Anyway,” Alice ground out. “My point is trying to fly you over the city wall is not a great plan.”
“Since the gate is shut it is our only option.”
“Why are we doing this again?” Belle asked.
“Because if we don’t leave tonight I am going to end up facing my grandfather, the archlich.”
“Didn’t you already beat him, Master?”
“No, I survived, barely, and only because it didn’t take me seriously. We are in entirely different leagues, if I faced my grandfather again I would have no chance.”
Alice nodded her agreement.
“So, let’s be off.”
“We are visiting the Hungry Snake before we leave though,” Alice was opening and closing her hand.
“Yes, Alice.”
XXX
The three of them headed out, only to find a pair of guards at the stairwell.
“Are you going somewhere, Master Rabbit?”
“Ah, my companions and I wanted to
go out for a short stroll before I set out in the morning.”
“I am sorry, but none of you are to leave the Keep, the duke’s orders.” One of the soldiers said.
After The Rabbit (Waldo Rabbit Series) Page 17
