Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy)

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  “Who are they?”

  “Apparently men of no honor,” she replied with a disgusted sigh, leaning against the tree trunk and folding her arms. In the bits of filtered moonlight, her careworn expression was obvious to Paraquin who patiently waited for more information. “Zachary Farnsworth manages the local banking house for Horace Ulm. I don’t know Mr. Farnsworth personally, though I’ve heard from others who do that he’d like nothing better than to own the banking house himself someday. Horace, however, seems to be in no hurry to retire. Some have characterized Mr. Farnsworth as quietly ambitious and maybe a little aloof, but he earns a fine living and does his job well.”

  “Ambition isn’t a crime,” he remarked.

  “But unbridled ambition can lead one down a wrong path, as apparently it has with him,” she said. “Dooley, on the other hand, is quite the opposite of his neighbor.”

  “They’re neighbors?”

  “Who’ve apparently conspired against Kanesbury,” she said. “Dooley frequents the Iron Kettle Tavern regularly and worked at the gristmill before it burned down. Now he has Nicholas’ job.” Katherine smiled grimly. “I suspected that Dooley and Arthur Weeks had a hand in Nicholas’ downfall, but could never figure out why. And I still don’t know why, but if Dooley is mixed up with the wizard, his actions and recent events are beginning to make more sense.” She noted the lost look on Paraquin’s face. “Oh, sorry,” she said, her thoughts returning to the moment. “I was thinking out loud. But what does any of this have to do with Adelaide Cooper?”

  “While we were waiting for confirmation of Caldurian’s letter, those of us on guard ordered Farnsworth to pull his cart off the road until the matter was settled,” Paraquin went on. “He wasn’t too eager to comply, but as we were armed and he wasn’t, he had no choice. I could hear him now and then in a quiet but heated conversation with his associate. Neither was happy with the turn of events.”

  “I can imagine. But what about Adelaide?”

  He looked around before answering. “It may be nothing or everything, but during snippets of conversation I overheard, I caught the name Adelaide being bandied about.”

  Katherine’s heart fluttered. “What did they say about her?”

  “I heard no specifics as the two men were trying to be discreet as they talked,” he said. “But as voices travel, I heard a few words, thinking nothing of them at the time until the name Adelaide reached my ears. Like I said, it may be nothing–”

  “–or everything.” Katherine’s thoughts and emotions were in a whirl. “I see no reason why Zachary and Dooley would be discussing Adelaide Cooper unless they knew something about her.”

  “Or were involved in her disappearance,” he suggested.

  “Perhaps. Adelaide lived across the road from Nicholas. If Dooley, and now Mr. Farnsworth, were involved in Nicholas’ fate, maybe they had something to do with Adelaide’s disappearance, too.” She nervously placed her hands to her face, not knowing what to believe. “I can’t think straight. There’s so much to ponder and just as much that I’d rather not ponder, if you understand.”

  “I do,” he said. “It must be awful to have people in your village plotting against you. But what are you going to do about it?”

  “Good question,” she replied, her breath rising among the pine branches.

  And though she was ecstatically grateful for Paraquin’s assistance, another question haunted her later that night through hours of fitful sleep. Was there anything she could do about it, especially now that the village was under siege? She hated to face the harsh truth, namely, that the answer at the moment was probably no. And now that there were traitors among the population, Katherine wondered if she could trust another soul with this new information.

  Later that same evening, Caldurian poured himself a glass of wine, sipping it leisurely as he sat in front of the fireplace in Otto Nibbs’ parlor. He silently delighted in the former mayor’s change of fortune as he savored the beverage. He extended his legs upon the hearth, the fire warming him and driving months of weary road travel from his tired limbs. At last he was finally enjoying some sweet revenge against Otto for the defeat and public humiliation he had caused him twenty years ago. But there would be more vengeance to come–and soon. The wizard smiled, imagining Otto fast asleep near Barringer’s Landing under Arileez’ spell, perhaps dreaming pleasantly now, but totally unprepared for what was to hit him next.

  Moments later he heard tapping upon a window, startled from his musings. When he noted the distinctive rap a second time, he stood and glanced out the window into the moonlit night. There upon the ledge was a large crow, its dark, piercing eyes gazing at the wizard as if expecting to be let in. Caldurian sighed, more out of amusement than irritation, and quickly unfastened the latch and let the bird flutter inside where it landed in the middle of the room.

  “Your mode of arrival is unconventional tonight,” the wizard said, relocking the window. He closed the drapes and shut a door to the next room, assuring their privacy. “Though none of my guards are inside, I don’t want to take a chance that someone might see you.”

  Suddenly the crow changed shape into its natural form of Arileez, his tall figure casting a menacing shadow upon the wall. “Understood,” he replied, taking a seat near the fire, his lifeless eyes beneath his hood given a hint of animation as they reflected the snapping flames.

  Caldurian sat opposite him, always fascinated whenever he witnessed one of Arileez’ incredible transformations. He recalled the first time he had seen him turn into a bird after gaining his trust while a prisoner on the island of Torriga. But only after Arileez had consumed Vellan’s potion to counteract the confining spell was the Umarikaya finally able to fully appreciate his own transformational abilities. And all it took was a few sips of a magic liquid that Vellan had created. Caldurian unobtrusively placed a hand upon one of his deep, cloak pockets, feeling a small, glass vial within filled with the remaining amount of the potion that had given Arileez his freedom–plus a little extra something as well.

  Caldurian almost felt sorry for the ruse he and Vellan were playing upon Arileez, using him for their own purposes at the same time they were deceiving him. But Vellan convinced Caldurian that it had to be done if they were to maintain their dominance throughout Laparia. Though Arileez was now an ally, he might one day become a threat with his strange and far-reaching powers. Those abilities had to be extinguished, though slowly and imperceptibly. The additional spell added to the potion and now running through Arileez’ veins would do just that.

  In a few weeks, Vellan planned to achieve victory over Arrondale by replacing King Justin with the impostor Arileez in guise of the monarch. Soon after, Arileez would suddenly find his own powers reduced to that of a mere mortal–to nothing. By then, Vellan’s grip over Arrondale and all of Laparia would be complete. Arileez would no longer be needed, being reduced to a shadow of his former self. What a powerful potion it was, Caldurian mused as he gazed upon the other wizard. What a devious plot he and Vellan had gleefully devised. He was glad he had kept a portion of the liquid for his own future needs.

  “I had expected a visit from Mayor Kurtz. He was to brief me on the daily affairs of my village,” Caldurian said with a slight smirk. “What happened?”

  “I grow weary of playing that part,” Arileez replied, “and treated myself to a flight under the glow of the Bear Moon. I am here nonetheless.”

  “I can’t say that I blame you, possessing such a magnificent power,” he replied. “But I assure you that our work here will be done in a few days. Then it will be on to bigger and more exciting prospects in Morrenwood.”

  “I look forward to it, Caldurian. I’m feeling as restricted here as I did on Torriga.”

  “Those terrible days are over. Now tell me, how are plans coming along for the grand escape from Kanesbury?” the wizard asked. “Did the resistance have another meeting in an empty root cellar tonight?”

  Arileez nodded. “We did, with several more eager
recruits attending. Now we have enough people to go forward with Oscar Stewart’s plan, but we need a few more days to prepare.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem. Excellent work,” Caldurian said, pleased with the swift progress. “But I still want to do a little something tomorrow to divert any suspicion from Mayor Kurtz and perhaps bolster his standing in the community at the same time. Just to be on the safe side before the big day.”

  “What did you have in mind for me?” Arileez asked.

  “Nothing too fancy, but perhaps the mayor needs to stand up to me in public to rally his supporters,” Caldurian said, taking a sip of wine. “Hmmm, but I think it’s time I stepped up the random arrests in the village, don’t you?”

  CHAPTER 45

  Bell, Fire and Horses

  Caldurian ordered his soldiers to step up random arrests the following day, which they did with a fury. Some people were dragged away from the breakfast table while others were taken from their jobs in the middle of the morning, all unceremoniously marched to the village lockup where they were interned for several hours. None were given any reason for the arrest, though their names were printed on a continually updated list posted outside the lockup. To add insult to injury, whenever people were released, they were told not to repeat their offenses even though they were unaware of what crime they had committed in the first place.

  “This tears at me!” Constable Brindle muttered as he examined the list of the latest accused, his face reddening with disgust. “I don’t even know where they’re putting all these people. We have only two cells in the lockup.”

  What irked him most was that he had been forbidden to step inside the lockup and was assigned to help repair the broken windows in the village hall next door. He had stopped to examine the list during one of his work breaks, commiserating with fellow citizens.

  “Clay, this has gone too far!” a man angrily whispered as they stepped away from the list so others could look. Several armed soldiers walked past, amused at the fuss by those craning their necks to view the arrest record. “My son-in-law was hauled away near dawn before he had even finished his eggs. Right in front of his wife and kids, too! He’s been released since, but it isn’t right, I tell you. It isn’t right.”

  “You think I don’t know that, Albert?”

  “Someone’s going to get hurt, or worse,” said a woman who emerged from the crowd after scrutinizing the list. “Sooner or later people are going to fight back despite not being armed, and you know where that’s going to lead? Bloodshed! Broken bones! You must put a stop to this,” she pleaded, her ashen complexion and fearful eyes mirroring many who wandered the frosty streets.

  “You have to talk to Maynard,” Albert added, turning up his collar and shoving his calloused hands into his coat pocket as he stormed away. “And soon!”

  The woman agreed, nodding to the constable as she departed. Clay silently indicated that he would do his best. By lunchtime he made good on his promise, tracking down the mayor at a candle shop where Maynard had just finished receiving an earful of similar complaints from the owner.

  “Maynard, we need to talk,” Clay said, the scent of melting wax thick in the air inside the store. “These arrests have got to stop!”

  “Clay, I was just on my way to the village hall to see you,” he said as they exited the building. “I’ve had complaints all morning and plan to take my case to Caldurian. If he wants me to serve as his go-between, then he’d better be prepared to listen to me. I just wanted to get your take on the situation first.”

  “Everything you’ve heard from the others goes double for me.” Clay was happy to see Maynard riled up at the outrageous treatment of his fellow citizens. “I say we march to Otto’s house right now and give that wizard a piece of our minds. Are you with me?”

  “I’m with you,” he said, “but I think it’s time we made him come to us. I’ll inform one of the captains at the lockup that we demand a meeting with Caldurian at once. In the meantime, round up whoever you can and get them there for the confrontation. There’s strength in numbers, my friend.”

  “Good!” replied Clay, a giddy smile plastered upon his apple red face until a look of fear slowly settled upon his features. “But what if they unleash their swords? What if Caldurian doesn’t show? This dispute could be over before it starts.”

  “My guess is that Caldurian’s people don’t want trouble if they can help it,” he said. “As much as they threaten us with violence, they’d probably rather settle things peacefully. Much less work for them, see?” Maynard patted Clay on the back before he headed to the lockup. “Trust me on this. I have a feeling Caldurian will show up. He’s enjoying himself too much to risk a rebellion in the streets.”

  To the surprise of many, Caldurian appeared in front of the lockup less than an hour later. Maynard stood at his side looking pale yet confident. A small crowd of onlookers were bursting with pride that Maynard had even gotten this far with the wizard, successfully drawing him out of his lair. It was a minor victory to savor, though they hoped for better things.

  “Apparently too many of you seem to be without a work assignment,” Caldurian said, his voice calm but cool beneath the gray overcast. “That can be easily remedied.”

  “We’re here to talk about another matter,” Maynard insisted while wagging a finger. Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathering. “You must order your men to stop these ridiculous arrests. You’re disrupting lives and causing hardships that won’t be tolerated much longer.”

  “And what do you plan to do about it?” uttered a soldier standing near the front entrance, a sneering grin upon his face.

  “I asked for no comment from you!” Caldurian snapped, upon which he ordered the soldier indoors. He glanced at Maynard, folding his arms as if he were addressing a friend in casual conversation. “I understand that some of my men have been perhaps a little too eager in their duties?”

  “That’s an understatement,” Maynard replied, detailing the rash of recent arrests. “The people won’t take it any longer!”

  “Yeah!” a voice boisterously shouted from within the crowd.

  Caldurian nearly smiled at the response. “Well, Mr. Mayor, I do admire your blunt appraisal of the situation and your courage to bring it to my attention. And in my defense, I wasn’t aware that such harsh tactics had been employed by my Island associates,” he said. “Though I’m sure people have been arrested from time to time for serious infractions against my rule, I never ordered nor condoned these mass detentions of which you speak.”

  Most believed no such thing, stunned that Caldurian bothered to make such a confession. A few people, however, felt the tiniest bit of admiration for the wizard’s apparent sense of fairness, unaware that they were nodding with approval as he spoke.

  “Is there anything you can do?” Maynard asked, softening his agitated tone. “Most everyone in the village has cooperated with your decrees so far.”

  “For which I’m most grateful,” he replied, extending an appreciative hand to the crowd while contemplating his next step.

  The people collectively held their breath, as did Maynard, all awaiting Caldurian’s pronouncement. A moment later, the wizard snapped his fingers and indicated for one of the captains in charge to approach. The man hurried forward.

  “What can I do for you, sir?” he asked.

  “I’ve considered the situation and have concluded that some of the men under your command have taken liberties with their authority, making arrests when there was no reason to,” he said to the delight and amazement of those gathered. “I, too, will shoulder some of the blame for not paying attention while attending to other duties in my quarters. However, that is in the past. From this moment forward, your men will cease these random and unnecessary arrests and release all those whom you are now holding.” Cheers erupted from the onlookers as many whispered to one another that a ray of hope had at last returned to their village. Maynard especially grew more admired and respected in people’s eyes
for having confronted the wizard on their behalf. “After all, though I demand discipline,” Caldurian continued, “I neither seek chaos nor wish to mete out undeserved punishment. I have a village to run, and these disruptions only hinder our achievements, not help them.”

  Additional nods of agreement punctuated the wizard’s flowery words as they drifted through the chilly air. A few people went so far as to politely applaud Caldurian’s statement. When he concluded a short time later, he instructed the captain to consult with Maynard to oversee the immediate release of the prisoners.

  “And, captain,” the wizard pointedly added as he began to walk away, “tear down that arrest list at once and burn it. Our village has no need for such a divisive instrument.”

  As Caldurian headed back to Otto Nibbs’ house accompanied by several soldiers, he was delighted to hear a wave of cheers and applause wash over the landscape upon the announcement of his last order. Though Maynard had been surely elevated in stature because of his feigned confrontation with the wizard, Caldurian took immense satisfaction that several people in town would more than likely sing his own praises, too, an achievement that humored and astounded him at the same time. It had been all too easy.

  Katherine was helping to clean up in the Stewart kitchen later that evening after the last group of soldiers had been served dinner. Amanda sat at a small table in the adjacent pantry which served as a makeshift desk, busily planning the meals for the following day. The clatter of plates, pots and pans competed with the swishing of hot, soapy water and the crackling flames in the ovens and fireplace. Katherine had just stored a stack of clean plates in one of the cabinets when Lewis entered though the back door. She greeted him with a delighted smile when their eyes met.

  “This is a pleasant surprise,” she said. “I thought you’d be home asleep right now, considering all the work you’ve been doing.”

  “I feel as if I felled half the Cumberland Forest in the last few weeks,” he replied with a grin, his face reddened from the cold as he rubbed his hands in the warm air. “But it feels good to enjoy the results of my labor,” he added, indicating the roaring fire.