“I understand that, too,” Nicholas said.
Within the hour, after partaking of a brief breakfast and filling two small sacks with some food for their travels, Nicholas and Leo thanked Rustin and said farewell before returning to the shore alone. There they found Hobin sitting by a fire under the milky gray clouds of midmorning, munching on a biscuit and drinking tea. Both were delighted to see their guide again, recounting all that had happened during the night.
“I’m glad the wizard was able to patch you up, Leo, though it’s a shame he’s no longer in our world,” Hobin said. “With several more Frists and a lot fewer Vellans, this world would be a much better place.”
After throwing water on the fire and packing up the boat with the supplies, they were again on their way across the lake. Leo took one of the paddles this time to try out his new shoulder, happy to report that it felt pain-free and stronger than ever.
They paddled east along the lakeshore for a few miles in the direction they had come from until the island was once again a small dot upon the water behind them. There they decided to make camp and rest for most of the day as none of them had gotten much sleep the previous night.
“It won’t make sense to continue on while our eyelids are drooping,” Hobin said as he searched for kindling to start a fire. “In the meantime, we’ll have a chance to discuss our return trips.” He glanced at Nicholas. “You have to decide now if you truly mean to search for Ivy. There’s no turning back from here.”
“I know that,” he said. “And I have no intention of changing my mind–or listening to others trying to change it for me despite their best intentions,” he added with an appreciative smile. Nicholas removed the key from around his neck and handed it to Leo who stared at it with mild trepidation. “Take it, Leo. You might as well start carrying it. I still have the amulet. Make sure this key gets to Morrenwood as quickly as possible.”
“I will,” he said, taking the object from Nicholas and placing it around his neck. He held the key between his fingers and stared at it, logically aware of the power it could unleash. Yet his heart and spirit couldn’t fully comprehend that the fate of the Enâri race was in his very hands. He hid the key beneath his shirt, anticipating a long and grueling journey back to the Blue Citadel.
They awoke at daybreak though the sun was still obscured behind a slowly moving band of clouds. All were well rested and eager to move on after a night of uninterrupted sleep. After a brief breakfast, everyone collected their gear near the edge of Wolf Lake, prepared to face the inevitable and go their separate ways. Nicholas shook hands with Hobin and thanked him for his fine service.
“Happy to have been a part of this grand adventure,” Hobin replied. “And since you only have to follow the river now, you won’t need a guide. Still, watch out for yourself. And if you’re ever in Woodwater, look me up. We’ll share another mug of ale.”
“That’s a promise,” Nicholas replied before glancing at Leo, saddened at leaving him to complete the mission without his help. He would miss Leo’s friendship after all they had been through together on the long and weary road for nearly two months. “I’ll bet you never expected any of this when you agreed to drive Megan and me to Boros in your apple cart,” he said with a chuckle. “Kidnappings, bruised limbs and endless treks through the woods.”
“No, I did not,” Leo said with amusement. “Still, I got to meet a princess and plan to see her again soon, so I guess I came out ahead on the deal.” He shook hands with Nicholas and hugged him goodbye. “Now it’s time for you to find Ivy and bring her back.”
“I plan to,” he said, nearly choking on his words as he looked upon his companions framed against the cold and melancholy waters of the lake. He picked up his pack, set it on the boat and slid it into the water, knowing that if he didn’t leave now he might never have the heart to do so. After settling in and picking up one of the paddles, he looked up at Leo and Hobin as a thin breeze skimmed the lake’s surface. “I’ll get word to you both no matter what happens,” he promised before pushing off and paddling eastward along the shoreline. “Count on it.”
“You’d better,” Leo said, offering a wave goodbye.
He and Hobin shouldered their packs and turned southeast, planning to return through the same passage between the last two mountains in the Five Brothers chain. Moments later, the shoreline along Wolf Lake stood vacant and silent in the dreary morning chill as if nobody had been there in ages.
Nicholas glided along the lake at a leisurely pace, entranced by the rhythm of his paddling while the mosaic of windblown waves upon the water and constant thoughts of Ivy played in his mind. He moved parallel to the shoreline for nearly an hour until he saw the eastern tip of the lake coming into focus. He stopped for a moment and removed the hood from his head, observing how far he had traveled and how much longer he had to go until Wolf Lake funneled into the river that would lead him to the Trillium Sea. Though not the longest lake in the Dunn Hills, Wolf Lake was still a large body of water and Nicholas felt it so while bobbing upon the surface.
After a short rest he continued. A half hour later he was nearing the entrance to the river. Here the lake narrowed and the water flowed faster. Soon he found himself paddling along Wolf River, and for the first time he truly felt the absence of his friends. Since that night he encountered Princess Megan in the Darden Wood along King’s Road, Nicholas Raven was once again all alone in the wilderness. Alone and searching.
He traveled downriver until twilight, disembarking twice and carrying the canoe along the shoreline when he encountered stretches of rocky falls impossible to maneuver through. Though it temporarily delayed him, he was grateful that the canoe proved very light to carry in addition to his pack. No doubt there was a bit of Frist’s magic in its construction, the same magic dangling from the amulet around his neck. The notion brought comfort to Nicholas with every step.
At nightfall he made camp and built a fire, and while the air held the chill of late autumn, the weather seemed more tolerable as the terrain had been gradually decreasing in elevation the farther he moved away from the Five Brothers and Wolf Lake. Nicholas hoped to be out of the woods by the end of the next day at the earliest if both the weather and topography cooperated. He couldn’t wait to see the vastness of the Trillium Sea again, and with luck, one or more ships from the Northern Isles anchored offshore. That very thought lulled him to sleep near the crackling flames of his fire later that night.
He opened his eyes the following morning, wrapped tightly beneath his fur coverings. His nose and cheeks felt damp and the scent of soil and decaying leaves permeated the air. The fire had long since gone out and faint mist hugged the ground. When Nicholas sat up and stretched his aching limbs, he noticed a thicker layer of fog upon the river. The clouds lounging above the treetops appeared thinner than of late and he hoped the sun might break through as the day progressed. When fully awake, he ate a filling breakfast of cold beef, biscuits and water, not even attempting to build another fire. About an hour after he had awakened, he pushed his boat into the misty river and paddled silently onward.
The river was not very wide, yet the swirling white mist made him feel as if he were paddling while lost upon a vast ocean despite the view of many trees. But as the morning grew brighter and the clouds began to break, the mist dissipated and the Wolf River was once again a grayish-blue strip of water meandering through the leaf-strewn forest. Occasionally a ray of sunshine would find its way through, lifting Nicholas’ spirits. He wondered how far Leo and Hobin had traveled, wishing he could be there when the Spirit Box was opened. He guessed that his father would be proud of him for playing a part in restoring the key and bringing about the downfall of the Enâri, and possibly, Vellan himself. But only time would tell.
He paddled to shore early in the afternoon as another series of rapids presented themselves a short distance ahead. Since the sun was burning off the remaining cloud cover and brightening the interior, Nicholas decided to have lunch and enjoy the warmth. After eating an
d taking a short nap, he again donned his pack and lugged the canoe over a quarter mile along the water’s edge before the river was once again calm enough to navigate. He paddled for the next several hours, taking one short break to eat and one longer break after portaging his canoe an additional half mile beyond more rapids. After slogging through dense, tangled undergrowth, he was back on the water, exhausted yet pleased with his progress.
As the sun sank in the southwest behind a wispy collage of purple and orange tinted clouds, Nicholas decided to paddle ashore and call it a day, feeling as weary as after some of his worst days of hiking through the Cashua Forest. He was disappointed that he hadn’t reached the eastern border of the Dunn Hills yet, though knew that it couldn’t be too far away. More than anything, he yearned to view the Trillium Sea again and walk along its coast.
He made for the southern bank of the river and went ashore before twilight. Streaks of sunlight stabbed through nearby tree branches. A handful of bright stars were visible through breaks in the clouds. He gathered kindling and built a fire, looking forward to a hot meal and a full night’s rest. It was his second day traveling alone, and though he missed talking and joking with his companions, he realized he wasn’t especially bothered by the loneliness and the quiet. The distant cry of a sparrow, a meandering breeze rustling through the trees and the snapping flames dispelled any sense of isolation. He sat against a tree and ate a biscuit while waiting for some water to boil, enjoying his time alone.
He then heard a crunch of leaves nearby, now convinced that he was not alone. His heart pounded. Nicholas jumped up and grabbed a burning stick to use as a torch in the swiftly fading daylight. He patted the handle of a dagger attached to his side, giving him a modicum of security and comfort as he took a few cautious steps through the woods. Soon he noticed several dark shadows drifting past each other only yards ahead. He held aloft the torch.
“Who’s there?” he asked, his voice steady though his nerves were on edge.
When receiving no response, he advanced, slowly waving the torch back and forth to throw off additional light. Then he saw it–a pair of eyes glowing in the murky twilight. There was a second pair close by staring curiously back at him. By the time Nicholas noted a third arrival, his own eyes had adapted to the gloom. He finally recognized the identity of the trio before him. He exhaled, not realizing how tightly he had been holding his breath. He chuckled to himself as he lowered the torch.
“Following me, huh?” he said, admiring three large deer that were searching for food. “I’d like to share, but I don’t know when I’ll stumble upon another inn to refill my pack.” The deer continued to stare at him. Nicholas couldn’t help but smile. “I suppose I could spare a few apples I got from the wizard’s pantry,” he added, stooping over his pack and rummaging through it. “Mind you, there is a preservation spell involved, so I don’t know if it’ll affect you differently than people.” He glanced up at the deer. “So don’t blame me if you start learning to talk or sing or–climb trees.” He chuckled as he searched for the apples in the growing darkness until he grasped a piece of the fruit. “Ah, found them,” he said, grabbing three apples before slowly walking toward the animals.
He avoided getting too close, fearing they would run away, and simply tossed the apples one at a time toward the hungry deer. After a moment’s hesitation, the deer stepped forward and sniffed out the round pieces of fruit before taking greedy yet appreciative bites. Nicholas could see the enjoyment on their faces in the glow of the torch and from the nearby fire, delightfully amused at the crunching and chewing noises they made with every mouthful.
“Now you’re making me hungrier than ever,” he said, still waiting to have his dinner as he watched the deer eat. “Better enjoy it because that’s all you’re getting,” he added, turning around to go back to the fire and check on his small pot of boiling water.
He suddenly froze, his heart revving up the instant he saw a man standing in front of the flames, a silent silhouette whose shadow fluttered upon the ground with sinister intent. Nicholas held the torch aloft but was unable to recognize the stranger’s face.
“Who are you?” he asked, stunned that anyone else was in the vicinity.
“Forgotten already?” the tall man asked, dressed in a long dark coat that nearly matched the night. “I’d been hiking this way for a few days when I spotted you on the river late yesterday. I’ve kept a close watch ever since. I suspected who you were from the start but wanted to make sure.” The man raised a hand, revealing a dagger that reflected the garish red glow of the firelight. “Now I’m sure.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” Nicholas said, attempting to remain calm by controlling his breathing and keeping a fixed stare upon the individual. “Who are you? Where’d you come from?”
“I come from across the sea,” he stated. “And as to who I am? Well, I’m the man who’s going to kill you, just like you and your companions killed my friend. I wandered back two days later and found where you buried him. But before your corpse is cold, I’m going to take that medallion, or key, or whatever it is at the moment, and then find my way back to my ship.” The man gently rubbed the area below one of his knees. “The left one hurts more than the right, though both were banged up thanks to you. I could barely walk that first day after I fled your campsite.”
“Serves you right,” Nicholas countered, “considering how you injured my friend.” He realized he was dealing with one of the two Island soldiers who had attacked his traveling party days ago, never having expected to see him again. “But you’ll be happy to know that he’s as good as new, unlike yourself.”
“Too bad,” he muttered, waving the tip of his knife at Nicholas. “Now hand over the key. I’m only going to ask you once.”
“I don’t have it,” he said with a shrug.
“Then give me the medallion,” he replied with growing impatience. “The wizard Caldurian sent word to my superiors that you would have either one or the other.”
Nicholas grunted with contempt. “It figures that troublemaker would have his nose stuck in our business,” he said, wondering how Caldurian had learned about the mission. To buy some time, he slowly drew out the amulet that Frist had given him, pretending it was the medallion that the solider sought. “Are you looking for this?” He held up the piece of engraved silver still secured around his neck by the leather cord.
“Never found your wizard to repair it?” the soldier asked. “Too bad. Now hand it over.”
Nicholas smirked. “Well, since we couldn’t make it into a key again, I don’t think you really have any need for it. I’ll keep it for a memento.” He let the amulet drop to his chest. In the brief moment that the soldier’s eyes remained transfixed on the falling piece of silver, Nicholas flung the burning torch at him and then ran deep into the woods away from the river.
The man vaulted to one side as the somersaulting flames sailed by and then spun around and ran after Nicholas, temporarily losing him in the darkness. The three deer scattered, their rustling of leaves and undergrowth further throwing the Island soldier off Nicholas’ track.
“You come back here!” he cried, pausing to get his bearings. He caught a glimpse of Nicholas’ fleeing shape and was off again in wild pursuit.
Nicholas, in the meantime, unsheathed his knife and took refuge behind a large tree, his back against it as he rested to catch his breath. He could hear his heart beating loudly, wondering what he should do as the shuffle of footsteps grew closer and closer through a trail of dried leaves and brittle twigs. He tried to guess what Hobin would have advised him in such a situation, and for the first time since their departure, Nicholas truly missed his friends. But he would never betray them and so purposely led his pursuer to believe that he still possessed the medallion. He clutched the amulet, hoping it would protect him as the wizard Frist had promised. He placed it down his shirt again to keep it safe, knowing he had only seconds to act or make another run. He suspected that the soldier knew approximatel
y where he was hiding and peeked around the tree for a better look.
He inched over to one side, hugging his body close to the tree as the pungent scent of bark perfumed the air. He peered into a thick swath of shadows, but when he shifted his gaze slightly, he could see the distant flames of the campfire. He wondered if the soldier had run in a different direction than what he had first suspected. Or was the Islander perhaps using his expert tracking skills and circling about, ready to pounce upon him from behind? Nicholas gripped the dagger handle and shot a glance over his shoulder, wondering if his luck had finally run out. He felt foolish to believe he could make it on his own through such wilderness to rescue Ivy. An overwhelming sense of dread and defeat crept around the edges of his thoughts, causing him to wonder if he would survive this ordeal.
But just as those anxious feelings took root in his mind, Nicholas saw a shadow pass in front of the distant flames and was startled back into the moment. The figure appeared shorter in stature for being so close, but Nicholas would not let it scare him off, preparing to leap out and attack head on since he knew he couldn’t hide among the trees forever and win this fight.
He raised his knife and took a cautious step out from behind the tree, gazing in the direction where he had seen the moving shadow. Now he saw nothing. He was about to step back to his hiding spot when he heard the tiny snap of a twig behind him. He spun around just as the black form of the Island soldier rose above him like a wave. The man grabbed Nicholas by the shoulders and heaved him onto the ground on his back. Nicholas landed upon a tree root, wincing in pain as the knife fell out of his hand. The soldier rushed forward and pressed his boot on Nicholas’ ankle while holding the dagger in front of him so that it faintly reflected the snapping flames of the distant fire.
“I told you I would have that medallion,” the man said. “And your life. Now remove it from around your neck and hand it to me. While you’re at it, tell me where your other two friends are.”
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 91
