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

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  “Nedry, what’s the matter?” King Justin asked with concern, knowing how much the man pushed himself in his job despite his advancing years. Nedry suddenly looked more tired and worn out than usual, causing the King to wonder if the governmental position was now impairing his health.

  “It’s all my fault,” he muttered, still shaking his head and avoiding eye contact with the others. “All my fault.” He slowly and shamefully looked up at William, his eyes glistening with tears. “I killed your brother.”

  “What?” the King replied, more confused by the comment than surprised. William was too stunned to say anything.

  “It’s true. It’s true…” Nedry quietly wailed, his head bowed again as he took several deep and unsteady breaths. “It was that crow. And I wanted to protect the mission as well. I should have said something. I should have…”

  It was several long moments before Nedry composed himself and the others could pry a complete and coherent sentence out of the man. Megan poured a cup of wine for him and encouraged the shaken man to take a few sips. When some color had returned to his face and his breathing normalized, Nedry set down the wine and straightened up in his seat, ready to speak.

  “Despite my habit of worrying myself to an early grave for the safety of this kingdom,” he began, “I think my first misgivings about the mission to Wolf Lake began when I saw that crow. That crow!” He glanced up, his eyes filled with dismay.

  “First, Nedry, it is my job to worry to death about the wellbeing of Arrondale and its people,” King Justin said. “So don’t assume that burden on yourself. And second, what about this crow you speak of? What are you trying to tell us?”

  Nedry relaxed, exhaling deeply as he sat back in his chair. “Everything I had done was for the success of Nicholas and Leo’s mission. As we were preparing for it, I sensed that I was being spied upon…by a… A crow.” He looked uneasily at his companions. “I assure you that I have not lost my faculties, King Justin–at least I don’t think so. But when we gathered in your upper study with Tolapari that one day as he traced Nicholas and Leo’s journey on the map, I happened to see a large crow on the ledge when I opened the window for some fresh air. Other crows were flying near the woods that day, but not this one. After I walked back toward the window while we were discussing the medallion, I noticed that the crow had eased its way closer to the opening as if listening to us. A strange feeling overwhelmed me as if that bird could understand us, so I hurriedly closed the window.”

  “You think it was spying on us?” Leo asked without the slightest bit of condescension.

  “I know it sounds preposterous, but my nerves were severely rattled at that moment,” he said. “I attributed my state of mind to overwork and exhaustion. But I saw the crow again while I took a walk along the orchard road, and then later outside the window of my room at night. I was convinced it was spying on me, seeking information about the medallion.”

  “It’s not such a farfetched proposition,” King Justin said. “I have heard accounts of powerful wizards casting spells upon the birds in the air and other small creatures that roam the woods, allowing them comprehension of our tongue and recruiting them as spies and such. Your suspicions, Nedry, are not unfounded.”

  “Thank you, sir. But sadly I am compelled to say that my suspicions were finally vindicated when I once again saw that crow for the last time on the morning when–” Nedry stopped, preparing for the consequences of what he was about to say.

  “When what?” King Justin asked, his ice blue eyes locked upon his friend.

  “–when I sent Prince William and Prince Brendan off on their journey across the countryside. It was on the morning after Nicholas and Leo had left on their journey the night before,” he whispered, overwhelmed with guilt.

  “I’m not certain I follow you,” William said. “My brother and I asked for permission to leave the Citadel for a few days. You couldn’t have known that we were going to travel all the way to Drumaya, hoping to meet with King Cedric.”

  “No, I didn’t,” Nedry replied with distress. “But when you asked me to get permission for your trip from King Justin, I decided to take matters into my own hands. And the result, I’m afraid, was disastrous. You see, as a precaution, I suggested to the King that Nicholas and Leo should leave the night before their originally planned departure at dawn to conceal them from any curious eyes. And you readily agreed,” he reminded the King who responded with a nod. “Immediately afterward, you gave your consent to William and Brendan’s request of leave, upon which I decided to act in secret. I had the seamstresses prepare extra travel clothes for their journey which included two matching wool overcoats.”

  “Which we gratefully accepted,” William said. “But I still don’t see your fault in this matter, Nedry.”

  “My fault, dear sir, is that I suggested, even encouraged you and Brendan to leave at dawn on the very day that Nicholas and Leo were first supposed to have departed.” Nedry paused as he took another deep breath, his voice cracking. “You see, I was convinced that that crow had overheard details of the mission, so I set up you and your brother’s departure as a diversion, hoping you’d be seen leaving the Citadel by any unfriendly eyes and mistaken for Nicholas and Leo, thereby providing them cover. And when I saw that crow fly high in the air as you and Brendan left the courtyard on horseback, well, I knew I was right.” He looked apologetically at Prince William with genuine remorse in his eyes. “I never suspected that any harm would befall either of you. I just assumed you and Brendan would return in a few days and that any spies following you would realize their mistake well after Nicholas and Leo were out of harm’s way.” Nedry shot a glance at Leo, already having heard some of the details of his adventures in the wilderness when he returned two nights ago. “But that wasn’t entirely true either as you can explain to King Justin shortly. You and Nicholas were never out of harm’s way.”

  A series of chilling thoughts raced through the King’s mind when hearing those words, but Leo offered him a reassuring glance that everything had turned out well in the end. Prince William, in the meantime, contemplated all that Nedry had said and turned to him, gently laying a hand upon the old man’s arm.

  “I do not blame you for my brother’s death. And I say that after blaming myself for so many days. It was simply a horrible result from a series of events we were barely able to hold in our grasps.” William’s voice was calm and sincere. “We’ve all made mistakes in these troubled times, Nedry, confronting obstacles most have never faced before nor should ever have to in a perfect world. And despite my young age, I’ve realized over the last several weeks that this is far from a perfect world. And our responses to it, unfortunately, will not be without fault either, try as we might.”

  Nedry dabbed at his watery eyes with the cuff of his shirt sleeve, still shaken by Brendan’s death yet relieved that Prince William did not attribute the blame to him. “You are kind and wise for such a young prince and will make a fine leader some day.”

  William smirked, breaking the tension. “Thank you, but I’m in no hurry to test your theory.” He glanced at Leo. “Now that my story is told, I’m curious to hear about your journey with Nicholas. Did you succeed? And where exactly did you go?”

  “I’m curious too,” King Justin said, “particularly in light of Nedry’s earlier remark. What harm had befallen your mission?”

  “Before I answer,” Leo said, “first let me show you this.” He raised his hands to his head, then suddenly froze, his eyes fixed upon Nedry. He jumped out of his seat, walked to the window and drew a thick set of drapes across it before returning to the table. “Just in case something might be out there,” he joked to everyone’s amusement.

  “Stop teasing your audience,” Megan told him with an affectionate smile. “Get on with it already.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied with mock seriousness.

  Leo reached for a piece of leather cord draped around his neck and hidden underneath his shirt. He lifted it over his hea
d, revealing Frist’s iron key dangling from the end. He handed the magic item across the table to King Justin who took it with great care and wonder, smiling thankfully at Leo for his accomplishment.

  “I can’t imagine what you went through to find the wizard,” he said while turning the key over in his hand, contemplating what a devastating blow it could deliver to Vellan’s forces when the Spirit Box was finally opened. “I have so many questions, Leo. For starters, where is Nicholas? And how long did it take you to reach Wolf Lake? Before you began your journey, I had my doubts that Frist might even be alive.” He gazed at the key again, almost in disbelief that he was actually holding it. He raised his eyes to Leo. “So tell me, how’s the old wizard faring these days?”

  Leo gazed silently at the King, upon which the monarch immediately sensed that something was wrong. “Frist, I’m sorry to say, gave his life to reforge that key. Though from what I was told, he quite willingly took the task upon himself.”

  “From what you were told?” Prince William asked. “Were you not there?”

  “I was asleep at the time,” Leo replied with a twinge of embarrassment, “but with good reason.”

  Leo recounted his and Nicholas’ journey through the Dunn Hills with Hobin, including the attack by the two Islanders and the injury to his shoulder. “I was grateful when Frist cured me because I couldn’t have endured another dose of Hobin’s yoratelli brew.” Everyone listened in rapt silence as he described the final meeting inside the wizard’s cave. Just as touching was Nicholas’ decision to leave the key with Leo and journey alone to search for Ivy.

  “I can’t imagine where he or Ivy could be right now,” Megan worriedly said as she took Leo’s hand in hers beneath the table. She looked at her grandfather, seeking reassurance that she knew he couldn’t honestly give. “Do you think we’ll ever see them again?”

  “I hope so,” he replied with a warm smile. “Nicholas is a resourceful man. He helped bring you back to me, after all.”

  “I suppose I can always go back after him,” Leo added. “I’ll take Hobin along with me. He’s good to have around in a tight spot.”

  “So he’s an accomplished mapmaker?” King Justin asked.

  “Beyond accomplished from the maps he showed us.”

  “Hobin has been meeting with some of the administrators in the royal library,” Nedry said. “From what little I’ve heard so far, this fellow would be worth hiring to update our maps of Arrondale and areas beyond the border. He is quite talented.”

  “After leaving Wolf Lake, we returned briefly to his home in Woodwater where he collected some of his best maps of the Dunn Hills to bring here to show,” Leo explained. “Fortunately, the trip back to Morrenwood was much easier than the way forward. Hobin and I rode south around the Cashua Forest instead of going through it. Nicholas and I lost several valuable days by hiking through those trees without a guide.”

  “I look forward to meeting him,” King Justin said. “But in the meantime, we have this to deal with.” He held up the key. “One of my other ministers said that Gregory left Morrenwood with his army five days ago.”

  “That’s correct,” Nedry replied. “Prince Gregory had delayed his march to Montavia for as long as he thought prudent, waiting for Nicholas and Leo to return with the key. After you had left for Rhiál, your son sent out scouts to Montavia to secretly survey the capital city and beyond, including up to the shores of the sea.”

  The King leaned back in his chair. “And what did they find?”

  “The scouts reported back that Montavia was still under siege by the Islanders, yet at peace. Apparently no fighting had broken out since Caldurian’s first assault. Most of the five hundred Enári troops were stationed in Red Lodge and around the immediate area along with some Island troops for support. The majority of the Islanders were scattered throughout the other larger villages and near the borders,” Nedry said. “Life was going on as usual under the circumstances, and no more incoming ships from the Isles were spotted along the coast. Prince Gregory assumed that if more reinforcements were to arrive, it would not be until spring.”

  “That is a bit of good news,” the King replied. “Though William’s countrymen are prisoners within their borders, at least they are not being starved or killed.”

  “That’s why Father risked delaying his departure for as long as he did,” Megan added. “But as Leo and Hobin arrived here two nights ago, they missed each other by three days.”

  “Prince Gregory planned to launch his attack on the capital city at dawn on the sixth day from his departure–which is tomorrow,” Nedry pointed out. “So we can still time the use of the key to maximize his success.”

  “Assuming that Gregory arrives in Montavia as planned,” King Justin cautioned. “But we’ll have no way of knowing that and must hope that my son will make his charge tomorrow at daybreak.” He gazed at the key again, anticipating the vast power it could unleash from the Spirit Box if he used it–and he was unflinchingly prepared to do so. “It seems we are gathered here on the eve of vast possibilities. Great changes in fortune await us if our combined labors pay off. Peace in our lands might be hastened through the efforts of those who have already fought and died, of those who may yet do so, and from the quiet and vital endeavors of men like Leo and Nicholas. So, just before daybreak tomorrow, we will open the Spirit Box. Though it has remained sealed by magic for twenty years, we will hope for the best. But in the meantime…” King Justin handed the key back to Leo who accepted it with a bewildered stare.

  “Sir?”

  The King grinned. “Leo, you have protected this key since it was remade and brought it safely back to Arrondale. I feel it’ll remain quite secure hanging around your neck until tomorrow morning. I’ll make sure you are awakened at the appointed time so we can complete this task before breakfast.”

  “And the Spirit Box? Where is that?” Leo asked as he placed the cord over his head and slipped the key beneath his shirt, feeling the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

  “It is securely locked in an upper room,” King Justin replied. “As an added precaution, I’ll post a few guards outside your door tonight. Just to put Nedry’s heart and mind at ease,” he added with a wink to his advisor.

  “Much appreciated,” Nedry replied.

  “And I’ll certainly feel better, too,” Megan said, though her solemn expression indicated otherwise to the consternation of her grandfather.

  “What’s troubling you, my dear?” he asked.

  “I just feel bad for Carmella,” she replied with a slight sigh. “I promised to let her know of our plan with the key, seeing that she was one of our group of ten who had taken the oath. But she has grown attached to that Enári creature, Jagga, these past several weeks and I think she’ll be very upset. I’ll take some hot food out to her and let her know what we’ve decided.”

  King Justin was slightly taken aback. “Carmella is here? And with the Enár? I just assumed they had gone to her home in Red Fern after Nicholas and Leo departed.”

  “Yes, Grandfather, they did. But don’t look so nervous,” Megan replied. “Before Carmella left, I had promised to contact her when I had new information about the key. I sent a rider to her home yesterday asking her to stop by for tea and lunch, a message we agreed upon beforehand to let her know that the key had been returned. She and Jagga arrived early last night and are camped out behind the Citadel near the river.” Before King Justin could articulate his obvious apprehension, she quickly calmed him. “Do not worry, Grandfather. Jagga knows nothing, nor will he, about the key. Carmella simply wanted to be here when the deed was done. I think we owe her that much.”

  The King nodded, his concern diminishing. “You’re right of course, Megan. None of this would have happened were it not for Carmella. But couldn’t you have at least found her a spare room in the Citadel to spend the night? Winter is upon us.”

  Megan chuckled. “I offered, but she is set in her ways, Grandfather. Carmella is used to traveling on
the road and prefers the outdoors when away from home. She also suspected that people would be wary of having an Enári creature inside these walls and so didn’t want to impose.”

  “I suspect that Jagga wouldn’t be comfortable inside either from what little I learned about him from Carmella,” Leo added.

  “We’ll let them be,” King Justin said. “Besides, it’s only until tomorrow morning. Then this laborious affair will finally be over.”

  Shortly after supper, Megan exited the back of the Citadel. She was wrapped in a hooded cloak and carried a basket filled with a loaf of fresh bread, a wedge of cheese and a few pieces of roasted turkey. One of the guardsmen walked with her in the inky darkness, holding a torch aloft as a fine flurry of snow descended and stuck to the semi-frozen ground. Less than a mile to the east, the tiny flames of dozens of bonfires burned in an open field where most of King Justin’s army had encamped for the night before the soldiers would return in the morning to their respective villages or garrisons. Another fire burned just ahead along the banks of the Edelin River where Carmella and Jagga had made their camp. When they approached close enough to hear the crackling of the flames, Megan thanked her escort and sent him back as she wanted to speak to Carmella alone.

  Megan watched as his torch drifted back toward the Citadel and then glanced up at the windows, spotting a face peering out from behind one of the frosted panes. And though she couldn’t distinguish the features from this distance, she knew that Leo was looking down upon her with affection and concern, just as he had said he would. He wanted to accompany Megan on her visit, but since he was appointed to keep the key safe until morning, neither Megan nor anyone else in the know thought it would be wise to allow the object anywhere near Jagga even though the Enár knew nothing of its existence.

  Megan walked to the fire and soon felt its soothing heat. Suddenly a dark shape stepped away from the enclosed wagon off to the left and walked toward the fire. The glow of the blaze illuminated the subdued expression on Carmella’s face as she offered a gracious smile to Megan and accepted the basket of food.