King Justin sat against a tree to rest as allies within the orchard and on the field of battle drew near. Soon King Cedric and Tolapari greeted their old friend. Both men looked exhausted yet were prepared to do whatever needed to be done against Vellan’s unrelenting assault. The wizard examined King Justin’s wound and provided him with a half-filled water skin. Prince Gregory stood by like a worried parent.
“This bandaging will do for now, but I’ll examine it more thoroughly later,” he said. “Despite your fine mood, you took a serious hit, Justin. And unlike the cut you received from Arileez, this injury will not magically heal in a day or two.”
“I’ll be fine,” he replied. “I’m one of the fortunate ones today.” He gazed somberly across the field littered with corpses. “But there is still more work to do.”
“What’s our next step?” King Cedric asked. “Though whatever it is, you will most certainly be sitting it out.”
“That is yet to be seen. But first I think we should gather what forces we can spare and ride out to the eastern field and assist King Rowan and his men. From this vantage point, I can see the area is thick with fighting. We now have extra horses at our disposal which will greatly help. The remaining troops can head back into the city proper.”
“Include me in the former group,” a voice spoke from just inside the apple orchard. Seconds later, a disheveled Ramsey caked with dirt, emerged clutching a bow that had been crafted in Kargoth. “I owe my life to Prince William who saved me on the battlefield in Rhiál. I would like to assist him in his fight if even in a small way.”
“Then you shall ride with me,” King Cedric replied, “for I shall lead the charge.” He glanced sharply at King Justin. “And I will tolerate no argument from you,” he added with mock indignation, receiving an approving nod from Prince Gregory.
“As you wish,” the King said with a tired smile, noticing the bow in Ramsey’s hand. “A wartime souvenir?”
Ramsey shook his head. “I ripped it from the hands of the enemy assassin hidden in the trees before I killed him,” he said, tossing the bow to the ground. “I don’t want it. I’ll have enough bad memories of this day if I survive.”
“Assuming that the day ever ends,” Tolapari remarked as he gazed upon Mount Minakaris looming ominously to the north. “For I can’t stop wondering if Vellan has more surprises awaiting us in the dark corridors of his lair.”
CHAPTER 109
Views from On High
Candles flickered against the corridor walls, casting somber shadows in the silence. Caldurian gazed wistfully at Madeline as he knelt by her side. She lay fast asleep on the floor, her breathing steady and her face relaxed, giving the wizard a sense of relief that she would survive the effects of the potion he had slipped into her tea.
“I’m sorry, Madeline, but it was for the best,” he whispered, gently touching her cheek. “Return to your old life. In time you’ll see that I was right to push you away.”
Caldurian studied her face, noting with fond amusement a wisp of fiery red hair sticking out from beneath the black silk kerchief wrapped about her head. He knew that it was really she who had pushed him away despite all he had taught her about the magic arts. But the wizard forgave her, realizing he had led her down a twisting road of mayhem and magic when she was too young to grasp the ramifications of such a life. And though he never expected to see her again after today, she would always have a place in his heart.
Caldurian then heard a commotion back in the dining area. Was that shouting? Was that–Mune’s voice? He jumped to his feet and dashed down the corridor, chiding Mune under his breath while assuming the prisoners had gotten the best of him.
When he stormed through the archway, his instincts were proven correct. Nicholas had tackled Mune to the floor and was trying to wrest the dagger from his hand. Leo, in his weakened state, picked up Vellan’s staff to use as a weapon. But before he could render any assistance, Caldurian stealthily ran up from behind and grabbed it.
“I’ll take that!” he said, ripping the staff from Leo’s hand and pushing him to the floor. He raised the gnarled piece of wood above Leo’s body and shouted, getting Nicholas and Mune’s attention. “Enough! We don’t have time for this nonsense! Now on your feet, both of you,” he ordered, eyeing Nicholas in particular, “or I shall put your friend here out of his misery.”
Nicholas released his hold on Mune and reluctantly rose to his feet. Mune, red-faced and panting, retrieved the knife and pointed it directly at Nicholas.
“One step closer and I swear I’ll use it!” he sputtered.
Caldurian sighed in frustration. “Put the knife down!” he said as if disciplining a child. Mune, with a sour grimace, reluctantly obeyed and slipped the blade behind his belt. Caldurian lowered the staff, indicating to Nicholas to attend to his friend.
“Are you all right, Leo?” he asked as he helped him off the floor. He could plainly see that Leo appeared weaker and paler than even a few minutes ago, wondering if the stress of the situation was hastening the effects of Vellan’s spell. He guided Leo to a chair at the table and insisted he sit down and rest.
“Let me catch my breath and I’ll be fine,” he said without a hint of levity or sarcasm, causing Nicholas to think that maybe Leo was in worse shape than he was letting on.
Doing all he could to keep his temper in check, Nicholas glared at Caldurian. A part of him desired to attack the wizard regardless of the consequences, but he knew that both Ivy and Leo needed him now more than ever.
“Tell me what you want, Caldurian,” he said. “Tell me now or we’ll both regret it before the day is out.”
Caldurian appeared more amused than intimidated. “That sounds like a threat, Mr. Raven, but rash words are hardly necessary,” he calmly replied. “Because what I intend to do for you and your friend is to, well, let you go.”
Nicholas and Leo stared dumbfoundedly at the wizard, not sure if they had heard him correctly. Even Mune looked on with his mouth agape, wondering if Caldurian had accidentally consumed some of the disorienting potion he had given to Madeline.
“Come again?” Nicholas asked, his senses fully on alert as if expecting Caldurian to initiate some sleight-of-hand. “You’re letting us go?”
“Yes. But don’t look so surprised. It will benefit me, too.”
“That I don’t doubt,” he replied with growing suspicion. “But that doesn’t offset my initial surprise. Why would you let us go?”
“Yes, why?” Mune added, equally puzzled.
“Because I have plans for them,” the wizard replied matter-of-factly, noting the lingering skepticism upon all their faces. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
“Trust you?” Leo said, exhaling deeply as he leaned back wearily in his chair. “After watching what you just did to Vellan and Madeline–your so-called friends–how can Nicholas and I expect anything but deceit from you?” He glanced at Mune. “If I were you, I’d watch myself. By my calculations, you’re next.”
Caldurian noted the startled look upon Mune’s face. “You’re speaking nonsense, Mr. Marsh. Mune has nothing to worry about. He will remain loyal to me and do my bidding because he knows he’s on the winning side and will be justly rewarded. Who in his right mind would scoff at a deal like that?”
Mune, after a moment of contemplation, nodded at the wizard yet remained silent.
“I really don’t care what deals you two make,” Nicholas said. “Just tell us about the plans you have for Leo and me.”
Caldurian removed a sealed piece of parchment from one of his cloak pockets and handed it to Nicholas. “I’m letting you go as a sign of good faith to King Justin. I want you to deliver this message to him. I wrote it earlier today, planning to have Mune deliver it. But the two of you showing up here only strengthened my plan.”
Mune winced. “Me?”
“Yes, you. But don’t worry, Mune. Your new assignment won’t take you outside the walls of Minakaris. You’ll be far away from the swords and bloodsh
ed.”
“What does it say?” Nicholas asked, still not trusting the wizard. “I won’t deliver anything to the King until I know what you’re planning. And I’m definitely not leaving here without Ivy and Carmella at my side.”
“Fine!” he sputtered. “Mune will take you to the women before you leave. You can slip out one of the lower exits on the southeast slope. It’s less steep on that side and there are roads from the upper stables leading into Del Norác. And considering all the troops Vellan has unleashed today, some of those exits are probably lightly guarded by now, if at all.” He looked wide-eyed at Nicholas. “Satisfied?”
“I will be once you tell me about the contents of the letter,” he replied, not yet fully convinced. Deep inside though, his thoughts whirled and his heart beat wildly, hoping that he would soon see Ivy.
Caldurian let out a deep sigh, irritated that he had to explain his every move. But to give himself the best chance for success, he needed Nicholas’ cooperation.
“As you wish,” he said. “My message, which I need you to get to either King Justin or Prince Gregory, outlines a deal I want to make in order to end this war before every last man in both armies is slaughtered.”
“Go on,” Nicholas said, intrigued but cautious.
“And the key to my deal,” he continued, pointing to Vellan who was still sprawled upon the floor in a deep sleep, “is to hand over him.”
“You’re serious?” Nicholas asked in stunned disbelief.
“Yes. I’ll hand over Vellan, the bane of Laparia and the scourge of the mountain nations for these past fifty years. I will offer him to King Justin and his allies for their cooperation.” The wizard smiled gleefully. “Quite a bargaining piece, don’t you think?”
“A good first step,” Leo admitted.
“It’s a tremendous first step! In addition, if King Justin and his counterparts agree to leave Kargoth, I will also halt the flow of troops from the Northern Isles into this region. But to be truthful, that benefits me as well. I have no desire to ally myself with that thuggish lot. Vellan trusted them, but I certainly don’t,” he said. “Everything is explained in the letter. King Justin will be pleased with my offer and my trustworthiness.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Nicholas said.
“That is why you must deliver the letter to the King, Mr. Raven. He needs to see that you and your friends are in fine health thanks to my efforts. You must tell him what I did on your behalf. Convince King Justin that I have changed–at least enough in the right direction for him to deal with me now.”
“Anything you did today was for your own benefit,” Leo tiredly remarked. “The change you talk about is only on the surface.”
“Let’s not quibble over details.”
“I’ll quibble over one of them,” Nicholas said. “Leo is not in fine health after what Vellan did to him. Can you help?”
Caldurian looked down for a moment, genuinely troubled about Leo’s condition and not taking any delight in what he was about to say. “Even if I had weeks to spare, it wouldn’t be enough time for me to figure out the complexities of Vellan’s spell to reverse it. Remember, I am not a true wizard, but was only an apprentice to one. I am truly sorry.”
“Can’t you at least slow the effects?” Nicholas pleaded. “Or what if you consulted with Tolapari? He is out there on the field of battle. Perhaps between the two of you…”
“Tolapari is no more a true wizard than I. Neither of us would be very much help in the end.” He glanced at Leo with regret. “I hate to be blunt, Mr. Marsh, but my best advice is to use wisely what little time you have left. Save your friends and help stop this war. That would be an honorable deed in your final hours.”
“But you have to do something!” Nicholas implored.
Leo stood up, his strength returning for the moment. “He’s right, Nicholas. What’s done is done, and time is running out. Let’s find Ivy and Carmella and get out of this place. If I’m to permanently depart this world by dawn,” he added with a familiar trace of humor in his voice, “I don’t want to be stuck in here when it happens.”
Nicholas managed to smile through the anger churning inside him if only to make Leo feel better. He held up the parchment letter, eyeing the wizard. “What if I can’t locate King Justin or his son? What should I do with this? According to Gavin’s report, the King had been kidnapped and might already be on his way over here.”
“I cringed when I heard those words, fearing that I wouldn’t be able to present my offer to him,” Caldurian said. “Yet in light of recent developments, it would be a good thing if King Justin were now brought here, saving me a lot of uncertainty. But the point is to get word to him or his associates as soon as possible. King Cedric, King Rowan and Tolapari are all in the vicinity. Deliver the message to whoever is in charge and tell him about what has happened here. I need to gain the trust of someone on your side–and fast! I, in the meantime, will seek out Gavin. He among all of us may be able to locate the King and deliver word to him expeditiously. One of us must succeed.”
“How will you find Gavin?” Mune inquired doubtfully.
Caldurian flashed a knowing smile. “Oh, where I am going, Gavin will most certainly find me,” he said before removing another sealed letter from his cloak pocket. He handed it to Mune. “This is your assignment.”
“It is?” he said distrustfully, gazing at the letter as if it were a poisonous object.
“Deliver it below to the captains in charge in the stronghold. It is an order from Vellan to draw down our troops so we can parley with King Justin.”
“When did Vellan compose this letter? And why?”
“I wrote the letter, you fool, earlier today when I was preparing to enact my plan.” A shadow of doubt crossed Mune’s face. “Don’t worry. The handwriting is identical to Vellan’s and all the official markings are in place. You won’t be arrested as a suspected traitor when you deliver it. As I was obliged to act as Vellan’s courier these past few days, I closely studied his messages and devised a spell to transform my own script to match his. Clever actually, but no time to go into details. Now we must be off.”
“One more thing,” Nicholas said.
Caldurian put his hands to his face, shaking his head. “Now what?”
“What makes you think King Justin will agree to any of this? Why would he want you ruling Kargoth instead of Vellan?”
“What other choice does he have? It’s either total defeat or strike a deal with me. Compared to the chaos that Vellan has released upon Laparia, I’m a fine alternative.”
“You helped to bring about that chaos,” Leo pointed out, “including in Nicholas’ village. You’re no different from Vellan.”
“But I’m willing to end this war!” he snapped. “And I will rule Kargoth more wisely than Vellan ever did, promising to keep my nose out of the rest of Laparia.”
“But for how long?” Nicholas asked. “In the end, you’ll be grasping for more power and riches at others’ expense just like Vellan. It’s all a matter of time.”
“Think what you like, but that’s the chance King Justin will have to take. It’s either that or certain death to what remains of his army. You must make the first move.”
Nicholas looked at Leo, and sensing that he had come to the same conclusion, realized they had no other choice. “Fine,” he muttered. “We’ll do as you ask.”
“You won’t regret it. Now I must be off if we’re to make this plan work. And Mune, as soon as you show them the way out, get those orders to the stronghold below. I’ll be heading in the opposite direction.”
“All right. But what about Madeline?”
“I’ll have a long talk with her when she awakens. She should be in a better state by then and more amenable to my suggestion that she start a new life far away from here. But let me worry about that. Now go.”
“Very well,” he said. “But first I’ll throw together a bag of provisions in the pantry for our guests. Even along a dirt road, it’ll still be
quite a hike for them down the remainder of the mountain into Del Norác.”
“Just don’t dawdle!” The wizard hurried to the exit, nodding goodbye as he swept through the archway and sped down the corridor. When he reached Madeline, who still slept soundly on the floor, he paused and gazed kindly upon her. “Don’t worry, love. In time, life will be worth living for you again. And for me, too,” he said, flashing a tender smile. “But first things first.” He moved on, slipping through the exit and rushing up a staircase to the level above, unaware that Madeline had slowly raised her head after he departed, her mind racing with wild and vindictive thoughts.
After reaching the next level, Caldurian hastened down the corridor. Soon he neared the door with the curved brass handle that Nicholas and Leo had earlier discovered. The wizard grabbed a lit candle from the wall, opened the door and bounded up the shadowy staircase until he reached the locked door at the top. He drew the bolt back and opened the door a crack, feeling a sense of exhilaration about the new life that awaited him. A blast of cool evening air rushed inside when he opened the door all the way, extinguishing the candle. Caldurian tossed it aside as he stepped out onto the stone balcony carved out of the mountain. He gasped in awe as he placed his hands on the railing and gazed upon his realm. The sky to the east was filled with a growing icy white glow along the horizon. In the west, the sun descended into the red and gold tinged mountain peaks. He had stood here only once before at Vellan’s side many years ago as a reward for designing a particularly well-crafted spell.
“Now I can look upon my dominion at my leisure,” he whispered, pleased with himself as he scanned the sky for any sign of Gavin. He hoped that Vellan’s faithful crow would spot him against the side of the mountain, so he patiently waited for his arrival, happy to enjoy the scenery. He savored the moment and his impending victories over both Vellan and King Justin’s army, envisioning the extraordinary life nearly within his grasp.
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 174
