“I would say the same about you,” Nicholas replied as he shook Malek’s hand, noting a few scratches upon his face and a bandage around his left forearm. “But I see you must have stumbled into a tight spot or two since you marched away from Deshla.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he said with his familiar and easy smile. “But we can compare notes later. First I need to know–did you find Ivy?”
Nicholas burst out in a smile. “She’s delivering food among the tents, but I’ll introduce you later. She and I are both in your debt for saving me so I could save her.”
“I’m happy for you,” he replied. “And after you unload that cart, you and your friends can join us for a meal around the fires. I’m guessing you haven’t eaten in hours.”
“I haven’t,” he said, noting a deep weariness in Malek’s eyes despite his jovial manner. “I doubt you have either. What have you been doing all day?”
“As I said, we can compare notes later,” he replied with a slightly somber demeanor, indicating for Nicholas to follow him to the bonfire when his work was done.
Shortly afterward, Nicholas and his crew were sharing a meal of stew and biscuits near the river’s edge around a blazing fire, its yellow, red and orange glow splashing across the water’s surface in warm, oily strokes. Max and Sala were present among the large group, both in good health and high spirits. Nicholas was glad to hear about their adventures over the past two days. When he learned that these men had been burying the dead in a swath of land to the northeast, he guessed that their emotions must have run the gamut between restlessness and melancholy all day while performing such a grim task. He realized that they now needed time to unwind as they would be at it again in the morning.
“Tradell, no doubt, is off sitting by one of the other fires and preparing for tomorrow’s task,” Max later commented to Nicholas and Sala as they enjoyed hot tea by the snapping flames. “He is one of several men helping to organize the burying, and if possible, the identifying of the corpses.”
“His military training in Linden made him a perfect candidate for such a difficult job,” Sala remarked. “Still, it is a sobering ordeal all around.”
“Maybe after Kargoth is resettled, people might travel here to pay their respects to those who died to save Laparia,” Max said. “It will be a solemn sight in the shadow of the mountain.”
“It will indeed,” Nicholas softly replied, gazing up at Mount Minakaris to the north, the scar running down its southern slope barely visible in the dimming light.
As everyone enjoyed a second helping of stew, Nicholas leaned back against a pile of wood near the fire and gazed up at the budding white stars scattered across the clear eastern sky, again thinking of Ivy. He hoped she had taken some rest during the day, having endured a traumatic ordeal of her own. He also wondered if Leo had awakened, knowing the long rest would do his friend good.
He noticed a fiery glow beneath the snowy mountaintops along the eastern horizon, watching for several minutes as the intensity of the light increased. A few minutes later, the rim of the Fox Moon, just past full phase, peeked over the horizon to reveal its luminous presence. Slowly it climbed above the mountains as Nicholas watched in lazy fascination, unaware of the passage of time as voices drifted in and out on the periphery of his consciousness until his eyes closed and sleep found him.
His eyes opened wide moments later, or so he first thought, when somebody’s laughter cut through the darkened landscape. But when Nicholas looked up, he saw that the Fox Moon had risen a bit higher in the eastern sky and that its faithful companion, the Bear Moon, also a day past full, had already climbed above the horizon as well, now following the Fox across the night sky at arm’s length. Nicholas guessed that he had dozed off for almost half an hour, knowing he should be on his way. Soon afterward he said goodbye to his friends and walked through the sea of tents toward the eastern border of Del Norác, assuming that Ivy, Carmella and Hobin would be somewhere in the vicinity.
Leo opened his eyes, noting a flicker of light dancing upon the tent ceiling. He stretched his arms, feeling refreshed and alert, when suddenly realizing he was lying on a cot along the side of the tent adjacent to where King Justin lay fast asleep. He sat up and plopped his feet on the ground, vaguely remembering being led from his chair to the cot by two individuals. He couldn’t recall what time that had happened, but when he noted the blackened sky through the small vents in the ceiling, he realized he must have slept the day away. He then heard a faraway whisper inside his head.
“You are healed. Save the King.”
Leo automatically reached for the amulet beneath his shirt and removed it, forgetting that he had been carrying it around for the past day. He wondered why he hadn’t thought about giving it to King Justin until just this moment. Leo felt the best he had in several months, realizing that Frist’s healing power had brought him to this point. Even the constant chill he felt since opening the Spirit Box had disappeared. With urgent strides, he walked over to King Justin and placed the amulet in his right hand.
“Get well, sir,” he whispered. “If not for your sake, then for Megan’s.”
He watched the King for a moment, the monarch’s face as pale as snow and his breathing slow but steady, knowing there was nothing more he could do. As he turned to leave, he noticed King Justin’s fingers slowly tighten around the amulet. A hint of color returned to his face. He stared in amazement as those two subtle changes revitalized the King’s appearance. But since he still slept soundly, Leo left him to his rest and slipped through the tent flap into the cool night air.
The stars above were muted by the glow of the Fox and Bear moons, the one ahead of the other as they ascended together in the evening sky. Leo guessed that he had been asleep for half the day as he wandered toward a nearby fire. But just before he reached the outer glow of the firelight, a voice called to him.
“Thank you for keeping my father company,” Prince Gregory said, walking over and greeting Leo with a handshake. “I’m glad you and your friends survived that ordeal in the mountains.”
“Barely,” he replied, happy to see Megan’s father.
“I was inside the tent a half hour ago to check on you both as I have recently returned from my duties in the city,” the prince explained. “I saw no change in him. But how do you feel now? Tolapari informed me of your encounter with Vellan.”
“The effects of the wizard’s spell are no longer a concern,” Leo said. “It has been some time since my body and spirit felt whole, though my appetite needs looking after.”
“Then head to the fire where both food and your friends are waiting,” Prince Gregory instructed. “I’ll go inside and sit with my father, but I fear his prospects are bleak despite our best efforts.”
“You may think otherwise when you see him again,” Leo said, offering unlooked for hope. “There has been a remarkable change in him only moments ago.”
“A change you say?” Prince Gregory was nervously excited, scanning Leo’s shadowy expression for an explanation. “Tell me what you’ve seen!”
“I think it best that you see for yourself,” he replied, walking him back to the tent. With a vague smile, the prince nodded gratefully and disappeared behind the flap as Leo headed back to the bonfire.
Greeting him were Carmella, Ivy and Hobin, all delighted that he appeared to be in fine spirits. They insisted that he sit down on a log while they found him something to eat. Tolapari, in the meantime, hurried over from another fire after learning that Leo had awakened. The wizard observed his demeanor, convinced that Leo had been fully cured.
“And the amulet? Where is it?” he asked.
“Now working its magic on King Justin,” Leo replied.
“Ah, well done!” the wizard told him before rushing off to examine the King.
Hobin quickly ladled out some stew into a bowl and handed it to Leo with a spoon and some bread. “This will fix you up nicely,” he said, taking his seat near the fire to finish his own meal. “C
armella prepared it herself. Eat up.”
“Hobin is on his third helping, but there’s still plenty more,” she said with a cheerful laugh that lightened the evening. “Don’t feel shy about asking for seconds.”
“I won’t,” he replied as Ivy gave him a cup of steaming tea.
“Freshly steeped from the kettle,” she said, handing Leo the drink and stepping back into the edge of the light. “Now enjoy your supper and don’t let us bother you too much.”
“You’ve all been more than kind,” he said, glad to be among friends as he listened to Hobin and Carmella tell him stories of their busy day.
As Ivy looked upon them in the fire’s glow, she was happy that some of the people who had aided in her rescue were enjoying a few hours of rest and camaraderie, knowing how much they deserved this special time. But her thoughts were soon drawn to Nicholas, contemplating where he might be among the vast city of tents and sadly wondering if she might not see him again until morning. She then noted the soft sound of footsteps behind her and soon felt a pair of warm arms wrap lovingly around her waist. She smiled and tilted her head back, catching the glimmer of firelight in Nicholas’ eyes and noting his boyish grin as he smiled back contentedly and kissed her cheek.
“I missed you,” he whispered, holding her closely under the stars and rising moons.
“And I missed you,” Ivy softly replied. She gently clasped his hands as the two of them gazed upon their friends around the crackling flames, both simply happy to stand there all night in each other’s treasured company until the sun rose in the eastern sky.
CHAPTER 113
The Long Road Home
As the sick and injured recuperated over the next few days, repairs and renovations proceeded in Del Norác at a steady clip. Stonemasons and carpenters worked from first light to dusk each day, attacking short term structural problems on some buildings while others fixed roads and tended to the fields and orchards. A contingent of men from King Justin and King Cedric’s armies, and some from Surna, Linden and Harlow, would stay to oversee the necessary work for the long haul and reestablish order in Kargoth.
“There are many good men native to this region who would provide excellent leadership when a population reestablishes itself up and down the Drusala.” Prince Gregory spoke to his father three days after Leo had slipped the amulet into his hands, spurring on his recovery. “Sadly, many people who weren’t ensnared by Vellan’s spell have fled over the years, most probably never to return.”
“Give them time. Word will spread of Vellan’s demise,” he assured his son. “Families will come back.”
They sat on a bench beneath a budding maple tree in one of the grassy commons in Del Norác. It was late morning on the twenty-fourth day of New Spring and they had stopped to rest after touring parts of the city to assess the repairs. A light breeze blew in the warm sunshine. Other soldiers with them tended to their horses as the sounds of hammers and shovels echoed through the streets. The King claimed to be in perfect health now, his ruddy cheeks and vibrant steps attesting to that opinion. With Nicholas’ permission, he had given the amulet to Tolapari to help some of his most ill patients.
“The men have made much progress under your direction, Gregory,” he continued. “Most of our troops can leave in three days. The individuals you’ve chosen to leave in charge will manage nicely.”
“It was less a matter of choosing than of volunteering,” the prince informed his father. “After enduring Vellan’s rule, there are concerned people who want to provide guidance and make sure his replacement will be a leader and not a subjugator.”
“A wise precaution.” King Justin pointed to a nearby street where several men on horseback headed their way. “And speaking of those concerned people, here come a few of them now.”
Sauntering across the green on their steeds were Eucádus, Ranen and Ramsey accompanied by Nicholas and Leo, who were invited on a tour of the city. Eucádus wished to hear details of their adventure inside Mount Minakaris, but since he was busy overseeing some of the reconstruction at Prince Gregory’s bidding, he suggested that Nicholas and Leo follow him around for the day. Riding behind them was Captain Tiber, and on either side of him were Uland and Torr, the former with his left arm in a sling and the latter with a bandaged forehead. Each had received his injury when battling in the northern field under Tiber’s command.
“Everyone seems to be having a fine time today,” Prince Gregory said, noting their jovial moods as the group moved into the shade. “You make my father and me look like a couple of old men sitting here discussing our aches and woes.”
“Then Uland, Torr and I should join you if you want to speak of aches and pains,” Captain Silas replied. He ambled up on his horse from the very back with William and Brendan at his side.
The three of them had toured Del Norác at Tolapari’s urging. The wizard believed the fresh air and company would do them good, especially the two princes still mourning their grandfather’s death. Silas’ right calf, bandaged after his knife injury, was slowly healing. And as he needed a cane to walk, he was excited to climb on a horse and move freely around. William and Brendan accompanied him, discussing the events in the eastern field. And though the horrible memory of that day would never be erased, their pain was momentarily eased with abundant talk and sunshine among friends.
“We’re having a fine time,” Nicholas said, “though parts of our conversation have been dreary and dark.”
“That is to be expected after what we’ve been through,” King Justin said as the men dismounted. Ramsey assisted Captain Silas in stepping down and then handed him his cane which had been tied to the side of the saddle.
“You and King Victor will be able to swap cane stories when you return home,” he joked. “That is, if the King is still using his when you return.”
“His knee was nearly healed when I left Maranac,” Silas replied. “But if not, I suspect we’ll both be caneless by the time New Maranac officially comes into existence this autumn. It will be a magnificent day.”
“A day as equally magnificent as the end of Vellan’s reign,” Eucádus remarked. “And now that Nicholas and Leo have provided me details of the wizard’s last moments, I’ll return to Harlow with numerous tales for my countrymen.” He turned to Prince Gregory. “But now I must report to you on matters inside the city.”
“But you and Ranen have yet to tell us about your battle on the bridge,” Leo said with disappointment. “Nicholas and I have heard only rumors.”
“I would also like the firsthand details,” Brendan jumped in. But when seeing the two men glance at each other with reluctance and unease, he and the others guessed that the experience was still too painful to discuss.
But Ranen relented slightly and spoke up. “As horrible as it was being under Vellan’s sway, it was nothing compared to declaring enmity toward such a dear friend as Eucádus. I will speak of it no further right now.”
“And until Vellan’s spell was broken, the toxic waters of the Drusala could not be resisted by even the strongest among us,” Eucádus added, not willing to fully delve into the incident. “But I will admit that I experienced a hint of what Ranen and many others endured who succumbed to the river’s enchantment. I partly understand the horror they lived with, some for years of their lives.”
“What are you saying?” Nicholas asked.
“When Ranen and I fell into the water, I instantly felt the force of Vellan’s will upon my mind and soul,” he continued, glancing at the ground from time to time as he formed his thoughts with difficulty. “I experienced how easy and tempting it was to reach out to him and obey his every command, believing that I would be rewarded beyond my imagination. Yet at the same time, I knew I had the choice to reject his orders and stay on the path I was already treading, difficult as it might be.” Eucádus looked up as he rubbed a hand across his whiskered face. “I had spoken to Tolapari in private about the incident. He believed that Vellan’s spell was disintegrating just as I hit t
he water, so while I wasn’t forced to surrender to his will, I did experience the essence of the enchantment in a less potent form, able to distinguish between Vellan’s call and my own life.”
“A choice, sadly, none of the others ever had,” King Justin remarked.
“That’s exactly what the wizard believed,” he continued. “And while in the water, I also perceived that the rewards I was promised in my mind were empty and unfulfilling, merely a sham to entice my allegiance. Again, a perspective that the others were never allowed when the spell was fully potent.”
“It was a pernicious device Vellan used to ensnare his people,” Ranen said. “But on this beautiful day, I would rather not pursue the subject further. Perhaps another time.”
“Understood,” Prince Gregory said as a light breeze swept across the common. “Let us talk of something else.”
“Preferably over lunch,” King Justin quipped. “I’m famished.”
Soon the men shuffled off to one of the nearby camps for a brief meal, the conversation turning to less serious matters as their voices and laughter rose high above the sun-splashed roofs and treetops within the slowly healing city.
The weather turned cloudy three days later when the armies from the north prepared to set out for home, yet the air remained warm and pleasant as the journey commenced from the east field. Nicholas and Leo bid a fond farewell to Malek, Max and Sala, wondering if they would ever see them again.
“You and Leo must visit Surna in another year or two,” Malek suggested. “My wife and daughters would be delighted to meet you both. Afterward, we can travel to Kargoth and see what kind of nation grows here in Vellan’s absence.”
“Something sweet and pure I hope,” Nicholas said, eager to make the trip. “We can meet up with Sala and Max along the way.”
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