by Booth, John
“Do I meet My Lord's satisfaction?” Esmeralda asked with just a tiny bit of bite in her voice. That was unlike her, usually there was a lot.
“I was thinking how lovely you look. And I'm sorry I got you…”
“Never say that,” she said quickly. “I am delighted to be with child and it was a child conceived in love … at least on my part.”
“Esmeralda… I…”
“…need my help. I know. You've said that already. But drink your tea before it gets cold.” She reached across the table, moving the cup and saucer in front of me again.
“Bronwyn plans to take Salice.”
Esmeralda's eyes glinted. “This kingdom is not for sale, especially not to a murderess. You missed Grimaldi's funeral.”
The sudden change of topic took me by surprise.
“I'm sorry. I wanted to be there. Did it go well?”
Esmeralda lifted her cup and indicated I should do the same. I took the cup in my hands.
“It went as well as funerals ever go. Your absence was commented on, but with Jenny and Retnor in attendance, no one could say you had slighted him. Not many men get dragonfire over their grave as a mark of respect.”
I put down the cup as a vision of what that must have looked like washed through my mind. Good old Fluffy, he was a better statesman than me. Esmeralda coughed the way people do when they want your attention.
“Let's raise a toast to Grimaldi, to honor him.” She took a sip of her tea.
I raised my cup and put it to my lips. Then I thought better of it and put the cup down.
“Not until I've dealt with Bronwyn.”
Esmeralda slammed her cup down so hard I was amazed it didn't break.
“Well then, enough of that. I will introduce you to Grimaldi's brother when I get the chance. He has chosen to take over his brother's business as family tradition dictates. How exactly am I supposed to help you?”
“You've read the books that Bronwyn took. If I can get that information from your mind we'll be even.”
Esmeralda stood and paced over to her bed and back.
“No, you will still be behind her. Who knows what else she might have learned since then? You can't beat her by trying to catch up with her. You must go beyond what she is.”
“You stopped me from reading the books in the library.” This was certainly true. She and her parents always found a reason why I shouldn't go there whenever I asked.
Esmeralda gripped the sides of the table and leaned over so her face was only inches from mine. She hissed at me.
“You would have learned that men changed to stone cannot be restored and my father would be dead. You would have learned there are no such things as magic rings and we would all be dead.”
I felt anger rise in me and hissed back.
“I would have learned how to heal and Grimaldi would be alive. I would have learned that magic circles work and Bronwyn would no longer be a problem.” We locked eyes as though we were enemies for long moments. Then I leaned forward and kissed her on the nose. Her look of outrage changed to laughter and she sat back in her chair, her face bright red.
“How do you plan to extract this knowledge from me?”
It was my turn to redden slightly. “I don't know. Perhaps if we touch hands and you think about the books I can pick it up. I learned how to dance from Jenny like that.” However, learning to dance was a much simpler thing than taking the contents of a lot of books from Esmeralda's mind.
Esmeralda smiled. “Drink your tea then. You look exhausted and tea has many healing properties.”
“To hell with the tea! I'll drink it after we try.” This continual talk about the tea was getting me down. She seemed obsessed with it.
“Very well, my Lord Wizard. Since you insist.” Esmeralda put her elbow on the table as though we were going to arm wrestle and opened her hand. “But you must drink the tea once we have done this.”
I nodded and put my arm in the same position as hers, grasping her hand. Perhaps if the magic failed we could go best-of-three in arm wrestling. No make that best-of-five, as she's tricky and would certainly win the first few rounds by devious means.
“Concentrate on the books,” I said. Though to be honest I had no idea how to do what I was asking. Books are filled with so much information.
I saw random pages flit before my eyes. Some of it came into focus, mainly about use of power. I was absorbing something from Esmeralda, but it seemed like nothing much at all. After a minute of trying I let go of her hand feeling intensely disappointed.
“It didn't work?” Esmeralda asked.
“No, it didn't.”
“Drink your tea then. It will make you feel better.”
Well it couldn't make things any worse, so I gave in and drank it. The tea was cold and tasted horrible. When it hit my stomach it warmed me in an unexpected way. A wave of cotton-wool peace expanded out and through me.
I looked at Esmeralda and saw the satisfaction on her face. It was difficult to keep my eyes open and I closed them as I slumped down on the chair.
“Get in here, Urda. He's finally taken the draft.”
Esmeralda shouted her command, but it sounded as if she was miles away. I drifted further down into clouds, but I could still hear Esmeralda from somewhere over the rainbow.
“That should keep him asleep for the best part of a day and give his body time to heal. You two carry him to his room and get him undressed… Urda, let the servants do the undressing. I want you straight back here when you've finished and no excuses.”
Chapter Ten: Visitors
I woke to afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. I felt warm and comfortable and, for the first time in a long time, I felt well. Opening my eyes, I saw Jenny sitting by the bed reading a book. I quickly shut my eyes in the hope she hadn't noticed. No such luck.
“I know you're awake, Jake Morrissey. What the hell did you think you were doing? Leaving hospital before you were recovered and hopping over here. Your parents turned up at the hospital to find you gone. Can you imagine how they felt?”
The answer 'used to it by now' flitted through my mind, but thankfully took a route that avoided my mouth.
“And Retnor was beside himself with worry. You, barely able to stand, came rushing over here to save her from Bronwyn. The girl has had four months to invade Salice. Couldn't you assume she'd hold off for a few more days?”
“It's only ten days to the wedding,” I said in explanation.
“Nine now, well eight and half, strictly speaking. The wedding preparations start at dawn and though the ceremony isn't until noon, you'll be far too busy that day to worry about Bronwyn.”
“She's going to attack during the wedding.”
Jenny smiled. “She's had all this time. Why should she wait…?”
Jenny's smile faded because she's a bright girl and had worked it out. “I never thought… She won't be able to resist, will she? Everybody gathered together in full regalia, foreign rulers present and Esmeralda and me in our wedding dresses. Nobody her age could.”
I told you Jenny was bright.
“Which is why I have to be ready for her before then. Know what she knows. Preferably find her and take her out before she comes after us.”
“You won't have time for any of that. You'll be far too busy ferrying wedding guests.”
“Can't you and Fluffy do it?”
Jenny sighed. “You left me to do all the planning and then you complain about the schedule. Mother's right. You're a pig-headed swine.”
I felt like putting my hands on my hips and shouting 'I was in hospital, remember?' but thought better of it. Jenny knows all that.
“You think it'll be wise to let Bronwyn come at us?”
Jenny smiled sweetly.
“At least that way I know you'll still be alive for the wedding.”
“And a magical duel during the wedding is good?”
“You'll have Retnor, Urda, Esmeralda and me at your side. And Esmeralda has driven Bronwyn aw
ay all on her own. Not to mention that her parents will be at the wedding as well, I invited them as two of your guests.”
Jenny pouted, which looks very cute on her, “Besides, you're always at your best when your loved ones are threatened. She doesn't stand a chance.”
I smiled for a second and then frowned. “I need to know what she knows or she'll defeat me.”
Jenny put her book on the table with a thud and gave me her most serious expression. “You need to face her as you, Jake. Not as her clone. You don't need those books.”
I grinned at the coincidence of her words. “Esmeralda said almost the exact same thing last night.”
Jenny looked smug. “Some of me is finally rubbing off on that girl. She might make something of herself one day if she works at it.”
I'll never know if I could have found a suitable answer because at that moment Grimaldi entered the room and strode to the wardrobe, flinging open its doors.
“Don't you ever knock bef— Grimaldi?”
“The King wants you dressed in your finest wizard clothes, Jake. Chop-chop, we don't have any time for nonsense.” He waved his arms about flamboyantly to emphasize the point.
“You're dead.” I pointed at him, lest there be any confusion as to whom I was referring.
Jenny pulled my arm down. “It's the other one, his brother.”
I must have looked incredulous, because this was Grimaldi down to the hair and everything. And he knew me.
“Honest, Jake. It's his brother.”
“Then how come he knows where my Wizard clothes are?”
Grimaldi took out my suit, the one Jenny likened to Zorro when she wasn't using the gay waiter comparison and laid it out on the bed. He gave me a severe look and I checked to see if he was carrying his hairbrush. The man did not suffer fools gladly.
“Jake, my brother is dead. He thanked you just before he died for releasing him from pain. But a Grimaldi has served the royal families of Salice for over a thousand years and I am both the latest in that line and the same one. Do you understand? Now you must get dressed quickly for the King.”
I gave up on understanding and subjected him to the same stare I gave Urda and Esmeralda. There was a magic about him like nothing I knew. He wasn't a wizard, but then I wasn't sure exactly what he was. While I was at it, I gave Jenny the once over as well. Two wizard children. How was I going to survive?
Grimaldi harried me into my costume. It always felt like a costume. And then he placed the Zorro style hat on my head at a jaunty angle. I look good in black and the cape was cool. Jenny's snigger stopped me from striking any poses in the mirror.
“You must both go. Court is in attendance and the country has unexpected visitors.”
“Bronwyn?”
Grimaldi shook his head impatiently. “Much more dangerous than that. You must hurry.”
“I'm a bit underdressed.” Jenny wore elasticized jeans and one of those shapeless top things pregnant women wear. It looked good on her. Almost anything does.
“It does not matter. You are the Wizard's consort and from another world. It will help convey a sense of power, as if you flout Salice's convention whenever you choose.”
I grabbed the new Grimaldi by the shoulders and made him look me in the eye.
“Who is waiting down there?”
“Old enemies arrived in the guise of diplomats. Follow the Princess' lead, Jake. She knows how to handle this situation, as does her father. Now go to them quickly, before it is too late.”
Chapter Eleven: Diplomacy
Court was already in session with the massive doors closed when we arrived. Two courtiers pulled the doors wide and the trumpeters started a fanfare as we stepped onto the long red carpet that led to the stage where the King held court.
To my considerable embarrassment the trumpeters at the door were echoed by another pair halfway to the stage. A further pair stood at the wings of the stage and it came as no surprise when they started up as well. Resigned to the situation I tried to keep my head up and my face from turning red as we walked to where the King sat on his throne.
Court in Salice is usually pretty informal. Once a week the citizens are allowed to petition the royal family on any matter bothering them. Three thrones were an almost permanent feature of the stage, for the King, his Queen and Esmeralda as his Heir. During a typical session only one of the royal family would turn up. This time all three were present and there were other seats arranged in line on either side of the thrones.
Esmeralda sat on the King's right and two ornate chairs had been placed to the right of her. The Queen sat on his left and to her left sat a very embarrassed looking Urda in an outfit almost identical to mine. The brim of her hat wasn't so large and she wore a full length black skirt, but other than that we could have been twins.
Standing next to her, also wearing black, was young Wenna. She was the other girl who had showed magical talent among the children I rescued. She was a couple of years younger than Urda and I don't think I've said more than three words to her in my life. She looked as though she would rather be somewhere else, which struck me as a highly sensible point of view.
There were chairs for supplicants to the left of the red carpet and three people stood up from them as I approached. They were dressed in bright red and yellow versions of the clothes I wore. I felt I should recognize the colors but I couldn't put my finger on it. Wherever I had seen those colors before it hadn't been a good association, that was for sure.
Esmeralda stood, as did Urda on the Queen's side.
“May I present the Lord Wizard Jake Morrissey, Guardian of Salice and my betrothed. Besides him is his consort, Lady Jennifer Owens, from the far off lands of Wales.” Esmeralda paused and tried to frown and smile simultaneously at us, which came across more like she was pulling faces.
The three people in the bright clothes turned and I got the chance to get a proper look at them. Seen from the front I recognized the clothes instantly. Talder Plath, the wizard I fought and killed, wore identical clothes to theirs the first time I'd seen him.
“May I present three diplomats from Valhalla,” Esmeralda continued, confirming my suspicions. Jenny's fingers squeezed mine so hard they hurt. Talder's brother Haldane had hurt her and she'd seen Talder kidnap Esmeralda.
I wanted to raise a magic shield, but they weren't using magic and it was pretty obvious such an act would be seen as aggression. So I smiled at them through gritted teeth.
“Lord Card Brindel, Chairmen of the Wizards Association of Valhalla.”
All three of them were thin, but Card was the thinnest. His attempt at a smile came out more like a snarl. He was in his fifties, at least. He bowed to me and I bowed back.
“Lady Meldar Lind, Holder of the Sacred Flame of Truth.”
Meldar looked about two hundred years old and I could see at once that she hated me. Her fingers twitched as though she was going to conjure something wicked, or perhaps she simply wanted to whip me. She didn't attempt a smile as she bowed, so I gave her one of my famous grins. That didn't improve her temper in the slightest and I suspected if her thin lips pulled any tighter they'd tear in two.
“Lord Delft Lagan, Appointed by the Senate of Valhalla to lead this mission of peace.” Esmeralda managed to lace her words with barely hidden skepticism. Her father frowned at her, but made no attempt to intervene. It seemed that all the royal statements would come through Esmeralda.
Delft was the youngest of the three and looked to be in his early thirties. Thin as all the others, he was almost handsome with curly blond hair framing chiseled features. He looked impatient, an impression immediately confirmed by his quick bow and the words that followed it.
“We have travelled vast distances to be here and have been kept waiting all morning and much of the afternoon. Perhaps we may begin, now that your court wizard has condescended to grace us with his presence?”
Esmeralda smiled and I gathered his outburst counted as a point to her. She waved at the empty seats b
eside her own.
“If Lord Morrissey and Lady Owens would care to take their seats I'm sure we can begin. Lord Morrissey was doing something very important this morning and could not be disturbed.”
I'd never heard sleeping described so elegantly and tried not to laugh out loud.
As we walked onto the stage I felt a buzzing in my vision. The King and Queen were carrying the magic stones. Esmeralda was taking no chances.
“Perhaps Lord Lagan would care to recap his earlier speech?” Esmeralda asked sweetly.
Lord Lagan looked as though he would like to strangle her, but instead addressed the King.
“If it pleases your Majesty. The Wizards of Valhalla are charged with disseminating friendship and peace to the less developed worlds.”
I may have snorted in derision, because Lagan stopped to glare at me.
“Wizard Talder Plath established a good relationship with the previous ruler of Salice and on his return sought an explanation as to the Master's whereabouts, whereupon he was attacked and severely injured by Wizard Morrissey.”
“That isn't how we remember events, my Lord. And I should point out we were present at the time. The Master was a usurper and had no legitimate right to rule this kingdom.”
Though it was said in a pleasant tone, it was clear to everyone that Esmeralda had just called Lagan a liar.
Lagan flushed and I saw buzzing near the fingers of his right hand. I prepared to throw up a shield, but the buzzing died.
“Whatever, it is clear there are deep misunderstandings between our peoples. After Wizard Morrissey visited Valhalla and spread word that our wizards have been abusing their powers the Senate set up an investigating committee of which I am the head. We have visited the kingdoms around you and been told much nonsense. It was claimed Wizard Morrissey restored your Majesty after Talder Plath changed him to stone.” Lagan smiled broadly, as if he had made a joke and his companions barked with laughter.
Esmeralda spoke, cutting off the words I'd been preparing. Her look suggested I should refrain from saying anything if I could possibly manage it.
