Matt nodded. He wanted nothing more than to sit and rest, but he knew they needed to get Miranda to safety.
“Your orb, please, Lily. Light our way to the gates,” Keltrain commanded gently.
The weary group continued their course over the wet sand in silence. The short distance seemed to stretch into an eternity for Matt. Numb and tired, he couldn’t feel his hands now, the cold taking the warmth even from his skin. Ned and Thomas seemed to stumble on nothing, their feet dragging as they tried to hold their eyes open. Miranda, now on DaGon’s back, rested against his scales, her face blank and emotionless.
When they finally approached Partholon’s gates, the walls of the city rose sharply against the darkening sky. The city seemed thrust into the landscape like chunks of odd shaped blocks. Its outline loomed ominously against the cliffs. Why was it so lifeless? Only a handful of windows were dotted with candlelight. The fog that rolled to shore and blanketed the quiet town in a thick veil of gray didn’t help his feelings of uneasiness.
“Wizard, did you notice there aren’t any watchmen on the walls? Something’s not right,” the dragon quietly warned.
“This is certainly unusual for Partholon,” Keltrain replied. He scanned the upper walls of the city.
“Them fowl rats and Babda must’ve already been here, wreakin' their havoc.” Lamfada retrieved his blade from its place in his boot.
“I don’t feel their presence. In fact, I don’t feel much of anything here,” the wizard said, his brow furrowed in worry as he walked to the center of the gate. Tugging at a bell hanging from an iron hook, he stood patiently, waiting for an answer.
The clanging of the bell’s metal seemed to penetrate the fog with an abruptness, disturbing the tomblike quietness of the air. A few Moments passed before a small wooden door opened and an odd-looking fellow peered out. “Only those seeking death ring that bell,” he solemnly whispered. The man, thin as a stick, stood shivering in loose-fitting clothing that hung from his body. Gaunt and haggard, he looked at them from a skeletal face, fear emanating from his eyes.
“And whom am I addressing?” Keltrain asked, bowing slightly.
“My name’s Gorta. I answer the bell. As commissioned by the late Queen.”
Lily fluttered to him. “Late Queen? Please give me your Queen’s name.”
“Queen Ethniu,” he replied with reverence.
“She’s not alive?” Lily caught a sob in her throat. “Oh, dear. What happened to her?”
“We lost our Queen last year,” Gorta replied, motioning for them to enter the safety of the walls. “Bera attacked our city and encased her in a block of ice. She lies in the frozen palace, where other citizens of our city sleep. Those who didn’t find death.” Gorta frowned. “She came without warning, you know. That winter witch sent her banshees, touching those who couldn’t escape.”
“How many survived, my friend?” Keltrain inquired, surveying the deserted streets.
“There are a few who remain. Maybe twenty or so. Bera also cast a spell over the harbor, so those who lived can’t leave. It’s a continuous winter. Most of my people, the Tuatha De Danann, died from starvation. We’re blocked from going through the mountain gap or leaving by sea. The Fir Darrigs constantly watch us. The handful that remain now protect the remnants of our lands.”
Gorta waved to a boy of about fifteen who waited in the shadows of a barn. Running from the stables, the lad bowed to the group and held his hand out to the horses. “Lug will help the young men with their animals and the leprechaun with his ponies. Our stable’s not much but will provide shelter from the coming storm.”
“Why would Bera attack Queen Ethniu?” Lily clung to Gorta’s side.
“The Queen refused to tell her where the Wand of Finley was hidden. Bera tortured her for weeks. She said nothing, knowing why Bera wanted it, and for punishment, she was imprisoned in ice.”
“My poor friend,” Lily cried. “DaGon, I wasn’t here to help her.”
“How could you have known Ethniu was in danger?” DaGon tried to console Lily. “Our place was at Stewart Manor, guarding the picture and the portal, making sure we were there for the four of legend.”
“At what cost? The destruction of our friends? Our home?” Lily flew to the dragon, weeping sorrowfully. “My heart aches when I think of the pain poor dear Ethniu suffered.”
Keltrain touched Gorta on his shoulder. “I must ask a favor from you. We’ll need a vessel tomorrow. Our journey takes us further. We must go to Black Isle and Crag Cairn. Are there still any boats seaworthy in your harbor? One able to pass through the icy waters?”
Gorta stopped in his tracks. “You want to go Black Isle? Are you stewards for the Dark One?” his voice wavered.
“No...no...no,” Keltrain quickly assured, holding up his hands. “We’re on a quest to rescue five small children. The young ones were taken by Bera and Uthal to use in their dark magic. Our land is on the verge of the forgotten spell once again, and we must stop them at all cost.” The wizard’s eye darted to Miranda’s parcel. “We’re at the time of the prophecy, my friend,” he whispered, “and soon we’ll be rid of Uthal for good.”
Seeing the gaze of the wizard shift towards the sword on Miranda’s back, Gorta’s face lightened with joy. “The sword, you’ve brought King Balorn’s Sword? Then these are...are the four?” His finger pointed to the children huddled together in the cold, their white cloaks wrapped around them like cocoons.
“Yes, the four foretold of so long ago,” the wizard replied.
Laughing with glee, Gorta jumped, his legs hopping like a frog. Matt wondered if the man had completely lost his mind.
“This is good news indeed; we must celebrate with a warm meal. Please follow me. My tavern is close by and the fire is hot.” He almost skipped his way to his inn, calling over his shoulder as he vanished into its interior. “There are others here who will want to meet you. They told me they were waiting on four young people.”
DaGon quickly stopped Keltrain at the words of the innkeeper, his face showing concern. “Do you think it wise, telling him who we are? We don’t know friend or foe in this city. He seems harmless, yet his tongue may slip to the wrong entity, or worse, he could be a spy. Whoever’s inside may be in league with him.”
Sonya, quiet throughout most of the journey, thrust herself into the conversation. “I know you both don’t care for me, but I can help. Let me go inside, invisible, and listen to the conversation of those waiting. This way we’ll know if it’s someone scouting for us.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right,” Matt interjected. He wanted to bite his tongue, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want anything to happen to Miranda. “She’ll be more useful to us invisible. Babda said she sent her messengers to warn the Black Warlock. Perhaps these are them.”
“I’m not willing to trust Sonya at this Moment. If it’s Bera’s mercenaries, then she could hinder our escape by informing them of our intentions.”
“We don’t have any other choice,” Matt challenged. “Miranda’s in no condition for an all-out battle with them again.” He eyed his friend. She blankly stared ahead at the snow.
Keltrain scowled slightly. He thoughtfully eyed Matt and then the cat, and finally sighed deeply. “All right, you’ve made your point.” Bending down to Sonya, he whispered, “Find out who they are. But know this: if you betray me again, I won’t be as lenient on you this time.”
“You can trust me on this,” Sonya hissed slightly. “Or has your heart hardened so much against me? I want Miranda protected, too.” She disappeared in a wink, her small footprints appearing in the snow towards the tavern.
“Don’t ye be worrin’ about Sonya. I be takin’ care of her if she gets up to her old tricks,” Lamfada suggested, showing the edge of his small dagger.
“Remember: keep quiet about the sword and Miranda,” Keltrain warned the group. “We don’t know what to expect from Gorta’s other guests. Remain alert. Just in case we have to defend ourselves.�
�
“We will,” Matt replied, looking at Thomas and Ned. He tried to sound calm, but inside, he was apprehensive. His strength had diminished and he didn’t know if he would be able to do anything should it become necessary to fight.
“Miranda, place the sword under your cloak, out of sight for the time being, at least until we’re confident of who’s here with us,” the wizard instructed.
Matt helped Miranda tuck the blade into the folds of her cloak. Keltrain motioned for him to place the girl between himself and the dragon. “Let’s get to the warmth of the fire, then,” the wizard said quietly.
The snow crunched beneath them and clung to their garments as they awkwardly trudged the distance to the tavern. Wet and cold, the friends climbed the two small steps to the porch bordering the front wall and stomped their boots free of mud and ice.
Bending at the front window, Matt could see three hooded individuals huddled at a table towards the back of the room. “There they are,” he said, pointing through the glass to the mysterious guests.
“Do you recognize them?” Keltrain questioned the dragon and fairy.
Lily rubbed her small fist across the glass, dislodging ice from the pane. “Their faces are hidden. I’m afraid I’m won’t be helpful.”
“There be somethin’ familiar about those cloaks,” Lamfada whispered as he studied the blue-green shimmering material. He turned away from the trio’s gaze when the hooded figures caught him looking through the window.
The slam of the wooden door alerted them to Gorta’s appearance. “Come in. Please,” the man requested. “Put yourselves by the fire. I asked Lug to bring your provisions in so we may eat, if that’s all right with you.”
Entering the small inn, Matt was aware of the intense gaze from the three mysterious figures. The hairs on the back of his neck tingled as he and the others made their way to the opposite side of the room. It was an uncomfortable feeling, being so open to them. He looked at Miranda. She seemed oblivious to the lurking threat. Once again, he forgot to get a replacement for his missing dagger, before the boy, Lug, had taken the horses away. Mentally, he made a note to himself to do it first thing in the morning.
Anxious for warmth, he quickly led his friends to the wooden chairs in front of the roaring blaze. The boys took off the wet cloaks and pushed their hands close to the flames. Miranda sat behind Matt and stared listlessly at the burning wood.
“My whole body feels like one big frozen ice cube. Gee whiz, I thought these cloaks had a spell on them,” Thomas exclaimed, shoving his hands closer to the fire.
Ned yawned. “I don’t think I’m gonna be able to wait for food. I’m too tired.”
“Yeah. Guess Keltrain’s magic isn’t too sharp when it comes to these cloaks he pulled out of his pocket. Didn’t do anything for me, either,” Matt said as he glanced behind him at Miranda. “Hey. Do you want to sit here by us? It’s warmer,” he asked her.
“No, I’m not cold,” she replied, wrapping the white material closer to her body. A faint glow emanated from under the cloth where her hands were tucked.
Thomas nudged Matt, pointing to the light. “Ever since she came back from behind that ice mirror, her hand glows. Gee, whiz. That just gives me the willies.”
“Yeah. I noticed it, too. I wanted to ask Keltrain about it, but...”
“Maybe it has somethin’ to do with that sword,” Ned said between yawns. He lowered his head down onto his arm.
Lamfada kicked his feet up on a stool, facing the fireplace. Digging into his pocket, he pulled his pipe out and lit it. “Aye, now that be good,” he sighed, blowing a stream of white smoke from his mouth.
Matt took his hands away from the fire and looked back at the entrance. DaGon, Lily, and Keltrain had remained outside. He studied them. Their silent conversation intrigued him. In a few Moments, DaGon disappeared, and the wizard and fairy entered the room. Keltrain shook the snow off his shoulders and quickly walked to the fireplace.
“Where’d DaGon go?” Matt asked.
“He’s on a mission. Sort of,” Keltrain said quietly, glancing at the hooded heads turned towards their direction. “He believed it necessary to venture to Black Isle tonight under cover of the storm to scout a position for landing. Somewhere on the opposite side of Crag Cairn.”
“He’s foolish!” Lily lighted upon a stool in front of the fire. Sinking to her knees, she pouted. “My poor dear dragon is risking his life unnecessarily.”
“Perhaps he’ll fly above the storm,” Miranda calmly expressed. “DaGon is valiant. We’ll see him in the morning and all.”
Matt glanced at Thomas, who shrugged his shoulders. Ned snorted loudly, interrupting their conversation briefly. Matt looked at the sleeping boy in bewilderment. He wondered how he managed to find a comfortable spot on a wooden chair and table.
“To be feelin' safe and secure like that, be not easy.” Lamfada shook his head and laughed as he lit his pipe again. “That young lad is trustin’, when no other would be.”
Gorta approached them with a large platter and placed it in front of the group. “I made some hot stew with some things I found in your bag. I hope that this will take the chill away. My wife Bressly is making beds on the second floor. A good night’s sleep will heal your minds and tired bodies.”
“You’re an excellent host, my friend. What can I do to thank you?” Keltrain asked graciously as he took a bowl from the tavern keeper.
“Nothing for me. Thank you. But, I would ask if...if, after you eat. You see, there are...there are the three travelers who expressed a desire to speak with you about the children.” Gorta didn’t raise his eyes to look in the direction of the hooded figures.
The wizard nodded to the three individuals sitting in the opposite corner. Matt glanced at them again. They remained rigid and watched the group, their faces hidden in the folds of the hoods. The tallest seemed to make a motion to Lamfada in the form of a small wave when the leprechaun looked their way. He snorted and quickly turned back to the fire.
“Let us eat first,” Keltrain said to Gorta.
The tavern keeper nodded his understanding and left. Feeling a slight brush against his calf, Matt looked down as a disembodied voice quietly spoke in a hushed tone. “They’ve discussed nothing of interest since I entered.”
“Keep invisible, until we know who we are dealing with,” Keltrain replied quietly. He took a bite of his stew, and eyed the three strangers briefly.
“As you wish,” Sonya replied.
“Lamfada, one of them waved to you. Do you know them?” Keltrain asked without raising his head from his bowl.
The leprechaun adjusted slightly in his seat and squinted at the three over his shoulder. “Do they be wearing shimmering blue-green robes?”
“Yes.”
“Then aye, I do believe that I be knowin’ those,” he confirmed reluctantly. “They be the Water Wraiths.”
“Are you sure?” the wizard exclaimed, alarmed. “What could they be doing here?”
“Queen Onagh told us at the Dell that she hid the Wand of Finley with them for safe keeping,” Lily informed Keltrain. She hovered at the back of his chair. “Do you think something could have gone wrong?”
“To be this close to Black Isle with it,” the wizard said shaking his head.
The three Wraiths rose and approached them. Keltrain quickly got to his feet, thrusting himself in between them and the children, hindering their advance.
Lamfada hastily joined his friend, standing in readiness to challenge the Wraiths and their intentions. “Stand back, ye foul creatures. Me friends already know ye be nasty witches,” he said forcefully.
The Wraiths stopped mid-stride. Gently raising their hands, they uncovered their heads. Matt was amazed to see three beautiful dark-haired women staring at him.
The one in front giggled. “Lamfada, you can’t still be angry about the ponies. It was just a joke. You know how much we love you, little brother.”
“Brother? Gee whiz, are they yer si
sters?” Thomas exclaimed. “You made them out to be so evil and mean.”
“Aye, they are. Give ‘em a chance.”
“As long as I’ve known you, I never knew your sisters were the Water Wraiths.” Keltrain chuckled. “It certainly explains much, though.”
“You can be blamin’ me Dad for that. He always did have an eye for the water ladies.”
“I am sorry for the misunderstanding,” the one in front said. “Please let me introduce myself and my sisters. I am Huathe, this is Trinne and Saille. We are the Water Wraiths, but not witches. We protect those on the water.”
“Ya are wicked, doin’ what ye did to me wee ponies,” Lamfada stated. “I can’t get the green to wash off.”
“Please sit with us,” Keltrain instructed softly, a smile on his face.
“Thank you. We are very excited to meet those of the legend.”
“I know a potion to reverse the green,” Keltrain said quickly, leaning over to the leprechaun. “I’ll make a batch on our return.”
Lamfada sarcastically bowed. Plopping angrily back onto his seat, he stuck his hands to the fire, refusing to look in the direction of the women.
Keltrain glanced at Lamfada and chuckled. “I’m curious.” He turned to the Water Wraiths. “How did you know we would be here?”
“Mother Willow told us your path. Even though she is very old and weak, she still managed to get a message to us,” Huathe replied.
“She also mentioned ravens hiding in the shadows of her branches,” Trinne interjected.
“My sisters and I put two and two together and, well, now we are here. We figured you would be making your way to Black Isle sooner or later,” Huathe said as she gracefully gathered her cloak beneath her and lowered herself into the chair Gorta offered. “When we received the message about the ravens, we knew Babda would be close behind you. So we choose to wait here at the port city.”
“Most likely we’ll need your protection tomorrow. I hope we’ll be able to find a ship that’s not been damaged by the ice,” Keltrain quietly requested, not wanting Gorta and Bressly to hear their conversation.
The Forgotten Spell (Legends of Green Isle Book 1) Page 27
