Seeker of Magic

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  The young man reluctantly released Wren, moved out of the way, and stood beside Taliesin, tears in his eyes. Zarnoc sat cross-legged, took Wren by the hands, and gazed steadily into her eyes, a tender smile on his wrinkled face. In the time it took Wren to calm down, Jaelle returned with a flask of water and handed it to the wizard, who in turn helped the trembling young girl take a few sips. He gave the flask to Jaelle, took Wren by the hands, and gave her a cheery smile.

  “Now, my dear, take a few deep breaths. Each time you exhale, you will feel more refreshed and calmer.” Zarnoc said something in Lorian and waited while Wren took several large breaths through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. Her chest heaved with each breath, while Zarnoc patted her hands. “There, there, now. You have a pretty glow on your cheeks now, my dear. There’s no reason to be afraid. Your family is here.”

  “But….but I saw our family. I saw Talon and Falcon. I saw them all.”

  “What about them?” Taliesin said. “You told us before everyone was dead.”

  Rook sighed heavily and shook his head at her. Taliesin fell silent. The wizard placed his arm around Wren’s shoulders and helped her sit up. “Now try again,” Zarnoc said. “Tell us what you saw, little Wren. What has happened to the twins? It’s all right, my dear. Simply tell us what happened.”

  Large tears rolled down Wren’s cheeks. With her hair now worn short and colored black, she looked much different from the girl who had left Raven’s Nest. Her makeup was smeared and mingled with her tears, leaving two black trails on her pale cheeks. Zarnoc released her hands to wipe the tears away with a kerchief that magically appeared, and just as quickly vanished when he took her hands into his own.

  “The twins were turned,” Wren said. “Chief Lykus bit them.”

  “Simply ghastly,” Zarnoc said. “You poor child. I cannot imagine what you have seen, but you must not fear these visions. Embrace this gift from the gods, for they may prove helpful to our quest. Now tell me, child, what did you see? You spoke of the twins?”

  ‘Yes. Talon and Falcon were turned.”

  Rook knelt beside Wren. Taliesin knew he’d been fond of the twins, and all the children had loved Rook. The twins had not taken to many people other than Minerva, but Rook had easily won them over.

  “Take your time, Wren,” the wizard said. “Start at the beginning. What did you see?”

  “I...I saw Osprey and Glabbrio being led away by Lykus. The Wolf Chief wanted to know where Taliesin had gone and whom she was traveling with. Osprey explained Taliesin had been sent away, but he didn’t know where. When Lykus grew angry, Glabbrio tried to appease him by offering him Duke Hrothgar’s armor and sword, but Lykus rejected the bribe, and Osprey refused to tell him anything more.”

  Taliesin felt rage building inside of her. “Then what happened?” she asked.

  “Osprey, Glabbrio, and Minerva were brought before the Wolf Clan,” Wren said, her cheeks flushed pink with the hint of a fever. Jaelle gave her the flask of water again, and she drank before continuing. “Lykus asked them to decide whether they wanted to be turned or not, and that’s when the twins were brought forward. Those dear, sweet boys were given no choice, and were held as Lykus bit them. The same was done to Minerva.”

  “Monsters,” the wizard said. “Despicable monsters.”

  Wren clutched Rook’s hand. “One by one, the Ravens were led before Lykus and killed,” she said. “It was horrible to watch. They were ripped apart and devoured while poor Osprey and Glabbrio watched. When it was Glabbrio’s turn, Lykus butchered him and fed him to the clan.” The pink had left her face, leaving her pale as a sheet. “Osprey was so brave, so very brave. He didn’t beg for mercy or show any fear.”

  “Yes?” Zarnoc said, anxious. “What happened then?”

  “The Raven Master looked at me, right at me,” Wren said. “He saw me, he must have, for he said, ‘Dead things don’t stay dead for long.’ I don’t know how he knew I was there, or why he said what he did. No one has ever spoken to me during a vision, but after he spoke, Lykus tore off Osprey’s head and made the twins eat him.”

  There was a long silence before anyone spoke.

  “Wren, what happened to the Eagle legionnaires? You said nothing about them, only Glabbrio,” Taliesin said. Her mind was reeling from the images—she wanted revenge.

  “Lykus released them,” Wren said, leaning into Rook’s arms. Jaelle remained beside her, one hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I don’t know why. Maybe he wanted the survivors to return to Lord Arundel with the story. I looked for Master Xander, Lord Arundel’s son, but I didn’t see him at Wolf’s Lair, and no one mentioned him.”

  Taliesin cursed under her breath. “I bet Xander was never at Wolf’s Lair,” she said. “Of course, the Eagles weren’t harmed. Glabbrio was big enough to keep those monsters fed for days. They didn’t have to kill everyone. I will not rest until Lykus and his clan pays for what they have done.”

  She thought of Minerva and the twins. Though Taliesin never liked the old woman, Minerva didn’t deserve being turned into a Wolfen, and neither did the two boys. She nodded at Zarnoc, who stood, stretched, and walked with her to the cave entrance.

  “It is just as I said, Taliesin,” Zarnoc said. “The longer Wren and Jaelle are in your company, the stronger their powers will become. Jaelle may be a palmist and a reader of cards, but her fortunes will become more valid, and Wren’s visions more accurate. Even I am far stronger than I was before you came to Pelekus. Soon, your powers will emerge, I should think, though I cannot tell you precisely when or what they will be. I’ve never had a sha’tar as an apprentice.”

  Roland and Hawk stood at the cave’s entrance. Both had heard the fate of the Raven Clan and looked equally troubled.

  “I will kill Chief Lykus with my own hands,” Hawk swore.

  “Taliesin, I am so sorry.” Roland stepped forward and slid his arm around her and pulled her close, his gaze traveling to the dense trees. “Osprey was a good man. When the king hears of what happened, I know he will give the order for the destruction of the Wolf Pack, and I’ll gladly lead the attack.”

  “All of our friends are dead,” Taliesin said. “If you all hadn’t come with me, you’d be dead, too.”

  “Lord Arundel could have stopped Chief Lykus,” Zarnoc said, after a moment. “His soldiers were spared, so I suspect there may be a pact between the Wolf Clan and the Eagle Clan. Taliesin mentioned Master Xander is missing. Perhaps the map will reveal his location; then again, perhaps not. We should check later, just to be sure.”

  Roland held Taliesin tighter. “This is painful news,” he said, and brushed his nose against her cheek, wet with tears. “Master Osprey was wise to send you away. I only wish we’d stayed at Raven’s Nest and put up a fight. It’s what you wanted to do.”

  “Damn the Wolf Pack,” Hawk said. “And damn the Eagle Clan. Arundel and Lykus are probably having a good laugh right about now. They never liked Osprey.”

  “They’ll pay for this,” Taliesin replied. “When I find Ringerike, I’ll lay low their clans. This I swear.”

  “Their fate is for King Frederick to decide, dearest,” replied Roland. “We need to find Ringerike and return to Padama so we can help put down this rebellion. The king needs our help and I, for one, intend to do whatever is necessary to see Frederick Draconus remains on the throne.”

  Taliesin pulled away from him. “I don’t care about King Frederick,” she said, angrily. “I don’t care which prince sits on the throne. If you want to find magical weapons for your stupid king, Roland, then I’ll help you, but you can’t have Ringerike. Quite a few magical weapons are on the way to the Cave of the Snake God. We can collect them, and you can take them back to your king with Tamal and his men. But that’s all I’ll do for your king.”

  “Ringerike is the only sword I am after. With the Raven Sword, we have a chance to save the king and avenge our clan,” Roland said, passionately. “The king is still healthy and fit to rule another twenty year
s or more. Let me use Ringerike to defeat Frederick’s sons. I swear I’ll avenge Osprey and destroy those who caused his death.”

  Taliesin could tell by the expression on Roland’s face he was convinced he was right, but she was determined to keep the sword out of King Frederick’s hands, as well as every other prince’s, nobleman’s, or eager knight’s.

  “I am the Raven Mistress,” she said. “The Raven Sword will only be used to help avenge our clan. I’m sorry, Roland. I know you are loyal to your king, but the Draconus family killed King Korax and turned our clan into scavengers. That same king has allowed our clan to be exterminated. I will not help him. You must understand. I have lost two fathers because of this king, and I will not lose any more people I love.”

  For a moment, she found herself looking at Grudge. He looked murderous. She’d never known him to lay violent hands upon a woman, and, though he did not make a move toward her, she moved away until Zarnoc stood between them. Roland began quaking with rage, and Hawk placed his hand on the larger man’s shoulder, only to be shoved to the ground.

  “You will do what is best for the realm, woman!” Roland shouted. “We cannot allow Prince Almaric to take Padama. His army contains not only Skardanian barbarians, but mercenaries from the east, and outlaws. Thousands will die if Ringerike is not used to protect King Frederick and the realm from this threat. The King’s enemies are our enemies, Taliesin. Make no mistake about that! I said I would avenge the Raven Clan, and I will, but I must have Ringerike to accomplish that. It’s the most powerful of all weapons.”

  “Only as powerful as the one who uses it,” countered Taliesin, remembering what Zarnoc had told her. How could she believe in herself or her magic abilities if Roland didn’t think her decision was the right one? She didn’t want to be at odds with him, but her mind was made up.

  “You do not trust me,” Roland said, at last. His tone was surprisingly cold. “Don’t fool yourself into thinking Prince Sertorius will help you. That snake does not support his father. Sertorius will change sides on a whim. I do not know what happened between you two in the Volgate, but I know you were childhood friends. The king was very specific that you two should not be allowed to renew your friendship. I may not know the details as to why the king fears this union, but be warned. Side with this snake against me, and you both shall suffer.”

  The cavern seemed unnaturally still. No one spoke. Even the horses remained quiet and merely flicked at flies with their tails.

  Taliesin and Roland glared at one another, their animosity and anger so visible and deeply felt it could have been cut in two with a sharp blade. She’d never seen Roland so furious before, nor had she felt such a deep hatred for another person. All she saw standing before her was the king’s own champion. She didn’t care he knew she’d encountered Sertorius in the marshes, or suspected they’d formed some type of alliance. He felt threatened, and like any threatened beast, he was ready to attack. But a quick glance from Zarnoc made her lower her eyes and her voice.

  “Must we draw battle lines this minute?” Taliesin forced her voice to sound light-hearted, trying to appeal to Roland’s heart, but she feared it did not belong to her; it belonged to the king. “I do trust you, Roland. I trust you with my life, but on this particular issue, I am resolute. I have no love for Sertorius or any of the princes. We may never find Ringerike. We may be able to find other magical weapons, if the map is true, and I’ll even try to find Master Xander, if you think he’s important, but the Raven Sword will never serve a Draconus again.”

  “That is your final decision?” Roland asked, his voice lowered to a growl.

  “Yes,” Taliesin said. “That is my answer, Sir Roland. You swore you’d do what I asked, so I’m asking you to help me avenge the Raven Clan. The Raven Sword is not for sale.”

  With a snort of disgust, Roland stormed off, his knuckles white around the handle of his battle-axe. Hawk gave Taliesin a sad smile and walked to the knight, leaving Zarnoc, who looked stoic as he lit his pipe and watched the two men bicker.

  Taliesin knew she risked losing Roland’s love by refusing to help his king, but Frederick Draconus was a usurper, not fit to wear the crown. Roland had sworn to follow her; it wasn’t her fault if he was now torn between his oath and his honor. If her decision to use the Raven Sword for the Raven Clan meant she couldn’t be with Roland, she was willing to make that sacrifice. Heaving a sigh, she turned and walked into the cave.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Nineteen

  Tears in her eyes, Taliesin brushed Thalagar with a soft, bristle brush, removing a layer of mud and dust from his thick black coat. The argument with Roland had left her unsettled, her stomach hurt, and she was angry and confused about what she needed to do versus what she wanted to do. She liked to think of herself as a strong woman—one not dependent upon a man—but having Roland upset with her, especially over what was best for King Frederick and the realm, had left her wallowing in self-pity.

  Roland wanted to ride to Padama with the Raven Sword and rescue his beloved king from a siege. He didn’t care how she felt about it, and, like all men, he assumed a woman would eventually do what he wanted. She’d taken him to bed, but that didn’t mean she belonged to him, any more than he belonged to her. Loving Roland left her confused and unable to sort out her priorities, and in her frustration, she absent-mindedly brushed Thalagar harder than intended. The horse let out an angry snort and stomped his front leg, nearly crushing her toes under his large hoof.

  “Watch it there,” Taliesin said. She gave Thalagar a pat on the rump. “I’m sure you heard all that nonsense between me and Roland, old boy. What am I supposed to do? If there were a Raven heir, I’d give him the Raven Sword. But there isn’t one, and I won’t help Frederick Draconus keep his throne. If Roland can’t understand the king is a monster and a murderer, then that’s his problem, not mine. I kneel to no man. All that makes Roland is the dumbest turkey in the woods. I hate him, Thalagar. I really do. I hate all men.”

  The stallion turned his head, caught her gaze, and with a snort, ended her tirade with a smack of his tail against the side of her head. It was a deliberate, sneaky attack, and Taliesin imagined Thalagar laughing inside of his horse head. Most people didn’t think animals had a sense of humor, but they did. A lopsided smile tugged at one corner of her mouth, and she wiped away her tears. The stallion again snorted and tossed his head. Taliesin looked to her left and spotted Tamal walking toward her. The young man carried a flask of wine and a chunk of bread wrapped in a colorful cloth.

  “You need to keep your strength, Raven Mistress,” Tamal said. “Eat. Drink. I’ll brush your horse.” He handed her the wine and bread, took the brush, and started to brush it across the stallion’s neck. “Start at the top and work your way down. Long, soft strokes, that’s what horses like.”

  “Thank you, Tamal,” Taliesin said. She tried to smile but her face muscles felt frozen. She took a bite of the bread and watched him brush her horse. “Thalagar usually doesn’t like strangers. I’ve always believed you should trust the instincts of an animal. If an animal likes a person, then it’s a good indication you can as well. Not always, but usually.”

  Tamal continued brushing the stallion. “I feel I need to tell you what really happened that night,” he said, keeping his voice low. “What happened between Roland and I was not quite as either of us led you and my father to believe. Knowing what was at stake, I thought it best to agree with Sir Roland. My men and I were trading in a nearby town and stopped for the night at a farmer’s house. There we met a beautiful girl who made it quite clear she wanted me. When the others went to bed, she led me outside and kissed me under the stars. I thought I was doing what she wanted, but when Sir Roland arrived and caught us together, she told him I’d forced myself upon her. I didn’t realize the girl was his wife until that moment, and so I took the beating in silence and went my way.”

  “The girl was Sir Roland’s wife?” Taliesin choked on the bread and quickly took a drin
k of wine. It was well past noon and she felt distraught, so she drank more. “Roland never told me he was married. Are you sure she was his wife, Tamal?”

  “Yes,” he said, pausing in his work. “Her reputation was well known in town; she even told me her husband was often away for months at a time. She lived with her father and was lonely; at least that’s what she said. Sir Roland must have known her reputation yet blinded himself the truth. The girl’s father pulled him off me and helped me get away, or I think he would have killed me that night.”

  “What happened to her?” Taliesin asked. “Is she waiting for him to come home?”

  Tamal shook his head. “When I returned to the area a year later,” he said, “I heard the girl had died, and the farmer had moved away. The townsfolk believed Sir Roland killed her in a jealous rage, but I do not believe that to be true, Taliesin. I believe Sir Roland is an honorable man, and I would not have agreed to come with him if I believed otherwise.”

  “Who was his wife? What was her name?”

  “Does it matter?” Tamal said, with a shrug. “I did cause the man harm, unknowingly, and I hoped to make amends by agreeing to be his squire. I hope he feels the same.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Tamal. That is a horrible story. I dare not ask Roland about it, and now I feel even worse for quarreling with him. No wonder he thinks so little of women.”

  “That is not my place to say. I believe the knight carries a great guilt in his heart. You made me swear I would obey you over Sir Roland, and so I told you what happened, but I also say you should not let an argument split you apart. Kings will come and go; that is the way of things, now and always. My father says true love is hard to find, and harder still to keep. If this man means anything to you, Raven Mistress, then you will find a way to set things right. You spared my life for a reason. I want only to make amends. He grieves still, and perhaps you can take that burden away.”