Pyrgus blinked and tried not to show he was impressed. The Forest Faerie kept producing spell technology like nothing he'd ever seen before. Transforming the appearance of something was easy enough: all you had to do was coat it with an illusion spell. Changing what it did was more difficult, but still possible if you had the money for expensive magic. But nothing he'd ever seen changed the essential nature of anything. You could make a pandatherium look and act like an endolg, but it would still have the weight and mass of a pandatherium. Yet this raft, in different form, could be rolled up small enough and light enough to be carried in a slim girl's pouch. That simply wasn't possible, except that he'd seen it for himself.
'On to the raft!' Nymph hissed. 'I have to get us cloaked.'
There was something about her that reminded Pyrgus of Blue. Not that they looked alike, and Nymph was older, of course, but now he was getting to know her better he noticed a bossy streak emerging. Certainly she was a take-charge sort of girl. He wondered what she meant by getting them cloaked, but decided to trust she knew what she was doing.
Blue was less trusting. 'What do you mean, get us cloake"'
'Hide us so we shall not be seen by anyone in the palace,' Nymph said.
'Invisibility?'
Nymph shook her head. 'With invisibility you're still there.'
Which, as an answer, made no sense at all to Pyrgus. But he was anxious to get on. 'I think we should climb on, Blue,' he said softly. She glared at him, but stepped at once on to the raft.
Both Blue and the raft disappeared.
'It is invisibility,' Pyrgus said.
But Nymph was shaking her head again. 'Cloaking,' she insisted. 'You cannot feel the vessel or your sister unless I deactivate.' She caught the look on his face and added, 'Go on – try: we have time.'
Pyrgus stretched out his hands to the spot where Blue had been before she vanished. They encountered nothing. 'Blue?' he whispered.
'She can see you and hear you,' Nymph said. 'But you cannot sense her in any way. Nor our transport. Feel.'
Pyrgus knelt down and swept his hand along the segment of water in front of him. There was no invisible raft. Blue might have stepped out of reach, but the raft had been solidly moored, or so it seemed. Except now it was gone.
Nymph, who was clearly enjoying this, said, 'Now step on board, please.'
Pyrgus straightened up, frowning. 'It's not there any more.'
Nymph actually grinned. 'Just take a pace forward, Crown Prince. Did I not promise you would not get wet today?'
He knew it was a challenge and took it up without a second's hesitation. He stepped forward into what looked like the surface of the swiftly running river.
He was on the raft with Blue. The others were lined up on the river bank.
'What was all that about?' Blue asked.
'Could you see me?'
'Pefectly,' Blue sniffed.
'You could see what I was doing?'
'Right down to your simpering at little Miss Nymph Know-it-all,' Blue said.
Although there was no sign of a propulsion system and no distinctive scent of magic, the raft cut directly across the current.
'What's driving us?' Pyrgus asked quietly.
'No need to whisper,' Nymph told him. 'We can't be heard outside the cloak.' She glanced around as if to emphasise the fact there was nobody to hear them in the middle of the river anyway. She looked back at Pyrgus and smiled slightly. 'We have a standard magical drive. Forward thrust, directional controls, low-grade levitation to reduce the friction.'
'There's no smell,' Pyrgus said.
'Not much point in cloaking if they could still smell us,' Nymph said, without explaining how the Forest Faerie managed it.
Pyrgus was about to press the point when he noticed they were approaching their destination already. The Old Keep of the palace, built in deep prehistory using stones so large that modern technology could no longer handle them, hung over the rearward cliff edge of the island. The Keep itself was largely used for storage now, but it remained attached to the main body of the building. Guard posts were minimal, since it had long been believed that the Keep could not be breached from the river – an idea Pyrgus promised himself would be quickly laid to rest if their present mission succeeded.
The raft docked quietly within a tiny inlet beside some rocks. There was a narrow stretch of stony beach, then the low, sheer cliff topped by the towering walls of the Keep. Pyrgus allowed his eyes to drift upwards, then froze. There were guards on the battlements. Even at this distance he could see they were armed with lethal kris wands.
He became aware of Blue at his shoulder, also looking upwards. 'Hairstreak's taking no chances,' she said.
'There are guards,' Pyrgus called over his shoulder.
Nymph moved to stand beside him on the other side from Blue. 'We're safe so long as we stay on the raft,' she said, 'but to get in we will have to cross that beach. Once we do that the cliff will shelter us – they can't see much looking straight down – but if they spot us crossing, they can pick us off like flies.' She'd clearly noticed the guards' weapons as well.
Blue turned to the wizard. 'Can you make us invisible?'
Ziczac shrugged. 'I'm a specialist. I don't do invisibility.'
Pyrgus said, 'What about this cloaking business? Can you extend that? Maybe take the raft across the beach?'
It was Nymph who answered. 'The vehicle is only designed for water usage. And there's no way to extend the cloak beyond it.'
Blue glanced at Pyrgus. 'Is there another inlet that would take us closer to the walls?'
'Not that I know of.'
'So we have to risk the beach,' Blue said thoughtfully.
Nymph said firmly, 'We soldiers will take the Wizard Ziczac and protect him while he does his work. You will remain on the vehicle where you will be safe. When all is ready, you may dash across the beach to join us.'
Blue gave her a look that would have shattered glass. 'We all cross together. Two crossings double the chance of being seen. It's a small distance and the overhang will protect us once we reach the cliff.'
Nymph turned to Pyrgus. 'Is this your wish, Crown Prince?'
'Yes,' Pyrgus said promptly. He fancied Nymph a lot, but long experience had taught him not to get on the wrong side of Blue when she was in this mood.
The plan was a simple one. They would wait until the guards were looking the other way, then make a run for it. The trouble was, the guards never seemed to look the other way at the same time. Some would stare out across the water, some to their left, some to their right, but there was always at least one watching the narrow stretch of beach. They all wore palace uniforms, but Pyrgus was firmly convinced these were Faeries of the Night: they had the jerky, paranoid look that made them such excellent watchdogs.
After a while Nymph said, 'We need a diversion.' She glanced across at Ziczac, who nodded slightly.
'What did you have in mind?' Blue asked. To Pyrgus there was almost a hint of suspicion in her tone.
Nymph shrugged. She turned her head to look out across the expanse of water. The river was particularly wide here, but they could still see the encroaching city suburbs on the further bank. A few of the houses had their own jetties and personal boats.
Ziczac squatted nimbly on the floor of the raft, adjusting his robe to cover his knees. He began to hum quietly to himself.
'What's he doing?' Pyrgus asked no one in particular.
'Wizard's work,' Nymph said. 'Don't you have hummers in your Court?'
Pyrgus didn't. He'd never even heard the word hummer used in magic before. But Blue said, 'Illusion, isn't it? Sort of.'
Nymph looked at her with just the barest hint of admiration. 'That's right. Sort of.'
One of the guards on the ramparts suddenly shouted. Pyrgus looked up in time to see him point to something in the water. In seconds the remaining guards were running to join him.
'What are they seeing?' Blue asked.
'Dragon, probably,' Ny
mph said. 'He likes to do dragons. Or a sea serpent, since it's in the water. Or it could be naked mermaids – he's got a bit of a naughty streak.' She glanced fondly at Ziczac, then archly at Pyrgus.
'Let's go,' Blue said tightly. She looked at Ziczac without the fondness. 'Can he hum and run at the same time?'
Ziczac waved a dismissive hand in her direction.
It took them less than a minute to cross the narrow stretch of beach. Ziczac stopped humming once they reached the shelter of the cliff face. He grinned at Blue and Pyrgus. 'Giant fireball,' he said. 'I made them see a giant fireball – very bright. Thing is, it leaves an impression on the retina, just like the real thing. I think those boys up there are Nighters, so they're particularly light-sensitive. They'll be seeing spots for the next five minutes. Keep them occupied. Give us time to get inside.'
Pyrgus looked at him gratefully. It meant a lot to have a skilled wizard along on a mission. He began to think they might have a real chance of reaching his father after all.
CHAPTER FIFTY NINE
'There are those in the Realm,' Peach Blossom said, 'who will not rest until Prince Pyrgus is restored to his rightful place. Prince Comma might as well be a full-bred Nighter now. Everybody knows it's Black Hairstreak who rules. The old Queen, Comma's mother, is dangerous as a slith, but her brother is the one who holds the reins of power. It cannot be allowed to continue.'
From her expression and those of the women around her, Henry had no doubt at all that the Silken Sisterhood counted themselves among those who wanted Pyrgus back. He wondered briefly if they were doing anything about it. From the war movies he watched on television, resistance movements sprang up like mushrooms in times of trouble. 'Do you know where they've gone?' he asked. 'Pyrgus and Blue – the Crown Prince and his sister? Is it true they're in Haleklind?'
Peach Blossom nodded. 'Yes.'
Henry blinked at her. I don't suppose you know where that is?'
'It's a bordering country, outside the Empire. That's why Hairstreak sent them there.'
Henry felt his heart sink. 'Is it far?'
'You want to go to them?'
Henry didn't answer at once. He was out of his depth here and had been since he arrived back in the Realm. He'd translated to help Blue – and Pyrgus – but he'd never expected to be involved in a crisis anything like this. Did he want to go to them, to join them in exile? Was there anything he could really do to help? There would probably be fighting sooner or later and he was no soldier. And everything was going to take far longer than he had thought. How long would the lethe spell continue to work on his mother and Aisling? All the same… He blinked.
'Yes,' he said. 'Yes, I do.'
'We may be able to help you,' Peach Blossom said. She glanced at him sideways. 'And do something about that gash on your face.' She frowned a little. 'If I didn't know better, I'd have thought it looked like a spinner slash.'
The women weren't like any others Henry had ever known, although there was a ruthlessness about them that reminded him a little of his mother. He found himself being told what to do. There was no discussion about anything.
The bright clothes that had made him feel so good about himself were gone now, replaced by well-cut homespun of rough silk that he'd only just stopped the Sisters helping him to put on.
'You don't want to be noticed,' Peach Blossom said. 'But on the other hand, you don't want to be dressed in rags either. You need to be taken seriously, especially in Haleklind. The wizards lay much store by appearances. Nothing flashy, but the proper cut will help get you access anywhere.'
'Thank you,' Henry said, wondering what on earth she was talking about.
'You'll need that to find the Crown Prince,' Peach Blossom said, as if reading his thoughts. 'Now -' She handed him a pouch made from thin, shiny material that looked both waterproof and tough. 'This is your map and some gold.'
Henry blinked. 'Gold?'
'You can't possibly set out for Haleklind on foot. Much too far. You'll be little use to our royals if you take a month to reach them. The gold is to buy passage on public transports.'
Public transports? What public transports? Henry was as lost in the Realm as if he'd been dumped in the middle of the Sahara Desert. How could he take a public transport if he didn't know where to find one, didn't even know what they looked like? But despite his deepening confusion, he said, 'Gold? I really can't accept -'
'You don't have any option,' Peach Blossom cut him off. 'Believe me, you will not survive without coin. If it makes you feel any better, consider yourself in the employ of the Sisterhood. We wish you to carry a message to Prince Pyrgus and Princess Blue.'
'Is that in the pouch as well?' Henry asked.
Peach Blossom shook her head. 'Not that sort of message,' she said. 'We wish you only to tell them that the Sisters of the Silk Guild remain loyal to their rightful ruler and will fight to the death to restore him to the throne.' She hesitated. 'And correct the abomination of Lord Hairstreak in what he has done to the former Emperor.'
Henry murmured, 'I'll tell them.' He felt real admiration for these women. Even from the little he'd seen of the Realm since his return, he was sure they were risking their lives.
'One of the Sisters will take you into the city,' Peach Blossom said. 'Hairstreak does not yet suspect the Guild. But you must -' She broke off. 'What was that?'
That's trouble, Henry thought. There were sounds in the corridor outside and a woman's scream. Then the door of the chamber slammed open. Henry caught the barest glimpse of soldiers in black uniforms and dark shades before a ball of flame roared across the room to catch him in the chest. The impact was so violent it lifted him completely off his feet and slammed him back against one wall. His head struck stone in a sunburst of agony. He felt himself sliding down the wall and clung desperately to consciousness.
But by the time he reached the floor his limbs were folding like a rag doll and everything had turned to black.
CHAPTER SIXTY
The last time Pyrgus had been in the Keep he was only four years old. The experience had frightened him so much he'd burst into tears and wailed until his father picked him up. Afterwards, when Apatura Iris asked him why he'd been so scared, little Pyrgus told him firmly there were ghosts in the Keep.
The place still felt haunted. Pyrgus found himself in the middle of a stone-flagged floor waiting for the others to materialise. The chambers of the Keep were enormous – so enormous they dwarfed the stacks of storage crates pushed against the walls. They were also gloomy. Light filtered through slit windows, but was absorbed by the grey stone walls. The architecture was like nothing in the rest of the palace – there were levels upon levels, joined by wide, short flights of shallow steps. It gave the whole place the look of a three-dimensional maze.
Blue appeared, stepping out of a solid wall. She looked around and shivered.
'Have you been in here before?' Pyrgus asked.
She shook her head. 'Never. Do you know the way out?'
'I'm not sure. It's a long time since I've been here.' He decided not to tell her quite how long.
Nymph and her soldiers came through in a bunch. The two others were tough, silent men whose eyes darted round habitually as if watching for the possibility of an attack. Then Ziczac appeared, a bemused expression on his face. He stared at the multi-level chamber.
'Archaic engineering,' he murmured. 'I've never seen it before.'
Nymph said to Pyrgus, 'Can you lead us into the main palace, or should Ziczac…?'
Pyrgus was looking from one level to the other, trying to remember. 'I think so. I mean I think so. These are stores now, so the doors will be locked, but they should all recognise me – or Blue, come to that. With luck it'll be too early for Hairstreak to have changed the spell, even if he thought we might come back.' He hesitated. 'If we are in problems, can Ziczac get us in anywhere?'
He asked the question of Nymph, but Ziczac answered directly. 'Not exactly.'
'What do you mean, not exactly}' Bl
ue demanded.
The wizard grinned benignly. 'We can only penetrate thick surfaces. A thin wall or door will stop us dead.'
'That doesn't make sense,' Pyrgus frowned.
'No, it doesn't, does it?' Ziczac agreed. 'I've never really followed it myself, but that's the way the magic works. You need to move inside something that's bigger than you are. The outer walls are enormous: the old cultures always built that way. But inside walls could be a different matter. I suppose we might risk it in an emergency, but…'
'There's a chance of getting stuck,' Nymph said.
'Which usually proves lethal,' Ziczac frowned. 'In fact, I've never heard of anyone who survived it.'
In the event, they managed quite well. The different levels were confusing and there were times when Pyrgus was a lot less certain than he tried to appear, but the lock spells recognised him without a problem so that they passed quickly through door after door. They reached an archway that looked decidedly familiar.
Pyrgus released a sigh of relief. 'That's it,' he said, pointing to the corridor beyond. 'That will take us into the lower reaches of the palace.' He stepped through the arch and Hairstreak's guards fell on him like an avalanche.
Stupidly, all he could think of was that he didn't have a weapon ready. He was armed with a short sword and fire wand supplied by the Forest Queen and his own Halek blade, overlooked by Hairstreak's men when they set him on the ouklo into exile. But the sword was in its scabbard, the wand in his belt and the Halek blade hidden in his boot. In short, he was helpless as an idiot. He spun and drove his elbow into the stomach of the nearest attacker and had the satisfaction of seeing the man double up and drop his sword. But there were others grinning evilly and they hadn't forgotten their weapons. He would be dead in seconds.
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