"What is this?" Theowin exclaimed as he pointed at the pile of dead bees. Some in the crowd helped the woman to her feet.
Ned tilted his head to one side and frowned. "Only the beginning," he replied.
Pat heard the sound of more war drums, and turned toward the upper terraces. Several swarms floated through the houses and greenery, and when they espied the crowds near the Dueling Grounds their anger was riled. They swooped down the stairs toward the people, but Sins jumped to the forefront, removed his cloak, and caught one of the hives in his cloth. He slammed it to the ground, and Canto and he made short work of them by stomping on the writhing cloth.
Ned destroyed the other hive, but the sound of the buzzing war drums didn't diminish. On the contrary, it grew louder and more hovering hives appeared on the horizon above them and on the terraces below them. The air was filled with the screams of the few elves who hadn't come to the duel and were outside being attacked by the vicious bees. One of the victims, a guard, raced up the stairs from the lower terraces covered in the angry creatures. Their bare hands and face were swollen from the stinging and the elf cried out in agony as the bees continued their rampage on his body. Ned cleared the bees, but the elf collapsed on the ground. Pat and Ruth hurried to their side with Theowin close behind.
"The bees," the guard choked out. "We can't hit them with our magic. They dodge all our attacks."
"Don't speak. Rest," Theowin softly ordered him.
The buzzing sound returned, and Theowin and Telana jumped ahead of the crowd as another swarm came over the top of the steps.
Their hands glowed brightly with their magic and they threw blue flaming balls at the bees. The swarms easily dodged the straight throws, and the pair retreated backwards. Telana tripped and sent one of her throws in a spinning pitch at the bees. They tried to dodge, but the twisting and turning pitch created confusion among the hive and half ended up in the path of the flaming ball. The others caught fire because of their brethren, and the hive fell to the ground a flaming mess of dead bee bodies.
"Men, follow my daughter's trick! Everyone else take the children into the nearest home!" Theowin called to them. He turned to his daughter and clasped her hand. "Please go with them," he pleaded.
Telana shook her head. "No, I will stay here and take the lower terraces while you lead half of our people to the upper terraces," she suggested.
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Be careful, my daughter."
"I will," she promised.
At his command the crowd dispersed, but not in panic. The old and young were hustled into the buildings while torches were procured from homes, businesses, alleyways, and wherever else they could be found. The elf men stepped forward with their hands shimmering with light ready for the next attack. Theowin and Telana joined the ranks of the fighters and stood at the head of one stair and the foot of the other. They were none too late as more swarms swooped down and flew up the stairs, and the cries from the other terraces grew louder.
"Destroy them all and move to the other terraces!" Theowin commanded his fighters.
Canto and Ruth each grabbed a torch and helped with the battle. The old dwarf paused and looked at the crowd. "Where's those two gone off to?" he yelled to Ruth.
"Who?" she asked him.
"Percy and that confounded assassin! They've both fled!" he growled. Further complaints were cut short when they were bombarded by more bees.
In all the panic Brother Birch was swept up in the terrified masses, and he himself was not immune from yelling in a high-pitched, terrified voice. "Lady Lamikan? Lady Lamikan!" he cried out.
While he strained his vocal chords and Ruth and Canto fended off the insects, Pat noticed Ned was gone. She saw a flicker of a cloak disappear up the stairs and flew after it. Pat reached the top of the stairs and her eyes fell on a trail of dead Diluvian bees that led into the depths of the houses. She followed the path at a sprint and was amazed not to catch sight of Ned until she saw him standing in the opening to the hill beside a Diluvian bee box that was mere ashes from Ned's magic.
Pat stopped at his side and glanced from the box to the open doorway that led into the hill. She bent over with her hands on her knees and glanced up at Ned. His face was a mask of fury and his eyes were narrowed and unwavering as he looked to the opening. "What is it? What's wrong?" she gasped.
"Fred has been taken. Have your sword at the ready," Ned commanded her. He hurried down the stairs and Pat quickly followed.
The stairs twisted down into the hill and led to one of the hallways meant for the safekeeping and evacuation of the citizens. They strode down the hall to the main staircase on the other side. Ned didn't slow his pace nor did he pause at any of the doors to the rooms. They followed the same path Telana had shown them the previous day and soon found themselves at the port. The chaos of the city was the same as here. Diluvian bees swarmed over the boats, and the traders took cover in boats and buildings.
Ned ignored the panic and strode to the highest point that overlooked the cove port. A few ships sailed away from the shore, but only one was taking a clear route toward the gates at a fast clip. They'd missed the send-off by only a minute, but in a moment the ship cleared the gates and was in open water.
Pat moved to stand beside him and furrowed her brow when she noted the ship. "Isn't that Captain Lee's ship?" she asked him.
"Yes, and Fred is aboard," Ned told her.
A great roar echoed through the cove, and the pair turned to their left in time to see a dragon take flight from the top of one of the buildings. Its wide wings beat the air as it followed the path of the ship.
"A dragon here? How can that be?" Pat gasped.
"Martley," Ned explained.
CHAPTER 22
Fred groaned and tried to roll over, but his legs and arms wouldn't move. His head still hurt, but most of the pain was gone. His eyes fluttered open and he found himself staring at the hold of a ship where crates and barrels were stacked on the opposite wall from where he lay. The vessel lurched side to side as it hurried on its way to an unknown destination. A wall with a plain wooden door separated the hold from the center of the belly of the ship and from clear view of any escape. A small lamp hung by the door and provided the only light in the room. He shifted and pulled at his restraints, but he soon realized he wore manacles on his wrists and ankles that couldn't be opened by brute strength. They were also connected to the wall, restricting him to within two feet of the hull. Fred looked at his waist for his staff, but the sticks were gone.
His ears picked up the sound of boots on boards outside the entrance, and the door soon swung open. In the doorway stood Captain Lee, and he had his usual grin on his face. The captain stepped inside and closed the door behind himself, but not before Fred could see there was a flight of narrow, steep stairs that led up to sunlight.
"Awake already? You must be a light sleeper," Captain Lee commented. Fred didn't deign to reply, but rather scowled at the captain as Lee knelt in front of him. Lee grabbed Fred by the jaw and turned his head left and right. He nodded and released him. "You look much like him. But for some slight differences I would say you were twins," he commented.
Fred frowned. "Like who?" he asked him.
"Like my Master. He's very interested to see you," Lee answered.
"Who is your master?" Fred persisted.
"He's known by most as Lord Canavar, but I believe you know him by a different name," he revealed
"Madman?" Fred suggested.
The captain chuckled. "You surprise me. I was told to expect fear from you," he replied.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Fred bit back.
The captain shrugged. "Life is full of disappointments, but I won't give this one to my Master." He stood and listened for a moment to the noises above them. Men tramped to and for, and occasionally there was an order shouted by the first mate to the sailors. "He expects to see you in a fortnight and with a magic wind in our sails we're sure to arrive there in good time."
&
nbsp; Fred pulled and twisted in his manacles. He would give a day of his life to throttle this traitorous man who had pretended to be their friend. "Why does he want to see me?" he questioned Lee.
Captain Lee opened his mouth to reply, but he smirked and shook his head. "No, I won't spoil the surprise. I'll let my Master tell you himself. Make yourself comfortable and don't bother to free yourself. Those manacles can only be released by a castor, and you're powerless without this." Captain Lee pulled out the two sticks and Fred leapt forward to grab them, but his chains yanked him to a hard stop. The captain slowly waved the sticks in a disapproving manner. "None of that now. A guest is supposed to obey their host," he scolded.
"I'm not a guest," Fred growled.
The captain shrugged and placed the sticks in his waistband. "Think of yourself as you will, but you won't-"
"Captain!" a voice yelled. Captain Lee frowned and hurried from the room. Fred heard his boots climb onto the deck and the men on the ship yell. From what he could discern something was catching them.
On the deck the sailor in the crow's nest had spotted their scaly pursuer. Even with a magic wind in their sails Martley's dragon form swiftly caught up to the ship. The dragon opened its mouth and spewed forth a long trail of fire that was so hot Lee could feel it thirty feet below the sails. The flames hit the tops of the sails and the masts, but the fire dissipated a foot short of its mark. It was as though the flames had hit an invisible wall that protected every part of the ship including the crew who were perched in the crow's nest. They were unscathed as well.
The dragon roared in anger and flew past the front of the boat. It turned for another pass, but Captain Lee stepped into the center of the deck and looked to his crew. "The guns!" he shouted to them.
The men hurried to a few barrels placed on deck and pulled the lids off to reveal small flint-like muskets. A dozen of the men took a weapon and knelt down to take aim at the beast approaching the ship. Captain Lee stepped into the center of them and watched with a steady gaze as the dragon swooped toward them. It noticed the men on the deck and opened its mouth for another shot.
"Fire!" Lee shouted.
The men fired their muskets and the deck was covered in a thin haze of powder from the discharge. Rather than lead bullets the guns shot forth small balls of energy. The bullets struck the dragon and the physical contact broke open the flimsy bullet casings. Magic spilled out and wrapped around the dragon in large loops that created ropes. The ropes bound the creature's claws and wings to its body and it plummeted to the deck. The men scurried back and the dragon hit the wooden boards with a loud thud. None of the planks were damaged, but the dragon roared in pain. It thrashed and strained at the ropes, but they held.
Captain Lee strode up to the creature just as the dragon's body burst into a flurry of scales. They dissipated into the air and only the beautiful, clothed form of Martley remained. The ropes were still tied around her body and the slightest movement caused her to flinch. Captain Lee knelt by her head and smiled down at the lovely woman.
"What have we here? Another bird flown from the Master?" he commented. He brushed his fingers against her cheek and she jerked her head away. "Bring the magical bonds!" he ordered his men, one of whom hurried to obey the order. The captain turned back to Martley. "These bonds were meant for Edwin if he caused us trouble, but they will do fine for you until we return you to the Master," he told her.
"I am not some plaything to be returned to that madman," she spat at him.
Captain chuckled and raised himself to stand over her prostrate form. "None of us have any choice. This ship is enchanted to steer us back on the same course we came and nothing can harm it on its journey, as you yourself witnessed, my dear Lady Osgood," he explained to her.
The manacles were soon brought and placed on her wrists and ankles. Captain Lee swept his hands over the magic ropes and the light fizzled to nothing. Two of his men helped Martley to her feet, and Lee stepped aside and bowed his head to her. "Until we reach the shores of your home, Lady Osgood, I'm afraid we must put you in the hold with an old acquaintance of yours."
Martley scowled at him, but at a nod from Lee the men dragged her to the hold. Lee watched them until they ducked beneath the deck, and after seeing that everything was sound on his ship he retreated to the captain's quarters placed at the rear of the ship beyond the cargo hatch.
Lee opened the door and noticed the figure seated in a chair beside his large oaken desk. Light spilled onto his guest and revealed the person to be Percy. Lee stepped inside without hesitation and shut the door behind himself.
"What was the matter outside?" Percy asked in a calm, almost bored tone.
The captain walked up to stand in front of the desk near the young man. "Merely another passenger who was wanting aboard," the captain replied.
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Someone I know?"
"You know her as Lady Martley," Captain Lee told him. He opened a decanter on the desk and poured himself a glass of the wine.
Percy waved off a silent offer for any drink and smirked. "I also know her as a different name. One Lady Osgood," he revealed.
The captain paused, but smiled and shrugged. "Yes, her real name is Lady Mary Osgood. I wonder that you know it," Captain Lee commented.
"She is more forthcoming in her information for my former companions, but that is nothing to me now," Percy replied. His attention turned to Fred's sticks in the man's waistband. "May I borrow those for a time?" he requested.
Captain Lee paused in his drink and chuckled. "You can, but they won't work for just anyone," the captain warned him. He pulled the sticks out and tossed them to Percy, who caught them with one hand.
There was a thin, cunning smile on his lips. "They'll work just fine for what I have planned, and I also need the use of your cabin for a short time."
The amicable captain grinned and bowed at the waist. "As you wish, my little lord," he agreed.
Captain Lee strode out of the cabin and Percy cast looks of daggers at the seaman's back. "I will tolerate you only until you are no more use to me," he murmured. He cast his eyes down at the sticks, and then placed them on the desk beside him and waited.
CHAPTER 23
Pat and Ned watched the dragon fly after the boat for only a moment before Pat turned to hurry down the slope to the edge of the water. A horn blew from the direction of the port tunnel entrance, and Ned grabbed her arm. She turned and glared at him. "What are you doing? We must follow them!" she protested.
"We will not reach the gates in time," he told her.
At the moment the horns sounded the heavy gates that led into the port creaked closed behind Captain Lee's ship and the dragon. Pat flinched when the gates came together in a horrible crashing sound. "What are they doing?" she exclaimed.
"When the horn blares the guards must close the port gates to prevent intruders from entering," Ned reminded her.
"The intruders have already come," a voice spoke up. The pair turned toward the port tunnel entrance to find Ransan standing there with a half dozen elves behind him. They were dressed in the uniform of the port guards. Ransan had a smirk on his face and one hand lay on the hilt of his sword. He straightened and his eyes flitted between them. "I charge you with plotting and carrying out said plot to harm the citizens of Crutchen." He raised his other hand and on the palm sat the clamp from Theowin's hall of oddities. The wooden band flew from his open palm and latched itself onto Ned's staff. "You are under arrest. Any protests will be construed as an attempt to escape," he told them.
Pat moved to stand before them and protest anyway, but Ned put his arm out and barred her way. She looked to him and her eyes widened when she noticed his own eyes burned with a dangerous fire. "Release my staff and open the port gates," he demanded of Ransan.
Ransan laughed and unsheathed his weapon. The small, sharp blade glistened in the light of the cove and his free hand glowed with the magic of the elves. "I was hoping you would struggle, though I believe your frie
nd here wished otherwise." He stepped to the side to reveal Ruth standing behind him. Her mouth was gagged, her hands tied, and two of his men grasped her arms. Ransan lifted his chin and grinned at them. "What do you say now? Will you fight without your magic, Edwin Tisule?"
"No, I will not," Ned replied.
Ned stepped forward and raised his free hand so the palm faced upward. Ransan's men cried out in fear and clutched at their throats as they were lifted off the ground by an invisible hand wrapped around their necks. Ned flung his arm upward and they were propelled to the roof of the port tunnel fifteen feet above them. Their heads smashed into the hard rock and their arms dropped to their sides. The invisible hands released them and they dropped the full height back to the ground. They were only unconscious, but they would be sporting severe head bruises and cuts for many weeks.
Pat rushed over to Ruth who stood among her unconscious captors with a confused expression on her face. Pat tore the rag out of her mouth and untied the ropes around her hands. "How can Ned perform magic without his staff?" Ruth asked her friend.
Pat pursed her lips and shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted.
Ransan stood beside his fallen men with his mouth agape. He looked back and forth between Ned and his unconscious men. Ned took a step toward him, and Ransan turned and pointed his weapon at the castor. His voice trembled with fear and confusion. "What castor can perform magic without a staff?" he exclaimed.
"This one can," Ned replied.
Ned raised his hand and Ransan's eyes widened. The elf dropped his sword and clutched at his neck. Ned strode over and lifted him off the ground so Ransan floated above him. "Release my staff or I will not hesitate to crush your throat," Ned growled. Ransan's eyes flickered to the top of the staff in Ned's hand. The wooden clamp opened and clattered to the ground. "Now tell me why the boy was kidnapped."
The Unwilling Accomplice (Book 5) Page 13
