"It is never easy to learn one among you is a traitor," Ned softly commented.
Theowin raised an eyebrow. "More traitors than Ransan and Captain Lee?" he wondered.
Ned gave a nod. "Yes. I will explain all in your study. If you would-"
"Lady Lamikan!" Brother Birch yelled as he flew from his room. He stumbled down the stairs and tumbled to his knees before the surprised group. "You are safe? You are unharmed?" he asked her.
"Yes, very much so," Pat replied.
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Phaeton! I did not wish the High Priest to be displeased with me for allowing harm to come to you!" Birch told her.
Fred looked at him in disgust. "But what about her?" he countered.
Brother Birch blinked. "Pardon?" he returned.
"Don't you care that she's okay? Don't you care about anything more than your duty to this High fellow?" he challenged the priest.
Brother Birch stood and glared at the young man. "What I care about is none of your concern, but I am very pleased to see Her Ladyship is well, and I doubt it is any thanks to yourself. I did not see you among those fending off those terrible bees."
"Brother Birch?" Pat spoke up.
He looked to her with a broad smile and shining eyes. "Yes, Your Ladyship?"
"Go stick your head in a cantankus trough." Pat turned away from him and to Ned. "Shall we go into the study now?" she asked him.
Ned smiled and bowed his head. "Most certainly," he agreed.
Ned led the group into front room on the left-hand side of the castle, leaving Brother Birch on the floor in the entrance hall. That was Theowin's study, a space filled with extravagantly carved bookshelves and a large desk that filled half the space of one wall. Theowin took a seat behind the desk while Pat placed Fred in a large chair from in front of the desk. Telana stood nearby while Ned stood beside the desk.
"Now what is this about more traitors?" Theowin asked Ned.
"One of our own has left with Captain Lee. Percy, the young man," Ned informed him.
"Do you know the reasons for his betrayal?" Theowin wondered.
"Greed for power, like his father before him," Ned replied.
"And how does Lee intend to give him such power, and for what ends?" Theowin persisted.
Ned shook his head. "I cannot answer either of those questions because I don't know myself. What we do know is the destination of the ship was a fortnight away, and Canavar lay at the end awaiting its arrival."
Theowin raised an eyebrow. "Canavar? How is Lee connected with him?"
"Another mystery, but Canavar enlisted the help of the best captain in the Western Seas," Ned told him.
"I know Captain Lee's reputation. He is unmatched in the Race Around the World and has a peculiar ability to feel magic, but this tells us nothing of his relationship with Canavar," Theowin argued.
"On the contrary, his ability to see magic may be part of his fee for assisting Canavar," Ned pointed out.
"But I have known about his skill for years," Theowin protested.
"And Canavar has been plotting using the stones for fifteen years. We may safely assume Lee has been under his influence for as long as he has had his ability to see magic," Ned informed him.
"Are you saying Canavar gave Lee the power to castor?" Theowin asked him.
Ned frowned and stood. He paced the room and his staff clacked against the hard stone floor. "I am afraid I have only theories, but that may well be what Canavar has done."
Theowin scoffed at the idea. "But how is that possible? People are born with the ability, they cannot be given it," he protested.
Ned paused and half turned to Theowin. His old eyes held a darkness which startled the ancient elf. "But what if rebirth allowed one to gain powers?" he suggested. Fred lifted his head and looked carefully at Ned, but the old castor faced away from him.
The king frowned. "Rebirth without death? One must lose their previous body to be reborn, as we have seen in this young man." Theowin gestured to Fred. "But Lee is still in the same body. Even then we are dwelling in the realm of Soul Theory, and I can hardly overemphasize that that particular castor knowledge may not be any more than a mere myth," Theowin argued.
"But what if Soul Theory was more than merely a myth? What if Canavar has found a way to allow the soul to surpass its original abilities? What if he had experimented on souls and achieved more than a theory?" Ned persisted.
Theowin slowly stood and scrutinized Ned's face. "Old friend, what are you not telling us about Canavar?"
"That's how Canavar achieved that ability, isn't it?" Fred spoke up. All eyes turned to him.
"What ability?" Theowin asked him.
"The ability to use magic without a staff," Fred explained.
Pat's eyes flickered over to Ned. "You did the same to Ransan's men, and without the use of your staff," she commented.
Theowin raised an eyebrow and looked to his old friend. "Is this true, Edwin?" he wondered.
Ned closed his eyes and smiled. "It seems my secret is revealed, but that is probably for the best. I have grown stronger since we last met, and that is why I could not pass through the barrier into Crutchen."
Theowin shook his head. "It is one thing to have grown stronger, but to be able to perform magic without a staff? This is hardly more than a-"
"-myth?" Ned finished for him. He chuckled, but there wasn't any mirth in the sound. "Yes, I have achieved what was once thought myth, and that is why I believe in the Soul Theory."
Pat furrowed her brow. "What is this Soul Theory?"
"It is the theory that the soul is the source of a person's natural abilities. A person's skills with the sword, gardening, even castoring, is said to come from the soul rather than nature," Ned explained to them. "Castors have through the ages focused on studying the soul, and the ancient ones deduced that perhaps stress on the soul led to an evolution of sorts. The soul would grow stronger, and continue to grow stronger until its light burnt out."
"Like Fred in String?" Pat guessed.
Ned gave a nod. "Yes. His soul was stressed and exerted itself to protect you both from Canavar's attacks. That is the Soul Theory in practice," he replied. "My own soul has been through enough exertions that it, too, has grown stronger, and with it my natural castoring abilities."
"What does any of this have to do with Canavar?" Pat asked him.
Theowin seated himself and frowned. "And this is how Canavar rewarded Captain Lee's reward to ensure his assistance?" he mused.
"Undoubtedly," Ned agreed.
Pat's mouth slowly dropped open and her eyes widened. "Then he gave Lee a castor ability?" she gasped.
Theowin raised his hand and shook his head. "It is only a theory, but from what I have just heard I am inclined to believe Edwin's assumption. What concerns me most is whether Canavar may give this gift at will to anyone he pleases, or who pleases him."
"Fortunately, Canavar is not easily pleased, and he would fear competition from others with great power. He was not pleased to see my strength in String," Ned pointed out.
"What then do we do with this knowledge?" Theowin asked him.
"We keep it to those we trust to avoid a panic of the people, and be on our guard for Lee and anyone else who may be in Canavar's favor," Ned suggested.
"That hardly sounds like a winnable strategy against such a dangerous foe," the king commented.
"I can think of no other," Ned replied.
"I suggest we hurry on our way to the Temple of Phaeton for further advice on this subject," Pat spoke up. "The High Priest may know something more of this Soul Theory, and Canavar."
Ned scoffed. "I would not bet my hat on such an idea," he argued.
"It is worth a look, and he has summoned me," Pat reminded him.
"If your choice is to follow the road southward then I will not offer you any of my ships, but my guards are at your service," Theowin offered. "I have a feeling that with your presence gone from the city things will be quiet again."
>
Ned smiled. "Yes, we seem to leave an adventure behind us at each city," he mused.
Theowin chuckled. "Adventure, is it? I have not heard trouble termed as such, but I will allow you some play with definitions," he teased.
Pat glanced between the two old friends. "Gentlemen, and I use the word loosely in regards to Ned, I believe you have both forgotten one important asset. Martley is imprisoned in the dungeons. Should not one of us speak to her and find out what else she may know? She may know where Canavar lies," she suggested.
Theowin and Ned glanced at each other, and Ned stroked his beard. "A fitting reprimand with a gentle insult, but your suggestion is a good one. I will go speak with her myself immediately."
"And I will go with you," Fred spoke up.
"As will I," Pat offered.
Ned shook his head. "She may have qualms about speaking before an audience, but I will allow Fred to come with me. She will speak freely in front of him more than anyone else, and some of us must ready for the journey tomorrow," he reminded Pat.
Pat frowned, but her face softened when Fred put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll tell you everything," he promised.
She snorted, but didn't brush his hand aside. "You'd better," she replied.
CHAPTER 28
"Good, then wish us well and prepare for our journey tomorrow. I am sure Telana and Theowin will kindly assist you," Ned replied.
"We will assist you however we can," Theowin answered for them both.
Ned left the three to their planning of supplies and departure time, and led Fred out of the castle and into the starry night air. Ned paused and glanced above them at the quiet souls that made up the stars. He didn't look to Fred as he spoke. "Are you sure you wish to speak with her?" he asked him.
Fred firmly nodded his head. "Yes. I want to know where Canavar is so I can get back my soul," he replied.
Ned half-turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Even if that means facing him? You have faced him before and come off barely alive," he reminded Fred.
"I can't keep hiding, and don't want to be afraid for my soul every minute of my life," Fred countered.
Ned sighed and turned away from Fred, but not to the stairs that led down the terraces. Instead he turned to their right toward the left side of the courtyard where stood the garden of trees and flower beds. Ned led Fred through the winding paths and to the edge of the terrace. A yard shy of the edge stood a shed with a guard on either side of the simple door. The guards drew their swords as they approached the building.
"State your name and business," one of the guards demanded.
"It is I, Edwin Tisule with a guest. We are here to see the prisoner," he informed them.
The guards relaxed and the one who spoke stepped forward. "She is below. I will lead you to her, but we must warn you she is sly. She tried to bewitch us with her soft words."
"That should not work so long as those manacles are on her wrists and legs," Ned assured them.
"That is a relief. If you would follow me," the guard invited him.
The guard led Ned down the wide, steep stairs and into a world of darkness and flickering torches. The stairs led ten yards beneath the surface to a long room lined on the right side by wide cells. The walls were damp with moisture and cobblestones lined the floors. They clacked their way along the floor to another stairway at the far back. "We placed her in the deepest cell, and the guards check on her every few minutes," the guard explained.
"A wise idea," Ned agreed.
The new flight of stairs wound deeper into the hill. The only light came from the burning torches and narrow slits in the walls that allowed natural air to waft over their faces. They came to the end of the steps and there was a short hallway to a small, wooden door. Two guards stood on either side of the entrance. The guard led Ned and Fred up to his fellow men, and Ned bowed his head to them. They bowed their heads in return.
"Anything from our prisoner?" the first guard asked them.
"Nothing at all. Not even a breath," one of them replied.
"Good. Let me the keys," he requested. One of the pair gave the keys to the guard with Ned and Fred, and he opened the entrance to the pair. "You will be given ten minutes alone, and then we will check on you," he told the castor.
"Very well," Ned replied. Fred and he stepped inside.
The cell was circular and the walls were made of polished stone that were soaked in the juices of the damp earth. High above them was a narrow window through which he caught a glimpse of the night sky. To the left and across the room from the door was a long, narrow bench meant to be a bed, and on that bed sat Martley. She glanced up at their entrance and smiled at the pair. The sight was hardly comparable to the glimmering woman they had met only the day before. The door was shut behind him and they heard the footsteps of the guard walk away.
Ned and Fred walked over to stand before Martley. Her manacled hands and ankles clanked when she shifted. Her voice was soft and full of weariness. "Are you well, Fred?" she asked the young man.
"I'm fine," he answered.
"I am glad to hear that," she replied. Martley turned her eyes to Ned. "So you have come for answers to your questions?" she guessed.
"And then some," Ned told her.
"Then ask away and we will see what I will answer," she invited him.
"We wish to know where Lee planned to take Fred. To Palavar?" Ned wondered.
Martley shook her head. "I do not know to where the captain sped his ship. It may be Palavar, but I cannot say for sure," she replied. She turned away and sighed. "After he revived me I could never forgive him for pulling me from paradise. I stole away from him as soon as I was able."
"To what lengths will Canavar go to capture Fred? Will he defile more souls with his research to meet his ends?" Ned asked her.
Martley bitterly chuckled. "There is no depth to his single-minded ambition in finding Fred. He even defiled the stones of the ancient castors to use as beacons to alert him when Fred passed near. The creatures inside were meant to capture him and bring him to him.
"Even at the cost of the city?" Ned wondered.
"He was aware of the destruction that would occur with unleashing the powerful magic of the Region Stones. What would make you believe he would have any qualms destroying the entire world to retrieve our son's soul?" she countered.
"Why does he care about me-about Cedric so much?" Fred spoke up.
Martley bitterly smiled. "I believe our son was the only creature for whom Canavar showed affection. When Cedric fled from him he tried to bring him back, but Ned ensured his safety."
"He didn't wish to return to his homeland," Ned defended himself.
"To his father," Martley corrected him. "He saw his father as repulsive, a madman, as I, too, see him now."
"And do you know if he intends a trap for us at Palavar?" Ned asked her.
A bitter smile slipped onto her lips and she shook her head. "I do not tread there. The memories are too painful, but I am afraid we cannot speak any longer. Even such a short distance is too great for my concentration."
Ned and Fred's eyes widened as they watched her form flicker. Fred rushed forward to grasp her arm, but his hand slipped through air. She smiled one last time at his horrified face, and her voice was like an echo. "Until we meet again, my dearest Cedric. Keep safe," she called to him.
Martley's form disappeared and with the phantom gone the manacles dropped to the floor. Ned whipped his head upward toward the window and heard the far-off call of a large eagle as it soared away. He pursed his lips and looked down at the manacles. With her clothes gone he could clearly see the manacles were slightly open. Fred fell to his knees and grasped the magical manacles in his hand. He turned to Ned. "How?" he asked.
"In a moment," Ned replied. He calmly strode over to the door and rapped on it with his staff.
"We wish to be released, and to inform you that your prisoner has escaped," he told them.
The guards came alive at Ned's announcemen
t. They swiftly opened the door and flew past Ned to find the empty manacles. One guard turned to his brethren. "Inform the king and captain the prisoner has escaped!" he ordered him.
"Do not bother to find her. She will have escaped the city by now," Ned told them. He turned to Fred and nodded down the hall. "Come, Fred, we are both in need of rest." Ned led Fred away from the empty cell and toward the exit.
CHAPTER 29
Their footsteps took them from the dank cells and out into the fresh air. They traveled as far as the empty courtyard before Fred stopped. Ned noticed, and turned to his apprentice. "What is the matter?" he asked him.
"How did she free herself from the manacles?" Fred questioned him.
Ned turned away and sighed. "Through your efforts," he replied.
Fred jerked back. "Me?" he wondered.
"Yes, though unintentionally. When you held her in your arms you wished to help her any way you could, and I believe she took you up your offer and rubbed her manacles against your staff. Your wish, and magic, released the spell on the manacles," he explained. Ned shuffled over to a bench on the far side of the courtyard and groaned as he sat down. "There seems to be no end to her ingenuity." Fred turned away from Ned, and the old castor noticed his apprentice was quiet and tense. "What bothers your thoughts, Fred?" he asked the young man.
Fred's voice was quiet, but firm. "I know Canavar wants me. Martley and the attack in String are enough proof for me, but I don't understand what would happen to me if he did take the rest of my soul. What would he do with it?" Fred wondered. He turned to Ned who's face was pale. "You said you battled Canavar. Why was he trying to do to Cedric's soul before it escaped?"
"A perfect revival of a dead soul, the fusion of a dead body and its former source of life," Ned mused.
"If we do face him again, will you be able to defeat him?" Fred wondered.
Ned shook his head. "I cannot say."
"So how are we supposed to win against him?" Fred asked him.
Ned glanced down at Fred's sticks. "That may be of some use to us," he replied.
The Unwilling Accomplice (Book 5) Page 16
