“Idiot!” Leiznam pulled out his wand. “Illuso grande majesto.”
An image of him, appearing twenty feet tall, formed above the arena floor. Leiznam waved his hands, calling for quiet from the crowd. It took a couple minutes for the applause and the cheers to die down enough for the illusion’s voice to be heard.
“Your royal majesty, noble and honored guests, and good people. It is with a heavy heart and a shocked mind that I must tell you we have uncovered a terrible breech in the rules of the tournament.” Leiznam shook his head with great sadness. “I am disappointed to have to inform all of you that the White Mage Waldo Rabbit cheated by using magic to influence the outcome of the final match. He made his servant faster and stronger than is humanly possible, otherwise she could never have never defeated Varca! Therefore, the contestant Belle of Tarsus, is disqualified! Varca is the winner of the tournament, all wagers placed on Varca shall be honored. That is all I have to say. Nunc.” The illusion vanished.
The immediate reaction of the audience was stunned silence. But it was very quickly replaced by a loud and sustained chorus of boos, along with a growing chant of, ‘No.’ Leiznam turned to face the other members of his guild. Past them he could see the queen with a confused look on her face. Garibaldi was already at her side, explaining things. He could also see Valeria, seated at her couch. If the drow witch was angry she didn’t show it.
“What have you done?” Verde demanded. He was staring wide eyed out at the crowd. They were beginning to throw things.
“I did what I had to, the only thing to do.”
Verde seemed even more nervous than before. The boos and shouts of ‘No!’ were only growing louder. “The people are angry.”
“Fuck the people! What do they matter? Let them shout and yell until their lungs burst.”
Verde glanced back at their sovereign. “The queen won’t be happy either.”
“Garibaldi will handle her, he knows how to sweet talk that fat sow. If she actually tries to order me to change my decision, we’ll have our little palace coup a few months early.” Leiznam made sure to keep his voice low as he said that.
“This will ruin our reputation,” Rodo argued. “We always say we honor every bet. Everyone will say we disqualified her just to get out of paying our debts.”
“Then, for once, the people will actually be right about something.”
“Our reputation-” Rodo began.
“Will be damaged, yes, I know.” Leiznam said with mounting irritation. “We’ll take down all the signs about honoring every bet, and I’m sure the gaming houses will suffer. It’s still better than going bankrupt and losing everything. Even if Valeria were open to coming to some sort of an arrangement, she’d hold the title to every piece of property we own, even the guild hall! We could never pay off the debt. She would own us just as if we had collars! I will never let that happen! Do any of you have a million marks to spare? Do you?”
They stared back at him in sullen silence.
“Then stop complaining. So what if our names get a little mud on them? Mud washes off. A year from now no one will even remember any of this. We’ll have some new champion and the crowds will cheer for him like they always do.” He looked to where a dumbfounded Waldo was standing. “Now come on, there’s one more piece of business to take care of.”
XXX
Derren had been cheering along with everyone else in his section of the Arena. The master had spoken the truth and the Great Rabbit had provided for his herd. He would go to the gaming house with his ticket and collect his winnings. In his entire life he had never held a gold coin in his hand. Now, thanks to the master and his faith in the Great Rabbit, he was going to be a rich man. The idea he would soon have a purse full of gold or silver was hard to believe. Even more important, all his friends and fellow followers were saved. Even the ones who hadn’t been able to scrape up enough to get rich from their winnings, would at least survive the winter now. All the fears about going hungry and starving had been banished. For so many, that moment of triumph truly had seemed a miracle.
Then the image of the guild mage appeared and announced that there would be no miracle. The righteous victory of Belle of Tarsus was denied. Instead, the dead man lying there on the sands of the Arena was the winner. All the people who had risked everything, were left with nothing. The heartless queen and the wicked guild mages who served her had condemned them all to death.
Derren shouted and howled along with the rest. He screamed ‘no’ and cursed them until his throat ached. It did no good. Derren looked at all the people seated with him. They were all followers, they were all in the same situation. They were all looking at him.
“Those who harm the Great Rabbit’s herd, shall know his justice.” Every head nodded. “Let’s go, we need to spread the word and gather the faithful.”
XXX
Waldo was stunned. In a couple of minutes, he’d gone from total victory to total defeat. “Why did he even bother trying to murder Belle if he could just disqualify her?”
Alice was a bit less calm. “He can’t do that!”
The boos and protests began to rain down.
“I have to assume he can, otherwise he would look pretty foolish making a public announcement.”
“But Nen won!”
“Belle won,” Waldo reminded her.
“The point is we won! How can he just say we didn’t? It’s not fair!”
“You expect things to be fair?” Waldo asked in surprise.
“I expect people in charge to at least follow their own rules.”
“Well, that’s the wonderful thing about having power, you get to make and unmake the rules to suit you.” Growing up in Castle Corpselover, had taught him that.
“The queen! She can fix this!”
Waldo noted that she was listening to Garibaldi and nodding her head as he spoke. Leiznam and his followers were also walking towards them. “Somehow, I don’t think she will, Alice.”
Leiznam walked up to Waldo as the others stood behind him. “I know what you did. The drow are specifically forbidden from fighting in any match inside the Gold Wall.”
“That’s also true of minotaurs, I believe.”
“Regardless, your servant Belle of Tarsus failed to participate in this tournament, she broke a contract. She is therefore permanently banished from the kingdom of Torikai. As you are her employer you are also responsible for this breech and are therefore also banished.”
“Are you sure you want to banish a White Mage of Avalon?”
“But you’re not here representing Avalon or the Order of Mist, are you?” Leiznam asked with a smug grin. “You made it quite explicit you’re here as an individual. White Mages are still welcome, only you specifically are banished.”
“Well that’s convenient.”
“You were the one who made it clear you’d come here on your own. Don’t complain if I take you at your word.”
Waldo shrugged. “It’s fine. I wasn’t planning to stay anyway. Though I am disappointed at not collecting the champion’s purse or my winnings.”
“Your majesty!” Alice called out waving her arm. “Are you really going to let Leiznam do this? You know we didn’t do anything wrong!”
Madis looked miserable and turned to Garibaldi who hurriedly whispered to her. The queen gave a despondent shake of her head. “I’m very sorry my dear, but I must agree with my guild’s ruling.”
“So much for honoring all bets,” Valeria said from her couch.
Leiznam looked triumphant. “I’m sure this is a terrible loss for you, will you even be able to maintain the embassy now?”
“Oh please, it’s only gold. I’d say your losses are worse than mine, you’ve lost your champion and your reputation.”
“We’ll survive.”
“As will I.” Valeria nodded to Nen. “My servant would like to offer congratulations in person to Belle on her splendid performance. Would you object?”
He curled his lip. “No, go righ
t ahead.”
“Actually,” Waldo said. “Alice and I will go too. Since we’ve been banished we should leave as quickly as possible. The sooner I have Belle back the sooner we can go.”
“Fine,” Leiznam said. “Anything to be rid of you.”
“After Nen pays her respects,” Valeria said to Waldo. “Do come see me before you quit the city. I believe I still owe you something.”
“Really?” Waldo said in surprise.
Valeria nodded.
Well, Waldo thought. Maybe this hasn’t been a complete waste after all.
XXX
Leiznam stood there and watched them go. He’d won. Despite all of Waldo’s and Valeria’s hidden machinations, he’d beaten them. Avalon had to be truly desperate to get their support for the war with Alteroth. He had never once imagined the White Mages would go so far as to use Great Monsters and conspire with drow. They were even more ruthless than he’d ever dreamed possible. He and the rest of the guild would have to be very wary of the White Mages from this point forward. As for Valeria and her people, they would be driven out as soon as there was a new ruler on the throne. Come the spring he would clean this city out and put things in proper order.
He was just relieved the immediate danger was over.
Chapter 34
A Ten Minute Reward
A pair of guards led the three of them to the holding area where Belle was waiting. Waldo asked the guards to give them some privacy. With the tournament now over they had no issue with that and left the four of them alone in the large cell.
“Nunc.” Waldo dispelled the illusions he’d cast on the two of them. Belle vanished and was Nen. Nen was replaced by Gronk.
“Now there’s my big man,” Nen said rubbing her hands together. “You look so much better this way.”
“Well I like being a pretty girl,” Gronk lisped and kept his distance from her. “Can you change me back now, master?”
“Actually,” Nen strolled towards the ogre. “Could you give us, say twenty minutes, Master Waldo?”
“Why?” Waldo asked.
“I just want a little private time with this big strong man.” Nen licked her lips.
“I… I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Gronk said backing away from her.
“Actually,” Waldo said. “He and I have been banished, and your mistress asked me to see her before I go. So, we don’t have time to waste.”
“Ten minutes then,” she pointed to the corner of the room where Varca’s battle axe lay. “I even brought you a present. It’s perfect for a mighty beast like him. And the Exalted Lady wouldn’t be helping you now if it weren’t for me. I’m sure you can give me just ten minutes alone with your ogre as thanks.”
Waldo rubbed his chin and considered.
“Master, please don’t leave me alone with her,” Gronk whimpered.
“I’m sorry, Gronk. But she has done a lot for me and she’s only asking for ten minutes. Try to be brave.”
Waldo and Alice left.
He gulped and kept backing up until he reached the wall.
“You’re a submissive, aren’t you?” Nen asked a purr in her voice. “I can tell.”
“I… I only like those kinds of things when master does them.”
“Let’s see if I can change that.” From behind her back she pulled out a leather riding crop. “Now get on your hands and knees, and from now on, whenever we’re alone I want you to all me Snuggles.”
Gronk gave a wail of despair, but still got down on all fours and allowed her to mount him.
XXX
Waldo didn’t know what happened in there during those ten minutes. There were a lot of cracks and cries of pain and Waldo could sense pain, humiliation, and a certain amount of pleasure through the bond. When the time was up, his ogre was on his feet and refusing to look him in the eye. For her part Nen was sighing and staring up at Gronk.
“I think I’m in love,” she said
Gronk burst into fresh tears.
Waldo decided not to ask for details. He recast the illusion on Gronk, transforming him back into Belle. “Go to the palace, get our things, then go to the docks and hire a boat. Pay whatever you have to, but get them to agree to leave the moment I arrive. I’m going with Nen to see Valeria. Wait on the boat for me.”
“Okay, darling. Please get to us as quick as you can.”
“I will,” Waldo promised.
Chapter 35
A Folded Map
This trip to the House of Black Glass went far smoother than the first. It helped not only that he’d visited before, but that he had Nen at his side. Nen personally escorted him to the domed chamber where Valeria was waiting. When the bronze doors were shut he, Nen, the Exalted Lady, and two human servants were the only people present. Nen went to stand behind Valeria’s chair.
Waldo walked to the far end of the table and held out both hands, palms up. “Ukunibonga ukuba ngihambise ahlangane nawe oyinxusa ehloniphekile.” Honored am I to be granted this meeting, Exalted Lady.
From a seated position Valeria held both hands, palm up. “Be welcome in my home, Master Waldo.” She motioned to the chair on her immediate right. “Please be seated.”
“Thank you,” Waldo sat. “I take it you are pleased with today’s results?”
“You still have a whole skin, so obviously.”
“I am very glad to hear that. Especially given how much gold you lost.”
“It’s only gold, I can always get more.”
“I believe that attitude to be unique to drow.”
“True, I think you humans value gold more than the air you breathe. To drow it’s just a pretty metal that is too soft for weapons or tools. If we didn’t use it for trade I doubt we’d mine it at all.”
“So, you’re satisfied?”
“Ecstatic,” Valeria took a single grape from a bowl of fruit and slipped it into her mouth. “Varca is dead, and the guild has been damaged, that was all I was after.”
“I’m glad to hear it, though I wonder if it was worth all the trouble to just kill one minotaur.”
“Varca was more than a minotaur, he was the guild’s champion, a symbol of their power. Killing him weakened them, and reminded Leiznam and his bunch they are not untouchable. Forcing them to disqualify the tournament champion will also damage their reputation. Anything that hurts the guild pleases me.”
Waldo nodded. “I’m sure you will eventually get your own gaming and pleasure houses.”
Valeria smiled at him, an amused little smile. “Do you think I care about that?”
“Leiznam thinks you do, he believes you’re trying to take over all of his guild’s operations.”
“Yes, so I can make more gold,” she rolled her eyes and took another grape from the bowl.
“If you don’t care about gold or the businesses then why attack the guild?”
“To gain greater influence with the queen. So long as she listens to those fools she will never give me what I truly want.” She ate the grape.
“What would that be?”
“Everything.”
Waldo was not surprised. “People don’t usually give up everything, at least not so long as they have a choice.”
“I know.”
“Well, I wish you good fortune in reaching your goal.”
Valeria chuckled. “You are a very unusual White Mage.”
“I try.”
“You know I wouldn’t mind working with you again someday.”
Waldo bowed his head. “I feel the same way, Exalted Lady.”
Valeria took out a folded-up piece of paper and slid it across the table to him. “What I promised you.”
Waldo immediately unfolded it to get a look. He was surprised to see it was not a local map of one specific country. Rather, it depicted a vast section of the Shattered Lands. Individual countries were not listed. Instead the map showed a few specific cities and roads. It detailed coastlines and rivers, forests, mountain ranges, wide plains, and swamplands. Waldo not
ed that a depressing number of places had the warning, ‘here there be monster’ written. And near the very edge of the map was the name of a city and the miniature drawing of a dragon. Torikai was also denoted, it was near the opposite end of the map. There was no scale to relate inches on the map to miles in the real world, but there was obviously a lot of distance between the two.
“It’s very far away,” Waldo noted quietly. “I was hoping it would be a bit closer.”
“Dragon lairs are hard to find, Master Waldo. This is the only one I know of.”
The Rabbit Great And Terrible Page 32
