“You look surprised!” Fennic said, smirking at his anguished audience perched upon their horses. “So utterly serious. I, on the other hand, find the situation amusing. I have three brand new prisoners to replace the five that escaped yesterday. I’m still getting the short end of the deal, but I can live with it.”
“Release them at once!” King Rupert said. “You know there is no escape this time, Belthasar.”
“I can’t do that, your highness,” he sarcastically replied. “These three trespassers are spies who infiltrated my kingdom. I have a right to take them prisoner.”
“Your have no rights here,” Ulric said. “These lands are part of Endora. You are the one who is trespassing.”
“Let my parents go!” Molly cried.
“We’re the ones you want, Belthasar,” Christopher said. “Negotiate with us!”
A look of mock surprise spread across Fennic’s face. “Do I detect a deal in the works? Perhaps an exchange?”
“Don’t even think about it!” Mr. Jordan said as he glared at Fennic, struggling at the ropes that bound his hands behind his back.
“You’re in no position to make demands,” he said.
“Maybe not to you,” Mrs. Jordan jumped in, “but my children still listen to me.” She looked down upon Christopher and Molly, wishing they were a thousand miles away. “You two stay with King Rupert no matter what happens. Understand?”
Christopher smiled back, hoping to convey a message that everything would turn out all right. “We’ll do what needs to be done,” he replied. “Trust us, Mom.”
“Christopher…!”
“Listen to your mother,” Mr. Jordan said. “Stay put. No time for heroics today.”
Fennic smiled like a snake. “I think the boy has his mind made up no matter what you two say.” He glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and shrugged. “So much for all that talk I heard in the museum basement about families sticking together. Where are the smiles now? Where is all that sweetness and love?”
“For your information, micro brain, you haven’t the foggiest idea how a family works,” Molly shouted. “A little tiff now and then is normal. It makes us stronger.” She laughed. “But look who I’m talking to about normal!”
Fennic gritted his teeth. How Molly’s laughter grated on his nerves! But he tried not to let on as he stared at his opponents, his eyes filled with loathing for everyone who stood between him and the power he believed he deserved.
“For all the strength you claim to possess, I have you at a slight disadvantage,” he replied. Then Fennic glanced at Artemas, challenging him with a smirk. “You’ve been awfully quiet, my magician friend. No annoying comments or tedious jokes to offer?”
“You are a friend to no one, Belthasar, except to your twisted ambition and craven deeds,” Artemas said. “And that will defeat you in the end.” A slight wind carried his sharp voice across a sea of cold rock. “But you do have the upper hand at the moment and I feel partly responsible for that,” he added, gazing up at Mina and the Jordans with profound sorrow for drawing them into this situation. “So I shall make you an offer, Belthasar, to atone for some of my mistakes.”
“The great Artemas freely admits to a mistake? That by itself is a prize!” Fennic said with glee. “But make your offer and I will consider it.”
“I will not bargain with this madman!” King Rupert erupted, glancing wide-eyed at Artemas. “Neither should you!”
“But it must be done,” Artemas quietly replied. He breathed deeply and presented a reassuring smile to those gathered around before making his proposal. “I offer myself in place of my three friends whom you have taken prisoner, Belthasar. After all, it is me you really want, is it not?”
“A substantial offer indeed,” Fennic said, folding his arms and nodding as he considered the magician’s words.
“This is lunacy!” King Rupert sputtered, tightly grasping the reins of his horse until his fingers ached.
“This is the only way,” Artemas calmly told the King, his ocean blue eyes dulled by the resignation that this deed must be done.
“Artemas, don’t give in to the scoundrel,” Mina pleaded. “He’s no match for King Rupert’s army. Your safety is more important than ours.”
Fennic chuckled, glancing at Mina. “Perhaps so, my dear, but the magician’s affection for you is foremost on his mind. He can’t bear to see you harmed. He’ll do anything to save you, including sacrificing himself.” He turned and addressed the anxious crowd below. “And as touching and noble a gesture as that is, I’m afraid it’s not enough. After all, I have three prisoners. Why would I give them up for only one?”
Before Artemas and King Rupert could respond, or before Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Mina even had a chance to react to his words, two voices called out in the gray morning.
“I’ll go with Artemas,” Christopher said, his voice sure and steady. “That should help even the trade.”
“Count me in, too!” Molly added. “Three for three, Belthasar, if you have the guts to deal with me again.”
“Stop all this nonsense talk!” their mother said, her heart gripped with dread that her children might end up in the same situation which she now found herself entangled. “You will not, I repeat–will not–do this!”
Mr. Jordan simply shook his head, gazing at his son and daughter, imploring them with a stern silence that they abandon such a foolish notion.
“But we have to do this,” Christopher said, realizing the agony and despair that plagued his parents. He tried to smile. “That’s what a family is for.”
Molly nodded and offered a wink. Her father looked down in dazed astonishment while Mrs. Jordan tried to hold back her tears.
“You cannot do this!” King Rupert muttered under his breath as Christopher, Molly and Artemas dismounted their horses. “Let my men handle the situation. You must–”
Artemas raised a hand and looked up at his King. “You must trust me,” he softly said, gently laying his hand upon King Rupert’s horse to calm its jittery nerves. “This is how it must be done.”
Without another word, he, Christopher and Molly slowly walked to the right side of the Three Frogs formation. The troll guards standing there and gloating quickly separated so the trio could pass. Christopher led the ascent, finding a foothold among the stony crevices and slowly scaling the structure as Molly and Artemas followed.
Fennic signaled to the trolls guarding Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Mina. “Take them down on the opposite side and release them. Quickly!”
The trolls hustled the three struggling prisoners across to the left side, untied their hands and then ordered them to climb down. The trolls followed the trio to the bottom, leaving Fennic alone on top. The sky lightened in the east while nighttime grudgingly retreated behind the western mountains.
“I hope we know what we’re doing,” Molly whispered to Artemas and her brother as they climbed up. “We got Mom, Dad and Mina released, but that’s as far as our plan goes.”
“You’re the escape artist, Molly,” Christopher joked, hoping to ease the tension. “What should we do next?”
“You tell me! Isn’t there some scientific formula you can invent in the next five minutes to get us out of this little jam?” she asked, grabbing the cold rock above and placing her boot into a crack to boost herself higher. She briefly recalled climbing down a castle tower on a rope of tattered blanket strips.
“I’m working on it,” Christopher muttered. “I’m working on it.”
“So am I,” Artemas replied, gazing up at the Jordan siblings. He paused for a moment and Christopher and Molly stopped to look down. “There is a way to end this.”
“How?” Molly asked, her face scrunched up with curiosity. “Once we’re up there and Belthasar’s spirit gets hold of you, well, you know what could happen.”
“Artemas, now would be a good time to tell us any ideas you have,” Christopher said. He looked up, noting they were halfway to the top. When he glanced down, Christopher saw that hi
s parents and Mina had been released and were reunited with King Rupert. Directly below were several troll guards watching their progress.
Artemas took a deep breath as he wiped his brow. “I’m not the young man I used to be.”
“Rest a few moments longer,” Christopher said.
“Just a few.”
“Tell us your plan,” Molly said, noting his reluctance to discuss it.
“Yes, my plan.” The magician smiled at his two companions, happy he had visited their world through the timedoor but regretting that his invention had led to so much conflict. “I must put an end to this mess, and I have come to realize that there may be only one way to do it.”
“Which is…?” Christopher asked, eyeing Artemas with growing concern. The magician appeared thinner and more careworn than usual, as if the stress of the last few days had taken its toll upon him.
“What’s going on?” one of the trolls shouted from below. “Move it!”
“Just a tired magician in need of a brief rest,” Artemas calmly said. “We’ll be on our way momentarily.”
Molly smirked. “Please, allow me, Artemas.” She scowled at the trolls. “We’ll get there when we get there! So hold your horses or I’ll make you carry us up!”
“Much better,” Christopher agreed, noting the grin on Artemas’ face. “Now tell us quickly, Artemas, before the trolls start following us up. What is your plan? Can you prevent Belthasar’s spirit from overtaking you?”
“On the contrary,” he replied, indicating for them to climb a few more steps for show. He paused again. “The only way I know how to defeat Belthasar is to let his spirit invade me. After that, well…”
Molly lowered her eyebrows, gazing suspiciously at their friend. “And then what?”
Artemas looked to the top of Three Frogs then glanced at the gathering below. “Quite a dangerous fall if someone accidentally stepped off the edge of this rock.”
Christopher’s heart grew cold. “Accidentally? What are you saying?”
Molly shot a glance at the ground then snapped her head back, looking at the magician in drop-jawed astonishment. “Artemas, you can’t be serious!”
“Deadly serious,” he replied. “One small step and all of our troubles are over–if you get my meaning.”
“We get it only too well!” Christopher said. “A leap off Three Frogs will clearly put an end to Belthasar, but…”
The magician shrugged. “But I wouldn’t fare much better either, is that it?”
“That’s a dumb idea, Artemas, in spite of the fact that you’re one of the smartest people I know,” Molly said.
“Well, I’m open to suggestions, Molly, that won’t put you or your brother in danger.” Artemas indicated that they should again move up. “We’re almost out of time.”
Molly sighed in exasperation as they started to climb. “Maybe we can make a deal with him? I don’t know!”
Christopher flinched. “Make a deal with Belthasar?”
“I’m just tossing out ideas!”
“Toss that one in the garbage,” her brother replied. Christopher turned slightly and looked upon his sister with understanding, knowing how upset she was because of Artemas’ idea. “Molly, you have to realize that some people in this world are just rotten to the core, plain and simple. You can never trust them, reason with them or deal with them–ever.” He shifted his gaze to Artemas. “You can only defeat them.”
“My point exactly,” Artemas said, closing his eyes for a moment to allow a spasm of pain in his head to subside. He glanced at the Jordan siblings and smiled. “Now, Christopher and Molly, let us conclude this journey. Much depends upon it.”
“All right, Artemas,” Christopher softly said, taking his next step up the rock. “I’m with you all the way, whatever happens.”
“I’m with you too,” Molly said. “But I don’t like it! I hope there’s another way. There has to be.”
“Well, it had better get here soon,” Christopher said as he neared the top of Three Frogs. He wondered what fate had in store for them in the next few moments.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Last Word
In the lingering gray dawn, Christopher stepped onto the top of Three Frogs, greeted by a cool breeze, a clear sky and the solitary shape of Fennic standing silently in the center of the platform. Christopher ignored him as he offered a helping hand to Molly. Together they assisted Artemas, noting the grim expression upon his face.
The wind off the plains fluttered their garments as they absorbed the breathtaking view. Gently rolling hills in the distant east were tinged along the horizon with a subtle glow from the unrisen sun. Grassy plains stretched north to south, and distant rivers looked like thin strips of gray ribbon meandering through the awakening landscape. To the west, like a legion of sleeping giants, stood the majestic and snow-dusted expanse of the Katánin Mountains. Towering above them all was Mount Maricel, looming directly ahead so proud and quiet, ready to wake from its long winter slumber.
Christopher, Molly and Artemas gazed in wonder upon the stunning sights, for a moment forgetting the chaos that surrounded them. From far below, their family and friends watched helplessly as the trio stood silently in the thinning shadows. Then Fennic stepped into view and the world seemed to stop.
“Have you ever seen a more spectacular view?” he asked, voicing the words of Belthasar. As he approached, Christopher and Molly stepped in front of Artemas to shield him. “Protecting your friend? How very noble. But there’s no reason to fear me. My trolls are below and my dagger is sheathed.” He looked out across the land again, sweeping his arm through the air. “Soon this will be mine to look at each and every day after my castle is built upon this spot.”
“You’re delusional,” Christopher said.
“A castle will never be built here!” King Rupert shouted up to his enemy. “And Belthasaria will never exist. So put an end to this madness before anyone gets hurt.”
“This is a parley,” Fennic replied, looking down at the King. “We are here merely to talk and sort out our differences. No one is in danger of harm, unless, of course, you start something.”
The King scowled in reply.
“Don’t let his taunting words annoy you,” Mrs. Jordan told King Rupert. “That’s exactly what he wants.”
“What I want is for the King’s legion of intruders to leave my realm,” Fennic said, turning to Christopher and Molly. “Is that too much to ask?”
“What you want is power,” Molly replied, folding her arms in disgust. “For whatever bizarre reason, you need to control people and take what isn’t yours. Like Malaban, only he changed in the end. You’re beyond hope.”
Fennic bristled at the mention of the sorcerer’s name. “Malaban was a fool! He lost his power, yet I still gave that old man a last chance to be a great ruler. And what did I get for my effort? He betrayed me! Now he’s either lost in the wilderness or dead. Well, good riddance!”
“Perhaps if you searched hard enough you could join him,” Christopher joked.
“Perhaps if you–!” Fennic raised a hand and then suddenly calmed down. “You see, I try to initiate a civil conversation and all I get are wisecracks.”
“You can hardly blame them, Belthasar, for not wanting to speak kindly with you,” Artemas said. “You’ve been a poisonous thorn in their sides since the beginning.”
“And what would we want to talk to you about anyway?” Molly asked.
“Perhaps I wish to make an offer,” Fennic replied.
Christopher smirked. “An offer?”
Fennic nodded. “You fault me for the power and riches I seek, acting as if you’re above it all. But would your tune change if you suddenly had the same opportunity?”
Artemas sighed. “What nonsense is this?”
“Nonsense? Why, I’m making Christopher and Molly Jordan the offer of a lifetime!” Fennic smiled with an easy manner as if he were speaking with old friends. “You clever children have successfully thwarted
me time and time again–which is not an easy task. So I have come to the realization that we should join forces. Imagine the treasure we could share and the lands we could conquer!” He pointed across the rock and plains and water as the sky brightened in the east. “All of this could be yours!”
Christopher, Molly and Artemas gazed at Fennic with a mix of puzzlement and disbelief as a cool breeze swept past. The gathering below watched on, equally astounded. The grunting and stomping of the horses punctuated an uneasy silence.
“Quite an offer,” Artemas said under his breath, raising an eyebrow.
“Indeed,” Fennic replied. “Can’t you see yourselves drowning in riches and awash with servants who cater to your every need? Perhaps you might rule your own kingdom someday. Hmmm, let’s see… You’ll start out as Prince Christopher and Princess Molly, and then who knows how far you’ll advance in the new order of things. Definitely something to think about!”
Christopher and Molly glanced at each other, their faces void of expression. Christopher took a deep breath as Molly brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes.
“It is something to think about,” Christopher said.
“Definitely,” Molly replied.
Slowly, and in unison, smiles grew upon their faces, each knowing the other’s thoughts.
“Okay, thought about it!” Molly quipped, tapping a finger to her chin as she looked wide-eyed at Fennic. “And on a scale of one to ten, your nutty idea rates, let’s say–negative three million!”
Christopher shook his head. “Either that’s the worst joke I ever heard, Fennic, or you’ve rocketed light years beyond delusional.”
“What gives, Belthasar?” Molly asked. “Like we would even consider for a nanosecond any kind of pact with you. Are you insane?”
“It is simply a desperate offer from a desperate man,” Artemas calmly replied. “Belthasar hasn’t been able to physically destroy your family, so he tempts you with outrageous offers, hoping to drive a wedge between you and what you know is right in order to break your family apart.” He coolly raised an eye at Belthasar. “But I think deep in his heart he knows he can’t do that either. Some bonds are simply too strong.”
The Endora Trilogy (The Complete Series) Page 65
