The Stones of Fire and Water

by V. M. Sang

  `So when's the funeral?'

  `Next week. That's why everything is so quiet and the flag is down from the palace. Torren's flag won't be put up until after the coronation.'

  `Has that been arranged?'

  `No, not yet.'

  Pettic stood up and began to pace.

  `Then there's no time to lose. We must rescue your brother before that happens or it'll be too late. If the archbishop crowns Dilrong…' he left the thought hanging.

  This seemed to rouse Lucenra. `We must go to Blundo immediately,' she said, drying her eyes as she rose. She looked at the buckler strapped to Pettic's left arm.

  `Is that the fourth artefact?' she asked.

  `Yes. A buckler. It might be useful with the sword if there's any fighting to be done.'

  `Surely it's just a case of going to the Bubble and bringing Torren back.'

  `Should be, but who knows. There might be guards.'

  Blundo knew Pettic had returned. He told them he had been looking out of his window when he saw Pettic crossing the courtyard.

  `So this is the fourth artefact,' he said as he took it from Pettic. He caressed the sapphire with a finger.

  Lucenra interrupted his reverie.

  `We need speed, now, Blundo. Torren must be rescued before the imposter is crowned.'

  The magician put the buckler down on his bench. `Of course, of course. I suppose you want me to tell you what I've found out.'

  `Yes, and quickly.' The princess glared at the magician. `We don't have much time. How does Pettic get into the Bubble?'

  `Calm down, Your Highness. We'll have a few weeks. A coronation takes a lot of planning. There's to be the funeral first, too.'

  `That's tomorrow. That'll be soon over. As soon as it is, I want Pettic to go to the Bubble.'

  Blundo turned to Lucenra. `The young man has only just got back from Aqua. Literally. He needs some rest before going off again.'

  `I'm fine, Blundo,' Pettic said. `I can go as soon as the Princess wants and you've told me how to get there. I assume you've found out.'

  Lucenra looked at Pettic.

  `I'm sorry, Pettic. Blundo's right. You need a few days' rest before going off again on yet another quest. It'll take a few months to prepare for the coronation I suspect.'

  After leaving Blundo, Pettic returned to his apartment where he ordered a bath. He luxuriated in the hot water until it began to go cold.

  He got dressed and dried his hair as much as he could with the towel before brushing it. It had grown long in the time he was away. He must get it cut as soon as possible lest he be mistaken for a tramp.

  As soon as he was ready, he left the palace to go to get Cledo. He had missed his dog while he was away on Aqua. It was a good job he had not taken him, though. Cledo would not have managed on that watery world. He could not have swum with the merfolk as Pettic had done, even if they had been able to provide him with a magical aquamarine. Can dogs swim under water? He wondered about that. He had never seen Cledo, nor any other dog for that matter, swim under the surface of any pond or lake.

  He arrived at the stable hand's door. When the boy's father opened the door, he was nearly knocked down by the bundle of grey fur that leaped on him. He fielded the dog and wiped his face, wet from doggy kisses.

  `All right, Cledo,' he said. `You're pleased to see me. I get it, but please don't kill me in the process of greeting me.'

  The dog sat down, his tail still wagging, and seemed to grin at his master.

  Pettic thanked the stable boy and gave his father a purseful of money. The children cried at the thought of losing the dog. Both the children and Cledo had grown fond of each other on the two occasions the dog had stayed with them.

  `I know what,' said Pettic, crouching down in front of the two boys and little girl. `Suppose I bring Cledo every week to see you. He can stay a whole day. I may have to have him for a whole week on occasions when I need him, but then you can have him for two days instead. Also, I think one of the bitches at the palace is having pups. I'll see if I can get the kennel master to let you have one of them.'

  The little girl looked at Pettic.

  `If you get us a puppy, does that mean Cledo won't come?'

  `Not if you want him to,' Pettic answered. `He can come and spend time with you, puppy or no puppy. He loves it here with you as much as you like having him.'

  Pettic and Cledo left to return to the palace. Pettic was still a bit unsure what Dilrong's reaction to seeing Cledo would be. He knew Cledo would growl. The dog was confused. The scent of the man he knew was different. That made him wary and so he growled.

  What Dilrong would do when he saw Cledo was anyone's guess. This imposter was unpredictable, and now he thought he was going to be king, anything could happen.

  Fortunately they arrived back at Pettic's apartment without seeing Dilrong. Perhaps affairs of state kept him busy. How would he cope? Dilrong had not been taught how to deal with matters arising from running a country. Or had he? How long had this plot been in the making? Perhaps the leader had brought a boy up in a similar way to that of a king's eldest child. Perhaps he had learned the arts of diplomacy.

  Pettic laughed, causing Cledo to look at him in surprise.

  `Just imagining Dilrong being diplomatic, boy,' he told the dog. `He's not shown any signs I've seen.'

  Cledo whined in agreement.

  Two days later, Pettic saw Dilrong in the corridor.

  `Can't stop and chat, Pettic,' he said. `Preparations for my coronation, you know. I want it to be as big and spectacular as any coronation before. No, bigger and more spectacular. It's going to be something everyone will talk about for generations. “Did you see King Torren II coronation coach? Wasn't it splendid?” they'll say. I'm having a new one built, gold leaf all over it. The robes are going to be made from the finest silk, brought all the way across the sea from Shorl. The most expensive dyes in the world will be used.'

  He waved his arms about, nearly hitting a passing servant. `Look where you're going. You nearly knocked your king over.' he snapped at him.

  The servant bowed and apologised.

  `Yes, where was I. We've got some very rude servants here. I must sack them and get some that are more civil.'

  Dilrong laughed and continued.

  `Anyway, the coronation feast will be fabulous. I've got some ideas. No expense spared. So you see, I'm too busy to talk to you.'

  Pettic watched as the false Torren stalked away along the corridor.

  Suddenly, he turned and called out, `Stay away from my sister too. She's too good for you. I mean to find her a lucrative match. One that will bring much wealth to the country, not marriage to a peasant.'

  With that he rounded the corner leaving an open-mouthed Pettic staring after him.

  `What was all that about? I'd not even thought of marriage with Lucenra,' he muttered under his breath.

  When he met with Lucenra to go to see if Blundo had found anything out about the Bubble, he told her of his encounter with Dilrong. He did not mention the parting shot about marriage though.

  `I'm so worried about that, Pettic,' she replied. `There are funds set aside for things like this, but there aren't enough for what Dilrong's's planning. He'll have to take money from other things. Perhaps even tax the people more. I asked him about it and he said, “What's the money for if not to make the king's life more pleasurable? What are the people for if not to provide for the monarch?” How can he think like that?'

  `He may look like Torren, but don't forget, he's not Torren. We have to rescue the real Torren as quickly as possible before this…this…person bankrupts the country and ruins the people.'

  They climbed the stairs to Blundo's tower only to find him coming down.

  `Oh, Your Highness, Your Lordship, I'm sorry, but I have an urgent call to make. Can you come back tomorrow at this time? I should have something for you by then.'

  Puzzled as to what such an urgent meeting could be that it would take precedence over finding the
true prince, no, king now, Pettic and Lucenra climbed down the stairs.

  `Let's go riding,' suggested the princess.

  Pettic readily agreed. Lucenra ordered a picnic and the pair spent the rest of the day on their favourite horses in the spring sunshine.

  The Bubble

  Chapter 16

  The following day, Lucenra and Pettic went to visit Blundo as arranged. He was waiting for them and welcomed them into his study.

  `I've had a bit of trouble finding out where the entrance to the Bubble is,' he told them, `but eventually I managed to do so. If Hellom left the information in a hidden diary like the other information, then it would have been simple, but he didn't.'

  Pettic looked at him sharply. `If he didn't leave the information, how've you found it out?'

  `Yesterday when you saw me going out, I told you I had an urgent call to make. I went from there to visit an old friend. Another magician. He lives not far from here and I thought he could help. Oh, don't worry, I told him nothing,' he said when he saw the anxious look pass over Princess Lucenra's face.

  The princess looked relieved and said so.

  `Go on,' said Pettic, interested. `How did you find out from this man?'

  `I didn't, but I found out how to find out, if you take my meaning. I'll not confuse you with the details, suffice it to say he gave me the means to discover the whereabouts of the entrance to the Bubble. Complex magic, I can assure you, I wasn't sure I could do it at first, but it worked.'

  Lucenra stood up and walked to the window. She looked down, then turned to face the other two.

  `So where is it?' she demanded.

  `Right under your noses. In the Royal Nursery no less.'

  `What? How can it be?' Pettic exclaimed, getting up and going over to Lucenra. `Where in the nursery?'

  `Through the fireplace. It's a large one, I believe. One sometimes called an 'inglenook', that you can actually get inside.'

  Lucenra looked skeptical. `How did Hellom manage to put it there? He didn't come into the nursery.'

  Blundo smiled. `I think there are some quartz crystals on the mantle. Am I right?'

  `Yes. Oh, I see.'

  The Princess's eyes lit up as she began to understand what had happened.

  `One day when I was about ten he came to the nursery. I remember Allry was just a baby. He brought six quartz crystals with him. He told us he had imbued them with magic and they'd protect us from any evil. He put them on the mantle, mumbled some words and told us we mustn't touch them if the magic were to work properly.'

  `I remember seeing those stones,' Pettic said, `although I wasn't there when Hellom brought them. Prince–no, King Torren now I suppose–was thirteen when I came. We both were. If Lucenra were ten, then Torren would have been about twelve, just before I came.'

  `Yes. Those crystals fixed the position of the gate. That's why Hellom told you not to move them.'

  `So Hellom's been planning this all that time?' mused Pettic. `He'd gone when I arrived. It must have been soon after the placing of the gems he was caught supplying magic gems to the rebels.'

  `I'll give you back the artefacts,' Blundo told him, going to the cupboard where he stored them and handing them over.'

  Pettic pulled off the amulet he wore round his neck. It had helped him understand the various languages in the worlds he visited, but he no longer needed it. He also took out the earring that had helped him find the gems and handed both to Blundo. Blundo took them and placed them in a safe on the wall.

  Carrying the four artefacts between them, Pettic and Lucenra returned to Pettic's apartment. Once there they closed the door. Pettic endured Cledo's greeting then told the dog to lie down while he discussed things with Lucenra. Cledo reluctantly left the princess's side and lay in front of the fireplace.

  `Well, that was a surprise,' Lucenra said. `We'll need to make sure no one's in the nursery when you go through the fireplace. I think it would give Nanny a fit, and Allry would want to follow you.'

  Pettic laughed. `Yes, that young pup is too curious and adventurous for his own good.'

  `Father used to say it's a sign of intelligence and that Allry is the brightest of all of us.'

  `Right, now to business. Night is the time when the nursery is empty, so I'll go in the night. I can't go until after the funeral, of course but we can't leave it too long. When we get back we need to convince people that Dilrong isn't Torren.'

  `But we'll have the real Torren.'

  `Who looks exactly like the false one. How would you tell them apart if they were just standing there?'

  Lucenra wrinkled her nose making Pettic think what a pretty nose it was.

  `I'll think of something while you're gone,' she told him. `I must go and see mother. I promised father before he died I'd keep an eye on her and comfort her when she needed it. She does need it, Pettic, even though she's being ever so brave.'

  Lucenra's eyes filled with tears as she thought of her father, but with an effort she blinked them back as she left the room.

  As she reached the door, Pettic called her back. He picked up the black pearl necklace from the mantlepiece and held it out.

  `Lucenra,' he said, `I have no use for a necklace. This was Yossil's and Henye gave it to me as a reward for finding the trident. I think you should have it. After all, you've had a big part to play in this adventure, too.'

  The princess looked at Pettic.

  `No. Pettic. You keep it and sell it. It must be valuable.'

  Pettic insisted and eventually Lucenra accepted the pearls saying, `I'll wear them at father's funeral. They'll look nice with my black dress. Thank you, Pettic.'

  She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

  The day of King Horrito's funeral arrived. A coach, drawn by four black horses, stood in front of the palace door. The horses wore black plumes on their heads and the carriage had been painted black. The king's coffin lay in the carriage, raised up so it could be seen.

  Queen Phillida, dressed in a black dress that flowed with her, walked straight-backed down the steps from the main door. She stood to look round before being helped into another carriage behind the one with the king's body in it. She saw the servants from the palace lining the steps, all in black and all standing silently with bowed heads. She saw the stable hands, huntsmen, gardeners and all the other outdoor staff assembled along the route the procession would take to the palace gates. They too were all in black.

  Escorting the queen was Dilrong. He held himself straight and helped her into the carriage, looking to be the dutiful and caring son. Pettic, waiting on the steps, watched to see if he would slip up. If he hoped so, he was to be disappointed. The pair got into the second carriage.

  The other royal children then climbed into their black carriage drawn by black horses, but theirs was the last to have the black animals. The carriages for the other nobility, including Pettic were black, but most of the horses were bays.

  The procession started off through the gates of the palace at a walk. It was going to go all round the city of Glitton to allow all the citizens the chance to say goodbye to their popular king.

  Crowds lined the route, all silent as the coffin passed. Never had Glitton been so quiet. Not even a dog barked. Many people threw flowers onto the carriage carrying the body of their king as it passed them. Those flowers that missed lined the route to be driven over by the passing entourage.

  Eventually, they came to the cathedral. The king-to-be stepped out of the carriage and, along with three dukes, slowly walked to the carriage bearing the coffin. They took their places at each corner and together lifted it onto their shoulder and entered the cathedral followed by the rest of the entourage.

  The archbishop of Glitton conducted a simple service. It was as the king had requested. There were no elaborate chants and only a speech by the archbishop himself, extolling the goodness of the king and telling of all the good he did in his reign. It was the funeral of a humble man and one any of the people would have had.

>   Only the archbishop and the immediate family attended the burial in the family vault. The rest of the people attending went back to the palace where a meal waited, after which all returned to their own homes or apartments within the palace.

  After the stresses of the funeral, Pettic decided he would not go to the Bubble that evening and he told Lucenra so. She agreed with him, and it was as well they did so because all the children and their nanny gathered in the nursery until very late. Even little Prince Allry. They were all naturally upset at the death of their father and, as Lucenra told Pettic later, the gathering helped everyone.

  They talked about the king and related stories and remembered events in his life. Some things the younger ones had not known before and it gave them more of an insight into their father's character.

  Lucenra visited Pettic the next day and they decided that night would be the best to go to the Bubble.

  The early hours of the morning found Pettic and Cledo entering the nursery. He had dressed in black so as not to be seen as easily. He did not want to have to answer any questions if stopped by the guards, or Dilrong if he were wandering around.

  To his surprise, a figure rose from the window seat. It was, of course, Princess Lucenra. She was dressed in black as well and wore a pair of her brother's breeches and a cloak.

  `What do you think you're doing?' Pettic demanded.

  `I'm coming with you this time,' said the princess, a determined look on her face. `Don't say 'No'. This time it's just a case of going in, finding Torren, then bringing him out. Well, isn't it?'

  `Oh, I suppose so. Come on then, Let's get this done.'

  Pettic took Lucenra's hand in his and held onto Cledo by the scruff of his neck. Then, telling Lucenra to close her eyes, and doing the same himself, he walked forwards.

  As they entered the inglenook Pettic felt Lucenra tense. She had peeped, he thought. It was difficult not to. Walking forward into what you knew was a solid object with your eyes closed was not a natural thing to do.

  Then he felt the now familiar tingle and he opened his eyes to the mist that always seemed to accompany the passage. When it cleared and he told Lucenra to open her eyes, he looked round.