“The concept is very simple,” explained Lucy. “One of you will be tied up, lying down on your back. The cauldron goes upside down over your stomach,” Lucy turned the cauldron over on the table, slowly illustrating what she said. “Then, I slowly heat the cauldron,” Lucy lightly placed one of the fireballs on the base of the overturned cauldron. “Anyone want to talk yet?”
The men looked very confused and shook their heads. Most of Lucy’s friends look confused, too, but Kinda grinned evilly.
“Oh, that’s right, the rats. You see, the rats go under the cauldron, next to the stomach.” One of the men turned pale. “I believe the idea is the rats will try to escape the heat of the cauldron by clawing and eating through the person underneath.” As Lucy continued to talk, the pale man turned green and the middle man swallowed convulsively. “Now, I’ve always wondered if that’s really true. How long does the man underneath live? Does he pass out from the pain or is he aware rats are devouring his intestines?” The green hued man threw up.
“Miss Mage?” interrupted a contrite sounding voice.
“Yes, Sam?”
“It sounds like a very interesting plan, but I couldn’t find any rats. Remember?”
The three men looked relieved.
“I know, Sam,” Lucy turned and smiled at the men, “In case you missed or forgot the beginning of the speech, I’m a mage. So, who wants to volunteer to be turned into a rat and eat through one of the others?”
“I don’t believe you can turn anyone into a rat,” scoffed the strongest looking man.
“How wonderful, I think we have a volunteer,” said Lucy, brightly. “Then, once you’ve eaten through your friend, I’ll turn you back into a man, and you can be the next one to undergo the experience.”
“I still don’t believe you can do it.”
Lucy melted her form into a kestrel, then into an owl, and back into herself. She thought that would be an easier way to prove her point. Especially since she wasn’t absolutely certain she could turn him back into a person.
“Anyone feel like talking now?” asked Lucy.
The man who had thrown up earlier fainted dead away. The burly man looked stubbornly resigned. The middle ruffian looked terrified. With one comrade unconscious and the other looking likely to be turned into a rat, he looked like the one about to be eaten through. He began to sweat, panic, and shake.
“We’ve got the girl tied up and hidden in the sewers. She’ll be hard to find; I’ll lead you there!” he exclaimed in a rush.
“Sam, take a score of soldiers and follow him,” commanded Joss. “Quickly, but cautiously,” he added.
Sam nodded and led the man out of the room.
“I thought he was Sam,” said Lucy pointing to Sam.
“I am, Miss Mage. So is he,” explained Sam.
“Doesn’t that get confusing?”
“Surprisingly not,” said Maya.
The unconscious man was pulled back into a cell and locked up. The other man was led back to his cell as well. Joss turned around and led the way upstairs. Once they were in a smaller room off the main hall, Joss called for food and drink. Then, he turned to Lucy.
“Well, done,” he said with a smile. “You played the part perfectly. Just the right amount of build-up, curiosity, and enthusiasm, mixed with the downright appalling.”
“Would you really have gone through with it?” asked Taran.
Lucy shuddered. “I would have gone as far as laying one man down and turning the other into a rat. I really hoped one of the three would talk by then.”
Taran laughed, “Where did you come up with that?”
“I read about it once. Just the thought of it gave me nightmares. It’s vividly haunted the back of my mind for a decade or so.”
Servers entered with bread, cheese, sliced ham left over from dinner, a basket of fruit, and carafes of both red wine and ale. Everyone ate hungrily. Once everyone was done eating and sipping wine, besides Gavin, who seemed determined every plate of food should return to the kitchen empty, they began to fill each other in on current events. Joss paled at the announcement of Shadow Weavers.
“Are you certain?” he asked worriedly, with a tinge of disbelief.
“In the morning, I can show you the army you will be facing,” said Lucy. “I’m tired tonight, and it can wait until then. I’ll even show your council of advisors if you like.”
“I would appreciate that. Thank you,” replied Joss. “In the meantime, I will take you to your rooms. I’ve already had the servants fill baths with hot water. We will meet again in the morning to discuss things further.” He rose signaling that they could do the same.
Despite the appearance of the evening being over, it was a long time before they got to their rooms. As they rose to leave, both Sams entered with a bedraggled, but apparently unhurt little girl who Lucy assumed was Dulcie. Maya ran to her, gave her a hug, and looked her over.
“Are you okay?” Maya asked her.
Dulcie nodded, her eyes large and looking at the intimidating people surrounding her. She was not used to being the center of attention and wasn’t sure she liked it.
“This is Justin,” Maya told Dulcie, motioning in his direction, “He is a trusted friend, and a healer, I’d like him to examine you.”
Dulcie nodded, trusting Maya. Everyone else stepped back to give Justin some space to work. Maya kept hold of her hand. Justin let his senses range over Dulcie. Lucy watched, trying to sense what he sensed. Despite her many talents, healing did not come naturally to her. Justin paused over certain areas and Lucy could feel him healing something, bruises, she guessed. Justin scanned her again.
“She’s tired, could use some food and wine, and had a few bruises. I healed those. Otherwise, she appears to be in good shape.”
Naturally, Gavin had eaten all the food, but Maya poured Dulcie a glass of wine while Joss sent a servant for more food.
“Can you tell us anything about what happened?” asked Joss.
Maya glared at him, but he ignored it. Despite Maya’s obvious concern for Dulcie, Joss was king, and in charge.
Dulcie sipped her wine and began in a soft, quiet voice, “I’m sorry, your majesty, I don’t know very much. I was sitting in the alcove, watching the party. I heard something behind me, but I assumed it was Sam returning with some food. They put something over my mouth that made me fall asleep. I didn’t even have time to try to fight them. I’m sorry,” Dulcie gave Maya a guilty look.
“Don’t worry about that now. You’re safe. We can train more so this doesn’t happen again. Tell us what happened next.”
“When I woke up, I was gagged, lying on cold stone with a blindfold over my eyes. I got the impression they were told to kidnap me and hold me for someone else who was coming. I don’t know who that was. I didn’t know what to do so I curled up in a ball and tried to stay warm. I hoped someone would come and find me, but I figured it was useless to try to escape until I knew where I was in relation to where I wanted to go. I was very relieved when the blindfold was pulled off and I recognized Sam,” Dulcie turned to where Sam was standing near the door and smiled gratefully at him. Then, she began to eat the bread and cheese the servants had brought for her.
“I wish we knew more,” commented Maya.
“That’s always the case,” agreed Joss. “At least she is safe now. I think she should permanently move in with you, unless you have a better idea.”
“It’s either that or we get her a Sam of her very own to escort her everywhere,” agreed Maya.
“It seems silly to have so many soldiers acting guard duty rather than training.”
“Your majesty,” suggested a Sam with a bow, “we could rotate soldiers through in shifts. It is good for them to learn to stand guard as well as train.”
“That’s a worthy idea, Sam, but it makes it too easy for someone to slip into a rotation like that. With so many new recruits, I don’t know all their faces and names yet. I don’t want to put her in further danger. Sinc
e Maya’s quarters are already guarded by trustworthy men, it makes more sense for her to stay there. If Dulcie goes somewhere with Maya, she is also with Carr. If she is left in the room, she is guarded by you. She is safe either way. If this becomes inconvenient, we can try to come up with another solution. Now, if there is nothing else, I suggest we all go to bed. It’s been a long day and tomorrow promises to be longer.”
Lucy was grateful for the evening to be over, the accommodations, and the bath. No sooner had the door shut behind them than Lucy stripped off her dirty clothes and sank deeply into the hot water. She sighed. Justin laughed at her.
“Which made you more tired, the fake, happy demeanor or the demented descriptions of torture?” he asked.
She glared at him. “I can be happy,” she said defensively.
“Yes, but that was over the top. Perfect, but not normal for you,” he stooped to kiss her forehead, “and I like normal you best.”
Lucy grinned up at him.
“Is there room in there for two?” asked Justin.
Chapter 30
Morning dawned bright and clear in Lerramorre. Lucy was so comfortable, she didn’t want to move. As much as she had enjoyed staying with the Elves, it was almost too otherworldly for her. Definitely, someplace she’d visit again, but not somewhere she wanted to stay permanently. She stretched, thinking of the busy day ahead of her. She wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but the birds were making an awful racket. She sat up in bed and figured out part of the problem. Justin was having an in-depth conversation with two chickadees. Lucy felt it was too early to deal with such high pitched chirping.
Lucy climbed out of bed and padded over to where a breakfast tray was set on a small table, bordered by two chairs. She sat down and began to eat toast spread thick with strawberry jam. She noticed Maya had sent up clothes for her to wear, too. Thankfully it was not a dress. Apparently, there were some perks to being a mage. The leggings were light gray and soft. Over the leggings went a white under-tunic with billowy, embroidered sleeves. The overtunic was deep blue with silver leaves embroidered on the hem. She ate a second piece of toast and pulled on the soft, calf-high boots. It felt decadent being clean and wearing clothes too delicate for hard travel. Lucy braided her hair around her head and walked over to Justin.
He had finished his conversation with the birds and was staring off into the distance. Lucy kissed him good morning. He smiled at her.
“Ready to convince a group of stuffy, old, close-minded men that not only are their nightmares real but coming to attack?” Justin asked with false enthusiasm.
“It can’t be any worse than trying to convince a bunch of stoic, intimidating, alarmingly beautiful Elves,” quipped Lucy. “Besides, I have to convince Joss before I convince the stuffy, old men.”
Justin laughed, hugged her, straightened, bowed, and held out his arm to lead her to Joss. Joss wanted to see what Lucy had to show before it was presented to his ministers. That way he could ask some of his questions in private and look informed in front of his ministers while hiding his gut reactions from them. It was a good thing Joss was easy to convince. Unlike most of his ministers, he had traveled more extensively and seen things other people might not believe existed. Some of Joss’s ministers had never left the kingdom of Lerramorre. He may not want Shadow Weavers to exist, but that didn’t mean they didn’t. Lucy’s evidence was hard to refute. Lucy released the pictures in the cauldron of water, annoyed by the way the poufy sleeves obstructed her arm movements. Joss leaned back in his chair and sighed.
“I don’t like it. How do we fight an army of nightmares?” he asked Justin.
“With everything we have,” replied Justin.
Taran nodded and smiled bracingly. “We still have tricks up our sleeves, and we have time. They haven’t started moving, yet. The more time we have, the better we can prepare.”
“How long will it take their army to reach us? How fast do some of those creatures move?” wondered Joss.
“The Elves couldn’t agree on a specific time. Their estimates were anywhere between two weeks and two months,” answered Justin. “My estimate would be about a month. Once the Shadow Weaver has gathered everything he can, he will want to move soon and fast. Bored Chimeras are not pleasant company. The army will be excited by the promise of human prey and move quickly on their own accord. We do not know what powers the Shadow Weaver might have to increase their speed or magically shorten the distance they have to travel. Also, I think we should meet them on terrain of our choosing away from the city. That way, the civilians can stay here and be relatively safe and we have a place to fall back to.”
“Hopefully we won’t be alone either. The Elves will be sending help, probably not as much as we’d like, but some,” added Taran.
“Lucy and I can work on spelling armor and weapons.”
“Like the pebbles?” Joss interrupted.
“Sort of, only hopefully more effective. We can’t just stay and do that though. I think we will travel to the Dwarves, Giants, and others for Lucy to show them what she showed you. It is more persuasive than sending messengers. Besides, they will want to see for themselves. The more help we can convince to join us, the better. Also, we have Kinda,” finished Justin.
Joss looked over at Kinda who was smiling wickedly. He didn’t know her well, but he wouldn’t want to cross her.
“Do you have other skills besides being proficient with deadly weapons and basically being menacing?” Joss asked her.
“No matter how quickly they travel, they still have to pass through the mountains. I have a passion for setting traps, when there is time,” Kinda replied with a smile.
“You have my permission to carry out all your trapping whims and desires,” Joss decreed.
“Can I have that in writing?” Kinda asked.
Everyone laughed, but she looked serious. Joss moved on to other matters.
“Gavin, what are your plans?”
“I figured I’d wait until someone told me where I could be best used and then do that. If Justin and Lucy are going to the Dwarves and Giants, I thought I might go with to help protect them along the way. I’d love to help Kinda with traps. Or, whatever you suggest,” Gavin answered.
“I think at this point, Lucy and I will need speed to travel. We’ll fly or use magic,” said Justin.
Joss nodded.
“I need information to coordinate everything. Some people arriving will be more willing to work with me than an untried, human king,” Justin said to Joss. Joss nodded again. “I’d like Taran to remain with you as an advisor. He can keep an eye on what’s going on and the Elves, at least, should be willing to work with him, as well as the Ostrakans.” It was Taran’s turn to nod.
“You’ve invited them?” asked Joss.
“Not yet, but they are on the way to the Dwarves. It’s worth a stop,” acknowledged Justin.
“I’d like Gavin to train soldiers and take over leading a specialized group,” said Joss. “We know some of the things coming are big and strong. We will need to coordinate in groups to kill them. Perhaps Gavin could create units whose goals include working together to take down a Manticore or a Chimera. An approved and practiced plan should help soldiers avoid freezing in terror and revert instead to drilled-in moves.”
Instead of looking properly horrified by the suggestion, Gavin brightened and looked intrigued by the challenge. He’d need to research the creatures’ various weaknesses and figure out the best way to neutralize them.
“I need to study maps to plan my traps,” said Kinda. “There are only so many passes you can bring an army through the mountains. Why make it easy for them? Gavin can work with your men while I research and plan. Then they can come with me as an advance guard. They can help me set things up, recon the area, and send messengers back to you as necessary.”
“It’s always preferable to start with a plan. Now, I have to go meet with my ministers and convince them there is a reason for all of this action. Lucy?” he
held out his arm.
“Could I arrive in a few minutes? I have an idea I would like to try, but I need to do it from here. It might make things easier.”
“Casting spells on my ministers?” Joss quipped.
“Actually, trying to undo any spells that might already be cast on them,” Lucy explained.
Joss looked worried, “Is there a lot of that going on around here? It would account for the general aura of menace Maya and I have been feeling.”
“I’ve been working on it as I can, but yes, there are some and I’m sure there are more.”
“Do your best; I’ll see you when you are done. Should I have Sam bring the cauldron?”
“No, I’ll need it for what I’m doing. I’ll bring it with me.”
Everyone rose to leave except Justin. They all had things to do. Maya stopped by before she left and fingered Lucy’s sleeve.
“Usually, you perform spells mentally. I didn’t think the sleeves would be in the way. I’ll have other clothes ordered with sleeves more appropriate for water viewing. I have a suspicion you’ll be doing this a lot.”
“Thank you. I only use arm motions for a few things. Unluckily, this happens to be one of them. I have a feeling the cauldron viewing will seem unduly repetitive before this is all over. I was happy to see leggings instead of a dress, however. Thank you,” smiled Lucy.
“I’ve saved the elaborate dresses you’ll need in my room,” grinned Maya. “I didn’t want to intimidate you. No complaining, though. Try to set a good example for Dulcie,” Maya grinned again, squeezed Lucy’s hand and followed Joss to the meeting.
“Who is Dulcie?” Lucy asked Justin. “I know we met her last night, but we were more concerned with her physical well-being than her personal history.”
“Maya found her a few weeks ago. She has a lot of magic potential. Maya’s training her to be a court mage for Joss, since we run around too much to be considered dependable,” Justin grinned. “While you are at your meeting, I’ll be teaching her. When you are done there, please find me. About that time, she could probably use a break and an example of why her lesson is important and what she could become if she applies herself. What are you planning to do here?”
Ravs Are Rarely Wrong: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol III Page 21
