“Pack these in the right, inside pocket. This is your sleeping mat and blankets, medical supplies, and maps. Hopefully, you won't need any of this, but you are at war now. There is no such thing as too many supplies. It’s better to have and not need than need and not have.”
“Just so,” I answered.
Sanctum looked to the side. “Your guards have broken contact and dispersed, per your plans I'm guessing.” I nodded. “The Reds are trying to break into the upper palace. The lower castle is under their control, and most of the Royals and their families are fleeing.”
A hot meal appeared on the dining table. “Eat while you have a chance; you may have to leave in a hurry.”
I nodded. Now that I had calmed down and smelled the food, I was hungry. The food, as usual, was good. I drank water, as I didn't want to mix wine with the pain powder I had taken. That might put me to sleep deeper than I wanted.
When I had finished eating, I asked, “Are we still safe?”
“We are for the moment. They are still occupied at the upper palace.”
“I'm going to lie down and rest. Wake me if anything changes, or when Hue gets back.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I was asleep as soon as I lay down.
***
The throbbing in my arm woke me. I sat up slowly, cradling my arm. I got up and made myself another dose of the pain potion. I don't know how long I had slept, but it didn't feel very long.
“Sanctum?”
The apparition appeared. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“How long did I sleep?”
“A little over an hour.”
I nodded. “What's going on outside?”
“They are still trying to break into the upper palace, and they are having some success. They’re searching the castle and its grounds, including the outside portions of the Sanctum. So far they have not found this part.”
“Good, I would like some hot tea, please.” A tea service appeared in the sitting area, and I poured a cup and sat down. “If Hue doesn't show up soon, I must go. I need to have my arm attended to, and then make my way to his alley.”
The pain potion was taking effect. My arm was no longer throbbing. I could do nothing else at the moment, so I closed my eyes and dozed as I waited.
***
“Majesty,” Sanctum said.
My eyes snapped open. “What is it?”
“We are about to have company; come quickly.” I got up and followed him down the hall. “Stand here against the wall in that shadow. Your cloak will hide you. When you get the chance, you must strike quickly. I will distract him, but you won't get but one chance.”
I stood in the shadow against the wall. “Fighting stick,” I commanded. A two-foot-long fighting stick appeared in my hand.
I leaned against the wall, waiting. My adrenaline was spiking, and I felt sick to my stomach. There was a small puff of air, and a cloaked figure appeared. He was facing away from me.
Sanctum appeared, standing before the figure. “How may I serve, my lord?” he said, bowing.
I didn't hesitate and struck. I swung backhanded from across my body, striking him in the side of his head. There was a sickening crack from his skull, and he fell to the floor unmoving. I didn't move either; I just stared.
“You're safe; he's dead. He was the only one looking here. Search him.”
“What?” I questioned.
“Search him. He may have something you can use.” I nodded.
“Sheath,” I commanded, putting my fighting stick away.
I knelt and turned the body over. I didn't look at his face or head; I didn't want to see what I had done. I searched him. There was nothing in his cloak pockets, and he wore a belt with a purse and a dagger on it.
“Take the whole belt,” Sanctum said before I could search it. I took the belt off of him. “Put it on now, in case you have to leave in a hurry.” I nodded and put the belt on. “Now check for jewelry.”
He was wearing rings; I took them off of him, and Sanctum knelt beside me. “Hold those up so I can see them better.” I held them out for him to look at. “The one with the red stone is a guise ring; it will hide your identity by changing your appearance. Put it on.” I did, and it shrank to my finger.
“How does it work?”
“You think of what you want to look like and command it. Whoever or whatever you tell it must be about the same size, but other than that, it will do what you say within reason.”
“What's the one with the blue stone?”
“That is a healing ring; it will heal you and restore strength. It won't instantly heal you, but given time, it will even heal your broken arm. I don't suggest waiting for the ring to heal your arm though. It would take too long.” I put the healing ring on. “The other rings are ordinary jewelry; put them in your new pouch, and we'll check them when we finish here.”
Under his shirt, there was a heavy necklace with a large sunstone attached. I took it.
“Put that on too. It will give additional power to the other artifacts you wear.”
I put it around my neck and under my clothes. Once I was finished, Sanctum sank the body through the floor for burial.
“Check the purse on the belt to see what may be of use to you.”
I opened and looked inside the purse. There were coins, jewelry, a fire starter, and a few other items. There was a deep thumping sound, and the floor vibrated. Dust drifted down from overhead.
Sanctum looked away. “They pushed the barrier on the upper palace too hard, and it has exploded. It has destroyed itself and all the attackers near it. You had better go, my Queen. Others will come soon. Where do you port to next?”
“I can't port straight to Hue. I don't know what kind of trouble I'd run into, so I'll port to the end of an escape tunnel that opens into a house outside the castle wall.”
Sanctum looked away. “The way is clear. I suggest you go now, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Sanctum. We shall return. Take care of yourself.”
“You too, my Queen, I'll be here when you return. Go find your wizard.”
Chapter 27
I concentrated on the end of the escape tunnel: “Port.” In the blink of an eye, I was in pitch darkness. I didn't move, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
"Nice move, come into a dark passageway with no light," I thought, shaking my head.
“I wonder...”—I put my hand in my cloak pocket—“small light.” Nothing happened. I tried the other pocket, still nothing. I put my hand in the purse, nothing again. “Great, I've got everything else; now I just need a light.” The sunstones on the back of my gloves lit brightly, illuminating my surroundings. “Not so bright,” I said, and they dimmed. “That's enough; hold that.”
I could now clearly see the passageway and the lever for the door. I found the spy hole and looked through. The room appeared to be empty, but it was so dark I couldn’t be sure. I stayed at the hole, watching and listening. I had to remind myself to be patient. If I made a mistake now, it could mean my life. Still, there was no movement or sound.
“Lights out,” I whispered. Once again, I was in darkness.
Slowly and easily, I pulled the lever that opened the door. Thankfully, it made no noise. “Fighting stick.”
I eased into the room, closing the door behind me. The room's window cast enough light to make out some furniture, but no one was here. As quietly as I could, I checked the rest of the apartment. I was alone.
Without pulling the curtains back, I looked out the window; the streets were empty this early in the morning. I would have to wait to go find a doctor. It would be too conspicuous for me to be on the empty streets; I’d be safer once more people were out and about.
I sat in a chair and tried to relax. My plan was simple: find someone to splint my arm, and then get to Wizard’s Alley. It sounded simple enough, but I'm not sure how easy it was going to be. Once they had satisfied themselves that I was not in the castle, the search would move outside. I
needed to blend in and move carefully.
***
The noise from outside woke me; my arm was throbbing again. I made another dose of pain powder drink and took it. I moved to the window and looked out onto the street below. There was some foot traffic, but not much. Some old women were out starting their day.
I watched as one moved down the street and nodded. No one gave her a second look. I gripped the guise ring and fixed what I wanted to look like in my mind. My reflection in the glass changed; I now saw the face of an old woman. Now, all I had to do was move like one, so I practiced walking like I’d seen some old people walk before.
It would have to do; I needed to be on my way. The door from this apartment opened into a side alley. I didn't see anyone from the window, so I opened the door and stepped out. I tried to make it look as if I did this every morning—nothing special.
I headed down the street toward the market district. There would be healers there and plenty of people for me to get lost in. Others were heading in the same direction, so I became one of the herd. I didn't dare go to a healing wizard; they were too well known. Besides, an old lady wouldn't be using one. What I need is a midwife.
The market was just opening when I arrived. A young girl was sitting against the wall, holding a ragdoll.
“Child, do you know where I can find a midwife,” I asked.
She nodded and pointed: “Two streets down.”
I nodded. “Thank you, child,” I said and walked on.
I turned down the second street; there were bakeries and other small shops there. “Is there a midwife on this street,” I asked one of the shopkeepers, as he was putting out his wares.
“A bit further on,” he answered, pointing.
“Thank you,” I said. I kept walking, hoping to see a sign of some kind.
Finally, I found the midwife’s home down a side alley. I knocked, and a woman opened the door and motioned me in. There were others there, waiting to be seen. I took a seat.
The room smelled of herbs and spices. A few spoke in hushed tones, and each woman was seen to as her turn came. Once it was my turn, I was shown to a back room.
“My name’s Emma. This is the first time I've seen you, isn't it, dear?”
“Yes, my arm's broken; can you splint it for me?”
She stared at me a moment, smiling. “I'm also a minor wizard. Some would call me a witch, so I can tell you're wearing a guise. You'll have to drop it for me to examine your arm.”
“Of course.” I dropped the guise.
She looked at my arm and gently felt along the bone. “It's broken alright, but not badly. I can splint it for you. How's the pain? Do you need something?”
“No, thank you, I've taken something for it.” She nodded and left the room.
She came back and started right to work. “You seem to have done this before,” I joked.
She chuckled, “Oh, I have. Most around here can't afford a doctor, so they come to see Emma.” She was gentle and her voice soothing.
“You enjoy your work, don't you?”
“I do, but it more than a job; it's a calling. I hold a special place here. People know I'II help them if I can, even if they can't pay. And I keep my own counsel; what I fix in here stays in here.”
When she finished, I handed here two golds. “For those who can't afford to pay.” She nodded.
“As I said, I keep my own counsel. If there is anything you need, I will do what I can to help.”
I studied her; she didn't turn away. “I need to get to Wizard's Alley.”
She walked over to the window and opened it. “Willie, get the wagon ready,” she called.
“Yes, Mistress,” came from outside.
She turned back to me. “I want you to put on the guise of a young pregnant woman. That way no one will pay any attention to us.”
I fixed in my mind what I wanted, and I became the image of a young pregnant woman.
Emma looked at me, nodding. “That will do nicely, but remember to move like you are with child.” I nodded.
Willie put blankets in the back of the wagon for us. “You lay down, and I'll sit beside you.” He helped us up into the wagon.
“Take us to Wizard's Alley,” Emma said.
Willie nodded, taking the reins: “Get up there, hoss.” He drove out of the alley, and no one even looked at us. Mistress Emma's wagon was a familiar sight to them.
The wagon moved easily through the back street toward Wizard’s Alley. It seemed like just another day to me, but I really couldn’t tell, as I had not ever been in this part of the city before. Mistress Emma seemed relaxed but watchful, and Willie hummed as he drove us along.
“I’m guessing things did not go as expected at the Festival Ball.” There wasn’t a question there, so I said nothing. She kept her eyes moving, not looking at me. “We also heard some explosions from the Castle and the Palace.”
“Yes, I heard the same.”
“Mistress, the City Watch is ahead,” Willie said. “They’re checking wagons.”
“No problem; we’re just taking a poor girl home. I’ll talk to them.” Willie nodded, and we waited our turn in line.
Soldiers stepped up to the wagon. “Sergeant Roon, how is your wife?” Mistress Emma asked.
“She’s much better,” he answered. “That tea you gave her has helped her so much.”
“You make sure she keeps drinking at least one cup a day. When she runs out of the mixture, bring her back to see me.”
“Yes, Mistress, bless ya. Taking another one home I see.”
“Yes, I’d rather be helping bring another one into the world than helping one out, but both are the way of the world.”
“Tis true,” he said, shaking his head. “If you are going close to Wizard’s Alley, you have a care. Those Red Wizards have had a go at someone. It’s a right mess down there.”
“We will, Sergeant.”
“Let them through,” the sergeant called forward.
Willie eased the wagon on through, and shortly, we were out of sight of the watch.
“I’d heard the Reds were up to something, but they are always up to something. They can’t leave well enough alone,” she said.
“Take us to the south end of the alley; it will be safer that way.”
She nodded: “Willie?”
“I heard, Mistress.”
“How’s your arm feeling?”
“I still know it’s there, but it’s not too bad at the moment,” I answered.
“They say that Wizard’s Alley got its name from a healing wizard that stays there. They also say he takes care of children and calls them his wards. I’ve never met him, but they tell me that he heals, if he can, all who come to him. He is a kind man, unless you mess with his wards—then not so much. Is that who we are going to see?”
I’d trusted her this far. I nodded. “It is.”
She nodded. “Is it he that the Reds were after?”
“If I had to guess, I’d say that the Reds were after the Temple Priests and involved his Wards, which involved him. He was supposed to meet me, but did not. The only reason he wouldn’t have would be if he is dead or badly hurt.”
She nodded. “We must tread carefully. We don’t know what has happened or who has prevailed in this little war. When we get close, I’ll send Willie on to find out.”
“I will go with him; the wards know me.”
She shook her head. “That is unwise. Let him see if there is any reason to go forward, and then he can return to take us in.”
I thought a moment and nodded. I’d come too far to make a mistake now.
Willie stopped the wagon a few blocks short of the alley. We got out of the wagon, and Mistress Emma nodded to Willie. He turned and walked away. I put my hood up and put the guise of an old woman back on. We stood in silence as we waited. Thankfully, our wait was short.
Willie returned. “It’s safe to approach, Mistress.”
“We’ll walk; you bring the wagon.” Willie nodded an
d we headed toward the alley.
When we were in sight of the alley, I could see priests on guard. I dropped my guise as we approached.
Seeing me, they bowed: “Highness.”
“Is Sir Wizard here?”
“He is, but he was wounded in the fighting. Our healers are seeing to him.”
“Take us to him.”
Our guide took us to the ward’s dormitory. Hue was not the only wounded the healers were seeing to. His whole side was burnt from his waist to his face, but his side seemed to be the worst though.
I turned to Mistress Emma. “See if there is anything else you can do for him, for any of them.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” and she went straight to work.
I walked among the children, speaking to them and helping where I could. Seeing me seemed to lift their spirits. Izzy was helping the healers and adding her magic where possible.
The Master Priest found me. “Your Highness,” he said, bowing.
“Master Priest, have my guards returned to the temple? How are they?”
“They have, Your Highness,” but he said nothing more.
“Our losses?”
“Of the three hundred, one hundred and three were killed and one hundred thirteen wounded.” I felt like a part of me died. These men had given their lives to save mine.
“They served with honor, Master Priest, and brought honor on their houses. They saved my life, and I shall not forget their sacrifice.” I bowed to him, and he bowed in return. “Can you tell me what happened?” I asked.
“It was an ambush; the Red Wizards attacked the temple to draw Sir Wizard away from you. When they attacked, the wards joined the fight to defend us. As soon as Sir Wizard appeared, all the Red Wizards attacked him at once. He was wounded in the process, but he killed them all before he fell. I have never seen such power from a wizard. His fire was so hot that it turned the street and walls to glass. It was a terrible sight to behold.”
“Any news from the castle or the military?”
“As you know, they have seized the Castle. So far, the military is staying out of it. That may not last, though. Sir Westly is already applying pressure for them to name him King.”
Wizard's Alley Page 26
