The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran

by Valerie Lindsey

  He nodded and whispered, “Follow me.”

  He led us back a few hundred feet before turning onto a small track off the road. I held back until each man had passed me. No one looked back, so I lifted and directed my right arm.

  The runes on the bracelet glimmered as I cast a bubble of silence over us but not within the bubble. Hopefully, the men would not notice anything amiss, but it would prevent anyone hearing our party’s approach. Scimitar only flicked an ear. I looked down to see Bayard staring at me with his head cocked.

  “Remember you chose me. Too late to reconsider now, boy.”

  I swear he grinned at me. I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d grown fond of him.

  “Let’s get going, boy.” I clicked at Scimitar and trotted after my party. Bayard stayed at Scimitar’s right shoulder.

  We ducked under several low hanging branches in the apparently little used trail. After several miles, the road began curving left. Our leader pulled up and rode back to me.

  “I will ride ahead to make sure we come out in front of them, Lord Pierce-Seahorn. This road crosses the main one in less than two miles.”

  “Wait for us, so we can attack together.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  I followed him until I was back at the head of the squad. I signaled them to follow me as I quickened our pace. I didn’t want the captain to face the marauders on his own.

  Only I seemed aware that no sound was entering or leaving our immediate area. I searched ahead and around us until I found the invaders a few hundred feet back. Once we reached the captain waiting at the edge of the dark road, I dropped the silence and sound rushed in. I saw the men look around in puzzlement.

  The wind rattled the leaves on the shadowy trees and bushes. Clopping hooves signaled the approach of the invaders. I gestured the squad to fan in a wide flanking maneuver. Clouds drifted across the moon, helping each man melt into the shadows on either side of the gloomy road.

  I tensed and waited. Once the trespassers moved between us, we surged forward to hack through half of them before they rallied to fight back. Blades clanged and flashed in the dark.

  Silently, Bayard launched himself at the horseman closest to me, toppling the man from his horse. He tore the man’s throat open before I had time to intervene, so I turned my attention to the next closest man. I slashed across the back of his neck, nearly decapitating him.

  The battle was fierce but short. Soon dead, bleeding and moaning marauders lay on and on either side of the rough road. Panting, with a stitch in my side, I surveyed our group.

  “Anyone hurt?”

  The men looked at each other before a small man piped up, “Just a cut on me arm, me lord.”

  I couldn’t believe our luck. Not a single man lost. I heard a groan from the ground. Before I could identify who’d groaned, Tibol had plunged his sword into the man.

  “There’s no need for survivors,” Captain Gabriele announced. “Francesco, Mario, Tibol! Ensure all are dead, then drag the bodies off the road.”

  “Yes, Captain Gabriele.”

  The captain looked at me and shrugged.

  “We don’t have shovels and the Commander ordered me to get you to Florenza safely and as soon as possible. I don’t relish cleaning latrines for a year!”

  “We can’t have that, Captain. You and your men did well. King Stefano will be pleased.”

  “I doubt we could have done so well without your help, Lord Pierce-Seahorn,” Captain Gabriele said with a meaningful look.

  I’m sure I blinked in surprise and dismay.

  “Don’t be concerned. We’re glad to have you on our side.”

  I made a noncommittal noise before dismounting and calling Bayard to my side. The blood on his muzzle and paws indicated he’d done his share. I petted the huge dog as King Stefano’s men dragged and neatly stacked the bodies near the woods.

  The man named Tibol made a wide circle around Bayard to approach me. I scratched Bayard under his neck and tried not to smile at the cautious soldier. Tibol pushed his sweaty hair away from his face and bowed, never taking his wary eyes off Bayard.

  “He’s perfectly safe.”

  “For you! I saw what he did!”

  “He was protecting me,” I said gently. “He isn’t a threat to you or any of the other men.”

  Tibol just grunted in response.

  “We should be leaving shortly. Captain requested you ride in the middle of our party for your safety.”

  I nodded but secretly found the premise funny. Tibol and Captain Gabriele flanked me though Tibol rode slightly apart to keep his distance from Bayard jogging beside Scimitar. I rotated my head and shoulders as the adrenaline drained away, leaving me weary.

  Florenza was at least two hours away. Maybe further. Captain Gabriele sent one of the men back to Vernonia to relay what had happened and get a small team to remove or bury the bodies. Hopefully, the bodies would be gone by the time Lady Ilena and Silvesto passed the area.

  “Tired, my lord?”

  “Just a trying day, Captain Gabriele. I’ll sleep better knowing we took care of those marauders before they caused any harm.”

  “At least we hope they didn’t hurt anyone.”

  I nodded my assent though I knew the invaders had stayed on the road and not run into anyone. I began recognizing landmarks that glowed in the luminous moonlight shining across the road. Something large crashed through the trees on my left. Bayard made an odd huffing noise in response.

  “Stay,” I commanded. I didn’t want to lose him so soon, certainly not by him chasing a fleeing stag.

  “He’s well-trained,” the captain said.

  “He is. Commander Harnois trained him well.”

  “Mmm,” he murmured non-committedly.

  We rode in silence. The clopping of hooves, squeaking of leather and jangle of bridles rang loud in the still woods. A loud crack of thunder startled two of the horses.

  I looked up to see dark clouds racing across the sky, temporarily blocking the moon. Captain Gabriele didn’t need to say anything. We all quickened our horses until we were racing to Florenza.

  Reaching behind me, I struggled with my pack until I found my hat. I shoved it down hard on my head, then yanked out my cloak and swung it around my shoulders. Another sharp crack sounded just before a flash of lightening briefly brightened the road.

  Hard, cold drops hit me and I knew we would soon be miserable. I held the pace until I felt mud sliding under Scimitar’s hooves. He was sure-footed but I slowed him to better enable him to keep his footing. The rest of the squad did the same.

  The thunderstorm filled the air with its fury. I saw one of the men was having trouble controlling his horse, so I pulled up next to his horse’s head and lay a calming hand on its head. It snorted, shook its head but settled down.

  Rain streamed off my hat and down my back. I shivered at the cold wetness. I hated riding in the rain. Fortunately, the rain stopped as quickly as it started. I pulled my sodden cloak off and laid it across Scimitar in front of my saddle.

  Weary, I started dozing until an alluring vibration woke me. I remember sensing the same thing on our way to Vernonia but Lady Ilena had shaken her head when I’d wanted to investigate. She wasn’t here now.

  The Druid’s Egg reverberated in response, making my decision easier. The boasting men around me loudly relived the brief and successful skirmish. They probably wouldn’t mind a short break to continue recounting their victory and relax.

  “Captain Gabriele, would you mind having your men take a brief rest? I need to check something out. I shouldn’t be gone more than twenty or thirty minutes.”

  “Have you found another threat, my lord?”

  “No. Just something in the woods I want to investigate.”

  “We will accompany you, Lord Pierce-Seahorn.”

  “That isn’t necessary, Captain.”

  “At least, take one of my men. Commander Harnois charged me with your safety. I cannot let you go into the fo
rest alone.”

  Groaning inwardly, I surveyed our small troop. I really didn’t want to take anyone but Tibol smiled hopefully at me.

  “Would you like to accompany me, Tibol?”

  “Yes, my lord,” he answered with shining eyes.

  I couldn’t help smiling in response.

  “We’ll return within thirty minutes, Captain.”

  “If you don’t, we’ll come in after you,” Captain Gabriele said with a firm set to his jaw.

  I nodded and led the way into the woods, tracking the mystifying vibration. Tibol followed me without talking. I welcomed the silence.

  The Druid’s Egg thrummed against my skin. The hair at my neck and on my arms rose in warming. What could my pendant be responding to?

  I’d forgotten about Bayard until I glanced down and saw his black hackles ruffled up with his ears up and pointed forward. I quickly cast a protection spell as I tried to identify the source of the reverberation.

  The forest was oddly silent, making our progress sound loud. Obviously, more afraid of what was ahead than of Bayard, Tibol pulled up close to me. I felt his nervousness as he cagily watched the dripping woods.

  Steam rose from the ground and a low glow flickered ahead. I wanted to investigate it on my own. I pulled up.

  “Stay here. I won’t be out of your eyesight.”

  To my surprise, Tibol nodded and looked relieved. I dismounted and handed Scimitar’s reins to him.

  “I’ll be fine,” I said in a low voice.

  Bayard slunk silently by my side as I slowly approached the wavering light. I felt and heard a low hum. Bayard protectively moved in front of me. I stroked his head as I moved beside then before him.

  The light began slowly brightening and dimming as I approached. A calmness slowly replaced my initial fight or flight response. The hum began rising as I got closer to the source.

  Whatever the item was, it was behind a thick, thorny thicket. I used my foot and leg to separate and open a gap in the hedge. The light and hum emanated from a heavily carved, ebony staff.

  Not sensing any danger, I reached in and pulled it out. The light came from a bluish stone at the head of the thick staff. Premonition creeped up my spine as I brought the staff closer to study the stone. It’s resemblance to the Druid’s Egg was unmistakable. It explained why my pendant had reacted so strongly.

  Mother had told me that a Druid’s Egg was rare, yet here was a second one. The staff was heavy yet well-balanced in my hand. Perhaps, Lady Ilena would know more. I used it like a cane as I rejoined Tibol.

  “What’s that, Lord Seahorn-Pierce?”

  “I’m not sure but we can go back now.”

  He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then silently handed Scimitar’s reins to me. I gripped the saddle horn one with my right hand as I kept hold of the staff with the left. I turned Simitar back to lead the way back to our party.

  The hum and glow of the staff had faded once I lifted it. I couldn’t help but think I was intended to have it just as I was the Druid’s Egg. An image of one of the illustrations from Andrea’s picture book sprang to mind – the image of a wizard with a magical staff. I wasn’t sure how I felt about possibly becoming a fairy tale caricature.

  Chapter 17

  Dawn was casting a rosy glow across the hills as we entered Florenza. The tickling, salty scent of the ocean rolled to us. Our horses’ hooves clopping on the cobblestones echoed in the narrow road. Scimitar’s ears perked forward as his hooves rang on the cobblestones.

  Shopkeepers energetically swept stoops and lifted window covering to prepare for the day. A seagull screamed before swooping down to grab something off the road and soaring back up with its prize. Bayard ducked then snapped at the gull as it flew low over him. The brazenness of seagulls never failed to amaze me.

  “Good boy. I promise you will get a good meal soon.”

  Eager to end our journey, I pressed my heels to break Scimitar into a canter. The other men followed suit. I was looking forward to a bath, breakfast and soft bed. Not necessarily in that order.

  The captain had sent one of his men ahead, so we found several smartly dressed stablemen lined up before the palazzo entrance awaiting us. They took our horses as soon as we dismounted. I was so weary I didn’t protest, simply stroked Scimitar and told him to be good.

  King Stefan’s chamberlain stood solemnly at the top of the stairs, waiting. Bracing myself for an immediate summons, I ascended the wide stone steps quickly and dipped my head to the man I’d only met a few times.

  “My Lord Pierce-Seahorn,” he said, bowing deeply. “King Stefano insisted you rest before reporting to him. Mario has already reported on the invaders you vanquished and Commander Harnois sent his report yesterday.” His eyes flickered to my recently acquired dog and staff. “If there is anything you need him to know, we can talk on the way to your rooms.”

  Rooms? I only had the one well-appointed room. My confusion must have been evident as Chamberlain Madrano began smiling. Now, I was even more confused. It was the first time I’d seen any emotion on the taciturn man’s face.

  “King Stefano arranged for you to be moved to one of the royal suites reserved for high ranking guests. I will take you there, so you can rest. You will find all your belongings in the wardrobe. Let me know if anything was missed.”

  I had been happy with my previous room, but I nodded and slowly smiled in return.

  “Thank you, Lord Chamberlain. I’m sure everything is more than sufficient. I will just be happy to tumble into bed.”

  “No one will disturb you until before dinner. Your newly appointed valet, Ermes Ergas, will rouse and assist you.”

  Startled, I could only stare at Chamberlain Madrano. My own valet? I had only been gone a few days. What could possibly have transpired? Not that I couldn’t use a valet as I was notoriously messy.

  Ermes Ergas? Try saying that three times fast, I idly thought as I mulled over the unexpected change. I looked up in time to see the diminutive chamberlain entering the palazzo. His small, mincing steps enabled me to quickly catch up before he turned into a wing I’d never been in before.

  The walls had been plastered and painted a glowing pale yellow that absorbed and reflected the bright light streaming in through the west facing large windows. The hall was hot and I was glad when we turned into a cooler enclosed hall. I began counting doors until the gaunt chamberlain stopped and opened the fourth door on the right.

  “My Lord – your new chambers.”

  He stood erect and alert as I entered the huge room. It was even more opulent than my guest rooms at Balindoch Castle. Pale yellow and blue silk adorned the windows and complemented a rich blue bedspread that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Bayard made for one of the fluffy, white sheepskin rugs scattered throughout the room, curled up and tucked his nose into his tail. Sensing that Chamberlain Madrano was waiting on my response, I forced a smile despite my weariness.

  “It is far more than I deserve. It seems Bayard is already content,” I added to reassure him. I couldn’t help smiling at the large dog who’d already made himself at home.

  “We think it more fitting after all you have done for Florenza. I will ensure Ermes brings water and food for your dog. A warm bath will be ready in six hours. You will not be disturbed until then unless you need something.”

  “As tired as I am, can the bath be made ready before I sleep? I don’t want to dirty such an august bed.”

  He quickly dipped his dark head.

  “It will be done. I will send Ermes to assist you.”

  I started to demur but one look at his stony face silenced me. I gave a short bow in response to his. Once he’d closed the door behind him, I sank into the nearest upholstered chair and pulled my dusty boots off with a welcome sigh. I closed my eyes and drifted into a half awake, half asleep state until a tentative rap on the door roused me.

  “Come in!”

  A dark, short man came in and bowed deeply.

  “My lord, Ermes
Ergas at your service.”

  His piercing black eyes met mine as we studied each other. Ermes dark hair was cropped close to a well-formed skull that was held as erect as his small frame. Before I could break the silence, a sharp rap sounded.

  Ermes spun around and opened the door to three winsome women who each carried two steaming buckets of water. I stood as the trio quickly walked to and filled a clawfoot tub positioned under one of the four windows. One of the three risked a smile before curtseying and leaving.

  The door was barely closed before Ermes stepped to me and began pulling my jacket off. My first instinct was to resist but I knew this was his function. Before I could unlace my shirt, he was before me and nimbly unfastening my shirt.

  “I’m not used to being undressed, Ermes.”

  The energetic man paused.

  “It is my job, my lord. Shall we ease into it? I could allow you to remove your pants.”

  Allow? I held back a grin and forced my wayward eyebrow not to rise.

  “That is an excellent compromise, Ermes. I must warn you that I may be a difficult job.”

  “I have heard naught but favorable tidings of you, my lordship.”

  “Please call me Conran.”

  “Regrettably, that would not be seemly.”

  “Can we compromise with Lord Conran?”

  “That I can do,” the intense valet conceded. I wondered if he ever smiled.

  I stepped out of my pants and padded to the steaming tub where I pulled off first one, then the other of my stockings. It was a good thing I’d gained height as I had to step high to get into the tub. Sighing, I sat and slid down into the water.

  I started as Ermes poured oil into the tub. He had a cloth and soap in his long-fingered hands. I looked at the soap, up at him and quirked my eyebrow. He silently handed the washcloth and soap to me.

  “Thank you, Ermes,” I said with a smile.

  I lathered the cloth and began vigorously scrubbing the dirt and sweat from my skin as Ermes efficiently picked up the discarded clothing and put it in a handled straw basket I hadn’t noticed before. Quickly redirecting my attention back to my bath, I ducked my head under the water and scrubbed.