“I do not believe that is what they intended but I understand your dismay. Do you need anything more, Conran?”
“No, Sire. I appreciate you emptying the town and battlements. The armada will arrive under darkness. With no moon tonight, it is a good plan.”
“Do you have concerns? I can ready the navy.”
I hated to sound boastful but I knew the flotilla’s plan would not be enough to save them.
“I will be ready, Your Majesty. I don’t anticipate any problems.”
“That is what I like to hear. I think you need a good meal, so you are dismissed. I will return here after dinner to await your report.”
I stood and bowed low before backing out of the chamber. I knew the time was getting late, so I returned quickly to the dining hall. Nicky must have been watching for me as he pulled out my chair and waved to a full plate before it.
“Thank you. I’m starved. I hope the wedding talk wasn’t too trying,” I added in a lower voice.
“I will be happy to recount what you missed in every lurid detail,” Nicky said cheerfully.
I almost choked as I chewed a piece of chicken. I shook my head smiling but listened patiently as Nicky recounted in excruciating detail all the wedding plans. Kat and Jamila eagerly filled in whatever he missed.
It was good to be with my friends again but hard to give them my full attention. I ate quickly in preparation for my assignment. Nervous, I pushed the plate away before finishing. It felt like a mass of worms churning in my stomach.
“What’s wrong, Conran?” Nicky quietly asked.
“I have to leave shortly for my next mission.”
“Can I go with you?”
“There’s no need. I won’t be far away. In fact, I will meet you for breakfast and let you know what happened. You are my closest friend and I know you won’t judge.”
Nicky’s eyes darkened in sympathy as he leaned in.
“Are you sure you don’t need me by your side?”
I met his earnest eyes and forced a reassuring smile before shaking my head.
“It is something I must do on my own. You will understand tomorrow.”
I finished my ale in one gulp and stood. Reluctantly, I bowed to my friends.
“I regret I must leave all of you early.”
A soft touch at my elbow made me jump. I turned to see Lady Ilena standing behind me.
“Can I walk with you, Conran?”
“Of course.”
I bowed to my friends and slipped Lady Ilena’s hand through my arm. I matched my pace to hers as we walked up the wide hallway, nodding to the few laughing people we passed. My staff rapped sharply on the stone floor as we walked.
“Your staff is impressive. You need to tell me how you acquired it after this is done.”
Self-conscious that I’d been too flamboyant with it, I just nodded. Finally, we stood in an empty stretch before the door that led out.
“I heard about the armada,” Ilena said softly. “Do they expect you to vanquish it on your own?”
“They do,” I replied in an equally quiet voice.
“I know you can do it on your own, but I would like to be with you in case you need someone to help pull you back from the precipice.”
I remembered how I’d almost lost myself defeating King Crispin’s army. A lot had happened since then. I felt much stronger but knowing Lady Ilena would be with me loosened the knot in my gut.
“Thank you. I will be on the south parapets. I would prefer if you stay behind the turret.” I knew better than to order her, hoping the softer approach would sway her. When she started to demur, I gently added, “I don’t want to be worrying about you when fighting the navy.”
“Lead the way, Lord Conran,” she said, slipping her arm through mine. “But don’t forget who taught you what you know.”
“Yes, my lady. Now I must go before they sail past!”
Despite her heavy skirts, Lady Ilena was close behind me as I raced up the circular tower staircase leading to the roof. I threw the door open at the top. Dark clouds hid the night stars. The rank smell of sluggish water wafted up as the water slapped noisily at the pilings.
I thought I perceived several dark shapes near the mouth of the bay, but I wasn’t sure if it was just that I knew they had to be close. I murmured a spell to enable me to see through the darkness. The sigils on my bracelet and the head of the heavy stave brightened in the gloom.
Looking again up the slowly flowing river, I could clearly see six galleons. As they neared, the flapping of their sails cracked the air. A small flame preceded a fiery cannonball that flew towards the tower to my left. The building and roof shook with the impact.
I struggled to maintain my footing as masonry and dust fell around me. My mind worked furiously as I belatedly threw up a protective shield. Was Ilena hurt?
“Ilena stay down!”
Smoke drifted from the lead galleon. Another flash preceded the ejection of another second cannonball. I swept my staff across me and directed the whistling projectile into the river. A tall spume of water came up, clearing some of the dust from the first strike. I had to act now. I raised my hands and lifted my staff high.
I centered myself and pulled the darkness buried deep within. A scream burst involuntarily from me as I pointed the brightly glowing staff towards the armada, sending lightening to explode the cannon in the lead galleon before zigzagging between and striking each ship. Flames quickly consumed each ship as if their boards were dry and soaked in pitch.
I heard harrowing screams as fiery figures ran around the decks or jumped into the river. I swept the staff to violently churn the river until only still bodies filled it. The first ship listed and slowly sank into the river. It was soon followed by the remaining armada. Exhaling sharply, I smoothly pulled the power back. Relief and pride warred within me until I heard Ilena’s mocking voice.
“Those ships will block the channel.”
“Aye,” I commented, turning around to look at her. “How are you?”
“Unscathed. Would you like me to help you to clean up?”
I thought a moment before lifting my arms. A huge waterspout rose from the water. It spun rapidly, pulling the wrecks up and around before it. Wind whipped around us as it rose higher and higher in the dark sky before spinning into the bay and out of sight taking the fierce winds with it. Lady Ilena gasped behind me.
“I think there is no more I can teach you.”
“I shall always want your counsel.”
“Perhaps but my mother needs me by her side. Fira wrote to tell me Mother is ailing. Fira is caught up with the young man you told her to accept and does not want to be tied down with nursing. I’m pleased she actually took your advice, but I must go home.”
The abrupt change in conversation rocked me. It was the first time she’d referred to Balindoch as home. A coldness seized my heart. My brief feeling of triumph disappeared after the departing waterspout. I forced a smile before turning and embracing my dearest friend. I noticed a small cut on her cheek.
“You’re hurt!”
She reached up and wiped the cut.
“It’s nothing.”
“When will you leave?”
“Not before Thursday. I do not want to miss the banquet they shall surely have in your honor and I will need to decide what to pack. I promise to return once Mother is well.”
I felt my spirits rise at her promise and wanted to be as generous a friend as she always was.
“Family comes first. Perhaps King Stefano will allow me to escort you.”
“Your place is here and I don’t want Fira to foolishly flirt with you and spoil her chances with Sir de Foreste.”
“You are probably right. It’s getting cold, we should go inside. You need to have that cut tended.”
I led the way to the tower door and opened it for her to precede me.
We picked our way carefully down the circular stairs. At the base, I waited for Ilena.
“Shall I es
cort you to your room?”
“I think I can manage, Conran. King Stefano is probably eager to hear from you and I don’t want to be the cause of you keeping him waiting.”
“I will have the court physician sent to you.”
“That is not necessary, Conran. Jamila can help me, but I would like to examine your staff tomorrow and hear how you came to possess it.”
Bowing quickly, I turned and walked quickly to the small antechamber. I rapped sharply on the thick oak door and heard the King’s deep voice bade me enter. I bowed low and waited.
“Please sit, Conran. Would you like some ale?” He waved at a clay pitcher and cup.
“That sounds good.” I pulled the cup closer. “May I pour some for you?”
“Yes.”
I stood so I could reach the more ornate cup placed before the king. I poured the amber liquid into both cups before sitting.
“It sounded like part of the castle was coming down. Can we toast your success?” he asked.
“We can,” I grinned as I lifted my cup to his. “The east tower is severely damaged though.”
“That is much better than it could have been. Are there any survivors?”
“No, Your Majesty. And, I took care of the wreckage in the river, too.” At his puzzled expression, I explained. “Lady Ilena pointed out that the wreckage would block the shipping channel.”
“Sounds like a woman to want everything tidied. She was with you?”
“She insisted. We wanted to be sure I did not let the power overwhelm me. It didn’t. I think my new staff helped.”
“I wondered about that,” he said, glancing at the staff leaning against my chair. “Did you create it?”
“Actually, I found it on our way back to court. It drew me to it.”
“I wonder who owned it before. Is there a way for you to know?”
“Probably, but I haven’t tried to find out yet. If I do, I will let you know.”
“Only if you want to. You must be exhausted. I need to assemble the council but any questions they have can wait until tomorrow. We are so thankful you came to our court. Get a good night’s rest, Conran. Thank you, again.”
“I only did my duty, Sire.”
I finished my ale, stood and bowed low.
“Good night, Your Majesty.”
“Good night, Conran.”
Chapter 18
I dismounted in the flower spangled field, dropping Scimitar’s reins so he could graze while I tried to learn the history of my staff. No one was in view, so I sat cross-legged with the rod across my lap. Breathing deeply, I closed my eyes and drew upon the Druid’s Egg to determine the origins of the staff.
Colors swirled around me and the ground tilted beneath me. An island of bright green sparkled beneath dark clouds that blocked the sun. Robed men circled around a carved stone altar. A tall hooded figure lifted the staff to the heavens. Lightening flickered and licked the ground around the dancing figures.
Thunder cracked and a driving rain engulfed the men. A bolt of lightning struck the staff and seemed to be absorbed by it. The man wielding the wand directed it to a stone structure crouching on a far hill. An explosion caused it to erupt into a shower of bricks. Flames lit up the hill. I shuddered as distant screams drifted down the slope.
Slowly, the smoke, flames and men faded away. The whirling kaleidoscope slowed and disappeared. A sweetly scented wind toyed with my hair and the world reappeared. Scimitar hadn’t moved far away. I bent my head between my hands until the nausea ebbed.
I lay back on the springy grass and watched the white clouds drift across the blindingly blue sky. The vision hadn’t shed much light on the origins of the staff. Sighing, I started to stand before I fell unexpectedly to the ground.
The air left me in a whoosh. I emitted a weird whooping sound as I struggled to pull air into my lungs. Once I could breathe again, I opened my eyes and momentarily thought I was blind until I realized I was immersed in a dense, white miasma. Small blue lights flickered in the fog.
The blue lights danced and whirled into a complicated pattern that reminded me of the sigil I’d drawn for Ilena after a vision. The name Staff of Whry came to me and I knew it had been wielded by only the strongest of wizards. The knowledge that each successive possessor had been stronger than his predecessor gave me hope that the Staff of Whry could transform the future I’d been trying to change.
The fog slowly shredded and drifted away revealing Scimitar peacefully grazing in the open meadow. My head felt light while my body ached. It had to be the after effect of what I’d just experienced.
I pushed myself back up. This time when I stood, I remained standing though I felt oddly drained. I held the heavily carved staff up and studied it in the bright sunlight.
The carvings depicted intertwining plants and figures. I recognized many of the herbs as Lady Ilena had thought me what could be used in various spells, as well as their medicinal uses. Idly, I wondered about the human figures depicted as I turned the staff. Suddenly, I froze.
At the top of the staff was a carving of me! I ran a trembling finger over the carving of the young man that definitely bore an eerie resemblance to me. Chilled, I went through and counted all the figures; five women and six men, including myself.
A sharp bark interrupted my reverie. I looked up to see Bayard racing towards me. I’d left him with Ermes. Obviously, he’d escaped. I could only imagine how frantic Ermes was.
Other than twitching an ear, Scimitar ignored the running dog. Bayard ran around me before dropping before me and rolling onto his back. Smiling, I stooped down and rubbed his exposed belly.
“Proud of escaping, are you?”
I scratched below his throat and chest. Bayard rumbled in contentment.
“Did you just miss me, boy? I better take you with me from now on. Now, we’d better return before Ermes has a heart attack.”
I reluctantly whistled for my horse. Scimitar quickly trotted over and nudged Bayard in a friendly manner. After mounting, I paused to admire the nature around me. The morning had been stressful with the council questioning me mercilessly about the defeat of the enemy armada. I’d struggled to maintain my composure as I felt sure all they wanted was to revel in gory details. I wasn’t eager to return, but I wanted to show Ilena what I’d discovered about the wand.
The staff vibrated slightly as I lay it in front of me. My hand tightened but I blocked the vision that started to rise up. After the morning I’d had, I wasn’t ready to see more.
Pressing my heels into Scimitar, I rode at a fast trot. I hoped I could slip into the palace unseen. The attention since my actions had been overwhelming, to say the least. Bayard kept pace easily. He even ran in front a few times as if he had too much energy to burn. His obvious joy lifted my spirits.
I slowed as the Court of Florenza came into view. I saw few people in the stable area, so guided Scimitar in a wide circle so we could stay under the tall trees as long as possible.
“Hiding?” Silvesto inquired from his seat under a tall poplar.
“Yes. Not sure how much more attention I can bear. Why are you hiding?”
“Lady Ilena asked me to watch for you. She is at the ruins in the woods. I can take Scimitar in.”
“Thank you. I need to talk to her.”
Silvesto looked warily at Bayard who stared at him in return.
“What about him?”
“I’ll keep him with me. Could you send a message to Ermes to let him know that Bayard is with me? He was to watch him today but he must have escaped. I don’t want him worrying longer than he has to.”
“He does seem a rather anxious man. I will let him know personally. I will have dinner brought to your rooms, so you can have a quiet meal with Lady Ilena and I. Unless you prefer to dine alone?”
“Not at all. We don’t get time alone together often. Thank you for thinking of a private dinner.”
“Actually, it was Lady Ilena’s idea,” he admitted. He gathered Scimitar’s reins a
nd walked off.
I ducked under the low branches to cut across to the worn path. Bayard moved almost silently by my side. Our progress gradually silenced the birds singing and flitting above us.
The farmhouse ruin was about 200 yards from the stable. We’d discovered it once while wandering the grounds. It was seldom visited, so the perfect place for me to talk to Ilena and maybe find out what else the staff could do.
Bayard’s ears pricked up at a rustling in the bushes. He looked inquiringly up at me.
“Go ahead.”
Like a shot, he melted into the brush. I tracked his progress by the movement of the plants. A high squeak signaled he’d gotten his prey.
Smiling, I walked quickly to my meeting. The hole riddled roof peeked through the woods. The path turned sharply and I saw Lady Ilena leaning against the abandoned well, plinking small stones in.
Her black hair shone with blue highlights in the streaming sunlight. The subtle scent of her flowery perfume met me as I approached. Ilene straightened and turned to face me, her eyes resting on the staff.
“I’m glad you bought that. Can I see it?”
I quickly handed it to her. I leaned against the well and studied the overgrown clearing. The farmhouse had deteriorated more since my last visit. The roof had completely caved in.
I redirected my attention to Ilena. I was curious to see if she thought the top figure looked like me or not. Ilena turned the rod in her slender hands, a stone ring on her hand flashing in the daylight.
She stopped and held it closer to her eyes before resuming her careful examination. She studied every inch before silently handing it back to me. I waited patiently.
“I have never seen or heard of anything like it, Conran. Did you notice the man at the top?”
“Yes, I thought it looked like me. How can that be?”
“I agree and I don’t know, but it fits with the legend of the Staff of Whry. Mother told me about it but it hasn’t been seen in her or my lifetime.”
She looked between the staff and the Druid’s Egg that had slipped out of my shirt.
“You have a propensity for attracting magical items, Conran.” Ilena reached her hand out and gently touched my face. “You are the most powerful sorcerer I have ever known. Perhaps the strongest there has ever been. How did you find the Staff of Whry?”
The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran Page 25
