Changeling (Illustrated) (27 page)

Her head snapped forward.

“You know my name now,” she said. “So know, too, that I was among the force which stormed Rondoval the day this rod was wrested from Det Morson.”

Pol raised his right hand so that his sleeve fell back, revealing the dragonmark.

“I am Pol Detson,” he stated. “I have heard stories concerning my father. But I was taken from this land as a child and raised in another place. I never knew him. The past is dead, so far as I am concerned. I have only been back for a short while. I need that scepter for purposes of arousing the forces of Rondoval against those of Anvil Mountain. Are you going to return it to me?”

“In many ways,” she replied, “this is even more disturbing than your being what we had thought you. For the moment, it is good if our enemy is also your enemy. But to see the hordes that lie beneath Rondoval roused once again is a frightening thought, especially for those of us who were alive in your father’s day. So tell me, what do you propose doing when your battle is over?”

Pol laughed.

“You are assuming that I win and that I live. But, all right . . . I would lay most of my forces to rest again. I would like to be left alone to pursue my studies, and I would be happy to return the favor and leave everyone else in the neighborhood to his own devices. After a time, I may do some traveling. I don’t know. I am not attracted by the darker aspects of the Art. I have no desire to conquer anything, and the idea of ruling over anybody bores the ass off me.”

“Commendable,” she said, “and I find myself wanting to believe you. In fact, it seems likely that you are telling the truth. However, even granting that, people do change. I would like very much to see you deal with the people who feel that they can hunt centaurs whenever they choose. But I would also like some assurance that you will not one day be inclined to do it yourself.”

“My word is all that I can give you. Take it or leave it.”

“But you could give me more—and in return, your own way might be eased.”

“What have you in mind?”

“Swear an oath of friendship with us, upon your scepter.”

“Friendship is a thing that goes further than nonaggression,” he replied. “It is something that works both ways.”

“I will be willing to swear the same oath for you.”

“On your own, or on behalf of the other centaurs as well?”

“For all of us.”

“You can speak for them?”

“I can.”

“Very well. I’ll do it if you will.”

He looked back at Mouseglove, who was about to slip off among the trees.

“Stay put,” he called back. “You’re safe.”

“For now,” Mouseglove replied. But he returned.

Pol moved around the cataleptic centaur who stood between Stel and himself, destroying the spell which held him with a twisting motion of his hand as he passed. That one drew away, eyes shifting rapidly, until Stel spoke some reassurance.

“Tell me the words of the oath,” Pol said, coming up before her.

“Place your hand upon the middle section of the rod, and repeat after me.”

Pol nodded and complied.

As she began to speak the words, a series of dark strands knotted themselves about them. He felt a vaguely threatening force accumulating within them. When they had finished speaking the knots separated and drifted away, like small, dark clouds. One went to hover behind Stel. He felt such a presence behind himself, also.

“There,” she said, passing the rod to him. “We have created our own dooms, should we betray one another.”

They clasped hands.

“No problem then,” Pol answered, smiling “and it’s good to have some friends. I’d like to stay and visit, but now I’ve some monsters to rouse. Hopefully, I’ll be back.”

He turned away and fetched his guitar case.

“A weapon?” she asked as he raised it.

“No, a musical instrument. Maybe I’ll be able to play it for you one day.”

“You are really going to Rondoval now?”

“I must.”

“Give me time to raise a force, to rid the place of your enemies. Now we are allies, it is our fight, too.”

“Not necessary,” Pol said. “They are up in the castle. My destination is far below it. Moonbird—my dragon—showed me a tunnel to the place. I’ll go in that way and bypass the bastards. There is no need at all to deal with them now.”

“Where does the tunnel open?”

“Down the slope, to the north. I’ll have to do a little climbing but I foresee no real difficulties.”

“—Unless your enemies see you and go after you in their flying boats.”

He shrugged.

“There is always that chance.”

“So I will take a small force and lead a diversionary assault from the south. Two of my males will bear you and your friend to the northern slope.”

“The enemy has guns, which kill from a distance.”

“So do arrows. We’ll take no unnecessary risks. I am going to send runners now, to tell the others to arm and to bring them here. While we wait, I would like to hear your music.”

“Okay. Me, too,” said Pol. “Let’s get comfortable.”

XX.

“You were with him,” Mark said to Nora, as they both leaned upon the railing to his roof garden. “What is his power, anyway, now he has that scepter?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, looking at the flowers. “I really don’t know. I’m not even sure that he was absolutely certain. Or else he was being very close-mouthed.”

“Well, I think it possible that he is dead. On the other hand, I’ve no idea how he got across the ocean as quickly as he did. He has something going for him. He was in my flier at one point—and it was shot down near Rondoval. Still . . . Supposing—just supposing—he is still alive? How would he attack me? What sort of forces might he bring?”

She shook her head and looked at him. His lens was a pale blue and he was smiling.

“I couldn’t tell you, Mark,” she said, “and if I could . . . ”

“You wouldn’t? I’d guessed that much. It didn’t take long did it? For you to fall in love with a flashy traveler with a good story?”

“You really believe that, don’t you?”

“What else am I to think? We’ve known each other most of our lives. I thought we had something of an understanding. Then, practically overnight, you’re in love with a stranger.”

“I am not in love with Pol,” she said, straightening. “Oh, it could happen, very easily. He’s quick and strong—clever, attractive. But, really I hardly know him, despite what we’ve been through together. On the other hand, I thought that I knew you—very well—and now I see that I was mistaken about a great number of things. If you want honesty, rather than sweet words, I am not, at this moment, in love with anyone.”

“But did you once feel that way about me?”

“I thought that I did.”

He hammered his fist against the rail.

She laid a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s this lens, isn’t it? This damned, ugly bug-eye!”

“Don’t be silly,” she said. “I wasn’t talking about appearance. I was talking about what you are doing. You’ve always been different. You’ve always had a way with mechanical things. That in itself is hardly bad, but what you are doing—what you are planning to do—with your knowledge and your contrivances—that is.”

“Don’t let’s go into it again.”

She withdrew her hand.

“You asked me. If he still lives, Pol has to fight you—some way—now. Sometimes it almost seems that a conflict between the two of you was ordained before you both were born. Other times I’ve thought of it, though, it seemed that it need not be so. You could be friends. He is the closest thing you have to a relative. And it is probably that way for him, also. I will tell you what I told him. I feel like a pawn. You are jealous of him, and he will want to rescue me from you. I almost feel as if my life has been somehow manipulated to bring me into this position, to ensure that a battle will occur. I wish that I’d never met either of you!”

She turned away. He guessed that she was crying, but was not certain. He began to extend his hand.

“Sir! Sir!”

A captain of his guard was rushing toward him. Scowling, Mark turned.

“What is it?”

“Castle Rondoval is under attack! The message just came through! Should we send reinforcements?”

“Who is attacking? How? What are the details?”

“There are none. The message was short, garbled. We are waiting for an answer.”

“Divert all the nearest birds. Get me a picture of what’s going on. I’ll be down there shortly. We’re going on alert.”

He raised his hand and two guards, pretending to study the garden from its opposite end, immediately moved toward him.

“I’d wager your lover lives,” he said, “and that this is his doing. At any rate, your talk of pawns has given me an idea. Guards! Take her away. Protect her. Watch her well. She may be of some use yet.”

Turning on his heel, he headed toward the elevator. He did not look back.

*  *  *

Mouseglove moved with near-acrobatic skill up the final few meters of the cliff-face, hauled himself into the cave mouth, turned, stooped and assisted Pol.

“All right,” he said then, “I am about to keep a promise. I vowed that if they would leave me alone, I would bring them back to Rondoval.” He groped beneath his cloak and withdrew a parcel. “They did and I have. So here.”

He handed the package to Pol.

“I don’t understand. What is it?” Pol asked.

“The figurines of the seven sorcerers I stole from your father. As you gained sections of that scepter, they grew in power until finally they were able to control me. During the trip back here, I told you everything I had done, but I didn’t tell you why. They are the reason. Surely, you don’t think I’d go and play games with a feathered serpent for laughs? They are powerful, they can communicate if they want—and I have no idea what they are up to. Also, they are all yours now. Don’t worry, though. A big part of their purpose in life seems to be taking care of you. I would try to learn more about them soon, if I were you.”

“I wish I had time,” Pol remarked, “but I don’t. Not now.” He secured the parcel at his belt and turned. The dragon-light sprang forth to dart before them. “Let’s go.”

Mouseglove fell into step beside him.

“I wonder how the centaurs are doing?” he said.

Pol shrugged.

“I hope they get the message soon that we made it safely. If the two who brought us hurry, they will. Then they can lay off and return to the woods.”

“If you really meant that oath, perhaps you ought to send something particularly nasty upstairs to clear the halls.”

“Why?”

“I’ve seen how centaurs fight. They’re tough, but they also get kind of frenzied after awhile. I’ve a hunch they won’t be falling back.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Oh, yes. So, surely you could spare a dragon or an ogre or two, to clean house and protect your new friends.”

“I guess I should.”

They walked on for a time, following the pale light. At several points they had to climb down over rocky irregularities.

“Uh, I guess well be parting company soon,” Mouseglove said as they entered the first of a series of larger caverns. “I’ve done what I came back to do, and I promised myself I’d never set foot on Anvil Mountain again.”

“I didn’t expect you to accompany me there,” Pol replied, “and it’s not your fight. What have you in mind to do now?”

“Well, after your servant’s made it safe for the likes of me upstairs, I’ll head in that direction. Be sure to tell him that I’m okay. I’ll borrow some fresh garments, if that’s all right with you, clean up, have a nap and be moving on.”

They passed a large, winged, sleeping form.

“You have my permission, my thanks and my blessing,” Pol said. “Also my ogre, to clear your way.”

Mouseglove chuckled.

“You are a difficult young man to gull. I’m actually coming to like you. Pity, we’ll probably never meet again.”

“Who knows? I’ll ask the Seven when I get a chance.”

“I’d rather you didn’t remind them of me.”

The next cavern they entered was even larger, though more level. Pol looked at the humped and massed bodies among which they made their way. There seemed to be no way of estimating their number, though the strands ran thick and numerous through the gloom.