Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web - Volume 1 (55 page)

“Here we are,” Nedry whispered, greeted by the gentle snorting of a pair of horses in the cool night air. “The animals have already been laden with your food, clothing, supplies and weaponry, so you are all set to go. Your own horses, Leo, will be cared for in your absence.”

“Thanks, but those are my father’s horses,” he replied, “which he’ll be anxious to get back one of these days. I mentioned they were holding up nicely in the short post I wrote yesterday telling them of my delay. My brother will be less than thrilled about the extra chores he’ll inherit. I thanked him in advance in my letter,” he joked.

“This is quite a jump from selling apples or keeping track of flour sales, isn’t it?” Nicholas said, wondering where the next few days would take them.

“Then I suggest that you both keep your eyes to the road and your wits about you. A lot of people are depending on your success,” Nedry reminded them.

“We’ll try not to disappoint,” Leo said as he climbed on his horse, anxious to start their journey. Nicholas did likewise, taking one last glance at the few remaining lights burning inside the Citadel.

“Follow the river to the second bridge and cross there,” Nedry advised. “It’s only a few miles away. Then find a place to spend the night in the foothills. You can begin your true journey in the morning. Good luck to you both.”

“Thanks, Nedry,” Nicholas replied. He and Leo nodded a brief goodbye before disappearing into the night.

Nedry watched as darkness devoured the two travelers before returning to the Citadel to finish some work that was piling up. He still had much to do before seeing off his next two travelers the following morning.

Nedry sat hunched over his desk after midnight, finishing a few correspondences. He scribbled upon a sheet of parchment with a quill pen he repeatedly dipped in an ink bottle. When he completed the last note, he carefully folded the parchment twice and slipped it into an envelope before lighting a blue stick of sealing wax. He allowed several drops to fall upon the back flap to fasten it shut. He then affixed the official impression of his office into the wax with a metal seal and sat back in his chair, satisfied that his work for the day was finally finished.

He sighed as a bone-deep weariness crept over him. He gazed out a round window beyond the desk into the inky darkness, too exhausted to move. Candlelight reflected off the window pane and Nedry stared at the hypnotic flickering, his eyelids growing heavy. Two tiny images of the burning candle also appeared lower in the window and close together, from time to time disappearing for an instant before returning. He amusedly watched what he assumed was a trick of his imagination before rousing himself awake, determined to retire to his room for the night. But as he was about to blow out the desk candle, he again noted the two tiny reflections low in the window pane. He studied them for a moment before realizing that they hadn’t been conjured up by his imagination. The reflections originated on the
outside
of the glass.

Nedry dashed toward the window, but before he had a chance to throw it open, the tiny pair of reflections disappeared in a swirl of blackness. He unlocked the pane and hastily swung it open, spotting a fleeting ebony shadow and hearing the distinct flutter of wings. He knew that the crow he had noticed earlier in the day had been perched on the ledge, the candle flame reflected in its eyes. His deepest suspicions had been confirmed. A spy of the air had been in their midst and Nedry felt vindicated that he had sent Nicholas and Leo away under the cover of darkness. He hoped his next move tomorrow morning would doubly ensure their safety.

Brendan and William hadn’t expected to see Nedry as they finished an early breakfast in the nearly empty dining hall overlooking the fruit orchards. The King’s advisor sat down with them, wishing the boys well on their excursion.

“We had said our goodbyes yesterday and planned to slip out at the crack of dawn,” Brendan explained. “We didn’t want anyone to bother with us another moment as we’ve imposed on the goodwill of the Blue Citadel quite enough.”

“Nonsense,” Nedry said. “It’s an honor to accommodate the grandsons of King Rowan in any way we can. I figured I would accompany you to the stables and send you off. Besides, I’d like to double check that all the supplies I ordered for you have been loaded onto your horses.” He noticed that Brendan and William each had a long wool overcoat draped on the backs of their chairs identical to the ones sewn for Nicholas and Leo. “The royal seamstresses did a fine job on those coats. They’ll come in handy as the weather turns.”

“Indeed. So thank you again for all your help,” William said, finishing up a biscuit with his tea, his eyes filled with the zeal of youth and the prospect of a new and exciting day to explore.

A short time later, Nedry escorted the two princes to the stables under a slowly awakening pale blue sky. Brendan and William climbed on their horses, eager to start their journey south. Nedry walked with them along the road past the Citadel storage cellars until they reached the front cobblestone courtyard and gardens, the clip clop of horse hooves echoing off the stone walls. The King’s advisor waved to the two brothers as they continued on alone through the front gates, wishing them well on their journey as they disappeared from his sight.

Nedry walked away from the archway at the main entrance, waving good morning to the guards on duty as he made his way back to the Citadel. He sat on a small bench beneath a tree near a row of hedges along the front, already tired as if he had been awake for hours. He leaned back and gazed up at the sky, waiting for a sign he hoped might not reveal itself. But less than a minute later, a faint shadow drifted across the courtyard as a large crow abandoned its lofty perch near the top of the Citadel and landed upon a stone post near the front iron gates. The sleek black bird craned its head this way and that before taking flight again, riding high upon the autumn currents while keeping its curious eyes fixed upon the two riders who had just departed the courtyard.

Nedry’s heart fluttered and his body felt cold when he witnessed the sight, wondering if he had overstepped his authority by manufacturing this diversion. Though he tried to convince himself that everything would turn out fine since Brendan and William would only be gone for a handful of days, he already regretted that he had manipulated the start of their journey for his own purposes. But if a bit of trickery provided Nicholas and Leo some added protection on their mission, it would be well worth it. He stood to return to work, not yet prepared to divulge the details of his maneuver to King Justin. And as there was nothing to do now to affect the outcome, he decided to let events unfold as they may and await the results, hoping his good intentions would pay off.

CHAPTER 32

Silent Pursuit

Brendan and William traveled leisurely along King’s Road for an hour, bundled in wool coats and with hoods draped over their heads, their white wisps of breath rising in the chilly morning air. In time they passed through a community of farmhouses and small shops slowly awakening beneath a lemon yellow sun. Here a narrow road broke off from the main thoroughfare, heading southeast through a terrain of lush, low hills, vigorous streams and fertile farms. From what Brendan recalled while studying maps in the Citadel library, he estimated that they’d have to traverse a twenty mile stretch before linking up with the southern portion of River Road in Bridgewater County which extended for miles beyond Arrondale’s border.

“If we follow the Pine River at that point, it’ll take us to the north end of Lake Lasko near the Red Mountains,” he told his brother, his sea blue eyes shaded from the morning light by the rim of his hood. “It’s a huge lake. An impressive sight, I’m sure.”

“After several days of riding, that’ll be a good place to camp out for a while before turning back,” William said, inhaling the sweet scent of decaying leaves and wood smoke that spiraled up from chimneys on distant rooftops. “I’m glad you asked for permission to leave, or I would have done it myself. I needed to get away from the Citadel. I’d have gone mad wandering the corridors and thinking about Mother and Grandfather all alone in Red Lodge.”

“Unfortunately, they’re not alone,” Brendan reminded him.

“I know. But I’m sure they feel alone, and we can’t do anything about it yet.” He sighed, flipping off his hood and running a hand through his mop of wavy blond hair. “I want to be in the first group of men when we take back our homeland.”

“I don’t know if Prince Gregory will allow that, though I understand how you feel,” he said as they trotted along the dirt road. “It’ll take time to raise enough troops and ready supplies for the march, so be patient. And we’re allowing a few extra days for Nicholas and Leo to return with the key. If they open the Spirit Box just as we’re approaching Red Lodge, think what an advantage we’ll have over Caldurian and the Islanders. With the Enâri troops out of the way, the others won’t know what hit them.”

“Let’s hope they can time it so,” William said, glancing at his brother with a slight grimace. “But first let’s hope they return with the key.”

Brendan nodded. “
Whenever
they open the Spirit Box will be good timing, eliminating five hundred Enâri in one stroke, not counting Vellan’s own in Kargoth.”

“If only we could be there to see it.” William took a drink from a water skin hanging from his saddle. “I could do for a bite to eat. How about you?”

“Are you ever not hungry?” Brendan smirked, pointing to a clump of oak trees a half mile down the road alongside a field of tall grass. “We’ll take a short rest near those trees and let the horses graze if your stomach can hold out for a few more minutes.”

“I can manage,” he said as a slight breeze picked up, pushing along a fleet of low lying clouds from the west.

A short time later they dismounted beneath the partial shade of the nearly leafless oaks and allowed the horses to graze in the grass and drink from a nearby stream. They plopped down against the massive trunks and enjoyed an apple and half a biscuit each with their water, savoring the small morsel and the precious freedom of the open road. Soon after, a large black crow glided through the air and alighted on one of the tree branches, flapping its wings a moment later and landing on a patch of bare ground just outside the ring of shade, searching for bugs in the dirt.

“I think it’s after your food,” William joked.

“I’m not too poor to share.” Brendan ripped off a large crumb from his biscuit and tossed it to the bird who greedily gobbled it up.

“Don’t be too generous or it’ll follow us all the way to Lake Lasko and back.” William chuckled as he munched on his apple. “If that old bird thinks he’s getting any of my meals…”

“He wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Brendan stared at his brother with mixed emotions as they leaned against the tree, an uneasy sigh escaping his lips. William noted his concern and sat up straight, knowing that something was on his brother’s mind. He took another bite of his apple, expecting a reply to his unspoken question, but none was forthcoming.

“All right, Brendan, out with it. I know by that oh-so-serious expression on your face that something’s afoot. What’s going on?”

Brendan couldn’t help but smile. “Can’t let one slip past you, Will. You’re just too old for me to fool anymore.”

“For the most part.” He tossed his apple core into the grass. “What’s on your mind?”

Brendan distractedly traced his finger through the cold soil. “It’s about our journey. I think it’s going to extend a little bit farther than to Lake Lasko.”

“That’s fine. How much longer?”

“How does all the way to Grantwick sound?”

“Grantwick? That’s the capital of Drumaya,” he said. “From Morrenwood, that’s over twice the distance to the north tip of the lake.”

“Thanks for the geography lesson, Will, but I already know that. Still, that’s where I mean to go. Are you with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” his brother asked, a bit perplexed.

Suddenly the nearby crow flapped its wings and uttered a mournful caw, ascending into the air like a launched arrow. Gavin had heard enough to confirm where the two travelers were heading. The messenger bird flew to the northeast with lightning speed to inform Caldurian of their destination, knowing the wizard would devise a plan to retrieve the medallion before the pair could deliver it to the wizard Frist. Moments later, Gavin’s tiny black shape faded into nothingness against a vast blue backdrop.

“Someone is sure in a hurry to get somewhere,” Brendan muttered.

“And not even a
thank
you
for the bread crumb,” William lightly added. “But back to what you were saying. Why do you want to travel to Grantwick? There might not be enough time to return to the Citadel before the army sets out for Montavia.”

“We’ll have plenty of time and some to spare. Don’t be such a worrywart.” He playfully punched his brother on the arm.

“I’m not worried. Just wondering why you want to go all the way to–” Then the reason suddenly hit him. “You’re going because of what Eucádus had said at the war council, right?” Brendan nodded. “I don’t think King Justin will be too keen about this.”

“That’s why I muddied the truth about wanting to leave the Citadel for only a few days.” Brendan reminded his brother of the heartfelt words Eucádus had spoken to them while the plans for war were being arranged. “I know King Justin didn’t want me to involve myself with politics, but what would it hurt if I had a brief conversation with King Cedric? If we tell him everything that happened to us in Montavia, illustrating the real threat posed from Kargoth and the Northern Isles, maybe he’ll be willing to join us and help liberate Rhiál. Though it doesn’t help Grandfather directly, any strike against Vellan can only assist us in the long run. We’ve got to try, Will. If we’re to govern Montavia some day, then what better training in diplomacy than this?”

William shrugged. “Who am I to argue with my older brother? Besides, you’re going to be King before I am, so…”

Brendan laughed. “So it’s my reputation on the line?”

“Something like that,” he said as he got to his feet and stretched. “Now let’s quit lazing around and get moving. You’ve just more than doubled the miles of road ahead of us, so no time to waste jabbering away beneath a tree. There’s work to do.”

“As if you even know the meaning of the word.” He slapped his brother on the back before they climbed on their horses and continued along the road as distant clouds floated in from the west.

On the sixth day of the journey, they rode along the shores of Lake Lasko, the dark, snowcapped peaks of the Red Mountains looming ominously to their right in the west. Sparkling sunlight reflected off the surface of the vast lake roiling with choppy waves in a gusty breeze, the distant horizon a razor straight line beneath cornflower blue skies. The two princes wore heavy overcoats as they sat around a crackling fire, basking in the warmth as Brendan finished heating up a pan of venison stew he had prepared from their supplies. He dished the meal into two wooden bowls, handing one to his brother. William passed out some biscuits and greedily dipped one into the hot meal.

“Not bad. Picked up a few cooking tips from Clovis?”

“Grandfather said that to be a good leader one should make an effort to know about the livelihood of every person that serves under you,” Brendan replied. “Besides, just like you, I love to eat.”

“No denying that,” he said, greedily consuming the steaming fare. He stared out across the lake for several moments, contemplating all that had happened over the last couple of weeks. He wondered what he might have done during the invasion had he been king, though glad such a fate wasn’t his so early in life. “Do you ever think hard about it, Brendan? Being a king, I mean.”

“Sure. I have to, Will, being next in line for the throne. Ever since Father died four years ago, well…” Brendan looked at his brother, seeing hints of their father’s facial features in the boy. Though they had both inherited their mother’s blond locks, the two brothers were similar in most other appearances to their father, Prince Kendrick, including his good-natured temperament. “But I’m in no hurry to exchange my silver ring for the royal one upon Grandfather’s hand. He has plenty of good years left in him.”

“I know that. I’m just wondering if you think you’ll be ready when it’s your turn. Since Father will never be king, you were deprived of a chance to be at his side to learn from him and…”

Brendan sighed, sensing his brother’s sadness. “I miss him, too, Will. So does Grandfather. And I’m sure he regrets everyday that he sent him to lead that mountain survey in his place. But it was an accident.”

“I know.”

“But I’ve learned much at Grandfather’s side, too, particularly how much he loves us and would protect us with his very life,” he said. “Yet he trusts our abilities as well, which is why he hinted that we escape and seek out Arrondale’s help. So if ever one day–” He suddenly stopped, hearing a rustle in a thicket of nearby trees, causing him and his brother to look behind them simultaneously.

A moment later, a large brown deer stepped gingerly out into the light, gazing toward the fire while standing completely still as if studying the two strangers who had intruded upon its territory. Brendan and William smiled at the animal but remained stationary so as not to frighten it away.

“Luckily for it we have plenty of food,” William said, “or I’d send you off hunting for that deer.”

“We have no bow and arrows, or have you forgotten,” Brendan reminded him. “Unless you expected me to chase after him with a knife?”

“Not really,” he said, polishing off his stew. “I wonder if it’s hungry.” William grabbed an apple out of a pouch lying nearby and sliced it in half with a knife. “Let’s see.”

He stood and gently tossed one of the apple halves toward the deer where it landed a few feet from the animal. The deer flinched and then cautiously approached the piece of fruit, sniffing it out in a patch of tall, withered grass before noisily devouring it. A few moments later, the deer took a few steps closer to the campfire and stopped, staring at William and the other half of the apple in his hand.

“He’s expecting it now, Will. Don’t tease the animal,” Brendan said, observing its formidable antlers and mesmerizing stare that seemed to probe the very depths of his thoughts. He watched as the deer consumed the second piece of apple William had thrown its way, fascinated yet slightly unsettled by the animal’s peculiar gaze. There was something about the buck’s eyes that bothered him, though he couldn’t reason why as the disquieting sensation persisted. He finally told William not to feed the animal anymore when he saw his brother reach for a second apple. “Better save the rest for us, Will. He’ll find his own food.”

“All right,” he said, helping himself to more stew. “There’s a little left. Finish it off?”

“No, you go ahead,” Brendan muttered, his attention still fixated on the deer. He clapped his hands several times and spooked the animal so that it ran back into the trees. Yet later, after they had doused the campfire with lake water and continued south along the road, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that that particular deer was still observing them deep within the dark of the woods.

Twilight slowly enveloped the surroundings as the sun dipped behind the Red Mountains later that day. An orange and purple hue tinted the wispy cloud strands lingering near the western horizon. Brendan and William had passed through several farming communities on their journey, but now approached a larger village nestled in a swath of pine along the lakeshore. Each looked forward to a restful night at an inn, believing that after many days on the road sleeping in woods or abandoned barns, they deserved a small treat. Both were eager for a hot meal and a warm bed as their horses ambled along the road on the outskirts of a village called Parma, but they stopped suddenly near the border when seeing a large shape lying upon the side of the road in the shadows.