The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (54 page)

“It is your Lady Regent, sir.” Jorelial responded in her best mock indignant voice.

The door opened almost instantly, Bargarelle sputtering apologies, “Oh, my lady, I am so sorry. I was not expecting your visit, and what with being out on the gaming fields all day, I am so behind in my work…”

Jorelial Rey smiled at him, “Sir, I have brought an old friend who wishes to see you.”

The little man looked positively mystified until she stepped aside, revealing Brendelle. It took him no time at all to recognize her, and his face transformed. Almost in a whisper, he breathed, “Oh, dear lady, is it you? How can you be here? When did you arrive?”

She smiled at his astonished expression, “However can I repay you for all your years of kindness, my old friend. It is so good to see you once again.” And she stepped up close to the Steward and threw her arms about him. Not certain what the appropriate response should be, especially in front of the Regent, Bargarelle stood stiffly in her embrace for a moment. But then his reserve melted, and he returned her hug with obvious enthusiasm. Stepping back, he sized her up more thoroughly, “Lady Brendelle, what have you done with yourself? You look so different, and so wonderful! Welcome…welcome back.”

Jorelial Rey stepped in. “Steward, the lady Brendelle has come from Euligia, with three ships, and two fully equipped companies to add to our defensive force.”

“Oh...Oh, my!...but, does she know?”

“Not yet,” Tvrdik interrupted, as Brendelle’s eyebrows pulled together in an unspoken question. “It will be my task and privilege, tomorrow, to fill her in and persuade her to our cause.” Brendelle shrugged, deducing that her curiosity would not be satisfied until the next day.

“But for tonight,” Rel continued, “Do you think we could find a suitable space for our guest to lay her head?”

“Oh, yes, of course, my lady. Right away. You have all taken me by surprise is all. Let’s see…” He consulted a master list on his ubiquitous clipboard, and pushed out between them to lead the way. Before long, they were installing the visitor in a lovely suite on the first floor, appropriate to her rank and station. Bargarelle assured Brendelle that he would have her trunk brought her from shipboard, and her armor delivered to her presently, and that he would see to proper accommodations for her ship’s personnel and troops. He then let her know that dinner would be served very soon, if she would like to freshen up and attend. Delphine offered to lend her a more formal outfit until her clothing arrived, and, after a moment’s hesitation, Brendelle agreed. Mark excused himself in order to prepare to play at dinner that evening. Delphine and her newly rediscovered mother went off to play with fashions, chatting merrily together as if they had known each other all their lives. Bargarelle, bubbling over with delight at Brendelle’s return, bustled out to make all the arrangements he had promised. Tvrdik and Rel were left standing by themselves in the hallway before Brendelle’s quarters, uncertain as to what to do next.

“Some day, eh?” the wizard ventured.

“Feels more like several.” the Lady Regent replied. “A day we will surely remember, though. Did Mark say that eight hundred people signed the roster for the Legion?”

“I think so. I can hardly take it in, a miracle of that magnitude. We shall have to begin training right away, though.”

“Yes. We shall have to take some time tomorrow to organize a plan for the next few weeks. Our deadline with Boone is looming, but we can’t even be certain that will be in time for Drogue.”

“Right.” Tvrdik responded. There was another uncomfortable pause. Then, Rel looked up at him with what he thought was a very vulnerable expression, and spoke her mind.

“I could be jealous, you know. I was the one who was there for her, growing up. I nursed her when she was ill, when her little heart, or her arm was broken. I had to say good-bye to a second mother too, but I had to think about what Delphine needed.” She looked down at the floor, “It’s hard to stay angry with Brendelle. I suppose I can see it all from her point of view now, and I suppose she has suffered enough. But I can’t help feeling a little twinge of hurt that she can waltz back in here after nearly two decades and be welcomed with open arms. No questions, no explanations, no period of adjustment or recriminations. Just take right over as Delphine’s mom, as if she had just stepped out for a moment to see what the weather was like.” Her voice had become increasingly agitated and higher in pitch, as she had gone on speaking. Tvrdik laid his arm gently around her shoulders and began conducting her slowly down the hall.

“Jorelial Rey, you know your sister. She simply cannot hate, or stay angry for long. It’s her nature. When I had to confess to her weeks ago who I really was, and that I had been deceiving her, she treated me exactly the same way, with forgiveness and genuine affection. I was certainly glad of it then. Listen, Brendelle’s arrival is all very new and exciting and wonderful for her today. But, trust me on this, no one will ever take your place in her heart or in her life, Jorelial Rey. You are her sister, her mother, her inspiration, and her best friend, and you will always be the one she turns to when she is overjoyed, or heartbroken. It will always be you.”

Her shoulders relaxed tangibly under his touch. “Thanks. I really needed to hear that. Stay to dinner?”

“I thought you’d never ask. Yes, please.”

She chuckled, “However did you get to be so smart?”

He frowned, “Oh, years of solitude and contemplation…”

“Now, how would that teach you to be so good with people?”

“People? Oh, I couldn’t tell you a thing about people. Now, I do know a thing or two about trees and sparrows and squirrels and bears and stars and clouds…” He dissolved in laughter as she pummeled his good arm, and they made their leisurely way toward the dining hall, following the trail of wonderful aromas that always advertised dinner at Theriole.

THIRTY–TWO
Under Siege

T
HE NEXT FEW WEEKS WERE
a whirlwind of activity for everyone. True to his promise, Tvrdik made time to fill the Lady Brendelle in on his story, the plan of action they had committed to as a result, and all about the Legions of Light. When he had related everything there was to tell, she sat biting her lip and contemplating her options. After careful consideration, she told them that she admired their courage in acting on their beliefs, and would be honored to be a part of their campaign. She was happy to dedicate herself and the three ships she had brought along. But, as for her men, she felt it was only fair to put it to them individually, as they would be asked to participate in something quite different from what they had signed on for. She promised to relate the situation as persuasively as she was able, and let each man decide for himself whether he would be comfortable fighting with the Legion under their terms.

Delphine spent as much time as possible with her mother, catching up, showing her around, getting to know her. Mark joined them when he could, and Brendelle seemed to enjoy his company at those times. But his time was divided between his duties as a court musician, Nyree’s guild meetings, and trainings with the Legion. Of course, Delphine and Brendelle were also at the trainings.

Tvrdik and Jorelial Rey would hold them on the gaming fields every day except his healing day, which continued to present him with a steady stream of patients. There were also meetings of the various Captains, where suggestions and ideas were broached, complaints and questions aired, and strategies practiced. When a new tool or technique passed these meetings with universal support, it was brought to the field to be taught to the rank and file. Tvrdik’s ‘secret weapon’ had been perfected and cleared for mass production by the palace armory, and he was impatient for the arrival of the finished product in order to demonstrate its uses. Meanwhile, he taught some defensive techniques that Jorelial Rey had brought to the table, demonstrated things he could do as a mage to support them (which was good practice for him as well), and had each group run maneuvers that were specific to their peculiar skills – bards, beasts, healers and so forth. Each day it seemed there were more participants, as word spread and interest grew, until the gaming fields could scarce contain their activities. The unicorns and talking beasts set up a temporary camp somewhere in Theriole’s gardens, in order to be readily available. The three visiting dragons, having made up their minds as to the wisdom of Tvrdik’s approach, left to rally the rest of their kin, who were scattered across the kingdom. Tashroth was thus freed to support Jorelial Rey, and to appear as an encouraging presence during the practice sessions.

Evenings, Tvrdik went through Xaarus’ library for anything that might prove useful. He read, studied, and tried out new skills that were unfamiliar to him. Twice, he summoned Xaarus for suggestions, clarifications, and explanations. These contacts, although brief, were quite helpful, Xaarus sharing his ideas, and offering input on those that had come from others. When he could steal an hour, the young mage would arrange to meet with Ondine as well, who was running a sort of training camp of her own underwater. She understood the vital part her unit played in the line of first defense against Drogue’s ships. In a new bit of good news, she informed Tvrdik that, with the unicorns’ help, she had worked out a way to contact some of the few remaining dryads, or tree spirits. These were very supportive of the non-violent approach, and agreed to spread the word among trees, in case they could be of possible assistance. Tvrdik was delighted and gratified to hear of this new addition to their forces, despite the fact that dryads were less mobile than the rest of their company.

The Lady Jorelial Rey divided her time between her duties at Theriole, time with Darian, brainstorming meetings, and field practice with the Legion. At the palace, she often crossed paths with Minister Boone, who assured her that his own forces were in readiness for any circumstance. However, he did not seem terribly interested in what was going on out on the gaming fields. The sea wall had been shored up, the space at the gate closed, and ships were outfitted for battle if the need arose. No further intelligence of Drogue’s activities had come in, but everything was at high alert, should information reach him that an attack was imminent.

Lord Corbin Maygrew also sought her out a time or two in the palace halls, or at mealtimes. Still on the fence as to how he felt the looming threat should be addressed, he was gratified at General Boone’s reports, but asked the Lady Regent all sorts of serious questions about the Legions of Light, listening to her responses with great interest. He, at least, was paying attention, and recognized a grassroots movement when he saw it. Lord Alanquist, the Minister of Justice, aged as he was, was already out on the field with Verger and Bargarelle, practicing maneuvers. There were still many powerful lords and ladies, however, who were extremely skeptical of the value of this rag-tag bunch of peasants, beasts, and assorted oddball characters playing games in the field every day. Some thought that entirely too much time, money, and energy was being wasted on the venture. Still, there had been an agreement, and the time of reckoning would come soon enough.

These were hectic weeks, filled with hard work, mental challenges, and more tasks than there were hours to accomplish them. Days were long and sleep was in short supply. Everyone understood that the clock was ticking on a grave situation. The stakes were high, every day counted, and no one complained.

And so it was that nearly a month flew by in this manner, Tvrdik and Jorelial Rey becoming accustomed to the punishing schedule they kept, the Praegers making themselves ever more indispensable at the old Cottage, and everyone else throwing themselves whole-heartedly into preparing for the advent of war. After the first week, visible progress was made, as they began to organize their tool chest of strategies. By the end of the third week, the Legions of Light had swelled greatly in numbers, and were operating like a well-oiled machine on many of the maneuvers they had been taught.

Then, one bright summer day, not long before the date set for the formal trials, something happened that changed everything. It was just before mid-day when the great bells in the tallest tower of Theriole began to sound. Horns blasted from the parapets, summoning everyone in earshot to attention. It was the signal they had awaited, and dreaded. The real danger had arrived too soon. Out on the fields, mid-maneuver, Tvrdik and the regent exchanged a grave, horrified look, and began running for the palace. Tvrdik clutched his staff sideways, in both hands. Others who held vital positions were only steps behind them, while the rest of the Legion had been trained to remain assembled in the field until word could be sent to direct their next move. Jorelial Rey, glancing back, saw them hasten into a close, tight formation, just as they had rehearsed. Twelve dragons, recently arrived to assist, ringed the rest in a close circle, facing outward. Tashroth had been tagged as messenger, along with a few of the fastest talking birds and beasts. These were already headed for the lawns in front of Theriole, ready to receive briefings and deliver them as needed.

Jorelial Rey arrived at the palace well before Tvrdik and the others. Before she could even pause to catch her breath, she was escorted to General Boone’s office, but was ill-prepared for the awful news that greeted her there.

“You did
what
?” she shouted at him in disbelief. Beside the grim-faced Minister of Defense was a young man in uniform, or what was left of a uniform, really. It was scorched, torn and filthy, as were his face and hair. He stood wearily in place, helmet held under one arm, trying to keep from swaying with exhaustion and wincing in pain. There were bleeding gashes marking his cheek and arm. “Send for a healer!” the Lady Regent shouted into the hall, and then, without missing a beat, addressed Boone once more, “How could you
do
such a thing without consulting me?”

Boone was frowning, defiant, “I judged it to be our best plan of defense. Stop them in their tracks while they were still miles off shore. Keep them from coming anywhere near the palace. It is a good strategy. It makes sense, my lady.” Apparently, one of the talking birds who had been sent out as a scout had spotted thirteen enemy ships, flying Drogue’s colors, some way out to sea that morning. Thinking to engage them in the open sea, where he could surprise and defeat them, Boone did not hesitate to send out nine of the kingdom’s swiftest ships, including one of Lady Brendelle’s. He had been confident of their success in routing this attack before it came any closer. He had underestimated Drogue.

“Why was I not immediately informed of the danger? I might have counseled you against engaging him directly.”

Boone’s eyes were lowered, but his voice crackled with tension, “My lady, I am the Minister of Defense. It is my job, my responsibility to see to the protection of these lands. You gave me the authority to prepare for war. You were otherwise occupied. I saw no reason to waste precious time waiting for permission to do my job, or to disturb you with details…”

“Disturb me with details? I am the duly elected acting ruler here, Minister! Would you have treated your king thus, had he been present?”

“My lady, King Darian was well versed in the art and science of war-craft. He had experience in…”

“Stop right there, Boone, before I order your immediate suspension from office. I do not know if this is about my youth, my gender, or my involvement with the Legions of Light, but, by all that is sacred, if you cannot afford me the respect properly due to your monarch, then you cannot continue in this office.” Her face was turning a shadowy purple, and sparks were shooting from her dark eyes.

Boone met her eyes, his own blazing with frustration, his voice tight, “My lady, you must know I hold you in the highest regard, but this is war. I have made no secret of the fact that I consider your ideas on defense to be, well, naïve, to come right to it. I thought you would be governed by my counsel in this arena. I am only trying to do my job.”

Jorelial Rey closed her eyes, and quickly counted to ten. In a more controlled voice, she asked, “And how well have you done it, Minister? Have you destroyed the enemy on your own initiative, and now bring me back the gift of victory? Can we all live now, secure in our peaceful, unthreatened kingdom? Should I thank you personally for proving to me once and for all the solid merits of your system, sir? Hmmmm?”

Boone was speechless, but a look of pain twisted his grizzled face. Jorelial Rey immediately regretted the cutting edge of her sarcasm, but the man had to understand his error. She turned to the tattered young man, who still stood at attention as a healer began attending to his wounds.

“What happened, Captain?”

“My lady, we sailed out to the enemy fleet, and prepared to engage. They were strangely quiet, so we pulled right up alongside. Then they hurled some sort of green flame at us. It seemed to come from nowhere, and clung to the decks, the sails, the masts. Water was useless to quench it. I gave the order for our ships to turn and put distance between ourselves and the enemy. But it was too late for three of our ships. They were utterly consumed and went down.”

“Casualties?”

“We were able to pull almost every man from the burning ships to other decks.” He hung his head, and a sound like a sob escaped from deep in his throat. “There was one who did not make it, ma’am.”

She stepped closer and touched his shoulder, “Tell me, who?”

“Captain Virian, my lady. I…he…he went down with his ship.”

“Jorelial Rey started backward from the hapless Captain and gasped, “Virian, did you say?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Virian, the young officer who had brought Delphine back to her. In a flash of memory she recalled their conversation, the handsome smile, the playful wink – and a young bride and brand new baby! Who would tell them, explain to them that Daddy would not be coming home? Her stomach flipped and her face screwed itself up into an anguished grimace. When she could open her eyes, she fixed them first on Boone, and then on the young Captain. “How?” she asked.

“My lady, he would not leave the ship until all his men were off. We had rigged a plank connecting the two decks, his and mine, and he was handing them off to me. Just as his turn came, the plank caught fire and fell, and the two ships started to drift apart. I threw him a rope, but the distance was growing and his deck was burning. He held up a hand and waved me away. Then he…he…winked at me. And then there were only flames and smoke and water.” The young man was overcome with his memories, and at a gesture from the Lady Regent, the healer eased him into a nearby chair. Rel put her hand over her face and forced back the tears she knew were on the verge of breaking through. She cleared her throat, “I will go personally to speak with Captain Virian’s family. My father knew them, and I owe him that. They will be well taken care of, and he will be awarded the highest citation for bravery. What other damage?”

The young Captain replied, “There were a number of injuries and terrible burns. And of course, the loss of three ships. The others are seaworthy, ma’am.”

The healer, finishing up with some bandages, added, “These burns are unusual, my lady, resistant to the salves I usually use. They look odd, and, I imagine, are quite painful.”

“Yes, sir,” winced the young Captain, struggling to maintain his composure. “I am ashamed to admit, we turned tail as soon as we got hit with the strange fire. There was no further action from the enemy. It was as if they just…let us go. No doubt they thought we would limp home and terrify everyone with our story.”

“Well,” the Regent replied, seething, “limp home you have, and not a moment too soon. Terrify us, you shall not. You did the right thing, Captain. I commend you for saving the lives of so many men, and what resources you could.”

“Ma’am” the young man bowed his head, fighting pain and shame. The healer nodded, and helped him to his feet, and out the door.