The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (66 page)

THIRTY–SIX
The Unraveling

T
ASHROTH WAS BY CANDELINDA’S SIDE
in an instant, nuzzling her and assessing her condition. Other than weariness from her long flight, she seemed to be whole and unharmed. Tvrdik seized a torch from the wall sconce, and he and the Lady Rey ran out to greet the returning messenger. Mark, Delphine, and Brendelle were close behind. Tvrdik held the light high, as Jorelial Rey addressed the white dragon, “Greetings, Candelinda, and welcome back. Are you well?”

“I am well, my lady, and eager to report.”

“Good girl. Were you in any way ill-treated or threatened?”

“No, my lady. I was received as a distinguished guest, and treated with some hospitality. At no time was I overtly threatened or ill-used. However, my instinct was that this was largely because it suited Drogue’s purpose of the moment, that I should serve as
his
messenger.”

“Meaning?”

“He is preparing for war, my lady, by land, and has assembled a formidable invasion force. He did not hesitate to show me much of his army and equipment, holding back a few surprises for later, I am sure. His intent, I assume, was to impress me with his superior power in the hopes that I would come back and frighten you all into surrendering your claim to the throne.”

“Is that what you are doing now?’

“By no means, my lady. I only relay the unpleasant facts. We will face a large and well-equipped foe, and it will not be long before they are at our doorstep. By my observations, those who follow him are unlikely to follow codes of honor, or to be easily dissuaded from their intent by any appeal to a higher sense of right. We will have to double our forces and our efforts in probably less than a month to be ready to face him with any hope for victory.”

“Dragonsbreath…” muttered the regent, while Tvrdik closed his eyes and sighed.

Candelinda went on, “Drogue is cocky and overconfident, however. He underestimates us by every measure, and has little intelligence of what we are practicing. We have the element of surprise and justice on our side; I believe we can defeat him.”

“Did he speak of the rout of his ships?”

“He sneered at his own commanders, called them ‘incompetent children,’ and congratulated us on our use of a ‘neat parlor trick’ to confuse them – his words, my lady.”

“Yes, I understand. And all of my offers extended for a peaceful resolution?”

“He allowed me to communicate them, my lady, but gave them no serious consideration. He is fixed on his own ascension to the throne - nothing less - and is expecting it to be as easy as plucking a ripe apple from an unguarded tree. As I said, he does not really listen or observe, and may be surprised at the resistance he encounters.”

“Candelinda, friend, you have done well, and I am grateful and relieved at your safe return. You must be tired. Can we get you anything?”

“I am happy to be of service, my lady. Rest is all I require now, and I will take it with your permission, and come to you tomorrow with further details of all that I saw and heard.”

“Very well. Tash, go with her, please, and see her needs are taken care of. I will walk back to Theriole. I need to clear my head.”

“Is that wise, dearest?” Tashroth’s deep voice inquired.

Delphine was quick to reassure him, “Don’t worry, Tash. We’ll all go together; she’ll be alright.”

He nodded, gave a gentle nuzzle to Jorelial Rey’s hair, another to Candelinda, and the two of them rose into the air with a power and grace that left those on the ground staring after them open-mouthed. The two dragons banked in synchronized flight, circled once, and receded into the starry sky in the direction of the palace. A fat sickle moon hung low in the sky, having only just appeared above the horizon. The Praegers had finished tidying up the house and grounds, and put Lynette to bed, and had joined the small company on the lawn watching the dragons fly off. It was a few moments before Jorelial Rey broke the silence.

“I would suggest we all try to get a good night’s sleep now; starting tomorrow, there will be very little rest for any of us.” Her eyes were still fixed on the far-off point where the dragons had disappeared, but they were seeing things to come.

Tvrdik was also still looking off in the distance. “So. It has come,” he murmured, all at once very sober.

“Not yet, but soon. Now it is certain. There is so much more to be done, and so little time.”

Delphine was next, “I know you will say this isn’t like me,” she said, “but I’m feeling a cold chill run down my spine. I think I’m frightened.”

“Good!” retorted her mother, “We should all be frightened of men like Drogue, and know what we must face. And then, we must stand up against them anyway. Fear will push us to work harder, prepare better. Courage will give us the strength.”

Mark pulled Delphine closer, his long arm circling her shoulder, and lifted his chin in defiance, “We will be ready for them.”

“Yes, we will,” Tvrdik nodded.

There was another long pause.

Without warning, Jorelial Rey grasped the mage’s sleeve and looked up at him with eyes that pleaded, “Tvrdik…what I said before…” He looked down at her, and seeing her vulnerability at that moment, he had an almost irresistible urge to gather her into his arms and assure her that everything was going to be alright. But she was the Lady Regent, and he had been burned already this evening. He stood immobile. The moment passed.

“Let it go,” he told her. “There are far more pressing issues that demand our attention now. It is no matter.” Jorelial Rey bowed her head.

Delphine stepped in and hugged the wizard. “Happy birthday, Tvrdik, and many, many more to my dear, dear lucky charm.”

He hugged her back, incapable of resisting that dependably generous heart, “Thank you for everything, sweet girl. You made it very special.”

As they parted, Mark reached out to shake his hand, “Many happy returns, sir.”

“Agh! Please don’t call me ‘sir’. Thank you for the song, Mark. I am honored.”

Mark smiled broadly. Brendelle kissed the mage on both cheeks, looked him in the eye, and whispered to him, “Youth, you know, is over-rated, confusing, and painful. It gets better from here on. You’ll see.” She winked at him, and to his surprise, he nodded to her with the hope and certainty that she, of all people, knew what she was talking about.

Now it was Jorelial Rey’s turn to bid him farewell. She was standing a few feet away, uncertain as to what to do. Tvrdik straightened up and gave her a little formal bow, “Deepest thanks, my lady, for all you did to make this a memorable day. And for your very generous and thoughtful gift.”

The Lady Regent stood for a moment regarding his face, as if searching for something. Then, she inclined her head in his direction. “My pleasure, mage. I am happy you enjoyed it all. It was the least we could do for such an auspicious occasion. We will be hearing Candelinda’s detailed report tomorrow after lunch. We would appreciate your official presence at her interview.”

“Of course, my lady. At your service.” And he bowed again.

Delphine’s brow wrinkled at this public display of formality, “Rel?” she queried.

“Let’s go home, Delphine. I’m…I’m tired.” Delphine, still puzzled, glanced back and forth between her sister and the mage, but Jorelial took her arm, and headed for the gate. The little party of four let themselves through onto the riverwalk, and disappeared into the night.

Tvrdik turned to the Praegers, “What can I possibly say to thank the two of you for this day? I will never forget it. Every day I bless the heavens for sending you both into my life.”

Mr. Praeger shook his head, “Whether ye’ll have us or no, I fear ye are stuck with us now; we are for ye, thick and thin.”

Tvrdik put an arm around each of them and hugged them close.

“Goodnight, Sir.”

“Goodnight, friends,” Tvrdik replied, and watched them retire to their quarters in the rear of the house. Only Stewart remained. “My good companion,” Tvrdik stroked his furry head, “it was a lucky hour when I met you as well.” Stewart’s eyes closed while he enjoyed the mage’s touch. Then he licked Tvrdik’s hand and said, “A very happy birthday to ye, sir, and many more years to celebrate. I am proud to be a friend to ye, and ready to fight beside ye if there is need.”

“You have always been there for me, Stewart.”

“Would ye mind if I slept outdoors tonight, Master Wizard? There’s a fair cool breeze in the yard, and the house feels stuffy to me after so much eatin’ and drinkin’.”

“Of course, wherever you are comfortable, friend. I will be chasing after dreams myself in a few moments. There will be much to do tomorrow, so sleep well.” Stewart padded out toward the garden, while Tvrdik took the torch back into the house, and shut the door behind him.

And now, night fully upon him, Tvrdik stood once more alone in the big house. He made his way to Xaarus’ old bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed, rehearsing in his mind some of the highlights of the day. So many wonderful people gathering to help him celebrate, and all the effort and thoughtfulness they had put into the planning, the food, and the gifts. So many well-wishes, along with all the music, laughter, and good fellowship spun about in his brain. But, then, even as he was beginning to feel valued, like he belonged somewhere at last, Jorelial Rey, of all people, as much as tells him outright that she can’t wait to be rid of him, so that she might return to her former normal life.

All right. That wasn’t precisely accurate. But he had come to think of her as something more than just his partner in a grand enterprise. They had saved each other’s lives, laughed and joked together, shared intimate details of their awkward youths, their hopes and dreams, private sorrows. He had begun to see her as a kind of kindred spirit – a lone wolf reaching out for some connection. She was, in fact, his best friend. He had learned to cope with the thornier side of her personality: her impatience and occasional barbed tongue. He had admired her as a courageous and charismatic leader, well-suited to the role she had inherited. He adored her keen intelligence, her dry wit and unerring sense of right, and underneath it all, her vulnerability and good heart. He well understood how difficult it had been for her to assume so much responsibility during a time of danger and uncertainty. It was a lot for her slight shoulders to carry. Of course there might be times when one might want to just run away and return to a simpler, unburdened time. She could have confided that to him as a friend, and he would have listened, even sympathized. But instead, she had lashed out at him as if he were the source of all her woes. If all he was to her was a symbol of the moment when things changed for the worse – a jinx, a harbinger of bad news, a constant reminder of how unpleasant everything was, well, then, he had misjudged their relationship indeed. That made him feel foolish, and exposed. How could he have so misread their time together, thinking they were growing closer? He should never have forgotten her superior rank and position, which put her far out of his league.

And why did any of this matter, anyway? He knew they would continue to work well together. They knew how to do that. They respected one another’s skills, and were both committed to the Legions of Light, and to securing the kingdom for its rightful heir. With a war so nearly upon them, wasn’t that all that was important now? And why could he not end this day warmed by the hundreds of loving, affirming gestures, and happy moments he had enjoyed, instead of perturbed by one enigmatic person’s single petulant outburst? Tvrdik sighed, and began to undress for sleep, although he doubted it would come to give him peace anytime soon.

At Theriole, in her own bed, a somewhat unusual occurrence stemming from Tashroth’s involvement with Candelinda this night, Jorelial Rey was tossing and turning. Weary beyond exhaustion, she should have fallen asleep as soon as she laid her head on the pillow. Certainly, worries over Candelinda’s report and the looming reality of imminent battle disturbed her rest. It assaulted her mind with a thousand questions, a thousand more tasks to address, and preparations to initiate. This was to be expected. But, what surprised her was that every few moments, her rebellious brain would replay that brief, but awful conversation in the parlor with Tvrdik. Not the lovely events of the day – the feast, the sunshine, the playfulness and celebration, the laughter that buoyed everyone up all afternoon. No. Only the last five minutes, which had spoiled everything. Each time she went over the scenario in her head, she tried to stop herself from letting the ugly words tumble from her mouth unchecked. But, there was no return. They had been said, and heard, and they cut like a knife. Tvrdik had been so happy before she ruined it all with her childish remark. She had tried to explain, tried to tell him that it was only what one little disgruntled part of her felt, that she knew events would have turned as they had regardless of his arrival, and that he had only come to help her face them.

Oh, why couldn’t she have chosen to communicate the
other
truths that were equally clear to her: that she never could have made it this far, or confronted the struggle ahead without him; that she found it strangely new and refreshing to have had a human friend in whom to confide; that she had truly enjoyed their playful banter, their sharing of depths of themselves long hidden, even their easy working relationship. In so many ways, life was much better for her since the young mage had come along. And yet, she had as much as told him that she couldn’t wait for him to go back where he came from, or worse, that she wished she had never met him. A fine thing to say to a friend on his birthday!
Sometimes, I just can’t stand myself,
she thought
,
then sighed and turned over again
. But why am I so stuck on this? With so many life-and-death issues to consider, and so much at stake, why am I obsessing over one unfortunate conversation? And why do I care what he thinks, anyway?
Clear as starshine through her window, the answer came back to her,
because I do care what he thinks. I care about him far more than I am ready to a
dmit.