The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (69 page)

“Delphy, we are just about out of time, and I am out of options. All morning, I have been tormented by the thought that my first duty is to protect the king, and I feel it in my bones that at Theriole, he could be easy prey. I searched every memory and compartment in my brain, looking for another possibility, but nothing seemed right…”

“Rel…”

“And then…” Jorelial Rey turned to look straight at them, one hand raised in a gesture of breakthrough, “…I did have one other idea. It’s crazy, and risky, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like maybe it could work.”

“Go on…” Mark urged.

“Mark, are your parents still at home on their estate?”

Mark’s mouth went dry, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, but he managed to answer. “Well, yes. I was going to tell you they wanted to come and join the Legions, but they had to wait until the last of the newborn lambs were old enough to be left on their own. I was going to ask if Nelrose could stay at the palace. She’s too young to fight.”

“Mark, what do you think your parents would say if I asked them to stay at home and harbor His Majesty for a time?”

Mark paused to allow the thought to land with some coherence in his mind. “I…I don’t know. Of course they would want to help in any way they could. And Mom and Nelrose just adore children…”

“But their place is in the mountains, not far from…” Delphine interjected.

“I know.” Jorelial Rey interrupted, a wild look in her eyes, “Practically right under his nose, and yet, not on the route his armies would be taking to get here. It’s against reason, I know. Not without risk. We’d certainly be exposing your family to additional danger.”

Mark stood up, his turn now to pace, Delphine watching him with concern.

“But there is danger everywhere now, and they were coming to join the battle in any case,” he said. “My lady, my family is loyal to His Majesty and yourself. I could not presume to speak for them, but I feel sure they would welcome this chance to assist their king.”

“I thought as much, Mark. And I am also quite certain that despite Lord Drogue deploying spies of his own, he has little interest in my sister’s new husband, the bard, or in the young man’s roots. In short, I would never dream of conceiving such a plan if I thought he had made the first connection between anyone at court, and a simple gentleman sheep farmer off in a corner of a nearby district. He would have no reason to even suspect. Dressed in homespun, Darian could be just another cousin’s child come for a visit.”

Mark began to catch her fever, “It’s genius,” he muttered, “so close and so not worthy of notice. Hidden almost in plain sight. Why, he would be as safe as a fox cub in the autumn leaves!”

“Exactly.”

Delphine remained unconvinced. “But what if something did go wrong? What if he were discovered? They are not trained warriors. Who would protect them?”

Rel met her sister’s eyes, “Well, that’s why I would be sending the two of you along as well.”

“What?” Delphine cried.

“What?” Mark echoed, and sat down.

“Yes, didn’t I mention that?”

“Rel, you can’t! You wouldn’t. We are founding members of the Legions of Light. We have been training and practicing for months to stand beside you in this battle. You can’t just take us out now. It isn’t fair.”

Jorelial Rey sat down at the table again, took her sister’s hands in her own, and smiled at her.

“Oh, Sweet Pea, I thought you might react like this. I understand. I do. We’ve all been working so hard to face the day of reckoning, together. You two have been invaluable in creating even a chance for us. What you have contributed cannot be measured. I know you think that I am now trying to pluck you out of harm’s way, and, truth be told, I wouldn’t be your big sister if that thought hadn’t crossed my mind. But that’s not what this is about. Think about it. Darian knows and loves you. His Nanny is going to fight with the Legions. He is being uprooted and sent to an unfamiliar place. I cannot entrust his care to a stranger, or even to a friend whose heart I do not entirely know. And both of you have proven your mettle in a crisis, and have trained to confront the enemy if the need arises. If not to you, to whom can I hand over this most important of all tasks, and breathe easy that it will be done?”

Delphine’s face seemed to change before their eyes, from uncertainty, to petulance, to the determined, courageous face of one who knows her duty. She narrowed her eyes at Rel, and asked one more question.

“Lord Drogue does know I am your sister. If he follows my movements, will I not endanger the others by being there?”

Jorelial Rey frowned and considered. “We will have to take great care in getting all of you to the estate – disguise you both, cover your hair, figure out an approach from another corner of the kingdom, and travel by night if need be. For all intents and purposes, you will be a young family visiting relatives in another county. If it is all right with you, I should like to send Lynette with you as well. Her parents will be so busy with their duties, and she will have no one to watch over her. She is a bid-able child, and no trouble. A young couple and their two children off to visit their extended family…”

Delphine looked at Mark, and Mark circled her shoulders with his long arm. They searched one another’s eyes, and smiled. Mark leaned over to kiss her on the forehead, then released her and rose from his chair. “My lady, I will go and send a message right away to my family, detailing this plan. You should have your answer in three day’s time. Rest assured, Delphine and I are honored to be chosen for this vital task, and we will do everything in our power to insure that your confidence in us is well placed.” He made a little bow, and waited to be dismissed.

“I already know that, Mark, and I am grateful beyond words that you are willing to help shoulder the burden. Go and send that message. Come to me as soon as you hear. I will breathe easier when everything is in place. Thank you.”

Mark nodded to her, cocked his head to the side and exchanged a wordless glance with his bride, turned on his heel, and hurried from the room. Delphine turned back to her sister and took her hand once more.

“This will work, Rel. You are a brilliant leader, and you have come up with the best plan possible.”

Rel sighed, “I hope so. It makes a difference that I know who will be there to watch out for him. There is no human in the world that I trust more than you…”

Delphine giggled a bit at that reference, but then grew serious, “It will be hard to be far from you when the battle is raging. I had intended to be right by your side. I’ll be frantic not knowing what is happening on the field.”

“We can send some of the talking birds back and forth as messengers. They are too small to be much noticed, and will be happy for the employment.”

Delphine nodded, and then raised her face to lock eyes with her sister, “Rel, could I ask you something personal?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Umm…did something happen between you and Tvrdik? The two of you seem so… so, well,
strained
with each other, ever since his birthday.”

Jorelial Rey’s face turned a peculiar shade of magenta, and her eyes dipped to the floor in embarrassment. “It’s nothing, really. Just a little misunderstanding. He’ll get over it. Nothing that would affect our ability to work together.”

“Well, yes, of course you can work together. But, oh, Rel, he’s like a member of our family. I’d feel a whole lot better if the two of you could find a way to patch things up before…before we run out of time. You’re making the rest of us so uncomfortable.”

“I didn’t realize it was that noticeable. Alright, yes, Sweet Pea, I promise I’ll do what I can.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No, no. I think it had better be me. Thanks anyway.” Delphine’s face was full of questions, but she gave a quick little nod, rose from her chair, and followed after her husband. Left alone in the big hall once again, Jorelial Rey sank down on the dais and let her head fall into her hands. It had been an exhausting, emotional day, but at least she was on her way to accomplishing one important task. At that moment, having sent Delphine away, Tashroth off somewhere going over campaign plans with Candelinda and the other dragons, and Tvrdik behaving all distant and guarded, she felt the acute loneliness of authority. A passing wave of emotion, no doubt, but one that drained her of what little was left of her energy. She really should approach Tvrdik, and try to clear the air. Delphine was, as usual, right about that. Perhaps there would be time tomorrow, or the next day. Sighing, she felt herself drift into oblivion, letting go of the myriad cares that fought for her mind like vultures tearing at carrion. Sitting there at the oversized table, hands over her eyes, she fell asleep.

She had no idea how many minutes, or hours, passed when she found herself swimming back to consciousness, and opened her eyes to the vision of Warlowe’s concerned face. He was shaking her gently, and when she tried to shift to attention, she found her back and limbs were stiff and achy, complaining about their awkward position and the cold, hard floor.

“Lady Rey…Lady Rey…are you alright?”

“Yes. Yes…fine,” she said, stretching each painful arm and leg in turn, “I just dozed off for a moment. What is it, Warlowe? Something wrong?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Ma’am, but we have been looking all over for you. Stewart and the unicorns have returned.”

Now she was fully awake, and scrambling to her feet. “News?”

“I couldn’t tell. They are waiting to see you right outside…”

“Light a few torches, will you, Warlowe. It’s getting dark already. Then send them right in.”

“Very good, Ma’am.” He set about coaxing the wall torches to flame, while she shook out her aching legs, smoothed her garments and disheveled hair, then climbed up to the big throne on the dais and sat down, ready to receive the travelers.

She needn’t have worried about how she might look for the interview, as their own appearance left a lot to be desired. They had insisted on seeing her before rest, or food, or a bath, and were all three weary, muddy, and unkempt. Concerned for their well-being, after one glance, Jorelial Rey ordered Warlowe to look after their comfort, and he assured her that preparations were already being made, but that they wished first to deliver their report.

It seemed they had tried for days to maneuver, wheedle, or beg an independent meeting with some of the magical creatures in Drogue’s employ, without his knowledge or involvement. They had sadly failed in this endeavor, as security was much tighter than they had imagined, and as they had arrived during a flurry of activity that forced them to go to extreme lengths to stay safe and out of sight. It had taken them awhile to interpret what was going on around them, but once they understood, they gave up their mission, and set out for home at a grueling pace, stopping for nothing on the way.

It was the news which everyone awaited, and dreaded. Lord Drogue’s army was on the move.

No matter how prepared they had tried to be, there were still too many tasks left to accomplish in a shrinking pool of hours. It took only two days by talking bird to receive an answer from Mark’s family. They were overjoyed to be asked to serve in a way they understood well. They were also relieved and grateful that their beloved son and new daughter-in-law would be safe under their roof for the actual battle. They were a little dismayed to be entertaining their Sovereign in what they characterized as their ‘very humble dwelling,’ which was actually quite sprawling and comfortable. They did love children, though, and wanting to contribute in some manner to the cause, they were eager to accept.

So, as quickly as the answer was received, Mark, Delphine, King Darian, and Lynette packed a few needful things, and dressed in simple clothing. In the chill of dawn, they assembled in the courtyard in front of the palace. Tvrdik, Rel, and the Praegers were on hand to see the little party off on their adventure. The plan was for Tashroth and one of the blue dragons to fly their four passengers to a village six miles east of Mark’s family estate. From there, the dragons would do a little hunting so as to appear unremarkable, while Mark was to purchase a horse and two mules, in order to make the rest of the journey the way any ordinary family might travel. It was hoped that by means of this small subterfuge, the travelers would escape Drogue’s attention, while arriving at their destination as swiftly as possible.

Darian’s eyes went wide when he saw Tashroth and the blue dragon awaiting them in the courtyard. “Are we going to ride on a dragon?” he piped.

“Yes, we are,” Delphine smiled at the little boy. “You aren’t frightened, are you?”

“Gosh, no!” he retorted. “When I am king, I shall ride dragonback at all times.”

Tvrdik chuckled, “Easy there, sport. There aren’t many dragons out there who take kindly to being ridden.”

The king made a sour face. Tashroth swung his enormous head around to face the little boy, uncomfortably close. Darian’s eyebrows raised, but he did not flinch. The dragon’s voice was deep and solemn, his warm breath smelling a bit like amber and charcoal, “I shall be very happy to carry His Majesty always, whenever there is need,” he promised. The king nodded, awed by the giant beast, but pretending royal control. When he thought no one was looking, he turned and stuck his tongue out at Tvrdik with a terrible grimace. The wizard threw his hands in the air, while everyone else tried to hide their laughter.