The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (81 page)

He fixed his pale, intense eyes on her, waiting, while she glared at him, lips pressed together in frustration. At last she said, “Could you at least assure me that you would prefer
not
to ‘give your life in the attempt’ if the job can be done without your going out in a blaze of selfless glory?”

There was a silence, as they locked gazes. And then, he laughed; first, a small chuckle, but one that bloomed into a big, hearty laugh that quite dissolved the tension that had crackled between them a moment before. Eyes twinkling, he grabbed both of her arms, looked her square in the eye, and answered, “Yes, my friend. I promise I will do everything in my power to make this happen, and live to rejoice in it. All right?” She nodded, swept away by his enthusiasm. He turned to the triumvirate of dragons, “When can we begin?”

Tashroth spoke for them, “There is more discussion we need to determine our part in this.”

Jorelial Rey added, “May I also suggest that we might better address all this at Theriole, where we are at home, with resources available to us, and we can better control the conditions?”

“Agreed,” nodded Tvrdik.

“Agreed,” Tash vouched for the dragons. “Make what study and preparations you think wise, and we will be in frequent communication. Perhaps it would be wise to keep this plan a secret from any but your most trusted inner circle. We do not wish to raise hopes that might yet be disappointed. But, if it is in any way heartening to you, mage, I believe we will succeed.”

Tvrdik’s eyes were shining, “As do I, friend. As do I.”

FORTY–TWO
Doubts and Misgivings

J
ORELIAL REY SAT ON HER
stool atop the north tower waiting for Tashroth to arrive with the last details. The sun was well on its way to meeting the horizon, and most of the color had gone from the landscape below. A breeze stirred up white peaks and rolling breakers on the shore below, and blew wisps of unruly hair, that would not stay braided, into her face. As the sun withdrew, she wished she had brought a jacket, feeling the chill of evening approach. Two weeks had passed since the great battle in the Valley of the Yechtze, which had been re-christened the Valley of Miracles, and the triumphant army had come home. King Darian was back at the palace, as were Mark and Delphine, and of course, little Lynette. There had been victory celebrations at Theriole, cheering crowds to welcome the Legions of Light on their return, and a parade through the streets of town to honor the brave heroes who saved the kingdom from an evil usurper.

The Lady Regent and the golden-haired mage were treated like new deities in the pantheon of heaven – feted and honored at every turn, common folk crowding up for a chance to glimpse, or even touch them, in the flesh. Petals were strewn on the paths they travelled, and chains of late flowers laid around their necks. It was all very heady and gratifying, but in the end, more exhausting than exhilarating. They were weary from the long months of stress, and even less interested in celebrations because their minds were already consumed with their next project: the proposed rescue of Xaarus from the future.

Out of necessity, they had shared news of the dragons’ plan with their closest family and friends: Delphine and Mark, Stewart, Bargarelle, Warlowe, Verger, Andrus (in case his services might be needed), Ondine, and the Praegers. But the general public could not know the grave thoughts and serious considerations that filled the minds of their anointed heroes so soon after their great triumph.

Of course, there were also a host of matters of state to be addressed as well – the regular business of running a kingdom coupled with the aftermath of a major campaign. Verger seemed on the edge of nervous exhaustion tallying up expenditures, budgets, and spoils, while Bargarelle turned his attentions to whipping Theriole back into the finely-honed machine it had been before all the excitement. General Boone set about absorbing those fighters from both sides who wished to make a career in the Crown Military, into a small standing army, and rewriting his training briefs to better reflect the philosophies of the Legions of Light. There would be no going back to the old assumptions and the old ways. And a new focus on diplomacy would help to insure that most conflicts never reached the stage that this one did. Nevertheless, the remaining inventory of activated blue light shields were re-covered with reverence in Mrs. Praeger’s cloth sleeves, and locked away in the palace armory against future need.

Jorelial Rey had to deal with a number of important royal decisions: the disposition of Lord Drogue’s titles and lands, awards to the brave and deserving, disciplines for the rebellious. There were several knighthoods to confer, among them one for Baldezir the wolf. She made good on her promise to rope off a parcel of good wooded land as a safe haven for his clan. Another piece of Drogue’s territories adjoined Mark’s family estate, and she annexed these to their holdings to honor their service. It was mostly earmarked by his parents as additional acreage for Mark’s dream of a school.

There were honors conferred on Ondine, Wynne, Shar, Nyree, Andrus, Candelinda, Stewart, and Lady Brendelle. The Lady Regent offered to knight Warlowe, and to grant him and his family lands, but while he accepted the commendation, and a small purse to make his family secure, he begged to continue in his position at Theriole where he felt he could serve best. There was no argument from Lady Rey. A similar offer to advance the Praegers’ state for their contributions was met with horror and embarrassment by both Mr. and Mrs. Praeger. Both of them insisted they could be no happier than right where they were, as personal aides to the last wizard of Eneri Clare. Mrs. Praeger so enjoyed feeling needed – indeed, how would Tvrdik ever get by without her to run his household, and especially to
feed
the slender young man? And Mr. Praeger opined as he still had a debt to the young wizard to pay off, and would hear nothing to the contrary.

The Lady Regent did insist on knighting Mark, and brushed aside his protest that such a move might be considered nepotism. She pointed out that his daring rescue of the infant king, while they were in mortal danger, deserved recognition. Delphine was delighted, and Mark’s parents were beside themselves, although he assured everyone it would not change his plans for the future, nor his current occupation, even a little bit. Drogue had no surviving family, and in the end, she dissolved his fiefdom, and distributed the unaccounted-for lands and holdings as fairly as she could among his neighbors who had been supportive of the king.

Lady Brendelle had been homesick, and eager to bring her new adopted son home to meet her husband. With the loving care she lavished on him, little Drake already seemed like nothing so much as a normal, happy child – if a bit on the frail, shy side. If one week could create such a remarkable transformation, there seemed hope that an entire childhood with loving parents might indeed ensure that he would grow into a very different person. One week after their return to Theriole, Brendelle, her warriors and sailors, and her son Drake set sail for Euligia. There were tearful farewells, kisses, and long embraces, and promises all around to stay in close touch and visit often. And then, the mother Delphine had found for the first time only weeks before, was gone from their sight once again. But this time, not from their hearts.

Tvrdik, when not pressed to appear in public, had thrown himself into reading and studying on any subject that might facilitate the process of bringing Xaarus back. Books on dragons and their legendary abilities, on mind training, on time theory…he devoured whatever portions seemed pertinent, and practiced whatever disciplines they suggested, with diligence. At earliest convenience, he contacted Xaarus himself once again, and informed him with great enthusiasm about their plan to bring him back. Xaarus was intrigued, but at first cautious. As he considered further, he became excited about their prospects for success. But, soon enough, the old wizard arrived at a deep concern for Tvrdik’s welfare.

“There is no doubt that if it were possible for the dragons to bring me home in safety, I would leap at the chance,” he said. “I would like nothing better than to be back at my little cottage, among my friends, living out the rest of my days in peace, and perhaps some usefulness. But I would not attempt such a thing if it meant risk to you, lad. It wouldn’t be right.”

“You are a very great wizard, Master, and you are needed here. I will assume the risks. I count them as well worth it.”

“I am old, son, and I did this to myself. I will not let you play the martyr for me. There must be another way.”

“Master, the risks we speak of are only
possible
ones, and the dragons and I will do our best to minimize them. We must seize this opportunity while we can; we do not know when another one this promising will come. You have done so much for me, Master. Please, let me do this for you.”

In the end, Xaarus was persuaded that this could be his last, best chance at returning to the time and place he called home. He saw that Tvrdik was determined to make the attempt despite every argument he could think of to dissuade him. And so, he set about doing his own research, hoping to discover some additional piece of the puzzle that might make the process safer, surer, or easier.

And now, in the chill, late summer twilight, Jorelial Rey sat with a restless heart, and awaited word of the last details of their plan: day, time, place, procedure. The dragons were all eager to be off to their own respective territories by now, and this thing must take place very soon, or else be abandoned. A noise behind her caught her attention, and she rose and spun around to see the trap-door which accessed her rooftop perch spring open. Her momentary stress at someone’s invasion of her sanctuary was relieved on seeing the thick, auburn waves on the head that poked through the square opening: Delphine.

“Rel, I know you like to come up here sometimes and hide, and I hated to disturb you, but it’s getting cold, and I thought I might bring your jacket.”

“You’re an angel. I was just thinking I could use it. Come on up. Tashroth isn’t back yet, and I could use some company. My own thoughts are driving me crazy.”

Delphine clambered out of the stairwell, closed the door behind her, and came over to sit on the stool. Her sister wrestled with the jacket, and then paced over to a crenellated rampart, gazing out into the dimming sky.

“Something you want to talk about?” the younger girl asked.

Rel sighed, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to talk. Delphy, you know I have grave reservations about this rescue…”

“But, why? You loved Xaarus. It’s so exciting to think that he is alive and well, and that they might be able to bring him back. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have
two
wizards at court?”

“I’m afraid we could end up with
no
wizards after this crazy scheme. I…I did love Xaarus, but I made my peace a very long time ago with his absence in our lives. The other one I don’t think I could bear to lose.” This last she spoke so softly that Delphine almost missed it. Almost.

The younger girl jumped up and embraced her sister from behind, “Tashroth won’t let anything happen to Tvrdik, Rel. He’ll be fine, whether they succeed or not.”

“Tashroth said it was very dangerous, and that they would all try to protect him, but that there were no guarantees.” The proud Lady Regent seemed to be on the verge of tears. Delphine was astounded at her pragmatic sister’s uncharacteristic display of emotion.

“Rel, there is risk in all of life…there are never any guarantees. Tvrdik is excited about this. He
wants
to do it. You mustn’t make it harder for him…”

Jorelial Rey snapped at her, through the tears streaming down her face in earnest now. “Why not? That idiot makes everything hard for himself,
and
for everyone else. He won’t listen to anyone, and the fool has convinced himself that he is supposed to be a hero, or a martyr, or some such. He doesn’t even seem to care if he lives or dies, so long as he gets to chase his precious destiny…”

Delphine, wide-eyed with surprise, still spoke in soothing tones,“But you
do
care if he lives or dies?”

“Yes, blast it. Though, if you tell him that, I’ll break your arms.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Delphine fought to keep a serious expression on her face, when a broad smile at her sister’s obvious deep feelings was wrestling to get out. She focused on the very real uncertainties of the project. “You know how I feel about Tvrdik. I adore him. He’s like the big brother I never had. I would be crushed if anything happened to him. But somehow, I feel certain that he will pull this off, and be just fine. He’s stronger than you give him credit for.”

“I know. But, what if the dragons are right? What if we got all the way through the war in one piece, and then he insists on doing this fool rescue, and…and…” she could not even speak her fears.

“But, why are
you
so concerned, Rel? Honestly, I didn’t even think you were getting along these last weeks. You know, after you nursed him back to health from that arrow wound, I thought it was wonderful how you two were getting to be such great friends – the both of you being such loners and all. But, for the last month or so, you’ve been downright icy with each other.”

At that, Jorelial Rey, General, ruler of an entire kingdom – the smart, savvy, fearless leader of men, collapsed onto her stool, covered her face with her hands and dissolved into abject sobs. Now there was nothing funny in her sister’s distress. Delphine was alarmed.

“It was me. It was all my fault,” Rel wailed. “I never could figure out how to fix it, and things just got worse and worse.”

“Calm down, and tell me what happened.”

“It was at his birthday party. It was such a fine day, and at the end we were sitting by the fire talking about personal things, and we’d both had a good deal of wine, and I…I said that I couldn’t wait for this whole awful business to be over so things could go back to normal again, like before he showed up and turned the whole world upside down!”

“Oh, Rel, you didn’t!”

“Well, I didn’t
mean
it like that…I just wanted all the problems to go away, all the responsibility. I didn’t really mean they were his fault…”

“But, he assumed you meant you couldn’t wait for him to go back where he came from and leave you alone.”

“I tried to apologize. I tried to explain, but then everything happened, and we had work to do. There was no time to talk about such things. He’s been cordial and professional to me ever since –even saved my life
again
on the battlefield, and we got the job done, didn’t we? But now, he won’t look at me, or talk to me. Not like before. And now he’s determined to do this fool thing…he could be broken or
killed
, and I’ve never even had the chance to tell him…”

Delphine stood back from her sister, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “Why, Jorelial Rey, you’re in love with him!”

“Don’t be silly.”

“No, no. Don’t try to deny it. That’s what this is all about…you’re in love with the man, and you’re afraid you’ll lose him before he even knows. Oh, Rel, I couldn’t be happier for you. I knew you two would be perfect for each other – I just
kne
w
it.”

“How can you be so cruel to me, Delphy? I swear, I don’t know what love is. I mean, I loved Papa, and you, and Tashroth, of course, but men? I never had any luck at all with men. And then, this scrawny, pale-haired, bespectacled stranger comes along and involves me in the most terrifying and difficult adventure of my life, and he is gentle, and kind, and funny, and compassionate. He listens. He makes me laugh. He cares what I think, how I feel. He isn’t even afraid of Tashroth. I didn’t plan to love him, but, oh, Delphine, it’s like he’s my other half. I never felt so easy with anyone before…at least until I opened my idiot mouth! I didn’t even know how lonely I was until I got used to having him around all the time…,” she started to cry all over again. “And what would I ever do without him? I can’t go back to that solitary place again, I can’t. Why won’t he see what he’s doing to me?”