The Wizard's Curse (Book 2) (59 page)

A reluctant smile was drawn from the woodwoman. “All right. Yes, I do.” She frowned forbiddingly. “But you’re not to tell him I said that.”

“Gosh, you’re brave,” said Melting Snow, wide-eyed. “Don’t you find him a bit scary?”

“I mean, he’s huge, isn’t he?” came Cavern’s echoey voice. “And he gets angry all the time. And h
e
kill
s
people.”

“And such weird eyes!” added Melting Snow with an artistic shudder.

Lapping Water laughed, “Will you two stop it? I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”

“But seriously,” said Cavern, “he is a sorcerer.” She threw her hands up before they could shout her down. “I know he’s a woodman as  well but he is still a sorcerer. It’s a big decision; to break with tradition like that.”

“And he’s a prince,” said Blizzard, slowly winding up, “And more than that, he’s the forest guardian. He’s a bloody legend, woman. What do you think you’re doing, lusting after a legend?”

By this time, Lapping Water’s cheeks were burning. She threw a venomous look at Rainstorm before snapping, “I didn’t say I was going to do anything about it. I just said I liked him. Okay? Now leave me alone. I’ve had enough.”

Rainstorm in turn, rounded on Blizzard, “Blizzard, you are the rock bottom. Your way of phrasing things drops us down to a whole  new level.”

Blizzard threw his hands up in contrition. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. Lust after him all you like, Lapping Water, for all I care. I admire your guts, even to consider it. I felt honoured just to have a drink with him.”

Lapping Water relaxed into a smile, “Oh Blizzard, you’re such a funny one. I suppose you’re not used to being around him, as we are.”

“But you know, Lapping Water, say you did team up with Tarkyn,” said North Wind carefully. “How could you have an equal partnership if one is under oath to the other?”

A thoughtful silence greeted this.

“You know, that is quite tricky, isn’t it?” mused Rainstorm. “You couldn’t have an unequal commitment. It wouldn’t work, would it? And if you became equal with Tarkyn, where would that leave the rest of us?”

Lapping Water frowned at them, “You don’t think you’re jumping ahead of yourselves just a bit, do you? I have no intention of telling him how I feel and as far as we know he couldn’t care less about me. So, don’t you think it’s a bit soon to be worrying about how the relationship is going to work?”

“No, not really,” replied North Wind. “You don’t want even to consider setting out on a journey if you know you can’t get there. Better to work out what’s possible first.”

“All right, all right,” said Lapping Water, giving in. “I personally think that if Tarkyn continues to use the oath as he does now, it wouldn’t present a problem. The oath doesn’t say that he has to consult but he generally does and that’s the main imbalance.”

Rainstorm chortled. “You’ve thought this through already, haven’t you?”

“That’s it. I’ve had enough. I’m going.” Lapping Water went to stand up but Rainstorm grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry. I’ll stop teasing now, I promise.” He looked at her seriously, “You really do like him, don’t you?”

Lapping Water nodded but kept her eyes fixed on the ground.

Rainstorm’s tone was thoughtful, all teasing gone, “Hmm, in that case, North Wind is right. We’d better make sure this is possible.” He looked up, “Blizzard, do you think you could get us all some of your precious wine? I think we need a good long chat.”

The sum effect of Rainstorm’s and Ancient Oak’s separate but synchronised attacks was that Tarkyn and Lapping Water avoided each other like the plague for the rest of the day. And whereas previously, Tarkyn would happily have joined the group of young woodfolk when he had recovered, Lapping Water’s presence amongst them meant that he now felt too self-conscious to approach them.

Instead, he wandered over to where Midnight was playing with some of the mountainfolk children using his marvellous deep green shield. Tarkyn sat down next to Sparrow and murmured quietly, “Watch this.”

He waited for a time when the other children were not too close to Midnight then muttered,
“
Fiersp
a
” and sent a gentle shaft of bronze flame towards the deep green shield. The little boy started in fright but held his shield firm and the bronze magic spread harmlessly around him. Tarkyn nodded his approval and smiled. Midnight beamed from inside his shield. The mountainfolk children shied away but stood at a safe distance watching, wide-eyed. After a short query, Tarkyn sent another slightly stronger bronze beam, but still Midnight’s shield held and the watching children all cheered.

Sparrow tugged at his sleeve, “Tarkyn, what would happen if you put your shield up and then bumped up against Midnight’s?”

Tarkyn grinned, “Let’s find out, shall we? Do you want to come inside my shield?”

Sparrow nodded, eyes shining with excitement. Tarkyn raised his shield around them and slowly walked towards Midnight, sending him an image to explain what he was doing. When the shield met, there was a slight fizzing but neither shield gave way. When Tarkyn pushed to get closer, his own shield bent out of shape to accommodate  his movement but Midnight’s stayed rounded. Within his shield, Tarkyn applauded.

“He’s pretty good, you know, Sparrow. I don’t think Bean could concentrate on keeping his shield up for as long as this. In fact, I’m sure he couldn’t. He’s quite hopeless at it.”

Sparrow giggled. Tarkyn grinned, backed slowly away and released his shield. “I’d better stop before he falters. I don’t want him to lose face in front of the other kids. They wouldn’t understand how hard it is to keep focussed, especially when you first start.”

Immediately, Midnight’s shield also winked out. He blinked and wiped his hand across his forehead. Tarkyn sent an image to tell Midnight to stop for a while and to get himself a drink. After checking with Sparrow, he asked Midnight to get one for her too. The little wood sorcerer smiled happily and headed off with a couple of children.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” said Tarkyn, smiling down at Sparrow. “It’s only now, watching Midnight, that I can really see how much trouble that curse was causing.”

Sparrow lost focus for a moment and then stared at Tarkyn. She blinked a couple of times then said, “Guess what? That was Midnight asking if I wanted berry or apple juice!”

Tarkyn boggled,
“
Reall
y
? In words? How does he know words?”

Sparrow shook her head, “No. Not in words, in images. But it’s better than nothing, isn’t it?”

“It’s fantastic. He won’t be so cut off now.” Tarkyn thought for a moment, “I suppose that was part of the curse, cutting him off from everyone like that. I wonder if he’ll regain his hearing or whether he’ll be able to transmit words like you do, once he gets the hang of it.” He smiled, “Interesting, isn’t it? You’ll have to experiment and tell me what happens.”

“He won’t know any words, will he?”

Tarkyn shook his head. “Not many. You can try teaching him some with your mind talking. You can pair a word with an image. Then just send the words. See if he can pick them up.”

“It will be easy enough to check if he’s still deaf, won’t it?” said Sparrow. “I’ll just sneak up behind him and clap.”

“Yes. But don’t do it while the other kids are around. The curse may be gone, but kids are still kids. I don’t want them making fun of him.”

Chapter
49

While Tarkyn was playing with Midnight, Rainstorm had taken the opportunity to wander over to Ancient Oak and exchange notes on their progress. All in all, they were quite pleased with their work so far. But they had another little project underway and in pursuit of this, Rainstorm waited with Ancient Oak until Tarkyn rejoined them.

“Hi, prince. Having fun with our little wood sorcerer, I see.” He peered at Tarkyn, “You still look tired. Maybe you need a tree. Just thought you’d like to know that the lookouts are changing over, as we speak. I think they’ve moved back into their original positions now that the sun is lower in the sky. Do you think that’s right, Ancient Oak?”

“Yes, I would think so,” the woodman replied seriously. “Now, you’d better tell Tarkyn who’s on for the next shift.”

Tarkyn watched this discussion in some bemusement. Just as Rainstorm was about to launch into a recital of the names of the people on duty, Tarkyn waved him to silence. “Actually, Rainstorm, I don’t really want to know.”

Ancient Oak leaned towards his fellow woodman and said sotto voce, “Once they are in role, he loses interest in who they are. Told me so himself earlier.”

“No, I don’t. Not anymore,” said Tarkyn hotly. “I wave up at you when you’re on duty, Ancient Oak.” He frowned, “Just what are you two playing at?”

Rainstorm feigned surprise, “Why, nothing at all, Your Highness. We are just making sure you’re kept informed of matters concerning our safety. I believe that was what you required.”

“Rainstorm, when you start calling me Your Highness, I know you are up to tricks.” The prince couldn’t help a smile from playing across his face, “You know perfectly well that I don’t want the name of every person on lookout duty or where they’re standing.”

“But Tarkyn,” protested Ancient Oak. He had thought of addressing Tarkyn by his title but decided it would be laying it on too thick. He was about to lay it on quite thickly, as it was. “You clearly have no faith in anyone else’s judgement. So we must bow to the superior knowledge and experience that you have gained in your two months in the woodlands. Sadly, this will mean that you have to put a little effort into overseeing duty arrangements but at least we’ll all feel safer for knowing that you, the only competent person among us, have things well in hand. Danton, with his notable lack of experience and training, will also be pleased to know you have taken over. Waterstone will be particularly relieved that he does not have to use his judgement and knowledge since it is well known that they are quite unreliable.”

Tarkyn folded his arms and stared at them. There was fraught silence for a minute or two while he decided how to respond. Finally he said mildly, “I gather I have offended a few people. Have I?”

“Far be it from us to question your judgement….” began Rainstorm.

“I think you have made your point,” cut in Tarkyn dryly. “You can stop now. Instead you can advise me on how to repair the damage.”

“Oh.” Rainstorm was clearly nonplussed at this development.

Before Rainstorm could gather his thoughts, Ancient Oak said firmly, “I think you owe an apology to all of us who sought out those two sorcerers from the hunting party, especially Waterstone and Danton who were coordinating it. Rather than telling us off, you should have thanked us for our efforts and shown more faith in our judgement.”

Tarkyn inclined his head courteously, “Thank you, you two, for bringing this to my attention. You could perhaps have done it less theatrically but I suppose that would have been less fun. Since I have you here, Ancient Oak, I can tell you now that I am sorry if I have upset you and thank you for your efforts in apprehending the two bounty hunters. I also acknowledge your superior knowledge and skill within the woodland. You may convey that to everyone else involved if you like, although I will re-address it with them when I see them.”

This handsome speech left the two conspirators with absolutely nothing to say. After a few moments, Rainstorm said rather lamely, “Well, that’s sorted then.”

Just as they were about to turn the conversation to other things, Tarkyn added, “But just bear in mind when you’re making your judgements that neither the other sorcerers nor I can join in with your mind talking and are prone to being isolated. Furthermore, I may have less bushcraft than you, but I have vastly more power and experience of sorcerers than you woodfolk and I want it used for everyone’s safety, especially if there are outside sorcerers involved.”

“Blast it, Tarkyn!” exclaimed Rainstorm in annoyance, “How come you always have the last say?”

Tarkyn laughed, “Years of court training.” He looked from one to the other of the woodmen, “I think you two must have spent a lot of last night in each other’s company under the influence of a great deal of wine. The air today seems to be thick with your intrigue.” After a few moments’ thought, his eyes narrowed, “Rainstorm, what have you been saying to Lapping Water?”

Rainstorm glanced at Ancient Oak then gave Tarkyn a cheeky little grin, “Why? What did you think I might have been saying to her?”

Tarkyn waved his hand, “Don’t worry. Nothing. Sorry I asked. I’ll leave you two to plot away on your own. I’m off to follow your advice and find a drink and a tree.” Looking thoroughly discomforted, he stood up and strode off leaving two satisfied conspirators grinning in his wake.

Chapter
50

Unaware of the machinations about to take place among the younger woodfolk, Stormaway sat back with a freshly brewed cup of tea and blew on it to cool it.

“So, is your forest guardian living up to your expectations?” he asked of the group of sorcerers and woodfolk around him.

Waterstone gave a short laugh, “You’re just fishing for compliments. You know he is. But we must also thank you for your part in it. In fact, I think you are an essential part of the forest guardian’s power. Both with Pipeless and the storm, Tarkyn could not have assisted us without you.” He tilted his head as he considered the wizard. “I can understand that your interest in the affairs of sorcerers takes precedence over our welfare. But remembering how you told me that your loyalty to Tarkyn overrode any feelings of compunction you might have had for instigating the oath, I am surprised how rarely you are at the prince’s side when he is facing difficult situations.”