“The lad does have a tendency to irritate, when he gets focused on an idea to the exclusion of all else,” the footwizard agreed. “I find I have no more pressing duties elsewhere. I accept. I shall stay and assist with the evacuation. I’ve never spent an entire winter in Anghysbel. I suppose it will be the last one, before everything changes. I should like to see that.
“So, Minalan, you have completed your quests,” he said, appreciatively. “Quite against my expectation. And entirely without magic,” he reminded me, patting my shoulder gently. “It might be that you have what it takes to be a fine wizard, some day.”
I chuckled along with him about that. “You don’t know a tithe of the story, Fondaras, but someday I’ll tell you every detail. I . . . I went to the Yith,” I confessed.
“I know,” he said, quietly. “I’ve been talking to Lilastien and Rolof about it. They say you endured more than they, and both of them were challenged. But did you get the knowledge that you sought?”
“I . . . I did,” I agreed. “And far more than I imagined. I learned how to make snowstone. I learned how to make irionite. I learned magics that haven’t been seen on this world. I learned why our world is in danger. And, most unexpectedly, I learned how it might be saved.”
“And was the price you paid worth the knowledge?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I . . . I don’t know,” I sighed. “I understand why Rolof answered me that way, now. It’s hard to know where Minalan stops and the others begin. It’s hard to know the deepest, most intimate secrets of people who have been dead for ages. I suppose, eventually, I’ll treat it all as just a dream, or go completely mad, but for now it’s a lot to manage. I’m almost glad that Lilastien has me sedated.”
“I cannot imagine doing such a thing,” he admitted. “I think you are mad for going to the Yith in the first place. You cannot have that many opinions in your mind and keep your head clear.
“But I also suspected you were the kind of man who would take that risk. And you did it. The moment I heard Davachan’s offer, I knew you would do it. The wisdom of the act will become clear only with time. You must bear the consequences, now, for good or ill . . . or both. That is always the price of knowledge. You cannot un-know something. And some things we are better off not knowing.”
I could tell by the second day that I was getting worse. So could everyone else. There was a new air of urgency as Gareth tried to prepare the Beast, Tyndal tried to pack it, and Lilastien tried to ready me for the trip. I said my goodbyes to my Anghysbel friends the next day, as Lord Kanset and Lady Tandine both arrived on news of my injury, as did Prince Husadri, Master Suhi, and Master Azhguri.
I thanked them all for their hospitality, and I reiterated my desire for them to relocate to the Magelaw. I described the place to them with the best art Prince Maralathus could manage in Narasi. I painted an idyllic, pastoral picture, and promised a prosperous and peaceful place for them to settle.
“I am, of course, being selfish in this offer. Bring the best of Anghysbel with you,” I encouraged them. “There is much to be admired here, and I think it will benefit my realm. And you.”
Alya bravely pledged to honor my offer, should the worst befall me. I appreciated how calm she was in discussing the possibility that I would not survive the poison. It also unnerved me that she thought of it so quickly. I must have looked really bad.
“My father sends his regards and well-wishes, Count Minalan, and only regrets he could not do so in person,” Lady Tandine said, when Alya was done with her speech. “All of Anferny is in your debt, both for what you have done for him and the warnings you bring. Expect us next summer,” she promised, “as soon as the route is deemed safe.”
“Preparations are already underway,” her brother assured me. “Lord Gareth has appointed deputies in each region and provided lists to help us organize. He’s highly efficient,” he praised. “I was gratified to hear that he was staying on to help us.”
“Yes, the wizard knows order,” Prince Husadri agreed. “We will be able to return to the south well-prepared for the effort of resettlement. And we will be speaking in council about the . . . the vault,” he said, simply. “The Kilnusk are not pleased with the way the Alka Alon have conducted themselves.”
His big golden beard split into a frown, and I suddenly did not envy the Council. I was learning that the Kilnusk did not merely hold a grudge, they carted it around like a trophy. “They will be held accountable,” he declared, his great nostrils flaring.
After that, the Kasari sent a small delegation, and the three chieftains of the Lakeshire Tal Alon sent a wagon load of beet rum, assuring us of its efficacy against all diseases and ailments. It was far too much for us to carry in the Beast, but I had Alya grab a couple of gourds of it and convinced Ormar to see the rest back to Spellgarden.
As the Beast could only carry eight passengers at most, and was already packed full of dangerous magical items, this emergency run of the ancient machine would include only Lilastien, myself, Gareth – to operate the vehicle – and Alya. The others who were returning would depart a week later, it was decided. The late summer rains would start in earnest not long after that, and they did not want to tarry and take the chance of getting caught in them.
“The good news is we only have to get as far as Tyr Morannan,” Gareth explained, leading me outside as our expedition met in full for the last time that afternoon. While I was weak, and still couldn’t move my left arm, I had insisted that they drag me out to the landing meadow for one last look at the exotic land and a quick dinner, before we left. The two giant hawks were suspicious of the thing and kept regarding it as if it would spring at any moment.
Gareth had the Beast parked there, and the roof was already packed with packages from the vault. “From there we can use the Waypoint to get home. So the journey is cut roughly in half. With the Beast, it will be cut further – how much further I won’t know until we make the trial trip. But it will be far easier to get to Anghysbel, now. And get away from it. In fact, if I can keep that thing running, we can even make the journey in winter. That will help the evacuation tremendously.”
I nodded, feeling increasingly woozy. Alya had not left my side unless Lilastien sent her away. She had to help me settle onto the stool near the kitchen fire. Tyndal and his knights, Ormar, Fondaras, Taren, Ithalia, Nattia, Suhi, and Azhguri gathered for a final meal in the meadow outside. Rolof and Ameras had come for our farewell, too. The Anferny lords and a few Kasari also lingered with us.
“I want to thank you all,” I announced once I was settled on the stool. “This expedition was always fraught with potential trouble, but you have all contended with them beautifully. We finished our quest,” I announced. “We return to the Magelaw far richer in knowledge than we left, and far better armed for the trials ahead. We return knowing that we have friends, here, and soon we will be reunited in Vanador. I am personally gratified that each of you has demonstrated great loyalty, bravery, and cleverness – all without recourse to magic. You are a credit to the Beryen Council.
“Now, assuming I survive, we’ll have to use that knowledge, and that bravery, to push ahead with our next quest.
“I trust each of you will perform as brilliantly in that. We must bring some order to our realm, defeat our enemies, and create new institutions so that our hard-won knowledge will be put to the best use. That may be far more difficult than acquiring it in the first place. But for your friendship, your fellowship, and your service, I thank you all. I’ll come up with some sort of official token of thanks when we get back, I promise. Now, a toast to our company. I believe we have some beet rum around here somewhere . . .”
Glasses were distributed, and we toasted each other’s health and longevity for a few moments before the Kasari announced that dinner was ready. It was, of course, delicious, a stew of llama and lamb with plenty of wild garlic, tubers, onions, and carrots, served alongside bread with butter, peas, and fruit. I took a bite of everything, but while the
aromas of the savory stew were incredible, I had little appetite, no matter how much Alya tried to feed me.
“Is everything packed up, Gareth?” Tyndal prompted, as he finished his meal and got out his pipe.
“Everything that can be,” he agreed. “We’re just waiting for the signal. It should be any time, now.”
“What signal?” I asked, confused.
“One that I arranged,” Ameras offered. “Someone else very much wanted to see you again before you left. Indeed, she comes even now,” she smiled, as she looked north.
There was a distant shadow moving over the Hot Lake, growing larger with each beat of her massive wings. Avius had come to see me off. She flew gracefully over the lake, her wingtips just brushing the steaming waters before she climbed to the level of the ledge.
Farewell, Minalan! she sent to me, telepathically, as she glided by. Heal quickly! I want you to visit me again, someday. And do not forget your promise about those eggs!
“I won’t, Avius, I won’t,” I pledged. “And I name you Protector of Anghysbel until I return to hear you sing once again!”
That pleased her immensely, I could tell, for she shot a short salute of dragon fire as she flew past.
“Where is she going?” I asked, as she darted past the Cavern – and seriously disturbed the giant hawks – before streaking south.
“She goes to clear the way for you,” Rolof explained, leaning on his staff. “The goblins, remember?”
“Ithalia and I spotted them about two days travel south of the valley on patrol, this morning,” Nattia reported. “There are more than five hundred, and they are moving as quickly as one would expect. If they are not stopped, they will overrun the Kasari within a week.”
“Avius will stop them,” Ameras insisted. “She is livid that they would dare pursue her here. She bears a grudge like a Kilnusk. They will be destroyed by nightfall now that they are in the realm of the jevolar.”
“We shall see to any stragglers,” vowed Lady Tandine, proudly. “Foul folk shall not molest my people or any free people of Anghysbel!”
Tyndal smiled behind her, clearly pleased with her attitude. That relationship, at least, had blossomed in the closing weeks of the summer. Her brother’s flirtation with Ithalia was clearly still active, too, I noted, though it seemed nowhere near settled. A summer romance. But summer was coming to an end.
“They will not be the last party Korbal and his vassals send here,” I predicted. “Be on your guard. Once it becomes known that the vault has been opened, they shall redouble their efforts to gain it.”
“Since most of the best stuff is already in the Cave of the Ancients, they will be disappointed, even if they do get here,” Gareth pointed out. “They would have even less chance against a hardened Level Four geophysical installation than they would in the vault. This place is fairly defensible,” he said, looking around.
“It can be made more so,” Tyndal pointed out. “A few guard towers, a gate, maybe a crenelated wall across the way . . .”
“That is unnecessary,” Travid said, shaking his head. “The Kasari will not permit anyone to menace you here, until we leave, Gareth.” It appeared as if Nattia’s brother had warmed to Gareth, a little, since they’d first met. Apparently, the quiet ranger was growing used to the possibility of the unlikely match. “Besides,” he added, “we have one castle in Anghysbel. We do not need two.”
“I was thinking more of a tower than a castle,” mumbled Tyndal. “Something . . . wizardly.”
“This cave was designed to stand a full eruption of the volcano,” reminded Gareth. “It can withstand any lesser force easily enough, as long as there is power to the station. And with Forseti here, no one is getting in unless he wants them to. But we have our signal,” he reminded us, as the sun began to set. “The way will be long cleared before we get there, now. And Lilastien doesn’t want to wait a moment longer than we need to.”
“Yes, it is time to go,” Lilastien said, a little sharply. “The sooner we start, the sooner we arrive. We need to get you to the hospital as quickly as we can, Minalan,” she reproved. Alya squeezed my right hand for emphasis. They were both worried about me. I really must have looked like crap.
“All right,” I agreed, as Alya helped me to my feet and Lilastien ran the now-familiar medical scan. “I’ll go. But . . . Lilastien? Could you indulge me in one last request?”
She frowned. “If you want to go say good-bye to the Leshi, I wouldn’t recommend it,” she warned.
“No, not that it wouldn’t be pleasant to see them once again. But that’s sort of what my request concerns: can you play the Planetary Anthem for me? I think it would be appropriate.”
She sighed. “Of course. And you’re right, it is appropriate. Your ancestors designated that song as representing all of Callidore. My people think it’s laughably short, like most humani doggerel, and only played it to humor you, in the past. I think that after what we’ve all learned, we can all feel comfortable with the notion of being . . . Callidoran.” She touched the face of her tablet, and the first beautiful strains of the song filled the alpine meadow.
I knew the words, now – Andrews was familiar with the song, and had approved of it being used in the first days of the colony. He had fought for this world, in his way, exploring and learning the fascinating wonder that Callidore offered my people. I felt his sense of pride and appreciation of that, as I watched the sky change colors in the fading rays of the sun, the perpetual cloud of smoke from Mount Chimney becoming gorgeous shades of purple in the distance, while the mists rising from the Hot Lake below reflected in orange and amber glory.
Louis Armstrong was the perfect choice to bear the anthem, I thought, and his words gave me something to aspire to as I joined him in the last few joyful words of praise of our wonderful world: “Oh, yeah!”
Chapter Forty-Nine
On The Road Again
Minalan does not look well. He cannot move his left arm, nor his left leg, now, and his face is drawn and pallid. Lilastien assures me that he is stable, but I can look at him and know how unwell he is. It is better when he sleeps. When he is awake, there is a strange look in his eyes, and he murmurs in languages I do not know. He startles, sometimes, and looks about in confusion, as if he doesn’t know where he is. Then he comes slowly back. I am scared for my husband’s life. I am even more frightened for his sanity.
from the Expedition Book of Anghysbel,
Recorded By Alya of Spellgarden
Gareth was already seated in front of the console when Alya and Tyndal helped me inside. I noted the entire rear of the Beast was packed full of parcels. The second row of seats had been prepared for Alya and I, I could tell, for one had been reclined until it was almost a bed or a couch. As I painfully sat on it, Gareth turned around and grinned.
“Welcome aboard!” he said, cheerfully. “First, some introductions are in order. Beast!” he commanded.
“Yes, Gareth,” a strange new voice in the console replied.
“Beast, initiate passenger voice identification protocol. My lord and lady, please state your names and titles for voiceprint?” he prompted looking to me, first.
“Minalan, Count of the Magelaw, Baron of Sevendor,” I managed.
“Alya, Countess of the Magelaw, Baroness of Sevendor,” my wife said, carefully.
“Voice identification accepted,” the vehicle agreed. “Security level for new identities?”
“Senior colonial administrators, highest level of security for command and control purposes,” Gareth supplied. “VIP status.”
“Accepted. This vehicle is happy to be of service,” the Beast said.
“Report operational status,” Gareth directed.
“Power cells at eighty-one percent, front and rear motors are operational, sensor suite and lights are operational, communications and telemetry are operational, uplink to Calsat is waiting for service,” it reported.
“Cancel Calsat uplink,” Gareth directed, “or it’s going to b
e a long wait. Plot course to designated coordinates and prepare route for optimal speed.”
“Done. The route is displayed on your navigation screen for your review. You may proceed at your command,” the helpful machine informed him.
“Now, as soon as Lilastien gets in, we can go,” Gareth said to us, pleased, as he began fiddling with the console. “How are you feeling, Minalan?” he asked concerned.
“Honestly? Like I need to get to a hospital,” I admitted, as I lay down on the couch. Alya tucked a blanket under my chin, though I wasn’t particularly cold. “You seem to have gotten very good at this,” I praised.
“You spend a few weeks talking to a CI, you start to pick up a bit,” he shrugged, though I could tell he was pleased at the compliment. “I’ve learned all sorts of things about tekka, thanks to this trip. Thank you,” he said, sincerely.
“You still don’t mind staying here for a year?” I asked.
“If I learned this much in a few weeks, just think of what I can learn in a year,” he suggested. “I learned to install and initiate a Level Two CI, today. I didn’t even know what that was, really, before we came. I’m actually looking forward to the challenge of doing it again.”
“And being in the same place as your girlfriend’s brother isn’t going to be a challenge?” Alya asked.
“Actually . . . Travid said he would coach me for the . . . for the Kasari marriage rites,” he said, blushing so much I could see it in the dark. “He says I don’t stand a chance if he doesn’t. Of course, he’s also said that he hopes some nice, sturdy little Kasari wife will be assigned to me, so . . .”
“He’s just teasing you,” Alya assured. “He’ll get used to the idea.”
“It’s odd, knowing that I’m considering . . . well, that he might be my brother-in-law. We’re nothing alike.”
“Family is a strange thing,” I said, with a half-shrug. A full shrug would have hurt my shoulder. “You may take a wife, but you get her family.”
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