“That's going to take a while, but I don't see that we have a choice,” said Lukus.
“You want Pebbles and me to fly ahead and see if this Kie fellow has any for sale?” said Hubba Hubba. “We could be back in a quarter of an hour. These folks are Elves. They're approachable. It would save time.”
“Good idea,” said Razzmorten as he watched a boy and girl going from person to person with pails of steamed shrimp for sale. “Perhaps we'll just have a bite to eat while you're at it.”
“Yea Wiz. Save Pebbles and me some if ye do.”
“It's a deal.”
“Speaking of victuals,” said Taflu, peeking from under Razzmorten's hat, “let me know if you spot any whole asses anywhere, or even half asses would do.”
“You got it, Taflu,” said Hubba Hubba as he and Pebbles sprang into the air.
***
“I don't really see any difference between this skinweler globe and the one you had with you before,” said Spitemorta as she picked up one of the orbs on her grandmother's bed.
“Oh, they look identical,” said Demonica, “but their abilities are very different. Skinweleriou are made of prophet crystal, catoptrolite if you must, which comes from only one deposit in the world, and I happen to own it. Ordinary scrying balls are made of rock crystal. Prophet crystal has magic of its own. When under the influence of a sorceress, these globes can show any ordinary person anything the sorceress wishes him to see.”
“Let me get this straight, Grandmother. You're telling me that if I were to give one of these crystals to James, and I wanted him to see his old lover laughing it up over jilting him at the alter, he would actually see it?”
“My,” said Demonica, eyeing her for a moment. “Well yes he would. Though, you'd need to do a few things first...”
“Such as?”
“Firstly, you need to ready each globe by having it taste your magic...”
“Taste my magic?”
“Indeed. You simply take up a globe in your hands and allow a trickle of your own power to go into it. From then on, it responds to your control. Of course, you actually need two crystals to communicate with another person. But if you've prepared your pair of crystals, you can send whatever you wish to the other person, and so on.”
“And so on?”
“Sure. You can distribute as many globes you like and each one of them will show what you tell it to show. Doesn't matter, you could have several thousand. Are you beginning to see a few of the possibilities, dear?”
“Maybe...”
“Well, how about this? You can see and hear everything that's going on in the place where you plant it, any time you choose. Let's go back to your darling husband. You give him a crystal when you must be away. You'll then be able to let him see where you are and what you're doing, or you can show yourself dutifully sitting on the throne while you're actually anywhere else you want to be. He, on the other hand, will not be able to keep you from seeing exactly what he's doing and saying anytime you want to look in on him, even if he gets wise and tries to close up the crystal in a box or something.”
“So?” she said, with an impatient toss of her head, “These are quite something, but I don't really see...”
“I should say you don't, Spitemorta. I thought you were worried about your unruly populace, dear. All the skinweleriou answer to your power. You can tell the people what crown is doing in their interest. You can even show Niarg doing anything against them that you have the imagination to dream up. Meanwhile, you'll be able to see who's talking behind your back.”
Suddenly Spitemorta's face was alight with a dreamy gloat. “Is there any way to get more of these?”
“Actually, I've taken the liberty of having another fifteen thousand made up in one of my shops. How would that do?”
“It should do quite nicely,” she said with a giddy bounce of glee. “I know exactly what I'm going to do. The army's going to distribute these at once.”
***
“That's correct, Captain Boar,” said Spitemorta, as she stood up from her throne to pace amongst the skinweleriou displayed on red velvet cushions lined up on the dais. “Each skinweler should be placed in the hands of the most prominent citizen in each of the twenty-one most important hamlets throughout Loxmere-Goll. One for Loxa, one for Sweetpea and one for Gollsburgh... Oh. Don't forget Gollsport, even if it is outside the country. Just keep delivering to the next smallest hamlet, until you've used up your twenty-one...”
“I'm certain that I understand what you want. You want me to distribute these tothe twenty one largest settlements. You started mentioning the largest except for Loxmere's capitol, Loxham...”
“Thank you. You're on your toes. All but Loxham. All the largest places except for Loxham. See that it's done within seven days. Are you up to the task, Captain?”
“Absolutely,” said Boar. “I assure you, my queen, it will be done forthrightly.”
“It needs to be,” said Spitemorta, as she handed him papers that she had printed with a wave of the Staff. “You'll give out these instructions with each crystal.
“This is wonderful,” said Spitemorta, as the last ball was carried out.
“It is,” said Demonica, “but don't forget it's also a calculated risk, letting your subjects know you use magic. However, if you do it right, as we have planned, it'll work out quite nicely.”
“When they can see me hard at work, they'll think they're in control, no matter what I do. I'll be able to use the Staff and the Heart and they won't have a clue.”
“We'll see what we see. However, I'm right pleased to see that you're finally beginning to appreciate my efforts on your behalf, dear. Now tell me. What do you plan to do when your handsome husband returns from Loxmere? You can't keep him in the dark forever.”
***
“I know you tried Wiz, but this is disgusting,” said Hubba Hubba, jerking back with a drool-flinging shake of his beak and ruffled feathers. “What are you eating, giant stinking sow bugs or what?”
“That's shrimp, Hubba Hubba,” said Razzmorten.
“It's out of the sea, you silly bird, not out from under some old rotting board in a barn lot,” said Lukus with a laugh, as everyone else broke out with titters.
“All right, all right,” said Hubba Hubba, as Pebbles stepped back from hers with watery eyes and wiped her beak. “Dogs gobble up much worse, and they don't know any better than to offer you ones the same rot they eat. I'm sorry Wiz, you've just got me gagging, here.”
“What did you find?” said Razzmorten quickly to spare Hubba Hubba's feelings.
“That old Elf has four unicorns in a large paddock near the wharf where his fishing boat is docked. He'd just come in with his catch and was at the fence giving them a scratch, when we lit and asked him if he was Kie. He answered to it, but we sure gave him a start. It might have been dangerous to do but it was quick. Anyway, he does have unicorns to sell and he'll be there if we don't fool around.”
“Very good, you two,” said Razzmorten, as he gave them each a scratch.
In short order they were on their way to Fen, on a sand swept lane meandering along the coast just inland from the furthest reaches of the high tide. Rose and Fuzz rode Mystique through the saw grass to follow along on the beach for a spell. Sandpipers trotted ahead. Crabs scuttled sideways into holes. Rose rested her head against Fuzz's shoulders and gave him a squeeze. Soon they were dismounting in front of a cottage that smelt vaguely of rotting fish, where Hubba Hubba and Pebbles circled overhead. They found the Elf feeding his unicorns. “Hoy there, Kie!” called Razzmorten. We are travelers on our way to see King Neron, and we'd like very much to purchase two of your unicorns to speed us over the mountains, if you've any for sale.”
“How is it that you and your green birds know my name and I know not yours?” said Kie, pushing back his floppy hat with a squint as he spit across the fence.
“A young fellow by the name of Galor told us about you, sir,” said Fuzz.
“Goo
d lad,” said Kie, shifting his chew into his other cheek as he put his foot on the fence. “Well folks, I really hadn't planned on selling these unicorns. You know they're my pets, I'm afraid. I've had these here since they were colts.”
“Oh she's darling,” said Rose as she scratched a short-legged one who had just come to investigate. “We'll take good care of them, sir.”
***
Soon they were underway for Oyster Cove with a large white cyflymder gelding and the little chestnut Dúlish mare who had come up to Rose.
“Whee-oo!” said Razzmorten, when they were well out of earshot. “Even Elves can drive a hard bargain. I guess we were in need and that's that.”
Before long they found the path which wound into the mountains. It began at once to climb steeply up from the rolling sand dunes which lay just inland of Oyster Cove, wending up the face of a sheer black shale wall, covered with flocks of all manner of nesting sea birds, coming and going. It soon seemed like a very long way to fall to Rose, who tensely watched the cormorants waddling and jostling along the guano streaked ledges, rather than look out to sea. After a long shuffle up the lip of an especially steep and narrow ledge, the path came out onto a prominence covered with pines, a broad wooded shelf which ran along below the face of another sheer wall that rose to the peaks of the jagged ridge, far above. They followed the shelf for some miles, as it gradually rose.
By early evening they had found a small cave in the rock face beside a tinkling stream cascading from the peaks. The air was chilly up that high in the waning sun, and it grew quite cold as soon as it fell dark. Even with a good fire, they had difficulty staying warm throughout the night as they huddled under their blankets in the springy mulch of pine needles at the mouth of the cave, listening to the hiss of wind in the pines and the shuddering wails of little owls.
At the first light of dawn, everyone but Yann-Ber was up shivering, breathing frosty breath as they gathered up their things with trembling hands. Soon he was out of his pallet as well, bravely facing another day of painful jostling on the back of Starfire.
Rose looked at him with pity, and she was careful to avoided letting him see. She truly hoped that either Razzmorten or the Elves would be able to help him. She looked up to see Fuzz watching her as if he read her very thoughts. Fuzz squeezed her hand at the sight of the sadness in her eyes. He pitied Yann-Ber, too.
No one wanted to stand around shivering, waiting for a fire when they had nothing to cook. They got underway at once, breakfasting on dried fruit and cheese as they rode.
“If we ride hard, we might get there before dark,” said Lukus, “though I've never been this way before.”
“Too bad you humans can't fly,” said Hubba Hubba.
“Oh, I'll stay on the ground, Hubba Hubba,” said Lukus. “I still remember that wild ride on Ugleeuh's broomstick, and I didn't like it at all.”
“I forgot all about that,” said Hubba Hubba. “Of course she flew that way just because you were aboard, don't you know.”
“Yea, I pretty much figured that out by the time I was done barfing.”
Everyone laughed, even Lukus. They all needed the light moment. It didn't seem that there would be too many more of those ahead.
Chapter 84
Spark found Lipperella knitting in the parlour. “There's certainly disturbing talk going on in the Council,” he said with a look of dread as he took his seat. “They're seriously discussing evacuating the Dragon Caves.”
“What?” she said with a gasp. “Have they all gone insane? We've held these caves since our arrival here on the Northern Continent, Spark. Most of us have never even been beyond the Chokewood Forest. Where do they imagine we could go?”
“They say the Black Desert, maybe,” said Spark with a sigh, “or possibly even the Great Wilderlands.”
“The Council doesn't even know if Spitemorta and Demonica will bother with the dragon clans. Since we're not human, why should they?”
“The Council feels that they'll either attempt to destroy us outright or try to enslave us again, as Razzorbauch did.”
“So, they've not even considered the possibility that the witches will just ignore us?”
“They don't think so. They say that the witches will at least consider us allies of Razzmorten and Niarg, and I'm afraid I have to agree with that one. Believe me, I've no more desire to leave the Dragon Caves than you, but staying here really could be suicide.”
“If it were just us, Spark, and we didn't have the dragonets and Edward to consider, I'd never agree to leave here.”
“And I'd stay here with you.”
“I know, and I love you even more for it,” she said as she took his hand. “Did they say when this evacuation would begin?”
“They want to send out a scouting party to see what we'll be getting into, first.”
“At least they're being cautious,” she said. “Too bad none of us has the power of flight. It'd be no trick at all, then.”
“Well, if they put it off long enough, flight might help move the dragonets.”
Lipperella nodded thoughtfully. “If we must go, Spark, I cast my vote for the desert. It'll be good and warm there, unlike these caves. Also, I'd expect there would be convenient thermals much more often, when they do fly.”
“Actually those things were mentioned. I'd guess that unless they find something truly horrible there or that it has no water or life at all, the desert's exactly where we'll go.”
“Well, you never know,” she said, “Razzmorten and the Elves might have thought up some way to stop the witches and recover the Heart and the Staff by now.”
“Miracles are not completely unheard of, dearest,” he said with a smile. “After all I have you for a mate and we have all these wonderful dragonets.”
“Speaking of which,” she said as she rolled off her big green cushion onto her haunches, “come on you charmer, it's feeding time.”
“Again?”
They had scarcely finished feeding and settling in their brood for their naps when Kast appeared. “I hope I've not interrupted anything important,” he said, glancing at the dragonets.
“No,” said Spark. “The little ones are all asleep for at least fifteen minutes.”
“That often?” said Kast. “How do you ever rest?”
“We just realize that it will only be a few years until we can,” said Spark, catching Lipperella's wink. “Is this just a visit, or is something up?”
“I wish it was just a social call, Spark,” said Kast, with an apologetic look. “I've brought some folks who wish to have an audience with you.”
“You say it as though we should be dreading something,” said Spark. “Who is it?”
“Beaks, Spark.”
“Beaks? You're joking. I guess you're not. So why have they even been let inside? Has everyone here gone completely mad?”
“They came with a white flag, believe it or not, and asked to see the Council. The Council told me to bring them to talk to you. That's all I know.”
“Well, see them in, but I'd appreciate it if you stayed until they leave.”
Kast nodded and scurried out. He returned directly with three blue, naked and tattooed Beak soldiers.
Spark eyed the trio, waiting for them to speak.
“I'm Captain Girom,” said one of them, “and this is Erp and Drest. We've come on behalf of His Majesty, King Talorg.”
“In regards to?” said Spark.
“He seeks information regarding his betrothed, the Lady Myrtlebell. She went missing right prior to their wedding date and has not been seen since.”
Spark sat back on his cushion, wide eyed before being able to reply. “She's not here, nor did she make it here from the marsh,” he said with a grave shake of his head. “I'm most sorry to say that she was brutally murdered by the sorceresses Spitemorta and Demonica on her way here.”
“You're certain of this?” said Girom with a look of distress.
“I'm afraid so. Several very reliable friends
of mine saw it happen. She was reduced to ashes on the spot by the most evil witches the world has ever known.”
“Thank you,” said Girom with a nod. “I'll be on my way then, and convey these ill tidings to King Talorg.” He thumped his breast respectfully, turned to leave and came face to face with Edward.
Edward stood with poise, staring at Girom, as Spark exchanged a look of dismay with Lipperella at the thought of the horrible memories which were sure to be running through the poor little fellow's mind. Edward knitted his brow and raised his chin. “You're Beaks,” he declared.
“And you're the Lady Myrtlebell's son,” said Girom with immediate certainty.
“I am,” said Edward, with a cool nod. “I'd be obliged if you told my Aunt Tramae and my Uncle Donnel that their nephew Edward should like to meet them some day.”
“I'll certainly do that,” said Captain Girom, obviously taken aback by Edward.
Edward nodded and headed for the nursery.
Captain Girom looked up with raised eyebrows at Spark and Lipperella. “That little fellow looks exactly like the king's son, Donnel, only Donnel's bigger and older.”
Spark and Lipperella nodded mutely, watching Girom leave with his men.
“I think I'd better go make certain he's all right,” said Lipperella, rising to her feet.
“Probably wise,” said Spark. “I think Kast and I are going to see what the Council makes of all this, while you do that.”
***
They had not been riding for terribly long when the shelf the path was on rose out of the trees to open into a broad alpine meadow that climbed gently for a good two leagues, until it came to a pass called the Saddle. The rising sun set to work at once melting away the snow which had powdered the peaks in the night, as it warmed the air just enough that everyone stopped shivering. Ground squirrels watched them from atop scattered rocks before darting out of sight. Wrens called from time to time, like wee ringing hammers.
Heart of the Staff - Complete Series Page 90