“You’re always hungry,” Jorelial Rey teased him, “but, I suppose you’ve earned your board today. What if we all made an appearance on the walkway above the courtyard, and then we can sneak into the kitchens?”
“Now you are talking good sense,” Tvrdik countered, and Stewart barked his approval. “Do you suppose we could arrange to skip maneuvers tomorrow? I would dearly love a good, long sleep.”
“You and me both, friend, but the trials are coming up in less than a week, and we can’t afford to lose momentum.”
“Oh, right. Drat.” Tvrdik answered.
They made their way, at an unhurried pace, out of the alcove and into the hallway, staying together in case Tvrdik needed any extra support. To the end of the hallway, down one stairway and up another, through another corridor, and down another stairway they went, finally coming out on a walkway along crenellated exterior walls that rimmed the top of the courtyard. Stepping out in the open air, they could see the space below was still buzzing with people, even as twilight rolled in, despite the fact that word had gone out that it was safe to go home. It soon became evident why. A voice cried out, “There they are! There’s our Regent and our Court Wizard.” And suddenly, all eyes were on them, fingers pointing and more voices crying out,
“They saved Theriole.”
“He saved us all…”
“Long live the King!”
“Long live our Regent!”
“Long live our Court Wizard!”
They heard all of these cheers overlapping each other willy-nilly, and then, out of the random shouting rose a rhythmic chant that started with one voice, and gained power and momentum as more folk joined in. “Tvr-dik, Tvr-dik…” the crowd chanted, over and over.
As the sound grew to a deafening peak, Jorelial Rey leaned in close, having to shout over the din, “Well, someone’s become quite the celebrity.”
Tvrdik started backward in alarm, but was relieved to see her broad smile. “I don’t understand it,” he replied, “it’s…ridiculous. RrreeeDIculous!” Somehow the word needed repeating. “Why are they doing this?”
“Word spreads quickly around here,” Mark observed, “and you may have saved all their lives. You’re a hero, old man. Might as well accept it.”
Delphine chimed in. “Do something. You’d better acknowledge them before there is a riot,” she urged, but she was grinning, ear to ear. Tvrdik looked at each of them in turn, hoping for some clue as to what an appropriate response might look like. But each of his friends smiled and took a step back. With a small shrug, he turned to the assembled citizenry and raised one of his hands high in the air, waving to them. The chanting faded, every eye on the young mage who had just accomplished the impossible. Searching for some word or action to answer their eager expectation, and moved by the wave of affection washing over him, Tvrdik moved the hand he had raised in the air, closed it into a fist, and placed it over his heart, bowing his head in a simple gesture of acknowledgement and gratitude. He could not have chosen better. The crowd went wild, cheering for their latest darling.
“Oh, brother,” Jorelial Rey rolled her eyes.
Tvrdik was startled by her reaction, “What? Too much?”
“Well, maybe just a teensy bit theatrical,” Delphine giggled.
“Now, where would I have learned theatrical?” the mage queried.
This time it was Stewart who answered, “My friend, did you not study at Xaarus’ knee?”
“Oh.” said Tvrdik, taking his point.
“Come on,” urged Jorelial Rey, “No speeches tonight. Let’s get something to eat. The man of the hour needs to keep up his strength.” She smiled and waved to the crowd, before leading the little group along the wall, through an archway, and down another long flight of stairs. And now, the others recognized just where they were – on the main floor, headed in the direction of the kitchens.
Before they had taken very many steps further, however, they were intercepted by Lord Corbin Maygrew, accompanied by General Boone. Lord Maygrew, his bearded face beaming, strode up to the little group, and took Jorelial Rey’s hands in his. “Rel, that was simply brilliant! You have convinced me that you know indeed what you are doing. You too, Sir Mage. I understand you had quite a part in pulling this off.” He disengaged from Jorelial and clapped Tvrdik on the back. “Stunning – ” he went on, “a victory against that dangerous fleet, with so few casualties, and not a blow exchanged. It’s remarkable.” General Boone hung back in silence, while Maygrew went on, “I have to admit, I doubted that it could be done. But, with a little magic on our side, and a little ingenuity, why, it is miraculous what can be achieved. Congratulations. You’ve sold me.” He was so effusive in his compliments that they were almost unsure of his sincerity. Jorelial Rey returned his graciousness.
“My lord, I am pleased at your change of heart. You will also have a very good opportunity to preview our other tools and strategies next week, at the trials…”
“Trials? What trials could you mean?” he wrinkled his brow. “After today’s humbling lesson for those of us who doubted, and after your amazing triumph against a very real threat, I think we can dispense with any further competition between factions. I am sure you agree that it would just be a waste of our energy and resources at this point. If you still believe it is in all of our best interests to face Lord Drogue as Xaarus directs, then I will support you with all of my heart. Count me a friend, and I believe I can convince the other hold-outs to sign on as well.”
“Your opinion carries so much weight on the Council, sir – rightfully so – that I would be in your debt. So, to clarify, we are cancelling the trials?”
“Better to use the time in preparation against our common enemy. You tell me when and where the next drill is to take place, and I will be down on the field to observe, and maybe to try my hand. Sound good?”
“It sounds wonderful.” She turned to address the General, “General Boone, are you comfortable with this plan? You do have a right to insist upon what was agreed.”
Boone had been fidgeting in Maygrew’s shadow, head low, expression unreadable. He answered her now in a barely audible voice, “No, no, my lady. No need to waste time debating now. You have proven your point in a real battle. I see no reason to object. You have the reigns from here on.”
“Thank you, Minister. I confess this is a big relief. I did not relish the thought of competing with our own valiant troops. It is good to be a single, unified force once again. Together we will be undefeatable, and we will send Drogue packing.”
“Amen to that!’ Maygrew exclaimed, and the others mumbled some affirmation in kind. Boone remained silent. Maygrew continued, “Rel, don’t forget to send me word when your Legion meets again, and I will come. But now, dear friends, I hope you will excuse me. It has been a very long and emotional day. I want to go home and hug my family, and thank the gods that they are safe and well, and that our home yet stands. Minister Boone, young mage, dear Delphine, Mark, pleasure to see you again. I take my leave.” He gave a curt little bow to each as he named them, omitting Stewart, as he had never been formally introduced to the canine. He then swept off toward the main doors, leaving them all blinking. After a moment, Minister Boone stepped nearer to Jorelial and muttered, “My Lady Regent, a moment of your time…?” He looked around at the little group that surrounded her, and cleared his throat, “um…in private, if you would…”
“Of course, Minister. Friends, would you wait for me a little further down the hall? I shouldn’t be long.” Tvrdik looked her in the eye to be sure she did not need back-up, but a nod from her sent him down the hall with the others, trying not to eavesdrop. At the moment there was no one else in this particular corridor, and as soon as Jorelial Rey’s companions had moved off a fair distance, Boone sank to one knee in front of her, his head still lowered.
“My lady, this is very difficult for me, but I was wrong. I am asham
ed, and I will understand if you see fit to remove me from my position. I no longer deserve to hold it. My behavior earlier was unjustifiable. I never should have doubted you…”
Jorelial Rey slipped an arm under one of his, and urged him back to his feet.
“True, General, but you should continue to question me. It’s what still makes you the best man for the job. I know that I can always count on you to give me your honest assessment of any situation, and your opinion, even if I might not like it. I know that opinion is informed by years of experience and training, well beyond what I can bring to the table. I also know that what I have been asking you to embrace over the past months goes against every fiber of your being, every instinct. I understand your reluctance to accept it without proof, and I respect that. What disappointed me was being left out of your deliberations, dismissed, and even defied. If all my Ministers were to go off and act on their own, without consulting or even informing me, then we would have a problem indeed. Had you spoken to me this morning the moment you sighted those ships, I would have let you know that we had an alternate plan in place for fending them off, and we could have decided together to go with yours or mine. It is likely, in any case, that we could have prevented the loss of those three ships, the injuries your seamen incurred, and the tragic loss of one of our most promising young officers.” Her voice caught as she recalled Captain Virian’s brave sacrifice.
Boone nodded, “I see that now, my lady. I took you to be weak in warcraft – a foolish assumption – and presumed to go ahead on my own.”
“What is more, I was not entirely confident that our plan would work, untried as it was, and I was more than grateful that your men were standing ready at hand in the event that we failed to drive off those ships. Did you think I would have allowed the palace to be overrun by invaders? Do you think so little of me that you doubt my sworn commitment to protect those under my charge?”
“No, my lady.”
She was pacing, as was her habit in stressful situations, while Boone stood before her sagging in misery.
“If I put myself in your shoes, General, I can appreciate that what you did seemed a reasonable course of action. But, even if you had come home with a great victory, we would already have been ensnared in the trap Xaarus warns could be fatal for us. We are in a complicated situation, and I need you, General. Nobody knows strategy or deployment better than you. No one can reach into the minds of the enemy as effectively and predict their moves. Please tell me we can make this work, and that I can count on you to be my right hand, but on my terms…”
General Boone straightened up as she spoke, and searched her face, almost incredulous. It was clear that he was expecting dismissal, or a severe reprimand, but her plea for his support surprised and moved him. After a moment of thought, he replied.
“My lady, I am an old dog. I am slow to accept change, and I come to it with great skepticism. But, what I saw today was nothing short of miraculous. I know that most of my men feel the same way. The idea of battle may have its seductions, but the reality of it is far from glamorous. It is to be avoided at all costs, unless there are no alternatives. The consequences are too monstrous. No one wishes to leave his children fatherless, or his wife mourning. No one wants to look into the eyes of a man on the other side, and then end his existence. If you think you have found another way, and that it can be as effective as what happened today, then I am eager to embrace it. This morning, I would not have thought it possible. But tonight? Tonight, I hope. I believe.” He hung his head again and went on, “If you can overlook my stubbornness, and the slights I gave you, my Lady, then I am your man, and all the Royal Army is yours to retrain and command.”
Abandoning her patina of formality, she fell upon the grizzled veteran with a warm embrace, one that was received with awkward, but grateful enthusiasm. “Oh, thank goodness!” Jorelial Rey exclaimed, “I have missed your good counsel. You have no idea how miserable and exhausting it has been to be at odds with you, General. Anything we are preparing for in the field, there is no question you can make better. Please come to the gaming fields on Friday and take a look at what we are doing. I know you will be on fire with creative ways to work with what you see. As for your men – our men – they must be fully apprised of what they are being asked to undertake. Anyone who is not comfortable with the concept must be released with no recriminations. I will have no one on the field who does not in his heart believe in the wisdom and power of what we are doing.”
Boone gave her a low bow, and it was no formality. “My lady, you are indeed a generous and wise leader. I will not again underestimate your ability to take us through these perilous times unscathed. I can think of no one else I would rather serve. Thank you.”
“I look forward to working together. Get some rest, and please pass on to your troops my tremendous gratitude for their courage and discipline today.”
“Yes, my lady, I will.” And he took his leave, hurrying with lighter step down the hallway. Before he was even out of earshot, the others reappeared to surround her, Brendelle having joined them in the interim.
“Look who found us while you were with Boone, Rel,” Delphine began, indicating her mother. Brendelle and Jorelial exchanged nods as Delphine went on, “How did it go?”
“Another miracle. He apologized, and agreed to join us in our maneuvers and take charge of some of the training.”
“What a relief!” Tvrdik exclaimed. “It’s becoming more and more difficult for me to pretend I know anything at all about military maneuvers.”
“You can stick to what you know best, and leave the strategizing to the General.” Rel agreed.
Mark asked, “But is he really on board with our mandate for harmlessness? Seems like that would come hard for an old soldier like Boone.”
“It has, but today really turned him around. His plan failed, ours succeeded, and now he is willing to concede it is possible to make the new way work. I think we can feel confident that he will stay within our boundaries, while giving us the much-needed benefit of his expertise.”
“That is wonderful news,” Brendelle chimed in. “And by the way, congratulations on a brilliant victory today. I’ve never seen anything like what happened out there. If this is just a taste of what you intend to do, I am proud to be a part of it.”
“Thank you, Brendelle. Your support is most appreciated. But now, I must apologize for the loss of one of your ships. I would not have given the order to send them out, had I been fully apprised of the situation. We will see that you are fully compensated…”
Brendelle shook her head. “Don’t even think of it. We came to help in a war, and we knew the risks. I am more relieved that all of my men are safe, thanks to the quick thinking and bold actions of your Captains.”
Rel winced, thinking once more of Captain Virian’s heroism, but decided that this was not the moment to bring up such a sad subject. She nodded to Brendelle, acknowledging the compliment, and changed the subject. “Join us for supper?”
“Delighted.”
As they made their way to the kitchens, Tvrdik asked, “So, the trials are definitely off?”
“It looks like it, if Corbin Maygrew makes good on his promise, and he usually does. A bit of a let-down, I suppose, but also a relief.”
“More of a relief.” Tvrdik agreed.
“You got your wish, at any rate,” Jorelial Rey went on. “I suppose we should all take tomorrow off and recover.”
Tvrdik sighed, “I welcome that idea. But, you know, the reason I asked just now is because, I have been thinking about it, and – mind you, I am not certain – but I think that the day of the trials is actually my birthday…”
Delphine gasped, “Tvrdik, why didn’t you tell us?”
“Well, it’s not something I really kept track of in the woods, but the more I thought about it, the more it came back to me. Something about being back here I suppose; Xaarus alway
s made sure there was some acknowledgement of those things for his protégés. This would be my thirtieth, too.”
“Your thirtieth?” Rel exclaimed, “Oh, my! That is old. You’ll have to start behaving like an adult.”
“Very funny. Right about now, I feel more like eighty.”
“Well, we will just have to do something special,” Delphine insisted.
“No, no, I wasn’t hinting. You have all been too generous with me already. I only meant to say that the gods have a way of arranging things – it would have been a fine birthday gift to beat the pants off the opposition, but an even better one that the competition was rendered unnecessary.”
“Still,” Rel said, “We will have to do something to mark the day…”
“Well, now I’m sorry I mentioned it. Honestly, I didn’t mean…”
“Sir!” interrupted Stewart, speaking up for the first time in what seemed like ages, “If ye dinna mind my sayin’, in times as troubled as these, and with the brutal schedules we all ha’ been keepin’, it seems wise to seize any opportunity that presents itself for a festive moment.” There was a silence, as everyone stopped walking and stared at the big dog. Rel was the first to break the silence.
“Well said, Stewart. Truly, words of wisdom. Next Monday, then, no competition. Instead: celebration. Ideas will be entertained by the planning committee – that would be myself, my sister Delphine, and Stewart here.” Tvrdik opened his mouth to speak again, but she stopped him short, “Ha! No more arguments. We are celebrating your thirtieth birthday, and that is that.”
“I was only going to say you are all welcome to come to my house, perhaps for lunch or dinner, or…”
“…a picnic.” Delphine cried, “How perfect! It is so lovely and spacious down there by the water. If the weather holds, we can have a brilliant party outside.”
“Details to be sorted later. Sounds wonderful, Sweet Pea. Everyone hold the date.” Jorelial Rey closed the subject as she shepherded them down the hallway and into the huge kitchen. It was indeed dinner time at Theriole. By now the courtyard and halls were emptying out, as all those who had taken refuge at the palace that day headed for home, and their own suppers. But the regular denizens of the castle were collecting for the evening meal, usually served at long tables in the largest dining hall. Weary, and unwilling to mingle this evening with any lords, ministers, or citizens who would want her ear for one thing or another, or who might just want to rehash the excitement of the day, Jorelial Rey asked the staff to serve her private party this evening in one of the smaller adjoining dining rooms. Its single table accommodated the six of them, as they took a well-earned hour of relaxation, with good food and companionable conversation. Tvrdik always treasured these communal meals; sitting down to supper with the Reys, Mark, Brendelle and Stewart, he always had the feeling that this was what it might be like to have a family. After the extraordinary demands of the day, and the heady attention he had gotten, there was something very normal and centering about sharing a meal with people who knew you well.
The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare Page 56