The white dragon had been watching, concealed behind a boulder, and in mental contact with Tashroth throughout the entire drama, waiting for a clear opportunity to make her move. Cheers and applause greeted her landing, and Mark was in the forefront of those running across the field to free the Lady Delphine and to thank her rescuer.
Meanwhile, Tvrdik held the blue shield skyward, his arm unwavering, and Valour was twisting and bucking, as if trying to rid himself of a swarm of stinging wasps. Drogue was holding on one-handed to some portion of the horse’s tack, gripping it for dear life. At last, the great beast screamed, lost control of his wings, flipped over upside down and began to fall to earth in a dizzying spiral. Proud Valour landed on the dirt with a sickening thud, and lay still. Tvrdik threw down the shield and ran to the place he had come down. Andrus was with him, and a small contingent of others determined to help. Jorelial Rey climbed up on Tashroth, and they followed behind by air. When they all arrived at the site, the elusive Lord Drogue was nowhere to be found. But the Lady Rey had regained enough of her composure to order scouting parties to make haste in searching every inch of the valley.
Mark and Warlowe and the Lady Brendelle were among the first to reach Candelinda and Delphine. They set about freeing her from her bonds and removing the gag.
“Are you hurt? Did he do anything to you?” Mark asked.
She shook her head, “I…I’m alright, I think. There was only time for him to tie me up and put me on the saddle. Just a bit shaky, is all. I’ll be fine.”
Now that she was free of the ropes, Mark reached to pull her into his arms, but at the last minute, instead, he fell on one knee, bowed his head, and in a hoarse voice that in no way resembled his usual baritone, addressed her, “Delphine, my love, can you ever forgive me for allowing you to be spirited away right before my eyes? I was supposed to be protecting you. I am so, so sorry. I don’t deserve…”
“Mark,” she interrupted, smiling, tears flowing down her cheeks, “just hold me.” And in one move the bedraggled young harper was on his feet wrapping his arms around his bride, rocking her back and forth, and holding her close to his breast as if to fasten her there forever.
She pulled back and stared at him with wide eyes, “The king. Is Darian…?”
“Safe.” Mark finished the sentence for her, “Thanks to you, I was able to get him inside, and we have moved everyone from the house to a secret place where Drogue should not be able to find them.”
“I am so proud of you,” she sighed. “That was heroic.”
“If you had not come back to me, it would have been ashes on my tongue to claim it.”
“It’s alright now, darling. Everything’s going to be alright.”
They turned to Candelinda, joining the others in congratulating her on her dazzling rescue. Delphine stroked her glowing, opalescent scales, and expressed her gratitude for the white dragon’s quick thinking and bravery, which had saved her life. Candelinda smiled with appropriate humility, but Delphine noticed that her eyes were fixed on something – or someone – a few meters away. As she turned to follow the white dragon’s gaze, she saw Tashroth at the center of a small crowd, bending over Valour’s still frame. “Oooh!” thought Delphine, “I know a secret.” and she smiled. A moment later her mother, Brendelle, was embracing her and cooing over her with relief. That was wonderful too, but she realized the face she wanted to see most just now was Rel’s. Where was she? Well, there would be time later for emotional reunions. Right now she was content to rest in the arms of her beloved.
Tvrdik’s skilled hands were feeling all over the winged horse for broken bones and internal injuries. The great dark steed lay on the ground, breath shallow, tongue lolling from his mouth, eyes rolled up in his head, and his eyelids fluttering. He was surrounded by concerned and anxious faces from both camps. Though he had cast his lot with Drogue, all of the magical creatures and legionnaires retained a grudging respect and admiration for the proud and handsome Valour, descended from a long, distinguished line that could trace its ancestry back to Pegasus. Tvrdik’s brow furrowed as he worked. He had used the shield in an effort to rescue Delphine, but had never intended to cause the death of such a magnificent being. No one wanted that.
Valour flinched to be touched in several places. His wings were bent, some feathers broken. It would take some time for him to be sky-worthy again. But Tvrdik could find no broken bones or obvious hemorrhages, remarkable, considering his size, and the height from which he had fallen to earth. Valour’s head did not show any bumps or scrapes or signs of concussion, even though he had had the wind knocked out of him and seemed to be unconscious. Tvrdik suspected that the more profound wounds were psychic. He laid hands on the animal’s forehead, and concentrated on healing, comforting, regenerating energy, and sweet, warm blankets of unconditional love – like bright sunshine, only glowing in intense gold and pink. From behind him approached the entire company of unicorns, Wynne in the lead, and Shar by his side.
“He comes from a clan that is cousin to ours,” Wynne stated. “We wish to help.” Tvrdik nodded, keeping his hands and concentration where they were. Soon, all the unicorns had surrounded the patient, each one touching him with the point of a horn. Even Shar joined in, to Tvrdik’s delight and surprise. In response to the mage’s glance and raised eyebrow, the black unicorn leaned toward him and whispered, “I concentrate on the qualities of ash, as you suggested: strength and flexibility. It serves me well.” And he gave Tvrdik an affectionate wink. Soon, all the horns, including Shar’s, were glowing brightly, and Tvrdik’s hands felt hot. Tashroth, Candelinda, and several of the other dragons added their concentration and healing skills. They stood erect, eyes closed, and a sort of low hum emanating from them that could be felt more than heard. Mark and Delphine stepped up, Rel fumbling for her baby sister’s hand, and clasping it tight, and some of the bards, who added their own voices in a wordless harmony with the dragons. All of them surrendered to the pulse that generated from the dragons and unicorns, and let their hands and voices be guided by a force they could not name. Other well-meaning folk dropped to their knees and laid hands on the fallen creature wherever there was room. Most were uncertain what they were doing, but they sent out heartfelt intentions for love and healing.
Minutes passed while the collective efforts of those who joined in, and the sincere prayers of others looking on, bathed Valour in a veritable sea of nurturing and redemption. At length, the horse’s eyelids fluttered and opened, and anxious eyes stared out at a collection of concerned faces. The great body shuddered, rocked several times, and rolled up to stand on its own four legs, all the would-be healers scrambling to make room. The rhythmic, mystical sounds ceased and left in their wake a breathless, uncertain silence. Shivering and wild-eyed, his wings drooping and disheveled, Valour stood, his glance darting about in suspicion.
“Steady, boy. There is no need to be afraid. You are among friends.” Tvrdik tried to calm him, keeping his voice low and even.
The horse’s eyes narrowed, “How may that be, when I recognize some of you as defenders of the Crown?”
Jorelial Rey spoke now, “The battle is ended now, your old master defeated and missing, and none of us here bear you any ill will.”
Tvrdik added, “It was never our intention to cause you harm – only to stop Lord Drogue in his dangerous plans.”
There was a pause, as Valour scanned the faces surrounding him for the truth of their statements, and then the great beast lowered his fine head and big tears splashed on the ground. “I cannot recall when or how I came to his service, but I have seen in the mirror how far I have wandered from my spirit’s true path. I am ashamed. I have betrayed my heritage and destroyed my good name.”
Jorelial Rey approached, her face grim but compassionate, “Let the follies of yesterday go. It is possible Drogue used some sort of dark sorcery to press you into his employ. He had most of us fooled on a good many matters
up until now. If it is your purpose to make peace with us, all else is forgotten, and we are pleased to welcome you home.”
Valour looked at her with his large eyes, an expression in them something like wonder. Then he flung back his head, once again taking on the haunted look of one chased by old demons, and asked, “The girl…?”
Delphine shouldered her way quickly into the space before the creature, offering her warmest smile, “I am here, unharmed, and I do not in any way hold you accountable for my misadventure.” Valour snorted, pawed the ground, and swept his head around to meet the eyes of each unicorn, each bard, each dragon, and every person who stood there offering him healing, forgiveness, and friendship. The battered wings stretched and straightened and the powerful neck arched, as he stood handsome, tall, and prouder than he had in many months. Then he tossed his head up and down, whinnied, and addressed the company surrounding him.
“For the great honor you do me, your generosity and kindness, and for the gifts of my life, and my dignity, I am in your debt. I would consider it a privilege from this day forward to serve King Darian and his court with all that I have to offer.”
Jorelial Rey reached out her right hand, which bore the official royal ring, and Valour kissed it in token of his offer and its acceptance. A great cheer went up from all assembled on that field. Hats were thrown in the air. Comrades hugged, and laughed, and shouted in joy. But a moment later, that happy noise was quashed by those on the edge of the circle who had seen something else approaching. A hushed intensity spread through the crowd as four young soldiers staggered into the center, half dragging, half escorting none other than Lord Drogue.
The young captain who seemed to be heading the party came before the Lady Rey to make his report. He saluted her, “My lady, this one had evaded all the sentries and would have sneaked off through the woods if one of the trees had not caught him. Pummeled him good, too. We thought you would want him brought to you at once.” He ended with a nervous glance up at the large face of Valour, still standing beside the Lady Regent, and at the even larger face of Tashroth, which swung in closely to see what miscreant had been captured. Drogue stood straight and arrogant in their grasp, hands tied behind his back, a condescending sneer on his fine-boned face. His black, expensive clothes were torn. There were twigs in his dark hair, and a rather nasty bruise on his forehead where the tree had struck him.
Jorelial Rey stared at the man who had terrorized them all only moments before. She searched her feelings and found traces of pity, revulsion, disgust…. But, welling up from her gorge and drowning all the other emotions was a violent, overwhelming urge to cause this man pain; to make him suffer, as he had made so many others suffer. She could feel Tashroth’s eyes on her. For that matter, pretty much all eyes were on her. She pushed down the angry impulse, regarding him instead with an icy cold stare.
“So, we meet again, my lord,” she murmured.
He lifted his proud chin, “You had better go ahead and kill me now, Jorelial Rey, because you will live to regret any other choice you make. As long as I am alive, I will fight you. I will plot, manipulate, scheme, and harass you until the crown I desire sits on my head. Nothing will stand in my way, and no one will be safe. All that you care for will be at risk, and you will live in fear of what I will do next. Best to behave like a true leader now and get it over with.” His stare was unflinching. But when she drew her sword – an emblem of state, but sharp, nevertheless – and held the point to his pale throat, she saw fear leap into his black eyes. There was a collective gasp, and then silence. She pressed the blade to his Adam’s apple so hard that a thin red line began to appear on his skin. Mercilessly, she held his gaze, and saw the terror creep in to his mocking, careless expression. Then, with as precipitous a motion as she had made to draw it, she withdrew the sword and sheathed it.
“Sir, it seems I am, in fact, not at all like you,” she spat out and turned from him, considering what to do with him. Tvrdik, relieved and proud of her, waved at a nearby legionnaire who had one of the blue shields by her side. Catching her attention, he motioned for her to bring it over. Thanking her with a curt nod, he took the shield, closed his eyes, turned it upward and laid one hand on its face. With the other hand, he grasped his wizard’s staff, and set it firmly on the ground, feeling the energy surge up through its core at his summons. As everyone watched, the mage muttered some words in an ancient tongue, and then intoned, “Master of the Blue Light of Truth, I here set my intention that this receptacle of your power not only reveal the inner truth of the one who looks upon it, but that it send him back to the exact time and place where he became divided from his better nature, and turned down the darker path of hatred and despair. I ask this in the name of the forces that direct and create our journeys here, and for the highest good of all.” He opened his eyes and seized the shield’s handle, making a move to deploy it, and then stopped. With great ceremony, he offered it instead to the Lady Jorelial Rey.
“My Lady Regent, Jorelial Rey, I believe this is your privilege?” Their eyes met for a moment, and she reached out to take the shield from him. “Ladies and gentlemen, creatures of all sorts, cover your eyes!” he shouted. Valour whinnied, as the Lady Regent lifted the blue mirror shield, and twisted it to catch Drogue square in the face. There was a split second where his eyes went wide in abject terror, and he strained against the firm grip of his captors and the bonds that held his hands fast. Then, there was an explosion of bright sapphire blue that lit the twilight like a summer noon, and blinded all who were near enough to perceive it, even with closed or averted eyes. Jorelial Rey threw the shield to the ground, her hand still trembling with its power. When the glare diminished and it seemed safe to lift her eyes, the shield lay before her, cracked, blackened, and smoking – destroyed. But there was no sign of Lord Drogue. Fearing that he might have escaped, his captors cast about in a panic for some clue to his whereabouts – and nearly stepped on a small child sitting on the ground at their feet, crying in misery.
He was perhaps two or three, thin and frail-looking, and pale-skinned, with wisps of dark hair framing his pinched face. He sat swathed in an oversized black shirt, trying to reach out his arms to some invisible object of desire. Everyone’s eyes were on the lost child by now, and standing in shock, they all heard the boy call out in heart-rending despair, “Mama! Mama, where are you? Why don’t you come? Mama, it’s dark here. I’m cold. I’m hungry. Mamaaaa…” The word dissolved into a pitiful wail that could have cracked the hardest heart. The little boy put his fists to his eyes and continued to weep and call out.
“Is that…?” Jorelial Rey whispered in amazement.
Tvrdik nodded, “I asked that he be sent back to the turning point, the moment that caused him to choose the road we know he took. Small wonder he was so set on being the center of everyone’s attention, not to mention trying to insure that his primal needs would always be met, once and for all.”
“But, will he stay like that?”
“He is starting again from that place. He will grow up again and become someone, the same or different, depending on his experience from here on. But, he is no threat to anyone now.”
“I…I didn’t know you could do this.”
Tvrdik leaned in closer, “To be frank, I didn’t either. I thought it might be worth a try. Pretty amazing, eh?”
She pulled back and regarded the mage with horror, “Well, that was taking a pretty big chance, wasn’t it? Now what do we do with him?”
There was a pause as everyone stared at the unfortunate infant, still sobbing his heart out. Delphine, unable to bear the child’s suffering any more, stepped forward and lifted the boy into her arms, where he burrowed his head in her breast and clung to her. One hand supporting him and one on his little head, she bounced him and spoke to him in soothing tones, “There, there, little one, dry your tears. You know, Mark and I could raise him.”
“Delphine!” Mark cried out, sideswipe
d.
“Delphine,” her sister warned, “he murdered our father. He just tried to kill you as well. How can you even consider such a thing?”
Delphine pulled back, frowning, “That Drogue is gone. This is a whole new human being – a helpless child. All he needs is a fresh start to help him become something other than what he was. There is nothing that cannot be transformed with enough love.”
Another voice broke the standoff between the two sisters. It was Lady Brendelle, pulling off her helmet, and stepping up to her daughter with great tenderness, “No, Delphine, dearest. I am so proud of your great heart. But your sister is right. Even if this child is innocent now, he will always remind the two of you of grief and loss you have both borne at his hands. Besides, you are so young, and newly married. You should enjoy time with your husband, chase your dreams, enjoy your youth, and someday, when the time is right, you will have children of your own together.” Mark was blushing, but relieved.
Delphine wrinkled her lovely brow, still holding the baby Drogue against her breast, “But then, what…?”
Brendelle smiled a wistful smile, “Darling, I believe it is my destiny to raise this child – a second chance for both of us, so to speak, from some kind hand in the heavens. When I had my one chance to raise a child, I ran away. I abandoned you. Thank the gods someone stepped in and helped you grow into the woman you are, so beautiful inside and out.” She turned to Jorelial Rey and met her gaze, “For that, I will always be grateful. But I am punished for my mistake by being childless all these years. This little boy was also abandoned, and did not have such good fortune as my Delphine, I imagine. His need for love and attention turned sour and made him a monster. Now, he can start over, and perhaps, as you say, with enough love, walk a new path. We belong together, he and I. Perhaps we can help to heal each other.” She looked down at the dark child who had stopped crying and fallen asleep in Delphine’s arms. “I will take him across the sea to my own country, where no one knows his history. My husband will be thrilled to have a son, and we will shower him with affection and opportunity, and teach him what is right. From henceforth his name will no longer be Drogue, but Drake, and he will be my son.”
The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare Page 72